06-15-2020, 05:23 AM
June 14th
Tlālacuetztla
Aztahuan, one of the main neighborhoods in downtown Tlālacuetztla, is the center of the party scene for the Xiomeran elite. In its many nightclubs, restaurants, bars and private clubs, it wasn't at all uncommon for well-off Xiomerans to drop thousands of quetzals in a single night of fun - or even more infamous, days-long bouts of partying for the ones who could afford to keep up, both in terms of money and of energy. When Yauhmi had launched her reforms, Aztahuan was one of the few areas in the capital to suffer a decline as a result. Fearful that the Empress was coming for their wealth, Xiomeran elites had begun staying home, and toning down their conspicuous spending to stay off her radar. Aztahuan had taken a significant hit, as the ultra-wealthy who fueled its business stayed home.
But under Xochiuhue, Aztahuan was booming like never before.
Freed from the specter of having to actually pay taxes like normal people, the wealthy and powerful of Tlālacuetztla were once again coming out to play. The casinos and clubs were humming, the restaurants packed, the streets thronged by high-end sportscars, luxury cars and chauffered limousines once more. The liquor was once again flowing in abundance, along with the other substances and amusements that the Xiomeran rich favored. Life, for them, was once again good. Unlike many corners of Tlālacuetztla, no one missed Yauhmi or mourned her "abdication" one bit.
A group of such Xiomeran masters of their universe found themselves making their way down Culhuaxte, the main street running through the center of Aztahuan. Their agenda for the evening was a simple one: blow as much money on mindless amusements as they could. For them, a national nightmare spawned by Yauhmi was over, and with the correct order restored to things, it was time to celebrate.
"Should we go to Oban first, or Canango?" Tlumilca, heiress to the Zacuetz luxury hotel chain, asked her date. Xocolcōza grinned in response. "Let's hit Canango first. I could use some drinks before we eat," he replied. "Yeah, I don't have my best appetite until I've danced a bit," Panaca agreed. One of the founders of the Teliz ridesharing service, Panaca fancied himself to be a great dancer. His own date, Maloxili, laughed in response. "I guess we can handle watching you 'dance' for a bit before we eat," the X3 Network anchorwoman told Panaca. Panaca made a mock-disappointed face at her joke in response, before grabbing her hand and swinging her around in an impromptu dance move.
Xocolcōza sighed, laughing as well. "Come on, you two," he said. The four of them began walking to the entrance of the club, when Tlumilca paused. "What's all that?" she said, pointing.
At the end of the block, a small group of Xiomerans were holding signs and shouting. As the four came closer, the words became clear. "Ugh, some malcontents. Something about not working for us until Yauhmi is restored, or something," Xocolcōza said disdainfully. The protesters appeared to be wearing uniforms of various service-related companies, and Tlumilca began to look distinctly uncomfortable. "Should we be worried? Should we turn around?" she asked.
"Nah, they'll be dealt with. Just watch," Xocolcōza said calmly.
After a few moments, another group of people emerged from a side street. They were all dressed in black, and had small red-and-gold emblems of the god Tezcatlipoca on their shoulders. The black-clad Xiomerans quickly produced expandable batons from their belts and snapped them open. With ruthless efficiency, the black-clad Xiomerans began pushing the group of protesters down the street without a word. When the protesters tried to resist being pushed off the street, a squadron of Tlālacuetztla Municipal Police that had idly been watching sprang into action. The police efficiently detained the protesters and removed them from the scene. The whole episode took merely minutes. As the police left with the protesters, the black-clad civilians resumed their patrol.
"The Good Citizens' League was contracted by the XBA to help supplement security in the cities, with the new Emperor's permission," Xocolcōza said, smiling. "There won't be any further trouble in Aztahuan, or anywhere else in the capital, for that matter. Let's not let those losers spoil our fun, though. We have the whole night ahead of us," he added, taking Tlumilca's arm. The other three laughed in relief and followed him into the club.
---
Xochiatipan
"The GCL is on the streets now, along with the XSPA and the XSA. This is a danger," Huitzilhuani said.
"A problem, certainly. A danger, yes. But did any of us anticipate that there would be no danger in any of this?" Tlālzixiuhxa said, in a tone of surprise.
"Of course not....but there are old people, kids, young people that want to join us. If they're hurt...." Tlanextia said, only to be cut off. "They will be hurt. We have to be clear about that. We will be demanding our freedom from a government that only wants our obedience and our silence. There is nothing about that which results in an outcome where no one is hurt. We cannot waver or demur if we want to accomplish anything." Tlālzixiuhxa shook her head. "We have warned people about the danger they will face - no one is naive about this. Anyone that still wants to participate, is prepared to accept whatever fate and the gods bring. We have to be ready for the same."
"Very well," Hutzilhuani said after a moment. "So the date remains the same, then?"
"Yes. On June 16th, we will march on the center of Xochiatipan. If the GCL, or the other pressure groups, or the police try to stop us....so be it," Tlālzixiuhxa said firmly.
