Uldartre Academy (year 2, IC, semi-open)

[Woodstovia]

"Sorry for keeping you waiting miss." said Allen as he sat down next to her, suddenly feeling embarrassed about calling her miss in-front of Blacksen.

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"I've heard some bad things from Allen here about you," Blacksen said, nudging Alicia to the left to make room between them.
"Alicia," he looked his sister in the eyes "You need help. Do you remember how our grandfather was?" he asked.
"I remember perfectly well how our grandfather was," Blacksen. "He'd murder people for the fun of it. He was a psychotic fool who nearly started another civil war."
"And he'd change pretty quickly, wouldn't he?" Blacksen asked. "You'd be sat on his knee listening to a war story the next minute, and he'd be holding you by your feet the next."
"I know...you don't think...oh gods know!" Alicia clutched Blacksen's arm, before her eyes welled up with tears.
"I don't want to end up like him," she sniffed.
The King hugged her tightly, wiping the tears away. "I'll get you help," he said. "You can see a psychologist on Monday, I'll get it sorted."
"Thank you," she said into his chest before beginning to quietly cry.

"Come on," Maria said. "It's not that strong when you get used to it. Will you be beaten at drinking by a girl?" she teased, enjoying this.

[Camelone]

"When all you've drank have been light beers and wine than maybe." Frederick said but tried drinking again and swallowed some of it and instantly felt lightheaded "I've barely drank any and I'm almost committing the sin of gluttony." He exclaimed though his stutter was a bit more pronounced.

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"Hey," Maria said with a laugh. "This is Celeria. This is the sort of place where you go to commit sin. It's actually the place where people who have committed sin go if they're on the run, so you can enjoy yourself here. God doesn't watch Celeria, we denied him entry."

[Woodstovia]

Allen sat there awkwardly, feeling out of place during this family moment. He eventually just stood up and sat next to Maria, trusting Blacksen to explain things to Alicia.

[Camelone]

"Or get sent to if your father thinks it's safe from assassins which its not. I've picked up quiet a following from Plebian Communists and Camelonian Republicans who want me dead. But seriously I'm a God-fearing man." Frederick said as he eyed the cup wearily.

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"It's not a safe country," Maria told him matter-of-factly. "This is the place where you hire assassins from if you want them. I don't know what he was thinking of...but seriously, you should enjoy yourself here...get drunk, have casual sex with someone if you can pull a girl or boy, start smoking funny things that you find. That's what this place is good for."

Noticing Allen sitting down, she asked in surprise "What's going on? What on Earthis wrong with Alicia?"

[Camelone]

Frederick wrinkled his nose in disgust "Absolutely not. I am going to be the sovereign of my people so I must abide by our morality wherever I go, I represent everything my people stand for. Actually my father is sort of so paranoid right now he thinks I can be safe in chaos."

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"How he thinks you're safe in this place is beyond me," Maria said with a laugh. "Frederick...we lack certain things in Celeria. Like a functional police force. Or CCTV. Or a strict moral code. Short of a war zone, this is the least safe place you can be, and it'll be even worse if you don't fitin by drinking and abusing your body."

[Woodstovia]

"Blacksen's taking her to see a psychologist on Monday." Allen told her. Hopefully it works, she has the potential to be extremely nice. Apparently I'm really good with a sword and gave Blacksen a scar."

[Camelone]

"I would much rather fall on my sword or bite a bullet." Frederick said as he pushed the drink further from him "There is absolutely nothing that will make me abandon my morality, honor, chastity, temperance, or paranoia."

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

((ooc: OK...it was very close, I'll answer you...))

IC:
"A psychologist?" Maria said in a low voice. "She seriously needed one. Uhm...didn't you know about that? It's the only time the King's ever lost a sword fight to someone who wasn't a cyborg. You're extremely good with a sword."

"Suit yourself," Maria said, downing his abandoned drink. The electronics that powered her liver dealt with the effects.
"You shouldn't be proud of paranoia," she said finally. "It doesn't do you well when it comes to making friends."

