I fixed a couple things in this chapter I personally did not like from 2020. It wouldn't make sense to insert fear mongering of a simple artifact and then make the main character take it anyway. I think it would've been too out of character for a skittish person like Reiji.
- ML
Reiji awoke with a start. The space around her was all black, swallowing up any light that might have passed through. She stood up and noticed she was still wearing her nightgown. Her braless, relaxed body was slightly visible through her blush pink gown, which reached just above her ankles. It was her favorite and only gown, so it made sense if the article of clothing happened to appear in a dream. Reiji started walking and tripped on her oddly angled right foot. She fell to her knees. Behind her, a long chain was cuffed to her right foot, attached to a large boulder.
Suddenly, the darkness began to change. Light engulfed her sight as well as all of the black space. Reiji looked up to see that she was now in a maze hall, poorly lit by dim lanterns and candles. The items provided poor light with which Reiji could just barely see a few ahead. However, the sky was bright, but there was no source of said light anywhere. She stood up, then started using her leg to pull the boulder. Somehow, it was a lot lighter than it looked. She turned a corner and slipped on water, on the same foot, falling again. The boulder burst to thousands of pieces, flying out in straight lines. Their forms melted and warped themselves into blue, blank masked faces on surrounding walls of the maze.
"Chosen one," they murmured in unison, matching tone. Her breaths became panicked as she scrambled to her feet. The dark-skinned demon broke into a run, covering her chest to protect herself from pain in her bosom.
Chosen one, chosen one, chosen one," the faces chanted, growing louder to the point of entering her mind. Reiji covered her ears as she ran. "Shut up! Shut! Up!" she shouted. The overwhelming volume of the voices brought tears to her eyes. The words banged her head with noise. She sobbed, but her grief was short-lived as she collided with the back of a figure. The figure turned to reveal Reiji, or perhaps another version.
Her skin was darker than Reiji's, striped and littered with exotic, black tattoos. Her glowing crimson eyes contained thin, black irises. All of her hair was black, and the 'X' shaped scar on her face was perhaps the lightest part of her skin. As the doppelganger turned to her, her pupils immediately dilated upon looking at Reiji. Reiji was frozen in place, an eerie cold settling on her skin. The stranger caressed her cheek, looking directly at her as she came closer, smiling. All of her teeth were sharp, her fangs defined by the light.
The doppelganger's hiss was the last thing Reiji would hear that night.
Reiji's eyes flew open as she jolted awake, clutching her blanket. A cold had indeed settled on her in the form of cold sweat. She looked at her clock: blurry green numbers staring back at her. Grabbing her rectangular glasses, she sat up, blinking sleep from her eyes, then put her glasses on. The clock read 0745.
"No," she whimpered, panic set in. Her stomach sank to a miserable place. She hurried out of bed, frantically grabbing little calendar from its canvas stool. Reiji's schedule was in a language she referred to as "Kanaji," with no meaning attached. It was her day off, one of three days when the cafe was closed. She sat on her bed, her panic subsiding. She sighed, descending into a deep groan as she rubbed her face and eyes. Unfortunately for her, returning sleep was not an option.
So, she took to the bathroom to take a cold shower. A few days had gone by since she washed her hair, so she took her time. Her bathroom was about the size of her bedroom, just large enough for everything she preferred in a bathroom: a bathtub and shower head hose, tiled floor and floor drain for sponge bathing outside the tub, a dark colors (i.e., black) sink bowl, the towel rack on the wall beside the built-in cubbies and the towels hooks on the back of her door, the calm blue color of the barriers that she painted herself, the mirror which opened into three cabinets, and the mild brightness of the light overhead. Before stripping down for her shower, she went to the sink, then opened the cupboard. She took out an eight-ounce container of blue tablets. She took one out, popped it in her mouth, then chewed for a second. She rinsed her lapis lazuli blue toothbrush and began to brush her teeth, minty, light blue foam expanding in her mouth.
