Chapter 25: Fever 103 Degrees

[Sylvi Saarela]

"Sure thing, man- .. Roland!" Grasping his arm, she guides him to with some papers and other desk things. It wasn't her desk but she knew there were some of the traditional spider blue-prints there. Slyvi brushes the papers aside until she finds them.
"Here we are, these are basic fighter models." She offers the blue prints to him before taking up a note pad. Flipping to a new page, she begins scribbling madly with a pencil.
"There's a few designs that could work... larger (but still smaller than those) with more arms for faster work. Alternatively, smaller with less arms for more room. Perhaps smaller would be your best bet since all the fighting features would be replaced with working stuff, smaller seems like it'd be the most efficient in the long run."

She tears the paper she was drawing designs on, also offering it to him before continuing expanding the design on a new piece of paper.
"You don't need large since the parts that would be doing the work- screwing, bolting, etc.- would be on the small side themselves. On the other hand, the larger ones would be doing twice as much work so either could work. It's your choice, you're the one with the money."

[Nihato Gallagher]

Nihato listens closely to the radio though she knows the Manalists are rarely ones to come out with the truth. Keep the masses in the blind seemed to be how they operated. She reflects on how best to approach Bonifaz as well. Before she can, both him and another in the van bring up her presence.

"I didn't hear anyone give me a job to do that would directly result in me participating in whatever you're doing. I don't see how someone who's out of the way can be a liability." She lies, she could see of a lot of ways someone like that could be. She crawls toward the front of the van and leans toward Bonifaz.
"Your last name is Artz-Lehrer, isn't it?" Perhaps going to that company would be her best bet, she'd helped them with various drugs on the side of her main project. She speaks lowly in case he didn't want the others in the van to know he was the son of a company manager.

She had no idea how involved he was in his father's company.

[Bonifaz Artz-Lehrer]

"Yeah, that's my last name." Bonifaz replies. He feels a little uncomfortable that she knows who he is. But, it isn't impossible. He has attended some events on behalf of his father, who tends to be more reclusive and anti social than Bonifaz.

"I take it you've heard of the company." He adds. They are almost at their destination, so he stops at an Allmart so they can buy some pies. He hands Salome, Horacio, and others some cash. "Here, go inside. I think they should take paper money here. You can get some pies."

Hopefully Dinari doesn't realize that the pies were made at Allmart, but, since they don't have time to make their own pies, it will have to do. "Maybe Salome should stay back. Horacio might be too noticeable too. I guess someone who doesn't stand out should get the pies." Bonifaz reasons that they have security cameras in the stores so the cameras might give people evidence later. Horacio is pretty distinct looking. He would be easily identified later.

As for Archer's comment about the little girl. "As long as she sits in the van and doesn't get in our way, whatever."

[Annika 25]

"Alright, I will see what I can find." Annika says. She again bows her head. Suddenly, she hears some commotion. She turns and sees that it is another Creditor. However, since her current orders are to find a costume, she decides to let the others handle it. She wanders away to the costume lady again.

The costume lady is still organizing the vast closet of costumes. Annika looks at them for a moment, admiring the many colors and styles. Some have sequins and others thick fur. Annika touches them, but, she doesn't register any touch other than words in her mind of what they are "supposed to feel like."
She stops touching.

"I need a princess costume, please." The android says to the costume lady. "Oh, at least that is an easy request. I'm glad to see that you fit into the cavity costume too." The lady replies with a smile. She leaves for a moment and returns with a frilly pink dress and tiara. "I think that will do." She says, handing the android the dress. "Oh, I like pink." The android replies of the dress. But, her preference for pink comes only from the fact that Annette Rosenthal likes pink and that Creditors have pink hair.

Annika returns to the others with the dress and tiara and hands it to Ingrid.

[Kith Keitoleinen]

"I am not sure, Linnea. The Manalists have supernatural people who work for them and many of the Blessed are not humans. They couldn't possibly have a policy that attacks everyone. This elf policy...it confuses me. I suppose elves tend to be more environmentally minded. Yet, some work for the Manalists and corporations. Such as myself. I work for my father's company Sota. I think...I might have to make some calls later. But, it does worry me. I think...there are some places I could live in hide if I needed to. There is a place for elves near Denmark..some islands between Germany and Denmark. And, I think there is a place underground for people such as myself. I have never been there, but I believe that is where my mother was from." Kith replies to Linnea with worry. He accepts the lotion and starts putting it on his burn. At least he does feel safe in Cuba. But, they will have to return to work sometime. Eventually they will need money or Keitoleinen will need them for something.

