♔ I ► video 【open to both courts & backdated to 02/01】

[skjalf]

( Her progress in working out what her locket does is very much a WIP. Still, she has fiddled with it enough to activate whatever magic controls the moving images of people. This is in an invaluable tool in her eyes, because she has precisely the purpose to put such a resource to use. Keenly aware that appearances matter especially so upon making a first impression, she is dressed elegantly, and her hair is mostly left in loose waves, some cloth-of-gold ribbon threaded throughout. She keeps the look on her face pleasant, but cool.

There is no benefit for the time being in playing the fool, as she had at home. The warmth of her smile does not extend to her eyes, not yet. Instead they hold a light of curiosity, and a great amount of seriousness. Her awareness of the situation at hand is dim but for this: she is not dreaming. She has lost all, and stands to gain everything if she but works for it. Just as her father had won the throne of England: with smiles, charm and good business sense.

Her address, then, is an earnest one. )

Good day to you, one and all. I know not how many of you there are, or from whence you come. Yet if I may, I would humbly beg a favour, if you would be so gracious as to indulge me: your acquaintance.

Indeed, I would meet as many of you as might be possible. And, if you would be even more indulgent, information pertaining to the state of affairs in this land and abroad. I find myself possessed of a desire to know the full scope of things here ere I chart my course and navigate myself through whatever trials I may face here.

( Now, finally, the warmth enters her eyes. She has no choice; it would not do for all the land to bear witness to her grief. )

I am Elizabeth Plantagenet of England. It is my hope that I will be able to repay any kindness shown me sooner rather than later. I look forward to meeting and speaking with many of you!

Until then, farewell. Deus vobiscum.

Comments

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[babbylon]

[England, huh? Saber's home... he wasn't from that place and time, but he understands the eras and empires that followed his own. The horror that visited her across the sea, and the crumbling ruin she left behind and struggled in vain to undo.

The lockets are pretty things, and she is a pretty girl with pretty words and plenty of pleasantries to spare. That it is an honor to meet him goes without saying, so he skips over greetings to what nags at him the most.]

When last did England fall, she of the faraway kingdom? And to whom, for how long?

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[skjalf]

( His empire has long since faded into the annals of history by the twilight of the fifteenth century. But she would know of it, were she made aware. Such kingdoms and the stories of their heroes and gods, kings and queens have fascinated her since childhood.

But she is not thinking of that at the moment, nor of legends from closer-to-home. No; because her perceptiveness has picked up on something which alarms her: he knows. Inexplicably, this man somehow is aware of the goings-on of her realm. Though she has neither spoken of it, nor of the notion that he hails from anywhere close to her land. She is tense, skin pale beneath her smile, which despite all remains in place.

Nor do her eyes widen, thanks be to God. She has caught herself early before her expression might reveal overmuch. )

The eve ere I arrived here, as a point of fact. The dragon was nearly gored by the boar, but revealed itself to have a poison stinger upon the tip of its tail.

( The creatures she speaks of representing the heraldry of both Richard III and Henry Tudor. )

Henry Tudor is the dragon. It is his badge.

[depicted]

[Elizabeth Plantagenet. There are a fair few women through English history that might be known by such a name, and all of them are women for whom Dorian feels a natural kinship and debt of fealty. There are few as famous for their beauty, such as this Elizabeth wears, as the two Elizabeths who came to meet the end of the War of the Roses. He does not know who she is with certainty, but knows he owes her his assistance as far as he may offer it.]

It is my pleasure to meet you. Forgive me my ignorance, but by what title should I address you? By bearing, I would think you a queen. [It isn't flattery: she has a look about her.] My name is Dorian Gray. I will be of whatever service to you as I can.

[skjalf]

( What a surprise! And a lovely one, at that. Elizabeth has not expected her name to be widely known here. Or at least not as more than the wife of a reprehensible man. His words bring honest warmth to her features, not at all fabricated now to conceal her sorrow.

Kindness is something she values highly. As is charm. He wields both well, and she responds with a tilt of her head and upward curve of her mouth. )

As much as it is assuredly mine to meet you, sir! I confess, I did not think to be known here so soon. You may call me 'Your Highness' if you would like.

( Though she is uncertain how much weight that title holds here. Perhaps none. In any case, the omittance of 'Your Grace' points directly at her status as a princess, and no Queen. Thank God. )

It is my honour to accept your offer, Dorian Gray. The kindness is much-appreciated.

{Video}

[rangerandking]

There are disturbances that threaten to erupt into war. I encourage you to not stray far from either castle. Whether you have been welcomed into Seelie or Unseelie matters not, Lady Elizabeth.

{It saddens him to see such strife. If he could end it, he would, but it is beyond his control. The best he can do is encourage those who are not soldiers to seek safety and stay there.}

I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I will answer what questions you may have to the best of my ability.

{Video}

[skjalf]

How grave are these disturbances? Does war loom far or near on the horizon? ( No. Not again. She will not endure another war, alone and powerless.

She sets her features with pride and determination, her eyes telling how seriously she takes this news. )

Sound advice, and I thank you for it, lord Aragorn. Know-you how long this conflict has been brewing?

[muscovy]

[There would be a number of things in here to reply to, but that is not why he answers. Something else entirely picked his interest.]

You know England? [It's a slim chance, and he only knows stories about England, he has never met him himself, but it still would be closer to home than ...really anyone else that he's met. People who have ancestors from the area where his house is are nice, but also still very removed.]

