Sunday was the day of Azalea and Raynare's first date, but before that could take place there were words to be had with the town's secondary owner.
Brandon pulled out his phone and quickly tapped out a number. The dial tone rang once, it rang twice.
"Hello?" Sona answered her phone.
"Sup, Specs." Brandon greeted her.
"How did you obtain my number?"
"Azalea's phone." Brandon simply put.
"Of course." Sona sighed. "I assume this is important if you specifically are reaching out to me."
"Are you already aware of the whole abandoned church incident with Tampon?" Brandon asked.
"Yes, quite." Sona confirmed. "You and your sister inserted yourselves into a conflict that didn't involve you, saved the fallen angels that were disrupting Kuoh's peace, forced Rias into a contract, and left with no given explanation."
"Sounds about right." Brandon said. "Well, the fallen angels live here now."
"Brandon. What is your explanation?"
"They had nowhere else to go." Brandon shrugged. "The grigori booted them for going off script and Mom wasn't going to force them onto the street."
"You do realise this means I'm going to have to assess the situation personally." Sona stated.
"Understandable." Brandon said. "I guess you'll need our address."
Brandon whispered his house's location.
"The area with the noise and profanity complaints?"
"Sounds about right."
Azalea could barely believe it was going to happen, but in just a few short hours she'd be on her date with Raynare. She was mentally preparing herself for the occasion, and could hardly sit still as she tried passing time in front of the TV.
"Someone's excited." Kalawarner commented, stepping up behind the couch. "First time?"
"I've been on a date before." Azalea claimed, rather defensively. "Just never with someone like Raynare."
There was a knock at the front door. After yesterday's incident, the sound put Azalea somewhat on edge.
"I'll get it." Aine said, passing Azalea and Kalawarner by.
Aine opened the door, this time greeted by two teenage girls instead of a deadbeat fallen angel. One was on the shorter side, sporting glasses and a bob haircut. Her counterpart was taller with long hair, also wearing a set of glasses.
She had a good idea of who they were, but she'd ask anyway.
"Hello, and who might you be?" Aine greeted, secretly gauging the guests. Their eyes didn't communicate any ill intent, but there was a level of cautious vigilance to them.
"Hello, Mrs Byrne. I am Sona Shitori and this is Tsubaki Shinra, student council president and vice president of Kuoh academy." The girl with the bob haircut cordially introduced. "I apologise that this is our first meeting, but may I ask to come inside?"
"Oh, so you're Azalea's friends, step right in." Aine said, stepping aside.
Aine escorted the student council members to the living room. As they walked there was a mild unease in the air, as if all three present were fully prepared to react with extreme prejudice to any miscarriage of events.
"Azalea, your student council friends are here to visit." Aine announced.
"Sona, Tsubaki, what a surprise." Azalea said. "What's the occasion?"
"Brandon made contact with us." Sona revealed.
"You look even happier than usual." Tsubaki commented.
"I have a date." Azalea shared, smiling from ear to ear.
Brandon walked partially down the stairway, then noticed the visitors.
"Oh, you're here already." Brandon remarked, turning back up. "Wait a second, I'll get Mittelt and Raynare."
With Brandon gone, Sona turned her attention to the full blooded fallen angel that had been surveying them, leaning over the back of the couch.
"By process of elimination, that must make you Kalawarner." Sona reasoned. "Azalea speaks of you quite often."
"And you must be Sona." Kalawarner replied. "Likewise."
"Come on." Brandon said, descending the staircase.
"Another house meeting?" Raynare griped, following after him.
"Seriously? This is, like, the fifth time since we got here." Mittelt complained.
Brandon brought two more fallen angels into the living room, before leaving to gather Dohnaseek.
"So, who're they?" Raynare asked, before taking her seat next to her date.
"That's the devil girl that has a crush on Azalea." Kalawarner said.
"I do not." Sona refuted.
Raynare gave Sona an unimpressed once over.
"Eh, I'm not concerned." She dismissively remarked.
Sona's eyelid twitched.
"Insults to my self esteem aside." Sona exhaled. "I will give my full introduction once all are gathered."
"And what makes you think we want to hear it?" Mittelt spoke up.
"Mittelt!" Azalea scolded. "Don't talk to her like that, she's a friend."
Raynare held her tongue. Mittelt stuck her own out.
"Charming." Sona remarked.
Aine stepped over to the young fallen and crouched down to her level.
"Now now, Mittelt. Behave yourself." She said, sternly. "You wouldn't want to retire to bed early, would you?"
Mittelt complied, but not without pouting about it.
