♔ huit || of a golden world

[ensorceler]

[ The region hasn't been an especially easy one to travel over, what with all the hills and mountains, but Anne has actually enjoyed herself for most of this trip, excluding that cursed town they passed through. It's still a lot of riding, though, and by now she feels sore and dirty even with having bathed just yesterday.

Once the progress has set up camp, including the Once-ler's cottage which she seems to have practically taken over, Anne changes out of her riding clothes. The new beige and brown outfit is still rather ornately designed considering where they are, but at it's least lacking in any jewels or pearls, with a skirt that's much easier to move about in, and her hair is braided and coiled back to remain out of her face while she moves about the camp throughout the evening.

When she isn't sitting near the campfire and reading or sewing (and watching others who stray near), Anne will be waiting just inside the collapsible cottage for a certain someone, looking mighty smug. ]


[ ooc; TOTALLY OPEN camping post for anyone on the Terre Haute expedition to bug Anne, at the campfire where she sews or anywhere, really. c: ]

Comments

La la cottage

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler eventually does make it back to the cottage, completely unaware about any traps which may or may not be waiting for him. After all, he figured Ino was his only real obstacle for the day.

He was not expecting SUDDENLY ANNE]

[ensorceler]

[ SUDDENLY ANNE INDEED! She told Ted, too, so he might ambush at any time... ]

Master Once-ler, I was wondering when you would return! Come in at once.

[ She grins and backs up a few steps to allow him a full view. On top of having completely cleaned and re-arranged everything because what is asking permission, she has pulled down her curtains to open it up more, allowing room for the spread she's put down. A good portion of her rations from her wagon have been revealed, with various fruits, breads, and cheeses resting on the curtains now covering the floor with any pillows she could find.

Don't forget the wine, too, there is plenty of wine. And lemoncakes, but she's holding those on a plate in her hand. ]

You ought to have told me yourself, and I might have had something much more lovely arranged for you.

[wilder]

[Zelos is near the campfire, lying with his stomach on the grass he writes more in his journal. His hair is tied back and he is wearing reading glasses. When Anne comes by, he'll pause to glance over at her and her rather fancy clothing. Huh. Isn't that that one drunk lady that thought he was a statue...? ]

[ensorceler]

[ It is indeed! And even if she was drunk, he's a pretty memorable looking person. The glasses and tied back hair are enough for her to not recognize in passing, though, and the only reason she offers a second glance is because of that 'feeling' one gets when being looked at.

Oh, what. That person came? Didn't they talk about stars? She'll smile and nod her head in acknowledgment when their eyes meet. ]

[wilder]

[Oh she saw me? He'll smile and nod in return]

Evening, my lady.

[deductiongeek]

[Conan would never admit it aloud, but he wasn't nearly as healed as he claimed to be. The long trip here had repeated jolted his bad shoulder. And that wasn't even counting all the bruises that hadn't quite started to heal yet. Between his injuries and his refusal to allow himself to rest, the boy was in a quite a bit of pain.

And that is why, after running around the town and gathering as much information as he could, he finally allows himself to lie down by the fire and take noted down in his journal. Using his left hand, of course.

Somehow it just figured that it would be his right arm that had been injured.

He looks up as he sees Anne walk by.]

Who are you?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Ambushes are not fun. He pauses, glancing around at his refurbished home, and all the wine and treats now inside it. Oh god what is even happening]

I...uh. Never really made it a big deal.

[ensorceler]

Perhaps you are too humble for your own good. Do you think we ought not to enjoy ourselves in wake of recent disaster? That is when celebration is most needed to raise spirits.

[ She sets the tray down, then grabs his arm to drag him further in. ]

So we will make merry this eve. We will play cards and sing and dance, and before sleep finally finds us, you must allow me to measure you.

[ensorceler]

It is, that.

[ It's a friendly sarcasm! She'll step closer so that she can get a better look at what he's doing. ]

I almost did not recognize you, looking quite the scholar with your pen and paper.

[ensorceler]

[ Wow, what a rude way to get someone's attention! Especially a queen, even if he doesn't know the fact. If he wasn't a kid, she'd look a lot more irritated while stopping in her tracks, but she'd had to put up with an obscene lack of manners ever since arriving, really... This could be worse. ]

Is that how you inquire after a lady? I would first ask your name.