She took time to properly wash her hair, even conditioning under her arms, on her calves where the hairs were thicker, and her full bush, carefully avoiding the flesh below. The process lasted one hour to be precise, with an additional 30 minutes to blow dry all of her hair.
Her hair developed hands equal in shape and size to hers, allowing her to wash her face as an additional pair of hands blow-dried the rest of her hair. After that, she braided it neatly down her back, the tip reaching her buttocks.
Once her bathroom routine was complete, she dressed in her undergarments of a simple black bra, black control briefs, white tube socks, and a white slip to add some style to her sky blue overall skirt, above the knee, and white blouse with puff sleeves. Puff sleeves were her other favorite clothing behind clothing that came in a shade of blue.
Reiji walked down the street from her apartment with a wooden cart, along with a few knitted bags for fresh produce and grocery bags for anything else she wanted to buy from the village market. The market was a place where demons ran numerous small businesses, selling items such as food, clothing, hunting gear, hygiene products, first-aid supplies, and more. On off-days, Reiji would go to the shopping mall. She even came here for weekend breakfasts because cooking in the morning was one of the things she did not enjoy. She went to a food stand that was less crowded than others, but what they had smelled amazing every time she came. She saw a beefy male demon in the back, tending to patties frying on a grill. He had just finished flipping them as Reiji came up. He turned around. His thin, dark orange eyes stared into Reiji's gold eyes.
Reiji's eyes hardened as she instantly recognized the male. "Otto," she greeted the acquaintance. He huffed as he cracked half a smile. Reiji did not return the look. She inhaled through her nose, closing her eyes, then exhaled through her mouth, opening her eyes again. Relax, Reiji. He cannot hurt you anymore; she reassured herself. She looked him in the eye, lowering her brows to a more relaxed expression.
"I'm going to have steak and vegetable stick," she stated. Otto's lips lost that curve of a smile as he nodded. "This morning's special is eight Luba for two sticks. Care to add a second to your order?" he asked. Reiji nodded. "That's a good deal; I will have two then," she replied monotone.
And so, she waited for him to prepare her order. That short exchange felt like it lasted several more minutes than the reality; she intensely disliked him, and she knew that her scar was forever a reminder of the childhood trauma she carried because of him. It was an unspoken tension she shared with the trio who resided in that village, none of which casually spoke to her or each other. Reiji personally preferred their disappearing from her life permanently, but she could never subject them to the abuse they gave her all those years ago.
"Your order is up." Reiji was snapped out of her daydreaming by Otto's voice. She paid for her breakfast, then turned to leave. "Wait, Reiji," he said, holding his hand out. She paused, turning to him. For a moment, she thought she would flinch out of instinct. He continued, drawing his dark side away.
"How, how have you been?" he asked. Reiji blinked. He is asking a question after years of silence. What to say, what to say, what to say-
"Why are you asking?" the dark-skinned demon quizzed him. Marvelous, you dolt. Otto cleared his throat, his eyes darting downwards. "Well, as a server, it's courteous to interact with my customers to provide a pleasant experience," he explained.
"Oh, um, I have been well," she answered sheepishly. "And you? We never speak, so how have you been?"
"Eh, I've been here and there, mostly quiet with how slow business is at this time of the month," he shrugged. With how awkward and tense the atmosphere was, Reiji was amazed he even had customers.
"I'm sure you must still hate me after all this time," he continued. "Believe me; I know you detest me still... I want to apologize properly. I am a changed demon, unlike that horrible, awful child you once knew. You don't have to forgive me for how my old friends and I treated you, but just know that I am deeply sorry for hurting you. I mean it," he concluded. Reiji's eyes softened as she parted her lips to speak but hesitated. Did he apologize? None of them have ever apologized to me. What do I even say? That was just too unpredictable!
"You don't have to say anything," he assured her, noticing how the edge of her lip twitched from the internal conflict. "Let me make it up to you. We could go out for, say, a coffee, or a meal somewhere?"
