Many follow the arriving party with untrusting eyes.

Aerglo is unbothered. Xe is used to it, has grown up in the eyes of judgment.

Silently, xe approaches the Ruler Thuban with xyr head held high, both sharing nods of acknowledgement when they're finally face-to-face. Xe immediately notices that the space beside Thuban is empty. But xe can't help but notice thay xe's good, has become and matured into a fine ruler.

Thuban gives xem a once over as well before leading the tired party inside the extravagant palace.

The meetings barely last three days. Three days of their councils arguing with each other, back and forth without a sign of any form of agreement. The hope of ending The war diminishing with each day.

Finally, Thuban puts a stops to it. It's ridiculous, childish, and time-consuming. Xe can see Aerglo is tired as well.

So the last encounter stays solely between Aerglo and Thuban in the privacy of the throne room.

"I'm aware that you want to end this war as much as I do," Thuban says.

"I do."

"Are you willing to meet the demands of my people?"

"It's been many years, centuries upon centuries, since our ancestors have fought this senseless war. But even I know when it's time to admit that we were in the wrong. My own people will have to make do with our decision, so long as the fighting stops and we have a truce."

"My people's demand is the following: Reparations for the damages caused when they were enslaved," Thuban says.

Aerglo agrees immediately. After all the bullshit they've been through because some aliens felt entitled? It's only fair and it'll probably never be enough, it'll never truly right the wrongs that were done.

"Objections?"

"None, but I do need something in return."

Aerglo knows xe's treading on dangerous territory. It's been decades since they've seen one another, the last time they were even together was the day they saw each other in a different light. There was hurt and betrayal, above all else, there was loss. Aerglo doesn't know, doesnt recognize, the person before xem. Just as Thuban doesn't know the human before xemself.

Regardless, Thuban gives xem the go ahead.

"There was a traitor among my court, someone who was unhappy and decided to do the unthinkable. The power shift in my realm is unstable as you well know, and that is because it was sudden. Royal Canopus was suddenly gone."

"Traitor... do you mean.."

"Please, consider handing me the traitor that killed Canopus"

Thuban freezes. Canopus was murdered?

"Your sire?" Xe frowns.

"Xe was many things, my sire was not one of them," Aerglo mumbles bitterly.

The frown doesn't leave, but xyr heart clenches for Aerglo, "xyr name?"

"Crucis."

"We heard snippets of what happened and I'll gladly hand the traitor over," Thuban assures.

This should be enough, enough to satisfy both realms if only marginally for now.

In exchange for reparations, Aerglo gets the alien that killed their previous Royal, the alien that ruled with an iron fist but managed to keep the war at a stalemate with defense.

And suddenly Aerglo remembers, "The poison-"

"Is no longer in our possession," Thuban admits, "I brought it here, but I've made the order never to use it again as warfare, especially when there was the hope of a truce. It'll be drawn up in our treaty and the plant is off limits whenever there's an expedition. It's too dangerous, especially when there's no antidote."

"Thank you," Aerglo breathes in relief, already thinking of destroying the garden infested with the flowers, "I'm glad we could agree on something."

Things are still tense between them, their past still in their present, but for now it's enough.

And when Aerglo leaves with a traitor in chains, xe doesn't even notice the little stowaway stumbling onboard.