Zeroth Directive

Archive II

Certain strange rumors came to our attention as HR performed its background check on Operator Ripresa. When we inquired with Operator Bellone on this, he simply smiled and said, 'She's good to her famiglia.' The theater that the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra had partnered with was closed for investigation following the murder of the musician Paola Memminger, forcing the orchestra to seek out other venues in Nuova Volsinii. Their agreement with the new theater was initially only a temporary lease, but extra costs were incurred as rehearsals intensified, which were borne by the venue under the rental agreement. Meanwhile, the orchestra would have difficulty finding a new venue on short notice if the agreement were terminated, locking the two parties in a stalemate. Rather than avoid the issue, Ripresa set about reviewing rehearsal records and expenses incurred, putting together a list of the extra costs and incorporating them into their budget in her capacity as the orchestra's representative. It was not an easy decision for an orchestra in transition, and Ripresa had to redistribute a budget that was already tight to begin with, incurring additional risks in the process, but she decided to take on the expense knowing that the orchestra risked more than monetary loss if the partnership were terminated. In interviews, HR learned that the venue was surprised by her decision. It kept the partnership intact, and the two sides began negotiations on future billing and usage. While a stable long-term partnership is as yet uncertain, the pressing issues have been resolved without escalation, as Ripresa has consistently done in any matter involving the orchestra's interests. At the end of the investigation, we were still unable to clearly define her actions. She did not seem to be trying to expand her influence, but rather appeared to take on responsibility for any issue as a matter of habit, acting less like a representative and more like a... 'That petite Caprinae resolved the conflict between the vicious foreigners and our famiglia like the Godmother!' While inputting the data, the investigator could not help but recall certain rumors from the early stages of the investigation.

Archive III

One consistent theme from our interviews with members of the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra was that many of them had begun to identify themselves as Nuova Volsinians, or more specifically as 'members of the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra of Nuova Volsinii'. Most of them came to Siracusa as exiles from Leithanien, harboring both bitterness towards Leithanien and wariness towards Siracusa. They struggled in Siracusa's cities despite their talents in music and Arts, and many even gave up on music. After all, music that was rejected by Leithanien would not necessarily fare much better in Siracusa. It was only when Paola Memminger brought them together that they finally found their home. After her death, the members faced uncertainty about more than just personnel or venue, but also about their own futures. They mentioned that, for the first time, they were faced with the reality that without a steady anchor holding it all together, they could dissolve and scatter at any moment. Leaving was always a realistic option. Things changed when Ripresa took over. She did not attempt to define the orchestra's identity, nor did she emphasize to its members what they ought to represent. She simply performed the duties that seemed mundane, but were very important: ensuring that rehearsals continued on schedule, checking the details of their rental agreements with venues, and making contingency plans to avoid potential conflict. As things began to settle down, something changed subtly in the mentality of the members, nudging them towards putting down roots in the city. The members offered various answers when we asked the reason, but they all pointed to the same thing: Liesel was here, and she would conduct them tomorrow. Notably, this shift in identity did not come from any clear gesture of acceptance by the city, but from the orchestra itself. For its members, 'Schwarzervorhang' was no longer just a collection of musicians, but a community they lived in, one in which they did not have to explain where they came from, nor constantly prepare for where to go next. For what was perhaps the first time since they left Leithanien, the people who came together because of Paola had a home, one that they did not need to check on constantly, and one that was not easily lost. All thanks to the leadership of Paola's foster daughter.

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