Bureau of Collections || ONC2021

Proof of Delivery

The night sky exploded with endless stars, the creamy sweep of the milky way glowing softly against its deep azure backdrop as Death tended to her roses on the terrace. Pale, elegant fingers ending in pointed aubergine nails gently snipped at dried stems between the luscious scarlet blooms as she crooned to herself.

It was a pleasant night, the system running smoothly with minimal incidents. She had left the ever reliable White Horsemen in charge for a few hours while she enjoyed some well-earned wellness and relaxation. But something was bothering her. Something she couldn't quite place a finger on. She had been noticing it more and more after giving the Red Horsemen the well deserved leave he requested. Maybe it was time she requested his return. Something was coming.

Tall and slim in a long contoured black dress that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, she rose, running her fingers through her straight ebony hair as it shifted and shimmered down the length of her back, competing with the length of her hem.

"010, can you come here, please?" she called. Her voice was gentle yet commanding, a warm smile forming on her flawless lips as a short and wide woman in a business suit appeared from inside the mansion that loomed behind them.

"Yes, Lady Death?"

"Have we found a replacement for the Black Horseman yet? That posting, I fear, is becoming a little neglected. I can feel it in the air."

"No, Ma'am. I believe you entrusted your cohort to bring you recommendations, but Sir White just keeps insisting he can do both his duties and the Black's indefinitely and Sir Red, well - he's Red. We might be waiting a while."

Death smiled, "Good thing they are both dear to me and excellent at their jobs. Do me a favour? Can you send Red a deadline, preferably the next week if possible."

010 nodded as she busily tapped notes into her phone. "Oh, and tell White to take it easy, split some of those duties between his auditors. His sector is more quiet than most of late."

"Yes Ma'am"

Death turned back to her blooms, letting go of anymore thoughts of business, trying to find her zen once more before the air shifted above her, her mood immediately shifting to one of agitation. Cheeks bloomed a dark red, lips tightening into a thin like as she took a step back just in time for a body to materialise three feet above her roses. Gravity took hold immediatly as the bloodied hulking form crashed down, petals and thorns crushed as the ornate raised garden bed cracked under the strain and collapsed.

010 screamed, dropping her phone to the floor.

Death took a moment to calm herself, anger was so unbecomming before she placed the shears she had been using to trim the roses down on the nearby table and took a sip of her unscathed white lady cocktail, 010 mixing it perfect as usual.

Curiously she took a step forward and leaned over the grotesque corpse recognising him immediately as the Supreme 066 from level forty two. Her eyes danced over the letters etched into his face and knew immediately who this care package was from. Not another one. What rubbish that Red was taking a vacation. He was going corruption hunting again against her specific orders. She scowled as she unpinned the note from the incapacitated Supreme and read the message he had left for her.

"Sorry about the roses."

The card ignited in her palm, burning up in seconds as the sky began to turn dark, all light absorbed as she let her irritation unfurl once more, growing in power. With a sigh she reached out and placed a hand on the Supremes skull, nails sinking into his flesh as she penetrated his mind, taking the information she needed. After a few moments she pulled her hand away her mouth twitching slightly as 010 handed her a fresh warm towel to clean her sullied hand.

Her attendant seemingly unphased by the whole affair aside from the suprise entry raised an eyebrow at her boss. "Personal visit?" she asked.

Death nodded as she reigned in her darkness. So this was how it would go. Red had just won their bet and proved her wrong. He was gloating as only he could and now he appeared to be in a spot of trouble, and not just him if the Supreme's wrongdoings were any indication. This required her attention immediately.

"010 can you locate Operator 404 for me please? I need to pay a visit, I fear Red may be in need of assistance"

"What about him?" 010 asked, nodding towards the Supreme who let out a guttural gurgle and twitched.

"Let Auditor 708 take care of it. He enjoys a good deconstruction."

"Understood."