"On it," Eva said as Brad nodded his agreement.
"And make sure you tell your people not to point their weapons at these Daemons. The majority that I'm sending to you are civilians. They're frightened, not fools, and will react to any hostility towards them or their children with frightening savagery."
"They'll be treated fairly," Ann said with a frown, "We've always treated everyone equally here."
"Yes, you have…but you aren't the only person in residence at your palace, are you?"
"Gramps has a point, Queenie. Imagine what a fuss the nibbles are going to kick up when we add Daemons to the mix of lycans and magick users." Maeve cackled, "I half wish we could just announce it with no explanation and just watch them combust."
"That's because you're a sadist, Maeve."
"Only when it's deserved," she smirked happily.
"Very well, I'll begin escorting them by nightfall." Lord Brarthroroz announced with a nod of his head.
"We'll keep a line open so you have direct communication all the way here until you reach the gates," Ann said. "And Brarthroroz…thank you."
He grunted an acknowledgement and waved a massive hand in front of the screen, clearly unsure how to end a video call.
"Do I close this glowing frame myself, or does it close itself?"
Eva pinched the bridge of her nose and Ann could practically feel the annoyance rolling off her.
"Don't worry, we'll end the connection from here, Lord Brarthroroz."
"Good. These human toys are unnerving," he grumbled and then leaned too close again. "If it explodes, I'll find whoever built it and show them how much fun spontaneous combustion can be."
The feed cut as Eva ended the transmission and the three of them collapsed into giggles.
"He's one video call away from throwing that console into a volcano," Maeve snickered, "I love him."
Ann exhaled through a laugh.
"Ok, let's get this moving. I want everything up and running before they arrive."
Coral and Eva nodded, turning to begin issuing orders and Brad turned to take hold of the door handle and begin his tasks but without warning, the door burst open.
A young noble in full council dress stumbled in, waving a paper furiously in the air.
"Your Majesty! You can't seriously allow daemons into the palace grounds…"
Brad scowled and caught him by the shoulder, steering him back toward the door with one smooth movement.
"Out." he snarled, "You were told not to disturb the Alpha Queen."
"Unhand me!" the noble sputtered, wafting his hands wildly at Brad as Brad's withering gaze told everyone just how annoyed he was getting with the entitlement of the nobles.
Brad did not unhand him, he marched him out at arms length, dodging the flailing slaps that were sent his way, and shut the door with a thud.
"I think this has to be one of the best mornings that we've had for entertainment," Maeve said happily and Ann snorted her agreement as she turned back to Coral.
"Now, where were we?"
Ann stared at the wall as silence descended in her office, for once, just enjoying the silence.
"Do you think we need any input from the Enclave for this?"Ann hummed thoughtfully, drumming her fingers on the desk idly,
Coral scrunched her nose as she thought and glanced across to Eva.
"I mean, you've been pretty self sufficient without them so far." Eva answered casually, "But perhaps as a courtesy, you could always bring Bartholomew in and see what he thinks. Perhaps he has recommendations?"
"It might even be seen as you offering an olive branch to them, considering the recent unease in the relationship between you all." Eva added as she sipped from her mug of coffee, "It wouldn't hurt anyway, even if only to hear them out."
"I suppose we'll need input from the Enclave for the screenings for placements anyway if any of them decide to stay here rather than returning to their realm of origin." Ann sighed, massaging her temples.
"It would be nice if something was simple for once wouldn't it?" Ann sighed softly, "Where just our decisions are enough without involving anyone else"
"Mmm well I think that's only going to come from family life really isn't it?" Maeve snorted,
"Are you kidding? I still have to argue with you and Adam and Baldur don't I?" Ann smirked and Maeve blinked at her in mock indignation.
"Ok miss spicy pants, is that how we're doing things now? Are we bickering today?"
"Bring Bartholomew in," Ann said, holding back her grin as Maeve raged at her in her head and she willfully ignored her, "I'm sure he'll want to weigh in with his opinions anyway."
He arrived ten minutes after Coral had sent for him, closing the door behind him quietly as he made his way into her office.
He looked up at her, a soft, fatherly smile on his face and his eyes holding a faint hope that the rift between them he had caused with his past lies, and his complicity in the enclaves' dealings could finally be smoothed over.
"You asked for me, my Queen?." He said as he took his seat and Ann smiled warmly at him, trying to put aside the last vestiges of paranoia that remained.
"We have another development, although I'm sure there are many that will see it as a complication." Ann said with a soft sigh, "Lord Brarthroroz has located several daemon families that are requesting sanctuary until they are able to return to their own homes. I've cleared their passage here and we're opening a controlled intake for the time being."
Bartholomew didn't flinch, but his shoulders dropped slightly.
"You made a decision that quickly?" He said, his voice guarded.