[ Veolian Embassy ] De Lafrioye è Koniova's audience with Empress Saret Neferti <private>
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Alexandra Koniova » Sun Sep 21, 2014 11:31 am
"Well yes," Alexandra's mother said with a modest smile on her face, "I'd like to learn a little bit more on the difference you just mentioned. And than particularly the ways the Veolian women have found to trick the men into thinking that they have any measure of control or influence, aside from His Imperial Majesty of course."
Empress Saret Neferti » Wed Sep 24, 2014 10:48 pm
"That... Is a very unique view on our culture.", the empress replied carefully. She glanced at Alexandra, seemingly gauging something.
"What makes you think that we trick our men?", she asked.
"What makes you think that we trick our men?", she asked.
Alexandra Koniova » Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:10 pm
As she felt the eyes of the Empress glancing at her, Alexandra grew a little uncertain on how to react to her mother's rather impertinant question. She had to admit that she was curious to learn the answer, but felt it highly inappropriate at the same time.
Sure, her mother didn't mean to offend, but the Empress might well find the question outside of moral bounds.
Meanwhile her mother explained:
" Well," she started,
" Perhaps I should take a little more care in phrasing my question. What I meant was to inquire after the reasons on how and why the Veolian women seem to hold a far larger share of public and/or important positions than us, Sundarian women. I should very much like a simular development within our own culture, since it would mainly benefit the opportunities and prospects of many of our young ladies of noble station, who have often received extensive and proper eductions that warrants a position better than to manage the household, as most ladies of my generation do.
This is precisely the reason why my husband was rather reluctant at first to accept your Imperial Majesty's most generous offer to place our daughter in your retinue. "
Sure, her mother didn't mean to offend, but the Empress might well find the question outside of moral bounds.
Meanwhile her mother explained:
" Well," she started,
" Perhaps I should take a little more care in phrasing my question. What I meant was to inquire after the reasons on how and why the Veolian women seem to hold a far larger share of public and/or important positions than us, Sundarian women. I should very much like a simular development within our own culture, since it would mainly benefit the opportunities and prospects of many of our young ladies of noble station, who have often received extensive and proper eductions that warrants a position better than to manage the household, as most ladies of my generation do.
This is precisely the reason why my husband was rather reluctant at first to accept your Imperial Majesty's most generous offer to place our daughter in your retinue. "
Empress Saret Neferti » Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:54 pm
"I see. That really does change the question."
"Traditionally, veolian women have always had a large share of the positions that come with interaction and negotiation with others. Mainly because our men see the actual debate and negotiation as useless talk and mere squabbling. Of course, during a trade negotiation or peace talk, this attitude quickly offends the other parties at the table, leading to the next conflict. This can be prevented if women handle the negotiations."
"There are other reasons", the empress adopted a somewhat conspirational tone, "Though, you have not heard these from me."
The empress was silent for a moment, as she thought about the answer. She was sure that the answer would not fit within the, in her opinion rather depressing, sundarian court culture. On the other hand, Alexandra was going to spend a significant amount of time in a Veolian court, and it was her mother that asked about this topic. In the end, the empress opted to speak openly about the topic, and trust that her honesty was received well.
"It is not only a cultural phenomenon. There is some physiology in play as well, mainly due to the unique way hemet veolians emit their desires. As said our men are, well, quick to anger. Unfortunately, they are also easy to please. Negotiations can be finished very quickly indeed, if a woman catches on to a man's desire and twists it around for her own gain. So, most well-thinking men prefer that a woman goes and negotiates, lest he has to split his concentration between the negotiation and keeping check of his baser urges."
"All in all, it is simply easier for everyone if women do the negotiations. I do not think there is a single case in history where it has really prevented desire from being wielded like a tool, but at least both parties are on equal footing; and it surely has prevented physical violence from occurring at the table."
"Traditionally, veolian women have always had a large share of the positions that come with interaction and negotiation with others. Mainly because our men see the actual debate and negotiation as useless talk and mere squabbling. Of course, during a trade negotiation or peace talk, this attitude quickly offends the other parties at the table, leading to the next conflict. This can be prevented if women handle the negotiations."
"There are other reasons", the empress adopted a somewhat conspirational tone, "Though, you have not heard these from me."
The empress was silent for a moment, as she thought about the answer. She was sure that the answer would not fit within the, in her opinion rather depressing, sundarian court culture. On the other hand, Alexandra was going to spend a significant amount of time in a Veolian court, and it was her mother that asked about this topic. In the end, the empress opted to speak openly about the topic, and trust that her honesty was received well.
