genessia | First Audience ~ [ Video ] ~ true names, stopped clocks, wildest dreams

I. ticks and tocks from broken clocks - [ open ]

[ Regina looks up from whatever holds her attention on the desk in front of her. If you don't know her, then her expression seems perfectly pleasant, eyes clear, mouth shaped in a polite smile, shoulders even. If you do know her, you may be wondering who the fireballs are coming for, because those clear eyes are a little too wide and that smile is not the one she shows her family; in fact, it looks like it might hide rows of shark teeth behind her perfectly painted lips. ]

Thank you all for your concern. I'm truly touched.

Of course, you know I would never do anything so irresponsible as to sell black market curses. Or so utterly gauche.

[ A pause and her eyes brighten slightly (oh very dangerously). ]

However, for those of you inclined to think sorcery is inevitably evil: cursed objects are expensive to make, difficult to maintain, and can't possibly be sold for enough money to make dealing in them worth it.

[ Her tone shifts to something very nearly cheerful. ]

Oh, and if you're the Jack, I hope you'll say hello.

[ There's a pause long enough to let her return to work. ]

II. and I promise I'll keep trying even if I get tired - [ locked to family: Evie, Jack K., Arya, Emma, Neil, Charlie, Maddie; later others by suggestion/request of those already included]

[ About an hour after the previous message, Regina sends a private video message to those she considers her family. There's no trace of the danger that had been lurking in her eyes and smile before. Just genuine affection and a trace of something like excitement. ]

Evie, Jack, Emma - I've been running some calculations, and it looks like we should be able to put the first payments down on Witch's Island at the beginning of next month. Just to be certain, I'm looking into some possibilities for silent partners or loans.

Arya, Maddie, Charlie - I hope you'll consider this an invitation to come live with us. You won't need to pay rent or anything like that. Any money you make is yours.

[ There's a clear pause where Neil is free to imagine Regina very awkwardly not asking him to live with her on even a semi-private video, because that would be both gauche and embarrassing as hell. Instead, she's just going to assume that you know this invitation includes you because you're receiving the message and share her bed more often than not, thanks, but if it's not clear to you, well that's another conversation you can have later. And that's a hell of a long 'look' she's giving to read that much into it, but hey, she's a complicated lady. ]

On the other hand, castles are expensive to maintain. As I've discussed with some of you, I've been thinking that if we're going to make sure we can provide a safe, loving home for any children we decide to take in, we're going to need more money than we can make as individuals. We could open a non-profit, but that puts us at the mercy of the Board and the government restrictions on non-profits.

Since I'm not interested in Fayren regulating how I run my home and there will be inevitable crossovers, I've been considering opening the castle as a tourist/event destination. The rose and statuary gardens, ground floors, and parts of the grounds could be open for tours. We could run weddings and events, and convert some of the old staff buildings to guest houses. Evie, love, maybe you could put a boutique location of Bad Apple in? And Maddie, I know it's not precisely what you're destined for, but if you wanted, you could run teas or have a shop? Jack, I hoped you might help us with designing any new buildings and some of the interior decor?

If we do this, we'll need security for both guests and the family. Neil...I hate to impose, but would you be willing?

We're also going to need transportation to and from the island. We'll need a chef and event planner at very least, and I'd like to have both a doctor and a therapist on staff. Possibly a few tutors for the children...

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting or that I haven't thought of yet. Please, let me know? And if there's anyone you think would make a good addition to our 'team', let me know. While I'm at it, does anyone object to me including Steve Rogers? We were friendly in New Dodge. This isn't his world, so to speak, but he'd adapt well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[When he comes on the feed, he's dusting off his hands--and a tad breathless, like he just ran into the room. Either way, he's smiling.]

You do remember I'm the personal protector of the king, right? [He says it with a chuckle.] For the love of the Ember, yes. Least I can do what I was trained for.

[Meanwhile, the reason he's a little winded is appearing on her desk--a small scrap of paper, appearing within an orb of familiar, iridescent white light. On it, written in bold, masculine print, are two simple words.]

I'M THERE.

