[X] Apologize
[Just apologize to her partner.] Ddraig gives you advise. [Just don't try to make some excuse about your stupidity.]
'Right, because it would be insulting.'
[No, because you ARE stupid.]
This shitty dragon!
"Irina, I'm sorry I was such an idiot when we were children and even more of one just now. I don't have any real excuse for my stupidity and even if I did I won't insult you by making it. But I will say this; It's wonderful to see you again Irina-chan." You walk to where she is seated and hug her. "How can I make it up to you?"
"Eeee-!" She jumps in your arms before her mouth clamps shut. "I-Issei-kun! This is inappropriate!"
"Can't I hug an old friend?"
With your chin resting on her shoulder you can't see her reaction, but she slowly puts her arms around you, returning the hug. "I will forgive you...as long as you're truly sorry."
"I am." You tighten the hug before walking back to your seat, idly noting Irina's cheeks are scarlet. Then a thought hits you. "I wonder why your parents never corrected me. I always did use male pronouns while talking about something you did around them."
She waves you off. "It can't be helped since I was a troublemaker just like the boys."
"But Irina, didn't you say it was because your parents wanted a boy and never told you about different genders until-" Whatever the bluenette was about to say is cut short by Irina's slamming a hand over her mouth. Digging her fingers into her partner's cheeks Irina smile turns dangerous. "Xenovia. What did I say about tact?"
"Muh-uh!"
"I said it includes keeping to yourself what people said to you in private." The smile widens. "Understood?"
The now named Xenovia frantically nods.
"Great!" Irina smiles cheerfully before releasing Xenovia and patting her on the cheek.
What kind of name is Xenovia anyway?
[It's from the Greek Zenobia, who was a warrior-queen from Syria] One of your sempai explains. [But her accent is Italian. Still, what kind of anachronistic names people give to their children those days? It's like asking for them to be teased.]
[Speaking from experience, Nicodemo?]
[Shut up.]
"Here: kiwi, strawberries and pineapple. All fresh." At that moment Mittelt comes out of the kitchen and puts the tray on the table. She notices the two girls' presence immediately after. "Why, hello there exorcist-chan. What can we do for you? Want a drink?"
"Uh, no thanks." Irina replies a little uneasily. "But whom you might be?"
"I'm Mittelt." The twin-tailed blonde replies cheerfully. "I'm Issei's wife, alpha queen and fucktoy! All in one nice package."
Your hand snatches on, grabs her by the collar and tosses her back into the kitchen. Then you turn back to the two stunned exorcists like nothing happened. "So Irina, what bring you-"
"Yo-Hic! Did my ears catch the word 'drink'? Hic!" Suika comes down the stairs, completely drunken.
Instantly you are standing next to the door, keeping it open. "Nope. Not all. But we were just discussing how a bar somewhere down the road is supposed to be offering alcoholics gratis, but only for today. And high quality stuff too!"
"Said what?! Can't miss it-Hic!" The little Oni proceeds to ignore the door and pass right through the wall.
"...I tried. Sol knows I tried." You shake your head in resignation while walking back to the couch and sit down. "We were saying?"
"..." Irina and Xenovia stares at you with mouths hanging open.
"I swear she's older than she looks. The one with horns I mean."
"Don't worry Master." Eiko puts another tray on the table and begins to serve tea and scones to Irina and Xenovia. "With the foul demon gone it is but a matter of moments to repair the damage done to your abode."
"What's going here?!" Irina snaps. "Wife? Was that an Oni? Master?!?! What's going on here Issei-kun?!"
"Ara, such familiarity." Eiko opens her fan to cover her mouth. "Can I ask who you are to address Hyodo Issei-sama, First Head of the Hyodo Dragon Clan of Youkai Yakuza, in such a manner?"
In the silence that ensues a pin could be heard dropping.
"Uhm..." Xenovia takes out a bible and skims to a signed page before starting to read. "I am not exactly sure if this requires an exorcist, or it's a matter of internal heresy that doesn't concern us. The instructions aren't clear." She looks up at you. "If I spray you with Holy Water, will it hurts?"
"No."
"Uhm. Then could you pretend it does?"
Irina's body tilts to the side and falls to the ground.
----
"Ahahahah!!" Dohna laughs hysterically after you finish relating the meeting. "Well done kid! You're such an eyesore you don't even need to try anymore to give people an aneurism!"
You give him the stinking eye. "Fuck. You."
"Please, stop it. This is serious." Rias reprimands both of you. The older man falls down to a quiet snicker, while you stay in your position leaning against the wall, arms crossed over your chest.
The members of Rias Peerage and you are gathered in the club room, waiting for the two "guests" to arrive.
"What happened then Ise?"
"Nothing much. My childhood friend was out like a light most of the time, but her companion told me they came to negotiate with the devil that has the city as its territory. That is, Rias Gremory. And, since I am affiliated with you but not a devil myself, they thought it prudent to use me as an intermediary."
Rias hums. "This confirm what Sona told me. She met those two today at noon. I was worried when I heard that, since she also said they have a Holy Sword with them."
"Two."
"Eh?"
