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Mm.
[He exhales slowly, as though gathering his thoughts, before continuing in a smooth tone.]
Cantarella... If I'm to be found dead at any point, I would like you to please work with a second party on containing any items found on my person. Nothing I possess on my death is to be taken by anyone - anyone - but that party or yourself... specifically because I am choosing to trust you both to keep the goals of the many in mind.
[A beat. In the way he looks at her, hopefully she can tell his wording is exactly the way it is for a reason, and that there is a lot left unsaid in her choice to hold her support.]
If you are holding, despite what I've told you... then know I cannot explain why just yet. And I will not be able to explain truthfully, under any circumstance, until we're free.
[...]
I know it is a lot to ask. But are you willing to do this for me?
[He exhales slowly, as though gathering his thoughts, before continuing in a smooth tone.]
Cantarella... If I'm to be found dead at any point, I would like you to please work with a second party on containing any items found on my person. Nothing I possess on my death is to be taken by anyone - anyone - but that party or yourself... specifically because I am choosing to trust you both to keep the goals of the many in mind.
[A beat. In the way he looks at her, hopefully she can tell his wording is exactly the way it is for a reason, and that there is a lot left unsaid in her choice to hold her support.]
If you are holding, despite what I've told you... then know I cannot explain why just yet. And I will not be able to explain truthfully, under any circumstance, until we're free.
[...]
I know it is a lot to ask. But are you willing to do this for me?
[She listens intently, thumb crossing her lower lip a few times as she does. Her tongue is feeling very raw.]
You do already know how I feel about senseless sacrifice, Solomon, so I should hope you've thought carefully about this.
[If he tries to reply or take her words as an answer right away, Cantarella will hold her hand aloft, gently, because she's still speaking.]
For three dozen generations, the Fisalia have safeguarded Imperator's legacy, as the divine being They were before the dark abyss assimilated Them and spread its spiritual plague in the guise of faiths, seeding absolute control and paranoia in Rinascita's people. [Does the latter sound familiar? Hopefully, he follows.]
To achieve this, generations of their girls underwent torturous trials. A necessary sacrifice. These trials... [The pause is brief, but it's the pause of someone navigating something unspeakable or something that should be but is not there.] ... ended when I became matriarch, and as long as I am matriarch, they will not exist again.
Do you intend the many to include the many who would come after us?
You do already know how I feel about senseless sacrifice, Solomon, so I should hope you've thought carefully about this.
[If he tries to reply or take her words as an answer right away, Cantarella will hold her hand aloft, gently, because she's still speaking.]
For three dozen generations, the Fisalia have safeguarded Imperator's legacy, as the divine being They were before the dark abyss assimilated Them and spread its spiritual plague in the guise of faiths, seeding absolute control and paranoia in Rinascita's people. [Does the latter sound familiar? Hopefully, he follows.]
To achieve this, generations of their girls underwent torturous trials. A necessary sacrifice. These trials... [The pause is brief, but it's the pause of someone navigating something unspeakable or something that should be but is not there.] ... ended when I became matriarch, and as long as I am matriarch, they will not exist again.
Do you intend the many to include the many who would come after us?
[Good thing she does lift that hand, because he sure was opening his mouth to retort a little! But he obediently snaps it shut and lets her continue.
Mm. She does feel very strongly about this, doesn't she? But it does twist something inside him, in a good way. That he chose correctly, for something like this.]
You worry so grandly. [It's a little longsuffering, how it teases, but he draws himself serious.] I don't intend it to be a sacrifice. You have my word on that. But it is not something I can promise will extend past our Troupe. I don't have the power I once did to enforce something like that.
Think of it as... lifeboats, for a storm. We may not need them, but they have been rigged for a possibility, and nothing more.
All I need is for my failsafe to not end up in the hands of someone who would turn it on another, rather than ensuring those boats don't get swept away by the storm before they can be used.
Mm. She does feel very strongly about this, doesn't she? But it does twist something inside him, in a good way. That he chose correctly, for something like this.]
You worry so grandly. [It's a little longsuffering, how it teases, but he draws himself serious.] I don't intend it to be a sacrifice. You have my word on that. But it is not something I can promise will extend past our Troupe. I don't have the power I once did to enforce something like that.
