act21side

So I cannot let you see the Donna.

You'll shake her. And you'll shake others too. You'll bring ruin to a great many things.

So, please turn back.

Go close the deal you have with the Bellones, and then crawl back wherever you came from.

You're free to do what you want from here.

But, I'll ask you to bear one thing in mind.

Famiglia Rossati does not welcome you.

Texas stands up and walks to the door.

Unconsciously, the would-be assassins part and make way for her.

She looks around, reading anger, bewilderment, disgust, confusion, and other emotions in the eyes of the Columbians.

That is what her surname brings to the table.

Texas.

She lets out a sigh and exits the room.

What an unexpected guest.

I want to see Bernardo.

I've already warned you several times before not to call the Don by his first name, Signorina Lavinia.

You know where he is, don't you?

Give me one reason why I should tell you.

If standing here listening to you mock me from your position as the big winner is enough to get you to tell me, I'll gladly play along.

The big winner, huh...?

Whatever.

It's not like you knowing will do any harm. The Don already left for the Saluzzo mansion.

You won't be able to see him.

If you want to stir up trouble in his household, that's on you.

But if the Don has decided to open discussions with the Saluzzos, I suggest you don't stick your head where it doesn't belong.

Don't need to tell me twice.

One more thing, Signorina Lavinia.

I don't care what you think about me.

But, I hope you do remember this.

Leon is a made man in this famiglia, and he was the first to deviate from our path.

We are all one famiglia, and a famiglia ought to stick together.

Your path?

That's a nice euphemism for craven ambition.

Heh.

A droplet of rain strikes the ridge of her eye socket and rolls down like a teardrop.

Never in her life has Lavinia experienced rain so frigid and biting in Siracusa.

But she promptly wipes away the streaks.

It's too soon for that.

Who is it?

I'm looking for Penguin Logistics.

That's me.

Do you have time right now?

I have a moment.

What services does your business offer?

We deliver letters, messages, goods, and... people.

Rain or shine.

Perfect. I have a job for you.

Oh, Sora, you went to Caterina's place after all?

There are tons of resources here, and Miss Caterina even left her notes in a lot of these scripts.

She's really passionate about her job, huh?

*sigh*...

Stop sighin', won'tcha?

Everybody knows yer actin' thingy ain't just another way of chasin' Texas. Leastwise, you don't want it to be.

Right. But, finding her is still our top priority...

After all, Lappland is back in Siracusa, and she's been doing some pretty crazy stuff.

If you think about, it makes perfect sense.

It always feels like she's there, wherever Texas shows up.

Do you think she's doing it to help Texas?

Lookin' at the scoreboard, Texas sure as sunshine got her name cleared. But ain't that kinda strange, whichever way ya look at it?

Yes. I'm sure she has her own goals.

Gaaah, I don't have what it takes to deal with that woman.

Anyways, she ain't no friend of Texas, don't take a genius to know that much. But her attitude ain't much like an enemy, neither.

End of the day, I just can't figure out for the life of me what it is she wants outta Texas.

But, the mille-feuille she gave me earlier was really good.

Don't wanna hear nothin' outta that hungry mouth of yours.

It's kind of like how I used to look at Mostima. I couldn't figure her out, but after I gradually stopped thinking about her, she actually started to make sense to me.

I feel like it's the same with Lappland.

For people like her, there's no point trying to guess at what they're thinking. It's better to just accept what they say at face value.

Only if every word they say is true can you start to figure if they're ultimately trying to weave truths into a lie.

Hmm...

Time for me to get some chow. Exusiai, you watch over things, okay?

You got it~

Sora, are you practicing your lines again?

Oh, hi there, Miss Caterina.

We're about to start our performance of Act II of 'La Morte di Texas,' so I have to step it up.

Oh, I completely forgot. Time sure has a way of sneaking up on you.

Exusiai, would you like some pizza?

Sure would!

By the way, Miss Caterina, since you're the playwright, you'll be coming to watch the show, right?

Hmm...

I actually wanted to tell you that I'm going away for a while.

Huh?

For how long?

Well... It shouldn't be too long, if everything goes as planned.

Don't worry, it's nothing major. Something happened back home, and as the eldest daughter, I have to go back and get everything under control.

Being a big sister is hard work, isn't it?

Haha. It's not so bad.

Unfortunately, I'm still not sure what to do for the climax of Act III.

*sigh*... Maybe I can find some inspiration back home this time.

Alright...

Come on, don't look at me like that. We just won't be seeing each other for a bit. I should still be able to find the time to come watch Act II.

Who knows, maybe I'll surprise you backstage and invite you out.

Really?

After all, I rarely get to make new friends, and I wouldn't want to miss the performance of a script I wrote myself.

Right. That settles it then. If you're coming by, you have to let me know!

Of course!

I'm off then. Goodbye.

Bye bye~

See you later~

Donna, you didn't bring any luggage?