Chapter 23: Heaven Is A Gated Community

[Archer Aylmer]

"I think that word gets thrown around too often. Also... Medically speaking, no one is a Sociopath because that isn't the term psychologists use now. If you want to ask someone that you have to ask them if they have Antisocial Personality Disorder."

I frown, but not because I am insulted. I am not. I've just really always thought that people were too liberal with the term 'Sociopath.' It annoys me.

"Anyway, I don't know. I've never been psychologically evaluated. People have called me that before. So I guess maybe, but I really don't think so. I'm just different. I don't think it's... That. But I can't say for sure. Would it bother you if I were, or would you not care and treat me the same way?"

[Akira 69]

((*makes mental note to check more regularly*))

"Come along you!" Akira commanded when the guards pushed Ceph to him, not even acting as he dragged Ceph with him. Where was he taking him he didn't know nor did the thought cross his mind as Ashphodel suddenly reminded him why he had saved Ceph. This was incredibly fortunate for Ceph as Akira had been about to try and punish him for credit that was surely not his. "Next fight s-star-art. Must hurry!" Akira replied shortly before a sudden "BANG" erupted. What followed next was Akira's head flying clean off, a large hole in his forehead as it rolled across the floor.

[darian]

Darian had secretly been amongst the group with Flesh, suspecting Ceph to try and save one of the Socialist rebels. He was pleased to find that he had already been captured, though upset that he hadn't been the one to do it. He had been about to go in search of the other rebel when there was a sudden appearance of a creditor which demanded to take Ceph away to "punish" him for his bad credit.

Something was fishy, this was alittle TOO convient to be a freak event of chance and so Darian followed the pair and after they had all gotten out, Akira revealed himself to be a rouge creditor. Drawing his Exitus pistol, Darian quickly aimed and fired an armor piercing shell through the back of Akira's head after he made his reply. "What you're going to do now is die." Darian replied, his form more or less invisible as another sound that Ceph may have heard before. It was the sound of a katana being drawn out of it's sheath, but this katana was special.

Darian had requested the weapon after his first encounter with Ceph. A dagger was simply not cut out for a sword fight and so Darian wanted a longer weapon... it was also powered by a manalacrystal making it even deadlier in his hands. With a single fluid motion, Darian lounged for Ceph and took a powerful swing, following up with a couple loud shots from his pistol before swinging a quick flurry of attacks with his katana.

[Heikki Toivonen]

"No, it wouldn't bother me. It doesn't matter one way or the other. I was just curious...I just wanted to understand you a little better." Heikki replies. He coughs a little and regrets bringing it up. He sometimes fails at social interactions and this is one of those times. He should be happy that Archer brought him some water and is spending time with him now that he is sick. No one else would do that in Null. Heikki rolls onto his side and turns away from the television since his head is feeling heavy still.

"Everyone in Null has something wrong with them. Mental illness itself is socially constructed. The standards for disease are set against norms of how humans should think or behave." Heikki adds. He wants to keep talking since he doesn't want Archer to leave. He feels sick and lonely and likes having the company. Archer isn't exactly a comfort. He is empty, somewhat robotic, and hard to get to know. At the same time, it feels better than an empty room.

"Archer....um....how do you feel about life.....and living here? Do you like being a part of Null?" Heikki asks. He pulls the blanket up to his chin and looks over at him with glossy, blood shot eyes contrasting against his sick, pale skin. But, his expression is eager and hopeful, for some reason or another.

[Kaschei Bessmertny]

Salome doesn't even have to fight the lamb tree. It dies on its own when the plant suspending it in the air starts to wilt. It seems that the ground was too dry and there was no food source for the lamb tree. The lamb tree withers and falls over. The lamb bleats a few times before passing away.

Kaschei isn't sure what to make of that fight, but the fact that there could be an inquiry is mindly exciting. The crowd seems upset with the outcome, but none of the Manalist leadership offers any explanation. After a few minutes, the crowd falls silent. Finally, someone steps in to take away the dead lamb tree and Salome is proclaimed the winner.

There is no cheering or booing, only a confused silence.

"That ends the first part of the fights. There will be a 10 minute break before the fight between the surviving rebels." Kaschei announces. He does not say anything about the lamb tree, even though he is tempted to say that it was supposed to transform, but it was a defective model of a more powerful creature.

When mistakes or errors are made, it is usually best not to draw attention to them with a lie. If they simply go unaddressed, they are more easily forgotten.

[Dinari Dollar]

"Hmm...." Dinari says in a rare moment of thoughtfulness. He is confused about the fight and trying to figure out the lamb tree incident. He isn't sure why the Manalists put the anarchist against such a weak creature, but no one seems to be asking any questions or offering any answers.

"You should come to Allfun sometime, Calithin. I think you would like it. You like rollercoasters, right?" Dinari asks to make conversation between the fights now. Allfun is the Allmart amusement park in Allwhere, Florida.

[Archer Aylmer]

"Everyone in general... Regardless of whether or not they are in Null... Has something wrong with them. I don't care if there's something wrong with me. It doesn't bother me, whatever it is. I think the thing that's usually wrong with most people is some form of insecurity or another, and that would drive me crazy. So I'm glad I don't have that. Most people are really pretty... Not... Worthwhile, anyway."

