It was past midnight in the store apartment.
Everyone was asleep.
The lights were off. The city outside was quiet. Even the usually noisy refrigerator hummed softly like it didn't want to wake anyone.
On the couch, Vario was sleeping like a fallen warrior after a long battle with retail.
His phone rested loosely in his hand.
He rolled over.
His thumb slid across the screen.
A number dialed.
Ring…
Ring…
Someone answered.
"Law Office of Ramirez & Cole. This is Attorney Cole speaking."
On the couch, Vario mumbled in his sleep.
"…No… not the bullet hell…"
Attorney Cole paused.
"…Hello?"
Vario turned slightly.
"…I didn't break the arcade… the dragon cheated…"
The lawyer blinked slowly.
"…Sir?"
Vario continued sleep-talking.
"…And the kid started it… I didn't lose… it was tactical defeat…"
Attorney Cole rubbed his forehead.
"…Is this a prank call?"
From the couch came more mumbling.
"…Also… the Oni works here now…"
At that exact moment, Nyx walked into the room to grab a drink.
She froze when she heard Vario talking.
"…Vario?"
The phone speaker answered.
"HELLO?? WHO IS THIS??"
Nyx slowly walked over.
She looked at the screen.
Her eyes widened.
"…Why are you calling a lawyer."
Vario snored.
Nyx carefully picked up the phone.
"Uh… hello?"
The lawyer immediately sounded relieved.
"Oh thank goodness. Is everything alright there? I think your friend is confessing to several crimes."
Nyx looked at Vario sleeping peacefully.
"…That sounds about right."
The lawyer sighed.
"He mentioned breaking an arcade machine, assault by a child, and something about… soup theft."
Nyx pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…Long story."
Bella's voice came from the hallway.
"What's going on?"
Nyx whispered back, "Vario called a lawyer in his sleep."
Bella paused.
"…Of course he did."
On the couch, Vario turned again.
"…Your honor… the dragon cheated…"
The lawyer went silent.
"…Did he just say 'your honor'?"
Nyx sighed.
"I'm really sorry about this."
She ended the call and set the phone down.
Bella looked at Vario.
"You think he dreams about court cases now?"
Nyx shrugged.
"After the things he's done… probably."
Goro's voice came from the other room.
"…If he requires legal defense, I will testify."
Bella looked toward the hallway.
"You'd defend him?"
Goro answered calmly.
"…He survived the child warrior. That earns respect."
Vario snored loudly.
"…Objection…"
Nyx pulled a blanket over him.
"Go back to sleep, lawyer boy."
The apartment returned to silence.
Somewhere across town, Attorney Cole sat in his office staring at his phone.
"…What just happened."