“Danke,” Kiku nodded to the German official as he departed the automobile.
The words were strange against his tongue, and his accent was shaky, but he’d studied German until he was fluent in the language. It hadn’t been hard; He was introduced to the language before his country had closed its borders until the later 19th Century and had a grasp on it when he’d renewed his studies. Fluency was important when dealing with allies, as well as an understanding of their primary differences. German and Germany were direct. The language was constructed so that communication was direct and Germany was a to-the-point man as well. The situation depended on whether such a thing was an advantage or not, but it had caused longer than necessary conversation between the two of them before. Time was valuable in war and so Japan had tried to keep in mind to be more precise in his speech. His language had characters that had multiple meanings; the same words could mean the same and he supposed that was one reason their alliance was looked upon by so many nations.
Looked upon with anticipation, that was.
The Moscow Peace Conference had come and gone only a week before and then China had requested visitation with Russia. It was one of a variety of reasons Kiku had come to be in Berlin, but it fed into a much more important reason for the visit. They had just won a war, all of them. Italy, Germany, and himself had taken over most of Europe and Asia and all that was not conquered was either owned by another ally of theirs or someone who was not a threat. Yet.
Japan stared up at the state building Germany held office in before peering down at his wrist. The watch had been a present from Ludwig himself not so long after they had made their Axis Pact solid. His appointment time was approaching, but he would be early. It was one trait both appreciated: respect and dedication. He combed a hand through his raven hair before ascending the steps.
The building was not hectic, yet also not lazy. The atmosphere was busy, a steady buzz of activity. It was sense in the air and not just the observations of the Asian nation as he walked through the entrance and bowed politely to the next German official he met. He removed the hat from his head and the sword from around his waist. He presented them wordlessly to the man who turned to another to deposit the items before telling him to follow him in a brusque voice. Japan didn’t have to be told; this routine had changed little in the last years. It’d become more smooth, though.
Up a staircase and down a grand hall that only become more decorated over the same years, he was lead and then to a familiar door.
He knew who he would find when it opened and once given the signal, Japan entered.
Kiku bowed and when he straightened he gave a Ludwig a grin, “I am always most impressed with the precision of your officials. I am hopeful, that soon the governments I have taken control of will soon be organized to do the same.” He pulled his eyes away to take in the room and his lips lifted in surprise at the change that had taken place. His office had become more opulent as well. Japan greatly approved.
He stepped forward. “You are looking well, and you should. You’ve accomplished a great many of your goals. Which is why I am here. We’ve won and its time that we reevaluate our alliance, wouldn’t you agree?” He waved his hand at a chair that sat in direct sight before Germany. “May I?”
Just as Japan made an effort to learn his language and customs, Germany too made it a point to learn about his ally. He can speak passable Japanese and he's also not unfamiliar with their difference in customs, though of course at the end of the day he simply isn't Asian just as Japan isn't European. Though he can speak Japanese well enough to be understood, he certainly has an accent and often struggles to find the right words. Similarly, there are gaps in his understanding of the culture and he can be a bit clumsy when he tries to apply what he does know. He will simply never be able to speak in such a hyperbolic fashion as Japan, just as Japan will never be able to be as direct as he is.
Which means that in spite of all of their efforts, in order to continue to understand each other they need to communicate regularly and carefully. Any trouble that arises between them must be handled swiftly and with as much care and caution as possible - did one of them mean to slight the other or was it simply a misunderstanding?
So even though he took the opportunity to speak with Japan at the conference, there were so many other things happening there that much was left unsaid. And other things have occurred as well, so only a week had passed and before Japan requested to meet with him in Berlin. A request that was immediately granted as a matter of course - Japan is an ally, after all.
