Tarot deck

There are people who are dangerous as enemies. There are people who are dangerous as friends. Makube seemed to combine that — he was as a dangerous enemy as he was a friend. And he was a friend, alright. Sometimes Enrico imagines himself as the Sun. He is in the center of his own Universe and he is the Sun. Planets are rotating around him. There are planets of the inner circle — Alex, Yumie, and Heinkel. There are outer planets, the Iscariots, people Maxwell works with and whose wellbeing is of interest to him. And there is Makube. He isn’t a planet, he is a comet. He would appear, shine and disappear again. But Maxwell always knows Azaraku is bound to come back. “I saw a demon in the disguise of a priest! And his eyes were cold as ashes, and his name is Makube!”. An enthusiast is worse than a fool. And hysterical notes in the voice of this young fool can gradually make him a dangerous fool. “Makube is a friend of mine. We share the same passion for serving the Lord and Holy Church,” Enrico says in his silky voice that is sweet and soothing. To be fair, they share many other passions as well. “I am sure that whatever you saw, you saw it wrong,” Maxwell’s tone is calm and gentle, and this young priest who can’t believe he’s actually speaking with the leader of that mysterious 13th department, desperately wants to give in to the serene tranquility that father Enrico seems to radiate. “You know how deceiving our eyes can be…” “I saw him walk through the wall,” the priest speaks dreamily but now there is something else in his voice. The doubt. “Did you, really?” Yes. The doubt blossoms in the priest’s eyes, and there is hope as well. Because no one wants to have their world shaken. “I… I am not sure anymore but… he seems so pale, so… so… ethereal!” “He surely is a man, not a ghost,” Maxwell chuckles. “And he is pretty… tangible. Though I wouldn’t recommend touching him. For one, it would be just rude…” Makube never walks through walls. He always knocks on the doors and jokes that “the ones like us should be granted permission to walk in”. Maxwell is patiently waiting for the moment when this joke becomes old… it never does. The things Enrico does notice… is that after Makube’s visits any plants occasionally left in his office die in a day or so. And pigeons… those disgusting creatures all the tourists enjoy feeding so much — they are positively terrified by Makube. Enrico can always tell when Makube is approaching if they agree to meet somewhere outside because pigeons suddenly and quickly fly away for no apparent reason… and a few minutes later Makube appears with his polite smile that has the sweetness of formalin in it. Enrico lets the young priest go and assures him to see into this matter. “They made you the leader of Iscariot.” “And you are mad about that choice.” “No. I am displeased…” “But?” “Why did you think there was but?” “It’s either a but or buttocks. I sense such things.” Makube laughs. He has beautiful laughter. “So?” “I am displeased. But I will wait.” That might sound like a warning… but intuitive as he is, Enrico senses no threat from this man. “How old are you really?” “My file will give you all the answers you seek.” They both know that his file will tell nothing. “When you are finally done waiting, Makube…” “Yes?” “Take care of everything. And everyone.” “Yes.” These are the last words they speak to each other before Maxwell leaves for the 9th Crusade.