Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
June 24, 2008 - Serena POV.
"Alright, everyone, get ready! We have some very important people coming to see the proof of concept, and by important, I mean two Satans and the leader of the fallen angels, so, good luck!" I said cheerfully while clapping. I could see several people trembling slightly. I could hear a snort next to me.
"That didn't help calm anyone down." Rebecca mocked beside me, Enid sighed.
"Just ignore my fiancée, just do what we've practiced, and everything will be fine! This is a proof of concept; it doesn't have to be perfect. We're just showing you an idea of what it could look like. There's plenty of room for improvement, so don't stress!" Enid said with a cheerful smile, trying to calm everyone down. I could see several people calming down slightly. "And if anyone makes a mistake, we'll blame Sera for being so busy and not attending practice!" Enid said, nudging me with her hip. I heard several laughs, and I rolled my eyes.
"Everyone, finish getting ready." I said goodbye to them all, and they started moving quickly. I looked around as I watched them all preparing rapidly.
We were in one of the buildings in the Entertainment District of Pentagram City. The building belonged entirely to me, in fact, mainly to Enid; she used it for one of the companies she controlled.
It was a record label, Pentagram Records. As Enid had taken on the sacred duty of expanding K-Pop to this world, she couldn't accomplish it without a music label, so she founded one. She didn't run anything at all, and normally, Ravel or Lucius would handle all the important paperwork before delegating the task to someone else. Even so, Enid was very involved in all of this.
She especially enjoyed talking to up-and-coming singers, distributing songs to different groups, helping with the dancing, and more. She really enjoyed being here.
So, here we were, on a small stage that was used for practice, there were devils, both succubi and low-class devils, running around to prepare everything, costumes, sound, arranging the chairs, and making everything presentable.
There was also a group that would be performing with us at least at the beginning, so about a dozen people were moving around quickly.
And then there were us. Actually, only Enid, Ravel, and I were needed, but obviously, everyone else had insisted on coming. Especially Rebecca and Freya. So, my entire Peerage, minus GLaDOS, was here.
That made a little over 20 people, and we were expecting twice that number to arrive. Sirzechs would be coming with Grayfia and Rias, while Rias would be bringing her entire Peerage. Serafall would be coming with Sona, who would also be bringing her whole peerage. Riser would also be coming with his entire Peerage, which was almost the same size as the previous two groups. Finally, the last group, thankfully, consisted only of Azazel and Vali.
So all those people together were more than 30 people.
"So, you said you had someone who would play Mira, right?" I asked Enid curiously; she nodded broadly.
"Yes! She should be -" Enid stopped when the door opened, then squealed. "I'm here!" Enid said, raising her hand and waving to the person at the door. "Verosika! You're here!" Enid said happily, then ran to the door. I blinked a few times.
She said… Verosika?
I stared incredulously at the succubus who had just entered. She was slightly tall, with bright pink skin almost bordering on red, a curvaceous figure, two horns on her head, and white hair with a pink gradient.
Oh fuck no, not Helluva Boss. Especially, please, let there not be Blitzo.
I saw Enid drag Verosika right in front of me.
"Sera! This is Verosika! One of our singers at Pentagram Records! She just debuted as a pop singer recently. We've been talking, and I know you listened to the demos and chose her for the role of Mira!" Enid said with a big smile. Enid was right; she had sent me several demos of people singing, and I had chosen one of them, the one who would perfectly complement Enid's and Serafall's voices, and apparently, Verosika was the one with that voice. Verosika looked at me intently.
"Greetings, Lady Prince, thank you for everything you have done for succubi and for this opportunity. I promise not to let you down." Verosika said, bowing slightly. My eyes widened slightly.
"There's no need to thank me." I said immediately. Verosika just shook her head, still bowed.
