Is this destiny?

~ Romania, the Ceresc Solutions ~

When the helicopter landed in Romania, Nala asked if it's OK to wait a few hours until they move on with their next part of the journey home. She promised European snacks to Oni and didn't get a chance to buy any.

Sarah and Aiden approved. Everyone could use a break.

Nala went with Tereza and Lucija to Bucharest to buys presents not just for Oni, but for Michael and everyone else.

Aiden took the three puppies with him and went to the Castel. The staff will prepare food for the pups who can play around while Aiden follows up on the things with the White foundation, and their work-work (aka the official jobs at the White corp.).

Sarah was talking to Aaron who greeted her in the underground garage with the wheelchair for Master Hollow. Aaron was also ready with the latest updates on their overflowing warehouse and the things which are being transported to their other base in Milan, as well as the status of their other five newly acquired bases.

Kitty found a tree to nap in.

Haru stayed with Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing who were all in a shock at the sight of the underground garage (where helicopter ended up) and all the commotion inside it. There are people moving boxes in and out of trucks, all dressed up in matching dark gray and black uniforms.

Two minutes after they landed, Master Hollow was transferred to the wheelchair which allowed him increased mobility. The old man was surprised to see that uniformed men obeyed Haru and executed his orders respectfully. And they were respectful to Nala as well.

Haru gave to Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing a tour of the garage and the underground training grounds. By the time they finished with those areas, Sarah ended her sync up with Aaron and went to meet with Mishi. Haru asked if he can take them to the part of the property where the Ceresc Solutions facilities are, and Sarah approved but she told them not to go into the HQ building. They can see the Castel and the garden with the pond. She reminded them that before they head out, they will all have a meal in the Castel.

The four newcomers didn't ask many questions. They understood that Haru is telling them how much they can know, as outsiders.

By the time they settled in the garden on a spot with a gorgeous view of the lake with ducks swimming in it, Master Hollow's curiosity bubbled up.

"This is a base for the people Sarah and Aiden recruited to fight for them.", Master Hollow voiced his observation while eyeing Haru with the hope that he will tell him more.

Haru smiled. "Master, as someone who didn't pledge loyalty to them, you already saw too much. I don't have the right to speak about it. Please, keep your questions for Sarah and Aiden."

"You and Nala are part of this fighting force as well.", Master Hollow persisted.

Haru shook his head. He knows that the old man is stubborn and that he will not give up easily, so he answered: "We are a family."

Master Hollow is aware that Sarah and Aiden are preparing to face Lebedev and Voronin families (or at least to resist them). "Are you OK to be a part of this?"

"What are your concerns?"

"Their enemies wield unimaginable power, and this is not your fight."

Haru is not familiar with Lebedev and Voronin families, but even if he is, for him, it would not make a difference. "This is my family now. Their fight is my fight. In the last year, I've seen many things, but I never saw them attack someone who didn't provoke them first. People are joining their cause because they believe that what is happening here is right." Haru saw that Master Hollow pressed his lips into a line and he added: "I remember that a year ago they persuaded you to teach them and you never taught outsiders before. There is something about them that attracts people."

Master Hollow exhaled. "A foolish dream that love can conquer all."

"Maybe it is foolish, but it's a dream. Without dreams, we will not have a reason to live. What you saw so far is a fraction of the whole picture, they are making their dream a reality and I am happy to be part of that world."

"You are not afraid of dying?"

Haru thought for a second before responding: "There is more than one way to die and giving up on your dream is one of them. I admit that when I joined them I had no idea what I'm getting myself into. Over time I understood that as a single person I am just an insignificant speck of dust, but when we all come together, we are a powerful storm which can change the landscape."

Master Hollow shook his head. "When did you become a motivational speaker?"

Haru grinned. "I was always a good speaker. And motivating. But you were not listening. Who knows? Maybe I become a politician…"

Master Hollow was not sure if he heard him right. "A politician?"

Haru nodded confidently. "Sarah and Aiden tell me that I can become whoever I want if I work hard. And my grades are not bad…"

Master Hollow ignored Haru's talk about becoming a politician as nonsense. But he was interested in one point… "Tell me about your school."

Haru was telling them about online courses, and group studies, and lessons with tutors, and the internship he had over summer in a big company (aka the White corp.), and Bo, Souta, and Wing had many questions. They didn't notice the day trickle away and Nala found them in the garden, engaged in a discussion on how a person picks a major in college.

Haru's face lit up when he saw Nala. "You are back already?"

Nala smiled. "I was out for almost four hours. Did you eat anything?"

"No. We lost track of time.", Haru admitted.

Nala shook her head in disapproval. "That means that Master Hollow didn't take his medications either. Let's go and eat…"

It was dinner time, and they shared a meal in the Castel.

Present at the table are regulars who live in the Castel: Mishi, Tereza, Lucija, Petar, Emir, Aaron, and also Sarah, Aiden, Nala, Haru, Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing.

Pups ate on one side, and Kitty on the other. Sarah is not comfortable letting them eat too close, out of fear that Kitty might mistake a pup for dinner. So far, the leopard is behaving, and the pups are not trying to approach Kitty, but it can't hurt to be extra careful.

When Sarah and Aiden introduced them to each other, Kitty sniffed the pups and after that, she ignored them. And the pups didn't dare make a move, they are smart enough to sense danger.

During dinner, members of the Sigma army were telling Sarah how the company is doing. They are all excited to see that things are moving along, and they started work on the campaigns for Orion Enterprise and for EY. Several other companies showed interest in collaboration with the Ceresc Solution, but nothing is solid.

"Will we be able to do internships here?", Nala asked Sarah.

Sarah knows that the kids who participated in the internship at White corp. were happy with the experience, and that is why Nala is asking. But this is not her decision to make. She gestured toward Mishi. "You should ask the CEO."

Mishi didn't expect this, but he answered diplomatically. "Internships are something that we will consider in the near future."

"If you are open to it, I have candidates who are eager to apply.", Sarah said cheerfully.

Mishi gave her a knowing look. "Applications coming from you will be difficult to decline."

"Make that as: impossible to decline.", Emir corrected Mishi.

They all laughed.

Dinner ended in a good mood and then our group of eight people (and four animals) boarded the jet. They are going to Los Angeles.

Each of them had their own thoughts, and the biggest thing on Sarah's mind was to come up with names for the pups who slept off in their fur-filled crate as soon as the plane started moving. The pups need names so that they can be introduced properly when they land, and Sarah was thinking hard about it… and then she slept off with her head on Aiden's shoulder.

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