Volume 2: Clashing Flames

Life 1: A Day's Work

Most of the time, Noé's sleep cycle was usually the common sort. Dreams he would vaguely recall as soon as he woke up or just brief stints of unconscious black because he was too tired to even have the leftover energy to dream. Those were usually the nights that resulted in mornings with his alarm being punched off his nightstand.

Tonight was not one of those nights.

Far too vivid to be a dream, yet just dull enough on the senses to not be awake either. Noé was standing atop one of many skyscrapers, the expanse of which, between all sizes and shapes, stretched out to the horizon for as far as he could see. The streets below were devoid of anything. And the sky above him was abnormal. Pure blue like the day, but not a cloud in sight. And rather than the sun, an all too close, bright moon hung in the sky above the city.

"If I'm here… then it means that guy wants to talk."

Turning around as he felt a sudden gust, Noé spotted a massive shadow suddenly cast over him as an all too loud series of wingbeats reverberated through the air. Crimson flames suddenly coursed in the streets below, yet neither did Noé feel any heat nor did the way the light moved in the space change at all. And then there was the being that landed on the rooftop before him.

Titanic in size, enough that the building could hardly be called a perch. The being's eyes were the same deep green as emeralds. His maw was lined with wicked fangs running up to a frightening extent in the brief moment it was opened. Scales of deep, fiery crimson, deeper red horns coming from his forehead, curling upwards into a fine point. Powerful legs thicker than trees and obsidian black claws that dug into the concrete like it wasn't even there. And giant, leathery wings that made this titan look even bigger than he was already.

In short words, a Dragon. The Dragon sealed within Noé's own soul. Y Ddraig Goch, the Welsh Dragon.

"Been a while since your scaly butt came to this neck of my mind," Noé chuckled, taking a seat atop some exposed vent systems. "What's the occasion?"

"Nice to see that tongue of yours is still needlessly sharp," Ddraig huffed.

"And you need a breath mint," Noé sniped, the dragon retaliating by blowing out an extra hot gust from his maw. "But in all seriousness, what's the deal? Things catch your interest enough for more than random input?"

"That's one way to word things," Ddraig admitted. "Let's also just say nearly getting killed by a Cadre Class is something of a wakeup call."

"A bloody month ago…" Noé grumbled. "So, what's the deal?"

"I'm saying my interest is piqued at last. I was getting bored with just fighting Stray Devils all the time. I know for a fact you were too."

"It's a job for the most part," Noé plucked up a bit of gravel and started rolling it in his fingers. "Can't help I outpaced those things way too quickly. Though… part of me does feel tired fighting things that ain't much of a challenge. Most fun I've had lately was fighting that damned Stray Priest… though that was mostly shut out by other things."

"So I noticed," Ddraig chuckled. "But I don't dislike seeing you let that passion of yours take hold. You're a reckless fool at times, but the payoff tends to be worth it. I've never been manifested in a Half-Devil before, so a lot of this is pretty interesting to me. Especially that Darklight power of yours."

"Still waitin' on Mom to get home so I can interrogate her about this shit," Noé pitched the pebble over his shoulder, Ddraig giving a nod.

"I also wanna advise you to tread carefully," Ddraig added. "That run in with the Cadre was lucky on our part. Someone less reasonable wouldn't have cared that you flashed the Gremory emblem at them. And I'm sure as you keep getting wrapped up with those folks, a lot more is going to start happening around you. So try not to get yourself, and me, killed."

"Ah please, if I bite it, you'll just move onto the next host like it's nothing," Noé huffed, Ddraig only giving a rumble in reply. "But, fine. Not like I'm dumb enough to pick a fight someone who can vape me with a flick of a finger anyway. I'm a fool, not an idiot."

"Good… gotta say though, I didn't have a clue what your bloodline could've been for ages. I just figured you came from some weirdly strong offshoot family… but now that I know the truth, this is a lot more fun."

"Wait, you know what bloodline me and Mom are part of?!"

"Let's just say that back during the time before I got sealed, I ran into some nasty bastards," Ddraig said, angling his head down. "And one of 'em used a power just like yours. But… ain't my place to go meddling in family affairs. Like you said, you wanna interrogate your old lady first chance you get. I'm only working off what I know from experience. But I also wanna know why your folks have kept this a secret from you till now. So, call my reticence pragmatic."

