phoenixstrut | [AU] For the Greater Good

Don't pay attention to his back when he shrugs, then, Dove. It's dangerous-

"Couldn't sleep any longer." Maybe if he'd actually taken the bed, he might have slept more, but no. Arm chairs aren't that great, apparently.

There's a faint shift in how all those scars look, once he pulls another of those loose thin tank tops on. Sort of smoothing out, or blending them with the rest of his skin. Now that she's seen them she probably could pick them out, but someone else?

".... Did they send any clothes with you?" Zaveid stares at his own wardrobe like, wait, I forgot something.

There's a pang if guilt at that, but she reminds herself that he had chosen that himself. Even still, "it's your bed... you could have slept in it."

At least a little sleep has completely dimmed that snap in her voice. That and the sight of those scars...

She looks back at him, still sure of what she saw, even though now his skin looks... smoother? How...

"Um...." She blinks, glancing down at herself. "I think a few trunks were supposed to be brought today..." Lest she fall victim to the demon seamstress again.

Zaveid just kinda 'huh's at that.

"Dunno if you wanna, but you can borrow something if you want to look about before your stuff gets here." He rolls up the towel, tossing it into a laundry hamper.

"I'm going to the kitchen. You can either come along or get something sent." Aaaand he's wandering off like that.

Sure isn't awkward at all.

... There's a phone on the bedside table. It has a few named buttons instead of numbers, though... Staff and Kitchen being two.

She's. It entirely sure what to make of it, but she is about to thank him when he just... drifts away.

....well, then...

For a few minutes, she just sits, running her hands over her face where she sits perched on the edge of the massive bed. So much for keeping up a 'honeymoon' appearance...

She decides, eventually, on calling down to have breakfast brought up, pushing aside the blankets and heading toward the bathroom to wash up the second the phone clicks off. Maybe they'll bring it up while she's bathing...

Before disappearing into the bathroom, however, she does sift through the offered wardrobe, eventually selecting a longer looking tunic- much bigger than her, but easily belted and long enough for her to stay decent, at least, if she decides to wander. It's laid across the bed as she showers, hoping it won't seem too odd for her to go traipsing about in his clothing.

Not that he seems to wear it too often anyway.

Unfortunately for Dove, it seems like his staff is curious. Somehow, she's back out of the bathroom before there's any knocking and a cheerful (?) woman's voice announcing food is here.

Shoot.

She dresses quickly, then calls for whoever it is to come in, releasing her hair from it's safe, dry knot atop her head.

It's.... odd. The woman sounded cheerful, but that... void...

It's not any better when the woman actually enters. The pale blond woman is fond of pink and purple, by her asymmetrical clothes, and absolutely looks cheerful and maybe a bit mischievous.

But feels maybe a tiny fraction of that.

She gleefully wheels the cart in, glancing about the room, then pouts childishly at a lack of Zaveid. Who knows why.

Either way, she'll present breakfast with an over the top, hollow, flourish, then ask if the lady needs anything else-

She just stares at her, just confused enough to forget her manners for a minute. how is she so empty? Or is it just utter control over herself?

Either way, Dove is suddenly wondering if she should be on her guard against this woman in some way or another, even if she's technically in her own 'home'.

For now, she just thanks her, noting her pout and watching her bow. "Ah... no, thank you... Did the Kin- ... Zaveid not come downstairs...?"

It doesn't take long for her to look like pieces clicked together. And it doesn't help Dove figure out what's up with this lady.

"I must have just missed him!"

"Ah..."

Well, no help there. She watches her a moment longer, then moves to where she's put down the tray, taking a seat next to it and picking up a piece of toast with no hesitation- as a royal should do. "What's your name? " she asks, hunting down jam on the tray before adding, "I'm afraid I don't know very many of the staff just yet..."

And her 'emptiness' is making her wary.

"Ah? Someone who doesn't know about the great me?"

Honestly, if there's a alignment for her, its probably mischief. Not quite good natured, not quite malicious, she's here to poke fun and make people uncomfortable-

"I am Mazhigigika Miludin do Din Nolurun Dou~!" With another flourish.

Blink.

"That's... quite a name," she admits, unsure if she'll even be able to shorten it. "I...um..."

How does one even follow that up?

"Thank you." A tiny salute, toast in hand, to make it obvious.

She laughs, still weirdly hollow, and dips into a deep bow.

"If my lady needs anything else, she can call for me!" And somehow the way she says it makes it seem like she expects the full name.

Either way, she'll gather up the cart and head out, shutting the door softly behind her.

Back to the awkward alone room you are, Dove.

Oh boy.

She offers a smile as the woman, whatever her name is, heads back out with the cart, waits until the door is shut, then bites into the toast at hand.

Oh. Boy.

She takes her time with breakfast, wondering if she should stay here and wait for the King or if she should take advantage of the unsupervised time to explore. The latter wins after a fair amount of time, and she stands, careful to be sure she's at least mostly presentable, then heads out of the room, wings hidden from sight.

It isn't long, and only a few staff members later, before she finally finds herself peering into what appears to be a library. Odd how empty it is, but her eyes do light up at the sight of the neatly organized shelves... row... after row... after row.

Rows and rows and rows of neatly organized shelves obviously means there's someone about who likes them that way.

Whether she stays at the door, or actually ventures in, a mildly irritated presence moves closer. Although it mostly seems the irritation of a librarian who likes their domain exactly one way, and sees visitors as likely to disrupt that.

Hope being casually appraised by an albino demon (?) isn't too alarming, because he's not likely to say anything before just. Studying her. Is she a mess maker, or is she not...

She does eventually wander in, very obviously at a loss for where to even start. Zaveid had called her out... while her council had sort of been training her all this time, her studies about the low had been... broad and vague at best. Even if she were to explore the city, she wouldn't have the slightest idea of where to begin...

She notices the man watching her and turns to study him in return. ....fallen? Surely that's what he is... too familiar in aura not to at least be partially angel, but those eyes.

"Hello..." she finally greets, waving a little. She wonders if introducing herself is even necessary...

There's a bland lack of recognition for a couple seconds, then a little click of ah, he knows who she is.

And by the lack of any other change, it doesn't matter to him that she is the archangel.

He nods slightly - yes, he heard you, no, he doesn't care to greet you back.

Right before it would be horribly awkward, he looks deeper into the library.

"I keep a catalogue." And perhaps a hint of 'if she messes with his organization, there will be problems between them.' also surprise, he has a very deep voice.

Ah... She nods, confused by the declaration but wary of his unspoken warning all the same.

And mildly captivated by his voice. She definitely hadn't expected that.

"I see... I'm guessing that makes you the head of this library," she assumes, making her way to him. "Do you think you might have the time to help me?"

He simply watches her approach, and a thread of caution joins irritation. Seems the guy doesn't trust anyone.

"With?" this isn't agreeing that he would or can help, however isn't a blatant no.
He's so talkative.

"I...don't really know," she admitted, averting her eyes. Surely that would only irritate him more, but at least she was honest. "I'm afraid I wasn't exactly given the same training as my brother."

That much, was common knowledge, and more and more obvious the more she had been spotlighted by the Low. Embarrassing, really, how little their Archangel knew of their demon counterparts and their 'underworld'.

"I don't know where to start... A map, maybe?"

He studies her a little more, before he nods and begins striding toward a different section of the library.

"This is the section that contains recent, and past, local geographical information." He's leading her to both some travel-magazine type things, and folders containing maps that are probably what she expects, and far more than she expects. Does she want to know the water main lay out? It's here. Streets are also here.

Even with his guidance to the proper section, she still looks just as overwhelmed as she had before. She does, however, head slowly for what looks to be the most recent map, then glances over her shoulder at a conveniently placed table. "I suppose I should at least know the layout of my new home, right?" she jokes weakly, looking down at the map in her hands.

"....and if I were to need more information on the king himself...?" The High had nothing- nothing - valuable on the current king aside from rumor and hearsay.

Duke simply watches. He seems to be that sort.

"Information you cannot get by speaking to him?" Yeah your request is ringing kinda silly now, isn't it?

Even with her empathic power.... he's really hard to read...

She blinks at him, then flips the map a little in her hands, cheeks turning pink. He's got a point. "Ah, right... I guess that would be easier, but I'm not sure I should really... bore him with the basics?"

Lame excuse. She's not even sure he would talk to her if she tried at this point.

It is a lame excuse, Dove. "Isn't the point of a partnership such as this to learn about your partner... From your partner...?"

He's a tiny bit amused, but a little exasperated.

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