Chapter Text
The mating of a Ruler was an uncommon occurrence, the chance to go to the celebration of one, even rarer. Zamora had not exactly been invited to Ruler Galar’s celebration, but then he was not the only demon to arrive in such a manner for the occasion, he was just the only one who was going to invite himself into the… ‘by invite only area’.
Love demons did not have clan territory like most other demon aspects did. They traveled, though they did have small towers dotted around in unclaimed areas and they did have their own ruler. Zamora loved to travel and despite his rank as a prince had little to do with other love demons. He could do this only because of how few in numbers they were.
Decked out in his full regalia he slipped into the main hall unannounced, and wanting to keep it that way. Tasting the emotions charging the air he smiled, drinking in the deep affectionate love he could taste from Galar and Tridor as well as the love he could taste from other pairings.
It was such an odd thing… Relar huffed to himself, almost tiredly, and leaned against one of the pillars lining the room. Froth, Galar, he was very much not angry, it would have been useless to be angry, and pitiful. But he still felt at a loss, alone in a manner he hadn’t been since he and Galar had met once upon a time in their youth.
When they attained the rank of ruler both of them had had to let go of that lingering thought that maybe they were supposed to be together. It had been far more painful than this, but it did not make it any less hard to stand on the sideline of this happiness and watch, and want.
Not Tridor, Unicron be merciful, he liked the artist but they’d probably have ended up killing each other. Tridor was too much like him, and too different. No, he was glad for them both, and he knew he would still be welcomed into their nest if he ever felt like it. Not this time though, no one would be likely to be invited into their nest except perhaps Tridor’s Creators, but that would hardly be for sexual purposes.
Ugh… perhaps he should fuel. Sulking for undefined reasons did not become a ruler at his best friend’s, and fellow ruler’s, bonding feast.
Inside the hall Zamora walked as if he was meant to be there, skulking would only lead to questions, poking and the very real threat of being tossed out of the hall and losing this chance, and possibly never gaining another. He had to find his intended fast.
Strong striking colours, complimented with the demons jewelry caught his optics. A feeling of rightness had Zamora moving towards the demon before who they were had even registered.
“Ruler Relar. It is a pleasure to meet you,” Zamora purred falling into step beside the Wrath Ruler.
Relar had no clue who the stranger was, of what he was, but felt little reason to react negatively to someone who had been invited to Galar’s bonding.
“A pleasure I'm sure, though I cannot say I know you?”
Zamora smiled, “I am Zamora, a prince of the love aspect clan. One of my clan kin met Tridor vorns ago.”
It was a risk saying that much, Relar could figure out that he had not actually been invited, but he did know the curiosity his kin evoked since they prefered to observe rather than interact.
“I see,” well… artists did meet all sorts. And it was fitting on an orn such as this. Relar wondered if this one had been sent in place of the one Tridor had met, or if there might be something else to it. Magic was rarely simple.
“Are you finding enjoyment in the celebration?”
“Indeed I am. I must return the question. Are you enjoying the celebrations?” Zamora was pleased that Relar had taken that as an explanation and did not question his being here.
“I am happy for my fellow ruler, and friend. Tridor is a good match for him, but I do not have much taste for celebration in general at this point,” he could have lied, but he would not do that. Galar already knew, and did not fault him for being morose...
“You are lonely, made aware of your own unmated status. What if, what would you say if I told you your intended is in this very room?” Zamora asked cryptically.
“That you are as enigmatic as most of your kin,” Relar rumbled with a sharp spike of amusement in his field. He could not say that the other wouldn't know, having little to no clue of their abilities, but neither did he particularly want to be ‘cheered up’.
“I will find him one orn, I do not need guidance.”
“We Love demons know not who our mate is, but we do know when we will meet them, we know this from the moment we reach maturity,” Zamora chuckled a little, amused, of course their kin were enigmatic, they did not often choose to mingle.