[Woodstovia]

"I-" Allen peered at Maria searchingly. "How do you know that? How come you've never said anything to me about it?"

[Camelone]

"It does you well for survival. See that men over there?" Frederick said pointing over at the bald man again "He was the man who tortured me for a month and those two guys near the door are communicating with him."

[Finium]

"I prefer my hair long," Lucas told Andrea, observing her sharp features. She was seriously not his type, he decided.
"And I do not believe that my appearance has any baring on my ability to rule effectively. Celari nobles, despite our far shabbier appearance, have created a state altogether more prosperous than our Finian counterparts, have we not?"

"Your asinine state is as pitiful an example of rule as I have ever observed in the most decrepit of colonies." She spat at him, "The only reason you can even attempt to claim order is that you completely lack civilization, your nation is as devoid of morality as it is propriety."

She exaggerated, of course, she knew well enough that the Haven was strong in its own right, but it still lacked the symbols of order that defined the autocratic former empire. When Lucas saw freedom, she saw chaos, and where Lucas saw oppression she saw elegance. It was an impossible leap in perspective for either of them to reach the kind of mutual respect they both deserved.

"The state is merely the illusion of control, appearances make or break it." She said, slightly more philosophically, "If you have shabby illusion, then you have a shoddy state."

[Crumb-Cashew]

Cottura's cell phone started to beep rather loudly. She apologized to Nik, walked discreetly away, and answered the call.
"Buongiorno, this is Cottura Crumb, currently in Celeria. How may I help you?"

Miles away, Oilo listened intently into his cell phone, rather eager. It was no different than talking to a friend at home, he decided, but in this plane full of middle-aged Crumbs, even a dignified one like Oilo felt better talking to Cottura. "Ciao, Cottura. This is Oilo again."

Cottura's smile widened, genuinely; the pleasure of talking to a native in a sea of foreigners was not close to explainable. "Oilo, ciao, sorry for the interruption earlier. I hope you are travelling well?"

"Rather monotone trip, I must say. Especially when compared to a foreign school like Uldartre. Tell me- what is it like in the building?" Oilo asked Cottura, his richly layered voice dripping with inquisition.

Cottura paused, running a hand through her cloud of hair. Could she find the right words? "Well... it's eloquent, I guess, and my room is spectacular, especially with the taupe comforter I brought. Too specific, I am becoming!" She cleared her throat. "There's a bar, too, if you like drinking alcohol. Since it's illegal in Crumb-Cashew, would you be open to trying?"

"Perhaps... compensation is acceptable, even with culture accommodation. I attend church too much, can you tell? Anyways, two burning questions are on my mind at the moment. Would you try the alcohol, and are you a Cipolle?"

"Alcohol? Oh, goodness no. Of course I'm not against your response, it is perfectly acceptable, but I had an... experience here. And yes, I am a Cipolle." Cottura replied rather solemnly. She decided not to continue the conversation.

Noticing the fellow Crumb's tension, Oilo changed the subject. "I suppose you haven't caught up with the programs in Crumb-Cashew, then? Scissor Economy, Crumb Family Drama? The works?" Keeping himself occupied with small talk, for Crumbs shalt always talk in person, Oilo listened for Cottura's response.

"Scissor Economy, I miss that one. I don't like all the Family Drama, though." Cottura replied, slightly longingly.

Oilo continued. He was still drawn to Cottura. "Ah, I see. And with that, unfortunately, I'll have to leave for the present time. Cottura, arrivederci, I'll hope to see you by the evening, at least." Oilo would have given much to talk to the Crumb again, for once, though his rather paranoid brother Sulpalco was calling, most likely to make sure Oilo's plane hadn't crashed yet.

Cottura managed a faint "Arrivederci, Oilo" before closing up the cell phone and returning to Nik, along with the rest of the crowd. "Scusate for the interruption..."

[Kwadai]

"Oh that's ok don't worry about it", Nik replied. "Anyway yeah Mewan last I saw him he was making out with Elosqir a few minutes ago....they've went off somewhere together and I have a good feeling that I won't be seeing him for a while", he added rather amusedly.

