Tatianna of Summerdream's Story

Catherine smiled at the girl, she was easy to amuse, but also easy to manipulate. Fortunately there were no ill intents this time around. "Of course Bethany. What little girl wouldn't need juice for her tea parties?" She replied reassuringly. Setting everything up was simple enough, and there would be no need for word to be sent to the court ahead of their arrival. "Now Miss Molly here is going to take you on your adventure, and I'll be waiting right here when you get back." It would take the better part of their afternoon to get Bethany bathed, dressed, and ready to leave. However, it was well worth it, especially if it brought peace of mind to everyone involved.

"Alright Bethany, I need you to hold as tight as you can to my hand and Miss Molly's hand, then wish real hard for us alright?" Catherine said as she stood there with Molly, dressed in a pale rose silk gown dripping with lace and pearls, looking every inch the fairy tale princess. Long hair piled high in complicated curls and knots, it was quite the departure from her normal somber mode of dress for the office. No longer in mourning, her choice of clothing matched the rest of the court that much closer.

It didn't take long for Molly to work her magic, and soon they were rushed between the planes; deposited gently on the other end in a rustle of silken petticoats and skirts into a path in a beautiful summer garden in full bloom. The light here was different, it was gentle, with warm breezes to caress the skin. "Well this is a surprise! How pleasant to see you my dear!" A voice called out from nearby. It belonged to a woman in an opulently trimmed buttercream colored gown, who soon began to approach them. "Hello, Tatiana." Catherine said, calling the woman by name as she broke from Molly and Bethany, briefly embracing the woman. "You remember Molly," She said as she gestured towards the pair. "I have a request, strange as it may seem..." Catherine added pointing to Bethany. "Of course my dear," Tatiana said with a smile. "She'll be perfectly safe here."



Xiaolian hoped that Molly's day hadn't been any worse or crazier than her's, but she suspected that the other officer had probably had it even more hectic than she did. Word around the office was that the Everchild had been a DOA, and that the Warden and Bronson were expected to be back from speaking with the Council in a closed conference any moment now.

Molly gave Tatiana an appropriate curtsy, “It’s a pleasure to see you again ma’am.” And then she knelt next to Bethany, who looked a little suspicious in her pretty pink gown with a big fluffy skirt. Molly had been talked into a plastic tiara for the little girl, and gotten the child’s hair oh so carefully styled and clean. The bath itself had been interesting. Bethany apparently was not fond of bathtime, but had been bribed with the idea of seeing Molly dressed up in a princess dress as well.

Molly herself was in a pale green dress almost as opulent as Catherine’s and decorated in embroidered butterflies. Her hair had been pinned and coiffed and curled fetchingly, and she had even bothered with makeup and jewelry given the trip. She smiled to the pink clad little girl and gestured to Tatiana. “Bethany, this is Queen Tatiana. She’s going to take care of you from now on.” She assured the child. Bethany bit her bottom lip, uncertain and looked the other over once, clearly not sure that it was the truth.

“You’re a real Queen? Like, really really, like Miss Catherine is a princess?”

Molly hide a smile at this and quietly explained. “Bethany is under the impression that princesses never age, ma’am.” Given that she refused to acknowledge she was a vampire and drank blood, the eternally a real princess thing must have been the best description that her caretakers had been able to come up with. It was almost cute to see. For now, Molly remained next to the child and admired the realm once more. It was beautiful, as always, and in a way, she almost missed it. It had felt more like home than the mundane realms ever had. The officer had never admitted that fact to anyone though. She likely never would.

The queen gathered her skirts about her and knelt down next to the child. "Yes, really." She said as she gently placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. It appeared that Catherine had been cleaver with a few things in order to get the child to cooperate, and her intentions were good. "It's all true dear girl, you'll be here with me. We'll have so much fun!" Tatiana said cheerfully as she smoothed Bethany's skirt and readjusted the sash on the dress. "Catherine and Molly have told me so much about you already, I'm very certain you'll love it here." She added as she clasped the girl's small hands in her own with a warm and gentle smile.

Looking up at Molly and then to Catherine, she nodded. "She'll find it very normal here. Her every need will be seen to, and she can enjoy a peaceful life." The queen explained as she stood back up, releasing Bethany for the moment. "As I'm sure you've both ascertained, it is difficult to get here unless you know the way." She said reaching down again to offer the small child a comforting hand. "But please, rest assured she's in good hands." Tatiana added.