Tlālacuetztla
Aztahuan, one of the main neighborhoods in downtown Tlālacuetztla, is the center of the party scene for the Xiomeran elite. In its many nightclubs, restaurants, bars and private clubs, it wasn't at all uncommon for well-off Xiomerans to drop thousands of quetzals in a single night of fun - or even more infamous, days-long bouts of partying for the ones who could afford to keep up, both in terms of money and of energy. When Yauhmi had launched her reforms, Aztahuan was one of the few areas in the capital to suffer a decline as a result. Fearful that the Empress was coming for their wealth, Xiomeran elites had begun staying home, and toning down their conspicuous spending to stay off her radar. Aztahuan had taken a significant hit, as the ultra-wealthy who fueled its business stayed home.
But under Xochiuhue, Aztahuan was booming like never before.
Freed from the specter of having to actually pay taxes like normal people, the wealthy and powerful of Tlālacuetztla were once again coming out to play. The casinos and clubs were humming, the restaurants packed, the streets thronged by high-end sportscars, luxury cars and chauffered limousines once more. The liquor was once again flowing in abundance, along with the other substances and amusements that the Xiomeran rich favored. Life, for them, was once again good. Unlike many corners of Tlālacuetztla, no one missed Yauhmi or mourned her "abdication" one bit.
A group of such Xiomeran masters of their universe found themselves making their way down Culhuaxte, the main street running through the center of Aztahuan. Their agenda for the evening was a simple one: blow as much money on mindless amusements as they could. For them, a national nightmare spawned by Yauhmi was over, and with the correct order restored to things, it was time to celebrate.
"Should we go to Oban first, or Canango?" Tlumilca, heiress to the Zacuetz luxury hotel chain, asked her date. Xocolcōza grinned in response. "Let's hit Canango first. I could use some drinks before we eat," he replied. "Yeah, I don't have my best appetite until I've danced a bit," Panaca agreed. One of the founders of the Teliz ridesharing service, Panaca fancied himself to be a great dancer. His own date, Maloxili, laughed in response. "I guess we can handle watching you 'dance' for a bit before we eat," the X3 Network anchorwoman told Panaca. Panaca made a mock-disappointed face at her joke in response, before grabbing her hand and swinging her around in an impromptu dance move.
Xocolcōza sighed, laughing as well. "Come on, you two," he said. The four of them began walking to the entrance of the club, when Tlumilca paused. "What's all that?" she said, pointing.
At the end of the block, a small group of Xiomerans were holding signs and shouting. As the four came closer, the words became clear. "Ugh, some malcontents. Something about not working for us until Yauhmi is restored, or something," Xocolcōza said disdainfully. The protesters appeared to be wearing uniforms of various service-related companies, and Tlumilca began to look distinctly uncomfortable. "Should we be worried? Should we turn around?" she asked.
"Nah, they'll be dealt with. Just watch," Xocolcōza said calmly.
After a few moments, another group of people emerged from a side street. They were all dressed in black, and had small red-and-gold emblems of the god Tezcatlipoca on their shoulders. The black-clad Xiomerans quickly produced expandable batons from their belts and snapped them open. With ruthless efficiency, the black-clad Xiomerans began pushing the group of protesters down the street without a word. When the protesters tried to resist being pushed off the street, a squadron of Tlālacuetztla Municipal Police that had idly been watching sprang into action. The police efficiently detained the protesters and removed them from the scene. The whole episode took merely minutes. As the police left with the protesters, the black-clad civilians resumed their patrol.
"The Good Citizens' League was contracted by the XBA to help supplement security in the cities, with the new Emperor's permission," Xocolcōza said, smiling. "There won't be any further trouble in Aztahuan, or anywhere else in the capital, for that matter. Let's not let those losers spoil our fun, though. We have the whole night ahead of us," he added, taking Tlumilca's arm. The other three laughed in relief and followed him into the club.
---
Xochiatipan
"The GCL is on the streets now, along with the XSPA and the XSA. This is a danger," Huitzilhuani said.
"A problem, certainly. A danger, yes. But did any of us anticipate that there would be no danger in any of this?" Tlālzixiuhxa said, in a tone of surprise.
"Of course not....but there are old people, kids, young people that want to join us. If they're hurt...." Tlanextia said, only to be cut off. "They will be hurt. We have to be clear about that. We will be demanding our freedom from a government that only wants our obedience and our silence. There is nothing about that which results in an outcome where no one is hurt. We cannot waver or demur if we want to accomplish anything." Tlālzixiuhxa shook her head. "We have warned people about the danger they will face - no one is naive about this. Anyone that still wants to participate, is prepared to accept whatever fate and the gods bring. We have to be ready for the same."
"Very well," Hutzilhuani said after a moment. "So the date remains the same, then?"
"Yes. On June 16th, we will march on the center of Xochiatipan. If the GCL, or the other pressure groups, or the police try to stop us....so be it," Tlālzixiuhxa said firmly.
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