Chapter 3
After what seemed to be an almost endless hour, it was finally nearing time for the party to start. The sun had set, leaving the marvelous array of lights that Mr. H and various other reapers had worked to put together glowing brightly to illuminate the darkness of Shibuya's night. Many guests had arrived already, either seating themselves at tables or wandering around for idle chit-chat. As minutes passed, more and more guests arrived, until nearly all of Shibuya's reapers, and even reapers from other districts, had arrived. But one very important reaper in particular hadn't arrived right away...
"How many times are you gonna straighten that tie, kiddo?" Mr. H questioned, standing outside the men's dressing room within the department store's lower floor. The Composer frowned, turning to look over his shoulder at the Producer for a moment before shaking his head and returning his gaze onto the mirror he was standing in front of.
"As many times as I damn well please. I know I'm late, but don't try to press me. I'd much rather take my time," Joshua replied, yet again straightening the tie he was wearing. He had put on a suit and adorned his angel form in order to seem more like a presentable leader, yet regardless he wasn't exactly feeling very comfortable.
Mr. H touched a hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"Don't tell me you're... nervous? We've done a lot of events like these in the past. I would've figured you'd be used to them by now."
Joshua sighed.
"I'm not nervous. I am used to them, Sanae. That doesn't mean I enjoy them. It's on these nights we have so many guests, even Composers from other districts, that I can't just-- Oh, never mind."
A smirk crossed Sanae's lips.
"You can't really relax and be yourself, huh? I get you. But we all gotta put on our business hats every now and again." The man pushed up his sunglasses, a rather odd item to be wearing next to the dim lighting of the dressing room, and widened his smirk.
"You should stick around your Conductor. Seem's like you can't help but be yourself when she's around you, no matter what's going on. Might help you relax a little," he suggested, stepping in the door in order to give Joshua a pat on the shoulder. In response, the angel only frowned.
"If spending time with Teresa is your only idea, I think you're loosing your creative touch. I've seen her enough today and I'd rather not deal with her sass tonight, thank you very much," he said, yet
again straightening his tie.
"The only thing that's going to make me feel better is... a nice hard drink." While he wasn't interesting much in such drinks, and they didn't really effect him, it didn't hurt to have one every once in a while.
"Anyhow, let's go," Joshua finally said, whirling around to walk past Sanae at a brisk pace.
"About time," the Producer said with a laugh, following after the angel.
The two headed upstairs, garnering quite a bit of attention from the crowd when they arrived on top of the roof. Despite the fact eyes were on him, Joshua ignored everyone and headed straight for a spiked punch bowel. He dipped himself out a cup of the punch, earning a roll of the eyes from Sanae.
"Good grief, J, can't you wait until after you greet the guests and make your announcement before dipping into the drinks? The reapers, and the players, are waiting for you. They're still sitting in the back room, and I'm sure they're eager to get out and stretch their legs..."
"Hmph, in this situation I'm God and they're the peasants. They can wait for me," Josh grumbled, taking a good, long swig of his drink. Immediately after, he spat the drink out, choking as if he had just ingested something foul.
"What the hell-- Who made this? It's terrible! I've never tasted a drink that burned so much going down my throat," he groaned, coughing for a few more times before he calmed down.
Confused at Joshua's reaction, Mr. H made himself a cup of the punch and took a sip of it, shrugging his shoulders.
"There's nothing wrong with it. I think you're just in a bad mood tonight. You'd better go up front and make the announcement pronto."
"Fine," Joshua replied, inwardly sulking as he made his way over to a small stage they had set up for the event. He spoke with a few reapers who stood along the sides, letting them know to release the players from the back room when he gave them the cue. Afterwards, he walked onto the stage with a mic and began speaking to the group.
"Many of you know me, but for those who don't, I am Yoshiya Kiryu, Composer of Shibuya. First, I'd like to say thank you all for coming today. This is an event that we of Shibuya pride ourselves on, and it is very much appreciated when those of other districts can come to be a part of it. This party tonight is not only a traditional affair, but also an event dedicated to celebrating Shibuya's accomplishments as of late."
Joshua sounded smooth and well-practiced as he spoke, as if he had given similar speeches time and time again. He didn't look nervous or uncomfortable, even when the crowd clapped between his words, but he did look bored and even slightly annoyed. Nevertheless, he continued to speak.
"In our time of struggling to repair the damage done by my previous Conductor, we found new allies, new alliances, and new hope. Because of these important connections we've made, we were able to aide the Coalition in ending the Archdemon's reign, thus restoring a great amount of balance to the entire multiverse. Since then, my confidence in the strength of my reaper team has returned, and I've even been able to appoint a new Conductor into power..."
