3rd POV
As dinner drew closer, people started to gather around in the living room. Well, 'living-room' is putting it mildly, cause the dimensions alone could fit a small house in there. But that's what you have to expect from a mansion at the end of the day.
As maids and butlers prepared the table, the plates, the dishes, the Gremory and Creed family were casually chatting. Some more than others. Sona's peerage went ahead to the Sitri estate, leaving the 2 sisters alone. Apparently, they wanted to get headstart in preparations for the rating game. Understandable.
Them aside, the atmosphere is sort of shaky regarding the 4 brothers, especially with the eldest's back problem.
Leon:"I got 2 questions for you lot. Who decided to wreck my spine."
Jason:"Guilty.", He admitted pretty fast.
...
Leon:"Ok, you gotta stop begging others to take the blame for ya, Bruce. Come on."
Bruce:"Excuse me?! Nah ah. This time, I'm an innocent man."
Leon:"And I feel the need to press X."
Jason:"No. This time he's in the right... unfortunately."
Bruce:"Can you like NOT do this right now? One of us got more pressuring matter to solve.", he said pointing to his twin.
Leon:"Yeah, that's another thing. Why did Desmond already start his training for emotional control?"
The boy only gave an eye roll as a response, which pretty much insinuated "Go figure.". Then again, Leon Creed was not a dense guy in any way, so a few hints from Bruce cleared out the situation. Frankly, he considered the possibility. After all, Irina got that cutesy innocent side to her, although taken to an extreme.
Leon:"When one bad thing happens, all the rest come along, don't they?"
Desmond:"Stop raining on my parade already."
Bruce:"What parade? You look like a funeral where not even the priest bothered to come."
Jason:"Ouch."
This 'friendly' exchange of acidic lines was quite the show for those outside the family, especially Rias's parents and her sister in law.
Grayfia:"I thought I knew how bad they can get but..."
Scarlett:"Sigh... truth be told, I don't know where the limit is either. But at least they don't seem to be on bad terms."
Alex:"Boys will boys, right? And on that note..."
Scarlett:"Oh no."
Alex:"Let me join in, kids!"
In an enthusiastic tone, Alexander Mercer sat right next to Desmond, feeling a somewhat empathy for his son.
Scarlett:"You don't have to be so down, Desmond."
Alex:"Scarlett, I think you should let me handle this."
Scarlett:"Are you saying I'm not good at helping my children when they need it?"
Alex:"No, but between the 2 of us, I know I haven't put anyone in that zone."
Scarlett:"Well excuse me you asked for my hand before others did. Is that my fault?"
Alex:"Yes, for being so desirable. But-"
Jason:"Ugh, you'll ruin my meal."
...
That single line was a good way to stop the middle aged flirting.
Bruce:"No offence Mom and Dad, but... not the moment."
Desmond:"Very much agreed!"
Leon:"Of course you'd agree with that."
You never know. Sometimes, family benter can be very therapeutic. It's a good thing this couple knows how to not take things personally, coming from their sons. Arguably, Desmond is probably the most annoyed one so far. Well, almost. There's one other ball of sugar that was no having it.
Bruce:"Anyway, I've been thinking-"
Jason:"Off to a great start."
Bruce:"Oh, shut up, spine breaker. Anyway, I think the best thing for me would be to go hunting."
Leon:"Particular reason?"
Bruce:"Well, if my shtick is that I need to provoke suffering, I should probably start with something small, something I wouldn't feel regret over, right?"
Issei:"Oh come on! Already thinking about work?!", he yelled from across the room. "Relax one in a while."
...
Bruce:"1. You don't tell ME to relax and 2. I have no way of knowing when Absalom is going to knock on my door. It's not like he'll call me and be all 'Tommorow night, the parking lot in the city center. Be there or be square.'"
Issei:"Be a lot cooler if he did..."
Bruce:"Well, yes. But I highly doubt it. Also, you're in no position to take it easy, Hyoudou. Or you'll get the rug pulled from under you."
The Horseman of Strife sent a quick glance towards Sona, which made it clear he expected Saji to have something under his sleeve.
Leon:"Well, his comments aside, it's a good start for your form. I suppose the wild fauna of the Underworld could be useful for once."
Sirzechs:"If you do plan on wrecking havoc, I suggest keeping away from the cities as well as regions under other rules. I don't think you wish a conflict with Hades right now."
Jason:"What's he gonna do?"
Zeoticus:"Well, he has an army of reapers under his command."
Bruce:"Big deal. A thousand reapers against THE reaper. Place your bets."
Leon:"I'm not taking place in your money gathering schemes, Bruce."
Bruce:"Jeez. Fine. I'll find another way."
Sirzechs:"I sincerely hope you're being sarcastic. He has an army."
Bruce:"And I know a Spartan, Lucifer. So far, the odds are in my favor."
...
Sirzechs:"Once again I'm reminded that we're on completely different pages most of the time. Who's this Spartan exactly?"
Jason:"Let's just day we're part of different generations and leave it at that, ok? It's a hassle to explain, really."
Sirzechs:"Well, I too wish to avoid further hassles. So I suppose we agree on something. Furthermore, you plan on training starting tommorow?"
Leon:"The sooner we get it under wraps, the better for us."
Sirzechs:"While I do share your views on efficiency, how about leaving planning for tommorow?"
Jason:"Leasure isn-"
???:"No, no. He has a point."
And the ball of sugar enters the 'battlefield'. Isaac Phenex got one thing wrong. It's not the parents that can negotiate with the brothers... it's the little sister.
...
Bruce:"Did...we just get shut down through a meme...by Anna?"
A surprise nonetheless. After all, Anna isn't known to be so assertive, but perhaps the awakening to her powers gave her a boost of confidence. She puffed her cheeks and stared at her eldest brother, menacingly.
Now, as a man of logic, it's pretty obvious what choice the Horseman of Death will make. But in times like these, brotherly instincts take priority if world ending threats.
Leon:"Sigh... You're really spoiled, you know that?"
Anna:"...Yes. But it's your fault for loving to spoil me."
What else is there to say in the face of this little girl pleading for your own well being? Cause the word 'No' refused to roll out, in any shape or form.
Bruce:"Hey, I call favoritism. Why does he get hugs and we don't?"
Scarlett:"Come here then!", she wrapped her hand around her son. Truly a dotting mother.
Desmond:"Yay... family hug... marvelous..."
Although his tone was sarcastic, he didn't oppose his mother tugging at him and pulling him closer. Deep down, he was really happy.
The audience around was this close to clapping, but ruining the moment would be a crime in its own.
Bruce:"Hey! Where's the last one?", he asked in a demanding tone.
Leon:"Indeed. I see a ticket for 8 seats but only 7 are occupied."
Hearing that, the little girl let go of her brother and ran towards the front entrance, where some really important people of the supernatural were discussing. Azazel, Michael, Uriel, you name them.
She went in between them, although shy and tagged at one specific person in the group.
Anna:"You too."
...
Death:"You're ... asking me to join?"
She nodded in agreement. Although her hand trembled somehow, she realizes the importance of Death's existence for her brother. In other words, a friend of her brother is someone she has no reason to fear.
Leon:"Don't you dare make my sister cry, you pile of antic bones!"
The Horseman crouched down to match the little girl's height and carefully caressed her hair.
Death:"Don't worry, Leon. I wouldn't dream of harming out little sister."
You might argue it's out of place for him to join this family hug, but I highly doubt any of its members will care about it. A dinner with a new found family member... A fine way to end such an eventful day, wouldn't you say?
To be continued...