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| Happily Never After | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 4 2008, 09:11 PM (278 Views) | |
| Anthony Lewis | Jul 4 2008, 09:11 PM Post #1 |
 
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Tony was sitting at the king’s table watching him. His knee was bouncing uncontrollably, out of boredom and annoyance. Finally he shot to his feet. “Are you going to tell me?” He asked quickly skirting the large table and walking around to the king. “Did you see it? Did you like it?” He leaned over expectantly and excitedly. “Did you show that fancy duke that stopped by?” Tony batted his eye lashed as he said the word ‘duke’ and used his best snooty voice. He, of course, meant the bouncy castle he had fabricated. It had taken the entire month and not a lick of plastic was included in it. He had used thick pirate sails and heavy duty paint. The actual castle stood quite tall and since there was no machine to pump air into it he’d stuffed it with hay instead…it was much more like bouncing on a bed – but it worked. Or so Tony thought. He had other plans for future castles, better ones – but this proto type was a feat in and of itself he figured. “Did you…did you try it?” He leaned over a little more with a classic Tony smile. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 4 2008, 09:12 PM Post #2 |
 
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Wendall lifted up his fork to his mouth, doing his best to ignore Anthony's staring and incessant bouncing. How was one supposed to enjoy a meal in peace with his feet tapping against the floor like that? Lowering his fork, he waited for a lull, a small smile flitting across his face as it came and he brought it up once again, wanting nothing more than to eat his dinner before meeting with the Duke later on. Before he could, though, Anthony was standing there next to him, shooting off questions. "Yes, yes, yes, Anthony..." He said impatiently as he waved the hand holding the fork in the air. "I have seen it and it is perfectly wonderful." Wendall reassured him with a pat on his hand before quickly taking his bite. "And I don't believe the Duke has." He relayed, careful to refer to the man more politely than Anthony had. Turning in his chair so he was partly facing him, Wendall smiled wide at him in reassurance. "Not until the man behind the masterpiece himself is present to show him." Turning back again, he told him, "I have not..." Though he added in a mischevious, "Yet." onto the end. "I assure you I will first chance I get. My week has just been so busy with the preparations but know that I will make it out there as soon as I can." |
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| Anthony Lewis | Jul 4 2008, 09:12 PM Post #3 |
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Tony’s head drew back on his neck a little at the pointed correction the king had made. He even rolled his eyes a little. “The Duke…” He corrected just as pointedly. First and foremost Wendell was his friend. Though the last thing he wanted was for Wendell to bounce into that man-servant nonsense again. Tony hated that. Well, at least he pretended to hate it; and the last thing he wanted was for Wendell to whip out that history (even if it was well known in legend around the kingdoms at this point) in front of the Duke. He promptly puffed up his chest when the king said that he had waited for him to show the Duke. The Duke was a fairy, an elf – one from the 7th Kingdom there on diplomatic business. Tony didn’t totally understand the detailed intracaies of inter-kingdom relationships; nor did he care – as long as he looked big and important in front of the king’s friends he was good. “Oh yeah? Well I you should.” Tony nodded off handedly. “You’ll love it, I just know it.” He said with the best conviction he could muster. “But don’t worry, I have more ideas and plans for future productions – this one is a little small. Sort of a one person jumper.” Tony sighed. “So what’s all this business about anyway? You know that stuff you were just talking about that’s kept you busy all week?” Tony went back and plopped down unceremoniously in his chair. Rupert’s zeal and dedication to detail had driven Tony a little crazy so he tired to avoid him as best he could when working on the ‘castle’ project. Outside of that Tony interacted personally with few of the castle occupants. “Oh, I don’t suppose I could sit in on one of your o-so-important councils; could I?” He beamed a coy grin at the king. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 4 2008, 09:13 PM Post #4 |
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With Anthony back in his chair, Wendell took another shot at trying to eat, managing a single small bite before more questions came his way. Finally just resting his fork down onto his napkin, he folded his hands there in front of him on the table and rested his eyes upon the man. His month had been busy as he tried to put his kingdom back together, the rise of his stepmother doing more harm than was initially seen on the surface. A new man had taken the Troll throne, one worse that Relish ever could have been, and the threat was seen throughout the rest of the eight kingdoms. They all watched, waiting to see what his actions would be and wondering what Wendell would do to counter once the time came but it seemed the Fourth Kingdom was not his first target at all, not like all had expected. "Reports of Troll emcampments have been pouring