♔ douze || now i am indeed queen

[ensorceler]

[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. :( ]

Comments

[uncurse]

I told you already that I wasn't raised with my parents, right? [ emma sighs, buckling in for how to best give this explanation. she looks down the table at henry. ] They're not the rulers of America. My mother was the Queen of a land called the Enchanted Forest, where I was born. Where Hook's from. I was sent away when a - I guess you'd call her an usurper - cursed the land. We all left our world, and only August and I remembered, so that we could break the curse.

[ensorceler]

I knew, that was where my confusion lay.

[ The...Enchanted Forest? Are you kidding? Anne literally has to press her lips together until they're white to keep from laughing during what is a serious topic. She takes a moment to absorb the rest before continuing to respond. ]

You say 'world', however, and not realm or country. You speak of curses. I had been told there is no magic in America, and yet the story you offer makes it seem entirely otherwise for worlds in the future to connect so, as they do here in Paradisa.

[uncurse]

There isn't magic in America. The curse sent all of the people there, in that world with magic, to one without. It took away their memories and their magic, and kept them in some ... some haze, where time didn't move.

So, that's where I grew up. Alone. In a world without magic, with no idea where I was from or who my real parents were. The Evil Queen responsible for the curse wound up adopting Henry. He came and found me, and ... and I broke the curse. If it weren't for that kid, I'd still ... [ she looks grim, then just shakes her head to dismiss it. ]

[ensorceler]

The...Evil Queen.

[ Anne tilts her head at that, curious for a number of reasons. Emma's story is sad, but she seems to try enough to dismiss it that Anne doesn't wish to pry on that subject, yet. When they know each other better... ]

Captain Hook confided that the world you speak of with magic has realms, and queens rule without kings. Do I gather, then, that they use magic? And this 'evil' queen does as well? If it is such a case, I call it a miracle for sweet Henry to have survived her clutches at all.

And then to find you... Emma, how can you not believe in God's love, when I have known this tale and this boy only seconds, and can see it as plainly as the smile on your son's face right this very moment?

[uncurse]

[ emma clears her throat at all the god talk because wow that's awkward when she sure ... doesn't believe in any of it. plus she's talking about magic and curses and anne's countering with god so wow that's some dedication. she moves straight on past it to address the other stuff instead of touching the god part. ]

He turned out pretty incredible. I know how lucky I am.

Not all of them use magic. The Evil Queen, Regina, used magic to take over. My mother doesn't have magic - or doesn't use it, if she does. They don't all rule without kings. My mother married my father, but she was the royal one. I guess that'd make him still a prince. Regina married my mother's father to get the throne, but after he died, she ruled alone.

Then there's ... let's see. Princess Aurora. King George. Princess Belle. I think Kathryn's supposed to be Midas' kid, or something, but he was trying to marry her off so who knows if she'd rule alone.

Mostly women, I guess. Explains the serious lack for war, at least.

[ensorceler]

[ An evil queen named Regina? Wow, once again Anne has to keep from laughing at the...originality, or lack thereof. Time to pay attention to everything else. ]

You think women do not have lust for conquest? But this Regina you speak of is a woman.

[uncurse]

I think women don't feel the need to assert themselves with violence.

[ensorceler]

[ Her smile is diplomatic, thoughts hidden for now. ]

And what of men? Do you think there to be any hope for them?

[uncurse]

[ she looks a little despondent at that, considering. she thinks on her father, on graham, on neal. hook, even. she presses her tongue to the inside of her cheek for a moment. ]

Some of 'em get it right.

[ she glances down the table at henry. ]

And if I'm any good at raising the kid, he'll be one of them.

[ensorceler]

Of that I have no doubt. You speak in some ways as a humanist would, for which I have the greatest respect.

[ Even if it throws her into exaggerated rants about war at the drop of a hat. ]

The world of queens is a complex one, and that of kings as well, but I promise you that His Majesty is one of these men of which you still hold hope for, as he is the kindest and most giving prince in the world.

[uncurse]

[ she gives a smirk at that, because she remembers her history and henry's the royal one and he's certainly a king, not a prince, so the diminutive form is certainly telling of anne herself. it excuses the use of 'humanist' instead of 'feminist' as far as emma's concerned. ]

I'll have to take your word for that. You'd know him best.

[ensorceler]

[ Oh Emma, you need to learn more! It's not disrespect in any way; promise. The way they talk is weird, it's confusing, thank you and goodnight. ]

...I do, and yet so few ask after him.

[ Anne glances away at that, towards Emma's son and then to the exits as she reaches for her wine. ]

Please, do not let me keep you from enjoying the food while it is still hot.

[uncurse]

[ buckle in for the least ladylike behavior you've ever witnessed, your majesty. ]

Oh! No, it's fine. [ emma digs into the food, primarily shooting for things that can be turned into fingerfood to pick at, and proceeds to talk with her mouth full. she at least makes an effort to cover it. ] Who'd you get to prepare all of this, anyway?

[ensorceler]

[ No she's definitely seen worse. That doesn't make her very pleased with it, but then compared to Arya all princesses are lovely. ]

I had my own hand in it, but due to injury I was required to call on the skills of two of the ghosts here.

[ Which she doesn't sound pleased about but what can you do.

[uncurse]

You asked for help from the ghosts instead of the people you were inviting?

[ensorceler]

[ The question draws a heavy and uncomfortable silence out of her as she takes a sip of her wine. How to say she didn't trust or feel comfortable enough with anyone seeing her so lame and in need of help?

Perhaps she normally would have gotten angry at being put on the spot, but she feels too subdued to act indignant now, looking down and speaking quietly. ]

I asked, and they were willing. I would not have requested my guests to work when I invite them only to be merry.

[uncurse]

I have a feeling if I took a poll, the idea of taking some of the work off your shoulders would make it easier for them to be merry than knowing you did all this while you're still recovering. [ which emma noticed, yes. ]

[ensorceler]

You are the first to offer complaint.

I enjoy work, and am healing quite rapidly, I assure you. Now what might I do to make this meal more enjoyable for you once more?