Chronicle 28
The taxi stopped before an imposing stone villa.
Joanna looked out the window.
"...This is it?"
Zas nodded.
"The Court of Responsibility."
From the outside, the building looked as though it belonged
in a history book.
Columns framed the entrance.
A central courtyard peeked through an archway.
The Roman eagle hung quietly above the doors.
"It doesn't look like a courthouse," Rahim
observed.
"It wasn't built as one," Zas replied.
"It was once a Roman villa."
The moment they stepped inside...
...the centuries seemed to disappear.
The marble floors remained.
The columns remained.
Beyond that...
Plain white walls.
Simple office doors.
Bulletin boards covered in notices.
Fluorescent lighting.
Rows of practical chairs.
It felt less like an ancient palace...
...and more like an overworked NGO that happened to occupy a
two-thousand-year-old building.
Joanna smiled.
"I wasn't expecting this."
"Neither was I," Zas admitted.
Security came next.
The line moved quickly.
Bags through the scanner.
Shoes stayed on.
Metal detector.
Rahim walked through.
Nothing.
Ravi followed.
Nothing.
Semin carefully made his way through on his crutches.
The officer gave him an apologetic smile.
"Take your time."
He nodded.
Then came Azamat.
BEEP.
He looked around.
"...Already?"
The officer smiled politely.
"Please step back."
Azamat did.
A handheld scanner appeared.
It chirped around his waist.
"The belt."
Azamat looked down.
"...Really?"
"I'm afraid so."
With a sigh worthy of a tragic poet, he removed it.
The detector remained silent.
Azamat accepted the belt back with obvious disappointment.
"I liked this belt."
"You may continue enjoying it."
"Thank you."
After checking in...
They waited.
…and waited.
…and waited.
Joanna quietly counted the people entering and leaving the
lobby.
Azamat browsed a brochure explaining Responsibility's
mandate.
Semin watched investigators hurry between offices.
Ravi had become fascinated by the fish swimming lazily
inside a large aquarium.
Zas instinctively reached into his pocket.
His fingers touched his phone.
Then he looked up.
Mounted prominently on the wall:
NO MOBILE PHONES BEYOND THIS POINT.
He sighed and slid it back into his pocket.
Joanna noticed immediately.
"No Candy Crush."
"No."
"I guess you'll have to talk to me."
"I enjoy talking to you."
She smiled.
"I know."
He looked across the waiting area.
"It is Ravi I generally find boring."
Ravi looked up from his magazine.
"...Excuse me?"
"I said what I said."
"I am fascinating."
Azamat nodded solemnly.
"He is occasionally fascinating."
"Thank you."
"When asleep."
The waiting room erupted into quiet laughter.
Even Ravi couldn't suppress a smile.
A few minutes later...
A woman stepped into the waiting room.
"Mr. Zasaramel?"
The group stood.
"My name is Olivia Stabler."
She smiled warmly.
"Please come with me."
Her office overlooked the old villa courtyard.
Like the rest of the building...
It was practical.
Bookshelves.
Case files.
Two computers.
A kettle in one corner.
Nothing extravagant.
Olivia waited until everyone had found a seat.
"First..."
She smiled.
"...thank you all for making the journey."
"I know it wasn't a short one."
"It was worth it," Zas replied.
"I hope the trip went smoothly."
Semin smiled faintly.
"It did."
"Except someone in Nineveh misplaced my crutches."
Olivia blinked.
"...That sounds inconvenient."
"They eventually found them."
"They'd accidentally loaded them onto another
aircraft."
Olivia made a quick note.
"I'm glad they turned up."
"So am I."
She folded her hands on the desk.
"I'll explain where we are in the process."
She opened a folder.
"In several weeks, the Court will hold a preliminary
hearing."
"Responsibility versus Forman et al."
She glanced toward the five Blue Shield members.
"The defence has already filed several motions."
"They're perfectly entitled to do so."
"Our office will respond to each of them."
She turned another page.
"Depending on the Court's rulings..."
"...additional hearings may follow."
"There will eventually be a trial."
She paused.
"I wish I could give you a detailed timetable."
"I can't."
"This is a complex case."
"There will almost certainly be delays."
"Procedural motions."
"Scheduling issues."
"Possibly appeals on preliminary matters."
"There may be months where nothing appears to
happen."
She smiled reassuringly.
"That doesn't necessarily mean anything has gone
wrong."
"It usually means the Court is making sure it gets
things right."
The five men listened carefully.
Olivia leaned forward slightly.
"I want to emphasize something."
