Enemies of the People

[Lady Violet]

I can not help but laugh at his forced attempt at using human idioms.

"Oh Set, it is good to see you. I have been very stressed lately, but then, what else is new. Have you been well?"

[Joukahainen]

I look up from my paperwork and see... Another Taivalan?! I stand up, as though I had just seen a ghost.

"Oh my, this is... Quite a surprise...' I reply to Kanka. "You are... Taivalan..?"

[Kankahattaret]

"Yes I am. And I have a friend who is also a Taivalan. His name is Kelthassil. I thought that perhaps we were the last two. I am glad that I was mistaken."

I look at him, but there is a cold formality between us. One would suppose that two members of the same race, a race near extinction, would have more to say to one another. Instead, finding him is like...finding an agate on the shoreline. It is something interesting to look at and surely a find in the midst of the plainer rocks around us, but, nothing to worth getting emtional over.

[Set]

"I have been worried about Damascus." I reply, putting the finishing touches on her tea. I rest my hand on her shoulder and gently guide her to the couch, implying that she needs to rest.

I hand her the tea.

"He has been... Bored. However, you understand his situation as well as I, so I shall spare you the details."

I sit down on the couch beside her.

"I understand you are stressed, but you are more stressed than your normal self. Lay down on your sotmach, and I will rub your shoulders, you can tell me about it as you are relaxing." I say as though I were a doctor ordering her to get some rest.

[Joukahainen]

"As am I." I reply with strange formality. "Please, have a seat. If you have some time, I would like to ask you a few questions about how you got here. Is this alright?"

[Kankahattaret]

"I have some time."

I sit before his desk.

"I have been working for the Ministry of Terror with Kelthassil. For the past several months we have been searching for other Taivalans but you are the first that we encounter. I heard you have a job here working with the human girl, Iris. Are you getting along with this human?"

[Lady Violet]

I lay on my stomach and allow him to ease the tension in my back and shoulders.
"It is nothing I wish to talk about. We are simply purging the ranks of the traitors."

[Hope98]

I sit and draft our party's constition since everyone seems bored with the meeting and I myself am excited to go to Brazil with Calithin. I make broad statements so that we don't have to discuss the constitution any longer than we have to.

On the First of February, 2xxxx c.e.

The Second International, or the World Party of Democratic Socialists reformed to meet the new challenges presented by Red Infinity. In response to Red Infinity the party drafted a constitution of the following principles.

We strive to work with capitalists and socialists towards democracy and a regulated but free market.

We understand that Red Infinity stands in the way of both political and economic freedom.

We stand against Red Infinity, in support of reforms towards nationalism, parlamentary democracy, world peace, economic freedom, and human rights.

We are willing to work with Red Infinity toward reform, and prefer reform to violence, but understand the immediate need for change and the obstical Red Infinity presents to this.

Towards change, we seek to educate people and reform Red Infinity, but our ulitmate goal is free elections for all people. To this end we will take the measure that seem appropriate.

Signed:
The Members of the World Party of Democratic Socialists

Hope 98


"How does that sound everyone? If it sounds fine let's sign this document and adjurn the meeting."

[Set]

"Yes, I understand. However, I can hear the conflict in your voice when you say that."

I rub her shoulders, and try to relax the tense muscles in her back.

"But it is your decision, whether or not you want to speak of this."

[Joukahainen]

I nod my head and smile.

"Yes, everything is going along well. I am adapting well to the human environment." I say, stoicly. "I would like to meet Kelthassil sometime. We should all sit down, and talk."

[Lady Violet]

"Set..that feels wonderful on my back...and no, I really won't talk to you about the things happening within Red Infinity right now. It is nothing you need to worry about."

I stand up and roll my shoulders. I feel distant from Set and from everyone else in my life. Emotional distance is a defense against what I am dealing with at work. It is the final shield in the worst of times. Normally I am not so distant.

"I should get some rest now. I have felt so tired lately. Have a pleasant night, and thank you for your concern."

I leave the living room and go to my bedroom. I go right to bed.

[Kankahattaret]

"I will tell him I met with you." I stand there for a moment, then decide I have nothing else to say to him.

"I will see you again when it is logical to pay a visit."

I leave and that is the end of our encounter.

[Set]

I shake my head, and decide that there is nothing else I can do for her. It is probably best that I just leave things how they are.

I stand on patrol outside of her house for the remainder of the evening.

[Joukahainen]

I sit back down at my desk as she leaves, and get back to my paperwork.

"That was most interesting..." I say, and continue with my work.

[Iris Faust]

Iris nodded as she watched Youki leave, finding Meekers she picked him up and held him.
Walking over she sat in a chair, the one near the door and held the kitten in her lap as he fell asleep.
Sighing, she put her head back and thought about her day, more about the time she spent with Youki. Finally she drifted asleep.