Reiji was silent as she thought about the offer. Was he bribing her or genuine? There is only one way to find out. "I suppose dinner at 0830 would suffice, Black Alley Diner," she replied blankly. The dark demon took out a small notepad and ink pen, writing down this information. He smiled softly, sending a shiver up her spine. Her mind flashed back to that gleeful smile he wore as he cut her face, vaguely feeling dark red liquid drip down her face.
Gripping the sticks, she power-walked away with her cart. Her hands began to tremble and sweat as she frantically searched for a place to be alone. Then, leaving her cart and meat sticks in a secluded spot, she hurried into an alleyway, tears stinging her eyes. The busy noises buzzed in her head. The walls of the alley closed on her, or perhaps she was shrinking into herself. Reiji's breaths felt caught in the back of her throat, short and limited. She uncontrollably cried as she struggled to breathe, gripping her braid for some comfort as she slid to the ground. Her golden eyes darted left and right, attempting to ground herself.
"Uh, b-bricks, dirt, m-morning dew, g-grass," she stuttered. "F-feel hair, cold, hot... Hear, um, Ch-chatter..." Reiji trailed off, panting deeply, tears continuing to trail down her cheeks. Ten minutes went by; she was still crying and shaking, but her breaths were beginning to subdue; she covered her chest as her hair untwined from her braid, wrapping around her body in a gentle embrace. Then, 15 minutes; she took deep breaths in through her nose, exhaling slowly through her mouth, still shaken; in through her nose, out through her mouth. Twenty-five minutes:
"Bricks, dirt, morning dew, grass. Warm, cool, hairy. Chatter, footsteps, cartwheels..." Footsteps? Cartwheels? She looked up, puzzled by the oddly specific sounds. Shugo pulled her cart behind his as he walked down the alley. He parked the wagon about a yard away, then knelt before her. He wore the same clothing as the night before, adding a black windbreaker and ankle-length leather gladiator sandals.
"I'm here for you, Reiji. Do you need anything?" he asked calmly. She nodded silently, looking down at her lap. "Just tell me what you need, and I can help you," he consoled.
She swallowed, but her throat felt dry. "S-some water," she murmured. Shugo set a glass bottle of water before her. She took the bottle, popped the cap off, then made big gulps, having just realized she was dehydrated. She gasped as she stopped drinking. The 12-ounce bottle was empty. Shugo pouted but didn't verbalize his feelings for Reiji's sake.
"Tasty water," she whispered to herself, her anxiety finally relaxing. Her hair unwrapped itself, then braided back into the secure braid. Shugo tied the ribbon for her, fastening a neat bow. He helped her up, and then she brushed her skirt off. He handed her two steak sticks. They were hot, as if fresh off the grill. Reiji narrowed her eyes, knowing fully well that her sticks should have been cold by now.
"You bought me new ones," she observed. Shugo laughed nervously. "I was kinda hungry when I found your cart," he explained. "I bought you new ones from that stand. Let me guess: you saw Otto, endured dreadfully long chat, then had a flashback?" he questioned. Reiji frowned, nodding as she took the meat sticks, biting from both at once.
"I felt so awful," she lamented as she chewed. "Otto apologized, and I agreed to dinner with him!" she exclaimed, to Shugo's surprise. Reiji was not the type to raise her voice at all, so this side of her was unexpected. She lowered her gaze, a shadow casting over her eyes. "Words cannot possibly describe the emotions I phased through in a matter of seconds," she muttered darkly, nearly snapping the wooden sticks. Shugo rested his hand on her shoulder. "I know, Reiji, I do. He was sweet up front, too kind, but he wasn't lying," he informed her. "He pretty much grew from an evil brat into a depressed loser.
"And I've grown from a scared child to a scared, anxious adult," Reiji sighed. Shugo looked at her. "You may be anxious, but you're also kind, courteous, beautiful, the tallest female I know, brave, and you have the best mean stare in town," he described with a grin. Reiji blushed at his compliments, even though she's received this pep talk many times.
"Thank you, Shugo," she smiled, then ate the rest of her breakfast. It was just the perfect amount of spiced and plain. She processed to snap the sticks in half, fourths, then dropped them in a steel garbage bin at the face of the alley path. As the duo walked on the metal sidewalk beside a concrete road, a ring sounded in the intercom system. Reiji's ears twitched at the unpleasant noise, knowing it was from her block of town. The ringing continued for the five minutes it took for Shugo and Reiji to return to her village block. A familiar voice bellowed:
"The following have been called for a summon to the Loner Village Hall by Mission-Secretary Miranota: Reiji Sagara, Shugo Semantic, and Ryouichi Ichiyama," the announcer said. Shugo groaned. "Another calling? This week alone, my name was listed three times," he complained, counting to three with his fingers and thumb.
"I don't mind; I like to think that next time, I am strong enough to be volunteered for better work," Reiji replied. Shugo lightly patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Reiji, I'm sure the Hall has seen the potential of your weird hair magic," he reassured the dark-skinned demon. She pushed her glasses from the edge of her nose, glaring at him.
"I call it Hair Shower," she corrected him. Shugo couldn't help but laugh at her technicality as they turned around a corner. Passing Reiji's apartment, the Blood River was to their left, hundreds of tiny water creatures swimming to and fro, or relaxing at stone ledges that bordered the river's edges. A Siren, utterly white save for her aquamarine blue tail, waved at Reiji and Shugo.
"Good luck at your summoning," she said with a deep rasp.
"I always have good luck at summonings!" Shugo grinned at her, then looked straight ahead. Reiji pouted, secretly envious of the Dragon Slayer's confidence. Ryouichi was racing towards them.
"Who else is excited to go on a mission with Reiji, again?" he smiled. Reiji cracked a small smile.
"Oh, I don't know if I'll be there," she said sheepishly. Ryouichi patted her head, knocking her glasses out of place. "Don't worry about doubts! With your favorite best friend-"
"You are definitely not the favorite," Shugo refuted. The Beast Soul shoved his way between the two, growling in the Dragon Slayer's face. "Oh, yeah? Are you saying you're more favored here?" he challenged the ginger. Shugo cackled.
"Maybe not the favorite, but you're definitely at the lower rank!" Shugo smirked. Ryouichi punched him in the arm. Shugo hit him back twice as hard. Reiji distanced herself by three feet, a distasteful look crossing her face. Her hair expanded, ultimately trapping the troublesome duo in a tight, immobilizing cocoon of dark green locks. For the rest of the walk to the Loner Village Hall, they remained stuck.
The structure of the building was that of a simple small building similar to a large, two-story house. The entrance consisted of two pillars, which supported a balcony and front porch. The door was a rather large, tall door, black with four doors within doors for smaller creatures. At the entrance stood a Halfas demon female, a type of Beast Soul that highly out ranked individuals like Ryouichi. The demon's scaly skin was baby blue, save for some spots of darker blue and black along her forearms and tail. Her eyes appeared Human, Prussian blue, but that was just about the only humanoid characteristic about her. She wore only a black skirt and visible grey underdress. Her chest was covered by a shawl. Reiji bowed to the Halfas Beast Soul.
"Good morning, Miss Miranota," she smiled as she released Ryouichi and Shugo. The males quickly scrambled to their feet, then bowed, although the tension remained. Without responding to their somewhat polite greeting, Miranota opened the taller part of the door, the trio following in suit.
"By the way, nice boots," Ryouichi said, pointing to Reiji's black knee-length combat boots. "Thank you, this is my favorite pair," she smiled.
"If I had boots like that, but with metal points, I could kick the shit out of my opponents, taking them out in one blow!" Ryouichi grinned. Reiji shook her head.
"Ryo m, these boots are casual footwear, not combat shoes," she replied.
"Enough side talk," Miratona ordered. The trio went quiet after that.