Knowing that Japan would be wonderfully prompt, Germany is setting aside his paperwork even as he's notified that the other empire has arrived and is on his way to the office. So when there's a knock on the door he knows exactly who it is and he's perfectly prepared to welcome him. Of course, even in that things can get a bit tricky - do they bow or shake hands? Which they do doesn't actually make that much of a difference, really, but that moment when they're not sure can be a bit awkward. This time Japan takes the lead by offering a bow, so Germany stands and responds in kind.
And though it would be a bit of a stretch to say that Germany is flattered by Japan's first words - which are merely statements of truth in Germany's mind - he is quick to notice and point out the error in it. "Vell, this is Berlin - I'm sure that your people in Tokyo are also quite precise. I have been needing to spread this to my nev territory as vell," he says, just to be fair.
When Japan states their purpose for this meeting, Germany nods. "Ja," he says with regards to the chair, and he sits back down himself. Reevaluating the alliance... it's not the most comfortable thing to discuss - not with Japan. After all, both of them have expanded their territory considerably, and they've both come into a lot more strength lately as a result. And one only has to look at a map to see that Japan is currently in a situation where it would probably be difficult for him to expand much further without attacking an ally, unless he wants to try crossing the Pacific to attack America in his stronghold - which might be more difficult. He has nearly the same problem himself, though he knows that his current ambitions do not include further expansion at the moment.
But he can't be sure that his ally doesn't feel the same about his own gains, and Germany certainly noticed the aggressiveness of the Japanese expansion. Which is a threat not just to world peace, but the fact of the matter is that Germany is currently the strongest of the empires and he'd like to keep it that way. And he can't simply ask Japan about his intentions because he can't be sure that he would be told the truth - Japan has been known to lie about his intentions just as much as he has himself.
At the conference the two of them had managed to quite peacefully decide on several issues between them, like the border between their respective parts of Russia and who was to take responsibility for the man himself - it's fortunately that Japan had no interest in that at all because Germany was not interested in the idea of having to work out some sort of a schedule to 'share' him. Especially while the man is still strong enough to be potentially dangerous, it's better to not give him opportunities to resist. But there are still other things that could use some discussion - perhaps not because a change is needed but because they need to see if they still agree or not. "Our alliance has been very good for both of us - it has alloved both of us to achieve our goals. But nov that ve have both have achieved our goals, vhat is its purpose nov?" he asks, not trying to suggest that is has no purpose and therefore should be dissolved, but pointing out that the purpose it served before no longer exists so he thinks that perhaps they ought to start by talking about what purpose it should serve them now.
He sat in Ludwig’s office, in Ludwig’s chair, and before the German nation. He was comfortable and at ease and had neither a worry nor a secretive goal on his mind. He didn’t even react in disdain at the obvious and preening way the décor is arranged in the office. His brothers and sisters may have said he was rolling over for the West—for Germany at the least—but Japan didn’t see it that way and if his siblings want to (see: China) then they may. Their opinions echoed less and less, came to mean less and less. Their opinions were of little note. Japan and Germany had had favorable relations since the mid-1930s and that had given the Asian time to learn about the other.
The elegance of the office was not Eastern and that was all that needed to be noted—each had their ways of displaying their power and Japan respected that. He can admire beauty after all and the artistry of the desk is amazing. Germany was now an Empire and he needed these things, Japan had his own decorations that showed him off as an Empire as well.
This was not a contest between them on who had the most power and Japan wasn’t concerned with that either. Germany was powerful as was Japan and he’d argue that now after the war, they are well-matched and the two largest. What need should Japan have to take the opulence as some slight. It wasn’t and that was very clear. As for their conversations, Japan had taken a road of patience and faith. He would never assume Germany was trying to slight him and instead if such a problem arose, would simply ask for clarification. Uncomfortable to ask if someone you consider an ally is taunting you? Yes, but necessary. All their conversations are necessary for their mutual benefit. As such Kiku treated them all very seriously until the atmosphere connotated differently.
They could joke, unlike most of their conquered regions probably imagined. Kiku would like to think they are friends, but he wasn’t foolish. Germany was too suspicious of him yet and the Asian would take no offense to that. It was instead a compliment to be considered a big enough threat to be suspicious of, even the German has no need to worry.
