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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 20, 2017 6:51:48 GMT -5
Richard smiled, relaxing back slightly to let the horse know it's speed was acceptable. "Makes a lot of sense if you ask me," he said "If I had a piece of metal in my mouth I wouldn't like it to be yanked backwards, a slight tug would be enough." As they left the stables, and entered into the rolling meadows just outside Richmond palace he could feel himself relaxing more, his shoulders depressing and the doublet looking just a little looser. He let his hair roam free and the twine tying it fell to the ground. The poker-straight locks moved up and down with the movement of the horse, spreading themselves into a free mane.
"I suppose you wouldn't make a bad wife," he said, smiling a little and flashing her a tempting look. "But aren't I supposed to ask your living male relatives first?" he asked, letting himself relax slightly further in the saddle as the horse came to a gentle walk over a wild-flower meadow.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 20, 2017 12:29:07 GMT -5
"Oh, yes, quite sure." Marion replied "He intends to marry her whether the Pope approves of it or not, and she maintains that her first marriage was not consummated. I think it is a bad move personally, but of course I dare not say so lest your brother hear of it or lest people think I am only saying it out of jealousy."
She was scared to share her opinion. Always had been. And she knew when she should be keeping her mouth shut. She felt that she was safe here, though, and that she could trust Margaret, even if she was heavily involved in the whole situation. She felt like Margaret wouldn't betray her trust or get her into trouble. At least Marion hoped that she wouldn't. It would be awful if she did.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 20, 2017 19:00:45 GMT -5
[[Alright everybody I'm going to be an asshat and post only this reply today cause I'm real tired and it's late]] "Oh, yes, quite sure." Marion replied "He intends to marry her whether the Pope approves of it or not, and she maintains that her first marriage was not consummated. I think it is a bad move personally, but of course I dare not say so lest your brother hear of it or lest people think I am only saying it out of jealousy." She was scared to share her opinion. Always had been. And she knew when she should be keeping her mouth shut. She felt that she was safe here, though, and that she could trust Margaret, even if she was heavily involved in the whole situation. She felt like Margaret wouldn't betray her trust or get her into trouble. At least Marion hoped that she wouldn't. It would be awful if she did. Margaret pressed a hand to her forehead in worry. Her breathing started to get heavier -- as indicated by the frequent swelling and dipping of her breasts peeking out of her corset. Oh god. God indeed. What would he do? The idea of her brother breaking the word of god -- what would come of England? War's, famine, plauge? No...she remembered it now, the verse was pristine clear in her mind. If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.Childless...what would become of England, her true country, her home, if no heir was found for the throne? Would they sit her son on the throne, if she managed to produce a living one? But perhaps there would be another war -- another war of the roses. She couldn't let that happen. But, one child-laden women could not work alone. She'd need help. And while, quite honestly, she hated alligences borne out of bribery, she needed help now. Before she went down this road -- she looked to the sun, just starting to crawl under it's covers of dusk-hood. There, situated against the fading orange light, brunette hair threatning to break her traditional gable hood, she said; "Tell me, Marion, What does your heart truly desire? What can I...do for you, if I owed you a favour?" She smiled, it was nice to hear someone saying what she believed so strongly. "Pilgrim is a good boy and he will put up with pretty much anything." She said gesturing to Richards chestnut mount. "Even so he would appreciate it if you were nice." She said with a smile.
The air out here was much fresher than that in the palace, unpolluted by the stench of fires and manure. The flowers bloomed beautifully and the black beast beneath her pranced eagerly. She placed her palm on the horse's neck calming him back to a walk, she didn't think her riding companion was ready to go faster just yet. He looked relaxed, at ease in the saddle and she found herself looking at him properly for the first time.