"If you remember only one thing from today's
meeting..."
"...let it be this."
She looked at each of them in turn.
"When you testify..."
"...tell the truth."
"If you know something..."
"...say it."
"If you don't know..."
"...say you don't know."
"If you don't remember..."
"...say you don't remember."
"If you didn't see something..."
"...tell us you didn't see it."
She shook her head.
"Please don't guess."
"Please don't assume."
"…and please don't try to help me."
That last sentence drew several puzzled expressions.
Olivia smiled.
"My job is to build the case."
"It is not yours."
"Your job is to tell the Court what you actually
know."
She gestured gently with one hand.
"You may think a particular detail helps us."
"It might."
"It might not."
"I'll worry about that."
"You shouldn't."
She looked toward Zas.
"The more you try to make your testimony sound
'right'..."
"...the more likely it is to sound wrong."
Zas nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
"I'm glad."
Olivia continued.
"We'll meet several more times before anyone takes the
witness stand."
"I expect most of those meetings will happen by
telephone or video."
"A number of routine matters can probably be handled by
email."
"…but..."
She smiled.
"...I expect we'll have a few more meetings like this
as well."
Finally, she closed the folder.
"I'll be honest with all of you."
"This case may take years."
Nobody looked surprised.
"I know that's difficult to hear."
"…but I promise we'll do everything we reasonably can
to make the process as painless as possible."
She folded her hands once more.
The formal part of the meeting was over.
She smiled.
"Now..."
"...what questions do you have?"
Olivia scarcely had time to take another sip of coffee
before Rahim raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"If we're called..."
"...where do we wait?"
Olivia smiled.
"There'll be a witness room."
"You won't simply be left wandering the
courthouse."
Rahim nodded.
"Thank you."
Semin spoke next.
"If one of us becomes ill?"
"We tell the Court immediately."
"If it's a genuine medical issue, we'll work with
you."
She smiled.
"The Court is interested in good testimony."
"Not making sick people miserable."
Semin seemed satisfied.
Azamat leaned forward.
"What if I accidentally say something wrong?"
Olivia shook her head.
"Do you mean..."
She smiled gently.
"...or do you mean you remember something
incorrectly?"
"The second."
"If you realize you've made a mistake..."
"...say so."
"Immediately."
"The Court understands that memories aren't
perfect."
"What matters is honesty."
Azamat nodded thoughtfully.
"So..."
"I don't get thrown into prison?"
Olivia laughed quietly.
"No."
"Not for making an honest mistake."
Ravi finally raised his hand.
"I've always wondered something."
Olivia braced herself.
"Go ahead."
"Do lawyers really object every thirty seconds?"
Silence.
"...What?"
"In the movies."
"They're always shouting."
"'Objection!'"
"'Sustained!'"
"'Overruled!'"
He gestured enthusiastically.
"…and then someone storms out."
Olivia couldn't help smiling.
"I'm afraid you'll probably be disappointed."
"...Really?"
"The reality is considerably less dramatic."
She leaned back.
"I genuinely enjoy trying cases."
"I find them fascinating."
"…but..."
"...most of the time they're rather quiet."
"There are long discussions about documents."
"Procedural issues."
"Scheduling."
"Points of law."
She shrugged.
"The exciting moments exist."
"They're simply separated by hours of things that don't
make good television."
Ravi looked genuinely crestfallen.
"So..."
"...nobody dramatically points at the defendant?"
"Almost never."
"Hm."
"I've been lied to."
"You've been entertained."
That earned a laugh from everyone.
The questions continued.
How long would each witness speak?
Would they be allowed to read notes?
Could they ask for water?
What if they needed a break?
What if they couldn't remember a date?
Patiently...
Methodically...
Olivia answered every question.
Some she'd answered hundreds of times before.
Others...
Perhaps never.
Eventually the room grew quiet.
Olivia looked around.
"Anything else?"
Silence.
Then Zas slowly raised one finger.
"I have one final question."
"Of course."
He looked almost embarrassed.
"...Do we really need to wear suits?"
Joanna smiled to herself.
There it is.
Olivia blinked.
Then smiled.
"No."
"It isn't mandatory."
She folded her hands.
"Responsibility serves people from every culture in the
world."
"Formal dress looks different from one society to
another."
"We don't expect everyone to dress as Romans or
Americans do."
She looked toward the five Blue Shield members.
"If your formal attire is your Blue Shield
robes..."
"...you're welcome to wear them."
"Likewise, if another witness wears a sari..."
"...or a kimono..."
"...or ceremonial robes from elsewhere..."
