"Normal Speech"
/"Foreign Language"/
'Thought / Scott Speaking'
'Issei Thinking'
'Ddraig Speaking'
"Technique"
[Announcements]
{~o~}
When she woke, the first thing Asia Argento thought was that she didn't remember owning a heated blanket. Then her 'blanket' mumbled and pulled her closer, and she realised her error.
Glancing around from her haven of arms and...other things, the blonde took in her surroundings.
The room followed the same colour scheme as the rest of Issei's home, though it didn't have the pictures and other nick-knacks that were scattered around the ground floor. This was obviously one of the guest rooms, although judging from the outfits she could see in the partly-open wardrobe across the room, it was Raynare's.
Idly, she tried to recall what had happened the night before. She remembered Raynare's confession, she remembered doing her best to comfort the older woman and get her to forgive herself, and then there had been crying and hugging...but what had come next?
She certainly didn't remember coming upstairs, where she was certain they were currently lying since the window revealed nothing but blue sky. There was a blanket tossed over both of them, and a quick check revealed that she was still wearing the dress she had reached Kuoh in – sans boots.
So, Issei had carried them upstairs? That was an...interesting thought.
Asia hadn't thought about the Emperor much after arriving in his home – she had been more focussed on Raynare and getting answers. However, now that she had a quiet moment, she ran over what she knew of him.
He called himself a Gentleman, and it didn't seem to be an idle boast. He acted the part, remaining composed and amiable with her at all times, reassuring her gently when she finally realised they'd walked halfway back to his home and she'd forgotten to ask if he was okay.
'How could I not be?' He had asked her. 'How could any of them touch me, when I was fighting for such a lady as yourself?' His tone had been gently chiding, but full of laughter; as if he was well aware how cheesy and somewhat arrogant he sounded, but was saying it despite all that.
He was a man who knew his place in the world, and was determined to hold that place – regardless of how that might appear to others. Much like her, she supposed. A man of conviction.
She could admire that, and recognise that his nature was selfless – at least regarding women.
But she couldn't help but remember how he'd been in the church. The flame which had burned in his eyes while his voice rang like steel. The cracks of displaced air as he threw punches, breaking the sound barrier as if he did it every day. The snaps of breaking bone, the cries of tumbling men...
He had been at home in the violence, coldly efficient and precise. He'd been a scalpel in a room of hammers...even when he launched a man through the ceiling so hard she was sure his neck must have broken, he had moved on without missing a beat.
Like it had been nothing at all.
Could she really be comfortable around someone who was so well adapted to combat? To someone who could break bones and concuss his fellow man as if it were nothing?
She wasn't sure. It seemed there were two sides to Issei Hyoudou; the Dragon which rained judgement on his foes, and the Gentleman who carried a woman's luggage, made tea, and carefully tucked her in after an emotionally trying afternoon.
Which one was real, if either truly was?
/"You can trust him, you know."/
The sudden interjection of Raynare's voice startled the former nun, and she squeaked as she instinctively tried to jump forward. Arms like steel cable wrapped in foam held her gently in place, preventing her from tumbling off the bed and earning a bruise for her troubles.
/"H...how did you...?"/ The blonde managed to stutter, flushing red. She wasn't even looking at the woman!
