You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?

"I could never say no to you, my heart-- even when I knew it would lead to lectures and my father yelling for hours on end" she assured her, giving her hand a squeeze. She loved her above all others, the now Queen had always been thoroughly engrained in her heart and bones. "Which reminds me-- how is Syrax's clutch coming along, I haven't heard you say?" She had become much more comfortable with dragons since her younger days, she had to with four little dragon riders in her brood.

“Your father never understood, but that makes sense,” older men in an older generation could never understand the compassion and friendship that the two of them had built since being friends for years. She squeezed Alicent’s hand back before her eyes widened at the question, a big smile forming on her face. “The clutch is coming along so well. We have four eggs now. I do hope that they will all hatch.” Knowing that her children had dragon riders, along with her children, these eggs could possibly go to their grandchildren.

The former Queen looked over the swatch and nodded "I think it is most suitable for your coronation" she took the swatch and passed it off to the ladies maid after a moment, savoring her touch however fleeting. She pushed the feeling aside and instructed the maid to take it to the dress maker and then to have the sketch and swatch taken to the jeweler so he could make the appropriate bobbles to go with it. "Oh they would hate that" Alicent grinned "so of course I would have to accept readily."

Seeing Alicent’s approval over the swatch, Rhaenyra could be relieved that one issue had a solution for the coronation, giving a soft smile. One problem down, now, to see if Alicent would accept that idea of being her hand of the queen. Taking a deep breath as the maid took the swatch, so that everyone who needed it could do it, she watched the maid leave and exhaled. She didn’t expect Alicent to react to their fingers touching, but when she does agree, it takes a weight off of her own shoulders. “Thank the gods, I was worried you’d say no and I’d have to as another, when there is no one I trust more than you.”

E.mhyr walked over to a table below a mirror so he could see F.rancesca's reflection in it while he poured wine for the two of them into the golden chalices. "I don't know what lies F.ringilla has told you, but I had nothing to do with the death of your newborn." Once he picked up the chalices he walked over to F.rancesca and held one of them out for her. "I share your grief F.rancesca...you lost your child...and now your husband."

Looking at the mirror, she could see her own reflection, brushing her hair behind her ears. Taking a shaky breath, she picks up the chalices and takes a long sip of it. “She said you killed the child… that it would only be a distraction to me from my duties to you. I knew that you wouldn’t be so cruel as to take my child from me… everything else has been taken from me, aside from you. You’re the one good thing still here.”

"Or-- we could split the difference and make the dress a very dark red, I think your father would have wanted to see you in some shade of red too" she sighed softly, handing the princess some fabrics to go through. So much planning to do and so little time to do it, she still needed to send for the jeweler and speak to the kitchen about how many lemon cakes would be needed. Honestly she was happy for the work, it was a distraction. "Don't forget the small council will be wanting your decision on your hand once you're crowned."

Listening to Alicent’s words, picking up the different shades of fabrics that she was handed. Flipping through the fabrics, she stopped on one that was very dark, with hints of gold lines running in a few spots and held it out to Alicent. “What do you think of this?” She asked her before placing it in her hands, if only to graze her fingers against Alicent’s fingers. Them working around to plan her crowning was a distraction from her grief. “About that… how upset do you think that small council would be if I wanted to have you as my hand?”

"Then again they may look to you to still be in mourning" she frowned as she looked at the pile of black fabrics, she personally wished to celebrate and would dawn whatever color Rhaenyra chose to crown her in. She was so proud of her for how well she was holding up, she wished to ease her burden as much as she could though.

“That might be for the best, perhaps we can… put in a little of red, dark red, and have the red and black for the colors, since I should be in mourning.” Of course, she was heartbroken to lose her husband, but she had to remain strong for her children, and for Alicent. Not only had she lost her father, Alicent lost her husband. Being together again has helped heal the time apart.

"I hope ye' didn't think I'd just let ye' get away with the way ye' behaved yesterday." He couldn't be bothered what M.arcus was working on and just to emphasize that he wiped the notes off from his table, which then landed on the floor. "Ye' have no right to speak to me in a condescending manner! I'm yer superior...in more ways than one." He smirked down with cynicism at M.arcus while he was alarmingly close to him. "If ye' ever do that again, I will make sure that ye' and yer brother will find yerself on the streets very fast...where the both of ye' would actually belong."

