Black Clover Trivia #3: Nozel's favourite things are discipline and roast duck.

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"Captain, I'll be leaving soon."

Yami quirked a brow, the rest of the Black Bulls pausing in their usual chaos to stare at the violet haired mage.

"Eh, already~?! We didn't even get to fight yet, Vice Captain!" Luck whined, his smile ever-present as he punched the air.

"Where're you even heading off to, Phia?" Finral questioned, frowning when he noticed she wasn't wearing her usual clothes. He blushed, turning his head away when he caught himself gazing far too long at the areas the dress emphasized quite well.

"Wow, Phia~ What a bod! We should totally -hic- go out and grab some drinks~" Vanessa hiccuped as she took another drag of the alcoholic beverage in her hands.

Delphia sighed, ignoring the witch's invitation in loo of keeping her attention on Finral. "Orders. I'm staying at House Silva for the night."

Noelle tensed, whipping around to the only member she was familiar with. "Eh? Why? You haven't spent the night there since you became a Magic Knight."

Delphia shrugged, adjusting the formal dress Nozel had somehow sent her to wear for tonight's dinner. "Your brother was one of my partner's during my last mission. He's keeping an eye on me after he witnessed one of my newer spells."

At her words, Finral stepped up, cupping her face in his hands as he looked her over. "You didn't do a compound spell, did you?! Are you okay? Should we visit Owen?" Delphia rolled her eyes, pushing her same age squadmate away.

"Stop it, Finral. I'm fine. Now I'm leaving. If there's a mess, clean it up." Everyone shivered as her cyan eyes seemed to pierce through them as she glared warningly. She nodded approvingly when they all saluted and assured her worries.

"Magna, you're in charge of Asta. Show him his duties. Vanessa, show Noelle around. She doesn't know her way around. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Okay, Phia~ Drink a few shots for me, will you~?"

Mentally going over her checklist, she nodded, grabbed her broom and tucked her paperwork into her satchel beside her grimoire.

"Goodnight, everyone. See you tomorrow." She called over her shoulder, throwing the doors open as she jumped on top of her broom, riding it much like it was a surfboard. She smiled, hearing the greetings and safe wishes from her squad before she zoomed off towards Clover Castle.

* * * * *

Clink. Clink. Click.

Reaching over to take a sip from her glass of wine, Delphia lazily surveyed the people before her with her lidded eyes.

The only ones present for tonight's dinner were the three eldest Silva Siblings and herself. As their guest for the night, she was seated on Nozel's right. Solid and Nebra sat across from her, with Nebra on Nozel's left.

SLAM

"That's it! Why are you here, Black Bull?!"

Delphia gently dabbed her mouth with the handkerchief and placed her utensils atop her finished plate.

"Thank you for dinner, my Lord," She turned to address Nozel, "It was delightful. Please give my compliments to the chef."

"DON'T IGNORE ME!"

Nozel nodded as he too finished his meal and took a sip of his wine.

"Only the best for House Silva and it's guests."

"Yes, of course, especially when it's roast duck, your favourite."

"Hm, I had thought you'd forgotten."

"How can I? You spent a good year obsessed with it. Fuegoleon and I were nearly begging the chefs after two weeks of nothing but roast duck after our spars."

"YOU BITCH! ANSWER ME!"

Delphia quirked a brow, a smirk hidden as she took another sip of her wine. Nozel frowned, eyes narrowing at his brother.

"Enough, Solid. It is unbecoming of a Silva."

The youngest male Silva winced, staring incredulously at his brother.

"B-but Nozel-niisama-"

Solid shut himself up, seeing the glare his brother was sending him and quietly finished his dinner before excusing himself. Having eaten her own, Nebra followed his actions, bidding the duo goodnight.

Delphia sighed, allowing herself to relax as the door closed behind Nebra. Resting her cheek on her palm, she stared at the wine in her hand as she twirled the glass.

"I see they haven't changed. Still emulating you down to the hair too."

