Fandom The Gathering of Death Eater Children

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn nodded smilingly and walked back the same way with Alastair. She was surprised to see Reign all of sudden. She wondered why he suggested his house to Alastair.

...have they been planning something which I have no knowledge about... She thought confused as she recalled the time they had spent at Diana's place. Aislinn remembered that both Alastair and Reign had been sitting together while she had remained with Diana in the kitchen area. ...but that was before we met Eric... Aislinn was even more confused and were silent the remainder of the boat trip. She glanced occasionally at Reign as if she was trying to guess who he had known where to find her and Alastair. She wanted to question the latter about it but could not bring herself to say a word in front of Reign because he was too quiet as if his silence forbade her to open her mouth. …Reign is so odd...

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

When she asks... Alastair decided. I shall answer.

And so, the ride passed in silence. They sailed away from the island until they reached a quiet place where no homes were built. The island could be seen in the distance, close enough to make out vague details of some houses. There was a collection of large, pale blue mountains, floating like icebergs on the water. Reign circled around one of them, and in its back there was a deep opening like a cave. They went inside, gliding past neatly paved walls and ceilings which seemed too smooth to be made out of the mountain. The light came from red paper lanterns in the Chinese style, which floated at strategic places for ample light. At the end of the cave, there was an area of flat stone, and wide, smooth steps leading upward. Reign gently laid the oar down, and got out of the boat.

As soon as his foot touched the stone, a large oil painting appeared, completely blocking the staircase with the exception of three steps. Reign secured the boat while Alastair stepped out and turned to assist Aislynn. Inside the painting, which moved like a Wizarding painting, a Japanese lady was kneeling on a cushion in front of a low table. She busily wrote things on a long scroll with the assistance of a bright candle and a sharp-tipped paintbrush. She wore a multi-coloured, flowing kimono, and her hair was in a very elegant style. Behind her, a pair of sliding paper doors was shut; and beyond them, it was dark, like it was night time in the painting.

"After you." Reign said politely, gesturing toward the painting.

Alastair nodded to him, and held out his arm so that he would escort Aislynn. "We will be walking through the portrait." Alastair explained, trying to remember if wizards in Britain entered paintings regularly. "Not like at the Plaza...we went past them there...But here, we will be physically entering it." he finished as they reached the top of the third step, now directly in front of the painting. They walked through together, and they entered the small room where the lady was working. The room was made out of polished wood, and contained nothing but her table and cushion.

She looked as if she had been painted, for her skin was pale and smooth like porcelain, not like human skin at all. Her long dark hair had an unreal gloss to it, unlike her plain black eyes, which had no depth at all. She did not look up from her work until Reign entered a second later. "Good evening." she said to Reign, standing up elegantly bowing to him. She have him her full attention as she asked, her voice showing hints of defensiveness. "Are these guests of yours?"

"Yes." Reign replied, his tone calm, and the lady seemed suddenly less tense. She walked away to open the sliding paper doors for them, then went back to writing things down on her scroll, but this time she wrote all three of their names, and the time they had arrived.

"Thank you." Reign said as he walked out. Alastair and Aislynn followed behind him.

Outside was a breathtaking Japanese garden, with wide, smooth paths and a lake that seemed to go on forever, until it reached the sky. The moon, which seems to be so large, and close enough to walk to and physically touch, glowed a pale white and reflected in the lake's glassy surface. The garden had pink, purple, and blended purple and white Cherry trees, ranging from ten feet tall to twenty two. There were waterfalls at different places, and they seemed more quiet than the ones in the Human World. A few times, the path they were on branched off in a different direction, but Reign kept walking on the main path. There was lots of thick grass, and many different kinds of plants and flowers; Morning Glories, Lavender, Hydrangeas, Amaryllis, some very fragrant mint bushes, and many other ones that were not found in the Human World. Delicious looking berries and some other things which would make a person do a double-take.

"These are surprising." Alastair said, pointing to a bush with pieces of licorice candy growing on it as if it were a normal thing. "And these as well..." he laughed softly, pointing to a bush with fine China teacups growing on it. Another bush had varied slices of pie, and another had steaming bowls of varied soups. The odd thing was, even if the soup or pie was facing an odd angle, nothing spilled from it. "And this is why Reign doesn't have to cook anything." Alastair joked.

They crossed a small bridge which was built across the lake, and then they saw a bend in the path up ahead. Then they reached a pair of sliding paper doors which were built into an entryway with a traditional Japanese style roof.

Reign slid the doors open, and they were met by another wonderful view.

Just as before, the garden and lake could be seen, but this time there were large pale blue mountains behind it, and bits of them were illuminated in the moonlight. To the right of the room, polished wooden stairs went upward. They ventured to the left, through a corridor. To their left, there were different sets of sliding paper doors, each of them closed. Their right was open, exposing more of the garden, which seemed endless.

When they reached a sitting room, Reign gestured welcomingly with his arm, meaning that they should make themselves at home.

There was a low, square table with two cushions at opposite sides, and round beige paper lamps hanging from the ceiling.

There were hallways on both sides and another set of open paper doors at the front.

There was a large willow tree planted just outside. Its leaves made a curtain which framed the opening nicely. There was a shallow pond with rippling water, and a bridge which lead to the other side of the pond, where there was even more of the garden.

"Would you like any tea?" Reign asked politely.

"Yes, please." Alastair said. "Some ginger tea, please, with a bit of honey."

Reign nodded once, then turned to Aislynn, expecting her answer. He had a very serene look in his eyes; he was clearly happy to return to his home. The whole place had an aura of extreme...serenity...it was difficult to describe, but it felt so soothing to be there. It was ten times the effect that the temple in Japan had given them.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Alright..." Aislinn nodded, not finding it odd at all to walk through the portrait. Though what she found odd was the lady who greeted them. Perhaps she is not used to have guests that often... Aislinn thought as she noticed how the lady relaxed a bit when she knew that they were guests of Reign. ...I wonder who she is? Is she a family member, a servant or someone who is guarding the entrance to this place? Aislinn was curious and wanted to know but she remained silent as they walked through the paper doors because she could not bring herself to ask or even communicate with Reign. ...Because he is so odd that I can hardly speak with him like I speak with others...

As they walked out in a charming garden, Aislinn wondered where the smaller paths were leading to as she walked on the main path with Alastair and if Reign would show them around in his place. I doubt...he is so quiet and reserved that I think he is not the kind of person who like to show around in his home... She thought for herself as she glanced around and tried to catch everything of the view.

"These are surprising." Alastair said, pointing to a bush with pieces of liquorice candy growing on it as if it were a normal thing. "And these as well..." he laughed softly, pointing to a bush with fine China teacups growing on it. Another bush had varied slices of pie, and another had steaming bowls of varied soups. The odd thing was, even if the soup or pie was facing an odd angle, nothing spilled from it. "And this is why Reign doesn't have to cook anything." Alastair joked.

"That's genius..." Aislinn laughed though her eyes were mostly on the bush with pieces of liquorice candy growing on it. She wants to pick one, just one candy and pop it in her mouth and chew it slowly. But she did not dare to touch the bush because Reign was different from Diana. Aislinn knew that if it had been Diana who had these kinds of bushes, she would have offered Aislinn to take some. But Reign was quiet.

