War changed people, it changed governments, weapons, boarders, families and so many other things. Opportunity still came from war and he had seen it on his own streets after bombings. Thieves would pretend to help people only to rob them of all of their belongings, sell them useless protections against falling bombs and as the country had fallen and he had been imprisoned it had apparently gotten much worse. It was with his escape and the aftermath of it that he had learned that everyone was out for themselves and if he was to have any impact in fixing things, he couldn’t rely on people’s word alone.
At the drop of his arms, the King seemed to jump a little in his seat, perhaps he had been watching his arms too intently but sudden moves he was certainly struggling with. “I -trusted a -greater many -people in my life, with my -family and -country and I have -been betrayed -time and -time again. Mercenaries at least –can be -bought. Volunteers –can be swayed –too easily. Words these -days mean -very little.” While it was not meant to be delivered too viciously, his startle and racing heart had caused his tone to turn a little sharper than he had intended, he did not seem to offer up an apology for it while he kept his eyes on the other, not at all able to muster up a sense of trust to resist doing so.
His shifting weight bringing him no comfort at all, Albert’s hands moved to rest on the desk, not with any pressure behind them though as he readied himself to go for the gun if he felt he needed to. “As -for why I invited you -specifically, I thought you would -understand the -cause more than anyone else and the -proposition I have.” He admitted truthfully, that and encouraging JR to make such approaches on his own was in Albert’s current interests, all of which most had found him to be keeping very close to his chest.
“If –congress is unable –to come -to some sort of -arrangement, -perhaps we -can -go above them with an executive agreement.” His disappointment in his apparent friendship with the President something of a sore and bitter topic, he was about to put out one last offer of alliance with him. “Within my Empire, as you are aware, -lies Newfoundland, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, -Trinidad.” Listed off without room to interrupt, Albert found his stride again, “Along with -Cook Island, Samoa and then -on -towards -Australia. –Vital -positions -to holding off –potential attack -from both oceans, which we -may be –able -to arrange a –sharing of -possessions.” A serious offer if ever he had presented one, “There are -of –course -conditions which I would like you –to deliver -directly to your -President.” He raised his eyebrow, “It -must be you as I -feel this will be in your interests.”
John Robert had a sort of detached interest coupled with satisfaction watching the way he could get such a response from the Monarch. Of course, he couldn’t ever consider the man a friend just by virtue of their roles in life, but he’d always at least admired him. The Virginian’s roll, however, always had him tuned to combat, death, and the ways in which he could get and keep an advantage - the War Rep part of him was what enjoyed making the King startle and jump, the human part of him... not so much. JR softened a little at least at the words that had accompanied the jerk. “I do know a bit about that from personal experience.” He allowed, thinking of the betrayals that had accompanied the war with his elder brother.
It took a small effort to force himself to move backward and give the man across from him room. The Monarch was correct, the bait that had been dangled in front of the Virginian had been snagged, he sympathized very much with the predicament that the allied nation was in, and again the part of him that was not so heavily influenced by the prospect of war was also touched by the loss of people he had known, and the pain a man who might be a friend was experiencing. “I still say you’re being foolish refusing the assistance of men. I can talk to the Executive, I can speak to Daniel, and also contact Makenzie - he’s the Canadian rep in case you haven’t met him. But how do you plan on retaking your nation without manpower?”
JR’s brows rose and he shook his head, truly amazed at the offer on the table. “What conditions?” Again he changed position, this time fists propped on his hips. He looked to one side and then back. “Tell me all about whatever you’ve got planned because I fail to see how it’ll truly play out. Access to our coasts? With what ships crewed by what men? Congress is reluctant and slow to move but if you have something like what you’re offering, and against a war machine like Europe has, they might be tempted.”
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