phoenixstrut | [AU] For the Greater Good

"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-

There's a small flurry of dates thrown about, and it seems like this is where it's going to bog down for a while when Zaveid speaks up again.

"How about two weeks. Just enough time to get everything ready," there's a little mumbling, mostly from ladies and married men, two weeks totally isn't enough time, "and doesn't give any idiots quite enough time to plot something to wreck it. Perhaps announce it in a week?"

There's a pause for that sense to sink in. "also gives me time to wrap up work." There's probably some Looks from the angels and demons involved in hauling him here but he ignores them.

The woman directly at Dove's side goes a little pale. Obviously her direct advisor is a bit shocked by the decision, but she nods, addressing Zaveid directly. "I'm flattered that you find us so capable of planning your wedding within such a challenging time limit," she smiles, stern gray eyes shifting between him and Dove, then settling on one of the Demon court beside him. "I trust you'll allow the council of your own advisors in our preparations? I'm sure your own have traditions you'd like to uphold as well."

And she sure as hell isn't set on planning this alone.

Dove's more focused on the Looks and the shift in feeling in the room at the King's final point to protest having so little say in her own wedding. Amusement? Embarrassment? Irritation? She can't figure it out. "You.... don't have staff to 'wrap things up' in your absence, my Lord?" Her voice isn't nearly as commanding, but... surely with only two weeks of 'freedom' left, he doesn't entirely plan to spend it all on work. Isn't the political 'work' part of what will await them after said wedding?

Zaveid looks confused for a second. He did think it would be easier-

"I'm glad you brought up the mixed planning." Now he won't have to seem demanding when he wants demons on the planning. "Perhaps that's what the rest of today can be about?" How are they going to represent the High and Low in this.

Zaveid gives Dove a cheeky smile. "I have a job in the middle that I'd like to give proper notice of quitting."

It seems like agreement is the general consensus in the room, though Dove looks as though she's trying to hide the fact she'd rather be anywhere else.

She will, however, attempt a cheeky remark in return for his smile, weak it may be. "An Earth job? Surely you don't expect me to give up my own." She rather likes being a well known model, thank you very much. Keeping his own 'job' will also give him something to keep him busy once their married, too, right-

Some of the demons go very still, and the angels that had been among those who brought him here focus on... Anything else.

"It's not a job married men usually work." there is a second where it's clear he's thinking about wording - married men go to, he is very amused about how many ring tan lines he's seen-

Demons are relaxing when he waves the topic off. "If free time is a worry, I'll figure something else out."

And he waves one of his Lady advisors forward, and she starts describing a traditional demon wedding set up and decorations.

Dove blinks a few times, confused by the shift again, but just studies Zaveid, still trying to piece it together. That's... more specific. She can feel the heat rising to her face, though she's still somewhat unsure. If her suspicions are right though... she's not sure she wants further details. It just makes her stomach hurt. "I.. I see." Womanizer? Probably, though... job wise, that only leaves a few options... "Well." A deep breath. "Um...Best of luck, then."

Best of luck? She's already second guessing her wording, but then the advisor is discussing things with her own advisor, and... well. Her head is spinning.

She endures it a little while longer, only answering when she's directly addressed, but eventually rises to her feet, looking a little more fragile than she had when he had entered, and readies herself to take her leave. "I'll leave it to my Council under the supervision of my advisor," she announces, once she has the attention of their court. A pause, and she addresses Zaveid directly, dipping her head. "Its... been a pleasure to have you join us, my Lord. I'm... I'm sure we'll be seeing one another soon."

For now she... just really needs air, but she does attempt a smile even as she steps away from the table and heads for the door. She's confident, at least, that no one will try to stop her. She's the archangel, afterall.

[AU] For the Greater Good

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