"Rias, we're back~" Akeno sing songed as she and Yuuto stepped into the Occult Research Club. Whatever she was going to say, stayed at the back of the throat as she and Yuuto caught sight of the three-meter-tall giant that was sitting in the middle of the room. From how much hair that he had, as well as the two wicked looking bull horns, it seemed that the man was either partially a Minotaur or he was another species of it.
The only reason neither of them reacted violently, was the sight of both Rias and Koneko. Both of them safe and sound as they conversed with the giant. Koneko was even sitting on one his thighs, eating away at her snacks.
Upon realising the return of the other two members, Rias turned away from the giant "Oh good, you're both back." She walked away from the giant to adress "I guess this is as good of a time as any to introduce, Asterios our newest member to the Occult Research Club."
The giant lifted his head from the form on the table in front of them, to look at them with a pair of red eyes. He lifted a giant hand and waved, offering a simple "hello, it's nice to meet you. i'm your newest member."
"Yo" Koneko was the first one to speak, tilted her head upwards so that she could look him in the eyes. She held out her fingers in a 'Peace' pattern "My name's Koneko Toujou, First Year. Nice to have you in our club."
He waved again, nodding his head.
Yuuto was the next to speak, "Nice to meet you Asterios. My name is Yuuto Kiba, a Second Year." He held out a hand and smiled "It's nice to have you in our club."
It was almost comical how large the hand that came to shake his was, but despite it being more than twice the size it was remarkable gentle as its owner shook his hand. "it's nice to meet you to." He returned.
"Akeno Himejima," She was the next to speak, walking up towards him as Yuuto pulled back his hand "I'm a Third Year, and this club's Vice President. So in case Rias isn't around, you can always rely on me~" She entered her introduction with a wink.
She pouted a bit when he merely nodded his, but smiled when he replied with a "i'll try and rely on you, vice-president."
"How polite!"
"And my name is Rias Gremory," Rias stepped in, standing in front of her and looking him in the eye "I am the president of the Occult Research Club, and a Third Year here as well. I welcome you to the Occult Research Club, Kuoh Academy, as well as my and another's shared territory."
Rias, Akeno and Yuuto had to hold back when they saw how his eyes seemed to sparkle at her words, before he nodded again with a stoic look on his face "thank you president, for accepting me."
Koneko looked up at him and jabbed him in the stomach with his elbow.
Akeno let out a giggle "My my Rias," She turned to the redhead "You sure found something unique this time!"
"Oh please," Rias rolled her eyes "This time it wasn't my fault, Koneko was the one that found him."
"Really?" Akeno was slightly surprised "Our little Koneko brought this big boy back here?"
They turned towards the white haired girl, who simply held out both of her hands in two 'Peace' signs.
"Yeah, she said found him in a basement after a contract went wrong." At that phrase, Rias gave Akeno a 'look', which prompted the black haired teen to give a quick nod with a serious look.
The look vanished as she turned towards Asterios, who had turned his attention back to the form on the table. "By the way Asterios, can I ask something."
He turned away from the form and tilted his head "yes?"
She pointed to the horns above his head and asked "Those horns, are they real?"
Koneko eyebrows furrowed as she seemed to hear the sound of a heartbeat.
"yes, they're real." Asterios nodded his head.
"Then, are you a Minotaur?"
At once the atmosphere of the room seemed to drop to a chill. Koneko felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand, but she didn't move. Furthermore, she heard the heartbeat grow louder.
"yes." Asterios answered her question in a more… stilted manner "I am a Minotaur." He looked at them "i am not human, and neither are you."
"So you know what we are then?" Yuuto asked, looking over to Rias. She didn't say or do anything.
"yes," Asterios nodded his head again "from the underworld. working for hades?" He questioned.
"You're half right," Rias corrected him "While we are from the Underworld, we aren't a part of Hades or even Greek Mythology." She looked over to the rest of the club members, earning a nod from each of them "We're Devils, one of the Three Factions."
At once bat like wings grew from their backs, they all stood and stared at him waiting for a reaction. Koneko especially, since the heartbeat she had heard was slowing down.
"oh, okay." He nodded his head, there was palpable relief in his voice.
…
"Well I can see that you're not easily surprised," Rias shrugged and withdrew her wings, "I'm glad that you understand."
He nodded.
Akeno covered her mouth as she smile "You had such scary eyes there Asterios," she giggled "I have a feeling that's a topic I should avoid, unless I want trouble."
Asterios averted his eyes "sorry."
Koneko patted the thigh that she was sitting on "There there."
"Well that aside," Yuuto withdrew his wings "Is Asterios gonna join me in Kuoh as a Second Year?"
Rias shook her head "Not yet, we still need to fake a proper background for him." Her mouth pulled into a line "I can't exactly charm my own father or Sona, now can I? Besides, he's gonna be a First Year."
There was a pause as both Yuuto and Akeno looked at the huge Minotaur, and then back to their president who merely looked unamused.
"I wager it was Koneko's idea?" Akeno asked.
"Hey I found him, I feel like I can pick what year he goes to." Koneko was quick to defend her choice, before she reached for a snack and started to munch on it.
All the while Asterios was still reading the form on the table.
"I can think of a few spells to help," Rias walked over to Asterios "But it's gonna take a while."
She furrowed her eyebrows when she saw the blank form "Asterios, why haven't you wrote anything yet?"
There was a pause.
"i don't know how to." He answered.
Rias looked at him, and sighed "I guess we might have to push back you joining Koneko's class then."
It was barely audible, but everyone in the room heard a small and disappointed "Nya…" from Koneko as she continued to eat her snacks.