"Heh, asshole," Noé's chuckle brought an amused rumble from the dragon.

"Pot meet kettle. Hehe, anyway, I'll be keeping in touch more often."

"Yeah yeah…"

Noé hopped from his seat and back to the edge of the building as Ddraig and the flames vanished. With a breath, he turned around and threw himself off the edge, watching as the space around him vanished into nothing but black, and he finally slid back into unconsciousness.

Beep… beep… beep… beep…

Only for the ever-familiar shrill scream of his alarm clock to pull him right back out of it. Dragging himself up a bit, Noé promptly slammed a fist onto the rubber coated item to render it silent. It was quite the convenient thing he'd found at some random shop while running errands one day, considering Noé had run through more than a few alarms in his day from accidentally hitting them a bit too hard when waking up from a particularly aggravating job a night beforehand.

Dragging himself out of bed as he lazily plucked his phone from his nightstand, Noé went about his typical morning routine from there. Off a bit of a whim, he decided to actually leave his earrings in for once despite putting his uniform on. He knew from experience the odds of being called out for wearing them at school were thin.

Though it was about the time he was getting together items for making breakfast that the briefest of interruptions came to the routine.

"Morning…" a rather drowsy Asia, yawning as she walked into the kitchen and still wearing her nightgown, giving a dainty wave to Noé as he browsed the fridge. "What's for breakfast?"

"Haven't quite decided yet. Want something to help you wake up while I figure this out?"

"Mhmm… some tea, please."

Asia took her now effectively designated seat at the table, complete with new chair since Tsuno would've had words if "his" seat at the table had been taken. Noé sifted through the cabinets to find the tea leaves, pulling a couple out and using the one Asia pointed to in her drowsy state. Hmm… a breakfast that'd go alright with tea… something lighter then. Noé chuckled to himself as the thought occurred while setting up the tea kettle.

After the tea was prepared and Noé got the ingredients of choice ready, Asia quietly watched Noé get to work as she started sipping the drink, a warm, rousing sensation running through her with each gulp she took.

As he was, Noé also took a moment to check his phone when it chimed, Asia catching a grimace come to his face. "Another sighting? Those idiots… how many times have I gotta tell them they're just seein' shit… Samurai ghost my foot…"

Seeing a chance to divert Noé from the sudden dour mood, Asia cleared her throat. "So… Noé, when did you learn to cook?"

"Hm?" it did the trick. "Ehh, Mom started teaching me around the time I started middle school, which was also when her little bouts of traveling started being for longer and longer periods. Dad spends so much time working on his formulas and other things, he's not much of a housekeeper, as the last month has proven."

"Sometimes I wonder if he'd ever leave without you to remind him."

"Sometimes he doesn't. Last night was a bit different, so it's usually best to just let him sleep in when he does bother to crash in the master bedroom. Experience has taught me nothing will drag that man out of his bed aside from the end of the world… and Mom. But that stuff is also why I've been doing all the housekeeping myself for… since middle school really. Eventually it just became a habit and I never lost it."

"Hmhm. From what I hear at school, I guess I can be glad this is a little thing I can keep to myself."

Noé let out a dry, but amused chuckle. "Our schoolmates are already confused enough about what kind of person I am. But sure, one little secret to amuse yourself with."

Asia giggled as Noé finished cooking, and he was sure to leave a plate wrapped with a note for Van for later.

Such was the now rather normal routine in the Edelweiss household with Asia's inclusion. Noé had to admit, the small shift made things a tad more interesting. Though, a small part of him wondered if something would happen yet again. He doubted it could be on the somewhat worrisome level that the Fallen Angel incident had been.

But, Noé just had that idea in the back of his head that morning. And he wasn't quite sure why.

"So uh… Noé?" Asia paused in eating some toast. "Could you… teach me some more about cooking this evening?"

"Sure. Still trying to get more dishes down?"

"Yes. I never had to cook for myself before… and you make learning it fun. Could we try something from Italy tonight? I've always wanted to cook the kinds of dishes I saw in restaurants."

