The way his mother talked about Delilah at home, Lark had expected some incredibly serious, devoted person. Instead he was much more lackadaisical and attentive; if anything it made Lark like him.

Delilah’s kindness sent a flutter through Lark’s chest and he fidgeted. If he was going to act like that and look out for him it would be quite dangerous. He remembered the way his freckles pinched when he smiled.

Giving his head a shake, Lark broke apart the stupid thoughts gathering in his brain.

Unlocking his door Lark relaxed as soon as he had some privacy before looking for the clothes Delilah mentioned. Sure enough, there was a neatly folded heap on the desk by the room phone. Leathers made for travel and easy movement. Next to them was a dagger, onyx black blade meaning it was blessed. Lark ignored it.

Once he was dressed and ready, Lark went to wait in the courtyard for Delilah. How long he would be waiting was still a mystery. No one walked up to him this time, only bowed at him and went on their way. It was difficult to figure out a response so Lark just smiled and nodded back to satisfy them.

As soon as Lark was getting used to not being bothered, a loud voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Oh, this must be the new guy!”

Lifting his head, Lark watched as a pair of Saints marched over to him. They both stopped in front of him and did that thumbs under the eyes gesture. He didn’t do it back.

“So it’s true, huh? Finally a new Saint!”

The shorter Saint, with his green eyes and dirty blonde hair, sounded surprised. He was shorter than his companion and his appearance was sort of unkempt but in an interesting loyal dog sort of way. 

“Finally?” Lark repeated.

“Folks on high were getting worried. It’s been a few years since I was blessed, is all.”

Explained the one Saint, bouncing on his heels. The quiet person standing beside him rolled their eyes at his excitement.

Covering his mouth dramatically, the Saint gasped. “Where are my manners! I’m Samson Herald and this is my good pal Fa Onyx! I used to be the newbie before you showed up!”

The taller one made some hand signs and Lark saw their mouth turn up in a smile despite the mask covering half their face. He also noticed a scar leading from under their one visible eye down under the mask and across their chest. A grim reminder that this job came with some dangerous perks.

“What! Are you kidding me! This guy is still older?” Samson shouted. “Don’t keep treating me like a baby! I’m technically his superior!”

Then he turned to Lark with a crazed look in his eye. “Don’t listen to anything this blockhead says! Their hobby is making fun of me!”

Fa’s signing was full of amusement. “Yes, it’s very easy.” Then they turned to Lark, who could still see the slight smile despite their mouth being hidden. “I hope you’re feeling better? You were out for quite some time.”

With a nod, Lark decided to sign back even if he spoke verbally. “Thank you. I’m… still trying to take it all in but Delilah has been helpful.”

“I’ve never seen Delilah be so freakin’ on top of it. She must think you’re cute or something.” Lark winced at Samson’s comment but didn’t go after it.

“He’s just being helpful. Was he not like that with you?”

Samson shook his head and gestured at Fa. “Orimir showed me around and Fa got Delilah. Was he like that with you?”

Putting a hand to their chin Fa rolled their eyes in thought or annoyance, Lark couldn’t tell. The two were an interesting pair; one belting out every word on his mind with the other calm and observant. “She helped but basically dropped me at the smith and never bothered with anything else.”

Fa pointed over to the forge, their expression suddenly more fond. “If anything Athen helped me more.”

Lark smiled. “I met with her today. Her work is quite impressive.”

Beaming, Fa seemed pleased by the comments despite it not being directed at them. “If I didn’t have to do this job I’d have enjoyed being her apprentice.”

Samson gave them a playful nudge and a wink, to which Fa shoved him and sent the smaller man stumbling to the floor. Lark laughed a little until he heard Delilah’s aggravated huffs.

“What are you two doing to him?” She scowled at her fellow Saints, cuffing the back of Samson’s head. He yelped but didn't seemed to be bothered by it.

“Whoa! Hey, D! Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

Delilah’s face deepened into a grotesque frown, holding up a small box embellished with markings. “Meis is insane and sending Lark on a delivery job.”

