Hi hi!

Sorry this took so long. The laptop I'm using sucks, not to mention that I'm trying to salvage what I can from Atrium. Honestly, at this point, I'm just going to scrap the idea, or maybe I'll put it up for adoption.

But enough with that, you're not here to listen to that, you're here for story!

ONWARDS!

Kuro didn't remember falling asleep. Hell, she didn't even remember Vanth leaving. The last thing she did remember was doing her most dramatic recreation of the drunken speech Vale had given after a rather eventful night. She remembered getting into the part where he was defending Shax's "Sun-kissed hair" before everything got hazy. That meant one of two things: she had either gone the extra mile to recreate the scene, or her sleepy memory was as garbage as ever.

Regardless of which one was true, neither of them had an explanation for the arm thrown across her suspiciously naked waist… Wait.

All groggy and comprehensible thought was flown out the window, skin freezing over as her eyes went wide. Her fight-or-flight panic went wild, nearly acting on her need to reach down and snap the offending wrist.

Kuro nearly fell off the bed with how fast she had whipped back, only to slide right off the edge the moment the mass under the sheets next to her moved, blankets sucking the arm back in like a mouth to a tongue. She fell with a yelp, landing ass-first onto the thankfully carpeted floor.

She was too busy rubbing her behind to notice the prince peek over the edge, the fog in his eyes making him look all the more confused, "Kitten?"

"The fuck was that shit!?" Kuro scowled, pulling down the bottom of her nightgown down so quickly the fabric nearly gave way. She hated the red flush that had spread across her face, as well as the effort it took to try to keep it contained.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, don't 'pardon' me!" A part, just the tiniest portion, of her head wondered if she were overreacting. I had only been an arm flung over her hip, after all. Just a gloveless hand cupping her hip bone. Just skin on skin contact… Yep, nope, not okay. Not okay in the slightest. "Maybe this isn't a thing amongst royals, but normally, you don't pull up another girl's dress while she's asleep!"

She didn't bother to wait for his response, too busy forcing a lid bot back the bubbling pot of emotions in her head. She had to insist on the contrary just to keep her head on right, repeating that he probably didn't know what he'd done, or what it meant.

Finally, Kuro stood back up, dusting off her nightgown in an attempt to regain some amount of composure. She whipped around, pulling the closet open in her mad search for something with pants. Hell, at this rate, she was going to rip a tapestry from the wall and go at it with a needle and a prayer.

She nearly gave in and crawled into the damn thing (She'd probably be safer in there than out here), only to have a sense of deja vu rushed through her head. She stared at the hand placed on the inside of the closet door, inches away from her head, "What are you looking for this time, Kitten? Anything I can help you with?"

Before that Rifter-brand of hostility could take over once more, Kuro ducked under his arm, open hands shaking at her sides as she sized Corvus up.

Before she could, her eyes widened, unable to look away from his naked torso. She didn't snap out of it until he had cleared his throat, hands coming up to cover the red flush on her face, "Is something the matter?"

"I swear you have no sense of self-preservation." Kuro muttered, fighting the squeak out of her voice. No, this wasn't funny, not in any shape, way or form. She could feel him standing there, feel that smug air and his teasing smile.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I can understand you all that well when you're speaking into your hands like that. Perhaps you could remove your hands from your mouth? I'm told that eye contact can help get your point across."

"How about you put clothes on first, and then we'll talk?" Kuro jumped at the sound of her own voice, sounding more akin to a squawking bird than a person at this point.

She wanted to pull his vocal cords out for his laughter. Not that her hands would let her, too busy being glued to her face.

She could feel him laughing silently, and really, she'd probably do the same in his shoes. She could only imagine how she looked: trying and failing to cover her face, the red running from her forehead to her neck, shaking knees. She probably looked like she was about to implode on herself.

"Alright, there's no further need for that." Her hands refused to move until he hand grabbed hold of one, his firm grip gently peeling her fingers off of her face to place them on his shirt, "There, see? There's no need to act like that, I'm decent now, I promise."

Kuro's eyes squinted at him, glare evident regardless of his faithful reassurance, "So it would seem."

Rather than a real answer, Corvus laughed, petting a hand through her hair before she could react. "There's no reason to get so flustered like that, nor should you feel obligated to look away from me when I'm indecent."

