NationStates Jolt Archive

Let's go." Gelectriax said, already at the large, gaping-mouth like doors as they stood with a quiet dissent. Opening up the door easily, she walked into it, ignoring Marko as she looked around, her fingers tapping on her waist softly as if she was listening to some invisible song. From the end of the hallway, sitting in the middle, oblivious of his position within his own house, sat Saerus Annirak, his face contorted in a smile.

"Annirak." Gelectriax replied coldly.

Marko followed Miu as she approached Saerus. He was inwardly somewhat tense thought outwardly calm as he awaited whatever improv Gelectriax thought necessary to get the charade off the ground.

"Saerus, you look very horrid." Gelectriax replied with a cold stare, as Saerus raised his eyebrows in discontent. "Your sense of fashion has always been poor."

"Ironic that it comes from you, my Lord Gelectriax. Last time I remember it was the honourable Lord Genkon that picked out those clothes, was it not?" Saerus replied back with equal efficacy.

"I don't remember who picked out my clothes, but they helped me more than you did." Gelectriax said smoothly, as Saerus smiled at her. This touch of wits and verbal assaults flying between them seemed to have lightened the already glaringly tense mood.

"So, when is he going back?" Saerus said, looking at Marko Lethe. "Is he going back soon? I have alot of things to finish up, and the Menekrungo Vizithkanju are making it a problem for me." Saerus exclaimed with a strong sense of annoyance in his voice.

"You know, it made me wonder a bit, on how the things were going between the two of you." Saerus said, looking at Gelectriax's arm in a sling, both of them apparently showing signs of sweat and anticipation. "Miriana said that you were plotting something? Do tell me."

"I believe that it's none of your business what I do with my mind." Gelectriax snapped back, as Saerus chuckled. "Besides, we were talking about only a very simple subject."

"Oh? What is that?" Saerus asked.

"He and I are getting married." Gelectriax said, pointing at Marko with her thumb. Saerus laughed loudly, his wicked, dark laugh echoing throughout the halls as he slapped his knee with equal fervor and amusement, tears of joy falling from his eyes.

"Gelectriax, you're a horrible liar." Saerus replied, an evil sneer across his face. "You're not good at political manipulation."

"Oh, really?" Gelectriax snapped back as well, smiling with an inane smile splashed across her face. "You have never always been good at detecting things, Saerus. Under whom were you serving for so many years?" She asked maniacally, as Saerus frowned, obviously a tick forming on his forehead.

"Prove it." Saerus said, looking at them both.

"Do you expect me to do it?" Gelectriax asked, looking at him with distaste. "I'm sorry, Saerus, but I can't satisfy your sick fantasies. You're married, aren't you?" She asked again, as Saerus frowned.

"Prove that you're willing to get married." Saerus said, as Gelectriax laughed.

"I already agreed, didn't I?" Gelectriax said, looking at Marko. "How about you, Mr. Lethe?"

Marko watched Gelectriax bait Saerus, and inwardly smiled as he had a curve that would, for a moment, disquiet both. Even if playing the role of the cat's paw, he was still his own.

"Well, I'd have to agree you did, however there are two slight problems as far as I can see. The first is that without witnesses, I'm sure good Mister Anniak wouldn't be all certain of our trustworthiness, especially given his suspicious nature. The second is, there might be a better offer right around the corner."

Looking about for a moment as if waiting for his second point to confirm itself, he gave a slight shrug. "It appears you're still my best bet, so ..."

He uses the faint pause so as to get down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"

"What? No ring?" Gelectriax asked, incredulous as Saerus studied them both carefully, his eyes darting with incredible speed as his mind was wracked with thought.

Gelectriax is no fool. If he blatantly speaks his plan, he would assume that I was incapable of finding out it was his plan, but he takes the idea that I am capable, he wouldn't tell me his plan. It's obvious he would take the safe route. Saerus pondered.

Gelectriax smiled inside. Saerus, you fool. You assume that I would make assumptions based on your own assumptions, but you fail to realise that even if I speak the truth, it still falls into the categories that you can't discern our true goal. My true goal.

He wants revenge, for me to suffer for making him suffer. But...

I know your flaw, Saerus. You think too much, and those who think too much only harm themselves...

...if he knows that I know that he wants revenge, then he'll take a different approach to taking revenge. But if he doesn't want revenge? I'll have to find out somehow. If he truly is wanting revenge, he'll take a direct approach and throw me off. He'll feint a feint and make reality seem unreal. He's hoping that I would overthink and overexert myself when the goal is clear. Gelectriax, I've found you out. You can't kill me.

...but Saerus, can you figure out the one thing that separates me from you? Experience, something in the field of politics you do not have. You think too much, when the intentions are clear, and when you think enough so that you come to a good conclusion, you still act unwary and wrong. Make no mistake, Saerus Annirak...

...Gelectriax...

The same thought ran through both their minds with shivering similarities; I will have your head.

Gelectriax smiled back to Lethe, before nodding. "Sure." She agreed.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't care an engagement ring on me at all times, however I'm sure our most gracious host would see fit to provide us with a most beautiful ring." Marko commented with a micrometric grin.

With the response given, he stood up beside Gelectriax and looked at Saerus.

"Why should I?" Saeus replied with malice, as Gelectriax frowned with distaste towards his cold attitude. "I find no need to support commoners such as him." He said, before a slap smashed across his face, a red mark visible as Gelectriax stood before him with a slighty tearing set of diamond eyes.

Watching the scene, Suriga sighed as his cameras flickered slightly. "Gelectriax, what's wrong with you?" He asked to himself.

