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Congratulations Gala
Topic Started: Jul 13 2008, 05:06 AM (1,354 Views)
Josephine Morrison
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If there was one thing Josephine was good at, and some would argue it truly was the one thing she was good at, it was pretending. She could pretend to like a person. She could pretend to be in a good mood. At that moment, she was even pretending to know what the people around her were talking about as they went on about how the price of dairy had gone down as the wolves had left and now they were sure to expect another rise.

She just nodded along, her face hiding the confusion that she felt inside, until the faces all turned towards her expecting an answer. Josephine didn't even know what the base price of goat milk was much less how 'blah, blah, blah' was going to affect it, which was precisely what she heard when he was talking.

Smiling, she gave a simple, "I believe that Queen Gretel has a plan. We just have to trust her." At first they just watched, expecting her to say more but when she didn't, they just took her words and went back to the conversation as it morphed into what the Queen might have planned.

She almost gave an audible sigh of relief as she was disrupted, her emotions about two steps of her thoughts and the fact that it was King Wendell that was now addressing her. She was shocked that Gretel would have sent him to her, at times she wasn't completely sure the Queen was very fond of her. "That is correct." She told him with a low curtsy trying to remember everything Venya tried to drill into her head about meeting dignitaries from other countries though they were hard to remember in her nervousness. "It is an honor to meet you both and thank you. I am having a lovely night. I hope you are enjoying your visit within the Second Kingdom." She told them with a bright smile, looking quickly between both men.

The differences were almost night and day as there was little edge to the woman at all. There was a smile and a softness that most of the other women ever truly wore and it never faded from her face as she took a step farther away from the group she had been standing with and closer to the King and his Captain.
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Jasella Alcott
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Jasella had been ready to explain her position; more so to defend it. She was not on a leash and had no intention of it – he opened the field for her to do exactly that. “Dignity?” She queried boldly. “Forgive me sir knight but I hardly think you’ve died and therefore lack expertise on the matter of death and it’s consequences on one’s self image. Though I suppose if it’s a preferred method of dying that we’re addressing and commenting on I still pick sword and find it a more dignified death.” She nodded. “I have seen soldiers stumble around with arrows in them gurgling for those last few breaths – some able to speak. You can be riddled with arrows and survive for some hours – even days! Though I have not found one soul who has lived beyond a beheading. And if it’s to be left to their own devices,” she smiled slightly and managed a little shake of her head while she glanced at the ground, “I have to say I wouldn’t want to be left to them on the battle field. My own devices there are exactly that – battle. Though I suppose if you wanted stealth and to kill me in my own home, perhaps my own bed while I slept then an arrow would be the ideal weapon. Quite too.”

She shook her head and dared to meet his gaze boldly again. “Don’t mistake me, arrows and bows have their purpose and their place. It is on the battlefield too – but not to leave one’s opponent a moment to gaze one final time at the sky and ask why it’s blue.” She raised her chin to him, once more locking eyes with him. She liked this man, he listened and challenged her. Though he didn’t make her passionate and enraged she couldn’t help but respect that he respected her. She was just about to start into another topic he’d mentioned when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her mother apologized for interrupting and explained that the queen needed to see the Marquis.

Jasella didn’t like it one bit, in fact she was slightly rigid with the idea of being swept away so quickly and in the middle of a discussion. This mustn’t be good – not even a little bit.

She whispered questions to her mother but none were answered and the hard look in her eyes only further pressed Jasella to want to groan and demand an answer as to what she was in trouble for now.

The moment she realized that they were going to be alone in a room she felt the weightiness of it all sink down onto her. Something must be dreadfully wrong. She pulled her dress in quickly so the door could be closed behind her. She smoothed the folds of the skirt as her eyes fell on her queen. She dipped low in them with a little incline of her head. “Your majesty Gretel. Please, no secrets – why have I been called?” Her eyes cut back to her mother briefly before settling on the queen.
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Gretel the Great
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Gretel waited, standing despite the various furniture that decorated the room. Despite what anyone might say she didn't particularly like having to reprimand her court but it was a necessary part of her job and she took it in stride. It helped, though, when it was not someone she usually trusted as much Jasella. These were always particularly difficult.

