Chapter 8 - A Beetroot, a Bee and a Root
"Thea, wait!" Ayami called after her friend, who dashed past the small kitchenette, trying to avoid her notice. "You forgot to drink your beetroot juice. Again." she pinned the blonde with a firm stare. "Ooooh, come on Ayami! I have already taken the pills. That is just enough to…" Thea tried to argue, but Ayami cut in. "...just enough to get your blood cell count back to a reasonable level. Yes, I have already heard that one. However, you need some natural vitamin boost, too." "No way I am drinking that disgusting stuff again! Why can't it be strawberry or blueberry juice?" Thea whined, pointing at the glass of dark, red-pinkish liquid. "Because beetroot has a lot more iron and vitamin C. Gee, Thea, you are going to be a doctor! You should know the basics if you want your patients to recover quickly." Ayami tried to appeal on Thea's professional self. "Well, that won't help you a bit if your patients won't even drink it!" she stuck out her tongue. Ayami exhaled. "Fine..." Thea gaped at her. "W-what? Really? You just… let me off?" Ayami smirked, lifting her index finger. "Just this once… I'll let it slip. Now come on, let's pack up, the lesson will start soon."
Ayami just wanted her friend to get better soon. Maybe she was pushing too much. She wouldn't like to drink that mud-tasting slop either, she only pretended it was tasty to get Thea drink it. "Seriously… who's acting like an idiot now?" the raven-haired girl shook her head. "I only let her get away with it, because she seems to be under a lot of pressure lately. She doesn't even sleep properly. Strange, Thea didn't use to have any nightmares… And now, three nights in a row, she's either not yet asleep or already long awake." Ayami couldn't help but feel a little concerned. Her best friend was something like a little sister to her. Only her real little sister was less troublesome. She could see Thea running from one room to another, fetching notebooks. Then, she could hear the blonde tripping, dropping something in the process and cursing some piece of cloth left on the ground. Ayami massaged her temples. "Oh boy, Thea is just… such an odd girl. Her head is too often in the clouds, and her body too often on the ground. When she isn't falling at the moment, then some other things are falling from her hands or even on her! Gee, regularly showing up with scratches, bumps or other minor wounds." Ayami had to remind herself that she indeed saw those injuries, because they always seemed to have disappeared within a day or two.
The blue-eyed med-student smirked. "OK, Thea is a klutz, but at least a very durable one. And despite all of that, she's probably the kindest and brightest person I have ever met. So, how on Earth is she still single? Is it because things didn't work out with her first boyfriend? But that was still when she was in high school! Well, whatever the reason, things seem to be taking a different turn now!" Ayami thought enthusiastically, as she remembered the self-proclaimed 'gentleman' fellow in white suit. "Right, maybe he is a little… strange. Even kind of old-fashioned in that suit. Probably because he is older too, but surely not older than thirty or so." she tapped a finger on her lips. "Still, I have never seen anybody looking at Thea with such interest! Not to mention he took such good care of her when she needed it. When he called to inform me about Thea's little accident, his words were so caring and thoughtful… OK, his tone had a bit of jest in it, but at least he wasn't panicked or anything. Level-headed, collected! Now, that would be a man for Thea - The Daydreamer!" the girl couldn't help, but giggle. She looked at the untouched glass of beetroot juice on the table. "That's right, it was also him, who, just offhandedly, suggested that beetroot juice when I was on my way to pick up the anemia pills... Oh, I have to make sure that Thea gives him a chance!" Ayami concluded. Her blonde friend tended to shy away from most men and often rejected them before they managed to invite her to a date. "Well, not this time!" Ayami's blue eyes shone with resolve.
OoO
Thea was walking through one of the long corridors of the True Cross Academy after her Saturday morning lesson. She wanted to make it home in time so she could hit the books with Ayami before the test in anesthesiology on Monday. "Man, anesthesiology must be the most boring subject ever! Or simply just true to its name. The lesson in trapping demonic creatures in a special binding circle, on the other hand… Now, that is something useful! I can't wait to practice that circle a little more!" Thea's eyes sparkled, as she remembered how the teacher, Mr. Yukio Okumura, swiftly summoned the circle with a set of gestures and special incantations. She shook her head. "That Yukio sure is a class! He is such a talented and focused person. And to think that he became a teacher at such a young age… Simply admirable! Still, it will take some time till I get used to calling him 'teacher'. I mean, seriously… it's just so awkward. He is younger than me! He must be around sixteen. Gosh, he isn't even allowed to drive yet!" the blonde just chuckled. After all, it wasn't the most extraordinary discovery since her short time at the Academy. "That's right, my classmates are far from ordinary, too… So young and already so skilled! Some of them even grew up surrounded by people with spiritual powers and were supported and guided in order to perfect their own powers. Man, I actually feel ashamed to have to catch up to a bunch of teenagers. But then, that's life…" the chocolate-eyed girl sighed, then she raised her head in resolve. "Oh well, I will just need to work a little harder, that's all! Besides, they did have a head start. For now, let's just be thankful for meeting people, who actually understand your life, Thea! A life, where seeing demons or spirits is a daily routine. Nobody would call me a freak or think that I have some kind of a mental illness. Not here. They know. They understand. They live this life too." she nodded to herself.
The blonde was unusually spirited. This was the first time in her life she felt like she finally found the right place for her to train and learn more about her powers. She almost couldn't believe it. "It's just all so very different from my previous experience with mediums and healers. Something about the way the teachers here approach the whole subject of exorcism feels… professional. Moreover, these people are not merely self-taught, much as myself, but rather trained. They are the experts in their fields, and even specialize in various techniques, from incantations to actual summoning of familiars!" she counted out, the faces of her new teachers appearing in her mind. "Oh, why did it take me so long to find this place?! Well, never mind. I did find it and that is that! I couldn't ask for more..." The blonde sighed with content. Then she had to rub her eyes to fight the strange tiredness she had been experiencing the last days. "OK, maybe I could use a little sleep. Seriously… what is wrong with me? Is it the stress? Or perhaps the tight schedule?" Thea wondered. Her schedule was, indeed, very tight. Most of the exorcist classes had to take place in the evenings or at weekends, because Exwires had to attend a regular school, too. Which was great, of course, because she could visit the lessons, but it was also insanely time-consuming. "Oh well, I will manage somehow. I always do. It's all about good planning, really." The girl yawned. "It's been too long without a proper sleep, and that is something coming from a med-student." she stretched her back. "I bet that the only reason I am still standing and functioning quite normally is the fact that my body simply heals faster than that of normal people… How convenient." she smiled.
Abruptly, energic steps echoed through the corridor and a loud voice interrupted her musings. "Hey! Wait! Thea!" Rin, the fellow with a magic katana sword attached at his back, was rushing towards her. She smiled at him. Since the last 'burning incident' in the headmaster's office, they have worked things out between themselves, and even though she was still being cautious around him, she had to admit that Rin truly did his best to prove himself to her. "What is it, Rin?" she asked, inclining her head. "Thea, I… uhm… I wanted to talk to you about something." he scratched his head nervously. "About what?" "Well, you see, I wanted to thank you for helping us." Rin said earnestly. "Rin, we have already talked about this. And I have already told you all before, during our first class, that..." "That's not what I meant." her classmate interrupted her; gaze fixed on the floor. "You helped me. Even though I am, well…" he trailed off. "A half-demon? Yeah, that was quite... surprising. For a moment there, I did hesitate, because, well, your aura is… ufff…." Thea struggled to find the right words for it, without making Rin uncomfortable. "Scary, right?" the half-demon finished for her. "Well, yes. But! You explained it all. And the others too. You used your powers to help your friends, to protect them all. So, what I am trying to say is, what does it matter what you are as long as you are a good… ehm... person?" the chocolate-eyed girl smiled. "Even though I am the Son of Satan?" he asked silently.
Thea's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened in astonishment. "You are a what?" she gaped at him. Rin continued, looking her straight in the eyes. "I wanted you to know from the start. Honest!" he put his hand on his chest. "I just didn't know how to put it… I mean, no worries! All the others already know. You see, when I first came here, I kept it a secret before them, but then… then they had to learn it… well… the hard way. A-and it was really difficult, but we are good now." he exhaled, gesturing awkwardly. "What I'm trying to say is, I kind of didn't want to make the same mistake again, OK?" the half-demon admitted. "You will be studying with us, so I wanted you to know. A-and also in case you would like to… uhm… change your mind. About studying here, I mean..." he finished nervously, looking at her in expectation.
"Wow." the blonde gulped, trying to process yet another crazy revelation of the month. "Honestly, I should start a ladder... I mean, I do remember Rin mentioning it right in our first class... That he is training to become a Paladin, the highest-ranking one of all exorcists, in order to 'kick Satan's ass'. OK, more like he yelled it out aloud, so Yukio had to scold him for his outburst. However, to think that he is actually the Son of Satan… And if Yukio is Rin's younger brother, then he too is a Son of Satan... isn't he?" Thea had already wondered about questions like 'Could demons mate humans?' or 'Would they possess them and then somehow create a child?' However, this time, her train of thoughts was surprisingly different. "What would Rin even want to kick his dad's ass for? He didn't like his latest birthday gift or something? Man, first he is a half-demon, now the Son of Satan… I am afraid of what I will learn when I check tomorrow. God, this place is crazy..."
The chocolate-eyed girl shook her head. "Seriously, though… What is one supposed to say to such a claim, anyway?" She carefully looked at the young man standing in front of her. There he was, trying to tell her the scary truth in some 'normal' way. Trying to be honest and open. She reminded herself of her resolve to give these demons a chance. That the origin did not play a role in this. "Oh, come on Thea, it's not like he had any saying in who his father would be… After all you have seen here, what does it even matter? If that annoying demon can lead this academy… then… then nothing should surprise me anymore!" She realized with a shock. She did not really care anymore… While her mind was racing about all the details, fact by fact, it had not even registered on how she perceived Rin as a person. "Maybe I am just getting used to all of this." she concluded, slowly overcoming her prejudice about demons.
It took her some time to collect herself, but in the end, the words finally left her mouth. "Thank you for telling me, Rin. I understand and I want to continue studying here. You know, as long as you do not invite your father to our graduation ceremony…" She tried to lighten the mood. Rin's eyes almost popped out, but he quickly recovered. "Oh, hell no!" he waved his hands defensively. "If anything, I will invite him only to kick his ass!" "I see… Is he bad then? Like bad-bad? Or is he like you and Sir Pheles?" the blonde inquired further. Rin went silent for a while. She must have touched a sensitive topic there… "Bad-bad, Thea. Like… really bad." he clenched his hands into fists. "Ah, all right… If you say so. Anyway, I do want to remain here and study with you guys." she confirmed again, just to make sure she got that point across. And also, to move on from that obviously touchy subject...
The black-haired boy gawked at her. "For real?!" He couldn't believe it! Even some of his current friends took a lot of time to get used to him being the Son of Satan. "Well, maybe because, unlike her, they saw you going berserk with your fire, stupid!" he reminded himself reluctantly. The blonde continued in a calm voice. "Yes. The recent events were... quite challenging for me, but I can manage." she smiled. A huge smile appeared on Rin's face. "Thanks, Thea! You're the best!" he flung himself at her, pulling her into a strong, excited embrace. "I can't believe it! Another person who didn't reject me! Another person who wants to give me the chance to prove myself! Another person who… whom I am freaking out again!" he realized and quickly jumped away from the blonde, hoping he hadn't just jeopardized all his previous efforts. "Sorry… it was a reflex… I will be more careful! Promise!" the half-demon started apologizing. Oh, his powers were in check, but he should probably think twice before doing such bold gestures. Suddenly, his nose twitched as he smelled something… smoking? Burning? "Whoa!" the half-demon quickly patted his sleeve before it caught on fire. He regarded the girl cautiously. Thea was panting a little, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. And inwardly, she was scolding herself profoundly. "Gosh Thea, three days at the academy and you still cannot even keep your aura subdued when a demon gives you… No. When a friend gives you a hug!" She composed herself quickly. "I am sorry, Rin. I didn't mean to. I have been training to keep it in check, but still can't control it very well… You hugged me so unexpectedly, that I didn't manage to subdue my aura in time. I am sorry. Are you OK?" she looked at him with concern.
Her black-haired classmate understood. "In a way, we are quite alike. Her and me. Me from the time when I couldn't fully control my powers. Well, I still can't control them very well, but that's not the point. The point is... that I get it. I understand that feeling of frustration very well. And I will make sure not to leave her in this alone!" he nodded to himself, determined. "I am fine, a little scorched, but fine." he grinned as cheerfully as he could. "Oh God, sorry." she ran fingers through her hair in frustration. "It's just that your aura is quite... overwhelming. Man, I know I have seen it on multiple occasions already, but..." the blonde shook her head, while Rin beamed for some reason. "Oh, that's right! You can see it, can't you?" he inquired. "Ehm… yeah?" Thea looked at him, a little confused. "How is it? Can you see anything else apart from my blue flames?" Rin asked eagerly. "Ah, sure… all the blue flames, the fangs, the pointed ears, the tail, the crown… not sure if the blue behind your back was a halo or wings really…" she counted out while pointing at those very parts.
"Wait! What did you say?! I have a crown? Is it big? Does it look cool?" Rin's eyes sparkled as he imagined himself looking so damn imposing. "I wonder if Shiemi would like it. Me looking like some kind of a king! How great is that?!" his trail of thoughts was interrupted, as a melodious laugh filled the corridor. Thea couldn't contain it any longer. "The Son of Satan is standing in front of me, asking me if his crown looks cool! How hilarious is that?" "Did I say something weird?" Rin asked while scratching his head nervously. "Aaah… not at all Rin, not at all..." she giggled. "Man, I would really like to see that!" Rin said, looking himself up and down. Thea thought for a while, and then quickly rummaged through her bag, fishing out her notebook and a pencil. "Maybe I can help with that. Give me your hand. That way, I can see you a lot better." she said, outstretching her own hand. Rin beamed. "Really? Here, you can have both, if that's all it takes." The blonde just smiled, took his hand and started drawing with the other.
"There, this is as accurate as I can make it." She showed him the picture proudly. Her ears weren't prepared for the outburst of laughter that reverberated through the whole hall. "Oh God, sorry, Thea." the half-demon somehow blurted out through the giggles. "But man, you draw just like Mephisto!" he laughed further. Thea felt the heat rising to her cheeks. "What do you mean I draw like Mephisto?!" For some reason, she had the feeling that she should be affronted right now. "Jesus, Thea… it's just so bad! I mean… Why do I have a broom in my hand?" he said, his eyes watering. "Excuse me?! That, for your information, is your tail! And it's not in your hand, but trails behind your hand, OK? Gee… everyone's a critic…" the blonde rolled her eyes. "Pffffff… sorry, Thea… Can I have it? Pretty pleeeeease?" The half-demon looked at her with a longing expression on his face. "Sure. And for the Son of Satan himself, I will throw in an autograph, too." she winked and then they both started laughing all over again.
OoO
After the mind-blowing talk with Rin, Thea was walking through the beautiful gardens which led outside of the academy grounds. She really liked this place, especially because of the blooming wisterias and hundreds of flowers. Unfortunately, the blonde wasn't able to give the garden her usual portion of appreciation, for her head was full of planning. There were so many things she had to take care of still today! And Gosh, she was so tired! Her head was already ringing. Still, she would need to go grocery shopping, then study with Ayami, then… "ear" ... and then… "Thea, dear!" ... what was she thinking about again? … "There you are!" Thea gasped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her unfortunate reflexes kicked in, and instead of subduing her aura, it spiked even more. She could already smell the charring piece of fabric. "All fired up, I see." the familiar amused voice reached her ear as Mephisto whispered with a grin. "Sorry, I…" Thea turned around to face the demon, completely ashamed. "Seriously, Thea?! For the second time today?!" she berated herself, her frustration for her untamed aura rising. "And what's with that expression of his? He looks almost... glad? Relieved? Like… sincerely happy? What is going on? This is so new; it's freaking me out!" "No worries, you will have the opportunity to make this up to me. About right now." he waved the hand with the charred glow before it caught on fire. "What? Sir Pheles..." she squeaked, trying to push back the annoying ringing in her head. "It's Sir Faust here, do not forget it. Now then, just play along."
The demon spread his hands theatrically. "I apologize for the delay, but Lady Mitsuhide here really wanted to see the Academy grounds. And I simply couldn't deny the request of one of our most honored partners." Thea probably couldn't look any dumber, but… who on Earth was Lady Mitsuhide?! Mephisto stepped out a little to reveal a beautiful young woman with glossy brown hair put up in an elaborate bun, clad in a purple dress. There was an elegant, middle-aged man in black suit accompanying her. "Ehm, sure… No problem, Sir Phe-Faust! I can wait a little longer, I guess…" The demon put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it a little - a gesture that caused 'Lady Mitsuhide' to give Thea such a stare that a shiver ran down her spine. "Nonsense! I promised to meet you ten minutes ago for our private lesson." the demon grated through his smile, which was carrying a hint of warning. "Gosh he's creeping me out!" she gulped. "Ah, of course! You did." Thea smiled nervously, trying to 'play along'. "And I know how important punctuality is for you." she added. "And right you are." the demon confirmed.
"Uhm-uhm." the woman in purple dress voiced her apparent displeasure with the current situation. "Oh, Lady Mitsuhide. As I was saying, though I am deeply sorry, I won't be able to accompany you any longer. I too have many responsibilities that keep me occupied. Surely you understand." "Of course, Sir Faust. I do." the woman cooed. She then turned towards Thea with a half-hearted smile. "Your students are truly lucky to have such a devoted chairman such as yourself. To think that a man of your position and status would actually take the time to personally tend to their needs and struggles. You sure amaze me, Sir Faust." she finished, her right hand clasped on her cheek.
Thea gaped. "What is that woman's problem?! It's not like I came here to get in the way of… whatever she was trying to do. Gee, no wonder Sir Pheles looks so uncomfortable. Trying to escape, huh? Pfff…" Before Mephisto could say anything, Thea jumped in. "Lady Mitsuhide, rest assured that all students fully appreciate Sir Faust's assistance and wisdom." she tried to calm the woman as respectful as she could. That proved especially difficult, because Thea tended to get really cranky when tired. The lady, however, didn't look a bit appeased. "And yet, they still need to learn to appreciate his time, as well. One would think that you would understand such a delicate difference by now, considering your age. I mean, and pardon my boldness, that you do look a little too old to be attending a high school." her lips curved into a haughty smile as she continued. "Ah, but then again, you are probably one of the 'special cases', correct?" Lady Mitsuhide fluttered her eyelashes.
"Oooh… insufferable woman! She merely said two sentences and she is already getting on my nerves! I mean… she basically called me a retard, for God's sake!" Thea's ego threatened to overwhelm her. "No! Calm yourself, Thea! It's just the headache speaking… You will not embarrass yourself or Sir Pheles! A polite answer. Polite! But first I really need to get this out of my system. Just a little..." And so, the angry blonde turned her head away, looking at the ground and set at least for whispering under her breath. "Alt wird man wohl, wer aber klug? - Für dich, keine Menge Zeit ist genug… " "There! Ufff… That sure felt good. Funny, I never thought I remembered so much from Faust. Must be the demon's presence reminding me of it… Now, back to the problem at hand." Before Thea could respond, the demon's aura flaunted around her and a sonorous laugh filled the garden.
OoO
"We all grow old, but who grows wise? For you, no amount of time will suffice...!" Mephisto's expression was one of utter disbelief and delight. "I can't believe she remembers Faust so well! Except that little addition at the end, that is. It was brilliant! It even rhymed! No wonder that whenever she is around, my spirits are so high. The girl is a gem!" He couldn't help it, he started laughing so hard that he had to use his demonic powers to avoid a certain embarrassing situation.
Thea stared, completely dumbstruck when she saw the demon burst out with laughter, clutching his arms around his torso. "Did he… did he hear me? Oh, of course he heard me, with that super demonic hearing or whatever…" she cringed. "But surely that witch didn't hear me, did she? Oh God, I didn't mean to be so disrespectful in front of him. It just… slipped." The demon brushed a tear from his eye. "Oh Miss Thea, you sure are on fire today." Although the blonde was really happy that the demon appreciated the whispered remark, she couldn't fully enjoy the laughter. Not when everything looked so still! "Sir Pheles, something's wrong! The woman is..." she voiced with concern, as she noticed the unmoving, unchanging expression on lady Mitsuhide's face. She looked like a porcelain doll. "Oh, everything is just fine, dear." the demon said through the chuckles, waving his hand in dismissal. "No, it's not." the girl shook him. "She's not moving. Nobody is!" Thea realized with a shock as she spotted other similarly 'frozen' students in the close proximity. "That was your doing. I know it, I felt it!" "You got me, dear." he threw up his hands in defeat. "I couldn't hold it any longer, so I had to help myself a little." he winked. "Help yourself?! You. Stopped. Time!" she said almost accusingly. "But it did help, didn't it?" he smiled mischievously.
"Oh my God!" To say that Thea was stunned would be an underestimation. The demon just made it back to the top of her 'crazy reveals of the month' ladder by admitting that he could manipulate the friggin' time! "And he said it in such a calm, offhand manner, as if he was commenting on the weather. Honestly, I know he is a powerful demon. But this?! This gives the word 'powerful' a whole new meaning! I am not even sure if I feel terrified or awed. Maybe a little of both." Her natural curiosity caused her to settle for 'fascinated'. "How does that even work? Can he time-travel too? And how many times has he already stopped the time? Has he stopped the time for me? Is that how he saved me from the red-headed demon in black suit?" Her mind was racing, until it stopped at a certain point… "Wait a moment." Thea said suddenly, her eyes a little distant, searching. Mephisto interrupted in a smooth voice. "I am afraid, I can't do that. Not even for you, Miss Thea - you ask the impossible. The time stopped. No moment will pass for us to wait…" he grinned.
The chocolate-eyed girl came out of her stupor. "Ah, right…" she shook her head at the demon's remark. Then she suddenly clasped his hands. Now it was Mephisto's turn to be surprised. "This is new. She usually avoids any close contact. Especially with me... So, why is she standing on her tiptoes, looking at me with such a concentration?" He waited. "Bend over a little please, you are too tall." A small pink blush appeared on his cheeks. "What in the world is she trying to pull here? Surely she isn't going to… Keineswegs, just don't overthink this! Looks like it's my turn to play along..." And so, he leaned in a little, waiting patiently.
"I knew it!" The girl exclaimed with satisfaction. "I wasn't sure before, but those are hour-hands building up your crown!" she chirped while trying to trace the crown with her fingertips. She couldn't really touch it, it was just an aura, after all. However, she could somehow get a feel of it. The way it was levitating and pulsing with the black, golden and purple hues - it felt almost alive! "Ah, so that's what you were after. You little charming brat, teasing me like that!" the Lord of Time thought with a tiny hint of disappointment. He would not let her get away with it that easily! "Why, Miss Thea, I was under the impression that you were not the type to 'go around touching demons'." Mephisto smirked mischievously. The blonde's eyes widened, as she recognized her own words from the amusement park. She then realized that, in order to take a look at his demon form, she had been holding his hand this whole time! Interestingly enough, she did not burn him. At all! Until the feeling of embarrassment hit her, that is. It turned her cheeks to the color of beetroot and his gloves to ashes - which would probably still taste better...
"Oh my God! What am I doing?!" She pulled her hands off the demon in a swift motion. "I am so sorry, Sir Pheles! I didn't mean to impose! And the gloves! I was just… I… " she blurted out. "That is quite all right, dear. It would be unfair to blame women who cannot help themselves but touch me. This is all my looks and charm doing." he shook his head in a feigned lament, taking off the remnants of his gloves. "But still, I will pay you back for it." "Hey! I wasn't… I was just curious, OK?" Thea's face got red all over. "Curiosity killed the cat." he poked the girl's nose mischievously. "But satisfaction brought it back!" she stuck out her tongue, before she could stop herself. The demon just chuckled. "Well, I apologize for interrupting your little exploration, but we have a conversation to finish. I promise that once we are done here, you can touch me to your heart's content." the demon winked at her, snapped his fingers, and the time started flowing again.
