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| Topic Started: Jul 13 2008, 01:23 AM (145 Views) | |
| Venya Alcott | Jul 13 2008, 01:23 AM Post #1 |
 
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Venya had been instructed to fetch the king, to bring him to the queen. She was to do it before the ball, not much but a little before. She was too pleased with their victory to consider questioning the queen, and she had a mind to know what the queen was after. Now word had spread that they'd won and that Wendell had assisted in the winning. Surely by now Hood knew that he was in the land. She met him where he'd been asked to come. He was perfectly punctual, as she expected him to be. She issued him a short bow. "Welcome King Wendell White. I'm Chancellor Venya Alcott. It's my duty to take you to the queen. She would like to meet with you in private." She gave a little nod of her head toward the spiral staircase that ran up to a balcony overhead. This castle had been erected directly on the spot where Gretel's great-grandmother had pushed the witch into the stove oven and let her cook instead of she and her brother. This land was sacred to her lineage. This was the pride these women took in their land, they were bound to it - each and everyone for the history it held. She lead him up the stair case. She stroke just as boldly as her daughter and just as confidently, however she did not immediately open throw out taunts at the king - in fact she had no idea her child had. "The queen, as the rest of us, are delighted to have you and it's with that in which I would like to personally welcome you to the 2nd Kingdom on behalf of her majesty Queen Gretel the Great." She gave a little knock on the door and pushed it open before the queen could answer, it was arranged that way. The queen was expecting him. "Your majesty, King Wendell White. King White please meet Queen Gretel the Great." |
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| Wendell White | Jul 13 2008, 01:39 AM Post #2 |
 
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Wendell had come to celebrate the victory of his men but beyond that, his intention was to relish in the compliment and congratulation he expected to receive. Never did he consider there would be more reason for his appearance on Queen Gretel's soil than a celebratory, ego stroking night. Anything that would prove to his own people and to those surrounding the 4th kingdom that he was a competent king was a cause he would take up willingly. Wendell paused for the briefest second as Venya introduced herself, her name (and no doubt her lineage too) not going unnoticed by the king. But he quickly dismissed it, hoping that by doing so, he could forget that name all together--Alcott. It was the very same he had began to discard a few days prior and it irked him to have it brought to the front of his mind by a simple greeting. "Then lead me forward, if you will." Wendell told her staunchly as he followed behind her up the spiral stairs. A smile did cross his face, however, at her words and he drew himself up taller as he nodded his head. "And I am just as pleased to be here, I assure you. I thank you, too, for you warm welcome." He meant it too--Wendell rarely meant such simply kind words without something buried behind them. He was simply glad she held more respect for him than he had expect from her. "A pleasure indeed." Wendell replied as he gave a soft nod towards Gretel and took her hand in his, placing a kiss on the back of it. He drew back and pulled lightly on his cuffs as he smile softly. "It is fantastic to finally meet you, your majesty. All the stories do little justice to the real thing. Congratulations, as well, on such a large victory. Not, of course, that it was ever a doubted one." Wendell told her, expecting no less of a congratulations in return. |
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| Gretel the Great | Jul 13 2008, 02:05 AM Post #3 |
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Gretel's hand rested on the side of the windowframe as she looked out over the front of her castle. Coaches and carriages lined the whole area as one after another guest arrived, dressed up in their fineries. She couldn't help but stand a little taller at the sight, watching them mingle and linger as they climbed up the long set of steps that led out of her range of vision. For a kingdom of warriors, they could all clean up nicely when the time came, going from calloused fighters and farmers to the perfect ladies, with a few dashing gentlemen to sprinkle into the mix. She could only imagine what was going through Wendell's mind at the moment, the large grandfather clock that stood in the corner of the small room telling her that he should be on his way with Venya. It had all gone rather perfectly, she had to admit it and give herself her own congratulations for letting the pieces fall as they did. She had seen her opportunity and she had taken it. Some might say it was manipulation, other politics - Gretel didn't see the difference and didn't care to as long as she worked it all to her advantage. The simple fact was she needed Wendell, more than she liked to admit. He was her key, the one that helped her gain access to all the rest of the Nine Kingdoms. Her armies were some of the strongest in the land and she had little doubt they could have taken on the trolls themselves but with Wendell's agreement came the wolves and Wendell himself. A step towards her own alliance. It was not safe being sandwiched between he and Hood should the other Queen ever choose to use it to her advantage. With him on her side, Gretel's kingdom was safe and trusted and respected. And the truth was, it was not hard to get a private audience with her like he had been led to believe. She was not afraid of being with the commoners and getting her hands dirty but to put up the front that this was a great honor, bestowed only to those she considered the best and brightest, it helped. It boosted his ego and helped her cause. The click of footsteps from down the hall had Gretel hurrying to her position, standing next to the small table within her private meeting chambers. Her pants had been discarded for a fine dress and she looked every bit the Queen she was as Venya opened the door, letting Wendell into the room. A soft, kind (and lying) smile crossed her face as he took her hand and she gave a small cursty as he kissed it. "The pleasure is mine, I assure you. I daresay we should have had this meeting long ago. Please, have a seat." She offered with a regal wave of her hand. "At least our first meeting is under such joyous circumstances. You have quite the army under your leadership, your magesty. I am delighted to now say that I had the chance to fight alongside them. I really must thank you, on behalf of the whole kingdom, for your aide." Gretel took the seat across from him, running her hands along the back of her dress to smooth it out. "May I offer you anything? A glass of wine perhaps? To toast to a job well done?" She offered kindly as she beckoned the servant girl that waited in one of the corners. Edited by Gretel the Great, Jul 13 2008, 02:07 AM.