"Italian huh… not my usual, but worth a try. It can be something for both of us to learn."

But it was easy conversations like this that let Noé ease those slight woes. Plus, it helped Asia was something of a relaxing presence in general. Her earnestness was soothing, and he appreciated it. Damn… I'm actually having these thoughts… Noé couldn't help but let his eyes lid a bit as it came to him. Ah… she's cute so who cares?

Later that day, Noé had to wonder what had gone and stirred him awake from a nap in the school infirmary.

Being the sort of person he was, while Noé was a student with good grades and decent attendance record, he was also about as prone to finding excuses to sneak off from physical education classes and take time to nap. Considering his night owl tendencies, it only came naturally.

"No way my timer went off…" Noé rubbed his eyes with one hand, the other settling down… and while he was expecting the slight softness of the bed, that was not actually what he found his fingers pressing into. It was a different kind of soft warmth. "Eh?" Please tell me this kind of cliché hasn't just happened to me…

With that annoyed thought in his mind as he drew his hand back, he glanced down. Yes… yes it did.

Snoozing next to him without a care in the world was Rias. And to Noé's visible confusion, completely in the buff as well, only the veil of her crimson hair stopping him from seeing anything more risqué than the sides of her large chest, her thighs pillowing together to keep the most dangerous area hidden. Though what really caught Noé's eyes were her wings also being out.

And he couldn't quite help himself from looking at them quite intently. While Noé couldn't quite say he had much to make comparisons too, having not seen many other Devils for now, there was an interest there. While Rias' wings appeared to be the expected, bat-like glossy black in shape, Noé also noticed how the edges almost seemed wispy, as if her wings weren't entirely solid. Maybe it's a Gremory thing… nah, more like that power of hers… what was it again?

Giving up on the thought, Noé trailed his gaze back down to Rias' sleeping face. Should I grab a marker? Nah… too stereotyped… eh, screw it, this situation is already dumb enough. So instead he just settled for light poking Rias on the cheek, the girl giving a mewl as she was bothered. "Oi, wake up. I'd like to hear the reasoning behind ending up in this kind of scenario, please and thank you."

"Hmm?" Rias' eyes fluttered open after repeated prods, sitting up as Noé drew his hand away. And in the interest of her own privacy, Noé elected to turn his gaze away. "Oh, you got up first."

"Don't go talking like this was some mutual idea," Noé drawled, Rias chuckling at his disinterest in playing along.

"What?" Rias elected to lean back into Noé's eyesight as he further turned away. "Ohh? Might you be embarrassed? Do you happen to be the type who acts tough but is actually wholly inexperienced with women?"

"On the contrary, I'm just trying to be polite and afford you some privacy… why the hell are you naked anyway?" Noé felt a slight crick in his brow as Rias decided to further mess with him and lean into his back, the sudden press of two rather soft objects bringing a mildly annoyed growl out of him.

"I'm not the type who sleeps easily in clothes, even a thin nightgown is a bit too much," said the Devil. "I also have a hard time sleeping without something to snuggle with. You make for quite the nice pillow, so I just sort of dozed off while waiting for you to wake up."

"I call bull," Noé bit, Rias chuckling again. "If you wanted to just talk to me, you'd have just woke me up yourself. I'm not dumb enough to not think it doesn't take a minute to undress and then climb into a bed."

"Well I mean I do want to talk. Buuut you also looked so relaxed, I felt guilty about the idea of waking you up. Besides, you'd probably only be more irritated if I had."

"I…" Noé sighed as he found no counter for that one. "Touché. Also, your wings popped out."

"They did?" Rias glanced back, promptly furling her wings when she noticed them. "Thought I'd outgrown that. Have you never had that happen?"

"Nope. You're lucky for the curtains. Also how long do you plan to keep hugging me?"

"Well I was hoping I'd see you blush a bit."

"Not happening. If you wanted the 'cute kouhai who blushes easy' archetype, you're outta luck. Instead, you're stuck with the snarky classmate who hardly notices."

"Funny. Well then, let's talk about what I'm actually here for," Rias pulled away and stepped off the bed, Noé still facing away even as he heard the rustling of clothes signaling her getting dressed. "First… how has Asia been adjusting to living with you and your father?"

