act38side

Every hunter runs into a wolf before they go into the wastes.

The wolf says: Mulberry wood makes sturdy bows, and stones can be sharpened into deadly blades; but you must shed the clothes on you to survive, for it is the only thing that does not belong in the barrens.

No one would believe it.

So the hunter who kept his long coat on... was caught by tree roots protruding into the corner of the coat, ensnared by vines so tightly he could not move until he heard the beasts encircling him.

Another hunter covered himself head-to-toe in armor... was washed away by the river current when the water rushed into the tiny gaps between the metal plates, dragged down into the mud on the riverbed.

Only one hunter took the wolf's advice, and received a gift from it. The wolf tore off its own pelt, and placed it on the hunter.

The fur fit him so well, as if he was born with it. It helped the hunter survive countless dangers unscathed.

The pelt was so smooth and clean. When the hunter left the wilderness, not a speck of blood could be found on it.

And the hunter never took it off—

<p=2>November 1st, 1100 8:10 P.M.</>

Even the hunter's descendants had a custom of wearing clothing so fitting yet comfortable... and slowly, it evolved into the suit you commonly see on Siracusans today.

...Nonno, you've been telling me this story from when I was a baby, and I still don't get it. I've grown up and you're <i>still</i> telling it.

Luchino, I'm nearly done with these two suits. We just need to sew on these buttons.

You accepted this order on your own accord, so we must be meticulous in our work, no matter who the client is.

Go fetch the buttons from the back. You won't miss them, they have the Saluzzo's emblem.

Shouldn't I first bring them to Signorina Lappland for a fitting, and then we adjust the clothes afterward? As you taught me—

It's fine. That Saluzzo signorina doesn't need it, I'll decide if they need any alterations.

But she didn't request to skip the fitting...

I know what's on your mind, boy.

Sometimes our clients request complicated designs, sometimes they don't even have a picture of it in their head, but it's not our place to probe too much.

Remember, Luchino: Tailor de Montano did not gain our reputation purely from our precision tailoring.

People and materials are the same—know them before making any move.

Go get those buttons. It's time to finish this order.

Oh... okay.

Luchino looks at the two beautiful sets of attire. They are completely different to any suit his grandfather has ever made.

A magnum opus to be sure, worthy of the 'Made by de Montano' labels. He just wishes to be a part of that.

Luchino subconsciously pats his pocket. Inside are a few buttons he privately made himself, also engraved with the Saluzzo emblem.

I'll get them at once, Nonno.

...*sigh*

I kept you waiting outside for quite long, didn't I? Please come in.

You can't delay Signor Antonio's commission any longer, Umberto.

The old Don's about to arrive, if you start now you can still finish it in time before the Carnevale.

Push back your other commissions and come with me to Venezia Trucking. We won't take too much of your time.

My current commission is also one I can't disappoint.

Nonno! I heard someone come in!

Umberto, you don't actually have to make those measurements yourself.

Wanna go meet a real somebody, ragazzo?

Huh? A—A somebody? Nonno, I—

Luchino, give me the buttons.

Y—Yes!

Here.

The young tailor nervously looks at his nonno's face.

Not bad.

But not good enough for these two outfits, Luchino.

B—But I compared them so many times! They're practically the same!

Once you sew enough buttons, you'll be able to tell if they'll fit or not just by touching them. Go fetch mine.

Here, here! All here!

I—I just wanted to help you out!

Umberto, I think you're being too hard on the kid, personally.

Keep practicing, Luchino.

Yes, practice. I'll be good and get back to it once I bring back your medicine!

Signore, surely you can tell this boy is too reckless.

...You amuse me, Umberto.

Apologies, but my recent Carnevale commissions leave me no time at all to go with you.

I promise you, I'll personally go over to apologize once I'm done here.

Of course, I'll pay for any subsequent expenses as well.

You really think Signor Antonio cares about all that? All <i>I</i> care about, is that I can enjoy the Carnevale in peace, Umberto—

Umberto de Montano. Figured you'd be here.

(The Vulpo Returns Home)

You shouldn't be here, Zaaro.

You lost your Fang and this round, so you ought to return to the barrens and wait for the next round to begin.

Calm down, Caesar.

I know you have the best odds of being the alpha of this round, but there's no way I can just sit and wait.

I smell a strong human scent on you. Have you already picked up a new toy?

If you did, then why did you come find me? Were you hoping I console you, Zaaro?

I'm fed up with how you deceive and trick your little pup, <i>Grandma.</i>

I summoned you here to share an interesting secret—where the last unidentified Fang is hiding.

You're out of the game, yet you still try to interfere?

Outsiders make the most eager audience.

Caesar, the bloody stench beneath your merciful appearance and your thirst for victory... I've always been able to sniff them out despite your efforts.

Besides, I don't care if you're interested in my information or not. I'm merely relishing it.

Your pup has a keen sense of smell. A pity our unidentified Fang has spent decades cleaning the scent of wolf off himself.

Umberto de Montano. A pathetic tailor.

Zaaro, I guarantee you that when this round ends, you'll savor the pain of our bite.

Caesar, your anger is delicious as ever.

Unfortunately, I'm not even the first wolf to challenge our rules.

A Vulpo? You a tourist? Sorry, Tailor de Montano's all stuffed up with orders right now, so commissions are closed.

You're the boss here?

Who cares if I am or not—

He does not dare to finish his sentence.

Because he has just seen the blade in her hands.

Right. How long has it been since anyone in this city walked around freely with a weapon in their hand?

A smile remains on the woman's face, but he has a feeling: one more word from him and her blade will surely stab through his throat, even if they are in Nuova Volsinii right now.

*cough* Signora, this man is an employee of the Venezia Trucking.

<i>Trucking?</i> The famiglia sure has changed a lot since I left.

(A Vulpo... the scar on her face... this suit, and that blade—)

(The homicidal lunatic that defected and left the famiglia... but six years ago, didn't she already...?)

You should go, signore. Please send Signor Antonio my regards. Of course, my prior promise to you remains true.

Tch... You... I... cazzo.

(Grazie, Umberto.)

Signora Venezia, you don't seem to have changed much.

You know me?

Your photos were always on the newspapers. Dominated the headlines for a long time.

I thought you would have informed your family first about your return to Siracusa.

I left them many years ago—I came here looking for you.

Yet you're not here to kill me. There's a familiar scent on you.

Vargo?

Yes. He found me in Higashi through his connections, and we made a deal.

Are you sure you want to have our conversation while you bask in the sun and roll around the red leaves?

(Big yawn)