The woman with the dark curls found a friend that seemingly shone brightly enough to reveal a path out of the endless darkness. Helping her step by step to gain newfound trust in herself and her life. Something she couldn't have done for herself so easily.
Meanwhile, Emily had found someone that was showing strength where she couldn't. Ready to forgive what she couldn't forgive herself and accept the person that she was.
Quite a while later both of them returned to the living room, explaining that they were going out to take care of the remaining errands, thanks to Othilia’s financial support. With their aspects in tow, they were ready to finalize everything for their arrival at Pride’s palace.
“We don't know much about the citizen of this city, and I don't want to label them, but it seems as if Othilia is a kindhearted person,” Emily remarked while she strolled through the lively streets with Olivia.
“Ultimately, they are just as easily frightened as we are. They just want to live their lives or existence, whatever is the case for Personas.”
Emily started to laugh wholeheartedly as Olivia was used to by now.
“If this world weren’t such a dangerous place I would've loved to stay and find out. Do you think they bear children just like us? I haven't seen a typical hospital or anything alike. Do you think they can die of old age?”
“Yeah, what's up with that?! I haven't even thought of it since we were always on the move,” Olivia answered with an equally energetic tonality.
Ansia passed them while rolling her eyes. Meanwhile, Gieldan’s coat was flattering before them after he had rammed her shoulder with an annoyed grunt.
“There are more important matters to attend to.. Do you not want to escape from here, Emily?” The aspect tried to scold her, with his ponytail waving around, causing the two humans to chuckle. Even Ansia couldn't suppress a sinister grin when it came to jokes at Gieldan’s expense.
It was truly remarkable that even despite their nigh hopeless and serious situation they managed to find a moment to share their laughter. A little mundane distraction before everything around them was threatening to wipe them off the face of the world. Eventually, the cheerful troupe managed to find a tailor, with handmade dresses and a collection of masks for sale. Amazed by the sheer volume, the two women treated through the rows of cloth and masks.
Every piece looked like it was even more extravagant than the last one. Not a single spot of dust could be found, combined with the smell of freshly made clothing, it generated an intoxicating feeling of quality and elegance.
“Hello? Is somebody there?” shouted Gieldan shorthanded after Emily pulled him back by his coat as they continued to look around.
“I didn't think I have seen a finer shop ever since we arrived here,” the brown-haired woman remarked.
“I think so too, what was the name again?!” Olivia asked, pondering about the question herself.
“'Bella Imperatore,' my ladies,” it burst forth from the neighboring room. “At least the ladies should be capable of showing some manners, exercising some patience,” the rough voice added.
“Excuse us, we were just looking around,” Emily apologized as the figure that spoke to them entered the room.
A slender, square-built man in neat clothing strutted through the room, gathering everyone's attention. He wore silver shoulder plates, were cast in the shape of wings, while they even had fine details like veins forged into them. His first impression was that of a condescending, yet wise and passionate man. Just like the rest of the city he walked around with a mask on his face, though his was decorated with multicolored feathers, only covering the upper part of his face.
For Emily, it felt like this was done on purpose so everyone could marvel at his wonderfully twirled mustache. With his tender, long fingers he stroke over his mustache as he examined the two friends.
“Ah, yes. I can see why you're here. Please, don't succumb to panic, miladies. I've had far worse cases than you two.” As if a fire was lit under his buttocks he rushed back and forth between the two, examining every inch of their bodies.
“Worse cases, huh?” Gieldan began to chuckle as he repeated his words while the vein on Emily's forehead was about to burst.
“But of course. Just look at these two. It's horrendous. We have to intervene right this instant,” the man answered hastily.
Completely baffled Olivia wasn't so sure of herself anymore and began to look down on her body as well until Emily snapped her out of it.
“Here, look at that for example. The arms are disfigured and inflexible,” the man continued as he played around with Emily's underarm, pinching into the skin and swinging it back and forth.
“And look, the eyes as well. Far from charming and seduction,” he went on while pinching Emily's pouches underneath her eyes.
“But, but that's only been there for a few days,” she mumbled quietly, feeling a bit disturbed.
Meanwhile, Olivia had started once more to examine every angle of her body and was without words. It didn't take long for Ansia to rush to her side to tell her just how perfect she was.
“You see there is much work ahead of us,” the long man wrinkled up his nose and strolled back to the counter.
“Yes, sir,” resounded from the two women in dull and defeated voices.
“My, my, don't give up hope, my dears. That's the reason you're here, isn't it? That I shall transform your insignificant countenance into an unforgettable miracle of memory.”
“Yes, sir!” they repeated in the same tonality with total obedience.
“Wonderful. Let's start right away,” he said and pulled both of them into the neighboring room. Ansia herself sneakily followed while Gieldan did the same with the most self-satisfied grin he’s ever had.
