Chapter Text
Alvena had approached the palace, the soft letter in hand. She had been requested at the palace - although she wasn’t sure herself what Countess Nadia had needed. Alvena hadn’t even been in Vesuvia long, yet she’d gained the interest of the Countess. She supposed she would find out soon what she needed of her.
Alvena blinked at the guards who she approached. Alvena wasn’t that small - yet she had to look up at the palace guards. She looked at her with a guarded expression.
“Hi..um..I have an invitation from Countess Nadia…Alvena.” Alvena had awkwardly said, her gaze flitting to each of the guards as she spoke. Alvena never had been around..royalty before, but she was able to hide her nervousness quite well.
The guards without a word had looked at each other, before opening the palace gates. Alvena couldn’t help but notice how the gates were able to silently open - not creaking or making noises at all. She then quickly stumbled through, holding the letter in her left hand. Alvena had approached the palace entrance - and was immediately approached by a servant. The servant had one hand on her hip, giving Alvena a friendly smile, before speaking towards her.
“Hello - you must be Alvena! Countess Nadia is waiting for you, you're right on time for dinner!” The servant had said to Alvena, who she beckoned to come into the palace, where they began to lead Alvena down a hallway.
Alvena stayed quiet, which caused the servant to glance at her. She seemed to have noticed Alvena’s introverted behavior, but didn’t really seem to mind it much. They entered the dining room without any trouble, where the Countess was eating dinner, it seemed like. Nadia had glanced up, seeming to recognize Alvena. Alvena was confused though, on how Nadia had recognized her, but she supposed she was very recognizable on the account of her yellow eyes with her hardly visible pupil and her hair.
“Ah, Alvena! You're here. Maybe enjoy some dinner with me, as well while we go over things?” Nadia had said to her, with a stern expression. Alvena cautiously sat down next to her in a plush chair. It felt weird to Alvena, but she waited for Nadia to start speaking.
Some other servants had been swapping some of the dishes out, serving both Nadia and Alvena herself some dinner. It seemed to be some type of goose as well as some sides with it that Alvena didn’t recognize. Alvena turned her gaze from the servants back to Nadia. Nadia seemed to have a glass cup of some sort, filled with white wine. Nadia turned her gaze back to Alvena. Alvena wasn’t able to read her expression very well, but she could tell Nadia meant business. Nadia gazed down at Alvena, before she parted her lips to speak.
“I’m glad you received my letter in time, Alvena. I have a proposal for you.”
Alvena chewed lightly at the inside of her lip, before speaking, her own voice soft and quiet, but with how silent it was inside of the room, it wasn’t hard to hear her.
“...and what is this proposal?” Alvena had gently spoken, twisting her fingers in her lap out of nervousness.
Nadia took a sip of wine as Alvena spoke, and then spoke once she finished. “I’ve heard from my servants you're a renowned Magician - one that specializes in illusions, correct?”
Alvena nodded gently in response, slightly surprised that she was known enough that Nadia’s own servants talked about her. Sure, she’s done quite a few jobs in the city with her skills, but never in a million years would she think that she’d catch the attention of a Countess of all things. Nadia looked almost pleased with her answer, but it seemed like any expression she had was replaced by the stern look Nadia had. Alvena wondered if she still had any doubts about her.
“I wanted to hire you for your help.I was hoping you’d help with another magician I plan on hiring. Luckily, they should be here soon, so you could meet them.”
Alvena was surprised at that. It seems Nadia had planned the meeting out very well. It seems Nadia was right - as they had finished up their meals, another servant with orange hair tied up in a ponytail with a striped bandana holding it up walked in with a smaller person. Alvena had turned her gaze away, looking towards them. They were just a bit shorter than she was - with blonde hair and light green eyes. They had a dark gray shawl on, with some blue robes underneath. Alvena could almost feel the smugness coming off their person. She wasn’t sure if she liked her already - as they came over, immediately bowing towards Nadia.
“Hello Countess, I am Emile.” Emile seemed already more sociable than Alvena was. Alvena saw Emile glance at her for a moment with some interest in her gaze, but she quickly looked right back over to Nadia.
