Chapter 16: The Right Kind of People

Jonah

(1 week 6 days after arrival in Asgard)

Ok, deep breaths…I'm just introducing myself to my newfound Hallbjorn friend's family.

No reason to lose my shit, just keep it coooooool…

…Dammit Mom, why'd you have to pass on your love of stupid phrases…

Putting my dumb hangups aside for the moment I go ahead and knock on the large oaken doors blocking off the reasonably large mansion from everything else in the area, said area being a weirdly modern suburb, just with older looking Nordic houses, and step back before unconsciously straightening my shirt.

Nope, not nervous at all…

Being totally not nervous I almost jump out of my skin when the door is violently unlatched and pulled back, revealing 3 grown men with varying looks of 'pissed-off' written across their faces.

"What do you want?"

The speaker is a fairly short guy by Asgardian standards, not that much taller than me, but his stockiness makes up for it, resembling a barrel more than he does medicine ball. In fact his features remind me a bit of Bylar's, maybe his Dad?

He also makes me very nervous.

"Uh, hi! My name's Jonah, I'm here to see Bylar?"

…Wow. Everyone hold your applause for that tear-jerking speech…

Thankfully he just growls and brushes past me without so much as a backward glance, the other 2 following in his footsteps with only brief glares sent in my direction.

What a cheery bunch.

Shaking my head I head on inside and take an appreciative look around, noting the sort of understated elegance that seems common to many of these Asgard homes. Stone and wood tastefully 'cobbled' together with some hardy grasses and plants to provide a bit of greenery, keeping the whole thing from being entirely grey and brown.

"You look lost stranger!"

I glance towards Bylar as he walks out from behind a corner of the house, clad in a simple white shirt and pants, grinning from ear to ear.

Offering a smirk of my own I easily reply, "Just curious what sort of primitive decorations you non-Devils partake of. I'm surprised you were able to mix more than 2 colors together."

He just snickers and motions for me to follow him.

"Come on inside then, oh Great One. We've got a little outside camping just for your pleasure. Staran said he'd be along in an hour or so, some stuff at home to take care of or some excuse like that."

I match his pace and before long we arrive at a pretty spacious backyard, complete with a small stone stream and 2 large oak trees towering above the place, complete with a small fire pit surrounded by several comfortable looking chairs.

"I take it central heating, Magic or otherwise, hasn't really taken hold here?"

He shrugs before poking a stick at the pile of ashes, revealing some glowing embers that he covers with some twigs and larger logs before kicking his legs up on the edge of the pit's rim.

"We're both a stubborn and prideful people, something as convenient and comfy as air conditioning or heating would be seen as 'wimpy' when a nice outdoor blaze can do the trick."

I scoot my seat a little closer to the fire and wryly reply, "Well thank Maou for the fact that you Neanderthals at least know how to appreciate a good fire, otherwise I'd be freezing my ass off up here. Is 2 degrees celsius the norm around these parts?"

"Nah, we're actually in the mild season right about now, it can get pretty chilly up here when it wants to."

"Oh joy."

We both fall into a companionable silence for a few moments before I ask, "So I ran into someone who I'm pretty sure is your Dad at the front gate, am I right on the mark there?"

His face briefly twists into one of annoyance before he sighs and the annoyance is replaced by melancholy.

"Yah, that's Gareth Hallbjorn alright, my dear Old Man. I bet he was all sunshine and rainbows too, wasn't he?"

"Even better, he offered me a pat on the head and his buddies handed me some sweets."

"Sounds about right…", he snorts.

Briefly debating whether I want to continue this obviously touchy subject I lead with, "So is there a reason he looked less than joyous? Or is that his default state?"

Bylar just heavily sighs and rests his head on his hand, staring into the fire morosely before grandly beginning with, "Ah well you see, it's a tale as old as drama itself, friend! The patriarch of the family isn't getting any younger and he's concerned about the future of his clan, of who will lead it into the future…but this isn't any ordinary clan, oh no, it's one that partakes of business that is just a tiny bit shady. And to complicate matters, there is only one heir available! While this potential successor has all of the qualifications, there's just one teensy-teensy problem…the prodigal son has ambitions in life other than assuming his hereditary mantle of crime…no, he wants to become an agent of the law, the complete opposite of what his Father wishes! This story practically writes itself…"

I'm quiet for a moment, digesting what Bylar just told me before carefully asking, "At the risk of vastly understating the scope of the problem, can't your parents just, you know…make more babies? I mean you're not Devils or Fallen, you're birth rates aren't total ass like ours are."