She didn't turn right away as the door opened, waiting instead for it to shut behind before she turned to Jasella. "Before I arrived at the ball, I had a very - enlightening conversation with King Wendell. I was trying to help mend fences that had been broken, to help bind both our kingdom's together. An ambassador. He was right there, willing, I could see it in his eyes and then the moment your name came up... would you like to venture a guess as to what happened, Marquis?" She asked, her eyes filled with the anger that she tried so hard to control in her strained voice.

"How many times have I told you to mind your tongue? That there is a time for pride and a time for humility, no matter how forced you must make it. I do not care how arrogant or insufferable that I am sure he was, he is still the a King and the king of a Kingdom that we need on our side and your temper might have just ruined that for us if I cannot find a way to fix it and in a hurry. As is, I'm having to send Earl Morrison in your place as an Ambassador if I can convince him that she is nowhere near how she really truly is. Do you see what you could have just done, Marquis?" She asked with leveled eyes.

Her shoulders falling a little bit as she forced herself to calm down, to not let it get to her head and mess up the image that she would have to portray once she left the room. It was hard to make an impression of ease and elegance when your cheeks are red with anger. "Now you will leave this room and you will go to King Wendell and you will apologize. NO argument. Then you will stand there and you will mind your manners and make sure that the Earl does not screw this up. Then we'll meet again tomorrow to try and figure out a plan from there. Do you understand?"
Edited by Gretel the Great, Jul 15 2008, 11:20 PM.
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Jasella Alcott
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Jasella felt her own cheeks flush with annoyance. Not at her queen but in Wendell for acting like they were five and she'd broken his favorite toy and he ran off to tell on her. She'd given him a glowing review - well his court at least. Furthermore she'd done what was asked of her, "I brought back the troops." She said coolly. "It was my task and the damage couldn't have been that bad if I was successful in my responsibility. Though I can expect what guess you mean." She said feeling her cheeks warm further, despite the dark look in her eyes at mention of the pretentious king.

Sir Kaden and his responsible yet polite challenging nature was forgotten and replaced with the hot aggravation she had no choice but to succumb to when Wendell entered her thoughts. She hated the man and all his stupid pride. "Clearly I could manage hearing it once more you majesty." Jasella wasn't taunting her queen, it was her way of apologizing. She was absolutely sincere. Suddenly the queen's words sank onto her. "I beg your pardon?" She asked in dumbfounded shock.

She thought surely she'd heard wrong. She managed a step forward. The heat was gone and replaced with it was an intense chill. "You meant to sent me there...forever?" A beat of pride was growing in Jasella, knowing that it meant her queen trusted her tot he fullest - however the horror of having to suffer Wendell's court (more importantly the king himself) for an extended period of time made her ears burn.

Her eyes grew wide, the darkness and disgust was gone and left was only the shock. "Am I to understand you still mean to send me in some way - in the shadow of that weak wall flower. She has less than the sense of a billy goat, your highness surely you're joking." Jasella for a moment was pleading; she even took several steps forward - the only evidence that she was breaking out of her pride was the frantic way she moved closer to Gretel. "And now you want me to babysit her?! Am I to understand that it's my punishment to disappear in her shadow, while holding her up and apologize to that...that - man?" Jasella would rather face the dungeons, the stalks or even the rack than apologize to that buffoon. She was once more reminded that he was the one who had acted like a spoiled child tattling on her.

"If I'm understanding properly, and you confirm it, that it's exactly what you mean - I will take this task...but please your majesty say I heard wrong."
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Gretel the Great
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"Yes, you brought back the troops and for that I am thankful but please see the big picture here, Marquis." Gretel told her, this time her tone more even and less aggravated than it had been before as she was reminded that it was not a complete failure. Yet. "The women and men that make up my armies are more than able to handle a few trolls. I know this, you know this. All of this is about more than just troops. This was about building a bridge, gaining his trust and his alliance. With everything that I have going against us on this, I had trusted you to keep your pride in check for a couple days in the presence of the King, of all people."

