Yukimi and Tobi lead Ri-is inside to Tobi's workbench. Tobi walked around it and placed something long on the bench. It was covered in a black sheet. Ri-is' gaze shifted between Tobi and Yukimi, both of whom looked far too excited for their own good. Ri-is leaned over the workbench, alight with curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Well, we know you've been down lately and this might not make much a difference but we wanted to do something to cheer you up. So..." Tobi pulled the cloth off of the object to reveal a beautifully crafted prosthetic arm. "We decided to make a little something for you."
Ri-is didn't know how to react. He hesitantly reached out, gently ghosting his fingers over the arm. It was smooth to the touch and decorated with delicate little carvings. His mouth was agape like he wanted to say something but he was too overwhelmed with emotions to speak.
"Do you want to try it on?" Asked Yukimi.
Ri-is nodded and Tobi walked around the bench to help him put it on. It was a bit awkward. Ri-is didn't expect it to feel normal, but it was certainly something to get used to. He extended his arm like it was a completely foreign motion to him. The arm shimmered under the lights of the workshop. Ri-is continued to admire it's craftsmanship, in complete awe at all the work Tobi and Yukimi had done.
"So...this is why you two have been sneaking around lately?"
Tobi and Yukimi exchanged sheepish glances. "Pretty much," said Tobi, rubbing the back of his neck. He paused as if he remembered something and looked over at Yukimi again. "Wait! Did you figure out a way to...do the thing."
Yukimi grinned triumphantly. "I did indeed figure out how to do the thing!"
Ri-is gaped at them with a vacant look on his face. "....guys...again? What thing is it this time?"
Yukimi took hold of Ri-is hand. "Follow me and find out!"
•~•~•~•~•~•
Sin sat at his desk, his brows knitted worriedly as he scanned the contents of the letter in front of him. The messenger raven that had delivered it sat next to him on the desk, pecking at the snack that Sin had laid out for him.
"What does the letter say?" Dez asked from across his desk.
"Avarice has apparently overworked himself. He's taking some time to recuperate."
"...huh? He seemed fine the last time I saw him."
Sin sighed. "I know. I know we've had to take up extra work since Ea left but Avarice was never one to just take a random break all of a sudden...there's nothing we can do if he isn't feeling well though. I'm not too worried about it. He used to run off all the time to recharge. He shouldn't be out for too long. It just means more work for me."
Dez frowned. "If you say so." Dez reached over, running her fingers along the top of the raven's head. "Oh! I heard Nikiro mention that the soldiers would be welcoming someone from the Summer Isle today?"
"Yeah. She's the witness. We want to get her side of the story."
As if on cue, Hayate entered Sin's chambers to inform him of their guest's arrival.
"Well. Looks like she's early."
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Sin sat in the drawing room with Asra across from him. She looked like a corpse that had pulled herself out of a grave mere moments ago. From the deep bags under her eyes to the way her once rosy cheeks no longer held its warm glow. Everything about her looked drained.
"I apologize for not coming sooner. I was severely drugged..." She rasped.
Sin nodded in understanding. "Well, you're here now. Why don't you tell me about your side of the story?"
Asra shut her eyes and exhaled deeply. "There was a man I believed to be part of the squadron that Prince Ea had brought with him. He was charming in his own way and seemed harmless enough so when he started approaching me I didn't think much of it. He was also very curious about the rumours of the Priestess and General Yiran. One day he asked to eat lunch with me. He fed me something strange, the next thing I knew, I wasn't in my right mind and...we started...being intimate.
It wasn't until after someone had spotted us and I had woken up after passing out that I learned he had fed me food mixed with an aphrodisiac and I had drunk a transformation potion that made me look like the Priestess. He drank it too, transforming himself into General Yiran, making people believe they saw the Priestess breaking her vows when she hadn't...and then...everything...went so downhill...I...I couldn't even apologize to her...this man had drugged me to the point where I wasn't able to leave my bed or speak to anyone properly, which is why It took so long to come see you."
"Do you know this man's name?"
"He said his name was Gabriel."
Recognition clicked in Sin's head. "What did he look like?" He pressed further.
Asra thought for a moment. "Umm...curly brown hair...freckles...oh and different coloured eyes, one violet, one emerald."
Sin's mind was reeling. He knew the man she spoke of, he wouldn't forget him so easily. After all, he was the man who sliced his brother's hand off and now he had become the man who ruined his brother's future as well.
"Do you know why he instigated such a thing?"
Asra shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I apologize this is all the information I can give you."
"No, you've given me more than enough."
Sin stood and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, we will find justice for Tah Min and Ea. Don't beat yourself up about it."
Asra smiled weakly. "I hope so. If in any way this can absolve me of my sins against them, I would be happy."
Sin bid her farewell and immediately marched off to find Nikiro. He spotted him walking down the stairs across the hall. Without thinking, he marched towards him grabbing his shoulder to get his attention and spinning him around.
"I know who caused the Scarlet Night."81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhi2YCd9hM
