There was no sense of personal space in the lift. So much so that when the mesh door slid open, the passengers literally spilled onto the street. With them was Claire who clutched her bag as close to her body as she could. She suddenly missed the wide expanse of space and the quietness of the countryside. At the capital, everybody seemed to be racing to outpace the clock. Steam-powered engines were more common at the streets, though a number of common people still preferred walking than spending a little extra on transportation. 

Just like Claire. She would have to walk to the Green Fairy given the little allowance she had saved up all those years. 

Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to plunge into a new adventure, maybe look for a peace keeper to help her find the way. Then, someone – something – nudged her leg. Turning to her left, her blue eyes would have been blind to have missed a giant dog. Her heart leapt, her legs did too. She would have ran for it again if not for the friendly look on the dog’s eyes, and of course its gesture. 

“Have you lost your way, buddy? Do you have an owner?” She asked, reaching a hand to tentatively pet the dog. Then, it nudged her again, as if telling her to follow a direction. “Oh, wait. You want me to go there? Let’s go then.” 

Maybe they would come across a peace officer. Maybe she’d ask for directions when she saw one. But to leave such a cuddly, friendly, furry beast in the middle of the capital was not like her. Claire had always had a soft spot for lost animals. Perhaps, because she too was lost.

[hr]

A couple of guards stood beside a double-doors. This was the office of the Lady Midnight, according to Lord Henry. The latter seemed very interested to the former, thus was a mine of information about the lady. The daughter of a lord. Her position was not what drew Levi to her office, it was the assignment that the palace entrusted her.

“Forgive us, my lord, but the lady does not wish to be disturbed,” one of the guards said. But who was to stop an Elemental lordling from doing what he wanted to do? 

“It will only be a few minutes; she would not mind.” Levi advanced towards the door. The guards instantly drew their weapons. Well, they tried. The pressure of compressed air weighed down on their muscles, making even a little motion seem heavy. He heard them grunt and curse, which was all they could do at the moment. 

The door opened to a wide space – a study – with a number of books lining one side of the wall and tall glass windows on the other. The lamps had been lit as shadows lengthened and the sun continued its descent. Lady Midnight was mumbling words under her breath, too absorbed in what she was doing to hear him approaching. The mechanical dog, though, did sense him. Levi had to stop.

“Lady Midnight. How long have you been in charge of the missing people?” He did not forget to introduce himself. He was just not bothered to do so. Most noble knew his face as an heir to a dukedom and a prominent Elemental. “Tell me everything you have uncovered so far. Don’t leave out any detail.”