The sizzle of meats upon the hot plate; the smell of a variety of spices and sauces. Eren stood over his kitchen which had come to be his haven. Where he could think without the threat of someone trying to kill or use him. It seemed that those times of rest and contemplation were long gone.
Cooking up lunch's dinners and breakfasts. All for the sleepy headed girl who was yet to rise.
Eren didn't mind that. Her final term in high school had begun, and she needed her sleep. That was one part of it; being a kind caring older brother.
The other part. Without Eren's cooking, she would eat trash for food. Or worse nothing at all. The cook up was for while Eren was away in ward 17. It should only be a couple of days.
The food was finished cooking. The portions were then sealed and labelled in the fridge.
'Day 1: Breakfast'
'Day 1: Lunch'
...
...
...
'Day 3: Dinner'
'EMI. DO NOT. Eat more than what is in the containers. You will get sick!'
All nice and neatly packed; but for how long it will remain that way in a house filled with a hungry glutton.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
Vigorous knocking brought a furrow to the brow of Eren. A guest he did invite over yet he still felt reluctant to open the door.
Nonetheless a few quick strides brought the man to the front door. Unlocking and opening to the eagerly awaiting guest.
"HEEEEEELLLLLLLOOOOOOOO!"
A hand raised high above his head, no sun but his golden locks were like a beacon of radiance and light. His flamboyance could be seen from a world away.
The one the only…
"Hello Lucifer..."
"My, my aren't you looking especially dour on this fine morning." Lucifer said; stepping forward trying to lift those black bags from the white-haired man's eyes. The light hands of the fellow reaper were brushed away.
"Lucifer... Why are you here? I thought Gabriel would keep you under tight lock and key?"
"Oh, that business, that's a long story filled with drama, tales of heroics, love and… Oh have you cooked for me? Eren you shouldn't have."
An attention span of a toddler and the egoism of a cat. A nasty combo that only the most patient of people can put up with. That or sharing a room with one over centuries could give any being such a power.
"No. This is for Emi… I'm going away for a bit and-"
"Oh, going away you say? Let me guess..." Lucifer pressed to fingers to his former wards' temple then to his own.
"You are heading to ward 17 to explore the fantastical world of idols and other pleasures."
"Yes... How did you-"
"Hush little dove, I have known you for a very, very long time. I have learnt to read your mind like a child's book."
Not convinced in the slightest but the subtle jab. A small silence started as Eren waited for the truth.
It wasn't a long wait for Lucifer to chirp up again.
"I only jest… It was Baelor who informed me of your little quest. And who better to help than moi."
"How did Baelor know about what I'm doing? I haven't told anyone-"
"Darling that elf has a raven spire as tall as any mountain. We are all just his little pawns in whatever game he plays."
Returning to his kitchen duties only for his new clingy blonde koala to ride with him.
"What can you do that I can't already?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." He rubbed his hands firmly along the shoulders of Eren. Emerald eyes sparkled at the mischief he already had planned.
"Yes, I would. You only appear when you want something."
Lucifer seemed a little wounded by Eren's words.
"Hmmmph. Where has my fun loving Eren gone?"
A mean-side eye finally revealed what Lucifer was planning
In close to his ear so that his demons couldn't hear.
"I know who you are looking for… The insider you seek… I have her."
Now that; that was a surprise with many layers.
Has Lucifer gone and kidnaped summon for Eren's sake?
How did he get that information in the first place?
Did Baelor relay it to him?
If Baelor found out… Who else knows?
Eren went to ask for clarity. Until a bed headed monster known as Emi had risen from her slumber. She stretched and yawned like a lazy cat; her shirt rose and exposed the bare belly.
"Urghhh... you're too loud."
"Helllllloooooo, Emi!!!" Lucifer gave the same overly excited greeting to her. Although once again the reaction fell flat. Only eliciting an unenthused groan.
"Emi I'll be gone a few days. You have plenty of food in the fridge and don't forget to study."
"Mmmph." She grunted back, making her way to the kitchen, grabbing a container labelled dinner. Katsu and rice. Her favourite. Still warm she began eating it with her fingers, taking a seat in the kitchen.
'Will she be alright by herself?' The worry in his heart grew as he witnessed half the food he prepared fall out of her mouth.