“Then you have an advantage over the rest of us,” Relar idly wondered where the conversation was going, but didn’t precisely feel offended by it. Just… a tad annoyed. He was far too easily read on this orn, blessing and curse as it would seem. Most left him be to brood, except this one and hopeful would be berth mates.
“I suppose the wait can be a negative point though.”
“For some yes, but the hardest part is actually after we have found our mate. We have to then convince them, knowing little about them and they next to nothing about us. Not a problem when our mate is another love demon, but otherwise can be quite tricky,” Zamora sighed a little there, his own creators were both love demons so he had no help in how to convince his mate from them.
“All Aspects have their challenges,” Relar conceded, flickering his wings in a twitch of annoyance. Was the mech hoping he could help him convince a potential mate to give him a chance? In that case he’d be better off approaching Galar for tips on seduction. Even if it should be one of his! Rage aspect demons responded to seduction just fine.
“Not enamored with the topic? How about we grab some fuel? I arrived only earlier this orn and am quite hungry.” It was very much the truth, he had not had much time to prepare and arrive.
“Not enamored with talking, but yes, I was planning on finding fuel,” again, it was far better to be direct. For his own sake, and for the sake of the one that might push his annoyance into anger… or worse, rage.
Zamora tilted his wings in acceptance, walking with Relar to the buffet set up. Perhaps he should change tact already and talk with one of Relar’s princes or nobles. Or even try talking with Galar, there at least he could explain his problem, but he did not want to do that at the ruler's own bonding celebration.
At least the mech knew when to shut up. Not that he could have stated it much more clearly, without being unbearably rude. And fuel did help… none the less because a lot of it could easily be called comfort food. Right down to chilled and frozen energon. Relar had no reason not to indulge.
Zamora made sure to take note of what Relar chose to fuel on even as he himself filled his own tanks with the available rich and nutritious fuels. He had not been lying about arriving only earlier that orn.
“You must have been flying hard,” or used a lot of magic. Relar surprised himself with his own comment, but the demon had chosen the least festive of the fuel on the table. The least… indulgent fuel was perhaps more correct.
“I had been, yes. I had come from my own tower. About four orn’s travel from here if one also hunts on the wing as I needed to, traveling alone,” Zamora shrugged fighting the urge to preen at Relar having noticed let alone commented on something of his actions or words.
Alone… a prince traveling alone, hunting for fuel. He knew that love demons were different, but that was taking it to the extreme wasn’t it? Relar smothered most of the startelement before it could show in field or stance but he was very much startled. And somewhat appreciative. Survival skills, strong flying skills… it was something any demon could admire.
“I see…” he trailed off, wondering.
“I know, most other kin, such as yourself, often find our ways very strange. But there are reasons for the differences. We often don’t visit other kin except when it is time to meet our mate and begin the courtship,” hints, Zamora was giving hints, but he knew it was highly unlikely Relar would put them together yet.
“It is startling, certainly, for one of your rank,” but Relar wasn’t going to touch it. Not in a manner that could spawn an argument at least. He could have challenged the rank, but being a ruler he could feel the power of the other far easier than most and there was little doubt that he was what he claimed.
“Our own ruler travels alone at times, though for formal events he travels with his attendants and one or two nobles and princes. We are few in numbers,” Zamora explained in way of explanation, it certainly played a role in it.
“I concede that, yours are not a numerous aspect,” though lack of numbers hardly meant lack of anything else. The prince wasn’t looking shabby, or in the least neglected. But Relar supposed his own surprise stemmed from the fact that he’d rarely been alone since being Created. ‘Alone’ for him usually meant being in his quarters, only having two or three assistants or attendants working on something in the background and the guards staying outside the room.
“But also a mate search is always done alone, my mate is here at this time and so I came here. Though a bonding ceremony is hardly something a love demon will turn down the chance to go to,” Zamora glanced over at the newly mated pair, he could tell they had not bonded yet, but would be soon, very likely when they left the celebration.
