Ami was taken aback. 

She had a huge and growing desire to sit down on the floor with her bags and try to digest what she had heard. 

It wouldn't hurt to take the bags off anyway. It might make things a little easier. But only a little. 

She knew it would be like that! And now it was over before it had even begun. 

Hello again, Ami's luck. Definitely nothing to be surprised about.

- No... I had to read clothes, but I was... in a hurry. The Chiefment didn't give me any details because... it's not nice to reveal the sins of your Department, but otherwise the blame will fall on me... In short, they've once again kicked a case that doesn't directly affect our city down the road. And frankly, I don't understand how they even remembered it...

- Because we asked them directly if they were going to take part in the programme or if they were going to put off answering forever.

- Ah. That explains a lot... So... there's an answer.

- And... it's "no"?

"It's "rotten pokers"..."

Ami snorted annoyingly. 

"The Fertility Festival. No surrender, no retreat. No choice."

Blood rushed to her cheeks.

- Look… I'm... an operative. An enforcer. An escort... But by no means a secretary. 

The chronically misfortuned Kantinian exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself down.

"Wait. Maybe there’s an option? Perhaps we can ask for another job? We have to try, we just have to."

Then she added with a snigger:

- You wouldn't be able to work either... My bosses just ignored the details, as usual. I’ll explain… Our Secretary won't give up his seat to anyone. He doesn't allow anyone to manage his Archives, and even seals them when he's off. "So that no mischief can be done here".

- Oh, I totally understand him! I feel the same way, sometimes I can't go into my room after a festival - there are piles of plates on the floor, adding up to work for a small cycle. Ah... Oh, my! - Lucille suddenly sounded horrified. - I'm the one who has to do the operational work now?! That would be… very weird. I'm not cut out for it. I don't really like unnecessary fuss and bustle... even avoiding the Temple's combat training in Moki's company. It's just not necessary... It's pretty quiet in Omill. That creepy, traumatising stuff will never come in handy here. 

It seems that neither of them wanted to be in the other's shoes.

- Oh, don't worry. - the service woman brushed it off. - The same goes for the Kantine. There's no more serious business than someone stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere or got in a tavern brawl. And there's a lot of Order people ready to deal with it. Some even think it's... fun.

- Fun?!

- Don't look at me. I don't find anything funny about it either.

- Oh, great. - Lucy smiled sympathetically.

- And I haven't done anything more dangerous than counting caravan sacks and inspecting trampled fields. The most exciting thing was chasing a crazy townswoman through the woods after she escaped from Temple Hospital. Everything there is boring... and boring.

- But reassuring. - exhaled the Archivist. - The crazy townswoman doesn't inspire much confidence, though...

- The others can do it. She was unarmed and only a danger to herself anyway. The most important job will be to be the judge in a dispute between a couple of pissed-off townsfolk - whose vegetables are bigger. Well, you know Kantine. 

Lucy nodded happily.

- I know Kantine. I have relatives there. I used to go there on festivals when I was young. Vegetable fights a timeless Kantinian classic. And nothing has changed, as I see. 

- Yes. They're stupidly true to their traditions.

The women fell into thoughtful silence for a moment.

- Well... if you refuse, then I won't have to do any of this anyway. - The Omillian looked at her interlocutor questioningly. - As I understand it, I wouldn't see my relatives. That's too bad. I miss them.

- This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make, Lucy. I really don't want to see MY relatives. At least for a while. - Ami grinned bitterly. - So we come here with our bags and head back to Cantine with them. I suspected something like this would happen... Show me the good life and quickly slam the door in my face. Not surprised, though.

- Alrighty. I gravitate towards operational work either. 

- It's a really bad idea. Not talking about me losing my skills and patience here... - Ami shook her hands nervously. - With my level of Omillian... Yes, I can understand what's written much better than what's said, I can work with documents a bit. A little. Because I can't say that I understand a lot in general. And I'm only a reader here, because as a non-witch I write on cloth and have no idea how to burn the text on the tablets like you do.

