(E.I. Game) Old Friends (Prussia)

[DGNT]

King Wilhelm of Prussia,
Tsar Nicholas has expressed a desire to meet with your personage or an appointed Plenipotentiary to discuss matters relating to the former alliances conducted by our two nations, that is, the Holy Alliance and the Quintuple Alliance, both of which are, as you know, sadly defunct.
The current political atmosphere of Europe is highly charged and, with the United Kingdom making its own aggressive noises, likely to explode at any moment. You no doubt have as little desire for a British presence in the Baltic as the Tsar, and as such, it is only common sense that dicatates an alliance in such a situation, as two neighbors may assist each other in building a fence to keep out wolves, if you will excuse such a rural metaphore.
In any case, the Tsar has arranged for a meeting in Riga, he himself cannot attend at present as he is in Constantinople reviewing the cities defences. However, if your majesty prefers to meet with the Tsar himself, the meeting may take place at the end of next month.

Signed
Litvinenko Ivanov, Scy. HMOIC

[Fatstalin]

To the Honorable Litvinenko Ivanov,

Most certainly His Majesty has viewed the current situation in Europe with a considerable degree of worry. To renew such a friendship indeed proves promising. Thus, in the stead of His Majesty, who has also been confined to more...pressing matters, the Honorable Minister to Russia, Graf Otto von Bismark, shall attend the conference in question.

Your Humble Servant,

Graf Alexander von Schleinitz, Außenstaatssekretäre von Preußen

[DGNT]

Graf Alexander von Schleinitz, Außenstaatssekretäre von Preußen,
Excellent. The Tsar's plenipotientiary will await Minister Bismark in Riga, the meeting is set to take place in the Riga Castle. Arrangements have been made at a nearby hotel which often hosts ambassadors, as the Castle is rather drafty in the cold season.

Signed
Litvinenko Ivanov, Scy. HMOIC

It was, of course, frustratingly cold the day the Prussian minister arrived. No less could be expected. However, this did give the Russians a chance to show off.
The German ministers ship was escorted into the harbour by a newly christened 'ice breaker', one of a few prototype modified ships being built prior to a purpose-built ice breaker. They were, for now, unique ships, and handily smashed through the ice floes which occasionally clogged the Riga harbour. Perhaps the ice wasnt really THAT thick, but hey, the ships themselves were impressive.
Bismark was greeted by a (somewhat squeaky, due to the cold) band and promptly escorted to his hotel to make preparations.

The next morning, a letter arrived inviting Bismark to the castle, where the meeting would be taking place, along with a heated carriage.