Negotiations (Alexander/Milicia)

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander sighed as he and a few of his guards approached the gates leading to the Twilight Castle. He had never thought he'd ever have to do something like this. Then again, he should have expected it being a prince who was always told he'd have to look after his own kingdom someday...

Too soon, dammit. That day had come far too soon. Foxy, Alexander's faithful animal-spirit companion had lead the way, protecting the king should anything attack. At the sound of Alexander whistling, Foxy had come to a sudden halt and her master took the lead as they came up to the gates. His guards waited patiently behind Foxy, watching their king.

"Gentlemen," Alexander spoke to the Crepusculum guards, voice strong with confidence yet he kept polite, "I request a meeting with Queen Lunestise, please. It is urgent, and I mean no harm."

Was that the right thing to say? He supposed he'd find out in a moment. If they attacked, obviously it wasn't. He kept his staff held by his side, however loosely. He wasn't looking for a fight, afterall.



((I HATE GOOGLE CHROOMMMEEEEEEE this entry post isn't nearly as good as the one I originally wrote T__T))

[milicia]

The guards glanced over Alex and his entourage, a look of concern over their faces. "Um, we'll need to speak to the Queen. Wait here." One of the guards gave a quick nod and rushed down a corridor. There was only awkward silence between both parties till the guard came back and whispered to the other men. "What? Are you serious? Okay..." The guard motioned Alex towards them, "She has granted an audience with you King of Santo-Luce, but your escorts must stay out here. Now please follow us." Two of the guards guided him through the magnificent castle till at last they reached Milicia's throne room.

Milicia gave a warm smile upon seeing Alexander. Moving from her throne she glided quickly over to him, stopping just a few feet short of him as the guards stood ready at the door, mumbling words of discontent back and forth. "Alexander Frexton, King of Santo-Luce. It is good to see you. I'm sorry to hear about your father young one. He was a good man." She moved towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder, a brief solemn look appearing on her face. At this point Alexander could see her body was enveloped in the soft light of a barrier spell.

"Forgive my rudeness Alex, but I can't be too careful around anyone these days. Times are troubled, and my actions have caused much turmoil in our world. But enough about me, I was told you needed to speak to me?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander's eyes widened as the guard had returned, he hadn't expected this to go as well as it did, honestly. His own guards stood back and allowed their king to follow Milicia's guards, Foxy followed up to the gate before she sat back and stared at Alexander as he left. He smiled and bowed politely in greeting to Milicia as she approached him in the throne room.

"Queen Lunestise, I'm sorry for my sudden and unannounced visit. I have to say, I'm not quite as formal as my father was; I promise I'll practice harder at it, however," Alexander started quietly, noticing right away the barrier spell that she put in place, "do not worry about protecting yourself from me. I understand, not knowing who you can and cannot trust. In fact, that was in some part what I was needing to come talk to you about..."

He sighed as he looked into Milicia's eyes, concern and confusion written all over his features.

"Forgive me, especially if I ramble. My father joined the Sumata and worked closely with Trucido for years and I never paid much attention to their dealings. His death left me with a crown with my name on it, a position as part of the Sumata XIII, and a country of thousands of people whose lives are all in my incapable hands. These past few months I've not only have had to learn what the Sumata really is about and get to know Trucido Damnedblood, but how to deal with my own kingdom and my people's needs. Recently it's come to my attention that while were away on Earth, Crepusculum attacked Ignis..." Alexander paused a moment as a painful look came across his face.

"I've come before you today because I feel Santo-Luce is caught in a terrible mess, one that I don't think I can pull it out of alone. After hearing what you've done to Ignis, my own people now fear for their lives. My father told them that joining the Sumata would provide them safer lives, but as of late it seems to be causing nothing but problems; Trucido I've found has very few fans and this would naturally lead me to do as my people ask and leave the Sumata. However, he has too much power and influence that it...it wouldn't be wise for me to leave him, either. And the last time I even so much as mentioned anything negative about his ideas he...turned airs completely, scarily, really.
I've come to talk, to work out something between Crepusculum and Santo-Luce...because I can't leave Trucido, but my god I can't have my kingdom fall to pieces, either. Again, I apologize for my rambling, however nonsensical it may be, but please try to understand my situation."

[milicia]

Milicia stood still, taking in all that Alex had to say. As he pleaded for her understanding, she felt conflicted by much of what he said. The boy was indeed young, thrust into duties before his time. It was only right that he feel unsure of what was right; for himself and his kingdom. Yet in his nervous ramblings she felt truth in his words, more than she had hoped for from any of the Sumata.

"Alex my dear boy, times have indeed been cruel to you. Believe me when I say I empathize with your situation, and I understand how difficult it must be to go behind Trucido's back to do even this much." She moved slowly back to her throne, baying Alex to follow her as she continued. "But you must understand that this is what we as rulers must do. We must make the hard choices, in hopes that they will lead us and our people down the right road. Even from the moment this war was conceived my heart felt conflicted, but I did what I felt needed to be done and my people stand beside me, at least for now."

