Rias almost felt pity for Issei, but honestly with what had been going on lately, it was better that he get some extra training now than before things really hit the fan. So she had taken Ortho's offer up on a two-week training regimen, which would be more like a weekend's worth thanks to some special magical device Ortho used to speed up his own training. Azazel had definitely taken inspiration from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber from Dragonball.

Depending on how things went, Rias might have a try in the chamber as well.

Seeing Issei stumble out of the chamber shortly before ten on Sunday, Rias was shocked at the change in him. He looked half dead, but his magical powers had gone up exponentially.

"What did you do?"

"I simply used the right motivation," said Ortho. "Coincidentally..."

Asia rushed to Issei's side, and was already hard at work healing him. His color improved, but it was clear he'd need a day or two to properly recover.

"Oh, and here's the prize I promised," said Ortho cheerfully, handing Issei a small bag of DVD's.

Closer inspection revealed them to be porn, a lot of porn.

Rias raised a single eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Hey, if it works, it works. I was editing videos on the big screen while Issei trained. Once he realized he'd be allowed to watch high quality porn while trying not to be eaten, and that I wouldn't give a damn about him getting it off, his productivity shot up like you wouldn't believe. Especially when I pointed out that he could use the videos as instruction manuals to improve his skills in the bedroom."

"So how many sessions do you think he'll need to get him up to snuff?"

"Oh it's not going to just be him," corrected Ortho. "Sirzechs made a deal for your entire peerage, you included. Issei was thrown in early because his stats are complete shit. He doesn't even have a clue how to pull off a balance breaker, for Seven's sake."

"Worth...it..." said Issei, finally giving in to the urge to crash on the floor. While Asia's Sacred Gear had healed up the worst of the muscle cramps, it did nothing to the fatigue he felt.

"Remember Issei, if you show enough improvement I'll introduce you to a succubus I know to get rid of that virginity of yours," said Ortho.

Issei would have shot up in anticipation...if he could move that is.

Rias gave Ortho a Look.

"Really?"

"Unless you want to break a complete virgin in by yourself and leave yourself incredibly frustrated later," said Ortho bluntly. "I highly doubt someone as esteemed as yourself wants to have a one-pump chump as a lover."

"Screw...you..." said Issei.

Ortho simply flipped him off in response, causing Azazel to snicker.

Issei's look of the damned turned to open anticipation when Ortho simply held up an unedited set of pornos Azazel wanted done.

Rias simply pouted.

In the ORC clubhouse...

Akeno was too busy laughing at Rias' expression after she explained why Issei was excused from gym class that day.

"I don't see why you're complaining," said Ortho. "He's still your pawn at the end of the day, and if broken in properly he's unlikely to stray from your side."

"I know, but I wanted to break him in first," said Rias.

"Think of it practically," said Ortho. "Would you rather Issei learn how to please a woman first, or deal with a sloppy first time where he's unable to control himself and ends it before you get off first?"

Rias pouted...though she could admit he had a point.

~~*~*~*

Ortho would openly admit, he was very curious as to the Bishop Rias had behind the door. She had hopes that he would know of a way to help the poor kid with his trauma, since he was so tech savvy.

Rias broke the seal, and it took a moment to find the bishop. Ortho could tell he was extremely introverted, and likely not used to large crowds.

Grinning, he did the only sensible thing.

He sent in the big guns.

"IDIA, you're up," said Ortho. Idia gave a thumb's up, and held up a controller.

Gasper perked up when he saw the controller.

"So what's the deal with the damphir kid?" asked Ortho.

"He has a really powerful, and dangerous Sacred Gear. Due to his heritage and his gear, he was hunted by a mob, and I barely managed to rescue him in time."

"What's his sacred gear?" asked Ortho, as Idia and Gasper began playing a few rounds of Mario Kart without saying a word.

Rather than overwhelm the poor kid with the others in her peerage, Rias had agreed to let Idia ease Gasper into interacting with everyone else.

"Forbidden Balor View."

"Wait...that completely broken Mystic Eyes one that paused time? That one?!" said Ortho shocked.

Gasper let out a cry of shock, as Idia wrecked his character with a blue shell of doom. Rias was happy to see how Gasper started to relax while playing a game with IDIA.

Ortho stared at Gasper, then at Rias.

"You do realize that his gear could be upgraded by feeding on Issei, right?" said Ortho.

"What?"

"Certain species like vampires and damphir could have their powers upgraded if they fed from stronger species...like dragons for instance," said Ortho. "The stronger the dragon, the more of a boost they'd get."

Rias looked thoughtful, but knew that Gasper still held a lot of trauma over what happened.

She looked in the room and saw Gasper looking completely relaxed and happy. By this point, Koneko had wandered in as well and was sharing sweets she had brought, while IDIA and Gasper were mock fighting over some game or another.

She had to wonder if Gasper instinctively knew Idia wasn't human. Hell, even she was surprised to learn he was a cyborg this entire time.

At least he had started actually talking to them, as opposed to making Koneko translate all the time.

Ortho watched the scene with fondness. Perhaps Gasper would do better if he had a friend that was just his to talk to on days when he was too scared to go outside. One that could protect him.

He reminded him strongly of Asia...a gentle soul people wanted to use for their own ends.

