The Supernatural Council chamber was located beneath a mango grove in Siquijor, accessible only through a cave that occasionally tried to eat visitors.
"Don't mind the cave," Ben whispered as they walked through. "It's just testing you. If it actually eats you, you probably weren't council material anyway."
Glad gripped Anino tighter. "This is insane."
"This is creature government. You'll get used to it."
The chamber itself was magnificent—a vast underground hall lit by enchanted fireflies, with seating arranged in a circle to represent equality among species. Representatives from every creature type filled the space: kapres smoking pipes, duwende arguing about property lines, a group of engkanto looking ethereal and slightly bored.
"Presenting," a voice boomed, "the newest council member for the Visayas region: Gladys Samotiloy, Manananggal!"
Polite applause. Some staring. One elderly aswang who immediately started crying.
"Sorry," her neighbor apologized. "She's emotional. Your videos meant a lot to her."
Glad took her seat—a carved wooden chair with built-in wing rests (thoughtful) and a cup holder (practical). Around her, the council members introduced themselves.
"Lakay Ambo," said a ancient kapre to her left. "Mountain representative. I've been on this council since 1898. I've seen things."
"Luningning," said a sleek sigbin across from her. "Invisibility and illusion specialist. Also I handle PR. Your TikTok numbers are impressive, by the way."
"Apo Whang-Od?" Glad blinked at a tiny, ancient woman who looked remarkably human. "The tattoo artist?"
"The very same. But here, I'm the ancestral spirit representative." The woman—spirit—smiled. "Don't worry, child. I don't bite. Much."
The council leader, a dignified tikbalang named Congressman Diomedes, called the meeting to order.
"First item: blood bank access in rural areas. Currently, creatures outside major cities must travel up to 200 kilometers for approved supplies. This is unacceptable."
Glad perked up. This was her platform.
"I have a proposal," she said, standing. "Mobile blood units. Retrofitted vehicles that can travel to remote communities, serving creatures who can't easily reach cities."
Murmurs around the circle.
"Funded how?" asked a skeptical duwende.
"Government grants, private donations, and—" Glad pulled out her phone. "Crowdfunding. I have 5 million followers. If we launch a campaign, we can raise significant money."
Silence.
Then Lakay Ambo laughed—a deep, rumbling sound. "The youngster wants to use the internet to fund creature services. I love it."
"It's not traditional," Congressman Diomedes said carefully, "but neither is she. And tradition hasn't solved this problem in 123 years. Let's vote."
The motion passed unanimously.
After the meeting, Luningning approached Glad. "That was impressive. You've only been here an hour, and you've already made changes."
"I've had practice. Humans love crowdfunding."
"Humans. Yes." Luningning's eyes gleamed. "You're our bridge, Glad. Don't forget that."
As Glad left the chamber, her phone buzzed with a message from Ariel: "How'd it go?"
She typed back: "I think I just started a revolution. Also the cave tried to eat me."
"Normal Tuesday then. Dinner tonight?"
"Definitely."
Anino purred.
Council meetings were exhausting.
But this? This was worth it.