Laith paced his room, mulling the meeting that had just ended.  Seraph Guilford was getting entirely too cocky with his achievements.  They granted him a title and suddenly he thought he knew the scriptures better than the High Council.  And Cornelius!  The man was clearly going senile.  “Coexistence,” indeed.  Why not just turn the world over to Sin if that was the case?  How the Pure must weep, knowing how far their children had fallen from the Light.  They’d given up their ideals.  They’d given up their aspirations and were fine with..<span style="font-style: italic">coexisting</span>.<br/><br/>A knock on the door interrupted his musings and he turned to the door irritably: “What?”  The door opened to reveal a white-haired Knight.  Sharp blue eyes stared at him even as she bowed in greeting.<span style="color: silver">“Councilor Laith, you summoned me?”</span><br/><br/>The old man frowned at his guest, noticing a spark in her posture that had previously been absent.  He hoped Guilford’s blasphemy hadn’t spread to the other Seraph.  “Come in!”  She obediently closed the door and took the seat provided for guests, a plain wooden chair in front of his desk.  The only treasures his room could boast were the countless tomes on religion and a painting of the first gathering of the Pure that an ancestor had painted many years ago.  He didn’t believe in surrounding himself in luxuries like the other Councilors; he’d only picked up a cushion recently when his hips complained too much about sitting for hours on end.<br/><br/>“Knight Lethe. What were the Pure?”<br/><span style="color: silver">“The original men and women who remained untainted when the God of Sin first began spreading his teachings.”</span><br/>“And their objective?”<br/><span style="color: silver">“To rid the world of Sin’s existence.”</span><br/>“What is the point of spreading the teachings of the Divine Light?”<br/><span style="color: silver">“To help guide the people away from Sin’s clutches.”</span>Lethe was polite enough to not let any questioning tone creep into her words despite her confusion.  Why did the Councilor see the need to rehash the basics taught at every Church?<br/>“And why is alcohol prohibited?”<br/>She paused to stare at the Councilor.  While she knew the answer, the answer wasn’t one commonly taught to the masses.<span style="color: silver">“Because it lowers inhibitions and makes people more susceptible to the temptations of Sin.”</span><br/>“Surely just one cup wouldn’t make a man fall into Sin?”<br/><span style="color: silver">“Councilor?”</span>She questioned, a frown starting to appear on her face.  She was weaker than normal, but she could probably summon enough holy magic to defend herself if needed.  However, if Sin had crept into a Councilor, and Councilor Laith of them all, then Gless was in a very dire situation.  The old man simply lashed a hand out, signaling she should answer.  Blue eyes narrowed on the impatient man.<span style="color: silver">“One cup will still lower inhibitions and who is to say if one cup is too much or too little for a man?  Everyone’s natural tolerance is different; it depends on each person.”</span><br/>“And that is why we require abstinence.”  Laith crossed his arms as if he’d reached the natural conclusion of this conversation.<br/><span style="color: silver">“Yes..”</span>Lethe drew the word out; she still had no idea what the objective of this conversation was.<span style="color: silver">“Abstinence is easier to teach than self regulation, which requires experimentation and can easily open the mind up to Sin.”</span>Laith said nothing in response, only glaring at a bookshelf as he muttered to himself.  Used to his habits, Lethe simply sat there patiently, discreetly gathering her holy magic.<br/>“There is talk that we should coexist with Sin.”<br/>The Knight straightened in her seat, her only reaction.<span style="color: silver"> “Talk.. where?”</span>Laith waved his hand around, indicating the Grand Cathedral.<span style="color: silver">“Councilor Laith.. Wouldn’t coexistence with Sin be betraying the teachings of the Pure?”</span><br/>“But does it betray the teachings of the Light?”  Laith questioned, glaring at the woman before him as if she had committed a crime.<br/><span style="color: silver">“I don’t know.  I am but a lowly Knight; I wouldn’t dare be arrogant enough to claim I understand the Light more than someone who has dedicated their entire life to studying it.”</span><br/>“But what’s your opinion,<span style="font-style: italic">Seraph</span>?”  Somehow the title sounded uncomplimentary with the way he said it.  “Especially in light of Palaugrim’s situation.”<br/><span style="color: silver">“Palaugrim is in.. an unfortunate position.  I don’t think it will be remedied quickly or easily.  However, I think that if we’re persistent, with enough time, we can convert it fully to the Light.”</span><br/>“And the coexistence part?”<br/>Cold blue eyes stared back at him.<span style="color: silver">“I don’t think we should strive for coexistence.  There was a time we lived without Sin and we should aspire to return to that ideal.  Some may call it impossible, but nothing worthwhile is easy.”</span>She got to her feet, a blade of holy magic in her hand.<span style="color: silver">“Now Councilor, is there a reason for these questions?”</span><br/><br/>Shocked eyes looked at the blatant threat in the other’s hands before Laith threw his head back and laughed.  The surge of holy magic cut his raucous laughter off and he stared back at the determined Knight in front of him, an excited grin growing on his face.  Maybe there was still hope for this one.  “There is nothing to fear from this old man, Seraph Lethe.”  He took a seat, placing his hands palm up on the table.  “In our latest Councilor meeting with your fellow Seraph, there was talk in the Cathedral that we should, ah, ‘loosen the reins’ on our teachings.  That we are too strict.  That we should strive to coexist with Sin.”  He chuckled and shook his head.  “But I’m glad to see that not all have been swayed by such blasphemy.”  Lethe still had not taken her seat and he could still feel her suspicion.  What had happened down on Palaugrim to forge her into this?  Who knew the benefits of Guilford’s hasty Liberation campaign would continue to bear fruits?  “Absolve me, then, Seraph.  It would do these old bones good to feel a Seraph’s holy magic.”  He chuckled even as he watched her magic expand into Repent.  She was not as trusting as she’d once been.  She reached forward and took his hand, spreading holy magic to him. As he'd expected, there was no Sin to cleanse.  Blue eyes stared at him for a moment longer before she released him and her holy magic.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">"What may I do for you, Councilor Laith?"</span><br/><br/>"I need you on Palaugrim to bolster the forces there.  It’s been nine days since Luciano has fallen but there’s been no Seraph presence there.  I want you to lead a goodwill campaign.”  He looked over the now impassive figure in front of him.  “In light of your current.. infirmity, we’ll keep it short.  A week?  I’ll compile a list of places you need to visit.”  The councilor took a seat at his desk, pulling out a piece of paper and pen.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “When do you want us out there?”</span><br/><br/>“Yesterday.  It’s been nine days since a decisive victory.  It’s appearing weak that none of the Seraphs are available.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“I haven’t paid my respects yet.”</span><br/><br/>Laith paused from his list, glancing upwards.  It was unusual for Lethe to disagree with his directives.  “I still need your squad out there yesterday.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“And I haven’t paid my respects yet.”</span><br/><br/>“We’ll keep it to three days on Palaugrim then.  I expect that won’t be an issue?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“None, Councilor.”</span>At the doorway, Lethe paused and turned back, one hand still on the doorknob.<span style="color: silver">“I would appreciate being included in future discussions among the Council.”</span><br/><br/>There was a snort of amusement.  “I will see you’re there for the relevant ones.”  The door opened and closed without any other words being exchanged.  Laith glanced up at his now empty office, chuckled again in amusement, and shook his head.  Whatever had happened on Palaugrim, he wished it had happened earlier.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>Seraphim glanced at Valiar. Valiar looked at Adair. Adair ignored them both.  Seraphim and Valiar transferred their attention to Cricket who visibly squinted at the calendar.  He looked back with a shrug and an equally confused expression before turning to look at Deimos.  The two veterans followed his lead, but Deimos only stared back.  No one knew why Captain seemed in such a bad mood.  Ever since her meeting with Councilor Laith, her mood had taken a drastic nosedive for the worse.