NationStates Jolt Archive


Friends Forever

Itinerate Tree Dweller
16-12-2005, 08:48
The birth of Prince Loki 17 years earlier brought great joy for the Emperor and his wife, his line was to continue into the future and there was much cause for celebration, but one matter loomed on the horizon. This matter is the Blood Friendship, a close friend for the prince that would grow up with him and finally die by his hands; a custom that has been practiced by the royal line for over six hundred years.

The subject of this story is young Michael Jovian, a close friend of Prince Loki. Michael Jovian was born six days after Loki, one of thirty children screened for the position and finally selected, totally unknown to the child. Michael is has close relations with the Kersk family, having even dated the Princess Eris for a period of eight months, a relationship that was ended by the Princess after she was told to do so by her father; Michael still loves Eris to this day. But their relationship is not what this story focuses on, whether is becomes important later is yet to be discovered.

Let us join our unfortunate duo, as they venture forth....

"Take that back!" said Michael.

"What? Take what back?" replied Loki.

"I am not acting childish, so take it back!" demanded Michael.

"Oh, right, and whining just reeks of maturity." smiled Loki.

"Whatever, give me the... what are you looking at?" sighed Michael, looking over Loki's shoulder.

"I'm looking at this book... it looks interesting." said Loki.

"Then buy it." shrugged Michael.

"It doesn't have a price tag." replied Loki.

"Hey shopkeep, how much for the book." said Michael.

"Twenty Credits." replied the shopkeeper in passing.

"Twenty Credits?! It better be printed on something special!" scoffed Michael with a fake gasp.

"Hey, you don't like it? Don't buy it." said the shopkeeper.

"Come on" said Loki as he thumbed over the pages of the book, "How much did it cost you to buy?"

The shopkeeper took the book and put it back on the shelf, "Not enough for you to sit here and insult me."

"I'll give you eight credits for it." offered Loki.

"I would take the offer, it seems fair." nodded Michael.

"Listen, boy, I barely make a profit as it is. I don't need you rotten teenagers hanging around here, eating away at my livelihood." barked the shopkeeper.

"And I have a nearly maxed out Credit disk. Now, I am going to have this book. I can either pay you the eight credits that I have, or I will be forced to just take it." sneered Loki.

"Jeeze, Loki, it's just a book." said Michael.

"That's not the point. I am royalty, I get what I want." said Loki, pointing at the purple and gold sash he was wearing.

Michael sighed, "Listen, just take the eight credits. He's has a short temper as it is."

The shopkeeper refused, "I have rights too, not even royalty can deny my economic rights!"

The arguing attracted the attention of several nearby police officers, they approached.

"What seems to be the problem?" asked the senior officer.

"These kids are harassing me! I just want to sell my merchandise, but these two keep interfering, threatening to steal from me." said the shopkeeper.

The second guard replied, "Is that so? Alright you two, move along."

"No." said Loki, "I am royalty, what I want, I get."

The senior guard sighed, "Prince Loki, we've dealt with this before, even you can't deny this man's economic rights. Please move along."

Loki threw the book back onto the pile, disgusted with the whole affair, and walked away with Michael following closely behind him.

"It's just a book, you can always order it from the palace account when you get back home." said Michael.

"I'm telling you, when I become Emperor, some changes are going to be made." replied Loki.

"Over a book?" questioned Michael.

"Over the disrespect!" exclaimed Loki.

"Oh, come one, it wasn't that bad, the guard was just doing his duty." said Michael as he rolled his eyes.

Loki just sighed and continued walking.

"Hey, look, it's your sister!" said Michael.

"Oh? And what about it?" acknowledged Loki.

"Er, well... we could join her, maybe, yes?" said Michael.

"Why? She is just browsing for clothes." questioned Loki.

"Yea, but the.. the company would be nice." said Michael

Loki raised an eyebrow, "What are you getting at?" Loki questioned further.

"Nothing, maybe she will buy that book, eh?" said Michael.

"The book isn't really that important anymore, I guess...." shrugged Loki

"What? Just a minute ago you were about to pummel that shopkeep." said Michael, confused.

"I was joking with him at first, but I guess it just got out of hand, you know how I am with those things." nodded Loki.

"Ah, well... Maybe we can go harass him some more and then have her pay for the book, eh?" said Michael

"Get off the book, I don't want it, besides, I can buy it if I want." said Loki as he sat down on a bench.

"Huh? I thought your cred-card was maxed out." questioned Michael.

"Maxed out? I have no maximum limit, come on, I'm royalty." laughed Loki.

