Corruption is Magic

“Now Dear, if you don’t stop squirming we will never be ready for your first ever foray into the Game.” Alexander says in a tone that tells me he isn’t pleased with my constant shifting as he tried to enhance my looks with makeup.

“Why can’t you just do this for me. You seem experienced in this stuff.”

“Oh I am experienced but if I did it then how could you know if someone is using you if I’m not with you.” Alexander immediately responds as if he knew the question was coming as he pats my cheek with a soft cotton like thing.

“Then what about those policy changes? You said that we would still be doing them, we pushed them back a week but… why are we still considering doing them?”

“Because you want them.” Alexander says matter of fact like.

“I mean yes, but I’d much rather not die!”

“Inside voice my dear.” Alexander jokingly repromands as he places the cotton thin into a circular case he holds in his other hand. “To be more serious, I feel that the Bee girl you’re so worried about can easily be dealt with. You however must solve that puzzle at the Soiree.”

“So this is a test… you never did finish the lessons on this Game.”

“No, I guess I didn’t.” Alexander thoughtfully says as he walks behind me and quickly sets to brushing my long hair. “Well, we left off with simple explanations. Your main issue in this game is other players, you won’t know who is a player or a pawn going in and I guess that will be your first test. You need to feel out your fellow guests and determine who is a pawn and who is your opponent. I can tell you right now that the Yellowjacket is going to be there.”

“Uh, those are Wasps.” I say but am greeted to a snicker from Alexander.

“She might be a Bee but her attitude is like a Yellowjacket.” I let out a snort and sigh as Alexander does a nice gentle brush of my hair's entire length.

“So… I’m guessing you want me to knock her down a peg?”

“That or if it suits you, take her off the board entirely. One less opponent and you won’t reduce a player to a pawn. I have to warn you though, people don’t appreciate you getting rid of others they view as pawns. So if anyone sees her as their tool… they won’t like you taking her off the board at play.”

“That…” I trail off as I feel my gut twist and turn at the thought of what all I am hearing. “That's a horrible way to view things. That everything is basically a chess game.”

“That’s politics.” Alexander laments as he brushes the last bit of my hair. “I will be with you at the party but I will be keeping to myself and not partaking in the game, so you may shine.”

“Alright… I… I can do this.” I say as I clench my hands into fists. I need to do this… Not just for Gelfree but for everyone who believes in me.

“One last tip my dear.” Alexander says as he finishes my hair and comes back to in front of me. “You need to have a mask on.”

“A mask? Like one of those white ones to cover your eyes?”

“No, I mean a Facade. A mask to hide behind. I have my smile. I don’t show much outwardly unless I trust people, like you. You however let your emotions show and it can be easy to gauge and assume what you think and will do. This will only do harm in the Game.” I need… a Facade? I’ve never really thought about needing to hide who I am and what I’m thinking… How should I act? Can I do a believable act? These thoughts and more ring out in my brain but they fall silent as soon as Alexander presses his finger against my nose. “You worry too much. Just act confident and let the rest flow naturally, don’t let anything said there get to you.”

“I… I’ll try.”

“That’s the first step to success. Trying is the predecessor of doing.” Alexander happily says, removing his finger from my nose. “Now shall we?”

***

I look out the window to my left to the world outside, as the cart Alexander and I sit in travels for what feels like the fiftieth hour since our departure. My nerves are high and have always been that way since we left. I don’t see why we need to use carriages to travel if we both can teleport. When asked in the first bit of travel Alexander simply responded with “Style”. Letting out a long sigh I see the walls of the capital finally pass my window and I internally thank the Godesses for saving me from more of this torture. I am met with the sight of a busy street and buildings as we travel through the city and to my displeasure I see slaves and the common sight of people offering their bodies for Corruption. Growling I narrow my eyes but for a moment I notice something drawn on a passing building that resembles a silhouette of my face with text above it saying “Savior”.

