Giving a long, tired look at each of the letters, Amanises sighed heavily and leaned back in her leather seat.
Afternoon rays of sunlight piercing the gray translucent blinds, children' shouts could be heard from the open window behind it. Birds singing their summer song, chirping away the sorrows of the poor.
All of those sounds overloaded the already sleep-deprived Amanises.
She crossed her hands over her eyes, wishing to be taken by the lull of sleep.
But, she was afraid.
Afraid to see those horrors that had been hunting her for nearly a week. Terrifying ghosts, rotting, skinless corpses and the like, all still fresh in her mind.
Will they ever stop?
***
Empress Borough, Count Halls' villa.
Waking up from her pretend slumber, the rich young lady of the Tarot Club, Justice Audrey, stretched in her lofty bed.
The fluffy, cotton sheets shifted beneath, as she got up, looking around for her quadruped friend.
From around the corner, a happy golden retriever skipped along, happy to have completed her weekly duty of guarding the young lady.
Audrey revealed a smile that reached her ears, as she jumped over and gave the golden retriever a huge embrace.
"Susie! Can you believe it? It has only been no less than 6 gatherings and yet, we already have a new member!"
Susie, her beloved hound, tilted her head to the side in a questioning manner, as if asking 'What does that have to do with me? I'm just a dog!.
She could've voiced that thought, but decided against it for the better. Letting Audrey continue sharing what occurred today at the mystical gathering.
"She's an older lady, who goes by the card of Death." The young lady's eyes turned a bit sorrowful. "After the initial shock of being pulled above the gray fog for the first time, her expression turned gloomy. I'm not sure what happened, but she didn't give off the scary and passive vibes of Mr. World, but instead—sadness and tiredness."
Susie, a professional Spectator, analyzed the condition of Death.
Guesses in a gentle tone while wagging her tail: "Maybe something tragic happened? Not everyone has a bright and easygoing life."
Audrey looked up, wrapped a finger under her chin and tilted her head: "That was my guess too. Initially I assumed she was the same as Mr. World, someone who is accustomed to the depressing side of the world. He doesn't talk much, except when bringing us up to date with some beyonder incidents."
She paused and then continued. "Plus, Miss Death actually elaborated on the mass murder case I mentioned from a few days ago."
Susie pondered a possibility. "Could it be connected to her personally?"
"Hmmm, it's a possibility. She talked from the perspective of a friend. There's definitely more to that!" She nearly shouted in enlightenment.
Audrey gave Susie a long look with a relaxed expression. "But we should leave it here. Lady Death clearly doesn't want us to prive in her personal life!"
Audrey got up from the carpeted floor, dusted her dress and signaled for Susie to follow her.
"Let's go eat something! I'm starving."
***
Waves crashed against the wooden railings of Blue Avenger. The heavy wind, paired with the sunny weather gave off a weird combination.
The captain of the ghost ship, Alger Wilson, stepped out of his private cabin, searching for his second-in-command.
A browny man with sharp features jogged to his side, reporting at the call.
"Captain, while you were sleeping the wind picked up. It's not that strong, we can start heading South!"
It was time for Blue Avenger, which has been drifting in the sea for a while now, to return on reporting duty.
They were keeping tabs on active pirates in the area, most notably, the Vice Admiral of Dusk.
His ship has been spotted in these waters, however, Alger simply kept an eye out, not daring to provoke the Vice Admiral of Dusk.
It was not cowardice but caution.
Alger Wilson gave an irritated look towards his-second-in-command. The man took this as the cue to leave him alone.
The dark blue haired man walked along the wooden railing of the ship, stopping near the waves.
His spiritual intuition was acting up.
A high sequence battle nearby.
It was clear that they didn't have much time. If they stayed any longer they might risk getting swept up in the conflict.
Alger gave out a short row of commands, the seasoned 'pirates' immediately followed to the teeth.
While the ship was changing course, the captain breathed in the fresh air of the Sonia Sea and started to analyze the information gathered at today's Tarot Gathering.
Mr. Fool seemed, if not enthusiastic, then pleased to introduce the new member.
Alger Wilson always took note of Mr. Fool's demeanor. His overworked mind always analyzed every change in The Fool's expression.
In the presence of a true deity one must not be careless. Even a word placed wrong could cause you to die, not even a body to be found!
Simply, Mr Fool's ability to pull them above the gray fog, without them being able to interfere is scary, what he can do with them there—is absolutely terrifying.
Assuming a god would grant them mercy is an idiot's thought. He remembered the saying taught to him since young: 'Trust in God's power and not Their benevolence.'
Breaking his train of thought, Alger focused his attention back to the newcomer.
Their Tarot codenames aren't supposed to symbolize anything, as they have chosen them themselves.
However, Death sounds too ominous. The woman bearing this codename seemed calm. Unnaturally so.