Bylar just sadly smiles before quite responding, "My Mom died 10 years ago, when I was 5. Dad…never really got over it, and hasn't remarried since. Hell, I don't think he's so much as looked at another woman in all that time…"

I wince and hastily add, "Shit, sorry man I didn't-"

He waves his hand and easily says, "It's fine, it's fine…life happens."

We're both quiet for a moment before my curiosity gets the better of me and I ask, "What was your Mom like? She sounds amazing if you're Dad is still grieving over her…"

Bylar suddenly gets this goofy grin on his face and laces his hands behind his head.

"You bet your ass she was amazing! Helena Hallbjorn, my totally awesome Mom, was a Valkyrie that served Lord Odin as one of his personal guards, not an easy feat! Although…now that I think about it, she must have known about Dad's business and not been bothered by it, or maybe even Lord Odin approved, I dunno. All I really remember is that she was a perpetually cheerful person that had a mean sense of humor, and that she died defending Asgard against some stray Dark Elves that were causing trouble along the borders…"

I wryly smile, figuring that this Helena Hallbjorn would have gotten along great with my Mom if Bylar's description of her is accurate.

"I'm sorry she's gone pal. I think she would have gotten along a little too well with my own Mom, given the opportunity…"

Bylar just chuckles and craftily replies, "Yah, well, if anyone can appreciate my circumstances, it'd be you, wouldn't it Jonah?"

I'm about to agree when all of the sudden the way he phrased that statement gives me pause. Bylar must have noticed my sudden hesitation because he chuckles and says, "Yes Jonah, I know about your family name and situation, if that's what that sudden 'oh crap' expression on your face is about."

Reminding myself to close my jaw before something flies into it I instead annoyedly reply, "It's rather rude of you to play the fool when in fact you're kinda intelligent. How'd you find out about who I am anyway? It's kinda important that I know."

If there's a record or something somewhere that says Jonah Valefor recently transferred to an Asgard Academy, that's a paper trail that could potentially lead any assailants straight to me…

Thankfully Bylar gives me a knowing look and says, "Relax pal, I'm probably the only one who's drawn up this connection so far, and only that because of a few lucky breaks."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Lucky breaks?"

"Yup. I imagine you know that my family has it's fingers in a few 'unsavory' businesses, but I didn't have a clue we'd done the occasional deal with your family until Dad suddenly went on a rant about some Devil associates of his getting killed off in a single night about 2 weeks back. Not more than a day after that there's rumors that the Magnhilds, who my Mom was pretty friendly with, had an emergency meeting with Lord Odin alongside the Geir family, who's son was married to a Devil. Then you show up as a 'transfer student' who's apparently already friendly with the Magnhild sisters. Did I miss anything?"

"…Again, I hate you for pretending to be a happy-go-lucky dolt."

He snickers at me before smugly replying, "Well it's a wonderful image to cultivate, if only because because I get to see shocked faces like yours when everyone realizes I actually have a brain cell or 2 to rub together."

I just let my head fall back over the rim of the chair and groan despairingly.

Looks like I've got some serious work ahead of me in the arena of politics and people-reading if I ever want to truly revive my family's line…I got suckered by a friggin' Viking of all people, and they're about as subtle as a Dragon with an airhorn...

Heaving myself back up into a normal sitting position I decide to just move on and curiously ask, "Mind telling me what it is your family deals in? I won't pretend to have knowledge of everything my parents got up to, but I was decently established in the loop and I never really heard anything about deals with the Norse before."

He just shrugs and says, "You probably wouldn't have. While we deal with some of the fairly benign stuff, the real money-maker is the Orichalcum and, if we can get our hands on it, Mythril that we deal in."

That takes a second to process.

"You're pulling my dick. Mythril?!"

"Yuuup. Dunno where Dad get's it from, he ain't telling me until I agree to take over the family business, but lemme tell you the market for that stuff is insane."

"I'll bet…", I mutter.

Orichalcum is rare enough as it is, the metal being highly prized for it's durability, flexibility and inherent affinity for Magical enhancements.

Mythril makes Orichalcum look as valuable as year old dog shit by comparison, being of even greater strength, workability and Magical potential than the fabled metal even the greatest of alchemists merely dreamed of…

Seems I've stumbled onto a potential gold mine here, even if by accident.

