Another Day at Unity (26)

Hayden and Liz couldn't hide their nature during the trip through Alto Mare to meet with its ruling family. But even if Liz had somehow managed to master the illusions that quickly, she wouldn't want to. The entire point of this transformation was to attract attention, not hide from it.

Besides, she wasn't trying to rush. Drake would need time to get his mother to safety, and make whatever other arrangements he thought would be required for the Misties.

She needed no direction to the palace—Liz felt their way forward, skimming just above the rooftops. Hayden could've ridden on her back of course, and probably gone much quicker that way. Latias were built for the sky in a way that humans just weren't. But Hayden didn't just want the ruling Eons to know she was coming—she wanted the citizens to know too. If they murdered her, let this be the biggest scandal the town had ever seen.

Shame she hadn't held on to a few copper pieces, or else she could've stopped at one of the waterfront bakeries for one of their fresh rolls on the way in, maybe posed for photos with the shopkeepers.

She did take a brief trip under the water, skimming beneath the surface long enough to wash away any smells of mildew and decaying buildings off her skin. At least the smell of the ocean was inoffensive, even expected in a town like this. If they couldn't have enigma berry perfume, then it would have to do.

Palace Island was located adjacent to the museum, a perfectly round island almost at the center of the city. That meant it had little in terms of ocean views, but did give its watchtowers and spires clear sightlines to all the important areas in the city, including the strangely elaborate museum. As strange and interesting as its contents looked to Hayden, exploring them would have to wait for another day. Those she came to visit would not remain patient forever.

The bridges extending to other islands were raised, but Hayden and Liz didn't care about that. They circled once around the building, before coming down on the soft grass in front of the biggest doors they could find. That was where the soldiers waited, so she guessed it was the right place.

Many had a similar look to Drake's mother—gardevoir or gallade daemons, with their humans dressed in white armor with red or blue accents. There must be at least a dozen soldiers in total, men and women both wielding elaborate gunpowder muskets. They held all at the ready, arranged on either side of the walkway, feathery plumes trailing behind their helmets.

Hayden would not giggle at their silly pants today. Instead, she walked directly between them, with her daemon gliding along just behind her.

She had already discovered one disadvantage of having a daemon this large; her size didn't grant her any greater range. Liz couldn't move very fast, not unless Hayden was flying with her. Otherwise, they'd get painfully separated in seconds.

They reached the front steps, where four more soldiers waited. These had different daemons—one absol, one angry looking cactus, and a pair of houndoom. Interesting choice for a family of psychic-types.

They're here for us, Liz thought back. Mew House doesn't like dark-types. They're here to show us they aren't vulnerable.

Lord Moonstone wouldn't send his son's betrothed to fight for him, would he?

But they couldn't continue that little conversation any further, because the front doors opened for them. A single stern figure waited inside—a man, with the typical ageless quality Hayden had come to expect from the oldest legendary pokémon. Behind him floated a bright blue pokémon, possible only thanks to the huge vaulted ceiling.

This was a palace built for their daemons as much as the people themselves, in much the same way Mew House made everything soft and vertical.

No steward either, Liz thought to her. Lord of the house is doing this himself. But was that a show of power, or to insulate a vulnerable member of his house from Hayden's influence? To her knowledge, Mew House was entirely unique in the service of their mythical steward. All others had to rely on common pokémon.

There was probably elaborate custom for a visit like this—but Hayden knew none of it. All she could do was curtsey to the older man, her head down respectfully. Liz did a little better, since at least she had her new pokémon instincts to know how a latias would act around a large, dominant male. She tucked her arms against her side and cooed quietly, letting the larger daemon brush against her one way, then the other.

A door made of heavy steel rattled closed behind them, cutting off view of the distant, ordinary islands beyond.

"If you had come from Hoenn, I would have prepared a meal and accommodations for you, cousin. But if you had flown from Hoenn, we would have felt your arrival."

He hadn't told her she could look up, but if he was speaking, Hayden felt brave enough to do so anyway. She couldn't stay still for that long in this form—if she tried, Liz would probably lose discipline before she did, and carry them right out a window.

"Yeah, sorry about that." She shuffled her false dress with both hands, stretching the wings along her back. They were mostly rigid, but not completely—she could angle to either side, probably for flight reasons no one had taught her. 

"I am Lord Rivoalti. I suspect you did not know that, as you appear to have spontaneously come into being about four kilometers above my city. And you are..."

He scratched his chin, thoughtful. The daemon circled around her from above, obstructing her view of the ceiling.

There were paintings up there, elaborate mosaics depicting historical events, portraits of important people—but no furniture or disconnected floors. The custom was different than her home in that regard, then.

"Not Lady Gale, child. But who then? Who would be..."

As he said it, another set of footsteps hurried along a distant balcony, then leaned down to wave at her. "Father, father! Who's here? Drake brought her daemon?"

