The meeting continues to drag on and the drowsiness Persius feels seems to increase as time goes on until he completely nods off. He finally wakes when Seraphina claps once more to signal the end of the meeting.

Persius wakes up almost frantically, and then looks around, a lot of the others filing out: Huh? What? The meeting is over? How…did I doze off? This is weird…Jasmine did they go over Aralan or Sifinica at all? *he rubs his eyes but he notices that a few of the mages are looking at him including the Prime Minister and he straightens up and starts to get up but feels Jasmine tug softly at his shirt in the back*

Jasmine: -she nods towards the entrance and quietly walks out-

Persius: *looks at her and walks out as well, not meeting the eyes of the others which are a few as they gather around each other. He meets Jasmine outside and she signals for them to talk in the carriage. He gets in with her and the driver heads back off to Ivory Sanctuary.* Jasmine, what the fuck was that? I have never ever fallen asleep in a meeting but also…it felt like I couldn’t stay up. I hope this wasn’t what I think it was but I think I was charmed. Fuckin’ assholes. *he’s beyond pissed as he sits there seething, thinking about that whole meeting* Wait, did they even talk about Aralan and Sifinica at all? They took an hour on Opirea which made no sense, all that time to talk about some parks and grants, some bullshit!

Jasmine: -she hands him the minutes and her own notes on top of it- I believe you were charmed during the meeting to help mislead you. They did not address the topic of Aralan or Sifinica directly. They mentioned sending the budgets for the cities to Natasia Halie.

Persius starts flipping through the notes: I know the Dean, she’s very on top of shit so if they really wanted to do that or had an agreement, they would’ve but I doubt it. They don’t care because those cities are primarily mixed cities. Just feels…out of place to me. No…I know something is wrong! Might be a demographic issue. I didn’t even go through this shit in Baehalan, which is even more frustrating, it was easier dealing with demons! Hmmm this is a big problem but…*he leans on the window, looking outside, feeling a bit sad and disheartened* I feel like I failed, I had a goal and it just seems like it went out the window. *he sighs and takes his phone out to text Ajii*

Persius: Hey I hope everything is okay. If we can chill tomorrow, that’ll be great. Today was a lot..

Aiji: I’m free, no worries. Snacks, movies, and video games to cheer you up?

Persius: Yeah sounds good. I’ll bring some drinks too. *puts his phone away and looks at Jasmine* Has it been like this for a while in the meetings?

Jasmine: From my understanding yes. This charm has also been used before when newcomers arrive. This is why there are not many diplomatic interns. When reported, I no longer go to the meetings and I am swapped out with my Sister. If you wish, I can retrieve the note’s of the last several meetings. How far back would you like me to go?

Persius looks at her with solemn eyes: As far back as possible to see how long they haven’t been taking care of those cities but records of this happening to other interns as well. Is it a charm that can work only on new people because everyone else seemed fine?

Jasmine: The one correlation we have found is this charm does not work on full blooded mages. Those interns have lasted and stayed to learn. The others have felt unwelcome and uneasy, these interns have quit and changed their desired studies.

Persius: I see well I’m not that easily persuaded. As long as they aren’t aware of certain things I'm fine with that although…I’m not happy with the fact of them looking at me like a piece of meat. That was revolting. *as they get to the Ivory Sanctuary, he looks at Jasmine* Thank you for being there. It was a bit intimidating but I won’t back down. So hopefully by the next meeting, I'll be more prepared.

Jasmine: Once the report of the charm has been made, Lady Aiah will introduce you to my counterpart. She will be more equipped to help you for your next meeting.

Persius smiles and tries to joke: Awww does that mean I won’t see you as much?

Jasmine: If you require me, you may summon me.

Persius feels this wave of sadness come over him. Did I not do enough where you can’t do your duty either?: Okay cool. *he gets out of the carriage and goes up to the entrance and hesitates before walking in, he still feels like he failed. He breathes and walks in and goes straight to the throne room with Jasmine.* Goddess? Are you here?

Aiah: -she’s on her throne with Adrian sitting on the arm of her throne and Ra sitting in her lap- Ah, welcome back. How did it go?

Persius looks down, he’s disappointed in himself: Ummm not the best, there was quite a bit that happened but I’m not sure how to explain it. It was just intense and it seemed to drag and…something peculiar happened. I passed out and that’s never happened. I can wait to talk about this though, you are with your children. I’ll see myself to my room. *he feels visibly upset, almost as if he wants to cry and almost fast walks to his temporary room* 

Adrian: -he nods at Ra and hops down and runs after Persius- Wait! Pretty guy~!..Persie wait!