Japan flattered because his words are true and he was impressed at the organization. He had watched it transform to this level, after all. He simply smiled. “I often forget that you take compliments warily, not that you shouldn’t, I find them acerbic myself…It is just difficult for me to express satisfaction for a fellow nation whose forces I have seen only improve. Ten years ago, the process of seeing you would have been more…how do you say…gritty? Difficult. Yes, difficult.” He nodded and took the seat.
“Efficiency is just as important to myself, hai. I would hope that when you come to Tokyo next you will also be speedily attended to, though, I should warn you that my culture may have my civil servants coming off as pushy and overly friendly.” He chuckled at that because it was true, very true.
He folded his hands in his lap after speaking, however, because now it was time for the less than comforting point of his appearance here. He can tell just from Germany’s expression that the topic was discomfiting. Yet it was necessary and for their mutual comfort something to best speak of now. Japan wanted no doubts he could dissuade Ludwig of to linger. If he can ease any he will do so and do so quickly. Kiku knew Feliciano viewed him with abject terror and undisguised suspicion. Japanese expansionism was colossal and swift. To continue on such a path would be reckless and foolish. He would be inviting war and while he was confident he could hold his own, he knows that war can also be a weakness. To take troops from his lands and send them on a mission to conquer more would offer his puppet states the opportunity to rebel and he can list on his fingers every single one of them that would leap at such a fortunate event.
Kiku nodded to Ludwig after he recited exactly what he was thinking when he decided to come—at least part of it. “It would be a lie to tell you that I have achieved all of what I wanted. There are still colonies that I wish I could take. I tell you this not to worry you, but to give you honesty in my thoughts. I wish to negotiate their seizure, however, not battle for it. Too many are owned by others we consider allies and to whom you have closer ties with than I will claim or even hope to have.” He was always humble and he would not be overconfident and assume where he stood with Ludwig and his boss. “To take others would only invite more bloodshed and war. I am very satisfied, Ludwig with my accomplishments and if I cannot have them peacefully, then I can wait until a more auspicious time.”
No, he would not start another conflict. His hunger was sated. “I have no interests in Europe and you can keep the Russian under lock and key. I never wanted him, just his land and you’ve given me more than I had hoped to have in that, Germany.” He nodded. “I want our alliance to be strong, I want the Tripartite Pact to continue not as a war-time alliance, but as an alliance of support between all of us.” He gestured around the room. “Do you want any of my lands? If not, I see nothing so far that could threaten our personal alliance. Yet I am not so foolish to imagine that you think the same of me. My interests lie in Asia and nowhere else. I have no need to be the largest empire and if my empire is to grow no more, I will be happy with friendly relationships with the family I still have that are not under my roof. My concern is…” He stopped and then sighed. He fisted his hands a moment.
“I wish to avoid any conflicts with you or Italy.” Ludwig could interprete that as he wished. Fear? Friendship? A mingling of both for what was any relationship without the fear of breaking or being harmed by those in it. Such a feeling was always present.
Age is a strange thing among nations. By some measures Germany is very, very young, but by others he's quite old. Still not as old as Japan is, perhaps, but he's been around the block so to speak. He's both seen and experienced betrayal of all kinds, and led a rather hard life before he met Japan - the fact that he's rather suspicious has very little to do with Japan, actually.
At the same time, he is still in some ways unfamiliar with being in charge - he seems to be good at it but he doesn't trust that yet. It feels to him as if he has a tremendous weight on his shoulders - each and every choice he makes now affects all of his people, and his big brother isn't there to fix everything for him if he goes awry. Well, Prussia is still around, of course, but rather than giving him a lecture and clean up his mistakes his brother is more likely to laugh and announce just how pleased he is that he is not the one who has to figure out the mess this time.
