On the streets and under the golden sun, Maizah couldn't help but think that, even though it'd been less than a day since they'd arrived, everything was already getting so weird. Really, things had never been normal. Jacinth herself was an anomaly. That was, as far as the Sterling family was concerned. 

She scanned the streets. As expected, there were far more people out in the daytime, but it wasn't hard to get through the crowd. It was actually quite easy— members of the Teio Omen parting around her with various types of offensive looks. Some curious, some confused, some concerned, and most disgusted. 

"Wow," Maizah breathed to herself. She wasn't surprised but, also, a part of her was. For an omen known for its discipline, it didn't seem they were great at displaying that. At least, not where Furoans were concerned. 

She reached out to tap a man's shoulder as he passed, stopping him where he stood. He regarded her warily.

"Hey, handsome!" Maizah said. "Would you happen to know where Olden V. Rivers went? We had urgent matters to discuss, but I'm afraid I lost her."

The tension in the man's shoulders slowly lessened as she giggled, but then he just looked a little irritated. He sighed.

"You're with that new kid, aren't you?" he asked, but continued speaking immediately afterward as if the answer didn't concern him. "I'd assume Olden Rivers is taking her to Oldenzier, but I'm not sure. Wouldn't hurt to check."

Maizah nodded, kissing her palm and blowing it toward him. "Thanks!"

Hopefully he was right. If he was, it'd be easy enough to find where they were going. Most likely, it'd be the biggest building in Ataraxia. Tempest Palace: the official residence of the Oldenzier of the Teio Omen. Maizah had never seen it in person, but it was rumored to be as high as the clouds and brighter than the sun itself. 

She looked toward the skyline, scanning the blue for the gold building that stood the tallest. As expected, the palace stuck out like the precious gem it was, taller than it was wide. Truly, it was impossible to miss even while at a distance. It had been made to draw attention, and it achieved that goal without fault. 

Still, Maizah really wanted to get closer so she could see the little details. That was a privilege all on its own; not many would be presented the opportunity in an entire lifetime.

What should have been a short trip took longer than expected, but it was worth it. The walk in and of itself was pleasant besides the negative energy her mere presence brought about the city. That couldn't be helped, as it was, and the feeling that overcame her when she reached her destination made her forget all about it. In close proximity, the palace was another beast entirely.

Tempest Palace was forbidding in a way entirely opposite to Obsidian Palace of the Furoa Omen. While Obsidian Palace was dark and eerie, Tempest Palace was utterly blinding and untouchable. It was a building that mocked most who stood before it— built of riches and prestige. Superiority that made onlookers feel compelled to avert their eyes for fear of tainting its worth.

Guards were posted around its entrance— large, expensive looking cloaks curled around their shoulders and long enough to nearly touch the ground. They, too, shined. 

Maizah smiled, briefly shielding herself behind a tree to allow her form to become that of a ghost. Invisible to the eyes of the living but visible to the restless, dead souls that lingered around the lands. Though she couldn't be seen by the guards, it was still possible to be detected— even more so by members of the Teio Omen.

If she was remembering correctly from her studies, Teios had enhanced senses as well as the ability to feel, read, and even tamper with energy. It all came down to how honed the skills of the guards were, but she didn't want to test that. If her energy made her perceptible, she had no clue what would happen to her as a result.

Even worse, she had no clue what might happen to Jacinth.

She slipped by as quickly as her feet would carry her.