Preparations [Lily]

Lily didn't fit in with the grimy scenery. Even back when she was a part of a lower class household, living in Blackspring, the child of two outfitters left her rather well-dressed, when she was outside at all. Having her childhood home be in a rural area rather than a slum also significantly changed her mannerisms to boot. Sure, once upon a time Newhaven had been her home- for seven years, to be exact, but that felt like a lifetime ago. This slum was not her city. The sprawling Newhaven prior to the riots was.

A grimace would touch the counselor's face as she toed her way through the streets, her sylveon at her side. Earlier she'd slipped her escort, while not the safest course of action, was her preferred one. The tiny woman had been training for years. She'd more service time under her belt than anything else, and was still in her prime. Besides, these had been her streets, and she had been the one awarded with the stopping the protests. She didn't need to be protected, especially not here of all places. Such a suggestion offended Liliana, to be put in simpler words.

For once, the lady was dressed quite simply: a dark-blue collared shirt, a lighter blue cardigan, dark skinny jeans, and a hat of the same color of the cardigan, with a ribbon on it the color of the shirt. Honestly, it was strange to be in something other than layers upon layers of lace and gemstones, but Liliana recognized that that wasn't at all practically. Who dressed like that while travelling? Certainly no one sensible. At the very least, Cinnamon maintained her fairy-esque aesthetic, still pink and pastel and covered in ribbons as he trotted beside her... even if that was his natural state. That just made it all the better.

All things considered, Liliana could have called a cab or rented a car. It wouldn't have been a problem for her to obtain them, but still, she knew these streets like the back of her hand. The walk from the military encampment where she'd been the past few hours, inspecting the soldiers she once trained and making small-talk, to the Beau household wasn't that far away. She still kept herself in good condition after all, and she wanted to see the city she'd spent so long trying to protect.

Disgusting. The chokehold that the Empire had on Newhaven was repulsive. It was wilting, it seemed, or decaying was more like it. Still, this was a necessary evil. The enemies of the state had to be strangled. The other loses were unfortunate but needed for the greater good. Order must be restored, but this was the best course of action- better than continuing to feed and empower the rioters and allow them to continue their trouble uninhibited. Civilians were hurt either way. This just reduced the casualties over all. Sometimes difficult choices needed to be made. Sure, Lily wanted revenge, but she didn't want to ruin her home.

Turning another corner, Lily would find herself staring at the familiar- and still flourishing- Beau estate. The gate man would allow her in, and Liliana would soon be at the door of the elaborate household, knocking rather firmly on the door to announce her arrival- if the gate man himself hadn't already done such.

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

Curious eyes would continue to peak around the estate as she waited for Lady Alice's appearance. It was nice that something was still so familiar. The house itself had barely changed at all- stark in contrast against the backdrop of heavy decay. It was good that someone was still flourishing within the stranglehold that the Empire had on the city. Of course it was common sense that the noble would still have it good. It wasn't like the Empire would starve one of its greatest supporters in the city and try to cut off its military force, but it was still a surprise to see how incredibly varied everything was between the city itself and its noble's estate.

Alice's presence would be met with a smirk, and her question with a bit of a chuckle as the council member bent down to scoop up her prized Sylveon, "Why Cinna's right here, of course." Cinnamon, as he'd been named, had been dubbed such back when he was still an eevee and not sporting a variety of pastel shades. Still, it wasn't like she had any interest in changing his name now. It'd been to long: The pair had both grown rather fond of it, "And it's nice to see you as well Lady Alice- you know you can call me Lily though." It was strange to be above someone who was once considered her superior for merely her bloodlines alone. While generally she'd always go by that title she'd worked so hard to obtain, Liliana had grown to consider the Beaus as something of family. After all, if not for them, she'd still merely be a soldier after all of this time. "Can I come in?"

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS