“I just came to investigate the stink.”
“Mmm, like dung beetles to cow manure,” he murmured. Demons smelled when they were young. It was an unavoidable trait that was probably integrated into their DNA by Xanth just for kicks. And here the anyeli was using it for a really poor attempt of a joke. Well, if he was going to be the butt of her joke, she was going down with him.
He thought she’d update him on her troubles as the only Aide, or complain about Wolf’s latest antics---Xanth knows how troublesome that kid could be. But instead, she let him have it in terms of criticism. Kiril fought back a frown. He’d learnt decades ago that it was helpful and important to listen to people’s opinions, and that no matter how hard you try, there will always be people who are dissatisfied with you. But here, Dazadi was criticizing what she barely knew.
He maintained the slight smile as she glowered at him, but his eyes were cold. From her heated glare, he wasn’t sure if she was merely pushing his buttons or actually trying to pick a fight, and her metaphorical hands were straying dangerously close to the button that said “Do Not Push”.
Leading the realm had been like raising six children who wanted different things, were rarely willing to compromise, and were prone to fist-fights. Almost every day of his reign, when he was in Zanarya, had focused on alleviating problems between different nations and trying to improve the realm overall. If his hair hadn’t been white already, he was sure they would be by now. What she’d said struck a nerve, though. For all his years of leadership, the nations were still aggressive toward each other and were still vehemently opposed to Elysian ideas.
The Zanaryan government was so fragile that a handful of malicious rumors may as well push the realm into anarchy again. Aware that there may be many ears in the café, Kiril opted for a brief response, and a change of topic.
“I’m sorry if that’s the impression I gave you, but I assure you that I have done a lot to benefit Zanarya. I’d invite you over to show you how happily we’re getting along, but I’m afraid they might take your appearance as an anyeli invasion.”
Ironically, an anyeli invasion might just be the push required to unite the nations. Banishing the thought, Kiril turned toward the approaching waitress to order a strawberry cheesecake, and then returned his attention to the anyeli.
“I’m tired of playing politics, and you probably are too.” He’d been called more embarrassing pet names in public during his lifetime, so he was fine with Kiki. Daz, on the other hand...well he’d see. It was only fair to poke back.
“So tell me, DeedeeBee, what happened to Nymphadora and Namiko?” He didn’t bother asking about the bird boy; from their previous encounter at the Dragon’s Brew, Kiril could guess why the Therian quit being an aide. Despite their differences, they’d all worked for Xanth and believed in protecting Elysia. While he met with them only on occasions, the bonds were there, and he was truly concerned about all of them.
((Russ: IF you're reading this, I dunno what happened at the Dragon’s Brew, ‘cause we never finished the RP. I've PMed you to work out the details.
Emma: As always, if anything in this post needs to be edited, please PM me to let me know. I made up a lot of things. ^__^;
)
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