He was a rather dashing man, and although she had never had much time for men she couldn't deny his attractiveness. She chuckled at his comment, she had never even considered the prospect of marriage, she had never had time. "Yes you could try that. I wouldn't hold out much hope though." She had no idea how her father would react to the question, the drunken fool could barely formulate a sentence most days. Richard ran his fingers through the caramel coloured mane of his mount. The horse moved his head into his hand in appreciation of the affection, and Richard found himself surprisingly happy at the bond he'd created with the animal. He was the master, and yet he also needed his servant -- so much so he put his life in his hands. It reminded him of his own job in a way -- King's were the masters, he was the servant, but it did take a certain degree of trust to have someone so close to you in life. And Richard had failed his last master, as god as his witness he would not fail this one. But, his thoughts were drawn from thoughts of Henry and the lady Annette when Brinn mentioned her father. He, too, knew what it was like to have family secrets hidden from view. And by now, he'd hoped there was enough trust between them to ask what it was all about. "There sounds like there's a story behind that phrase?" he said, hoping he wasn't making a mistake by asking. [[Question, Kurai, after your next response can I skip till the evening when they start the journey with Annette and Henry?]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 20, 2017 19:06:34 GMT -5
"Ah, well that would depend on what you need of me, my lady. I shall need to know what you want me to do before I state my terms" Marion replied
The woman knew her way around the courts and she knew by now to wait to find out what the other person wanted of you before stating what you wanted. Otherwise it wouldn't be worth it, and then you'd regret it.
It wasn't that she was distrustful of Marion, but she was simply afraid that she would end up risking something big, even her life, for something she didn't truly want
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 8:13:56 GMT -5
[[And I'm awake]]
Margaret nodded. That seemed understandable. Silently, she prayed. She prayed that this wouldn't be a vile, awful mistake and that nothing sour would come of it. But she just had -- had to -- stop this marriage. Otherwise, her brother would fade away -- unmarked by a child to continue his line.
"Leviticus 20:21. If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless. A childless marriage would bring about another succession war -- and while I was born after the last one, the stories are still...horrid to remember. No, we should be warring against the french and other such distasteful countries," she started, knitting her fingers together to remain a correct appearance.
"While I admire, and am fond of both my brother and the Dowager-Queen Katherine, I would think it cruel to marr them childless -- and my duty to England is beyond my love for them as people, as it should be. I...We...cannot allow this to happen. We must stop it."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 21, 2017 9:27:24 GMT -5
"Very well," Marion agreed with a nod of her head "Have you a plan for how to do it then? What do you want me to do?"
She assumed that the lady must have some sort of idea of what she wanted Marion to do. Surely not murder? Surely she did not have such things on her mind? Marion would not likely be doing that, not for anything. Not unless it really was necessary for everything to be okay.
No, it could very well be murder, knowing the royals. This would completely be a murder worthy event in their family, come to think of it. They took these sorts of things very seriously.
Still, did she seruously see it as such a direct situation that it required the murder of the potential queen.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 9:59:25 GMT -5
"The easiest option would be to prove Katherine is no longer a virgin," Margaret started. "However, this could be...hard to prove. Perhaps trying to get another match sorted, between her and another monarch. It would be for the best, no? I do truly wish for her to be happy again, with children in her belly and a loved one in her heart," the Scottish Queen said, hands slipping down to her waistline as she thought of her unborn. Of course, she had doubts about what she was doing. Her brother may find out, Katherine may find out...but England had to come first. Before the King to-be, before Katherine of Aragon...and before herself.
"Perhaps you could be aligned with Katherine in some way, and while I hunt for a suitable match, you could suggest to her unsavory things about my brother. And then, once this dreadful business is over, all we can do is pray that God will still have mercy on our souls," she said, grasping her rosary beads around her neck and silently praying.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 21, 2017 10:19:21 GMT -5
"He will," Marion reassured the other woman "God will see that we are doing toe right thing, and so long as we are not deceiving I see no reason why we should be diminished in the eyes of God."
She paused though and bit her lip "But what if she is not lying and her first marriage really was not consummated? What if she is being honest and her marriage to the Prince is not a sin? Maybe we are shouldn't do this"
Marion was nervous, doubtful, unsure. She knew what she was getting into and she felt that she should know that what she was doing was worth it if she was going to actually go through with it. She couldn't just go into this without considering that Catherine of Aragon was actually telling the truth and that she was not lying. She couldn't do this blindly. That wasn't the sort of person Marion was - she had never been one to go into a situation without analysing all of the risks and all of the benefits. She just wasn't impulsive like that. Though perhaps it would do her good if she was like that. It would mean a lot less worrying for her, at the very nest, and sometimes she felt she could do without worrying so much.
