change everything you are

[lazarisen]

WHO: RA'S AL GHUL and ISKANDAR
WHERE: A hotel bar/restaurant
WHEN: Monday the 2nd?
WARNINGS: None yet
SUMMARY: Ra's has always wanted to meet Alexander the Great.
FORMAT: Quick?


Being ageless didn't mean Ra's had met every great man (or woman) in history, but being in this City opened new opportunities every day. Or nearly. And some men -- conquerors -- were exactly the sort of men who could aid in Ra's's mechanizations. Step by step; every one mattered.

Furthermore, really: it was Alexander the Great. How could he overlook the opportunity just to meet him?

Ra's sat in the restaurant of the Ritz Carlton hotel in Battery Park, dressed nicely with slicked hair and a black tailored suit. He messaged Iskandar from his communicator -- the one without his name registered, of course -- with the location and sipped at a glass of merlot, content to wait.

Comments

[conquerorking]

[It didn't take long for Iskandar to arrive. Nor was his arrival precisely subtle; he traveled in a chariot that summoned lightning, after all. With several lightning strikes to the ground outside heralding his arrival, Iskandar ducked his head to make it through the doorway, showing his grand attire of... a t-shirt and shorts. Formal wear, it seemed, was not a concept he had been granted knowledge of upon his summoning.

He spotted the only man who appeared to be waiting for someone, and assuming that was the one he was looking for, plopped down in a chair opposite him and sprawled.]

Yo! You must be that 'Ra's' something or other, right?

[lazarisen]

[ Ra's smiled and raised his hand in a wave, motioning to one of the waiters to bring over a second glass of wine. Although the outfit wasn't quite what he had expected.... ]

It's much more comfortable speaking in person, isn't it?

[conquerorking]

[He takes the glass of wine and downs it in one gulp, giving a contended 'Whew!' afterwards.]

It is! It's impossible to really trust someone who doesn't show their face, after all.

[lazarisen]

That's very true. [ Ra's just. Gets them an entire bottle. ] A successful man must also be a cautious one. But as you can see, I can be trusted.

[ He offers his hand. ]

As can you?

[conquerorking]

[He casually refills his cup, not even giving a fuck.]

I seek honor and glory. To not keep to my word is against both of these. There is no man you can trust more than Iskandar.

[With that, he takes Ra's's (just Ra's? How do you even do that) hand and gives a hearty shake.]

[lazarisen]

I should hope so.

[ Ra's's (YES THAT IS CORRECT... I think) grip is firm, though not quite as hearty. ]

I'm interested in hearing about you, Iskandar. As I mentioned, of all the great men I have known through history you were always one of the few before my time.

[conquerorking]

I don't know... Out of the two of us, aren't you the more interesting one? I'm in the history books, but you speak like you've been around for longer than a mortal life.

[lazarisen]

Some centuries. Death is an art form that like any other can be mastered. [ He smiles. ] I wonder, do you yet have any plans for this world?

[conquerorking]

Is it not obvious? This world will be mine, of course.

[lazarisen]

By what means? [ Not judging. He sips his wine. ]

[conquerorking]

Glory and conquest, of course. I will first march to Macedonia once more, and regain my former empire. Once I have reclaimed my former land and raised a new army, I shall set out for new lands! With these new weapons of war time has brought about, I shall never have a dull moment. First, I shall consolidate all of Europe and Asia under my rule, then I will move for America.

[lazarisen]

[ Sips contemplatively. ]

I should inform you that I've recently become the ambassador of a small country in the Mediterranean. I'm certain that I could offer you resources should you require them.

[conquerorking]

Hoo? If they are offered freely, I will accept with gratitude and friendship in my heart. But that is far too rare. What are you asking in return?

[lazarisen]

[ Ra's smiles. ]

Merely what I offer. Resources. Use of any armies you might build.

[conquerorking]

... Say, I hope you aren't misunderstanding something.

[lazarisen]

That would be a shame if I was. An army is not in your plans, I take it.

[conquerorking]

Of course it is. But it sounds like you've never led an army yourself.

[lazarisen]

I've led and fought in many an army; unfortunately, my country is steadfastly neutral when it comes to conflict despite sitting on a large nuclear foundation. Any military effort they might produce will be simply insufficient for my needs short of an atomic struggle.

[ He shrugs. ]

And I seek power from all sides.

[conquerorking]

Then I'll let you know two things now.

An army isn't something you 'use', it's something you 'lead'. If I told my men to follow you, it wouldn't last two days. Anyone who doesn't get the difference between those isn't someone fit to have an army.

And if you wanted me to lead them myself... My army marches for my glory, and mine alone. If your goal is something for the sake of my rule, then such a thing can be done. If it is for your own, then there is nothing more to say on the subject.

[lazarisen]

Anything can be used. Anything that is a resource or a tool or a power. You misunderstand my meaning. I can offer you resources through myself just as you can offer resources through yourself. I have no desire to lead nor fight in your army just as I have no intention of handing you anything that I possess. My only desire is for you to utilize them properly.

[ He waves his hand. ]

If I'm wasting my time, I shall take my leave.

[conquerorking]

Hold on, you haven't shared the most important thing yet.

[lazarisen]

That being?

[conquerorking]

Your reasons.

[lazarisen]

Ah. I presume that means you aren't disinterested.

I seek a new tomorrow; one that is far out of the reach of ordinary humanity.

[conquerorking]

A new tomorrow? Explain yourself.

[lazarisen]

[ A dry smile. ]

A purging of all the unworthy souls from the planet so that the land, and those strong-minded individuals remaining upon it, may prosper.

[conquerorking]

[The smile drops from his face instantly.]

Eh, I must have misheard that. Did you just say you would wipe out everyone you don't deem 'worthy'?

[lazarisen]

Everyone has a reason to go to war.

[conquerorking]

Fool. If you cull the masses, then who will be left to exalt their king?

[lazarisen]

The ones intelligent enough to understand the benefit of his rule. The ones whose existence does not diminish that which they do not understand or deserve.

[conquerorking]

The ones whose families and friends you have just put to death.

[lazarisen]

No one is above sacrifice for the greater good. Not even myself.

[conquerorking]

Do you really think you're doing this for 'the greater good'?

[lazarisen]

I would lay my life down for this cause. Yes; it is as great a good as this world can hope for.

[conquerorking]

You're wrong.

[lazarisen]

Am I? Surely you don't believe that humanity's continuous destruction of this planet will leave you with a fitting empire.

[conquerorking]

Perhaps. Certainly, there is no point in conquering a world that has already been destroyed. But neither is there point in conquering a race that has already been devastated. Regardless of the reason, destroying that many of those who will become my subjects is something that I will absolutely not forgive.

[lazarisen]

How regrettable. [ Ra's takes a last sip of wine. ] How especially regrettable that this must be how we part ways. I will bear no grudge should you come to me after changing your mind.

[conquerorking]

I will say the same to you. If you realize the mistakes of the path you're on, someone like you would be more than welcome among my men.

[lazarisen]

[ He chuckles but extends his hand. ]

It has been a pleasure meeting you at last.

[conquerorking]

[He takes Ra's's hand with his own and shakes firmly.]

Aa, it was quite fun. You certainly do know how to entertain a guest.

[lazarisen]

Many years of experience. I hope to never have to kill you.

[conquerorking]

[He laughs out loud.]

That would be quite a feat. I look forward to your attempts.

[lazarisen]

As do I.

[ And he bows graciously before teleporting away in a poof of ominous demon smoke. ]