Aria: Believe in the angel's words.

Wait, wait, you gotta play it cool.

It's toooootally fine!

Here goes SOMETHING.

You close your eyes as tight as they go and hold deeply onto the thoughts of PLEASE BELIEVE PLEASE BELIEVE PLEASE BELIEVE PLEASE BELIEVE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP WITH BLOODY KNUCKLES, PLEASE!

Oh, what a great expression that is. You'd recognize that look anywhere.
It's the face of someone who'd just realized that no matter what gift they were born with, it's bound to be nothing compared to what others have worked for.

It's a lovely look to see on anyone who takes their unearned powers for granted.

You don't know how Kaji's able to use an ability without a halo, but that bitter confusion certainly confirms it's not at all a result of hard work.

The crow, an omen of misfortune, is an undesired constellation for the winged.
But look now, how you've turned it to be your very own labor of favorable luck. Any high and mighty winged would've sneered at you simply for being a child of Corvus, yet, one look at this and they'd fight each other to have you as an underling.

But at least it was enough that Kaji stopped whatever he was trying to do! That saved Aria and her pale little friend some trouble, right?

And, of course there are still countless more impressive winged out there with fortunate powers from birth that'd make you look like a joke, but-

But... it's still something, right?
You can be a little proud if it made the kid THIS happy, right!?

No... Well, it's not like you'd remember if so. However, he didn't know you, so you've obviously never met before.

Still, he had a lot of useful information to exchange. Not only that, but you convinced him to help you out! And just as he predicted during your conversation, his blonde friend(?) seems to be on board, although not in a way you understand yet. It looks like Mei would vouch for this girl if you asked, so she'll probably be a good ally regardless.

Reed also took the time to convince you that, in fact, this girl whose name is Aria does not want to kill you, nor is she even capable of killing in the first place.

You said you'd believe it once you've seen it, and he called you a strikingly colorful insult for not just blindly listening to him. The sheer gall of this dude. You didn't really protest though, since Reed dubbing you some manner of a massive idiot was like white noise at that point.

He pressured you to promise that you wouldn't get "needlessly" freaked out by Aria again. But no matter what, talking to someone who acts like they know you even though you've never met before is bound to be freaky! So, the easiest way to hold that promise is to just not talk to her for now.

Although neither of you know what she wants, you both agreed that it'll have to wait.

Well then, it was surely a very informative(!) and hilarious(?) exchange the two of you had, which we'll never get to read any lines of, other than a mere concise summary of your personal conclusion. And thusly, to present that humble conclusion:

You have all the help you'll need right here.

As long as you can effectively deal with each one's colorful personality, that is.

It is just as you suspected.
At last, every slot has been filled.

Somehow, the order feels a little wrong, but you're not sure why...

Anyway, talking with Reed helped clarify more than a few necessary details about your new party members! You don't know everything about everyone yet, but you feel like you have a good idea of your party's capabilities for the time being.

Aaand... Here it is!

Even though it's hard to quantify where you stand compared to everyone else, it's probably all good as long as you can get them to work together. Yeah, you're dead set on wrangling each and every one of them to cooperate here.

You're all in this together, after all.

Although Reed told you a lot about his ally, he opted to keep some of his own secrets. You don't know anything about his ability, only that he's plenty capable and experienced in combat. Well, that's all that matters right now, you suppose.

And... about your opponent, Kaji.

Kaji is not an idiot.

...Okay well, that is to say, he's not as much of an idiot as you thought.
And more importantly, he's not looking as weak as Mei made him out to be, either.

Kaji reacted quick, and had the foresight to intentionally split up the people working together as soon as there was a chance for it. That was a smart way to throw you off, but thankfully, Mei was able to make things work out on her side just as you did. Must've been through her luck shenanigans again!

Now, you may have foiled Kaji's makeshift plan, and he may be vastly outnumbered, but still. You're not going to take him lightly.

BARK.

That's dog speak for hey, you're right here.
Just in case you were wondering what that means.

The human in ruby-red beckons you and whispers a request.
He commands you in a manner much like master's. He's observed her habits well, indeed.

He wants you to do just as you've been doing before.

Very well, human friend.

Meow.

That's cat speak for WOW, there's a terrifying nightmarish beast towering over you.
Just in case you were wondering what that means.

The ingenuous little lass had better protect your precious life at all costs. Well, she probably will if it comes down to it... not that you're clinging to her because you're scared or something!

Meow... And why is it taking her so long to react to this stealthy beast? Must you always be there purring and hissing to alert her to such creeping dangers?

Why, this owner of yours would be utterly hopeless without your furry presence.

Oh, no!!!

...is what you'd say, if it were even possible to disguise Ludwig in a nice manner.

He's only half-corporeal! There's not much to work with here, and anybody would be terrified to see just the half body of a regular dog walking around. Gosh, seeing his actual ghost doggy form is less terrifying than that, for sure.

Your companion trusts Reed a lot to heed his command.

Or maybe, he just knows that Reed's request is the same thing you'd ask of him.

Last time you told her it would be fine just like this, but...
It's hard to keep promises by yourself, but this one won't be broken again, surely...

Oh, right. Nino... and the others, are here too.

Somehow, his promises are far easier to trust compared to yours.
From someone like that, a few words is all it takes.

For a moment, you wonder if it's okay to feel like you're not alone anymore, or would that just lead towards an inevitable sense of betrayal.