The colony looked up from his breakfast. "Yes, Francis?"
"You know that the political situation in Europe is.. unstable. Aix-la-Chappelle was a loss for us - for you - and I don't know if I can protect you anymore. The last war drained my resources, but I have to protect my people too, and-"
Matthieu cut him off with a smile. "And you need to go back to France. I understand."
Damn him for being so adorable. Francis shook his head. "No. In case Arthur decides to steal you away from me entire, I need to teach you how to survive in European politics. We've had over a millennia to make things difficult, and you'll need to stand on your own. It's not an easy task."
Matthew's brows furrowed, and Francis rejoiced that whatever else, Matthieu was still his charge, free of the Kirkland "family" curse. "I've learned your history, and England's. I've sat in on negotiations, watched laws being drawn up, have a government. What else is there?"
"Diplomacy isn't only about diplomats and functionaries, my sweet. It's deciding what you want, how you wish to attain it, and minimising the cost to yourself. Since nations and their governments work so closely, while your officials are discussing terms you must also be working with other nations. Convince a nation you are on their side, that you have something they want, and the world will be yours." His mouth quirked. "How do you think Austria rose to such prominence?"
"... Oh." He watched Matthieu work through the implications, nod. "I'll have to work more closely with the council, then."
"Yes. I doubt Arthur will allow it if you become his, but you will need the practice." He tucked a curl behind Matthieu's ear, cupped his cheek. "Ahorn."
"Hm?"
"If I go too fast, or do something between us - as Francis and Matthieu - that you want me to stop, say 'ahorn.'"
"And it does not apply to France and Canada?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
"No, it does not." He kissed Matthieu's forehead, nuzzled him gently. "Are you ready for your first lesson?"
~ ~ ~
"There are three main ways of presenting yourself, Matthieu - as something innocent, something desirable, and something to be feared. Each has benefits, but presented poorly all will backfire."
"Like how Russia combines fear and innocence but just comes off creepy?"
"Yes. Arthur's combination of fear and desirability, on the other hand, works wonderfully with the rest of the world. For you, innocence." A finger traces the side of his face, the line of his jaw. "You are naturally sweet, and your experience would not be believed. In a few hundred years you may choose another persona, but you may find that you like being underestimated."
Lessons (Part 1, 1/?)
~ ~ ~
1749
"Matthieu?"
The colony looked up from his breakfast. "Yes, Francis?"
"You know that the political situation in Europe is.. unstable. Aix-la-Chappelle was a loss for us - for you - and I don't know if I can protect you anymore. The last war drained my resources, but I have to protect my people too, and-"
Matthieu cut him off with a smile. "And you need to go back to France. I understand."
Damn him for being so adorable. Francis shook his head. "No. In case Arthur decides to steal you away from me entire, I need to teach you how to survive in European politics. We've had over a millennia to make things difficult, and you'll need to stand on your own. It's not an easy task."
Matthew's brows furrowed, and Francis rejoiced that whatever else, Matthieu was still his charge, free of the Kirkland "family" curse. "I've learned your history, and England's. I've sat in on negotiations, watched laws being drawn up, have a government. What else is there?"
"Diplomacy isn't only about diplomats and functionaries, my sweet. It's deciding what you want, how you wish to attain it, and minimising the cost to yourself. Since nations and their governments work so closely, while your officials are discussing terms you must also be working with other nations. Convince a nation you are on their side, that you have something they want, and the world will be yours." His mouth quirked. "How do you think Austria rose to such prominence?"
"... Oh." He watched Matthieu work through the implications, nod. "I'll have to work more closely with the council, then."
"Yes. I doubt Arthur will allow it if you become his, but you will need the practice." He tucked a curl behind Matthieu's ear, cupped his cheek. "Ahorn."
"Hm?"
"If I go too fast, or do something between us - as Francis and Matthieu - that you want me to stop, say 'ahorn.'"
"And it does not apply to France and Canada?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
"No, it does not." He kissed Matthieu's forehead, nuzzled him gently. "Are you ready for your first lesson?"
~ ~ ~
"There are three main ways of presenting yourself, Matthieu - as something innocent, something desirable, and something to be feared. Each has benefits, but presented poorly all will backfire."
"Like how Russia combines fear and innocence but just comes off creepy?"
"Yes. Arthur's combination of fear and desirability, on the other hand, works wonderfully with the rest of the world. For you, innocence." A finger traces the side of his face, the line of his jaw. "You are naturally sweet, and your experience would not be believed. In a few hundred years you may choose another persona, but you may find that you like being underestimated."
~ ~ ~