Joshua trailed off for a moment, peering through the crowd to make sure he could see Teresa before he continued speaking.
"Please give a warm round of applause to Teresa Agnes, Shibuya's newest Conductor."
While the crowd clapped, a spotlight fell on Teresa. This may have been a surprise to her, as Joshua never exactly explained that he planned on announcing her presence before
everyone, but the Composer honestly gave no shits. He liked teasing her, and he honestly hoped she was slightly shocked or even embarrassed. The smirk on his lips was proof enough.
"Moving on," Joshua said after a moment,
"I have one more accomplishment I'd like to present. Shibuya has finally been repaired to the point of being able to resume its activities. So I'm happy to announce that the Reapers' Games will be continuing again, starting tomorrow."
More applause followed, but when it died down, Joshua was prepared to add on to what he had been saying.
"However, things will be different this time. The players whom are to be participating in the game tomorrow are going to be introduced here tonight. They will join in this party, free to roam among all of you as equals. Their entry fees have been collected already and they don't yet have any pins they can use to fight, so treat them kindly." Joshua paused before adding,
"So without further ado, please enjoy yourselves at this party tonight."
Joshua gave a small bow that was accompanied by applause before he began to walk off stage. As the applause died down, music began to play.
Joshua pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a groan after hearing the music blaring in his ears.
"Do they have to open with such a chaotic song first thing? Not everyone wants to dance as soon as the party starts," he grumbled, making his way over the edge of the roof. He seated himself down, dangling his feet off the edge.
I think I'm just going to sit here and try to ignore everyone for as long as possible. I'm really not in the mood for all this. I have a headache now.
After the Composer's announcement ended, Saya stood near Larkin and Lucy while trying to keep Arya in her sights. While the young reaper was rather excited to be at a party such as this one--and to be dressed super, duper cute, by the way--she couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable.
It wasn't the party itself or the guests that made her nervous, but truthfully it was Arya she worried for. The poor girl was blind on top of a roof with loud music blaring in her ears for goodness sake! Saya turned to her friends, letting out a sigh before speaking. She had to keep her voice loud in order for them to hear her.
"ARE YOU OKAY UP HERE, ARYA? IT'S REALLY LOUD! AND THE ROOF, WE WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BEING SO HIGH UP."
What if something bad happened and the girl actually fell off? Reapers weren't exactly immortal. They could die just like humans, and they were pretty high up!
Before Saya could say much of anything else, a larger reaper came up to them and gave Arya a small shove. Most reapers would know him as Higa, short for Higashizawa. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. Hand it over. I know you took it!" he exclaimed.
Saya stepped forward.
"Hey, what is this about?! Arya has been with us the last few hours. She couldn't have taken anything!"
"Oh, don't protect her. I know she's that bad egg everyone's been talking about. The strange reaper with two different colored wings who even worked with the archdemon once! Besides, I saw her take it. So make her give back my wallet right now!"
The doors opened.
Almost like a heard of sheep, the group of Reapers' Game players were ushered out into the party area with little warning. Of course, they knew the party would be starting soon, but they hadn't a clue as to when. So, in reality, they hadn't been able to prepare themselves
at all. One young man, a sweaty, anxious wreck wasn't sure how to react to place at all.
"Okay, okay, deep breathes. Calm, cool, collected. Calm, cool, collected. You can do this, Jaune. You're the man of the hour. Ladies love a hero, and that's exactly who they're going to see. Ah ha ha ha. I'm doomed."
Walking up behind the blonde male, a more rugged individual would place a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, lad, it'll be fine. This party should be the least of your worries. At least we're only dealing with reapers here and not... evil queens," he said, his voice growing bitter towards the end of his words.
"Anyhow, call me Graham. You are?"
"Uhhhh, Jaune, Jaune Arc. I wouldn't bother asking me anything else because, uh, I don't exactly remember anything else," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ah, so memories were your entry fee then? Can't say I'm surprised. A lot of us seem to have lost our memories. Anyhow, I suppose we have no choice but to mingle with everyone. We should be off," he said to Jaune, glancing back to invite the others.
Ash, the very cheeky child from before, wasted no time in rushing out into the crowd.
"Oh boy, this is going to be good. If my plan earlier worked, that look-a-like girl should be in big trouble right about now~"
Lingering on behind Ash, another blonde made her way out of the room. But unlike Graham, Jaune, or Ash, she didn't wear any sort of decent expression on her face. She looked ahead, emotionlessly staring right through the other players.
"..."
This is stupid. It's just a waste of time. I don't even want a party. They need to just hurry up and start the game already. I need to get home...
@Savannah Clause @Atomyk @Krieg