RP:So About That Witch...

Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc

Summary: Having confessed to Hudson that she told Josleen of Valrae's criminal past, Alvina seeks to reverse the story with Josleen and defend Valrae's innocence. Queen Josleen isn't quite buying it, but that's neither here nor there as the visit is interrupted by 48 red roses for Alvina from Lord Reinhardt Devereux. The roses are accompanied by an invitation for a date with the Lord.

Queen's Tea Room, Fort Freedom

Alvina had written Josleen with shaky penmanship the night after her fight with Hudson. The bard had, in a moment of weakness, told Hudson all the things she’d told Josleen about Valrae and Cenril. In hindsight, it was a pretty odd move but she’d been grieving! Heartbroken after being almost kidnapped. Hudson didn’t seem fazed by anything, except the information that Josleen now had, thanks to Alvina’s kind support. Suffice it to say Alvina felt guilty. Especially after everything Hudson had said about Valrae; she’d been an orphan, in and out of bad relationships, took the fall for Hudson overstepping his bounds (aka murdering a dude) for the sake of their family, etc. On and on the list goes for the heroic deeds of Valrae, yet here Alvina sits, trying to unweave the slight fabrications from the tapestry to save a woman who hadn’t tried until the very end to save her. Maybe Valrae didn’t even care about Alvina, and only threw herself in jail for Hudson. It was possible, Alvina had considered it. Didn’t want to think about it. All talking about Valrae ever did was make her feel second place. It’s more humiliating to have to go back to your friend and UNSLANDER someone who was the cause of a terminated engagement. Everything about this feels wrong…but what can she do? She’s at Hudson’s mercy on this one. No, he hadn’t threatened to hurt her but, she loved him and wanted him to stay around in the lives of their children. When exactly had everything gone to hell? Probably when Valrae had gotten involved… This brings us to Alvina, the most adorable unwed mother in Josleen’s tea room, feeding Gigi tea cakes under the table and trying not to lose her resolve while she waits for the Queen.

Josleen is running a little late and for no credible reason. She decided to go watch Macon train in the yard with the soldiers, which she finds incredibly arousing, and lost track of the time. To pretend that Josleen’s days are busy and important as queen would be offensive to the concept of fiction, as it is simply too ludicrous. The castle has staff for everything, including opening routine mail. In the early days after the earthquake, the Queen was needed to set things in order and make decisions about domestic priorities, but now that those priorities have been set and workers carry out those orders, she has few important daily tasks. Prior to becoming Queen, Josleen worked as a full time war nurse, and before that, as a full time bard. Idleness doesn’t suit her, and in her boredom she dreams up new projects and plots, which if left unchecked, can sow mayhem. For example, since telling Macon of Valrae’s evil powers and murder charge (sorry, Alvina, that cat is already out of the bag), Josleen has been entertaining fantasies in which she bullies Valrae into becoming a subject of Muzo’s witchcraft research experiments. No doubt the research is on some level degrading and undignified for the subject, and thus exactly what Valrae deserves for her indiscretion with Hudson that ruined Alvina’s life. Public service announcement: Someone put a baby in Josleen to give her something to do, or there will be more where this came from. “Alvina!” she chirps with a bright smile that betrays nothing of her Valrae bullying fantasies. She hugs her friend then takes a seat. “Your note worried me a little. Is everything alright?” Gigi hops up on the chaise and settles in between the women, panting happily. Yes! Mom is back! Yes! Tea cakes! What a day.

Alvina stands to greet Josleen, hugging her in turn before taking her seat with a very classic ‘ some stuff has happened’ stiffness to her. “Your majesty,” she says with a smile. It’s too formal, but Jos is probably use to it. Mostly a joke and yet she’s a queen so...maybe appropriate. “Yes well I’m sorry to intrude but I’m afraid it’s about our previous conversation. I might have said some uncouth things and I wanted to set the record straight so that you didn’t think...somehow less of me, for giving you the wrong impression. It was hasty of me to make those accusations against..” Alvina straightens, trying to remember that Valrae was the VICTIM of all this. It didn’t seem to be the case from where she sat but Hudson was convinced. And Alvina did love Hudson, for all his impossibility. Hopefully he proves this relationship isn’t one sided some day soon. “...Valrae. She was wrongfully accused and in my bitterness about things between me and Hudson, I was quick to slap labels where they didn’t belong. Just, petty jealousy. Of me, that is to drag her into it...this time.” Alvina averts her gaze, trying to remain convincing before asking Josleen how she’d been. “Forgive me for rushing into business, you look stunning, positively glowing even?” Was Josleen soon to be in the family way? Wouldn’t that be a better subject than discussing Valrae’s possible torture? Alvina thinks so!

