keep moving forward | self-para
tl;dr: Antonia proposes a new plan of action to Oliver, one that includes starting an underground fight club Council, with Oliver as the chair for witches and warlocks.
After months and months of Oliver moving out of the penthouse, Antonia felt compelled to finally visit him at his new place, a dingy little apartment on the east side of the borough, probably one she wouldn’t normally be caught dead at, but the matters of what she needed to say were too important to pass up. With being more homebound and strict in keeping to her place, it was nice to get fresh air every once in a while. Oliver welcomed her in with open arms as the two caught up briefly before the gist of the meeting was brought up.
“I know you didn’t just come over to see how things were going. You could have called if that were the case.” Oliver mentioned with a sly look. Whatever Antonia had up her sleeve, he wasn’t sure if he was ready to be apart of. But, then again, he didn’t even know if he had the choice.
Antonia easily nodded over to him, confirming his theory before she added in a hushed tone. “I can’t risk anybody finding out about this.” She started with a quick glance to the only window of the apartment’s living room, curtains securing anybody from peeking inside. “I don’t know if the government’s tapped into my phone, but with the recent repeal of the Council, I need you to do something for me. For us, all of us.”
Oliver suddenly felt like a young child, being asked to do something of utmost importance. It was more often than not that he forgot how old Antonia really was, and was only reminded of her wisdom through the way she sought out to care for an entire community. She seemed to effortlessly manage to put together a Council that would have probably been quite successful had it not been for Rhett all those months prior to the supernatural reveal. He was big enough to admit that, and as he found himself unable to say anything, he only nodded in response.
“We need a new Council, Oliver.” She stated more fluidly, meeting his eyes with the rather grim expression. “A new system that nobody knows about.” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, but Oliver heard every last word that came from her mouth as if she were yelling them, and it felt wrong to even be thinking about something like this in the government controlled society they were in now. Antonia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and added, “I think you would be perfect for the warlock chair because nobody suspects you. You’re not in the public eye, and while you have ties to Kaden and me, they aren’t particularly leading.”
Oliver felt his throat tighten as she went on with what she was wanting him to do, and while this was originally what he had sought out when he first came to the city, it seemed like such an arbitrary ideal now. And yet, it still called to him. “An underground Council.” He muttered with a nod after what seemed like hours later. “Who else are you trying to get?”
“Nobody yet. You’re the first person I’ve talked to about this because I know you of all people have seen the importance of the Council in the past and what good can come from it.” She stood from the couch, neatly straightening her skirt, before walking past the coffee table towards the door. “I just need you to think about it. We’re shooting ourself in the foot with the lack of organization that the government has forced upon us, and there’s not many ways to recover from that. A secret Council will at least provide comfort and a safe place for us to meet and move forward. We deserve that.” And, in the end, perhaps they would be able to live in peace again with the humans, but for now, Antonia had to do this, or else she would lose her god damn mind.