"Go ahead."
"Yeah, good head lizard," Mime says.
"Go ahead, ant-eater," Anto says.
Orb smacks them both on the head, then says, "Behave!"
The twins start to bite Orb, and he bites them back until Fois says, "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"Huh?"
Fois grins at the kids playing, so Luachan steps up and says panicked, "You do realize you have just given us a rather ridiculous amount of information. Just by skimming through this book in front of me, I can already tell how ridiculously dense and detailed it is. And even ignoring that, your plan was just about our benefit, and tying us less to you. The smartest thing to do would have been to use our negative standing in the world to make it so that we can only do business with you. This deal is simply too good. You must have some kind of scheme?"
Aoibheann sighs and says, "You idiot. You make me doubt that we should let you handle our economy."
Ganthrú says, "If you noticed all of that, you should have kept your mouth shut and played dumb, instead of letting your panic take hold of you."
Orb lunges towards them, and then he sits on the table in front of them, and says, "There is no plan, this is my deal to all of you."
Aoibheann says, "Please don't mock us, we will find out whether you're lying or not so speed this up already."
"No lies. I mulled over how to do business with all of you guys for a while. But I decided that the number one thing needed to help this country go forward is trust. I trust that I will be good to you and that working with me will help us the most, but at the same time, I don't want any of you to feel like I have a collar around your necks. So I offered these plans to help you all become reengaged with the world outside. Since I inherited Nialathrú, I made a promise to make the beastkin and the humans get along, so we shall do that to the best of our ability. I would like to become friends with all of you, so would you join me in building up this country?"
Fois smiles but looks to the others. Aoibheean, with a mean glare, stares at the table with her head down, Ganthrú, with a stiff and unchanging look, meets Orb eyes, and Luachan tucks his head between his knees, taking small peeks out.
Síofra says, "I agree, to help you and be your friend."
"Really!" Orb says as the others look right at her.
Aoibheann says, "Síofra, what are you doing?"
Looking directly at Orb, Síofra says, "Hey, do you know what the Fanalis call me?"
Orb looks away with brown hair, then says, "I have heard a few."
Anto says, "Queen of the slaves, killer of hope, race traitor."
Mime says, "Bogtrotter, Crumb collector, nature's trash bin."
Orb whacks them both on the head again, the Síofra laughs and says, "I am not well-liked, and I am sure you have an idea as to why."
"Síofra Ó Ceannas, a Fanalis who was once a major component of the Fanalis community, who led her worker ants, a group of Fanalis who had boasted some of the greatest economic output in the country before the war, especially in the construction sector. But after the war, she and her Fanalis turned their backs on the rest of the Fanalis to side with the rest of the beastkin to boost their standing at the expense of their fellow Fanalis."
"Exactly, and I don't regret what I have done in the slightest. The Ceannas Clann is a family which has taken up a structure similar to the wonderbeasts that empower us, we have a queen whose job it is too keep order but also to protect the colony. It was the best thing for our Clann, so I picked it. But there is a certain degree of, I guess, disgust I have for my actions if only a little, so I would like to rid myself of this guilt by helping build something for all for the right price."
"That's good to hear, now what do you want?"
"I want an exclusive contract to rebuild all of Victoria."
Orb pauses for a moment to allow what she said to sink in, then says, "WHAT! You mean like across the whole continent?"
Ganthrú says, "I knew you were greedy, but that's a bit much even for you."
With a smile, Síofra says, "Victoria is the largest continent except for Avesta, when Orb removes all of the snow, eventually someone will need to build necessary infrastructure, and I would like that exclusive right."
With a wonky smile and Rosewood hair, Orb says, "You do realize that's essentially giving you a giant industry exclusively, for the rest of your life right?"
"Of course it is, but I will make sure to employ Fanalis to work for me more than anyone else. So, all in all, this just ensures that the Fanalis will be a strong and empowered class for the rest of our time here. If you reject this, who knows when the next time those cruel little beastkin might one day wield power against my Fanalis yet again. You wouldn't want history to repeat itself, maybe you do. Maybe you're a racist."
"I AM NOT A RACIST!"
"So you will agree to what I said."
Orb hair moves from Rosewood, to silver, to red, to grey, to black, to white, then he says, "You will get exclusive right to do any construction around the capital city of Niflheim."
"I want the right to do construction around all of East Terrafide."
"You will have the right to do any construction around all of the capital city of Niflheim, and will have the exclusive right to do all construction around southwestern Terrafide when we uncover it."
"Deal! Thank you for your patronage."
Putting his hands to his face, Orb says, "I just gave her the right to do all construction around the closet, point to Cordum."
Mime says, "Big dummy Orb."
Anto says, "Giant clown Orb."
"You brats!"
Aoibheann says, "Hey, that isn't fair."
With a smirk on her face, Síofra says, "Well then, strike a deal as well."
Luachan goes up to Síofra sand ays, "I am horrible at negotiation, can you do it for me?"
