09-04-2019, 11:45 PM
Georgiou Residence, Grapevale, Kerlile
4th September 2019, evening
Councillor Electra Georgiou sat curled up on a soft sofa in a grand library within her mansion. The bookshelves were full of thick volumes, mainly on the history of art. The Georgiou library was said to hold the largest collection of foreign literature in Kerlile – which was, of course, banned for the general populace. Paintings by foreign artists, some of whom were even male, adorned the walls, much to the dislike of the other Councillors, who knew of Georgiou’s love of foreign art.
Suddenly, the heavy oak door to the library opened, and Georgiou sighed, placing a bookmark in the volume on Laeralian architecture she had been reading. She set it down next to a cup of Trivian coffee that likely had not been purchased through official channels.
“What is it, Felicity?” she asked the servant who had disturbed her. She was straight to the point, but there was a softness to her tone which reassured Felicity that she was not in any real kind of trouble.
“Ma’am, um, something highly irregular has occurred.”
“Yes?”
“Councillor Chiu is, well, here unannounced. She wishes to see you.”
“Unannounced visit? Well, either something terrible has happened, she is here to kill me, or she wants something. This is not going to be a fun evening. Have someone send champagne to the secondary sitting room, I will see her there.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Felicity said, turning and leaving. Georgiou sighed, looking at her book and unfurled herself, straightening herself up and dusting the crumbs from the biscuits she ate earlier off her clothes. Councillor Chiu was rather traditional, it wouldn’t do to show up looking unkempt.
After leaving the library, Georgiou ducked into a small room in the corridor on her way to the secondary sitting room. In the small room, she took a pistol out of a box, loading it and concealing it on her person. If Chiu did intend to kill her, she would be prepared. She continued and entered the room, to find Chiu already sitting in her favourite chair.
“Lia, what brings you here at this time of night?” Georgiou enquired.
“Nothing pleasant, but you can relax – you will not need the weapon I know you have concealed. Oh, do not give me that look, it is quite obvious. Please, have a seat. We need to discuss the Olympics.”
“The Olympics?” Georgiou was confused, however she felt reassured that Chiu had not immediately shot her dead, so she took a seat nearby. A male servant appeared, placing a bottle of champagne on the table and pouring two glasses. Georgiou nodded to him as he exited.
“You let men serve you? I would be worried about poison,” Chiu shrugged, but nevertheless took a sip of her champagne.
“They can be useful, Lia. What is it you wished to discuss?”
“I understand that you, personally, are attending mainly as an opportunity to visit Shuell and gain an appreciation for their culture. You do so enjoy your trips abroad and with the heightened security recently, you have been unable to make so many. I do not begrudge you your hobbies, though I do often wish you would not give so much money to misogynistic artists for their paintings.”
“They are not…”
“Yes, yes, we could argue this but that is not my point. While you are in Shuell, it would be beneficial for all of us if you were to develop positive relations with anyone of a similar position to yourself in other nations – ministers, Shuellian directors, whatnot. Though I would urge you to avoid the Lauchenoirians.”
“Well, naturally, they do hate us. And, I assume, you wish me to avoid Shen too.”
“Of course, though that is from a personal perspective, rather than what is best for the Matriarchy, so it pains me to say this, but I would not listen to my view on the matter of that particular Empire.”
The two Councillors sat in silence, Georgiou delicately sipping her wine and Chiu gripping her glass hard and taking a gulp, as if the alcohol could wash away the mention of Shen. Neither woman offered more explanation.
“Electra… may I ask why you chose to join the Reform Party?” Chiu asked, her voice softer than usual, indicating a genuine curiosity rather than an ulterior motive. “You used to be politically neutral, as far as I remember.”
“That is true. Well, partly. I maintained a public neutrality, preferring not to involve myself in this divide. I have always supported reform, however. I just went about it in a more… covert manner. The Patels and Pierres have always pushed against open reform. I achieved much more operating the way I did – education bills, arts funding. All of this has helped the Matriarchy move in a positive direction.”
“Then why change? If operating covertly has given you more opportunities to push the reforms you favour?”
“Time, Lia. The mood is shifting in this country, and globally. We are going to need to move with the times, or we will not just be left behind – we will be, to put it bluntly, invaded, occupied and forced to change. Look how quickly the world intervened in Lauchenoiria. If we are not careful, it will be us next. The time for open change, for real change, has to be now. We need reform to stop revolution.”
“I would say that was somewhat alarmist,” Chiu noted, picking up the bottle to refill her empty glass. Georgiou had only taken several sips, she was alarmed to see how quickly the older woman was going through the champagne.
“You should heed my warning, Lia. I know what you care for most – money. Already, we are struggling. This champagne is from my stockpile, when that is gone I will have to either do without, or turn to the smugglers to avoid the sanctions. Reform is the only way you and your family can keep the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to.”