But she had always found her qualities an advantage in court, keeping her out of trouble and firmly in the royal family's good books. It kept her head firmly on her neck and her family reputation intact.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 10:35:25 GMT -5
"We will be deceiving the King," Margaret pointed out. "However, I have got connections in Rome...the pope might clear our sins himself," she said, partly assuring herself as well as attempting to assure Marion. However, thinking about the last question Marion posed she took a few minutes. But eventually came to the conclusion, where she shook her head.
"No..I remember Arthur. I remember how he acted -- how he reacted. I highly doubt he would have left a bride a virgin on her wedding night. Especially one as beautiful as Catherine...No, I cannot be one hundred percent certain without investigating myself, but I would wager she is not a virgin. And how could I blame her for saying she is? To remain unmarried and childless like that...when she was promised a seat as Queen of England? No -- I too, could see the temptation in lying," Margaret concluded. It had to be that. It had to be.
But one matter still remained -- one question still unanswered. "You still haven't told me your heart's desire," Margaret said.
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Post by ashrain on Jan 21, 2017 16:30:57 GMT -5
mark this looks rlly interesting
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 17:39:58 GMT -5
I'm not going to be on tonight. Out with friends) [[Wow Kurai how dare you for having a life outside an online rp....xD but seriously though, go have fun!]]
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 17:40:14 GMT -5
mark this looks rlly interesting [[Who is mark?]]
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Post by ashrain on Jan 21, 2017 17:45:01 GMT -5
it's short for bookmark. I marked it because it looks interesting and I am considering joining but am not sure.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 17:47:18 GMT -5
it's short for bookmark. I marked it because it looks interesting and I am considering joining but am not sure. [[Ohhhh gotcha. Sorry I'm really slow on picking things up. But thank you for your interest and any questions (like any, even if it seems like a dumb or insignificant question) just ask. I'm always happy to create new characters for new scenarios as well, to compliment your characters. Even if you decide not to join, thank you for the interest. ]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 21, 2017 17:48:33 GMT -5
(OMG sorry I missed your reply)
"Honestly, I still have not told you because I do not know what it is thay I actually want. I want my parents to be happy but there's nothing you can do to help with that. The only way they'll be happy is when they hear I'm married and I don't intend to do that until after the price is married. I don't know, your majesty" Marion admitted with a sigh "I'm really sorry, truly I am"
She had no idea what she wanted, absolutely no idea. She had spent so long trying to be what others wanted her to be that she hadn't even considered taking the time to work out what it was she wanted. She probably should have, but she wasn't sure she cared. She didn't think Margaret could provide what Marion wanted even if Marion actually knew what it was she wanted, so what was the point? Why even bother trying when you knew nobody would be able to give you what you want? Marion had never seen any point in it.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 18:00:07 GMT -5
(OMG sorry I missed your reply) "Honestly, I still have not told you because I do not know what it is that I actually want. I want my parents to be happy but there's nothing you can do to help with that. The only way they'll be happy is when they hear I'm married and I don't intend to do that until after the prince is married. I don't know, your majesty" Marion admitted with a sigh "I'm really sorry, truly I am" She had no idea what she wanted, absolutely no idea. She had spent so long trying to be what others wanted her to be that she hadn't even considered taking the time to work out what it was she wanted. She probably should have, but she wasn't sure she cared. She didn't think Margaret could provide what Marion wanted even if Marion actually knew what it was she wanted, so what was the point? Why even bother trying when you knew nobody would be able to give you what you want? Marion had never seen any point in it. [[Hah totally okay no problem xD. I do that all the time to Bloodrose on her rp.]] Margaret smiled. She saw a lot of herself in the young girl -- an ambitious, personable young thing. But still she was undercut by that yearning desire to please her family. Margaret had the same desire, it was why she'd gotten married so young -- only fourteen -- to a man of thirty years. Now she was almost twenty -- just a few steps away from true womanhood. She knew how it felt to be so young and so focused on one thing...parental approval. "My dear," she said, grasping her hands around hers and showing a kindness in her eyes she wish she'd seen at that age. "Perhaps what I could do is find you a husband -- someone young, and handsome. With a very good title. But someone who will let you go about your business, as long as you let him go about his. Your parents would be very very pleased -- as would his, because there are many young lords who desire to please their parents too."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 21, 2017 18:05:52 GMT -5
There was something so strange, so real, so warming, about the way Margaret grasped Marion's hands and the kindness in which she looked at her. There was something like recognition in Margaret's eyes in that moment, which Marion found incredibly comforting. It felt warm and familiar.
