glacial_queen | Just Outside of Sidra, Dawn, Kaeleer Time

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, banishing the deep purple shadows. In the lead on her pristine kindred horse, Karla waited for her entrance, her Court beside her, while behind them stood her army in neat and precise rows. The sharp morning breeze made the banners and pennons snap in the air, royal blue with her Court's sigil emblazoned in silver upon them. Karla was also clad in silver and blue, including a long velvet gown that was split for riding (Karla wouldn't be caught dead riding sidesaddle, even on a kindred horse. There were appearances and then there was sheer foolishness) and the silver cloak that Raven had given her, the back trailing gracefully over her horse's withers and the hood down so her pale hair could gleam in the morning light.

In short, she looked every inch the regal queen she was meant to be. Certainly looked more regal than she actually was.

By this time, she knew better than to underestimate the power of showmanship.

Last night, they has received word to be waiting at dawn to be welcomed into Sidra. A fitting time, Karla had judged, full of significance and symbolism. Karla would have preferred it to be full of sleeping or coffee, but who was she to argue?

You know, besides the Territory Queen and all.

They were impressively silent while they waited, only sounds the the nickering of the landen horses and the jingle of metal. Slowly the moments ticked by while they waited. The sun rose higher, inch by inch, the sky turning red and gold and then finally blue.

"This is awkward," Karla muttered to those closest to her. "Do we keep standing here like beggars at a feast? Do we turn around and walk away? Or do we enter the city anyway? I don't think Uncle Saetan ever covered this in Protocol."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

glacial_queen

This was so not how Karla had imagined it

From:

wwiii

"I don't imagine there is Protocol for this sort of thing," Warren noted, feathers slightly ruffled at he looked at the city limits, frowning thoughtfully. "I'm pretty sure Saetan would have covered it with me otherwise. He had to know we were going to get to this point eventually."

... Right?

From:

glacial_queen

"I don't think there's actual precedent for a Queen to be unsure of her welcome in her own damn capital city," Karla admitted. "Yippee. Lookit me, I'm a trailblazer."

At least she looked the part of the regal Queen? So long as no one watched her expression too closely?

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

wwiii - Date: 2013-10-13 05:14 am (UTC) - Expand

From:

blondecanary.livejournal.com

"If they don't show up, uh. We can always set up for breakfast, and invite them out?" Dinah didn't think that was the best plan, but hey. They wouldn't look like they were worried?

From:

glacial_queen

"Can I go back to bed now?" Karla whined. Becomingly. "If they don't show up in another fifteen minutes, I'm going back to bed."

Because a civil war was JUST LIKE a missing teacher.

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

blondecanary.livejournal.com - Date: 2013-10-13 04:48 am (UTC) - Expand

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

glacial_queen - Date: 2013-10-13 04:57 am (UTC) - Expand

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

blondecanary.livejournal.com - Date: 2013-10-13 05:00 am (UTC) - Expand

From:

heromaniac

Momoko wasn't sure what to think. "It totally feels like we're being pranked?"

From:

glacial_queen

"If we're being pranked, I'm going to set witchfire on the entire city," Karla threatened. "I got up at dawn for this."

And had the same argument twice! about riding. MOMOKO.

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

heromaniac - Date: 2013-10-13 04:55 am (UTC) - Expand

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

glacial_queen - Date: 2013-10-13 04:59 am (UTC) - Expand

Re: Awwwwkwaaaaard...

From:

heromaniac - Date: 2013-10-13 09:21 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

kaeleerans.livejournal.com

Before they could do much more than fret, a storm of people burst out of the city with a roar. There was a tense moment as horses shifted and soldiers prepare to draw arms, before they realized that the roar was actually cheering and laughter. The people were throwing things again, but this time it was streamers made from colorful paper and scraps of fabric, and thin, winter flowers.

The chanting was only, "Karla!" and there was not a single poster in sight.

"Lady," said the Prince who had visited her tent a month ago. "Sidra is yours."

Edited Date: 2013-10-13 01:26 am (UTC)

From:

wwiii

"... You know," Warren murmured in an aside to Karla, "I was half expecting this to turn out to be a trap anyhow?"

He was looking only slightly bemused as colored paper settled in his hair and wings.

From:

glacial_queen

"Still not entirely sure it isn't," Karla said, smiling and waving to the crowds. "Looking more and more doubtful, but.."

Re: The Entrance!

From:

wwiii - Date: 2013-10-13 05:19 am (UTC) - Expand

From:

furnaceface

"Pity," Jono murmured to himself, scratching behind Joni's ear and raising an eyebrow up at the Prince. "And here I was hoping to see myself immortalized in more posters."

That got him a few looks from the small entourage of Healers that was still shadowing him. Really, Jono? Really?

From:

trigons_child

"The emotions seem to be genuine," Raven murmured, tasting the waves of emotion. "There is uncertainty, and relief as well."

Unfortunately, the sheer weight of the emotions would make it easier for someone to hide more sinister intentions.

From:

glacial_queen

"You sure that's not just from me?" Karla teased. "Cause that sums up what I'm feeling pretty accurately."

Re: The Entrance!

From:

trigons_child - Date: 2013-10-13 01:17 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

kaeleerans.livejournal.com

The cheering and fanfare didn't stop at the border of the city. As Karla and her entourage marched down the streets, the crowds only grew thicker, the din louder.

A glance and a quick thread between them, Julian and Morton began organizing the members of the army that had accompanied them into the city to form a protective circle around Karla and her Court. So many people, it would be easy for Hobart to slip an assassin into the crowds.

From:

blondecanary.livejournal.com

Dinah and Swift were riding along behind Jonothon's circle of Healer-protectors. Another person who might be a target, if they weren't careful.

It was more than a little hilarious, how the people were welcoming them after their greeting eight months ago.

You'd think they totally forgot about it, she sent to Swift.

From:

furnaceface

Jono was actually getting twitchy, watching Julian and Morton organize the soldiers - his soldiers - into formation while he stayed on the back of the bloody horse, safe as he could be, with his Healer nannies watching him like hawks as he attempted to at least guide his horse closer to the outskirts of Karla's Court.

One of the Healers rode forward on her horse and actually corralled him back into the group. She got a bit of a sour look for her trouble.

From:

blondecanary.livejournal.com

Dinah was trying not to snicker there. Trying really hard. "You could always scare the crap out of them by falling off, if you really wanted to," she only half-seriously suggested.

Kiss Kiss

Just Outside of Sidra, Dawn, Kaeleer Time

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