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demon-of-math · 3 months

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Followup to this. :)

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Koru hadn't been to a mall in at least a decade. From what he knew of the modern world, they weren't all that popular anymore in most universes. So when Ori insisted they go on an "emergency family mall trip" because Finch had never been to a Build-a-Bear, he was surprised to say the least.

As they walked down the busy aisleways of the megaplex, Koru eyed a store he hadn't set foot in since he stopped wearing eyeshadow. A wave of nostalgia punched him in the chest, and he couldn't help himself.

Once Ori and Finch were out of sight, he turned away from the shoe store he said he would stop at and strolled into the Hot Topic across the way.

The demon smiled and thanked the employee that greeted him as he headed inside. It was small, packed with fandom merch, and proudly displayed rows upon rows of pop culture t-shirts. The inventory had changed a lot; but they looked to still have some good stuff (he had to stifle a laugh when he found a Death Note hoodie his younger self would have loved).

"Scuse me," called an oddly familiar voice behind him. "Do you guys have jewelery or chains on sale?"

Koru turned around to answer. "Oh, sorry, I don't work h-" but he stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing who he was speaking to.

She had shimmering violet hair like the feathers of a raven. Her eyes were a bright, almost silvery color. She was tall and lanky and pale, almost like she had one foot in the grave.

But it was her. It had to be.

Eyes wide and voice trembling, the demon spoke. "...Sandy?"

The woman stared at him blanklu for a moment, before suddenly gasping. "Holy shit- Koru-?!"

"S- Sandy! My hells, I thought you were- what are you- I-"

"I can explain," she responded quickly, a nervous smile flashing onto her face. "But first I'm gonna need a hug."

Koru didn't hesitate to pull her into an embrace, fighting back his tears in hoped they wouldn't dirty his glasses. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Sandy took in a shaking breath of her own. "Neither did I. But look at us now." She was the first to pull away from the hug, looking down at him with warmth in her eyes.

As they pulled away, Koru took a second to clear his throat and calm down. "So... what are you doing here? I thought you..." he trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud.

Sandy sighed, straightening out her shirtsleeves. "I did. And I shouldn't have... it was a stupid decision, even if it got me where I am now."

That shook the demon, knowing what he'd last heard of her had been the truth. "And... where exactly is that?"

Her smile brightened again, and from the waist of her belt, she brandished a silver pocketwatch. On its lid was the emblem of a crossed pair of scythes fronted by a skull. "Closer to you now."

Koru's bittersweet joy made way for shock, then realization, then pride and happiness. "You're a reaper?"

Sandy nodded, opening the watch and checking the face. "I'm here on a job, actually. I work for a purgatory and collect souls who passed thebsame way I did," she explained, before adding, "And I've been looking for your hell in the meantime."

That meant a lot to him. To think his first true friend had been looking for him even after her death... it almost justified the tragedy. "Well- hey, my door's always open. My hell is connected to this universe, so... now you know."

She huffed and smiled. "What about you? Did you get summoned with mayonnaise this time?" she joked, causing Koru to laugh as well.

"No, actually, I'm... I'm here with my kids," he replied, feeling a little bashful to admit that.

"Kids?" Her smile turned a little more playful. "You really adopted that angel boy, then?"

Koru's smile fell immediately, a pang of remorse shocking his heart at the memory. "...not him. He's... not around anymore."

Sandy watched his expression, and grimaced as she realized she had touched a sore spot. Rather than asking about it, she redirected the subject to the present. "Well... who's here now? That's what matters most, right?"

Koru met her gaze again, remembering that was something he had said to her all those years ago, and his smile returned to him.

"I'll introduce you."

#koru lore #sandra the soulkeeper

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