act21side

She isn't even qualified to be my pawn yet.

My people are more than qualified to do anything. Including guttin' you.

Your people?

She doesn't belong to you, Emperor.

Perhaps, you can ask her opinion.

Seven years ago, when I wanted out of Columbia, Zaaro struck a deal with me.

I'd be allowed to go free, and in return, I would do him one favor, in the future.

Without this promise, I wouldn't have made it out of Columbia alive.

Ugh, I know all that. Point is, you gonna leave with him?

Sorry, boss, but I have to honor my word.

I don't give no shit about deals and words, Zaaro. She's my employee.

Texas, I could, magnanimous man that I am, give you some vacation time and let you sort through all your business. Got nothin' to do with me.

I mean, Penguin Logistics employees are free, even if they're in Siracusa.

And you, Zaaro, if you dare get up in her business, I'll show up at your stinkin' lair and rip the tail hairs outta you and every one of your siblings. Make myself a nice broom.

Hah.

Child of Texas, you may make preparations as you see fit, or say your goodbyes.

No need. Sorry, boss, but I'm going to need a favor. Tell the girls I'm going to be gone for a while, but I'll be back soon.

I'll just tell 'em you were cryin' about wanting to head back to Siracusa, and you took a long vacation. I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't take no for an answer.

Then... I'll have to buy them some extra souvenirs, and apologize to them when I get back.

If you have nothing to say, let's be off.

Fine.

And so, a woman and a wolf walk westward, soon disappearing into the night.

The streetlights flicker on and off.

Volsinii Alleyway

*pant*... *pant*... Did I make it?

Heh, good question.

When did you—?!

You're pretty lucky. Right when took the shot, you bent over to pick up the keys that had fallen under the seat.

Wh-Who are you people? What did I ever do to you?!

'Did I make it?' Hah! 'Did I make it?'

Can you make it away from air and water? Can a Siracusan ever get away from the rainy season?

Who could ever get away from them? Or well, from us?

What famiglia do you belong to? I've done everything right. No gambling, no debt. I'm just an ordinary clerk at il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici!

Ohh, il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici. That's a hot topic around Volsinii these days.

I... I know the son of Don Bellone!

That's enough talking.

I...

(Now's my chance!)

Ugh, what a pain in the ass. A little trick won't save you.

The rain's not letting up, huh.

Want a bite? After all, this is Siracusa, the land of pizza!

I've ordered all the flavors the gourmet guide said were worth ordering!

At least one of us is in a good mood.

You didn't forget why we came here, didja?

Not like worrying about it's gonna do any good.

We've been asking around. Those guys in the black suits don't ever say anything!

All I heard is that some family by the name of Bellone recently welcomed a guest. I'm gonna head over and take a look around their place.

That scene, though, tsk tsk. The fowlbeasts are probably gonna make a detour once they pass by.

Ain't that all the more reason to worry?

Lemme tell you, our girl's from here. With her skills, she won't get into any big trouble.

Plus, we came here with the expectation that we might not see her face-to-face at all. Isn't that right, Sora?

Mhm.

Plays and operas are a very robust scene in Siracusa. Whether you're in a tavern or in a theater, there are always many performances to be found. Siracusans from all walks of life regard opera as a way to unwind.

They say even the mobsters are no exception.

So I thought, maybe if I could get into a troupe...

Gotta hand it to ya, Sora, quick thinkin' there nabbin' this chance through Monster Siren Records.

Coincidentally, my agent just asked if I was interested in going to Siracusa to develop my career, which I turned down because I didn't want to leave Lungmen.

But even so, ain't Siracusan opera way different from yer usual style?

It sure is. Both the choreography and the singing will pose major challenges. Plus, we're also talking about a completely different kind of stage.

But after seeing my performance, the director said he'd be willing to give me a shot.

Aha... If MSR didn't already have a contact ready to go, I would've had to keep waiting.

Are you sure I'm not gonna wake up to find you also disappeared without saying goodbye?

That's not going to happen!

I'm not even brave enough for that.

Speakin' of which, ain't it time for your meetup with the troupe's artistic director?

You always had these meetings in some kinda company building or theater before. Crazy he wanted to meet ya in a restaurant like this.

That's not completely unheard of. Some people prefer to chat in a more natural, everyday setting to get a better feel for the actor.

An everyday setting, huh.

Poppin' up in Siracusa like this don't feel natural to me in the least. But, all I'n do is hope it goes well.

When we get back to Lungmen, Texas is payin' for three months of boba tea... No, make that six!

Only six? We've got a chance to make her pay through the nose!

Wow, the director actually showed.

H-Help me!

Huh? What's going on?

Look out!

Spectacular! I got some great shots from the rehearsal just now!

How was it, Signor Bernardo?

Not bad.

Really?!

But, not good either.

You're too eager to perform, Lena. It's as if you want ten critics to see twelve different emotions in one of your performances.

But, that's too excessive for my needs.

Just give me one thing, as long as it's yours. Your own grief, your own passion, your own desolation.

It's not easy being an actor. You are not a prop on the stage, Lena, and you should not settle for being a prop either.

S-Si, signor!

Director, the guests from Lungmen have arrived.

Very good.

Are you sure you need to meet with her personally though? She's just a small-time songstress from Lungmen. I can handle this myself.

Loreno, I know that you, as Lena's uncle, have always sought to impede her potential competitors.

But you could try to hide it a little better.

Wait... I'm not trying to hide anything from you at all. It's just that we don't have a particularly deep relationship with Monster Siren Records.

Rather, there isn't a single theater troupe in Siracusa who thinks highly of this agency trying so desperately to wriggle into our market.

But you went beyond expectations in agreeing to the deal to bring one of their singers over to study at our theater.

Both logically and emotionally, this doesn't benefit us at all. And now you're even going to meet her, personally?

It's as you said, Loreno. She is just a small-time songstress from Lungmen, with nothing inherently deserving of my attention.

But, as you will soon see, the 'from Lungmen' part holds a special significance.

Are you talking about...?

(*whispers*)

Thank you. Tell him, don't go overboard.

It's our life, isn't it?