The Driver pulls to the center of Aralan, where it’s pretty busy and has all these bustling streets, with different food places and food trucks. It’s quite lively but it is a bit trashy. The two boys get out and just take a look around before picking a direction to head in. Persie is taking in all the sights and is amazed at everything.

Persie: Wow..this is not too shabby. It’s mainly a normal city.

Aiji: You’d think that. Pay attention to the sidewalks, the roads, the alleyways, it’s not great. And it’s only gonna get worse from here. I’d start getting some discrete photos now before I take you deeper in.

Persie takes his notebook out and it starts recording photos and some film as well. He’s looking around and he does notice the cracks, the walls, some boarded up buildings and he feels the bustling energy but underneath, he feels the struggle people are going through just to survive. Once he has a good bit of evidence Aiji starts walking him more towards the edges of Aralan. The further in they go the worse the infrastructure becomes. The sidewalks are mostly broken, they’re lined with trash as if the trash services won’t come through here, the houses look like they’re barely up to code, and finally they stop at a park that’s nothing but two rusted swing sets, one old slide, and some rusted climbing bars.

Persie stops at the park to examine the rusted grounds. He feels devastated by the dilapidation of it all and how deeply it must pain those who live here to not have proper living facilities that are up-to-date, just shelters with four walls and a roof. He also feels a sort of resolve in his heart to want to do more specifically for them. So he knows he needs to push for Aralan and Sifinica harder next time. He must…try harder.

Persie looks around with some people walking around and he can tell they are mostly immigrants from other places. He walks up to a Brown Bear Ant to ask him about his opinion of living in this area.

Persie: Excuse me, sir? 

Brown Bear Ant: *looks at him and has a thick Dzularian accent* Nyes Vhat is it?

Persie: *looks at him and bows* I just wanted to ask your opinion on the area you live in, how has it been for you? What are some things that could be worked on?

Brown Bear Ant: -he looks down at him- Vhy? Can you do someting to keep the little racoons out of my trash? -as he says this a small group of raccoon ant children run down the street-

Persie watches them and then looks back at the bear sir: Maybe…I am trying to. I want to make better playing areas and maybe other recreational activities so they can have more to do…and then they may stay out of your garbage.

Brown Bear Ant: -he grunts in approval- Good. Then listen good. The streets; very bad, the little ones trip all the time. This park? Ha pathetic. The houses are just shacks. I am strong, can take it, I don’t need much to be happy. But tiny ones need room to grow. And tell those prissy politicians to send the garbage collectors.

Persie takes note of everything with Ajii beside him in support, reminding him of everything the man said.

Persie nods when he has everything written down: Got it. Thank you. I will try harder for you all. No one deserves to live in these conditions. Thank you for your honesty, sir.  *Persie gives another look around and feels anguish and then spots a woman across the park walking with her child*

Brown Bear Ant: -he follows his line of sight and nods to himself- Nice lady, she’s new to the neighborhood. Hard time finding job. People pool together vhat they have and share vhat they can but vith only few of us able to find vwork, things get tight. Most tiny ones though can go to the bar to get a meal. That is new.

Persie: Can you tell me where the bar is? I would like to talk to the bar owner if possible. I’ll also see about finding her some work if possible as well.

Brown Bear Ant: Haha! I can tell you vhere bar is but vwork? Few places vill hire people like us. Bar is the opposite direction. Bar owner has a mean face but a good heart. I have lived here for many moons but even I can only find temporary things. -he pats his back with a little too much strength- Good luck myshka.

Persie: *he smiles and nods but also coughs* Of course. Thank you sir! *he goes to Ajii to talk for a second* Okay so I think we should talk to the woman over there, hopefully she can understand us. I don’t speak Istrelarian yet.

Aiji: Hmm..I’ve taken one common Istrelarian class so maybe we can fill in some gaps…OH shit wait I have a spell for this hold on. -he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small grimoire. He enlarges it and starts flipping through the pages-

Persie just waits for Ajii as he goes through his grimoire also looking at it: When did you get that anyways?

Aiji: Got it at the beginning of junior year…aha! Got it. -he pulls out runic chalk- Gimme your ear. This should help you understand her better.

Persie pretends to give him his ear in a playful way: Hehe hear you go!

Aiji: Pfft stop being stupid and come here jerk. -he gently takes his ear and writes small runes on the back of it- There, should give you basic foreign language understanding.

