The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

XV- The Devil

1. Best laid plans

By the time we reach the veranda, no one is there. Nazali and Valdemar are nowhere to be seen.
"Akiko, what are you contemplating about? Is it about what The Devil said?"
I nod, words stuck in my throat.
I just...
"It is just... I...don't know.
Whatever he wants to speak about, I... Don't have a good feeling about this.
And what Lucio said..."
It just won't get out of my head.
"... I don't think he's lying, Julian."
"... Me neither.
But no matter what he explained, he also said he wanted to come back. And when he comes back, the Plague will return with him."
"... The Plague will be brought right into the Masquerade."
Julian and I swallow hard.
Half the city are in this place for the party... And Asra, Nadia and Portia are somewhere in there too.
"I...I'm worried about you, Akiko.
The Plague already..."
...He hesitates. The unspoken words hang heavy in the air between us.
The Plague nearly killed him once. It did kill me.
"We will stop it this time."
"Of course we will, Akiko.
No one will bring that sickness back to Vesuvia under my watch."
"That's reassuring to hear."
The heavy atmosphere lifts a little.
"... It doesn't seem like we will find them anytime soon. They are gone, and I cannot pick up their trail.
... Why don't we go and talk to Nadia? I'm sure she would want to know what we found out."

Finding one person in the Masquerade is easier said than done.
We peer into every room we pass, but there is no trace of her, or any other familiar face.
"Hm? Now what's that all about?"
Down the hall, a group of partygoers is crowded around the entrance to one room.
"Is it okay to go in? Do you think they'll let me?"
"Oh! Oh, I think she smiled at us!"
"Would you look at those costumes? They're so glamorous!"
Julian leans up on his toes to peer over the crowd. For me, they form an impenetrable wall. The only way I could see something would be to jump. But Julian is tall enough to catch a glimpse, at least I think so, as he, seemingly satisfied, drops back on his heels.
"I think I spotted the Countess in here. Let's see if we can get past this rowdy bunch."
I nod, breathing deeply and taking his hand, as I make my way through.
"Ahem, hem. Pardon me, coming through, excuse me..."
After an eternity, we finally step into the room.

Above us is a vast, dark night sky, dripping with stars. Threads of silver shimmer between the stars, mapping the constellations.
There are only few guests in the room, that chat quietly or just enjoy the room in complete silence.
"Ilya!"
Portia's voice is hushed, but not less vehement for that.
"Couldn't even spare a minute before you ran off to see me, huh?"
"And show up to the Masquerade without a costume? Never."
Portia wraps her arms around him, and he returns the hug, tweaking her mask lightly.
"Love the mask, Pasha. Did a certain kitty model for it?"
"She sure did!
I hope you've been enjoying the Masquerade?"
I smile wryly.
"I'd prefer it with fewer problems."
"Problems?
Oh, are you referring to that mess in the rainbow room?
It's gonna take us an hour to clean that up.
Buuut, I heard you two got to have fun in there first...
Something about a table and a vielle?"
Behind Portia, Nadia clears her throat.
"I'm glad to hear you both enjoy the party."
She's not alone. Behind her stand two elegant, ethereal figures.
Portia hastily lets go of Julian and straightens.
"May introduce the Crown Princess of Prakra, Nafizah Satrinava..."
The tall, white haired woman inclines her head slightly towards us, but her attention seems to lay solely on me.
"...and the Prakran Ambassador, Princess Natiqa Satrinava."
Natiqa approaches us, mischief dancing in her sea blue eyes.
"Ah, you must be Akiko, the magician! I've heard so much about you."
I hesitate, not quite sure whether to bow, and she smiles reassuringly at me, before her attention shifts towards Julian.
"Now, who might you be?
Hm. Red hair, dark coat, conveniently gloved hands... I've only heard of one man like that.
Could it be that a murderer roams free in the palace?"
Julian stammers, caught off guard, but recovers quickly.
"Why, Princess Natiqa, surely you don't believe that.
That would require a conspiracy at the highest levels of Vesuvian government."
"Just what are you implying?"
She places a hand over her heart, and though she sounds deeply offended, her eyes twinkle slyly.
Nadia clears her throat again.
"Natiqa, please."
Natiqa laughs. Though it does sound a bit strained.
"Alright, alright. I was just having a bit of fun.
Dia told us everything. You have nothing to fear from us."
"Though...
Maybe you fear something else."
The intensity of Nafizah's gaze almost makes me back down.
Nadia's expression turns worried in a blink of an eye.
"Yes, you do seem distressed... Is something amiss?"
"We need to talk... Privately."
"Say no more, Akiko.
Guards, please guide the other guests out of the room. Perhaps into the bubble room?"
Only few moments pass, and the room is almost empty. The last guard draws the door shut, blocking out the hallway spectators.
"And, ahem. Natiqa, Nafizah. If you wouldn't mind..."
"Of course Dia. Shout if you need us."
Natiqa retreats into the far corner of the room, tilting her head upwards to take in the view of the twinkling night sky.
Nafizah's gaze lingers a moment longer at me, before she turns to follow Natiqa.
Nadia looks down at me.
"There now. We won't be disturbed.
Is this related to Lucio's ghost? Asra came by to warn me earlier."
I nod.
"Yes, it is. Though the situation is... more complicated than we thought."
"Complicated? Oh, of course he couldn't let me host a Masquerade in peace.
Very well. What is my not-so-decreased ex-husband up to?"
Julian and I recount our conversation with Lucio's ghost, and The Devil.
At the end, Nadia presses her fingers to her temples. She looks deeply, intensely pained.
"This behaviour of him is very different from what I knew about him. But it's just like him to want to return."
"I don't think he's lying, Nadia. He wants to change... Though I don't know how he intends to do so. And, speaking plainly, The Devil worries me more than anything else.
He is plotting something. Something with disastrous consequences for us all, I fear."
Nadia sighs.
"From what you have just told me, I reached the same feeling. The question is only what to do...?"
My gaze drops on the floor while thinking.
"Even if you would cancel the Masquerade, it would only delay the effects. Of both the catastrophe and or the Plague. So this is no option."
She nods.
"I agree. It would also lead to a public panic. And this is something we must prevent at all cost."
Julian looks down at me.
"We could always see what The Devil has to say to you, Akiko."
"A talk with some shady, magic goat guy? That's got bad idea written all over it!"
Nadia nods in agreement.
"I must agree with Portia. The best solution would be to stop every plan behind the scenes entirely."
"I've come to the same conclusion.
Do you have a plan already, Nadia?"
"I do... Unfortunately, I cannot disappear from public view without raising suspicion.
My sisters and I will ensure that the populace stays calm. And I'll ensure that Asra will know about the situation.
As for the two of you...
I apologize to ask this from you, but your already busy night is likely to get busier.
I'd like you to look around for any trace of the Devil. But ...
... Perhaps you'd like to freshen up first?
You could use my private bath."
I peer down at myself, and then at Julian. We are both dishevelled due to our dash through the hedge maze.
Even in the dim light, I can read the weariness in Julian's expression.
We've been running around the moment we left the dungeon, and this lays I don't how many hours in the past. My limbs all feel heavy as iron.
"Perhaps... It would be best to rest a little before moving on."
"Yes!
I, uh. I mean, thank you, Countess."
"Of course. Portia, if you would."
"Right this way, you two!"