Chapter 22: When In Rome

[Calithin Crest]

"Awww shux. We do what we can. Tearing holes in the earth is just a part of any honest day's work. I'm about my business, you see. I'm kind of a big deal. I take great pride in the work my company does."

I make a mental note to go to one of Roland's restaurants sometime in the near future and as I speak alternate my glance between him and the fight still raging within the colosseum.

"So what do you think the terms of our wager here should be, Roland? What will the losers have to do?"

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

Cephrien begins to walk towards the exit of the flowershop, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword strapped to his waist. He looked back at the others and lowered his eyelids.

"In any case. It's starting now. You all can do what you want, but I'm just going to go with my gut on this one.. there isn't much time to waste." He looks to Horacio and nods and does the same to Malak. He shoots a stare to Ophelia, wondering if he should even get her further involved in this.. maybe he could find another place to hide.. He didn't look at Akira, but wouldn't mind if he came along. Maybe he would be a good decoy.

Without another word, Ceph leaves the Flower Shop and immediately begins to sprint down the road towards the Colosseum.. Before he caused a ruckus though.. He'd need to temporarily change his appearance.. make a disguise.

[Kaschei Bessmertny]

(So to make this more interesting, to bet on a fight, roll the dice in the post that you say which fighter you pick. The highest roll will determine who wins the fight. People can bet on the same fighter/animal, but the one who gets the highest number will be the one who determines who wins. So for instance, Dinari rolls 2 for bear, Calithin 6 for Jewish Rebel, Peter 4 for dinosaur, and Bambi 3 for dinosaur=Jewish Rebel wins. If there is a high number tie, then it will be a draw... )

The Jewish terrorist puts up a better fight than the Nun, that is for certain, but he simply is not fast or agile enough to compete. What's more, his weapon is too short....so, to hit the dinosaur, he must get dangerously close. His slowness and the shortness of the weapon doom him. The velcociraptor like dinosaur wins and starts eating both the bear and the Jewish fighter. Kaschei is not surprised.

The dinosaur is allowed to remain in the ring for the next fight, which once again, Kaschei announces. This time, the body of the fighter is not removed, since the dinosaur is feeding on it.

"The next fight will be between an American named Guy Smith, a man in his 30s who shoplifted from a local Allmart. He attempted to steal toothpaste, condoms, and a bag of beef jerky. Because the Manalists hate theft above most other crimes, he will be fighting a Genetech Armored Rhinoceros and a Gorgon (a Medusa like creature that can turn people into stone.)"

As Kaschei announces this, a woman with snakes for hair...and a giant, armored Rhinoceros enter the arena. The dinosaur is also still in the area, although it is distracted by feeding.

Guy enters the arena as well. He is a thin, tall guy who looks a little confused...then, completely terrified.

[Master Scrag]

Scrag overhears Darian mention that the rebels are not worthy dying in the arena. Scrag is mildly amused by the show of interesting creatures, but it is true that the rebels are pitifully weak. Scrag finds some amusement in it for sadistic purposes, in that, the rebels are so outmatched that it is just a matter of watching how quickly they die.
"Yes, perhaps you are right. It is a good reminder for me of how weak people can be. I surround myself with the Blessed, many of which have mastered Manala energy, or have mastered the world through business. I forget sometimes...what it looks like to be ordinary...and powerless.." The Master states.
He watches the fight and his eyes and mind turn to the people in the front rows. The front row seats are populated by business and economic leaders....as well as some religious leaders. He wonders what this means to them. Do they also find it boring? People seem to be cheering, or at least interested in the creations of Genetech. In some ways, it is like a commercial for that company...an advertisement of what they can create.
Scrag considers this and turns his attention back to Darian.

[Dinari Dollar]

"I think I want...hmm....can I still vote for the bear?" Dinari asks Calithin and Roland. However, the bear is long dead and even partially eaten. Dinari looks at the choices again...dinosaur, woman with snakes in her hair, small shoplifter, or armored Rhinoceros. It is a difficult choice to make. Dinari looks at the small shoplifter. Since he stole from an Allmart, he doesn't want him to win...then again, he is American. That should count for something. Dinari feels torn on the issue.