And all of these things have led Germany to now be very, very careful. Which so many nations and so many people now under his authority, the cost of a mistake only grows higher. But he also knows that being overly cautious can be just as risky as being not cautious enough - those who are not comfortable enough with risk are rewarded for their caution by missed opportunities. So there is a balance to these things - in order to make the right decisions he must be careful but not too careful, and he can't afford to not make the right decisions.
One of the decisions that he must make correctly is in his relations with Japan. If he gets that wrong, then everything he has achieved so far could be forfeit. "Again, I could say the same to you," he points out when Japan attempts to better explain his compliment. Because that's also true - Japan is not quite the small island nation that it was before the war began anymore, is it? But their similarities in this regard are only a benefit to them - anything that they have in common is something that can add to their sense of camaraderie in spite of whatever other differences may exist.
But is nourishing that sense of camaraderie the best thing to do now? When they sit and Japan begins to address his question, the words said are almost a case in point. They're words of peace and a desire for continued friendship. But are they true? That's the important question! He's said words like that himself to many nations over the past few decades. Sometimes he meant them, while other times he didn't. And to make things that much more difficult, he didn't and still doesn't know for sure which is which - his Boss could very well tell him tomorrow to start planning an invasion of Japan. He doesn't think that it's likely, but it's possible and if it did happen then he would immediately do as he was told. So even if Japan is actually saying what he believes, he's sure that something could happen to him tomorrow as well that would change everything between them even if he doesn't know exactly which pressures Japan is under.
Leaning back in his chair and letting himself sit comfortably, he says, "To be honest, vhen the var started I only vanted Poland." But, knowing that might be slightly unbelievable, he's quick to explain that statement, "But I knev that if I vent after Poland, there vere others that vould object and I vould have to fight them. And it isn't that I didn't vant France, but I vould have preferred to have gone more in stages. But it vould have been more effort to first defend myself against him, and then go after him later - my army vas already mobilized against him, so it vas only a small bit of a push more. As for Russia, I vould have preferred to vait there too, but he vas strong and becoming very aggressive - I couldn't afford to vait. And I think the var proved me right - he fought better than I expected, and if I had vaited he vould have probably been even vorse. But nov that peace has been achieved? I'm not very interested in obtaining more land, except pieces here and there in Europe vhere it makes sense - nothing that vould conflict vith you, and even then I vant to do it peacefully. Europe is vhere my focus is. In fact, I'm honestly not too sure about vhat I vant to do vith all the other land I inherited from France - that is vhy I invited you to take over his colonies in Asia." Better to give away something that you don't care about to someone who does than to end up getting in a fight with them over it, after all.
"And I vish to avoid any conflicts vith you as vell. Var may have its uses, but it's hard on all nations involved. I think that vhat all nations vant most in the world is happiness, but vhat happiness is there to be had vhen your people are dying on the battlefield? Even if it's for a good cause, fighting too much for too long ceases to be vorth it. I think that everyone could use a time of peace," he states very seriously, "And I agree that the Tripartite Pact should continue - in fact, I think that it needs to be expanded even further. If peace is vhat ve vant, then ve must not only avoid conflicts betveen ourselves but also vith the rest of the world. I particular, I am concerned about England and America - though they're very angry vith each other nov, it's possible in the future that they may mend this rift betveen them, and together they vould be a problem. England only joined our side because he needed my help, and America probably feels rather alone - outside of all alliances. I vant to attempt to improve relations vith both of them. If ve vin over both then there is no threat to them getting along, and then the vorld vill really be at peace. After all, if the five Empires do not fight vith each other, any vars that do happen vill be minor by definition. This is vhat I vant."
Of course, just as he can't be sure that Japan is telling the truth, he knows that Japan can't be sure that he's telling the truth either. And as the strongest empire, Germany is in a way a threat to everyone - Japan as well as the rest of the world can't afford to misunderstand him intentions.
