Chapter 18: A Parable for the Terrible

[Will Bonacelli]

As Will exit the teleportation booth, he's finally at the Global Bank. He placed the box of cupcakes next the the giant cake and look around the room. He did regonized some faces, but did not bother to approach to them and says hi to them.

"I should have brought Xavier and Coralie with me to the party." Will says to himself.

He knew that his kids will be busy with their work, but they should, at least, come to the party.

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

He looked down at himself and realized that he was still wearing his leather long-coat and other articles of closing that he usually wore while on the job.. Although it wasn't very common clothing, it was good "cloaking" clothing. Ceph thought about what she said and realized that she was probably right. There would be lots and lots of more people there, it would be unlikely to go there and be the center of attention, even if he wore rainbow colors.

"Perhaps you are right. It will be okay as it is." Ceph spoke. He had many techniques to keep himself unnoticable.

It wasn't like they were going there to stir up trouble.

[Li Violette]

"People see what they want to see any way. If I tell them you are my body guard, they will see you as such." I state.

We leave together for the small walk across Lucern to the large building that is the Global Bank. we pass through security, which is harder for Cephrien, but since I am with him, no questions are asked. We pass through the force field and beyond the wall. On the other side is a river with some imported black swans.

"I like the building here." I say as we walk through the apple orchard to the main entrance. We enter and pass upstairs to the conference room. Some people have already arrived.

"Will you go get me something to drink, Cephrien?" I ask and turn my head in the direction of the punch table.

[Calithin Crest]

"Um."

I stare wide-eyed at my father then pat myself down as if searching for a piece of paper within my pockets and fake as frantic a look as possible.

"Geez! I must have left that in my other suit! I can't believe this. It was totally genius too. Aghhhh."

I hang my head and frown, slumping my shoulders and generally appearing very downtrodden.

"I'm sad now. I know what people look like when they're sad and this is it. So."

I slowly make my way to the general party area and try to maintain my melancholy front.

[Li Violette]

I notice Calithin enter the party, and he looks upset. I wonder what's wrong with him. I fold my arms and wait for the drink I ordered Cephrien to get me. Maybe I am too pushy with him. I don't know. I kind of like it. It makes me smile.

I turn my attention to Calithin.

"Why so glum?"

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

As they move into the conference room, Ceph notices that he's earned a few stares from some of the people that have already arrived. It is still a little early. Thankfully, the glances are only brief. He follows Violette in and stops when she requests a drink from the punch table. He gives her a quiet nod as he turns and makes his way over to the drinks.

Ceph avoided making eye contact with anyone as he grabbed a plastic cup from the cup stacks set up on one corner of the table. He used the ladle in the punch bowl to pour her a drink, raising his red eyes once in awhile to scan the room.

[Li Violette]

While I await some answer from Calithin, I look over at Cephrien, who seems to be a little nervous here. I decide to talk to him telepathically.

"They don't know who you are. There's no need to worry. Really."

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

"I'm not worried."
Ceph returned her telepathic message as she picked up the punch-filled cup and started moving back in her direction. "I just don't do parties very often."
When she approached her, he calmly handed her the cup.

"Here."

[Calithin Crest]

Oh man. I hate explaining myself. There is so rarely an explanation. And even more rarely a good one.

"Well, it's like this shawty-- I forgot to bring my design for the new survelience system. A dog ate it, whatever. You understand. Am currently feeling a bit like a failure. Requiring snacks and compliments. Few people know that the sun runs on snacks and compliments. Mmmm hydrogen. And why do you think so many different groups of ancient peoples worshiped the sun? They knew better than we do. They know what was up. Seems like that knowledge has been lost in recent times."

When I finish this... Explanation I turn to Ceph and give him my hand.

"Calithin Crest, nice to meet you. I like your shoes."

It's good to start off with a compliment.

[Li Violette]

"Ancient people worshipped many things." I reply to him. I take a sip of my punch. "And people still worship stars."

"Anyway, if you are upset over this, just call someone you work for and have them bring the designs here for you."

I take another sip of punch. "This punch is pretty good. It has a strawberry flavor to it. It must be some sort of German punch...what is it called....Erdbeerbowle...or something.."

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

He stands there quietly and listens to the coversation between Violette and Calithin. Ceph wasn't exactly paying attention. Rather, he seemed to be thinking to himself. But He was immediately snapped back into reality when Calithin shot his hand out to give him a handshake. It caught him off-guard. He raised his eyebrows with a somewhat surprised expression before quietly reaching out and taking Calithin's hand.

For some reason.. he felt familiar in a way. The comment about his shoes also caught him off-guard. He averted his blood red gaze to the floor towards his boots. They were typical gothic boots with various straps.

[Calithin Crest]

"Yeah okay but mostly they worship the sun. Don't be difficult. I mean, lets get real. The sun is the sun. You can't even ask the sun to explain itself. You can't be like 'sun, why are you shining?' because the sun is just like 'um... because I'm the sun and I do what I want that's why!' Seriously. And... I don't like punches. Or strawberry flavored things. Although that's an interesting name for a beverage."

I give Ceph's hand a sturdy shake and smile.

"I can't pull boots off, personally. Suits and boots just don't look good."

[Li Violette]

"How is your company doing? How is...mine production?" I ask him, since I am not sure what else to talk about. I guess when talking to business people, the main thing to talk about with them...is their business. It seems rather limiting though.

"Maybe you could start a boot-suit trend."

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

Ariel looks over the party. Guests are arriving which pleases him. Annette has not yet arrived. She is still upstairs working. When she is done, a Creditor will bring her downstairs to show her the party, which will be a surprise.
Ariel notices Li, Cephrien, and Calithin talking, so he decides to join them.

"Hello, do you have any designs for me, Calithin?" He asks. At the end of the party he will announce the design winner.

[Calithin Crest]

"Maybe the boot suit could be the new zoot suit. But. Um... I don't know what a zoot is, or if that's how that works. I feel like maybe not."

I stare at my feet and try to visualize boots with this outfit. It isn't too great of a combination. But then fashion is what you make it.

"Business is good. We mine crystals and people buy them. You know. Really, I was thinking, and I could be much more sinister than I am. I want a thank you card from the whole world for how benevolent I am, considering the position I'm in. Controlling the supply of a major energy source is a big deal. You... Also could be much more sinister, given your position. Why aren't you more sinister? Perhaps we all deserve thankyous."

When the Moderator comes by I'm still staring at my feet and, with a thoroughly pained expression on my face, I slowly bring my gaze up to look at him.

"Oh, well... What happened was... I... Gave... My designs to Dinari for safe keeping and he forgot to bring them. Right now they're somewhere in Florida probably being eaten by alligators. It's really unfortunate."