"Why should I?" Saeus replied with malice, as Gelectriax frowned with distaste towards his cold attitude. "I find no need to support commoners such as him." He said, before a slap smashed across his face, a red mark visible as Gelectriax stood before him with a slighty tearing set of diamond eyes.

Watching the scene, Suriga sighed as his cameras flickered slightly. "Gelectriax, what's wrong with you?" He asked to himself.

"It seems that my fiancee has something to say, or rather to strike, concerning that. Also, I am not a commoner and am quite able to deal with any financial costs, however I would have thought that you would be delighted as it was your actions that lead to this happy occasion." Marko commented lightly before turning to look at Miu, "Did you remember to lock your wrist, as I wouldn't have wanted you to sprain it?"

Before anyone could reply, a small glitter of clapping was heard as two figures stood with towering presence at the end of the large hallway. One of them was Miriana, his usual melancholic and yet monotonous expression visible, while the other one was a different man; he carried himself elegantly, yet his body was wrapped within a series of beautiful silver bandages, his face crackled behind white cloth as his eyes were a shimmering opal shade as his right eye a dark azure glimmer.His heterochromic face made it look as if he sported two different jewels within his eye sockets, his forehead wrapped with a tall, thundering crown that writhed and twisted with impunity.

His arms were draped long upon the wrappings that gracefully followed him, a long glossy obsidian sword tied to his waist by a black cloth of silk. He was covered in elegant, beautiful robes, and his face was draped entirely within a series of wraps, his face hidden behind a sad, sombre porcelain mask that only revealed his two special eyes. What little skin was visible upon the very tips of his fingers shown that he was excessively burnt, the smell of simmering flesh still very strong within the air. As Saerus and Gelectriax both saw this figure, they bowed lowly in reply, heads low as their knees were smashing into the ground with utmost ferocity.

"Mr. Lethe, although I understand that you assume Mr. Annirak is responsible for this, know that everything comes with a price to pay. For the hand of Gelectriax the Wicked, you must pay a price proportional to what you gain." The figure spoke, as Miriana nodded in his wake.

"Bow." Gelectriax whispered, before she raised her voice towards the man. "Lord Suriga, I present my future husband, Marko Lethe."

"That's fine. As long as you approve of him, so will I." Suriga said, looking at Marko with an intense stare.

Marko bowed to Suriga but remained looking at the man who commanded the gesture of respect from both Gelectriax and Annirak. He met the stare as he wondered at the motivation of the king and words that Suriga spoke.

"I understand that you already proclaimed your marriage together. Do you know the upheaval within the Lordship that will occur because of this?" Suriga warned both Gelectriax and Marko, his eyes looking with an eerie stare. "Mr. Marko Lethe, come with me." Suriga beckoned, though his voice blasted it as if it was more of a command.

He straightened, "Fine, what would you like to talk about?" Marko asked as he walked over to where Suriga was standing.

"Gelectriax is an old friend of mine." Suriga said quietly, out of earshot of the others. "And I know him better than anyone else. You will not live this encounter, Mr. Lethe. My advice is for you to break ties while you have the chance."

Out of the shadows, came a pink haired woman with a smile on her face. She was dressed in a dark black dress that touched the floor, around her neck was diamond necklace, which looked like it cost millions to buy. Diamond earrings hung from her ear as the smile stayed across her lips.

Walking over to Saerus, the Crime Mistress of Jenrak had a walk of pride in each step. Her nobility had gone to her head, but it only added to her pride. Kissing him on the lips with loads of passion, Selene smiled and looked over at Gelectriax.

“Lord Gelectriax…wait…Miu, what did you tell that boy you would give him, if he married you?” she asked.

"Power. Wealth. Amnesty. My eternal friendship and gratitude for my revenge." Gelectriax replied coldly.

“Revenge?” asked Selene, rolling her eyes. “My dear Miu, there is no revenge for you. What happened to you wasn’t in the hands of me or my husband. You becoming what you now are was the doing of the Gods for your evil and sick past.” Selene didn’t care whom feet that she stepped on.

"Do you really think so? Has Miriana explained the circumstances surrounding Gelectriax getting the injury?" Marko replied in quiet tones as it was appearent that Suriga felt it important that this remained somewhat discreet.

"I'm not blaming your husband on my transformation. I'm blaming him on his pathetic excuse of a plan to send a suitor against me against my own will." Gelectriax snapped back with equal fervor.

"Yes, and I believe this power struggle is escalating into unwanted proportions already. If you join, you'd simply be a tool where she would discard once your use is done. If you escape now, she wouldn't bother to hunt you down; I can make sure that she's busy trying to deal with me." Suriga spoke and replied quietly.

Selene laughed. “Have you not forgot what you did to my husband? You took him against his own free will from a battlefield. I don’t know why you’re still alive after that.” An evil impish smile formed across her red lips. “What you did to my husband has came back on you like sack of bricks. Deal with you, mister, it is your own doing.”

“My my, mother, do you have to be that way with Miu?” asked Cassandra, wearing a tan dress, coming from a nearby hallway. “He did cause the death of a close friend, but he becoming a she is better then being killed. At else, he now has to deal with being woman for the rest of his life.”

"You believe that your friend would take a bullet for the sole purpose of having a pawn for later on?" Marko asked, "And how would you be involved?"

"The power consists of two contenders; the aristocracy on the side of Gelectriax, and the rest of the people upon mine. I have a three men in the Menekrungo Vizithkanju under my command. They could be a help in causing trouble against Gelectriax's control. He'll have to divert attention to me, upon which I'll guarantee a safe passage out of the country to one of our city states on the fringes. Besides, taking a bullet is a small price to pay for my head."