"I'm back." Brandon announced, Dohnaseek in tow. "Looks like everyone's gathered, so feel free to start anytime, Specs."
"Very well. My name is Sona Sitri, along with Rias I am the proprietor of this territory. The one beside me is my queen, Tsubaki Shinra." Sona explained. "I have come to assess your unique situation, and hear your side of the story."
Raynare was feeling very happy she kept her mouth shut after her first quip.
"Brandon, could you tell the story again?" Azalea asked.
Brandon groaned. "Sure."
"And that's how we ended up like this." Brandon finished.
"That is quite the account." Sona commented, maintaining a straight face. "Azalea, would you verify?"
"Yep, that's pretty much all of it." Azalea confirmed. "Although I wasn't one hundred percent there for the Azazel part."
"In that case, I have just a few questions." Sona said. "First off, what are your goals?"
"At this point, continue to live." Dohnaseek spoke up. "We no longer have any connection to the grigori, nor do we plan on joining another faction."
"Very well then. Next question." Sona said. "Do you plan on causing harm to Kuoh or its people? I'd like Raynare to answer."
Looking Sona in the eye sent a nervous shiver down Raynare's spine. Azalea placed a hand on her shoulder for support.
"No." Raynare replied.
Sona maintained eye contact, scrutinising every miniscule facial movement Raynare made.
"Very well then." Sona let out, turning to leave. "I apologise for taking your time."
"Enjoy your date, lovebirds." Tsubaki dryly added.
"Wait. You're leaving just like that?" Mittelt questioned.
"I have made my assessment, you are no longer threats, and I trust the Byrne family, Aggravating as they may be, to ensure that stays the case." Sona replied. "I have no personal grudge, or resentment toward any of you."
"You've got a good head on your shoulders." Dohnaseek put forth.
"This could very well be an excellent learning opportunity for all of us. It would be remiss for me to pass it by." Sona stated. "Oh, and Brandon."
"Yes?"
"If you ever attempt to force me into a contract, I will use every loophole possible to make your life a living nightmare."
"Noted." Brandon replied.
"Well, that went well." Brandon said.
"I, like, can't believe we had to play nice with those nasty devils." Mittelt griped. "Why'd you even let them in?"
"Mittelt, in this household we don't discriminate." Aine chastised.
"Do you have any idea who that was?" Raynare said, turning to the youngest fallen.
Mittelt shrugged.
"That was Sona Sitri, the co-owner of the Kuoh territory, as well as the younger sister of Serafall Leviathan." Dohnaseek explained.
"So she's, like, the little sister of the star of some super lame magical girl show, big whoop." Mittelt said.
Dohnaseek raised his palm to his forehead.
"Mittelt." He put his hands together and inhaled, then exhaled. "Serafall is one of the four leaders of the devil government, has the power to flash-freeze all of Japan, and on top of that harbours an unhealthy obsession with her kid sister. This is well documented."
"Oh." The gravity of the situation had finally sunk in for Mittelt. "Woops, I guess."
"Huh." Azalea commented. "I didn't know all that."
"You've been rubbing elbows with the sibling of one of the most influential and powerful devils in their entire society, and you had no idea?" Dohnaseek questioned.
"Weird expression, but yes. Apparently." Azalea said.
"Weren't you four actively antagonising a big name without realising it, just days ago?" Brandon interjected.
"Touché." Dohnaseek relented.
"High class devil or not, that girl has been good to my daughter, and puts up with my son." Aine put forward. "No offense, Brandon."
"None taken." Brandon said.
"I owe her quite a bit of gratitude for that." Aine finished.
"I suppose I can put my prejudices aside in that case, especially since she's allowing our continued lodging within her territory, but that may not come so easy for the rest of us." Dohnaseek said.
"Speak for yourself." Kalawarner attested. "As long as she's not in my hair, I could care less what she is."
Aine looked to Mittelt.
"I guess I can play nice." Mittelt said, reluctantly. "It's not like I'm seeing her every day."
"How about you, Raynare?" Azalea asked, placing an arm over her shoulder.
"I'm going to need a minute." Raynare said, looking rather pensive.
"You want to go to our room?" Azalea suggested.
"Yes."
Azalea sat beside Raynare on the side of their shared bed. The full blooded fallen angel spent some time silently staring at the ground.
"Raynare?" Azalea said.
"I don't get it." Raynare muttered.
"Don't get what?"
"How you can just… get along with a devil. Why did she just let us be?" Raynare spoke. "We're supposed to be bitter enemies, it's in our nature."
"I'd never treat people differently just because somebody said I was supposed to hate them." Azalea said. "Tsubaki and Sona are the first friends I made after coming here, and they accepted me when I needed it the most."
"But they're dangerous." Raynare argued. "One wrong move and you could have the wrath of her sister rain down on you."
Raynare shivered thinking about just how badly she'd messed up when she angered a Gremory.
"Did danger stop her from getting along with the daughter of the fallen angel general?"
Raynare was unable to answer.
"The answer is no." Azalea said. "And I trust Sona not to go tattling to her sister over some minor grievance."
"But she's a devil!" Raynare blurted. "They're even less trustworthy than humans."
Raynare covered her mouth, immediately realising her mistake.
"I'm half human, what do you think of me?" Azalea asked, tilting her head to the side.
"I-I…" Raynare sputtered, before dropping her head. "Do you think less of me?" She asked.
"Raynare, I know you're centuries older than me, and I don't know all that you've been through." Azalea sighed. "I'm not going to expect you to change in a day."
"I'm sorry." Raynare said.
Azalea hugged Raynare from the side.
"I know you're out of your comfort zone, and I know you've been hurt in the past. All I'm asking is that you give people a chance." Azalea said. "I'll be there with you every step of the way, and no one's going to hurt you again while I'm around."
"Alright." Raynare accepted. "I'll try for you." She whispered to herself.
A few hours passed, and the time of the date was fast approaching. Azalea had dressed herself in a violet long sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans, clearly having little prior experience dressing for a date. She wasn't ready.
"Oh, I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe this is happening." Azalea repeated to herself, pacing back and forth within Brandon's room.
"Aren't you, like, the one who asked her out." Mittelt questioned.
The miniscule fallen angel, seated on her bed, had been watching Azalea go from one end of the room to the other since she entered.
"Am I presentable? Is this really what I want to wear?" Azalea continued, not registering the other presence. "When was the last time I preened myself?!"
Mittelt inhaled, brought two fingers to her mouth, and let out a whistle.
Azalea jumped, letting out a yelp before her attention snapped to Mittelt.
"How long have you been here?!" Azalea squawked.
"Like, the whole time." Mittelt answered. "You just barged in looking totally out of it, talking to yourself."
Azalea looked around. "... This isn't my room."
"Took you long enough." Mittelt remarked. "What's with the high strung one person parade? You were, like, on top of the world earlier."
"I'm not ready." Azalea said. "What if I mess things up?"
"Don't worry, Raynare has, like, the worst taste." Mittelt encouraged. "You'll be fine."
"Thanks." Azalea deadpanned. "Doing wonders for my confidence."
"You need me for that?"
"Maybe I'm just not strong enough."
"Seriously? You took down the best the grigori had to offer, but you can't take a little one on one time with Raynare." Mittelt questioned. "No one who's beat me is allowed to be this lame."
"Maybe you're right." Azalea admitted. Her voice contained just a hint of her rising self confidence.
"I'm always right." Mittelt bragged, with a smirk that revealed her fang.
"Yeah… Yeah! I'm awesome. I can do this." Azalea cheered, filled with resolve. "Thanks Mittelt, you're the best."
"You know it." Mittelt agreed, crossing her arms and giving a nod.
Azalea suddenly closed the gap between the two of them, and lifted the young fallen into a hug.
"This again?" Mittelt complained.
Raynare waited in the living room, having returned to an outfit she previously wore when she took on her Yuuma disguise. A black skirt, frilly white blouse, and lilac undershirt. She appreciated the irony of 'Yuuma' going on a legitimate date this time around.
Azalea rushed downstairs, jumping over the railing and sprouting all ten of her wings midair. She landed facedown on the floor with a thud.
"Well, that's one way to make an entrance." Raynare commented.
"That was supposed to be more graceful." Azalea said, before picking herself back up, rescinding her wings. "Raynare?"
"Yes?"
"Did you get shorter? And younger?" Azalea questioned, looking her date over.
"Oh, that's just some mild shape shifting." Raynare said. "It's safer when I don't draw as much attention."
"Oh." Azalea said.
"You almost sound disappointed." Raynare teased, before faking a hurt look. "What, is Yuuma not good enough for you?"
"It's just…" Azalea trailed off. "Don't get me wrong, you're still adorable like this, but your true form is… breathtaking."
Raynare sported a light blush. Then an evil grin.
"You like me that much do you?" Raynare said in her unaltered voice, face shifting to its natural, toothier appearance. "Naughty girl."
Azalea let out a squeak. Her blood vessels painted her face. Raynare couldn't help but giggle.
"This is going to be so much fun." Raynare said.