out of the Second Kingdom the past week." Anthony might be common, he might be rather... oafish and clumsy but he had emerged as one of his most trusted advisors. Hence he had no problem relaying the news to him in confidence. "They seem to making their way further and further to the Gretel's castle. We believe that Globle is trying to use the Kingdom's squabbling as a weakness and have plans to overrun. A diplomat from Gretel's court is arriving at any hour." The throne left empty and Relish's children off in search of the himself, Anthony and his daughter, it had been easy for his brother to step up and seize power of the country. There were few willing to fight Globle's rule. Picking up his fork, there was an almost inaudible sigh as he looked towards his plate. It seemed there was little chance of his enjoying this meal. "If you must but I urge you to let me do all the talking." Wendell said with a serious expression. |
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| Anthony Lewis | Jul 4 2008, 09:14 PM Post #5 |
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Tony was still, for perhaps the first time in days. His heavy brow knitted together deeper with each of Wendell's words. He never considered that the visitors or that the meetings and the councils were actually of great import. He just figured it was banter and tea where they patted each other on the back and talked about how great things were now that the kingdom was no longer in crisis. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it, and opened it again. Though no words came, and as he sat dumbly with his mouth open he sighed in an uncomfortable sort of misplaced manner. He wasn't really sure what to say - if he could be supportive, if he should badmouth the trolls (he would be the first to admit loathing the entire race), or if he should just not bother with words at all. He settled back in his chair. This would be one of those moments in which, if he were still in New York, he'd crack open a beer; suck it down, and just let everything roll out around him. Of course nothing like this had happened except in movies - and they always ended in 2 hours so Tony could be sure that all problems would be solved within that window. He knew better now, after having suffered one such misbegotten adventure himself. "Okay." He finally added with a little tilt of his head trying his best to at least seem knowledgeable about anything regarding what the king had said. "Well is Riding Hood doing anything to help the cause?" The words spilled from his mouth before he even knew that they could be close to the right thing to say as a crash sounded in the next room. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 4 2008, 09:14 PM Post #6 |
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"Not yet." Wendell replied thoughtfully. "I'm sure it is only a matter of time but even still... You have been with me to the Second Kingdom. It is made up of primarily elderly woman and teenage girls. With the wolves all seeming to migrate here, there is little left to protect them." As the door opened across from them, one of the butlers stepping in, he announced loudly to the room, "The Missus Alcott has arrived, Your Majesty." Wendall pushed himself away from the table, wiping his hands upon the napkin laid out for him and sent a smile towards Anthony. "Which is what brings them here to us. Now come. Help me to greet our guests. I am sure this is one diplomat you will enjoy meeting." Walking around the table, he took a quick stride through the room, meeting Ms. Alcott and her maidservant out in the foyer. |
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| Jasella Alcott | Jul 4 2008, 09:15 PM Post #7 |
 
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Jasella Alcott was a proud woman by nature. She had to be, with Riding Hood baring down on them like a leech and her own Queen having to suffer the imposter to the north it made for little room for error or mercy. It didn’t help that her kingdom was in danger from all sides. If the wolves weren’t abandoning their land for a safer future in the 4th Kingdom they were murdering their livestock – or even their children. She looked at Belle, her maidservant by title and friend by choice. They had been made to wait for more than 30 minutes now and Jasella was counting each second with disgust – each second that past more people died; if not to the wolves to the Trolls. Too many people denied the Troll leader Globle’s brazen attack on her homeland; she was hardly ready to stand for it any longer. When Queen Gretel had suggested that they consider military back up Jasella had been the first to argue. She sat on the council of 9 – she was young to hold such an important post…but they all were. There was little choice anymore, there were few men and those that existed were weak and ill-equipped or prepared to take on the roles their female counterparts had long ago. She was a Marquis, a titled roll in her lady’s court and she took it very seriously. She had been enraged when Gretel asked her to go, nay begged her. She curled her lip in disgust at the thought – Gretel had not been invited to the king’s coronation; Hood had. Clearly Wendell didn’t recognize Gretel the Great as a leader at all. It was a fault he would answer to and perhaps even suffer for if Jasella could have her way; in fact he most certainly would answer to the drawing of their wolf population. Though they murdered citizens they also protected the land from outsiders. The wolves would have sunken their teeth into the troll’s soft flesh and likely had them running by now. “This is unacceptable.” Jasella had told Belle with pointed irritation. It was when a second ‘advisor’ returned without the king that Jasella caught him around the collar and whipped him around pinning him to a nearby wall that she showed her true disgruntled nature. This might not be serious to them, to the safe 4th Kingdomers, but it certainly wasn’t for her people – the ones she’d left behind to have this meeting Jasella’s pretty features scrunched up as she scowled, dismissing any beauty she held moments earlier, at the soft man who'd been taken so easily by her - true he had likely never seen the field of battle but Jasella hardly considered that her problem. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a tight braid and she bore the golden crest of Gretel the Great along with her matching black leggings and Golden tunic. Her well made hooded cloak swept with her as she held him there and a nearby fancy decorative goblet clattered to the floor next to her. “You can’t possibly think we’re going to wait a second longer.” However in that moment she heard the approaching foot steps. It was with haste that she released the man and stepped back – stiffly, proudly and looked upon the king and his manservant. She issued a passing glance at Belle and managed a slim smile before refusing a curtsy but issuing the king a brief bow. “Your majesty.” Though she had attempted to sound cordial she was well aware of the terseness in her manner. |
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| Belle Copeland | Jul 4 2008, 09:18 PM Post #8 |
 
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Belle stood as still as she could, her only movement the one of her eyes as they followed Jasella. It was a delicate balance that she played, struggling to find a middle ground between work and friendship and to hold those at bay that might frown upon their ease with each other. She had been assigned to Jasella at the age of five and since then only left her side to sleep at night. Here in this hallway, so open to intruding eyes, she appeared as nothing more than a maidservant. Sent along to take care of her mistress in anything she might need. That required silence, that required stiffness. Once away from these open walls, though, and then she would speak freely of how they were left to wait. Then she could let her own annoyance out towards King Wendell and his blatant disregard for the wellbeing of their country. She knew that Jasella was not keen on the idea of having others come in to help them, especially not King Wendell, but she couldn't help but pray for his agreement to the deal they had brought with them. The one that would bring help and manpower to their country. Her own family was originally from a town near where Trolls had set up a camp and while she and her mother and her mother's mother had all served the house of Gretel these two hundred years, she still had family there and was terrified that each day might bring news of their deathes at Globle's hands. "I am sure he will arrive shortly, ma'am." Belle replied politely, her eyes falling on the approaching advisor and choosing to give the politically correct answer instead of the one that remained buried on her tongue. How if he had come to their own castle, he would have expected immediate service. To come in and see the queen immediately. It was all very rude, she noted with a frown on her gentle face. Still she jumped a little on her toes as Jasella turned the man against the wall, rushing up next to her in a silent move to have her let go. The trip here had already been spent in argument as each shared their own points of view on the matter and while she considered their treatment the illest of manners, she was also depending on the help that they might be given that could be taken away should her mistress be caught attacking a member of King Wendell's household or court. Under her tan cloak laid a plain blue dress, void of any decoration. In fact, as customary for any maidservant, there was little about Belle that stood out and she did not necessarily mind. Where Jasella was strong and fiery and passionate, she sunk back into the shadows, relished in the fact that not a single pair of eyes were on her. It was how she liked things though whether those traits came from genetics or environment wasn't completely sure. She said nothing as King Wendell finally made his appearance, making a low curtsy towards the king and then to his manservant, her long plait falling over her shoulder before she could push it back again and straightening back to her still position. |
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| Anthony Lewis | Jul 4 2008, 09:21 PM Post #9 |
