April 16th, 2012, City of Auros' Front Gate, Morning.
The main road leading into the city was a river of excited devils, all flowing toward the spectacle of the noble procession.
Elizabeth, with the magnificently feathered but disgruntled Quicksilver waddling behind her, moved through the throng with an ethereal grace that somehow carved a path for her.
The air buzzed with a festival-like energy, a stark contrast to the serene fields they had just left. The object of everyone's attention was a carriage of breathtaking opulence, constructed from wood so pale and fine it seemed like bone, then lavishly plated with intricate filigree of gold and silver.
It was drawn by two powerful brown bicorns, their black harnesses studded with jet, their hooves kicking up small puffs of dust from the well-trodden road.
Amidst the cheers and shouts of adoration, Elizabeth turned to a man beside her, his face alight with excitement. "Why is there so much noise for a carriage?" she asked, her genuine curiosity cutting through the celebratory din.
The man looked at her as if she had sprouted a second head. "What? No one has spoken of anything else for weeks. Today, the heiress of the archduchy herself is visiting our city!" he shouted over the noise, his voice brimming with incredulity.
"Oh?" Elizabeth's expression remained one of polite, detached interest. "Why is that such an important thing?"
The man's jaw nearly dropped. "Where have you been all this time? Inside a cave? Lord Agares was the one who made our city the food node of the entire nation! It's only natural to celebrate his daughter honoring us with a visit!" He shook his head and turned back to the procession, dismissing the strangely ignorant woman.
Elizabeth merely nodded and continued her progress toward the city gate, the crowd parting for her almost unconsciously.
'I suppose Archduke Agares is quite loved by his people,' she observed internally, noting the pure, unadulterated joy on the faces around her.
"Elizabeth," Quicksilver hissed from the ground, his voice a strained whisper. "What part of 'do not draw attention' did you fail to comprehend?" His complaint was, as usual, ignored.
They had just passed through the main gate and were starting down the city's main thoroughfare when a sudden squawk of pure panic erupted behind her.
"Attendant! Attendant! I'm being kidnapped! Ah! Help! Help!"
Elizabeth turned to see a most comical yet distressing sight. Two rough-looking devils had snatched up the golden rooster. One held his body tightly, while the other had a hand clamped over his silvery beak, muffling his indignant cries. The thugs were already trying to melt back into the crowd, their movements hurried and furtive.
Instead of springing into action, Elizabeth watched the scene with an expression of mild, amused fascination. She found the image of the God of Travelers and Thieves, a being of immense cosmic power, being manhandled like a common barnyard animal to be utterly hilarious.
'Attendant! For the mightiness of Jupiter! Why have you forsaken me!?' Mercurius's mental shout was a desperate, telepathic scream.
'Oh, my apologies,' Elizabeth replied mentally, her internal voice still light with amusement. 'I found it quite comical. But fear not, I am sure someone upstanding will intervene and stop those criminals.' She could still picture his little legs kicking in the air.
'No! Tempus fugit! Attendant, do something! And don't you dare tell something so embarrassing to the Universe when we return!' he pleaded, his pride clearly as wounded as his person.
'Can you not free yourself?' she inquired logically.
'Oh, splendid idea! I'm sure no one would question a rooster unleashing godly powers in the middle of a royal procession! That would do wonders for our "low profile"!' His sarcasm was so thick it was almost palpable.
Meanwhile, the two thugs had successfully broken away from the main crowd, ducking into a narrow side alley that was deserted, all its inhabitants drawn to the main event.
"We hit a jackpot, I'm telling you," one thug said, hefting the struggling bird. "This chicken seems like a rare breed. Look at these feathers! It's like solid gold!"
"I heard the Phenex family collects all types of magical birds," the second thug added, his eyes gleaming with avarice. "If we find one of their merchants, we can make a fortune off this little guy."
Quicksilver managed to free his beak for a second.
"Unhand me, you ruffians! I am a god!" he crowed, though to the thugs, it sounded like nothing more than angry clucking.