- I don't think you'll have to do much writing yourself... But you have to keep a journal. What we are doing here is more like compiling and cataloguing what someone else has already written. And here are the spines on every tablet. Read them if you're lost. Your language skills are quite good for a Kantinian, I must say... My auntie doesn’t know a word in Omillian.

- And even incredibly proud of it. - Amelia added knowingly.

The secretary chuckled.

- Yes. That's why I need to know your language. It's for my own good, you know. I don't want to find myself helpless in a foreign city.

- That's a good point. I wish my people were at least half-conscious like that. But it's easier to pass off laziness or stupidity as love for the city. 

- Well... they're too busy tending their fields.

- Yes. Big muscles, small brains, lots of problems to deal with because of two previous treats, no time to learn. I don't blame them for being the way they are. 

- Actually, you do! - Lucy chuckled. - So... how did you learn the Omillian? And why? Did you live in Omill? Or visit your relatives here?

- If only I had a family here... I would already be your colleague. I learned the language almost by accident from books I found. Then I practised a bit during my work trips. Because I wanted to get away from my Kantine relatives. It’s… a long story. There's nothing complicated about Omillian and Primish, in my opinion. The most complicated thing is to find non-agricultural books in Kantene.

- Look. Milo's back. Just in time. - Lucy pointed to the entrance.

- Alive and in one piece... Surprising. - Ami commented after a Head of the Truth Department walked by.

- Are you talking about his little fight with Finnian? Yes. I'm always amazed at how he does it, but he always does it. He's a real diplomatic genius.

Secretary waved to the Head of the Temple Complex's Truth Squad returning to his office. 

As he approached, Ami noticed that the edges of this Head's hat were slightly darkened. But it was unclear if this was happening to them now or if such incidents were commonplace for Milo and his headdress.

- Would he even bother about my problems in a state like this? - Amelia frowned.

- Of course he would. This situation is habitual for him. And an exchange is also an important matter for our Temple Chiefment. Let's go.

Amelia left her heavy bags near the Archive and followed the secretary with an inner shudder.

Lucy took the stupidly standing guest by the hand, led her to a Сhief's office, made some sort of quick gesture and, after a moment of waiting, entered, dragging Amelia inside.

- Milo! - Lucy addressed him as soon as they entered. - Meet our guest. The replacement from the Kantine. Amelia. And she wants to go back already.

- Because of Finnian? - The Omillian sighed wearily. - He didn't...

- No. - the Secretary shook her head. - Because of a misunderstanding. No one had explained to Ami what she would be doing here. She's never worked in the Archives before, and she's not sure if she's up to it. And me, she says, I'm going to be an operative in Kantine! That's something I'm not ready for. Physically. I haven't even been running for an Aeon.

Luckily Lucy took on the responsibility of explaining the situation, giving Amelia some time to rest and focus… Then nodded to the boss and left the office. 

Leaving the Kantinian on her own again.

- I seeeeee... - Milo sighed and scratched his hat thoughtfully after Lucille had left them. - Is it really that bad?

Milo sank down tiredly at his desk. 

But he looked even relaxed now, as if this furniture could protect him from all the trouble on the Mainland... Who knows. Maybe it could. 

Second most powerful artefact. After his protective hat.

"Focus."

- Are... are we talking about me? - Ami was forced to remember why she was here and why she should speak. - I'm no more physically or mentally ready for secretarial work than Lucille.

- I know you're a courier. I remember you well. It's a similar job. Soooo... Any suggestions? Coffee?

The Station Master gestured for the visitor to sit down and begin her dismal tale. She did so, panting and struggling to find the right words, to pull them out, to find them among the scattered fragments of thought in her head.

- Thanks... - Ami shook her head negatively, remembering the diuretic properties of the insidious green beverage. - Later.

She was already stressed out, it seemed she would soon have this problem in a natural way. She was about to panic.

The world was already full of surprises, and one more would surely be unnecessary. 

- And they’re not similar. I'm... an operative. An enforcer. An escort... And this... This is different! It's about moving around a lot and being a bit of an adrenaline junkie. You see? I'm... not cut out to be a secretary. I definitely... won't survive sitting down. Or your Station won't...