/"It's the same thing I asked the first time I woke up in his house,"/ The Fallen admitted, quietly reveling in the feeling of cradling the smaller woman. She had missed this, this feeling of having something to hold and protect. /"I tried to understand him, to unravel his mystery so I could decide if I could trust him."/
Raynare's frame, and Asia's by proximity, shifted slightly as the older woman chuckled. /"As it happens, he's really quite simple to understand. All you have to remember, is that ridiculous title of his – the Gentleman Dragon."/
The blonde's face scrunched up in confusion. /"The...Gentleman Dragon?"/
Raynare hummed in agreement. /"Yes, that's the one. He wants to be the Ultimate Gentleman, the epitome of that which all true men strive for – his words, not mine."/ Another chuckle. /"In fact, he seems to think that being the Red Dragon Emperor is more of a means to that end than something to base his life around. He accepts it, right down to his soul – but he's more focussed on perfecting his 'Shinchi no Jutsu' than on conquering everything in sight, or proving his strength."/
Asia felt her hair shift as the woman behind her shook her head. /"It's absolutely ridiculous, right? A Dragon who willingly places others before himself, who is content to wait and let things come to him on his own merit than to reach and take it as he could."/ A movement that may have been a shrug. /"But that's just who he is. Issei Hyoudou, the Gentleman Dragon. He'll practically be your foot-stool, right up until someone starts making eyes at you – and then, he's making them eat their teeth, their words, and his fist. And all with style, too."/
There was a tone in Raynare's voice that Asia could just barely identify as a mix of amusement and awe. /"I guess...the point of me saying all this, is that you should understand. If you choose to stay, he will offer you his protection and his aid one hundred percent, no strings attached, and I don't believe you'll ever have cause to regret it."/ She started laughing again, even as Asia felt her unease falling away. /"Because that's just the kind of man he is."/
The former nun smiled to herself, shuffling back slightly into the embrace of the Fallen Angel who had saved her life, feeling sleep close in once again. /"The Gentleman Dragon...I guess I kind of like the sound of that..."/
Behind her, Raynare smiled fondly at a head of golden hair as Asia's breathing started to settle once more. /"I hoped you would..."/ She whispered, before closing her own eyes. Last night had been tiring after all.
Idly, she thought she'd need to thank Issei for carrying them up here after they crashed. Comfortable as his couches might be, she certainly didn't want to spend the night on one if she could help it.
{~o~}
Around that time, roughly half an hour's walk away, the man in question was traipsing toward the Occult Research Club's room, lunch tucked under one arm. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised Rias-senpai wanted to see me so soon..." He mused to himself, glancing sideways at his companion.
Koneko Toujou. He didn't know her at all, really, beyond being aware that was a Devil and that she was the school's pinnacle target for lolicons. She, unlike the Kendo Team or a few other popular figures, had never required some quiet aid from him to ensure her privacy remained intact – people trying to peek on the petite girl generally turned up in the infirmary in various shades of black and blue.
If he hadn't known she was a supernatural, Issei might have wondered at the disparity between the size of the target and the scale of the response she could apparently dish out. But when he'd told Raynare he was well aware of how dangerous women could be, he wasn't kidding.
Scott had been emphatic on that point.
'Women are a blessing on this world,' he had confided years before, 'but not all blessings come from God. There are some extremely dangerous women out there, laddie, though their power might not always be physical or magical. Always remember, that just because your opponent is a woman, is no reason to bend over backwards and let yourself die.'
He'd then talked him through a list of the female opponents the large man had done battle with in his lifetime, as well as their capabilities.
By the time he reached Ingrid 'the Ball Buster', Issei was well and truly inoculated against treating women with anything but the utmost respect, both off and on the battlefield – even if respect had far different meanings in each environment.
From observing her on occasion, he understood that Koneko had an appetite that should have been impossible for someone of her size, weight and figure, yet which she managed to maintain anyway. In particular, her sweet tooth was the stuff of legends. Apparently the Cooking Club had an entire book of recipes for her, so high in sugar they would melt an ordinary man's teeth.
Since he knew for a fact that the idiom 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach' didn't actually require a Y chromosome to be applicable, he decided that he might as well start forging some kind of rapport with the girl.
"Toujou-san?" He questioned, flipping the lid on his lunchbox as the largely monotonous Devil turned to look at him. "Would you like my daifuku? I'm not particulary in the mood for sweets today, and I don't want it going to waste..."
Amber eyes locked on to Issei's gaze, sharp and penetrating as they scanned his features. That confirmed what the brunet had suspected; Koneko was sharp, in the same way as he and Raynare were. She could read people, probably to a greater degree than either he or the Fallen if Ddraig's guess as to her nature was correct.
