“Are you ready, Crowley?”

“Just give me a minute,” I reply to the Archangel outside the bathroom door, wincing while rubbing the red spot on my head. The bathroom lights reflected off the white tiles around me. I stare into the clear mirror with the equally clean toilet and shower on my left. Been a while since I’ve taken time to actually look at myself. Usually, I do the bare minimum to be presentable then go about my day. Never take the time to examine my own features.

Though, to be honest, there wasn’t much to see. Black hair with streaks of white and gray mixed in, hooked nose and pointed face, and sharp tired black eyes aren’t exactly what I’d call attractive. And that’s without mentioning the bags under my eyes or the wrinkles at their edges. I’d say I’ve still got my youth, but this job took that from me too. I have the body of a thirty-year-old but feel and act like a fifty-year-old. Add a constantly pissed off expression and you’ve got a good idea of what my face looks like on a day to day basis.

Not a lovely sight.

And the red welt on my forehead didn’t make it any better.

I shook my head and pushed away from the mirror. I’ve spent enough time looking in a mirror. Time to get back to work...which means having to interact with the brats who gave me this bump in the first place.

...

Maybe I could stay a few more minutes.

I sigh and head out the bathroom door. Outside I got a good view of the inside of the house. It had walls as white as the outside, a single flight of stairs a few steps from the front door, and a few hallways that went to different areas. Most of the floors had smooth carpet on them, save for the bathroom I came out of. Couldn’t say much else, I just got here after all. It would take some time to get the layout down in my head.

At least I could tell where the living room was to my right. Mainly cause Ramiel’s voice leaked out of the room’s closed door. I follow the sound and open the door to find the Archangel scolding five teens that all sat on a rather long couch. Everyone’s attention turned to me as I walked into the room, giving me a chance to get some cursory glances at the kids I’d be....living with.

Still think this is a shitty idea.

I make note of the five kids, three girls, and two boys, as I walk up to the Archangel. I stop next to him...which makes me ask how in the Nine Hells did he get in the house? He was way too big to fit through the door last I saw him! Did he shrink or something? Actually, that’s probably the answer. He is an angel. An actual angel with supernatural powers that I don’t currently understand.

Another thing to note for future conversations.

Ramiel says, “Hello, Crowley. I once again apologize for the entirely inappropriate behavior that you observed when you entered this house.”

His eyes shift to the teens with a glint of disappointment shining behind a veneer of calm. The five either bow their heads in shame or avoid the Archangel’s gaze. I wave my hand dismissively while replying, “Eh, it’s not that big a deal. Just a bump. It’ll go away with time.”

“It is still unacceptable and will be amended post-haste. Aria Lane.”

“Uh, yes, Angel Ramiel,” the girl at the leftmost end of the couch got up from her seat. An eyebrow raises as she stepped up to me. She wore a casual white t-shirt with gold embroidered in the shape of a cross on the front, along with dark navy blue pants. She was a dirty blonde with her hair wrapped up in a ponytail that framed her smooth nose and circular face. Her brown eyes stared up at while she stood with her arms crossed.

She asked me, “Could you please crouch down, Mr. Crowley.”

I raise an eyebrow at the “Mr.” but do as she says. Once I’m at eye level with her, she places one of her hands on the bump. She mumbles a few words that I can’t make out, there’s this short flash of green light, and then she removes her hand. I reach up and touch the place...where the welt used to be.

“Th-thanks?” I say, uncertain of what just happened. Did she just heal me?

“You’re welcome,” she says quickly before walking back to her seat. I stand up with my brows furrowed. So, her name’s Aria and she can heal people’s wounds. That’s one of them down.

Ramiel nods to the girl as she sits down then turns to me, “While I would stay to help introduce everyone, I’m afraid I must go. The duties of an Archangel are unending but necessary. I hope you understand, Crowley.”

“Of course. I hang with Moldo enough to know that running a whole city can be a pain,” one which both he and Ramiel do a fantastic job of hiding. Moldo through extravagant clothing, Ramiel through...being an angel I guess.

The Archangel nods to me before turning towards the gathered teens. He speaks with a tone that he is not to be argued with on this matter, “You all been informed of the situation. I expect you all to behave in a way that is expected of the Chosen. Especially prodigies such as yourselves. Show Crowley the utmost respect while he is here, and strive to ensure his stay here is a pleasant one. Do I make myself clear?”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Yes, Lord Ramiel,” the five respond in unison. The Archangel nods before heading towards the front door. I wait to hear the sound of it opening and closing before turning my attention to the five brats on the couch. They all stare at me with barely contained curiosity or clearly shown suspicion. Save for one of the boys who simply stares at me with apologetic eyes while petting a....furry, black...creature of some sort in his lap.

What the hell is that thing? It looks like a cat but longer, and with two tails, and...are those tiger paws? And does it have bat wings on its back?

I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. One thing at a time, Crowley. One thing at a time.

“Alright, here’s how we’re gonna do this,” I start while putting some of my weight on my cane. I wait until I have everyone’s attention before continuing, “I’m going to ask each of you to say your name and what powers you got, and any other question that pops up. Aria, you’re exempt because I already know yours.”

“Uh, ok,” Aria sounds honestly confused at being left out. Guess she didn’t expect me to remember what she did. Well, now she knows I have a good memory.