They were led into a lobby brightly lit by the red sun as the clouds parted. To their right were a flight of carpeted stairs leading to the second floor, framed photographs, and small portraits of every village chief hanging along the stairway wall. On their left was the entrance to Miratona's office, glass walls looking back at them. Her office was the size of an average bathroom, containing a grey, wooden desk with shelves built-in, and two blue lamps on both sides of the window. The window had two metal doors meant to slide shut for security purposes. Miratona sat at her desk chair, as Ryouichi claimed a spinning stool in a corner. Reiji took a seat at the only other chair while Shugo was left standing, arms crossed.
Miratona placed a folder on the desk. It contained a single sheet of paper, which the Beast Soul removed from the folder. Reiji tilted her head to the side, having never seen such a short description before. This mission must be a simple, low price range, she thought, wilting.
"This mission should be fairly simple for the three of you," the Beast Soul began. I knew it.
"Tomorrow, at dawn, an elite family from the mage city False Line are to embark on a trip from Foretito to the Twilight Zone for a meeting with the mayor of Foretito city. The three of you are to protect the family on this trip. You will all be absent for 36-"
"36 hours!" Ryouichi blurted, jumping up from his chair. "We've never left the village borders for that long; this is awesome!"
Reiji was not one to express her excitement, but after spending the majority of her life inside the highly protected village, this new mission was better than a breath of fresh air. Miratona raised a brow impatiently, looking up from the paper.
"Are you finished interrupting me?" she inquired.
"Uh, yeah, yeah," Ryouichi muttered, sitting back down.
"As I was saying, you three will be gone for 36 hours, departing from here by automobile to the check-in point at the western point of False Line. Your job is to protect the family from potential dangers commonly found on the Silk Red Roads," Miratona informed the trio. "Shugo and Ryouichi, you two are to remain on duty in case of these threats. Reiji, your job is to observe and make sure that your partners stay focused on the mission."
Reiji stared at her in disbelief. Once again, she was not allowed to do anything except play the role of the 'group snitch,' the reporter and observer.
"Observing, again," she replied meekly.
The secretary sighed. Oh no, oh no, oh no!
"Reiji, we have been over this already, you cannot be put in the face of danger because you are simply not strong enough to defend yourself or other folk against feral creatures, much less skilled criminals," Miratona explained sternly. Reiji could see that Beast Soul did not care about anything else she truly wanted to say, so she kept quiet.
"Question, what's the price?" Shugo asked.
"You're all in luck, the price is a generous sum of 25,000 Luba per guard," the secretary Beast replied with a whimsical smile. The trio stared, awestruck, at Miratona. Twenty-five thousand Luba? If the currency was all combined, the price was worth eight days of working. Reiji parted her lips to express her enthusiasm, but Ryouichi cut her off.
"That's, like, two weeks of labor!" he exclaimed in his shocked manner. "That's truly the price for just standing at some guarding post? Royal jobs are the best!"
"You've got that right, Ichi," Shugo beamed, patting his friend's shoulder as they giggled over what all they would do with such fortune. Reiji, however, was enthusiastic about something entirely different from buying exquisite food, clothing, or household decor; she looked forward to saving her funds for a comfortable life anywhere she desired.
"Any other questions?" Miratona asked, looking around at the three. The Dragon Slayer and male Beast Soul shook their heads, completely satisfied with the information. Reiji was internally twisting to ask another question. To her disappointment, the words were stuck in her throat, itching for release.
"Well then, I expect you three to report back to the Village Hall at dawn, dressed, fed, and packed, and ready to depart at eight o'clock SR," the secretary said, officially concluding the summoning. Ryouichi and Shugo left ahead of Reiji chatting about what they planned to do with their future rewards. Reiji stayed behind, waiting for the female Beast Soul to notice her query. Miratona glanced at her from her desk, then sighed.
"You do this every time; what is on your mind?" she asked. Finally, she noticed!