She rarely, rarely, slipped in her suppression of her magical signature. But she did slip, when she thought she was alone; and if he was close enough at the time, Issei could pick up a whisper of her power. There was what he knew now to be a Devil's signature...but there was something else, too. Undoubtedly supernatural, but not belonging to one of the Three Factions, he was now sure.
That left only one real possibility – and if it panned out, that meant that he was dealing with probably the greatest expert in Cold Reading this side of Kyoto's Red-Light District.
Still, that didn't really worry him. If he'd had ulterior motives, it may well have – but right now, his goal was try and cheer up the perpetually dour girl beside him. Nothing more, and nothing less. If a woman in his presence is less than content, then that means a Gentleman isn't performing their role correctly. And Issei took his role very seriously.
After a long three seconds, Koneko apparently found, or didn't find, what she was looking for – and offered a small nod. Reaching into his now-open bento, Issei retrieved the bag of sweets, placing them gently on her upraised palms before re-securing his lunch and putting it back under his arm.
As the sound of quiet chewing came from beside him, the brunet hoped he'd just taken the first step on a road to dispel the clouds and shadow that the younger girl wrapped herself in. She did not suit her disposition, and unless she directly stated that she didn't wish for him to do so, it was his self-elected job to try and unearth the real Koneko from wherever she had been buried.
"...Thank you."
Issei smiled. "You're welcome."
{~o~}
"Welcome back, Issei-san." Rias greeted as the brunet walked into the club room, bowing his head in a respectful greeting as he smiled.
"Thank you, Rias-senpai. It's good to see you again." A quick glance revealed that the full line-up was here once again; Kiba against the wall, as apparently-per-usual. Akeno on a couch, a teapot and several cups on a tray in front of her. Rias behind her desk, glasses laid to the side of some paperwork.
Koneko glanced back at him, nodded once, and then moved away to what was apparently her claimed seat on the couch across from Akeno, quietly working her way through the already part-depleted bag of sweets.
"Likewise," the redhead returned with a smile, gesturing to a seat which appeared to have been dragged out from somewhere. It was the same as the others in the room, set up to face Rias directly over the table separating Akeno and Koneko. "I apologise that I didn't offer last time, but would you like a seat?"
He waved off her apology. "It's nothing to worry about, Rias-senpai. No need to go to trouble on my account." Walking forward, he glanced towards her before seating himself. "My thanks."
He settled into the comfortable piece of furniture, and it was Rias' turn to wave off the well-wishing. "Not at all, Issei-san. It's only common courtesy."
Inclining his head slightly with a small smile, the Red Dragon Emperor composed himself, right leg folded over his left knee and his hands clasped together, resting on the aligned knees. "Shall I take it, Rias-senpai, that you wish to know the results of yesterday's rescue mission?"
The girl nodded, idly thanking her Queen as the other teen left a cup of tea on a coaster near her glasses. "My familiar went to the church after we sensed the barrier come down, but I'd prefer to ask you directly than try to piece things together from the aftermath."
Nodding once again, Issei smiled at Akeno as she placed another cup of tea on the table in front of him. "Thank you very much, Himejima-senpai."
The raven-haired girl giggled, holding her now-empty tray to her chest. "You are quite welcome, Shinchi-kun."
Issei raised an eyebrow, but chuckled even as he wrapped his hands around the cup. "A nickname already, senpai? I feel honoured."
Something between a snort and a chuckle came from the wall. "You probably shouldn't, Hyoudou-san." Kiba warned him. "Akeno-san only gives nicknames to people she has taken a...personal interest in."
The brunet read between the lines easily enough...but a Gentleman did not back down from a challenge. Particularly a lady's challenge. "My oh my, to think I've so quickly come to the attention of my esteemed senpai." He took a sip from his cup, offering Akeno herself a beatific smile. "Now I am most definitely honoured."
The smile she returned was almost exactly the same expression he himself wore – a flawless smile, that only a perceptive observer would realise served as a mask to any and all feelings beneath it. That cinched it, for Issei – Akeno was sharp too.
