11. Subtlety
"Did you enjoy your time at the ORC?"
Anos heard her ask, in the midst of their shared silence.
The answer should've been obvious. Peace, bonds and prosperity— the three things he craved for were here; there isn't anything he holds more sacred. How he wished he could create such a world himself. Ironic, wasn't it?
Just the same, Anos liked the little things, from the hustling and bustling of his fellow students, to the little talks he could share with the devils. Everyone desired those small, foolish things.
Though the day was over, since spending a little more time in the ORC, Anos could tell that the small peerage treated each other with care. They were a family for sure. The ORC members he meant. Their quirks and jokes. The feeling of familiarity they had. A sort of blind faith in each other. He could feel that they had each other to lean on. Seems he was right to leave Issei in their hands.
"It was nice, my thanks, Rias," Anos softly says to the young devil. The other ORC members had left some bit ago so the two of them walked with the others company.
"I didn't think you would end up thanking me for it," She replied.
"I know," He says, "you were wrong."
"Then why did you ask me to have a walk with you?" The redhead continues. There are several points Rias can make with this one question, but the main point is all she cares to know. Not that Rias was complaining anyway. But when it comes to Anos, there seems to be things moving in the shadows that she cannot see.
That idea might be more literal than she would hope.
"That's simple," Anos replies, "this told me we were being watched back at the ORC."
He's holding a yellow into red feather— quite exotic, really. Rias did not feel or see Anos summon it despite the lack of magic used. He hands it to her.
In Rias' hand it goes as she brushes her fingers onto it, she lets her magic play around it as well, getting a feel for the avian prize without much trouble on her end.
Ah. It feels like flames. Like tears. Like the undying.
Phenex.
Rias shudders, visibly. Her hair ripples like a sea of roses.
"I thought, perhaps, you could provide some insight on who it was. Looks like I was right," Anos says upon the look on Rias' face.
"I... have a strong feeling on who it could be, yes." Rias softly bit her bottom lip. Nonplussed at what to do. This was worrisome and concerning enough as is. The mere fact is... Rias did not feel safe with this new knowledge now given to her.
Conversely, Anos doesn't quite care who it is stalking around, "I'll leave you to decide what to do for yourself. I'm sure you can figure something out."
It was just a heads-up, Rias was the King here, let her decide how she would move.
Rias' mind went to work when she saw Anos making the motion to leave.
'Stop him.'
Further and further, their distance widened.
'Stop him, Rias.'
She watched him go until she couldn't any longer.
"Anos." He stopped at his name, turning around to stare with a finely raised brow. Rias swallowed.
Here goes nothing.
"I need your help," He simply held his stare, "just for now."
"And how long might 'for now' be?" Anos asks, staring idly. The streetlight enunciate his cerise-eyes like it exists to do nothing else.
Rias had never in her life asked anyone other than a devil for any assistance. Even accounting for the large amount of time spent in the human realm.
"Just for tonight. I wish to have you stay with me until this," she loosely gestures to the feather, "is properly looked into. I doubt Phenex would dare risk his spying now that I am made aware of it, but you are my only means of truly knowing otherwise."
Rias doesn't know what to make of the way he's looking at her. All it does is makes her feel like a little girl who asked for more. Eventually, he speaks.
"This is your battle, Rias. You and I are not equals. I am simply lending you my assistance— do not forget that."
At this stage, Rias could only nod dumbly. It wasn't a 'no' by all accounts. So when Anos walks back to her, hands in pocket, she's just the least bit choked.
"Lead the way." He says.
Rias can finally breathe again.
But as of right now, she was a very nervous devil.
Rias has never expected throughout her entire life in Japan— scratch that— in general, to ever have someone come over and stay the night at her house; someone not of her peerage at least.
'Get a hold of yourself, Rias.' The internal voice of reason spoke out as she drew her teleportation circle. Anos steps next to her whilst the magic responds and flows into scarlet sparkles. Taking them both away to Rias' residence before the circle fades away.
When reaching the house that could easily be mistaken for a mansion and the same one her brother provided for her, Rias finds Anos observing the place with slight disinterest. Shortly after, she moved and opened the door, stepping in and watching as he followed, eyeing everything in the house of grandeur.
Inside had chandeliers, heated flooring, and smooth marble stairs. Anos may not personally care for the luxuries after he's lived a modest human life, but even he could acknowledge the stunning beauty.
"The bedrooms are on the second floor so just take the stairs to the right and pick any room you like. If you want to use the bathrooms then they're just down this hallway with the white doors. The kitchen is to right of the same hallway. It shouldn't be hard to find but if you need any help just ask me." Rias explains, almost rehearsed.
Anos felt himself nodding at all the information, his eyes pulling to the stairs and he began walking up the white marble steps.
At that moment, Rias realized that she'd need to make her way up the stairs as well. Some of the rooms upstairs belonged to her peerage members and although they rarely, if ever, stayed over at her house she'd like to avoid Anos walking into any of their rooms unknowingly.
Rias slowly chased up the steps and flinched when she noticed her room door open. She felt like crying when she noticed Anos was inside, just standing there and staring.
Embarrassment overtook Rias. Her room was filled with anime treasures and all sorts of weeb related things. They were the kind of things she would never want anyone to discover. Plush dolls, figurines, body pillows, collectibles, it was the full package of Otaku-weirdness.
It was awkwardness incarnate with the man she showed great interest in just silently judging.
"Wha – What are you doing in here?!" Rias stuttered through her anger. To Anos, she looked, and sounded, delusional.
"You told me I could take any room; this is the closest room to the stairs." Anos explained, partially. Rias felt the blood rush to her face. Her own hair must have been jealous.
Nobody who has not been Rias Gremory in this moment has ever known true embarrassment.
"This is my room! Get out! Get out! Get out!" Rias shouted, her etiquette and dignified stature taking a backseat.
Wordlessly, Anos complied, making sure the space between the two of them had been far and wide apart as he exited the room in search of another. The former Demon King already surmised this night being longer than any other.
But before he's completely away from Rias' tenure, he spares a glance over the shoulder and with a smile like lightening, he speaks with his voice just short of a man being entertained, "It is a nice room, Rias."
The laugh that follows after his words suggest that maybe crawling under her bed and dying might truly be some form of salvation.
Rias backs herself into her room, and slams the door. She still hears his laughter echo throughout her household and her mind, and that would be the exact time the heiress realized the mistake of inviting him over.
She sat down in her room's work desk and looked in the mirror, her cheeks were roses, and it wouldn't die down -- least not anytime soon. 'I can't believe that guy...'
She looked in the mirror again and pouted something fierce. Satan, she was smitten.
—————
The abandoned church Raynare takes residence in is otherwise empty without her presence. By choice, she was alone. Her familiars keep Asia under her watch, Mittelt keeps the exorcist in-line, and Kalawarna searches for Donhaseek -- friend of three centuries after all.
It is better to stand here unassisted, unbothered; this bastion of faith needs its contents cleared for the time being as she works on the sigils and seals for the ritual. It is an exhausting thing to do, even now her magic reserves are low, and she is still only a quarters-way done.
The light around her fingers quivers just a bit and Raynare assuredly finds it hard to stay on her feet. She surrenders a breath that is oh so slow, difficult and utterly taxing. Her posture isn't anymore straightened out either. The process is brutally long when done by an individual, but only Raynare knows the necessary steps.
Still, she needs more time until her magic is replenished, so she takes to leaving the catacombs briefly after inspecting her work. Rising up the stairs, Raynare ruminates how she truly does stand alone in this church when she lies by the altar. Except...
A painting of her Father just overhead. The former angel could not help but scoff openly at the overhead mural.
God was not fair. And that goes double for the world he created.
It couldn't be; with the position Raynare and her fellow fallen find themselves— where Raynare must steal mortal miracles from the very humans she hates nearly as much as she hates her own meekness.
Then again, it is not that Raynare particularly cares for what should be her former glory. She would not go back even if doing so wasn't an impossibility. Her own freedom— of life, love, and expression— is worth much, much more than anything her Father has had to offer for a long time.
God never listened to her. With time, Raynare understood that feeble humans were above her as an angel, and as a fallen she wouldn't be an afterthought in his eyes and not even a whisper in his ears.
Certainly, a heinous life Raynare has lived, and an even more heinous idea follows in spite of herself.
'Father?' Raynare's mental voice is sickeningly sweet -- it does not match her pretty face, one bred out of loathe laced in vindication. 'Are you there?'
She smiles as she slowly trails an elegant hand down her flawless body. 'I pray that you are.'
