element_wizard

He did it in the Summer's Palace, because that is what he was when he'd talk to her. Summer to Winter. Idly he wondered if there was a Spring or a Fall. Perhaps her and his children, not theirs together, of course. But if he ever had a child... There were no shortage of woman who would be willing. Of course, it was the age old problem of them wanting him because he was king, and not because of him. It irked him, but for now, he did nothing about it. It was better than them trying to kill him.

For a moment, he smiled at the thought of getting one of the men pregnant. That would certainly throw them off. But MPreg pushed too many bad buttons for him to actually do more than think about it as a passing joke.

As funny as it might be.

Setting the mirror up in a room that wasn't his bedrooms and surely would be spied upon, though no one would admit to it, he pulled up a chair and a glass of wine, settling himself as King. If anyone asked Alec how he did it, how he flit from self to self, changing his body, his very essence into whatever version of him he needed to be, he couldn't answer him.

He just did it.

The power of Summer and that changing from Whatever he normally was to half elf King sent a brief buzz through his mind. He knew his eyes went from muddy brown to a sort of golden amber, but other than that he couldn't see any physical differences. The King felt serious today. Appropriate, as he was going to talk to his "other half".

Taking a deep breath, Alec spoke into the mirror with a simple, "You wished to talk?"

((OCC:Random mun ramble: It's so long, because I felt the need to explain how he could be Himself and the King at the same time. The King is always there, but sometimes, Alec just becomes the King. Also, on a tangent, I need a "king" icon.))

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Mab had retreated from the full court for the day, settling into the study that held the mirror that was the twin of the one she had given Alec. It could have been a premonition quiet easily. The nights were growing longer and Summer was dying as Winter rose. Rising power danced under her skin, made everything different and her eyes flicker white or black too easily. So the gentle sound like a muffled bell being tolled that warned Alec was about to address her came as little surprise. The face was.

He looked so much older with those golden eyes. For the first time she could see that he truly was a king, not just some youngling to be guided through things. Part of her mourned that, for it meant they would war some coming day. No small part of her was breathless as she looked upon him then, the mantel settled easily on his shoulders. Always Mab had felt the physical reaction to how Winter and Summer were drawn to each other even as they hated each other more strongly than Auberon. She had a suspicion that did not change with Alec now wearing the crown. It was an arousal that warmed and pulled her to him. But the past months of pregnancy had been a crash course in self denial that left no outward sign of what he could now do to her.

"It seems time, does it not?"

"Yes, it does." The small part of him that was him, felt an odd twinge as the him that was King reacted to Winter. The flush of power touching power, loosing power as the seasons danced. Again, he wondered about Fall and Spring.

The amber eyed King hid it all. "It'll be a different change this year, I think."

"It is a very different year. The Summer Crown has never been so frequently challenged, and never exchanged hands before. The Line of Winter has never had the opportunity to be so strengthened." Her voice is level and not challenging. "But things always change."

"Not as abruptly as they have this year. Things take time normally, over years, not a season." He gives a quirk of a smile. "Getting involved with quick blooded humans..."

And then he pauses. There's a sort of shake of Summer and Alec. Human and King.

She feels the the shiver in the power, watches with eyes that are all too predatory. Her eyes are pure white as she looks at him, more dangerous than their black hue.

"All to quick the blood flows. But it is needed for our survival."

He's been taking his time, sorting his thoughts through before speaking. Measuring every word carefully. The white eyes bother him. The King knows of their danger.

"And I appear to be falling behind on this." He quirks a smile.

Winter and Night coil and flex around her like lazing pythons as she looks at him, offering him a mild smile that is not in the least believable as mild. "You keep yourself and the king separate. As in any joint, it will always be a point of weakness. But I am the Queen and the Queen is me."

"If I were to not keep us separate, it would upset the balance." Alec's eyes flash from amber gold to starry night for the briefest of seconds. Of something from beyond the beginning of time. "You've met what I could become. Would you have his power here and now?"

Alec isn't threatening. Just, stating fact.

"So I have, and you do not want him hear anymore than I would. The Land itself might rebel under the Courts being so off balance." Tilts her head slightly. "Not that that self would care greatly."

"For such an ancient being, he's rather child-like." He shakes his head, amused. "I...had an idea."

"He is a version of the Alec I once knew, of course." She tilts her head, allowing mild curiosity show. "What kind of idea?"

Alec is giggling at that, though the King doesn't let it show. He prods the King. "In human lands it is not uncommon for children of lords and kings to spend time in another's court. Perhaps, when yours are older, an arrangement could be made?"

Surprisingly, Alec likes being a father. He misses it. Mayhap he should prod the King into looking into such things.

"And any children of mine would do the same."

His words live her very, very still. The first instinct that roars in her ears is to tell him there is more chance of her suddenly renouncing the Court to take up a life of piety and poverty. They were hers, always hers. But she has too long been a diplomat to give voice to such a reaction. "You ask for me to put a great deal of faith in you with nothing but speculation to offer in return. Not to mention that such arrangements were often established to ensure the behavior of their parents. You wouldn't be wanting to make sure I behave myself, now would you?" There is a sharp feral edge to her smile she cannot quite contain.

"I'm merely positing an idea for the future. It's hardly something to be decided and contracted on now." He smiles a little, "I wouldn't suggest you give something up unless I had something to give in return.

"As for behaving yourself... I would never doubt you doing anything to break the balance."

In the back of his head, Alec gave a giggle about the idea of asking for one of her children to raise as his own.

"Of course." Something in the way she said of course implies that he made a dangerous choice even suggesting something that might make anything suggested afterwords on principle.

Of course it does. He'll drop the subject. Instead, he studies her quietly.

Her face is an impassive mask as she battens down the anger and maternal urge to strangle him. Her features might as well be carved of stone. She's done this battle of the wills before.

To Mab

(ramble is always good, and yes to the icon!)

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