[b][color=f6989d]Sister Marta Rocha[/color]

Intermission Five - Aftermath of Victory

Municipality of Lubao, Pampanga Province, Philippines[/b]

"[color=f6989d][i]...sempre me rege, me guarda, me governa e me ilumina. Amém.[/i][/color]"

Sunlight streaked into the shaded building, filling in the grooves on wood-carved reliefs. The space within is quiet, save for the occasional footstep or sound from without the walls. A figure lies knelt upon her pew, her knees occasionally fidgeting, her hands running over a metal rosary, her murmured prayers audible to passersby. Despite her anxious clumsiness, her tone is steady and calm, each prayer offered with metronomic constancy and precision.

A loud ringing emanates from the campanary, interrupting her meditative trance. Birds roosting outside are sent flying from the surprise, their shadows passing by the windows and temporarily obscuring the beautiful altarpiece.

The sister breathes deep and stands up, a hand rising to adjust the veil of her habit, hands brushing over clipped hazel bangs of hair. She stops for a second, as if trying to build up energy, and after checking that no one is looking, does a spot of shadowboxing against the wall.

[color=f6989d]"Right, good to go."[/color] One uppercut later, she was flying out the church doors and to a meeting she's sure to arrive somewhat late to...