"You know, for some reason, your reassurance is doing nothing." Kuro scoffed, watching him dip back into the closet. For a second, she thought that he was going to take the dress shirt off just to spite her. She refused to release the sigh of relief when he instead laid a dress out on the bed behind him.

"Is that so?" She almost didn't hear him, unsure if he hadn't spoken until he'd closed the closet door, leaning on it as if stuck in thought. Finally, he turned to her, a shit-eating grin forming on his face, "Well, if that's the case, maybe you should make an effort not to be flustered so easily."

"W-what!?" The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could shut it, voice higher than she'd wanted it to be. Ever. She sounded like a mouse being run over, much to the Crow's enjoyment.

"If anything, it's your own fault I tease you so." Corvus went on, adjusting his dress pants before tugging at his collar, leaning back ever so slightly to catch his reflection in the vanity behind her, "If you didn't look so adorable, I wouldn't bother."

Kuro had to bite down on her lip to keep from screaming, nails threatening to pierce into her palm. It wasn't often she was on this side of the conversation, and the fact that Corvus was the one tugging her along only added to the discomfort. Teasing among the guys was normal, expected even, but this? It felt more like a battle of wills, and at the moment, she was losing. Badly.

Rolling her eyes, she replied with the only word her mind seemed able to assemble, "Whatever."

Corvus seemed to get a kick out of that, chuckling lowly, "How eloquently put."

"Shut up."

"No need to get too feisty." He chided, pulling a pair of gloves over his hands before gesturing to the dress on the bed, "Now, if you're quite done acting like a timid puppy, I'll ask that you change so we may start the day. We have quite the full day before us."

"Don't you mean you have a full day?" Kuro hissed, hoping to come off as at least a little menacing- Oh, who was she kidding? Knowing the pervert before her, he probably thought she looked as threatening as a frilly pink baby bonnet.

"No, today I've decided we're going to take a tour of sorts." Corvus insisted, rounding the bed in his walk to the nightstand, "But, before I forget, I have a little surprise for you."

The way he held it out screamed bad intentions, pulling out something shrouded in a black shawl, holding the thing out just far enough that she'd have to crawl across the bed to reach it.

"What is it?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?" Kuro scowled at that, carefully skirting around the bed as she reached out for it, nerves a restless cacophony rattling about in her head. She snatched away the thing, taking a giant step backwards before even daring to open.

"As cute as it is, that accusatory look is beginning to hurt my feelings, Kitten." He put a hand over his chest, as if Kuro had shot him through the chest with her expression, "It isn't a trick, if that's what has you so apprehensive."

"Uhuh." Kuro mumbled, poking at the package before pulling the shawl from it. She felt like her eyes were about to fall out of her skull, running a finger along the red fabric of the hoodie she thought she'd never see again. She shoved it against her face, breathing in as deeply as possible. The usual smell of bloodied dirt and alcoholic shame had been washed away, replaced with something… Floral.

Nevertheless, the tension on her shoulders finally felt lifted, if just a bit. She had to fight against the urge to hold her hoodie close, tucking it to her chest like a teddy bear. God knows that Corvus, who had yet to get that smile off of his face, would never let it down.

"Well?"

Kuro nearly missed him speaking, too busy pulling the hoodie up and over her head, tugging it as low as she dared without ripping it. "Sorry?"

"Are you not going to say anything?"

Just like that, her mood nearly plummeted back to square one, shoulders sagging under the weight of the Crow. She felt like she was being crushed under his arrogant smile, paying the price for his pride.

"I was gonna say thanks, but for some reason, I don't want to anymore." She didn't bother to try and stay calm, sticking her tongue out as if that would help anything.

Rather than irking him into a fight, Corvus shook his head, "You can play dress up later, after we've finished our tour."

Kuro eyed the dress on the bed, fingers clamping down on the bottom of the hoodie, "Why'd ya bother giving this back to me then? Just gonna wave it in my face and then demand I don't use it?"

Kuro nearly mistook his expression for one of slight confusion, only to have him wave it off without a second's hesitation, "Is it so difficult for you to comprehend a gift, or are you just that suspicious of me?"

"You tell me."

Each dismissive shake of his head made Kuro's jaw tighten, threatening to break teeth at the rate it was going, "As comfortable as it looks, this will be the first time that the rest of the staff may get a look at you. A first impression isn't one you can fix at a later date."

A part of her mind egged her on, wondering how far she'd have to go just so she could wear something comfortable, only to have the bite on her neck throb. That reminder of what he could do sent shivers down her spine, knowing that if he just felt like it, he could force her under strenuous amounts of pain.

"Yeah, maybe constantly testing this asshole isn't the best idea."

"Pardon, Kitten?"

"I said where's the nearest bathroom?" Kuro forced out through grit teeth, pulling the hoodie off before she could stop herself. It took a lot of willpower not to glare holes into the dress behind her, knowing she would set it on fire the first chance she got.

"Ah, yes, right this way."

When she finally came out of the adjoined bathroom, Corvus could have sworn he'd been waiting for centuries. Not that he could have done much, refusing to call up her personal maid as soon as her astonishment of finding out part of the wall was the door to a bathroom had faded. She had also been quick to shoot down his own personal help, face flushing that delightful shade of red he was beginning to adore.

He couldn't help but think the dress fit her nicely, the dark purple of the material nearly as radiant as her eyes. "You look ravishing, Kitten."

"I feel like a Disney princess." She deadpanned in that all too familiar tone. She had been absentmindedly tugging at the belt-like ribbon around her waist, scowling down at the long skirt, "How the hell am I supposed to walk in this?"

"Well, you see, by placing one foot in front of the other-"

"Oh, hah hah." Kuro spat, hiking the dress up just enough for her to kick off the pair of heels secured around her ankle, irritating rising as the left heel refused to go as quickly as the right, "You try walking a few feet in that and tell me your ankles aren't trying to kill themselves."

She looked like she was going to go on, only to have her expression drop ever so slightly. She did her best to cover it up with an oddly complacent smile, a sudden change that threatened to give Corvus whiplash, "Please don't make me wear those."

"The skirt is long enough." There was something about hearing her say please that really got him going. Maybe it was the sudden manners, but for some reason, it was a bit too difficult for him to deny her simple request, "I suppose I can allow it."

"Oh, thank God."

"Now," He tugged at his sleeve, dusting off the invisible dust before offering it to her, "If I may escort you?"

He watched her swallow down a scowl, biting back against what was most likely a scathing remark as she took his arm. Granted, it was a bit more forceful than it needed to be, but he wasn't about to complain.

"Don't expect me to be all ladylike." Kuro muttered as they exited the bedroom, eyes downcast as if the carpet was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen, "I can dress the part, but I have no idea how to 'woman' properly."

"Duly noted." Corvus said, closing the door behind him before turning his gaze down the hall. There was much to do in terms of the castle, but it was better to do it now than later, "Now then, shall we start?"

"Whenever you're ready." Kuro yawned, rubbing at her droopy eyes until they snapped back up to attention.

"Excellent. We can start on this floor." Corvus cleared his throat, "You may not have noticed, being that you were flown up here rather than walking, but we are currently on the 64th floor of the main tower."

"Main tower?" Kuro asked, eyes going blank from either confusion or fatigue. Corvus couldn't help but find her curiosity endearing, "There's more than one castle?"

"Yes and no." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Kuro's mouth opening with some sort of sarcastic remark, only to choke it right back down, "In a sense, the castle itself is made up of four primary interconnected towers. Most of the suites are in the middle tower, the one we are in."

Kuro seemed to take a moment to ponder that, eyes whipping about as if she were trying to solve a horrific equation, only to throw him a bashful expression, "I don't suppose you could get that to me in drawings?"

Had he been anyone else, Corvus would have snorted at that. "I can have that done."

"Sweet."

He went on to explain the castle and where everything was, spitting facts and history whenever they popped up into his head. He had expected Kuro to look bored, maybe even fall asleep on their little trip, not find her enraptured. She looked like she was mentally writing everything down, hanging off of every word with more enthusiasm than a tired cat demon should have had.

He almost questioned her lack of questioning before he came up to the partition.

"Wait," Kuro stopped, giving him an almost accusatory look, "You're serious?"

"Of course. Specific areas are only made accessible to specific demons." Corvus wasn't sure why, out of everything, this was what baffled her. "There would be no sense in a maid using the library without permission, just as it would be odd to see one of my brothers in the kitchen."

"Okay, I get that. I think." She mumbled out that last part, reaching a hand up to scratch her head, only to have her hand fall back down, "But are separate staircases and carpets really necessary?"

Corvus had to take a moment to properly formulate his idea, pushing himself back into her shoes. What was the best way to put it for a demon of the Rift to understand?