Persie: Well let’s test it first. Say something to me.

Aiji: Ummm okay…Ni hao ma? (Hello, how are you?)

Persie: Ooooooooo I’m good! Oh shit I understand you! Wow, that's awesome. I’m assuming it’s temporary.

Aiji: Yeah, the rune will wear off in about an hour so I would be quick about it.

Persie, starts walking over to the woman and then calls out with a hello: Good afternoon Ma’am, can I ask you a few questions? You aren’t in trouble, we just wanted to ask about why you moved to Aralan and if you like it here or if there are any improvements we need to make?

Crane Ant: -she looks slightly startled at him and raises her wings reflexively to hide her child- N-Ni hao…You are asking of me? I..I come her for wo de nu er… (for my daughter)

Persie puts his hands up slowly to show he means no harm: No worries. So you came here for her? *looks down and smiles at both of them* I’m originally from Baehalan and I used to go to Mythic Academy with my friend here. Is there anything you would want better around here?

Crane Ant: -she relaxes slightly but still keeps her wings in front of her daughter- Better house…Work to feed her…Better…-she tries to find the word- Better xuexiao (school).

Persie looks a bit shocked at the school word but it’s mainly because of how much isn’t right: Do you stay close? You don’t have to tell me where, but I wanted to maybe see how shelters looked. I haven’t been over here in some time and I want to help. As for work, I can try and see if there are any programs that can help you. And *looks down at the young girl* try to see about having better budgets for the schools here too. It’ll take some time though. 

Crane Ant: Houses look like these…Xiao de. (Small) But it is home…I am…I am on the waitlist for programs. San nian le (three years), before coming here. Help does not come to people like us here…

Persie looks sad from her words: I…will do everything in my power to help you all. You need better conditions than this…I promise you. *nods and bows his head* I must head off but thank you for taking the time to talk with me and I hope you both have a good day!

Crane Ant: -her eyes well up a bit with tears, and she smiles and bows to him- Thank you… -she gently ushers her daughter out from behind her wing- What do we say?

Little Crane Ant: -she bows deeply- Xiexie gege! (Thank you older/big brother)

Persie’s heart swells but he bows deeply to both of them, putting his hands together and then takes his leave with Ajii right beside him.

Persie, as they walk to try to find the bar that the gentleman before told them about: I see why you wanted me to see…this is horrible. These conditions are just brutal and parliament just doesn’t give a fuck…we have to do something about this…I need to make them see how bad it is..but I first need to tell the goddess as well..she should know too. *he looks over his notes, writing down as much as possible and then thinks about the Little Crane…* Children…shouldn’t live like that…

Aiji: -he hands him his phone- Here, got some more photo’s while you were interviewing… A lot of things started to get smaller budgets at the end of the last Prime Minister’s term but the complete destruction of the budget really started when PM Vesta took office a year ago. She got the votes because she lied about making things better for Aralan and Sifinica. She kept things quiet by still giving some attention to Sifinica but Aralan got screwed in the end. Not like most of the mage population cares anyways…I come out here to help on the weekends. It started as just volunteer hours for school but…I keep coming back to do what I can.

Persie looks at Ajii and pats on the back: I always knew you were a good person my friend. So it’s okay. I want to help too. We shall help together. *approaches the bar and it’s almost on a backstreet where there isn’t a whole lot of traffic or even other restaurants and such* Hmmm I’m assuming this is it. This is very random here, I thought it would be more downtown..

Aiji: I mean if the owner is feeding people for free…they probably don’t want a random inspection and get cited and shut down for bogus charges. Plus this looks like it’s a place you can only find as a local. It’s a good idea if you want people to be comfortable. I’m interested to see what kind of person runs this kind of place. -he heads inside with Persie. The bar is set up almost like a tavern, and it’s got a decent amount of people inside all eating, drinking, and having a good time; a very stark difference to the atmosphere outside. Behind the bar is a short earth genasi woman with short pink hair and brown skin with a slight scowl on her face- …A small earth genasi?...That’s…different.

Persie whispers to Ajii: I always thought they were pretty tall…and had longer hair..hmmm very interesting indeed..let’s talk to her. 

Persie and Ajii both approach the bar and sit down. Persie speaks first.

Persie: Hello there!

Genasi Woman: Hey. -she looks them up and down- What do you rich brats want? What are you doing all the way out here?

