La Sacerdotessa

Piccolino

SATIRA spent the next couple of days in Jolly's lab, more or less in an attempt to avoid Pace and Debito and her feelings towards the two.

Debito made her heart pound and brought out that feisty side in her, but Pace felt like home in all meanings of the word: safe, secure, welcoming.

Still, she managed to distract herself with books and soon enough, with Elmo's company as he became fully formed and contracted to La Torre. She began to teach him how to read, which he learned quickly, and soon enough was reading some of Jolly's large volumes on alchemy, which excited Elmo.

Anyone who could see the three of them would think them a family, with Elmo sharing their dark hair and eyes that closely resembled Satira's instead of Jolly's purple hues. It was only suitable that Elmo called Satira "Mama" and Jolly "Papa", though the two would often flush at that.

One day whilst Elmo sat reading on Satira's lap, Satira grew excited. "Jolly, you don't think that perhaps I could take Elmo to the Piccolino tomorrow?"

Jolly turned from where he sat at his desk and smiled at her. "Yes. I think Elmo would like to have fun." Satira cheered at his answer while Elmo stayed focused on the book, not having heard his mother over all the information his small brain was taking in. Satira kissed the back of Elmo's head, so at peace that she was slowly falling asleep.

"Elmo, put the book down and give your mother some hugs."

"Yes, Papa." He placed down the book and turned around, wrapping his arms around Satira, who giggled slightly before embracing him back. Jolly seemed to be genuinely happy in moments like these, something he would never admit to.

THE next day came, and the building buzzed with complaints of a ghost one of Felicita's maids had seen. Satira chuckled to herself as she walked to Jolly's room knowing it was simply
Luca's Pace repellant. She opened the door to Jolly's room, only to have Elmo run into her. "Hello my little man. Are you ready to go have fun at the Piccolino?"

"Yep! Can Papa come, too?" Satira looked at Jolly, who smiled from the corner of his mouth.

"Claudio will be coming by to do some work with me. You two go and have fun." Satira took Elmo by the hand and waved to Jolly as they walked out.

Satira made sure not to walk into anyone who mattered on her way to the church. However, she did get bumped into by a couple of kids.

"Oh. I'm sorry, miss," The little boy apologized while his little sister stood behind him.

"It's alright. Say, are you two heading to the Piccolino?"

"Mhm!" He cheered happily.

"We are, too," answered Elmo.

"You're welcome to walk with us."

"Thank you, miss."

The four of them walked to the church, catching the eyes of Pace and Debito when they stepped inside. The two of them watched as the siblings ran off to go take seats while Elmo grasped Satira's hand a bit tighter.

"It's ok, Elmo. You can sit with me by the front," Satira smiled down at him before he relaxed, giggling as he pulled her over to a seat as Luca began his magic tricks.

"And now, if I can have everyone's attention, what I'm about to show you is the most secretive of secret techniques." Satira laughed as Luca got serious, concentrating on his act. He opened his eyes. "A dove will appear!" Not a second later, the top of his hat popped open and a dove sat in his hat.

"Alright! Yeah!" Liberta cheered. Elmo gave Satira a questioning look and she giggled. None of the children had found it very impressive.

"Time to change plays," Debito said as he neared Luca. "Nobody is impressed with doves anymore, Luca. Learn some new material. Let's try something different, shall we? Having fun is all about excitement and thrills. Do you want to hear a really scary story?" He leaned over to look at Elmo, who sat in Satira's lap.