"It's commonplace for the higher class to have a separation." Corvus said slowly, resisting the urge to bend down to Kuro's level, "It's more of a matter of status than anything else."

"I am…" Kuro trailed on, eyes whipping about as if her thoughts were being projected, only to shrug, "Still lost."

"It's similar to how a poor person doesn't not walk into a rich bar simply because it is a public meeting place." Corvus cleared up, before shivering, "Just the thought is revolting."

There was something in Kuro's eyes that snapped into place, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He could have sworn that, for a split second, even her ears looked irritated with him. Before he could ask what the matter was, she shook her head, hands moving to absentmindedly pull at each other's fingers, "Alright, I think I understand."

Corvus chose to ignore her forceful tone, instead interested in how quickly she had dropped it. Of all the sudden weird behavior, this was one he didn't want to overlook, "Is something wrong, dear?"
"Nope. Everything is A-Okay over here." Despite the cheery smile she shot him, her furious fingers said otherwise. He could have sworn that they were beginning to glow red with how quickly they flicked and pulled at each other, as if they were seconds from catching fire.

When calling her name didn't prompt a response, he reached out to grab her hands. He felt the muscles under her skin still, shaking ever so slightly at the forceful freeze up. It was then he realized the only red on her hand had been something he'd yet to notice: an oddly placed red ruby ring.

He didn't know how he didn't notice it earlier, but there it was, glaring right back up at him with the same intensity as its owner.

"-vus? Corvus?"

He snapped himself from his stupor, finding himself almost entranced by the gleam of the gemstone. He hadn't realized he'd been on one knee before her until looking up, catching just a tiny hint of confused concern in her eyes, "Yes?"
"I asked if you were okay, is all." Kuro muttered, voice growing softer as she went on, only to clear her throat, "I mean, don't get any cheeky ideas 'bout it, yeah? You just grabbed my hand out of nowhere, and before I knew it you're down here looking like you're either going to shine my shoes or propose."

Each word fell from her lips faster than the last, that familiar scarlet flush taking over her face until she'd finally pulled her hands from his, moving them to grip the sides of her dress.

"Apologizes, I meant to ask what was wrong."

"It's not important, really." She was quick to wave it off, "We should just move it on, yeah?"

Corvus wanted to push it, but… He found himself at a bit of a loss. What had he been meaning to press, again?

Never mind that, why bother thinking about it when Kuro tugged him to his feet, looking like she was moments away from hauling him down the stairs in front of them, "Yes… Yes, do excuse my confusion, we shall continue on now."

With that, he led her down the stairs, making note of the regal red and gold carpet protecting the floor. He wasn't aware of exactly what was leaving his mouth on the way down, most likely just some more historical facts long since embedded into his mind from his younger years spent in the furthest corner of the library. He barely noticed the slight haze to Kuro's eyes, only to have her nearly stumble over her own two feet steps away from the end.

She let out a sharp squeak, instantly latching onto the nearest upright thing to keep herself from falling over: himself.

She was quick to pull herself away from him the moment her feet found even ground. She didn't bother to speak, seeming more than happy to wave it off as if it had never happened, "So!" Her voice shook ever so slightly, eyes seeming to dance about rather than stick to any one particular thing, "This is familiar… Oh, oh wow, it's actually familiar."

"Hmm, you noticed." Corvus gestured to the grand hall before them, turning a blind eye to the way she made sure there was space between them, "This is the main floor of the main castle, where we host a vast majority of the public parties."

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a faint flash of irritation in Kuro's expression as it dawned on her, "I was here a few nights ago."

"And here you are once again," Corvus agreed, turning his back to the mostly empty room before throwing his arms out, as if he were about to unveil the grandest treasure, "You should count yourself lucky, not too many commoners can say that they've been within these walls more than once."

"Lucky me."

He watched as her eyes scanned the room over, eyebrow furrowed as if trying to trap the boredom flowing out of her, "Personally, I don't see why we have such an area reserved for public affairs, but it is the largest open area we have, next to the execution field, that is-"

He was quickly cut off by Kuro's sudden squeal, barely managing to move as she went barreling past. He could barely make out the soft yet hurried line of words she was spewing, coming to a full and sudden halt in front of the object of her attention, "There's a piano here!?"

He could only watch on as she nearly tripped over her feet once more, making a note to get her some form of suitable footwear (He contemplated letting her wear those disgusting boots if it meant keeping her balance) as she splayed herself out on the top of the grand piano. "Do you play, Kitten?"