Heaving yet another sigh I turn to Bylar and grouse, "Any other secrets you've been keeping from me? Like you're actually the long lost Son of Lord Odin or something ridiculous like that?"

"Nah, that's about it. I think I've blown your mind enough for one day."

"That you have…hey Bylar."

"What's up?"

"You said you wanted to become an agent of the law, what the heck does that entail? I haven't exactly seen much in the way of police around here."

He suddenly grins boyishly and eagerly explains, "That would be Ull's Warriors you're thinking of, and consider yourself lucky that you haven't really run into them yet. Sure, we may not have much in the way of an extensive 'police force', but we don't need one! Ull's Warriors are comprised of the most intelligent and tough warriors or Valkyries, given special privileges and authority not allowed to most citizens, and charged with keeping the peace in Asgard. How awesome does that sound?!"

I snort in amusement, well aware that there's more to his desire than just the cool factor, but deciding there's been enough secrets revealed so far.

So instead I yawn and lazily announce, "Quite the riveting tale, but are we just going to sit around the fire and talk all day like some old retired people? C'mon man, I want to see more of this place. Be my tour guide for the day will you?"

He rolls his eyes and subserviently says, "Right away Master. Anything in particular you want to see-wait! Never mind, I know just the thing for a sexually deviant Devil like yourself!"

I warily eye his sudden gleeful expression and ask, "Should I be worried about the sudden enthusiasm you're displaying?"

"No way! Lemme show you to the spas, sweat lodges and springs, I think you're gonna love it there. Although…"

He shoots me a calculating gaze.

"…Normally I'd say it's worth it because of all the beauties that populate the area, but since you're always having around the Magnhild sisters that's probably the last concern you have, isn't it?"

I don't even try to hide my eye roll and dryly respond, "You give me too much credit Bylar, I don't work that fast."

"Sucks to be you then. Lemme see if I can get ahold of Staran and tell him where we're headed, if he can make it we'll turn this into a sausage fest yet."

That drags a chuckle out of me before he briefly wanders off, my mind now wandering slightly.

Hmm…I can't help but wonder how Sylvi and Rossweisse would look in just a bath towel-

-Ok where did that come from?! Crap…I give Riser all sorts of shit about thinking with his lower-half all the time and here I am doing the same damn thing…

Several hours and a tour of some admittedly impressive natural bathing sites with Bylar and Staran later I finally dragged myself home…only to find a rather unexpected guest waiting outside, rather odd considering the twilight hour.

"Rossweisse? You weren't waiting out here for very long were you?"

The silver-haired girl startles at my sudden appearance and hastily replies, "O-oh of course not! I mean I just arrived but Bjarke and Hertha weren't home so I was about to, uh…go someplace else?"

I raise an eyebrow as I glance at what she's carrying.

Several heavy books and a few folders along with writing utensils. That's a heavy-duty studying load if ever I've seen one…

"You sure? I mean you look like you were planning on staying for the night…"

Her face turns bright red and she mumbles out, "Well…I didn't know no one would be home, so I didn't, uh…have a backup plan?"

I can't help but start laughing at her equally exasperating and endearing awkwardness and motion to her.

"I'm just messing with you Rossweisse. Come on inside, I'll make us something hot to drink. Tea sound good?"

Relief shows plainly on her features, alongside a bit of pouting, as she gratefully says, "Yes please, and thank you for your hospitality."

I raise an eyebrow at her words.

"Thank you for your hospitality? Rossweisse, we're friends, not co-workers…"

Her face reddens yet again as she quietly mumbles, "Um, then…thank you Jonah."

"Ahh…much better."

She just mumbles under her breath what sounds like, 'stupidly mean Devils…' before walking in after me.

I go ahead and head off into the kitchen before getting 2 porcelain mugs and using a bit of Magic to light the stove, all the while asking, "So what actually brings you out here this late? And with all of that work no less? Insomnia?"

"Oh very funny…", she calls back from the common room, "Actually I, uh…thought you might be interested in learning some more advanced Magic that I've been working on!"

I roll my eyes at her obviously improvised excuse but decide to let it slide, since the idea of learning from someone just as smart as me is more than a little appealing.

...That sounded way more elitist than I meant it to.

"Well you got me there, I most definitely am interested. You want anything to eat with it?"

"No, that's fine, thank you though."

Steaming mug of chamomile tea in each hand I walk back to where the eldest Magnhild sibling is working on her projects and can't help but find myself equal parts curious, humbled and impressed. The Magic formula she's examining and making notes on is a seriously fiendish piece of work, consisting of several formula that don't correspond to elemental style spells, instead seeming to relate with things like energy flow restriction and limitation.

