Cerbin .:. Ryuu .:. Aura
As the boy once again said 'sir', Cerbin shot him an unseen glance and then sighed. "I see we have to work on loosening you up a bit. You act like a younger version of me sometimes. Heh." He let a pause go as he heard the threatening whispers coming from afar. "Though, that might not be a bad thing when it comes to this woman. Keep minding your P's and Q's."
In truth not even the demon himself knew what that humans phrase meant. He knew the overall meaning, but not the individual meaning. What the hell was a P and a Q? He decided to leave it for later. It seemed that once again he had to come off as a friendly individual. He didn't like the term bastard very much. It defined him all too well. However the meaning of the word was a disrespecting phrase to him and his brothers. Humans sure knew how to create such filthy lines.
"Calm down," he said calmly. "It's just me Cerbin. I also brought this kid with me."
“What the hell are you doing here Cerbin? And who the hell is this you brought with you. Actually no answer that later, I have something I want to discuss with you.”
The man sighed. That wasn't exactly as calm as he expected her to be. Quite the opposite actually. "Hmmm. I'm not sure what you need from me, but I too believe I must talk to you as well." He kept his calm around her. Her smell was distracting and her attitude was flared. Looking at her was like looking at a burning flame and he saw no point in playing with fire. "Though I must ask, if we are to speak, for us to speak in private. I'm sure the children don't need to be witness to our words."
He scratched his head and looked around. This place was bigger than he expected it to be. It didn't match up. Her outside demeanor and this home of hers. Was she someone special in this world? He had to investigate her. Not to mention that smell. It was more like... Like... something he had smelled in the past. It gave him an alerting feeling. One that was even more on guard for the fact that her human smells were hiding the other ones. He had determined one thing. She was something other than human. However he wasn't quite sure what it was. Another high class demon might have been able to tell from looking at her, or by feeling her energy, but for him, a demon who mostly went off of smells, he was kept out of the loop. He would have to throw a guess in the air and hope that he could get some feedback from it. "I'll wait over there," Cerbin said pointing to a small area, about a hundred or so feet away from where they stood. Trying to grab control over the conversation he left after he was done, which in turn, would force her to comply and follow after him.
He waited for her to finally follow after him and crossed his arms looking at the sky above. It was a beautiful blue one with an apparent space above it. Much more inviting than the red sky in Inferno. He enjoyed watching it, especially at night, where he could see the stars that illuminated the sky with their grace. Though he didn't look at the beautiful scenery for long, for he was interrupted by the upcoming footsteps. Looking at the woman with his eyes showing no sign of, well, anything really, he quickly looked her up and down, waiting for her to start the conversation. After all, it was she that said she wanted to talk to him first. It was only respectful at the common level of knowledge to let her talk first.
Quickly suppressing her anger, Ryuu narrowed her eyes, a scowl taking place once more on her usual passive face. Ryuu was somewhat curious as to what he wished to talk to her about but she didn’t think it would be as important as what she wanted to discuss with him. “Of course, this has nothing to do with them. I’ll be over there in a minute Cerbin.” Almost all at once, Ryuu felt like a child being reprimanded for a temper tantrum. Well I guess I’m not the only one who was acting out of place. Looking over at Julius she watched him closely for a short moment, trying to figure out if it was a good idea to leave him alone in the state he was in. Walking over to him, she bent down to one knee placing a hand carefully on his shoulder. “Don’t think your training is over Julius. I’ll deal with you later, in the meantime I’d like you to be good. If you need anything just call for me,” straightening she strode over to where Cerbin stood waiting for her before stopping and calling out over her shoulder, “Oh and don’t wonder off the cleared areas.” Her warning had an almost ominous tone to it but hopefully the both of them would listen to her.
Once she stood beside Cerbin she had expected him to explain himself but instead he looked her up and down. Frowning at the obvious act Ryuu folded her arms across her chest before finally speaking up, “Are you done?” pursing her lips slightly she gave him a quizzical look. “Let’s go somewhere else.” she said after taking a quick glance back at her students. Walking around Cerbin she led him back to the courtyard Cerbin and the boy would have had passed. Walking up onto the wood patio, Ryuu slid the doors open moving out of the way for Cerbin to step through. “Have a seat, ”motioning to a pile of pillows that were thrown about a small table. Closing the doors Ryuu kept her back to him for a little longer than was needed, “Who are you?” she paused to let her words reach him while she reached for something in her pocket before repeating herself, “Cerbin, just who the hell are you?”
