Eight hours of 'hardcore' Stardew Canyon was enough to put even a god to sleep. So it wasn't that much of a surprise that I decided to skip heading back to either my apartment or the church.
And as I woke up. Big soft titties were against my face. I was a bit confused with my dull waking mind. 'Hmm? Kalawarner? No these big titties are too big, and too soft to hers? Raynare? No, she likes to snuggle and be buried in my arms.'
Then as I opened my eyes, I saw Akeno's much darker hair in the soft morning light that was streaming through the slightly open window drapes. And it wasn't like we were sharing a bed or something.
We had both it seemed fallen asleep on the couch we were sharing after Stardew 'Valley'/Canyon marathon that took over our previous day.
"Good morning to you too Jake." Akeno said in a soft teasing voice as she lied there still relaxed against me.
Then she gently patted my shoulder and said in a light tone. "But it's time to get up. Much has to be done of course."
With there being the Rating Game against Riser today. There very much was obviously alot to take care of.
So with a grunt of effort I quickly up and pushed myself up to head to the separate bathroom for the boys. Regardless of Rias being a casual nudist at some level. Kiba and Gaspar very much didn't have any interest in showering in view of others.
After taking my shower, and putting on a new outfit... Seeing as I was going to be fighting today I wanted to be in my 'sunday best' as it were. I found Kiba and Koneko both already eating in the living room.
"Morning Jake. You and Akeno slept in a bit, its getting closer to lunch so the President ordered some sandwiches for us." Kiba said with his typical cheer and polite tone.
I gave a nod in turn, and seeing the large platter of premade premium sandwiches, I went over and grabbed a couple egg sandwiches along with a toasted roast beef and cheese sandwich.
"Sooo, you two ready for the Rating Game?" I asked between bites.
Kiba and Koneko shared a look at my blunt question.
Then Kiba said with a small smile but a firm light remained in his eyes. "Of course I am going to give it my all. And as for combat in a Rating Game? Well we have been training for the last good while remember."
With Konenko just adding on in a deadpan. "We are going to kick the KFC bucket's ass. But... You better not be a pervert Jake."
I paused at that pointed warning and I pointed at myself and said helplessly. "How would I be perverted in a fight that decides Rias's future reputation Koneko?"
With even Kiba nodding as he said firmly. "Yeah, that was a bit out of line Koneko."
But Koneko then reminded me bluntly. "No, I don't mean being a weirdo and stripping his harem peerage of their clothes or something... I mean, don't get caught up in that Ravel Phenex girl they are trying to throw at you."
"I woudn't throw the match." I said with a flat look at the sassy catgirl.
Then Rias herself came into the living room with a drink and a bag of chips to add to our sandwich pile.
And after she put down the stuff she put her hands at her waist and said with a grin. "You three, I am so happy to have you guys around!"
Then Akeno who still had slightly damp hair from her longer shower said with a pout. "Wow, really feeling the love here Rias."
And after eating, time passed by all to quickly even as we got ourselves as mentally centered as possible. Though as the time for the rating game and us having to be teleported to the underworld drew closer.
There was this little whisper in the back of my mind. About how fucked up the timeline currently was. What with how Asia Argento very much wasn't in Rias's Peerage. And Raynare wasn't a pyscho who would try to take her sacred gear at all.
But those thoughts only required, only one very simple and brutal solution to clearly clear up. Rias and her peerage woudn't need a dedicated healer... If we just killed all our enemies before we could actually get hurt. Then obviously we woudn't need a healer.
But our simple, fun, and relaxation time drew to a close as Rias eventually spoke out. "It's time for us to go. Jake, due to you not being in my peerage, we will need to use a teleportation talisman so make sure not to let go of us."
With Akeno adding in some dry amusement. "Yes, sadly we are not as strong as Lady Grayfia or Lord Sirzechs. So we cannot so casually teleport to and from the underworld under our own power."
Rias then brought out a large magical slip of paper that rang out with power. Power that I recognized belonged to Grayfia's own icy-tinted magical signature.
The magical slip glowed greatly and D'draig then spoke into my mind. [Keep your eye's closed partner. First time dimensional teleportation is rough for everyone.]
And with that the magical slip exploded in light after I linked an arm around with Kiba and Akeno as we formed a sort of circle around the slip that Rias held.
I then closed my eyes as I could already feel myself being buffeted and seemingly being stretched as we were dragged off of earth and thrown into the Gap between dimensions.
And the trip only lasted a good fifteen seconds at most. But it was a very fucking weird fifteen seconds that was nothing like the smooth ride I took to get to this universe in general from the shop.
With a soft thump, I felt my feet finally touch reach ground. And I cautiously opened an eye before I saw that all to clearly we had landed in a large ballroom of sorts.
And with our teleportation. The very full ballroom went quiet and I noticed all to quickly that uhhhh... This wasn't the Gremory mansion as I imagine they didn't have large portraits and statues of an actual pheonix everywhere.
'Why the fuck are we here at the Phenex manor???' I thought before I woodenly turned towards Rias and asked quickly, as everyone else was clearly just as confused!
"Rias... Why are we here at the Phenex mansion at a party? I thought this Rating Game was going to be more on the private side?" I asked in confusion.
But then a rather loud and all to familiar voice spoke out with glee. "Jake Bariss, you need not to have such confusion haha! Riser very specifically created this party to celebrate his freedom!"
I looked over at the smugly smiling form of Riser who strode over with two of his peerage members leaning up against himself. All the while he had his arms casually over their shoulders and his hands resting on their breasts.
My face twitched at the sight of Riser giving his queen and... Maybe one of his rooks, maybe?I honestly forgot their names and places in his peerage, but it was the Chinese martial artist one.
But either way, Rias snorted and said in clear annoyance. "It would have been amazing if you had this change of heart years ago. It might have made you somewhat tolerable as well. But you just disdaining and looking down on me just pisses me off even more!"
Riser... Literally just ignored Rias entirely as he looked to me with a grin and said. "And besides showing off Riser's power and skill in this rating game to come. My honored mother wished to meet you, the Red Dragon Emperor. She is hosting a small tea party to meet you and introduce you to Riser's adorable sister!"
I could literally feel Rias behind me vibrating in fury at being ignored so blatantly. But then a delicate cough. But deadly flare of power rang out in subtle warning as Grayfia silently had approached.
And then verbally interceded as she said in her soft voice. "Lady Rias and company. The Rating Game has been scheduled to take place in an hour... Lady Venelana has asked for your time to meet other noble heirs and family heads, Lady Rias, and Akeno."
Grayfia then gave me a helpless smile before she said evenly. "Mr. Bariss, I would suggest you go to that tea party in the meantime. Your safety is assured here. But the Phenex clan head has spent several favors to get this meeting with you and her daughter."
My face twitched at that nonsense. But I also recalled how in this world line. Longinus User's were even more aggressively looked at for recruitment.
But with a sigh, I just nodded as I said with a shrug. "Lead on, then, Lady Grayfia. I certainly don't know where I am going."
All the while I was thinking. 'Wow... Getting invited to a tea party with the mother of the son I am going to be beating like a drum in just over an hour. How likely is it that whatever I drink will be poisoned?'