Coronation Party [Open]

[commandsthewind]

Who: Elizabeth Tudor, Arthur Pendragon and you!
What: Coronation Party Times!
When: 17th of November, evening. backdated shhh~
Where: The Ballroom.
Rating: PG.

[The ballroom has been briefly transformed, or something like that. At least enough to Elizabeth's tastes and she had no issue at all using the ghosts if it got her what she wanted, in red and gold. A table of food and drink has been set up on one side of the room, wine aplenty of course, and in the middle of the table is the cake made by Ino. There's tables and chairs around the room, and the doors are open to the balcony, so guests can go out there for air as well. Somewhere softly behind all that, there is music playing. It's a light heart-ed celebration, but that is all that is really wanted.]

[ The Balcony | Tables & Chairs | Other places around the room ]

Comments

[reigne]

[Arthur is a little more fancier dressed than he normally prefers, complete with a cape and gold circlet of a crown, although simple, he forgoes on normal occasions entirely. But he supposes when he's been spared the birthday party, in exchange for this, he can input some kind of effort.

He's still a little more subdued than one would expect, and dips out on the balcony as often, and for as long as politeness dictates he can. The cool air and the quiet is better company than he is]

[ladywinter]

[In some ways, it's so easy for her to see Robb in him. This...quietness is one of those ways. After noticing him slip out to the balcony and back several times, Cat decides to follow him out at the next opportunity.]

In the days before the Seven Kingdoms were united, the Starks ruled the North. Each king wore a crown of iron that he might feel the weight of it. You look as though you know that weight already.

[reigne]

[It surprises him a little, the fact that he doesn't immediately feel the urge to straighten up, from where he's rested his elbows on the balcony ledge. Nor does he feel like forcing the practiced smile back onto his face.

She shouldn't make him feel comfortable in his own skin. When he turns to regard her, it's a thoughtful expression he wears, but still solemn]

I have borne the weight of my kingdom for some time. [More honest than he means to be. His father wasn't always well, and even less so in the later years. And if he's being honester still, he'd been feeling the pressure since before he'd even become of age]

[ladywinter]

You carry it well.

[She's seen so many men react to power. There was Robert who drank and ate and whored his way to death. There was Joffery, who seemed determined to strike as many blows as he was able before his time came. Stannis and Renly- brothers meeting in the battlefield. And then there were Ned and Robb, who accepted what they must as duty, rather than as a prize for themselves.

She makes her way to the ledge, letting the cool air blow back her hair.]

Better than some men who have seen twice your years.

[reigne]

...Thank you.

[It's still quiet, solemn, but genuinely appreciative. It isn't that he generally disbelieves his court or men at home, for believing in his abilities or insisting he's great at it...It's that they simply don't understand. And in comparison to a man like this father, who many didn't agree with or hold any great love for...

It's easy to confuse 'different' with 'better'. It feels more honest, coming from her. Even if it's of little comfort]

It is not always an easy weight to carry, but the most important one. I am honoured by your words.

[ladywinter]

[She just nods, equally solemn.]

My lord husband would have had some words for you, I'm sure, as he would have for our son. Something about duty and honor and strength.

[A thin little smile] A woman is a poor source of a Lord's wisdom.

[save_the_souls]

[Allen of course can be found on the balcony. It's where he usually gravitated during these events, so this is rather normal. When he sees Arthur out of the corner of his eye...he can't really be surprised. Arthur was never into these sorts of things]

[It'll be a full minute before he finally thinks of a good conversation starter]

Let me guess, this wasn't your idea.

[reigne]

Whatever gave it away?

[It's disconcerting to think that there are those here, who knew such things about him. Who were perceptive over time, in a way that the people he'd known all his life were not.

But perhaps it's nothing more than the fact that while a party is in full swing, Arthur has done nothing more than escape for breathers. He'll turn to glance at him, after a few moments. Politely curious] Are you not enjoying yourself?

[save_the_souls]

[He could say that he knew him, but he'll go with the more observational answer]

Well, it is a party held in your honour yet you've spent much of it outside away from it.

