Diamond welcomes Hayley into the family, 6/26/2005

• Hayley says good-bye to Janus as he heads off to talk to Michael.
• Hayley tries to seem brave but there are shadows in her eyes.
• Hayley steels herself and gets the page or knight or whoever is guarding the door to go through the appropriate formalities, if there are any.

<Diamond> (A page escorts you in, introduces you to the QUeen, and then departs, pretty much)

• Diamond is waiting for you in the sitting room where you were last night.
• Hayley curtseys politely.

<Hayley> Your Majesty.

• Hayley says quietly and respectfully.
• Diamond is seated in a highbacked chair by a low table. She looks quite pale, but much improved since the last time you saw her.
• Diamond is clothed in many folds anf layers of velvety black, with a feathery fringe at her cuffs and hems.
• Dovev is brushing the Queen's hair... There seems to be no other members of the staff about.

<Hayley> You're looking well.

• Hayley smiles.

<Diamond> You don't lie very well.

• Hayley is sincere but Diamond probably will twist the sentiment.
• Hayley sighs.
• Diamond looks you over, perhaps examining for signs of weakness...

<Hayley> I'm not lying. <Diamond> Please sit down.

• Hayley takes a seat as offered.
• Diamond 's lips twitch slightly.

<Diamond> Perhaps you suffer from a defect of vision.

• Hayley sits down gracefully, making pretty much no sound.

<Hayley> You're looking stronger, and that is good.

• Dovev looks down at you, saying nothing.
• Hayley clarifies politely.

<Diamond> Well.

• Diamond looks to the window.
• Hayley folds her long and graceful hands in her lap and waits quietly for Diamond to say whatever she has to say.

<Diamond> How long has it been, since our conversation at Yule? <Hayley> A couple of years, I think. <Diamond> Two years.

• Diamond turns back to fix her icy gaze upon you.
• Hayley manages to find the strength to meet that gaze.

<Diamond> Two years now, I have waited for you to fail. To show your true colours.

• Hayley says nothing, just regards you as calmly as she can.

<Diamond> For two years I have despised you, and hidden my hate from my son.

• Diamond 's expression is impossible to read.
• Hayley listens respectfully.

<Diamond> ... <Diamond> I have set foils for you, threatened you... <Diamond> And yet, you are still here.

• Diamond 's eyes narrow.

<Diamond> Why is that?

• Dovev quietly sets the brush down.

<Hayley> Because of love. <Diamond> Do you not fear me, then?

• Dovev glides to Diamond's side.

<Hayley> I do, but I also respect you because you are the mother of the man I love. <Diamond> Hm.

• Diamond sits back in her chair.
• Dovev looks you over, his eyes bottomless black pools.

<Diamond> And what about my quiet friend...?

• Diamond smiles up at her companion.
• Hayley sits quietly and calmly, wondering what will happen next.
• Hayley can never really tell, though usually it is something bad.

<Diamond> Do you fear him? <Hayley> He is your bodyguard and faithful servant. I do fear him, but I also respect him and the role he plays in your entourage.

• Hayley knows very well that he could eat her any time... but he hasn't, yet...
• Hayley continues to wonder where this is leading, and dreading it inwardly.
• Diamond gives you a thin, indulgent smile.

<Diamond> You are very tactful.

• Hayley isn't sure what to make of that remark, and ends up looking down modestly at her hands in her lap, as she does also with Janus at

 times.

• Hayley seems cautious, though, too...

<Diamond> But I can tell that you are burning with desire to know what it is I am going to inflict on you today... <Hayley> I suppose I am conditioned to wonder by now.

• Hayley admits.
• Hayley returns her golden gaze to your icy one.

<Diamond> I want to speak to you about what happened last night.

• Diamond says matter-of-factly.

<Hayley> Yes, Your Majesty.

• Hayley replies respectfully.

<Diamond> With you and Rachel.

• Hayley swallows.

<Hayley> Of course, Your Majesty. <Diamond> I have not been able to put it out of my mind.

• Diamond 's lips thin.
• Hayley continues to listen, her eyes searching your own.
• Hayley doesn't know why exactly you can't put it out of your mind, what stands out, and wouldn't wish to presume she knows.

<Diamond> I have hated you for years. I used my last breaths to curse you. <Diamond> And yet your last words to me were kindness. <Diamond> ...

• Hayley is forced to look modestly down at her hands again. She seems quite awkward receiving such praise (?) from you...

<Diamond> Look at me when I am speaking to you.

• Hayley looks back up at you, looking vulnerable for a brief moment before she composes herself again.

<Diamond> Now, listen to me carefully, for you are not like to hear it again. <Diamond> I have been... proven wrong in my judgement of your character.

• Hayley listens, hardly believing her ears.

<Hayley> (more to come?) <Diamond> I regret... certain things that I have done.

• Hayley smiles slightly, gently, hopefully...
• Hayley wonders if she is dreaming.

<Hayley> (anything more or may I speak?) <Diamond> (go to it) <Hayley> You have also shown me great kindness... I couldn't forget that.

• Hayley is referring to her time as a Squire before she went mad, and also when she was Debbie.

