503-03-18 Imperial Breakfast when sleepless
From Crossroads Wiki
It's Sunday, March 18, 503 A.G.
The tired members of the Imperial Family try to combat te exhaustion by having a meal together. Tempers flare, words are misspoken, drinks are spilled, and the whole morning goes to the dogs in the end, starting by Empress Mena telling Princess Annabelle to 'be a good puppy' when the princess is departing.
Annabelle's sitting upon a couch in the sitting room, her eyes closed in the manner of someone who's really very tired indeed. Her feet are curled up on the seat next to her, her head resting in the palm of one hand. Two knights are in the room with her, as expected. (repose for Mena)
Rourke escorts Eleanor down the stairs, talking quietly with her. He looks, as does she.... tired.
And Mena comes up the stairs, looking just as tired as everyone else, it seems. She doesn't have the kids with her, and looking at her, it's plain why. "Hey," she says toward the gathered people, managing a curtsey toward Rourke. "Sorry if I'm late."
Princess Eleanor isn't herself either. No noble, quiet, Elle. She's already fussed at Rourke and its obvious there are tear tracks down her face as she is escorted by him. Almost frowning at the servants that loiter about and than she realizes what she is doing and attempts to smile though seeing Lysander carry on so makes her grimace.
The sound of people arriving in the sitting room is enough to startle Anna out of her forty winks; she stands up almost as if she'd been shocked and then dips a curtsey almost out of instinct. Only a second later does she manage to take in who's actually here. "Majesties... Highness... hi..." she's not at her most articulate at the moment. A second later she notices that expression on Eleanor's face. "Eleanor... are... you alright?" Though clearly not.
"Anna," Rourke says in greeting, limply. He doesn't even bother to greet Mena, but does hold his hand out to her, as ever. "Let's just all get some food. food fixes everything, right?"
Princess Eleanor swallows visbly and looks like she wants to cradle her head and mutters, "Its so noisy here." Big sigh. It takes a moment for her to realize that Anna said something to her and that Mena is here to. "Huh? Wha?" Yes, defintly caught off guard.
Princess Eleanor will not argue about that statement from Rourke and moves over to where food is displayed. Its probably a funny sight seeing the serving staff. They are not trying to bump into each other as they move this way and that as they attempt to put food out, buffet style. Safer that way, right? Hopefully.
Mena does walk in Rourke's direction, taking his hand. "I'm too tired to eat anything," she complains softly. "Can't we just sit there and stare?"
"Food, yes. Annabella was an angel earlier... really hoping I can get some good sleep after food," Anna smiles at Mena - the kind of ironic smile that shows she more than understands what it means. That said, she gently encourages, "Hey... you might feel better after, Majesty?" Given how out of it Eleanor seems, Anna once more glances over at her, watching her curiously and with concern. And then she yawns.
Princess Eleanor strifles a yawn and than looks back over her shoulder to her family members. Oh! And the buttons to her dress are done in a haphazard manner. Well they are a little better as Rourke rebuttoned her. She chuckles in hearing Mena, "I would like to sleep without all this noise." Shaking her head this way and that, "And food solves things. I think and of course blessed sleep." Of course she's not holding onto sleep happening anytime soon.
Rourke tugs Mena in close and then moves toward the dining room. "Let's try to relax and enjoy it, even if we're all as tired as can be," he says, as diplomatic as he can be.
"Hopefully Chef is getting some good sleep and there aren't eggshells and roots in the food," Mena comments as she walks closely to Rourke. "I poured milk on my tea leaves this morning.. after taking them out of the water."
Princess Eleanor looks over Mena and Rourke. She loves food so the mention of eggshells and roots makes her face pucker up as if she ate a sour lemon. "I hope not! That would be a waste of good food."
Annabelle rubs at her eyes as she follows the other Imperials on in to the dining room, asking soft, "How are you all anyway? Aside from all being tired that is..." She makes her way on over to one of the chairs, but of course doesn't sit yet. She smiles at Mena, "My balance isn't as good... I keep bumping into things... totally tripped in the snow the other day. Gave myself a snow face pack."
Rourke divulges his own transgression with an exhaling sigh. "I shouted at the Kheleki ambassador and said he was a sick demonic fuck and should shut up," he offers, alsmot absently, heading to a seat and dropping into it.
Princess Eleanor sits down and slumps. Head into her shoulders as she listens to other family members and what Anna says and than Rourke. That causes her to move her head from her makeshift pillow, "You did what?" Awake enough to be appalled by that. She murmurs towards Anna, "I am glad to be home." She really is even if she thinks she's going crazy.
Mena doesn't looks surprised at Rourke's admission, sitting in the seat next to him. "I really think someone is torturing us."
"Do you think it's something magic again? I can't believe it's co-incidence that so many people are of a sudden so tired, and I'm dreaming really... really bizarre stuff," Annabelle mutters soft as she settles herself on down into a chair now that the others have settled as well. "How... how did he take that, the Kheleki Prince? I bumped into him as well the other day. I think he was toying with me a bit."
