Chapter 8: Addictions

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei shrugs.

"I had some business in Florida with Allmart for a while." He says, "I got sent back to take care of a bit more business. I have a feeling I'll be here a while." He turns his head and coughs.

"Lots left to do here."

[Maeve Cullen]

"Oh? How so?" Maeve questions. She always carried conversation as she gave tattoos, even if she had to fake interest. She wasn't really faking her interest right now, though. All that scientisty stuff was interesting, even if it confused her some. She begins working on his tattoo, using contrasting colors.

[Tuesday DeCastro]

Tuesday nodded. "Ahh." She said,

"Really? Did you hear about the shooting in Allwhere? Or were you near when it happened?" Shes askes, out of pure curiousity.

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei shakes his head slowly.

"I think I just missed it." He says.

"What do you know about it?"

[Tuesday DeCastro]

Tuesday shrugs. "It was all very shocking and confusing." She closes her eyes and shakes her head.

"We heard a scream, and this man had fallen to the floor, then some people gathered around. We heard gunshots and people just started falling..."

"It was madness."

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei raises a thoughtful brow and nods. He wondered who was behind the shooting in Allwhere. As far as he knew, nobody in the mafia had done it. He wondered if anoyne would think the Allwhere shooting would be connected to the one her perpetrated in Havana.

[Jumala Keitoleinen]

Keitoleinen takes a seat at her kitchen table and relaxes a little. He leans back in his chair and lets out a hearty yawn. "How are you doing? I imagine that was quite traumatic. What precisely happened to you, Linnea?" He asks. He isn't sure he heard the full story since when she was released from Manalist prison she didn't want to talk about it.

[Lena Eva Aysel]

Lena picked up the article, not minding the blood drops. As if she hadn't ruined her fair share of things with blood... She flips threw the pages for a moment before fixing her blue gaze onto the barely noticeable man clinging to the wall. "Thank you..."

As expected, names weren't printed on the article. She was glad they weren't stupid. "I'll message an update to Violette." She texts a quick message to Violette: I interviewed a few people and Markus attained a copy for me.

"Did you read any of it?" She questions idly, awaiting Violette's reply.

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

"I think I will skip the tattoo today. I've been watching the news and there are some things we should talk about in private." Malak states. "Is there a place here where we might talk?" Malak asks Tuesday.

"Oh, and can I see your tattoo?" He adds. He has a very uneasy feeling about things.

[Li Violette]

I get the message and give Lena a call back. "Yes, I read over the copy of the newspaper. There really isn't anything too interesting there. I think ...the rebel situation may be in control. They are certainly broken up and in hiding. I thank you for your efforts and the only other concern I might have is finding where this paper is published and shutting that site down. The Manalists certainly don't tolerate this alternative news source."

[Lucio De Saldanha]

"Nah, I don't do drugs. Drugs are dangerous." Lucio replies to her. Then he tries to think of 5 questions for her.

"Okay, here are my 5 questions. What is your favorite food? How old are you? What is your biggest dream? What is your favorite animal? If you had a super power, which one would you want?" Lucio asks quickly.

[Markus Dunstan]

Markus shook his head slowly, remaining on the wall. He could read, but had little interest in it. He figured if it contained any vital information, someone else would find it and share it with him.

Glancing around Markus released the wall and dropped to the ground, landing gracefully on his feet. Now that she mentioned it, he peered at the paper somewhat.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"With all of these dangerous things going on, it might be best to just go to Ireland and soon." I suggest to anyone that might be listening. "You two could come too..." I suggest to Tuesday and Malak.

"Then you guys could discuss whatever it is that you can't discuss here. I just think it is dangerous right now."

[Lena Eva Aysel]

Lena nods though Violette couldn't see it. "Will do." She states before flipping her phone closed. Sliding it back into the pouch on her dress, she adjusts the paper so Markus could see it. She didn't give it back because she wanted to keep it.

"Only concern is finding where it's published and shutting it down. With all the recent attacks, most rebels are keeping low." She had seen a few of the news reports while walking past some stores.

[Li Violette]

After talking to Lena, it is time for me to do some actual work. I am supposed to go on MTV and give a speach about addiction. This is a common theme today, so, it is not difficult for me to speak on the topic. I have spoken on it many times in recent weeks.

I have my hair and makeup done and then go in front of the cameras.

"Today I am going to talk about addiction. This is a problem in our world and something which Father Manala frowns upon. Addiction is a great sin. It is a sin because it robs us of our time, money, abilities, and senses. Instead of the pursuit of greatness, we are distracted by pleasure. Hedonists, addicts, they amount to nothing in this world. Those who are great are great because they work hard and expect excellence from themselves. They never make mistakes and strive for perfection."

"In religions of the past, it was accepted that humans are sinful and imperfect. Ha, but this only leads us to believe that we are fated for mediocrity. This is not the way of Father Manala. Father Manala expects that only the PERFECT shall recieve his Blessing. And so, if you strive to become the Blessed, that is the greatest, smartest, strongest, most attractive, then it is a sin against yourself to give into the weakness that is addiction..."

And I go on for quite some time on this topic.