Maybe a kind of barrier or sealing Magic?

And then there's the fact that on the corner of the page there's a 3/24 marking…is this stupidly complicated formula merely a tertiary part of the whole spell?!

Sweet Satan's Balls that's nasty…

"Jonah? Are you alright?"

I snap out of it and hastily place her tea in front of her, quickly replying, "Oh, sorry! I got distracted by that Formula you're working on. That's incredible that you understand this stuff, I can't make heads or tails out of any of it…"

She briefly straightens in her chair, obviously proud, but her tone is sheepish as she says, "I wouldn't say I understand it exactly, but thank you anyways. And it's not too surprising that you don't get most of it, you've just recently begun expanding your studies on our elemental style Magics, correct?"

I nod and she offers a confident smile, a far cry from her usual timidness and klutziness. I guess she feels at home when teaching other people or something along those lines…

"This spell doesn't use any Elemental Magic, instead it's a combination of Shield, Sealing and Time Magic."

I raise an eyebrow and curiously state, "I've never heard of those 3. If this formula is any indication that stuff must be super advanced…"

She nods and elaborates, "They're the most advanced Magic we learn and are subsequently the most difficult to truly master. Time Magic in particular is fiendishly complex and as far as I'm aware only my family has a specific Magic Crest dedicated to time manipulation."

My eyes widen in anticipation and I eagerly ask, "Seriously?! So you could teach me that type of Magic?"

To my surprise she suddenly looks downcast and averts her eyes before quietly replying, "…Actually no, I couldn't. You'd have to ask Sylvi to help you with that…"

…Am I missing some context here? A frown forming on my face I cautiously ask, "No offense meant to your Little Sister, but both she and I agree that you're the genius when it comes to Magic, what's the deal?"

"…I just can't Jonah."

"Why, is it some family secret or something? Or do you just-"

"I SAID I CAN'T!"

Her sudden shout shocks me into silence.

What the…I never thought Rossweisse of all people could lose control like that…

Taking a shuddering breath she quietly says, "Forgive me, I'm not angry at you for asking Jonah, it's just…"

Her head drops, silver hair now covering her facial features and her voice is uncomfortably defeated as she whispers, "I'm unable to use my family's Magic Crest…I wouldn't be able to teach you even if I wanted to…"

My eyes widen as the reality of her statement sinks in. From my understanding an Asgardian family's Magic Crest is passed on through blood, if she can't use it…

"You…you weren't born out wedlock, were you?"

She just bitterly chuckles.

"If only it were that simple…no, I'm my father and mother's child, yet I'm unable to use my family Crest no matter how hard I try. Needless to say, my family treats me as if I don't exist most of the time…"

Her lasts statement causes my blood to chill.

"What the fuck do you mean, 'needless to say'? What you should have said was, 'needless to say, my family recognized that I'm a Maou-damnned genius anyway and was proud of that'! What the Hell is your family's problem?!"

If her eyes get any wider they're going to fall out of her head.

"Jonah I-"

Not even close to finished I interrupt with, "And what does Sylvi have to say about this? Is she also going along with this idiotic benign neglect plot or-"

Rossweisse's eye suddenly meet mine and with real anger in her voice she shouts, "How can you even think that?! Has Sylvi ever once given the impression that she hates or dislikes me?! She's argued with our parents for years about this, arguments that have gone beyond simple familial disputes! That's why I'm here tonight, because she was going to be practicing with our family's Crest and if I was there she…she would argue, again, to let me be included."

All the energy seems to leave her and she almost silently finishes with, "I'm sick and tired of being the cause of strife among my family…it's better if I just remove myself as often as possible…"

In the silence that follows I sigh explosively and run a hand through my hair, trying to get a handle on my temper.

Heh…it's at times like this that I miss having my dumb Little Brother around. If there was one thing that we ever agreed on, it was that we absolutely hated the casual arrogance of most of the higher ranked Devils in our society. Hearing of how Rossweisse's family basically cast her aside, despite her evident talent, is more than a little similar to the impotent political maneuvering of the rest of the craven vultures that make up the higher echelons of Devil Society.

Perhaps no better example of this shortcoming is how the Bael clan cast out their eldest son, Sairaorg, simply because he had no affinity for the Power of Destruction, ignoring the fact that as a child of extremely powerful Devils he would have been a monster even without their bloodline traits.

