Stops and Starts

The traditional tuxedo Dhiren wore felt stiff and much too confining, yet he suffered it in silence. The demons had yet to arrive at the party, and while some of the angels fidgeted, Ren stood still and composed, waiting to meet his betrothed. The truce was fragile at this point, with the demons in reluctant agreement, and all expected them to choose a difficult candidate for the tying marriage. Anticipating this, he had been chosen. All who knew him knew the struggles of attempting to upset him and knew his sense of loyalty and duty would keep him on a difficult course. Still, it would be folly to go through with a marriage without allowing the couple to meet each other and both sides to give their opinions. Thus, tonight. Angels and demons would come together to either give their blessings to the candidates or declare the other unacceptable, and if all went well, Ren would be married at the end of the week.

"They are late," murmured Alexandria with a frown as her dark eyes found the ballroom's door.

"You expected differently?" Ren smiled at her. "Demons," he reminded. "I'm sure they'll keep us waiting longer yet. I can't imagine that they're exactly anxious to meet me. They've delayed this truce for as long as they were able. We'll be lucky if they show up within the hour."

@ Lunar Eclipse

Sonja drained the shot and slammed the small glass on bar, enjoying the cheers as she outdrank the man who had challenged her drinking ability just because she was female. "Better luck next time pal," She said, slapping the drunk man on the back. While she knew that other obligations that she was late for, this was a much more interesting use of her time. The angels were such prudes she would be surprised if they even had Champagne at the little shindig they were throwing in favor of her and whatever loser they had chosen as her betrothed. She checked her watch, ordered another shot and downed it before paying her tab and heading out, teleporting to the event facility that had been chosen. Her brothers and sisters were already waiting for her in the parking lot, milling around, chatting, some with flasks in hand others with cigarettes.

"You smell like a brewery," Bryn said, stepping up next to Sonja, wrapping an arm around her. Sonja grinned at the short, light haired man.

"It is a party after all." She stepped out of his arms and stretched, the white tank top she wore rising up as she did. She pulled the shirt back down over her jeans and straightened her vest before leading the crowd of demons behind her into the hall, pushing both doors open with a smirk.

The interior was exactly as she had expected. White white and more white, only broken by the littering of black and pastels from the clothing worn by the few angels that had been invited. Which one of these unlucky bastards was she supposed to be marrying? She raised an eyebrow at the stares she and her fellow demons received upon enter the room."What?" she asked. "It's not like any of you have never seen a demon before. Sonja rolled her eyes and made a b-line for the hors d'ourves a passing caterer had on his tray.

All idle chatter and murmured complaints dissipated on the air as the demons finally arrived. The air between the two parties was tense, and while the angels mostly congregated on one side of the room, the demons created their own gathering on the other side. Music softly played through speakers, and the whole thing was just awkward. Though there was to be a truce, no one could quite get past their ages-old instincts that facing them was the enemy.

Dhiren left it alone for a short while, hoping that someone from one side or another might step up and break the ice, but he soon realized that it might as well be him. Moving away from the other angels, he approached the demons with a polite smile. "Welcome. I'm Dhiren, a warrior of Heaven." He actually recognized a couple of demons, which didn't particularly surprise him. He'd certainly fought enough of them before this peace treaty had been arranged. "I am the angels' choice for the marriage that will solidify the truce between our races. I hope you will judge me to be satisfactory for the role."

Dhiren's comment earned sneers and sniggers from the group of demons behind Sonja. It figured that the heavenly army would choose such a stoic and polite candidate. Sonja rolled her eyes, stuffing her face with the handful of stuffed mushrooms she had snatched. Bryn shook his head, looking at the demons' choice for the arrangement. "If he's this dull in bed, you might have to keep a human on call to bring a little bit of fun to the marriage." Bryn's statement earned some very shocked looks from the angels in the room and catcalls and hollers from the demons.

It would certainly be an interesting arrangement but Sonja was willing to take on the challenge. It was why she had volunteered for the position. When she finished eating the food in her hand, she extended an arm in Dhiren's direction. "Sonja," she said, giving him a once over before continuing. "I'm the bride." She had to give the good guys some credit, they did a pretty good job in the looks department when they chose her husband. Sonja leaned in close. "Unless of course you were hoping for a husband, in which case, Bryn would be happy to step in for me," she whispered, pulling away with a grin.

Dhiren gave no outward reaction to the demon's insult, though Alexandria did, once she recovered from shock. She was the second to step up, and she stood at his side defensively as she addressed the demons. "Angels and demons may have their differences, but I feel that it should be mentioned now that marriage is when one promises themselves to another. Involving a human, or demon, would be cheating and would ruin the truce we are fighting to achieve." She looked like she wanted to say more, but Ren put a hand on her arm, and when she looked at him, gave her a little smile and shook his head. After a moment, she visibly calmed and nodded.

As the demon who introduced herself as Sonja extended her hand, Dhiren took it gently and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. He didn't get a word out before she made a joke, however, and he raised a single eyebrow at her as she stepped away. "I am sure he would be, but that won't be necessary," he assured her smoothly despite the twinge of discomfort he felt. "I apologize that I cannot assure you the same choice. Unless it's decided that I am an unfit candidate by your people, there will not be another stepping in."