Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:21 pm
Author’s Note: Torpor is the state of deep, death-like slumber, that can last for a few nights or countless centuries. Some vampires enter this state to recover injuries while others are driven to it by a deep and overpowering melancholy. They retreat to rid themselves of grief and dread that has become overpowering.
The day of the funeral arrives and all of Antar are in attendance for the interment of King Philip.
The atmosphere echoes the grief of the kingdom as lilac colored raindrops fall on the mourners.
The royal detail appears first, signaling the arrival of the royal family along with Michael and Kyle.
Max is the first to exit the jet-black hovercraft. He turns, reaching in, and takes his grieving mother’s hand helping her out of the craft.
Queen Diane rises as her son assists her. Michael is next out of the craft as he helps Isabel out; with Kyle being the last to exit.
Isabel takes Michael's arm as they head for the set of steps behind Max and Queen Diane.
Kyle takes Isabel’s free arm as a gesture of added support.
Assorted members of the extended royal family, heads of the incorporated planets and nobles all stand as Max and his family enter the enormous edifice.
Queen Diane is seen wiping tears from her eyes as they approach the ceremonial sarcophagus of her beloved husband.
She holds a single green rose in her hand that she places in the coffin while the others look on.
Leaning down, she chokes out a last “Goodbye, my love,” before Max whispers in her ear and they depart – her weeping becoming more intense.
Michael, Isabel, and Kyle are next to take a final look at the king. Tears stream down Isabel’s lovely face as she’s overheard uttering a sorrowful, “Goodbye father.”
She turns to take her seat in the front of the church with Michael and Kyle, wiping at her tears with a handkerchief. After all are seated, the service begins.
Just then a shadowy figure materializes out of thin air. When the figure becomes clear all in the basilica are shocked that it’s Kivar Cylix.
He’s standing in front of the king’s sarcophagus staring at the royal family.
Michael, Kyle and Max stand to their feet as the queen and Isabel let out gasps of shock.
Kivar makes his way to Max as everyone in the basilica look on in bewilderment.
“What are you doing here Cylix? This is my father’s funeral.” Max asks in barely concealed anger.
Kivar gives Max a sly grin as he explains his arrival.
“I just wanted to pay my respects to your family and wish you a successful reign Maximus.”
Michael busts into the conversation with a clenched jaw and white knuckles.
“You came here to start problems Cylix. Make no mistake; Antar is just as stable today as it was in King Philip’s reign. If you’re looking to make a power play it’s not gonna happen!”
Kivar replies while walking away from them.
“If that were true, there would be no need to get so defensive.”
He greets the queen and Isabel as he passes them, their eyes widening from his audacity. He stops at the same place he appeared, in front of the king’s sarcophagus and speaks to the gathered crowd.
“Why is everyone so alarmed? Antar is in the capable hands of King Maximus.”
Max’s royal detail storms the aisles as Kivar utters his final words to the crowd.
"For now that is.” Kivar lets out a fiendish laugh as he disappears from view.
With this the interment is halted; Michael tries to return the gathering to some form of order.
Everyone in the basilica is visibly shaken by Kivar’s spectacle but none more than the queen.
Unable to process all of the day’s events she’s on the brink of fainting. Max noticing her distress runs to her side.
Quickly and carefully he gathers her up into his arms.
With the royal detail clearing the way, Max carries his mother out to the hovercraft and everyone heads back to the palace except for Michael who stays to tie up lose ends at the basilica.
* * * * * * * * *
Once at the palace Max carries his mother to her suite with Isabel close behind. Laying her on the bed, he moves a stray hair away from his mother’s face and kisses her forehead while pondering his dilemma.
Turning to his sister he asks, “How can I tell her about father without her retreating into torpor; leaving all her fears and grief behind? She’s so depressed and fragile. Dare I risk telling her the truth?”
Isabel looks at her brother while shaking her head – she’s just as confused as he is about their mother.
They spend a few minutes watching her resting peacefully before they depart from her suite.
* * * * * * * * *
Max leaves Isabel and goes to Liz’s room where she’s waiting for him
“I know my father made an unannounced appearance at the interment,” she says as she gestures for him to come in. “I sensed he was plotting something – now we got him as well as your father’s killer to deal with.”
Max takes a seat on Liz’s bed while she stands next to him as he speaks.
“Liz I know that Michael wants us to go to Zyrinia but now I have your father threatening me. Any such action taken on my part would be considered hostile. What do you think I should do?”
Liz answers his question with a question.
