Breakfast

Regular sleep was something that Jani knew she remembered, though it seemed like a long time ago. For the past two years, since she was voted into office, she had been existing on a maximum of four hours a night, supplemented by a lot of coffee. But what a time to have the honour of leading her country! Through so many world changes that were affecting the lives of everyone. She had to admit, when she had first heard of the prophet, she had called the woman a fake, a phoney, she had looked for the cult behind the persona. But it had only taken that one day, that day that she had first heard the woman speak, to realise that she was entirely genuine. But this conference was the first time she would get to hear her speak in person. Jani's country was only small, out of the way, not important enough for a visit. But today was the day. Jani sat at the breakfast table in the dining room set aside for heads of state and took her coffee strong and black as she turned to the other politician sitting across from her.

Roger looked up as a woman took the seat across from him. It must have been the leader of the neighboring country he'd agreed to meet. It had been years since politicians from the two countries had even considered collaboration--they'd been coexisting peacefully, but that was about it. Now the times demanded change, and he knew this. Despite what the people had thought. Despite all the rumors about how stubborn and set in his ways he was, he'd been biding his time for years, waiting for the right moment, because he knew this would only work when the moment was right. And what moment could be more right than here and now--called together by the prophet in a time of great need?

"It's been some time, Roger," Jani said, by way of greeting. In truth, they'd never met officially, not in person. Their countries had ignored each other astutely, each going about their business independently. Her use of his first name was done deliberately, to hopefully engender a feeling of closeness, of wiling friendship. Everyone should, after all, get along. "But my people and yours are meeting today, are we not, to discuss open boarders. It's a great opportunity for our countries."

Roger was slightly annoyed by the woman's geniality. The only history he had with her country was through her predecessor, who had left much to be desired in his communication and negotiation skills. However, he tried to ignore the sensation. He needed to be as open as possible for this meeting to be successful. He cleared his throat and replied, "Indeed. The idea has not been discussed for years, and there's never been a better time to revive it. After all, I believe both of our countries have goods and opportunities of great importance to offer to one another."

Jani looked at him for a moment and then smiled rather more. "Don't you think the political niceties all seem a little, well, extraneous now?" she asked, dropping her professional tone entirely. "I do feel that this could be a good time for us - personally, I feel that. And I know I have the support of my country behind me. Relationships, connections - we all feel that it's not enough anymore, to simply be not at war." She knew that it wasn't the most politically astute move to make, but dammit, it felt right.

Roger took a minute to process what she'd said. He had never had a hard time keeping his personal and public selves separate--but maybe this new, younger politician was right. Maybe there was a time when professional barriers could be softened, in the nation's best interests. "I suppose you're right. I'm just...not used to that. As you know, the man who held the office before you left much to be desired in way of people skills, and I have to remind myself not to hold those prejudices against you." He looked up and gave her a small but genuine smile.

Jani smiled a little. "Now is not the time for prejudices," she said, paraphrasing something she had heard the Prophet say, only last week, in a broadcast. "Peace, true and lasting peace, will come when we are as one - blind to all differences." Somehow, it sounded better from Her lips, but then everything did. Jani always felt that she was inadequate before her, that she would never measure up, but why should she? Surely the thought that she would would simply be false pride.

Hearing her quote the Prophet so eloquently, Roger felt suddenly humbled. She was right, of course--Jani, in reminding him of this fact. How many years had he spent set stubbornly in his ways and beliefs, and no wonder things hadn't changed. He needed to open himself up to allow the changes. The world was changing, and he had to change with it if he had any hope of truly succeeding in doing what was right. He gave a deep, pensive sigh, and nodded slowly as he looked up to meet her gaze. "Thank you, for reminding me," he said.

"We just need to work together. Support each other," Jani said, easily. "I think today is going to go smoothly - I have a good feeling about our future. Of course, the road isn't smooth-" She referenced the accidents of late, and the problems of hunger and death around the world that some dissident groups, unenlightened as they were, had been trying to blame on the changes the Prophet had wrought. "-But we will overcome."