[ She smiles and tells herself not to wonder what has her man breathless that isn't her. If she needs to know, he'll tell her. ]

I remember. That's why I--

[ An iridescent orb of white light appears on her desk, explaining his breathlessness. Raw magic. She glances up to meet his gaze, brow lifting in question, but the orb flares, releasing a scrap of white paper. She reads it and, immediately, blushes a soft shade of rose. She'd planned to ask more privately, but she couldn't very well not communicate that he was welcome, even if she'd done it silently and awkwardly. ]

I'm glad. [ That's awkward and stiff. Why? It's private, she reminds herself. ] You'll have your own suite, of course. [ Still awkward. She's never done this before. ] For when you don't... we don't...

[ More blushing, but she's also smiling. ] I doubt you'll get much use out of it, but it seems right for you to have your own rooms, even if you're always welcome in mine, love.

[Neil raises an eyebrow at the stilted offer, but he's smirking under it.]

Beloved? If you need your own space, I'll happily take any rooms close to yours. For your protection, and for...easy access.

However, if you give me my own room so that I can have personal space? I'm turning it into a gym and laughing in your face--all the way back to our suite.

[Fight him, Regina.]

[ That word sets up a soft, fluttery ache in her chest, immediate and undeniable. The blush hardly fades because of it; it can't, because of the warmth creeping over her arms and chest and face like a fever-chill, only infinitely more pleasant.

She dips her chin and smiles at him through lowered long black lashes. ]

I've never shared a room with anyone. This seems like something we should discuss without the distance of video.

[She's not wrong about that, so he shrugs with a lopsided smile.]

Meet you at the Amagi when you get off work? Unless you won't get in trouble if I invade you there.

[He doesn't want to wait. Hell, he doesn't want to wait until his queen has her castle--but one thing at a time.]

[ That adorable grin gives her space to breathe a little, a reminder that he's as dumbstruck by what he feels as she is. She recovers most of her poise and the flush fades. ]

At the Inn. I still have quite a bit to do here.

[ She wets her lips, thoughtfully catching her tongue against her top teeth a moment. ]

Are you all right with me inviting Steve to join us at the castle?

I'll be there--room service, or I'll go grab something so, uh--we won't be interrupted.

...Steve. Do I know Steve?

Grab something. [ She's laughing when she says it. It can't be helped. Room service for them is and will always be tied together with burnt sheets, great sex, and being amused when by rights they probably ought to have been awkward. ]

He's a friend from New Dodge, like I said. [ And a superhero story Henry loved, but there's no need to bring that into the jealousy equation. ] A good man. Evie and Jack know him, too.

[That laugh--he's fucking in love with that laugh, and even more in love with the reasons behind it. It's stupid that 'room service' is permanently tied into his brain with Regina's shameless, sex-touched smile...

But she's talking about this Steve guy--and yeah, it's tripping some stuff in his head, he's just not consciously aware it's jealousy.]

He an ex? [It's an honest question, not an angry or wary one. Fair, at least he thinks so.]

[ That look on his face, like he's trapped somewhere between pleasant memory and future betrayal. She's not hurt by it, because she's sure it's not conscious. If he thinks about it, he probably knows better, and if he doesn't, she'll make sure he does. Later. ]

I don't have any exes from New Dodge, unless you want to count the God of Thunder, I slept with a few times. Steve is just a friend.

[Neil's not consciously aware that he's put the God of Thunder's name on the list of people he wants to kill that lives in his head--he just knows that a cold sort of serenity settles over him, one that has nothing to do with the guy they're actually talking about.

So he smiles and shrugs.]

Long as you think I'm better looking, I got no beef with the guy. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.

[ She rolls her eyes, because honestly, Neil. Honestly. ]

You'll like him. And he'll be a good influence on the kids. Especially Jack.

[ A very long beat, and then ]

You know precisely how good looking I think you are.

Yeah--about a fifth as good lookin' as you are, Beautiful.

Anyway, can't wait to meet the guy. Meantime...work fast. You got a hot dinner date with a moderately attractive dragon knight.

Moderately attractive, my ass. [ She grins at him, blows a kiss, and disconnects. She'll see him as soon as she can. ]

Several hours later and an hour and a half later than she intended to be...

First Audience ~ [ Video ] ~ true names, stopped clocks, wildest dreams

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