Raynare revealed her nakedness, a hand to her bare breasts as her lower lips ached for attention.
This forgotten church; once promised safety and succor to the followers of the Lord. Raynare now uses it to flaunt her sinful urges. Her flower trembled as she inserts a single dainty finger into her purity before another digit joins the first.
Her mind wandered rapidly, even envisioning a mere mortal taking her on this altar, her distaste for humans and those of similar insignificance shaming her, and more importantly, shaming what this holy structure used to represent. Good, that was more than fine for her.
Her focus breaks for a moment when she mentally conceptualizes something that causes her flower to leak.
Him. The Demon. The one in mortal flesh. Cherry-red eyes that did not belong to that of a human, the gaze of the absolute. Pitch-black hair that reflects and absorbs light, framing his personable face.
She pictures him clearly, remembering the wintry apparel dressing his voice, making her shiver and putting the fear of his power into her very being. Her fingers suddenly worked faster. Her breath labored greatly as compared to before.
A pant, and then a moan, she visualized that violent demon who struck her in a way she thought no one could ever dare to do. Her body felt tighter, the moment soon to come; she just could not stop herself. Her perky nipples were rigid, her fingers were a blur.
One day, Raynare believes, she will have him on his knees, begging for her and... and...
"Oooo~" Raynare's ice-cold breath hung on her full lips when she moaned rather loudly. Feminine cries of pleasure filled the church, tainting it with her acts of debauchery. Below her is a puddle of her... autonomy.
The former angel did not know if her dear Father was watching, but she is less interested in knowing just as much as a devil whose interest lie in becoming a nun.
—————
Rias woke up feeling very refreshed. She very rarely slept as well as she did, on this specific morning no less. Then again, exactly two rooms over is her answer.
Alas, she will not admit this. Such is the ego of a lady her age, caught between the fading blush of youth and the sharp edge of womanhood.
Regardless, she had gotten up quite early. Last night, Akeno had sent her a short text message. Just to let her know she'd be coming over tomorrow morning— this morning.
Thinking about it. Rias and Akeno did sleep in the same bed many times. That was certainly one image she didn't want Issei to think about. His mind could only take so much.
Getting to her feet, a nice aroma from downstairs pleasantly attacked her senses and she knew it was her Queen. Akeno's cooking was unmatched after all, though her guest wasn't far behind on that front. Rias put on a robe over her naked body and walked to Anos' door. She was positive they could all enjoy breakfast together.
—————
When Anos first awoke, he had already surmised that it wasn't because of the muffled but somewhat loud noises coming downstairs, it being Akeno's in question isn't what does the waking either. Not even the very lovely aroma of what he assumes to be breakfast could rouse him either.
So it is neither, of course.
What wakes him up is one of the four Satans that sits cross-legged at the foot of his bed. Smiling at him from ear to ear; Serafall Leviathan.
That'll do it.
"Good morning Voldi-kun!" Serafall greets with a giddy grin and a twinkle in her amethyst eyes. "The Magical Levia-tan is here to say hello!"
Anos doesn't react right away. What really halts his response is the image Sitri invoked of Serafall Leviathan, and how very different the reality of the matter was. Then again, impermanent meetings rarely covered all the finer details.
The former demon merely expected... something more.
"Aren't you going to greet me?" Serafall pouts with her hands at her hips, dissatisfied. "I came all this way just to visit you!"
"I trust there is a reason for this intrusion, Leviathan?" Anos cordially inquires, though he had his own ideas.
"Oh, don't be like that, Voldi-kun! Calling me Levia-tan is much more fitting or maybe we can come up with an even cuter nickname!"
Anos watches Serafall. There's something about her that he picks up in the seconds he studies her being. Her appearance was still underwhelming; less to that of Ophis, but the way her very presence still bends the room toward her is something that Anos has rarely seen before in this world.
"Unfortunately, I don't have all morning, if you've got something to say, say it quickly," Anos moves them along, he assumes she is here on behalf of her sister— anything otherwise contradicts the little he knows of her.
"Meanie," She sulks, 'we'll figure it out sometime then." She dismisses the thought as she twirls her hand -- and a wand that was not there previously -- around in a short display of a skillful hand.
"Now why am I here?! Oh, yes! My sweet So-tan finally came back home for the first time in months and she had so much to tell her most favorite big sister! Me, of course!"