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Tony had been afraid of the women in the 2nd Kingdom. He had met Red Riding Hood the III briefly and she was, on the surface beautiful, underneath quite frightening. Women on the whole were slightly intimidating to Tony; well more than a little intimidating to him. He could hardly wrangle his daughter let alone strange women. And these women, that he’d met when he visited the 2nd Kingdom with Wendell, were frighteningly independent – all that much more intimidating. Women were manipulative creatures who knew both scientifically and magically the way to wiggle both under men’s skin and wrap them around their fingers with little effort – controlling all aspects. It was a gift, one Tony still couldn’t fully grasp. He could not deny that he had a certain blatant appreciation for the fairer gender, but that hardly meant he understood them. Tony’s eyebrows arched high on his head and he felt himself stiffen a little, like when Wendell pinned the metal on him – only this time with none of the pride. He wondered quickly how it had gone from the fun subject of bouncy castles right down the toilet to war. It also troubled Tony the tightness he felt in his chest about the subject and the way Wendell didn’t even bat an eye at the entire subject. He would never understand how he took all these enormous subjects in such stride. There simply wasn’t enough beer in the world for that kind of calm. “So you don’t want me to say anything?” Tony leaned over and hissed in his whisper voice. “How do you know these women aren’t here to start war? Your majesty this could be bad…” It was like Tony to launch into concern before accepting that it could be nothing more than mild negotiations. He really didn’t like the idea of nasty old grandmothers – it reminded him too solidly of his mother-in-law and teenage girls running a country was even more frightening than the former. He wondered dumbly if it wasn’t a bunch of catty spats and work-place like gossip. However all that washed away as Tony’s eyes caught a glimpse of the girls. The one who spoke did so with a force he wasn’t prepared for, and he went sort of rigid with the determined way she even bowed – it was like seeing Riding Hood all over again. The other one, though she didn’t speak and she merely blended back in behind her host, had the same presence. By their simple posture they demanded respect. This is going to be a long night… He thought. He hesitated, as it too was in his nature to be several steps behind where everyone else was and sort of just following along behind every one else for direction. He clumsily bowed to the girls a second too late but was just thankful he did that without knocking anything over. He then glanced over to Wendell, hoping he would say something quickly so that Tony didn’t feel obligated to open his mouth. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 4 2008, 09:21 PM Post #10 |
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The relationship between the Fourth Kingdom and the southern area of the Second was filled with rough waters. Due to allegiances made before he was even born, his loyalties lied within Red Riding Hood's court. The issues arose though in matters of national security, his kingdom bordering both the north and south parts of the other. With the trolls tromping in, there was always the possibility that their next move would be the Fourth Kingdom. It was the most logical after all. So if working alongside Gretel's court could assure future safety for his own people then so be it. He straightened up the best he could, though he had already been immaculate, as they headed down the corridors to where their guests were waiting, straightening the cuffs of his jacket. Once they were in sight, he smiled wide towards them, not letting it falter at the less than warm welcome they received in return. If this was how they chose to dealt with people, he saw no wonder in why they gave their allegiance to the Hood's. "Marquis Alcott, I presume." He said with a bow, taking and kissing her hand. "I apologize for your wait. I found myself unable to get away. I am King Wendell White and I want to personally welcome you to the Fourth Kingdom. Have you been shown to your rooms yet?" Summoning a nearby man, he asked, "Could you please show the Marquis and her maidservant to her room?" Turning back towards the two women, he told them, "If you need anything at all, my staff is at your service. Once you get settled, we can get down to business, shall we?" |
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| Jasella Alcott | Jul 7 2008, 02:40 PM Post #11 |
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“I’m settled, seeing you castle won’t be necessary.” Jasella said tightly pulling her hand back and smiling slimly and taught. She turned to the staff Wendell has just summoned. “Please, inform your king that I’d like to speak with him now.” She turned back to Wendell and tipped her head at him. She couldn’t believe he’d kissed her hand – she wasn’t some princess there to be pampered; she was a diplomat – a royal – a person to be taken seriously. “I demand a meeting now.” She said arching a single eyebrow and giving him a dangerous look. “I’ve traveled a great distance and taken serious amounts of time to arrive here King White; I would appreciate it if you would hear me immediately. As each hour passes more lives are lost in my land. The longer you make me wait the more blood is spilled and the more it lies on your hands.” She meant business. She hated not to be taken seriously; she would demand to be taken seriously – she deserved it. If it meant she had to prove herself to this pampered king who likely had never seen life blood ooze from your best friend’s severed neck she would. She straightened, as if the next word would pain her to say and admit. In fact it did a little. Jasella was a proud woman by nature; though she took strength from Belle sanding near her. She smoothed the folds of her femine tunic and softened her voice as best she could. “Please your majesty.” It hurt, she could barely say it – but she knew she had to…if she was going to make any ground. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 7 2008, 04:01 PM Post #12 |
