Anise and Florian, part 3
I finally finish the latest chapter and lo and behold, it still isn't finished. OTL The climax is pretty well set up, though, so it should be done next time. Warnings include end-game spoilers, Jade, and my dreadful sense of humor. (YOU try writing dialogue for Jade when you haven't got Koyasu Takehito going "Anise-cha~n &hearts" to help. )
An air of expectancy hung in the Cathedral. Delegates from all over Oldrant were descending on Daath for the forthcoming Conclave, and the rumor was that this year's gathering would be exciting. Of course it was always an event, with clerics from places as different as Sheridan and Kethelburk and poor St. Bynah coming to to out-dress each other and catch up on a year's worth of gossip, but this year, people said, it would be special. Even Elder Theodoro with his silent escort from Yuria City was coming, a stark reminder of how things had changed, and there were reports that representatives of the lay governments of Kimuelasca and Markt had been invited for the first time in several hundred years. There was a joke making the rounds that you could tell a person's political position by what he was more appalled by. And there was of course the issue of what exactly the issues would be at this meeting - there were all sorts of topics on the agenda, from the vital (an anti-Replica mob in Kesedonia had actually torn the central square apart before being dispersed) to the trivial (there was a motion being put forward that eyeholes be permitted on the veiled caps worn by the highest-ranking priests, on the grounds that long vestments and many stairs was a dangerous enough combination as-is) but none of these really engaged the minds of the people of Daath as much as the sad sight of the central podium standing empty. Somehow the one question no one dared voice overpowered all the hubbub over how to properly host the hundreds if not thousands of visitors, and the weight of that longing colored everything.
Still, politics aside - people were ready for a party. The prescribed period of mourning for the previous Heirarch had passed (and more than passed, as public opinion had forced the clergy to extend the usual services far beyond what had been planned), there had been one disaster after another even after the New Lorelai cult had been dealt with, and the only decent gossip for the past month had centered on little Master Florian escaping his caretakers and winding up on the roof. (He had disappeared for two hours, and after the entire Cathedral had been turned upside down looking for him and even the dark Oracle cells had been searched, had walked in of his own volition holding a priceless candlestick that had belonged to a Hierarch seven centuries ago. One poor old nun had had palpitations at the sight.) The upcoming Conclave was therefore seized on with rather more enthusiasm than was quite decent.
The preparations kept Anise busy as well. There was an endless stream of visitors to be shown to their lodgings, many of whom had more rank than was good for them, in Anise's opinion. One strapping young priest had dumped an armload of baggage on her and walked off to 'assist' his elderly Bishop. This 'assistance' turned out to mean 'using him as a walking introduction the best-connected people in Lorelai'. Anise had gazed after him, thinking of bygone days when she would have either hit him or on him, and controlled herself. Instead, she had resolved that there would be grasshoppers in that young man's soup, and comforted herself with the screaming at dinnertime (a clever gambit, because it meant the novices in the kitchen would be in for some trouble as well).
What annoyed her more than the turmoil, however, was the chances it gave Cardinal Tritheim to avoid her attempts for a meeting. Every time she thought she had him caught, some old priest came wandering along to complain that the heathens from Yuria City were in his room, and he'd used that room every time he came to the Conclave for the last forty years, and couldn't they be got rid of? Which was all the excuse the Cardinal needed to dispatch her to sort it out. Holy man or not, Anise was quite sure she had caught him grinning behind his scarf.
This time, though, she was going to get him even if it meant waiting for three hours behind his office door. Anise folded her arms and glared at it, willing Tritheim to finish his meditation (code word for 'coffee and yesterday's files') so she could wring a pass to the General Meeting from him. She didn't think there would be any distractions here at the top floor at five in the morning, but recent coincidences had made her superstitious.
After five minutes that felt more like fifteen, she heard the door creak open, and leapt forward. "Cardinal Tritheim, could I speak to you for five minutes-" Anise began, to Tritheim's startled face, but was interrupted by someone clearing his throat behind her. "Excuse me, sir, but we're the delegation from Velkende and we're completely lost. Do you know the way to the guest rooms?"
