CHAPTER 407: HUMAN GOODWILL

Malachi and the others were brought inside the building to a simple meeting hall.

Anna, Sei, and the others were taken to a separate room and provided with refreshments while Joanne and Malachi met with the Prime Minister and his cabinet.

Inside, the pair sat around a long wooden table situated beside a large window.

Introductions had gone well, and after their conclusion, Joanne naturally took control of the conversation like she had done a thousand times before.

She spent the next twenty minutes updating the Japanese delegation on everything that had occurred in America over the past few years.

Needless to say, she should have prepared popcorn.

Japan’s government hung on the end of her every word.

Learning that America had endured something of a second civil war wasn’t surprising to them, but what nearly shocked them out of their seat was hearing that the reason aliens had even come here in the first place was because the gods were being greedy.

What’s more, the hellish creatures that their government had struggled to contend with had left just because Malachi asked them to.

They stared at him for upwards of two full minutes after that revelation. It was hard to tell if they were fearful or just in awe.

Malachi wasn’t leaving the possibility that it could be both off the table.

"And then, Mr. Saint here erected a barrier between our worlds. The gods can’t view us, interfere with our lives, or descend to cause us trouble... our lives are truly our own now." Joanne finished.

She ignored the sour look that arose on his face. Though she could definitely feel it.

’We talked about this. It’s not professional..!’

Joanne’s telepathic thought contained an urgency that she rarely put into her everyday life.

But her husband remained unfazed.

’Okay.’ Malachi thought back.

’You know I love you. I’m not ashamed of our marriage, this just isn’t a honeymoon vacation!’

’I didn’t say anything.’

’What? Do you think I should just casually say, Oh, I came here with my husband and our wives!, but don’t worry, you shouldn’t think we’re here to play around and fuck all over the place!’

Malachi didn’t say anything.

Joanne finally caved.

"...And then he and I got married, that’s all -the end." She finished quickly.

Malachi showed a faint smile.

Out of everything that the delegation had heard today, that was by the most shocking bit of information they’d received.

Joanne was pretty, sure, but her stern, business-like demeanor didn’t make her seem like the kind of woman a young man like Malachi would go for.

Maybe opposites really did attract in America?

"Congratulations on your marriage." The prime minister smiled. "You both make a very lovely couple."

Despite her reluctance to divulge the truth of their relationship, Joanne had to admit that she really liked receiving praise for it.

She had managed to snag a young man half her age who put his mouth wherever she asked. What more could she want?

"It seems that America has been quite busy for some time now. I’m happy that you are all at peace once again." The prime minister continued.

Malachi rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t know if things in America could ever really be peaceful. It was a place with too many different opinions and too many different avenues to voice them.

But for right now, people were being taken care of and nothing else was trying to eat them. That had to be enough for right now.

"I am curious though... how is it that you have come here? Did you fly all the way?"

*Ahem* "In a manner of speaking..."

Malachi didn’t want to tell a lot of people about his gift from the aliens. Even people who knew that he was related to him had begun to treat him a little differently.

Besides, Zeke had raised several good points earlier. His innocent little gift would be the nightmare of every major world government.

Especially if they believed that it was acting on behalf of the United States.

His country’s questionable track record would put everyone on edge and likely undermine what Malachi wanted to do here.

"However you’ve come to be here, you’ve come at an exceptional time." A member of the Prime Minister’s cabinet said.

"We’ve been experiencing some difficulty reestablishing basic order. The rise of these superpowered humans has led some to feel emboldened."

Joanne and Malachi tensed up in their chairs. This was the part of the meeting that everything had hinged upon.

And they had no idea what was about to happen next.

"I’m afraid that there’s been some misunderstanding..." Joanne cleared her throat. "My team is here to provide aid. Disaster relief if you will. We aren’t here to fight anyone."

Needless to say, Joanne was met with several looks of shock.

They then turned to Malachi to get his take on all of this.

When they saw he had no words to add, they were even more gobsmacked.

"I do not understand." The prime minister confessed. "You only come to bring relief? What does that mean?"

"Medical supplies, rations, and we have equipment to restore power and water to your cities that may have lost access."

"We aren’t in a position to agree to any new trade agreements-"

"This isn’t any kind of trade deal. We don’t want anything from you at all. The only thing my unit wants is to help those in need."

The silence that came as a result of her words was deafening.

Joanne was a woman who knew how to talk in these situations. But even she couldn’t make anything she was saying sound believable.

She was effectively counting on the Prime Minister’s belief in the goodwill of man.

That kind of belief was sort of in short supply after the apocalypse.

"Those in need..? Such as..?"

"People without homes. People who are too far removed from a major city to get to some place safe. People who haven’t eaten." Joanne listed.

"Our people are not beggars, Mrs. Joanne. We can take care of them on our own." Another man said.

The prime minister held up his hand to stop his cabinet member from speaking further.

He interlocked his fingers together and gave the new couple a diplomatic smile.

"You... have given us a lot to think about today. Please give us a moment to consider everything offered."

-

"That could have gone better."

As soon as Malachi and Joanne left the meeting hall, she lost all of her dignity and slouched over her husband.

They walked through the hallway together, with him seemingly the only thing keeping her upright.

"I think it went fine." Malachi was surprisingly optimistic. "Wouldn’t be surprised if they came back with terms and conditions though."

Joanne yawned. "Eh, you’re probably right. I gotta tell you, I don’t have the same patience for this job that I used to."

She played with her husband’s fingers absentmindedly. It had become something of a ritual to quell her anxiety in times like this.

Malachi stared at her out of the corner of his eye. A feat she eventually noticed.

Their eyes met and for a moment they forgot they were standing in the middle of a hallway.

"Something on your mind?" She smiled.

"You’re good at this. Really good at it." Malachi insisted.

"Thanks for the compliment... but don’t count on seeing it a whole lot. I got used to the simpler things and now there’s no way I can ever go back."

Joanne received no response.

She found Malachi staring at her in a manner that was distinctly different than the usual long looks he gave her.

This one wasn’t bogged down by attraction, like when she just got out of the shower. Nor was it filled with awe like when he watched her put away a whole buffet of food by herself.

Rather than that it was... hopeful. Contemplative.

"You know if there’s something you want to do... We’ll all support you. I will support you." Malachi suddenly said.

Joanne was taken aback by the suddenness of his words.

Her wings fluttered slightly as she dropped her gaze.

"O-Obviously I know that... I wouldn’t have married any of you if I didn’t think you would."

Malachi looked around to make sure he and Joanne were truly alone.

He tilted her head upward and stole her lips greedily without allowing her a free breath.

Joanne knew that this was the very last place she should have been indulging in this kind of activity.

But it was only a kiss... and she deserved an adequate method to recharge her batteries after everything she had just been through.

In that spirit, she wrapped her wings around him to bring him closer.

Their transfer of warmth and affection, while endearing, did not last long enough for either of them.

But then again, they probably should have expected for their honeymoon to begin with a giant explosion rocking the side of the building.