Sound of Silence - Betrayal: Cortez, Maximus, Crystal - The Higher You Are...

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While engaged in an aerial dance, Crystal spots Maximus and his "business partner" talking a walk in the royal gardens.



Fabian Cortez followed Prince Maximus (at a respectful distance behind, of course) through the gardens of the royal palace, appreciating the beauty that the gardeners had seeded into every inch. Blasphemous to liken it to the Garden of Eden, but the comparison had its merits. As Attilan would soon be the first mutant nation, it would be the beginning of Paradise on Earth. "'He beholds Adam seated at Gan Eden rejoicing over those who have faithfully observed and kept the divine commandments,'" he quoted solemnly. "'Surrounding him are the righteous who were wise and avoided walking in the way that leads down to Gehinom and found the path of light.'"

"Quaint, but poetic, I suppose," Maximus tossed over his shoulder. "I've never been particularly fond of religious symbolism--start down that road and it's too easy to begin to believe yourself infallible, which is precisely when your enemies leap out to cut you down, and I have far too many enemies." One of his voices did nothing other than count them, over and over again. Blackagar headed the list.

"All mortals are imperfect, your highness," Cortez clarified, calming down a brief impulse of frustration. Just because Maximus had not found God did not mean that He does not exist. "To me, it is simply a matter putting one's trust in the truly Infallible to minimize that weakness. But that is neither here nor there. She is a beautiful girl." The seemingly sudden change of topic was brought about by the seemingly sudden appearance of a dancer in the air. "The Lady Crystal, I presume?"

"Yes indeed." Maximus smiled fondly up at her. "She's barely set foot to ground since she developed enough control to fly. If I've any regret in all this, it's that I must take up Sycorax's role, even if only for a little while--speaking of poetry." He flicked Cortez a sidelong glance. "Of all my relatives, Crystal is the only truly innocent one. But she's also the only one who can fulfill the part I've given her--the only one with the power to bring the plane down 'accidentally,' who also trusts me enough to let me behind her shields." He shook his head sadly. "She'll never be the same again after this, I fear. Never trust me again. And you may be the only other man who will ever know all I've sacrificed for my people."

"I hope that in time, she will grow to understand why you have chosen your path." Cortez's eyes were locked on Crystal, following her every graceful movement. Quite a power there, and with that power properly tapped, the world could finally realize its God-given destiny.

Looking down at the garden, Crystal spotted the two moving figures. She recognized one as Maximus, and the other... had she seen him before? No, she didn't think she had. A proper introduction was in order, then. It would be quite rude to continue her flight without giving a greeting. Her aerial dance ceased as she floated down towards the two men. No need to be flashy and show off, she thought, fighting the idea of spiraling down to the ground.

"Bom dia," Crystal greeted them with a smile when she was only a couple feet away from the two others in the garden and only a few inches off of the ground. "Good morning."

Cortez bowed, just low enough and long enough to befit Crystal's noble status. "Bom dia," he echoed as he rose. "I am Fabian Cortez, a business partner of the prince's." There was a slight - almost imperceptible - hesitation before he used the term "business partner." It was a truth, though, of sorts.

Back at the mansion, such a response would likely have earned someone a polite "Oh, I see." But here, in her own home, such phrases were not used regularly. Crystal hadn't known that Maximus was engaged in any sort of business deals and he'd never seemed to keep anything from her before. Still, there was no need to be meddlesome now; she could always ask her cousin about it later.

"I am Lady Crystal Amaquelin," she replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cortez."

"Fabian is a friend," Maximus said almost chidingly. "He's just brought a few possibilities to my attention, and I've invited him to the betrothal while we explore them. But it's too early to say for
sure if they'll bear fruit, and I did want to surprise you with them." He smiled, all affability, while the Inside Voices chattered nastily. "They're nothing much to talk about now, I'm afraid, but I'm glad the two of you got a chance to meet. I'm afraid I've rather been bending Fabian's ear about my favorite cousin lately."

Cortez chuckled pleasantly. "Keeping his attention focused on matters at hand is a bit trying sometimes." Playful banter was easy. But now that he'd met his mark, he'd seen and learned enough. "Though we ought to get back to business, your highness."

"So we ought. Enjoy the rest of your flight, Crystal--I'll come find you later?" Maximus's parting smile held an edge of apology for the cryptic turn of the conversation.

Crystal gave them a courteous nod. "Please enjoy the rest of your day," Crystal replied, smiling. Now that she'd introduced herself, she decided it was fine to show off a bit. This was her home, Medusa's engagement party was in just a few days, and everything was right with her world. A moment later, she spiraled upwards into the sky, and seconds later she was, once again, dancing freely in the sky.