NationStates Jolt Archive

The simpler times have faded in a background of war and technological chaos.

This became the motivation for many on the planet of Eros, once named for the gentleness of love and beauty, now tragically deteriorating in an ironic outbreak of scientific ingenuity. The nuclear weapons evolved too well, the artificial intelligence broke free of the reins of control, and much of humanity was destroyed by their own inventiveness. Those that remained after the wars came together as a council of enlightened survivors, resolute in finding some measure of peace. After many long and grueling sessions of debates and heated discussions, it became more and more apparent that hope had also died with love and beauty. Tired, defeated, and grim, the remaining masses had nothing more to do than sit and talk. They talked for hours, days, trying to bring some light into a world devoid of illumination. The old would regale stories while the young listened attentively, learning of their history.

And then one child, no more than the height of his elder's legs, tugged fiercely on his mother's tattered tunic. "Why can't we live like the old ones, mama? Why can't we be happy too?"

It spread, fierce as wildfire, amongst the councils. The past. The age of long ago would save their future. How unbearably simple! Plans arose. Searches were formed of libraries and museums. How far back should they search? How would they know what time to duplicate?

It made sense to start as simplistic as possible. What was the oldest inhabited planet? Earth. So few records of the distant green planet remained. People searched through disks upon disks of information, placing them in their holographic screens, watching the discovery and evolvement of planet after planet. Quinta, Chase, Loona, Allamenta. Each great sphere of rock and earth claimed and plundered. Until one day, some strange little plastic disk was recovered beneath the edge of a rickety table, slightly scratched and brittle. It was placed in the screen box, but the odd little disk did not display the usual holographic scenes. The picture was flat, like a snapshot, and all the color had been drained away to leave the images in grayscale. Men in green uniforms, flying machines, rickety land vehicles, and a landscape set to break the heart with desire. Earth. Green, warm Earth. The planet that evolved more than all the others combined.

But what era of existence? Everything from the cave man's day to the first embarkment to other galaxies was etched upon the tape. They needed a time of peace, of beauty and class. A time when simplistic pleasures could be enjoyed, when the color of fashion and decoration brightened every mood. Research was done, and the little disk was watched until the pictures began to sputter in and out from overuse. And one man had it.

Dr. Kahn Blightely called together a meeting of over fifty councils and broadcasted the event on every screen on Eros. He knew the answer to the problems that plagued his countrymen, and he smiled as he spoke, perhaps the first smile to grace Eros in over fifty years.

The 1700s. A time of European Enlightenment. The French Revolution. Lavish dress and ornate mansions. Footmen and handmaidens. Operas and tea parties. Love and Beauty and Peace. The people were beside themselves with glee.

And so began an idea, once as small as a child, that grew to warm the heart of an entire Planet. Every night, they sat in front of their holographic screens, and Dr. Blightely would teach them more and more about their era. They would have Kings and Queens, it was quickly decided, for the romantic appeal was too much to resist. The heads of the councils and their family would become Nobility and the general masses would be either peasants or middle, class depending upon their income. They would grow livestock and farm the land. They would live at one with the basic elements of life, and use only minimal technology when it was necessary.

It was decided. A coordinate map of the galaxy was plotted and a planet was chosen. It was a small planet, about half the size of old Earth, but it would more than sustain those citizens of Eros. The few explorations of Planet 34452D had depicted a lush environment, just right for cultivation.

The planning was done. The vast materials needed were acquired. And the only thing left to do was go.

And so they did.

They inhabited the planet. The grew fruits and plants. They raised livestock and horses. The Nobility had mansions built and servants happily provided. And Dr. Blightely was unanimously crowed King.

The planet was called Ma Reine. The Queen. The supreme planet.

And all was right with the world.

*************

The young Queen looked pensively out the gold-plated window, pondering just how wrong everything was. She sighed, crossing one pale, fragile hand over the other, the extensiveness of her dress barely allowing such a movement. Her father passed away but a fortnight ago, and her mother had been buried the day of her eight birthday, baring no other children. She was nothing more than a child in a heavy crown, surly to be played as easily as a pawn by the esteemed Nobility.

Two hours ago, a ceremony had commenced in the Great Hall, and all the Court was present only to remark upon the richness of the tapestry and luster of the golden hall. A young girl, barely twenty, had walked under heavy robes and cloth with silver lining across the threshold of a royal sanctuary, and there was placed a crown atop her tumbling curls of coal-black, a mark of maturity upon her girlish tresses. And all clapped properly as she claimed the throne of her forefathers.

Jeunesse Dans Redevance, once called Jenny by the affections of her parents, gazed somberly at the courtyard, watching the servants bustle hither and yon, closely heeled by the whim of their masters. Still dressed in the weighted robes of silver, properly corseted and adorned with bulky jewels, Jenny, Queen Jenny, kept dreary green eyes downward, too forlorn to gaze brazenly upon the heavens and watch the duo of suns set upon her first day as ruler.

Her father had completed a great mission started by his grandfather just days before his death. For decades, the little planet of Ma Reine had tried contacting other planets, other galaxies, even, with the jumble of technology left by the world's first creators. They had sent out signals, messages of peace and friendly exploration, into the infinite space, hoping against hope that their meager transmits would be found. Luck saluted them.

There was no definite way to tell just how many planets they had managed to contact, but some rouge signals, too heavily coded to be translated, had found their way to the forlorn little planet, heavily bestrid with grief over the loss of their great King. Maybe others would come and bring some cheer to their tiny world with the chance of learning and exploration. It was almost too much too hope for.

The small Queen gave a shaky sigh before hoisting herself from the padded chair. "It is a great duty I am burdened with," she mused aloud, her lips quivering with the weight of her anxiety. "And yet I must bear it, and so I shall."

Jenny turned to stride down the great length of her bedroom chamber, shedding her robes as she went.

Dawn found High Queen Agwene in a reflective mood. The sidhe monarch's hands rested lightly on the marble railing on the balcony of the palace's central tower. Her thoughts were very different from those of the young Ma Reinean queen's and yet similar as well. Her nation was constantly changing, reinventing itself. That was the one constant in the Resurgent Dream, change. Democracy and aristocracy, reason and faith, passion and duty, love and list, politics and morality, they all danced with one another. Sometimes they fought but sometimes they turned one into the other and sometimes they complimented one another in the most unexpected ways. Life was always a step into an unknown future, an adventure, a dream, even as it was a romantic affirmation of everything that had come before, a defiant recreation of the past. To Danaans, the world was a place of wonder and the world of disillusionment a place to be re-enchanted. Still, sometimes even a fairy queen had trouble keeping up. There were a hundred things on her mind, a hundred things she had to deal with. Still, there was one thing that made her smile. "Come." she said without turning around, to the Mannikin woman who she knew was there.

"Your Majesty." Magerris Songsteel answered as she approached, looking out over Tarana. "You summoned me?"

"Yes." Agwene answered. "My Foreign Minister tells me you are a most promising young diplomat." When Songsteel made no answer, the queen went on. "Diplomacy can be a very unpleasant career, Miss Songsteel. You will spend most of your missions dealing with conflict. Even with our dearest allies, you will spend more time on our differences than on anything else."

Songsteel sighed slightly, shaking her head. "I know this, Your Majesty. I am willing to do it to serve my country."

"And your country thanks you for it." Agwene answered. "And yet it is not for such an unpleasant mission that I've called you this morning. You get to do the most rewarding thing a woman in your profession can do...make a new friend."

Songsteel grinned brightly, bowing with great gratitude. "I am honored, Your Majesty."

Agwene smiled a little at her. "You'll be going to a planet called Ma Reine as my emissary to Queen Jeunesse, a young child who carries in her heart the bright future of a people. You leave in three hours."

The Mannkikin bowed. "With Your Majesty's leave, I shall go pack."

Indigo dipped his reading glasses to double check what he had just read. It seemed that a new civilisation, or so it seemed had been making attempts at contact with the outside world. The accurate location of its source had not been established, but it was known that it was outside of Sol at least. Not too far though, it couldnt be. Still from the language and texture of the language they had used, one could understand it as something similar to the old eighteenth century with a twist of modern perception. The culture had not yet been fully developed as it was on Earth apparently, yet their technology had been advanced enough to be considered 'Space-Capable'. He would send a message to this Queen, a message of peace and friendship. Only time could tell what hidden tales existed there, however.

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TO: Queen and Heads of Government, The Queendom of Ma Reine
FROM: Lord Indigo Blue, the Absolutionist State of Austar Union
SUBJECT: Picking up some Transmissions from your Planet?
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Greetings friends. My intelligence has informed me of some unusual transmissions being sent from your nation to destinations located across the galaxy. From what I have been told, it sounds to me like you are introducing yourselves to the nations abroad. And so this is hence why you are recieving this message, a response to your initial hailing. If I am mistaken, then please allow me to apoligiese. But if I am correct, then I am rather eager to understand your culture and way of life. Maybe we could organise something such as a meeting between yourself and one of my ambassadors perhaps.

Anyhow, I will leave it up to you to decide on what to do. I trust you know the right desisions.

Yours In Excellence,

Lord Indigo Blue
The Absolutionist State of Austar Union

Koss Avangek, a member of the elite CADRE force, was sitting in his place of work and home, the starship Starscream, when the communication systems picked up a transmission from an unregistered system.
"So someone new is calling to the stars."
"Seems so boss."
"Well you know the procedure, let's go see these new people, oh and send message we're coming."
The Starscream composed a message and sent it off.

To the previously unknown peoples, within a short time a ship carrying a representative of our goverment shall be arriving in your system. We hope you don't mind if we drop in and talk, also please don't attack us as we come in peace.

As the message was sent the Starscream and pilot finished thier work in the present system before jetting off after thier message.

Queen Jenny, that cursed voice inside her head corrected, lounged upon the large rug, the eloquent day gown rumpled on the ornate design of the Persian carpet. About her, upturned and askew, lay books, grouped in dozens, the golden lettering across their spines glittering in the candlelight of the dank room. A pair of bronze spectacles sat comely upon her nose, the blue of her eyes rolling about in her orbs as she cradled a fragile novel within her hands, immersing herself within the story until all the world around her melted away and she was no longer a Queen, but a simple reader, undistinguishable and ignoble.

She had spent the day as Queen, a lifetime in just a few hours, and so many of those lifetimes lay ahead of her, spanned out in a continuous line, the end uncertain and indefinite. The child-Queen looked upon the future with a bleak gaze unknown to the youth of her court. It seemed a waste to spend that insurmountable vastness with her head down and eyes diverted, and so Jenny made a quiet retreat from the opulence of her bedroom, leaving that infernal crown to glitter sightlessly upon the cushions of her bed. No other room gave her comfort in the cold palace, save one: her father’s study. The young monarch made a happy surrender to the warmth of the untouched place.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!” A young lad, no taller than a straight-backed chair and dressed in the maroon robes of youthful years, sped into the room, stockinged legs gangly and cumbersome. He gave a tactless bow, while Jenny hurried to her feet through the obstacle of the heavy gown. “We’ve got messages, your Highness!” he shouted excitedly. “We’ve got messages from other planets!” With an emphatic motion, the boy attempted another bow to match the grandeur of a courtier, and yet managed to do little else except collide his thin frame with the refinement of the carpet.

The young woman rushed out the door, the boy fast on her heels after scrambling to his unsteady feet, until the realization hit him as the odd pair reached the Queen’s bedroom doorway, which he lingered at with all manners of sheepishness. “Get my escorts,” she commanded, flying open the drawers of her chest and grabbing a simple frock coat, a blue to rival the ocean’s color, and throwing it about her shoulders. “Make sure they keep their tongues in cheek. I don’t want many to know about the discovery. I wish to tell them on my own time.” She flew about the room, donning gloves and jewelry, putting upon the airs that commanded royalty. With a pause, she grabbed the young boy’s chin, too eager to be gentle. “And smile, my boy! This is a discovery to be marveled at! Now, go!”

The lad shot across the marble floor of the hall way, disappearing from sight just after stumbling over his own speed.

Jenny made for the door, after clasping the locket of her Father to her neck, and paused, hand upon the frame of the entrance and eyes staring upon the golden of the crown that lay so harmlessly upon her cushions. With a sigh, one so hesitant as to seem frightened, she crossed the length of the room and placed her hands upon the heavy object. Today, she must play the part of royalty. Tomorrow, she would actually try to become it.

**********************************************************
“It’s a trick!” shouted the rather portly General, his arms flailing about his sides, straining the azure fabric of the tailored uniform. “Why would any planet pick up rogue signals? They obviously want to seize our planet for their own use!” The large man grimaced as he spoke as if each word caused him pain, an idea that was not completely absurd for the excessively plump man under five foot.

A group of five men or so lingered about wide span of the battle conference room table, their plain surroundings a contrast to the extravagance of the remaining parts of the palace. It was a room so rarely used that the maids refused to touch it. The only discussions of war on a solitary planet consisted of that of skirmishes between the Nobility and peasantry, and such a thing was a ludicrous waste of time.

“And what, prey tell, my General Briggs, would planets with far superior advancement want with a hunk of rock stuck in the deep past, such as Ma Reine?” spoke a tall, thin man with wild tangles of white hair, spraying out in an array of directions. A few muffled chuckles followed him as he spoke, and the fat General eyed the man with an ancient hate to cloud his vision. The tall Noble, Sir Adger Felmghast, was a outcast scientist, a man who loathed the decisions of his forefathers, and wished for the return of technology so desperately that he began to seek it out himself. He managed to run the few bits of machinery that the founders had left them so long ago, and it was he that knew the previous King’s hunger for exploration and quenched it with a few crude signals of contact.

In the corner of the musky room sat the very same young boy, sinking deeper and deeper into the confined space, his eyes glazed over with day dreams. Skip, they called him, for the lad would rather skip through a field of daises, his peers would mock, than learn to fence like the other aspiring young gentlemen. The truth was, Skip was much too afraid of hurting himself by stumbling during a duel. The gangly boy was nothing short of awkward.

In the moment of silence that fast accompanied Adger’s comment, the doors were wrenched open by two men in the same soldierly uniform as the General’s. They hurriedly stepped aside to allow their escorted to enter the room.

Queen Jenny was greeted with the customary succession of bows, each man adding his own flare into the mix as the girl had noticed long ago that it was a common action for men to do. With a special nod to Adger, for the man had raised the young thing along side her father and was perhaps the only pair of eyes to swell with pride at her ceremony of her taking the throne, she seated herself at the head of the table, the scientist to most affectionately to her right, and the General seething at her left. “I wish to read the messages,” she stated, adapting a voice befitting the golden circlet she wore. She would tell no one it was merely an act, but rather bask in the glow of her performance while working on the truthful persona of a Queen.

The General passed her two slips of parchment, most graciously tied with a strip of blue ribbon. She made a mental note to ask who took the time to ornate them before notifying her of the discovery and admonish them publicly for the frippery.

Greetings friends. My intelligence has informed me of some unusual transmissions being sent from your nation to destinations located across the galaxy. From what I have been told, it sounds to me like you are introducing yourselves to the nations abroad. And so this is hence why you are recieving this message, a response to your initial hailing...

The Queen read with a stoic countenance before continuing to the next scroll.

To the previously unknown peoples, within a short time a ship carrying a representative of our goverment shall be arriving in your system...

With a sigh, she finished, placing them upon the mahogany surface of the table. “We shall send them a message of peace and allowance to...”

“But your Highness!” The General jumped from his seat, quiet eager to protest, but was silenced by a wave of the royal’s hand, her lips disappearing into a stern line as Briggs sank back down into his chair. Adger covered a wide smile with his glove.

