Snippet #2816225

"I'm ... still stuck on Shimizu as 'treacherous swine,'" said Dvořák, raising one hand a moment, then putting it back down on the armrest. "So, he doesn't just come across that way to other nations." He nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Ah. He doesn't know you're alive yet, which means, he'd be happier knowing - or believing - that you're dead. So he has an interest in your continued demise, officially." Dvořák tilted his head slightly to the side. "Don't worry - I'm not planning to run off to the press, or go online, or anything like that. I'm just trying to figure out everything that's happened. It'd be good to have you back. I've always respected you greatly, tennoheika. Shimizu, well... I'm assuming you've already heard, but, I suspect you wouldn't really like what he's done with the place. ...but why would your son Yosho refuse to take the thone?"

"Your highness, I'm sorry to learn of your wife Keiko's troubles here on Terra," said Þorgerður, reaching to pour a glass of water for Minamino, and offering it to the Taiyou minister. "Of course had we known we would have done whatever necessary to ensure all diplomatic protocols were followed, and repatriated her. If she died in custody, however, I believe her remains would already have been released to the Taiyou Embassy, at least. Have you been able to recover them? I can certainly ask one of my staff to retrieve the file and send it to you, in whatever way would be most appropriate."