'I wonder if perceptiveness is a trait common to all supernaturals, or if I simply find myself surrounded by highly intelligent women.' He really hoped it was the latter – though he treated them with the respect they were due as a member of the fairer sex, he generally preferred to stay away from air heads and shallow women. They had too little substance to them – it was sad, but true, and he had to admit it.
Women like Akeno, Raynare, Rias and apparently Koneko, though? They were most definitely worth the effort.
From behind her desk, Rias coughed politely, drawing Issei's attention away from the raven-haired girl, his smile becoming more genuine as he moved. "Ah, please accept my apologies Rias-senpai – Himejima-senpai makes a truly awe-inspiring cup of tea." He punctuated the statement with another sip, and beside him, Akeno's smile turned slightly predatory.
Kiba met his gaze for a moment, offering a nod which roughly translated to 'best of luck', while Koneko's eyes flickered between him and Akeno for a moment before the tiniest trace of a smile pulled at her lips.
Rias just shook her head in exasperation, a wry smile on her features. "Yes, Akeno is very good at what she does." A look of amusement flashed in her eyes. "If you can drag yourself away from appreciating her work, could you give me a quick report of what happened yesterday then?"
Internally, the brunet chuckled – it seemed the Gremory heiress was not above taking a few potshots in good humour. Ah, to be surrounded by such women – all his hard work was a paying off at once these past few days!
"Of course, Rias-senpai." He placed his cup back on the table, cleared his throat, and launched into his abbreviated explanation.
"I picked up Asia's magical signature as soon as I exited the barrier surrounding the academy, though I attribute this more to the fact that I was expecting it than to my own skill."
A Gentleman is always modest.
"I managed to track her down near the centre of town, where I discovered she was lost, and did not speak enough Japanese to get directions to the church. Thankfully, I possess a skill which allowed us to understand one another, and I was able to strike up a rapport and offer to escort her there.
"En-route, we came across a young boy with a damaged knee, which Asia proceeded to heal."
Rias raised an eyebrow, and Issei expanded. "As it turns out, her reputation as a miraculous healer is entirely based on fact – she possesses the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing."
Across the room, Kiba let out a long whistle. "Twilight Healing. A Sacred Gear that can heal the wounds and restore the energy of anybody, no matter if they are Angel, Fallen, Devil, Human, Youkai or something else entirely. The most powerful Healing-type Sacred Gear known to exist."
Issei nodded to his explanation. "Precisely. At that point, I understood why the Grigori, or whosoever was controlling Raynare's cell from within their ranks, were willing to take such risks in procuring it."
Rias nodded, chewing her lower lip. "Possessing such a powerful recovery aid would be an incredible force multiplier for any force; give it to someone with prodigious reserves, extensive magical experience and combat ability, and the benefits become exponential."
She looking back to Issei. "Pardon, Issei-san. Please, continue."
Acknowleding the request with a nod, the brunet obliged. "From words exchanged afterwards, I came to understand that, despite parting ways with the Church, Asia still has her faith. She still prays, and sees her Sacred Gear as having been given to her by God to do good in His name."
There was a dissatisfied grunting from Kiba at that, and Issei noted it for future investigation.
"When we reached the church, I immediately became aware of a large concentration of bloodlust from within, alongside the presence of multiple Fallen Angels and a truly disgusting presence I have since determined to have been the Stray Exorcist Freed Sellzen."
The name caused grimaces to appear on every face. Sellzen's reputation had spread beyond the church, into the Grigori and Devil factions. It was a testament to his skill that he hadn't been killed within months of leaving the Church, with a rap sheet like his.
"Asia tried to persuade me to leave her there and proceed no further. By observing her, I believe she understood what she was getting into, but took their offer to continue 'doing God's work' as being worth it."
Another unhappy noise from Kiba. The blond swordsman definitely didn't seem to have any love lost between himself and the church.
