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Arctang watched their Master go, flinging a task at them as he left. Before he had time to ponder it at all, there were others speaking. Then speaking turned to disagreement. To challenge. To scorn on some parts even. The more others talked, the more Numbers frowned. Even his twin was involved, putting herself forward and vying for her opinion. Granted, he was proud of her for standing up, but he wasn't really very sure he agreed with her, or any of them for that matter. Theirs was not a system of hierarchy. Each domain had its own sphere of importance, which always overlapped, rose above, fell below another's domain. Each domain had its pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. There was a reason it had all been broken up this way. And every one of them had fouled it up somehow the first time around.

Unwilling to participate in the debate over which method was wiser, who was better suited, and whether balance was more important than results, he cuddled Pris closer and turned away from the speakers. "Come on little one," he said quietly, making his way through the crowd towards the hallway of rooms. "There is more than one way to lead, and it isn't always by seizing power." He was certain there must be more options for fulfilling his duties as a deity in this dangerous time than just opting to take power over others, or declaring himself a follower of someone else. He wasn't a god created only to follow another god. He followed One, and with that One gone, he was determined to make the best of the situation by doing what he could to prepare, not bicker.

"Let's get you back home. I think it's just about bedtime," he told the little girl, "for all of us." Without a glance back, Arc retreated to the quiet and serenity of his rooms, leaving others to battle it out concerning who was to lead in the absence of the One best suited for the job. In the back of his mind, a weird shiver of foreboding trembled, recalling another time when others took the throne, and disaster had loomed near. Not having Harmodius to lead them was eerily too much like those dark days for comfort.

A arachnine creature un-melded from the crowd, imposing in height if not girth compared to many mortals or immortals. His caste was obvious to those of deific sight - an aoide of some age and might.


"I am Xedre, and I am a mouth of Destruction."

He did not seem incensed by any of the goings on. His expression was level, severe, and cold.

"There have been detractors, and there have been supports of what others have said as points in a debate, but notice, only Aristogeiton has specifically given declarations of support to candidates. One voice only has said 'I support' while others say only 'I stand'. We must give accounting to the Twin Crown. Even as we speak, the number remaining to be set to their places dwindles. Fair Ones, High Ones, beloved gods of Law or Order, of Goodness or Evil....the time is overdue. This moot is not just for standing, but also for supporting. Enough agree that there is a council, that it number 5. Who will you have upon it? Vote. "

Love had stood back from the discussion and volunteering, content to hold his opinions unless necessary, and had simply observed. He had mused, but only briefly, about stepping forward, but he and his domain weren't what this council would need. There was little aggression in him, no strategy but what was involved in matchmaking or seduction. In relative peace he might have been a suitable choice, but not when the shadow of the Grigori loomed over them.

Some of those who came forward, he knew, some he did not. He couldn't help but lean in preference to those he was acquainted with, but he couldn't argue with the logic that those of darker persuasion would be needed as well.

Rio was uncomfortable with this vocal vote, being someone who didn't like to ruffle feelings, but it appeared he had no choice... "I cast my vote for Endiovar, Glyph, Nergal, Phaedra, and Ashoka."

Kyrjadis' decisions were complicated by the fact that her host was quite an opinionated woman, not at all inclined to let the goddess simply use her voice to announce her own votes. No, Alice demanded to be consulted and give her input on the names they would speak. Her thoughts on the matter were strong: firstly, she agreed with the monstrous dragon that there should be a mortal, and though that odd feline woman was...well, odd, she was the only mortal option; secondly, she distrusted Greed on pure principle. She didn't know her, but that darker alignment was clear, and the guard had no tolerance for such natures.

Once their silent discussion had finished, she gave their decision, "Kyrjadis and I vote for Ashoka, Nergal, Endiovar, Cosine, and Tian Yue."