"I know what you ask sounds simple King Frexton, and I wish I could declare a truce with your kingdom and have that be it. But things aren't that simple. After all, you say you fear Trucido. You mentioned that even a negative words turns him into a frightful man. What then Alex, would you do were he to command you to attack my people? What would you do if he asked your kingdom to be a jumping point of an assault on my lands?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Milicia did what she felt needed to be done and the kingdom of Crepusculum stood by her. It was hard to have that kind of faith in your own kingdom, especially when you were unsure if the people in your kingdom even had faith in you. They constantly sought answers from Alexander, and many of them he didn't have. How long would that go on before they gave up on him entirely?

Though at this very moment, that was the last of Alexander's concerns. What Milicia said was the one thing he didn't want to hear. If he stayed with Trucido, Milicia or someone was going to go take out his kingdom. But if he didn't stay with Trucido, Trucido would do it himself.

"If he commanded me to attack your people?" Alexander started, thinking it out, the whole time Mark's words came back to him and conflicted him even more.

'Mark's right, he does control me. He orders me around, even if he disguises it as friendly suggestion. It isn't right, I should be the one who delegates orders for myself and for a few others, and there's only one answer I can pick if I want to get anywhere near Harumi...'

"I...I'd have to tell him no..." Alexander responded quietly, burying his face in his hands, "and then watch him kill everyone if he didn't kill me first...because Santo-Luce isn't a battling country..."

He was screwed. It didn't matter what he answered with. He'd choose the right thing and that'd get him and everyone killed. Should he choose the wrong thing, he and the kingdom died anyway. The only way this was going to work for him was if he had that assured backup for when he did tell Trucido enough was enough, but now Alexander wasn't sure he was going to get it here.

And if Milicia couldn't help him, then who else could? Everyone else was loyal and true to the Sumata (at least that was what he knew).

[milicia]

The concerned frown on Milicia's face was moved to a warm smile at Alex's reply. It looks like he's really serious about this. Perhaps there is a chance for this. "Alex, I'm sure you know as well as I do what refusing Trucido at this point would mean. I was only spared his wrath so long ago because he still held the guise of an inviting uniter of kings and queens. From what info I've heard, he's becoming more ruthless in his schemes, and that means he won't hesitate to destroy you should you defy him."

She could see the troubled look on his face, and moved close to Alex, placing her hands on him in a reassuring manner. "Do not be so worried Alex. Trucido is a foolish man, but he is not stupid enough to send the Santo-Lucian people to outright war." Despite this, Milicia knew that was only half the problem. She looked Alex over, and did so want to believe in him. He looked so lost as he stood in her throne room, but Lunestise had taught her enough to know that anyone could act. She needed proof, something to assure her that he truly meant what he said.

"Alex, what I'm about to ask you is a dangerous request. But know that as much as I want to, I can't trust you so easily. I need something from you; proof of your conviction. Do you have anything you can offer me or my kingdom to help us against that man?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander stared for a moment, thinking. What in the hell would he have to give her that would convince her that he was actually a good guy?

"What could I offer? Well..." Alexander thought and thought hard, "...I...I don't know, to be honest. I mean, I'm not saying I don't have anything. Err, at least I hope I do... What would be of the most use to you?"

Alright, so he may have been new at this but he certainly wasn't stupid enough to know that that wasn't a good answer. Great, now what? Actually, what did Holmes tell him before he left Santo-Luce?

"If everything goes well, remember that your father's been a follower of Trucido for years and a good friend of his--he knew things about that man and his business that could hurt him badly should anyone find out."

Alexander had frowned at the mention of this, raising an eyebrow.

"I hate to remind you, Holmes, but uh...Dad's dead. What he 'knew' is no use to either of us now," he answered in defeat. Holmes rolled his eyes and gave Alexander a nasty look, as though he'd been horribly offended by the young man.

"I think it's a given, young Alexander, that I knew nearly everything your father knew," he crossed his arms and his tone of voice changed to something dark, "if you're serious about doing this, sire, I think one thing that could hurt Trucido's plans is letting it slip about this apparent 'anti-matter army' he's been creating."


He hadn't really thought of it. In fact, he didn't really know very much about it to begin with. In either case, it was worth a try?

"Actually," Alexander started again, slowly, "...I don't know if you've maybe heard of it or not, but...Trucido is...building an army? Out of...anti-matter?"

He blinked. God, this was stupid. He sounded stupid!

[milicia]

Milicia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, baffled by the sentence Alex had spoke. "Anti...matter? What is that, and how do you build an army of it?" She shook her head, leaving the statement aside for the moment. "What I need Alex, is something to help me battle the tyrant that is that man. I need hard info, resources, anything like that." She realized her tone was growing a little restless, and stopped to compose herself. She needed all the help she could get, and she couldn't afford to let Alex shirk away from this.

"Okay, so he's building some sort of an army, do you know how to defeat it? It must have a weakness. Or, do you know what the other Sumata are doing now that they've heard I attacked them? If I knew who, if any were going to strike back, we could prepare so as to save many lives."

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander shrugged.