"I made my entrance after having secured Asia and our possessions, then proceeded to engage the force arrayed within. It was, as Raynare told me, a company of fifty Stray Exorcists alongside Sellzen and three other Fallen."
He began ticking off fingers. "A combination of Ddraig's Aspect of Dominion, my own expertise in aura manipulation and close quarters combat served to dispatch the cannon fodder." One finger. "Sellzen engaged me at that time, while the Fallen remained at range to bombard me. Once he closed with me, I dispatched him with...prejudice."
Another finger, and the glimmer of satisfaction in the Devils' eyes made Issei well aware that, despite not being the monsters that many tended to claim, these were still people who could appreciate the value of good, old-fashioned vengeance.
"Finally, I engaged the three Fallen, who had chosen to remain within the church instead of fleeing. Dohnaseek suffered extreme concussive trauma to his midsection, causing instant unconsciousness. Kalawarner and Mittelt both suffered similarly, but the trauma was more widespread, resulting in fewer injuries."
A final finger ticked off, and Issei took a sip of tea. "At that time, I requested that Asia lodge with me until she has time to decide her next move. She agreed, and spent the evening in Raynare's company before falling asleep. The last I saw of her, she was resting peacefully in one of my guest bedrooms, healthy – if exhausted."
Report concluded, Issei sat back a bit as Rias tapped her chin, sifting through all the information. "Thank you, Issei-san." She told him idly, eyes not really focussed on him as she thought. "As you have been so forthright, once again, allow me to return the favour.
"My Familiar reported to me once the church was safe for us to enter, and my Peerage and I entered to assess the area." Looking down and to the side, Rias appeared to rifle in a drawer before pulling out a sheet of paper, reading from it.
"We accounted for a total of fifty exorcists, all confirmed as stray by the Vatican, all in need of hospitalisation. They were sent to the Underworld via transport circle, and will likely by sent to the Vatican for punishment." She turned over the page of what Issei now realised was a multi-page report.
"We apprehended both Mittelt and Kalawarner; each of them will be returned to the Grigori, most likely for a ransom. Neither of them suffered any major injuries." Issei nodded in satisfaction; it would appear he had judged his actions well.
"Unfortunately," the Devil continued, "we couldn't find Dohnaseek, although there was an impact point littered with feathers and blood that was likely his resting place. It would appear he managed to escape, one way or another."
The brunet frowned. That wasn't the best news he could have received; true, the Fallen was absolutely no threat to him, nor could he realistically get past the barriers on his home. However, he represented information. Information on his techniques, his capabilities, and likely whatever data had been gathered on him for the cell's list of notables.
The redhead glanced up at him, offering a sympathetic look to show she understood. Turning back to the report, she frowned herself. "We didn't manage to find Sellzen, either, which worries me. We combed the area, but there was no sign of him whatsoever. He's vanished, which is a mystery because when you say 'dispatched with prejudice', I'm inclined to say he wouldn't have been going anywhere on his own...?"
A raised eyebrow accompanied her question, and Issei shook his head. "No. I'm certain I shattered everything solid in the lower half of his face, breaking through the roof likely concussed him, to say nothing of falling from the height he did. Insane or not, he couldn't have walked away from that landing."
"As I thought..." Rias muttered, rubbing her eyes as she put the report down. "I like a mystery as much as the next girl, but I could do without this one."
"I understand completely," Issei assured her, finishing his tea with a sigh. "I can't promise anything, but I will keep an ear to the ground. The odds of you missing something and me finding it are slim, I realise, but I hope you understand you have my support in this matter, Rias-senpai."
A genuine smile blessed Rias' face, and she nodded. "Thank you, Issei-san. Please, make sure to let Argento-san and Raynare-san know that they are both welcome in our territory, and will enjoy our protection as friends of a friend." She bit her lower lip again. "I am right in saying we are friends, aren't I?"
