Bureau of Humanity
In the district of Nexus known as Sentinel Hill, spotted over with bungalows and other small buildings over gardens and lawns, a strange scene was taking place.
"What's this?" Lady Cunégonde asked.
"I don't know Milady, but those are not normal Nexans." Flora Gesatti answered.
"No? I guess I need to ask to get my vision checked, what do your young eyes see?"
"A pair of ladies dressed in ancient styles, I've not seen the like, but by the gilded fabrics and amount of visible amethysts, garnets and sapphires, I'd say they're emissaries of Yu Shan."
"Well, I guess, as a representative of the local real estate concerns, I should go ask them about their business here." Neither of her acolytes were fooled, Cunegonde was as sharp a political operator as any alive in the city, and she stayed that way through ruthless intelligence.
"Stay there, and silent, for your betters, until spoken to." Frascata Carmina said, absentmindedly summoning a grace of her own divinity.
"Now, now, that's a little rude, you are in her territory, as these mortals apportion power." Ohanlei, Goddess of Tea interjected.
"She draws worship?"
"No, but she has been raised to speak for the concerns of those in this district, I can see the mask on her person that lets her do so, an interesting, ancient piece."
"Ancient? Compared to you or I?"
"Perhaps not to us, but more recent than your ascension to your current post, clearly."
"Somewhat impressive, you think she has something to say?"
"She was about to ask us about our business, as if she could understand it... But I would be indulgent with her, she acts out of duty, not hubris."
"You can tell that much with a glance?"
"Normally no, but she was having tea with those two." She pointed to Flora and Noura, nearby. "Mortals who imbibe tea can hardly hide things from its mistress. Especially not with a Lapis Darjeeling Cat in residence in the city."
"Oh, Chalai is in this small town?"
"How'd you know it was the mother, and not the kits?"
"Because you said cat, not kits, and the ten thousand kits are growing, but they aren't fully grown yet, you'd know this if you'd checked on them since you asked me to foster them."
"I've been so busy... and lest it spoil your appetite, this 'small town' is among the five most populous in Creation, if not the three-most."
"My, how little Hollow has grown..."
"You should see Deheshelem."
"I have, they worship me there quite intensely, whereas this place calls the grape a crop for the outskirts."
"Tea is drunk in all homes in Nexus though, and that is good enough for me. Even the small clubs that are starting, exchanging rare, tasty blends, these feed my prayer, and therefore, power."
"Have you heard?" Galla 'Great Forker' Djahili asked.
"No, what?" Kajilo "Wave of Destruction" Djenus replied.
"The boss said the 'drinkables mafia' was in town."
"Considering the boss, that's a mouthful..."
"What's he want us to do about it?"
"Precisely nothing, they're friendly with the peaches, and he's given precisely orders to start zero fights with the peach crew."
"That's odd, I reported seeing some of those Lapis Cats in town, I figured he'd want us to take action..."
"Those lil furry buggers are holy, we don't want to start wars with the holy folks, and one of them is helping with the negotiations, no fights have started on the ship yet, Trances of Vitriol and Warpstone says it's gotta be the cat's influence."
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