05-09-2021, 04:39 AM
Palace of Flowers, Chamber of the Mazātl
After three weeks of rigorous vetting and discussions with Imperial Steward Xiuhcatli and Prime Minister Toquihu, Empress Calhualyana had finally made her choice.
Time to meet the puppet....husband, I mean husband, Calhualyana thought to herself as she waited in the sitting room of her personal chambers. I really do have to make sure I call him by the correct term in public. This has to appear like a perfect love story just like in the insipid telestories, after all.
The double doors to her chamber swung open, and two of her personal guards - one Warrior of Huītzilōpōchtli and one Warrior of Tezcatlipōca, in their contrasting light and dark formal uniforms - led in a third man. He was wearing an Imperial Navy summer dress uniform, impeccably detailed with the rank of a lieutenant commander. The Empress looked him over analytically, in best ASI fashion, as he walked in. He is undeniably quite attractive, she thought, parsing his flowing hair and piercing eyes, and the perfectly trimmed facial hair. Very athletic as well. Physically, at least, he will do. Let's hope the brain matches the outer package. As her guards closed the doors to the chamber, the naval officer bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, I have come as requested," he said.
"I can see that. Take a seat," Calhualyana replied coolly, pointing to a chair across from her comfortable armchair. "Your name is Xiyāōtl, correct?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Xiyāōtl replied as he sat down and placed his uniform hat on a nearby side table. He looked Calhualyana directly in the eyes, which she normally would have found offensive and even a bit of a challenge. Instead, she allowed herself to be amused. "You look familiar. Why is that?" she said.
"You may have seen the recruiting ads I've done for the Imperial Navy, your Majesty. They've proven to be quite effective," Xiyāōtl said with a broad smile.
"Of course they have been. People always fall for a pretty package when one is selling a product, first rule of advertising. What else?" Calhualyana said, not returning the smile.
"You might also be remembering the appearance I made on Pyramid of Misfortune," Xiyāōtl said, continuing to smile with surprising confidence. "I do remember seeing that. You lost. Early, as I recall," Calhualyana replied, a slight touch of disdain entering her cool tone. "And then you tried to hit the host with a shoe, and failed."
Xiyāōtl shrugged. "It made for memorable television, at least."
Calhualyana sighed. "You do know why you're here, right?"
Xiyāōtl nodded, not breaking his gaze on the Empress. "I am to be your husband, or so I have been told."
"And so I thought. But so far, Xiyāōtl, you frankly do not impress me. And I am accustomed to only the best, in everything. So far, you do not seem to fit that requirement, especially for such an important choice. Is there anything else you have to offer, other than being a naval officer who aspires to being a media darling and a television star?"
"I am a naval officer who fought for this country in war, your Majesty. I would think that improves my resume a bit," Xiyāōtl returned, allowing a bit of steel to enter his own voice. "I fought at Zapotlán, when our fleet engaged the foreign invaders."
"And you lost there too, as I recall," the Empress parried with a laugh that did not convey amusement. "Although you did fight well, I have been told. You even earned yourself a medal. It shines nicely on your pretty uniform." The Empress rose from her chair, walking around the seated Xiyāōtl much like a jaguar stalking its prey. "My point is this, Xiyāōtl: you're aspiring to become the second most important person in Xiomera, not to mention the person who gets to share my bed. So, tell me, why do you deserve to be that person?"
If Xiyāōtl was nervous or uncomfortable as Calhualyana circled him, he did not show it. "For one reason, and one reason alone, Empress: I am what you need."
Calhualyana laughed at that, a laugh of genuine amusement this time - she was more than a little intrigued now. "That is a very bold statement, I grant you. You have no lack of confidence or courage - and that you will need, if you're to be my husband," she said, taking her seat once more. "But you have yet to convince me. I am Empress of Xiomera, after all. I could argue that there is nothing I need, or am lacking," she said, gesturing with one hand to indicate the lavish surroundings of her chambers. "What can you possibly provide me that I don't already have?"
"Someone strong enough to actually be your husband, and to raise the future heirs to this Empire with you," Xiyāōtl replied. The smile left his face, replaced by an expression of firm belief. "Someone intelligent enough to not bore you, or waste your time, or be a burden to you as you lead the Empire. Someone who understands that you are trying to lay the foundation for a future Xiomera that endures in strength and prosperity, and is both willing and able to do the hard work that is necessary to accomplish that. Someone who will not just help you, but stand ready to defend you, even with my life if necessary. And, I would add, someone who could someday become a husband that you actually like, rather than one who serves a convenient role for you," Xiyāōtl added, his smile returning.
"Do not get ahead of yourself," Calhualyana replied. "I haven't even decided if I want you for the convenient role yet."
"Of course. But I am confident you will." Xiyāōtl once again gazed directly at the Empress. Calhualyana shook her head, her bemusement openly expressing itself on her face now. "You may go," she replied, pointing to the doors and pressing the button that signaled the guards. "You certainly made an interesting pitch for yourself....you will find out soon enough if it worked."
"Either way, I am yours to command, your Majesty," Xiyāōtl replied, standing up and favoring Calhualyana with a deep bow before walking jauntily out of the room between the guards.
Calhualyana shook her head again, as Xiuhcatli and Toquihu entered the sitting room from a side door. "That was certainly interesting," Toquihu said.
"He is entirely too cocky." Xiuhcatli shook his head in disapproval. Toquihu shook his head. "He needs to be confident, to be capable of being a worthy partner. I personally admire confidence."
"As do I," Calhualyana murmured, thinking. After a moment, she nodded. "Xiuhcatli.....he will be acceptable."
