Another Perspective 1: The Phoenix and the Serpent

April 22nd, 2017

The room they now sat in was a prototypical example of the wealth and power possessed by her family. Perhaps a smidgen too much so for her own liking.

There are only so many exotic furs and timbers that can be fashioned into furnishings, or rare gems and metals forged into resplendent chandeliers and fireplaces, before it all began to seem a bit excessive.

For that matter, what even was the utility of fireplaces in a home for those who possess an inner flame stronger than any produced by the burning of coal or alchemical reagents?

Another example of the misplaced focus upon lineage and tradition, one supposes.

Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a method of glazing over certain aspects of lineage and tradition in our case...

Although, it was not all bad.

Said furnishings were very comfortable after all.

And while she might prefer a greater focus on innovation, the current system did give her certain advantages, if not in all fields.

Besides, things were changing.

Slowly.

Regardless, the rather more pertinent matter than the room itself, or the implications it may shed upon greater Devil society, was whom currently inhabited it.

Namely herself, her at once beloved and infuriating brother, and her parents.

Speaking of, "Congratulations on your ninth victory in the rating games, Riser. Your performance does our family great honor." The slightly detached voice of her mother resounded across the room.

Her father's softer voice chimed in soon after, "You as well Ravel, your strategies served well in making use of his peerage. I am, proud of both of you."

"Yes, quite so. If you both continue like this, you shall do well in honoring our lineage. Remember that. Perhaps you shall actually amount to something, unlike certain others…" At this last part her mother's voice took on a slightly sharper tone, before continuing in her previous detached manner after a short pause and a nearly imperceptible wince from her father. "In any case, I must return to other matters now. You may enjoy the evening as you please."

Barely a moment later, she had already turned and was leaving the sitting room in a flash of red and gold.

Silence enveloped the air for a short while at her sudden, although not unexpected, exit before Riser coughed, stood, and said his own piece.

"Ah, well, in that case I believe I shall take my leave as well. I have something of a celebration planned with my peerage for tonight, and I would hate to keep them waiting." Ending his statement with a slightly lecherous grin, her brother quickly left as well, leaving her alone with her father.

After a moment, he slumped back in the seat of his cushioned chair, emblazoned in the proper gold and red of her family of course, and drew a hand over his face while giving a slight sigh.

"I know she doesn't really mean anything by it, but… Sorry."

"It's not like its your fault. It's just the way she is, and the way he is for that matter. It is enough that she even bothered to come and say her piece. I have learned to not expect too much in the way of, ah, Motherly Warmth from her by this point."

Especially not for me.

It may be disappointing, but that is the way of things after all.

Power.

Seniority.

Lineage.

The three pillars upon which Devil society are most firmly situated. Given my lack of those first two, it is really all one could expect.

Still...

When my father finally responds it breaks me from my thoughts, "I really am proud of you, you know that, don't you? More so than your brother's even. I think you might even be ready for your pieces soon, if you want them."

I can feel my eyes involuntarily widen for a moment at this declaration, before sharpening as a note of skepticism enters my voice, "Truly? Do you really think I am ready for that? That others would not object?"

"Hah! No. Not at all. I imagine there are more than a few who might think it improper, but I think you are ready, no matter your age or your strength. Assuming of course that you have a use for them as of yet?" At this last part, he slightly waggles an eyebrow while leveling a knowing smile in my direction, "Maybe that one boy you are always talking to? What was his name again? Thalex? Strange name that, for a human at least."

Feeling myself flush ever so slightly, I stammer out a response, "Ah, well. One day, maybe. I... don't know if I really want to get him involved in all this, at least not yet. It's hard to find people I can really trust. I think I will want him eventually, just, maybe not now."

He gives me a knowing look, before nodding slightly. "I understand. It is important to have people you can let your guard down around, to forget about your obligations with. I know that all too well. Just don't wait too long. You never know what might happen, what opportunities might pass if you don't seize them."

At this his voice brightens slightly, "Besides, while it can be nice to have people who you can forget about your troubles with, it is just as pleasant, and a fair bit more practical, to have someone trustworthy to discuss them with."

Now smiling slightly myself, I respond. "Thank you Father, I shall keep that in mind. And I shall be sure to let you know if I decide that I need my pieces. For now at least, I think I will accede to propriety."

At this he once more leans back in his chair and stretches out slightly before cheerily responding, "On that note, don't feel like you must stay behind on my behalf. I know that helping your brother has kept you busy recently. Go on and enjoy yourself, doing whatever it is you do on that ah, Computer, that Reginald set up for you. I am sure that "Thalex" has been missing you."

I quickly respond with a slightly wry grin at this last part, "I'm sure he has. No doubt he's been bored out of his mind without me around. Sometimes you would think that nothing interesting ever happens to him, to hear him talk about it." With that, I finally take my own leave of the room, although not before gingerly giving my father a hug and a smile.