"It's like she was always there," Noé hummed. "Having someone around who wants to help with the chores makes days more relaxed. She's also keen to learn, whether it's her magic lessons with Dad, or other things like cooking."

"My… sounds like your home life has become amusing," Rias chuckled as she sat back onto the bed. "You're living a dream every young man your age wishes they could. My, the glares the other boys must give you every time you and Asia are together!"

"You mean the same ones they give me every time we go to the club room?" Noé's retort earned a chuckle from Rias, and he finally turned to face her. "But I get the feeling this isn't just you being curious about Asia's progress outside your Peerage. How has she been doing there anyway?"

"I'm ready to have Asia move off of flyer distribution and start handling summoning jobs. Sadly this means your workload will get far lighter, but we get enough requests that I'm sure I'll find some interesting ones for you to handle."

"Just… don't let Asia get caught up in any weird requests. You know she's the type who makes people worry because of how earnest and innocent she is."

"Quite so. But I also wouldn't dare let my servants take any jobs that would put them in… dangerous kinds of work without me there. And besides, Asia is a hard worker. I'm sure she'll do fine with getting contracts. Compared to a certain someone."

"Hey, those first few were weird cases and you know it. I did not ask to get subjected to an anime marathon by an okama who wants to be a magical girl."

"It's actually what I wanted to address," Rias mused. "You've only managed a handful of actual contracts in the past couple of months since… that incident. But, it's still a small number. So, here's an idea: We got one extra summon request tonight, a last-minute inclusion. Since I'm sure you won't mind the extra work, since I know your contracts from your father have slowed down a bit, how about I accompany you for the job?"

"What, you think I need supervision now?" Noé's eyes narrowed, Rias shaking her head.

"No, not at all. I suppose instead… I'm intrigued how you even end up in a situation like what you usually do. I simply want to slake my own curiosity, nothing more."

"Ugh, fine… as long as this doesn't turn into something besides the job itself."

"You have it on my word as a Gremory."

Noé caught something as Rias said that phrase. It was something he'd outright expected of a noble like herself. Invoking the honor of one's name was natural. And yet… the sudden wistful look on Rias' face said something else. And a nagging part of Noé found it mildly bothersome. Because he could see it in her eyes she was bothered by something. Eh… maybe she wants to come along to distract herself from some family nonsense. Guess I can indulge her for some fun.

At this point Noé had gotten quite used to summoning teleportation just dropping him into places. In the last few requests he'd taken up, it had thankfully been pretty normal apartments or homes. Standard fare plans for living in a suburban area and what not.

But this time it was a bit interesting.

Noé wasn't unfamiliar with traditional Japanese architecture, he'd visited Tsuno's home enough times to have seen a decently sized home done in such stylings. However, not quite a college dorm meant to evoke the idea as much as possible. And it was a mess for a sensible citizen of the nation like Noé to behold.

The front door had the entry cloth for a restaurant hanging over it. Tatami mats neatly arranged on parts of the floor. The paper screen one would see in a kabuki play. Some fans and other cultural memorabilia. And most shockingly of all a complete set of samurai armor (no doubt a cheap reproduction) and matching swords (also likely cheap reproductions) set on the tatami mats.

"Okay so this room either belongs to someone with a weird sense of feng shui… or a complete Japanese culture nut… either form is bad for my health," Noé let out a long sigh as he brought a hand to his head, Rias gently patting him on the shoulder. He also swore he caught a brief flash of guilt in her eyes.

And then the samurai armor stood up.

"Ah you must be the debirus, right?" spoke the armor, in a very high girl's voice. And Noé had to blink, only realizing the girl hadn't spoken in Japanese for a moment, rather intentionally saying "Devil" in broken English.

"Uh, y-yes?" caught off guard, the best Noé could muster was that confused affirmation.

"Ah, wondafuru! My name is Susan-san. I'm a college student who came here to study Japanese culture because it's super cooru!" And with every word of broken Japanese and intentional "Engrish", Noé felt like a part of himself was slowly starting to die with each word.

"Explains the armor…" and he about choked the words out as he found the will to reply.

"The city gets kowai at night, so I wear this samurai yufuku to scare the bad people away."

