The ride through the persevered streets of ward 17 was as quiet as the howl of the wasteland of death.
Lucifer; kept his usual cheerful attitude locked away. Eyes of a reaper, of a mentor, of a friend that burnt with searing guilt into Eren's back.
For all his flaws; emotional acumen was at it the pinnacle and the nadir of his skillset.
He understood Eren in totality; addressing it however, that was never his strength. It was easier to enjoy the pleasures of ignorance than to look in the mirror and face your demons.
The only words shared were of directions, left, right, keep going straight. The two travelled until they reached a smaller five story concrete structure.
A tall structure in many other wards, and better kept too. But the surrounding buildings dwarfed it, like a single shrub at the base of mighty maples.
Lucifer dismounted first; blonde hair emerged from under the pink. Then those emerald eyes that held a sadness to them.
"Did you... Want to talk about what happened back there?" Lucifer's tone was tentative, prodding lightly to a topic that Eren had no interest in discussing.
"I'd rather we didn't..." He didn't want to hear Lucifer's thoughts, or some heart to heart. He wanted to be alone.
"Well... Were here now anyway. Welcome to Dusk rose Idol agency." Lucifer gave a sweeping gesture of the building. His mask of cheerfulness returned in a flash. The inability to connect beyond surface coquettish banter. A feeling Lucifer had only felt few times before; but when he did… It stung greater than any rusted edge.
Eren turned to the unassuming building, nothing special and was a far cry from the likes of platinum vanguards. He wondered how they could afford to shop there when the building had such an average appearance.
Maybe that was just the surface, and underneath laid a world class facility?
---
Not really…
Inside was just as unassuming and underwhelming as the exterior. Just a simple reception, an occupied white reception front, with 'Dusk Rose idols' written in a pastel blue font. Walls of the reception were a light royal blue. Pictures of smiling girls dressed in various outfits. And a TV that played a music video of some description. Idols taking on a giant cobra with swords, bows and magic. They all fought in a choreographed dance of violence.
"Mr. Mayuzumi. Good to see you..."
The receptionist glanced up briefly, giving a slight scowl to the sight of the dirty white-haired man. A scoff and then back to typing on her computer.
"Ah, I'm glad to see you too Ms. Kimiko, this is my dear friend... Eren. He really wanted to visit the idols and see my magnificence at work."
"What? No, I didn't-" Eren's objection was silenced when Lucifer grabbed the white-haired man's hand and began pulling. Leading the way up the stairs of the building.
Despite its dull form; at the very least Lucifer didn't get his hands on the designing decisions of this place. Gods know that he cannot hold any feng shui designs to that abomination back in the land of the dead.
The second floor; or the office floor. Where suits scurried about with diligent efficiency, filing reports, and making calls. Phones rang without end as men and women filled with stress continued to work tirelessly. The walls a darker grey and the occasional motivational poster that encouraged those working to, 'keep on smiling.' An arrow pointed to the mouth of a smiling woman. But in Eren's mind all it did was highlight the hidden pain in all their eyes.
"In here is my lovely little office. Come, come." Lucifer pulled Eren into the room; a small but clean office space. Not a piece of paper not any furniture out of place. Not even a computer or a phone for that matter.
"Are you sure? This just looks like you picked out the most random room..." Eren looked around the room. Nothing but the smell of a fresh clean. And not a single speck of dust.
"Oh darling, my grandeur is best witnessed out amongst the stars. Why confine me to a coffin?"
"Mr. Mayuzumi, here are today's reports. Oh, is this another project? A dirty street dog to clean up and train." The well-dressed woman entered the office; a few files in her hand.
She briefly gave a judgemental look to Eren. It was the flavour of the ward, to cast down on street dogs. Then to speak so openly in front of said street dog…
A non-desirable trait to treat everyone lesser than them with such disparagement. But for some reason; Eren maybe held a little bit of respect for them to be so open about it.
To be an honest prick over and deceitful, backstabbing, arrogant prick.
Honesty was the best policy and all.
"Thank you, and no this is my friend Eren. Please treat him with respect he so deserves."
"Hmph." She turned to Lucifer with a polite bow and left.
"Is everyone here an arrogant prick?"
"Oh yes, and so much more. Within this ward; lies, manipulation, deceit, greed, and all those wonderful sins. Ahhhh... Truly it feels like a home built for me." Lucifer let loose a sigh, reminiscing of a time long past.
"Lucifer. Why are you showing me this place-"
"Because my sweet, sweet ward. I like you and I love showing people I like my accomplishments. It fills me with such pride."
One of the many vainglorious quirks about Lucifer, he was honest.
He did love fuelling his narcissistic ego. And there is no better fuel for that then praise from others. Especially for the ones that the blonde valued so highly.
"Quickly now, there is so much more to show. There is someone who wants to see you."
"See me? Who?" Eren was unsure what to expect from that.
Lucifer had no friends outside of a few reapers that could stomach him, as far as Eren was aware at least.
Oh... A reaper.
Who better than a silent watcher to stand over him.
---
The third floor now; Sections of the walls were lined with soundproof foam. Still the loud thundering of pop music and the sonorous steps of a group of dancers could be felt.
As the drew closer the sound turned from muffled bass to synchronized steps to the beat.
