(Untitled)

[a_lioness]

[OOM: Before a startling proclamation is read, Jon informs his champion of its contents. She definitely approves.]

Having a dream come true is wonderful.

Having another dream come true might be an embarrassment of riches, Alanna thinks as she shoves open the door with her shoulder, wearing full court dress and a distinctly smug smile. (Or, if

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[princejonathan]

Another formally dressed figure follows Alanna through the door a few minutes later. Jon grins at her slightly unsteady form and crosses over to her.

He leans over and says slightly louder than necessary in her ear, "So I see Gary introduced you to his new hobby."

[a_lioness]

Alanna jumps.

Odd, Jon isn't very sneaky. She can usually hear him coming. He must have used his Gift to dampen the sound.

Content with this explanation, she makes a face at him.

"Must you shout in my ear?"

She's forgotten for the moment how amazing and wonderful and magnanimous he is.

"Hobby?" Blink, blink.

[princejonathan]

"Yes," Jon replies simply with a grin, then slides into the seat next to her.

"I have driven him to drink. The paperwork has made him mad and he is giving it all up to start a vineyard." Jon looks at Alanna solemnly.

[a_lioness]

"Lies. He loves the paperwork. It makes him feel whole," she announces, driving her point home with a firm nod.

She sighs happily, reaching over to pat his hand.

"I do love you, Jon."

[princejonathan]

"Excellent point. Now I don't feel as guilty."

Jon laughs, patting her hand in return. "I love you too, Alanna. I should get Gary and Raoul to break out the wine more often."

He grows slightly more serious, though he is still smiling. "So you approve of our actions today?"

[a_lioness]

Both eyebrows shoot up.

"Said I loved you, didn't I?" she grumbles. "And you're just as guilty, or have you forgotten that bottle before we entered the audience room?"

Pointed stare.

"Don't tell Thayet I said that."

[princejonathan]

Jon raises his eyebrows.

"And what are you going to do for me to keep me from talking?"

Yes, even a king is not above blackmail. Cue evil grin.

[a_lioness]

"If I didn't know any better, I would swear you were flirting with me," she sniffs, reaching over Bar in search of a bottle of something preferably alcoholic. "Probably shouldn't tell Adam, either."

[princejonathan]

"Oh no, I'm not flirting. I'm thinking about chores, paperwork possibly." He puts a hand his chin, stroking it in mock-thought. "Particular state balls I don't feel like attending..."

[a_lioness]

Alanna doesn't look up, but her voice is deadly serious as she says, "Suggest it, and I'll throw you in the lake."

There's a throaty noise of success, and she pulls a bottle of amber liquid onto the counter.

Two glasses appear beside it.

"Now, where were we?"

[princejonathan]

Jon grins but doesn't say anymore on the subject. He raises an eyebrow at the bottle. "Apparently continuing to celebrate?"

[a_lioness]

"Quite so," she beams. It's followed by a suspicious look. "Why, do you have somewhere you need to be?"

Of course he has somewhere he needs to be. He's the king. But the correct answer is that there's nowhere else he would rather be.

Right?

[princejonathan]

"Not at the moment, Lioness."

He takes the bottle and pours out two glasses, then raises one in salute. "To a bright new future for our kingdom."

[a_lioness]

"Aye," she agrees. "And to all the little girls who want more out of life than the convent and court balls."

She wrinkles her nose, then takes a large drink and smiles.

"I like Thayet's plan."

[princejonathan]

Jon drinks as well, and smiles at Thayet's name.

"I married a very intelligent woman." His grin turns even more wicked. "Oh, the council's faces when I announced that she would be commanding the Riders. And fighting with them."

[a_lioness]

Alanna snorts, eyes dancing with amusement at the thought. It's a pity she hates attending meetings so much; every now and then she wishes she had the talent of turning invisible so she could drop in unannounced when she wishes, and leave the same way.

"Several of them were probably in danger of choking on their outrage. But she's a warlord's daughter. Surely they didn't expect her to be completely passive. If they give you too much trouble, simply remind them of the alternative." She smiles slyly. "I could have said yes."