voicetesting;

[besung]

Let me tell you a story, my Lady, of a certain woman with whom you are already familiar. This woman, she might have been born to parents of humble standing, but was gifted by the deities with a good memory and a pleasant voice, so she soon caught the attention of the King himself who ordered her to take her place amongst the court singers where she would be trained and taught - and where she would meet the King's daughter whom she befriended, whom she came to love with all her heart, until one day the Princess, now Queen revealed that her love wasn't unrequited...

As such, you understand, of course. How I can't leave her. She is facing great turmoil and may the deities themselves be my witness when I say that her husband certainly shan't be by her side. I shall. I must.

Comments

[foxtwin]

Queens and such will always face turmoil. But there is much respect for those who will stand beside them.

[besung]

Someone will have to remember the stories of the past, otherwise she stands no chance before the force of the future.

[foxtwin]

Has she not studied history as well?

[besung]

It's a question of memory, not of studiousness. My memory is better than that of most others. What they forget, I remember - and retell.

[foxtwin]

Ah, I see. And what is it you fear she will forget?

[besung]

That she is as strong as the Queens who have gone before her - and exactly how strong Dani Maruk's former Queens have been.

[foxtwin]

Do you think she has forgotten?

[besung]

I think... I think it's easy to forget, considering the circumstances under which she currently finds herself.

[foxtwin]

That is what advisors are for, isn't it?

[alwaysbetogether]

It'd be quite romantic if it weren't quite so tragic.

[besung]

I'm a storyteller, my Lady. I know better than most how tragedies make for the greater romances.

[alwaysbetogether]

I agree... for fiction. Which I admit we technically are, but we still have feelings. It'd be much better if we could all just sort things out properly and avoid tragedy altogether.

[besung]

We were happier, admittedly, when we were still innocent in our love. Before all the complications happened.

[alwaysbetogether]

I'd imagine so.

[For all her compulsive desire to help anyone any time anywhere, Sunday is generally out of her comfort zone when it comes to romance. Which annoys her.]

Though I'd also imagine also less fulfilled.

[besung]

[Canti manages a small smile.]

Experiencing love to its fullest... Everyone should be entitled to such emotions, my Queen most of all.

[alwaysbetogether]

[After a second, Sunday quietly laughs and smiles back. She can relate to that- she loves pretty easily, but just not romantically.]

Oh, I don't think anyone would disagree with that. Not anyone with their heads screwed on straight, at least. You do have a way with words, but that was quite apparent from the start.

[besung]

A court singer is in possession of two instruments, her words and her voice. One you understand with your mind, the other with your heart.

[scratchthat]

Admirable. Loyalty in such trying times is certainly something I am glad to see.

Perhaps she could come with you. There have been stories like that, yes? Where a pair of lovers run away together and leave it all behind... Is that not possible?

[besung]

In theory. In practice - my Lady lacks one to play the Queen's part.

[scratchthat]

Understandable. It's the same with my husband. There is someone to play him, of course, but they do not wish to follow me here.

I'm sure someone would love to be your queen. After all, with a companion like yourself, it would be a pleasure.

[besung]

You flatter me, my Lady. Perhaps we are both a little less bereft now that we have been introduced to each other.

[scratchthat]

I most certainly feel better to know that I am not alone in being uprooted. There's an odd optimism to it.

I haven't been called "my Lady" in years. It's charming, nostalgic even. My name, though, is Adelaide. My friends call me Addie.

[besung]

Adelaide. Mine is Canti. [She cocks her head.] You're very beautiful.

[scratchthat]

Canti? How unique. Where are you from?

[A pause-- she's not unfamiliar with compliments, but such sincerity is... different.]

Oh! Thank you. You are as well! You're the sort of woman I'd read stories about to my children before bed, I think.

[besung]

The valleys and mountains of Dani Maruk are my homeland. The city of Treya my home.