002 ❊ Be careful what you wish for.

[somethingtoprove]

Once again, Nephrite appears in the Dark Kingdom... but as opposed to the gloomy caverns where he expressed self-loathing, he now has his own glorious room. It's nothing like it was. It's grand and perhaps a little overblown. Granted, it doesn't match the grandness of Beryl's tastes, but it does well enough to reflect his new-found power. The walls are draped in deep red tapestry, designs befitting of a king, and various weaponry and shields displayed proudly alongside them. In the center of a room was a seat that passed well enough as a throne to match Nephrite's ego. He had become the most powerful Shitennou with more power than even Kunzite could dream of.

With a flick of the wrist, he could take out a wall if he wanted.

But he didn't want to. He had gotten everything he wanted: power, respect, Beryl's favor. The price, he thought, was too much. Even for him. Now it only was just him. Him and Beryl-sama. The others were gone. Human. Powerless. No longer in the Dark Kingdom. He thought it would be satisfying, but instead, he's lonely. ...And Beryl's constant presence grates on his nerves. Having her favor is more a burden than it is a blessing, but he doesn't want to admit that. That would mean being wrong this whole time.

But there he sits, on his deep red chair with his chin on his fist, looking miserable. Again.

Comments

[histrionic]

Kuja enters the room as if he belongs there, unhesitatingly, striding through the doorway, his pointed shoes clicking against the floor. The grandeur suits him, is familiar to him, and his own robes are fine, his garments glittering as he comes to stand before Nephrite. He's noted the man's pose, and even for one with as little empathy as Kuja, his state of mind is obvious.

"The king looks uneasy on his throne."

[somethingtoprove]

The stranger's entry catches Nephrite's attention almost immediately. He struggles to decide whether or not the person is a man or a woman at first, but once he speaks, it's a little more clear. Nephrite scrutinized his wardrobe for a moment, decided he didn't care, and went on the defense instead.

"I'm not uneasy," he's quick to snap. Uneasy implies vulnerability. To him, it does. "I'm bored."