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| Wendell White | Jul 13 2008, 02:29 AM Post #4 |
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Wendell took her offered seat without hesitancy--they were better than the rest, he figured. Better than the commoners, better than the other royals. As the top of the ladder of royal hierarchy, they were above the others and as such, understanding that position meant everything. Wendell ran his own kingdom under that reasoning. At least he liked to believe he did but in truth, a subconscious part of Wendell understood the importance of the commoners and even the importance of their needs and demands. All he did was take those demands and justify filling them by some noble reasoning that would, apparently, benefit the royals just as much as it would the commoners. Even if the logical didn't entirely pan out as perfectly as he would've liked. "By all means--I won't deny a toast." Wendell said, revealing a majority of his person in that one moment. He put on the front on purpose, he played the perfect royal and the perfect king for a reason. It was what was expect of him throughout his own land and the others surrounded. However, underneath, it all became a facade even he didn't realize he had. But ever since the incident with his step mom and the brief time trapped in a dog's body, Wendell started to disregard that image for something else--something he wasn't sure he wanted to accept right away. "Thank you for the compliment--I take it with open ears, more than willing to hear more. I was devastated to hear of the tragedy your people were subjected to." Wendell told her. Never did it occur to him that embellishing the truth was futile--that she already knew of his words between Marquis Alcott in full detail. And, along with it, his arrogance in giving assistance at all and his ignorance on the subject at hand. "However--" Wendell shifted in his spot, offering the servant girl the smallest of nods as he went on--he gave her no indication, beyond that, of acknowledgment or gratitude. "I imagine you and your people have a handle on th situation now that it's been right--now that the wolves have returned and the balance is restored." Wendell told her as he brought the wine glass up slightly. Underneath his words stood something else--he was proud that his army had come to aid and had succeeded...but beyond that, he did question the need at all. It inflated his ego that much more to know that this woman--who was notoriously known, as the rest of the woman in the 2nd kingdom, for her independence--had come to him for help. In his eyes, it was almost as he were the parent and Gretel was a young child in search for a band-aid. "So not only is it a toast to the victory of my army and of your lands but of a restoration in general." |
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| Gretel the Great | Jul 13 2008, 02:56 AM Post #5 |
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Taking her own glass from the girl, Gretel was all smiles. The analogy of a dog lapping from her hands never rang more true and entertaining than they did inside her head at that very moment as she let go some of some of her pride in order to gain the trust and confidence of the man. "Yes, it was quite hard on us." She said in a moment of honesty, any time spent with her people in peril always taking a toll on her. If she couldn't protect them then what good was she? She had to concentrate on that to keep from bristling in anger at his words. She knew plenty of just how 'devastated' he had been, the Marquis having left this very room only moments before he arrived, having given her final report on the whole event along with a declined plea to allow her maidservant to go to the ball as well that night. His arrogance about the whole situation had her doubting everything for a singular second before she was reminded of why she was casting her lot in with him in the first place. Certain parts had been glazed over in the report, though Gretel knew Jasella well enough to have at least some suspicion of what those moments between his arrogance had held and the sway that might have had over his general opinion. Along with the general dislike between the kingdoms. His words in here were nothing but lip service and she had to at least respect that, knowing that she was doing the same as they spoke now. "But my people are strong. I have complete faith that they shall bounce back better than before." She finished with a proud smile as she took a sip from her glass. "Yes. Thanks to you all is on its way to be well again. I've had my workers working extra hard today to fill your wagons and caravans with goods for your trip home. Everything should be ready for you to return home in the morning though whoever chooses is welcome to stay as long as they like." "In fact, from this moment on, any citizen of the Fourth Kingdom shall find themselves most welcome within my towns and villages." Setting her glass down on the table, her face firmed a bit as she prepared herself for the real business of this meeting. The first step had been made, now the next had to be made quickly while victory was still in the air and the sound of the band could be heard starting its chords for the evening. Soon they would have to make their grand entrance. "Now that the niceties are out of the way, I did have a reason for calling you here, your magesty. Its simple really, I would like to see a restoration of our own. A kindling of the bonds of so long ago between our two kingdoms. I was hoping that you might consider an ambassador from my court to come and stay within Fourth Kingdom." She suggested, her eyes still retaining some of their smile in a well practiced display on Gretel's part. |