"I also had a question about the mission," Reiji replied, averting Miratona's sharp, dark blue gaze. "Well, I was wondering if..." I want to be in a post of direct action, she thought; Reiji dreaded being placed in the background, as frightening as the spotlight was. She always yearned to be seen and not just viewed. She swallowed, continuing. "M-may I get placed in a post like Shugo or Ryouichi's?" she finally asked aloud, looking at the secretary, hoping for the response she wanted. To Reiji's regularly expected disappointment, Miratona shook her head.
"How many times must we go over this? You. Are not. Strong. Enough. To be in a position of potential defense against danger," she replied sternly. "You need to accept your role as the observer and stop pestering me, or I will have to remove you from the mission list for the rest of the Crimson cycle."
Reiji gasped in fear of this apprehension. She straightened her face, although her eyes reflected her sad mood. "Yes, I apologize for pestering you all this time, Miss Miratona. Thank you for having me on this mission," the dark-skinned demon said politely, bowing before the female Beast Soul. She then made her way out of the office, feeling hot, embarrassed, and close to tears of frustration.
Reiji pushed a cart full of groceries, just getting ready to leave the shopping center in the afternoon. The crimson sun bathed the sky in its delicious, warm red light, which colored their world in the same shade. Reiji stopped at a busy street, waiting for the wooden mobiles and traveling creatures to pass. Traveling creatures in the Underworld were between the stages of conscious folk and feral creature. They work as a form of transportation for anyone who wished to ride animals instead of a carriage. Reiji, personally, was never pleased when she sat on another creature. To elaborate, it felt like she was degrading her fellow demon, reducing them to an object without an ounce of folklife in them. Regardless, the traveling creatures continued to do their work on their terms, and Reiji had to respect that. Once the path to cross the street was clear, she passed. Her walk was naturally graceful and poise, shoulders square, eyes forward. Her step was exceptionally stiff when she felt the eyes of pedestrians look at her. Because of her past experiences with social interaction, Reiji assumed that all strangers were demeaning and perverted, intent on causing her anxiety and degradation without even touching her body. However, the short trip across the street quiet and nobody bothered her. Reiji exhaled, then took a deep breath, just now realizing she was once again holding her breath as she attempted to minimize herself in the small crowds passing.
The dark-skinned demon came across a large, dark green building wedged between to bigger businesses. The building had an open gate instead of a proper door, the smell of hot iron and dirt wafting faintly in the air. The sign above the entryway read, 'SMITHING MICHELE,' home to the only blacksmith business of the village. Reiji pushed her cart inside the open building. The building was dim from electric lights and an active flame in the forge in the right corner of the shop. On the wall beside said, forge hung a wide range of tools, rods, shovels, knives, tongues, saws, and more, as well as iron and steel scrap metals sitting on the floor. The left side included a long desk with a few sketching pencils, erasers, pencil shavings, and drawings of both custom and standard weapons scattered about the surface. But, following the pattern of most to least detailed, Reiji observed the specific system the mess presented for Michele.
Speaking of Michele, as Reiji parked her wooden cart beside the entrance, safely away from the path, the fair-skinned blacksmith came into view. Her red crop top, loose shorts, and full bell-bottoms were connected into a type of jumpsuit by carefully sewn spaghetti straps on the front and back of her crop top and shorts, and smaller straps connecting the bell bottoms to her shorts. Gold, black, and silver threads lined the straps. Her hair consisted of several thick, silver locks woven to secure her hair in a long-lasting style, draping over her right eyes and down to the middle of her back. A few silver, handmade rings decorated her hair locks. She wore a white head tie with blue stripes, keeping most of the hair locks out of her face. Michele's soft, lazy eyes upon her triangular Humanoid face peered up at the taller Reiji, holding that deliciously pleasant half-smile Reiji was always happy to see in the morning. But, it was not morning anymore, and the dark-skinned demon had long since grown out of such a childish desire for girls.
