act21side

These guys are actually using explosive bolts?!

Are you alright, sir?

I-I'm fine, for now.

But you people... you're foreigners, right?

You shouldn't have helped me. Getting mixed up with those people is a good way to get killed.

Am I the only one who thinks it's mighty strange that there's a murder in broad daylight and nobody seems to care?!

Grr, these guys are tougher to deal with than the gangsters back in Lungmen.

You're only making trouble for yourself, straniera.

What a coincidence. The thing I'm second best at is making trouble for myself.

By the way, the thing I'm best at... is getting rid of those troubles~

You're in Siracusa now.

So what?

So that means you have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

Watch out, Exusiai!

Attacking civilians! Which famiglia are you with?

Have you forgotten our ironclad laws?

Ugh... Talk about bad timing...

No wonder this little runt kept running toward Lavinia's commute.

Let's get outta here.

Get back here!

Judge Lavinia!

I remember you. You're from il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici... What's going on?

I-I have no idea! I was just heading to work!

From the way those guys were dressed up, they should've known the rules. Then, why...

I'm just a law-abiding citizen. I've never even gotten mixed up with any of the famiglie! Why, why are they still...

Your Honor, don't you think there's been something weird in the air recently?

Are the three of you alright?

I'm fine, but those guys ended up getting away...

Heh, I never expected Siracusa's customs to be so cutthroat.

Foreigners in Siracusa should try to be a bit more careful.

And who might you be?

I am Lavinia, a judge for this city. What about you?

You can call me Exusiai. And she's Sora.

And that's Croissant over there.

First of all, I would like to thank you. Your brave actions saved the life of this innocent civilian.

Need my help chasing those guys down?

Don't bother. They know this city like the backs of their hands, and you won't ever catch them. I'll sort out the rest.

Where are you from?

We came from Lungmen.

Might as well give you our business card. If'n ya ever need somethin' delivered, you give us a holler~

Lungmen, Penguin Logistics... You're with a logistics company?

That's right! No matter what it is, a tiny coin or a big ol' burdenbeast, we can take it wherever you need it to go!

Day or night, rain or shine, the customer's satisfaction is our mission!

Oh, assuming you have the money to pay, that is!

...Pfft.

Huh? Is our pitch that funny?

No, I'm sorry. I've just been a bit on edge lately.

Did you come to Volsinii to expand your business, or just for pleasure?

Either way, you chose an unfortunate time to come.

Well, actually, we came lookin' fer a friend of ours...

Lavinia, we're about to enjoy a grand celebration. What better time could there be to visit?

A new city is about to be born in Volsinii—the greatest event in the history of Siracusa.

Should they be lucky enough, our new friends may get to witness its birth.

...Bernardo.

Don't worry. These are my guests.

Yours? Or your troupe's?

Which would you prefer?

I hope... it's neither.

That's too bad then, because the answer is both.

It's not too late to go back to Lungmen right now, Exusiai.

Whaddya mean?

You always get the wrong idea about me, Lavinia.

I wasn't even the one who invited them here. Signorina Sora chose to come to Volsinii herself. Isn't that right?

Yessir. In fact, I'm grateful to Compagnia dell'alba for being willing to take me.

Alright then. Since you're Signor Bernardo's... guests, you won't have to worry much about your safety, at the very least.

Just, please contact me if you need something, alright? My number's right here.

Can do~

Now then, I need to ask this gentleman about what happened to him. The rest of you... enjoy your chat.

Bernardo... Bernardo... Oh!!

Wait, are you <i>the</i> Bernardo, artistic director of Compagnia dell'alba?

That I am.

Oh wow... You came all the way out here just for us...

I've always chosen actors myself. After all, you know what they say about wanting a job done well.

And, who might these two be?

They're my good friends who came to Siracusa with me.

We're her bodyguards, too. The name's Croissant.

And you can just call me Exusiai.

Very interesting names.

Shouldn't we be... moseyin' along?

There's no need. The famiglia associates don't cause trouble without reason. I'm not sure what kind of mess that clerk got himself into, but Siracusa is not without its own order.

This ain't your typical 'order' now, is it?

You think so? I got the impression our Sankta friend here would be quite familiar with it.

Nah, even in Laterano, something like that would've been considered straight-up assault!

Hah, the Signora of Siracusa always says she brought 'guns and order' from Laterano, but the reality seems to be a bit different.

The customs here might be a bit too extreme for outsiders. But, if you plan on spending any amount of time here, you'll want to get used to them as quickly as possible.

Setting aside the little intermezzo we just enjoyed, Signorina Sora, is now a good time to discuss your new job?

Oh, of course!

I'm assuming you haven't read the script yet, correct? This is our troupe's latest masterpiece, and your role is found within.

I-It would be an honor...

We haven't finalized the title of this production yet, but the name our creative team has chosen for this tragedy in three acts is—

'La Morte di Texas.'

Wh-What did you just say?

Oh? Seems my play has already captured your attention. Let's take our time and talk.

Oh right, I almost forgot in all the commotion just now.

Benvenuti in Siracusa, mie amiche.

Grr... It just had to be Lavinia again. Rotten luck.

And there was that Sankta too. Why the hell would a bunch of foreigners just show up in Siracusa, at a time like this? Plus, she had some real skills too...

Think it might be true that Signora Sicilia's guy might already be in Volsinii?

Ugh, who cares. Let's head back and then—

Who's there?