[Lauchenoiria]

Council Chambers, Grapevale, Kerlile
Present Day

Nirmala Patel had attended today’s session briefly. She walked in, gun visibly strapped to her waist, and picked up a copy of the day’s agenda, scanning it. Councillor Chiu had reprimanded her for the visible weapon: while not a violation of law, it was certainly a breach of decorum not to at least attempt to conceal it. Nirmala replied that she did not intend to stay; none of the matters on the agenda were of greater consequence than the other business she was engaged in. Then, she left the way she came in.

The other seven (Rosemary Arnott had not been in attendance all week) sat looking at each other for a little while Councillor Chiu sorted through her paperwork, muttering to herself about the futility of family feuds and their effect on attendance at important Council meetings. Then, she cleared her throat, settling down and addressing the Council.

“First item on our agenda is a further proposed political party for consideration. I doubt we will take long to discuss it. The Anarcho-Syndicalist Party of Eastern Kerlile.”

“Nooope,” Letitia Greenwood said, shaking her head. The others were all muttering to themselves and shaking their heads. Chiu scanned the room. Not one Councillor was refraining from making her distaste known.

“Unanimously rejected,” Chiu concluded, making a note. “Second item: President Arnott has submitted a proposal from Greater Acadia for our consideration. Greater Acadia is willing to drop all sanctions on us, in exchange for our taking a non-aggressive stance towards our neighbours. The floor is open for discussion.”

“Completely support,” Hale jumped in quickly. “It’s a win-win. We need good relations with our neighbours; this resolves the missile issue peacefully; and we’re so close to being able to end the rationing that this will likely carry us over that line.”

“I second Jennifer’s support,” Georgiou added. “Both for the economy, and for the potential cultural exchanges this could facilitate. Plus, if we have better relations with them, we can finally respond to the Zongongians about the endangered species zone to the north.”

“I have to disagree with my colleagues,” Letitia Greenwood frowned. “How do we know this is not a trap? The patriarchal countries have done worse in the past.”

“Come, Letitia,” Hart said. “We have the Xiomerans now. This benefits us more than you think. We’ve been passing reformist laws left, right, and centre to draw attention away from the Xiomeran military base. What is the ultimate distraction? Looking like we want peace!”

“Some of us actually want peace, you know?” Viallamando replied. “I am no reformist, but war with Greater Acadia does not benefit us. I think the majority agree on this.”

“Lucia is right,” Pierre piped up, reluctantly. “We should not be warmongering – that’s such a male activity! I will also be lending my support to this proposal.”

“It seems that this is much less controversial than I anticipated,” Chiu chuckled. “I personally was willing to be swayed either way, but if Greenwood is the only opponent, then it will not matter. Perhaps we can vote already, and get home hours ahead of schedule!”

Voting commenced, and concluded quickly, with 5 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention, and 2 absences. The session was paused for Chiu to contact President Arnott and inform her that she could get back to Greater Acadia: Kerlile would indeed be accepting the proposal to guarantee a non-aggressive stance towards their neighbours, in exchange for the dropping of all sanctions on the Matriarchy.