"Greetings, Odin-sama," Rias and Sona both greeted respectfully as an old man with a long beard entered Abaddon's home alongside his entourage of two.
"No need for such formalities, my dears," Odin said with an appraising expression as he examined Rias specifically. "Where is the Red Dragon Emperor? I was visiting and decided to meet with him."
"I shall call him down, Odin-sama," Sona said. "Please come in and take a seat in the meantime." She invited Odin, Rossweisse, and Baraqiel.
"This is a nice place, don't you think, Rossweisse?" Odin spoke as Rias led him to the living room. The girls doing their homework had moved their things up to their rooms. "I shall call Akeno to serve everyone some tea." Baraqiel raised his brow at the name of his daughter being mentioned.
"You are Lucifer's younger sister, right?" Odin asked rhetorically. "Sit. Tell me, what are your thoughts on the whole debacle with Loki?"
"I couldn't possibly give out random opinions when it comes to gods, Odin-sama," Rias said humbly.
"Don't worry so much, he was being a brat with his actions, and he's been put in his place. That's that," Odin said. "Now tell me."
"Well … For one, that battle made me realize how much of a difference in power exists between beings of such class and myself," Rias said. "It motivated me to get stronger."
Odin snorted, leaning back, "Boring. I expected you to speak your mind, not meaningless, politically safe answers."
"Don't blame her, Odin," Abaddon came down the stairs with a leash in his hand as Sona walked beside him. "She's just too polite and humble in front of authorities, that's all."
"Red Dragon Emperor," Odin spoke. "I came to thank you for your help in dealing with Loki. You saved me heaps of trouble."
"It's nothing," Abaddon said as he came up to the group and sat down. "The fight helped me stretch my bones a little."
"Who is this Nekomata?" The god, his Valkyrie, and his Fallen Angel escort all raised their brow, finally noticing that the leash in Abaddon's hand was connected to a person. A cat-girl in particular.
Kuroka meowed at Odin, narrowing her eyes and climbing up on the couch while using Abaddon's lap as her pillow.
"This is Kuroka," Abaddon said. "She's my pet cat." He caressed her hair and ears as she purred comfortably.
"Although it is suppressed, I sense a deep connection to natural energy within her. Is she a member of the Nekoshou clan that is almost thought to be extinct?" Odin asked curiously, examining her, though his gaze seemed to be focused on her chest area.
"I see you know your Youkai," Abaddon said. "And do refrain from making my cat uncomfortable; she will scratch you." As he said that, his eyes shifted to Odin's aide, Valkyrie, who seemed to be very fascinated by the treatment that he was giving his pet cat.
"All in good health, Abaddon-chan," Odin laughed heartily. "And yes, I have spent some time researching the most prominent factions of the Youkai. I am, after all, going to be forming an alliance with them. That's why I'm here in the first place."
"I don't in particular have any connections with the Youkai leaders if that's what you're after," Abaddon said.
"Nothing like that, it's just that this place was on the way, so I decided to meet you," As Odin said so, Akeno, clad in a traditional flowery yukata, came to them. She served everyone with a cup of tea before bowing politely and moving away. Not once did she even look at her father.
"I see," Abaddon nodded, "Great tea as always, Akeno."
"Thank you, A-kun." A beautiful smile bloomed on Akeno's face as she dismissed herself.
"On another note," Abaddon said. "Is the Norse Pantheon going through some kind of internal shift? What's with all these alliances? First, with our three factions, now the Youkai. If you don't mind me asking, of course."
Rias and Sona also listened intently for Odin's answer.
"It's nothing that intense," The old God King of the Norse Pantheon said. "But yes, after this whole Loki debacle, I have decided that the best course of action is to strengthen my relationship with the other factions of the Supernatural World. In particular, we don't have any relationships with the gods of this country."
"Understandable," Abaddon said. "Anyway, since you're here as a pitstop for your journey, I'm going to leave you in Sona and Rias' capable hands. They will make sure that you guys are well-rested before you leave. Come on, Kuroka." He stood up from his seat as Kuroka jumped down to the ground.