"No, Lucia. Return to your room, father is busy with important business—" He inclined his head to Hayden, and his voice came a different way that time. That must've been his subtle way of asking permission, which she did not know how to refuse. In fairness, she would've accepted regardless. "Forgive my daughter, Moonstone. I cannot tell how long it has been since you were her age, but perhaps you remember."

Then he extended a hand towards her. "I would like to know the pleasure of whom I am meeting. Lady Miya and Tol? I didn't think you were able to leave that tree any longer."

Hayden took the offered hand. "I haven't met my... aunt yet. I think she’s expecting me to die soon, so I'm not worth her time. I'm Hayden Gracidea. Though technically I'm betrothed to House Mew. I think we... spoke briefly at the Spring Equinox. I wanted to know what kind of device you were using to play music for the dance."

He froze, eyes widening in recognition. The mind beyond went suddenly closed, sealing away all thought from her. Before there was politeness, maybe curiosity, but now...

Fortunately, the two of them weren't the only ones in the room. Aside from stoic dark-types now standing by the back wall, a girl about Hayden's age rolled right off the balcony, caught herself just above the ground using a brief burst of psychic power, then scampered forward.

A green and black bird spread wide wings above her, circling its way over to Hayden and Liz. "Father, can you see her? She has... her future and her past and her present and..."

She stopped just beside her father, nudging past his arm to prod at her. "You aren't latias, Haydie."

It was her turn to blush. Her ears folded backward slightly, and Liz made a confused cooing. "You... I don't think I know you."

The older man released Hayden at last, then folded his arms. "Lucia, please. You don't know how much danger you—"

"From the untamed wildling you think is responsible for me settling wrong," she finished, imitating his voice as well as any 13-year-old could. "Yeah, I know. She broke everything by being born. She's gonna say that you would know if she wanted to hurt anyone, because your daemon is way stronger than her. Then you'll say that not all harm is physical, and that her presence in Alto Mare could already be harming enough."

She spun once around Hayden, slipping past her to the guards. "I already know we'll be friends in like... six months. She won't hurt Falchion and me, she's gonna—" Her eyes went wide, and she beamed, taking one of Hayden's arms forcefully in hers. "She's going to bring Drake back, and keep the sovereignty of Alto Mare in our family."

The shock was so overwhelming that it did what few physical attacks could, and melted through Hayden's disguise. She got smaller, a little less brave and powerful. At least her real self could have a back on her dress, and a tail that made sense. Liz drooped lower, closer to her human.

She's not reading our minds, Liz thought, desperate with confused energy. Her powers are way too weak, she's not even trying.

"Lucia?" She held out her hand to her. "I don't know if you know this, but it's polite for time travelers to live in one moment, even when they know things that haven't happened yet. Otherwise, it gets very confusing."

The girl took her hand, and reverted to a more familiar, noble handshake. But she probably had far more noble training than Hayden did. "I'm not actually a time traveler," she said. "Falchion and I only get to see one part of it. But if you'd be willing to... ooooh." She beamed, taking a few steps back from her. "Father, you should do what she says. It's a very small price to pay, and the family does much better because of it."

She curtsied to Hayden, much smoother and more elegant than she had done. Then she turned, scampering back up the stairs and out of sight.

It all happened so fast that even her legendary father could do nothing about it.

"Lucia is perhaps... somewhat overeager to participate in city affairs, despite being a Fa-Lady. Though I've never seen a display that significant. Her xatu was in rare form today."

"Something about being a time traveler," Hayden guessed. "Maybe my future is more interesting to look at than some." And none of those futures involved getting murdered by Lord Rivoalti. "She's right about why I'm here. Lord Moonstone sent me to resolve a... concern, and assist your family in locating a certain rogue element. I'm here to negotiate on his behalf."

Lord Rivoalti led them through a nearby set of fine wooden doors into a study of sorts, complete with a detailed map of Alto Mare in miniature. That model was so detailed in fact that it even included little streetlights, along with many moving parts to represent gates, bridges, and other mechanisms within the city.

From his model, the various cables and parts all centered on the museum next to Palace Island, spreading radially from there.

He brought drinks—squeezed berries over ice for her, and something amber for himself. Liz sniffed, then lapped at the cup's contents before Hayden took her chance.

"I admit, I'm somewhat confused by your visit," Lord Rivoalti said, when they were seated and the doors securely locked. "If you completed your assignment and located the wildling, why not present him? Or have the old tomcat do it himself—whatever suits his pride."

Liz stopped drinking, floating back to her shoulder. This was where things got dangerous. Just saying hello to a member of the Great Families had a low fatality rate. But telling them they couldn't have something they wanted. Now if only she could suppress her anger at what they’d done to Drake’s family. Don’t think about it don’t think about it don’t think about it.

"Lord Moonstone didn't tell me to bring him to you," she said, floating the cup back to the little table next to her. Hayden hovered just above her seat—not out of any particular relaxation. But if she was already flying, she would be ready to react more quickly if things turned hostile. "He told me to find him. What happens next depends on you."

