Scattered Cherry Blossoms Universe, Dimensional Gap, Team DxD Base.
"I'm sorry, come again?" Tatsuo asked with a confused expression on his face.
"I want you to invite me to the [Dimensional Chat]. Aislynn replied as her hand, which was still resting on Tatsuo's cheek, began to stroke Tatsuo's smooth skin.
"How do you even know about that?" Tatsuo asked absent-mindedly. "You know what? Never mind. It was definitely James who said something about it."
Aislynn did not respond. Instead, her smile only widened while she continued to stroke Tatsuo's cheek.
"*Sigh* Fine." Tatsuo said after not getting a response. "But I'm pretty sure we'll still have to go through the same voting process as any other time."
"That's fine." Aislynn replied. "I don't believe I'll be rejected."
Shrugging his shoulders, Tatsuo allowed Aislynn to continue stroking his cheek. Though, that was mostly because he did not think he could stop her even if he wanted to. Then, he opened the [Shop] in the [Dimensional Chat] and bought a [Chat Invite] for 10,000 Coins.
Next, Tatsuo used the [Chat Invite] and invited Aislynn to join the [Dimensional Chat]. Then, without checking to see if there were any [Notifications], Tatsuo entered the [Dimensional Chat].
Meanwhile, Aislynn's hand stopped moving on Tatsuo's cheek as a window that only she could see popped up in front of her. And when she saw the message on the window inviting her to the [Dimensional Chat], and that Tatsuo was the one who invited her, her smile widened once again. Then, she looked at Tatsuo, who was focused on the [Dimensional Chat] before mentally accepting the invitation. {Pic}
{[Dimensional Chat]
Tatsuo (Admin): So, I think we're gonna have a vote to do soon
James: What do you mean?
James: You've only been gone for like 5 minutes
Alfonzo: Let him explain
Lici: So, we're getting a new member?
Lici: Is it a boy or a girl?
Lici: Are they hot?
Akatsuki: Is that last one really important?
Lici: Of course it is
Violet: I look forward to having a new member
Sakura: I hope it's a boy
Momo: I've noticed you can invite people
Momo: But the invitations are too expensive
Zelretch: Young Tatsuo has quite a few Coins, so there's no need to worry
Aletia: Please be a boy
James: Sorry to burst your bubbles
James: But Aislynn, or Great Red as everyone in my world knows her, is absolutely stunning
Sakura: ...
Aletia: Why?
Violet: She is also exceedingly powerful, correct?
James: Not sure if she's a world destroyer
James: But if she's not, she's pretty damn close
Zelretch: Oh ho
Zelretch: I wonder if she can defeat her
Alfonzo: Are you talking about Arcueid Brunestud?
Zelretch: Oh, you're quite well informed
Zelretch: But yes
Zelretch: That is exactly who I was talking about
James: Yeah, I've got my money on Aislynn
James: As long as there are people to have dreams, she can't really die
Alfonzo: On top of that, she's been spanking the Dragon God of Infinity for eons
James: There's that, too
Tatsuo (Admin): Yeah, I gotta agree
Tatsuo (Admin): But back to the matter at hand
Tatsuo (Admin): I already invited her
Tatsuo (Admin): I can't figure out why the voting box hasn't showed up yet, though
===Great Red has joined the Chat===
Lici: I guess that's why
Violet: Hello, Great Red-San
===Great Red has changed ID to Aislynn===
Aislynn: Please, just call me Aislynn
Aislynn: I can't have my future mate's friends being so formal
Aletia: !!!
Sakura: Future mate?
Sakura: Violet, don't you have something to say about that?
Violet: I'm sure Aislynn-San will give us an explanation
Tatsuo (Admin): I'd like one of those, too
Aislynn: All will be revealed in time
Aislynn: But that time is not now
Tatsuo (Admin): Of course, it's not
Tatsuo (Admin): Cryptic bullshit
James: I agree
James: I'd never say that with her so close, though
Aislynn: Indeed
Aislynn: I would have snapped that head off your neck had you spoken to me like that, James
James: Yeah, that's about what I expected
===There is a new Mission for the members of the Dimensional Chat===
===Please check the Missions Tab for more details===
Lici: I bet a billion Jewels that's not a coincidence
Momo: I agree
Momo: But I would think it prudent that we check the details
Tatsuo (Admin): Yeah, Momo's right
Tatsuo (Admin): brb}
Returning his focus, Tatsuo blinked his eyes as they made contact with Aislynn's, whose hand was still resting on his cheek.
