act16side

But, if we go back to where I saw you, Mister... I know where my house is from there.

Not a problem. We'll take a different route back to Stevonus.

Welcome back, Mostima.

Time sure does fly, Your Holiness.

What news do you bring this time?

Relax, it won't be as bad as that one time.

Here's the physical report I mentioned before... Last page is a brief from Stevonus Central's head doc.

...Considerably cautious wording.

Mostima, what is your view?

Going by the doctor who did the diagnosis and checkup, this report belongs to... an eight-year-old Sankta girl.

All the details point to her being a Sankta, anyway.

Empath index isn't too high, but considering her age and physical condition, it's within acceptable range.

Question is these few figures here... My own checkups report similar results.

But she's not even twelve yet. Never held a patron firearm. It's hard to imagine she's got the ability to violate any commandments. Outward appearances shoot down any chance she's fallen, either.

Doesn't leave very many possibilities. I think you'd have a better idea than me.

If she's not fallen, another possibility is...

No. It's just as at odds with her appearance. Progeny like that aren't able to obtain halos.

Right, normally they can't. But we don't have many cases to go by, anyway.

Where is this child currently located? Where's Fiammetta?

Kid's out of Stevonus Central Hospital. Fiammetta's tracing her.

Apparently, it was one of the Hall's trainee executors who checked her in. Velliv, Fiammetta wants you to order the Notarial Hall to cooperate. She's on her way there right now.

The Notarial Hall...

Silver linings, am I right?

She just wants an order to cooperate? Is Fiammetta alone going to be enough?

You forget that big conference in the Basilica? Thought you were more cautious than that, Velliv.

How much does this trainee executor know about the child?

No way to be sure. Hospital describes him as just a conscientious guy who 'saw a lost child and did the right thing,' at least when he admitted her.

Let Fiammetta handle it for now.

Yes, Your Holiness.

Aren't you going to participate, Mostima?

Not at the moment.

While we were in Stevonus Central, Fiammetta met this Liberi who used to be Pontifica Cohors too.

She likely made contact with the child, but according to the info Fiammetta sent back, it's not gone smoothly for her, whatever it was she wanted to do.

But either way, she definitely used some apostate language.

Hm... you stay in the Basilica, then.

Vel, no need to jump the gun.

Any issues with the envoys arriving?

Two detachments remain. Forecasts say they will arrive on time.

Very good then.

We'll wait a bit.

Patia, we're sorry, we lost them.

Forget it. He came to Pagus Ambrosius on purpose. The crowds are massive here, and all the alleys... For what looks like a novice, this executor's got a surprisingly decent hand on the ropes.

Ugh, this is a massive wrench in the plan. How could she fall straight into an executor's hands...

Who could it be now... Oren?

Things are getting tricky, Patia.

What, are you calling to mock me for it?

Not at all. Jokes are reserved for when things go without a hitch.

I've got good news and bad news. Which do you wanna hear first?

And you said you wouldn't joke... The bad news.

Bad news is, the Lateran Curia caught wind already, and they're officially sending someone to intervene. Guess who got tasked?

...Fiammetta.

Bingo!

I'm eager to hear what the good news could be.

Good news is, it's just Fiammetta. Mostima's been kept at the Basilica.

That counts as good enough. But the news I want to hear is what you are doing right now.

Real sharp of you. Because Mostima's been left behind, me and her have switched report times. Which means I'm free right now. How's that? Jumping for joy?

Not—a—chance—in—hell.

Also, Oren, I'm warning you, stop acting like you've got such a wealth of experience. I joined up with the Guide long before you did.

Alright, got it. I know I could never compete with your Miss Veter... hey, don't hang up, hold on, listen, I need you to hold Fiammetta off.

What about you?

I'll be fetching Cecelia.

Why don't you hold Fiammetta off and I fetch Cecelia?

Ease up on the temper, okay? You know exactly why.

Besides, if you intercept Fiammetta, then no one's harmed even if you fail. And if I go handle that executor, the chances I succeed are better than yours.

Do you hate the Sankta, Patia?

What are you asking?

Answer the question.

I don't hate Sankta. What I hate is Liberi who put them up on an altar with absolutely no self-awareness.

If you don't care about Sankta, then you'll never know what makes them tick.

What, are you trying to say you can get that executor to hand Cecelia to you because you're a Sankta, just like that?

You've got it all wrong. Halos allow Sankta to sense each other, and better understand each other, but that's not to say we all get to live in a happy hive mind.

Emotional links, ones that are a little too strong, can be a weakness at certain times.

Sankta are just too accustomed to them. But once something abnormal happens to you, you get stuck with these... tiny little doubts that crop up.

Is that why you're on our side?

On your side?

Nah, Patia. I'm not 'on your side.'

We're just going the same way by pure coincidence.

Oren, who were you on comms with?

You really love rooftops, Mostima.

Same to you. All the Legati love a rooftop run, don't they, Oren?

Ooh... I saw you this morning. Props to you for that one.

That was you, huh? I thought I was staring at someone's rooftop planters.

Huh? C'mon, don't I look good? It's the latest fashion in Victoria.

All I know is fashion doesn't mean dyeing your hair so it clashes with all of you.

You're such a Victoriaphile, Oren.

It comes with the job. The glorious Legati demand a certain bearing.

Wanna guess at my job, then? Aren't you curious why I went to see the old weirdo out of nowhere?

It's so secret, it might just sink Laterano...

Stop!

I don't wanna know.

You don't?

I was really hoping I'd get another helping hand.

Instead of meeting up with Fiammetta, you're going to recruit him?

Don't be like that, Velliv, I'm devoted to you, heart and soul.

Not one more disgusting joke out of you, Oren Argiolas.

C'mon, even I have feelings.

Wow, that's the first I've heard of them.

If you two have the time to chat, you'd better spend it rewriting your reports.

Hm? Is something wrong with my report?

Guess how many seconds it took me to read it?