And what a funny word, right, ‘want’? Japan crosses one knee over the other and leaned back in the plush chair. Almost too plush, honestly. His gaze is direct. It doesn’t waver from Germany’s. Yet he knows his surroundings and can pull them from memory. The veneer of a young country whose boss has spent too much on appearances here. It’s all a gilded portrait. Germany is young, younger than Japan by a long, long time. When Japan stops to mull it over, Germany is a child compared to him.
A child who believes he knows what betrayal is. Who thinks he knows hardship. Japan could have smirked at the notion. Not, perhaps not smirk, but smiled. Smiled in pity that Ludwig thinks he knows suffering. His age, his inexperience, his confidence, and the hunger it all leads Japan to be suspicious of Germany because Japan was once a young, arrogant country too. His cautions? They have everything and nothing to do with Germany. Of course, Germany could learn and perhaps there is nothing to fear. Maybe the lust for more will soon fade from those blue eyes. Maybe. Or maybe it won’t. Maybe Germany will settle into his leadership role and think he handle it all. He could become haughty. Too much so. He has conquered much more land than Japan; it is a huge responsibility. A single misstep could cause it to all to crash. Rome became too overzealous and his fate is known by all. Japan wonders if Germany will make that mistake as well. Japan, however, does realize that he too stands on precarious ledge as well.
His territory is now titanic. He too has never governed or controlled the vast amount of land he is now responsible for. Yet, unlike Germany, he had had the luxury of having someone who had taught him to rule a large territory. For all the faults Japan can find and the anger he possesses towards China, there is no doubt he learned from the best. He was taught of harmony, risk versus reward. It is all chance and luck, but Japan has more experience in governing. Germany is only newly hatched, but even the infants of venomous snakes have poison—they are the much more dangerous for it as well.
Japan sees Germany has a powerful ally, but he must be cautious too. The people one allows the closest are the ones who can best manipulate and betray. Just as Germany can be a great ally, he can also become a formidable foe and Japan is not foolish. It would take more than just him to take down Germany and his vast lands if the blond decides to break their alliance—and Germany has broken so many already. Germany’s words only fuel the unsettling in him.
How easy one conquered nation led to taking another and another and another.
“I entered this alliance without any doubt what I wanted,” Japan speaks finally, “I wanted to bring my siblings under my roof. Some I wanted to save from the influence and ruination of nations such as France with Vietnam, others I wanted to save from themselves, and some I wanted because it was time they tasted the power of their very own teachings.” Kiku leaned back effortlessly, body relaxed. “I did not enter this war without realizing what I needed to accomplish and how I would go about doing just that. Some took more effort than I originally thought, others fell into my hands so easily,” he smiles. “Thank you for giving me my sister. Thi will be so much better off without that Frenchmen infecting her. Yet, Ludwig, I am not blind.”
Kiku laced his fingers atop his knee. “You want to avoid further conflict, well,” he nodded, “you say want to. And I say I want to avoid conflicts with yourself and our other allies, but they are but words. You’ve broken those words so often too. You know that and so do I, but what is the reward if we do not risk it? We have just emerged from years of battle and our bosses should realize the foolishness that would be turning on the other now. I have never pressed for more territory from you; in fact, I have asked for very little from you save support in my efforts. I have never crossed onto European soil without your request for such. So, allow me to be blunt, Ludwig, very blunt. I am not stupid enough to challenge you and if you think I am, I have to say I am rather disappointed in your judgment of my character. We are both crafty and not for one moment do I not see that you want more land. Perhaps not mine, but you’re not done adding to your empire.”
Kiku could not take Germany on, not now. That didn’t mean it would always be the case, but Japan did not fight unless he felt he had to and if Ludwig didn’t want any of his lands, he had no need. Still, plans would have to be made just in case. He expected Germany to make these same plans too. He would be foolish not to.
“Do you have anything to add to that, or would you like me to turn my attentions to your unease with America and Britain?”
