♔ un || christmas eve

[ensorceler]

[ Written most elegantly; ]

My Dearest and Most Beloved Elizabeth,

I bring you the most blessed of tidings. Can you guess? I will let you take a few moments to make use of your wit and figure it out while I continue on. (Come now, surely it would be obvious to you!)

Your father, the King, is doing quite well. He is of good cheer and fine health, God bless His Majesty. He asks after you, and I promised I would send word of his love and ever present concern for you, my sweet rose.

And speaking of such, while we were in the gardens just recently, I discovered the most beautiful of roses. Though the King insisted I not touch it for the thorns it bore, I daresay I had it cut anyhow! And wouldn't you know, the thorns harmed me not. It reminded me of you, and so I had it pressed as I read of once in a book. It is my sincerest wish that you look upon it and know of my eternal love and devotion to you.

Oh, I cannot keep silent on the matter any longer! Have you guessed yet? No? Well then, I will tell you, but only because such tidings should be shared. You will soon have a little—

[ The writing is drawn to a sudden halt, interrupted by the sound of a woman's soft sigh, and then the clattering of odds and ends being dragged off the table by said woman as she slides to the frozen floor with a thump. ]

[ ooc; Any journal comments will be responded to after Anne's been awoken by Elizabeth and had the 411 dished out! ]

Comments

[ensorceler]

Yes, this much my daughter has informed me of.

[ Anne finally sits, though perched on the edge because it's cold yes. She doesn't seem too put off by this notion (dream dream dream!), and only curious to know more. ]

Might I ask how this was confirmed, though? How a building itself can boast sentience?

[theabjectauthor]

Several documents were found, prior to my arrival. A reliable acquaintance of mine, Professor Raine Sage, has all of the details. But the gist of it is, there is a book with records of other castles that were formed by earlier residents who deserted this one. Castles with similar inclinations. Unfortunately, there wasn't very much detail given about how their sentience is actually possible.

[ensorceler]

And how are we to know that these documents weren't merely the creation of residents overrun by their own superstition?

[theabjectauthor]

They were quite old ... even if they were residential falsifications, Your Highness, they were falsified a very long time ago.

[ensorceler]

[ Well that means very little to her. Lots of stuff the Vatican would say happened a long time ago, too, but she's not crass enough to blurt that out right now. ]

If you say as much, I have little choice but to lay my trust at your feet. But then I must ask what the very nature of Paradisa is. For, in truth, mine own daughter walks the halls nearly twenty years my senior. How is this not amiss?

[theabjectauthor]

Strange things are done with time, here ... I myself am the ward of a young girl whose last memory of home is from at least two years in my own future.

[ensorceler]

Then how can they truly be called memories, and not lunacy?

[theabjectauthor]

When something that seems insane becomes the status quo, so to speak, is it still truly insanity?

[ensorceler]

I am not insane.

[ What does she care what everyone else calls themselves, if she thinks they're insane? That's Royal logic, for you.

Anne will finally nod to the tray he brought in. ]

What, pray tell, did you bring me along with your blankets?

[theabjectauthor]

High tea, actually, with watercress sandwiches and Lady Grey. I was not sure when you had last eaten before arriving, and thought it an appropriate welcome gift.

[ensorceler]

Tea?

[ Might be hard to tell if she looks offended or just confused. She waves a hand to beckon the tray closer, so that she might look in the actual tea pot. ]

I had expected some wine, or even cider. I require no medicine, especially not one that steams.

[theabjectauthor]

Oh, it's not meant to be medicinal...

[he brings the tray and sets it down for her perusal] But if it is wine you would prefer, it would be quite easy to procure some.

[ensorceler]

[ She's just so confused. Nobody drinks tea in her time, okay! ]

No, if I am in a castle of magic, I will sample the local beverage.

[ But she'll wait to watch him drink before she tries it herself, because...paranoid forever, even in dreams sometimes. ]

For how long have you resided?

[theabjectauthor]

Only a few short months, now - there are those who have been here for years. [he fixes his own cup with lemon, disregarding the sugar bowl entirely, and hesitates to make sure she's waiting for him, before sipping]

[ensorceler]

Yes, I had heard as much from my daughter...

[ She still can't help but take a wary sniff of her tea, but then again she wouldn't know what scent to watch for. This is unfamiliar. It smells good, though... So she takes a drink when he does, and her smile is one of pleasant surprise. ]

How interesting. It warms the belly. Very mild...

[theabjectauthor]

Yes, and different things can be added, according to one's taste. Some add milk and sugar, or a combination of the two, and there are several different flavors made from different combinations of herbs ...

But you did not ask me here to question me about tea, certainly.

[ensorceler]

[ Her smile is small, but genuine as she observes this man. Plump, friendly, but not dim-witted it would seem. She could make use of such a type... ]

No, you are correct. However it is difficult for me to even know where I ought start my questioning, when I know nothing at all, and have trouble believing what I have already heard.

Perhaps I should ask you what religion governs these people.

[theabjectauthor]

That is a very good question, though I am afraid you may not care for the answer. There are several different religions represented, here, and no government to speak of, save that of the individual conscience.

[ensorceler]

That does not bode well... I find myself surprised this castle is still in one piece.

[theabjectauthor]

It seems that things either tend to have a way of righting themselves, or that when wrong is done, there are always people who rise up to assist and turn it right.

One could even say that those who put out the fires seem more plentiful than those who would start them. [he looks particularly happy about this, in a quiet sort of way, like a man with a pleasant secret]

[ensorceler]

[ She takes note of that as she tries another dainty sip of tea. ]

But all that speaks of is that the residents have survived on luck and nothing else. Without order, without a like-minded goal, all you are doing is trusting in faith. Faith in people without any allegiance.

I do not find myself as comforted as you do. [ Wheels are already turning in her head. These people definitely need a ruler. But Henry isn't here... ] His Majesty would surely know how to handle this precarious situation.

[theabjectauthor]

With all due respect: just because we do not all follow a common God or a common goal does not mean we are without allegiance, Your Highness.

And also: I have hardly ever been comforted by uncertainty or blind faith at any point in my life. [he gives her a wry, tiny smile before sipping once more at his tea] I am more what some deign to call an optimistic pessimist: I know the worst will come, but still expect to find some small amount of good in it somewhere that will carry me through.

[ensorceler]

And with all due respect, Master...Snicket, for all to have personal allegiance is just as grave as having none, for even if their desire to do good may carry some far, it will not carry them to the end. Eventually, the different goals and desires will force them to break apart, or in a worse but more likely scenario, turn on one another. Surely you must see this, being an...optimistic pessimist, as you say.

[theabjectauthor]

[and with that, she touches on something very close, and very deep, and very, very important - an old, vast wound that will likely never completely heal. he goes silent, staring into his tea as though he expects to find his answer to her in the dregs milling at the bottom of the cup]

I am no stranger to schisms, Your Majesty.

[ensorceler]

[ She seems rather content having made her point on that matter, settling back into her chair with a blanket and sipping this tea. That's the taste of victory.

An empty one, to be sure, considering she's not any happier about knowing that the castle is divided a hundredfold. But at least now she is aware, and can try to think up ways to help. And maybe this man can help her.

She lets the silence sit until she sets her tea cup and saucer down in a light clatter. More please. ]

Worry not, Master Snicket. I will do my utmost to help these people unite. For surely they will be far stronger together than apart.