"They have two Holy Swords." You explain. "The one called Xenovia keeps in on her back, but the one of Irina currently takes the form of the belt she has around her waist. Bright-sensei told me, saying it's the worst concealed weapon she ever saw." You roll your eyes. "But don't worry, they promised on the name of God they are here only to talk."
"Like their words are worth something." Kiba says with a hard, uncharacteristic tone.
'I smell an issue. But...maybe later.' "That's why I am here. As the one who isn't weak to Holy damage. Beside, they have bigger troubles than picking a fight with Devils." Your eyes narrow. "According to them, there is a trail of murdered priests that run all across Japan before stopping here in this city. We are talking about Exorcists, not preachers."
"...I see. This is troubling. If it is something dangerous for them, there is no telling what it means for us. In this case it's best to not give them an excuse to associate them with whatever it is they are hunting."
"Buncho, they're here." Akeno informs Rias.
"Let them come."
Akeno leaves, followed by Koneko. A minute later both Irina and Xenovia are seated on the sofa, Rias and Akeno sitting in front of them. Everyone has a serious face, but Kiba is glaring at them like he is about to attack them any moment.
After making the necessary presentations the first to speak is Irina. "Recently the Holy Swords Excaliburs that were kept by the Catholic Church Headquarter Vatican, Protestant Church, and Eastern Orthodox Church were stolen." She says such shocking news like it's nothing.
Shocking, for anyone beside you.
'Seriously, Excalibur?' You mentally roll your eyes.
'King Arthur was a Celt. Christianity wasn't about to reach the British Isles for centuries. How is it then a Holy Sword?'
[It's not.] Ddraig snickers. [I heard this from a friend of a friend of a friend, but the original Caliburn and Excalibur are still in possession of the Fae. What the Church call Excalibur is a completely different sword made when they adapted the legend of King Arthur with Christian thematics.]
'The biggest fraud I ever heard about.'
[For sure. Also, Excalibur broke into seven different pieces during the Great War and was reforged into seven different swords.]
[I know. I was once the wielder of one of them.] One of your sempai says. [Excalibur Rapidly. It made me fast enough to defeat the then White Dragon Emperor.]
[If you had trained more you wouldn't have needed that thing!] Ddraig chastises him.
[Said the dragon who slept most of the time!]
Ugh, so annoying.
"...I see. But what does the stolen Excaliburs have to do with this country so far away from Europe?"
"Of the seven Excaliburs one went missing at the end of the Great War." Xenovia continues. "Since then the remaining six were split evenly among the Christian Churches: two for the Catholic Church, two for the Protestant Church and two for the Eastern Orthodox Church. One Excalibur was stolen from each Church, aside from the Eastern Orthodox Church who lost two. The traces left from the ones that stole them lead to this town."
"But it's strange." Irina makes a troubled face. "The thieves kept killing any priest sent their way, but at one point in the last weeks they stopped and went into hiding. There are no hints they moved, but no priest was attacked. It's like they got afraid."
Rias puts a hand on her forehead and takes a breath. "Looks like my territory is full of incidents. Do you know who are the ones that stole the Excaliburs?"
"The ones that stole them were the Grigori."
Both yours and Rias' eyes widen at the answer.
"To be more precise, we know the main culprit: one of the leaders of Grigori, Kokabiel."
Kokabiel. Like Azazel and Shariel he is one of the Grigori's Leaders: called the [Angel of the Stars], he is said to have taught astrology and divination to humans.
[Don't get fooled by his fame.] Ddraig huffs. [It's true he is one of the biggest experts in those fields...but it's also true he's a Fallen Angel that greatly love fighting. First to engage and last to retreat: this is Kokabiel. He used his knowledge to predict the enemy's decisions and plan accordingly.]
{So this world has techniques resembling those of Sidereals? Interesting. I wonder if there is also a Loom...}
You sure hope not.
"Kokabiel…One of the leaders of the Fallen Angels that survived the previous wars since ancient times." Rias says slowly, as if she has troubles believing it. "I never expected to hear the name of the one that appears in the Bible."
He appears in the Book of Enoch actually.
"The Grigori announced Kokabiel went rogue weeks ago and disappeared from the face of the Earth. It seems they told the truth. He also brought with him some of his personal troops and young recruits of the Grigori. It appears we are dealing with a warmonger of the highest caliber, who freely disregard hierarchy to do what he wants." Irina says.
"Our request…No. Our order is to have no devil intrude in the battle between us and the Fallen Angels for the Excaliburs. In other words, we came here to tell you not to interfere with this incident."
Rias' eyes change after hearing the way Xenovia talk. "What a peculiar wording. Are you, perhaps, thinking that we might collaborate with Kokabiel? Perhaps that we might team up with them to do something with the Excaliburs?"
"The headquarters think that it might not be impossible."
'Wow. What a great show of diplomacy girl. If your goal was to be antagonistic as possible, you were successful.'
Rias' face is quite pissed. From the tension in the air, it wouldn't be unthinkable that something bad might happen.
[] Interfere
[] Stay silent
[] Write-in.
----
Sorry, I need to go to the dentist and I didn't have time to go all the way to Kiba. But this should be a good point to stop.
Also, Merry Christmas!
Ooops! Wrong pic!
sorry, there was a severe typo. The correct post is:
