Pragma
Szayel/Nemu
"You two look good together."
"I'm sure it won't be that bad..."
"We'll still be here for you."
She supposed she could not call them out for lying, or trying to pass off false words of comfort to her. They were just as bitterly upset and useless as she was... or perhaps as the two of them were.
From the scattered words of those around her, everyone seemed to agree that they did in fact appear good together; standing side by side, they were an attractive pair. Perhaps that kind of image would be enough to dispel the ongoing wars and killings between their two different realms.
It was a stretch.
The highest powers on both sides had exhausted every available option on calming the raging waters between them. With the body counts and bloodshed high, they were desperate to try anything... she supposed an idea like this was not that far from being crazy. This wasn't the first case an arrangement as such had been used, in fact, in some worlds it wasn't uncommon really... She guessed she merely thought that they were above standards as such.
She was incorrect in the end of it.
Hands moved to brush the small wrinkles out of the white satin that formed a dress around her nervous body; fingers lingering briefly on the small beads that had been sewn into the thin hem of the soft corset. The gown was absolutely stunning, in fact she considered it to be too prim and proper for someone like herself. But it was pushed forward with words encouraging her to wear it, saying she would look beautiful in it, telling her not to worry for the cost- there was someone else to pick up the bill for it.
They were all putting everything on the line for this arrangement... there were no cutting corners in the ceremony; the price alone for the dress was almost a third of the entire budget. She thought it was a little erratic and outrageous, but she needed to fit the image of the perfect bride. She needed to be the crowning image of future hope and prosperity for her realm.
...
She had met this man she would soon be spending the rest of her life with.
She had to admit that he was rather attractive and she could see why he was chosen to be her counterpart. They complimented each other well enough and while they were both quiet-natured, they seemed to do just fine standing in close proximity to one another. She still remembered the soft coos from the crowd when their names had been announced, when they were first revealed to the public... so much admiration there seemed to be from the people.
They were their crowning relief though.
This union would hopefully help bring their realms closer together in a bid to end the century-long wars.
Even he had to remark that, while the plan was of low standard, it would most certainly work in the eye of the public.
"We're an image." he had whispered the afternoon before; those quiet amber eyes of his distracted by something else off in the distance behind her. "We look good, we have a few common interests... we're a nice combination for the public. That's all they care about. We play the part, we paint the image, we save something."
"Even if we lose in the end of it?" she had questioned, almost afraid to look up from where her hands were folded in her lap; fingers softly knitted in the material of her dress.
"They would be happy if the ending causalities were just two instead of two thousand." he answered. There was a soft pause in his words, almost in his breathing just the same, before he slowly let it escape through his thin lips. "I hate it, I keep thinking it's not going to work and from there I wonder what's going to happen after that. But... regardless of that, I'll try not to... let that affect me."
Her green eyes shifted up at the ending comment, watching as he tried to busy himself with something on his light-gray vest. "They're trying to have a set of imperfect people paint an image of perfection... we'll stumble behind closed doors, we'll stumble when no one's looking. But... if you're willing to try... then I will too."
The soft click coming from the only door in the room brought her out of her thoughts and forced her to give her attention to whoever might be standing on the other side. She was expecting one last visitor, maybe her father even- although he hadn't bothered to see her all day... She shouldn't have been surprised to see it was him instead.
His soft-pink strands were brushed to one side and fell along the curve of his right jaw, the longer strands were pulled back behind him and tied with a small band. A white suit was fitted and tailored to his slender form, bringing out the attractive points of his physique; a soft gray vest was tucked in underneath his overlying jacket, offering just a small break in the solid color line.
"The ceremony's starting apparently." he started, the soft dip in his voice said it all about his unsteady nerves.
Last chance to run, right?
Nodding lightly, she pushed herself to her feet and tried to still her nerves just enough to reduce the risk of collapsing on her heels. Hands moved to brush out the wrinkles once more before she slowly started over to him; fingers grabbing the small bouquet from the flat of her make up dresser.
Her other hand reached forward to take the arm he offered her, slowly sliding her own to hang onto it.
They looked perfect... at least that had been managed.
It was for the greater good. She just had to keep telling herself that.
"It won't be that bad, I promise."