I can still rember my first Holy Communion in church. My family was extrely religious, and church was a thing you did together. So of my friends moms would just go to church alone, leaving their husbands at ho to watch football. If my father had ever done that, my mother would have divorced his ass before he could say touchdown.
Having Italian roots ant that my family could pull enough strings to have the Communion in Italy. That was one of the first trips I can rember. It was nice, and it felt special. Im not a huge fan of religion, nor am I a practitioner. But if your average Arican kid becos atheist at a very young age, in Italy, you cant really tell that to your parents before a certain age. Church is an extension of your family functions. In Italy, church precedes the Sunday lunch at your grandparents house. Every single Sunday. No exception. Nowadays, obviously, traditions tend to die and slowly wither away in the face of modernism. However, most Italians still follow the sa rules.
And when I put my feet in an Italian church for the first ti, I was intimidated. My family, like every other Italian, is Catholic Christian. Its a big surprise, considering the Pope lives in Italy, right? But yes, the Catholic Church. So, as I entered this Italian Cathedral, I felt a different vibe compared to the churches back ho. Everyone was extrely serious. Even older male parents would joke around for no more than a few seconds before checking if the priest had spotted them. That place felt holy. I have no better term for it. It gave you the impression that if you misbehaved, God would literally smite you out of existence. In a good way, though.
My Italian at the ti was not perfect. It was passable, at best. But I had been trained to be able to listen and understand every single word spoken in church. My mom also got the pamphlet with the days Gospel and helped translate the parts I didnt know.
So, what Im trying to say is that I was impressed. Never in my life had I been so thoroughly convinced that God existed. Italy, unlike ho, is a place of deep-rooted traditions. And that has its pros and cons. But entering a church with a full-on formal tailored kid suit and listening to everything from the first row, waiting to receive the biggest sacrant of your life, was different. It was a unique experience.
It was ditative. It was transcendental.
But it was still figurative. The incredible atmosphere couldnt change the fact that I understood one out of every three words, nor could it hide the sounds of coughing, the bored sighs, and the sneaky glances at the wristwatches.
As I look at this sanctuary of Lauridiana sothing that, from what I understand, is very rare I feel the sa emotions I felt back then. But this ti, its more than real. Theres a palpable aura, a pressure of divinity surrounding the statue. In Amorium, people have cool skills, but most of the ti, everything looks normal. Like, at first glance, you wouldnt know that its a land of fantasy and magic.
But as soon as you entered the hall with Lauridianas sanctuary, allegedly one of the Canti, you would feel it. You would instantly know you were not on Earth. You could even start believing in Gods, with tangible or at least convincing proof.
Very impressive, I say under my breath to Aurelius and his younger brother, Plinius.
They nod, both skittish in the presence of the statue.
Do we know who made this?
No record docunts its creation or any other work done to it. Usually, halls this enchanted and this big require maintenance. As far as Im aware and I have consulted [Archmage] Marcus about it thats never been the case for this place. Its as if it existed outside of ti itself.
Well, doesnt this sound like the creepy place that would give more missions to save the world? You know what.
See ya, Lauridiana, I wave my hand and walk out of the haunted sanctuary.
Both kids imdiately scutter.
I ask them to show around for a little more before telling them that Im done and will go rest. But in truth, I use one of the trinkets that Stan left .
[Invisibility]
[Muffled Step]
I turn the corner and find them walking back to the library.
The Human was weird, Plinius says.
I think he was just stupid, Aurelius answers.
Ouch.
That hurts more than hearing sothing speciesist.
Is he going to stay here?
I dont know, Plin. Its not like he secretly told . You were there with , no?
Fuck you.
I almost snort aloud after hearing the diminutive kid swear.
Fuck you!
No, fuck you!
So far, to be honest, it doesnt seem like they are particularly speciesist. After a more prolonged bout of insults, they calm down. We are almost at the library. This place is ginormous. And it definitely has too many stairs.
Mother will get angry if she finds out we are friends with a Human, Auri.
Fuck mother, Plin. And fuck father, too.
Unless they are two spies trained in counterespionage, that should settle it. Im almost pressing on a communication stone that Stan gave , but then sothing interesting cos out.
So, can we hang out with him? He seems funny.
He cant do much about Appius, Plin.
We should tell Laura, Plinius sulks.
Yeah, go tell her that her boyfriends brother is a big bully. Good luck.
Oh?
Plinius looks down, balling his fists.
Listen, at least we are with [Archmage] Marcus, now, Aurelius sighs. I dont know why we got transferred from the main body, but he cant really bother us much while we are here.
But when I go to the lessons Plinius starts whining.
Hes Appiuss brother, Plin. Being a Prince doesnt change the fact that his brother will be soone we cant offend, not even as royalty. Plus, if Appius marries Laura, hell also be her King.
Well, well, well.
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