Following a noticeably less-intense staredown, Kyoya and Levvy both laughed off the encounter. They both went right back to their marks with smiling faces.

"Alright, I'll buy it. Guy's got a personality, no doubt." She resumed preparation of the food, cheerily humming.

Solitaire tilted her head.

"While not the most confusing encounter I've endured, this was far from the least."

Lyric, at last afforded comfort, brought them back to the meeting's topic.

"...So, beyond everything that's been tossed out, we don't have much else to report. Neither of us have any clue how to go forward with any of this, either."

Kyoya made a well-hidden huff at her remark. On one hand, he groaned inside at her making them sound so helpless; on the other...

Well, she was just being honest—her accuracy was indisputable. There was no way to tell if any progress could be made, at least not without enlisting the help of someone more seasoned in the field.

The Miscreant cornered another glance at their royal company.

"If she's the same kind of student as Reika, she must've done something major to have earned the title..." Thus far, he'd only met two Heirs to Eternity, and one was still earning her stripes. Seeking his own counsel on the matter couldn't be worth much.

The Adventurer-Princess crossed one leg over the other, resting her right elbow on the table. It appeared as though thoughts were undergoing trial runs. Finally, she gave herself a light nod.

"There's very little we have to operate on, especially given the Virtues' separations... However, with the appearance of the Demon yesterday, I'd say there's probable cause to whatever measures may need to be taken. With some luck, we'll be able to turn up a lead or two before much else sees any action."

Levvy stiffened a bit.

"A Demon?"

"Did word not get out?" asked Kyoya. "Last night, a humanoid Demon showed up in the courtyard. Lyric and I handled it, but..."

Another look was cast around the lot of them. "...the whole idea of somebody plotting something has really been bugging us."

Still tending to the grill, the Mariner recalled, "Actually, I might've overheard folks gossiping about a Demon—something to do with smoke... and a great big line getting carved outta the ground?"

The pair exchanged glances, then went back to Levvy.

"Yeah, that's our guy," Lyric confirmed with a nod.

Something about the Mariner changed following that affirmation—a sullen disposition overtook her previously chipper attitude. Before Kyoya could decide whether or not he wanted to prod, she spoke.

"Of course—as soon as I start forgetting about it, you guys come around."

"Pardon?" asked Solitaire.

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Levvy elaborated, "As much as I hate the subject, I've got my own history with that side of things. I doubt it's quite as exciting as yours, though."

Overcoming her nerves once more, Lyric followed with another addition.

"If it isn't any trouble, would you be willing to tell us anything you might know? We'll really take what we can get."

That question seemed to carry the weight of the entire conversation. A gentle nod from their host gave all in attendance a relieved, albeit hidden, sigh.

"The grub's done, so fighting it would just make me look like an ass."

She then noticed the open seat that had been left. "Should I assume that one's for me?"

Kyoya shrugged.

"I figured it'd come down to it."

Levvy offered a smile and handed out dishes for the trio, having saved a small fillet for herself. Now sat at the four corners of the table, conversation was soon to resume.

However, the Miscreant found it increasingly tough to stay focused on talking when the food before him was practically beckoning.

She'd prepared cuts from a fish, which he couldn't immediately identify. A steamy aroma of coastal waters suggested that it was native to shallower regions.

The meat was an alluring off-white—flaky and tender just as it was supple and taught. Its texture grew oftened and slickened by the assortment of oils that had seeped into every crevice of such carefully prepared slices. Adorning the dish was a bouquet of sweet-smelling herbs, whose leaves draped over the plate's edge before curling neatly back into themselves.

Were he left alone to eat, he'd have ditched the fork and knife completely; extreme hunger wasn't a great ailment in the face of fine cuisine.

Lyric caught his stupor, giving him a light nudge on the side.

"How long are you gonna just stare at it? Eat, or you might not even make the walk back to our room."

"Our room?" Levvy perked up.

"What, did I say something weird?"

"No, no—I guess I'm just surprised you two have jumped to living together. Ryder wasn't kidding when she said you could make anything happen; I'm impressed."

The Seraph reeled.

"For one," she started, "it's strictly business: King Altar gave us a place to stay while we got on our feet, so denying the offer was out of the picture. And, two, we don't share a bed or anything like that. I might be able to make anything happen, but even I have standards."

After clearing his throat, Kyoya shot a glare to his partner.

"I'm sure you can see why anybody with half a brain wouldn't take that approach."

The pair exchanged a mutual huff before turning away from one another in an exaggerated fashion. Solitaire offered a hearty smile, with Levvy biting back laughter so not to choke on her food.

At first, Lyric picked away at her share of the meal. Another surprise presented itself to the Miscreant in the form of her poise with silverware.

Each action with her knife demonstrated precision and intent—she never missed a mark or made a false cut. She wasn't a loud eater, nor did she attract any attention; one could easily mistake her for royalty with the right choice of disguise…

At least, he thought, until she practically cheered at the first taste of her dish.

Something about seeing her eyes light up like that brought with it an overwhelming comfort. Of course, the boy cursed himself for letting his livelihood lie in the hands of another so easily. Given the obvious implication, he chose to abandon the thought altogether—even hoping it wouldn't come back up in the near future.

Kyoya, on the other hand, wasn't quite so refined with silverware.

He spared no time in taking this opportunity to wolf down his ration; the boy wasn't quite caring enough to savor, instead aiming more to satiate. However, from what he did manage to stop and taste, it was clear that the Mariner knew her way around aquatic cuisine.

Its flaky texture on the plate hardly did justice to the way in which each bite melted tenderly on his tongue. The combination effectively forced him to cherish every sliver that found itself on his plate.

Before he could even thank Fate for allowing him such a meal, the excitement of the moment had died with the last of his portion. It left a rigid seriousness to come about the princess once again.