In the morning Autumn quietly comes into his room and sets up a small table and breakfast just for him. He wakes up roughly 15 minutes after that and smells the breakfast, his stomach growling from the aroma.
Persie: Mmmmm that smells good. Autumn is so kind. *he wakes up and stretches and then pulls the breakfast tray over to him and starts eating* Mmmm so good…Oh *looks at the time* Oh shit it's almost 11? What was the time last night when I passed out?? I didn't think I would sleep this long…although I don't need to do anything yet except meet the Sister. I'll just eat the rest of the food and get dressed.
Persie had no idea that he had actually talked to Aiah for a few hours about everything but things were blending between different times and the older Persie was starting to creep in more but Aiah had calmed the realms by using her powers a bit which is why her eyes glowed last night as well.
Clover is waiting patiently for him outside of his room so she can escort him to see Aiah.
Persie comes out after getting dressed: Oh good morning Clover, hope you are well.
Clover: -she bows- I am well. I hope you had a peaceful rest. The Goddess and my Sister are ready to see you.
Persie: Alright well lead the way!
Clover: -she leads him to the throne room. Aiah is sitting on her throne with the kids sitting on the arms of her chair and a new golem standing next to her that has a very different look from the other sisters. She has a short cut bob with gold hoops-
Persie looks and makes a kind of amused face at the gold hoops: Good morning everyone!
Aiah: -she smiles softly at him- Good morning dear.
Adrian: -he waves to him- Hi Persie! You slept in a lot today! Were you super tired from having fun with your friend?
Persie laughs a bit: Haha a little, we walked around quite a bit and saw a lot so I had to recharge I guess. But I had breakfast and I'm excited to meet this lovely Sister.
Aiah: -she nods and the golem steps forward- This dear Sister is far more…forward than dear Jasmine is. She is also equipped with an anti charm and an alarm when someone is casting something malicious against you.
Golem: -she bows to him and smiles, showing she has canines- Pleasure to meet you.
Persie: Wow she got teeth! That's lit. I haven't named you yet right?
Golem: You have not. If you wish to, I do not want a floral name.
Persie looks at her for a second: I'll name you…Diamond! Tough yet brilliantly beautiful! You like? Also tough as hell hehe which you definitely seem the sort.
Diamond: I approve of this name. I look forward to working with you.
Persie: I look forward to working with you too. I have a lot to get through and sort out so wanna get started? *his look is determined but he looks at her with confidence*
Diamond: Absolutely. I will help you put together a very organized and compelling case. I have also retrieved the files you asked for prior from Jasmine. I have the notes from the last twelve months of Parliament meetings, as well as the original budgets made by my Sister and the changes made to them during those meetings.
Persie: Well fantastic! I can't wait to put everything together honestly. Shall we head off to the library to start?
Diamond: Yes. -she bows to Aiah and goes straight to the library-
Adrian: -he giggles- Good luck! Diamond is like the big boss when it comes to this stuff so she'll keep those bullies from bothering you.
Persie, looks at Adrian and smiles and then looks at Aiah and smirks*: I have full faith in Diamond heh.
He leaves and goes to the library and sees diamond who has a whole powerpoint system of the last twelve months all summarized and categorized. He's amazed, astonished and a bit intimidated.
Persie: Wow, did you and your Sister make this? This is amazing and helps quite a bit.
Diamond: My Sister provided her very organized notes. I created the powerpoint to streamline the information for you and charted the budgets alongside their changes for you to compare.
Persie: Wow yeah this definitely makes it easier to go over. Okay let's start with what I've seen in Aralan and what I've heard from locals is needed the most. *he takes his journal out and makes the notes bigger and transmutes it into a hologram as it floats above the table, displaying the pictures and what they mean* So the cracks in the sidewalks are really bad, the infrastructure alone needs to be tackled because it's just not that safe in general.
Diamond: -she nods and moves to the slides showing the infrastructure budgets and their changes- Shall I make this the beginning of the report?
Persie: Yes please. I need parliament to look at these photos and videos with their own stupid racist eyes and get it through their brains that Aralan is suffering horribly.
Diamond: -she quickly and efficiently puts the pictures and videos in the best order, with captions of where each takes place, the budget cost to fix each item, and the chart of changing and ignored budgets- Does this look acceptable for your opening?
Persie goes over it very meticulously and then nods: This looks excellent Diamond. Especially with being able to budget in the cost of fixing and maintenance. And also the changing/ignoring of the budgets won't go unwarranted. Because it's just right there, plain as day. You can see how everything is changed from actually getting support to money being taken out of Aralan. If we can show that, maybe they will start to do more.
