S.R: This is going to be fun, so let's get into it!
After having split off from Asuka and Caitlynn respectively the two teenage boys managed to track each other down without much hassle. Somehow the two of them figured it would come down to them to keep their joke going.
"Oh hey, I see you're on your own now too."
Izayoi commented after bumping into Dante. For his part the black haired boy just chuckled though he mentioned that he was already plotting to do something else as payback since Black Rabbit ruined his date with Caitlynn.
"Really now? Who's idea was it to be an actual date?"
"Hers. Apparently our joking had gotten her flustered enough to think about what it would be like and that made her realize she had developed a crush on me. Don't know how considering just how little time I've actually spent around her."
"You're not the only one confused on that. Asuka was getting flustered by comments people around us were making, but because of a talent for reading people I realized her embarrassment was because she wanted the things people were saying to be true."
"Seriously? Either we have some extraordinary charisma, or their crushes have come about because we're the only two males around their age that they get to interact with…. But that leaves the question of Yo having similar thoughts to them."
At that point Dante who's hearing was far more keen than a normal human caught the sound of running, and gestured with his head towards the rooftops. He and Izayoi both jumped upwards landing on the eves of a building just in time to see a flash of pink below them.
"Let's shelf this talk for later. It seems like our prank is coming to an end."
Izayoi commented, as the flash of pink stopped and looked around allowing the two a proper view that allowed them to identify it as Black Rabbit. But because of how brazen they were, being the only two up on the rooftops she easily caught sight of them to.
Jumping up onto the rooftop across from Black Rabbit stared the two teens down. Glaring as she raised an eyebrow with her words.
"Did you really think I would find that letter as amusing as you all did?"
In unison the two replied that they agreed it was taking things a bit too far with their joke, but in their defense it was just that. A joke, something that none of them actually meant.
"Besides, you can't take us back now. We accepted a job from Shiroyasha. That's the whole reason we made it this far."
Dante spoke casually telling Black Rabbit that they still had the 1 up on her.
"That doesn't matter. You all are getting one hell of a lecture before I let you do anything she asked you to do."
"Fair I guess. Especially since we kinda rushed her to get this far. We don't exactly know what we're supposed to be doing for her." (Izayoi)
Shaking her head at his words Black Rabbit tutted.
"Does that mean you're giving in?"
"How about a game of our own?" (Izayoi)
"You can do that. The three of us being up here has caused a scene. I'll try and bail us out of that mess." (Dante)
"For some strange reason I'm feeling compelled to accept your challenge. What do you have in mind Izayoi?"
When Black Rabbit responded, Dante took that as his cue to walk away. Hopping down to the ground he strolled in the direction he could hear a large group approaching from.
"Sorry to bother you gentlemen, but the scene you all are rushing too is part of a Gift Game. It started out as a simple hide and seek, but quickly got out of hand. It seems they're changing the game though. As someone who was part of the game until just before it got crazy I'd appreciate it if you'd let them finish before doing anything."
He stated as he blocked the path for the large group of armored men running towards the spot were Izayoi and Black Rabbit were. They all halted, some how getting the feeling that he wouldn't be letting them pass by.
"I don't care about that! If it's gotten out of hand it needs to be disrupted and end before it disturbs the peace any further!" The one man in front without any armor called out.
Dante smirked. One of the perks of his Skill Gain Gift, was that he could see how capable another person was. The entire group in front of him, had a decent pool of talent, but it was not enough to come anywhere near what would be needed to overcome him. It wasn't even enough to make him worry since he had a few aces up his sleeves.
"That's a shame then. I don't see any of you getting past me."
"Pah, you're just one person. There is no way you can prevent all of us from running past you."
Raising his left hand to just below eye level Dante snapped. As the sound echoed in the street, a wall of hazy red spanned the street between the two.
"I don't have to. My barrier will do it for me."
Dante mentioned, though what he forgot to mention was that he learned it from watching a God create a barrier around a Gift Game he had participated in. If that had been stated the men trapped inside wouldn't be on the ground groaning from attempting to break through.
"You! When we get out of here you will be sorry!"
"Yeah, yeah. When everything is done and over with I fully intend to surrender and let you arrest me for obstructing you. But that's only because I know things you don't."
With that the dark haired boy turned away from his barrier and began watching Izayoi and Black Rabbit as they swiftly ran around on the roof tops.
