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[gloriana-.insanejournal.com]

Who: Morgan Le Fay, Elizabeth, and Arthur
What: OHHI!
When: Friday
Where: Up scale fancy restaurant
Warnings:Language, TBD

While Morgan would never admit it, Merlin had a point. While she felt tired and achingly old, she'd still woken with the drive to haunt her brother and bring him to his knees. The other dreams she didn't want to think of. She had Mordred to forever remind her what a bad idea it was to give into such temptations, even if she remembered a time where they hadn't been bound in blood. It'd be easier to deny the desire once her son arrived. Like she haunted Arthur, so did her son. She was the player, he a piece on her board. The temptation to play would lure him here soon enough.

Her plans were forming in her mind. The advantage of no longer having to fight against Merlin's foresight made it easier. Now she only had to think two steps ahead, instead of ten. She could bring Arthur's progress of gaining the position he wanted to a standstill. She could, with ease this time, make him completely undesirable to the eye of the public. Or at least make them aware her little golden brother, wasn't as golden as everyone thought.

Today she had left her office for a breath of fresh air. She was considering giving up her position and just act the socialite. Pretending to hang off the arm of men never suited her, but she'd get more, and be able to interweave with the circles her brother wanted to impress, that way. And men were easy to manipulate. She ignored the happy people and focused on the spring air, until the prickling on her skin reminded her she wasn't alone. Not feeling the familiar ichor of Merlin or the faint thrum of desire that preceded her brother she looked around.

When she found the Queen her brother was, unsubtly, courting she smiled like a cat who had found the milk. Really her brother needed to be more careful with these things. He'd just given her this information, and hadn't even bothered to try and hide it. Still smiling she walked onto the terrace and sat herself down in front of the woman. "Hello Elizabeth. Fancy meeting you here."

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-05 08:27 am UTC (link) Track This
The plan was to meet Arthur for a late lunch since the both of them had a rare moment off at the same time during the day.

The two immortal monarchs had only been dating for a few weeks so far after being introduced by a mutual friend. They had much in common - and more than just being terrors in the courtroom as their friend saw it. They both knew what it was to rule England and to be deified in stories. That Arthur had never truly existed didn't make all that much difference to Elizabeth. They all existed now and nothing would change that.

Their romance as yet was rather innocent: Elizabeth a woman who safeguarded both her heart and bed with a lion's ferocity, and Arthur a man who considered chivalrous respect of a woman above all other things. It was really too early for either of them to have made the move to sex yet.

When someone sat down across from her, Elizabeth expected the handsome king, but instead it was a woman with dark hair and rather dangerous eyes. Elizabeth set down the folder she'd been reading - she took any chance to catch up on her cases - and asked, "have we met?"

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-05 09:01 am UTC (link) Track This
So Arthur hadn't bothered to warn the woman yet either. Her darling brother was really dropping the ball here. So she just smiled and shook her head. Polite as she was, around people like this she couldn't hide her viper's heart. "No, we haven't. But you are acquainted with my
dearest
brother."

With a casual wave of her hand she called a server and ordered a drink. She was a woman who was used to power, and used to getting what she liked. With a smile as sweet as sugar she got her food, as she intended to stay here for quite some time, before turning back to the woman. Then she leaned forward and extended her hand. "I doubt he's mentioned me. Morgan Le Fay, at your service,
Virgin Queen
." Morgan did her research and never went into things without the full knowledge of who her enemies were. And this woman was in her path, and thus a potential enemy. Morgan regretted it, and out of courtesy wouldn't be outright cruel to the other female, but it couldn't be helped.

Something wicked this way comes, didn't exactly stop when her path was blocked.

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-05 09:40 am UTC (link) Track This
Elizabeth closed the folder now and her face became a mask, cold and impassive. She looked for a long pointed moment at the hand offered to her but didn't take it, instead looking back to the woman's face.

"And to what, exactly, do I owe this visit?" Elizabeth asked, casually threading her fingers on the table in front of her. "Am I to consider this the first move in an attack or is your cause here more subtle?"

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-05 09:53 am UTC (link) Track This
She was quick. If anything this one may just last longer then Guinevere did. The former white queen had always folded so easily. And Morgan thrived on challenges.

