Chapter 21: A Roman Holiday

[Max Alexander]

Max got the text and responded that he will be right in. After sifting through many people he found his way to Dinari.

"Wow, lots of people." He said.

[Momo Kurokawa]

"I have no reason to attack Genetech and it will take some time for me to rebuild my company." Momo states to Anthony. This is the truth, but it is a long term goal to one day take over Genetech. "Hmm...so from your research, do you really think that Keitoleinen is a "god?" Momo asks. She is curious about this since she doesn't believe in gods. She thinks it must be some sort of hoax or that he is just a human who made himself powerful. "Between you and I, I think gods are hogwash." She whispers.

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

Malak goes to the kitchen, where Armin is making some burgers. He steps up to Armin, so that they can talk in a whisper. Malak watches the meat sizzle and feels another headache coming on. He wonders if the tumor is back or if it is another migraine. He rubs his temples. "Armin...I don't trust them. We should leave. I just have a bad feeling, okay?" Malak whispers to Armin. He doesn't trust the nihilists and grows even more suspicious when they decide to meet downstairs.

[Charon Dejardins/Asphodel]

Charon returns to his home in Helsinki after teaching his class on world religions at Helsinki University. When he returns, he finds that there is minimal damage despite the fighting and that everyone is gone. Best yet, all of his books seem to be in order. After spending five hours counting all of them, he finds that they are all accounted for and that he was fortunate enough to avoid capture or damage to his home. However, he does worry about the rebels. He hopes they weren't captured, but he isn't about to stick his neck out to help them.

*****

Asphodel searches the whole Temple of Terror, but cannot find anyone with keys! She knows that time is running out, but what will she do? The determined fairy continues her search until she finds a scary looking guy with body modifications and who seems to have his face painted like a skull. He has a loop of keys on his belt.

"Now, how to get them?" She asks herself.

[Genki Kurokawa]

As Genki and Kalma walk down the hallway, he heard talking. He stop and stood next to the door for a close of a minute. He then regonize his mom's voice. Genki grab Kalma's hand and led her to the women's bathroom.

"Kalma....my mom is here...." he whisper to her

[Dinari Dollar]

Since the Master announces that the formal activities of the day are over and the last testimonies are done, Dinari wants to move on to something else. He looks around boredly. In the distance, he sees some red and white circus tents.

When Max joins them, he decides to make a suggestion for their next activity.

"Hey everyone, let's check out the carnival put on by the Temple of Terror! I bet it will be lots of wholesome fun!" Dinari says with a laugh.

[Kith Keitoleinen]

"Let's go then." Kith replies with enthusiasm. There is a teleportation booth right outside the office, so Kith puts the code in for Havanna. In an instant, they are there. It is quite the change from Helsinki. The sun is oppressive and it is quite humid. Over the past year, Cuba had been developed by Allmart but also was under the influence of the Russian mafia. There were many hotels and attractions. It was difficult to decern that the island ever hosted a communist dictatorship.

They start walking toward the main beach. "I suppose we'll have to stop in a shop and pick up some swimwear." Kith suggests.

He enters a shop and they start looking. Kith has actually never worn swim trunks before...and finds the whole experience of going to the beach a little odd.

[Archer Aylmer]

"Well while they're here... Maybe you should make them do chores Bonifaz. I noticed your windows looked a little dirty. Or, maybe we should play a game. Do you have board games? Perhaps trivial pursuit? I know many, many trivial things."

Since the secret part of this conversation appears to me to be over, and because laundry rooms are generally horrible places to be, I make my way back to the living room after making these suggestions.

[Kasper Schultz]

"I'm not lost. I just got marooned in a remote mining village by a teleportation booth malfunction. I was going to the nearest town by bicycle and brought some water, but I just ran out today." Kasper explains. He wipes off his glasses to make sure she didn't get any dirt or finger prints on them. Then, she leads him to water, which he starts gulping aggressively. "Who are you? Why are you out in the middle of nowhere?" He asks between gulps. "Thanks...I think you saved me...."

He wipes his mouth free of the water and crosses his arms. He looks around the forest. He isn't sure where the girl came from. Certainly, she doesn't live out there.

"My name is Kasper by the way.." He says and extends a hand for a shake.

[Calithin Crest]

"Maybe I'll buy some stock in Globobank... And that way I'll own a bank... A little little bit. I'll own, like... A computer, some stairs, and a box of paper clips. Just a small percentage."

I laugh and am really pretty amused at this. Many people seem to be taking part in the festivities here in Rome. It's good to see people I haven"t seen in a while. When Max comes up I give him a nod of acknowledgment and smile.

"Yeah. That sounds like a solid idea Dinari."

[Li Violette]

After the Master finishes talking, I decide to do some exploring. I check my cell phone messages and see one from Anthony. I will have to check with him after the Holy Week events to see what he wanted.

I start wandering around until I come upon a flower shop and an area of town that seems damaged by something or someone. It isn't like the Manalists to let areas of the city fall into disrepair like this.

I decide to do some exploring to see what is going on here.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"Yes, I am ...we're staying here for a few days. You know about us?" I ask Frieda cautiously. I look her over. She doesn't look like a member of Null. She looks too good and sweet.

"Are you in Null?" I ask her. I remain in the doorway and look down the hall to where she indicated the bathroom was. Since I really don't need to go, I linger in the doorway to talk.

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

Ariel notices a message from Anthony West at Genetech, but he feels obligated to stay for Holy Week. It is a matter of keeping up appearances and appeasing the Manalists...or at least showing them that he takes some small interest in their affairs.
Feeling rather tired, he leaves the area near the Highest temple and checks into his hotel room. Once there, he checks his email and does a little bit of work looking over some reports and world events of the day. Then, with that done, he calls it a day, even though it is still fairly early. He falls asleep very quickly, exhausted from the day.

[Frieda Artz Lehrer]

"I just overheard. It was very rude of me...I'm sorry," Frieda hangs her head slightly. "No...I'm not in Null, Bonifaz has been trying to get me to join. Did he show you any rooms that you could stay in?"
She picked her head up a little bit since she was feeling a little more confident."

[Émilie LaFramboise]

Émilie listens eagerly as he explains. "Kasper? That's a nice name, I like that name. It was no problem." She beams as she shakes his hand, although she's unsure how to answer his question. She couldn't give her real name... "I like to go out in nature when ever I can, especially the forests even though there aren't many anymore." She says solemnly.

"You can call me... Em. I'm nobody, really." She decides to just shorten her first name, a nickname of sorts. "I'm sorry about the malfunction and running out of water, I've never had that happen to me before." Then again, that's probably because the Vivien's booth wasn't one of the poor ones. "Can I come with you? I need a booth to get home, anyway." She asks, her excitement returning.

She feels a little self conscious being around a male while her appearance wasn't at its best. Her dress was thorn at the bottom and dirty, dirt also marred her skin at spots. Nonetheless, it made her feel even more open and like herself.