Think of it as... lifeboats, for a storm. We may not need them, but they have been rigged for a possibility, and nothing more.
All I need is for my failsafe to not end up in the hands of someone who would turn it on another, rather than ensuring those boats don't get swept away by the storm before they can be used.
Edited 2025-08-28 22:30 (UTC)
[Her eyes narrow a little bit at that long-suffering old man response of his. The grandpa energy is definitely beginning to waft off of him.
Still, that puts the greatest of her concerns at bay. From their first true conversation, she hadn't thought that throwing kindly on the pyre without trying to define their own way was how either of them would play their roles.]
The encroaching tide is something I'm intimately familiar with keeping at bay. As is having a failsafe.
Still, that puts the greatest of her concerns at bay. From their first true conversation, she hadn't thought that throwing kindly on the pyre without trying to define their own way was how either of them would play their roles.]
The encroaching tide is something I'm intimately familiar with keeping at bay. As is having a failsafe.
Mm.
[Not surprising to hear. But he does tilt his head a little to look off to the side - off into the open space of the Rose Gardens they sit under. Exposed.]
That's as much as I can give you without an answer in return. I'm sorry.
Do I have your cooperation, my dear?
[Not surprising to hear. But he does tilt his head a little to look off to the side - off into the open space of the Rose Gardens they sit under. Exposed.]
That's as much as I can give you without an answer in return. I'm sorry.
Do I have your cooperation, my dear?
[He'll turn that hand over to write out a name on the surface of her palm.
"YUGAMU"]
They'll be on the lookout for my other pen. [His smile is even as he gestures with the flowered one in his hand. As in: not this one.] Don't halt them if they're insistent on taking it, please. It was by request.
Also: this ink is washable, so don't worry about it staining. [AKA, feel free to get rid of that little note as soon as you want.]
"YUGAMU"]
They'll be on the lookout for my other pen. [His smile is even as he gestures with the flowered one in his hand. As in: not this one.] Don't halt them if they're insistent on taking it, please. It was by request.
Also: this ink is washable, so don't worry about it staining. [AKA, feel free to get rid of that little note as soon as you want.]
[Her eyes are very still pools, raking over the writing on her hand.]
I see.
[Cantarella brings her hand down and folds it in front of her with the other.]
To clarify, would you like custody of your effects to be split, or am I something of a backup?
I see.
[Cantarella brings her hand down and folds it in front of her with the other.]
To clarify, would you like custody of your effects to be split, or am I something of a backup?
I approve of both the scheme and the sentiment attached to it. It'd be better for your memories to stay with above-ground than be surrendered to some fire down below.
Do you have roommates who might be prone to sticky fingers? [She's testing with this question and clearly knows it, but it's precisely worded so he can deflect with his answer.
Do you have roommates who might be prone to sticky fingers? [She's testing with this question and clearly knows it, but it's precisely worded so he can deflect with his answer.
No.
Pinocchio might be slightly sad. But the rest of my roommates could care less about me, to be perfectly honest.
You have nothing to worry about on that front. Just make sure that Fandaniel and Nishi don't go finding it.
Pinocchio might be slightly sad. But the rest of my roommates could care less about me, to be perfectly honest.
You have nothing to worry about on that front. Just make sure that Fandaniel and Nishi don't go finding it.
Edited 2025-08-31 03:02 (UTC)
[She frowns at the statement about his dormmates but pauses only the slightest sliver at the exact names. They both surprise to hear and align exactly with her expectations at the same time.]
I'll make sure of it, and I'll make sure to let you handle the more intricate dances of your épreuves.
I'll make sure of it, and I'll make sure to let you handle the more intricate dances of your épreuves.
[Sometimes you're just a vapor of a being around your dormmates and you can't really let the lack of connection phase you.
It's not as though he hasn't tried.]
Don't worry. If it becomes necessary for me to tell you more, I will tell you both.
Right now, I can't. I'm sorry.
It's not as though he hasn't tried.]
Don't worry. If it becomes necessary for me to tell you more, I will tell you both.