If it had been some random lord or courtier, Gretel would not have cared. Jasella could have tore through her and she would not have said a word to her about it. But to the King - she had thought the girl had better sense than that.

"Of course not for forever but for a while, yes." Her eyes lowered dangerously though as she questioned it. "You heard exactly right. Remember, neither of us would be in this position if you had remembered to watch your tongue in the first place. No one would be living in shadows or babysitting anyone else. And maybe you will remember that the next time you decide to smart off to the ruler of one of the other kingdoms, much less a King." She told her, as if his maleness only made it all the worse that she had allowed one to get to her at all. "You're dismissed, Marquis." She said abruptly as she turned to Venya. "Do I look presentable for the company?" She asked as she ran a hand along her hair, obviously hating to have to care at all.
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Jasella Alcott
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Jasella was without words as she left the small room completely speechless. She was simply baffled at the nature of the entire thing. She groaned quietly before glancing over and seeing Wendell already with the earl. If anyone would have already ruined the situation it was Josephine Morrison. Jasella wrinkled her nose in annoyance as she waded through the crown trying not to glance back at Kaden; that would really make her angry and Wendell's company all that much more loathsome. She had been perfectly content in the knight's presence, of course it was unlikely that he pitched a hissy fit behind closed doors the second she turned around like a spoiled child.

She didn't even know what her tongue would bring to the group but if Gretel wanted an apology she would manage it somehow. She moved into the small circle, it was immediately that as gave a deep curtsy to hide the still present mix of loathsome yet confused rage on her face. She took the moment to fix a faux look of pleased company. "Hello to you three." She pointedly tipped her head toward Wendell. "Your majesty." She managed cordially enough, though she almost choked on the forced politeness. "Josephine, Captain." She sort of smiled, it was the best she could manage in that moment and it came out almost fully.

She felt quite numb and she forced the sensation to remain so she could tolerate what she was about to say. She couldn't even believe the words were coming from her - let alone in the presence of others. "King White it seems in our parting I missed something rather large and important, that I had offended you." The 'I'm sorry' couldn't come - she tried to start of with it but her mouth went off without her. Her eyes darted to the table next to them; she couldn't bear to look at him while she bit hard into her tongue forcing it to remain still for a moment while she gathered all of her wits. She turned back to him with the most passively pleasant face she could. "I suppose I owe you an apology for anything I might have said that upset you." She said slowly, it seemed to come out with purpose -as if she meant every word that fell from her lips with the utmost sincerity. However, the truth was, they hurt so much she had to say them slowly or they might not all come out. She hated him even more just then. His pretty, wavy blonde hair, his piecing blue eyes, and his dashing formal tunic were all a disguise to hide the repulsive male superiority complex beneath. No single person had ever irritated her the way he had, no one individual could tap that well of fiery passion which when touched forced her to put forth the most intensity that she owned. It was odd in that moment how much he'd gotten to her, and she was able to actually recognize it - it made her want to take back all the words she'd said and explain that it was because he'd acted like a spoiled child that she had to say them in the first place.

"I'm...I'm terribly sorry. Please accept my apology, if not from me, on behalf of my kingdom." The words were just as slow and purposeful as the first ones, and they pained her just as much.
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Wendell White
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Wendell was deep in conversation with Josephine--or at least he figured it was the deepest conversation he could ever manage with any of these royal women. They all held a different complex than he had ever imagined and even one as clueless as Josephine was baffled him. They were different--they were strong, they supported themselves in each and every way. And as much has he refused to see it, they were clever too--even if Josephine wasn't quite up to the par of the others, he put her on that same pedestal he put the rest. Soon, though, he would figure it out--it would just take him a bit longer. And even then Wendell wasn't too sure he would dismiss her; he might even embrace her for her 'normalcy' in comparison to the rest.

He was, however, directed suddenly to Jasella as she made her presence known. Wendell's eyes grew darker if by sheer proxy but his face never wavered--behind closed doors, he would let his distaste shine through. But in the presences of the entire royal court for both Gretel and his kingdom, he stood taller and more staunch than before. Underneath that surface, he seemed to be trying to show her just how much better he was than she.