[whichwayyoulean]

It's not that, trust me, I'm anything but humble. My family just never treated my birthday as anything special.

[He looks so unsure as he drags her in]

...Wait. Like a birthday party? [He has been to other peoples but he's never had one of his own, what the heck is even going on?] Measured for what?

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike is doing what he's taken to lately, which is avoid the crowd aside from when he needs to get food. He's less social the more annoyed he gets, which camping seems to bring out in him.

This time, he's shuffling a deck of cards off in the shadowy parts of the fire. Mostly because he's trying to conserve the cigarettes he has left (which isn't nearly as many as he expected to have at this point in the expedition) and he needs something to keep his hands busy.

He shoots her a look from his vantage point. This is miserable, Anne.]

[wilder]

[He chuckles]

Why thank you! Maybe if I look the part, I'll be it.

Right now I'm just writing down my thoughts of the trip so far.

[ensorceler]

[ His comment actually seems to make her sad, a frown ruining her smile momentarily, and she squeezes his arm in affection before letting go. ]

Your family was in the wrong of it, then. You should celebrate, for this day is yours and yours alone. Let not our travel encumber your desires!

[ She's pushing a goblet of wine into his hand. Take it or risk spilling on her dress. ]

I will make you a shirt, as your present.

[ensorceler]

And what are your thoughts, master scholar?

[deductiongeek]

Conan Edogawa. [He tilts his head.] Is there a better way to find something out than asking a question?

[wilder]

Hmm!

Well, I think it's my scholarly opinion that things are pretty dull this leg of the trip! Though I guess that's not a completely bad thing.

[ensorceler]

[ Strange name, but all the names here are strange. She's just wondering what so many kids are doing on this trip. How useful can they be, especially the ones that don't even have manners? ]

It would have been polite to first greet me, and offer your own name.

[ She'll take her skirt in a slight curtsy, but not much as she's still queen, even if she can't use that word on herself directly. ]

I am Anne Boleyn, consort of his Majesty King Henry the Eighth, and Lady Regent over Cair Paradisa.

[ensorceler]

[ Maybe someone should have brought extra cigarettes! Really, he should have known, but Anne will take pity on that look...even if it causes her to disappear for a bit in the cottage.

A few minutes later, she's settling down next to him with a flask of wine and cigar both clutched in her good hand. ]

It seems I must always find you in the shadows, Master Spiegel.

[deductiongeek]

Oh, is that so? I'll make sure to remember that. [His expression is wide-eyed and sincere.... and completely calculated.]

Nice to meet you!

Anne Boleyn? [He frowns. That name.... Was she claiming to be the historical Anne? Well, he knew there had been an Elizabeth around the castle for some time. Perhaps it wasn't unexpected.

But was she really serious about the regent thing? That sounded like something Sonoko would come up with.]

I wasn't aware that the castle had any kind of authority at all.

[gottaknockhard]

[He really should have anticipated sharing them. That thought is in the forefront of his mind before Anne walks over, causing him to eventually put it on hold and stop his shuffling.

And yes, he'll be tilting his head at the points of interest in her hand. Already moved onto cigars...]

Just making sure I have an escape plan if everyone starts holding hands and singing.

[ensorceler]

You will want to keep quite a distance from the Master Once-ler's tent tonight, then, for there will be much merrymaking.

[ She'll set the flask between them and hold the cigar out, expecting him to have one of those lighter things. ]

But there is no reason I cannot start early.

[ensorceler]

[ At least he seems willing to learn, which Anne can only reward, so she smiles more sincerely and nods again. ]

Though the castle is slow to acknowledge, I believe it is only a matter of time before everyone understands that we are stronger together. I soon hope to know all the faces of the castle, and what better way to begin than with such a progress?

I am surprised to find such a young traveler among us without a guardian, though. How old are you, child?

[gottaknockhard]

[He takes a few seconds to fish the lighter out, but soon he has a flame ready for her. Not that she has him trained, it's just a reflex is all.]

What's the occasion?

[ensorceler]

Dull? Do you think?

[ She sits, smoothing out her skirts and getting as comfortable as she can on this ground. ]

I have had quite a splendid time, though I admit to a scare in that town with those demon vermin. It was soon remedied.