OoO
… "One would think that you would understand such a delicate difference by now, considering your age. I mean, and pardon my boldness, that you do look a little too old to be attending a high school." her lips curved into a haughty smile as she continued. "Ah, but then again, you are probably one of the 'special cases', correct?" Lady Mitsuhide fluttered her eyelashes. Despite the time-freeze, Thea swiftly caught up with the situation and promptly jumped in. She would not let Sir Pheles fight this petty little battle for her. The haughty witch was hers! "Thank you for sharing the wisdom you have gained over all those long years, Lady Mitsuhide. And thank you for taking the time that you so value in order to bring Sir Faust to me… Even through the stairs, which, I hope, weren't too inconvenient. You are too kind. Actually, now that I am looking at you… you seem kind of familiar. Oh right! Weren't you the one who complained about the taste of her Alzheimer's pills just yesterday in our university hospital?" the blonde flashed her one of her best smiles and then turned to the demon. "Ah, never mind. Sir Faust, I believe that the time is already scarce. Shall we go, then?
She noticed that while Lady Mitsuhide's face went almost as purple as her dress, Sir Pheles was obviously struggling not to use the 'time-freeze' again. Well, it wasn't really that obvious of a struggle, but Thea could somehow read those little expressions of his by now. A twitch of his lip here, the spark in his eyes there… Mephisto's eyes were truly sparking. "Dear Lord, that was savage! Sometimes I forget that behind that beautiful face is a surprisingly sharp mind… Not to mention a sharp tongue… Oh, I can't very well blame Thea. After all, the woman asked for it… And here I thought I would need to take care of her insufferable attitude…" The demon placed a hand on Thea's shoulder again. If the blonde felt a shiver running down her spine the first time the demon made that gesture, she could almost see the daggers flying from lady Mitsuhide's eyes now. Not that any of those imaginary daggers would actually hit true… "Yes, we should definitely make a haste. Lady Mitsuhide, thank you for your valuable time. Gin, my secretary, will accompany you to the Main Gate." he looked at the middle-aged man in a suit. Lady Mitsuhide, who seemed to have collected herself by now, finally spoke. "Of course, Sir Faust. It was a pleasure to meet you, too. And I am looking forward to seeing you again. The summer festival will be here soon, after all." she smiled, skillfully managing to secure the invitation to the event for herself. "Ah, right you are. You are most certainly welcome. The official invitations are yet to be sent out." Mephisto inclined his head. "Please, send my best regards to your father as well." He then turned and led Thea away.
OoO
"My oh my, was she persistent!" Mephisto eased his tie a little with one hand while pushing the blonde forward with the other hand on her back. "Thea, dear, that was quite intense. I wouldn't think you were even capable of saying something so rude. Subtle, but rude..." he teased, a smirk plastered on his face. Thea gawked at him. "If I had wanted to be rude, I would have told her that those Alzheimer pills were not suppository but had to be taken orally. I mean… I just met that woman and she called me a 'special case' for God's sake!" the blonde said firmly. "Oh man, I really am cranky!" she thought, a little embarrassed for her outburst in front of Sir Pheles. "Pfffffffffff." Mephisto covered his mouth to muffle his outburst. "I think I am not giving you enough credit, dear…" he laughed.
Thea was glad to be of help, and she actually enjoyed herself quite a lot, but she didn't have time for this. This day was already so hard, it almost felt like a week! She had to rush home already! The sleepiness seemed to be catching up with her, too. And so, she turned towards the demon. "Sir Pheles, I know you probably want to be as far as possible from that woman, but I really need to go now. I still have to…" "Ein-zwei-drei~" Thea couldn't even finish the sentence, as she lost her footing when the scenery suddenly changed. "Ah, apologies, Miss Thea, I forgot to warn you. I must have been more distracted than I thought." the demon lamented. "Did you enjoy my little teleportation?" he grinned. "Yeah, you sure know how to make a woman lose the ground under her feet…" the blonde thought, while her head was still spinning wildly from the sudden movement. However, she did enjoy it... "Sure, it was kind of fun." The blonde giggled. "So, uhm… where are we?" she asked, looking around, searching for some place to sit down. "Man, what's wrong with me? The teleportation wasn't so bad… was it?"
"This is the training area No. 7." the demon spread his hands, bringing a small forest area into view. "A smaller one, but it will serve our purpose." "What purpose?" Thea asked carefully, trying to blink away the strange tiredness. Mephisto looked at her in anticipation. "For our private lesson, of course." "Wait a minute! I thought that was just a bluff… We had no lesson scheduled, right? I wouldn't forget something so important!" she said a little anxiously. "How flattering to know that you would find me so important." he smirked. "I… hey!" "Relax, Miss Thea. No lesson was scheduled, really, but I found the timing most appropriate. I have been meaning to speak to you about certain matters of importance. You see..." his speech was interrupted as the blonde suddenly yelped. "No! Shoo, shoo!" the demon heard the girl saying, frantically waving her hands in front of her. "Miss Thea?" Mephisto asked, puzzled. "Go away!" She cried in frustration. "Pardon?" He raised his eyebrows. Then he spotted the little bee flying around Thea. "Ah, now I see… Pfff… Poor bee. You too can smell that beautiful sweet honey-scent coming from the girl, can't you?" The blonde was turning in all directions, until her foot found a root of a nearby tree. She was just about to stumble to the ground, but she somehow managed to clutch the demon's arm in the process and stay up on her wobbly feet. Not that the demon wasn't there in a blink of an eye to catch her...
