paradisa | ♔ douze || now i am indeed queen

[Allies & Friends]

Though it is not the way of things, mayhap that is why it will be entirely appropriate in this new realm. This is a prodigious day for myself; indeed for all of England. Whether or not you are loyal to the English crown and country, should you be loyal enough to me as a servant, an ally, or even a friend, I would welcome you to a simple supper I will be having to honor the day His Majesty the King bestowed upon me my crown. Should you choose to come, we will partake before dusk in the castle's own dining hall, where I am most apologetic to inform that no animals will be permitted within for the time being.

~ Anne Boleyn

[ She can't even say 'the day I was made Queen of England', or sign as Anne the Queen, alas her loss foiling everything for her. Regardless, anyone who she thinks is worth inviting will have an invitation delivered to them. ]

[/Allies & Friends]

[ ooc; If you aren't sure if your character would qualify, just PM me and I will say. Plus ones are welcome ~~heck even party crashers are welcome~~. HERE is the thread for the supper (pile onto character threads/threadjack ahoy)! Elizabeth will be missing, which Anne will investigate afterward. :( ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Anne is sure her eyes are dry and her jaw set before she looks over her shoulder. Why did this man have to be the one here? Why was he always around, even after her dismissal? What did he want from her? Was it as simple as wanting her flesh, like any man, or did he merely wish to teach her a lesson and hurt her for insulting him? ]

If you still have any respect for me at all, any desire to reach my good graces once more, you will do this. You will find out why it is His Majesty allowed our daughter to suffer after my death. You will find out how his bastard daughter brought about my downfall, and report back to me when you have been thorough.

[All he ever does is what he feels like, without regard to anyone but himself, so it's a mystery why he would be standing here with her when she's all but done with him. He's not the kind of man who ever knows what he wants, that's his whole problem. Or he knew, and he forgot once he was resurrected the first time around. It's a constant source of frustration for anyone who knows him.

Those problems don't amount to much in front of a woman who was most likely murdered, desperately asking someone she doesn't even trust to find answers that her daughter saw fit to keep secret from her. He's not even sure where he would begin, but he can't really bring himself to say as much when she's like this. She must have already assumed.]

I can try. [If anything positive could come out of their last meeting, he's set the bar for himself incredibly low. Still... sometimes in the heat of the moment, people ask for things without caring about the consequences.] If you're sure that's what you want.

[ Of course she's sure, or she wouldn't request it. Being second-guessed in this state leaves her irritable, and irritable can easily change into infuriated. But the desolation is hitting her too hard, perhaps, for Anne to consider smacking him. She can't even reach him, he remains so far away.

She tries to fold the letter up as carefully as possible before sliding it into the pocket of her skirt, and moves to stand. It's a dismal attempt, though, and she reaches with her right arm behind her. ]

Help me up.

[Spike keeps his jaw firmly hinged as he steps forward, sensing that he wasn't following proper etiquette in a situation like this. Even now, she still has to instruct him.

He bends down and offers his hand, silent again, knowing that it will mean nothing. As it is, he isn't quite cruel enough to ask for more.]

[ It's a rough process, as her right arm is the good arm but the right leg is the bad leg. She manages to get up without making a complete fool of herself, though it's a struggle to stand. By now she manages, still feeling somewhat numb. It's becoming all too familiar of an experience.

Her grip on his hand is tight, almost bruising but at least her nails have yet to grow back enough to cause further injury. When she manages to catch her balance, Anne starts to let go, but stops at the last moment, not moving away an inch, though she doesn't look at him. There is no grabbing and forcing by his tie this time, at least. She's no queen... ]

Kneel.

[Once she's on her feet again, Spike had planned to lead her back to her room and keep his speech for another day -- but it looks like she isn't done yet. Spike levels his gaze on her for a moment, as if to let her know that she still asks a lot out of a poor bounty hunter from Mars, then lowers his knee.

Who knows why he does it. Aside from the obvious, he'd rather not think about it.]

[ The breath she lets out is almost a sigh, but too shaky to be subtle. Anne had nearly expected him to walk out. It isn't as if he's earning anything out of it... Not really, anyway. But still. ]

I would pay you, but it is meaningless, and you have yet to deserve anything else. If you do this, you do this only out of kindness. Not for me, but for my daughter and the great lady she is to become. ...I must find out why I will not be there to see her grow into such glory, and why she will have to fight for it so.

[ A beat, and her tone drops, gaze dead as she finally looks down at him. ]

Find out who knew... Who looked at me and smiled at me and knew my fate, while I did not know.

[When he looks at her, he can tell how determined she is to hold onto her composure and reclaim some of what he took for always appearing when she's the most vulnerable. And yet she wants him to find out more of her secrets. Maybe she's decided he's good for one thing.

He nods silently, even if he can't say anything that will bring back her confidence in him. It'd be too much to ask of her right now.

Why would anyone want to be royalty? Politics will get you every time.]

You don't have to pay me. [Meaningless, maybe, but she could have given him the chance to offer. He only does it now to make a point.]

[ Anne shuts her eyes for a moment, needing to steel herself once more, before she pulls her good hand free to instead slip her left hand before him, the one that Elizabeth's ring rests upon. ]

For the Princess Elizabeth, and the Queen she is to become. God bless the Queen.

[He keeps her guessing for a moment, as if he forgot everything she tried to teach him. His hesitation is partly intentional, as is the way he draws out the time his lips then press against her ring.

At this point, it may seem like a hollow gesture. Part of it probably is, as far as doing it out of any loyalty to kingdoms he's never been to, but the way he looks at her is proof enough that he has his own reasons for paying her this favor. Kindness is only a factor.]

[ Despite the offer of her hand, she still flinches at his delayed kiss, perhaps the length, or perhaps the way he looks at her. Once it's through, she pulls her hand free, clutching the ring to her chest. She is having severe trouble standing on her own, now, all her weight on one leg.

He's seen her collapse one too many times. ]

Then you accept this task with God as your witness, and so go with my blessing.

[ A pause. Someone else who isn't from Earth... She isn't sure she can trust any from her own world now. ]

Find Mister Frodo Baggins. He has a diplomat's speech but an artist's heart. He claims to be good with reading and writing, and may quicken your search whether by word or pen.

Edited 2013-06-11 03:18 (UTC)

[His expression is unreadable at her second request. Honestly, he's surprised she knows Frodo, but the fact that they both do, makes him even more reluctant to drag him into this.

Eventually, he nods again, and rises with his gaze never leaving her. She may not trust him with a task as daunting as reading, but he gauges that the promise is enough to sedate her for the immediate future.]

I'll go track him down then. [He can sense the pain she must be in to keep her stance, as if he'd look down on her for so much as sitting, and he has to resist mentioning it by abruptly starting towards the door. Who knows why he puts her through these things. This is probably the least he can do.]

It was January.

[ She blurts it out without thinking, despite having as good as dismissed him. Anne doesn't turn, but decides to elaborate since she's already spoken her thought. ]

1536. So that you know...where to start. And do not exclude Rome's possible connection in your search. I have no doubts the Pope would send an assassin.

[He pauses at the door to listen, then repeats the date to himself enough times for it to stick in his memory.

1536. Ancient history...]

I'll keep that in mind.

♔ douze || now i am indeed queen

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject