[Activity] Hail, Hail, the Princess Has Returned

[Katarina Karkov]

"Oh, lord," Katarina said, rubbing her temples. "What is it now?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"I left your nice dress back at the Prince's castle. I borrowed it to blend in better and to have a big reveal. I really hope it wasn't one of your favorites, it did seem very nice. Even if it was loose in the chest for me."

Well now she was just messing with her. Sort of.

[Katarina Karkov]

Katarina just stared back for a moment.

And then she broke up into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, the stress, pressure and absurdity of the situation finally overwhelming her.

...It had been a long day.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Mission success. Jezabelle rolled over and hugged Katarina's waist, not seeming to care about what the handmaidens might think of such familiarity. She didn't start to speak again until the giggling died down.

"Get your rest and relax. We can think up a plan later." A plan to do what exactly? That remained to be seen.

[Katarina Karkov]

"I shall dress, meet the king, and then, assuming I can still hear from the ringing in my ears, take your advice, Jezabelle.

Thank you. For everything."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jezabelle didn't like the finality of that everything remark. It almost sounded like a goodbye.

"I'll come with you then. I won't say anything, I promise! I'll just be there for moral support."

That promise probably didn't hold water.

[Katarina Karkov]

"Not like that, you will not. The girls will take you to put on something more...appropriate for your status. My father cares ever so much for that sort of thing, you know.

I shall see you soon, Jezabelle."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez looked down at herself. "... I thought it was looking pretty spiffy."

Jezabelle wanted to reassure Katarina about her upcoming conversation, but everything that came to mind either seemed inappropriate or not helpful. The best she could manage was "good luck", and even that felt wrong as it rolled off of her tongue.

[King Stefan Karkov]

"Too spiffy, I'm afraid. We can't be outshining the princess; we must all know our place," she said, her voice dripping with bitterness.

"Indeed, Katarina" came a voice from the door leading to the main part of the castle. "But then, you have always found a way to shine in the darkest situations."


King Stefan of Symkaria was not a small man. Not in height, as he ducked slightly to enter the Princess' chambers. Not in width, as he obviously feasted well. And not in aura, as he walked through the room with a practiced air of...well, not superiority, per se, but control. Prince Alex had acted above everyone to hide the fact that he was not. King Stefan did not need to act, confident enough in his position and in command of any room he entered.

Lenka and the other handmaidens sprung to their feet as the King entered, flanked by four footmen of his own. They all stayed a step behind the King as he strode into the room -- at least at the moment, this was no private reunion of father and daughter. Katarina also quickly came to her feet, rising to meet the King, and curtsying before him.

"It gives me great pleasure to see you returned to us, and I ache to see what has happened to you while you were away. Welcome home, my daughter."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

The voice alone was enough to make it apparent to even Jezabelle the standing of the man who was entering the princess' living quarters, but the way that her handmaidens and even Katarina herself sprang to her feet drove the point home. And she wasn't too long in following their lead, it reminded her of a line from a White House politics show she'd watched growing up - when the president stands, no one sits.

[King Stefan Karkov]

The King walked over, and took a moment to carefully trace the outline of Katarina's damaged face.

"The outside world can be cruel and harmful. Do not despair, my daughter; those responsible will rue this day. On that you have my word."

"Yes, father. But I must state that I do not believe that Prince Alex would be capable of acting..." Katarina began, only to be set aside with a wave from the King's hand, as he turned to look at the handmaidens, and then specifically at Jez.

"I understand that you are the heroine of the day, yes? You have done a great deed, and all of Symkaria thanks you. I thank you," he said, and it was clear that this, at least, was a heartfelt sentiment. One dressed up in formalities and duties, but unless the King was a better actor than he was monarch, the look in his eyes was one of a grateful parent first and foremost. Whatever the weird tense vibe between him and Katarina was -- and certainly, the room was filled with it -- this, at least, was a human moment.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jezabelle swallowed before she spoke, steeling herself.

"I'm not a heroine, I'm just a friend. I'm sure if the roles were reversed, her Highness would have done the same for me." She spoke with back straight and hands behind her, but still with a respectful tone. "But... you're welcome." Okay that part was kind of awkward.

[King Stefan Karkov]

The King looked down at Jezebelle, thoughtfully. "I believe she would, at that," he said, mysteriously.

"We shall provide you with transport home at your leisure, though you are welcome to stay and enjoy Symkaria on a less...stressful level for as long as you would like. As for the Princess, we are grateful you have delivered her back into safe hands. You have my word that she will not find herself in such a situation again," he said, with a meaningful look back at Katarina.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Though Jezabelle felt very small and meak in the king's presence, she made efforts to not remain a shrinking violet.

"Thank you for your most generous offer, and hospitality. The princess had promised to show me around her homeland, with her as my guide I am certain gain a proper appreciation for your nation's beauty."

While she was playing up her naivety a bit, Jez was no fool. From their earlier discussion she was fairly certain that Katarina's father would be quite reluctant to let her outside the palace gates any time soon. But she was at least going to make him say it.

[King Stefan Karkov]

The king pursed his lips, slightly. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. In light of recent events, we will have to undergo a full security check on all of the Princess' staff, as well as anyone the former Lieutenant worked with. I'm afraid the princess will not be going anywhere for several months, at the earliest."


"But, father, that isn't fair! You can't..." Katarina began, but was silenced again by a gesture from the king.


"I never should have let you go to that university to begin with, Katarina! I should never have given in. And your final argument, that Novak would keep you safe? You see now the dangers of the outside world. There are enemies who would want to see Symkaria fall; there are enemies who would want to see House Karkov fall, and even those you believe you could trust have proven duplicitous and shameful. No, Katarina; there is a lesson to be learned here, about wisdom and caution. For now, you shall remain safely here, and we shall bring the world to you."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

There is a common misconception that, in Japan, employees are unable to speak up to their bosses or express concern with their decisions. This is of course false, or at least is not true of all workplaces. The practice of Nomikai, the after-work gatherings where bosses and employees drink and socialize together, are often used as an avenue for employees to express their opinions without fear of reprisal from their employers. However there still remains this preconceived notion that some workplaces instead hire an outsider who is not afraid to speak their mind, even willing to risk embarrassing or insulting the employer with their statements.

"But isn't that the very response that they're trying to elicit from you?"

That name of that misconception? The Loud American.

"Haven't you considered Symkaria's true value to its neighbours? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you'd never grant passage through Symkaria to a foreign army so that they might attack Latveria, correct? Or allow them to stage their forces here? And you definitely wouldn't permit Doom to do the same, that much is obvious to everyone, even me. Which means it's obvious to your neighbours as well. You are the leader of a buffer state, and that is a very desirable thing for all other parties involved. Desirable enough that they'll take measures to preserve it. In your case, that means stoking the coals of isolationism to keep the flames from going out. And there's nothing more poisonous to isolationism than experiencing the broader world. They want to maintain the status quo, that's why Katarina's studies abroad represent such a threat to their plans. New ideas, networking, potential new alliances, all of this could upset their delicate balance. What better way to deter this than by placing the princess in jeopardy while she's abroad? And if you can manufacture it to be done by one of her own countrymen, well then you've saved yourself from the risk of reprisal, and might even foster a little civil war as a bonus, all while keeping your hands clean. Or gauntlets, in Doom's case."

[King Stefan Karkov]

The collective gasp of the people in the room was something to withhold, and Katarina looked like she might well faint again -- so much for getting on the King's good side!


The king paused for a moment, looking Jez up and down as if for the first time.

"This country has survived, independent and proud, through the attempted outside control of the Byzantines, the Ottomans, the Austrians, the Germans, the Soviets and the Latverians. Withstanding the pressures of those outside our borders who would do us harm is a key part of Symkarian identity," he said, coolly. "We have looked in the face of the greatest tyrants the world has ever seen, and they have blinked. To reduce us to that of a mere buffer shows the...arrogance of those from outside our walls. We are a power in our own right; an equal at the world table. And to pretend otherwise is folly.

Katarina was kidnapped by a Symkarian royal house, with the aid of a member of the Symkarian royal guard. These are enemies from within -- internal elements attempting to destabilize us. Out of a lust for the power I hold, the prerogatives I wield. An attack on my daughter is an attack on me, and an attack on me is an attack on Symkaria."

He took a step closer to Jez, bending down slightly to better look her in the eye.

"My daughter is...curious. By nature. She has many hobbies and interests I do not agree with. But that is fine, and I am willing to turn a blind eye to...things, as long as they bring her happiness," he said, staring straight at Jezabelle. "It is her right to learn as much as she can, and if that includes new ideas that threaten us? We shall have to learn to accept them one day -- or else she will have to step down and let another Royal Family reign, perhaps one who does not have the best interest of our people at heart. Perhaps one who welcomes being a buffer state -- or one who aspires to more active ends. It is a balance that is very difficult to walk, and one prone to causing falls.

And when those falls occur, I am there to catch her. It would be bad enough if this plot had threatened the Golden Girl of Symkaria, the People's Princess, the future Mother of Her Country from whom the next generation of leaders shall spring. But this is my daughter who was threatened. I shall spare nothing to keep her safe at all costs. And I shall not be driven from that path by freshman year political analysis."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"... from how concerned Lieutenant Novak was about Katarina's hobbies being found out, you're actually a lot more understanding than I had imagined." Even with his commanding presence Jezabelle stood her ground, perhaps bolstered by her confidence-boosting suit, or maybe the king wasn't as intimidating once you had spent a hour or more in Doom's personal bubble. She didn't argue with him however; there was a lot about Symkaria's history and current affairs that she really was an ignorant foreigner about. And she was here as a guest. "I am sure you will do well not to forget though, that I'm here largely in part because of Dr. Doom. It was him who told me about the princess' abduction, her abductor, her whereabouts, and the Lieutenant's involvement. And it was his wish that I rescue her, going so far as to bring us here himself, knowing full-well that I would not keep that a secret. It is a working relationship I take no pride in, and I hope I never have to do it again in the future. If that fits in with your assessment of the situation, then I am happy to be proven wrong."

Jez finally turned her head away from his royal Highness to look over at Katarina. "If the offer still stands, I'll forgo the tour in favour of spending with her Highness what time is still permitted to me. Provided it meets everyone's approval."

[King Stefan Karkov]

"I assure you, I will be looking into Victor von Doom's role in this whole affair. At the moment, that role seems to be providing the means for my daughter's rescue. While I'm sure there are cards yet to drop there, at the moment, it appears I should be thanking him more than anything else," the King said, dismissively.

"As for your future, it matters not to me. If the princess requires an extra handmaiden, I am sure she will find things for you to do," he added. "And when you are ready to return to your home, appropriate transportation will be provided."

'Handmaiden'. 'Appropriate transportation'. King Stefan hadn't raised his voice or made overt threats, and it was clear that he wasn't going to burn Jezabelle at the stake or anything for corrupting his daughter. Still, it was hard to miss the general implications the King was making, and the fact he hadn't out-and-out said what most of the room had to be thinking at this point in time was also a tell in and of itself.

Gosh darn it, couldn't any of these royal people just say what they meant?

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"This is acceptable. Thank you."

You know Jez, if you had just bit your tongue when the king was speaking to Katarina, this visit could have been a lot more fun. You could've been a hero, maybe even convinced the king to let Katarina show you the city... with a more thoroughly-picked escort. You could have said your concerns in private after having had time to think of a more tactful way of expressing them. But you just have to step in and stand up for people. And what good has it gotten you so far? This'll make two countries whose leaders you've personally insulted. Idiot. The girl silently stewed to herself.

[Katarina Karkov]

"I believe we have an understanding then," the King said, turning his back on Jez.

"Katarina, we will talk more...in a more appropriate setting. We are attempting to contact Jacques, but this may take some time. For now, you are to remain in the palace. Do I make myself clear, Katarina?"


Katarina, still taken off balance by Jez's boldness, merely managed a nod. This was apparently enough for the king, who exited stage left with his entourage.


"I am going to pass out. I' am going to fall over and pass out," Katarina mumbled, once they were alone again.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

It didn't take long for Katarina to have a "handmaiden" by her side and taking her arm, though if she would trust this one or slap it Jez didn't know. Luckily she had the option of sending a copy in her place.

"Let's see. Castle, check times two. Sword fight, check. Punching a prince, check. Insulting a king, check. Forming a pact with the villain, check. All that's missing is slaying a dragon and I've done a proper fairy tale. Those are hard to find though, well, except for Drake...."

[Katarina Karkov]

Katarina did not slap Jez #2 away -- if anything, she leaned in a bit closer.

"I shall do my best to find one for you," she said, weakly. "Or at least some sort of ogre or goblin."

"And you did rescue a princess. I'm told that is quite popular in these stories," she added, flashing a weak smile.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez wrapped her arm around Katarina's waist, both in support and affection. The other one snapped her fingers. "That's right, I forgot that detail. Wow, I'm better at this than I thought."

The one closest to her turned her head toward her. "Back to bed? I think you need your rest still."

[Katarina Karkov]

"Hrm," Katarina said, with a frown. "I do not know. You spoke rather harshly to my father, the King, glory be to his name, just now. I suppose if I were to let you off easy for that, then I would go down in his estimation."


"Lenka. Helena. Svetlana. You may take the rest of the evening off. Your normal duties shall be carried out by your junior, Jezabelle, so she can see precisely what the royal self thinks of her waggling tongue."


Katarina was not very good at innuendo, either.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Both Jez's tried to hide their flustered expressions. In her mind there was NO way that her most loyal handmaidens could miss the blatant bluntness of the princess' suggestion.

[Katarina Karkov]

Whether innuendo was unheard of in Symkaria, or the handmaidens were particularly innocent, or if insinuating anything about the princess was unthinkable, the trio did curtsy and leave. Jez was not sure if it was her imagination or not that had them glance back at her as they filed out, leaving, for the first time in weeks, Jez and Katarina alone.

The shift in Katarina's demeanor was obvious -- her shoulders sagged, she stood a little less upright, and she sort of collapsed in on herself a bit. Being the Princess was a role, and it appeared to be a tiring one at that. Even in the car ride to the palace, she had been in Business Mode. It was if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders -- or her strings cut, allowing her (and forcing her) to move on her own.

"I would give many things for today to not have happened," she sighed, leaning more into a Jez. "But I am glad that at the end of it, you are here."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

It was Jez's turn to be the strong one, and she was more than willing to take on the task. She let Katarina lean on her as much as she liked, gently resting her forehead against theirs.

"Even with how much of a mess I've made of everything?"

[Katarina Karkov]

"Of all the people who have made a mess of things today, you are far from first place," Katarina sighed. "For example, you are not in prison. That's a positive step."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"The days not over yet." Jez pointed out as she tried to coax the princess into at least sitting down. She'd had one hell of a day, and she'd been in bed when Jez had entered the room.

[Katarina Karkov]

"Yes, but I do not have any jail cells here in my rooms. No traditional ones, at any rate," she said, finally allowing herself to be sat down. "And having the Princess' ear is a useful tool."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Katarina was held in stereo, a Jez sitting on either side of her in a comforting embrace.

"Haven't I corrupted you enough already, with my wicked Western ways?"

[Katarina Karkov]

"I thought you didn't want to hear about the decadent West anymore."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"True, there's much nicer things I'd like to hear escaping your lips." One of the Jez said as both of them held Katarina just a little closer. "If it pleases her Highness." Said the other, a little 'revenge' for her earlier posturing in front of her handmaidens.

[Katarina Karkov]

"If you're not put off by all these trappings of a buffer state," Katarina teased back. "It is not quite a dormitory shower stall, after all."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Not in the slightest." Jezabelle reassured her. Though she was quite content to instead cuddle in stereo if the princess' posturing was mostly for show.

[Katarina Karkov]

"And if you're...not put off with me remaining golden, for now," she added, tracing the edges of her damaged face.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

One of the Jez leaned in to give that dent the most gentle of pecks.

"Quite the contrary. I've been wanting to explore this side of you for a long, long time..." And scenery certainly didn't hurt, it really was a medieval fantasy brought to life. Just... not the kind you told your kids.

[Katarina Karkov]

"Well, then..." Katarina said, quietly. "Let us explore."


((FTB and frantic plot rekajiggering))