Right now, I can't. I'm sorry.
[She waves his apologies off as unnecessary, light as spun sugar.]
All things must unfold in time, in the proper order.
[She understands procedure, in a way that unfortunately aligns with linear story progression and thus feels a little close to this particular sun burning hot beneath them. Cantarella goes to rise.]
And necessity breeds many things, though we don't need to agree on all of them. It's best to be prepared.
All things must unfold in time, in the proper order.
[She understands procedure, in a way that unfortunately aligns with linear story progression and thus feels a little close to this particular sun burning hot beneath them. Cantarella goes to rise.]
And necessity breeds many things, though we don't need to agree on all of them. It's best to be prepared.
[She finds him in the rose garden again, stripped of its black blooms and overpowering scent.]
Everything different, and everything the same. May I?
[She still asks to be invited to sit beside him, though this time, as Cantarella asks, she bends forward to place a hand on Solomon's shoulder.]
Everything different, and everything the same. May I?
[She still asks to be invited to sit beside him, though this time, as Cantarella asks, she bends forward to place a hand on Solomon's shoulder.]
[This sure is the exact same spot they met last time! He disappeared for a bit immediately after the execution to do who knows what, but he's had himself planted here for quite a while tonight.
Solomon's bruises on his face are in much better shape, but he seems to have traded them for others that were covered up by his bridal outfit. One hand is bandaged at the palm and stretching down past his jacket sleeve, and he seems to be very careful in how still he's holding himself, wincing when he turns to look at Cantarella.
There's a small collection of paper strips in his lap with a small black pouch with golden thread sitting in wait, the blue pen in his hand halting mid sentence on writing something down.]
...I figured you'd be looking for me. [His laugh is tired, but he nods his consent.] Go ahead.
I can't imagine how tired you must be. You really do run the rest of us in circles during these investigations.
Solomon's bruises on his face are in much better shape, but he seems to have traded them for others that were covered up by his bridal outfit. One hand is bandaged at the palm and stretching down past his jacket sleeve, and he seems to be very careful in how still he's holding himself, wincing when he turns to look at Cantarella.
There's a small collection of paper strips in his lap with a small black pouch with golden thread sitting in wait, the blue pen in his hand halting mid sentence on writing something down.]
...I figured you'd be looking for me. [His laugh is tired, but he nods his consent.] Go ahead.
I can't imagine how tired you must be. You really do run the rest of us in circles during these investigations.
[Her gaze moves to the bandage on his hand, a flicker of connection there in the pools of her eyes. She sits and waits to see if he'd like to finish writing down his thought before it flutters from his head before she speaks.]
Hm, do you suppose? I think I'm merely practiced at analyzing things within a sea of noise.
[Within the whispers, within the puzzle of her own mind...with only fragmented information, as they've been given.]
I'd rather solve a happier puzzle.
Hm, do you suppose? I think I'm merely practiced at analyzing things within a sea of noise.
[Within the whispers, within the puzzle of her own mind...with only fragmented information, as they've been given.]
I'd rather solve a happier puzzle.
[He does finish his little note, folding the paper and dropping it into the pouch.]
May we be at that point sooner than later. Until then... you're doing us a terrific service with your keen eyes.
[A beat of silence, letting the wind carry. His voice grows quiet.]
...I'm sorry that you had to be the one to find her.
May we be at that point sooner than later. Until then... you're doing us a terrific service with your keen eyes.
[A beat of silence, letting the wind carry. His voice grows quiet.]
...I'm sorry that you had to be the one to find her.
I wonder if it's only your attention that I've captured.
[The voices from the crowd at the end of the trial had been...more concerning than before, for several reasons. After all that has transpired, the rumors that poison the school next week may be even louder than before.
Cantarella shifts to hold her elbow. The braid around her wrist feels tight.] It's all right, Solomon. What fair cost are my tears against the loss?
[The voices from the crowd at the end of the trial had been...more concerning than before, for several reasons. After all that has transpired, the rumors that poison the school next week may be even louder than before.
Cantarella shifts to hold her elbow. The braid around her wrist feels tight.] It's all right, Solomon. What fair cost are my tears against the loss?
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