OOC- A joint Ironside post
Tatiana, or rather Queen Klara sat rather more seriously than she had when the young boy had approached, it was business time now and she couldn't play these world leaders off the way she did the boy. First up was President O'Connell, she naturally thanked him for his paper and advice but knew the symbolism of the day was already lost, no Queen of Lodja before her had ever sat at the same level of the Plebs in the throne room, she could already sense the Patricians gathered around her whispering about it. Next up was this Pope chap, she thanked him for his gifts and said she looked forward to a meeting at some future date, she wasn't sure if she genuinely was, from her knowledge of Christianity it wasn't really an exciting religion and she wondered what kind of man would choose to follow it's lifeless rules. The people kept coming and she found a rhythm, thank them, say something nice, next. It was a simple and rapid process. She obviously accepted King of Vafleon Manius' invitation, it would have been rude not too, but should the nation be of little interest to her plans she could always find an excuse at a later date. She accepted the inviations of Orion and King Lapu too with smiles and words talking of her excitement of visiting their nations. She had expected the same when the Morelander king approached, she noticed him emerge from the crowd and not from the seats as the others had. She immediately saw why Viktoriya had taken a liking to him, he was handsome and he brought no petition nor invite, just a simple book, something she could have found anywhere herself. She thanked him and flicked a few pages intrigued at the books age which seemed to indicate it was old, she turned back to the front page and smiled.
"May Your Adventure Bring You Home" was written in a delicate hand on the inside front page, clearly a reference to the author of the books fate, "Love from Mum" were the next words, the King giving her something personal to himself rather than something shiny. She would make a point of speaking to the Morelander later, he seemed interesting. The final petition came from a member of the kitchen staff, a young girl asking if for a favour, her brother was in the military and was the fifth generation of the family to serve should he serve five years then he would qualify his whole family to join the ranks of the Patricians, he was however seriously ill and likely to be dismissed from service just three months shy of the five years. "Your brother will join my household guard, on a....six months trial starting immediately." the Queen announced. The young girl began to cry realising what the Queen had just done for her family and moved towards the Queen to embrace her but a security agent stopped her, the Queen though rose and hugged the girl, "Lodja thanks your family for its devotion" the Queen kissed the girl on the cheek before releasing her hug.
"That concludes the Petitions" Besarian announced as Klara returned to her seat. "We may now enjoy the Queen's Breakfast." a screen that had been placed along the side of the room was wheeled away and a vast array of different foods and drinks were arranged, white jacketed servents entered the room with further trays and bottles as they mingled between the guests. The Queen stood and accompanied by her four ladies in waiting headed towards the food she pondered what to pick up, surely someone somewhere would judge her but she had little care now because she had spotted a chocolate cake. She picked up a knife and cut a large chunk away and placed it on a plate licking her fingers after doing so.
"Your Majesty" Lady Anna Immich whispered behind her, "You shouldn't be doing that, you should let me" she was too aware of the group who had followed them over, and waited for the Queen to take her first bite before eating themselves. The Queen turned, had blushed slightly but then shrugged her shoulders.
"I like chocolate, I like cake, I like chocolate cake.....they'll get over it" she picked up the wedge of cake and unceremoniously took a huge bite from it smears of the chocolate still around her lips, Lady Anna retreived a cloth and quickly set about trying to tidy the Queen up but the young monarch just laughed. "Anna, I am an 18 year old who has just assumed a throne, it didn't age me 20 years. I will still be an 18 year old so don't fuss if I smear my make up or eat cake. People will get over it" she said the final sentence rather loudly as she headed for the centre of the hall which was now filling with people mingling as the celebrations began.
Stasya had caught the eyes of King David on her as she had walked with the other Ladies in Waiting, she made a play of seeming to be embarassed at his gaze but it was merely a ploy. Now as they returned to the centre of the hall she gave a discreet little wave which brought a smile to David's face. The Queen headed towards Dragan who was talking business with some of his former colleagues, "I trust you were satisfied with my seating arrangements" the Queen asked the Finance Minister between bites of cake, it had been his idea to sit on floor level after he'd spent half an hour discussing her policies with her.
"Very wise choice Your Majesty" he said diplomatically.
"Now I'm sure the High Preistess wannabe made you some promises to get me the throne...what were they?" she asked, it was common knowledge such deals were done but no one ever spoke of them, nepotism was a way of life in Lodja and no agreement was ever reached about job appointments without a substantial amount of money or influence changing hands. The Four Ladies in Waiting looked nervously at each other, they'd suspected Tatiana would be a little rouge but this was totally off the map.
"My sister is to be appointed High Priestess to the Air Force when Alla makes appointments in the coming days." Dragan said nervously, he wasn't sure whether this would have moved him into Tatiana's bad books.
"Jasmina" Tatiana didn't take her eyes off Dragan but waited for the red headed Lady in Waiting to come forward, "Go tell Dragan's sister she is now High Priestess to the Air Force." Jasmina nodded and disappeared off to go and ensure the Queen's wishes were carried out. "Now you owe my your patronage and not Alla" Tatiana explained, "and in return a day will come when the Conclave discuss my wedding, when that day comes you will inform me of what gets said in that room and you will ensure I marry who I choose." Dragan nodded, he had to admit the Queen was very different to Viktoriya, she had taken a good month to get into the swing of her powers, Tatiana already had hit the ground running and was dismantling any favours people owed that could effect her. "What did Besarian ask for?" she demanded.
"A marriage between Anna Utkin and his brother" Dragan explained, it would bring more land into the Ivanov family and effectively ensure Anna would soon leave the Conclave once she had a child. "I'm not sure she'll be thrilled by that." he chuckled
"Very well, Besarian's brother is to marry Princess Alana." there was no hesitation, she had just thrown the former Queen's younger sister to a new marriage, "Besarian gets his power marriage but I don't lose my star councillor.....second star" she flashed Dragan a smile. "I believe now I undergo trial by broken foot" Dragan looked puzzled at his Queen's comments and even more so when she kicked off her shoes from under her dress, the long blue dress was purposely long enough to sweep the floor to give a Queen the appearence of floating as she moved, but now Tatiana was barefoot. She had manouvered to the edge of a wooden dance floor which had one or two people dancing to the orchestra but now without a partner Tatiana disappeared from her entourage with a twist and spinning leap as she solo'd onto the dance floor in her own little world determined to have a minute or two to herself on this special day. The Ladies in Waiting puzzled simply watched with Roksana left holding the shoes. As Tatiana stepped past, her eyes still closed she told them they were dismissed as she guided herself gracefully to the centre of the floor aware eyes were following her but not caring. It was now that one enterprising young Lodjian noble saw an oppurtunity.
Darya Natalka was the youngest daughter of the Baron of Natalka, and her father was rather a let down, he had spent the summer of her 17th year busy with work rather than arranging his daughter's introduction to high society, well Darya had decieded that if he wasn't going to do it then she would herself. She set herself off towards Emperor Orion and gave a deep curtsey as she reached him. "I'm so honoured, a real Emperor" she smiled, "I would be deeply deeply honoured if you'd come and dance with me Your Imperial Majesty" she held out a white lace gloved hand and smiled hoping he'd accept, after all no better way to get noble boys attention that being spotted with a royal.
Stasya was, as always, approached by several noble man asking her to dance, or to join them for a drink but she made a line for the pillar by which King David had been standing, she found him easy enough and bowed gracefully. "Your Majesty" she said loudly, "The Queen asks that I ensure our most valued friend is comfortable, she was most concerned for the health of your back, and suggested a stroll in the gardens may ease it?" it was a lie but of course David wouldn't say no, how could he say no to her. The King waited a second or two.
"If your Queen wouldn't mind, stretching my legs would be a pleasant relief" he made a point to place a hand in the small of his back, "I thank you for the escape and the company" the two linked arms and walked calmly towards the doors that lead to the exit and the interior walkways of the palace, they skirted the quads garden and Stasya lead them down a narrow corridor to a point where two guards stood watch over one of the private gardens of the Queen. Stasya explained the Queen wished her to show the King something and they passed with no issue, no sooner had they turned the corner than David wrapped her in his arms, their lips locking.
"Your beautiful" David said as he kissed her neck, his hands pulling her towards him. "I missed you" he said as he began staring into her eyes. Stasya felt his hand sliding her dresses flowing skirt up her leg but placed a hand to stop him.
"We don't have time for that" she grinned, "and not here. Tonight though, I'll come to your room once my duties are done." they kissed again before spendning a few moments alone in the garden. By the time they'd returned the Queen was mingling through the room and hadn't noticed the abscence of Stasya, in fact she'd already lost Jasmina sending her off to dance with Lennox whose wife had departed earlier, meanwhile she'd issued Lady Anna the job of keeping an annoying minor noble from bugging the Queen by taking him onto the dancefloor. Only Roksana remained with the Queen as she chatted with various people keen to have their moment with the Queen.
David and Stasya made a play of him thanking her for his walk as they returned and David made his way over towards Sir William his ambassador. "Your Majesty will you take some advice" William said a smirk on his face.
"Of course, you're my ambassador, so I value your opinion." the King said his eyes still fixed on Stasya.
"Go to the toilet, wash your face" William chuckled a little, "cos that shade of lipstick doesn't go with your eyes." he took out his phone and showed the King his own face in the front camera, the King had a tiny smear of lipstick on his right cheek. "I'll say nothing sir." William kept a straight a face as possible, he'd of course heard the court rumours of the King and Stasya but things like that were common in Lodja, "She's a beautiful women sir" he added as the King managed to scratch his beard all the way between the pillar and the bathroom.