Michele's smile widened as she crossed her muscular arms. "You're late, Rei," the blacksmith smirked. Reiji could have sworn that something in her chest warmed up at the sound of the blacksmith's humored and relaxed tone. Reiji took a few steps forward, lost for words. Her laughter, her laughter is-
Suddenly, Reiji tripped over a hammer left on the floor, barreling into Michele. The shorter Michele immediately took half a step back on her non-dominant left foot as she caught the green-haired demon in her strong arms, balancing the flustered Reiji. The dark-skinned demon straightened herself, taking several steps back as she unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest in embarrassment.
"Miss Michele, please forgive me!" she apologized flusteredly, bowing. Michele threw her head back in laughter. Reiji stood up, frowning. "It is not funny," the dark-skinned demon murmured.
"It is funny because, after three years of knowin' ya, ya never stop trippin' over nothin'," the blacksmith grinned. "Relax,m! My shop is welcome to everyone, includin' you." Michele winked. Reiji's insides flared at the sight of that expression. She swallowed dryly, nodding as she forced a calm smile.
"Yes, thank you," she replied.
"And speakin' of inclusion, how do ya feel about tryin' on a suit I purchased from a catalog?" Michele asked.
"Oh, I couldn't, I doubt it would fit my proportions," Reiji replied, looking down. Michele grabbed her hand, taking her to the back of the shop. "Trust me, I think you'll lovethis suit!" she beamed. The blacksmith had the buxom demon wait at the door to the storage unit, right next to the emergency exit. Michele went inside. Reiji stepped back from the door, folding her hands behind her back. The area felt how enough with his flustered she was around Michele. The lack of ventilation only worsened the heat. Then, Michele rolled a dressed mannequin out.
The mannequin appeared to be wearing a Georgian Bay blue armor constructed much like a Shawl Lapels suit, the inside of the 'jacket' colored light turquoise, quite close to white. This vest also had thin, curved pieces of silver plates upon the bosom, light red lines painted under each plate for an excellent presentation, and plates of light stone grey armor protecting belly. The belly armor had two red jewels, one shaped like a rhombus and in the center of the abdomen, the other a perfect sphere at the curved tip of the belly armor outlining space for the potential wearer's bust. Connected to the plate of armor was a long, Egyptian blue loincloth containing a big yellow diamond, stretching from the top to the bottom of the fine cloth, and yellow hems. The mannequin was shorter than Reiji, but the size, it was so perfect.
"How, where, did you find this?" Michele gave a light chuckle, pleased with Reiji's reaction.
"Like I said, I purchased it, and as for where, the Ember Fauna catalog," Michele replied. Reiji looked at her, puzzled. "Ember Fauna? Is that not a lingerie catalog?" she questioned.
"Yer talkin' about Elme Fawna ran by the same company. They started releasin' products that cater to females yer size and up," the blacksmith smiled. "Yer the first customer to know about this armor. So, wanna try it on?"
"M-me? No, I couldn't! I don't fight," Reiji frowned, shaking her head. "This armor belongs to someone who would wear it often, someone who isn't me," she trailed off, looking away from Michele. Michele crossed her arms, looking sternly at her.
"Reiji, yer gonna put the damn armor on, I know ye wanna," the blacksmith smirked. Reiji pouted at the female's teasing, grumbling, "Fine."
And so, Reiji went into the backroom to change. Better yet, all she had to do was detach the belly armor, carefully slide the chest armor on like a solid shirt, then reattach the front and back pieces of the belly armor. The dark-skinned demon did precisely that with the help of her hair taking the shape of hands, as she had no idea what went where if she could not see it. One the loincloth straightened out, Reiji smiled a little, seeing that the armor fit perfectly, with just enough space to move around and breathe. She cheekily smiled as she exited the back room. Michele's eyes sparkled with delight upon briefly examining the armor; Reiji straightened her face, blushing profusely.
"What, did I do something weird?" Reiji asked meekly. Michele grasped her shoulders, grinning.
