unspeakablyevil | (no subject)

【 Closed to

aurelion 】

From his towering citadel, Aku had noticed an unusual occurrence. Spaceships had been landing on his planet and little alien creatures had emerged from them. He'd ignored them for a bit, until they started infiltrating his mines and scaring his enslaved human prisoners. When he confronted the aliens, they refused to bow to him and claimed to serve only one master – one known as Yellow Diamond. When he attacked them for their insolence, they'd turned themselves into jewels and minerals found within the Earth. It was a curious surprise but Aku suspected there would be more to come.

Then came the day when a great yellow palanquin arrived on his world, and when its doors slid open, Aku made a sudden appearance as if from thin air. He stood tall before the palanquin with hands clasped behind his back, a stern expression set upon his otherworldly features. When he spoke, his tone was low and menacing, the voice of a creature who knew no authority except his own and had no intention of surrendering to even the greatest of gods.

"Yellow Diamond, I presume." Given her appearance and the air of majesty that surrounded her, he'd have to say his guess was correct. "If you have come to rule this world, you shall find it has already been conquered."

The demon puffed out his chest for dramatic effect. Yes, indeed, it had been he who conquered this planet in just a few short decades. And while his reign of evil was still in its infancy, he felt he owned this world and all that existed within.

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My workers aren't here to pave the way for my conquering, if that's what you're wondering.

[ Tight lipped, just as tall as him, she orders her Pearl out of this conversation lest she insults this... alien overlord. Negotiations, not peace nor war, were the best platitudes when it came to unfortunate, tangling situations like this. Some of her gems had been reduced back to stone, others shattered-- while she fought a lip snarl at that, she maintained her dignity as all leaders eons old should. Anger is weakness, it's a crack in your gem your enemy can widen and carve out. It's best reserved for petty arguments or when her foot should be slammed down. ]

We are merely mining minerals from your planet to create more gems. Surely you don't need silicon–oxygen tetrahedra mixed with trace elements of other materials, such as iron or irradiation. My research indicates it's valueless to the rich and at most, used to forge petty jewelry imitating stronger compounds.

[ She was deliberately doing this-- using her big words to sidestep herself into less of an invader and more of a harvester. ]

Our machines dig out and deposit the necessary materials needed to form gems at a slightly accelerated rate. These become our species, and join us back on homeworld to continue society there. So no, I am not conquering. I'm borrowing fertile land from your cliff sides. It was very unnecessary for you to shatter my innocent workers.

[ Her tone is terse there, just enough to show that it wasn't something she'd appreciate any longer. ] But you can agree that this is better than your assumption, correct?

[She is direct, confident and extremely authoritative. Aku can see this and he isn't yet sure if he likes or hates it.]

Mmhhhhh... [He hums in contemplation, his mind at work.] Very well. You will be allowed to mine the compounds of which you speak... Under three conditions.

[Because of course Aku does not let people borrow from him unless he gets something in return.]

ONE. The core must be left intact. [This part is enunciated with excessive clarity.] Without its core, this planet shall die and become useless to me. Two–

[Briefly, the demon turns his head to shoot forth a beam of light from his eyes. Where the beam strikes the ground, several dark, yellow-eyed figures arise. They appear to be made of the same shadowy substance as Aku, though much smaller in size, and they wear matching red uniforms and masks.]

–My minions shall act as my eyes and ears to monitor your progress, but they will do nothing to hinder your work. And three... [His gaze wanders toward the mining equipment as if he sees something he likes and wants it for himself, which is precisely the case.] ...You will allow a small team of my humans to study your technology. As you can see, my world is lacking in all but the most primitive forms of technology and I seek to change this.

[Having named his conditions, Aku seems to stand even straighter yet, as if he's trying to outdo her in height (though technically his horns already give him a very unfair advantage.)]

Do we have a deal, Your Majesty?

[ She faces him with a cold expression as she listens to his demands. They were not unreasonable, and even if she is quite sure (certain, in fact) that the Diamond Authority could wipe him out and proceed with business as usual, she doesn't like things being messy. The cluster project was important, but it was still in its infancy, developing as a project before shards were taken and to be assembled.

