07-26-2015, 06:41 AM
It had been going perfectly. The men gathered at the table, despite their disparate backgrounds and personalities, had agreed, in one way or another, to his proposal. Even Enel, the one man Ganondorf had thought would refuse, had offered him a slight smile and nod at the end of his speech. It seemed that in spite of his ego and god-complex, the man was capable of seeing the gain to be had in having allies in his struggles. Though only the future would tell if their great faction would be able to last until their goals were achieved, the groundwork laid down at this table felt a victory to the Gerudo and he basked in his moment of glory.
It was not to last, however. The door of the tavern was nearly splintered into fragments as it burst open. Icy blue eyes regarded the occupants, settling upon Ganondorf with a fierce intensity that sent a shiver down the conqueror’s spine. Eighteen… it had been some time since he’d seen her last, during that long walk to the island of death. There she had seemed detached, emotionless. But it now seemed as though her pent of rage had been let loose. Her cold voice spoke his name, and her lithe form moved with purpose through the establishment, scattering patrons in every direction as they instinctively moved to avoid her. The table at which he and the others sat was flung away with ridiculous ease as she placed herself before him, their eyes on a level due to his seated position. And before Ganon could rise, or even speak, her palm came across his face, striking a blow that felt like getting kicked by a horse. The Gerudo’s jaw nearly dislodged itself at the force and only a supreme force of will kept him from falling out of his chair.
All around, eyes widened at the sudden display of violence, shocked murmurs emanating from the Secondaries in the building. Even the Primes with him seemed surprised by what had happened, though when Eighteen retreated into a defensive position, a stranger standing in the doorway spoke a curse. Thaal had some exasperated quip to say as well, while Strazio and Enel both fought to contain their amusement at his humiliation. The Gerudo Lord felt a dark rage build within him and his wolf-like eyes locked onto Eighteen. Once again she had humiliated him in a moment of triumph. His heart and mind boiled with an indescribable fury as Enel and Mr. Rockwell’s laughter drove daggers into his pride.
Spitting a glob of blood onto the floor and shaking his head to drive away the spots before his eyes, Ganondorf rose to his feet, his face as dark as a thunderhead and his motions as deliberate and threatening as an earthquake. He took a step towards Eighteen and she instinctively took a step away, a glimmer of apprehension in her eyes as she did so. The boy, Strazio, jumped up, trying to defuse the inevitable conflict before his efforts were shut down by a malice-filled glare from both Ganondorf and Eighteen. The woman asked who he was, to which the boy replied, and asked that they not engage in combat within the town. Sinestro spoke up in agreement to that, but it seemed as though their words were falling on deaf ears. The red-haired behemoth and the blonde fighter were once again staring daggers at each other.
Slowly, Ganondorf’s hand rose from his side, reaching towards Eighteen. The other Primes with them felt an air of imminent hostility descend upon the tavern, and the android’s stance tightened in preparation for his attack. What happened next was a shock to everyone in the room.
“Well, I suppose I might have deserved that,” Ganondorf said with a calm tone, his outstretched hand held towards her. “I might yet deserve more. I doubt any apology will suffice for that I put you through. My anger can get out of hand at times, and the punishment I placed onto you was too harsh by far. Especially for one who saved my life. And though you may not accept my apology, I whole-heartedly offer it anyway. Eighteen. You have done more for me than any I have ever known. You stood by my side when you could have watched me die. Because of you, I am now able to see what must be done for this world, and I would hope that you could forgive me for the manner in which I treated you. And I hope that you will accept my offer to stay with me… with us. To build this world into a utopia. To join our LAW and help us as we help you. I can understand if you refuse, of course. But know that I wish no harm upon you and can only hope that you are able to live a life of happiness and peace.”
The Dark Lord’s words were met with silence, not just from Eighteen, but from everyone in the room. They knew him to be a negotiator extraordinaire, with a way with words that only matched his volcanic temperament; as likely to coerce as to destroy. Yet, after the blow dealt to both his body and his pride, this sudden diplomatic… and even friendly speech was as surprise. Even to the Gerudo himself. It wasn’t as though his rage had subsided, rather it was the memory of Firani and her death at his hands that had stilled his violence and tempered his words. And, Ganon had to admit, a fair part of it had to do solely with Eighteen herself.
Their time together had left the Ganondorf marked, and it was with a strange sense of awe that he came to realize that the words he had spoken were true. He wanted her to have happiness. And he wanted her by his side as he made this world into what it could be. Yet, long seconds passed in silence in the tavern and the Demon King felt an anxiousness rise within him that he fought to keep from showing on his face. All eyes were on himself and Eighteen, yet she had yet to answer him; yet to take his hand in acceptance. Her glacial orbs were locked onto him and divulged no secrets as to what thoughts lay behind them. What was she thinking, in this moment, and just how would she respond to him?