"… certainly scaring me, but for entirely different reasons."

"Ariga-" and before she could even finish the word, Noé held a hand up.

"Please just… speak in English. We can understand you just fine no matter the language but just… for my sake, please, stop."

"Well… if you say so," Susan switching to English brought some relief to Noé's ails, Rias stifling a snicker as he finally relaxed a bit. "So… as for why I wanted your help. See… I left one of my notebooks back at school and I'm too afraid to go get it by myself."

"You summoned Devils for that?" Noé balked, even Rias looking surprised it was for such a banal reason. "This has got to be the dorms, right? The building shouldn't be that far away."

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT'S SUPER SCARY OUT THERE!" Shrieked the foreign girl.

"With all due respect I'm pretty sure most people see a walking suit of samurai armor and… HOLD UP!" Noé felt a sudden realization hit. "YOU! You're the one who's got every last delinquent in town whimpering to me about some walking samurai ghost!"

"I was wondering why all those scary folks would run off as soon as they saw me… I just assumed the armor tactic was working."

"Oh, it's working all right! Working so well those morons keep telling me about it!"

"You know I often forget every delinquent in town calls you their boss," Rias chuckled, Noé rolling his eyes.

"Not my fault they keep picking fights. Anyway!" Noé turned back to Susan. "Let's just make this easy and go get your book, alright? Already summoned us, and I'd like to just get it done and go. Sound alright?"

"Please and thank you!"

"This better not spiral into something else…"

Yet Noé had a feeling his luck wasn't about to be that kind to him.

The task had certainly been successful, but Noé couldn't say it had been simple. Mostly because the client herself was jumpy to the point Noé actively considered the idea of just knocking her out cold. But with Rias basically hovering over his shoulder, restraint had been a must. It had also consisted of Noé, through sheer effort of annoyance, lecturing Susan on some proper pronunciation and not intentionally using broken English when there were perfectly suitable words in Japanese to make her points.

So needless to say, Noé was finding this night sufficiently tiresome by the time they returned to Susan's dorm.

"Oh thank you very much! For this and the language tips!"

"Yeah sure, just uh, keep 'em in mind yeah? Not a lot of people like it when their language gets butchered," Noé turned about as Rias was preparing the magic circle to jump back. However…

"Uh, I'm sorry but…"

"Whoa! Geez you are quiet!" Noé about jumped when Susan ended up behind both him and Rias without so much as a sound.

"I hate to be a bother, but there's one more sen… I mean, request I'd like to ask of you!"

"Uh… I don't wanna be a bummer, but I think it's only one request per visit. I mean if you summon me again then sure but…" Noé couldn't have been more blatantly trying to make an excuse to just leave unless he'd said it outright.

"Nonsense. We'd be glad to help," at Rias's statement, Noé could only look at her in astounded silence.

Around five minutes later, Noé had all but tuned out entirely as Rias and Susan spoke, currently sending out a mass text to the various delinquents he had on call about his "findings" on their ghost samurai sightings.

Somehow though, Noé wasn't shocked at all that Susan's other request had to do with a guy.

"So, tell me about this guy," Rias started, and Noé could only bemoan the image of samurai armor squirming about like a nervous young girl. Which was the case of course. But still.

"I really like him, but I'm kind of shy so I couldn't confess, but he's a wonderful person."

"Haven't heard that a million times," Noé drawled, Rias giving him a sharp look.

"So basically, you want us to make him fall in love with you?" Rias turned back to the client.

"If possible, I don't want any demonic powers involved at all. I want to try and earn his love on my own."

"Then just be straightforward about it," Noé sat up finally, shuffling about as he turned. "I get being shy but there's a limit to it. You don't get anywhere if you just sit around. If you like this guy as much as you say, then just be up front… and maybe don't do it while wearing that samurai armor."

"He's right," Noé was surprised to see Rias agree with him. "Why not confess to him right away? Wouldn't it be easier?"

"That's… I can't just do that!"

"The classic phrase of anime schoolgirls everywhere," The snark earned Noé a light smack on the arm from Rias. "Well, if a straight confession won't work… why not just write a letter? Sure, it's old and cliché as hell, but if you're too shy to confess to this guy's face, do it that way. I've gotten a few, so I have some reference material.

"Well, this is new," Rias hummed.

"Pot meet kettle. You get plenty yourself, I've seen Akeno dumping the things,"

"But, yeah, a love letter would be a good idea," Noé was quite flummoxed by how agreeable Rias was being about this.

"Love letter…" Susan parroted it in English.

"Conveying your feelings through writing is a wonderful thing," Rias chuckled.

"Debatable," Noé murmured, Rias punching him on the arm. Again.

And minutes later, the two Devils were bearing witness to a foreign girl in Samurai armor writing a letter the old-fashioned Japanese way… complete with ink press. Noé had to admit, she was certainly dedicated.

"That's a bit too formal don't ya think?" Noé muttered, Rias giving a giggle.

"It's the feelings that matter, not the form," Rias remarked, Noé shrugging "Still, I didn't expect you to be so reasonable about this."

"I have my reasons."

"Yes… it's not the form," Rias fell into that same wistful, almost spaced out look Noé had seen her take earlier that day. "It isn't… about the form."

"Rias?" he said, though she didn't seem to snap out of the mood.

"I'm done!" Susan said, now holding a bow and an arrow with the letter wrapped around it.

"I said give him a letter, not shoot him with an arrow!" Noé snapped. "At least use some modern conveniences and put it into his locker or something! We don't send letters by arrows anyway! That's a movie thing!"

That next morning, Noé was earnestly hoping for some kind of exorcism.

They were at one of the many parks in Kuoh Town, this one closer to the college campus. Susan had not ditched her armor despite Noé's recommendations. And she'd still used the bow and arrow method. She'd even gone so far as to bring out a cloth background curtain.

"I got woken up this early for this?" Noé hung his head as he grumbled.

"Looks like he's here," Rias said, and at that moment Noé picked up on a sound… metal clinking against itself.

"What the hell?!" His scream came out when the source became apparent: A figure approaching them in full European plate armor, with a particular arrow sticking out of his helmet. "Uh, hey, Susan, ya' coulda mentioned your crush was the same type as you just for the opposite culture! Also, I'm not sure if I should congratulate you on a good shot or not! It's in his frickin' helmet!"

"Yes… I thought about different ways to do it, including what you suggested, but sending the letter via arrow was all I could manage."

"Remember when I said not to shoot him?!"

"Let's just go to the side and watch." Rias promptly grabbed me Noé the sleeve and pulled him off, giving room so they could see how Susan did as she stood up. Rias noticed how Noé looked paler than usual now. "You alright?"

"I feel like I'm failing sanity checks…" he groaned, putting a hand to his face as he sighed.

"I have read your letter," The knight spoke, and Noé could only sigh at the fact he was using a far older and formal dialect to sell the aesthetic. I seriously hope the arrow didn't actually get through more than the helmet… "It was a wonderful message! I'm amazed you caught me off guard and shot me with an arrow. What a letter!"

Noé opened his mouth of yet another remark, but Rias prevented it by clamping a hand to his lips before a single word could leave him.

"Oh no, all I was thinking was about how to get it too you, Horri-kun!" Answered the samurai-girl.

"I-I want to go out with you, if you don't mind."

"… this is a special kind of scene," Noé mumbled through the clamped hand, Rias chuckling as the newly minted couple clasped hands.

"I think it's sweet," Rias said as she moved her hand.

"Well, they're certainly made for each other. Can I leave now?"

"After we finish the job properly," Rias chuckled again as Noé let out a long, annoyed groan.

"Well, they are certainly the perfect couple," Rias was looking at a photo she'd been given by her and Noé's client. Evening had come with their return to the ORC club room, being the only people in the lounge space at the time. Noé was leaning near one of the windows, a much more wry but no less amused look on his face.

"Well, they say like attracts like, often as much as opposites do. Love may be weird as all hell sometimes, but if people are happy, who am I to judge too harshly? Beyond throwing out remarks left and right anyway."

"Hey, Noé?"

"What?"

"How do you feel about having a romantic relationship with someone you love?" And there's that listless look again… Noé's brow furrowed slightly as Rias' expression was cast down.

Giving it a moment of thought, Noé eventually found a reply.

