Farce
"Kendall sends her regards." Simoya turned her head slightly.
Hesta did not respond.
Simoya stretched her long neck and looked toward the podium as well.
Tang An gave a brief introduction to the terrorist attack that had taken place that night. He showed everyone over a dozen photographs sent from the scene, most of them depicting injured civilians waiting by the roadside for rescue after the attack had ended. Hesta examined them one by one and found that none showed the truly gruesome mountains of corpses and seas of blood. She did not know whether this was deliberate, or whether the incident had happened too recently and most resources were still focused on rescuing the victims.
At the meeting, the Weihudun Interest Party and the New People's Party, the Social People's Party and the new District 12 Freedom Party argued fiercely. Hesta saw two councilors seize each other by the collar and fight their way from the back rows all the way onto their own desks. They yanked off belts, removed shoes, and used ties as garrotes, seemingly eager to beat their opponents into surrender on the spot.
Simoya had long since moved elsewhere with her laptop in her arms. Hesta cautiously surveyed her surroundings before finally sitting beside an elderly woman who looked somewhat familiar.
"We meet again," the old woman suddenly said.
"...Have we met?"
"At the Trion family's banquet." The old woman smiled. "And what should I call you?"
Hesta extended her hand. "Jane Hesta."
"You may call me Madam Floan," the old woman said unhurriedly. "My name is Irene Floan."
Hesta's gaze shifted slightly. She suddenly recalled the identity of the person before her. At that dinner, she had heard many people around her mention an "Old Irene." This must have been her.
"Pardon