"When I order it," he said. His daemon loomed behind him, floating in the spacious upper section of the room, red eyes sharp. "And you happily obey the rightful rulers of Alto Mare, recognized by your betters for many generations."

She shrugged, avoiding his eyes. "I probably would do that, if I had any sense. But I'm a dangerous wildling, remember? I'm the stick in the wheel. Frankly, it's a miracle I'm even still alive."

He set his own glass down, hard enough that a thin crack formed along one side. A single amber drop seeped out from within, tracing down to the table. "You might withdraw from my city in shame," he said. "Or you might obey me. Anything else would amount to a declaration of war. Whether on your behalf or Shaymin House, I do not know."

She nodded along with him. "I would not like to do that. However, I think you'll find it's pointless to command a legendary, even if they're young. Especially wildlings, they're so bad at following directions."

She sat in her seat, pretending to be as calm and comfortable as any girl could be. If her terror reached her face, or the mind beneath, he would realize, and Hayden's plan was doomed.

"What exactly are you offering?"

Once I tell him, Drake can't keep hiding. But after today, Hayden had already stolen that option from him. "Drake has two choices about where he goes next. He could join your house, Lord Rivoalti. Or he could fly away to Hoenn and join Eon House. Lord Moonstone wouldn't want that to happen, and neither would I."

She rushed ahead, not pausing for a second. If she let this turn into an argument now, she'd never get what Drake needed. "But there was this whole... you know what happened to his parents. If you want Drake to stay on Alto Mare, he wants something in exchange. You can try to catch him and force him anyway, but if you do, I don't think he'll be very valuable to you. A prisoner, always fighting against his chains."

She floated a little closer, now entirely off her seat, lowering her voice as though whispering a secret to him. "I know how you can get leverage on Drake, enough that he serves willingly, and you never have to worry about him trying to escape to your enemies. I offer that knowledge freely, expecting nothing in return."

Lord Rivoalti tapped his hand against his leg, obviously impatient. "Go on then, cat. What demand do you disguise as a favor? Gold, access to the DMA? Speak plainly, I am not a patient man. Extort your island's worth."

She shook her head once. Liz floated away from her shoulder, hanging sideways in the air. "I don't think you know me very well yet, Lord Rivoalti. I don't want anything. See, Drake has been collecting... orphans. Protecting the children of Alto Mare, who don't have anywhere else to go. He knows that if he leaves, every one of those children will be back on their own, without him there to keep them safe anymore.

"Drake wants a real orphanage for his kids, and any more who end up on their own on the streets of your city. Those children get an education, they get food, and they get somewhere safe to live. Maybe you can find good homes for some of them, I'm not sure."

She floated even closer to him, now hovering entirely over the low table between them. She didn't dare move closer, for fear of it being seen as an attack. Besides—Lord Rivoalti was much stronger than she was, even if he lacked the same level of Unity. If she got within reach, he could break her neck and be done with it.

"You do that, and Drake can go off to Unity and serve without distraction. He can come back each summer, and see how good his friends are doing. Each visit is your way of reminding him how much he depends on Alto Mare for their lives, and how he'd never dare betray you to your rivals in Hoenn."

"I don't know how much gold that kind of thing costs," Liz added, from her other side. "But it's probably worth it. It's House Rivoalti that gets the recognition for saving those children. You're the benevolent rulers, and if you run the place right, you probably churn out some damn loyal citizens out of the institution."

She dropped back into her seat then, legs folding beneath her. "My name or Moonstone's is never part of it. We want nothing, ask nothing, demand nothing. Alto Mare isn't our territory. If the Eldest was here, he would probably say something like... we're invested in the future longevity and success of your house in these changing times."

Lord Rivoalti remained silent for a long time. He picked up his glass, took another sip, then set it back down again. With a legendary this powerful, he might be summoning soldiers from across the city, might be preparing to kill her with an attack she'd never seen—or maybe just calling Lord Moonstone to carry her away in shame.

She waited patiently in place, trying not to let her nervousness show. Her tail still twisted around the air behind her, occasionally wrapping around her legs, then releasing again to drift back towards the wall.

Finally, he set the empty glass down. "You will not know this, Hayden. But House Rivoalti was founded by a wildling, many years ago. He fled along with the youngest daughter of House Eon, from a latios so powerful that none could defy his will. They wished to build a home for the outcasts of Hoenn—inventors, atheists, and heretics. They saw the appalling condition of Hoenn under Eon House, and acted to protect those they could."

She nodded, but said nothing. This was already more than she had heard from the powerful ruler since arriving here. She knew when to shut up. Why did you want to kill him then?

"I will not... defy my grandfather's legacy, by rejecting those who fly behind him. Drake should not exist, you should not exist. But ask Eon House, and neither should my family. I should not be surprised that one of my most loyal soldiers produced a true daughter of Alto Mare after all. Not that Drake realizes it yet. Lucia has. That may be... an awkward rendezvous."

Hayden nodded solemnly. "I hope you'll give Drake more time to learn his Unity before that happens. I remember exactly how awful that was. I don't wish it on anyone."