I realize I've been standing for a long time so I take a seat on the edge of the bed closest to the tv. I am very interested in what will happen when the rebels are put up against one another. I wonder if they'll actually fight each other.

"In terms of life... I think it's wasted. Usually, if not always. I think the world is hopeless. Civilizations always crumble. Human beings are like... Phoenixes. Every few hundred years we throw ourselves into the funeral pyre, but we rise again. Try again. Maybe do better, maybe not. Maybe worse. I guess there's no way of measuring 'better.' Striving for the Superman, as Nietzsche would say."

I yawn, I wish I weren't always tired.

"I like living here more than I've liked living... Elsewhere. It's strange to have company all the time, I'm use to being alone."

There is an awkward sort of pause here while I try to figure out the appropriate proceeding action.

"Now... It's your turn to talk. Explain your thoughts."

[Calithin Crest]

"I like roller coasters, sure. They're fast and dangerous. I like fast, dangerous things. That's why I'm going to be an astronaut, since I figure what's more fast and dangerous than a spaceship?"

I'm not really going to be an astronaut... Atleast it isn't likely. I guess if they ran out of people wanting to be astronauts who were qualified, I wouldn't be such a bad choice. But still. I make a face and turn my attention back to the arena, I think that if there are any religious rebels fighting in the next round they will most likely win. Religious rebels are hardcore. You don't mess with people's religion.

"Maybe I'll visit Allfun sometime, but I have work to do you know! Important business to handle. Some of us don't just run around being ridiculous all the time. Plus... I hate Florida. I'm sorry. Don't take it personally, I mean no offense... But I really really cannot stand Florida. Everything is pastel-colored and it is way too hot."

[Heikki Toivonen]

"I'm not the most educated person." Heikki admits at first. He feels that he must, since he doesn't want to come across as stupid or that his opinions don't matter. Having been raised by Genetech there was a lot of education that he missed out on in life. "My opinion is that..I do want society to change and think that things could be better. But the better...I am not sure what that entails. It is some vague thing. It entails having more freedoms and less attachments to ideas about...politics, religion, morality, gender, sexuality...." Heikki explains. The fight on TV has ended now and it will soon be time to watch the rebels pit against each other.

"If no one thought murder was morally wrong, it doesn't mean that everyone would murder. I think there are natural consequences to things with or without laws or morality. I would like to see...what humans would do or act like if they were governed only by the potential consequence for their actions. I don't have an answer for society...I just want to see how things could be different..."

Heikki sighs since he is himself conflicted about his beliefs or lack thereof.

[Lucio De Saldanha]

"AWWW!!!" Lucio calls out when the Flesh Monger twists his leg. He hears a snap and screams even harder. The fun and games are over and Lucio is finally paying for his silly ways. When the Flesh Monger lets go of his leg, it is not broken, but does feel like he pulled or popped something out of place. Lucio tries to stand up, but putting weight on the leg is painful.

Then, a robed man enters the room and informs Lucio and the Flesh Monger that the fight between the rebels will begin in 10 minutes and Lucio is to report back to the arena.

Lucio isn't sure what is worse....the tortures of the Flesh Monger or having to return to the fights. He looks to the Flesh Monger for his permission to leave with the robed priest.

[Lehti Itajumala]

Lehti sighed, sitting up straight in his bed. There was no point trying to get back to sleep now, not after that dream. The red puffiness of his weeping had faded, so his eyes were clear. He stood from bed and dressed in the navy-blue suit he kept around to look normal. First the navy blue dress slacks, then the black shirt, then light blue tie, and the navy jacket over all. He pulled on black gloves, a little idiosyncrasy of his. He unwrapped the hilt of Asuan Veri, wrapping it anew in blue and resheating it in a blue case. The blue wrap purposefully hid the glow of the Manala crystal in his hilt. He agonized over taking Roihu, but knew that the bulky weapon would show him out in an instant, so he made due with Ratketa tucked into his waist under his jacket. As an after thought, he slipped a portable imager into his pocket. Then he walked out the door.

Lehti had to pass the High Inquisitor's room to leave the High Temple. Groans issued out like reminders that the Elven interrogator was still alive. Lehti shivered. That man, Koivo Koivisto, scared him deeply. The man looked like a corpse.

Lehti stopped before a teleportation booth, the high end one, and paused. Where was he going? He thought for a second, and the only place that came to mind was home. He smiled. He didn't have much free time these days, so he hadn't been back in a while. He stepped into the booth and selected his destination. He'd return to Rome in more than enough time to dress out for the Parade. For now, he'd enjoy the night of his home. Watch out Helsinki, Finland.

[Émilie LaFramboise]

Émilie jumps in startlement when Kasper shrieks. She fears the worst while he lets the fact sink in, shuffling her feet nervously. Ordinary and poor wasn't so bad, she wished she was sometimes... but then she wouldn't be so educated. She makes a note of his comment about the Enlightened Brotherhood. Rebel groups were one thing Vivien tried her best to keep from her.

