The rest of the trip is pretty chill with Persius and Diamond making idle chatter about different topics and him figuring out what Diamond likes to do or eat or if she sleeps as well. Diamond easily answers all of his questions, her demeanor is almost the same as most of the Sisters but she has a slightly more forward and matter of fact kind of attitude. After two hours she signals him that they were approaching their destination. Persius looks out the carriage window to see the incredibly stark opposite of Aralan. Opirea was filled with many gilded high rise buildings, beautiful and well manicured flora and parks, bustling boutiques and store fronts, and perfectly smooth streets and sidewalks. There were plenty of people walking around with children happily and safely playing, and the vast majority of the people walking around here were all mages. Opirea and Aralan were completely night and day compared to each other.

Persie hops out of the carriage and looks around, he pulls out his journal and takes photos without anyone noticing: Wow, this place is…insanely different from Aralan. *Persie walks a bit with Diamond by his side*: So where to first?

Diamond: I will lead you to the city center where the largest community park has been built. Along the way you may stop into any of the local stores. Many establishments on the outer ring here have non-mage workers.

Persie: Hmm alright. Sounds good. 

They start walking and there are quite a few boutiques and Persie picks one that sells tailored clothing, it’s very high-quality and there are barely any non-mages unless they are checking someone out and it’s really just two throughout this entire store. Persie walks in and is immediately greeted by a tall peacock ant.

Balian: Well hello hello, my name is Balian. How can I assist you today?

Persie looks and smiles: Nice to meet you Balian, I am just looking around. But I also wanted to know if you had a few moments to maybe answer some questions, nothing bad.

Balian: Of course, absolutely. I’m happy to answer whatever questions you have.

Persie nods: Okay so *takes his book out to start writing any answers* What do you like about Opirea? *smiles very casually*

Balian: -he stands up straighter and his tail feathers ruffle- Oh an interview~? Lovely. I enjoy the lovely scenery and safe neighborhoods.

Persie: Can you tell me more details? Like certain parks you like? Certain areas that are wonderful? Certain shops outside of the one you work in? Different eateries?

Balian: Well the neighborhood I live in is closer to the outer ring but it’s been updated recently and it’s a wonderful place to raise a family. Oh and the new park that’s been installed in the city center is just breathtaking. It’s a lovely mix between a playground and a botanical garden. And there’s several lovely cafes all around, I don't think I can pick just one. All the food in Opirea is divine.

Persie writes everything down: Wonderful, now my lovely peacock friend…what don’t you like? I see there are mostly mages around and yet you said you live here but towards the outer ring? I wonder my friend, why are there mostly…mages? 

Balian: -his eyes flicker around to look at the other patrons that are glancing at them and he looks a bit nervous- Heh it’s just the majority of the population here that’s all. People live where they want to live I suppose. I-I just started my shop so living more towards the center is a bit out of budget for now. But even on the outer ring it’s very very comfortable..

Persie: Ah I see. I guess people gather where they are most…comfortable. I guess many such as yourself, another…Ant, wouldn’t be as comfortable even though you have beautiful parks and wonderful eateries? Why would other ants not be comfortable? Would you say that a non-mage or elven person could walk the streets right outside your shop and not be bothered? *persie’s eyes flicker and his words carry heaviness that pierces through to the peacock’s brain* Why are there no ants here who live in the center?

Balian: That..that is a very serious…critique…M-My business partner and I are just fine walking around the streets with all of these lovely people..I..I believe this interview is over. Have a good day. -he quickly turns away from him and goes to the back counter-

Diamond: It seems you pushed too hard too fast. Let us head to our next destination.

Persie sighs and leaves: Alright no worries. *he goes to keep walking with Diamond, once out of the shop* I did…but he’s a peacock…they are an ant but peacocks are highly pretentious because of their beauty and image. Not the best to ask these sorts of questions, although I’m noticing it may be difficult to ask. Probably because they want to keep their jobs…makes sense. I hope I didn’t cause too many issues…

Diamond: Though no official reports have ever been made, there are known rumors that certain establishments can be shut down if the majority population feels it does not add to its stellar reputation. This information comes from my Sisters' discreet investigation of the area over the last several years.

