Diplomacy at its nerdiest(Jacobi)

[blaine]

Who said diplomacy was dead? For the past year the higher ups of the Lux faction have whined nonstop to President Blaine, begging him to fix problems he could not possibly fix all by himself in the time spans they demanded. Unova had split into its own faction, Johto was negotiating with the enemy, Seafoam being prodded clean by Nox forces, three big messes that Blaine wasn't ready to handle all at once. Johto and Seafoam would take some time to mend, but the Unova situation didn't have to be handled negativley (as most of Blaine's advisers suggested).

Blaine appeared at the "Republic" capitol to turn the Unova situation into a positive outcome. There was no way to bring Unova back into the mainlands, at least not by force. They were a sovereign nation now, independent and prepared to stay that way. Attempting to bully them (again advise from Blaine's advisers) would do nothing but screw Lux over later. Blaine thought long and hard about this and soon thought of the perfect way to turn in Lux's favor. Perhaps even the world's favor, if you wish to be dramatic.

To the capitol building Blaine went, a magnificent structure, very power-esque. Is that a thing? Oh well, point is Blaine liked it. He would probably compare it to his capitol building if he had ever bothered to visit it more than once every few months. He marched on in, with a mini platoon of bodyguards to flank his every side and angle. Security was certainly already buffed within the building for his presence (or perhaps not, maybe Mr. Harris didn't like Blaine that much) but it didn't hurt to be safe. Ol' Balendin's paranoia had rubbed off on Blaine rather quickly.

The president remained chipper, this meeting was for the greatest good after all. Surely Mr. Harris would be eager to accept the deal Blaine offered, I mean who wouldn't? It was the best darn deal anyone could ever make ever. Well in Blaine's mind at least. Several halls were walked, secretaries spoken to, security clearances passed, and keycards flung before Blaine finally came to the room where the first diplomatic meeting between The Republic and Lux would take place. Blaine giggled he thought of the media buzz this was probably causing, how most of the world probably expected Blaine to storm out after failed dealings and declare Mr. Harris and the Republic to be a menace or something like that. How wrong they were, how simply foolish. This shall go swimmingly, it had to, it was all so simple. It truly was a deal one couldn't refuse. Maybe. Hopefully. Pray for the best.

Blaine came upon the main door and his squad of bodyguards took several positions around the hall. None would join him in the room, Blaine was a trusting man. Surely he would be safe, if not stupid him yes? With a deep breath and large grin, Blaine stepped into the room to make history.

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[jacobi]

History is made not by the men who go in with guns blazing, but by those who are patient enough to sit back and wait for the opportunity to strike, those who smile, and nod, and make deals behind closed doors. Jacobi is one of those men.

A helicopter circles overhead, looking for a place to land and, despite being told that it's best if he stands clear of the windows (there might be weapons aboard the aircraft), Jacobi finds himself opening the blinds to watch it's descent. It's an unremarkable craft – a good sign.

Beyond the door, Jacobi hears a commotion brewing. He's here at long last – the man for whom Jacobi had once worked, here for a talk (though they'd never formally been introduced. After all, what was a lowly councilman to the President of Lux?). Many assume the worst, assume that this meeting is destined to end with fire, and threat, and blood. Jacobi believes otherwise, not because he has to (though that may well be true on some level as well), but because he has faith (not in his cause or in his people, but in himself, in his ability to turn the tide of anger with talk, and reach an agreeable decision that might benefit both parties.) Blaine is not Xander, after all. In fact, as Jacobi heard it, Blaine is a far more temperate and agreeable man than his predecessor.

Jacobi opens the blinds to let the sun stream in. He might hope that the rumors are true, but to rely on guesses and hearsay is a foolish gambit and so, he merely puts all of his faith into his own abilities. The debates had been nothing compared to this, with their widespread audience and ever watching cameras – a mob is far easier to manipulate than a man.