The Emperor sits limply, his head tilting back against the seat of the chair. "Hm? That asshole started laughing at me," Rourke says, confessing on a sigh. "And I did mention to Raziel to figure out what's going on. I suppose we should make Rhyse and Cate find a good healer to look into it, too. But so many people.. it almost has to be magic."
Servers come around to offer drinks. Not doing a good job either. Liquid sloshes out of the glasses and there can even be heard cursing from a couple of them, almost fighting with their co workers.
Mena just stares at the servants trying to pour the drinks, looking blankly at the spilled liquid on the table. After a long moment, she sits up straighter suddenly and looks around. "I'm sorry, what?"
One servant has the grace to look embarrassed when he's caught. He quickly tries to wipe up his mistake. Ale. wine, tea and water are offered. Its almost as if the servers don't trust themselves to make anything hot so the tea is cold.
Anna looks to Mena, a frown settling across her expression. "Mena, Annabella gave me some herbal teas to help me sneak," she realizes a second later her mis-speak, "sleep.... if you want some, I can give you some or she might have you to give some as well?" She leans back a little out of the way as the servants start pouring drinks, in the hope of not getting spilled on.
Rourke reaches for his glass, not really looking at what's in it, and lifts it to his lips. In a graceless motion, his wine spills all down his front, like he just missed his mouth. "Aw, bloody abyss."
Princess Eleanor looks at Rourke in disbelief. Her eyes widen and than she does something. She starts to laugh, "Oh Rourke. That reminds me of the time when you were young and tasting food for the first time."
Mena glances over as well as Rourke spills, her lips quirking before she answers Annabelle. "I don't know. Who is to know what is causing this? What if it's not mages? What if Annabella is poisoning the entire castle so she can sell more tea? I sure don't know this Annabella person, but I'm already suspicious."
Rourke looks up at Eleanor, reaching for a napkin and mopping at his clothes. "I was a -neat- baby!" he insists, as if he would remember. He grimaces. "Neater than I am now. I feel like I've two left hands!"
Anna just blinks as she catches Rourke's spillage, hardly knowing what to say and her reactions are generally slow. "You... okay?" It's one of those useless questions really, but the kind people feel compelled to ask regardless. "Oh, she's a midwife... she checked over Sander for me earlier, she seems nice. Actually, she said that I could stay at her house with her. To get out of the Castle to get some sleep. I was going," Anna's eyes close for a moment, just briefly, "ask you about that."
Princess Eleanor looks over at Rourke to see if he grew two left hands. And than she is trying to pick up her glass of water. Bad thing! The glass slips from her hand and the sound of glass breaking as it hits the table is heard, "Oh no!" She quickly rises from her seat in disbelieve that she did that. Water droplets having sprayed her in the process.
Mena looks about to answer Annabelle when the glass breaks nearby. She blinks in surprise, then shakes her head. "Torturing us, I'm tellin' you."
The Emperor just closes his eyes at the breaking glass, slumping in the chair. "I'm going to tear whomever apart by the currents. I really am." He opens one eye to look at Anna. "Didn't help, don't bother."
"When you do I sure as hell want to watch," Annabelle whispers soft, her terminology not the choicest but in this state of mind such slips happen without her noticing. Whilst waiting for the food to arrive -- whatever state that might be in, she rests her head against the palm of her hand, elbow upon the table. So easy to just close her eyes... just for a few moments.
A maid comes to clean up the mess that Elle created. Elle looks truly embarrassed. But she's smart enough to not get in the way and get cut. Once it is cleared up she attempts to take her seat once again. This was actually a capable maid. She must either be new to the Gateway or slept elsewhere for the night. Platters of food is brought out now. Its of a simple fare as if the Chef didn't trust himself to make an elaborate meal where many mistakes could be made. Its buffet style. Meats, cheese, bread, fruits and vegetables.
"That Ryland person wanted to watch me sleep," Mena comments, reaching for her own glass. She does manage to get it up to her mouth, and the liquid within without dropping or spilling. Of course, she was very careful about it.
"Mmmm, he's nice... I really like him," Annabelle murmurs, still with her eyes closed. When she realizes that food's being placed upon the table for them all, several moments after they've been doing so she again startles herself awake a bit more, helping herself to a bit of bread and cheese.
"That.. what?" Rourke says, looking over at Mena. "He wants to watch you sleep? What sort of a sick person is he? Did you know that he was all trying to interfere when I was yelling at Rosier?" He grimaces and looks at the food, going primarily for meat.
Mena shakes her head, just looking at the food without really seeing it. "I told him to find someone else who wasn't sleeping right and watch them. He thinks he can help or something, I don't know. He's weird."
Princess Eleanor wrinkles her nose as she piles up her plate. Yes she may be sleepy and totally incoherent at times but still her stomach growls and she pays attention to that. She shakes her head in hearing this latest news. "Is he doing a sleep study or something?"
"How would he be able to help? He's got amazing hands," Annabelle utters, after that finishing off another mouthful of her food. At this point she's concentrating more on what's in her hands and on her plate than looking at the others. She co-ordinates better that way.
Rourke looks between the plates everyone is having and sighs. "Why can't we have more human ambassadors around? Why are the ones who stay and are so active all freaks?"
