[[Day 17, Month --2, Grand Cathedral, Caleta]]<br/><br/>Her conversation with Councilor Aurel halted with the groan of opening doors.  The sudden hush was another indicator her fellow Seraph had entered the room as was the suddenly annoyed expression on the Councilor’s face.  The man walked away without a word and Lethe took her seat once more, seemingly engrossed with her hands.  One hand had fisted together and she was reminded of the crumpled speech she’d discarded.  Useless. Pointless. Meaningless.<br/><br/>Her musings were interrupted when Councilor Aurel spoke up and she looked up at the man, carefully keeping Master Guilford out of sight.  There was no need to welcome the inevitable.  From Councilor Aurel to Councilor Livius, then Councilor Mihai, each took their moment to berate the now returned Seraph.  Finally, Master Guilford spoke and she was obliged to turn her attention his way.  Her ire wavered at the sight of Gil alive, relief that she hadn’t killed him drowning out his words.  She hadn’t meant to kill him.  But then again, it seemed that he never had died.  Councilor Laith’s sour words interrupted her reverie once more.  Too little sleep, not just last night’s but ever since she’d awoken in Gless: her mind was wandering too easily.  Councilor Mihai was speaking, flat tone failing to hide his disbelief.  Ill prepared?  Master Guilford thought them ill prepared?  And what would he have suggested they do instead, she wondered idly.<br/><br/>And so the attacker had indeed been Eve, like they’d suspected.  And she and Master Guilford were the demon’s target?  Wonderful.  It was so nice to be appreciated.  She glanced over at the unusual hesitation in Master Guilford’s words, catching sight of uncertain purple eyes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">“…by our fight with Luciano’s Mayor.”</span><br/><br/>So she had set Eve loose.<span style="color: red"><span style="font-style: italic">“You’re the reason Brynhildr’s dead, you know, through that rebirth you enabled.“</span></span>Just like she had set Lillith loose.  Two for two so far.  Wasn't she accomplished?<span style="color: red"><span style="font-style: italic">“All you’ll do is take those you love down with you.”</span></span>She was worse than those cast aside papers, at least they did no harm.  Gielo, Solfonn, Valthe, Rosetta: more death and destruction to lay at her feet.<span style="color: red"><span style="font-style: italic">“Sin is within you.”</span></span><br/><br/>Experience kept her emotions from her face.  She’d been taught too well for that.<span style="font-style: italic">"A Seraph is.." "Smile! And the world will.."</span>A polite smile affixed itself to her face as her former Captain walked in.  Of course Abel would be listening at the door despite the privacy runes, ready to defend his protégé.  He was thankful?  Of course he would be, with the spare here to keep the Council busy, he was free to train Master Guilford, increase her fellow Seraph’s chances at living.<span style="font-style: italic">I should have died instead.</span>Well, it wasn’t like she was alive anyways.<span style="font-style: italic">“We are gathered here today to mourn…. Resquiescat in Pace, Lethe Invidia, Resquiescat in Pace, Eleanor Invidia…” </span><br/><br/>The rest of the meeting was clouded by her resignation.  She paid appropriate attention to what was being said, but everything else she kept locked away.  Abel’s intention to train other Knights in the use of Divine Magic, herself included, was surprising.  She wasn’t sure she approved having so much unstable magic bandied about so carelessly, but the decision would ultimately come down to the Council.  (After all, her careless usage of it had unleashed Eve, though they didn’t know that.  Perhaps she should research every other demon ever sealed just in case?  Or was that aptitude hers alone?)  Master Guilford’s display of Light’s Blessing was impressive.  Was he channeling the Divine Realm or had he just pulled some of it out and shrouded it around him?  She’d have to ask for Lady QianHua’s and YunQiao’s opinions.  Another task on her impossibly long to do list.<br/><br/>Even the callous dismissal from Councilor Cornelius barely sparked any emotion from her.  The Chief Councilor had always favored Master Guilford;<span style="font-style: italic">everyone</span>had always favored Master Guilford.  With a bow to the Council and Captain Abel, she followed the blue-haired Seraph out of the room.  He was standing by the wall but her attention was on Valiar.  Her cleric was on his feet by the messenger bench, a sheath of papers in his hands as per her directions.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Valiar. Thank you.”</span>She accepted the proffered papers, scanning through them to ensure they were the reports she needed.  As expected from someone with his experience, all the most important documents were here.  A brief smile broke her apathetic façade before dissolving away.<span style="color: silver"> “How are Adair and the others?”</span><br/><br/>“I’m surprised you didn’t hear the cheering, Lethe.”  Valiar teased with a smile, trying to keep his hands from ruffling her hair.  He had learned that it was a sure way to make her pouty, and she looked like she was trying too hard to be composed right now.  However, the Councilors were liable to leave the Chambers at any time, so he restrained himself.  “All of them did fine.  Master Guilford,” a head nod in the direction of the aforementioned person, “has been confirmed as alive.  The crowds have already started leaving, and Adair and them went ahead to the training rooms.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Good.  And Leia?”</span><br/><br/>“Safely in the clutches of way too old papers and written words.  The Scribe there knows to help her if requested and to have someone escort her if she wishes to leave and where we are if she wishes to join us.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Good job, Valiar.  Thank you again.  Please head to the training room first, then.  I will join you when I can.”</span><br/><br/>“Alright.”  Valiar paused, instinctive friendly banter on the tip of his tongue.  However, Lethe’s demeanor this entire conversation stifled such easiness.  “Until later then, Captain.”  He finally finished awkward, nodding his head and leaving.  Curious black eyes glanced at the so-far silent Guilford but he walked past without comment.<br/><br/>When Valiar was no longer in sight, Lethe glanced at the door to the Council Chambers.  They still hadn’t released their occupants inside.  Unable to delay any longer, she turned her attention to her fellow Seraph.<span style="color: silver"> “Master Guilford, these should be the most important documents that need your attention.  I’ll summarize the other information later today for your perusal.”</span>She held out the stack of reports with one hand, fingers barely gripping the papers.