"Of course, though I will send you my bills later."
Luachan says, "I don't know if I can afford your rates."
"Then you better get good at negotiating," Síofra says with an unkind smile."
Fois seeing of all this let's out a laugh far greater athan anything his little body should allow for and moves towards Orb, and bows, then says, "I have seen great character within you, so Orb allow me to serve you."
Shaking a bit, Orb says with yellow hair, "You're not going to try and charge me as well."
"No, I won't."
"Loser," Síofra mutters under her breath.
"So what? I am nearly 90 years old, I have little need for wealth. I would like to help this new nation get on its feet in whatever way I can, and despite their attitudes, these four behind me also find great passion within their work, and will serve you wonderfully."
Sitting down in front of the kneeling Fois, Orb says, "I am happy to hear that, but don't go straining your back for me."
"I won't you don't have to worry."
Aoibheaan and Síofra put their hands on Orb's head, then say, "Now let's get to discussing the rest of our deals."
With a worried look and pitch black hair, Orb says, "This is going to suck."
Contracts
Síofra Ó Ceannas: The Fabhtaire company will have the right to do any construction around all of the capital city of Niflheim, for as long as this country lasts. They will have the exclusive right to do all construction around southwestern Terrafide when it is uncovered.
Granted, if the work they do is below a certain standard consistently the ruler at said time can renegotiate the terms of the contract. The Fabhtaire company is also allowed to have priority for whom they shall hire for the first 30 years, after which they may fall under any legislation.
Aoibheann Ó Goilte: The state druids who focus on animal and plant modification will be given priority and ample investment to pursue non-critical research, and they will be given first claim on the research of any newly found wonderbeast or flora for the sake of experimentation.
Excessive cruelty will be banned, and audits will take place on a regular basis. Orb Rian will also be required to be used as a test subject for any new drugs they make.
Luachan Mac Glasbéal: He will be given paid days off in proportion to the overtime hours he works during any form of economic crisis. He will not be called in off hours, and he has a right to a private sleeping room at work.
If economic polices are passed without his oversight, and he is later consulted, his pay increases. He also requests that a steady supply of whatever literature he needs for his job be paid for by the state.
Ganthrú Ó Gairbhith: A new legal system reform must be put in place immediately. The legal system must take into account the differences between beastkin and humans and not discriminate against either group because of them. Disbandment of all privately armed groups, outlawing of any form of mercenary work within the country. Increased documentation requirements for state guards who do their jobs.
None of the property of the outside of the ministers/any beastkin who took part in propagating the war can be claimed or redistributed by force during the merger of the country. The Red branch knights will now and forever be a tool for the people to defend the people, and destroy violence against one another, allowing conversation to take place. They must never be the initiator of violence for Orb's or anyone else's individual or group values.
Fois Ó Croidheáin: Right of a change in legal precedence regarding every generation to account for the genetic evolution of beastkin over time. Medical research must always be state-sponsored to account for the great variety in differences of beastkin. No person should ever be forbidden from receiving healthcare or education. Our history must be recorded, and any attempts at the destruction of our history will be considered a grave crime.
In exchange for all of these this, and the deals Orb promise at the beginning Fois, Aoibheann, Ganthrú, Lucahan, and Síofra will dedicate their lives, and all of the other resources at their disposal to help the country of Niflheim, and the people of Nialathrú, to successfully merge, and grow into their own self-sufficient country.
-Break-
Location: Abban's home
ΦWith a giant smile on his face, Oren looks at all of the plants across Abbán's shelf and says, "Can I really take a look at that?"
"Go ahead."
Oren jumps for joy, and behind him, his wife Pine says, "Easy there. You're still sick."
"Why does my adorable wife have to treat this old man like he is a child?"
"Because your wife is noticing her husband acting like a little child."
Abbán says, "You're only 53, you're not old Oren."
With a half smile, Oren says, "I used to be when we were all stuck in Aplos, but now I am barely halfway through my life compared to a lot of humans, and still a child compared to some beastkin."
Turning to Pine, he says, "How does it feel to be with a young and youthful man?"
Pine stares at the rot from the Basileia crystals that ravages her husband's body, and says, "Wonderful, and I will enjoy all of the time I have with you."
Abbán, looking at this, says, "Beastkin medicine is far more advanced than you would think. So don't say your goodbyes yet."
With that, he leaves the couple and walks out, where he sees Dumnorix standing beside the entrance of his house.
In his same cold and cynical tone as always, he says, "What's that look for Dumnorix?"
Smiling Dumnorix says, "You are worthy of being friends with the greatest in all creation!"
"You are annoying."
Pointing forward, Dumnorix directs his finger at the Fanalis chatting with the humans, and says, "But I always bring wonders with me at the same time."
Smiling Abbán says, "You're right about that at least."
Suddenly, trumpets place, and Dumnorix says, "So the heavens have finally started to call me!"
"No, you fool! A pest has just arrived."