♔ 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

[depicted]

It is 1881 in England for me, Your Highness.

[He sets that aside, for in many ways it is the least important matter, and she has such a pretty smile.] Both the courts have great libraries, although regrettably I have only been able to access the books at Caer Glaem. You should see it: it is truly beautiful, both in what it contains and the architecture that contains it.

[Touching the side of his face as he thinks, he starts slow.] To go to the very beginning, we would start with the Uaine Cridhe. The court has introduced that matter to you already, I hope?

[skjalf]

That would be nearly four hundred years! ( To the day, actually. Very nearly. If she focuses upon that too much, she will get a headache. So instead of thinking about how logistically impossible that is, Elizabeth indulges in something piqued by this entire exchange: her curiosity. )

I am pleased that the descendants of my family have treated yours well. Will you tell me what it is like sometime? I confess to being utterly curious about it.

( So, Dorian must be of the Seelie court. It does not dampen her spirits, because such a connection can only prove beneficial and useful for them both. Not simply for herself alone. )

One day I would very much like to! ( Her eyes light up. ) The library at Caer Scima is also very beautiful. I have never seen so many books in all my life. Such a collection would cost the ransom of several monarchs at home, I would warrant.

Ah, a very little. Forgive me, I am unfamiliar with Scots Gaelic. ( It sounds very much like Scots Gaelic, anyway. ) It pertains to the shards we bear, does it not?

[depicted]

[He gives her one of his pretty smiles: sweet and light, utterly guileless, all bright-eyed will to please.]

I shall answer any questions you have, at your pleasure. [His laugh is just like his smile as he amends his error,] At least as far as I know the answer.

[But oh, Caer Scima. That would make things difficult. Dorian already knows that associations across the line are dangerous, but he is Seelie for a reason at this moment. He owes a loyalty to Elizabeth that triumphs his new alliance to Solais and Ridire.]

They have such technology here for production of books as would be just brand new in your time, but even so it is a wondrous thing.

[This place is Celtic punishment for their English sins.] Yes, if we are the shardbearers, it is the whole thing. The legend begins that that great gem broke, and now the courts struggle to reassemble it and decide the fates of all worlds. That, at the least, is the overarching tale, the story of aeons rather than that of the ages of recent generations.

[skjalf]

( It is so very pretty. The smile she gives him in return is nothing short of a reflection of that, bright, warm and utterly artless. )

Such aid truly is a pleasure to me. ( Her eyes sparkle. ) I understand. What I would like to know ought to be simple: what is the lay of the land? Both in terms of geography and politics.

( The pair of them are setting up to stir up quite a lot of trouble. Yet she owes no allegiance to those whom have claimed her, not yet. She has sworn no fealty, and she knows not whether she ever will. They have done her a favour, truly, by whisking her here. But bound by neither duty nor love, she finds herself masterless, free for the first time. Such exhilaration will not easily be set aside. )

It is! My parents spent a great deal of money on books printed by Gutenberg when I was small. ( No kidding! Not to mention a throwback to the High Middle Ages, which is very passé for her. But the fashions are remarkably lovely, and she is adapting to the wide belled sleeves much easier than she'd thought. )

I see. Is that the root cause behind this war, then? I assume each side wishes to have sole possession of this gem once it is reassembled.

[depicted]

[It is easy to answer her, expression for expression; the sympathy seems a natural thing.]

In geography, the spread is wide and far-reaching. They say the sun never sets on the British Empire: we have colonies from one end of the world to the other. In politics . . . [That's hard, he doesn't actually have a head for it.] Queen Victoria rules the day, with her ministers selected from amongst peers and distinguished gentleman elected to their posts by the people. [He thinks? Look, he's a very particular part of British society: the useless part. He never paid attention to this.]

[He confirms with a short nod.] So we are told. Whoever has the gem at the end decides the fate of not just this world, but all the worlds. The Unseelie monarchs wish to have the worlds continue. The Seelie monarchs wish to bring the cycle of life and death to its end so that new universes are reborn.

[While Dorian doesn't know politics at home very well, the wording there is precise: these are the wills of the monarchs. Those who have been dragged here to serve under them are not the same.]