He can hear the tension building in the hallway, hear the sound of a dozen footsteps partially muffled by carpet. It's time. Jacobi sits himself behind the large mahogany desk that has become his prison of late and adjusts the candy dish (one of Erin's ideas to help make guests feel more at home in the sparse office, a childish idea, but not a poor one). It's filled with an assortment of colored toffees, each more brilliant than the last, with a few butterscotch wrappers peeking out from between them.

When the intercom buzzes at long last and his guest is announced, Jacobi puts on his best smile and stands to welcome the other man as he enters, pleased that his bodyguards do not follow him in – a show of trust, a rare thing in this day and age. ”President Lorenzo,” his greeting is warm, if not familiar, “thank you for coming. I trust your travels were uneventful.” It's a subtle way of showing what they have to offer, but no doubt the other man will see it for what it is. We offer peace, it says, safety. You'll find no trouble to be had here.

It's one of the many half-truths that he tells.

Smiling, he extends his hand for the other man to shake. They're equals now, both well suited for this particular game.

[blaine]

Seeing Mr. Jacobi being present as soon as he had entered was an unexpected but pleasant sight. Blaine usually had to wait for people to show up, even to their own meetings. This was a small but welcome change. His office was particularly nice too. At least Mr. Harris didn't have any predecessors that bolted in modern art into the floor. Who bolts art into the floor? That's just weird.

Blaine returned Mr. Harris' smile with his own large toothy grin. He hardily strode to Jacobi's desk and clasped his hand with a firm hand shake as he responded, "Completely and utterly sir. It is good to meet you at last." Blaine took his seat and made himself comfy before resting his right ankle on his left knee. "Nice having another President around. Makes the world seem bigger."

To be ever so truthful, Blaine didn't remember Mr. Harris. To be fair he never got to meet any of the former council members as he wasn't allowed into meetings until a couple of months ago, in which he invited himself. He somewhat remembered a similar name during those debates in Unova but that was probably a coincidence. Either way Blaine knew very little about Mr. Harris, didn't bother studying. He didn't want to find out anything bad and have a sour opinion of him by accident.

Point is they're meeting, Blaine only knew what he wanted, and it was time to get to it, "Well President Harris, I love formalities as much as the next old kook but I think we should just cut to the-" Blaine noticed the candy bowl. "Chase..."

He stared at it for a moment more, perhaps it wouldn't hurt just to grab a few pi- nope, must be professional. Can't let his sweet tooth get the better of him. He cut away his stare and looked to Jacobi again, reforming his grin. He cleared his throat before continuing, "Right, hm hm cut to the chase. Tell me Mr. Harris, how goes the department of sciences in The Republic? Good? Bad? Good but slow? Bad but fast? Hm?"

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[jacobi]

Eyes are a curious thing. The voice may tell you what a particular individual wants in the long run, but the eyes will tell you what they want in the moment. Jacobi watches Blaine's eyes, watches the way they linger a bit too long on the candy dish and wonders, not for the first time, if Erin hadn't been right about it after all. He may not have much of a sweet tooth, but the same does not seem to hold true for his guest. Cut to the chase, the other man says, but his eyes are already seeking out a detour.

"Please, help yourself. I barely touch the stuff," Jacobi tells him, reaching across the desk to push the little dish closer in offering. Small kindnesses go a long way, he knows this well. I'm here to work with you, they say, not against you.

The game has begun in earnest now.

Jacobi waits, allows Blaine time enough to take a candy or two should he chose to do so, before answering his question. "I would say that things are progressing well but slowly. Even so, progress is progress, and I'm not one to complain."

There's no trace of the note of pride that one might expect. The Republic has made quite a good deal of progress in these past few months, that much is true enough. Devoid of the looming threat of destruction, the region was proving a haven to scientists from all walks of life. Several had already come to pledge their loyalty and their know-how to the Republic's cause for the promise of a safe location in which they might apply that knowledge, and Jacobi had been only too pleased to have them, whatever their reasons for coming. In the long run, a single scientist was worth more than a dozen soldiers or civilians.

