Chapter Text
“Here are you are, Cardinal.” Sister Chloe set the tray down carefully onto the deep cherry oak desk. “I added two extra sugar cubes just the way you like it.” She added, smiling brightly.
Cardinal Copia flicked his newspaper and folded it closed. He placed it off to the side.
“Thank you, cara dulce.” He took the dainty porcelain tea cup up and inhaled deeply. His eyes closed as he savored the scent. “Ah, perfection.” He smiled warmly with his eyes as he took a sip of the piping hot tea. When he finished he set the cup back onto the matching saucer, licking his lip as he did so. “Tell me cara, what’s planned for today?” Copia eased back into his office chair, crossing his legs and placing the saucer precariously on his knee.
“Well, you still have to finalize everything for the final show on this run in Mexico City. You were requested for lunch with Sister Imperator and Papa Nihil. Uh, let’s see…” her voice trailed off as she took up her tablet and swiped through a few pages of notes. “You also have to make a decision on new uniforms for the Siblings of Sin and a few other mandates for the church. Nothing too big to deal with that you haven’t handled before, your Eminence.” Chloe beamed at the seated man, errantly twirling her stylus between her fingers like one would a drumstick.
Copia sighed deeply appearing bored with his seemingly never-ending to-do list. He laced his fingers together and let them lie in his lap. He appeared to be mulling over Chloe’s words, but in truth, he thought of doing something he rarely allowed himself to do.
“Chloe, do you enjoy doing your job?” Copia asked off-handedly.
“I-I’m sorry?” she stammered, caught off guard.
“Do you enjoy all that your job entails? Being told all the time what to do?” Copia waved a hand loftily as he spoke. Chloe often wondered if he would even be able to talk if his hands were bound.
“Well, I mean, that’s my job as your assistant, so I have to do what I’m told. Otherwise you wouldn’t keep me around I don’t think. Why do you ask?” she rested her hip against his heavy desk, chewing nervously on the inside of her lip.
“Don’t you ever get tired of following orders though, cara?” Copia stood suddenly, shoving his chair back. Chloe gasped and reached for the tea cup that had been in his lap, but Copia had managed to not spill a single drop as he snatched up the cup and saucer. He looked down at her with a mischievous grin. “I do.”
Chloe floundered back to an upright position, clutching her tablet to her chest tightly. Her large round glasses were slightly askew lowly on her nose. It was rare for Copia to show any real emotion a work. He was after all, employ of the month for quite some time and thus had a reputation to uphold. She reached up, righting her glasses where they belonged. Her deep brown eyes watched the Cardinal cross his office, snatch up his jacket and spin on his heel to face her.
“How would you like to play hockey today, cara?”
“Hockey?” her eyebrows knit in confusion. It dawned on her like a light bulb above her head. She was nonetheless confused. “You mean hooky?” She arched her eyebrow up.
“Details, details,” Copia waved his hand in the air. You would like to come or no?”
A brief wide smile split her lush plump lips, before being quickly replaced with a slight scowl. “What about all of your appointments, Cardinal? I’ll have to reschedule everything and Sister Imp- ooh!”
Copia had had one arm in his jacket before shrugging on the other as she spoke, staring down at her tablet. He surprised her by plucking it quickly from her hands.
“Today, cara, leave this here,” he said, setting it gently onto his desk. “No work today.” Copia smiled and patted the tablet. “Today we play hooky. And tomorrow we go back to the routine, eh?”
Chloe wanted to reach out for her electronic life-line. She wanted to stick to the schedule because that is what she was good at. She was never one for the whole spontaneous thing. But Copia’s warm assuring smile and the light hopeful and roguish gleam in his eye made a very convincing argument.
“Okay.” She sealed her agreement with a nod. Her flouncy natural curls bobbed with her head. She pushed up her glasses to give her empty hand something to do, already out of her comfort zone and without a safety net.
“Wonderful!” He clapped his gloved hands together then rubbed them. The soft leather made small squeaky sounds. Chloe wondered when he had the time to put them on. “I already have an idea of how to play hooky. Now, what is your absolute favorite food, Sister Chloe?”
“Meatballs!” Chloe answered enthusiastically without even thinking. Her family had always competed to see who could make the best ones each year around Christmas. She missed the tradition ever since they disowned her for wanting to join the Satanic church as it didn’t align with their deep seated catholic religious views. Her love of the tasty food never waned however.
“Oh that’s a good choice indeed, cara mia! Come, I know just the place!”