"Offended..." Wendell repeated slowly, almost condescendingly, his eyes never leaving Jasella's face. He was very much aware of Theron's presence beside him as well as the earl's--but his eyes were focused solely on this woman and all the fieriness that encompassed her nature. Beyond that, however, it was a fieriness that completely infuriated Wendell. If only because it made him annoyed to a point that he couldn't remember reaching before. Boredom he knew well, anger and disdain too--but never could he remember being absolutely annoyed in every way, shape, and form with another human being as he was with Jasella Alcott. It was her wit, her own ego, and her strength that annoyed him so--but beyond that, it was the fact that any of her pushed his emotions that only fueled their presence more.

"I imagine you do--please, Marquis Alcott...do deliver said apology before the ball itself ends." Wendell told her off hand, his head tipping to the side slightly as he watched her. There was an upturn at the corners of his mouth--the hint of a smile--as he watched her. He was enjoying this moment--this victorious moment--and he knew that she knew it too. There was a smug look on his face as he waited for the words to fall from her lips and when they did, the small hint of a smile grew as he tipped his head to the side slightly.

"Well....I can only assume that was rather difficult for you to string those words together therefore it makes it all the more heartfelt." Wendell told her, sarcasm laced in with his words. He tugged absentmindedly at the cuffs of his white jacket as he inclined his head ever so slightly towards Jasella. "For the sake of your kingdom, I accept the apology...but a word to the wise, Marquis. I am not an enemy you would ever wish to have--it would do you well to remember it." Wendell said with his chin pointed slightly upwards--her apology only boosted his ego that much more for the night. "Perhaps take a page out of your Earl's proverbial book--there are certain ways to act in royal presence and I had little faith in this kingdom after your display--you might even learn something from your fellow's decorum than practicing your own."


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Josephine Morrison
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Josephine was slightly baffled, not like that was hard, as King Wendell came to speak to her. She half expected the Queen or one of the others to show up at any moment to take her away to some distant part of the castle from some meeting but she always seemed to miss it because it was over by the time she made it everytime. They never let her talk to anyone important and she wasn't sure why. Did she smell? Oh no, she smelled didn't she... Of course she didn't smell, remembering placing rose water upon her neck before coming down.

But when no one came, she took it as a good sign. No meetings tonight and she had the chance to speak to the visiting King.

She had seen Jasella coming towards her and had half watched her as she came up. Not another one! Why couldn't they schedule these things at some other time? When she wasn't dismissed though she rared her shoulders back a little more. When he started to compare her to the Marquis and she was the one on top, she found herself standing tall. This was certainly a night for first as she had been compared to Jasella on many occasions but it was always the other way around as they tried to tell her how she should act.

Of course, she couldn't just let it stand that way as she piped in with a cheerful smile, "The Marquis is actually one of the more decorated members of the Court as well." She tried to add, knowing in her heart of hearts that Jasella would do the same for her if the situations were reversed.
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Jasella Alcott
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Jasella blinked at the earl. She was floored. Clearly the girl missed everything the king had meant in his words. She managed to pulled her lips back slightly if only because she was annoyed by her stupidity. “Thank you for that assessment Josephine. No really, thank you.” She said stiffly before turning back to Wendell. The girl might be absolutely senseless most times but even at that she seemed to help Jasella’s cause (at least in her own mind). “Rest assured you’re the only one that’s heard them from me, ever.” She told him with a smile that hid some unspoken meaning behind it. It was the first thing that snapped from her lips and it was the only thing she could think to say without jumping in and shouting at him again. Reminding him just how stupid he was for being that arrogant.

In fact it took all the strength Jasella had to stand there and take from him the words. She felt her cheeks grow hot with everything he said – right down to his noxious manner. She hated that she was pigeon holed in this spot; that she had to stand there and take it at all. If she was going to take it, she would take it with grace. And it was obvious from Josephine’s words that she did need babysitting. Jasella just never thought she’d be the person do to it.