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| Wendell White | Jul 13 2008, 03:23 AM Post #6 |
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Wendell nodded quietly as she spoke, his smile only growing slightly as she did so. Although he had no real realization of it, she was feeding his ego more than it needed. Everyone, in fact, did such--his court drew him up to grander heights, gave him standards to exceed. Standards that gave the 4th Kingdom its creditability and power at all. But by fueling his arrogance from a young age until that very moment, Wendell had become immune to the process and simply took it as normalcy. "Oh and I'm sure those that wish to venture across your borders will do so with such a warm welcome." Wendell offered her before he fell into silence again, holding lightly to the glass in his hand. Despite his obliviousness nature, Wendell wasn't at all a stupid man--in fact, if you asked him that very question, he would scoff at the idea. He would explain, in full detail with a few choice words of extreme insult, that it could be you that was the ignorant one for asking it in the first place. But it was the truth too--beyond his arrogance. He understood politics, he understood military and diplomatic strategy--and, as of lately, he understood what it meant to pile that all together to run a kingdom. Even if it was different than he expected. "Pardon?" He responded quietly, a knee jerk reaction before he sat up a little straighter in his seat and rested a hand on the arm of his chair. "An ambassador--I'm not sure I understand the purpose. It's not as if a large expanse of land exists between our borders. With the extent of my kingdoms armed forces, I can't imagine that passing on information and contact would be hard. I am not at all opposed to a relationship between our kingdoms--" Yet another bended truth that Wendell did not think Gretel would see--he was torn. He held fast to his family's alliances, to their tradition, but he desperately wanted to step out of the shadow into his own existence as King Wendell--not as King Wendell, descendant of Snow White. He was quiet for a beat before his smile seemed to fade away slightly. "I am not entirely comfortable accepting an ambassador--if only because of what that means for my kingdom, not your own. As I said, a rekindling of a bond is more than a necessity, I agree with you. But there is a certain reputation that my kingdom prides itself and I'm not certain that accepting an ambassador from your court would benefit that reputation." Wendell told her--he was slipping into the business aspect of it as well, leaving behind some of his politeness for a sharpness that came with his defense of his kingdom. Even if, right then, he was still torn as to why he was defending it at all. There was another second, as he took a sip from his glass, that he mulled over the entire idea. It was a last minute decision--a moment where he was forced to consider what he would be doing for the image of his kingdom--and more importantly, himself--if he did agree to Gretel's proposal. He swallowed the wine and blinked for a moment before the question fell from his lips, before he had the chance to even stop it and consider what he was doing. "Who would this ambassador be, your majesty? I would like to meet them before I consider saying yes." |
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| Gretel the Great | Jul 13 2008, 03:57 AM Post #7 |
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Though having hoped, Gretel hadn't expected him to go for the idea on her first try and so when he straightened in his chair, it did not faze her at all as she worked to answer his questions and quiet his concerns. They both knew the game they were playing, she had no doubt that that he did, and so it was up to her to simply play better. To use every available resource to her advantage. They had stood right beside him and fought and proved that they deserve the respect of the rest of the kingdoms and now they would make sure that they all saw it. "It is merely a matter of convenience." She said in her most reassuring of tones. "Even neighbors can seem to be a world away at times. I have interests within your kingdom, resources that are not availabe within my own. As I am sure you understand, it brings about the necessity of having someone there to look over that for me. Not only to run interception between you and I but to handle the business end of matters where I cannot be present. I understand fully the need to protect your kingdom and its relationships with others and I assure you that if my offer is accepted, I will personally see to it that that reputation is not tarnished." Her words masked the underlying message, one that she prayed Wendell understood. "We have stood at odds for a long time and there are some that would rather we stay that way. My mother would have, I know. But I believe that even if only on civil terms both of our kingdoms would be stronger because of it." Gretel waited for her answer or next opposition and she couldn't have been more disappointed by the turn it took as he asked his question. The one she was least prepared to answer. Jasella herself didn't even know that she was planning on sending her back there, having needed to free the room of her before she arrived. But she had done it, she had brought them together if only temporarily and she could only hope that there was a way she could twist her words to make him agree. "You already have." She said kindly as she took a drink from her glass. "My Marquis would be filling the position. I know, she is rather - blunt on occasion but I assure you it is out of nothing more than pride in her kingdom. Her report to me was nothing but glowing things of your kingdom and subjects and she has struck up a rapport with some of your soldiers, even saving the lives of two of your higher ranking officers. She is one of my most trusted courtmembers and, though coarse, one of the only people I would trust with a action as delicate as the one I'm proposing." |
