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Post by Brazil on Feb 9, 2013 22:38:53 GMT -5
May 5th, 1859
María's office — Santiago de León de Caracas, DC
Venezuela [/right] The news of the recently stablished country of Venezuela, or rather, the Republic of Venezuela, didn't take too long to reach Brazil's ears. Luciano stared at the letter on his hands, paper heavy with a decidedly feminine and cursive handwriting, signed as «María Miranda de la Coromoto Paez». The brunet smiled at it, vaguely remembering what he knew from the lady in question: it wasn't much, as they had not spoken more than a few words in person and the rest, letters back and forth. Still, he had this gut feeling they would get along, and even manage their way around the Amazon forest somehow. Outside, Caracas presented himself before dark brown eyes, a city still on maintenance, a curious sight for the Brazilian guest. He knew that, soon enough, the Venezuelan would have a capital to call hers and be proud of, just like Luciano had his own Rio de Janeiro, and the beautiful things all over it, from buildings to the natural beauty of the sea, and the hills. Perhaps it would not be the very same, as she had opted for being a republic and those... — Well, Martín wasn't an example, and Sebastián had learned with the best — were not as opulent, not as elegant. Still, the Empire of Brazil smiled to himself as he waited for his turn to speak with the newly independent country. After all, he wasn't there to talk, but for a rather specific reason: they shared borders. Luciano hadn't exactly organized just where his borders were, especially concerning his south, but he had to watch over the north too... He figured starting by Venezuela would work, as Uruguay didn't really count as a first. It hadn't been even forty years since the other declared his Independence and Brazil already felt abandoned... No use thinking about it, however, he was there today to talk with Venezuela, and hopefully reach an agreement as to where their borders began, and where they ended. Simple as that. When he heard his full name (with a distinct Spanish accent) Luciano stood up from his chair, adjusting the lapels at his coat to look remotely presentable. Pedro II, his emperor, had instructed him to come by with a military uniform, as it would give out more credibility, a sense of order perhaps, and that's what he did. Still, he left all the weaponry at home, same with the hat: He wanted to look respectable, not that he was declaring a war. Luciano saluted at the man who had called him, then gently walked over into Venezuela's office room, a small sway on his walk. "Bom dia, María de la Coromoto." The Brazilian greeted as he gently knocked on the door, making his presence known in the small room. "May I come in?"
The uniform Luciano is wearing is the Alferes' one, as shown on the picture, but without the hat and sword. If it's hard to read, I meant the second one, from left to right. |
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Post by Venezuela on Feb 11, 2013 0:14:25 GMT -5
May 5th, 1859
María's office — Santiago de León de Caracas, DC
Venezuela The office was still a mess and so was her. As María looked at herself in the mirror she secretly wished she had asked Bolivar for a new dress when he offered her. Ever since Paez had declared independence from Gran Colombia they had started cutting down on their expenses. She didn’t mind it much though, after all she was her own country now, just like she had always wanted, but it would be nice if she had a dress that made her stand out a bit more...or that didn’t make her look so much like a child. She was fifteen in appearance now and yet her dress would be better suited for a thirteen year old. They had been through some stormy times lately, two independencies, various battles, numerous natural disasters, things hadn’t been exactly calm lately, but she had never been happier. She was Venezuela, she was her own country, and that was all that mattered. She was even a republic, just like Alfred, and perhaps one day she’d be as strong as he was. When María saw the list of the people that had come to see her that day, the name that she first noticed was from her Brazilian correspondent. She knew he was coming and they had talked to each other through letters before, but it was still a surprise to know he was already there. She was about to ask for him to be sent in before the others, eager to finally meet him in person, when she realized how that would make her seem a fool. She was a nation now, and should not be so eager to please others. No, she was of great importance now, and if the Brazilian wished to see her, he’d have to wait like the rest. The day was almost ending and María was already dreaming about a shower. In this exact moment she was thankful that her dress was so plain and therefore not as warm as some of the latest fashion models. She had just taken advantage of her brief moment alone to go stare out the window, in hopes of catching a breath of fresh air, when a knock on the door made her turn around. She had almost forgot her special visitor and she couldn’t be happier to finally meet him. "Welcome to Caracas Luciano, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you” María said smiling wide as she crossed the table to get closer to him. “I hope you’re here to congratulate me in person, for finally being my own country.” she teased, knowing very well he would never travel this far just for that. “So tell me, how are you finding my little venice?”