"No, I don't. In fact, I've never seen a real one in my life." Kuro mumbled, giggling softly to herself. For a second, she looked like she was off in another world, eyes glossy but not in it's usual way, "Damn this thing is a lot bigger in person."

She slid from the piano's top into the seat, staring down at the gleaming keys. He could see her fingers itching to touch them, instead leaving them to tab about on her side.

"If you'd like, I could teach you." Corvus proposed, flexing his fingers before leaning over Kuro's shoulder, looking the keys over. Sure he was a bit out of practice, but surely he remembered enough to impress.

"I think I'll pass." Kuro mumbled, finally sliding off of the instrument she'd draped herself on top of, "I don't really have the best track record with large machines, especially the ones that make noise."

"Are you certain?" Corvus asked, pressing his chest into her back as he bent over her, gloves hands placing themselves on Kuro's own. He couldn't help the smirk at Kuro's involuntary jump, only to press herself further into him, "I may not be the best, but I'm sure that-"

"I think not." He nearly fell forward when she slipped out from under him, fighting to keep that placid smile on her face. It held together all things considering, despite the silent fire raging behind her eyes. And, now that he was looking closer, she looked more like an animal baring teeth rather than a lady holding a polite smile…

She was quick to fix that, but even then, the image felt burned into his mind: she had looked like a scared and cornered animal, just barely able to hold it together. He couldn't help but wonder if it was his own doing, she was scared, but of him? Surely he wasn't all that threatening, right? He was doing his best to appear as anything but, earning trust and fear were two very different things.

Finally, she tilted her head ever so gently to the side, "The hell?" She muttered, looking to the doorway.

Confused, he followed her gaze, hoping to find the answer to his unsaid question.

Nothing sounded outside of the usual: just the everyday sounds of demons bustling about outside the gates. It was hardly worth noting, but Kuro's sudden attentiveness argued otherwise. He hadn't noticed it till then, but even in her laxed state she looked ready to pounce, whether it be towards or away from this unknown threat.

"Do you hear that?" Kuro finally muttered, voice just barely audible before walking over to the door, a hand braced on the frame as her eyebrows knitted themselves together.

Right before he could question her, he heard it too, far off from the castle.

An explosion.

The first explosion had nearly sent her into an adrenaline-induced frenzy. If it hadn't been for a well timed throb of her neck, who knew how far and fast she would have dashed at this point. She watched on as black smoke billowed up, like a tiny dark cloud rising up. It was too far to be anywhere near the castle, and she was fairly certain it had to be-

"Kuro?"

She grabbed his hand before it had a chance to touch her shoulder, nearly following through to break his wrist. She stared at the white glove above her shoulder, eyes taking over each intertwined thread as her breathing finally returned to normal.

"I, ah." She finally muttered, letting go of his hand in favor of staring back outside. He, thankfully, didn't seem keen on pressing the matter, instead moving to stand beside her, "That's gotta be the third one this week. First one I haven't been a part of, though."

She didn't need to face him to feel his confused expression. But, even then, her anxious mouth just kept running itself, "For what it's worth, I'm kinda glad I'm all the way over here. Sucks ass to wake up to those, especially the laced ones."

She could hear it clear as day. The explosions, the screaming, the mad laughter. She wasn't too sure where the last one had come from; after all, her laughter was a bit too similar to Abraxas' own.

As rattling as it was, there was a sense of loss as she watched another puff of smoke go up. Sure, she didn't miss it, she was far from that if anything, but still…

"Don't mind them too much." Corvus' voice cut right through her mind, voice just a bit too close and loud for her liking, "If it becomes too much, the guard will be sent out to clean up the mess."

She nearly sneered at his tone. If Shax and Vale sounded uncaring, Corvus was completely detached. He sounded almost bored, but saying that still sounded too off.

Her question was answered before it could be asked, whipping around just as the sound of clattering metal grew louder than the blasts outside. She nearly tripped over herself when someone grabbed the back of her dress, pulling her back by the collar, "Do pardon me, I'd hate for you to be run over."

"Sure." Kuro muttered, watching the slow trickle of armored demons trail down the staircase, "I don't suppose they'll have to keep to their side of the carpet?"

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

Too busy trying to cover up her innate sarcasm, she missed the spreading bewilderment on Corvus' face, "No, this isn't right." She heard him murmur, before stopping the first guard to cross his path, "You over there, why are so many of you going out?"

