Abaddon had a very good life. With few things that he hated or just didn't like.
But no matter the instance or occasion, high society functions somehow always made it onto that list.
Currently, the royal family was hosting a banquet for the abyss' top educators.
Since it was the end of a successful school year, Malenia urged her brother to play host to this event.
It was a way to thank some very dedicated teachers who had given their all to push and support their students.
But even though it was for a very good cause and Abaddon was happy to do it, he remained out of place at an event like this.
Not only was he nearly nine feet-tall now, but he was the star everyone seemed to want to converse with. But inside he was just the man who just wanted to sit in the corner and drink.
Which is sort of a bad look for a ruler to have.
The bright side was that he was not the only one who was feeling quite so awkward.
"Can we go home yet...?"
Sif shuffled back and forth in the corner between Abaddon and Ayaana.
This was her first debut into society as empress ever since the group had decided to remarry.
They also had plans for a vow renewal ceremony slated to take place on their anniversary that would be similar to their wedding.
But right now, Sif wanted to show herself to be empress- like and worthy of their love and devotion.
...Which was hard.
Sif was a jotunn. A nomadic and warlike frost giant.
She wasn't used to wearing tight dresses and fancy jewelry, or eating food that she couldn't even pronounce or pick out of a line up.
She ate the roasted legs of animals that she hunted like some sort of cavemen and wore simpler clothes that her husband or other wives could take off in a flash.
She felt almost completely out of her depth here!
"Why so tense, darling? You're almost as bad as me." Abaddon mused.
"I-I don't know, I think it's just too much pressure... I'm trying hard to build up a good image of myself here, but it's not working.
Do you know I tried to have a conversation with one of these eggheads earlier, and I didn't know what the fuck he was talking about?!"
"Do you want us to take you home?" Ayaana asked sweetly.
Sif almost said yes immediately because she knew she was going to receive some very intimate 'consoling' when she finally returned home.
But as nice as that would have been, it would have been contradictory to the goal today.
"N-No, thank you... I can't run if I want to earn everyone's faith in me. I'll stick beside you all until the end. ."
Abaddon and Ayaana put their glasses down on a nearby counter before they each took one of Sif's hands.
"Sif... I believe that you are already aware that we've long made our decision already. No one else's opinion should affect you this much." Abaddon reminded.
"Besides, if we are already voiced our commitment to you, then who would dare to complain?" Ayaana smiled.
Sif smiled wryly as she looked down at her toes that seemed to be screaming at her angrily from within these heels.
"I just... want to show everyone how much this means to me. I won't walk away from my responsibilities... or any of you for that matter."
"She's easy, she won't ask me any questions, and she'll leave after I finish."
Even though she wasn't wearing her real face it was clear as day Bekka would be scarred for life. You're never the same after you hear someone refer to your mother as 'easy'.
"I don't know if that counts as genuinely trying." Abaddon raised a brow.
It wasn't even a full minute before Malenia got a text back.
"...Maybe not, but I don't really think I can handle anything else right now. My crest won't activate since I don't have feelings for her, so it will all be harmless. If you really just worry about me, please let me figure everything out at my own pace."
Abaddon had held a soft spot for his sisters as long as he had known them.
So even though he wanted what was best for them, he wouldn't want to be overbearing and spark her ire. She was much too important to him for that.
"..Alright. I sincerely hope you find someone who is everything that you want."
Malenia smiled just a bit and opened her eyes barely enough for her brother to see their rainbow-like glow.
"Even if I do not, I know that I will always have you looking out for me, brother. I already consider that to be more than enough."
Malenia handed Bashenga back to his father and the young boy crawled on top of his shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Abaddon asked.
Malenia turned backward just to wink at him as she walked away. "Bathroom break."
If anyone ever harbored any doubts that Malenia was Asmodeus' child, those wild theories would have been completely crushed to pieces in that moment.
"Why does everyone else get to leave but me?!" Bashenga roared.
Abaddon started to laugh, but at that moment he saw a familiar figure standing outside, he regained a tad bit of his composure.
"...Let me reintroduce you to a family friend before I let you go. I think it's been a while since we chatted."
-
Abaddon stepped out onto the party balcony where Yesh was already waiting for him.
When he saw the dragon coming with the infant now, Yesh held out his arms and made a facial expression even Abaddon was having a difficult time reading.
'Aww, how precious! Look at how adorable you have become, Tartarus.'
"It is imperative to me that you understand, creator, that even though I am not showcasing it, I am brimming with the urge to throw a great tantrum that even you have never seen."
'...' Yesh slowly put his arms down.
'What's with him..?'
Abaddon shrugged. "I've had him out with me all day. He doesn't seem to share his eldest sister's social battery."
'Huh. Imagine that.'
"Indeed."
Yesh walked towards the balcony with his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out into the far reaches of Tehom.
Granted, he hadn't particularly done anything noteworthy.
And nor did he seem to be upset about anything.
But Abaddon could tell by the way he was behaving that something was off.
"What's wrong with you?"