The Drug of the Masses

[Chastity]

There is a knock at the door, and I ready myself to greet another poor soul looking for food that I do not have. Late comers always go away hungry, the food store is depleted so quickly. I take off my apron and head to the door. When I open it, it is not a small, dirty child, like I have been expecting. But a tall, dark man.

"I am sorry sir," I say, "But the soup is all gone for tonight. There will be more tomorrow if you try to come in earlier."

This man is different from the usual poor that come to my kitchen.

[Kava]

The group I was with was boring so I killed them,oh well. I'll have more fun with the others I find,I randomlly search the minds of some rebals untill I found a group."Yeah I get to have fun now ;D!!!!" I transport myself to a group invisably,I found the gruop I as first looking for ,the gruop with Janele,Bassarov and Patrick. Yeah!!!!!

[Peter "The Owl"]

"I am not here for food, madam. I am here, in fact, to help provide it."

He hands her a business card, "I represent the Westen Food Corporation. We're interested in your work. I'm here to work out a agreement.

Our board of directors is looking for a good business booster and this would look very good for them. We are prepared to offer you a line of purchase. We can provide food at a discount and in bulk if your willing to continue this operation, and perhaps even expand it."

[Chastity]

"Oh, that is wonderful." I tell the man. I don't know how a large food corporation would find out about my small kitchen, but I see this as a blessing from God. "Please, come in. I don't have anything but water, but I can at least offer you a glass of that to wet your throat. Tell me more about your company, sir. I am beyond words. I am just a lowly girl with a small kitchen, what interest could they have in me?"

[Peter "The Owl"]

"To be honest madam that is why it's perfect for my employers. You see, large companies have a matter of space from the customers, several layers of sales and shiping mean that a man buying an apple in the supermarket might not even know what company saw to that appling being there. As such people like my employeers like to try and refresh people's memories every so often."

Peter enters, removing his coat and laying it across his arm.

"Your work with the hungry of the city is perfect for a food company. If yuo were a average person won't you feel better buying from a food company who helps to feed those who can't feed themselves than one who they've never heard of? It might not be purly good modevation but the end result is that the hungry get feed, my employers get to feel a little better about their good fortune, and people get to see a positive image in their papers."

[Chastity]

"Begging your pardon sir, but I do not believe that good works should be used as a way to gain business. It is when the good works are done out of a pure heart, with right intentions, that people are most blessed. I do not want the work that I do to be turned into a publicity stunt, or a crusade to bolster the selling power of a large company."

I get out a cup, fill it with water from the faucet, and hand it to him. I sit down at my small, worn table, and think. It is true that a large food company could guarantee bigger amounts of food, causing more hungry to be fed... but is it worth buying into the downward spiral of consumerism and selfish publicity? Santa Maria, help me to think. My hand instinctively slips into my pocket, my fingers running over the beads. I think of the rich man praying out loud in the temple... he was doing as he should have done... praying, but it was the prayers of the quiet sinner that were finally heard.

I thank Maria for giving me wisdom, and in my mind praise God for the small, black, torn up book that I have hidden under my mattress.

"I am sorry that you have had to come all the way out here, but I do not believe that I can partner with your company. I will continue to persevere as I have, and the hungry shall be fed as the Lord provides."

[Hope98]

The man looking for information on Bassarov went away. I continued to read hours, enjoying my day off.

Hours later, Lemminakinen and Zex return. Lemm won some money in a butter churning contest. How thrilling. It seems that out of all of us, he is the only one with the capacity to make money.
The will cover another month's rent if we decide to stay in the village.

[Peter "The Owl"]

Peter nods, "If that's how you feel then there's nothing for me to say."

He nods again and turns towards the door. He pauses with his hand on the knob. "Please consider us when you need more food for your homeless. Publicity or no we are still willing to extend the discount in bulk sales."

Peter opens the door and starts to put his jacket on.

[Chastity]

He starts to leave, and I start to sing softly. I weave the layers of the song with my voice, singing peace to the stranger. Even if I could not offer him a business partnership, I do not want him to go away empty handed. I sing the Ave, "Ave Maria gratsia plena. Ave dominus tecum... Nunc et in hora mortis..." I sing for this man, I sing to Maria. Grant us peace.

[Peter "The Owl"]

Peter's hand grips the door frame very hard. He knows the song... NO! No, he doesn't.

The Hunter steps outside, closing the door behind him. He stands there in the night, breathing and trying to stop his mind racing.

[Chastity]

He leaves and I slowly walk up the stairs. I light my candle and sit on my bed. Did I make a hasty decision? God show me if this is true.

I take off my ratty leather shoes and place them under my bed. I slip my hand under the mattress and withdraw the small bound book. They are rare. The government has all but destroyed them... trying to wipe them from existance. I clutch it in my hand, it is my instruction manual. It is the voice of God. I open the cover, carefully tucking in the ripped out pages, puting them back where they belong. There are some that are missing, some small sections that are lost forever.

The book falls open to Isaiah, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen... Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out."

I am trying Maria, grant me strength.

I sit for awhile on my bed, thinking. There are too few in this world who choose the fast of the Lord. I am a stranger in this land. I am one weary traveler... alone.

[Calithin]

* I stand up fully healed, it's mornig my clothes are tattered. I teleport to my home and change into a dark blue long sleeve shirt, black pants, and a lether jacket. I teleport back to thier apartment and go over to Caine.*

" Listen here you ingrate, I fought Genovia to keep all of you safe, do you understand me. So don't you ever say I fight anyone for no good reason, got it! So go hide behind your little pet."

* I walk away from him.*

[Genki]

"Heya, Hope...watcha reading!"

i sit next to her and see it is that revolutionary guide by Bassarov.

"oh, that again!"

[Fascia]

I walk out of my bedroom, large and very, very pregnant. I see Calithin standing in the living room. I thought that he left. Does he want to move in here too? Oh well. I am going for a walk. Kakashi has been fluttering around me for the last day, talking about cribs and diapers. I am starting to feel a little annoyed. I am glad that he is so excited to be a parent, but I am not exactly the mothering type. I want to help perpetuate the elven race, but I am not all giggly about picking out little shoes. I have to take a break and get out of here.

[Dean Thomas- Council Mage]

Dean walks down the streets, checking his notebook every so often. Yes, this was the right place.

He looks at the building ahead of him. According to the latest intel Bassarov and Kaieka had come here.

I would have to pick up Owl's case again. He never finishes anything. Oh well.

He enters the hotel and checks in. He'll gather some intel, take them in the morning perhaps. A simple magic trick with the paperwork distracts the desk clerk long enough for Dean to check the log.

He now has their room number, that should be enough of a location for the spell.