“Do you think your subjects would take kindly to your being involved with me?”
Not understanding why she would ask him such a question at this point in time, he blurts out honestly, “But I am involved with you. Look at me; tell me what you see. Do you see a king or do you see the man I really am?”
Liz gazes into Max’s beautiful hazel eyes and responds to his question as she strokes the side of his face.
“Max I see a man that is as attractive on the inside as he is on the outside. I see a man that cares for his family, his friends and his subjects. What I don’t see is the room in your life for someone like me. All I see is trouble for us.”
“First things first, you worry about your contacts on Zyrinia and let me worry about my subjects,” Max tells her, feeling as if he’s gained a little more control over his emotions; and more clarity on what he needs to do.
* * * * * * * * *
The official time of mourning has passed and all of Antar awaits the crowning of its new king.
As usual, Michael lets himself into Max’s suite and stares at him snoring lightly in bed with the covers over his head.
“Just look at the mighty king, still asleep on the day of his coronation.” He bellows.
Max rouses up from sleep frowning at Michael as he asks “If I’m king how come I can’t stop you from barging in here?”
“I’m your good friend and lifelong pal, that’s why!” Michael replies bluntly.
Max sits up and rubs the sleep out of his eyes before getting out of bed. Michael stares at him as if he has something to say as Max crosses his path.
“Max, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind and I hope what I have to say will set it at ease somewhat,” he starts out.
Max continues to peddle around the room, getting ready for the day while he listens to what Michael has to tell him.
“I’ve been watching you and Liz together and although I can’t say that I trust her- yet, I can accept her,” Michael informs him while scratching his eyebrow, a familiar habit Max knew he only used when he was uncomfortable.
Max pauses what he’s doing, not quite believing what he’s hearing.
“And what made you come to this affable conclusion?” he asks his friend, not understanding where the sudden change came from.
“You know, I was just thinking about all that she said about growing up on Zyrinia, all that she saw and then it dawned on me that she’s putting her life in danger going back there to find your father’s killer.
It was then I realized that she’s doing this because she truly cares for you,” Michael tells him honestly.
“I sensed strong feelings between the two of you but I couldn’t admit it to myself.
Max you know that I love you like a brother and up until now it’s been just you Iz and me.
I know I was right to be suspicious of her at first but then maybe it was my fear of being replaced in a way that made me hold on to my conviction and anger against her…” Michael mumbles, shrugging his shoulders while trying to downplay what he’s just said.
Max looks at his best friend, trying to contain his smile while he reassures him of the importance of their relationship.
“Michael, you’re my oldest friend; you’ve always been there for me. I’m not going to end our friendship because I care about someone else.
I can care about both of you, just in different ways. I have to say that your opposition to Liz troubled me but my feelings for her never wavered.”
“So,” Michael takes a breath before asking this question knowing the possible political ramifications a positive answer could bring. “Is she the one?”
Staying silent for a moment, Max thinks about what he’s about to admit.
“Michael all I can say is that I’ve never met anyone like Liz,” Max says as his eyes start to light up.
“She’s strong yet tender.
She's sexy yet reserved.
She’s wise but knows she has a lot to learn.
She’s warm yet always in control of her emotions.”
Smiling, he continues, “The one thing I really love about her is that she totally gets me as a person and she’s not impressed by what I have or what I am.”
“Does she know how you feel about her?” Michael asks.
“I think she senses it. Every time I’ve tried to talk to her about our feelings, she finds a way to evade the issue. She brings up the fact that she’s the enemy,” Max answers.
“She’s right as far as your subjects are concerned Max. Do you think you could ever get them to see her the way you do if she is the one for you?” Michael asks, not wanting to hurt Max but knowing how difficult it would be.
“I don’t know if there’s a future for us. All I know is that I have to tell her how I feel and see what happens from there.” Max tells him, not quite knowing yet how to go about doing it.
* * * * * * * * *
After Max is crowned King of Antar, the planet goes into a festive mood. Champagne and other libations are flowing freely at the coronation party.
As the festivities continue, Max and Liz head separately to the solarium in an effort get away from prying eyes.
“Liz I gotta admit that you’re being here has been sheer torture for me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel.”
“It sounds like someone has had too much champagne tonight,” Liz states, trying to tease him to keep the mood light.
“Come on Liz, can you tell me that you don’t feel the same?” he asks, ignoring her teasing tone as he gazes into her large brown eyes.
