Tori starts to put pen to paper here. Let the Reforms begin.
Chapter 9
Tori sat in her dimly lit office, her eyes scanning through stacks of prison records. She frowned as she noticed the excessive number of prisoners listed under the vague charge of "immorality." It struck a chord deep within her. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she made her way to the cell block where her sister, Trina, was being held.
The harsh fluorescent lights flickered as Tori walked down the cold, echoing corridor. She approached Trina's cell, where her sister was sitting on a small cot, looking up in surprise as Tori arrived.
"Tori," Trina said, standing up and gripping the bars. "Have you found Geo and Georgia? Are they okay?"
Tori sighed, shaking her head. "I haven't located them yet, Trina. And I won't be looking for them unless you want Carlos to find them. But let's concentrate on getting you out of here fast."
Trina's face fell, but she nodded. "Okay. What do you need from me?"
Tori hesitated for a moment before asking, "What does an arrest for immorality mean?"
Trina's eyes widened slightly, and she glanced around before speaking in a low voice. "It means they were probably gay. The old regime used it as a catch-all to imprison anyone who didn't conform to their standards."
Tori felt a pang in her heart. She knew what it was like to live in fear, to hide who she truly was. Though Trina didn't know about her sexuality, the revelation hit Tori hard.
Determined, she pulled out a clipboard and made a few quick changes to Trina's arrest record, listing it under immorality. "I'm going to work on undoing that law," she said firmly. "But first, we need to get you out of here."
Trina looked at her sister with a mix of gratitude and confusion. "You're really going to change that law?"
Tori nodded. "Yes. It's wrong, and it needs to be corrected."
Trina reached through the bars and squeezed Tori's hand. "Thank you, Tori. For everything."
Tori squeezed back, determination burning in her eyes. "We'll get through this, Trina. One step at a time."
Tori stood in her office, the weight of her decision palpable as she signed into law a new decree that would decriminalize homosexuality in Yerba. It was a subtle, yet powerful move—one designed to prevent the police from arresting individuals merely for suspected homosexuality. As she finalized the document, she gave the order to release all prisoners detained under the now-obsolete charge of immorality. It was a significant step forward, but the urgency of her situation was far from resolved.
As she signed the last document, Tori's mind turned to the issue of sanctions. She had heard that President Jade West was refusing to use an executive order to lift the sanctions imposed on Yerba, a decision that directly impacted her ability to present a new environmental plan. Determined to address the matter, Tori dialed the secure line to the White House, her nerves fraying at the thought of speaking with Jade. It had been years since they last interacted, and now Jade was the President of the United States.
When the call connected, a formal voice answered. "This is President West's office."
"This is Chancellor Tori Vega of Yerba. I need to speak with President West," Tori replied, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension.
A brief pause followed before Jade's voice came through the line, authoritative and clear. "Chancellor Vega, this is President West. How may I assist you today?"
Tori took a deep breath, maintaining her professionalism. "President West, I am reaching out to discuss the sanctions currently imposed on Yerba. With the upcoming environmental summit, I need these sanctions lifted to present a new reform plan and seek amnesty."
Jade's response was firm. "Chancellor Vega, I understand the urgency, but lifting the sanctions is not straightforward. The process requires Congressional approval, and the current evidence does not support such a move."
Tori leaned forward, her frustration barely contained. "President West, I urge you to consider using an executive order to address this issue. The situation is critical, and immediate action is needed."
Jade's tone became more measured. "It's not that simple. Every executive order I issue undergoes intense scrutiny. Given our past, however fleeting, it would attract excessive scrutiny and could undermine the very reforms you're working towards."
Tori's shoulders slumped slightly, the disappointment evident in her voice. "I see. I appreciate your position, President West. However, the sanctions are having a severe impact on our people. Your support in any capacity would be invaluable."
Jade's tone softened as she acknowledged Tori's efforts. "I understand. While I cannot guarantee immediate action on the sanctions, I am willing to offer my assistance in any way I can as you work on your reforms. And I'm glad to hear you're making progress."
Tori felt a wave of relief mixed with lingering frustration. "Thank you, President West. I also want to express my gratitude for the security detail you arranged for Sirrah. It's a significant relief to know she's protected."
Jade responded warmly. "You're welcome, Chancellor Vega. I will do what I can to support your efforts. Let's continue to work towards solutions that benefit both our nations."
As the call ended, Tori sat back in her chair, the weight of the conversation settling over her. It wasn't the resolution she had hoped for, but it was a step forward. For now, she would focus on the progress she could make, knowing that every small victory counted.
Tori slipped through the shadowed corridors of the Chancellor's palace, her heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. The weight of recent decisions, the unrest, and the loneliness had driven her to seek out something more tangible, more immediate. She made her way to a part of the city she remembered as a haven for those like her—a place where the suppressed and the free met in secret, especially after many had been released from imprisonment.
The neon lights of the old gathering spots flickered as she walked, her identity cloaked by the anonymity of the night. Tori's face had become familiar to those who might have known her in the past, but she hoped that in this underground world, her visage was less recognizable. She scanned the crowd, her gaze eventually landing on a woman who reminded her of Jade—though she was different in ways that mattered less in this moment of desperation.
Without hesitation, Tori approached her. The woman's eyes met hers with curiosity, and before she could say anything, Tori leaned in and kissed her deeply. The kiss was urgent, filled with a longing that had been building for too long. She pulled the woman toward a darkened back room, the same places that had once served as hiding spots for those defying the oppressive laws.
Inside, the room was a relic of the past—a reminder of the freedom that came at a price. Tori's urgency was matched by the woman's, and they quickly lost themselves in the act, the heat of the moment drowning out everything else. The physical release was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil Tori had been experiencing.
Afterward, as they lay tangled together, the woman broke the silence with a question. "Who were you just fucking?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with curiosity. "Not that I'm complaining; that was fantastic. Just want to know the name so when it slips out of your lips the next time we do this, I won't get offended."
Tori's blood ran cold. The woman's words hit her like a splash of ice water, jolting her out of the haze of physical satisfaction. She pulled away, her face paling as the reality of the situation sunk in. "This was a mistake," she muttered, her voice trembling. She began to gather her clothes, trying to retreat from the uncomfortable revelation.
The woman reached out, stopping her from leaving. "Wait," she said, her voice softer now. "I'd do this with you all the time if you gave me a job. I've been in prison for three years. I could use the money for my family. Besides, it'd be safer for you if you could do this in your own private chambers."
Tori hesitated, her mind racing. The offer was unexpected, and part of her wanted to dismiss it outright. But another part of her, weary and conflicted, considered the potential benefits. She was already at the brink of making compromises she had never thought possible. She said nothing, merely collecting herself and heading for the door.
As she left, her thoughts were a whirlwind of guilt and unresolved emotions. The night had offered her a fleeting escape, but it had also forced her to confront deeper issues she wasn't ready to face.