[He'll sip his water, giving a small shrug as he glances in]

It's a nice party, whomever organised it did a lovely job. But I've...never been much into these sorts of gatherings.

[reigne]

Then you have been watching me.

[And isn't that interesting? But at least, finally someone who gets it, even if it's very likely for very different reasons. Why is everyone else he knows, so into having these kind of shindigs?

The response when he gives it, is fairly blunt] I'd enjoy it more, if it were not in my honour. I don't see that there's anything to celebrate, not truly.

[save_the_souls]

Only a little. When I'm not watching the cake or the buffet table.

[The latter part is said lightly, as if he's joking. And that's a question he would like to know the answer to too. Six years he's been dragged to these things. Six. years. It's amazing the pavement of the balcony doesn't have his footprints]

[He's not bothered by the bluntness, but he'll ask curiously. Since honestly, he does not know much about the conditions of Arthur's coronation beyond- it happened.] You don't?

[reigne]

[He laughs, it's quiet. A shadow of it's normal brightness, but he's surprised by the fact that he makes it at all] Are you afraid it shall run away, when you are not looking?

[He's a little amused, and it's safer than poking around why you've watched him at all. There are things he's learned he's better off not knowing about his stay here]

You find that difficult to believe? Do you not have a monarchy, in the world you are from?

[save_the_souls]

[he smiles a little at the laugh] It's possible, you never know in this castle, after all.

[Yep. Much safer. He rather not have the "oh btw I'm your ex" conversation today if that's quite alright]

We do, but Queen Victoria has been in power as long as I've been alive. And I must admit, I did what I could not to get involved with the politics of my world.

[reigne]

I should think a building has no need for food.

[Yeah, that is definitely a conversation better left for another time. Especially when he doesn't think much of relationships, right now]

Sounds sensible. [A beat, and he figures there's no actual harm in the answer] For me to become King, my father had to die. I find there is very little joy in such an occurrence.

[He just you know, also understands his people love him and wish to show him by celebrating the start of his reign. So he'll organize them at home, where it means something. Here? There aren't of them around, and he sees little point]

[save_the_souls]

[He could point out that they are the food, but he instead keeps it light] Yes, and I also once thought buildings didn't do things like kidnap you into other worlds- but I was proven wrong.

[And that? Is something he had his suspicions about, but the confirmation was good. In a sad way...he can relate. Christmas marked the time of year his father passed, but people always insisted on celebrating]

[And so close to Arthur's birthday too...it was sad how they now seemed to share this tragic thing]

I see. Then I can truly understand why this wouldn't be a joyous occasion for you.

[reigne]

[Yeah, that's certainly one creepy ass way to put a damper on a party, let's not do that] I still find the very explanation doubtful. There is very little beyond, 'it's what I've been told', and 'magic' to support it.

[It's probably the last thing, memory or no, that he would want to have in common with anyone]

Thank you. There are not very many who will, as it's important to celebrate occasions such as this for other reasons.

[save_the_souls]

I'm sorry, but if you're hoping for something more concrete we're not nearly far enough in the research.

Right...[a pause] Well, what would you do if you didn't have to attend this sort of gathering for those other reasons?

[reigne]

Despite being here for nearly a decade?

[It's not really accusing, even if it's disbelieving around the edges. He hasn't exactly been here long enough to understand some of the hindrances, though. So as a number alone, it sounds pathetic]

I'm not certain. It's not really appropriate for me to...Mourn my father, any longer.

[He gets the night of his death, before his coronation to do that, and no more. A King can't be held to that sort of past, to be weak] I suppose, however, that I am not entirely opposed to reflection.

[save_the_souls]

Six years, not nearly a decade. But yes, we have a lot of information about Paradisa but...there is still so much more we don't know.

[Yes, he's very well aware of how pathetic it sounds, but it's the truth. Any new person will learn that soon enough. As for the second part, he stops himself short from scoffing. He pauses, thinking of how to phrase the words]

If I may say so...that's rubbish. I mean...I understand needing to present yourself as strong to your people. You're their King, after all. But privately...

[he shakes his head] If you wish to take a night to yourself to reflect or mourn your father around the anniversary...I see nothing wrong with that.