>>5538596You relay all of this to mom. It’s gonna take a bit before you get any responses, but… you feel like you need to point out something. “Dabura, I can’t speak for everyone on this, but I myself am willing to take your word on this. However, Towa? Towa is another matter. It’d be absurd to believe anything she’s up to won’t be broken the moment it’s convenient.”
Towa gives an annoyed frown. She can’t exactly deny that, but still, it does get her to rest her chin on her knuckles and grumble with a heavy-lidded stare, “An expected response.”
You ignore that. You’re not gonna insult her right now, but you need to be honest here. “All of our history with her, it extends beyond even my time. My mom and uncle were younger than I am now when she first met Towa and it’s just… been a whole lot, you know? That’s just assuming only one of her is involved in this deal, too.”
Basilea gives Towa a disapproving look. Dabura though nods in acknowledgement. “Yes, I’m aware of my sister’s counterpart, and the counterpart of myself. Also that they were able to free me from Babidi’s control, and my granddaughter here originates from that time.” Now Basilea looks away from them. Dabura’s attention is on Beelzebub. “My boy, you’ve already started on her, haven’t you?” The smaller demon takes a step back, unnerved slightly, but stays quiet. “Mmm, yes, I figured as much. You and the human princess you are fond of. Hahaha, it looks like I will be a grandfather after all.”
There’s an almost faux-jovial tone in how he speaks. Like there’s both genuine admiration… and veiled threats being made. At least this is giving them time for a response. A debate’s started back with everyone, some willing to hear them out, some that outright do not trust them. You’re gonna give them more time. “So you know how hard this is for everyone to just… agree to it, right?”
“Yes. And this is why I am being upfront of it being conditional.” Dabura acknowledges. “I can reassure you that we will not demand you surrender this planet to us or anything of the sort, at the very least.”
You pass that along. It does kinda get most of them to go over to hearing them out. Still… “If it’s asking for allies back, we might have conditions of our own. Explanations. Schemes. Yes, even your notes, Towa.”
That… doesn’t get the reaction you were expecting. In fact, it kinda bores her, as she responds in a dry tone, looking down at her tea. “Speaking for yourself still?” she questions.
Finally, finally you can stop stalling. Mom gives you the OK. “Fine. Let’s hear the conditions.”
(cont.)
