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Still in Attilan for the last day for a while, Maximus has been tediously packing things. Those keeping an eye on him are restricting various things, to keep him out of trouble. His favorite guard has been reposted elsewhere, and he has some now that are loyal to the Council members, whom obviously, he doesn't care for. But, finally he has his things in order, such as they are, no terrigen mists, they've searched. Finally, he goes knocking on Blackagar's room, dressed in white, with bare feet.
*
Blackagar had not intended to stay in Attilan much longer than the day itself, but conversations had convinced him against that and thus he had remained for some time. The knock at his door had come at an unexpected time so when he opened it, there was a combination of surprise on his features; both at the arrival of anyone much less the arrival of Maximus. A steady look is given to the man before a nod is offered and a motion to enter given.
*
Maximus enters swiftly, hands behind his back, his shoulders held firmly, rather than a slouch. Once inside and Blackagar has shut the door, he spins around. "You know this plan of yours makes us both Princes." He pulls a hand from behind his back and then flourishes his fingers towards the ceiling. "Why do I get the distinct feeling that all this time…you have missed me? What did you say about me? Mean things, I suppose. But deep down…" His sharp eyes squint. His manner seems…unpredictable at the moment, but not dangerous. Simply, eccentricly himself.
*
Blackagar simply quirks an eyebrow at Maximus before he shakes his head slowly, «There is a difference between mean and honest. The time had come to offer you relief from your burdens. To allow your mind time to heal and focus on new tasks. To let yourself be guided rather than doing the guiding.» The posture of Blackagar is one of patience, of kindness as he 'speaks'.
*
Maximus closes his eyes for a moment when he feels that telepathic connection. "Do you know…I don't /play/ with telepaths? I don't like them speaking in my mind." The words are harsh, his face is too, but then it softens. "Except you. I think because we are brothers, it doesn't feel like a violation." He's one to talk about violating! Then he laughs. "And you already know what I am…" He sobers and moves closer to the still, 'silent', man. "I have come here because…I do need guidance. With the throne, it was easy to focus on protecting, and that is all that I have done. Going out in the world…I have no place with friends, no connection, no /idea/ of how we are supposed to reveal ourselves and have it not go as terrible as it has for the Kingdom of Asgard."
*
Blackagar nods slowly and manages a thin smile. «To have connection, you must know people. To know people, you must be willing to live their lives, to walk their paths and struggle their struggles.» The younger manages to contemplate before walking over to a chair and sitting down, on the edge of it. «Instead of worrying about that path, rather focus on a path that brings you to peace. A path that will let you experience the world in a fruitful way. To not see everything as a threat to be protected against, but rather to see the possibilities. Our path now, Brother, is one of first contact. To be the hand that reaches out into the world. Yes, there will be many who slap the hand or try to harm it. But there will still be others who accept the hand because they need it.»
*
Maximus points a finger at Blackagar and steps forward one step, "You /need me/. You need me in the shadows, doing things you aren't capable of." He pokes his finger into his own chest, gesturing to himself. "I can. I can be ignored and called Mad, while doing everything you can't. I will not find peace, unless you give that to me. If I am completely left alone, I have no idea what I will do. You must let me come with you."
*
Were Blackagar capable of laughing, he would, a soft chuckle. But no sound comes only the movement of his chest as his head shakes. «Brother, I believe you are mistaken in what I am going to be doing. I was born for one duty… to be the leader of the Inhumans. But in order to free you from that burden, I also have released myself from it. I have no purpose, no duty now. You are welcome to join the others I am certain, but there is no grand plan for myself. In fact, I may very well be simply retiring to the mountains in which I have spent the past decade.»
*
Maximus makes an exasperated flail of his hands and turns away, walking a few steps, then pacing, paralell to his brother. "You are insufferable! Come, come play meditation games with me, Maximus, in the cold mountains! I suppose /that/s where you were." He draws in a deep breath. "Crystal said there were assassins. I never sent them. Though I am certain there are plenty who would have liked you dead. I had my share of assassins too. I imagine they died more /mercifully/…by your hand." He wets his lips and then stops his pacing to regard the other man. "I believe I will leave the meditating to you. Which means." His tone gets dry. "That I will have to attach myself to the ladies, if I want something to /do/." He lids his eyes. "And I hear, you have little interest in them these days. You should thank me, at least a little bit, for getting you out of that betrothal."
