[Sarah]

Zli#310D33 - Reader Character#653843

Zli made a point to become scarce around Aldrect holidays, gatherings, parades. His people roamed the streets, as they always did, and he made himself scarce. The only holiday he made a public appearance for was the one about golden thread.

You didn’t know much about it. You weren’t a native to Aldrect. You were barely a native to Evelon. Hell, the Vaults, the plane of the Chaos. Those few that knew of you circulated rumors of your origins.

[Sarah]

None knew you had your eyes set on a certain spymaster. The most vicious warlord, and his spymaster. Zli’s reputation preceded him across all your channels. He was a hard man to find, harder still in his own territory. A territory he did not leave for any reason. He’d been stationed in Aldrect for years, and you knew he was forced to be ineffective in purging its light. Half the fun of being a Demon was spilling blood. A thing that was not possible without an enemy.

[Sarah]

You found Aldrect to be peaceful in the throws of festivities. The streets were packed, and natives were overrun by tourists. No one seemed to mind the excess. Today you wondered the streets. If you could only catch a glimpse… You needed information on where his Demons roamed, and where he himself would deem necessary to roam. As the festivities heightened you knew he would have more warrant to explore the upper levels of the city, and more reason to.

[Sarah]

No festival was without its chaos. Someone somewhere would slip up and the spymaster himself would surface. You were patient. You would blend in, and you would have his attentions.

“Are you going to sign up for the parade miss?” your barista asked. She wasn’t your per se, but she’d been serving you every day for the entire week you’d been in town. It was both a blessing and a curse that she was becoming familiar.

[Sarah]

You smiled up at her and took the offered coffee. “I doubt it, but it does seem something you’d be interested in,” you noted. She sat across from you. Her gaze left you to watch the passing masses. Even this early in the morning the streets were busy.

“Maybe,” she sounded wistful, “I hardly have the time.” She laughed lightly but you frowned. Familiar was bad you decided. Caring would move you from your goal.

[Sarah]

“I’d be happy to help.” Your offer sounded absent, but you were careful with exactly how you presented yourself.

The barista blushed, her eyes flicking to yours for only a moment. “I couldn’t possibly-“

She cut herself off, or you had. “Nonsense, although I have to admit I don’t know what this parade entails.” More and more people were filling the coffee shop. No one bothered your barista as no one wanted to become involved with you. She seemed to be the only one immune to your off-putting nature.

[Sarah]

“I’d have to make a costume and figure out some act to play,” the barista sighed.

“Oh, is that all?” you questioned lightly. The barista smiled at you. She seemed less flighty, at least for now. You knew her measurements with only a look. A little research, a little time, you could make something impressive. “You think of what you’ll perform, and I’ll make sure you have something to wear.”

“This is too much.” Her blush was back, and her eyes evaded you.

[Sarah]

You disagreed. It was really not enough. She was over worked, underpaid, and she had to put up with you for a week now. It would be a while more that you would be bothering her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you the night of the festival, hmm?” You brushed your fingers lightly over her arm, drawing her eyes back to you. Her blush deepened.

“Alright.” She acquiesced quietly. You offered her a reassuring smile and the two of you went back to companionable silence.

[Sarah]

Finding materials in a city bogged down by tourists was an impossibility. You outsourced your needs to the few that were loyal. They did not question your orders and you had the material the same day you’d asked for it. Fine chiffon and golden glitter. Silk and structuring. Feathers that defined sacrilege. You went to work – a combination of your own deft hands and an extra set.

Research had brought you images and papers and you had them strewn around you as you worked. You’d drawn up plans of your own, and had others draw their own as well.

[Sarah]

You told your barista where to meet you. Near the tent where the sign ups were held. You’d sent your right hand with the costume to her a few hours before the main festivities would start. All you had to do now was wait. You knew she’d arrive any minute.

The you saw the thing you’d come for. You were forced to remember your mission, although you had not forgotten it. Zli. You caught his lean body, nearly glowing with magic, and followed him. Your barista would be fine without you.

Investigate Commotion

[Sarah]

You hadn’t meant to let the people grab you. You were trying to follow Zli. You’d seen his face, and you were fairly certain he’d seen yours. Given the situation you only gave the scientists some noncommittal noise and got out of their grasp as soon as they let you.

Zli had headed into the crowd. Whatever he was doing, you would bet money it had to do with the reported Chaos. A Chaos in Aldrect being as overt as this was surely meant to be bad news. He was either going to intercede or gather enough intelligence to make sure someone else could.

[Sarah]

“Zli.” You caught his arm. He twisted in your grip and the glare he caught you with was mixed with confusion. Your brow furrowed as you realized he didn’t recognize you.

“What’re you doing here?” He hissed. He took your hand from his arm but dropped it instead of causing a scene.

“I know you don’t know who I am. Do you know that you should?”

He shook his head, but it didn’t seem to be in response to your question. Zli was looking more closely at you now, studying you. You let him. He either wanted to know what you were or who you were, probably both.

[Sarah]

“Fine then who are you?”

You nodded slowly. “Your mother sent me.” You tried for the truth, but you doubted he’d believe you. He narrowed his eyes at you, and you knew then he’d marked you as an enemy.

“You heard about the Chaos?” he questioned. You nodded shortly. “Help me figure out what’s going on and maybe we can talk more,” he said.

That seemed more than fair. Would you believe someone if they came up to you with what you’d just gone up to him with? You supposed it would depend on the person, but overall, you couldn’t say that you would.

[Sarah]

“C’mon then,” he said gruffly and led you further into the crowd. You recognized the path he was taking you as one that would lead you to the performance. You wondered if you might see the barista. It would be dangerous for her to come up to you now, but you wanted to see her I the costume you’d made. “Aura sight?” he asked when you arrived on the outskirts of where the performance was going to be held.

“Yes. If the Chaos has used magic or changed planes recently, I’ll see it,” you replied. You scanned the crowd and Zli took your hand to lead you where he wanted.

[Sarah]

“See anything?” he asked.

“No. Should we ask around?” The stage was empty for the moment, but a crowd was gathered in preparation.

“I have my people around. Its better if we involve as few civilians as possible,” he answered. His voice was low, and he’d leaned in to talk right into your ear.

“You don’t know who I am,” you scolded lightly. He stepped in to you so your bodies were touching then. His reputation preceded him.

“Its not like we’re related,” he replied easily.

“Focus.”

He hummed something in your ear but did not move. Bastard. You rolled your eyes but refused to move yourself. As long as he kept his hands and lips to himself you wouldn’t have any real issues.

Head into the crowd and look for people who appear suspicious.