[skjalf]

( So very many unusual questions. Is something amiss here of which she is currently unaware? )

I am from England, yes. My father was His Grace, King Edward the Fourth.

( She tilts her head, curious. ) Is that what you were asking?

[burping]

Elizabeth, my name is Mithian of Nemeth. Although I have been here for a little more than three months time, I hope that I can offer my assistance and by extension, friendship to you.

[skjalf]

We are surely well-met, Lady Mithian. It is my honour to accept your offer of both assistance and friendship.

May I ask if you arrived as I have, a girl alone, abroad in a strange land? It seems some of these folk are kin or friends from their respective lands.

[commandertoolbelt]

I am Leo Valdez, of Texas. [ See, he can do weird introductions, too. ] Not much is going on here, we're just building a fortress since war's about to break out and all. You know, normal stuff.

[skjalf]

( Hey, it's not weird! Just old-fashioned. ) Valdez is Spanish, is it not? Forgive me, but I have not heard of this province called Texas.

I am pleased to meet you, sir, wherever you hail from. Ah.. yes, war. Such was sadly nearly the norm at home, as well. I am saddened to hear it. Know-you the cause behind all of this enmity? I should like to understand more of the situation.

Text, permaprivate

[gordianknots]

There are texts in your court library that'll give you the run down of history, but the true question is what do you really want to know in this scope of yours? Truly, there must be specific areas.

Text, permaprivate

[skjalf]

( Elizabeth has to fiddle with her locket a little in order to figure out how to get the writing to show up for her, as well. It really is a novel sort of magic, dare she even think it: useful. )

The history will be most helpful, and I thank you for it. But that merely explains how things have arrived at this point and not the state of which these things are currently in. It will allow me to begin to see the board.

But not the pieces, nor the players. I am, I confess, interested in gaining an understanding of all of it, so that I may decide where I might move from the square upon which I sit.

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[allures]

[the name doesn't sound familiar, especially since elizabeth speaks as though she's a queen-- effy seriously needs to brush up on her history. either that, or this elizabeth is from an entirely different england.]

What's the date, where you came from?

[it seems to be a question she's going have to keep asking.]

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[skjalf]

( What an odd query. Elizabeth has no reservations about respond to it honestly, but she is curious as to why it would need to be asked. )

The twenty-third of August in the year of Our Lord fourteen eight-five. Why?

( Different timelines are an entirely foreign concept to her as of yet. )

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[dragmire]

We are at war, Elizabeth of England. What else would you need know besides?

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[skjalf]

There is ever an underlying cause to war, my lord. Usually political. I would familiarize myself with the board, players and the rules of this world.

I believe it is safe to assume that it will be quite different from my homeland.

[foraneye]

[Élise may not be one of her people, but a noblewoman of France is educated on the noble history of England. She recognizes that name.]

Welcome, my lady. I wish that I could answer your request, but it's one I've made myself.

[skjalf]

( A Frenchwoman who knows of her. Elizabeth straightens herself, and curves the corners of her mouth to offer her a smile filled with warmth she does not entirely feel. The French reneged upon their treaty with her father, and humiliated her before all of Europe. She is not angry about it any further.

But apprehensive? Yes, very. For ease, she will speak in French from the first. )

I thank you, madame. It is fortunate that there seems much information to be had, though conflicting in nature.

( Propaganda. ) Perhaps we might learn more together?

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[cockade]

It's unfortunate that so many of us are meeting this way, mademoiselle. [He may not have been as educated as Élise during to his childhood, but Arno recognizes that type of nobility in how she speaks.]

I can't offer you information, as I've only arrived here myself, but England is no stranger to me or to France as a whole.

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[skjalf]

Yes, though I do not at all regret having the opportunity in any case, monsieur. ( Another of France has sought her out. This is most interesting. )

That is perfectly understandable. ( her smile turns with a wry sort of humour. ) No, I should say not.

In such circumstances as these, I should far prefer England and France to be allies, if not perhaps friends. What say you?

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[thequitecontrary]

[Mary is still getting the hang of the locket herself, but when she hears the woman introduce herself, she knows she must respond. Sadly, she doesn't have much information to give, but she cannot miss this opportunity.]

Your Highness. [She curtsies and it probably looks extremely awkward over the locket.] I am Lady Mary Crawley, daughter of the Earl of Grantham in the year Nineteen Twenty Three.

[How strange that she's met two known monarchs here so far.]

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[skjalf]

( By now, she is becoming used to strangers knowing her. Like Lord Gray, she seems to be English. Except that her hair and manner of dress are, well. From the future, perhaps. To think her name lives on for so long is as thrilling as it is frightening.

All she can hope is that her voice in history has been a positive one. She inclines her head with a small smile for this woman. )

A pleasure! We are well-met, Lady Crawley. ( 1923. Good Lord. That title is unfamiliar to her, though. It must have been created long after her lifetime. )

How are you finding yourself situated in this new land? As well as one might with war in the air, I hope.

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[pontificus]

Of England? [She has met many French, but England is a first, and it intrigues her.]

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[skjalf]

Indeed! And the rightful claimant to the throne, no matter what that Welshman says.

( Her mouth curves upward, as she considers this lady's accent. It is somewhat familiar. )

May I ask where it is you hail from, my lady?