*
Blackagar's eyes slide shut for a moment, a calming time being taken before they open again and he manages a thin smile. «It is amusing, that you would seek thanks, when all you have done your entire life is attempt to ruin mine.» The sentiment is thinly veiled but slowly the man rises out of the chair he was in. «For the longest time, I blamed myself in many ways for what happened. But no more. I have brought resolution. What happens, from this point on, this is no longer dictated by what was, it is decided by what will be. What actions.» He walks forward casually then towards Maximus and the smile remains. «Bring harm to either of them however. And you and I will speak of it.» Reaching up, Blackagar taps his lips.
*
Maximus straightens as Blackagar describes their strange relationship, and Max's faults, growing taller in small degrees as the other man nears him. He lifts his chin, finally, at the threat. "Its no fun being everyone's second choice." Some sort of…attempted excuse for his destructive tendencies. "Stop complaining, punch me and be done with it. We are royalty. I do not recall ever taking 'apology' classes."
*
«Royalty is not a birthright.» Blackagar presses back before shaking his head and turning to make his way back to the chair. «And you were never second choice Maximus, you were chosen to do a different task, to serve a different purpose. It was only you who ever saw it as less. No one else. Your insecurity. All of this could have been avoided. You are not a bad person, brother. You are simply one who has a limited view to things. That is both a blessing, and a curse. It is why you are needed in the days to come, but will always be a risk as well.»
*
Maximus exhales softly when Blackagar turns to move to the chair and he flops dramatically in a different one, slinking into it low, knees wide, and arms on either rest of the chair. "What task is that, Blackagar? The one you deny me now? You leave me no choice but to be guided by our cousins…they who will never forgive me, for anything, ever." He whines.
*
It causes him to smile again and Blackagar nods, «Yes. That is exactly the point Maximus. For all of you. They will not trust you, forcing you to behave. And you will not behave, forcing them to keep their eyes upon you. It is a balance. And through it all, you will learn humility and maybe, just maybe, how to work with others rather than to do things on your whims.»
*
Pat, pat, go his bare feet against the floor as Max taps them back and forth, staring at something on the wall only he can see. "I refuse to do it. Except on one condition."
*
«I find it amusing that you think there can be conditions, but certainly share.» Blackagar responds, still smiling as if humored as he looks at nothing in particular himself, his eyes gazing at a wall as if it were not there.
*
"I FIND IT NECESSARY!" The man snaps, stopping his feet and looking over at Blackagar. "I find it amusing." He immitates Blackagar's voice, with a little jut forwards of his head, then calms again in the very next breath. He flexes his fingers, and his lips part. It is several breaths before he can continue with his condition. "/You/ must forgive me."
*
Looking at Maximus, there is the temptation to snort but slowly, Blackagar shakes his head. «Maxmius. You are alive. Were I bitter, or vengeful I would have brought my full power down upon you. I am not that person. I am not… you. Were you not forgiven, you would be dead.»
*
Maximus tilts his head. His hair is short, but there's a threat at the end of it to turn into curls if he were to let it grow out longer. "And also…one more thing. Let me visit you in your safe, quiet home, and complain endlessly, and lie about events so that they seem more dramatic." He grins crookedly, and more than necessary.
*
Blackagar smirks and nods, «Of course. If only to keep you from sharing your frustrations with others. And as much as I desire to find a nice, quiet place… I do not believe that path will be mine to walk.»
*
Maximus lets his face fall back to neutral and he settles the motion of his hands by curling them in his lap. He crosses his feet and tucks them against the chair. Its almost reactionary, subconsciously, to the idea of an alone-place, like he's curling up, alone. He cannot be aware. "So what's your path? If you are not joining the world, and not leading, yet…not retiring, what are you going to do?"
*
«I know many things. That… that I don't know. And to be honest, I am actually excited at that. To not know what is in store.» Blackagar smiles a bit. «I only know that change, trouble, and transition are all on the horizon. Beyond that? Maybe I'll open an ice cream shop.»
*
Maximus makes a face at Blackagar. "Yes? And fail at that. Chinese Restaurant, maybe. But you couldn't make something sweet. It'd make you hum. And then your shop is destroyed." Maximus snickers. "Probably why you don't have a /girlfriend/ either."
*
A short look towards Maximus is given then Blackagar shakes his head. «More likely the fact that I cannot … communicate well. They do not understand what I attempt to say. It is simpler to not even bother.»
*
Maximus wets his lips. "Ahhh, such tragedy, dear brother, that the only ones you can speak so freely to, are the ones to which are you /related/." He suddenly flows up to his feet. "At least we have one thing in common."
*
A small nod from Blackagar, «Do not forget to say your partings to those of the city, we will not be coming back for some time.» He then turns, a bit to look at the wall thoughtfully once again.
*
Maximus frowns some at the reminder of leaving all the precious city. BUT, at least it means no one is going to make him clean up all the mess.