Grayfia grit her teeth, if only for the sake of preserving Rias's honour. And to not highlight how her husband is losing sleep trying to pull her from this mess she put herself into. That's not to say that Grayfia isn't weary as well, her duty as a maid requires her to remain as professional at all times as possible.
But this week has been rough, she's finding herself on her last legs right now. Grayfia would have cared more about Rias's arguments and protests, they were valid in fact, but at this point, Grayfia is finding herself completely done with her shit.
"Then, Mistress." Grayfia started. "Are you saying that you would like to decline participating in the game?"
"Of course not." Rias responded. "Let's settle this."
Grayfia looked to Riser for confirmation, and there was nary a smirk on his face. Truthfully, his aloofness made it seem like he didn't care for the outcome of this meeting whether win or lose. "I guess I'll indulge you." Riser said. "A bit of advice. Your Queen is the only one right this moment that can fight on par with my servants."
Rias narrows her eyes. "And so, what's your point?"
He holds up both his hands. "Ten days." Riser said. "We'll have the Rating Game in ten days."
"You're giving me a handicap?"
"I guess you could say that," he said.
Riser smiled and chuckled as if mocking something. Grayfia suspected Rias, but she sensed a small hint of sadness behind his smile. Was he playing the fool? If so, for what? What could be driving him to fight in the Rating Game, he certainly did not present any interest towards Rias back when the arrangement was made and even now.
Since Grayfia held no answers herself, she decided to conclude and get things over and done with. There was still something else she had to take care of. "Understood. I have confirmed the opinion of both sides.. I will be in charge of overseeing the game between the two households. Is that permissible for the two of you?"
"Yes." Rias answered.
"Yeah." Riser answered.
Grayfia bowed. "Understood, I'll inform the two households at once."
Riser didn't intend to stick around, as the moment Grayfia's words left her lips Riser stood up and turned his back without a word and recalled his peerage. He left one last glance at Rias and her peerage gearing for a fight, but soon he too disappeared in a veil of fire. Leaving the room feeling empty.
Rias made way towards her unconscious pawn who was only just beginning to reel himself awake. While the other members were busy, Grayfia spotted Akeno taking back the cutlery from the desk.
Grayfia slowly approached her. "Miss Himejima, I would like to thank you for your support the other day." she said.
Akeno blinked. "No problem, it's my pleasure."
"Would you happen to have some way to contact Kusora?" She asked.
"Unfortunately not." Akeno answered. "But you should be able to find him at the Cafe you went to before the evening. I'm sure you won't be intruding."
"Thank you for your advice."
Grayfia noticed Akeno staring for a good few moments before a concerned look in her eyes was shown. She couldn't help but ask. "Miss Himejima, is something the matter?"
"Forgive me for insinuating, but you seem a little tired." Akeno said.
Her weariness must've been showing on her face. Maybe she wasn't as in control of her mind when tired as she usually is, this isn't the sort of mistake she'll make in public. "I don't feel anything of the sort however." Grayfia said. "But I do thank you for your concern."
She can only hope Akeno can buy the lie. Or at least keep a bit silent while she goes on with her duties. Grayfia bowed. "Well if you would excuse me, Miss Himejima."
"Of course, I'll see you soon, Grayfia." Akeno said.
There's still a few hours before evening, she could've been getting rest, but bad news happens to have a tendency to keep everyone awake.
. Raynare .
Raynare genuinely questioned why any man or human would have a need for Church to happen on a wednesday. Sure it was a confession but she can't help but wonder why the humans can't tell the truth to themselves. Not like they had anything to say, being Fallen as they are.
She normally doesn't care about such things, but today just so happens to be her turn running the Confessionary at the Chapel, which means she gets stuffed, not in the way she likes, but instead in robes heavier than the wooden cross in her room, talking to other people from the otherside of a room hotter than hell.
If they can put her through all of this tribulation they can at least make the confessions she hears interesting. Most of the people that frequent the confessionary during the weekday afternoon often range from the elderly, the butter housewives and the people that so happen to be senile.
Raynare waits in the room until she feels a draft in the curtain from behind. "Rae. We're heading out." Kalawarner said. "Azazel said that she'll be in Japan within a couple of hours."
"Whatever happened to Donnaseek?" Raynare asked. "Haven't seen him in a few days."
"Didnt you know?" Kalawarner asked, surprised. But then she held her hand onto her chin in thought and began mumbling. "Mittelt was supposed to tell you on the day when Silver came over, but obviously neither of us was in a state to be doing any sort of talking."
Raynare shrugged despite the heavy robes. "True. So what happened to him?"
"He was killed by that Gremory." Kalawarner answered. "Went picking a fight with one of her servants, got destroyed as a result."
"Good. Our mission is just to observe and watch over any Sacred Gear users in the area. Don't know what he was thinking ignoring Azazel's orders like that, but I oughta thank the Gremory for doing my job for me." Raynare said. "Do you think that Silver has a Sacred Gear as well?"
"Doesn't seem possible. We were literally in the closest proximity to him, and sensed nothing. His skill is all natural." Kalawarner said with a sultry voice. "I feel like ordering again soon."