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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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.

There are no words that could possibly escape Jon's mouth. He clutches the paper as his face turns scarlet and possibly there are sputters coming from his mouth.

He eventually manages to gasp out, "Please Mithros let none of the council see that," before his head drops into his hands.

"Oh, but there's more," Lilly says brightly.

"I mean, I couldn't leave you out, your Highness. The other thing? With the rotating bit? That's for you."

At that, Alanna coughs and jumps to her feet.

"Right! I'll be back."

Still snickering a tiny bit, she grabs the loose pieces of paper and the thing in Thayet's hand, shoves them in the box and hurriedly removes said box from the hall.

It's a trip that serves two purposes, really. It gives her time to check on the frog currently spelled to stay in the pocket of Jon's dressing gown until discovered.

Jon looks gratefully at Alanna as she takes the...things out of the room. Not that he's not curious to discover what they're all about. Just not at his wedding reception.

He turns to Indy, hoping to change the subject. "And you must be Indiana Jones. I've heard a lot about you."

"That's right, your Highness. Doctor Indiana Jones at your service. Good to finally meet you."

Indy lends a charming smile, bows his head respectfully (if a little casually) and offers his hand to shake.

"I've heard plenty about you too. All good, of course." He smirks at the returning knight. "I hope the same's true in reverse. I can't imagine Alanna would have a single bad thing to say about me."

He glances at his companion.

"Lilly, on the other hand..."

Jon takes his hand and laughs. "All good. And trust me, I'm afraid of what Lilly would say about me as well." He pauses for a moment and considers, then adds, "No, I'm just mortally afraid of what she'll do to me if my guard is ever down."

"You're a wise man," Indy chuckles.

"I'm sleepin' with her, and I'm still pretty wary."

Jon's eyebrows shoot up, but he manages to keep his surprise under control. Though Lilly looks young, she's obviously very old in the physical sense.

"I think I would on guard every hour if I were in your shoes."

After giving Indy a speculative and not entirely approving look, Thayet turns to Lilly.

"On guard from what, exactly? She's harmless." A note of laughter in her voice, "especially in that dress. I'm glad it suits you so well."

Slightly out of breath, Alanna returns to her seat and grins.

"Harmless like a blow to the head," she laughs. "And I'm glad mine suits the hanger it's currently adorning."

"A toast to the happy couple."

There is a George - dressed in his finest and playing his Noble's roll to the hilt.

"Mozel tov!"

Alanna quirks an eyebrow, studying her friend with a smile. It never fails to amuse her what George picks up as bartender.

Lifting her glass, she winks at him.

"It's about time you put in an appearance."

"Quite," the Queen agrees, gaze warm as she takes a dainty sip. "You've been missed, Baron. Join us?"

He winks right back at Alanna.

"I've been here all along -" he says, grinning, " -it's no fault of mine that you failed to see me."

He bows low to Thayet. After all, proprieties must be observed.

"I had to be here. This is history in the making. You look radiant, your Majesty."

And much less audibly he adds:

"As though I would miss the marriage of two friends such as you and Jon..."

Gracefully inclining her head, Thayet smiles and leans forward.

"Thank you, my friend. We are both well aware that neither of us would be here without your help."

He shakes his head.

"I did what needed to be done. Nothing more. I'm just glad I was able to play my part."

He smiles.

"And it's good that Jon finally saw what the rest of us saw from the beginning.."

Curiously, "and what was that?"

She looks more than a little amused.

"That you're the best thing that's ever happened to him." he says, without any shame whatsoever.

"I certainly won't argue with that," she replies, brightly.

"Hang on. I will!"

A mischievous smile plays about Alanna's lips.

"She might be the most attractive thing that ever happened to him, but I'm clearly the best. After all, I saved his life and brought her here."

"Alright, see now this is where I promptly bite my tongue and say nothing, else she - " he points to Alanna, "- skewers me, either verbally or with her sword. And at this juncture, I'm not sure which is worse.Likely the words.."

He laughs.

"Besides, Alanna of Trebond - you're my best friend. I'm biased if I say it's you."

He smiles at Thayet.

"But in all seriousness, Congratulations to you. May your reign be long, prosperous and may you have many children ~~so that Jon will go gray young~~.. to carry on the Conte name."

Thayet laughs.

"It depends largely on who is going to be carrying these many, many children." She pats Jon's hand. "Perhaps we shall settle for a few. Thank you, George."

"Hmph. I suppose I shall let you live."

She smiles and seconds the toast.