phoenixstrut | [AU] For the Greater Good

The shift in the room is notable, but she can feel him even before his own start to move. She tenses, hopefully not too visibly, but enough so that the guard to her right, a woman just a few years older than her, leans forward to whisper in hushed tones. "The highest Council members thought it best to to end the games and... strengthen the gravity behind their invitations."

Dove's firsts clench at her sides before she stands once more, wings shuffling anxiously in frustration and eyes bright with angry golden Light. She doesn't entirely understand the tunic; it's clearly of the High, and far too short and casual to be appropriate for a meeting of this magnitude, but it's the indings that infuriate her, even moreso than his unexpected presence. At least Zaveid doesn't look.... angry...

"I apologize, My Lord. I had no idea you would be joining us today," she greets him, voice carrying across the room and filled with a tone of genuine apology and poorly concealed indignation. "Unbind him. Immediately."

The flames lining the walls in their crystal troughs flare brighter, just enough so that a few of her angels move to do exactly that without even a glance at those who commanded the bindings in the first place.

There's a little shift among his as well - at least one demon blinks at the light change, and one of the ones who hauled him here is replaced by one of the ones who stayed.

Before the angels reach him, he yawns, a jaw popping affair complete with stretching out his arms. It's after that he blinks at the remains of the bindings.

Oops?

"Which seat is mine?" He asks, still sounding sleepy, and the angels nearest can come for the remnants, if they want.. Perhaps if they dare.

Shit. Dove doesn't dare take her eyes off of him, but she doesn't look too surprised, either.

The angles headed to unbind him stop dead in their tracks as Zaveid takes care of it himself.... accidentally. One of them takes a few slow steps back and returns to his seat, while the other, much braver or just unperturbed, steps forward to remove the remains of the shackles.

There's a roll of confusion as Dove motions to the chair directly mirroring hers. The Demon King's display of strength is shocking.... but he doesn't look he way it seems most of them might have imagined.

"At your leisure, my Lord," the archangel adds, more a stab at her Council than anything. How dare they drag him here and expect peace-

There's a faint nod to the angel who took the shackle bits off, but otherwise he just listens to Dove and glances at the seat.

Ahh, he sees what she did there.

He turns and goes to it, but his lazy almost wobble brings him to the remaining advisor from his snatching, and his arm goes over their shoulders and he may have said something, because the demon deflates a little but nods.

Zaveid drops himself into the chair and once again lounges in a very lazy cat way, while the demon he talked to excuses himself, looking a little scolded, and heads out.

... He's content to study the room from here for now.

It seems like her subtle jab at her Council has at least earned her their attention for the moment, as no one seems too eager to speak first. It feels odd to just begin the meeting in such a manner, but she... really can't help it. The least she can do is actually try to speak with their guest, rare as it is for him to join them, before the heavy topics hit.

"Are you... feeling alright, my Lord?" She asks, voice much steadier than when they had last met. It has to be, given who she's surrounded by. "I hope that... regardless of how or why, they found you well."

Is he sick? Or just... drunk? There's a sigh as she waits for his response. She should have known better-

He blinks back over to her and gives another of those lazy grins.

"I'm great." Still looks like he might be high, and the grin doesn't help. "Nice and full."

The way the demons shift, that means more than they hauled him from lunch...

She's obviously missing something, if the looks from the demons in their audience and the eldest of her own court are anything to go by.

She nods. "I'm glad to hear it." She's not... entirely sure what it means, but he seems happy enough. The next question seems to be more toward the full audience. "Are we ready to begin?"

"Fill me in." Zaveid remains lounging, but he looks amused.

Particularly at the angels who focus very hard on the demons to either side of him. "I seem to be too distracting in this."

He shifts, entertained by any hurried glances to not see too much, not that it was a risk, and grins at Dove again. "Pants are on the way."

Edited 2018-05-19 23:58 (UTC)

She can feel the unmasked amusement, even under the strain of embarrassment, irritation, and discomfort in the room, but says nothing of it and only nods, at least managing a half smile in return. She then motions to the man at her right, an elderly angel with sharp eyes and a distinct robe- one of her High Council, likely. "I think we would all benefit from a summary of recent discussion."