the dress she's wearing is this one: [a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/80017398?rpp=20&pg=15&ao=on&ft=1859+dress&when=A.D.+1800-1900&where=North+and+Central+America&what=Dresses&pos=285"]http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/80017398?rpp=20&pg=15&ao=on&ft=1859+dress&when=A.D.+1800-1900&where=North+and+Central+America&what=Dresses&pos=285[/u][/a]. And the little venice thing, it's because that's what Venezuela means in spanish. |
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Post by Brazil on Feb 11, 2013 21:56:40 GMT -5
Luciano smiled a little bit more as the girl turned around to speak to him, walking inside the office with the ease of someone who had just stepped back home after a long day. It was simple for him to adjust, especially when around a neighbor, and despite the fact her Spanish was a little bit different than what he was used to, he figured they'd get along fine. Or so he hoped, not certain of who the girl was, or her manners. Yet, he didn't think it would be a big problem, after all, someone who puts up with Portugal's melancholy as he does, and Paraguay's little fits of anger, could certainly handle anything the girl would throw his way. As long as she didn't flip the table.
"It looks pretty good from what I've seen… And familiar, as you and I share a forest." The Brazilian started, mixing Portuguese and Spanish in the same phrase. Uruguay had helped him a bit, that was certain from the way he pronounced a few words, but the language never felt right in his tongue, as foreign as the people who spoke it. "But I'm certain it'll look even better given time. It's a pleasure to meet you too, María, finally!" He added with a cheerful tone, approaching the Venezuelan and kissing the back of her hand with a small blush. She… Well, María was a pretty girl, and no matter how much he wanted to go against every single thing Portugal had taught him, the manners… He figured they'd work, and also help break some of the formality.
Not that he was trying to act anything like that stupid, arrogant anarchist down south, just that… He could be nice to ladies too! And he wanted to make new friends, lots of them, María could as well be the first. He ignored the state of her dress, the general mess the country was in flying right through his head as he walked over to her desk, setting his belongings on the floor, by the wooden table. It was a beautiful piece of furniture, but the country still didn't have much of an architecture to present to fit it, which was a sad thing but… Wasn't the same with all republics? The boy shook his head, glad for finally having a decent emperor for once, who would certain set him and his people on the right track.
"But that's not what I came here for!" Luciano teased her back finally, leaning against the desk as he turned to face her. "Although if you wish, there you go: congratulations, República da Venezuela." The named rolled out of his tongue with ease, a nice sound he could get used to saying quite easily. However, he still liked saying simply 'María' more. "We need to settle down our borders actually: where I begin, where you end." And if he had more class, he would have blushed heavily at the pun, but if he did, he wouldn't have been Luciano.
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Post by Venezuela on Feb 14, 2013 22:02:08 GMT -5
María was not used to seing other nations on formal meetings. So far she only knew her brother and sister, Equador and Colombia, her....father...., and had a slight memory of a tall very pale men, but never had she met those in a formal meeting, and at those times she wasn't really a country, just a province. She was surprised by the kiss on the hand, she had only seen men handling state affairs and had never realized a lady would be greeted differently in such a situation. What made her trully blush was the pun though, this at least she was sure was not a very professional thing.