Beth beamed and took Tatiana’s hand. A real Queen! This was so cool. “Can Pa’son visit?” She asked cheerfully. “He was supposed to visit me for Christmas with lots of gifts, but then I got lost.” The little girl clearly beamed up at Tatiana, obviously happy with her, obviously pleased. This place sounded absolutely wonderful. She couldn’t help but be pleased.

If Parson could visit, that would only be the absolute best. Molly stood upright again and smiled, stepping back seeing that Bethany was calm and apparently happy. Everything was going to be fine, it seemed.

Tatiana thought for a moment before answering Bethany, "Let's let you get settled in first, then maybe Parson can visit, how does that sound?" She asked as she led the girl towards a pavilion covered in fragrant roses and summer flowers where a sumptuous tea had been laid out. "I'm sure Catherine will visit more often, won't you my dear?" Tatiana asked looking towards the woman.

Catherine looked up, slightly startled out of her own thoughts, "Yes of course.." She said. A little peace and quiet couldn't hurt anyone, especially with her line of work. "Forgive us, grandmother, but Molly and I do need to leave." Catherine said after the queen had settled Bethany into the cool shade of the pavilion.

"Of course, I understand. But I still insist that you must come visit more, I do so feel that you're loosing touch living amongst all those mortals." Tatiana said shaking her head in disappointment. These years after Oberon and Sir William's death had been difficult, but the queen managed just the same. "Eitha, iet eldunarí. Atra du evarínya ono varda." She finally said as she grasped Catherine's hands tightly, before pulling the woman close again. Knight commander or not, the queen would always remember her as a charming and mischievous child with a love for sweets.

Nodding Catherine stepped back and offered the monarch a brief curtsy before she and Molly left for the mortal realm.

Slipping in, as quiet as a mouse except for the rustling of silken skirts and petticoats, she took a seat nearby. Listening, and for now allowing the young man to relish his time with the music. It was very much apparent that someone had taken the time to coax and encourage this musical talent to blossom in him. Tatianna had a fair idea of Brandon's history, and why until now his aunt had been hesitant to even allow him into this portion of her life. From what she had understood in letters and talks, was that he had been dangerous, and Catherine was afraid as much as Brandon that there could be instances where things repeated themselves.

Despite this, the music was quite enjoyable, even if he seemed unfamiliar with the music he had been given. For now he seemed relatively settled, and comfortable at least with the court; though she would have rathered he stay and rest instead of insisting that he be up and moving about. The manservant that he had been assigned, had sent word to her once Brandon was awake, ensuring that she would be able to greet her new guest.

Once the piece had ended, Tatianna gave a round of appreciative applause. "Bravo! Bravissimo!" She exclaimed cheerfully, having most enjoyed Brandon's little performance.

Brandon hesitated, wide-eyed as he turned to face his...audience? The man managed an uncertain smile, clearly not sure what to think. Who was she? "Hello." He greeted, uncertain. "I apologize. I didn't think I had an audience." Had he realized he did, he likely wouldn't have even played, and he knew it.Brandon was rather shy. The man hadn't even considered that an audience was possible. Instead, he glanced her over The garb of the courts was confusing, but he knew what was expected at least, even if he didn't know who it was that was watching him.

He stood, and bowed, clearly uncertain if he was doing everything correctly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, milady." He hoped that was an appropriate greeting at least. While he had covered how to behave her as a child with his aunt, that had been some time ago, and the lessons had been never practiced. "I'm glad you enjoyed the music."

He certainly wasn't going to rest in bed all day. it had provided a nice diversion. Unlike Laura, who had packed a few things to entertain herself, Brandon had only had time to grab his sketchbook, to plan future paintings or pottery on.

"Oh no need for apologies, it's nice to see you settling in so well." Tatianna said with a smile. "The door was open so I simply let myself in, I hope you don't mind too terribly much?" She asked, having taken it upon herself to at least find a way to ease him into the confusion of the courts. There would be no way that Catherine would be able to do it, she'd most likely be out for the next day or so, having mostly drained herself just to get the portal open. "And yes, it's a pleasure to meet you too Master Hammerstein, I've heard so awfully much about you from Lady McBride."

The young man seemed nervous and moderately on edge, but Catherine had told her that he tended to be the mildly paranoid sort, or at least prone to worry. Standing from her seat, Tatianna went over and inspected the arrangement of fragrant white flowers that sat atop the piano. "Lovely little things." She murmured to herself.

Lady McBride? Oh! His aunt. That's right, that was what they called her here. But who on earth would she speak to about him? Brandon had never had a lot of confidence in his relationships. The idea that his aunt even told others about him wasn't something that would occur to him at all.

"I don't mind, milady. And I hope my aunt's words were kind. I fear I've caused her no end of trouble." He did seem to get into things. It wasn't on purpose, not really, but it was almost expected given his life so far. He had pretty sour lucky, if he did say so himself. The necromancer smiled as she admired the flowers. "They are lovely. This entire place is." He admitted, and smiled, pleased that everything as going so well, so far.

At least he hadn't seemed to offend her yet. Of course, his next question may, but he hoped not. "You seem to have me at an impasse though, milady. You know my name, and yet, I haven't yet met you. May I ask what to call you?" Never directly for the name. It could go badly.

Tatianna smiled sweetly at Brandon, he seemed so cautious and careful. "Her words of you are always kind." She assured Brandon. It did seem more often than not that the other was worried about Brandon; like a concerned parent, which really was her role more often than not, Catherine would speak with Tatianna. "I believe your fears are misplaced though, all children at one point or another are trouble. We just hope they learn from their mistakes." Tatianna said as she turned to face Brandon.

"But forgive my rudeness, I am Tatianna. I am sure your aunt has at least told you about me."

"Your majesty." he said, cheeks tinted pink. "Of course she has. She's fond of you." Tatianna, Oberon, and her father had featured in the majority of the handful of stories he had been told from her. His other stories merely came of legends and the like. He managed a real smile for her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Her said, meaning it too. His aunt had always made her seem like a friendly person, at least, and a good ruler. Those were important things.

He wasn't certain what else to say. Hesitating, he turned the conversation to music, a safe enough topic. "If you'd ever like me to play for you again, I'd be willing. I'm more of a singer, I fear, but I can play the piano well enough." He just preferred singing, and considered his tenor voice a good one.

"I'd very much enjoy that Brandon, and please call me Tatianna." She said with a nod. "It appears as if you have a true gift for the arts though, and I'm sure that those other than myself would appreciate it." Tatianna added motioning towards the piano. "If you would like I can have more music brought, I'm sure the court composer could find something suitable for you."

It appeared that this nephew of Catherine's whom she often spoke about, was talented at more than just painting and pottery.

"I would enjoy that. If there's any music for a tenor, then that would be nice." he said quietly. Hesitating, he admitted to her. "I don't usually perform for an audience, but I don't mind." He was shy about his singing, much more than about his pottery and painting. Those were much more tangible in his mind. But he didn't mind singing for others. He just felt that making a living with his more tangible skills was better. Even then, most of his living came from hunting, not his art or his store.

The man smiled though. "I am found of the arts, I admit. I like to create. My magic is too destructive for my tastes, but sadly addictive in its nature." And it wasn't an addiction easily if ever broken. He struggled with not using it now that he was so sick, even knowing he couldn't spare the energy.

"Necromancy if I am correct?" She asked curiously as she listened to him as he opened up a bit more. "Yes, that's a very addictive thing, but all magic can be to some extent. It depends on how tightly bound to the person it is though." Tatianna mused. Magic was a tricky thing, some people were able to handle it better than others; and others just found themselves slowly sinking into the madness as they used more and more of it. She highly doubted that the gods had intended it to be as such, but mankind seemed drawn to seek after it like a moth to the flame.

"But, let's talk to less depressing things. What do you enjoy creating above anything else? Music or art?"

"That's correct. And music is my favorite." He admitted, cheeks red. "My art is my livelihood, but music is much more for me." He had never been asked, but the answer we clear to him, at least. "I know it's silly, but music is something i make simply for myself. I share my art ad there's always that fear of being judged or mocked for it, but my music..." He shrugged and smiled. "I sing as I paint, as I work the clay. If I'm alone in the shop I sing." He grinned slightly. "I think I probably drove my aunt crazy with it when I was a kid, but she encouraged it as far as she possibly could."

He had constant voice lessons until he had graduated high school and could pay for them himself. He still did, truth told, and worked on pushing himself and his voice as well as he could.