"Abaddon-kun," Baraqiel said. "A minute of your time if it's not too much to ask?"
"Of course not," Abaddon said. "What's up?"
"If you do not mind, I would like to talk separately with you and Akeno," He said, making Abaddon smile.
"Sure," He nodded. "You should relax for a while. I will send someone to call you once she's ready to talk."
"Much obliged," Baraqiel nodded.
As for Odin, his eyes were fixed on Kuroka's butt, specifically the two tails that kept swaying behind her. "That 'cat' that young Abaddon is treating like a cute pet … That's Kuroka, one of the Underworld's SS-class criminals, is she not?" Odin asked.
"She is, Odin-sama," Rias nodded. "Abaddon is a bit … shall we say random. He encountered her on the day of the pact signing and decided that he wanted her."
Odin laughed heartily, "If that's what you think, then you still have a few ways to go, Little Rias. Stop. Don't ask, you will find out soon enough."
"Ugh, god. I hate all this work," Xenovia came down while complaining. "Fuck!" She twisted her head uncomfortably at the jolt of pain that rang through her head at the mention of god.
She walked to the kitchen, not even noticing the people in the living room as she passed by them. She grabbed some orange juice in a glass while walking back, still about to ignore the people in the room.
Rias cleared her throat, "Xenovia."
"What is it?" She said tiredly.
"We have guests," Rias said, making Xenovia straighten up.
"My apologies, I didn't notice you, Odin-sama, Rossweisse-san. You must be the Fallen Angel Cadre whom Azazel-sensei told us was escorting Odin-sama." Xenovia's attitude took a complete turn.
"It seems that this house is filled with interesting characters," Odin laughed a little.
"I'm flattered, Odin-sama," Xenovia said before her eyes honed in on Rossweisse for a few seconds.
"What is it, Xenovia-san? Is there something on my face?" The Valkyrie suddenly became conscious, wiping her face.
"It's nothing, Rossweisse-san. Do you mind helping us out a little? Your expertise would be perfect for the job." Xenovia said as Rossweisse looked to Odin for approval.
"Go on, we will be staying here for a few hours at least, all that journeying has made my old bones tired," At Odin's words, Rossweisse nodded, unaware of the trap that Xenovia had pulled her into.
'Yes, come, innocent lamb. I will make sure that you not only complete mine but Irina and Asia's homework as well.' Xenovia's thoughts were as impure as a devil's.
…
"Tell me, Akeno. What is your relationship with the Red Dragon Emperor?" Baraqiel asked. The three were in a separate room and were all sitting on tatami mats with Abaddon and Akeno sitting together and Baraqiel sitting across from them. "You seem closer than mere acquaintances."
"What's it to you?" Akeno asked coldly. "He's my man, the one whom I have devoted my heart to."
The Fallen Angel's already hard expression hardened further as he saw Akeno wrapping her arms around Abaddon's arms and hugging him.
"It does mean something to me, Akeno," Baraqiel suppressed his urge to blast Abaddon with Holy Lightning. "I am your father —"
"You are no father of mine!" Akeno's words were scathing, her tone even more so. "Nor do you have any right to involve yourself in my personal life."
…
"Amazing, beautiful, smart, and strong. You're like a warrior princess," Xenovia praised as Rossweisse solved the math problem.
"It's just algebra …" Rossweisse felt each of the compliments stabbing into her heart.
"No, it's not just that," Xenovia didn't hold back on her praise as Asia and Irina nodded as well. "You are such a capable warrior, able to take on such formidable foes by yourself. Even then, you are smart enough to help us. Truly commendable."
Unlike Xenovia, who was mostly buttering Rossweisse up, Irina and Asia were sincerely agreeing with the praise.
"P-please, I'll blush …" Rossweisse said stiffly, groaning inwardly. 'If all that was true, then why am I still single~'
"She seems a little distracted," Irina commented as they saw Rossweisse gazing at the wall with a blank look in her eyes.
'Maybe she just needs some motivation,' Xenovia thought before saying, "Truly, the perfect woman in all senses …" Her words only damaged Rossweisse further, but she also felt obligated to help the women with their work.
***
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