"Awe...this is so tough, it makes my head hurt!" Dinari states, and even rubs his head.

"Okay...I will go with...American shop lifter!" Dinari blurts out.


[dice=6][rand=37565738319749564641100203594795877884230400638484922806822822916]

[Momo Kurokawa]

"I like it. I think that the Manalists seem to have enough going on. Speaking of which, let's go check out the fights. I think that might be interesting." Momo suggests to Max. She then leads him to the Colosseum, where the fights have already begun, and there is currently a fight between some small guy and a couple of creatures. They take a seat near Roland, who Momo hasn't met before, but has seen on the Economic Council. Since she doesn't know him well, she doesn't bother saying hello to him.
"These seats are uncomfortable, they should be padded." She says of a bleacher style seat. She moves around trying to get comfortable, but only frowns.
Her mood improves when a vendor comes by. She orders a corndog and a Countess Cola.
"Do you want anything Max? I can treat you." Momo states as she purchases her corn dog.

[Kasper Schultz]

Kasper just grins from ear...to red ear, for a long time. He pedals hard and fast and keeps his thoughts to himself. He is quiet, lost in thoughts and not sure what to say. But he feels very good. He feels better than he does at an important party meeting or when he is matching up socks..or figuring out how to divide the phone bill evenly between his roommates in a responsible fashion. He feels better than that, but he isn't sure how to describe it. Finally, they pass a sign that says 10 km to the nearest town. Kasper knows it isn't far now. He wonders what Armin, Hilja, Freakboy, Malak, Lucio, and the others have been doing. He figures they must be worried sick about him. He can't wait to see them all again.
"Will you have time to meet my friends when I get to the teleportation booth?" Kasper asks Em after his long silence. The sun is very high now and he has some sunburn on his nose, ears, and cheeks. He just then notices it...he wishes that he would have thought to bring sunscreen, but he didn't know he would be marooned in the middle of Russia as he was. Nevertheless, he mentally scolds himself for lack of preparedness.

[Charon Dejardins/Asphodel]

"Ah yes, I have heard of you." Charon replies. He is still paranoid that this is some sort of trick. How can he know for sure? It sounds too good to be true. Anyway, why would the company take much interest in him? Charon paces around his small library, trying to see through this Manalist deception. Perhaps it was the Invisible Hand on the other line trying to get him where he is weak...books.
Charon has no way to know if this person is genuine or not.
"Well...why don't you tell me a little about your company. I would just like you to tell me...more about it." Charon decides. Maybe this request for information will flub up the insidious but ignorant Invisible Hand member on the other side of the line.

[Armin Lehrer]

Armin works hard with the other Allmart workers. Normally they work on sewing garments, but now they are doing work on the blimps. The blimps should be ready within a month due to the long hours put in by the numerous workers. After about six hours of working, Armin, who is now Jesus to the other workers...or at least the managers, is allowed a break. He is used to hard work, but not work like this. He gulps water and eats a sandwich during the break. It is then that he starts trying to converse with some of the workers. He at first tries to feel them out.
"How do you feel about it...the Eyes of God?" He asks them. They are reluctant to talk to him, since they don't trust him. He even tries to get them to talk by saying his opinion.
"Well...I am worried about it...there won't be privacy..." Armin says to bait them into giving opinions. But these workers are too afraid to say anything. It makes things hard for Armin. His break ends and he returns to work, without making any progress in talking with the workers. He figures he will just keep trying...and maybe he can build trust.
He works extra hard and even helps other people at their stations when he has a free moment.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I try to talk to the scientists at M TV, but, after a while, security decides they con't want me poking around and I am asked to leave. I comply since I don't want to cause trouble and get arrested. So, I stand outside of M TV and feel pretty powerless to stop the Eyes of God. I hope that Armin is having better luck than I am, but, at least he gets to deal with Allmart workers. They are probably a little more willing to rebel than the people at M TV. I suppose...I could try talking to some other workers involved with the project. I consider that as I start walking around aimlessly. I find that...I feel a little run down...like I am coming down with a cold or something. I dismiss it for now and wander the streets trying to come up with my next move.

