Gabby watched sadly, as Red bid his final goodbye to her. It felt so heavy, so surreal that he's leaving her just like that. A year and months of being together, waking up without his presence, his cooking, his...eyes, it was something she never thought would come to her this quickly.
But here she was now. Stopping her tears from falling so she won't worry him, or make him feel guilty. A side of her hated it, the other, somehow understands. After all, it must have been a pain rescuing her helpless bum all the time, right?
Humility looked at her, feeling his heart sink at the sight. She may have had this smile, but her big green eyes, they were too expressive. And any attempt to tell she's okay, will never hide them.
Red was aware as well, but he didn't want to call it out. He felt so sorry for her. And it took him so much willpower to stop himself from running back to her and squeezing her into a tight hug.
He turned around, ungraciously, stiffly, looking above. Then vanishes just like that.
Humility waved at her again, as Winter, his new guardian, takes Red's place. Unlike Red, Winter is like Harry, who could take the shape of any animal he likes, although temporarily, it is much more convenient for this kind of job.
He's strong, that's for sure. Stronger than Harry and Red combined. After all, he's rank four.
But there must have been a reason why Humility took long to assign him to this duty. In fact, this reaper, was not the friendliest.
He was constantly making sure his appearance is very well-groomed. His long lavander hair in place, and his ceylon yellow eyes always giving off the, "I'm serious so behave," vibe. And his white coat was always spotless. I mean, of course it would be. He checks the mirror every five minutes. And if he sees Gabby look, he'd frown, as if saying to mind her own business. Overall he gives off the impression of which he's very much not approachable, or rather friendly. He was just there to protect her. And she could tell that he's somehow pissed that he was assigned to this sort of job.
When someone knocked on the door, Winter quickly transformed into his favorite animal, a cat. The russian blue cat quickly jumped to the couch. And seeing the small feline, Storm felt very excited and tried to hop in to join him, but the reaper did not welcome him and instead hissed.
Gabby wanted to say something, but knew that Winter might get upset or angry, causing more problems for Humility to assign another.
She picked the lab out the couch and kissed the whimpering dog to comfort him.
The knocks continued, and she quickly sprinted to the door to answer. Thank God Murasaki came.
MURASAKI: What's up? How's the new guy?
GABBY: Good, I guess?
He chuckled and peeks.
MURASAKI: He's...um, the cat? He's a cat?
GABBY: Yeah, hahah. Anyways, come in. Where's Hoshi and your dad?
MURASAKI: Out, training. Finally, he gave me my 'alone time', but he said that it'd be short lived since that fairy guy might come after me. Lol. How's the old dude?
GABBY: In my room, watching videos of who knows what. He's enjoying himself I guess. Plus, I don't have cookies anymore. Deltha loves cookies.
MURASAKI: He can chew cookies??
There was a huge hint of amusement and disbelief in his eyes that Gabby can't help but laugh.
GABBY: Impressively, yeah.
Murasaki then walks in, smiling still, as he moves forward to the couch.
MURASAKI: May I sit?
The cat glared at him, then provided space.
WINTER: He's aware, huh?
GABBY: Yeah, he's Murasaki Jun, a good friend of mine. He can be trusted.
WINTER: Yeah, whatever. What's his purpose?
GABBY: We...just wanted to hang out and play cards. It's our day off.
WINTER: Cards, huh? What cards?
MURASAKI: Uno. Want to play, too?
WINTER: No. What benefit would that give me?
MURASAKI: Enjoyment?
WINTER: Pff, whatever. I'm taking a cat nap. Do your thing. Scream loudly if there's trouble.
The cat stretched and positioned itself into a loaf, closing his eyes and sleeping.
MURASAKI: Cute cat. I wanted a russian blue once. Can I take a picture of him?
GABBY: Uh, make sure it doesn't have a flash. Winter might be the type to claw your face off once he found out. I never thought that a yellow reaper could be this...serious. I mean...Harry sure isn't. He's the exact opposite.
MURASAKI: Got it!
Murasaki excitedly shows her the picture, and Gabby can't help but say 'awww' at it's adorable posing.
GABBY: Guess he's cuter when asleep.
Murasaki smiles as he steals a glance at her. He quickly looks away to stop his self from feeling flustered.
MURASAKI: You're cuter though.
He said in a hushed voice, thankfully enough, Gabby didn't hear him.
And she continued to shuffle the cards so they could start playing.
MURASAKI: So...he left, huh?
Gabby stopped immediately once hearing it, then she continued on, but her shoulders were tensed.
GABBY: Yeah, don't know when he'd come back.
MURASAKI: On your journey to moving on?
GABBY: I...actually don't know. Guess only time could tell?
MURASAKI: You know...I'm still available, right?
Gabby chuckles. Then looks at his hazel eyes, with blue fleaks. They were beautiful, and charming, but not as charming as Red's eyes. She turned sad. And Murasaki immediately felt sorry.
MURASAKI: Okay, I get it. Little Red Riding Hood still misses him. But...I'm here. And will be here. You should smile.
GABBY: Yeah, right. But it's not easy.
She picks up ten cards, as Murasaki does the same.
Gabby picked a random card.
7-Blue.
GABBY: You go first.
MURASAKI: Okay. But...hey I am dead serious. Smile.
She smiles, but it was so fake Murasaki didn't have to look fully to see it. He could hear her sigh as she proceeded to do it.
Murasaki grunts and drops 2-Blue.
MURASAKI: Fake. So fake.
GABBY: Hey, if your great love suddenly leaves, would you even have the guts to smile?
MURASAKI: Ouch.
Gabby looks at him, quite pissed, then drops 2-Green.
MURASAKI: Sorry. But...my point is, maybe it's the heavens saying that you should give me a chance?
GABBY: Stubborn as always.
MURASAKI: Come on, Gab, just try it out.
Murasaki drops 9-Green.
She sighs heavily, then looks at her cards. Murasaki thought the sigh was because of the game, but it was because of his never giving up nature.
GABBY: When will you move on?
She drops 9-Red.
MURASAKI: Never, I guess? And besides, he left. What more would you do but move on as well?
Hey, if I win, we'd date, okay? If not, then...uh, I'll leave you alone.
GABBY: Risky. I'm not that lucky at these sort of games.
Murasaki drops 7-Red.
MURASAKI: Please?
GABBY: Ugh...you're serious?
MURASAKI: Dead serious. I'll do anything, just to have a chance with you.
Gabby drops plus 4.
GABBY: But if I win, you know you're done, right?
Murasaki smiles happily as he moves his hand to get four additional cards.
MURASAKI: Yeah, bring it on.
Murasaki laughed as he himself have 2 plus fours on his cards. This will be a fun game.
...
Five minutes later, Winter woke up from the screaming beside him.
Gabby was still left shocked as Murasaki was purposely throwing the cards on her head. Mocking her for her defeat.
The reaper wanted to shush them, but he was more curious than angry of what had happen.
Why is Gabby screaming in denial? And why is Murasaki laughing and pointing his finger at her?
Was the card game this fun?
GABBY: I shouldn't have let you go first.
MURASAKI: It's final though. You lost. Hahahha! You have 5 cards left too!
GABBY: Ah, I shouldn't have agreed to this!
MURASAKI: Yet you did! I won!
WINTER: What is the meaning of this? Why are you both acting like kids who won and lost on a lottery? What game is this?
MURASAKI: Ow, you wanna play too?
Winter thought about it, it was tempting, but he didn't want to look stupid, and wouldn't want to risk looking like Gabby, who seems to be very upset of her lost.
WINTER: Just tell me the matter. What happened? Why is she sulking? Why are you happy? What is this game? What is at stake?
GABBY: Nothing! It's fine! It wasn't something to worry about.
MURASAKI: Yeah, after all, she just agreed to go on a date with me if she loses! Hah! I win!
WINTER: All that noise? And all that time? For a yes or no question? Huh, you're unbelievable. Both of you are.
GABBY: I'm so sorry. You can go back to sleep now.
WINTER: No. I don't want to sleep anymore. I want to know why you came up to this sort of agreement. Why not just ask her out?
MURASAKI: Because she's still head over heals for that Re-
Gabby quickly covered Murasaki's mouth as she pushes him down the floor, stopping him from speaking. Gabby sure looked embarrassed.
And Winter even more confused.
While Murasaki, is secretly enjoying his position.
WINTER: You two look ridiculous right now. Okay, chop, chop, play time's over. Clean this mess. And order some food. My cat tummy is hungry.
The russian blue ordered, as he walks out of the couch to look at the mirror again.