Grinning widely, Issei stood, offering a bow like he'd done on their first meeting. "I would be most pleased to count myself as your friend, Rias-senpai." Rising, he bobbed his head to each of the other people in the room. "I hope that, with time, I can say the same for each member of your Peerage."
Turning, he headed to the door, offering a wave and a smile as he pulled it open. "Good afternoon, Rias-senpai, Himejima-senpai, Kiba-san, Toujou-san."
Farewells from Akeno, Rias and Kiba followed him out, as well as a barely audible well-wishing from the quiet girl on the couch.
He grinned to himself as he walked. Playing the long game truly did pay off, it seemed.
{~o~}
As Issei closed the door gently behind him, Rias leaned back in her seat, still smiling although the expression shrank some. "At this point, I don't particulary care whether or not he becomes part of the Peerage. If we can get him to ally himself with us, then that alone will be a huge mark in our favour."
"I agree, Rias." Akeno told her, talking plainly now that it was only the Peerage. "Setting aside the prestige of being the one to secure the assistance of the Red Dragon Emperor, just having an ally who conducts themselves as well as he does is a point in your favour."
Kiba hummed an agreement. "The more time I spend with him, the more I find myself itching to try and match him." Seeing the look on his King's face, he hastened to correct her assumption. "Not in combat, Buchou – I'll admit that I'm interested in seeing how I would match up, but I'm not willing to risk our relationship with him for my own battle mania." The blond shook his head. "No, I want to match him as a man."
The rest of the room, who were all female, gave him odd looks. The swordsman just shrugged. "I can't explain it very well, but there are a lot of intricacies and unspoken rules to interactions between guys. Since we're both Gentlemen, it's even more complex." Steely gray eyes shifted to the door. "The way he holds himself, the way he speaks, even the way he exists...it's an inspiration to someone like me."
The three girls in the room shared glances, all of them communicating the exact same thought.
'Men.'
{~o~}
When school let out, Issei wandered back home in the afternoon sun, recalling his meeting with Rias and her Peerage, going over what he'd learned.
'Akeno is the pragmatic one. She looks at the world in quantities, numbers, advantages and disadvantages. At the same time, it feels like that's another mask...I just can't see what's beneath it yet.
'Rias tries, but she doesn't have the same cool edge. She cares honestly for her Peerage, as individuals rather than as Pieces, and while that inspires loyalty it may be a disadvantage in some ways.
'Koneko is...anomalous, at the moment. She's quiet and prefers to observe the world, keeping a shell between it and her real self. She's likely either been trained, or has trained herself, to act in that fashion – there's a story behind that which I will need to understand if I wish to help her.
'I thought Kiba was simple enough – a Gentleman, like me – but it appears I was mistaken. His little outbursts when I mentioned Asia's faith, the way he fingered his sword when I mentioned exorcists...he has a massive axe to grind with the Church, and I can't help but worry that it may be too much for him to bear.'
The brunet let out a long sigh, while Scott offered another of his emotional pats on the shoulder. 'Hang in there, lad. They're a complex group of complex individuals, but you'll have time to get to know them.'
"That's making a pretty damn big assumption, Scott." Issei muttered. "Dohnaseek and Freed...I have to assume that both escaped, which means information about our abilities has leaked. We have to assume that we've lost the element of surprise, at least to a certain extent."
Ddraig grunted. 'It is unfortunate, yes. But remember Partner, even without me there's likely not a human alive that you can't defeat. When we combine our powers, then anything up to and including one of the Domain Angels should be within our abilities to conquer.'
"I know that..." Issei sighed. "But I'm getting a bad feeling, and I can't help but think about all those people you and Scott have mentioned that make those Eight-Wing Angels seemed like kids in the sandbox."
Neither of his tenants replied. They had indeed shared a great many tales of their more difficult battles, imprinting upon their charge a basic fact of life. There was always someone better than you, no matter how high on the ladder you climbed. That was why being the 'best' at anything was a lifelong dream; you had to chase everyone in front of you, and then outrun everyone behind you.
Of course, Issei pushed forward anyway. He was going to be the Ultimate Gentleman, even if it killed him!