"Stay still! We're not gonna eat you," the first criminal said, clamping his hand back over the beak. "You should thank us. If the Phenex buy you, you'll live better than most of us devils!"
"Yeah, buddy," the second one chimed in, trying to sound persuasive. "You'll live the best life a rooster could dream of, and in exchange, we become rich. Deal?"
'Attendant!! I do not wish to become a pampered pet in some gilded cage!' Mercurius's mental cry was filled with divine indignation.
Back on the main road, Elizabeth decided it was perhaps time to take some action to help Makoto's Persona. She approached a guard who was doing a poor job of watching the crowd, his attention fully on the passing carriage.
"Excuse me," she said, tapping his shoulder lightly. "My familiar has been kidnapped."
The guard frowned, not even looking at her. "Huh? If you can't make your familiar stay put, that's not my problem. Don't annoy me with trivial matters; we have real work to do," he grumbled, his eyes glued to the noble procession.
"I a—" Elizabeth began.
"Don't bother me while I'm on duty!" the guard snapped, finally shooting her an irritated glance. "This is the heiress of the archduchy we're talking about. Now, go away."
Elizabeth gave a slight shrug and walked away. 'I am sorry, Mercurius, but it seems familiar-napping is outside the local authorities' jurisdiction. And as you so astutely pointed out, I am but a simple middle-class magician. If my familiar disappears, there is tragically little I can do.'
Her mental tone was playful, teasing him for the elaborate cover story he himself had concocted.
'Attendant! I swear by the Circus Maximus, I will not let you use The Wanderer ever again if you do not come immediately!' he threatened, desperation edging into his voice.
'I suppose I shall just have to ask Makoto to summon you and request he to use it in my stead,' she replied, a note of satisfaction in her thought.
'Do not use the Universe against me, Attendant!'
'I was merely playing with you. I am coming,' she finally relented, a soft giggle echoing in her mind. 'I must say, you and my dear brother Theodore are very much alike. Both of you are so delightfully fun to mess with.'
With that, she closed her eyes for a fraction of a second, focusing on the psychic bond she momentarily shared with the Persona. She sensed his location—the city's main plaza—and began to walk with renewed purpose.
Back with the unlucky rooster, the two thugs arrived at Auros Square, a massive open space named after the city's founder. The weekly market was in full swing, expanded to a grand scale to celebrate the heiress's visit. Stalls overflowing with the strange purple wheat, exotic fruits, and shimmering spices created a riot of color and scent.
"Today, the trade exponents of every Pillar House should be present," the first thug said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Let's find the Phenex stall."
"Wait, what will we tell them?" his partner asked, a thread of nervousness in his voice.
"Do you really think the Pillars care about the legality of a trade?" the first one smirked. "As long as we have something they want to buy, we have nothing to worry about."
Their search was quickly rewarded. They spotted a devil wearing the flamboyant attire of the Phenex household: an elegant, tailored jacket adorned with iridescent feathers in fiery hues. The man, clearly a merchant of some standing, was directing his laborers as they put the final touches on an extravagant stall.
The thugs nodded to each other and approached. "Greetings, my lord," one began, bowing obsequiously. "It is an honor to have an exponent of the prestigious Phenex House in our humble city. My colleague and I believe we have something that might be of great interest to your house." The other thug presented the strangely passive Quicksilver.
'See, little guy?' the kidnapper thought, mistaking the rooster's silent plotting for compliance. 'If we work together, we both profit from this.'
The merchant, named Tagollan, looked the bird over. He took Quicksilver and examined him closely, lifting his wings and checking his brilliant plumage.
"I see. Quite the rare breed you have here. His wings are strong; he can fly. His condition is immaculate. I think Lady Ravel would be delighted to have another unique pet. We can definitely talk about a price," Tagollan said, adjusting the feathered cuffs of his shirt.
"I am sorry to interrupt you."
A calm, authoritative voice spoke from behind them. The thugs turned to see a young man, probably in his early twenties, with neatly styled black hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. He was dressed in the impeccable, understated uniform of a high-ranking butler.