They continued to walk and Aislinn seemed to lose track of orientation when they had reached a sitting room. She immediately sat on a cushion, making herself comfortable as soon as Reign gestured with his arm.

"Would you like any tea?" Reign asked politely.

"Yes, please." Alastair said. "Some ginger tea, please, with a bit of honey."

Reign nodded once, then turned to Aislinn, expecting her answer.

"Liquorice tea," She replied without thinking.

...Did I say Earl Grey…? .. She thought a couple of minutes later. …I think I did... The place reminded her of the temple she had visited with Alastair in Japan. She sighed happily. It was as if the place soothed her soul that she forgot where she was. She forgot that she was in the demon realm, that her body remained outside in the human world. She almost forgot everything, feeling that she could remain in this serene place in eternity. ...Together with Alastair...yes, I want to remain here with him in all eternity... She smiled romantically towards Alastair.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Licorice tea." Aislynn said.

Reign nodded elegantly, and then walked out of the room.

Licorice tea...what an interesting choice...How did she know that he had it available? She must be so accustomed to paying attention to her surroundings that she noticed he had a bush with that sort of tea when we first entered the garden... Alastair thought, walking to take a seat opposite her, kneeling on the cushion. He was met by a very romantic smile from Aislynn moments later, which pleasantly surprised him. Returning it, he explained "When Reign returns, he will ask 'Is there anything else you would like?', and by that he means if you'd like anything from the bushes. Do feel free to request whatever you wish."

And before anything else could be said, Reign returned with two steaming cups of tea, held carefully on a tray. He moved with such elegance that it looked as if he was incapable of any sort of accidents.

Alastair's ginger with honey came with three biscuits with a light drizzle of French vanilla frosting on them. Aislynn's licorice tea smelled so fragrant and lovely, and had three pieces of black licorice from the bush beside it. "Thank you." Alastair said when Reign gently placed their cups in front of them. "The biscuits compliment the tea so well; I am surprised that you remembered I enjoyed them last time."

Reign nodded, "Of course." Then, addressing them both, he asked "Is there anything else you desire?"

"No, thank you." Alastair answered. I wonder... Alastair thought ...Aislynn certainly must have more questions... he decided. While we get ready, I will answer more questions...I simply wonder how long it will take me to explain it all? And when we do separate, will she continue to visit this world? She could not, not without a demon...But then, will she miss this world? I can imagine her lamenting the fact that she can neither meet my uncle anymore, as she will surely come to love him as a friend, and to never again be able to visit this world...Humans cannot live here...unless...

When Aislynn also replied with 'no', Reign bowed gracefully before leaving the room.

"Do you have any questions?" Alastair asked once Reign had left.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Oh..." Aislinn exclaimed delighted. ...Anything from the bushes...then I will request licorices hehe...

She prepared herself mentally to kindly ask Reign for licorices as soon as he came back with a tray. But when she saw what he placed in front of her she was so surprised that she got speechless. A cup of tea with three pieces of licorices at her saucer. She could smell the faint smell of liquorice from her cup. ...how...how did he know…?

"Thank you." Alastair said when Reign gently placed their cups in front of them. "The biscuits compliment the tea so well; I am surprised that you remembered I enjoyed them last time."

Reign nodded, "Of course." Then, addressing them both, he asked "Is there anything else you desire?"

"No, thank you." Alastair answered.

"Erhm...no thank you…" Aislinn replied, blushing.

Reign bowed gracefully before leaving the room.

"Do you have any questions?" Alastair asked once Reign had left.

"Eh...why does he...I mean Reign...why does he not sit with us?" She asked. "By the way, how did he know I like liquorice?" She added and then in a whisper: "Does...does he read minds?"

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Eh...why does he...I mean Reign...why does he not sit with us?" Aislynn asked. "By the way, how did he know I like licorice?" She added, and then in a whisper: "Does...does he read minds?"

Alastair sighed, his face showing the beginning of a laugh, though no laughter came. "Do not worry; he cannot read minds. And if he could I would have warned you." he said genuinely, yet with a look in his eyes that said Aislynn should have known better than to assume he would neglect such an important thing. "Every demon has a special magical power that is usually unique, either to the individual, or to people related to that individual..." You already know mine...My father had the same charming ability. He thought bitterly. "Reign can see what will happen next, but only if it will benefit or affect him. For instance, you would have asked for the licorice candies from his bush, so he brought them to you before you asked, henceforth pleasing you. Logically, it would benefit him because he aims to please me, and seeing you pleased would please me." he paused a moment, to see if she was following his explanation. "Now, as for the reason he isn't sitting with us now..." he lowered his voice "...I suppose I should begin with why he left us earlier." he meant, of course, at Diana's house. "You are still getting used to this world; a difficult task on its own. In addition to that, you must also become accustomed to Diana and Reign, as well as others you will meet. He doesn't wish to overwhelm you, since many people have trouble getting along with him. So he is trying to limit the time you spend with him...He forgot his stone intentionally back then because he knew...He meant for Diana to leave us as well, to bring it back to him, so that she wouldn't become a nuisance to you on our tour..." His tone suggested that he fully understood Reign's reasons, but did not approve of them himself. She will get used to him...But if he keeps avoiding her then it won't happen soon...And now, will she go to him and convince him it is fine for him to sit with us? Assuming that she will not, I shall...Reign, you're not a nuisance at all; you couldn't make yourself any less scarce in any situation...

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn listened carefully, trying to process what Alastair had just told her. So far, she understood Reign's ability. But the second thing Alastair told her about was confusing her.

"I think I understand...they do not wish to become a nuisance..." She said slowly as if she was tasting on each word she spoke. She took a sip of her liquorice tea, swallowing it slowly, enjoying its taste as she wondered how other could dislike it. ...liquorice is lovely as chocolate...with a distinct and unique taste of its own...

"But..." She said after a second. "…This is Reign's house. And we are his guests, aren't we? Is he not supposed to sit with his guests?" …he is odder than I imagined.... She thought and tried to imagine how it would be like if she had guests at her own place but left them alone on their own. She nearly laughed at her own thoughts and tried to keep a straight face as she drank her tea slowly.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"A host is supposed to sit with his guests." Alastair agreed, still not touching his tea. He was about to excuse himself to insist that Reign join them when Reign entered the room as if nothing had happened.

"Your tea grows colder." Reign said simply to Alastair.

And he knew that I would go to him, so he decided to come himself, rather than let my tea get any colder? That was his logic... Alastair thought as he took his first sip of tea.

Seeing Alastair's face relax when he tasted the tea, Reign sat on a cushion that was far from their table; it was close to the corner created by the back wall and the pillar of the adjoined hallway. He looked away from them, to the view of the lake and garden outside, a serene look in his eyes, his legs crossed and his hands placed before him, one on top of the other.

"Aislynn?" Alastair spoke a moment later, as if it was normal for Reign to sit so far away, "Would you like to change into your costume now so that I may begin with your hair?" he suggested. "There is an empty room-" he handed her her costume "-to the left of this one. "

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was surprised to see Reign enter the room. She had not been expecting him to come back. …did he just remember that he had guests… She thought sarcastically whilst sipping her tea. She tried not to look at him as she popped a bit of liquorice in her mouth, chewing it slowly. But she could not help but stare when she saw that he chose to sit far away from the table. ...he is not very social...hardly social...he makes it so difficult for others to get along with him...if others are having trouble getting along with him then it is his fault... She reasoned with herself.

