A continuous banging woke Luna up, stomping her feet as she scratch her head aggressively till she reached the front door. With half eyes open she greeted the person who disturbed her peaceful slumber.
"Wow, you look... really different when you wake up." Quite a familiar voice made her brow raise, once she became a bit sober Luna then saw Remus outside together with Shiki.
It was exactly 7 in the morning when Luna turn around to the wall clock beside the door. What in the world are they doing banging in someone's house so early in the morning?
"What?" Luna grunted.
"We came to pick you up."
Luna felt like Remus has a switch in personality. He can be sometimes cold, cocky, cheerful, an airhead, and all of a sudden he's gloomy or a trembling mess. That's at least what she had observed over those 2 weeks she's with him and the gang, he's more moody than any girl she'd known.
"Why?" Luna asked.
But before they could continue their conversation, Luna let them in first and excused herself as she refreshed up a bit.
While Luna was on the bathroom, the two men sat on the couch—well, only Remus did. Shiki was busy observing the living room and other places.
The two thought that Luna's apartment was rather too big for just one person. They couldn't help to think that Luna was living with someone.
"Meow."
Their thoughts quickly got disturbed by Agapius who was sitting on top of the coffee table swaying its tail while looking at the two in front of him.
"You know, I haven't seen a divine beast, but don't you think this one is too peculiar than the real thing?" Commented Remus, his hand caressing his chin observing the cat in front of him.
Shiki didn't particularly care about agapius, after all, the two wasn't in good terms after they infiltrated the chamber.
"How so?" Shiki asked bluntly while roaming around.
"The last time I saw...Aggy was it? Or was it agriche—whatever, anyway, this thing has a pink colored stripes, I'm sure of it. But now the stripes are gone instead its fur became a plain black and its eyes became a bloody red, too."
'Well, I just went back to my previous form, at first I was only playing to the point that I didn't realized I've kept the previous form(striped pink) till now. Also, why didn't that kid told me sooner?'
Luna then suddenly appeared wearing a long white button up shirt that flows 'till above her knees and was overlayed with a brown striped vest.
She then asked the two if they've already eaten so that she could at least prepare breakfast for three— no four including Agapius that is. Just as when she asked, all of their stomach made a grumbling noise that echoed through the room. There was a slight paused before they made a response.
Since Luna did not exactly expect visitors to come—rather those two— all she did was made sandwiches and offered the two some coffee. They decided to eat in the living room.
"By the way, your apartment seem to be...well, rather big for just one person. Do you live with someone?" Remus straight forwardly asked as he much his sandwich while pressing onto the remote as he continuously change the channel.
Luna almost spit her coffee because of how personal the question was. It felt like it slip through her mind that this apartment was originally from the her world and not from this game. It was a good thing that she put the photo frames of her sister and her away yesterday.
"Uh, er, It was the only available apartment, the price was quite cheap too." She explained, but of course it was a lie, this apartment rent was expensive. Their parents had said to buy it but the two refuses, they wanted to be independent on their own. But of course they still get allowances from their parents.
Thinking back, the first problem the twin encountered was financial issues. At first they tried to find some jobs for their daily expenses, though combining their allowances was enough to pay the rent but groceries and other necessity was also needed. The first 6 months was rough, until Anthony helped them, he told Eva that his 'wealthy' aunt was looking for a tutor for her two daughters.
Whereas Dizian decided to put what he learned on his private art class in use and eventually opened a commission. It went successfully, even though it's only a part time work they were able to at least use the money to pay for the rent and for groceries as well.
"Don't you find that thing... peculiar?"
All of a sudden shiki spoke up as he ate the last bite of his sandwich while looking at Agapius who was laying on Luna's lap.
"Meow." Responded Agapius, titling his head acting all innocent.
Placing her cup down the coaster Luna turn to shiki who was already giving her some suspicious look. She then raised a brow and ask, "Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"Yeah, it's strange!" Remus butted in. "Its fur changed color together with the eyes!" He added, pointing his forefinger to Agapius.
Ah, right.
Now that she think about it, Agapius's cat form returned to the first color she saw, she didn't really pay attention but she does remember him being in a stripe pink, not to mention he was like that for the past few weeks.
"An...an illusion..?" She mumbled, looking away from the two. You can't blame her, she too just realized it just now that Agapius changed appearance.
The two looked at her for quite a while then to each other nodding as if they agreed to that conclusion.
Phew.
"Are the clothes Ready? That's quite fast." She asked sipping from the porcelain cup.
Shiki nodded, "Yes, Justin said to be there at 8:30 so that we can try the clothes to see if there's some fixing to do." He explained plainly.
All Luna could do was nodded, after eating they all head out.
***
Luna looked at the mirror which was behind her in one of the changing room. Looking up and down as she observe herself in the mirror.
For some reason she can hear something shattering inside of her once she had realized what she's wearing. It was her manly pride.
Nevertheless, the dress is pretty so she decided to just give it some slack.
Seeing pretty dresses always soften Dizian's manly side, he does not wear them that's a fact, although he does like drawing them and even thought of buying some for references. Even he has a dream too, that is to study fashion and design.
Men liking pretty dresses is quite weird to some people. But hey, skirts were made for men initially so are the heels, what's there to be ashamed of?
Dizian didn't really care what other may think, he's quite open to what he likes and dislikes. Alot has made fun of him before but that didn't really shook him, but when the bullying went far from throwing his sketch pad, Dizian did not hesitate to throw hands. That happened to him in middle school, but that didn't really stop him from being open to others.
Luna's thought has been disturbed when she heard Rei knocking outside the door, "are you done?" She asked.
Whoo...
She took a deep breathe before deciding to go out and slap her face as she reach out for the handle, turning it as the door opened.
"Whoah— it's pretty... you're pretty!" Commented Rei agape.
It felt like Luna got a heartburn from hearing that, to think she'll be complimented as 'pretty' instead of 'handsome' the feeling is very new to her.
"Ah! That's right, here!" All of a sudden an elbow length fishnet gloves appeared in her hands.
Luna just accepted it without hesitation and eventually wore it. Just like the dress, wearing something like these gloves is too new to her.
"Are you guys done yet? You sure take your lovely time dressing up. Tsk. " Justin peeked at the door with a frown on his face.
"Oh shut it! We girls have to be pretty and decent, isn't that right Luna?" Responded Rei, nudging luna beside her.
'Don't lump me in with you.'
If it weren't for the dress Luna probably has gone out 10 minutes earlier than Rei. It was quite a pain for her to zip the back of the dress, but successfully did it anyway after alot of struggles. The lace wasn't really complicated since it has hook.
The two then went out. Once they step out if the changing room, there seen two gentlemen—Remus and Shiki on Suits.
"Hmm, hey jeslyn mine is a bit big and Ain't it too flashy?"
"It's Justin."
"Why does mine have to be this flashy, Jamie."
"It's Justin you dumb fuck!"
Rei frowned, "Geez, I sometimes wonder if you have dissociative identity disorder. You change personality like...often." commented Rei. "Also you're the one who chose that suit!"
Luna just watched them argue like little kids, shaking her head while she sat down and put the blue 2 inch heels on.
She suddenly turn to her left to see shiki staring at her, but then abruptly turn away fixing his tie. This made Luna to be bewildered.
'What was that about?'
***
It was finally the start of the task. Monday.
People may think that they have nothing to look forward to, but Luna think otherwise. She was honestly looking forward for the event later at night.
It was now exactly lunch time, the gang gathered at the same old cherry blossom tree. Although, they were missing one member. Hikari had to excused herself for her hay fever kicked in and couldn't stop sneezing since morning.
Everyone was laughing and talking to each other, Luna on the other hand just watch them as she eat the sandwich she made earlier. Agapius wasn't seen Together with her too, the Deity decided to stay at her room and sleep. He said that she doesn't need him often, she'll be fine on her own—which was indeed true.
Suddenly, she felt her right arm being lift up together with her body. The sandwich casually hanging on her mouth as she glance to her side.
"Sorry interrupt, I need to borrow her for a minute if that's fine with you all." Shiki bowed at bit as he slowly pull Luna up making the sandwich in her mouth to rip and fall.
Everyone was just staring at them except for Remus and Rei who obviously know what was going on— Luna however doesn't really get what this boy want from her.
None spoke, they just kept on glancing, even Rina was staring with confusion written all over her face, her eyebrows furrowed as he met with Shiki's shadow blue eyes, but not a second pass she quickly averted her gaze.
Fortunately, Daryll broke the silence, "Sure! Feel free to take her, have fun on your date—ouch!" He teasingly said which made rei to hit him. "What the hell, Rei!" He yelled glaring at Rei who hit his head.
"Fine, fine, but don't you dare do anything to her, or else..." Rei threatened as she point her forefinger to Shiki.
Luna dusted her self up and picked the fallen half eaten sandwich as she wrapped it on a plastic and threw it on a trashcan nearby. Such a waste of food. Her face made a sour expression after hearing those comments from her group.
She then glance at Shiki who was obviously unfazed by what those two says.
Without even bidding her excuse to her companions, the boy immediately yanked her arm away from the cherry tree.
