Building on Promise - Chapter 8 - A'mara Books

viking-ventures (69)in #writing • 5 years ago (edited)

8

In the various elections buildings, workers were slowly drifting out on their way home for the night.

Inside the elections storage building, Tirry was finishing a last-minute task. She noticed Jenna and Tle-sun come in. Jenna waddled up to her.

“Come eat with us tonight,” Jenna invited.

“Of course! The food is always excellent at your place!” Tirry replied.

Jenna waddled away. Tirry could hear Tle-sun invite Yewan as well. He accepted just as eagerly. Tirry started checking everything for the night.

“Making sure everything is secure?” Yewan asked, joining her.

“Yep. One of my duties,” Tirry replied.

“I will just double check then. I look at different things than you are likely to,” he said, walking with her.

“Thank you,” Tirry said, looking at him a moment before returning to her task.

They walked to the elections headquarters building where Tirry performed the same tasks, making sure the work stations were secure as well. Again, Yewan tagged along with her.

They left the building and Tirry stopped to lock up.

“I guess we’re headed the same direction this evening,” Yewan said, waiting with her.

“Yes, I guess we are,” Tirry said with a smile. “I always eat well at Jenna’s!”

“Do you do much cooking yourself?” he asked as they walked.

“I enjoy baking a bit more, but I don’t mind cooking in general. You’d have to ask Jenna whether it’s a similar caliber though.”

“If you enjoy it, I’m sure it’s good,” Yewan replied. “Is there anything you’re particularly good at?”

“I love to make pizzas,” Tirry said. “Did you say that we were expecting more A’mara help?”

“Yes. They’ll be here tomorrow night, just in time for the election,” he said. “I don’t know how many are coming though.”

“Then I’ll make pizza for everyone,” she volunteered.

“Sounds fun,” Yewan replied.

They arrived at the Orivesk apartment.

Jenna opened the door before Tirry and Yewan had the chance to knock. Then, she went back to the kitchen where she was cooking some pasta and meatballs with tomato sauce. Tirry hung out with her while Yewan and Tle-sun sat on the couch watching the holonews channel.

She thought briefly about how she would make Tirry share the couch with Yewan for the meal. She felt slightly devious, but knew that despite their empathic abilities, A’mara often needed a little push. After all, had Tirry not done the same for her almost three seasons ago, she wouldn’t be standing her now – married and expecting.

Jenna could hear enough of the news to know that their changes to the elections were the some of the main headlines that evening. She half-listened while she chatted with Tirry. Then there was a slight break which caught her attention.

A pretty young woman in a sparkly pink business suit reported the news from her position of comfort somewhere in Irola. She cleared her throat, took a sip of a drink and began the next story.

“On the remote island country of Gaskarii, local officials are hoping to make it three-times-lucky when the citizens take to the polls for the third time since last summer. Sandy Langle, Governor of Gaskarii in Loxos explained earlier...”

“We will be pulling out all the stops to ensure a successful election this time,” the governor said on camera.

“What are your plans? The elections are only hours away.” The male reporter put the microphone back into the governor’s face.

“All existing registrations have been canceled,” the governor began.

“That’s a drastic step, isn’t it?” the reporter interrupted.

“It seems that way, but it is the simplest and cheapest solution for a big problem. Thanks to our new A’mara residents, we will have a successful election!” she said. “After..”

“Weren’t the A’mara present for the past two attempts as well?” the reporter interrupted again. “What will they be doing differently this time?”

“For one thing, they have my support. I wasn’t in office last time,” Governor Sandy said, trying not to look too rattled. She pointed to a large print on her wall showing her shaking the hand of the new abári, several other A’mara in the shot.

“Doesn’t that make your position all the more precarious?” the reporter asked. “All positions voted in since last summer are being re-run.”

“Ah, but I succeeded the previous governor who took ill. So, I wasn’t voted in,” she replied glibly. “My position isn’t up for election until next year. Only the auxiliary governor position is being decided this election.”

“Well, whatever the means, we do hope Gaskarii enjoys success this time around.”

“Thank you,” Governor Sandy replied with a smile and a wave to her constituents.

“And now for our sports report...”

“That works,” Yewan said as he turned down the volume on the unit. “That was good thinking, Tirry,” he called towards the kitchen.

Tirry turned and smiled. “I missed that.”

“The picture you took of us with the Governor was on the news just now – she was using it exactly as expected, to show our unity. It was very smart to think of that!” Yewan praised her again.

“Thanks,” she said.

Jenna could see how Yewan’s praise warmed her friend. Maybe there was hope.

“A rather incomplete report,” Tle-sun observed. “The reporter never did get back to what our plans are – nor the fact that the people aren’t completely happy with this change.”

“Maybe the purpose was to highlight us – as A’mara,” Jenna speculated from the kitchen. “Maybe they want an excuse to blame us if things go wrong again. Blame the ones that don’t prevent catastrophe rather than the ones who cause it.”

“It is always good to read between the lines – and this seems to be an extra reason to be cautious,” Yewan replied.

“We should have no doubt that those who messed up the elections previously still intend to thwart the freedom of Gaskarii citizens,” Tle-sun added as he went to help serve up the meal. He put Jenna’s tray next to one of the armchairs and his tray on the other, leaving the couch for Tirry and Yewan.

Jenna watched Tirry sit carefully, making sure not to bump into the man next to her. It almost made her feel bad that they’d put her in that position, but she and Tle-sun were both confident that all Yewan needed was to absorb the poorly-guarded, and growing emotions from the woman as they worked and relaxed together. Tle-sun had already told her about the way Yewan was becoming distracted by Tirry and uncharacteristically preoccupied. Still, Yewan seemed to rein in his feelings and keep them walled off from everyone. It made him a good abári, but Jenna felt he needed to become just a little more human.

NEXT CHAPTER

Other Chapters of this set

Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Building on Promise - Chapter 1

Maps and Guides

continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
continent of Almara (five maps)
countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
characters, pronunciation and glossary

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Lori Svensen
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