Chapter Text
It all started on a very peculiarly fateful day when none of them were supposedly on duty within their own respective authorities — it was, in fact, as casual a day as it could have been. Even if the gathered assembly consisted of two Family Leaders, a former Blessed Maiden, an Acolyte and a newly promoted Senior Employee of the Montelli family, it was very much meant to be a volunteer session.
That was, until Phoebe innocently blinked at the texts gathered between her hands, flipping through one of the older translations picked off from the shelves, and consulting an even older doctrine in the old tongue laying spread on the table next to her.
“Miss Zani,” began the Acolyte. “Might I ask for your second opinion on this phrasing?”
Naturally, Zani went. Naturally, the other three of them paused briefly enough to glance, grin, and turn back to their respective businesses as though nothing had happened at all. Naturally, Zani read through exactly what was stated on the texts, through the entire section that was not quite long enough for what it entailed, and not quite short enough to be concise.
So then Carlotta Montelli's second-second-opinion was requested. And then, of course, Cantarella Fisalia stepped forward, a hand bracing lightly against the back of the shorter woman's shoulder before her, reading between the glimpses she'd caught of the old tongue faded in handwriting.
Then Carlotta had, very briefly, cleared her throat rather softly, turned around, and glanced at the former Blessed Maiden who currently seemed absorbed in a text that looked suspiciously less interesting than her expression seemed to suggest.
“Lady Cartethyia,” As expected of the Montellis' newest appointed leader, polite mannerisms were very much one of her most refined negotiation techniques, a gloved hand tracing down the edges of the wrinkled doctrine. “Back in your training for your...Maidenhood...did you accomplish the regular education for blessing of all rites, as do the other Acolytes selectively undergo?”
“I was educated in most of them,” Cartethyia had responded. Too quickly for someone who was meant to be absorbed in a text describing the importance of Laurel Salad, which she supposedly perhaps already knew by heart, in light of certain recent revelations. “Though I suppose they had hoped I would precede most important ceremonies following my coronation, I haven't put much of my blessing skills to physical practice, so I would say I'm a little rusty...but why do you ask, Lady Carlotta?”
“Well,” The pause comes as though Carlotta had intended to, in every manner that resembled her usual of handling matters delicately, phrase it in any particular way that could have been less forthright than what she eventually settles upon. “Because this particular doctrine says a verse quite different from the preachings of the late Primus Fenrico — that all who maintain feelings for another, in reciprocation, should be allowed the sanctity of wedlock, regardless of identity.”
“Oh...!”
“Yes, so as you will see, that remains quite a problem if we should be revising the Codex according to the rightful teachings of the Sentinel.” Carlotta sighs, rather gravely as she folds the book back shut over the bookmark. “Isn't that right, Acolyte Phoebe?”
“There have been certain cases where Ragunnesi have been exiled for their non-compliance to the Primus' ruling, that this doctrine would grant and allow.” inputs the young Acolyte, though the blush upon her cheeks seem to suggest there's something wholly different that hides in the giggles between her words. “And, ah, there are certain...other circumstances...where the loosely phrased boundaries of this particular doctrine...might grant permission to the formation of a marriage between...ah...a Ragunnesi and — only for instance — a particularly lovingly acquired...fish...”
“Well, then, if that's the case, we'd best reference the source material to view the phrasing in its original context, lest we default upon an incorrect interpretation of its meaning.” Cantarella reaches forward, gliding a single cerulean nail down the spine of the text, as if she were actively trying to recall the feel of retrieving this particular text amidst shelves and shelves of documents, volumes and compilations alike. “I shall take a trip to Avinoleum later in the afternoon, then, to verify if the gospel we've found remains true to Imperator, or is in fact another one of Leviathan's devious schemes for a surplus in copulation...”
“And I shall head with you for a second opinion,” volunteers Carlotta almost immediately, but her elegantly sweet tones of the Montelli Leader falters upon Zani's immediate glance down upon her Terminal and her pocket watch dangling from her belt. “Unless, of course, I have found myself overcommitted, Zani...?”
“You have three conferences adjacent to each other without spacing between.” says her employee, with none the enthusiasm of another long day ahead of hours already spent plunged into books. “I would recommend that perhaps someone else could go in your stead. I could clear my schedule, but I am unfortunately not quite well-versed with the preachings of the Sentinel as Miss Phoebe may deem better suited...”
“A-Alas, the choir will be performing for the valiant and wounded today at the medical wing...!” Again does Phoebe input rather shyly, clutching her staff tightly to hide the fidget of her hands. “I really do apologise, I hadn't foreseen this matter to arise...”
“That's no matter at all,” Cartethyia interrupts gently, folding her hands over the younger Acolyte's. “I have quite the number of hours available on my hands, and sufficient knowledge to understand the texts written by the predecessors that came before us. I shall accompany Lady Cantarella to Avinoleum for a trip to the archives as to offer a second opinion on the reading, if that's alright with everyone?”
“Certainly seems like a sound arrangement.” Carlotta agrees at once. “Do keep us posted, then.”
“Certainly, we will.” Cerulean eyes seem to hold more meaning behind them, but Cantarella only smiles, maintaining the serenity in the curve of her lips.
“After all, I should quite look forward to an interesting verdict upon the conclusion of our reading of this segment in the older Codex...”