"Reporter Leon this, Reporter Leon that, Marilee, why can't you be more like Leon!" says a lone woman as she stomps down a brick road.
The wrought iron lamps casting light to Marilee's scowl.
"I'll show him and stick it right up his smarmy a…," she says stumbling as she rounds the corner to the main square.
Her green eyes go wide, and her mouth hooks up. Quickly grabbing the camera from her neck, she pulls a tall figure upon the main fountain into focus. Its coat tails seem to move with the evening breeze. A glint of silver coming faintly from its silhouette.
Marilee snaps several photos, her shutter echoing in the night. Her grin growing by the second. A gust of wind blows her auburn hair into her face. As Marilee tucks her errant lock behind her ear, she glances at the fountain again.
'hiss'
"Where'd it go?" she says. A cold sweat breaks out on Marilee's back, even a wicked grin spreads upon her face.
Turning around she scurries back the way she came.
^^^
Marilee closes the door.
'Click.'
"Home Sweet home," she sighs.
Shuffling off her shoes and coat, Marilee heads towards the kitchen. Grabbing a pencil off the counter she makes a quick note on the pad. Then she tosses the pencil back on the counter and tiptoes to her room.
"Now for a hot shower," she smirks.
The sky in the south goes pink.
^^^
'Beep-a-leap'
'Beep-a-leap'
'SMACK!'
A hand darts back in a pile of blankets. Grumbles and mutters can be readily heard from said pile. Which seemingly collected itself at the head of the bed.
"It's too cold," a voice whines. Its low timber occasionally wavering to a higher pitch.
Several minutes pass as the pile shifts and shimmies to the end of the bed.
"Just a little closer…," the pile mutters.
A nest of golden locks pops out the end of the pile.
"It's 2ft to the bathroom," the nest debates, "Entirely doable… right?"
The nest indecisively sways back and forth then stills as if coming to a decision.
'Poof'
The blankets explode upward as a figure darts into the bathroom.
'Bam'
The door slammed shut. The sound of the shower starts.
Then a shriek of horror could be heard.
"Why is there no hot water!"
In a room not so far away, another pile cackles.
The sky in the south now has a sun peeking through the horizon.
^^^
"Mom has to be some type of gremlin," mutters a young man as he descends the stairs.
His green eyes glinting as a wicked grin graces his face.
"I heard revenge is best served cold," he mutters, "Ice cold."
Sweeping his blond bangs to the side, he walks to the kitchen with a skip in his step. Stopping at the sight of a pad of paper on the counter. He slowly walks over and reads.
Dear Logan,
Sorry I stayed at work all night and just got home.
So, we can't do breakfast as planned,
but I got today and the weekend off so we can have dinner.
I'll make your favorite,
Mom
Logan smiles at the note, then slowly lopes to the window. Looking at himself in the reflection he starts making faces. Settling on a bright smile Logan nods to himself. Running to the counter as he grabs an apple from a bowl.
Going to the entryway he slips on his shoes and coat. As Logan straightens his collar he attaches a three quartered shield pin to the lapel. Then taking his bag he slings it over his shoulder and heads out the door.
^^^
'Ring'
'Clap Clap'
"Alright everybody, let's settle down and begin,'' a man at a podium in a blue tailored suit announces.
"Today we are going to start in on the history of Arlington, and why it affects The Treaty of Trade and Trust, and how it pertains to our politics as of late," he introduces, drawing a three-sided symbolic shield.
'Groan'
"Mr. Trent," a boy from the back row shouts, "Can't we just have a study hall we already learned this last year in middle school."
"If that is the case Jet, then you should know the material. Would you like to come up here and summarize Arlington's history for the class?" Mr. Trent askes with a smile as sparkly as his bald head.
Jet goes pale and mumbles out a squeaky "No".
The boy next to Jet snickers.
"Alright then, I'll take that privilege and start," Mr. Trent says enthusiastically.
'Ehem'
Mr. Trent deepens his voice, "Once long long ago…"
The class chuckles.
'Here we go again' they thought.
