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"Of course, Hada. What's the situation?"

Bres kept quiet for the moment. Mab was still recovering, but to speak before her would be considered an insult even in her current condition. Still, he has his own suspicions about what this was.

"Everything all right?" Ogma asked kindly, noting she was acting a little nervous.

Mab may not have been at her best, but she at least looked like she was herself again. She was dressed in her usual business woman chic, even her hair was carefully done. She might have felt shaky still, but she would mask it beneath her careful defenses.

She moved into the room, projecting her usual air of authority, she motioned for everyone to sit as the chose (because she certainly needed to sit), and insinuated herself into a chair, posture perfect. "Ms. Morgenstern, what can I do for you?"

"As you well know, we both come from relatively small pantheons. Even put together, we are fewer than the Greeks. It's a vulnerability that can't be ignored. However, you Celts have proven to be friends to me and the others in my group. And, while we do have a blood alliance in the making between our two groups..." Esther took a breath.

"I'd like to negotiate something a little more... formal in terms of an alliance."

She raised a brow. The woman was very good at politics. Her phrasing pointing out equal weakness, implying that Mab had already seen it, and offering a solution. It made the corner of Mab's mouth twitch slightly.

"You have my attention."

"Obviously, a formal alliance would be legally binding in some fashion. Yet, as I believe is also true for you, one of the assets of my pantheon is that our identities are largely hidden from public knowledge. While it would be naive to assume that this protection will be long-lived, I'd rather not compromise it prematurely by bringing in a legal professional from the outside, nor do I trust the one known lawyer among our number, seeing as he's not only Greek, but also of questionable character. Truthfully, I think the best way to handle this and maintain discretion would be to do it the old-fashioned way, so to speak."

Esther's lips felt dry and her heart was beating hard. She hoped it wasn't obvious.
"As the de facto leader of the Judeo-Christian pantheon, I am willing to offer myself in contract, if you find that to be an acceptable solution."

Bres' face showed momentary surprise, but he quickly recovers. Just what was Esther thinking here?

"I am not opposed to the idea of an alliance. In fact, I think it would be greatly beneficial to both of our groups. Though, I'm assuming you are offering yourself up to someone other than me." She actually had that small, closed mouth smile on her lips. She gave purposeful glances to Arthur and Bres, leaving Ogma largely excluded. "You'd have to ask them if it is something one of them might want. Marriage is not an institution I personally back."

"If one of them will have me, then that is certainly one option," Esther agreed. "If not... surely there are other... services we could work out."

Oh there were other ways, most assuredly. But they'd see how this first tactic went. "Gentlemen?"

Ogma let out a low whistle.
"Wow. You certainly don't do anything halfway," he remarked, and looked over at the other two. "I suppose if one of you two will accept that first offer... Well... I'll go double on it."

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Bres searched for the right words to say.

"Hada is a fine woman that any man would be proud to have as his wife. Aside from my own petty convictions to bachelorhood, I wouldn't want her if she was bound to me as the seal of a contract. She's too much a woman for me to insult her so," Bres finished.

"I'm strongly in favor of the alliance idea, but if we're going to seal it by marriage, perhaps we should leave it to the two who have already proven they can competently run a relationship. Hada, you're fantastic, but it's a matter of historic -- well, pseudo-historic -- record that I am a terrible husband."

Mab makes a small shrug, her eyes on Esther. "It seems we're less than old fashioned these days. And perhaps that is a benefit. Though there are equally, if not more effective alternatives to a marriage contract."

She shrugged.
"I was one of literally dozens of wives to my first husband. You learn to work with what you're given. Still."

She looked to Mab.
"And what would you ask, Lady Mab?"

"A contract with our pantheon's expectations written out as thoroughly as possible. Though I doubt there's a mortal court in the country that could enforce loyalty, I really don't intend for that."

She folded her hands in her lap and continued. "My proposal is a magical oath, which will be signed in blood. Both parties will be magically bound to abide by the dictates of the contract, which is far more binding than any legality."

"And you'd prepare the written statement?" Esther asked.

"I would assume you'd have some requests for your pantheon as well," she said almost graciously. "An alliance is a compromise, not a bondage, Ms. Morgenstern. I have no desire to subjugate your people." Not quite yet anyway.

Okay, he doesn't have to prove he's terrible at committed relationships. Why does Arthur still have a bad feeling about this.

"Our requests are humble ones. We ask that we be protected as best as possible. And we are a group of... limited means in this lifetime. We'd just like to ensure our members are not wanting for having needs met," Esther said.

"Uh... If you'll excuse the interruption... Those are pretty vague requests. In a legal document, you really want to be as specific as possible in case a question arises later," Ogma pointed out.

She nodded regally. "Ogma is correct. Phrasing is everything. If you aren't more specific in your requirements, then I - we could interpret it as we saw fit."

