…Damn, chapter got hands.
The Opera who forgot is referred to with she/her pronouns by Opera themself.
TW: Children Working at places they Definitely Shouldn't Be, child abuse, neglect, child labor. It is heavily implied two adults have consensual sex despite preferences. Vomiting blood and mentions of blood.
Canon events will be adjusted or summarized. I am not doing a one to one rewrite- I did a little bit of that for my Kingdom Hearts fics for Reasons, and it suuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkssssss. Please let me know it you enjoyed the chapter!
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
Iruma is nine when his parents find him at the yakuza family's house without their permission. He doesn't notice them at first, as focused as he is on removing weeds, that he gasps when his mother yanks his arm back. She smiles at him and his throat closes as she sing-songs his name, "Iru~ma~cha~n~!" Her hand strikes his face as he goes limp. ShameAngerScaredConfusion come in quick succession as she pulls him close and reprimands him quietly through clenched teeth. "You know better than to leave your tent while we're away! Are you looking to get yourself into trouble and locked away by child services, you little devil!?"
Iruma doesn't understand his mother's reasoning, but he breathes through the tears as he mumbles, "But I'm working…"
She pulls him harshly, forcing him to drop his hand shovel. He doesn't look back to see if the family is angry with him or his parents. He technically had been wrong for leaving his tent like they'd told him time and time again. He could hunt, but he couldn't stay with someone they hadn't left him with.
His tears are silent as they shove him into their car and drive off. His head is held low, and it isn't until he realizes they've been in the car for too long that something isn't right. He panics, "Where are you taking me to work?"
His father is silent- he's always silent, while his mother turns with a smirk on her face, "We're taking you to a hotel to work. You'll get food and board, and they've already given us your paycheck! So make sure you work hard, or else you'll be the one in trouble!"
Iruma sniffs, wipes away his tears, and looks up at the neon sign they pull up to. His skin crawls as he senses something inherently evil about the place they've brought him to.
His mother opens the door and pulls him out, ushering him in swiftly as he's dropped off with insincere tears and gratitude for taking on such responsibility.
The old woman who's smoking a clove-scented cigarette looks down at him dispassionately before sighing. She pushes herself up slowly, and brings him into a dim back room before motioning for him to sit. Her voice is scratchy, and he does his best to keep from wrinkling his over-sensitive nose as his throat hurts from second-hand smoke.
"I feel bad for employing a kid your age at this sorta place- it definitely ain't the sort of joint for minors. But well, after your mother told me how much they need help with the bills for her treatment, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and agree."
Iruma had heard this song and dance a hundred times before. He just nodded and went with it. He knew his mother was a liar.
The woman puts a paperback book in front of him, the image on the cover sets off confusion and alarm as he awkwardly picks it up. He'd burned enough porno to have an idea of the contents as he looks up at her in confusion.
"It's a sex ed book. Can't have ya workin' at a love hotel without knowing what's goin' on behind closed doors."
Iruma pulls the book closer as his stomach flips with nausea. He opens the book with shaking hands and begins to read. It's tame, as it is educational material for his age. He, however, inherently feels the Lust that has imbedded into the walls, and swiftly realizes he's smelling far more than incense and sweat.
He sniffs miserably, and reads the entire book in one sitting.
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
He lives in that miserable hotel for an entire month. He isn't given a room, but a mere storage closet with a futon. It locks on the inside, and he has to go down the hall and two floors down to use the restroom or shower.
His head aches from wearing his bandana so often, and his tail cramps up in the middle of the night.
He misses the yakuza family, and most especially, the Madam. The owner of the hotel seems to have some sense about her- she gives him small school assignments that she thinks are age-level appropriate.
They are, but he is woefully behind despite the Madam's efforts. He's at least two grade levels behind, but considering some of the men in the family had dropped out of school by age eleven, he's doing considerably well. He likes to learn. He wants to learn.
He's so lonely.
Iruma wears two masks while working. They help to secure a satchel of potpourri under his nose, so that he can remove and replace sheets without wanting to gag. It helps with the smells that no one else notices.
Iruma has also never needed to be so careful about his eyes. He can't walk around at night. He has stellar night vision, but unfortunately, he knows they refract in the same way it does for cats. Humans aren't made that way, and he has slowly started to believe his mother's derogatory statements about him.
Maybe he is a little devil. He's certainly being punished for it.
Iruma buries his face into his pillow and curls up. His tenure here ends tomorrow night, and then he can return to his tent in the forest.
His wolf sits protectively in the corner, nearby and silent, as it always has since it manifested.
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
Iruma steps out into the gloomy outdoors a half an hour before curfew. His parents haven't come for him, and the clouds outside look worrisome.
He begins to walk- he knows it's unrealistic, but the faster he can leave the love hotel behind the better.
Iruma picks up speed. He obeys the lights at crosswalks, and he's tired after twenty minutes of running. His stomach growls loudly, and he grimaces at the fact he has no money to buy food with.
He turns the corner just as a woman with too many bags does the same. They crash into each other, and with a single roll of thunder, the sky unleashes the expected rain.
The woman panics, and he quickly helps her collect her inks, brushes, and tools for her work.
"Let me help you get these home, and if you need, I can help you with your work!"
She looks at him confused for a moment before nodding, her glasses covered in droplets, "Alright! I'm about to miss my extended deadline, anyway! Any help I can get is appreciated!"
Iruma trots after her. It takes five minutes to reach her apartment where other assistants are waiting. They usher her in and tell her to wash up before realizing he's there dripping. They puzzle at him, taking what bags he has on hand before the woman calls out to give him a towel and that he's helping.
Iruma learns how to beta, and within an hour he's inking for a manga called Hatsukoi Memories. He's never read the story, but it gives him joy to see the expressions on the character's faces, and feels accomplished when bringing them to life.
He somehow finds himself staying there for two months before he remembers he should have been home, and after receiving a paycheck from Sensei, he takes his leave.
Iruma buys a set of clothes from his usual thrift store. Clothes that are well worn but fit his growing frame, and he sets off towards his forest. It's his territory, and he can sense when he is getting nearer to it.
A car pulls up screeching as his mother leaps out and grabs him, screaming at him as he's left speechless in her hold as shameful tears run down his face.
She drags him into the car, takes the money from his pocket, and he is dropped off at a pier.
He is stuck on a fishing boat for two weeks before he returns to his forest.
xXx-xXx-resolve-xXx-xXx
Opera has been contemplating for months ever since that moment in the hall when Kalego warned them.
The inevitable tenth year passes, and Opera becomes aware of themself once more on October fifth in their bed. There is a wad of paper crumpled tightly in their fist.
Opera wonders at it, surprised that 'she' has left something behind this time.
They sit up in their bed and carefully open the paper. It is mostly blank and somehow smells faintly of Shichirou.
Opera frowns at it, until they realize that there is very, very tiny handwriting in the middle of the page. They bring it close and squint at it to read the hidden message 'she' had left behind.
'Where is My Child'
Opera inhales.
They barely have time to fist the paper before a dizzy spell takes them. They stumble forward out of bed before collapsing. Rage fills their stomach as they grind their teeth. They fist the carpet and wail in agony. Their voice gives out faster than their will, and suddenly their throat is closing. They can't breathe. Their stomach turns, and they retch blood all over themselves and the floor.
They gasp greedily as Sullivan rushes to their side as they rage brokenly, "Where are they? When did they take them?! Who took them away from me!?" They are crying. Their stomach turns again as blood spills from their mouth once more.
Sullivan pinches their neck, and they know nothing.
xXx-xXx-resolve-xXx-xXx
Opera wakes up with a migraine and a blatant case of anemia.
They breathe quietly. Their throat hurts, but they'll recover.
Two weeks pass and they regain their strength. They have had too much time on their hands to think.
They inform Sullivan that they'll be gone until tomorrow.
Their Lord raises an eyebrow, "Where are you going?"
Opera is quiet for a beat. "To get answers."
Sullivan frowns, "Opera-"
They sigh heavily, "I'll return from Kalego's tomorrow afternoon."
Sullivan blinks. He doesn't expect that response, but he relents. "Alright. Take care of yourself."
They nod, and after triple checking that the box they'd buried in their sock drawer is secure on their person, they begin to run.
Their wings are useless. They can glide with them, but they otherwise can't lift them off of the ground. They are too translucent and fragile for the task, though in an emergency, they could jump high enough to escape a dire enough situation if needed.
They make it on foot to Kalego's house in sixteen minutes, panting lightly from their lapse of exercise routine. It annoys them, but there was nothing that could be done for it.
Kalego observes them at his doorstep silently, before letting them in, "What brings you to my home, Senpai?"
They take a moment to straighten out their black hair, windswept as it is. "I've been thinking." Kalego gives them a particular look on his face as he prepares to snark at them before they cut him off. "I want answers."
Kalego purses his lips as he scrutinizes them, "So you came to me?"
They approach him. They test if he backs away, but he stands firm. He is morbidly curious, and they are desperate for any leads of information they can get. They aren't allowed to remember, but 'she' is becoming more capable of leaving clues. "Yes, because you were the one She loved."
Kalego stills. Opera steps completely into his space and brings their arms around his neck, taking great care to press and trail over the Mark they suspect is hiding under his shirt.
Kalego shudders, he resists. "I don't know who 'She' is, but I can assure you it probably isn't what you think."
Opera eyes become lidded as they ask him coldly, "The Other Me. The One Who I Forgot." They brush their fangs over their forgotten Mark as they breathe out, "The one who keeps Grieving."
Kalego shudders before he gives in to his lust.
He grasps them before sweeping them off of their feet. They yelp at his actions, and then he is pressing them down into his bed, "Don't push me any further, Opera."
There is pain in his voice, a strain. They reach up towards his face. They aren't able to sympathize, but they know he is the echo they feel from their Mark. "Give yourself to me, Kalego."
He doesn't want to. He can't help himself. He removes his shirt and theirs. "You first."
They pull themselves up and perfectly align with the smaller of old puckered Marks. He resists no longer as he holds them close and bites down on their previously neat scar.
Kalego is a thoughtful lover as he asks them time and again to the point of pure annoyance and anger if they should keep going. They claw up his back in spite.
xXx-xXx-resolve-xXx-xXx
Kalego disappears and returns with some sort of herbal concoction as water is prepared for their bath. Opera feels ill-but-satiated, satisfied that at least one of their many questions is finally answered. They drink the concoction with disgust at the feel of their body. It calms their stomach and makes their chosen actions more tolerable. It had taken them nearly six months to come to this decision, and they laugh miserably on the inside that they had finally shared a bed with someone else after six decades of living.
Kalego keeps silent as he makes sure they aren't about to be sick on his bed. They huff, "I'm not going to break from my own choices."
Kalego shifts uneasily, "I can smell blood."
Opera sighs. They know this, and it will stop soon enough if it hasn't already. They hand him the empty cup. "I know."
Kalego sets the cup down just as the bath chimes that it's ready. He scoops them up, and Opera grumbles on principle as he lets them go at the bathroom door. They feel more naked now than they had mere moments ago beneath him as every stretch mark and scar is made blatantly obvious in the open. "I'll be quick." They close the door despite his muffled response.
They decide to take their time, washing their body once, twice, three times before settling into the bath to ease muscles they didn't know could be irritated.
They slump into the side of the tub, their chin propped on the back of their hands as they contemplate how much more information they can guilt out of the other demon.
They weren't here to guilt him. They absolutely were here to guilt him.
They were manipulating him in their own way, to force him to surrender knowledge he may not be able to offer.
Sullivan had his reasons for staying quiet. Vomiting blood just from thinking about what they'd lost was telling enough.
They didn't know how deep the Curses Cast upon them ran.
They weren't glass. They can stand to lose blood.
Opera sighs heavily before they pull themself out of the bath. They dry their body and hair before glancing at the clothes Kalego has hastily prepared for them. They raise a brow at the selection, but they put on the black pair of boyshort panties and long gray oversized shirt anyway.
They can't help but wonder if the shirt is Shichirou's. It very faintly smells like him.
Opers wraps themself up in a long purple robe before letting themself out. They peer into Kalego's room, and he turns to them with a menu in his hand. They blink at the state of the space, as the other demon has rearranged the room while they'd cleaned up. His bed on the opposite side of the room, his bedding and pillows an entirely different color and set. The room smells of coffee and something-maybe-citrus, and they raise an eyebrow at him.
Kalego shrugs and holds out a menu towards them, "Figure out what you'd like for dinner."
They move over to take the menu, and he quickly passes them to clean up. They glance around the room before settling themself on the edge of his bed, a little more than baffled by how far he's gone to make sure they wouldn't be uncomfortable.
He very clearly understood their preferences. Opera shook their head and studied the menu. It was…
Well. They knew he liked to order fine dining on the regular. It was just a little awkward, as they were far more used to preparing their own meals.
By the time Kalego returns, he has two empty wine glasses and his most expensive wine in hand. He sets the glasses down, calls in their order, and hands them a quarter-filled glass of wine.
He on the other hand has filled his cup to just over halfway and downs it easily. They take a meager sip and enjoy the smoothness of it, but can't help but ask, "Why?"
"Mmh?"
"Why are you taking out your best wine for this?"
Kalego raises an eyebrow at them before shrugging tiredly, "You've returned something that was lost to me."
Opera allows that to settle over them for a moment. They frown and look down into their glass at their reflection while mulling over his answer. They inhale softly as they look at him in surprise, "Did I die?"
Kalego is clearly uncomfortable as he downs half of his second glass easily, "I don't know. It felt like it, though Shichirou said otherwise."
Opera bows their head. They close their eyes.
No wonder Kalego had been so bitter with them seven years ago.
"I can't get answers."
Kalego finishes his second glass and pours a third, "Without knowing what's safe to ask, no."
They take a small sip of their glass. They are a Security Devil, so they do not allow themselves to drink at any time.
They allow themself this small serving. "...May I ask in words?" Kalego carelessly shrugs, and they continue. "Alive?"
Their stomach doesn't turn and their throat doesn't close.
"...As far as can be discerned. I certainly hope so."
"Name?"
"They didn't have one."
That was a two in one answer. They hadn't had the ability to name the child, and Kalego hadn't gleaned a gender.
"...Hair?"
"None."
Opera huffed. "Ears?" They pointed at the ones most (humanoid) demons shared.
Kalego sipped on his fourth glass. "Round."
Opera tilted their head before shrugging. "Tail?"
"Nope."
Opera nodded. That was more information then they could honestly hope for as they finished their glass and handed it over to him to take. "Thank you."
Kalego nodded, "You're welcome."
They're silent for a few moments longer before their meal comes.
Kalego finishes the bottle of wine, and Opera is left baffled on how he isn't even the slightest bit tipsy. It worries them, but Kalego has staunch rules and adheres to them. Their worries are smoothed out over dinner, and Kalego is in the middle of settling them into his bed when they remember their gift. They push him aside and dig through their pant pocket before pulling out a small box. They hand it to him roughly with the back of their knuckle, and he automatically takes it.
Kalego carefully opens the gift. There is a lingering scent of age and wood as it reveals its contents.
He grits his teeth at the sight of it as a rush of emotion makes him unsteady for a moment. A tear slips past his guard as he stares at the oval medallion with its silver setting and black-purple tigereye stone. He closes his eyes to breathe a moment, to recenter himself before he seals the box and sets it on his nightstand. "...Thank you, Opera."
Opera is uncomfortable with what they can't remember. But they now know where their favorite medallion came from, and they know for certain the 'K' engraved on the back is for his name.
Opera coaxes him into his bed, and after a moment of fussing, he invites them into his arms to rest.
Opera turns off the lights and allows him to take them into his arms.
They fall asleep easily, as his Mana washes over them with whispers of familiarity.
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
Iruma is eleven when his shoulder blades ache in a way he's never experienced before, and something rips outward from his back.
His shirt is in tatters, and he is on his hands and knees with tears in his eyes as he looks at the bat-like wings that have torn themselves from his back.
Iruma gapes at them before trying to move the foreign limbs. They twitch, and he realizes that the way humans have always imagined wings would feel is completely wrong.
They are separate limbs, yes, but moving them takes a different amount of concentration.
They are mostly translucent indigo with clumps of necrotic crystal clinging between webbed joints. He winces as he cautiously coaxes away some of the debris, and soon enough he understands how they work. He flexes them, stretches them out with great care, and then struggles to pull them back in.
Iruma is exhausted when he manages it. A passing imaginative thought causes them to simply pull into his back in a way that isn't natural, and he decides he is done for the day.
He drags himself up, crawls into his tent, changes his shirt, and flops face first into his bedroll as his wolf presses against him in comfort.
xXx-xXx-medial-xXx-xXx
It is during the twelfth year that Opera appears in Shichirou's office unannounced. He's in the middle of brewing something, so the Security Devil takes their time to look over various items in the room. The moment he is done, Shichirou shifts towards them curious, "What brings you to me today, Senpai?"
Opera hums to themself before turning to them, "I was curious about something." Shichirou turns in his seat to give them his full attention. "Were we in a relationship before?"
Shichirou freezes, "...Why do you ask?"
Opera observes him, "Because I've seen your Mark on Kalego."
Shichirou rubs his head. He is… aware that Opera has reclaimed their Mark on Kalego, and some of the details behind it. He's still surprised they were at all capable of being intimate with the other demon. "...I'm not sure if I can explain it well."
Opera nods before they settle themself against a nearby counter, "Were you, Kalego, and I in a mutual agreement?"
Shichirou nods with his head low, "Yes. We were a family of sorts."
Opera knows they only have one Mark, but Shichirou has always been a comfort and a lending ear to them. The mediator between them and Kalego. "Have I ever offered you my Mark..?"
Shichirou nods, "You did, before."
Opera shifts and makes their way over to him. They pause close to him before placing their hands under his chin to lift his face up, "Shichirou. I don't know what happened for us to not Claim one another, but if you are willing to do so now, would you do me the honor of becoming my family?"
Shichirou shouldn't be as surprised as he is, but he feels a well of desperation and regret spill forward. His eyes warm with tears at the memory of their initial request, how he'd hurt them by saying not yet. He gently grasps their arms, "If you would have me, I'd be more than honored, Opera."
Opera smiles warmly. They place a gentle trail and kisses down the side of his face towards his shoulder where they bite him. If it weren't for his mask his gasp would have been silent. Opera knows his control is even greater than they'd given him credit for, as he waits for them to bare their obscured shoulder that is clear of any other's Mark. He shakily removes his mask and cautiously Marks them in turn.
The Mark he had left on Kalego was brutal, lacking in control, and full of grief. The Mark he leaves on Opera is clean and full of gratitude.
Gratitude that they are alive, that they still wanted him, and that they might one day remember what they'd lost.
He's had many hopes for them, as well as for himself and Kalego. Silent secret things he would never dare speak, but hopes all the same.
Opera gives him his Claiming gift, a medallion that has a green tigereye stone set in chocolate-gold, with the engraving of an 'O' and 'K' on the back of it.
Shichirou is overjoyed, and promises to give them a gift in return, but Opera stops him.
They have finally acknowledged the nest he left them, and for now, that is enough.
Opera actively begins to court Kalego and Shichirou after that, by demanding date nights at Kalego's home at least once a month.
Kalego isn't happy about the arrangement, but gives in all the same.
xXx-xXx-medial-xXx-xXx
It is later that year when Kalego's mother shows up unannounced during their date night.
Kalego is mute with shock as he stares at the woman he deeply takes after, and Opera swoops in to greet her, "It is an honor to greet you, Lady of the house of Naberius."
The elder woman smiles at them warmly as Opera escorts her to the table despite Kalego's sputtering. She is dressed somewhat lavishly, and she uses a fan to hide her fanged smile, "Thank you for your kind greeting, unlike my son who seems to have forgotten his manners."
Opera pulls out a chair and settles the Lady at the head of the table, swiftly selecting the finest pieces of their meal before placing the prepared plate before her, "It is our pleasure, and it is only because of your splendor and beauty that your son forgot his tongue. You look youthful as always, and may your beauty continue to slay the hearts of men for a multitude of millenia."
The Lady snickers at Opera's words before clicking her fan shut and tutting at them, "You are quite the smoothtalker, Security Devil-san."
Opera bows slightly, "I am merely a humble servant to my Lord."
The Lady hums as she takes a bite, freeing Shichirou and Kalego of decorum to wait for her. Kalego sits uncomfortably as he can't help but ask now that he's mentally recovered, "What brings you to my home, mother?"
The Lady takes her time sampling some of the foods on her plate to sweat him out, as well as to observe the other two at the table. Opera retakes their seat and eats a few bites themself before taking a sip of water. Kalego's mother notes the difference in drink as Kalego and Shichirou have their own glasses of wine. The Lady takes a sip of her own wine that Opera managed to slip to her past her guard, "There is some… dissent within the ranks of our pack."
Kalego gives his mother a scrutinizing look, "About what?"
The Lady sets her glass down with a smirk, "About you, pup."
Kalego grits his teeth. "Me? Why?"
