“A lot of women out there…” M’traliel accompanied her words with a wide swing of her arm, signifying the greater populace – “a lot of women, a lot of men as well – look up to you, llhaesa. I know you are uncomfortable with this, I know you are uncomfortable with people expressing sentiment that you play a strong political role, but… to talk them into working for change, only to turn around and walk away is unfair to those you’ve just asked to get involved. And you are walking away from involvement while you encourage them to work for change!”

M’traliel was on a roll, and she was not finished. “You are hell bent on speaking to audiences about equality and politics, and that is great. You are intelligent, you give a shit, you are empathetic, you are communicative, you are likeable, and you are charismatic… add that to your musical talent. Small wonder people are taken with the idea of you leading the fight for change.” M’traliel took a half second to catch her breath and contemplate her next words, giving llhaesa the opportunity to engage and speak from defence mode.

“I’m not a leader, M’traliel. I can get people’s attention, can get them to ponder what is wrong, what needs to be fixed, how to fix it… but I am not skilled in diplomacy, in ways of government, or for that matter having anyone think of me as ‘their leader.’

I’ll do my level best to work for change, but someone else can do the power thing.” Llhaesa was showing her stubborn side, and she was pissing M’traliel off.

Jahrae had left the flat to run for fresh veggies for dinner, and M’traliel seized the moment to take advantage of Jahrae’s departure. Better to deliver the lecture without llhaesa having backup. M’traliel had been contemplating since The Shirt first appeared 10 days before, and now she had the floor.

“Llhaesa. I’m young. You are younger. That does not disqualify us from being in the forefront of change. I’ve already mentioned some of your positive traits, and will add you are pragmatic, and people like you. If you can accomplish what no one else can, would you walk away? Say you actually could change Arrhazon if you accepted a leadership position – you could change lives by the millions. Would you feel right walking away, in letting the opportunity to bring the change you spend significant time talking about?” And with that, M’traliel seemingly rested her case.

The slightest hint of a pout formed on llhaesa’s face, with M’traliel quickly picking up on the change. “Damn, don’t do that!” M’traliel silently thought, recognising from experience llhaesa was irresistibly adorable when pouting. While part of her tried to move her away from this thinking, another part of M’traliel’s mind was falling prey to the powerful charm of the musician – charm that had led this one at 24 to be a recognised world leader. She had to win this debate.

“Llhaesa, no one is asking you to be chief of government for life. Why not let people rally around you, rally for change, you coalesce their combined energy into a useful form, and if we are successful, hold office for a couple of years, step down, and let someone else move on from there?”

The pouting musician’s face again changed shape, this time into an expression where M’traliel knew she was gaining ground. “You need to recognise you can accomplish things no one in the history of this world has ever accomplished. If you let that opportunity pass, you make a mockery of what you stand for.”

And with that, with the sound of an opening and closing door, M’traliel left the room.