11-06-2019, 11:11 PM
Arnott Residence, Grapevale, Kerlile
6th November 2019 – evening
“We cannot let this become public. It would be incredibly embarrassing after the Robinson affair,” Councillor Nirmala Patel argued.
“Believe it or not, we agree. For once,” chuckled President Rebecca Arnott.
The pair were in one of the smaller sitting rooms, decorated with red patterned cushions and dark curtains. The room was dim, almost as if the pair were trying to pretend nobody was inside. Any servants had been shooed away shortly after the Councillor had arrived, clearly disturbed. The pair were not friendly, of course. Arnott had, after all, been the one who had made sure Nirmala’s mother had been extradited to Sanctaria. But this was not a personal call – it was strictly business.
“I do not understand how it happened,” sighed Nirmala. “They were watching Joanna closely. Now, you know I did not agree with this planned arrest, but I am still loyal to this country and I would not refuse a direct order from the President. I assure you, I do not understand how she found out, or how she slipped our grasp.”
“It is entirely possible she merely became suspicious after that Kerlian News Service journalist posted about the investigation. She had been warned not to. Do you know if she has been arrested for leaking classified information yet?”
“She has, Madam President. She is being held at the police station presently, but I believe they plan to release her until her trial. Unless you want to intervene?”
“Hmm. I will confess, I am almost tempted,” smirked the President. “Alas, that would not be very reformist of me. What are we going to do about my predecessor, though?”
“I have ordered a team to begin searching for her immediately. I also plan to ask Councillor Robinson for some advice, believe it or not. She did, after all, manage to hide in this country for an alarmingly large number of months before she was found. We still do not know how she did it, much to my great annoyance.”
“I do not believe she has even told Jennifer,” sighed Arnott. “So, I rather fear she will not tell anyone. It is a shame, it would be useful. We need to find Joanna Greenwood though. We have to prove to the world that such things will not be accepted anymore.”
“You know,” Nirmala began, blushing slightly, “I would never admit it outside this room, but the detention of that girl horrified me. I am not surprised my mother would have ordered such a thing. My sister, Yamunda, would do the same. I promise you, though, that while I may support traditional policies, I do not support pointless cruelty.”
“I am glad to hear that. We must find her, and soon. Check back with me when you know more, Councillor.”
“Yes, Madam President,” Nirmala nodded deferentially and stood up. After exiting the room, she allowed one of Arnott’s servants to lead her to the door and out of the house, before she got into her car.
She looked back at the Arnotts’ Grapevale mansion as they drove down the driveway. It was as grand as any other, and from the looks of things, Arnott kept just as many servants as she did herself. It was curious that the chief reformer would continue to live in the traditional manner, unlike Hale and Robinson who had made cuts, began paying men a living wage, and actually adhered to the rationing. No, Nirmala smiled to herself, Arnott was not as much of a danger to their way of life than she had feared.
6th November 2019 – evening
“We cannot let this become public. It would be incredibly embarrassing after the Robinson affair,” Councillor Nirmala Patel argued.
“Believe it or not, we agree. For once,” chuckled President Rebecca Arnott.
The pair were in one of the smaller sitting rooms, decorated with red patterned cushions and dark curtains. The room was dim, almost as if the pair were trying to pretend nobody was inside. Any servants had been shooed away shortly after the Councillor had arrived, clearly disturbed. The pair were not friendly, of course. Arnott had, after all, been the one who had made sure Nirmala’s mother had been extradited to Sanctaria. But this was not a personal call – it was strictly business.
“I do not understand how it happened,” sighed Nirmala. “They were watching Joanna closely. Now, you know I did not agree with this planned arrest, but I am still loyal to this country and I would not refuse a direct order from the President. I assure you, I do not understand how she found out, or how she slipped our grasp.”
“It is entirely possible she merely became suspicious after that Kerlian News Service journalist posted about the investigation. She had been warned not to. Do you know if she has been arrested for leaking classified information yet?”
“She has, Madam President. She is being held at the police station presently, but I believe they plan to release her until her trial. Unless you want to intervene?”
“Hmm. I will confess, I am almost tempted,” smirked the President. “Alas, that would not be very reformist of me. What are we going to do about my predecessor, though?”
“I have ordered a team to begin searching for her immediately. I also plan to ask Councillor Robinson for some advice, believe it or not. She did, after all, manage to hide in this country for an alarmingly large number of months before she was found. We still do not know how she did it, much to my great annoyance.”
“I do not believe she has even told Jennifer,” sighed Arnott. “So, I rather fear she will not tell anyone. It is a shame, it would be useful. We need to find Joanna Greenwood though. We have to prove to the world that such things will not be accepted anymore.”
“You know,” Nirmala began, blushing slightly, “I would never admit it outside this room, but the detention of that girl horrified me. I am not surprised my mother would have ordered such a thing. My sister, Yamunda, would do the same. I promise you, though, that while I may support traditional policies, I do not support pointless cruelty.”
“I am glad to hear that. We must find her, and soon. Check back with me when you know more, Councillor.”
“Yes, Madam President,” Nirmala nodded deferentially and stood up. After exiting the room, she allowed one of Arnott’s servants to lead her to the door and out of the house, before she got into her car.
She looked back at the Arnotts’ Grapevale mansion as they drove down the driveway. It was as grand as any other, and from the looks of things, Arnott kept just as many servants as she did herself. It was curious that the chief reformer would continue to live in the traditional manner, unlike Hale and Robinson who had made cuts, began paying men a living wage, and actually adhered to the rationing. No, Nirmala smiled to herself, Arnott was not as much of a danger to their way of life than she had feared.
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax