Chapter 33

For the first time since she settled, Hayden slept comfortably. It didn't matter if the bed was small and she had to share it with some goo, it was much nicer than any hotel in the whole world. 

But then came a knock on the door. The sky outside was still dim, with only distant street lights peering in through the cracks. It was Holland, his voice low and urgent. "Hayden? I'm sorry, you need to wake up. We have to get back to the hotel before sunrise."

She yawned, then floated up out of bed. Liz tucked herself down into her nightgown, where it was still warm. "Now?"

"In a few minutes," he replied. "Mother has breakfast for you before we leave."

"We'll be right out," she said. She landed beside the bed. There were a pair of hangers on the dresser that hadn't been there before, along with a little pile of other items. They were a pair of matching outfits—one made of pink and white layers, the other brown with fluff around the collar and sleeves.

She straightened, letting the dress fall to her ankles, before nudging the bed. "Eleanor, did you catch that?"

The ditto yawned, then stretched, spreading out in bed. Despite her greater size, she hadn't fought Hayden much for space during the night. How could she be comfortable squished up against the wall?

"Time to go," she said. "And to remember my name. In this house, it's Ellen.”

"Ellen, I think my mom made you a dress. Or… had one. I can't tell."

She sat up, took the little outfit by the collar. Hayden never saw her change as fast. She got small again. When she wiggled into the dress, it fit her perfectly.

It took Hayden a little more effort to change back into her disguise. But once she was a sylveon, it fit too. The fabric was plain compared to anything Shaymin House had ever given her, but she still found it far more comfortable. The ones who made this actually wanted her to enjoy wearing it.

The kitchen was mostly empty when they got there—just Mom and Evelynn and a table with some simple food. "Now that's cute," Mom said, patting her head as she came in. "You could be on a Christmas card together."

Eleanor hopped up next to Hayden. Her typical pickiness with food was nowhere to be seen, she barely even looked at the plate. "How did you know my size? You never measured me."

"Sweetie, I've been doing this a long time. And I had two—three daughters. You better believe I learned from the experience."

Eleanor ate in silence after that.

"You have to stop by on your return trip," Mom said, when they were making their way downstairs again. "Maybe you can stay for longer next time? If you didn't have a deadline to meet and someone important waiting for you…"

"I'd like that," Hayden said. Liz's ribbon around her wrist kept her calm enough to keep moving, barely. "I don't get to decide—I don't know what Mew House will do to me. Myths can be scary, Mom. They're cute, but they're dangerous. It's so much power for a little body."

She caught Hayden's hand, then squeezed. "But you're not really an eevee, sweetheart. You can be strong too, like you were for Ellie. Be that Hayden, and you can make it through anything."

There was time for one more hug for her, one for Eleanor, and they were out into the chill of night. Eleanor held her hand all the way back to the hotel, completely silent. 

"If the Lady finds out about this…" Holland whispered. There was little danger of being overheard. Away from the docks, the whole town slept. "I don't know what she'll do."

"I won't tell," Hayden said. "Will you, Ellen?"

The eevee shook her head once. "She can't read our minds. If we say nothing, she'll never know. No one can tell her how much of a jerk she is."

Holland had no reply.

There was a little more political song and dance to go through on their way out of Sunyshore. Of course Mayor Volkner escorted them to the harbor, robbing Hayden of any chance to see the sailor kids again, or sneak a few minutes with the friendly town kids. Did they even remember her name? Would they resent her for leaving, be happy for her success? She wouldn't get to find out.

The ship was one of the finer vessels she'd ever seen docked in Sunyshore. It had light green sails instead of white, and bright red banners to signal its ownership by Shaymin House. That should make them safe from pirates along the way—few brigands would be bold enough to attack the property of a demigod. 

The strangest part of her introduction to the vessel was Eleanor. Between the carriage and the ship, she transformed back into herself, joining the servants carrying her belongings, and leaving Hayden alone to deal with the formalities.

"We'll make it a quick voyage, miss," said Captain Namiki, after a brief tour of the vessel. "I have but one request on behalf of the crew."

They'd given her the quarters usually reserved for Lady Gracidea herself, while she traveled. It was almost as big as the fine hotel room, with its own balcony to look off the back of the ship. Every piece of furniture was an antique, and every piece of wood was shiny. That meant it was fancy, so far as she was concerned. 

"Of course, captain. My… maidservant and I… want to be as accommodating as possible."

Eleanor gave her no hint at what she wanted. Despite her dreadful job acting a maid on Hayden's first arrival, she was actually quite good at avoiding notice when she wanted. The captain didn't even look at her.

"My men are—right superstitious, if you catch my meaning. They aren't happy about having women aboard. The leaders of Shaymin House always come aboard as men, so this is—not what they're used to. Can't speak to what they might do if they had occasion to be frightened. So please, keep to your quarters. Ask for an officer's escort if you wish to spend time on the deck, and don't go below."

She eyed him, and the oversized primarina barely small enough to fit through the ship's doors behind him. He was genuinely afraid for their safety—he thought some members of his crew were so poorly disciplined they might do something to her if they caught her alone.

