Chapter 3

The drive was short, 5 minutes maximum. Wheeler had already made his way to his quarters, and now Ahmya led Milage through the halls of the council, speaking on various historical artifacts along the way. It was, in fact, just as chaotic as the city, however. Variously oddly dressed people hurled crude ideas, with no poise, across chambers, attempting to make their ideas the loudest and only ones in the oval. Ahmya skipped past the chambers relatively quickly, and into the next hallway where most artifacts awaited. 

"Ah, and this, yes, this" Ahmya said, pointing towards a painting. It depicted several men, wearing primitive clothing upon horses and wielding bows and old hunting rifles, attack the mythical beastess Lyonial ( One of the lesser nature spirits.) 

"As you already know، our people were outsiders from the moment of our birth. It was a struggle to survive for years in what is now FoundCity." 

Milage took the painting in. Although not incredible from an artistic view point, she could admire the detail given to it. However, it did spur a question within her.

"I do wonder Ahmya, on the topic, what did your kind do before the advent of firearms? The beasts of the Western Continents were not easily dealt with using weaving, and essentially invulnerable to bows and swords." 

The question hung in the air for a few moments. 

"Not much, Lady Sania. As in, we don't know what we did. Whatever it was, it kept us alive. We weren't writing anything down." She responded. Not the reply Milage was hoping for, though. 

"So it did." She said. 

Either content with the level of history she had delved today, or wishing to change the topic, Ahmya began to walk down the hall, towards the living quarters. 

"Your room during your stay will be right at the end of the hall." She said, leading her to a plain door, with the symbols 034 laid into the frame in a silver gild. 

"Three meals a day, starting at 8AM for breakfast, 11 AM for lunch, and 5 PM for dinner. You have the option to attend the dinner meeting every day with the Councilors, but your other meals will be bring to your room." 

"And that's to keep us from interacting?" 

"In a way. President Grant doesn't want any tensions to build up over your stay, and the Councilors are an easy to rile bunch. Traditionally dinner for them is when things are more cordial, after most of the decisions have been made." 

Ahmya opened the door, and they walked in. It was lavishly furnished, with smooth red sheets adorning the bed, and a beige carpet covering the floor. The walls were painted a royal yellow, and the space was littered with trinkets. Various paintings hung on the wall, and in the corner a strange, boxy mirror sat on top of a nightstand. 

Ahmya must have caught on to her confused expression. 

"Ah, yes. That's the television. You, of course, have free access to it whenever you please, if it pleases you at all." 

"The television? And what does it do?" She asked, making her way towards it. 

"Oh, uh. It sorta is for entertainment. You can watch movies, or uh, TV shows. Anime, if that's your thing. Maybe the news. President Grant figured it was a great way to expose you to our culture. All the channels are available." 

"Channels? Anime? Movies? Is this an attempt to distract me from my duties here?" 

"Ah, uh, no ma'am, of course not. Channels are like, um, selections. You can choose what you want, and everything is genres, like the type of what your watching." 

"And what purpose do they serve? Just entertainment?"

"Yeah, they pass the time. Some of them are more beneficial than others, though. Here, I'll get you started." She said, picking up a long rectangle. After tapping on it, the mirror suddenly began emitting light, in the way of a painting. Then the painting began to move. It was like a dreamcast. It was fascinating. 

"It's a little overwhelming, I must say." 

Ahmya laughed. 

"Just be glad I vetoed the whole Internet thing."

"The Internet?" 

"Another time, Lady Sania. For now I should be wrapping up, it is getting late." She said. 

Milage looked towards the large window of the room. Through the blinds, she could make out the golden blue hue of the sky. 

"Indeed. I could use some time to think." 

"Of course," she said, handing her the remote and working her through what each 'button' did. Afterwards, she began to bid her farewell. 

"Ah, one more thing Lady Sania. Being the, uh, unique circumstances of your visit, you will be assigned a constant security detail. Both for your safety, and ours." 

Now sitting on the bed, she replied. 

"Of course, can't let me exist freely here. After all, I was in handcuffs for half the rotor ride." 

"Yes, ma'am, I am glad you understand. You've already met the team lead for the delegate security detail, Captain Wheeler." Ahmya said, wincing to anticipate the response. 

"That man is the head of my security detail? If the calibre of your foot soldiers were in any shape similar to his we might have won this conflict." Milage said. Just as she thought she could have the evening to herself. 

"Look, I promise, to you, you'll barely know he's there. Tomorrow more clear guidelines for your visit will be made." 

"So be it." 

"Before I go, dinner tonight will be served to your room. Do you have any particular tastes. We can accommodate most requests." 

"Anything will suffice. Thank you." She responded. 

"Of course, Lady Sania." Ahmya said, cordially bowing as she closed the door.