Cleopatra narrowed her eyes as Alexander began to speak, his tone reminded her of one schooling a child. Had this been the purpose of his visit? To find her and then school her on the mistakes of the past they had come from? Or was there some greater point to prove? She knew what war was. What it took to win them. Antony and Cesear had shown her that much. Antony more willing to allow her to be apart of it. She knew what sixteen legions looked like and how arduous it took to cross even fifteen miles a day. Saw the contraptions they used to catapult boulders into the air. Yet she was no general but she had partaken in war. She knew the cost and inevitability. Its devastation that she would surely not forget, even now. That question she had posed was nothing more than a foolish whim of wonder to satisfy a forbidden curiosity... of a crush. It would seem Alexander missed the point. She had made impossible choices, bold moves to ensure her own survival and what she thought was best for Egypt... But really... was any ruler truly best for their country? It survived long after them. It carried on.. It persevered. It was all about entitlement and power. Yet she could not deny having a taste for that power. It was like possessing a taste of ambrosia in a godly goblet and she wanted more. Even if the risks she had once chosen could have easily cost her...her life. The high risk and high reward of being in power was intoxicating... the allure of a truly powerful man... equally so. It had always been for her.

Yet it was clear that this man who she had once thought of as a golden god, thought her to be a fool. It coiled inside like a lethal cobra, that sudden feeling that could have made her words turn to venom. Yet she merely shook her head, almost disappointed with the turn in him. Yet she wondered what he would do in her predicament. That was if she could think beyond that personal attack that still burned within her.

The once way he spoke her name that could have sent chills down her spine almost became... patronizing. "I am aware of what it takes to make an army. It is apparent to me that you have missed the entire point of my question." If only she knew then what she knew now. "I realize it was perhaps my naivety and boldness at first, was why I prevailed the first time. It didn't take an army of mine to do it either. Only one inspired man with far too much power."

Ah, but the conversation did not stop there. It continued on. His lips quirked as if amused by her words, perhaps not even in the good way. Yet he shook his head and continued on. He mocked her! Anger sparked within her clove hued eyes. "Which was unsurprising since he was a child, ruled by his advisors who sought to make him a puppet." Was she any better? She was still so painfully young, she hadn't known how to fully control her heated emotions that burned in her veins. Yet did he not know that if not for Caesar's favour in her... she would have not been so fortunate. How Alexander struck a chord... He insulted her, like she was something to merely cast aside. Was that all he truly saw her as? Yet another unfit ruler. "What you are insinuating is insulting. If you were so fit to rule, then where were you? You were hiding while the rest of us continued on. If I did not reclaim my rightful place on that throne, I would have been as good as dead. We all find ways to make do out of impossible situations with the knowledge we have present. If anyone, I would think you would understand. Perhaps I was mistaken." How accustomed once queen was to insults and yet his opinion seemed to sting. At least she knew her answer. " Perhaps now I know that when I wanted to seek out an ally, I would have met a foe." It was a shame.

Yet she composed herself. While she possessed a temper, she refused to allow him to see.. To see the caused harm. He was not deserving of it. How she had thought him to be more than some brute.. But had he possessed the forces perhaps that was all he would be? She knew she would think back to that moment, would retrace it in her mind. Knowing it would equally infuriate her then too.

Gone was the glittering warmth in her eyes. Replaced by a coldness she had learned long ago, one she had perfected from her mentor. Gone was that flickering glimpse to the once queen and there was something harsher. It was like she harboured part of that harsh desert within herself.

It seemed to all fall apart thereafter. His words felt like a mockery at her expense. It was a pity. How she almost thought.. She stopped herself from that thought as it hardly mattered now. Any comment she might have offered was interrupted by the camel that sought to join them as if curious of a male intruder. His dislike of other men was quite obvious. How she seemed far too amused by its presence. Alexander hardly found the ordeal as entertaining as she did. He did not hide the thick disdain that she would name that camel after her once lover. Not that he would understand. It wasn't like he would ask.

"Yes. It was a game we used to play." Cesar lost and she never wanted him to forget it. He was the worst loser she had ever known. She didn't bother to elaborate nor did she expect him to question it. His mind was already made and she knew there was little point to try. How she remembered that night, the festivities. It was also... a night that she remembered the fear when it was almost ruined when he had another one of his episodes, far worse than the last one she'd seen. She thought he'd died.. And yet relieved when he awoke... with a fit of expected blazing anger and disorienting confusion.

Antony... was once a pig... and she a snake. They all lost eventually and yet the amusement in that game refused to cease. Yet that was beside the point.

However, that visit had come to an abrupt end. Just as quickly as he saw himself in, he saw himself out. She toyed absently with the bangle, glad to at least have it returned. She offered a simple nod, at least this was one thing they both could agree upon. Elegantly, she rose, walking tall with ease within her own home. He stirred something within her. How long had it been since 'that' happened?

Perhaps, he would leave her with the feeling that he was just a 'man'. She led the golden hunter to the entrance of her large home, deep in thought. Cleopatra's hand hovered upon the door's handle before opening it wide. She stood to the side hardly hindering him from the exit that had once been where he had made his entrance. "It has been revealing. Thank you for returning what I've lost. Take care, Alexander." She waited for the once king to leave, before closing it behind him.. her fingers lingered upon that very door that she stared at with such intensity she was surprised it didn't leave an indent. He left her alone, lost in thoughts as she released a heavy burdened sigh that was more like a dignified huff. How she found herself still heated, even after his departure.

The Egyptian Queen's careful disposition was shaken as if all the things he said dredged up and muddied her once undisturbed waters. She huffed... in the wake of her displeasure, going straight for her wine case, more than content to open another bottle.

It wouldn't be long before her ladies found her, their curiosity always got the best of them. How she hoped they didn't learn the truth that while curiosity got the best of them... she had almost allowed him to get the best of her.