He gasped when he saw the notes flying off the table, sighing, as he walked around the table, ignoring Doyle as he moved to reach the notes that were now on the floor. “You were interrupting taking notes about the death of the victim. Without us, you would still be chasing a child killer, we work better together, despite what you think.” Marcus pointed out, feeling his body tense at how close Marcus was. If he wanted to throw him on the streets, he turned his gaze towards Doyle. “If you think threatening me like Connor does make you a Captain, then Sara’s words about you being a better Captain than him is wrong. Sara made a mistake. Tell me, Captain, do you also think you’re superior because you’re not Jewish?” He was no better than all the other officers around him and his brother.

"How do you find such determination?" G.eorge asked on a faint voice before he looked up at the taller man. His face flinched for a moment at the mention of R.oss, but what D.wight had to say next truly has calmed him. "I know that I have my children, and I should feel thankful for that but I feel such loneliness every day...it's suffocating me, E.nys. I feel restless...I find myself wandering the halls of T.renwith without a purpose at nights." He felt the tears gathering in his eyes but he had nothing to hide front of the doctor, he's seen him in much worse state, so he just let the tears roll down his face. "My uncle says I'm losing my mind again...but I'm very much at my senses...or is it insane to feel lethargy when one is so lonesome, E.nys?"

“It’s never easy.” Dwight starts, shifting from the place he was standing, which had been beside George to standing across from him. He could practically feel the flinch without even seeing it, and he would remember very hard to not mention Ross in front of George again. He knew that it was a sore subject and wouldn’t bring it up again. “It’s your children that will help you move forward, but this is something that can’t change overnight. Losing a child is devastating. It’s not meant for us to bury them first, but them burying us.” He spoke sadly, having buried her own child. “You are not losing your mind, grief is something that is powerful and one is not meant to get over it just because they say so. You heal in your own time, slowly but surely.”

The lady had a charming smile, and he felt special that she was gracious enough to reward him with it. Once she held the fine book out for him with the pretty cover he hesitated, his hands were dirty and he didn't mean to smear it, although he also didn't mean to be rude, so once he rubbed his hands on his worn pants he gently held onto the book and listened to her. "Being orphaned is something familiar for meselef...forgive me Miss, I probably shouldn't have said that." He doubted that someone of her class would be interested in anything he had to say about himself. He gently flipped through the pages before he gave it back to her. "Are ye' waiting for someone? A friend or yer sweetheart?" It was rather rare to see a high class lady on her own but he wasn't one to judge, he was merely curious.

She knows that her father wouldn’t approve of her behavior, but she was beyond happy to be able to talk to someone after what felt so long trapped up in her father’s home. Plus, she loved being able to tell anyone that asks about this book. It was her favorite and she knows she definitely talks too much. She hoped that he didn’t find her silly or too bubbly, her father often tells her that neither is good material for a husband. Not that she’s looking for that really, she wanted someone that would cherish her attributes, even if they were different from others. “Forgive me, sir, I don’t wish to bring you any pain by bringing up something painful…” she spoke softly, not wanting to offend the man. She shook her head, cheeks flushing, “No, it's just me and Alice. With the murder calming down, I needed fresh air.”

"Of course I remember them! I just didn't knew they immigrated over 'ere too. I'm sorry to hear he's not doin' too well, but yer smile alone is magical, Bridie, it surely will make him feel better." Albert smiled gleefully once she wrapped her arms around him and he did the same, chuckling as he hugged her back tightly. "Christ...I am too! I thought I'd never see ye' again." She's always been a pretty lass, but now she grew up into such a beautiful young woman. Once he let go of her he was still lost in her eyes then he eventually snapped back to why he stopped her to begin with. "Just be careful, will ye'? If yer loitering here at this street, people would think the worst. Whitechapel is sadly ain't the safest part of the city. So...where ye' off to? Let me accompany ye', I insist, I can nae just let ye' walk one yer own...they haven't even caught that Jack the Ripper guy yet...nasty case." Albert held onto her hand in hopes that she wouldn't turn him down.

