The walk home was relaxing for Elliana, as a pleasing afterglow hung around her, and she lazily waltzed down the streets towards home. The feeling was shattered, however, when she laid eyes on her house. Her front door was hanging open... and she could hear Natali crying.
Mina trotted down the streets with a plan in her head, and a bulge in her pants; images of the pierced rabbit still fresh in her mind's eye. Sure enough, the first place she stopped at had little beyond lizards, birds, and the occasional cat. However, once she reached the docks, she spotted the place that she had really been looking forward to visiting; Mary's Menagerie, the best exotic animal depot in the city. Unlike most of the buildings in the docks district, the Menagerie was well made from actual timber, and stood two stories tall. Upon pushing through the big double doors, Mina was greeted by the unmistakable smell of animals, as well as fancy foyer with a large oak desk in the center of it. Behind the desk sat a striking woman. From the neck down, she looked human, though she wore a luxurious royal blue robe of shimmering silk. Her head, however, was that of a great serpent, covered in brilliant white scales, that stared unblinkingly at Mina. "Yesss, can I help you, missss," she said.
Miko shook her head at Draanok's assumption. "You're unlikely to find another demon to depose Almen. And, not just because he's the toughest kid on the block. There's also the simple fact that he happens to be a competent leader; unlike most demons. Most of the stronger demons follow him, not because they're scared or cowed, but because they actually like the way he does things. A practitioner of the holy arts if far from the only thing you'd need to stand up to him; you'd also need someone well versed in strategy."
It turned out that Castella didn't have to sit in solitude for long. Mere moments after her tormentor had left, the sound of voices could be heard approaching. As she watched, two figures entered the cell. As they came into the light, she recognized them. One was the young tabby-cat who had delivered her 'present', the other was the Siamese that she had only seen briefly from inside the box. Both of the boys were wearing cheerful smiles, and both of them were carrying buckets. "Hi there, Lady," said the tabby, happily. "I hope Terra wasn't too hard on ya."