Use Your Voice

Rory’s focus was still on Jian’s lips as he spoke, explaining about how the interview process would go. She gave a small nod of understanding, chewing at her lip for a moment before speaking up. “That works for me… So, uh, just, um, let me know when I should begin.” She did had to admit to being slightly nervous about this little interview regarding her opinions on the current state of the monarchy; so she hoped her nerves didn’t come through too strongly whilst she answered the questions.

“Thank you.” Aisha nodded her head in thanks. It was good that they had family to lean on. She was happy that she convinced her mom to reach out too them, it was even better that they didn’t turn her down. “Yes! I found out that we’re about of House Anjou.” That had been another big shock. 

Em always loved this handsy side of Jian. She tended to get just as handsy, so his suggestion of a private place made her grin. “I’m sure the deep pockets are distracted enough that we can find somewhere.” She pressed her body teasingly close to his for another long kiss before she forced herself away, took his hand, and pulled him towards a more secluded area.

“Oh really? That’s cool to hear. I’ve never been to Italy, or anywhere really.” No one could call her well-traveled. “Nice to meet you, Jian. You can call me Aisha, and I’ll be sure to look you up. It’d be a fun way of learning more about Kingdom.” She’d look forward to it at least. “As for what brought me, My mom passed last year and my younger sibling went off to school. It felt a little lonely and I knew I had family in Breton. So, what better time to go and connect with long lost family, for real. I stayed for a summer before but now…I’m really here.” 

“Then I, uh, I don’t mind sharing.” Rory admitted, thinking back to her encounter with the new Queen and what exactly she could say. She had a lot of thoughts swirling around in her head, some good and some bad. First and foremost, the Queen intimidated her and not in that sexy Domme sort of way. The presence the woman carried. It was… frightening, to say the least. But then Rory recalled how the new Queen immediately began to sign upon realizing she was deaf. And she showed interest in Pilot as well as the submissive’s wellbeing post-kidnapping. Overall, she’d been surprisingly pleasant to converse with, even if the intimidation factor never faded. “Are you looking to do more of a Q&A type deal or am I to just share whatever once you’re, um, you’re ready?” Either way, Rory was fine with sharing her opinions, even if she felt it might be better for Jian to interview someone who had more knowledge of self-proclaimed Queen Georgette.

“I definitely am. I don’t think we should sit back and let her take what isn’t hers. That isn’t the spirit of Breton, is it?” Morgan shook her head. “I don’t think the new queen is some shallow evil villain. She probably believes she’s doing what’s right on some level, along with wanting the power. I’ve heard rumors she’s trying to keep anyone speaking out against her quiet. That tells me she doesn’t truly care about what we think.”

When it came to the current state of the Monarchy in Breton, Rory did have some opinions she’d begun to formulate since the self-proclaimed Queen came into power. But if the brunette was being perfectly honest, she’d not been following all the latest news and politics surrounding said Queen and the Monarchy due to her time and focus being elsewhere—on healing and trying to find a new normal post-kidnapping. “I don’t mind sharing; though I think it’s important to note I’m not as informed on the current state of our country as I should be.” Though she had the unfortunate opportunity of meeting the new Queen once; and that interaction alone helped her to begin formulate her opinions on the woman. 

Em always loved the chance to get dressed up and go out, but this event in particular stood out as a good time. How could she not be enjoying herself, after a few drinks and with Jian there with her? Returning his kiss, she pressed even closer. “Hi. I am. Especially now that I’ve got you close.” She kissed him again and toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. “What about you? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I think it’s in shambles,” she admitted. She had opted not to curse so that her full answer could be heard. “The current so-called queen stole the throne. I’m not sure what happened with the arbiter, but he was meant to choose between Nantes, Anjou, and Maine. If anyone was going to be named Queen or King, it should have been one of them.”

He wasn’t upset or crushed, that was good. Aisha truly would’ve helped, if she had any ability to help him. “Thank you! And no worries, I’m from the States, just arrived in Breton a few months ago.” If she could be of any help. “I wasn’t able to do much but have you been able to make some progress with others?” 

“Oh yeah… I remember reading something about that.”  Aeron had been more focused on the changes happening in her own life so the state wide changes had slipped her by somewhat.  “I don’t really know much about it to be honest.  This little one probably knows more than me…”

As if on cue the little girl in her arms piped up with “Ith cream!”

“The Monarchy has a shortage of ice cream apparently, I didn’t know that either.”  Aeron relayed which caused the toddler to giggle gleefully.

Aisha had been focused on her phone but she was aware enough to notice someone was speaking to her. “Oh…uh..” Aisha had just thought about his question, a small blush coming over her face, she wouldn’t be of much help. “I would but I…don’t know much. I just moved here a few months ago. Sorry, I wish I could be of more help to you.” 

Dae considered what the other man was saying carefully. Law or no, he was still noble, and Anjou had it’s fair share of ups and downs to be the one to add more to them. “I can only say that I, like everyone, am eager to see how the Queen intends to defend her position on the throne.” 

Rory nodded as the man confirmed what it was he was asking for her thoughts about. And then she nodded again as she read her name on his lips. “Correct, Sir. My name’s Rory… And this is Pilot.” She couldn’t remember if she’d had Pilot the last time she ran into the man. The events of last year had her mind all jumbled at times. The brain fog was very real now. “You’re, um…” She paused for a moment, trying to recall his name; but it wasn’t coming to her. She remembered first thinking it was Gene; but she also remembered that hadn’t been it. So it was something similar to Gene… “Jian!” Yes, that was it. It was a bit difficult to hide the split second of excitement that came with recalling his name.