"I like to go to random places sometimes, I guess it's kind of careless of me. I didn't think there wouldn't be a booth for so far. I kind of get sidetracked sometimes in the forest..." She's glad as they reach the village, Kasper could probably use plenty of rest. "What's the Enlightened Brotherhood?"

[Archer Aylmer]

"I'm trying not to care about whether people are educated or not. Or intelligent or not. It's a pretension I'm trying to get rid of. Technically, both have the potential to be equally as valuable and enjoyable. So."

Heikki doesn't really seem to have particularly well defined beliefs. But then he in himself isn't really well defined as a person. I don't know how I would describe him to someone if they asked me...

"Heikki is quiet. Heikki is sick. Heikki doesn't know what he thinks. Heikki is a little awkward. Heikki has no reason to be cheerful, yet often appears to be so. I do not know what I think about Heikki."

I say this more to myself but am not happy with the outcome of the description.

"You will not be a character in a book Heikki. No no."

[††Venice "Cephrien" Ashgrove††]

When there is a loud BANG ringing through the halls, Ceph can only suspect what was going on.. Fortunately, the shot didn't go in his direction and, instead, hit Akira. Since Akira was an android, Ceph didn't waste any time worrying about him. Instead, his eyes focused on the familiar figure of Darian. The manalist assassin that he had fought in Helsinki. His eyes lowered halfway as a sly smirk appeared on his lips. The first lunge met with the metallic material of the shackles that bound his wrists together. Since the sword that Darian was using was infused with Manala Energy, it was strong enough to crack the material. The runes of light on his bounds began to flicker. They weren't broken, but Ceph could feel some of his strength returning as the spell weakened.

When the first lunge was struck, Ceph spun around and booked it down the hall where he could escape the torture area. Though eventually, going in this direction would lead him to the arena. Bullets bounced around him, just barely wizzing past him. If any of the bullets hit him, he could actually die.

He didn't look back, he kept running, turning a corner to go into another hall. Within a matter of minutes, he would be running outside into the arena.

[Lehti Itajumala]

As Darian and Cephrein had their encounter, Lehti was stepping from the teleportation booth in Helsinki, breathing in the night air that was exactly the same as when he was growing up. He looked around and took in the beauty (what there was of it) of the town he had been forbidden as a child. His parents lived a short ways away from here. In fact, if he wanted to, he could walk there in minutes. His parents had strictly forbid him from setting foot in Helsinki. He loved disobeying his parents. So, clothed in blue and black, the only Manala M on his person hidden beneath his jacket, Warrior Priest Lehti Itajumala strode through the forbidden city of his childhood.

Father bless oranges! And the man who grew them, and the man who splurged and got a box of them to serve at a cafe in Helsinki! Lehti sighed as he tasted the purity of fresh orange juice. Fresh was so hard to come by these days, and anything else would set off his Specific Physical Reversion. He sat and enjoyed his juice at a small outdoor cafe on a back street of Helsinki. Across from him was a biggish building, mostly falling apart. That wasn't so odd, most buildings were falling down, really. What was odd was that someone was staying there. Little hints like the obviously recently installed TV antennae on the roof were more than enough proof for someone as observant as Lehti. Unbeknown to Lehti, he had accidentally stumbled upon the Socialist House on his random trekking through his home town looking for pure substances to intake. As far as he knew, this was just a crumbling building. He pulled out his imager, essentially an amazingly sophisticated camera with the ability to match pictures to files through a linkup to the Manalist Mainframe, and began to take small photos of the building. It was ancient. Eventually it would be gone, and the historian in him loved the idea of having a way to preserve this building. So he took pictures. He toyed with the idea of going up and asking to be allowed to take pictures of the inside, but discarded the idea. He wasn't sure he knew how to ask for something anymore, he was so used to giving orders at this point. So he sufficed with taking unapproved photos through the windows from his vantage point. He saw a window with lights in it, and focused on it. He nearly squealed with glee. The room was a treasure trove of Pre-Manalist Calendar memorabilia. He began moving his body to get better vantage points. Bruce Springsteen posters, model cars, 80's rock paraphernalia! Finally, in the reflection of a model car's window, he got a look at the owner of the room. Due to its top of the line quality,the best money could buy, the imager was able to digitally enhance the picture to near face to face quality. There was some light blurring around the right eyebrow, but it was more than enough for a file scan. Lehti prided himself on being a master of knowing things about others, so he matched the picture to see what he could find. The match came back as Armin Lehrer, a janitor from Germany. What was a German janitor doing in a rundown building in Helsinki? Travel was so restricted that anyone that poor should have never left their home town, much less their country! So Lehti took it upon himself to find out. He began a full analysis search on this Armin Lehrer.

Lehti sat with his eyes closed. How did this stuff happen to him? Was it a blessing or a curse? Armin Lehrer was picked up in Allwhere, imitating a factory janitor in the factories where they were building the Eyes of God. There was only one explanation in Lehti's mind. This man was a rebel. Lehti sighed. He would have to do some snooping, but he would have to do it quietly. This was the sort of thing that went straight to the High Inquisitor. There was no way Lehti would allow this to become and Inquisition. If it did, he shivered to think, he would have to...work with Koivo Koivist!