Month (2)3(2)

Jean:

I smile and tilt my head at Bond's playfulness before responding to his question.

"Perhaps.. should I find a worthy opponent."

I poke his leg in jest before turning it around on its end to analyze the object further.

Hmm...

*Thinks devious thoughts.*

Bond:

I pretend the poke was a critical hit.

“Oh no… you got me…”

I dramatically collapse to the floor (still making sure I don’t mess up my hair). My arm covers my face as I pretend to die in a very over the top manner.

*Doesn’t see Jean staring at the poker*

“So who would count as a worthy opponent?”

The Thorn Queen, Michael, our Queen’s relatives… So many enemies to choose from these days!

Jean:

I glance over at Bond's dramatic display before standing above him and dangling the stick above his head.

"Hmm.. I suppose in time we will see."

I clasp the object firmly before kneeling down next to him.

"Why do you ask?"

I question surprised Bond would ask such a thing.

Bond:

I make sure not to flinch when she holds the stick right over my head, but hold her gaze confidently.

I sit up when she gets down to my level.

“I wanted to get to know you more. Your mind is an enigma to one such as me.”

I take the risk to get a little more personal, since I haven’t been pokered just yet.

“Is it ever lonely? Your soldiers don’t understand your science, and your scientists don’t understand your grit. It must be difficult, trying to talk with people who only understand pieces of who you are.”

Jean:

I tilt my head quite out of practice with this sort of thing.

"I haven't thought much about it to be honest, but I suppose it can be frustrating at times."

I glance away from him for a moment in thought.

"But surely my experience isn't unique, like yours I imagine. A soldier and a romantic?"

I tease before helping him up off the floor.

Our hands linger for a moment before I pull mine away as we were not THERE YET

Bond:

*Takes note that Jean is not comfortable with hand holding just yet *

She tells me that feeling misunderstood is not the kind of thing she thinks about much.

“Hmm, what do you think about then?”

Is her mind always on her science, I wonder, or are there other things that preoccupy her thoughts?

She asks about my own experience. I suppose it is different… I have met soldiers who wanted to woo Queens for the power or status of being Commander, which usually accompanies being Consort. Others have more… carnal reasons, I’m sure. But for me, I just wanted to feel like she saw me. It is in our nature to adore our own Queen, to love her unconditionally, even if we are but one of hundreds or thousands of her followers. I always thought that, if I could matter, to the person who mattered the most to me, then I’d feel special. I’d know what it felt like to be loved back.

Of course I DO NOT say all of that to my Queen, since that would definitely be ‘too much’! Instead I just say,

“It has its challenges. But I’m not going to complain about a lack of competition in the romantic department. Imagine having a line of soldiers outside waiting with more sacks! 232 wouldn’t know what to do with himself!”

Not that he knows what to do with himself half the time anyway!

Jean:

I pause for a moment at Bond's rather intimate question.

"I suppose my mother."

I look down for a moment.

My science helps me remain close to her, even when we are so very far apart.

It will also help me reunite with her one day when I am finally done my research,

My eyes widen with respect to Bond's comment regarding the "lack of competition"

Such a situation sounded horrifying and I too was glad that was not the case.

I pull out another item from the bag in an attempt to distract myself.

"What do you think about that isn't your regular duties?"

I question him examining the gift before opening it.

Bond:

My Queen informs me that she thinks a lot about her mother. I’ve heard wraith mothers and daughters are often close.

“I’m sure she’d be proud of you, for all the work that you’ve done. Your experiments could end up changing the galaxy one day.”

And for the BETTER unlike Michael’s hybrid stuff!

She asks me what I think about. I do NOT want to tell her about coming up with new poses in front of my mirror, so I try to think what else.

“Well, I guess your answer made me recollect my own mother, my first Queen. I think I used to be close with her, when I was very little. Then she had her next child, and the next, and I saw less and less of her. If I were to return to her hive now, I’m not sure she’d recognise me as one of her own.”

