Still not entirely sure where they were going, she stuck close to Ashveil as he led the way through the maze of streets. A few people gave her odd looks along the way, which she attributed to her scuffed appearance, and by the time they arrived she was feeling a fair bit more self conscious.

Sora waited a few steps back while Ashveil knocked on the door, wondering if she should have taken more time to look presentable before agreeing to do this. The silence that followed his knock was tense, with each of them likely expecting the worst— and then she answered.

"Y-yes? Oh!" The door that had been only open a crack suddenly swung in fully as the woman stepped into full view. "You're the detective! Is there something I can— hm?" She broke off, having peered around him to spot Sora. "Oh, did you bring an assistant?"

"Uh..." Sora exchanged looks with Ashveil, then nodded. "Yeah, I'm— I'm helping out today."

"I see... well, you're both welcome to come in." She stepped aside to allow them through, and Sora regarded her carefully as she passed. She seemed quite nervous, but hopeful at the same time.

"Not a bad guess. Well, then, let's pay a visit to some people and see if we can piece some things together. Just remember: the goal is to find out what happened, and if we can, where he went. Don't point any fingers, alright?" Doing that would absolutely make the job far more difficult than it needed to be, and might even land them in a fight or two. Three, if the day's going slow enough.

"Wasn't planning on it." She muttered, reluctantly following along behind him. As they left the office Sora got another good look at the fries she'd lost thanks to him, and sighed. Well, maybe some dog would come along and eat them or something— she hated seeing food go to waste like this.

Stepping out on to the street Sora paused to run her fingers through her hair a couple times, attempting to make herself a little more presentable if they were going to be going around talking to people.

And she... looked like the type that was sure of her strength. It wasn't a good mix.

Still, she seemed to take to the job, if reluctantly, and looked through the papers with care—eventually bringing him one that she thought was suitable enough. Ashveil looks it over curiously.

"Well, there isn't enough information to be entirely sure what's going on, but if I had to guess..." She paused, relaying the details of the case in her head. It was unusual for the boyfriend not to give advanced notice before being gone for more than a couple days, and the last thing the girlfriend said they did together was celebrate a new job he'd gotten. Tied together by the mention of a gang the guy used to be in "a long time ago", and Sora could guess what had happened.

"I think he was part of a gang and wanted out, and they weren't happy about it." Based on the timing, Sora wagered he'd met his girlfriend and after going steady for a while decided to get a job and take a chance at a better life for the two of them. Even if the woman wasn't aware of any obvious gang activity he was involved in it wasn't impossible to keep these things a secret from loved ones.

"Well, normally I would. But since you've clearly got nothin' going on right now, that's your job. Consider it a change of pace—if you can find anything good, and you can carry your own weight, I'll split the profits with you." At the very least, it would give her something to do and help her get to know some of the residents around the area. Not that there was no danger involved, but it wasn't anything he felt she couldn't handle. Probably, anyway.

"You mean Caelus?" She didn't look up from what she was doing, brows furrowed in concentration. "Yeah, we're friends. I've been traveling with the Nameless for a while now, actually." Ashveil was right, too, in assuming that Caelus wouldn't leave her with someone he thought was dangerous. So, annoyed as she was, she knew she wasn't in any actual danger here.

It took some time, but eventually Sora was able to pick out a job she thought was doable. It was the one she had the most interest in personally, at least. Striding over to him she handed back the stack of papers with her choice placed on top. "Here, this one."

He had his doubts but honestly, as long as he wasn't paid to mind it, what she was doing out there wasn't really any of his business. But he'd already seen her being troublesome once and if she was going to lurk around the office like this, he may as well make her useful. At least that was they could offer help if needed. Since Caelus isn't using it, the Detective sits at his desk, feet propping up on it leisurely.. which the furbos are quick to shuffle closer and push off, scolding him loudly. Mister N seems weary by it all, but unsurprised.

"Wh— you can't just— I wasn't even doing anything!" Didn't trust her to behave? This guy wasn't her father, why did he care if she got into a little trouble now and then? And yet, on the other hand... she didn't doubt he could be really annoying when he wanted to. If she didn't agree to this now, he'd probably just pop up later on to hassle her again. And she was not going to lose another bag of fries to this fiend.

"It'd be a lot easier to believe you if you didn't look like some street thug. You even pay for those fries?" Ashveil strides to his office, picking up a few pages and handing them to her; all of them jobs he was deciding whether to accept or not. There is a moment when Caelus steps in, freezing at the strange, cult like action going on, but decides he is unbothered—he shuffles in with a 'don't mind me', swipes up some cards and departs.

She drew her tail a little closer to herself and stared at them in mild discomfort, only glancing back at the strange man when he accused her of being a thief. "Wha— o-of course I paid for them! And now they're wasted because of you!" His tone only caused her to hesitate for a moment, and soon enough her belligerent attitude returned. The nerve of this guy!