"I'm sure you did, but I think she had her ways of escaping the constant.. noise maybe?" Tatianna replied thoughtfully. Truth be told, Catherine had never taken to the musical arts as she had hoped; sure she could play as well as any of the other ladies at court, but it wasn't exactly what one might call talented. If Tatianna were completely honest, she thought that Sir William had spent perhaps too much time on what she'd consider more masculine pursuits with his daughter. "However it is nice to have someone who is truly talented at music. Skill is one thing, but talent another." She said, complimenting Brandon.

The question would be, was there music that would suit the young man or would he even get along with the court composer. The man certain did have some interesting ideas, and generally Tatianna entertained them, but something new was always a welcome respite from the norm. "Be happy Brandon, your aunt saw someone worth while in you, and I would have to agree with her." Tatianna continued, placing a hand lightly on his arm. "Your an accomplished musician, and artist. Consider yourself blessed beyond most."

Brandon flushed a bright red at this wonderful compliment. She believed him to have talent, and not just skill. "Thank you, your majesty." He murmured, cheeks red. "As I'm here for the foreseeable future, please, just ask me to play whenever. I'm sure I can send for my music from the mundane realm, even if it's not safe for me to go there right now." Not without body guards and that was ridiculous.

And he was happy, mostly. His aunt was wonderful as far as he was concerned and incredibly kind. He hoped that whatever she had seen in him when he was an angry child full of hate had truly flourished. He wasn't sure. He and she did not speak of such things, not normally. They didn't mention his past at all, if possible.

"Yes.. there is the matter of that." She mused, appearing for the moment as if deep in thought. "Come, walk with me Brandon. It's almost time for tea, and I suspect you're quite famished." Tatianna said suddenly after a minute. The queen was certain that he would like to have something to do with himself while they spoke, and tea would be an excellent excuse for prying whatever this mess happened to be out of both him and his aunt. Tatianna suspected that it had largely a lot to do with the vampires posturing again, perturbed that they had not allied with one or the other.

Unfortunately, Tatianna did not feel comfortable enough with the political stability of the court at current to risk bringing them into another war. For now she would have to move cautiously, and carefully select persons to entrust with political details. Oberon, as much as she had loved and now missed him, had been far too enamored of the idea of war. Peace after a time she supposed could be boring, but provoking battles and skirmishing with the Unseelie hadn't kept him happy.

"Tell me, why is the mundane so dangerous for you? Most that I'm aware of can't stand up long to a necromancer."

He walked with her easily enough and considered things, wondering how to describe it. "It is largely due to my illness." he admitted. "It has left me unable to complete the duties the council assigned me, that allow me to continue to practice." He said calmly. "In response, my magic was very tightly bound. I'm lucky to be able to activate my wards and its only residual magic that keeps my familiar moving." He admitted quietly.

"I can perform a few small cantrips still, but none of them are strong enough to protect me from anything. They are meant only as control exercises." It was frustrating. He felt like he had all the magic of a mundane most days. "It's inconvenient because some vampire from Aunt Catherine's past has come up. Laura and I were attacked. I believe they threatened to kill or turn her." He admitted, voice quiet. "Though I'm not sure. All I was able to do was hold the wards until back up arrived."

"I do suppose that would inconvenience oneself when all is said and done." She agreed as they headed down one of the many corridors in the palace. "The Council has caused a great deal of grief for many, but at the same time they are a bit of a necessary evil." Tatianna herself didn't exactly approve of them, but it was better than nothing. Nothing allowed chaos to creep in, and tended to cause undue amounts of harm. "As much as we here do not like it when they over step their bounds, it has proven useful to have their backing at times." The monarch explained, her thoughts elsewhere for the moment.

"I do not believe that they would leave one defenseless however. Many of the councilors agree that while abuse of magic and use of certain types can be dangerous, leaving someone without the ability to defend themselves is cruel." She continued as they approached a set of elaborate doors; scroll work in the shape of roses and vines was carved deep within the wood, with emerald green crystal shining brightly from the areas where wood had been carved away completely. Sighing Tatianna paused turned to Brandon, and offered him a sympathetic smile, "I doubt your Aunt has told you much if anything, and for that I am sorry."

Turning back to the door, a pair of guards flanking either side, the queen nodded. In turn the two men pushed open the doors, which led outwards into an expansive garden.