entrancelogs | + Sister to Sister +

Entry tags:

+ Sister to Sister +

Who: The White Queen ♥ The Red Queen
Where: An area of undisclosed location.
When: 9/25/2018
Rating: Probably G to PG.
Summary: The sisters have a slightly over-due chat about certain things.
The Story:

[ They are in a dining room, with room for many but a place setting for only two, when the White Queen ushers her sister inside. The location is undisclosed; it could be on either side, there are no features to distinguish it from real or mirror. Plates full of little sandwiches and cakes are available, as well as tea. In, of course, all white, the less seasoned ruler smiles and sits, waiting on her sister before taking a plate and arranging a few cookies. ]

How long has it been since we were able to sit and simply be with one another? This is the way it should be, I think, to simply speak freely and know that no one should lose their tempers over open conversation.

[ She can't imagine having a cordial afternoon with the Queen of Hearts, sister or not. ]

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[The Red Queen takes her place at the other place setting, facing her sister across the table. She looks over the food, then at the White Queen.]

It should prove a refreshing conversation.

Aren't you going to eat? There's so much, and I feel awkward being the only one eating.

[ She pouts just a little at her sister, gesturing to the food. ]

Of course I shall. But pleasantries first, pleasantries first. There's an order to these things, my dear.

[ She barely hides a smile, tilting her head a bit. ]

You're right. I've been gone so long, I've forgotten what it was like to host or be a part of things. Please, forgive me if I was rude at all. Perhaps you should lead.

It was not rude at all.

[Or if it was, what's a little rudeness between sisters. The Red Queen is quite used to that from her other sister.

Now she begins to pour tea for each of them.]

How do you find your side of the glass?

Very well, thank you.

[ She watches her sister pour, then reaches for the sugar cubes. ]

I'm finding it difficult to understand how to build trust. Truly, the state of some of the mirrors is Not Well.

That is only to be expected. Our sister had a heavy hand.

[The Red Queen sips her tea without sweetening it and makes a soft noise as she considers.]

[ Two cubes go in, and she stirs idly. ]

Either they're very afraid of being unmade, or they believe they must do things to show their loyalty.

[ She tsks and shakes her head. ]

A question has been raised, however.

[Pausing with her cup halfway between her mouth and its saucer, the Red Queen looks up across the table at her sister.]

Oh? I am sure there are many questions that haven't been as well. What is this one?

What do we do for the ones who have perished five times?

[ She takes a sip of her own tea and then sets the cup down, thumb running over the edge. ]

I hardly need them to be whatever our sister wanted them to be upon their return.

Our sister had her own schemes with which we do not need to fall in line.

[The Queen of Hearts certainly had her own ideas about how things were and how they ought to be.]

But there are...requirements that must be met in those situations.

[ She thinks about that for a moment, then nods slightly, agreeing. ]

Do you think something was taken from me?

[ It's a quiet question of complation. ]

I was gone for a very long while.

[The Red Queen sips her tea and says nothing for several moments. At length, she speaks.]

If you are here, then surely you were not dead.

[Her response is just as contemplative, as though she's speaking to herself.]

After all, we are neither Real nor Mirror. Dead things of our sort do not come back.

You have always been comforting and practical.

[ But still, she sighs. ]

Nevertheless, you're also right. Something must be given, but I would like for it not to be forced loyalty.

Each of us has our own desires. If you do not desire loyalty, what do you desire?

[ Well, she never thought to ask that question of herself before. Could it really be as simple as that? ]

I suppose I should think about that. In the meantime, what do you desire from your Reals?

I would not call them "mine." For a thing to me "mine," I must have some ownership over it.

[She shakes her head and picks up a cookie, looking it over.]

Ownership and stewardship are not the same.

Are the mirrors mine because I make them?

[ It's a genuine question, forehead creasing a bit. ]

Does a child belong to its parents?

[She takes a bite of the cookie.]

Or the other way around?

[ Only now that her sister has does the White Queen take a bite of her cookie. ]

Certainly I want to see them do well and thrive. I suppose that's like a parent.

[ A beat. ]

I care for them.

