Several more minutes passed before his stay with Selina ended.
Klein's eyes fluttered open to a scene where his body reclined on the wall behind him and his head leaning on the thick stall.
After freshening up. Instead of quickly exiting the bathroom, he first walked back to the stall he entered and sat on the bowl, blankly staring.
For over half a minute. He faced the ceiling upward, only then did closed his eyes and muttered, Should I tell her about the destiny I saw?
What about her mental health? If possible I don't want to even let her know that such a catastrophe is biding...
Klein did not spoke for awhile. It was only after his expression was softened did he stood up and walked out of the stall, silently exiting the bathroom.
He continued to be fixated with wiping his hands with his handkerchief. At times he would spot a clergymen, those would be when he'll be forced to greet a genial smile.
Such is the hypocrisy and the irony of his current nature and inward conflicts. Klein can't help but stare ahead in absent.
When he finally returned back to the meeting room. There was only Leonard, seated so carefree that his feet stood above the table.
"You should really lessen your salt intake..." Leonard noticed him when he entered and thus believed something have to be remarked.
Klein let out a single dry laugh and asked, "Where's Captain and the rest?"
"They're at the communal area." answered Leonard simply. However, he instantly added, "So what did you talked about with 'Her'? It just wouldn't sit right with me that you stayed that long for a basic excuse."
Klein walked over and took his top hat from the table, following it up with his cane to perfect the mandatory fashion code of a gentleman.
"It was Selina. It regards to our mission and her plan with the Sealed Artifact 3-0137."
The Dream Catcher... Leonard realized and adjusted his posture a bit. Where his foot no longer by the top of the table. "What's this about 3-0137?"
"Selina and I planned that with the Goddess's aid, allow her to siphon the dreams within the dreamcatcher into herself. That way, she can safely investigate them, if something occurs she'll be safe with the Goddess." Klein explained as he fished his pocket watch out and ruminated about the time he'll escort Selina for dinner.
Leonard scoffed slightly, "Plan to discover the dreams stored in 3-0137? Even if 'She' can preserve her immaterial body. I doubt knowledge itself can be safeguarded.
"Do you know the major causes of our peer's lost of control? It's that they discovered something they shouldn't."
"...I trust Selina." Klein took moments before answering half-confidently.
Leonard paused and his eyebrows curled with interest. Then, he opened a knowing smile as he asked, "Seems like discovery isn't the only reason. Putting that much faith would certainly raise an epiphany. So, what do you plan on using those dreams? Make charms? Use it as a power?
"Huh... I'm even surprised you can harness dreams for other uses..."
Klein sighed slowly and recalled a certain trait of the Dreamcatcher. "During the handling. There's two key things in using it.
"First, never stare directly for longer than ten seconds. To catch a dream of someone sleeping, the target has to be caught in its light, leading to their arms sleep walking and reaching for the flames. Royale noted that although it hurts, there was no signs of burns appearing on her skin."
Leonard stopped uttering any more words and instead listened with intrigue.
"It's a standard Grade 3 Sealed Artifact." Klein remarked, however, he added quickly, "But there's something about its description that made me thought of harnessing it.
"Its origin was unknown, creation was unknown and most importantly, it had been storing dreams for millennia."
It meant it could have a terrifying dream within, worth making a charm for.
Klein already had a rough idea over how to harness dreams. In his divination where it revealed Mrs. White's true identity, Her husband the Giant King seemed to manifest dreams from an illusory, conceptual starry river.
Combined with Mrs. White's powers, the two blended to form an object with dense patterns swirling around it. It allowed the infant who was staring at Klein to be at ease, before falling asleep.
This revelation hinted at the utilization of dream transfer and the overwhelming powers of deities.
Mrs. White must've sensed my divination at the time... Klein's heartstrings was tugged when he figured that out.
It would explain why the parents did not bother bat an eye to his prying and instead, it was the child that sensed him.
Leonard stayed silent for quite some time. When he raised his foot again on the table, he said, "Even if we can harness dreams. The procedure would be very complicated, or perhaps you already know how?"
Klein answered, "Yeah, but it's hypothetical."
He thought of mediumship. A variant. A kind that allows for siphoning instead of prying. Being only thought by a Mystery Pryer made him thought of a few, unescapable cons of being lectured by Old Neil.
Klein is unsure, and so he asked for insights to the people he thought might know. Like Mr. Azik, where now his response letter had arrived, currently in Selina's drawer.
"It's hypnotical, one that is very risky and could endanger our teammate." Leonard lightly scoffed.
And you don't think I've read the terms and conditions over and over? Klein lampooned in his heart as he stood up.
Then just as he turn for the door, he said to Leonard, "Selina and I will be needing your help again."
"What for?" Leonard slowly propped himself from the chair before flexing is wrist in a circle.
"To suggest Captain to use 3-0137 and bide some time for Selina to use the turquois seed in signaling us." replied Klein while adjusting the crease of his dark waistcoat before walking toward the rack with his cane and top hat.
Leonard brought his hands down and said, "So you really intend to use the stored dreams as a source of power for a charm. Why are you guys preparing so much?"
Suiting up, Klein flailed the side of his coat and fixed its place on his body. He then adjusted its cuffs, staying silent until he donned his top hat.
He replied in a deep voice, "Because I refuse to idle when it comes to Selina's safety."
This matters doesn't only concern her, but the whole city could be at risk. The deity behind Morroy desiring her blood, the secret organization Rose School of Thought planning to retrieve her, their disharmonious fate, and the coincidences.
