"Ah. Him." You allow yourself an obvious grimace. "I guess the best way to view him would be as an ancestor of mine - one whose legacy I'm trying to get away from."

Not that you have any issue with exploiting his memories or the vast well of power you received as your "inheritance," but Ganondorf's path is not one you care to follow. Not directly, anyway. There were useful things to be learned from the Demon King's reign, but his overall track record spelled out the inevitable result of walking that road. Like so much of your short life has been, it remained an eternal balancing act, determining what was worthwhile, and what would end up costing you too greatly down the road.

"As for why you haven't heard of him," you continue, "he wasn't from this world, and as far as I'm aware, he never even knew it existed. Plus he's been dead for a while." Shaking your head, you mutter, "Hopefully, it'll stick this time."

Kahlua gives you a started look at that last addendum. "That would explain it," she slowly admits. "My lessons haven't had much to say about other worlds, except that most of them aren't worth having dealings with. Father says that anything that tries to come to Earth from them should be crushed without mercy."

You pause with a sushi roll halfway to your mouth, a chill running down your spine.

"Of course, Mother disagrees - just a bit. She thinks that anything that tries to invade Earth should be crushed without mercy. If it's just the usual migrants and trash, then they're a potential source of information and new servants, and should be exploited as such. Unless they get rebellious after they're here, in which case they need to be tortured to death over the next few decades, as an example for the rest." She nods, ending the quote. "And since Mother is the head of the family, what she says, goes."

"Did I mention that my entire family on all sides has been born, lived, and died on Earth for at least four generations now?" you say hastily. "And that in all that time, not one of us has held a position higher than middle-management of local businesses?"

It's the truth. The Harris Clan has a long history of mediocrity, to the point where it's almost a matter of pride that the only suits in the family are those that get taken out of the closet for formal occasions a couple of times a year.

"That's good," Kahlua replies with a smile. "That means I probably won't have to crush you!"

...yay?

"Now," she continues, studying your face seriously, "what is this about death 'not sticking' to your ancestor?"

"Um..." As you cast about for a way to safely answer her or even change the subject, you notice that the cafeteria is quite a bit more crowded than it was when you sat down, and that there is a fairly steady stream of people still coming in from the direction of the gym. Something's up - the final prelims should still be half an hour from starting.

A familiar glow catches your eye, just before Briar appears above you and begins silently circling over your head. As if guided by a missile lock, a scowling brunette emerges from the crowd and stalks towards your position.

"Alexander. Lavelle. Harris," Cordelia growls.

Oh yeah. Queen C is on the warpath. The slight bruise on her right cheek may have something to do with it.

"Oh, is that your name?" Kahlua says. "I was wondering. Hmmm, Alexander. Al-ex-an-der. Alex." She nods. "I like it. It's a strong name." Then she gives you a pitying look. "And your middle name is Lavelle? Really?"

You turn to Cordelia. "Thanks for that. I mean it."

Her glare doesn't lessen, instead briefly skipping to Kahlua and coming back to you with an added, unspoken layer that questions your sanity.

You sigh. "Ladies, allow me to make the introductions. Cordy, this is Shuzen Kahlua. Miss Shuzen-"

"Just Kahlua is fine, Alex."

That doesn't strike you as ominous. Not at all. "Kahlua," you concede, "this is Cordelia Chase, one of my friends and training partners."

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Kahlua says, with one of her false smiles.

"Likewise, I'm sure," Cordelia replies coolly.

...why are you suddenly thinking of cats? And why is Briar snickering?