♔ 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

voice;

[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?

[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.

{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]

( 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.

[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.

[babbylon]

[Kings and queens, heroes and gods form the backbone of his world. It might be said it was fate that drew that together because of it, but likelier still is that Gilgamesh is simply nosy, and makes a habit of butting into another's business whenever it stands to benefit his own.

There is a slip in her demeanor, but it is brief and therefore reveals just enough: that she is well-coached and not part of the common rabble. Far be it a run-of-the-mill commoner to mind their manners and speak in riddles.

She refers to the Tudor dynasty, and so confirms that she came along after Saber's generation. Unfortunately, it also confirms that Saber's beloved England will never be free of those forsaken invaders. Gilgamesh hums thoughtfully.]

A most curious dragon, then, to rely on its poison instead of its teeth. Now, let us see... Deus vobiscum... blessed in the name of God, yes?

[It's been a while since he's exercised his Latin muscle. Not much need for it in the middle of a modern war.]

{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?

{Video}

[rangerandking]

Far nearer than I care to see. {He gives her a gentle, but grim smile.} Many seek only to defend those dear to them. There is hope yet of the conflicts ending without large casualties.

{That anyone should die hurts.}

For many months, I fear. The courts are pitting us against one another.

[skjalf]

( England has ever been a prize for would-be invaders. Many of whom succeeded in landing, and many of whom did not. Elizabeth is the descendant of both Northmen and Normans, both of whom had lain siege to the shores of her isle over the centuries. It is ever the way of things.

Though that does not mean she is not relieved to be here and thus granted blessed relief from being forced to the altar alongside the aforementioned dragon. For her country, she would do her duty. But here, she can privately think that she'd rather see him prone on the field among the dead than poised to enter London like some conquering hero of old. The cur.

Elizabeth pays close attention to this man's words now, more than before. He has continued the riddle, and thus revealed to her in turn that he is no ordinary man. )

Its teeth were dull and diseased, and nearly all fell out or were broken during the battle. Ah.. nearly, but not quite. "God be with you."

( It's impressive. Peasants do not speak Latin. Who is this man, exactly? )

{Video}

[skjalf]

( If a man who appears as battle-hardened as this one has such words to say as a description of the situation at hand, then things are grim, indeed. Elizabeth bites the inside of her cheek and narrows her eyes in thought. )

Understandably so. I am sorry that things are in such a terrible state; it is as though the conflict from home has followed me here.

( That isn't right. These people don't all know each other, do they? So how can they be the enemy of strangers? It is a strange and worrisome thing, and she will ask about that in a moment. )

Has there been any attempt at diplomacy? I understand that perhaps the state of things is too far-gone for such a tact now, however...

( It is an avenue worth considering. ) I know none here. I find it odd that anyone is meant to be my enemy, speaking from a personal perspective.

voice → video;

[babbylon]

A blighted beast, indeed, that it had so many fooled into believing in its brazen charge.

[Then again, Saber was much the same way, all talk and no teeth when criticized for childish idealism and petty contradictions. This woman has now offered proof that England would never earn its freedom, but the King of Knights wouldn't stand for it, he knows. England will always be free, he can nearly hear her say, because that is the England that beats inside of me.

She won't catch his wistful look as it comes and it goes. Sometimes nostalgia hits in unexpected places.]

An interesting turn of phrase, don't you think? "God be with you." "God watch over you." "God is with us." And yet you are here, and I see no God, and I hear the deaths of so many, so where might He be watching? Why has His gaze stilled? So perhaps a better wish might be...

[Gilgamesh turns the locket the over, before a dark red eye, and replies in the same tongue:]

...memento mori.

[Remember that you are human. Remember that you will die.]

{Video}

[rangerandking]

{Her reasoning softens his expression and, suddenly, he is in doubt which court she has been sorted. Ah another Seelie - and one with honor at that. He empathizes with her greatly.}

We bear Shards. They are magical and highly sought by those who wish to have more power. {Hasn't power - prestige - always been tantalizing for some?} There are some who would think nothing of taking your life to claim your Shard for their own.

{As for diplomacy, his lips curl unhappily and he frowns.}

The courts have a keen sense of how to manipulate their followers. Once we are backed into a corner, diplomacy is but a dream. We must act or sacrifice our lives.

However, as I said, there are those who ignore the ploys. They are the ones who will organize safe havens and stand in defense of those who cannot defend themselves.

[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.]

[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.

[depicted]

[Princess, then, and it suggests a final answer: Elizabeth of York. Her mother went straight from lady to queen, but this is a woman unyet wed. It is why he doesn't say that his family has served her line since the days of the Tudor queen: she perhaps doesn't yet know that the Tudor line will be hers, and all the Kings and Queens of England after. But this woman's blood comes down to his own Queen Victoria, and so there truly is a debt.]

How could I not know you, Your Highness? Even in my day, some four hundred years after yours, both your grace and your beauty are well-remembered. My family has served your blood for near all of those centuries, and owed all of our happiness to you. [By which he means their titles and lands, of course.]

Is there any kind of information you would seek? [He becomes a touch bashful here, just the slightly bow of his head and flush of his cheeks to indicate shy gestures he has been training himself out of.] I confess I have spent more time studying the library than the state of affairs.

[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.

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.

video.

[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.]

video.

[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. )

video.

[allures]

[oh fuck. that's further back than she'd been hoping. she takes a moment to rub her temples, frowning.]

I'm from 2009, might even be from a different world than you. Depends if you've got magic.

[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?

[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.

[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

[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.

video.

[skjalf]

( What. The. Heck? On two fronts: one, being the strange matter of the year this woman recalls herself to be from and second, how in the blazes would she know about magic, beyond this place?

Tensing imperceptibly, she inclines her head and narrows her eyes a little, wondering if this woman somehow knows of her bloodline's magic. )

That cannot be possible. ( Can't it? Of course, but she is clinging to what she has left of the familiar. )

Magic has been rumoured to exist, mistress, but there is no proof. Witches found guilty of heresy are burned at the stake as per the law of the Church.