I keep a nonchalant tone, since it was so long ago, there’d be little point in feeling any sort of way about it.

I watch as my Queen opens up a fancy spinning ornament (armillary sphere).

“These humans really did like making spinning gadgets!”

I think back to the kaleidoscope, and try to lighten the mood after these heavier topics.

Jean:

I raise my eyebrows at Bond's flattery.

He thought too much of me..

Bond speaks of his own mother and their distant relationship.

I felt at a loss for words.

It was hard to determine which of my feelings were wraith and which were not.

I struggled with letting any of the latter out.

Bond's sudden change of tone startles me a bit and I jump in surprise

"Uh.."

I look at the object for a moment trying to understand its purpose.

It had none.. it had completely no purpose.

This upsets me and I push it aside.

I pull out a new package and rip it apart.

It was a feather with a sharpened end (quill).

......

I pull out another gift and open it as well.

It was a hat with a feather.

I wondered if the two were somehow related?

*Sticks quill in feathered hat and places it on Bond's head.*

He looked ridiculous.

I snorted and laughed a bit before opening the last package.

"What is THAT?!"

I give a startled expression at the fluffy beast on the outside.

It sort of reminded me of one of my brother's mates. I think he would enjoy this pillow a lot.

I wrinkle my nose a bit before setting it down.

"How exactly did you find the time to get all this during the culling?"

I ask, probing Bond for answers.

Bond:

I wonder why the Queen doesn’t like the ornament? Does she not like things which spin? Does that mean that I shouldn’t spin?

Before I can think any more on the subject, the Queen places one of her gifts on my head!

I do my best pose, trying to pull it off!

“How do I look?”

Then we get to the BEST present of all!

We have cushions here on the hive, so I think my Queen is questioning the creature.

“I believe that humans call them ‘cats’! I have seen some during cullings. Humans allow them to live in their dwellings. It must have taken hours to stitch such a detailed design, so perhaps this cat meant something to the human who made it.”

I am asked how I retrieved all of these items.

“Oh, rest assured that I patrolled the human houses very well! But when JD – er, your favourite drone – ran out of present ideas, I stepped in to help!”

Jean:

I frown.

"Drone went on a culling mission with you? Did the Commander tell you to do this??"

I respond startled

Bond:

*Low-key sad that Jean didn’t tell him how he looked in the hat *

I think back to what I remember.

“The Commander told me to come along. I don’t know whose idea the sack stuff was.”

I just did not want to miss my CHANCE to join in on the present collecting! And I was bored…

“I think your drone had a sack too, and he reckoned it smelled nicer than mine. Maybe he got you perfume? Or more of that chamomile tea?”

That was smart, going with something he already knew she liked! At least I managed to steal his flowers!

Jean:

"Oh?"

I look at Bond in amusement as he was still wearing the hat.

I ease up a bit as my suspensions are lessened and I try not to blush again at Bond's pretty face.

Bond:

She LIKES the hat! I’ll have to post a photo on my wraithbook wall later! If she lets me keep it, that is.

“Well, since you’ve so kindly let me borrow this, let me find something for you to wear…”

I pick up a molymod kit I find on one of the lab tables. I begin to fashion a circle about the size of Jean’s head. Since I do not know much biology, I do not make any kind of actual molecule, I just try to make it look like colourful and cool.

Once I’m finished, I pass her the ‘crown’ to put on, if she wants to.

Jean:

Bond makes a crown and passes it along to me to wear.

*Sighs*

I place the molymod crown on my head and look back at him feeling a bit silly.

Bond:

I grin when my Queen wears the crown.

“Well don’t you look DNA-mazing!”

*Going HARD with the jokes to cover up slight nerves *

Jean:

"That was a terrible joke."

I laugh for a moment before catching his look and moving in closer like I was going to kiss him.

JD:

Once I have prepared and reheated the new teas, I make my way to the Queen’s lab to inform her.

232 attempts to shove me away as I reach the door.