Both Samson and Fa looked at her in shock, then to Lark.

“What! Dude just got here! Didn't he wake up like yesterday?” Samson whined. "Usually after the blessing it's good to get a few days rest an all that." He turned to Lark and grimaced, patting the other on his shoulder. "I was cooped up for a week, something about my heart not taking the sudden strain very well." Lark gulped.

Fa put a hand to their chin after signing. “The odd behavior continues.”

“Don’t even get me started! It just gets worse!” All to which made Delilah rub the bridge of her nose. Apprehension sparkling inside him, Lark waited for this even worse news. “It’s to the royal capital of Azure, for one. And! They sent me to a separate job in the city that’s also important so I basically need to send Lark in alone.”

“Can’t you just be with Lark the whole time? What’s the issue?” Samson tilted his head.

“This is to be delivered right to the throne room. While I go to the Citia branch in the city.” Delilah tapped a finger on the box, the rhythmic motion signifying her annoyance. “Meis was complaining that the pool hadn’t been operational in a while so they’re sending me to look into it.”

“Those are scheduled things.” Pointed out Fa with a glare and Delilah nodded.

“That sucks! Lark doesn’t know how to act around royalty.” Bursting into laughter, Samson slapped his knee in a show of it.“Oh gods, he’s going to make a fool of himself!” Overjoyed at the notion of Lark fumbling through the process, Samson had a good chuckle to himself about it.

“I have the most experience dealing with Ammut and they’re sending Lark to do this.” Grumbled Delilah. “Unbelievable.” He shoved the box at Lark, who scrambled to not drop it and hold it close.

As soon as he held onto it, his body thrummed uncomfortably. The box beat like a heart. Looking down at it with wide eyes, Lark felt his hands get clammy.

He didn’t like holding this.

“What’s the matter?” When Lark looked up, Delilah was gazing at him with concern, her brows knit together.

Lark’s voice was strained. “This feels weird.”

“Yeah, it must be some kind of weird artifact. It's for the church in the royal city.” Quirking an eyebrow at the thing and folding his arms, Delilah seemed to be mulling over the situation. He made no move to take it from Lark, though, despite his discomfort. “Everything has to be approved by the King or Queen, though, per the Torchlands agreement with us.”

Relieved Delilah also thought it felt odd, Lark stared at the box.

He still didn’t feel good holding it so he shoved it inside the little travel bag he had been provided. The beating vibrations stopped but there was still an uneasy thrumming.

Clapping Lark on the shoulder, Delilah sighed loudly. He did a lot of that. ”A’right. We gotta get on the road.”

Both Fa and Samson waved, calling after them.

“Have dinner with us sometime! The cafeteria food is actually super good and there’s plenty of restaurants around here.”

“We’d be happy to show you around.”

Lark smiled and waved, having found them both pleasant to talk to. If his fellow Saints were all like that he figured living here would be less painless. They were less serious than he expected, aside from Orimir, and it was comforting. Delilah started mumbling, fixing Lark’s scarf and jacket a bit as he did so. He seemed nervous. “You’ll meet everyone eventually. We have monthly meetings.”

“Do you not get along with who you work with?” Curiously, Lark gave Samson and Fa a curt nod before walking next to Delilah.

Spinning the gold earring he wore, Delilah pursed his lips. “It’s not that.”

“There’s stuff we don’t agree with but even we don’t have the power to change it. Sometimes we but heads over it.” She explained, ending it with a shrug.

“My mom said you were important, though, being the leader of the Saints and all.” Pointed out Lark. "Shouldn't you be able to, I don't know... have more of a say?"

“She’s not wrong, but it doesn't work like that.” That being all she said, the conversation finally got quiet.

Through the increasingly dense hallways and down a few flights of stairs, Delilah led Lark deeper and deeper into the depths of the Cathedral. Pathways lined with blue lights, people bowing, and always feeling as if you were watched.