The Lady hums, "There have been murmurs of you falling out of turn." She waves between Shichirou and Opera offhandedly, "They believe you have Marked others for yourself and gotten yourself a pup of your own."
Opera stills while Shichirou looks towards his friend and partner.
Kalego folds his hands in front of his mouth as he leans forward on the table to hide his fangs, "So you've come here to interrogate me about such ludicrous matters?"
The Lady taps her fan lightly against her chin, "Kalego, you know that there's an order to how we do things. Those who protect the Border and Babyls stay single until their successor can replace them."
Kalego huffs as he leans back, "Is that really necessary, though?"
The Lady hums as she opens her fan to study him. "The rule has been in place, mostly to prevent a diversion of focus. The students and the border must be protected."
Kalego nods, "And they will be."
The Lady narrows her eyes before shifting her approach to Shichirou for a moment, "You've gotten much bigger since I've last seen you, Professor Balam."
Shichirou sweats as he rubs his head, "So it would seem, Madam."
She hums, "You teach Deviology, and ah… the studies of Mythological Creatures, was it?"
Shichirou nods, "Yes."
The Lady contemplates before speaking, "And the students of the school? How important is their safety to you?"
Shichirou pauses before he leans forward, there is a shift from calm to menacing as he pushes his Mana against her, "If anyone should dare to touch a single one of our treasures at Babyls, they will be torn limb from limb and given a most gruesome punishment."
The Lady is surprised at his glower, but brushes her own Mana against the hatchling's to calm him, "So I see. It is good to know you are as protective of your clutch as we are of our pack. Though…" Her gaze slides to Opera, "I cannot help but wonder about this stray."
Kalego and Shichirou both bristle, but Opera leans into it fluidly as they smile at her, "What would my Lady like to know?"
The Lady postulates, "How is it that you became so attached to these two boys? A rowdy pup and a brute of a bird?"
Opera grins to the point of showing their fangs, "Oh, it was love at first bite, really." Kalego looks at them affronted as they continue. "The poor pup was upset that the students were calling for the blood of the 'Top Dog' of Babyls, and Kalego was quite angry that they were referring to someone else by his title."
Kalego huffs and props his chin on his fist, annoyed that their first meeting is being discussed like this.
Opera ignores him as they continue, "Of course he finally did locate me after I'd 'cleaned up' a bit. Unfortunately for him I was a little quicker on the draw and solidly punched him in the gut. I was shocked when he didn't immediately pass out, and bit my tail in retaliation."
The Lady snickers at this as she warms up to the Security Devil's story, "And Shichirou? What made you notice him?"
Opera leans back into their chair as they stretch for a languid moment, "Ah, he came with Kalego to confront me on the rooftop. Some students who were out for revenge grabbed him and tried to make him a hostage. Unfortunately for them he had poor strength control and broke their arm for their trouble. I mean. Who wouldn't love a demon who can effortlessly crush another's bones?"
The Lady laughs and clacks her fan shut, "I see, so you became enamored with the two of them at the same time."
Opera nods, "They were so cute and bewildered when I demanded their phone numbers."
The Lady shakes her head as she eats more of her plate for a moment, "I see." She shifts her gaze back to her son, "I need you to be truthful with me, if I am to cast my lot in your favor."
Kalego straightens in his seat, "...What do you mean?"
"There are those of our Clan clamoring for your removal from your position. I have acted as a block to those dissenters, but I need information. The scraps you've given me simply aren't enough."
Kalego is angered by the mere thought of being removed from his position. He fought for it, and he would protect it. It was his birthright. "Fine."
The Lady sets her fan down as she looks him in the eyes, "Have you taken a mate?"
Kalego meets her gaze. "Yes."
"Who are they, and what Rank?"
"They are Professor Balam Shichirou, the Gargoyle of Babyls, Rank Khet (8), and Opera, the Security Devil of the Chairdemon of Babyls and one of the Great Heroes of the Rank of Yodh (10), Rank Tet (9)."
The Lady shifts her gaze to Opera, "You claim no familial affiliation?"
Opera is unfazed. It is an old subject to them, "I am of Lord Sullivan's house. I left my Clan to serve him."
The Lady hums. "I see." She shifts back to Kalego, "And these rumblings of a pup?"
Kalego contemplates that more heavily. "I am unsure of how such an absurd rumor came about, for I have no children of my blood." That much is true, and Buzzer doesn't react.
The Lady stares him down, "Have you claimed another as your own, by grinding your bone and blood into their flesh?"
Kalego grimaces, and Opera straightens. Shichirou also looks at his partner with both questions and bewilderment as he asks, "Kalego..?"
Opera pushes themself out of their chair before leaving the table swiftly. They feel dizzy, and they have no desire to ruin a good meal by vomiting blood all over the place. Their heart is in their throat, and their stomach hurts with too many mixed feelings as they open and slam the door shut behind them. They barely make two steps out the door and to the grass before they vomit blood and grasp their knees shakily as they try to stay upright.
They are gasping as sweat trails down their temple. Their vision is shaky as they allow themself a small thought, 'Kalego Claimed my Child.'
Tears blur their vision as they crouch and hug their knees while wrapping their tail around themself. They grit their teeth as they seethe. He didn't ask them if he could, but he did it anyway. They don't know how long their child was in the Netherworld before they were taken away, but Kalego had risked everything by Claiming the child.
They hated him so much, and loved him desperately for it. That he could love them, and their half-breed child.