There ought to be pride in his voice. There isn't. There's still much yet to be done, and innovation has never been lacking in Unova. This is not where the work needs to be done, not truly, but it may well be a place to aim a bit of bargaining. No doubt certain activities had been made difficult for Lux scientists by the strife in the other regions. Jacobi smiles. "And your own Department of Sciences, is their work progressing well? I imagine the war must make for certain difficulties."

[blaine]

Blaine watched with a heavy mouth as Jacobi offered him some pieces of candy. Blaine really shouldn't, after all he is an adu- "Don't mind if I do. Thank you very much." He delicately grabbed four pieces of colorful candy from the bowl. he began to unwrap one when Jacobi began to speak. Thinking that the candy would be rather distracting, Blaine hid the four pieces in his pocket and payed close attention to Mr. Harris' words.

Ah ha, just the answer Blaine wanted to hear. This information shall surely make negotiations easier, now they both only gain from this future deal. Blaine crossed his right leg over his left as Jacobi mirrored the question. He happily replied, "Quite well. Advancement has been quick and potent. It isn't on a grand scale like when Seafoam was active but scientific expansion isn't very far off."

Blaine began to rub his chin as he finally put forth his proposition, "You see I have a policy to work around the war. Find seclusion and work it out there. Not war sciences either, no sir that is pushed to the side. True science, the kind that only benefits the citizens of Lux and the rest of man kind. Thing is Mr. Harris, proper resources just don't grow on trees. Or at least they don't anymore."

Blaine chuckled at his terrible inside joke before righting his legs and leaning forward, "Mr. Harris, I wish beyond all else to improve the lives of the citizens of Lux. They have had a rocky couple of years full of oppression and tragedy, and I just think I should reward them for sticking it out for so long with a advancement or two in luxury or medicine. To ease the ride as I loosen the grasp of the iron fist. However, I could use a bit of help doing so. A hunch tells me Nox wouldn't be at all interested in this deal. Thus, I have come to you and The Republic to hopefully come up with a scientific research agreement. We can enhance our progression and improve the lives of both our societies. Twice the efficiency, twice the brilliance, twice the odds of success. What do you say to that sir?"

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[jacobi]

Jacobi has a knack for making deals and promises, a deal being so like a promise - theoretically unbreakable and based on good faith. They're tenuous bonds, in truth. Good faith is hard to come by these days. It implies trust, and there's little enough of that to be had with a war on. Trust – it's what he's been asking for since the beginning: first trust in this, and then trust in us, and now trust in me. If he can earn Blaine's trust, there may be hope for the future of the Republic yet, hope for ground that is far more stable, for roots that are not as easily torn from the earth, and this proposal may well be the key.

Lux has always been a scientific powerhouse: they have the resources, the manpower, the funds, but the war has put a wrench in their usually smooth operations. Having been of the Lux counsel, this hardly comes as a surprise. He's known this for some time now, they all have, but he'll admit that he hadn't been expecting them to reach out to the Republic for aid. A place to research in peace, without having to live in fear of their work being destroyed before it has been finished. Many scientist had already fled to the Republic for just such a thing. He wonders if Blaine is aware even as he knows that he must be. Why else would he have come with this proposal?

It's a good move, excellent even. No mentions of the war effort, no questions of whether or not The Republic will provide military aid (which, of course, it cannot and will not if it hopes to remain neutral), no attempts to sway him to the Lux cause (perhaps Blaine senses how fruitless such an attempt would be). What Blaine offers is a chance to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between Lux and The Republic (beyond the usual bits of trade here and there). What Blaine offers is something substantial. Jacobi would be a fool not to accept the terms. Blaine, no doubt, knows this.

”Resources don't grow on trees. At least, not anymore.” Jacobi shares a chuckle with the other man, though one has to wonder if he actually understand the joke, or is merely being polite out of a sense of obligation. ”No, they don't, though I trust you've been able to find them readily enough in a pinch.” Because a little reminder that The Republic is there to help in other ways doesn't hurt. You need us it says, remember that and don't cross us.

