This castle's easily spooked (Alex/Gravelord)

[alexanderthegreat]

((Alexander and Gravelord Requiem lolol))
After all of the wild events Alexander had been through recently, with Zeke leaving on his big quest to fight Duo, Benjamin being assassinated, and learning his own celestial guardian pet his whole life was some wild warrior, things were surprisingly quiet in the Santo-Luce castle.

It was on a day as quiet as this that Alexander shut out all guests, trying actively to leave his brain open to compose a eulogy for Benjamin that he hadn't been actually asked to write though it made him feel better to write out his words and final blessings to his friend. It was upsetting, it hurt to establish a real friendship in this dirty pool of a profession and then have yourself slapped back down to square one--alone. You were just alone in the world of politics. Alexander wasn't depressed by this as much as he was angry with the situation.

Benjamin worked hard for what he had. Unda to Alexander seemed to have fallen off of the map until the former president approached him, and when he did he saw a leader rise in a time when the country needed strong leadership. It had been moving, inspiring really. Alexander knew what that was like.

He shook his head as he paced about the throne room.

"I don't care how many people I have to go through personally, I won't let Unda fall after it's gotten this far," he spoke quietly to himself, "I can't let a man's work go forgotten, be undone because some bully just decided to show up and try to scare everyone off track like this."

Alexander absorbed himself strongly in his thoughts, piecing together an introduction, remembering and highlighting all he learned of Benjamin through their business meetings and what Unda needed to remember if the people were to survive without him. It took him awhile to notice that there was any kind of commotion going on outside the door, some yelling that was muffled and where uncommon it was still considered 'normal' daytime noise in the castle.

He was in the middle of trying to remember Benjamin's family--did he ever mention his family, actually? Alexander couldn't tell, he heard some clashing and banging sounds outside the throne room door and several voices bellowing loudly that rudely interrupted his thoughts. He was about to raise his own voice when the door swung open and three guards burst into the room, slamming the door shut behind them and swiftly locking it.

"Your majesty!" they all yelled in unison before sloppily dropping their upper bodies in a bow, Alexander noticing two of them were missing weapons.

"We don't mean to alarm you, but we'll have to immediately escort you from the premises," one of the unarmed soldiers said firmly, fidgeting as Alexander raised a highly suspicious eyebrow at him and forced him to explain further, "t-the castle isn't safe at this time. We have to go now."

"How so? What's going on?" Alexander demanded, hands falling to his hips even as his guards approached, noticing a very odd spell of panic in their eyes. It was like they'd all just seen a ghost and the longer they stood there, the more frantic the men became, they started to shake as the seconds ticked by and Alexander refused to budge.

"We don't know, sire! But we've tried to stop it!" one of them finally shouted.

"It will never stop! Captain Alex has been called for, all hands are on it, even the chef tried with everything he has!" the only armed guard blurted out as well.

"What?" Alexander said loudly, staring in disbelief at the door wondering what was going to come smashing through that actually had his soldiers come in unarmed and needed the assistance of the castle chef of all things.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

"Knock, knock, knock, Frexton~" A voice spoke from behind the door, a hand raping against the door in kind. Receiving no response at first, the quiet knocks quickly turned to a harsh pounding, before escalating to a brutal onslaught against the doors structure till the latches splintered under the force; the door swinging open to reveal the grotesquery that lulled in wait behind it.

"I would've expected such crass manners from those other droll "royals," but I'm shocked and almost hurt by such a inconsiderate display towards one of your own, Frexton boy."

The figure plodded into the room, it's body host to all manner of protruding weapons, explaining all too aptly the lack of armaments for the guards present within the Throne Room. Seeming to take little if no notice of the bevy of swords and spears protruding from it's form, it strolled all to casually to the centre of the room before standing, unmoving, as it addressed it's onlookers once again.

"But I suppose I can be the better one between us and forgive such insubordination, though I suppose that could just be naturally assumed," the creature announced brazenly before giving a boisterous and almost mocking laugh. "Ahh, anyway, I figured I'd just come by and peruse the old homeland, take a nice stroll and perhaps even take some time to gloat over that old codger that you call a father's grave at his long since failed attempts to stifle me."

It's tone rung all to strongly with a smug sense of self satisfaction, almost... no, completely revelling in the former kings demise. Twisting the skull that made up it's head around to take in the sights of the chamber of his former pursuer, the skeletal figure conveyed all to well it's condescending nature as it so nonchalantly plodded around the Throne room, doing so with a hint of satisfaction at the fuss that seemed to be centred around it's appearance.