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"Oh do you?" Wendell commented off hand, eyebrows raised still pulling lightly at the cuffs of his sleeve to bring it to perfection--he was determined to be the portrait of what was expected of him by proxy and what he felt was necessary to show the world. Intertwined with it was his absentminded response to Jasella's words. He wasn't fazed by her raw passion nor her sharpness. If anything, Wendell seemed to entirely miss it--whether it was on purpose or by sheer habit was unknown to even him. "That's as I understand it--don't be fooled. I have no intention of ignoring your visit and the terms of it, Marquis Alcott. And I'm more than willing to hear what you have come to tell me--" Wendell took a few steps forward, tipping his head slightly forward in the smallest, almost respectful sort of nod before he arched an eyebrow again. "Are you certain about the room--I have more than enough servants willing to give you the chance to rest before we divulge in anything and we can speak in a few hours time about why you've come--stop." He said quickly and held up a white gloved hand as he watched Jasella start to open her mouth, no doubt to retort with the same fiery irritation before. "All right, fine. Fine, we'll speak now. Immediately." Wendell told her, giving another slight nod before he dropped his hand and walked briskly forward, giving not a second glance towards either Jasella or Tony or Belle to see if they were following--Wendell simply figured they were behind him. "I know of your kingdom's peril and even more of the blood already shed because of it--therefore we can easily skip explanation and move onto the problem itself. Sit--" Wendell glanced back and waved forward as they stopped in a new room,this one smaller than the receiving one they just left. "--please." Wendell added after a moment, eyes flickering towards Jasella. He stayed standing until all three had seated. "Marquis--if you will grant us with the reasoning for your visit." Wendell said once they were all seated, a small inkling of impatience in his voice, just underneath the surface. He stood up straight and tall, eyes settled in on Jasella as he waited, his gloved hands clasped lightly in front of him. |
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| Belle Copeland | Jul 7 2008, 10:28 PM Post #13 |
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Belle stood still by the door as Wendell guided the rest further in. Most would say the room was immaculate but all she saw as she looked over it was a large mess. Whether it was due to her own biases against the kingdom or the actual state of the room, the curtains didn't match the carpeting. The furniture was a hodge podge of mismatched styles. Her brow creased in dissatisfaction as she looked it over with her eyes only until she heard the door next to her open. Stepping to the side, she watched the small butler as he hurried in, her back stiffening for a moment as she adjusted her hair over her ears. Belle wore many hats in Jasella's life. She was her maidservant, she was her friend, she was her ally, and she was also her protector. When in hostile negotiations, she kept herself firmly placed between her and the enemy. When being fed, it was she that checked all of her food for poisons. And when unknowns stepped into the room, it was Belle that watched them like a hawk until they were gone again. She only left her position when summoned and invited to sit, doing so only to remain polite and to help ease the negotiations along. Taking a spot behind the rest, next to the King's manservant, she took a seat, crossing her legs beneath the chair at her ankles. The butler went through, handing out drinks to all involved and she took hers with a soft hand, taking a small silent sip out of the glass. She didn't even notice the man next to her fumbling with his own until it had been poured across her lap, the cold liquid seeping into her dress as she went still first in humiliation then in impatience and then back to embarrassment as she set her own glass aside and went to trying to tidy herself up. |
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| Jasella Alcott | Jul 7 2008, 11:03 PM Post #14 |
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Jasella stiffened. "Are you certain about the room--I have more than enough servants willing to give you the chance to rest before we divulge in anything and we can speak in a few hours time about why you've come--stop." She was more than annoyed that he stopped her. That he saw what was coming. She could unleash fury like this pampered arrogant man had never seen. She demanded respect. She had spent all 17 years of her existence earning it. She was an Alcott, that alone was reason enough to humor her in her own land. He might be a king but she was Getel’s hand picked representative and he was once more doing it – the self-important, I’m better than you display…either that or he was showing off. Perhaps both, and both made her want to sever his head for the sheer sake of saving everyone else having to suffer his pretty words. It wasn’t a dance! It wasn’t a coronation! It certainly wasn’t a courting ceremony! He had nothing to prove in that respect; Jasella couldn’t even see beyond the safety of her kingdom to know the different of what game he was playing or what he was trying to display. Perhaps he was compensating for something. She would never understand male dignitaries with their need to show of