"WE ARE GROWING FORWARD INTO THE..."
Just like his seen-on Emi's show. A homogeneous beat that was a dime a dozen to Eren's ears. A repetitive and easy to follow melody and tune.
"WHITH OUR HEARTS STRONG AND UNBENDING..."
*Clap* *Clap*
The dancing stopped at Lucifer's command. Six young women and four young men stood in formation; they wore matching training uniforms. Not one looked to be older than 24.
They all looked to the blonde reaper, then gave a slight nod of acknowledgement to Eren. A little bit of proper acknowledgement long overdue in this ward. A few even gave a small smile.
Tall and small, long hair and short, pretty, and handsome. It's what came to be expected of idols. Although they were certainly not at the top tier, not as polished and perfect. They were still far more beautiful and alluring than most would expect of a lower-tier idol agency.
Lucifer certainly knew how to pick em.
"Mr. Mayuzumi. Welcome back, and who may that be?" The young man asked. Black hair was neatly combed to the side; a kind face and a voice that matched his voice and looks.
"Well, Iwato, this is my dear friend Eren Heart."
Iwato stepped forward and extended a hand. A gesture that was not expected, but Eren took the hand, giving a slight shake.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Heart. My name is Takashi Iwato. But just call me Iwato." Eren gave a nod, no words were necessary for that.
"Iwato is our inspirational leader; the brightest flower amongst our little field of daffodils."
"Awwwww. Mr. Mayuzumi that's so kind of you, but really everyone here is equally amazing." Iwato waved away the compliments in a bashful manner.
A good leader; able to not only accept praise but to distribute it just as quickly. A man who stood tall, but not above his comrades.
"How goes your training?" Lucifer asked as his attention began to take his eyes all over the rehearsal room.
"We think we're ready to film our MV tonight, and be ready for the single release tomorrow." Iwato responded with a cheerful disposition.
"That's excellent. Well, I'll keep showing my friend around- Have you seen Mr. Kuroki?"
"Ummmm... He's getting ready for our gate shoot tonight. He's not in a happy mood." Iwato and the other idols seemed to deflate when the name 'Mr. Kuroki' was mentioned.
"Oh, nothing a little of my fabulous charm can't handle. Thank you, and keep up the good work. I'll look forward to seeing you perform tonight." The blonde gave a pat to Iwato's shoulders.
Lucifer continued to near skip his way through the tight foamed walls of the studio. Eren followed behind, watching the idols begin training and dancing once more.
Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man. He was not as tall as the idols were but made up for it in width and girth. His head was kept shaved and shiny, face that had a below-average attractiveness to it. One that could be associated with a manager of another; just as dubious industry.
Colour drained as Lucifer entered his well-furnished office.
Behind him stood a giant. 7ft, also bald; with eyes like black holes. He wore a suit that revealed a physique of someone that could crush the average person in a bear hug. However, this was no human.
'Charon...' Eren immediately recognized the silent reaper. Not many could put up with Lucifers antics, yet here stood Charon; the silent watcher of the line of the dead.
Why he was on Earth was anyone's guess.
"Here you go Mr. Mayuzumi, I brought you a gift; more paperwork for you to fill out." A voice of false politeness. A mask of professionalism that even the great Lucifer struggled to hold onto.
"When are you going to start actually doing your own work?" Frustrated muttering from the manager.
"Oh, I'm far too valuable to waste my precious time on 'paperwork'. These hands were made for pleasures great." Lucifer responded with a smile and a wave through his golden locks.
"Well, I didn't get home till about 2 last night filling in your forms and reports. It's not fair on me Mr. Mayuzumi. Please..."
A pleading from the desperate manager; one that seemed to draw the ire from Charon. Who stood just behind Mr. Kuroki; the presence alone felt like the man was about to crush Mr. Kuroki between those tree gorilla arms.
"Hmmmm. I suppose I could... But then those unsavoury rumours of sleeping with our idols might just-"
"Hey!" A shock that an innermost secret had been spoken aloud in the presence of some unknown.
"You said you would keep that private."
"Yes, I did. But where is the fun of having a secret if you're not going to use it. Besides Eren won't tell anyone."
Lucifer turned to Eren, "Mmmph."
"That means yes." Lucifer interpreted Eren's lack of words.
The pieces began to fit together now. Charon wasn't some muscle for a sleazy manager, rather a leash holder of a mutt with paws already dug deep into the industry.
Charon's size would be enough to make even the strongest ranker pause. Not clear if he posed any abilities; but perhaps that was the point. The fear of the unknown was as powerful a motivator to behave then any known ability would have been.
"..." Charon with a silent nod, a greeting of a fellow reaper in the world of the living.
"..." Eren gave a greeting back.
"Awwww, this brings back those memories of us in the arena. Watching on as our dear Eren fought for the pleasure of us all." Lucifer reminisced of a simpler time. At least it was for him.
"I'm leaving Lucifer..." His patience worn out; enough of this sightseeing detour. He had a job to do.
"Wait Eren." A firm hand clasped down onto Eren's shoulder. The pressure from the man's strength kept the reaper from leaving.
"What if I told you I know where precisely where spice comes from? And which darling daffodil knows what you seek."