Leonard wasn't one to relate to such agency before. However, he do understand the matter revolving around not only Selina.
Thus, he simply exhaled before stopping next to Klein. "I know about the coincidences as well."
Klein's face twitched for a split-second and he smiled. Then why bother asking? Have the dusts finally settled completely in your head?
"Heh, I should've expected that reason from you." Leonard opened the door and as he exit, he added, "I'll help."
...
It was at the stage of screening.
This is meant to cleanse spiritual animosities of the mass. It is also acts as an excuse to allow interrogation from the clerics. A stage that is a last optional procedure after the Requiem Hymn of the Evernight which had took place earlier.
Klein, clad in a clergy robe, stood next to Frye in the confession hall.
On his hand was a wide porcelain bowl, presenting night flowers alongside Frye who held the donation box.
After speaking with Archbishop Monelaid, Dunn was tasked for the subtle interrogation inside the booth, meanwhile the flowers that Klein is displaying entice believers to confess their welling emotions behind the curtains.
This is because these flowers were blessed by Archbishop Monelaid. As for the donation box, it is entirely unaffected.
Klein resisted the urge and he kept glancing at the passing believers.
Nothing notable happened. And just as the people walked passed the hall, he had already counted roughly thirteen of them entered.
An old man, smeared faintly with coal, had a old woman following him who's coughing mildly. Klein recalled Old Neil as he saw this.
This stingy, gentle, and kind lecturer has been under the weather recently, he can't place finger, but somehow under Selina's findings. Old Neil's ether body is under heavy crimson influence.
"May the Goddess bless you." he spoke softly and solemnly.
He watched with whirring thoughts, a child with gray cap, thin structure and sewn brown coat. He stride toward the confession curtains.
Klein blankly eyed on the kid, but snapped with Leonard next to the booth greeted the kid.
Is that the boy from Selina's story? he asked inwardly.
From Selina's recollection of yesterday. She mentioned of a commission, where Leonard met a child named Thiyan who's brother stole a jewelry.
Klein could vividly tell Selina's reaction to it, thus Klein took note of it, as he always do with the people she knows. After all, one of them could be an enemy again.
Thiyan... their mother have terminal illness...
Regrettably, from Klein's memory of the deceased people Frye and his team had cleansed this morning. There was little no child among them.
Which was reasonable, rumor referred to a midnight between two and three. Minor paupers need energy for another tomorrow. Therefore, children would often be seen broad daylight and would rest thoroughly.
Klein sealed his lips and moved on to tending the following believers.
He's not a saint. However, he's not cold-hearted either. He hoped that Leonard lodging a report, could the officials pay attention to these kids. Practical school program will commence under the Saint Selena Church, Thiyan and his brother would have to be sheltered by the Church's orphanage.
...
Bathed in the streaks of golden orange light.
Hours after lunch had ended, Selina was left with nothing but spare documents, confidential notes and medicine restocks.
Some of it that she procured would reach the Holy Church, while majority ends up in her team's arsenals. Goddess's Gaze, well-spring, and tranquility are what Dunn and the rest frequently bring.
Walking toward the sofa in the surface break room, Selina spotted the ticking wall clock and took note of the time.
Today's another session, a meeting of the Tarot Club members.
As Miss Lovers. She had many things to question for Mr. Fool, Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man to answer. Therefore, she's expectant.
Not only that, Mr. Fool had officially dubbed Miss Lovers as one of "His" blessed alongside Klein. Selina became secured on returning due to that.
Setting aside the differences of the day, she placed the empty mug on the table with a pleasant mind and lied down on the sofa. Prior to this, she had already notified everyone that she'll take a short nap.
Dang! The clock struck 2:58.
Selina waited under the streaks of sunlight coursing from the windows. When she saw a bright point of crimson light engulfing her, she closed her eyes.
...
In the grand edifice. Towering masts of pillars held a dome that encapsulates a twenty-two seated, mottled bronze table.
Three crimson stars surged and manifested a form of man with deep-blue seaweed like hair, a blonde woman clad in a dress and a silver-haired lady in a formal waistcoat.
Selina had only just surveyed the familiar surrounding, and similar to Miss Justice, she noticed an addition to their roster.
"This is our newest member, his code name is Sun."
"This is Miss Justice, Miss Lovers and Mr. Hanged Man."
Mr. Fool's voice echoed.
Newest member? Audrey was shocked at first, then her shock immediately turned to joy.
She was very excited to see the development of the Tarot Club. She felt like a protagonist.
The Hanged Man Alger creased his brows, a little upset that The Fool would drag in a new member so suddenly.
He should've at least mentioned it to us... But a great figure like Mr. Fool wouldn't have to care about our feelings... He thought in exasperation before giving a simple greeting to Lovers, Justice and Sun.
The Lovers Selina stayed quiet. Inwardly, a bout of interest made her eyes glued to The Sun.
The Tarot Club is growing, how pleasant... but I do recommend toning it down, I fear that it won't be long for our little rendezvous to be discovered...
She has yet to become Sequence 8, of course she would be extremely wary if the Tarot Club became known worldwide when she's still incapable.
In the span of her thoughts, Audrey entered her Spectator state and paid close attention to the newest member Sun.
"He should be quite young... His body language tells me that he's a little nervous and restrained... But he ultimately maintains a tolerable air of silence, giving the feeling of, hmm, a lone wolf, yes, a lone wolf..." Audrey thought as she cast her gaze at The Fool who was seated at the end of the long bronze table.
She said in joy, "Mr. Fool, I've collected another two pages of Emperor Roselle's diary."