It wasn't clear how exactly it all happened but the news of a possible opposition sparked interest to a certain crimson-haired woman. Of course Serenity would conclude to such a ridiculous idea - Holding a meeting in an attempt to be diplomatic with a possible threat. How naive! How perfect!
"To the stars through difficulty my friends. We must put aside our differences to work towards a peaceful resolution. This does not need to turn to acts of war. In an attempt to cease a cycle of unnecessary means we will lend you our support in times of peril. We will lend you our resources. Likewise, we would be honored to have your attendance among our finest soldiers. On behalf of the Moon Kingdom, I would like to offer you a place in our United Intergalactic Republic. Together, we can make a difference and build a better future for our people." The Queen sat upright looking to the others with confidence. Her demeanor calm, and her voice sweet, yet assertive.
The ambassador remained unfazed exteriorly, though what was going on in their head was a mystery. A figure adorned in a metallic attire underneath an earthy colored cloak. Long golden hair fell over the hood at the back contrasting with the dark brown color.
"Aubscrisht in'achtes, einreich fineich."(1) A man to her left in a similar cloak uttered assuming no one of such high stature would dare speak this language among rogues, Saggittarian.
"Ausch'it mein'echto."(2) Another similarly dressed man accompanying her commented equally candid to his leader.
The passing comments caused a brief smirk to form against her face as she proceeded to keep her view on the Queen who was briefly busying her eyes with a small pile of papers in front of her.
During this time, the cloaked woman who had been standing at the Queen's side made her way over to the three equipped with a pitcher of water. She would begin to refresh a glass with fresh contents as she leaned in towards the woman's ear. "Acht trist'hem pershtem seich'trenis ses'pacht."(3) Her voice concealed and dared to utter into the ear of the ambassador as she went to place a glass of water down before her. The others didn't appear to notice what just transpired nor heard what was said. The woman shot a glare to the cloaked figure.
At that moment the one under the hood would turn their head so that their face was partially visible. A small smirk would cross her expression quickly passing as she went to fill the two men's glasses. She would walk away and out of the room having a set of eyes follow her. The ambassador had a look of suspicion bestowed upon her, but quickly dismissed it when the Queen began to speak again.
"I would like to end this meeting on a note of peace." Her crystal blue eyes set upon the three again. "Please reconsider your disposition."
The woman's eyes set upon the royal figure with little expression, if any, trying to hold back a sinking feeling she suddenly had. Her figure stiffened a bit.
"If I may, I request a moment alone with my men to think this matter over."
A nod responded in return. "The counsel will resume position after hours."
"Baseemeh." Her reply was in Old Lunas, an unused language but one the Lunarians of high status studied and were familiar with. She would bow her head forward politely proceeding to raise herself to a stand.
Serenity would bow her head in return proceeding to stand as well. The other men with the rest of the counsel stood afterwards.
Her heart was pounding. She didn't expect that kind of response from such a person and had a sinking feeling this was a far call from being over.
"A job well done, Metallia." A figure in a black, hooded cloak sounded from behind her. "You have successfully attained the attention of the ambassador."
"I do not wish for such attention to be drawn upon myself." Her tone was sharp as she shot a heavy glare to the mysterious figure - Her new-found advisor and ally towards her supposed best interest. She continued to hold her hand to her chest as her breathing remained heavy.
"You there!"
Now she had really gotten the attention of the ambassador. Her body froze in place. She stiffened as her body would not permit her to move. A hand clenched at her side as the sound of foot steps sounded behind her. Her new found accomplice had seemingly vanished from sight and it seemed it was just her. She slowly turned to face them not saying a word.
"Saggittarian, you speak it, yes?"
"I do not know what you are talking about." The woman turned away hopping to just walk away.
"Acht trist'hem pershtem seich'trenis ses'pacht."(3) The figure would advance closer stopping just in back of her. Metallia slowly turned to see the ambassador standing within arms reach of her. "Who are you?" A piercing crimson gaze stared to her with eyes narrowed.
"I… I am Lady Metallia." She stood unwavering while on the inside she was truly scared. She looked back to the woman with an intent gaze not intending to back down.
"Not many are familiar with our language, especially those of Lunarian decent." She paused. "How does one such as yourself come to know this?"
"W-Well, I…" Metallia trailed not having the answer to how she knew. She was panicked on the inside. "I…" A sudden force inside of her took over. A confidence radiated from her being as she straightened her figure to stand par to par with her. "It is not important as to how I have come across your language. What is more concerning are the words Queen Serenity speaks so freely. It is seeming as if the remedy itself is worse than the disease." Her view shifted to one of the men standing behind the ambassador. The man in turn narrowed his eyes. Metallia simply gave a small smile before quickly turning her attention back to the woman in front of her. "I mean you and your men no disrespect, My Lady. It's just…" Her voice trailed in thought. Yes, there was something very disconcerting amiss… "I fear some of the tactics of the queen may be in question."
"No doubt they are." The woman crossed her arms over her chest still keeping a watchful eye on Metallia. "You are quite brazen to be speaking so illy of your leader. Standing in such close proximity to her, I would also say you are someone she trusts. How even more impudent." Her words were disapproving, yet there was something slightly different being conveyed in the way her demeanor was. Though one could only speculate.
Metallia looked down for a moment taking in what the woman was implying. "Yes, those words are quite ill," She looked up again. "but I am looking out for our people's best interest. I have stood by her side in the shadows watching. I can only advise, but cannot change what is inevitable."
"What might that be?"
"A future promised that does not exist."
This caused the woman to let out a chuckle. "Do you truly believe that?"
"With all of my being." Her eyes looked sternly never being so sure of herself. "Your decision today will effect the lives of all of us. I beg of you to choose wisely."
"Hmpth. If your intentions are to sway my decision, you will be disappointed to hear that I have no intention of changing my mind."
"I do not want you to." The look on Metallia's face was dead serious as she spoke those words.
The ambassador bestowed a look of surprise for a moment. She quickly regained her composure having a smirk form against her face. "You do realize what this will mean, do you not?"
"I am aware."
"Then you know that this 'promised future' will surely never come. Death and destruction will come to you and your people and this kingdom will fall to ruins."
"I do not see it that way, My Lady." Metallia was greeted with a set of narrowed eyes. "This kingdom needs a reform. Serenity has promised us a future of prosperity but she is wrong. Her tactics will not work and she alone will be this kingdom's demise."
"De'reicht ich." (4) Came the voice of one of the men, slightly hoarse and deep. An average sized gentleman clean shaven ontop of his head with a small strip of black hair from his bottom lip to his chin. Dark green eyes narrowed to the strange woman before them.
"Ich serenit'act(5), Orin." The second male spoke in a stern voice to the other. He was tall with long silver hair, with pale blue eyes. His arms remained crossed as he looked to neither person surrounding him.
The ambassador did nothing to stop the two knowing any further interruption would cease immediately.
"Doubt me if you will, but I know of your people and what you stand for. Serenity is none of that, and I cannot remain silent while the only hope for this kingdom is right in front of me."
"Hope… Is this something you believe in?"
"I do."
"Lady Metallia! Thank goodness you're here! The queen has been looking for you..." A voice called from the distance before quickly becoming wary of the group they were approaching. A man in a dark blue cloak with short brown hair and emerald green eyes stiffened his figure and slowed his pace realizing the company he was now in. "I… I hope I am not interrupting anything." His voice lowered slightly.
"Lord Daisuke." Metallia recognized the man. He was the same man who she had awaken to after she had fainted the night of the Queen and King's wedding. A night she would rather forget ever happened.
"D-Daisuke, My Lady." The man bowed his head with a slight blush.
"…Daisuke, I…"
The ambassador stepped between the two looking to the new comer. "We were just on our way. I apologize for keeping the lady from her duties. You may tell Serenity we are ready to make our decision."
"Y-Yes, My Lady. I will tell the queen immediately." The man gave a bow before looking to Metallia. "My Lady, I will escort you back if you-"
"-There is no need for that." Metallia spoke calmly. "I will walk myself."
There was concern in the man's eyes. "Are you certain, Lady Metallia?"
"Lord Daisuke, please. Just go."
"…As you wish, My Lady." The man would nod reluctantly consenting to the woman before turning to walk off.