“As I was saying,” the Queen continued stately, “we shall send them a message of peace and allowance to infiltrate our tiny planet. If we do not, we should anger them, and we have no weapons of defense to match their own. If we do, perhaps they shall come in peace and friendly exploration as they stated.” With a pause, the woman surveyed her table, a hint of empathy rising in her voice. “It is a frightening thing, my Lords, but that is the price we pay for discovery. If we chose to go on as we are, then there can be no hope to advance ourselves. What if there is a cure for the ailment that plagued and killed my father and we had no knowledge of it?” At the mention of the king, a somber collection of heads dropped. “That is my word, and it shall be done.”

**********************************************************

A message was sent to both inquiring nations:

To the Ruler of a Most Admirably Exploring Nation:
I, Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance, most humbly convey my gratitude. The nation of Ma Reine has been condemned to isolation for the past bicentennial. I am aware of the capacity of your technological advances and most graciously beg, on behalf of my people, that, if you should infiltrate our system, please do so covertly. It would cause a mass hysteria among the peasantry should some foreign object come crashing down from the sky. Forgive my inadequate words, My Lord or Lady, but I send this to you in the upmost urgency. We seek knowledge of something greater than ourselves or our culture. Please consider the exploration of our planet, for you shall be welcomed with peace. Ma Reine may wish to take a great leap into the world of enlightenment. My Father, King Phillip Rein Redevance, searched the stars each night for a sign such as this. I welcome your investigation of Ma Reine in his honor.

With Upmost Respect,
Her Highness, Queen Jenesse Dans Redevance

Central Command, Anatoba City, the Absolutionist State of Austar Union

Quick to recieve the response from the small planet, Indigo read the Queen's text in excitement. It wasnt too often when he would gain the chance to explore an entirely unknown culture, especially when it had been so locked in the past that they were unbenown to the world around them. From the tone and style of the writings they had, it seemed that the people would indeed be thrown into panic should he make his presense publically known. It would be difficult to find that balance, but possible however. Still he could only respect the Queen of Ma Reine for her desire to protect the people from the unknown. Should he have recieved strange messages from much more advanced civilizations, he would be concerned also. In the meantime, it wasnt long before Indigo had made a desision, and a short letter been drafted.

----------------------------------------------------------
TO: Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance, the Queendom of Ma Reine
FROM: Lord Indigo Blue, the Absolutionist State of Austar Union
SUBJECT: Re:
----------------------------------------------------------

Great news. I am rather happy that you have the wisdom to open yourselves up to the international markets and powers, while still managing a balance toward keeping the civil peace in your nation. I can understand your point of view, that the people would indeed be frightened by the sudden arrival of amazing technology. What intelligence would they have to understand that such an occurance does not mean doom and destruction, no offense meant of course. Still, I respect the sanctity of your culture and I will personally make sure any diplomatic personnell take caution when making themselves known. Trust me what I say that they will make all possible effort, and beyond.

In the meantime, you might be interested to know that I have a diplomatic envoy being assigned to your nation as I write these words. He should be arriving rather soon given your location. Stay safe, and may your Queendom prosper under you, Your Royal Highness.

Yours In Excellence,

Lord Indigo Blue
The Absolutionist State of Austar Union

Sometime Later, Not far from Planet 34452D

It hadnt been too long a trip for Mr. David Shultz. Or at least it hadnt seemed to be considering the very luxury he was in. Still, it was mild compared to that of other ambassadors considering the mission he had been assigned to. Having to blend in with a much older society would be quite difficult without the splendid costume he had been given afterall. It was something which identified him as not just the average person, but rather a rich and important individual. Suits like this simply gave that impression, which he too assumed that the people would accept as true. Fortunatley, he didnt exactly have to learn the local language, since the MicroChip implanted into his brain adopted the linguia of the people he would speak to. Naturally, its software had been trained to build a language and accent to those it didnt quite recognise, and there were only some things he had to learn. Activating the chip would make him simply sound much like one of the locals.

He was much too ready. He looked and sounded exactly like one of their own, and the only difference would be his smell. And since that wasnt exactly too distinct anyway, people would simply assume he was wearing some very expensive perfume they had never heard of. Yes, his disguise was particularly effective and one had to look twice to make sure that it was an Austarian. Lately, the Diplomatic Corps had been implementing the use of some Secret Service tools and equipment; and mighty had it come in good use in this mission in particular. In the meantime to prevent his entry being totally known to the public, the ship would drop Mr. Shultz in a spot of luscious green nearby. There they would surely not see the drop being made, nor the ship which was undertaking the mission itself. If there was someone out there however, it would most likely come in the form of some crazy story from the local milkman who went camping one night. Nobody would believe him, and his story would be written off as perhaps an illusion or one of those mysterious events. Or perhaps some would begin to believe in the existance of U.F.O.'s in their traditional form. Anyhow, it didnt matter since he was beginning to near the surface of the planet, and eventually Ma Reine of whom he was sent to specifically. He only had to buckle in for now.

It had been some lengthy, odd amount of hours later when Ma Reine received a reply. Adger never speculated the machines could work so quickly, though perhaps it was more on part of the recipient’s technology than their own. When the white-haired scientist stumbled into the old King’s study, his chartreuse coat stained with spots of lamp oil from the long night of waiting in the cool cellar where the technology was kept, he found that the young Queen was fast asleep, dressed in a scarlet house coat and white bedgown, her tired body draped over the vast stacks of books and parchment. A smile graced his wrinkled features, and the tall man simply placed a throw from over some chaise longue upon her girlish form, the sounds of her quiet breathing a comfort to the father-like gentleman. Quietly, he exited the room, shutting the door in his absence and mumbling a silent prayer for his sleeping babe.

**********************************************************

The coffee-colored Mare snorted and stomped her hoof upon the autumn ground, rustling with the fallen leaves that graced the season. The towering scientist gave the steed a small pat upon her head then shifted within the dark cloak for warmth. “You are about to see a most wondrous sight, my lad,” the old man said with a smile beneath his salt-colored beard.

Skip mentally cursed the man. He sat upon a yellow-tinted pony, an embarrassing creature, as stocky as the boy was thin. “Of course, Sir,” he muttered, clutching his arms to his chest, the brown uniform doing little to combat the chill of the air. If only the old kook had mentioned to him that they would be outside for such an amount of time he might have thought to don a cloak. He supposed that was the price he payed for having a dusty old cuckoo for an uncle, scientist or not.

“They should be landing any minute,” Adger calculated, looking to the heavens as if in confirmation. “If I’ve calculated correctly by the speed of the received message...times three...carry the one...” The aged character shut his eyes as if to concentrate, losing himself within the numbers, until his mouth formed words his voice carried to no one’s ears, except his own.

Skip rolled his boyishly green optics. “How do you know they will land here?”

Adger paused. “Well, Young Edwin,” he began, using the name Skip hated entirely, “it’s a matter of an ‘educated guess’. This spot is heavily wooded, as you can rightly see, and yet it is not far by walking distance to the palace. I assume the strangers are unfamiliar with horses as we had to breed them through our genetic capability when Ma Reine was established, and since they can’t well be riding around in some...technological machine on wheels, they will have to carry on by foot.” The man turned back to the star-glazed heavens. “It’s only a matter of waiting now.”

With a rather steep descent to its nature, the craft had been engineered previous to the mission's beginning so that its presense would be as little known as possible. If they had not cared, then perhaps the entire city below would have been subject to an enormous SonicBoom as the craft entered the atmosphere. Instead, with the minor adjustments included with the ship's preparation, it made no sound. Of course all this was at the expense of more fuel and resources, for it took a larger amount of both to create such a positive effect. In high orbit however a tanker had been placed so that the ship could actually return home, since its resources would be so drained from the technical manoevering. Maybe it was time engineers looked into that, to make much more effective yet silent craft. Still, the craft descented and eventually came to a land. And opening the hatch would reveal the wonderfully dressed David Shultz. He was indeed rather fitting for the occasion.

Stepping out onto the dampened ground below him, David had to remind himself this was not Earth. It was so similar it was almost impossible to render a difference. And yet the environment appeared to him somewhat surreal. It was like home, yet different somehow. He saw the two men standing by a creature which looked exactly like the common horse and began to approach them with his hand raised in greeting. He was nervous, although he wouldnt show it. Training in the Diplomatic Corps for five years did that to you rather effectively.

"Hello Gentlemen, I assume you both are here to see me?" he called from where he was standing. Notably, his chip was working well, translating into something they could understand a little better.

To declare that both natives were surprised is to say the least. The stranger, rather faddishly dressed, it must be added, seemed to them such a common occurrence that it felt surreal. Perhaps they were expecting little green men to pop out of saucer-shaped flying crafts as they did in children’s story books, yet it could not be said for certain. What could be said, however, is that the man was so ordinary it became frightening.

“Why...yes, your Lordship,” Adger began, climbing from his mare and giving the gentleman a welcoming bow. “We are here on behalf of Her Excellence, Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance, to most humbly welcome you to the Planet of Ma Reine.” The scientist once again stood erect, his hands finding the pockets of the cloak idly, as if they did not know exactly what to do with themselves. “We...apologize, dear...Sir, for the lack of a grand welcome, but, as I’m sure you understand, this entire thing must be kept under cloak and dagger. Only the highest Nobility, and of course the Royal Queen herself, even know about your coming here.” He hoped the ambassador would not inquire about Jenny just then, for the girl had yet to even sleep half a night’s worth. Bearing both the physical and metaphysical crown she did was not an easy task.

With a stern look, the scientist turned to his dumbfounded comrade, a sign to begin the speech they prepared while waiting for the visitor. With a clearing of his young throat, Skip jumped from the pony’s back, gave a swooping bow, stumbled on his own boots, and managed to right himself in what seemed like a practiced series of motions. Adger shook his head quietly as the boy began, holding some bit of scroll out in front of him, the writing a series of black streaks as if by coal. “We welcome you, most gracious visitor to the plant...”

“Planet,” the scientist admonished venomously.

“...planet of Ma Reine. We have but one, vast, Kingdom, divided into four sectors. Our generous Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance began her honorable rule but yesterday, although she has already established herself greatly. We, on behalf of our country, welcome you....you...” Skip looked crestfallen, as the speech he’d worked so hard on crumbled before his eyes. “I...I don’t know your name sir...”

"So, it seems someone else heard the message of these people and came a calling. Let's find a nice LZ to avoid spooking these locals."
The Starscream flew down avoiding any concentrated settlements as well as landing nearby the other ship.
Koss got out of his craft and listened to the three people talking for few seconds before stepping out of the shadows.
"Greetings."

Both the scientist and his lanky nephew jumped at the sight of the new visitor. Skip, his actions as rash and uncoordinated as usual, tried in vain to draw the rapier at his side, but managed only to knock his feet from under him, leaving him a crumpled form upon the ground. Adger, eyes focused upon the new comer, placed upon hand upon the blade he wore, but made no move to unsheathe it. “If you be a peaceful visitor, then I welcome you, friend,” the old man began, his usual, friendly tone now stern and dark. “I was not expecting another explorer so soon.”

"If I were agressive I would be both armed and backed by many soldiers, as I am unarmed and alone I will let you draw your own conclusions." Koss replied

The Danaan delegation came in three ships. Two were left at the edge of the solar system. One remained in high orbit, beyond the sight of the locals. Only a small landing craft was sent down, carrying Magerris Songsteel.

When the hatch to the tiny craft opened, Songsteel stepped out, looking about. Unfortunately, she had no way to know where the others had landed and found herself alone in a clearing. The woman was not at all like the natives to this planet. She wasn't human. Her skin was pale and looked as though it might have been made of plastic. Her expression had a thick quality to it and rarely changed. Her hair, a bright yellow, was not true hair but a single mass which resembled many hairs. It did not move in the wind.

Lord Père de’Coeur watched the proceedings on his televiewer. He was concerned. He didn’t need the transmissions from Ma Riene to know what was going on, not with the technology at his disposal. The televiewer picked up the electromagnetic waves of people, places, and things and with the sensitive receivers and the superb tuning devices he was able to view what and where he liked, throughout the Universe.

The planet of The Rose and Thorn was quite advanced compared to other inhabited planets, and sophisticated to stay out of their affairs for the most part. It was this “most part” that had the benevolent ruler concerned now. What to do. . . and why to do it?

Père had been watching Ma Reine for years. He had watched their progress and their desire for more technology with some concern but also with a feeling of comradeship. It would be nice, wonderful to have an additional technological planet in the Universe, provided they could handle it as well as his planet did.

But there was more to it than that. He had watched the young princess from a very early age, her growth in body, spirit and intellect as well as wisdom. He admired her, and yet there was more. It was this more that concerned him. What was this more? It wasn’t a totally foreign sensation, but it was deep. And why? He had never met the girl but only viewed her from afar. What were these feelings, and what, if anything, would he do about it?

He had met with his Supreme Counsel and listened to their arguments, their advice, and their concerns. Still he knew that it would be his decision and his alone. And even as he wondered at the reasons why, he knew what he would do.

So now the question was not if, but when and how he would approach the young planet with their young queen. How to offer his advice, his protection. And whatever else may come in time?

He looked at himself in the reflection of the glass of the televiewer screen. Dark hair but there was no mistaking his age, or at least the fact that he was so much older than this far away beauty. Would she view him as a lecher? Was he a lecher? He could not mistake at least part of his feelings. He did admire so many things about her, but as an honest man, even with himself, he knew that part of his admiration was affection, and not that of a wise mentor, but . . . much more, closer, deeper.

With a sigh, he thought to himself, “No fool like an old fool!”

He began to compose his message to her on his write board.

My Dear Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance:

Please do not be afraid when I tell you that I, Lord Père de’Coeur, Supreme Ruler, Planet of The Rose and Thorn, have been watching you for some time. It has been with great pleasure that I have watched you and your planet grow and learn. Now I feel it is the time that we meet.
I will be glad to do so at your convenience at a place on your planet that you feel is both secure and safe, for you, for your people. Understand that with our technology, I can teleport anywhere on your world that you deem fit.

Please do not be alarmed at this statement, for though I can arrive anytime I want, I will never do so until it is a time that you, my dear Queen, want. Our wish is to share, to teach and to learn, and if necessary, to offer protection.

My dear Lady, please accept my offer at your earliest convenience and I will remain,

Your friend,

Lord Père de’Coeur
Supreme Ruler by Acclimation
Planet of The Thorn and Rose

“It seems as if you have drawn them for me,” the old gentleman said, his voice not bearing scorn, but simple factuality. The hand that clutched his weapon relinquished the hilt then moved down to right the fallen Skip to his feet. The boy scowled at the scientist, wiping a smear of dust from his whisker-less chin with the cloth of his sleeve.

“Welcome to Ma Reine,” Adger began, bowing for the second time in a matter of minutes. Standing, he surveyed both newcomers in swooping gaze.

*****************************

The young Queen leaned against the cool surface of the oak table, her house coat and gown doing little to shield her from the chill of the stone cellar. She had awoken some time ago, her back brittle and aching from the awkward position in which she found herself upon piles of hard-covered books. As the realization of yesterday hit the girl, she sped down the flight of stairs to the dank basement of the palace, grateful that Adger had taught her sometime ago how to operate the machines.

She stood in front of the wide screen that hung upon the stone wall by some unseen force, her body leaning back against the small desk, dumbfounded by the words that encompassed the backdrop.