Ryuu turned around to face him taking quick steps in his direction. Behind her a small piece of paper had been placed over the door, most likely to keep anyone from getting in or from keeping them from leaving. Stopping to tower over him while he sat (I’m assuming he did), Ryuu folded her arms across her chest. Without realizing it she had begun to stroke the tattoo on her arm, in response to her touch it began to quiver and squirm.
Cerbin didn't mind her taking his little control over the conversation. He did think he had some control by choosing to relocate, but once she decided to once again move their arena for conversation, she had put the ball back in her corner. It was even more apparent to him that he was on the wrong side of the conversation when they went inside, and if that wasn't worse, once he sat down as asked, she remained standing. She was completely dominant over him at the moment. In realization of this, he looked at her back and sighed quietly at her question. It was a question that was so vague and yet so direct. So what was he to do? Give a vague answer or a direct one. He looked down at nothing in particular, not searching for an answer, but searching for a way to answer. He knew the answer, though he also knew that in the wrong ears, his answer could put all that he worked for at stake. He was someone with nothing to loose and yet, he also had everything to loose as well. He slowly looked up to her, staring her straight in the eyes, with the worlds greatest poker face, if there ever was one, and said, "I don't know. Maybe if you told me who you were then I'd trust you with knowing who I was." It was a challenge. Less of a physical one, but a verbal one. If they were fighting each other, then he was surely at a strategical dissadvantage. However, he was a demon, and an intelligent one at that. It was almost his main job to be good at conversation. He had nothing to loose on his end. Sure he might get fired, but that would still leave the woman with nothing. Yet, Cerbin was willing to give her something, though he had to know he wasn't giving that something to the wrong person. It was dangerous for him doing what he knew he would have to eventually do. He would be betraying his mission, yet he was ready to give away his nothing, for something that would help him down the road.
Watching him closely, Ryuu met his gaze with an expression that barely expressed her feelings on the current subject. However his answer was not one she had been expecting and it turning into a challenge was even more surprising. Ryuu did not think that this was how things would play out once she asked her question. It had been nagging her ever since Night informed her about it and she needed to know. The fact that she was taken aback by him answer managed to show itself on her face but it disappeared behind a frown as soon as it had been shown to him. “Who I am is of no concern to you Cerbin. Is that even your real name? And don’t turn the tables on me, I’m not the one who had his familiar stow away in one of my student’s shadow. They’re my students under my protection and I need to know whether or not they are safe in your presence.”. Ryuu thought back to what he had just said and couldn’t even think of speaking their names to him.
Looking at her falter a bit, but seeing her expression frown, Cerbin could have smiled for a moment. He had always observed humans before, never interacting with them, but it was enough to notice how their conversations usually go when they're mad. He espcially liked their expressions. Though, Cerbin wasn't much for smiles. Instead, he just blinked and looked back down. "It would be more welcoming to talk to you if you sat down too you know," he said before sighing once more. "Okay then. If you want to know if I'm safe, then yes. I think that was proven in the fact that my familiar was here all night," Cerbin paused to slowly look back up. " and you and the children are still alive." It was good enough proof to him. The fact that if he couldn't be trusted, he'd take advantage of the situation. "The real question is how are your wounds healed so quickly? Though you could just say that there is a remedy that makes you heal faster. I'll buy that too. However, for the longest time, you've been giving me an itching sensation in my nose. So I'll cut to the chase. Are you a human being, or are you a demon? If you say you're a human then I'll just blame this itch on your perfume or whatever. If you say you're a demon, then I'll ask, why are you an exorcist. Based on that answer, you'll either find out more about why my familiar was in the shadow of one of our students, or you won't see me ever again." Putting the emphasis on their sharing of watch over the children Cerbin slowly stood up. He didn't like looking up while talking to a person and he also didn't want the woman to attack him upon guessing his lineage. Though, doing something completely unhuman like by basically burning the bush instead of beating it, he was once again in lead in this conversation. "Wait a second," he said to the woman backing away slightly. Slowly, he moved his hands to his back where he kept his weapons. Just as slowly as he reached, did he grab them and set them at his feet.
