aphroditeredux | (no subject)

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.....hmph.

[Seraphina wheeled her chair away from her desk in a smooth practiced motion. It was well into the evening and she scowled at the clock. It mocked her with the knowledge she'd truly been hunkered down in the office since this morning. Her stomach rumbled, an inelegant sound but it certainly matched her dressed down appearance. She only took calls today, only came face to face with her most trusted prinny staff. Her nightgown that desperately needed to go through the wash, her hair pulled into an unkempt bun. Truly, she was a domestic goddess and no less gorgeous than any other day but some sides of herself were not meant for the public or bureaucratic. Especially her slippers with the butterfly wings. (Many a paparazzi had tried to get a glimpse of the rumored homebody princess overlord but none had survived.)

Scowling at the mess of files on her desk, she gathered them up and slide them into their cabinets without even blinking. It was all second nature to her, every ten days data management and review, e-mail council and report reading. She popped open her portable closet and changed accordingly, donning a cute pair of short shorts and heels to go with her halter top. Adjusting the last clip in her hair she stepped out of her office into the busy workplace of prinnies and ghosts scurrying carts through the halls.

"Patricia!"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I have closed my office hours today."

"Very good, ma'am. First Gentleman Adell has left a message letting you know he is still at the Assembly, dood."

"What?!"

Seraphina felt hypoglycemic rage take her, a violent flash of pink energy expelling around her body before the fuchsia prinny expertly threw three bite size chocolates into her mouth.

"Would you like dinner brought to your corners, ma'am?"

"...ugh. No."

Seraphina chewed and swallowed her candy, the sugar melting her anger into tolerable annoyance. She pointed at some dates on their calendar instead, walking away to the Assembly that was keeping Adell from dinner and her arms.]

The vote should have been over by now! He was eighth in line, hmph, but if those Golems had a new amendment to a bill to introduce Hades knows they take their precious time. You'd think they would be worn away to mineral dust by now!

[Muttering under her breath, various staff avoided her without hesitation as she made her way through the castle, out to the streets that lead to various government buildings. She was tired. She was hungry. That Mothman Overlord's check bounced again and Adell was always volunteering to do something on her behalf. It was as sweet as it was infuriating. Adell, selfishly selfless, always being considerate of her position but... She pushed the door to the assembly with more power than necessary, nearly knocking the block off a puppet passing by.

She was lonely! She was tired of being responsible! This second time should have been easier, she knew what to expect, but there just never seemed to be enough time to just be. Huffy, she rubbed at her face, pushing away numbers flying through her head despite the files locked away, and headed to the auditorium.]

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[To say that the proceedings had been painfully slow would be an understatement. Almost every party at the Assembly had been causing a stink on every single bill that had crossed their desks before them. And that was before they had spent six hours holding up the bill Adell introduced on Sera's behalf in red-tape proceedings, even debating the font the bill had been typed up in. They knew very well who this bill was really for, but Adell's lack of popularity with most of Gorgeous' elite and senate led them to attempt to haze him in the most legislative way possible, while also making snide and cutting remarks at his expense the whole time. In fact, Adell figured they had held up the bills before his just to get under his skin specifically... and in all honesty, that's what the rumors going around the facility suggested too.

He'd kept himself composed and cool most of the day, knowing very well that his conduct reflected on Seraphina; he was her representative, and he could do no less than try to do his very best. And that meant not jumping ahead of the game and getting belligerent. ...Yet. If it was a test to make him crack in frustration in front of the Assembly, it hadn't worked.

Though frustrated he was, and along one of the secluded side chambers on the way to the auditorium, the demon had finally found a moment's peace to himself. He slouched against the wall; he could feel the dark circles forming under his eyes due to stress and exhaustion. The proceedings had been held up so long he had also missed a meal and his frustration was evident. Even what he packed for a snack had gone missing; doubtlessly the work of a particularly clever, sticky-fingered Thief. That was irritating, but something he could deal with. That was just day-to-day Netherworld nonsense. But the sheer level of pettiness the Senators had been showing... good lord, they were nowhere near this bad on Veldime. Of course, part of that may have been the senators on Veldime knew damn well Adell could kick all of their asses if he really wanted to.

Burbling up frustration made him slam a fist into the wall beside him. Fortunately, the building being constructed with powerful demons in mind, his fist left no mark behind. ...That, and he wasn't really trying to deal damage to it. He pushed himself away from the wall and turned his back on the main causeway before he quietly cursed to himself. His feet hurt from standing on the floor for so long, thanks in part to the nicer shoes he was wearing... along with a nicer suit. Though Adell looked quite strapping in it, he found it much more constricting than his normal clothing. He did it to make a good impression, because he was in fact representing the Overlord, and he didn't need to be told to do it.]

Damn them all. Where do they get off with this bureaucratic BS? Spite? The hell did I do to them? Don't they have better things to do? Like help govern this place? Or did someone pass a bill saying today's National Be a Pain in the Ass Day?

[What followed was another growl as Adell brushed a hand through his hair. He'd tried to get that one hair to sit flat today and it just damn well never cooperated, and it sure wasn't now either, sproinging right back to the way it always did the moment his hand left it.

He rested an arm back against the wall and sighed to himself, and hung his head.]

...Who am I kidding? This is just what they do every day, I'll bet. Sera's put up with this for how long? Come on, Adell. Get your head back in the game. This is nothing she hasn't dealt with a thousand times before. You're here for her. Pull it together and get it done like she would.

[As he stood upright again, a Prinny scurried out of a door further down the hallway.]

There you are, dood! First Gentleman Adell, recess is ending in two minutes, dood! Voting will commence right after, dood, so you better hurry!

Thank you, I'm on my way.

[He sounded grateful, but anyone who knew him could hear some fatigue still in his voice. Still, he hustled down the hallway and disappeared in the same door that the Prinny had come from, to the back corridors leading to the podium in front of the Senate.]

[.....]

Edited 2018-12-01 02:13 (UTC)

[......]

[Ducking back into the public holding area just outside the auditorium doors, Seraphina could see through the window Adell standing at the podium and the Senator standing up from his chair, ready to speak on behalf of the ruling. Adell's back was to her, but the Senator locked eyes with her instantly and she held his eyes, cocked her fingers into an imaginary pistol and mimed firing off a shot.

He coughed in a sudden blustered fit before reading the results.

Seraphina's heels clicked loudly, a countdown to an invisible meltdown the assembly employees were all dripping sweat thinking about. She denied all their inquiries and offers for help.

Any moment now.]

[Adell raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in demeanor of the speaker on the floor. He didn't turn around, and didn't immediately figure anything was amiss. ...Nor did he see the Senator in question start sweating bullets after Sera's threat. In fact, some of the senators seemed quite uneasy all of a sudden, but Adell shrugged it off. He opted to remain as impassive as possible, though firm and resolute while he waited to hear the results.

One way or another. This would get done. If he had to throw down to get it done, he would, and he'd make damn sure one of the more powerful senators would pick up his dry cleaning bill afterward. Literal blood money.

Until then, though, he silently waited, his eyes steeled and trained on the proceedings, never leaving.]

And the results of the vote... [The senator quickly glanced back up to where he saw the Overlord, and oh gods, she was still there, take the L!] ...is AYE. Unanimously! Yup! Unanimously, not a single vote against, congratulations, First Gentleman Adell. The motion passes and is official. Now please get out of here. Like right now.

[With that, the Senator quickly sat back down, and dabbed his brow with a handkerchief. The other Senators immediately started making a confused commotion about things, to which Adell again raised an eyebrow. Was this a joke? But whatever, the motion had passed, clearly, so that was good enough for him.]

Uh, thank you, ladies and gentleman of the Assembly.

[Well, that was... weird. To say the least. Either way, he sighed in relief and turned to leave the Assembly hall, so he could leave and go back to the palace.]

[And no sooner did Adell leave through the doors of the Assembly Hall did a sudden frantic wave part in the packed public quarters, demons and staff alike getting out of the way at the first sight of Adell. But oh, it's not him they're afraid of.

The booming entitled voice flooding the room said more than enough.]

I'LL HAVE THEM HANGED BY THEIR TOENAILS! YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HOME HOURS AGO!

[HEY... BABE...]

[So the sea practically parted the moment he walked out the door. Like rats fleeing a sinking ship... what could that---

Oh. Oh.]

[Oh, that was a shiver going right up his spine. Just. A cold, frozen shiver. Is that what being around the Grim Reaper was like? Because that's what this felt like. And she didn't even sound mad at him.

Still, that wasn't going to stop him or fill him with fear. That was Sera's temper flaring, as it had in the past. They both had tempers and they knew it, so Adell knew very well he had to take this one head on, so he walked over to her.]

They certainly rolled out the red-tape carpet today. Let's... just get out of here.

[He didn't apologize for how long it took, because it clearly looked like she knew it wasn't his fault. And he wasn't going to talk her out of hanging some senators by their toenails either if she really wanted to, but he figured the best way to diffuse this is to just go home.]

[Despite beginning to radiate a flaring pink aura Seraphina doesn't argue with him, nor make a charge into the room behind him full of an equal swelling of fear in the air. Instead, she tosses her head back into the snootiest hmph she can muster because she's mad, but she's still the Overlord, and goddamit she put on real clothes and did her hair to come out and take Adell home.

She grabs his hand instead, walking him out with a purpose that says any who do stop her will be met with an unpleasant end.

The parting waves of demons continue all throughout the building.]

[That telling pink aura burning around her would normally scare off most... and clearly was, but he knew very well not to be afraid of it all the time. He also brushed off the toss of her head and just kept quiet, and took her hand in return, walking alongside her with a stride in step. His own expression looked unafraid, perhaps to the surprise of onlookers, who likely took it as a sign of suicidal overconfidence.

What did worry him, though, was Sera's further silence. That's how he knew this wasn't just her just getting pissed about one thing, that it was definitely a mood. A quieter Seraphina was arguably more volatile than a loud one. For now, though, he kept quiet as they walked through the hall, and didn't speak until they were outside and well away from the prying ears of others.

...Of course, how to broach talking to her might be harder, and he was prepared that most of it would wait until they were back home, but... he had something he did want to say.]

...Thanks for coming out here, Sera.

[It was simple, just a sentiment to show his appreciation for her. He wouldn't belabor it more than that.]

[Seraphina's acknowledgment only comes from the squeeze on his hand, showing enough care to keep her nails from pressing into his skin. Her aura ripples when they enter crowded space after crowded space, back on the streets and inside the main building when it outright spikes after they turn a corner down the hall and she shouts in high pitched fury:]

READ THE GODDAMN ENERGY IN THE ROOM!!

[Squeals and EEEKS flood the halls and adjacent rooms in the face of Sera's fury, staff clearing out a path until they reach the next upper level, clearance restricted only to those Seraphina has handpicked.

They pass by Patricia's desk, the fuschia prinny placing a fin over another prinny's beak when they attempt to speak. The office is eerily silent and then they're on the elevator to the one true residential area of the castle.]

........

[Adell for his part is quiet. He feels that squeeze on his hand, and that's all the reply he really needed. While Sera still being quiet was of course a little unnerving, it told him exactly enough. He remained dead silent for the rest of the walk home, actually looking stone-faced while crowds peeled away from them like layers off an onion. No fear in his eyes, but he made sure to keep an even pace alongside Seraphina at all times. The terrified look of many of the workers and support staff along their way was a little upsetting, but frankly, there was nothing for it. Really, this stuff was common on any Netherworld, so...

The only less than impassive thing he did on the trip back is shooting Patricia a thankful glance, and the slightest of nods in thanks for her diligence.

Once they stepped into the elevator and started rising up to the more private chambers of Gorgeous' opulent palace, he relaxed more from his upright and proper posture and blinked a little blearily. Fatigue seeped in rather quickly, though he knew it wasn't time to relax just yet. ...That specter of death still hung in the air, after all.

...And of course, as if to break the heavy, pregnant silence, Adell's stomach took that moment to rumble. Loudly. Which just made him feel embarrassed more than anything... and awkward.]

...... What do you say to dinner when we get settled in?

[If nothing else, that'd be a way to unwind. ...Hopefully.]

[.........]

UGH!!!!!!

I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!!

I never wanted you to see such a shameful and inelegant display...

[Whining after her outburst, faster than any Ninja can detect Seraphina's cell phone is in her hand and a number is dialed with rapid precision. A voice comes through on the phone loud and clear:]

Finger Breakin' Fried Chicken, how can we beat your hunger into crispy oil dripping submission?

I have a large order, have a pen at the ready!

Uhhhh--

I want enough wings that if stacked together they could match an army of Cockatrice. Honey Mustard, Bourbon Bomb, Red Hot, Griffin Scream, and Boo Berry dipping sauce on the side. A Green Salad with a mountain of Fried Onions with an odor so pungent a Zombie would grimace.

[And she continues with a passionate hungry fury.

Maybe try and get in there yourself Adell?]

[Adell practically jumped out of his shoes when Seraphina exploded finally, his heart thrumming in his chest like it was trying to punch out. A moment later it settled down, and his widened eyes finally settled back down to something more normal.

And then he realized what Sera was doing. Ordering food. And a lot of it. Oh lord, was she ordering a lot of it. He blinked, stunned, before realizing... he should probably order too. He patiently waited for an opening, and then struck with the precision of a cobra.]

Also the turbo-deluxe jumbo boneless wings platter, with all the same sauces from the first wing order, the absurd size hellfire curly fries, enough fried mozzarella to bring down a rifle demon with the ranch to match, and the two gallon jug of RosenQueen Cream Soda! ...And a Caesar salad!

[He needed vegetables in there, what would his Mom say otherwise?]

And Pie! Two slices!

Of which one ma'am?

All of them you fool!

[There's a crackle and desperate button pressing until a total for the order comes rolling out of the employee's mouth, Seraphina not even flinching before stating the address for the pick-up prinny.

With a deep sigh she snaps her phone shut and the doors to the elevator ding, signaling they're at the top level. She pulls Adell by the hand and leads him to her bedroom.]

The acne from the grease will be terrible but I don't care! I'm so hungry Adell, I can't even appreciate how delicious you look in this suit! Ugh, I'll show up to court the next time and take those buffoons for all they're worth.

[And she's hit the next stage, freely knowing food is on the way she complains, shaking Adell and jostling him around but never letting him go. Complains about the political parties in the system, about the debts owed to Gorgeous, classified information Adell is more than well aware of, even if he doesn't know all the specifics.]

As if he could sneak a missing payment by me! My nose for HL is sharper than a Kunoichi's steak knife. Hmph!!

[Yup. Hunger. The most dangerous of afflictions when it came to anyone's mood. In fact, Adell remembered seeing studies about the phenomenon called "hanger" being circulated around the Netherworld, marveling at the dangers such a thing possessed. And how he felt those studies were stupid because they were bloody goddamn obvious. In his opinion they should just go back to Tsundere Studies.

Either way, he gets dragged along by the hand, trying to keep up. And boy, was she being rough and in a hurry... a lesser demon might end up with a dislocated arm. Despite appearances, like most demons, Seraphina was far stronger than she looked. His ears remained open to her complaints, however, listening to every one of them along the way.]

Frankly, they should consider themselves lucky you haven't already taken the boots to them medium style yet. They've more than earned a good asskicking by any metric.

[It may sound funny to an outsider, but Seraphina actually had quite an impressive level of restraint when necessary in politics at times. She was no doormat. She was no one's fool, but she knew how to play the game. ...An iron fist waiting inside a velvet glove, really.]

It might be petty of me to say, but I wouldn't mind seeing some of them twist in the wind for awhile.

[With the Snootiest of hmphs, she tilts her chin back so her nose can greet Celestia with aplomb. She manages to release Adell's wrist once they enter her sleeping quarters made up by two large rooms. The lounge that contains tasteful but elaborate rugs and furniture, fit for intimate socializing and overall relaxing. A wall separates the floor with a grand wood trimmed square cut out that peeks into her curtain drawn bedroom.

She kicks off her heels and with expert practice, they land by her shoebox. Flopping onto her couch, despite a day of sitting, she puts her feet up and truly settles in to relax.]

Just wait until the next election term comes up in eight months. Most Netherworld Assemblies operate on a four-year schedule but we operate on a three year term due to our massive trade network. Not only do we have to deal with new groups trying to join the floor but - the in-fighting for seats of established groups is atrocious. Hmph! I save all my ire and anger for the election term.

Historically, it's the only time the Overlord is present in Assembly day to day. And unlike our daily court, I determine the hours because I must be present for all sworn in parties. [She fluffs up her hair and laughs.] I expect the typical bribes and threats in the mail to start over the summer. Those graceless buffoons, I look forward to bringing their offerings to court and stepping all over them!!

[And after her strong tone, Seraphina sags against the couch pitifully.]

Adell~ Why aren't you rubbing my back or my feet or my temples or developing clones of yourself to do all three at once!?