My Dear Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance:

Please do not be afraid when I tell you that I, Lord Père de’Coeur, Supreme Ruler, Planet of The Rose and Thorn, have been watching you for some time. It has been with great pleasure that I have watched you and your planet grow and learn. Now I feel it is the time that we meet.
I will be glad to do so at your convenience at a place on your planet that you feel is both secure and safe, for you, for your people. Understand that with our technology, I can teleport anywhere on your world that you deem fit.

Please do not be alarmed at this statement, for though I can arrive anytime I want, I will never do so until it is a time that you, my dear Queen, want. Our wish is to share, to teach and to learn, and if necessary, to offer protection.

My dear Lady, please accept my offer at your earliest convenience and I will remain,

Your friend,

Lord Père de’Coeur
Supreme Ruler by Acclimation
Planet of The Thorn and Rose

She felt a chill encompass her. What had this man seen of her and why was he so interested in this tiny planet? Questions plagued the fatigued Queen, insurmountable, until she found herself at the strange white board that connected to the large metal hunk of technology, hurriedly scribbling upon it a message to this Père.

Most Honorable Lord Père de’Coeur of the Planet of The Rose and Thorn

Your inquiry is most graciously welcomed, my Lord de’Coeur. From the signals of our limited technology, our tiny planet of Ma Reine has been blessed with a number of responses. I hope soon to meet with these superior planets. If your Lordship wishes to enter our small planet, then he shall be welcomed with open arms.

Enclosed, you will find the coordinates of a safe landing spot in the middle of the North Forest. I shall also send you a map of our planet. It is a manner of urgency that we meet, my Lord, for I am most afraid of being ignorant in my delegations of other planets. The more that respond to my offer, the better choice I have of protecting my people.

With Upmost Respect,
Her Excellency Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance

It had been a entierly random chance, a random set of equations resulted in the aurora of sickly green to gently flash into the sky around Ma Reine. A single cruiser emerged. Like a weapon of war coming out of the most beautiful sunsets. On the darkside of the planet the AEN Nightmare's Dream had defolded her hull scared and burned from the battle she had just escaped from with PSN forces. Any crew member would easily assume that they were safe from the unrelenting assault of the PSN that had been hunting them for nearly three years now. Yet spacial folds have a uncanny tallent of dragging things with it in the bubble that overlapped the three km long beast in a blanket of protection had also taken with it a single fighter of PSN orgin that had begun once again it's attacks on the Nightmare.

"Enemy fighter is moving in at mach 15 and increasing speed. Point defenses tracking and attempting to track and disable the target," the ship board AI spoke over the bridge speaker system, "Currently switching from 50mm to Hammerheads."

Outside the ship the 50mm anti-fighter point defense auto-cannons slowly died down as smaller dmmples on the hull rose up and a hell fire of missiles spewed forth by the dozzens and wraped themselves around the fighter and blossomed into a firery mini-star that could easily be seen from the planet's surface.

"Target obliterated. Begining to perform scanning and locating process of our location," the AI spoke once more as the long range scanners of the Nightmare began to move along everything within one-hundred thousand killometers of her. As the transmissions began to slowly be picked up.

After roughly five minutes of sifting through the raw data collected the AI begun to speak once again to the bridge crew. "Current location is unknown yet we are not alone. On the surface I've detected a civilization that resembles the 1700's on appearence yet I have detected advanced levels of technology. Not only that I have detected multipule ships in the area and it is known if any have taken notice of our arival yet the population that is below us will have noted the destruction of the VBR-4 and our own arival. I recomend sending down a single drop pod with a Ghost trained member of the crew. Other than that the onoly other courses of action will result in less welcome eyes watching." "I under stand. Prep Commander Knightly for stealth operations and also have a drop pod ready for her."

OCC:I'll post more in the morning

"I thank you for your greeting." Koss replied as he returned the bow. "I wish to know why your queen decided to reach-out to the universe in the manner she did and called for those who heard the messaged to come here."

Her Excellency Queen Jeunesse Dans Redevance:

My dear Queen:

You will find me, at times, less formal than many and though my Diplomatic Corps cringes when they see the informality, I feel that honesty can at times be hidden behind formality. I will endeavor to always be honest with you. Formality be damned, with your permission.

My lovely Queen, please address me as Père, and I, if I may, will address you as Jenny. I trust this is not too familiar at this early stage of the relationship between the planets we rule.

Jenny, I will be with you within the hour is that is to your liking. I will come alone. I have no need of guards or an entourage but come to you as a friend and trust that I will be accepted as such.

When I meet you, I will kneel and kiss your hand, with your permission. Not in subservience, but in respect for your position, and for you as an individual. I trust that when we meet you will have an agenda as to what you wish to discuss and what you want to learn, how you wish to accomplish this.

Your good and faithful servant, Adger will have many questions as well, I am sure. Yes, I have watched you with him, and I admire his for his intellect and for his devotion to you, his Queen.

Will the appointed time be suitable for you?

Yours,

Père

Adger sighed, running a gloved hand through his wild mane of ivory. “I must leave such diplomatic explanations to my Queen, Sir,” he said, genuine regret within the depths of his aged voice. “I do not know all of her intentions, and yet I can assure you they are all honorable and for the good and prosperity of her people and allies. She is too young to be corrupted by greed and too moral to dishonor her word.”

**********************************************************

The Queen now sat upon the sturdy table, her head in her hands, wild coal-colored ringlets fanning about her shoulders. “He is so very forward,” she remarked, reading the words of the mysterious Père for the third time, her eyes wide with curiosity. By all manners of etiquette, Jenny should be appalled by the presumptuous fellow, and yet found herself intrigued by his outgoing manner.

Lord Père,

I shall meet you in the designated spot. I shall provide a transport.

Sincerely
Jenny

**********************************************************

It was nothing short of an hour later that Jenny finally wandered upon the spot, her dark Thoroughbred disappearing against the virgin black of night, marred only by the radiance of the sky’s diamonds, winking out some message as if in code. Her hands grasped the reins of both her charter and those of a honey Mare, her tail flickering to and fro, as if in agitation from being ousted from the warmth of the stable on a chilly, autumn night.

The child-Queen dressed in an azure gown, properly corseted, laced, and adorned with other frippery, the obtrusive crown nestled upon her free curls. Cobalt eyes scanned the vastness of the jeweled sky, absorbing the freedom of the moment. She had slipped away rather easily, too easily she noted mentally, and yet her practical mind had all but shut down for the evening. Nothing was practical about this midnight rendezvous.

"I notice I am the only one who appears to be dressed out of character. Would you happen to have any suggestions as I believe the queen wished for those not from this world to be inconspicous and these clothes I would be anything but?" Koss asked

OOC: There was no double post here. :rolleyes:

David watched on silently as his welcome part had been interupted by the strange newcomer. Who in the world would be so blank enough to simply come from the shadows, since these people had hardly even see life outside their own planet. Most definatly, they would have been fearful enough before the strange man came from the shadows. Stupidity, in its finest. Still, he remained rather quiet until now, he would rather remain respectful but then, he too realised that if he didnt speak up that he would never get his turn.

"Im so sorry to interupt you all, however my name is David Shultz. You may call me Ambassador however, since that is my own title in question." he said. It wasnt much, but it was something. Better than the random thought of shooting the newcomer at least.

Adger, his face betraying his relief, bowed once more to David. “I welcome you, Sir. David Shultz.” The old man strayed closer to the ambassador, shedding his cloak as he went and feeling rather like the teacher he used to be, casting off some heavy suit coat before delving into the depths of a display experiment. “My name, dear Sir, is Lord Adger Felmghast. I am but a humble scientist and former professor of chemistry at The University. This,” the elder man said, gesturing to the lanky young lad who wandered back to the company of his pony, and was greeted with a whiny of detest, “is young Master Edwin Felmghast, my nephew.”

The boy grumbled quietly. “My ruddy name is Skip.”

Adger turned back to survey the opposing stranger, then with one graceful motion, tossed him the dark cloak which formerly covered his form. “Please, dear Sir, don this cloak to cover your...” He looked at the strange apparel, and with its rather odd quality, knew not whether he should state them clothing. With a sigh, he decided upon, “gear.”

His hands now comfortably in his pockets, Adger watched the curious fellow. “May I ask your name, dear stranger?” came his comely inquiry of the newest foreigner.

With the coordinates in hand and his heart in his mouth, concern that the other outworlders were arriving so fast, and one in an armed space craft at that, Lord Père prepared himself for the journey.

The tele-dimensional-transference device, known as TDT was readied and he donned his suit of impervious fabric to fend off the terrible cold that he would feel for but a moment, and having made plans and laid out directions to staff and Counsel, he stepped into the tele-arena. Having given the coordinates to the operator and with instructions to his ward, young Aaron of Breawood to monitor his movements and the actions of the young planet Ma Reine, he nodded and the device hummed into action.

Moments later, chilled to the bone, he was in the glade, somewhat dazed as was normal after being transported, but quickly he gathered his wits about him and looked around. He was alone. Or no, now that his eyes adjusted, on the edge of the glade, almost hidden in the trees, were 2 figures, one much taller than the other. It took him a moment to realize that the figures were 2 horses and a mounted rider on one.

Moving slowly towards the Queen’s page – for that is who it must be, come to fetch him, he began to feel his muscles working again and life returning to his cold bones and flesh.

“Hail sir! I am Lord Père de’Coeur, of The Rose and Thorn. Are you here to take me to your Queen?”

The Queen’s eyes widened considerably at his odd entrance. How could a man appear from out the sky like such? The imagination was surely unlimited if this was the advancement of man’s technology.

And, of course, his fatal error caused the fitting amount of blush to paint her cheek. As she parted her lips to correct him accordingly, an entirely new approach left the crevices of her mouth.

“It would be a short walk there, my Lord!” she answered, dismounting as she spoke with the grace befitting a woman of the faux era. “Just another twenty steps or so and you shall behold her!”

Lord Père’s embarrassment was quick to come and then passed just as quickly.

“My dear Lady, my Queen, please forgive me. I am quite surprised that you came yourself! Please forgive me, for now that I am by your side, even in the dimness of the night’s light your beauty is quite apparent.”

So saying, he fell to one knee and reached out for Jenny’s hand to fulfill the promise made but a short time ago. “My Lady, dear Jenny, you honor me.”

The Queen gave a quaint nod of her head, a diplomatic action, according the crown she wore gracefully. She fought for control of the blushing upon her cheeks, and after a particularly chilling breezed passed to aid her side of reason, the young royal made a motion for the man to arise, something so common to her within the court she thought nothing of its cool formality.

“I welcome you to Ma Reine, My Honorable Lord Père, and hope that this may be the start of a wonderful alliance between our nations and cultures.” With a tight smile, the Queen unbuckled her steed’s saddle bag and brought forth a dark cloak, embroidered with the air of dignity and class and the symbol of a raven in flight, silhouetted by the moon, garnished upon the back in silver thread. “I am afraid your costume will not befit our times, my Lord. I have brought you a suitable cover until we are able to reach the palace where I can provide you with a more becoming wardrobe.” With a gentle action, she held the cloak out to Père, the crown seeming to consume her girlish countenance.

Père was disappointed to say the least, yet he didn’t feel rebuffed.

Rising he took the proffered cloak and covering up his own attire, thought of the raven and how the cloak covered the insignia of his beloved wolf. He wondered at how a wolf and a raven might get along. And inwardly, he smiled.

At your pleasure, my dear Lady. Please, show the way and as we go, tell me of your concerns, what you want, what you wish from me and it will be yours.

So saying, he realized the truth of his words, and felt a kinship, closeness to this young Queen that was beyond all reason, but felt so good, so right. He didn’t have precognition, but still, the feeling of a long, wonderful journey was upon him.

The Queen’s inhibitions rose, and yet she kept that stoically formal visage in place. What sort of man was this that spoke so outwardly? If this was advancement, perhaps she’d have to change her mind quickly. Etiquette had its place with the woman, after all.

Jenny smiled faintly, a ghost of veritableness, and handed Père the reins of the golden Mare that stood beside her bulky Thoroughbred. “Kahn Palace is only about three miles off, around a fifteen minute journey at a good speed.” The woman climbed upon her charter importantly, azure coat fanning about the length of the animal, her side-saddle position allowing her limited relaxation upon the steed’s back. “I will lead, My Lord Père, and you need only follow.”

And with that, Jenny gave her horse a quick snap of the reins, and he began a steady trot through the forest clearing, his rider not even bothering to inquire of whether or not the Lord knew how to ride. Who didn’t know how to ride a Mare? The question was laughable in her culture.

"My name would be Koss, Koss Avangek and I thank you for the loan of this cloak." Koss replied as he caught the cloak and put in on over his normal clothing.

Apparently not seeing anyone, Songsteel tapped her foot and waited quietly. She hadn't been able to make it to a place where the delegates simply guests some people might land. She'd had no way of knowing where it was. Now she waited for at least some response or sign of habitation from the locals.

Père smiled inwardly. How could this lovely Queen have any idea of his ranch, the animals including horses which were native to the area and which he had begun to ride about the same times as he walked? Indeed, there was an image of him as a toddler upon the back of the draft horse, Bell. Still, he need not reveal all.

And revelations; how much did he need to reveal now? He knew of the others, but Queen Jenny knew of all save one, the warship which had just concluded a small battle. What were their intentions? The televiewer of his planet was shielded by the ship’s own technology so neither he nor his staff could determine their intentions. But that they came bearing guns, a war ship, armed and dangerous was obvious. Should he watch and act as necessary or share the knowledge with the girl Queen?

He rode on in silence.

. . . . . .

At Père’s palace Lord Aaron was watching the events. He could not remember ever seeing his good Lord Père kneeling, and then to be bidden to rise. . . how strange!

He heard a noise behind him and turning there was the Princess Chéri. Bowing low he murmured a greeting.

“Aaron, what are you watching today? Spying on people? Looking at ladies in their bath? “ The last said with an impish grin.

“No, m’Lady. I am watching your father. He is visiting a planet. I don’t know all the details but he asked that I monitor events.”

“Where is this planet? Move aside, let me see.” she said imperiously.

“I see Papa, but who are these others in the upper right quadrant?”

“That is Lord Adger, a learned man and the Queen’s confidant as near as I can determine. And his nephew I believe it is, an ungainly fellow by the strange name of Skip. And 2 ambassadors from other worlds.”

“Skip? Why such a ludicrous name? Was he passed over for some reason? Is he as ugly as his name?”

“M’Lady, I haven’t had time to watch that closely. I have monitored your father and I am also most concerned about this warship you can see in the lower left quadrant of the screen. We can’t penetrate their ship with the televiewer so we can only guess. But they have already been in a battle, if you could call it that. They quickly obliterated a war ship that was attacking them. They are most powerful. If they have sinister motives your father will be hard pressed to combat them, but he will prevail, I am sure.”

“Whatever,” the Princess said, quickly becoming bored with the events. “Keep me posted Aaron, let me know if anything exciting happens, like a good looking Prince or a charming knight. I need my breakfast. Now where the hell is my handmaiden? The lazy wench is never to be found when my needs are to be filled.”

Lord Aaron resumed his monitoring of the events on Ma Reine, but in truth, his thoughts were also on the Princess. What a spoiled bitch she was! Quickly he looked around as if someone were there to read his thoughts.

Now, back to his work, watching his good Lord and standing ready to help if there were any way he could.

((OOC: There are two other warships in the area.))

Adger gave the two gentlemen a thoughtful look before turning to the young lad. “Edwin,” he began, watching the youth’s face scrunch inward in silent protest, “ride quickly to the palace and ready two rooms for our gentlemen. The may need some rest before the certain delegation tomorrow morning.” The old man gently handed the reins of his Mare to the boy. “Take Eponia, she is much faster.”