“Hello Emile, sit with us, why don’t you? You're not too late for dinner. We have some things to discuss.”
Emile had sat down on the other side of Nadia, with Nadia in between the two. Servants came out - serving out some dessert, but Alvena hadn’t touched it, instead looking towards Nadia and Emile. Nadia took another sip of her wine, placing it down. Alvena had noticed the painting on the wall, blinking at the oddness of it. Although, Alvena liked it. She felt drawn to the goat-like figure in the painting, although she wasn’t sure why. Nadia seemed to notice her interest, also gazing towards the painting.
“Do you like the painting, Alvena, Emile?”
Alvena bit at the inside of her cheek at the mention. She wasn’t sure what to feel about that - Alvena herself barely managed to avoid getting the plague herself, having arrived only a couple months earlier.
“Um..yeah..it's..got a strange energy to it..”
Alvena felt a slight jolt of pain in the back of her head, that slowly melted into an emotion she took a second to recognize - pride. Whoever was in the painting seemed very prideful - perhaps to a narcissistic level.
The Countess seemed surprised by her answer, her eyebrows raising at Alvena. “Fascinating…perhaps you shape my husband’s unusual tastes.”
Emile had pipped up after Alvena gave her answer, being the opposite of her’s. “Not necessarily, no.”
Alvena remembered a little bit about the Count - but not too much. She’d heard of his tales..and she actually came to the city in hopes of seeing a glimpse of him. Alvena didn’t know why, she normally didn’t seek out others, perhaps it was just interest she supposed. Alvena ignored a whisper in the back of her head that seemed to mutter, lies.
“He’s the goat in the middle, of course. Ever the provider. Lucio had the populace eating out the palm of his hand. Much like the painting. I suppose.”
Alvena couldn’t tear her eyes from the painting, she was eyeing the gold details behind Lucio, and then her eyes being drawn to the figures surrounding them. She recognized Death almost immediately.
“Whatever he offered, the people gobbled it up. They worshiped him. My husband was particularly loved for his yearly Masquerade.”
Alvena turned her gaze finally away from it. She could almost feel magic pooling in the back of her head, warning of visions to come sometime soon. Alvena let out a small, unnoticeable sigh as she would think about having to deal with it. She only hoped it didn’t happen while she was walking. Nadia finally put down her glass, which she had apparently drank the rest of while Alvena was staring at the painting, and then folding her hands and resting her chin upon them.
“Did either of you attend?” Nadia had asked, she turned her gaze to us, then adding, “The whole city came alive for the Masquerade. Revelry took hold of hearts young and old.”
Nadia paused for a moment, before continuing, her gaze shifted to the side, as if reminiscing about the event. “All in celebration of Lucio’s birthday. And what a celebration, when he opened the palace gates to all.” Nadia let out a small sigh, her gaze still elsewhere.
Alvena glanced at Emile, which she found that they both looked at each other at the same time. Alvena wondered if they were thinking the same thing; Nadia seemed to miss Masquerades, and she was thinking wistfully in the past about it. Perhaps her question wasn’t meant to be answered.
“Such a fond memory for many, and now it is shrouded in sorrow. A terrible shock to the guests..to find their host murdered so violently at the mas Masquerade.”
Alvena didn’t really expect her to come out and say it - Nadia’s face turning slightly in some sort of negative expression Alvena herself couldn’t even place. But she knew that it was something she had distaste for, and wished that it never happened. She could feel the tension in her air as she finished speaking, Alvena could see the servants lingering around the room averting their gaze or lowering their eyes. Alvena studied them for a moment, and then turned her gaze to Emile who she saw looking back at the painting. Alvena looked as well after seeing Emile look at it.
“My poor husband..burned alive in his own bed.” Nadia had said. Alvena couldn’t see her expression, but it sounded more like anger by the tone of her voice rather than sorrow. Maybe it could be both?
“And at the celebration of his birthday. What did he do to invite such hatred?”
“After such a shocking scene…guests to the Palace have been scarce.” Alvena looked back at Nadia after studying the painting while she spoke. It felt almost wrong to look at her while she was speaking about the late Count.