“Ok, you first,” I point my cane at the girl on the rightmost part of the couch. She stiffens up as I do, but gets up from her seat. She starts to walk towards me but I hold up a hand to stop her, “No need to get close. Just say your name and power.”

“O..o...ok,” her voice is as nervous as her posture. She’s constantly moving her legs and hardly remaining still. Even her head keeps swiveling between me and the ones on the couch who all encourage her to go ahead. She’s wearing a dark blue jacket that covers up her entire torso, while her shoulder-length white hair frames an angular yet soft looking face. Her blue eyes dart across every aspect of the room before settling on me. She straightens out her black shorts and knee socks before finally speaking up, “I’m Am-Amilia Gardner. I can...um...I can use magic-“

“What kind of magic?”

Amilia jumps at my interruption while Aria comes to her defense, “Hey, you said we only had to give our name and power!”

“Yes, but I also said I’d ask for any other questions that popped up.”

Aria looks ready to argue but can’t doesn’t keep going. Instead, she falls back into her seat with a huff. I motion for Amilia to continue, the shy girl rubbing her hands as she tries to speak, “Uh, ah, H-Holy Magic. It’s...the magic of the angels and is...extremely proficient at banishing demons.”

“Got it. You can sit down,” she does so but not before apologizing for taking so long to answer me. I roll my eyes at that and move on, “K, you're last girl so you’ll be ne-what the heck is that on your head?”

The girl in question hops from her seat with a smile and rushes up to me. Where Aria and Amelia are more conservative in their clothing choices, she’s the exact opposite. A white mini-shirt that showed off her midriff and arms, blue short jeans that left her thighs bare, and...was that I fluffy black and brown tail I just saw?

She stops right in front of me, black and brown bob-cut hair bouncing with her as she skipped, yes, skipped towards me. She held up a hand and shouted, “Hi! I’m Mako! I can move really fast, jump really high, and track anyone by as long as I have their scent. I hope we get along Mr. Crowley!”

“....What are those?” I point to the two...things laying flat on her head.

“Oh, those are my ears!”

“...And they’re fake, right?”

“Nope! See,” she grabs them, and oh god they are attached to her head, and yes that is a tail behind her and it’s wagging and by the Nine Hells fucking what?!

“I...I....I...I don’t want to know,"My head falls into my free hand while I point towards the couch, “Just....just sit back down....please.”

“Ok!” not seeming to grasp my exasperation, she skips back to her seat, her circular face and big, dopy black eyes the picture of innocence.

I take a few moments to compose myself. I’ll deal with the...absolute impossibility sitting across from me later. Right now, I just need to get this done. I take in a breath and point my cane at the two boys, “You two go at the same time. I feel a headache coming on so let's get this over with.”

The two stand from their seats. Here I finally notice that the two look almost identical. Both have the same black hair with spiky bangs hanging in front of their eyes (how the hell did they get spiky hair?), the same general build in their torsos, same angular face and button noses, they were even wearing the same white blazers with matching black and red pants.

The things that set them apart were small but significant. One was a head taller than the other and stood slightly in front of him protectively, and wore a t-shirt with an illustration of a roaring lizard creature on the front of it. He stared me down with an intense glare, which led me to notice that his irises were different colors. One was blue while the other one was white.

The other one stood behind the taller boy while hugging the black creature to his chest. His shirt had a turtle illustration on it. He looked at me with trepidation and a hint of curiosity. His irises were also different colors, though this time they were red and white.

I raise an eyebrow and shift my stance to be less tense, “So, I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and say you two are twins?”

“That’s right,” the older twin quickly responds, “I’m Keiji and this is my brother Kenji. And if you plan to mess with him, you have to go through me first!”

“Don’t remember saying anything like that,” I roll my eyes, “And I’m guessing that thing in Kenji’s arms is what hit me in the face when I opened the door?”

Kenji steps forward a bit and lifts the creature up from underneath its paws like a puppy or kitten so I can see it. He speaks in a much softer, quieter voice compared to his brother, “This is Virgil. He’s my Partner. And he’s sorry for injuring you.”

“Wait, what? That thing is your Partner? What is it, an angel, or something?”

“Indeed,” and now the fucking cat thing is talking and it’s voice sounds like a slightly more feminine version of Ramiel’s. It proceeds to bow its fucking head to me and continues, “And I do apologize for harming you in any way. Please accept my apology.”

.....

“Ok that...that’s....just...just tell me what you two can do.”

Keiji speaks up, “I can make protective shields and armor, and Kenji can team up with Virgil to attack enemies! Together we-“

“That’s all I needed to hear. I’m going to head to my room. I need to lie down,” I’m already moving before any of them can object to my decision. I’d go get a drink, but I doubt they have alcohol in a city that prides itself on being “oh so righteous”.

“But what about your introduction!? You didn’t say anything about yourself!” Aria shouts as I reach the stairs.

“I’ll do it tomorrow or something,” I stopped paying attention by this point and am just saying whatever to get them off my back. I’m just so done with everything right now. To the point where I don’t even realize when I finally make it to my room. I just open the door, lock it behind me, throw my backpack in some random corner, then flop down on the bed.

Sleep takes me moments after.

And this headache better be gone by the time I get up.