AN: Something for my Azem canon

"It's a surprise seeing you here, Aletheia. Or should I call you the honorable Lady Azem now?"

"Likewise, Athena. And no, you can call me whichever you wish."

Aletheia scoffed even as her friend simply raised a brow at her. As usual, Athena's tall stature standing tall in front of her, and as per their usual greetings, they both simply acknowledged each other's presence from then on, content with communicating through subtle expression and general feel instead of using their words.

Indeed, they have been partners for so long that they could read each other's intent through what almost amounted to telepathy. Of course, they employed such methods as well whenever they fancied it, but doing was simply inefficient to them now. After all, why bother wasting aether when mere gestures could convey much more?

'Doing well, I hope?' Aletheia conveyed to Athena by copying the latter's raised brow.

'Well enough,' Athena gestured with a slight wave of her hand. 'Being a wife is a pain, but necessary to my grand plans.'

'Are they now?' she motioned through a faint smirk. 'Messing with the leader of the Convocation is a dangerous gamble.'

'One that will pay off more than merely being a Convocation member such as yourself,' her friend gestured back with a scoff. 'I will not be tied to stifling rules, lest it impedes on my quest for godhood.'

Aletheia faintly chuckled at Athena's ambition. Not out of mockery, of course, but out of well placed amusement at her friend's antics. She knew full well that the latter's experimentation was highly frowned upon. In fact, they were downright punishable by law if it weren't for how hidden and careful Athena was in her actions. Then again, it was also something she herself has helped her friend with multiple times in her capacity as Azem.

While their past might be known to most, their current collaboration was well hidden to ease suspicion. With their infamous propensity to seek knowledge whatever the cost, even the Convocation knew not to keep them in the same room for prolonged periods of time. In fact, they were pretty sure that the reason why they both achieved their current positions was less because they were the best candidates, but more so that the Convocation could keep them separated while still making use of their respective talents.

'I will always be grateful for your efforts,' Athena conveyed to her with a sincere smile. 'It is good to know that my partner is still looking out for me.'

'Likewise. I am more than glad to aid you in your efforts,' Aletheia grinned back. 'So long as you share with me the fruits of your research.'

Athena simply grinned back, and the current Azem knew that her partner's answer would be the same as always.

"Oh, Lady Azem. I didn't know you were acquainted with my wife Athena."

However, it would seem that their unspoken conversation would be cut short as her nominal leader, Lahabrea, came up to them, having seemingly noticed them standing close to one another.

"Lord Lahabrea. Athena here is an acquaintance, yes," Aletheia curtly nodded, using her polite voice to interact with her fellow Convocation member. "I've helped her with some of her research, and her in mine."

"Indeed," Athena smiled, her tone still as airy and lilting as Azem last heard her. "Lady Azem here is a friend of mine. But I'm sure you already know of it, dear~"

Aletheia couldn't help but raise a brow as the Convocation leader had it in him to blush. It was always a trip hearing from Athena's missives of how she had the most powerful man on Etheirys wrapped around her fingers, but it was different seeing it happen right in front of her.

And no, she wasn't invited to the eternal bonding ceremony. They both agreed that Athena would break character if she saw Aletheia laughing at her as she marched down the aisle.

"I am well acquainted with Azem's connection with you, yes," Lahabrea hummed in thought. "I understand that this has been the first time in a long while that you two have met."

"Indeed. Not since my ascension to the seat of Azem," Aletheia nodded. "We have both been busy with our duties to the Star."

"Likewise," Athena chuckled. "I have been busy in Pandaemonium, as you both know."

"Clearly," Lahabrea nodded as he cleared his throat in acknowledgement. "Although, I do believe that our time here has come to an end. Athena?"

"Ah, I suppose it was pleasant seeing you, Aletheia," Athena waved her off as she moved to accompany her husband, a faint smile on her face as she spoke. "I do hope that our paths will cross again."

"Likewise, Athena," Aletheia nodded back, her own faint smile on her face as she replied. "I do hope we can collaborate on our research yet again like old times."

No words were said afterward, only mere gestures being exchanged as Aletheia watched her partner disappear with her husband. Her last statement was a lie, of course. They were still fully in contact with their respective research, but nobody else knew that. Hell, even her supposed husband didn't know anything about where Athena's allegiances truly lie.

'I'll come by you later,' Athena gestured to her with her right hand, her index and middle finger stretched out in a suggestive manner. 'Usual time.'

Indeed, the current Azem could simply chuckle to herself as she thought about the fact that she was about to betray the Convocation leader yet again. Not like she hadn't done so numerous times by covering for Athena's more dangerous experiments by using her clout as Azem, but there was a certain thrill to what she was doing for her friend.

"The usual time," she chuckled to herself while shaking her head. "Selfish as always, Athena..."

Truly, she was probably the worst Azem Etheirys has ever had. She could only hope that Venat wouldn't get wind of her actions again. She really didn't want to get another scolding from her predecessor about morals again.