She walked quickly to her desk and pulled out of the cabinet the maps she had been given by her president. In them was represented the country, with all the lands they claimed as theirs. "I am sorry you came all the way here for that, I'm afraid the matter is already settled, as you can see we already know where my country's borders are. Feel free to look at it if you are still confused." She pulled back her chair and took her seat, it was a tall chair, meant to make her look tall, the chair on the other side though was shorter than the usual, meant to make the visitor shorter. It was a silly thing, but her president had suggested it and she had to admit, she did feel more confident in the high backed seat.
"Would you like some coffee while you look at it, or perhaps some water?" She had been taught her manners, and though her plan was to stand her ground against any Brazilian claims, she was still a good host. "You can take your time with those maps, we also have a copy in case you need one to take with you to Brasil."
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Post by Brazil on Feb 24, 2013 20:19:34 GMT -5
Well, to say Luciano wasn't thrown back by that was a complete lie. The boy shifted awkwardly in his feet, making a bit of a face at her quickness. His emperor had told him to negotiate carefully and always remember to threat María like a lady (even if she wasn't much of one, Luciano thought), but he had not mentioned anything about those being already ready and done! Right, he needed to be firm in his decisions, as she obviously wasn't going to make this any easier for him.
"No, things aren't settled this way!" The boy chuckled as he took a seat at the smaller chair, tugging the map closer for inspection. He was still some centimeters taller than her despite the difference between the chairs, but he found it cute that she was trying to look so superior, it almost reminded him of someone else… Luciano didn't notice, but his cheeks went a bit red at the thought. Right, focus! "María, we need to discuss the borders first, I have my claims too." He spoke in a soft voice at least, trying to win her over this way.
And it was absurd, honestly, when he looked down at the map and a great part of his own country was labelled as a part of Venezuela. The brunet didn't know much about politics, but weren't those rivers his? He knew Brazilians lived there too, he couldn't just guide them off like cattle! He tapped the map, then looked around for a pen — the Brazilian would have to scribble that map all over, he knew, if he wanted to have any chances of convincing the girl.
"Oh, sim, I'd love some coffee!" Luciano beamed at her, smiling charmingly as he looked up from the map. "But once you're back with it, María, we'll really have to talk… You're kinda claiming my rivers here, see?" He waved a hand for her to come closer, forgetting about the coffee for a moment. "Can I scribble over the map while you go fetch it, please? Because my emperor told me I have the rights over a generous bit of land, too." He tapped the piece of paper next, still smiling up at the girl as he waited. She surely wouldn't be rude about her idea being flat-out rejected, right? He hoped so.
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Post by Venezuela on Mar 2, 2013 17:18:03 GMT -5
It wasn't what he said, but the way he said it. She knew he'd be against her claim that matters were already settled, only an idiot would believe something like that, but the way he said it was the problem. In her ears, the words seemed to be those of one talking to a child, and she was no child (or so she liked to believe). And to laugh at her, how dare he? Just because she wasn't a big empire or had as much gold as him didn't mean he could sit there and laugh at her inside her own office!
"There is nothing to discuss, those are our borders, the matter is settled." She answered him in a firm voice, ignoring his softness. Her president had instructed her to be firm on this, she knew he had doubts whether a lady could handle this, so this was her change to prove herself. Sure, not all of the lands they were claiming were populated only by Venezuelans, but what did it matter? Brazil was big enough without those lands, and she would accept the few Brazilians in them as her own people.
Forcing a smile she got up to get him the coffee, damn that stupid decision to be polite, pausing when he gestured for her to look at the map. "Scribble all you like dear, but I don't that would change much, as I said, the matter is settled." She replied in a fake smile before leaving to get the coffee. It didn't take long, she had already instructed the cook to have some coffee ready, the hardest part was to control the urge to put lemon in it...