This certain was punishment, the kind that made her sick in her stomach. This was far worse than the rack and Jasella was almost certain she’d rather be thrown in jail than have to play this game. It was with that in mind that she opened her mouth and had a mind to tell him exactly how not charming he was.

However it was for Gretel and her entire kingdom that she held onto the thought for herself; so she could enjoy it privately in the recesses of her mind. She felt her jaw tighten, the only way to keep from spilling words out at him. She had to take a deep breath and change the subject, it was the only way to make this go well. She couldn’t bring herself to comment on his words – it would only end in more hate, maybe even bloodshed. She glanced at Josephine and managed a mild grin.

“You’re soldiers are skilled.” She said honestly, it was something she felt comfortable saying. “Sir Kaden and your Captain there, I witnessed both on the battle field. They are amazing at their craft.” She commended him. It was something about him that she could openly commend and not feel like she was compromising herself to find a way to be nice to this man.

Her eyes caught his again and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she allowed them to stay locked on his. “I never say anything I don’t mean. Therefore apologies from me are scarce; if unheard of. But,” she forced her teeth not to grind or her jaw to grind, “as a result, though difficult, I’m admitting that I owed you one.” The pounding in her head from the blood rushing in her ears drown out almost everything else around her.
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Theron Landers
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Theron had been surprised by Jasella's appearance and further by her words. After what the king had said about her he didn't think the Marquis was capable of apologies. He gave a little nod to her and then to Josephine. "If you ladies will excuse me." He said to them first before turning back to his king. "Sire." He bowed to him as well and scooted out of the circle toward another gathering of people.

He thought it perhaps a little too bold of him, but he was willing to give it a go - after having finished his last glass of wine. He found Josephine's yakking sub par when surrounded by the rest of them. Had he not had a head full of sweet liquor he would have been slightly intimidated as he had before. However, with the slight happy buzz he had going on it made these women idealized - dream-like.

He paused in front of the queen and gave her a gracious and proper bow. "Your majesty, might I ask for your hand in the manner of a dance." He said extending his own gloved hand toward her and catching her eye for a moment. "It would do me a great honor if you would agree."
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Gretel the Great
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"Things will be different this time around, that I can assure you." Gretel stood amongst a group of the Fourth Kingdom's court, her voice never wavering as she discussed the past, present, and future of the treatment of wolves inside her land. Most would be intimidated, cowering under their eyes at the hard questions they asked. She stood tall, remembering that only a month before they were just as bad and treated them just as poorly and had little room to talk. "I guess it proves what they all say. Sometime you don't know what you have until they're gone." She finished with a smile around the crowd, a few people raising their glasses to her at which she nodded.

"Do you have a plan for the adjustment of the wolves back into society yet?" She heard one of the men asking, one that stood seriously. It was a question meant to trap, to trip her up and it would not be the first of the evening but she wouldn't let it as she lifted her chin. "I have ideas. Obviously this is a delicate operation as it will hard to break the habits of the people. We should meet to talk later. I would love to discuss it more in length with you." He would be long gone before she ever asked for some stuffed up old man for advice but that didn't stop her from claiming it.

The Captain of Wendell's army approaching, Gretel's eyes opened a little bit at his request but she smiled thankfully nonetheless. Placing her hand down in his, she gave the smallest curtsy. "That sounds lovely." She told him honestly before turning in her spot to the group she had been entertaining. "If you would excuse me, a lady must never turn down a dance." Gretel said, her false one returning as she looked them over. "And please, Count Bertram, we will talk more later on your proposals. I'm excited to hear what is being done within your own area of the kingdom." She held up a hand in a proper wave as she let Theron lead her to the floor.

As they fell in time with the music, the Queen looked up towards him, her true smile returning. "I feel like I've thanked half the room tonight but I don't wonder if the true thanks lies with you, Captain. You handle your men beautifully." She complimented. "And know that I don't say that lightly."
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"For the sake of your kingdom, I accept the apology...but a word to the wise, Marquis. I am not an enemy you would ever wish to have--it would do you well to remember it." - Wendell White