“You have certainly given me food for thought, Electra. As you know, I supported Rebecca’s appointment as President in the end. It was the right choice for the time. It worried me, the way Anita and Pauline thought they could get away with imprisoning and torturing Councillors. I mean, Goddess, who would have been next? Carmen made her mistakes, but when I saw those scars on her arm…”
“Horrible things have happened recently,” Georgiou sighed, standing and walking over to the large window which overlooked her garden, the lights of the city blinking in the distance. “I worry.”
“As do I, I think we all do. I have not paid enough attention, I do not think any of us has. We believed for too long we were untouchable… but no longer. Action must be taken, and I confess, you may have the right idea. The thought of changing our system is not one that appeals to me, but if it is necessary, I can learn to live with it.”
“We will all have to, in the end. Those of us who support it, and those who do not. Unless we all want to end up in cells like Anita.”
Chiu shuddered at the thought, and Georgiou chuckled slightly. She finished her champagne and put down the glass, walking back over to where Chiu was standing up and preparing to leave.
“I must say, Lia, this was a more pleasant meeting than I expected,” Georgiou commented. “I will show you out.”
“Thank you, Electra,” Chiu said, as the two women began to walk to the exit together. “I know we have had our differences in the past, but it is time the Council came together. Some of our number are resistant to what must be done. Those of us who are at least willing to entertain the idea of change ought to stick together.”
“I am glad you see it like that, Lia. Let us not be hasty in making any moves. We can discuss this further at a later date. I cannot convince you to join the Reform Party, can I?”
“No,” laughed Chiu, “I am not that far gone.”
“Pity, we could use someone with as much experience as you,” Georgiou smiled, genuinely, which she hadn’t expected to do this night. “Well, I hope you have a good night.”
“To you also,” Chiu nodded, as a servant opened the front door for her. The air outside was still warm, the summers lingered long in this part of Kerlile. “We shall speak again soon.”
“Soon. Goodnight, Lia.”
“Goodnight, Electra.”
As Chiu departed and the door was closed behind her, Georgiou smiled to herself. What she had expected to be a stressful meeting had turned into a positive development. Chiu had come to declare herself an ally of the reformists. A secret one, but they needed all the help they could get. Yes, things were looking up in Kerlile.
“I will turn in for the night,” Georgiou said to Felicity, who hovered nearby.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Georgiou began to head upstairs, pausing on the landing to look out the window at the city of Grapevale. The lights twinkled, pretty in the darkness. She wondered what was going on in the city right now, if the people were happy, or if the revolution she so feared was already brewing.
4th September 2019, evening
Councillor Electra Georgiou sat curled up on a soft sofa in a grand library within her mansion. The bookshelves were full of thick volumes, mainly on the history of art. The Georgiou library was said to hold the largest collection of foreign literature in Kerlile – which was, of course, banned for the general populace. Paintings by foreign artists, some of whom were even male, adorned the walls, much to the dislike of the other Councillors, who knew of Georgiou’s love of foreign art.
Suddenly, the heavy oak door to the library opened, and Georgiou sighed, placing a bookmark in the volume on Laeralian architecture she had been reading. She set it down next to a cup of Trivian coffee that likely had not been purchased through official channels.
“What is it, Felicity?” she asked the servant who had disturbed her. She was straight to the point, but there was a softness to her tone which reassured Felicity that she was not in any real kind of trouble.
“Ma’am, um, something highly irregular has occurred.”
“Yes?”
“Councillor Chiu is, well, here unannounced. She wishes to see you.”
“Unannounced visit? Well, either something terrible has happened, she is here to kill me, or she wants something. This is not going to be a fun evening. Have someone send champagne to the secondary sitting room, I will see her there.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Felicity said, turning and leaving. Georgiou sighed, looking at her book and unfurled herself, straightening herself up and dusting the crumbs from the biscuits she ate earlier off her clothes. Councillor Chiu was rather traditional, it wouldn’t do to show up looking unkempt.
After leaving the library, Georgiou ducked into a small room in the corridor on her way to the secondary sitting room. In the small room, she took a pistol out of a box, loading it and concealing it on her person. If Chiu did intend to kill her, she would be prepared. She continued and entered the room, to find Chiu already sitting in her favourite chair.
“Lia, what brings you here at this time of night?” Georgiou enquired.
“Nothing pleasant, but you can relax – you will not need the weapon I know you have concealed. Oh, do not give me that look, it is quite obvious. Please, have a seat. We need to discuss the Olympics.”
“The Olympics?” Georgiou was confused, however she felt reassured that Chiu had not immediately shot her dead, so she took a seat nearby. A male servant appeared, placing a bottle of champagne on the table and pouring two glasses. Georgiou nodded to him as he exited.
“You let men serve you? I would be worried about poison,” Chiu shrugged, but nevertheless took a sip of her champagne.
“They can be useful, Lia. What is it you wished to discuss?”