"What's wrong?" Aislynn asked with an amused smile on her face.
'She's enjoying this way too much.' Tatsuo thought to himself while shaking his head.
"Nothing." Tatsuo replied. "I was just trying to figure out why a [Mission] would appear now. "It hasn't even been a month since the last one."
Although not completely, what Tatsuo said was true. According to the pattern so far, there has always been at least a month between [Missions]. That gap had even widened to three months before the last one. Yet, after only two weeks, they were being sent to another one.
"I see." Aislynn said, a knowing glint flashing in her eyes. "Even so, I'm sure it's not a bad thing. I've seen that boy's, James', dreams. And I know that you all return stronger from each [Mission]. So, having another one so soon shouldn't be so bad, should it?"
"When you put it that way, I guess not." Tatsuo replied with a small smile. "Anyway, let's check the [Mission] details. Then, we need to discuss with everyone else about who will be going."
With that, Tatsuo avoided Aislynn's playful, yet doting, gaze and once again began navigating the [System] to check the new [Mission's] details. At the same time, he pretended not to hear Aislynn's amused giggle as she, too, began to check the [Mission] details.
{[Missions]
-A new [Mission] is available for the members of the [Dimensional Chat].
[Mission #5]
-Objectives
Survive for 2 years Create a Familia Invite 1 new member to the [Dimensional Chat]
Note 1: Upon beginning the [Mission], all participants will have their [Physical Stats] lowered to E+, should they exceed the rank.
Note 2: Should members of the [Dimensional Chat] return to the world in the future, the above restriction will no longer be in effect.
-Number of Participants: All members of the [Dimensional Chat]
-The mission will begin automatically in 1 Day, 11 Hours, and 58 Minutes
-Rewards: 10,000 Coins, Random Reward
[Start Mission]}
"Are you serious?" Tatsuo muttered to himself after reading the [Mission] details. "We're really going there? But there's so much to worry about in that world."
"It seems you know something about the world in which the [Mission] will take place." Aislynn said while tilting her head to one side, the action looking much cuter than it had any right to coming from such a powerful being.
"Yeah." Tatsuo replied with an absent-minded nod. "But not too much. You see, if I'm right, this world has found its way into my world in the form of anime, manga, and light novels. But I've only watched the first season of the anime and never read any of the printed media."
"Oh my." Aislynn said while finally removing her hand from Tatsuo's cheek. "But that's not a bad thing, is it?"
Hearing that, Tatsuo looked at Aislynn with a quizzical expression.
"What fun is there in knowing everything before it will happen?" Aislynn asked. "Trust me, life without a bit of uncertainty can get rather dull."
"Are you speaking from experience?"
"I can see the dreams of every being connected to the [Dimensional Gap]." Aislynn said casually. "Even the dreams they aren't aware of. So, I know everything they plan to do well before they do it. It's like watching a movie the second day it comes out and reading all the spoilers before watching it."
"Yeah, I guess that would suck." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. "If you only look at life as a show, that is. But even if you think you know what will happen, living is totally different."
"Now, it sounds like you're speaking from experience." Aislynn said with a smile as she rested her right hand against her own right cheek.
Tatsuo's response was to simply shrug his shoulders.
"Anyway, let's get back to the [Chat]." Tatsuo said. "Everyone's probably already read the [Mission] details."
Receiving a nod from Aislynn, Tatsuo once again opened the [Dimensional Chat]. He also did his best to ignore the soft feeling that wrapped around his arm after Aislynn stepped closer and hugged his right arm to her chest.
Unfortunately, the slight blush that colored his cheeks, despite his best efforts, gave away his state of agitation, causing Aislynn to smile in amusement as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.{Pic}
{[Dimensional Chat]
Alfonzo: That's Danmachi
Lici: Definitely Danmachi
James: No doubt, it's Danmachi
Violet: What is Danmachi?