Alvena had turned her eyes, only to see her looking towards Emile, where they met their gaze.
“But..now the both of you are here.” Nadia had spoken, looking at the both of them. Alvena wasn’t sure what to think of this. The mood she set didn’t exactly tell her that Nadia was going to ask good things of her.
Emile finally spoke up, seeming to be the braver one of the two. “Countess, what does any of this have to do with me?”
“Emile, the Masquerade is precisely why I called you here.” Nadia had said finally, her expression looking more neutral than it was before. Alvena can almost feel the careful planning she had done about all of this.
“This year, I intend to hold the Masquerade once more.” Nadia’s tone of voice seemed almost excited for the fact, but there was an edge of emotion in it that was barely concealed under her words.
Alvena could see Emile almost lose their composure at that. There was no reason to hold another Masquerade - Count Lucio was dead. Alvena with a quick glance, could see everyone else staring at her. Alvena had the intuition already that she knew it was going to be something outlandish as that, so she wasn’t as nearly as taken aback as the others.
“The festivities in Lucio’s honor will be more fanatical - excuse me, fantastical than ever.”
“There is but one loose end in need of tying.” Alvena wasn’t sure what she was going to say next, almost feeling like she needed to hold her breath in order to properly take in what Nadia was about to say next.
“Count Lucio’s murderer still roams free, to this day.”
“Doctor Julian Devorak, my husband’s former physician.”
Alvena herself didn’t know exactly who that was, but she saw Emile suddenly go still. She blinked up at Nadia, quite unsure on how to react to this information. However, Elvena did recall seeing the wanted posters with the name on them.
“Doctor Devorak confessed to the crime when we caught him. All that is left is his sentence.”
“Execution by hanging.”
Alvena herself was shocked at this, blinking in surprise. At the same time, she heard someone drop a dish, she turned her gaze over. It was the servant who came in with Emile, looking absolutely surprised. The dish had shattered on the floor, where she stammered a quick apology. The servant’s face is stricken with horror.
“Portia?” Nadia had said, surprise clear on her face as well.
“F-forgive me, milady. Slippery hands!” Portia. Alvena wondered if the servant was even supposed to overhear Nadia, but Nadia didn’t seem to mind if she had. Alvena gazed at the servant, feeling as though there was more to it.
“You are forgiven.”
Alvena watched as two more servants came rushing in, to help sweep away the shattered mess with windsprint speed.
“This is where you come in, Emile. Doctor Devorak has been very elusive.”
Alvena looked over to Emile, who was making eye contact with Nadia now, turning her head up to look at her as Nadia continued to speak.
“But you have quite the reputation. Rumor has it that you have surpassed even your Master Asra.”
“I myself see the future, in dreams, whether I like it or not.”
Alvena showed surprise on her face for a moment as she heard it. Alvena had the same thing as well - but the future could sprung up on her at any moment, most of them minor bits of information that is to come, such as this morning when Alvena had a vision of receiving a letter as she woke up in bed.
“And this is how I know that you are the one who will find Doctor Devorak.”
Alvena watched Emile for what she would say in response. “And..if we find him?” Alvena had watched Emile say, seeing a bunch of emotions go across her face, but too fast for Alvena to read.
“ When we find him, we will bring him before the people so that all may see his long-awaited punishment.”
“And so, to commence the festivities..the doctor will die on the gallows for his terrible crime.” Alvena could almost go cold from the emotion and tension in the room. The expression on Nadia’s face certainly did not help.
“And…Alvena.” Nadia had turned her gaze towards her now, her expression more stern than it was. “I planned on hiring you for the Masquerade..but I’d imagine that setup for what I had planned won’t take that long..so I wish for you to help Emile.”
Alvena wasn’t able to respond as Nadia rose from her chair. Emile follows, then so does Alvena. Alvena watched Nadia turned towards Portia, speaking out towards her,
“Portia..” Alvena turned her gaze over, where Nadia called out her name once more.
“..Portia.”
“Yes, milady!”
“Show Emile and Alvena to the guest quarters. I imagine there is much to ponder before the night it out.”