[Adell follows her along, stopping by the edge of her couch. He bent down and untied and removed his dress shoes while she spoke about politics. He still carefully listened to her, knowing that this was all stuff he would absolutely need to know going forward. Whenever that came up, he knew would be an especially busy period for Sera, which would mean either giving her plenty of space or plenty of pampering. ...Or both, paradoxically.

He removed his shoes and set them aside carefully, and then removed his suit coat for comfort, walking over to hang it on a convenient post. The rest of the suit didn't go anywhere, though. He flashed her a brief, knowing smile.]

...And duct taping the pipe bombs they send to the bottoms of their chairs, right?

[Because that's how they'd do it on Veldime. Still, as she whines for pampering he walked past, seemingly ignoring it, at first. He stole a glance back at her, settled in and looking comfy; truly, even while she was like this, he found her incredibly attractive. He sighed, and gave a simple disarming shrug...

Before his Mana quickly spiked, and he practically vanished, only to appear in front of her, and then behind her, and then in front of her again; after images doing as she asked. Unfortunately, the ones working on her feet and back weren't real and didn't offer any actual feedback; in reality, it had just been a creative application of Tiger Charge. However, the one rubbing her temples with his fingers was very real. And with it, he applied just the amount of pressure he knew she liked, hoping to first soothe her headache.]

...The clones are a work in progress.

[She'd been prepared to keep up her act, whining and demanding even if Adell could see right through her when Adell had effectively shut her up with his unconventional move. She let out a quiet gasp and watched in rivetted attention as the afterimages remained at her feet and to her side. The fingertips pressed to her temples were perfect though, pressure practiced and attentive to the spot just above her ear. Her belly is still empty, she needs food to soothe her headache for real but it's so nice she sags back into the couch with a happy sigh.]

Ah~

[Adell. And maybe she'd been fussy because she missed him, because he was filling in her heels more often than they'd both planned. And it's been a long time since she's had a partner, a real one, more than a game or a fling, and her face flushes up in happiness at being spoiled. (And maybe at her imagination getting away from her, it's in her nature, greedy and hungry, she imagines him kissing the knuckles of her toes, the soft tops of her feet, his fingers warm against the bare skin of her stomach--)]

Mmmm.

[For a moment, the beast has been silenced.]

[Of course he'd seen right through her; the act was practiced, keen, and one of her favorite things to do. Sometimes he'd brush it off, others he'd call it out as ridiculous, and times like this, he indulged her. And hearing that quiet gasp and seeing her reaction of melting backward into the chair; that almost made the whole day worth it right then and there.

Adell carefully continued his work, bending down to one knee and reaching over to get a better angle as she relaxed. Unfortunately, his afterimages began to fade; an effect he felt was all too brief, but alas. For now, it served its purpose.

Admittedly, even his mind trailed toward how he could spoil her even more; several thoughts passed through the deeper recesses of his psyche. He was kneeling down and did have a wonderful view and great opportunity... but his conscious mind put a brake on most of those thoughts. He reasoned that as tired and hungry as Seraphina was, perhaps now wasn't the best time to try anything remotely daring. For now, he'd focus on indulging what he knew she wanted, and making sure to do a damn good job of it.

For several more moments, he indulged in her pleased noises and flushed face, adding a gentle heat to the tips of his fingers to work out just a little more tension if he could.]

Your shoulders next, Sera?

[♥]

My feet instead?

[Her tone was as pleasant as it'd been all day, his warm magic working its way into her skin. She teasingly wiggled her toes at him, smiling and sunken into the couch.]

No one else's thumbs will do.

[Adell's eyes shot right back over to hers, giving her a knowing stare. Not one of irritation or complaint, but one that clearly said you're bein' real greedy right now. It was playful, but the look was unmistakably a call-out.

His eyes then trailed down her legs, down to her feet and her dancing, waiting toes. Quiet for a long moment as he still massaged her temples, he then looked back up to her, and leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead. The heat and gentle pressure ceased as he withdrew his hands, and then sat back down on the floor in front of her.]

All right, give 'em here.

[He pretended to sound a little put upon, but it was an obvious act, much like hers. Still, he was still very serious about making sure he did it right. Taking one of her feet into his hands, his strong fingers went to work, starting on her toes and working their way down into the balls of her feet, where he put more pressure and even some relaxing heat.

...Those high heels of hers had to play hell on the front of her foot.]

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