Chapter 22: When In Rome

[Annette Rosenthal]

Annette scours her mind for what she wants. She has power and money and most things a person would want....or at least she is satisfied. What could Dinari, Calithin, or the others possibly give her. The only thing she can think of is amusement.

"I want....hmm....I want you to volunteer to fight some of Genetech's monsters in an intermission match. I want you to tell Scrag and the others that you would like to provide the intermission entertainment that way. Though, I am sure you can tell them that it is for entertainment only and therefore, not a death match." Annette suggests to Dinari and Calithin.

[Malak Al-Dabaran]

Malak watches as Lucio enters the arena and is pit against the giant mantis. He worries, yet, Lucio seems to be completely unworried or afraid. He isn't sure why this is. He knows that Lucio is strange though. Malak sits at the edge of his seat, feeling very powerless. What can be done though?
He holds on to the hope that maybe Lucio can fight the Mantis, it is afterall, one of the weaker looking creatures that have been unleashed. Malak watches carefully. If Lucio did win the fight, he would be the first human victor.

[Bambi Engel]

Light finally begins to return to normal as sounds grow louder. Bambi burst back into the main lobby with a gasp of breath. She allows herself to fall back against the wall, desperately gasping for air. No one was really around, so she didn't bother trying to cover her attitude. Wiping some sweat from her brow, she fixes her glasses with shaky hands.

Definitely wasn't going to do wandering in new places anymore, nope. She was still a little out of it and panicky. Observing the lobby, she decides to fully calm herself before returning to the seats.

[Alisa "Miia" Baykal]

Alisa raises her eyebrow, but as a feline the effect passes little notice. It was true their people had the potential to be "sand ninjas" as Calithin so elegantly put it. Her memory recalls exactly who Calithin it. A demi-god, like herself. He, however, was half angel. She'd never exploited her god half for status. Never really saw the point, if she wanted something she attained it without mortal worshipers.

She hops up onto the edge so that she could observe the fights as well. A purr escapes her at Dinari's petting. She feels the urge to laugh at his suggestion. Maybe she would when she had some free time, just for kicks. She meows at Calithin's next comment directed toward her. His words were rather ironic. Today hadn't been very lucky for her and they usually were.

Losing a bit of herself, she mewls in delight at the offer of kettle corn. She didn't often receive tasty foods, not like they were in the past before Manalists. She eagerly scarfs down the kettle corn in his palm. Annette's suggestion entertains her. She doubted Dinari would be able to put up much of a fight, but Calithin was bound to have some fighting ability.

Then again, Louhi had revealed to her most of her daughters had nowhere near the power Alisa did. Was Calithin as powerless as a mortal even with his angel half? She gazes her green cat eyes at him thoughtfully.

[Émilie LaFramboise]

"Well, okay..." She replies reluctantly, but trusting his words that the burns would be fine. Émilie isn't sure how to feel when he says he has a secret, slowly getting off the bike to walk beside him. She feels the urge to hold his hand but again restrains herself. After he reveals his secret, she blinks and appears to be in shock.

After a moment, she throws her arms around Kasper, hugging him. "Oh that's wonderful! Really?! I'm sorry you get in trouble sometimes, though... but that's so brave!" She giggles and jumps a little. She'd never met rebels- which is what it sounded like Kasper and his friends were. She was very interested in his friends now.

She knows she shouldn't be reacting like this really but has trouble containing her emotions.

[Lehti Itajumala]

Thunk, thunk, thunk. Lehti sighed as his head rested against the wall he had been beating it against a second ago. "Ow." He growled under his breath. Chief of Security for the Arena on Holy Week. Translation, the guy who is there for nothing but to take the blame for anything that goes wrong. "Blast it all, I'm a trained warrior priest of the Father! I am not a scapegoat!" He exclaimed to the emptiness off the backroom he had retired to to morn his fate. He cursed the feminine form he had been saddled with as he contemplated the abject ridicule he was probably suffering behind his back among his peers at that very moment. As one of the few priests who actually specialized in combat, it was only natural for him to oversee Manalist Guard missions. This was his...sixth? Seventh? Lehti sighed again, letting his fears and anger subside, then straightened his robes. The M of his faith cut a fine figure against his shoulders, only enhanced by the black sheathed sword with shining Manala crystal in the hilt on his left hip, and the oversized shining silver handgun in blood-red holster on the right. Yes, Asuan Veri and Roihu made an impressive image that almost made up for the smooth featured face. It was time to face this headfirst. After all, didn't the Book of Manala say that if given a bad situation, you turn it into a way to succeed? Yes, if all went without a hitch this week, he'd be given a pat on the back. If some idiot tried something and Lehti stopped it quickly, well, it was all the better. So, decision made, Lehti Itajumala, Warrior priest of Manala, stepped from the shadows with resolution in his eyes.