“Right away, milady.”
Alvena watched Portia go and pull at Emile, before reaching towards Alvena as well, where with a bow, they whisked us both to the doorway. Portia is quiet as she ushered us down the hallway. Alvena took quiet peeks around the hallway. We were quiet as we turned a few hallways, and then passed a wide staircase that was hidden in shadow. Alvena could smell ash in the air as the wind seemed to whistle down from above us. The smell made her noise prickle, and the feeling of more magic pooling in the back of her skull. Alvena had turned her gaze over, seeing two large, lanky dogs. Both white white coats, gleaming red eyes and ornate collars. They looked nearly identical to each other, with both long snouts, large pointed ears and a fluffy, healthy coat. Alvena watched as the dog's eyes fixed on us, with one being on Emile, and the other staring at me. They rose from the ground slowly, without making a sound.
Alvena noticed they have the air of hunting dogs - but they don't seem like they would attack us at the moment. Alvena watched Emile hold out her hand, and they both approached to sniff at it, their tongues lolling out of their mouths. Alvena wondered if Emile was good with dogs, watching the dog’s tails slowly start wagging. Alvena turned her gaze to Portia, who seemed surprised.
“Well, this is bizarre. They never take kindly to strangers. It’s just how they were trained, but.. I’ve never seen them act like this.”
Alvena felt something touch her side, and she turned her gaze down. The one without a scarred ear was brushing their slim snout up my side. They then drew back away from her, giving her a look of expectation.
Alvena could hear Portia call out, “I wouldn’t do that If I were you!”, causing Alvena to turn her gaze, where she could see Emile with their hand outstretched. The larger dog had drawn back, eyeing Emile and Portia.
“Sorry. They’re a little unpredictable. They seemed to like you, but I’d rather you keep that hand.”
Alvena turned her gaze back away, and she could see the hounds settling back in their spot on the marble. They almost blend into it.
“Oh! No wonder they’re like this, they haven’t had their chamomile cakes!” Alvena looked back to Portia as she seemed to remember this.
“Wait here, and it’s best to keep your distance from them.” Alvena could see her pointedly looking at Emile as she said this, who looked a little skeptical about the dogs being bitey.
“I’ll be right back with those cakes.”
Alvena watched Portia step through a sliding panel on the wall. She turned her gaze to Emile, who had been studying the dogs, before turning her gaze to Alvena as well. They hadn’t had the time to properly introduce each other, being bombarded with all this..drama, it feels like.
Alvena and Emile stared at each other for a moment, before Emile stepped closer to her, a smile appearing on her face. “I’m sure you’ve heard, but I’m Emile.”
Alvena didn’t know how to feel about her - but Emile felt confident, sure of themself. She wasn’t really picking much in particular - but even Alvena could tell she was a talented magician.
“..Alvena.” She had finally spoken, she was much more reserved than Emile was.
“..I suppose we’re..both working on this..then?” Alvena almost timidly asked, gazing at Emile through her black lavender-tipped hair that covered one side of her face.
Emile nodded, “It sounds fun, working with another new magician. It will go well.”
Alvena wasn’t sure what to make out of her confidence, or the fact it will go well at all. Alvena herself had no information to go off of what would happen.
Alvena watched Emile’s gaze turn back down, as the bigger dog sniffed at her side. Once they looked at them, it pulled back away from them and stared. Alvena could feel the small one sniffing at her, she turning slightly to gaze down at the dog. It sat back on its haunches, watching her. It was like something twisted in the air - Alvena could feel even more magic pooling into her skull, it felt almost liquid hot, as if a fever was starting to run through my skull and down into the rest of her body.
The two of them then heard an echo through the calls.
“ A guest? ”
Alvena froze, and she saw out the corner of her eye, Emile taking a step back, her gaze darting all over the corridor in front of them. She wasn’t quite sure what to do nor think in this situation. An invisible person? She had no idea. Alvena could tell the gaze was coming from the top of the stars, her gaze lifting, trying to peer into the gloom that seemed to hide the top of it. They didn’t see anything there, but she could still feel the hot magic burning in the back of her head. Alvena would have a vision soon - she could feel it. The dam would soon break, and her mind would be stolen away once more.