A total silence build up between them, until they reached an empty place and teleported into the shack behind.
"Why'd you bring me here?" She asked as Shiki let go of her hand.
Looking around, the shack was surprisingly clean unlike before, where there are piles of papers in every corner. But now even a speak of dust can't be seen, it's as if the inside was sparkling and glistening.
"We'll be going in after Remus and Rei, there's a possibility that the guards may find us suspicious if we enter as a group." He said pulling the chair as he sat and crossed his legs.
"O...k? Is that it? Anything else?" Luna asked eye brow arched, baffled onto why must they teleport here just for him to say that if he could've just told her later? Well perhaps there's more than meets the eye.
All Shiki did was stare at her, his elbow resting on top of the table as he tilt his face sideways placing resting his cheek on to the back of his hand.
He then looked beside her, "You're not with your... divine beast." Shiki muttered.
"Just address him as agapius, no need to call him by his species." Well not really, he's a God but who cares, Luna still couldn't read what was going on inside shiki's mind. What exactly does he want from her? "Anyway, get to the point."
"Right, here." Shiki threw something into the air and let Luna catched it with both of her hands.
"What's this?" She asked looking at the item he threw at her.
It was an amethyst brooch attached to a lace. The gold frame around it sparkles together with gem in the middle. The lace was in a vibrant purple color with a gold linings on each corners. It was pretty.
"A gift." He bluntly said as he stood up and approached her, "wear it later, it's a hair accessory." He added.
Luna looked at the item then to Shiki who still has his plain expression, something doesn't really sit right with her. Why? Why would he give her a gift?
With curiosity, she couldn't help but peek through his data.
[ Shiki Drsut
Age: 21
Date of birth: August 16 x565
Race: Human
Magic: WIND
{Applied Magic}
-aera
-Others;UNKNOWN-
{Learned Magic}
•Basic/Lower class
-UNKNOWN-
•Middle Class
-UNKNOWN-
•Higher Class
-UNKNOWN-
Background: UNKNOWN
• Other information [LOCKED]
Likability: 6%
Affection rate: 0% ]
She was quite shock, but it didn't really concerned her. His likability towards her increased yet his affection rate stayed the same. It made her even more bewildered onto why this man gave her such a gift?
All of a sudden, another screen appeared.
[ Task
Attend the Masquerade ball with Remus and Shiki
Reward:
☐Backstory
☑︎Artifact ◄OBTAINED►
Remaining time: 9 Hours and 15 minutes ]
"It's an artifact," Shiki pressed his forefinger into the amethyst which made it glow. "With this I can track you, if ever you got lost."
His statement somehow creeped her out. "I'm not a kid, don't treat me like one. Do you think I'm the type to wander around? You should probably give this to Rei, she's the most likely to go and wander off." Luna exclaimed as she take shiki's masculine hand place the brooch lace, unfortunately Shiki insisted on her having it.
"Just take it. Think of it as a thank you gift for having the trouble to carry me 'till our dorm the other day."
Luna looked at the brooch on her hand as she clutch it tight and heaved a sigh.
"Fine."
Well, it wouldn't hurt for her to accept such a genuine gift (maybe) from him. With that, Luna's view to Shiki may have changed quite a bit.
***
It was finally the time for them to take action. They waited for people to sleep, for them to sneakily go out.
At the moment, four of them was getting ready at Justin's shop. The boys was all set, whereas the girls are in the middle of fixing their hair.
'My manly pride is like a glass that fell into the ground. Shattered.' Luna thought as she gloomily handed Rei the lace jeweled brooch for her to pin in onto her hair.
After a minute pass, the two girls finally went out of the room.
"Hmm, as expected, it suits you both well." Commented Justin who was sitting around at the corner as he took a sip from his coffee.
The men also was eye catching, Remus has his hair parted a bit on the side, whereas Shiki has his right side of his hair slick back, still wearing his same eye patch. They then started to approached the two maiden.
Shiki extended his right hand to Luna, it took her a second to finally place her hand at top of his.
On the other hand, Rei loop her arm around Remus and kept on hitting him to stay still. They were bickering like little kids (again).
"Now, shall we go?" Shiki muttered as he too place Luna's hand onto his arm as loop it around him.
Luna nodded as a response, she could feel her body having difficulty breathing as they step outside and entered a separate limo—which the Drust and Weinberg family owned.
A faint smile unconsciously seep through Luna's lip as Shiki and her finally got into the second limo.
Once they sat inside, both of them started to put on their masks.
Luna clutched her dress, as she began to feel anxious.
'Let's hope this goes well.'