“I understand that you, personally, are attending mainly as an opportunity to visit Shuell and gain an appreciation for their culture. You do so enjoy your trips abroad and with the heightened security recently, you have been unable to make so many. I do not begrudge you your hobbies, though I do often wish you would not give so much money to misogynistic artists for their paintings.”
“They are not…”
“Yes, yes, we could argue this but that is not my point. While you are in Shuell, it would be beneficial for all of us if you were to develop positive relations with anyone of a similar position to yourself in other nations – ministers, Shuellian directors, whatnot. Though I would urge you to avoid the Lauchenoirians.”
“Well, naturally, they do hate us. And, I assume, you wish me to avoid Shen too.”
“Of course, though that is from a personal perspective, rather than what is best for the Matriarchy, so it pains me to say this, but I would not listen to my view on the matter of that particular Empire.”
The two Councillors sat in silence, Georgiou delicately sipping her wine and Chiu gripping her glass hard and taking a gulp, as if the alcohol could wash away the mention of Shen. Neither woman offered more explanation.
“Electra… may I ask why you chose to join the Reform Party?” Chiu asked, her voice softer than usual, indicating a genuine curiosity rather than an ulterior motive. “You used to be politically neutral, as far as I remember.”
“That is true. Well, partly. I maintained a public neutrality, preferring not to involve myself in this divide. I have always supported reform, however. I just went about it in a more… covert manner. The Patels and Pierres have always pushed against open reform. I achieved much more operating the way I did – education bills, arts funding. All of this has helped the Matriarchy move in a positive direction.”
“Then why change? If operating covertly has given you more opportunities to push the reforms you favour?”
“Time, Lia. The mood is shifting in this country, and globally. We are going to need to move with the times, or we will not just be left behind – we will be, to put it bluntly, invaded, occupied and forced to change. Look how quickly the world intervened in Lauchenoiria. If we are not careful, it will be us next. The time for open change, for real change, has to be now. We need reform to stop revolution.”
“I would say that was somewhat alarmist,” Chiu noted, picking up the bottle to refill her empty glass. Georgiou had only taken several sips, she was alarmed to see how quickly the older woman was going through the champagne.
“You should heed my warning, Lia. I know what you care for most – money. Already, we are struggling. This champagne is from my stockpile, when that is gone I will have to either do without, or turn to the smugglers to avoid the sanctions. Reform is the only way you and your family can keep the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to.”
“You have certainly given me food for thought, Electra. As you know, I supported Rebecca’s appointment as President in the end. It was the right choice for the time. It worried me, the way Anita and Pauline thought they could get away with imprisoning and torturing Councillors. I mean, Goddess, who would have been next? Carmen made her mistakes, but when I saw those scars on her arm…”
“Horrible things have happened recently,” Georgiou sighed, standing and walking over to the large window which overlooked her garden, the lights of the city blinking in the distance. “I worry.”
“As do I, I think we all do. I have not paid enough attention, I do not think any of us has. We believed for too long we were untouchable… but no longer. Action must be taken, and I confess, you may have the right idea. The thought of changing our system is not one that appeals to me, but if it is necessary, I can learn to live with it.”
“We will all have to, in the end. Those of us who support it, and those who do not. Unless we all want to end up in cells like Anita.”
Chiu shuddered at the thought, and Georgiou chuckled slightly. She finished her champagne and put down the glass, walking back over to where Chiu was standing up and preparing to leave.
“I must say, Lia, this was a more pleasant meeting than I expected,” Georgiou commented. “I will show you out.”
“Thank you, Electra,” Chiu said, as the two women began to walk to the exit together. “I know we have had our differences in the past, but it is time the Council came together. Some of our number are resistant to what must be done. Those of us who are at least willing to entertain the idea of change ought to stick together.”
“I am glad you see it like that, Lia. Let us not be hasty in making any moves. We can discuss this further at a later date. I cannot convince you to join the Reform Party, can I?”
“No,” laughed Chiu, “I am not that far gone.”
“Pity, we could use someone with as much experience as you,” Georgiou smiled, genuinely, which she hadn’t expected to do this night. “Well, I hope you have a good night.”
“To you also,” Chiu nodded, as a servant opened the front door for her. The air outside was still warm, the summers lingered long in this part of Kerlile. “We shall speak again soon.”
“Soon. Goodnight, Lia.”
“Goodnight, Electra.”
As Chiu departed and the door was closed behind her, Georgiou smiled to herself. What she had expected to be a stressful meeting had turned into a positive development. Chiu had come to declare herself an ally of the reformists. A secret one, but they needed all the help they could get. Yes, things were looking up in Kerlile.
“I will turn in for the night,” Georgiou said to Felicity, who hovered nearby.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Georgiou began to head upstairs, pausing on the landing to look out the window at the city of Grapevale. The lights twinkled, pretty in the darkness. She wondered what was going on in the city right now, if the people were happy, or if the revolution she so feared was already brewing.
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax