Planes were the absolute worst.
Eris focused her blue eyes, burning a hole—if only metaphorically, much to her regret—into the businessman across the aisle and more towards the front of the plane from her seat. He’d been regaling anyone who would listen with undoubtedly inflated tales of his international success, and now he’d moved onto not-so-subtle racism. Given that the flight attendants were largely Japanese, this seemed an incredibly stupid move, but he seemed like an incredibly stupid person.
But, to be honest, focusing her irritation on him was only an excuse. Why the Council thought putting her on a full plane, squeezed into economy class and hemmed in on all sides by humanity was a good idea was quite beyond her. Granted, the backpack full of snacks was helping, but hearing their hearts beat, smelling their odors… even being cooped up with them as everyone turned sweaty and even more odorous wasn’t helping.
She refocused on the movie playing on the small screen in front of her, trying desperately to pay attention to the sound coming in on her headphones to drown out all the noise. The talking, the moving, heck, even the breathing was almost too much to bear.
~ ~
“Where are you sending me?” The horned girl stood, hugging herself, the thin hoodie she wore over a t-shirt nowhere near heavy enough to battle the chill of the underground room, somewhere in Europe.
“Japan. We can give you the language with a spell to ensure you’ll blend in, but you won’t be alone.”
She nodded. The Council had made it entirely apparent that they didn’t trust her, or her self-control, one whit. If her constant guards hadn’t been enough, the psych evaluations and tests they’d put her through had made it crystal clear. Eris guessed that she had failed, otherwise, why would she be here? In a candlelit chamber—how cliché!—where a member of the European chapter of the Council sneered at her. Guards lined the walls of the chamber, watching her with cold eyes and guns drawn.
“This folder has everything you need to start your life there,” he continued, pushing a folder in her direction across the desk where he sat. A guard picked it up and, while two others accompanied him, gave it to her. “The name you chose, pretentious as it is, is on all of your new documents. Do not lose any of them.” He waved her away. Taking their cue, group of guards surrounded her and escorted her out. They didn’t touch her, but the guns made their point for them.
~ ~
For what was probably the millionth time, Eris opened the slim folder they’d given her and read over the bare details. The taxi driver had understood her and she him, so she assumed the spell had worked as it was supposed to. The busy streets were lit up with signs and billboards of all kinds, making the night feel more like high noon. As directed, she’d taken a minute in the airport bathroom to change into her costume, which was all she could think of the dress and shoes, with accessories, when she’d looked into the suitcase.
Apparently someone in the Council had a sense of humor.
The almost Lolita-style dress covered everything from the neck down to her knees, restraining her curves in black lace. The makeup was minimal, but the short dress and the high stockings, paired with knee high boots, was not at all what she was used to. Apparently a girl with white hair and horns was too unusual for Japan, but in this getup as well, she didn’t see any suspicion in anyone’s eyes.
She paid the driver with what little was left of the small portion of money she’d been given for the journey, and got her suitcases out of the trunk. Rolling them up to the door, she paused as she saw herself reflected in the window. Taking a deep breath, Eris straightened to her full height of barely over five feet, plus a few inches due to the shoes, and marched through the doors.
Here goes nothing.