Mephisto's lips curved into a smile. "For the second time today, Miss Thea? My, my. I know I promised that you could touch me to your heart's content but let us save the fun for after the lesson, agreed?" he teased, lifting her chin with his index finger. Thea instantly turned red all over and a thin gush of blood was trailing down her nose. Mephisto raised his eyebrow in amusement. "Oh dear, I wouldn't take you for the type to get a nosebleed from all that excitement." The girl finally spoke. "What in the world… are you… talking about?" her voice faltered. "I... I just… I need to sit down." her legs wavered. The demon's eyes widened in recognition. "I am such a... Vollidiot!" he chastised himself mentally and gently lowered the girl to the grass. She leaned on the tree that almost caused her fall. "Miss Thea, what's wrong?" he kneeled in front of her, fished out his pocket square and put it to her nose. Strange how often he had the chance to use that seemingly useless piece of cloth. "Here." "Thank you, Sir Pheles. And sorry for the trouble. I think I am just a little tired, that's all… Just give me a sec and we can talk about that, err… that important stuff..." "Not today, dear." The demon leaned in more closely to inspect her. His eyes narrowed, which sent shivers down Thea's spine and she pulled away. "What is it?" "Hmmm... Now, that's strange…" he mumbled and then pinned her with a stern look. "Miss Thea, have you been taking those anemia pills my hospital staff prescribed?" The blonde tilted her head in confusion. "Why would I be taking those?" "You are the aspiring doctor. You tell me why one would need to take anemia pills." he tried to tease her, but couldn't get the firm, scolding edge out of his voice. "Of course, I know what they are for!" she answered, a little too affronted. "I just don't need any. I am not sick or anything."
Now it was the demon's turn to be confused. He clasped his hands. "I have been living around humans for a century or two, and even though, strictly speaking, I am no doctor, anemia is what you would call 'being sick' and people with anemia should take their pills." Thea furrowed her eyebrows. "Ah, hold on… so, you are trying to tell me that I have anemia?" she pointed a finger at her person. "Precisely." "But that was just your cover up story for Ayami and the others at the university. Which, by the way, really caused me trouble! What were you thinking coming up with such an excuse? You even told her I fainted! That's not cool at all. I have never fainted in my entire life! Now, Ayami has been bugging me about what I eat or drink for these three days. And that's not even the worst of it, she even made me..." Thea trailed off, when Mephisto suddenly stood up in a swift motion. He took down his hat and ran his fingers through his silky hair in frustration, then exhaled. "Honestly. You are one troublesome little lady." the demon shook his head. "Wait here. I'll be right back." he ordered with a voice that left no room for arguing and after his usual 'Ein-zwei-drei~' disappeared into thin air, before Thea could possibly react.
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"Oh, that little… oblivious fool of a woman! How can anyone be so bright, yet so ignorant at the same time?" Mephisto massaged his temples in a poor attempt to calm his thoughts. "How could one human be such a handful? Well, it is not entirely surprising that she would come to that conclusion. After all, I did alter the whole story of why exactly she ended up in the hospital…" the Lord of Time admitted. "Honestly though, I have not invested all this time and effort so that she could meet her demise due to poor blood condition!" his jaw tightened. Muffled steps interrupted his thoughts. "Here you go, headmaster. Is there anything else I can do for you?" the middle-aged woman from the Academy exorcist supply shop asked, handing over a small package. "That would be just fine, Mrs. Moriyama. Have a good day." Mephisto turned on his heel and left in a flash of white.
The shopkeeper pulled on her long pipe and exhaled. "It's been a few years since that one showed up personally… And with such a ridiculously ordinary request, too… He grows boring. Last time he dropped by, he wanted triple distilled oil from seeds of Devil's Snare…" Mrs. Moriyama shook her head and returned to organizing her inventory. She should probably set some of the special pills aside. Just in case he would return for more...
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Thea was puzzled. Was that really true? She did have anemia? But that was impossible, she always healed herself, closed every wound or scratch… Even yesterday, when that group of 'goblins' - she finally knew their name - managed to make a fuss in the supermarket by collapsing two regals of liquor on the group of unknowing shoppers. She too was passing through that alley and was hit by several falling bottles of sake. The blonde was sure she managed to get all the pieces of glass out of her back and heal it properly. She tapped her finger on her lips when a thought came to her. "Or maybe… maybe I just healed the surface… the torn skin. Only that which I could see, which I knew about. That would mean… Gosh Thea, you idiot! You did not think about the blood! So, I can really have anemia… I just automatically assumed that the demon falsified the results to fit his stupid story!" Her palm landed on her forehead with a loud smack. "Well, no need to cry over spilt milk now. Or rather, spilt blood…" Thea closed her eyes in concentration and put her hands over her chest, golden light enveloping her whole body. She still couldn't believe that she would make such an oversight. "Stupid! Stupid! I am such an idiot!" the girl scolded herself.