With that, he whisked the beautiful Chloe down to the garage and into the standard ministry issue black Toyota Corolla and off they went on an adventure.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t take a convertible,” the Cardinal sighed. “It’s a very nice day out is it not?” He rolled the windows down a bit, allowing the crisp air to flow freely through the sedan.
Chloe on the other hand was less than thrilled with the exceptionally chilly late winter air. She hunkered down inside her fluffy coat, snuggling and burrowing into its warmth like a rat would a newspaper nest. The Cardinal hummed along to whatever tune was playing through the stereo, seemingly very content with the unusual situation.
“Ah, cara, you must lighten up, yes? You surely must know this song.” Copia cheerfully said as he turned the volume up. Chloe realized that whatever it was was not playing through the radio at all; it was someone enthusiastically singing an ABBA hit, albeit far less muffled now that she removed her fluffy earmuffs.
“Cardinal, is… is that Cher?” she asked. The man beside her hummed an agreement. Chloe’s lips split into a wide grin. “I used to love Cher when I was younger. I mean, I still do of course, but I wasn’t aware she put out a new album.”
“Yes! She did the newest Mamma Mia soundtrack and had so much fun she decided to put out a whole new album of just ABBA covers as a tribute sort of thing!” Copia exclaimed, tapping a beat on the steering wheel in time with the tune.
As he began to sing along to “S.O.S”, Chloe caught herself singling along with him. It was different to say the least to see the man who was usually so reserved, quiet, and shy off the stage giving essentially what was a private performance such as this. At work he was very careful and borderline anal about every little detail so this was rather refreshing to see him ‘let his hair down’ so to speak. This allowed Chloe to relax a little, even if the Cardinal was trying to freeze her half to death.
After about half an hour of driving, give or take, Copia made a turn onto a side street. Chloe didn’t recognize the area as she rarely ventured further than the small town that lay nestled just outside the ministry grounds.
“You like meatballs, yes?” He beamed at his assistant. “Mama Cozi makes the best meatballs in a fifty kilometer radius. I would know; I tried them all,” he pat his stomach and chuckled a little at himself. “I tried very hard to get her recipe but, eh, Mama just laughed at me.” He shrugged, turning into the parking lot of a rather plain looking red building with a handful of windows with white trim.
Chloe unbuckled as the car was shifted into park. They got out together before Copia could open her door for her. Instead, he offered his arm to her which she obliged him with a light blush. He walked around to the front where an LED open sign was lit up. Copia politely opened the door for Chloe, ushering her inside before entering and closing the door behind himself.
“Hello, hello, welcome! Please find a spot and I’ll be there momentarily!” A pleasant woman’s voice called out. Chloe looked about for a spot she liked, nodding towards an empty booth off to the side. She tugged Copia’s sleeve when he wasn’t moving with her. She pointed. The Cardinal took his assistant by the hand, leading to the booth she chose. He offered to take her puffy coat and scarf, to which Chloe nodded. He hung them on a hook on her side of the booth. He then doffed his black jacket and hung it on its own little hook before sliding into the bench seat.
A few moments later an older woman with white blonde hair and deep smile lines appeared. She was perhaps in her late fifties, Chloe judged.
“Hi and welcome to The House, I am Cecilia and we thank you for joining us for lunch.” She handed two white paper menus to the Cardinal and Chloe as she spoke. “Have you visited before?” Chloe had her nose already in the menu, looking over the lunch choices, so the Cardinal spoke up for the both of them.
“I have of course, but it is this one’s first time.” Copia smiled, waving his hand at his assistant.”I however, am very fond of Mama Cozi’s.” He chuckled softly patting his belly. This seemed to amuse Cecilia as she too, giggled.
“Alright then, well if you know what you want I can go ahead and put in your order.”
“I still need a minute, if that’s ok?” Chloe had put her hand up before looking up over the menu at the server. The older woman nodded sagely.
“Do you know what you would like to drink then?”
“Water for me please.” Chloe piped up, her eyes still scanning the food choices.
“And the gentleman?” The server turned her gaze towards Copia with a thin lipped smile.
“Water and a glass of whatever the house wine is today.” Copia smiled. He caught his assistant raise her eyebrow, but say nothing.
“I’ll go ahead and get that right out to you.” Cecilia gave a quick curt nod and went about towards the back of the house.
Lunch Specials Weekly Mon Fri 11:00 -13:00
Meatballs w/ potato puree, lingon berries & pickled cucumber
Baked cabbage with pickled turnip, mustard vinaigrette & roasted almonds
Ask About Daily Specials!
Monday
Lentil soup w/ julienne carrots
Tuesday
Jerusalem artichoke soup w/ herb oil
Wednesday
Spice sweet potato soup w/ herb baked croutons
Thursday
Potato & leek soup w/ vasterbotten cheese baked croutons
Friday
Cabbage soup w/ garlic croutons
Copia wordlessly hummed as he watched his assistant’s eyes scanning the food choices over and over. On about the fifth time he cleared his throat, causing her to glance up at him. She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Do you see anything you want to try other than meatballs? I myself enjoy the potato and leek soup.” He suggested thoughtfully.
“Oh, but it isn’t Thursday though is it?” Chloe interjected.
“That’s alright. I’ve been wanting,” he shook his head. “No, more like craving some good hearty meatballs with more substance than sawdust.” Copia’s face twisted in slight disgust. “Since Sister Adelaide stepped down and poor Charlotte passed, I’m afraid the food hasn’t been the same has it?”
“Here we are, two waters, and a crisp white for the gentleman,” the server broke Copia from his reverie, placing their respective drinks before the pair. “Are you ready or still need a moment?” the older woman, Cecilia, asked.
“I’m ready if you are, your Eminence.” Chloe said softly. Copia nodded then turned to the server.
“Yes, let us have please two plates of meatballs, ah- the lunch specials please and if it’s available, some of Mama Cozi’s garlicky bread.” The Cardinal fidgeted as he smiled nervously up at the older woman. He obviously struggled to talk without using his hands.
“Alright, I’ll go and get that in for you.” Cecilia took the lunch menus, spinning to go take care of their orders.
“So Cardinal…,” Chloe began, clearing her throat. “I can’t help but to ask what made you want to um, play hooky today?” She shifted in her seat. Normally she would be perusing her tablet for the next item on the agenda. Without it close by, she was feeling slightly uncomfortable.
“Well,” Copia looked across the table at his assistant, then to his glass, and back up to Chloe. She thought he appeared almost guilty instead of his usual demeanor. He continuously wrung his hands together, and licked his lips as he searched for the proper way to explain himself. Finally he sighed deeply, a long huff of a breath seemingly in resignation. It’s just you know, all the stress it-it’s been building up and,” Copia paused to breathe, looking down at his hands, “as much as I want to just say that it looked like a lovely day, I know you’re far too smart to blindly accept that.” The Cardinal dared a quick glance to Chloe, who looked as if she were on the edge of the seat.
“Can you keep a secret?” Copia leaned in, whispering. His tone grave, serious, yet caring a hint of excitement as if it were something dangerous he was about to divulge. Chloe swallowed thickly. She nodded, her hair gently swaying with the motion as she mirrored him by leaning in closely. She was clearly eager to learn a secret. Copia swept his eyes across the room to check once more in case there were prying ears. Nearby patrons only seemed concerned to their own conversations and meals. He lowered his voice even more. It was barely more than a breeze when he spoke.
“I’m not going to be a Cardinal for much longer.”
Chloe’s eyes widened then narrowed. Her brows knit together as she tried to make sense of what he said. It didn’t make sense. As far as she was aware there were no higher offices to be held. She tumbled his words around and around for a moment but came up short.
“I’m sorry?” she finally asked in sheer confusion. The man across from her rolled his eyes. He thought he had been clear enough. “Are you going to another archdiocese?” Chloe added.
“No, no of course not! I’m going to be a Papa soon!”
Chloe, for a moment could have been knocked over with a feather. It posed far more questions than answers. She simply stared across the table at Copia with her jaw slack. Beads of condensation slid down her water glass.
“Chloe?” Copia called to her with a tilt of his head. This was not the reaction he anticipated. Her lack of reaction was something he didn’t see her having. “You did hear me, yes?”
“Yeah…” She picked up her glass of water and drank deeply. Chloe used this time to continue to mull over Copia’s revelation. When she set down her glass it was half empty. She licked her lips, still unsure of what to say exactly. “I think- it just… This is just very sudden and rather unexpected I think.” She stared at her water glass as if it would provide answers. Not to mention he hasn’t had any relationships in a while… she thought. “I’m not sure what to say honestly. Um, congratulations Cardinal.”