The slender man dragged the two across his workroom that was stuffed to the brink with cabinets, wardrobes, more pieces of cloth, needles and measuring tapes – sometimes even stretching along the whole floor. In a few moments, he already took their measurements and prepared something from hand for both of them. Emily and Olivia had entirely given up on resisting any further and let the eccentric man do his work. Meanwhile, Gieldan sat himself on a wooden stool, crossing his leg, watching the whole procedure. Eagerly he followed what was happening, whereas Ansia worryingly floated up and down. After, what felt like only a few minutes, the man declared his work finished.
“Voilá,” he screamed with stretched arms, gazing in awe at his work.
“The great Zepplino has done it once again, don't you think so too, Belarus?!”
A grim growl could be heard, coming from one of the mountains of cloth until a head poked out of it. A gigantic beast slowly got up on its feet stumping on its four paws from one corner into the other, to rest in a different pile of cloth.
“Uhuiui, please don't mind him. He's a moody character. He just doesn't understand my art, that old grumbler.”
After receiving their items from the man who called himself Zepplino, they used his mirrors to look at each other. There were three of them directly standing together, almost thrice as big as the two women. Emily had slipped into a red, shoulderless dress. Her chest was covered with a fine garnish like that of a chest plate, yet flexible and agile, made out of delicate fabric that clung to her skin. However, the skirt had been assembled to form a long plumage, mounted with red feathers alike that were vibrating with color in the light of the workroom.
Almost as if in contrast to each other, the tailor made something for Olivia out of darker fabrics. It was a black frill dress, while her chest was adorned with a line of violets, reaching from her chest to the bottom of the garment. The purple and black color were creating an elegant, but mysterious perspective as compared to the striking red of Emily, matching her dark glasses to a T.
The two friends were more than surprised and amazed likewise how Zepplino knew what their preferences were.
“My unparalleled intuition - it’s a gift,” he self-lovingly declared. “Not without reason th
e highest ranking Personas, and even humans, travel to my shop to marvel at my art. Lord Pride himself is one of my customers after all.”
“Even humans come here?” Emily's curiosity was piqued.
“Naturally. Humans are nothing unusual in our city. Especially with such an event taking place. Earlier I met two fine young men, very considerable but somewhat peculiar. Very rich, I might add, something rare when it comes to humans that aren't already my customers. Though they were accompanied by two strange escorts,” his mustache looked like it was about to twirl itself as he spoke.
“Especially one of them. He was the living impersonation of childish behavior if you ask me,”
And just like that he ended his little tirade and was ready to store his utensils. Olivia started to present her beautiful dress in front of Ansia who was about to tear up. Emily continued to pester Zepplino about the two men he had met prior, though there wasn't much information to go on. The only thing he was ready to admit was about the annoying companion, who supposedly wore a coat with green insignia on them and how much of a philistine he was.
Though this little information was enough to garner a reaction from Emily and Gieldan alike, although they differed in their nature.
“Did you grow up in this city, Zepplino? You seem a little bit different from the rest of the Personas in this city,” Olivia interrupted.
“Hohui, young dame, what a sharp insight. Your looks may not shine brightly, but your mind does that for you.” While speaking those words, he tapped on his temple.
A little bit confused, but slowly being accustomed to Zepplino’s harsh enunciation, they let him continue. It became apparent that he really wasn't born in Pride’s city. His hometown was Lussuria where his parents had met for the first time. The two friends were fascinated by his story, as it was their first time hearing more about the similarities of Personas and humans.
“My father grew up in Magnus, and my mother was born in Lussuria. Ever since I was little, I had the unquenchable thirst to create things myself with my own hands. To create something out of this world with my own blood and sweat,” in a craze he told them his life story, as if it had been the most heartbreaking and important story, they could ever hope to hear.
“Of course, I couldn't stay in Lust’s city forever,” he went on. “You must've seen it for yourself, but even though that place has a natural talent for passion and strength, nobody there was able to recognize my style and the true form of art. I knew that if I wanted to make my dreams come to life, I had to return to the roots, to the city of my father.”
Despite the extensive and excessive descriptions Emily and Olivia were hanging onto his every word. Impressed by what they could learn from him they thanked him, paid their dues and said their goodbyes to Zepplino to finally experience the masked ball for real.
“It really is a shame that we had to go.” A sigh left Emily's bright face.
“Maybe we can visit him again after the long night,” Olivia replied with a smile, but that smile wasn't made to hold up, as they overheard more and more conversations on their way back to Othilia.
Continuous whispering and giggling surrounded them. Every scrap of conversation that reached their ears made them more anxious, making them increase their walking speed.
“Sir, did you hear? Lord Greed is supposed to be in town as well. I thought he was on a mission for Lord Pride,” a merchant said to one of his customers.
“Pah, don't you dare to call that scoundrel a lord in my presence,” he replied defiantly with the lady in his company chipping in.
“Isn't he just Lord Prides personal debt-collector? I almost forgot about him. I bet he still thinks that can take Lord Pride’s throne one day if he remains a loyal dog.”
“That is exactly what he is. A feisty guard dog that pisses onto our fine carpet. Nothing more,” the customer added.
A person from the next stand had to butt in as he overheard their conversation.
