The Divine Demon - Book 3: Your Hero

6. Welcoming Party (Part 2)

The clock had struck eleven at night, and the music, games, and chatter carried on. The party had surprisingly gone better than Riarshi expected.

Though Hara and Tabito did their own thing on the other side of the room, their absence didn't bother Riarshi as much as he thought it would.

They were off against a wall, speaking to some other interns while he hung with the pool table crew and played a few more rounds. 

Leon wasn't exaggerating earlier, Kevin was a pro at pool, and won their duo several matches with a combination of deadly accuracy and crazy angular precision. He also offered good conversation, despite his natural goofiness and odd choice of wardrobe.

Kevin and Riarshi both shared similar interests, including books, video games, movies, and the occasional space drama. In compliance with his looks, Kevin was unquestionably a nerd at heart. Riarshi couldn't judge, though, because so was he. The friendly chatter helped ease the accumulation of stresses weighing him down. The alcohol certainly helped, too.

Just over a month ago, Riarshi had only Tabito and Hara to talk to and hang out with. Even claiming that was a stretch, considering he and Hara's relationship had been much more hostile in the past. 

Things had changed for the better. He was now laughing, cheering, and high-fiving old enemies he had fought in the past and new neighbors he just met tonight.

This social high even provided Riarshi with enough spirit to introduce himself to the girl and boy sitting on the couch. No one had taken the liberty to speak to them that night, given their intimidating aura was anything but magnetic. The alcohol now flowing liberally through his system told him to make sure they didn't feel left out.

During the brief exchange he shared with them, Riarshi learned their names and the terms of their relationship.

They were twins, their faces similar though not completely identical. Their other features were a totally different story.

Ide, the boy, stood well over six feet tall, and looked to be sculpted out of pure marble. Strict diet and constant training had brought Riarshi's physique to where it was now, but this guy put him to shame. Ide wore a plain, black t-shirt and jeans, which appeared to be on the verge of ripping as he lounged back on the couch with his massive arms crossed over his chest. He also had shaggy jet-black hair that fell across his forehead, and a pair of deep purple eyes that looked to be permanently groggy. 

Violet, on the other hand, stood all of five feet tall, possibly even a few inches below Hara. Her feet barely reached the floor when she sat upright on the couch. She had her hair cut short to the shoulders, where graceful genetics toned it a vibrant purple that her name reflected. Her one-sleeved t-shirt, big belt, black jeans, and heavy cargo boots screamed rock star more than anything else Riarshi had seen before. A deep onyx blended in with her pupil, creating a single galaxy of endless space that stared deep into his eyes. He tried not to look at her for too long.

Despite appearances, they were nice. At first reserved and hesitant, they quickly warmed up to Riarshi's slightly drunken introduction and small talk about the first semester. They chatted for a few minutes before parting ways with friendly waves and smiles. Maybe they were grateful someone else broke their shells for them.

The clang of something metal tapping a glass rang throughout the common room. The low chatter between the interns ceased, and someone cleared their throat from the archway of the room. Everyone turned to see four people dressed in Hero Uniforms lined up at the entrance. Bronze circles plated their chests.

"Can I have everyone's attention please," shouted the spiky black-haired man at the front. He was well built, and stood the tallest of his companions. His chestnut eyes drifted across the room to all the interns. "My name is Johnny Kinson, and I'm a bronze rank Hero here at the POH.