Liz sighs before she speaks, “I could tell you that I don’t have feeling for you, but I’d be lying. Yes I want to be with you but it’s dangerous for us to be together.”
Max scans the premises before quickly pulling Liz into his arms. “Liz we’ve been dangerous for each other since that day in philosophy class. We’re still in one piece aren’t we?”
Max interrupts her when Liz starts to object. “Kiss me Liz – just one kiss!”
Max kisses her lips as she submits to him willingly, stoking the flame of desire that continues to rage inside both of them.
* * * * * * * * *
Isabel and Alex are sitting together on a comfortable couch, sharing champagne in the library. Tonight Isabel is as relaxed as Alex has ever seen her. In part probably due to the amount of champagne she’s consumed, Alex thinks amusedly.
Isabel had kicked her shoes off the minute they entered the room and she was currently swinging her champagne glass around.
“Alex let’s make a toast!” she tells him happily. “To my brother the king! May his shoulders remain strong to bear the burdens of this planet!”
“To the king!” Alex joins her.
She leans in Alex’s direction to clink glasses with him and loses her balance, causing her to land in Alex’s arms as her glass falls to the floor.
“Oh Alex I’m so sorry,” She says tipsily from the champagne as she looks bashfully at him.
Helping her to regain her balance, Alex brazenly tells her “I’m not.”
Looking up at him abruptly, Isabel almost falls over again as Alex reaches out to stop her. Leaning in to him, she can feel his fingers gently stroking her face as she closes her eyes.
“Alex…” she whispers.
* * * * * * * * *
As Antar continues to celebrate, Kivar Cylix muses over his disruption of the king’s funeral.
“You made a bold move going to the funeral like that,” a voice tells Kivar. “The king was really loved.”
“You yourself loved him at one time remember?” another voice replies.
“I admit that I did love him. But he had no right to try and meddle in what was not his concern,” the first voice replies again.
“I’m sure he’s rolling over in his grave knowing that his son is fraternizing with your daughter,” it concludes.
Kivar flies into a rage, grabbing at the first speaker, as he yells. “How dare you point out that fact to me? Have you forgotten that I can grind you into dust with just one look?”
“Let him go Kivar!” the second voice pleads.
“Please… don’t hurt me.” The first begs, gasping for breath.
Kivar shoves the person to the side almost knocking him into the second.
“My daughter’s days with Maximus are numbered. She will come to me once you two pay a quick visit to Earth!”
TBC
The day of the funeral arrives and all of Antar are in attendance for the interment of King Philip.
The atmosphere echoes the grief of the kingdom as lilac colored raindrops fall on the mourners.
The royal detail appears first, signaling the arrival of the royal family along with Michael and Kyle.
Max is the first to exit the jet-black hovercraft. He turns, reaching in, and takes his grieving mother’s hand helping her out of the craft.
Queen Diane rises as her son assists her. Michael is next out of the craft as he helps Isabel out; with Kyle being the last to exit.
Isabel takes Michael's arm as they head for the set of steps behind Max and Queen Diane.
Kyle takes Isabel’s free arm as a gesture of added support.
Assorted members of the extended royal family, heads of the incorporated planets and nobles all stand as Max and his family enter the enormous edifice.
Queen Diane is seen wiping tears from her eyes as they approach the ceremonial sarcophagus of her beloved husband.
She holds a single green rose in her hand that she places in the coffin while the others look on.
Leaning down, she chokes out a last “Goodbye, my love,” before Max whispers in her ear and they depart – her weeping becoming more intense.
Michael, Isabel, and Kyle are next to take a final look at the king. Tears stream down Isabel’s lovely face as she’s overheard uttering a sorrowful, “Goodbye father.”
She turns to take her seat in the front of the church with Michael and Kyle, wiping at her tears with a handkerchief. After all are seated, the service begins.
Just then a shadowy figure materializes out of thin air. When the figure becomes clear all in the basilica are shocked that it’s Kivar Cylix.
He’s standing in front of the king’s sarcophagus staring at the royal family.
Michael, Kyle and Max stand to their feet as the queen and Isabel let out gasps of shock.
Kivar makes his way to Max as everyone in the basilica look on in bewilderment.
“What are you doing here Cylix? This is my father’s funeral.” Max asks in barely concealed anger.
Kivar gives Max a sly grin as he explains his arrival.
“I just wanted to pay my respects to your family and wish you a successful reign Maximus.”
Michael busts into the conversation with a clenched jaw and white knuckles.
“You came here to start problems Cylix. Make no mistake; Antar is just as stable today as it was in King Philip’s reign. If you’re looking to make a power play it’s not gonna happen!”
Kivar replies while walking away from them.
“If that were true, there would be no need to get so defensive.”
He greets the queen and Isabel as he passes them, their eyes widening from his audacity. He stops at the same place he appeared, in front of the king’s sarcophagus and speaks to the gathered crowd.
“Why is everyone so alarmed? Antar is in the capable hands of King Maximus.”
Max’s royal detail storms the aisles as Kivar utters his final words to the crowd.
"For now that is.” Kivar lets out a fiendish laugh as he disappears from view.
With this the interment is halted; Michael tries to return the gathering to some form of order.
Everyone in the basilica is visibly shaken by Kivar’s spectacle but none more than the queen.
Unable to process all of the day’s events she’s on the brink of fainting. Max noticing her distress runs to her side.
Quickly and carefully he gathers her up into his arms.
With the royal detail clearing the way, Max carries his mother out to the hovercraft and everyone heads back to the palace except for Michael who stays to tie up lose ends at the basilica.
* * * * * * * * *
Once at the palace Max carries his mother to her suite with Isabel close behind. Laying her on the bed, he moves a stray hair away from his mother’s face and kisses her forehead while pondering his dilemma.
Turning to his sister he asks, “How can I tell her about father without her retreating into torpor; leaving all her fears and grief behind? She’s so depressed and fragile. Dare I risk telling her the truth?”
Isabel looks at her brother while shaking her head – she’s just as confused as he is about their mother.
They spend a few minutes watching her resting peacefully before they depart from her suite.
* * * * * * * * *
Max leaves Isabel and goes to Liz’s room where she’s waiting for him
“I know my father made an unannounced appearance at the interment,” she says as she gestures for him to come in. “I sensed he was plotting something – now we got him as well as your father’s killer to deal with.”
Max takes a seat on Liz’s bed while she stands next to him as he speaks.
“Liz I know that Michael wants us to go to Zyrinia but now I have your father threatening me. Any such action taken on my part would be considered hostile. What do you think I should do?”
Liz answers his question with a question.
“Do you think your subjects would take kindly to your being involved with me?”
Not understanding why she would ask him such a question at this point in time, he blurts out honestly, “But I am involved with you. Look at me; tell me what you see. Do you see a king or do you see the man I really am?”
Liz gazes into Max’s beautiful hazel eyes and responds to his question as she strokes the side of his face.
“Max I see a man that is as attractive on the inside as he is on the outside. I see a man that cares for his family, his friends and his subjects. What I don’t see is the room in your life for someone like me. All I see is trouble for us.”
“First things first, you worry about your contacts on Zyrinia and let me worry about my subjects,” Max tells her, feeling as if he’s gained a little more control over his emotions; and more clarity on what he needs to do.
* * * * * * * * *
The official time of mourning has passed and all of Antar awaits the crowning of its new king.
As usual, Michael lets himself into Max’s suite and stares at him snoring lightly in bed with the covers over his head.
“Just look at the mighty king, still asleep on the day of his coronation.” He bellows.
Max rouses up from sleep frowning at Michael as he asks “If I’m king how come I can’t stop you from barging in here?”
“I’m your good friend and lifelong pal, that’s why!” Michael replies bluntly.
Max sits up and rubs the sleep out of his eyes before getting out of bed. Michael stares at him as if he has something to say as Max crosses his path.
“Max, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind and I hope what I have to say will set it at ease somewhat,” he starts out.
Max continues to peddle around the room, getting ready for the day while he listens to what Michael has to tell him.
“I’ve been watching you and Liz together and although I can’t say that I trust her- yet, I can accept her,” Michael informs him while scratching his eyebrow, a familiar habit Max knew he only used when he was uncomfortable.
Max pauses what he’s doing, not quite believing what he’s hearing.
“And what made you come to this affable conclusion?” he asks his friend, not understanding where the sudden change came from.
“You know, I was just thinking about all that she said about growing up on Zyrinia, all that she saw and then it dawned on me that she’s putting her life in danger going back there to find your father’s killer.
It was then I realized that she’s doing this because she truly cares for you,” Michael tells him honestly.
“I sensed strong feelings between the two of you but I couldn’t admit it to myself.
Max you know that I love you like a brother and up until now it’s been just you Iz and me.
I know I was right to be suspicious of her at first but then maybe it was my fear of being replaced in a way that made me hold on to my conviction and anger against her…” Michael mumbles, shrugging his shoulders while trying to downplay what he’s just said.