"And you're vexatious as always." Nozel retorted. He rolled his eyes as Delphia smirked before she tossed her drink back. 

His purple eyes surveyed her, taking in the poorly hidden dark circles and fatigue on her face. He'd never admit it, but he was glad she wasn't in more unfortunate conditions from her compound spell. Their last free for all ended with her collapsing after a union spell, leaving her with near-empty mana stores. Even with all the paperwork pushed on her, it seems she's been keeping up with her training.

A rush of adrenaline had him anticipating a fight. He'll have to schedule a free day from the squad and grab Fuegoleon for a spar. Maybe even drop by the Crimson Lion headquarters tomorrow morning. It was due time the two witnessed how far Delphia had progressed in their times apart.

Motioning the waiting servants to clean up, he stood, holding a hand for Delphia. The violet haired mage sighed as she took the waiting hand, using her free one to carry the skirt of her dress to avoid tripping. Delphia allowed the older magic knight to lead her down the manor's halls, eyes taking in the decor and paintings with a sense of reminiscence. She blinked, a sense of a nostalgia filling her as she was lead to a familiar room.

Nozel carefully opened the grand doors, allowing Delphia entrance before closing the door behind him to give them some privacy. As he turned around, his eyes softened when he found his companion already seated in front of the white piano, delicate fingers brushing over ivory keys.

Nozel made himself comfortable in a nearby chair, admiring how the moonlight danced across Delphia's pale skin and how her eyes seemed to glow as she appreciated the instrument.

"Play for me, Delphia."

Cyan eyes clashed with violet before she complied with the order.

"Any requests?"

".... Mother's song if you will."

Delphia paused, her heart becoming heavy as she recalled that it was nearing the late Lady's birthday. It was no wonder Nozel was acting so protective of her and Fuegoleon during the mission. He tended to become more of a mother-hen over the two of them around these times. 

She didn't spend very long with Lady Acier compared to Fuegoleon and Nozel, but she loved the woman. She became a mother to her in the absence of her own. It was she who taught her how to play the piano, the very same instrument before her. The same piano Delphia played to compose a song dedicated to the Lady on the first anniversary of her death.

"If it is your wish, my Lord."

"Don't call me that... not here."

The Black Bull mage smiled softly, closing her eyes as she allowed the beginning of the melody ring throughout the room.

"Of course, my Falco*."

*hawk

* * * * *

Lights filtered through the blinds of the grand bedroom, dancing across the closed eyes of a violet haired beauty. Her eyes fluttered open, wincing as the sunlight glared upon her. Delphia groaned, flipping on her side to avoid the harsh light. Allowing her eyes to adjust, she sat up, yawning. With her room facing the direct east, she knew it was probably around six in the morning if the sun was already shining through the blinds.

Kicking off the sheets, she quickly freshened up for the day. Wrapped in a towel, she frowned, staring at the evening gown she had worn the previous night. Of course, out of all the things to forget, she hadn't brought a change of clothes.

Delphia blinked when she heard a knock from the doors.

"Who is it?"

"It is Anya, Lady Rotta."

The young woman perked up at the familiar name.

"Come in."

In came an elderly maid, dressed in the standard uniform of the servants of the Silva Household. Delphia nodded her head in greeting to the woman who had spent many hours of her day during her childhood, keeping Fuegoleon, Nozel and herself from fighting near the delicate decor of the manor.

"Good evening, Lady Rotta. Still an early riser as always, I see."

Delphia's eyes were soft, filled with amusement and the elderly woman's quip at her habits. Anya was always her favourite servant with how much she was like a grandmother to the trio.

"Will there be anyone to finish the paperwork otherwise?"

Anya chuckled, moving forward to hand the woman the bundle of clothes in her arms.

"And I'm sure you're still forgetful as always when it comes to your own care, correct?"

Delphia wasn't pouting. Definitely not.

The maid laughed, fondly patting the magic knight on the cheek.