The Gift Game between Izayoi and Black Rabbit
"The rules are simple. The first person to catch the other in the palm of their hand wins. As an apology you don't have to bet anything. But if I loose then I'll do any one thing you ask of me."
"No! If Black Rabbit's doing this, she's doing this fairly. Black Rabbit will be the same."
As she spoke a pair of Geass Scrolls appeared next to each of them. Both read through them as Izayoi mentioned that the start of the game would be signaled by a coin toss. Nodding her consent Black Rabbit smiled as the scrolls vanished and a coin appeared in Izayoi's hand.
Unknown to her, the blonde was already planning to take it easy with her. Izayoi having spent a large chunk of the time he'd been summoned to Little Garden with Dante, had learned a few tricks from the dark haired teen and was able to tell Black Rabbit stood no chance if he was actually serious with her.
Flipping the coin upwards, Izayoi strained his hearing for when it would bounce. Even though he wasn't going to go all out, it would still be discourteous of him to take his eyes off her and lose because of her speed.
The moment they heard the ching sound of the coin bouncing they were off. Izayoi ducked under an outstretched hand, as he reached forward intending to grasp at her other arm. Flipping Black Rabbit pulled her entire body out of his reach as she tried to grab his shoulder. Throwing his legs out in front of him, Izayoi swiftly lowered his body away from her as he went flat bodied on the roof.
Reaching up Izayoi almost managed to catch her ankle, but Black Rabbit side stepped his hand. As she crouched to reach for his open arm, Izayoi using his feet which were still flat on the ground forced his body close enough to reach for her once more. Because he moved, Izayoi now had the advantage and Black Rabbit new it so she aborted her attempt to grab him and jumped away, which gave both of them some breathing room.
Gladly accepting the freedom to move again Izayoi stood up a scowl on his face.
"Damn that was close. But now I've got to ask. What the hell is with that skirt? Since I was below you I should've been able to see up it!"
He shouted, though his words had him disappointed with himself as he recalled Asuka and the great time he'd been having with her before Black Rabbit interrupted.
"That's what your upset about? Not how I almost had you? Sheesh…. If you must know Shiroyasha being the wonderfully sadistic imp she is enchanted this outfit. Because of her belief that such things should be left to the imagination she enchanted this skirt so that no matter how one tries they cannot see underneath it."
"That imp! I thought I had her all figured out. Then she pulls this stunt? Remind me to thank her creativity later!"
Izayoi replied having decided that he was going to pay the former Demon Lord a visit to get a gift for Asuka as payment for feeling guilty about his comment to Black Rabbit. Then the chase began again as he and Black Rabbit tried to catch each other. Dancing across the roof tops the two slowly came to make the mistake of coming down to the ground level, where the people made it harder to move as fast and cut off a lot of possible escape routes.
Eventually the game came to a close with a tie. But just when Izayoi went to complain about it being a tie they were interrupted.
"That's enough, both of you!"
a voice called out, leading a group of soldiers towards them, Dante in tow.
Meanwhile
Caitlynn and Lily had found themselves in the stands a short distance away from Shiroyasha as Yo participated in a Gift Game. She had breezed through the trial to join the game late, and was swiftly battling her way up the ranks. Her current opponent was a golem made of gray brick like stones. The brunette girl Dodging the attacks of a massive stone golem with easy.
Thanks to her friendship with the griffin from when Shiroyasha gave the their Gift Cards she was able to soar through the air above the golem's head as it's hand was stuck where it had been implanted into the ground a moment before. Canceling out the power she was granted through her Genome Tree she activated another. Calling upon her friendship with an Elephant from before she was summoned to Little Garden she brought her foot down on the golem's back, using the strength of an elephant to force the golem to the ground. The crowd roared with cheers as she won the battle.
But they were cut off by the sound of clapping from Shiroyasha. As the host for the event she talked Yo up for her victory, even mentioning that she had made it to the finals.
"Now I know how much you all would like to hold the finals today, but as it's rather late already the finals will continue on tomorrow as planned. But as a parting gift to you all I would like to as my co-host and guest of honor to announce rules for the finals tomorrow!"
With that the white haired loli looked over her shoulder to the new Northern Floor Master Sandora. For her part the young girl stood from her seat and shakily walked to stand by Shiroyasha, but she managed to fight past the nerves and speak.
"Hello everyone. I am Sandora Doltrake, the new Floor Master of the North Side."