Tritheim brushed his long hair away from his eyes. "You are fortunate. Anise here has been of tremendous assistance lately, and she knows the Cathedral like the back of her hand. Anise, dear, if you don't mind...?"
It took all Anise's self-control not to make one of the thirty-two rude signs currently popular in Daath at Tritheim at that moment.
***
After leading the group from Velkende down several flights of stairs and installing them safely in a room (it turned out that they were here to give a presentation on the side-effects of Fomicry; it took effort not to swear in their faces or accidentally-on-purpose lead them to the wrong area) Anise wandered off rather drearily to breakfast. She was in the midst of slapping some toast onto her tray, resignedly, when she heard an excited voice call out her name.
"Florian?" asked Anise in disbelief. "What are you doing up this early?" She blinked. That figure in blue Markt military garb, looking as clean and freshly pressed as if it wasn't six-o-clock-in-the-bloody-morning... "Colonel?!"
"Good morning, my charming little Anise - or should I say Miss Tatlin? You're quite a bit taller now. The Tartaros arrived yesterday, but you were hard at work, so we thought we'd catch you today."
"I was busy," said Anise, mock-cheerfully. "Chasing wild geese as per Cardinal Tritheim's commands. Am I really taller now?"
"I'd say a good few inches," said Jade, lifting his glasses to peer at Anise. "Having a growth spurt, are you? You are about the right age for it."
"I'm still taller, though," said Florian, cheekily, and Anise gave him a scowl. "You hush. What about" - Anise crept closer to Jade and lowered her voice - "what about in front?"
"Definitely some progress there," said Jade approvingly. "His Imperial Majesty will be delighted to see my report on this issue, as it has been weighing on his mind most profoundly. -Would you like to sit down?"
"It is my duty to please His Majesty," Anise replied, simpering. "And yes, please, I would like to sit down. My legs are killing me like you wouldn't believe. I've been up since four o'clock."
They comandeered a table, Florian imperiously steering Anise into the chair next to him. Anise put down her tray, stretched, and laid her head on the table, Florian watching her quietly as her eyes closed.
A thump of something hitting the table made Anise jump. "What?"
Jade slid a cup of coffee towards her. "If you're going to keep military hours, you're entitled to military rations."
Anise took it and gave him a watery smile. "Colonel, you are the love of my life. Marry me."
"I would be glad to, but I believe the Emperor would have me executed," said Jade, over Florian's indignant squawking.
Anise grinned again, doing a better job of it this time, and took a sip. Her eyes widened. "This is military rations? Are you sure?"
"If you're the right-hand-man of the Emperor of Markt and known as the Necromancer, these are indeed military rations," said Jade complacently, adjusting his glasses. "You should thank Florian for his foresight in requesting provisions, as it appears Daath is suffering something of a famine at the moment. There are pastries in this bag, as well."
Anise looked at Florian, who looked uncommonly serious and therefore even more like Ion than ever, and at Jade, who was just the same as he'd been when they'd travelled together, and was horrified to find herself bursting into tears. "Thank you both. I- really, thank you."
Jade looked away as Florian patted Anise's face, waiting for what he diagnosed as a hysterical reaction to die down.
Anise sniffled. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me lately, I've been crying like a wuss all over the place. -I'm okay now, Florian. Thank you."
"You've been very busy," said Florian quietly. "And worried. I'm sorry I can't help you, Anise."
"You do help me!" Anise protested. "Whenever you smile, it's like a blessing to me, it's as if Io- anyway, thank you. And thank you, too, Colonel."
"No need to thank me, I did it all for the money," said Jade airily. "What are you presenting to the Conclave, Miss Tatlin? I must say I'm curious to know. My own report on Fomicry will be so tedious that I need something exciting to look forward to."
"Mmai dompft ab a paff," said Anise, her mouth full of pastry. Jade quirked an eyebrow. "Beg pardon? I'm afraid I don't speak Toast."
"She doesn't have a pass," translated Florian, as Anise tried to swallow. "I don't have a pass."
