Chapter 95: I know A Place.

Inside the city hall… there was a meeting room. A literal roundtable sat within. Surrounding which, were a number of chairs. Each occupied. Before each, was a simple placard, announcing who they represented.

The two residential districts, headed by each district’s resident Landowner’s Association President. A single representative for the Suburban district, the head of the Homeowner’s Association. A single representative for the Agriculture District, who was the head of the Farmer’s Collective.

Then there was the Craftsmen Guild head, representing the Industrial District, The Dock Worker’s Union, representing the Port District, then came the head of the Merchant’s Association which represented the Commercial District, The Upper District was represented by a proxy that represented the elites’ desires. The Lower District was represented by the head of the Wizard Gang.

And finally… Representing the city as a whole, acting as the interim Mayor, was the Purgatory police chief.

Each of them felt differently about this current meeting. At the center of the table, under their gazes, a single platinum coin hovered in the air.

The Residential District reps were both older men, with wildly different tastes. One was wearing ill-fitting attire and far too much jewelry to be taken seriously. Even having a jeweled cane at his side. The other, was simply a typical older gentleman with hardly a single defining feature.

The HOA president, was an older woman with a permanent scowl on her face. The Craftsmen Guild head was a bald, muscular man with a wild beard on his face. He was wearing his best suit, which was a mix of old, worn, and ill-fitting. It strained against his muscular body, only emphasizing his large, stocky frame.

The head of the Dock Workers union wore a sharp suit, his hair slicked back, a single gold signet ring on his finger. The Farmer’s Collective was wearing his Sunday best. A fine, but older styled suit. His hair combed, his face recently shaven, but even then, there was light stubble on his face.

The rep for the Merchant’s Association though, was an odd figure. A gold scaled suit was what he wore, his skin tanned, his hair platinum as if bleached, a single ear pierced with a stud. His fingers were covered in gold rings. A confident smirk that exposed glimmering teeth that begged someone to punch it off.

Representing the Lower District, was a young man, his feet kicked up. He wore a long black cloak, his eyes shut. Clearly sleeping through the proceedings. As for the proxy of the Upper District, a dapper old man, wearing a fine suit and bowtie, and a styled mustache. He had his eyes shut as well, his head lowered, his hands clasped before him in wait.

The final member, the police rep, looked awfully young. Her uniform fit her perfectly, but she almost had to stand in her seat to be seen.

As of right now, the chief was seething. “It’s been almost a week, and we still don’t have a resolution!” She said. “With the state of the city as it is, we need to use the coin to create an Academy District. That way, we can get actual professionals to replenish our lost forces.”

“I disagree.” The head of the Craftsmen guild said. “We need a mine. If we don’t get more materials we won’t be able to work.”

“I agree with him too…” The farmer spoke up. “Not that I disagree with you, but… we don’t really need an academy. We just need better, cheaper equipment that we don’t have to keep bringing in from abroad.”

“I’m in agreement as well.” The head of the union said. “As it is, we can’t take in any more ships. If we had a mine, we could move more goods and make more money. A win-win.”

“I for one, think an Academy District would be a good thing.” The head of the HoA said. “We need more officers to keep the peace, or the whole city will go to hell. Not only that, but there is no way I’m allowing an Entertainment district!”

At her words, the Merchant rep sent her a smile. “Well now Karen, that’s quite a strong opinion you have there. Don’t you think an entertainment district would be a good addition to our fine city? Just think of all those jobs and the money that would flow in.”

Both of the residential reps spoke up in agreement. All the while the HoA rep scowled.

“And what of you?” The chief asks the proxy.

“The council will remain neutral at this time. We benefit regardless of the decision made.”

The chief scowled.

“Hear that Themis? Honestly, an academy would be such a waste. The people need entertainment, don’t you see that?” The Merchant rep said with a disarming smile.

“Shut the hell up Lucre. Don’t think for a second that I don’t know what you intend. The moment that district goes up, you and your gang will move in and take control.” Themis replies back with prejudice. “Surely the council agrees? Surely even you must realize giving a snake like Lucre any ground is a mistake!?” She said, directing her attention to the Upper District proxy.

“They are unconcerned.” Was all he said, completely unbothered by the ongoing scrum.

“You mean, they think they have this man under control, right? You realize how wrong you are, don’t you? Do you really think you can leash him?” Themis countered.

The old man simply did not respond.

“And what about you two? Surely we need more officers, what about your tenants?” Themis, the police chief asked the residential reps.

“What do we care? An Entertainment district would directly improve the value of our properties.” The utterly normal residential representative said.

“Why would we care about them?” The other decked out one said. “They give us money, or they get the boot, ya hear?”

His words further incensed Themis. They needed a majority to vote on the proposal. Normally, they could reach a resolution before the week’s end, but this time… Her eyes shift to Lucre, smugly looking at her.