"Forgetting something?" Aine asked, walking in on the conversation.
Raynare's face immediately morphed back to Yuuma's. Spinning on her heels, she faced Aine. The mother's expression seemed non hostile, but there was something putting Raynare off.
"You wanted to have that talk with me, right?" Raynare asked, uneasily.
"Don't be so nervous, this is standard procedure." Aine said, turning to the direction of her room. "Come along."
Raynare followed along obediently, allowing Aine to whisk her through her doorway.
"Feel free to sit down on the bed." Aine suggested.
Raynare obeyed as Aine watched expectantly. It felt like more than a few moments before Aine spoke again.
"Raynare, my family is precious." Aine calmly began. "I don't have a lot left after the Byrne side cut me out, and my parents disowned me."
Aine stepped closer, looking down at the fallen angel seated on her bed. Raynare stayed silent.
"Of the few I have now, my children are especially precious." Aine spoke, leaning in even closer until she was practically nose to nose with Raynare. "I have no idea what I'd do if something bad happened to them."
Raynare started to feel something odd, almost as if an intangible arm had passed through her chest, and an invisible hand was snaking its fingers around her heart.
"You might just wake up on the operating table." The Byrne matriarch shared. "But don't worry, I'm a very skilled surgeon. I won't let you die."
Raynare couldn't move even if she wanted to. After a few moments the feeling in her chest removed itself.
"Okay, that was all." Aine said, giving Raynare a pat on the back, tone switching to genial. "Now have fun on your date, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Hey Sis, looks like you're about ready to head off." Brandon greeted, approaching his sister.
"Yeah, just need to wait till Mom's finished with 'The Talk.'" Azalea said, with air quotes.
"Ah, I remember when Mom scared my first date away." Brandon reminisced. "Feels like a lifetime ago."
"Back when you were an edgy fourteen year old." Azalea remarked. "Now you're an edgy eighteen year old. So much has changed."
"Edgy?" Brandon echoed in offense.
Before Brandon could make his counter, Aine returned with Raynare in tow.
"Okay, she's ready." Aine announced.
"Azalea." Raynare spoke. "Your mother is a terrifying woman."
"I try my best." Aine said.
"Sorry, Raynare." Azalea apologised.
"I suppose I should be used to it by now." Raynare granted. It had been the fifth threat on her life in under four days, after all. "You ready to go?"
"Am I ever!" Azalea replied.
"Just one more thing." Aine cut in, stepping up to Azalea.
"Ye-" was all Azalea managed to say before Aine crushed her in a hug.
"My little girl's grown so much." Aine exclaimed, lifting Azalea off the ground in spite of their height difference. "I don't want to let you go."
"Mooooom." Azalea wined in embarrassment.
"Okay, alright." Aine relented, setting Azalea down. "Make sure you call me if anything goes wrong, and don't stay out too long past dark, and-"
"I know Mom, I know." Azalea said.
"And make sure you have a good time." Aine finished.
Raynare's wings emerged from her back and she pulled Azalea close, wrapping both of them.
"Okay, bye." Raynare said, before she and Azalea vanished. A couple black feathers floating to the ground were the only evidence they had been there.
"What?!" Brandon blurted out.
"Oh, yeah. Fallen angels can teleport." Aine said. "You didn't know that, Brandon?"
"What?!" Brandon reiterated.
Raynare and Azalea reappeared in an empty alleyway. The full blooded fallen angel let go of the nephilim, who stood looking flabbergasted.
"What?!" Azalea questioned.
"You had no idea we could teleport, did you?" Raynare asked, smirking.
"That's amazing!" Azalea applauded. "Where are we?"
"Some alley a block away from the shopping district." Raynare said. "Don't want to warp into a crowd."
"Smart." Azalea replied.
"So, where to go first?"
"I'm feeling hungry, you want to stop by someplace to eat?" Azalea suggested.
"Sounds good." Raynare said. "Any ideas?"
"There's this one cafe."
Raynare wanted to laugh. The very same place she went with Issei was Azalea's suggestion; of course she wouldn't share that information, but the dramatic irony was almost sweeter than the dessert choice.
Azalea and Raynare were escorted to their table and given their menus. As they waited to have their orders taken, they began to chat.
"So, do you have any hobbies?" Azalea asked.
"Um…" Raynare already found herself at an impasse. She couldn't just say 'espionage and assassination.' Would that even qualify? "I didn't really have the time for myself with the old job. Work was killer."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that." Azalea said, not picking up on Raynare's double meaning. "We'll need to find something for you."