and stroke each other’s delicate egos before getting to business. Jasella thought the decoration was excessive and certainly unnecessary – but she didn’t complain as he bottom met a soft cushion and not a horse’s saddle. Though her eye caught Belle, doing her typical preemptive routine. A slim smile once more befell the proud noble. Belle was a fantastic assistant, and more so a friend – however the thought crossed her mind just as the wine spilled across her friend’s lap. Jasella wrinkled her nose at the manservant who’d spilled the drink. She reached out and caught Belle’s wrist as she stood to go. She pulled her down next to her so she could speak lowly in her ear. “I have several matching sets; I’m sure they’ve been delivered. Pick one.” She whispered hastily to Belle. There was taunt in her voice, but Belle would know the difference – it was obvious to her best friend that it was all anger directed at the manservant…man-idiot was more like it. As Belle exited Jasella felt herself puff up even more. Now she wouldn’t have to be afraid of offending her friend, nor having her stop any thing she might say. The wordsmith buffer evaporated completely. "Marquis--if you will grant us with the reasoning for your visit." Jasella hated him more in that moment. He was pointing out their predicament and forcing her to admit that they needed help. However she kept the best straight face she could. She took in a slow breath. She was barely sitting on the edge of her chair now. “Well your highness you’ve already said it plain; you know the problem of my kingdom.” She said with a coy smile and a hasty hint in her tone. She was doing it – she could feel it. She needed to get a hold the edge and right away. “Alright.” She said sharply. Realizing she’d done the same nasty and standoffish thing with the servant in the hall when Wendell was standing there and asking him to take a message to him – hoping he would hear her. “I love my people and my land King White. I think that much is clear. I wouldn’t be here now and asking for your help. Make no mistake I come on behalf of Queen Gretel, I take no pleasure in this; the Trolls have invaded. It’s not a few minor squabbles –they have invaded my home. As we are closest to the boarder they hit our land first. We fight with half an army because of that imposter to the North. And…our land had been – I can’t believe I’m admitting this – deprived of wolves, at your hand, who would protect the domain for their own cause. Yet now we have neither an army nor the wolves.” |
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| Wendell White | Jul 8 2008, 12:28 AM Post #15 |
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Wendell's eyes cut to Tony the moment the wine slipped from his hand and spilled across Belle's lap. There was the smallest--quietest--sigh that escaped him as he gripped all little tighter to his own hands. Rather than speaking to Tony right then and there, his eyes trailed away from him, towards were Belle began to stand. "I apologize whole-heartedly, I hope you will accept it. Reginald can take you up to your room to clean up." Wendell told her with the slightest nod. As she left, his mind easily slipped away from the incident and back to the fiery woman that sat before him. Wendell was, as he figured, a very complex creature. And a part of him prided that fact. He understood the people of his own kingdom and understood their needs--but beyond that, he was willing to fulfill those needs. And although it had taken an eyeopening experience to bring him to that humble moment, he stood willing to fill said needs at absolutely any cost. He hid his own devotion to his kingdom underneath the staunch and professional exterior, allowing those of his own kingdom and beyond that view him as something much different. A proud, overly egotistical man--perhaps. That wasn't to say Wendell wasn't arrogant--not by any means. He adored the professionalism, the regal man he projected so carefully and perfectly. He worked hard to live up to the White name and push his way, forcefully so, out of the shadows of his family's heavy shadow. Wendell nodded softly as she spoke, taking a few short steps closer to the seats and the table she was at. He rested his hands on the back of the chair beside her, his eyes falling down to meet her's. "Again, as I understand it...all this is petty details. I know of your love and devotion--if it didn't exist, I wouldn't expect you here in the first place. Additionally, I've been told of the Trolls and their harsh progression. As with the liberation of the wolves--I can't say I'm sorry for it, however. I have no intention of apologizing for the pardon." Wendell told as if she had managed to challenge one from him the first place. He had risen his proud stance only because she was a woman--and, by sheer habit, Wendell figured she knew less than he did, she understood less than he did. Even if the entire 2nd Kingdom was inhabited but women at majority, strong and defiant women even, Wendell still stuck to old superiority ways. "Without an army or the wolves to fight your battles---" Wendel spoke slowly, egging on Jasella as he did so. "---I can merely guess that your reason for coming involves aid from the 4th Kingdom's army. You do, of course, understand that our loyalty lies with Queen Red Riding Hood and I don't imagine it will wavier any time soon--I can offer you help, yes. But not an alliance in the trust form." |
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12:49 AM Nov 27