The table is silent for a long moment. Shichirou is torn between running after Opera and sticking it out at the table.
The Lady is staring towards the door, "...Is she the one you hypothesized to me?"
Kalego leans back in his chair tiredly. Of all the ways he'd thought he'd be found out, this wasn't it. "Yes, They are the one I was insinuating."
The Lady leans back into her seat and closes her eyes in thought for a few breaths before she looks him in the eyes. "They lost their child."
"The child was taken away shortly after birth, there was no choice, and they are still afflicted with several Curses relating to their pregnancy. They don't… They are incapable of remembering without repercussions."
The Lady nods, "And you were asked to adopt their child?"
Kalego breathes for a moment, "No. I did it of my own volition in private."
The Lady nods. She can forgive it, since it keeps their Clan's deeper secrets silent. "I see."
The Lady stands, "I will cast my lot with you and protect you and your foolish actions, pup. For you have never once begged me for anything. You are strong willed, and I know that you, more than anyone else in our Clan, are a fierce protector of those you see as Yours." She heads towards the door, "I will apologize to and settle your Mate. I hope you two will take proper care of them once I have calmed them."
The two nod as the Lady excuses herself and finds the Security Devil pale and clammy outside. They look up at her, and the matriarch coaxes them into her arms before pulling them along into her rhythm. They go obediently, spread far too thin by their thoughts and loss of blood to object. The Lady settles on Kalego's couch and pulls them into her chest while smoothing out their hair. She is humming something soft, and Opera leans into her hold as tears fill their eyes.
They barely remember their mother's love, having left the litter quite early. They had their own private reasons for doing so, but they had forgotten what it was like to be coddled and comforted.
They wrap their arms around the Lady and bury their face into her neck, asking for things they don't understand anymore as if they're a child. Opera is feline in nature, but they know how dogs work, and they are not so dissimilar. The Lady humors them, sympathetic to their pain and with a swath of knowledge they are incapable of having.
They are a lost child and a young mother who has been bereft of her young all at once. They are a sad pathetic thing, and though it should scream of weakness, the lingering buzz of a more than decade-long multitude of Curses speaks of their strength.
The Lady could not endure such a long-burdened weight. She admires this young one, this kitten that her pup has taken under his paws and held close to his chest. They have chosen to make their bed with the most protective of demons she has ever known.
Eventually Opera dozes, and the Lady passes them off to Shichirou's care. The Naberius matriarch brushes their hair out of their face and wipes away the last of their tears.
Her prayer is soft, but it carries the weight of a mother who well knows the stakes at hand.
Live long and be Strong, child.
She leaves without another word.
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
Iruma is twelve when he gets sick for the first time. It isn't a surprise so much as it was simply inevitable. He has been running on high stress and survival for the majority of his small years, and he succumbs to fever in the middle of scavenging.
When he awakens, he is greeted by the familiar smell of the yakuza Madam's scent. It is late in the evening, a small floor lamp is the only soft light present as the Madam removes a warmed wet-cloth from his forehead. "Iruma-kun?"
Iruma's eyes feel heavy as he silently acknowledges her. His instincts are screaming SheKnowsSheKnowsSheKnows, but his fears are laid to rest as she replaces the wet rag to cool his fever.
She is silent for a long moment as he tiredly watches her. "I am the only one who is allowed in this room. Your… pet, I suppose, brought you to me."
Iruma has no idea what she's talking about, until his wolf shoves its face into his and licks him. There won't be any blood shedding for its obedience tonight. "...Oh." His throat hurts.
The Madam is unfazed, "What is this child's name?"
Iruma blinks slowly, "...Name?"
The Madam raises her eyebrow, "Have you not named your companion?"
Iruma shifts his gaze to the wolf. It settles with an air of expectation. Iruma, however, is woefully lacking in the area of imagination due to his miserable upbringing. "...No."
The Madam hums as she observes his wolf. She nods to herself, "May I make a suggestion for one?" Iruma nods, and she speaks her mind. "Hermod."
The wolf brightens, their tail wags at the idea of the name. Iruma knows nothing about naming sense, so he agrees to it since his wolf seems happy with it. "Sounds good." He shifts his attention to his wolf, "Your name is Hermod."
The wolf rubs their face against him pleased. The Madam coaxes Iruma to take some medicine and drink some liquid before he falls back asleep.
She brushes his cat ears gently as he falls back asleep, and when he wakes up alone the next morning, his usual bandana is fastened in its usual place.
He allows himself to trust her with his secret, and she never betrays that trust.
xXx-xXx-medial-xXx-xXx
It is during the thirteenth year that Opera decides to make a change. They slice off a top layer of hair, braid the rest of their mid-shoulder length hair to the side, and use Transform to make it a similar red to their eyes. It is the only big change that happens, but it is still enough to cause pause to everyone around them until they acclimate.
When the fourteenth year arrives, they awaken on the fifth of October to the fact that they are grasping several pieces of notebook paper.
She has left behind pages of harsh writing asking about their child. It is more desperate and frustrated than the past few years. The pen leaves deep grooves in the pages, even ripping through with nearly dried tear marks.
Opera hands the pages to Sullivan and walks away from it. They don't want to taste blood today, so they ignore the growing chasm in their chest.
The current school year comes to a close. The new incoming students are an interesting bunch, and it startles Opera to realize that Amu-chan-sama's son, Asmodeus Alice, will be coming in as the top first year and representative.
