Day One: Chapter One
13;45
"Uhm…I don't know who you are, but…" MC spoke into the phone she had pressed to her ear. "I'm kind of scared."
Rika hummed softly, nodding as she walked to fetch her house keys. "Please don't worry. You getting into our chatroom was a happy accident, no? If what you say is true, you're here to help us!"
MC laughed nervously as she messed with her hair. "I don't know what this V person wants."
"V was a good man. I'm sure he sent you to us with good intent. A party, you say?'
"Yes, I was told a party.'
"We haven't had one of those in nearly 3 years…I'll have to think about it." Rika replied.
"I'm not going to lie…I'm kind of scared of what will happen if I don't host one."
"Please don't be afraid," the blonde said to MC with genuine worry in her voice. "As president of the VFA, I must keep you safe, yes?"
Silence.
"I suppose…Rika, right…?"
"Yep! You got it! Sadly, I'm getting another call, so I must let you go…stay safe MC."
Rika hung up and locked her door behind her, shuffling to put her bag on the couch.
Today became eventful. A few hours ago, she was simply chatting with Saeran and Jumin about possibly holding a Christmas event, when a new user ID popped up in the header of the messenger. MC…? Rika found it strange, and when she mentioned V—he had to be behind this. He had to. Somehow, before he died…
Jumin, of course, was confrontational but surprisingly lax. He simply asked who she was and why she was there before promptly exiting the chatroom. Maybe he was also upset at a mention of V, Rika thought. It would make sense, since he was almost as close to V as she was.
Saeran was beyond confused, and went to check the logs for a trace or anything that could possibly lead to this girl's full identity and the people behind her entrance. Rika decided that, considering the dangers, she would make MC a VFA member on the spot. She also made a mental note to call Jaehee, but for now Saeran was her priority.
"Saeran?" she said when the line was connected.
"Rika, I have no idea! How could this…this girl get in? I thought I made everything solid, I could've sworn that the algorithm was airtight—"
"Saeran, hey, calm down- I'm not mad!"
"You're not…?"
"No, she seems nice and that she has no ill intentions"
"…I think you're trusting her too quickly, Rika."
"Do I have any other choice?"
"I guess not…also, I can confirm she is definitely in V's house. She told me that herself, and her GPS confirms it."
"And what about who sent her? Do you know?"
"I don't know explicitly, but she said the ID said 'Unknown' but to call them 'Luciel'."
"Strange. Obviously, it could be an alias, but still…strange. How long do you think it may take to track the location?"
"I can't unless I have more information. Depending on what I can get, I'd say seven to 11 days."
"Alright…try and get close to her, okay? Make her feel welcome so she can open up more!"
Saeran sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Fine. Are we having the party or not?"
"It depends…I'll think about it."
"Alright. I must go, Rika. Call Jaehee when you can."
"Of course, and good luck on your search."
MC looked back at the previous log after she hung up, where she so moronically decided to help host a party and walk into some stranger's house.
She took her time to look around her new surroundings— her new home for a while according to Saeran. The walls were white with frames of photographs, each evenly spaced from each other and each picture the exact same dimensions. The frames were all black, no décor, the only difference seemingly being the subject of the art.
The floor had white carpet, too, or white tile in the kitchen and bathroom areas. The living room had all black furniture, also evenly spaced, and proportionate to the fireplace and coffee table. The mantle had two frames on top equidistance from each other; one of a woman with mint colored hair, and the other a blonde woman around her age. MC presumed the blonde must be Rika, due to her profile picture in the messenger, but had no idea about the former.
Saeran said she was in V's house—was Rika related to V somehow? She talked kindly of him, and said they were engaged, but if they were engaged…she had no idea why they would live apart from each other.
Oh—right, the log. Who was this guy? Unknown, now known as Luciel?
Unknown: Look, I know you may be worried;;;
Unknown: but literally you'll be fine. I swear to u.
Unknown: That is, if you do what I say~
Unknown: You know too much for me to just let you go
Unknown: All you gotta do is go to this address, and when u enter you'll be sent to another messenger. If they resist say V sent you.
Unknown: [Attached Link]
Unknown :u have to host a party. That's important.
Unknown: OH! Nearly forgot, hahah
Unknown: Call me Luciel. Kind of like the angel's name. And don't tell the VFA who we are. You won't like the consequences.
That had MC scared. Once she was thrown into the new messenger, she was a loss for what to say. Eventually, Jumin noticed her presence, and asked her a couple questions before booking it. Rika called her shortly after, prompting her for information too, and a location. MC had no idea where she was.
'Some clean freak's house.' She thought 'There's cameras too.'
Saeran told her those cameras were to monitor when V wasn't there, and now he could use them to monitor her and keep her safe. How kind of him.
She sighed, sitting on the couch, and leaning her head back. Today was going to be a long day…
"V," Jumin said as he pushed open the doors to the main part of Magenta. "There's a girl—she said you sent her."
V looked behind him and dismissed the Believers he was talking to before speaking.
"You're not in proper attire, Jumin." He remarked, looking over him and gesturing to his suit. "You should know better than to barge in here without proper manners."
The man spoke in a gentle way that was unique to his personality; oddly calming and soft even when he was reprimanding you. He brushed his mint bangs from his face to look at his friend more clearly, his similarly hued eyes studying Jumin's mannerisms.
"V, is now really the time—"
"My time is precious, Jumin," he chided. "What is it?"
"A girl was in the VFA messenger today. Her name was MC, and she said you sent her. Is that true?"
V smiled as he sat down. "Very. I asked Luciel to find a worthy candidate for the plan, and he found her fitting. Would you agree?"
"I'm not sure, I haven't gathered anything on her."
"Then I see you're slacking on your duties to Mint Eye, again, no?"
"I have a cover to keep, V, I apologize for trying to keep these secrets safe."
V glared at Jumin and his sarcasm, before catching himself, and replaced it with a smile. "I admire your dedication, but if you slip up too much then I'll have to have Yoosung make another Elixir to bring you back to your senses. I know how much you hate the process, my friend."
Jumin swallowed at the threat, before huffing and looking to the side. "I'll get onto searching for her soon. She seems social, so it'll be easy to ask Luciel to find media pages and blog posts. Will that satisfy you?"
"Yes, that should do for now Jumin."
The raven-haired man nodded towards V, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Whatever you are planning, it's awfully stressful."
V beamed as he held his chin up with his hand. "Paradise is never easy to acquire, you know."
"Yes…" Jumin agreed. "You tell me every time. I should go and ask Luciel for the assistance I need."
"Of course," he replied to him. "I'll have someone escort you."
Jumin smiled slightly, but shook his head as he walked towards the door. "That won't be necessary."
Once Jumin left, V pulled one of the acolytes aside.
"Before Jumin leaves," he started before stopping to think for a second, carefully considering the method which would have the least side-effects. "I think he needs to be apprehended. He's becoming too snippy and resistant. Make sure he becomes more…usable."
The acolyte nodded.
"Yes, my Savior."