group
The now-unmasked officer came down the spiral staircase as he raised a brow.
”Yep?” he said with a soft questioning tone.
The facial features of the man was finally revealed. He had silver eyes similar to the eighth judge’s, quite a sweet and pale expression but with perfectly healthy looking skin that looked like it had not touched any sunlight whatsoever, light brown hair that was cut moderately short and was set neatly.
"Uuh, sir. I umm, somehow summoned this piece of painting in my room with a strange object. I believe it belongs to you or the lord judge." He hesitantly handed the photo to the officer, his hand shaking almost unnoticeable. "It was an accident…"
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”Oh, so that’s where I left it…” Oscar took the ‘painting’ into his hand as he looked at it.
”I was just looking for my hourglass, so I left it in your room when I was cleaning it huh? Would you be so kind to get the hourglass for me as well?” the officer asked as he stared into the photo, smiling a bit.
"Sure sir."
Ryuusei breathed a silent sigh of relief as he walked into the room to retrieve the hourglass.
"If i may," he said whilst handing the officer the hourglass, "what is an 'hourglass' for?"
As previously stated, he'd never seen such an item before - in his days, the only way one could tell the time was either by water clocks - which only the rich could afford - or with the castle bells that rung at each hour.
group
The officer fidgeted with the glass item a bit as he answered.
”It’s a tool to tell the time. As sand flows down to only the bottom half and at a constant rate, every time you flip the thing it will tell exactly one hour. But you’ve got to make sure first that all the sand is on the same half of the thing” he explained as he slid the hourglass into his suit’s inner pocket.
”I’ll go give this to Dushi really quickly” the officer said as he walked pass the painting illusion and back into the court’s main area.
”The name’s Haru” the male introduced.
”And I’m Akari” the female followed.
”Pleasure to meet you” the two said in unison as they played a short, energetic melody.
”So, Koki-chan, Enenma was the one who brought you here right?” the female asked, leaning a little towards Koki.
"Yes, ma'am! I was talking to a Miss Hana, but she kicked me out of the room because I asked too many questions." Koki smiled sheepishly, nodding. "I do that sometimes. Talk to much and ask questions, I mean."
"A tool for telling time… ooh." Ryuusei had muttered to himself after receiving the explanation. He wished the officer a good night before closing the door and climbing back on the bed. It was past midnight at this point, and he was starting to feel the events of the day catch up to him.
Deciding sleep would be more than welcome right now, he snuck under the covers, fidgeted a little bit until he found a comfortable position, before dozing off.
group
The two musicians nodded with a soft smile touching their faces.
”I don’t find it annoying myself, I think it’s kinda cute that you’re so active” the female pianist commented as the male nodded in agreement.
”Or maybe it’s just because we’re so quiet that hearing someone talk feels great” the male teased as the female pianist smacked his on the arm as they both giggled.
Perhaps they were more than just close friends?
(Since Ryuu’s asleep, I’ll leave him be… for now)
Koki giggled, noting the relationship between the two. "How long have you two been together?" She asked, tilting her head with wide innocent eyes. What, she was nosy alright?
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Haru turned to Koki and started counting on his fingers.
”Two… and a half years…, I think, right?” he turned to the female beside him as she nodded in confirmation.
”We’re getting ‘married’ soon actually and yes, believe it or not there is a tradition for us officers to be in a relationship. The judges agree that it’s beautiful and truthful so they don’t stop any of us” the pianist, Akari, explained as she turned back to the male guitarist who was tapping his index finger on his cheek.
The female smirked before she leaned in a pecked him on the cheek.
"Aw! That's adorable!" Koki smiled widely, her eyes a bit sad. They reminded her of her brother and his husband. They aren't actually married, but like hell, if they don't act like it. Koki, get your head out of the gutter. She screamed to herself.
(aight, imma wait a bit till morning rolls around :">)
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The guitarist gave a small chuckle as the pianist leaned back, both giving off a blush.
The woman of gray, Enenma, walked into the room.
”Koki, Lord Wuguan wants you back at the mansion for safety reasons…” the woman spoke up as the two musicians nodded.
”Well, good night!” the male said as the female waved with a smile.
(A’right, sounds good)
(:'>)
The guitarist gave a small chuckle as the pianist leaned back, both giving off a blush.
The woman of gray, Enenma, walked into the room.
”Koki, Lord Wuguan wants you back at the mansion for safety reasons…” the woman spoke up as the two musicians nodded.
”Well, good night!” the male said as the female waved with a smile.
(A’right, sounds good)
Koki looked a bit deflated as she waved goodbye. "Bye! I hope I see you again, you two are very nice!" She said, following Enenma out of the room with a frown.
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The woman in gray noticed Koki’s change in expression as she herself sighed.
”Don’t worry, you will meet them a lot during your work hours” the smoke spirit claimed as she led Koki outside and started back towards the mansion.
As Koki was led inside, the female officer who was waiting inside brought her back to her room and wished her good night, closing the door.
Koki waved goodbye to Enenma, throwing herself into her bed. She changed into some PJs that she found in a drawer and headed off to sleep. At least this time, she wasn't having a nightmare.
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(Time skip?)
(yyusss)
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A small knock came from the other side of Ryuusei’s door.
”Ryuusei, it’s morning and time for breakfast” Oscar’s voice came from the other side of the door in an inviting tone.
He then gave another knock.
The boy jumped slightly at the sound of the knock on the thin wood of the door. He was a light sleeper, therefore he woke up easily at any disturbance around him.
He rubbed his eyes for a bit, trying to get used to the light and his surroundings. It felt like a dream at first, being in a room so big, but once the memories of the previous day came back, he quickly felt at ease.
"I'm awake!" he responded at the second knock at the door, getting out of bed
group
”Please dress up and come out into the court’s main area, Lord Dushi is waiting to take you back to the mansion where breakfast is being prepared” the officer stated from outside Ryuu’s room.
The female officer of the mansion, Ayumi, knocked on Koki’s door a bit.
”Master Koki, breakfast’s ready!” she stated with another, slightly louder knock.
"Understood!"
He stretched his limbs till they shivered, enjoying the pleasant feeling, especially after a good night's rest. Once done with that, he trotted towards the bathroom to wash his face with some cold water to completely wake up.
He quickly put on his training clothes from the other day, and rushed outside to meet with the eighth judge
Koki shot up, throwing on a red dress and pulling her hair back with a headband. "Sorry!" She exclaimed, opening the door in a matter of minutes and exiting.
group
The eighth judge turned to Ryuusei when he heard footsteps. Right now, the eighth judge looked almost exactly like when Ryuu first met him back at the mansion with the difference of a soft smile.
”Had a good sleep?” the judge asked.
The female officer shook her head.
”It’s fine Koki, no one’s here yet” the officer said as she led Koki down to the dining room.
”Very cute dress by the way”
"Thanks! I found it in the back of the closet and I really like it!" She giggled. "And I didn't want to be late to anything. I'm supposed to meet a new judge today, right?"
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”Well, yes, but that would be in an hour or two unfortunately, she’s still busy” the female officer explained as she opened the door to the dining where the male officer, Tanaka, was setting the plates for the guests who are coming to the mansion.
Koki waved to Tanaka, shrugging at the female officer's words. "Well, I hope once I meet her, I can help her in any way I can!"
Ryuusei brushed a few strands of hair from his face as he stopped in front of the man.
"Mn, very refreshing" he answered, giving a small smile back.
Truth was he really did feel like this was the first time in his life when he slept undisturbed for a whole night, waking up totally refreshed.
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The male officer gestured to one of the seats.
”Please wait a bit, some of the food isn’t ready yet” Takana stated as he went back into the kitchen.
The eighth judge opened his mouth a bit before giggling just slightly.
”That’s great, I’m glad” he started to pace towards the court’s door and opening it.
In early morning, the mist was fainter and the scenery of the afterworld was clearer; it was… surprisingly beautiful.
The eighth judge waved Oscar a small goodbye as he led Ryuu towards the mansion.