I suppose, in a way, they are yours.

[Does that make the Real Things hers, in a way? She isn't sure and won't bring it up.]

[ She mulls that over, takes a bit of a cookie and then settles back before her eyes light up as she swallows. ]

Sister, we should do something in unity! Something wonderful for both sides that could perhaps ease everyone's minds a bit more.

Oh? Do you have any ideas?

[The Red Queen is willing to listen, of course. She's a reasonable person who likes to make others happy.]

I am afraid that my attempts recently have fallen flat.

[Because of a certain Queen who shall not be named.]

Now that we're together and both want the same thing, this should be quite simple to plan! Oh, let's see...

[ She thinks about it with her two pointer fingers over her lips in deep concentration. And then, when she has it, she grins and claps her hands together. ]

A ball! Oh, a New Year's Eve, ball. We can let both mirror and real celebrate changes and toast to new beginnings together!

[The Red Queen nods slowly and sips her tea.]

I believe that would be appropriate after the year they've had.

[ The White Queen literally grins and claps her hands in excitement. ]

Oh, sister, I'm so glad you agree! Should it be on your side?

[ Of course she has no problems with that. ]

I'll help you decorate if so.

[ Oh, but that brings up something else she wanted to talk about. ]

We still have plenty of time to figure it out, but I recommend no hearts in the motif.

The ballroom is perfectly suited to such an event.

[And there isn't an analog on the Mirrors' side of things.]

On that, too, we can agree.

[The hearts had not been her doing, regardless of what the Queen of Hearts had thought and accused.]

I do hope, though, that such a celebration isn't too much delayed. But I suppose just getting things settled into a normal flow of daily life on your side may take some time.

There are still quite a few things to sort through.

[ And that is the perfect segue into other things. ]

Our sister, for example, had quite the punishment for mirrors crossing over. She did not approve of it. I'm not sure I understand completely, why. Should there be a problem with it?

I suppose it depends on one's point of view. Our sister, likely, had no reason other than a driving need to control the things around her.

[She pauses, giving it another moment's thought.]

I suppose things could become very confusing with so many comings and goings. Especially when the Real Things have no say in passing over.

I do not wish to control their actions in a way to only suit me.

[ But the Red Queen has a point, and she looks, grateful to her sister. ]

That is true. I would never want to cause any of your Reals any undue stress. It seems for now there's plenty of that happening without Wonderland's machinations sprinkling on more.

[ She puts down her cookie. ]

Then that matter is settled. No crossing without express permission because there is no consent granted by the Real thing to be instantaneously transported should a Mirror cross. Is that agreeable?

I find that most agreeable.

[When it comes down to it, securing the comfort of her guests--even if it is little comfort--is important.]

I do hope your Mirrors do not find it stifling.

I think they might, just as the Reals hate, so much, being stuck there with no way home. They already go through enough they don't consent to.

[ She takes a sip of tea. ]

My Mirrors will have to accept that. And I will try my best to help them understand. Besides, if we let them all come together every so often, that should pique curiosities for a while.

[ And that's that as she smiles at the Red Queen. ]

I realize this is only our first meeting of official things, but we've done it so well!

Of course, we have, my dear. The two of us are capable of civil discussion.

[She sets down her teacup with a clink of finality.]

Now, we should adjourn. We both have many things to see to and to oversee.

You're right, sister! So many things, but I'm very glad we could sit and talk.

[ There is a pause as she rises. ]

I have missed this.

[The Red Queen looks up at her without comment for a moment before also rising, hands clasped in front of her.]

I must say...I have as well.

[ Taking a chance, the White Queen reaches for her sister's hands and squeezes them with a hopeful smile. ]

We can do this again?

Most certainly. Business must be conducted properly, with all involved parties present.

[ It's so formal and new! She'll have to get used to how she's supposed to act as queen now - regal, proper, and manners! All important. ]

I shall see you soon, sister.

[ She lets go of her hands. ]

For our party.

Until then, do take care. You still have much work ahead of you.

[The Red Queen inclines her head and takes her leave.]

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+ Sister to Sister +

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