act21side

All of this lets her breathe a sigh of relief.

She understands full well that the dream had never really happened, that the Columbian family never had a chance to pester the Siracusan guest.

As for the carwash worker, she has only met him once.

A dream that has no meaning except to remind her of her Siracusan roots.

Since coming to Lungmen, she hasn't had this dream in a long while.

So why have it now?

She unconsciously wants to see the night outside her window.

The moonlight still shines bright and clean.

Myriad colors still dot Lungmen's nightscape.

But within it all is an existence utterly incompatible with everything around it.

Outside her window, on a rooftop beneath the moon, a wolf is staring directly at her.

If everything surrounding it can be called the creations of civilization, then this wolf is undoubtedly a symbol of the wild wastes.

He does not belong here, and never should have appeared here.

But he still appeared in all his majesty, his figure seeming to tower above everything else around him.

Come. It is time for you to fulfill your end of the deal.

In an instant, Texas understands why she had the dream.

Dreams are not necessarily connected to reality.

But dreams often are omens.

And without a doubt, the dream she had tonight portends—

That her past has come knocking on her door.

Noisy. Excessive. Corrupt.

How far you've fallen, to become indolent in a place like this.

But, at least you thought of killing me the moment you saw me.

That means my trip was still worthwhile.

I can give it a serious try, Zaaro.

It won't make a difference in the end. Same as seven years ago.

You should feel grateful, last wolf of Famiglia Texas. Our deal still stands, which means you still have a chance to pay off your debt.

The wastelands have always played fair.

Stop calling yourself the wastelands.

It has never cut deals with anyone, 'Signore dei Lupi.'

Heh. Maybe you've just never gotten close enough.

Stop talking in circles. What do you want me to do?

Follow me back to Siracusa. You are to assist my Fang.

...'Fang.'

Fulfill his request, and consider your debt paid in full.

At that time, whether you choose to return here or remain there is no longer any of my concern.

Fine.

If it ain't Zaaro, Lord of Wolves.

Think you can just show up in my city, take my people, leave like it ain't no thing?

Your brain overgrown with weeds now too? Ah, my bad. Forgot, you ain't even got a brain.

Emperor, my wretched kin.

How long has it been since we last met? Two hundred years? Three?

What is this revolting outfit of yours? What are you dressing up as?

What happened to your sheet music? Or your conductor's baton? Have you finally tired of pretentiously tickling the ivories atop the lofty spires of Leithanien?

Mind your business, Zaaro. As if I'd remember when the last time we met was. Wish there wasn't a last time, hope there won't be a next time, and that I forget about this time.

I don't understand. You can choose to step aside, and then forget all about it.

Did I stutter? Get your sorry ass back to Siracusa, and leave my people outta your shit.

I don't even get how your brothers and sisters still let you and your pups play your little mob game in Siracusa.

There are many paths to victory. This was my decision, and it has nothing to do with you.

Y'all had some kinda inside deal there, right?

Like y'all keep to your own turf, keep outta human business.

Take a good look at yourself. You hardly look any different from the humans, and you're telling me to stay out of human affairs?

What are these toys of yours to the glaciers that have not melted for tens of thousands of years? What are these ridiculous black glasses of yours compared to the lasting darkness of the polar nights?

And then, there's your so-called 'music.' What need is there for music when you already have the coldest wind?

Throw all of this away, Emperor.

You are forgetting what you truly are. What 'we' truly are.

You made up those rules. They ain't for me.

My life ain't your business, wolfie.

They came up with something new, I decided I liked it, and I made it mine. Simple as that.

We've always belonged to the wasteland.

You showed your ass callin' this land the 'wastes.' Ain't nothin' wasted here to me.

Think you're any different from the humans? Rollin' around the forests of Siracusa didn't get you all hungry for power. You never thought about where all that ambition came from?

Zaaro, you ain't made no progress in millennia, and on top of that, you also picked up the dumbest shit humanity's got on offer.

(Low snarl)

Stow your fangs, kid. That's rude.

There's no point fighting amongst ourselves. Nothing will come of it.

I'm just a messenger, here to claim what's rightfully mine.

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!