Xaviers!

Prince Alex strode into the common room of the dorms, y'know, like an asshole. Flanked by his personal guard, and with big, purposeful strides, he headed towards Katarina's room, a man on a mission.

((open))

"I wouldn't, if I were you," Sam says, not looking up from her studies.

"I beg your pardon?" Alex said, halting in his tracks. The nerve.

"I wouldn't barge into a dorm full of mutants like that. I understand your bodyguards make you feel safe. They don't actually make you safe."

She still hasn't looked up.

"Are you threatening me, miss..." he said, trailing off.

"I'm not threatening you. I'm giving you advice. This isn't going to go the way you think it will."

"Your highness."

"Mmm. And you would be, what, the Princess' watchdog?" Alex said, with a tone that was intended to try to place Sam in her proper place.

"I would be someone who has seen enough people try this."

"I didn't have to warn you."

"The Princess has made a habit of sending suitors away, has she? Well, no matter. They weren't royalty before, nor did they have such a convincing argument."

"Bit of a one-track mind, huh?"

"I wouldn't expect a commoner like yourself to understand the complexities of the court, naturally," he said, sticking his nose up slightly.

"...pretty sure I outrank you, your highness."

"Oh, I believe not.

And if you did, it would be temporary, anyway."

"That would be an interesting party trick."

"We do, in fact, throw some very interesting parties. And I'm sure a good number of you will be invited."

"Bribing me usually doesn't work, your highness."

"You have a rather high opinion of yourself, to believe that you would be someone even worthy of considering a bribe," Alex laughed. "No, no, a celebration, that is all. Of Symkaria's future."

"Oh, you're writing the wedding invitations already?"

"Well, not me personally. I have people for that."

"Have you even met her? Gotten to know her?"

"We have known each other for years at this point. The nobility isn't that large of a circle.

And besides, I know all I need to know, at this point."

"Alright, have you known her since you stopped fighting over toys with her?"

"There are a plethora of social occasions and festitivies which we both are obligated to attend, yes. I saw her quite regularly before she vanished into the mists of Albion, as it were."

"Did she ever give the impression she found you rolling up escorted by a wall of meat charming?"

"There are certain realities one keeps in mind when you get to be as important as we are, or have you not noticed Lieutenant Novak hovering like a worried den mother?"

"I think you'll find that 'Lieutenant Novak' is a student here."

"That might give you the impression that the princess has a certain interest in being seen as an ordinary student here too."

"How kindly do you think she'll take to a prince barging in and blowing her cover? Do you think that'll just be a fun story to tell the kids a few years from now?"

"Oh, it doesn't particularly matter how she takes it, you see. She understands her responsibilities, I am sure."

"You're making it very hard for me to resist telling you something about yourself that I'm fairly sure you won't want to know."

"Do be careful to watch your tone, my dear. Jealousy is not a good shade on you."

She finally looks up from her studies to meet the prince's gaze.

"You will never soar high, nor very low. You will live a life of quiet mediocrity, never achieving the promise of your birth or position. You will never know danger or love, and you will question every moment of happiness you get. In the end you will be alone and you'll wonder what you could have done differently. Darkness will come before the answer does."

Her tone is even the entire time, and her eyes never leave his.

The prince took a half-step backwards -- Sam's presence was enough to shake him up after a speech like that, and he didn't immediately fully regain his composure.

"Wh...why, you...

How dare you speak to me in that manner! What is your name?"


Alex's body man positioned himself between Alex and Sam. He maintained a professional demeanor on the outside, but a skilled telepath would notice he wasn't entirely upset at seeing the Prince put in his place.

"I am battle-wise and crow-cunning. I existed when your ancestors didn't know what berries were safe to eat, and I'll still be in this world long after you're dust."

"I am the only one who wins in every battle in mankind's history. Mór-Ríoghain."

"I have not come for you this day. Nor will I any day, because your final moments will be beneath my notice."

"You're insane, is what you are," Prince Alex said, with a bravado not at all matched by his tone. "You may not be my subject, but you deserve a good thrashing.


...


Andrei, that was your cue to start a good thrashing."


For what it's worth, Andrei didn't look particularly eager to step forward here, either.

"Go home, your highness."

"Oh, I will go home. I will go home for good!"

...That didn't sound quite as threatening as he hoped.

He strode off, back into the dorms, back towards Katarina's room, and completely coincidentally away from Sam quickly.

Sam shakes her head and returns to her studies.

Before Prince Alex can make it to Katarin'a door Nika steps out of her room, eyes widening when she sees him walk down the hall with his bodyguard.

"<Your Highness.>" she says, startled. "<You're beginning to cultivate a reputation for showing up unannounced.>"

"<The Princess and the Headmaster both know I am to arrive. That covers the extent to which my movements are a concern of the university, wouldn't you say?">

"<Her... Highness must have forgotten to inform me. My apologies.>" she says, pressing her closed fist against her shoulder.

<"I expect she is under some stress at the moment, do not worry. I have not mentioned to her our discussions, so have little fear.">