"Aislynn?" Alastair spoke a moment later, as if it was normal for Reign to sit so far away, "Would you like to change into your costume now so that I may begin with your hair?" he suggested.

"Of course," Aislinn nodded and finished her remaining tea.

"There is an empty room-" he handed her costume "-to the left of this one. "

She popped the remaining licorices in her mouth before taking her costume.

She followed his direction whilst walking out from the room. Left to this room... She was suddenly feeling slightly uncomfortable but quickly changed into her new costume as soon as she found the empty room which Alastair had suggested. A couple of minutes later, Aislinn walked back to the room which Alastair and Reign were occupying.

"You make my hair and I will comb yours," She suggested to Alastair, with a romantic smile. She ignored if Reign was present or not. Since he, according to her, was an unsocial type of person, she had already decided to not make herself trouble of trying to get along with him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"You make my hair and I will comb yours," She suggested to Alastair, with a romantic smile.

Alastair stood and gestured to Aislynn's cushion for her to sit. "That isn't necessary, my lady...Now, do you have something particular in mind, or would you like for me to surprise you?" he asked before she could retort. The idea of her combing my hair... He pushed the idea from his mind quickly.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"…Well..." Aislinn shrugged, having no idea at all. She was disturbed by the fact that Alastair had refused her idea and therefor she remained standing instead for taking her seat on the cushion.

"…Honestly, I do not have anything on my mind...so you may surprise me with something if you allow me to comb your hair?" She said with a sly smile. She was not going to give up this time.
"Since you suggested me to choose an attire for you...I'd also like...no, not like, but love to comb your hair....please!"

She looked at him for several minutes, thinking of a way to persuade him to have her way when she suddenly got an idea. ...well...it is worth the try.. She thought, her heart skipping two beats at once.

"It is an order from your lady..." She spoke calmly and gave him the look that if he did not allow her to have her way, she won't be happy or satisfied. ...it is just a love thing...really... She thought with a sigh, fearing that he would look at her with his intense look as usual and refuse her request once more.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"...Honestly, I do not have anything on my mind...so you may surprise me with something if you allow me to comb your hair?" She said with a sly smile.

Is that your attempt at cleverness? I do not wish to-

"Since you suggested me to choose an attire for you...I'd also like...no, not like, but love to comb your hair....please!"

No...out of the question! "No thank you, my lady." Alastair said calmly, gesturing to her cushion again. Please refrain from repeating your request.

Reign was watching with interest in his eyes as there was silence between the two; Alastair remained standing where he was, his eyes on Aislynn and his hand gesturing toward her cushion.

Alastair expected her to shrug and be seated, but then she surprised him in such a way that he could never have imagined.

"It is an order from your lady."

How....how could you use those words? Why...no, how do you know...Alastair was shocked, his eyes wide and his lips slightly parted. Then, as if under actual orders, he immediately knelt down on her cushion, his head bent in genuine repentance. "Yes, my lady." he replied, his tone far too serious to be joking, or even acting. At the same time, a comb, and a hairbrush appeared on the table. "I apologize for making you repeat yourself." he said, his eyes closed.

Reign was visibly taken aback, the tips of his fingers at his mouth in shock.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was astonished. She stared wide eyed at Alastair for several minutes before she managed to move her limbs to kneel down and sit behind him. She had not been expecting him to subdue to her and be easily persuaded by a simple word she had used. …An order...

"Please don't apologize to me..." She whispered softly into his ear, hugging him from behind and taking in the scent from his hair. She had to force herself to release him from her hug because she remembered that they were not for themselves in their carriage but being guests at Reign who apparently was present.

...I did not mean to order him... She thought softly as she touched Alastair's hair gently and tenderly. She picked up the brush with her right hand and started to brush his hair tenderly and carefully. At the same time, she caressed and combed his hair lovingly with her left fingers. She brushed his hair for nearly what she felt like was two minutes and then she put down the brush and picked up the comb. Whilst combing tenderly she also caressed his hair lovingly with her free hand as well. After what she felt like being two minutes, she put down the comb.

"Now it's your turn to fix my hair, please," Aislinn giggled. While she exchanged her place with Alastair, she smiled romantically and happily towards him.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Please don't apologize to me.." Surprised, his eyes snapped open. Her hands...they're so soft...he thought as he felt her embrace. He lifted his head so that he was no longer facing the floor, but tilted slightly to the left, touching Aislynn's chest. So soft... he thought again when she released him and began brushing his hair with one hand and caressing it with her other. He let out a quiet sigh of deep pleasure, his eyes closed again.

Reign had looked away again, back out the window.

"Now it's your turn to fix my hair, please," Aislinn giggled.

Alastair nodded, and as they switched places Aislynn smiled romantically and happily towards him. He returned her smile with a contented and appreciative one. I didn't think it would be so... there was no word, only a very sweet feeling he had felt. "Tilt your head back, please." he instructed, his voice warm, and a pitcher of warm water and a small bowl of a pink, creamy substance appeared on the table.

As she did so, he picked up his tea cup, took a sip, then began. He picked up the water and poured it slowly; it was the perfect temperature, neither too warm, nor too cold. The water didn't seem to reach the floor, only her hair. He took another sip of his tea, then, he picked up the bowl of the creamy substance and gently began rubbing it into her scalp and hair with his fingers. It smelled of varied berries, but mostly strawberry, and created foamy bubbles like shampoo, yet with the consistency of conditioner. Another sip of tea, then he poured the remaining water, rinsing her hair thoroughly. On the whole, the experience had been closer to a lovely massage than anything else, with all of his gentleness. Once, a drop of water had threatened to enter her right eye, but he used a handkerchief to dab it before it reached past her eyebrow. "Apologies." he said politely as he put the handkerchief away.

He finished his tea, and his cup and saucer, the empty pitcher and bowl disappeared, to be replaced with a hair dryer and a curling iron, both without the usual cords that Muggle ones had. He used the hair dryer and the brush together to dry her hair, without burning her once. He seemed to alternate areas and angles in a way that never let her scalp even become too warm before he moved to another spot. The hair dryer only made a soft whirring sound as he worked, and within a mere minute her hair was completely dry. Next, he picked up the curling iron. Both tools seemed to have been powered by his magic. Once finished, Alastair asked, "Your thoughts, my lady?" He had taken a step back, and all of the tools had disappeared, to be replaced with a hand-held mirror large enough for her to see her entire face and hair in; not the cheap, small ones that Muggles sell so that you can only see a bit of your face.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn tilted her head back and wondered what Alastair had on his mind when he started to work on her hair. She had thought that he would usually style it with just using a brush and some pins, but to her surprise he did more than that. She smiled as she closed her eyes, wishing that he would massage her head for eternity.

...If I knew...I would have washed his hair and not only brushing and combing it...ah sometimes I do not get the brilliant ideas at once...though I shall remember to give him the same treatment once we are back in the human realm... She thought, knowing that he would not be able to refuse her request. …Not when it is an order from his lady… She nearly felt ashamed of her thought but then tried to soothe her mind that it was his choice to view himself as someone lower than her.