"Ah, trying to make me feel the guilt? Be glad your barbarian of a husband has been taught proper etiquette and senses." Gelectriax replied coldly, as Saerus frowned.

"I believe that the political stigma within this room is chokingly outrageous." Miriana spoke from the sidelines, looking at both ends. "It's best to leave this conversation at where it is, before it gets out of hand."

“I think between my husband and you, you’re the barbarian.” Selene coldly as Cassandra smiled. “Don’t be looking for revenge on my husband as it will only bite you on your butt later. As it had already done. I‘m going have a talk with your play toy Mister…um….”

“Mister Lethe, mother.” said Cassandra.

“Thank you, Cass.” said Selene. “Anyways, you are only using him and will maybe kill him on a later date after you get what you want.”

Before Gelectriax could reply, Miriana had placed his hand over her mouth. Turning to Selene, he carried the same emotionless face he always had. "Mr. Lethe is in private audience with Mr. Suriga right now, so he can't hear you, nor will be bother to."

“Yes, I know where he is at. This is my home, Miriana” said Selene. “Maybe our King can talk some sense into the boy’s head as Gelectriax is like a sinking ship. Nothing is going right for him these days.”

"Lord Suriga is a frightening person when he wants to be. Otherwise he is simply a normal being like the rest of us." Miriana replied, as Saerus mockingly raised his hand.

"Isn't that ironic?" Saerus said, looking around; the only normal one around here was Marko Lethe.

Selene laughed. “I don’t any of us are normal people.” she said. “Don’t get me started.”

Miriana shrugged. "I'm assuming Mr. Lethe is the only one here who consists of the societal views of normality."

"If as you've said, it is advantageous to get me out of the country, why do you not just do it, or simply cause the trouble anyways and let the casulties fall where they may? What's in it for you to keep me alive?" Marko asked slightly suspiciously as Suriga's motives were less than clear.

Miriana shrugged. "I'm assuming Mr. Lethe is the only one here who consists of the societal views of normality."

“I think you’re correct about that.” said Selene. “And you don’t have to stop Gelectriax as he knows the outcome of attacking me in my home. Or anywhere within Jenrak. Same thing goes with my family.” She smiled.

"It's not a matter of projecting yourself against a foe, but its like punching water. No matter how hard you hit it, it will simply disperse and reform. Such is Gelectriax the Wicked; do you think the people love him? Do you think he is viewed as a good figure amongst the aristocracy? Trying to kill him only makes it more difficult to actually succeed. Even here, I fill as if he's not here." Miriana said, as Gelectriax walked off. "Though, in a way, I pity him."

"Because not every political figure works as a pragmatist. I'm not a cruel man, I'm not one with a trick up my sleeve. I don't like to kill, and I don't like having blood. I've seen too much blood spilled in the name of country and pride already." Suriga said with full honesty.

“I don’t.” said Selene coldly watching Gelectriax walking off. “Because of his past actions, he has to live with his mistakes. Being turned into a female only makes it worst on him.”

"I do, in a way. Tell me, do you know how a man can reach immortality?" Miriana asked.

“I know of a few ways, Miriana.” said Selene. “The two main ones is being bit by a bat or a wolf; a vampire or a werewolf. Or make a deal with Devil. There are other ways, too.” She paused and thought of something else. “Another way is more the man’s name being known throughout the ages after his death.”

"Well it seemed that those of this country have taken efficiant pragmatism to the next level." Marko commented, "And what is to prevent you from simply getting me out of the country in a bloodless manner so as to destabilize your 'old friend'. I obviously have no real way to prevent you of doing so."

Miriana closed his eyes, as if to sigh. "I'm talking about that." He crossed his arms for the first time, looking content and satisfied with the answer nonetheless. "Before any form of oddity is allowed, which is not explainable by science, there is another way. You can simply clone yourself. Accelerate the clone's growth rate by double that length. So therefore, they'll live half the life they'll supposed to be living, but it will allowed a quicker progression into society. Also, you would be using mental splashing of previous knowledge as a sub data transfer. So, in a way, Gelectriax lives, but in a different body." Miriana continued. "That's I'm trying to get at. This Gelectriax is not the same Gelectriax that took your husband or hurt him. This Gelectriax appeared during the beginning of Lord Suriga's rise to dominance. Have you ever wondered by he didn't cackle like before? Why he doesn't use swords anymore, command the Revenant? The same with Aulocos; he knows, and won't bother to fight against the current Gelectriax. Be easy on her, she only has a few years left."

Mirianawalked along, closing his eyes before giving off one last comment. "Know that when Alledrias was caught, it broke my heart. I was one of the soldiers there, one of them who nearly died when Gelectriax caught her, and forced to torture unforgivable. I was the one who leaked off the information onto the computer so that you could track down Illuminaatrix. I was the one who set church stage so he would be forced to deploy Saerus, and so you could free him. I pity this Gelectriax on the one fact that I know this one is being forced to live the life of the one before her. Don't tell anyone I told you that, though."

"I believe it's sufficient to ask the person being transported whether they want to be transported. It's common courtesy here, though like they, the good things are in low supply, yet high demand. Kindness fetches quite the market price nowadays, don't you think?" Suriga said with a light tone. "Though, you should try to remember that there's something wrong with Gelectriax. I will let you stay here for a few days so I can prepare a safe passage out of the country. Is that agreeable?"

"Do you mean besides the fact that Gelectriax is also going by the name of Miu?" Marko asked as if something were wrong, he was interested in finding out what.