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">"Where's the rest of my paperwork?"</span>Silence met her inquiry.<span style="color: silver">"Adair?"</span><br/><br/>"Thats all that was there when we got here."<br/><br/>She stormed past the silent group and opened her door. The scribe there jumped to his feet.<span style="color: silver">"Excuse me, please fetch the rest of my paperwork."</span><br/><br/>“Yes Ma’am.  Pardon me.”<br/><br/>Lethe let the door swing shut and crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe impatiently.  Cricket glanced at her and then the table that had a small stack of papers.  “Captain?”  He regretted speaking when icy blue eyes turned in his direction.  “Is it a bad thing there’s so little paperwork..?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“For being gone almost twenty days? Yes.  Either the Cathedral has accomplished nothing while we’ve been gone or someone has mislaid my paperwork.  Neither option is desirable.”</span>Any other response was cut off by a knock on the door.  Lethe opened the door immediately, her back facing the squad as she spoke with the scribe.<br/><br/>“Pardon me, ma’am.  Master Guilford asked that they all be sent to him already."<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“I see. Thank you.”</span><br/><br/>“No problem, ma’am!”  The door shut closed once more.  After a moment, Lethe turned around with a pleasant smile on her face.  Team Blonde took one look at the smile on their Captain's face and all tried to slink further into their seats.  A moment passed. Then a second.  Leon opened his mouth, somehow missing the frantic headshakes.  "That's..  nice of Master Guilford?"<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">"Yes."</span>That didn’t sound like a happy yes.  Well, if they had already started down this path, they may as well finish it.<br/><br/>"So.. you're so upset because?"<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Were any of you aware there was a Councilor meeting today?"</span><br/><br/>"Captain.. we don't rank high enough to be called in on those discussions."<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Yes, apparently neither am I.  But Guilford is."</span>There was a pensive silence before Lethe uncrossed her arms.<span style="color: silver">“In thirty minutes, I expect you all at Training Ground 4. Deimos, arrange for it to be cleared.  Dismissed until then."</span>She stalked back to the table, glowering at the papers in front of her.  Fingers tapped on the tabletop irritably.  There was a shuffle of bodies as her squad departed.<br/><br/>"Lethe.. Is there a reason you're so upset?" When she looked up, only her Vice Captain stood in the room.  She pursed her lips but responded:<span style="color: silver">“I dislike this misconception going around that I'm apparently incompetent.  It seemsI can't even do my paperwork by myself."</span><br/><br/>"I'm sure that's not Master Guilford's reason for taking in your paperwork.." Adair protested, warily watching his Captain.  "Perhaps it would be better to rest."<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Contrary to popular belief, I have not quite dead yet!"</span>She snapped back before pausing at the way Adair had blanched.  She closed her eyes, covered her face, and slowly breathed.<span style="color: silver">“I apologize, Adair.  That was uncalled for and ill timed.”</span>With an exhale, she toppled into a chair, her frigid demeanor thawing into a mess of emotions.<br/><br/>Adair slowly drew out a seat opposite and sat down.  “Are you okay, Captain?”  Irritated blue eyes looked at him before flicking away.  She’d clearly been asked that one too many times already.  The only sound in the room was the steady tap of a finger.  Finally, she spoke:<span style="color: silver">“We leave for Palaugrim tomorrow afternoon for three days.  We’ll blitz over the place, promoting the teachings of the Light.  I hope to stop by Zairyon and pick up Rhett or at least stabilize the city enough for Leia to return if they won’t leave.  Expect to be gone for five days.  I’ll tell the team after training.”</span><br/><br/>“Training?”  The amber-haired Knight finally asked drolly, getting to his feet just as she did.  “Somehow I get the feeling this is more than just training.”<br/><br/>Lethe paused in her walk to the door and looked over, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.<span style="color: silver"> “Cricket seemed so upset when I called Guilford’s squad the ‘strongest’ squad.  Perhaps it’s time to get you lot up to scratch?”