"Oh, not yet, Miss Thea. Although today you are probably as close as you have ever been." a smooth, amused voice remarked. The demon had arrived just in time to see her little desperate, frustrated gesture. "Yeah, Thea… Just great. Do not forget to call yourself stupid in front of that annoying demon, as well! You know, just in case he might have missed that little detail about you…" her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, Sir Pheles." the blonde looked up to meet the demon's beautiful forest-green eyes. His eyebrow rose and Mephisto got to his knee in front of Thea. "What for, dear?" "I guess… I just… I thought you made it all up, OK? I should have checked with you. And I didn't mean to be ungrateful for your hospitality. Your hospital wing runs perfectly, and the staff is really professional. I didn't consider the diagnosis to be true, I really thought it was just a cover up story. Anyways… I am all patched up now, so we can probably move on with that lesson of yours..."
Mephisto eyed the girl suspiciously. "All patched up?" "Well, yes. What do you take me for?! I won't be sitting here with my head ringing and blood running down my nose the whole day. I have healing abilities, remember? Pouring some energy into restoring my blood cells isn't such a difficult task, after all. At least now that I know where the problem was…" she blushed. A surprised expression appeared on the demon's face. "There she goes again… Here I am, set for helping this supposedly helpless human. Wahnsinn!" Mephisto thought, a strange variety of feelings mixing inside of him. On one hand, he felt really impressed that, as soon as the girl knew where the problem was, she immediately fixed it. On the other hand, though… his efforts seemed somewhat useless at this point. "And to think that I was ready to finally give her a piece of my mind for being so reckless with her health, only so she could throw me out of my game, looking all innocent and apologetic. I almost regret even thinking about scolding her… Still..." he smirked. "My apologies. I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Miss Thea. Although I must admit that you are full of surprises today."
Then his eyes sparkled. "As for your apology - I will accept it, but first you need to eat this" he pulled a red pill out of the little package he was carrying and placed it on his hand. The blonde looked at it and surprisingly, giggled. "As far as I remember, there are supposed to be two pills. One red and one blue." Mephisto shook his head and grinned mischievously. "A red pill for you, a blue one for me, and a lovely evening for both of us? Oh, or was that a Matrix reference?" The blonde went redder than a beetroot, while the demon let out a sonorous laugh. Thea couldn't believe her own ears, let alone think about some sound response. Her expression said it all. "Oh, relax." The demon continued. "Besides, you wouldn't take the blue one. You are too curious for that." he winked. "Now, despite that healing session of yours, I strongly suggest you take it." He stretched out his hand. "It is a special concentrate to fasten recovery after a blood loss - from the Academy supply shop. You should stop by sometime, as well." Thea looked at the red pill. Should she trust this demon? The pill could be anything! Literally anything! But… She closed her eyes and then took it. "All right then. A small boost might help… as a supplement at least."
"That wasn't so hard, now, was it? Here, drink it down with this." he pushed a bottle of a dark reddish liquid towards the blonde. Her eyes instantly widened, and she pulled away. "Miss Thea, I believe that I have already told you I was no vampire… I assure you that this is not a bottle of blood…" his lips curved into an irritated thin line. "Of course, I know that it is no blood!" she blurted out. "But I almost wish it were, it could be taken intravenously…" she put her hands over her face. Mephisto was startled. "Calm down, dear. It's just beetroot juice. See?" he undid the top of the bottle, only to find the girl cringing further away from him. "I knew it! I could smell that disgusting thing from miles away. Seriously… have you and Ayami ganged up on me? She had been trying to make me drink that stuff for three days already. Three! Well, no… Thank you for the pill, I already swallowed it. But I am not drinking that." Thea put her hands around her torso. The demon burst out with laughter. "Pfffff… I bet that she would rather drink that blood… So, that friend of hers was looking after her, after all! Splendid." He looked up at the chocolate-eyed blonde. He couldn't help but tease her. "As a future doctor, you should know what is best for your patients. And, when in the position of one of them, you should act properly, and not like a hypocrite."
Thea gaped at the demon. "How am I a hypocrite if I do not prescribe such a thing? I wouldn't do that to anyone! OK, maybe to an anti-vaxxer… But that's not the point! I swear, you and Ayami have the same brainwashing tactics… And I am telling you, too - Why can't it be blueberry juice?!" Mephisto thought for a while, then recited a little incantation in his head and changed the oh-so-feared beetroot juice to the blueberry version. "Still, you should drink it. I guarantee it will help." The blonde shook her head. "No, no and no. Absolutely not, and you cannot make me." the words left her mouth before she realized the challenge behind them. The demon's eyes flared with such a strong emotion that Thea's breath caught in her throat. The demon took a sip from the bottle and before his charming anemic lady had time to react, he met her lips with his and pushed the sweet liquid through her mouth. The 'lady' truly didn't have any time to react. Only one last thought managed to cross her mind. "Well, what do you know? That surely beets the beetroot!"
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Disclaimer: Blue Exorcists belongs to Kazue Katō. Please, do not re-post or publish my story without my consent.
Author's note: Hello all! ^^ Another chapter is out! It took me a little longer, but then, it is the longest chapter so far. I really hope that you enjoyed it! :)
Anyway - this is my first FF-writing attempt, so I would really appreciate your feedback :)