His hand closed in on itself and return to his lap. Softly, a chuckle left his lips and the prince of Hail looked at the near godlike being who sat across from him. If there was a thing such as divinity, Cosmos surely had it.
"So cruel Cosmos. At least humor a man with the truth." He huffed at her, but his smile betrayed the small mirth in it. He knew this was the likely outcome. Yet, it had been worth a try. He had to, lest the opportunity never be given ever again, lest he always wonder what if.
"Polaris is wed to her knight. Iris is loathe me and mine. And Ganymede is also wed. Leto and Ares-" he coughed, "Leto and Ares aren't into my gender last I knew. Trust me when I say I have looked at my options politically and have found myself... lacking." He sighed.
"And don't even
mention Remarque. I am liberal in many things but even I have my limitations."
His wings slumped slightly, the grass shifting with a faint rustle.
"I knew it was unlikely you would agree to my request, but-" He held up his hands before they fell back to his lap. "Despite that, it was worth asking. You are very beautiful and I wouldn't mind being see on you arm. If anything, I would not be teased for looking like an old man."
He joked, even in the face of rejection.
"It is difficult now, more than ever to inspire hope in them. Not a false hope, but a true hope. A real assurance of our powers. I cannot lie to them and say that we might purify those corrupted. Too many are bitterer, unwilling." He shook his head, eye locking to the woman before him.
"They act as if purification is simple, and that the risks are not as great as they truly are. I have not forgotten your lesson." Death if he failed. Death, if they hesitated, even for a moment.
"I wish sometimes they would try to understand that there is more to worry about than just one life. One lifetime and era. Rebirth has never been a quick process."