Persie: Hmmm okay…it makes sense but also that’s just a lot to go through. Constant scrutiny? No wonder my friend doesn’t come back home…*they approach the park and it’s beautiful*

Beautiful statues with pooling fountains with lily pads in it. The gardens around are gorgeous and very well manicured, it’s like if you could have a celestial garden out of the clouds and on the ground, it was absolutely stunning. Persie walked around and admired the architecture, the lack of trash, the brilliant stone.

Persie: This park must’ve cost a fortune.

???: Aha yes it did. It cost quite a bit but all of this was absolutely worth it. Don’t you think it’s deserved even?

A man comes over in a black tailored suit with a monocle to greet him, his voice seems rich as if he has been a spokesman or a politician for a long time…He is neither though: My company builds the parks in Opirea and this one was one of our best works. Oh I apologize, my name is Cornelius Greenweld. Pleased to see another of us admiring this project. It just got done recently.

Persie keeps a neutral but pleasant face: Ah pleased to meet you as well. My name is Persius. It is quite beautiful, especially this kind of stone, it’s hard to procure isn’t it?

Mr. Greenweld looks amused from the observation: Why, yes it is. It’s imported from caves in Istrelar and costs quite a penny. Are you interested in architecture or groundworks? If you are looking to build something, please let me know. A fine man like yourself must want to build a house for a wife one day hahaha.

Persie cringes but keeps it together: Hah ah…yes perhaps. Do you have a business card?

Mr. Greenweld makes a slight flick of his hand and one appears right in the center. He gives it to Persie, who takes it and puts it in his journal quickly. 

Persie: Thank you so much for this. Well I should be taking my leav-

Mr. Greenweld puts a hand on Persius’ shoulder: Nonsense dear boy, please come with me to lunch at the nearby cafe, they have wonderful food and atmosphere. I’m meeting some more of my friends there.

Persie looks uncomfortable: Actually, I am not sure if I have the time-

Mr. Greenweld’s guards block off a path as he puts an arm around Persie’s neck and starts walking him along: I won’t hear it. Someone like you definitely has time! Come come!

Persie is now led to this cafe and he is frantic in his mind. Diamond! Help!!

Diamond: -she is in front of them in an instant and holds her hand up to signal them to stop- Excuse me. Please unhand my Master before I take your actions as a threat against his safety. I will only ask this once.

Mr. Greenweld looks and scoffs: Pfft, out of my way golem, your Master and I are just going to the cafe, maybe talk business, no harm.

Diamond: I answer only to my Master. -she looks up at Persie, a knowing look in her eyes- Do you wish to go, Master?

Persie pauses for just a second and then straightens up: Yes, golem…I would like to go and see what Mr. Greenweld would like to discuss plus I heard this cafe has excellent pastries and I would like to try them. 

Mr. Greenweld smiles deeply: Wonderful chap! Then let us go forth. *he let’s Persie go and they both start towards the cafe*

Persie looks at Diamond with a look of apology and as they enter, it is an extremely lavish cafe, filled with only mages. The only non-mage is a half-ant/half mage that works as a baker’s assistant in the back but they are barely seen at all. Persie looks around and there are beautiful light spring green cushions and beautifully carved light brown tables all around. The service center has some of the best looking pastries with cute faces on them and some have wonderful fruits. Persie looks amazed, perplexed but also a bit…sad by how beautiful things are here but aren’t the same at all in Aralan. He feels so many eyes on him, as people look at him, murmurs flow.

“Oh what a pretty young man, is he taken?” “Oh, I would love to have him as a caller.” “Oh Mr. Greenweld already got to him perhaps…such a tragedy.”

Persie feels so nervous that his palms are sweating but he breathes a bit as he approaches a table with three other mages, two women and another man.

Mr. Greenweld: Hello my friends! Sorry I’m late but I saw this wonderful young man and invited him to our little gathering.

The man with dark hair and purple eyes, smiles so sweetly: Oh Cornelius, he’s absolutely gorgeous! What beautiful skin you have, and you smell so ripe? Mmmm tell me, my dear, are you taken? *his voice carries the scent of persuasion but Diamond’s anti-charm works and Persie is not affected*

Persie: Well I-

Mr. Greenweld: Calm yourself, Philonias, we don’t want to scare him too much. 

Philonias: Oh pooo, you always want to do things differently. I just say snatch them ahhaa.