After three weeks of rigorous vetting and discussions with Imperial Steward Xiuhcatli and Prime Minister Toquihu, Empress Calhualyana had finally made her choice.
Time to meet the puppet....husband, I mean husband, Calhualyana thought to herself as she waited in the sitting room of her personal chambers. I really do have to make sure I call him by the correct term in public. This has to appear like a perfect love story just like in the insipid telestories, after all.
The double doors to her chamber swung open, and two of her personal guards - one Warrior of Huītzilōpōchtli and one Warrior of Tezcatlipōca, in their contrasting light and dark formal uniforms - led in a third man. He was wearing an Imperial Navy summer dress uniform, impeccably detailed with the rank of a lieutenant commander. The Empress looked him over analytically, in best ASI fashion, as he walked in. He is undeniably quite attractive, she thought, parsing his flowing hair and piercing eyes, and the perfectly trimmed facial hair. Very athletic as well. Physically, at least, he will do. Let's hope the brain matches the outer package. As her guards closed the doors to the chamber, the naval officer bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, I have come as requested," he said.
"I can see that. Take a seat," Calhualyana replied coolly, pointing to a chair across from her comfortable armchair. "Your name is Xiyāōtl, correct?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Xiyāōtl replied as he sat down and placed his uniform hat on a nearby side table. He looked Calhualyana directly in the eyes, which she normally would have found offensive and even a bit of a challenge. Instead, she allowed herself to be amused. "You look familiar. Why is that?" she said.
"You may have seen the recruiting ads I've done for the Imperial Navy, your Majesty. They've proven to be quite effective," Xiyāōtl said with a broad smile.
"Of course they have been. People always fall for a pretty package when one is selling a product, first rule of advertising. What else?" Calhualyana said, not returning the smile.
"You might also be remembering the appearance I made on Pyramid of Misfortune," Xiyāōtl said, continuing to smile with surprising confidence. "I do remember seeing that. You lost. Early, as I recall," Calhualyana replied, a slight touch of disdain entering her cool tone. "And then you tried to hit the host with a shoe, and failed."
Xiyāōtl shrugged. "It made for memorable television, at least."
Calhualyana sighed. "You do know why you're here, right?"
Xiyāōtl nodded, not breaking his gaze on the Empress. "I am to be your husband, or so I have been told."
"And so I thought. But so far, Xiyāōtl, you frankly do not impress me. And I am accustomed to only the best, in everything. So far, you do not seem to fit that requirement, especially for such an important choice. Is there anything else you have to offer, other than being a naval officer who aspires to being a media darling and a television star?"
"I am a naval officer who fought for this country in war, your Majesty. I would think that improves my resume a bit," Xiyāōtl returned, allowing a bit of steel to enter his own voice. "I fought at Zapotlán, when our fleet engaged the foreign invaders."
"And you lost there too, as I recall," the Empress parried with a laugh that did not convey amusement. "Although you did fight well, I have been told. You even earned yourself a medal. It shines nicely on your pretty uniform." The Empress rose from her chair, walking around the seated Xiyāōtl much like a jaguar stalking its prey. "My point is this, Xiyāōtl: you're aspiring to become the second most important person in Xiomera, not to mention the person who gets to share my bed. So, tell me, why do you deserve to be that person?"
If Xiyāōtl was nervous or uncomfortable as Calhualyana circled him, he did not show it. "For one reason, and one reason alone, Empress: I am what you need."
Calhualyana laughed at that, a laugh of genuine amusement this time - she was more than a little intrigued now. "That is a very bold statement, I grant you. You have no lack of confidence or courage - and that you will need, if you're to be my husband," she said, taking her seat once more. "But you have yet to convince me. I am Empress of Xiomera, after all. I could argue that there is nothing I need, or am lacking," she said, gesturing with one hand to indicate the lavish surroundings of her chambers. "What can you possibly provide me that I don't already have?"
"Someone strong enough to actually be your husband, and to raise the future heirs to this Empire with you," Xiyāōtl replied. The smile left his face, replaced by an expression of firm belief. "Someone intelligent enough to not bore you, or waste your time, or be a burden to you as you lead the Empire. Someone who understands that you are trying to lay the foundation for a future Xiomera that endures in strength and prosperity, and is both willing and able to do the hard work that is necessary to accomplish that. Someone who will not just help you, but stand ready to defend you, even with my life if necessary. And, I would add, someone who could someday become a husband that you actually like, rather than one who serves a convenient role for you," Xiyāōtl added, his smile returning.
"Do not get ahead of yourself," Calhualyana replied. "I haven't even decided if I want you for the convenient role yet."
"Of course. But I am confident you will." Xiyāōtl once again gazed directly at the Empress. Calhualyana shook her head, her bemusement openly expressing itself on her face now. "You may go," she replied, pointing to the doors and pressing the button that signaled the guards. "You certainly made an interesting pitch for yourself....you will find out soon enough if it worked."
"Either way, I am yours to command, your Majesty," Xiyāōtl replied, standing up and favoring Calhualyana with a deep bow before walking jauntily out of the room between the guards.
Calhualyana shook her head again, as Xiuhcatli and Toquihu entered the sitting room from a side door. "That was certainly interesting," Toquihu said.
"He is entirely too cocky." Xiuhcatli shook his head in disapproval. Toquihu shook his head. "He needs to be confident, to be capable of being a worthy partner. I personally admire confidence."
"As do I," Calhualyana murmured, thinking. After a moment, she nodded. "Xiuhcatli.....he will be acceptable."
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