"Please do forgive us, Prince Crow," The guard murmured, bowing his head down. Kuro couldn't help but give him a look, wondering what he'd done to prompt an apology, "At least half of the guards have been ordered to contain the riot."

"The riot in the Rift?"

"Yes, my Prince."

Kuro tried to decipher Corvus' obvious unease, a far cry from his earlier indifference, "These numbers are a bit excessive for a Rift riot, are they not?"

Kuro could practically smell the sudden wave of panic from the guard, as if Corvus were transferring it to him, "Apologizes, Prince Crow, but I am not in a proper place to offer an opinion."

"Yes, yes of course," Corvus mumbled, waving the poor demon back into the sea of armored clatter before turning around, "I'll have to speak with Marax of this later."

"Umm, excuse me?" Kuro tried to wave down the nearest one, resisting the urge to reach out and tug like a child, "What exactly are your orders?"

She could have sworn that, from under the helmet, she heard something akin to a scoff. Before she could react, she felt a hand land on her shoulder, "I do believe the lady asked you a question, boy."

"Eh?" She watched the poor man stiffen up as if he'd just been stabbed, nearly bringing his side of the line to a halt in his stupor, "I-I'm so sorry, miss! I didn't hear you!"

"Don't sweat it," Kuro waved it off, more pressing matters on her mind than this guy trying to kiss ass for his life, "But, since I have your attention, I gotta know; what exactly are your orders in the Rift?"

"We are to eradicate anything that is suggested to be a part of the conflict, my lady!" Kuro nearly lost it when he saluted. Hell, she probably would have laughed at how whipped he was if she understood the word vomit that just came out of him.

"What?"

He seemed to look between her and the prince behind her, as if wondering which one of them would strike him first, "We are to kill on sight, my lady."

Kuro fell silent for a few seconds, words taking a moment too long to process. "...Oh."

She almost missed Corvus silently dismissing the man back into the ranks, too stuck in her own head to notice until he'd merged back into the sea of silver.

"Is something wrong, dearest?"

"Nah, we peachy." Kuro muttered, eyes boring into the bright white line of guards, drowning in the cohesive sound of metal stomps and irregular detonations, "We're totally peachy. We're, like, all of the peaches. I'm a fucking orchard over here."

She probably would have mumbled a whole string of fruit-related obscenities if Corvus hadn't cleared his throat, "If that's the case, might I ask what the dark laughter was for?"

"Dark laughter?"

"You started giggling to yourself before your little… peach tirade."

"Hahaha, peach tirade." No force in hell could stop the gross ugly laugh that fought its way out of her mouth, doing her best fake yawn in order to cover it up, "I'm good, I'm fine. I am all of the fine. In fact, do me a favor and get me some popcorn, could ya? Might as well find a good seat to watch the fireworks fly."

"You seem fairly relaxed for someone suggesting we watch the destruction of their home." She honestly wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Well, the Rift has stood this long." Kuro shrugged, turning away from the never-ending line of guards. She was pretty sure that, if she'd kept watching, she was going to go blind from the gleam of the armor. That, and the sound of an endless metal march was beginning to drive her mad.

A part of her wanted to join in on the march, just to get in on the fun. A part of her longed to return to the chaos she'd been pulled from, if only to feel some sense of familiarity after all of this time. God knew that lives would be taken tonight, and it had much too long since her last fix.

Shaking her head, she threw Corvus the biggest grin she could manage without looking like a feral animal. She didn't even want to begin to sort the emotional clutter seizing about in her head, "You could probably nuke the place to hell back to back, and it'll still be standing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, no worries over here, nope, none." She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, or if she really needed to convince in the first place. She felt like her mouth was trying to pull her away from any sort of worry, throwing up colorful blinds to keep her from spiraling, "If anything, I'd be worried about the guards. The entire regiment isn't nearly enough to take out the demons of the Rift, hell, they'd probably have issues with just a building's worth."

His silence did nothing to help ease her mind, if anything his silence only added to the discomfort growing in the back of her head. The drone of marching steps had long since died out, each and every one of those guards past the gate at this point.

When he added nothing, Kuro turned back to the open doorway, squinting as if she could see the Rift turn into its usual battleground. The once boisterous explosions sounded like little more than dying sputters at this point, as if they no longer wanted to be watched.

