Chapter 3: yearning/anxiety
Ones more it was up to Jinga to stop the red haired girl to touch his helmet. For him it only meant persistence has to be contemplated with when accounting her actions and mood, so a closer eye on this red head wouldn't hurt at all.
Successfully having stopped her from doing any further touching, he steps back to return to Raynare on the other side of the street. The poor thing had to witness herself what he had meant with ´eating them´ This freak was a maniac, fuck that, he was a cannibal. She never would have thought a second that the hellish brood of demons would one day spit out such bastardisation of their own. What must one have done to end up like that?
With the two of the three persons in the area minding their own interest, the third wheel was not to swallow the parting that easily. Rias wanted to know more now that her interest is sparkling. She crosses the small gap of space between her and the knight quickly attaching herself to his side, suppressing constant hissing by the stinging, burning feeling on her body by the armor he wields „Hey there, would you stop for a fucking second. I will not allow you to go like that. This demands an explanation! What did you do there ?"
Jinga on the other hand would rather mind his own business for the moment, as his plans did not involve Rias in this phase so early. Her phase will come into play later on should it be though that he has to change that aspect, so shall he adjust her for the early phase.
To not raise any tension, he got this over with painless „You shouldn't ask questions you have no connection to. I saved you because that demon was a nuisance, that is all."
Rias was still not satisfied, the lack of substance in that lazily crafted answer to dodge her was annoying. She abruptly crossed her arms bellow her massive chest – a bit of jiggling came into action before she spoke „´Then I think I have to thank you for that. If it was not more than a coincidence that I was there, so be it."
She was very sure he was playing an act and cracking the hard shell must now be done if she wants to warm him up for the future idea of having him join her peerage „Anyways, I am Rias."
Should he shake her hand? She was holding it out, so it was an invitation to it, although what should go wrong with that?
Lastly he decided to give her a firm handshake „Jinga Mikage." He had used his alter egos last name again by reasons he didn't understood quite well, for the most basic reason it can be used for cover, nonetheless it was definitely not a solid reason as an answer to that question, as any other last name would go too.
Unlike Jinga, Rias wasn't mentally captured inside her head, which had her be the only one reacting to the meeting of both with a sweet smile „Jinga, then. Unusual name. I will remember it when we meet again."
The tiny break after her declaration tuned Jinga out of his minds slowly „Maybe sooner than you might think." Jinga turned away from Rias, a meeting had to be attended after all and he wasn't going to be late for it.
Rias will remember the armor of this person, for she is sure, more than anything else, he will be hers. Her family and that bastard of a phoenix will no longer influence her own free will, never again. So, should she follow that man, further more, if she does, will he stop her from following him further? She had to try, now ´Do it now you idiot!´ she motivates herself by thinking that multiple times.
Finally she steps forward, step by step she build up momentum to catch up to her new interest „Wait a second!"
Jinga turns around seconds before crossing the block to turn to the left streetway. A gaze of annoyance radiating from him which the girl couldn't detect.
Rias comes to a halt a few meters away from the armor to grin brightly „Can I accompany you? I would be interested in what the man beneath the helmet is like. A little conversation would be a good start, don't you think? Besides, you are active in Kuoh, the town designated to my watch and protection."
What is it now Jinga will do? Should he decline, she will surely cling to him, should he accept, she would cling to him. The real question would be which option decides to have her cling as less as possible to him. The way he ended up introducing himself earlier than planned to her was because he didn't think of the fallen angels trying to get to Hyoudou. He knows a handful of this world, but most is hidden away from him - Improvisation is as must.
Like he was undecisive which could be read by his tone, his words gave an aligning answer to his state „I would rather have it to not be the case, but I assume you would ignore my wish and follow me anyway. One way or the other you would pursue me."
Rias proudly nods with a firm stand, while her crossed arms lift her chest up a little „Exactly. Even if not by friendly means, I protect the town that is dear to me. It is up to you how we proceed from here on out." The crimson head moved her hands to rest on her hips with a slight leaning into her front „Or is it that you are quite the shy guy?" she wanted to say it playfully, hoping it would not annoy him.
