Hi All. Have another chapter ready to go. It may be a bit on the "filler" side, but it is setting the stage for some plot points coming up, so bear with me. Thanks for the reads and feedback!


Weskham was right about the imprisonment. At precisely 10am that morning, the lead guard knocked on the door and told them they were free to explore the city. The only limitation was that they could not leave town.

Lux wanted to explore Altissia immediately. He was bored, and had never had time to really explore the city. The last time he had been here they had been on a very tight schedule. He was chomping at the bit to go out.

Eostre was not so sanguine. "Why would they let us go," she asked Ardyn warily.

"Most likely to spy on us," he replied, parroting back what Weskham had warned him about. "However, as I suspect we will primarily be playing tourist," he made a meaningful glance to Lux, "we might as well play their game. They won't get anything, and we can alleviate our boredom. What do you say, Eostre? Will you explore the city with me and Lux?"

After what he had told her about Aera, she was back to square one with him. She certainly didn't want to leave Lux alone with him, or let Ardyn out of her sight. And, if she was being honest, she was eager to explore the city herself.

Ardyn studied her face intently, no doubt guessing what was going on in her mind.

It goaded her to keep mum about her mistrust. "Of course I'll go! I've always wanted to see a winter carnival," she gushed with exaggerated enthusiasm, playing the role of naïve excited tourist to the hilt.

Ardyn was not fooled. He merely gave her the cold smirk that she hated. "You could have just said, 'I am only coming to keep an eye on you,'" he stated, parroting back her usual words.

She smirked back. "I have a, 'thing' about needing to do the opposite of what people tell me," she drawled, parroting back his.

That drew an actual amused smile from him. "Careful, Eostre. You seem dangerously close to flirting with me," he warned teasingly.

Eostre blinked in surprise. She had never flirted in her life. She wasn't even aware she knew how to do it. "I don't flirt," she replied repressively.

"It sounded to me like you just did," Lux interjected, cutting the ground out from under Eostre's feet.

"And how would you know what flirting is? You're eleven." Eostre demanded, flustered.

"I've watched a few rom coms with Luna and Aranea," Lux returned, unfazed. "Well, mom scoffs at them—it's more Luna who likes them," he ran on.

"Why am I not surprised," Ardyn replied, dryly. "And how about you, Eostre. Are you a sucker for sappy romances?"

Eostre recognized that tone. It was the same one he had used on Cassius—rope to hang you disguised as an innocent question. She wasn't as naïve as Cassius was. She knew not to play the game.

She ignored them both, striding towards the nearest kiosk. As far as she was concerned, this topic was over.

As Ardyn kept pace with her, she heard him murmur, "if you don't flirt, what was that conversation we had ten years ago, hmm?"

She knew full well the conversation he meant—had she been flirting on that walk home? No, she decided. If bold, direct conversation was his definition of flirting, then he must think everyone was flirting with him, she thought scathingly. She didn't deign to answer, realizing in the process that she'd given him the last word.


The streets were very quiet this time of day. To Lux's disappointment, most of the colorful kiosks were closed.

"The revelers need time to sleep it off," a helpful passersby informed them. "The festivities are mostly evening affairs—they go on till 4am or so. You can expect the kiosks to open later this afternoon."

"A celebration of the night, hmm," Ardyn mused aloud.

"Maybe it's honoring the longer nights that usually happen this time of year," Lux suggested, enjoying playing amateur anthropologist.

Nobody responded to his theory.

As they needed something more seasonable than Hawaiian shirts to wear around here, it made sense to clothes shop again. The first open shop they found sold almost entirely costumes.

"Oh, right. Altissia is big on masquerades during festivals," Ardyn explained to his confused comrades.

There was always something about a costume shop that teased the imagination. Where else could you find a ten gallon foam hat in one corner and a beautiful silk kimono in another? And there was the randomness of it all—you never knew what you would find.

Lux was thrilled, picking through every aisle, stopping to try on hats, glasses, and wigs, and giggling at himself in the mirror.

Ardyn, always a flamboyant dresser, was actually having some luck on the clothing front. He found himself a black and gray pinstriped suit in the "mobster" clothing section, as well as a white ruffled shirt in the pirate wear section. He smirked at Eostre as he assembled his selections. "A thief at sea, and a gangster. What do you think of this," he taunted.

"They say people pick out costumes based on who they'd subconsciously like to be. I can't say I'm surprised at what you picked," Eostre snarked back.