Lehti's steps slowed as he passed Annette Rosenthal, Calithin Crest, and Dinari Dollar. The three biggest supporters of Manala together in the same room at an event? The security risks grated against the tactician in him, but the opportunities shouted out at him. He decided quickly to stand apart a bit until he understood what was going on. Father forbid he accidentally walk in on some giant secret business meeting. Instead, he listened to them while watching the fights. He cringed when the gorgon stoned the crowd, and thanked the Father he wasn't the one in charge of taking care of the Arena itself. He smiled as he realised that it was one of his own men that had used his Manala ability to subvert the beast. He made a mental note to reward that man. As the fight ended, he listened to the three discussing their bet. A smile spread across his face as he took in the repayment Ms. Rosenthal asked of her peers. This could have possibilities. Two high profile combatants in the ring, this much excitement, and having slaughtered so many rebels. Someone was bound to go stupid and try to get some revenge for their fallen bretheren. Filling a cell in the Temple on the week it's being celebrated would earn him some major brownie points. Especially if he took them unharmed and awake. He could taste how pleased his superior would be with being able to offer a new rebel for the Jester and Flesh Monger to enjoy. If only they'd agree.

[Calithin Crest]

"Aw. That sucks. I don't even remember where I put my sword... Maaannnn. I need to stop betting, on the real. It's just ridiculous the sort of things I get myself into."

I cover my face with my hands and utter various displeased but indiscernible sounds. My hands are kind of sticky and cat-spity though, and when I notice this I make an awkward face and let them drop into my lap.

"Geeeeez."

I roll my eyes and huff and puff a little more before just accepting what I have to do. I scribble down a short message saying that I want to enter in one of the fights on a piece of paper and pay one of the colosseum workers to take it to Scrag. I don't really like being around him because of... Well, his smell. So I find it best just to send the note.

"Not. My. Lucky. Day."

I frown and pour out some more kettle corn for the cat into my hand then extend it forward. I feel comforted by the presence of a sympathetic animal in this most inconvenient situation.

[Lehti Itajumala]

This is one of those 'seize the moment' times. Lehti thought with glee. He stepped up to them, pressing his hands together in greeting. "Pardon me, but I couldn't help overhear. My name is Lehti Itajumala. I'm the current Chief of Security here at the Arena. I happen to have a small collection of contemporary weaponry, including swords, that are readily available. If you'd like, I could easily supply any weapon you need. You are a fencer correct? Do you prefer the Rapier or the Saber? Or should I bring you both?" He clicked the earpiece hidden in his ear twice, and his adjutant responded. "Bring me a fencing rapier, fencing Sabra, and...Rauta Kaarma from my collection." He smiled kindly, his deep blue eyes shining from his pale complexion. After only a few seconds, a Manalist guard rushed in with a white sheathed blade a as well as the unsheathed saber and rapier. Both rapier and saber had a gilt handguard, and the saber had gilt lines running in spirals down the hilt. "A perfectly lovely assortment, if I do say so myself. This," He lifted the white sheathed straight-sword, pulling the sword from its case to show the gleaming blue-silver blade. "is the brother sword to my own blade. Its name is Rauta Kaarma. Steel Serpent in Finnish. It has not, unlike my own sword, been outfitted with a Manala crystal. Unlike the other two, if you choose to take him, I will require his return, if you understand." He looked directly at Calithin as he said this, letting the meaning pass that Calithin would have to win at all costs if he borrowed this sword. "However, you don't have to take a weapon at all, I would presume."

[Kaschei Bessmertny]

Kaschei takes the note from Calithin and since he is acting as the announcer for this event, he takes a moment to make the announcement to the change in the schedule. "After this fight, there will be a short intermission. During the intermission, we will showcase fights between some of the Blessed, since I imagine that many of you are bored by this display of human weakness. The Blessed fights will not be to the death, of course. The Blessed who volunteer will be pit against each other and Genetech creations." Kaschei explains. He doesn't mind this career change. It is certainly odd for him to appear in public and playing the role of a Manalist supporter, but, at least Holy week has helped him adjust to it.
"I will also remind you that tomorrow, after the fights today, there will be a parade...the final event of Holy Week." Kaschei announces.

After the announcement is made, his attention returns to the fight, where Lucio is still skipping around the mantis.