</span><br/><br/>Adair snorted, silently relieved at the return of Lethe’s more playful side.  If she was making jokes, then she was doing okay.  Perhaps not one hundred percent yet, but on her way.  He hurried forward and opened the door with an elaborate bow, dodging the kick she aimed at his shin.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“See you in twenty.”</span>She lifted a hand in a wave, calling back over her shoulder.<span style="color: silver">“And expect to eat dirt for that stunt.”</span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>To: Hyuga of Squad Guilford<br/>Postmark: Inter-Cathedral Mail<br/>Priority: High<br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">To: Hyuga<br/>From: Adair<br/>Date: Month: --, Day 29, Year 10 After Sin<br/>Missive: Lethe and I would like to discuss your findings regarding the Reapers at your earliest convenience, preferably within the next 24 hours.  Please direct your response to me and CC Lethe.  We can arrange a location if you’re unable to secure one.</div></div></div></div></blockquote><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/><span style="color: silver"> “I know I’ve been resting for nine days, but isn’t this a bit sad?”</span>Lethe wondered aloud, one hand idly swinging her sword around.  Cricket panted for breath on the ground in front of her, a bruise already starting to blossom on his cheek. She turned to look at the four exhausted Knights sitting on the reject bench and shook her head.<span style="color: silver">“Adair, please note we’ll be gone six days and add Lizeth for our final stop.”</span>Disbelieving blue eyes glanced over her squad and she just sighed.  There looked to be a long way before her team was up to scratch.  She hadn’t realized she’d been so lax with her training of them.<span style="color: silver"> “Get over here Vice Captain of mine, time for me to make true my promise.”</span><br/><br/>Adair only smiled and got to his feet, re-adjusting his shield and sword as he walked onto the training area.  After Captain had wiped the floor with the other five members of the squad, it was clear she wasn’t going easy on any of them.  On the bright side, the pall around her was steadily brightening and she was now joking.  He suspected half the reason Leon was taken down so fast was because Captain had looked murderous at the beginning.  “You first, my fair lady?”  He offered with a bow, stepping out of the way of the weak blast of Banish Lethe sent him.  Hefting his shield, Adair settled into a defensive stance.<br/><br/>Lethe snorted, assessing her Vice Captain’s positioning.  She didn’t expect as much trouble with him as she’d had with Cricket or would have with Deimos.  She looked over to see yellow eyes scrutinizing her, as they had been through all her matches.  Yes, Deimos would be an interesting fight.  But for now, Adair.  As the main tank of their squad, he focused mostly on reacting to attacks.  The hardest part would be getting past his defense.<span style="color: silver">“No, I insist you go first.  You’re becoming entirely too complacent with reacting only.”</span>She settled into a defensive stance as well, one sword down in front of her and the other by her head.  After the fight with Victorie, it seemed now would be the best time to pick up dual sword fighting.  For now, she was using a Judgment, but she was hoping to find a sword to compliment Luna.<br/><br/>She deflected the first thrust with her left sword, but was forced to block the shield strike to her face with her other sword.  The two edges grinded against each other with an ominous screech.  She was inferior in both strength of body and weapon edge, probably why Adair had forced them into this contest.  Tightening her grip on both weapons, she shot backwards, only a dip of her shoulder preventing it from becoming dislocated from the falling shield.  She ran around Adair to get into a position where his shield wasn’t, but he was too skilled to leave such an opening.  Charging forward, she hacked at the shield with one sword and defended his angle strike with her other sword.  They fell into an easy one-two rhythm: his shield blocked her attacks while her other sword blocked his.  Finally, he brought his sword across his shield, no doubt to break their pattern with an uppercut.  She slammed into him, pinning his sword against his shield and thrust with her other sword.  He stumbled back and she pressed forward, knocking his shield up high and thrusting at the exposed body.  