Power Play

One does not transform if there is not a good reason to. So from the observation that Mana gave it was apparent enough that the woman was in a dire circumstance and fretting what was to come next if The Queen were to become further unhinge. It mattered not what type of incarnation of calm the Sueki tried to sway over her, it wasn't enough to turn a blind eye to the objective fact of reality that this was her all or nothing play and that this royal demoness was in control over this meeting. To that end is why she began to become irritated that such tactics were being played before her eyes because it was apparent there was more to her story than meets the eye.

"A being does not rip apart the mask of their base form for little to no reason. I can smell something is not quite right and I merely use my power to sniff out those with false constitutions."

Granted, the voice of The Queen seemed poised and in control, one wrong move could easily set her off just as well. For now, however, the woman was more apt to listen to what The Sueki had to utter to her. Since the words which Claire spoke of were many of a race which lost it claims to fame at the hands of the humans. For many centuries they lacked the resources, manpower and strength to take back what they felt was theirs. Those, they were subject to the hellish abyss of obscurity while the races above them flourished in the world. Without a land to call their own, this leader of their race bares herself at the sight of The Demon Queen to request that this piece of sentimental land lay back in the hands of their race.

It's all -- quite the nostalgic tale.

For a moment, The Demon Queen spoke nothing. Instead, she opted to begin taking time to reflect on her own conquest to improve the demon race from the hell they once lived in. Memories of them being repressed in the shadows of the world flooded in her mind. The former rule before her time had demons banished to the depths of Demon World, their race hellishly constrained and they lacked the prosperity they truly deserved in her eyes as a newborn creature of sin. So, to that end, the young Mana stopped at nothing to utilize her wits, power, alliances, and resources to usher in a new age of wealth, growth, strength and pride in the demon race as they sought to regain their claim to power.

Which is why in the end, Mana understood why this woman was here. The Queen knew all too well she was in a position of desperation if she'd stomach to be in the presence of the race which subjugated her own subjugators. And with that understanding at the forefront of The Asthavon's conscious, a scowl could only emerge before her face. If all of this were true, should her race be in such a dire circumstance, the scorn of a former self-rose to the surface at the foolish actions Claire took to jeopardize her own people.

Going forth against The Demon Queen with only the ambition of herself was a grand gesture which she could appreciate in terms of having the will to stand by your ideals, but it meant nothing if you were slaughtered and killed before you could ever hope to make a difference. At any second this whole journey of hers could be snuffed out if The Queen so much as motioned for another being to slay her, or if another entity sought to protect Mana; as millions of creatures would throw their lives on the line for her. And then, what good would trying to take back this country do? No. Even Mana had to pay her dues with diplomacy as she amassed her own empire and lacked the strength to take it back by forcible measures.

But, more than anything else, there was something which The Queen could not tolerate: lying in her presence.

There was a high amount of pressure which radiated from the body of Mana as her irritation rose back to the surface in order to make this area feel as if there was lead weighing down on everything. There hadn't been killing intent behind her aura, but there was certainly an intention to harm and injure to illustrate a point. The organs, bones and body of The Sueki may very well be pushed to the point of their limits; but The Queen wanted to ensure she wouldn't escape before uttering these self-perceived truths toward her.

"Then your story makes not an ounce of sense. Why would you simply not request an audience with me under more diplomatic terms if you lacked the strength to attain what you desired? You would risk the destruction of yourself and the figure of a leader to your people to indulge your own ego? I've not possessed the greatest sense of rational or stability in this universe, but I knew when to take my victories and when to have the patience to attain what I hungered for throughout the years I built my empire, dear."

The tone of her voice soon rose to a more energized and scolding tone, but she still did not appear to be yelling. Rather, she was speaking from the heart and with great intent and confidence that burned in her chest as a leader herself. Indeed, she wasn't talking as if she were above or below the woman, rather, The Queen was speaking from a place of understanding. One that comes with being the forefront figurehead of an entire race and empire. And, from this comprehension, Mana knew one thing was full of lies: the lack of disdain for demons.

"If you wish to make the pathway toward prosperity for your race, then start by removing this aura of calm. I don't make decisions when under the influence of my own or another's power."

That was the first term of Mana's arrangements for how this meeting was now going to go down. And, while this aura of calm was her saving grace in terms of The Queen not being unhinged, it was also ceasing her from making any clear pathways toward success. As it kept The Asthavon from attacking, but she was rather aware of that fact and could not trust her own actions in this state of being. Which, in turn, would prevent her from making a decision that could make or break Claire's future.

"Second: do not lie in my presence. If it weren't for that aura of calm, you and I both know there is a lot worse I could have inflicted upon your being."

At this point, Mana broke the distance between the two as she stood directly next to Claire in what appeared to be a blink of the eye. Moving at absurd speeds when you have the power she has amassed shouldn't be much of a surprise. So it gave her time to begin observing the Sueki and watching what the woman might do.

"Granted, you may have not a single idea of what I'm talking about. So let me make it more clear: don't hide your contempt for my race and me myself away from the conversation. I've been in the position of where you are in my past, and to believe there wasn't malice in my own heart for those who made my own people suffer in our history is almost unbelievable to my eyes."

Reflecting back to memories of former meetings with figureheads among all races and creeds of demons, it was hard for her not to sense the stench of contempt that many held for her. In fact: Mana would hate herself if she were in the position that Claire was in. Observing the figure of someone tasting the fruits of life, power beyond their wildest dreams and claiming domaince and power over others is enough to make many want to take what they felt they were entitled to. It was a natural reaction to want to take that sense of control away when one felt they deserved it more as it's what The Queen herself did. This wasn't just some random guess, rather, it was acclimated knowledge and awareness that comes with having lived an absurd life such as hers for as long as she has. There was a pool of experiences to draw on and this whole ordeal ranked of something foul because of it.

"Speak honestly with me and I will consider a deal which benefits the both of us. What do you have to offer me in exchange for the gift of a country? I've given countries away on a mere whim as the attachments to this physical world grow dull to me, but concealing your intent will allow you nothing in my eyes."

Consuming knowledge from an enemy was a hard pill for many to digest in this world. Yet, to Mana, The Queenly ego which blossomed forth the kingdom of The Asthavon understood the value of maintaining a relationship with your foe. The boundaries of what makes an enemy are irrelevant in the grand scheme of achieving knowledge, spreading a vision and leading forth a people into a new age of prosperity. They become also trivial if one can speak forth with the opposing side, spread seeds of awareness and plant a road which benefits both parties. One does not enter into the state of savagery if simple pleasantries can cease the bloodshed of many.

Baring these fruits of insight into mind, Mana wasted no time in trying to comprehend the state of perception that her present enemy yielded. For the words which she spoke gave forth the understanding that she came from a race of desperation. Their numbers were dwindling, resources scarce and scale for power limited. And when placed forth into a position where your race do not stand fully united, tyrants overrule your precious lands and your blind anger makes you unaware of the dangers your enraged actions invoke for both you and your people; it's rather understandable why the two met here in this moment in time.

So, when Clarie finished speaking her peace, Mana came forth with her conclusion.

"You don't hate demons, darling."

There was not even a blink of her eye as the woman held her gaze straight at The Sueki Queen.

"Replace demons with Shinigami, Hollow, Humans or any of the known races in the universe and the same result will have been produced. No. You hate the circumstances which reduced the potential for prosperity that you and your race have to face."

Was this fact not true? How could it not be? Every word which drenched forth out of Claire's mouth had been one made out of the instinct to survive. Not an ounce of it spoke any word about the culture of demonkind, the psychology of their people, the history of demon kind or the regime of power which governed their policies, people and livelihoods. All that the Sueki uttered was framed in the perceptive of someone fighting for their life against a power which overpowered her and there was no true hatred as not once has there been a true war between the races of Demonkind and Sueki. As far as they are concerned, The Sueki barely even exist and the hatred is a one-sided affair for the time being given the scope of the demon race's hand and current enemies.

"So given this fact that the circumstances of you and your races discontent stems from the power we yield over your country, it makes sense that the hatred would lessen if you were indeed allowed to govern this land. What other reason would you have to wage a crusade against our kind? Do you truly care to change the landscape of planet Earth? To alter the ways we govern the demon world? To rearrange the very culture of our bloodline? No. You only seek to reclaim your home and the desire to slaughter our kind would be insane for you to pursue if this event transpired, dear."

How could one argue with this logic? What possible benefit could Claire attain from pursuing a battle with demonkind? It made little sense to Mana outside of the possible scenario that other factions bully and pressure The Sueki into allying with them. Therefore, from a diplomatic point of a view, alliances could be forged as far as The Demon Queen was concerned. The Sueki had a need and The Demon Race could supply that need. So it was rather simple what she wanted: loyalty.

"Your alliances is all I seek out of you. I'm not asking you to agree with everything the demon race does, but rather, I do not seek a war with your kind. So, in exchange for this land, I want us to have a relationship and to be able to lean on one another when the time comes."

In a matter of moments, The Demon Queen soon stabbed her own heart as emerald blood hurled itself toward the cold pavement both the women's feet. However, it was unatural in how it flowed. It forged itself into a circle until a glow of gem green energy swirled around both Mana and Claire. Soon after The Demoness would take Claire's hand, kiss it and look upwards at her with a gentle smile across herself that seemed a world away from the manic grin she started this encounter with.

"Do you feel the intention of my heart swirling all around you? The blood of my innermost self can unveil my desires quite clear as crystal. I'd hope you make the correct decision to take my hand in this relationship. I do not ask you to turn a blind eye to all of that hostility, but rather, to embrace it with me and accept this deal to understand your enemy better. That's all politics is, after all. The act of easing conflicts of interest when it comes to power."

There was then a moment of silence before The Demon Queen's eyes fixed themselves to Claire's.

"And, if you should feel so open, it's not out of the cards for me to mentor you in the ways of queenship. I'd say I have more than enough experience to warrant something of value from that interaction, my dear."