I think he appreciated it.

The council room had dimmed at this point, several hours passing since the recent "chat".

Most of the others had now left, leaving empty workstations and stacks of half-filled paperwork tidily put away to be continued at a later date.

Normally some of them might have stayed longer, but I had been quite firm on insisting that they get their rest. I may have slightly overstated the true danger of their exposure to such objects, but only slightly, and there is no sense in risking their health.

Now it was only me and Tsubaki.

Momentarily looking up from the budget report in front of me, I aim a question at her, "What are your thoughts on him?"

"Blackfel you mean? I'm not entirely sure." Taking a moment to confirm she had correctly understood my inquiry, Tsubaki then continued in an even tone, "It seems obvious that he has some level of magical aptitude or other supernatural ability, and my observations of him would seem to confirm that. Although, his Mana Signature was quite weak, only barely above what might be considered normal for an unusually powerful untrained human. He also seems to have little or no knowledge regarding the details of the supernatural world. If pressed, I would guess that he is a Sacred Gear wielder who very recently awakened, based upon his survival and his lack of information. Anything beyond that is uncertain." Finishing her thought, she returns to her own papers, occasionally glancing up to see if I had anything to add.

I give a small nod and a smile in response to this summary. It largely matches with my own thoughts, but other perspectives are always useful.

Although, "That does leave the question of how he learned about our nature. If he were truly completely new to this side of the world, he should have little reason to suspect us or determine what we are, even to the limited degree he stated. Either he knows more than he is letting on, or he has already obtained some method of gathering information on his own. What of his personality?"

The sudden shift in track seems to catch her off guard for a moment, but she quickly rallies, "That is something which I find confusing. Based on what I have heard and seen, he started out as exceptionally quiet and distant. Not rude necessarily, but detached. As if he was never really paying attention to what was around him. After the initial buzz caused by his transfer, he seemed to shift mostly into the background, at least insofar as a tall and mysterious foreigner can." At this last part she gave a slight grin, before returning to a more serious expression.

"What is strange, is how after his purported exposure to the supernatural, he seems to have had a significant change in demeanor. Not only did he begin associating with those three, but he seemed to make more of an active effort to interact with those around him. Not to mention his speech in the cafeteria, his dramatic introduction to the rest of the Student Council, and his sudden relationship with Aika Kiryuu. One would almost think he was a different person entirely, if not for how he still occasionally slips into his old patterns of behavior." At this, she gives me an inquisitive look and pauses her analysis.

"No, I do not think he has been replaced, or anything such as that. More likely it is some form of trauma response, or perhaps the influence of his Sacred Gear, assuming he truly does possess one. He did say that he was expecting to die when he came to meet us, no?"

At this Tsubaki gives a firm nod in return.

"Just so. I do not think it would be out of question for him to have simply loosened up somewhat as a result of his sudden brush with death and impending fear of demise. Whether that results in a more long-term change of personality, or if it shall pass now that he is getting some answers, we shall have to wait and see."

The room once more falls into silence as we return to our work, only to be broken as Tsubaki once more speaks up while giving me a circumspect glance that gradually morphs into a vulpine grin, "Do you have a particular interest in him? I would surmise that he certainly might have one in you, based on certain things he is known to have said…"

Carefully ignoring the latter half of her statement with what was most certainlynot the barest trace of a blush, I decide to be magnanimous in answering her question. "Perhaps. I had marked him as of potential interest based on his shown personality, and what I had seen of his history. The potential strength of even a weak Sacred Gear user is also appealing, assuming he can integrate well with everyone else. However, it is too soon to know for sure. Especially given that he does not seem to hold much trust for us currently,"

Pausing to adjust my glasses and lean forward while putting down my pen, I continue, "I believe that for the moment the best course of action may be to simply observe him further, and provide him with the information he seeks. Ideally, he will at least remain a neutral party once he learns more of us, and perhaps more given time."

"Do you believe we should inform Rias of the situation?" Tsubaki interjects once more, in a slightly more serious tone of voice.

That... is a good question. After a moment of thought, I respond.

"I think not. Not entirely, at least. It is of course only proper to inform her of a new Stray lurking the streets, but I do not believe she needs to be aware of the rest just yet. I think Blackfel would be much more fitting with us, no? Besides, she already has her own candidate in mind. I don't think there is any need to lead her eyes astray when she is already so occupied."

"Of course, President." Several moments pass. "Although, that still does not answer the question of your personal feelings regarding him?"

I give her a flat stare over the edge of my interlinked hands, "No comment."

She is suitably chastised by this response, and swiftly returns to her own work once more.

"Of course, President Ikari."

Tch.