Sadly, power falls out of the hands of the people all too often. Those with the courage to rise up against tyranny are all too often too self-righteous to hand over power to whom it belongs. They think too highly of themselves, and become the very tyrants they were striving to overthrow. Perhaps this is how the families came to power: well-meaning kedan began to stick up for themselves, and then next thing they knew, they had the shell under their thumbs. Dante knew one such well-meaning tyrant personally, and he had no desire to be that guy. All he wants is some god damn respect for personal property.

And then the threats worked. The kedan shopkeeper looked to be in a tizzy, but at least bewildered enough to listen. "Look, just tell me what you want to keep your mouths shut, okay?"

"Ah, now we're talking." Dante wasn't much for reasoning, but threats? He could do threats. It really did help that there was someone else more knowledgeable to back up what he was trying to insinuate, though. He'll have to thank Enjolras somehow later. "I need that teapot you have right there. Thanks."