Preparing for Tea - part 2
JP with Lorem, Redsword, Jaxx, Lasersexpanther and Cindy
He went down to one knee and rested one of his arms on it. Sung looked back into Lorem's blue eyes. His heart skipped a beat as he lost focus and melted at her sight. Her face had pretty and youthful features. Her sparkling blue eyes and facial expression were innocent and honest. Her long, beautiful, blonde curly hair glowed in the light. Her cute, elegant ears tapered to a point. Sung blinked a few times, getting his focus back.
Sung is still thinking about her question. "The Ellington house is my home now. After my parents died, I left Korea and went to Japan and, from there, to Britain. That is how I met Duke Ellington and his family. Why do you ask? Do you miss your home?" asked Sung gently, his voice calm and reassuring.
Lorem’s ears perked up slightly at the question, her blue eyes meeting Sung’s, but not able to match the duration, as she considered his words. She turned the brass tool in her hands slowly, its soft clicks filling the quiet moment.
“Ja, I miss it sometimes,” she said softly, her accent giving the words a gentle lilt. “Not the place so much, but the people. My family, mostly. They are why I am here.” She paused, her gaze dropping briefly to the tool in her hands again. “They always told me, ‘Go where you can grow, Lorem. Where you can make something of yourself.’ So, here I am.”
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she looked back at Sung. “It’s strange, though, to leave what you know and find a new home somewhere else. It takes….” She hesitated, her fingers idly turning the tool in her hands again.
“I asked because… well, you seem so steady, confident, like you always know where you belong,” she added, glancing up at him. Her voice was quieter now. “I think that’s something to admire and it is not something I feel yet.” She replied with a tinge of vulnerability.
"Miss Ipsum, know who you are and your strengths and weaknesses. Know when you stand in the morning that you are a lady, under the house of Ellington, employed by Lady Elizabeth. This is not only a duty but an honor. People would kill for this chance. Know that Lady Elizabeth and I are honored to have you and that you chose to be with us." Sung paused and looked down for a moment.
"We would not be the same with you here with us. So fear not, Miss Ipsum. We do not stand in front of you or behind you but beside you. I will be there for you next to Lady Elizabeth. You are my priority." Sung said with confidence and a genuine smile on his face. "So smile and be confident I am here for you and whatever you need." Sung said sincerely.
Lorem’s cheeks warmed as she listened to Sung’s words. She wasn’t used to such direct, genuine reassurance, and the weight of his sincerity settled over her like a gentle, unexpected comfort.
“Th-thank you,” she said softly, her voice steady but quiet. She hesitated, her gaze momentarily shifting downward as she processed his words. They meant more to her than she could express in the moment.
Finally, she looked back up at him, her blue eyes carrying a mix of gratitude and determination. “I… I’ll do my best. For Lady Elizabeth, for all of you.” There was a small, shy smile on her lips, but it held a quiet strength now, a reflection of the courage his words had sparked in her.
She straightened her posture just slightly, her voice soft but steady. “It means a lot… knowing you are all here for me. So, thank you.”
"It is an honor to help you, Miss Ipsum," replied Sung, standing and bowing to Miss Ipsum.
As Sung bowed, Lorem’s cheeks flushed a brilliant pink. She sat frozen in her chair, wide-eyed, as the realization of others noticing the moment such a prestigious man was bowing to someone, her, began to sink in. Her hands nervously clutched at the folds of her dress, and she ducked her head slightly, trying to make herself feel smaller.
She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a soft, barely audible squeak. Gathering herself quickly, she gave a shy nod, her eyes flicking upward briefly to meet Sung’s before darting away again.
Sung that her reaction was cute and refreshing to see someone act that way to his bow. Most seem to wave it off, or it is just something he does. He was truly happy he could help her with the meeting of the queen coming up. He was sure she would have more confidence in herself.
"One last thing. Looking away when you feel unconfident is normal. There is a trick when you are not standing face to face, staring at their noses. They think you are looking at them, but in truth, you're not. It might help you in the future. I used that technique when I first met Queen Elizabeth. I felt I was not worthy of such an honor. But after that, The Duke set me straight on that issue." explained Sung.
He pulled out an ornate silk handkerchief with writing embroidery in Japanese and Korean. "Here, take this. It is a good karma or luck handkerchief. It has never failed me." says Sung, handing it to her.
Sasha arrived during Sung and Lorem's heart to heart, her apparel much like what the group would probably have come to expect from the hunter. Though it was more elegant the collar of her coat was much higher with a slightly stiffer look to it and rather than being closed with buttons like her normal coat it was kept mostly closed but with a chain and metal pins near the collarbone. Her hat untorn with a small white feather. Forgoing the usual vest and just wearing two undershirts. The pants were simple but high quality, much like what she normally wore. An empty sword belt around her waist. Her boots came to the mid-shin, laced up, with a thick heel. But the most notable thing about her new outfit was the white jabot around her neck held by a green broach.
Standing in the doorway for a moment she fiddled with the broach adjusting it, her fingers lingering a moment rubbing the smooth green stone at its center before she took a breath and stepped in to join the rest of the team.
Elizabeth acknowledged Sasha then picked up a box and handed it to Mr. Sung. "Mr. Sung, it was your idea to gift the Queen with this blade. I believe you should be the one to carry it over."
Elizabeth turned to the team. "Everyone, we will be following Askel to the hall where we will have tea. The Queen will arrive after we do. We will be placed at our seats but please do not sit down until the Queen says to do so. When she first walks in everyone should bow or curtesy until she passes by. She will pass to the right, but the same holds true for the other side of the table. Being we are not doing a receiving line this is proper etiquette. Askel will remain to help with this part. Are there any questions about the tea before we head over?"
Lorem's eyes widened as Sung offered her the ornate handkerchief. She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the intricate embroidery for a moment. The thought flickered through her mind—luck. She didn't believe in such a thing. To her, the world was made of gears, calculations, and cause and effect, not intangible forces. But she kept her thoughts to herself, recognizing the gesture as one of kindness.
With trembling fingers, she carefully took the handkerchief from his hand, her eyes darting up to meet him briefly before dropping again. "Danke…" she whispered, her soft voice tinged with a mix of shyness and gratitude.
She held the handkerchief delicately, her thumb brushing over the embroidered symbols, and gave him a small nod of thanks. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips as her attention was drawn to Sasha's arrival and Lady Elizabeth's announcement. She did raise her hand and waited for Lady Elizabeth to call on her. Once she did, Lorem asked, "Will they have accessible seating arrangements?" The petite, even for gnome standards, young woman was concerned about her mobility wearing such a tight and flowy dress trying to get up and down in a normal sized seat. Then there was the issue of reaching the table itself. She would hate to embarrass herself and their group in front of the royalty.
"Yes, Askel has made the staff aware of the needs of our team." It probably helped that they were in a country full of Dwarves and Orcs. "I have been assured there would be appropriate seating for both you, Miss Ipsum and," turning to the Orc, "you, Cronk."
Sasha regarded everyone with a nod and walked over to an empty seat. Adjusting her clothes as she sat so as to not wrinkle them. When she had settled into her chair she ran her thumb across the broach again, listening to Lady Elizabeth explaining to the team the rules of the meeting.
Lorem nodded in appreciation. One concern was able to be checked off her mental list at least. She secured her fidgeting tool and the gift from Master Sung, patiently waiting for what was to come next. Simultaneously, Lorem was ever so carefully scooting towards the front of the large chair she was in. She was trying to position herself so she could easily hop down when the time came.