Mewan smirked. "I don't want to know what you're planning yet. I want you to leave it all as a surprise for tonight....", he breathed.

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"The Haven doesn't seek control," Lucas reminded her, thinking of how hellish life in Finium must be. "The Haven seeks to provide a free society, simply put if you oppress people, why would they fight for you as well as if you offer them freedom?"

"I suppose I just never attributed you to the photograph," Maria said. "But when you say that, it becomes a little obvious, doesn't it?"
Maria now turned to the Crown Prince, a man who was beginning to convince her of his insanity with every word he said. "What the hell would he be doing around here?" she asked, looking at the men.

"I'll keep you in the dark then," Elosqir chuckled. "It'll all be a big surprise for you, kind of like the big surprise that'll be invading you mercilessly. That is unless you want me to be soft for your first go..."

[Camelone]

"Listen you just don't forget the man who oversaw your waterboarding, electric chair sessions, and cut you up. The face gets ingrained into your mind plus neither of those men got anything to drink they a got water and are slightly tapping the table in a code." Frederick said with his stutter very much present. His phone buzzed and he looked at it cautiously "My papa just texted me about not coming back to the country until he is dead or he orders me to... He also says I am to go to school here! The bloody hell is he thinking?... Unless." Frederick says as he flips his phone back to Camelone Royal News Network.

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"Listen you just don't forget the man who oversaw your waterboarding, electric chair sessions, and cut you up. The face gets ingrained into your mind plus neither of those men got anything to drink they a got water and are slightly tapping the table in a code." Frederick said with his stutter very much present. His phone buzzed and he looked at it cautiously "My papa just texted me about not coming back to the country until he is dead or he orders me to... He also says I am to go to school here! The bloody hell is he thinking?... Unless." Frederick says as he flips his phone back to Camelone Royal News Network.

"So these insane men who tortured you have managed to follow you hear?" Maria said, somewhat scepticly. "How do you think they managed that?"
Looking at what he was doing, he sighed.
"I've got a feeling," she said. "I know what's wrong here. Your dad is an idiot. If their was a fear of assassination, this is the worst place for you."

[Woodstovia]

"You've seen a picture of me?" Allen asked. "And what do I look different now or something?"

[The greater Vakolicci Haven]

"Not really," Maria told him. "Just the guy in that photo was not a slave...I just imagined it must be a passing resemblence and nothing more."

[Woodstovia]

Allen gritted his teeth. "You know I did exist before I was a slave right?" Allen asked her, growing defensive. "And what even was te picture? What was I doing?"

[Finium]

"A free society is not a society at all." Andrea shot back, "Society is composed of rules, of controls on interactions and such. Freedom is what exists outside of society, bloody savagery."

In Finium, there was a very old story of a demon that walked the land. He took on the form of a baby and then hid in war-torn nations, waiting for someone, anyone, to have mercy on the baby. One such was was being fought by the Emperor of Finium and so the demon took himself to bloodiest battle and took his form as baby. A Finian soldier, without name or rank, saw the child and, not having any of his own, took the baby to his home where he raised it as a son. When the son came of age, the demon revealed his true form, twisted and horrendous, he devoured the entire village and left nothing alive.

The army used that story to allow their men to kill anything and everything in their path; mercy was the ultimate weakness. However, to Andrea, the demon had always been freedom itself. Harmless and innocent in appearance, but terrifyingly destructive when it reaches fruition.

"Freedom is monster, waiting to devour anyone foolish enough to trust it."

[Meinkraft]

Sienna sat at the bar, humming to herself, and twirling an empty shot glass. There were an abundance of them, fortunately, spread out in front of her, all of them empty and turned down. The drink she had ordered was not very strong, and she was only a little tipsy, and could still think on her feet and react with cunning. Removing a pure silver Rupee, she flipped it to the bartender for good service, and then removed herself from the seat. Looking about, she waded into the group, not quite deciding who to interact with. She stood out, of course; a 5' 9" female, dressed in dark black colors.