Skip then acquired a sizable smile at the important task while the Mare seemed to whinny in protest of the gangly boy disturbing her coat. Yet Eponia complied with the lad’s commands as he climbed atop her back and gave her flanks a swift kick, sending her galloping at full speed towards the palace.

Adger, after watching his nephew go through the eyes of an aged worrier, turned to the foreign ambassadors. “Gentlemen, we walk from here, but I assure you the journey is both scenic and brief, and once we reach the palace, you shall both have rooms, fresh clothes, food, and drink to comfort you.” With a final bow, Adger turned and began a walk down the dirt path, the reins of the pony his firm grasp, his head turned with a welcoming smile to the visitors and a nod to follow him along.

**********************************************************

It had been utter chance that had lead the young servant girl to Songsteel’s solitary clearing. She dressed in the black gown of all palace servants, her white apron stained with various colors of the kitchen. Long brunette braids trailed down the cotton of her uniform, unmarred by the presence by any cloak or overcoat, for the poor girl could afford no such luxuries, yet one could not see such hardship within the depth of her hazel gaze, optics that smiled more cheerfully than any lips could. She rode a dust-covered burro, his mutters and whinnies a comfortable banter they shared.

“Oh, pip down, ‘Edward,” the girl would say in her sing-song voice, heavily weighted with the British slang that separated the upper class from the common peasantry. “It’s a ‘beautiful night, love, and so you ain’t got nothin’ to complain about so.”

Once the girl spotted the curious creature, she gave a warm smile to light her comely features, neither hinting at trepidation or versing it. “‘Ello, my Lady,” she said, the donkey trotting up to the foreigner. “What you doing out ‘ere in the freezing cold, if I may ask? ‘Ere, you must be walked to death.” The girl jumped from her transport and made a motion for the stranger to climb aboard. “It’s not befittin’ a beautiful Lady such as yourself, but I hope it’ll do you just fine. Me name’s Mag, or that’s what they call me ‘round the kitchen for ain’t none of them keen on pronouncin’ Magdeline. I was just a visitin’ me mum out in the village and now ‘ere I am returning to the palace where I work as a maid. Can you believe that big ol’ explosion just up there in ‘eavens? Me mum says it’s God’s way of celebratin’ the creation of a new angel. I suppose that sounds right. What’s your name, my Lady?”

The child, for Mag looked no more than sixteen, smiled curiously at the woman, taking no notice of her oddities, but simply waiting for her to climb the animal’s back so that they may continue onward.

**********************************************************

Jenny rode ahead, her steed’s massive hooves leaving imprints upon the leave-scattered ground. What sort of devilish impulse had provoked her to meet this mysterious man alone, and in the hour of midnight, no less? She knew not, but whether it was God or Satan that moved her so, she accepted it as it was; an impulse. The motives behind it were still questionable.

It was close to that estimated fifteen minutes when they reached the grand mansion, Jenny’s eyes alighting at the sight of her birth home until the magnificence of it moved her to pause the horse. The entire castle was erected from marble the color of cloudless day, still glinting with a fresh luster that had encompassed the place for all its existence of two hundred years. The windows where tinted with gold, and the sloping roof tops with their innumerable towers and plains were constructed of an indigo blue from some material that still remained a mystery to the planet’s current inhabitants. No doubt, this place was a landmark to the sort of technology their forefathers left behind.

“Welcome to Ma Reine,” the Queen whispered. Whether it was to herself or the newcomer remained a mystery.

Koss said to the Starscream, "Now don't you be letting no strangers in, ya hear." As he finished saying that the door shut and the ship beeped. He then followed after Lord Adger Felmghast.

The young Lord Aaron monitors the televiewer, a tedious job but one for which he is well suited. A young man in his late teens and with little imagination, the job called for one to sit and watch and note the events. He watched the other ambassadors and he noted their activities and he kept a very close eye on the war ship, Nightmare.

The Princess Chéri was finishing her breakfast, though it would more properly be called lunch considering the time of day. A finicky eater at best, that didn’t prevent her from making her servants scurry about to fulfill her every selfish whim.

On Ma Reine, Lord Père is in awe of the beauty of the young Queen’s home. The palace was magnificent! His thoughts were of how to protect the beauty of this planet and remain distant. . . but not so distant from the beautiful Jenny.

Riding beside Queen Jenny he said in as quiet a voice as possible over the clopping of the hooves of the horses, “My Queen, I know you are aware of Koss, but there is another who is accompanying your Lord Adger, and yet another who should be here shortly in the company of one of your place minions. But more importantly, and about which you surely must want to know, there is a war ship circling the heavens of your planet even as we speak. I cannot tell you their intentions, but when I know them I will be glad to share that knowledge with you. My lady. . . please believe me when I say that I have no interest in conquering your beautiful world, I have enough problems ruling my own Rose and Thorn, but I will do what I must to help you. All you need do is ask.”

And they rode on.

Jenny gave her companion a knowing smile and yet said nothing, merely rode on into the confines of her palace courtyard, the guards permitting her entrance without word. The small stone passage gave way to a open garden in the midst of the palace, darkened by the night and yet still possessing that illumination of beauty. The child-Queen dismounted, ignoring the offered assistance of a few impertinent guards and setting herself firmly upon her slippered feet.

“JENNY! WHERE ‘AVE YOU BEEN?”

The young girl needn’t turn to see the plump figure advancing to know who it was.

The elder woman grabbed Jenny in a crushing hug, spinning the Queen around to face her within her grasp. “We was worried sick!” she keened, salt and pepper bun bouncing as she spoke. The aged woman dressed in a servant’s cotton uniform and yet held a few variations of stitches to display her own flare of style. “They upturned the outright castle looking for yer bleedin’ hide, silly girl!”

“Nanna,” the young Queen began, blushing a deep crimson, “if you would be so kind as to let me go...”

The nurse complied, her eyes befalling the stranger upon the sturdy mare. “Bless my stars, Sir, I didn’t expect any visitin’ to be done ta’nite.” With that, the stout woman gave a curtsy, lifting her skirts up mannerly.

Lord Père was both amused and quite pleased by the actions of the older woman towards what can only have been her charge when she was younger. At that thought, Père could only smile. Younger? Why, that could have been as late as yesterday.

Still, the concern and the familiarity of the woman warmed his heart. He had seen her before on the televiewer but hadn’t paid her much mind. Now he wished that he had.

Lord Père had been going through various settings of the receiver when, several years ago, he had come upon Ma Reine, and had seen the young Queen, though but a Princess then, at her studies. For some reason he continued to watch her, and having made a note of the reception channels, visited her often. Her beauty entranced him, but it was the beauty of her inner soul that captured him even more.

He couldn’t help but wonder at her strength and beauty while looking at his own Chéri. He knew he indulged Chéri far too much for her own good and the good of those around her, but since her mother had departed. . . no, not died, but departed with one of her own pages, he had a hard time being stern with her. Therefore Chéri was growing up to be a spoiled brat. Maybe he would learn something from this young Queen. He could only hope.

He wondered, if Queen Jenny is no longer in need of her nanny. . . hmmmm, what a thought!

The Mannikin smiled a plastic, rigid smile at Mag. "Well, Magdeline, my name is Magerris Songsteel but you can call me Magerris or just Mag. That makes two of us, I suppose."

She shrugged her shoulders. "The lady I serve sent me as a messenger to Her Majesty. Unfortunately, my directions weren't very good and I seem to have gotten lost."

She waved her hand dismissively at the compliment. "Oh, I'm not more beautiful than any other woman. Less beautiful than most."

Songsteel did climb onto the back of the burro, smiling still. "Thank you. And as for the heavens...well, they have many great and mysterious things. You'll learn more of them in time. There is an immediate, natural explanation for everything...almost everything that happens up there. Still, it's hardly false to attribute such events to the Creator. After all, the Creator is immanent in all creation."

With a motion best suited for shooing chickens, Nanna shooed two young servant girls into the palace with a few whispered words, before turning back to her royal charge, the young girl’s mass of ebony curls now frazzled by the older woman’s crushing embrace, the crown adjusted just moments after Jenny was released.

“May I present His Highness, Lord Père de’Coeur of the Planet Rose and Thorn,” Jenny said, her words formal and yet her tone familiar with the plump nurse. “He has come to attend the delegation tomorrow to discuss a planetary alliance.” With a smile, as quietly sad as her girlish countenance, Jenny removed the obtrusive gold circlet from her head. “Please, Nanna, take this to my bedchamber. I do assure the two girls you sent up were to prepare Lord Père’s room?”

Nanna smiled, taking the crown from her babe. “Aye, my girl. I’ll ‘ave him some clothes and on brought there too.” With another slight curtsey to the gentleman, Nanna disappeared into the dank palace.

Jenny, her eyes upturned to meed Père’s gaze, offered her hand to assist him from his steed. “Would you like a tour of the grounds, my Lord? Your rooms will take a time to prepare.”

Mag’s hazel gaze brightened at the woman’s speech. “You’ll be needin’ ta’ talk to Miss Queen Jenny then, I suppose? What a right fine woman, that one. So tragic what happened to her an’ all.” With a sigh that neared regret, the maid gave her burro’s reins a swift snap to set the animal in motion. “It’ll be takin’ some time to get there, My Lady.” They started off at a steady pace, the youth’s smile never fading from her countenance.

Songsteel's smile faltered a little. "What happened to her? Is Her Majesty quite alright. We just received word from her a week or so ago and she gave no sign of being ill or in any danger." The Mannikin sounded rather worried.

She didn't seem bothered by the burro ride. She had often made journeys at a like pace. The Mannikin moved from resting her hands on the burro's back to resting them lightly on the girl's shoulders.

The young servant’s smile faltered, leaving her charming little face devoid of the bright accompaniment, now hollowed by the loss. “Her papa, god bless him, died just a short time ago, My Lady. He ‘had been right sickly for so long. I seen him once when he was ill.” The girl’s head dropped reverently. “Me apron’s not no whiter than his face was then. He up and passed on not too long at’er that.”

With a sigh, the child resumed her cheery demeanor. “But, pretty lil’ Jenny got every bit o’ strength her papa got, and I for one is right glad she’s got her chance to shine, even if them ol’ stuffy nobles is gonna marry her off the first chance they get. I’ve got a right feelin’ o’ that.”

Songsteel sighed, shaking her head a little. "That is sad news. It is a tragic thing to lose one's father. My own qu...lady, just recently lost her own father. She is taking it as a woman in her position must but one of her younger sister's is simply devastated. The court has been utterly unable to bring cheer to her noble heart."

Taking the proffered hand, Lord Père dismounted and looked into the young Queen’s eyes. How beautiful they were!

M’lady, lead and I will follow wherever you may go.

At the same moment that they began to walk off, Lord Aaron gave his report, received on the implanted communicator wired directly into his brain. This way Père could receive messages that no one else could hear. There was no sound!

The message was routine, advising him that now 4 Ambassadors, counting the 1 from the war ship Nightmare, were at this time on their way to the castle. He also had gleaned from the conversation that there was to be a big to do tomorrow, and quite possibly he would, with the help of the watchful Lord Aaron, determine the motives of those present.

But now, as he looked about him, following Queen Jenny, he was in awe that the palace was as beautiful inside as it was out.

. . . .

The Princess Chéri had returned to the televiewer room of her father where Lord Aaron was keeping watch.

“What is that?” she asked, looking at the palace where her father and Queen Jenny wandered.

“It’s the palace of Ma Reine. Queen Jenesse is showing your father the grounds.”

“Interesting,” the princess replied. “I want to see it. When can I go?”

“Your Highness, that will be up to your father, Lord . . .

“I know who my father is, you silly fool, and we will see about that! If I want to go, I will go!”

With that she left the room to prepare for her journey.

They entered through a set of lavish oak doors, their considerable size an imposing welcome, that gave way to reveal the palace foyer. It was crimson, the royal color staining the walls, unblemished, and reverberating throughout the bulky tapestry. The grandiose sets of lounges and cushion-backed chairs seemed to radiate an air of pretentiousness, as if their occupant could never reach their high standards of style. In the center, commanding the eye’s attention , stood two curved, mahogany staircases as unfurled, open arms.

“This, my Lord, is Kahn Palace.”

*********************************

Mag gave a genuinely sorrowful pat upon the woman’s hand. “I ‘dare say, my Lady, that your Noblewoman is as strong a ‘madam as the lil’ Queen.” The little donkey gave a whinny in protest as if to exclaim his utter resentment at being a common carrier. “Shut your gap, puppet, it ain’t ‘ere but one more mile.”

ooc: what's happening to my delegate?

“Jenny! This. . . this is magnificent! I have viewed things on your planet through my televiewer but I never saw this! Oh! I hope that doesn’t sound. . . rude. I didn’t do it to spy, but to learn about you, and now that I know more, I can only hope you will let me assist you in any way you see fit. But the magnificence of this palace! It is beautiful, wonderful! I dare say, I can’t express it, I don’t have the right words.”

“If I may be so bold, it is matched only by the beauty of the Queen who rules this planet. How wonderful!”

Songsteel smiled slightly. "Well, friend, one does not manage to maintain the dignity of...her rank if one is not so strong. My lady comes from a long line of very strong men and women."

Jenny, who lingered in front of the animated Lord, averted her eyes to the white marble of the floor, glinting brilliantly in the candlelight. A blush rose to her now heated cheeks, and yet she set them firmly. “It was built in the first year that my ancestors inhabited this planet,” she began, turning to gaze upon some unknown spot upon the wall. This forward ruler unsettled the mannered girl. If only Adger were here to offer his wisdom. “We have been unsuccessful in determining all the materials used to build it and keep it with such luster.” Turning back to Père, the woman allowed a small grin to spread her lips. “The outside is washed only twice a year, My Lord, and yet the sun is hard pressed to combat its glow.” This was said with an unmistakable drawl of pride.

******************************************************************************

Adger walked onward, enjoying the feel of the autumn breeze on his bare face. It had been much too long since he had relished the outside world, being occupied within the confines his stuffy workroom, surrounded by the aroma of chemicals and stale air. The tired scientist surveyed his peaceful surroundings, watching the gentle sway of the trees, an alluring dance, so common and yet so tranquil, that he wouldn’t care if the journey lasted a hundred miles.

Quickly, he noticed an oddity about the forest. A pair, an odd couple, at that, were converging upon the path about fifty paces ahead of the noble and the ambassadors. A tall woman, he suspected, upon a scanty charter, and a young girl at her side, leading the animal onward. It was the girl’s form, however, that caught his immediate attention. “Mag!” he called, not bothering to mask the gleeful surprise in his tone.

The girl turned sharply at the noise, her gentle grin deepening. “‘Adger! What ‘er you doin’ out ‘ere, love?” She rushed him, braids trailing behind her in hazelnut flags, until her body collided with his in a possessing hug.

Koss saw the girl leap into his guide's arms, "I wonder what the nature of thier relationship is." He said to himself as he came to a stop a few feet away from the couple.

Lord Père marveled at the spectacle. And still, the lovely creature at his side was ever more on his thoughts. He could not shake the feelings that were coming over him. He was aware from the start that there was a deep attraction for her in his. . . heart? Dare he think that? He did, he had no choice.

Young Jenny was the daughter he wished that his own Chéri would become, but he had little hope of that. At the same time, there was a sensuality brought on by deep admiration for her as a woman, intelligent, strong of character and will. Her beauty was striking, but the beauty within was at least as strong, at least the cause of her sensuality as her continence.

A lecher? Perhaps. He was many autumns more than her, a man of 60 harvests, yet here he was attracted to this girl, this woman, this lovely creature. But did that make his desires and feelings wrong? Only if they were never to be returned. Time will tell.

For now, he must hold himself in check. Not the easiest of tasks, but necessary, nevertheless.

A young girl, twelve in fact, clad in the uniform standard of palace servants, strode quietly near to the Queen, bowing low before daring to approach closer. Jenny smiled warmly at her.

“His Majesty, Lord Père de’Coeur’s room is ready, My Queen,” she said, standing with her head down reverently, an attentive lady’s maid.

The sounds of distant clangor interrupted the quiet moment. “Your Highness! Your Highness!” Skip torpedoed into the room, arms and legs flailing about him like a marionette. He rushed to the woman, smiling broadly, until one unfortunate foot caught the edge of an embroidered carpet, sending the poor child crashing into Lord Père de’Coeur, toppling them both to the ground.

*******************************

Mag stepped back, flashing the elder man her childish smile. He returned her mirth, then reoriented his gaze to the ambassadors, holding the girl’s shoulders with the pride of a father. “I must introduce to you, gentleman, Ms. Magdeline Abby, the world’s finest kitchenmaid.”

The girl gave a sheepish blush. “Oh, go off, My Lord,” she countered crossing her arms girlishly.
“I ain’t no better than any other girl in the scullery.”

"Greeting Ms. Magdeline Abby." Koss replied with a bow, doing his best to disguise any accent but most likely failing miserably.

Sputtering, Lord Père began to right himself. Taking in the situation at a glance he thought to put the embarrassed boy and the mortified girl Queen at ease.

“What manner of greeting is this? Are we even now being invaded? Shall I call out your armies?”

His grin belied his words, even though he tried to suppress it somewhat. It was impossible though, under the circumstances. The incongruity of being knocked on his butt by the gangling boy and in front of the boy’s own Queen was just too much! Still, some propriety had to be maintained. After all he was a visiting ambassador, a ruler of his own planet. But then. . . no. It was just too funny. He burst out laughing.

“You are lucky, young sir, that it was me instead of my daughter that you ran into. She would have had your head on a pike and displayed at the palace gate!”

He looked over at Jenny to see how she was reacting to the situation.

Songsteel just sat quietly as she was not addressed.

Koss unbent and looked around, he then noticed the lady on the animal. Koss turned to her and bowed again, "Greetings my lady."

Lord Aaron watched the proceedings from his station at the televiewer and even for an unimaginative person as he was, the scene was quite comedic. He was laughing aloud when once again the Princess Chéri entered the room.

“And what’s so funny” she demanded.

“Uhh, nothing m’Lady, just something that occurred on the planet Ma Reine.”

“And just what was that? Activate the retroshow so that I can see. I need a good laugh after supervising the handmaidens packing my things. By the stars above I do believe that they can’t do anything for themselves without me telling them what to do. When I am ruler of this planet there will be some changes made, I can assure you!”

Knowing the futility of argument, Aaron adjusted the controls so that the scene of his Lord Père’s mishap would be displayed again, and looking over his shoulder, almost shoving him out of the way, Princess Chéri gasped.

“What manner of servants are there on this planet? I can’t believe that Papa would allow such a situation to go without punishment! He’s much too soft. I always have to tell him that he needs to be stricter with the inept people here. Now he is doing the same on this. . . what is the name of this planet?”

“Ma Reine, m’Lady.” The lady with your father is their Queen. Isn’t she beautiful?”

No sooner were the words from his mouth then he realized his error.

“Beauty do you think?” said the princess in a huff. “This situation is intolerable. I need to go now. Alert the TTT room that I will arrive within the hour to join my father. Make haste now!”

Again, Lord Aaron knew better than to correct the young Princess, for though she was of tender age, only 13 harvests, she was very aware of her power, and so was he. As soon as she left he notified the TDT room and then notified her father that his daughter would arrive shortly.

. . . .

Lord Père was very upset at hearing the news of his daughter’s arrival. She was not welcome here and she certainly would hinder his efforts to protect the planet, as well as his efforts to become closer to this young Queen. Nevertheless he also knew the futility of argument with the girl, and in his absence no one on his planet would deny her anything. He could not prevent the TDT operators from obeying her wishes, so his daughter was coming and he better make the best of it.

“Queen Jenny, I have, uhhh, distressing news. My daughter will arrive here shortly. I want to emphasize to you that this is not my plan nor is she a daughter that I can control. I fear I am not master of my own house though I govern a planet! I beg your forgiveness at this intrusion, and please believe me; intrusion is exactly that this is!”

OCC: Our good Queen Jenny has had a situation come up and will not be abel to post until, quite possibly Sunday next, the 8th of May. Please post as you will until then, and know that she will return to us. Her absence is neither welcome by her or by her control.

Thank you.

Jenny, Queen Jenny, and regrettably so in a situation that required such tact as this, failed to stifle a single chuckle. Horrified, the woman tightly clamped her mouth shut and assumed that passive veil of her countenance that all nobility are required to maintain. At the mention of the Lord’s daughter, and his apparent absolution of the occurrence, Jenny resumed a genuinely polite smile. “She is most welcome to Ma Reine, My Lordship.”

Skip, his tenuous form still sprawled upon the magnificence of the palace floor and his face as maroon as the uniform he wore, looked up at the Queen in a sheepish gaze. “Uhh...I...The ambassadors!” The words hit him as quickly as the realization did. “Your Highness, the ambassadors are on their way! Other plants have made contact!”

Jenny, all manners of tomfoolery and mishap forgotten, turned to the servant at her side, the girl unwavering from her post. “Take this boy,” she instructed in that truly polished tone that seemed too veritable to be aristocratic, “and have the housemaids prepare as many rooms as he bids. Do this with all manners of haste. I pray you, go.” Skip fumbled to his feet, and with a bow, both youths quickly retired from the room.

********************************

At Koss’s greeting, Mag gave a gracious curtsy. “Why, thank ‘ye, my fine Sir.” Curious eyes scanned him, a sort of fresh wonderment hidden within the depths, as if all manners of monotony seemed enthralling.

Adger kept his humbly tender look. “Well, my good woman, who might this be?” He turned to face the woman’s escort, study her saddled form.

{{OOC: As you can see, I have posted. :) This week is very hectic for me as I have three encore performances of a theatre production Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If I don’t post for a while, please do not hunt me down and beat me severely. I promise my directors are doing a good enough job for you. :) }}

As Koss strightened up, the borrowed cloak he was wearing flapped revealing his clothing, his foreign clothes, for a few seconds before settling back down.
He then asked Magdeline a question, "If you could do anything, what would you do?"

ooc: what play are you doing?
Good luck with the play whatever it is.

Songsteel gave a plastic smile to Adger. "My name is Magerris Songsteel, my good man. I am a herald from a noblewoman who dwells far from the heart of Her Majesty's lands and I am on a mission to Her Majesty the queen."

Songsteel smiled inwardly that she had managed to preserve discretion without lying, valuing honesty as she did. The woman she represented was a noble and she did live far from the queen. Of course, she was a queen herself, lived on another planet countless billions of miles away, and ruled an empire of billions, but...Adger hadn't asked about any of that.

Songsteel sat on the burro, carefully studying the interactions going on before her. She studied every interaction between Agder, Koss, and Magdeline, trying to puzzle out where Koss's last question had come from and where it was leading. She didn't seem impatient or in a hurry to get to the queen. Why should she? She did know that there were three other ships in the area. One was an ally and the other two were powers which the Danaan High Kingdom had had no direct contact with before but, from what they had heard, did not regard as enemies.

Instinctively, plastic eyes focused more on Koss than on her new friend, Magdeline. She wasn't sure who he represented but he was obviously another outsider, another outsider lost on the way to the palace no doubt. The first thing she would have to arrange with this Queen was better landing instructions for future visits.

((OOC: Don't worry. You're allowed to have a real life and spend time on it. ;) Exactly how old is Queen Jenny at present?))

“So welcome, was she?” thought Lord Père. Only because the good Queen Jenny didn’t know his daughter, how obstinate she was, how much of a little – dare he think it? – a little bitch she was becoming.

So what to do? Well, first there was precious little he could do. His daughter Chéri was coming whether he wanted her to or not. Queen Jenny would see that her room was prepared, and even that would be cause for concern because she would want to bring her entourage if he thought right. Well, that wasn’t going to happen, that much he could make sure of. And the location of her arrival? Certainly not in the castle proper where any and all could see her, for them, strange arrival. No, he had to make sure the TDT operators obeyed these instructions, not to send anyone but the Princess and to send her to the coordinates he would give them, and that would be his room so he would be the one to greet her before she had a chance for mischief.

And now, to prepare himself for the arrival of others. He didn’t know if the young Queen would include him in the welcoming party, but he could only ask and hope that this was so. He needed to communicate with Lord Aaron which was quite easy. All he need do was speak and Aaron would hear him on the televiewer and answer him in his implanted device. At least something was easy. This was turning into a fine mess. . . or at least it had the potential of it.

And what of the warship? Nothing more had been heard from it or about it. Is it possible they had a cloaking device whereby he not only couldn’t view inside the ship but was unable to see it at all? So much to do, so much to think about. Now would be the time he must ask the good Queen about the greetings.

“My Queen, may I be so bold as to ask if I can accompany you when the others are coming? I must tell you, my intelligence has heard nothing from the warship since shortly after its arrival and I know not where or when someone from the ship may arrive.”

“And as for my daughter, I will have her arrive in my room when I am presently shown to it so that none may be startled by her arrival. I fear, good Queen, that she is certainly a handful. I will do all I can to curb her. . . enthusiasm, but that is easier said than done. She is a lass of only 12 harvests, but she has the tongue and the venom of a serpent much older. I fear I am doing a very poor job of raising her.”

Without fanfare or flashing lights, a strange, box-like craft appears in the skies over Ma Reine. It hovers for one astounding moment, before it glides gently to the ground with all the grace one would expect of a majestic eagle. An eagle with an elephant strapped to its back. (OOC: Just picture that for a moment)

It comes to a violent rest amid lush forests, and as the sun peeks over the horizon, voices can be heard from amid the wreckage. By some miracle, the occupants of this strange craft have survived, and are now engaged in the most important of post-disaster activities: Assigning blame.

"I TOLD you to ask for directions!" A strained feminine voice cries.
"Oh yes, it was most certainly the coordinates at fault. I'm sure it had nothing at all to do with you spilling ICED TEA all over the nav computer!" An annoyed male voice retorts.
"Well maybe if you hadn't been so CHEAP, and had sprung for a ship with full artificial gravity, I might not have spilled the tea!"
"Oh, well excuse me, Your Highness! I'll most assuredly try to do better the next time I take you to a resort on a planet hundreds of light-years from home."
"But that's just it," the girl wailed, "We never actually go anywhere nice. We always get sidetracked with diplomatic crap, or shot at, or dumped on some little dirtball where we have to search for something to take us home." She sniffled. "And I miss Mommy."

Commander Haase shuddered. How anyone (other than masochists) could possibly miss the Queen Mother was beyond him. It was astounding that Queen Stefini had survived so many years in that woman's household. Oh well, time to get to work.

"Don't worry, Stef. We'll be fine, just like always. And look, we were blessed enough to crash on a habitable world. Now, you sift through the rubble and see what's left, and I'll go out and use my extensive survival training to get some food and the lay of the land."

Three hours and several brushes with poison ivy later...

<Dear Lord,> the Commander prayed, <Thank you for sparing the Queen and myself, and thank you for the extensive supply of Benadryl and Pop-Tarts that survived the crash...>
Stefini idly slapped her companion's hand as he reached to scratch at his antihistamine-soaked arm. This was turning out to be a lovely little vacation.

“I say! Halt where you are, my good man, and unhand your purse and valuables!”

It was a golden voice, abundant with that certain heroic quality that is indigenous to any proper demigod. The tip of a stone-pressed arrow tapped gently upon Commander Haase’s shoulder from some array of brush and greenery. “Do not force my men and I to take hard action for I assure you that we are quite unmerciful!”

From out the shadows, he shifted, his agile form coming into the Commander and Queen’s vision. He was a tall man, well-built and rugged, a patron of the woods and naturistic trade. From head to toe he dressed in green poplin, a frivolous shade that did little to camouflage him within the forest. A toque hat, cocked-right and green-plumed, sat upon his unruly mane of orange-red, a beard marring the youth of his face in the same blazing color. The navy blue of his gaze scanned the oddly clad Commander and his female companion. His weapon was still held outright betwixt his hands, the passion of his conviction evident, and yet the geniality mucked, for the bow that cradled his arrow was upturned and flipped backwards, so that shooting it would be impossible. The valiant buffoon was oblivious.

*******************************

Adger beamed at the young girl, his age apparent and yet glorified by his mirth. “You are most welcome to accompany us, My Lady Magerris Songsteel. We are just on our way to see Her Majesty as well.” With a bow, that seemed to be his trademark for the evening, he greeted the woman properly. “My name is Sir Adger Felmghast, a humble scientist and retired professor.”

Mag cocked her head curiously at Koss. “Why, I’d fly to southern moon, Mi’ Lord,” she answered, matter-of-factly, as if the question needed no consideration.

Adger sighed, shaking his head fondly. “Still hip-deep in old wives tales, my dear?” he asked.

“It’s no tale, ‘Adger, and don’t you be mockin’ me none for it.” The maid seemed genuinely miffed.

**********************************

The Queen, her focus once again upon Lord Père and that sinking feeling of trepidation that followed her attention, smiled quaintly. “You are certainly most welcome, My Lord Père. I would highly value your thoughts on Ma Reine’s predicament.” With a faint nod of her head, accompanied by the signature shifting of her curls, Jenny summoned a solitary servant towards her, a young man of less than sixteen.

He bowed deeply and ceremoniously. “What is your wish, Your Highness?”

“Please, do find Nurse Beau and see Lord Père to his rooms for the evening.” The Queen presented her companion with an elaborate curtsy beneath the weight of her skirts. “I must bid you adieu, my Good Sir. I know that you must be exhausted from your travels and we must get an early start upon the morrow’s meeting. Goodnight, My Lord. Sleep well. And call upon me should you need me.”

{{OOC: I'm allowed to have a real life? *shock* Really? *puppy face* OH YAY!!!! ;)

Jenny just turned 20. Although that doesn't seem like much, the people of this society living to be in their 110s or 120s is very common because of the sort of technology their past founders had. 20 to them is rather like 14 or 15 to us, in a way.

And the muscial that I am doing is Children of Eden. Wish me luck! :) }}

"Would you mind telling me what south moon is, as I've never heard that tale before?" Koss asked as he grinned at the banter between the two natives.

ooc: I congratulate you on being in the play, but musical theater, for shame(LOL).

Songsteel bowed her head. "It is an honor to meet you, m'lord." She tilted her head slightly at the exchange. "The south moon, Magdeline?"

Songsteel rested her hands on the mule as they began to move again, wondering what kind of woman this queen would be.

OOC: Wonderful work, Ma Reine's player!. I encourage you to keep such a great work indeed. I look forward to have the chance to roleplay with you.

Congratulations for being such a good player.

Aelosia's Player

Lord Père listened to his daughter’s screaming.

“Father”, she only called him father when she was very angry, “I must have my maids and servants with me. I must!”

“This time you will have to do without. If that isn’t suitable, then stay home. That is my final word on the matter. Now, if you are still coming go to the TDT room and prepare yourself. There is no time to waste. . . and if you don’t come now you will not come at all. The Good Queen Jenesse Dans Redevance welcomes you, but you will behave or you will go right back home. Is that understood?”