"On the contrary, I couldn't thank you enough. Working for Pentagram Records is the first opportunity I've had to sing for clients anywhere other than a brothel. I have great respect for Marion, but I'm not her. I wanted more, and it's only possible thanks to you, Pentagram City, and Miss Sinclair," Verosika said, still without lifting her head. I blinked before sighing.
"Fine, I accept your thanks," I finally said. Verosika sighed and lifted her head. "I'm glad you're actually doing what you love. That's all I want for succubi," I said honestly, and I meant it. I had no plans for Pentagram City and the succubi other than for them to do whatever they wanted. That response only made Verosika's eyes sparkle slightly.
"I'll do it, and once again, thank you for this opportunity. Singing together with not one, but possibly two Satans, is more than I could ever have dreamed of." Verosika said, her voice full of emotion, though I could hear a hint of nervousness.
"You'll do great!" Enid said cheerfully. "You know your parts of the song and the choreography perfectly, just do the same as in practice, and you'll be fine. Sera will fit in with us!" Enid said confidently. I almost snorted, but yes, that was the idea.
I would be singing as Rumi soon. Enid, very nervous but excited, would be Zoey. while Verosika would be Mira. Enid had handled all the rehearsals; I was busy with meetings and other issues with Ravel and Lucius, so we didn't have a chance to practice together. I was confident enough to adjust to them, confident enough not to ruin everything.
"By the way, you don't have a boyfriend or ex-boyfriend named Blitzo, do you?" I finally asked, unable to get the question out of my head. Verosika looked at me, confused, before shaking her head.
"I don't know anyone by that name," she finally said. I almost sighed with relief.
"Oh, then it doesn't matter, I must have been mistaken," I said immediately. "I look forward to working with you," I said immediately as I extended my hand. Verosika accepted it and gently shook it.
"Likewise," she said with a small smile. I suppose it could work. Putting aside the fact that Verosika's voluptuous figure didn't match Mira's slender one, that was the least of it. Verosika had acted professionally so far, but if there were even a hint of her personality that resembled Canon, then acting as Mira would be a perfect role for her.
At that moment, a huge circle appeared in the free space we had prepared; I recognized it immediately.
"Am I the first?" Riser said, looking around.
"Riser!" Ravel said as he approached him.
"Ravel, how have you been?" Riser asked, greeting his sister. I approached him.
"Riser, I'm glad you came." I said with a small smile. Riser scoffed before smiling broadly.
"Hey, I'm totally involved in this. I can see our esteemed Lord Lucifer barking," Riser said cheekily. I could hear some laughter from his peerage.
"I'm glad you liked the idea; Ravel found it fascinating, too," I said playfully.
"Of course," Ravel said, not even embarrassed, just lifting her chin with a cheeky grin, just like Riser's. I chuckled.
"The seats are ready. Take your Peerage there and ask the succubus standing near the seats." I said, pointing to the arranged chairs. Riser just nodded before stopping and looking at Riveria, Rebecca, and Lucy. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at them.
"New members of –" Riser stopped as a circle appeared once more. Riser clicked his tongue.
"Let's go." Riser said to his Peerage before walking away toward the chairs. His Peerage immediately followed as Sirzechs, Grayfia, Rias, and her Peerage appeared from the magic circle. The first thing I heard was Issei's excited shout as he looked around, followed by a heavy sigh from Rias.
"Serena!" Sirzechs said jovially as he approached. "How nice—" Sirzechs stopped as Serafall and her group appeared.
"I'm here!" Serafall exclaimed as she bounced with excitement and came closer to us.
"Sirzechs, Serafall, it's good to see you again." I said to them both, nodding.
"I'm so excited!" Serafall said with a huge smile. "I even came prepared!" Serafall said as she pulled several lit lightsticks out of... somewhere. I could only blink.
"Is it... a proof of concept, not a proper concert?" I asked, confused. Serafall just kept smiling.