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| Wendell White | Jul 13 2008, 04:16 AM Post #8 |
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Wendell hadn't meant to do it but he choked the moment the word 'Marquis' fell from Gretel's lips. Quickly, however, he composed himself and set his jaw tight, not aware that he was holding a little tighter to the glass. All thoughts of celebrating and experiencing a joyous night had disappeared with this newest revelation. Surely Gretel must realize how completely insane that idea was--how there was no one a man or a woman or a magical being existed that could handle the likes of Jasella Alcott. "I'm sorry--your marquis, you say? As in Marquis Alcott--that one?" Wendell shifted in his spot, almost uncomfortably so. His could feel his cheeks growing hot just at the thought and he hated it--he hated Jasella for it, he hated Gretel for it too, if only by proxy. He was not supposed to become flustered, by a woman no less. It just did not happen to Wendell White. "I understand everything you are saying--that you are proposing--but I can't....I cannot imagine how there is no one else within your kingdom that you would bestow that same trust upon. Anyone that is less course, less rigid and insubordinate than the woman you're suggesting. As many words of flattery I can only imagine she spoke of my kingdom and as many lives of my soldiers she may have saved--which I am consequently grateful for--I don't think that my kingdom would warmly except a woman with Marquis Alcotts' particular...decorum." Wendell chose his words specifically, most of the time aiming to building up his person and his kingdom in the best and most effective way possible. But right then he had nothing more than annoyance and disbelief fueling his words, making him less selective about the content. "I will not deny an ambassador--in fact, I daresay I would even consider advocating the suggestion myself. A mutual agreement, if you will--one that I would almost be willing to promote amongst my kingdom and our fellow. At least once I am certain that other relationships and bonds that I have throughout the nine kingdoms will not be jeopardized. However--" "--if agreeing to such means that I must house the woman in question--in my own castle, on my own land no less--then I cannot even fathom agreeing to your proposal, you majesty. No matter how beneficial it would be to my kingdom and your's. I simply cannot." |
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| Gretel the Great | Jul 13 2008, 04:40 AM Post #9 |
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The adamancy with with he spoke threatened to sabotage her carefully crafted exterior as she searched for some avenue to go about this. Gretel had asked Jasella to watch her tongue on many occasions before, that there was a time for pride and there was a time to step back and do what was best for your kingdom and now she was seemingly screwed because the woman had not listened and instead caused damage that she wasn't sure could be fixed. If anything, a trip to the Fourth Kingdom would eventually teach that girl to mind her tongue, she thought to herself as she regrouped and searched for a new angle, glancing towards Venya who now stood rigid in the corner, Gretel connecting with her eyes with a silent order to keep quiet. She did not need anyone else snapping at the King and causing him to stomp out of here before she had a chance to at least try and patch it all back together. The simple truth was there really weren't that many that Gretel put complete faith in, and Jasella's even was shaken at the moment. There was Venya but she needed her nearby. "As you wish. Though we must agree to disagree on the benefits of having her there, I bring forth another name." She bluffed, her minds searching for something or anyone she could use. Standing from the table, she began to walk the perimeter of the room as she thought through her court. There was Matilda but she was the only person they had found that could even get through to the elves. Florence was needed for the Eighth. Suddenly her eyes lit up as she turned towards the King. "My Earl, Josephine Morrison." Josephine was a ever present thorn in the Gretel's side. Inherited title, no brains. Did little work. The perfect person for Gretel's newest puppet. Josephine gets the title, Jasella follows to do the real work. It was not a perfect plan but it would hold together until her true Ambassador had time to prove her worth. "Bright, lovely woman." She reassured him. "You may meet her at the ball tonight. Right before I make my announcement... that's how sure I am that you will agree." |
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