[skjalf]

( Indeed, the empathy seems to come as naturally as breathing. A most intriguing thing. )

Colonies? Empire?! ( Whoa whoa whoa, what?! This is the first she has ever heard of her country being an Empire! And while she'd been asking about this land, she is far too engrossed in the topic now to correct him. ) And a Queen, too. Does she rule in her own right, my lord?

( Luckily for him, her questions remain rather simple for him to answer. Her heart has leapt into her throat, though, because he has brought up something which seems impossible to her: a woman, ruling on the throne by herself. Something her mother would have done until her younger brother reached his majority had she been able. )

What of the politics of this world? ( Oh. Oh. Well! It is very clear why she's been claimed by the Unseelie, then. What a load of rubbish. ) I see! Then I have been given to the correct court, I suppose. I cannot condone what the Seelie monarchs wish.

( Neutrality may be the best way to go, but if push comes to shove: she will fight for her world's continued existence, thanks. She sets her jaw, and shakes her head in wonder. )

And all of us, all of the natives of this world are caught in the middle of their little dance. I cannot condone that, either.

[depicted]

[Sorry for the kinda awesome newsflash? He feels like he has dropped large amount of informations and forgot that they were so great.] She does, with her husband as Prince Consort until his passing.

[When she makes her claim for the Unseelie, he can only press his lips together and bow his head. There is no doubt that the lockets are watched, not in his eyes. Everything might be watched. And he won't speak treason in public, where there is record.] Such are the ways of wars. Monarchs decide the battle and its reasons, and we who owe allegiance obey. It is the place of ruling Kings and Queens to decide what costs are worth their ideals.

[He doesn't tell her that it isn't so in his time, that they hardly call down treason simply for dissenting words or even dissenting actions, as long as they are within accepted bounds. This is a harsh reality that he has learned here, but he learned it quickly. If he is to have any power, any choice in his life, he must earn it through discretion.]

[skjalf]

( Awesome, but troubling, in its way. She does not at all like what she has heard of her people journeying to lands which are already occupied by people and naming them whatever they please. They do no honour to her House by calling someplace 'New York' if it is already called something else. )

A prince consort? ( She has never heard of such a title before. ) He did not attempt to rule through his wife?

( They are clearly upon opposing sides of this conflict, and yet she can assume from his expression alone that he shares in her opinion. Being of one mind is important, and she inclines her head in acknowledgement. She understands, though she says it not. )

Then let us pray that they are good ones, my lord. As a future subject of my family, I will do my utmost here to provide for you nonce I am in a position to do so. No matter what else occurs in between: you have my word.

( She, too, is careful with her words. All she speaks of is their shared homeland, and the protection she owes him as a subject of hers. Her word is binding, and she will be serious about keeping it. )

[depicted]

[What's wrong with colonization and imperialism? Gosh, Elizabeth, don't be a party pooper of the horrific future yet to come!]

No, he could not, nor would he. Her Majesty ensured it with his title.

[Appreciating that his true meaning was read, he smiles more lightly, less burned by the helpless doublebind of attempting to express oneself without being read by others.]

You are too gracious, Your Highness. I shall strive to act worthy of your kindness.

[It is an oblique oath, a sideways fealty: slanting against the lines, they offer what they can in their limited vocabulary, until such time as it might expand.]

[skjalf]

( Just the fact that it doesn't happen through diplomacy and treaties, that's all! there is a benefit to it, but only if it's done properly. The way she has heard of this process being alluded to by Connor and now with Dorian? No thank you. Nope. )

Such a reality could only ever be a dream for a woman of my era. If I could do that, believe me that I would. My—for God's sake this is entirely surreal!—descendant has the right of it.

( His smile is returned, and easily. It is always a pleasure when she needs no words in order to communicate seamlessly with another. )

I have the utmost faith that you shall. In fact, you have already begun. I will strive to be worthy of your kindness, in turn.

( Basically: she will endeavour to prove herself worthy of his loyalty, and reward it well upon such a time as they might expand upon these oaths they now make. One day, she will. She has been born to rule, and she cannot imagine any other life for herself. )