“I see,” he didn’t but love was not his aspect nor something he understood. Who ever did? Relar followed the glance, a tight smile forming on his derma and he licked them thoughtfully.
“It must be a feast for you.”
“It is, their love is strong and pure. Healthy and very much able to last, of course the bond will only ensure it lasts, remains as strong and pure. Bonds don’t create love, but they can strengthen it; understanding, with undeniable knowledge… ah sorry, getting off topic,” Zamora turned back to Relar smile turning a little apologetic.
“A good meal is nothing to balk at,” Relar answered with a noncommittal shrug.
“That is very true, though love can be found even amongst the creatures, though it is different, far simpler. We don’t just feed off of romantic love, creator creation love, love for a friend. There are all sorts out there,” Zamora hummed a little distantly thinking back to beings he had watched, passively feeding from their love.
“I wouldn't know…” Relar gave the softly colored prince a opquade look. Even he wasn't sure what it covered over.
“So you are saying you have never felt love before? Or that you have not labeled it as such?” Zamora teased.
“If that was so my Creators would be disappointed in me,” Relar ate the last spoonful of iced energon optics straying back to Galar. He did know love… but not that kind. Not, it would seem, a lot of kinds of love.
“Most of the time love is subtle, it sneaks up on you, and you often don’t realise it is there. My kin can feel it even at its most subtle. And sometimes it hits you hard, and we call that Unicron making a point. You love him, but it will never be truly a romantic love, more brother as in feeling a kinship through shared experience or station,” Zamora murmured softly for Relar alone. He could taste it as well as the mix of other emotions that this celebration was bringing to the surface.
“That I know…” they had known even before they had wanted to admit it. But it made this no less bitter sweet to watch. Especially as the mate was one of his own...
“You still find it hard though,” Zamora sighed, it was something he would have to work through, Relar had never tried opening himself to another in the way he had to Galar, it closed him off to finding love with others, something that had to be dealt with.
“Of course, things will change, but we have survived change before,” that did not worry him. Relar didn't know if anything worried him. But he did feel moody.
“It’s not just about surviving, it is about finding a way to thrive after. I have others I need to speak with this orn. But I do hope to speak with you again before the celebration is over,” Zamora knew when to retreat. He did not know enough about Relar to move onto other topics but he hoped the ruler was intrigued enough to think on their conversation and to wish to see him again. If not things would be a lot more difficult. And he did have other things to do, including paying his respects to their host and securing quarters for himself.
“I'm sure we will meet again,” it might not be a groon long celebration, but it was going to last more than one orn. Relar somehow did not think he would manage to dodge this one, or any others who wanted to talk.
“I look forward to it and hope you enjoy the rest of your orn,” Zamora bowed, taking a whipped energon dessert with him he left the ruler by the table, making his way through to where Galar and Tridor mingled with their guests.
Relar hummed thoughtfully, but flicked a wing in assent rather than drawing out the fare thee well.
Maybe another serving of iced energon...
Zamora integrated himself into the group surrounding Galar and Tridor, content to feed both physically and magically for a time, of course he knew he would be noticed but by whom and the results would be the interesting part.
“Excuse me,” Brail smiled at the stranger, wings tilted respectfully, “who are you?”
The attendant wasn’t speaking loudly, nor had he approached till the other demon had drifted from the group on his own. But he was one of the mechs responsible for the guest list and he did not recognize anything about this particular prince. Not even his aspect crest.
"Prince Zamora, I am here both to pay my respects to your ruler and consort. As well as to start my own courting," Zamora looked a little guilty for a moment, he could see at a glance that the smaller demon was one of Galar's attendants and had realised that he had been caught out. Attendants were good though in that they knew how to be subtle, this one would not call him out to everyone attending.
“Oh, that’s very thoughtful of you…” and there were certain rules about mate hunting, which made simply escorting the prince out a no go. Though why such a thing wouldn’t have been mentioned, annoying!
