Death painted her nails like no one else. With smooth, fluid motions she managed an even and mess free coat in just a few swipes. Years of practice, she'd say, if asked. She wouldn't say just how many years. Even if pressed.
Death sat at the table in her realm, regarding her handiwork and waiting for it to dry. She sat in the dining room. Or it would be a dining room, if there was ever anyone to dine there. Family gatherings didn’t go over very well anymore. But she would be damned if she didn’t keep a good house.
"Sis?" a thin voice called out. Death blew gently on her hands and smiled.
"I'm in my gallery….place. I've got your – thing. Can I…can I come in?"
Death's own gallery was dark and lined with monstrous picture frames, all depicting one item. All except the very last, which was hung with heavy black drapes. Probably not a very good idea in the current circumstances. She stood in the middle of the hall with her hands on her hips.
"Well, come on, then. I'm not Dream, you don't have to stand on ceremony,"
"Oh. Ok," the girl appeared in bits and pieces, Cheshire cat-like, starting with her rainbow colored hair, one green eye and then one blue eye, and ending with a slightly wet pop and a small fish which floated off down the hall. "I wanted to talk to somebody. I wanted to talk to my brother, but…" her gaze darted around, avoiding her sister's.
"Well, I'll just have to do then, won't I?" Death smiled gently and held out a hand. "Are you hungry, Del? You can have whatever you like,"
Delirium took her hand without a word and they returned together to the dining room.
"Can I have the cereal with the little marshmallows?" she asked once seated. "Only I just want the marshmallows. And those little sour people. I like to lick the sugar off first. Then I go for the heads,"
"Of course, hon," Death clasped her hands in front of her.
"Is he here?"
"Is who here?"
Delirium regarded the bowl that appeared in front of her as if it contained all the answers in the universe.
"Our brother is real mad. I lied before when I said I wanted to talk to Destruction. I mean, I do, all the time, but – are you doing something wrong?"
"If Destiny is angry with me, that is because he is blind to everything but what's right in front of his face. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into him, the book changes all the time. Dream was the worst about it, too. Besides, this is just another part of my job,"
Delirium nodded.
"I guess that's ok, then," she said quietly. "I like your nails. They're real black and shiny,"
"Thank you. Would you like me to do yours too?"
Looking down at her uneven, ragged, chewed down fingertips, Delirium smiled.
"Ok,"
Death returned the smile, picked up the small bottle at her side and moved to sit next to her sister.
"I always paint my nails to relax. There's something so satisfying about it, don't you think?"
"Mm," Delirium watched transfixed as the black liquid covered her fingertips one by one. "You know, you didn't answer my question,"
"Which one was that?"
"The one where I said is he here. And you said is who here. Only you know who I'm talking about. Im not dumb, you know,"
Death finished off Delirium's left hand and reached for her right. "He's here. He's still getting used to things. He'll stay out of our way, though, don't worry. I didn't want to upset you,"
"Is he really going to replace my brother?"
"I don't know yet, hon. He has to make that decision on his own. But if he does, he'll be your brother too, ok?"
Delirium sat for a long while, hands held out straight in front of her, fingers spread. Death put the bottle of polish away and cleared the half eaten junk food. Occasionally she caught faint sounds of movements from the other room. He was pacing, probably turning over everything in his mind.
"Sis?"
"Mm?"
"Can we all visit Destruction, afterward? I want to see the doggy. I think he'd like it, too,"
"You seem pretty sure about this,"
Delirium thought. Her fingers, still stretched out in front of her, wiggled.
"Either way, we can still see the doggy, right?"
"Of course,"
There was a faint step in the hallway. The two sisters paused, ears pricked.
"You don't have to stay, Del," Death whispered.
"It's ok. I lied, that time I first came in. And that other time that I said before. But mostly the first time. I didn't really want to talk. Well, I did. But mostly I wanted to see him."
A man appeared before them in a disheveled suit, disheveled hair, and a weary expression. Delirium peered up at him with intensely blue eyes. Death squeezed her shoulder, straightened, and beamed.
"So! You must have come to a decision about my offer, if you're out here,"
"Yes,"
"Great! Let's hear it, then,"
The man cleared his throat, attempted to straighten his tie, glanced momentarily at Delirium.
"Of course, if the choice is to join your family or disappear into the void, I choose the former. I will become Destruction,"
It was as if the entire realm was holding its breath, and finally exhaled. Delirium immediately jumped up and ran to him, grabbing his hand.
"Can we go see the doggy now? You have to come too, ok? You have to meet out brother. And our other brother. And there's a sister too, I think. I can't remember, sometimes. I hope I don't forget you right away, though. Do you like my nails? My sister painted them,"
The man looked over at Death, bewildered.
"I…I shall require some materials," he managed.
"Sure. Whatever you need,"
"A notebook, then. And plenty of pens. And access to a news outlet of some sort?"
Death followed the two into her gallery, the man being pulled along by a chattering Delirium.
"We'll get you set up in your on realm real soon, Light. But how about humoring my sister for a bit? Not to scare you away on the first day, but she can be a handful when she doesn’t get her way,"
They stopped at the far end of the gallery, in front of the black draped portrait. Delirium reached out with her free hand to grasp the sword leaning up in front of it.
Universes and dimensions away, Destiny grimaced. That his book changed was a matter of course; he didn't necessarily have to like it. Not that his personal feelings ever entered into the equation. The rustling of pages mingled with the breeze rustling the hedges on either side of him. He let out a short sigh and closed the book.
Light Yagami shivered as the two sisters pulled him into Destruction's realm.