Copia beamed at this and clapped his hands together. He overlooked her uncertainty and skipped all the way to the very end. “Thank you, cara. Although, clearly I cannot divulge all the details just yet, I assure you all will be revealed in due time.” He simply looked beside himself with relief at finally being able to reveal his biggest secret to someone other than his pet rats. However it now dawned on him that along with this big reveal, he must now rely on his most trusted personal assistant to keep this big secret. After all, people talk much, much more than rats do.
“So who’s the lucky lady?”
Copia nearly spat out his wine, his eyes bulging out, wide and confused. Continuing to cough, he dabbed at his mouth with the paper napkin that accompanied the silverware. He sputtered, “I’m sorry, what?”
“You said you’re going to be a papa. I just meant to ask who the mother would be. But if you aren’t ready to spill the tea then I suppose that’s fine.” Chloe went to reach for her tablet to begin looking at whatever dates and appointments that would need to be rescheduled and moved around, but recalled that it was still sitting alone and forlorn on the Cardinal’s desk. She frowned slightly.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Copia chuckled nervously. “No, I’m afraid you misunderstand. I’m going to be Papa soon.” He added extra emphasis as he slowly pronounced the word. He watched as his assistant scrunched up her face as she tried to make the pieces click together. After a few seconds he decided to give her another hint. He mimed a very tall hat, swelling and coming to a gentle point at the very top. Almost immediately the light bulb went off above her head. She clasped her hands in front of her face, gasping. Copia grinned wildly and nodded, folding his hands together on the edge of the table.
“What?!” she hissed in a hushed yet excited whisper slamming her palms down onto the table. The silverware clinked together. Copia’s water sloshed against the rim of the clear glass. “Wha-I mean-what-how?!” Copia was well known to have been an orphan, raised within the church with all the other uninitiated until he entered into the postulency upon coming of age, and well, the rest of the steps until he now sat here in front of her as Cardinal. There was no way a Papa would not be of the Emeritus Bloodline, and seeing as how that was just clearly not the case, she couldn’t see how he could possibly enter the papacy. There simply were no more Emeritus’ aside from Nihil.
“Surely you’re joking…” Chloe sat back against the back of the booth, slumping slightly. Her hands slinked down the table and down to her lap.
The Cardinal shook his head. “Cara, you know me better than that. Besides, why couldn’t I be Papa? I think I would do a good job…” he looked at his hands, inspecting his black lacquer nails before looking back at Chloe. “Again, I cannot disclose a great deal of information, but I know I can trust you not to say anything to anyone; and I do mean anyone. No one else must know this.” Copia leaned forward with great intensity and brevity to his words. He watched as Chloe swallowed and nod meekly.
“So this is a warning of ‘tell anyone and you die’ sort of thing then…”
“What? No, of course not. Why would you think that?” He asked as he leaned back, crossing his legs under the table. “If anything think of this as a promotion. Who else could I trust with such information, but yourself?” He picked up his glass by the wine stem swirling the liquid with ease.
Chloe’s eyes softened as she relaxed. She didn’t want to admit how frightened she had just been about the potential prospects and weight of her superior’s words. Although she couldn’t quell the small flicker of pride she felt. After all, she worked so hard to fight and earn her position and she felt like it was now about to shift into overdrive. She would be Papa’s personal assistant; his right-hand, go-to person for council and comfort…
Ok, maybe not all of that but still, very important nonetheless.
She didn’t get a chance to say anything in reply to thank the Cardinal nor accurately congratulate him, because about that time the lovely server Cecilia returned with their plates. Everything looked and smelled absolutely mouth-watering. She couldn’t wait to dig in to the meatballs as they were set in front of her. Chloe licked her lips in anticipation.
Copia thanked the server; politely declining her requests for anything more. Instead, he watched with rapt attention as his assistant utterly devoured the first meatball, then the second. She nearly groaned with satisfaction. It was juicy and perfectly cooked. He smirked, propping his elbow on the table edge, his chin set against the top of a curled fist as he waited for his own food to cool before he too dug in.
Time passed silently between the pair as they ate in comfortable complacency. The scrape of forks and knives, soft clinking of glass against glass came from around them from other patrons as well as the back of the house. Chloe was the first to break the quiet lull. She finished dabbing at her mouth with the napkin before setting it next to the plate.
“I have to say Cardinal, I wasn’t really sure what to expect when we came in, but I am pleasantly surprised. You also have to invite me out or- or even mention the thing; you know the thing about the thing.” She articulated with her hands and moved them roughly how he had before in regards to the mitre. “So, thank you for that.”