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Post by Brazil on Mar 3, 2013 21:47:35 GMT -5
Ahh, girls… Did they have to be so complicated?! Luciano's eyebrows went up at the reply he got, or rather, her harsh tone. Let it be noted that he was trying, he really was! He tried to be nice, and sweet, and gentle just as Pedro II and his lady Teresa Cristina had told him — more the first than the latter — but was it worth anything? He was honestly frustrated. Still, that didn't mean he put the smile down, not even when she had turned her back on him to fetch her the coffee. He hoped that, at least, the coffee would be strong and up to his liking, but this gut feeling just screamed that Venezuela was not the one to bother when looking for good coffee. Damn.
"No, it's not settled, I'll show you." He insisted, tapping the wooden surface of the desk with some harshness despite the soft grin. While she was away, he redrew the borders as he saw fit, pushing them up so all the rivers connected to Rio Branco belonged to Brazilian lands. It was a generous addition, but not so much when compared to the overall of Brazil; plus, he was still the ruling Empire on the office, he would force his opinions if needed, no girl would tell him otherwise. He still left all the rivers connected to the Orinoco as Venezuelan lands, because he wasn't mean, those were hers by right. He tried to bargain something on the region of the serra, but it was obvious she wouldn't buy this one. Still, his scribbles were much better, even if the fountain pen gave him more trouble than it was worth it.
When the Venezuelan returned, the Brazilian gladly smiled up at her, motioning for her to come closer. "Here, María, what I think of it." He showed the girl the map, sitting down on the lower chair back again. He had made mostly loose lines, that certainly needed to be discussed further, but the general idea was there, and her borders with the British Guiana or Colombia weren't of his concern. He wasn't game to lose even more territory than what already belonged to himself, and signing documents, or all that political stuff, was such a bore! The brunet tried not to huff, however, of look minimally displeased as he waited for her approval. Or at least, for her not to dump the hot coffee on his face.
"Because see, María, things can't be just what you want… I have claims, and they are fair. I'm sure you can listen to my opinions, and we'll solve this nicely! Look, I'm not interested in your disputes with the British Guiana, or with Colombia, but I… My people are here, all over the margins of Rio Branco, some live on areas that I even left as part of Venezuela! I'm trying to get this to work, and deliver something nice to my emperor back in Rio de Janeiro, but I need you cooperation too." He sighed, speaking with the best note he possibly could. Next, Luciano searched for her eyes, green and bright like a parrot's feathers, and once he finally found them, he made sure to smile as if he really depended on her to carry on. He looked almost like a kicked puppy but hey, that trick worked with Sebastián. "Will you cooperate with me on this one, please? It's all I ask."
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Post by Venezuela on Mar 4, 2013 0:09:48 GMT -5
Good thing she had set down the coffee before looking at his scribbles, otherwise there was a real risk she might have dropped it on the map. What was he even thinking?! She had an equal clame to at least half of those rivers, and how could he even think of touching the serra region?! Those lands were hers! Well, maybe not the most southern river ones, but she still had a fair claim to them!
Hands gripping the edge of the table beside him, jaw clenched she waited for him to make his case. He spoke of his need to please his emperor, as if she didn't have to do the same thing. Did he think that just because it was a president in her case, things weren't as serious? And he didn't care about her disputes with her sister and the British Guiana, was she supposed to be thankful that he didn't want to give an opinion on that? That was it, just because he was a big empire didn't mean she'd agree to whatever he proposed, no, she was an independent Republic and would not back down on her claims!Did he really think she'd fall for that "I need you" talk?!
The small girl smiled trying not to make too much of an angry face, one hand griping the arm of his chair as she glared at him "How dare you touch the serra? You don't even have a shadow of a claim to that land! And I have as many people living in those rivers as you do! Do you think I care that you have to please your oh so glorious Emperor?! In case you forgot I have a government to answer to as well! Or did you forget Republics are countries to?!" By now she had one hand on her hip, the other gesticulating too fast to follow, but often pointing at him angrily. "Let me tell you something, being a Republic changes nothing, it's still a lot of work! We're all serious here! Do you think that just because you're an Empire that I'll let you take whatever land you wish for?!" She accused him, jamming one index finger at his chest.
