Sona was the first to enter their new house and set about on an adventure. The place was huge. It appeared to be rather expensive to create and maintain. Valindra had told them that this house possessed a natural hot spring out back. Sona never had much time for such luxuries in his last life, so he intended to take full advantage. "First things first, I need to find a room. I want to find the best spot," Sona enjoyed talking to himself, a habit he picked up from his world. He would sometimes talk to himself just to avoid the silence.
After searching several rooms, Sona happened upon the master bedroom. Two full sized rooms and an extra large living room. The beds in both rooms were enormous, enough to fit seven people or more. "Yeah, this will do nicely," Sona claimed the left room as his own again. On the far right side was the walk in closet. His casual clothes he put away there, meanwhile, he hung his spare uniform on the door to his room.
Sona walked over to the dresser nearby and put away his boxers and socks. "That should do it. Man, this almost feels like home. Only thing I'm missing is my smartphone. I guess it's only natural I couldn't bring that with me," Sona grabbed a pair of boxers and his pajamas. "Alright. Time for a bath," Sona smiled happily as he grabbed a towel from the nearby hall closet. 'This is going to be an amazing life. A private dorm, our own personal hot spring bath. This is the life.' Sona thought to himself as he opened the to door to the men's dressing room.
Jaesu wasn't around. "He must still be settling in," Sona muttered as he stripped. He slipped his clothes into the nearby basket and threw his towel over his shoulder. He paused for a second at the door. 'This is supposed to be communal, right?' Sona swallowed hard. 'Please be empty.' He shut his eyes and slid the door open. "I'm coming in!" Sona said out loud and took a step in, closing the door behind him. When he didn't hear anything, he carefully opened one of his eyes. "Whew," Sona exhaled the breathe he had been holding and made his way over to the showers. Sitting his towel to the side, Sona turned on the water and began filling up the bucket. Dousing himself quickly, Sona grabbed the bar of soap nearby and began to lather up his body.
Sona had the bucket filling while he was scrubbing his body. Once he was satisfied, he dumped the bucket over his head again. He repeated this process for shampooing his hair. Finally finished with the prewash, Sona stood up and turned around to the grab his towel. At this moment, the door to the women's room swung open. The steam from the spring distorted the shadow, so he couldn't even hazard a guess. With lightning reflexes, Sona quickly grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his lower body.
"Calm down, darling. It's only me,"
Sona's heart was beating fast but he maintained his composure. "Elandeli?" Sona questioned has he sat down in the hot springs.
"Mhmm. It's me. I wanted to beat every one here so I could be alone," Elandeli sat down at the showers to wash herself off. "It seems like you had the same idea," She continued and looked back at Sona in the spring.
"Hm? Um, yeah, well the thing is," Sona scratched his cheek shyly and peaked behind him. She had her back to him, but he was still able to see her curvaceous figure. Her skin appeared smooth and her body was fairly toned with a deep tan complexion. Her long pink hair was darkened from the water and stuck to her back.
"If you want to see me naked, you need only ask darling," Ellie teased and heard the water splash around from his movements. "Haha. How adorable. You're flustered," She turned her head around and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You're so cruel, Miss Ellie. How can you tease me so relentlessly?" Sona felt the water move as Ellie dipped her body into the spring with him. "Elandeli?" He went to turn around but felt her arms loop under his as she placed her hands on his bare chest.
"Please don't look," Elandeli whispered sheepishly and pressed her forehead against his back.
"Are you okay? I never took you for the shy type," Sona was kind of worried now. He hadn't known her long, but this seemed out of character for Elandeli.
"I'm a lot more shy then I let on. I'm sorry," Elandeli whispered again.
'She seems vulnerable right now.' Sona thought and placed one of his hands on hers. "I won't look, okay?" Sona whispered and tilted his back to look up at the sky. The stars here were even more beautiful than on Earth. They all seemed so close and shined so much brighter. The moon here was twice the size and was surrounded by a ring at the equator. "Ellie, the sky here is so beautiful," He whispered to her.
"Mhmm. This view is the best," She replied. "Hey, Sona?"