“But she is still Gelectriax, her wanting revenge is what she had done before. Gelectriax has caused this to himself.” said Selene. “If she doesn’t try to hurt or make fun of my husband, I’ll be nice with her. Same goes with the rest of my family.”

“She shouldn‘t have the power of Gelectriax as he is no more.” she adds.

"Gelectriax can't die. He's a symbol of immortality in the cultures that have spread throughout the sands." Miriana said with a somewhat poetic tone. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing not only slight cuts, but also a long, dark 'G' embedded into his flesh. "There's more than one Gelectriax."

"No, I mean his attitude. He's different from before, and I'll try and find what's wrong with him." Suriga said, looking with distaste. "The more I look at him, the more of a woman he becomes, the more unbecoming he is."

“How many are there, right now? One? Two? Twenty?” asked Cassandra as her mother was mostly not paying any more attention. Selene was thinking about something.

"I don't know. There's no set number on how many clones are created, or how many generations differ between the clones. So there is no way to figure out how many Gelectriaxes there are." Miriana said, closing his eyes in a makeshift sigh. "The number doesn't matter; its a matter that the man has found a way to manipulate death to live on forever, and its providing me with a nuisance of a problem to fix. It's difficult finding them all, and killing them."

“So…by creating himself in many clones, his mind isn’t whole anymore.” said Cassandra. “That only makes things harder to deal with then. Can‘t you just kill the ones that you know of?”

"I gave up a long time ago." Miriana said with an obvious tone of distaste. "I reached 3,237 before I decided that perhaps Gelectriax is too difficult to kill."

"If he has a different attitude, then perhaps he is not the threat you think he is." Marko commented, "Perhaps the change of form has also lead to a change of mind."

Suriga smiled. "How about this; a little game." He raised his silver laced finger. "In three days, I will give you protection against any form of foe imaginable using what resources I have at my disposal. As I have been told, you aren't treated very well by the aristocracy. In those three days, I want to hear Gelectriax say three very amusing words from her mouth. If you are unsuccessful, you go home none wiser, providing me with some very amusing experience. If you are successful, I will consider you a proper citizen of the Jenrakian Aristocracy."

"I gave up a long time ago." Miriana said with an obvious tone of distaste. "I reached 3,237 before I decided that perhaps Gelectriax is too difficult to kill."

“Wow, that is a lot of deaths on your hands.” said Cassandra in a shocked tone. “I see why he is a major pain to kill.”

"On top of that, the sheer amount of murder you commit eventually gets you the ire of the Eroivizuun." Miriana said. "I've heard of your species' regenerative abilities. For someone who is unlucky like me to have been human, what happens to your body sometimes cannot be fixed. It's only a matter of time before I end up like Nahk."

“And you know, you can be a bite away to become immortal.” said Cassandra with a smile. “I was playing, my lord.”

"Try not to scare me like that." Miriana said, before smiling for the first time in appreciation. He had an extremely handsome, quiet yet vividly memorable face when he did so, his hair slightly parted to the right as his tear-shaped markings did not represent tears anymore. "I've grown up watching alot of horror movies, and you could call me a coward for my many phobias."

“If you think I’m scary, you wouldn’t want to met werewolf.” said Cassandra, walking over to him. Miriana’s looks weren’t ugly and Cass was single for some reason. Can’t say that she didn’t try. “Please take a walk with me, my lord.”

Miriana, like most Jenrakian men, was oblivious to anything regarding relationships. In a land of suffering and pain, such feelings could not flourish. Therefore, his only reply was, "Alright." with a soft edge of uncertainty as to what the subject was.

Cassandra smiled and took his right hand with her left hand. “I don’t bite unless I want to.” she said, her black hair hidden her left eye, and the small pink tips showing themselves better being so close to her. The pink tips of her hair wasn’t dyed, it was something her mother blessed her with. “I’m playing again, my lord.”

Cass started walking, still holding his hand to make sure he was going with her, After she knew he was, she released his hand. “I have learned a lot through my mother’s connection to the underworld, but I haven’t learned that much about the Jenrakian Aristocracy. I know I’m part of it thought blood of my parents, along with Uncle Edward and his family.” she said. “What I really want to know is how much power to those within Aristocracy have? I‘m out of the loop on those things. ”

But was that really the reason why she got him away?

Miriana nodded. "Very well." He walked a bit to the end of the courtyard, looking at the edge of the drifting sandy fountains before turning around, his silhouette shimmering amongst the fracturing mirror-like sunlight. "The Jenrakian Aristocracy is split into four main subgroups; the Hezenguou, the Mekkethusjustus, the Arrakuza'am and the Viz'zaruunmininkiriathusian."

What was impressive was not the speed and accuracy upon which he pronounced the words, but the fact that he actually remembered them. "The Hezenguou are the earned aristocracy - nobles who have gained recognition by the king and are granted nobility by royal right. The Mekkethusjustus are people like you - those who have gained their status through marriage of another noble, or gained nobility as a stated heir within an aristocrat's will upon their death. The Arrakuza'am are religious figures, and the Viz'zaruunmininkiriathusian are those who have noble parents - you." Miriana replied, closing his eyes as if he were sighing.

"The power commanded by the Jenrakian aristocracy differs greatly in regards to power distribution. The lowest form of nobility commands nearly no more power than the commoner, while the highest noble can compare his influence to Chosen Nobles, whom are advisors to the king. There is one exception, and those are the Menekrungo Vizithkanju; they would rank on terms equivalent to that of the Chosen Nobles. I hope you do not plan on abusing your power. Even though you're a middle ranked noble, the power is still significant. I am part of the Genkosk, an organization not affiliated with the crown officially, so I have no noble rights."