"Hmm. In that case, I would be most curious at what you pick out," he replied, returning to his shopping.

He couldn't find anything to match his paisley cloak, so settled on a black velvet cape for extra warmth. With his fedora, he pretty much had his usual outfit back.

"I told you you'd be back in your suit," Lux exclaimed triumphantly upon seeing the pile of clothes in his father's arms.

"In lieu of ten gil, allow me to buy you a change of clothes instead," Ardyn returned dryly.

"This one then," Lux replied, pure mischief in his voice that reminded Eostre forcibly of his father. He had chosen a pirate costume, complete with bicorne hat. He would stick out like a sore thumb in that getup.

"Like father, like son, eh, Lux," Ardyn taunted back.

Lux stiffened, not liking that similarity one bit. "Maybe I should just get the clown costume then," Lux said grumpily, reaching for the colorful polka-dotted overalls on the rack next door.

Ardyn shuddered in distaste. "I do so hate clowns," he drawled.

Lux looked at his second choice dubiously. Eostre saw his indecision, and felt bad for him. "How about we get the pirate suit and you wear just the white ruffled shirt and red and white striped pants," she said. "Those would pass for 'normal' if a bit flamboyant. And with 'normal' clothes, you won't look at all like Ardyn," she reassured.

"The latter being the main point in its favor," Ardyn returned archly.

Lux gave them a dubious look, but listened to Eostre's advice, adding the pirate suit to the pile.

Eostre was at a loss for what to get for herself. She wore a weird size as it was, and most of the female costumes were a bit, revealing.

The proprietor saw Eostre struggling and stepped in to help, even if she made it worse. "Given your man's choice," she lectured, "we need something in the similar color range for you."

"He's not, I mean, that's ok," Eostre began, just to be ignored as the woman strode purposefully to the gothic section. Eostre followed, curious, but also dreading what the woman would come up with.

"Let's see. Yes, I think this would work," the woman muttered, dragging out a dress for Eostre's review.

"Dress" didn't do it justice. It was a ballgown reminiscent of another era. It had a black velvet ankle-length skirt inlaid with dark gray brocade flowers. Black lace lined the bell sleeves and low, but not too revealing, collar. The bodice was gray satin to match the flowers in the skirt. It was probably velour and rayon instead of the more luxurious fabrics, but it was still a sophisticated gown considering it was a costume. It would even fit her, Eostre thought, looking at the tag.

"That dress would look nice on you. It would match your eyes," Ardyn drawled from behind her.

Eostre released the dress as if it were a hot coal. "It's pretty and all," she told the clerk. "However, I need something a little, er, simpler."

"But, you would look so beautiful in this dress," the exuberant clerk stated. "Your man will have you under the mistletoe in no time."

Eostre didn't want to know what that meant.

Ardyn smirked, remembering what Weskham had said about Altissian traditions regarding a man and a woman being seen together. "What about this mistletoe? I need to be prepared," he asked archly.

"It's an Altissian tradition this time of year. If a man and woman end up under one together, they are expected to kiss," the clerk responded helpfully.

"Isn't mistletoe, like poisonous or something," Lux chimed in, having overheard the conversation.

Eostre nodded, too uncomfortable to speak.

"Are there any other traditions I should know about," Ardyn asked the clerk, who proceeded into giving a whole list.

Eostre left Ardyn and Lux to listen in rapt attention to Altissian traditions while she found her own outfit/costume. She settled on a cowboy costume—the jeans and red and white flannel checkered shirt would pass for normal, and keep her warm in the chill. She could use the cowboy hat to hide her telltale hair and still not stand out too absurdly. And keep her out from under the mistletoe, she thought ruefully.

Purchases made and mercifully without further comment from Ardyn, the trio ventured back to their lodgings. Lux spent the whole way back attempting to debate who would win in a fight between a gangster, a cowboy, and a pirate. It was a pointless argument, but it passed the time. It also gave the potential spies watching them no useful information.

There was a bottle of wine and a letter left on their doorstep. The wine was from their downstairs neighbor.

"How nice of them to give us a freebie of their wares," Eostre said in genuine enjoyment. Ardyn wondered if it was given in the same spirit as Weskham's was, and wisely chose to refrain from comment.