“But Pap. . . “

“No buts! Chéri, we are dealing with a planet that is on the brink of coming out of isolation. We don’t know what will occur in the future. YOU WILL NOT INTERFER! I cannot make myself clearer. No buts. Now, young lady, answer me. Do you understand?”

The Princess was taken back. Her father never spoke to her in that tone of voice or with such vehemence. This was something new to her. And not to her liking, but she would put up with it for a while. When she was on this new planet; what was its name? Anyway, when she was there she would have her way. She would demand of this Queen. . . who ever heard of a name like that? She would demand that she supply her with suitable servants. Maybe that boy Skip. She would teach him a thing or two.

Now, to the TTT or DDD or whatever the name of that room was!

Snapping her fingers at her pages and servants to carry her considerable luggage she was off.

On Ma Reine, Lord Père was beside himself. He hadn’t talked to his daughter like that since, well, forever! But he knew it was overdue. Still, the harshness of his words and tone disturbed him. He didn’t enjoy speaking that way to the lowest of servants, much less his daughter. He loved her dearly, in spite of her bratty ways.

Now, to prepare for her, and for the morning. So much to do, so much to think about. . . and now this new ship? Where the hell were THEY from? Could this be more complicated? Thank God that Lord Aaron had spotted them. A good man, at times, young Aaron.

With a sigh he turned to the desk in his room and began to write out a plan.

Commander Haase was impressed. Truly this was a man of great intelligence and honor, for no one else could have thought up something like this. Obviously, this vision in green was acting as decoy for his lieutenants, and the Commander knew that at this very moment a small army of highly trained archers must be taking a bead on the foreigners. However, the humor of the distraction could easily be turned.

<Yes, this man is clever, but his wit bears a price. He does not know that I am fleet of mind, foot, and tongue. I shall create my own distraction with high-flown rhetoric, then quickly disarm him and turn his own weapon upon him, thus securing a hostage. Now, I must be careful not to let him know...>

"Um, that bow is backwards," Stefini said sweetly.

<Crap.>

Lord Aaron’s report was confusing to say the least. These new comers; accosted by a buffoon? And were the newcomers as much idiots as the highwayman? Why, to call this individual a highwayman was to disparage the profession – not that it was a noble one at all. But to allow themselves to be taken unawares by a man who didn’t even know how to string an arrow to his bow? Yet they traveled through space, albeit in the primitive way with ships instead of teledimensional transportation. Was their ship armed? More questions than answers here!

Turning at the familiar crackling sound of air atoms being split, Père saw the Princess Chéri materializing from mist to whole form. Rushing towards her, taking her in his arms to help warm her, he planted a kiss upon her cold cheek when she removed her fur lined helmet.

“Chéri, welcome to the planet Ma Reine.”

“Papa, I’m so cold!”

“Of course you are. Aren’t you always when you travel TDT? Here, let me help you get your cloak off and come, stand by the fire until you warm up.”

Looking around her Chéri was dismayed. “Papa, is this all there is to my rooms? This won’t do, not at all!”

“Chéri,” Père said with a grim look, “I warned you. This is not your room, this is my room. Your room will be about the same, I would imagine and you will accept it or you will go home right now. Do you understand?”

“But Pa. . .”

“NO BUTS! This is the way it is. I will ask you once again if you understand and it will be the last time I ask you that. The next time I need to remind you of the circumstances of your welcome, your welcome will be worn out and you will return immediately to The Rose and Thorn. For the last time, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

Chéri looked at her father as if he were a stranger. The thoughts in her head were confused, but even this girl, trained to know that whatever she wanted was hers, knew when she was up against an unbeatable foe.

“Yes Papa.”

Chéri was, for the first time in a long, long time, scared. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she couldn’t have her way. Maybe her father was sick! Certainly he had never treated her this way. He had always given her everything she wanted no matter how he might have argued the point with her. At least that was her memory since her mother had left the castle, and left her alone. Well, not alone. There were dozens of servants and handmaidens and others to take care of her. But even though she loved her father, she had no one to confide in, to treat her motherly. Oh, there were her nurses when she was younger and yes, she was sure they loved her, but . . . they weren’t her mother.

No one knew that at night it was more often than not that she cried herself to sleep, missing her mother. When her father would call on her at times like that, she would treat him with great disdain or even contempt. Why? She didn’t know. She did love him, he was so good to her, yet. . . she craved her mother’s love.

She stood looking at her father now. She was still a child, but she was growing up, and a grown-up thought entered her head. “Maybe I need to change. Maybe I need to be different.”

We shall see.

Adger gave a warm smile and tapped the burro lightly upon the flanks, signaling him to once again start his laggard pace. With a light shake of his own steed’s reins, both animals were moving steadily onward, their cargo trailing behind on the inadequacy that accompanied two legs.

“The story begins one hundred and fifty years ago,” the calibrated scientist began as they trekked on, “when our tiny planet of Ma Reine was barely half a century old. It was said that a strange old woman lived amongst the group of settlers by the name of Miss McGray.”

“Weird ol’ kook, that ‘one,” Mag added, her smile refusing to falter. “They say she use ta’ skin cats and wear their furs on her wrists to keep bad ‘spirts off ‘er. I don’t know about you, but I’d be takin’ two steps off the path if I’d seen ‘er walkin’ down the streets.” The young maid shuttered, clamping her hands deeper into the crook of her folded elbows.

“As I was saying,” Adger stated in mock frustration, a smile beguiling his nature. “Miss McGray was a woman of odd proportions. As legend has it, one night, a spirit came to her in the form of a doe and told her that she would be rewarded for her faith in divinity. All she had to do was complete one task, as all fairy tales require. Of course, and without surprise, she failed. The spirit told her to complete one day of total selflessness, and he would give her all the riches she could desire. Well, the day started off all right, and nearing the time for the sun to set, the woman could hardly wait for her prize. Again, the doe appeared before her, and seemed to smile with his diamond lips, although it is not written knowledge. He asked her what she planned to do with such wealth, and the woman paused and thought a bit. ‘I’ll give half to the poor,’ she said, ‘and use the other half to build my mansion and hire servants to do my bidding.’

Well, at that very moment, the doe turned into a wild black bear! ‘Fool!’ he cried. ‘Did not I ask you for complete selflessness? Should not you have used all the riches to better your fellow man? You have shamed the gods that once beloved you!’ And with that, the spirit gathered up all the riches and wealth the woman squandered and cast them into the heavens. Some jewels scattered out into the night to shine amongst the stars, but most of them landed upon the south moon, dispersed across the blue rock. And now, as you may well have guessed, whenever we Ma Reinians are asked for one wish, we wish to go to the south moon to collect the riches that inhabit it.”

Adger exhaled deeply with a sense of accomplishment. Not only had the tale served to lighten his mood, but time had passed swiftly over it, saving them from walking the trail in a condemned and awkward silence. Now, the odd group strolled up the remaining section of a hill to at last behold a sight of wonderment befitting of its own legend. The azure marble hinted at the magnificent aurora even in that late hour of midnight. Great steeples magnified the grandeur and lively mystery that surrounded the gold-crested place.

The old scientist smiled, placing his hand upon the shoulders of the young maid as if in prideful collaboration. He seemed to swell in his mirth. “Welcome to Kahn Palace.”

************************************************

The emerald apparition seemed undaunted. “Ha, ha! My fair Lady, I shall show you the advantage of such skill as I possess!” In one quick and gauche movement, the queer archer stretched back his elbows into two opposing triangles, the bow unmoved. The fingers that clamped the arrow’s shaft released, letting the sorrowful piece of wood fall to the ground. “Ha, ha!” The madman accosted the Queen. “See you, fair Lady, the swiftness of my arrow? Why, so fast did it spin through the forest that it lost my eye’s vision!”

Turning back to the Commander, he gave a quick bow. “Allow me to introduce myself for you are no doubt wondering the name of the man that bests you. I am Jack Bungler, the infamous Forest King! And you, my good sir, have fallen into my snares! On guard!” Jack grabbled for the hilt of his weapon, drawing it from his belt and brandishing it upon the night air. The wooden blade seemed to deride itself.

{{OOC: Thank you very much, Aelosia's Player. I do appreciate the compliment and hope very soon to see you around the boards. :)

Tonight was the last night of our performance, and I am very happy with how it turned out. Musical Theatre may be obnoxious, yes, but I’m quite proud of the work we did. :)}}

Songsteel smiled as the man spoke, as if she knew something he didn't. "Well, good sir, there is often more truth to fairy tales than you would think."

She smiled again as she saw the beautiful palace. "It is lovely, Magdeline."

Koss chuckled in amusment at the tale. "That was a very interesting tale and this palace is beautiful."

The group made their way across the remaining path to stand before the imposing width of the palace entrance, the wrought-iron gates crafted in such a way as to depict a most beautiful scene of roses caressed with vines and bracts the size of one’s head. A solitary guard manned the fanciful entrance dressed in the blue of Ma Reine military, a sash of green across his abdomen to display his intermediate rank.

Adger smiled at him thinly and approached close enough to whisper some verse into his ear that the night wind refused to carry on. The sentinel, almost reluctantly, it seemed, pulled back the chains that bound the ingress shut and stood away to let the company pass.

The content scientist trekked along the cobblestone entranceway, his course veiled by midnight and surrounded by marble walls and doorways of that unrelenting azure. An array of women scattered the path, gawking covertly at the cluster, uniformed in the same garb that Mag wore. The brunette maid suddenly seemed to grow uncomfortable. “Begging your ‘pardon, Mi’ Lord and Lady, but I must be tendin’ to the work just now.” With a rigid bow, that did not seem at all like the light-hearted youth, she ambled away towards a servant’s entrance.

Adger seemed displeased at this, knowing full well why the tiny maid had vanished. The other servants would think she was getting above her station being a party to nobles with her head up. Her humble size and adolescence was enough ammunition for them to tease her with, and now he had inadvertently fanned the flames. He made a mental note to dwell on the situation later.

At long last, the band approached the majesty of the main palace staircase, the marble sloping gracefully down the grounded companionway in all éclat and splendor. Atop the ascent and standing upon a wide, cerulean platform, just ahead of the mammoth oak doors that infiltrated the palace, stood an entourage of ornate nobility, the Queen heading them off at the edge of the staircase. A long, white gown encompassed her, decorated splendidly with the delicacy of lace and trimmed in navy-colored ribbon. Long, untamed curls of coal were topped with the weight of a sun-crested crown that once graced her father’s dark form and now seemed to consume the young woman. With gloves the same virginal hue of her dress, Queen Jenny outstretched the length of her arms in greeting, a smile as genuine as existence lighting her. Immediately, Adger dropped a knee, tears of pride evident within his gaze. His young babe had grown up.

The Queen smiled upon her guests. “I most humbly welcome you to Ma Reine, my dearest Lord and Lady.”

Lord Père stood at the foot of a huge staircase, taking in the arrival of the other ambassadors. He had left his daughter, the Princess Chéri in the hands of a handmaiden to show her to her room, he arrived just in time to see the magnificence of the young Queen. She was resplendent and courtly. This was no young girl, this was indeed a Queen!

Slowly, he moved toward the group and made his bow to the Queen, only slightly less obeisance than the good Lord Adger. Yet he too was impressed. Very impressed.

When she first came to the wrought iron gates, Songsteel jumped off the burro with a light cry of alarm and hurriedly backed away. She stared at the gates in absolute terror for several minutes, not daring to approach. After some time, she breathed in deeply and ran through, truly sprinting and going as fast as she possible could. As she passed through the gates, she screamed in what could only be described as massive agony. Once she was a substantial distance past, she collapsed on the ground and took a moment to collect herself, whimpering in pain and sobbing slightly. She looked up to Sir Adger as she seemed to recover a little. "I will need music...soon." She spoke with a medical urgency.

When they approached the queen, Songsteel curtsied deeply. "It is an honor to be presented before you, Your Majesty. I am Magerris Songsteel, representative of Her High Majesty, High Queen Agwene ni Gwydion of the Danaan High Kingdom of the Resurgent Dream. I am most pleased to be Her High Majesty's most humble representative to Your Majesty."

Haase felt a shiver run down his spine.

<He is so blindly confident! See how he mocks us with his jokes and seeming carelessness? Truly he must be called the Forest King, and his subjects must be all around us. Best to be diplomatic…>

“Wow, even I could have done better with a bow,” Queen Stefini chuckled.

<Crap!>

“Hahahahaha,” Haase chuckled nervously, “Your highness is such a kidder. Yes Sir, your skill with a bow is matched only by your generosity, I’m sure. I’m afraid we have little of value with us, but if you could be so kind as to escort us to some major population center or communications hub,”
(It suddenly occurred to him that this world might not have sufficient technology to call for rescue. Maybe magic…)
“or perhaps the nearest proficient practitioner of the mag…”
(Then again, mentioning magic might be a bad idea)
“er, magisterial arts.”
<I hope there aren’t any crazy, xenophobic officials on this world.>

“Told you it would turn into a diplomatic trip,” Stefini muttered sourly.

Koss followed Magerris Songsteel's example and bowed the standard half-bow. "Greetings your majesty, I am Koss Avangek, I represent King Sean of the Dominion of Theao. It is an honour to be here."

Lord Père rose from his bow and stood by silently, watching, making notes in his mind as events progressed. He had alerted Lord Aaron to monitor and record all of the action and the dialog, and Aaron was giving him a running narrative on the events of the events in forest, where 2 seemingly idiots were being accosted and even held by yet a 3rd idiot!

Covering his mouth with his hand so that others would not see his lips moving, he spoke in hushed tones to the young Lord. “Aaron, when is your relief coming?”

“Sire, what do you mean?”

“I mean, Aaron, when will someone come to take your place?”

“My Lord, I don’t know. Should I arrange for someone else to be here?”

“Aaron,” Lord Père said in an aggrieved tone, “do you expect to sit there the full 26 clocks of the day? Man, make arrangements now, get some rest, and when you have napped I want you to join me in my room here at Ma Reine. You have the coordinates; they are the same as for the Princess Chéri. Now make haste and be sure to choose not 1 but at least 3 good men; men who will stay awake and respond to the events. I don’t want them overtired; I want them fresh and alert. But you I will need here on Ma Reine. Now make all haste, pack and rest, then join me within 7 clocks. Understood?”

“Yes, m’Lord.” Responded Aaron, and then he scanned his list of lieutenants in the Communication Division of the Defense Arm, made his selections, called them to the monitoring room and left to do as he was bid.
. . . .

Princess Chéri looked about her and was severely dissatisfied with her arrangements. True, she had resolved to be . . . better, whatever that meant, but as a girl of only 12 harvests, as a Princess who had been spoiled since the age of 7 by a father who could not say no to her, she was, to say the least, capricious. No, to put it in the proper perspective, one must use the term, ‘wishy washy’.

Chéri called the poor unfortunate who had shown her to her room to her.


“What is your name, girl?”

“Lucille, madam.”

“Lucille, is it? I don’t like that name. I will call you. . . Gabardine. Yes, that’s it; Gabardine is your name from now on. And who taught you how to address a Princess? Is that how you address your Queen? And do you always just curtsy when you come forward in the presence of royalty? I want a bow from the waist. Is that understood?”

“Yes, mad. . . I mean, yes Princess.” This last said while bowing.

“Better”, said the Princess. Not good but better and we will work on that. Gabardine, you will be my handmaiden while I am on this planet. Now, unpack my bags, put my things in the drawers of the dresser and on hangers in the clothes room, and iron anything that is wrinkled. Now get to it!