She heard him apologizing to her during the procedure and she rolled her eyes wondering why on earth he was apologizing to her. She had felt a water drop gliding through her forehead and reaching her eyebrow. ...Was Alastair apologizing for that...Merlin's beard...if he only knew how many times, I would get soap in my eyes whenever I showered... She bit her lower lip hard to suppress her laughter and literary sneezed to avoid laughing out aloud.

"Your thoughts, my lady?" Alastair asked once he had finished, handing Aislinn a large handheld mirror.

"Oh..." She had neither been expecting he would curl her hair nor that it would look as if it was thicker than usual. Her long bangs had been curled sideways and looked to be part of the other curls that it looked like as if she did not have any bangs. ...I wonder if this is his favorite hairstyle for ladies... She thought for herself. "It is lovely..." She said gratefully and looked up at him with a smile.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"It is lovely..."

Alastair smiled in a way that meant he was overjoyed at her satisfaction. "Then I shall go change into my costume. Permit me a moment, please." he said as he walked away, to the same room Aislynn had used.

Reign remained silently admiring the exterior's view from where he sat until Alastair returned.

"I am ready, my lady." Alastair said, re-entering the room a minute later in his costume. "We have enough time to arrive early, which is always preferable over tardiness. Shall we?" He asked charmingly, nearing her and extending his arm.

Reign stood, and walked past them.

"Reign is coming as well; he is a good friend of my uncle." Alastair explained as they followed him back the way they had come.

"Take what you wish; the amount is up to you entirely." Reign said politely without looking back, his quiet words clearly meant for Aislynn. He had happened to say it the moment her eyes fell on a bush that had interested her.

Upon returning to the room from which they had entered, they saw that the lady was still hard at work with her writing. "And you are leaving now. I cannot wait to see you again, Master." the lady bowed to Reign the moment he entered, speaking to him as if he was the only one there. Reign nodded, and then the lady turned away and pulled back a thick white curtain from the back wall. There, hung on a nail, was a portrait of the cave they had entered from, complete with their boat bobbing up and down in the water."Goodbye." the lady said kindly to Reign as he left. She remained holding the curtain back for Alastair and Aislynn, but she gave them little attention. She stared through the portrait, in which Reign was bending down to pick up the oar of the boat.

"Thank you. " Alastair said politely as he left.

"You're welcome." she turned her head toward him, seeming to just notice him then. Her tone was surprisingly warm, and she looked at him with grateful eyes, as if she had appreciated his presence, if only for mere moments.

They entered the boat just as before, with Reign silently insisting on rowing, although Alastair only agreed reluctantly, sitting again by Aislynn.

You will question the lady guarding the entrance now, won't you? He wondered, looking at Aislynn furtively, expecting her to ask a question any moment.

Behind them, the portrait had disappeared, to be replaced with the stairs again.

When Aislynn inquired about the guard at the entrance, Alastair replied. "She is an extension of Reign. So, when you say things to her, Reign hears them as well. Any feelings she shows are Reign's. If you were to thank her, she would show incredible warmth toward you; warmth that Reign feels. She remains here at all times, to guard the portrait, and ensure that everything inside it remains perfect. She supervises the servants, tends to the garden, amongst other tasks, and cares for him when he is ill. The stairs that you see-" he gestured back, behind them "-lead to a trick step further up. Falling down that, you would land in a monstrous trap that would kill you in a beautifully grotesque and violent way..." he said with passion.

Reign smiled; a lovely, pleased smile, his eyes on the ripples the water made when the oar moved through it.

"....The portrait only appears if Reign has his stone with him; a key of sorts. That is why he would tear a place apart looking for it. There isn't only his home there, but many other things...I shan't speak out of turn, for they are personal things." he finished, with air of a man who keeps his friends' secrets well. "But it would be a loss even if there was only his home within that portrait, hmm?" he smiled, referencing the serenity there.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn nodded smilingly and remained sitting on her cushion while Alastair went to change his clothes. She hoped that he would not take long because she found it awkward to remain alone with someone who hardly spoke a word, like Reign. And she had no idea how socialize with such a person. His oddities and silence made it much more difficult for her to start a conversation with him.

"I am ready, my lady." Alastair said, re-entering the room a minute later in his costume. "We have enough time to arrive early, which is always preferable over tardiness. Shall we?" he asked charmingly, nearing her and extending his arm.

Aislinn nodded smilingly, taking his arm. She was feeling happy and reluctant to leave this place. It was a serene and calm place to remain at, yet she could feel her anxiety grow if she remained any longer. She felt that the place was to calm, that an exchange of place would be a relief.

Reign stood, and walked past them, which Aislinn obviously did not really seem to notice or care about.

"Reign is coming as well; he is a good friend of my uncle." Alastair explained as they followed him back the way they had come.

She could not help to raise an eyebrow at what he told her. ...a good friend of his uncle? ...Perhaps only humans have trouble getting along with Reign...? She thought for herself.

When she walked past the marvelous bushes, her eyes fell on the bushes with licorices.

"Take what you wish; the amount is up to you entirely." Reign said politely without looking back, his quiet words clearly meant for her.

She could not help but blush a little, though she managed to maintain her courage to pick a small amount of licorices, only three pieces which she could chew on whilst taking the boat ride. Licorices were not uncommon in the human world hence why she picked a small amount. She was not always greedy when it came to food, since she knew she could have whatever she liked anytime.

When they returned back to the room, Aislinn remembered the strange lady upon seeing her. She had nearly forgotten her.

"And you are leaving now. I cannot wait to see you again, Master." the lady bowed to Reign the moment he entered, speaking to him as if he was the only one there.

...oh...so she is his servant, obviously guarding this place...but she is so…her eyes so blank...as if...

Aislinn hurried through the portrait, not taking notice of when Alastair thanked the lady who in return was grateful. She could hardly wait until Alastair sat beside her in the boat. Her curiosity took over and she could not help but ask him:

"Who was that lady?!" She bit her tongue when she realized what she had done. ...I was supposed to ask Reign...I forget that I can be a little rude sometimes... She blushed of embarrassment and hoped that Alastair would not think of her as being rude.

"She is an extension of Reign. So, when you say things to her, Reign hears them as well. Any feelings she shows are Reign's. If you were to thank her, she would show incredible warmth toward you; warmth that Reign feels. She remains here at all times, to guard the portrait, and ensure that everything inside it remains perfect. She supervises the servants, tends to the garden, amongst other tasks, and cares for him when he is ill. The stairs that you see-" Alastair gestured back, behind them "-lead to a trick step further up. Falling down that, you would land in a monstrous trap that would kill you in a beautifully grotesque and violent way..." he said with passion.

"Oh..." Aislinn did not look at Reign or Alastair but kept her eyes on the staircase. ...An extension of Reign... "...but how does the portrait appear?" She asked as she was trying to understand the fact that the lady was a part of Reign.

"...The portrait only appears if Reign has his stone with him; a key of sorts. That is why he would tear a place apart looking for it. There isn't only his home there, but many other things...I shan't speak out of turn, for they are personal things." Alastair finished, with air of a man who keeps his friends' secrets well. "But it would be a loss even if there was only his home within that portrait, hmm?" he smiled, referencing the serenity there.

"I understand..." Aislinn smiled, meeting his eyes and remained silent to ponder about everything Alastair had told her. Everything he had told her was overwhelming and she went over it several times to process it with her mind.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Her mind must be full of new things.... Alastair thought, deciding that silence was his best choice. We shall return to the Human World immediately after Asmodeus's game, lest she become so overwhelmed that she cannot....She will be fine; she recovered from the incident with Valetta so quickly; this is far less overwhelming. He assured himself. She is strong and understanding; a good pairing. He smiled, looking away from Aislynn, up at the lovely sky. "Eight fifteen...Half an hour early." Alastair consulted his pocket watch. Eight fifteen...The time has flown since Eric delivered the invitation...But we were in no rush; we took our time, so it was logical that we took nearly two hours... he rationalized.

They soon reached a forest that was thick with willow trees, hanging high above them like a fantastic ceiling, or much lower, their leaves touching the waters. And for all of the forest's density, the sunlight still made its way through the leaves, providing ample light. As they continued deeper into the forest, the path became wider and wider. They reached a dock, and Reign secured the boat as Alastair assisted Aislynn. This time, Reign walked silently behind them as they made their way beyond the dock, which held five boats, to the entrance. An iron gate stood, six feet tall, with many scrapes and dents, and spots where the metal had corroded. Towering to the left of it was a chipped and crumbling statue of a grim reaper, with its scythe tilted so that it hung grandly above the gate. The grim reaper's cloak was made to look like it was rippling in the wind. Surrounding the gate were overgrown ivy vines, covering the walls completely. Inside the gate was a cobbled path that led to the estate's courtyard. The garden that surrounded the cobbled path was overgrown in such a wild way that you could scarcely tell one plant from another. At one point, a bunch of vines and hydrangeas threatened to cover the path entirely, so they had to step carefully for a few feet.

Alastair led Aislynn past all of the disorderly peculiarities as if he had seen them all many times and thought nothing of them. "Aislynn-" Alastair laughed once they came to a plain wall at the end of the path, where there should have been a door. "-my uncle is playing a game right now." Then, turning to a more serious tone, he continued "This is not what his home truly looks like; the game started when we reached the docks. However, I have told you that he can take his jokes a bit too far sometimes, so do keep that in mind." he smiled to her. "And don't take anything too seriously here, believe me. He and I have already played many games before..." he gestured around to the wild garden casually "...And I know how this one works. Two simple rules-" he held up his index and middle fingers together "-nothing is what it seems. Do not forget." he warned. Then, he bent down to pick up three forest green markers which had been almost completely hidden amongst the wild plants. He handed one to Aislynn, and one to Reign. "The second rule is that you only get to use this as your weapon, called a tool, in this game. Use it like so..."

And he took off the cap of his, revealing a nicely sharp edge meant for fine detail. He drew an apple in mid-air, as if the air was a piece of paper. As soon as he capped the marker again, the illustration changed, materializing quickly into a real, red apple, which he caught smartly. "The illustration doesn't have to be perfect; as long as you know what you want and you cap the marker afterwards, it will work with only a very rough sketch, and you can draw on anything at all. Points are rewarded on creativity, and the final objective is reaching the interior of the manor. Do you understand the rules now?" he asked.

While Alastair had been explaining to Aislynn, Reign had walked around them to draw an ornate door on the wall, then stepped aside to wait for them.

"Are you ready, my lady?" Alastair asked, excitement evident in his eyes. From his excitement, it was easy to surmise that he had played many games with his uncle before; and that he had loved many, if not every one of them.

The door, once opened, led to a room of complete darkness.

Alastair thought first of drawing a torch of the medieval style, before reconsidering. He drew a chain in mid-air, right in front of the door, then capped his marker. Once it materialized, he pulled on the chain lightly, and inside the room, a light bulb lit up, illuminating the room. It was a very plain room, with brick walls on all sides, a cement ceiling and floor, and nothing else.

They all entered, and then the door closed behind them without anyone having touched it.

"What do you suggest, my lady?" Alastair asked her smilingly. Another door, of course. But perhaps she would like to try; I shan't take all of the fun for myself. He thought mischievously.

Once they had walked through Aislynn's 'door', they stood in a round room with checkered black and white marble squares. Around them were twelve different hallways, and each one couldn't have been more different than the other.

"What do you propose we do?" Alastair asked Aislynn with a smile. Soon...so soon, she will be able to play on her own, and we can compete against everyone else. It will be such fun; that is, if she likes her first game here...Diana and Reign are playing today, and so is Asmodeus. He was never one for excessively large guest lists like mother and father; another much appreciated difference.

As they decided, Reign walked away from them, through a hallway chosen by a hand-drawn brass compass.

When Aislynn chose the same hallway that Reign had, Alastair replied "Very well." with a nod. They followed Reign, but after a few feet, Alastair seemed discontent, and uncapped his marker, yet he capped it again. I want to create something else...as always, I don't wish to stop using these for a single second; I'm far too excited. Perhaps a horse for us to ride? Yes, a lovely, black steed for us to share. It would be creative, and equally elegant.

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was fascinated about how the place of Alastair's uncle looked like when she was suddenly told that it was not what his true home looked like.

She blinked twice, feeling surprised about the news. She had been expecting to be met by the uncle at the entrance, though they had walked the entire way to a plain wall and then she had tried to reason there might be a hidden door. ...Well as long as I stick to Alastair, I will be fine... She tried to reason, feeling a bit confused. She had thought that they would start the game with his uncle together, though according to Alastair the game had already started. She made a mental note on the first rule of the game, that nothing was like it seemed. …so, everything here is sort of imagination… She thought as she took the marker which Alastair handed her. …A weapon? what sort of game is it? She thought bewildered, becoming more confused.

"Eeh...I think I understand..." Aislinn said once Alastair had explained for her. She stared at the apple he was holding his hand, trying to process everything he had told her one they had come to this weird place. ...I hope I don't mess with the game by drawing random things in the air... She thought nervously. ...just follow the lead...yes...I will just see how Alastair will do...things can not get worse than the Triwizard tournament, can't they?

It seems so simple... She thought when she saw the ornate door Reign had materialized by drawing in the air with his marker.

"Are you ready, my lady?" Alastair asked, excitement evident in his eyes.

"Yes, of course," Aislinn laughed, trying not to show that she was not truly ready at all.

"What do you suggest, my lady?" Alastair asked her smilingly, once they had entered and he had turned on the light in the room.

"...well eh..." She was feeling unsure about what to draw. ..come on, just draw a door in the air...it is not difficult, is it?...or an opening...yes...anything to just to get through...

She drew an arched figure in the air and once she capped her marker a simple arched doorway materialized in the wall, revealing a part of the next room which had a floor with checkered black and white marble squares. Once they walked inside the room, they were surrounded by twelve different hallways, and each one couldn't have been more different than the other.

"What do you propose we do?" Alastair asked Aislinn with a smile.

"...well eh...obviously choose which hallway we should walk through..." She replied nervously.
"Let's go through this one..." She suggested tentatively when she saw Reign walking over to one of the hallways.

"Very well." Alastair nodded.

Aislinn sighed inwardly, wondering when she would meet his uncle and when and how this game would end.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

Or perhaps a horse is too simple; something more creative would be a horse with wings! Or, instead of a simple Pegasus, why not have a horse with dragon's wings? Alastair thought excitedly. Or what about an actual dragon? Or-

"Reign!" Diana called from the far end of the hallway.

