Aster: We’re cutting Sirius a deal.

Ume: You’re what? With everything that he’s done?

Aster: The problem is Ume, aside from what happened the day he was arrested, we don’t have anything on him. Even then it’s a stretch. Altair refused to press any charges against him… or to even testify as a witness. She saying it was self defense on his part…and since both of you fired your weapons… You can see where this is going, right?

Ume: We had Valerian’s confession. He admitted to hiring Sirius to dispose of people.

Aster: A confession that the only record we have of is your testimony after the fact. There’s no video, no report, no signed paperwork. For all we know it didn’t happen.

Ume: Shittake…

Walnutburg Cathedral – 5:23 p.m

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. You can plan all you want, but in the end… we never really how things are going to turn out.

We’re all just pawns to fate, being moved about the board of life wherever it sees fit. All of your hopes, expectations… plans… they’re nothing more than dust in the wind.

I never expected to end up here.

But life isn’t ever what it seems…

The people around you aren’t always who you expect them to be.

Everyone has secrets… agendas…their own ideas about how things are “supposed to be.”

Is this how things are “supposed” to be? 

Altair: Wild classmates, huh? Any of them manage to catch your eye.

Clover: With my class load? Who has time for dating? [laughs]

Altair: Sure, but don’t forget to have fun while you’re there too.

Clover: Okay, okay mom.  Enough about me though. Where is this mystery man that stole my other half away from me?

Altair: He’s around here somewhere. Provence dragged him off. 

Clover: That’s good that they get along well.

Altair: Yeah… they’re like two peas in a pod. Especially when they can gang up on me. They’re quite the unstoppable duo.

Clover: Oh no!

Altair: It’s really helped with the transition for her a lot.