Crescent Shaped Soul - Amethyst of Deception

Chapter 5: A Call for Her Sake, A Call For His Death

"...Five, seven, one and...dial" Sato stood in her bedroom, sitting on the side of her bed as her phone began to ring to the other side of the once united nation. It wasn't long till an all too familiar voice answered.

"Neolin National Agency, Aquilus Marshall speaking," the other side answered.

"Hey, Quilus. How are you?" Sato answered, not in the official tone Aquilus expected. He knew something was up, Sato wouldn't call just to ask him what was up.

"Chichi..? What's happened, why are you calling?" He asked, curious and concerned.

The first he got though, was an earful on not to call her 'Chichi', but 'Chisato' or rather just 'Sato'. This wasn't the first time she's told him, and they both knew it was just teasing, even if Sato claimed she hated it. After a round of laughter, Sato got serious. "This isn't the reason I called you, Aquilus. Actually, remember what I told you about Luna studying all the time?"

"mhmmm?"

"Well, it has gotten so far that Luna has gotten blisters, while Leonard is drinking and smoking himself to death. It won't take long until he'll drop dead, and I have a feeling it will be sooner than later." Sato paced around the room, and came to a halt before her window, staring out into the evening sun, though she herself was contemplating what to do about it.

Aquilus audibly gasped on the other side, and sat down on his chair. "I'll tell Cecilia, and ask her what we can do..."

Sato lowered her head, brushing a black lock behind her ear. "Nothing, I fear. But go ahead, Cecilia has a right to know such things about her daughter."

Aquilus smiled. "I will. Take care, Sato. And please, If anything happens to Luna, call me, like always.

"Of course. Take care, Aquilus. I need to check on her, because I allowed her to watch TV against her father's rule."

Aquilus laughed, and stood back up. "Alright, talk to you later." He hung up, and just as on cue, a knock against his office door was heard, and Kalliopa came in.

"Who were you talking to, Aquilus? You're off the clock" She asked, and closed the door behind herself. She was well aware how busy he was, yet the curiosity got the better of her.

Aquilus scratched his neck, and chuckled, "Ah, it was just Sato, she called because she had some news about Luna."

Kalliopa looked at him curiously, and walked over, leaning against his desk, and crossing her arms. "What news?"

The man sighed, his brow furrowing in disdain. "No good, I'm afraid. Luna has been exhausting herself to the point she got blisters on her fingers, again. And She still idolizes her father too much..."

"You've never been a big fan of Leonard, have you, Aquilus," Kalliopa chuckled, holding a hand before her mouth. "But its been a good day, and Cecilia and Celyne are still busy with Soraya's and Sohail's visit. Try to get some rest, everyone is too tired to think about it today," she advised, turning to leave again.

Aquilus nodded, agreeing with her. He got up and stretched, telling her, "You're right, Kalli. Goodnight, see you tomorrow."

Kalliopa was already halway through the door, when she turned her head around and replied "Indeed. See you around." She walked out the door, a cold expression overcoming her visage.

☾

Kalliopa sighed as she left Aquilus' Office. Sato's news sure weren't what she had hoped for. But alas, the king has had enough chances, atleast that's what she thought. Cecilia was done with him the day he left. Sato and Aquilus would stay neutral on the matter; Sato had to be, given she had to serve the king, while Aquilus thought it wasn't his place to have an opinion on. Luna overlooks the problem, she denies his neglect. The matter was none of them had the power to do anything against Leonard's tyranny.

"I shouldn't get involved, yet perhaps...," she muttered, blue eyes fixed on the wooden floor, steps fast paced in frustration. Up on the wall, a calendar that she took notice of from the corner of her eye. It even included the parades the king held monthly.

Kalliopa didn't like the idea that jumped to her mind. Luna would be beside him in that case, the chance that she might get hurt...

She shook her head. The situation is only getting worse, sometimes the risk needed to be taken. Otherwise, the consequences of his abuse would be worse, both for Luna and for all of Solaris. With a frown she looked through the bottom drawer of her desk, searching for her old notebook. It contained a number she didn't think she'd ever have to see again.

But the past has a way of catching up, doesn't it?

The woman's heart raced, waiting for the all too familiar voice to answer the phone. And there it was.

"Well well, long time no see, Kalli," a masculine, husky voice answered. Kalliopa tensed. How did he know who she was, even though she hadn't said a word yet?

Kalliopa rolled her eyes. She should've learned over the years not to question him or his ways. Leaning against the desk, she firmly requested, "I need the king of Solaris dead. How much do you want for a regicide?"

An impressed whistle was heard from the other end, merging into a dark chuckle, "wow, Kalli, straight to the point. Couldn't keep the violence in this time, could you?"

Her grip tightened on the phone, tone harsher, "I'm not some violent bitch you asshole."

The man's answer was immediate, too knowing, "or have you just learned to hide it better?"

"..."

"Thought so. But alas, king Leonard had been an eyesore for a while now, so, my dear Kalliopa, it's on the house. For a former member of Aoro, consider it a favor. If you are willing to answer me one question, to satisfy a curiosity of mine"

Kalliopa ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. "Just get this over with quickly."

The man smirked. "How is your lovely brother?"

Kalliopa's eyes widened, and her exhale was shaky, trying to keep herself steady "I have no brother. He is dead to me."

A laugh echoed through the line, the man behind thoroughly entertained. "Don't you think it'd break his poor heart, knowing his big sister hates him?"

Rubbing her temples, Kalliopa sighed in frustration. She could already picture the smug grin that accompanied her acquaintance's teasing. "Yet you're the one he clings to, a pathetic coward who hides behind this Altair persona. You left him, just as i did, only diffrence is that you claim to care about him, while I don't." She pushed herself off the desk, walking back and forth in her office. The man on the other end of the line stayed silent. "Look, Altair, i did not call you to get guilttripped about my relationship with my brother, I called you to get rid of the king. I answered your question."

She sensed the hesitation in his voice, taking a gentler tone, "It's Caelum to you, Kalliopa. And yes, we have a deal. I'll pull my strings and get someone to assasinate him, I'd say next months parade will do? I think you like the idea of the whole world being able to bear witness."

The woman chuckled darkly. "It's almost like you can read my mind."

"Good. Just make sure nobody can trace this back to you," he warned.

Kalliopa smiled, even if it wasn't visible to Caelum, it was audible in her softer tone, "Thank you."

"I have a feeling we will see eachother again soon, my dear 'White Crane'."

"Bet we will," she whispered as she hung up.

Kalliopa glanced at the calendar on the wall, the red ink in which she had circled the day of the parade suddenly having a different meaning than just to highlight it. "nineteen more days..." she whispered into the night.

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