“Lord Pride is using him because he knows exactly that he is the strongest of them all.”
“I don't understand it, either. Why do we have to suffer at the expense of such disgusting scoundrels? First, it was Wrath, and now it's that dog.”
“Wrath is still a Lord, we shouldn't underestimate such a maniac.”
More and more Personas were meddling with each other as the conversation went on. Like a fire, it took over every inch and grew to an immense heat.
“What could he possibly accomplish? Aren't Wrath and his people the ones that moved their entire city across the River Ascendere?!”
“Yes, but I still get goosebumps thinking about the civil wars of the past.”
“Don't you dare forget that wretched pack that houses in Lust’s City. A pack of wildlings without a shred of decency in their body.”
“At least they are paying up, so the rumors go. Not too little either.”
Even more masked Personas and bystanders were involving themselves, each valuing their own opinion the most.
Olivia’s smile faded with Emily pulling her away from the toxic crowd.
Silently, they made their way through the joyous-looking characters and bright lights. Deep inside them, they were always reminded how vulnerable and unsafe they were. It was hard to always be on guard, gut-wrenchingly so. Their hearts were heavy and tired, gripped by monstrous claws threatening to obliterate their life whenever the slightest chance arose. Without a word they continued their way towards Othilia’s apartment, leaving the chattering crowd to themselves.
The gathering of Personas was starting to block the paved streets until they were interrupted by the voice of a rough looking man.
“Out of the way, you smug dipshits,” he screamed out of the middle, and every mask turned around as if choreographed to do so, toward the voice.
Without another sentence or shred of respect for the masses, the man with long pitch black hair walked past everyone. He didn't care how many of them cursed his name or how many shoulders he had to bump into.
“So much aggressiveness. Shall I cut open their lungs for you? I'm sure that would make it hard quite on them to continue their cackling,” a voice whispered into the ear of the man.
“No, you idiot. We are not in a position to start a real fight, and you know it.” He hit the air to his right with a little tap.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the agitated gazes of the crowd disappearing behind him, and with a disgusted look on his face, he turned himself away from them.
“I knew it. They talk a lot and love their silly games, but when someone truly strong challenges them, they cower in fear. No matter how loud they hiss and grate on the outside,” he said in a demeaning fashion as his fingertips reached towards his crooked nose.
With a slight movement of his fingers, he made it snap.
“You've been doing that a lot lately. Is that even healthy for a human?” the voice mentioned the unusual habit of the man.
“I'm just tired, that's all. Since when have you been this much into small talk?”
“Aren't you happy? Shall I stop concealing myself, so that it doesn't look as if you're a looney loner who’s talking to himself?”
“I regret that I asked,” he replied. “And you know I don't give a damn what these presumptuous, superficial smugs think of me.” He spat on the ground to underline his statement.
“We got what we came for. Time to move on.”
“Even if it looks like you've just been assaulted?”
Yet this time the man didn't answer, whereas the creature next to him watched over his wounded body and ripped clothing.
“You haven't forgotten, have you? I could've killed any of your opponents without the Gamemasters noticing. None of them would've stood a chance against my powers.”
“I don't need your help to beat subhumans. There are things a man has to overcome by himself in order to grow.”
“Hjohjohjo, by all means. I really have to be honest, I haven't had this much fun in ages. The moment you tr
ied to kill each other was terrific. Based on such a perfidious and deceitful way of thinking,” the voice started to giggle.
The man scratched the back of his head and swept across the fringes in his hair with his abrasive and cut-open palm.
“Do you still think it was the right choice that we separated ourselves from Charles and his aspect?” the figure asked out of nowhere in a serious tonality.
“He does his stuff as he sees fit. I respect that, even though he's acting like a moron. Sooner or later he will see that his way has predetermined limits if he just blindly continues,” the man answered, slightly sad to admit it openly. A slight gleam of pink and yellow formed itself next to him.
“As you wish, Daylan. I'm just excited as to what you will be showing me next.”
“I couldn't care less.”
“Do you still remember the way?” the creature followed up.
“As if I could ever forget how I get back to that maggot-infested city that is Gluttony's home.”
“Hjohjoh, so full of energy and hatred – I like that. Hopefully, we'll meet some of your old friends.”
“All of that doesn't matter anymore, Shiatca. Neither human nor sin shall be spared if they dare to get in my way. I will exterminate every last obstacle!”
Chapter 24 – Masquerade
Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived. Emily and the others had arrived at their destination. All fully dressed and spruced up, elegant dresses and suits, fitting porcelain masks and headdresses. Somehow everyone felt the anxiety of everyone around them. Maybe because it had been such a strange occasion, it was the perfect opportunity to take their mind off of things, without standing still in their search for clues. In awe, their eyes marveled at the monumental building that was sprawling out of the ground before their feet. It was the most pompous place they had ever seen.
Decorated lanterns, embedded with jewels and little miniature angels – it looked like a mansion that never intended for anyone to actually visit all of its countless rooms in a single lifetime.
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