"Let me tell you something, your emperor has no power here, nor does you, and I will not let you take all these lands!" She finished yelling and took a pen of her own, furiously re-drawing her borders in blue ink. This time though, she left just a little bit more land for the Brazilian, only a few more rivers, but still keeping the majority as hers. "There" She said in a firm voice pointing at the map with her pen "Those are my lands. My claim for them are as strong as yours, maybe stronger if you consider that my capitol is closer to it than the only "big" city that you have in the Amazonian region!"
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Post by Brazil on Mar 7, 2013 14:33:17 GMT -5
The sweet smile on Luciano's features quickly turned into an upset frown and a pout at the finger on his chest. His eyes flicked down to the girl's hands, the pointed finger against his Prussian blue jacket and the golden buttons, nails cut short and unfeminine. María was a very pretty girl, he had to admit, but… She didn't look like the ladies in his land, all dressed up and looking sweet with their overly-sized dresses in the Capital's summer. Perhaps it was a Republic thing, to reject everything remotely Monarchic even the clothing… Luciano didn't know much about Republics, but he liked the clothes he wore, even if he felt strange in them, like he didn't belong half the time.
But then she just had to go and insult his emperor, and damn, that wasn't even a nice thing to do! He didn't know what was the girl's problem, but he had tried hard to meet her halfway, at least, and she wasn't even trying back! Were Spain's kids all so up in arrogance and pride that they couldn't even listen to him? The Brazilian sighed, adjusted his collar and gently pushed her hand away, eyes noticing the contrast between his skin and hers… Was that it? He gulped, shook his head in anger, and then looked up at her. Of course it isn't, Luciano, calm down— Wait, was she serious?!
"Look, María, I…" He started again, but she had already began to redraw the borders, claiming yet again a good portion of land that wasn't even hers. He bit his lip, then scratched the back of his head, trying way too hard to maintain his composure. His hand was starting to tremble with sheer anger, and he just wished María wasn't a girl, so he could punch her in the face, a straight hit to knock some sense into her head, and also so she wouldn't dare offend Manaus again. But he wouldn't, and shouldn't, even if his instincts just basically told him to walk in Caracas, burning down everything on his way. "I can't accept it." He added after, gesticulating with disdain at the map before he reached over to grab the pen, already on his feet.
Luciano circled some areas on the map, marked as Venezuelan but important parts of Brazil he just wouldn't let go. The rivers flowing to Rio Branco, and Rio Negro, were his! They had names Iracema had taught him, even! "This is my claim. I can't go without these, and I don't care what you think about me, or my Empire, but I'm a country too and you're disrespecting me." He hissed, his tone already going harsher. "Olha, eu… I won't even talk back, but I want those lands, and they are mine to take." He stuffed his chest, narrowed his eyes, and looked down at her. "Do you get it?"
Let the anger come, he was ready for it.
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Post by Venezuela on Mar 17, 2013 1:08:36 GMT -5
"Do you get it?" Had he really just asked her that? "Do you get it?" Who does he think she is? "Do you get it?" Did he really think he could just walk into her office and boss her like that?! Needless to say, this day was not exactly being very pleasant.
She was already tired, not only of this stressing matter, but from all the other problems she had dealt with that day. She was tired, and stressed and feeling horrible because at the sight of him in his pretty uniform, she was more than ever aware of how terrible her dresses were. In a normal day she felt like she should have a new one, more appropriate to her current age, but now she felt as if she were some orphan child who had nothing but her old clothes. In this exact moment he was reminding her of how good it was to do nothing all day, to be taken care of without having to deal with work.
How could he even think of speaking to her like that? Was he thinking that she was indeed some sort of lost child, someone who didn't matter in the over-all picture and therefore could be ignored? For a moment she wondered if all monarchies were the same, if for them every republic was something that could be ignored. Maybe not all, but this one seemed like he did.