Quickly brushed aside by the ever-flamboyant Lucifer. Wanting to drag Eren away on their grand adventure.
"I'll be back Emi. If you need anything text me..." Planting a kiss through her messy raven bangs.
"Mmmph." A muffled reply came from her stuffed cheeks, she continued to eat.
"Come, come Eren. We have a busy day ahead of us. I have such sights to show you."
***
The motorbike came to a halt at the side of the street, ward 17.
Towers of glass and concrete suffocated the streets. All around; shops, arcades and restaurants littered the area.
Suits scurried like cockroaches across the pavement. A buzz of conversation filled the air. An empire of cockroaches dressed for corporate hunger.
"Why are we here?" Eren removed his helmet; examining the large display glass in front of them.
'Platinum vanguards'
Really a fashion shop that replaced those upmarket overpriced boutiques of the old world.
Overpriced amour in place of overpriced jackets. Mannequins that wore whatever jagged armours were trendy, so say the markets. One wore armour made of blackened plates; the shoulder guard were jagged like a maw of teeth. Another was a mix of brown, green and red scales. It was smooth and sleek and way to overpriced for any commoner to afford.
Screens that played combat vision of rankers fighting in the armour. Showing off its resilience against a variety of monsters. From wyverns to manticores.
Unlike the old world, at least the argument could be made that the price matches its quality.
"Oh, I thought that before we got ourselves a whistle blower, we could go shopping. My treat of course."
Lucifer took off his pink helmet and purple leathers. Brought for Emi's use when riding on the bike.
Lucifer seemed to revel in the colour pallet that matched him. He didn't choose pink, pink chose him.
Eren was silently amazed that it suited hm. Those words would never leave his lips though, Lucifers head was inflated enough as is.
"I'm fine thanks. I'd rather just get this over with-"
"We are in no rush little dove. Come, come, enjoy the vestiture of how the rich preform."
Lucifer skipped in with his pink helmet under arm, whilst Eren begrudgingly parked out the front and trailed in.
Inside was just as pompous as the outside. Racks of spears, hammers, swords, shields and even some guns. Though not many were present.
Gun based abilities had their uses in this world and the next but abilities were usually catered towards melee or magic based combat and auxiliaries.
"Ah, Master Mayuzumi." A man in a three-piece, descended the floating stairs. His presence was one of a sycophant. Bowing to low, too happy to see a customer in a barren store.
"Hello, Mister Hidori. I've brought my friend here today. He's in need of your... Finest."
The attendant gave Eren only a fleeting glance; up and down. Not even a second and the snobby bastard made up his mind about the white-haired man.
"Is he... A new talent hire for your agency?"
"Oh no no no no. A dear friend of mine. We just need something that would fit those... alluring features. Bring out the bad boy." Lucifer spoke with those curved tones as his own eyes wandered up and down Eren.
"Hmmm... I see. Forgive me sir I'm needed for administrative duties. Please, enjoy the catalogue whilst I attend to my duties… May I suggest our Akari line over in the corner." Mister Hidori bowed with false apology and left back up the floating stairs.
"Prick." Eren said, watching the attendant disappear upstairs.
"Oh yes. Quite the pompous one at that. This ward is filled many of that type, it truly feels like home."
"Idol agency? What was he talking about?" Eren asked as the two began walking around the shop. Glassy eyes of the mannequins watched them pass by, almost beckoning the white-haired man to adorn one of the armours.
"Well ever since Emi introduced me the world of idols... It was love at first sight, a new world that I needed a taste of."
The pair stopped by the black armour corner of the store.
The blonde Reaper began pulling out muted blacks to match Eren's colour. His own personal dress up doll.
"So, you went and started your own agency?"
"Of course not. The market could not possibly pertain to hold my visions. I joined the 'Dusk rose agency' as a scout... choreographer, manager, everything really. From there we will build all the way to the top… Hmmm no not this one."
"No wonder Gabriel is always so annoyed with you. You're never around to actually do any work for the reapers." Eren brushed off the little fashion show Lucifer enthralled him in.
Continuing to meander through this black area. Mannequins with hooded cowls covered drawing his eye, but not for wearing; he could still see that haunting smile under all the cowls.
"Collecting souls, guiding them on. An archaic practice. My time is far better spent capturing the grace of these fickle little humans."