SEE, I'm writing! My proof of what I have so far! There might be some mistakes. My other comp went kablooie, so I lost some minor details I had planned out for the coming parts. That and I need to go back and reread what I do have. xD
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II Part III ~ THE CONFRONTATION
With backs pressed against the wall, Veovis peered up the stairway from the right side as Ereshkigal slowly craned her neck to gaze in the same direction from the left. Very few people were descending from Ru'Lude Gardens and noticably less were entering. Quickly, Ereshkigal slinked across the the distance between herself and Veovis, crouching down next to him. From her gi, she removed a Mithran rice cake and handed it to Veovis. Another was removed, the two acquired from the Bastokan guards now in their possession.
"Alright, let's go over this plan one last time before storming in," she whispered, almost inaudibly when taking into consideration it was hard to hear with the rest of Upper Jeuno still active as ever in passing. "We eat the cakes here, then make our way up. Doesn't look like they're really stopping people.. but something's up, and no one's going into Ru'Lude either. We're working on limited time, so <i>inconspicuously</i> we make our way towards the palace.. and uh..."
Veovis held up his stubby index finger, interrupting her, "Basically, we eat the cakes then stormaru the palace?"
Ereshkigal shrugged then nodded, "Yeah, pretty much. We'll figure out what we're doin' when we get there."
Tilting his head, Veovis inquired, "What happened to Ithenas?"
"I'm kinda guessing she was trying to tell us she'd be back later or something. I dunno. But we can't wait on her. Gotta get a move on!"
Both nodding to the other, they unwrapped the cakes and began to eat them. Seconds later, Veovis tottered over as the costume's change took effect on him. When he sat up, he wrinkled his nose and felt over his head, first feeling the pointed cat ears then pig-tails his hair was pulled into. "Waah, I'm a girl," was all he whined as he looked up to the taller Mithran girl helping him up onto his feet. Ereshkigal now had bright violet hair shaping her pudgey face, and a kittenish grin.
"If we've gots any talking to do, you lemme speak, 'kay, Veo? Your Taru speak will get us caught in a second's notice."
At the confirmation of the statement, the two then ascended the steps with tails swaying. As first footsteps were taken into Ru'Lude Gardens, Veovis peered up curiously at one of the guards. The Galka's gaze broke from its stoic frontfoward stare to return the look at the young Mithra walking by. Grabbing onto Ereshkigal's arm, Veovis looked away and let the other lead in the casual gait. Meanwhile, Ereshkigal had her breath held in fear of being questioned or stopped, possibly turned around. However, none of it happened as they proceeded onward. Walking around the side that led them past the auction house, it was an unbelievable sight at how empty it was. Rounding the next corner that would soon put them in front of the bridge leading towards the palacial grounds, Veovis had picked up on the realization every guard they passed watched them very closely.
"Whatareyoudoing," Veovis said, holding tighter onto Ereshkigal's arm as she led them towards a guard standing at the bridge's front. It was a Hume, male, and he looked more bored than anything else.
Ignoring the sudden plea from her friend, Ereshkigal broke away from the fellow imposter Mithra and skipped up to the guard, waving up at him. A bright smile to greet the individual in her way, the guard raised a brow and slowly responded with a brief wave, then questioned, "Is there something you need?"
"Hi!" Ereshkigal said cheerfullly, hands held behind her as she gleamed up at the guard with big, bright blue eyes. Her tail moved from left to right faster now.
"Er... hello," he responded, kneeling down to look at the two on their level. "Are you lost?"
"Is something wr-.. wrrrong, Mister? I want to take my sister to see... Maat!" Jabbing an elbow into Veovis' side, he responded with a squeak and bowed his head several times.
"Maat?" the guard answered now more suspicious, looking from the taller child to the smaller. "He is not out, now. We are currently under.. something of a lockdown in the palace, kids. I can't allow you i--"
"Pleeease?" Ereshkigal said, leaning forward so that she stared directly into his eyes. "Pretty please, sir?"
"Ergh, I.. I'm afraid not." He backed away a little, but Ereshkigal only pressed forward until the tip of her nose was almost against his. Veovis had moved to look at both from the side, blinking as silence fell.
"Listen, beg all you want, I can't let you in," the guard spoke finally, placing both hands on Ereshkigal's shoulders to gently push her away. However, as he did this, Veovis suddenly shrieked and pointed frantically at the sky. As the Hume's attention was diverted, the other dashed off over the bridge to make entry into the open palace. It was then Ereshkigal, who had taken a second to look up as well, realized the Mithran rice cakes were wearing off as the change commenced-- Veovis' tail was already gone as he sauntered off. Thus, as the guard stood to chase after the Taru, Ereshkigal found herself within an instant back as herself, which caught the attention of the other Hume.
They stared at one another for a second, then Ereshkigal pushed off from her knelt position to lunge forward. Tackling the armored opponent down, the clanking of other Jeunoan knights approaching grabbed her interest. The hard gauntlet of the Hume clashed against her face unexpectedly, easily toppling her over and aside. Briefly, Ereshkigal was positive she saw tiny chocobos dancing around.
[more coming on a Tuesday near you]
; Ith!
