To Honor Vows Comes with Cost

[hesperussword]

Lucifer had to encourage the angel, as a duty and a brother. The way he had been pacing, sometimes literally, over one event to the point of agitating those around him was getting too much. Eventually the king made the request and Beelzebub complied, leaving Galahad early in the morning. Lucifer hadn't mentioned the purpose for fear of the war angel refusing, balking against the request. Not many openly challenged Lucifer and even fewer rebelled against him. One angel had, this one. However, help was needed and Lucifer knew why. He had traveled the same path at the Winter Solstice, a choice not lightly taken. This morning he shifted again to that feminine form, a support to her brother who was going to have a more difficult trial ahead of him.

There were so many things going on that Beelzebub entered the villa without truly knowing the reasoning for the summons. “King?”

Lucifer turned and the angel laughed as he corrected. “Queen?”

Her smile was bright and summery. Though Lucifer spent little time as a feminine angel he did find the bond to his creative forces easier to reconnect with in this guise. That wasn't the point at the moment though. “I have some important things to talk to you about.”

War cringed internally. Usually with Lucifer, important meant God was behaving badly or enacting some terror. He didn't respond, only waited with a raised and curious brow.

“First.” She approached her brother and gave him a hug that he warmly reciprocated before parting to a respectful distance. “I wanted to speak to you about your trip to Camelot. I trust you to be my voice there, but that is a secondary concern. Be sure to tell the King that your family and ruler has given their blessing for the union and will attend any functions or negotiations needed for cultural respect.”

Beelzebub's jaw dropped open in surprise. Out of all the things he imagined Lucifer calling him for, this was not even on the list. Though, his brother did have an inherent nature of knowing about everything, even those things rarely spoke of in public.

“That does bring us to another matter.” Lucifer's expression turned sly. “A dress will look like a disaster on this body.”

The angel's eyes widened and then he laughed with deep jovial relief. Why he had tension building was a mystery but his shoulders sagged with the exhaled breath.

“Have you had any success?” Lucifer busied herself pouring them both a drink.

“What do you think?” Sarcasm blossomed in Beelzebub's voice. “Belial is more of a girl than I am.”

Lucifer had a good laugh and offered her brother the wine glass. “I dare you to say that to him with a straight face.” She watches her brother down the glass of wine like it is water. It is easy to tell he is stressed over the situation. “I know this is important to you and I know how difficult it is to start the process. May I help you with it?”

“I can't find her. I've tried.” War complained.

“You have given up?” It was a directed prod at her brother. Giving up was not in his language and it was the perfect way to reinvigorate his confidence.

“No!” Beelzebub gave her a stern look.

“It will be easier in Chaos, within the rooms where I first changed.” Lucifer reassured as the other angel nodded. “This place does make the change more difficult, even for me.”

It was a short flight, a blink of an eye for an angel, to alight in the rooms. They were known, a safe space.

“Come sit with me.” Lucifer took her brother's hand pulling him toward the couch of carved stone. The king offered her brother a drink, more comfort to easy in the calm. There they sat in silence before Beelzebub spoke.

“How do I do this?”

She stroked Beelzebub's hair brushing the wild parts into thick strands. “I do not know what she will look like. Perhaps it would be best to undress. I have the armorers on call to make something suitable after the transformation, while you rest.”

He was out of his clothing before she could finish the sentence. Girlish giggles following at his eagerness to be free of clothing. Beelzebub attentively waited for more instructions.

“You must bring to mind what you believe feminine. It can help to focus on someone you see as very female and start with their traits.” She was patient with her brother. Even in heaven when the angels were all androgynous, or nearly so, Beelzebub was more masculine. The transition would be a rough one.

“Kind, compassionate, gentle, understanding...” He started to speak the traits to his sister. “I don't think I have those.”

Again the seraphim began to laugh as a loving hand rested on her brother's forearm. “I have seen how you look at your knight. Those traits are there in your eyes. Think about them and search for them in yourself. Those will be the tethers you use to bring her to into the open.”

The warlord grumbled his agreement. Brows knitted in intense concentration as Beelzebub stared blankly at the embroidered trim of Lucifer's dress. “I can't.” He spat the words out with frustration nearly a half hour had passed.