This time, she’d lost a lot of officers and at the same time, a lot of pull. She already knew what was going on, Taylor had informed her. Lucre had gone around and promised the landowner’s personal protection. He had even reached out to the Union head, but apparently, it didn’t quite work out. A small saving grace in an otherwise untenable position.

It did little to break the gridlock they found themselves in. Especially with Lucre sitting at the table, constantly smirking. As if he knew she’d cave. She wanted nothing more than to declare him a criminal, to tear him to shreds, only…

She needed evidence. Concrete evidence for her magic to work. Otherwise, she was bound to oaths that she had to uphold. Oaths that bastard was now taking full advantage of. If this kept up, she would eventually have to capitulate.

The longer the coin went unspent, the more likely something would go wrong. After all, Platinum coins were worth a lot and somebody would make a go for it eventually. From within the city, or from outside the city…

Which meant, despite every fibre of her being disagreeing, she knew, that eventually she would have to side with one of them. Personally, she wouldn’t mind a mine, but there was no way it would get chosen next. Not when Lucre had a chance to further his own position.

As the seconds ticked closer to the meetings end. Closer to when Themis had to finally surrender… A variable made itself known.

“Are we really still doing this?” The representative of the Lower District, the head of the Wizard Gang, spoke up petulantly. “It’s been a whole week, and all you guys have been doing is yapping away. Can’t you just decide already? I have better things to do.” He said with a yawn and a stretch. The sound of his chair legs impacting the marble floor, especially loud in the confined space.

“Really now, then what’s your offer? And don’t think I forgot how you nuked the city, very nearly killing my personal guard! You’re lucky I have better things to do then seek you out for redress.” Themis barked, but the Lower District rep could have cared less.

“Please, that floating castle was just calling to me! I mean, didn’t you see it!?” He said, his eyes wide, glistening with unstable energy. “For what reason do I have this power, then to use it!” He announced, as if he was preaching on a pulpit.

“Honored brother, perhaps you should give a recommendation then? Maybe then we could get out of this stalemate.” From behind him, a younger woman spoke, specifically, his younger sister. Also, the one that actually ran the Wizard Gang.

“Ah, that might be a good idea Sue. Well, Mm… Let’s see…” He thinks for a moment then snaps his finger.

“I got it! A beach! Let’s do that! Then when summer comes, I can see all those babes in bikinis!” He announces his desire in plain view, earning a few tired sighs. Though, shockingly…

“I wouldn’t be opposed honestly. A beach sounds lovely.” Karen said.

“Beachfront property would really boost up the value!” The decked out residential rep said, the other agreed.

“A beach sounds nice as well, if the sea gets expanded with it, we might be able to open a few more shipping lanes.” The union head said and with it, everyone began to side with this ludicrous idea. Even Lucre was taken aback, but…

“The council would have to disagree here. A beach lacks economic value.” The Proxy said coldly. Those words alone created another shift and a round of discussion. They all discussed options, how a beach would work, and what they could choose instead.

Inevitably… “How about a boardwalk?” Sue said, the Wizard Gang Leader’s younger sister. The moment she spoke, all opposition went quiet. The details of what the boardwalk would bring were displayed at the center of the table, via a projected image.

A boardwalk had a little of everything. New businesses for Lucre and others to fight over. A beach that would need to be manned by lifeguards, and would require a coastguard, which would naturally fall under the police’s control. The boardwalk would also have additional ports for shipping vessels or small vessels, allowing the port to free up shipping lanes, on top of the additional ocean. Craftsmen guild stands to benefit, as well as the farmers with the reduced stress on importing.

It really was the ultimate choice. Nobody lost. Noting all this, Lucre couldn’t help but frown. Then again, it wasn’t like he planned to suddenly overtake Themis and the police. After all, she still had her uses. More importantly, a dead and dying tiger, was still, a tiger.

In the end, everyone agreed. The coin, sensing that everyone had come to a decision, began to light up, sending a beacon of light that pierced into the sky, and bathed the city in light. The entire city then began to shift. The shift was subtle, only the most attuned could feel it. The city growing, shifting, changing as if a living thing. Where there was nothing, something began to grow. Buildings appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. On the horizon, an ocean was slowly painted into being.

Buildings, dark, slowly began to light up and hum with life. It didn’t take very long for the district to finish. During which, the meeting broke up. Everyone, exhausted after a week’s worth of arguing, was eager to get back home, and moreso, prep for what it meant to add a new district.

With it all, only one person was truly happy with the decision. “See sis? I just needed to speak up and the meeting would end.”

“I never doubted you for a second, honored brother.”

“Of course not! I almost can’t wait for summer!” He announced.

“I’m sure you can’t.” The pair walked off, towards the lower district. One completely uncaring for the waves created on a selfish wish, the other, already preparing for the coming chaos.