María clenched her jaw, narrowing her eyes while sticking out her chin in defiance. With a tone as cold and sharp as the bitterness she felt, she stated without even blinking "Just because you want something, does not mean you can have it. Nothing is yours to take and I will not agree with this. Say what you will, I am not signing my name in any paper that defines as yours, lands that should be mine."
As suddenly as her anger had come, it seemed to disappear. In truth she was still angry inside, but the hatred she felt at the moment took away her need to make a scene. With her steps heavy and her shoulders tense, María went back to her seat, where she started to drink the coffee she had brought for herself, as if nothing had ever happened.
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Post by Brazil on Mar 26, 2013 21:12:54 GMT -5
Luciano was losing his patience with María and her over-abusive claims. He watched her rage with arrogance in his eyes and paid half a mind to her whims, because whatever going through her mind was not of importance given how she had not even allowed him to speak. At that moment, Luciano concluded he didn't like— no, he hated María and her arrogance, her indecisions. Frankly, just because she was a girl, it didn't mean she could just push him into a corner, into doing as she wanted because he wouldn't dare treat her bad. He was angry, and getting quite desperate to just solve that pointless talk and leave.
"No, that's not even the point of the argument anymore!" The Brazilian insisted, raising his voice and slamming his hands down on the table. "You don't accept any of my arguments, so I'm putting things my way! Here is how things are going to be, María: I will divide our borders myself." He annouced, grabbing the pen and wetting it with black ink, pulling the map closer to him. "The rivers and lands by Orinoco are yours and the ones by Rio Branco are mine, alright? I'm respecting your claims — don't argue that I'm not — but I have mine too!" The boy growled, baring his teeth as he tried, he really did. He knew she'd refuse it, but he had an answer at the tip of his tongue.
"Fine, you want my rivers too? We can go to war!" Luciano threatened, snapping a finger at her direction. "Declare it, I dare you! But I'll set my army here, in Caracas, and I won't care that you just became independent, I will push my borders forward! I will claim what is yours too, and then let's see if I'm joking or not." He hissed and tossed the pen on her direction, sitting down. "Those are my terms, fair or not to you, and you can sign it!" He huffed, adjusting his collar. "Keep the map, too, we can make a new one."
Luciano was well aware they would have to write down the precise terms, but he wasted no time grabbing a piece of paper, a document for it. He began writing that the deal had been stablished in relative peace and it was in the interest of both countries to keep it. Then, the brunet made a detailed description of what he had drawn on the map, border set line by line so there would be no doubt. The border began by river Memachi, and would follow through by rivers Aquio and Tomó, Guaicia and Iquiare, so that the waters were shared equally between Venezuela and Brazil, as well as the lands marked. He went on, mentioned how part of Rio Negro was his too, as well as the rivers than ran by the sierra — which he shared, more or less, using strategic points to mark their new lands. It was a fairer map than the one the Venezuelan had done, which also meant he had gained an important slice of land for himself.
Then, he concluded the division by the highest points of sierra Pacaraima, which meant the rivers Cuyuni and Caroni were Venezuelan. He hadn't like it much, wishing he could have kept those, but he also had to attend to the lady's whims, which weren't few. Finally, he added that the borders concerning Nova Granada were not his to take care of, as if he wanted to get in the middle of the fight between María and Catalina, as if! Luciano re-read his little treaty, nodded as he decided it was the best he could do, it just had to be properly organized and a new map, of course, would have to be drawn. Still, it not only looked, but also felt decent enough of a treaty that they could keep for years to come.
"There you go. If it's to your liking, sign it." Luciano added a bit coldly, staring at the girl from his seat, his side of the table. If she disagreed, then he'd… He would… He was so angry he had no idea what he would even do, but she seemed to have calmed down and, if she just got things over with, the Brazilian was certain that, soon enough, so would he. He bore his eyes into hers, and waited.
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