"You would really do that for me, Your Majesty?" Marion asked, swallowing "Thank you so much. I appreciate it - it's a very kind gesture. I'll do what you want me to do, then, and neither of us will speak another word on the matter until we either succeed or fail"
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 21, 2017 18:18:33 GMT -5
There was something so strange, so real, so warming, about the way Margaret grasped Marion's hands and the kindness in which she looked at her. There was something like recognition in Margaret's eyes in that moment, which Marion found incredibly comforting. It felt warm and familiar. "You would really do that for me, Your Majesty?" Marion asked, swallowing "Thank you so much. I appreciate it - it's a very kind gesture. I'll do what you want me to do, then, and neither of us will speak another word on the matter until we either succeed or fail" "Of course. I don't have many who would be kind enough to share my views. Besides, you could have run away with the secret of the child inside of me but yet you didn't -- I am...grateful, for that," The Scottish Queen said, maintaining her look of happiness for her newfound friendship with Marion. Together, the two women could stop England from falling to the ungodliness of her brother's desires. The sun was now almost completely set and the night would soon be upon them. Margaret knew that while the palace grounds were uncommonly thieved, they sometimes held place for some...unsavory behavior involving Lords and young girls...and sometimes, god forbid, young boys. "Meet me tomorrow after mass, round the back of the chapel. Make some excuse to get away from Catherine. I'll have a more solid plan by then," she said, and sped back to her rooms in the palace.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 22, 2017 10:10:16 GMT -5
(I'm guessing we're skipping?)
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 22, 2017 10:47:27 GMT -5
She rode happily alongside him, her sable mount with its head held high, looking about them eagerly. Much like his rider the horse was clearly eager to be out of the dark barn and feeling the fresh air on his face. It was rare she got to actually ride out now, she had taken on much of her fathers workload and found little time for herself.
Her riding companions voice bought her thoughts back to the conversation and she glanced in his direction. Of course there was a story behind it, one she wasn't sure if she should be ashamed of. Of course she had no effect on her fathers life but somehow she couldn't help but feel responsible.
"I don't remember the last time I held any sensible conversation with my father. He drinks a lot you see, and I think it has had an effect on his mind." She admitted quietly. "He was never a pleasant man to begin with but this need to drink has made him more so." “Ah,” Richard said, respectful of the story but unphased by it. It didn’t change how he thought of Brinn – she was still an incredible women. “Never taken to drink myself. Of course, I have a whisky now and then if the King’s offer but it just tastes bitter – like something unholy and vile,” he added, remembering how long it took for him to understand why men become obsessed with the stuff. However, Richard had his own obsessions, every man did. But Richard’s were a little more…savoury – such as his acclimation to catholisism or being a good chamber-boy. He was also quite the fan of literature, whenever he could get his hands on a good book. But right now, all those things were far from his mind. He should have been thinking about the horse – but he wasn’t. He was just bobbing along, not realising how long he had been looking at Brinn. But that’s what he’d been doing. The copper curls shimmering in the wind, reflecting a beautiful orange glow against the setting sun. Was the sun setting? It was that time already? They would need to be heading back soon. He hadn’t noticed the time. He’d been indulging in…admiration, of a creature unlike anything he’d seen before. “Why have you been hidden away in the stables the whole time?” Richard asked softly. “You could easily get a place at court if you tried. You’d even get a title if you were prepared to settle for a Baron or a Knight for a husband.”
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 22, 2017 10:48:26 GMT -5
(I'm guessing we're skipping?) [[Yes, just reply with Marion going to mass the next day then coming out, excusing herself from catherine and goign to the courtyard in one post]]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 22, 2017 11:02:54 GMT -5
It was chilly the next morning as Marion left mass by Catherine's side, so chilly that she found herself rubbing her arms to warm up a little. She hated being cold, did Marion, and she found it very unpleasant.
She made a rather vage excuse to Catherine about not feeling well, at which point Catherine promptly dismissed her, probably because it simply wouldn't do for her to be ill so close to her wedding to Henry. That's what she would say, anyway.