Josleen chuckles at the ‘your majesty’ joke and swats a hand dismissively. Alvina doesn’t have to call her that. However, her dear friend continues with a very formal script, and Josleen suspects she’s been put up to this reversal. She ignores the attempt at changing the subject. “...So are you saying that… it was Hudson who killed the ex boyfriend?” Josleen squints and cants her head like, ‘Are you sure you want to say Valrae was framed?’ This leaves only one other option: Hudson is a murderer. Before forcing Alvina to choose, Josleen bequeaths her with a kindness of sorts. “I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I told my husband this story and, to be honest, we find the details so confusing we’re not sure who is truly to blame for the murder. Though we are concerned with Valrae’s ability to influence minds through magic. Are you saying she cannot erase memories or possess or enrage men to behave a certain way?” Again, if so, that means Hudson acted of his own volition.

Alvina pauses, feeling backed into a corner. She had to do something to mend the situation or Hudson could get into a lot of trouble. Shouldn’t it be easy to throw Valrae under the bus? Just this once? Damn it. She couldn't say it was a reaction to the medicine Hudson was taking, because Valrae made it! And if she outed Hudson as a murderer, Josleen would -have- to lock him up, which would be great for her situation. Maybe he’d prefer that instead of Valrae being in trouble? Unclear. Instead she sighs, closing her eyes and tilting her head towards the floor. “Oh Jos, I don’t know. She’s never done it with me, that I now of, so I can’t say, but... she’s really very nice and I don’t think she’d do something...bad...unless she was in a dangerous situation. Hudson said the guy that was murdered was her abusive ex boyfriend or something...Gods. I don’t know what to do.” Alvina crumbled in the face of Josleen’s information. Maybe it would be enough to keep Valrae from prison. “Before you make any decisions, maybe you should talk to Valrae. You know...she did help me get pregnant and I know how much you fawn over Luna and Harper? Maybe she could…?” It’s a rude suggestion, she’s grasping at straws to try and make everyone happy. It’s a good plan right? Hudson is Josleen’s friend, so he doesn’t go to jail for a murder someone else was basically convicted of, and Valrae helps Josleen have some little Macon’s and Josleen’s, and she’s out of the frying pan because she weakly opened her big fat mouth to her friend, who happened to be a Queen. “I didn’t mean to say all that to the Queen of Larket, you know, Jos... it’s out me in a bit of a bind…”

Josleen openly gawks when Alvina says that Valrae is very nice. Is Alvina under Valrae’s mind control now? Josleen dismisses that suspicion as quickly as it occurs to her. Alvina appears clear-eyed, and regretful, and like a woman beaten down by the clever manipulations of a man who has, sadly, outsmarted her. To Josleen, there is no other explanation for Alvina’s defense of the very woman who caused her the greatest grief. This benefits largely Hudson and Valrae, two personas non grata. And yet here Alvina makes herself look silly for their sake. Josleen pities her friend, and it’s a good thing for Alvina too, for when she suggests that Josleen invite Valrae into her life to treat her own unacknowledged-but-obvious issues, she also insults and angers Josleen. Her fertility issues went unacknowledged for a reason: it’s a secret shared only with her husband. And furthermore, there’s no chance she’s bringing that hussy Valrae anywhere near her marriage. But, given Alvina’s pitiful state and the real number that Hudson has done on her, Josleen is quick to forgive. “Well, I am sorry to see you like this, Alvina. But let me loosen your binds by repeating that the details are confusing and it’s unclear which action, if any, Larket should take in the matter. If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about either of them anymore. They aren’t worth all of this.” Nothing in this conversation has dissuaded Josleen from her ploy to harass and bully Valrae. In fact, quite the opposite, the bullying now feels downright heroic, for Alvina’s sake. A servant knocks on the door, and Josleen signals for him to speak. “Your majesty, there is a delivery for the Lady Alvina.” “Oh? From who? Bring it in.”

