level_act48side_03_end

Great Kereseira, gentle and brave, not even the night can hide your splendor.

You brought us a wise duo to solve our troubles and help us build your temple.

The insects sing the song of your harp, your laurel is woven into the shape of victory, and the moonlight—

Oh, sorry, it's not moonlight that shines upon you, but the spotlights that we installed last week.

(Hearty drinking)

Don't drink too much. We're here to vote, remember? You don't want to hurt your hand engraving your ostracon.

Of course I remember! I'm here to vote for Titi!

I almost fell when I was working on the statues by myself in the temple. I wouldn't be drinking here right now if Titi didn't save me with her Arts!

Uh...

You don't believe me?

Let me show you. I tripped over the statue's sash that trails on the floor, and then—

Whoa!

Look out!

Several white ribbons fly out of the shadows towards the drunken Forte girl, helping her steady herself.

They let her go once they ascertain that she is unharmed, straightening her hair while patting her horns in reproach.

See? Those ribbons saved my ass, just like that.

Oh, Titi! What are you doing here? Let's get a drink!

Pallas told me about a girl in the moving crew who's small but strong. She loves drinking and has a tendency to stumble.

But I didn't expect to see you stumble a dozen times in just three days, Kantia.

Thanks, Titi.

She doesn't hold her drink any better than the average Minoan, which is to say she's supposed to drink in moderation. But she has a drunkard's soul.

Hehe...

You need a swig, Titi?

Do I look that nervous?

Not on your face, but we've all figured out that your tail doesn't lie.

Mm...

Who's the guy under the scaffolds, wearing a leaf-shaped ring on his grey tail?

Serafim from the paint crew. He's only motivated when working with big, muscular dudes. Nobody believes him when he says he's just lazy.

What about the Elafia sitting in the corner, not talking to anyone?

Lefteria, from the sculpting crew. She always stays out of the sun. I've only talked to her a few times, but I know she's obsessive about her work.

That's more than most of us know about her. Most of the craftsmen barely know she exists.

I don't know about the others, Titi, but to me, you're one of us.

Thanks, Manos.

Shouldn't you be comforting your friend? She looks nervous.

Comforting people is your job, Kassandra of Endymion Temple.

What Titi needs now is not the reassurance of a friend, but the support of the Minoans participating in the temple project.

Kyría Mashayer has been reciting her speech silently before those two craftsmen struck up a conversation with her.

She subconsciously clutches her tail whenever she trips over a word. Twice she accidentally grabbed her little pet instead, much to its annoyance.

You've been observing her carefully. I think you like her.

This alone is not enough to prove that she's worthy of trust. I just didn't want to surrender my own judgment to prejudice.

It didn't take you long to decide that she was the best choice to supervise the project. I trust <i>your</i> judgment.

Tonight, there is no shadow of confusion in those reflected in Kereseira's eyes. Everyone has made their decisions. They do not need the words of the heroes to guide their way.

I have some personal matters to attend to. Excuse me.

You're going?

The Astynomos might take the absence of the supervising priest from the voting as a form of protest.

My ostracon is already in the box. Besides, Lydia has no need for such blatant excuses, if she wants to pick a bone with the priesthood.

If the exchange ceremony takes place at the First Temple, then the ceremonial play to honor the heroes...

I'll talk to Lydia again, at least get her to defer to the priests when it comes to choosing the play.

But that's all for another day. Let's hope tonight's vote goes smoothly.

—Based on my experiences these past few days, once we solved the issue with the stone, I believe the structure is essentially complete and ready to welcome visitors.

It will be ready to open in a few days once we put on the finishing touches and complete the inspections according to plan.

There wouldn't be too much work to do to set up the exchange ceremony on the square. We'd just need to clear some room for the ceremony itself, and have a separate area for logistics.

We don't need to change anything with the rest of the building; it'll be ready to open once construction is complete.

I will create an actionable proposal based on my knowledge and experience overseeing construction projects.

If I'm elected, we will work together to complete the wonder that is Kereseira's First Temple!

Such a lively sight! It seems this Kyría Mashayer has made a lot of friends in a short time.

It would undoubtedly be a massive boon to the friendship between our two countries, not to mention the temple project, if she's elected.

What do you want?

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm here to attend the ceremony, at your invitation.

A son of Corinia's merchants just happens to pass by as I am talking to the Sargonian ambassador, and casually drops a solution to the problem at hand that leads to tonight's vote.

Was this all Kereseira's will?

Why not?

Tradition dictates that any Minoan who has received the heroes' blessing must visit a temple the following day to declare it before a priest.

But you will not seek Hiéreia Kassandra no matter what, no matter how close the Astynomos' Office is to Endymion Temple, will you?

You're crossing the line, Hiereús Períandros.

You know as well as I do that the election of Kyría Mashayer will be more than just a feather in your diplomat's cap. Your foremost concern will always be Minos itself, as it is for me.

Speak your demands. You can spin all the words you want, but I will not assent before seeing the terms and conditions of the deal.

Have patience, Honored Astynomos.

Reputation is the most important thing in business. And I will bring my business to you personally, once the dust has settled.

It's not that time yet.

