"We're here!" Tyler's mother called with a grin.
Carriages and horses crowded the road, all here for the election.
New Angeles wasn't so different from Saisei, it's an idyllic town of humble shacks and lush greenery. The difference is that the streets here bloomed with colorful flags, welcoming everyone to the grand event that would unite the Three Lands Around The Lake.
"Welcome! You must be the Windows!" Tyler's family was a big name, they were rich, after all. "I'm Felix Damen. Please, let me welcome you to New Angeles," he greeted warmly with a bow.
Felix was a charming man, with a sharp, intimidating jawline but an innocent, sweet smile. His black hair mostly obscured by a hat that never left his head. He'd lead the group through New Angeles.
Tyler and his parents climbed down from the carriage; Thomas, Wilhelm, and Alexander dismounted and stepped into the busy crowd too. Food stalls lined both sides of the street. There's even enchanted books put out for trade, mostly attribute books, but they're not there for that.
The three didn't bring anything to trade, only Tyler's family did. They swapped a few ounces of iron ore for three sticks of chicken wings. It was delicious, but the three didn't care much about festival food.
"So... how does voting work?" Wilhelm asked while slapping on Tyler's shoulder.
"That'll be explained later, we're in the dark too."
"Yes! That'll be explained in roughly ten minutes from now. Let me show you to the stage!" Felix said, waving them along.
"We should've brought something," Wilhelm complained, holding his growling stomach.
"We're just here to vote and leave anyways," Thomas said. "And to report the theft to Ijichi."
"Is that him?" Alexander, new to the town, pointed at someone in the crowd. Hundreds of distinct citizens crowded the streets, yet Alexander got it right.
"How'd you know?" Tyler turned, surprised with his eyes wide.
"... Just a hunch." Alexander put down his finger, his face slightly uneasy.
"Damn good hunch," Wilhelm said.
"Let's go report the theft." Thomas picked up his pace, power-walking toward Ijichi.
"Wait up!" Wilhelm jogged after him. Alexander just walked calmly, standing out with his pink hair. Heads turned as they passed.
"Whoa."
"Is that hair... pink?"
"What—"
The unnatural pink hair was impossible to ignore.
"Mr. Ijichi." Thomas called.
Kenzaki Ijichi, the 71-year-old leader of Saisei, and now a candidate for president of the Three Lands. Despite his age, his presence radiated energy and conviction. Stoic, respected, and wealthy. He'd named the town of Saisei. When disputes arose in town, he settled them. Theft was rare in the peaceful village, but this was his responsibility too.
"Someone stole my disc." Thomas reported.
"Your... what?"
"My disc. It's like a metal plate that... when you put it in this box-thing, it plays my grandma's voice. It's her final message to me. But it was stolen yesterday, violently." Thomas pointed to his scarred cheek.
Ijichi frowned. "Okay... Did you see the thief?"
"Yes. But he was masked. We couldn't see his face."
"You can at least tell if it's a man or a woman?"
"A man."
"Hmph. Alright. I'll handle it after the election. Anything else?"
"Yes—" Tyler started to explain about Alexander, but Thomas stopped him with his hand.
"Who's this?" Ijichi noticed the tall 6 feet figure with pink hair anyways.
"A friend of mine. From this town," Thomas lied smoothly. "And no. Nothing else. Just the theft."
"Alright then."
"We'll stop bothering you now. Thank you." Thomas gave a small bow and turned away.
"Alex stays with us," Thomas muttered under his breath.
"Okay, okay... my bad," Tyler shrugged.
"It's starting," Felix was giddy. Somehow they were already in the audience, packed in front of the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen! My fellow Eucadians! Dwellers of the Three Lands! Good morning to all of you present today!" The man on stage boomed with a bright grin.
"That's Schwartz," Tyler whispered to Thomas.
James Schwartz — the man who pitched the idea of uniting the Three Lands. A towering, charismatic man, perfectly groomed, posture straight, beard immaculate.
"Today, the Three Lands will unite under one command. Together we will thrive. Together, we will support each other. We will share our strengths and mend our weaknesses. For I believe, we are stronger as one. Stronger as a unit. Stronger when we fight side by side, shoulder to shoulder, chasing the same goal."
The speech gripped the crowd. Tyler fidgeted as he hadn't even written his speech yet as a candidate.
"I welcome all voters and candidates to today's event. And I humbly thank all of you for supporting my idea and for your active participation." He bowed, and the crowd erupted in applause.
Behind Schwartz stood his right-hand man with dark green eyes, equally formal, stern-faced, his hair styled to perfection. Together, they looked unstoppable. Their presence held the crowd tight.
"I will now explain today's election process — the first of many for Eucadia, a monumental moment in our history indeed. I invite all candidates to register at the booth on my right." He gestured. "Once all candidates are registered, they'll each give their speech, then we'll pass papers to every voter. Write the name of your chosen president, fold it, and drop it in the box on my left." He gestured again.
"Let's go." Tyler's parents nudged him toward the booth.
"Bye, Tyler." Thomas waved.
"See you in, like, ten minutes." Tyler smirked and disappeared into the crowd.
"So... all that's left for us, all the way out here, is to write Tyler's name on a paper and toss it in a box?" Wilhelm deadpanned.
"Apparently."
"Amazing." Wilhelm rolled his eyes.
"Tommy." Alexander's voice cut through.
"Yeah?" Thomas raised a brow.
"Look at the man behind Schwartz. Carefully."
It was sudden, but Thomas obeyed, squinting. He followed Alexander's gaze and stared at Schwartz's vice president.
"I don't see anyth—"
Thomas's eyes went wide. The man's right hand was wrapped in bandages.
His pinky was missing.
"What?" Wilhelm blinked, confused.
"It's him... the thief."
By the time Tyler came back from registration, they were gone.
"Huh?"