Mayor Oswald had had his elevated stage set up in the city square as per usual whenever he addressed public concerns. It was so that his voice could be projected for all to hear -- or so he always claimed. Only a handful of people knew his real intent. The raised platform only served for him to watch the reactions of the majority so he could manipulate his speeches in real time. If there was anything the mayor was especially good at, it was his ability to transform disadvantages into benefits and criticisms into reinforcement for his stance; a formidable politician indeed. He twisted words and toyed with sentiments to his liking -- and the emotion he thrived at controlling was none other than fear. But the man himself had yet to appear.

Nikolai and Lana took positions right at the back of the forming crowd. When more people showed up, they would move back even further. As much as they needed to listen out for Oswald's recipe, they didn't like being surrounded by the city people.

The citizens of Brymlight City gave off a stench of arrogance. It was just something that suggested to outsiders that they were of higher status. Even a smile from an old man on his evening stroll posed a certain malice.

Martha had once suggested that they were perhaps biased against the people because of the riches they possessed. Nikolai had refused to admit it mostly because she had never set foot in the city. He was certain it had nothing to do with envy because most of the villagers who came to the city to trade had also stated their discomfort.

"Well, isn't this a complete waste of time..." Nikolai muttered, checking the time on his watch. It was already twenty past noon. A man turned around and stared at him with contempt. Out of spite, Nikolai threw him a challenging glance. "What?"

"Oswald worked hard to bring us the cure," the man said. "Why not show some appreciation?"

Another man overheard him and turned around. "Worked hard?" he repeated. "Hell no. All he does is sit in his office all day."

"He had to think about the plague, no?"

"If he really cared about us, why's he making us pay half our lives away? Five hundred Silph is ridiculous!"

"Pardon us, gentlemen," Lana said softly, pulling Nikolai away.

"Hey..." the one who was an Oswald-supporter raised an eyebrow at them. "Aren't you Lana Ornella? From the village?" More people turned heads their way at the mentioning of her name.

"Sorry, I'm married," Lana said quickly. "My husband hunts extremely well and does not pick fights with people. He's a real wonder."

"Oh..."

Nikolai raised an eyebrow at Lana as she dragged him away from the staring men. When they were finally some distance away from them, Lana folded her arms and glared at him.

"What?" he said indignantly.

"Must you really spark a brawl right now?" Lana demanded.

"Whoa, hey!" Nikolai scowled. "He was the one with swords flashing for Oswald. The other guy just came in suddenly. I had nothing --"

"If the speech gets postponed over something stupid, that's how much longer we have to wait to know more," Lana snapped. "Whatever you want to do, save it for AFTER the talk."

Nikolai stared at her. How unfair was this? She seemed genuinely angry but he knew nothing he said would change her mind. It wasn't worth the debate anyway.

A handsome man with sleek black hair left the crowd and walked off. He caught sight of Lana and doubled back, peering closely at her.

"Hey, aren't you --" he began.

Without looking at him, Lana said, "I'm a farmer from Opulen City who can't go home because of the blockade at the borders of this region."

"Nah, I'm pretty sure you're --"

Lana then proceeded to rest a pair of iciest eyes Nikolai had ever seen on the man.

"Farmer from Opulen," he said, nodding as he raised his hands in surrender. "Right."

Lana turned back towards the stage and said nothing else. Her face was scrunched up with displeasure. Nikolai smirked. He knew what was bothering her. The young man stepped closer to Lana and took hold of her hand. She turned to him in surprise.

"Nobody will bother you now," Nikolai said coolly as he slid his fingers between hers. "Not when you're with your expert hunter of a husband who doesn't pick fights."

He thought he saw her cheeks reddened but before she could say anything, the man they had all been waiting for finally appeared. Overly enthusiastic cheerings drowned out the booing as Mayor Oswald climbed onto the platform, raising his hands to calm the crowd.