Senator Nikephoros II Salamis (Red Demes):
*Nikephoros speaks carefully*
I... believe the Blue Demes, as a group, is crucial to the Imperium as... almost as much as the other Demes. If there will arise reasonable Blue Demes, like previous Senator Arrius or, indeed, myself six years ago, I am of the opinion that we should cooperate with them. However, the current Blue Demes... Nay, lead by Colombo they are not to be trusted. The Whites are indeed true and good men of Rome, and I will be glad if we work with them. Indeed, if only we had a reasonable, loyal Blue Demes the Senate could stand united against... *Nikephoros' eyes move around the room, and he weighs his words*... those who would harm us.
Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):
*Mandromenos begins to laugh. It is a laugh one makes when he has heard a good joke, one without any trace of madness*
Dear Salamis, why do you fear being here, where the eyes and ears of the dynatoi are most apparent?
They have eyes and ears everywhere, I know of three such men in my century alone. They already know of everything. We are in no more danger here than we are anywhere else. And that is not because I believe us safe.