"Magical girl idols! We have to be prepared!" Serafall said, sounding completely serious. "I got Sona-chan to help me get ready!" Serafall said, looking at her sister, who had a defeated expression as she raised her hands holding a couple of bags overflowing with lightsticks.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't stop her," Sona said with a tired sigh. I chuckled softly and shook my head.
"Don't worry," I said simply. Sona just sighed.
"Saji, distribute these." Sona said without hesitation as she handed the task to her pawn. Saji grimaced but grabbed the heavy bags and moved to carry out the task assigned by his king.
"I can see you're really excited about this, Serafall." Sirzechs chuckled beside us, and she just nodded happily.
"Of course! I've been waiting for this one ever since we got the scripts!" Serafall said happily.
"I see," Sirzechs said simply, then turned and looked at me. "By the way, Rias and I wanted to tell you something before we begin." Sirzechs said before looking at his sister. Rias nodded and took a step forward while glancing sideways at Sona, who also approached.
"Lady Prince, I wanted to thank you for your help against Kokabiel and for keeping Kuoh safe. Thank you." Rias said as she approached, bowing slightly.
"I also thank you for your help, Lady Prince, and thank you also for allowing us to be here," Sona said, bowing in the same way.
"I accept your thanks, even though they're unnecessary," I told them honestly. "Kokabiel had stolen something that was mine, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it," I said coldly. Both heiresses stood up and nodded.
"Even so, we appreciate it," Rias said gently. I just nodded before looking away.
"Oh? Are we the last ones?" Azazel asked with a lazy smile as he approached with Vali behind him.
"Let's get this over with." Vali grumbled sulkily.
"Ma, ma, ma, go sit down, the adults need to talk first," Azazel said playfully. Vali glared at him as Azazel approached us. "Sorry I'm late, it was hard to convince Vali to come and to try not to kill everyone," Azazel said with amusement. I just raised an eyebrow.
"I don't see how he would be able to do that," I said, shrugging. I could see Vali's eye twitch slightly, and Azazel let out a laugh.
"Very well, this is an important gathering of people, and—" Azazel glanced around before gazing at my Peerage. "And there are some new faces, I see." Azazel said, looking at Rebecca, Lucy, and Riveria.
"You have new members in your Peerage?" Sirzechs asked, surprised. I nodded.
"Yes, they are my newest pawns. I had been in contact with them for a couple of months. They recently finished their business in the human world and agreed to become part of my Peerage, so I went to find them during the days I was missing." I explained easily.
"Greetings," Lucy said modestly.
"What's up, chooms?" Rebecca said with a cheeky smile; I could see everyone blink slightly.
"Chooms?" Sirzechs asked, confused.
"Local slang," I said casually. "This is Rebecca, next to her is Lucy. I met them both at the same time. They're from California in the United States—or rather, Rebecca was born there. Lucy is from Poland, but she was in California when I met her." I explained easily.
"I like your skin color and hair, but I don't recognize what race you are?" Serafall asked curiously as she approached to look at her.
"I am—I was—human." Rebecca shrugged, and several people's eyes widened. "I was walking around the city and saw several devils of different colors. It was something I wanted, so I asked Sera if I could change my skin and hair color, and she agreed." Rebecca said easily before smiling broadly. "And I look preem, babe." Rebecca said cheekily.
"Oh... wow... was that possible?" Rias asked, confused, tilting her head.
"It was easy, and she wanted it, and as she said, it looks good, so-" I shrugged. Rebecca smiled petulantly as she opened her jacket, revealing the rest of her body.
"Wooooo!!" Issei shouted excitedly as he approached before stopping. "How... old are you? You were shorter than Koneko," Issei asked, confused. Rebecca's eye twitched violently. Before Issei could react, she pulled the Malorian from her inventory, approached Issei, raised the Malorian above her head, and placed the barrel against Issei's forehead.