Diamond: I believed this would have the most emotional impact, I have learned this tends to move people faster. Also, my Sister works very hard on the budgets and she takes offense when it is changed arbitrarily.
Persie: I would too, especially since budgeting isn't really easy to do. So…this can be our opening statement. Do you think it best to get witnesses or some locals to also testify in saying how much these changes and fixes are needed? It may take time for that but I have a couple of people in mind…although…I wouldn't want to compromise anyone either…
Diamond: Witnesses in these situations are reluctant to come forward. If you are in the mindset of requesting them, I would suggest those that have little to nothing to lose if they speak up or those you can effectively protect. We can also offer monetary compensation to make the subject more alluring.
Persie: I think I can ask this one Bear guy but everyone else would have too much to lose, so I'll see if I can take another walk in that area and come across him again. I think he will be one we can ask. So that's good for at least one witness…I think getting the point across of them spending so much on Opirea and nothing on Aralan or Sifinica is my biggest argument so comparing budgets between both would be ideal…I think I also need to do one more thing before we have a full case…
Diamond: -she quickly makes an overly budget chart of Aralan and Opirea- What more must you do for this case?
Persie: I'm going to have to go to Opirea to take photos and also ask some locals what they love about Opirea…and do comparisons there as well…
Diamond: I can have Clover arrange transportation. Would you like me to accompany you?
Persie: That would be wonderful, I just want to go to their downtown area and just take a walk, look around maybe. Last time, I was with my best friend but I think it best if we go ourselves because his family is kind of known. I don't want to stir up trouble for him.
Diamond: Very well. Clover will have our transportation ready by the time we reach the front hall, would you like to inform the Goddess of our departure yourself or shall I?
Persie: I can tell her, get a chance for me to say goodbye.
He gets up to start making his way back to the throne room, the kids are gone now, must be off playing but the goddess has paperwork around her and is reading over some things. Persie comes in and clears his throat to get her attention.
Aiah: -she looks at him and smiles softly- Yes my dear?
Persie, blush on his cheeks: I-I'm heading out goddess, I am going to Opirea with Diamond.
Aiah: Do be careful dear, if Parliament wasn't warning enough…all of them will have silver tongues. Keep Diamond by your side at all times.
Persie: Worse than vampires?
Aiah: I would trust vampires more. At least I would know exactly what they wanted.
Persie: True. *looks up at her* Would..would you like a hug?
Aiah: -she stares at him for a moment and starts genuinely laughing- A hug? Sure dear. I don't think I remember the last time someone other than my children asked me for a hug.
Persie comes up the stairs: Well, I thought since I'm going over there with those very weird people that I could use a nice hug but also…I would love to give you one, especially since you haven't had one in a long time. *opens his arms to her*
Aiah: -she gets off her throne and kneels down in front of him- Hehe I suppose that's fair. -she hugs him gently-
Persie puts his arms around her and squeezes: Mmmm that's nice. You smell nice…*instinctively puts his face in her neck* Mmmm…goddess…
Aiah: -she gasps quietly and squeezes him tighter for a few seconds before letting him go and quickly standing up- Thank you dear…I appreciate the hug.
Persie almost looks reluctant to let go as they separate: Ummm well, I'll get going. See you in the evening most likely. *he speed walks to the entrance thinking what am I doing? She smelled really good though…but I'm definitely losing it…
Aiah: -she sits back on her throne, watching him leave. Dearest you are making this so very difficult…but it's still not time yet…-
Diamond is standing outside, waiting for him at the carriage. Persie meets Diamond outside and then hops in the carriage, scooting over to make room for her.
Persie: I've never seen Opirea because it's so far and my best friend said that it's not best for other races of people and to me that just seems a bit…bad. Especially to describe a place.
Diamond: Opirea has a fantastic reputation from its residents, however all others who must work there or travel there have poor reviews for the province.
Persie: Hmmm so how about we ask locals and then we ask the ones that accompany them and see what we have. I also want to visit some of their attractions that are close and see how maintained they are.
Diamond: Might I suggest their newest park they have built, a popular museum, and we may pass by one of their famous private schools? Along the way we could stop in to some business that may have non mage workers.
Persie: I like the plan. I think that this is a great plan and will give us a good overall perspective of how the budget is working in favor of Opirea as well.
Diamond: Very well. I have knowledge of the route we will take from the map I reviewed while I waited for you. I will guide you well.
Persie: Good. I feel safe.