Persie is taken aback by her demeanor: Woah! We were just walking around and your bar got recommended so we’d thought to step in for a sec.

Genasi Woman: Mhm..only the locals know this place, so I ask again; what the fuck are you doing way out here? You better not be bothering these people..

Persie, puts his hands up: No no no..I…I just got back in from Baehalan and I haven’t been here in a really long time. And my friend and I were taking a stroll and one of the locals told us this place gives food to people in need. I just wanted to ask what prompted you to open a bar over here.

Aiji: …Oh my Gods you’re the Dutchess, Onxia Ammiamon! I knew you seemed weirdly familiar!

Onxia: -she scowls at him- Lower your fucking voice!...Jeez..So this is some sort of school project?

Aiji: Not at all, no. Wow your reputation did not exaggerate…A-Anyways, my friend here is a diplomat in training. He just wants to help.

Persie, looks at Onxia with a very sincere face: Yes honestly. I’ve been off to do training and really understand the differing cultures but I never realized how bad it’s been in Aralan. I want to help and I’ve been trying to get Parliament to also see. So I’ve been going around asking people what is needed and what can be done better…which is why we are here…

Onxia: -she huffs- Fine whatever…look I opened this place ‘cuz there ain’t shit out here. These people deserve a recreational space...and I needed a cover for my charity. My parents helped build this place and they own a lot of bars and inns. We do this all the time. We go to low income places, make a space for the people, and hand out food, then with the inns it creates jobs for people without papers. The only reason Parliament approved the zoning contract is cuz they thought it would be fine to let people have a tiny dive bar and didn’t think much of it.

Persie, writes down what she’s saying: I see..well you really are doing wonderful, I hope to do great as well. *he looks at all his notes and looks around the bar, full of happy people and liveliness and smiles* it’s a reprieve definitely but not enough. Do you live over here as well? I heard my friend say you were the duchess but I'm not exactly sure what that means…

Onxia: -she rolls her eyes- You didn’t pay much attention in Mythic did you? The highschool division has ranks for the top six students, if they make it to senior year. I graduated number five, Duchess rank. And I live over in Sifinica, by the college.

Persie: I see. Well…I actually left at the beginning of my school year to go to Baehalan and start my training. First, I was just trying to learn about different cultures and political systems but ended up taking the profession of a diplomat…well diplomat-in-training. But that is impressive to graduate at number five! Well, you are doing a service for this community and that’s amazing. Thank you for caring. *he gets up and bows to her* I hope your bar flourishes.

Onxia: Hm..you left too huh…?

Persie: What do you mean..? Left too…?
Onxia: Nothing. If you’re done with your impromptu interview, get out. And tell that litter of racoons to stop hiding by the doors and just come in to get their damn food.

Persie giggles softly: Heh, alright, come my friend, we can leave. 

Persie and Ajii head out and indeed, they see some little raccoon ants by the door as they hide from Onxia. Persie comes over slowly.

Persie: Go inside, there is food. She will not harm you, only wants to feed you. *smiles at them*

Little Racoon Ant: She’s scary…can you get it for us mister?..

Persie: Hmmmm I'll come in with you, but you have to ask. I promise. She means well. *looks to Ajii* Wait here, I'll take them inside. *looks back at the little raccoons* Well…come on then. *waves them on*

Little Racoon Ant: -three of them hide behind Persie and two hold onto Aiji’s pants-

Aiji: -he chuckles quietly- Guess I’m coming too. -he helps them inside-

Onxia: -she looks over at them and rubs her face, there’s a small smile on her face and she’s trying to not laugh-

Persie: So….we’re back, they wanted us to come in as well haha. *looks behind him at their little faces* Come on, you gotta ask yourself…that was the deal.

Little Racoon Ant: -they fidget and hide behind him more- C..could we…get a little food..to take home..please?

Onxia: -she pulls out a deep satchel and hands it to them- That should last you a few days. Bring this back when you’re done.

Little Racoon Ant: -their faces light up and they quickly take the bag- Th-thank you Miss! Thank you! -they grab their siblings and run off-

Persie chuckles as they scamper off: Haha so young and cute…but they only do this for their families. I understand..*looks at Onxia* Thank you heh. I appreciate it. We shall be going..again heh. *leaves the bar with Ajii and then heads back to Ajii’s place.