"Yeah?" He peeked back over his shoulder.
"You know that Kono and I, well, you know we're vampires, right? You don't, hate vampires, do you?" She questioned and he felt her squeeze his chest. She was trembling.
'Is that why?' Sona smiled softly and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Ellie, I've never even met a vampire until now. In my world they were just mythical creatures. Dragons, vampires, even demi-humans. None of that seemed real. Yet here I am," Sona turned around while he spoke. He placed his hand on her cheek and lifted her head slowly.
"Sona," She spoke his name and placed her hand over his and held it tight.
"The answer is, no. I could never hate you, Ellie. I don't care if people see you as a monster. I'll protect you. I'll protect all of you. I promise. I'll become strong so I can keep that promise. Will you put your faith in me? Will you support me?" He questioned as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. His cheeks were almost completely red. How he even found the courage to do this was beyond him. 'I was always socially awkward and could never say something like this. My tough guy image would have been ruined. But here? Here I don't care. All that matters, is protecting these girls and making sure that they are happy.' Sona thought to himself and smiled warmly at Elandeli.
Tears formed at the corner of her eyes as she buried her face into Sona's chest. He placed his hand on the back of her head and stroked her hair lovingly. "I will. I will, Sona. Please don't leave Kono and me behind. Please?" She begged and wrapped her arms around Sona.
"Leave you? Why would I ever do such a thing?"
"Promise me, please?" She pleaded again.
"If that's what it takes," Sona replied and placed his hands on her shoulders. Gently he pulled a short distance away. She looked up and gazed into eyes. 'Wow. She has beautiful sapphire eyes.' Sona thought to himself before speaking again. "I promise I won't leave you, or Kono, or Deltune. Nor Jaesu and Saphira. I promise to stay by your side," Sona smiled at Ellie and she almost fainted. In the light of the full moon, he looked so regal and handsome. She was sure her heart was about to explode. Elandeli closed her eyes and leaned forward. Her lips parted ever so slightly.
Now Sona felt his heart skip a beat. "Elandeli," He whispered her name as he leaned the rest of the way towards her. He closed his eyes when their lips met. They shared a gentle kiss that only lasted a few seconds, but to them, that seemed like an eternity.
Elandeli was the first to pull away. She bit her lower lip and opened her eyes slowly. "That was our second kiss, Sona. I'm glad you're the one I gave me first kiss to a week ago," She smiled softly and leaned in close. "Can I have some of your blood, Sona?" She whispered softly into his ear.
"Of course. I'm surprised you didn't ask earlier. Where's it need to be? The neck?"
Elandeli started chuckling softly. "It can come from anywhere you bleed, silly. Personally the wrist is the best place. It doesn't hurt that much and it won't take as long," She replied, still filled with laughter from his remark. She gently grabbed his hand and held his wrist up to her lips.
"It's alright, Ellie. Take as much as you need," He gasped softly the second her fangs dug into his wrist. She placed both her hands behind his wrist and began feeding from him. "Ahh. Elandeli," He bit down on his lip and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, Elandeli lifted her head. Sona watched her fangs leave his skin. Two little drops of blood followed and the punctured holes sealed back up. Elandeli licked up the last little bit of blood. After that was done, she kissed his wrist and smiled up at Sona.
"Thank you, darling. It's hard for my to feed because devil-kin like Kono and myself are feared. We have to hide our existence otherwise we could be killed," Elandeli laid her head on Sona's shoulder.
"A devil-kin?" Sona questioned.
"Devil-kin is a type of demi-human. We are the product of a human and a devil relationship. We are hated because people see all devil's as evil. After all, the Demon King is a devil who seeks to destroy humanity. Whenever he returns to this world, most all devil's side with him because of their persecution by humans," Elandeli explained more about this world to Sona. She felt him clench his fist as his body started to tremble. "What's wrong, darling?"
"How could anyone do something like that? I don't understand how people can be so cruel," Sona gritted his teeth and was caught off guard when she placed her hands on his cheeks. "Ellie?"