Looking over to Alexander I notice he is busy looking out his own window on the right side of the cart. “Alexander, did you see any symbols on buildings on your side?” Perking up he glances over to me confused.

“No, why do you ask?”

“I don’t know if I saw it right but it looked like a silhouette of my face and written above it was the word Savior.” I explain but when he hears what I say he simply smiles.

“Well, you did give these abused people of society hope. I would be surprised if they didn’t worship the ground you walk upon. Though we need to show them that their hope isn’t misplaced.” People… are idolizing me? But… Do I really deserve to be seen this way? Thinking on this I go quiet, I don’t know how long I think for but I am brought out of my thoughts when the cart comes to a gradual stop. Out of my window I see a grand Castle of glistening black stone that resembles Obsidian with silver metal accenting the stonework. This must be the home of the King… and soon to be my home.

With a gentle click the door to the carriage opens and I am greeted to the sound of music coming from within the Castle. Alexander wakes his way out and without missing a beat extends a hand out to me. “Come my Dear, let’s smile like we mean it for these Heathens.” He says with an ear to ear smile, I smirk at him and take a deep breath. With my nerves settled I take his hand then step out of the Carriage keeping my hand on top of his as we walk. Tilting my head up a slight bit I try my best to keep my posture refined and confident, a small smile gracing my lips. We both walk towards the ajar wooden door gates of the Castle but as we approach our arrival draws the attention of one of the Guards with a large book in his hands. Said guard is a Fox like race and has snow white fur tucked under his leather armor.

“Who might you two be?” The guard asks as he pulls out a quill like object from his pocket.

“Alexander with Lady Twilight Sparkle.” Alexander happily says as we keep walking past the guard who quickly tries to follow us as we pass him. He ruffles through some of the book's pages but soon stops on a page.

“Ah, I’m sorry sir but I have instructions to not allow the one called Twilight Sparkle in.” Alexander looks back to the guard who is keeping up to us.

“Is that so?” Alexander chuckles as we stop and he turns to the guard who is pestering us. Why am I being disallowed from entering this party?

“Fraid so sir. I can’t really overturn the decision.”

“Oh, don’t worry my friend. You can go ahead and ignore those orders.” Alexander explains with a wave of his hand. “You see she is both invited as she is the Baroness of Primal Glow. She also happens to be my student so I feel she counts as my plus one.”

“I’m sorry sir but you aren’t on the list… Who the hell are you?” The Guard asks flabbergasted. I restrain a giggle from escaping me at seeing him flounder with how Alexander is.

“Oh, I’m the Prime Evil Tyrant.” Alexander calmly says with the slightest sinister growl to his voice as he looks the guard dead in the eyes. Even not being in his view I can feel an oppressive aura fall on me causing me to shiver.

“I-I didn’t know a Prime Evil was going to… be here today… Sorry sir. Deeply sorry… you and your student are good to head in.” As soon as the Guard says this the aura lifts and Alexander chuckles.

“That’s good to hear, it would be such a bother to just go back home, wouldn’t it have been dear?” Alexander says, turning around as he takes my hand again and shoots me a wink. Might as well start trying to be confident and a player right now.

“Quite, though I find it frankly insulting, the staff here wouldn’t know your status. Dogs should know their betters.” I say with disgust in my voice causing the fox man to flinch. “However you might be able to make it up to us dear guardsmen.”

“Oh, y-yes my Lady. What can I do for you?” The guard sheepishly says at attention.

“Who was the imbecile that thought they could keep Alexander and I out of this party?”

“Oh, It was a Bee woman. She… paid the captain of the guard to ensure that all us guards knew you weren’t allowed in.” The guard explains, I give him a kind smile and a small nod.

“Thank you for being truthful, my good sir. I’ll see to it they don’t find out you let us through. Just say… you didn’t see us.” I say followed by a quick wink making him blush. Maybe… doing this Game won’t be too hard.