"I'd like that." Raynare said, smiling. "So, what are you into?"
"I like seeing wildlife." Azalea professed. "Going out to bogs or forests, rolling logs and lifting rocks to see what's underneath. It's the best."
Raynare listened intently. The subject matter didn't particularly interest her, but if it was something Azalea was invested in it's useful information. Plus, she'd be lying if she said Azalea's enthusiasm wasn't endearing.
"Brandon used to get mad because 'I picked up something dangerous.' like a widow spider ever hurt anyone." Azalea scoffed. "He's just paranoid."
"Sounds like you have some interesting stories." Raynare said.
"I caught a deer once. She was not happy." Azalea shared. "Did you know they bite?"
Raynare snickered. Honestly, with what she already knew about Azalea, that information wasn't too surprising.
"Orders please." A waitress requested, approaching their table.
"Oh, I'd like the extra large brownie sundae, please." Azalea immediately requested.
"Alright." The waitress said. "And you, miss?" She asked, turning to Raynare.
"Wait, the sundae wasn't to share?" Raynare questioned, looking at the sheer scale of the item on the menu.
"I'm not going to decide your order without asking you." Azalea said. "We can order another one if you want to split it."
"I'll just have the mixed fruit parfait." Raynare declined, sliding over her menu.
"And will that be all?" The waitress asked.
Azalea looked to Raynare, who nodded.
"Yes, that'll be all." Azalea confirmed.
"Very well then." The waitress accepted, collecting both menus before heading off.
"So, that whole thing, huh?" Raynare questioned.
"What can I say, I can't help my appetite." Azalea shrugged. "It's like I have the metabolism of a shrew."
The collective one and a half fallen angels waited on their orders. After a short while, Raynare's was the first to arrive.
"By the way, did you or the others ever run into a blue haired Child back in the woods?" Azalea asked, trying her best to avoid staring at Raynare's parfait.
"Not that I remember." Raynare said, scooping a bit of fruit into her mouth. "Why?"
"I ran into Them twice. Both times They led me in your direction, then vanished."
"Huh. Maybe you saw a ghost." Raynare shrugged, lost on what else it could be.
"I'm not sure…" Azalea trailed off, accidentally peeking towards the parfait.
Raynare noticed Azalea's gaze continually drifting to her order–that was a first–and scooped a spoonful of whipped cream with a chunk of strawberry up.
"Azalea." She said, getting the nephilim's focus on her. "Say aww."
Raynare moved the spoon close to Azalea's face, expecting to fluster her date. Azalea leaned forward and cleaned off the spoon without hesitation. Raynare blinked in surprise.
Azalea swallowed. There was a moment of quiet before what she had just done registered. The nephilim went wide eyed as her sight traveled up Raynare's arm to her face. The full blooded fallen angel had quite the self satisfied smirk. There was a bit of whipped cream on her lip.
Azalea's blood vessels erupted.
Raynare snickered at the sight, which only served to further deepen Azalea's blush.
The nephilim hid her face in her hands.
With an oversized mountain of ice cream and toppings, the waitress had returned to the duo's table. Seeing Azalea's current state was almost enough to get her to crack a laugh, but she remained professional and passed over the oversized sundae.
"I'll just leave this here." she said. "Pay up front when you two lovebirds are finished."
As the waitress left, Azalea peaked through her fingers and began salivating at the sight of her order. Her blush near instantly disappeared as she snatched up her spoon, beginning her assault on the dessert.
Azalea was attempting to hold herself back, but that was not what the scene looked like in the slightest from an outside perspective. Three fourths of the sundae had disappeared before Azalea made an abrupt halt.
The nephilim's cheeks dusted pink. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then scooped a single spoonful with a look of determination.
"Say aww." Azalea said, shakily moving her spoon towards Raynare's face.
Once it was in range, Azalea looked down. She became uncomfortably aware of her own heartbeat.
After a moment, Azalea felt a bite. The spoon was empty when she looked up. Raynare gave a thumbs up before returning to her own dessert. Azalea smiled triumphantly before doing the same.
"That was nice, so what's next?" Raynare asked, exiting the cafe with Azalea.
"Since I chose the first stop, I figured you should decide where to go this time." Azalea said.
Raynare raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Azalea simply nodded.
"Alright then." Raynare accepted. "I'm kind of curious about the arcade."
"We have an arcade here?"
Azalea never had the chance to visit an arcade back in her hometown. It was far too small and far too rural to even consider building anything of the sort. The fact that she was now able to enjoy everything an arcade had to offer, with Raynare, only elevated the date to new heights.