"It's okay. I know as long as we stay with you, everything will be okay. I know you won't let anything happen to us," Elandeli pulled his face down and kissed his forehead. "Now, we've been in here long enough. What do you say we get out?" Ellie backed away from Sona and got out first. "I'll head back now. Thank you for listening to me, darling," She blew a kiss and disappeared into the women's changing room.
"Wow," Sona put his hands on the floor of the bath and leaned backwards. He turned his gaze to the night sky and became lost in thought. "This really isn't Earth, anymore. I was so afraid I would eventually wake up and this would have been nothing but a dream. However, even my dreams were never this detailed," Sona closed his eyes and stood up to get out of the bath. "I will speak with Konotsune. If Ellie hadn't eaten until now, then Kono might be in the same boat," Sona walked into the men's room and grabbed a spare towel. He hung the wet one up and proceeded to dry himself off.
The door swung open and Jaesu walked into the changing room. "Ah, Sona. How was the water? I thought we could have a chance to bond, but seeing as how your done, guess we will have to wait," Jaesu proceeded to strip and head for the outside bath.
"Yeah, sorry man. Definitely next time, for sure," He called after his friend and finished sliding on his pajamas. "Time for me to see Kono," He whispered trying to work up the courage to speak with her. Sona walked to the second floor and started looking through the rooms. After a few failed attempts, Sona found a room that was locked. "Kono, are you in here?"
"Confirmation. Yes, Sona. Query. What did you need?" She asked as Sona heard the door unlock. She swung it open slowly and invited Sona inside.
"Ellie told me about your origins. That you are vampires, a form of devil-kin."
"Troubling. What was your reaction?" She asked and Sona could almost sense her fear.
"The same one I'm giving you now. I know your a vampire, and I'm almost 100% certain you haven't fed. If your okay with it being me, I don't mind helping you," Sona smiled warmly at Konotsune.
She thought about it for a long time before speaking. "Condition. You take me to the city on a date. Addition. You help me find a cute swimsuit," Konotsune looked at Sona and almost felt her heart flutter. 'He is strong, handsome, and sweet. I almost feel like I could show my expressions and feelings to him.'
"A date?" Sona paused for a moment. 'I've never even been on a date myself.
"Query. Am I not cute enough?"
"What? Oh, gods no. That isn't it, Kono. I've just never been on a date before," Sona admitted and scratched his cheek shyly.
"Admission. Neither have I. You know we are devil-kin, so we can't be ourselves around others. Obvious statement. You know and still accept us, so please say you will?" Kono pleaded and even though she wasn't showing it, Sona could sense puppy dog eyes emanating from her.
"Very well. If I take you on this date, will you eat? That is the only way I'll accept," He didn't even finish his question before Kono started nodding her hear quickly. "Alright," Sona started laughing and reached his hand out to pet her head. "I'm glad your excited. Very well. Think of where you want to go and we will do that. After all, I'm not even sure what exists in this world," Sona leaned forward and kissed Konotsune's forehead before standing to leave.
"Farewell. Good night, Sona dear," Konotsune walked Sona to the door and watched him leave before locking the door. She put her back to the door and dropped into a seated position. "I-I felt hot in my face. Confusion. What is wrong with me?"
Sona returned to his room to find Deltune sitting in the living room. "Welcome Home, Sona. How was the bath?" She poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Sona.
He smiled and walked over, taking a seat next to her. "I'm home," He took the tea and poured some honey and milk into the cup. "The bath was wonderful. It's almost like what we have in my world. Though I was always to be busy to go myself," Sona sipped his tea quietly and looked at Deltune. "Thank you, Del. This tea is delicious," He continued sipping his tea and turned to Deltune. "Hey, Del?"
"Hmm? What's wrong, Sona?" Del asked and turned to face him.
"I'll be a bit busy later, but would you like go on a date with me the day after tomorrow?"
Deltune's face lit up. "D-date? A d-d-d-date with me?" She was stumbling over her words.
"Yes, of course. I mean it. I want to go on a date with you," Sona smiled warmly at the goddess beside him.