They ignore that it hurts to realize their child is roughly the same age as him, somewhere they can't reach them.
It is mid-evening when they are preparing dinner that they realize Sullivan isn't home. They frown, and then Sullivan bursts into the house happily singing. "Opera~! I've brought home my brand new grandson~!" It's as if he's gone shopping.
The Security Devil sets down the cutlery they're presently using to clean their hands. They come out of the kitchen to note a nervous wreck of a human child sitting in Sullivan's seat. He's begging them to be his grandson, and the boy reluctantly signs a contract in agreement.
Opera is unimpressed by their Master's actions. They don't know why he's brought home a Human of all things, but they huff, coax the boy to the dinner table, and after eating an exorbitant amount of food, shuffles him off to the bath.
Sullivan gives them a small rundown of how things came to be, and they're glad that humans don't normally smell that strongly of fish. Still. Their human scent is strong, and after locating a bottle of masking cologne, they prepare it for the next morning. "Are you sure you should be bringing a human boy to a school of demons?"
Sullivan waves off their worry with a happy flush on his face, "My adorable grandson will be just fine!"
Opera sighs. Their new Master is a fourteen year old human boy named Suzuki Iruma.
If nothing else, this year will certainly be interesting.
xXx-xXx-sequence-xXx-xXx
Iruma has spent fourteen years hiding his non-human traits from the world. Now he has to hide even more of himself from everyone around him. This is both easier and more difficult, as his anxiety ramps up higher due to his new surroundings.
He's glad that he had his bandana and ear-clips both on-hand when he was taken by Sullivan. He's still pretty pissed about his parents selling his soul to a demon for money and wine, but he takes comfort in the fact that he at least gets to eat (scarily) delicious food while this façade lasts.
…Because there's no way some high ranking demon (or at least, he's pretty sure his grandfather is pretty high ranking) would want him, as disobedient as he's been. Sure, he's worked the better part of his whole life for his parent's comfort, but he did go to the yakuza family a lot. Sometimes, when he'd tried to stay away, they'd kidnap him and bring him 'home.'
He fiddles with one of the clips he's crafted to hide his cat ears. It's padded on the inside so it doesn't hurt, and wrapped with his brushed out hair to blend in. Most people never got close enough to notice it, but when they did, they did find it odd that he'd used his own hair to 'spruce up' a hair accessory.
He didn't mind that they were technically barrette clips, they did the job of pulling his cat ears down, and they laid in a way that looked like hair naturally.
He finished getting ready for school and made his way to the breakfast table.
Iruma ate a lot. He wasn't sure how or why he could eat so much here- he had a big appetite, but not normally this much of one. He blamed it on anxiousness, and asked a few questions about the coming school year.
(At least starting in a brand new school, especially a school for demons, would excuse how far behind he was in his education. …Right? Right.)
The butler speaks little, and Iruma can't help but wonder if they don't like him. He decides after observing them while eating that it must be a cat thing, since some are fast to warm up to others, while others are not.
Iruma awkwardly takes a photo to commemorate his entrance into school (there are a lot of photos. His parents never took photos-), he is humiliated and embarrassed by his over-doting grandfather (who is the HEADMASTER?!), and he reads a forbidden spell on stage even though he wanted nothing more than to not stand out.
Iruma decides his grandfather is chaos incarnate, and that maybe he did know what he was signing up for when he bought his soul. Iruma's clearly being punished for every disobedient act against his parents now in a true showing of social hell.
Asmodeus Alice challenges him to a duel.
Iruma is not happy about it, but he is dragged outside all the same. There is a crowd jeering and cheering, and the 'fight,' as it were, drags on for twenty minutes.
Iruma's nerves are frayed to their last edge, and he's doing his best to hold back sparks of static, as his wolf howls loudly in his mind. His wolf, Hermod as the Madam had named him, is going to drink a great deal of his blood tonight for not allowing it out.
The wolf is pissed. Iruma is tired of trying to calm it and inexperienced with its rage, but he won't reveal his protector to the entire school on his first day. He refuses. The wolf lays down and grumbles as Asmodeus charges him with a flame-sword.
Iruma deflects, realizes an innocent bystander is in danger, and reacts-
Iruma nor Alice are prepared for his magically executed suplex.
xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx
Opera observes their new Master from hidden corners. They're not sure if they're impressed or concerned with his ability to dodge Asmodeus's fire Magic for twenty minutes. They are surprised, however, by the fact that he picks him up in a fireman's carry and goes so far as to bring him to the school nurse.
They follow Iruma to Sullivan's office, where the Chairdemon congratulates the boy on a job well done.
Opera doesn't realize just how far their Lord has planned ahead, until Asmodeus Alice bursts into the Chairdemon's office and swears fealty to the boy. Iruma is flustered and confused by this turn of events, but Opera knows better.
Iruma, as a human, is at a complete disadvantage here. Having the strongest demon in his grade as his underling will make others less likely to harass him.
Opera isn't really impressed with the Charidemon's machinations (they nearly had a heart attack with that forbidden spell), but all's well that ends well, they suppose.
They wonder how Kalego and Shichirou feel about such an explosive beginning to a new year. It's certainly been several years since there'd been such an exciting start to the school year.
They have much to learn about their new Master, so they will continue to observe him quietly.
xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx
The first day of school comes, and Asmodeus cheerily greets Iruma at the gate.