"...that is entirely acceptable."
She paused.
"That said..."
"If you're already planning to purchase suits..."
"...I think you'll find they help."
"Not because the Court demands them."
"…but because you'll feel a little more comfortable in
the environment."
She smiled reassuringly.
"Sometimes dressing for the occasion helps people feel
prepared."
Zas considered that.
"So..."
"...Joanna wasn't entirely wrong."
Joanna folded her arms triumphantly.
"I would like the record to reflect that I heard
that."
Olivia looked between the two of them.
"I'm guessing this has been the subject of discussion
already."
"It has," Zas admitted.
Joanna grinned.
"I've had plans."
"I suspected as much."
The meeting had begun with uncertainty.
It ended with something much simpler.
The Blue Shield still didn't know exactly what the months
ahead would bring.
…but they no longer felt as though they were walking into
them alone.
The group finally reached the public lobby.
A sign above the doorway read:
MOBILE PHONE USE PERMITTED BEYOND THIS POINT
Joanna immediately reached into her pocket.
"...Oh."
Three missed calls.
All from the hotel.
Her stomach tightened.
"Everything okay?" Zas asked.
"I hope so."
She quickly dialed the number.
The front desk answered almost immediately.
"Good afternoon, Imperial Suites."
"This is Joanna Goldsmith in Suite 1204."
"Oh, Ms. Goldsmith."
The clerk sounded relieved.
"I'm glad you've called back."
"Is everything alright?"
"Oh, yes."
"No emergency."
"The children simply asked us to contact you."
Joanna exhaled.
"...Thank goodness."
"They're requesting additional spending
authorization."
Joanna smiled.
"Could you put one of them on, please?"
"Certainly."
A brief pause.
Then-
"Mom!"
Armintie's voice.
"Hi."
"So..."
Joanna folded her arms.
"...what happened to fifty sestertii?"
"We got hungry."
"I figured."
"We ordered food."
"...A lot of food."
"I also figured."
"It was really good."
"I don't doubt it."
"…and now we're broke."
Joanna laughed.
"So that's the emergency."
"It kind of is."
"What about Phoebe?"
There was a pause.
"...She's busy."
"Busy doing what?"
Another pause.
"...Sitting on the toilet."
Joanna blinked.
"...Is she alright?"
"Oh, she's fine."
"She just..."
Armintie lowered her voice dramatically.
"...ate too much."
Joanna pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I'll take that as good news."
"It definitely sounds like good news."
From somewhere farther away came Arel-Sin's voice.
"Ask about the movie!"
"Oh!"
Armintie remembered.
"Mom!"
"There's a movie."
Joanna immediately became suspicious.
"...What movie?"
"The really, really, really good one."
"I see."
"…and we don't have enough money."
"Why don't you wait until Phoebe's finished?"
Armintie hesitated.
"...She probably won't like it."
"You don't know that."
"I kind of do."
"You haven't even asked her."
"...No."
Joanna covered the phone for a moment.
She looked toward Zas.
"They've spent all fifty sestertii."
"Already?"
"They're asking for more so they can rent a
movie."
Zas smiled.
"How long until we're back?"
Joanna looked toward Olivia's office.
"...Half an hour?"
"Approximately."
He shrugged.
"They can wait."
"I was thinking the same thing."
She nodded.
Then returned to the call.
"No extra money."
An immediate chorus of disappointment erupted from the other
end.
"Awwww..."
"We'll be back soon."
"You can decide on the movie together."
"…but-"
"No."
Another collective groan.
Joanna smiled despite herself.
"Before we hang up..."
"...would one of you please check on Phoebe?"
"We already did."
"She's okay."
"Just..."
Armintie tried not to laugh.
"...still busy."
Joanna laughed too.
"Tell her I love her."
"I will."
"…and no more ordering enough food to feed a cavalry
regiment."
"No promises."
"Armintie."
"...Fine."
"We'll wait."
"Good."
"I love you."
"Love you too."
The call ended.
Joanna slipped the phone back into her pocket.
"Everything alright?" Ravi asked.
She nodded.
"They've discovered room service."
Azamat smiled knowingly.
"A dangerous discovery."
"…and Phoebe?"
"Recovering from victory."
Zas looked puzzled.
"...Victory?"
Joanna laughed.
"I'll explain on the way back."
The six of them headed toward the exit.
For all the gravity of Responsibility...
...family life had an uncanny ability to remind them that
not every crisis was international. Some were simply the consequence of
ordering too much lunch.
The elevator doors opened.