Max looks at his best friend, trying to contain his smile while he reassures him of the importance of their relationship.
“Michael, you’re my oldest friend; you’ve always been there for me. I’m not going to end our friendship because I care about someone else.
I can care about both of you, just in different ways. I have to say that your opposition to Liz troubled me but my feelings for her never wavered.”
“So,” Michael takes a breath before asking this question knowing the possible political ramifications a positive answer could bring. “Is she the one?”
Staying silent for a moment, Max thinks about what he’s about to admit.
“Michael all I can say is that I’ve never met anyone like Liz,” Max says as his eyes start to light up.
“She’s strong yet tender.
She's sexy yet reserved.
She’s wise but knows she has a lot to learn.
She’s warm yet always in control of her emotions.”
Smiling, he continues, “The one thing I really love about her is that she totally gets me as a person and she’s not impressed by what I have or what I am.”
“Does she know how you feel about her?” Michael asks.
“I think she senses it. Every time I’ve tried to talk to her about our feelings, she finds a way to evade the issue. She brings up the fact that she’s the enemy,” Max answers.
“She’s right as far as your subjects are concerned Max. Do you think you could ever get them to see her the way you do if she is the one for you?” Michael asks, not wanting to hurt Max but knowing how difficult it would be.
“I don’t know if there’s a future for us. All I know is that I have to tell her how I feel and see what happens from there.” Max tells him, not quite knowing yet how to go about doing it.
* * * * * * * * *
After Max is crowned King of Antar, the planet goes into a festive mood. Champagne and other libations are flowing freely at the coronation party.
As the festivities continue, Max and Liz head separately to the solarium in an effort get away from prying eyes.
“Liz I gotta admit that you’re being here has been sheer torture for me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel.”
“It sounds like someone has had too much champagne tonight,” Liz states, trying to tease him to keep the mood light.
“Come on Liz, can you tell me that you don’t feel the same?” he asks, ignoring her teasing tone as he gazes into her large brown eyes.
Liz sighs before she speaks, “I could tell you that I don’t have feeling for you, but I’d be lying. Yes I want to be with you but it’s dangerous for us to be together.”
Max scans the premises before quickly pulling Liz into his arms. “Liz we’ve been dangerous for each other since that day in philosophy class. We’re still in one piece aren’t we?”
Max interrupts her when Liz starts to object. “Kiss me Liz – just one kiss!”
Max kisses her lips as she submits to him willingly, stoking the flame of desire that continues to rage inside both of them.
* * * * * * * * *
Isabel and Alex are sitting together on a comfortable couch, sharing champagne in the library. Tonight Isabel is as relaxed as Alex has ever seen her. In part probably due to the amount of champagne she’s consumed, Alex thinks amusedly.
Isabel had kicked her shoes off the minute they entered the room and she was currently swinging her champagne glass around.
“Alex let’s make a toast!” she tells him happily. “To my brother the king! May his shoulders remain strong to bear the burdens of this planet!”
“To the king!” Alex joins her.
She leans in Alex’s direction to clink glasses with him and loses her balance, causing her to land in Alex’s arms as her glass falls to the floor.
“Oh Alex I’m so sorry,” She says tipsily from the champagne as she looks bashfully at him.
Helping her to regain her balance, Alex brazenly tells her “I’m not.”
Looking up at him abruptly, Isabel almost falls over again as Alex reaches out to stop her. Leaning in to him, she can feel his fingers gently stroking her face as she closes her eyes.
“Alex…” she whispers.
* * * * * * * * *
As Antar continues to celebrate, Kivar Cylix muses over his disruption of the king’s funeral.
“You made a bold move going to the funeral like that,” a voice tells Kivar. “The king was really loved.”
“You yourself loved him at one time remember?” another voice replies.
“I admit that I did love him. But he had no right to try and meddle in what was not his concern,” the first voice replies again.
“I’m sure he’s rolling over in his grave knowing that his son is fraternizing with your daughter,” it concludes.
Kivar flies into a rage, grabbing at the first speaker, as he yells. “How dare you point out that fact to me? Have you forgotten that I can grind you into dust with just one look?”
“Let him go Kivar!” the second voice pleads.
“Please… don’t hurt me.” The first begs, gasping for breath.
Kivar shoves the person to the side almost knocking him into the second.
“My daughter’s days with Maximus are numbered. She will come to me once you two pay a quick visit to Earth!”
TBC