Copia politely finished chewing his bite before setting his fork and knife aside. He too, wiped his mouth clean before speaking.
“Cara there is no need for thanks; however I will still accept them. You are more than just my assistant you know. You are also whom I consider a friend.” Copia smiled warmly. It appeared honest and genuine. Chloe had to admit it tugged on her heartstrings a little.
“Thank you Cardinal. I’m very glad to hear that. I also consider you a friend as well, but you’re also my boss so… you know… I didn’t want to cross any boundaries, you understand.” She was picking up the Cardinal’s habits as she unknowingly continued to talk with her hands. Copia chuckled, nodding. He understood all too well.
“I see. Even in a Satanic church with as many blurred lines as there are statues of the One Below, one doesn’t wish to mix business with pleasure. It gets messy, eh?” Copia smirked, the corners of his mouth curling and his smile lines becoming more pronounced. Chloe blushed as he once again he had misinterpreted things. She chocked it up to Copia just being Copia, shrugging it off with a shake of her head. The Cardinal huffed out a laugh as the pair resumed their meals.
The rest of the late breakfast, early lunch was spent just enjoying the food paired with a few laughs and jovial light-hearted topical chatter. Copia insisted he be the one to pay for Chloe’s lunch citing that he was the one to drag her along and that made it his responsibility. Copia donned his jacket once more. He dropped the handful of coins that was to be his change in the tip jar on the counter.
Once they were comfortably back inside the sedan, the Cardinal cleared his throat before speaking quietly.
“I do have one more place in mind to go if that is alright with you, cara?”
Chloe nodded. She ingested a bit more than she had been expecting and thus needed time for her stomach to settle so she figured she could just nap while Copia ran a few errands. No big deal.
“Wonderful! I will be driving up a few hills, yes, so ah, do you get car sick? I have medicine for that I think. If not then we can always pick some up at the drugstore. The ghouls, they um, they do not handle the ups and downs very well, you see.” Copia said sagely.
“I wasn’t aware of that, no.” Chloe replied.
“Yes, quite. Dewdrop especially.” The Cardinal explained, starting the car. He allowed it to idle a moment to warm up. “He hates travelling and gets very ill. Poor thing has to be so sedated with Dramamine he sleeps most of the bus rides. But that doesn’t answer my question however: do you need medicine?”
“Ah, no. I don’t think I do. I’ve never been carsick before that I know of so I should be fine.”
“Splendid. Well then, let us be off hm?” Copia pulled out of the parking space, maneuvering through the parking lot until he pulled onto the main road.
“Cardinal Copia?” Chloe piped up. She guessed he didn’t hear her over the radio so she repeated herself. “Cardinal Copia?”
He hummed in response, not taking his eyes off the road.
“Can you tell me more about how you’re um, moving up in your new position?”
“Now Sister, I already have said I cannot go into the details, yes? Trust me. All secrets- well maybe not all secrets- but some shall be revealed in due time. You have my word.” He moved his hand from the gear shift in the floor to Chloe’s knee, patting it in a paternal feeling of assurance. He didn’t sound upset or that he was even admonishing her, just reiterating what he had stated over lunch. “Trust your Cardinal.”
Chloe nodded. “I just worry you know? After what happened to the previous Papas, Satan rest their souls,” she made the reverse cross over her breast, a relic of habit from her past that brought her comfort. “I don’t want anything ill to befall you.” She went back to fidgeting with her cuticles and nails trying to divert some of her nervous energy into not peeling or biting them as she was prone to do.
The man beside her clucked his tongue. “Is that what this is about? You just worry for your Cardinal? I appreciate your concern Sister Chloe, I truly do.” He smiled over at his assistant next to him in the passenger seat. “I should think I will be fine, but I still find your worry to be touching.” He said before chuckling then continuing in a softer voice, “I do have you, my faithful assistant to protect me though.”
Chloe giggled, playfully swatting at him. “Yeah right! I’ll just whack whoever with my ipad!” She cackled. The Cardinal laughed along.
It was the most he felt he had been able to let himself go in recent memory. It was different to be himself with Chloe versus the ghouls; he still had to have a firm hand even in their down time. Climbing from the bottom of the barrel as a no name uninitiated to get his foot in the door with the higher clergy was finally beginning to pay off, no matter how much he had to sacrifice to get there. In the long run it would be worth it- it had to be. He prayed that the One Below would not forsake him now, not when he was so close…