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All around a heated discussion was going on between the kings and queens of the different supernatural societies, Some of which were with their mates. The round table consists of 26 seats, 24 being for the royals and their mates or any one companion, the other 2 were for Asher and her mate, that is if she had one. Those are the consequences of giving birth to a hybrid pure blood.
Asher was listening to the entire conversation, reading her psychology book at the same time.
They were still discussing the matter of rogue attacks when one of the royals made her presence known for the first time since this meeting started. "hold up!, hold up people!!" it was the werewolf king alpha.
"instead of throwing silly comments about this issue why don't we get everyone's opinion about the matter. "he continued "yeah! like for example the opinion of a certain someone who's been completely absent from this entire meeting. " concluded the warlock king.
As all eyes immediately landed on Asher she looked up from her book and stared right back at them. "Oh! You mean me. " she stated dryly. "no we mean the ghost that looks just like you.... Of course we mean you!!! " the warlock king stated sarcastically, shouting the last part.
"Calm down Ignasious. No need to shout. " cautioned the solanite queen. "well you don't expect me to just sit around while this child ignores every thing we do here. Some of us actually care to help around here."
"well I'm sure she's been listening, haven't you dear? " responded the warlock queen, her question directed to Asher.
"oh of course I've been listening, I've been listening the entire time." she responded in an even tone. "psh.... Then if you have been listening why haven't you contributed to what we've been talking about?. How could you even be listening and reading that book at the same time? " asked the werewolf king.
"well, I haven't been contributing because I needed to listen to what the royals have to say. And I can read and listen to the discussion because I can multitask. " she said smugly.
"she got you there old man!" came the voice of the demon king. "Wha... I can't believe you're all believing this load of baloney. It's clear she wasn't paying attention. All she was doing was reading that book like as if no one was here discussing matters of state affairs. Had anyone even noticed that we don't even know her real name? Much less what she is, what family she comes from... For all we know she could be in cahoots with the rogues. I mean she doesn't even have a scent, isn't that weird?! I mean, how is that even possible!?! " he continued.
"first of all I don't think that details of my personal life are of any relevance to any of you in this room. Secondly I wouldn't be in this room is I were a part of the rogues now would I? " she commented. "...and finally I don't have a scent because I choose not to. I thought we had already gone through this before" she completed with a nonchalant wave of her hands.
The room was filled with slight snickers. "OK, OK that's enough. Let's get back to the matter at hand now shall we?" requested the nephilium king, the only king in this room not self centred.
"And since you have been listening to the entire conversation why don't you be the first to contribute?." he requested of Asher. She just shrugged and nodded.
"well in reference to the rogue issue I don't think you should be too hostile with them. The best way to solve this problem is to negotiate a basis of agreement... " "what do you mean negotiate with them. Those hullegens are way past the point of reason." complained the werewolf king. "... Have you ever thought that maybe it was because you never thought to ask what they want?".asked Asher, no reply coming from the king "Mhmmm. Just as I thought. "she hummed in response. "it's psychological fact that fudes are generally resolved through communication and not brutality. Maybe if you tried setting a meeting with them, find a location to meet on their own terms..." "What do you mean 'on their own terms' isn't that unsafe and unwise? What is your point in all this? " asked the warlock king.
"if you had let me finish I would have explained my point. It needs to be on their own terms so as to establish a trustworthy relationship. If they believe that you really are up to a negotiation they might consider it. When that happens you must insist it be with their leader and no one else. In the process of negotiation you can watch out for any particular traits or weaknesses in which you can use against them if the need arises. But also in that time you must be truly careful so as to not let the sham that you are unwilling to agree noticeable. So in other words we observe our foe and conquer them." she concluded.
As silence insued,Asher looked up from her book she had continued reading after her little explanation session. "what?! " she asked as she noticed their stares.
It was the nephilium king that broke the silence. "ermm.... Well I have to say that we didn't think of that. It's a very willing possibility... " "you know some times I can not help but wonder how you manage to come up with these things. You sound like a really old... What ever you are."said the mermaid king cutting off the nephilium king.
"hmm... " she replied with a stiff hum of acknowledgement. "well... Since we've heard her opinion why don't we hear from the others. Does anyone else have something to share?" asked the solanite queen. There was silence across the room, well except for the obvious snickering of the demon and mermaid kings seeing as the werewolf king was also silent.
"Well,seeing as the are no more opinions can we have a unanimous decision? All in favour of Kim's opinion say aye"came the queens response with reference to yet another of Asher's fake names. "Aye!!" was the unanimous response of the council members including Asher, who only indicated with a lazy raise of the hand.
"And all against say nei". Silence. "we have a verdict. Tony please ensure that the process is carried out and do remember to inform us if all goes well..." she continued with reference to the werewolf king who responded with a Curt nod. "...and if we have no further issues in the agenda today I here by declare this meeting adjourned. You may leave now until further notice." she concluded.
The crowd dispersed, some leaving earlier than most, one of which being the warlock king and his wife but not before she apologised for her husband and mates unruly behaviour.
Seeing as she was no longer needed Asher proceeded to exit the venue when she was stopped by a towering presence in front of her. She was reading and walking when the mermaid king appeared in front of her. "why hello there Kim!!. Lovely seeing you this fine evening." he greeted in his sultry honey like voice, pretending to not having seen her the entire meeting. "we just finished the meeting what do you want Cedric?" she asked not looking up from her book but with a voice laced with annoyance. "err.. Well I guess you got me. I just wanted to say hello, you know, ask how your day was and perhaps if you would.... "he drawled before she cut him off saying "again Cedric i am not going to go out with you. Is that so hard to understand?"
"it is actually. I just don't get why a beautiful damsel such as yourself is being isolated from the pleasures of mingling with royalty and instead is engrossed in...." she moved out of the way as he made to take her book "...books as old as my great grand father." he continued.
"first of all maybe you should have a little more respect for your ancients..." she started pointedly "... and secondly these books are highly educational. You should try them, maybe you will learn something." she finished, finally looking at him with a frown on her face which, by the way, he couldn't see.
"oh come on! Why won't you just lighten up a little. I don't get why you are so uptight about this. If I didn't know better I'd think you were hiding something." he whined. Before she could retort back to that statement she was interrupted by the demon king.
"leave her her be Cedric. You heard the lady. If I were you I'd forget about her and go find someone else instead of pestering her." "shut up luther. We all know if it were you you wouldn't back down one bit." Cedric retorted exasperatedly.
"guilty as charged! " Luther responded with hands held up submissively and an unremorseful smirk on his face. "what makes you think you have a chance? " he asked. "I should be asking you the same thing" Cedric replied.
"Well for one I'm not some fish man walking around on artificial legs." he answered back. With a roll of the eyes Asher said to them "and what makes you think that will be a basis for my choice of man? "
"see? She doesn't even care about that! Wait... Does that mean you'll... ?" "No." she said cutting Cedric again. At that Luther burst in laughter, not able to contain himself any longer.
"well hello there Kim" came the greeting of the solanite queen. She was with the werewolf queen Luna and nephilium king. "hello to you too your majesties." asher replied with a curtsy. " I just wanted to congratulate you on your outstanding show of wisdom today. It's rather rare to find someone as knowledgeable as you these days." she said. "indeed it is, and we are grateful that the replacement for our former council member was someone as intelligent as you" came the comment of the nephilium king but with a twinge of sadness at the fallen council member. It also saddened Asher but they couldn't tell with her cape on.
"if you will excuse me your majesty, I have some urgent matter to attend to so... " she requested with a slight bow. "oh sure dear, go on then." she replied with a graceful curtsy which Asher returned.
As she turned to leave she was halted by Cedric again. "wait! Are you leaving already?" he asked. "you see me leaving don't you? So yes, I am leaving."
"obviously you dunderhead." said luther hitting him upside the back of his head. " don't do that!" Cedric shouted. "any way would you please reconsider your decision?" he begged Asher "wow! , you managed to make a king beg. Amazing! So what's it going to be Kim? " asked luther.
"hmm... Let me think about it..... " she said making a considerable gesture. "No." she stated simply, and with that she was gone. " oh come on!...." Cedric whined almost stomping his feet like a child. Luther only laughed at his pitiful situation. "Stop laughing you oaf!" Cedric shouts at him.
Although Asher had no urgent matter to attend to it was all she could think of to get away from all the royals. As she always tells herself, socializing wasn't her thing as she couldn't trust anyone. No one at all.....
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