Snippet #1328300

"...There is no reason for us to continue these charades with anti-trust movements. If they make money for us, it will leave our economy untouched and going through all this trouble will just drain our resources. Resources that we don't have." The oily mustached senator said. The room rumbled, an undercurrent of agreement running like an electric current. Near the back of the room, a brown-haired youth's eye brows knitted together. The man continued. "It is only natural people are frustrated. They don't understand the hard work it takes to run a company such as their own. I believe they are acting simply like spoiled children. It is for the good of the city!"

The young man wore clean, thick attire today. His hair remained as untidy as usual, and around his shoulders was a fur coat latched across his upper torso by a chain. His epieu remained at his side, and hidden from view was a small flask. He sat leaning forward, with deep green eyes that gave off a soothing sensation. His skin was slightly grayed, but only his face was revealed. His body was heavily clothed, his hands were gloved.

Heads turned as the sound of tapping against wood was heard. The youth raised his hand from the table. "What is it this time, Lord Taylor?" The speaker said with contained distaste. These men were not stupid. They knew how to act, how to compose themselves.

"I politely disagree with your way of thinking, Baron Schwerer. I believe that their wages are too small to benefit our economy. You must see that because the people spend, the economy drives. When we deny our working class a good, steady income we ultimately lose out." Caelin replied. The man nodded stiffly. "Just as well, discontinuing our efforts to bust trust abusers will provide the same result. We are giving these company leaders a monopoly over their trade. They'll drive prices up so high our people who cannot afford these items will simply make do without them. Competition is what keeps the buyers coming back."

"Lord Taylor, you speak with such assurance, yet your family monopolizes the chemical factories! Should I suspect you to be a hypocrite?" The Baron interrupted.

"That is not-"

Suddenly, a courier came in and announced the presence of the Queen and Princess. Cut off mid-sentence, Caelin fell silent as the Queen entered the chambers, taking a seat with her daughter. She looked as strong as ever. He originally had suspicions that the Queen was ailing due to her unusually thin stature. Little did the lord know, the clothes hid her symptoms. Just as his clothes hid his own. He bowed respectfully, awaiting their seating before sitting down himself.

Turning back to the Baron, he cleared his throat. "That is not true, Lord Schwerer. I have maintained that I would keep prices the same, adjusting it as I see necessary. I have treated my workers well, and I am perfectly willing to-"

A hand slammed to the desk. A caped Count stood up. "I've had enough. You are avoiding the question, Lord Taylor. You still admit to owning a vast majority of the chemical companies, no matter how well you sugar coat your words. Your youth blinds you." He accused.

The fur-coated noble took the criticism calmly, his deep green eyes implying nothing but a soothing composure. "It is pride that blinds, milord." He replied. The Count's face remained impassive, though a spark flickered in his eyes. Ignoring this, Caelin continued. "By paying our laborers better, we ensure we have a loyal workforce. Starving as they are, they wouldn't mind simply just all leaving on strike. That would be disastrous for us. I have been to Delta. I fear that we push them too far."

"Yes, Lord Taylor, we know. You, and probably only you have been to the slums known as Delta. Why? To be ridiculed? You gain nothing from that experience, save perhaps illness. You only see them as the ungrateful savages they are. Gamma is only slightly better." An annoyed Baron retorted.

Caelin knew he was losing. This was nothing new- he lost all the time. He quietly receded from the fight. The tension suddenly eased, and the majority agreed that they would finish up this topic at a later date. For now, he had been able to stop the dissolving of the Trust breakers. Perhaps the market will become free now for aspiring large business owners.

His hand slipped silently to his chest, resisting the urge to clear his lungs. His hands shook as he replaced them on the table. It seemed colder than usual out. He wanted to calm his nerves and afflicted body by taking a drink out of the flask, but that was impolite and would only serve to undermine his reputation even more. The medicine had done extremely well in halting his symptoms and slowing the wasting of his body. The illness moved like molasses now- slow, steady, but easily maintained and monitored. As he focused back to the topic of discussion, his heart lurched as they started getting into civil rights and what to do with people like the Magi.