It was not to last, however. The door of the tavern was nearly splintered into fragments as it burst open. Icy blue eyes regarded the occupants, settling upon Ganondorf with a fierce intensity that sent a shiver down the conqueror’s spine. Eighteen… it had been some time since he’d seen her last, during that long walk to the island of death. There she had seemed detached, emotionless. But it now seemed as though her pent of rage had been let loose. Her cold voice spoke his name, and her lithe form moved with purpose through the establishment, scattering patrons in every direction as they instinctively moved to avoid her. The table at which he and the others sat was flung away with ridiculous ease as she placed herself before him, their eyes on a level due to his seated position. And before Ganon could rise, or even speak, her palm came across his face, striking a blow that felt like getting kicked by a horse. The Gerudo’s jaw nearly dislodged itself at the force and only a supreme force of will kept him from falling out of his chair.
All around, eyes widened at the sudden display of violence, shocked murmurs emanating from the Secondaries in the building. Even the Primes with him seemed surprised by what had happened, though when Eighteen retreated into a defensive position, a stranger standing in the doorway spoke a curse. Thaal had some exasperated quip to say as well, while Strazio and Enel both fought to contain their amusement at his humiliation. The Gerudo Lord felt a dark rage build within him and his wolf-like eyes locked onto Eighteen. Once again she had humiliated him in a moment of triumph. His heart and mind boiled with an indescribable fury as Enel and Mr. Rockwell’s laughter drove daggers into his pride.
Spitting a glob of blood onto the floor and shaking his head to drive away the spots before his eyes, Ganondorf rose to his feet, his face as dark as a thunderhead and his motions as deliberate and threatening as an earthquake. He took a step towards Eighteen and she instinctively took a step away, a glimmer of apprehension in her eyes as she did so. The boy, Strazio, jumped up, trying to defuse the inevitable conflict before his efforts were shut down by a malice-filled glare from both Ganondorf and Eighteen. The woman asked who he was, to which the boy replied, and asked that they not engage in combat within the town. Sinestro spoke up in agreement to that, but it seemed as though their words were falling on deaf ears. The red-haired behemoth and the blonde fighter were once again staring daggers at each other.
Slowly, Ganondorf’s hand rose from his side, reaching towards Eighteen. The other Primes with them felt an air of imminent hostility descend upon the tavern, and the android’s stance tightened in preparation for his attack. What happened next was a shock to everyone in the room.
“Well, I suppose I might have deserved that,” Ganondorf said with a calm tone, his outstretched hand held towards her. “I might yet deserve more. I doubt any apology will suffice for that I put you through. My anger can get out of hand at times, and the punishment I placed onto you was too harsh by far. Especially for one who saved my life. And though you may not accept my apology, I whole-heartedly offer it anyway. Eighteen. You have done more for me than any I have ever known. You stood by my side when you could have watched me die. Because of you, I am now able to see what must be done for this world, and I would hope that you could forgive me for the manner in which I treated you. And I hope that you will accept my offer to stay with me… with us. To build this world into a utopia. To join our LAW and help us as we help you. I can understand if you refuse, of course. But know that I wish no harm upon you and can only hope that you are able to live a life of happiness and peace.”
The Dark Lord’s words were met with silence, not just from Eighteen, but from everyone in the room. They knew him to be a negotiator extraordinaire, with a way with words that only matched his volcanic temperament; as likely to coerce as to destroy. Yet, after the blow dealt to both his body and his pride, this sudden diplomatic… and even friendly speech was as surprise. Even to the Gerudo himself. It wasn’t as though his rage had subsided, rather it was the memory of Firani and her death at his hands that had stilled his violence and tempered his words. And, Ganon had to admit, a fair part of it had to do solely with Eighteen herself.
Their time together had left the Ganondorf marked, and it was with a strange sense of awe that he came to realize that the words he had spoken were true. He wanted her to have happiness. And he wanted her by his side as he made this world into what it could be. Yet, long seconds passed in silence in the tavern and the Demon King felt an anxiousness rise within him that he fought to keep from showing on his face. All eyes were on himself and Eighteen, yet she had yet to answer him; yet to take his hand in acceptance. Her glacial orbs were locked onto him and divulged no secrets as to what thoughts lay behind them. What was she thinking, in this moment, and just how would she respond to him?