A short while later
Because of the disturbance Izayoi, Black Rabbit, and Dante created Sandora was called to deal with them and Shiroyasha came along to act as a mentor for the role of Floor Master. Since she had a feeling that Black Rabbit would be at the meeting she told Lily, Caitlynn, and Yo to have fun but when they were done for the night to return to the [Thousand Eyes] shop that was in the North Side as that was where she was planning for them to stay while they did the job she had asked of their community.
Thus she found herself standing just off to the side as Sandora sat in a throne with her guardian and older brother Mandra just in front of her as he spoke against the [No Names]. Of course the group included Jin as he was the current leader of the community so he had to be there to represent them, but he was silent as Mandra ranted.
"Do you even understand the trouble you [No Names] have caused!?"
"Bro, calm down. I might be new but from what I've been told your community used to be rather close to ours before. I don't understand the hostility you're displaying here. Purposefully mentioning the fact the community has lost it's name and sneering at us as if you were our superior." (Dante)
"Yeah, besides we were asked here by Shiroyasha who is co-hosting this festival. We may have rushed through the details on everything she wants us to do but, I do recall hearing the words 'help make the festival more entertaining'. I'd say we did that with the show we put on." (Izayoi)
Izayoi lied, but from the smirk on Shiroyasha's face told him that he was partially correct. Black Rabbit was starting to get angry with the two for the fact they seemed to be joking and making light of the situation. She went to slap them with her fan, before she recalled how they handled things with the [Perseus] community and stopped herself. They knew what they were doing after all.
But Mandra was having none of it.
"You insolent little-"
"You've served your purpose Mandra now sit down and let your Floor Master handle this."
Shiroyasha cut him off, reminding him that he was not the one in charge. With that everyone's focus moved to Sandora who was sitting in the throne rather looking rather stiff and uncomfortable.
"First, as Black Rabbit is an aristocrat of the Little Garden I would like to extend my thanks to you and your companions for coming to attend our festival. There has been no mention of injury or form of harm to anyone from any of the reports about this incident. Furthermore you were invited here by my co-host and were tasked with providing entertainment. From everything I've heard about the event you managed to do exactly that. My ruling on the situation is thus: You have incurred no punishment from the [Salamandra]. However should Shiroyasha find any issue with how you've handled your task, she may give her own punishment."
She spoke, calmly and levelly declaring her intent to let the scene they caused slide. Though she did glance to Shiroyasha for her input. The older Floor Master shook her head and the issue was settled. After a moment Sandora dismissed the guards that had been in the room with them, and happily rushed to hug Jin. It had been a while since they'd last met and she was missing her old friend.
When Jin returned her greeting and said it was hard to believe that she was Floor Master Mandra moved to attack them, unsheathing his word and yelling that they should not act like they were friends. But his movement was halted in two ways.
One, Izayoi was blocking his sword with his foot. Having raised it and placed the sole on the guard preventing Mandra from fully drawing his sword. The second way his motion was prevented was Dante stepping up and pining Mandra's free hand to his back and then forcing him to bend forward slightly so that the only way he would get free from the two teens was to fall on his face.
"Mandra stop! It's rude to be so violent towards them. Especially when we were once allies. Even more so when WE were the ones to dissolve our pact with them!"
the man relaxed at his younger sisters words, which led Dante and Izayoi to step back as he calmed himself. Though he kneeled to be able to look his sister in the eye when he replied that she was still so young and naive.
"Besides [Thousand Eyes] gravely overstepped their bounds bringing these eastern riff raff here. It may even be them that started those rumors in the first place."
"Mandra that is enough! Speak one more ill word about our guests and you will loose your position!"
Sandora reprimanded her older brother, a harsh edge to her voice. But Izayoi and Dante caught on the mention of rumors. They turned to face Shiroyasha.
"You might as well spill it. I know you didn't give us all the details when we were discussing the job earlier." (Izayoi)
"No but she did mention enough to piece it together now that I've heard mention of rumors. My guess? There are rumors that a Demon Lord is going to attack during the festival. That's why Shiroyasha asked us to confirm the rumors about the fact that we are willing to face Demon Lords. She brought us on to deal with the situation should the rumors be true." (Dante)
"Nonsense. Your community doesn't even have a name! How could you hope to fight against a Demon Lord!" (Mandra)
"Shut up already Mandra! I've had enough of your prideful arrogance towards the [No Names]!"