Joanna barely stepped into the hallway before she heard it.
"Mom!"
Armintie came charging down the corridor.
"...You're finally back!"
Joanna laughed.
"It's been an hour."
"It felt like six."
Behind her, Arel-Sin folded his arms.
"We're still mad."
"I gathered."
Phoebe appeared from the suite.
"I'm not."
Joanna looked relieved.
"Good."
"I'm just embarrassed."
"Why?"
Phoebe looked toward the bathroom.
"...I plugged the toilet."
Silence.
"...You what?" Azamat asked.
"I didn't mean to."
"I just..."
She looked even more embarrassed.
"...ate too much."
Joanna pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Well..."
"...at least you're feeling better."
"I am."
"Mostly."
Five minutes later...
Zas stood over the toilet with a plunger.
He pushed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Nothing.
He leaned into it a little harder.
His shoulder immediately reminded him why the doctor had
forbidden heavy strain.
He winced.
"...Azamat."
Azamat looked over.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Without another word, Azamat took the plunger.
"Stand back."
He attacked the toilet with considerably more enthusiasm.
THUMP.
THUMP.
THUMP.
Nothing.
He frowned.
"That's..."
Another push.
"...not normal."
He gave it one final heroic effort.
Still nothing.
Azamat stared into the bowl.
"I've been defeated."
Semin chuckled.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that."
Twenty minutes later...
There came a knock.
Joanna opened the door.
Two plumbers stood outside.
One was short and broad.
The other was noticeably taller and thinner.
Both wore blue overalls.
Both sported magnificent moustaches.
"Good afternoon."
"We hear someone's-a got a little plumbing
problem."
Joanna smiled.
"I'm afraid so."
The shorter plumber looked toward the bathroom.
"Mamma mia..."
The taller one nodded.
"Let's have-a look."
They worked quietly for several moments.
Finally the shorter plumber stood.
"We're going to need the snake."
Phoebe's eyes widened.
"...A snake?"
The room fell silent.
"A real snake?"
The taller plumber blinked.
"No."
He reached into his toolbox.
He held up a long, tightly wound metal cable.
"This snake."
Phoebe let out a relieved breath.
"Oh."
"I thought..."
"You thought wrong."
Everyone laughed.
The cable disappeared into the toilet.
The shorter plumber slowly cranked the handle.
"...There."
"I've got something."
Carefully...
Very carefully...
He pulled the cable back out.
Caught in the end...
Several small wooden beads.
They were...
Not in good condition.
The shorter plumber wrinkled his nose.
"...Well."
"There's your problem."
Without thinking...
He dropped them into the garbage bag.
"No!"
Arel-Sin darted across the room.
Before anyone could stop him...
He reached into the clean top of the garbage bag and
retrieved the beads.
"They're mine."
Everyone looked at him.
"My bracelet."
He stared sadly at the beads.
"They fell off this morning."
"I didn't realize."
The taller plumber smiled kindly.
"They must have slipped into the toilet."
Arel-Sin nodded.
"I want to wash them."
He walked toward the sink.
"Hold on."
The plumber gently stopped him.
Before Arel-Sin could ask why...
The plumber reached into his toolbox and produced a small
mesh drain cover.
He placed it over the sink drain.
"There."
"If one slips..."
"...it won't disappear down another pipe."
Arel-Sin smiled.
"...Thank you."
He carefully washed each bead one at a time.
The shorter plumber packed away the tools.
"Everything should work now."
Azamat immediately flushed the toilet.
It emptied perfectly.
He nodded approvingly.
"A worthy opponent."
The plumber looked confused.
"...Thank you?"
Joanna walked over.
"So..."
"How much do we owe you?"
The two plumbers exchanged a glance.
The shorter one scratched his moustache.
"We'll tell the hotel it was a soft blockage."
The taller one nodded.
"They'll probably cover it."
Joanna blinked.
"Really?"
The shorter plumber smiled.
"Families happen."
The taller one tipped his cap.
"No sense making your day any harder."
Joanna smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
"Our pleasure."
The two men headed for the door.
As it closed behind them...
Armintie looked at Phoebe.
"So..."
"...still glad you ordered dessert?"
Phoebe sighed.
"...Ask me tomorrow."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Zas couldn't hide a smile.
For all the worries waiting for them at Responsibility...
...the biggest crisis of the afternoon had turned out to be
a handful of bracelet beads...
...and a very determined toilet.
Morning sunlight spilled through the kitchen window.
Sarah gently lifted the twins from their cribs one at a
time.
"Good morning."
One yawned.