"I don't think we can leave here anyway. The news said that teleportation booths have been shut down because of the flu season. So, we might be stuck here for a while. I don't mind. I think I would rather be here than working right now."

[Charon Dejardins/Asphodel]

Asphodel sits on Cephrien's shoulder, quietly contemplating things. Suddenly, her stomach growls. She rubs her belly and sighs. "I'm really hungry. I haven't eaten in days. Do you have anything to eat?" Asphodel asks Cephrien. Her eyes become big and watery, but not tearful. She is also a little dirty. The water from the watering can washed her off, but there is still a little dirt on her face. Things have been rough for the little fairy since Holy Week.

"At least Salome and Lucio escaped. So, I think all of the rebels who survived the gladiator match made it out of Rome okay!" The fairy informs Cephrien cheerfully.


Meanwhile, Charon in Helsinki is all to pleased to have company, especially Hilja. Hardly anyone visits him. His only friend is Asphodel and she is more trouble than she is worth most of the time. But, at least it keeps him from complete isolation.

"I'm so glad that you have concern for me. It warms my hear, Hilja. I will be alright. I am thinking of what I should do. I have classes to teach at the University, so I can't just run away. I suppose that once I return to work I could be arrested and sent to Rome. I am not sure that they would imprison me, but I could face an Inquisition. It is quite...unpleasant to think about." Charon replies to Hilja. He taps his foot as he talks because he is excited to have company.

"I also worry about others. I have two daughters that live in France. I think they could be more vulnerable to imprisonment than I am. Though, I am not sure of the global corporations will stand for this. The manalists can't just pluck away their workers if they are elves. Especially with the companies already short staffed due to this flu problem." Charon explains.

"What do you think?"

[Attis Svoboda]

"I can go inside and get the pies." Attis volunteers. He's been quiet in the back, listening to people but also tune them out from time to time to pretend to meditate. He gets out of the van and pokes his head in through a rolled down window.

"Now, you can't say I've never done anything for any of you." Attis remarks with a grin. He takes Bonifaz's money and heads into the store. Then, he walks to the baked goods section. The store is quiet. No one is shopping and it even seems as though no one is working. It is a little eerie, but Attis actually enjoys it. He isn't much of a people person. The store is clean and is very bright inside with many long fluorescent lights. Finally, he finds the baked goods. He selects a few different pies, but mostly apple pies.

Since no one is at the check out counters, he uses the automatic check out counter and slips the money into a machine. He pockets the change and tosses the receipt. He then returns to the van with his arms full of pies. He doesn't bother to give the change back to Bonifaz. He might need it later, afterall.

He sits back in the van. "We can take the plastic wrap off of them so they don't look too obviously store bought."

[Princess Ingrid]

"Yes, it certainly has been a while." Ingrid agrees polietly, after Max kisses her hand. "It's good to see that you're doing well."

She laughs at Annika in the Cavity Creep costume. "I like this idea, I like it alot. As long as getting attacked by the android doesn't involve getting lifted up in the air, anyway."

It's at this point that Akira 69 decimates a mannequin, causing a minor commotion. "Oh, um...hello." She wonders why theres another android here, but thats not really her concern.

Ingrid accepts the costume from Annika when she returns with it. The princess thanks the andriod and excuses herself for a moment to change. The dress fits well enough, she especially likes the tiara. "Are we ready, then?"

[Heikki Toivonen]

After a couple of days of anti viral drugs, Heikki is feeling better. He has energy again. Since Bonifaz's home is empty, he decides to take a walk around the lake near Bonifaz's home. He enjoys the fresh air and the peace. Although he feels lonely, he feels happy. A part of him doesn't want Bonifaz to return, since Bonifaz mistreats Heikki and gives him difficult tasks.

