In Another Life [The Arcana Swap AU]

Nadia

I wasn't sure what had happened.

One moment I was smoothing out my masquerade outfit, a mask fixed around my head with the ears and whiskers of a hare. My clothes were made with a mix of colours, all of my favourite reds and purples and magentas. I was just smoothening the creases and walking through to the main hall to meet Asra and Julian- a less conspicuous way of gathering together so we could try to investigate what was happening or find out what was going on with Nadia. We wanted to get this done as quickly as possible, be a group and go directly to Nadia's room, but a group of visitors in masks charging at Nadia's wing without any kind of warning would surely draw attention and we couldn't afford to be cause and accused of anything.

It was only as we entered the ballroom that I realised something had gone horribly, horribly wrong. Perhaps we'd made a mistake or miscalculated or perhaps we just hadn't realised how powerful Nadia was.

Because all of the partygoers were looking at the top of the stairs, staring at a figure adorned in red and gold robes, a beetle settled upon her fingertips and Chandra, an owl with pristine white feathers and piercing red eyes, was settled on her shoulder. The had a cloak that dragged down the stairs beside her, dragging around five metres behind her. My eyes fixed on her after a moment, the surging energy seemingly pouring out of her as the lights in the room, the candles, all flickered and faltered. She seemed to be having an effect on the environment around her. Not only with the way that the temperature of the room dropped so dramatically, leaving a shudder in the air.

I just stared, unsure of how to react, my hand absently finding Julians as a silent way of seeking comfort. I sent Asra a look, too, seeing the anger burning behind his eyes. I didn't comment, figuring that Nadia was seconds away from starting a dramatic speech or announcing her presence and not wanting to talk over her. Not in the totally silent room.

"Vesuvia!" She called out, her loud voice almost colder than I'd expected. It pierced through the air and I saw almost everyone jolt at the sound. A few people were already beginning to turn and to run, to flee while they could and before it got too much more hectic. "Your esteemed Countess has returned!"

And that's when it seemed to settle in- not just with me but with everyone else in the room- that this was truly happening and that it could be ignored no longer.

A cacophony of screams and shouts rang out from all through the room, a wall of sound hitting me so suddenly I was almost overwhelmed. Julian pulled me close to him, wrapping his arms around me as people began to run through the door I had just entered through. Asra, who had not been pulled over, was almost knocked down or dragged along with the group but managed to push his way over to us.

Those who hadn't turned and fled were all announcing their praise, their happiness for her return, either being genuinely brainwashed- or rich enough for her to have helped them in some way- or they were all too aware of the bloody end that awaited anyone she caught running. Who were seeking her trust or safety in the cruel smile that curled onto her lips when she saw those 'loyal' enough to stay.

"Dearest, loyal citizens," she had called out, taking a few more steps down the stairs. She extended one hand and Chandra fluttered onto it, settling there for now. "Those of you who know what is best for you, what will be best for you, I must apologise for neglecting you in your hours of need. In those three years where I was gone and my incompetent husband took over ruling, I'm sure that the city fell to shambles. He is worse than inadequate and I regret nothing more than being unable to leave the city in more capable hands."

Lucio was stood at the bottom of the stairs, glaring at her, his hand gripping the banister of the stairway so tightly that it almost made the wood splinter beneath his hold.