ccofscots

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @corsetsandchaos

Location: The halls of the Royal Palace of Vienna during the feast

Catherine had many duties. She was a Queen to her people, she was a wife to her husband, hopefully she'd be a mother to their children one day soon, she was a sister-in-law to some family members, but to her above all... she was a sister and an eldest sister at that. She wore it with pride and protected her sisters fiercely... which is why she had brought her youngest sister Elara along as a lady-in-waiting to her husband's youngest sister Princess Euphemia.

She knew the journey to Vienna had been quite taxing on them all in different ways, but she certainly wished for everyone in her court especially her sister to be as comfortable as possible.

"Are you enjoying Vienna so far El? I know it is not Scotland, but it was an invitation that we simply couldn't pass up." She said as she walked down the hall arm in arm with her little sister.

"Have you also managed to socialize with any others since we've been here? Some of the people of other countries are quite interesting to have conversations with... despite how some of them may look at us." Catherine said, a reassuring smile coming across her face as she gazed at Elara.

[ccofscots]

"Indeed, though opulence can also tell you about what someone is hiding or attempting to hide. I prefer to see it that way." She said before taking another sip from her goblet before slowly toasting the Queen of England in her own effortless manner.

Catherine's eyes narrowed a bit before an amused grin made it's way to her face.

"And England is represented to be quite radiant this evening for a change." She said before a slight smirk made it's way to her face before disappearing.

"Alliances will be forged tonight as well as partaking in the festivities. But if you're in need of an honest answer... neither. I wish to know more about everyone I meet tonight, including yourself. Tell me... what's it like being Queen of England?" Catherine asked, her eyes filled with an intent defiance that shifted into a blank look... a chuckle leaving her lips as she heard what was said next.

"Thank you. Ah, you noticed. Well, seeing as that I've been labeled as a Usurper Queen, I figured that I should act the part. I ripped my own country apart as a hobby after all." Catherine replied sarcastically, before baring her teeth again in a devilish grin.

Her days of bowing to others were long gone once the previous Scottish Royals had been overthrown. Her days of bobbing up and down as a lady, watching her mother do the same with an aching back, watching her sisters having to bow to a King and Queen who would never respect them or want to protect them... once that dreary castle of a past monarchy had been stormed in a fiery haze, she vowed to not just her people but to her husband that she would bow to no authority but that of the Scottish people and her husband and his regime. No other monarch would ever make her bend, not in this life or the next. The only exception was her second sister, a Queen in her own right.

"Do the English not bow either? Or is it improper to acknowledge a neighboring country of value?" She asked nonchalantly despite her words being serious, her brow slightly raised as she spoke, a subtle yet unimpressed look on her face.

lucinda turns to the voice with the unhurried elegance of someone used to being watched. the queen of england stands composed, spine regal and expression unreadable — until the faintest, most deliberate smile touches her lips. “your majesty,” she replies, matching catherine’s tone with equal calm, though hers carries the quiet weight of lineage, crown, and habit all braided into one. she doesn’t bow either. of course not. she simply inclines her head a fraction, as one does not bend to a woman who refuses to bow in turn. but she does acknowledge her — not as a slight, not as submission — but as one seasoned monarch to another. a silent truce drawn in glances and raised goblets. “i find the festivities… illuminating,” lucinda says, gaze sharp beneath the softness of her voice. “though i’ve always found that opulence tends to reveal more than it conceals. who dances, who drinks, who disappears.” she lifts her own glass in a slow toast, the motion smooth despite the slight weight she carries now—twins, if the whispers are to be believed. boys, if lucinda has anything to say about it. “i’m glad to see scotland represented so... fiercely this evening,” she adds, smile sharpening just enough to be noticed. “and tell me—are you enjoying yourself, or simply enduring us all in the name of diplomacy?” a pause. just long enough to suggest she already knows the answer. “either way,” lucinda finishes, “you wear the crown well. even when you choose not to bow.”

[ccofscots]

"Ah, like a masquerade ball of sorts? Your traditions sound quite interesting." She said before she took a sip from her goblet.

Catherine smiled before cocking her head to the side.

"What an intriguing tradition that is. I came to power in an untraditional way, I suppose that one dance with someone not of noble birth wouldn't hurt. Who are you exactly? For I must know my dance partner's name, at the very least." She said curiously, while smirking a bit as she set her goblet down.

He turned a little more sharply than was polite, startled by the unexpected presence beside him. He was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice what was happening around him, and for that very reason he needed a second or two to recover his speech. Curiosity arose in him as he took a closer look at the lady standing next to him. He put down the glass of wine he had not yet sipped and tilted his head to one side, pondering the question.