Her cheeks blushed even more than before, which made her more embarrassed and blushed even more... This cycle never ends. 

Amelia made a mad, desperate gesture.

- …It's so dumb! I mean... It's... Gee! Why does anyone need a foreign Secretary?! So stupid...

She paused, realising that she had just called the leaders of all the Mainland's  Temples "stupid".

- Idea’s not mine. - peacefully reminded Milo, listened attentively to the confused explanation. - Ask Sandra and others. But I guess that’s the point. The Kantinian Secretary has to work with all documents without problems and misunderstandings. We expected your leaders to send someone who knew Omillian. Our Secretary knows Kantinian. If your professions were compatible, it could work.

- I'll tell you something about the viability of the idea in general... You're very lucky to be talking to the Kantinian, you know? And we're talking about my Homelands now, where people are super focused on their fertility and their crops. Sometimes I even think we're speaking different languages. And if you speak in non-Kantinian not about crops… you're just making meaningless, inarticulate sounds to them. That's all.

After her irritated tirade, she paused to catch her breath and find her next words.

Milo listened attentively and did not interrupt.

- So... - the Kantinian continued. - Back to our current case. Yes. We're talking. But my level of knowledge isn't sufficient to work with documents. Or people. I... can understand Omillian. I can read and even write a little. But I can't burn anything on the tablets, that's for sure. I'm not a witch.

Milo nodded thoughtfully.

- Hmm... What can I say? We expected a non-witch to come. We wanted to see if the non-wizards could adapt to working here with us. We assumed also that a witch working side by side with others in the Department of Order would show them we’re not hostile or scary and make them change their mind about us and our cooperation. "To improve mutual understanding, to facilitate the exchange of experience and documentation," were the stated aims. I can add that we need to work together to at least be more effective.

- Don't send Finnian. - Ami chuckled. - I'm not sure about the hostility... but he's frightening.

Milo winced.

- He's not the most cooperative witch on the Mainland. And... the Temples need him, like it or not.

"He clearly doesn't like him. However, he has every reason to do so.”

- I… don’t know him personally. Though, send him. Lucy is too nice for our Lands, I’d feel sorry for her. The Kantian Order Department isn't about cooperation either, and it's much easier to burn them than to deal with them. As for cooperation... There could be no “mutual understanding” without “mutual interests” and “benefits”. Omillians and Kantinians have no common interests. On the contrary. No aliens - there are no people to be friends against. They really like to be “special” and “insulted”. Their ground low self-esteem has barely found that excuse, and they can't afford the luxury of giving up their illusion of superiority. Well, Finnian or not, they wouldn't cooperate with foreigners... at least not on a voluntary basis. Co-operation requires a developed mind and normal self-esteem; one tries to understand the others, not to disregard them or to belittle them for imaginary invented shortcomings. Such an ability is not available in our cruel Lands, because the harder life is, the less resources our brain give to secondary things like observation and research. Kantinian life isn't so hard in the last great cycles, but I have the feeling that they deliberately make it harder for themselves so that they don't learn. What was I saying... lose that hope once and for all. It's a hopeless case. They wouldn’t grow enough to cooperate in the near Aeon. Hire me as a consultant and expert on Kantine. You'll save a lot of time and effort.

Amelia snorted cheerfully.

Talking about abstract categories, which was her favourite pastime, made her feel a little more at ease.

Milo looked a little embarrassed to hear so many words from someone who was usually so quiet, almost a deaf-mute. 

But he didn't look annoyed. That's a good sign. At least he's patient. A rare virtue. Lucy was right about him.

- Well... I see. At least... We still were hoping for some progress... With the other cities on the Mainland.

The Station Chief fell silent in thought.

- It's definitely worth trying with others. Kantine as hopeless as my own situation as its part. - Amelia signed. - Somehow I knew it would be a short trip. I hadn't even packed much. I knew I'd be on my way back soon. Not because I didn't want to stay here, I was ready to leave Kantine even for a short time. I just knew something would go wrong… For some reason. 

She nodded to herself, staring thoughtfully through the wall into the distance. Ami was so engrossed in her favourite subject that she forgot her shyness and despair.