Anyone who considers Germany to be a mere child is by definition underestimating him. Yes, he appears to be a young man at the tender age of nineteen, but that's only because he was young for a very long time. And unlike most children who keep themselves busy by moving from one game to the next, he had been a very serious boy who carefully observed the world around him. And he'd idolized his older brother Prussia who, while being an admittedly flawed and arrogant nation, has a lot of skills that are deserving of respect. When he was young, Germany had wanted to be everything his brother was, and even more - not out of competitiveness, but out of a desire to be the brother that his brother deserves: the absolute best he could possibly be. That combined with the fact that his life has been one war after another means that he hasn't really been a child for centuries.
Of course, it shouldn't be too surprising if he and Japan have misunderstandings about each other. After all, in the grand scheme of things they haven't known each other for very long at all. Their relationship is founded more upon a certain recognition of just how similar they are and how profoundly rewarding it is for them to work together than it is upon a long term association founded upon years of trust. But as far as Germany is concerned there are only two things that might break them apart - an unwillingness on either one or both sides to communicate well enough to keep any misunderstandings at bay, or an outright betrayal on the part of one of them. At the moment he's not very concerned about the former, as they're both quite willing to spare the time and patience to work their way around the sometimes severe cultural differences between them.
Betrayal, on the other hand - well, that's trickier. Such is the nature of that beast that you can only ever be sure of your own side of it. Germany knows only the intentions of himself in that regard, as all he knows of Japan is what he's been told. Then again, there is a certain understanding even there - he would be extremely surprised if Japan doesn't have a plan so well developed that it's physically written down somewhere about how to defeat him if the Asian deemed it necessary, but he wouldn't count that as a betrayal. That's simply practical - anyone would be an idiot not to know that the peace that the world currently enjoys is very delicate, and who knows how the battle lines will be drawn? And just because there are plans doesn't mean that they have to be followed - if they did, Germany would be at war with the entire world five times over.
And in the case of his plans for dealing with Japan, he's not so arrogant as to assume that such a war would be easy. He's confident that he would manage a victory, and it seems like the entire world privately assumes as much too, but he doesn't consider it to be as much of a foregone conclusion as they do. He suspects that Japan would prove to be another Russia - someone who ends up being much, much more difficult and costly to defeat in a war than he expected when it began. Such a war would have to be fought very, very carefully and if he did so he's sure that he'd win, but one mistake at the wrong time and he's sure that Japan would use it to his fullest advantage.
Which is one of many reasons why war with Japan is best avoided, if possible. But is it possible? That is the question that he and a rather large number of others are pondering very carefully. Few could miss the sheer amount of strength the two of them wielded during this last war, seeming to take everything that they wanted - not always with ease, but succeeding nevertheless. Now the world wonders - will they turn on each other now? Even Germany is left wondering, because all he knows about the matter is that he has no intention of starting anything with Japan. And that alone won't stop another war if the wrong things happen.
Listening to Japan speak, he doesn't say very much as everything his ally is saying is very correct. Though he does raise an eyebrow in what is almost amusement when he's accused of wanting further expansion. "Do I vant to expand further? Ja. Do I vant another var? Nein. It's possible for the truth to be both. Before this var, I told everyone vhat I needed - not vhat I simply vanted on a vhim, but vhat my people needed to thrive. And I vas ignored, refused, and threatened. I vas left vith only one option to get vhat I needed, and it vas var so I started a var. But nov that I am so obviously big enough and poverful enough that nobody dares ignore me, I have every option open to me. So vhy vould I start a var? They're quicker than other methods, but extremely expensive! And I have all the time in the vorld and better things to do vith my resources. I intend to move forward using diplomacy as my primary veapon - it's much more cost effective," he says, unbothered by the need to state what his future intentions are to his ally.
"Vhich is vhy I'm so curious about your thoughts about England and America. Though I believe that I am capable of viping either or both of them off the map, especially vith your help, I do not vish to do so," he adds.
