The car ride back is a bit silent with Persius thinking a lot…a lot a lot. They get back to his dorm and they both just sit on the couch for a second.

Persie: Man…that was heavy. I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten.

Aiji: Like I said..this shit has been going on for a while. I’ve heard rumors that the Mayor of Aralan is about to start appealing to Lucid city to see if they can get any real help. They’ve given up on Parliament. I know they try to send requests to the Goddess herself but all official government requests hit Parliament first..

Persie: Ohh so that’s what’s going on. It definitely seems like things are extremely shady and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. *he looks at the time, it reads 6:30 pm* Mmmm I'm hungry, you?

Ajii is about to answer when he gets a buzz on his phone.

Aiji: -he checks his phone and it’s a message from Aeson asking if they can get dinner together and he blushes- U-um…h-hold on..

Persie makes that mischievous face: Hehe is it from…”Daddy”? Heheheeheh If you have plans it’s completely fine. I still need to talk to the goddess about all this and it’s getting a bit late. It’ll still take me about 30 minutes to get to the Ivory Sanctuary.

Aiji: -his blush deepens- shut the fuck up!...He’s the one who put his stupid name in there like that…I mean..if you’re okay with it, he is asking to take me to dinner..

Persie pushes him softly: Dude it’s fine, I’ll be fine plus I’m hungry. We were out for quite some time. I wanna know what’s cookin’ at the temple, cuz that food is delicious!! *he gets up and stretches and then hugs Ajii hard* You are a good friend and person. Don’t forget that.

Aiji: -he hugs him back just as tight- So are you…You’re doing great things, so don’t stop. Get back safe okay?

Persie: I will...I’ll text you when I get back. *he requests a zoomer and then heads downstairs almost bumping into…Aeson, they both look at each other and Persie smiles at him and says*: Don’t hurt my friend…I'll find you. *then walks down the stairs and out the door*

Persie waits for his zoomer and once it arrives, he gets in to head back to the Ivory Sanctuary. He is quiet in the car, just chilling. It’s been kind of eventful and he feels a little tired but he does want the goddess to know the severe issues that are happening in Aralan. Once he arrives back, he goes inside and straight to the throne room. It is roughly 7:10 pm and the goddess is not in the throne room currently. Hmmm, okay.

Persie goes to his room to shower before going to dinner. It’s roughly 8 pm when he finally makes it to the dining hall, and he is alone currently as the kids have eaten already. He sits at the table and sees Autumn peak out and then duck herself back in the kitchen to bring him out some food.

Persie looks at Autumn and smiles: Oh thank you Autumn! This looks wonderful. Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier…it seems I missed everyone.

Autumn: It is alright. If you wish to see the royal family, the Prince and Princess are in their playroom shrinking various snacks. The Goddess has retired to her bath, but if requested Clover can escort you there and you may have a private audience with her.

Persius thinks for a second: I would like to talk to the goddess but I also want to see the kids as well…is there a way for both? *he starts to eat and almost scarfs his food down, he didn’t realize how hungry he was* MMMMMMmmmm!

Autumn: If you see the children first and then request a private audience it can be done. The goddess may be done with her bath by that time but she will be retired to her room. If you require more to eat I will make you an after dinner snack.

Persius: Okay. I’ll do that then, it seems more efficient. Thank you Autumn.

Autumn: -she bows- Of course. I will summon Garnet and Kuro for you so they may escort you.

Persius keeps eating and then sees Kuro and Garnet appear in the room and wait by the door to the hallway that will lead him to the kids area. He finishes up, bringing his plate back to the kitchen.

Persie: Thank you, Autumn, that was just what I needed. *he leaves and then approaches Kuro and Garnet* Alright I'm ready!

Kuro and Garnet smile and bow in unison and then take him back to the night time galaxy playroom to find the kids giggling and squealing as they keep shrinking down pieces of cakes and large cookies.

Persie tries hard not to laugh as he sees them looking like little gremlins with their treats. He knocks on the edge of the door frame.

