(Untitled)

[roleholders]

[ Pink concrete and carvings of hearts. A give-away already as to the identity of the owner of the Looking Glass. But that's all you'll get, a view of the pavement and the sound of rustling skirts. After all, a Queen does not show her face to her subjects.

Not yet. ]Welcome, everyone. You all seem to be looking quite well for foreigners who have

Comments

[madparade]

Oh, a tyrant queen. Haven't seen one of those around lately. And while I'm certainly no fan of the other two Roleholders either, especially that French-spouting Hatter git, I will say this - short of an actual hovel, castles are by far the least comfortable places to stay. Freezing in the winter, scorching in the summer, moldy, damp, drafty, and you're not even over water! Don't you have a palace instead, Queen Hearts?

[He offers a small bow as a courtesy, but only leans slightly at the waist, as if he was one royal person addressing another]

Nonetheless, I appreciate your invitation and shall do my best to make an appearance. I do rather enjoy ballroom dancing.

[roleholders]

So uncouth these new foreigners are. And so terribly uncute. [ She's not talking to you, loudly whispering to the side. She then clears her throat. ]

Very well. If you may so please, dear foreigner, you may sleep outside. We simply would not insist that you were to strain yourself sleeping in such a damp, drafty place.

[ And she doesn't appreciate that bow, England. ]

Then We would be happy to see you there.

[ Even queens make html errors, sorry. ]

[madparade]

U-uncute?! Like I would want to you to think I was, you --

[brief pause as he considers the consequences of insulting royalty that also happens to rule over this world. Eh, what the hell, it's not like she's his Queen anyway]

-- you hag!

[Besides, she called him ugly. That's just not on.]

[roleholders]

[ You simply don't insult the Queen, England. ]

You will rue the day that you make an enemy of this land's Queen. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD.

[madparade]

Try it. You wouldn't be the first royal I've beheaded, although you might be the ugliest.

[Not that he can see her face, but she insulted him first (sort of. Okay, in his head, she did). Fair's fair.]

No wonder this world's at war. All of you Roleholders are off your rockers.

[ . . . does this mean his invitation to the ball's rescinded?]

[roleholders]

That, We shall.

[ She's very beautiful. Really. ]

You are in Our territory, foreigner, not in that little world of yours and only We can send you back. Perhaps you would do better knowing Us first before spouting such words.

[madparade]

The fact that you and your lot have forcibly dragged children with no battle skills out of their worlds to fight in your ridiculous war tells me all I need to know. If you want to off this Hatter fellow so badly, do it yourself.

[roleholders]

Then that much should give you an idea.

[ And she's ignoring the last sentence. ] We shall still expect your attendance in upcoming ball. Don't forget now.

[madparade]

[He laughs a little at how easily the argument has been brushed away.] Royalty. It really is just like home.

And I wouldn't dream of turning down your generous invite. [He inclines his head.] Shall I wear a neck guard, just in case?

[roleholders]

How We sympathize with your monarchs back in your world, to be spoken to like this.

[ She laughs, amused. ] If you wish, if you're apprehensive enough to come to a little gathering.

[madparade]

[He shrugs.] That's what happens when a country is run by the will of its people rather than the whimsy of a possibly inbred monarchist. Freedom of speech and all that rot. We even have songs dedicated solely to mocking the queen. Would you like to hear one?

Hm . . . I think I'll pass. I can't really pull off hockey gear - I'm no Canada, after all.

[roleholders]

What boorish and uncultured people they are then.

Do as you please.

[madparade]

I'll have you know that my people are considered to be the epitome of class and sophistication! [They're really, really not. Even when sober.] And even if they weren't, at least they're free. Better to have the ability to speak your mind, whether it be crass or not, than a puppet trapped under the thumb of a dictator. Good lord, I'm beginning to sound like him now . . .

I always have.

[roleholders]

[ She now knows how to ire you, England. Beware. ] So you say. And We are simply assuming that you are the exception to this?

[madparade]

[Well, let's face it. There are a LOT of things that rile him up.]

Normally, I would be far more cordial, but there are some things that even a gentleman like myself cannot put up with. Tyranny, for one. Child soldiers, for another.

[roleholders]

A gentleman, you say? That We cannot see. After all just your actions just now disprove it, does it not?