Though preferably not before he'd at least got one moment of glorious satisfaction in the face of a job well done.
"Ah, well." He threw his head back, staring at the sky. "I guess it can't be helped. We'll keep up our training, maybe try and include Raynare, Asia...perhaps even Rias-senpai and her Peerage." He frowned. "Something tells me...that we're going to need all the allies we can have standing beside us..."
{~o~}
In the Boosted Gear, two aged beings shared glances. Both knew the power of instinct, be it that of a warrior or a Dragon. Someone like Issei, who was both, was particularly attuned to that strange, massively complex web of cause and effect known to most as 'causality', 'the universe' and 'fate'. When he had a bad feeling, they listened.
Taking care not to project his voice to Issei, the ginger-haired battle mage folded his arms across his chest, facing a sombre Dragon that towered over him like a mountain over a mole hill. "Fit d'you think, Ddraig?" He asked, his natural accent coming to the fore. Both he and the Dragon hailed from the same isles, after all – even if he dropped it around Issei, for the lad's benefit, he liked to let loose a little now and again.
"It might be getting close to that time, yes." The mountain of scales and muscle rumbled. "He has been synchronising more and more, drawing upon more and more of my power. He must either move to the next step or halt his progress here, lest he unbalance himself."
The ancient Scotsman sighed, running one hand through his scraggly orange locks. "Ah'd 'oped 'e might hae a few years yet to enjoy h'mself. 'Afore he 'ad tae mak his choice."
Ddraig let out a sigh of his own, though it was more akin to a hurricane. "As did I. However, needs must, as I believe the saying goes."
Turning his gaze to the sky, where the view out of Issei's eyes was projected, Scott nodded. "That it does, Ddraig. That it does."
{~o~}
"I'm home!"
Issei idly noted that he was using that phrase more in the past few days than he had almost the entire previous year. Sure, he appreciated basically having his own place. And sure, he was happy that his parents were off living the life they wanted to. But now and again, coming home to an empty building grated on him.
When two female voices called "Welcome back!" as one, he instead felt an uplifting warmth. This was the warmth only a woman could bring; one of the many reasons they were so worth cherishing.
Tossing his satchel upstairs as was his habit, Issei wandered through into the living room as he unbuttoned his jacket, finding Asia and Raynare curled up on one of the couches.
The former nun had changed out of her dress, and instead was clad in a light-green sundress, foregoing shoes and socks as she tucked her legs beneath her and scanned the pages of the book in front of her eyes.
Beside her, legs extending to the side as she curled them in, Raynare's features were happily locked into a soft smile, the joy practically radiating off her like an aura. If she was beautiful normally, she was almost doubly so like this; even wearing a simple, plain t-shirt and slacks. If it weren't for the differences between them, Issei might well have mistaken the two for sisters.
"Hello, Issei-san!" Asia called, looking up from the book to offer him a smile. "How was your day?"
"All the better for seeing you at the end of it, Asia-san." He replied happily, settling into another couch which faced them across a coffee table. /"I take it that Raynare's been helping you learn Japanese, then?"/
The blonde nodded happily. /"Yes, she has. I asked about it, and she was kind enough to offer her help."/ She raised the book she had been reading, which Issei now realised was an introductory text to Japanese, written in English. He was fluent in the language, or at least a variant of it, thanks to Scott's tuition – however, he hadn't considered that Asia might know it.
'I didn't even need Rikai, did I?'
/"It's difficult, but I think I'm getting the hang of it."/
Issei smiled as Raynare rested one hand on Asia's hand, gently stroking her hair. /"You're coming along nicely, Asia. Don't rush yourself, try to enjoy the learning. You'll find yourself taking things in far more easily if you're enjoying yourself while you work."/
/"Got it, Issei!"/ The girl chirped, raising one fist in determination. /"I'll be fluent before you know it!"/
The brunet chuckled, bowing his head. /"I have no doubt about it."/ Rising with a groan, he stretched a bit. /"Now, if the ladies will excuse me, I need a shower before I start making dinner. Have fun, you two."/
/"We will!"/ Both called after him, even as he retreated upstairs to grab a change of clothes.