Persie: Hey you two. Hehe having fun?

Adrian: -they look up at him and smile brightly- Hi Persie! Welcome back! Did you have fun with your friend today?

Persie: Yes I did, it’s been a long day but I thought to come by and say hi before heading to say good night to your mother.

Ra: It wasn’t too long was it? You can have a piece of cake if you like?

Persie: I’m okay I promise. I just ate. Did you both have a good day? I see you using that new trick and you both seem to be doing well.

Adrian: Yeah! And I’ve been practicing so much that I can kinda walk on shadows now! It ripples a little bit…but still I’m getting the hang of it!

Persie: awesome awesome! Well I'll leave you to it. Enjoy your night both of you, okay? *he turns and Clover is right behind him* Oh shit! You scared me!

Giggles come from behind him as they laugh at his movements. 

Persie: Don’t laugh at me heh. Anyways Clover, I’m assuming you are here to take me to see The Goddess?

Clover: -she bows- Yes. Autumn informed me of your plans. The Goddess is awaiting you in her room.

Persie’s face has a slight blush on it as he follows her to The Goddess’s room: Well…uh okay cool.

Clover leads him down several different turns and hallways until they return to what seems like a never ending hallway again. They walk down it for several minutes until they stand in front of two large ornate doors. Clover knocks and announces them before opening the door. As they go in they see Aiah leaning back in her chair at a large desk covered in neat stacks of books and papers, wearing a thin white silk robe that’s falling off of her shoulders and her hair in a ponytail.

Aiah: -she smiles at them- thank you Clover, you may retire for the evening. 

Clover: -she bows- I am available should you require me again. -she bows to Persie as well and leaves-

Persie: Hello Goddess, how are you this evening? I won’t keep you for long but I just thought I'd report on some findings that I happened upon today.

Aiah: -she gets up and goes over to a sitting area and sits on a large divan. She motions for him to sit on one of the other chairs across from her- Please, show me.

Persie blushes softly and goes over to a chair across from her and takes out his journal, trying to maintain focus: Okay so I was in Aralan because my friend thought it best to really see what’s going on, and it’s horrible. *starts taking out photos* Barely functional sidewalks, potholes, broken windows, trash literally everywhere, and rusted playgrounds. Apparently, nothing has happened for months, maybe even a couple of years. And apparently, work is very hard to find over there as well, a lot of the housing programs are minimal and take forever to work through. It’s just a lot. *he speaks with so much passion in my heart* This…this isn’t right..

Aiah: -she's looking through the photos he’s taken and listening to him…and as she listens there’s a growing look of anger on her face- How dare they…hurt my people…I will send the Sisters first thing in the morning to clean up the city…They will at least have clean streets to live in… -she pauses for a moment then takes a breath and her face goes back to neutral- The next meeting is in two weeks, is that enough time to organize and be ready to state our case?

Persius looks at her and smiles with a determined look: More than ready. I will make my statement clear. They won’t get away with this Aiah.

This moment feels familiar, very familiar as they both look at each other. What….? Have we…done this before?

Aiah: -she looks deeply into his eyes and her eyes glow softly for a moment before she blinks it away- Good..good…you’ve done very well. Enjoy the rest of your night and get some rest. I will introduce you to the Sister you will take to the meeting next time. She is more equipped to keep you safe from their charms. She will be there to help you prepare your case as well.

Persie blinks too and gets his stuff together: Ummmm okay. *shakes his head and gets up* Alright, have a good night and I look forward to meeting the Sister tomorrow. We will solve this issue, I believe in that. *goes to his room and puts his journal in his nightstand drawer and then sits on the bed and just feels his feelings* A lot happened today. More than I thought. Aralan needs a lot of help! But also, the feeling just now? What was it? I know I have feelings for her, but it felt mutual for a second? Am I imagining things? He starts to take his clothes off and lay down. Oh well..i’m too tired to figure it out right now. He slowly drifts off to sleep, feeling his body slump.