"Tritheim didn't issue one to you?" Jade asked, sending his other eyebrow up to follow the first. Florian stared at him, distracted, and they wiggled benevolently in his direction before frowning at Anise. "Really? No, no, if you've said so, I assume it must be the truth, but I find it rather incredible. You were the only member of Oracle present at Eldrant, after all.."
Anise shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. "Tear was there too, you know."
"Yes, but as a citizen of Yuria City, I imagine her words will be rather less relevant to the people of Daath than those of one of their own. How peculiar. I expect he must have some rationale for not inviting you, but I can't imagine what it could be. Except.." Jade paused, glanced at Florian, and then shook his head. "Never mind. I'm surprised you haven't assassinated some pompous old fellow from Bachicul and stolen his. Haven't you?"
"I wouldn't do that!" Anise protested, feeling her cheeks heat up. "Really, Colonel, who do you take me for?"
"The devious soldier who safely guided the most recognizable figure in all the world across enemy lines and back, of course," Jade said tartly. "Don't tell me it hasn't occurred to you, darling little Anise, or I shall have to give you a spanking. Why wouldn't you at least forge a pass?"
"What's forging?" asked Florian, before Anise could answer.
"Duplicating another's signature or an official document for unauthorized use," said Jade coolly, turning his attention back to Anise.
Florian looked amazed. "Can you do that? Isn't it against the rules?"
Jade's silence was answer enough, and Florian settled back into his chair, frowning. Anise took the opportunity to speak. "I... it did occur to me, actually," she said, hesitantly. "But I didn't want to. I've - I've been trying to be good lately, and..."
"You have?" asked Jade, sounding startled. "What on earth for?" He fiddled with his glasses a little and resettled them on his nose, looking as if he'd swallowed something he didn't like. Anise bit her lip. "You probably aren't going to like this," she said to her plate. "But after Eldrant, I decided I wanted to change. The way - the way Luke did. Because.."
Jade was staring off into space. At her glance, he waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind me. Go on."
Anise gulped, and Florian squeezed her hand encouragingly. "Ion's d- Ion's disappearing was my fault. If I hadn't betrayed him, if I hadn't been so clever all the time, he would still be here, he wouldn't have gone away in Zalehho volcano. He'd still be alive..." She sniffled. "And even when he was alive, I was so mean to him. I thought he was stupid and I was mad at Mosse for making me guard him so I used to play all these dumb tricks on him and laugh at him behind his back. And I made fun of Arietta all the time and even Guy, you know, what happened with his sister was so horrible and I teased him for being scared of girls. And Luke, after he cut his hair, he was trying so hard, but we were all so mean to him and then he went and died and I couldn't even say sorry anymore-"
"If you are thinking," said Jade, curtly, "That being impossibly good and kind to every undeserving fool to the Cathedral will bring Ion back, you are sadly mistaken and have been left alone with your grief too long. No force in this world or out of it can bring the dead back to life, and you know it. This kind of naivete doesn't suit you, Anise."
"I do know it!" Anise protested, feeling tears sting at her eyes again. "I know Master Ion isn't, isn't coming back. That's why I have to save Florian and the Lorelai Order, for Ion, because he can't do it now. And, and because I don't ever want to wish I could say sorry but it's too late, ever again. That's why I'm trying."
Jade was silent. Anise looked at him nervously, letting Florian grab hold of both of her hands and hold them tightly in his own, warm and comforting. "What are you thinking?"
"I am thinking," said Jade at length, "of a certain naive young idiot whom I asked if he could kindly commit suicide for the sake of the world, and now rather wishing I hadn't, as it seems that this martyrdom complex is catching. I thought you at least would be hard enough and selfish enough to put yourself first, and now I see that you aren't. I confess I am disappointed, sweet little Anise. I expected worse of you."
"Twisty like the Colonel," said Anise, grinning through her tears. "Don't worry, I'm still pretty rotten. I put grasshoppers in this one jerk's soup two days ago. And there's no way I'm cutting my hair, either, it's my best feature. I need it for my sexual wiles."