When Blaine finished speaking his peace, Jacobi let's silence fall between them for no more than a few seconds. This is precisely the sort of opportunity that he's been waiting for. There's no point in hedging, no point in pretending to think it over. ”I would say that that is precisely the sort of arrangement that the world needs to see. With all of the conflict of late, it would be nice to have a reminder that, regardless of our politics, we can still come together for the greater good of our citizens.”

The words are pretty. They always are when Jacobi is speaking, but they're plain enough for clarity's sake. They have an understanding. ”Might I suggest that the research is done here in The Republic? Progress is less likely to be interrupted by the war effort, and our scientists tend to be leery of working abroad, for fear of having their work destroyed before it has been completed.”

[blaine]

Blaine's grin only grew as Jacobi responded. Finally, someone who understands the necessity of science! He had to be honest, he did not expect his fellow president to be so accepting. Very rarely do others see science as an enterprise worth exploring, especially during a war. This agreement should disperse their doubts and show that not only is it worth it, but it is the most beneficial thing for humanity. Much more beneficial than shooting each other.

Then came his suggestion, which caught Blaine off guard. He did plan on the scientists collaborating in Lux territory, though now that Jacobi brought it up that may not be the safest idea. If Seafoam was still under his command, Blaine would have protested, but unfortunately that was not the case. Kanto wasn't very safe, heck Blaine had to put his new military lab far enough away so that barely anyone knows about it...and in a volcano. Super safe right there.

Blaine smiled as he thought for a moment before nodding slowly. He would agree to these terms, but if they were going to have fast and efficient research they will need a proper facility. Suddenly, he obtained an idea. He chuckled and shared it with Jacobi, "Mr. Harris, I find these terms sufficient. The joint research shall take place in The Republic, but as an extra extension of friendship I implore you to allow me to build Unova a new research facility for our scientists to work in. I was thinkin' perhaps in Virbank, or Black City. Heck if you would let me, I'd take care of that Dream Yard situation of yours. Just a little present from Lux to Unova, no strings attached. That is if you'd allow it."

Blaine wasn't worried about cost or anything. Lux had lots of money, money that has mostly been funneled into military expansion. Not the best for Lux's image if you ask Blaine. he would much rather put that money into scientific research. He also didn't worry about backstabbing, lots of loopholes in ownership and such. Though he trusted Jacobi, and he trusted the Republic. many say Blaine trusts too quickly, but he doesn't see that as a fault. Trusting others often has them trust you back, which is always a useful perk to have. Though Blaine did have one little hitch, "I-I suppose I was a bit exaggerated, there is one single catch." His tone suddenly became dark, "If we make this agreement, whether you allow me to build a new research facility or not, none of the jointed advances of our scientific teams may be war based. I seek only enhancements to life, not aids for death."

This was a half lie, although Blaine loathed researching for the sake of war he did not have the choice of ignoring it. That was the job of Mt. Ember, to keep a leg up with their military. The research there was safe, the research here would not be. Down the line, a Nox representative will surely ask to share in the scientific advancements that Lux and The Republic shall create, and the neutral Republic would not turn them down. Thus Blaine did not wish for any military research within this agreement, lest Nox be close by with their clawing grabs to obtain them. Though this condition ran deeper, "If my prediction is correct, we both shall have individuals that will keep tabs on our respective scientists. If they would find secret military research, it wouldn't take long for either of us to know. You may research military advancements anywhere else as I am, though within the grounds in which our partnership will thrive I request the banning of military advancement, secret or otherwise."

Blaine let out a deep breathe and quickly perked himself up. "I hope that request is not too demanding, I simply wish for this to be a peaceful endeavor. I think you'll agree that tranquility for the sake of prosperity is in both of our best interest." His words were not as pretty as Jacobi's but Blaine thought he got his point across. With a jolly chuckle he pondered aloud, "So, do ya have anymore conditions and such before we seal this deal?"