act42side

Come on! You're Master Pag, the King of Gunsmiths! If anyone would want to see an explosion, it's you!

Don't butter me up with a title you just made up on the spot.

I know what you're afraid of, Master Pag.

All I need is a little help—lend me some equipment, some of your expert knowledge—to help me figure out what's going on in Laterano.

I'm really anxious about all this.

My boss always says nothing gets in the way of Penguin Logistics completing our mission, or the after party!

Uh...

You don't need to DO anything. That way, you won't be violating the Law, right?

Get your guardian gun away from my collection, Sankta.

Besides, I know this gun. I made the damned thing—

Haha. Recognize it, don't you?

Then you also know how powerful it is.

I got Dr. Paola to make a new pair of glasses for you, magister! She admonished me to no end, she says it's your punishment to keep wearing those antiques of yours...

Here, try them on! Uh—

Wh-Who's this? What's going on, Magister Paganini?

Hey, if it isn't the quiet little girl! Look how fluently you can gab now!

What was your name again? Vanheim? Vannessa? Oh, I know—

—Vannini!

See? We still got our teamwork!

I remember now! You're El! You came to pick your first patron firearm...

Magister Paganini never lets me bother the customers when they come to the shop. But there was such a ruckus outside that day, I couldn't help but peek...

Magister Paganini found me out, though. I don't remember much else because I was so scared he was going to yell at me... sorry!

Oh, so that's why? You were afraid...

(Nods)

Weird, I thought you looked happy.

What brings you here today, El?

(Winks)

Vani.

The Seventh Tribunal came today. My workshop is...

I'm not officially a gunsmith yet. I don't actually work for this shop. It's not against the Law, strictly speaking.

Can I help this customer, Magister?

Gotcha, Senior Nurturer!

Where did you go? Romya said you were hiding from us. Is that true?

Of course not.

Then let's play Halo!

Father Andoain is very busy. How about you guys play with me?

Your Eminence.

I have some private matters to attend to. I'll be back soon.

No need to be nervous. I have your leave request on file. What I really should ask is, what are you doing here with the children when you're supposed to be on leave?

I thought I had enough time for one round of Halo.

And then? Did you think the children would let you go so easily?

I'll think of something.

I've heard you're completely incapable of saying 'no' to the children.

Who could ever imagine that the first Nurturer the Matriarch nurtured, one whose diligence and piety are beyond question, was once a criminal who violated the Law?

I'm only attending the family gathering of a friend I've not seen in a long time, Your Eminence.

I told you, no need to be nervous. I'm not worried about you burning Laterano while blowing a balloon or baking a cake.

I'm just curious. Why is there such a stark difference between how the Matriarch sees you, and your profile in the Curia's records?

The Matriarch has never overlooked or denied my sins, Your Eminence. She simply places more importance on my understanding with her.

It was before she became Matriarch. Our paths crossed by sheer chance, when I was taking refuge from a Catastrophe in an abandoned nomadic abbey.

The Matriarch may be blind, but her sense of hearing is impeccable. She caught a faint cry coming from the basement, in the midst of the deafening roar of Originium dashing against the distant mountains.

A mother, lying in a pool of blood in the shadows on death's door. She attempted to intimidate the Matriarch and protect her own child, but all she managed was an expression of great pain.

The mother you and the Matriarch first brought to the Holy City? Her injuries were such that even the most determined physician would have given up hope.

What made you think she would live?

I didn't... I didn't even think she would last the night. But the Matriarch had faith in a miracle, as though it was an inevitability.

The Matriarch wanted me to believe too, believe that the poor mother would find salvation, thanks to us.

And she did... at first, without medical training, all I could do was empathize and be by her side, caring for her in what ways I could.

You lingered in a stranded abbey for three months, for the sake of a <i>miracle?</i>

...Laterano needs a miracle.

Then you're much more rational than I thought, both of you. Perhaps I should see you in a different light.

Certainly, if it convinces the Curia to offer greater support for the Shrine of Nurtury.

So rational it's almost boring.

Hurry along now, Nurturer Andoain. At the very least, I hope to see the Nativity through without a hitch.

Madam Extra, you must take your nutrition...

I said, I don't want it.

If you have specific dietary requirements, we can make efforts to accommodate them.

*Sarkaz expletive*, you think I'm a picky eater?

But...

Yes, you have beds and food, and your leader... that 'Matriarch' said you wouldn't do anything to me.

But I just don't feel comfortable.

In the wilderness, I know what can kill me, and I know what I need to do to give birth to this baby.

Where to hunt, how to keep warm, how to block off the entrance to my cave... And with that, I don't have to worry about myself or my baby.

But here... ugh.

Get out. Take the food with you. I didn't touch it. I'm sure there are people who need it more in this place.

Reverend Gun-Knight Patrizion?

Yes. The Matriarch was looking for me?

She's inside. A minute, please.

The Matriarch has been tending to the pregnant Sarkaz woman who arrived in poor shape. But it's been an hour and she hasn't come out yet...

I'm not one to speculate... but the prejudices of the past have made it difficult for many Sarkaz to accept our kindness.

The Matriarch has no weapons on her. I worry that...

I'll check on her.

The gun-knight Patrizion has served Laterano for many decades. He has forgiven many Sarkaz, and slaughtered many more.

He has heard the Sarkaz curse in fury, cry out in pain, roar in hatred, even plead in despair...

But he has never heard them pray.

And yet, the pregnant Sarkaz now kneels before a holy statue, her hands clasped together, stumbling over the unfamiliar words of liturgy.

The Matriarch stands behind her, her head bowed in prayer as well, the pair bathing in the warm glow. When the Sarkaz trips over a sentence, the Matriarch waits for her.

All mortals desire peace and happiness, and fear hardship and sorrow.

Therefore, we stand together in prayer, regardless of race.

Matriarch, the Sarkaz...

She has only just left behind the restless life of a wanderer. Now that she is experiencing idleness for the first time in her life, all the worries she has never had time to ponder have rushed to the surface.

She simply needs to learn to comfort herself.

You taught her how to pray?

We've only recited a few verses together.

Let's go somewhere where we won't disturb her.

Why have you called me here today, Matriarch?

I wanted to talk with you, to ease your troubles.

But it seems like words may not be so necessary now.

Troubles? I am not troubled.

Are you not troubled, or do you dare not be troubled?

Everyone in Laterano knows that our ancient order was established in response to the prophesied calamity.

As calamity descends, our order is stretched to its limit... yet no one can predict what will become of Laterano one day.