"Now get dressed, and dry your hair. Can't have you getting sick now. The chaos your squad will cause if you're taken off duty..." Anya shivered playfully, much to the young knight's amusement. Internally, Delphia couldn't help but agree.

* * * * *

It was the rustling of papers and the scent of rose tea that woke the sleeping eagle. With his ever-present grace, Nozel pushed his sheets aside, frowning when he sensed a presence within his bedchambers. Blinking the haze of sleep away, Nozel held back the urge to roll his eyes when he caught sight of the intruder.

"Why are you here?"

Delphia hummed, taking a sip of freshly brewed tea. She continued reading one of Luck's more recent mission reports that needed to rewritten in a more formal format before it was submitted to headquarters.

"Thought you might need the company, my Lord."

Nozel sighed through his nose, frowning when he noticed the attire she was wearing. It was familiar... and for a moment, another figure replaced Delphia's. One of silver hair instead of violet. Nozel's eyes widened briefly, before he turned away, running a hand through his loose hair.

Delphia ignored the brief fall of Nozel's mask, lips quipping in amusement at the rare sight of the Silver Eagles' Captain with his hair down.

"Tell me the time."

"It's nearly eight, my Lord. Anya informed me breakfast will be ready by nine as always, less you wish for a late breakfast in your chambers."

Nozel nodded, moving out of bed to refresh himself for the day.

Delphia quirked a brow when he returned, dressed in his typical attire sans his cloak, a towel wrapped around his shoulder, and hair still dripping.

With a sigh, she stood, moving behind the Silva Heir. Taking the towel, she dropped it over his head and began drying his hair. "Are you always this lazy, my Lord?" Her tease was evident behind her monotone voice.

Nozel huffed. "Do not push it." Delphia bit back a laugh and moved to grab a brush and pin form the vanity. Gently, she began running the comb through silver locks, secretly admiring their softness, before dividing it into parts.

Shifting her position in front, she held the pin with the Silva crest for him to hold as she began braiding his hair in its usual, ridiculous hairstyle.

Nozel's eyes closed as he took in the soothing sensation from Delphia's fingers. It's been a long time since they spent time together like this. More than five years now. Maybe... just for now... it would be okay...

Delphia paused, feeling arms wrap around her waist, just as she finished her work. Her face was blank, but lidded eyes unusually soft as she ran her fingers through the loose hair at Nozel's neck.

The two allowed themselves to savour the moment of serenity that surrounds them, basking in the familiar presence of the other, never admitting that they both had missed these moments. Moments where they didn't need to be strong. Moments where they could simply be at peace without worries or doubts.

The two nearly sighed when a knock interrupted them. Moving out of Nozel's arms, Delphia fixed a few stray hairs before organizing her files and tucking them into her grimoire's satchel.

"Well, I should be heading back to my base."

"No."

Delphia frowned, shaking her head.

"I've already spent the night, my Lord. I have more work to be done in my office."

"Send Yami a message. You will not be available today."

"And why ever not?"

Delphia wished she could just disappear and sneak away when she caught sight of a familiar glint in the Captain's eyes that she'd usually see in the cheery berserker of her squad.

"We have a lion's den to invade."

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A/N Next chapter we'll be seeing the whole triad! I may even add some flashbacks of their childhood. I think by now, you get that Delphia calls Fuegoleon and Nozel by nicknames. Nozel is Falco, meaning Hawk and Fuegoleon is Leone, meaning Lion in Italian.

Probably wondering why I chose hawk and not eagle. In episode 26, Julius refers to Nozel as a "sleeping hawk". 

Hope you all are taking care of yourselves, and please do be cautious due to the Coronaravirus. 

Wash your hands, especially when you return home from taking public transport and if it's especially contagious in your area, do where a mask even if you feel ridiculous wearing it. Buy one that actually filters air and not just the cool ones kpop idols tend to wear or surgeon masks. It could save your life. Keep yourself hydrated and if you're sick don't risk going out because you will be especially vulnerable to the virus.

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UPDATED: 30/01/20

PS. Rest in peace Kobe and Gigi