Speech Thirteen: "I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married."

[someday_a_queen]

 [She'd been hesitant to open another package from the town, but curiosity wins out and soon Elizabeth is smiling again, spreading out her books on the table. Housemates feel free to notice her looking them over.

/Filtered away from Spain]

I know this may sound like an odd request. However the town does not supply many books on the history of other

Comments

[cramschoolgod]

[Hmm, a good enough reason as any to review some of her studies...]

I've studied European history to some extent. By all accounts, the reign of Elizabeth was a stable and lengthy one. How much do you want to know?

[someday_a_queen]

That is fine with me.

[OOC: Timeskip?]

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[cramschoolgod]

[[ooc: yyyyup, sure!]]

[At about five minutes before eight, Sasaki's knock can be heard at the door.]

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[someday_a_queen]

[And Elizabeth will answer the door.]

Hello.

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[cramschoolgod]

[Sasaki's gaze travels almost involuntarily across her body, as she's curious if there are any physical differences between someone of five hundred years ago--teeth quality, probably, though other hygiene-related matters may not have visible effects, depending on how long she's been in Mayfield and what she's picked up... It's both out of curiosity and out of a wish to verify her identity if possible.]

Ah, hello. We spoke on the phone, I think. I'm Sasaki.

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[someday_a_queen]

[Elizabeth has been here almost half a year so it's rather hard to tell with the hygiene thing. However her clothes are all as modest as possible and she wears the longest dress she can find.]

A pleasure to meet you. I am Elizabeth Tudor. Please come in.

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[cramschoolgod]

[She notes the anachronistic--though perhaps that's not entirely true considering the setting--clothes and mentally shrugs: that's probably the best she could hope for. She walks in.]

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm honored to meet you.

[She glances around the home. Not particularly different from most Mayfield homes, of course.]

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[someday_a_queen]

[Elizabeth nods and walks towards the living room.]

They're in here.

[She has her books lain out on the table. Along with her lute and a small portrait.]

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[cramschoolgod]

Ah, I see. [Sasaki first goes to the portrait. She's least experienced with art, so her scan of it will probably be most perfunctory, after all. She looks it over for signs of its provenance, but she isn't knowledgeable enough to glean much. She turns to Elizabeth.]

This is a portrait of your mother, you said?

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[someday_a_queen]

Yes...my mother.

[After years of being in court she is able to keep her face a calm mask.]

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[cramschoolgod]

Correct me if I'm wrong: your mother was Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry the VIII.

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[someday_a_queen]

Yes, that is correct.

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[cramschoolgod]

[She lays down the picture.]

Would you mind my asking what your opinions on your father are?

[She meanwhile turns some of her attention to the lute, first scanning it to make sure there aren't any anachronistic metallic strings. Checking for the temperament system would probably be hopeless, given that Elizabeth has probably had it for a while. But she examines the craftsmanship carefully.]

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[someday_a_queen]

My father was a great man. I admired him very much.

[And you're getting the response she gives to everyone. Because after all, she's only just met you.

Also the lute is quite well made, though a little worn. It's also from the era she says it is, so there's nothing that looks like it was made in the future.]

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[cramschoolgod]

Hmm, I see.

[Not satisfied with that political answer, but didn't expect anything else. She is, however, satisfied with the lute: if it was a forgery, this level of forgery could not have originated in Mayfield, so it seems likely to be real. Finally, feeling excited, she turns to the books, examining the material, the titles and the condition that they're in, as well as the binding, printing, and lettering on the covers before even thinking about opening them.]

[action]

[someday_a_queen]

[Just watches her. The books are all the sorts of books she would normally have in her lessons. A few on logic, languages and other things. They are of course, also from the correct time period.]