Her stomach twisted into knots. She wanted to be angry at someone, but she wasn't sure exactly who. She floated up into the air, until she was at eye-level with the captain, right up in his face. "It might be wise to remind the crew that my appearance is deceiving. I will know their thoughts before they reach for me." She gestured, and something flew into her hand from the nearby shelf. A wooden model, though she wasn't sure what. A little carriage, maybe?

She snapped it in half without touching it, with a single harsh crack. "Or maybe I wouldn't kill them. Maybe I would just teleport them a few thousand miles out to sea for the sharpedo. It will depend on my mood."

Namiki kept outwardly calm. His mind raced through the predictable pattern, wondering if she was really reading his thoughts. But instead of being worried for her safety, much of that fear now translated to the crew. He had a handful of men who he didn't trust to behave themselves no matter what he said, and he didn't want to lose them.

"I'll obey your instructions," she said, landing in front of him again. "Thank you for making me a guest on your ship, captain. I hope we can have a pleasant voyage."

He stiffened, then saluted to her. "I'm certain we will, Lady Hayden. Speak to me if there is anything else you need. I hope you'll join the officers and I for dinner this evening." He bowed low, then vanished out the way he'd come. Only when he was gone did Eleanor click the door closed, slumping against it. "Could you really do those things? Kill people, if they…"

"Nope." She picked up the broken model, levitating it into an open trash-bin. "Bet we could throw someone overboard though, couldn't we?"

"Easy," Liz said, circling around her once. "Enough force to… hurt someone, wouldn't be hard. But attacking a human… not sure I could."

Hayden held out a hand for her to land on, stroking her back with two fingers. "It shouldn’t come to that. We'll just… spend the trip here." She slumped into an oversized chair near a few bookshelves, pulling her legs up to her chest. "Lady Gracidea just becomes a man for this part. Shaymin really do that?"

"All the time," Eleanor answered. She carried over one of Hayden's suitcases, then unzipped it. "Here. Don't wrinkle your kimono. It has to look nice when you meet the mew." She offered a hanger a few moments later, with one of Hayden's casual outfits on it. A pale pink dress, hanging just above her knees, and a long-sleeved blouse that went underneath. Hayden started to undress, but stopped halfway changed. "Wait a minute. How long are you doing the servant act? You don't have to wait on me."

"I do, and I don't, and I do." Eleanor slid out of one formal gown and into an outfit much like the one Hayden was wearing. "I'm not waiting on you, I'm doing what I can to keep you from ruining this." She carried both silk gowns to the wardrobe. "All you had to do was settle, and now you've got the most desirable match in the world. But you're not really a noble, and you're barely a girl. Let's face it, you don't stand a chance without me."

Hayden nodded grimly. "Too bad you can't play me for the meeting. But Ilene would probably kill you."

Eleanor froze in front of the wardrobe, shuddering visibly. "I almost forgot who we're dealing with. Mythical pokémon. Every one of them is a little bit crazy. You'll have to remember that too, when you go in."

Hayden puffed up her chest, folding her arms. "Hey! Everyone is crazy?"

"I'm pretty sure they are." She turned her back on Hayden, pretending to focus on her unpacking. "You fought Boylston, then stood up to Lady Gracidea herself. You're like… what, thirteen? You're as crazy as the others."

Despite Namiki's fears, the trip was fairly uneventful. From Sunyshore to Olivine City was about a week on the water. She spent that week reading history and politics and etiquette from the books they'd brought. At least until Hayden's discipline faltered, and she wanted to use her powers instead.

The captain didn't seem to like it when she flew alongside the boat—but trying to keep Liz locked in a room was doomed. She made sure to never be alone on the ship's deck. Whatever the reason, no one attacked her during the trip. 

Just like that, they arrived. "It won't be me carrying you back," the captain said. "Probably. But I may have the pleasure of hosting you again. May you find the success Shaymin House needs."

She shook his hand, and descended the steps into a busy town. A pair of carriages waiting for them—one small and pulled by rapidash. The other had no pokémon to pull it at all, and instead seemed to move on its own. It belched foul-smelling smoke behind it. But thankfully for her, she wouldn't be using it.

Ilene waited for her on a pink carpet suspended in the air above the road, just a few inches. She bowed, and Hayden wanted to bow back—but she resisted.

The girl was a little like her tutor, except she was actually worthy of respect. "I hope your journey here was pleasant. Since you elected to travel the entire distance in three dimensions, instead of four."

"I…" Hayden smiled weakly back. "Very, thank you. I've seen ships my whole life, but never got to ride one!" She glanced down at the ground, where Eleanor waited along with the other servants. Besides her there were only two others, along with four soldiers in Shaymin House uniforms. Her brother led them, facing off with the Mew House guards without fear. Brave, considering there were dozens of them here.

"Will my handmaid be coming with us?"

"At first, yes." She waved, and the carriage door opened of its own accord. A woman sat inside, with something pink on a cushion beside her. "But she will ride with the other servants. The lady of the house wishes to meet with you in private."

This time she bowed towards the open doorway. "I am honored to accept." She was also terrified, but she wasn't quite so forthright about that part.

Ilene guided her towards the carriage, one hand on her shoulder. She whispered into her ear as they walked. "Don't be afraid, that will only make it worse."