‘Yes, we have quite a few festivities. People in our lands like to have fun and celebrate the various saints or changes that occur in one form or another," explained Matteo with a slight smile, revealing his love for his homeland. "I don't know if you've heard of Carnevale, which takes place throughout Tuscany before Easter - a marvelous time when everyone can forget their problems and enjoy a few hours of freedom and fun. The masks allow you to be someone else, just for a day - and sometimes, that’s all we need."

His gaze wandered around the room, but his mind had taken him back to his childhood home and one of the most pleasant and fun days of the year. He wanted nothing more than to spend the next one with his sister again - to celebrate together and forget, even for a moment, that this dark chapter had ever existed.

"There’s an old tradition," he continued after a pause, his voice softening, "that lets noblemen dance with the most beautiful girl at the celebration. Tell me - would you dance with someone not of noble birth?"

A playful spark lit in his vivid eyes, dancing with mischief as he waited to see how the queen would answer.

[ccofscots]

"I see. Well, not everyone is skilled at all of this." Catherine said, giving her an understanding nod before leaning in a bit.

"And it's okay to not be skilled. Come." She held her arm out for her to take as she set her own goblet down, leading the way outside to the garden. The smell of fresh floral night air filling her nostrils.

Catherine listened intently before nodding.

"Believe it or not I feel the same way at times. Though sometimes a strong resolve is needed to push through. Grinning and bearing it can be quite painful, but it is what needs to be done... but, that doesn't mean you shouldn't feel how you wish to feel." She answered thoughtfully, a caring gaze on her face.

"What do wish to talk about to get your mind off of things? You may speak to me about anything you wish to." Catherine said, her fingers briefly brushing against a flower's petals as they walked.

All she wanted was to give Isobel some sort of peace within the chaos.

isobel  had  done  her  best  to  remain  away  from  the  center  of  the  room.  specifically,  the  dance  floor.  not  for  lack  of  skill.  in  truth,  she  had  always  enjoyed  being  swept  away  by  the  music.  pulled  from  her  own  thoughts.  twirled  about,  feeling  every  bit  the  princess  her  family  had  crowned  her.  but  tonight—  the  golden  light,  the  polished  laughter,  none  of  it  eased  the  nerves  that  had  not  settled  since  their  departure  from  scotland.

gaze  drifts  across  the  ballroom.  watching  each  face.  each  lady  who  bats  her  lashes  or  sweeps  a  fan  across  her  chest.  each  supposed  gentleman  who  lets  his  eyes  linger  where  they  should  not.  “i’m  afraid  i’ve  never  been  skilled  at…”  the  words  fall  to  silence.  her  hand  gesturing  faintly  through  the  air.  the  room  speaks  for  itself  ..  built  for  distraction,  nothing  more.  too  warm.  too  much  of  everything  and  nothing  at  once.

“fresh  air  sounds  wise,”  she  offers  at  last.  turning  her  attention  fully  to  catherine.  lingering  there  long  enough  to  soften  the  edge  of  her  voice.  the  sharp,  practiced  cut  of  her  gaze.  caught  somewhere  between  guarded…  and  gratefully  at  ease.

another  pause  aches  its  way  across  her  chest.  quiet  settling  at  the  edges  of  her  teeth,  right  where  she  wishes  to  scream.  fingers  brush  faint  against  her  skirts.  barely  a  gesture.  but  permission  enough  to  lead  the  way.  “they  always  feel…  a  touch  too  loud.”  a  faint  tilt  of  isobel’s  lips.  not  quite  a  proper  smile.  more  the  ghost  of  one.

[ccofscots]

"It surely does. For I wish that everyone here could experience Scotland's true beauty. Perhaps such visuals would get rid of preconceived notions." She suggested jokingly with a smile though she was halfway serious about what she had said.

Catherine couldn't help but chuckle a bit after hearing what Anika said.

"I do agree my lady, I certainly miss home. I find that I sleep better hearing the wind blow against the windows. Here I hear not a single gust of wind." Catherine replied quietly before cocking her head to the side.

"If you would like, I would be happy to ask for a better bed for you and anyone else in the Scottish court who might need it. I simply would not sleep well at night knowing that you or anyone else in my court are not pleased with their sleeping arrangements. Everyone deserves a good night's rest." Catherine said, a look of concern washing over her features.

Everyone deserves a good night's rest indeed... except for her dastardly sister-in-law, who was her lady-in-waiting... but she'd try to make the other woman miserable another time.

