Arrival in England

It will be good to be again upon the water! Shall there be music?

Of course there wilt be music my lord, I struggle to live without it!

Alas the Thames and the royal barge are no comparison to thine fine ships, but it will give us some of the delight of being off land for short while.

Come, let us two walk together as we go find thee suitable outfit. We have much to discuss.

...if you wudst excuse us good cousin.

*bows her head to Marie and takes Juan's arm*

*bows to Marie*
My lady, it is most wonderful to see you again. What did you wish to discuss?

I wudst wish to discuss more things that wudst allow us to get to know one another... but alas state matters do press upon us already. Mayhaps we canst get such things dealt with quickly and then move on to more pleasant things.

*Elizabeth smiles*

Now, thine father doth seem to be having some troubles with the good Empress over thine inheritance of lands. Though I know thee not wishing to upset either Isabella nor thine father I wudst still have thee recieve what ist thine right. And I wilt not tolerate any talk of thine parentage affecting what is owed to thee, I see thou art full capable of good rule and hath thine father's blood. Such is enough.

Thine father hath enquired what I think of thine good self inheriting Milano over Napoli and though I have the negotiating power here I find myself strangely needing thine wishes to be met as well as mine own.

So my lord, what are thine thoughts upon the matter?

*smiles broadly at Elizabeth*
Ah your grace, it is good to speak to one who so seems to understand! I will content myself with whatever His Serene Majesty sees fit to give me, as I long ago accepted my lot in life. Duke of Milan or King of Naples, I shall content myself and strive to prove myself worthy of the trust placed in me.

Now, to more pressing matters- will my lady be dressing in the Italian, French, Polish, Spanish, English, or some other fashion I know not?

*laughs*

Why, the Italian of course!

Marie wilt have the French side covered of course, and I admit to finding the Spanish and Polish styles far too matronly for mine tastes. The English style tends to follow mine own will so ist oft a variation upon the Italian or French.

*Elizabeth though enjoying the lighter topic wudst have business concluded properly first*

...seriously though my lord, thine decision over a kingdom is of great importance. If we are indeed to wed... *blushes* ...then the Queen of England wudst be matched with thee as King of whichever realm we canst secure for thee.

*the Queen fidgets with her pearl necklaces*

Any issue of the match wudst also bring together such lands and face any who wudst wish to claim them by war. I know thee to be good Admiral and not wish to upset thine family, but this ist a most important decision my lord and I would have thee make it rather than myself. I am to remain true Regent of England but will not claim the decisions of thine rightful kingdom from thee.

My rightful kingdom? Lady Elizabeth, I have no such thing. I have only what my father deigns to give me. Would you see fit to be matched only with a lowly duke? If you would be content with such, then so too will I.

Then if that is what you truly wish then I will accept it.

...though you wilt have to decide whether tis possible to wed a fiery tudor lioness who wudst have the very best for all those she doth care for. If I didst not have the will to fight for what ist right within me I wudst never have lived long enough to take the throne.

I know thine father to be much of mine own way of thinking in that he sees the strength in a person and gives them the titles to allow them to make the best of such strengths. I hope he has the chance to continue to do such for thee.

Would it suit thee well then my lord to allow me to sit firm upon mine throne and do what I do best, while I encourage thee to build fine fleets for mine kingdom and keep this island home of mine safe as ist thine great talent?

*sweeps a bow*
Madame, it would be an honor to defend thy realms upon the seven seas.
And, you should know- I do quite like a challenge.

*smiling delightedly*

My lord, this doth please me greatly.

Come now, let us dismiss such talk of state and responsibility for this eve and find thee fine costume for this evening's festivities.

Something suitable for the finest Admiral and befitting he who wudst court the goddess of the sun.

If you are pleased, then I am pleased! Yes, let us return to matters more enjoyable, for the day is lovely and we are young. I did bring back some clothes from my last trip to Venice; if it would please you I will wear them, and my collar of the Golden Fleece.

That wudst be most wonderful my lord!

I shall go hence to prepare myself now.

I do love a pageant and whenst they are held upon the water and go on til late in the night I love them all the more. As well as the music, the fun and the finery I do also expect an abundance of fireworks.

...though I worry slightly if mine courtiers wilt think far enough not to stage some pretend water battle against Spain. Though it doth usually amuse me greatly to outwit thine brother's envoys in such games, twud be most embarrassing a scene afront of thine self and thine good father.

However, if it ist so, I wudst have thee capture thine brother's pageant ship for us as it wilt no doubt contain the finest Spainish food of the evening. And if Master Ferria doth accidentally fall into the Thames in the process, all the better!

*laughs*

Oh, I could never attack my own brother's ship! Think of what trouble that would cause my father!
I will leave you then, and will wait for your summons.

*returns from his ride and goes to his apartments to prepare for the festivities*

*Marie is getting dressed, thinking of a way to out shine Elizabeth without making her TOO angry*.

*changes into some deeply silly Italian pants a doublet and settles in to wait*

After reading the letter from Don Juan, Charles resolves to discuss the issue of a Naples-for-Milan swap with his wife.

*Arrives, fresh from the tower. Resplendant in a large, blue cloak, leggings and a t-shirt*

*Sheepishly, avoiding Elizabeth* Hi