“It would be helpful to know whom,” Brail huffed softly, wings stiffening a tad when a mech stepped a little too close for his liking considering the delicacy of their conversation, “whom you have arrived with. And we will have to formally introduce you to the ruler and his mate.”
“I arrived alone, and I do know that my intended has already been announced and I hardly think he would wish to be dragged out to be announced again. I know what you would be thinking but it is actually common for love demons no matter the rank to travel alone especially for mate hunting,” Zamor explained as much as he dared to the young attendant.
“I… see,” Brail blinked at the other, wings lowering in slight confusion. He didn’t actually see anything, but… a love demon? Really?
“In that case I suppose the best would be to present you directly to ruler Galar and consort Tridor. If you would please follow?” he remained diffident, still having no wish to insult a prince, for all that he had no idea what to do with him.
“I would like that very much, thank you and I apologize for any inconvenience I have created and may continue to create,” Zamora smiled graciously following the attendant back to their hosts.
“I’m sure it will not be so bad,” Brail reassured absently.
“My lord,” he slipped up to Tridor and touched his elbow to gain his attention since Galar was talking with one of his princes, “I have a prince I need to introduce.”
Tridor turned and smiled at Brail, “Oh, bring him forth then. I had through we were done with the introductions.”
He looked behind Brail to the demon in question frowning lightly as something vaguely familiar tickled his sensors.
“A love demon?” He asked as it came to him before the stranger could speak.
“You have met one of my kin before I see. Indeed consort Tridor, I am Zamora, a Prince of the love aspect clan,” Zamora bowed respectfully optics flicking over to Galar who had turned to see what was going on.
“I... yes, my lord,” Brail nodded, “he is here on a mate hunt. I thought I should bring him to you once he stated he didn’t wish to be announced.”
“A love demon prince, an honor indeed,” Galar rumbled, curious but not at all aggressive.
“Ruler Galar, the honour is mine to be able to be here on such a momentous occasion. I can feel by the love you both share that you have indeed been blessed. But I wish to give my own congratulations and blessing,” Zamora bowed again placing one hand over his spark, a gesture used by love demons when giving a blessing on or for love.
“Thank you,” Galar was mildly amused, but still not sure what was going on. Clearly this was not someone Tridor knew, and he hadn’t heard the beginning of the conversation.
“My lord, uh…” Brail wondered how to frame his question of what to do with the mech. In a polite manner…
“Do you have quarters? Since you are here on a mate hunt, you may stay. However we must insist that you remain with an escort,” Tridor inquired, his hand reaching beside him for Galar’s. He knew the precedent but wanted the contact to be sure Galar was fine with it.
“I do not have quarters yet, no. Those terms are acceptable, consort,” Zamora agreed graciously pleased that this was going about as smoothly as it was possible for such things to go.
“Mate hunt?” Galar blinked, wings rising, though in curiosity rather than mantling.
“Of course, perhaps,” he turned slightly, “you can do the honors, Brail, unless there is still guests that have not arrived?”
“Uh, no my lord,” Brail shifted, bowing his head quickly, “I’d be honored.”
“Well now is there anything else that needs to be sorted out? Brail will find you quarters and personally escort you, or find another when he is not personally available to escort you for the remainder of your stay here Zamora,” Tridor smiled, feeling just as bemused but able to contain it better than his mate.
“Not anything that requires your attention, Ruler, Consort,” Zamora smiled, relaxing inclining his helm.
“In that case, enjoy your stay as much as you are able,” Galar nodded lightly, “I hope we can talk at some point.”
Though likely not for the next few orn. Intrigued or not, he had other plans for that time!
“If you would come with me, my lord,” Brail bowed slightly, and then waited.
“Thank you, I will and I too hope we get a chance to talk,” Zamora paid his respects to his hosts turning to Brail, “Lead the way,”
Brail led the way out of the party, containing his own curiosity. It certainly was not his place to ask questions, for all that it was his task to make the stranger comfortable. At least there were still rooms available…