(Noticing the others were looking a bit worse for wear that morning, Calliope made some notes during the meeting. They are about as useful as you would expect...)
There are so many people! Kyrah mentioned that she and Vallus had planned it so that the crowd would be made up of the common people rather than nobles. And they seem to have managed it. Or, at least, Sulla and his entourage seem pretty out of place in this crowd... Actually, I wonder how he made it in here when the rest of them failed?
Oh, nevermind, it is starting!
Lets see… there seems a sort of east/west split. Hyrapetros seems to stay mostly neutral, but Arkonbasillius, Academias, Stygian Row all support Vallus. Talegos and Alexia are for Sydon. Savas too. It seems there is money in worshipping the Titans...
Vallus is in her element here. Commanding the attention of everyone in the room. It is funny… the Goddess of Beauty seemed an odd title when we met her. Not that she isn’t beautiful, for she most certainly is and I would dare anyone to deny it! It is just that the title almost seemed like nothing more than a hollow nod to the divine beauty that so many non-mortals possess, rather than an absolute fact.
But here... here I see it. Her confidence is breathtaking. The way she controls the conversation is like watching an artist at work. This far from the stuffy, shouting debates of the Academy. Seeing her like this… I think she could command a thousand hearts if so she chose. No wonder Sulla fell for her.
A vote on a crop rotation ordnance. Postponed.
A motion to introduce a new tax on magically dyed fabrics. Passed. (0.5%. Is that a lot?)
Thoughts about increasing fines for graffiti. A long discussion. No decision made.
A motion brought to the table by the representative of Meticles to introduce prison sentences for those found to be trying to seduce the spouses of council members. Very specific and very obviously aimed at the representative from Vilfis. Thrown out.
Should Mytros certify Mytrosian-made wines in order to protect their production processes? Apparently the answer is probably, but there is no money in the budget right now. It has been tabled for the Winter meeting instead.
People are falling asleep. This meeting is long and the other speakers are nowhere near as captivating as Vallus. And, Gods, the representative from Paschavgos needs a new talking point! “Furthermore, Aresia must be destroyed!” Ugh.
Oh! Vallus has finally tabled the… er, incident.
Huh. Acastus refused the Zone of Truth. That… does not bode well. Though I’ll admit the overall decision is favourable: I don’t think Helikaon had considered the implications of such a spell...
Now Gaius is speaking. I… how… how can he be such a monster? The crowd seem shocked by what they are hearing. They are all much too young to know the horrors of the Gygan dynasties. But all this talk of blood… it is nothing new. It is a system created to keep people like Gaius, Gods like Sydon, in control. They care not for blood. Not truly. They care only for keeping their power.
I want to say something. Or scream at him! DO something! But I can’t. My heart is in my throat and I am afraid I might choke. I feel like I’m drowning. Sirens don’t drown! But I’m drowning.
Helikaon has stood up...
[The words trail off here.]