act10mini

Mm... 'I'm the one in the right'...

Sticking fast to your own views is exactly why Councilor Angst fetched you.

Mm?

A noble in isolate, with foresight and a clear mind.

But those short-sighted Caladon old guard wouldn't comprehend him.

They would never reform, unless their interests were damaged right before their eyes.

Is that clear enough for you, Miss Too-Much-to-Drink? I know I'll probably have to repeat myself once you sober up again.

Buhh-huh-huh-hoo...

What are you crying for now?

The glass... stuck to my hand! Boo-hoo-hoo...

No it's not, no it's not, I got it off for you, I got it off. It's not stuck.

*Sob*...

If they're all going to be so dead wrong and still think they're so right... then this world's done for...

Oh, and she's out like a light.

November 23rd, 1097, 10:45 P.M.

Are you up? You passed out just like that in the middle of the dinner party. Even if you had me with you, that was all too careless of you.

...I feel sick...

You know, I've been getting more and more fond of you.

You're a spoiled rich lady, but your goodwill towards the Infected and the rest of the destitute ended up so genuine anyway. You know how big the problem in this city is, don't you? Do you want to change Caladon a little for the better?

And you're well aware I'm just a recorder from the town archives at the moment. If I want to climb my way up, I need the right person. How about you and I talk some back-alley talk, you lead the fore, and I'll be right there mucking with you?

You know Councilor Jones? The one who signed the proposal in joint with Councilor Janeway. But in reality...

Part of the money they've built the factory with gets allocated by Caladon Council, as it happens. And, well, there's a giant question mark on if all that money's actually gone to the factory.

Standard affair between Caladon's nobility, really.

If you can think of a way to get to the bottom of this, then forcing them to compromise won't be a pipe dream!

Wow~

You really... know a lot!

Well, I've said my part. Now, have you heard any hearsay about? Tell me a thing or two, let's exchange information~

I have! I have—I, I'm going to make them realize how wrong they are! I'm... the one in the right!

Brilliant...

You're still drunk.

(Fine background, good of heart, understands a bit of politics, but has never gotten involved in any of the practice. Still a little naivety left. Her sort usually get a nasty shock from how ruthless reality is...)

(She's definitely heard about how it works on paper before, but this should be her first time witnessing any Victorian legislative assembly for herself. She reckons she knows it all, but she's got a long way to travel still.)

November 24th, 1097, 9:20 A.M.

...Who is it?! Ugh... You know I'm off today...?

O—Oh! Mr. Midley? Oh, I'm very sorry about that, did you need anything?

What?

Councilor... no... Professor Angst? What's wrong with him? Sudden heart issues? Someone broke into his house last night?! Is he alright? Is he at the hospital?

Alright, alright, if he's stable then that's good. You should have told me last night... should I go to the hospital right now?

Event? You want me to attend for you? Not a problem, I'll get ready now.

I understand. Enquire after Infected opinion, make the government's stance clear. Yes, I understand.

What in the world? Petty thieves breaking into councilors' houses...

Fine, I'm happy to go. I get to shed light on a few things I'm still curious about. Urgh... my head's still pounding from last night...

How did I... how did I return last night...? It feels like I said so much at the dinner party. What did I tell Kite about? What did she even tell me about?

*Sigh*... Well, first things first!

In an open area in the Infected community, a large crowd of the Infected are gathered.

A blue-blooded Member of the Council wanting to chat with them. Now there's something new.

With looks of both curiosity and doubt, they gaze at the tidily dressed girl before them.

Didn't they say that Councilor man was coming today?

Look, see what I told you? None of those old codgers would come themselves. They hardly want to get up close with us.

Fact remains they sent someone at all, though. What are they up to?

Ahem...

Not a worry, everyone, say whatever you want to say. I'll pass on all the issues you raise to Councilor Angst.

(Whisper) You first.

(Whisper) Why me? Why not you?

We'll start with the man over there, then.

Eh? Me?

Yes, how long do you reckon you've been working here?

Not more than half a year.

...Can't remember it now.

So, whereabouts did you come from?

Kazimierz.

Ursus...?

Compared to before, how do you feel life is now? Is your daily workload too much?

I don't have to risk my life down in the underground arenas, at least... Yeah, I can get by and scrape up a living. It's okay.

They said being at this event would still count as work, and we'd still get paid. Is that true?

That, I can assure you. After the event's over, we'll reimburse you all.

So, have you ever had your pay docked before, or not come on time?

You can tell me, it's alright! I wouldn't let your information slip!

I see how it is, then... I'd like to ask, your family lives about...

Just right in this neighborhood. We're all in one bed, and they provided us bedding for the first day's wages. It's a bit thin, but we all squeeze up in the winter, so it's not that cold.

Several people in one household, I see... So are there any elderly here?

Factory won't take them on. They can't take the physical labor.

The ones who have kids might be let in here to live, but it's hard to say. The ones without... maybe there'll be work fit for old people, and they'll accept, but that's not easy either.

Then can you tell me about your meals and pay here? Including if anyone's ever had their wages deducted?

We eat straight in the factory. I get to eat a half-decent amount, at least. Better than working on an empty tank.

And pay, well... hahah...

Thing about pay is, times are, the supervisor...

He tells us the Originium on us rubs onto the goods, and now the product's contaminated and they can't sell it, so they won't pay us.

Those people, honestly... They do one thing and say another...

It's always like that. And they said recently our factory's had bad results so they won't raise our wages. And they'll drag a whole lot out at once whenever they please, hire new ones after a bit, and they get paid even less...

We've got no room for a say. The council won't even let us in, and not one of them listens.

Mm, that much I've noted...

Normally, now and then we'd head to a pub close by, kick our feet up once we're off work... but this morning, they had a fire break out.

Bloody right. There's just been no end to it lately.

A fire? The... 'Green Spark' pub?

When did it happen? Just this morning?

How? What about the girl running the place? Is she alright?

Ah, that we're not too sure of ourselves. The regulars there said they've been searching for her all this time, but they haven't the faintest where she's run to...

What's happening?

*cough* *cough* *cough*... What's going on?!

Left side, right side, by the plan! Grab them all! Go!

(An explosion? This is the scent of Originium explosives...)

Let go of me, let go of me! What the hell are you lot doing?!

Wh-Who the hell are you all—

Keep it down! Stuff their mouths!

(Infected? Why?)

(Four, six, eight, ten... this is odd, where did they all come from? Where are all the guards?)

(...What are they taking the workers for? What is it they want?)

(No, hold on... they're tying them up right in the street, no hesitation. They were clearly ready for this...)

(I need to see what this bunch intend on doing.)