She withdrew her hand with a smile and folded it on the table. "My dear girl, do you honestly think that if I wanted to do something I'd actually be here?" She gave a tsk noise and smirked. "You haven't done anything my dear, save for opening your legs to my brother. Besides the lack of taste I have nothing against you."

"I cannot just say hello." Smiling she took her glass as it arrived and sipped her drink. Morgan never just said hello but that was beside the point. "What if I'm simply here out of courtesy? Friendly warning to fold before the game truly begins? Not that, I imagine, you'll take it. The woman who threw the Spanish Armada back in their faces won't fold at empty threats I imagine. And I do admire you for that. You did what I could not. I was stuck with a husband, and no one would buy my tales of virginity."

Insults and veiled compliments were things she was good at. "Just be warned the game I play has started, and my brother hasn't told you everything. You know the tale, everyone does, but you'll be in it. And I rise to challenges." She shrugged and smiled again, "but enough of that. How did my brother win you? Did he give you that sweet smile of his, or was it the voice laced with chocolate when he tells you compliments?"

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-06 01:59 am UTC (link) Track This
That Morgan chose to use the phrase 'opening your legs' in regards to Elizabeth's relationship won her no points with the former queen.

Elizabeth gave a smile that was no even slightly sweet. It was the smile of challenge she'd given a hundred men before, ones who thought her a simple woman. At least Morgan, though, understood she had always been stronger than her mere sex might suggest. "Not all of us have the strength of will to resist being made the chattel of men, alas."

"Your brother needs to tell me very little," Elizabeth shrugged lightly. "I knew the tales of Camelot even as a child, and those tales include you, daughter of Avallach."

Elizabeth surveyed the other woman, her smile becoming amused at the last question. "How foolish to think that the woman who ruled the most powerful nation on earth would be won over by a sweet smile. Sweet smiles and compliments," Elizabeth reminded her, "can be found anywhere. Surely you - a keen observer of weaknesses of human nature - must know how little those things count for."

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-06 02:54 am UTC (link) Track This
Morgan had already determined this former Queen may just get bored of her brother rather quickly. Arthur and challenging women never really got along.

"Clever insult, but I was married. Never chattel." She grinned, "knowing the tales, and actually becoming a part of them are different matters Elizabeth. You've more strength then Guinevere, I'll give you that, but know you'll be used. Not just by me or Arthur. The other player will use you too."

"Not foolish. The Once and Forever King is a imposing figure, especially when you know the myths. You said yourself you grew up on them. You learned to admire the chivalry. You learned to respect Arthur, but he was a tale. When all that my brother is supposed to be is focused on a woman, trust me when I say that even the strongest of wills bend. They may count for little, those little empty words, but it is Arthur. He's good with words."

She shrugged, "but my brother is built on empty promises. His attentions shift as quick as wind. You do not know the lure this game has Elizabeth. He'll become a piece, because he cannot help it. And it comes with Guinevere and with her comes Lancelot. With me comes Mordred, my own Black King. You broke the Spanish Armada, I broke Camelot. Just be aware what becoming a piece in this game entails."

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-06 03:19 am UTC (link) Track This
"It's very sweet of you to be concerned about Arthur's intentions for me," Elizabeth said coolly. "I'm truly touched, but I think I can handle myself. And as for you, well..." Elizabeth lifted her glass of wine. "Perhaps I look forward to coming up against one who can match my wits." Her eyes were locked on Morgan's. "There are very few who have proven themselves worthy adversaries. Better a strong enemy than a weak friend."

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-06 03:41 am UTC (link) Track This
She laughed to that. "You might get bored of him. My brother is many things, but clever isn't always something he aspires to." She tilted her head, "I do look forward to matching my wits against yours Elizabeth. Guinevere is easy. I know exactly what buttons to push around her to fold her like paper. You are lion born."

"And I'm more concerned about Merlin. He'll stick his nose in it sooner or later and he's used to getting his way. You can run circles around Arthur, Merlin you want to toss off a cliff." She smiled and sipped from her drink, "pity I had no one like you in Camelot. Things would have been different."

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-06 04:09 am UTC (link) Track This
Elizabeth - who full knew she was a child of lions - felt a small amount of pride at it being recognized by this other woman, but she said nothing. She sipped her wine. "I feel our ideologies would not have served us as allies," Elizabeth told her, "and I have little interest in games."