Reign, who had been walking calmly with his eyes to the sky, looked in her direction. He was nearly ten feet ahead of Alastair and Aislynn.

Diana proceeded to run toward Reign, continuing "Reign, you have to go back!" She was wearing a beautiful midnight blue dress.

:

"This hallway goes on forever; it's pointless!" she exclaimed as soon as she reached Reign, who gave her his direct attention. She spoke loud enough so that Alastair and Aislynn could hear her clearly. They kept walking toward them, Alastair listening with interest. "You must have known that though, so why are you here?" she asked, half-jokingly accusing him of foolishness.

Reign stared at her, not speaking a word, as if the answer was obvious.

"Awww...." Diana gave Reign a happy smile "...you knew I would run back this way, so you came to meet me...that's so sweet."

Reign showed no signs of disagreement, so Diana continued. "Let's go back; " she linked arms with him "you do know the proper way, don't you?" she stated reasonably, as they turned around to return to the hall of hallways.

Reign nodded, then went back to staring at the view through the open part of the bridge.

"Oh, hello Lord DiVilliers." Diana greeted Alastair jovially once she saw them there. "Aislynn." she smiled, greeting her as well. She looked very happy beside Reign, who, in sharp contrast, looked cold, yet didn't seem unhappy to have Diana by his side.

"How did you know that this hallway goes on forever?" Alastair asked curiously.

"Malice told me." Diana remarked casually.

Alastair stopped walking, and thought for a moment. "Malice is here?" he inquired, his expression difficult to read.

"Mmmhmm." Diana replied, "She misses you dearly. Once she found out that you were playing today..."

"She's well, I hope?" Alastair asked, his tone warmer now.

"Yes, and headed to the manor."

"Very well; thank you." Alastair said jovially. But there seemed to be something in his eyes...he was disturbed about something, but it was a subtle look.

"You're welcome." Diana smiled cheerfully, before walking on with Reign.

As the distance grew between the two pairs, Alastair seemed to have forgotten where he was. "Malice..." he mumbled. Then, remembering where he was rather abruptly, he began an explanation, turning and walking back to the room of hallways like nothing had happened "Malice is a young girl that Asmodeus adopted, after her parent's death when she was eight. She hates being called...Alice." he uttered the word as if it was a terrible insult. "And she, much like Eric, seems to have an interest in me." But the way he said it...it suggested that Malice's interest in him wasn't as cheerful as Eric's.

They reached the room then, before anything else could be said. And as soon as Alastair saw what had been waiting for them, he instinctively put a hand out in front of Aislynn protectively, as if the thing inside would jump out at them at any moment.

A swing, like the type that the trapeze performers used, hung from the ceiling, precisely in the center of the room. The distance from the seat area of the swing and the ground measured perhaps six feet. A young girl hung from it easily, her legs crossed and pointed out like an acrobat, her back bent backward, so that her head was upside down and she was facing them. The swing rotated slowly, creaking eerily as it turned. Her hands were spread out at either side of her, rather than holding onto the swing's chains. Her long, stark-white hair fell around her face in wild, wavy strands, and her eyes were maroon in colour. Her childish face was complete with a manic grin. On the whole, she looked to be a fearless girl; no more than nine years of age. And no more sane than Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Malice." Alastair spoke, his voice strangely calm as he stepped forward. He gave Aislynn the feeling that she should stay where she was. "It has been-"

"-four months." Malice finished, her voice eerily cheerful, her eyes following every move Alastair made. "I have missed you so." she crooned.

"And I you." Alastair said charmingly. "Have you eaten well?"

"Yes; I had something wonderful only yesterday." she sighed, as if it had been the most spectacular meal she had ever tasted. She sat up abruptly, then slid off the seat of the swing, landing elegantly on the floor. She wore a short , plain black handkerchief dress made of cotton. It came to right above her knees, with short sleeves and a round neckline. There were strings of white cloth, wound around her arm and legs like bandages. Her legs were bandaged from above her knees to her ankles, and her left arm from just above her elbow to her wrist; her left palm was also covered, as well as her middle and index fingers. There was a vertical scar going straight from her hairline to her chin, going through her right eye, as if her skin had been cut open and then sewn back together again. There were horizontal stitches at four points of the original scar. Now that she stood straight, her hair fell around her face wildly, with lots of volume; she looked, if possible, wilder than before. And her manic grin remained all the while.

"Malice-" Alastair began tentatively "-I have a question for you."

She waited quietly, eager to answer.

"Two similar humans, strangers to each other, attend a ball. At the end of the ball, they are each in an equally wine-sodden state, incapable of the simplest sentence without the slurring of their speech. Nevertheless, they both choose to enter their similar vehicles and drive themselves home, the first leaving only minutes before the second. As the first person makes his way home, the roads are deserted and he arrives safely home, retiring for the night without incident. But as the second person drives down the same road only minutes later, a child darts into the middle of the road. His reaction time is impaired by the alcohol, and he is unable to stop, or swerve in time to avoid hitting the child. The child dies." he finished plainly. " Which person is wrong; the first, or the second?"

Alastair awaited his answer as if it would determine everything.

"They are both wrong. " Malice stated. "The second for obvious reasons, and the first because he could have been the second, had it not been for his apparently incredible luck. The wrong came from their initial decision to deliver themselves home unsafely. " She clarified.

"It is you." Alastair said, and he relaxed considerably.

Then, turning to Aislynn, he spoke genuinely. "This is Malice. As I told you before, nothing is as it seems. However, my caution was necessary, for it could have been a trap. Like Reign, Malice is not normal by the Human Realm's standards, which is why my uncle has taken a liking to both of them."

"Malice, this is Lady Aislynn. You are to call her Ms. Monroe." he explained kindly.

Malice nodded, then turned to Aislynn; her eyes had been on Alastair before that moment. She performed an elegant curtsy, and then slowly neared Aislynn, as if she thought that she may run away otherwise. "I won't bite..." she said, nearly apologizing for her appearance as she extended her hand to shake "...not you." she clarified, in all seriousness. Because she is Alastair's. She promised herself. And I love Alastair; upsetting him would be a crime punishable by...death...such a violent death....she imagined fondly. I got to punish Valetta when she died for upsetting Alastair...such marvelous fun...

 

[Hikari Chan]

Aislinn was surprised to see Diana turn up all of sudden. …Was she also invited to this game…? She thought confused. …Did Reign choose this hallway on purpose because he knew that Diana would be here...Reign was the first one who left Diana's place. He forgot his stone and she noticed that, so she left me and Alastair as soon as we left her place because she needed to return the stone to Reign. I and Alastair met Eric on our walk...Eric could have met Diana or Reign afterwards...Reign was already waiting for me and Alastair when we reached the docks after we had been at the plaza...that is because he can see what will happen next only if it benefits him....so that makes sense so far...but Diana? Aislinn was so deep in her thoughts that she merely greeted Diana in return. She nodded and smiled vaguely, though her mind was busy pondering.

..Malice?.. Aislinn thought curiously. ...Perhaps a relative to Alastair? If Malice knows about this hallway, then it means that she lives here or perhaps she is only a visitor like Diana. A visitor who know this place very well and then she might be one of his friends?

Aislinn, who was deep in her thoughts, stood still and watched as the distance grew between her and Diana and Reign as the pair walked away. Then it suddenly struck her mind.