"Is there anyone else you know of in the Scottish court who's bed is also lumpy by any chance? Though I do know that some prefer lumps while others do not. I just wish for everyone to be as comfortable as possible, especially while we are away from home." Catherine said with a nod before snagging a bite of cheese from a nearby tray and popping it into her mouth.

anika thought fondly of scotland's royal family and she adored her position as princess isobel's lady-in-waiting — it was more than what she could've ever imagined for her life. anika owed so much to queen catherine, and in her eyes, the queen was the most gracious of rulers, and there was a comforting ease in knowing she could speak to her about anything.

she greeted the queen with a warm smile, dipping into a low and graceful curtsy as queen catherine approached. anika was still mastering the subtleties of court etiquette, but she was trying her hardest to move with as much poise as her untrained body would allow for.

admittedly, anika felt like a fish out of water in vienna — she'd never been surrounded by so many lovely people and so many people of noble birth. she feared that she stood out and all she wanted was to make scotland proud. "very generous, indeed," anika agreed with a grin, "i do agree, though, i miss scotland. vienna is gorgeous, but nothing beats the rolling green hills and mountains of scotland. home just feels like a piece of heaven, does it not?"

there was something in queen catherine’s gaze that made anika feel truly seen, as though there was no use in pretending. with a small smile, she leaned in slightly and spoke in a whisper, “i am enchanted by vienna, truly. but my heart aches for home.” a light giggle escaped her lips as she added, “and i must admit, the bed i have in scotland is far less lumpy than the one i’ve been assigned here." she tilted her head to the side, "are you enjoying it here?"

[ccofscots]

"Perhaps I find the mystery more thrilling. Maybe I am a serpent who ripped apart an entire country and continues to rip the entire country to pieces out of pure selfishness in order to birth my own vision with my husband by my side, or perhaps I am a Saint trying to give the poor a chance at truly living fruitful lives of abundance they never thought they'd ever see... duality is a beautiful yet dangerous thing, is it not? To most, I am either one or the other, but never both... at least not to others."

She took a breath, leaning back in the pew a bit.

"The cards read well." Catherine said simply before going back to her previous posture.

"If I were to give away my secrets, then I wouldn't be Queen, now would I?" She asked a slight smirk on her face as she gazed at him.

"How does a clever man become elected as a King? Seeing as your rise to power greatly differed from my husband's... or so I've heard." Catherine said, slightly leaning forward as she gazed at him with cat-like curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

Romanyuk finds himself studying her now that she's made herself known. A queen, someone who should sat at the helm of the heavens, now lurks in a chapel forgotten to the palace that sits at the mouth of heaven and hell. In the face of some kind of anarchy, she holds enough poise to make him question the severity of it. He would have believed it some time ago, and its startling how a few months of pretending can make some things so real. There is a chance this is an act, or she sits veiled from the world and what happens below. He understands how easy is it to forget now.

"In theory," He smirks. "Sometimes it is not the answer you seek. Yes, skilled and creative but for what purpose? Is your fate written in artistic deception and will it lead to exhaustion— or to live life as an imposter for playing the game your own way to win? It could also be that the answers you seek are easily yours to weave together."

Tarot is as easy as one deems it to understand, up for interpretation but too easily a victim to one's own defenses. He knows better than most how one can see simply what they wish for so desperately.

The way in which the royal before him sits with such care is something he lingers on, some notion that she cannot be brought to her knees even when no one is looking. It should mean something, he knows it, but none of them are where they belong now. Is it not only natural to remain on guard? Perhaps he had simply slipped into rebellion against the unknown already.

"What makes you so clever, Your Majesty?"

[ccofscots]

Though she was not as religious as her second youngest sister, she still found her own solace on holy ground and had decided to partake in that peace before being bombarded with duties and meeting plenty of other people... though she was slightly disheartened to know that the prayer room was not empty.

She looked down at the card he held up to her, The Magician. She used to read about these cards and to her recollection, it was a positive card of using resources and skills effectively... how fitting.

Catherine was however quite superstitious despite having previously done tarot.

"I see I have already yielded a positive result. The Magician is a very positive card. For that is all I wish to know." She said before gazing down at him curiously.

"Seeing a King on holy floor reading tarot is quite the image though. One I never thought I'd witness. Do your cards tell you of a successful future as a King or a strange and unprecedented one due to current choices?" She asked jokingly with a slight smirk through narrowed eyes in a teasing manner.

"I jest. Though I hope I am not interrupting you." She added before sitting down in the front row pew.

open to: everyone ! location: prayer room, chapel, vienna, italy.

