Terre Haute expedition: Camping Day 1

[lord_wizard]

[It's been a more or less uneventful day of travel for the expedition team. Not unexpected for the first leg of such a trip, and with any luck, it will stay that way.

As the sun starts to get low in the sky, Felix signals the group with a sharp whistle to stop, shortly after he feels the change. They've entered the Dead Zone. That sudden loss of power for anyone used to that sort of thing. Not an easy thing to adjust to, at first.]

"We've crossed into the border of the Dead Zone now. We should stop here for the night. Those of you with experience, help set up camp as needed. And I recommend a few of you working out a watch schedule. You never can tell what might be out here."

SET UP | CAMPFIRE | IN THE NIGHT

Comments

[last_rat_standing]

[Staring, hmm? He notices that staring and the next time she strolls near he'll be staring right back, meeting her gaze with impunity.]

[ensorceler]

[ When their eyes finally meet, Anne will attempt a polite smile and nod of her head in acknowledgment, lifting her skirt in the barest of a curtsy. ]

[last_rat_standing]

[Wearing a skirt on an expedition into the wilderness... Between that and the curtsy he hazards a guess as to who she may be. M had told him that there was royalty here. He had a good inkling that she may be one of them. He sits up a little straighter and returns that nod]

Ma'am.

[ensorceler]

Sir. You are...?

[last_rat_standing]

Bond. James Bond.

[He inclines his head again. He's polite enough not to ask her name in return, as curious as he is to know it.]

[ensorceler]

[ At least James is a familiar name, having grown used to the strangest names in this world. Little things like that make her feel more comfortable, and her smile comes easier as she steps closer to hold out her hand. ]

I would do well to know all who join me on this journey to uncover the truth, and so I am glad to learn your name. I am Anne Boleyn, consort to his Majesty King Henry the Eighth of England, and Lady Regent of Cair Paradisa.

[last_rat_standing]

[Bond stands, gently taking her hand and leaning down to lay the briefest of kisses on her knuckles before straightening and releasing her hand.]

My apologies, Your Magesty. I didn't recognize you in this light. I had heard you were in the castle. It's an honor to meet you.

[ensorceler]

[ She looks beyond pleased at his reaction, quickly forgiving him for his strange garb in the process. Manners are even rarer than Christian names here, it seems. ]

Who did you hear from, if I might ask?

[last_rat_standing]

[Hey he usually wears a suit, though he's not about to go tromping through the woods in one. He straightens, not meeting her eyes as he replies]

My employer, M.

[ensorceler]

[ She assumes he's just saying 'Em', although Emma is a short enough name, does it really need a nickname? ]

How does she fare? I had hoped she would find someone to handle her gently, for she was in such a fearful state when first I met her.

[last_rat_standing]

[M really needs to get her aliases straight. Of course why she doesn't just use her real name is beyond him.]

Fearful? [He raises an eyebrow] Ah yes, she'd just arrived. [He nods slightly] She's healing and is quite herself again.

[ensorceler]

How is it you serve her?

[last_rat_standing]

[Normally he'd spin something about her just being his employer but, well, this is the Queen of England. If there's ANYONE he can tell about MI6 she's right in front of him]

She heads an organization that works to protect Queen and Country from any threats that seek to harm it when, shall we say, normal methods fall short. We combat many threats that most don't believe even exist.

[He pauses briefly, a confident smirk on his lips]

I'm the best agent she's got.

[ensorceler]

[ Her eyes widen a bit. Good God, that was the last thing she expected to hear. She almost says 'What of your king?', but she recalls what Sherlock said about the crown. Her heart jumps to her throat, and she reaches out to take his hand. Totally forgetting the entire trip for a few seconds, desperate for some kind of validation regarding home. ]

If you are correct, tell me true, has the Crown become such a laughingstock?

[last_rat_standing]

[He lets her take his hand, honored that she would reach out in such a familiar gesture. Her words strike home, however, and he frowns slightly]

To some, yes. The monarchy has certainly changed. There have been a number of scandals in recent years that have tainted the view of the royal family, I'm sorry to say. The Prime Minister is the head of Her Magesty's Government.

[He doesn't dare give her hand a reassuring squeeze, though he badly wants to do so. His eyes meet hers, the depth of his words and their unspoken promise evident within them]

But there are those of us who remain loyal.

[ensorceler]

[ Words still fail her at this news. It isn't as reassuring as it should be, but then she thinks this is all her fault. And maybe Henry's fault as well for not trying harder to find Elizabeth a husband, not that she'd ever utter such words against her king.

She needs to remind herself this is a dream. A dream, a dream, a dream. But she doesn't know what a Prime Minister is, and still feels pangs in her gut as she lets him go and turns away, voice deadpan. ]

From how it sounds, there is nothing left to be loyal to. As to be expected, nobody would take a female monarch seriously. The fools. Is it any wonder that they found a way to make her even less powerful?