“You can.” She took his hand in hers and then pressed the palm to her chest. “Listen to me and let what I am guide you.”

Lucifer opened her essence to give her brother an anchor point for his own connections. The first signs started immediately. Wings clamped to War's back from the way his own essence resisted. Then he pitched forward into Lucifer's arms. Beelzebub grasped at the fabric of her gown, teeth grinding against the pain and accompanying tears. Hair began to length and lighten in color from sandy brown to straw golden. The grinding turned to screams when Lucifer felt shape of his physical form shifting. The shape changes were fluid enough but the cries indicated that his path was not a clear one. All the elder angel could do was watch in as featured softened, but not too much, until the cries died away to sobs.

“It is over.” She stroked Beelzebub's shoulders and pulled her closer. “Rest. You have won the battle.”

Words of encouragement whispered until the archangel slept. Lucifer did not move though she busied herself in giving out instructions to the armorers. While a dress would be more appropriate, these first few moments needed some recognition of the past self. Clothing was one method.

The exhaustion was deep and the archangel's presence flickered beneath, dull and quiet. When the royal armorers came they helps Lucifer dress her warlord. Boots similar to the ones she wore as a male, leather kilt and a strapped leather top made of furs. Beelzebub was going to hate it, but this was a necessary evil. In order to go to Camelot there would need to be even more clothing. It was better to get her accustom to it from the beginning. The last piece was a modified sword harness to accommodate her feminine body. His usual cross strapping was certainly not going to work with breasts, even if they were on the smaller side of average.

She was dressed and still sleeping when Lucifer's mind turned to how to help her when she woke from the rest. When he first pulled his female form in winter it had left her exhausted for days. This trial was more difficult. Beelzebub may sleep for hours. Her thoughts turned to the one person best suited for her to wake up near, the one person not in Chaos. Gathering her sister in arms she took to the sky, flying easily back to the villa. Gently she placed Beelzebub in the chambers they chose to stay in when they were last at the villa. Gentle as a mother, she folded her sister's wings comfortably and brushed the, now, even wilder hair out of her face. A pitcher of wine at the bedside she went to her PINpoint to send a brief text to Galahad.

When you have a moment, can you meet me at the villa. I need to speak with you.

Then she went back to watch over her sister, just in case she woke early. War's constitution was incredible, she might wake before the knight arrived. However, Lucifer would be there to greet Galahad in the foyer regardless of the her wakefulness.

Comments

[knightgallant]

It's always strange to not wake up beside Beelzebub or wrapped in a mixture of angel and blankets. After a few hours the knight is about to send a message to Beelzebub himself, when he gets Lucifer's PINpoint text. Texts from Lucifer aren't common, so this one piques the knight's curiosity.

Aye, I will come. What is it, draig?

Based on the tone of the text, the reason for their meeting sounds serious. As that thought passes through his mind, it immediately turns to worry, instead.

Is it something about Beelzebub? He wasn't here when I woke up.

[the_rebel_son]

I need to speak to you in person.

Lucifer isn't being evasive, merely this topic isn't one to approach over texts messages.

Beelzebub is fine. He is here at the villa with me.

After sending the He in that text, Lucifer wonders if she should have. No sense in worrying about it now that it was sent. Habits were hard to break and Beelzebub had been consistently male since his creation. No one could fault someone for that slip. She goes to wait in the main room just beyond the foyer, imagining the knight is going to show up anxious.

[knightgallant]

Galahad trusts Lucifer enough --particularly with Beelzebub's well-being-- that he's only a little worried by the time he shows up at the villa. It's not really like the angels to be vague and secretive in his experience, and Lucifer's less forthcoming responses made the knight think that something must have happened in the process of their ongoing war with God.

Either way, some twenty minutes after receiving Lucifer's last texts, Galahad shows up in the foyer of the villa, draped in a cloak and carrying his PINpoint. He lowers his hood when he sees... Lucifer? It looks like Lucifer, but the woman before him has the angel's wings and also a decidedly feminine form. Galahad watches the woman closely, a little confused.

"Lucifer?" he offers, uncertainly. "I got your messages." It's a little strange to see that Beelzebub isn't here, too, but he's sure there must be an explanation for that.

[the_rebel_son]

"Yes." She smiles and there is no doubt in the warm and mischievous expression that this is indeed Lucifer. "Come, we need to speak."

She offers him a space on the couch where she has herbal tea laid out to calm the knight. The worry is tangible and as she sits to wait for Galahad to join, she reassures. "Beelzebub is sleeping and unharmed. There is nothing to worry about."

[knightgallant]

That phrasing worries him a little, if only because it makes it seem like something did happen to his betrothed that he had no awareness of. Regardless, the knight takes the offered seat and accepts a cup of tea from the place setting arranged on the coffee table before the couch.

"He didn't tell me that he was leaving the house," Galahad starts, watching the female Lucifer closely. He's been around angels long enough that one of them switching their gender doesn't rock him too much, but it's still an unusual sight to adjust to as the angel joins him in the sitting area. "Did something happen in your war?"

[the_rebel_son]

"No, I called him early this morning while you still slept." Lucifer admits even if she can still see some worry but it was to be expected.

"It is nothing to do with the war. For once, my duties are for something joyous." She takes her tea for a sip.

"One thing I wished to express is my blessing for your union with my champion. Beelzebub told me that you will eventually be taking a trip to your home. I will attend any functions required of a father or king to respect your people."

[knightgallant]

A mixture of feelings takes hold of the knight as he listens to those words. Gratitude, but still a small amount of tension over where his lover is as of right now. Still, Galahad has enough diplomatic instinct to offer a smile and dip his head slightly at the offering of blessings and cooperation with whatever Camelot might want from Lucifer and the other angels. As new as it all still is, he's pleased about the prospect about being able to actually marry his love, and it helps that Beelzebub's fellows and family approve of the arrangement as well.

"Thank you, draig. I don't know when we will go to announce ourselves, but there are certain-- preparations that have to happen before we're able to." He didn't know that the word of his proposed union to Beelzebub had spread already, but given how close the angels are it doesn't surprise him. "My apologies, but could you tell me what all of this is about? It seems as though something is going on, but that we are building up to it somehow."

[the_rebel_son]

There is a smirk creeping into her features as Galahad caught on to the other topic that would be discussed. Lucifer, no matter the gender, still had a sense of humor that related to stringing people along and teasing people either directly or indirectly.

"Yes, there is another matter." She's sipping her tea slowly. Lucifer was happy but there were a few tricky matters to be discuss in order to prepare the human. "Your princess, and how to support her while she gets comfortable with herself. I wanted to speak to you before she wakes up."

[knightgallant]

"My princess?" He stares at Lucifer, surprised, as those words come out of the angel's mouth. The change from a male to female form is something he had discussed with Beelzebub, but he hadn't imagined that it would come so... soon? "Beelzebub has changed forms?" A beat. "He's here as a woman, now?"

[the_rebel_son]

"He is." Lucifer nods. "Once she has rested, it is likely the shift back to masculine will occur on its own while she sleeps. When I first changed the exhaustion lasted for days. These first days may be hard on her. She will need your support. I know because I had doubts about how Balthazar would feel about my feminine appearance. Reassurance and keeping normal routines and affection will do a lot for Beelzebub."

Lucifer set her tea aside. "It is a painful process now, as learning any physical skill is, but with practice it will become easier. It will take time."

[knightgallant]

His mind is still reeling a little at the prospect of walking in on Beelzebub and seeing him in an entirely different body. It's impossible for him to imagine what the angel may have gone through in order to trigger such a change, but Lucifer's words make it obvious that the process is difficult on the body.

"When can I see him-- er... her? I don't want to disturb her while she sleeps, but I would like to see her as soon as I can."

[the_rebel_son]

"We can go now." Lucifer offers. "I only wanted to prepare you because this will be difficult. He's never wanted to be female but that says much about what is in his heart that he would do it for you."

Those words are said with understanding, compassion, and no small amount of pride. It meant a lot to Lucifer to know Galahad had won that kind of affection and trust from her brother. She motions for Galahad to follow.

