Chapter 36

Shiva didn't normally mind the cold, but the mood on the Blood Rose was arctic. Siren sat in the corner of the room, staring moodily out of the window. Diablos was nowhere to be seen, but everyone knew he was on the roof sulking. Shiva turned to Ifrit, who was polishing his sword. She elbowed him the ribs.

Ifrit frowned. "Hey!"

"We should do something," she said.

Ifrit looked blank. " What for?"

"Go talk to Diablos," said Shiva with a determined expression, "I'll talk to Siren."

"I don't want to talk to that bastard!" retorted Ifrit sullenly.

Shiva elbowed him in the ribs again. He got up angrily and stalked out of the room. Shiva stood up and sat next to Siren. She put a hand on her shoulder.

Siren looked up with a sad expression. "What?"

"What's wrong?" asked Shiva.

Tears started spilling out of Siren's eyes. "He hates me."

Shiva frowned. "Why would he?"

Siren shook her head. "I promised I'd accept him as he is. But when I saw his true form I screamed. I'm such a fool!"

Shiva looked unsure what to do with her hands. "I.."

Siren hung her head and tears landed on her hands. She clenched the hem of her gown tightly.

"I think it takes time for us to accept others as they truly are," began Shiva slowly, "I thought Ifrit was a dumb brute at first but I realize now he's very kind and sincere."

Siren glanced surreptitiously at her. "You are too."

Shiva laughed and shook her head. "No I'm not. I'm a haughty bitch who thinks she's better than everyone else."

Siren dried her eyes and sniffled. "I don't think Ifrit sees you that way. He follows you around like a puppy."

Shiva blushed and put her hands to her cheeks. "No! That's ridiculous! He couldn't possibly love me!"

Siren smiled sadly. "I think there's a chance that you could be happy together. But I doubt I will be."

They watched the clouds drift by the window in silence.

Ifrit clambered out onto the roof and made his way along the wooden railing on the upper deck. Diablos was lying onto top of a vent, his hands behind his head, eyes closed. Ifrit stood over him indecisively.

"Come here to gloat?" asked Diablos without opening his eyes.

Ifrit folded his arms. "No."

Diablos opened an eye. "No? How disappointing."

Ifrit glared at him. "Look, I don't care how you act towards me, but you should at least take care of your friends better!"

Diablos sat up, incredulous. "Friends? Oh, you mean Siren?"

Ifrit fumed. "Yes, her!"

Diablos touched his forehead with a gloved hand. "What's it to you anyway?"

Ifrit grabbed his collar. "Look here you asshole! I've had it with your high and mighty act!"

Diablos laughed grimly. "Do you perhaps have a soft spot for the fair Siren?"

Ifrit blushed and dropped him.

Diablos adjusted his cape. "Still wearing your heart on your sleeve I see. It'll be you undoing eventually."

Ifrit hit him across the mouth. Diablos landed on his back with a thud. He blinked for a second and then touched his hand to his mouth. He spat out black blood.

"Now that's more like it!" he said gleefully, "Such tremendous power!"

"To hell with power!" barked Ifrit.

Diablos stood up. "I hate to see you squandering your gifts."

"Don't change the subject!" snapped Ifrit, "You need to give Siren a second chance!"

Daiblos stared at him stunned. Then he began to laugh unpleasantly. He clutched his sides.

"You're trying to patch up things between Siren and myself?" he said chuckling, "How utterly pathetic!"

"It's not pathetic!" retorted Ifrit.

Diablos sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I mean I'm the pathetic one. You actually waste pity on me? How humiliating!"

"Everyone gets freaked out when they see our true forms at first," said Ifrit passionately, "But eventually some of them accept us!"

Diablos looked up at him. Ifrit was taken aback by how much despair he saw.

"I can get over humans reacting with revulsion to me.but another Esper?" he demanded.

"It's not your form that's ugly, it's your hatred," said Ifrit.

Diablos managed to pull in his emotions again and sighed. "You sound strangely wise today. But it is wasted on me."

Ifrit snarled and faced away.

"Still," said Diablos stroking his beard thoughtfully, "You keep surprising me. And that's a good thing."

Ifrit snorted. "I'll work with you, but I'll never be your friend!"

Diablos waved a hand. "Of course. What does one thing have to with the other?"

Ifrit turned around. "So you'll give her another chance."

"Why do you care?" asked Diablos.

Ifrit sensed he was serious this time.

"I want her to be happy," he said in a subdued tone.

"I cannot give anyone happiness," he said darkly, "But I'll give her a chance, for your sake."