Asia sat in the club room of the Occult Research Club, the place that was now her home for the unforseeable future, with the people that would be her family and friends. She had met them briefly, back when the Fallen Angels first attempted to attack Haru and Aika and take her back, but she now had a chance to get to know them better.
Contrary to most people in the church, who despised Devils to the point that they would scorn and curse them first and never bother getting to know them later, she gave them a chance. She didn't see them as an enemy. What would be the point? Unless they had done something wrong to her personally, she saw them as little more than possible acquaintances and friends. Apparently, the trait was more than enough for Rias, who had previously worried that the change in environment would be too much for her.
Rias, her Master and benefactor, was like a mother hen. That was the best way Asia could describe her. Caring and gentle, she never pushed or demanded anything of her. Only that she give everyone a chance and be herself. She greatly appreciated it. Back in her time at the Vatican, she was known as the Holy Maiden due to her Sacred Gear. She was revered as a holy figure. She never had a chance for a normal life.
But now she did. Ironically, all because she became a Devil.
Kiba, the Knight, was very kind and considerate. She would admit that she found him to be quite handsome, but she also took note that there was a darkness hidden in his eyes. Based on his words to her when he introduced himself, she believed that he had perhaps suffered some kind of indignation from the church, or perhaps something else entirely. Either way, it was clear he in no way had good relationships with the church, but he would not judge her for her past affiliations.
Koneko, the Rook, was a very quiet girl. All Asia really knew was that she enjoyed sweets and offered to share some with her when she was introduced to the Peerage. Asia didn't know what to make of her, but she wasn't reserved or anything like that. She was quite social when she wanted to be, but for the most part all Asia saw of her was when there were sweets in her hand. That said, she did feel grateful to the tiny girl for introducing her to the world of sweets. It was sugary joy she had never experienced before in her life, not even when one of the priests at the church offered her freshly baked sugar cookies.
Akeno, the Queen, was also very kind. That said, Asia had been warned ahead of time by Rias that she was quite the sadist. She knew when to keep it to a minimum and when to fully express herself, but for the most part, she was overall very kind. She also made very wonderful tea. Not as good as the tea Tamamo-no-Mae had prepared for her, but still very wonderful.
When she thought about the fox woman, her thoughts drifted to the boy who had shown her a great deal of kindness. Namikaze Haru. He was one of her first friends along with Kiryuu Aika. It was something she never experienced before. She couldn't believe she was deprived of such joy for so long.
She did feel bad for dragging him into such dangerous times, such as when he had come to rescue her after the exorcists had kidnapped her. She was terrified out of her mind, and she could still vividly remember the pain she experienced while pinned up to that cross. How it felt like every cell in her body was being ripped apart, piece by piece. She was so scared, begging for someone to help her. Her pleas had been answered, but she still felt terrible about the whole thing.
She felt even worse by trying to lie to the two of them. They were so worried about her, even though she was going to die. Dying wasn't so much the problem for Asia as it was being unable to fulfill her promise to her friends. But, as a Devil, she could now keep her promise.
Asia's mind then drifted to the woman who helped her, as well as Tamamo-no-Mae.
Tamamo, she knew somewhat. A legendary, if perhaps infamous figure of Shinto myth. Said to be the avatar of the Shinto Sun Goddess Amaterasu-no-Mikoto. At first, the woman didn't seem very fond of her until she started to interact with the nun. Her cheeks turned rosy as she recalled how the woman called her adorable and glomped her. As for the other girl, Jeanne...
… Well, Asia was most certainly convinced the woman was an angel, despite her denial of such a claim.
She knew for sure about the holy aura that she gave off. It was so bright, radiant, and pure that she couldn't believe it belonged to anyone else but an Angel. It was definitely not like the aura of Raynare and the others. Theirs were bright and holy, yet tainted.
Jeanne's was pure through and through.
She didn't know why she was hiding her true nature, but Asia had an idea. Kuoh was Devil territory. More specifically, the territory owned by the heiress of the Gremory Family, and younger sister to Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the rulers of the Underworld. It would be quite awkward if it was discovered that an angel was also occupying Devil territory. With that in mind, it made sense why Jeanne didn't reveal who she was.
Still, to think that an angel would try and convince me to become a Devil… Asia noted the irony, giggling in her hand. This too must be a work of God. Oh thank you, Lord—
"Owch!" A sharp pain manifested in her head.
Kiba chuckled. "Were you thinking about God again, Asia-chan?"
"Y-yes..." the former nun whimpered. If there was one downside to becoming a Devil, it was that she couldn't recite her prayers. Or wear a cross. Or read the bible. "Uwaa... Why aren't Devils allowed to pray if they're former believers?"
"Good question." Akeno smiled wryly. "But that is a question for another day. Buchou, I have a phone call for you. It's from Namikaze-kun."
The red-haired Devil raised a brow. "From Namikaze-kun?" she inquired. She walked over to her desk. Akeno handed her the phone. "Hello, Gremory speaking. To what do I owe the pleasure, Namikaze-kun? Ara? Wait, hold on a second. Let me grab a pen and paper."
Her peerage looked at one another in confusion before looking on curiously at Rias as she procured the aforementioned items.
"Okay, run that by me again, please? And try to talk slower."