Mother of Princes

[kaniel-thebutcher]

I don't doubt that about the King if that is what you decree of him, my Queen. Ah, Nikolai– famed seer of the gods, wanted by all but captured into the loving hands of the Queen Mother. Congratulations. If my Prince allows it, then I will keep an eye on Violet. Even though I never came across the seer in my time, I have heard of his visions, and they are quite hard to alter, but I will alert you if there are any changes.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Of course, I'm always right and the Queen Mother knows best. You'd think Angelus' full-blown obsession with him ruminated into a demonic crush from Hell, but it is I who harbored the obsessed attachment surpassing his. Do not feign surprise if Slothy doesn't acquiesce to a request given by yours truly, he loves to spite, but he won't admit he's just as fond of Nikki as the rest. Be a doll and keep me in the loop, Kaniel, your Queen Mother and her Prince most appreciate your cooperation.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

Seeing as my timeline, your first husband was murdered by the King that my brother served, I would have probably died. I prefer being my Prince's assassin instead, but I appreciate the compliment. I do admit, I wasn't expecting a visit from the esteemed and effervescent Queen Mother.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

It's just as well, dear, my dearly departed Angelus had what's come to him in many timelines where he's been overthrown. If I were the High Queen of Hell, that heart-stopping mug of yours would not stray far from my company. While I aim to compliment you, Kaniel, I actually require your services if Sloth wills the permission. My current husband Nikolai has been worried sick about a girl who will eventually become like a sister. His visions speak ruin for Violet, so I'd only ask you keep a better eye on the girl than his godly half-siblings. They're quite distracted, at the moment.

[steadfast-hope]

Look at you, all glowing after Wrath merely promised you a slice of land and you got married. You left me to wallow in my brothers' disgusting shadows.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Are you not just excited to meet your new dad? Now, Hope, I'm sorry if it seems I have abandoned and left you to care for our twins in my brief absence, but an understanding was made. You can have your own slice of land, your own crown back, the way it should be.

[kaniel-thebutcher]

Interrupting my 'me' time better be good.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

I know you aren't my version of Kaniel, but the attractive genes do run in the family. A shame my first husband did not choose you as his assassin.

[seer-nikolai]

I wish I could take away your worry, my love. This isn't the first time that I've had visions that have left me restless, and it won't be the last, but sometimes they're worse than others.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Your worry is mine, my darling. I haven't been the witness to many of those, no, but this is about the equivalent of your sister, Nikki. If I were in your shoes and I came across a vision about either of my twins, I'd be restless too. How can I help?

[beau-baird]

It seems to be the way it always is. I know that what he and Violet see shouldn't be made common knowledge, which is why they always speak so vaguely, but I hate it. I don't like that they suffer on their own... and selfishly, it makes me feel as though we're going to fail before we even start.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

The plane and car ride spent traveling home felt like an eternity watching him struggle grasping the gravity of these visions. It makes one feel helpless knowing we don't possess the power helping them or know what is coming. The way Nikki is acting, Violet's fate could be worse than death as crazy as that sounds. He'd find solace his Uncle would take care of her in the afterlife, but we're missing a key element. Have you spoken with Cronus yet? He's not much help, really, but this isn't just strangers on the list of targets. It's Violet, even if it's not his version of her.

[seer-nikolai]

Hope you're not looking forward to some witty and hilarious banter– I don't have it in me at the moment.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

I'm not anticipating seeing you up to your usual antics, dearest. I'm only worried.

[beau-baird]

It is, I wish you were able to stay away for as long as you liked– it's getting worse. Nikki, emotionally compromised? I've... never witnessed that in all the time I've known him. Has he spoken to Violet? Sorry to bombard you with questions when you just got back. Things have been hectic trying to stay on top of everything.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Oh, dearest, I knew a big fuss would drag us back home by the short and curlies. I've never seen my husband this heavily distraught, but he was quite insistent returning. As far as I know, he has not spoken to Violet yet, but it will not be long before he approaches her with whatever he saw. It frightened him, I think, which does worry me. You know how his visions work, Beau, I wish I was more privvy on the details.

[beau-baird]

Honeymoon is a great color on you; hopefully, it wasn't cut short with all the mess going on.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

It is a radiating color on me, isn't it? We would have happily kept our distance from the destruction, but unfortunately, Nikolai saw visions of Violet's future in particular that left him...emotionally compromised.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

I've barely unpacked from my honeymoon and, yet, the city is already falling apart without me.

[greeds-indulgence]

When there's not much joy going around, you have to get it where you can, and I am merely thinking what one of my children would want me to do. I think I might let Nikolai handle Pride himself. I can't think of anyone better to break the news to my brother. New changes, indeed, which means one thing I must come to terms with and say aloud. I am sorry, mother. When we first met again after you were freed, I made the cruel comparison between you and the now evil confetti that was my father. It was unfair, and I have no explanation for why I said what I did that doesn't sound like an excuse.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

It's the little joyous moments that matter the most. We all gift something to our children that we haven't seen in ourselves for a long time, even the mischievous nature. Oh, Greed...I should be the one apologizing. You were justified in your comparisons, for my own blinding anger turned me into him. I'd been so focused on your sister, on the twins, that I neglected the sons who should have been just as important to me. I loved your father once upon a time, it's hard to believe it knowing what he became, but I did. His betrayal hurt, Greed, and I let that dictate how I felt during my imprisonment. Yet, I've forgotten the boys I had a hand in making. If it's forgiveness you seek, my dearest son, you have it.

[temptingly-blair]

Sure... I've been meaning to talk to you, anyway.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

I've been doing some thinking, my sweet girl, and nothing excuses keeping a secret as life-altering as Ramiel's position from you or your father. It was overconfident of me and dangerous for you.

[greeds-indulgence]

I think vomit would have been a significant upgrade.

What– Nikolai? Oh–oh, please let me tell Envy. He and Nikki are thick as thieves, and he will probably lose it. I will gladly call Nikolai Dad in exchange. I am happy for you, and for the brain overload this is going to give my brothers– oh and Pride? Nik scares him at every chance he can. This is magnificent.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Why, my greedy little boy, you are behaving like a kid in the candy store. It's up to your own entertainment spreading the news to Envy as well as your other brothers. Nikki would be tickled pink by that, dear, it seems the one who will be tormented by it the most will be Pride. I almost believe he may not take it well. New fathers harbor new changes.

[gianna-foxwood]

I don't consider his plan as scheming when he was helping someone he cared about. In the end, he was just doing what he thought was right. That might be a big if.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Dearie, anything that comes from my son's mind is considered a scheme when he's shifting the players. Persuasion goes a long route. And what has left you so disturbed how a mother should not be for her children?

[deaths-tapestries]

Bitterness is a natural mortal emotion, and I would not blame you for holding such. I hold no control over what happens in the timelines as I do after people are taken into my realm, but I can assure you that he is receiving an apt punishment in his afterlife that he deserves for his choices.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

I don't technically consider myself a mortal, dearest. Had you the complete control over what happens to anybody who crossed over, I would have suggested increasing the punishments tenfold for extra measure. However, my ex-husband is not the subject I wanted to discuss in full about. Rather, it's my newest future husband who happens to be your nephew. I thought it best to meet the family.

[greeds-indulgence]

Ew, absolutely not. I loathed stepping foot into anything he decorated since it was a gaudy mess that made me want to vomit.

Seeing as you're excitedly picking out wedding dresses, I figured you would tell me eventually, but I am curious. Who is the no doubt strapping fellow who's caught your eye?

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Please, it took every ounce of my will-power to redo every single room I stepped in much less stare at the ostentatious trophies without vomiting in disgust.

Why, son, I'm so ecstatic you asked. Our very own darling of the Princes demi-god, of course. Nikolai is certainly excited to become your new father.

[gianna-foxwood]

It went on a little too long for my liking, but I'm just grateful that Gluttony stepped in when he did. I didn't get to see his plan against the King in action, but I did this one, and it's definitely something.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

There's never an inkling of a doubt Gluttony's plan wouldn't work, my darling. He's just a magnificent general, isn't he? So resolute, such scheming only a mother like me can be proud of. You'll feel that with your children one day if the pettiness they have subsides.