Mars was rather gloomy. He'd concluded this was as good a time as any to read a book. He perused the library at<span style="font-style: italic">Fastborg Palads</span>looking for just the right book. He spied his old magic books, which caused a smile to form on his lips. 'There was a time when you thought those were authentic magic books, my friend, ' Mars thought to himself. He wasn't quite sure why he kept them. He considered throwing them out about ten years earlier, but decided against it, to remember the past. Mars could be quite sentimental on occasion. He didn't care for the future. His prophecy had been written a long time ago. He dreaded the future. Essentially Mars Lokken was eagerly anticipating his own demise, yet just as robustly despising it.<br/><br/>"Lord," Monroe, one of his servants inquired at the doorway to the library. "There is a woman approaching the Palace, sire." The servant kept his facial features slightly raised while looking down his pointed nose at Emperor Lokken. It was a pose had had grown quite familiar with, insuring to maintain a haughty stance when addressing anyone of nobility.<br/><br/>'This, Monroe certainly does know his place,' Mars thought to himself. His announcement did pique his interest. "Well Monroe. Maybe I'll just have a look myself, if you don't mind."<br/><br/>"Yes sire," Monroe responded and retired to the kitchen.<br/><br/>Mars made his way through the entranceway, out the doors and down the steps. A woman, close to his age, tall in stature wtih long brown hair braided into a tail with stray loose wisps and tangles. Her hair was peppered with a few strands of white hair. Her cheekbones were strong with a soft jawline. Something about this woman struck a chord with Mars, but he could not place. He did not know how. At first glance, Mars thought she was his age, but the more he observed her, the more he felt uneasy about pinning an age on her. 'No matter,' Mars thought to himself. 'I'll have this woman tossed out of here.'<br/><br/>He slowly strode down the steps. "Excuse me, madame. What business do you have in this household?"