Season 03 - Episode 14

‘cause enough snaps’

Ri is thinking.

She's never really done so before, not at length. In the old days, in the comfort of her black cell, she had all the time in the world to think. As she never left her cell however, there was never anything for her to think about.

Then, she did leave and there was altogether too much to think about, terrifying things that appeared at any moment with no reason. There was never enough time to think about all those things.

Now though, in her new life as her new mother's Archangel, she hears and sees things to think about every day and gets the time to do so. Her new robes have an even deeper hood, offering more protection than ever from the hateful world of light. She also has a room of her own, perfectly dark, in which to relax.

Ri spends most of her life in the dark and in control now. The only time she allows herself to lose control, so that everything to slides sideways and becomes hot and red and awful, is when her new mother tells her she must.

She is waiting for her new mother now, standing beside a large, ornate chair at the back of the room, away from the long table in the middle. The chair at the head of that table is empty but around it sit seven women, all in white robes with subtle gold decoration. The women are talking seriously and ignoring Ri.

“And so to the war,” says Diligence. “How goes it, Humility?”

“Well, our move into the Twenty Second has been slightly delayed,” says Humility. “But we'll circle back. Otherwise, everything is going perfectly, as usual. The Orders are still complaining about a lack of weapons and armour though. Charity?”

“It's hardly my fault!” cries Charity, shifting her bulky frame. “My Cherubim are harvesting more than ever but we collect the stuff, we don't distribute it. Gratitude?”

“Don't you dare put this on me!,” snaps Gratitude. “All weapons and armour go to The Seraphim, or do you disagree with the Holy Mother's decree?”

“No!” says Charity quickly, glancing at Ri. “Obviously not. Do you disagree, Humility? Is that why you raised this concern?”

“No, no, no,” says Humility carefully. “You misunderstand. I was simply pointing out that there is discontent among the Orders. Temperance?”

“Huh?” Temperance grunts as if waking up. “Ah c'mon! We're doing the best we can. Public order's a state right now, there's only so much policing can achieve. It's a hearts and minds issue innit? Chastity?”

“Hey!” Chastity leers. “We've got hearts and mind covered, it's their balls we need! If they want to defy the Holy Mother then fuck 'em! It's a matter of military discipline.”

“Under my leadership,” says Humility haughtily. “Military discipline is better than ever The fact is, we have a war to fight and arming our troops can only help our cause.”

“Enough!” snaps Patience from her place opposite the empty chair. “No weapons, nor armour will be distributed to the Orders.”

The others fall into uncomfortable silence and stare down at the table, not one willing to meet Patience's hard, grey stare.

“If they die, they die,” Patience continues, looking hard at each of the others in turn. “This is their purpose and privilege, to martyr themselves for the Holy Mother. The few who prove themselves may be lucky enough to join The Seraphim and play their part in The Great Correction. Nothing is more important than The Great Correction. This is the Holy Mother's word. This is the law. There will be no further discussion of this matter.”

The table falls awkwardly silent.

Ri thinks about the woman's words and about her new mother. Her new mother has been so good to her, has saved her and made her life better in every way. For the first time however, it occurs to her that her new mother is not so kind to everyone else.

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