"I wish I could be here...alone forever..." Heikki says aloud to himself. It is early spring now and the trees are starting to get buds on them. Some of them may have leaves in a few weeks. It is a nice time of year.

But, Heikki knows he couldn't be here forever. He would run out of food and supplies. Then he would have to work again. He isn't sure he would be hired. He doesn't have a labor card or the one he has is not valid here.

He supposes he could find a job. Illegals can work under the table. But the pay isn't good. He might have to pick fruit or do farm work. He sighs.

At least for now he has a moment of peace. He worries however that Frederick might return.

[Lucio De Saldanha]

Lucio listens to Kith and Linnea talk. He isn't sure what to think since he is only human. He assumed that Linnea was human too, but she seemed to be very concerned or at least more aware of supernatural people than Lucio was. Lucio just scratches his head in ignorance. Then, his mother calls. She has made food for them! Lucio excuses himself and returns later with three plates of beans and rice with fried plantains.
"My mom made us some food!" Lucio says excitedly. He hands them each a plate and starts shoveling the foot in his mouth. He's starved. But he also has a quick metabolism.
"I guess I don't know anything about ..other races like elves and things. Where did you all come from? What kinds of ...things exist in this world...you know, other than humans?" He asks Linnea and Kith..

[Max Alexander]

Max turned away from the new android and back to Annika who had just returned with the costume.

"Alright. I figure get your costumes on and i'll figure the camera out." He wandered over to his electronics and switched a few things around then he went back over to Calithin.

"Ok when you talk into that mike over there, it will overlap the film. So you will be 'the narrator' in short. Have we figured out our lines yet? What am i saying again? I am saving her?" Max wasn't paying attention to the details of the play. He rarely played roles on his television network..

[Akira 69]

Akira being as... oblivious as he was, did not take the luke warm reception as an offense- which was good for everyone in the room had he been paying attention. However, there were girls here and so, Akira had other things on his mechanical brain. "You look beautiful!" Akira said metaphorically drooling over Ingrid's appearance. It was like all of those cliche fairy tales he had... -error- Akira flinched and jolted once as his systems indicated a corrupted file. Delete.

"Wh-wh-y-y is everyone here?" Akira inquired, losing memory of what he had been doing and or talking about as he saw Ingrid. "Ooooooh! Splendid! Simply amazing!" Akira said, repeating his previous compliment without knowing it. "Can I help?" Akira asked with a childish enthusiasm.

[Annika 25]

Annika isn't sure, but she thinks that she has heard of or encountered this android before. He is very familiar, but she can't put her finger on it. He looks ...a little like a Creditor. A very old fashioned Creditor. His pink hair looks a little dull now and he doesn't have the fleshy human face of modern Creditors.

She eyes him cautiously. "We you sent here to work with Max Alexander as well?" She asks. Perhaps because times are so desperate, they have reactivated this obsolete machine. She heard some companies were doing that.

"I heard that old androids are being recommissioned..." She says quietly.

[Bambi Engel]

Bambi was taken aback for a moment when Peter questioned one of the things her paranoia constantly worried about. Was she? Did she "fit in" with Manalist society? She knew she had a kind heart that wasn't exactly welcomed in such a system.

"You're the one who came up with the idea." Her words were much calmer than her mind. "It's not a terribly un-Manalist thing. After all, books can be a useful tool in achieving your ends." They'd helped her all through school, so she figured it was true.

Even if she suspected she was developing ideals against Manalism, she was smart enough to not go around hinting it. She shivered slightly at the thought of the Inquisitor and other tools the Manalists used in enforcing their way of life. A part of her questioned how cowardly that was, but she ignored it.

[Calithin Crest]

Akira is very off. He seems pretty glitchy. But, actually, I have met people much more glitchy than he even is as an android... So it's not too ridiculous. I eye him with detached interest.

"Yes Max, after she calls for help that will be your que to jump in and save her. Remember, using antibacterial soap. Maybe the prop people have... A big bottle of some sort we can use for that. I'm sure they probably do from some old commercials or something."

I am happy that this is all working out so well. It should look good in the end. I take the mic and test it out.

"1... 2... 3..."

Everything seems to be in order. I get Annika's attention by snapping my fingers...

"You. Please go ask the prop people for a big generic-looking bottle."