Alvena had turned at a slight tug at her clothes, glancing down at the smaller dog tugging on her. They were doing the same to Emile, where they dragged us onto the stairs. Emile was more willing to come with, while Alvena frowned slightly, looking almost disapprovingly at the dogs. Alvena dutifully followed after Emile who allowed themselves to be tugged. We stood at the top of the stairs, peering into the gloom. Alvena could feel a tug, but dogs had let her go. It was something mental, almost feeling like there was a string of magic connecting her deeper within.
It was so ashy here - in smell, anyway. Everything seemed cold, the lights completely extinguished and it was dark in the hallway. Alvena couldn’t make out the end of the hallway. Alvena didn’t seem to notice Emile’s own reactions who looked more terrified than she did. Alvena felt -..interest? She wasn’t scared. Her intuition told her that something was tugging her there, not of this plane, possibly.
She could see a glimmer in the corner of her eye, where she suddenly turned her gaze, spotting Emile casting a small light in the palm of her hand. Alvena noticed the dogs had vanished. Alvena studied Emile for a second, before turning her gaze back to the door ahead, which was slightly open. Alvena heard Emile take in a sharp intake, before spinning around on her heel and darting back down the stairs. Alvena glanced behind her, seeing Emile disappear around a corner. Alvena turned her gaze back ahead. It was harder to see now that the magical light was gone.
Alvena didn’t feel scared, slowly stepping forward as she approached the door. She gently grasped the door, pulling it open further, where she stepped into the gloom. Alvena glanced around the room, seeing how burnt everything was in here, and how ashy everything was. She could hardly see in the gloom, but she knew the darkness held answers.
Trust your intuition and lead you true, and the darkness will fade.
Alvena’s confidence held strong, her gaze looking around the room.
Didn’t..Nadia say Count Lucio burnt to death? Alvena was able to connect it, realizing she was standing in the middle of a crime scene. Despite the air outside, it was warm, and the air was almost peppery. Alvena passed by the extravagant suit of armor and the marble writing desk, glancing at the white peacock feather pen on it. Everything was covered in ash, she gently swiping her fingertips over the desk. She stared at her fingers, covered in the ash. Count Lucio’s remains. Alvena felt..a little bothered now, her brows furrowing.
Alvena turned, catching a glimpse of something on the wall as she did so. She noticed it was a painting; twice her height. It was a portrait. Alvena held out her hand, summoning her light, which looked almost like moonlight on the canvas so she could get a closer look. Alvena could see the painting; It was clearly Count Lucio despite the small lighting she placed upon it. Alvena stared upwards at the canvas, drinking in every detail of the painting. Her gaze lingered on the lustrous features of the gold, the red striking and drawing in her gaze as well. Alvena finally was gazing upon Count Lucio’s face.
“Go on. Touch it.” Something whispered in her ear. Alvena couldn’t tell if it was her inner consciousness or the voice from earlier whispering to her.
Alvena could feel hot air pushing her hand upwards towards the portrait. It was not her consciousness, then. The voice - she didn’t know what it was still. She could feel nothing but canvas, and could hear snickering in her head. The magic pooling in her head seems to almost brim to the full - taking up every inch inside of her skull. Alvena’s entire head felt heavy - like it was lead.
“Nothing like the real thing..seeing, unable to feel….such sweet torture.”
Alvena could feel the sensation in her skull creep down her neck, the magic in her hand flickering wildly in reaction before it puffed out in a spark of magic. She could hear a faint noise in her head, the voice, again. Alvena felt almost light-headed. Even though she could tell the foreign sensations have subsided, her own magic was still making her head feel hot with fever.
“There..in your energy..ohh, it's him….Could you be..?”
Alvena stumbled back, her vision going hazy for a moment as she nearly lost herself. She couldn’t tell if it's the visitor - or her visions threatening to take over. Then, Alvena blacked out, something soft meeting the back of her knees and she falling onto the dusty, ash covered bed behind her. Alvena could vaguely tell of the plumes of ash that gushed up around her, unsettled by her sudden momentum onto the bed. She could feel the ash all on her..but she was lost to a vision, the world around her hazy.
There was a flash of golden hair - a streak of black on someone’s face. She could feel fur under her fingertips, an almost whiney, begging voice in the back of her head.
A spike of pain echoed in her skull as she could feel a thread of magic slowly attaching itself to her. He is alive..here.
Alvena let out a soft gasp, able to see the soft glow of her eyes reflecting lightly off the poles of the canvas bed, and reflecting in the ash floating through the air. She jolted off the bed, suddenly aware of her surroundings. Alvena could taste, smell, feel, ash.
It suddenly made her feel terrified - the presence.
“W..who are you?” Alvena could barely find her voice anymore, her moonlit eyes blinking as she tried to peer past the shadows of the room.
Alvena could feel the temperature of the room drop, her scared, shaky breaths starting to reflect in the mist. She was more easily able to see the dim glow of her eyes, reflecting in the mist as well, casting a soft glow infront of her face. She could hear noises - shuffling, a cry? It wasn’t human, whatever it was.
“Nobody…nobody at all.”
There was a breeze, she was barely able to see it at all. But, she felt the wind on her face, where she could see objects in the room ruffling, where it stops at the portrait.
“Now, this specimen of a man….HE was somebody..”
It felt like she had been released from a vacuum chamber - the temperature suddenly normal. Alvena pushed herself off the bed, her legs nearly giving out beneath her. She stumbled towards the door, her eyes wide and her breath ragged. Alvena was able to escape the room, where she started speeding down the hallway.
Alvena could barely pay attention to her surroundings, hearing her heartbeat in her ears. She could hear the voice almost directly in her ears, beckoning her.
“Come back…come back.” It muttered. She almost wanted to - but she was too terrified. Fully focused on the flight portion of ‘fight or flight’.
Alvena had glanced back, however, seeing a ghostly figure with red glowing eyes. It had claws, horns, and hooves, reminding her of a goat. Alvena blinked, and suddenly the image was gone from sight. It still felt like it had burned into her retinas, a sudden pull of magic that slowly dissipated with its disappearance.
Alvena could vaguely hear other sounds, but she was too preoccupied with fleeing still. She somehow finds her way downstairs, and into the lit hallway. Alvena’s head swam, she finally remembered the vision. Alvena was too filled with terror to even think about it right now, feeling hands upon her shoulders, and slightly shaking her.
“...lvena..Alvena.” Alvena could barely register Portia’s voice, where she blinked almost owlishly at Portia. She gently took her hands off of her shoulders as she realized I had snapped out of whatever stupor I was in.
“..Are you alright? Why are you covered in ash? Did the naughty dogs get to you?” Portia had said, while pulling out a plain white handkerchief, holding it out gently to Alvena.
Alvena didn’t respond right away, gently taking the handkerchief, and wiping at her face with it.
“Ah..I..yes, thank you.” Alvena managed to stammer out.
“Emile said she didn’t know where you went, so I came to find out. At least I found you before those dogs did any more damage..” Portia had said, almost frowning down at Alvena with concern, while Alvena dusted herself off of ash. Portia had helped as well, getting the rest of it off.
“You know, I’m just gonna leave these cakes right here. Let’s get you to bed.” Alvena nods sharply to Portia, before following after her. Alvena felt like a ghost herself, mindlessly walking after her until they arrive outside of a door. Portia sweeps the door open, and Alvena follows her in.
“These will be your quarters, Alvena. Emile is next door, on the right.”
Alvena blinks owlishly at Portia, still a little dazed from earlier. Portia still looks concerned, but doesn’t speak more of her behavior.
“You can put your things wherever you like. Breakfast is at sunrise..I’ll wake you.” Alvena had nodded, before gently placing her bag on the floor, next to the bed. Alvena turned to look at Portia, who spoke in a gentle tone towards her.
“You look ready to drop. I’ll leave you be. Sleep well, Alvena.” Portia leaves quietly, gently pulling the door behind it, the only noise being heard is the door clicking close quietly.