Chapter 5: The Invisible Hand

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

Ariel swallowed hard no one disrespected him now it had happened not once but twice in one day. “I don’t see what this has to do with me, you are just one company” he turned around to let her know he was not happy. But he was also flushed she was a powerful attractive woman and he found himself at a momentary loss for words. “why should I get involved I .advice people and that’s all I do” that had been true once but now he wanted power the virus was moving closer. He needed power to get a cure if he got infected it would be all over they would know. “so why should I get involved Annabelle why should I care” he used her first name as he turned his chair around trying to regain his power.

[Calithin Crest]

"No... I have..."

I kneel down on the ground, grab everything out of my pockets, and lay it all out.

"Okay. We've got pens, gum, bits of paper, cigarettes, lighter, phone, keys, and a packet of sunflower seeds. Would sunflower seeds work? I'm going to try the sunflower seeds. See if you can not be all loud and ridiculous for two minutes please..."

I put everything except for the packet of sunflower seeds back in my pockets. I pour some needs into my hand, put the packet down, and slowly inch closer to where I think the hedgehog might be.

"C'mere Rupert... Ruuuupppeeeerrrrtttt... Come on... I have sunflower seeds for you... We won't hurt you... Mmm... Sunflower seeds..."

I've named it Rupert.

[kalaessa Artemus]

Kalaessa replied “ no not really… see I was orphaned at a young age so…ya” she put one of her hands in her pocket “ who knows maybe one day you’ll stop by the place I work for haha” she then said try to change that one subject then looked ahead it was one more block to her apartment

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"They are insectivores, so I don't think so..." But before I am completely done with the statement, Rupert comes out and starts eating the sun flower seeds. He is unlike any hedgehod I have ever seen. It is a white/peach-ish color. I know that Hedgies come in this color, but it is rare in the wild.

"Wow, magnificent." I say to Calithin as the small animal eats the seeds. I don't grab it just yet.

"This is amazing. Do you think I should grab it?"

[Annabelle Bourbon]

"Simple, because if you don't, then your precious little order will crumble to dust, and the world will have nothing to blame for it but the inaction of one single man." her expression remained exactly the same, though her words had quite a passive threat to them. She then sighs softly, looking at him with her azure eyes "You're The Moderator, you take the decisions. It's your responsibility to rule over disputes between large companies, most of all when legal technicalities are at stake." she then gets up, putting pressure on the little man with manipulative glee "We can either solve this through law or through steel." she seems very convinced there is no other way around.

She turns around and takes a few step away toward the door "I don't ask you to take side, but please pay attention to this problem." she gives him a seemingly genuine and attractive smile "It'd do both of us some good if you did."

[Calithin Crest]

"Well... Let me think..."

Rupert is adorable. I like Rupert. We are going to be pals, I can already tell. I know these things.

"I'm not sure if you could exactly provide a stable environment for Rupert, here. I don't think you're very responsible. However, I do want to see more of him... And I can't keep him because... I travel alot and just... Stuff... Fine. Yes. Go ahead and take him."

[Azure Blackstone]

he smiles "sure i like coffee" he notice her looking ahead they must be close. "my folks are dead they got sick, very sick and well died" he continues to walk. he then has her tell him the adress of where she works. "maybe i could see you at work and buy you a coffe or something" he offers as they walk another half block.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I grab Rupert, who kicks a little at first, then sort of balls up in defeat. I like this little animal. I hold it in my arms and it keeps still. We leave the bushes and I decide it is probably time to go home.

"I should take it home then. I heard they like baths. Should we give it a bath! They like to paddle around in the water and have a good ol' time." I say as I start walking towards my home.

[Calithin Crest]

"Well, Rupert has been rolling around in god knows what out here... He's a very gangsta hedgehog. He wasn't born in no pet store homie, he ain't no Genetech beast. Naw, he's straight street. And, thus... Probably a little dirty. I think a bath is probably a good idea."

I poke Rupert a little and follow Hilja to her apartment.

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

"I am up for working on something together in America if you like. I suppose we could find out more about that restoration project." Malak suggests to Tuesday. He doesn't really like the idea of going to America, but for a good story he would.

"I have a hard time hanging out with these fancy rich types. I guess you do a better job blending in with that crowd." He states. He is feeling anxious now that he realizes he is alone in this hotel room with Tuesday. Until now he was distracted by work. He coughs a little and taps his foot.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

We get back to my home and my roomies are out at work it seems. Rose could be lurking around since I haven't seen her, but, for now it seems pretty alone here. We go up to the bathroom and I start filling the tub with warm water. Once it is 1/4 full, I put Rupert in there and he starts swimming around happily. He paddles his short little hedgehog legs quickly.

"Awe...that's cute. It must suck that you always have to travel and can't have any pets like that. But at least you are still the richest person in the world."

I sigh and think for a moment that I am rather thirsty. "I think I have some diet Countess Cola in the fridge if you want some." I offer.

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

He stands up taking a few steps he finds his chest feels strange not pain by strange “wait you’re right I have stood by and watched too long” he moves next to the door blocking it so she can not leave. “I was about to go home eat dinner I just am a little frazzled maybe if we were more comfortable we could iron it out come to an agreement then make this common enemy see things are way” great was he now hitting on this woman mixing personal and professional. Agreeing to corrupt his objectivity all for a woman he just met who wanted to use him to save her company. “sorry about that, maybe we should set up a meeting you me and you’re competitor and a few legal officials” he offered feeling slightly ashamed.

[Tuesday DeCastro]

Tuesday kicks off her shoes, and croses her legs under her, facing Malak on the couch. "Would you? That'd be so great, I can't even tell you. I get nervous going to places like America all alone. Its such a wasteland, I don't want to get captured or something and then just drop off the face of the planet."

She picks up her bottle of water off the floor, and unscrews the cap, taking a sip. "I try to blend in with every sort of crowd, especially when interveiwing."

"Are you alright?" She asked, noticing he looked a bit nervous or anxious.

[Calithin Crest]

"I don't know. I am not really cut out to raise animals anyway. Or... Anything. Children, plants, animals. In general I am just not good for raising things. Except maybe... Profits! Hey-oh! Self-five!"

I give myself a high five and smile. I am awesome.

"But yes, I think some cola will be fantastic. Go get me some por favor."

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

"Sure, we can do that. As soon as you finish up things here, we can leave for America." Malak says. He leans back on the couch and stretches a little. "Me no, I'm fine. Fine as fine. ..as fine." He says waving his hand. "I'm just not used to being alone with you is all. It is strange for me. But, you know it's nothing at all. And we are far safer talking here anyway."