„I would suggest that we meet tomorrow then. Here we should meet up, say at 16 o'clock and we can talk. I would consider it a negotiation of terms for operating in your town." Cleverly played to appeal to the girl and stay in control of this play. „If you would now excuse me, I have to leave."
She won. She indeed won this round to step closer to her own freedom from the burden of her family name, so, be god damned if she wouldn't win the coming hardships and trails. Excitement that couldn't be hid leaked out in vocal and bodily expression: Jumping and squealing happily.
Taking off with time and rendezvous place in mind, Rias was guaranteed to sleep well tonight.
…...
Raynare wanted to tell Jinga that meeting Rias tomorrow was a bad idea, nothing but stress would be gained. On the opposing side of the argument, she was a stranger, worse a hostage of his like her friends were. A wrong word could kill her.
She simply viewed his silhouette approach her as the armor lifts itself off the man's body „Damn, that girl will be a nuisance." Cracking his neck he exclaimed.
Raynare cursed herself mentally for this now „Then why did you not account her into your plan?"
Jinga's eyed widen a tiny bit for his voice became sudden „Oh, I did. I merely didn't thought we would share some traits. All I now of this world is by torture. One demon told me about the supernatural, a fallen led me to your group and an angel told me about Hyoudou. All I know is collected, most is still missing - A mystery." Jinga stretches his arm out, during the process his hand formed itself into a gripping, muscle tensed that looked like enveloping Raynare's entire head from the perspective his eyes viewed „You will help me with step one, to get the bigger picture, so my plan will form itself into perfection." devilish grin befitting him, charming his lips
„In your plan... what happens to us?" Us as in species or as in her group was unclear to herself, yet she hoped both would be answered with a positive option.
Jinga closed the distance between the two to brush his thumb along her cheek „Don't worry. I will have a sweet place for you and your group, as long as none of you steps in my path. My interest lies in Hyoudou."
His thumb traveled to her throat, followed by the soft grip of the rest of his hand „So, don't be a bad player and let teamwork be a guiding light, clear?" his sassy attitude cringed Raynare on, worse, infuriated her, but what is the better possibility? She doesn't see it, probably never will. So, she swallows her pride and anger for now, for herself, her group – For Issei... „Okay...Should be doable... ."
It beguiled Jinga how her words sounded so sweet in his ears. He was certain to have her on the leash, like he has her friends. No one sees the darkness that awaits – So exciting!
For now, though, both didn't share much of words for the purpose of arriving at the meeting at the school. The entrance at this time of the day was empty as expected. Roaming and spooking not even one soul of anything, or they hide their presence.
Some critical gazes were shot around for any sign of an ambush, a trick, even the slightest wrong breath.
All steps made careful into the football field, none of the nuisance that was called a chirping noise of insects from the in-betweens of the football fields grass, nor any word uttered from his female companion because she herself was enveloped by the silence.
She wanted to speak, fast paced went for another decision, the decision to shot her mouth while her view is fixed at Jigna Infront of her. His black suit nearly catches all available light that shone on it.
With the cool breezing, slow breaths focused in rhythm – His hand lightning fast on his Jian's handle, left and right nothing. Above them nothing to be seen.
Like that he stood there, around a couple of minutes or so until Raynare finally relaxed and approached with the intention of placing her opinion into the room about his paranoia,
…..
…...
…...
there it suddenly struck like a lightning does strike the ground with full force at Raynare. Luckily for her, Jinga catches the intruder at last second with his Jian's blade: The massive figure was of an armor, kinda draconic in nature with a white overall color choice, striped around areas that surround pauldrons or pearls in gold.
The being flapped those translucent, blue-ish wings, just like that clearing the dust dome it created on impact to fully display his form.
Only the person in the armor knew, the smirk that both gave away in that instant that felt like hours between the two, furthermore the pulsing ecstasy raging for more of this power clash – More, more! MORE, MORE!
The armored figure made the first move to take a step back to not eternally be locked in this blade - arm guard – lock, and indeed get a good striking distance.
Like the mirror mimicking the bodies movement, Jinga thought of the same, blade and arm clashed in raging strikes, fast enough to daze Raynare on sheer eye contact, by the next clash the armored figure changed its pace as well as his pattern to include his tail hanging behind him, forcing Jinga to adapt with his scabbard.
Countering every counter of his opponent, moreover his opponent returned that favor for the grand, last spin backwards from each other, so equal footing with meters apart from the other cancelled their attacks out.
Exchange of staring, burning flames kindling ablaze representative of their will and desire to strike into this promising battle. Although the white figure relaxed a ton settling the pose into a more casual one „I have to say that you are not bad at all."
Jinga pulled his hair bang slightly back to respond with the full view on his foe „Not bad, huh? I gotta say you are considerable at least. Not bad too."
The figure chuckled amused of his words „Well, well. Anyways, I am here on behalf of Azazel. Someone seems to have ordered a meeting with him. Giving the circumstances, I believe that to be you?"
Azazel hasn't come himself and instead sends his lapdog to do his job, an unsettling fact for the Horror he didn't let know this person „He send you? Must be an important asset for him or am I not worthy of his time?" Ask he.
The person rested his left hand on his hip during the process his armor vanishes from his body until only the wings were left. Revealed was a teenage boy with long silver hair „Azazel is just a bit...strange? I'll go with that. You have to make contentment with me for now."'
He closed the distance slow fashioned, and at his last step directly looked eye to eye with Jinga,
whom hasn't moved an inch with any muscle so far, for he only smirked self aware „Good, I will to contentment with you. Azazel has to know something I do wish to know too."
„What would that be?" tilting his ice – blue eyes the boy asks
Jinga grins further „Hyoudou. The boy was targeted by the woman's group here."
„Easy there cowboy-" Raynare interrupted for the boy to give her a chilling glare
Jinga took on his pace again „As I said, they must have had orders from someone. If Azazel is behind this we have a tiny discrepancy." Jinga was now dominant in his approach to step even closer To the boys face „Hyoudou is mine."
Hyoudou is his? So, the boy shall be stripped off his destiny to rival his competitor? „ha ha ha ha ha!" Covering face by his hand, he bend his upper body back, expressing absurdity in the suit wearing mans statement „Not yours, mine. He and I will settle our long lasting battle, inherited from one bearer to the other over generations."
the boy shoved Jinga slightly, afterwards grabbing his jacket „Don't intervene in our destined fight." Cold in his eyes, determined in his spirit.
Despondingly Jinga only tilted his head slightly „Oh, are we that confident?~ However, you should come back down from the high hours of arrogance you're sitting on, and tell me what the reason for the observation was, if there was any at all."
Opposing the boys stand was what was needed to get on with the conversation, Raynare had the same in mind even though really scared to say it out in a manner that maybe would anger them both, yet both seemed to be calm generally „I had my orders to observe Hyoudou first and foremost from Azazel. Though in time the order got changed to kill him, which is why I made my move."
The boy changes gaze to Ranyare instantaneously „Changed to kill? Azazel would not dismiss his subject for the purpose of a swift kill, unlikely of him. Are you sure it was not an misunderstanding of your group."
God, that voice was threating to a unhealthy point for Raynare that her sweat began being produced already „I haven't gotten a chance to dig into the meaning behind the order. As fallen Angel of lower rank, orders get thrown out – silent post like, the original order is often warped."
The answer didn't amuse the boy at all which was visible, not that he tried to hide it really „Unacceptable. I advise to correct your mistake before Azazel will find out about this.". Of course, it earned a gulp from Raynare to have this boy threaten him.
She was not sure why this all would matter, not like it is something bigger that is going on behind the curtain. Shifting her weight to the side to tilt her body a little, her arms cross bellow her chest „All I know is someone sees Issei as a threat, and elimination was his only choice."
Summarized, nothing is revealed ultimately, and instead of seeing Azazel, this boy replaced his presence to play a mind game with the Horror for seeing whom will trump the other by their starting hand of cards to which furthermore, Jinga is confident that he hasn't played any of his cards out yet.
Giving the boy a smirk ended the talk between the fallen and him „Never mind the detail. Tell Azazel he should consider where he stands when all hell breaks loose." Strong words coming from the man turning his back to a foe matching him apparently, which the boy knows of in fact.
Arrogantly throwing the man a "tsk" before throwing his head sideways, blurring the figure of Jinga out of sight. Over all, he didn't wanted to give him the last word „I will look forward to meeting you again, stranger."
Confidence and Arrogance often mix and more than often stretch a fin line between them to distinguish one from the other, given, not even the voice in the boys head knows which one is applicable to his partner „Are you sure that you do not confuse confidence with your arrogance, Vali?"
The voice wasn't given a response, thus the silence began with his walk away from the location.
….
Raynare and Jinga passed the streets to the church again to meet up with the others, though Jinga had other plans for now. Long he wouldn't hold the group in his grasp and if they would play their role with bravo, safely he would give them a place in his new world.
Splitting the duo up had Raynare take the chance to finally breathe again, and God forbid she would taste the entirety of it. No tension, no maniac behind her back, just her thinking...thinking about the boy she had met, whom first was just an observation mission, yet all got chaotic, following the change of observing to killing, of course she stood obedient to the order, not questioning it, in spite of the fact, questioning the previously not questioned order is now a bit ironic to her.
Whatever it was, it is now a bit more complicated than that. Is Issei really growing on her? He is sweet, the last date they had in the aquarium was so sweet, that they met this spit out of the underworld.
Now, more or less it was not a question anymore but a decision to be made, plus more than a simple danger seems to be lurking. Given that, she will do her best to protect Issei.
….
Around the sun goes, as the morning finally greets the people of Kuoh. It was a peaceful Saturday, most people were out on the streets shopping, meeting with friends or just chilling in an cafe.
One particular girl was standing out due to her figure and long, crimson hair – Rias Gremoy forcefully trying to steer a meeting with the knight from last night. She had to admit, furthermore often be a bit surprised by herself how resourceful she can be. Sending her familiar bat after the knight was a risky idea, after all he could have found the poor guy, adding the puzzle pieces together, lastly maybe be aggressive against her. A thought not wished to be crossed in mind.
´According to my familiar, he was seen around this street last night, and somewhere around her he is now. Stupid thing is that my little friend lost him five minutes ago.´ she thought.
Biting her thumb nervously, Rias looks side to side before crossing the street to start the search ones again. Time passed slowly reaching 13 o´clock. Two hours of nonstop searching and nothing to be found. Maybe throwing the white towel for today would be the best-
Wouldn't there be the simple fact of her bumping into someone, likely with how she was in her own world, focus scattered around and eyes unfocused on the people around her.
She bowed to apologize to seconds later see a guy with white hair dressed in an suit standing infront of her. Like this she could have barely know whom this stranger was, her familiar could barely make out details of the knight, so details were still hidden from her – She couldn't know if this was the knight from last night.
Luckily he gave himself out pretty quickly because he pulled her squeaking, and shivering familiar out from inside his suits jacket „You seem to have lost something."
The frightened bat flew into Rias's arms lightning fast, she totally baffled coming with excuses „I wasn't – I thought-" she stuttered sweating a little.
„Almost had me there. I noticed him an hour ago, cheeky little thing like her master it seems." Jinga states blatantly.
Rias has her bat disappear for now, solely setting her eyes on Jinga „So, the face of the knight is to finally be seen as it is." Excitement could be heard out of her voice, rather a handsome fellow. Going into a "Gremory Lady mode" kinda, clearing her throat to gain composure „Now that paths cross again, let me invite you to a little drink. There is a good cafe with some great cake."
„Cake? Isn't that a bit rushed for a date?" He jokes
The girl smirked only, chuckling the comment out of her head „Well, see it as a arrangement benefitting us both,"
Interest in both peaked carves the path to a road that may be walked together. The question is, is Jinga ready for the step, likewise the question arises for Rias how much trust she would put into this man if she would know that he even puts Lucifer to shame in his evil nature.
Jinga crossed his arms „I will give you time to explain your idea, I hope though you will give me good arguments for it." ouch, harsh on it as it seems, no reason for Rias to not chase after it.
„I will change your mindset. I am for a reason the daughter of the duke of Gremory." Meaningless for Jinga, meaningless in the bigger picture, soon all will just be nothing. „Follow me then." Rias takes the lead straight ahead to the cafe she mentioned with Jinga skidding along like a stubborn dog.
Many eyes laid on them – well, mostly Jinga: Odd was it that a elderly man like him accompanied a younger girl, although none gave those stares any meaning given they stepped into the cafe shop at the very moment „So, what is it you would like to drink? Ask for anything for it is my treat."
Ask for anything is a blatant statement if you consider that Jinga hasn't eaten anything that a normal human would consume for over decades. How the fuck does something taste? Doubting in any possible way that he even can eat anything aside Horror's or human's, Jinga settles on the beautiful designed chair belonging to the table.
The heiress of the Gremory clan chose the chair across – face to face with each other had them look at the menu ´What was the taste of coffee like? How long was it since I ate anything human related? My alter ego had his fair share of time drinking with his family, though nothing of those memories I recall.´ As if a little child was confronted with the complex themes of the quantum physics, the Horror looked at the menu completely blacked out.
On the other side was Rias's quick decision making: A cappuccino with more coffee foam than a usual Cappuccino has, additionally, she wished for a black forest gateau. „Has my guest decided ?"
„Your guest is overstrained from all this." waving his thumb bellow the table to compress his slippery emotion of nervousness „I will attach my decision to yours, ordering a cappuccino and black forest gateau as well." Jinga placed the menu card onto the table during the waitresses arrival. The orders were swiftly taken, coming and going, time passed by 5 minutes, leading to their orders being brought to their table.
Both look at each other internally locked in their minds bite by bite until Rias began to propose her idea to him slily very much so „Delicious, isn't it? My favorite to go place for cakes. This cafe sells cakes from all around the world, for all I can say the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is my favorite so far."
Jinga found the information stunning no question about it sarcastically, although he not dared to take a bite from it with all God's blessing he barely poked the fork into the Viennese Soil decorated with the astonishingly good looking cream „The German pronunciation, never thought you would know...nothing hard to know, though it didn't come to me you would know how to speak German."
Gracefully taking bites she corrected him on that „Not really to be honest. I know some words for the cakes in this cafe, for most simply introducing me is the only thing I know. Even though my heart beats for the Japanese tradition, I can't come around to pick up some things in this establishment." she even was doing the cute thing of waving her fork during the correction.
Only a raised eyebrow was gifted though „Interesting. As you had stated, what is that offer of yours benefitting us both?"
Instead of using her finger to address the thematic, she did use the fork with a wink „ Simple: As the heiress to the Gremory after my beloved brother, it is my duty to put my families name above all else. Staining the name Gremory with dishonor is the least thing I want, yet something is wished from me I can't come in for." Mentioning the problem brought sadness to her beautiful face, Jinga could tell she wasn't found of speaking about it „To keep our pure blood running, devil NEEDS to marry devil, something I can't share as an opinion, furthermore being in that situation, I am desperate."
Showing obvious signs of interest towards her pity problem caused the chain reaction leading to Rias's planned destiny closing up further „Desperate for?" The man rested his chin on the bonded hands surface „I doubt you even know an offer giving that fact."
Temper of the red head is something rarely to be toyed with, which Jinga attempts to with success, so she has to do the same „I do." threating manners hidden beneath her breath „I will though explain the my side first. Recently an abnormal variable has appeared in the form of those demons, which you consumed last night. Eliminating the source of the problem will buy me out of what – whom awaits me at the end of the road."
´Eliminating the source of the Horror's she says!? HA HA HA HA!´ Inside Jinga's mind the mental laughter cramping was hurting him, his chest ached with every laughter ´This foolish girl, eaten up by her own desire for a free will to marry her chosen one – she is clenched in desire, clenched in her emotions so deeply to not realize what weight her decisions will burden on her.!"
On the outside, Jinga calmy nods to every word of the heiress, acting interested „Understanding you correctly, you want me to help you out. Let me then hear your offer."
She was garnishing her face with a smirk so sure she has Jinga in her hands „I offer you a high rank position in the devil society. My father surely would appreciate your help and reward you accordingly."
„No."
„No? Well, as you wish. Then what about power?" The second offer shot out faster from her mouth, her confident self slowly crumbled to the amusement of the Horror she was talking to.
„No." Now it drifted into the territory of teasing. Of course did Jinga want power, nevertheless he can achieve it by himself without needing to rely on others „You run out of options, and I do run out of patience."
Also stuttering now despite her original plan of recruiting Issei Hyoudou for her peerage still being worked on, recruiting Jinga was a giant step forward, cutting many simple, most importantly tiny steps to reach her goal, even then, unfortunately she can't seem to hold him „O – okay, then...then a wish! Tell me what you need. If it is in my power I will make it reality."
His wish, his wish was something out of the concept of human processing, how could a low – life devil understand? „I decline."
Rias clenched her fist unbeknownst to her own consciousness while she tried to come up with ideas „I despise the idea maybe, because this wouldn't be like I want it, but for a night...my body perhaps?" Seen in her eyes was the reflection of mentioned discomfort, and spite for the idea of doing it with someone as fulfillment, rounding off an agreement.
Jinga got baffled for a split second. Rias was a beauty, of course nothing compared to Amelie for him, yet solely as observation it couldn't be denied, yet again the answer wouldn't change, but why not though? Why not let her in the illusion she has him in her grasp „I decline that too."
„What?-"
Jinga crosses his arms after he set up straight „You will become an ally to me. I know the peerage is a family for many, servants for most. I need people to work with, as I have my own goals, and every piece has to play its role."
´Piece?´ naming her a chess piece to toy with after declining that sex offer was inappropriate in her opinion showing he has a huge confidence in himself, could also be a huge ego „You need me then, working with you?"
„With me..."
Rias touched her forehead letting the mixed thoughts go through her mind „I don't gift my trust easily, that is something you need to earn for a real partnership, but work related is countable, I guess..."
„Have we an agreement?" Pin point stare into her soul she felt surely, turning, avoiding, lastly repaying him the stare she decides „I agree.
The atmosphere of the space changed for Jinga's experience, warped by his twisted smirk the girl barely could assign to. She was oblivious, factoring a good point for the Horror, and the moment she will notice it, it will be to late „I am glad you accept."
Yes, she accepted thinking she outsmarted Jinga, as ultimately it resolves into him helping her out get out of her cursed destiny, so she has nothing to loose „Good we found a mutual ground, and the first cooperation for the base of our partnership: A stray devil has escaped into my territory, something I can't tolerate. Let us lead it to its rightful punishment."
„How do you think to handle that?"
Since the negotiations ended in her favor, she was composed back into her collected self. Crossed arms show a strong front as she spoke „My peerage and I would handle it while you tag along. We are a oiled machine, adding a new cockwheel into the machinery would cause disfunctions, so at the beginning calling it a stony step is appropriate."
Tagging along was like saying you do nothing, but her peerage would likely distrust him, if this charade helps out, so be it „Fine with that."
Triumph shouted the smirk on her face throughout the whole time she had called the waitress for the paycheck, nevertheless missing out Jinga's smirk. He takes the fork going for a slice of his cake piece. In his mouth he chewed to taste nothing at all, solidifying that his Horror genes nullified what human taste buds he had. Only the craving for flesh and soul of a Horror, his kin be it human or Horror can satisfy him, for that was his last step.
Open the curtain for the first act!