[alexanderthegreat]

At first the soft knocking was met with a raised eyebrow by Alexander, noting all of his guards' eyes turned wide with fright as the voice spoke from behind the door. Alexander admittedly jumped and let out a sharp gasp as the knocks quickly turned into a beating into his door and in strolled this horrific creature--oh look, there were all his guards' weapons and a baguette adorning his sides. Without weapons the guards took their position between the creature and the king, the only one with a weapon left pointed his spear out cautiously.

Alexander was confused, if not a little scared himself at this thing that just walked in and apparently had a real negative connection to his father. It was gross, terrifying, and really, really cocky by the sounds of it. Insubordination? Really? He was unaware that the king of all things could be called out for something like that.

'Ah geez, what do I say to this? 'sorry'? Pffbt, yeah right! I don't care how ugly or scary you are, you're in MY castle and--ew ew ew, he's gross and just took out my door--RELAX, he's a jackass put him in his place--but my guards apparently can't stop him AN AXE IS STICKING OUT OF HIM--get to the bottom of it, dammit!'

As much as the king tried to show he was not fazed by the dramatic entrance or the skull man's presence, a very obvious paleness in his face showed and he let the silence between the two linger on too long that it could be easily taken as hesitance or even nervousness.

"I apologize you feel that way....you," he didn't have a name so he went with the 'next best thing' as he tried to address him calmly, "but this is my castle, and in it we appreciate leaving Bradley Frexton to rest peacefully as a respected king rather than an 'old codger' as you so put it. Who are you?"

Seriously. Where the hell was Holmes? The man knew just about everything else, why wouldn't he know a lump of skulls that rambled on about Bradley and some kind of resistance he and this thing had with each other.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

"I'm hurt, boy. Do you not lament for those days long passed, sitting around that grand table, listening to the inane blathering of that failure Damnedblood and the rest of that "royal" squaller." The figure couldn't help but drip sarcasm as he spoke, his body all to well conveying a sense of frustration and exacerbation as he thought back to his days with the Sumata 13. It of course had been worth it in the long run, but in the moments of dealing with his former "allies," death seemed somehow more...palatable.

"I'd reintroduce myself, but it would appear that I've no top hat to tip as of late. Mind you, I think my old name seems to have lost meaning at this point. I've decided that a new title is in order...yes, Requiem, The Gravelord. It seems so...apt," he remarked clasping his hands together as he gave a low, bellowing laugh. "As for matters of the late Frexton, fear not, for I'll let him rest...for now. After all, there is some relief in having a thorn removed from one's side," Requiem quipped as he broke one of the rogue spears jutting from his body, chuckling slightly at the rather appropriate gesture.

"But such things are aside to the main nature of this very special visitation. I've come baring a special gift, just for you, my young lad, should you choose to accept it," the skeletal guest almost sang as he closed in upon the young King, wresting his hands together in an almost gleeful anticipation of the boys answer.

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander remembered distinctly not sitting around the Sumata table with a sack of bones sitting nearby. No. No, that did NOT happen. A top hat? Which one of those arrogantly abhorrent royals actually wore a stupid top ha--
That was when Alexander had a very clear memory flash before him. It was in Vuoto, in the manor at the table. Everyone had already been there because as per usual, he was late, and as he sat down the first thing he remembered seeing was a top hat, which he pointed out and announced to the whole table 'Who's the geek?'

The look Alexander made making this realization looked like a small child who just watched his puppy get kicked in the face. What happened to this guy?! Did he fall in a pit of lava and have his face melted off or something?!
...and have several new...heads...attached...in the process? What was the--how did this--why was this a thing that was happening right now?!

And what was it with this guy having issues with his dad? No one was allowed to have issues with his dad, only he was allowed to have issues with his dad!

As Requiem stepped in Alexander's guards tensed and moved to close in the space between them, one of them giving a warning, "You'll keep your distance! Step away." Alexander personally felt like his focus was being pulled around everywhere as he gave the creepy man a disconcerting stare.

"I'm sorry, what exactly are you doing here, again? You come in here insulting my father about some business that was between you and him, what is it that he did that makes it so you feel you even have a right to march in here to say whatever it is you want about him?"

Even more upsetting was this 'gift' that he seemed so eager to offer. A bag of bones who hates his father comes in here offering him up a gift didn't sound like something so legit, but at the same time that curiosity of it stirred up very uncomfortable, if not terrifying feelings because it was something unknown.

"What 'gift' could you possibly give to the son of a man you clearly despise so much?" It wasn't a question he wanted to ask because he was afraid to know the answer.

