A Problematic Note
Rebecca and Sirene were deep in one of the archival sections of the library reading old notes, when Rebecca voiced something that had been on her mind.
"Sirene. What exactly did you collect?" Rebecca gestured.
"The little things." Sirene said without looking up. "When history burns, the first thing that's lost is everyday life. Shopping lists. Written notes. Boring stuff. Books are a dime a dozen. A two thousand year old note? That's priceless."
"So what are we looking for in this section then, Sirene?" Rebecca asked as Sirene put down the papers, and they pushed through ever narrower shelves.
"I'm not sure. Isn't that fun?" Sirene asked, looking up and cracking a smile.
Rebecca smiled back. For such an annoyance, Sirene was right on the money at times. Her train of thought was cut off when she noticed a piece of paper sticking out slightly. Idly grabbing it, once her eyes saw the title, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Sirene. Stop." Rebecca said, her mouth slightly agape.
"What is it Rebecca?" Sirene said, turning around and seeing Rebecca's shocked expression.
"This is, no it can't be. Look at this. Am I reading this right? Articles of Dissolution of the Red Republic?" Rebecca asked, handing the papers to Sirene.
Sirene took the papers and glanced over them. Rebecca's translation was close enough. This was it, the original copy. The papers that ended the Rozen Republica. She turned through the few papers quickly, but when she got to the last page, her eyes practically bulged out of her head. There was no signature from the Consul!
"Duchess, we have a problem. A big problem." Sirene said, her hands shaking. "He... he never signed them!"
"He what?" Rebecca demanded.
"There's a note on the back. See?" Sirene pointed at a scribble on the bottom of the otherwise blank back of the paper.
"What's it say?"
The colour drained from Sirene's face when she read the note. "Your ancestor left us a goddamn bomb is what it says. And I quote, this is probably better left unsigned. It might come in handy later. Signed Consul Marcellus Ashe."
"Oh no." The gears were already turning in Rebecca's head, and Sirene could see it.
"The Republic never ended!" Sirene all but shouted. "This is a disaster!"