>>5340377>"Oh, the Zrill? Haha, nice people, nice people. Did you know that Zrill who are bonded to symbiotes drink three times as much alcohol before getting drunk? Useful information!">>5340328You explain to the Splitfacian diplomat in terms that even a drunkard can understand that races who are friendly to one member of the Imperium are generally looked over by others when it comes time for expansion. He nods, friendily, and cocks his head.
>"I see... Well, you see, this is actually very fascinating. The issue is rather this: tourism makes up approximately 25% of our annual GDP, we're VERY reliant on it. Of that, approximately 40% of our tourism derives from humans, and another 20% from your people. Your friends, I'm afraid, aren't much for beach resorts -- the kurdurr only do 'fighting tourism,' where they hunt dangerous animals, and the Lizdassians, gods know what they enjoy, but it sure isn't beaches and casinos. The Mirror Humans, heheh, let's just say that we don't get many of those. Besides... I hate to bring this up, but the last Kurrdurr conquest sent a wave of refugees toward our resorts, and while, yes, that makes for cheap labor, it also really aggravates everyone and drives down the value of the local property, which rather makes them a bit unpopular, and that's before we bring up your other friends."Before you can respond to his surprisingly unslurred explanation, he continues.
>"Regardless, I would never suggest any problem with the Catgirls, only with some of your delightful friends. I'm sure you have your reasons for dealing with them so closely. We *are* of course interested in expanding our existing Catgirl customer base, and if you're interested in sponsoring a hyperspace byway between some of our resorts, we would be willing to, ah, what's the word, rejigger, some of our existing resorts toward your peoples' tastes."You quickly understand what he's talking about. Economically, this is an unwise move -- the Catgirls wouldn't particularly benefit directly from easier access to beach resorts, and a new byway would be an expensive project, all for the benefit of cozying up to a race that's already on friendlier terms with the other democracy-leaning races. It *is* doable, but it would be viewed as an odd move. Do you want to pursue this, do you want to continue talking to the diplomat, or do you want to seek a new conversation partner?