"I should hope not!" said Jade indignantly, as Florian's eyes widened. "Little Anise without pigtails would be like a day without sunshine. Or the Tartaros without its Fonic Cannon, come to that. Or the Emperor without - never mind. But now I understand why exactly you looked quite so tired when I first saw you. May I ask why, precisely, you want to save the Lorelai Order?"
"Excuse me?" said Anise, blinking. Jade sighed.
"I am speaking," he said to the farthest wall, "of an organization responsible for the deaths of millions, that made seven, sorry, eight copies of the original Ion and then killed them all except for the one sitting opposite me, that sent and continues to send small children into battle, that convinced a father to coolly send his son to murder thousands of people out of ignorance, even though he knew it would mean the death of his own child. Where in all of this do you see something worth saving? I confess I do not."
Anise felt Florian's grip on her hands tighten. She looked at him; he looked sick. "It isn't true, is it?" Florian pleaded. "Anise..."
She smiled painfully and gave him a hug. "Go to Pamela, Florian." Anise said quietly. "I need to talk to the Colonel, and you're too young for this."
"I am not," said Florian, stubbornly. "If Anise can hear it, I can too."
"Florian-"
"If you send me away I'll eavesdrop on you," Florian threatened, and Anise scowled at him.
"I rather think he will," Jade interceded. "Let him stay. He should know the story of his own birth."
"He does know it," said Anise softly. "I'm sorry, Florian. I just don't want you to feel bad. Listen, Colonel. Everything you say is true. The Lorelai Order as it exists today is a monster."
Florian hissed in pain and she stroked his curls, so like Ion's. "But there's another Order," Anise added quietly. "The Order Ion loved, that used Yuria's Score to save people, not to let them die just because that's what the texts said. The Order that gave advice to confused people and that ran hospitals and schools. The good Order that people believe in, even now that no one's read the Score for a year and a half."
"You are describing an entity that has not existed since Yuria was betrayed two thousand years ago," Jade said clinically. "That kind of monumental reform would take a lifetime at least. It would probably be more efficient to start a new organization than to attempt to overhaul this one."
"Maybe so," said Anise, growing heated, "But we can't just quit, either! People depend on the Score, they've been following it for two thousand years, and one fine day it's all gone, out the window, whoops we better find a new idea. People can't change that easily! Didn't you hear about that farmer near Engave who always followed the Score about when to plough and when to harvest, and now that there's no more Score he stopped farming because he doesn't know what to do anymore?! The Order owes people. We owe people more than that."
"I did hear that story," Jade said musingly. "I rather think it might be apocryphal, but I've seen enough similar cases in reality to take your point. Well, Miss Tatlin, if you are this set on singlehandedly reforming the Lorelai Order-"
"I am set on it," said Anise, at the same time that Florian said, "Not singlehandedly."
Jade snorted. "As I was saying, if you are this determined, I will cease my no doubt useless efforts to dissuade you."
"Will you give me a pass?" Anise asked hopefully. "You're the leader of the Markt delegation, you can-"
"Ahem," said Jade. "The echo in this room is quite loud, one can't even finish one's sentences without being interrupted. No, I will not. How will you persuade your fellow members of the Order when you speak to them as a representative of the Markt Empire, or indeed of either country?"
Anise wilted.
"Instead, I will issue you a challenge," said Jade, standing up. "Find your own way into the Conference Hall. Not as some ethereal saint who lets an airhead like Tritheim push her around, but as Fone Master Guardian Anise Tatlin, one of the canniest and most lethal soldiers Necromancer Jade has ever met." He paused. "And the cutest. Understand me?"
"I think I do," said Anise, smiling. "Thank you for your advice, Colonel."
Jade gave her the full ceremonial bow, correctly and with emphasis, and then lifted his eyebrow. "I trust we will meet again, dear little Anise. At the Conclave, then. And you, young man," he said, turning to Florian, "I can see you have a fine criminal career ahead of you. I will look forward to your future exploits. Good day to you both."
Anise curtsied, and after some hesitation, Florian bowed as well. They watched as Jade navigated his way through the busy cafeteria, gave a jaunty wave at the door, and was gone.
"Are you really going to save me?" asked Florian, after a time.
