Chapter 1: Hunger for Strawberries

[patrick]

Pat sits a few minutes longer to finish his coke, before pushing off the tabletop to his feet. He stood in front of the tv a moment before pushing the door open and walking out the door. He was never "desperate" for friends before, but this situation has certainly changed that. He walks the streets of Moscow, mostly keeping to himself. He tries to converse with any interesting people he sees.

[Peter "Levitas" Barak]

Peter, satisfied with Tuvi's agreement to watch over the boss, stepped into the booth and was in Cuba before he could blink. He took a moment to pull off his white coat and toss it (he could always get another) and the fancy undershirt with it, leaving him in his black v-neck. He liked this outfit, it reminded him of his old days on the streets. Only now he didn't have to worry about little things like food and water.

First order of business: identify the local rebels and their leadership. Hands in his pockets, smirk in place, he set off down the street and into the crowds.

[Toolah "Tuvi" Renee]

Tuvi mixes the ground beef and egg in a bowl so the hamburger won't fall apart then throws it on the hot pan and presses it down with her hand. She snorts at what Dinari just said but doesn't smile.

"Gee... thanks Dinari. I think... do you call your mother 'woman'?"

[Li Violette]

(to Patrick)
After having no luck finding my green tea, I decide to ask what I assume is one of the locals. I wander up to the stranger and expecting that he is from Moscow, I smile slightly and doing my best not to startle him or come off as impolite, I step beside him.

"Excuse me sir, do you know where I can buy some green tea? All Mart doesn't seem to have it."

[Dinari Dollar]

"Guess not." Dinari replies with a shrug. "Well, you ARE a woman. Anyway, I am not sure if I like that name Tuvi. Maybe I could just call you something else. Maybe Bambi. Can I call you Bambi?" He asks her eagerly.

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei's balisong slides out of his sleeves and flips open skillfuly. He holds it in his hand, staring at Sakari, then sprinks some coke along the blade, snorting it quickly. He laughs.

"Look at this guy! Calm down, you keep looking like that you're gonna make the boss nervous. We're almost there."

He flips the knife closed and slides it back up his sleeve.

[patrick]

Pat immediately recognizes Li from her televised appearance.

"Hello there! Now, green tea? I think the cafe I just came from had some of that." He scratched at his head. "Fuck was the name of that. . .? I don't even remember, I'd have to show you."

[Toolah "Tuvi" Renee]

Tuvi fixes Dinari with a look. "Bambi...? Seriously? After a deer? You've got to be shitting me... Whats wrong with my name?" She takes a spatula and flips the burger. It makes a sizzling sound and fills the kitchen with a good smell.

"Toolah Renee is a good name..."

[Li Violette]

He doesn't seem to recognize me. I judge this by the use of foul language and his lack of ...seeming awestruck, which if fine. I look different in person than on TV or from a distant. I look smaller, I am told.
"Oh, would you? I would appreciate that." I reply to him. "What is your name?" I ask him. "I'm Violette." I state, and wait for some sort of reaction, not that I want to act that full of myself.

[Dinari Dollar]

"I've just never heard of a name like that. What kind of name is it? It sounds Middle Eastern or something weird like that." Dinari replies. He actually doesn't have a good concept of what names in the Middle East sound like.

"Those burgers are sure smelling good, Bambi."

[patrick]

"'Course I know who you are! Saw you on tv. I'm pretty excited to meet you, too. I'm Pat. I'm not from 'round here, but I think I'll find my way back to that cafe."

Patrick starts on the short walk to the cafe.

[Li Violette]

"Well, I am not from around here either." I state obviously.

"What is it that you do? You seem...like a good, loyal Manalist." I remark as I follow after him. It starts to drizzle slightly. "You know, it's very odd but I don't really spend much time talking to ordinary people. It's really a shame." I say more to myself than to him as I follow him to that cafe. We walk quickly to avoid getting damp.

[Sakari Lehtinen]

Sakari rubs his head emphatically.

"Of courrrse", he says, in standard mock Russian. The truck finally pulls up to its destination, Kaschei's place. Out of the frying pan, into the fire. Despite the fact that Kaschei is more dangerous than most Russians, Sakari feels less tense around him because he knows that he can at least read his motives. Which are pretty base.

"Oi mate, I'll buya drink when this's awl done!" He says now in a fake British accent, nudging Alexei. He doesn't know if he's being annoying or not, but he knows that Russians like drinks.

"Play some cards maybe?" Sakari adds as the truck comes to a complete stop. He files out with Alexei and the driver who appears to be completely indifferent to his surroundings.

[patrick]

Patrick ducks into the cafe and holds the door open for Violette. "I am a Mechanic. I manipulate Manala Crystals to the best of my knowledge. Of course I probably don't have the same affinity as you with the energy of Father Manala."

Patrick looks to the menu from the door, and he searches for "Green Tea". He sees something that's "Green" but doesn't actually know how to spell tea. It is on the menu, but Patrick panicked to himself looking for "tee".

[Toolah "Tuvi" Renee]

"Stop. Calling. Me. Bambi." Tuvi says. She puts the burger on a bun for Dinari and puts a piece of cheese on it before she sets it infront of him.

"I don't know what kind of name Toolah is. I assume it was given to me by my mother but I've been called Tuvi forever. Why don't you call me Tuvi? Bambi is so degrading..." She also sets ketchup, mustard infront of Dinari's plate.