Cassandra smiled as she listened to his words. At the end, she had gained more knowledge over her nation’s aristocracy. “No, I don’t plan on abusing my power. I only want to get a great knowledge of the aristocracy I’m part of.” she said, looking up at her as she was only five foot and maybe seven or eight inches tall. “Now, I have better feeling in where I’m ranked in the aristocracy. I see the Hezenguou as what happens in the United Dominion when my grandfather or the Lord Governors grants someone a title of a Duke of a city or a Baron of a state. Sektor Kroenen is one of those people, as his father was granted the title of the Duke of Habrigberg Prime after the Dominion took over her part of Sanduras. And Sektor got the title after his father died.”

She wasn’t trying to bore him, but she had to make up something up for her asking about the aristocracy. “A strange thing about Sektor is that his mother is a Sandurasian, but wasn’t living there when the war happened in her land.” she adds. “And he had blood red eyes all of the time. They are his real eye color.”

“Anyways, the Genkosk is at peace and allied with the White Captains, right?” she asked.

"There exists a fragile alliance between the Genkosk and the Menekrungo Vizithkanju. I would suppose it could be stated as a state of deadlock. The Menekrungo Vizithkanju are resourceful, influential and above all else, skilled, at what they do. Under their somewhat loose veil, they do have a very strong and highly rigid system. We of the Genkosk rely more on the fact that the world does not know as much about us. Though, why do you ask about our alliance?" Miriana asked back curiously.

“I’m trying to make sure my cousin has allies against this force I heard of form the underworld.” said Cassandra. “Umm…I think they called the Eroivizuun. From what I heard, their members are dangerous. I don’t know any of the names, but a few of my mother’s…um…workers ran into them and the outcome wasn’t good for those two.”

“It wasn’t my mother’s fault as those two messed with the wrong people.” she said with a sigh. “It makes me some what happy that your group is working with my cousin’s in a way.”

She smiled. “Um…what do you think of my mother? I’ll not be mad at whatever you say, I just want to know.” she asked.

"I don't have a base opinion on her." Miriana replied with a somewhat of a refreshing, yet slightly blunt, honesty. "She's there, but I can't form any conceptions based on her personality. If I had to comment on one thing, I would comment on the fact that she is hard to forgive." He stated.

"As for the Eroivizuun, my fellow Genkosk find them a threat to both our organization in terms of political sway as well as advancement in warfare. I've lost a few of my fellow Genkosk already - they have been trying to develop Elegance technology recently, most importantly the Aikuruns and the Collaborates." Miriana replied somewhat monotonously again.

"Besides, everyone can discern right from wrong based on society's views. It's all a matter of choosing whether you decide to follow those views." Miriana added, a slight smile at the end, once more his usually melancholic face lighting up into a flare of intense attractiveness, before reverting back to its gloomy self.

“Yup, you’re correct about her being hard to forgive. She like my grandfather in that way." said Cass, she looked at his face and sawed the changes, but she grew sad at the last face. “You’re a gloomy person, Miriana. Why is that?” She could have crossed the line, but she has always been open to everybody.

"There's no sad story, no melancholic tale behind this face." He said, his voice somewhat softer than usual. "I was born differently, and I was made into this. I stand as a testament to the dangers of the Eroivizuun. Like you, I had a friend who was hurt and killed by those who nothing more than torture of life. I sought retribution alone, for I was alone in the world." He closed his eyes, as if sighing, then opened them again. "I found myself way over my head, and the ones who punished made sure I would never smile again, with this sadness carved into my face. Though," He said, smiling once more, before reverting back, "I'm making progress. Sorry my story isn't dramatic, romantic or one of surprises."

"And those words are? I also figure that I can't just ask her to speak them, can I?" Marko asked

"Don't leave me." Suriga said, an obvious smile behind his thick veil. "I want to see Gelectriax say those words before I die. Though, I'll probably live longer than she will."

"There's no sad story, no melancholic tale behind this face." He said, his voice somewhat softer than usual. "I was born differently, and I was made into this. I stand as a testament to the dangers of the Eroivizuun. Like you, I had a friend who was hurt and killed by those who nothing more than torture of life. I sought retribution alone, for I was alone in the world." He closed his eyes, as if sighing, then opened them again. "I found myself way over my head, and the ones who punished made sure I would never smile again, with this sadness carved into my face. Though," He said, smiling once more, before reverting back, "I'm making progress. Sorry my story isn't dramatic, romantic or one of surprises."

“I’m sorry about what you have gone through. I feel your pain in a way.” said Cass, moving a little closer to him. She just got him to tell a stranger about something bad in his past. Maybe it was something or nothing. “I’m happy that you’re making progress.” For the first time that she had saw him, she blushed for some reason.

"There is no need to apologize for the actions of others." Miriana spoke with his usual tone. Looking at her carefully, he finally spoke. "Are you on a fever? Your face is red. Know that I'm not capable of taking of you in a condition. You should seek out medical aid as soon as possible."

"And am I correct in assuming you wouldn't count me just asking her to say it?" Marko replied as he'd thought Suriga meant a couple other words.

"If I hear them come from her mouth, you win. Easy as that." Suriga replied.

"There is no need to apologize for the actions of others." Miriana spoke with his usual tone. Looking at her carefully, he finally spoke. "Are you on a fever? Your face is red. Know that I'm not capable of taking of you in a condition. You should seek out medical aid as soon as possible."

She blushed more. “No, no, I’m not sick or have fever. I’m blushing for some reason.” she said. “You must have never seen somebody blush, you poor man.” She smiled. “I think I’m falling her you and I’ve never had this feeling with any of my past boyfriends. I don’t know what is happening with me.” She looked down at her feet, embarrassed that she had an outburst like that.

