Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Federation Embassy - Just a quick Courtesy

Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Resident) in Federation Embassy - Just a quick Courtesy

Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Federation Embassy - Just a quick Courtesy
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Even with all the work Seamus and Ragna had put in, there was still no end of things that had to be done, just to be ready for the colony ship to arrive. Not all of it had to do with temporary housing and foundational essentials. Some had to do with the presence of the McKenzie-Edmans and the people of note among them. So as soon as Revna had the chance to do so, she officially scheduled time and made her way to the Federation Embassy to introduce herself to Ambassador Mathis.

Revna was retired and had no intention of going back to work, but she still held the rank of Junior Ambassador, and it would be most rude to not at least introduce herself to the resident dignitaries. Knowing how busy the Ambassador likely was with the current political happenings, Revna had made sure to schedule her visit.

She approached the building, that looked like it was still having work done and presented her credentials to the guards at the door. “Ambassador McKenzie, welcome. Please have a seat and we’ll let Ambassador Mathis know you are here.”

“Thank you, and please let the Ambassador know if she needs to reschedule I am happy to do so.” Revna moved over to a chair and took a seat while the guard relayed her arrival.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

It was simply a matter of fact that Jean would rather be anywhere else but here at the embassy, this the day after Dash was so cruelly taken from all of them. As she sat in her new office though, she couldn’t tell you where else she should be. The townhouse was filled with grief and her son stormed about expressing an anger the rest of them kept in. She envied him right now.

Mathis sat at her large pale wood desk, heavy but simple in design. Her chair was ergonomic and designed for her body, having spent too many year prior sitting in terrible chairs and refusing to hurt her body any more. The decor was light, making use of the expanse of multi-paned that could be tinted at will for privacy or to block the sun. But there were panels of light blue floral fabric hung between each tall window, softening the hard lines of the window frames. Behind her were a series of light wood shelves with books and a few objects from her travels, each with a story of an assignment or mission she had served on. It was a small clue of her longstanding legacy with the Federation, whose flag stood proud in the corner along with Oed’s.

Her office was much like this former residence, an attempt to pare down the ostentatiousness of its former Treasury owner. They had left some of the touches, like the carved pillars and the decorative mouldings, but she had insisted they make it more neutral and inviting. This main floor of the Embassy was host to offices (hers, Dash’s, Security, and those of future staffers), service areas, and held a large ballroom perfect for hosting events. There were a series of other rooms converted into meeting spaces, some of which were already adjusted to accommodate their Vren guests for the impending first formal meetings. She had spent a long time thinking about this embassy and what it needed to be for Oed. So wherever they could they had brought in Oedvian touches, right done to the art work on walls and the textiles that covered surfaces. Soft colours and textures, warm and inviting. It was a place of business, but it was a place of welcome.

The upper level held more meeting rooms and possible accommodations for visiting dignitaries. A whole wing had been sectioned off under the most stringent security processes that would soon be her and her family’s new home. Dash was supposed to have his own suite here too. She supposed it would just sit empty for now.

She tried not to let her thoughts constantly drift back to the man she deemed family, but it was an impossible feat and she failed constantly. It certainly didn’t help that until the investigation had proceeded enough to have combed through all the digital evidence, his files were all off limits and therein lay one rather large problem she would have to address sooner rather than later: she had a job to do.

Without Dash to coordinate everything, intercede on communications that didn’t require her immediate input, and liaise with the colonial government, it was all on her. She had no staff yet (interviews were on the docket this week) and if the situation were not so dire, she might just laugh. Jeannette looked out the expanse of windows that overlooked the gardens that the former owner had put in that she rather enjoyed. They gave her a nice view.

Her reverie was interrupted by the announcement that she had a guest. Wait, an ambassador? Jean searched her memory, but unfortunately sleep had been elusive after the first few hours and she was running on less than optimal energy right now. She jumped into her computer and sure enough on the schedule was an appointment Dash had arranged. A simple diplomatic meet and greet- a courtesy for them both. She could do that, couldn’t she? If nothing else it would provide her a respite from her worries and the preparation for tomorrow’s meeting with Ambassador Kek that honestly she as looking forward to, but now felt ill-prepared for. She needed Dash.

Pushing herself to her feet, she moved around the desk. “Please show the Ambassador in.”

Jean at least was dressed for work, in her favoured pale blue suit. The open jack showed a navy blouse, and other than that the only other notable accessory was the blank stretchy band on her left arm. Her blond hair was pulled back in a tidy tail, unfortunately removing any barrier to the exhaustion on her face.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

The woman who entered was wearing a long burgundy dress with a navy blue apron dress pinned just below the shoulders, and then a Scottish tartan sash, drapped over the left shoulder and pinned at her right hip with a broach of a crest. Her copper blonde hair was braided in an intricate pattern and adorned with beads throughout. She moved with easy grace and confidence, and her eyes didn’t miss much.

