Chapter 22 - My Sweet Villa
Tullula was just as quaint as Giu remembered. For the most part.
Having been through rabbit territory, he could finally notice how different the two nations were. For one, everything felt so much smaller in the Villa, some of the people as short as Tea was in pixie form. And it was nice to be around canines again.
“Is it just me or does this place feel more…crowded?” Tea asked.
He did notice there were more people roaming the streets. And not civilians. Their white armor made the paladin distinction clear as day.
“Don’t think they’re here for us, do you?” Giu asked.
“Doubt it. Probably more Syd drama. Best not to get involved.”
Giu could only nod at that, following the pixie’s lead.
It hadn’t been lost on him just how much the hostile gazes shrank when they crossed nations. He’d assumed it was just how things were in the Syndicate, but seeing so many paladins roaming the streets…Tea’s pace quickened if only slightly. Even if none were looking in their direction, Giu was just as eager to get out of sight.
***
The old apartment was a no-go considering it’d leave too big a trail, but Tea’s backup was so well furnished, Giu barely noticed the difference. The antique clock was a nice touch, though he doubted it’d be very useful.
He plopped on the couch, his body surprisingly stiff after having been chased by bear clones.
“We probably shouldn’t stay long,” Tea said. “Any longer than a week and someone’s gonna come sniffing around, I guarantee.”
“There a back-up place nearby?”
“Naturally. I make sure to have at least four safe houses ready for emergencies.”
As they spoke, Tea was moving about the apartment, popping back into pixie form so they could inspect all the little crevices. According to them, listening devices weren’t entirely out of the question. Especially considering how agitated the paladins were.
He could see them all patrolling the streets outside their window. He recognized one of them. The violet raven who’d paid them for catching the Dragon Thief. She was passing out small scrolls, the soldiers saluting in gratitude and returning to their duties.
“Hey T.”
“Hmm?”
“You think something’s going on? Villa wide, I mean?”
“Something’s always going on, Gi. The Syndicate is just a boat trip away.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t this crazy before.” He noticed regular people waving to the soldiers, none seeming to notice the increased numbers. Or did they just prefer that? “It’s weird.”
Tea flew over, landing at his side. 
“Huh. Okay, maybe this is a little weird.”
“I told you!”
There were more paladins coming out of dark alleyways, the avian ones watching the rooftops.
“Something’s definitely got them riled up,” Tea said.
There was a nearby scream, a concession of paladins racing after a long-haired feline. They all pounced on him at once, two pinning the cat while the third knocked him out with a sword butt. They all cheered and high-fived seconds later.
“Most of them,” Tea corrected.
Giu watched as they dragged the cat away.
“Well, this is gonna make finding Immy a problem. Asking around's off the table.”
“It never really was.”
Giu shrugged.
The reason they’d come to the Villa for clues was simple. It was where he first woke up. His earliest point of reference, or at least it was before the memory return. But they’d already explored the place where Immy and him fled. Searching the place he awoke was bound to reveal some clues.
“We’re gonna wanna search that forest,” Tea said, “but it’s just as important we learn more about WHO Imona was.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if you wanna find a target, you gotta think like one. Get in their head. It’s great that you have some memories of her, but that’s not the full story. It’s only a piece.”
“Then how do we get the full story?”
The pixie pointed out the window. Across the sea of paladins to the large rectangular building on the far side of town. The Ministry of Crystallization. Giu grimaced, the pain still fresh in his mind.
“No one keeps better records than they do,” Tea explained.
“Ugh. So what? You wanna just waltz in and ask them where’s Immy?”
“Don’t be a dummy dummy. For all intents and purposes, we’re moving in secret. Can’t let whoever was on Immy’s trail know we’re looking. Plus we can find what we need on our own. It’s a public space, after all.” 
Giu scratched his head. “A stealth mission, huh? Great.”
Tea flew away, disappearing into the bedroom. They came out a few moments later with a green tunic and a white canister. Giu raised a brow, the pixie smirking.
“We’re gonna need to disguise ourselves, Gi. You first.”
He recoiled.