"Y-you know, I really wish I knew all of this myself! I don't think you quite get what it's like being bossed around by a guy who doesn't tell us anything. I mean, the man holds meetings and accomplishes nothing but eating eight bowls of ice cream and then tells us to go do as we please," Alexander actually couldn't help but roll his eyes at this, "if I knew, I'd tell you all of it! Like...man, I don't know what anti-matter is. I don't even know how--wait..."

He then remembered the rest of the information Holmes had given him on the anti-matter army. Again, not much, but hopefully it was something he could work with.

"Actually...alright, so I don't know everything about this stupid army. All I know is Queen Lilith of Alberisato's grown him a ton of plants and if he mixes this anti-matter with them as they are living beings, he can create superhuman soldiers. I don't know how to stop this, though, this was all from what I'd heard from my dad..." he sighed, scratching his head, "the man's all over the place and as said, doesn't tell us anything. I don't hang with the other Sumata members, so I don't know what their plans are. The only other thing that comes to my mind is we went to that planet Earth to go search for some relics. Trucido, I'm sure you know, is trying to destroy the world and recreate it in his own devine vision, and apparently he needs these relics. I don't know exactly what they look like myself, all I know is they're hidden in oddly coloured vases and some of them are scattered throughout our world and some were on Earth. We went out there and uncovered three of them out there..."

God dammit, Trucido. He was going to make this difficult for Alexander no matter what.

[milicia]

It was a start. She had seen enough. Anyone wanting to convince her of allegiance under false pretenses would have at least provided something concrete. Amusingly enough it was the vagueness of Alex's info that proved her he was nothing if not genuine. She chuckled softly at the notion of the big scary Trucido packing away sweets so hard in a serious meeting.

"Okay Alex, I believe you. If nothing else it's good to know what you had all run to Earth for. Still, there is still so much that is uncertain. What do these relics do, and how many does he need? I must know, did the Heroes manage to get any at all? If only we had even one..." Her thoughts drifted to the Crepusculum archives. Surely if was an artifact, even from long ago there had to be a record of it somewhere. But that was a matter to look up another time.

"Regardless Alex, it would seem we have an understanding. As promised an unwritten truce shall hold between our two states, bound by our words. Still..." Her hands grasped his, pulling them near to her. "If you can, tell me anything more you discover Alex. You know the dangers, so above all be careful and don't do anything risky."

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander let out a big, big sigh of relief.

"You do? That's good, I was afraid what I had wouldn't be enough...which...isn't very much to begin with," Alexander smiled so contently at Milicia, not really remembering the last time he had ever been so happy (...wait, that dance with Harumi...ahhh), "I can't tell you how grateful I am for this, milady. But I assure you my actions will definitely speak it."

And also for the first time in awhile, Alexander actually felt like getting close to Trucido...and getting more involved in what he was up to. Why?

"If anything, I can find a way to report back to you anything new he's up to. The heroes did not, from my knowledge, obtain any of the relics. I've no clue what they do but...I'm certain I can find out. Trucido, ever since dad died has been very insistent on...being close to me. I don't get it, it's like he wants to be my friend," Alexander bit his lip, "but he's told me things like why he 'needs' to rebuild the worlds, and how he's after destroying the gods to do this, too. He takes me for lunch, and shopping for his girlfriend. He wants to know everything I'm up to, as well..."

[milicia]

The more Alex talked about Trucido the more her image of him shattered. The man that had threatened her destruction and collaborated with some of the most powerful people on the world had always been to her a being to fear. A man of pure evil. Yet hearing Alex talk of the 'pure evil being' eating ice cream and shopping for his girlfriend just seemed... bizarre.

Even more bizarre was the notion that Trucido would hold such interest in the young King. What was it about him that would ensnare his interest so? She wasn't sure if this would either be an incredible benefit or curse for their alliance.

"I see. I suppose I should consider myself lucky simply to have gained this much. Still, if Trucido does hold such interest in you Alex, you must be very important to his plans. I admit I don't know much about him, but I can tell he is a user of people. If he asks you to do anything, and I mean you alone to do it you tell me?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"I don't see how I would be important in his plans. He claims we'll all be important, being gods and all, but in actuality I don't want to be a god--it's hard enough being a king!" he answered with a frown, "but I'll be sure to let you know if he does ask anything like that of me. I just don't want to screw up."

[milicia]

"Very well Alex, it's been good to have this conversation with you. I'm glad to see the grip Trucido has on his Sumata isn't as iron as I had thought. Though now that I think about it..." She paused, her thoughts turning to the war with Ignis. It was true that Onyx too had talked about Trucido without the slightest hint of respect for him.

I wonder just how many of the Sumata are using him as much as he's using them? Perhaps I don't have the sheer number of enemies to worry about as I had thought.

"Umm, nevermind me. I trailed off for a bit Alex. Do you have anything else to discuss?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander had tilted his head, not sure where the queen was headed with her words until she mentioned she trailed off. He easily shrugged it off, considering it only open thoughts or whathaveyou. He took a step back from Milicia and gave her a respectful bow.

"Not at all, milady," he answered, the entire air about him being that of a more pleasant one than it had been when he first stepped into the throne room, "I have only to thank you again and to return with more information as it is revealed to me. If you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave now."