Revna had done her homework. As she introduced herself she cupped her ear slightly in the traditional El-Aurian greeting. “Ambassador Mathis, I am Revna McKenzie-Edman. Thank you for taking time to meet me.” Then she offered her hand.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Jeannette took Revna’s hand giving it a firm but not hard shake. She appreciated the nod to that one piece of her heritage, even though she was not raised very much with the culture. She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk and pulled one back, turning it to face the other. “Please, do have a seat. May I get you a beverage?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“Black tea with honey would be lovely, thank you.” Revna moved to the opposite chair and sat, the layers of her clothes seeming to know to behave themselves. “I know this is a very busy time for you. I heard about Mr. Jones. I am so very sorry.” It was easy to tell that she was genuinely aggrieved over the news and sympathetic to what Mathis was going through.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“Thank you,” Mathis said softly before ordering the tea for Revna and a lemon sparkling water for herself. She set the drinks down on the back end of her desk and took the free chair. “I feel like I should apologize for the sparse welcome, but I believe you understand. We were only just about to get to interviews to staff the embassy and be able to properly open it to the public, but the focus of course has been on on our current diplomatic ventures with the Vren.” She looked across her office and took in a steadying breath. She had not meant we in some sort of Third Person We, but rather it was one of a constant stream of mental slips where her mind could not seem to grasp that her work partner was not longer here. After so many years it was jarring.

Revna understood all too well what Mathis was going through and what she meant. It took a lot of time to heal, but it never went away. “This is a very new embassy, and you’ve done quite a bit in a short time. It is quite welcoming, I assure you.”

“Oh, I’m glad,” Mathis said sincerely. “You should have seen what we were starting with.”

“I’m also afraid that I don’t have access to notes about this meeting. Dashiel normally would have given me some preparation, so not only are you not getting me at my best, I don’t have as much background as I would like. Please, indulge me if you will and tell me what brings you to Oed?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“My husband and I are both leaders of two different, large clans from Earth. When we married, we decided to relocate the new combined clan to somewhere we would have room to grow,” McKenzie explained. “Combined we have many skills that can help Oed and Oed has a lot to offer people wanting a new beginning. It seemed a promising choice. The colony ship hasn’t arrived yet. I’m retired from diplomatic work now, but given the political climate, I wanted to introduce myself sooner rather than later.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Jeannette smiled, even if it was small. “I appreciate you doing so. Oed is a complicated enough place without worrying if you’re accidentally snubbing someone through protocol.” She sipped on her sparkling water, the light fizz dancing onto her skin. In truth, she had chosen the drink specifically for that sensory experience that would help her stay focused.

“Truthfully given the tensions,” yes Revna had read up, “I didn’t want you to think someone was looking over your shoulder.”

Mathis tilted her head and gave a half-nod. “Well, a less experienced diplomat might be more worried about that but after all these years my focus is really on how I can help facilitate a good outcome for all involved and rarely is that best of the efforts of a single individual.” She would like herself included in the mix but sometimes it didn’t always work out that way and Jeanette was realistic about those scenarios.

“Under normal circumstances, I would agree it would be an unnecessary worry. The Oedian government has caused quite a stir though. Lots of people, lots of departments, lots of committees are watching. Which, of course, only makes your job all the more stressful.” Revna was aware Mathis had a long career and in the scheme of things Revna was young to the work.

“We haven’t been on Oed very long yet. Only a few weeks, so I know all about settling in a family. When we arrived, we didn’t even know if we would be staying. I had hoped, but given the very complicated variables it seemed far too much of a presumption. But soon after it became apparent that the embassy would actually come into existence and so here we are.”

“When does the colony ship arrive?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“Not for another month or so, and then it will be utter chaos. 10,000 of us and more that decided to come after the ship left Earth. Right now my husband and I, along with my younger sister and brother-in-law are trying to get power and water and basic group housing set up. It’s a daunting task.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“I can imagine,” she said. “My experience in dealing with the local government has been rather specific and I know it’s not what most people experience, though my son decided that after years of home schooling and tutors that he wanted to attend a public school. We’re supportive but it does come with a lot of challenges I don’t think he was anticipating.” Not to mention that because of the tensions Revna mentioned, it made his status as the Ambassador’s son a sore point for some. Not all, thankfully.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“I hope he is enjoying the change of pace. We will be inundatingvthe schools very soon. However, if your family likes outdoor activities, once the ship arrives I would be happy to host you for a day. We have horses.” The offer was genuine, and in their lands no one would bother the Mathis family while they relaxed. “So far our experience with the government has been positive. My husband and I have a meeting with the Governor later this week. I’m looking forward to it.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Jeanette smiled. “Thank you for the offer. We might just take you up on it. A bit of space from everything might be really helpful.” She sipped on her water. “As for the Governor, he’s a insightful man and not afraid to speak his mind. Quite formal. Be open and honest with him and you’ll be fine.”

Revna set her tea down before responding. “Really it would be a help. The animals will need all the exercise they can get after being stuck on a ship for months.” She nodded thoughtfully. “My brother-in-law speaks very highly of him. I like what I have read about him, despite the media sometines inserting their opinions on things.”

She looked around the office. “I know you still have your tea, but how about a tour?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

She lifted her cup and took a final drink. “I would enjoy a tour.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie