"I guess the only true way to remember by then, recite, recite, recite, if I get something wrong, start over," which is how I am suppose to make actors memorize when directing.
Ahmetia Travels to Ruritania
(257 posts) (2 voices)-
Fri Dec 18 2009 2:50 am #
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They keep going over the vow, and intersperse it with questions about whether you're clear on the events ahead: you will be met at the station by Marshal Strakencz, and then mount and ride escorted by the queen's guard to the cathedral. The Archbishop and Duchess Michelle, your half-sister. Michelle will take your arm and escort you to the dais, with the Archbishop behind. You are to take the seat on the dais, then be presented by the Archbishop. The Archbishop will call for an oath of fealty, and those present will reply in unison, and then you will be cued to recite the vow. At that moment you--in proxy for Rudolpha--are Queen of Ruritania. The court will be presented, one member at a time, as previously mentioned and described, followed by visiting dignitaries. Then you recess to the carriage which takes you to the palace there in Strelsau. We will secure your rooms, and you and Sapt will slip out and ride back to Zenda, where you will trade places with the Queen and vanish from the nation, with the secret gratitude of the monarch.
Do you have any questions?
--M. J. Young
Thu Dec 24 2009 1:15 am # -
No, at that point it's just a question of whether or not I'd screw up, which I hope to not.
Thu Dec 24 2009 2:10 am # -
You arrive at the station and disembark. Horses are waiting, and although you do so a bit awkwardly you manage to mount the great white stallion that is the queen's horse quite on your own.
"Are you well, majesty?" asks the newly-introduced elderly Marshal Strakencz, with some concern. Sapt answers.
"Her majesty did not sleep so well last night, due to anxiety over today's important ceremony."
"Understandable. Well, things ought to be smooth enough.
"I have taken the liberty of changing the parade route. Michelle had suggested a route through the wealthier neighborhoods, many of whom are, shall we say, less eager to support your claim to the throne. You are, of course, the popular favorite, as everyone can see the Elfborg mark on you. Thus I set the route to take us past your supporters. I hope I did not act inappropriately?"
"Not at all, Marshal," Sapt says. "Please, lead the way."
And with that, you ride through the streets of a modern late nineteenth century western European city, lined with cheering fans all waving, for a twenty-minute horse ride to the cathedral.
Feel free to color this as you wish.
You reach the cathedral uneventfully. Awaiting you on the steps is a man just past middle age wearing the traditional white garb of a Catholic Cardinal including the tall hat, and a woman smartly dressed in dress black military garb, her dark hair cropped short, her posture perfect, and her dark glasses hiding her eyes. There is a flicker of surprise on the mouth as you arrive and dismount, but it is quickly hidden by a smile.
"Welcome, sister; or do I say majesty?" The smooth tones contain just a bit of disdain, but the Cardinal seems not to notice it. She offers you her arm.
--M. J. Young
Sun Dec 27 2009 1:52 am # -
I take her arm and say nothing, either worried it'll come out as meaner then I think her to be, or her to realize I am not her.
Sun Dec 27 2009 7:46 pm # -
In your silence, Michelle says, "I trust my big sister is not unwell today." It is an inquiring sort of statement; she's looking for information of some sort. "You are not usually so quiet."
Together you advance through the crowded cathedral; everyone rises as you do so, and soon you are climbing the steps of the dais. A large ornate wooden armchair sits in the center, and Michelle escorts you to it, allowing you to sit, bowing slightly, and withdrawing to the floor. The Archbishop smiles at you, and turns to face the gathered crowd.
"Sirs," he says, "Sirs, I here present unto you our most puissant liege lady and monarch, Rudolpha the Fifth, your undoubted queen. If there be any present who dares challenge this title, let him now stand forth."
There is a pause in which the room is silent. The Archbishop continues, "Wherefore, all you who are come this day to offer your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?"
The assembled crowd responds, "God save Queen Rudolpha."
He turns to you, and it is evident you are expected to recite the vow.
If this were live, I would give you the option to attempt to recite the vow yourself from memory; I cannot easily do that here without your assurance that you will not simply copy the text from the earlier post. The alternative, which I would also extend at the table, is to roll simple intellect and ed lev checks to see whether your character is able to recall and recite it properly. Before I make any rolls, however, it occurs to me that you might wish to claim some particular skill at line memorization that should apply here, or some basis for me to believe that your checks ought to be bonused.
--M. J. Young
Sun Dec 27 2009 9:54 pm # -
((I am going to try and be as on dot as possible, I am going to try and figure how much of it I could have memorized based off how much I memorized a paragraph in Japanese for a test I had earlier. I had to memorize like 9 or so sentences in what I think was half an hour, though this is relatively short))
"I, Rudolpha, do solemnly promise to govern the people of Ruritania according to the laws and customs, and to cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all my judgments. The things I have promised I will perform and keep, so help me God."
Sun Dec 27 2009 10:19 pm # -
You stumble a bit, hesitating in a couple places, but you get it right. You can tell that the Archbishop was holding his breath for a moment, but he now smiles. Four clergymen in high church attire now lift the crown from its stand and place it on your head. Those present declare in unison, "God save the Queen."
Everyone begins to move, someone to your right announces "His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop," and the Cardinal Archbishop steps in front of you, touches your crown with his hand, kneels, kisses your ring, and returns to his seat on the dais. By this time, Michelle is visible, stepping onto the platform as her name is announced as "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Strelsau." She performs the same acts, and then steps down.
"His Royal Highness the Prince Flavius" is announced, and you see an absolutely gorgeous man about your age with eyes the color of the Queen's--the color of yours--perfect poise and an inviting smile. You try to resist, but you are about to do something foolish and impetuous, so taken are you by this charming prince. Would you care to tell me what sort of foolish and impetuous act you in the role of Queen of Ruritania are likely to do in this situation? (You recall that there was talk of the Queen being expected to marry Prince Flavius, and you can't imagine why she would hesitate to do so.)
--M. J. Young
Wed Dec 30 2009 1:25 am # -
Most likely I would start going into giggling school girl mode and trying very hard not to speak and say anything stupid.
Wed Dec 30 2009 4:52 am # -
You can feel yourself blushing as you bite down on your lips and try to contain your giggle. You realize that you've grabbed his hand, and almost abruptly you release it.
He has a puzzled look on his face, but nods and turns to leave.
After that, there is a rather long line of others, of whom Frieda's von Tarlenheim's parents are included, and also Colonel Sapt and Marshal Strakencz, but mostly people whose names you've never heard, many of them foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, and other representatives of neighboring countries.
Finally it is over, and you are escorted by an honor guard down the aisle and out the front doors, where a footman opens the door to an ornate horse-drawn carriage, and offers his hand to assist you in ascending. You find a seat as the door closes, glance out the window at the waving cheering people, and then find that you are alone with Prince Flavius.
"Your majesty," he says. "I suppose that I probably ought not call you 'Rudy' even for old times' sake--at least, not today." He smiles, and you feel the thrill of his attention.
--M. J. Young
Thu Dec 31 2009 12:36 am # -
"There's no point in keeping things so formal. After all, I'll be the same as I ever was," even when I am not her.
Thu Dec 31 2009 12:49 am # -
"The same?" He laughs. "The same boisterous, loud-mouthed, self-centered hard-drinking tomboy? You hardly seem so today, Rudy. I've never known you to be so, je ne c'est quoi? Well, whatever it is--forgive me, Rudy, it must be a very trying day for you; but it has certainly impacted you dramatically."
--M. J. Young
Fri Jan 1 2010 3:36 am # -
"You say that almost as if you didn't like it. But I guess today needs to be reserved."
Fri Jan 1 2010 8:13 pm # -
"Oh, I wouldn't say I didn't like it. It's just that you seem different today. Usually you seem to regard me as a birthright--'Rudolpha will be crowned queen and will marry Prince Flavius to continue the line, whenever she decides she's tired of being single and wants to have children.' Or perhaps you would rather I marry Michelle? She has made her interest in me quite clear, although I think were you not here she would simply command that I marry her and keep me locked in the palace so she could bring me out for show. She might decide that having an heir with the Elfborg Mark would be good for her image, but I'm not certain she would honestly sully herself with producing offspring nor even concern herself with the future of the kingdom."
His smile is very disarming. He sounds serious, but he looks friendly and almost deferential.
--M. J. Young
Sun Jan 3 2010 7:48 pm # -
((sorry, I was suffering with writers block for the longest time, then I buried myself in my own to do lists :( I really need to cut some projects))
I sit there nervously, feeling uneasy about keeping up the charade with Rudolpha's fiance. Ping ponging in my head whether or not to tell him the truth and swear him to secrecy, this was technically legal, right? Not right? It's surely the more right thing to do then to continue to pretend to be here when me and him were alone. And who knows when she'll be well again.
Sun Mar 7 2010 7:21 am # -
"Today has affected you, hasn't it? I suppose it's not every day one becomes queen. Obviously you're taking this all much more seriously than anyone might have supposed. I should let you contemplate, shall I?"
Part of you wants him to keep talking to you; the idea that this totally gorgeous and charming prince is supposed to become the fiance of the woman you're pretending to be is as close to the reality as the fantasy has ever been. Indeed, if something went more wrong, you might wind up as the prince's bride--or, it strikes you that the news would have it, he as your groom--for a fairybook romantic ending, except that there's the ugly part in the middle where the real queen is struggling for her life and the prince does not know that you are not her. You could be, though, and this man is a very tempting incentive in that direction.
Thus part of you also hopes the temptation will withdraw, that he will quietly look out the window for the rest of the ride, and that you will be able to resist staring (not to say gawking) at his gorgeous form as he does so. Odd that the real queen didn't mention this fringe benefit of her position. To hear him tell it, she hardly gives him a thought.
You can ride in silence to the palace and disembark there, or you can continue your interactions with the prince.
--M. J. Young
Mon Mar 8 2010 12:25 am # -
I sit for the most part, wondering what I could say just to make polite conversation without giving away that I was not her. "We don't have to sit her in silence, but yes, this day has me a bit rattled." -It's not everyday you impersonate a queen.-
Mon Mar 8 2010 3:37 am # -
Flavius manages to keep the conversation light over the perhaps fifteen minute ride. Among the bits and pieces he offers as conversation starters:
"I do think that the Archbishop was pleased to see you. He smiled--more than smiled, I think he was beaming as you came forward. You couldn't see it, of course, being behind him. You'd think he'd won a bet that you were going to be there, if I thought the Cardinal a gambling man."
"Did you get the feeling that Michelle was surprised? I saw she sent a couple of her, shall we call them assistants, shortly after you arrived. No idea where they were going, but apparently she thought it important enough that they should miss the coronation."
"How was the hunting? They said you were at the lodge at Zenda this morning."
--M. J. Young
Mon Mar 8 2010 8:36 pm # -
I try and continue the light conversation without letting him onto anything about the secret.
Tue Mar 9 2010 4:14 am # -
You arrive at the palace, and Sapt is already on the steps awaiting you.
"Majesty," he says, "we should retire to your chambers. I know that you have not felt so well today, and it is important that you get some rest."
Frieda is rushing up to join him, apparently a step behind and a bit disheveled as she adjusts her glasses and fumbles with papers under her arm.
"If you will excuse us, your highness."
"Oh--certainly," Flavius says. "You didn't say--I should have guessed, all the tension and excitement, and you seemed so unlike your usual self. Get some rest. I will see you again tomorrow, if you are not down for dinner."
He is pausing, as if expecting you to respond.
--M. J. Young
Wed Mar 10 2010 12:58 am # -
"I certainly hope I will be well enough by then."
Wed Mar 10 2010 6:21 am # -
Sapt runs interference while Frieda takes your arm and escorts you through the palace and through a door into an elegantly appointed suite--white walls with gold trim that might be real gold, red plush carpets, several rooms of which the first has comfortable sofas and chairs around tables as a sort of sitting room, the second brass chairs and tables arranged as a combination meeting room and office, the bedroom plush red velvet appointments on the chairs and benches and mahogany wood furniture.
Sapt starts giving orders. "Here, but these on." He tosses a set of plain looking clothes with a hooded cloak on the bed. "You'll ride as my assistant tonight; you must not be seen going back to Zenda. From there, you'll take your things and we'll get you out of the country, and I'll bring the queen back here. Frieda will run interference, telling people you're still recuperating from celebrating--everyone knows how the queen celebrates.
"Call me when she's dressed," he says, and steps out of the room, leaving Frieda with you to help.
--M. J. Young
Thu Mar 11 2010 1:34 am # -
"She was safe and secure when we left her, right?" I ask as I change into the plain clothes.
Thu Mar 11 2010 2:19 am # -
"She was drugged, of course. We moved her to a bedroom and left Josef there to watch her. Michelle was here at the coronation, and since no one suspects you are not Rudolpha, she should be fine."
When you are dressed, Frieda will call for Colonel Sapt, who will reenter the room, and go to a side panel. This opens with a bit of pressure. "The old king's secret exit," he says. "We have horses waiting in the back garden. We're losing daylight, but we can't very well leave before dark anyway. Don't leave anything important here; you won't be back."
He glances at a pocket watch. "Frieda, I should be back before people start asking questions, but if anyone comes to the door tell them the queen is recuperating and not seeing visitors until later."
"What if Michelle...?"
"I don't care if it's the Pope. No one is admitted until I return with the Queen.
"Are you ready?"
--M. J. Young
Thu Mar 11 2010 9:13 pm # -
"Yes...I hope she's alright..."
Fri Mar 12 2010 2:58 am # -
The secret passage is dusty with some cobwebs, but it does appear as if an effort were already made to clear the path to some degree, and Sapt leads the way with an oil lantern. He darkens it before opening a door at the far end, and exits under a dark night sky by a garden wall, where a groom waits with two horses.
"Thank you," Sapt says. "And remember, not a word to anyone that I left."
He mounts and waits for you.
--M. J. Young
Sat Mar 13 2010 5:22 am # -
I try to mount up without aid this time, though I am not sure how successful I'd be.
Sat Mar 13 2010 5:43 am # -
Your attempt to mount is awkward and fails. Sapt dismounts.
"Come, son, you shouldn't have had so much to drink at the party," he says, and offers you a "leg up". You mount easily with his assistance, and soon the two of you are off at a brisk and uncomfortable trot.
"Post," he says. "That's right, you're new at this. What you need to do is squeeze your legs against the horse's flanks and raise your buttocks off the saddle, then bounce opposite to the rhythm of the horse--as the horse rises, you fall, and as he falls, you rise, supporting yourself by the pressure on the inside of your legs and your thigh muscles."
You attempt to follow his advice, and find that it is hard work but a lot less uncomfortable.
You ride out of the city and along a dirt highway the ten miles to Zenda, and into the forest near the castle in which the lodge is located. The lodge is dark.
"This does not look good," he says, and appears to be contemplating for a moment.
You may interrupt the flow of these events at any moment; I will keep writing what happens if you do not, but do not feel that I have closed out any actions you might have taken or statements you might have made.
"Wait here; stay in the shadows. I will scout ahead--we don't want you caught in an ambush."
He checks the revolver he always carries, and his saber, and dismounts, then heads carefully and quietly onto the porch. He waits by the door for a moment, as if listening, and then steps inside.
You are left alone in the dark outside.
After a few minutes a light appears in the windows. Then lights move around inside the building, and finally Sapt emerges with a lantern.
"It's safe," he says, "but it's not good. Josef is dead, along with the serving woman. The queen is gone." He turns and looks in a direction you've not been. "We can bet we know where she is.
"All right, then, if Michelle is going to play the game, we'll keep playing. The masquerade continues. We have to get you back to Strelsau before the queen is missed. You are our safety: as long as you play the queen, Michelle can't kill the real queen and can't kill you; but she can't reveal that you are not the queen without implicating herself in treason. We have to find a way to rescue the queen; but first we have to make sure that no one suspects she's captive."
He starts riding back up the trail. You're very sore from the ride out, but it's late and you have to be back by morning if this is going to work.
--M. J. Young
Sun Mar 14 2010 9:39 pm # -
"I was afraid of this, Flavius said he saw her assistants leave the ceremony...This can't be good though..."
Mon Mar 15 2010 12:15 am # -
"Come on, then. We need to hurry--if you're seen on the road it will only raise questions we don't want to have to answer. There's a bed awaiting you in Strelsau, and a decent meal, and I'm afraid a charade that has to continue."
--M. J. Young
Wed Mar 17 2010 1:06 am # -
"Do you think this charade can last that long?"
Wed Mar 17 2010 3:17 am # -
"The question is, who do we have to fool, who has to know, and who already knows? Assuming you haven't told anyone, on our side only you, me, and Frieda know, and presumably no one else has to. As long as no one else knows you are not the queen, there's not much that can give you away other than casual mistakes in conversation, and the only people apart from us who would know the queen well enough that you would be in such a position would be--not many. Marshall Stracencz knows a lot of your childhood, but has no reason to discuss it with you and no particular reason to have anything but official contact. Prince Flavius--there's a serious problem there, as the people will expect the queen to start taking steps toward assuring the continuation of the Elfborg line by preparing to marry her cousin; but we can take those steps very slowly, and while you may have played together as children, no one will question the necessity of a chaperone now.
"Michelle, of course, already knows; but it will be important for her to keep the secret as well. Her top six will be told--Rupert of Hentzau, Krafstein, de Gautet, Detchard, Bersonin, Lauengram. But she'll hide the identity of her prisoner from everyone else. It's doubtful she can keep the loyalty of native Ruritanians if they believe her guilty of treason, and imprisoning the queen cannot be said to be less.
"So we have to get you back to the palace at Strelsau, and keep you in partial seclusion for today. Rudolpha's habits provide sufficient excuse for the court to believe you are recovering from celebratory overindulgence today. Over the next few days you'll go through perfunctory meetings with the diplomatic guests, none of whom have ever met the queen nor are likely to do so again, plus a few meetings with some key members of the Ruritanian nobility who don't expect much but to express their congratulations.
"In the meantime," he picks up the pace of the ride, "we can start devising a plan to rescue the real queen and get you out of the country somehow. I'm open to suggestions; but of course we'll all need time to think about it."
--M. J. Young
Thu Mar 18 2010 2:44 am # -
"Although I don't feel right about not telling Flavious, I suppose it is safer him not knowing. I suppose one of the best way is to first figure out where she is keeping Rudolpha or at least something pointing us in the right direction."
Thu Mar 18 2010 3:39 am # -
"The Castle at Zenda is both the obvious place and the safe place. It is the one place Michelle controls completely, and the old tower in the lake is an ideal prison, easily isolated, easily defended. I'll find some charts for it back in Strelsau, and we can consider our options. We'll want to scout the castle as well, but we can do that under the guise of a hunting trip in the Zenda game preserve around the lodge."
By the time you re-enter the secret passage, it is already mid-morning; Sapt pulls the saddles from the horses but leaves them to graze. You are exhausted, and marvel at his stamina, as he helps you back up hidden stairways and into the room.
Frieda is waiting, and as you pass through the door, she says, "Your majesty--"
"No, she isn't," Sapt says. "Michelle's men were there, and have taken Rudolpha. Josef is dead, along with the maid who could have implicated them."
"What do we do?"
"Right now? We maintain the ruse. No one knows that Ahemtia is not Rudolpha, and no one is to be told. Today she will have to rest; starting tomorrow she'll work her way through the diplomatic corps. We'll coach her concerning Ruritania's policies in each matter, and avoid any more problematic entanglements--we'll put it out that the Queen is working through the policy questions and considering what changes to make under her reign, and prefers not to be disturbed. That should buy us a week, during which we'll begin our strategizing.
"Meanwhile, let's get our Rudolpha food and rest.
"I," he turns his attention more toward you, "will sleep in your sitting room for the present, under the pretext that you wish to have your Aide de Camp available to help with policy matters at all hours. Frieda will take the spare bedroom. Be careful, though, what you say around the serving staff. They must not have any hint that you are not the queen, and they'll have to have access to make the beds and maintain the rooms, and to bring food and remove the dishes."
Frieda exits. Sapt suddenly seems uncertain, and you realize it's because you're both still in traveling clothes and you'll need to get changed, but he's an elderly soldier who knows nothing of women's bedclothes. He awkwardly excuses himself, and pulls the door to your room shut.
"If you need me," he calls, "shout."
In a few minutes, Frieda returns with a cart, which she uncovers to reveal a rather bland breakfast--coddled eggs, plain toast, with a glass of white wine. "I'm afraid this is what Rudolpha has every morning; usually she has a hangover, and does not want anything that would upset her stomach. We can work on changing it gradually, if it does not suit you, and I might be able to order something extra this morning."
You are so tired by this point that you can hardly think to change or to eat. Frieda asks if you'd like help getting clothes for bed, and opens a closet to reveal a collection of luxurious nightware ranging from long silk summer gowns to fur-lined robes.
--M. J. Young
Fri Mar 19 2010 5:31 am # -
((Man, I did really get lazy :( ))
I'm probably looking for the most worn and plain, otherwise offering to sleep in my chemise and not dirty something of Ruldolpha's.
Wed Apr 21 2010 11:06 pm # -
Frieda makes several suggestions of finery, and then realizes what you are thinking.
"Listen," she says. "Right now, you are Queen Rudolpha; we have no other, and we have to sell you as her to everyone from the serving staff to the Prince Flavius. Wear what you like, and don't worry about it--better that you should ruin a silk nightgown than that you should ruin the impression that you are the Queen of Ruritania."
With that, she helps you out of your sweaty riding clothes and into a very comfortable and luxurious silk gown. She lays a robe and slippers on a chair beside the bed, and helps you into it, placing your glasses on the night stand.
"Here, eat some of this, if you can," she says. "You'll need your strength. I can order an early supper for when you awaken; what should I request, your majesty?"
--M. J. Young
Thu Apr 22 2010 8:16 pm # -
"Nothing for right now, besides, the one thing I couldn't have, is the one thing that would look suspicious if I don't have," I say as a pick up the glass of white wine.
Fri Apr 23 2010 1:56 am # -
She looks confused for a moment, and then catches up. "Oh, right! You don't drink. Well, for the moment we'll have meals in your chamber, and we can toss out the beverage and add something else--I can get some fruit juice or fresh milk or buttermilk now, if you'd like? In any case, we'll taper off the wine on the claim that you're trying to keep a clear head while you review policy. What do you drink instead?"
--M. J. Young
Sat Apr 24 2010 12:29 am # -
"Some milk or juice would be nice, thank you. And it's not that I don't drink, I don't have a taste for it, I'm sure there must be something."
Sat Apr 24 2010 7:54 pm # -
Within twenty minutes you are supplied with a quart pitcher of fresh-squeezed mixed berry juice and another of fresh warm whole milk, along with two clean glasses.
Whenever you have eaten sufficiently of the eggs, toast, and beverages, Frieda will see to it that you are comfortable in the bed, and will retire to her own room. Both have instructed that you are to call if you need anything.
(Oh, they show you your private bathroom, and you have indoor plumbing including hot water.)
You are most certainly tired, having been awake now for almost thirty hours straight after a short night's sleep the previous night, with the long trips by horseback leaving you quite sore.
--M. J. Young
Sun Apr 25 2010 8:51 pm # -
I'd probably would normally insist on doing homework if not for the fact I was so tired and probably went to bed right after the meal.
Mon Apr 26 2010 2:28 am # -
It is still daylight when you awaken, but despite being sore from the riding you are well rested. The room is quiet. The robe and slippers remain on the chair next to the bed.
--M. J. Young
Tue Apr 27 2010 1:31 am # -
((School's out for summer :) After a tiring experience, never get get lazy for weeks...and now I'm stuck in writers block :( I hate you luck :())
Thu May 13 2010 1:59 am # -
What writer's block? Decide what you would do in this situation, and announce it. Your choices are pretty simple, really--wander out in your night clothes, don the robe and slippers and head out, look for something else to wear, call for your assistants, go back to bed, sneak out the secret passage to the garden gate--well, you might want to do one of the others before trying that one.
--M. J. Young
Thu May 13 2010 8:28 pm # -
((Now I'm just being lazy :( ))
I'm probably getting ready for the new day since I don't want to run into someone and ruin everything.
Fri Jun 25 2010 3:49 am #
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