He didn't stop smiling; seeing the two of them together like that was heartening, and it was quite obvious that Raynare had decided to put her oldest skill-set to good use, even as Asia accepted it. Consciously or not, he wasn't sure – but the blonde was entirely at ease with sitting beside the Fallen, even being in constant contact with her, and indeed seemed to enjoy it.
Yes, those two were good for one another.
But right now, a good meal would stand them all in good stead, once he'd removed the worst of the day from his skin. Sometimes, he wondered if it would be worth the investment of research, experimentation and constant power emission to invent some kind of magical anti-perspirant. If he was going to be living with two women, and interacting daily with a further three, it just might become a viable idea.
He scribbled it down on the sheet of paper hanging over his desk, marked 'Things to Do and Think About'. There were several other loose ideas hanging about on there, some of which were pipe dreams, some of which were basically impossible (for now, at least) and a few of which he was still tinkering with in his spare time.
Newest contribution made, he set off down the corridor. Dinner wasn't going to make itself.
{~o~}
Elsewhere, two bandaged figures lay on cots much like those which could be found in hospitals.
One's entire face was swathed in wrappings, his neck held stationary by a brace while his legs were kept elevated by wraps hanging from the ceiling. He was unconscious, and kept that way by sedatives until he was more recovered.
The other had a cast on one leg, and bandages wrapped around his midsection beneath a plain white robe – but apart from that, he bore no more signs of injury than bruising or small cuts.
He lay on his back, unable to sit up because of the strain on his damaged abdominal muscles, cursing everything from God, to the absent-presumed-dead Raynare, to the Twilight Healing user, to the bastard who had done this to him (and occasionally, and very, very quietly, the monster that had set him the mission in the first place.)
Then the door opened, admitting a figure in black armour, its features shrouded by the shadows of its helm, which ran a cursory gaze across the charts at the end of both beds, before focussing its abyssal attentions on the injured Fallen. "Agent Dohnaseek. You were the acting leader of your cell, which has failed in its mission. You are also the last remaining member, as Sellzen was operating under different orders."
A menacing pressure began to ooze from the humanoid, and the two-wing Fallen felt a shiver run up his spine. "You will make your report. And if he is feeling merciful, Kokabiel-sama may decide to let you live."
It leaned in. "May."
Dohnaseek gulped. "Understood. Our aggressor was the Red Dragon Emperor..."
Compendium:
Shinchi: Gentleman
Domain Angel: An Angel with eight wings or more, powerful enough to have been given a Domain to rule over by God. This can be anything from an element like Fire, to a concept like Judgement, to a star like Sirius and basically anything else. (Note: This is non-canon, I made it up.)
Author's Note
Hello, one and all, and welcome back!
So, another chapter's come and gone. Not much happening this time around; mostly dealing with the aftermath of the battle at the church, tying up loose ends and setting things up for the future.
Asia and Raynare are growing closer rapidly, with Issei factoring in for both of them while Rias resolves herself further to secure his favour. At the same time, the Red Dragon Emperor's existence has been confirmed for a certain Twilight-looking-ass-motherfucker; what changes will be wrought?
And in the background, two ancient beings make plans of their own...
Yes, the train is picking up speed, and things are going to get interesting around here.
Also, Scott's change in speech - that's about the best I can write a Scots accent, so please bear with it. I'm fairly sure it should still be legible, but if enough people complain, I'll write a translation somewhere - perhaps below the line itself, or in the Compendium. I'll cross that bridge if we come to it.
Did you see something you liked? Something you didn't? Is it the third Tuesday of a month ending in 'Y' and you have a hankering for chocolate? Is your reason even more ridiculous than that? Then feel free to leave a review. I'll consider every idea I'm offered, so don't be shy!
Until next time,
Ja ne!