The two's first stop was at the fighting cabinet. Azalea picked a character based off of Raynare's recommendation. Big mistake.
"Would you quit with the footsies?" Azalea complained.
"What's the matter, can't hit me?" Raynare teased.
"This is my first time with this one." Azalea said. "The controls are stiffer than I'm used to."
"Just get good then."
The first round ended with Raynare only losing a sliver of health.
"So help me Raynare, I will range spam." Azalea warned.
"Go ahead." Raynare urged Azalea, grinning.
Azalea input semicircle, heavy punch. There was no projectile. She tried the same with light punch. Still nothing useful. Then a realisation came to the nephilim; Raynare chose her character.
"Oh you are just evil." Azalea muttered.
Raynare's grin only widened, revealing sharpened teeth. In any other circumstance Azalea would have found the expression very attractive, but in that moment…
"You want to see how to do an infinite?" Raynare asked, beginning her combo before receiving any form of response.
It was hopeless. Azalea couldn't fight back as her health drained to nothing. Raynare laughed in triumph, taking in her victory as Azalea slid down to the floor.
Several arcade goers turned their heads at the over the top display.
"So, you want to check out the darts next?" Raynare asked, returning to Yuuma's unassuming demeanor.
"Sure." Azalea said, springing back to her feet.
After a darts game that miraculously didn't leave anyone missing an eye, Raynare and Azalea combed through the rest of the arcade's activities, leaving only one left: the crane machine.
"I've never tried one of these before." Azalea said, eyeing the pile of plushies just beyond the glass.
"You're not missing out, these things are always rigged." Raynare said, giving the machine a light kick for emphasis.
"Ah, that's a sha- WAIT!" Azalea suddenly planted her face against the glass, eyes singled in on a particular stuffed animal, pupils significantly expanded.
Sitting in an awkward spot was a plush of a small round limbless creature with brown fur, a set of cat-like ears, marble eyes, and an open mouth packed with non-uniform, serrated teeth.
"It's so cute!" Azalea squealed.
"It is?" Raynare questioned, wondering if she and Azalea were looking at the same doll.
"I need it." Azalea stressed, already inserting a coin. The crane game lit up with strobing lights, and Azalea manned the controls.
Azalea maneuvered the control stick forward, then horizontally. Just when the crane was above her desired plush, she pressed the button. The crane kept moving before lowering.
"Huh?"
"Looks like this one has a delay." Raynare said. "Want me to give it a shot?"
"Alright."
Azalea stepped aside.
Raynare seemed fairly confident behind the controls, accounting for the stall and stopping perfectly above the plush. She pressed the button. The crane lowered. And slipped off of the creature's round body.
"My turn again." Azalea announced.
The two would continue switching off with little success, each failed attempt wearing at Azalea's patience. Raynare ended up moving a couple plushies (all falling free before they could make it to the chute), making the target far more accessible.
Azalea took a deep breath. Her eyes began pinning. If she didn't get it this time, or Raynare after her, that would be it. She had no idea how long they spent at that rigged machine, but she was going to make it worth it!
Ignoring the machine's obnoxious flashing lights and blown out speakers, Azalea situated the crane above the left of the stuffed animal's head in hopes of snagging it by the ear. The crane caught it, just barely.
The claw lifted the toy to full height before it slipped, landing back in the exact same spot it had been.
Azalea didn't say a word as she stepped aside and surrendered the controls to Raynare one last time.
Seeing Azalea uncharacteristically somber just added more fuel to Raynare's determination. She set up her last attempt, but right when she just about had the crane right where she wanted it, her hand slipped, and the claw lowered just behind the plush.
Raynare and Azalea simultaneously let out a defeated sigh. But then the claw began elevating, and so did the plush. It had a tail! The crane was just about to reach the chute, and then stopped and opened. The plush landed right next to the exit.
A victory jingle played from the machine's speakers as if the prize had landed through the chute.
"Are you kidding me?!" Raynare blurted out.
Azalea's pupils narrowed to pinpricks. She was so close. The nephilim stepped up to the faulty machine, lifted a fist, and plunged it into the front speaker, leaving an arm sized hole through the mechanics. The machine's lights faded out.
Azalea and Raynare had been promptly expunged and banned from ever entering that arcade again. Outside the sun was soon to set.
"I'm sorry." Azalea muttered, unable to look Raynare in the face after smashing the crane game.
Throwing the nephilim for a loop, she could've sworn she heard what sounded like snickering from Raynare. Azalea peeked to the side to see her date barely keeping herself contained.
"Are you kidding?" Raynare snorted. "That was hilarious."
