They first were given a quick tour of the entire capital with the accompanying High General Leon. Alton's soldiers were given free passes and were given the opportunity to explore the capital by themselves. Now all the only people left with Leon were Alton, Ralph and Serge.
Serge had taken it upon himself to become quick friends with Leon and the two were already on a first name basis. Alton let them do as they pleased, busy eyeing the surrounding buildings and people.
Who were not at all subtle about their curiosity to these men dressed in odd military uniforms.
High General Leon had scheduled a military training with his troops tomorrow morning so as to understand each other technology/ fighting style better.
His scientists would also be given free tours to some of their famous medical and technology buildings too. Basically everyone under him had their own respective jobs and would split off from the main group. As for Alton? Well he was the highest ranking person that the Poga empire had to take care of. So his plan besides getting a better feel for their political situation was to simply train with the other soldiers.
Serge suddenly spoke up drawing him out of his thoughts, "Commander! Leon said that he knew a good bar to go to! We need to celebrate your birthday!"
Altons eyes shifted over and he and Serge made eye contact. Serge faltered slightly and guiltily looked away.
General Leon stared at the two's interaction but didn't understand their words.
"Birthday? What is that? Something that the Gurr empire celebrates?"
Alton spoke slowly, turning his emotionless gaze away from Serge and smiled at Leon.
"Sorry he's just a bit excited, please don't take offense High General Leon. And no, birthdays are not something that Gurr empire citizens celebrate."
"Please tell me Alton. Oh, by the way can I call you that?"
Alton nodded and smiled back.
"Just call me Leon then, General Ralph your welcome to do the same!"
Ralph nodded and cast a glance over at Serge who was shrinking his neck and subtly shifting away from Alton who was emitting a subtle pressure.
"Alton, if you don't mind my asking if Gurr Empire citizens don't celebrate birthdays is it something that is specific to your race and culture?"
Although it wasn't noticeable Altons eyes darkened with emotion at Leons words.
"To answer your question Leon, yes it is a cultural celebration. It is a celebration to congratulate someone on their birth. Every year when your day of birth comes around you and those close to you would celebrate it. My day of birth just happened to coincide with today, Serge was suggesting going to a bar to celebrate."
Leon smiled, "Alton that sounds like a great celebration! I wouldn't mind showing you a good place to hold a celebration! How old are you turning?"
Alton smiled and answered politely, "I'm turning 73 today thank you for asking. As for your invitation I gladly accept. Shall we head to where we will be staying to change and then leave?"
Serge finally bounced back to life and slinging an arm over Ralphs shoulder,
"Let's get drunk! Ohh i haven't had a good drink in a while, commanders been dragging us all over the place!"
"Oh? Are you very busy?" Leon said raising a brow,
This time it was Ralph who responded,
"Ah, commanders are a bit of a workaholic, always looking to help our empire."
Serge laughed out loud, "You mean battle manic!"
Ralph's lips twitched and seeing the dark gaze that Alton was sending their way he shrugged off Serges arm.
"Serge you on your own, Leon, thank you for the invitation. I would like to say that I agree with my commander. We should leave after we change."
Leon laughed and guided the trembling Segre who was being stared down by his commander and Alton and Ralph to their living quarters, a grande mansion that was placed near the center of the capital not too far from the Royal Palace.
After a quick change into some dressy civilian clothes they set out. Hoping in a flying shuttle Leon pointed out some buildings as they rode and gave a small speech on the capital's history. When they entered the club they were brought to a private room and were served with alcohol and food.
Low music playing in the background, drinks on the table and warm food. The picture seems nice, and it would have been if Aalton wasn't busy thinking about Earth and his daughter.
'If I'm turning 83 today in Earth years then that means her birthday will be coming up soon. I wonder if she and my parents visited my grave. I wonder whether my parents are still there and well..I hope her business is going well…'
His thoughts were a bit messy that night and his mood wasn't very high. Serge and Ralph, already used to his low mood on this specific day, drank to their heart's content and were busy trying to outdrink the other. Alton and Leon engaged in small talk speaking about their empires and small details about things that ranged from transportation to battle tactics.
The sun had set hours ago and the night was deep.
"Alright Serge, help Ralph up we should begin to head back! There's no way I'm letting either of you show up late to tomorrow's exercise. Let's get moving."
Leon smiled and stood up steadily.
"Looks like you're a good drinker Alton, would you be against the idea of staying out with me after sending these two home?"
As soon as those words left his mouth three sets of eyes looked his way.
He smiled harmlessly and Alton suddenly laughed out loud, his shoulders relaxed. Hearing the sound of his laughter Ralph and Serge stared at him.
"If only I had caught a picture! I bet it would sell for quiet a amount!"
Ralph grumbled lightly.
Serge burst into laughter as well,
"Imagine the headlines! The Gurr empires the most handsome bachelor laughing! I wonder who's the lucky person?"
Ralph couldn't help it and another burst of laughter spilling from his lips, he was a person who when drunk liked to gossip and laugh a lot.
In public Alton hardly smiled and even if he did it was a polite shallow smile. If his fans saw him laughing like he just had they would have gone crazy.
Alton walked to the both of them and flicked them both in the forhead. His voice was calm but his eyes were laughing, "Stand up straight and head back, i'll stay out longer with Leon. And don't you dare try to take my picture."
Leon couldn't help himself from smiling, he honestly appreciated these people's interaction with each other, it reminded him of his own close friends.
-Sitting at a private bar in another high end club-
"Alton, do you usually celebrate with family or friends during birthdays?"
Alton only smiled and took a sip from his drink.
"I mentioned this earlier but Gurr Empire citizens don't celebrate things like birthdays, I'm originally not from the Gurr empire. I haven't seen my family in a long time and like Serg said i am a bachelor so i don't have a lover either. I mostly celebrate with close friends. But not often."
Leon only smiled before saying, "The emperor is my cousin and we grew up together. My family has a long line of history with the Poga capital city. This year I am 90 years old and on my 91 year of birth I think I should hold a little celebration. Would you like to come?"
Alton smiled his reddish brown eyes curling and for a moment they melted, "I'd love to come, thank you for inviting me."
They talked for a few more hours before leaving neither of them were very drunk and although Alton toyed with the thought of using his psych power to clear the alcohol from his system in the end he felt he would sleep easier with it and decided not to.
Leon next to him seemed a little bit more drunk than him and was telling him about his family's history. The ride back was comfortable and Alton had a feeling that the next few weeks here would be enjoyable. It seemed he had dozed off a bit by accident and when they arrived Leon moved to tap his shoulder and wake him.
Before he could touch Alton though he made eye contact with Altons sharp reddish brown eyes. Altons hand had come up and grabbed his own, preventing him from touching himself. Surprised Alton gently let go,
"You surprised me Leon, sorry for dozing off. It must have been the alcohol." Their gazes met and he paused as a small smile formed. "Thank you for taking us all out tonight."
Seeing Alton just brush off what had happened Leon laughed and left the floating shuttle.
"I'll say goodnight here, my house is in the other direction, i'm glad you had a good night."
When the shuttle pulled away Leon sat in the back seat and clenched his fingers, a wicked smile caused his frivolous face to twist into something dangerous. The look that Alton had given him when he was startled awake was like a ferocious beast. It had ignited his fighting spirit, he suddenly wanted to fight with Alton.