The morning light filtered quietly through the Dreadholm residence. Raphael moved through its long, quiet halls, each step light, cautious. Even now, he couldn't quite get used to the stillness, the elegance. His ears flicked slightly as they picked up a familiar voice around the corner. He turned into another hallway, adjusting his steps, cloth brushing against his skin.
Subaru's voice drifted through, gentle and teasing. "So, that's it?"
Ruin stood nearby with a basket in her arms. Her voice came soft. "Yes, that's all for now. Unless... you'd like me to bring back some fruits too? They're good for elders, or so I've heard."
Subaru let out a small laugh. "Ah, no need for fruits, my dear. This old man only feasts on real meat, straight from the source."
Ruin gave a light laugh, almost playful. "Alright, grandpa. No fruits then."
"No, no," Subaru said quickly. "I was only joking. I would like an apple. A nice red one, please. And once everything is settled, why don't the two of you go enjoy yourselves a bit, hm?"
Raphael's steps became clearer as he drew closer. He tilted his head slightly. "What's going on?"
Subaru turned, smiling wide. "Ah, my boy, you're already up."
"Not like that matters to you," Raphael replied, voice calm but dry.
Subaru placed a hand to his chest, pretending to be wounded. "You wound me deeply."
Ruin smiled gently. "We were just about to go out for some errands."
"Just the two of you," Subaru added with a small nod.
Raphael gave a quiet sigh. "Is this going to turn into one of your training set-ups again?"
Subaru gave a short chuckle. "You? Training? No, no, no. All you need is the real thing. A bit of experience. And the lovely torture of enemies, of course."
Ruin shook her head softly. "It's nothing like that. I'm only showing you around today."
Raphael paused. "Are you sure? Because grandpa tends to twist things around when it suits him."
"I do not lie," Subaru said, almost offended.
"You remember what happened with me and Ki…?"
Subaru raised both hands. "Alright, alright, nobody needs to bring up the beast incident."
Raphael's face shifted slightly, his voice dropping. "Agreed."
Ruin blinked, curious. Her tone was careful. "Wait... what happened?"
Subaru turned on his heel. "Ah, look at the time. I've got things to attend to. Ruler duties, you understand."
"Grandpa, why are you walking so fast?" Ruin called after him.
She turned to Raphael, her eyes kind but curious. "Did something bad happen?"
Raphael began walking slowly. His voice lowered again. "I don't want to remember."
She followed beside him, pouting just a little. "But... I want to know. I really do."
He didn't respond right away.
"Please?" she asked, softly this time.
Raphael kept walking, then turned his head a little toward her. "Maybe another time."
Ruin smiled gently. "Thank you."
They walked side by side through the familiar halls. Raphael's steps were quiet, his head slightly tilted as if listening to the way the space carried their movement.
"So," he asked, "where are we starting from?"
Ruin placed a thoughtful finger to her chin. "Hm... why don't we begin with the cloth shop? You could use some new clothes."
Raphael tilted his head. "But the one you gave me is fine."
Ruin looked at him, her voice soft but firm. "No, it really isn't."
She hesitated for a moment, then added carefully, "Since you're now part of the order—"
Raphael turned his head slightly. "A member?"
There was a pause.
Ruin's voice faltered. "I shouldn't have said that, I... I only meant that since you're staying here now, it would be good to have more clothes. For... special occasions and things like that."
Raphael gave a quiet hum. "You don't say."
There was a small sigh from Ruin, but then she brightened. "And then next?"
"We'll need to get groceries," she said, counting softly on her fingers. "Then bread. Oh, and I need to make sure everything's ready for tonight."
Raphael slowed a little. "Tonight?"
"Yes," Ruin replied, with a small nod.
"What's happening tonight?"
She blinked, then turned to him. "Oh... I thought you knew."
He shook his head lightly.
"Well," Ruin said, "there's going to be a feast. Grandpa's hosting it. And whenever he holds one for the nation, it's always very big. People say it's amusing and... loud."
Raphael gave a slow nod. "Now that you say that…he did mention something about a feast yesterday. I guess I didn't really pay attention."
"You'll enjoy it," Ruin said warmly. She moved a few steps ahead, then turned to face him. "It's going to be wonderful."
He tilted his head. "You sound excited for someone who hasn't seen one before."
"Why wouldn't I be," she said, beginning to walk again, "when everyone's going to be tasting my cooking?"
Raphael followed behind her. "Won't that be more of a hassle for you?"
She glanced over her shoulder, smile soft. "No, it won't. I'm sure I'll have help."
He gave a quiet nod. "If you're alright with it, then that's that."
Ruin let out a light giggle, hands folding together as they walked.
—
Hours later, the cloth shop buzzed with activity. Stacks of fabric in every color reached toward the ceiling. Ruin led him carefully through the rows, helping him try on a new kimono. Raphael shifted slightly in it, frowning.
"I don't think this suits me," he said.
Ruin's eyes lit up. "Of course it does."
