♔ quatre || for saint valentine

[ensorceler]

[Kalinda Sharma]

Did you deliver these amazing treats to my door this morning? Oh, they are the most decadent and strange things I have ever tasted; I have scarcely eaten a single thing else the entire day.

I would bestow you with a gift to show my gratitude. It seems you have no proper dresses.

[/Kalinda Sharma]

[ Anne may have spent a good amount of yesterday in her chambers, where she wrote at least five love letters to Henry, and spent the rest of her time among the solitary activities she did like. It isn't that she doesn't love to celebrate, but she misses her husband and her life at court so much that she feels it wrong to celebrate Saint Valentine without her husband.

Today, however, she seems to have gotten a taste of "chocolate", and whatever it is, it's delicious, and with a lot of different flavors, too! Is it any wonder she tried them all, and then some? It's put her in a queer mood, one she can hardly keep tabs on, not that she cares to. Today she will have fun, and currently that means socializing merrily with anyone who doesn't look like to stab her in a dark alley! And maybe even then.

The lobby seems the warmest public place to be now, and though it's not exactly a banquet, there still seem to be enough people coming and going that she'll have a chance to see someone she knows, or even meet someone new. Anne may call herself Regent, but she doesn't have anybody to spread her work for her yet--she has only herself, so she knows by now she must endear herself to these people. And for once, she feels more than happy to make the attempt!

Which means she'll be wearing her finest pearl embroidered red velvet dress and trying to share and offer a basket full of the chocolates with any who pass her in the lobby, along with a very old copy of Tyndale's Bible. At least it doesn't come with loud preaching, just a smile and...maybe a serenade in French. If this is all recorded over her open journal, it's not her fault! ]

[ ooc; Action in the lobby open to anybody and everybody, whether planned chocolate hijinks or not! ]

Comments

[theabjectauthor]

[Lemony comes in from outside, trailed by ... well ... SEVERAL ducks. at least a dozen. one of them is a little more bedraggled than the others and walks vaguely crooked, but he's still somehow at the head of the line.]

Hello, Your Majesty. [Lemony doffs his hat and tucks it under his arm]

[ensorceler]

[ Sorry, that is just something worthy of being stared at no matter who the audience is. Anne can't help but burst out into a short spurt of laughter, clapping her hands gently so as not to startle the ducks. ]

What a show, Master Snicket. Tell me, where is it you plan on taking these...birds? Are you magicking them into a pot for a feast?

[theabjectauthor]

Heavens, no. [he appears appropriately appalled]. They are my friends and companions. That is John, there is James, that one is Audobon, then Silvani, Cummings, Cavanaugh, Stones, and.... this fellow here is Kellogg. ... Kellogg, can you not at least attempt to look a bit more presentable in the presence of royalty?

[he shakes, rustling his feathers. it really just makes it worse]

An A for effort, I suppose.

[ensorceler]

[ Anne can't help but give Lemony another one of those 'u crazy' looks before surveying the ducks again while keeping a healthy distance. The attempt, if nothing else, is amusing, and she offers a polite clap regardless of the outcome. ]

Practice will help with that, no? If you are going to keep them within your living quarters, I hope you will be diligent in their cleanliness and training.

[theabjectauthor]

Oh, but of course. They keep themselves generally presentable, for the most part.

[it might just be him, but most of the ducks are silently shunning Kellogg for being a derpface right about now. shun shun shun]

How is the day finding you, thus far?

[ensorceler]

[ Anne can't help but find ducklings cute, she just doesn't want any of them to ruin her dress, so she keeps her distance. It's not exactly the same as hawking. ]

Myself, I have found it very....mm, illuminating. Every moment, I am learning something new! Especially about food. [ She still remembers Lemony introducing her to tea, so she holds out a large handful of chocolates for him, not sure if he knows what they are or not. ]

I was told they are known as chocolate, but so many special flavors! You must try one. Or all! Please, help yourself.

[theabjectauthor]

[he smiles] I am familiar with them, yes... But it is very kind of Her Majesty to offer to share. Do you prefer the dark chocolate, or the milk? I would not want to diminish your favorite.

[bronwe]

[ This castle has no shortage of highborn ladies it seems, so much so that he feels too backwards to share their company. Not that it has ever stopped him when it came to the elves, even. He was curious, and besides Bilbo would be aghast to hear him pass by such chances to hear great stories.

Frodo approaches her slowly, wanting her to notice him before he comes too close to offend her, if she means not to be disturbed after all. He clears his throat, too. ]

Hullo.

[ensorceler]

[ Turning at the voice, Anne is confused when she has to take a moment to realize she needs to look down a little more. The face is pleasant enough, so as it's not until she's offering a handful of chocolates and the book that she observes further and sees his feet.

Not just a dwarf then, what...? It takes more effort to preserve her smile, but Anne maintains. Perhaps this is a fairy of some sort, or some other product of the castle's magic. ]

Hello there, sir. Have you come for both pleasure and peace of mind?