"We are done here." The woman would walk off a distance after the man. The two other men silently followed behind, one of them, the bald gentleman giving Metallia a quick glance before turning away completely.
Metallia stood with her fists clenched at both of her sides. She was infuriated. How dare they mock her - All of them. They don't know anything.
"It seems you are alone once more, Metallia." A familiar voice greeted her from the shadows.
"I did what you have asked, now leave me be." Metallia replied bitterly to the voice wishing it would just go away.
"You know just as well it is not that simple. This is just the beginning, Metallia."
The woman turned sharply to the voice but to her surprise there was nothing there. A puzzled expression washed over her face. Was her mind playing tricks on her? No… There was something… For now she would leave it be proceeding to make her way back to Serenity. At least with her, she could find something remotely predictable.
A cloaked figure walked back into the room. It was the same room the meeting was being held in as everyone had returned to their prior seating arrangements. She was late. Metallia kept her head low and her eyes to the floor as she quietly made her way to the side of the queen. Serenity gave a light nod in acknowledgment.
A set of crimson eyes briefly fell upon a certain cloaked figure. Metallia stiffened catching the glimpse to which of course Serenity was utterly oblivious to notice.
"As I was saying, we would like to first observe your kingdom firsthand to better accustom ourselves with your government before making a final decision. An extended visit if you will." The voice of the ambassador finished having her view back on Serenity.
"Granted. We would be delighted to have you. Please take as long as you need. I will have one of our guards at the entrance escort your party to your rooms." Serenity smiled sweetly to the group.
Oh how Metallia was just cringing inside on how disgustingly sweet the queen sounded. She dared not show any sign of it exteriorly as she stood stiff. Ironically enough, she was ready to fulfill her duty to her queen at the drop of a hat. Anything to get her mind off of what had transpired earlier.
"This meeting is now adjourned. You are all dismissed." A bell lightly rung as people began to raise from their seats to exit the room. "Lady Metallia, if you would, I request that you stay a moment so I may discuss some matters with you."
"Of course, my queen." Metallia bowed her head but not before noticing that the ambassador had not yet left.
"Since I cannot always be present, I would like for you to be my eyes and ears when I am unavailable." A pause. "I would like to delegate to you solely, the duty of assisting the ambassador in acquainting herself with the grounds and to be courteous to answer any questions she may have."
Metallia suddenly felt as if she were the center of a twisted joke. Had the queen gone mad? "I-I…" The words weren't coming out of her mouth nearly as fast as she had wanted them to. Truth be told she was shocked and didn't know how to respond. At least in any way she didn't already know how to. "Yes, my queen." Oh how she hated herself for answering on instinct. What was she thinking? What else was she to do? Logically, the answer was to run, but she wouldn't dare be an upstart and object to her queen.
"I thank you Lady Metallia." Serenity sweetly smiled. "You are dismissed."
"Yes, my queen." Metallia bowed forward respectfully before turning a heal to walk out as calm as possible.
"Deit'ch invach't rei'ch ach'tet(6), Metallia." The voice of the ambassador sounded within close proximity. It was then Metallia had looked up to see she had crossed paths inevitably as the ambassador had begun to walk over to Serenity as she was walking away. She said nothing in response spotting a small smirk on the woman's face. A fist clenched at her side as she hurried out the door and out of that dreadful room.
Notes: The language is partially my own B.S. of a language. However, the phrases do come from actual phrases in Latin. Also note that I am not proficient in Latin, nor claim to be. I researched phrases on the great WWW and came across the following:
(1) "Acribus initiis, incurioso fine." (zealous at the commencement, careless towards the conclusion)
- This said I was roughly trying to come off as some sort of saying along the lines of something that is meant to be persuasive, but cannot be backed by facts. An "all talk" per say.
(2) "Aegrescit medendo." (the remedy is worse than the disease)
-The solution will be worse than what is already done.
(3) "Ad tristem partem strenua suspicio." (the minds of men who have been unfortunate are prone to suspicion)
(4) "Deliriant isti." (roughly translated to accusing someone of being crazy)
(5) "Ex silentio" (derived "from silence")
(6) "dum invicem rursus occurremus" ("until we meet again")
"Baseemeh" on the other hand, is Assyrian (according to the WWW) for "thank you"