As irritating as the Crow could be, the silence was slowly but surely growing louder with each passing second. Normally, he'd be the last person she'd ever willingly start conversation with, but she felt like this quiet was holding her at gunpoint, fiddling with the trigger as if daring her to remain as she was.

With an irritating huff, she leveled what she hoped wasn't a murderous look at the Devil and opened her mouth.

"Knock knock."

Corvus' eyes dropped down to her mischievous grin, only further driving his puzzlement, "I'm sorry?"

"I can't stand silence and I have a bunch of these saved up. Might as well use them." Kuro mumbled, voice low and quiet as if she were speaking to her dress' collar rather than him, before pressing once more, "Knock knock."

Well, it wasn't like she was giving him any other outs here, and for what it was worth, he may have been just a tiny bit curious as to where she wanted to take this. Besides, Kuro starting conversation without any obvious prize to be had? Perhaps earning trust wasn't as hard as it had been cracked up to be. "Who's there?"

"Babylon."

Corvus looked the girl over for any obvious tells, her eyebrow arched just a tiny bit. Surely she wasn't going for that type of joke, right?

"Babylon who?"

"Babylon." Kuro grinned, "It's not like I'm listening to you."

It took him longer than he would have liked to put the joke together, and even longer before he could react. He watched Kuro's grin grow as his own half-scoff half-smirk took over, "Was that a religious joke you just told?"

"What do you call a nun in a wheelchair?"

There weren't too many similarities between himself and his brother, but one of the few would have to be their overall distaste for jokes. Most of which were either told so blandly that the punchline barely struck, or the joke in itself simply wasn't funny. But, regardless, he couldn't help but feel the tiniest spark of amusement, "I dare not guess."

"Virgin mobile!" Kuro grinned, letting out the tiniest huff of laughter.

Corvus could help but let his own escape, shaking his head at her little display, "Jokes of that sort aren't very ladylike, especially those in that fashion."

"Why did God make donuts?" Kuro continued to press, grin growing with a childlike energy, sprinkled with an almost sadistic malice. She was daring him to stop, daring him to answer, knowing she'd win something either way.

Corvus couldn't help but laugh: she was playing a game she knew she'd win, a feeling he found both familiar and ironic.

"I wouldn't make God jokes here if I were-"

"Because he wanted them holy." Kuro grinned, cackling to herself like a madman. She didn't bother to cover her mouth, nor did she care to turn away. She didn't look like she was putting on any sort of front, smiling unabashedly as if enthralled by her own jokes.

Corvus shook his head, at this point, she was more of an immature lunatic then ladylike.

"What do you call holy bread?"

"I don't know, Kuro. What do you call holy bread?" Despite his attempt at sounding bored, he felt something pull and tug from within him, urging him to do the unthinkable.

"Jesus Crust."

No, listening to these jokes were one thing, but making one of his own?

He refused to give in, he couldn't give in.

He couldn't tell if she knew what she was doing to him, but in the end, he doubted she even cared, "Why wasn't Jesus born in Italy?"

"Why do you keep telling Religious jokes?" Corvus questioned, each joke coming close to making his laugh as well as cringe.

He didn't even know how to make a joke.

"They could find the three wise guys, but not the virgin." Kuro grinned, silently giggling to herself, oblivious to the uphill fight Corvus was losing.

He was slowly breaking under the pressure.

"What kind of fun does a priest have?"

It was slowly becoming too much.

"Nun."

He wasn't going to make it.

"What's the difference between Jesus and a human father?"

He...was about...to make...

"The human never comes back." Kuro's laughter was akin to a dying fish at this point, wheezing as if she were about to breathe her last breath. Regardless, she pulled herself back together, armed and ready to fire off another horrid joke, only to have him beat her to the punch.

"How do you make holy water?"

Had he had any less self control, Corvus may have slapped his hand over his mouth. He couldn't believe the words had made it out of his mouth, and judging by Kuro's look, she couldn't believe it either.

"Huh, I really don't know." That surprise was quickly replaced with her usual grin, being so bold as to nudge his shoulder, unwilling to let him out of his own trap, "You tell me."

Her eyes bore into his own, daring the words to slip out. Corvus fought every inch of himself not to answer, he would not say it, he swore to his father, he could not just give in and-

"You boil the hell out of it."

...Damn.

The smile on her face grew to look painful, and for a moment, she looked positively insane. That's when it happened.

Kuro laughed.