Anyone who knew anything would have known this would happen eventually; there's no way that one of the two Satan's who are almost as famous for their sibling complexes as they are for their strength would let anyone pass unnoticed when it came to their siblings.
However, he'd heard stories of Serafall; how she could vaporize all of Japan with a strained glance or how she'd send angels with up to ten wings fleeing from the mere sight of her in the same breath.
"So you're aware of the engagement clause being met, that's reassuring," Anos remarks, "call it off."
"Oh, but Voldi-kun, you seem too sure that the House of Sitri would accept you so easily." Sona tilts her head with a beaming smile.
"Not as I am now, no. Even with the tempting qualities Sona has likely given to you," Anos pauses and replies the moment Serafall looked like she would herself, "you remedy this by the use of an Evil Piece. That is how you would take me, right?"
Devils are about power, reputation and respect. Not all, but even the young in their society are obsessed with proving themselves in those fancy Rating Games, as if a mummer's farce without casualties or consequences is meant to impress anyone who's known war. The higher ups want servants strong enough to make the rest tremble or at least offer the modicum of respect.
"Of course not - you're a lot meaner than my So-tan said you'd be, Voldi-kun," Serafall's words do not match her look. "No, Voldi-kun. No Evil Pieces. No servants. I'm just here to let you know we'll be watching you. I'm sure you already knew, but it'd have been rude just to assume, you know?"
"But of course," Anos is smirking inwardly and outwardly now. He supposes she also didn't have the full authority or at the very least any standing power to completely cull the engagement at this time. That also depends on how badly Sona wants it as well.
It hardly mattered if she did, Anos has formulated his own measures for rendering the contract null and void not so long ago.
He rises up from the bed, "If you'll excuse me then, I need to get ready for the day."
As Anos' stands at the bedside, magic slowly and carefully washes over him, normally he would have done it in an instant, and far more crisply, but the Satan is still in the room with him. Best not to surprise her with any magic she can't see coming, as faint as it may be.
As he does, Serafall calls out to him, her tone is next to bashfull, "Voldi-kun," she is also blushing like some schoolgirl with her mouth almost hanging.
Looking down, not a stitch of clothing to be found until light cascades over him again, by then the Leviathan had seen it all. Fair, faultless skin, tied together by lean and very well-defined abs. A physique tasteful enough for any woman whom was eager; and a package long enough to make her want it.
This incarnation of Anos was truly blessed in all areas, just as much as the last. Though, not minding that is the very real fact he has just flashed the Leviathan -- she's already made her quick exit with more red on her face than blood that can be found in the body.
Convenient is the fact that Serafall's silent ousting is immediately followed by a noise at the door, knocking.
"Anos! Breakfast is almost ready!" Rias called through the door, her voice clearly heard before her footsteps move downstairs.
Anos could smell whatever was cooking coming through the walls of the room as is, and when he opened the door, the smell takes him even more. He walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen, where he was greeted by the sight of two devils.
Rias was there, in a robe sitting by the table and reading a manga it seemed.
Apart from that, there was her Queen by the counter. Akeno walked towards the kitchen table, balancing three plates and a smile. The shrine maiden of a hybrid could see what Rias meant last night to prepare an extra plate.
A surprise for Akeno, but not an unwelcome one.
"Good morning, ladies," Anos greets and his words were graced with an almost perfect unison of 'Good morning' from Rias and Akeno. He sat himself down.
Rias marked a page and carefully closed her manga just before a plate filled with delicious breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, muffins and tea were placed before her.
Akeno dropped a syrup bottle and a fruit bowl in the middle of the table and went around to Anos' side with the other two identical plates. Akeno placed one before him, and one beside him. She sat in the chair next to him.
"My thanks for the meal, Akeno," Anos shared with her a smile. Akeno returned it in full, albeit a bit sensually.
"I hope you like it." She said, her face was bright, her hand moving over his own and slightly rubbing it with her thumb. Her expression would make an angel blush. "Please tell me what you think."
Anos was content enough to comply in fulfilling the request. "Could you pass me the syrup?"
Akeno went for the syrup bottle after, almost reluctantly, removing her hand from his own. At the same time Anos reached for a knife and fork. Akeno poured the sweetened sauce for the man, watching as he took his time to cut the fluffy pancake.
Finally, Anos took a bite, and it felt like he cut a slice of Heaven. There was a twist of irony somewhere in that statement. Having said that, his taste buds danced and his stomach ached for more. It was no mushroom gratin, but the flavor was good enough on its own.
Anos quickly took another bite, "What's your secret?"
Akeno giggled, fiddling with the teaspoon in her cup. She didn't even care to taste her own freshly prepared drink or food; it was as if Anos was her breakfast. She turned her chair to face him.
"It wouldn't be much of a secret if I told you now wouldn't it, Anos?" Akeno put her cup down, placing her hand over his for the second time that morning and began to lightly rub. Anos blinked, and in that split second she had her lips to his ear.
"But, I'll gladly show you if you want~"
"Akeno." Rias cut in from the other side of the table. Her voice sounded off.
She seemed a bit off in general, with her head slightly tilted and an oddly sweet smile. Anos watched as her red hair draped across her shoulder in a surprisingly threatening display. Covering one of her turquoise eyes with the other one narrowed. She seemed bitter of Akeno for whatever reason.
However, Akeno gave the same look, off-putting smile and all to her King. They seemed to be having some sort of a dispute. Anos couldn't figure out why. They were peaceful before so it confused him as to why it became a room of silent drama when he was in the mix.
At last, Akeno nodded before picking up her cup and placing it at her lips, her eyes straying to the side and that seemed to satisfy her King. Anos looked at Rias, who went back to eating her food, unbothered.
"Rias." He spoke, getting her attention. "You never told me what you would do about the fallen in your territory."
She is quick to answer as if waiting for those exact words to be asked of her.
"I have an idea of how I would like to move. There is some sort of a ritual at play and it begins as early as tonight, that much is clear. Likely due to take place upon the solstice where the creator's light is at its weakest. I'll host a meeting sometime today at my headquarters to discuss it further." Rias responds as she stabbed at a strawberry in the fruit bowl with her fork.
Leave it to Rias to call the ORC building her headquarters. Perhaps she was a bit too girly, but she was who she was. The Gremory name could never take that away from her.
The answer also seemed to satisfy Anos who finished the last of his eggs. He ate like a king; if only he had a few jesters.
It was Rias' turn to know something, "Was there any scent of ash and flame?"
"None." Anos reveals and Rias nods, eagerly relieved.
A few minutes pass and the small talk and clanging of plates and cups weighed down, Rias stood up first. Taking her plate to the sink.
"I'll get ready for the day." She said as she went up the stairs with quiet footfalls to her personal shower.
Once the closing of a door was heard, Anos focused on the Queen. "So what is it that you wanted to tell me?"
Akeno giggled. "Whatever do you mean?"
"A smile can give many things away, and yours was telling."
"My my Anos, you're such a lady-killer." Akeno put a hand to her cheek as if to imagine something.
It was something fiercely lewd. Her eyes were as if she was being pleasured, and she looked ready to moan at any second. A look Anos had received many times.
Though, many moments later, Akeno finally exited lewd land and began to speak her mind. "I wanted to thank you personally for helping us; for helping Rias."
Akeno had half-lidded eyes and her signature smile was on. She began to clarify herself. "You didn't have to get involved in the way you did. Phenex can be quite tricky."
Anos shook his head dismissively.
"My reasons for doing so weren't selfless. Besides, I wouldn't give out thanks so readily, you still aren't entirely under my tutelage." Anos said, placing his utensils down as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"You missed a spot." Akeno gave a chuckle, putting her hand just under his chin. Her big breasts pressing on his arm. She leaned in and took a small lick at his cheek just before she placed a full kiss on the same spot.
"I'll be getting ready as well." Akeno stood up not long after her actions. Not daring to look directly in the man's eyes. She looked ready to retreat up the stairs soon after.
Anos tapped his cheek as he glanced at Akeno's plate. She didn't touch a single thing on it. He really was her breakfast.
"Akeno," He stops her before she is completely out of sight, she didn't turn around but she waited, "I'm thinking of opening shop for a bit today. How about you join me for the day?"
"Is this a date, Anos?" Akeno asked, her tone in that moment was precious.
"If you would prefer to think so then by all means," Anos comments and Akeno's face flourished a bit. Not like he could see it.
"That sounds lovely, I'll be right with you," Akeno accepted as she disappeared to her room, leaving Anos to himself and his thoughts.