"It's not really complicated to think about it," he said, glancing out the window to the setting sun. "If it's someone you love… then a relationship like that would be pretty nice. Bliss, even, if it goes well. But I'm no expert. It's basically just my assumption."

"Right, bliss."

"Besides…" Noé continued, turning to Rias. "I feel like being with someone don't have feelings for is just… stupid. Rushing headlong into that kind of relationship with someone you're not close too, that's the kind of dumb thing people doe in manga."

"You're… a lot more insightful about these things than I figured," Rias mused, her expression softening from her dour look.

"It's just insight from observation," Noé shrugged it off, but Rias could tell he was just being aloof. "If we're all done, I'm gonna head home. Need to make sure the old man doesn't lock himself in the office again tonight."

"Then you have a good night, Noé."

Noé nodded as he stepped out. Something's definitely bothering her… Noé sighed to himself as he dwelled on that expression. But… it's not my place to ask. Not a member of her Peerage, just a ward of her clan. If it is family business… I don't have the right to poke my nose into it without her permission, even if it bothers me.

"Huh, and here I took you for the chronic meddler type," Ddraig chimed in, Noé stopping as he was descending the stairs of the building. "With the way you keep picking up on her mood, I was expecting you to just up and ask. Just be frank about things, right?"

"If I was frank about it, I'm also sure she'd brush me off anyway," Noé countered. "Would probably just say what I'm thinking. That it doesn't involve me, and I shouldn't act like it. Meddler I can be, but I have enough tact to know when I shouldn't… at least, for now. If the situation changes… then maybe I'll meddle."

"So, you're just waiting it out."

"I suppose we can put it that way. I can play things smart sometimes y'know?"

"Hehe, alright. I'll let you play it safe this time."

"Who do you think is the host again?"

Ddraig chuckled at Noé's annoyed growl. Such was life when you shared your existence with the soul of a Dragon.

On returning home, Noé couldn't quite figure out why he found himself pausing at the door before entering. There was a feeling as his hand came to rest on the doorknob. A feeling akin to his danger sense, but not quite the same as when he'd encountered Freed. It was a familiar feeling of danger… like his hopes for a peaceful evening were about to be dashed across the wall.

"And there's only one person who gives me this feeling…"

Letting out a sigh, Noé opened the door and strolled in, already expecting what could come next.

"There you are! Get over here and give mom a hug!"

"More like a tackle!"

Noé dodged to the side as something darted out from the living room and came barreling towards him, missing by a hair. He followed up by diving away and ducking to the living room, ducking behind one of the single seats and using it as a shield as he peeked out from behind it.

"Ah now now my darling son, you know running away is pointless!"

A mischievous cackle followed the women's voice that spoke. And strolling out from the hall was his mother. Rather than the glamoured appearance meant to appear normal, her and Noé's resemblance was only stronger with the woman bearing the same white, red-streaked hair and golden eyes as her son.

The ruffled remains of more rugged clothing remained on the woman's frame, simply a loose tank top that did little to hide her nearly spilling out chest – to her son's clear annoyance – and the rough pants of travel clothes.

The woman most people knew as Lunarin Edelweiss, the ever frequently traveling matriarch of the household.

As well as a person Noé would define as a hurricane incarnate.

"Hehehe," Lunarin chuckled again as Noé continued to quietly glare. "Oh come on Noé, is that any way to greet your dear mother?"

"I think it's an appropriate response when you attempt to tackle me, yes."

"Well, I can admit you've definitely gotten faster since I was last here," and as if to prove a point, Lunarin instantly vanished from leaning on the wall to now using Noé's head as her armrest. "But you've still got a ways to go. Mama's still far faster."

"I am well aware," Noé forced his mother's arm off of his head and stood, not resisting when she took the opening to hug him. He returned the gesture a moment after. His dry expression shifted into a small grin as Lunarin squeezed with a small chuckle. "Welcome home, Mom."

"Good!" chuckled the woman. "Now… mind explaining why there's a cute blonde in my kitchen?"

"Ah…" Noé looked to the side as his mother stepped back. "That is a uh… complicated story."

"Do tell. I'm so curious."

"Well… it uh… started with a Fallen Angel…"