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[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
You're... Catharina of Russia?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Pleasure meeting you, Your Serene Highness.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Don't— don't call me that. Just my name would suffice.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Interesting. From what I have seen, those of the Holy Roman Empire are not too keen of not using titles.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I haven't been under them for a while now. But my provinces do that still... but I don't.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
If that is what you prefer, Ermengarde Frithjofsdochter.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Ah, I didn't expect you to use my patronym.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Using just your name feels quite intruding, for someone I have met just today.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I guess it might be that way? I never really cared. It's fine if you call me that.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Yes, back in the lands I represent, it is more or less expected for one to refer to each other with their patronyms.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Should I call you... Catharina Stellanovna then?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Hm, yes, that is fine for me. I have been told that you do not use titles when met with other nations.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I don't. But you seem more tolerable than Alfonsa [Monarchy of Spain] and Austrica [Archduchy of Austria], so if you want me to use one for you, I don't think I mind.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Is that so?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Well, you didn't come here to rule over me.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
The opposite of that, yes... I wished to establish closer ties with the rest of the continent.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I've heard of your relations with Stephanie [England].
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Hm, yes, Queen Stephanie and I's relations weren't really the most stable. But I'll say that the waters have calmed since the end of the Cromwellian's protectorateship. You and her are in personal union, are you not, Ermengarde Frithjofsdochter?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
We... are. I'm still not sure what to think about Stephanie. It has only been a bit over two decades since our last war. It isn't like my statdholder is the only one ruling there. His wife also holds a position as Queen of England.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I certainly would hope that things would go your way in the future, Ermengarde Frithjofsdochter. (Pause) Say, I was not aware that Duke Frithjof [Duchy of Luxembourg] was your father.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Well— he's... not? I'm his sister, actually. I just don't remember what my birth father's name was. He raised me, to a certain extent, so that's why I have him as my patronym... are you related to Stellan of Sweden?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
It is complicated, but if you do not wish for that, then a simple answer would be that he is my father.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Hm, well, I can... see how.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
(Chuckle) It is not wrong for you to assume that all the ones who look albinic as I am to be related. Though there are some I do not have relation to, most of those in power are within my family.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
It doesn't seem like a horrible assumption. That man has a lot of children, from what I've known.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
It seems true... I cannot say for sure, though, for I have not met them, bar one.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
How so? (Pause) Ah, wait. How is it that you are Stellan's daughter in the first place? Your lands weren't ever ruled by any Swede. From what I remember, you've always been quite independent from the rest of Europe.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I am quite certain I am among the first of Stellan's children, actually.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
... You are?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Yes. While it is true that, in the past five hundred or so years, no Swede has ruled over what was then Rus Land; the establishment of such polity in the reign of... ah, Pope Saint Nicolaus Magnus came with the calling of a Norseman.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
(Mutter) Nicolaus Magnus... (Harrumph) You came with that Norseman?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Prince Ryurik came rough century after I did... the Norse have established trade routes since that time. It is just that the Norse quickly assimilated with the Slavic populace after he came.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
So you aren't Slav, like Luboslav [Kingdom of Bohemia] or Przemysława [Kingdom of Poland]?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I am afraid not. I came down with the merchants, not a descendant of the native Slavic tribes. Though there were many more representatives who were Slavs. It is just that I myself am an outlier.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I suppose. (Pause) Merchants? You sail? You're more likeable than the rest.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I appreciate that. And it would be wrong if I denied that.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Did the sailor heritage come towards your tsar? He seemed quite adamant no one would spot him in his disguise.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Oh, do not give him any mind. He is simply curious. I do believe he aims for a navy. Perhaps you could help in that division?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Perhaps... and you say you came a century before Nicolaus Magnus? So, arouned the reign of Pope Stephanus Tertius, then?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I cannot say... I was not Christian by then. I did not follow on whomever the pope was in that time. I have yet to meet the Eastern Roman Empire herself, at least, until Nicolaus Magnus.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I see. Do you enjoy sailing?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Much more than the other forms of travel. There is an uncertainty of survival that I find rather appealing.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
That's a unique reason.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I am aware. I have heard of your endeavours past the continent as well, Ermengarde Frithjofsdochter. You seem to find sea travel the same way I view them.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Yes there's... someone out there that I must rein in.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Oh, is that so?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
He is important for me to claim, if I were to keep on with my company's rule.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Must be a long journey there. The spice islands, perhaps?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Close... but I suppose it can be considered such.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Do you find it worrying, the chance that you might wreck your ship and to never return?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I certainly wouldn't mind living there with him... if that is the means on how I would bring rule over him, then so be it.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
How peculiar. Who is this Representation's name?
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
It might seem obvious that I can't spell foreign names right... I call him Thomas Alexander [Dutch East Indies]. It doesn't matter, though. Why do you ask?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
You seem to have the same familiar look as the rest of the Germans when you talk about him. You seem quite passionate.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
He is key in my endeavours in the east.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Power and influence, then.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
You can say that it is.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
It seems to me that we are close in age... regardless, perhaps it would be alright for me to remind you to not fly too close to the sun, like how Icarus once did. It would be a shame if we were to lose someone of your kind.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
We might be close in age, yes... likely that I am younger than you, though. But, still, you've been a Representation for longer than I am. I will accept that. (Pause) Ah, wait. You're familiar with Greek mythos?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
I am familiar with Eirene, the Greek, herself... she has spoken to me of those old stories many times before.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
Ah? So, you've met her before Osman [Ottoman Empire] conquered her? (Pause) Hm, wait, it'd make sense if you did. You claim your capital to be the Third Rome after all.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Only logical to do so, yes.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
The Grecian myths have always intrigued me... how Icarus fell is included.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Though, he had to fly in a precise moment, so that his wings remained intact. If he were to fly too low, they would lose their shape with the water, and he would drown.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
I have never thought of it that way. (Pause) It'd be great if it was turned into a painting.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Ah, with the mention of that, I have always found myself curious on how the west of the continent dealt with their paintings. I have seen such products, but never have I seen someone do so in person.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
If you have time, I can enlighten you on that.
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Really, now? It is my pleasure, then. I have much time to spare, especially when it comes to the arts.
[P — REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN UNITED NETHERLANDS | ERMENGARDE FRITHJOFSDR]
You're a patron of it, then?
[P — TSARDOM OF RUSSIA | YEKATERINA STELLANOVNA ROMANOVA]
Inevitable, when art is the oldest thing I have done continuously.