So luckily Catherine had acted exactly as Marion had expected her to and the young woman was now free to head out and meet Margaret.
At first she went in the direction of the gardens to make it seem as if she was simply seeking fresh air for her claimed nausea, but after a little she circled back. As planned, everyone was gone and Marion could circle round to the back of the chapel, so Margaret had instructed.
Surel enough, it didn't take her long to find the little courtyards in which she was to meet the other woman. Good,that meant they could meet her regularly enough. It was hidden enough that they wouldn't be stumbled upon but it was easy enough to find that they could meet there often without any trouble at all.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 22, 2017 11:32:05 GMT -5
Margaret should have been used to the cold by now, after living up North. But instead she was thick with fluffy mink furs dyed navy. She was dressed all in navy this morning, her satin dress embroidered with silver lace on the bodice and pearls in her ears and on her neck. She dared not get cold, not now she was expecting. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. Soon she heard the clicking of heals from across the yard, and there she saw Marion.
Her lips curled into a smile and she sped to meet the woman. "I'm so glad you made it my dear, I have a plan," Margaret started, checking all around them to make sure they were truly alone -- and the only one watching was god.
"There's a young man -- Thomas Empson. Sir Richard Empson's worst kept secret...his eldest son. But, by all accounts, pretty, and quite the charmer. If he can't seduce Katherine I don't know who will. And if she gets married to him in secret. Well...my brother will be upset, but some young thing will capture his attention soon enough. As for her family back in Spain...if they're cross enough they'll send an assassin or something to kill the boy. But that's no loss to us, or to England. So what do you say, do you wish to introduce Thomas Empson...as your brother?"
She had left that part out until the last moment, nervous Marion would back out. "She won't even grant the infamous Thomas Empson for an audiance...but Thomas Sheffield..."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 22, 2017 11:51:51 GMT -5
Marion had bit her lip through the whole explanation. Of course she knew Thomas Empson - everyone did. But what woulooks he have to do with stopping the marriage? That was when Margaret finished her explanation fully.
Marion swallowed "I mean, it might work, but what if she sees through it, or she recognises him or something like that? I mean, will he and I look enough alike to pass as siblings?"
Marion wanted doubtful, but then she was doubtful about everything. She questioned everything she could, trying to keep herself as safe as she possibly could. She didn't feel that this was the situation where she should decide to stop questioning things so much.
All she wanted was to keep herself safe, and she just wanted everything to go well. She didn't want to fail, partly because failing potentially meant the severest of consequences, and partly because she didn't want to fail Margaret.
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Post by Lilystar88 on Jan 22, 2017 12:39:24 GMT -5
[[gah sorry for slow replies I'm drawing right now (idek how to draw, so I get really caught up with it)]]
Margaret smiled. She'd thought of this -- cleverly thought of every single thing that could go wrong, so she could construct the most watertight plan imaginable. "His brother, as punishment, once circulated a painting of him looking awfully ugly, with warts on his forehead and all -- in reality, he's fetching. And charming. Want to know the real reason Richard cut him off from the will? He slept with his wife -- that's why. He has...a way with women. And you look similar enough. There's been rumours surrounding his mother's marital integrity for years, if anything's off, they may just assume he is a b*stard."
"It...it sounds backhanded," Margaret started. "And I won't lie, it isn't without risks. But I'll protect you -- My brother is soon to be King of England. I just want to get Katherine out of harms way. Others, who are also apposed to the marriage, are trying hard to have her assassinated instead. It's all secret, nothing proven -- nothing written. But I know what whispers are the truth and which ones aren't."
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Post by 𝓼𝓲𝓵𝓿 on Jan 22, 2017 12:59:13 GMT -5
(Hello there Lily! I will indeed join this! Give me a little bit with the forms though and thinking up some charries!)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jan 22, 2017 13:03:07 GMT -5
Marion took a deep breath, letting out a slow exhale as she tried to calm down.
"Okay," Marion agreed "I'll do it, then. It's better for everyone if I at least try to do this. When do you want me to do it?"
God, she was nervous. She knew she was, and she knew it was showing, too. Anybody could hear the notes of fear in her voice or see the worry in her eyes.
But still she felt a strange sense of duty, something she could not explain that bound her to Margaret, her cause and her task. She had to do it. She was going to do it
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