It wasn't the usual sarcastic huff, nor was it the cruel gleeful giggle he'd come to expect from her. No, it sounded like laughter, just, normal enthusiastic laughter. It sounded real, unforced and genuine, somewhere between a light snicker and a sadistic roar of mirth.

He felt like he was taking a glimpse at the purest form of Kuro there was, and in all honesty, it was kinda cute.

No, it was more than cute.

He shook his head, somehow lost in her now hysterical laughter. It was almost infectious, so infectious he nearly found himself laughing along at the mere sound. She didn't show any signs of stopping, and yet, she didn't seem to care.

He couldn't help the smile that spread with the warmth from his chest, shaking his head. While the future of their little game was unknown, he was certain of one thing.

Had he been any lower of a demon, he would have been absolutely captivated by that laughter alone.

So, from here on in, I'll try to explain. Partly so that I don't lose any of you and also because I know I'll forget something important and this is easy for me to read through just incase.

Corvus isn't in love just yet. In his head, he sees it as a challenge challenge to get Kuro to slowly but surely fall in love with him.

Arc, on the other hand, is basically already deep in that hole but is also in some deep denial. He's not at "in love" yet, but he's much closer then Corvus is. Arc is more confused by Kuro and her antics, which is part of the reason he wants to get close to her. He wants to understand how she works and why she does what she does.

Kuro: Why do I need to be stuck in this stupid love triangle?

Me: Because I've got nothing better to do.

Kuro: But still! I'm too passively lethargic for this bullshit.

Me: In the words of every teenager trying to be cool; "Deal with it".

Kuro: Oh shut up.

Amy: Aww, don't be such a Lilith ya grouch.

Lilith: What was that suppose to mean, you psychopathic fiend?

Amy: Really? That's it?

Erin: Dude, even Miu can come up with better insults.

Lilith: I'd like to see the introverted one try.

Erin: Hey, Miu, do us a favor and come over!

Miu: It m-must be important i-if y-you guys are c-calling me over f-for once!

Amy: Insult me.

Miu:...Huh?

Amy: I've got something to prove.

Miu: B-but I can't!

Amy: Come on, I know you have some sort of disliking to me deep down inside.

Miu: B-but it would be rude...

Lilith: She doesn't have the spine to insult a fly.

Amy: Come on, Miu; if you can't insult me, Lilith is gonna be right and I'm going to be irritated. You don't want me to be irritated, do you?

Erin: Well, being how you ARE irritating-

Amy: You know what, no one asked you, Fire Fuckface.

Erin: Wow, you're worse then Lilith.

Amy: Shut up! Now then, Miu, hurry up and make fun of me!

Miu: W-well...Are y-you sure?

Amy: Go for it.

Miu: Okay...Umm...Well...Y-you're a terrible person...

Amy:...Fuck-

Miu: *Breaths deeply* You're a senseless, ludicrous, psychopathic that has no idea what basic intelligence and inherent rationality. You try and strive to be much more then you could ever dream of being, most of your "funny" personality being from the fluke conditions that you seem to be held under rather then real character building and bonding. Not to mention that you are egotistical, moronic, shallow-

Amy: Fuck, I get it.

Lilith: I'll give it to her, that wasn't half bad.

Miu:-You wish to have power that you'll never be able to attain, you strive for relationships you'll succeed, and you're either a try hard or much too lethargic.

Kuro: Huh, would you look at that. Guess I'm not original.

Amy: Shut it you fucking Neko girl.

Kuro: Joke's on you, I'm not Chinese.

Lilith: At this point, I don't know who's doltish; the Section 8 with a water-logged brain or...I'm not sure what to call you as of now.

Amy: You talk like Katrina.

Lilith: I think you mean that Katrina talks like me.

Katrina: It should be "Speaks as I do", to be grammatically correct.

Miu: -irritating, rude, abberent just to name a few. You're also a colossal waste of space, believing yourself to be the all powerful one when really, you're one of the weakest willed here.

Amy: Fuck, I think we broke the shy Jap.

Erin: Are you done yet?

Miu: *Shakes head* Almost, one more.

Amy: By all means.

Miu: I will fucking kill you.

Amy: (0_0) Shit, I get it!

Miu: D-Did I do well?

Amy: Yes, I've made my point, no go and grab a cookie or something.

Me:...I don't have any control over the author's notes anymore, do I?

Lilith: Who said that you had any to begin with?

Me: I can do one thing.

Erin: Which is?

Me: Story end! Till next time, bai bai!