After the confusion washed off she retreated back to her personal bubble. Nearly refusing to speak.
If she didn't interject when Justice brought up that case, he would've thought she was mute.
It didn't look like social awkwardness or anxiety.
Rather.
Disinterest.
The mention of 'digestion' and 'Spectator' didn't provoke any kind of reaction.
From that, he deduced that she must be an experienced Beyonder, one backed by a powerful organization.
That friend of hers must be another member.
His instinct told him to compare The World and Death together, but that could only be described as stupid.
The World is an end to a cycle while Death is the end of everything.
Something was up with the strange woman, he must keep an eye on her at all times.
***
Backlund, Cheerwood Borough in an apartment complex.
Amanises walked down the set of stairs leading to the exit. She passed by an old couple, a gentleman of short stance and a small child running around.
They were all her new neighbors.
She met the old couple on the first day of moving here, Anri and Stanley Clark.
She exchanged pleasantries with them, they even offered to bring her some leftover Lasagna Casserole.
That wasn't its actual name, but for her it's close enough.
The warm treatment from the couple was greatly enjoyed by Amanises. As someone who didn't interact much with her neighbors in her previous life, this brought a pleasant change.
The short gentleman was actually the landlord. He had a temper that matched his stature, but paired with a kind heart.
Strange but welcome combination. Her previous workplace was based on managing all sorts of people.
With that experience, she was able to coax the man into lowering the price of her, now completely owned, apartment.
She wasn't against saving a pretty penny.
The total cost of the apartment, paired with some new furniture added up to 120 pounds.
Her house consisted of a total of 4 rooms: bedroom, paired with a study desk, kitchen, living room, and lastly, a bathroom.
She opted to buy it, to be completely in charge of her own home. Opposite of her previous life, where the rent kept increasing, and her salary didn't allow for much room to mingle.
And I was so close to that promotion. She lamented inwardly.
Lastly, the lousy child. It was a young boy, about 8 years old.
Surprisingly, as she passed by him, he gave a curtly bow and gave a short greeting.
He was raised right. It's just that, sometimes, children need to expend all of that energy they get. Running around halls isn't a problem, as long as they don't accidentally bump into someone.
Once she left the building, Amanises signaled for a private carriage. She gave a 5 soli note to the driver and spoke an address.
After close to 20 minutes of driving, they arrived in a remote area near East Borough.
The air here was thick with the smell of charcoal, not to mention the few rats that could be observed without even paying attention.
She walked ahead, leisurely and with the confidence of a mob boss on her own turf.
She adopted a serious expression, bordering on the edge of arrogance, but with a pay-off of strength.
A few men dared to approach her, but one singular look made them disperse.
She stopped in front of the door of a somewhat maintained house.
Giving no more than tree knocks, she took a step back and waited.
The door opened and a large bearded man answered. His glare pierced through her, daring to break her bare soul.
She bowed her head and greeted the man.
"Good afternoon, Mr Carp."
The man didn't respond. His eyes didn't even move from her face.
She extended a thick envelope, it didn't hide its stack of cash.
Mr. Carp's frown deepened, he spoke in a rough voice: "I don't need your money. I won't do your dirty jobs anymore."
But regardless Amanises shook her head and pushed the envelope in his hand.
"I'm not asking you for anything, other than to read the letter within."
With a skeptical look, he took it from her hands, turned around and shut the door in her face.
Inside the house.
Curiosity got the best of him, he opened the wrapped paper and took out the carefully sealed letter. It had a scent of lavender perfume, the woman's scent, which stood out in the trenches like a beacon.
Without even glancing at the money, he ripped open the letter and started reading.
Even if his vision was slowly deteriorating, the woman's writing was kept neat and tidy, easy to read.
"Dear, Mr Carp,
As I'm writing this letter, it has been a few days since the incident. I was kept by the police's side and I couldn't attend the funeral.
I would like to start with giving my condolences. I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything to save her.
Joanna has been working for us for more than 35 years, but for me, it was my lifetime. I still remember the times she would brush my hair while sharing bits about her family, her children, and you—her beloved.
The day of the incident, she came to me asking for a one week leave. She wanted to surprise you, and your children, by spending time together. I do not ask for you to forgive me by offering the money.
They are not, and will never be, equal to a person's life. This is Joanna's salary, for she is still working to provide for the family.
She will always be there, watching over to make sure her treasured ones stay safe and fulfilled.
Best of wishes,
Evelyn Dusk"
The sender's name was hardly visible, for the paper was already stained with tears.
But it didn't matter, he knew who sent it.
In a hurry, he nearly ripped the door apart, but it was already too late. The woman was gone.
Dejected, he returned to the table and started counting the money received.
It added up to 1000 pounds, enough to ensure their living conditions for the next 40 years or more.
Thank you.