peerless_thayet | (no subject)

(no subject)

Word spreads quickly through the city.

It was, the people say, an absolutely splendid ceremony, and a union obviously blessed by the gods. King Jonathan smiled upon his bride as if he could see no other, and indeed, Queen Thayet surely must be the most beautiful woman who ever lived.

There's no doubt it is a love match, young girls whisper and sigh.

The King's Champion, the Lioness, held her head high and grinned throughout the vows, kneeling and offering her sword and services to both King and Queen before the bells rang. Before the kiss.

Matrons huff and opine that the kiss had gone on a little too long for propriety, but they say so with a smile.

Nearly the entire city had turned out for the parade, and a good number had followed their rulers back through the imposing City Gate, eager to hear what they could of the evening’s festivities.

There's to be a feast, the men state, but nothing truly extravagant. Not during these times, with our current situation. But no one begrudges the newlyweds a banquet of sorts.

It's not hard to imagine: the King and Queen at the head table, the Lioness and her mysterious husband (she's married now, did you hear?) at the King's right hand, and all the nobles of the court raising their wine goblets in toast after toast.

And maybe, at the end of the night, carts laden with roast meat and bread will go out into the city. The people of Corus will sleep with full bellies and hope this evening.

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Adam wanders up from behind -- it's been a long long day, and smiles are nice, but hugs are nicer -- and wraps his arms around Alanna.

Hugs are definitely appreciated. Alanna leans back and gives him a sappy smile, snickering when Buri makes a disgusted noise from across the way and holds her goblet out for more wine from a passing page.

"I think I left you some roast sweetmeats, but it was a near thing."

The call goes up for another toast, and her smile widens as she lifts her water glass.

"Roast sweetmeat?" Lilly asks, arching an eyebrow as she wanders over with Indy close behind.

"You guys have the weirdest pet names. Seriously, that sounds like you're talking about Indy's ass post-adventure or something."

Indy has been fairly quiet during proceedings so far, and not just because he thinks he looks foolish in the leggings Thayet left him to wear. It's the first time he's been back in Tortall since last summer, when he saw Delia's trial. A few glasses of Olau's finest seem to have loosened him out of his introspection though.

He is not so far behind and not so caught up in fiddling with his tunic that he doesn't catch Lilly's remark.

"I think you're the only one who would judge my ass to be a sweetmeat, princess," he chuckles. "And I think I still have the bite marks to prove that."

Given their history with meat, Alanna turns instantly scarlet and lifts a slice of roast on her fork, waggling it in Lilly's direction.

"I was being literal! And, please. No further discussion of Indy's ass during the meal."

She can't help a small giggle.

In the middle of being congratulated by a diplomat from Galla, Thayet looks over, amused, and quirks an eyebrow.

The man melts back into the crowd, allowing her a quick word.

"Champion, these people are our guests. If they prefer to talk about their backsides, we will let them."

"I would actually prefer to congratulate the Queen," Lilly says, sweeping an impressive curtsey.

"You look hot. If I actually lived here, I'd totally swear allegiance and whatever to you."

"Thank you," Thayet says smoothly, for all that she wants to stammer. It's not Lilly; she's well-used to Lilly's peculiar sense of humor by now. No, it's just... Queen.

"You also look lovely. I do hope you've been entertained thus far."

Adam laughs, and shuffles a bit, a grin on his face.

"I don't think you want to know what would keep Lilly entertained."

Jon turns to the coversation at this and grins.

"As long as it doesn't involve me and a tiara, I'll be happy." He thinks for a moment, then quickly adds, "Or anything covered in feathers or glitter."

Watch the smart man cover his bases.

"Or anything smelling or not smelling of sulfur," Alanna adds, serene.

Yeah, that gets a facepalm.

"Certainly not here."

Lilly smiles, sweet and not-at-all innocent.

"Yeah, because a few minor restrictions like those are going to stop me from having fun."

She sighs heavily.

"You people have no faith in my imagination, do you? Oh, actually? That reminds me. Thayet, I have a special wedding present for you."

She's a married woman now. Lilly feels no further obligation to respect that charming innocence. If, um, she ever did.

"Sulfur?" Thayet gives Alanna a quizzical look.

Turning to Lilly, the new queen blushes prettily and shakes her head, covering Lilly's hand with her own.

"There was no need for gifts, but I thank you all the same."

Jon suddenly has that slightly panicked look on his face that he seems to have a lot when Lilly is around.

"Yes, a gift was really not necessary. We're just pleased you could come."

He looks to Alanna for support. This is probably a mistake.

Undoubtedly.

Actually, that would be a firm yes.

Alanna laughs in his face, but she does so with love.

Indy had narrowed a suspicious eye at Alanna and Adam when the sulfur had been mentioned, but it's been replaced by chuckling now. He doesn't know what the gift is, but he does know Lilly. He's reasonably assured that priceless expressions aren't far away.

Jon groans. "I believe I may be doomed." He puts his arm around Thayet's waist, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Of course you're not doomed," Lilly assures him. "Or at least, you're not doomed because of this."

She holds up a beautifully wrapped box, not huge but large enough to contain more than one... "item."

"Here you go!"

The paper alone is unlike anything Thayet has ever seen. It's downright shiny. Smiling, she gingerly peels the paper, taking care not to tear it.

In a moment, Jon is going to be very thankful she's opening this in her lap.

"There will be no further talk of doom this evening." Opening the box, she lifts something long and smooth, eyeing it was curiosity. "My lord? Have you seen one of these before? Ah, it appears to have directions."

If she turns it over, there's a wiggly bit she may in time get very fond of. Lilly grins.

"Yeah, I wrote them myself. The manual was fine as far as it went, but it really didn't go that far. I even drew you illustrations!"

A scurrilous grin breaks across Indy's face as he peers at the gift.

"What a perfect gift. Heh. If you need more batteries at any point, I'm sure Bar'll be happy to oblige."

Adam supposes this may not be the time and place to mention that there are people who could make it not need batteries.

He mentions it anyway.

For some reason no one there could POSSIBLY guess, Alanna looks smug. And then vaguely horrified.

Strained, "perhaps you should wait to open the rest of that in your room this evening."

She tries to hold it back. Really, she does. "If Jon lets you get that far."

Although bemused, Thayet is not an idiot. Eyebrow arched, she glances again at the instructions she had pressed into Jon's hand. Coloring slightly, she then eyes the box.

"I suspect I have never, nor shall ever again, receive a gift quite like this."

A diplomatic response. And that is why Thayet will be a good queen.