"Heh, Yea, I guess." acknowledged Michael.
Itinerate Tree Dweller
16-12-2005, 08:48
Meanwhile....

"My Lord, the Governor General from the Hadethan Six territory is on line twelve, the Empress is on line eight and your brother, Alex, left a message saying that he would be unable to attend tonights gala." said the automated assistant known to the royal family as V.I.K.I.

"Put my wife on, she gets annoyed if she has to wait." commanded Erik Kersk, Emperor of the Hadethan Empire.

"Yes, right away." answered V.I.K.I.

"Erik? Erik. Ah, there you are. Where is my green sash, the one with the silver leaves imprinted and the golden border." said Empress Persephone.

"Ugh, I'm busy here and I don't know where your silly clothes are. Ask one of the servants, maybe they know where it is." replied Erik.

"I've asked everyone, nobody knows where it is." said Persephone, half in a panic.

"And you think that I know more than they do about the whereabouts of your sash?" said Erik in a half sarcastic tone.

"I need it for the gala tonight, I have to wear it, its the only one that goes with my dress. I have to find it." demanded Persephone.

Erik sighed, "Where did you last see it?"

"I...hold on a sec." said Persephone as she moved across the room to a small dresser.

Erik motioned for the camera to follow her movements.

"Never mind, honey." said Persephone.

"You found it?" asked Erik.

"Never mind about it." said Persephone.

"Go ahead and admit it, you couldn't have found it without my help." laughed Erik.

Persephone closed the video connection.

"Connection lost, should I redial?" asked V.I.K.I.

"No, put the Governor General on." commanded Erik.

"About time, I've been waiting on here for several minutes." said the Governor General.

"The Empress had a pressing issue that required my attention." replied Erik.

"Oh... I hope it wasn't someone awful." asked the Governor General.

'Not at all, she just lost something." laughed Erik.

"Ah. Well, onto business. As you know, the requirements for being Emperor are quite lenient, just requiring the heir to be the first legitimate born son of the previous Emperor, or barring that the first legitimate born daughter until she bears a son who grows to a proper age." said the Governor General.

"I am familiar with the whole thing. I fail to see how this is anything I should be concerned about." replied Erik.

"It is the Blood Friendship that you should be concerned about." added the Governor General.

Erik fell silent, having quick flashbacks of his closest childhood friend.

"Yes.... Michael Jovian...." replied Erik.

"It has to be before your sons eighteenth birthday." said the Governor General

"Yes, one week from now... Tonights gala marks the beginning of his 'career'." replied Erik.

"Your son has to kill him, it is required by the ancient laws." added the Governor General.

"I know. I'll see that it happens, you can guarantee that." replied Erik.

"Very well, sir. I must be leaving." nodded the Governor General.
Itinerate Tree Dweller
16-12-2005, 08:50
Back to our main characters...

"What are you two doing out here? I could of sworn that Mom wanted you too stay home and prepare for that gala tonight." said Erik, just noticing the two boys.

"Yea." said Loki, standing up, "I didn't feel like staying at home, watching Mom panic about every little thing, you know how she is."

"Of course... Well, how are you today, Michael?" said Eris, in a somewhat enchanting voice, or at least enchanting to Michael.

"Erm, uh... I'm fine, how are you today???" said Michael in an awkward voice.

"Nothing much, just browsing around." replied Eris pointing to the various things she had purchased.

"Liar, I know Mom sent you to spy on me." said Loki

"She's just browsing man, jeeze." said Michael, defending Eris' story.

"Why would I spy on you?" asked Eris.

"Mom and Dad have been keeping me in that house all day, watching my every move. Something is going on, I tell ya." said Loki.

"Paranoid as usual, I see. Well, I'm going to continue shopping." sighed Eris.

"I'll join you." said Michael, almost excited at the concept.

"What?" asked Loki.

"Ok, you can join me, I could use the company." said Eris.

"Yea, company." said Michael to Eris, then turning around to Loki, "I'll see you later."

Loki was deep in thought.

"Er, wait a se..." said Loki, but they were gone.

Loki didn't like seeing Michael following his sister, Eris, he didn't like anyone going after her. Eris looked like their Mother, only her hair was lighter and cut shorter. She was five feet eight inches tall, but she was a giant in spirit and had a very demanding demeanor. Loki deeply cared for her, deep down, but was reluctant to express his feelings, fearing his feelings may be too taboo. He considered anyone chasing after his sister to be completely unworthy of her, even his best friend Michael.