The other immediately reached for her hair.
She laughed.
"No."
"That's attached."
Within a few minutes the children were happily occupying
their highchairs while Sarah moved around the kitchen.
Eggs.
Toast.
Fruit.
She hummed quietly to herself.
Today was supposed to be a good day.
Lars was coming home.
She'd even bought his favourite coffee the day before.
Her phone buzzed.
She smiled before she even looked at it.
Then she read the message.
Hey.
I'm going to stay another couple of days.
Sven's having a rough time after the breakup.
I'm keeping him company at the resort.
Love you.
Sarah stared at the screen.
The smile slowly disappeared.
"...Oh."
She placed the phone face down on the counter.
The eggs still needed turning.
The toast was almost ready.
The babies certainly weren't going to feed themselves.
So she finished making breakfast.
She cut fruit into tiny pieces.
Poured juice.
Wiped little hands.
Cleaned up the inevitable mess.
Only when the twins were happily eating did she finally sit
down herself.
She looked at the frying pan.
She'd planned to make herself something nice.
Instead...
She poured a cup of coffee.
Nothing else.
She carried it into the living room and set it on the little
table beside the couch.
The television remote lay nearby.
She picked it up.
Looked at it.
Set it back down.
The silence suddenly felt very loud.
She rested her elbows on her knees.
Pressed her fingertips against her temples.
"...Come on."
She took a slow breath.
"I am not crying over this."
Not today.
A soft tap interrupted her thoughts.
Fido stood beside the couch.
He rested one paw gently against her knee.
Sarah looked down.
"...You noticed."
His tail gave one slow wag.
She smiled despite herself.
"At least somebody did."
She scratched behind his ears.
"You're a good boy."
Fido leaned happily into the attention.
Sarah picked up her phone again.
She didn't have the energy to talk just yet.
Instead she sent a simple text.
You busy?
Several minutes later...
Her phone rang.
"Hey," Joanna said.
Sarah smiled faintly.
"Hey."
"You okay?"
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Joanna's voice softened.
"What happened?"
Sarah explained.
The text.
The resort.
Sven.
The extra days.
When she finished...
She was quiet.
"I know he's trying to help his friend."
She sighed.
"I really do."
"…but..."
"I just..."
She searched for the words.
"I feel like I'm always the one holding everything
together."
"The kids."
"The house."
"The groceries."
"The appointments."
"When he's home..."
She laughed weakly.
"...sometimes it feels like I've got another kid."
Silence.
"I know that's probably unfair."
She rubbed her forehead.
"I'm emotional."
"I know I am."
"…but..."
She looked toward the kitchen, where the twins were happily
babbling to one another.
"...where there's smoke..."
"...there's usually fire."
Joanna didn't rush to answer.
When she finally spoke, her voice was gentle.
"I don't know how to fix your relationship."
"I wish I did."
Sarah nodded.
"I know."
"We're still figuring ours out."
Joanna laughed softly.
"Believe me."
"Zas and I don't have all the answers."
Sarah smiled.
"You hide it well."
"We fake confidence surprisingly effectively."
That earned a genuine laugh.
Then Joanna became serious again.
"…but I do know one thing."
"What?"
"You deserve the best."
Sarah looked down into her coffee.
"Whatever that ends up looking like."
Joanna continued.
"I don't know whether that's Lars stepping up."
"I don't know whether it's counseling."
"I don't know whether it's something else."
"…but..."
"...you deserve to be with someone who makes your life
better."
Not harder.
Sarah swallowed.
"I needed to hear that."
"I figured."
The twins suddenly squealed with laughter from the kitchen.
Sarah smiled.
"I should go."
"They're probably redecorating something."
Joanna laughed.
"Good luck."
"You too."
"I love you."
"Love you too."
The call ended.
Sarah set her phone down.
Fido had never moved.
He simply rested his head against her leg.
She smiled and scratched his ears again.
"Come on."
She stood.
"Let's go see what trouble they're causing."
The coffee was already getting cold.
…but somehow...
It didn't feel quite as heavy anymore.
The tram rolled quietly through the streets of Ercolanum.
Outside, cafés and boutiques drifted past the windows.
Inside...
Joanna still looked distracted.
Zas noticed.
"You're thinking about Sarah."
She nodded.
"I am."
"I feel awful for her."
"So do I."
Joanna sighed.
"I don't think Lars is a bad man."
"No."
"…but..."
"...he keeps making her feel like she comes
second."
Nobody spoke for a few moments.
Then, unexpectedly...
Azamat did.
"You know..."
Everyone looked at him.
