niteo_nix | 021 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

[She doesn't know very much about how education works here.]

... I cannot tell you what it is in this place... I had tutors, privately. Princesses, of sorts, don't get to play with other children very much but...

I've very fond memories of it. It's a lovely thing to be able to learn, in whatever capacity you wish to. I'd start sometime after dawn, we'd have history, then languages for a few hours... then some on philosophy as well. All the way till dinner. Then I'd have other things that were consider necessary. Singing, dancing, sewing... but I do not think you'd be very interested in those.

[ponders a little further] Is there... any chance you could join one of the schools across the river?

[Alma listens attentively. Maybe Elizabeth's experiences were different from his desired "normal", but it was more schooling than he's ever had.]

Did you have art?

[He frowns a bit at her question.] I don't think so.

[He probably could, honestly, but it would only be a matter of time before he slipped up. Before he somehow hurt himself and his accelerated healing kicked in, raising suspicions and accusations. It was a big risk.]

Yes, that too. It's common for ladies to draw, at least those that can afford it. Painting however is for those of that trade. I had to sketch out designs that I'd like to sew sometimes.

[She smiled at him, she felt bad about this for some reason. He seemed so interested, as she had been in learning.]

You could... draw with me, if you liked. I don't mind.

I'd like that. [He grins, obviously in his element.] I love drawing. I like trying to sculpt too, but that gets kinda messy. [Probably because he uses mud and rocks. >>;]

How come not everybody could draw? All you need is paper and a pencil-...

[He trails off suddenly. Hold on a second...]

... Did you say "princess"?

Then you're more then welcome to. And they don't because paper and ink is not common, charcoal is though, I suppose. But it gets expensive, and only the nobility and merchants can really afford it.

[Oops, she really needed to stop springing that on people. This wasn't England, people didn't just know her.] And... yes. Princess. Though I wasn't really. But I was still a King's daughter, but when he had my mother, his wife, executed, I was stripped of my title.

But I'm the Queen of England, Ireland and... debatably France.

[He's listening to what she's saying. Really, he is, but... queens and princesses are things he's only ever read about in story books. He vaguely remembers mentions of some sort of queen back home, but his status as a Second and fifth lab's China location made such information pretty irrelevant.]

You're really a queen? That's amazing!

[She laughs a little at his enthusiasm.]

It's not all that thrilling, I swear. But yes, I really am a Queen. Daughter of Henry Tudor and Anne Boleyn, sister to Mary and Edward, who reigned before me.

[She doesn't want to tell him that it's nothing like in story books, but it felt cruel to do such a thing to a child.]

[Yes, just let him believe. Children need a little magic in their lives that doesn't come from giggling ghosts.]

But you're a queen! That's gotta be so cool! What should I call you? Oh-! [Just realizing that he's forgotten something.]

I'm Alma!

Well, I do like the parties. They are very grand. Court in general is something that seems a little larger then life, sometimes.

Just call me Elizabeth. Or my lady, if you'd prefer that. [Which it apparently bothered Lavi, and Cross sometimes. They still called her by title mostly.]

Hello, we've spoken before if you recall, when I asked for some help?

I like Elizabeth. It's a pretty name.

[He rubs at the back of his neck, grinning awkwardly.] I remember! I wasn't sure if I told you my name or not, though. I forget sometimes.

Thank you, I've never heard the name Alma before, and I think it's nice too.

[Interesting at least.] I can't recall either, it doesn't matter.

Thanks!

We should definitely draw together, though! I'm not very good yet, but I practice a lot.

That's the best way to get better, I haven't really for a long time, either. But it's very relaxing, I find. It's much like sewing to me, it gives idle hands something to do.

What kinda stuff do you sew?

Many things, but I like doing embroidery work the most. I like doing fine details. But I can make dresses and clothes when I feel like it.

[All by hand, for that matter. What's a sewing machine?]

Ah... let me show you...

[She reaches off screen of the video feed, pulling up the scarf she was sewing for Lavi. There's a lion embossed on the end. ]

This kind of thing? But it helps when you do it, to know what exactly you are doing to start with. Otherwise it can go crooked on you.

Oh, wow... [He's never seem something so intricate before. Even at home his clothing was simple and minimal.]

That's so pretty!

[She laughs at his praise.]

It's nothing so fascinating as all that, it's simple really. If you tell me what you like, I could make something for you too?

[She's got enough material left over, at least.]

Oh, you don't have to do that!

I don't have to, no. But I want to. So, tell me, what do you like? My little brother, his majesty and God rest his soul, always wanted swords. [It still hurt a little to think of Edward.]

Um... if I drew you a flower, could you do that?

Yes I could. I'm afraid the colours will be limited to what Lavi has given me.

But if you pick those out, it should be easy enough.

Alright, I can do that!

021 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

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