"Words. No need to complicate things with action." Even if she might have been a demon, Cerbin wasn't going to risk the human reactions coming out of her. He might have been dodging God knows what already if he wasn't so calm.
“Alright I’ll sit if it makes you feel any comfortable.” she said drily as she kneeled on the ground across from him. It was an odd way of sitting, at least for some people, and if one was not used to it, it could be very uncomfortable. However Ryuu had long ago gotten over the pins and needles from her “lady” training when she was younger. Watching him with wary eyes Ryuu understood his point but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t trust him any more than she had before. “What my question is why would you have your familiar follow.” She left it up for discussion but it was brushed aside by his questions.
She raised her brow at his questions, they made her slightly uncomfortable but she knew now wasn’t the time for her to be stubborn or prideful. "My wounds haven’t healed much since yesterday. Throwing that pole at you made my ribs ache but you are right about latter. I do have a remedy that speeds up healing I guess you could say but it’s more of a balm to quell the pain. “ While talking Ryuus hand had gone to her side and she grimaced slightly, but she paused as he continued speaking. I make your nose itch?, “What sort of nose do you have?” she spoke in a lighter tone than before. However his next question ruined that light mood the moment he asked her if she was human. A cold look passed over her demeanor as silence filled the air for a brief moment.
During that silence, all Ryuu could wonder was how she’d answer his question. “I’m human but I am not. The blood inside me is of both human and demonic blood; however I prefer to be considered human. “ she looked down at her arms, rubbing them as goose bumps danced across her skin before disappearing. “And you? I assume you yourself are not human or are you a half breed?” tilting her head to the side as she watched him with curious eyes. The curiosity soon dissipated to one of wariness upon him standing up. At the sight of his weapons Ryuu tensed ready to move least he chose to attack her but his words did little to relax her. Watching him through narrowed eyes, Ryuu herself stood up soon sat back down in a different position. “Tell me, what is your relationship with Aura? Or was she just someone who happened to be the perfect candidate for your familiar to ride on?”
Cerbin's eyes widened as she said she'd rather be considered a human. He never even though one could do that. "I see." That was the only phrase that left his mouth for he just wanted to see if she'd tell him. "Hmm. I guess you can say I'm a demon through and through. Though, if rankings mean anything to you, then I guess I'm a half breed in the demon terms of speaking. That's why my human features aren't perfect. Though I'm surprised. I actually got through your systems this way. I bet you're also surprised. Well, since you trusted me enough to share your circumstances I should show you respect by showing mine." Cerbin snapped his fingers, making Malice show up from his shadow. The demonic figure growled at his call and winced as Cerbin placed his hand on his head. Petting the beast, Cerbin let go of another sigh before putting a peice of candy in his mouth. "So what should I say? The girl. Aura. She's special you know. I'm not sure what knowledge people of earth have on the other realms, but there has been some falter between the two. Long ago, my master fell in love with an angel. Not only just an angel, but the current seraphim. The highest ranking of angels. They had a child and then everything changed. Look, I'm not one to ask too many questions. I only have basic knowledge over things. Like how the girl will one day be a deciding factor in a long term conflict. I am only here to protect her and give her guidence when the time is right. She's not evil. You should know that yourself. I also don't think that she's any danger to you. However, she is my masters daughter and I will do anything to protect her. So please," Cerbin scooted around the table and bowed down towards the woman. "Please, just let me do my job and protect her. Me and my brother mean no harm to you or any of these children. If you promise me that you wont let a soul know of this, not even her, then I, in turn, promise you that I'll do my job as an instructor and protect the rest of the children
as well as her.