Arrogant dumbasses…

Heaving out one last exasperated breath I refocus on Rossweisse, who's still sitting despondently in her chair, obviously lost in thoughts of her own.

…Crap, this is a time when Mom's guidance would be greatly appreciated. I never had Caine or Hayden's natural gift of the gab…what would they do in this sort of situation?

Heck, I can't believe I'm even thinking this, but what would the lady-charmer Riser do?

"Hey, um…Rossweisse?"

She slowly gazes up at me with those bright blue eyes of hers looking half-dead and I immediately decide I don't like that look.

Acting on impulse I lean forward and lay a hand on her arm, quietly saying, "I apologize for mouthing off earlier when I really didn't know anything. Just…if you ever want to talk about it, or simply need a place to work comfortably, just let me know and we can meet here, or some other place if that's easier."

It's with no small amount of relief on my part that a smile crawls onto her features alongside a tiny blush. She quickly dips her head and quietly replies, "I'll hold you to that. Thank you."

I offer my best smile in return and, in a move Riser would no doubt be proud of, happily say, "My pleasure. Any opportunity given to spend time with someone as beautiful as you is one I'm not about to pass up."

Apparently not knowing how to respond to such straightforward praise her already rosy skin turns an extra shade or 2 darker and she rapidly goes to sip from her mug, no doubt seeing it as an excellent distraction.

Unfortunately she's just a bit too enthusiastic and forgets to actually bring the mug to her lips before drinking.

Therefore spilling an entire cup-full of steaming hot tea onto her chest.

"GAH!"

"Whoa Rossweisse are you al-"

Completely losing her head she jumps up and proceeds to smash her shin into the coffee table, causing her to yelp in pain and pitch forward, tea mug flying in one direction and chamomile-drenched girl in another.

Moving quick I summon a Shade to grab the cup before it hits the ground and catch Rossweisse in my arms before she manages to injure herself any further.

"Owww…sorry Jonah, I don't know…what…"

I imagine both of our faces turn red as we realize the rather…close proximity we're sharing, her wrapped in my arms and leaning rather heavily against me, our noses barely a few centimeters apart.

And, you know…the fact that there's now a warm, wet female chest pressed against mine.

And Rossweisse isn't, uh…lacking in the bust department.

The moment stretches on…

And is abruptly brought to a close as we both suddenly straighten ourselves and furiously blush.

Ugh, Mom would have been laughing her ass off at this entire scene…

"I uh…have a spare shirt in my room if you need it."

The silver-haired girl just stiffly nods and emotionlessly says, "That would be…nice."

She quickly departs and I slowly take a seat before carefully sipping at my own cup of tea.

So…

That happened.

A chuckle escapes from my throat as I realize just how ridiculous that whole scenario was, before I give Rossweisse's family troubles some more thought.

I can't help but frown as I realize she and I have some interesting parallels in our situation.

Both of us are apparently the oldest siblings in well established families and, all false modesty aside, are borderline geniuses. We also have younger siblings that we share an exceptionally good relationship with (teasing aside, but then again ALL siblings do that). Said younger siblings are often the ones who get most of the attention though, as they're prodigies in several different fields, not just one.

Perhaps the key difference, however, is that while I still received my family's powers, Rossweisse didn't.

…Is her personality what I would have been like if I hadn't received my power of Shadows? Timid, trying not to be a burden and constantly shy?

Who knows?

But dammit if I don't sympathize with her…

I'm snapped out of my rumination as Rossweisse suddenly walks back wearing one of my button up shirts along with a sweater.

…Think pure thoughts Jonah, think pure thoughts…

She takes her seat and there's a few seconds of painfully awkward silence before I tactfully clear my throat and gesture to the various books she has spread out over the table.

"If you're up to it, would you mind explaining some of this stuff for me? I'd be lost if I just dove into it on my own."

A strangely relaxed smile appears on her face despite the emotional roller coaster that was the past few minutes and she quietly says, "Of course. That's what friends do for each other, right?"

My lips curve upwards in a happy little grin.

"You betcha!"

And like that Jonah has his first potential lead into rebuilding the Valefors and has a bit of a heart-to-heart with Rossweisse, the lovable klutz :D

Other than that not much to say other than the next update is gonna showcase Ravel laying the hurt onto some of these 'craven vultures' schoolgirl style (If schoolgirls had control over supernatural powers and tried to burn other people to death with them)