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WHO: Lucy Pevensie, Miles Naismith-Vorkosigan, and Petyr Baelish
WHERE: Maurtia Falls Ambassadorial Office
WHEN: Early December
WHAT: First official ambassador meeting!
WARNINGS: Talk of cannibals and what to do with them! Other warnings to be determined.

[ For the first meeting, Petyr made use of the conference room at his office headquarters -- a nice, modern set up with cushioned chairs and a hardwood table. It was bland and basic, and he would change it if he had the chance -- but for now, it suited their needs.

Petyr is already seated when he addresses them. ]

I do want to thank you both for coming. And it does bear saying again, congratulations on your ambassadorship of Nonah, Lord Vorkosigan.

[ His hands fold and his pleasant smile fades to something a bit more suited for business. ]

I suppose the first order of business is to discuss Ken Kaneki. I trust he has been in contact with both of you by now?

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[ Miles has arranged himself neatly in one of the chairs, making up for his diminutive frame by owning his space quite effectively. He's here to make a good impression, or at least he hopes so. Even though he considers himself friends with both of these people. ]

Thank you, Lord Baelish. I'm pleased and humbled by the opportunity.

[ He bows his head a bit ... and sobers. ]

He has indeed. And I've already made my position quite clear to him.

[She's been very quiet, which isn't to say she's distracted, but she looks over at Miles and smiles a bit, encouragingly.

And then she asks.]

But you have not made that position clear to us, Lord Admiral.

No, I suppose not.

[ His eyes seem to catch the light more readily as determination flares in him. ]

I am utterly on his side. It was wrong of the government to all but coerce him based on his medical condition in the first place.

I am, largely on his side as well. I don't believe registration is something that people should feel forced into. We did not ask to be dropped into this world. And those with special conditions should not be denied what they need simply because of their registration status. But we get into messy territory when we try to define what counts as a necessity to someone and what they can live without.

[ Petyr's lips set together thoughtfully. ]

What are your thoughts, Queen Lucy?

Yes.

[She says it carefully. She's thought about it a lot. Of course, it seemed strangely fair. She would not deny her own subjects - except they did not, in general, eat other Talking Animals.]

I do agree. He cannot be expected to live without it, and it would be most cruel to say he must go above and beyond to accomplish such a task.

Then we're in agreement, aren't we? In the direction if not the degree.

One of my advisers suggested looking into bodies who were donated for scientific research, seeing if there was a clause that could make those available for Kaneki. I believe that was what the government had been giving him when he was still registered. The idea is that in exchange for the bodies while he remains unsettled, he would allow researchers to observe and record his feeding habits.

[ Baelish frowns after that. ]

But that path makes him into more of a science experiment than anything else. At the same time, how much better can he really expect having chosen to unregister? We must remember that this is a choice Kaneki made for himself. He was having his needs met while he was registered and simply because he felt as though he was being forced into it, he decided to become an unsettled imPort. I firmly believe that everyone has that choice and that right to decide whether or not they register, but if they choose the latter -- they need to expect the consequences. Whatever we are able to accomplish for Kaneki will likely not be something without some sort of cost. So what is and what is not a reasonable price to pay, in both of your opinions?

You mean to say he must register again to not face such consequences?

Do you mean to say that we must consider registration as citizenship?

[She's raising her eyebrows]

If you say that we must register or face a consequence, is that not your opinion? And if he must pay a price, why him and not you, or I?

[ Petyr's attention returns to Lucy, and he gives her a slight shake of his head. ]

No. What I mean to say is that the government makes it very clear upon our arrival that if we do not register, we cannot expect the same benefits as those who do register. The choice is ours, but the consequences are something everyone faces. I never implied that anyone was above those consequences, and I'm not certain where you believe I have, Your Grace. What I meant is that Kaneki made this choice for himself. No one can tell him that he must register. That is something he alone decides. But he also cannot expect the government to hand over corpses free of charge without some sort of stipulation for having chosen to unregister. And I believe he is also aware of this.

[ Kaneki had been realistic in his conversation with Baelish, understanding that the government may very well not agree to aid him. He's prepared for that outcome, so at least he doesn't expect the impossible. Hopefully, he's just willing to compromise. ]

What I believe we will be able to do is find an avenue where he can have access to the bodies, but there will be some sort of price to pay for it. As my adviser had said -- agreeing to be documented or observed as he feeds, for example. It's a situation where he gets what he needs, but also gives a little bit in return rather than being cut off entirely for remaining unregistered. And it also keeps him from being arrested for merely surviving.

[ Miles is thoughtful, listening to the both of them. ]

I do agree that he may need to pay in some manner. Nonregistered individuals do expect to pay for food, for example, and work accordingly. As long as the payment is not any more restrictive than, say, any other imPort earning their daily bread. That just makes it right back to being de facto mandatory.

[ A pause. ]

Have you proposed the observation "payment" to him yet, Lord Baelish? That may very well be a restrictive payment for him.

I have not. Before we head into actual discussions with our respective government officials, I would, of course. But I wished to bring the idea to you both first to see if, perhaps, you have a better one? Mine is flawed, but it gives an idea of what an avenue we could potentially take.

Well.

I do think that if there is incentive to register, it can be-

[She stalls a little.]

