La Storia Tredicesima: Le Decisioni
Dante shuffled through the tidy pile of documents on the table. Maps, reports, and proposals slid through coarse hands that were more accustomed to the rigging of a ship than smooth parchment. He was by no means illiterate, however sailing was, by far, the more preferable portion of his job description. Especially when considering that his duties at the moment required him to play a game of 'don't shoot the messenger' with all the higher-ups in the Arcana Famiglia. He carefully recommitted every minor detail to memory. There was little else that would alleviate the tension slowly building to fill the patriarch's private office. The timepiece on the mantle ticked away the seconds in its thunderous drone.
"Where is he?" Mondo growled. A frown drew his angular features taut, and the hollow thud of his fist pounding the table punctuated his growing impatience. "Evidently Jolly feels there are more pressing concerns than matters of 'national importance.' This is important, right Dante?"
"Of course, Papa. Would I have called this meeting otherwise?" Dante muttered.
His own frustration tinged his words, a tone that had not escaped the attention of the meeting's hitherto silent attendant. Her subtly arched eyebrow spoke volumes.
"And what precisely is this regarding?" Sumire's smooth voice broke the tension.
Dante stared blankly at the matriarch of the Arcana Famiglia, feeling slightly and unusually unnerved. The same man who stared down fearsome pirates unflinchingly did not possess the same resolve when it came to this formidable woman. Although her appearance suggested otherwise, he knew the kind of person she could be.
Her thick black hair neatly fell across her regal kimono. Her hands folded calmly in her lap, her pointed violet stare frigid with impassivity. It was a visage unaccustomed to any displays of emotions, a mask that he had only seen slip away once. Just the once, as Monda laid comatose as the free Tarrocco sapped away his life-force. Even then, it was muted, nothing more than a wrinkle in her brow, a subtle waver in her calm voice. Despite how well-traveled Dante was, he had never been to the lands where this exotic beauty hailed from. And frankly now was not the time to wonder after the traditions of some distant land when the prospects of war loomed ominously in the distance.
She blinked her silent command for elaboration. The flash in her amethyst gaze was a kind that brooked no arguments. Dante swallowed hard, his eyes darting over to Mondo who shrugged before running a nervous hand through his unruly auburn hair.
"My lady, I had intended to wait until all parties were present before delivering the debriefing. Jolly may have relevant input regarding the situation, but I would be more than happy to -"
"You aren't thinking to begin without me, are you Dante-san?" Jolly's voice interrupted. In a few of his long-gaited strides he closed the gap from the open doorway to the chair at Mondo's right. The sunlight reflected across the polarized lenses of his sunglasses, obscuring his eyes from view. Despite the fact that they worked towards the same goals, Dante found it difficult to trust a man that he couldn't look in the eye.
"Took you long enough," Mondo groused.
"Ah, yes. I was tied up with this and that. You have my sincerest apologies," Jolly said through a wolfish sneer. "Now, you were just saying?"
The master alchemist gestured lightly as Dante cleared his throat.
"Yes, I was just beginning the debriefing. Amica del Diavolo, the recent escapee…" Dante began. He paused when the grin fell from Jolly's lips, a pensive scowl drawing the man's mouth to a firm line. A subtle display that further confirmed the suspicion that nagged the Head of the Intelligence Division's thoughts. Still it was little more than suspicion. Dante filed them away, and added them to the list of growing circumstances that only further convoluted their former prisoner's situation.
"She has been intercepted by my subordinate and the heads of both the Cups and Coin Division," Dante continued.
"Coins?" Sumire questioned. The single word was drenched in implication and judgement. Dante sighed internally. Her reaction was a potential outcome he expected at the onset of the journey, and one he once hoped would not require a great deal of explanation.
"Yes, my Lady. It is my understanding that Debito had run-in with the girl during her escape attempt. Needless to say, it didn't go in his favor. It's something of a personal vendetta," he explained.
"Ah, the recklessness of youth, I see. There will soon come a day when he finds a reason to fight for," Sumire responded sagely, fluttering her crimson fan. The way she spoke, the weight in her words, Dante felt it was more than a simple lip service. It was almost prophetic. He, also, did not miss the fact that her piercing violet gaze pointed not in his direction, but Jolly's. A prophecy, but then again, almost a challenge.
"Dante-san, please continue," Sumire urged.
Dante nodded. "Yes. She was intercepted on the island of Fortuna. According to Nova's report, they met with the governatore and -"
"So, why haven't they brought her back? If the rumors are true, the girl holds a Tarroco. If so, she's part of the Family. We'll bring her into the fold, whether she likes it or not," Mondo said.
"And if she doesn't?" Jolly questioned, breaking his silence. "Perhaps the lady will take exception to your courteous gesture. She is a pirate after all."
Jolly directed the last sentiment towards Dante, as if to clarify whatever opinions he may harbor regarding such an occupation. Dante was nonplussed. He never tried to hide his past. It was a part of him, and it was that experience that made him damn good at his job. Although, his statement was not completely unwarranted. There was a large chance that the girl would refuse to accept Mondo's wishes. That was another set of circumstances that would only further complicate the matter.
"And if she doesn't? She'd be more a fool for it. If she doesn't like the taste of our mercy. I'll see her Arcana sealed, and she'll be tried for the full extent of her crimes. We'll see if justice is more suited to her palate!" Mondo exclaimed.
"I may be out of line in suggesting so, but what's the harm in letting her go. It's obvious to me, at least, that she's decided to turn over a new leaf," Jolly suggested.
"Let her alone? Hardly," Mondo scoffed. "Arcana belongs to the Arcana Famiglia."
"Besides, what makes you so sure of this new change of heart?" Dante asked. Jolly seemed a little too informed about the goings-on of Amica del Diavolo. In the past, Dante never knew Jolly to have much of interest in what transpired beyond the borders of his laboratory.
"Her new protection agreement, of course," Jolly explained, a knowing smirk splitting his face.
"What protection agreement?" Mondo asked.
"Yes, she's negotiated terms of protection with the state of Fortuna. In exchange for her participation in the recent hostilities with Venice, they have… graciously extended her all the auspices of an agent of Fortuna. Normally, this would make her untouchable to us. However, that brings us to the matter at hand. The governatore has heard our petitions and responded with a counter-offer. Fortuna has proposed a trade for the girl. Three military vessels in exchange for her freedom at the conclusion of the conflict," Dante explained. Silence reigned around the table. Sumire and Mondo, their eyes vacant with distant calculation.
After a long pause, Mondo sighed. "Quite a proposal. Venice is quite a powerful figure. If it were anyone else…"
"Even still, Mondo, I say we accept their bargain," Sumire interjected.
"That's to say she even survives! It's far too weighted an exchange. What is the possible worth of girl versus the future of Regalo?" Jolly snapped.
"I disagree, Jolly-san. I think she is worth a great deal. If only for the story she has to tell. Myself, I am quite interested in how she managed to acquire her contract. As my beloved so eloquently expressed, 'Arcana belongs to the Arcana Famiglia.' And pray tell, who does Miss del Diavolo belong to?" Sumire said. "Dante-san, you leave at dawn. Recover the girl. Whatever it takes."
A/N: Hello, and thanks for reading the next installment of Il Diavolo del Mare. I apologize for the bit of filler, but it's very necessary to setting up very exciting plot events much later down the road. We still have a long way to go to kick off the Venetian Dogs arc in earnest, and I'll do my best to keep a good posting schedule. I'm already way too far behind. This plot arc was supposed to be done already… but what can I do. I have a lot of trips coming up, but I'll try to make time for writing.