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-06 04:21 am UTC (link) Track This
"Now you're countering yourself. You've already claimed you would enjoy testing your strength against mine." Smiling she finished her drink, in time for her lunch to arrive. "Unfortunately, if you tie yourself to my brother you have no choice but to become a piece. It'd be nice to try a new strategy however. Before I've always just put the Queen in check and waited for the King to come save her. You can save yourself."

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[info]insulaavallonis
2012-04-06 02:29 pm UTC (link) Track This
Arthur was never late, but occasionally drivers didn't keep up with his schedule. He arrived at the restaurant a mere eight minutes after their agreed time, but he still felt incredibly guilty about making Elizabeth wait.

He entered the restaurant, apologies dancing in his head, and then he spotted Elizabeth sitting opposite his sister. His eyes narrowed and he waved a helpful host away before striding over to their table. He glanced once at Morgan and then he turned to Elizabeth.

"My apologies. My sister was never one for social niceties. Is she bothering you?"

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-07 04:27 am UTC (link) Track This
Whatever she'd been going to say to Morgan was stayed by Arthur's appearance and she shook her head to his question. "Not at all," Elizabeth said, her smile cold as she looked at Morgan across from her. "We were simply getting acquainted."

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-07 04:38 am UTC (link) Track This
When her brother approached she bit into her lunch and gave her best 'innocent' look. Seeing it was Arthur, she knew he wouldn't buy it. She let them speak and finished her bite. "I was keeping the fair Elizabeth warm for you little brother."

Nodding she smiled demurely and motioned to the food, "the fare here is quite excellent." A simple thing really but her motives were clear. She'd seen and reacted. Her first moves were always bold, then it was shadows and smoke.

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[info]insulaavallonis
2012-04-07 05:14 am UTC (link) Track This
Arthur looked between the two women and suddenly he felt incredibly inadequate. Here were two strong, calculating paragons of female power and he was a king who had been helped every step of the way and betrayed right under his nose because he was too weak to notice. As much as he was a tyrant in the courtroom, put him up against a formidable woman and he wilted like a two-day-old cut flower.

It was like his balls were rising back up into his body in fear.

Keeping a straight face, Arthur decided the best thing to do would be to simply sit down and let Morgan and Elizabeth deal with this. He lowered himself into a seat and he nodded at Morgan. "I have always enjoyed the food here. Are you quite finished?"

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-07 09:01 am UTC (link) Track This
Elizabeth took a sip of her wine but didn't take her eyes off Morgan across the table. She was clever enough to know that Morgan was a more dangerous opponent than that figure of hers suggested. She was no mere woman. But then, Elizabeth was no mere woman either. Perhaps she had no magic - as Morgan must have even now - but she was Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of forceful Henry and calculating Anne, and she backed down from nothing.

"Personally," she said, "I feel I might be going off this place myself. I think the standards for entry have slipped."

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[info]fata_morgana
2012-04-07 10:12 am UTC (link) Track This
She raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth, as if to say 'really? A thousand insults and that's it?', before giving a smile. "Maybe standards for entry have always been low enough to let in just about anyone. I mean, they are letting in lawyers."

In other words, I know what you're doing Arthur. I know your goal.

She turned to her brother with a smile that promised sweetness but was only laced with poison. "My dear brother, I've only just started." There was so much to that as well. "You'll never guess who I ran into though. Or has Merlin said hello already?"

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[info]insulaavallonis
2012-04-07 03:35 pm UTC (link) Track This
"I am aware of Merlin's presence in the city," he said with a nod. He was less pleased Morgan did too, apparently. He glanced at Elizabeth and raised an eyebrow, wondering if she wanted to stay or go.

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[info]gloriana_
2012-04-08 12:46 pm UTC (link) Track This
Morgan may have found Elizabeth's jab disappointing, but Elizabeth felt Morgan had matched it. A lawyer joke? Really? The arrival of Arthur had clearly taken them down a level on this.

"Morgan, it's been a pleasure," Elizabeth said with a very small smile, "but Arthur and I would really like to catch up. Since you've already ordered, it's only right we bow out and leave the table to you. Arthur," she said, standing up and gathering her papers. "You don't mind, of course?"