Dinner turned out well. The forest spider, despite being some kind of alien spider, actually tasted good. It was somewhat like crab in Alex’s estimation, just slightly less rich and more earthy. The servers brought out several more small courses and his reaction to them was... varied. Nothing was bad, but some of it wasn't something he'd go out of his way to have again in the future.
That pickled salad that came after the soup, though. He could eat that every day.
Alex did not fuss about anything, as he had promised. Adhered to every bit of formality that Carbon had taught him. He had been concerned that he wasn’t going to be comfortable being served in a formal setting but it didn’t faze him at all. That actually did make him worry a little bit, as though acceptance of a lavish treatment would make him a bad person. He was pretty sure that it didn’t, but the concern lingered in his mind.
The thing that was most disagreeable was sitting directly on a hardwood floor. His calves were less upset, but his legs had fallen asleep around the fourth course. Standing up as the feeling returned to them, with an audience he was actually sort of trying to impress, was going to be an interesting experience.
He thought that was bad until it became clear that there was no dessert. Why would you arrange ten courses and just have it end on a little palate cleanser after a third main? He was aggressively disappointed by that, there should have been some sort of interesting alien sweet involved. If he did only one thing as Crown Prince, it would be introducing the concept of desserts to whoever was deciding what got served at these events. Maybe that was childish, but it was still his favorite part of a meal.
Once dinner was over it was time to mill around having drinks and chatting. One of Alex’s least favorite things to do. Mercifully, they filed out to the lounge from least to most important so only Carbon, Eleya, and a handful of staff had to watch him almost eat shit into the table and hobble around like a newborn deer as sensation, horrible as it was, returned to his legs.
So he stood, nearly a head taller than everyone in the room, nursed his wine and pretended that his translator had broken. This went more smoothly than he expected, though part of that was Carbon tightening up what he was saying when she translated for him.
Everyone was very cordial face to face. Face to chest. Whatever. They came over in order of importance, starting with a few actually powerful people. A Duke, an Earl, and two honest to goodness Barons. Alex got that it wasn’t an important title but it was his favorite to say, and they both seemed really down to earth. A couple of Admirals - curiously not including the one that hadn’t shipped the right number of security personnel for them - and a General started off the non-royals, then several more slightly lower ranking officers. A big passel of senators followed on last.
Most of them had... he assumed spouses, as it seemed like that sort of function. Not everyone had visible marks indicating they were entwined, and a few times only one party did. He wasn’t really in the mood to speculate, but given where they were, he assumed they weren’t random plus ones. Alex went through the motions of highly formal greetings over and over again, careful to keep his tone where Carbon had coached him to sound dignified and not familiar, and to maintain a generally passive countenance. He played the role as best he could, and if he wasn’t doing well, Carbon wasn’t showing it.
By the time they had run out of in-person meetings, his calves were ready to violently exit his body. Pretty much every muscle group in his legs were in agony, a slight sheen of sweat on his brow all that outwardly demonstrated it. He was actually pretty surprised by that, but may have just gone into shock already, which would explain why it was so easy to ignore.
He still managed to sit gracefully when they took a seat, a pair of chairs tucked away in the corner, conspicuously close to some security personnel. Kept the screaming internal all the way over, too. Another victory under his belt for the evening. They both relaxed a little bit, chatting about the people they’d just met, all of whom Carbon apparently knew already.
Then Eleya came to ‘borrow’ Carbon. There were important discussions to be had involving her and the Colonel that Alex did not need to be part of. If he was not aware of Eleya’s interest in having him eavesdrop on everyone, he would have conjured any number of theories as to why his presence wasn’t needed. But he and Carbon knew what she wanted and didn’t protest.
It sort of reminded him of a dance he had gone to in middle school, where everyone split up by gender and congregated on opposite sides of the gym. Here it was just him tucked away between two tapestries with one long stride worth of space between himself and the crowd. Alex had cued up the phonetic translations for ‘my translator is broken’ and ‘I have just started learning Tsla’ in his Amp should someone actually come over to speak to him directly. While his immersion translator could feed him fully formed sentences in Tsla, he thought it unwise to pretend to have a conversational knowledge of the language given that he hadn’t mere minutes ago. Maybe he wasn’t going to be too bad at this spy stuff.
He was learning a lot, at least... but he wasn’t sure how much of it was going to be useful. The surprise at his height was common, as was his general largeness for a male. There was a fair bit of confusion about the fact he was male, being so large and having such muscular, feminine shoulders. Apparently his physique said ‘androgynous’ to their sensibilities more than anything. Less weird was the approval of his very proper table manners, and unexpectedly Tsla’o demeanor. He had learned from the best.
One guy, a new senator and the only blue Tsla’o he’d met in person so far, seemed like a real prick. Kept glancing over with a smug grin and saying things the translator’s dictionary didn’t have, which Alex was sure meant insults or swearing. It was nice to see that nobody joined in with him. Not even the General, who had seemed very cold when they had met. Alex was too far away to hear what was said, but it wiped that shitty smirk off his face for a good five minutes.
Sergeant Zenshen sidled up to him with a nod to the security detail and a deep bow to himself, a crooked smile on her face and visibly a bit tipsy. “You appear as uncomfortable as I feel. Where has your love gone?”
Alex hitched a thumb over his shoulder towards a side passage behind the next tapestry down the wall. “Some sort of meeting with Eleya. Didn’t need me to go along.”
She chuckled. “The Empress took Lhenan also. I believe I know what they are discussing while leaving us here in our discomfort.”
He perked up, curious as to what was actually going on. “Oh yeah? Don’t keep me waiting.”
She shuffled a step closer, almost shoulder to shoulder with him. “It is unusual to have an important action without a royal at the front. It shouldn’t be a problem, but everyone grasps at the old ways like a talisman now. There will be questions and complaints. It’s best to be ahead of them.”
“Huh.” If that was true, it did explain the looks being exchanged at the table. “That’s good to know.”
“It is.” The Sergeant sipped her wine, eyeing the room with caution. “They are all quite polite... but I think there is more going on behind their eyes.”
“This group? Really? There’s no way politicians would ever have ulterior motives.” Alex laid the sarcasm on heavily, assuming that politics were always politics no matter who was doing them.
Zenshen snickered. “Every intention as pure as the morning sun, I am sure.”
“Of course.”
They stood there for a solid thirty seconds, watching the conversations going on in the room. While he was sure he could ask her just about anything because of his station, he was still remarkably uncomfortable doing so.
Alex fortified himself with some more wine and forced out the question that was on his mind. “Did you wink at me earlier?”
The sergeant tipped her head. “Yes.”
“How did you mean that?” He wanted that to be a no, that he’d just seen her blink weird. There was a distinct dread in him that Carbon would not be fine with someone who wasn’t also classified as herself being interested in him.
“I think I like you. I don’t like a lot of Humans... Perhaps ten of the hundred I have now met? Many are fine, trustworthy. Just not someone I would get along with. I can say the same for the Tsla’o I have met. And, as Colonel Lhenan trusts Princess Sorenson’s judgment of you, I trust his judgment of her.” She swirled the wine in her glass, brow creased in contemplation before she continued. “I also think that you’re not an asshole, as far as I can tell. That is good. This- Whew. I have said so many words to get here. It means, as your people say, I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. I would say I feel the same way. You seem trustworthy.” That wasn’t what he was expecting, but he was pleased as could be to find that it was what he had hoped for. “I really wasn’t sure what to make of it, you know. A wink can mean a lot of things for Humans.”
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“Oh, it is the same with the Tsla’o. I should have thought of that but I am unfamiliar with the experience of...” She finished off her wine, and gestured at the throng of people. “This. It is throwing me off.”
“Noted. I don’t know how many people here are on my side... Other than Carbon and maybe Eleya, when I’m convenient. I know I’ve got a few enemies around as well. ”
“Yes, the assassination attempt. That sounded very unpleasant.”
“It was.” Alex finished his wine off as well. “It’s just been a hell of a month. Three weeks.”
A trio of Senators were the first to depart the meeting, two males that Alex barely recognized practically erupting from the side room hidden behind a curtain. They both looked unhappy, though the second actually appeared to be mad about something.
“Speaking of unpleasant. Looks like the meeting didn’t go as planned for somebody.” Alex hadn’t met them during the little meet and greet, so they must have been pulled aside before it was time for the lowly elected officials to bask in his glory.
“Indeed, they look like they really-” Stana put a stop to her comment as another Senator exited, this one turning towards them immediately.
Alex did recognize Senator Lanshen. He had actually spoken to her the other day, the older Tsla’o even making an impression through his shock at the post-execution-viewing party. She had been one of the few that wished him and Carbon well at the toast, which earned her a lot of points as far as he was concerned.
“It is very good to see you again, Prince.” The Senator spoke in English first, the sibiliant tones of Tsla standing out in her accent, but still perfectly understandable as far as Alex was concerned. She bowed deeply to him before repeating a much more shallow bow to Zenshen and switching to Tsla. “And I am glad to meet you for the first time, Sergeant. I understand you speak his language well? Are you able to translate for me?”
Stana went through the formalities, the presence of someone who would probably prefer strict formality sobering her up quickly as she returned to her native tongue. “Well met, Senator. Thank you for your kind words, I should be able to do that, yes.”
“Please tell him that he appears to be becoming more comfortable in the court every day, and thank him for his assistance with the language notes. The details he added made everything much more clear.”
The Sergeant repeated that back to him, very nearly verbatim. How long had she been working on speaking English? He really did not want to hear that he looked comfortable in the court, even if it was probably a good thing. “Of course, it was my pleasure to assist in ensuring that our species can communicate clearly and effectively.” He was a little surprised that something so... middle management had come to him so easily.
She looked to Sergeant Zenshen as she translated it back, and spoke quietly. “Thank you for your assistance, it is very much appreciated. If you would let the young prince know that I wish him and his beloved well, and that I would enjoy speaking with them both again, I would be deeply grateful.”
“Of course, Senator.” She switched from Tsla to English, relaying the message back.
Alex successfully fought the urge to reply directly and thought carefully about what to say, both of them watching as he made up something that sounded sufficiently formal, if not short. “I thank you, Senator. I would very much like that as well, I hope that our paths will cross again soon.”
The Sergeant translated his words and Lanshen lit up, touching him on the arm before she bowed and took her leave. Zenshen waited until the senator was well into the crowd before speaking again. “Looks like she fancies you.”
“Really.” It would explain why she was one of the few Tslao who actually seemed to enjoy his presence, even if it was not at all what he was looking for right now. "I thought she was just interested in humans."
“I’d say she is interested in a human, at least." One of them found that funny.
“Last time I talked to her, she had a couple of questions about human culture, greetings and that kind of stuff." He had been in a state of shock when he had last spoken to her, as well... He could have missed something, but was sure he hadn't. “Nothing untoward. Particularly since she’s trying to meet me and my wife again.”
"It may be so. Were you Tsla’o, that touch would have been a breach of conduct for a Senator... Except in a more private setting. Royals may get away with many things in private." The Sergeant hummed quietly, eyes watching the slowly thinning crowd and she dropped her voice. "I do not know if anyone has told you, Carbon is very attractive by Tsla'o standards. Smoking hot, your people would say."
"Well that- I mean, I've been told as much." Not in quite as colorful a manner, though. Would that end up on the list of things he had learned listening tonight? Perhaps not. "I'm not really getting that feeling from her. She wouldn't have done that in a room full of witnesses if she meant it that way, anyway. Right?"
Her shoulders lifted just a centimeter. "Given how often anyone looks our way, this is almost a private setting."
Colonel Lhenan exited the hallway next, coming to a stop before his subordinate and clearing his throat. "It is bad enough that you corrupt your own mind with those romance books. You do not need to do the same to him with their unreasonable fantasies."
She had straightened up as soon as she heard his voice, wine glass disappearing behind her back as she turned to face him. "Yes sir."