Which was why he decided to adjust an old project he had been working on before he got IDIA up and running. He had mostly forgotten about it, since he was too busy upgrading his CHARON gear and IDIA.

The next morning, Ortho made a beeline for the ORC clubhouse. He smiled at Akeno who let him in, and held up a small box.

"I thought I'd bring a friend for Gasper to have until he's comfortable being around others again."

Gasper looked nervous, being alone with Ortho. But his eyes lit up with confusion when he opened the box and lifted up the item inside.

It was a bat. It had raven black fur with dark pink streaks near the 'bangs' around it's face and dark pink fur in the ears. When it opened up it's eyes, they were garnet colored. Deep intelligence could be seen in their depth. The inner section of the wings had a light lilac coloring, with secret patterns.

"What is this?"

"This is an earlier project of mine, before I got IDIA up and running. His name is Lilac, and I thought he'd be a good friend for you," explained Ortho.

The 'bat' still looked sleeping and was inert.

Gasper looked to Ortho with confusion.

"Why don't you introduce yourself to him?" he suggested.

"Um...hello. My name is Gasper, what's yours?"

Lilac's eyes opened up properly, and it sat up a bit looking at him properly now.

"My designation is Lilac," he replied. His voice sounded a bit weird, and his tone was downright robotic.

Ortho cheerfully walked Gasper through the registration process, and within fifteen minutes Gasper had a new friend/protector. He had based Lilac after an old legend he found years ago of a lone faerie that had wandered the realms in hopes of hatching a dragon egg. His loyalty led him on a journey that spanned over two hundred years, but in the end the egg was hatched.

Ortho had been so impressed with the story that he had looked up everything he could about the lone faerie, and had managed to find a few pictures of him. Though his name was partially obscured, he had managed to get three letters confirmed.

Rias had to raise an eyebrow when she saw Lilac.

"Who's this?" asked Rias.

"This is an old friend of mine. I made him when I was experimenting with Idia's programming. He's based off a knight who traveled the realms to hatch a dragon's egg. I thought Gasper would appreciate having a friend to keep him company and protect him," said Ortho cheerfully.

Gasper was still unsure about the little cyborg, but it was clear he appreciated the thought behind it.

"So are you all prepared for the big meeting next week?" asked Ortho.

"You mean the official meeting between the three factions at the school?" asked Rias. Ortho nodded. "Sona isn't happy about it, but it's not like we have much choice."

"I know this is a bit awkward to ask...but can I borrow Koneko and Gasper later?"

"Why?"

"I want to put them in matching outfits with Idia," admitted Ortho.

Whatever Rias expected, that was not it.

"I...what?"

"Look, I spend so much time editing porn and being around naked flesh for my job that I find it relaxing to dress Idia up in cute outfits and coordinating fashion with Kuroka," said Ortho bluntly. "Hell, I got so good at it that even the old crow has me pick his outfit before major events where he has to be serious."

Rias was a little surprised at this side of him, but it made perfect sense. She grinned.

"Only if you help me revamp Issei's wardrobe too."

"Want me to do your entire peerage?" asked Ortho.

"I don't see why not," said Rias cheerfully.

Ortho rubbed his hands with glee. He foresaw some actual fun this weekend. Bonus, he could coordinate outfits between Kuroka and Koneko.

~*~*~*

Issei had the look of the damned, and Kiba wasn't much better. As the two few males there, they were stuck carrying all this stuff between shops...if they weren't being forced to act as dress up dolls for Ortho and the girls.

Idia was looking gleeful at being able to wear matching outfits with Koneko and a nervous Gasper, who was hiding in one of Ortho's oversized hoodies in between trying out new outfits. He found having Lilac very comforting, because it would 'purr' slightly to calm his anxiety.

The girls were having a blast, especially Kuroka who was gleefully trying on outfits with a slightly reluctant Koneko.

Rias and the others had initially been unsure about Ortho joining them in the lingerie store...right up until they realized he had an eye for that sort of thing. After the third time he handed them a bra that was not only the correct size, but looked great on them they acquiesced to his expertise.

It was hell for the other boys, mostly because they were stuck carrying everything and having to wait agonizingly long periods between shops. Ortho was kind enough to bring some handheld consoles for Issei and Kiba to play on at least, so it wasn't a complete waste.

"Remind me again why we agreed to this?" groaned Issei.

"Rias wanted us to make a good impression during the big meeting between the three factions," said Kiba. He sounded just as tired as Issei was.

"Yeah, but why drag us into this? A good suit or two would have been fine!"

"Because even your mother agreed your wardrobe could use an upgrade, and the work out regimens I've been putting you under will cause your old clothes to be too small," said Ortho dryly. "Be glad I'm even letting you two borrow the spacial orbs I created to make it easier to haul groceries home."

"Wait...you talked to my mom?!" he said horrified.

"I handed her a bag of bribes to make you do more chores around the house... pretty sure she took a few for herself once she realized what it was. She was absolutely delighted you were making actual friends outside those two morons who are unlikely to get anything more than a pity date if they're lucky before college," said Ortho.

Issei looked green around the gills...likely at the thought of his mother and anything to do with her sex life.

"Coincidentally I'm pretty sure your dad..."

"For the love of Lucifer, stop," said Issei. "I do not want to hear intimate details of my parents sex lives."

Ortho's grin was downright wicked.