"I'm 22 years old, you damn Gonk! Do you have some fucking problem with my height?! I'll rip your legs off and shove them up your ass, you son of a-" I grabbed Rebecca, lifted her, and pulled her away while laughing through my teeth. "Let me go, Sera! I'll fill that damn Gonk with holes!!" Rebecca growled as she flailed her limbs and aimed at a very pale Issei. I could hear her Malorian hammering, ready to fire.
"Hey, hey, hey, you're not short." I said playfully, stroking her head. The irony of me being two heads taller than her didn't escape me. "You're fun-sized." I comforted her with a slight smile. Rebecca stopped, glared at Issei once more, clicked her tongue, and stopped fidgeting, so I let go of her.
"I'm sorry about that," Rias said with a sigh. I shook my head.
"Don't worry, though, next time, I don't think Rebecca will let him get away with it." I said playfully. Rias just sighed, then glared at Issei.
"Akeno." Rias said simply. Akeno nodded while smiling sadistically, grabbed Issei by the collar of his shirt, pushed him back, and then began whispering things to him that made him pale, tremble slightly, and cross his legs.
"I'm so sorry! It won't happen again!" Issei said immediately, bowing 90 degrees. Rias and Akeno smiled smugly and looked at me almost expectantly. I raised an eyebrow.
"Impressive, apology accepted," I said playfully. Rias smiled broadly, completely pleased with herself. I shook my head. "Where were we? Oh, and this is Riveria, a High Elf," I said, introducing Riveria to everyone.
"I am Riveria Ljos Alf, greetings Lord Lucifer, Lady Leviathan, Lord Azazel, it is an honor to meet you." Riveria said respectfully, bowing slightly. The three of them stopped stiffly; in fact, they all did.
"Elves?... Do elves exist?" Rias asked, confused, while looking at Riveria.
"They did," Azazel said immediately. "They should be extinct, or rather, they were; it seems that wasn't the case." Azazel said, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked at Riveria.
"We're not, we're just hiding. My father, Larfal Ljos Alf, hates gods and other supernatural beings. He considers them depraved creatures who love entertainment. He shelters the Royal Forest of Alf in a pocket dimension impossible to access and find, unless you know what to look for," Riveria said easily.
"Fascinating," Sirzechs said, genuinely curious. "I suppose your father is someone important to the elves," Sirzechs said, and Riveria nodded.
"My father is the king," Riveria said without hiding it.
"Ooohhh, an elf princess?!" Issei shouted excitedly before hearing a loud electrocution sound. I looked at Issei, who was writhing on the ground, convulsing after being electrocuted by Akeno.
"Ara, I'm sorry for the trouble," Akeno said with an innocent smile.
"Putting aside the excitement of young Hyoudou, you are indeed the princess. Does that... mean something?" Serafall asked curiously, and Riveria just shook her head.
"Not really, nothing important outside of Alf's Royal Forest, nobody is allowed to enter, and most of them won't leave of their own accord, so my status doesn't matter anywhere." Riveria said simply, and everyone nodded.
"And finally, this is a friend of mine, her name is Syr." Introducing Freya, she just smiled broadly.
"Hello everyone!" Freya said cheerfully.
"Hello." Sirzechs greeted with a gentle smile. "But... friend, not part of your Peerage?" he asked, turning to face me.
"Circumstances, she's staying with me in Pentagram City, but she's not part of my peerage." I said honestly.
"Oh? You look completely human, but you're not... I can't sense that you are." Azazel said, looking at Syr curiously. Syr just smiled broadly.
"That, Mr. Fallen Angel, is a secret between my dear Serena and me," Syr said, her eyes sparkling and a wide smile on her face.
"That only makes me more curious," Azazel said, chuckling slightly.
"Doesn't sound like my problem, does it?" Syr asked without hesitation, smiling broadly. Azazel burst out laughing.
"Alright! Enough! Let her keep her secrets; nobody cares! I really want to start this show!" Serafall said excitedly. I just nodded.
"Please take seats," I said, gesturing to the chairs where Riser had been watching the entire talk. Alright, let's see how this goes.