act42side

Oh, I forgot! It's your first day!

Let's see. 'Your Eminence, Cardinal Lemuen', is that right?

It is giving me goosebumps.

Hey, from submitting the application to becoming a cardinal's aide to finally getting the job, all it took was two years, right?

Isn't that a new record for the Seventh Tribunal?

It took much longer than breaking the wheelchair speed-shooting record.

Huh?

Just a joke.

Well, we all look up to you.

There are two hundred households up and down three streets waiting for you to deliver the cystymilk for their morning fruit tart and post-meal desserts...

Meanwhile, how often is a cardinal's presence really needed for diplomatic and national security business in Laterano?

Who's to say which one of us is more important to the city?

Fair point. Guess I should get to work!

I'll leave your cystymilk at the door. Two servings, as usual?

Yes.

Where's Seniora Lemuel working, anyway? One day I hear it's a logistics company in Lungmen, the next day I hear it's security for that pharma company called Rhodes Island...

I miss her. It's been a long time since I last saw her.

Who knows? Maybe she'll just show up tomorrow. And she wouldn't be happy if the fridge were empty.

You got that right.

Hm, isn't this a bit of a detour if you're headed to the Seventh Tribunal?

Just visiting a friend I haven't seen in a long time.

I see... have a nice day, Cardinal Lemuen.

Have an uneventful day. May the Law be with you and me.

Have a nice day.

Lemuen greets a few familiar faces on the way, then makes a turn at a corner, onto an utterly unremarkable street.

The clouds cast their shadows on the pristine paths. A breeze brings the sweet aroma in the air along with it. Soon, the surroundings grow quiet, as Lemuen approaches her destination.

Her life has undoubtedly changed. But her steps are light. She gladly welcomes these changes.

Lemuen has always been that way.

The Laterans have always been that way.

'Have an uneventful day. May the Law be with you and me.'

Lemuen utters those words.

At the end of the street is a massive building that nearly touches the clouds. The streamlined structure seems decidedly out of place amongst the low profile of church buildings around it.

It is no exaggeration to say that it virtually appeared out of nowhere, yet it also seems like it has always been there.

It welcomes Lemuen's arrival with open arms.