[bronwe]

[ Oh, chocolates! Frodo will gladly take one of those now, though he keeps it in his hand until she takes one for herself. It would be rude to eat alone, especially when the lady seems so grand. ]

I thought peace of mind would take a much longer search, but pleasure I will have. [ Because, chocolate! ]

[ensorceler]

[ Recognizing his manners for what they are, Anne is happy to take another chocolate for herself. She can't exactly tell which is which from the outside, but it doesn't matter, as she likes them all. She takes only a small bite, though, so polite conversation can't be ruined. ]

Has the search not been long enough, you think? Perhaps you could count this as a miracle then, to find what you have been seeking. Rebirth. Guidance. Freedom. [ Why yes, she's trying to push the Bible on him with another chocolate. Take it take it take it. ]

[bronwe]

Guidance I would have. Would you offer such to me?

[ Though rebirth and freedom are things he knows not to wish for. But oh no, another chocolate already. Frodo plops the whole thing into his mouth and chews as quickly as he can. ]

[ensorceler]

That is what this book holds...

[ She leans over, scooting close to his side and opening the Bible. ]

It holds all you require and more. Or...can you not read? It is nothing to be ashamed of, it is to be expected.

[ex_garroter234]

[Someone who doesn't look like he'll stab her in a dark alley is not something that applies to Micheletto, but still. He's passing through the lobby on his way to whatever it is he occupies himself with now that Cardinal Borgia is no longer here (hint: it's wandering around pointlessly), and he pauses to incline his head to her in a small bow.]

Your Majesty. Or is it Anne today?

[ensorceler]

Can I not be both?

[ While some ladies may have started, stammered or blushed given past meetings, Anne's smile comes as naturally and politely as required of a merry queen with her court. Nothing more, except a glint in her eye. ]

It has been some time since I have seen you. I have heard of a certain Cardinal recently departing the castle. That has nothing to do with it, I do hope?

[ Again, her smile stays warm, almost comforting, but the edge never quite leaves her gaze. Micheletto had never named his master. Anne is fishing, guessing—playing. As somberly as possible, while holding out a handful of chocolates from within the basket. ]

I know the lady Lucrezia must be mourning her loss, as would be any...confidants left behind with her. I would find a way to bring any of them cheer, but you would know nothing of that, would you?

[ex_garroter234]

[He knows what she's doing.

Nothing in his expression betrays any sort of reaction at the mention of either Borgia, his eyes simply flicking to the chocolates in her hand. Now that His Eminence was no longer here, there was no real point to continue keeping their association a secret. Unless, of course, he were to return someday.

He'd told the Lady Borgia to keep her new mastery over him a secret as well, but he wasn't quite sure she'd be able to manage that one properly, being a female and all. So it was likely only a matter of time before that came out into the open.

But he was not worried in any way about this English queen finding out he'd lied to her. So what? It wasn't like she could do anything to him. The only one here he feared was the Lady Borgia -- and only because her brother may return some day.]

Your perception is admirable, Your Majesty. I know little of bringing cheer.

[So, he deftly ignores everything else she'd said. Seems legit.]

You have sampled these chocolates?

[ensorceler]

That seems to be a familiar answer.

[ His vague response feels as much of an admission to her as anything, and her shift now brings a more legitimate sympathy. For a moment, only, before he inquires about the chocolates, and again her smile returns. ]

Oh, all of them! You knew of these treats already, then? I did not know what to call them! I can scarcely believe all of the new delicacies I have been introduced to since arriving here.

[ex_garroter234]

[He eyes the chocolates again, much more comfortable with this shift in conversation.]

Somewhat.

I do not know them from Rome. Only from here.

[ensorceler]

Yes, myself as well. I suppose this grand show of Paradisa can truly have it's wondrous moments, don't you agree?

[ Micheletto better eat a chocolate soon, or Anne's going to try to put one in his mouth by herself. Never mind, she's doing that anyway. ]

Anne Boleyn

[kalinda]

Not going to lie, it wasn't me. [Though she likes the gratitude. And the reward...]

Kalinda Sharma

[ensorceler]

No?

[ Wow, she feels stupid for not having someone else taste test them first, then. Not going to admit it, though! ]

Have you had any?

Anne Boleyn

[kalinda]

I haven't yet, no. [Pause...] Is there anything wrong?

Kalinda Sharma

[ensorceler]

Not at all! They bring me great cheer, if you must know. I would share it.

Anne Boleyn

[kalinda]

[That's... nice. She's a little hesitant, but totally opts to visit because, come on. Employer. And friend... ish person.] I can be over in a few minutes, then.

Kalinda Sharma

[ensorceler]

I am currently down in the lobby, spreading this cheer with others, even if some are not so very receptive. Your company would bring a pleasant and much-needed rest.