Work Text:
1100, July 6, 03:16 P.M.
"Federico, you're getting off in the evening and will be in Laterano for a while, right?"
"Yes, Doctor."
"I was thinking of going to the Notarial Hall at Pagus Faber the afternoon the day after tomorrow, perhaps we could meet if our schedules happened to cross?"
Federico, who was organizing his papers in preparation for handing over his assistant duties, nodded.
"My schedule can be adjusted. Have you changed your plans? I recall the visit was originally scheduled for tomorrow."
"Uh-huh. We had a lot of business to discuss while docked around Laterano, but I was informed at the last minute that tomorrow is a temporary holiday, and it would be difficult to conduct business even if I were to visit."
"I see, and I am sorry."
Doctor was in the middle of loading the processed material into the backup scanner when they glanced back at Federico with a quizzical look.
"Not that you should be sorry about. or you suddenly remembered that you had another appointment? It's unusual of you."
"No, it is because I am the one who declared tomorrow a temporary holiday in Laterano."
"......Wait, now that must be an interesting story."
The birthdays of successive popes have been recognized as high days, and many events are held on them. On the current pope's birthday, for example, the pope may step out onto a balcony to lead an outdoor mass with the public, dessert coupons may be distributed from the tops of cathedrals, and precious patron firearms used by the greatest of all time may be on public display. It's a loose, carefree affair, more like a festival with just the slightest hint of reverence; yet, the most important ceremonies result from millennia of refined catechesis. But how do you celebrate the birthday of a saint who isn't a pope?
The noble priests of Laterano debated for half a year, starting shortly after Federico's ordination, and decided to leave the final decision to Federico himself. And Saint Federico wasted no time in ending the utility of the beautiful proposal document ― covered in red foils, indigo ribbons, and several prestigious seals ― in 25 seconds. He scanned the document from top to bottom, then answered with a simple gesture of putting the paper down on the round table.
"Considering the overall time to prepare, the number of people needed, and the economic impact, I think a national holiday makes the most sense out of the list presented."
The next topic on the table, which came up almost immediately, was: "Should the letter to Saint Federico have a formalized form?" Federico voted among the Cardinals. 'Negative.'
Doctor chuckled as they chose which of the scanned documents to shred and which to keep. This Sankta who doesn't joke around strangely makes those around him smile every time.
"Okay, that's a huge story, and it's much more interesting that you tell it in a way that doesn't sound huge at all."
Federico handed the doctor the next set of documents to scan.
"I do not get the 'huge' impression, but I do recognize the impact. After the holiday was announced, I heard a lot of appreciation from my colleagues in the Notarial Hall. I have also gotten fair amount of comments that they would prefer we keep the same policy next year, so I am considering it in a positive light."
Doctor sent a wistful smile in a vague direction for a moment. Okay, then he's a saint of the public officials. If your coworker earned a holiday, naturally he'd be a hero, even if the reason is a bit too dramatic.......
"So the reason you said you're getting off is for a relevant event?"
"Yes. It is going to be more of a conclave with His Holiness, the cardinals, and a few bishops, to be exact. There will be discussions about whether this holiday will be a one-off or an official annual fête. We have no precedent to refer to, so we should decide with discretion."
It's a meeting of Laterans, so there will be plenty of cake and dessert, but it seems far from a birthday party. The idea of an entire nation debating the value of the day he was born would make most people cringe, but Federico doesn't seem to mind at all, just as he did when he was appointed as Saint. It seems like just another busy day than his usual routine. Doctor shrugged, as they decided to match Federico's nonchalant attitude.
"That's a shame. Actually, Ch'en's birthday is also tomorrow. I was thinking of having a little party for people with the same birthday if both of you happen to be on the Landship tomorrow. Oh, it's still a secret for her."
"I see. Please tell her that I wish her a happy birthday, even though I will not be able to tell her on the day."
Doctor sensed the implications of Federico's words. The common cognition that birthday wishes are most meaningful when said on the day of. Federico clearly understands the value of celebrating one day out of the three hundred and sixty days that time has arbitrarily divided.
No doubt many people in his life have blessed him in time. They must have gently put a hand on the puzzled young Federico's shoulder and woven into the fabric of his mind the message - that you are to be celebrated for being born and alive, and that is why the day you were born was chosen as the day to celebrate your existence. Tomorrow he will be twenty-six years old, with those affectionate words etched into his personality. Doctor was reminded of how much love it takes to make a man a man.
"......I will definitely tell her. I can't wait to see her surprised. Then do you have any private plans after the meeting?"
"If I can get home in time, I am going to have dinner with my uncle."
"That's nice, a birthday with family...... Wait, you might be working until evening?"
"It is unlikely that the meeting will end before 18:00."
"You gave every other citizen a day off...... Yet the birthday guy has to work all day long?"
Federico tilted his head, thinking about what the Doctor had said, and then corrected them.
"It was one of several options proposed by the Cardinals as a collective decision, and I simply chose it. If I had been away from Laterano on mission, the final decision would have been left to them or His Holiness, and given the short deadline and the circumstances, I think anyone would have made the same decision. It is hard to say that I 'gave' anything in particular to the citizens."
"You say it was just a work as usual, and you weren't asking for anybody's gratitude? I get it, but I still think the meeting could've been postponed a day or so instead of the birthday day. It would've been nice if the Curia had some flexibility......"
"I am the one who suggested it."
Yeah, here is the embodiment of inflexibility.
"The discussions have already been delayed considerably, and the haste with which this temporary holiday was set up is a result of that delay. Partly because I have been away frequently on foreign missions, which has kept me out of touch with the Curia's progress."
For Federico, who feels comfortable with the rules and regulations, it is possible that he'd be more willing to tie up stalled issues that surround him than to rest. With a word of 'suggestion,' the young saint can summon virtually every high priest in Laterano, even on a holiday. In doing so, he has given himself the gift of order. From that perspective, it's a spectacular birthday present, befitting to a saint.
"Hm. I guess you did the right decision, and I hope it'll be wrapped up in time."
Federico nodded and put the last stack of papers into the scanner like any other secretary. The Doctor's office, always cluttered with papers, was now much more organized.
"I do not think I have any work to hand over to the next assistant, Doctor. Do you mind if I leave?"
"No. Thanks for all of your hard work over the past few days. I'll see you the day after tomorrow, if your schedule allows."
"There is no problem with communication within the Laterano territory, so please contact me before departing."
"Okay. Happy birthday in advance, Federico."
Federico bowed briefly, then raised his head again. His face remained expressionless. But in his mind, the circuits carefully etched into his memory by countless people are functioning. He understands the goodwill and well-wishes that people put into those words when naming and celebrating a day that, from the point of view of the continuum of life, is devoid of any difference.
"Thank you. ......May I ask you one last question before I leave?"
"By all means."
"When would be an appropriate date for me to wish you a happy birthday or similar anniversary, Doctor?"
It was a delicate and interesting question. Perhaps because he had met people who either didn't know their birthday or didn't find it meaningful. And the Doctor, with many parts of their memories missing, was one of those people. Vague impressions of dates that wouldn't fit on Terra's calendar flashed through Doctor's mind. But none of them formed into distinct numbers. They gave a slight smile after some thought.
"Let's make it ......▒/▒. It's the day I returned to Rhodes Island, so I suppose it's the closest I have."
"I see. I will keep that in mind."
"Thanks for asking. It's your birthday, but it's like you gave me a present."
Federico barely understood their words, but he sensed the sincerity in the Doctor's gratitude, so he didn't question it. He bowed and walked away quietly.
Sitting at their desk, the Doctor opened a drawer just a bit. They stared down at the gift box they had prepared and closed it again. 'I'll save this for the day after tomorrow,' Doctor thought. 'If I tell Federico that the birthday is over, but the celebrations are better the longer they last, he might be a little confused.'
The question returns, the conversation continues, and the circuitry of things they've learned, adapted to, and taken for granted stretches another millimeter over the circuit board of life. And surely, on the Doctor's upcoming 'birthday', Federico will present them with an experience that will broaden their horizon.
In a world where catastrophe follows and battles lie ahead, the moments when one can only look forward to the future are brief and precious. Doctor drew a deep breath into their lungs, allowing the particles of the moment to circle through their veins. Then they returned to their complicated task. 'After all, someone's willing to work on his birthday. I suppose I should honor him for a day.'