"Amazing hands?" Mena asks toward Annabelle. "How would you know about that?" she asks, placing her water down. She doesn't go for any food right away. "I'm too tired to fix a plate."
Princess Eleanor laughs. Well more like sputters. Trying to cover up her mess by placing a napkin across her mouth. She's a bit surprised at Rourke's words.
Finishing her mouthful of bread and cheese, Anna chuckles soft at Rourke's question, "Because they love you so much?" she theorizes, lazily looking to Mena after. "He sculpted my face from clay in like... just a few minutes. One of the most amazing skills of demonstration I've e'er seen." She smiles at the memory then rests her head in her hand again, closing her eyes for just a few moments longer. Just a few.
With all this food eating it would be sure to ensue sleep. Well that is Elle's theory as she clears her throat with a new glass of water. She uses Mena's technique and concentrates only on her water glass for a moment. Than she looks back to Anna, "Did he let you keep the sculpture?" Words almost slurred as if she drank to much or she's so tired she sounds like a drunk.
Mena just groans softly for a moment, as if complaining, but being too tired for words.
"Mmmhmmm," Annabelle murmurs, her head slipping a little as she rests against her hand. Given that and her realization that she literally is about to fall asleep any second now, she looks apologetically to Rourke and Mena and asks, "Actually, Majesties... would you be terribly fended if I went to lie down? I think I'm losing it quickly. Tis the teats. Tea! Tea... herbal stuff." She waits for an answer before reacting in any way.
"You know, that's not what I think, when I hear someone has amazing hands," is Rourke's only comment, another attempt made at his wine. This one goes better. "So how has everyone been other than this?" He glances at Annabelle, shrugs, and nods. "Fine. Xander never made it, either, that jackass. You tell him I said that. No, I will."
"I'm going to starve to death," Mena mutters with a dramatic sigh, her arms hanging limply at her sides.
Anna sighs soft as she pushes back her chair to stand, dipping into a curtsey that almost leaves her toppling over. She has to quickly lean against the chair to stop herself swaying. "He's been really caught up with his journal thingies from the trip. I don't know why he's not here... sorry, on his behind... half!"
Elle looks back to Anna and tries to be gracious. Perhaps to counter Rourke's behavior, "Thank you for coming Anna and I hope sleep finds you." Another server finally realizes the state that Mena is in and attempts to make a plate for her. Foods are presented in a sloppy manner but its all there once its placed before the Empress!
"Bye, Belle," Mena murmurs, looking down at the plate. "Be a good puppy."
"Don't worry about it, Anna. Not your problem. I can deal with my big budde.. brother." Rourke thumps his head against the back of the chair. "I'm going to kill someone. Elle, how can you manage to eat at a time like this?" Then, his brow furrows, and he looks over at his wife.
Elle was born to eat! She could probably eat in her sleep. Chomp, chomp, chomp. It was never promised she'd be graceful than. Before she could stop herself she belches. And she just finds that funny and than she's laughing at Mena, "You think they served you puppy?" Than she eyes her plate, "Is this meat puppied?" Staring at a server for the answer.
Annabelle replies to Elle first, still holding on to the chair for support, "Oh, me too... thanks... and you as well. I really hope Sander sleeps... we kinda drugged him out with me drinking the tea and then feeding him, so... fingers and toes closed!" Anna swaggers a little nearer to the door then, on the way out passing near Mena and leaning close to press a kiss to her cheek along the way if she allows. As she does that, she can't help but whisper a soft 'woof'.
Mena sure isn't moving anywhere, let alone enough to dodge a kiss. "What? This isn't dog, is it?!" she asks the servants with wide eyes. "What are you trying to feed to us? We don't eat dogs here!"
A server steps forward to assure the Imperials, "Oh no, Majesties and Highnesses its pork." Another servant snickers and blurts out, "Bet they got that food from slaughtering an animal in that menagerie." They must be talking about Duchess Ana's animals. They don't realize how loud they are getting in their giggling and such.
"Dog? What?" Rourke looks about and realizes he just doesn't know what's going on at all. "Look, we don't need another dog, Mena. The children are enough!"
"Everything's gone to the dogs," Anna murmurs on her way out now properly, bumping into the doorframe along the way. She'll be lucky if she makes it up to her room on the way without half a dozen bruises!
It's a slow welling, but Mena's eyes fill up with tears for some unknown reason, her bottom lip quivering as she stares at Rourke. "My children are not dogs!" she exclaims loudly, then pushes back from the table. "You're the dog, you... big.. dog!" she cries, then does get up to hurry out of the room. Near the door, she trips on her skirts, falling into the wall. "Shut up!"
Princess Eleanor puts both hands to her eyes and begins to rock herself saying slowly but surely, "Providence, Providence, Providence." Trying to just ignore everyone now.
"Dammit, Mena," Rourke seethes at his wife. "I wasn't saying the kids are dogs, even if you did have a litter! I was just..." He looks over at Eleanor, and back to Philomena. "Maybe we should do this later."
Mena gathers herself up from the ungraceful fall, tears streaking down her face. "Just leave me alone!" she exclaims, then does indeed run out of the room.