"I would not wake her yet, but she will be glad for your presence and know it even in her sleep." Lucifer has led them down to the room Beelzebub and Galahad had shared after the party and she leads him inside. Beelzebub is still resting quietly, long hair and wings haphazardly strewn across the bed. The form though slender bears the same sort of well-muscled for the gender and the clothing close enough.

"Go to her. I will stay for a short time in case you need me."

[knightgallant]

It goes without Lucifer's saying that Galahad assumes this will be a difficult transition for Beelzebub. Such a thing would be difficult for a human accustomed to living in one body for twenty to fifty years. For a being used to living (mostly) in one for billions of years? It's very easy to imagine the change being awkward, to say the least.

"I won't wake her," Galahad says, voice already hushed before they even enter the room where Beelzebub sleeps. The knight understands the importance of letting all that's to come happen on his lover's own terms. What he wants is to try and be there for the angel, whatever that may mean or require. As strange as all of this has become, it still holds that the man inside the changed form is still Beelzebub, and that this is their way to be able to stay together despite the restrictions placed upon Briton's Christian kings.

When they finally come upon the room where Beelzebub rests, Galahad offers Lucifer a nod and a small parting smile, and then makes his way quietly into the dimmed chamber. It's strange, of course, to come upon the prone form of a woman who by all accounts seems to have very little in common, physically, with Beelzebub save for her strong-looking form and the style of her clothing. Making sure to keep his movements silent, the knight settles himself down upon the side of the bed beside Beelzebub's form, watching the angel's face closely. It doesn't matter if she continues to rest for some time or wakes up soon, Galahad is prepared to wait until his lover returns to the waking world.

[hesperussword]

She isn't ready to wake yet, still too tired from the transformation. However, she senses him, feathers fluffing slightly from his presence. The affection, the connection between them, none of that is effected by the change.

It isn't too long after Galahad settles on the bed that Beelzebub grabs him, nestling up beside him the same way she would after too much drinking and fighting. The body form changed but it seems like the mannerisms have also remained.

Eventually, she does start to stir with the usual slothfulness of a morning. The nuzzling purr and strength is there just as any morning had been before this.

[knightgallant]

The way Beelzebub grips at him is very reminiscent of the way his lover pulls at and nuzzles into him in the early mornings before the sun's light arches over the top of the Wilds. The sight and sensations bring a small, fond smile to the knight's face. Almost automatically, he draws the now-smaller (strange, to ever think of Beelzebub in terms of smallness or litheness) form of his lover into his arms, and gently strokes the long and wavy blond hair spilling down the angel's back and over her shoulders.

"Cariad?" His fingers gently brush the blood-speckled down of the tops of the angel's folded wings, finding this sensation also very familiar and comforting. "You've come through your change."

[hesperussword]

She grumbles about being woken up and just pulls at Galahad to find his lips for a kiss. Beelzebub subconsciously knows there's been a change, but these are autopilot like reactions.

"Lucifer brought you?" Even through the haze she remembers Lucifer mentioning something about Galahad. Her wings start to close in around him because she's still drowsy. She just wants to snuggle.

"You smell good." Her face is burying against him, just happy to feel his presence.

[knightgallant]

"Mmmh." Is the response the knight can get out as his lady presses her lips to his. The cuddling up that the angel is doing is another familiar response, and something Galahad encourages as Beelzebub blearily comes back to him. He leans in to press a kiss to the top of Beelzebub's golden head, and then gathers the angel securely into his arms. He didn't doubt that Beelzebub would be able to make this change without much issue --the things the angels can do seem to greatly outnumber those they can't, as Galahad has come to know them all more and more-- but it's still good to feel Beelzebub whole and acting like himself as they curl up together.

"Aye. Lucifer bade me come here to be with you. I'm glad he did." He encourages whatever snuggling the angel wants to do, gently touching her cheek and the soft feathers of the wings folding around him. "How are you feeling?"

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub can remember the change and is just ignoring it. Like Lucifer, there is a lingering fear of rejection that pushes her to ignore the obvious.

"Tired." She nestles in closer and though slimmer the size is still there in height. "And thirsty."

Really, she was just craving booze and languid laying about. There had been warnings that it would be exhausting but the angel hadn't imagined it would be those exhausting. Despite it all she's happy and grinning. "You've been out to care for the animals?"

