Interlude Chapter: Happy Death Day

In The Underbelly on a certain day every year, Lucy would take a leave of absence. It was uncommon for the warden to leave the city she loved so dear, but it was how she worked. She would get the train out of the city at 11:42 every time, wearing her least conspicuous clothing of course, and travel to Pandora's Melody.

She would always reach The Tower of Babel at 14:56, right on time to be greeted by Parfait. The two would leave and have a calming walk through the park, discussing the current happenings in their cities and exchanging pleasantries. 

After their walk, the two would always sit by the pond and sit in silence for an hour on the dot before they both exchanged goodbyes and left. 

The demon would return back to the Underbelly by 18:41 and enter her chambers were she silently wept. 

It was a cycle that had been going on for 237 years. 

No one ever questioned it... Except Rat. 

On another random day like any other, Rat strolled into Lucy's office to try and get the Warden's signature on another one of her wild business ventures. It was nothing Lucy hadn't heard before, another new design for a store selling... Was it hairbrushes this time? Bagels? Rodent perfume? 

"And in conclusion... Are you even listen' Pan?" The rodent asked with a casual flick of her tail, accidentally knocking over the projector she had been using. "Do you have any clue what today is, Rodent?" The Warden asked in a more dry tone then usual. 

"Pan.... I've invented so many holidays for this city that I've lost track... Is it Rat-mas?" The rodent seemed particularly proud of creating Rat-mas, but that was a story for another time. "No. It is the 272nd anniversary of my Mother's death."

"Wait... You have a Mum? I just figured you... Well, I just figured you just kinda came into existence." The rodent laughed and soon leaned over the desk with a sly grin. "Tell your best friend your troubles." 

Lucy never really felt sorrow for this day. It was more like clockwork. Even her tears were out of her control. But hearing the remains of the woman who had struck down her own mother, talk so casually about it without even knowing what she did... 

It made her laugh.

The demon began howling with laughter, even the chains in her office seemed to join in her joyful burst of expression. Though Rat felt out of the loop, and she hated being out of the loop on anything. 

"What's funny?" She asked with a light chuckle.

The demon had to calm herself for a moment before wiping a tear under her bangs. "It is... You, my Rodent... You never cease to amaze me with your poor choice of words."

"Well, I am your best friend?"

"No. No you are not."

"Bull. We're best friends, Girly." Rat remained adamant on her stance. Though Lucy saw different. She was Rat's Warden, keeping the slumbering beast inside her at bay. 

Even still, she couldn't help but find it all amusing. Yet as she stared at the simulated moonlight outside her office, she decided to let the rodent have her moment. "Fine. Just this once... You, My First Servant, are my friend."

Rat looked smug at the demon's word, looking back to Lucy's three new Decaynine personal guards with a grin.

"I'm her favourite."