"I don't have problems talking about Cardamine because it part of my daily life and it's widespread among people I live with." Msyu, after enjoying the last bit, bow to Page. "Uhm, another please?"
"Anyway," she straightens up to face the officer again, "while I don't need a breather I am still addicted and need to take a dose regularly. Better don't try asking an Outcast to take off his breather though, that might be bad."she chuckles briefly.
"Why Bretonia and not Liberty? Well, Liberty have its own, how to say it... reputation. Besides, Bretonian government models is closer to our ideals. That and our alliance with Outcasts is less of a problem here. Needless to say, it's an alliance out of need more that anything else. " she reaches down for her fan and lays it on the table, making a *thud* inconsistent with estimated weight of ornamental paper fan." But you didn't heard that from me. "
Waving over to Christy for another tea, who as usual had not been doing much yet still within earshot, Page then turned to face his 'guest'.
"An alliance of necessity? I think that is how Bretonia viewed Malta, but I had always thought the Chrysanthemums were rather happy with them. I guess it is good to hear it from an insider's perspective to keep informed. I've never thought Liberty as too much of a problem for you other than perhaps those who care so much about the Outcasts, but they do have several high-ranking female officers in the Navy. A gir- eh, woman I know out there, Melanie Tyler, was effectively the commanding officer of the entire LAF in Bretonia. She has a new commission back home in Liberty though, I'll need to write to her again soon...
"Then again, it doesn't get much higher than having a Queen as the head of state. As far as I know, you were looking for a similar situation in Kusari?"
Looking down at the unexpectedly loud thud of the fan, Page began to think it may only be traditional in a certain sisterhood...
"Its not like we against the idea of cooperating them, definitely not. Most of our Cardamine consumption is covered by both our and Outcast shipments. In return, we are helping them in their fights whenever we can and uh... opening them a way into Kusari." Msyu swiftly examines the Inspector and then chuckles. "Then again, without us. Outcasts would had a really hard time getting into the Kusari so the only place their piracy would take place would be Taus..." She stands up. "...or Bretonia." The way she said it gives a quite clear message that Msyu is very proud simply even of her own existence. "Purely hyp... hypothetically, of course." Something on her posture seems off however. Suddenly, she seems unsure on her feet, yet tries to discreetly hide it by swiftly sitting down again.
"A good point. I'm not great fan of a war fought through drugs, but I'll make do with the Mollys, Gaians, Gauls and Corsairs without the Outcasts joining in as well."
Instinctively reaching up to her shoulder as Msyu fell back into her seat, Page seemed concerned.
"Steady on there! Would have been quite the tumble... are you ok?"
"I am okay. Or will be... a bit later. I, uh... I didn't want to cause problems, given that Bretonia might be our biggest trade partner so... I didn't brought any Cardamine on this trip." Showing a smile as assuring as possible. "I try to do with as little as possible anyway. After all, part of the Cardamine induced DNA change is infertility and I would still like to have kids." She coughs and hastily turns to diary again. "So, uhm, Mollys, Gaians, Gauls and Corsairs. Those are the biggest threats here?" Cracking another smile, she writes down the list.
"We have the exceptions for personal use for a reason, and there are centres to... administer doses. They also have a small stock in case of those going into withdrawal. Coming without it is rather a risky move. Cardamine might reduce your chances of becoming a mother one day, but so will dying slowly in an alley somewhere." He lightened up a little with a smile. "I'd rather not have to carry you to the nearest centre were you to actually collapse, if I can help it."
Thinking on his main adversaries, Page took another mouthful of his tea.
"Gallia would definitely be the biggest threat, centuries of pent-up hatred and a hunger for resources, with a fleet to back up those goals is not to be taken lightly. The Leeds line is holding for now with our 'allied forces' working together, but I don't know how long it can do so without further support.
"You'd think it would rally all of Bretonia against them, but the Mollys seem content to stand aside. We'll see how long their 'Republic' lasts if we are to fall.
"Corsairs will keep raiding us for food or whatever they decide they need. There are a few groups on our side in the deeper Omegas though, and the Civil Defence Initiative should give us the numbers to fight them off closer to home."
Page is a bit more reserved with his last description.
"The Gaians aren't quite as bad, or at least they have been quiet recently. Something to do with Gallia stomping through their territory I'd guess. The ones I've seen are still idiots though, ruining the otherwise good intentions of the Green Front.
"I think that probably covers things," he said finally, sitting upright on his chair again.
Msyu sighs, looking down a bit embarrassed. "Again, I will be fine, inspector. I wouldn't come here if I wasn't sure that I could deal with my problems. As I said, Bretonia might be our biggest, most valuable partner and I am here to help it. That includes preserving my... physical condition. Altough, the fact that Bretonia acknowledged needs of Cardamine users is something I was not aware off. That is... surprising, amazing even." She finishes her notes and closing the diary. The diary itself, shortly after that disappearing in depths of her attire. "I believe I have everything I need. For now at least. Now, if you wish to ask anything..."
"Well I think we fairly covered Bretonia and my role in it, and a little about the Chrysanthemums. However, I'd be interested to know how you feel on your progress in Kusari, and life there in general."
Drinking some more tea for a moment, he becomes more specific.
"Not every girl will grow up to be Queen one day, but life is far more equal between the sexes in Bretonia. Did anything change with the government, I heard some news about it..? How do you feel about being a Sister instead of 'growing up normally', anything you think you'd have missed out on as a young woman?"
Msyu throws at Page a surprised stare, followed by a soft giggle growing into joyful laugh. "Are you sure about that, inspector? I would be a good empre... Ahem, Queen. As you can see I already have clothes for that." She grabs the fan from table and covers her lips with it, whilst waving in a royal fashion. "What do you think?"
Letting out another giggle, she closes the fan and lays it down on table with the same thud as before. "But really, I don't think I can answer your question. Mother brought me with her to Sisterhood when I was four. I don't remember my father but Mother refuses to speak about him to this day so I think that he was the reason I am a Chrysanthemum now. As far as the government goes little to nothing changed since the emperor's exile. Even though Kussari is now a Republic, government is still in control of corporations and people with power. Namely Samura, Kishiro and Hogosha."
Blushing a little at her giggles, Page did seem rather impressed. "One does have the royal grace, milady. Or is it a case of 'All shall love you and despair', oh beautiful Empress?"
"I suppose I was a bit luckier, or at least ordinary, growing up." He changed the subject, becoming serious again. "I'm not sure where I'd be just now if my dad wasn't around..."
"Corporations controlling the government didn't work out for Rheinland, if you know your history of the time. It's the other way around in Bretonia, which is awfully handy in a war. Have you ran into any of our Bowex convoys on your way south?"
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