"That animal is the familiar of another person," the young man stated coolly. "I saw you two snatch it from its owner near the gate. I suggest you return it immediately."
"Who do you think—" one thug began, but his bluster died in his throat as the Phenex merchant immediately bowed his head.
"Oh, Lord Alivian! What a pleasure to meet you. I thank you for alerting me to the nature of these... individuals," Tagollan said, his loyalty shifting to the winds of social standing without a second thought.
"Wait! We can explain!" one thug tried, but he met only the butler's cold, unwavering gaze.
"There is nothing to explain. Now, tell me, who owns this feathered friend?" Alivian's voice left no room for argument.
"He is mine. Come here, Quicksilver."
All eyes turned to Elizabeth, who had arrived at the stall as if materializing from the crowd. She stood there, serene and unruffled.
'Finally, Attendant!' Mercurius mentally whined.
'Do not be fussy,' she chided back.
Quicksilver took flight in a burst of golden feathers, landing unceremoniously atop Elizabeth's head, much to her visible annoyance. Alivian gave a slight, approving nod. With a wave of his hand, two city guards materialized and apprehended the sputtering thieves.
"Thank you for your help," Elizabeth said, offering Alivian a genuine smile.
"The pleasure is mine, Miss...?" he inquired, giving a respectful bow.
"Elizabeth."
"Alivian. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Elizabeth."
The Phenex merchant, Tagollan, saw an opportunity slipping away and quickly interjected. "A moment, Miss! This bird is your familiar, correct? My name is Tagollan. As a merchant for the prestigious Phenex Pillar House, my offer remains valid. I am certain the family would generously repay you with a far stronger familiar, along with significant monetary compensation." He rubbed his hands together, his eyes fixed on the priceless bird.
Elizabeth shook her head, her smile never wavering. "I am sorry, but I will not sell Quicksilver. Furthermore, I do not believe you could find an adequate replacement."
Her polite but firm refusal visibly stung the merchant's pride. His smile became strained. This commoner was rejecting a offer from the Phenex!
Alivian watched the exchange with keen interest. Most devil magicians would have jumped at such a lucrative deal. This woman's refusal was... unusual.
"Miss, I assure you, we can work this out," Tagollan pressed, embellishing his words. "Your familiar would be loved and treated like royalty. If you are concerned about the costs of dissolving your familiar contract, the Phenex House would cover everything."
"As I said, I am not interested, nor is Quicksilver," Elizabeth dismissed him kindly but finally. "Now, I must be going. I would like to see the rest of the procession." With a final nod to Alivian, she took her leave.
"Was that bird truly worth that much?" Alivian asked Tagollan, who was fuming in silent frustration.
"Yes, it is. I am sure you could feel its innate magical power as well, Lord Alivian," the merchant replied bitterly.
'Now that I think about it,' Alivian pondered silently, 'Lady Seekvaira was searching for someone skilled with familiars... But I should consult with her before taking any action.' He offered Tagollan a curt nod and headed back toward the archducal carriage.
Once they were a safe distance away, Quicksilver found his voice. "You certainly took your time, Attendant! If that devil hadn't shown up, you would have been forced to blow our cover to rescue me!" he crowed from his perch on her head.
Elizabeth's hand moved with lightning speed. She plucked the rooster from her hair and held him firmly in front of her face, her lilac eyes glinting with a rare, icy intensity.
"Listen closely, Mercurius," she said, her voice a low, dangerous whisper that brooked no argument. "The next time you mess my hair, I will inform Makoto that we require a new method of teleportation. My kind master and dear sister Lavenza taught me many things before I came to this world, and I am certain no one will miss you."
Quicksilver fell utterly silent, his golden feathers seeming to droop. The threat, delivered with such calm finality, was more effective than any shout.
Elizabeth's serene smile returned instantly. She placed the thoroughly cowed rooster on the ground. "Shall we head back to the procession, Quicksilver?"
No answer came. He simply followed, a model of perfect, subdued behavior.