Act IX

She was too frightened to cry out for help. It would not help her much, anyway; the only response she had gotten were bruises.

The faces of her captors were concealed by masks and hoods, and they were all armed with guns, a few had both guns and blades. Earlier that day, they had stormed the Vatican's educational facilities, and had taken everyone hostage, threatening to shoot them down unless they handed over the Cardinal's fosterling.

Not wanting any casualties, she had handed herself over and they left quickly, after making some comment to the staff that they should be grateful to her as she just saved their lives. Despite her brave facade, she was frightened.

The men had now taken to the alleyways now, and she could sense that they were unsettled by something.

"How long have we been running?" "It's been forty-five minutes now." "Have they shown signs of slowing down?" "No, sir." Cursing. "Grr, keep running! We'll lose them once we reach the warehouses!" Suddenly, a new voice cried out. "Sir, I just got a look at our pursuer!"

"You speak as though there's only one." "That's because it is only one. We can take him down easy. And it's only a kid." "…The Vatican's standards have really dropped haven't they?" The man carrying her stopped and turned around just as a young boy her age appeared at the entrance of the alley.

Though she knew him to be a trainee, he wore the robes of an AX official. His face carried no expression and his right eye flickered red briefly. Just as the insurgents raised their guns to fire at him, she heard him speak.

"Rewriting resident tactical program from Search Mode to Genocide Mode. Commence Combat…"

And then, there were gunshots.

Maria bolted upright in her bed, before hiding under the sheets. Why did she have to dream about that, of all things? Why not a less disconcerting dream, where Francesco is in his boxers singing the Lumberjack Song and wearing a fake nose claiming he's Raymond Luxury Yacht?

Maria blinked as she processed what she had just thought and decided to place the blame on her Monty Python DVDs. Just as she was sliding off the bed, she heard the sound of faint music coming on, following by a deep, sensual, masculine voice with a Spanish accent.

"Con este tango que es burlón y compadrito,
se ato dos alas la emoción de mi suburbio.
Con este tango nació el tango y como un grito
salio del sórdido barrial buscando el cielo.
Conjuro extraño de un amor hecho cadencia
que abrió caminos sin más ley que su esperanza,
mezclas de rabia, de dolor, de fe, de ausencia,
llorando en la inocencia de un ritmo juguetón…"

She suddenly felt a strong impulse to kill Leon Garcia de Asturias as she ran around her room searching for a tissue box.

Later that day, in the AX Lounge Room, Monica Argento was watching, rather amusedly, as Father Leon was running from Maria, who looked ready to kill someone, namely Leon. She did not know what he had done to stir her wrath, but from what she was able to discern from their screaming, it had something to do with Father Leon's habit of listening to music and singing it while he showered…

There had only been one occasion where they stopped and that had been when Caterina had entered the room to grab some packets of Kate's herbal teas. After she had left, Maria resumed chasing Leon.

"It's all your fault!" "What are you talking about you crazy woman!? What did I do!!?" "Rrr, die!!!" The Spaniard gave a small "Eep!" "Holy shit…she really means to--! Ahh, someone help me!"

And it was thus that Abel and Tres returned to witness this chaotic scene taking place. Naturally confused, Abel glanced towards William. "Father William…care to fill in on the details?"

"What? Oh yes, the details!" He puffed on his pipe. "Well, I am not quite sure myself, but I believe it might have something to do with Leon's habit of listening to music and singing any songs in it while he showers. Apparently there was something that highly offended Sister Maria, but we're not quite sure what it was yet…" "Ah, I see." Abel lied, not really seeing it at all.

Suddenly, Kate materialized in the room. Without even batting an eye at Leon and Maria, she addressed Abel. "Father Nightroad, Her Eminence would like to see you in her office." "Ah, yes, Sister Kate! Right away!" The hologram faded as Abel made a hasty exit out of the lounge room.

Just then, William stood up and looked at Tres. "If I remember right, today's your routine examination, correct?" "Affirmative, Father William." "We should probably hurry along then. I had used a stun gun on Deus earlier and restrained him with metal bolts so that he wouldn't escape. Hopefully he's still there. I fail to see why he places such distrust in my abilities and intellect, Father Tres." William remarked as they walked to his lab.

Tres did not respond, tactfully omitting any past incidents that were blamed on William's inventions, which had the tendency to backfire. If the Gunslinger was a bit more human or at least more in tune with emotions, he would be marveling at the fact that he's survived the Albion professor's examinations relatively unscathed all these years.

When they arrived, neither was too surprised to see Deus Iqus biting at the metal bonds restraining him.

"Abel, have you ever tried to deny love?" Caterina inquired as she raised the teacup to her lips, gazing at her old friend.

Abel blinked. "Deny? Well, personally speaking, no. I didn't see the point in it, to be frank. It seemed like a waste of energy, because love cannot be controlled." He watched the lumps of sugar fall into the tea cup.

The Duchess of Milan smiled sadly. "Someone close to me—to us—tried it, though I am quite certain she was aware she would lose." The Crusnik sipped his tea, having a feeling he might know the answer. Abel decided to ask anyway, in case he was wrong. "Who is it?"

"My fosterling. For a time, she was able to suppress her feelings, but Karma comes in circles, as you know." Pause. "Her feelings came back, and they struck hard, probably as punishment for her negligence." Caterina sighed, tracing the teacup's rim with her finger.

"Poor Maria. She knows it's bad business, but she can't help it…even though she is fully aware that she will be the one getting burned in the end." Abel drank his tea in one gulp before serving himself again. "Who does Maria love, Caterina?"

"Maria…is in love with a machine."

End Act IX

E-ko: And here's Act IX!

F-ko: Yay, next up is the surprise!

E-ko: I wonder which will she choose…?

F-ko: Well, one of Valar's options isn't even started.

E-ko: Good point.

Anna' Azure: Glad you're enjoying it!

Both: Remember to Read & Review!