His sword clumsily knocked away some of the strikes but indents spotted his armor where she’d gotten past.  Her left arm finally had enough and she was forced to disengage once more.  Blocking with a sword was much more tiring than with a shield.  She dropped the Judgment to the ground and shook out her sore arm.  Adair was too good for her to be trying out new shenanigans if she was going to make him eat dirt like she promised.<br/><br/>The smirk on his face was enough of a taunt to show he understood the unspoken compliment.  Falling into a defensive stance once more, she beckoned him forward.  He obliged.  The ringing of steel clashing filled the room as the two Knights fought.  Without the second sword, Lethe had full use of her mobility which she shamelessly used to send Adair sprawling to the ground every chance she had.  By the time the match ended, her Vice Captain’s face was a collage of brown and white.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “I have to say.”</span>Lethe paused to pant for breath,<span style="color: silver">“I didn’t think you so vain to be going for mud facials, Adair.”</span><br/><br/>The man stopped his heaving to retort: “Just learning from you, Captain.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Such a slow learner, Adair! I’ve moved on to milk and honey.”</span><br/><br/>“Really?”  A hand lashed out to grab her ankle and she hit the ground, hands up in time to prevent serious injury but not enough to keep her face from touching the ground.  When she sat up, there was a telling smudge of brown on her cheek.  “I dunno Captain.”  A finger prodded at the blotch helpfully despite her attempts to swat it away.  “Looks to me you’re still at the mud stage too.  Maybe ask Cricket for the higher end stuff?”  There was a round of muffled laughter from the reject bench.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Bleh!”</span>Lethe responded eloquently, finally rubbing the dirt away now that Adair was no longer poking it.<span style="color: silver"> “I’d ask what happened to chivalry, but <span style="text-decoration: underline">clearly</span>”</span>She had to raise her voice to be heard over her team’s helpful answers (it quit because it wasn’t paid enough! Ask Squad Prissy for it back! Back? We ever had it?!)<span style="color: silver"> “it gave up on you lot already!”</span>She gave a scathing look to the hand Adair offered to her and pointedly got to her feet without his help, ignoring his chuckles.<br/><br/>She rolled her wrist one more time and picked up the discarded Judgment, looking between it and Deimos speculatively.  Well, she’d try with it and then decide.  Her Rear Guard smiled at her and then vanished.  After a few minutes, she was forced to summon her Heaven’s Judgment blades, the eight swords curving around her protectively.  Nonetheless, he continued attacking, throwing around Banishes and even a Smite as well to keep her on the defensive.  He evaded any attempts to engage in battle, constantly moving away and making her chase him or defend.  After ten minutes, her Heaven’s Judgment swords flickered out and she felt a tap on her back.  “Knock knock.”<br/><br/>With a sigh, Lethe let her arms fall to her side, swords dangling from loose grips.<span style="color: silver">“Who’s there?”</span><br/>“Interrupting cow.”<br/>She turned to look at Deimos in disbelief, a firm tap of his hilt forcing her to look forward again.<span style="color: silver">”Interrup--”</span><br/>“MOO.”<br/><span style="color: silver"> “What?!”</span>She spun around to see an emotionless Deimos, her face contorted in shock.  The Knight stared back at her.<span style="color: silver">“Interrupting c--”</span><br/>“Moo.”<br/><span style="color: silver">“... reall--”</span><br/>“MOO!/OINK!” The peanut gallery shouted before dissolving into snickers and laughter.  Lethe only slammed her hand into her face.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">”If you all are quite finished?”</span>She ignored the lone “moo” from the group and walked towards the rest of her squad with Deimos following her.<span style="color: silver"> “I’m putting you all through your paces when we get back.”</span>Seeing her words had caught their attention, she continued on.<span style="color: silver">“Clearly, we still have a lot to improve upon.  However, first, we’re headed for Palaugrim tomorrow.  I’ll see you all tomorrow at the Docks at three pm.  We have an event tomorrow and will be busy the next three after that.  Expect to be back in six days.  Adair, Deimos. Stay behind.  Otherwise, dismissed.”</span>