[ A gasp ripples through the church at Lilith's arrival. The last time any of them had seen her had been during a time of celebration. Zelda's coronation had brought the coven together, lifted their spirits, and allowed them all to associate their new leaders with good tidings and optimism.
This did the opposite. Not only that, but Lilith's appearance undermines Zelda's authority and she feels her muscles coil, turning her head to look at her, chin raised high. ]
Lilith. [ She turns her back to the congregation, moving towards her and keeping her voice low. Although she intends to defy her, she does not want to give any indication to the rest of the coven that she is doing so. ] This is my coven. I ask you to let me lead it.
( there can be a lot to be read in lilith's expression, the anger she already feels regarding this man but also perhaps surprise that zelda defies her so, fuelling a little of its own irritation at the audacity of it.
which means that she also keeps her voice low, though there's a more warning bite to her tone )
You know what he did.
( his crime but also zelda's familiar with the spell, with such an act as is lilith )
An example must be set.
( and her tone leaves no wiggle room for negotiation. do as she asks, zelda )
[ She thinks the spell is a bit overkill but she won't argue Lilith that, and instead nods at Hilda to keep things under control before she leads Lilith to the back of the church and into a quiet room - the same room where they had been at her coronation. Being here now, with this conflict sizzling between them, feels almost blasphemous.
Zelda seals the door with a spell before turning to look at Lilith, doing her best to not immediately put up her defenses. ]
( oh, there are so many things that lilith would like to do to that man, chief of them be murder and feast but that was something she'd do privately and not involve zelda in )
Men like him need to be reminded of their place. Of the rules.
( and though that sounds dangerously like what had been done to women before there is cause. and it's specific )
They ran this church before, ruled witches. Ruined them. If he is not shown the consequence him and others like him will believe such acts against women are permitted.
[ It sounds exactly like that to Zelda and while she is deeply, personally hurt by what the man has done, she is also resolved to not let her emotions lead her congregation. They must respect her, but she also knows the path that Faustus took is not one she wishes to follow, and if she does not watch her steps carefully, she may end up there anyway. ]
What you hope to propose is not consequence, Lilith. It's vengeance. I won't allow it.
[ It's only after she speaks that she truly understands what she's just done, and she only blames Lilith for it. Zelda said from the start that a relationship would cause conflict, and this is precisely why. Zelda can't fear her, not enough to submit to her whims without a fight. ]
My tenants allow for growth. How should I expect them to unlearn behaviors set in place over hundreds of years if our immediate recourse is to renounce every warlock who does what he was taught to do?
[ She moves forward, reaching out to put her hand on Lilith's arm. ]
I know why you're angry. I am, too. But this coven is young. They need our grace, not our wrath.
( she sounded sceptical as hell and whilst lilith may know that zelda's familiar with this-- she spent millennia under such a rule, she isn't so quick to believe in change )
I intend to make it clear that he is being spared this one time. That if he transgresses again, I will not be so kind. Remind the coven of its tenants. And, if you wish, it might do him some good to have his powers restricted... Temporarily.
[ Zelda steps closer still, finding a sudden need to be near her. ]
Not every man is Lucifer, or Faustus. Some just need to be led down the right path.
( not all men are lucifer or faustus, that much is true but those men also don't try to use magic to control their wives. those men are devoted and allow them to be themselves-- )
Restricting his powers should be the least of his punishment.
( punishment not consequence. she's still mad, viewpoint skewed by her experiences, untrusting of most men )
[ Zelda shakes her head. While she has no intention of having full reign over the coven, making up rules in the name of the Dark Lord as Faustus did, she is still wary. The Dark Lord was never as involved as Lilith, even if his motives were selfish.
She doesn't feel like Lilith is selfish, not about this. Her anger is understandable. But Zelda also fears it may become worse, if unchallenged. ]
I am the High Priestess. Have I no right to decide what is best for my coven?
( lilith steps back from her, clearly displeased but not pushing it any further. if something does happen to another woman in the coven because of the gentler hand lilith will allow zelda to handle the consequences. it's what she's asking for and a learning point )
Then you shall. But should he stray again--
( she doesn't finish the sentence but they can assume the ending. that lilith will handle him )
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no subject
This did the opposite. Not only that, but Lilith's appearance undermines Zelda's authority and she feels her muscles coil, turning her head to look at her, chin raised high. ]
Lilith. [ She turns her back to the congregation, moving towards her and keeping her voice low. Although she intends to defy her, she does not want to give any indication to the rest of the coven that she is doing so. ] This is my coven. I ask you to let me lead it.
no subject
which means that she also keeps her voice low, though there's a more warning bite to her tone )
You know what he did.
( his crime but also zelda's familiar with the spell, with such an act as is lilith )
An example must be set.
( and her tone leaves no wiggle room for negotiation. do as she asks, zelda )
no subject
I am aware. Acutely.
[ Her eyes meet Lilith's, and there is some fear in them. What she is doing is risky, but it is not without reason. ]
It may be prudent to continue this conversation privately.
no subject
she casts a spell to hold him immobile, one rooting him in place, a circular motion of her hand around him before looking back at zelda )
Lead on.
( oh, they're doing it now )
no subject
Zelda seals the door with a spell before turning to look at Lilith, doing her best to not immediately put up her defenses. ]
So what would you have me do to him?
no subject
Men like him need to be reminded of their place. Of the rules.
( and though that sounds dangerously like what had been done to women before there is cause. and it's specific )
They ran this church before, ruled witches. Ruined them. If he is not shown the consequence him and others like him will believe such acts against women are permitted.
no subject
[ It sounds exactly like that to Zelda and while she is deeply, personally hurt by what the man has done, she is also resolved to not let her emotions lead her congregation. They must respect her, but she also knows the path that Faustus took is not one she wishes to follow, and if she does not watch her steps carefully, she may end up there anyway. ]
What you hope to propose is not consequence, Lilith. It's vengeance. I won't allow it.
[ It's only after she speaks that she truly understands what she's just done, and she only blames Lilith for it. Zelda said from the start that a relationship would cause conflict, and this is precisely why. Zelda can't fear her, not enough to submit to her whims without a fight. ]
no subject
( not even excommunication? no challenge of his power? whatever zelda had sounded to do was no consequence )
I propose for him to follow the tenants set by you. If he cannot-- how is he to be part of your coven?
( allowing him to stay made her rules seem weak. just saying )
no subject
[ She moves forward, reaching out to put her hand on Lilith's arm. ]
I know why you're angry. I am, too. But this coven is young. They need our grace, not our wrath.
no subject
( she sounded sceptical as hell and whilst lilith may know that zelda's familiar with this-- she spent millennia under such a rule, she isn't so quick to believe in change )
What would you do to set that consequence?
no subject
[ She takes another step closer to her. ]
I intend to make it clear that he is being spared this one time. That if he transgresses again, I will not be so kind. Remind the coven of its tenants. And, if you wish, it might do him some good to have his powers restricted... Temporarily.
[ Zelda steps closer still, finding a sudden need to be near her. ]
Not every man is Lucifer, or Faustus. Some just need to be led down the right path.
no subject
Restricting his powers should be the least of his punishment.
( punishment not consequence. she's still mad, viewpoint skewed by her experiences, untrusting of most men )
no subject
She doesn't feel like Lilith is selfish, not about this. Her anger is understandable. But Zelda also fears it may become worse, if unchallenged. ]
I am the High Priestess. Have I no right to decide what is best for my coven?
no subject
Then you shall. But should he stray again--
( she doesn't finish the sentence but they can assume the ending. that lilith will handle him )
Ensure he doesn't however you see best.
( she'll say no more, teleporting away )