LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR..
***In the Imperial grounds of Continent 'Eclipse of the Oceans'..
***Imperial City(Within the Imperial ground's circumference)..
***In the Inner section of a Relaxation center and bar..
..
"Without our investment, what are the chances that the princess would sit on the throne?."
The veiled woman denies an answer to the man's question but the slight change in her breathing shows a hint of building agitation.
. "..I do not expect you to give an answer and I'm not interested in the believes of a mere messenger. Everything comes with a price including our very generous plans of investment. Although nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to the throne, we are confident enough to say that we triple your very low chances and if it still does not work out then we'll try our best to even it out and withdraw.".
"My master does not exchange vows with people who are 'Not exactly in the light'..", The veiled woman calmly spits.
"..Unless absolutely necessary.", The man confidently cuts her off much to the veiled woman's annoyance as she stares at him with narrowed lime eyes.
"Thirty years. You have the time span of Thirty years to make a decision as we are not in a hurry.", The calm mystery man says as he puts a small Scarlet coloured crystal on the table right in front of the veiled messenger.
"The sooner you make your decision the better because anything above thirty years would be too late. Tell your master to input her aura in the crystal when she realises how much she needs us.", The man says with a small smile meant for provocation as the veiled woman keeps staring coldly at him. She's obviously imagining ripping him apart for his rudeness and cockiness.
Reminding herself that she's just the messenger and middle-woman, the veiled woman calmly takes the scarlet shaded crystal off the table without any extra actions.
Fei Lin who's been following the entire conversation sighs inwardly.
What are the possibilities that he cacthes such a shady exchange at the right place and timing?.
He must be either insanely lucky or insanely unlucky or both and his curiosity definitely did not help the matter.
Now, Fei Lin is a hundred percent solid on the fact that the Princess being referred to in this conversation is the most unpredictable card in the Imperial heirloom game,.. 'Princess Seflim'..
And so, the master being referred to must be her mother.. Imperial Consort Tamara. With these clues, the veiled woman present for the exchange must be either the Consort's Counsel or a highly trusted confidant.
*PAÑG!*..
Without a change in his trained expression, Fei Lin moves a black piece to counter a possible red move on his game board.
So.. it seems that very shady people are extending very volatile branches to the True Princess's side of the situation. The fact that the people from Consort Tamara's side give such people listening ears means they are either desperate or about to hit desperation in terms of resources(Power, Wealth, Influence and sway) that an Imperial Consort like Tamara is definitely lacking compared to the competition.
*PÅNG!*..
"Interesting.", Prince Fei Lin cannot help but mutter to himself as he makes a red piece dance on the board.
He has no plans on getting himself involved in such an obvious storm that can either sweep him off his feet or claim his life and so he keeps himself firmly at the position of a spectator while hoping that one day he can anonymously use this information to his benefit.
The spy barrier around the suspicious duo soon disperses as the mystery man makes a calm exit from the room though after taking a sip of his already filled cup.
Being cautious, the mystery man once more releases wave after wave of mana for cross inspection as his legs move to the stairs.
*PAÑG!*..*PAÑG!*..
*PAÑG!*..*PAÑG!*..
*PAÑG!*..
With a sigh, Fei Lin suddenly moves a black piece and clears five red pieces in one go!.
A couple more clever moves and the game is over with Fei Lin winning against well,.. himself.
Honestly, he though he would lose.
The veiled woman soon makes her exit after the man is gone though unlike her entry, she does not draw much attention.
Turning to Lorin who has been diligently refilling his cup with Alcohol, Fei Lin asks like nothing ever happened..
"Do you play checkers?."
...
...
***On Planet Gieă..
***Inner Outskirts of Continent 'Eclipse of the Ocean'..
***In a Small house on top of a hill..
..
Navi is currently seen standing in front of a basin in a small bathroom.
He is tying a small slick white towel around his waist as he looks towards a steamy mirror with indifference and a bit of exhaustion in his gaze.
Supporting his body by resting his palm against the basin, Navi looks towards the blurry mirror with water steam on its surface. Slowly, He moves a wet palm against the mirror's cold and glassy surface
¡Slick¡
With an almost silent motion of his hand against the glass, Navi removes some of the steam blurring his facial reflection from the mirror's surface. Taking his palm off, Navi looks at his facials with his face staring back at him.
The reflection of Navi in the mirror shows a light pale face that's still undergoing developments. His skin comes in a deep yet pale tone with dark-circles beneath his eyes that serves as testament to sleepless nights.
Blurry pink thin lips placed under a perfect straight nose heightens Navi's visuals though the most distinct of his features still remains his distinctly layered orange iris.
His eyes truly are unique.
Slightly Oval Ink-black irises are surrounded by shades of deep orange that's followed by a lighter shade of orange. These layers of orange in his eyes are braced by a very thin layer of fiery brown by their edges and this thin brown separates his colourful iris from his whites.
Navi's eyes holds the greatest of his charm as they are a rare masterpiece of nature's. Thet appears piercing in even his softest stares yet gentle the longer you stare into them.
Most would be but Navi does not seem at all impressed or proud of his breathtaking visuals. Without care, Navi sweeps back stray wet strands of ink black hair into position as he bends his head forward.
With a silent sigh, he uses a small bowl to take water from a larger bucket before slowly pouring the cold water over his head. Pouring the water, Navi stares into his own eyes in the mirror with an unflinching intensity.
He must not sleep!.
No!.. He cannot sleep.
Navi tells himself inwardly as the cold water grazes over his back, neck and pale skin in order to remind himself of the pain he would have to bear if he so much as closes his eyes for too long.
That powerful voice full of madness and passion..
THE TERRIFYING ECHOES!..
THE SCENES OF BLOOD AND DESTRUCTION!..
THE EMOTIONAL PAINS HE CANNOT EVEN UNDERSTAND!!!..
AND FINALLY.. THAT ONE QUESTION. THE ONLY THING HE COULD CLEARLY HEAR IN THOSE HELLISH HALLUCINATIONS!..
WHAT TRULY IS BALANCE?..
..
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS BALANCE?!!!!..
..
WHAT. DO. YOU. THINK. IS. JUSTICE?!!..
..
Remember all of this, Navi hand that's griping the basin becomes pale from the force he applies as his breath quickens.
A drop of blood flows down the side of Navi's nose from his right eye like a tear drop!.
The bowl of cold water he is holding-up drops down to the ground as Navi holds on to the basin sink with both his hands in order to stop his feet from failing.
The trauma is evident in his breaths and eyes and even more in his mind.
..
What truly is balance?!.
..
Navi would do almost anything to know the answer to this!.
..
..