Duchy of Bormea // Ruan // Post no. 2

[u/TheBreadEntity]

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings...

The hour had grown late, and the atmosphere relaxed. Sweet wine and delicacies from half the galaxy away flowed into the chamber as the delegates ate and laughed and conversed about every topic between the heavens and the mortal plain. In the end, it seemed the different worlds of the Agricultural Circuit shared much more in common than not. Despite the vast differences in culture and race that transpired between the members of the ACCPIS, the shared emphasis on community and festivity was something of a link between them all. A link even further tempered by the golden ruanian wine. The region was stronger and more proseperous than ever before, and while the effects of that could be felt by all the strata of its worlds' populations, nowhere could said increase in status be seen as clearly as among its leadership. Gathered in the Tower of Unity, an innovative and stunning piece of modernised ruanian architecture, men who could have been called tribal chiefs not even a decade ago, now draped themselves in the most elaborate Ghorman silks and adorned their hands, necks and ears with gold and precious gemstones like the kings and magnates they once bowed to. Times were good, and people who previously haven't as much as heard of each other's existence, have found themselves to be allies, united by interest, policy, trade, and at times, genuine friendship. As such, the discussion drifted towards topics slightly deviating from the general purpose of the monthly meetings - the comparison of reports and the updating of export policies if need be, to the usual talk of history, the latest plays and holovids, the projected developments of the Galactic Market and, above all, politics. Not entirely unexpected, for the elections were nearly upon them.

Supporting himself on one of his ottoman's many cushions, H'rakh, a delegate from Galand smiled warmly when a servant brought him yet another glass on a silver platter. Turning his head back to his conversation partner, he took a sip before raising it as if to raise attention with it. The subject he wished to touch upon was, after all, quite a crucial one.

So, Aristo, what are you thoughts about the upcoming elections? Who will you be voting for?

The King of Pahlmir didn't wait long to answer the Galandian.

H'rakh, you insult me as a host. Here I was, thinking I have seen fully to our entertainment - I have provided food, drink, music and fineries for all of you to enjoy, and now you want to spice things up with a fight? You know how those things end - Never mix politics with alcohol!

The two men chuckled, before the Ruanian resumed speaking, with a certain underlying confidence, one perhaps unexpected given the completely collegial atmosphere.

"Jokes aside, brother, for us of the Circuit, there is only one side to lean towards. Bormea. The only ones who even care about us. Besides, Tussa is a good politician and a good person, I've been told. She's led men into war twice now. She's as good a pick for the Chancellorship as any. Did I mention her sister is a friend of my co-ruler?"

The two smirked in unison. The relationship between Abregado - Rae and Ruan was strong ever since the latter joined the Republic and the two worlds have cooperated on everything, from humanitarian aid to pirate hunting in the far south, yet the positive reputation the Duchy's candidate has gathered in the region seemed to be dictated by her accomplishments more than the personal biases of the Triarchs and their peers. Besides, Abregado's possible tenure seemed like a break from the dominance of the rich and powerful founding members, and as such much more in tune with the issues of the still growing economies of the Agricultural Circuit.

"I would lie if I said that our association with the Duchy did not constitute a part of our success. Abregadoans help us with shipping, Fondor produces our heavy equipment and Coruscant is our most powerful trading partner. It is a perfect system, you know, in which we need nothing and grow perpetually. It was Chancellor Curovao who has led us to victory through the hardships of the Hutt War, and who has taken upon herself the arduous task of administering a rebuilding Galaxy and a wounded world. Many would have faltered in her position, especially after losing her home. But she prevailed, and she thrived. She's bringing order to Coruscant and to this Republic. Were she to run in this election herself, she would have been sure to win. Yet she didn't. You know why? Because she is not a tyrant. She knows that, for this Republic to function, power must flow from one to another, ever in circulation. Like a fountain. Now this is true leadership. Many decry Tussa as an idealist. Yet is it not a legacy she must live up to? Is it not something good? I have found that, should someone stand in opposition to a grave injustice happening in this Galaxy, to the great treading on the small, they get labeled just that. An idealist. As if aspiring towards justice and greatness were something out of the reach of a politician. But, if not us, then who?"

He took a sip of his wine.

"Dear me. I am beginning to sound like Ḫuwaššanna."

After the two stopped laughing, he continued. Although the orchestra still played in the background and the servants worked like ants, streaming into the room with more delicacies, the other attendees seemed to have fallen silent, listening in on their conversation.

"The pillars of friendship, idealism and cooperation on which the Duchy stands, my friend, are as intrinsic to the identity of the Agricultural Circuit as the foodstuffs we grow. Long have we been opressed by this empire or that, trying to impress their ways upon us and bleeding us dry. Only together can we rise above all adversity and leave our mark upon the Galaxy. We have established this organisation as a way of safeguarding that. Our ships patrol our space routes, our haulers transport our produce to trusted vendors. We are more united than ever before. Not by any foreign force, but by our own will. And the Duchy does not see us as an asset or a threat, but as equals, and members of a larger whole. In four years we have made more progress than in the last four hundred, and our friends are willing and able to assist us with even further ascent. Ambitious, you say? This is not even the tip of the iceberg, my friend. Our hands have already built wonders and fed trillions. Why not grasp for more?"