“But madam, I mean, Princess, I have been instructed to return to the kitchen immediately as I show you to your room!”

“Is there something wrong with your hearing? Is your mind addled? I told you what I wanted you to do and I’m sure that will supersede any instructions you may have been given by some serving wench who thinks she is your boss! Now do as I say or I will speak to my father, Lord Père. Do you know who he is?”

“No, Princess.” Said the poor girl.

“No?” Princess Chéri was shocked! “No? Why he is only the most important man around right now. He is here to show your poor Queen what she needs to do to bring this backwards planet up to some sort of semblance of. . . of I don’t know what, but at least to the point where you can be considered in the second tier of planets! It will take years, I am sure, to bring the planet and its citizens anywhere near first tier status. You have so much to learn.”

Gabardine, nee Lucille didn’t know what to say. The red as as stirfruit color of her face was taken for embarrassment by the Princess, but if she were any where near as insightful as she felt herself to be, she would have known anger when she saw it. Nevertheless, the new handmaiden to this. . . this Princess Shrew had been raised correctly, trained according to proper court etiquette and said only, “Yes, Princess.”, and proceeded to unpack and place the clothing in drawers and on hangers as ordered. Still, this would not go unreported to her supervisor in the Maidservice Department of the palace. There would be, she knew, consequences. She just didn’t know what those consequences would be.

The portly General Briggs, ever present at the left heel of Queen Jenny, gave a slight-of-hand signal to the small military band that scattered across the array of steps. At this, the blare of trumpets began, and the harmonic tip-tap, tip-tap of drums joined in their cadence. It was a very stately sort of music, the kind that set your posture straight and your chin up.

As if on cue, the Queen began her descent down the staircase, a simple task made cumbersome by the weight of her ivory frock. Pearl drops began a vertiginous dance at the transit as they dangled from the woman’s earlobes. Such a pompous procession followed this child like a funeral band. As she reached the nadir of her journey, Jenny smiled warmly at the strangers. “My Lovely Lady Magerris Songsteel and Good Gentleman Koss Avangek, I am Queen Jenesse Dans Redevance.” With a prolonged friendly expression, the woman crossed her ankles beneath the cloth and dipped her body downward in a practiced curtsy before rising once more to fatigued legs. “May I present His Majesty, Lord Père de’Coeur of the Planet of The Rose and Thorn.” With a sweeping motion, the woman indicated the lone figure of Père to her right. “I know that you must be tired from your journey.” Pausing, Jenny suppressed a chuckle. “On second thought, you may very well have zapped yourselves here like a bolt of lightening to our small home. I am unused to the thought of anyone being untired after a journey such as yours’. Shall you humor my customs and forgive me when I suggest a rest is in order, for it is very well into the depths of midnight here?”All this was said with a genuinely awkward friendliness, for the woman was not sure of how to treat her guests without offending them. Too much courtliness or too less could be the downfall of her kind.

******************************************

“Ha, ha!” Jack simply waved the Commander’s sentiment away. “You have a great value with you, Sir!” With one grand movement, the buffoon was at his female companion’s side, his hands slowly encompassing her shoulders. “Such a great beauty should be found within the arms of a real man, not this...imposter! Come, dear Lady, and find yourself in my company! Ha!”

((OOC: No one reacted to her reaction to the gate? Her request for medical attention soon?))

{{I'm sorry. I was trying to play it off that it got lost in the commotion. I did have the music playing from the trumpets to maybe help your character. If you would like me to make it more pronounced, then no problem. :) }}

"That would be fine your Majesty." Koss replied with another half-bow and a wry smile as he thought to himself, A 'good gentleman' I most definatly am not.

((OOC: She was screaming in agony but..up to you.))

Lord Père noted both the obsequiousness of Lord Koss, and with some alarm, the actions of the Lady Songsteel. What was going on here? Was this Lady indeed in some form of agony, either spiritual or physical? Both? And Koss would bear keeping an eye on. There was more than meets the eye with both. But what?

And why did the young Queen not react to Songsteel’s obvious distress?

In the meantime Père felt the honor that the young Queen had bestowed when she introduced him. He felt it was friendlier, more familiar than that of an ambassador, but his time with the Queen had been short, so he was unsure as to her actual meanings and intent. Still, he felt comfortable with her though he would keep an open mind.

Now, what was this the monitor watcher was relaying? Buffoon aplenty in the woods with the two visitors and their – dare he say it, accoster? Could he put such a term to one so funny if it were not such a dangerous situation? Who was he and was the young Queen aware of him?

Yet still, the watcher was relaying what had transpired in Princess Cheri’s room. How could she? Did she see nothing of what was going on? How could he have been such a fool as to allow her to come? Enough! He had allowed this to go on far too long. It will stop and it will stop now. If his daughter, whom he loved so dearly, could not behave she would be sent back to The Rose and Thorn, and when he returned he would have to think about what to do then. He could never allow her to assume a position of authority over the planet unless she learned to be a decent human being, one with respect for her fellow mankind. He must apologize to the good child Queen and tell her what had transpired. This was not going to be allowed to harm any possible relationship . . . between the planets or between the 2 rulers.

The sooner he had a conversation with her, the better, but he must honor the lateness of the hour. The Queen must be quite tired, and in fact, so was he. First a talk with his daughter and then to bed.

“Ha, ha!” Jack simply waved the Commander’s sentiment away. “You have a great value with you, Sir!” With one grand movement, the buffoon was at his female companion’s side, his hands slowly encompassing her shoulders. “Such a great beauty should be found within the arms of a real man, not this...imposter!"
As Jack spoke, Commander Haase felt his anger building, but he struggled to keep it in check. <He is taunting me, hoping to provoke rash action. So, I will deprive him of that, though the strain may kill me. Hopefully, Stefini will realize that this is his plan, and will also take it in stride.>

"Come, dear Lady, and find yourself in my company! Ha!”
*SMACK*
Stefini's fluffy white gown and blond hair swirled in the wake of the stinging, back-hand blow.
"How DARE you! I get enough of that crap from him," she shouted, jerking a lady-like thumb at Haase. "And at least he lays off the macho act."

<Ah, how vibrant and bold she is,> Haase thought admiringly. <She's going to get us killed.>

Adger peered across the way towards Songsteel, his eyebrow raised at her odd behavior, but his mouth kept silent. One could not just interrupt a ceremony could they? Oh no. To the punctilious people of Ma Reine, ceremony was everything, and to disrupt the ritual was sacrilegious. If the General Briggs himself were to drop dead during a function, God willing, he would simply be swept under the buffet table and the rite would continue.

The Queen smiled once more, a sort of finality accompanying it. “Please, My Gentlemen and Lady, follow me unto the palace where food and a respite is in order.” With another bow, a more casual action, Jenny extended a gloved arm towards her guests invitingly before turning towards her palace and ascending the grand flight of stairs, the group of strangers at her heels. As they departed, the assemblage of commonalty and aristocracy alike began a cheer of joyousness, beginning at a whisper and rising to a thunderous roar. A new beginning lay before them like the start of a promising adventure, unknown to what it beheld and yet beautiful in its mystery.

**********************

Jenny led them to the very same lobby at which Lord Pere was first brought, as immaculate and lavish as it was not two hours past. The smiling Queen stood within the center of the room, turning back to gaze upon her guests. To her left and right stood an array of lady’s maids and gentlemen’s gentlemen, donned in their brushed uniforms and alert countenances. “My servants have prepared your rooms and my kitchen maids have arranged a dinner of roast duck, pea soup, pumpernickel bread, cheese, fruit, and sweet wine.” With a pause, Jenny bit her lip, a truly ignoble habit. “I am unsure if these foods shall be appropriate. Please, do not hesitate to notify my servants if you shall require something altered, or anything else you may desire.” The Queen gave two sequenced, rapid claps within the muffle of her gloves, signaling two male servants and one blushing maid to step forward. “They shall lead you to your chambers, my Lords and Lady. Tomorrow, we have much to talk about and shall take about our delegations at mid-day, if that is suitable. If there is anything to be further desired of me, please do not hesitate to say such or shall we retire at this late hour?”

"That is most suitable, for me at least, your majesty. I have one rather simple request thougth, could I have water rather than wine?" Koss asked as he pulled a chair out for Songsteel before taking his own seat.


ooc: if Princess Chéri comes into contact with/tries to orders around Koss it will be a very interesting meeting

Songsteel followed the queen and sat as a chair was pulled out, frowning slightly at being denied medical attention.

Lord Père hadn’t realized the length of time since his last meal. That was early this morning on The Rose and Thorn and . . . how many hours had that been? Too many!

With alacrity he assured himself a seat at the Queen’s right hand. Even so he knew that he would have to eat quickly and return to his room to confer with the soon to arrive Lord Aaron; to lay plans and strategies for the coming meetings. He must remember to ask one of the kitchen maids for a basket to take to Aaron, because likely as not, he would forget to it while on duty, until he was about to collapse from hunger. He would ask for 2 baskets, now that the thought of it. One for his daughter as well. He would bring her into the strategy session to see if she would learn. Yes, a good plan indeed!

occ: If the Princess Chéri makes an ass of herself. . . more than she already has, she SHOULD be dealt with accordingly. I doubt that her father would interfere provided the dealing with was not too severe. He may even encourage it.

"Most assuredly, Sir Koss,” The Queen replied as a young lackey pulled out a chair at the head of the table that stood before the functioning fireplace for just this occasion, letting the guests absorb the warmth of the room. Jenny took her seat as the brazen Lord Père occupied her right side. It had always been a custom for Adger to sit there, acting as her father’s right hand and most trusted advisor, and now that the young Jenny supported her Father’s crown she had hoped to continue the tradition. But the Queen simply smiled at her guests, for Lord Père was, of course, the closest thing to monarchy and it was a seat of honor.

Seizing his opportunity, the portly General Briggs took the Queen’s left side so as to have her ear when he pleased. A smile creased his rotund face.

A fairly young man, whom had yet to be introduced, followed the General to grace his left, across from the guest Sir Koss. He wore the attire of the times lavishly, with dark velvet leggings and a silken dress shirt, polished boots gleaming seductively in the firelight. Long tresses of ivory-blonde hair were neatly tied behind him in a jet bow, wide, angular cheekbones framing two remarkably blue optics, muted by the presence of spectacles. In his right hand, he supported a cane, silver tipped and black bodied, to accompany the limp he attempted to mask.

Adger, equally miffed about his place taken, also took the left side of the aforementioned young man, adjusting the bifocals that graced his own beak-like nose. In front of him sat the lady Songsteel, and as the General and new young man engaged in chitchat, he leaned towards her, speaking to meet her own ears alone. “My Lady,” he began, then paused to clear his throat, “I do hope that you shall explain to me your earlier actions and I shall try and shed light upon mine. Please, do not think our people heartless, Lady. Your anguish fell not upon deaf ears, but...misunderstanding ones. To hear a young woman ask for music in a tone of...urgency is not...highly common.” Leaning closer, he averted eye contact. “We have read about Earth’s Salem Witch Trials and the Queen would not like for anything of the sort to occur here upon Ma Reine. Our people are very superstitious, My Lady. And music...well...many old wives believe that music is the devil’s tool.” With a disgusted snort, Adger added, “poppycock.”

***************************

Jack smiled. “Oh, you’re a feisty wench, my little strawberry!” He pursued her with newfound vigor, sweeping her into his arms and pressing his lips to her’s as her dipped her downward.

Magerris nodded a little. She reached for her food, eating with slightly shaking hands and widening eyes still filled with pain. It was taking all she had to continue functioning after that incident and the refusal of her hosts to offer medical assistance for injuries they caused was beginning to frustrate her. "That is an interesting superstition indeed. I have actually never before heard of any people with that superstition about music. In fact, most of the nations on earth which resemble the culture here practice a religion known as Christianity and sing musical songs known as hymns during religious services." She paused a moment. "Unless I misunderstand what you mean. I am not asking for modern or dance movement oriented around bodily movements and excitement. Classical or religious music designed to elevate the soul would work far better for my purpose."

She shook her head a little. "If music be anathema to your people, then that metal in your door is so much the more hated in mine and not for reasons of any superstition. It is a poison to my people more surely than anything else in this universe and I desperately need art or music or literature if I am to recover. Please...sir...I am in a great deal of pain. Besides, if there is a danger of Witch Trials, Her High Majesty's government is perfectly capable of securing our own embassy, whenever Her Majesty should choose to bestow it."

Koss, hearing the pain in her voice decided to see if he coud help. He turned to Magerris and asked "Do you mind if I do something that may help?" As he was asking he pulled a small ear piece from a pocket, with a fitting designed to dicreetly fit onto the ear.

Magerris reached her hand out for the device. "I'd be happy to accept your help."

Koss whispered to the device, "P3 D20" and handed it to Songsteel, twenty seconds later once she had fitted it over her ear, it began playing classical music, ranging from Mozart to Bach. It would play for ninty minutes before restarting from the begining.

Lord Père sensed that something was amiss. The look received from Lord Adger was hardly cordial, and Queen Jenny seemed. . . distant. He would keep his own counsel and try to determine what was wrong.

In the meantime he noted the concern for the Lady Songsteel by Lord Koss. Now what could that mean, if anything? Lord Père had long ruled his planet and knew the intrigues that could play out in any court.

And who was this young man? Intelligent looking to say the least. There were those in his own court who would frown upon one so young and one so hampered by physical imperfections being allowed to sit at table with Queen and Court. Yet Père was never one to worry about physical limitations as long as one’s mind was active enough, sharp enough to play the political games required of Court attendees.

Yes, this would require close watching indeed!

Adger gave Koss a wide-eyed stare. “Good sir,” he began in a harsh whisper, “your dedication to helping Lady Songsteel is honorable and very befitting a gentlemen, but please, remember our country’s limitations. We are surrounded by servants who have no idea of the vast world outside this place and the technology it holds.” Turning to Lady Songsteel, he sighed. “And yes, My Lady, I was referring to provocative music. It is rumored in this country that certain music is a possessing force by all manners of Evil. Our founders studied this...Christianity, yes, and a very loose form of it is practiced here upon Ma Reine as the national religion, called Divinity. We worship a God, a supreme being, and believe in the presence of Evil. If we have been good here upon our planet, when we die, our spirits shall simply drift into the wind with peace and honor, but if we have not, we shall be trapped in our lifeless bodies forever.” With a pause, Adger sighed, placing a hand over his aged, tired eyes. “So you see, our people are prone to superstition and magical hullabaloo. And no...I do not mean to scold you like children, even though I am old enough to be your father.” With that, the elder man smiled. “I am so very grateful for your visit, my Lord and Lady. I just hope that we are not so stuck in our ways as a nation as to not accept the changes this may bring.”

Queen Jenny smiled cordially and tapped her silver-crafted fork against a crystal water flute. At this signal, the servants disappeared into the kitchen, and the chatter of the table ceased reverently. “My esteemed guests,” the Queen began, then turned azure eyes towards the unnamed stranger, “and close friends, may I present you with a feast that only Ma Reine may provide.” With another tap of her glass, the entourage began. Butlers came carrying great trays of cheese and bread, young maidens following with wine and water pitchers, as if in a choreographed dance, both with grace and practiced elegance. Everyone was offered their choice of appetizers, one particularly eager young maiden carrying a wine pitcher lingered just a little too long over Lord Père’s shoulder, pouring his drink and giving an all-inviting view of the laces of her corset. The Queen gave her a stern look before allowing a gangly young man to serve her bread.