“Aye, they did, they did. Been doing so good for themselves over ‘ere until the illness…” she spoke sadly, a blush forming on her cheeks when he mentions her smile. “‘Ye too kind, Albert, I do hope he would feel better just from me smilin’ alone. I hope it brings ‘ye smiles as well,” she says innocently, her smile just as bright on her face as he hugged her back. It took her ages to let him go, thinking she’ll never see him again. She holds onto his hands when they pull apart, just to hold onto this moment, just a little bit longer. “I have heard the rumors, I do me best to be safe.” She must have the reddest cheeks as he continued to hold her hand, offering to walk her home. They used to do this all the time when they were younger. “Oh, Gouls’ton Street, that be their home. Pretty homes. They haven’t caught him yet? I’ll remember that,” the last thing she wants is to have Albert worrying that she could be killed by this monster. She couldn’t deal with that herself.

He cast his eyes onto her, once he felt her foot, then as he reached down he gently placed it onto his lap. "I do hope you ain't this friendly with my brother, and it's only my privilege." Eddie winked at her while he gently rubbed her ankle with his fingers. "Half of London belongs to me, I'm pretty confident I could give you everything...so what is it that you'd desire to have?"

Her eyes stayed locked onto his, despite what her foot was doing, before her cheeks flushed when he placed her foot in his lap. “No, it's only for you, Eddie,” Audrey breathes out, a promise behind her woods. She’s unable to hold back the soft moan when he rubbed her ankle. It felt incredible after the long hours being on her feet in heels. “You. I desire you and no one else.”

Once he put his robe neatly folded onto the edge of his bed he glanced over at Abigail then at the stool. "Okay." He snickered a bit at the idea, he couldn't really explain why he founded it funny but it was a kind of like standing onto a stage in a way. His train of thoughts were mostly different from others so he rather kept it to himself and carefully stepped up onto it. He heard when she said she liked his room, but he didn't react right away to her words till now. "What does your room look like?"

She was patient as he moved to place his robe on the edge of the bed as she placed the stool in the middle of the room, taking a quick walk around the stool to see that it was in a perfect spot. Hearing his soft snicker, she let out a soft giggle as well. She knew that it must look silly to have to step up onto a stool in order for her to make her measurements. She pulled out her measuring tape and held it out so he could see what she was doing. “I’m going to use this to measure your length, no pins, promise.”

He sipped from his hot cocoa as he was listening to her, smiling as he was just genuinely in a good mood. "That's really sweet of you to say. I'm just as happy to see you have become such an amazing dancer." Claud nodded at her with compassionate look when she mentioned about her parents. "Ah well, looks like we are both stuck in London for Christmas then....if you don't have any specific programs, maybe we could...spend it together? For old times' sake?" He thanked the waitress as she served their food then he cast his eyes back at Olivia. "I didn't have the time yet to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, we could go there, then if you're brave enough to try my cooking I'd make dinner for us...we could watch a cheesy Christmas movie after. Heh I know not a perfect Christmas but...I was hoping you'd join me."

She let out a soft hum as they continued to walk and drink their hot cocoa, she was also genuinely in a good mood. “It’s the truth, and I’m happy to see you being successful as well.” She spoke softly, she was glad that in a way, they were both stuck in the city for the holidays. She didn’t really want to go visit her parents, at least, not for a long time, the holidays were a reason to relax, not be asked when she was going to bring home a boyfriend? That’s just exhausting. “No, I have no plans at all for Christmas. I would love to spend it together!” She says with a bright smile on her face. “I’ve missed going to Winter Wonderland at the park. Hey, your cooking is not that bad. Remember senior year when you made mac and cheese so we would survive finals? I would love dinner and a Christmas movie with you, it's the best Christmas I can ask for.”

Once they reached the village the locals lead them to the first house where one of the ill children lay. After examining all three children his face darkened as the illness was greater than he thought so. Knowing the peasants way too well he rather didn't use any Latin terms nor scared them. He asked for T.atiana's assistance as he applied the substance of silver nitrate on all three children's throat he prepared tea for them from lime tea leafs, and forbid any other children to come near the houses. He only dared to speak of the nature of the illness once they were far enough. "D.iphtheria...we shall pray for them." He held onto T.atiana's hands before he began to say the prayer out loud, then looked down at the R.omanov girl. "Let's gather the herbs for your brother and go home."

Looking throughout the village, she looked at the house, before her eyes followed to the house where Rasputin was looking at the ill children. It worried her to see them look so pale, thinking that they wouldn’t be long for the world. It was a terrible thought to think of the death of the family. It made her fearful that she could lose her own family and pushed the thoughts and fears from her mind, giving Rasputin her assistance as she helped him with the silver nitrate for the three children that were suffering from their illness. Hearing the name of the illness, Tatiana felt her heart drop into her stomach. “Those poor children,” she spoke softly when it was just her and Rasputin, bowing her head as she held onto his hands as she whispered the end of the prayer. “Yes, I want to make the tea as soon as we return.”

Eventually he turned back to his wife and took a seat beside her. "He'll be back shortly...just tell him where to set up the easel for you."

Lifting her head when he returned, she smiled at him and nodded her head. “Thank you so much, Aldrich,” she spoke softly, gently pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Ezra really was a sweetheart and she smiled about his kind words. "I forgot what it's like to be in the company of someone polite and nice. I'm really glad that we met again." Alisha lead the way outside while she continued listening to him. "That's good, I'm glad you managed to, it's never too late to have a fresh start." She really wouldn't have wanted to force Ezra into any situation but she couldn't just leave her son at school waiting for her for hours just because she didn't want Ezra to meet him. Her car was a used, old car, but it worked so that's what mattered. She threw some dino toys from the passenger seat to the back before he looked aside at Ezra. "Listen...I think it'd not be fair to just drive you to where I am about to go without telling you the truth and giving you the option to get out of the car....if I wouldn't have to go to pick up Emilian I'd not have told you...but...that isn't an option..." She sighed as she held onto the wheel and rested her forehead against it. "Ten years ago...after you left...I found out I was pregnant...I just couldn't and didn't want to get rid of the baby, even if I was young...so I gave birth to him. I didn't contact you nor tell you about it because I didn't want to ruin your education...and well...he's ten years old now, his name is Emilian..." She didn't dare to look up and she was scared that he will just get out of the car and she'd never see him again.

Alisha was always the sweetest person that he knew, she was the inspiration for his female lead in his book. He never thought that he was the male lead, he always felt like an outsider in a sense. “I’m really glad that we met again too. I missed you like crazy,” he spoke softly, running a hand through his hair. “No, you’re right, it's never too late to have a fresh start.” For either one of them, they both deserved the best and he hoped that he could see that happen. Walking to her car, it reminds him of the one he had at his apartment, though what caught his attention was the toys that were tossed into the back. Dino toys, it shouldn’t bother him that she had a child. It’s been ten years since they last saw each other. Sitting in the passenger seat, he looked over at her when she began talking, keeping quiet to let her know that he was listening. His eyes widened, he had a son, they had a son. “You wouldn’t have ruined my education. I could have come here to you… I’m sorry that you felt that you had to raise him alone.” She never deserved that and he felt guilty. He knew that they were just kids back then, but now they have a kid and he wanted to meet him. Did he look more like himself or Alisha? Did he love books like he did as a kid? “Emilian… can I go with you to pick him up? I know this is a lot for you and Emilian, but I want to be there for both of you.” He would never leave her.

Cormac slipped his hands under the heavy lower side of her dress, and firmly pulled on the waistband of her bloomers while he pressed his lips back against her. He didn't pull her undergarment all the way down, because in case anyone would have happened to interrupt them it'd have been for the best so that they could dress up as quickly as possible. He reached down to undo the buttons on his own pants and once he untucked his length, he's stepped closer and pressed himself harder against Sara. "Just hold onto me." He gripped a hold onto her soft thighs and muffled his grunt once he's entered Sara. Being inside her was the sweetest and most pleasurable feeling. His lips brushed along her neck, the wooden table under her gave out a creaky noise any time he thrust inside her.

Sara let out a soft gasp when she can feel his lips on hers along with her bloomers being tugged down a bit. She was glad that the door was locked for the moment, but she knew that time was of the essence. She could feel him moving closer to her as her eyes traveled down towards his length, hoping that either the desk didn’t give out from under either of them. There would be no way of explaining any of that away. Feeling him pressing harder, her hands held onto his shoulders as she nodded her head. Feeling him enter her was the most incredible feeling as she muffled her moan against his shoulder. He felt already so deep inside of her and he hadn’t moved yet. She shivered from his lips against her neck, wrapping a leg around his waist as he began to move, rolling her hips back against his.