Raising himself up Cerbin looked the woman in the eyes once more. "By the way, Cerbin is not my real name. In Inferno, I am refered to as a lot of things, but seeing as my master is the current Satan, people of this world would know me as a Cerberous. I'd rather not go into my actual family lines if you don't mind."
The more Cerbin spoke the less she understood, or rather the more it sounded crazy. Although she herself had only heard rumors about the other realms she never really thought much about them until today. Ryuu was surprised but also angry at how easily he bowed to her, it reminded her of her younger years with her family. Thinking back on it Ryuu never liked the idea of someone bowing their heads to her she considered it an act that only the weak would commit, but it seems today was the exception of it. Glaring at his bowed head, Ryuu slowly stood up, "Get up, and you call yourself a demon." she laughed rolling her eyes at Cerbin. Seeing that he was still bowing to her she repeated herself but in a much harsher tone.
After pacing the room for a short while, Ryuu finally turned to face Cerbin, or Cerberous, to give him her response to all of what he has just said. "I won't tell the others of her origin but she needs to know what's going on with her body. I know for a fact that the next couple of days are going to be hell for her because I went through the same experience when my blood awakened. I won't tell her who her parents are but she needs to know that she carries in her demon blood. If the others, especially those damned old fools, knew of her existence they will not hesitate to end her life." She looked at him with a serious frown. Ryuu wasn't sure why she agreed to any of this, it may have been because Aura was her student or that she knew of what the younger girl was going through.
Although now that she thought about it, those Lesser Demons showing up may have been because of Aura. "So if she's the daughter of such important people why did he send her here of all places? If she's in danger because of her heritage then she'll be a danger to all of the students and I can't risk that. We'll need to protect her from herself or to at least teach her how to control it.
"I'm not sure that's even necessary." Cerbin reached around his kneck and pulled on one of the chains, revealing a small pendent that looked like an average rock. "This pendent holds the potential to give her more power than I. Though I can't go into detail, because she's not part human she shouldn't have to be treated that much differently then the other children. I'm not going to give this to her until I'm told to either. However, if you insist on teaching her control, then that is fine with me. I never wanted for her to have an obscure childhood so I won't have her being seperated from the rest in her group. Also," Cerbin's eyes narrowed. "The reason for those demons attacking us had little to do with her. I've kept them away for all this time, there'd be no way they'd get the slip on me that easily. Not to mention, if you saw a demon that looked as human as me, then you should probably stay away from them. They're not thetype of demons I'm sure you're use to fighting. Even I believe I must prepare for another encounter with them. Down the road of course." Cerbin rested his head on his wrist, looking at the now resting dog on his lap. "The pendent isn't also a source of power for her to bear when she's ready. It's also something more I believe. Earth is definitely the safest place for now. Believe me, out of all the other places, this is best. As for how she got into an exorcist academy. Though it is ironic, I wasn't the one who chose this route for her. I've merely been a protector."
Ryuu listened to Cerbin, although he did have a point it was never Ryuu's intention of separating Aura because of her heritage. Mindlessly Ryuu brought her fingers up to cradle her cSherpas she thought a bit more. This involved Ryuu to begin pacing once more, "So that pendent will give her power, even more so than your own?" It was a rhetorical question but she wouldn't be surprised if a Cerbin answered. Placing a hand on her hip, Ryuu reached out towards Cerbin with an open hand, "May I see?" Realizing what it was she was asking of him she snorted, "I'm not going to do anything with it. I just want to see it." Whether Cerbin handed it to her or not, Ryuu had an idea formulating in her mind although she knew Cerbin may be against it. "But yostolidly haven't answered my question Cerbin. Why did they send you here with Aura? How could Earth be the safest place from her. What is it that you're protecting her from? I'd very much like to know so that I can prepare her if neither of us are with her." Her eyes narrowed and she knew Cerbin knew that it was a possibility.
