Chapter 24: Pity the Flu

[Tristan Tuzanic]

"I'm Tristan Tzanic. And no, my suffering is far worse. That's why I drink...or have to use red leaf...or anything else I can get. I just want to escape all this." Tristan laments. He slowly rolls up his sleave and pulls down his gloves to show his wrists. His wrists have scars and his arms have cuts on them.
"And you know what, little girl...I can't escape, no matter what I do."

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

He just called me little girl. I feel a little offended by that, but I do have a high pitched voice and some unfortunately girlish mannerisms. I stand up taller and try to talk with a more serious and deep voice. I most definitely do not like to be called little girl.

My impression of Tistan is that I feel sorry for him, but that he also has a very negative attitude. I am the opposite. I always try to look on the bright side. Maybe he just needs to be around more positive people.

"I think that escapes of all sorts are very tempting. My escape is my imagination. But, I also know that problems should be faced... escapism only gives them time to grow making them harder to face when the time comes."

We walk a little father and come upon my home. IT is a run down house that I share with Armin and other roommamtes. I stop by the front steps.

"This is where I live. It's a little shabby, but you are welcome to come inside. I can make you tea! Tea always makes me feel happier!"

[Tristan Tuzanic]

Tristan looks over the run down house. It isn't very attractive. The paint is chipping off the outside and some of the windows look like they need repairs. The house looks very old, but, at the same time, at least it is a place of their own. He lives with other Manalists in a dorm/apartment like setting. It isn't very pleasant for him in the least. "Yeah, I'll come in." He says before following her into the old house. He thinks about what she said, but only for a moment.
"I've been escaping for so long I don't think I can face it. But, it's okay. I survive. That's all that matters for now. One of these days I'll just put an end to my life anyway. The escapes give me some extra time."

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"Tell me, what in particular makes your life so bad?" I ask him. I lead us to the kitchen where I pull out the old tea kettle and start boiling some water. Even though Armin has been gone for a couple of days, the kitchen still smells like bacon. He has a thing about eating a lot of meat. I wonder for a moment how he is doing and how the anarchist meeting is going. Maybe the socialists should have another meeting soon. I would like to do something.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

Tristna smiles to himself when he finally gets the opportunity to talk about his life and his problems. This is his favorite topic in the whole world. He takes a seat in the kitchen and looks out the window. His thoughts aren't clear at the moment, so he takes a while to collect them.
"Where to start. Well, I am a Manalist Soldier. I hate my life but I can't escape this job. You see, I was captured and forced to do it. If I don't work for them, they would kill me. I've tried to kill myself, but every time I try to, I fail. I just come back. I just won't die." Tristan explains to Hilja. He rubs the marks on his arms for dramatic effect.

"I'm married to a High Priestess who is a complete bitch who doesn't even understand me at all. I hate her. She ruins my life. The only reason I married her is because we have a son and I thought it was the right thing to do.." He explains.

"Have you heard enough or do you want me to say more?" He asks. He watches Hilja make the tea, but before she can answer, he just continues. "I've done bad things for the Manalists. I never wanted to do this. I wanted to be an artist or a musician, but not this." He says. He taps his hands on the table waiting for Hilja's reaction to the miseries in his life.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I pour the water into two cups and put a tea bag in each one. The tea is not high quality tea, but the cheapest kind that Allmart was selling. I don't mind though. I've become used to it.

I listen to all that Tristan says about himself. When he says he is a Manalist soldier I shudder and almost drop the tea kettle. I do my best to remain calm. Had I known I would not have invited him inside...or talked to him at all. I am a little terrified right now. I grow pale and take a seat. I quietly take a sip of tea.

"You have had a difficult life. And...y...y...you were captured by the Manalits and forced to be a soldier. I...d..didn't know they did that.." I stammer.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

"Not to anyone...only to Ruwai or other people who know how to use Manala energy. The choice was death or joining. Maybe I should have picked death. I don't know." Tristan replies. He takes a sip of his tea and although he doesn't care for tea, he just drinks it anyway.
"I suppose you don't even know what a Ruwai is. Most people don't...so, I guess I can explain. I am a plant...a humanoid plant. Each of us represents a different plant, and I represent an Iris." He states. He is rather proud of his heritage as a Ruwai. "I was born in Serbia. So, I also identify with being Serbian. I spend more time as a human anyway..."

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"You are a plant person? That's silly! I have never heard of such a thing! You must be joking now unless you were doing somehting other than drinking." I laugh a little and refil my tea. When Tristan drinks his I give him a refil to. I think that this idea of a plant person is very funny.

However, I did once meet someone who was an elf. I thought that was pretty strange at the time as well. I start to second guess myself. Maybe there is more to this world that I am aware of.

"If you are a plant person, can you prove it?" I say, this time, trying to take him a little more seriously.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

Tristan smiles at the opportunity to show his plant form. He stands in the center of the kitchen and spends a moment collecting his Manala energy so he can do the transformation. He is pretty exhausted and somewhat intoxicated at the moment, so it takes more out of him than usual. After a few moments, his hair starts to change. It becomes longer and turns from black into blue. It sticks up in different directions and looks like a cross between human hair and the petals of an iris. His body turns green and becomes marked with small black leaf designs. His eyes also become all black with two white pupils and no irises. From his back sprout the long slender leaves of the Iris plant. Large blue petal like structures that match his hair also sprout from his back. He remains the same heigh and size, but he looks very different. His body also looks slightly more androgynous.
"Do you believe me now?" He asks.
"My kind is the most beautiful of the races that populate this planet. But, we are also sought after. So, that is why I am employed with the Manalists. But, some are employed by choice. The Master, Scrag, is also one of my kind." Tristan explains.
After he has let Hilja see his form, he transforms back into his human form. The plant appendages shrink back to his body, his hair returns to normal, and his skin becomes tan once again. But, after a long day and too many drinks, the transformation is too taxing on him. He collapses onto the floor, passing out from exhaustion.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

I am impressed when he suddenly changes into his plant form right before my eyes. I have never seen anything like it and it is really astonishing. What a wonderful transformation. But, when he tries to return to his human form, he passes out on the floor of the kitchen. "Oh no, are you okay!" I aks him. I rush over to him and push him back and forth, but he doesn't wake. I even try splashing cold water on him. Nothing works. After a while of trying ot wake him, I simply gho to the living room and put the throw blanket that was on the couch on him. It is some old thing that has a sunflower pattern on it. I watch him sleep and after there is no sign that he is going to wake up, I go upstairs to my own room to rest, since I am still sick.

[Kasper Schultz]

At this point, Kasper no longer feels comfortable with the anarchists and their plotting. He feels angry that Bonifaz and the nihilists caused the flu. So angry that he can't even talk right now. He watched Bonifaz kick Armin and wonders why nihilists have to be such jerks. Then, he remembers that if they don't really believe in politeness or morality, they have no reason to be nice.

"I have to step out to take a walk." Kasper says in the middle of the anarchist and nihilist discussion. He wants to go home now, he's had enough.

He leaves the abandoned warehouse and starts exploring the shanty city to learn about the people there..or if there are any inhabitants at all. This new adventure makes him soon forget about his reaction to Bonifaz.

[Kith Keitoleinen]

Kith orders the icecream and hands a cone to Linnea. He joins Lucio at the table with an umbrella. He looks at his skin and notices that Linnea is right and he has gotten a bit burnt. At least he is now under the protection of the umbrella.

Kith listens to Lucio talk about his misfortunes in Rome. For some reason, he can't find much sympathy inside of himself. He wonders why? Lucio seems like a good..but strange person. There is no good reason to dislike him. They could even be allies.

"That's too bad about being captured and put in the Temple of Terror. One must be very careful these days. You are fortunate that you managed to escape. If I were you, I would be celebrating that you are alive and well."

[Master Scrag]

"I must return to the main temple in Rome." The Master announces suddenly. "I think all is decided. The Blessed who desire it will be given sacred Red Leaf." He adds. "If the Speaker wishes to give a speech, she should not mention terrorism. Nor should she mention it originated in Rome. She can say that it is transmitted from cats, is well known, and is nothing that the Manalists can not handle. She can also tell everyone that the Blessed will be awarded Red Leaf at temples, if they should seek it for their illness." The Master explains. He turns to the door and his tattered clothes again shift and let off the reek of swamp. He slowly turns back towards those still left in the room.
"It is my suggestion that an organization that draws from the Invisible Hand, Manalist Soldiers, and Anti Drug Commission be established to deal with such threats and prevent future attacks. But rest assured, if it is indeed terrorists who are behind this they will be punished. In fact, perhaps we should punish anyone who looks like an elf as well....punishment for the boldness to kidnap the speaker. Maybe then they will speak and tell us who was behind the kidnapping." The Master says with a slight smile. He raises his bony arm to wave at those left in the room.

"Yes, it is my desire to punish elves more harshly. Those who work for us should be sent to the Inquisitor to determine their loyalty."

With this final decree, The Master leaves the room to make his return to Rome.

[Jumala Keitoleinen]

"Going after elves sounds like a good idea. I like elves though. They tend to be attractive. I don't think we should KILL all of them, maybe some could be kept as servants and sex slaves." Keitoleinen suggests after the Master leaves. There is something exciting about the idea of capturing elves which he thinks will be a very amusing policy. He would like to see how that turns out.

"I suppose that I should get going as well. I should return to Helsinki so I can look after things concerning Sota. However, Scrag might have a point about the Anti Terrorist group. If the Invisible Hand, Anti Drug Commission, and Manalists work together better...maybe they can share information and avoid this little problem that we are now having. But really, I don't care either way. I like a little excitement from time to time. The only draw back is that it is bad for business."
Keitoleinen shrugs and heads for the door. He coughs a little because of the lingering stink of The Master. "Back to Helsinki!" He announces before leaving. There is little more that he can gain from the meeting now anyway.

[Amelia 20]

Amelia has been at the anarchist meeting all along, but didn't have much to say. She has been too focused trying to make sense of who she is and why she is. When everyone starts talking about tactics, she joins in. Perhaps the android Chaos, or just hanging out with the nihilists has changed her.

"An assassination can be done quickly and with less preparation." Amelia states in an even tone that is more robotic than her ordinary voice.

"We could assassinate Annette Rosenthal and Dinari Dollar. Dinari Dollar lives in Allwhere, so it is nearby enough to reach. I can pose at a Creditor, which I am, and assassinate Annette Rosenthal. This is the idea of Amelia 20." Amelia says, this time with an erratic tone. Parts of her are still malfunctioning.
Her hand moves involuntarily from time to time.