8 hours later.
Mr. N kept his thoughts to himself while Liam rested in the helicopter. The rhythmic buzz of the blades filled the silence as the aircraft began its descent.
Liam wasn't fully asleep. His anxiety had spiked ever since they flew into the US, but he didn't say anything.
The oversized man looked more mentally exhausted than physically drained, his eyes barely open as he stared ahead.
Mr. N could see the anxiety on his face, "First time in the US?" Mr. N smirked, proud, like he owned the place.
"No," Liam grunted.
"Damn, and here I thought I took your tourist virginity." Mr. N laughed.
Liam didn't reciprocate the same energy. "Do not make jokes like that."
The helicopter landed.
Mr. N stepped out casually.
"This is my tertiary work camp. It's run by my students. But this week's special. A lot of my best men are hosted here. Solomon, Osprey, and others. They are just like you."
Mr. N glanced at Liam.
"I'll introduce you to them soon. But don't interact with them unless I'm there. Each member of my Elite Guard suffers from a form of psychotic, dissociative, or neurodevelopmental disorder, and unless you know how to handle them, things can go very wrong."
A pause.
"For both of you."
Liam grew suspicious but didn't show it.
Everyone is diseased? Strength comes at a cost. If they were "well," I assume they wouldn't be strong. Strength means experience. And experience means trauma. Even so its wrong. So wrong to take advantage of-
Almost as if reading his mind, Mr. N spoke.
A slight tilt of his head.
Act 1- The Sour Orange
"What are your thoughts on sour oranges, Liam?" Mr.N mumbled casually
"Sour oranges?" Liam raised an eyebrow. They walked through the fog as if it did not exist.
"I'm not a fan." Liam simply threw out an answer without even thinking.
"Right, most people are not." Mr. N stopped walking. His eyes are jittering wildly as if he's holding something back.
"But is it the orange's fault that it was sour? Or is it the tree?" Mr. N continued without stopping. "When does an orange go sour? Is it at birth? Or is it when it's picked to eat? If a sour orange wanted to be sweet, do you think "it" just wanting to be sweet would make it sweet?
....
Mr. N's eyes go hollow, "No, it is by nature that these oranges are sour. Sour oranges should not spend their lives trying to be sweet just because that's what's accepted."
His eyes flash with conviction as if it's something personal.
I despise people who throw away sour oranges. If I could kill them all, I would. I think it's everything that's wrong with the world.
Mr. N tugs on his tie, fixing his suit before continuing to walk.
People have different tastes. I'm a person who can appreciate the sweet while making use of the sour oranges as well.
And that's why I am truly fit to rule.
And one day you will truly come to understand that.