Suddenly, a buzz cut through our conversation, breaking the spell of concentration.
What?
I blinked in disbelief, my mind struggling to reconcile the unexpected intrusion with the prevailing sense of disconnectedness.
Yves, ever the pragmatist, retrieved his phone from his pocket with a nonchalant shrug.
"Seems like the internet's back," he remarked, his tone tinged with a hint of disbelief. "Thought this cosmic circus would keep us in the dark a bit longer. But looks like old Earl's got some tricks up his sleeve."
With the digital veil lifted, the world outside our bubble of solitude began to seep back in, bringing with it the tumult of uncertainty and unrest.
Yves motioned towards his phone, a wry smile playing across his lips. "Take a look, Eros. Twitter's buzzing. Seems like our leader's itching to address the masses, lay down the law on those who've been stirring up trouble."
I peered over his shoulder, scanning the message that flickered to life on the screen. "Greetings, folks," it read, in the clipped cadence of officialdom.
"Hope you all weathered the storm. Now that we're back in business, I'll be stepping up to the mic Monday morning to explain what went down, and how we're gonna clean up this mess.
Stay tuned.
Hope you ain't lost faith in us, folks.
Everything's gonna be just fine.
Catch you all Monday, live from D.C."
"More tweets flooding in, seems like the presidents of other nations are chiming in too. Looks like the global network's back in business. Ain't that something, unexpected as it gets, huh?"
"My dear Yves, everything's gone according to plan, just as I anticipated, though perhaps a tad sooner than expected.
With the internet restored, recruiting for The Church of Truth will be a breeze.
You're more than welcome to join us in Washington D.C.
There, I'll orchestrate the grandest spectacle yet: the abduction of the President followed by the broadcast of my Manifesto. Don't miss it."
"Never in a million years would I miss that show. I'll be on the first train to D.C. to witness your brilliance firsthand.
Done with painting for the day, I'll wrap up tomorrow.
See you soon, Diablo."
"The stage is mine to command, and wherever I tread becomes my theater.
See you soon, Yves The Immortal."
Yves stowed his canvas and folded the wood weasel into his bag before shooting me a farewell wave.
Then, out of nowhere, a Gargoyle swooped down, seizing Yves by the shoulder, and soared off into the sky.
A bizarre mode of transportation, to say the least.
With Yves whisked away, I knew I had to hustle back to my apartment.
No doubt my comrades were waiting there, hungry for answers and ready to plot our next move.
I had a scheme in mind for snatching the President, and it seemed like a walk in the park.
So I sprinted as fast as my legs would carry me, figuring a bit of cardio couldn't hurt the old ticker.
I burst into my apartment, panting from the run.
My comrades lounged on the couch, waiting expectantly.
"Hey there, folks," I greeted, peeling off my sweat-soaked shirt. "Sorry for the rush, but I gotta hit the shower.
But listen up, the internet's back.
Not exactly perfect timing, but we'll roll with it. Time to kick things up a notch.
We're going big – we're talking grand scale. We're gonna snatch the US president."
"Eros, you sly Diablo," Lucky Blaze grinned, the twang of excitement in his voice unmistakable. "Lady luck's on our side!"
Psyche's voice, cool and collected, cut through the tension. "Sure, we've got the firepower, but why the abduction?"
Lavinia's response was swift, her words dripping with confidence. "To show 'em who's boss, plain and simple. They ain't got a clue what we're packing, and it's high time we let 'em know.
Sure, it's a gamble, but we gotta strike while the iron's hot.
Who knows what those other C-holders are cookin' up?"
"Keep that in mind, Lavinia," I said. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Be right back, gotta wash off the day's grime."
I stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, the scent of soap clinging to my skin, and settled before my comrades. "Here's the plan," I began. "We're going to nab the President of the United States.
Why, you ask?
Well, for starters, it's about asserting dominance as Lavinia had pointed out.
But more than that, he's just a piece on the chessboard, a way to grab their attention."
As I outlined our scheme, the others listened intently, "We'll get him, use Lavinia's gift to pry out the secrets they're hiding," I explained.
"Then, we'll lay out our demands in my manifesto. We'll recruit other gifted C-holders, and regular folks who share our vision.
But they'll have to prove themselves, and pass a test of wit and loyalty.
Maybe an enigma, or a game with levels. Each step proving their dedication.
Though it will be very simple to kidnap The President.
Lucky Blaze will eliminate the snipers and swap them out with his Gunners using his Django Unchained, while deflecting any bullets aimed my way when I enlighten the crowd.
As for me, I'll blend in as one of the president's bodyguards, waiting for the right moment to strike.
When his speech is done, I'll clear out his security detail with my trusty katana in mere seconds, snatch him up, and address the crowd with some words of my own.
Once that's done, Psyche will whisk us away with a portal to safety, a portal that will materialize under me and the president and will send us to my apartment.
And to throw everyone off our trail, I'll conjure up a storm of poker cards to cloak our disappearance.
Like Houdini himself, it'll be a vanishing act for the ages.
Just another performance in the grand theater of life, orchestrated by yours truly."