"Yes, I really am," said Anise simply. He mulled this over, and then gave her a smile.
"In that case," Florian said quietly, "I'll help you become the next Hierarch so you can save everybody else, too."
An air of expectancy hung in the Cathedral. Delegates from all over Oldrant were descending on Daath for the forthcoming Conclave, and the rumor was that this year's gathering would be exciting. Of course it was always an event, with clerics from places as different as Sheridan and Kethelburk and poor St. Bynah coming to to out-dress each other and catch up on a year's worth of gossip, but this year, people said, it would be special. Even Elder Theodoro with his silent escort from Yuria City was coming, a stark reminder of how things had changed, and there were reports that representatives of the lay governments of Kimuelasca and Markt had been invited for the first time in several hundred years. There was a joke making the rounds that you could tell a person's political position by what he was more appalled by. And there was of course the issue of what exactly the issues would be at this meeting - there were all sorts of topics on the agenda, from the vital (an anti-Replica mob in Kesedonia had actually torn the central square apart before being dispersed) to the trivial (there was a motion being put forward that eyeholes be permitted on the veiled caps worn by the highest-ranking priests, on the grounds that long vestments and many stairs was a dangerous enough combination as-is) but none of these really engaged the minds of the people of Daath as much as the sad sight of the central podium standing empty. Somehow the one question no one dared voice overpowered all the hubbub over how to properly host the hundreds if not thousands of visitors, and the weight of that longing colored everything.
Still, politics aside - people were ready for a party. The prescribed period of mourning for the previous Heirarch had passed (and more than passed, as public opinion had forced the clergy to extend the usual services far beyond what had been planned), there had been one disaster after another even after the New Lorelai cult had been dealt with, and the only decent gossip for the past month had centered on little Master Florian escaping his caretakers and winding up on the roof. (He had disappeared for two hours, and after the entire Cathedral had been turned upside down looking for him and even the dark Oracle cells had been searched, had walked in of his own volition holding a priceless candlestick that had belonged to a Hierarch seven centuries ago. One poor old nun had had palpitations at the sight.) The upcoming Conclave was therefore seized on with rather more enthusiasm than was quite decent.
The preparations kept Anise busy as well. There was an endless stream of visitors to be shown to their lodgings, many of whom had more rank than was good for them, in Anise's opinion. One strapping young priest had dumped an armload of baggage on her and walked off to 'assist' his elderly Bishop. This 'assistance' turned out to mean 'using him as a walking introduction the best-connected people in Lorelai'. Anise had gazed after him, thinking of bygone days when she would have either hit him or on him, and controlled herself. Instead, she had resolved that there would be grasshoppers in that young man's soup, and comforted herself with the screaming at dinnertime (a clever gambit, because it meant the novices in the kitchen would be in for some trouble as well).
What annoyed her more than the turmoil, however, was the chances it gave Cardinal Tritheim to avoid her attempts for a meeting. Every time she thought she had him caught, some old priest came wandering along to complain that the heathens from Yuria City were in his room, and he'd used that room every time he came to the Conclave for the last forty years, and couldn't they be got rid of? Which was all the excuse the Cardinal needed to dispatch her to sort it out. Holy man or not, Anise was quite sure she had caught him grinning behind his scarf.
This time, though, she was going to get him even if it meant waiting for three hours behind his office door. Anise folded her arms and glared at it, willing Tritheim to finish his meditation (code word for 'coffee and yesterday's files') so she could wring a pass to the General Meeting from him. She didn't think there would be any distractions here at the top floor at five in the morning, but recent coincidences had made her superstitious.
After five minutes that felt more like fifteen, she heard the door creak open, and leapt forward. "Cardinal Tritheim, could I speak to you for five minutes-" Anise began, to Tritheim's startled face, but was interrupted by someone clearing his throat behind her. "Excuse me, sir, but we're the delegation from Velkende and we're completely lost. Do you know the way to the guest rooms?"
Tritheim brushed his long hair away from his eyes. "You are fortunate. Anise here has been of tremendous assistance lately, and she knows the Cathedral like the back of her hand. Anise, dear, if you don't mind...?"
