The Divine Demon - Book 3: Your Hero

3. Moving Day (Part 1)

In the week since the internship orientation, the truce made between Riarshi and his former critics had held strong. 

It was a cloudy and chilly December morning when the Clarke's, Hara, Adachi, and Leon all travelled to Westray to help Riarshi move out of his apartment. Once they finished their own move-ins, the six bodies piled into Mr. Clarke's minivan and sped off. Towering skyscrapers transitioned to trees and single floor ranches as they made their way out of the city and into the rural part of the country. 

Trees bare of leaves lined the winding roads of Westray as they looked out the windows of the car. Only Tabito, Tabbie, and Mr. Clarke had ventured out of the city on multiple occasions. Hara had only done so once - after the events of the Tryout. The change in scenery was nothing new to the Clarke's. Even Nico let out a nostalgic sigh as he watched the streets he often walked in the past fly by as he drove. 

Adachi and Leon, on the other hand, observed the run-down houses and storefronts with awe and astonishment in their eyes. 

Despite the general unfamiliarity of these parts, the group had an important job to do. Riarshi had helped them all in the past in a variety of different ways, even going so far as to save some of their lives. 

Tabbie remembered this especially as she blushed from just the mere thought of her hero. 

 This was just a small way to repay the favor. Now, it was their turn to help their commoner friend.

***

"Is this going?" Leon asked, pointing to a beaten box that sat in the corner of Riarshi's family room. Only a single slip of packing tape kept the already ripped lid shut.

"Yeah, that's my box of DVD's," answered Riarshi, placing his coffee maker into a box. "I haven't been watching them lately, but I definitely don't wanna give them away."

"DVD's?" Leon breathed in disbelief, glancing back the box. He looked at Riarshi with an arched eyebrow. "Why don't you just stream movies when you wanna watch 'em?"

Riarshi continued to box up an assortment of random mugs and glasses. "Don't have that kind of money, Leon."

Leon looked around the room. Small holes and dripping cracks littered the grayed walls and ceiling of Riarshi's small apartment. The apartment was rather clean, but there was obvious wear and tear on the rug and surrounding structures,  probably from before any of them were even born.

Leon's nose crinkled. It surprisingly didn't stink. He clearly didn't think much of the place, but he neglected to comment. He never imagined it could be this bad outside of the city. 

"No Helga today?" Riarshi asked.

"Nah," said Adachi as he lifted a smaller box of folded pants, "She's moving in right now herself."

"Oh... damn," said Riarshi. "Sorry I'm making you guys help me instead."

Leon shuffled toward the door with the box of DVD's in his arms. "Hey, she's only gotta move about five minutes away. You need the most help, by far."

"I'll take that, Riarshi!" said a small, squeaky voice to Riarshi's side.

Riarshi looked down and smiled. "Be careful, Tabbie," he strained, lowering the box into the young girl's outstretched arms. "These are my favorite mugs. If you break one I'll never marry you, okay?"

Tabbie's usually gleeful face morphed into one of utter seriousness and determination. "Yes, sir."

Nico Clarke - Tabbie and Tabito's father - came walking in through the front door just before Tabbie rushed out with the box of mugs held close to her body. He took a small step to the side to let his daughter pass through, then gazed around the apartment.