Eliza In The Flesh!: eye of the storm. II

Unfortunately for Eliza, Avangard was a place full of bustling streets. With no time to wait it out, she had to figure out a way to get back aboard the Matilear as fast as possible in time to convincingly sell her buddy-buddy act with Darling. And knowing Darling, she was not one for waiting.

 

She shoved past pedestrians and slid through any openings she could find. This whole ordeal was becoming less and less worth the trouble. “Watch it!” A construct yelled at her. She didn’t even notice bumping into him, she was too distracted by the ferries about to leave, and her only ticket back.

 

She took a shortcut through the central plaza by slipping behind the market stalls set up in a scattered lineup. She knocked over a crate of fruits, shattered a very expensive head sculpture, and nearly took down one of the stalls entirely. She set her sights on the small, redwood boat rimmed with gold about to take off, its rearing jets blazing to life as it positioned itself to slowly hover above the ground.

 

She reached a hand out, one arm wrapped around the heavy package. “HEY!” She yelled, but her cries were drowned by a blockade of an absurdly large crowd, completely blocking her way. She watched helplessly as the last boat to the Star District took off for the next hour or so. In a desperate attempt, she began to swear as loudly as she could in the hopes of intimidating the passersby into letting her through. Though it had a little effect, she was amused to see some mothers cover the ears of their babies.

 

“Do something!” She spat at the four-winged raven watching her perilously struggle against the tide. She mainly wanted to take out her anger on something, but curiously enough, the bird perched itself on her shoulder.

 

Extending all four wings—and effectively covering her face— the bird let out the mightiest, holiest CAW anyone had ever heard. A blinding light, and a… chorus? Singing hymns as citizens fell to their knees in awe and tears.

“That’s the most passionate bird I’ve ever seen!” She heard people sob.

“He’s so devoted to delivering packages!”

 

When the light was gone, and the wings were removed from her face, she was left with the aftermath of whatever the hell just happened. The people began to make a clearing for her to walk through to her boat while the driver was postponed by the incoherent wails of joy. Or maybe because one of his passengers had decided to ascend to the next plane of dimensions which meant a NEW OPENING FOR HER!!111!! Way to go, Eliza. You’re so cool and talented!

 

The bird did okay. “Nice going, meat morsel,” she nodded in approval. That was the nicest thing she has ever said to anything other than herself. “The Matilear,” she sighed, and exhaustedly fell into her seat. “How much is the bird?” The driver asked as the raven handed him five Starry Coins. “Whatever you got in your wallet,” she replied, and the bird nipped at her. She did not mention, however, that the bird had paid the man with his own money from his wallet. 

 

…Not bad.