It took all Anise's self-control not to make one of the thirty-two rude signs currently popular in Daath at Tritheim at that moment.
***
After leading the group from Velkende down several flights of stairs and installing them safely in a room (it turned out that they were here to give a presentation on the side-effects of Fomicry; it took effort not to swear in their faces or accidentally-on-purpose lead them to the wrong area) Anise wandered off rather drearily to breakfast. She was in the midst of slapping some toast onto her tray, resignedly, when she heard an excited voice call out her name.
"Florian?" asked Anise in disbelief. "What are you doing up this early?" She blinked. That figure in blue Markt military garb, looking as clean and freshly pressed as if it wasn't six-o-clock-in-the-bloody-morning... "Colonel?!"
"Good morning, my charming little Anise - or should I say Miss Tatlin? You're quite a bit taller now. The Tartaros arrived yesterday, but you were hard at work, so we thought we'd catch you today."
"I was busy," said Anise, mock-cheerfully. "Chasing wild geese as per Cardinal Tritheim's commands. Am I really taller now?"
"I'd say a good few inches," said Jade, lifting his glasses to peer at Anise. "Having a growth spurt, are you? You are about the right age for it."
"I'm still taller, though," said Florian, cheekily, and Anise gave him a scowl. "You hush. What about" - Anise crept closer to Jade and lowered her voice - "what about in front?"
"Definitely some progress there," said Jade approvingly. "His Imperial Majesty will be delighted to see my report on this issue, as it has been weighing on his mind most profoundly. -Would you like to sit down?"
"It is my duty to please His Majesty," Anise replied, simpering. "And yes, please, I would like to sit down. My legs are killing me like you wouldn't believe. I've been up since four o'clock."
They comandeered a table, Florian imperiously steering Anise into the chair next to him. Anise put down her tray, stretched, and laid her head on the table, Florian watching her quietly as her eyes closed.
A thump of something hitting the table made Anise jump. "What?"
Jade slid a cup of coffee towards her. "If you're going to keep military hours, you're entitled to military rations."
Anise took it and gave him a watery smile. "Colonel, you are the love of my life. Marry me."
"I would be glad to, but I believe the Emperor would have me executed," said Jade, over Florian's indignant squawking.
Anise grinned again, doing a better job of it this time, and took a sip. Her eyes widened. "This is military rations? Are you sure?"
"If you're the right-hand-man of the Emperor of Markt and known as the Necromancer, these are indeed military rations," said Jade complacently, adjusting his glasses. "You should thank Florian for his foresight in requesting provisions, as it appears Daath is suffering something of a famine at the moment. There are pastries in this bag, as well."
Anise looked at Florian, who looked uncommonly serious and therefore even more like Ion than ever, and at Jade, who was just the same as he'd been when they'd travelled together, and was horrified to find herself bursting into tears. "Thank you both. I- really, thank you."
Jade looked away as Florian patted Anise's face, waiting for what he diagnosed as a hysterical reaction to die down.
Anise sniffled. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me lately, I've been crying like a wuss all over the place. -I'm okay now, Florian. Thank you."
"You've been very busy," said Florian quietly. "And worried. I'm sorry I can't help you, Anise."
"You do help me!" Anise protested. "Whenever you smile, it's like a blessing to me, it's as if Io- anyway, thank you. And thank you, too, Colonel."
"No need to thank me, I did it all for the money," said Jade airily. "What are you presenting to the Conclave, Miss Tatlin? I must say I'm curious to know. My own report on Fomicry will be so tedious that I need something exciting to look forward to."
"Mmai dompft ab a paff," said Anise, her mouth full of pastry. Jade quirked an eyebrow. "Beg pardon? I'm afraid I don't speak Toast."
"She doesn't have a pass," translated Florian, as Anise tried to swallow. "I don't have a pass."
"Tritheim didn't issue one to you?" Jade asked, sending his other eyebrow up to follow the first. Florian stared at him, distracted, and they wiggled benevolently in his direction before frowning at Anise. "Really? No, no, if you've said so, I assume it must be the truth, but I find it rather incredible. You were the only member of Oracle present at Eldrant, after all.."