"Very well, then." Esther tucked back a lock of her dark hair.

"If any one of my pantheon is threatened, we will expect at minimum an offer of assistance from the Celts. If the assistance is accepted, we expect it as soon as absolutely possible. The same goes for any necessity: food, clothing, shelter, transportation or other basic requirement--an offer will be expected and should arrive posthaste if accepted."

"This will be especially true for all inter-pantheon children that may be born. Both pantheons will work directly with the parents to ensure no harm comes to the children and that they have everything they need. Exactly what this entails will be left up to the parents themselves."

She listened, not finding anything she was against in the request. Of course, despite the slightly more detailed nature of Esther's requests, Mab found them to still be remarkably bendable. And that was an advantage still. She'd not warn again. She disliked repeating herself.

"Very well. In exchange, we would require loyalty from each of those in your pantheon who wishes to receive our aid. By this I mean, each individual of your group would need to guarantee that the promotion of the Celts in the race for power would be their priority. Even beyond your own pantheon."

Without allowing any time for an object from any in the room, she continued. "This would not mean abandoning the Judeo-Christian portion of this race. But it would be set as a secondary endeavor. You, nor any of those of your group seeking our aid, will seek to set yourselves before the Celts in the race for power. You will work to ensure that we succeed over all other groups. That means plying your influences and skills to the benefit of us, keeping our confidences against all outsiders, including mortal family, friends, and members of other pantheons. Your group will hold no loyalty higher than ours, making no bargains without our consent, and us to you in return. Thus you will be ours, not only to protect and provide for, but to utilize for our benefit. We shall see to your safety and well being, and your group will see to our success. Those who refuse this, forfeit our aid. Those who agree are bound by it, even against other members of your pantheon. Is this acceptable to you and yours, Queen Esther of Persia?"

"You would have us act as underlings rather than equals," Esther observed. "That does change things. I offered myself in contract, Lady Mab. I did not offer the others, and demons... do not take kindly to being fettered. Especially without their knowledge or consent. I'm afraid I cannot agree to your terms without first securing their acceptance of the arrangement. Put the terms in writing, and I will submit them to my fellows. I would ask for three days' deliberation, as this is not something into which we enter lightly."

"I have no desire for them to be consigned to any arraignment without their consent. In fact, I require it if they wish any aid from us at all. Indeed, you offered yourself, but would you be held hostage to the whims of your fellows? I would not, nor shall I take on good faith that each of you have the same intentions. In addition, you ask for aid and protection and therefore admit to being weaker and not equals. I shall slightly amend my terms by saying that should ever any of your group decided to dissolve the arrangement, you each would have but to say as much. A mutual withdrawl of aid would occur. However, you cannot expect us to offer up such assistance without getting something of value from you in return."

"Let me just say I know a thing or two about risking the one for the greater good," Esther said. "We are fewer, and our powers are on different levels than those of the Celts, but I would not consider us lesser. I understand you also have a Greek sworn in knighthood to you. Still. I would expect something more... symbiotic between our groups. A mutual level of advancement gained by working together. The quests are shared, and the resources pooled."

"The Greek is not sworn by proper magical oath, and therefore remains suspect." She spoke that a bit snappishly. She didn't care that the doctor had practically saved her life. As far as she was concerned, he was a spy until proven otherwise. "In any case, our resources are not balanced between us. We have an abundance of wealth, tactical knowledge and abilities, over all resources and practically applicable powers. You offer a single useful political position of influence and a great deal of sexual prowess. I would say we are not on equal terms, and what we would gain would be a far cry from what you would. What I propose is symbiosis. You wish protection, we wish to solidify our power base."

Her tone softened a little suddenly, there was even a hint of what might have been gentleness in its undertone. "At this current time only one group can win, Queen of Persia. Do you really think your group should be the one to do so? Are you three capable of leading a whole world? Ours is the one pantheon with a stable leadership mentality. We would not wreak havoc upon humanity with our ascension, nor make it suffer from indecision, apathy, or inability. And by the terms laid out, none of us could break our word or use you unjustly, without risking consequences even I cannot imagine."

Bres took this moment to speak.

"Perhaps not immediately, but perhaps we should consider a formal union of our two groups. The Greeks are immense and will likely pass us by if we allow it. We could use the additional allies. Perhaps a power-sharing arrangement. Mab would remain overall leader, but Esther would have a consultory position and would make certain the needs of her fellows are represented within the greater union."

"At this point in time, there isn't a lot that's certain. We have no way of knowing who will appear or disappear next. It's still anyone's game, so to speak," Esther said.

"What I would also suggest would be the political equivalent of your tradition of a handfasting. The agreement is fully binding, but, after one year's time, we re-examine our positions and needs."