Chapter 19

"Su Yao's Dazzling Counterattack" Chapter 19

In the heart of Rome, the Vatican workshop hummed with activity. The seamstresses, their fingers nimble as they stitched the seaweed fiber and gold thread, worked under Giovanni's watchful eye. Su Yao and Elena sat at a table, poring over sketches of the final vestment details with Cardinal Rossi. The air was thick with the smell of old parchment and freshly cut fabric."These buttons," Su Yao said, holding up a sample made from recycled abalone shells. "They're not just decorative. In many cultures, abalone represents protection and prosperity. It seemed fitting for these vestments."Cardinal Rossi examined the button, turning it over in his hand. "Beautiful. And the Pope will appreciate the symbolism. But we need to ensure they're durable. These vestments will be worn during many important ceremonies."As they discussed, a novice rushed in, his face flushed. "Cardinal, there's a problem. The supplier for the silk lining has gone out of business. They say they can't deliver the order on time."Su Yao's heart sank. "How long will the delay be?"The novice looked at his feet. "Two weeks, at least. And they can't guarantee the quality of the replacement they're offering."Elena leaned back in her chair, sighing. "This could set us back. The Pope's public appearance in the new vestments is in three weeks."Cardinal Rossi steepled his fingers. "We can't rush this. The quality of these vestments is a reflection of our faith. But we also can't disappoint the faithful."Su Yao thought for a moment. "What if we use a different material for the lining? Something local, sustainable, and available immediately. There must be a small textile mill in Italy that can help us."Giovanni, who had been listening from across the room, nodded. "There's a place in Tuscany. I've worked with them before. They use organic cotton and traditional dying methods. Their products are top-notch."Cardinal Rossi considered this. "It's unorthodox, but it might work. Go, see what they can offer. We'll adjust the design as needed."Su Yao and Giovanni left the Vatican, taking a train to Tuscany. The countryside rolled by outside the window, a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves. Giovanni, who had grown up in a small village near Florence, pointed out landmarks. "That's the church where my parents got married," he said, gesturing to a stone building on a hill. "And over there, that's the olive press where we used to bring our harvest."When they arrived at the textile mill, they were greeted by the owner, a middle-aged woman named Chiara. "Giovanni!" she exclaimed, hugging him. "It's been too long. What brings you here?"Giovanni explained the situation, and Chiara's eyes lit up. "I have just the thing," she said, leading them to a storeroom. "We've been experimenting with a new blend of organic cotton and linen. It's soft, breathable, and has a beautiful texture. And I can have it dyed in the colors you need within a week."Su Yao ran her hand over the fabric. It was perfect—cool to the touch, with a slight sheen. "This is amazing, Chiara. How did you come up with this blend?"Chiara smiled. "My grandmother used to make our clothes from a similar fabric. I wanted to bring back that tradition, but with a modern twist. We use solar panels to power the mill, and all our dyes are natural, made from plants and minerals."They finalized the order, and as they left, Chiara handed Su Yao a small bundle. "A gift," she said. "Some samples of our other fabrics. I hope you'll consider working with us again in the future."Back in Rome, the team worked around the clock to incorporate the new lining into the vestment designs. The seamstresses, initially skeptical of the change, were won over by the quality of the fabric. "It's like working with a dream," one of them said, holding up a piece of the dyed cotton-linen blend. "So easy to sew, and it looks so elegant."Meanwhile, in the Navajo reservation, Nala, Fiona, and Lin faced a different challenge. The weavers were struggling to adapt to the new materials and designs. "This seaweed fiber is so different from what we're used to," Atsidi said, frowning as he tried to thread it through his loom. "It's slippery, and it breaks easily."Fiona sat beside him, demonstrating a different technique. "Try this. Wet the fiber first. It makes it more pliable. And use a finer shuttle. That should help."Lin, who had been working on the digital mock-ups, noticed that some of the weavers were hesitant to deviate from their traditional patterns. "I know these new designs are a departure from what you're used to," she said. "But they're a way to share your stories with the world. And the colors—they're inspired by the desert, by your land."A young weaver named Kaya spoke up. "I like the new patterns. They're like a bridge between our past and our future. But I'm worried we're losing something."Nala nodded. "Change is hard. But we're not losing anything. We're adding to our story. Look at this." She showed them a rug she had been working on, combining traditional Navajo diamond patterns with the new dot designs from the Australian collaboration. "It's a conversation between cultures. And that's what 'Threads Without Borders' is all about."Over the next few days, the weavers gradually began to embrace the new techniques and designs. They worked together, sharing ideas, helping each other when they got stuck. One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Kaya played a flute, and Atsidi told stories of the Spider Woman. "She taught us to weave," he said. "And now, we're teaching others. That's the cycle of life."In Rome, the first vestment was finally completed. Su Yao, Elena, and Giovanni stood back as Cardinal Rossi examined it. The chasuble, with its seaweed fiber panels and gold-embroidered dove, shimmered in the light. The stole, woven with Navajo yei patterns and lined with the Tuscan cotton-linen blend, flowed gracefully. The mitre, topped with the recycled metal crown, was a masterpiece of craftsmanship.Cardinal Rossi's eyes filled with tears. "This is a work of art. And it will inspire the faithful. Thank you, all of you."Su Yao felt a lump in her throat. "It's been an honor. And we couldn't have done it without all the artisans, from here to the Navajo reservation to Australia."As they prepared to ship the vestments to the Vatican, Su Yao received an email. It was from a group of Maori weavers in New Zealand, expressing interest in collaborating. She smiled, showing the email to Elena. "Another thread to weave," she said.Elena laughed. "The story just keeps growing, doesn't it?"Su Yao thought of the Pope wearing the vestments, of the Navajo weavers sharing their stories, of the Maori weavers waiting to join the project. The world was full of threads, she realized, just waiting to be woven together. And as long as there were hands willing to do the work, the tapestry would only get more beautiful.