Red felt kind of nervous when it was official that Murasaki would be...hanging out with those two demons like it's no big deal.
Yeah, the Empress decided they're clean but...he was still anxious that something bad might happen anytime.
He would always be near Gabby, nearer than before. Whenever she was on the computer, working on her assigned tasks, he grabs a chair and sit beside her. Not talking, but still kind of unnerving and uncomfortable for Gabby.
Red soon realized that she seems unhappy with the way he was acting, so he decided to change his approach the following day.
Gabby, knowing how worried Red was of her, decided to make him feel secured and less...tensed about the whole situation.
She ordered cosplay outfits, and Red almost jumped when he heard the door knock.
Gabby grins to herself as she makes her way to the door, opening it and thanking the delivery man.
Red sighed in relief. Peeking at the box she was holding, trying to figure out just what it was.
RED: What's that for?
She approached him with a poke on the shoulder, giggling to herself.
GABBY: Cosplay outfits.
She opened the box, and there appeared two smaller boxes. One labelled as female version, the other was male.
RED: Why?
GABBY: We're cosplaying, we're bonding, we're gonna have fun.
RED: Yeah? But why? What are these for?
GABBY: Just open the box. See if you like it.
He opened the box and there placed a face mask, teeth drawn on its front, making it look scary and intimidating.
There was a black suit inside as well. Complete with shoes and a fake weapon appearing to be a whip.
RED: Whoah, so cool.
GABBY: I know, right?
Gabby opens her box and she grew upset.
The braided wig she ordered was supposed to be of high quality but it looks so bad she can't even hold it out of the box.
Seeing her expression, Red immediately rushed to her side, waving his hand at her vision, trying to make her snap out of her worry.
RED: What's the problem?
GABBY: The braided wig looks trashy.
RED: Then just braid yourself.
GABBY: My hair isn't black, and I don't want to dye my hair too. Plus, I can't braid my hair...
Red giggled to himself after realizing that she had too many things many people could do.
RED: You nerd, come here. I'll do it for you.
GABBY: Oh, really? That's awesome!
Gabby hands him the comb, as she excitedly grabs a chair to his front.
RED: You look so happy.
GABBY: Of course, I mean...after all, someone's gonna fix my hair for me.
RED: Heh, too much energy for a girl in her twenties.
GABBY: Nothing's wrong with being a bit childish, right? Helps you age slower.
RED: Yeah, age slower in mentality. I mean, look at you, are you really a girl?
GABBY: 'Course I am. Can't you see my assets?
Red laughed and decided to tease her.
RED: Assets? Where?
GABBY: Oh, how dare you!
RED: Quit moving and be still, for goodness sake. It's hard to comb your hair if you're moving like that. Calm down.
GABBY: Hmm!
RED: You know it's a joke, right?
GABBY: What? It felt real when you keep saying it.
RED: You seriously can't differ my words from being serious talk and a joke talk? Huh, you're something else.
GABBY: I'm just so confuse sometimes. I mean one time you were so worried sick and furious about my safety. Then the other time you'd throw me away. Then you'd joke around and stuff.
RED: You're just overthinking. It's clearly a joke. You know you're beautiful.
The moment Gabby heard that, she grew still as a mannequin would.
Red realized the effect and can't help but giggle to himself every now and then, until he can't hold it in much longer.
Gabby heard him and felt irritated.
But before she could react, Red lets go of her hair and hands her a small mirror to look upon.
The braiding session was over.
Gabby smiled at the result. The braid was done neatly and beautifully.
She looks at Red, smiling in thanks, when Red felt an unwanted surge of past memories pinch his mind like sharp needles.
He froze the moment he saw her beautiful smile.
He remembers quite painful ones. His sisters, in braides hairs, smiling whenever he was done combing them. And the time he left, they all were standing, smiling at him, in their braided hairs he taught them last night so they'd finally know how to do it on their own.
They look happy for him, of course not knowing the suffering he'll encounter after.
He felt saddened. Realizing that Gabby was the first person he ever did that to, since he was reborn.
It felt odd for Gabby, since he felt different suddenly. His teasing smile is gone. And what's left was a lonely man seemingly reminiscing some memories.
GABBY: Are you...okay?
RED: Yeah. I...you look pretty.
GABBY: Thank you. Uh, so, can...can you smile?
He looks up at her. And smiles. Not because she asked her to, but because her wholesome words were enough to give him joy.
RED: There. I'm smiling. Is that enough.
GABBY: Yeah. You look handsome.
RED: Yeah, right.
GABBY: And...one day, can you please tell me if it's okay I mean..the, uh, I don't know how to say wait...wait...
RED: You want me to tell you my problems?
GABBY: Yeah, like that. Thank you...for understanding what I'm trying to...go to. Heheh.
RED: Yeah. Maybe. Uh, hey, I...I'd wear the things you brought me too, right? I'm gonna use the bathroom to change into these, okay?
GABBY: You could go to my room.
RED: Are you sure your room is cleaner than the bathroom?
GABBY: Damn you Red, don't worry it is. I cleaned it yesterday.
RED: Oh I wonder how clean this really is, Miss Gabby.
...
He walks to her room and inspects it. Surprisingly, maybe Gabby did grew a little.
It was neat and tidy. And clothes are not placed just anywhere.
Her sketch pads are also arranged accordingly.
RED: Now that's what I'm talking about. Good job, Gabby.
GABBY: Yeah, I told you so.
He locked the door, and tried on the clothes.
He felt really cool wearing the outfit, and even releases his scythe to see if it would work well.
Black looks so good in him.
The mask looks great too. He kept posing for a while without being aware of the current time.
He suddenly hears a knock on the door.
GABBY: Having fun, eh? You've been there for too long.
RED: Oh, okay. Sorry, I'm coming out now.
GABBY: Great.
When he opened the door, she felt hot all over when she saw him in his outfit.
The urge to stop herself from biting her lips was so intense.
RED: Hahaha, you look ridiculous. You think I look hot, huh?
GABBY: The clothes...they, they really fit you well.
RED: Yeah, I'm gonna keep this clothes too. Gonna flaunt this to Harry and Humility! Hahhahha!
GABBY: Can I take a photo of you?
RED: Huh? But we broke up in your world, right? What if Tiwari sees it?
GABBY: I can put it on hide, you know?
RED: Yeah, but what for? Why are you taking a picture of me? You see me everyday.
GABBY: Uh, just please let me take a picture of you...please!!!
RED: Gabby Nickolas, you are one weird woman. I wonder how many pictures of me you have on your phone. Are they all reference or...do you do something else with them?
Red gives her a teasing smile and Gabby rolled her eyes jokingly as a response.
GABBY: Don't flatter yourself too much.
RED: Okay then. Whatever you say, little bug.
GABBY: Hey, I thought you forgot about that!
RED: I rarely forget.
...
Nhairon decided to visit the mortal realm, intrigued of the current state happening below. But the moment he stepped in the ground.
He felt a weird feeling like never before.
He tried to act usual. But he felt like being watched. The fact that he doesn't know much about the place and was alone didn't help either.
He kept walking, trying to figure out what it was, following a trail of crowds to avoid being ambushed.
Whatever it was, he senses darkness enveloping it.
He felt that it knows him well. And was beginning to inflict fear on him, although he rarely was intimidated by anyone.
Nhairon then noticed a young man in shades, wearing a brown coat and a hat.
He suspects it to be the one causing him the trouble.
NHAIRON: Who are you?
The man played innocent and ignored him.
NHAIRON: Stop playing with me and answer my question. Who are you?
The man stopped walking. And the abrupt pause made the reaper nervous.
The darkness in him, was no joke.
The man looks at him, and smiles.