As the summit opened, Hestia pinched the bridge of her nose as she listened to various delegates bicker amongst themselves, with her dear friend Octavian, statesman tried and true, shooting her an apologetic and sad look.  Much had they to do to try and help set things right, but where to begin?  What COULD they even do?

"Gathered friends... ENOUGH."  The woman rose to her full height, grey eyes partly obscured by her silver tresses.  "I know that the troubles of the world are many, and the solutions and far between, but throwing insults at one another in response to overtures of understanding do not help us, but bring only shame and discord.  Suffering and hardship."

The Empress looked around the chamber for a moment, briefly locking her gaze with the Peony with a smile before she continued.

"When my people first came to these lands millennia ago from across the sea, all we had was our faith, our songs, memories of our homeland, and each other.  When we came out of our isolation five years ago, long gone though our empire's original might of antiquity was, we knew we would be stronger by standing side-by-side with our neighbors, by maintaining peace rather than seeking death and destruction over slights imagined or legitimate.  So I ask of you, as a head of state, as a human being, as a mother who would wish to see this world grow into a better place for her children, please let this gathering be a time of healing and unity."