Miriana did not have any means of replying - it was obvious he had never bothered to notice women, nor did he ever do so. Pausing slightly, he finally replied. "If you've never had any of these feelings with those in relationships before you, then why did you have those relationships in the first place?"

"So it has to be done in your presence and sequentially, other than that, no restrictions?" Marko asked to clarify as if so then it seemed like it was suspiciously easy.

“Don’t get me lying, most to them were nobles from the Dominion and a few Jenrakian nobles.” said Cass, still looking down. She was trying to control herself. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?” she asked.

"Correct." Suriga replied with a smirk.

"No." Miriana replied blankly. "I follow in the belief that what I need to live is all I must strive for. There is no need for me to follow a romantic venue when there both no overall gain from it, and also no need for me to search for that path."

"Alright then." Marko replied, "Starting now or at dawn tomorrow?"

“You’re a strange one, Mister Miriana.” said Cass with a smile, looking back at him. “I haven’t met a man that didn’t want his bloodline to live on after he was taken back into the soil.”

"Starting now." Suriga said, looking at his watch.

"I see. Well, it's only a matter of time before you meet someone like this. I feel honored to be the first one to be classified as one who does not want my blood to continue." Miriana replied.

"Then if you excuse me." Marko replied as it seemed that Suriga would be timing to the second.

“You’re still strange. When you die, so ends your family’s bloodline.” she said, playing with her hair with her left hand. “Unless you have a brother or sister to carry the bloodline on.”

"I don't have any siblings. Besides, I highly doubt my bloodline, which is of no nobility, has any need to survive. My children wouldn't amount to much better than me." Miriana said with a strong sense of hatred.

Suriga only smiled, a simple smile that laced behind his elegant veil with a shimmering light, watching carefully as his fingers tapped slightly on his watch, looking with anticipation and interest.

Cass heard the hatred in his voice about his own bloodline, but his hatred wouldn’t make her talking. “Being nobility isn’t a reason for somebody to continue their bloodline. Being a noble or not, the person’s mind is the one whom want sot continue their bloodline.” she started. “From what I have learned from your behavior, you either think of yourself as useless or something else. How would you know that your children will amount to?”

"I am one of the manufactured offspring of Gelectriax, whom a generation no one knows. I am his clone, and my purpose, my only purpose, is to end up being him. So far, I've lived my life trying to negate that role, but if I can't, what else can I be?" He said, sitting down at the nearby bench for the first time. "As the leader of the Genkosk, I have a responsibility to maintain; the ensured survival of the Jenrakian state. I will kill, torture, destroy what is needed to ensure my peoples' survival and happiness. That is my goal."

Marko walked over to where Gelectriax was. "It seems that Suriga is finished with me, for the moment at least."

"I am one of the manufactured offspring of Gelectriax, whom a generation no one knows. I am his clone, and my purpose, my only purpose, is to end up being him. So far, I've lived my life trying to negate that role, but if I can't, what else can I be?" He said, sitting down at the nearby bench for the first time. "As the leader of the Genkosk, I have a responsibility to maintain; the ensured survival of the Jenrakian state. I will kill, torture, destroy what is needed to ensure my peoples' survival and happiness. That is my goal."

“I’ll respect that“ said Cass. “If you need anything, I’ll be here to aid you in your goal.” She smiled as him before looking around the courtyard. “I don’t think I have anything else to said, so you may leave me, if you want.” she adds at the end.

"What did he talk about?" Gelectriax asked.

"Thank you for your discretion." Miriana said, before stopping slightly. "When talking to a man, consider the fact that he is oblivious to your feelings." Miriana said, his head turning about, nodding. "Although I can't return your feelings, if you ever find someone else, call for me. I will definitely come to your aid - you are, after all, a member of the Jenrakian state, and I will promise your happiness." Miriana replied, before walking off.

The only thing she did was nod to what he said. As he walked off, Cass smiled as she learned a lot about her from him. Even through he didn’t share any feelings for her, she was still feeling happy. Maybe she gained a new friend in this world.

He’s strange person, but I know where he is coming from. she said to herself before turning to enter the castle.

"Miriana Treyuko." A voice said behind Cassandra, revealing to be Rashkta. "Master of Hadjou no Tensho, 34 years old, served in six of the eight revolutions for Jenrakian independancy, staunchly isolationist. Strong suits are his calm, assuring nature and his radiant, irreplacable smile. Number of girls ever dated; 1. He's an all around good guy, and I'm surprised you're giving up that easily on him."

"He said that he didn't think I should be here and gave me a bit of an ultimatum. He told me he'd kick me out unless you say three words to me in his presence." Marko commented, not lying but not telling quite everything.

"What words are those?" Gelectriax asked.

"I believe he said that he wanted you to say, 'Don't leave me.'" Marko replied as he stepped slightly back incase Gelectriax decided to blow.

"Miriana Treyuko." A voice said behind Cassandra, revealing to be Rashkta. "Master of Hadjou no Tensho, 34 years old, served in six of the eight revolutions for Jenrakian independancy, staunchly isolationist. Strong suits are his calm, assuring nature and his radiant, irreplacable smile. Number of girls ever dated; 1. He's an all around good guy, and I'm surprised you're giving up that easily on him."

Cassandra smiled and turned to face Rashkta. “I haven’t gave up, my dear lady.” she said, bowing to the older woman. “He is fourteen years older then me, but I haven’t thrown in the white flag. But I even I have met my match in a way.”

“When I was younger, I only dated boys in my age group at my school. So…mostly sons of Jenrakian nobility.” she started, lending onto the wall. “I didn’t start dating Dominionites until I was six teen with Sektor Kroenen, whom was older then me like two to three years, and was maybe my longest relationship ending after a full year. I’ve even dated Caleb Von Doom before he became the Lord Governor of Habrigberg. I’ve dated Brigadier General Rico Justice when I was eighteen and that lasted six months.”

“After dating a few sons of Dominionite nobility, I met General Cain Stromberg and dated him for sometime, but that relationship ended a few months ago and I want to start fresh.” she said. “I think I have a thing for military boys as most of them have been in a branch of United Dominion Military.”

“So…I’m planning my next move with Miriana.” she said with an impish smile.

"Well, remember his advice; assume they are always oblivious." Rashkta said, nodding to herself slightly. "Take my word for it; he isn't one to wait."

“Noted.” said Cass. “Think you can give me a helping hand with him? I would use the Annirak mafia do get info on him, but I have a feeling that you would be more helpful.”

"Hmm...Miriana Treyuko. Likes pixie sticks and listening to the sound of the ocean. He dislikes long walks on the beach, philosophy and long winded conversations. His weak, and the only way you can gain his attention is through his sister." Rashkta noted.

“Sister?” said Cass with a smile. She maybe found the best thing for her at the time. “Thank you for that information. I think you have gave me way into his heart, my white haired angel.” She smiled and asked “How can I repay you?”

"I believe he said that he wanted you to say, 'Don't leave me.'" Marko replied as he stepped slightly back incase Gelectriax decided to blow.

Gelectriax had a frown, a distasteful look of incredulity. "I'm never saying that, you understand?"

“Sister?” said Cass with a smile. She maybe found the best thing for her at the time. “Thank you for that information. I think you have gave me way into his heart, my white haired angel.” She smiled and asked “How can I repay you?”

"Give Miriana this message from me - Mother is ill again. You'll be paying for her surgery this time." Rashkta said, nodding.

"I guess in Jenrak it is a good thing to be predictable to your enemies. Well then I guess we shall have to make the most of the next three days." Marko commented in an almost urbane fashion.

"Give Miriana this message from me - Mother is ill again. You'll be paying for her surgery this time." Rashkta said, nodding.

Cass smiled, her eyes quickly move across the words. “I’ll deliver the message to him on your behalf.” she said before bowing to the white haired woman. “Talk with you later.” With that, she turned and started smelling for Miriana. Getting his blood in the air, Cass heads off to find him.

The blood smell grew stronger as she neared him. “Miriana! I have message for you.” she called out.

"I guess. But it's predictable now to be unpredictable. Sounds very recursive." Gelectriax said, shrugging. "These three days will be hell for me, I guess."

Miriana turned his hands still in his pockets. "Miss Darkholme? What is it?" He said, almost with an urgent, rushed tone.

Miriana turned his hands still in his pockets. "Miss Darkholme? What is it?" He said, almost with an urgent, rushed tone.

“A note for you.” said Cass, slowly down as she saw him. She holds the note out for him to get. “Somebody knew you were here, so they sent the message to the castle. It was handed off to be because I was the last person you were around.”

"Oh, afraid that I'll be harrassing you about your answer or something like that?" Marko commented, "Or that you'll break down and say what Suriga wishes you too?"

Miriana nodded, holding out his hand. "I would certainly like to have, thank you." He said, awaiting the note. "Though, who is it from?"

"Do you expect me to break down? Do you expect this to turn into some sort of love comedy?" She asked, annoyed.

"From what you've shown, not really. But does that mean we can't part friends and have a good time in the meantime. Afterall, your plan has taken a serious hit what with me being here for only three more days." He replied with a faint shrug.

Miriana nodded, holding out his hand. "I would certainly like to have, thank you." He said, awaiting the note. "Though, who is it from?"

“I think for your mother or something as I saw mother in the note.” said Cass as the note touched his hand and she freed her grip on it. Giving an innocent school girl look, Cass adds “Don’t get me lying as I only delivered it.”

"Yes, that's true. With Suriga's intervention, this has become more dangerous as well." Gelectriax agreed, nodding. "However, on my pride, I will not say those words. Fair?"

Miriana frowned. "Mother? What does she want?" He said, as Rashkta walked up towards him. "Must you always be here, Nirandu?" He said with a rude, hateful tone.

"It is up to you if you say them or not, I will not however press you to say them." Marko commented, then with a bit of a grin added, "Difficult, I would instead say nigh on impossible, unless you think you can get us married and your plan to its completion in a little under three days."

"Remember you're not the only one I can use. It's a simple matter of now that I've indulged your knowledge in my plan, it would be better to use you." Gelectriax replied.

Miriana frowned. "Mother? What does she want?" He said, as Rashkta walked up towards him. "Must you always be here, Nirandu?" He said with a rude, hateful tone.

“Hello, Madam Rashkta.” said Cass, turning and bowing to her. Rashkta was older then her and even through she was raised by a crime mistress, Cass need the ends and outs of being a nice person. “What brings you here to Annirak Castle?” She was playing dumb as she knew why she was here.

"True enought. So what would you like to do now?" Marko enquired

"Miriana, you're paying for the surgery." Rashkta said, as Miriana frowned.

"Mother is angry at me. She wouldn't accept blood money." Miriana replied with a tone of hatred, as Rashkta frowned back.

"Such a despicable son. She only wants you to learn responsibility."

Gelectriax shrugged. "I don't know. What's on your mind?"

"At the moment, wondering why you have this feud with Suriga." He said as he looked about to see who was nearby.

"Miriana, you're paying for the surgery." Rashkta said, as Miriana frowned.

