act26side

Rejection by the Commandments is not insurmountable. Unintentional discharges are particularly common.

The sheer drivel!

No... he's right... it was me, I pulled the trigger!

Fortuna! No, you...

Avus Stefano, it was my fault! I'll take it however they punish me!

But Fina's still... She's been hurt! Please, you have to save her!

Fine, fine, I'll see to it now—

I'll go.

I'm good with first aid. Give me a location.

Just—Just go to my room...

I can show you the way!

If you would, Clément.

Less talk, more action. Move.

This way! Follow me!

Here, right here!

The door's wide open...

Oh, the blood...

Delfina!

Quiet down! You want everyone to hear about this?!

Move, let me work!

No. She's in bad shape. Bleeding's too profuse.

And her wound is...

What do we do now?

Flowers... right! I remember His Excellency saying the sacrarium's flowers could be used for healing! Yes, right, they have to be...

Wait while I pick some!

Don't bother.

Let me go! If I—If I leave right now, we might still make it—

There's no point! Even if we stop the bleeding, we're out of time!

What? How can there be no point...?

Because there isn't one.

She was shot point blank. Severe loss of blood. I can't detect breathing.

I've <i>tried</i> first aid. Nothing. I couldn't get a pulse.

No breath... and no pulse...

It's very likely she was taken instantly.

The girl is dead.

I've locked the entrance. No one was around, fortunately. We can't have many eyewitnesses.

How are we handling this?

We wait for Serpilia to conclude treatment.

Halo discoloration is characteristic of a fallen angel. She is falling rapidly.

With consideration for stability within the monastery, this is my suggestion: cancel the sermon and lock down all news of this.

I have a proposal.

In order to avert unnecessary conflict, I and my colleagues will take over patrol duty for the following interim.

All inhabitants should return to their rooms as soon as possible, and await final verdict tomorrow.

This will ensure to the maximum extent that there are no further accidents.

Reverend Executor, this abbey is <i>not</i> under Lateran jurisdiction until it arrives at its final destination!

I am aware.

We can address any problems within the monastery on our own. We wouldn't hassle our Lateran visitors.

As you so rightly indicated, Reverend Executor, this was simply an accident. Given we still don't know Delfina's condition, this could all be a false alarm...

Accident or not, she has fallen.

It is mandatory that issues of fallen angels are assessed and addressed personally by His Holiness and the Sacred College of Cardinals.

So you want to take her back to Laterano. Not that I've once seen a two-horned Sankta in Laterano, not ever!

Tell me, Reverend Executor, how can her being 'addressed' inspire trust in me?

Well... Federico, I'm just mentioning this, but didn't His Holiness tell you to keep an eye on how often you contradict people?

What? I am not manifesting any contradiction.

Err, okay. I mean... um, your approach could be a little more conciliatory...

I do not understand your meaning.

But thank you for the suggestion.

You... *sigh* I'll take it.

I think... we're not going to get anywhere arguing about it here. Seeing as we can't leave for now anyway, we might want to find a place for, um, Seniora Fortuna here to catch her breath for a while.

Once we have the situation under control, and everyone's calmed down somewhat, we'll still have plenty of time to discuss how exactly we resolve this.

And, Most Reverend Abbot, you don't have to be so wary of Laterano. Similar cases have happened before. As long as we're sure the Commandments weren't violated with malice, the punishment should be light, at most.

Right, Federico?

Correct. But you did not have the authority to divulge that information, Richele.

Look, special circumstances.

Just, the both of you, consider it?

I have no objection.

I worry...

...Avus Stefano, don't...

It was my fault... Whatever the punishment is, I'll accept it...

Fortuna!

I'll go with you, Senior...

Then we're decided.

I'll find Seniora Fortuna somewhere to rest. You two stay here for the moment and calm down.

This room looks good enough. Err... very spacious to boot.

Don't worry too much. Your case is a relatively special one, and I imagine His Holiness will get personally involved. As long as there wasn't intent to harm, it shouldn't end up too severe.

Fina's...

Is Fina, um... the wounded Sankta citizen?

We still can't be sure of her condition, but my colleague should be treating her now. Let's think positive—things may not be that bad.

My horns...

Hm?

I wonder why I'm growing...

Horns like a Sarkaz's...?

Well, that, I'm not too sure myself... In any case, someone will tell you once we're in Laterano.

For now, just rest up here.

...Okay.

I'll be outside the door. If you need anything, just knock for me.

*sigh*... Who knows how Federico's going to handle this.

You know what? I <i>am</i> a pretty sensitive guy, if I'm being honest. I always get this cold sweat when someone's creeping around behind me.

The fun's over. Come out, Oren.

Just one question—how'd you see me?

I was just bluffing, actually. I didn't think you <i>would</i> come out.

You're not expecting me to believe that, are you?

Why not? I'm good either way.

Whatever, Richele, you little cheat.

Don't say that. I'm more honest than Serpilia, at least.

She's one of yours, isn't she? She was lying.

No... not outright, I guess. She just declined to say everything.

Where is this coming from?

We were asking her about her relation to you. All she effectively said was 'I couldn't care less about him' without revealing anything else.

She was dodging Federico's questions.