"That would be kind of-"

"I already know everything about you based on what you've already sent over!"

Growan flicked his ears in annoyance, but doing his best to appear calm.

"I would appreciate your offer to send data, and offer to do so in return. The homeworld of the Dahxi and Kriko you see here is from the Wasperian system, near the border between our empires. Waspe is known as the action of protecting your loved ones in Dahxian Daikuran culture. We are unaware of where humans originated from, but our particular humans settled around what used to be the home system of an apex predator the humans called 'Fire beasts', and named the system after a legendary figure of theirs which just so happens to be a swear word in Khalaisani, so I refuse to say its name. The Avianoids hail from Jaihoinai, a word from the Shuinauan Kessians, meaning 'Prosperity'. There are other species in our empire, though-"

"The Fengnau are the best, clearly." Alari interrupted Growan's answer to the Emperor's question, floofing her feathers up proudly. Growan couldn't help to smile a bit and laugh a bit.

Reply

The Emperor couldn't help but chuckle at Alari's outburst, seeing a bit of his same youthful exuberance in her.  Even more than a few of his guards couldn't help but snicker quietly.

"Well, I'm glad to see you're quite eager to get underway, my little friend.  I certainly hope my world meets your greatest expectations."

He lifted his hand up further, as if to invite Alari on to his shoulder.  "As for our Human compatriots, I will admit we were in a similar situation three thousand years ago.  One day, a group of massive sleeper ships appeared out of some sort of anomaly.  The location of their original homeworld remains... an aggravating mystery, due to lack of proper trajectory.  The anomaly hasn't repeated itself since..."

Reply

Alari very eagerly jumped onto the shoulder of the Drakari emperor, not-so-discreetly shooting Growan a very daring "Ha, look where I am" look.

"Hmm, Our humans arrived around the same time.  Perhaps our human historians would like to work with whoever is your equivalent?"  Growan mused curiously, ignoring the empress.  He stretched his wings out briefly, flicking his ears a bit.  "I am very interested in this human diaspora and trying to find the human homeworld."

The sentient plant began swishing its leaves all over the place, clapping its roots in various ways.  The Dahxi ambassador turned to look at the Kriko, and once it was done, Growan once again faced teh Drakari emperor.

"My friend here says that it finds plenty of similarity amongst our species as well, and it is very curious as to perhaps sending the Drakari to the middle of the submarine-"  Growan began to speak, only to receive a solid whack across his claws.  Growan turned once again to face the Kriko, beginning to argue profusely amongst each other.  A few minutes later, Growan turned once again to the Drakari emperor.  "Apologies for the mistranslation.  What the Kriko ambassador meant to communicate was an interest in knowing more about the compositions of our worlds to try to find any similarities and study how our species came to be."

Reply

"I look forward to further collaboration between our scholars, minister.  Perhaps our combined efforts will lead to a breakthrough?"

Julianus chuckled at Alari's playful demeanor before watching the brief argument between Growan and the Kriko ambassador.  Upon hearing the Kriko's translated query, he smiled.

"No apologies necessary.  Xenolinguistics takes practice to master.  As for your proposal, Ambassador," the young Emperor bowed politely to the sentient plant, "I would be happy to allow you access to any data you may require.  You need only approach my chamberlain and he will provide you with everything you need.  I will admit that it is fascinating to see a similar species to us, despite some pronounced... physiological differences."

Reply

Growan nodded, briefly shaking the claw that the Kriko ambassador had whacked.  The Kriko merely rustled its leaves as acknowledgement to the Drakari Emperor.

"Oh, don't forget to ask if we are going to ally to take over all the planets!"  Alari chirped, ignoring the startled glare of Growan.

"Uh... my apologies, the Empress has been watching ancient human 'Science Fiction' movies.  But, we should discuss things.  I had media and academic sharing between our empires on the agenda to discuss and the possibility of a non-aggression pact or treaty at some point in the future."

Reply

"Heh... nothing wrong with enjoying a holovid or two, Ambassador.  One of my brothers has managed to build up quite the collection."  The young Emperor chuckled softly as he led his guests towards the shuttle prepared for them.

"As for your hopes of cultural exchanges and treaties... why not?  I'd be happy to open up lines of communication, immigration, and trade.  The Senate will likely debate over the fine print to ensure the most prosperous outcome, but such is the nature of democracy, no?"

Reply

"As will our Assembly." Growan dipped his head a little, appreciative of the Drakari's seemingly-lax attitude to the diplomatic crisis that was the Empress. He and the Kriko followed the Emperor to the shuttle.

Empress of Fire 
Current Minister of Military Affairs
Chair Perch of the Assembly (February to June 2020)
SPSF Soldier
MoRA Fellow
Ambassador to Forest and Lazarus

Reply