"It is not only a cultural phenomenon. There is some physiology in play as well, mainly due to the unique way hemet veolians emit their desires. As said our men are, well, quick to anger. Unfortunately, they are also easy to please. Negotiations can be finished very quickly indeed, if a woman catches on to a man's desire and twists it around for her own gain. So, most well-thinking men prefer that a woman goes and negotiates, lest he has to split his concentration between the negotiation and keeping check of his baser urges."
"All in all, it is simply easier for everyone if women do the negotiations. I do not think there is a single case in history where it has really prevented desire from being wielded like a tool, but at least both parties are on equal footing; and it surely has prevented physical violence from occurring at the table."
Alexandra Koniova » Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:10 pm
"Thank you,"
Alexandra's mother said after she had listened to the Empress explaining the reasons behind the policy.
"I must say that that does clarify a few things, but I also have to admit that the bases bares some resemblance to our own ways. I sometimes feel, and I'm not alone in this, that the Sundarian courts and Government, would do well to consider the contributions of our women to international politics and diplomacy a bit more. Our men too can be a bit ... overaggressive at times."
She then took some more tea and seemed pleased with the answer the Empress had given her.
Alexandra's mother said after she had listened to the Empress explaining the reasons behind the policy.
"I must say that that does clarify a few things, but I also have to admit that the bases bares some resemblance to our own ways. I sometimes feel, and I'm not alone in this, that the Sundarian courts and Government, would do well to consider the contributions of our women to international politics and diplomacy a bit more. Our men too can be a bit ... overaggressive at times."
She then took some more tea and seemed pleased with the answer the Empress had given her.
Empress Saret Neferti » Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:14 pm
The empress seems glad that her answer was well received and took a sip of tea herself.
"I think great strides have been made already. The appointment of mister Pendra as ambassador to the commonwealth, will surely offer new insights into our culture, and hopefully create opportunities for change. And let us not forget the ladies accompanying mister Pendra, I understand that it is very uncommon for a man of his standing to be accompanied by not one, but two unmarried ladies of high nobility. Surely, this development will create new opportunities for other ladies as well?"
((OOC: I couldn't find links to Pendra's companions on his wiki page (off the top of my head Daphne and Neomi)... It might be nice to add a small blurb with some links on the pertinent pages (that would save everyone, including us, a lot of time when searching for the diplomatic party :P)))
"I think great strides have been made already. The appointment of mister Pendra as ambassador to the commonwealth, will surely offer new insights into our culture, and hopefully create opportunities for change. And let us not forget the ladies accompanying mister Pendra, I understand that it is very uncommon for a man of his standing to be accompanied by not one, but two unmarried ladies of high nobility. Surely, this development will create new opportunities for other ladies as well?"
((OOC: I couldn't find links to Pendra's companions on his wiki page (off the top of my head Daphne and Neomi)... It might be nice to add a small blurb with some links on the pertinent pages (that would save everyone, including us, a lot of time when searching for the diplomatic party :P)))
Alexandra Koniova » Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:27 pm
"Indeed it is irregular, but I believe that should create ample opportunities for both our young ladies, as for the relationship between our families and those within the Veolian court."
((OOC: edited.. we should finish up this topic :P))
((OOC: edited.. we should finish up this topic :P))
Empress Saret Neferti » Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:34 pm
((OOC: Agreed.))
"I am confident that this development will be beneficial."
It appears that the Empress wanted to add something, but before she could do so one of her servants approaches her and whispers something in her ear.
The empress looked at Alexandra's mother with soft eyes. "Unfortunately, another matter has come up. I would like to continue this some other time."
With that, she stood up to leave.
"I am confident that this development will be beneficial."
It appears that the Empress wanted to add something, but before she could do so one of her servants approaches her and whispers something in her ear.
The empress looked at Alexandra's mother with soft eyes. "Unfortunately, another matter has come up. I would like to continue this some other time."
With that, she stood up to leave.
Alexandra Koniova » Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:04 pm
The Marchioness wasn't to surprised to see the Empress' servants remind her that she had other things to attend to, after all, this visit had gone on far longer than she had first expected.
"Of course," she said as she courtesied, "My husband and myself would be honoured to meet with your imperial majesty again. We thank you for taking the time to speak with us."
"Of course," she said as she courtesied, "My husband and myself would be honoured to meet with your imperial majesty again. We thank you for taking the time to speak with us."
Empress Saret Neferti » Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:21 pm
The empress gave a small nod to both ladies before leaving.
((OOC: And that concludes the exchange.))
((OOC: And that concludes the exchange.))