(Untitled)

[kitchen_maid]

Even with the chief conspirator rather definitely dealt with, there is rather a lot that has to be addressed in the wake of an attempted royal coup. The others involved must be located and taken care off, a nervous populace must be reassured

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[cutting_edgex23]

X has exchanged her torn and now bloodstained surcoat for another one in the same colors.

It is comfortable, and it does not hamper her mobility beyond acceptable levels.

Her shoulder, of course, is long-healed. This is the benefit of being a mutant.

The second benefit of her mutation is that she is not appreciably tired, and thus is making significant inroads in her rather primitive attempts at sandwiches.

They are good, though. So is the milk.

And eventually she will settle in one of the comfortable chairs, careful to keep from stepping on any of the toys.

X is good at being polite. Or at least she tries.

[parkerlee]

"This isn't a half bad look for you," Parker says smiling, coming to refresh her cup of tea.

The surcoat is pretty becoming, actually.

"Are you sure your shoulder is all right?"

Parker knows about Laura's healing ability, of course. At least in theory. But it's a lot different when you see your friend shot.

She just wants to be sure.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes," X says promptly. She does not even bring up her hand to the former position of the wound.

"It does not take long for me. To heal."

The tilt of her head as she studies Parker is slightly more pronounced than usual.

"You are okay, too?"

[parkerlee]

"Yeah, well. I still worry."

It's just Parker's way.

She takes a pretty long sip of tea before she answers.

"I'm okay. Tired. And still a little sore. And it's just starting to hit me that Oh my God--We got kidnapped by a dragon and some crazy man tried to take over the kingdom."

"But all in all? Okay."

Parker grins.

"And you don't know how glad I was to see you guys. You and 494 and Meg. Hell, even Logan."

Logan, Parker was glad to note, looks a hell of a lot better than he had the last time Parker had seen him.

[parkerlee]

Parker has had a very long, hot bath, and changed into a fresh dress. And she feels much better for both.

It has been a long, weird handful of days. But they've all made it to the Happily Ever After portion of the story. Well, except for Perry's evil uncle. Parker knows that she should probably be more upset/grossed out by what had happened in front of the palace.

On the other hand, evil uncle. The dude had totally had it coming. Parker just hopes Norman doesn't develop indigestion.

Parker helps herself to a cup of tea, and moves to sit in a deep armchair (after first relocating Merry's stuffed froggie). She discretely toes off her slippers under her long brocade skirt, and tucks her feet up under her.

She'll get up and talk to everyone in a minute. There are a LOT of details she wants to catch up on.

But for now it's nice to feel safe and comfortable.

[kitchen_maid]

"Parker, I am so terribly sorry about everything."

First things first.

[parkerlee]

The smile that Parker had worn at Amy's approach gives way to mild confusion.

"Sorry? Amy, you don't have anything to be sorry about."

It's not like anyone could have predicted that the king's evil uncle would have orchestrated a plot to take the kingdom via dragon-aided kidnapping.

[kitchen_maid]

"Still, you are my guest, and you got abducted by a dragon. I . . . I am very sorry you were . . .

"And I'm very glad you're all right," Amy concludes.

"You are all right, aren't you?"

[obligatoryass]

Logan's in dire need of actual sleep in a real bed, but he's a little antsy, and very, very hungry. Fortunately, he's got a sitting room full of food and comfy chairs to help ease the aches and pains from sleeping on a floor.

He makes himself a plate of snacks and sets to work devouring them.

[ever_noteful]

"So, do they have scooby snacks, Fred?"

[obligatoryass]

"Not that I've noticed," Logan says, laughing. "But then, I've only plowed through about half the eats so far, and I don't have my trusty talking dog here to sniff them out."

[ever_noteful]

"I honestly don't think I'd be all that surprised if a talking dog walked into the room, at this point.

"The Volkswagen van, though, would be weird.

"Doesn't that seem backwards?"

[ever_noteful]

Meg got a glass of cider and then retreated to the edge of the room, and settled in the window seat.

This whole thing is kind of overwhelming, and she's still trying to get her brain to accept that, yes, it all really happened.

[parkerlee]

"So, Ms. Ford," Parker says, smiling, coming over to lean against the window sill.

"You've hopped worlds, rooted out a conspiracy, and helped save a kingdom from hostile takeover."

"What are you going to do now?"

How far are they from Disney World?

[ever_noteful]

Meg looks up at Parker and holds out lock of still-damp-after-her-bath hair.

"Go back to a place with hair dryers."

And then she gets up to hug her friend.

"Are you all right?"

[parkerlee]

Parker grins, and gives Meg a tight hug back.

"I'm fine."

Tired. A little sore. Tired. Relieved. And tired.

But fine.

"How about you?"

[young_tmriddle]

Tom is most pleased to have fulfilled his mission, albeit in a most unusual way, and to no longer be on horse's back. Or a dragon's.

It's time for some mulled wine and celebration.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy is most pleased to have her husband and friend back safely, but she's also pleased to be able to take a few moments away from dealing with all the fallout, and from having to be Terribly Queenly.

It's time to visit with her friends.

"Tom," she says, coming towards him with both hands out. "We are ever so very in your debt."

(Give her a moment, Tom. It's hard to transition straight in and out of the court language and manners. She'll get there.)

[young_tmriddle]

He takes her hands and smiles. To be honest, he's not too jarred by the court language and manners.

"I should think we don't need that kind of thing. Debts and favors are for the Underside. I'm just pleased everything turned out so- well."

Because the dragon eating the bad guy is a good thing, right?

[kitchen_maid]

"Yes, quite.

"I think there is still some turning out to do, really, but the worst of it is over."

Perry is home. She can handle the rest.

"How was your trip, Tom?"