Novan basked in the applause. People clapped and cheered, so many supported his ideas. Terra was beaming with pride behind him. He could hear loud conversations from all around him of people who were boasting what they would do with their new powers.

But some disagreed. He could see them. The Terrismen. They were very withdrawn most of the time and didn't like to get involved in city politics. They stuck to themselves, except when they were demanding more welfare for their people. They would joke and dance around any point rather than engaging.

They sat there, stony faced, silent, not joining the celebrations. They were not so happy with these developments. He had to convince them too though. They needed terris babies too in their factories.

He waited for the talk to die down. He looked at the leader of the Terrisman. He sat there, in a gold and red cloak, long hair flowing down his sides, staring back up at Novan. Lord Vinyl was his name. He was one of the biggest miners in the world. Incredibly wealthy, incredibly influential. An aluminium tapper. He could store his identity in an aluminium metal mind and then tap it during debates. He then had more presence and willpower and could impose his will on any weaker minded person. It was a powerful ability, but it might give him a way in.

"Lord Vinyl. What do you think of my plan?"

The man waved his hand dismissively. "We Terris have no intention of letting our way of life be spoiled by you. We will not comply." Avoiding the question, avoiding the politics.

"What of your way of life would be spoiled by this?"

"The way we do things in our land."

"How do you do things?"

"Well, you know when you're fishing? It's like that. We do it our way. Not yours."

"How do you do fishing differently?"

"We fish creatively."

"How does one fish creatively?"

"Well, it's like, you go out of the city, feel the wind on your skin, the rush of water beneath your rod..." Lord Vinyl paused and flicked his hand up. "It's beautiful."

"We don't exactly fish in the middle of Spook square."

"Yes, but it's different."

"I think you're bullshitting me."

There were shocked gasps around the room. You knew they were doing it but you didn't say it to their faces...

Lord Vinyl's face tensed and he took on a more focused look. He seemed to be tapping his aluminium mind now.

"Parenting is a gift from the gods. Life is precious, and Harmony does not take any of it lightly. The creative power we have been given is a great gift and we shouldn't waste it. Not giving some of your allomancers a few more powers especially."

"Why didn't Harmony give you a physical power? Have you ever wanted that? To be able to run like a steel tapper, be as strong as one with a pewtermind? I can give you that."

The man paused shocked. Novan knew why. This man had spent all his life surrounded by burly miners, always being the one with the firm tongue, watching the ladies flock to those with more real powers. And now he had intensified all those insecurities to crush him in debate.

"You can... give people feruchemy powers too?"

"Yes."

"I... want that."

Novan grinned. He had convinced everyone. His plan was working. Then he saw something, out of the corner of his eye.

What was that? Dropping from the roof? A bomb!