“Oh, how uncouth, 232! I am here to relieve you, now shoo!”

He looks down, and if it weren’t for his mask, I do believe I would have seen a look of disappointment etched across his face. He strolls away, no doubt off to pester some other poor soul.

I politely knock on the door.

“My Queen! I have a most special surprise for you! If you’d be so kind as to follow me to your quarters?”

Jean:

I quickly pull away embarrassed when Drone knocks on the door.

"Of course! I am coming Drone."

I give Bond a shy look before rushing over to the door and opening it to follow after Drone.

"More tea?"

I question surprised.

Still on the FENCE whether it was appropriate for a Wraith Queen such as myself to drink such a thing.

JD:

I am most surprised to see Bond in the science lab, until I remember that he’s been busy giving our Queen his ‘gifts’.

I do not know which I find more confusing. That he is wearing a feathered hat, or that when our Queen turns her back he glares at me as if I murdered his mother.

“Is everything ok, sir?”

(Bond): “FINE fine, totally fine!”

He plasters a grin back onto his face, so it seems all is well!

“Very good! Follow me, my Queen!”

I lead her back to her chambers, where the three teapots are ready.

“I do have a treat for you today, my Queen! A variety of flavours that I collected during the culling mission! Please do take a moment to breathe in the aroma of each tea, and I shall pour whichever you desire to sample first!”

*There’s tomato soup, beef broth, and custard*

Jean:

I follow Drone back to my quarters and look at the teapots unsure.

They smelt amazing and I was quite tempted by each of them.

The tea looked different though, not like anything I have had before.

"I don't know.. why don't you pick for me Drone?"

I clasp my hands together still coming down from my  "almost kiss"

"You really didn't have to do this Drone. Did you think of this all on your own?"

I question him before noticing Bond's crown was still on my head and I quickly remove it embarrassed.

JD:

My Queen asks me to choose. I select the orange-coloured liquid, since that was the one the human ‘chef’ called the ‘starter’.

I pour the thick tea into a cup and saucer, as my Queen questions how I came up with this idea.

“I must admit, my Queen, that these were not my own machinations. During the culling, I was able to speak with some of the humans. Once they’d finished wailing and begging for their lives, we were able to have a most productive discussion about new tea recipes. I wondered if you may be tiring of your usual blends, and thought some variety might cheer you up.”

I remember that the Commander advised keeping quiet about his involvement. So I keep his name out of it, whilst still being truthful regarding what happened.

I give a curious look as my Queen removes something from her hair.

“Is that from Bond? He was most eager to bring you some souvenirs from our mission.”

I do hope at least some of them were of good quality, considering where he got them from.

Jean:

I pick up the first cup of tea and look it over.

I try not to be difficult and just drink it.

It was good.

My body seemed to enjoy it as well.

I felt a strange sense of relief.

I set down the empty cup and respond to Drone's question.

"Yes... uhm, he was showing me them when you stopped by."

I glance over at Drone in thought.

"Do wraith drink tea and receive gifts?"

I ask trying not to obsess whether I was doing things right.

*Zones out a little.*

JD:

I smile as my Queen seems to enjoy the tea.

Oh I do hope the Commander kept the human who brewed it alive!

“Was he?”

I take a closer look at the object Bond gave her, it looks more like it came from the lab than a human world. Hmm…

I am about to probe my Queen, trying to determine what exactly went on between her and Bond when they were together in private. However, I sense a touch of apprehension as she asks her next question. Since I do not wish to make her feel more nervous, I refrain (for now).

“I would presume that some do and some do not. Much the same as any activity, there are those who take enjoyment from it, and those who do not find it to their tastes. Do you enjoy drinking tea and receiving gifts?”

I try to be encouraging – well, I always try to be encouraging of my Queen – but most especially in this case as I can already see some colour returning to her cheeks!

Jean:

I smile at Drone's very logical response.

I relax.

Ok..

"I think I do."

I glance down for a moment then look up at Drone wondering what he was thinking about.