In accordance with tradition, please etch 'Yea' or 'Nay' onto the ostracon you are holding.

Then, place it in the box face-down.

We will tally the results once everyone has cast their ostraca.

If more than half the votes are in favor, Titi... Kyría Mashayer shall be named supervisor of the temple project, until the exchange ceremony is completed.

Begin.

The crowd walks up, one by one, to place their ostraca.

There is some distance between the box and the center of the square where Titi is standing, but she can see the smiling faces of the friends she has made these past few days.

They nod to Titi as their gazes meet.

She cannot see the words on their ostraca, but she knows what vote they cast.

Who would have thought that she would be in charge of the construction of a Minoan temple? It would have been a tremendous honor, even in Padishah Malla's time.

How should she repay the kindness the Athenians have shown her?

Hah. What a joke.

A voice interrupts Titi's thoughts, and causes the square to fall silent.

Is this the year 1100?

I thought maybe we were at the turn of the millennium, and the Sargonians had come back to rule us.

The war is over, Megas.

For you, maybe. Not for me.

The hated Sargonians continue to hound me in my darkest dreams.

I wish I were as forgetful as you. But our heroes tell me in my dreams that I must not forget.

Did a priest interpret that for you?

No. But these recurring dreams are the heroes' voice. I alone know their will.

I will never smile and work alongside a Sargonian.

I will not stand for it, no matter what good things you may say the Sargonian has done.

Titi watches as the Minoan passes in front of her without so much as casting a glance her way.

He tosses his ostracon as he passes by the box. It hits the side and falls onto the ground, rolling a few times before settling face-up. The ostracon is blank.

Titi realizes that his hatred of Sargonians is such that he would not dignify this vote by participating.

Her cheeks burn as though she has been slapped in the face, but she trembles as she feels a chill run up her spine.

Everything seems to grow distant. It is as though there is a thick screen separating her and the others, and all the sounds around her.

In her daze, she seems to perceive Pallas stepping up, and the craftsmen casting concerned glances at her.

She wants to say that she is fine, she is alright, that she was prepared for such treatment, as an envoy of peace sent by the erstwhile invaders and oppressors.

Besides, it's not as though the Minoan has done anything to her. He simply said he did not want to work with her. This is fine; no one can be loved by everyone, after all.

She wants to smile, that famous bright, carefree smile of Medjehtiqedti Nasutu Mashayer's, which has charmed so many visitors to her museum.

But she cannot find the words, or her smile.

The words of the Minoan who tossed the ostracon echo in her mind. She recalls the ferryman who questioned her the day she arrived in Athenius.

The time she spent with the temple craftsmen meant something. They still trust her.

But to the countless Minoan strangers out there, she is not Titi, the curious lover of Minoan legend. She is a Sargonian.

Everyone's gone, and the lights are out. How long are you planning to keep yourself curled up here? That Forte girl and the craftsmen were worried sick about you.

What are you gonna do, tell them to go on holiday while you fix the temple overnight with your hands and ribbons? That'll make things square, will it?

I've been circling your feet and winking at you for ages. It never occurred to you to look down? Never noticed that something wasn't quite right?

Did you notice that a-hole deputy excusing himself from the voting ceremony and distancing himself from the whole thing? Did you notice the words 'ulterior motives' written all over that Astynomos? No, you just couldn't resist jumping into the grave that's been dug just for you.

Now look where it's gotten you.

Really? You're crying over <i>that?</i> I can't even tell you how many times I've seen it in the City of Gold, where licking boots and stamping on faces is as much a part of everyday life as eating and shitting.

Besides, I doubt you're crying for the people who used you.

I told you when you got the padishah's assignment that it wasn't gonna be a pleasant vacation.

The scars of history that run deep, the Minoans who are still recovering from the pain, and your position as the ambassador of Sargon, all serve to remind you that it is not just an exchange of relics that you have to deal with.

The proud creature tries to catch a glimpse of the young Feline's face, in a rare show of concern, but her head is bowed too low for it to see.

Mio sighs and pokes Titi's hand with its head, cuddling around her and gestures for her to pet it.

Furry makes one happy. Your words.

I give you special permission to stroke my tail, fluff the hair on my back, or wipe your tears on either.

Actually, I take back the last one. I hate getting wet.

Why did I even pick a trouble-making little thing like you? Now I'm on consolation duty.

Heh...

If I am really so fragile, you wouldn't have picked me when you left the Grand Bazaar, would you?

Just this one time to lift your mood. Don't you dare get carried away.

Thanks, Mio.

Feeling better?

Yes. Some people voted for me. It means they trust me and have hopes for me.

Manos called me one of them.

People don't always get along, even in the same family. And I'm in a country that was deeply hurt by Sargon in the past.

I'm not a hero of legend. I can't miraculously solve everything with a song, a poem, or a speech.

What I can do is to get Kereseira's First Temple completed as soon as possible, and return to the Minoans, to Kereseira, the things that belong to Minos.

Moonlight shines upon Kereseira's complexion. Wearing a laurel wreath with her hand on her harp, she gazes into the infinite distance.

Titi stands beneath the marble statue, bathing in the same silent moonlight as Kereseira. She closes her eyes and makes a wish.