The man nods stoically at her gentle command, then proceeds to recount the most recent of negotiations and conversation. It's brief, but the others seem content with it.

It covers enough for Zaveid, anyway, which is important. He asks a clarifying question or two but them the demon he sent off returns with a bag.

"Nearest bathroom?" Zaveid takes the clothes and stands, an amused glance across them.

"Unless I am reading you all wrong and changing here is up your alley."

"That won't be necessary, my Lord," responds the elder beside Dove. She lets out a soft breath, grateful for his intervention. She'd... rather not address it, but does nod toward a younger angel boy by the door who timidly offers to guide Zaveid to the nearest accommodation.

The boy will lead him to a room, simple and airy, but clearly of extremely high tastes, even down to the cords that tie back the curtains. Through the window are he gardens, vast and luxurious and brimming with living Light.

"Fancy." Zaveid drawls, before glancing at the kid. "It'll be a minute, take a break."

And maybe he does take a sec to stare at the gardens.

Either way, he's back out in a minute, and has a folded tunic. "Dunno if you wanted this." Zaveid the low leather pants probably don't help, but there is something like a shirt included, so maybe it's fine.

Of course, the more distracting thing will be the horns in his hair when he returns to the hall.

There's a shaky 'yes mi'lord' and nod from the boy, but he stays at the door as commanded, leaned back against the wall in the hallway. When Zaveid returns, he looks up and reaches to take the tunic, all the while keeping his eyes low.

His return into the hall is marked with obvious interest as the general talking dies away to silence and is replaced with a gasp or two. A few of the younger angel crowd seem shocked, while the eldest of them take it with grace.

Dove, of course, is among the younger crowd, and can only stare, eyes widened. Only true, full blooded ancient demons boasted horns....

...and her guards had dragged him here.

They are very lucky that he isn't wrath, and this display is most of the reprimand he thinks they need.

The effect he has on his own side of the hall is... Much better posture. Clearly he doesn't always do this, but when he does, it's for formal things.

"Sounds like I need to get caught up again." Zaveid drops back into ~~the slouch of evil~~ the chair and remains kinda sprawled there. But he does look less like a high cat...

The shuffling of the demon crowd keeps her attention for a few moments, but it's fairly obvious she's stealing glances at the Demon King now and then. Equal in title, perhaps, but even she doesn't hold enough respect over her people to command the room like That. It's impressive and, frankly, terrifying.

Her own glance her way for permission to restart the meeting, then continue where they left off, a back and forth between the lower councils over land and lcoordinating laws. Trivial things, really, given how easily so much of it is agreed to, though there are certainly instances that bring about a rise from one party or another.

Zaveid sits silent for a good while, except for little comments or clarification.

And then it's full silent, letting the advisors and council talk, watching everyone.

"This isn't why you dragged me here." Zaveid interrupts the current speaker, sitting up for once. "Get to it." There's an unspoken 'before I leave'.

The speaker swallows his words immediately, then turns to look at Dove, eyes begging her to intevene if she can.

There's a pause. She's almost as startled as the young angel seems to be, but... "I agree. While these are all very important matters, I believe they are also matters than can be discussed under the guidance of our trusted advisors." She and Zaveid really shouldn't have to be around for the back and forth until the conclusions are reached, or close to it. "I was under the impression that a proposal from the High Council was to be made that needed direct opinion from myself and our... esteemed guest."

Otherwise, why on earth had they dragged him here for this one specifically?

"With your permission, Lady Dove." An elder, this one a demon, slowly rises to his feet, collecting the approving eye from her own council one by one. "And yours, my King, we believe we have come to an arrangement that will suit us all in favor of unity between our kingdoms, and heal the rifts that have cut so deeply through our history."

"A balance of power, for all our people, and an ultimate end to what otherwise may seem to be an irreparable separation," adds his angel counterpart, the Councilman to Dove's right from before.

Zaveid just tilts his head like 'I'm listening' at first, and then he blinks twice and turns to stare at the demon elder, then at Dove's, then back at the elder.

"Sly little... You'd stopped pushing after that fight, should have known you didn't give up." There's something amused, respecting, a little dread as Zaveid settles, eyes going back to the Angel elder.

"And you think it will work, with your folks?" it sounds like a huge gamble with the populations in question but-

Dove simply listens to the exchange, brow furrowing slightly. It's all very vague, but something has obviously clicked with Zaveid. Her angels are very solemn, though some have a very firm look set upon their faces. Galen looks outright furious, but holds his tongue and keeps his eyes glued to the floor.

The Angel that he questions nods to him, confident in his words but avoids eye contact with Dove as she waits for the response. "It is the only way to give you both shared dominion in both the High and Low, and cast a vision of equal power in the eyes of the people. There will be no contesting it, should both parties agree. If an example is to be made in favor of unity, would it not be wisest to start with those who rule us all?"

Dove still hasn't caught on entirely, it something is starting to nag her from the back of her mind. She doesn't understand, she's tried to make peace with Zaveid? What more example could they want?

"Councilman, forgive me, but I'm not entirely sure what you're proposing."

Edited 2018-05-21 03:27 (UTC)

He stares at her for a second, then back to the angel elder, and his own demons.

... Yeah, looks like no one else really wants to say it, even though they've... apparently... all, connected it.

"He's saying I should be proposing."

this is hella awkward.

It takes a moment... but when it clicks, the color drains from her face all at once. Her mind whirls through a strange series of emotions as her heart begins to race- disbelief, amusement, anger, downright panic. Her expression is blank, but her wings are stiff.

Well, all of their successful attempts to keep her from courting make complete sense now.

It takes another moment for her to find her voice, a moment filled with uneasy shuffling of a few of the younger angels, but when she does, the words are forced through a tight throat. "A... political marriage." A beat. "....you can't be serious."

The angel-elder studies her, a full on appraisal in open view. "Yes, my lady, we are perfectly serious. There is no better way to reverse the historical and, unfortunately, present views and misconceptions between our peoples. It is an example that only the two of you are in power to set."

"People are suckers for Romeo and Juliet." Zaveid says slowly. He's turning it over in his head slowly - he can see why it would work, but...

"What's already in the works for keeping it even and fair and whatever?" Vaguely... resigned...

More like beauty and the beast, she thinks almost immediately, mind reeling. She loves the story. It’s one of her favorites of all time. She had just never expected to live it.

The elder shakes his head, looking to Zaveid for clarification in his question. “Of course, it will be a shared responsibility between you both to delegate which responsibilities you each hold in which realm, but... I'm sure there will be no issues from either Council should you seek guidance. Of course, restoration efforts in the Low will take priority-“

Dove finally finds her voice somehow, interrupting boldly for once. “Hold on, you're actually considering this?” It’s directed to Zaveid, as the elders have clearly already made up their mind. She's shocked that he isn't laughing at the whole ordeal. She had never expected him to be so serious, even if...

...even if their proposal did make a lot of sense.

Beauty and the Beast, only there's a whole family of beasts, then-

Zaveid tilts his head at her. "You have a better idea?"

Because unfortunately it does make sense. "This one has... speed, potential festivities," he starts sticking fingers out as he counts off things that are pluses. There's... at least a full handful, all political side.

She listens to his list, and the suggestions the advisors add in with an ever sinking heart. It’s logical, and…

Well..she supposes her personal reasons don’t matter so much now that she’s the only royal angel left. It makes her entirely furious at the situation all over again. Had her family not been slaughtered by demons in the first place, this wouldn’t even be an issue. It’s selfish, and her people are by no means entirely innocent, but it’s so much easier to imagine her grandfather handling these negotiations. Much easier than trying to figure out just how she’s going to handle being married to the demon king.

She closes her eyes, drowning out the repetitive answers they’re now giving her and steeling herself as best she can. There’s no time to mourn her shattered childhood fairytales; she is the archangel, and she will do what is best for her people.

“If it will end this War… so be it.” It’s far from the elated ‘yes’ she had hoped to give one day, but it seems to be enough for the councils surrounding them. She opens her eyes once more and sets her gaze on her High Council. “When?”

She’s just… going to keep her hands pressed firmly to the table. It’ll help hide the shaking, surely-

[AU] For the Greater Good

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