paradisa | [004] all these blessings, all these burns;

[Elizabeth not talking about the nightmares, most of that happened over fifteen years ago, and her pride refuses to even pretend it still follows her about. But she's equally as annoyed about the missing alcohol, and her candles.]

Blast damn thieves.

What in this dear world do you all drink that doesn't give you plague or sickness? And how do you light your rooms with no candles?

[She's grumbling because she can and because it's safe to grumble about. That and she's genuinely has no idea what's safe and what isn't, not without a food taster at least. Apart from that, she's in her rooms and keeping to herself, her head is hurting again, far past that, even just the slightest breeze seems to make the skin sting. So she's kept her white bandages around her head with putting her wig on, knowing she had to do something about it soon.]

[Lucrezia Borgia]

Loe I confesse, I am thy captive I,
And hold my conquered hands for thee to tie.
What needes thou warre, I sue to thee for grace.

[Galadriel]

I love but one, and hir I love change never,
If men have Faith, lie live with thee for ever.

... I thought perhaps you like those words, if you are so inclined to poetry. Words written by a man of my world before my time, to his lady love.

But that aside, I would have a favour to ask you. You told me when we met that you had considerable skill as a healer? If so, I have need of your services.

[Arya Stark]

Little Knight, I find myself in need of your help. Take pity on a poor queen, would a good knight? I need someone to explain how these devices work in the kitchen, and I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone else. [read: oh dear god her pride.] Oh, and I've a gift for you, should you like to have one.

[Katniss Everdeen]

[Outside Katniss's room, there's just a little plain wooden box with what seem to be a set of silver hair pins. They're very pretty, and very sharp, enough to slice through skin easily if it came to it. There's a note attached.] These were given to me by an ambassador from Turkey, who got them, supposedly, from China. He told me that which is beautiful can also be deadly, and especially when no one bothers to look. I've no use for them, but I think you will. For the next time you feel so defenceless. Elizabeth R. [it may of been a dream, but Elizabeth never forgets when someone dies to defend her, or serve her in any way. Especially from someone who isn't in her service at all.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The French prefer their own wine and the Spanish know not to steal from a Borgia.

That is true enough for the French, and if you are to be the English Queen, you must continue my fine tradition of taking the gold that could not seem to make it's way back to Spain.

[pirates, baby. It's an exciting life.]

Be careful now, my lady, you might be stealing from my cousins! [ Teasing, yes. ]

I only take from those who deserve. [Which was all of Spain, as far as Spain is concerned.] And my privateers, ah well, they're clever men.

[Raleigh, damn it all. A rogue, but a far too charming one.]

Is it permissible for a Queen to be seen to favor thieves?

No, not at all, and openly I do tend to deny it but... ah. We do what we must.

Does it not strike you strange that many would wish to be Queen for power yet it is the common people who have power over their rules?