October 9th 2020
Prompt: "cough- I'm sick"

*****

  I could stay here for hours.

  No- years!

  No! Centuries.

  Yes, that sounds nice.

  I weaselled my way deeper into my comforter, pulling my duvet up so it tucked nicely under my chin as I let out a sigh. Warmth. Yes, very nice. And silent. Those sound proof walls were pricey but they sure are worth it when you live in the biggest city of Ninjago.

  Everything was perfect. I'm sure the early risers - that were not me- were already up, bustling around. If I hadn't soundproofed my door I could probably here the people working outside.

  But I didn't want to.

  No. Who would want to? I had to take way too many kids tylenol to get my head ache to cease- don't judge me the kids version tastes better and comes in a nice little cup- and I was constantly hearing noise and complaints especially my name, who knew they would get tired of their name? When I first started out I was ecstatic. I could get used to this were the exact words in my head. And then I did get used to it. Within the first ten minutes. Because that was literally all I could hear. Again and again and again-

  "Ms. Mayor!"

  Just like that.

  I groaned as my beautifully soundproof doors were turned off and an insistent knocking interrupted my peaceful pleasure. Honestly.

  "Ms. Mayor!" The male voice repeated, more demanding than the first.

  Words I would not teach my children ran through my brain as I heaved myself up, dressed myself accordingly in a sharp blazer and got myself ready. When I appeared at my door way, a ruffled looking man stood looking back at me.

  "Reggie?" I raised an eyebrow.

  "So sorry to bother you Ms. Mayor! But you have a very important meeting with the council and the representatives of safety in T minus twenty five minutes and sixty seconds!" He said anxiously, glancing at his phone. "Fifty nine...fifty eight....fifty seven.."

   "I'm afraid I can't attend." I said dramatically, throwing the back of my hand to my forehead. "Cough- I think I'm sick!"

  He appeared unamused. Simply glancing at me before taping his device. "Fifty four, fifty three-"

  "Alright, alright!" I waved my hands to stop him. "I'll be right there!"

  And I was. I chomped on an apple in the car, asking my bodyguard and driver of I had any food stuck in my teeth before smoothing my jacket and marching my way into the room. It was as big and intimating as ever. A long wooden table filled the room. Dozens of chairs lined up and in them were the classy council members. Just as you would imagine them with smart clothes, spectacles, and aged, disapproving frowns. By them were representatives from hospitals, fire fighting teams, the police force, and even the navy gathered. And lastly there were the ninja. The protectors of Ninjago. All six of them plus their master and Samurai X. I tried not to fangirl like my daughter when we saw the person dressed as Princess Cupcake at the theme park and sat as calmly as I could at the head of the table. I fastened my mic to my collar, it may seem ridiculous but there was a big table, tall ceilings, and many voices. We needed the microphones so that everyone could hear us.

  I snuck a peak at the ninja. Their Sensei, Master Wu, sat calmly in the seat next to me. A tea cup in his hand and he drank it slowly, a breath of pleasure releasing as he enjoyed the beverage. To his left was his nephew, the green ninja himself. Like his companions Lloyd had his mask off revealing his serious but nervous green eyes as he awkwardly sat there, the vibrant gaze bouncing like table tennis around the room. Next to him was the master of fire, Kai, unlike his leader he sat slumped casually over the arm of the chair. A smirk on his face as the council members scowled at him. He shot them a wink only to be nudged scoldingly by Nya. Master of Water. She sat politely in her chair, dark eyes narrowed as if to challenge everyone else in the room. On her other side was Jay, master of lighting. He couldn't sit still, practically vibrating with nervous energy as shook his leg, tapped his foot, or prodded his teammates. Beside Jay was Cole, he had not-so-subtlety sneaked food into the room and was trying pretend to tie his non-existent shoe while eating his cake. By him was Zane, he was calm and stood ramrod straight, clear gaze unblinking and his synthetic skin off revealing the titanium ninja within himself. The final member of the ninja team there was Samurai X. She too was an android, following Zane's lead but appeared much less comfortable and confident than her companion.

  "Thank you all for coming!" I pulled on my fake smile, showing way too many teeth. The other people hear who were unaccustomed to this practice tried a smile for me but the grouchy council continued to regard me from over their short sighted glasses, a frown like they sucks on a lemon on their faces.

  "We're here to discuss the safety issues of Ninjago City and how we can defend them." I continued.

  A military man raised his hand, like it was a classroom or something. That level of politeness will vanish when things get heated. "Maybe the ninja can stop messing around? Twice we've had attacks, not because of luck or because of some random accident, but because the green ninja himself decided to let out a bunch of crazy, unhinged, vengeful snakes!"

  Lloyd Garmadon slid down in his seat as Kai jumped to his feet.

  "That-" he paused. "...is true." He conceded.

  "But we fixed it!" Lloyd reminded them. "People make mistakes, it's only human. And- this may surprise you- but we're human too!"

"Or at least Lloyd's half human." Jay piped up.

I nodded. "The ninja have proven that they are loyal protectors. We can rely on them." I gave the military man a hard stare. He reluctantly shut his mouth.

"Garmadon's still on the loose." The police chief said. "We need a plan to kept him under police custody once more. He's a danger to the cities safety."

"You will not find him. You cannot always find those who wish not to be found." Master Wu said cryptically.

I rubbed my temple as the police force accused Wu of doubting their abilities and somehow Jay managed to electrocute a fire fighter. The councilmen were shouting insults at the doctors and everything just got more heated until finally I snapped.

"THAT'S IT!" I screamed. Shocked silence followed. "This isn't getting anywhere! Everybody out!"

"Don't have to tell me twice." Cole muttered, shoving the last crumb of food inn his mouth before grabbing Jay by his hood and yanking him out. I sunk back into my seat, letting my head fall into my hands as my energy drained away.

"It'll get easier." An awkward attempt at comfort came in.

"No it won't." My muffled reply came.

"No it won't." The green ninja agreed.

I peered at him, seeing the same forced smile I wore, lit with exhaustion. The difference was this was worn on a teenager.

"How do you deal?" I murmured. "How do we deal?"

Lloyd shrugged, eyes turning to the window as he watched the cars and the people roam around. "I guess....all we can do is deal. But the burden isn't all on us. You take some of mine," he glanced at me. "And I'll take some of yours."

I sighed, standing and resuming my professional appearance before giving up and hugging him. He froze, standing stiff and awkwardly patting my back.

"You're a good kid." I told him before releasing the poor boy and giving his shoulder a squeeze. He dipped his head before leaving, laughter erupting from the hall as he pulled open the door and greeted his family with a smile.

I sat back down, feeling thoughtful as my phone rang. I answered it, pressing the phone to my ear as my husbands voice rang through:

"Hey, we didn't get to say good morning!" He laughed. "Say good morning Hallie!"

"Good mowing!" She lisped loudly into the phone. I laughed, leaning back as my daughter filled me in on how she helped dad make pancakes.

"Joey tried to help but he just wants to eat the strawbewies." She continued. I heard loud babbling the background.

"Thought this would make your day." Andrew laughed. "Have a nice day, honey! I gotta go bring Hal to school and then Joey and I are going on a grocery trip!"

"Love you!" Hallie yelled.

"Love you too baby. Mwah!" I blew kisses into the speaker as Andrew said his goodbyes and I hung up. I sighed, feeling a little rejuvenated as a smile spread across my face.

"Mrs. Mayor?"

I shook my head, rising to my feet a new sense of something spreading in my chest.

"I'm coming, Reggie."

This is how we do it, we deal. We take on each other burdens, and we deal. Because we have to. Because we want to. Because our family is relying on us too.

All we gotta do is deal.

Note****
Okay, guys I don't infiltrate and stalk the mayor so I don't actually know how this stuff works so don't get all literal with me.