Every time I close my eyes, I see a flash of the past. Sometimes, I see the battlefield with bodies at every step, and smoke from artillery fire everywhere you looked. Sometimes I see friends, Odin, Michael, and even Azazel. But most of the time, I...
I take another sip. Bitter, cheap, and exactly what I deserve.
Footsteps are closing in. A knock at my door. Then another, lighter one. More polite.
Y/N: It better not be you Rias.
I open it. And sure enough, there she is.
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Rias (grinning): Morning, Y/N.
Red hair like a warning sign. Eyes that know they could get away with murder. She's wearing something that's halfway between casual and I want your attention. She already has it.
Y/N: You're a long way from your castle, Princess. What, your summoning circle outta order again?
Rias: I wasn't feeling good today, so I skipped college. Thought I'd drop in on my favorite grump.
Y/N: I've got a broom if you're planning on sweeping compliments under the rug.
She laughs. That kind of airy, confident sound that only devils and extroverts can pull off. Then she looks at the TV.
Rias: Are you seriously watching politics?
Y/N: Yeah. Helps me remember why I don't like humans.
Rias: I thought you'd be watching something... violent.
Y/N: This is violent. They're killing common sense live on air.
She smirks, walking around the room like she owns it. Her presence fills the air. Warm, smug, and annoyingly distracting.
Rias: You always act so detached, Y/N. Don't tell me you don't get invested in anything.
Y/N: Sure I do. My beer. My peace. My ability to sit through ten minutes without someone asking me for a favor.
Rias: That's oddly specific.
Y/N: Experience talking.
She sits on the arm of the couch, close enough for her perfume to fight through my own scent. She's planning something. Devils always are.
Rias: Alright, I'll admit it. I do need a favor.
Y/N: There it is. Let me guess. Someone stole your magic trinket again?
Rias: Not quite. It's a grimoire, actually. A small one. My familiar misplaced it. I was hoping you could help me find it before someone stupid opens it and gets themselves incinerated.
Y/N: Sounds like a personal problem with extra steps.
Rias: Come on. You're good at tracking things. And breaking people. That helps too.