..Why is Diana and Reign walking away in this endless hallway? Shouldn't they return back to the room of hallways and choose another hallway?....Nothing is what it seems here....Merlin's beard...Diana and Malice could be illusions...

Aislinn was about to open her mouth to tell Alastair what she was thinking about when he spoke:

"Malice is a young girl that Asmodeus adopted, after her parent's death when she was eight. She hates being called...Alice." he uttered the word as if it was a terrible insult. "And she, much like Eric, seems to have an interest in me."

"...Ah..." ...so Malice is sort of a relative to Alastair....an adopted cousin in other words Aislinn thought and remained silent. The way he said it, suggested that Malice's interest in him wasn't as cheerful as Eric's. Aislinn wondered what kind of girl Malice was and could hardly wait to meet her in person.

As soon as they reached the room of the hallways, Aislinn was met by an unexpected sight. At the same time Alastair instinctively put a hand out in front of her protectively, as if the thing inside would jump out at them at any moment. Aislinn tried not to stare at the young girl who hung upside down from a swing in the ceiling. ...this could be an illusion hence why Alastair put out his hand in front of me...but if it is an illusion, it cannot be dangerous, can it?

"Malice." Alastair spoke, his voice strangely calm as he stepped forward. "It has been-"

"-four months." Malice finished, her voice eerily cheerful, her eyes following every move Alastair made. "I have missed you so." she crooned.

"And I you." Alastair said charmingly. "Have you eaten well?"

"Yes; I had something wonderful only yesterday." she sighed, as if it had been the most spectacular meal she had ever tasted and Aislinn could not help but wonder for a second if Malice had devoured a soul of human, but then brought herself to senses when she remembered that since Alastair had become the lord, devouring the souls of humans were not allowed.

"Malice-" Alastair began tentatively "-I have a question for you. Two similar humans, strangers to each other, attend a ball. At the end of the ball, they are each in an equally wine-sodden state, incapable of the simplest sentence without the slurring of their speech. Nevertheless, they both choose to enter their similar vehicles and drive themselves home, the first leaving only minutes before the second. As the first person makes his way home, the roads are deserted and he arrives safely home, retiring for the night without incident. But as the second person drives down the same road only minutes later, a child darts into the middle of the road. His reaction time is impaired by the alcohol, and he is unable to stop, or swerve in time to avoid hitting the child. The child dies." he finished plainly. " Which person is wrong; the first, or the second?"

..is that a trick question to find out what and what not is real here..? Aislinn thought curiously.

"They are both wrong. " Malice stated. "The second for obvious reasons, and the first because he could have been the second, had it not been for his apparently incredible luck. The wrong came from their initial decision to deliver themselves home unsafely. " she clarified.

"It is you." Alastair said, and he relaxed considerably. Then, turning to Aislinn, he spoke genuinely. "This is Malice. As I told you before, nothing is as it seems. However, my caution was necessary, for it could have been a trap. Like Reign, Malice is not normal by the Human Realm's standards, which is why my uncle has taken a liking to both of them.

...obviously...Alastair seems to know how to find out the reality among the illusions in this game...wait what? Like Reign, Malice is not normal by the Human Realm's standards? Aislinn was becoming more confused about this news but decided to save her questions when she would return to the human realm.

"Malice, this is Lady Aislynn. You are to call her Ms. Monroe." Alastair explained kindly.

Aislinn smiled towards Malice who performed an elegant curtsy for her and neared her slowly. ...she is so different from Eric...and hopefully not annoying as the most children happen to be...

"I won't bite..." she said, nearly apologizing for her appearance as she extended her hand to shake "...not you." she clarified, in all seriousness.

"Nice to meet you Malice," Aislinn chuckled and took her extended hand in her both, holding it tenderly as if her hand was made of porcelain. She was already feeling fond of Malice in contrast to Eric who in her opinion had been annoying.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

"Nice to meet you Malice," Aislynn chuckled and took her extended hand in her both, holding it tenderly as if her hand was made of porcelain.

Alastair sighed quietly, relieved. It looks like they will get along very well; and I thought Malice would scare her... He nearly laughed at the comparison to his expectations of Aislynn's reaction and her current one.

"I can keep playing with you two, right?" Malice asked politely, pulling her hand away after a moment. She was clearly very pleased to have met Aislynn, yet would understand if Aislynn didn't desire her company at the present time.

When Aislynn replied with a 'yes', Malice gave another elegant curtsy, this one shorter than the first, before uncapping her marker and drawing something between herself and Aislynn. Her arm stretched as high as it could go, and she seemed intent on perfecting whatever she was drawing. It wasn't clear at all what it was until she capped her marker and an elevator appeared, blocking Aislynn's view of Malice. Malice walked to Alastair, who had been carefully looking down each hallway in confusion, and tugged on his sleeve like an impatient child. "Nothing is as it seems, you keep saying..." she said, pointing to the elevator she had drawn.

Alastair smiled and followed her back to where Aislynn was standing, and the elevator opened to welcome them inside.

A large sign that read 'Going down' was pinned to the wall.

The next floor down was nearly the same as the one they had just come, except that it had no hallways at all; only walls.

Malice walked forward and drew a large, black silk curtain, and pulled it back to reveal the same overgrown garden in which their game had begun. The garden wasn't exactly the same; the plants weren't as overgrown as before, and they didn't cover the path to the manor. However, they still had the same wild beauty as before. Malice bent down a few times with a pair of gardening shears half the length of her arm, trimming some things here and there with gentle care. Sometimes she would fall behind Alastair and Aislynn, sometimes she would walk ahead. "Father said I could have my own garden and do with it what I please. Do you like it?" Malice asked, walking next to Aislynn as they came to the entrance; an open pair of large double doors similar to the ones at the DiVilliers estate.

She smiled, and went inside.

The entrance lead straight to the ballroom. It was an exact replica of the Asmodeus Plaza, complete with the lovely fantasy music played by a small group of people in the center of the room. Here, the portraits on the walls depicted different rooms of the home, presumably, with the same functions as the ones at the plaza. At the furthest end of the room, there was a pair of large staircases. One started at the right, and one started at the left; they intersected halfway up, becoming one pair, and then going in opposite directions like a giant X. There were no portraits of the bedrooms or bathrooms, which were upstairs.

Diana and Reign were sharing a dance; Reign still cold and Diana still pleasantly warm. Malice was greeted by Eric, who was still disguised as Alastair and imitated one of his elegant bows. She politely greeted him, before walking directly through the 'kitchen' portrait.

Alastair turned to Aislynn with a smile, his hand extended in an invitation for a dance.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Sure..." Aislinn nodded smilingly. She hoped that Malice would lead the game and draw everything else, because she found the game a bit confusing. It was not like the arcades in the muggle world.

She watched as Malice drew an elevator which when appeared blocked her view from Malice. She noticed Alastair looking down each hallway in confusion.

...She must be used to this game, more than him, perhaps it is her favorite game... Aislinn thought as she entered the elevator. …Are there other games she likes to play? I wonder if she ever have been visiting an arcade in the muggle world..

She was not feeling surprised about ending up in a room that almost looked similar as the one with the hallways, after leaving the elevator, though she was surprised to be back in the same garden which looked less overgrown than before.

"Father said I could have my own garden and do with it what I please. Do you like it?" Malice asked, walking next to Aislinn as they came to the entrance; an open pair of large double doors similar to the ones at the DiVillier's estate.

