The once young Prince had always been particularly...charismatic. Finding friends and establishing alliances had always been a particularly easy point for the conqueror, that was, before he became jaded of the world that surrounded him. Even so, few had become the loyal confidant he could truly depend upon - not like him. Those years that had stretched out since Alexander's rebirth into the Dark Hunter he now was had hardly faded those feelings, particularly when he found himself beset with the unfortunate impairment of that everlasting memory. Not a single word or moment was capable of slipping into oblivion and as a result, those wounds of the past never quite could find the healing that came with time. A small frown traced the Hunter's features as Alexis inquired gingerly about the singular 'best friend' Alexander had admitted to having, her fingers gingerly brushing against his own in the process, as if she was attempting to coax those infinitely long stories from the ancient man. The blue-green of his irises fell towards their hands, that touch alone affording him a glimpse of that curiosity that so gnawed at her, one accompanied with an overwhelming desire to comfort him. It was sweet of her, really, and yet that rush of her own every thought and emotion made it difficult for the Monarch to focus upon those memories she wished him to draw to the surface.

Tenderly, Alexander withdrew his hand from hers, instead reaching for his glass of wine. That liquor was a distraction, giving him but a moment to collect himself as he sipped it before the Macedonian cleared his throat. "His name was Hephaestion." How long had it been since the syllables of that name had left his lips? How long had it been since he had even spoken of Hephaestion? "He was a page in my father's court like most of the aristocratic boys...I met him when he was ten or so. We went to Mieza together." They had gone everywhere together. Sailing to Pisa, wandering the Greek hills of Olympia, studying beneath Aristotle's strict guidance, how quickly they had become inseparable! "He joined me in my father's army when my father fought against the Thracians. He was...very intelligent and compassionate and loyal, I always counted on him. The army loved him....when they weren't jealous of him." The Monarch paused, his gaze briefly sweeping towards the nearby lake as he fell to silence, the very potency of those recollections all but tugging sharply at him at that moment. He remembered every detail in such perfect clarity. From those curly brunette locks Hephaestion used to abhor when they got just an inch too long to the pride upon his younger friend's features the very first time he'd received a military promotion. He remembered the exact hue that Hephaestion had picked for his banners and the brilliance of that grin after a battle well won as the man's brown irises sought his in triumph. His childhood friend. His confidant. His chiliarch. His beloved. If only Alexander had stayed that day instead of visiting the games. If only....everything could have been different.

It took the King a moment before he realized just how long he had fallen silent for, the man striving to push back those very memories as he shook his head ever so slightly. "In the end, he died before he should have." He finished simply before abruptly changing the topic towards Alexis herself. It was far better to deflect those inquiries of times long past, even if they were still fresh for Alexander himself. He listened in silence as Alexis informed him of Frost, how the pair had met, and the fallout of it. Admittedly, he cared particularly little for his girlfriend's companion, the Hunter far more invested in the idea that his mount had practically murdered his grandson. He hardly had any intention of letting the matter slide and yet, for Alexis' sake, he was at least willing to pretend to offer some level of...civility. Frankly, it was a blessing those desserts had arrived when they had, giving the pair both something far lighter to focus on then the turbulent past. It bemused him, admittedly, the very awe that a simple slice of cake seemed to inspire within the woman, prompting the Macedonian to assure her there was far more where that came from. The notion seemed to prompt a twinkling within her eyes as she inquired if he intended to show her. A small simper drifted across his features before Alexander nodded ever so slightly. "There's a bakery in the East you might enjoy. We can start there." Alexander assured her as he nibbled on his cheesecake. It was only once the slice was entirely gone that the Hunter let his attention shift, his gaze searching diligently for their waitress. "When you're done, we can go see about those horses." He commented, his hand raising to gesture the waitress towards them in order to tend to that outstanding check.