Cerbin. still keeping eye contact, felt the stone around in his hand. He had never once let anyone else hold it before. Though, he did believe that if he was going to trust this woman then he would have let go of his uncomfortable feeling. Holding out by it's chain, Cerbin nodded. "It should give her more power. If anything, it'll bring her close to most superior demons powers. Those who've been alive for more than a century or so." He wasn't even adding in his thoughts on how it would affect the angel part of the girl. In all honesty he wasn't even sure if it'd do anything at all. When aked again why he brought the girl to earth, he looked at the candy wrapper in his hand, playing with it a little. "Other than the fact that the demons and angels most likely would love her to die, there has also been a mess made in both Heaven and Inferno. A serious one. I'm not sure how it came to be myself, but, once the girl was born, both places lost power in their gates. Though I'm not really sure about everything that happened in Heaven, in Inferno, all the demon princes barriers and even my masters, became weaker. The barriers were made to keep non superior demons away from earth. As I'm sure you know, back in the past, hundreds upon hundreds of years ago, demons use to scatter around the human world, murdering and haunting humans. However, once the barriers were set up, they started being rare to see on earth. However, about sixteen years ago, I'm sure even you were informed that the number of demons showing their faces in this realm have increased. Look at what happened the other day. That was no attack on the girl, for when demons do go to attack her, they usually try to go just for her before they meet me. However, those demons were going for whoever they could get there hands on. Usually, demons would go for her because most think she is an abomination. Some actually want the gates at full power again. Others want the prize that's on her head. Though I can assure you that
she's safe to be left alone. Trust me." Pointing at the stone in the womans hand, Cerbin finally dropped his stoic gaze and smiled slightly. "That stone is what they follow after, not her. All demons can sense it. However, because her power is small for the moment, she isn't noticed by most demons." The man thought back to when he had seen Bavol talking to the girl. He was right in thinking that she couldn't feel the girls power for what it really was. Otherwise, why wouldn't she attack her? "So, to answer all your questions again, Inferno is a bad place for her, becuase demons want her dead. The angel's think of her as an abomination, and the humans. Well they seem to get along with her. Making this the best place for her to be in my opinion. As long as I keep the stone, they'll come at me for the time being, and I expect when it's time to give it to her, we wont need to be here anymore." Cerbin's smile faded and his gaze went a little sour at the thought. It was true the girl would probably go back to Inferno with her father, but, could he also go back? It was a question he had on his mind ever since the day that he left.
Where..am..I? resonated the first thought of the day within Aura's head, her crimson orbs, groggily, taking in her surroundings. Confusion settled as those vermilion hues trained themselves on the plastered ceiling, her mind racing to piece together the events that led to this moment. A slight frown etched its way onto her rosebud mouth as flashback after flashback appeared, the encasing pillowed futon suddenly fading away. That's right.... I was......then that... Consumed by the memories, the Tamer's gaze took on a glossy quality, any and all attention long gone. In fact, it wasn't until a sparrow flitted past the window, it's shadow creating a break in the filtering afternoon sun, that Aura made the move to get up. Pulling her upper body into a sitting position, the girl only flinched slightly at the tenderness, any signs of the sharp pain erased. Running a hand over her scalp, a vain attempt to calm her snowy-golden mess, a small huff escaped its confines in discontent.
Lazily shuffling through the stretched hallways, her sock hidden feet barely making a sound, Aura's orbs flickered into every open room in hopes of spying another soul. Raising a hand to prevent a yawn, the girl took a momentary pause of disgust as she noticed how grubby her uniform was, dirt and blood evident on the cloth. "How disgusting.. I wonder if Ms. Shosuke has something I can change into..? I really hope she does.." mused out her ramblings, her sleep deprived state inducing such madmen behavior. However, her voice was stifled as other sounds drifted from a room further down the hall, her eyes immediately narrowing in wary curiousity. Cautiously approaching the cracked screen, that narrowed gaze widen just slightly spying her teacher and another staff member together around a table, their eyes holding severity. Ducking out of view, Aura came to standstill on the other side of the wall, absentmindedly chewing on her lower lip. I..I really shouldn't be here... it sounds important.. And spying like this-! It's... was her inner turmoil, her intrigue beginning to outweigh the morality of what she was doing. Stop it-! Everyone has secrets.. leave them be. Exhaling a heavy sigh, the Tamer was about to trudge back upstairs when the whisper of her name appeared, that intrigue flaring.