"It is beautiful," Aislinn complimented smilingly.

She was once again surprised when she entered through the large double doors. She had not been expecting the same environment as at the plaza. She nearly rolled her eyes when she saw Eric.

..So he is here as well...

Reign and Diana were also present and Aislinn wondered how they had found their way to this place. ...Perhaps Diana is used to this kind of game...like Malice... Aislinn thought and smiled lovingly towards Alastair who extended his hand to her, in an invitation for a dance.

...So, what happens with everything they draw with a marker in this game... She wondered, taking his hand.

 

[Junko Natsumizaka]

I cannot believe that I have just shared... Alastair bowed to Aislynn, thanking her for the dance ...another dance with my lady in this realm... "Would you care for another?" he asked charmingly, not truly asking, as he smoothly led her into a second dance. Uncle will be here soon...I have held the mot anticipation for Aislynn's reaction to him when they first meet...Will he perform one of his jokes again? I should hope not, not the first time they meet. That would be...

At the conclusion of their second dance, Eric approached Alastair. He made himself noticeable two feet away, waiting with an expression that suggested he may burst at any moment.

"Yes, Eric?" Alastair asked. It was clear in his tone that he was disappointed that Eric had not changed his appearance back to normal, yet.

"I wanted to say goodbye to you; Damien asked me to handle an errand for him at nine, and if I don't leave now, I'll be late." Eric said, with obvious disappointment at being parted from Alastair. "I do hope you have a pleasant time." he said, with yet another attempt at a graceful bow.

"And I do hope that he hasn't put you up to anything too difficult?" Alastair asked, sympathising.

"No." he shook his head proudly, as if such a thing was impossible. "Farewell, then!" he said cheerfully, then waved to Aislynn before running off at the literal speed of a bullet.

A moment later, Asmodeus entered the ballroom, coming down from the top of the left flight of stairs. He had the same eerie aura as Malice. There was a certain strength in the way he walked that said he aught not to be trifled with, and he held a stern countenance. He didn't look to be the type to harm a comrade in any way, despite his intimidating appearance. He donned a vampire's costume, and had long, thick black hair that looked so picturesque that it was easy to assume it was a wig, and therefor part of his costume. He had even gone the length of painting his nails black, and sharpening them just like a vampire in a book.

When Alastair saw him, he immediately began to lead Aislynn to the staircases so that he could introduce them. As if on cue, Malice came through the portrait and hurried to stand by them at the same time. By the time everyone had reached the staircases, Asmodeus had reached the bottom.

He approached Alastair with his stern expression, and for a moment it was difficult to guess if he was pleased or angered by Aislynn's presence. "Who is this?" he asked Alastair with a stern expression, as if it were Evelyn standing there. Before he could answer, he turned to Aislynn, cutting in between them and blocking Aislynn's view of Alastair. His voice, and the look in his eyes paired together were the physical embodiment of rage; a terrifying sight. "Why don't you tell me who you are? You want to steal my nephew's heart, and then you want to stand defiantly before me? Witch! Beg my forgiveness lest I send you to the darkest depths of Hell and leave you there!"

Diana, Alastair and Malice broke out in laughter at the same time, which made Asmodeus do the same.

"I'm sorry; I cannot deign to be serious even for a moment." Asmodeus apologised in between laughter, taking a step back.

"She believed him!" Diana laughed. "That was another funny one! I haven't laughed this hard since....."

"I am so very pleased to meet you, Miss Aislynn." he spoke in a warmer tone now "In truth, I didn't expect us to meet in this world, but rather, in yours. I am pleasantly surprised; it looks as though my nephew's persistent words of praise and admiration held truth; you are an exceptional young lady." He was of course referencing the fact that Aislynn stood before him in the demon realm, of her accord. " I have no doubt in my mind...." he smiled, such a dark, charming smile. Like Alastair's words, his were genuine, void of the annoying, meaningless flattery of humans. He had a magnetic personality that could make even the most mundane story into something interesting, because of the way he spoke and the emotions he conveyed. A noteworthy lady indeed. "...That you are welcome here."

Meanwhile, another young man had entered through the main entrance. He had long, stark white hair like Malice's, yet twice as wild. That, paired with his yellow eyes, made him look like an untamed wolf. His clean-shaven face held handsome features, and he wore a black knight's armour. In it's sheath, an ornate sword.

 

[Hikari Chan]

"Yes..." Aislinn giggled and blushed as Alastair led her into a second dance. She had nearly forgotten why she was at this strange place. She had nearly forgotten that she was going to meet his uncle soon and looked dreamily at him as they waltzed around in the ballroom.

Eric approached them later to bid them farewell. Aislinn barely listened to what he said, though she politely raised her hand in a farewell gesture. A moment later, a strange man entered the ballroom, coming down from the top of the left flight of stairs. She wondered who he was since she had nearly forgotten why she was here at first place. She tried not to stare at him, his stern looks made her so speechless that she did not dare to ask Alastair who the strange man was.

..Hopefully Alastair will introduce us to each other... She thought as tried to look normally without staring at the man who was descending the stairs while Alastair led her towards the staircases.

"Who is this?" the man asked Alastair with a stern expression.

Aislinn flinched at this and tried to get eye contact with Alastair, but her view of him was cut and blocked when the man turned towards her.

His voice, and the look in his eyes paired together were the physical embodiment of rage; a terrifying sight. Aislinn went numb and turned paler than a ghost and was on the edge of panicking. "Why don't you tell me who you are? You want to steal my nephew's heart, and then you want to stand defiantly before me? Witch! Beg my forgiveness lest I send you to the darkest depths of Hell and leave you there!"

She stood there paralyzed, her mouth half open, staring at him. Part of her mind was vaguely telling her that this man was Alastair's uncle Asmodeus, but she was feeling to confused and scared to think straight. She was suddenly surprised to hear and see everyone burst in laughter.

"I'm sorry; I cannot deign to be serious even for a moment." Asmodeus apologized in between laughter, taking a step back.

Aislinn's expression changed drastically into a mortified one. Her lips were firmly shut and shaped into a stern line. …So, he was joking with me?... She thought dryly. ...Merlin's stinky socks, he gave me a bloody scare and they all think it was funny... She tried her best to ignore Diana's outburst.

"I am so very pleased to meet you, Miss Aislynn." Asmodeus spoke in a warmer tone now.

"Eh..." Aislinn had meant to say ...I am very pleased to meet you as well; it is such an honor.... But the earlier encounter with Asmodeus had made her quiet.

"In truth, I didn't expect us to meet in this world, but rather, in yours. I am pleasantly surprised; it looks as though my nephew's persistent words of praise and admiration held truth; you are an exceptional young lady."

...yeah, I am obviously young...only twenty-three years old...I will turn twenty-four in December...what am I supposed to say in response…? Aislinn thought oddly.

"I have no doubt in my mind...." he smiled, such a dark, charming smile.

She just stood motionless, not even knowing how to react to his smile. The right corner of her mouth was twisting. ...Should I smile in response...?

"...That you are welcome here."

"...erhm thanks..." She blurted, noticing a movement at the entrance which nearly distracted her "...Nice to meet you…" She added, feeling a bit stupid. ...Is that how he greets his new guests? ...So odd…