Anise shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. "Tear was there too, you know."
"Yes, but as a citizen of Yuria City, I imagine her words will be rather less relevant to the people of Daath than those of one of their own. How peculiar. I expect he must have some rationale for not inviting you, but I can't imagine what it could be. Except.." Jade paused, glanced at Florian, and then shook his head. "Never mind. I'm surprised you haven't assassinated some pompous old fellow from Bachicul and stolen his. Haven't you?"
"I wouldn't do that!" Anise protested, feeling her cheeks heat up. "Really, Colonel, who do you take me for?"
"The devious soldier who safely guided the most recognizable figure in all the world across enemy lines and back, of course," Jade said tartly. "Don't tell me it hasn't occurred to you, darling little Anise, or I shall have to give you a spanking. Why wouldn't you at least forge a pass?"
"What's forging?" asked Florian, before Anise could answer.
"Duplicating another's signature or an official document for unauthorized use," said Jade coolly, turning his attention back to Anise.
Florian looked amazed. "Can you do that? Isn't it against the rules?"
Jade's silence was answer enough, and Florian settled back into his chair, frowning. Anise took the opportunity to speak. "I... it did occur to me, actually," she said, hesitantly. "But I didn't want to. I've - I've been trying to be good lately, and..."
"You have?" asked Jade, sounding startled. "What on earth for?" He fiddled with his glasses a little and resettled them on his nose, looking as if he'd swallowed something he didn't like. Anise bit her lip. "You probably aren't going to like this," she said to her plate. "But after Eldrant, I decided I wanted to change. The way - the way Luke did. Because.."
Jade was staring off into space. At her glance, he waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind me. Go on."
Anise gulped, and Florian squeezed her hand encouragingly. "Ion's d- Ion's disappearing was my fault. If I hadn't betrayed him, if I hadn't been so clever all the time, he would still be here, he wouldn't have gone away in Zalehho volcano. He'd still be alive..." She sniffled. "And even when he was alive, I was so mean to him. I thought he was stupid and I was mad at Mosse for making me guard him so I used to play all these dumb tricks on him and laugh at him behind his back. And I made fun of Arietta all the time and even Guy, you know, what happened with his sister was so horrible and I teased him for being scared of girls. And Luke, after he cut his hair, he was trying so hard, but we were all so mean to him and then he went and died and I couldn't even say sorry anymore-"
"If you are thinking," said Jade, curtly, "That being impossibly good and kind to every undeserving fool to the Cathedral will bring Ion back, you are sadly mistaken and have been left alone with your grief too long. No force in this world or out of it can bring the dead back to life, and you know it. This kind of naivete doesn't suit you, Anise."
"I do know it!" Anise protested, feeling tears sting at her eyes again. "I know Master Ion isn't, isn't coming back. That's why I have to save Florian and the Lorelai Order, for Ion, because he can't do it now. And, and because I don't ever want to wish I could say sorry but it's too late, ever again. That's why I'm trying."
Jade was silent. Anise looked at him nervously, letting Florian grab hold of both of her hands and hold them tightly in his own, warm and comforting. "What are you thinking?"
"I am thinking," said Jade at length, "of a certain naive young idiot whom I asked if he could kindly commit suicide for the sake of the world, and now rather wishing I hadn't, as it seems that this martyrdom complex is catching. I thought you at least would be hard enough and selfish enough to put yourself first, and now I see that you aren't. I confess I am disappointed, sweet little Anise. I expected worse of you."
"Twisty like the Colonel," said Anise, grinning through her tears. "Don't worry, I'm still pretty rotten. I put grasshoppers in this one jerk's soup two days ago. And there's no way I'm cutting my hair, either, it's my best feature. I need it for my sexual wiles."
"I should hope not!" said Jade indignantly, as Florian's eyes widened. "Little Anise without pigtails would be like a day without sunshine. Or the Tartaros without its Fonic Cannon, come to that. Or the Emperor without - never mind. But now I understand why exactly you looked quite so tired when I first saw you. May I ask why, precisely, you want to save the Lorelai Order?"