Heartbeat faltering, the snowy-crowned girl felt her blood turn to ice as each tidbit of news burrowed into her memory, each one driving deeper and deeper. Drawing in a shaky breath, eyes wide, a tremble began to rack her hands, only a single thought echoing. I'm..not...human... Satan is my..father? That means.. I'm.. In response, Aura's chin began to quiver and a wave of sickness washed over her. Feeling her knees give out, the Tamer slumped to the floor in a ruckus, gazing drifting off with a mocking voice whsipering I knew it..
Ryuu listened with interest, her hand againgst her chin as she began to think on the many outcomes that could ensue if anyone found out about Aura. "They did inform me, but never explained why. Now I wonder what other secrets they've kept to themselves. I'm sure they figured out what may have happened." thinking on it more, Ryuu continued, " That may not be a good idea, to keep it to yourself Cerbin, considering we crossed paths with others like you they may have been able to put two-to-two together and may be informing their superios as we speak. I know you don't want her to have any part of it, but as I said before, she will need to prepare herself if the day ever comes where she will need that power." Ryuu let her words sink in, resuming her pacing of the room.
Scratching the back of her head, Ryuu sighed. God, I'm going to get grey hairs before 60 Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Ryuu spoke, " We'll have to discuss this later-" suddenly a loud ruckus could be heard just outside the room. Turning quickly Ryuu rushed to the screen door and slide it open with a loud snap. A look of anger flashed across her face, thinking Julius had come to eavesdrop but the person who sat there was the last person she wanted there. "Damn." stepping to the side so Cerbin could see who it was Ryuu frowned. "How long have you been there Aurorali?" Using the girls fullname seemed to hint towards the seriousness of the situation. Turning to Cerbin she shrugged her shoulders, " Cerbin I leave you to this, I need to check on my students." she gave him an apologetic look but she really did. Ryuu couldn't exactly leave Julius the way he was at this point.
Hearing the noise and sniffing the air a little, Cerbin's brows fowned a little, displeased by what he had smelled. It seemed while he wasn't thinking the who he had tried to keep in the dark about the whole matter was just outside the door. He followed Ryuu and saw her dropped on the floor looking as if she had seen a ghost. He didn't expect the red headed woman to shove past her view. It was more expected of her to try to talk to the girl, but once hearing her words, Cerbin realized that task had belonged to him. Which was as it should of been he thought. "Okay," Cerbin nodded to the womans words, "but, make sure you aquaint yourself with our newest student." It wasn't as if he had cared, but the demon didn't think that introductions should have been held back long for the boy. It was him who brought the kid there afterall. Looking down at the girl, Cerbin took a few steps forward then crouched down on the balls of his feet to get closer to eye level with her. "Is it shocking," he asked, staring at her with no feeling. "I always wondered, from the day you were a baby, how much of a shock it'd be for you to be told that you were the daughter of Satan. Not only that, but you're also the daughter of a seraphin." Cerbin gave the girl time to absorb all of the information that she had been delivered. With a heavy sigh, he once again spoke. "You should relax. I know it's a lot to take in, but, since you know earlier than when was expected, you don't have to take it all in now. I'll give you till the end of the weekend. After that, I suppose the red haired one will have you train hard for what might be to come. As for me... well... until told otherwise, I'll still just be your teacher. If you ever want to come to me for anything I'll always be there. However, you should know, one day, you will be asked to leave this place."
Standing up, Cerbin threw a peice of candy in his mouth, lowly grunting at the fact that it was his last piece. Though, it probably wasn't only the candy that caused the grunt. For now that the girl knew a good bit about what she was, he had to wonder, would she accept it? Sure, Cerbin could lead her on the path that her father had wanted for her, but if she had decided to stray from it, could he make her do what was told. All these questions piled up into his head. It was also a question of what her father truly wanted for her. Though, it wasn't his place to question anything. No. It was only his place to complete the orders given to him. He once again looked down at the girl and stuck out his hand. "You should get up. I'll see if the woman outside has any more need for you. Otherwise, I'd advise you let me take you back to the campus so you can go home and change." Malice came from around Cerbin, nudging against his leg, only to dissapear in his shadow.