The letter was of much more interest, especially since the paper was blank and smelled of lemons. Was Weskham really using grade school chemistry to communicate with him, Ardyn thought dryly, holding up the paper to the hotplate, careful not to burn it. The lemon juice invisible ink appeared, spelling out a message:

All of your interviewees expected to attend masquerade ball at Claustra's former mansion tonight. If you want to meet them in one fell swoop, advise you to suit up and attend. No invitations available, but the secret code 'rosebud' is the mark of a VIP, so should get you in and get the interest of your, targets. Good luck, and please don't make the city any worse.

W

"Perfect timing on getting that suit and cape," Ardyn said dryly after putting down the letter.

"Why, you can just shapeshift anyway," Lux said, waving the paper around to try to figure out how the invisible ink trick worked.

"I don't want to waste my powers on shapeshifting when I don't have to," Ardyn replied.

"Yeah, and it may be a trap," Eostre said in concern. "You shouldn't waste your powers on a shapeshift. You need all the strength you can muster."

"Your confidence in my strength warms my heart, Eostre," Ardyn replied wryly. "However, I happen to agree with you on the trap part. That is why we need to make some, preparations."


"How is the Levelle any better," Eostre demanded a few hours later.

Ardyn looked around their hotel suite. "It's nicer for one thing," Ardyn replied dryly.

"The apartment was free," she countered.

"And also in control of the guards," Ardyn replied. "At least here we control the environment a little better. It would be nice if they don't know we moved, but we can't bank on that. As this is a public place, and quite crowded with revelers, it will be much easier to hide in a crowd if we have to."

"I know it's crowded," Eostre snarked. "The only room we could get is the Royal Suite."

"You can't complain about the accommodations at least," Ardyn replied smugly. "Two bedrooms, two balconies, two bathrooms…"

"And 50,000 gil a night," Eostre replied repressively.

"I can afford it, and so can you now," Ardyn replied, giving her his credit card with a casual flick of his wrist. "It's always useful to have money in an emergency, and with us splitting up tonight, it's best that we each have a source of income."

Eostre grit her teeth. "A bribe won't make me overlook the fact that you are off hobnobbing with corrupt officials and criminals," she countered.

"I know you don't trust me," Ardyn replied. "However, there is safety in numbers. I need you and Lux to stay together to maintain those numbers. I will be the lone one, but I can handle myself if I have to."

"And I can't," Eostre snapped the question back.

"Your job is to be Lux's governess, is it not," Ardyn replied arrogantly. "A governess's job is to take care of their charge. That is why you are here in the first place. It is your job to stay back."

"I thought I'm here because there's 'unfinished business' between us," Eostre countered, impotent fury rising.

Ardyn's eyes narrowed. There was a flash in his gaze that made Eostre wonder for a moment if she went too far. "Be careful, Eostre. I may not have the powers I used to, but I still have ways of keeping you, restrained if I have to."

She deemed it prudent not to call his bluff. "Fine. Lux and I will stay here, order pizza, watch cartoons, and braid each other's hair having quite the slumber party while you are off waltzing with courtesans'," she said sullenly.

"If I didn't know better I'd think you were jealous," Ardyn replied suggestively.

"Have fun. Maybe the woman you met last night will be there," she added coolly, making sure he knew of her indifference.

Ardyn shrugged, matching her in indifference. "I would tell you and Lux to be careful, but I know you are prudent to a fault. Just keep your eyes and ears open for any problems and use an alternative exit if you have to. I'll return later tonight."

She flipped on the television and ignored him as she heard him prepare for his night out. She didn't turn until she heard the front door close. She knew her duty—Lux was her responsibility, even if it meant she was held back from any action while Ardyn consorted with criminals. Or, fell into a trap.


Eostre had thought a shower would help calm her temper, but it hadn't helped. Not even watching the rom com Lux had eagerly picked out to watch on TV was helping. But then, rom coms weren't her cup of tea anyway. At least it was keeping Lux occupied. For all that he had nonchalantly scoffed at them, saying he watched them for Luna's benefit, they seemed to be another favorite of his.

It gave Eostre room to brood—to nurse her anger at Ardyn. Rationally, she knew Lux needed protection, but she didn't trust Ardyn an inch. Who knew what shady deals he was concocting as she sat here beside Lux? And the people vying for power in this city likely knew Ardyn was no longer the immortal fount of dark power he had once been. What if they betrayed him, stabbed him in the back? He could be in danger while she was sitting here watching television.

"You're worried about Ardyn, aren't you," Lux commented with a perception beyond his years.

"Of course not," she lied. "I merely don't trust him to do right by us."

Lux shook his head. "You care about him. I know it. I've seen the way you react around him."

Eostre gaped at him in astonishment. "Just because this movie has people at each other's throats who anyone with half a brain knows will end up together at the end doesn't mean that happens in real life. People at each other's throats stay that way," she added repressively.

Lux gave her a long-suffering look. "Shows how much you've been paying attention. This movie has a totally different story. I don't need a movie to tell me you and Ardyn have a thing. I've heard the offhand conversations you guys have had. It's like mom and Ignis were before they got together, just a little meaner," he stated offhandedly.

Eostre didn't like that comparison. "You're wrong—that is, I'm not sure where you got your opinion from, but there are many alternatives," she added, trying to moderate her brusque tone. Plus it wouldn't do to baldly tell her student he was wrong—there were nicer ways of saying it. Even if he was flat out full of it.

Lux gave her a level look. "I for one don't trust him. Even now who knows what he's doing?"

Eostre stared at him in disturbed amazement. She thought he trusted Ardyn.

"What makes you say that," she asked intently.

"Duh. It's Ardyn," he replied, as though it were the most logical thing in the world.

Eostre thought a moment. If Lux was concerned, maybe she should look into it. "Well," she said musingly. "I know how to crash that party. We got the password and its location after all. Maybe I can drop by, and see what he's up to."

"You would, do that," Lux asked in shocked curiosity.

Eostre deflated. "I, couldn't leave you behind by yourself. And I don't think kids are allowed at the party."

"Oh that," Lux replied flippantly. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm not about to go anywhere. Better a live coward than a dead hero any time," he replied. "Just give me permission to order a pizza and get a movie on pay per view and I'm good."

Eostre sighed, making her decision in an instant. "Fine. You can bill it to the room, but the movie has to be age appropriate, ok?"

Lux beamed. "Yeah yeah I know. I've gotta see what happens on this one first anyway. Now, go see what that sleezeball is up to."

Eostre hurried out the door, her mistrust of Ardyn at full force now that she knew Lux suspected him too.


Lux locked the door behind her, feeling a twinge of guilt for having played his governess. Perhaps he was more like his dad than he thought. Lux knew she cared about Ardyn despite what she said. The two of them had a history. And people that go way back always seemed to have some kind of tie. Like he had had for his mentor Ifrit, for better or worse.

Lux didn't know what the history between Ardyn and Miss Eostre was, but the fact that they hadn't talked about it was in itself pretty weird. Lux knew how Ardyn rolled—he had bits of that within himself. Ardyn should have at least taunted Eostre about the past at some point to try to get a rise out of her, but he hadn't. Any unusual behavior on Ardyn's part was a definite red flag.

It was like that Shakespeare guy Eostre had made him read some of. In one of that dude's (boring) plays, someone had said, "thou protest too much," or something—he had only been half paying attention. But it certainly seemed to him that the more Eostre and Ardyn tried to suppress or deny things regarding, whatever kind of relationship they had, the more likely it was there was something there. Perhaps Lux had seen to many rom-coms with his mom and Luna, but his instincts were telling him there was more to his two travelling companions than met the eye.

So, Lux had decided to play matchmaker. Eostre would never have gone to check on Ardyn unless Lux had told her that little fib about not trusting him. It gave her the chance to at least think she was both doing her duty by Lux and watching Ardyn's back as she really wanted to.

Lux should mistrust his dad—he was Ardyn, as he had said. However, in this regard, Lux did trust him. Even if it was simply because Ardyn didn't want Cosmos to have them, it was a mission that aligned with Eostre and Lux's best interests. The thought of being, turned, like mom and Ignis had been was chilling. The way Lux saw it, Ardyn was the only one who could protect them from such a fate. Or, at least he would try his best to do so. And given how nuts things were, Ardyn was the only one Lux and Eostre could lean on.

And Eostre had played into Lux's little sham as expected. Lux felt a mix of satisfaction that his ploy had been successful, and guilt at what he had done. It was too much like his dad, manipulating others for his own gain. However, in this case, it was for Miss Eostre and Ardyn's benefit, not his own. Did that make it, less bad?

Well, he supposed he was getting something out of it too. Pizza and a new movie. He shrugged. "Enjoy your date, Miss Eostre," he whispered, grabbing the room service menu. He would enjoy his evening alone to the hilt. Unless, Cosmos or another bad guy appeared, he thought with a flash of unease. Well, he hadn't survived Ifrit's torment for nothing. He knew how to watch his back.