Commissioned [completed]

Chapter 13 - Wade gently

"This is for Papa Nihil; no cost is too great. His blood is richer than any."

"And it has nothing to do with how you feel about him?"

"Omega, hold your tongue."

You flinched at Sister's sudden snap. You felt you really shouldn't be hearing it, but you were. Sounded like some hot tea too. You were in the drawing room's wing where the Cardinal's office supposedly was, and you could hear the voices of Sister Imperator and 'Omega', who you'd guess was her ghoul. Her office must have been close by, and they were not in any way quiet.

"Sister, I think using the brothers is a waste...."

"Enough. It wouldn't be a problem if you had done your job. The hunter's moon is coming. Call back Primo and Secundo."

You sped up in your walking, gazing at doors for any sign of the Cardinal. With relief, you found it not too far away, which saved you from bumping into Sister. You knocked tentatively.

"Surprised you're upright after last night," came a mischievous chuckle, but the smile dropped when Copia opened the door. "Oh, excuse me, Pittore, I apologise. I thought you might be—uh, come in." He stepped to the side.

He was different from how you'd seen him on stage, awkward somehow. He was in a tight black suit that showcased his thin limbs; he couldn't have been much taller than Papa. There was a nervousness that hindered him that you didn't see in Papa at all.

"Thank you, Cardinal."

"Please, Copia is more than fine, uh, would you prefer ______?"

"Whatever you'd like to call me," you shrugged.

"I think I know why you're here," he had a glimmer in his eye. It was odd to see that iris on anyone other than Papa.

"You've heard of my bet with Papa?"

"Bet with Terzo?" He frowned.

Terzo. Papa had a name. Why was that earth-shattering to you? It shouldn't matter. "What did you think I wanted?"

"You didn't want, uh, dark info on Terzo? Huh? My mistake."

"Dark info?"

"I see that you are enticed, eh?"

"I really shouldn't ask, no, I have a bet with Papa. We were discussing the nature of free will—"

"With Terzo?" He laughed, "That is interesting, and where do you stand, nihilistic, unattainable? Or do you believe in it?"

"Somewhere in between, of course."

"Come sit, sit," he waved you over as he rounded back behind his desk. There were papers mountained high and books on every surface, and squeaking behind him was a well-loved rat in an impressive cage. It smelt like ink and pages and leather. "Somewhere in between, huh?" He prompted as you sat.

"Absolute free will is unattainable, as there are laws of physics, I can't say, fly, on free will alone but—" as it looked like he wanted to speak on the matter, "that is pessimistic as hell, some societal laws protect free will, and others hinder it, but anything is technically doable once before prison hinders it for good. I think, so long as I control this body, I have choices I make every day that builds my free will—within limitation."

"Ah, mio Caro. Yes," he gave you a small clap on leathered hands. "And we must fight for free will or, alternatively, create places it is praised and hidden from those who would hinder." He winked.

"I think I'd like that. I think we all have to have some at least illusion of free will to keep sane," you chuckled.

"Yes... yes," the cardinal was looking at you then, curiously. "I'm sorry I seemed to have interrupted you; what is this bet with Terzo?"