It is one way, I should agree.

[ Miles gets up at that, pacing in a tight circle. He's thinking. ]

A shame this place doesn't have the technology required to regrow body parts. And I suppose any other sort of falsified protein is out.

Such a thing is possible beyond powers and abilities?

[ So many things that Baelish just doesn't know. ]

We do have a great deal of scientists in this world. Do either of you know one who might possess that sort of knowledge? Bringing that sort of advancement to the table could very well help out with Kaneki's larger goal of ensuring all unregistered imPorts with life sustaining needs can have access to those needs even if they decide not to register.

It's quite normal where I come from. Whole people too, but let's avoid that, please.

[ Miles taps idly at his chin. ]

I have a few scientists working on protein for regular consumption ... And a few alchemists. Perhap they could manage something.

Oh.

[She's turning a little green.]

Yes, perhaps that's a good venue. I do not understand how the consumption of humans is so different. Perhaps what is needed to know why it must be. Well.

Why should animals not suffice. Are we not made of the same things?

[ Petyr offers a smile and reaches out to place a hand over Lucy's, the pin she had given him gleaming on his sleeve. She's been so very brave when it's come to this conversation, and no doubt it's been difficult for her. ]

It's his...genetic makeup. [ Fancy words Petyr has adopted from his girlfriend Haen, the walking DNA manipulator. ] For his species, he is unable to consume anything else. I'm not certain where the differences lie, but I do know that if he could consume an alternative, he would.

[ A glance at Miles then. Petyr nods. ]

It's an avenue worth pursuing. In the meantime, we can bring these potential ideas to Kaneki and see if he finds them acceptable. While we likely can find a solution to his specific problem, he fights a larger war and wants to see this change for everyone. That is why he's enlisted our help. And I think after the holiday season, we should call in each of our government officials for a meeting where we all are present along with Kaneki. I believe his passion on the topic is more convincing than any of us would be able to articulate just trying to pass along his ideas, so he should be the one to express them. Would you both find this an agreeable arrangement?

[ Miles gives Lucy a sympathetic look as well. Hard topic for them to tackle, no matter how one views it ... Then he nods firmly. ]

I would, Lord Baelish. Let's plan for just that.

Yes, I mean-

But if we were to make it, how should we know it would work?

I also do agree that this is a suitable compromise, and I would be most pleased to see it as a solution. I should hope that he will, as well.

[Because Lucy really.

Is bothered by the notion of eating people.]

The only way to know would be to test it prior to making it an official solution or arrangement.

[ A beat. ]

But for now, we can bring all of this to Kaneki himself and see what he thinks of it. Is there anything else you both would like to discuss while we are here?

[ Miles is relieved that this part has gone well, at least. He returns to his seat and resettles in it. ]

Actually, yes. [ He glances between the two of them. How to phrase this in a way that doesn't sound weak... ] Given that I am new to this, what has been your greatest challenges so far? What should I be preparing for?

[Lucy laughs a little]

Being taken seriously, my lord admiral!

[Because she is so young, she thinks. Surely it isn't because she's a girl, after all!]

I do agree with Her Grace. Many do not believe the ambassadorial position really means anything, so it can be a bit challenging to convince them otherwise.

[ A pause. ]

I do not say this to alarm either of you -- only so that you're aware that it's a possibility, but I've faced a few physical attacks since becoming ambassador. Maurtia Falls is a beautiful but also corrupt city. And unfortunately, it brings out some of the more dangerous imPorts. But those sorts of imPorts are not confined to Maurtia Falls alone. So I do hope you both will be cautious.

[ Miles can certainly sympathize with Lucy. His own youth - and literal stature - seems to contribute to his own problems with it. He gives her a knowing look. ]

I understand that sentiment completely. Quite frustrating.

[ And the second ... Miles merely looks thoughtful rather than alarmed. ]

I'll be perfectly fine. After all, I've endured assassination attempts since before I was born. That's precisely why I look like I do.

[A pause.]

Ah, well, I do not think my lady knight, nor Hawke would take easily to such a thing. So I am quite safe, assuredly.

I am glad you both will be well-protected. We are the most accessible to the imPorts, and it's unfortunately easy for them to take their disdain for the government out on us. I almost have to wonder if being from our worlds and being used to the dangers of lordships, courts, and wars has made us better suited to this position.

[ It's the one common link they all share. The one the imPorts seemed confident to vote into office three times. But Petyr shifts the topic to something a bit lighter. ]

But for some good news, former ambassador Mitchell Hundred now serves on the Senate. I believe the next time we have one of these meetings, we should call him in as well. With his support, we may be able to accomplish a great deal more.

[ It's certainly true. And Count Dooku before them, for a slightly different take on nobility ... ]

There is certainly something to be said for that sort of experience.

[ He rubs his chin a bit at Petyr's suggestion. ]

I think that would be quite helpful, yes. Shall we?

I should be glad to do so. We are friends, from when he was still Ambassador in my city.

[Lucy is not bothered by favors, after all.]

And I am certain he would be glad to attend. I will bring the topic up to him when next we speak.

[ Figuring that this just about brought their first meeting to a close, Petyr rises to his feet and extends his hand toward the both of them. ]

I'm glad you both could make it out here. I believe this whole thing went rather well.

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