Everyone
The Realm Between the World and Heaven
Without Time
A few more minutes pass by and things seem to just about be wrapping up here. One by one, the documents make their way into the hands of Lili's silver-haired assistant and everyone's previous restlessness slowly dies down into quiet anticipation. Justin is the next to hand in his papers. He's soon followed by the young blonde who- as of yet- has not commentated much on the situation. Nevertheless, once they return to their seats, the room becomes dead silent. All paperwork has been turned in. All except for one that is.
"Hey..." Lili calls out over the crowd and addresses the straggler, "Is there some kind of reason you're holding things up, pal? Did you forget how to read when you died or something?"
The black-haired man does not respond to Lili's provocation. He is completely absorbed in the form sitting before him. But, as far as anyone can tell, he isn't making any kind of effort to fill it out. Rather he is just sitting there staring at it in deep thought. Completely unmoved by anything going on around him.
Lili grumbles, huffs, and taps her feet against the floor. Her eyes dart back and forth, likely mulling over the actions she could take here. Given her personality, it's obvious that she wants to take a more direct approach; however, it seems her better judgment is keeping her in check.
"Out of curiosity... What exactly do you have to gain from all this?"
Then, without even looking aware from the papers in front of him, the man speaks.
It's a simple question. There's a certain casualness to the young man's voice, but it's clear that he's dead serious. So much so that is appears to catch both Lili and Mari off guard. Even still...
"Huh? Didn't I answer that already?" Lili raises a brow and tilts her head with a mocking expression, "I'm helping out a friend who screwed up. And in the process I'm landing a job that's going to net me better pay. What part of that didn't you get the first time?"
Once again, the young man does not react to Lili's aggressive tone. Rather, he actually breaks away from the document in his hand and looks up toward Lili. Naturally, Lili responds by giving him the stink eye.
The young man sighs, "Nevermind… I'm just having a difficult time trying to determine why a troubled devil like you would want to become a benevolent goddess. Even if you are living a life of poverty, I get the impression that a simple pay increase isn't worth the effort you're putting in."
This time, it's Lili who goes quiet. If only for a moment. Her brow twitches. It may be subtle, but it's clear that this man is trying to pry into the workings of the 'divine'. Lili may be a bit of a brat, but she is attentive in her own right. So there's no way that she would miss this. And the cocky looking smile on her face says as much.
"Oh? Sorry, kiddo. You're giving me too much credit. I'm super lazy and I just want to sit on my ass and collect a-"
"Mari," Before Lili can finish her whole bit, the young man begins addressing the assistant, "Is it normal for the newly deceased to have trouble recalling their deaths? Ignoring the possibility of trauma, it's a bit odd that some of us were able to remember without issue. Regardless of how sudden some of our deaths were. Furthermore, do the dead typically arrive in this place in a different physical condition than when we were living? And is it normal for me- someone who only speaks Japanese- to suddenly be able to read and understand fluent English?"
It's a quick barrage of questions. On paper, they seem simple enough. It doesn't seem like any of the things he asked would be impossible to do- given the people you're dealing with. It even sounds like all these things could be considered common courtesy for the newly deceased. However, they more you start to think about it, the more things don't quite add up. Sure these things would be nice, but one could also argue they would be wholly unnecessary.
Mari opens her mouth to answer, but words don't come out quick enough. She's doing her best to keep a collected image under the pressure, but it's clear that she's a bit flustered. Her eyes even dart over to Lili for some kind of back-up. But...
"Nevermind… It's not like knowing any of that would change our situations anyway."
Before he can even receive an answer, the young man backs down with a disinterest tone. As his attention goes back to his handout, Lili threatens to beat him up with her eyes.
"I just have one question I honestly want answered," He picks up his pencil and slowly starts to fill out his form, "The reward that waits for us at the end of all this... In my own words, 'a chance for a better life'... Would it be possible to give that reward to someone who is still alive?"
Another question. And a rather peculiar one at that. Though it can be assumed that this guy has his reasons. Still, the more this man talks, the stranger his motivations seem to be.
"Uhm… Excuse me. Sir?" Mari cautiously steps forward, "May I ask your name?"
"Shunsuke," With a heavy sigh, the Japanese man stops what he's doing and looks back up, "Nakamura Shunsuke."
"Right... Mr. Nakamura then..." Mari takes a deep breath as she speaks. Apprehension weighs heavily on her voice, "I'm afraid it's against the rules for gods and goddesses to interfere with the lives of the living. You see... Even if it's a small intervention, a goddess granting favor to a mortal could easily alter the shape and the course of history. No doubt you've heard tales of such blessed people back in your world? … It's one thing to do for the deceased, but-"
"Fine!" Again, Shunsuke interrupts Mari. This time with a growl. As the expression on his face begins to intensify, he shifts his attention over to Lili, "Not as a goddess then! But as a devil... Or is messing with the living off limits even for beings of evil!?"
Up until this point, Lili has just been quietly listening off to the side. Disinterested, annoyed, and clearly tired off all this talking. However the moment these words leave Shunsuke's mouth, her eyes slowly shift over to him and- for the first time- she truly looks the part of a devil. There is a certain aspect of malice in her eyes when looking at this man. It's somewhat akin to a predator preparing to pounce on its prey... Not to eat, but simply to rip it to shreds and destroy it. To play with it, simply because it would pass the time.
But...
"Yeah, yeah. Shut up and sit down before you start cutting people with all that edge."
There's also something there that says 'this person is not cut out for evil'.
Lili slumps down on the podium and, at the same time, snaps her fingers next to her head. In a flash of light, the last document appears in her hand- clearly unfinished.
"I think I'm starting to see why goddesses get paid so much."
Lili takes a deep breath, slaps her own cheeks, and hypes herself up. Ignoring everything else, she gets "back into character" and shifts gears back to the flamboyant girl you met upon arrival. Posing included.
"Alright, scrublords! Listen up! Ain't got no time to explain things 'cus this room will literally cease to exist in like 30 seconds. So hold on to your lunches and protect your asses. We're taking to express route!"
And with another pose, Lili snaps her fingers and the room is enveloped in a blinding bright light.
***
Everyone
Country Side - Grassy Plains
Early Morning
When you're finally able to see again, you find that you and the others are no longer in that small room. Instead, there is a clear blue sky over your heads and bright green grass almost as far as the eye can see. Perhaps not the most ceremonious way to arrive in a new world but, then again, nothing since your death could really be called as much. So, if anything, this lack-luster beginning can be seen as being in line with everything else.
There's just one thing that's really bothering you...
"Goo goo..."
...And that would be the mob of strange creatures currently surrounding you and the others.
There are dozens of them. Maybe even more. And despite their goofy looking faces, there is no denying the bodies that would make even the hardest of body builders look on in envy. And their eyes... Their cold, soulless eyes... Each and every one of them is watching you closely and the hoard slowly encircles your group. A few even step forward... Drawing closer to your group... And they...flex... They just... flex... Aggressively.