Persius stops but doesn’t turn around, he’s trying hard not to cry but steadies his breath and turns around: Yes Adrian?

Adrian: -he tackles him and hugs him- It’s okay! You don’t have to be sad…Mother knows this stuff happens with those big bullies. Come talk some more? She can help.

Ra runs up and grabs his hand and starts pulling: Yeah! She’ll set them straight! Those big bullies are all going to time out!

Persius starts tearing and laughing but also crying a bit and he hugs Adrian back hard, kneeling down and also pulls Ra in and then they both pull him back into the throne room and he wipes his face: Goddess…I apologize for my demeanor. 

Aiah: -she smiles softly at him- It’s alright dear. Come, sit with us and tell me what happened. I’ve looked over the notes that Jasmine took. -instead of his usual chair, she makes a large plush blue cushion appear for him-

Persius comes up the steps and sits on the cushion as the softness cradles him: This cushion is nice…anyways there was quite a bit. First of all the Prime Minister looked at me like a prized Boarinite(a rare breed of pig), and then they didn’t even want to add Aralan and Sifinica to the budget list. I implored them, they said they would circle back, never did and for some reason, I got so fuckin’...I mean..I got tired out of nowhere like I couldn’t stay awake. I’ve never fallen asleep at a meeting. Why the fu-...why would I now? I’ve been in meetings twice as long…with demon kings mind you. And they are not the nicest people.

Adrian: They used a sleeping charm? That’s cheating! Fuck those guys! That’s not your fault at all, Persie.

Ra: Yeah! They shouldn’t get to do that at all! We should burn down the building!

Persius: Haha you both are very sweet. I’m okay. I just wanted to do a good job…I also want those cities to get the funding. Skipping funding for two whole areas is garbage!

Aiah: You did very well Persius. This is not the first report I’ve received about one of the council members using sleep charms to weed out those who were not full blooded. Your notes are also the most thorough, I like your work. You will do very well as my representative. I will not allow you to go unprotected again, that was my short sight and for that I apologize.

Persius wiggles from the apology and blushes and looks away a bit: well…it’s alright you didn’t think it would be that bad. It’s okay. Thank you. I will be more prepared for the next meeting. *he looks at his hands, not looking at Aiah, but the blush touches his cheeks*

Aiah: -she gently touches under his chin and tilts his head up to look at her, she looks deeply into his eyes, her expression soft and warm- You will do wonderfully. Please, go rest. A sleep charm does need to be slept off so you will feel better. The children can wait for their lesson.

Persius looks at her and his expression softens under her gaze and blushes as he looks deeply in her ruby eyes: G-goddess..alright..as you wish. mmm…*he almost gets lost in her eyes but shakes his head and then hops off the cushion* I…ummm..alright I’ll be off.

Aiah: Rest well dear.

Adrian: -he waves at him- Have a good nap!

Ra: Get some sleepies!

Persius waves at them and goes to his room, takes off his clothes and promptly passes out after only a bit of time. He dreams deeply…and he sees Aiah…but not like how her normal self looks, like a soul self, she’s very bright and almost fiery, looking made of full light, he tries reaching out for her but she keeps moving away and so he follows until he can’t see her anymore. He looks around for her.

Persius: Goddess? Goddess Aiah? *he looks around some more*

He finds her again in the most beautiful and lush garden he’s ever seen, it truly looks like it was made by the gods. She’s kneeled down on the ground holding the most vibrant lily. When she notices another presence she gasps and looks towards him…and she has more eyes than normal. Nine deep glowing ruby red eyes stare back at him. In her surprise, what he thought was hair before flares up, and it turns out to be large insect wings.

Persius: Aiah? *he’s never said her name before but he started moving closer, looking at the eyes and the insect wings* What…is all this? It’s beautiful. *he comes over and knees before her* That’s a beautiful flower, Aiah Darling. *he doesn’t even know why he’s saying it but it just comes out before he can even catch it* Were you tending to our garden again by yourself? At least come get me. *smiles at her and reaches for her hand slowly*

Aiah: -she gently touches his hands- I wanted to surprise you…our favorite lily’s were finally in bloom my love…-as she holds his hands longer her eyes widen slightly. She looks up at him and smiles sadly- Oh…it’s not time yet…I’ll see you again when it’s time my Sweet… -she places her hands over his eyes, enveloping his whole body in a gentle loving warmth, making him go back to a dreamless sleep-

Persius: *tries to reach for her again but his vision goes black and he sleeps dreamlessly* Aiah…His voice lulls off into the black as he fully drifts. His mind is calm and he doesn’t have many feelings of anxiety anymore.