[Maylor Precinct. . .]
"There are so many of them. . ." Lluvia pushed through the civilians. They passed Trila Municipal Hospital, still teeming with people.
"It's like they don't listen to King Selwyn," Alanus replied, briefly wondering if he should hold her hand. Of course not. "The psychologist's place should be nearby; keep an eye out for it."
"Roger." Lluvia jokingly saluted, then her mood changed. "Hey. . ."
"What's up?"
"Why did General Jasmine reject the idea earlier? You know, when Commander Alvaron told us to find a psychologist and bring one to that poor boy."
Alanus stroked his hairless chin. "I don't know. Now that you mention it, it is strange. She usually agrees with whatever the Commander tells her."
Jasmine Lour was known for rare objections and total submission, especially to Alvaron Saint. Why would she protest against something like this, particularly when it concerned the hidden force of Contrivance?
"Yeah. I also didn't get why Commander Omestilla objected," Lluvia said. "Aren't they curious about Contrivance? I certainly am."
Alanus nodded. "Likewise."
Up ahead, hundreds had gathered in a circle. They huddled against each other, roughly pushing and shoving as if their human masks were slipping to reveal animals underneath.
Alanus and Lluvia peered ahead. "What the. . ." Lluvia's hand went to her sword hilt. "Should I?"
"Not yet." Alanus waved. "Let's try to get in first and see what the commotion is." He moved toward the crowd and shouted, "Military! Let us in."
The first few citizens on the outskirts made way. Lluvia shuffled behind Alanus, holding onto his yellow cape.
They heard someone declare, "You. . . are not infected!"
Roars erupted; many yelled, "Me next!" and "It's my turn!"
The declaring voice shouted again, "One at a time! Don't act like barbarians!"
Alanus put out an arm and pushed against the civilians. Lluvia could have pushed as well, but she much preferred holding onto the General's cape.
Finally, they reached the epicenter. A table was set up with chairs on either side. A man rested his head flat on the wood, and a cloaked woman ran her hand above his hair, humming a mysterious tune.
On closer inspection, the woman wore strange makeup unfamiliar to the Generals.
She began, "Lady of the Withering Flower. Empress of Healing and Ailment. Has this fellow before me been infected by the curse? Does he require purification?"
Suddenly, she twitched, stood abruptly, and shouted, "You. . . are infected!"
Cries of despair burst. The man lifted his head and exclaimed, "Am I going to die?!"
The cloaked woman cackled, "Yes! Save yourself, young lamb. The Hierarchs are coming for your head!" She ushered him away.
The man scrambled out of the circle, tears flowing from his eyes. Both men and women fought to sit in the chair; it looked like a brawl would erupt any second now.
Luckily, Alanus whisked through the drama and passed the throng. He handed his sword to Lluvia and turned to the woman. "Mind if I go?"
The cloaked woman smiled. "Of course! I welcome you all to get tested. Fear the Hierarchs! Save yourselves!"
Alanus laced his fingers together. I sense little danger here. I'll trust her for now.
"What should I do, Ms. . ."
"Cheeky lamb!" She snorted. "I won't give you my name that easily! Call me the Antenna!"
Antenna? Lluvia thought. What a unique nickname.
The Antenna smirked. "Antenna for sensing danger! Ha ha ha!" She touched Alanus's face, causing Lluvia to irk. "Now, lamb, rest your head on the table and close your eyes."
Alanus did as she said. The Antenna hummed the same mysterious tune. She hovered her hand over his sun-colored hair and recited, "Lady of the Withering Flower. Empress of Healing and Ailment. Has this handsome–"
Handsome?! Now she's really rubbing it in. . . Lluvia fumed.
"–gentleman before me been infected by the curse? Does he require purification?" She paused, but did not twitch like the last time. The Antenna's eyes darkened.
Is she okay? Is Alanus okay? Lluvia waited on the sidelines, ready to step in at any moment.
The Antenna stood. She settled her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and announced, "You. . . are beyond infected! The Hierarchs will come for your head! Run and save yourself, lamb!"
Beyond infected? Alanus and Lluvia collectively thought. Alanus then asked, "What am I infected with?"
"And why is it beyond normalcy?" Lluvia added. She stepped closer to Alanus, their shoulders touching. "If you spread misinformation, that could warrant an arrest, you know."
The cloaked Antenna, with graceful brown eyes and an audacious expression, booped Alanus's nose with her finger. "He cursed you with his blood!"
"Who?"
"The Emperor!"
"The Emperor?" Alanus rapped the table. "What's his name? Why is his blood cursed?"
"Oh, you inquisitive lamb! Relax your eagerness!" The Antenna winked at him. "In this world, knowledge is power, and with that great power comes an even greater price! Ha ha ha! I coined that phrase myself~"
"We'll pay," Alanus interrupted. "How much would you like?"
The Antenna pondered. "One thousand dinars!"
Gasps sounded. Asking for one thousand dinars was unheard of. Lluvia bristled. "That's far too much, you know that. Be reasonable. . ."
In front of Lluvia's face, a finger wagged. "We'll settle this another time, handsome lamb and pretty lamb. But for now, I have to depart!" She tapped the table and the chair.
Poof!
"I'll be here tomorrow! Come get your conscience checked!"
The crowd reluctantly dispersed.
"Let's follow her, General." Alanus eyed the humming Antenna. Lluvia nodded. They squirmed past the common-folk and caught up to the jolly woman.
"Who is this Emperor?" Alanus tried again.
The Antenna jolted at his question and surprisingly jumped back. "Y–You cannot shock me like that, shameless lamb!" She stood her ground. "Pay my fee and I'll bestow your answers."
Now they were alone. "Your fee is too expensive, Ms. Antenna," Lluvia pleaded. "Is there anything else we can do?"
"Let me deliberate. . ." She circled the two Generals.
Alanus grabbed her hand before it could touch his abdomen. "What were you just going to do?"
Lluvia gripped her sword hilt.
The Antenna raised both arms in the air and squealed, "I'm innocent! I haven't felt the touch of a man in a long time; I couldn't contain myself!"
Touch of a man. . .? How brazen! Lluvia blushed, trying not to imagine how far their interaction would have escalated. Does Alanus like these types of forward women?
The Antenna grinned. "I'll lower the asking price to one hundred dinars, do you ken? But, you have to do something else for me."
They leaned in. "What is it?"
The Antenna swayed and rummaged in her pocket. "Help me find these two people; they called me for a job!"
Lluvia read the paper and heaved a sigh. She showed it to Alanus; his eyes widened. "You were looking for. . . us?"
The Antenna widened her mouth. "You're Alanus Diogenes and Lluvia Gallitusio of the military?! What a wacky turn of events! Ha ha ha!"
They took a step forward. "You're a psychologist?" Alanus raised an eyebrow. "But what was that show-like performance for?"
The Antenna chortled. "That was my side employment! Licensed psychologist here, reporting for duty!"
After some idle chat, Lluvia raised the question. "Now that we're working together, can we know your actual name?"
"I'll give in to your persuasion, pretty lamb. The name I go by is Mirielis, born from the great Adeliz family!"
Mirielis Adeliz: an unconventional yet skillful psychologist. She removed her cloak, revealing a fairly attractive face: chubby cheeks, luminous eyes, and thin lips.
Lluvia coveted Mirielis's looks for a moment, wondering if Alanus might prefer her attractiveness.
Most definitely not.
He was staring right at the General, who just then noticed his gaze.
They looked away from each other instantly, cheeks reddening. Mirielis looked from Alanus to Lluvia. A brash smile spread across her face. "I smell love in the air!"
"L–Love?" Lluvia stammered.
Alanus did not utter a word. Mirielis put a hand on both their shoulders. "Get closer, lambs! You only have a short period for procreation!"
"Procreation?!" They both yelled.
Mirielis doubled down. "Who knows how well your gametes will perform when the stakes are laid down?!"
Alanus shushed her with his hand. "That is enough for now. Let's go to the boy and get him checked." Lluvia nodded hurriedly.
The Antenna—Mirielis—spread her fingers. "Before that! I'll need to stop by my workplace to replenish." She rubbed her stomach and stared at Alanus with pleading eyes. "This poor lady hasn't eaten in a while. Be a darling, my handsome General, and allow me to rejuvenate my energy."
The Generals signaled affirmation. "Where is your workplace?"
Mirielis shook her head. "Not so quick! I'll go alone. I'll be back before your eyes close!"
As they watched the strange woman scurry off, Alanus whispered to Lluvia,
"I smell the stench of a Tyrant."