<Hayley> And... I know a little of what it is to be a mother, too. <Diamond> Everything that I have done, I have done for my son.

• Hayley nods. She knows. She has known that all along.

<Diamond> I told you before I was Queen that I meant for him to be a Prince.

• Hayley nods.

<Diamond> Someday... someday I mean for him to be a king. <Diamond> And his sons after him...

• Diamond glances briefly at Dovev.
• Dovev withdraws soundlessly into the next room.
• Hayley nods, swallowing.
• Hayley wonders if this is the crux of the matter now... Diamond needs him to marry a Sidhe woman...
• Hayley understands but it still hurts.

<Diamond> I have a favour to ask of you, Hayley. And then I shall give you a gift.

• Hayley 's eyes grow a bit shiny with tears.

<Hayley> Yes, Your Majesty. <Diamond> Janus does not know that I had a choice in the matter of... in the fate of the child I lost. He does not know that I sacrificed

 it for him. And he must never know.

<Diamond> Swear to me that you will keep my secret, and you shall have my favour. <Hayley> Of course I will swear not to tell him...

• Hayley looks a little uncertain, remembering that she is oathbroken. She isn't sure what kind of oath you'd find acceptable.

<Diamond> Good.

• Diamond seems satisfied with just your word.

<Diamond> Now, remove that charm you're wearing.

• Hayley had already forgotten that part of what you said last night.
• Hayley hesitates only for a moment.
• Dovev returns now, bearing a large bowl of beaten silver, engraved with swirling, almost hypnotic patterns.

<Diamond> Ah, thank you.

• Hayley hopes she isn't making a mistake as she sets the necklace on the table next to you, but closer to her.
• Diamond reaches up to take it from him.
• Diamond sets the basin, filled with clear water, on the table in front of her.

<Diamond> Give me your hand...

• Diamond holds out her own.
• Hayley places her hand in yours.
• Diamond turns your hand palm-up, and grips it tightly. Her hand is quite cool.
• Hayley 's is warm and dry.
• Diamond produces a long, sharp pin from the folds of her gown with her free hand.
• Hayley watches without fear.
• Diamond pricks your index finger, then draws your hand over her bowl to squeeze a single drop of blood into the water before letting you

 go.

• Hayley presses her thumb into her pricked finger to quell the bleeding.
• Diamond seems to ignore you now, leaning over the bowl as the blood diffuses, spreading red tendrils through the crystal water.
• Diamond 's eyes lose their focus, and she seems to be in a trance.
• Hayley sits quietly, not about to interrupt her cantrip. Especially when she is still recovering from trauma and near-death.
• Dovev watches you quietly.
• Hayley just watches Diamond with quiet interest.
• Hayley rubs her pricked finger a bit to soothe it, and that's the only movement she makes, aside from the regular rise and fall of her

 ribcage as she draws breath.

• Diamond is very still for about five minutes -- maybe more, it's hard to tell -- and then sits up straight, her eyes clear once more.
• Hayley might shift her hooves once then, too. (Legs falling asleep)

<Diamond> Well... that should work out nicely, I think...

• Diamond looks to Dovev again, who swiftly moves to take the vessel away.
• Hayley smiles tentatively, wondering what she did but uncertain how polite it would be to ask.
• Diamond smiles at you, without the ice.

<Hayley> Might I ask... what you saw? Or is it a secret?

• Hayley smiles. She doesn't mind if you don't tell her.

<Diamond> I don't want to spoil the surprise. <Hayley> Very well. <Diamond> When it happens... I think you will know.

• Diamond winces very slightly.
• Hayley looks alarmed.

<Hayley> Do you need one of your healers to attend you?

• Hayley offers... she'll go get one if so.

<Diamond> No, that's allright. <Diamond> There's no cause for alarm.

• Hayley hopes that Diamond will not be angry that I noticed her distress... she hates appearing weak, Hayley knows.
• Dovev appears at the Queen's side once again.

<Hayley> All right. <Diamond> I think that I should rest a bit...

• Dovev moves to help her to her feet.

<Hayley> Very well. <Diamond> ... Come a little closer. <Hayley> (me?) <Diamond> (yes)

• Hayley stands up and comes around to a side of Diamond that Dovev is not occupying, then, I guess.
• Diamond cups your cheek with her hand, looking you over again.
• Hayley withstands the scrutiny.

<Diamond> You really are quite lovely... <Diamond> Hm.

• Hayley blushes and lowers her gaze modestly.
• Diamond smiles faintly.
• Hayley seems awkward about the praise again.

<Diamond> Welcome to the family. <Hayley> (Is she still touching me or is it safe to curtsey?) <Diamond> (go for it)

• Hayley raises her warm golden eyes to your gaze again, and curtseys gracefully.
• Diamond turns (with Dovev) to go back to her room, then.

<Hayley> Take care, Your Majesty.

• Hayley does whatever protocol requires... wait for you to leave or leave before you do. She has etiquette. ;)
• Hayley puts her necklace back on and departs Diamond's quarters, walking on air and still not quite believing what just happened.
• Hayley pinches herself a few times, in fact, to make sure she's not dreaming. And she laughs out loud joyfully when it's apparent she's not. ;)