"Romance novels." Alex laughed quietly. So he had been correct about the senator not having some sort of intentions toward him. The relief he felt was unexpectedly intense until he noticed the Sergeant and Colonel Lhenan looking at him like he shouldn’t have been able to understand what the Colonel had said. Alex noticed Carbon standing behind them, mid-cringe. The amount of suspicion now in the conversation sent his comfort level crashing back to the ground. “I- I, uh... Have been learning Tsla. Slowly. It’s a process. I know more now than I used to, now.” Maybe if he said 'now' a few more times that would make it more convincing.
They didn’t seem to be buying that. Alex scrambled for something that would be more convincing to them and came up empty. That would be his story, he would stick to it. It did not stop him from looking to Carbon, silently pleading for her to do something.
“Neya also has an affinity for such stories... I have heard her speaking to Alex about them as she helps in his studies.” She stepped around Lhenan and took hold of Alex's arm, eyes turning towards her old friend. “They have yet to interfere with her duties.”
The Colonel seemed skeptical but held his tongue. “I will keep your experience in mind, Princess. May we take our leave?”
“Of course, Kaen. You do not need to ask me.”
Colonel Lhenan glanced at Alex and then back to Carbon. “I know. I am not asking you.”
It took Alex a second to understand that the Colonel was talking about him. “Oh. Oh yeah, it’s fine. If she said something, I’m good with it too.”
“Thank you, sir. Have a good evening.” It almost seemed that just listening to Alex was taxing for the older Tslao. The two soldiers bowed and departed, Zenshen staying a step behind and depositing her glass on the bar as they passed by it.
The smell of ozone announced Eleya before she said anything, a pair of cloaked guards stepping silently past them. “It is time for me to depart, as well.”
No one bothered with the pretense of translating for him. Carbon gave Eleya a shallow bow, speaking in Tsla again. “Of course, dear aunt. Sleep well.”
“I do not intend to depart alone.” She gestured for the two of them to follow as she headed for the double doors across the room. Not much in the way of choices, Eleya’s little entourage made several stops to say goodbye before they found themselves back in the waiting room.
“Do you have yet more plans to discuss?” Carbon said in English, clearly not enthused by this prospect.
“No. Nothing that has not been covered already, but I do wish to speak with the young prince. Privately.” She held out a hand and one of her guards deposited his translator into it, in turn holding it out to him.
That was not what Carbon wanted to hear. “If there is anything that he can discuss, we can discuss it.”
“I’ll be fine.” Alex took the device from Eleya’s hand, smiling as he settled it on his shoulders. He didn’t particularly look forward to a private chat with Eleya, but he knew what she wanted to talk about this time. Probably.
“It is not that I doubt you.”
He laid his hand on her shoulder. “But you don’t trust her?”
She gave Eleya a sidelong glance and nodded. “Yes. That is it.”
Alex shrugged and looked at the vague silhouette of the guard standing over his shoulder. He reached out and gently punched him in what Alex hoped was his shoulder. “I got these guys to look after me. They’re pretty good, right?”
Given that Carbon had overpowered their Captain with nothing more than a chair and a well placed kick, then held his weapon at the Empress’ throat just a few hours ago, she was unimpressed with them right now. “They are loyal to her.”
“I have stretched my word to you painfully thin, but please understand that I have no ill plans for him. I just wish to speak in private. You know how the court operates.” The Eleya that cared was back. The one that felt like family, that you would actually want to spend time with.
“I do.” Carbon sighed and patted Alex’s arm. “Hurry home.”
"You know I will." He flashed her an easy smile, the annoyance he felt at this situation safely stored away inside where it could fester until they had finished parting ways.
The attendant from earlier brought Carbon her cloak and helped her get it on, his very fancily dressed wife departing on her own moments later.
Alex all but threw himself into one of the wide, well padded chairs, fingers working the laces on those damned boots as fast as they could before slipping them off with a relieved groan. He resisted the urge to hurl the hateful torture devices away from himself, instead carefully lacing them together and tossing them over his clothed shoulder. Eleya and the attendant were just staring at him, and he assumed Eleya's guards were too. "What? Everything important is covered. You might suffer for tradition but I'm the one about to end up back in sickbay over it."