Story: Meanwhile... The Bal is in Your Court

The summer sun is bright and heavy in the sky -- but Bál feels none of its warmth. Instead, the fire badger stomps down the halls of Aether castle, scattering servants in his path as he trudges headlong towards the throne room. His scowl, more so than usual, is set deeply in his face; it is as if he’d swallowed something rancid and was now feeling the consequences. Which, strangely enough, wasn’t entirely false: even now, he can feel the bitter pill of frustration squeezing down his throat -- and it was about to be worsened by this upcoming visit.
: (to a guard posted outside the throne room) I hear your king is back. Tell ‘im Bál is here to see ‘im.
The guard is taken aback by the authoritative tone, but he obeys the command, quickly ducking into the room to pass the message. He returns a moment later and starts to open the door -- only to be surprised again by Bál practically kicking down the door in his haste to shove through.
: Enjoy your vacation, Alaric?
: It was no vacation, Bál, but yes, the journey was successful.
: Really -- (his eyebrows jolt up) -- ‘cause I hear tha’ you had an out-of-body experience while you were th’re.
: It’s true, there were some… complications.
: But my people weathered the storm, both literally and figuratively, and we managed to secure allies in the Pae’aina region.
: (stops in front of the throne and offers a slow clap) Well done, your highness. You’ve gotten allies tha’ need three months notice to get here in case we need ‘em.
: When last we spoke, I told you that the next mission we went on would be of our own volition, and that we would obtain the allies that you so clearly wanted us to find.
: I believe your exact words were to, and I quote, “get more allies than just toga-wearers and warmongers.”
: That’s true -- but I had hoped tha’ you would start your search closer to home.
: That’s rich, coming from the one who sent my people to both an icy tundra and scorching jungle in the span of several months. Naklin and Kalka are not exactly next-door neighbors.
: No, they are not -- but you know as well as I tha’ Naklin was an important ally to make, considerin’ Gāng Tiě’s influence in their lands. An’ we needed to help Kalka ‘cause of tha’ damned ape, never mindin’ the fact tha’ if one of the “lungs of Avalon” burned down, it would be a catastrophe. I would’ve sent the guild alone, but seein’ as allies are needed in this newborn kingdom, you Aetherians got t’ tag along.
: And besides, if we’re talkin’ ‘bout neighbors, I can tell you that you’ve forgotten ‘bout two of ‘em: Gunjynh and Veethrfölnir.
: Pausanius has informed me that Gunjynh’s shah is not to be trusted--
: (snorting) I highly doubt those are the words he used.
: And our dealings with the Veethrfölnir have not been very helpful--
: Not helpfu-- you’ve not been to Veethrfölnir! An’ Aether City is too far south for any of their raidin’ parties to have inconvenienced you!
: While that is true, we still have had contact with some… how can I put this, um… chaotically enthusiastic representatives of the nation.
: Wha-- (he stops suddenly and his face drops)
: No, not them.
: Given the look on your face, I’m going to assume that you know of whom I speak.
: (shaking his head) Two… bea-- berserk individuals, regardless of how… outstandin’ their hijinks, should not prevent you from reachin’ out to the rest of the nation.
: But you forget, we have an ally in Nizhoni who could help us in times of need--
: Fat lot of good a tribe o’ fae bunnies would be to you in a crisis. They can hard’y even be a help to themselves, ‘specially with tha’ leader of theirs in the cond’tion she’s in.
: Wh--
: What? You don’t know? (squinting) Thought they were your allies.
: Not important-- (Bál waves a dismissive paw.) Now if you’d managed to get the help of the folks of Tsé Bit’a’í, then I’d be impressed: their Naat’áanii is quite the pow’rful ally.
: (with an exasperated huff) Did you come here with a purpose, or just felt like berating my every decision?
: As a matter of fact, I did -- to both your questions. I wanted to let you know tha’ I am leavin’ Aether for an extended trip. There are some concernin’ matters tha’ I must attend to in Veethrfölnir.
: You know... the place you don’t wan’ to deal wit’ in any diplomatic respect.
: Well, then by all means, go on ahead. You hardly need my permission, considering that you are not present more often than you are.
: I am quite confident that we will be fine without you.
For a moment, both leaders glare at each other, silently sizing the other up, daring them to say something they might regret as reluctant allies… but Bál suddenly breaks the silence with a grunt and a bow.
: In tha’ case, then, I’ll be takin’ my leave… howev’r, before I go…
He straightens and drills Alaric with a fierce stare:
: I would urge caution on you. You did great work in Pae’aina, I cannot deny tha’, but think for a moment wha’ could’ve happened to your kingdom while you were off makin’ friends across the world. Queen Tara is a reliable ‘mon to have in your place, but she is a queen, not a king, an’ there are some responsibilities tha’ she cannot complete. This is not to say she is incompetent -- but you are the king of Aether, an’ you must think ‘bout more than yourself an’ your own desires.
: You’ve made quite a name for yourself in the past few years, you do realize. You’ve been here as the foolish faraway king, more busy personally strollin’ into countries an’ meddlin’ instead of rulin’ your own country. An’, even when you are home, you are known to not be able to defend it without bein’ dragged into more messes.
: Remember tha’ the next time you want to secure new allies… an’ goodbye.
And with that, Bál leaves, just as surly as before… but with a certain amount of satisfaction at Alaric’s stunned silence as the throne door closes shut behind him.
Category:Meanwhiles
Category:Arc 2
Category:Aether