"So I didn't ruin it?" Azalea asked, looking up hopefully.
"This was the best date I've ever been on." Raynare said. "Sure that's not a very high bar, and this might've been my first real one, but this was great."
"Oh." Azalea replied, mouth wobbling into a goofy smile as her face heated up. "I'm glad."
"Are you seriously blushing from that bit of praise?" Raynare teased.
"A little." Azalea admitted. "But also, I think the reality that I got to go on a date with you just set in."
"Aw, you are just adorable." Raynare cooed. "There's still a little time left before the sun sets, want to take a little detour and make things perfect?"
"Alright." Azalea said. "But we can't stay out too long, we don't want to upset Mom."
Raynare reflexively shivered. "Don't worry, it'll be just a minute."
Raynare grabbed Azalea by the hand and led her onward. Soon the two approached a medium sized fountain sitting in the center of the town square.
When they got within a few meters of the fountain Raynare let go, rushed forward, and turned back toward Azalea.
"Close your eyes for a second." Raynare requested.
Azalea complied, wondering just what Raynare had planned. Was that the sound of fabric ripping?
"You can open them now." Raynare said, sounding far more mature than her Yuuma alias.
Azalea opened her eyes to see Raynare as her true self, in her preferred outfit, standing before her. Her wings outstretched as the fountain and the setting sun served to highlight her complete form.
The appearance that had previously terrified so many humans was nothing less than ethereal in Azalea's eyes.
In awe, the nephilim walked closer. There wasn't the slightest bit of hesitation or fear in her steady steps.
"You're beautiful." Azalea unconsciously uttered.
In just a moment, all of Raynare's bravado drained away. Pink began to highlight the fallen angel's cheeks. She took a deep breath.
"Azalea, I've done so many reprehensible acts in my life. Terrible things that I don't feel the slightest bit of sorrow or guilt over. I am not a good person like you clearly are." Raynare explained. "Even so. Even though I'm a failure that's been kicked out of both heaven and the grigori, and I don't deserve to stand in your presence…"
Raynare had never let herself feel so fragile. She accepted that what she was about to ask wasn't exactly reasonable or realistic.
"Will you love me?"
Azalea leaned in closer. As the distance between their faces shrunk, Raynare closed her eyes. The fallen angel mentally prepared, but instead of a pair of lips against her own, she felt Azalea's arms wrap around her and the nephilim's cheek against the side of her head.
"Of course I'll love you." Azalea said, holding Raynare tight. It felt like the right response.
This was okay too.
The fallen angel soon returned the gesture with both her arms and wings. They stayed in this position until the sun dipped past the horizon.
"Okay, let's head back before your mom kills me." Raynare said, wings changing position to wrap around both of them.
Azalea pulled her head back. "Oh, right. Do you know the way ho-"
Before Azalea could finish her question she blinked and they were in front of her house.
"I am never getting used to that." Azalea muttered, separating from Raynare.
"It'll lose its magic eventually." Raynare shrugged. "Teleportation is one of the first things an angel learns."
"That is not a normal sentence." Azalea remarked, stepping forward to knock at the front door.
"Wait." Raynare said, stopping Azalea just before her knuckle hit the wood.
Feeling Raynare grab her other hand, Azalea turned toward her. "Yea-"
Raynare pulled Azalea close and dipped her towards the ground. The nephilim went wide eyed as the full blooded fallen angel planted her lips to her own.
After a moment Raynare lifted herself from Azalea to get a good view of her surprised expression.
Dumbstruck, Azalea stared up at Raynare, before breaking out into a giggle.
A giddy "Wow." was all the nephilim could communicate.
"Don't ruin it." Raynare teased.
Azalea wrapped her arms around Raynare, and pulled herself up for a second kiss.
Afterward, the two stood up and let go of each other. Raynare had a mix between a smug smirk and a genuine smile, while Azalea was positively beaming.
Raynare's outfit morphed back to what it had been when she departed. Probably not the best idea to return to a mother's home after a date with her daughter in what could generously be described as a fetish outfit. Her body and face on the other hand remained as was.
Azalea was stuck in a joyful haze, so the full blooded fallen angel took it upon herself to knock at the door.
Aine was fast to answer. Opening up, she took a quick once over at the young couple's expressions.
"My my, looks like somebody enjoyed her night out." Aine commented, noting Azalea's particularly blissful air.
"You can say that." Raynare said, resisting the urge to let her smirk return. Although pride was clear in her voice.
"Well, come inside." Aine instructed. "And don't think you're getting out of sharing the report."
Aine turned and motioned for the girls to follow. Raynare grabbed Azalea's hand and led her after Aine to the living room.
The mother halted and turned with the couple stopping just before her.
"So." Aine began, before taking a sizable breath . "How'd it go, where'd you stop by, did you take any pictures, did you run into any trouble, who do I need to kill?"
"Weeell, if you're offering." Raynare said, bringing her thumb and forefinger to her chin.
"Raynare." Azalea chided, snapping out of her haze.
"What, I was just joking." Raynare defended, lifting her hands up.
"I wasn't." Aine said.
"I know you weren't, Mom." Azalea sighed. "We had a great time. Our first stop was the cafe, then we went to the arcade."
"Sorry, no photography." Raynare said.
"Aww, that's a shame." Aine sighed. "But I'm happy you clearly had fun."
"We're not allowed in the arcade anymore." Azalea shared.
"Crane game?" Aine asked.
"Crane game." Raynare confirmed.
After their day of excitement, and after dinner, Raynare and Azalea retired to their room. They were quite ready for bed.
"That was my first kiss, you know." Azalea shared.
"I'm glad I was the one to take it." Raynare replied.
"I think I'm still processing it." Azalea said.
"Then why don't you have a little rest." Raynare suggested, sitting down at the head of Azalea's bed and patting her leg. "Let things settle in."
Azalea's cheeks dusted pink as she approached Raynare. Then she turned and sat down on Raynare's lap. In spite of the fact that Azalea had a decent amount of height on her.
This outcome threw Raynare for a loop.
Then the fallen angel began chuckling, which quickly grew into uncontrollable laughter.
"Did I do something wrong?" Azalea asked.
"You were supposed to put your head there, you dork."
Azalea's face went dark red. She immediately tried to get up and correct her mistake.
Raynare wrapped her arms around Azalea's stomach, pressing herself against the nephilim's back. "Nope, too late."
With no escape, Azalea simply put her hands over her face as the embarrassment hit her like a tidal wave.
She could still feel Raynare giggling. She was never going to live this down.
Just after the rest of the household had gone to bed, Aine excused herself to the kitchen, dialed her cellphone, and made a call.
"Hey Cleri, it's been a minute." Aine said, once the other end picked up. "The move was hectic, but we're pretty much settled in. You'll never guess what just happened with Azalea."
From the other side of the line 'Cleri' gave her best hypothesis.
"Not even close." Aine replied. "She went on her first date!"
A gasp could be heard from the phone speaker.
"I know right. My little bundle of joy and chaos is growing up."
The chat continued on for some time, with topics shifting from Aine's kids, to Cleri's wellbeing, to the church incident, to there now being a second pseudo sister in Aine's life. That was until the woman on the other side began to pick up on Aine's unusually high spirits.
"I could never get anything past you, could I?" Aine chided. "Well, if you must know, my daughter isn't the only one who found someone."
Cleri made a wild guess.
"Oh fuck you, Cleri." Aine replied as the woman on the other end snickered, knowing she was right on the mark. "But yes, he is a fallen angel."
So that was Azalea and Raynare's first date, and the first chapter to primarily focus on the main couple. How'd I do? I'm still very new to writing romance, so I appreciate any feedback I can get.
Sona is content to let the miniboss squad remain in Kuoh so long as the Byrne family keeps them from causing any major damage. She views it as too unique an educational opportunity to pass up. It helps that she doesn't find any of them the least bit threatening.
The Mittelt pep talk(?) was a late addition to this chapter. I considered having Kalawarner or Dohnaseek speak with Azalea, but I felt Mittelt's been a bit underutilised.
Aine and her casual lore reveals.
As for the main event, the date was something I only had the ending planned out for. The rest was largely improvised as I was writing and I'm not dissatisfied with how things turned out.
Raynare would be the type of person to choose an opponent she knows she can easily beat, even in a video game.
The wording used for Raynare's request "Will you love me?" is important, specifically that it's future tense. You don't fall in love after just one date, it takes time to form an intimate understanding of the person you're with. But even knowing that, a part of Raynare's character is a desperation to be loved.
The first/second kiss was based off of the original script planned for Catra and Adora's kiss in the She-ra reboot. Originally I had planned for Raynare to wait until they were in front of Aine to make that move, but after a suggestion from my sister I had it moved.
And Aine's phone call with "Cleri" is a scenario I've been wanting to work in, but the chapters tended to be too long to fit it. I think it works decently as a closer.
Next chapter, we begin to move into the Raiser arc. I know some have been wondering exactly how and why Brandon and Azalea are going to get involved. Well, see you next time.