"I don't look like this because I got in a fight, either, I—" She broke off as Caelus shuffled into the room, staring at him with her mouth hanging open. "Caelus? What are you— h-hey wait don't leave me, hey!" Her disbelief at being abandoned by a friend was interrupted when papers were shoved into her hands. "I... what..?" She flipped through them, then looked back up at him, puzzled. Was she being hired for something? What the hell was going on??

All the surprises and confusion knocked the metaphorical wind out of her, and for several seconds she couldn't do much else besides stand there and stare at him.

Hey wait a second—

" May all your trials end in full bloom! "

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚◇ Wise-Innocence ┈ independent, selective dual muses for yanfei from genpact and castroice of hsr ┈ please read rules before interacting! Feel free to like/reblog <3

╰┈┈┈┈ㅤ(written by andi, she/her, twenty-two) 𐔌՞. .՞𐦯

Bare feet stride over his pleasantly neat floor as the King wanders his home, making for the main lounge where he rests himself upon the world's most luxuriously soft pillows. It is there he idles away with a book he'd found; sparkly trinket forgotten somewhere in the mess of pillows. Something curious by the name 'A Series of Unfortunate Events', and by all means these events were indeed unfortunate.

"Hm?" His attention shifts lazily, head hardly turning toward the source of the sound.

"Cute. But I already know you like it." He'd eaten it all last time anyways, and he didn't strike her as the kind of person to eat anything he didn't enjoy. Staring at him for a moment longer she noted the book in his hands, head tilting slightly as she attempted to read the title.

There is a passage of time, clearly, as the sun beams change in color and move across the floor, before the true owner of the residence enters the room. His brow raises, but there's nothing much to be done. Pardu was in the midst of a nap and if he woke her now, he'd no doubt one of his fine art pieces would see their end. As for the woman, well, he had no particular interest one way or another; he'd had his fun after all.

She was careful to avoid waking Pardu as she got to her feet and left the sun room, wandering the halls for a short while before she ran into Enkidu and could ask for permission to use the kitchen. Her request granted, she could finally set about making something to eat.

And of course she wasn't rude, and would be sure to make enough food for everyone. This wasn't her home and despite the fact Gilgamesh was a world champion at pissing her off she would continue to be a good guest.

Some time later she was finished, and popped her head into the room Gilgamesh was in to let him know dinner was ready.

It was slow going, but eventually the pair made it. To a wonderful spot that looked so unbelievably welcoming to Sora in that moment. The way the sun poured in from the many windows, the amazingly soft cushions lining the floor... it almost felt like a reward for all she had endured today.

Resisting the urge to simply walk over and flop down on one of the cushions Sora first withdrew Pardu's rock from her pocket and gently placed it on the scuffed ground, where it so obviously belonged. Then she collapsed onto a cushion and curled up, letting out a yawn.

"Ah—" Enkidu? Sora blinked in surprise as they set down some clean clothes and proceeded to pick up Pardu, who batted at her on the way out. While she certainly appreciated the clothing Sora wasn't sure how she felt about more people in this bathroom with her.

He was in fact not released, and the words his companion speaks next aren't even directed to him.

"Not at all, take your time. I'll be sure to entertain these two properly so you can have your space." There was little here that they were there for other than to retrieve the two troublesome fiends in the first place. Pardu gives Sora a stare, one that demands she takes care not to chip her rock as Enkidu turns and begins dragging Gilgamesh out. Once the door is shut behind them, the King's fussing can be heard, though it does lose volume as he's pulled along down the hall.

She was sure to collect Pardu's rock, too, seeing as how the cub had wanted her to "use" it so badly. Sora wasn't sure what it's purpose was but she could tell Pardu had been trying to help, in her own way. The least she could do was return it to her.

From there Sora dried herself off and got dressed in the clothing Enkidu had provided. They were a tad big for her (and did not have a spot for her tail to come out so she would have to be careful), but they were comfortable enough, and she was just happy to have something to wear.

Finally, she emerged from the bathroom and glanced around. No sign of anyone else, but she doubted that would remain true for long. Resting in the tub had somewhat improved her condition, too, though she still walked with a slight limp as she looked for a place to rest.

To bleed everywhere, interrupt Pardu's mealtime and request his clothing? Does her greed know no bounds? Gilgamesh sighs, though it really would be better than having her stride about in the nude; that privilege was reserved for him and a select few people. Arms cross and he opens his mouth to speak again before a hand is set against his head and moved to the side.

"Hello again," a gentle voice sounds, and with it comes hands that place some long and flowy garments down on the small table nearby, something much like their own. "Pardon the intrusion and my friend, here. I would say he means well, but.. he'd be quick to correct me." Enkidu wanders toward Pardu who seems content to sit still long enough to be hoisted up. Their presence was comforting to her, so she is behaving for now, though her paws do reach out to pat at Sora's head when she's brough close enough.

"Ah—" Enkidu? Sora blinked in surprise as they set down some clean clothes and proceeded to pick up Pardu, who batted at her on the way out. While she certainly appreciated the clothing Sora wasn't sure how she felt about more people in this bathroom with her.