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

Malak watches Cephrien leave and sighs. He thought that the idea that Horacio suggested seemed like it might work, however, maybe Cephrien has plans of his own. Malak isn't sure what to do, but there isn't time to waste. He simply leaves the flower shop, following after Cephrien. However, the demon is much father than him and he soon loses sight of him. Instead, he finds himself at the Colosseum. Not sure what to do, he enters and takes a seat in the back with the least important people...everyday citizens of Rome without wealth or social standing. He decides that maybe he can watch for any sign of Cephrien in those far off seats.

[Ariel Tal Shachar]

Ariel finds himself upset by the death of the Israeli terrorist. It makes him feel uncomfortable. He also feels that he is being watched, that others are watching him for some sort of reaction. That..if he reacts it will be a sign of allegiance or a sign of some aspect of himself that seems obvious, but that he tries to hide anyway. So, he says nothing during the fight. There seems to be no appropriate course of action. To make bets would perhaps come off that he is overcompensating for his discomfort. To criticize it would show an allegiance. The best he can do is appear indifferent and blank. He tells himself that he is being paranoid and that people are more concerned about the fight than of him. The thoughts get to him though. He orders a Countess Cola from the vendor and drinks it while he watches the new fight. He looks at the time. He takes another sip. Every action must come off perfectly. There must be nothing suspicious, but at the same time, he must appear interested and conform to the situation...without over conforming. Finding the balance is a headache.

He stands up and turns to Calithin, Dinari and Li.

"I really have to get going. I have some work to do and have stayed in Rome too long. But, it certainly has been an interesting week. I regret that I will miss the rest of the fights and the parade."

With that short explanation, he makes his exit. He leaves the Colosseum and takes the teleportation booth back to Switzerland.

[Annette Rosenthal]

[dice=6]

"I think the Gorgon will win." Annette pipes in. She likes the Gorgon. Something about it seems familiar and likeable. She imagines that Gorgons would be a good addition to Global Bank, especially the department of collections.
Annette pays special attention to when Ariel leaves. Although he appears to be blank and also appears to be busy, like normal, she suspects that he was uncomfortable about the last fight.
She finds some sinister happiness in his discomfort.
"Ariel sure left suddenly." She remarks with a smirk, but doesn't take it any further.
[rand=95573824267230234293156745311260790535513498309218545938916387043]

[Émilie LaFramboise]

Émilie keeps herself distracted from her urges during the silence thinking over Countress Cola stocks and recent numbers. She isn't the best at math, but it keeps her busy. At his question, she bites her lower lip. If she did, she'd get to know where he was staying so she could visit him. As long as she didn't stay too long... "Sure, I'd like to." She finally replies.

She notices the sunburn on his ears and feels a little bad. "I don't suppose you or any of them have aloe..." She says softly, touching his shoulder lightly. Aloe wasn't the easiest to get, especially with the lack of poor environment and lack of hospitals. She'd get some for him somehow, maybe that German group had some.

[Alisa "Miia" Baykal]

((Indirect post to the Calithin group.))

Without so much as a glance at her, Alisa reaches the front rows. These were the business ones, the "Blessed" of this era in mankind's history. She lingers under one of the seats as she listens in on their conversation. How amusing, they were making wagers. If she were not a feline, she'd possibly have joined in. At the current moment... well, a cat's vocal chords were not built for human speech. She couldn't simply shift again, either.

Humans weren't the best at taking a naked person seriously. For now, she would simply listen. Hopping onto the seat next to Calithin, she roams her slitted pupils over those she had heard speaking. The one known as Calithin seemed to bear the most pleasant personality. She'd have to be careful with the others, some people just hated cats with a passion.

At the blue haired one called Dinari, she stares bluntly for a few seconds. His words passed him off as fairly... well, stupid. The older woman reminds her of various bitter women she had met in the past. She'd been friends with quite a few. At her position, she couldn't see those in the row behind aside from the one leaning his head between Calithin and Dinari. One of her black ears twitched idly.

There was something about that one. She tilted her head. He was fairly attractive, dressed uniquely- but otherwise normal enough appearing. Huh. Was this how so many humans had felt about herself? Something off, but something that couldn't be seen. She decides to simply remain in the seat for now, cleaning her paw as she awaited the terms of their wagers to be named.