They can find another habitable planet. They have intergalactic space travel and all of those galaxies charted, so it won't be hard exterminating another alien species, despite this one being an optimal choice.

But bending to all of his rules shows weakness. Her face is in resting mode with a bit of a scowl. ]

You gained intel about the core. [ She states, matter of factly. ] Otherwise the idea is too absurd to consider, isn't it?

[ She doesn't step back at his beam, glowering over his minions like she'd step on one if the option presented itself. ] I'll cement that rule with you to be unbroken. Your minions will not interfere with the kindergartens. They will not dig into them, they will not steal any gems growing from them, they will not break them, they will not talk to them, they will not engage with them. Have I made myself clear?

[ She sees no reason to transform to give herself a bit of height over him-- pettiness like that befitted other gems. She was powerful in stature, not height. ]

Your humans will get a selected amount of technology from Homeworld to observe and build upon and nothing else. I would be a fool to grant permission to an arms race with my own technology.

If you meet my terms, it will be a deal.

[He doesn't like the terms but Aku knows he must at least pretend to accept them in order to get what he wants. Perhaps he would go back on his word later, or perhaps not. He's at least clever enough to know that he needs to learn more about her before he makes any impulsive decisions.]

You've made yourself clear and I accept your terms. [The demon bows his horned head to her, the most respectful gesture he would ever offer, before grinning up at her.] It is a deal.

[A singular glance at his minions sends them scattering in a hurry, presumably to begin their observation duties under the agreed upon terms.]

Now I suppose it is in order to introduce myself. I am Aku and I am the Master of this World, Bringer of Darkness, Bestower of Woe... mhhh. [He squints as if he's displeased with the sound of that last one. Choosing overly dramatic titles for himself is still a work in progress.]

[ At least they're agreed in that sense. The bureaucracy and the Diamond Authority would figure out what to do with him, if it was too late in the game plan. But it was always important to put up a front and be respectful for the first meeting. If she had to deal with him, she'd deal with him.

She bows back, making it acknowledged they're on even grounds for now. ]

I am pleased we've come to an agreement. This will be a great favor to Homeworld and the Diamond Authority.

[ Oh, villainous. That's what this type of world was? Consumed by darkness? As long as it was as fit for kindergartens as they'd tested, whether or not it reigned with a cruel ruler didn't matter to her. Strictly business. ]

I am Yellow Diamond, of the Diamond authority. [ No nicknames. ] One of the supreme leaders of Homeworld. [ No need for more than that. ] One of my gems will be delivering you a device that can allow easy communication between this world and mine, should complications arise.

Excellent.

[Aku's grin seems only to spread. He knows not if he can trust her word but he's certainly confident enough (read 'arrogant' enough) to think he can force his way if necessary.]

I await your delivery, Yellow Diamond. And in the meantime, I have a delivery for you.

[His arm spans what seems like a great distance between them as he reaches toward her with a closed hand. Uncurling his black claws reveals an empty palm, but soon a single gem surfaces as if from thick tar, a small bead of color against the darkness of his hand. Then another appears, and another. Suddenly a small mountain of gems rises from his hand. Unlike the shattered remains of her workers he had left before, these are whole and uncracked.]

I believe these are yours.

[ The deliverance of her wounded gems on her hand is not lost on her as a gesture. It's a threat. She bubbles them all at once and has her servants-- dressed in various shades of green and yellow, escort it back to her ship. She fixes her eyes on him and leers, just a bit.

But the expression drifts from her face as it is only that, a way to acknowledge his power play. She does not do well with people challenging her authority, whether they were here first or not, but being angry is a lot less leaderlike than complete composure. ]

It is appreciated.

[ She turns to leave. ]

I'll be bidding you farewell, now.

--

[ Later, he would be given a communication device from a Homeworld ship, allowing him to contact her directly if he wanted-- though the peridot explaining its functions adamantly said it was for emergency disputes only. ]

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timeline is 6,000 years ago.

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