Momo: It must be an anime, manga, or something of the sort
Momo: But I don't believe it exists in my world
Momo: I began searching for it on the internet after Alfonzo-San, Lici-San, and James-San mentioned it
Momo: But There are no results
Akatsuki: I miss surfing the internet
Akatsuki: And living in an MMO is nowhere close to the same
Sakura: Oh
Sakura: I never thought of searching for the terms in the missions to find information about the worlds
Sakura: I knew nominating you to join the chat was the right move, Momo-Chan
Momo: You're overpraising me, Sakura-San
Tatsuo (Admin): Anyway, there's a lot to think about for this mission
Tatsuo (Admin): For example, the second objective said create a familia
Aletia: What is a familia
James: A group of adventurers gathered under a patron god
James: That presents another problem
James: If we're creating a familia, who will be the god?
Aislynn: I believe that is a role tailor made for me
Lici: Seriously
Lici: Did you forget about the Dragon God in the room?
James: Kinda
James: I mean, dragon gods have kinda lost their mystique ever since they started living in my houses, eating my food, and using my lap as a seat
Aislynn: I only did it once
Aislynn: Just to see why those girls in your harem liked it so much
Aislynn: Don't misunderstand, my future mate
James: I get the feeling I'm gonna get my ass beat sometime in the near future
Alfonzo: Yeah, you said that without thinking
Alfonzo: That was a real Lici move
Lici: Hey!
Lici: I can't deny it, though
Lici: But you didn't have to say it
Tatsuo (Admin): I'm sure she won't hurt you too bad
Tatsuo (Admin): Right, Aislynn?
Aislynn: Yes, I'll make sure not to leave any injuries that cannot be healed by Twilight Healing
James: This is gonna suck
Violet: So, what are the other issues?
Tatsuo (Admin): We don't know where we'll be in the timeline
Tatsuo (Admin): But I doubt it will happen during the main story
Sakura: Why is that?
Alfonzo: Because I'm pretty sure the whole story takes place in less than a year
Alfonzo: So, unless we start a year before the main story starts, then we could be at any time
Lici: Has anyone watched or read DanmachI?
Tatsuo (Admin): The first season
Alfonzo: The wiki
James: Same
Lici: Me, too
Momo: It would seem we'll be at quite the disadvantage, then
Aislynn: Is that really a bad thing?
Aislynn: Knowing everything that happens is rather boring, is it not?
James: I feel like I've heard that somewhere...
James: I can't remember where, though
Alfonzo: Well, none of that really matters
Alfonzo: We only have 3 objectives
Alfonzo: And the 3rd one is the hardest
Lici: Yeah, Fonzie's right
Violet: I suppose
Violet: Just surviving shouldn't be that hard
Tatsuo (Admin): But let's be real
Tatsuo (Admin): Just surviving is not something we'll do
Tatsuo (Admin): We'll definitely want to take advantage of the Falna to get stronger
Sakura: Falna?
Sakura: What's that
James: That world's power system
James: The blessing of a god unlocks a person's potential and blah blah blah
Alfonzo: It's a leveling system, basically
Alfonzo: Skills, magic, EXP, etc.
Akatsuki: Again?
Akatsuki: Can I just sit this one out?
Akatsuki: I'm already living that life
Lici: I guess Akatsuki really is about that life
Alfonzo: Lame
James: Yeah, kinda
Lici: Screw both of you
Lici: That was great
Lici: Right, girls?
Violet: ...
Sakura: ...
Aletia: ...
Momo: ...
Akatsuki: Sorry, Lici
Akatsuki: It really was kind of lame
Lici: Traitors!!!
Aislynn: You mortals are so amusing
Aislynn: This chat will help stave off the boredom in the Dimensional Gap for sure
Tatsuo (Admin): Anyway
Tatsuo (Admin): We don't have much time until the quest starts
Tatsuo (Admin): Luckily, it's after the housewarming party
Alfonzo: Then, we should go at the last minute
Alfonzo: Wouldn't wanna disrupt the party
Tatsuo (Admin): I get the feeling you're being sarcastic
Alfonzo: Not at all
Alfonzo: Lici and I will be there, after all
Lici: And we're bringing Mar'e, too!
James: I wanna go, too
James: But I have Satan duties to attend to tomorrow
James: Damn politicians and paperwork
James: If I killed the Council and burned all the paperwork, do you think I'd be labeled a criminal
Aislynn: Most definitely
Aislynn: That Lucifer brat would love to see that, too
Aislynn: He would be able to get some of his shattered pride back by once again becoming the strongest devil in devil society
James: Yeah, never mind
James: Although I hate paperwork and all that shit
James: I'm not letting that guy off
James: Embarrassing me publicly is something that will never be completely forgiven}
The members of the [Dimensional Chat] continued to chat for a while longer. Though, their conversation veered further and further away from the topic of the [Mission]. Then, after a while, Tatsuo left the chat, thinking it was time to head back to James' house.
And when Tatsuo left, Aislynn naturally left, as well. And at the same time, both Tatsuo and Aislynn opened their eyes, Tatsuo still blushing slightly while Aislynn still had that amused smile on her face.
'What the hell is going on with me?' Tatsuo asked himself while sneaking glances at Aislynn. 'I've seen all kinds of beautiful women in the worlds I've been to. Yet, I've never been flustered like this before. Is this woman using her powers to entice me, or something?'
Tatsuo's guess could not have been further from the truth, however. Instead, it was because of his dragon half. With such a powerful dragon being interested in him, his draconic instincts were making him more excited than usual. In fact, the only reason he had not tried to pounce on her was also due to his draconic instincts.
The pride of a male dragon would not allow him to be weaker than his mate. At the same time, Aislynn's draconic pride, had Tatsuo actually tried to push things, would have made her swat him away as far as she could without killing him, as a female dragon's pride would not allow her to be the mate of a male dragon who was not stronger than her.
"I guess you're about to leave." Aislynn said softly as she hugged Tatsuo's arm a little tighter.
"Yeah." Tatsuo replied while not making eye contact with Aislynn. "I'll have to go back to my own world soon. You know, stuff to do and all that."
Finding Tatsuo's reaction cute, Aislynn giggled.
"Although I understand, I don't like it." Aislynn said with a slight pout after getting her giggle-fit under control. She then unwrapped her right arm from around Tatsuo's and poked him in the chest with one of her slender fingers. "So, you'd better come visit me. Often. Understood?"
"I'll try..." Tatsuo said while scratching the back of his head and looking away.
"Promise. Me." Aislynn said a little more forcefully.
Tatsuo did not respond immediately. Instead, he finally turned to look into Aislynn's eyes. And when he saw the affection in her gaze, he closed his eyes for a moment to take a deep breath.
"*Sigh* I promise." Tatsuo replied as he opened his eyes and looked into Aislynn's again.
Receiving Tatsuo's promise, Aislynn's smile was dazzling. Then, after a few seconds, she released Tatsuo and took a step back.
"That's all I needed to hear." Aislynn said happily. She then made a gesture, shooing Tatsuo away. "Alright, go do what you have to do."
Tatsuo could not help smiling wryly at how cleanly he was dismissed after Aislynn got what she wanted. Even so, he had no intension to linger. So, after a quick wave, he cast [Return] and vanished from the Team DxD Base in a flash of light, leaving Aislynn standing there with the same dazzling smile on her face.
Then, right after the flash from Tatsuo's [Return] spell faded, Aislynn's playful vibe disappeared completely. Instead, it was replaced with sheer jubilation.
"Hahahaha!" Aislynn laughed while jumping around like a little kid. "He promised! He really promised! The prince promised he would come to visit me more often! Hahahaha!"
However, as Aislynn celebrated, she did not notice that another person appeared nearby, too caught up in her happiness to pay attention. Not that anyone who should have been able to show up would have been able to hurt her in the first place. {Pic}
Plus, if they did not know what was good for them and thought about gossiping about her uncharacteristic behavior, she didn't mind reminding them who the strongest being in this universe was.
But until someone interrupted her, she intended to bask in her happy feelings.