Shiroyasha cut in. Everyone was silent at that as they all heard the mounting anger in her voice.
"You are far too prideful Mandra. Just because their community was defeated before doesn't mean it will happen again. Do you recognize these two boys? Do you even know anything about them besides the community they are a part of? Everyone here knows that I am a former Demon Lord, and that I was one of the strongest. Yet even at my prime I was unable to hold a candle to anyone from the 3 digit gates. These two? They're almost strong enough to match me already. I give it a year before in terms of physical abilities they are superior. Besides not even the Laplace Demon could get a proper read on their Gifts. Just look at their damn Gift Cards!"
She spoke, the frustration from not being able to figure them out clear in her tone as she gestured at the boys.
Upon mentioning their Gift Cards, which housed all the information about their Gifts the two recalled the fact that there's were different. Summoning them Both boys held them out for the older man to look at. Shock was on his face as he read them, clearly understanding that something was off about them if not even Laplace Demon, the demon that knew everything about everyone in Little Garden could identify their abilities properly.
"What the hell are these two?"
He muttered as Shiroyasha nodded her head.
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
After a moment of silence Dante and Izayoi just sighed.
"Well at least we know why we're here."
They commented in unison. Though both boys felt something was off with the whole situation. But with all the details in the open everyone decided to just let everything be. Shiroyasha dragged Black Rabbit and Jin away, telling the boys to have fun and try not to return to the [Thousand Eyes] shop too late. Sandora dismissed her brother so she could go relax.
Mandra left to return to his office and do some paper work, but Dante and Izayoi both felt that he knew far more than he was letting on about the situation with the rumor about a Demon Lord attack. With that thought in mind they followed him, under the guise of wanting to find out how big the city was so they could plan out where to station themselves in the event of a Demon Lord appearing.
But once they got into the room Dante shut and locked the door behind him, then leaned on it to keep it closed and prevent their conversation from being leaked outside of the room.
"Now then. The truth if you would Mandra." (Izayoi)
"What are you pests on about?"
He growled defensively.
"Oh I don't know. Maybe the fact that you are acting far too suspicious." (Dante)
"You know more about this Demon Lord rumor than Sandora and Shiroyasha don't you?" (Izayoi)
"Don't be ridiculous! That's an absurd claim!"
Mandra tried to defend himself.
"Oh? So you didn't create a plan to solidify your sisters position as a Floor Master?"
Dante asked an eyebrow quirked. With how defensive Mandra was getting and the aggression he was showing earlier he had come up with a theory. One that was confirmed with Mandra's response. It was also one that Izayoi clicked on after hearing Dante's thought.
"Why would I make a plan like that?"
"You just confirmed it for us. Let me guess, because of her age and inexperience you and a few trusted allies invited a Demon Lord to the festival without making Sandora aware. The plan is to somehow prevent Shiroyasha from getting involved and then have the [Salamandra] community deal with the Demon Lord. It would make people believe in your sister, and thus reduce the hostility people may have about her being placed in power."
Izayoi spoke, Mandra's face falling as his plan was figured out by these two nobodies in his mind.
"That would be a clever idea. Shame you guys thought of it first."
He said, clearly letting the two know they were right, but also that he didn't have any info to share with them. Clicking his tongue Dante commented as they left.
"We'll keep this a secret for you. In exchange should something happen we want you to the first to come aid us."
Meanwhile
Asuka had caught up to and befriended the fairy she had seen while wondering with Lily and Leticia. How she had gotten away from the blonde vampire she didn't know. But it didn't matter to her, as she was happily chatting with the small fairy that was sitting on her shoulder.
"Now that we're friends I think we should tell each other our names. I'm Asuka. Asuka Kudo."
She said a smile on her face as she looked to the little fairy. It tilted it's head in confusion for a moment before cheering her name as a response to show it understood. In her head Asuka was screaming about how adorable it was, but she managed to stay calm as she praised the childlike fairy on her should for saying it correctly.
"How about you? What's your name?"
The golden fairy looked at itself for a moment before replying.
"Rattenfanger!"
"Rattenfanger huh? What about a first name?"
"Rattenfanger! Rattenfanger!"
It cried. Before making a gesture with it's hands. Someone Asuka interpreted the gesture to mean it was talking about it's community being called [Rattenfanger] and that the fairy didn't actually know or have a name for itself.