[Dinari Dollar]

Dinari isn't sure what to think of Annette's proposal, but he is up for anything. Who knows, it could be fun. Anyway, he likes the idea that some of the Blessed can showcase their abilities. He didn't even know that Calithin had a sword or knew how to fight. He seems like a non combative sort of person.
He turns to the Manalist priest who is talking to Calithin about weapons. "Oh...well, I'll be fighting too. Should I pick a weapon?" Dinari asks. Dinari knows how to use Manala energy, a little, but isn't much of a fighter. He does have a repertoire of strange attacks though. He gets up out of his seat and hopes that the fight between Lucio and the mantis ends soon. He also hopes that he doesn't end up looking lame and weak in front of all of those people.

[Jumala Keitoleinen]

Keitoleinen has been watching the fights and although he is mildly entertained by it all, the cat caught his attention. He can't be sure, but there is something about it. He vaguely senses something familiar, but he can't quite place it. It is something...old, something from his past...but at the same time, seems to be nothing at all. He dismisses it as imagination or lack of stimulation.

His attention returns to the fight. When Kaschei announces that there will be a fight between some of the Blessed...and that Calithin will be among those fighting, he becomes very interested. He has hardly seen Calithin's power and would like to know how powerful he is. Perhaps for his own selfish reasons of evaluating potential threats, but also because he is simply curious.

[Charon Dejardins/Asphodel]

To Cephrien

When Cephrien leaves the flower shop, Asphodel zips along behind him...hurrying along so that she can catch up with him. She flies pretty quickly, so she doesn't have much trouble, but, she does stay a little bit behind so that he doesn't know he is being followed. When he arrives at the Colosseum, Asphodel lands on his shoulder, looking around at all there is to see and feeling quite small and insignificant.

"What are you going to do, Cephrien?" Asphodel asks him. She sits there, looking up at his face. She thinks he is nice looking, but she decides to keep this to herself, since she wouldn't want to make him uncomfortable. He might even kick her off his shoulder.

[Kasper Schultz]

Kasper turns deep red when she hugs him. He isn't used to people getting close to him, so he can't help but feel awkward. But, he hugs her back, since he feels that is the appropriate thing to do....until he has second thoughts and shies away. He takes a step back...and looks down and then around ...
"Oh...that's good...I thought you would be worried or against the fact that we are rebels. That is the reason I got stuck out in the middle of nowhere. My teleportation booth malfunction when I was trying to escape the Invisible Hand in Helsinki. But...I guess it all turned out.." He says, still looking at his feet. He kicks at the dirt, as if there is something stuck in it, maybe a rock. Some invisible object of distraction. "Are....you a rebel too?"

[Lucio De Saldanha]

Lucio plays around for a while, running around the mantis, which seems almost indifferent to him. However, suddenly the mantis springs towards him, plunging its front limbs near Lucio...sending up a small flume of dust. Lucio coughs and quickly jumps back. He has a lot of energy, but his fun and games were disrupted by the reality of the giant insect. When Lucio jumps back, the insect starts rocking back and forth. It has trouble tracking movement, or seeing movement against a still background unless it rocks from side to side. Lucio notices that it is rocking, so he starts rocking too.
"Hey...we're dancing...we're dancing now!" Lucio says as he naively copies the insects movements. The insect rocks back and forth for a long while, unable to track Lucio effectively. Lucio continues moving too. He tries out a couple of dance moves, that look like over exaggerated ballet. Lucio even jumps at the insect, which causes it to jump back as well...in semi confusion.
Lucio starts skipping again. "Skip skip skip to my lou.." Lucio says as he skips behind the insect. Once behind, he quickly tries to spear it. He gets it in the back, which sends some green juice gushing out. The spear is stuck inside though. The mantis quickly turns around.
"What's a lou...anyway? I had a neighbor named Lou.."
The mantis, upset over the attack, lunges at Lucio again. Lucio runs away, leaving the mantis in the center of the stage. It rocks a little, and tries to track him again. It follows after him, leaving a trail of green goo behind. Lucio races around, saying jiberish and laughing. Eventually, the creature falls over.

[Horacio Hatfield]

Horacio waits in the flower shop with Ophelia. A part of him feels as though he should have gone with Malak, Asphodel, and Cephrien, but instead, he remains there. Though, as long as he is there, he decides that he should help Ophelia clean up. He grabs a broom and starts cleaning.
"I suppose you aren't used to so much excitement." He says to her as he cleans. He helps her clean up the shop and even patches up the windows with some boards, which will have to do until she gets new windows. The shop looks a little less welcoming, but he figures it will still be a popular place.
After he is done cleaning, he excuses himself to a private room and starts writing a letter.