Alvina hadn't meant to make a comment that would reflect poorly, damn it...She's trying so hard. For all effort, she can Tell Josleen is offended and trying to be nice and gracious by avoiding the elephant in the room. Ugh baby talk. Alvina has her head in her hands, still picking off little bits of food and putting them on the saucer of her tea cup, since Gigi (like every other male in the world has abandoned her for better things). "Jos, look I'm sorry..." She tries to say before someone interrupts them with this announcement of a delivery. What? A delivery? Here? The only one who knew she was here would have been Hudson. Is it possible that he sent some sort or alchemical bomb to dispose of both Josleen And Alvina, so he could be free to explore his Witch feelings With Valrae? They'd even raise her babies, Gods no! "I don't want it!" She's standing, trying to stop the servant but Josleen already instructed him to bring it in. Alvina stares, emerald eyes glued to the door, terror thickening in her throat.

Gigi sits between his mom and Alvina on the couch and, realizing he isn't the center of attention -somehow-, rolls onto his back and exposes his belly for their benefit. Josleen automatically rubs it without even thinking about it. His head is closer to Alvina and he nudges her thigh with his head as if to instruct her that she too is expected to rub the Prince's belly. Josleen's brows knit in confusion as Alvina exclaims that she doesn't want the delivery. Why? What is going on? She's even more confused as four servant holding massive bouquets of two dozen roses each parade into the room and place 48 roses in glass vases in a semi circle around Alvina's feet. One of them hands her a note. It's an invitation from Lord Reinhardt Devereux for a date. [ooc: Reinhardt will send you the details! He asked me to deliver the flowers in our RP.] Josleen gasps and feigns surprise at the name. As soon as she saw the roses, which were a real surprise, she knew it must be from Reinhardt. "My goodness! Oh to be wooed like that again. I'm jealous."

Alvina tenses up as... Roses are placed around her feet? What the heck is this? This is not a crazy murder plot. Had she been reading too many gang novels? Cautiously, Alvina takes the note and reads it, out loud, even Though Josleen doesn't look too surprised. All this? For her? "W-what is happening?" The bard forms to Josleen for answers as the servants file out. "Why am I being wooed I'm-" She pauses, about to say she was married Oh but sweetie that never happened. Not once, ever. Her shoulders slump. She rubs Gigi and feels a bit better. "Who is this guy?"

Josleen's eyes twinkle with the devilish glee of a meddling matchmaker successfully pulling off her ploy. "Oh, Lord Devereux? He's Larket born and raised, and a knight. His father recently passed away and he inherited the estate and title. His mother Violet is the president of the Women Patriot's of Larket Society. I believe you may have seen him at Artia and Brennia's charity ball? He was up for auction as well, as he is also a good sport, like you, and wanted to help raise money for the city. His family has also donated, of course."

Alvina squinting at Josleen. "And what would such a highfalutin Lord want with me?" Wait, he was at the auction? Gods, did Alvina say something to him after she drank too much to cope with Valrae? The bard flops back down, stunned and momentarily silent. "What the hell is going on with the world?" She asked, with a grim look of finality about her. "Is he even cute?"

Josleen sighs exasperatedly for comedic effect, as if to say 'you're impossible!' "Alvina! A young, rich knight -and- Lord is apparently," she gestures empathetically at the roses, "taken with you. Yes, he is very handsome! Perhaps the second handsomest man in Larket." She winks to indicate that yes, she means the first is King Macon, and no, the Queen isn't delusional enough to assume Alvina agrees. "You should go on this date and enjoy yourself, why not? You don't have to marry the man."

Alvina slumps like a spoiled child and huffs. Gigi licks her on his back. "It would be nice, to feel important." When Josleen makes this statement about Macon, she smiles and shoves her lightly. "Get out of here, with that lovey dovey nonsense. You're too cute." Then, defeated but still grinning, "Fine. What's the worst that could happen? I feel like you are mixed up in this somehow but... Maybe it'll be fun. Thanks Jos. You're the best. Really." And unlike their last meeting, Alvina hugs the Queen warmly. The mission of this visit now buried appropriately under 48 roses.