"...relationships are strange."
Joanna smiled.
"I wasn't expecting this from you."
"Neither was I," Ravi admitted.
Azamat ignored them.
"My father used to tell me something."
"What?"
"'A person tells you what they love.'"
Joanna frowned thoughtfully.
"I don't understand."
"He didn't mean with words."
"He meant with time."
Azamat looked out the window.
"If someone always finds time for hunting..."
"...they love hunting."
"If someone always finds time for music..."
"...they love music."
"If someone always finds time for you..."
He shrugged.
"...then they love you."
Silence.
Joanna blinked.
"...That's..."
Rahim smiled.
"Unexpectedly profound."
Semin nodded.
"I've never heard you say anything remotely like
that."
Azamat grinned.
"I was saving it."
"For what?"
"I didn't know."
The tram stopped.
Azamat stood.
"Maybe suit shopping."
The tailor's showroom occupied two floors of a handsome
stone building overlooking one of Ercolanum's oldest squares.
The moment the group entered...
Joanna's eyes lit up.
"Oh..."
"This is going to be fun."
Zas quietly muttered something under his breath.
"What was that?" Joanna asked.
"...Nothing."
"It sounded like a prayer."
"It may have been."
Arel-Sin tugged on Zas' sleeve.
"I want a suit too."
Zas looked down.
"You do?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"So I look like everybody else."
Zas hesitated.
Then nodded.
"...Very well."
Joanna beamed.
"Excellent decision."
Within minutes...
Chaos.
Azamat emerged first.
He wore a brilliant emerald jacket.
Golden tie.
Deep burgundy trousers.
Reflective aviator sunglasses.
He spread his arms proudly.
"What do you think?"
Nobody answered.
Eventually...
Ravi found his voice.
"...It's certainly..."
Semin searched desperately for diplomacy.
"...Colourful."
Joanna stared.
"Azamat."
"What?"
"You look like you robbed a casino."
"I think I look cool."
He adjusted the aviators.
"They're staying."
Joanna sighed.
"We'll... revisit that."
Semin had the opposite problem.
"I don't care what colour."
"I don't care what tie."
"I don't care about fashion."
"I simply require trousers."
The tailor returned carrying another pair.
Semin tried them on.
Still too short.
"They're flooding."
Another pair.
Still too short.
The tailor looked genuinely distressed.
"I apologize."
"I have never encountered legs of this magnitude."
Semin smiled politely.
"I hear that often."
Rahim quietly browsed ties.
He examined one.
Then another.
Then stopped.
"I'd like this one."
Joanna looked over.
"...Polka dots?"
Rahim nodded.
"I like it."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"I simply do."
Joanna shrugged.
"Fair enough."
Ravi stepped out next.
Black pinstripe suit.
White pocket square.
Dark tie.
…and...
A fedora.
He tipped it downward dramatically.
"Well?"
Joanna burst into laughter.
"What?"
"You look like you're about to extort somebody."
"I thought it looked distinguished."
"It looks like a Hollywood gangster."
"...Is that bad?"
"In court?"
"Yes."
She gently removed the hat.
"The judges aren't likely to let you keep that on
anyway."
His shoulders slumped.
"...Oh."
"…and honestly..."
She adjusted his tie.
"...it isn't you."
"It isn't?"
"No."
She disappeared among the racks.
Moments later she returned carrying another jacket.
"This."
Ravi reluctantly put it on.
He looked in the mirror.
"...Huh."
Rahim nodded approvingly.
"That's much better."
Semin agreed.
"You look like yourself."
Ravi slowly smiled.
"I do."
Joanna folded her arms with quiet satisfaction.
"I told you."
Across the showroom...
Zas had successfully avoided every tailor, every measuring
tape, and every enthusiastic salesperson.
Unfortunately for him...
Joanna had finally spotted him.
She smiled.
"There you are."
Zas looked at the exit.
Judged the distance.
Then accepted the inevitable.
"...I believe..."
He sighed with theatrical resignation.
"...my turn has arrived."
Joanna's grin only grew wider.
The tailor scarcely had time to finish measuring Zas before
Joanna was already circling him.
"Hmm..."
She folded her arms.
"No."
The tailor blinked.
"...No?"
"The jacket."
She pointed.
"We're starting over."
Zas looked apologetically at the tailor.
"I'm sorry."
The tailor smiled.
"I've seen worse."
The next twenty minutes became a blur.
"Navy."
"No..."
"Charcoal."
"Actually..."
"Cream shirt."
"No."
"White."
"Hm..."
