#* ⌜ goliath ⇝ ic ⌟ ─ and today we come full circle. a new age has begun. and we live again.

[infinitysagas]

Sender: @missallanea Prompt: “ Well, as usual, diplomacy has failed us. ” / demona for goliath?

“As it will continue to unless you start believing that diplomacy can work.”

How many times had they had a conversation similar to this one? Goliath could hardly hold count. “Battle acumen is not the only attribute of a warrior. Diplomacy is a necessary as anything else and it hasn't failed us. Not yet.”

[infinitysagas]

@thecoiiective gets goliath for elisa.

“ Forgive me, Elisa. I was merely reminiscing upon old times. ” Often a dangerous pastime, allowing his mind to wander to old days when his rookery brothers and sisters lived. “ You wanted to speak? ”

[infinitysagas]

Her apology made him uncomfortable. As if he were forcing her to feel sorry for wanting to do what she thought was right for them. They had differing approaches to a known problem. Goliath never wanted her to feel bad for her opinion.

“Do not apologize for being passionate about the plights of our kind, my Angel of the night.”

His hand came forth to stroke her hair. Affection meant to ease the blow dealt by his pulling rank in their conversation, he never enjoyed it. Being a leader meant being willing to make a call even if those closest to you thought they knew better.

The decision is mine. It is that remark that seems to relax her body language, a reminder of where she stood : beside him in life, perhaps, but behind him in authority. An uneasy breath is forced out ─ even as a solemn nod is offered. It was not her duty to question him. It was her place to support him.

For now.

"...Of course. Forgive me, I... forget my place." A hand lifts, as though to still any further argument, though whether she gestures to him or herself is not entirely clear. "While we may not always... see eye to eye on this matter, I will not question you. Not as our leader, my love. Know this."

Still... only if forced? Surely, if she could not force his hand... she could force theirs.

[infinitysagas]

Hatred begets hatred. An endless cycle that would end badly for all parties involved and somehow he couldn't make Demona realize this. What would they gain from antagonizing the humans? Gargoyles were strong warriors but their numbers weren't greater and neither was their ingenuity at war. Humans could excel at violence if their minds were set on it.

Goliath refused to watch hatred whittle down their number.

“All things worth gaining require resolve for they aren't easily obtained.�� A simple truth of the world that bears repeating. “Your voice is heard — truly it is. I respect your viewpoint even when we are in disagreement but the decision about how this clan moves forward is mine. Peace is my desire and I will work hard for it. I will only raise my claw against the humans if forced.”

A low growl rises in her throat, swallowed down as quickly as it appeared. Even so, she holds that tension in her very bones, her indignation not so easily quelled... but wise enough to recognize a fight she will not win.

Kinship with them... a fool's errand, and one he so happily undertook.

"Is this kinship, then?" The fight may be gone from her voice, but it lurks still in her words. "To be treated as their dogs — given shelter, perhaps, but only when we turn tooth and claw against their enemies. They do not live with us, Goliath. We will always be other. We are meant to be other from them."

[infinitysagas]

“They see us as other,” he corrected. When humans saw beings as others it was easy to think themselves above. A fundamental issue with sharing spaces with them, he acknowledged that, but fighting would not solve it. Merely make it far worse.

“Do you not see that all endless battle would bring us? Our weakness is all too easy to exploit. But if we develop kinship with them then all of us can be in peace.”

Her jaw sets, tongue held tightly between her teeth to keep her from spitting back vitriol as quickly as she desires. With so many, she would not have held her tongue : a privilege shown only to him, and one that wears thin.

"Diplomacy with those who would show us the same kindness, perhaps. What they speak of is not diplomacy, but subjugation... If we allow them to view us as lesser, then we shall remain as nothing more."