"Excuse me?" said Anise, blinking. Jade sighed.
"I am speaking," he said to the farthest wall, "of an organization responsible for the deaths of millions, that made seven, sorry, eight copies of the original Ion and then killed them all except for the one sitting opposite me, that sent and continues to send small children into battle, that convinced a father to coolly send his son to murder thousands of people out of ignorance, even though he knew it would mean the death of his own child. Where in all of this do you see something worth saving? I confess I do not."
Anise felt Florian's grip on her hands tighten. She looked at him; he looked sick. "It isn't true, is it?" Florian pleaded. "Anise..."
She smiled painfully and gave him a hug. "Go to Pamela, Florian." Anise said quietly. "I need to talk to the Colonel, and you're too young for this."
"I am not," said Florian, stubbornly. "If Anise can hear it, I can too."
"Florian-"
"If you send me away I'll eavesdrop on you," Florian threatened, and Anise scowled at him.
"I rather think he will," Jade interceded. "Let him stay. He should know the story of his own birth."
"He does know it," said Anise softly. "I'm sorry, Florian. I just don't want you to feel bad. Listen, Colonel. Everything you say is true. The Lorelai Order as it exists today is a monster."
Florian hissed in pain and she stroked his curls, so like Ion's. "But there's another Order," Anise added quietly. "The Order Ion loved, that used Yuria's Score to save people, not to let them die just because that's what the texts said. The Order that gave advice to confused people and that ran hospitals and schools. The good Order that people believe in, even now that no one's read the Score for a year and a half."
"You are describing an entity that has not existed since Yuria was betrayed two thousand years ago," Jade said clinically. "That kind of monumental reform would take a lifetime at least. It would probably be more efficient to start a new organization than to attempt to overhaul this one."
"Maybe so," said Anise, growing heated, "But we can't just quit, either! People depend on the Score, they've been following it for two thousand years, and one fine day it's all gone, out the window, whoops we better find a new idea. People can't change that easily! Didn't you hear about that farmer near Engave who always followed the Score about when to plough and when to harvest, and now that there's no more Score he stopped farming because he doesn't know what to do anymore?! The Order owes people. We owe people more than that."
"I did hear that story," Jade said musingly. "I rather think it might be apocryphal, but I've seen enough similar cases in reality to take your point. Well, Miss Tatlin, if you are this set on singlehandedly reforming the Lorelai Order-"
"I am set on it," said Anise, at the same time that Florian said, "Not singlehandedly."
Jade snorted. "As I was saying, if you are this determined, I will cease my no doubt useless efforts to dissuade you."
"Will you give me a pass?" Anise asked hopefully. "You're the leader of the Markt delegation, you can-"
"Ahem," said Jade. "The echo in this room is quite loud, one can't even finish one's sentences without being interrupted. No, I will not. How will you persuade your fellow members of the Order when you speak to them as a representative of the Markt Empire, or indeed of either country?"
Anise wilted.
"Instead, I will issue you a challenge," said Jade, standing up. "Find your own way into the Conference Hall. Not as some ethereal saint who lets an airhead like Tritheim push her around, but as Fone Master Guardian Anise Tatlin, one of the canniest and most lethal soldiers Necromancer Jade has ever met." He paused. "And the cutest. Understand me?"
"I think I do," said Anise, smiling. "Thank you for your advice, Colonel."
Jade gave her the full ceremonial bow, correctly and with emphasis, and then lifted his eyebrow. "I trust we will meet again, dear little Anise. At the Conclave, then. And you, young man," he said, turning to Florian, "I can see you have a fine criminal career ahead of you. I will look forward to your future exploits. Good day to you both."
Anise curtsied, and after some hesitation, Florian bowed as well. They watched as Jade navigated his way through the busy cafeteria, gave a jaunty wave at the door, and was gone.
"Are you really going to save me?" asked Florian, after a time.
"Yes, I really am," said Anise simply. He mulled this over, and then gave her a smile.
"In that case," Florian said quietly, "I'll help you become the next Hierarch so you can save everybody else, too."