"Try the other white."
Zas obediently disappeared behind the changing screen.
He emerged again.
Joanna tilted her head.
"Too serious."
Back behind the screen.
Another jacket.
Another shirt.
Another pair of shoes.
Single-breasted.
Double-breasted.
Buttoned.
Unbuttoned.
Pocket square.
No pocket square.
Pocket square folded.
Pocket square puffed.
"...No."
"Cufflinks."
"...Not those."
"Tie."
"...Different tie."
The tailor quietly whispered to another employee.
"Is she always like this?"
Joanna answered without looking.
"Yes."
"I heard that."
"I wanted you to."
Across the showroom...
Arel-Sin was having considerably more fun than his father.
"What about this one?"
He held up a dark blue jacket.
Joanna smiled.
"That actually suits you."
"It does?"
"It does."
Arel-Sin grinned.
"Can I try it?"
"Absolutely."
Unlike Zas...
...he needed almost no encouragement.
Eventually Joanna stepped back.
"Better."
"…but..."
She narrowed her eyes.
"...it's still missing something."
Zas glanced toward a display case.
His attention settled on a small tray of decorative lapel
pins.
One immediately caught his eye.
A silver scythe.
He picked it up.
"I'd like this."
Joanna looked over.
"Oh."
She smiled.
"The scythe."
She reached for another.
"What about the gold one?"
He looked at both.
Then quietly shook his head.
"No."
"Silver."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
She studied his expression.
Then nodded.
"Silver it is."
The tailor carefully attached it to the lapel.
Zas looked in the mirror.
He smiled almost imperceptibly.
"It feels right."
Next came the ties.
Joanna selected a simple navy silk tie.
"This."
Zas looked through another rack.
He stopped.
"This one."
Joanna frowned.
"...Floral?"
He unfolded it.
Dark blue.
Covered in subtle blue flowers.
She wasn't convinced.
"I don't know..."
He looked at the pattern for another moment.
"It reminds me of you."
She blinked.
"My wrestling name."
"The Blue Rose."
He smiled.
"I'll remember you every time I wear it."
Joanna's expression softened instantly.
"...Well."
She looked at the tie again.
Somehow...
She saw it differently now.
"I suddenly love this tie."
"I thought you might."
She laughed.
"Don't get used to winning fashion arguments."
"I have won one."
"One."
She pointed a finger.
"Do not become arrogant."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Zas then flashed a smile.
Finally...
Nearly an hour after they'd begun...
Joanna stepped back several paces.
She slowly walked around him once.
Then twice.
She adjusted the knot of the tie by barely half a
centimetre.
Smoothed one shoulder.
Straightened the lapel.
Satisfied.
"There."
Zas turned toward the mirror.
For a moment...
He didn't quite recognize himself.
The suit fit perfectly.
The silver scythe caught the light without drawing
attention.
The blue floral tie added just enough personality to make it
unmistakably his.
It was formal.
…but it didn't feel like a costume.
He still looked like...
...Zas.
Joanna folded her arms proudly.
"There."
"My work is complete."
Zas smiled.
"You enjoyed this."
She looked genuinely offended.
"Enjoyed it?"
"I have dreamed about dressing you in a suit since the
day we met."
He laughed.
"I did not realize."
"Oh."
"I did."
She looked over toward Arel-Sin.
He stepped out wearing his own completed suit.
He immediately stood a little straighter.
"What do you think?"
Zas looked at his son for several seconds.
Then smiled.
"You look handsome."
Arel-Sin's ears turned slightly pink.
"Really?"
"Really."
Joanna nodded enthusiastically.
"I think so too."
Arel-Sin couldn't stop smiling.
Joanna looked from father...
...to son...
Standing side by side in matching suits.
For just a moment...
She wasn't thinking about Responsibility.
Or court.
Or Forman.
She simply smiled to herself.
My boys.
…and somehow...
That thought alone made all the hours of shopping
worthwhile.
The cashier handed Joanna the last receipt.
"There we are."
"Everything's paid."
Zas let out a quiet breath.
"...Finally."
Joanna looked at him.
"What?"
"I believe we're finished."
She stared.
"...Finished?"
"Yes."
She laughed.
"Oh, Zas."
She slipped her phone from her purse.
"We haven't even taken the picture yet."
"The..."
"...picture?"
Five minutes later...
Everyone was back in their new suits.
The bewildered sales staff had agreed to help.
One of the associates accepted Joanna's phone.
"I just press this?"
"That's all."
"Perfect."
Joanna hurried into place.
She wrapped one arm around Zas.
The others lined up beside them.
"Everyone smile!"
The shutter clicked.
Joanna immediately hurried over to inspect it.
"...No."
"What?"
She held the screen up for Zas.
"You aren't smiling."
"I am."
"No."
"You're existing."
Everyone laughed.
"Try again."
The group reset.
"Smile!"
This time...
Zas smiled.
Joanna looked at the screen.
"...Absolutely not."
"What?"
"You look constipated."
Silence.
Then Ravi burst out laughing.
Azamat doubled over.
Even Rahim had to turn away to hide a grin.
Semin simply shook his head.
"I've never seen anyone smile so painfully."
"I was attempting happiness."
"You attempted gastrointestinal distress."
Even Zas laughed at that.
"One more."
The salesperson raised the phone again.
"Ready?"
This time...
Nobody forced anything.
Joanna squeezed Zas's hand.
He looked at her.
She smiled.
Without thinking...
He smiled back.
A genuine one.
Click.
Joanna looked at the screen.
Her face lit up.
"That's it."
"Perfect."
She immediately opened her social media app.
Within seconds...
The photograph was online.
She tagged everyone and wrote the caption.
Zas glanced down.
"...Hot sexy mountain men?"
"Yes."
"Plural?"
Joanna pointed at the group.
"I'm talking about all of you."
Ravi, Rahim and Semin exchanged glances. Azamat smiled
widely in approval.
Arel-Sin immediately turned red.
"Mom..."
Everyone gradually changed back into their everyday clothes.
Everyone...
Except Arel-Sin.
"You aren't changing?"
He looked down at the suit.
"...I like it."
Joanna smiled.
"I think you should keep wearing it."
"I was planning to."
It didn't take long.
Joanna's phone buzzed.
"Oh."
"They've found it already."
She opened the comments.
"Carly."
She read aloud.
Cotton Candy: Okay... EVERYBODY looks amazing. 😍
Joanna smiled.
"Thanks, Carly."
Another notification.
LegionFan87: Wait... is this a new faction??
Azamat looked interested.
"I could lead a faction."
"No," Ravi replied.
Another comment.
Joanna smiled again.
BlueShieldBeliever: The Order cleans up nicely.
Elder would approve.
Zas quietly chuckled.
"I suspect he would not."
Then...
One more notification appeared.
Joanna stopped reading.
"Hm."
She looked over at Arel-Sin.
"...Who's VelvetVixen?"
He froze.
"What?"
She read aloud.
VelvetVixen: Arel-Sin is giving me LIFE with that
smile. ❤️
Arel-Sin's face immediately turned bright red.
The room became very quiet.
Then...
Very slowly...
Everyone looked at him.
Azamat grinned first.
"...Well."
Rahim folded his arms.
"This is interesting."
Ravi smiled.
"You've been holding out on us."
"There isn't anything to hold out."
Joanna looked suspiciously amused.
"...Really?"
Arel-Sin rubbed the back of his neck.
"I..."
He sighed.
"...We talk."
"We?"
"Me..."
"...and her."
Joanna tilted her head.
"How did that happen?"
He looked as though he wished the floor would swallow him.
"She commented on one of my videos."
"What video?"
"The one where I was chopping wood."
Ravi immediately spoke up.
"The shirtless one?"
Arel-Sin closed his eyes.
"...Yes."
"The shirtless one."
Joanna bit her lip to stop herself laughing.
"…and then?"
"I sent her a message."
"…and?"
"...We've been talking."
"For how long?"
"A little while."
"Where does she live?"
"Camulodunum."
That got everyone's attention.
"Roman Britain?" Rahim asked.
He nodded.
Joanna smiled knowingly.
"So..."
"...one of the reasons you were excited about this
trip..."
"...wasn't just the court."
Arel-Sin looked away.
"...Maybe."
Azamat laughed.
"I knew it!"
"You didn't."
"I absolutely did."
Azamat grinned.
"So..."
"When do we meet her?"
Arel-Sin looked horrified.
"...We don't."
"Why not?"
"Because..."
He buried his face in his hands.
"...This conversation is already embarrassing
enough."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Zas smiled.
He rested a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Take your time."
Arel-Sin looked up.
"...You're not going to interrogate me?"
"No."
Zas smiled gently.
"I was your age once."
Azamat coughed theatrically.
"I find that difficult to believe."
"I know."
Another round of laughter filled the tailor's shop.
For Joanna...
It was exactly the sort of memory she'd hoped the suits
would create.
Not because of the clothes.
…but because of the family wearing them.
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