It's a question solely to discover how long she can lazily lay around.

[knightgallant]

A request for a drink is something easy and concrete he can give his partner. It's a clear way to help in the middle of a situation that's more complex, and that will take time to adjust to.

"What do you want to drink?" A thoughtful beat. "Wine?"

The knight surveys the angel's smile, glad to see it still in place. It's comforting to recognize the edges of Beelzebub's familiar (sometimes) silliness present in his female face.

"Aye," Galahad chuckles. "All of them. The horses are fed, the fizzgigs have had their morning exercise, the warthogs have had milk-- everyone's taken care of. You could stay here the rest of the day, if you so chose."

[hesperussword]

"There's wine at the bedside." She loosens her grip enough for Galahad to pour a drink.

Finally, she opened her eyes and they are still opaque black. Beelzebub feels different. The way her body fits with Galahad's is different, but it's not as different as he expected.

"Then, you're mine for the day?" She asks lazily and slightly groggy.

[knightgallant]

As Beelzebub slides away a little, Galahad leans up to find the ready amphora of wine on the bedside table to pour Beelzebub a glass. With careful hands, he presses it into one of the angel's open palms and waits until she closes her hand around it to let the glass go.

"Whatever you like, I'm here." The knight's smile softens slightly as he looks over Beelzebub's sleepy face. This is turning out to be much more like those moments when they wake up or fall asleep together than he expected. Everything about the angel feels the same, from the warmth of her skin to the way she moves and talks. It's the sound of her voice, her face, and her form that are the only unfamiliar parts of the angel. "But you should try to rest more, if you can. Lucifer said the transformation took a lot out of you."

[hesperussword]

This isn't as bad as she thought it would be, though there's still a fear that she won't be attractive or wanted. Lucifer warned her that those feelings might linger for some time. She smiles, taking the glass and downing it. The quickness more from a desire to relax with her partner than to chug multiple drinks.

Lazy, she might be, but she's not sleepy any more. Her grace is subdued compared to normal, but that will regenerate with time. She looks up from where she has found a comfortable spot against his chest.

"Do you like me as a princess?" The tone is playful but buried under the surface is a desire to address the concern. Maybe Galahad would change his mind.

[knightgallant]

"You're beautiful," Galahad says sincerely, his fingers trailing gently through the ends of the long, wavy blond hair again. Despite the angel's size, it's odd and incredible to feel the relative smallness of her features and form beneath his fingertips as compared to her larger male self. "And you're you." It's the only way the knight can think to put the feeling of sitting beside the awakening form of someone who is so clearly the angel he remembers in mannerisms and actions.

"I'm so proud of you, cariad. You found this side of yourself when you've never had to before." And Beelzebub did it for them. "There aren't words to express my gratitude."

[hesperussword]

She blushes at being called beautiful because it really hits on the fear and worry she's been feeling. Her arms snake around Galahad's chest and pull him in, almost on top of her. The strength is obviously still there too.

"The only thing unfortunate is I have to wear more clothes." Beelzebub laughs and presses her lips to Galahad's in a playful peck. She's still testing things, still worried about rejection. It's going to take time before she's completely sure and confident.

omg i suck tonight sorry

[knightgallant]

[It surprises even the knight himself, but he feels a shyness rise up as Beelzebub draws him close and nearly over her. Galahad takes a short breath after their lips part, before he steadies himself enough to sit up a little. His arms stay around the angel, holding her tightly and supporting the arching of her back. There's a slight looseness --a touch of uncertainty-- in his hold as he adjusts to the feeling of slim fingers gripping at him, and the lines of an elegant chin and jaw bumping against him as they kiss. The scent of the angel is the same. The mannerisms are the same. Almost everything important is the same, but something doesn't feel exactly right about their physical intimacy all the same.

The guilt that surges up in response is quick and conflicted enough to make the emotion difficult to place. Galahad flushes though, and draws a little further away to give himself what feels like the necessary space to breathe. One hand comes out to gently, tenderly, brush a stray strand of sandy hair out of his lover's face from where it's caught upon her lips.]

Aye, [he offers back distractedly.] But we can take our time to adjust to all of this. Lucifer told me that she'd already helped you find a dress?