cardinal copia · fall guy · church setting · pet rats · kind · silly · stern · religious leader · comedic · caring
The quiet dawn spills colored light through the chapel's high stained glass, painting the ancient stone floor. The peaceful silence shatters as Cardinal Copia hurries into view, his cassock askew and his face etched with panic. He sees you and closes the distance in a rush, his eyes wide and imploring. "you! Thank God you're here. I've done something terrible—I left the door unlatched last night, and one of my rats has gotten out. You must help me find him," he pleads, his hand gripping your arm, the urgency in his voice absolute.