"Ye look amazin', Reiji," the blacksmith said. Reiji's insides fluttered again, a smile creeping. Amazing, she said I look amazing, she thought gleefully.
"Luckily, I ordered other plus size armor to replace this one that I want you to have."
"Me, keep this? I told you, I don't fight," Reiji replied, disheartened.
... Iji. Reiji paused, looking around. "Michele, did you hear that?" she asked. The blacksmith raised a brow in confusion. "Are ye ears workin'? I didn't hear nothin'."
Iji, iji.
Reiji turned towards the left side of the shop, then walked towards a display case. It contained small items such as gloves, earpieces and rings, finger gloves, and other small accessories. The green-haired demon peered inside the case, looking at a rosary. The rosary was a silver chain necklace with a peculiar charm like a scarlet red demon's eye. It's black pupil, thin but dilated, was surrounded by delicate black marks which mirrored on both sides. The orb gleamed, drawing in the dark-skinned demon.
"The demon eye rosary," Michele said, cutting the silence as she came forward. "This one's been on display for seven years. Some have said that this red jewel was cursed with the power to consume the wearer's soul. For that reason, nobody wanted to buy it," Michele described. Reiji nodded as she listened. A rosary that kills, I'm amazed it is allowed to be in a shop.
"Where was it before here?" Reiji asked. "I've never noticed it at all."
"Ya never noticed because I didn't put it on display," Michele answered. Reiji laughed nervously, brushing her left bang behind her ear. Silly question, I know.
The blacksmith continued. "I've no clue who built it, much less the age, cost of production, material-" Michele paused, noticing that Reiji would not understand a blacksmith's perspective of jewelry. She cleared her throat, continuing. "But my ma wore this rosary all the time. She never took it off until she passed," she shrugged. "I loved the necklace, but it ain't fer me to wear.
"But, ya heard somethin' before findin' it in my display case. What'd ya think you heard?" Michele queried. Reiji hummed, slightly embarrassed about it.
"A voice, I think it whispered to me," the dark-skinned demon replied, partially in a whisper. "It felt so familiar, like I may have dreamt up that same voice, but I am not sure," Reiji trailed off, glancing at Michele. Her expression was difficult to read, but she was thinking about something.
"I think yer just hearin' things," she said at last, then opened the case, taking the rosary out. Reiji stepped back as the blacksmith female handed it to her. Surprised, Reiji hesitantly took the rosary. Reiji no longer heard that strange voice, but there was an unsettling familiarity to the piece of jewelry.
"You are giving this to me?" she asked, puzzled.
"I think silvers a good color for ya."
"Oh, I couldn't, it is an heirloom," Reiji protested. "I cannot accept-"
"I think you should take it," Michele said, placing her hands on her hips. Reiji frowned, biting her lower lip. She sighed in defeat, consumed by the introverted, non-confrontational side of personality. "Alright, Michele," she murmured.
"Besides, my ma ain't here to tell me what to do with it. That'll be 5600 Luba, just so ya know," the blacksmith said. Reiji gasped in shock. "Fifty-six hundred? I do not have that kind of money!" Reiji whined. Michele grinned. "I'll just create a tab for ya. Have a nice day!"
Reiji dragged her feet as she walked home with her cart. The day was draining, having spent enough time around enough folks. She carried the rosary in her pocket, too afraid to put it on. This necklace must have more value than Michele let on, being an old heirloom and all. She did not want to risk ruining it with sweat and such. Nonetheless, she kept it on her person.
Reiji had expected her morning errands to be short and peaceful, but clearly, the opposite happened. After all these years, Reiji continually checked her body language, wished to be invisible in public, and yearned for the adventure and courage blessed upon her friends. Oh how she wished her social battery were normal, rather than easily overstimulated and drained. One day, the female demon would be at ease, taking up all the space she wanted. She took the rosary out of her pocket, unclipping the little hook. She secured the rosary around her neck. If the buxom demon is to gain better confidence, wearing this sentimental necklace despite her worries could be a good start.