Lexi and Taru sit among them in the gallery beside the aisle that ends behind the pleaders’ altar. Thus far they’ve sat through a petition to have new sky carriage tracks diverted through Division Seven, whose pleader claimed its residents are suffering from a lack of conveyance and jobs, and a border dispute between Divisions Five and Six over a supposed “conspiracy” by the former to funnel its waste into the latter’s streets and alleys.

For the last ten minutes, the Waterfront Division’s pleader has been arguing against the proposed replacement of the arch that’s served as the gateway to the docks for centuries. Though the commerce of the docks fuels the Bottoms, the docks themselves are considered a separate entity entirely, because those who secretly control the docks don’t want their concerns attached to those of the poor who dwell there. Thus they have their own pleader from a much larger and more influential Gen than Lexi’s humble joining of two kith-kins.

Finally, the floor’s page announces Gen Stalbraid, representing the Ninth Division of the Capitol. There’s a brief murmuring from the galleries at that, and not just from residents of the Bottoms who’ve been without their pleader for four months. News of Brio’s disappearance has become citywide gossip, particularly after the attack on his house and wife by unknown assassins.

That murmuring becomes a resounding wave of shock and confusion as Lexi stands and approaches the pleading altar. The surprise of the denizens from the Bottoms quickly turns to applause as they recognize the woman who has begun bringing them food and offering them aid and comfort almost every day.

Though Taru is unarmed, forced to relinquish their weapons to Spectrum Aegins, the retainer tenses against the stone bench as they watch Lexi walk alone. The approbation of the crowd seems to do nothing to outwardly soothe their nerves. Taru’s every impulse is no doubt to stay by Lexi’s side, especially in the midst of all these unknown people.

Lexi carries a bundle of scrolls with her as she takes her place on the pleading floor. As she does, she notices Councilwoman Burr, the fiery Ignoble from the Gen Franchise Council, seated among the galleries, watching the proceedings with a stony and unreadable expression mortared on her face.

Lexi finds her presence curious, but quickly forces the questions surrounding it from her head. The matter at hand is dire, and the stand Lexi is about to take will either be her first or her last. She must put all of herself into it.

The Senior Arbiter’s name is Tang, and Lexi has hosted him half a dozen times at official functions. Lexi knows him to be an intelligent, fairly boring man who abhors pointless small talk and who only smiles with a touch of resentment.