Some nights be finds himself reliving his earliest memories, chasing them under the veil of wine as if he can change it all. No matter how hard he tries, whatever semblance of a prayer he mutters, the same fate plays out— and he leaves this empty room just as he came. He sits crosslegged on the floor, tarot spread like stained glass across the marble. A candle flickers against the night where it gnaws at the shadows casted over the Devil and the Fool. The painted cards are stories he follows with ease, understands the weight of as the tales bleed into each other as he flips them over. No dictation is needed. Roman may not know the words, but he knows their faces all too well after these years—Lovers made choices he was never offered, the Tower like one of the brothels before it turned to ash, the Empress like her. The cards did not care that he was torn from nothing as they still give him an answer. Hands move in practiced delicacy, dealing fate like a street trick turning stories of himself into meaning. He cannot read the script but he follows it like something holy none the less. The warning is clear— Roman holds the card up the shadow that moves across the room. "I keep asking the same question. Sit, if you've come to stay, please. The cards do not mind the company, even if I do. Perhaps you will yield a different answer," He says to the intruder, invitation woven into a dull bite stroked by wine.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @talktccmuch

Location: The banquet tables at the feast in the Royal Palace of Vienna in the evening

She had managed to strike up plenty of conversations throughout the evening, and she wished to converse with even more monarchs... and her wish was granted when she approached the Emperor of The Mughal Empire.

"Your Majesty, I hope you are well this fine evening." She said with a smile as she greeted him.

"Are you enjoying yourself? I find such festivities to certainly be like the ones back home in Scotland, but these are far more grand." She said before sipping from her goblet.

"What are your festivities like back home, if I might inquire?" She asked, cocking her head to the side curiously for a brief moment.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @decayingfm

Location: The Ballroom of The Royal Palace of Vienna in the evening

"Your Royal Highness." Catherine greeted with a smile, a goblet in her hand as she gave him a polite nod.

"Are such balls always like this Vienna? For I am quite enjoying myself and on behalf of Scotland, I must say we are quite pleased that we've been welcomed so warmly by your family." She said before grinning.

"I take it you are very much enjoying yourself on such a joyous night?" She asked, a friendly yet curious gaze making it's way onto her face.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @oniiriqve

Location: The Gardens of The Royal Palace of Vienna in the evening

Catherine had stepped into the garden for some much needed air, for she found the ballroom to be getting quite stuffy, besides... it was quite a nice night out anyways... why not enjoy it in solitude? Or what she had presumed to be solitude despite it being short lived.

She looked up at the starry night sky. She missed John. The lack of not knowing where her older brother was or if he was even still alive... it hurt her deeply, though she was adept at not showing her true feelings towards his disappearance and possible demise, especially in public amongst strangers. She wondered if wherever he was, if he could see the stars in the sky, much like she currently was seeing.

The Queen of Scotland took a breath, looked downwards briefly to regain composure and then gazed over her shoulder, knowing that she wasn't alone here... her tears could be shed later.

"Lovely night, is it not?" She asked the man who was nearby.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @thefelixkumara

Location: The Royal Palace of Vienna during the feast in the evening

She plucked a grape from a nearby tray and took a bite. They didn't have grapes so juicy and sweet back home, and she couldn't help but smile as she took a bite.

Catherine reached for another grape but accidentally a couple of them toppled from the tray and fell to the floor in front of her.

"Oh!" She said out of pure surprise before going to pick them up, just as she was about to do so, someone came to her aid.

"Apologies, it seems the grapes slipped from such a luxurious tray. Shame, they taste divine." She said as she stood up, her status and pride keeping her from bending over too far.

"Thank you. I assure you, I'm not as clumsy back home in Scotland. What is your name?" She asked with a gracious smile.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @heartsvick

Location: The ballroom of the Royal Palace in Vienna in the evening

Catherine had heard about the Queen of Thailand, and not being one to let whispers affect her judgement, she had decided to approach with a smile on her face.

"Your Majesty." She greeted with a smile, though her posture remained straight, not a single intention of bowing in sight.

"Are you enjoying the festivities tonight? I've seen many ballrooms filled with people, but never this many." She said for sake of conversation before taking a small sip of her goblet.

"How was your journey?" She asked.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @matteodemedici

Location: The Royal Palace of Vienna's ballroom in the evening

Catherine was very calculative when it came to meeting monarchs of the other countries as well as lords and ladies of other countries as well. She wanted to build relationships with these other countries, even if she had to have idle chatter with those who were not rulers of their respective countries, especially since she had found out that some of them had also vanished, just like her beloved brother John.

She decided to make conversation with a nearby lord.

"Quite lively festivities, do you have many celebrations like these in your home country?" She asked with a smile.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @crmsnclvrr

Location: Somewhere in the ballroom of the Royal Palace in Vienna in the evening

Catherine had already danced enough and found herself a spot in the corner of the ballroom. She hadn't realized that her husband's sister was nearby until she turned her head and spotted Isobel. She got up to speak with her.

"We certainly had a taxing journey to get here... are you finding enjoyment in the festivities?" She asked her, simply wanting to know if she was enjoying herself tonight... if not, she wouldn't mind offering some air for the both of them to get, for Catherine was already finding the ballroom to be quite stuffy.

Catherine liked Isobel quite a bit and she felt really bad for her when it came to her brothers having vanished.

"I'm in need of some fresh air, would you care to join me?" She asked, gesturing to the nearby garden.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @oflcvestruck

Location: The banquet tables at the feast in the evening in the Royal Palace of Vienna

She liked Anika. The Lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess was always quite pleasant to be around. Though Catherine certainly wasn't one to get in the way of her duty to Isobel, Catherine did find herself chatting away with Anika sometimes.

"Lady Anika." Catherine greeted with a warm smile.

"I find Vienna to at least be a bit warmer than Scotland at times, but I prefer home. It was quite generous of the Emperor to open up his home to us." She said to Anika before briefly gazing around the ballroom.

"For their ballroom is quite spacious too... Are you liking Vienna so far? Be honest." Catherine asked with a smirk, knowing that some people told her what she wanted to hear and tonight she wished for honesty and transparency.

[ccofscots]

Closed Starter! @opaldecays

Location: Royal Palace in Vienna in the evening at the feast

Catherine was enjoying herself quite a bit, though she certainly wasn't enjoying herself when she just so happened to cross paths with the Queen of England herself. Catherine merely tolerated anyone who wasn't her immediate family or extremely close confidant... and that mere tolerance also extended towards the English Royal Family.

"Your Majesty." She said, keeping her voice as calm and steady as possible. For Scotland already had enough to deal with within itself, they certainly didn't need a war with their neighbors over icy pleasantries.

Catherine smiled and raised her goblet in salutations, giving a festive nod. She refused to bow. Ever since the Scottish throne had been usurped by her husband and herself, she refused to bow to anyone... except to her own people who she had promised to protect and care for.

"How are you enjoying the festivities?" She asked her before grinning briefly. A lady never bared teeth... but a queen didn't adhere to a lady's rules.

[ccofscots]

Catherine was watching everyone in the ballroom have their fun, for she had already danced quite a bit with her husband already.

She was minding her own business, a goblet in her hand when a woman began to speak to her. By the intricacies of her gown, Catherine could tell that she was royalty... a princess? But of what country?

Catherine smiled before chuckling a bit, memories of her time at court when she was younger, dancing with gentlemen and lords before meeting her current husband... she remembered it clear as day.

As the gentleman was pointed out, Catherine nodded, recognizing that the direction was vague since there were plenty of men on that side of the ballroom.

Upon hearing the story, Catherine briefly stifled a laugh with her hand coming up to cover her mouth, a simple gesture that still looked dainty the way she did it.

"That is quite the story your highness, I hope he does not ask me for a dance this evening." The Queen of Scotland said after she uncovered her mouth, an amused smile making it's way to her lips.

"It sounds to me as if he needs more dance lessons." She teased.

with: open to anyone where: the ballroom, after dinner

How hard could it be to shake off a distant relative insistent on questioning every single facet of Lara's life to date? Quite difficult, as it transpired. She had already tried excusing herself (with no luck), walking off (only to be followed - can you imagine), and she finds herself teetering on the edge of simply telling her ... cousin, she thinks, to find someone else to bother, when universe intervenes in her favour. For once. Right as Lara feels the fragile threads of her patience starting to snap, the offending maybe-cousin-maybe-not-cousin is pulled into conversation with a potential suitor. How fortuitous.

Knowing her reprieve may only last mere moments, she's quick to scan the room for something to occupy herself with. Not out of some need to do anything - no, Lara was plenty content to sip at her flute and judge - but to keep up the pretence of being busy. To prevent the cousin of earlier misery latching onto her yet again. It is with this in mind that she turns to the person closest to her. "See the gentleman over there?" She casts a vague gesture towards the dance floor. So vague, in fact, that it can be any number of the gentlemen in attendance. "Last year, he asked me to dance, and I, being the philantropist that I am, agreed. And you know what he did? Immediately proceeded to step. on. my. foot." A slight pause. "Twice, mind you."