Iruma is tired and thin from Hermod biting him and feasting on his blood through half the night while grumbling. They complained about his lack of sense, how they were there to protect him-
Asmodeus was talking. Right. Summoning familiars, was it..? Could he even do that, as a human..?
(He had Hermod, but he had the feeling the wolf wasn't a summon. It was something else that was special.)
Kalego is a frightening teacher who makes his disdain towards him quite clear from the beginning.
Iruma feels ill from the fact that the instructor hates him so clearly from the start. He's never had the chance to have a good relationship with a teacher, and a small part of him had hoped that could change.
Hermod chuffs in the back of his mind, somewhere between a scoff and a snicker, and Iruma is puzzled.
It hasn't been very long, but he feels as if Hermod is rapidly changing here while in the Netherworld. The wolf is far more emotive than before. (Hermod doesn't need to protect in the way they had before.)
Iruma is impressed with Asmodeus's summon, and then it is his turn.
Iruma gulps, cuts his finger on a fang, and burns the paper as instructed. At least if he fails, maybe he can return to the Human Wor-
He pauses his thoughts as Kalego is partially summoned.
Kalego screams, he screams, it is chaos as he tries to un-do whatever is happening. Hermod is chuffing in laughter in his head and he pushes Kalego through.
The demon changes into a weird, cute fluffy crow… thing?
Both Kalego and Iruma are baffled as the teacher falls from emotional damage.
Asmodeus is weeping tears of admiration at his amazing accomplishment. (Hermod is howling with laughter in the back of his mind.)
Everyone is surprised and excited about the fact he's summoned a fellow demon. Iruma is panicking.
Kalego is pissed. He roars as he feels ill-intent towards his Master, "Don't joke with me you insolent brat, cancel this contract NOW-!" Lightning strikes the demon for his trouble and he is left stunned on the floor.
Iruma shudders. His instincts kick in and the only thought in his mind is to get away from everyone. From the attention, the teacher's anger, the admiration. There's nothing good or admirable about this moment, so he leaps across the room in one go, his eyes wide and manic, while he makes his way tripping outside and into the surrounding forestry.
He has been forced to run away from danger on several instances. He knew the trees of his forest and could traverse through them to escape bears and other wildlife. He doesn't know the trees here, but he still leaps into their branches and instinctively maps through them as he stays high up and away from the reach of others.
Don'tFollowMe
He doesn't feel when one of his clips falls off, frightened as he is. Sparks travel up his body, and he allows himself to drop into a small alcove of trees, shaking as Hermod manifests themself.
Iruma's breathing is erratic, and the wolf comes close in a way that Iruma is used to, and he clings to them weeping silently. The wolf settles, wrapping themself around him as they watch his back.
Iruma is frightened. He wants to be left alone.
He has to regain his bearings.
xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx
Clara is counting when something falls down next to her. She stops, immediately losing her place, and notices an odd hair clip on the ground. There is a rustling of leaves leaving a small trail over and past her. She frowns as she picks up and observes the odd accessory. She sniffs it, and she knows she'll easily find the wearer. It's something not only made with their hair, but infused with their scent and Mana.
She tilts it back and forth, before she begins to try and follow.
A boy with a weird white uniform appears near to her, startled, and she lifts a finger to hush hum.
He frowns, but nods, as the both of them carefully follow the trail Clara thinks she heard.
It doesn't take very long for them to hear sniffling. It is the sort of silent crying Clara is familiar with, on those nights when she is more than frustrated with her inability to not be an inconvenience to others.
The pink haired boy moves to speak, but she drags him down with a shake of her head. He is incensed, but she pulls him close and whispers, "Give him a minute."
Clara is not a patient demon- no demon truly is patient. However, something about the stranger weeping in the forest allows them a moment of it. Clara wants to hug and console them like one of her brothers.
Clara leads the way to inching closer, and the two do so silently.
The boy has blue hair, a matching clip that she can see on the side of his head facing them, and a low cat ear on the other.
The shadow-wolf-thing wrapped around the boy has already been watching them, aware of their approach.
The pink haired boy is puzzled for a long moment, before Clara pokes him and motions for him to call towards the other. The boy nods and stands, "Iruma-sama!"
The other boy- Iruma, jolts as the wolf dissipates in a static rush of Magic. He clamps his hands over his free ear and stands while rubbing his face, "Azz-kun?"
Clara pops out beside 'Azz' and cheers, "Did you drop your clippy clip, Iruma-chi?! Is it yours?" She waves the object as she scrambles closer to him excitedly.
Asmodeus is indignant, "Now hold on, Valac!"
Clara pauses just as she's handing Iruma his clip. She misses the way Iruma deftly snatches it and places it back into his hair as she gasps, "You know Clara!?"
Asmodeus clicks his tongue as he comes to Iruma's side, "I researched about everyone in our grade, yes."
Clara is filled with hope, "How about we play!? Can we play? PleasepleasePLEASE!?"
Asmodeus doesn't get the chance to respond to her as Kalego yells through the forest, "Iruma, I don't care where you've run off to, but we're going to see the Principal NOW! So get your ass over here this instant!"
Iruma squeaks, shrinking into himself, before running towards Kalego's voice, "Y-yessir!"
Kalego and Iruma present their case to Sullivan, and Kalego is given the devastating news that the contract can't be broken for a year.
He doesn't take it well.
xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx