Chapter 2: Works of Love

[Tristan Tuzanic]

They walk outside, and although it was sunny earlier, it was now just cloud cover again. Most days seemed gray. Some people said it was because of the Gray Zone impacting the weather. Tristan didn't know.


"I'll tell you a little about myself." He said as they walked together over the cracked sidewalk. No one bothered to repair things. But, when they neared an office, sometimes the side walk would be nicer since that business had paid to keep it up.

"I am from Serbia. I work at a record store here in Helsinki. I work in the basement. You see, the top part sells Manalist music and stuff, and then there is a secret downstairs part. I work down there selling old music or indie music that is against the Manalists." He says. Really this is a lie, but, he wouldn't want to tell Linnea that he works for the Manalists.

"I want to go to school for art, but can't afford it. I can't afford to pay for school, so I just work. I guess there is no point going to school for art if all the art is for Father Manala anyway."

[Dinari Dollar]

To Bambi

After looking at all of the cool stuff that he wants to buy, Dinari decides that he probably needs to get some loans. There are all kinds of things to build and things that must be done in America, so, there's no going around the need for loans.

With that in mind, he calls the Swiss HQ of the Global Bank. He has to wait on hold because all loan officers are busy at the moment. He hopes that he can get through to someone...

[Linnea Korpela]

"That's really cool," Linnea smiled. Sometimes hearing about underground things made her happy. "You should do what makes you happy, even if it is against Father Manala. I sometimes do art that is against Father and I keep it secret. There are few that I deal with that likes my "secular" art. Sometimes I do other religious art."

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

After putting in a long day of work at the orphanage, I am finally ready for my last job of the day. I feel exhausted, but at least this one is the best of the three. This one is for Charon, doing his gardening.

I walk slowly to his home since I am fatigued, but, once I arrive I find more energy since I do enjoy the flowers. I get to work right away doing some weeding. If Charon needs me, I am sure he can come down and give me other instructions.

I work hard and soon my hands are covered in dirt. I wipe some sweat from my forehead, which rubs a little dirt there and smears the unhappy face that Calithin drew earlier.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

"Well maybe I will keep trying to save up and I can go to college then." Tristan replies. The sun starts to peak out again and soon it is warmer. Tristan takes off his suit jacket so that he is just wearing a tie and band t shirt. He carries the jacket slung over one arm. The other arm is covered in scars and cuts.

"What kind of other religious art?" He asks her quietly. "I am not really religious. I kind of believe in spirituality and ghosts though. I've seen a ghost."

[Linnea Korpela]

"Well if you are really dedicated I will teach you some," she smiles. "But I do Christian art."
She lowers her voice, she doesn't want others to hear.
"What happened to your arm?"

[Tristan Tuzanic]

"Oh, it's just nothing. But yeah, I would like to learn art. When is a good time to visit?" He says looking down at one of his arms. He decides to put his jacket back on to hide it.

They finally walk to a small, dumpy looking building. He leads her inside, which is actually a cute little coffee shop. "Yeah, it doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's kind of a nice little hang out spot.." He says to her. He steps up to a counter to see what kinds of coffee drinks there are.

"Do you want something?"

[Linnea Korpela]

"Ah no thanks I'm fine. I'm at the office during the week so any other time then that is fine. I don't usually do anything other then clean or just watch television. I...." her head lowered as did her voice. "I dont' have many friends. I don't do much of anything."
She turned her head away, she sounded so pathetic.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

"I understand. I don't have any friends either." Tristan says. He orders a plain black coffee. He looks at her a takes a small sip. It is hot so he burns his tongue. He swears quietly before waiting for it too cool a little.

"I think you're nice. And you're the prettiest girl I've seen since I've moved to Helsinki." He tells her.

[Linnea Korpela]

Linnea's cheeks immediately turn a deep shade of red. While it isn't unusual to hear these comments but she wasn't completely used to it.
"I think your nice too," that was all she could get out.

[Tristan Tuzanic]

A couple of Manalist soldiers dressed in black and red enter the coffee shop. Tristan gives them a look of despair, but what can he do? He gives them a slight nod but keeps his attention on Linnea.

"You are a really beautiful person. You know. And this world it's just such a bad place." He tells her. He takes a long deliberate sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, she's one of them." He says to the men, then he leaves the cafe. He leaves Linnea alone with the Manalist religious soldiers who inform her that she is under arrest for religious crimes.

[Linnea Korpela]

Once Linnea heard what they told her she turned around to shere Tristan disappeared. What she was about to do what totally out of character for her.
"What are you talking about?" she tried at first but once she saw they weren't buying it she screamed. "You lied! I trusted you!"
She started to lunge toward the door but the men kept her back.
"I swear you'll get this back. I swear it you'll get this all back!"

[Tristan Tuzanic]

Tristan makes a mental note that he will visit Linnea in the prison that she is taken to. He will explain everything and she will of course understand that he only did what he had to do. He vows that he will explain everything later and it will be okay.

For now, the Manalist soldiers grab Linnea and haul her out of the cafe. It makes quite a scene. The cafe goes quiet and someone even spills their coffee on the floor. A worker quickly mops it up and everyone tries not to notice what has transpired. It is not so unusual.

[Toolah "Tuvi" Renee]

Tuvi is just getting out of her shower when she hears her phone ring. "Do the phone calls EVER stop?"

She runs over and picks up her phone. "Toolah Renee, speaking."

[Linnea Korpela]

After a while she gives up on the struggle. She just complies. She isn't sure what is going to happen, she is almost sure that she will at some point die.
She sighed and followed with her head down, she was so embarrassed that she actually trusted that guy.