[shanira]

As this uncomfortable exchange of words went on between the two in the throne room, a sudden wave of "WHOAAA!" and "YIKES" and "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" was heard in very, very swift succession but still gave very futile warning of a thunderous BOOM that echoed in the throne room; the door that Requiem already did away with being caught in this 'explosion of light' now exploded into splinters as the golden-hued figure of Shanira tumbled into the room and smoothly rolling up onto her feet.

She looked directly at Requiem with wooden door splinters attached all over her hair and body, sword unsheathed and pointed out towards him and with an authoritative tone she announced,

"Avari tomahteset qolaver vetum potar que!"

She was really starting to enjoy being herself instead of the Fox. People seemed to react to her better this way when she leaped in to save Alexander.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

Requiem scowled, or at least did so in his mind, at the perceived impertinence being slung by the young King. Dropping his hands to his side in a forceful motion, he began to lean in close to Alex, all to ready to rebuke the boys lack of respect before he heard the commotion from behind, feeling the slight force of Shanira's explosive entrance, as well as splintered fragments of the door that now rested within the matted blackened fibbers that almost clothed his body.

Turning to face the luminescent woman, Taggert scoffed at her appearance, seeming to care little about the blade tip that hovered precariously close to him.

"And here I was about to chastise you for your utter lack of respect, Frexton, but from your guards and this golden harlot, it is all to evident that Santo-Luce has come to falter in it's mannerisms since the days of your father," mocked Requiem, hopping that the bitting implication of Alex lacklustre rulership might offend the young King. "As for you..." the skeletal menace said as he turned his full attention to Shanira. "If you're going to brandish a blade at me, why not cut me a little. After all, how will I know if you're serious or not?"

Gripping his hand on the shaft of Shanira blade, he pulled himself closer, eventually sliding the blade past the vestigial skeletons that littered his exterior and into his chest cavity, taking the close and intimate moment to stare the woman in the eyes with his blackened empty sockets, hoping all to well to strike some fear in her before drawing himself away from the blade and turning back to Alexander.

"Now, if we can resume without anymore interruptions, or undue ill-mannered outbursts, I'd like to give you your present, oh Frexton, my Liege~" Requiem stated in an almost jaunty tone that would give most auditory whiplash after hearing the frightful tone in which he spoke his previous sentence. Holding out his hand, his gaunt fingers were gripped together as if they were holding something, like a slip of paper, yet no such thing sat in his hands.

"It's a ticket, just for you, Frexton. Come and take it," Requiem beckoned as he waved his bony limb slightly, all to well enjoying the situation as he strived to up play the dramatics.

[shanira]

Shanira stood strong in demeanour even as Requiem moved in and slid her blade into him. The guards in the room shook just watching the scene, even a little more mortified that Shanira stood staring him in the eyes and refused to flinch. Part of it was her being insistent on she had no fear of anything, and honestly a lot more of it at this moment had to do with her actually not fully understanding a single thing she heard Requiem say, aside from "Frexton" now and then.

In response she blinked at him and then turned her gaze over to Alexander, her gibberish-sounding language being shared with him.

"He is not very bright, is he, Master?" she spoke a little too stupidly calm for the situation.

[alexanderthegreat]

The whole scene was starting to get to Alexander as when Shanira burst into the room as she did (something that he still wasn't used to), he yelped in fright, for a moment fooled that Requiem had pulled something violent on them instead.

As startling as she was, seeing Shanira gave him a bit of relief, allowing him to try to focus more on his creepy guest but he wasn't sure exactly how he was supposed to deal with him now. He somehow managed to ignore the questions he had about his father and instead moved to insult him and his manners instead. He bit his lip, trying to hold some patience for this behaviour. However, it was getting to be quite obvious that if Requiem strived to get under Alexander's skin, it was working, as much as he was trying to not show it. It was almost surprising to hear someone else throw an insult at Requiem instead, Alexander noting Shanira's unwavering courage through this.

"I-I think you're not very bright," Alexander's voice shook as he addressed the guardian in her foreign language, "your sword's done nothing to him, remember. Their swords have done nothing to him, either."

Now as for this 'ticket'? He was looking for Alexander to dare to get close to him, and that rattled his nerves even more. He couldn't see anything in his hand, the scarier part of it. It was like an obvious trap but he was almost afraid that if he didn't go along with it something even worse was going to happen, or that he was just not going to leave!

Okay, this guy was looking to strike fear in someone? He won against the king. Alexander didn't know what he was supposed to do. He stared at Requiem cautiously, heart pounding frantically and he stole another panicked look to Shanira as though hoping somehow he could just steal some of her nerves of steel for just a moment.