"In the sovereign state, at the time of Sanguine, Duke Stace Arlington had converted most of his Territory into refugee camps. As The Great Plains War raged on, his resources dwindled, and he was unable to take in anymore war survivors. During this he was approached by an ambassador from a country to the west in the Occidens Ocean called Eminentia. They offered him a deal, for a set amount of money they were willing to sell all the land to the west of what is now the Tide Commerce Port.
The duke went to the reigning king of Sanguine at the time, King Claudius Lire Sanguine III. Duke Stace Arlington proposed a deal. Using three conditions and three payments for such he negotiated with Sanguine's Monarch," Mr. Trent narrates as he writes on the board.
1. A license to build a vassal state to Sanguine for 40 years
*In that time Duke Arlington would pay to retrieve all refugees of the war to the new land
2. Upon expiration of license, a recommendation letter with a seal from Sanguine, was to be sent to the Meeting of World Powers, stating that Sanguine supports the movement of Arlington to becoming an independent country
*During the time of licensure Arlington as a vassal state will provide one third of the resources from the new land to Sanguine
3. Duke Stace Arlington would be recommended as the new monarch of the vassal state turn new country
*In compensation for abdicating the title of duke, an heir would be produced for the title and for recommendation of Stace Arlington to monarch an agreement for a non-aggression pact towards Sanguine would put in place if an Arlington was present on the throne
"The king and the duke negotiated these terms which were beneficial to both, we will go over later. Duke Arlington appointed his younger brother to be his heir. Thus, Stace Arlington secured the land that we call Arlington today. Yet during this time unknown to both Eminentia and Arlington a small brigade had started taking land on the southeastern shore.
Fast forward 40 years Stace Arlington successfully became monarch at the age of 64. Then 10 years later at the age of 74, King Arlington I was of old age and ready to pass his title to his son. Yet a war between Ambidian colonists and Eminentia was ongoing. Causing trade routes through the south Meridies Ocean to be halted.
To pave a path for his son, King Arlington I found that one of Eminentia's key resources was cut off by Ambidian colonists. King Arlington, I brought together the leader of the warring factions. In short, the Treaty of Trade and Trust was made of which has been renewed every 50 years since," Mr. Trent concludes, "As the due date for the resigning of the treaty grows near, and as new light has been shed recently upon Eminentian science, tension between our nations fester. Thus, summing up the background of our political climate."
'Snore'
Mr. Trent clears his throat.
"Jet," he says.
'Bang'
Jet falls out of his seat looking around.
His deskmate points to the front snickering.
"If you need to sleep, please go to the nurse's office," Mr. Trent smiles.
Jet as if seeing a ghost, pales.
"Yes, Sir," Jet salutes, getting back in his seat.
'Clap'
"Alright," Mr. Trent grins "in light of that lesson there happens to be a peaceful protest party in the Astor Business district main square tonight. Whoever brings me a pamphlet gets extra credit or a freebie on a test!"
Murmurs of 'animal abusers' 'I need that pamphlet to pass' and 'ooh party' echo around the classroom.
'Ring'
"Alright, dismissed!"
^^^
Logan stuffs his textbooks in his bag.
'Thump'
Logan looks over his shoulder.
"Jet seriously no need to rush you'll break the desk," his deskmate, a boy with rimless glasses grunts.
"You don't get it Ben, my brain cells went from 10 to 2 in an hour, if I don't get that pamphlet I'll fail," Jet cries running out of the classroom, his large figure barely making it out the door.
Ben rolls his brown eyes then looks at Logan.
We'll meet you there he mouths then chases after Jet.
Logan waves with a grin. Slowly getting up from his seat he glances at his deskmate, a girl with coke bottle glasses who puts a book on bioluminescent plants in her bag. Logan tilts his head then shakes it and leaves the classroom.
In the corner several made up girls snap photos of Logan as he passes giggling to each other. Then turn to glare at Logan's deskmate, turning their chins up and storm out as a group. The girl in coke bottle glasses covers her face, her shoulders tense as if trying to control them.