She glanced at the shopkeepers, who nodded quickly, offering small approving smiles.
"Yes, yes, it does," Ruin repeated, her voice bright. "It really brings out your... handsomeness."
Raphael turned his head toward her. "You sure? It feels kind of strange."
"No, it doesn't," she replied, still cheerful but gentle.
He gave a faint sigh. "With the way you sound, I'm going to take that as a no."
He turned to head back toward the changing area.
The shopkeeper quickly stepped forward. "Wait! Please, don't take it off. It really suits you!" She reached out, gently holding his arm.
Raphael stood still, then let out a soft sigh. "Fine, fine. I won't change it yet."
Ruin chuckled, watching the shopkeeper's grip remain firm, her expression determined not to lose him.
—
Time passed, and the two found themselves at a lively little shop run by orcs, crates of apples stacked around the entrance. The scent of ripe fruit hung thick in the air. Ruin stood near a barrel, holding two apples up for comparison.
"Raphael," she said, "which of these do you think looks fresher? This one, or this one?"
Raphael tilted his head, expression unreadable behind the blindfold. "Whichever suits your taste."
"Yes, I know," she said, "but I was thinking more about which will be better."
In his mind, Raphael thought, I don't know who is worse, you or Sora. He said aloud, "Why don't you take the one in your left hand?"
Ruin stared at the apple for a moment, studying it like it might whisper the answer to her. Then she shook her head gently. "Nope. They both seem fine to me."
She turned to the orc with a soft smile. "Why don't I just buy twelve apples?"
"Okay, Ruin," the orc replied, his voice deep but warm.
Raphael let out a quiet breath. "Why did you even ask for my suggestion?"
"For team effort," Ruin said sweetly. "Good job."
"That's not a team effort," Raphael muttered under his breath.
The orc let out a deep, hearty laugh that echoed through the shop.
A few minutes passed.
They were walking again, the sound of their steps mingling with the quiet bustle of the street.
Ruin let out a soft laugh. "I still don't believe it... Grandpa actually killed it by accident."
Raphael's voice was lower now, more careful. "Yeah. Not to blame him, but... it really left something in me."
Ruin looked up at him and chuckled gently at the distant way he said it, but the laughter faded into a quiet moment.
Then she said, "Do you know one thing that still amazes me?"
Raphael tilted his head. "What's that?"
Ruin clasped her hands behind her back, holding the basket. "It's the fact that you can tell what's in front of you. And how you dodged that kid's ball without even flinching. I'm really impressed."
Raphael's head shifted a little. "Well, before I met Grandpa, that kind of thing wasn't hard."
Ruin looked curious. "And after?"
He was quiet for a second, then said, "After... I guess I became alive in a way I can't explain. Grandpa taught me things I wouldn't recommend to anyone. But... he did it because he cares. Even when it didn't feel like it."
Ruin nodded, eyes lowered. "Yeah. He really does."
"Something wrong?" Raphael asked, picking up on the soft change in her voice.
She lifted her gaze to the sky, then looked at him. "Nothing. Just thinking. Meeting Grandpa was the best thing that ever happened to me. Especially after... he rescued me from slavery."
Raphael's voice was quiet. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you," Ruin replied. "But in some strange way, it's the thing that keeps me going. Though, at first... he was terrifying. I thought he was death himself."
They both laughed softly, and the tension melted a little.
Ruin went on, her voice slow and even. "After he saved me, he just... took me with him. We walked out of that room. That was the first time I saw the sun in years. And then... I met Aunt Sora."
Her expression shifted, shoulders tightening for a moment.
Raphael's tone lowered. "Did Sora really torture you like you said?"
"Of course she did," Ruin said gently, like it was a fact long accepted.
Raphael hummed in response.
Then her eyes brightened, spotting something ahead. "Oh! This is the bakery. They sell the best bread here!"
She hurried toward the door, opening it with ease.
Raphael followed behind her, hand brushing the frame before stepping in and closing it behind him.
"Oh, Mister, I'm here," Ruin called sweetly, moving toward the counter.
From behind the counter, a man bent down, rummaging for something.
"Oh, Ruin, is that you?" his voice called, light and kind. "I thought you'd be here tomorrow."
Ruin leaned forward on the counter a little, smiling. "Well, the ones I got yesterday didn't make it through the day."
Raphael stopped just inside the doorway. The voice... it brushed something buried in him. He didn't move. Didn't speak.
The man laughed softly. "May their heart-food souls rest in peace." He straightened, still chuckling, holding a napkin in his left hand.
His right sleeve hung empty.
His eyes lifted slowly.
He saw Ruin first, then paused.
Then his gaze shifted... and settled on Rapheal just behind her.
The napkin slipped from his hand, drifting to the counter.
His body stilled. His breath caught.
He blinked, leaning slightly forward, as though unsure of what his eyes were seeing.
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
His lips moved again, barely forming sound. "Is that…"
He took a step around the counter, squinting like he needed the moment to be real.
"Is that... you... Raphael…?"