[shanira]

Shanira blinked, her shoulder showing a twitch as she watched Alexander. As his heart rate increased she could feel a highly uncomfortable twitching or pricking sensation pulsing at the same speed in her shoulders and neck.

"Mortal swords are feeble, that is why they do nothing to him," Shanira said firmly to the king, ignoring his comment about how hers was just as useless, "what bothers you, Master? You have nothing to fear. I am faster than he is!"

She said this as though it were fact, though she didn't know if what she was saying was fully true. She just believed it and thought it best Alexander believed it as well.

[alexanderthegreat]

Being as scared as Alexander was, anything Shanira told him (and damn did she sound confident) sounded like a solid deal.

And really, when had she let him down before? Aside from when he was nabbed by bandits when he was eight and his father's fox, Prisma, ended up coming in to save them both...
Okay, but since then? No issues! Twelve years was a pretty good record for that kind of thing considering the amount of stupid things Alexander had been and still was capable of doing to get himself in trouble.

He looked to Requiem and the bony hand that still looked empty to him but apparently had...something in it.

"Move aside," Alexander motioned to his own guards to back off and give him space to see the skeletal creature up close, still a little shaken in his appearance but trusting his guardian enough to play Requiem's odd game, whatever it was really.

"Sire?" his guards responded, surprised by his order.

"Move aside!" he spoke louder as he moved them off. He made the mistake of looking up into Requiem's face, something that even at a distance deterred him from getting any closer than he already was. He took in a sharp breath and quickly worked to force his body to approach the ugly man.

"I'm trusting you!" he shouted sternly to Shanira, now despite the assurance she gave that she wouldn't fail to help him if something went wrong his body still shook and heart drummed along in a panic. He stepped up, looked at the bony hand and...what was he supposed to do? 'take it'? What was there to take from him? His hand kind of reached out cautiously, hovering hesitantly to do anything more.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

Requiem payed little attention to the back and forth ramblings between Alex and Shanira, caring little about their exchange and more about the game he was playing with his prey. Waving his arm in a rhythmic fashion, Requiem was all to happy to simply stand there, leaning in ever so slightly, and wait till the boy came to him.

"Yes, Frexton, trust in your companions, trust in them with all your life, till death do you part, or so I believe the phrase goes," Requiem jeered as he let flow a low, bellowing laugh, revelling in the thoughts of his necrotic deeds. "But enough idle chit-chat. Come hither, boy, as this ticket won't claim itself, and don't worry, I won't bite," claimed the hulking mass of bones as the various skulls on his chest began to chatter, Requiem trying all to well to get a rise out of the boy.

[shanira]

Shanira's eyes narrowed at Requiem as he harassed Alexander. She stood by what she said, and even if Alexander was still hesitant to believe her fully it would mean she would only have to prove her worth to him.
She nodded to him, inviting him to play along with Requiem's request.

[alexanderthegreat]

Almost too fitting was the comment about biting him as the skulls chattered away, making Alexander shamefully jump and retract his hand at first. He gave Requiem a mixed look of disgust and disbelief as he fought with himself to try reaching out to him again.

"If you won't bite then I'm sure you best be holding still, Sir Requiem," he huffed out, taking a deep breath, "what is it, this 'ticket' you say? I don't see a thing yet you have me here telling me to take it away from you."

He bit his lip momentarily wondering if he should even bother. He then forced his hand out at the skeletal man again, not sure if he should be trying to pry his stupid bony fingers open or just wait there for whatever he had. What could he grab if he could not see it?

[The Gravelord Requiem]

At this point the gesture of the supposed ticket was a rather moot, and had served it's purpose. It was simply to entice the young man and make his mind crawl with curiosity. Drawing his hand back slowly, he pulled himself back, standing at his full height once more before raising his arms skywards as if presenting some splendiferous display.

"It is but a present that all would clamour for, but only you shall have my King. It is a front row seat to my newest masterpiece," Requiem declared before pausing, doing his best to draw out this dramatic and all to succulent moment.

"Long since has it been since the masses have been able to gorge themselves upon the delight of my symphonies, and it would appear that they have become all but starved in my absence. Just as my melodies once rang across this world, so shall they resound once more, but only once, and you are the only one that I have deemed worthy to bear full witness to it's splendour. Does my pious nature not leave you in awe, my Liege?" inquired Requiem as he dropped his raised arms, wrested his hands together once more as he all to anxiously awaited Alex's reply.