Chapter 396 - Apexi (1/2)
Cold was the night and freezing came the breeze. A man dressed semi-formally wandered to the tall building of Lekdo. The latter seemed a lair for a demon for the weather thundered each minute, each second, depending on its mood. A flash followed by rambles of a famine beast. A tale told by the elders, when the night growls, tis when the gods are angered.
*Beep,* a notification came from the door. ”Father, shall I get it?” shouted across the hallway.
”No,” returned one deeper. Turned with a click, the door's unlocked seemed as if a prison gate.
”Hey,”
”You're here,” the door opened to an exquisite living room. Off to the right side sat Julius with the repetition of news from the Jester's return. The day was named Act II.
”I did it,” said the man dripped from the trousers due to rainfall.
”I see that,” quick to point to the shower, ”-go on, have a change, there's clothes readied. Join me in the study afterward.” The man moved listlessly to do what was told. The water's warmth provided a little comfort, the mind fixated on but one thing, frustration.
”It's the second I've seen him, who is it?” asked Julius.
”An old friend, don't worry, he's truly worthy.”
”If you say so,” he turned from being lent on the couch to face the screen.
A few days had gone since The Jester's Act II, a title conveniently given by a local, unpopular, newspaper. They took to the Arcanum instead of traditional paper print. As many skipped over another crucial matter that day, said source managed to scoop the pivotal events. Scott and Lady Aceline's parting. One of the most renowned managers leaving his client on unknown and mysterious notes. Devoted fans were enraged by the manager's decision. A would-be angered mob of supporters, thanks to the proceeding of said day, were stopped by the Jester. Some clueless commenters voiced a mild yet bitter rumor – the two incidents could have been linked.
”Good evening.”
”Good evening, come in.”
”Thanks,” to which he took a seat.
”Shall we begin?” asked the other.
”Let's,” said he. The topic of discussion, after Scott's departure from Aceline's care, was his employment.
”I can't believe you were right,” said the manager.
”Honestly speaking, I wanted to have Aceline model for my company. Turns out, she hates me far worst than before. 'Not to forget, my real target was you, Scott. Aceline might have talent and prestige, it all but serves to have her ego elevated. You, on the other hand, are hardworking and to the point, a strong justice when it comes to fame and fortune. My involvement all but added the fuel to ruin their relationship. I would apologize, though, it would but serve as empty words. The scheme to have the AHA suffer has begun.'
”I was a little fearful at first,” said Scott with a nod, ”-to hear from you after all this time. Here I figured the king to be busy. The points said were spot on, Aceline is deluded from reality. Her fame has climbed to her head. Not many people know of her affairs with politicians and people of power. I told her countless time to not get involved, yet, she does what she wants. It frustrates me, the brat from the Patek Dynasty pisses me off even more.”
”The Patek Dynasty, what about them, what of the son, care to tell me about the happening?”
”Oh, it escaped my mouth.”
”Do thou not wipe thine arse after taking a shit?”
”I understand,” he sighed. The amusing sentence referred to giving a bit of information, a cliffhanger, the worst thing one could do to another.
”Lady Aceline is dating the heir to the Patek's. Undisclosed, of course, it's been going on ever since her arrival here. There was a movie, Luna on Earth, she loved the script and wanted to be the main-actress. The auditions went by smoothly, the producers and director were happy, well, until Hero Luna showed up. Arms in arms with the heir, her spot was given to Luna. Tis then she realized the importance of connections; our pride of Hidros is naught but a corrupted fiend in the industry. I hate it from the bottom of my heart, I hate how she turned out. It was supposed to be my job to keep her from all those things, I failed as her manager.”
”I understand,” nodded Staxius reassuringly, ”-how the events played out is less than ideal,” he gave a few minutes to calm down.
”Sorry about that outburst,” quick to take a sip, ”-I'm once again sorry for leaving Aceline, I know you wanted her to be the figure face of Meldorino, now, it's all but ruined.”
”Dear friend,” a genuine smile had the atmosphere lightened, ”-there's no need to apologize for I'm the one responsible. I erected the wall between thee and the idol, I'm sorry-”
”No, please, don't apologize, friend, it wasn't thy fault,” he interjected sharply.
”Then reason states it's not thy fault either,” Scott's expression congealed in bafflement. ”I've called you to offer a deal, dear, friend, I know that you care not about money. Yet, consider this, I will pay thee on competence. Let me rephrase that,” it came across insulting to a renowned manager, ”-I won't pay, I will award thee a mere token of my appreciation, how does it sound?”
”Go on, majesty, I'm listening?” hands crossed, a straight posture and an attentive face, Scott watched.
”Here's the chance to take Aceline away from the grasp of the Patek's. A chance at retribution; now, let me make this clear, it's not confirmed if she'll be saved by the following actions, nevertheless, the possibility exists,” he paused at short intervals. The manager remained quiet throughout as the information assimilated slowly. ”I have someone who was wronged by the same people of which thee hates. The higher-ups in the industry of film-making, business, and politics. It's going to be a war; thee understands, a full-out war. In said war, thee will be my knight, or rather, the knight to my queen, the one who was wronged. Her name is Emi Muko, you must have heard of her – a member of the feline force.”
”Yes, I do actually,” the long-awaited silence broke, ”-Emi Muko, she's unbelievably beautiful. I know of her; she caught my eye as a potential star – tis a shame of what happened. The bad publicity, her video, quite a shady situation.”
”Tis dire, her reputation here is not so ideal.”
”I agree,” mumbled Scott,”-but,” he stared with a smile, ”-there's a chance.”
”A sob story, a tale of repentance,” grinned Staxius.
”Exactly.”
”So, Scott, what do you say? Will you make Emi Muko into an international star?”