'Are they insane?!' Issei gulped, shivering in anticipation as Rias' power spiked for a split-second, the perverted Pawn stepping closer to a nervous Asia as Koneko clenched her fists and Akeno began to smile in that sexily dangerous way that promised pain and pleasure in equal amount.
"That sounds like an accusation." Rias noted, her tone cordial, yet carrying an undertone of challenge as she continued to match glares with Xenovia "Are you afraid that we Devils will side with the Fallen Angels to keep you from retrieving the stolen Excaliburs?"
"Headquarters did mention it as a possibility, yes." Xenovia admitted fearlessly, Issei's respect for the woman's guts increasing even as he questioned her sanity "After all, you Devils despise Holy Swords. Wouldn't it make more sense for your interests to coincide with those of the Fallen Angels?"
'She's fucked…' Issei muttered, resisting the urge to offer a prayer for the, admittedly hot, Holy Sword user, knowing from experience that only Rias' restraint was keeping his King from reducing everything in front of her to nothing with her Power of Destruction.
"That is why our Superiors formally ask that you stay out of our affairs." Xenovia continued, either heedless or unconcerned by the impending Dead End sitting two feet in front of her "Even if you are the Lucifer's younger sister, should we discover that you have sided with the Grigori, we have been given strict orders to cut you down."
For a moment, Rias actually looked like she was about to unleash hell, literally and figuratively, on Xenovia for her rudeness, but the mention of her elder brother, Sirzechs Lucifer of the Four Great Satans, calmed her somewhat. "I see, the Higher-Ups must be desperate if they went so far as to inform you of my relation to a Satan." she smiled coyly at Xenovia's scowl "However, since it's clear you neglected to do your research beyond that, I'll make this simple for you: There is no chance in Hell that I, or any member of my Peerage, would ever tarnish the name of House Gremory or that of the Satan Lucifer by siding with the Fallen Angels."
"I see." Xenovia noted, actually seeming amused by Rias' words for some reason "Just hearing that is good enough for me. To tell the truth, Instructions from Headquarters aside, I never truly believed that the Lucifer's younger sibling would be so stupid as to ally herself with the Grigori."
"Your faith is humbling." Rias shot back, clearly enjoying herself now that they had reached something of an understanding "However, having said that, you must understand I won't offer aide to your side either."
"Naturally." Xenovia acknowledged "Truth be told we're satisfied with you simply agreeing to not involve yourself at all. Even if it did improve our odds, our superiors would prefer to avoid any potential fall-out that may arise from the Lucifer's sister siding with the Church." she glanced at Irina, the two of them rising to their feet as one "Thank you for your time, we'll see ourselves out."
"Won't you have some tea before you go?" Rias asked, gesturing to Akeno, who moved to prepare the snacks only to pause as Xenovia shook her head, much to Irina's disappointment.
"No thanks, I'm not here to make friends with Devils." The Catholic countered, ignoring the looks being sent her way as she turned on her heel, only to pause as her eyes met a concerned Asia's "I see…when I saw you in Hyoudou Issei's home I thought it may be you…" she turned to face the confused Bishop "Tell me, are you the Witch, Asia Argento?"
Asia flinched as if struck across the face, the former 'Holy Maiden' lowering her eyes in shame even as Issei bristled, his left fist clenching in preparation to summon his Sacred Gear.
"Oh my God it is you!" Irina exclaimed, seemingly unaware of the shift in atmosphere "I'd heard you were banished because you could heal Fallen-Angels and Devils, but this is the first I've heard of you becoming a Devil yourself."
While Irina's tone implied she didn't mean anything by her words, that didn't lessen the effect they had on Asia, who couldn't even muster the strength to look them in the face.
"To think that someone once revered as a Saint could fall low enough to even consider becoming a Devil…" Xenovia muttered, the disgust in her tone like another slap in the face to Asia "Tell me, do you still believe in God, Asia Argento?"
"Don't be silly Xenovia." Irina chuckled, waving a hand dismissively, heedless of Asia's increasing discomfort "She's a Devil right? There's no way she'd still believe in God if she fell that far."
"No." Xenovia countered, her eyes never leaving Asia's trembling form "There are those whom despite betraying the teachings, remain somewhat pious, as if to punish themselves for their sins."
"Really?" Irina wondered, blinking at the revelation, as if the idea of a Devil experiencing guilt was something new to her "Is that true, Asia-san? You still believe in God even after becoming a devil?"
"…It's true." Asia admitted, her voice soft, lined with unshed tears "I've never been able to just let it go…I believed in God my whole life…even when…"
She trailed off, unable to give word to the suffering she'd endured at the hands of the Church, who branded her a witch, and the Fallen, who took her in only to kill her for her Sacred Gear.
"Is that so?" Xenovia noted, her gaze hardening as she turned to face the Bishop, holy sword in hand, though she hadn't removed the wrappings yet "In that case, you should allow us to cut you down this instant in the name of God. As it stands, even if you have sinned, God will extend his hand in forgiveness.""CUT THE SHIT!" Issei snarled, surprising even Rias, who froze in the middle of rising from her seat, the Pawn stepping between Asia and Xenovia, his teeth clenched to the point of cracking as he dared the Catholic to take a single step closer "You assholes were the ones who put her on a pedestal as a Saint in the first place, but then you have the balls to brand her a 'Witch' for using her Sacred Gear to heal someone in need and cast her out into the world alone? Where the hell do you get off?!"