Chapter 2: The Return

Lhunne sighed as he eyed himself in the mirror upon the ship.  It was the second time in his life where he was required to wear a shirt.  For both times, it was because they were meeting up with the King of Runnicai, but this time it was ten years later.  His brownish-blonde hair was cut short and styled carefully for the occasion.  His mother was busy buzzing around the ship as it landed, excited as she knew that this time Solune would be officially accepted into the UU.  He on the other hand was dreading hitting that planet’s surface.  That girl was there, that wretched spoiled girl…Mythri.  Ten years later and he still held his animosity over that girl, he hated her as much as he hated the Phoebians, the enemy species to Lunarians.  But he would play nice, for the rest of the Lunarians who were counting on this, frightened if they would be attack from two sides if they stayed out of the UU.  

The strange creature that greeted them when they landed, led them to the castle, and to an office like area, where Aldavyn was.  He instantly greeted them with politeness and smiles.  “Ah welcome back to Runnicai!”  He spread his arms wide as though he would hug them, but that was far too casual for the situation.  “I have been doing my best these ten years.  It was tough, but I managed to finally get approval for your alliance with the UU, and only during the last meeting too.  My daughter had perfect timing, I must say.”

“That’s wonderful!”  Kani nearly squealed.

“Of course it is.  Now all that is left is some simple paperwork from me.  About one month from now a representative will visit Solune in order to observe and record your species.  But tonight, we are throwing a party in your honor.”  

“Oh, a party?  Lovely, what a great welcome you give us.”  

“Not a problem, we always enjoy our alliance growing.”

Lhunne was beginning to think that all Runnicai and the UU were about was parties and perfect manners.  “What about that representative?  Why do you need to know about the Lunarians?”

“Its nothing big, just recording a new species for the books and such.  We like to have information on as much of this universe as possible.  My daughter will love getting another chance to see you.”  Aldavyn nodded and it took everything Lhunne had to not burst out laughing or in disgust.  “Here, would you take her this form?”  Aldavyn held out a stack of papers.

“Can’t you just use your magic?  Now I am an errand boy for you?”

“Lhunne!”  Kani hissed out to her son.

“Not at all.”  Aldavyn seemed unaffected by Lhunne’s outburst.  “Think of it as an excuse to talk to her.”

“I’d really rather not-“

“-Ruby will show you the way.”  Aldavyn nodded to the door.

Lhunne sighed and left the room, nearly hitting Evelynn who was coming in while he was going out.  A strange woman dressed in red made the floor suddenly light up and told Lhunne to follow the light.  Between the teleporting to the castle and that woman Lhunne was thoroughly confused by the technology on this planet, knowing full well he would probably never understand it all.  The light ended at a door and Lhunne didn’t give a crap about knocking and simply threw open the door.
Mythri jumped in her chair at the sudden noise and rush of air to the room.  She gasped and looked up, seeing Lhunne there.  “Oh Lhunne!  What a pleasure seeing you again!”  She smiled politely to him, standing up and walking around the desk as though he had come to actually start a conversation with her.  Ten years had worked wonders on her looks, Lhunne noted to himself.  Women on Solune who where as lovely as her would be heavily sought after.  But once she closed the distance between them he felt her aura splash onto him and he was reminded why she was forever ugly to him, that damn perfect aura.  And what was worse, she was slightly taller than him, which made him feel insignificant.  He was average size for a Lunarian, why the hell was she taller?  “I didn’t hear you knock.”

Lhunne scowled at her, “That’s because I didn’t.”

“Well at least give me a warning next time.”

“I prefer seeing you scared like that.”  He smirked evilly.

“Then I promise to scream next time I see you.”  She smiled back.  

Lhunne couldn’t tell whether she was just that naïve or if she was really insulting him, it frustrated him and made her dislike her more.  She was a wizard, there was no way she could be that dumb, right?  She seemed to be staring at him now, and it made him even more nervous.  “What are you looking at?”

“Your eyes…they are lovely.  I have never met a person with two colored eyes before.”  She was right, he had two toned eyes.  His left eye was a chocolaty brown color, and his right was a brilliant gold, but it was nothing unusual for Lunarians, they all had two toned eyes.

“Your father wanted me to give you this.”  He held the papers out at arm’s length, disgusted to be this close to her.

“Thank you.”  She skimmed it quickly.  “Congratulations on Solune being accepted.”

“Would have been sooner if it wasn’t for you.”

“And I guess you wanted the UU to know about all the troubles Solune is having with its ongoing war instead?  You had a few years in which there was no way you could have come to the bi-annual meeting, that would have looked pretty bad.”

“How in the name of the moon do you know that?”

“I saw that planet’s future…a bit…but mostly this kind of stuff comes in more like déjà vu, so really I just know that I was supposed to say that.”

“Can you spare us from your story telling from now on?”

“Story telling?”

“About how you can tell the future…the future isn’t certain enough to be able to see it.  A person’s fate isn’t predetermined.”

“Is that what your culture believes?”

Lhunne felt like that was an insult too, as though she was being condescending.  “My species believes that fate is something we choose for ourselves, we change it as we see fit!”  He spat out.  “And don’t start looking down on Lunarians just because we aren’t as advanced as the rest of the races out there!  Wizards aren’t that great you know!”

“Of course not.  I never said such a thing.  The Lunarians sound like a very intriguing race, I can’t wait to hear the report from the observer in a few weeks.  Would you like to stay for some tea?”

“No I would rather not stay around some dressed up little spoiled princess!”  Lhunne shouted out and stormed out of the room.

~
Lhunne changed into an even more constricting outfit for the party that night.  The fancy coat felt like a straight jacket as he pretended to enjoy all of this.  It was full of the same kind of people as ten years ago, all dressed up and showing off.  Mythri oozed that all too familiar aura of arrogance.  Lhunne and Kani were the center of attention though, so many people offered congratulations as they seemed to surround him.

“I hope you don’t mind if I steal him for a dance.”  Mythri was suddenly next to Kani, speaking to everyone, assuming that Lhunne would want to dance with her.

“I’d rather dance with a Phoebi-“

“-Come on!”  She interrupted his complaint and pulled him away from the crowd.

“Why would I want to dance with you?”  Lhunne shook off her hold.

“Because it’s better than dealing will all those people.  You look like you have been shoved into an uncomfortable situation, I thought I would help you relieve some stress.”  She smiled.

“You are only making the situation worse.”  Lhunne scowled.

“Don’t tell me you can’t dance.”

“I never said that!!”

“Then prove it.”  She smirked.

“I refuse to dance with you!”

“Why?”  She didn’t seem hurt by his words.  Lhunne was sure that she must be confused seeing as he was the first person to not give her all his attention.

“I am sick and tired of this, this party, all this dressing up and playing perfect.”  Lhunne growled out and then stomped away.  It was just starting to be nighttime, and he preferred to be alone on a night like this.