Unknown Four: ‘Soiree’, Part One

Wednesday. An exciting day for you has arrived. This is the only time of the week when you can completely chill, away from any major quizzes for which some of your professors call, "brain awakening drill". It is indeed brain awakening, similar to that of falling off a cliff and was luckily saved by a struggling bough, with you not knowing whether it'll remain still or will fall to death together with yourself.

It's been three days since you 'met' with Loran, and having that duration allowed you to figure when the zenith of the week is.

It is today, Wednesday. That damn weasel had to say it like a freaking charlatan. He couldn't just say Wednesday?! You couldn't wait to meet with him and crack his neck — spiritually.

Although having the thought of strangling that person, you cannot push the ominous feeling about what he had said last time. He stated that my confusion will be answered when the zenith of the week arrives, which is today by the way.. How will that happen? You're not too worried about your lessons today. Instead, you're worrying about something some people will definitely find unbelievable. You are only doing your laboratory activities since your professor had something to do, allowing you and your classmates to conduct the task idly.

"Psst..Gun."

You controlled your head to move one hundred and eighty degrees to your left. An idiotic face flashed in front of you as if the person having it is planning something illegal.

"Cain, something happened?" uninterested look plastered all over your face. "I just wanna invite you to go play later. You know, you've been saying 'No' to us, make up for it." Ah. You completely forgot about your unique friends and their shenanigans due to always being drowned in your thoughts. You pondered whether to reject their invite or accept it for three minutes. Although what Loran said really caught your attention, you cannot deny that you miss your circle. You gave Cain an affirmative look and sighed.

"...Fine. Where have you decided to go?"

Cain immediately flashed a triumphant smile.

"The Mausoleum. That death enthusiast has been telling us that he wanted to visit the mausoleum. I don't know why, probably to try talking to ghosts again." He yawned.

Bretren's obsession with ghosts and any spectre-like 'creatures' definitely needed to be studied. He's also quite drawn to dissection, for which some of our friends find appalling — not for some of us, though. We are quite full of lunatics and charlatans. You smized. Although you introduced some of your friends with peculiarities, it was only a fancy way of saying 'degenerates'.

You agreed on what time they've decided to meet. You are not in any way interested in ghosts or such, but you're bored enough to go along with their shenanigans.

—&—

Somewhere in Orbosis, Cosmo Manor, Alterria.

Loran is standing in front of an obviously expensive body mirror, staring at his disposition. Although he is handsomely clothed, his contorted face overshadowed the beautifully intricate design of perfection — his covered body. On his right side, sitting on a chair's arm, is a snickering handsome man named Verton Dismond. It's quite evident that the latter is enjoying what he currently sees.

"Tss. You're not that clever, Dismond. I've predicted this much." You gave him a disparaging look. He cackled.

"Of course you have. However, I assumed that you did not expect your chaperone to be myself. You loathe me that much? Dearest partner~" He teased. Verton Dismond is powerful. The reason why he was the one to inform me about that upcoming soiree, is because the old boss knows he resonates better with me, and I can also place my trust in him. The boss also predicted my stubbornness of going into that trap, making Verton accompany myself to their den.

"I do not loathe you, my DEAREST friend. However, I absolutely condemn your rascality when it comes to parties. It is rather affirmative that your crotch becomes your cognitive organ when you witness elegant ladies." In terms of giving insults, Loran is a master. Verton cracked an exaggerated laughter. He is well aware of the ridicule of his sublime friend, but instead of being offended, he found it amusing.

You sighed. Dismond really is one of a hell handful man, he is not for the weak. Although this friend is quite laid back and chill, the old boss knows his capabilities, and so do you. He is a strong Equal. With a powerful Hue granting him Equilibrium and having a stable Zeniahn, it made him not vulnerable to peril.

With only laughter as an answer, you moved your head towards his direction. Your friend is still snickering and when he noticed that you don't find it amusing, he poised himself. Ah.. Look at him.

Long dark castleton green shirt under a black formal vest, black necktie, black pants, and polished-until-mirroring shoes. With all those garments worn by a gentleman that looks like Verton, any ladies would fall in love. He also didn't tie his messy neck length hair, allowing it to fall into different directions. Your face contorted. I'm not jealous of him, I'm also blessed.

Giving him a deadpan look, you shifted your eyes towards the mirror in front of you. A black tailcoat with a rose pin, white shirt, black vest and tie, black bottoms, and polished shoes. Your hair is pretty much messed up like Verton's, falling to your neck. See? I'm as blessed as him. Better, even.

While staring at yourself, you suddenly realized what day today is. It is the zenith of the week. Remembering that grumpy child, you cannot wait to see his reaction when the zenithial exchange occurs. This just implies that I do not have to deal with those nobleshits. You snickered.

I have been thinking, it isn't coincidental that this soiree occurs on the same day for which I acted 'differently'? You are quite puzzled, but you just ignored this thought. Verton stared at you, contemplating the change of mood. You shifted your eyes towards him. It looks like you have to say something.

Noting your actions, Verton prepared himself for a serious conversation.

"..."

"Are you gonna say something? Astreign?" he asked curiously, staring at your unmoving mouth.

Haahh.. You definitely should tell him in advance that who he will accompany isn't 'you', but the someone that came from another world who accidentally astralled and used your body. A random change of mood will again make Verton send an update to the boss.

Although this is the most ideal action, you are definitely too tired to tell him. Let the actions work its magic.

A devious grin formed on your face.

—&—

As you walk side by side with your friends, trekking the stony trails towards the nearest mausoleum, you randomly feel sleepy.

Huh? I was quite energized earlier. What's with the random switch up?

Gunder, who is beside Cain and behind the dark-ethusiast Bretren, contorted his face into confusion. Not only that he felt sleepy, but he also feels like throwing up. Halting, he closed his eyes and composed himself. He can feel his friends stopping too.

"Gun, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess I'm just tired."

"....."

You waited for a random response but it never happened. The hell? Weirdly, you also feel alright now, as if that random dizziness and sleepiness never happened.

Suddenly, you heard a melodious piano playing, alongside with pleasant cacophony and expensive laughs. You curiously opened your eyes.

In front of you is a humongous fountain with a large statue of a hunter on top, holding a bear's head for which the water comes out from its mouth. A large, classical mansion is also positioned in front of you, where guests comes in and out every now and then.

Huh?

The hell???