Skip sighed as he left the Queen’s side, wishing that he had been assigned something a little more exciting instead of kitchen duty.

"I realize that, Lord Adgar, but if you were to take a second glance, your fears should be put to rest." Koss replied

ooc: the device is shaped similar to a modern hearing aid(meaning it fits in the ear), it will appear to be the same colour as Songsteels skin and with her hair it should be nearly invivsible unless you know what to look for.

Jack smiled. “Oh, you’re a feisty wench, my little strawberry!” He pursued her with newfound vigor, sweeping her into his arms and pressing his lips to her’s as her dipped her downward.
RAGE. PURE, UNBRIDLED RAGE.

<Ninja army or not, he’s a dead man.>

Commander Haase had always quoted that “Violence is the last resort of the incompetent,” but he also believed that violence was occasionally necessary. Maybe it wasn’t necessary in this case, but it would certainly feel good. Queen Stefini seemed nearly too stunned to react, which was a good thing. Michael wanted to do the killing himself, and Stefini would end this man’s life far too quickly. He advanced, his hand shaping itself to fit Jack’s throat, his arm rearing back for a powerful thrust that would pin this usurper to the nearest tree.

“Morieris,” Michael said, his voice as dark and empty as the void itself…

(OOC: To quote my old government/economics teacher, “He gonna DiiIIEEE!”)

Magerris smiled to Agder. "Music does not need to be provocative to be music." As she put th device to her ear, she began to glow briefly with a kind of radiant, beautiful light before resuming her normal appearance. Of course, her "hair", as one might call it, was quite solid and, while it might look like hair at a distance, did not hang or blow but formed a solid golden mass atop the solid white of her head. It hardly hid her ears."And there s no need for either of you to call me lady. Magerris will do."

After a moment, she took the device out and returned her attentions to the queen. She grinned brightly. "Thank you for your most gracious hospitality, Your Majesty. I will make sure to relay your courtsey in receiving me to the High Queen."

Lord Père consumed his meal trying desperately to overcome his hunger and maintain dignity and manners. He barely succeeded. He reminded himself as he ate to ask the servants to take two meals to his room. He knew that Lord Aaron would be quite hungry after his marathon vigil at the viewing port. He also knew that his daughter Chéri would also be hungry and would eat well in spite of her attempts to curb her appetite in order to stay the svelte image she had chosen for herself.

Père ate, kept his own counsel, but watched all that was going on. He attempted to engage the good Queen in conversation but she continuously answered in monosyllabic phrases, and his attempts to talk to Lord Adger were met with nothing at all, not even acknowledgement. Something was going on here. But what?

Lord Koss had answered Lord Adger well, but still, was it not presumptuous to display such wares in front of servants? Would they not see it anyway? But then, the Lady Songsteel; her manner, the change, her . . . hair. Would the servants notice anything beyong that? He had noted them staring when they thought no one was looking. But he was. He saw everything.

Jenny smiled graciously upon the Lady Songsteel. “My Lady, the contact that your Good Queen has given my country by your visit here and the hope of things to come is much more than thanks enough. I hope that my country and I may be helpful and peaceful allies with all your people, and all the good ambassadors that have ventured and shall venture here.” The young girl paused, a more secretive smile shattering that placed simper. “I do hope that did not sound as meaninglessly deliberate to your Lady as it did in my head. Sometimes,” she said, tapping the circlet upon her curls, “I forget that royalty does not have to sound as fake as it has earned the reputation of.”

The stranger smiled, adjusting the cane at his side, his eyes brazen upon the young Queen. “Well said, Your Majesty.”

**********************

It came out of nowhere, just as the cliche attack always should.

A strong blow to cheek of Commander Haase set Jack free from his crushing grasp. “Oh, bloody rut,” a distinctly female voice muttered.

She stood only about five feet from the ground, clad in a man’s outfit of breeches and tunic, both as plainly brown as bark. Her muscled arms stood free from the cloth, clenched in a rigid grip as she feverishly rubbed her sore knuckles. Conventionally brunette hair was cut into a man’s shortened style, displaying her a boy to nothing but the casual observer. However, two prominent objections stood outward from her chest, distinguishable in the fitting top. She observed her victim through a green gaze, eyebrows cocked in near indifference.

“Sorry,” she muttered, her sword swinging from her side and rasping against her boots.

{{To also quote that faithful Econ Teacher: "I'm Asten Kutcher! I'm Awsome!" And, the ever faithful: "Well, see, what had happened was..."}}

A strong blow to cheek of Commander Haase set Jack free from his crushing grasp. “Oh, bloody rut,” a distinctly female voice muttered.

“Sorry,” she muttered, her sword swinging from her side and rasping against her boots.
<So, this is one of his ninja bodyguards. She’s good,> Haase thought, right before the kinetic energy transferred from the girl’s fist to his face.

Michael was not accustomed to being knocked flat, but he could still recognize that this had been a good punch. That is to say that it was forceful enough to send him spinning, the girl had been fast enough to catch him by surprise, and her aim had allowed the blow to cause tremendous pain without doing any permanent damage. At least, he was reasonably certain that it wasn’t permanent. The white haze of pain made it rather difficult to be sure.

<Ooh! Look at all the pretty lights.>

Stefini had now recovered from the shocking violation of her personal space. Her pale face was now flushed, partially from embarrassment and partially from anger. Fueled by this bloodlust, she kicked into high gear and picked up a pointy stick, but was torn between impulses. She really wanted to ram the stick through Jack’s brain via his left nostril, yet also wanted to run to the fallen Commander. In the end, her sense of duty and compassion won out (barely), and she grudgingly tucked the stick into the sash of her white dress before kneeling over Michael’s prone form.

“Are you alive?” she questioned tersely, warily eyeing the two natives.

“Mommy?”

Stefini sighed, “Close enough. Sit up, my glass-jawed baby.” She turned to their assailants. “Okay, I’m willing to let the lime-colored loser survive if you two will just direct us to the nearest town.” She brandished the stick menacingly, “But if the jade jerk touches me again, I will nail his head to a tree!”

It should never be said that Crystal Irish royalty refrained from speaking their minds. The last people who said such a thing were found with their heads nailed to trees.

OOC: And yes, the pointy stick really is menacing.

Songsteel laughed lightly. "It sounded perfectly sincere, Your Majesty. We also hope for nothing but friendship with you and your people."

((OOC: Sorry for the short post but...nothing else to put, really))

<OCC - Big Time> This is Lord Père writing for our Queen.

Our Good Queen Jenny will be on extended leave and has asked me to post in her stead. I will attempt to do so on at least a daily basis and I pray that I will do an adequate job.

It also happens that I have been unable to post or to do anything else in any forum under my own name. If this continues I will post using the Ma Reine identity as Lord Père, but will clearly note that it is The Rose and Thorn who is posting.

Queen Jenny asks your indulgence and gives her thanks for your understanding, as do I.

Michael

<OCC> I have just recreated The Rose The Thorn, (note the "and" is missing) as it had been deleted from the forums. I don't know why. I will post for our Queen Jenny tomorrow and will post for The Rose The Thorn tomorrow as well. I have just driven 6½ hours and am a bit brain dead.

Thank you for your indulgence.

<As Queen Jenesse Dans Redevance>

The repast proceeded at a snails pace. Wine and other beverages were served by the servants – water for Lord Koss.

Chatter around the table was as chatter is around most tables filled with strangers. People began to learn one about the other and to divulge information about themselves. In some cases this may have been misinformation, but time will tell.

Queen Jenny surveyed the group and was relatively quiet compared to others. She had noticed the look of. . . of what? on Lord Père’s face with the corseted bosom of the serving wench was virtually presented to him. Consternation? Interest? Again, only time will tell.

The Lady Songsteel had seemed to recover from her earlier distress. She and Koss seemed to be engaged in earnest conversation, but not overly so. Lord Adger, as was his wont was teaching. A man of great knowledge, he did not hesitate to share that knowledge with others. At times to their discomfort, but for now those in his conversational range seemed to be listening, if not raptly, at least politely.

All seemed well and the feast continued.

<OCC> I cannot duplicate Queen Jenny’s cadence nor do I know what she intended for Jack and the new lady of the woods. I will do my best to converse as did the Queen but I know that I shall be more than a bit off. As for Jack and. . . Jill? I will tend to follow Michael and Stefini’s lead.

-Snip-
Understood. I'll start work on my end. Please pass along my best wishes to Ma Reine if you are in contact with her.

Understood. I'll start work on my end. Please pass along my best wishes to Ma Reine if you are in contact with her.

<OCC> I am in contact only on occasion. She will be away for approximately 4 weeks.

Thanks for your help.

Lord Père resigned himself to a long wait before he could go back to his chambers. It seemed that this dinner would continue for some time. He should make the best of it he supposed.

He looked around the table and noted most that Queen Jenny was quiet, having had her say. He wondered about engaging her in conversation, and then thought better of it. Waiting for a few minutes might be the wisest choice.

. . . .

Upstairs in her room Princess Chéri laid across her bed, crying. Why oh why did she behave so? She knew it was wrong. Why did she have to be so cross with people, so rude?

A princess, still, she was a young girl beginning the growth spurt where she was changing into a woman. She was confused about the feelings both in her breast and in her heart. She knew she would be rude again, yet she hoped otherwise.

((Hi, guys. Yup, I'm on vacation. Thanks so much to my evil twin for keeping Jenny up to speed. :) I'll try to post as often as I can.))

Jenny smiled, resting her chin upon the back of her gloved hand, gaze keen over the dinner table and its guests. The second course had arrived, and yet the woman paid her soup little attention as she peered over it towards the un-named noble, who held her look courtly.

Sensing the eyes of Pere, the young Queen settled her posture and gave him a fond smile. "How are you enjoying our ambrosia?" she asked, a hint of playful jest in her tone.

Koss continued to eat, listening to the conversation between the courtiers, civil servants and noblemen at the table.

My Queen, if I may be so bold, I am anxious to get back to my rooms, yet I do understand the need for us to linger, for you, and I too, to observe your guests at leisure and, it would seem, somewhat at play.

And too, to sit next to you. . . to enjoy the closeness of your company, that I find very settling, comforting.

At the same time, Queen Jenny, I noticed Lord Adger looking in my direction, somewhat displeased. Have I somehow committed an error? If so I must apologize to him, as well as to you, Your Majesty.

May I ask, what do you think of your guests so far? Will you share your thoughts, your feelings with me?

"Watt!" Michael managed to squeeze out past mangled mandibles. He paused, placed his hands on his lower jaw, then twisted violently. A sickening pop drowned out his whimper of pain.

"Son of a bi--"

"Michael!" Stefini cried.

He clamped down on his tongue to stifle the obscenity. All these years without them, he didn't need to start now. "Argh. As I was saying, wait a second. I'm sure there's no need to nail anyone's head to a tree..."

"You didn't seem to care a few moments ago. In case you've forgotten," she hooked a thumb at Jack, "He just kissed me."

Michael suppressed the visions of blood and pain. "Yes, I know, but let us forgive," he seemed to choke on the word, "him that... violation. After all, we are all reasonable," he clenched his fist, "adults here, and in the proper light, I'm sure we can find this whole situation quite humorous." A small flower just outside his field of vision inexplicably combusted, but went completely unnoticed.

Stefini shrugged, and tucked the stick back into her dress' sash. "I suppose this would be the time for introductions," she sighed, "I am--"

"A traveling musician," Michael cut in, to Stefini's great annoyance, "A famous player of piano and organ, and I," he gestured grandly, earning an eye-roll from his royal companion "Am her most loyal protector, her knight if you wil--"

"O-Kay, that's enough self-aggrandizement for you, boy," Stefini said as she shoved him aside. Hands on her hips, she delivered the greatest cliche of all space travelers. "Now, take us to your leader."

Jenny cocked an eyebrow at Lord Pere's eagerness. "Well, your Highness, that was certainly a...mouthful," the child Queen said, tapping her bottom lip humorously. "As for the aged Lord Adger," she said, dropping her tone to a whisper, her eyes peering at the old scientist secretly, "it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, I'm afraid. His Lordship has become accustomed to sitting at the right side of royalty ever since my father appointed him chief advisor. I have no intention of warping my father's design...and Adger has become some what of a substitute father to me, so he has always enjoyed the company of my right hand." The girl gave a sort of triumphant smile as she dipped a slice of bread into the murky, copper-color soup. "And if you are eager to return to your rooms and keep the company of your daughter, I most assuredly understand and will gladly send you with a picnic on your way."

****************************

If the plain-cut girl in a man's breeches had any shread of a sense of humor at all, she might have found herself rollong across the wooded lot in a fit of laughter. As it stood, she simply crossed her arms and studied the pair with indifferent disdain. "Organ?" she muttered, brow furrowed, seeming to grasp the only word she could comprehend. "Organ?" Piano, obviously, didn't seem to register. "Organ!" A flash of understanding crossed her face. "You are a doctor, no?" she asked, head cocked, peering at the red-faced Michael. "Yes, I see, a doctor and his...nurse?" She looked towards the Queen, a plain little smile crossing her lips. "And you are looking for...Queen Jenesse?"

At the mention of the Queen, Jack straightened, giving a little "ah-hah!" to accompany his excited leap. "Queen Jenny? Well, didn't the little shirmp and his scrumptious little muffin-cake," he said, winking suggestivly at Stefini, "just gain a bit of ol' Jack's luck. I, the great Lord Jack, am a cousin of little Jenny's!"

"Distant cousin," the girl muttered, rolling her plain optics.

"Let me take you to her, ha!" he said, placing his hands upon the back of Stefini to escourt her through the forest. Pausing, he searched about the forest, his chest swelling importantly. "All you men of mine that lurk in shadows, be gone to your camps! I, the great Jack, command it!" And without further adieu, the fool led Stefini ahead.

With a roll of her eyes, the girl nodded towards the Commander. "I haven't the heart to tell him that we're alone in the forest. Come along. He's forgotten the way, no doubt."

Lord Père wasn’t sure how to take the invitation from Queen Jenny and decided to take it at face value.

“My Queen,” he said as quietly as possible, “I do wish to take my leave, but may I. . . and I will only do this with your permission, may I leave a recording device; one so sensitive that it will pick up the conversation around this large and beautiful table, yet so small that none will know it is here save you?” You can easily take it with you when you leave, and it will turn itself off after 1 hour of your day.”

“I will make sure not to be so assuming in the future, but I must say, sitting next to you has been worth even the glare of Lord Adger’s sight.”

“When you are ready I will brief you on the happenings in the forest. They seem of little consequence for the moment or have faith that I will share them with you before my leave.”

At being dubbed a "muffin-cake," Stefini started to get annoyed, but when Jack placed his hands upon her back, she decided it was time for some head-nailing. As she reached for the pointy stick, however, she noted, respectively, the pleading and warning looks that Michael and the as-yet unnamed girl were giving her.

<Michael owes me big for this one,> she thought, and contented herself with slapping Jack's hands away.

Michael, for his part, had managed to cool down. After all, it was just a little kiss. Another flower spontaneously underwent combustion. No, far better to consider this new arrival.

This mysterious girl seemed trustworthy. True, Michael's jaw still ached, seemingly in sympathy with the poison ivy patches, but there was comfort in it. The punch had been simple and effective. There had been no banter, no enjoyment, merely a straightforward desire to stop his attempts to kill the limey loon. There was honesty in a punch like that.

He sped up, ignoring the protests of his weary body, and managed to keep up with the girl. "Tell me, please," he whispered, "If this man is so inept as you say, and as it would seem, why do you protect him? Is he a relation of yours?"