They all laugh. Persie feels he’s in a nightmare but he steadies himself and sits. Snatch them? He thinks in his mind. Are they some of those people the driver was talking about in Aralan? He tries hard to steady himself, but it’s like being in a den of cobras. He looks around the room for a quick second to try and spot any exits while also keeping up conversation.

Persie: Haha…thanks for inviting me here. 

The woman with deep red hair and lipstick to match grins at him: You really do always find the most amazing specimens Cornelius. I knew coming to you was a great idea.

Persie looks at Mr. Greenweld who is looking at him, and his smile isn’t hitting his eyes: I do wonder what you wanted to discuss, sir.

Mr. Greenweld chuckles: Well, I have been looking for a sort of…person who could possibly help with a slight dilemma we’ve been experiencing.

Persie, looks around at all the beauty: What sort of problem?

Mr. Greenweld: Why, the birth rate of course.

Persie looks shocked…and a bit disgusted: And what exactly would you need from this person?

The woman with a pink bun and pearls giggles at him: Why to be a stud of course. -she looks at the woman with red hair- Scarlett, he's so cute, I think he’d be perfect for me~.

Scarlett: I told you I’d find someone perfect for you Valentine. Cornelious never disappoints. You’re one of the few Nesryn without a child, I can’t let that kind of reputation happen to my favorite baby cousin.

Persie: Wait wait, hold on a second. I agreed to nothing. I was just by the fountain outside and then I get pulled in and asked to stud myself out. I do apologize and good luck with finding a sperm donor. *gets up to leave but Mr. Greenweld puts his cane handle on his arm*

Mr. Greenweld: Oh don’t be rash…Persius…we just want to offer a wonderful opportunity, the amount of money you could make with your looks and once we know your root-

Persie’s voice is dark and some of the magic pulses from his hand: I said…no. *he is firm and the frustration reaches his voice*

Mr. Greenweld frowns but takes his cane off: Fine…you may leave.

Persie leaves quickly, and it’s almost like all of the mages look at him as he leaves in almost a weird manner, like they were all in on it. Ewww ewww ewww. Diamond is right outside and he walks off with her to a more secluded part.

Persie: Oh fuck oh fuck! That was so gross. *he tries not to vomit, steadying himself on one of the light poles* That was absolutely horrible. Okay ummm, where else are we going? I just want to get away from that cafe. All those people, and none of them thought it was wrong. What’s wrong with this place??

Diamond: A new trend has arisen in the last decade of finding mages that fit certain criteria to help high ranking families continue their lines.

Persie: When we get back home, I need a full bath because UGH! Gross…I feel disgusting, I didn’t even feel…like a person and of course I wouldn't if they knew but even with them believing I was a mage, they felt that entitled to straight up call me a stud. It almost felt like I didn’t even have a choice…what kind of bullshit. Ugh. Alright, what’s next though? We can still keep going..

Diamond: There is a prestigious private school not far from here. We may go past and survey the area so you may get a grasp of student life. After that destination I suggest it is time we left. I believe your safety has been compromised in this province if we stay for too much longer.

Persie: Okay You are right. I feel too many eyes and I can’t see anyone. 

They start towards the private school and see neatly tailored school uniforms, all mages. The school is beautiful, clean walls, wiped glass. It’s a huge school too. They even have full soccer fields and football fields. 

Persie: Wow, it doesn’t compare to Mythic but I've never seen a school this big outside of that one.

Diamond: In Aralan, the largest school they have is barely a fifth of the size of Eilidh Preparatory School.

Persie: I’m glad these kids have a school but that means Aralan barely has the functionality and money to even have enough seats for children which means a lot of kids aren’t getting a proper education. *Persie pulls out his journal to take photos of the building and fields, but not the students* Hmmm this is good to know. I won’t talk to the kids though, I don’t want to compromise children or come into contact with anymore weirdos like what just happened. I think we can leave now, Diamond. Are you ready or is there anything else that we need to do?

Diamond: I believe you have gathered sufficient evidence for your case. I would advise that we leave promptly. My anti charm has been activated since the cafe, therefore the threat level of this area has exceeded what I will allow. -she snaps her fingers and the carriage comes around the corner to pick them up as if it had been following them this whole time- Let us return to the temple.