and after the party it's the AFTER PARTY

[likemypicture]

[Tradition is Tradition.

Anne figures it's best to keep everyone busy in the aftermath of the trial, so she wrangles together a team of Mephisto, Santana, and Stephen to help her set up. Mephisto writes the notes and slides them under the door for Nana, Steven, and Christine, letting them know there's food and people in the dining room. The handwriting's not too great. Christine's note contains a 'P.S. If you don't feel up to it, I'll bring some food by later.' from Anne and a little doodle of Tad Cooper.


Thankfully, Anne has help setting up, so the weirdest of her food experiments don't make their way out of the kitchen. However, her platter of sandwiches does contain some interesting surprises--- you may find cheese and jelly, or peanut butter and chicken. There are normal things there too, though! And Biscuits, courtesy of Mephisto.

Their resident therapy dragon is on duty, too. Anne's made him a tiny crown for the event, and a regal little cape. He sits on a pillow in the middle of the dining room table, reigning proudly. ]

Comments

[likemypicture]

What are you talking about? There’s plenty to do. There’s an entire library, the moving pictures room, swimming in the pool, theres cooking to do during the day, a sauna...

[heathencall]

[Ah, a little closer to a smile this time.]

I've never swam before. Doubt I could, considering my injury.

[Maybe he'll be able to put his wing away after this, though]

[likemypicture]

Me either—- But it looks fun to try.
[She turns and tugs open the doors, continuing on.]

There’s a gym to exercise in, and the room with the computers, which I still don’t understand how to work—- and a bakery, to bake things in. Oh, and the room with electric games in it. There are plenty of ways to occupy your time here, other than brooding, no matter how tempting it is. Unless brooding makes you content. Then it may be important to brood.

[heathencall]

They are all very human things do enjoy, don't you think? [He trails after, slowed by his thoughts.]

What do you think it says about a demon, if he takes the time to enjoy such things.

[likemypicture]

I suppose so. I think about all the ways I occupied myself, alone in my palace — which I happened to own — they kept me sane. And content. And here—- we at least have a few others with us. If those wretched motives were not a thing, it may be a bit like a vacation.

I’m not sure. You’re the first one I ever met, and I’ve never thought much about what demons may enjoy doing.

[heathencall]

And yet, you know the most about my kind.

[Her faith comes in handy. What a twist of fate.]

What did you do when the weariness set in? When sanity frayed?

[likemypicture]

I’d write to my brother or sister, or turn to prayer. [She just knows he’s going to say something about that, so she moves along quickly.]

There were also periods of time where I was permitted to host my former step daughters as guests, which was much appreciated—- Mary was only a year younger than me, and we always got along quite well, until her own assent to being Queen— then she was much too busy. And Elizabeth was the closest thing to a daughter I was permitted. They would come separately, for a few weeks stay each time. Good company makes all the difference.

[heathencall]

[Mephisto definitely opened his mouth to quip on that, so well played Anne.]

You spent much of your life alone then, did you not?

[likemypicture]

For the second half of it. Until I was 25, I lived with my family—- my mother, my younger sister Amalia, and my brother William— my father as well, though he passed a year before I went to England. Then there were the six months with Henry—- [She glances back at him, and makes a face, trying to keep her humor about her.]

I was permitted at court, after that, on occasion. So it wasn’t as if I were banished and sent away to a life of isolation—- but it was lonely. I was horribly homesick. But we must each make the best with what we have.

[heathencall]

With luck, maybe you won't have to go back to whatever grave you wound up in. After your performances, that is.

Perhaps we can make your second life a little less lonely than the first.

[likemypicture]

Forget the performance— Richard left me his entire kingdom. That’s much better than a concert based on whose life was messed up worse by their ex.

Plus— I remembered that I got my song in. That’s the important part.

[heathencall]

Not much I could offer you to twist your soul now, is there?

[That's not a bad thing anymore. Not even for him.]

[likemypicture]

A solo, a crown, and an entire kingdom? No way!

You missed your chance—- When I thought Henry was after me, I would have made that deal.

[heathencall]

I could have. But I would have felt dirty.

[He's definitely not going to unpack any of that!]

I suppose I'll have to settle for the consolation prize: smugness over the fact that a good Catholic woman has befriended a demon.

[likemypicture]

It's a pretty good consolation prize, if I do say so myself. [She smiles at him-- realizing that due to their chatter, they've successfully made it through the death garden without her melting down! She briefly considers suggesting a high-five, then decides against it, nudging the stable door open to go see their poor, traumatized friend the horf.

She does stay firmly on the outside of the stall, just in case.]

Speaking of friends-- hey there, friend. Sorry I missed bringing your treat this morning.

[heathencall]

[While Anne stays outside of the stall, Mephisto stays several feet away from her. He doesn't outright glare at the horse, but he does have the good sense to be extremely wary. He'll be ready to defend Anne, at least.]

I tried to help Shilo ride it once. It bucked me off.

[likemypicture]

[Anne can't help but laugh at that, giving the horse a good stroke as she feeds it the apple.]

That's right darling, aren't you a good judge of character? [She coos at the horse, choosing to very carefully ignore that it's a murder horse now.]

[heathencall]

[More grumbling from Mephisto's direction, but he's at least wise enough not to be too loud about it. Best not provoke the murder horse.]

I was only trying to help her.