"Mother is angry at me. She wouldn't accept blood money." Miriana replied with a tone of hatred, as Rashkta frowned back.

"Such a despicable son. She only wants you to learn responsibility."

Cass looked at Miriana with a shocked face and then frowned. “You lied to me, you know. Is Rashkta your sister, blood or step?” asked Cass.

"Suriga Kataask has been taking power from the aristocracy for years. Mostly mine." Gelectriax spoke with a certain malice and hatred.

"There is no lie. Rashkta is not my sister. She's my mother." Miriana spoke.

"And you haven't been able to prevent him, which is why you don't want to embarress yourself in front of him, yes?" Marko asked as Suriga didn't seem like that vile a person.

"There is no lie. Rashkta is not my sister. She's my mother." Miriana spoke.

“Okay…I didn’t see that coming.” said Cass with another shocked face. She smiled and faced Rashkta. “Think you can tell me more about your son and if he has anymore brothers or sisters.”

"You might be better asking him. I'm sure the disgraceful child would have a problem with his mother talking about him." Rashkta said, walking off as Miriana closed his eyes in a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry for that. Rashkta isn't the most pleasant of people, especially towards other people. I apologize for her rude behavior." Miriana replied, bowing his head slightly.

“You don’t have to apologize for anything, I know how mothers act.” said Cass, whom moved closer to him. She slowly moved her hands to his face to make him look at her. “Miriana, you’re full of secrets and to make our friendship work, there can’t be secrets. Please tell me about yourself, so we can be friends.”

"If we are understanding of each other, then I believe it would be prudent that we should be understanding of each other's needs to keep secrets." Miriana replied.

“You’re still a cute one.” she said, kissing him on the lips before he had time to pull away. After a few seconds, she pulled away and looked at him like an innocent school girl. “Do you need help with paying for your mother’s surgery? I can get the blood money cleaned, you know.” she said with innocent smile.

Miriana wiped his lips. "Please do not do that. It's not safe." He spoke. "Besides, the terms of clean money or not is merely a facade for me to ensure that my mother does not rely on me. I cannot speak out blankly that I refuse to help her, otherwise it would seem retribution worthy."

“Ah…you afraid, you’ll get something. It was just a friendly kiss…” said Cass, still looking like an school girl, holding her hands behind her back and had face that said ‘I didn’t do it.’ “Well, you can go again as you’re not looking for a girl to hitched with. So ,I don’t have to waste my time or your time. I’ll just find some other guy, maybe he’ll be as cute as you.” She winked.

"Abschied, mein Ritter." she said, with a small bow.

"Danke schoen." Miriana replied. "I wish you the best with your future."

"Oh, under that silly poker face of his lies a cold and ruthless politician." Gelectriax said, her fists white with trembling fury. "Damn Suriga."

“Same thing for you.” she smiled and blow a kiss before turning to move back into the castle. She was gone in a flash, leaving the killer alone.

"Then you shall just have to take your own scheme to a higher level, or lower, and do something surprising enought to unstable him so you can wrest him out of power." Marko commented as he noticed that Gelectriax seemed to be almost shaking with anger.

"But the bastard is always ahead of me for some reason. I'll get him." She said, before sighing. "However, I need to kill time. So, what do you want to do?" She asked.

"Is there anything of interest that you might recommend, such as a notable park or maybe a theater?" Marko replied as both would be interesting and enjoyable.

"Do you truly expect me to waste my time at such frivolous places?" Gelectriax asked.

"You did ask what I wanted to do." Marko commented with a grin.

"Fine, fine. A theater it is. Cinema or opera?" It was obvious she had no experience in talking to people when she wasn't upon a throne with a crown atop her head.

"Its up to you, thought I do wonder what you'd look like dressed up." Marko commented

A vein in Gelectriax's neck twitched. She was obviously not used to this, and obviously trying to suppress it. Whenever she would try to calm herself down, Suriga's ridiculous smile always popped up in her head, her blood pressure as she thought rising. "I'd rather go to the cinema."

"Then to the cinema we shall go. Do you want to choose the movie or shall I?" He asked as he noted the vein twitching and had a guess as to its reason.

"I'll pick it. I don't trust your taste in movies." She said, obviously taking her anger out on Marko.

"Afraid I'll pick a romance movie or something?" He asked with a grin as her anger simply washed over and around him without touching him.

"I don't romance movies that bad. The cliche factor provides a good laugh." She said honestly, without any care for others' opinions.

"Some of them are quite cliched I must agree. So what do you plan on picking?" Marko asked as he was quite versitile in his enjoyment of movies, if he got 'in the mood'.

"Hmm, I'm not good with movies. So, an amusement park? I don't know." Gelectriax said, her eyes like roughed diamonds - there were sparkling glitters of beautiful vestiges trapped within a black mass of unholy debris.

"What kind of amusement park, a water park perhaps?" He asked with a bit of a cheeky grin as he expected something of either an outburst or slap.

Her hands shook in fury. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She asked, her eyes closed in unbelievable difficulty.

"A bit yes. Since as you've said you don't intend to 'yeild', I figure we should have a good time in the remaining three days." He replied as he reached over and used a figure to trace the line of her jaw.

"I think - " Before that, a towel splashed above her mouth, the excited face of a handsome, prim and proper man smiling. Hezhoku Genkon.

"Mr. Lethe, let's go to a water park, shall we?" He said, chuckling evilly.

"That sounds like a good idea, shall we my dear?" He asked as he held out his hand for Gelectriax. As he offered her his hand, he bowed and gave her a very cheeky grin that seemed to almost ask for her to smack him.