❛ Look After You. Chrollo Lucilfer

iii. art

Keiko has always found herself, in moments of distress or boredom, with a paintbrush in hand while a canvas is upright on a stand, painting her feelings away. In every single house she owned throughout the whole world, there was never not a room in the house that consisted a room full of paintings and drawings/sketches that the girl has made throughout the years.

Even back in her human days, Keiko had always turned to painting and drawing as a source of relief. The act of creating art provided her with a sanctuary, a space where she could escape from the pressures and anxieties of daily life. Whether she was sketching the delicate lines of a flower or immersing herself in the vibrant swirls of abstract color, Keiko found a profound sense of solace and clarity. Her art was more than just a hobby-it was a refuge where she could express her innermost thoughts and emotions that words alone could not capture.

Each brushstroke and pencil line became a form of meditation, allowing her to navigate through complex feelings and experiences. The quiet solitude she found in her studio was a counterbalance to the often overwhelming nature of the world outside. Through her work, Keiko not only found solace but also developed a deeper connection to her own inner world, revealing layers of her personality and experiences that might otherwise have remained hidden.

That's why, in her lovely homestead in YorkNew City, Keiko locked herself in her art room, the feeling she felt this time being boredom. Her days were usually filled with a mix of activities- causing havoc, grabbing a meal from the streets, sleeping, or taking a shower. But whenever she wanted to escape from it all, she would retreat to her sanctuary of paintings, finding comfort and creativity within those walls.

Though, with her advanced hearing, she heard a swift but loud knock on the door downstairs, where then she glanced to the side to find her companion, otherwise known as her personal butler, already on his way out to open the door. He, aswell, was also a vampire. Turned by no other than Keiko herself, with all consent of course.

"Pierre, lead them to the living room. I'll be down in a second." Keiko instructed, having heard that Killua was not infact alone and was accompanied by who she assumed was his friends. It has been far too long for the boy to not make his first friend, and just because the rest of his family that were far from saving and were friendless, did not mean that he had to be as well.

And since it wasn't only Killua, Keiko made herself presentable enough, after walking out of the washroom to wash off whatever paint she had left on her hands, she slipped on a oversized corduroy white sweater to match her black flared leggings.

"Oh, and grab a few chocolate robots from the pantry, Kil loves those." Pierre only hummed, showing no signs of disagreement as he descended his way down the long and grand staircase.

"Didn't you say she prefers living alone? Why does she need such a big house?" A high-pitched, youthful and spirited voice, that definitely wasn't Killua reached Pierre's ears. This must be his friend, though they aren't the only two that came. He could sense another presence with them.

As he made his way to the large and grand doors, he heard Killua briefly mention his name. "Well, everywhere she goes, she's technically always accompanied by this old guy named Pierre-"

That was all it took for Pierre to swing open the grand, imposing doors with a flourish, a hint of playful irritation on his face. "Well, if it isn't young master Killua! What a delight to see you! Gracing us with your presence after all these years!"

Killua paused, as if a deer caught in headlights, and started sweating profusely. "Pierre! Nice to see you again! You didn't hear what I just said did you? Well, if you did, then you must've missed the part where I was about to call you handsome, charming, and dashing- but then you interrupted me so what a shame! hahahaha..." The white-haired teen yapped, trying to save his own life.

The butler narrowed his eyes at the terrified boy, and was about to make a move before a hand was placed on his shoulder. Keiko Rei graced them with her presence, and she chuckled at Killua's state. Beside him stood two males, one the same height as he and the other towering all of them other than Pierre.

"Killua. Nice to see you again, and I see you've brought company." She offered the two strangers a smile before outstretching a hand, "Keiko, Keiko Rei. It's nice to meet the two of you."

The first to shake her hand was the taller man with a smile mirroring Keiko's. "Leorio, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard loads of you from Killua."

"All good things, I hope." The two shook hands before her gaze moved on to the younger looking male, who had a youthful grin on his face. Though Killua was no doubt at extrovert, there was something about the boy infront of her that made the two of them so.. different.

"Hi! I'm Gon!" He introduced himself with enthusiasm, reaching out to give her hand a firm, energetic shake. Keiko chuckled at his childish behaviour, he reminded her of a certain six year old white-haired boy. That was why she managed to compare the two.

"It's a pleasure to meet the two of you. Please, do come in." Keiko took a step back, offering them entrance into her abode, which they gladly took. Killua, already familiarized with the whole building, jumped up and down excitedly, about to run up the stairs and show his room to his two friends-which he hasn't seen in multiple years by the way- but of course, was stopped by no other than Keiko.

"You can do that later, Kil. Let's talk first, shall we?" She grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to stay in place as she basically dragged him into the living room while his two friends followed closely behind.

"Sit, Killua. Pierre's on his way with your chocolate robots that you will not get unless you tell me why you made me rush all the way here with such limited time." The girl bargained, sitting across from the three teenagers.

The two teenagers who were unfamiliar with her home were moving their heads around frantically, taking in the luxury of the large and magnificent living room. While Killua, having brightened up at the mention of chocolate robots, was already yapping his mouth away for the sake of his beloved delicacies.

"Well, we have this friend, currently not with us as we speak, who's seeking vengeance on this really really really powerful group called the Phantom Troupe." Killua paused the second Pierre entered the room, his eyes sparkling at the sight of multiple chocolate robots on the silver tray Pierre carried.

Keiko aswell paused, as if to think back to a certain black-haired male that gave her a night to remember. "I have a troupe. Though, I consider them as my family...."

But Keiko chose to shrug her thought away, the possibility of the troupe Killua was talking about being the same as his was almost impossible, as there were many troupes around the whole world. The chances were definitely slim.

"Kil, focus." The said boy cleared his throat, continuing his story.

"His names Kurapika, he's hoping to find and confront the troupe in this city. We're helping him because, uh," Killua struggled to say a word, making Keiko raise a brow. Was it that hard to say that he had friends?

"We're his friends! And we'd feel horrible if he ended up dead knowing that we did nothing to help him, so here we are!" Gon grinned. And even despite their story, Keiko still couldn't understand what this had to do with her.

"And why, exactly, do you need me?" Keiko raised a brow, crossing her arms as she stared into Killua.

"Well, you know, since I love you lots and missed you more than you missed me, I was hoping that you'd help us with this..?" Killua scratched the back of his head, unsure of his own question.

He was met with awkward silence, only the blank stare of Keiko, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Though, a few seconds later, the girl sighed. "Give the boy his chocolates, Pierre. And cancel the appointments we have this upcoming month, who knows what might happen while I'm here." She mumbled the last part to herself.

Killua seemed overjoyed at her words, not only because of the mention of chocolate robots but the 'while i'm here' was more than enough to tell him that Keiko was indeed staying to help.

If only Keiko were aware the dangers that laid ahead, she would've been on a flight, on the way to the farthest continent away from YorkNew City.