Nergal had been content to just listen once he’d put forth his concerns, and also his tentative offer to stand for council himself. His gray eyes narrowed at Aristogeiton’ s disrespectful speech, but part of him agreed with it.

Well then. It seems there’s no way out of it. Especially as just about everyone seemed to be keen on seeing him a part of the council. Just what had he done to justify that?!

He caught Phaedra’s glance towards himself, holding eye contact for but a moment, acknowledging her with a slight nod. But still he hesitated to speak for his own, preferring to get a drift on where whom his fellow kin was preferring, and why. He was used to being ‘out of the loop’ though he tried to be not to, and ‘politics’ was a game he generally did not play well. ‘Ruling’, however, he did.

“I do put forth my vote for Phaedra,” his deep, graveling voice finally sounded. “I spoke to her while the Throne was hers. She will not want to hold onto it for longer than necessary, I can vouch for it.” He stepped forward once more, a faint smirk lingering on his dark lips as he glanced at Phaedra. The steps of his bare feet were causing no sound of their own, but the stiff fabrics of his robes whispered creepily across the ground, and the bone ornaments in his dreads clicked faintly as they hit against each other. He was one of the few gods fully ascended and his presence was bound to draw attention. “Her ability to plot and calculate, to enrapture both mortals and immortals alike, and her ruthlessness will no doubt make her an invaluable asset.”

“My choice goes to Cosine as well. We do need, I think, someone capable of evaluating chances with reason, without being impaired by emotion. Something both of us may be good at, I believe. Tactics, I think, should be based on naught but facts on how likely they’re going to work.”

“Speaking of it.” Eventually Nergal glanced up. He’d made it to the center of the orators’ arch without even noticing, and now he found himself facing WAY too many of his own kind, not to mention mortals, but he stood straight. Massive.

“Tian Yue brought up my name up as someone experienced in battle. I dissent. All I did in that specific case was to bring back the furious spirits of the past into battle. However …” He paused, glancing up, the glance of his gray eyes piercing, his voice harsh. “I admit, I do not consider myself fit for the role of a Warlord. However, the spirits of Warlords, Great Generals of Ages Past are at my beckon for advice. As are their warriors – given their spirits have not passed on, or away – and the forces of the undead summoned by the necromancers which serve me.” He cast down his glance. “I have just remade my domain, I have found new love, and – with her – I have fathered three young godlings. Like Hell I’m going to let the Grigori destroy that.” Wholly selfish, but true. The only way to get to his wife, his children, or the souls of the dead, would be over his dead carcass.

“My remaining votes go to Tian Yue, as he is – like me – fully ascended. And, much more importantly: He remembers. Or at least that is what I have heard through the whispers of the Dead.” For a Council of Five, two votes remaining. But, whom to give them to. The mortals needed a Voice, that much was clear. He knew who his choice would be, but her name had not been brought up by anyone. “Ashoka. And my remaining vote goes to Glyph.” He did not give reasons for these choices he’d made, as these were wholly his own. And … possibly … biased. Not truly neutral.

Glyph, he believed, represented Life more than anyone else among those suggested. Whatever the means suggested for fighting the Grigori, he’d be an invaluable reminder of the price it would take. And, at the same time, a reminder of all the Grigori were threatening to destroy, to un-do. Ashoka was, quite simply put, the only mortal mentioned. There was something about her impulsiveness and fierceness which strongly reminded him of his host. Good at getting things done.

Though not wholly satisfied with the choices he’d made, Nergal nodded to himself and was – all of a sudden – quite eager to leave the orator’s walk, getting out of the center of everyone’s attention.

Glyph looked on as many spoke Phaedra's name and sighed, fearing that in choosing their combatants they were also poisoning the pot. He did not trust Greed, would not have her at the head of a council... and yet, it grated on him to say, her domain would be invaluable. Where diplomacy and pleasantries failed, the corruption and manipulation of Greed that curled in every creature's heart would be of use.

It pleased him to hear his name called among those voting and as Nergal stepped forward, having garnered some significant support, Forest gave a nod to his friend. They would likely need Underworld in the days and seasons to come just as they would need Greed. That was three, then, as his choices to stand on Council. The two remaining spots... He considered Tian Yue - despite the dragon being fully ascended his focus would be split between protection and leading if he were called to Council. Without the bonds of leadership, he would be free to act as needed... Xia Lu Lung then? The Emblem Pillar would be needed in the Pantheon, and quite likely disinclined to leave his post. Still, the dragon kings were forces unto themselves... and given a choice between the two, Tian Yue appeared to be the better, for his experience and his power. Glyph knew, caught in partial mortal form as he was, that he was still pale in comparison to his full potential and found himself yearning once more to stand beside his peers not as a child but as an equal. Idly, he reached to toy with his leaves, scratching at the base of the twigs as he frowned, deep in thought.

Tian yue, then. And the last seat... to the only mortal who had stepped forward and shown herself willing. He smiled as he looked to the female and gave a nod to himself. Ashoka would be his final choice, the mortals needed a voice as well.

Clearing his throat, Forest spoke his choices, "I support the election of Nergal, Ashoka, Tian Yue, myself... and," his gaze shifted to Phaedra, knew she would take pleasure in his vote, "I recognize the usefulness of Greed as well, she is my final vote." He might not be a warrior but he could call upon his Druids and Ancients to come to their aid as well for they could bend nature to the cause. He had reason too, to defend their worlds, their lives... he thought as he looked to Xun, reclining as he was by the pool, and then to Adi with her smile and bright, innocent eyes. Forest smiled to himself; yes, he had people and places both very dear to him that he was willing to fight for.

Endiovar smiled as he recognized the Aoide that had been Destruction's gift to him, for a time. Xedre looked much as he ever had, calm and knowing...ancient and very strong; strength that he himself had leaned upon for some time previously. Now Xedre bid them to stop squabbling like fishwives and stand forth like men - no, like the Gods they were.

Briefly did Endiovar wonder but that their rebirths coming in part from mortal beings had yet more unforseen detriment. Ah well. He stepped forward, having heard so many others speak their part - his name repeated more than once and with strong voices - and first greeted Xedre in a familiar way, coming close to the spiderine Aoide so that he might place his hands upon those pale cheeks. "Xedre, I am glad to see you looking well."

After doing so, he turned to face the others with his hands out, palms open. "You must excuse me, Xedre is...an old friend." He smiled before continuing - oh yes, Silence would get to the damned point eventually..and, because he wanted to be as clear as glass, he was speaking aloud in that odd voice of his. "I stand for myself, Phaedra, Nergal, the Dragon King Xia Lu Ling and Ashoka." Reasoning he did not give, though as each name had been spoken aloud, there had been unspoken add-ons: Phaedra for her honesty, her drive, Nergal for his experience and steadfastness, Xia Lu Ling for the quick mind and to balance Phaedra, Ashoka for her value as a Seer and for her mortal's view.

After he spoke, he waited to see what else would be said.

Yu heard all things, watching with some interest when the Drider Aoide came up to rope them all into locking down their nominees rather than just barking as dogs all the live long day. He was just as guilty as the rest; but it seemed that for all his wont to stay along side, he would be pulled in. And if he were placed on the council, he would do so wih all of his skill for a Dragon King could do no less. But now, now it was his time to speak, to cast forth his die and let the chips fall where they may.

"Such pretty words." He chuckled a bit and shook his head as he took one last measuring look at each of the 'candidates'. "Very well. I shall name five as all else have, but know that each one has much to offer. I cast my vote for myself, Endiovar, Phaedra, Tian Yue, and Ashoka."

And with that, the Dragon simply settled back and mentally tabulated the votes; he wasn't displeased with the results and it wouldn't have mattered even if he were...they had cast their votes as they each believed fit and those five would hold court and council.