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Rose: Serenity and Sanity

Rose woke and had breakfast. She had eggs and toast with some kind of crunchy meat that resembled (but wasn't) bacon (and she didn't ask what it was). She had managed to upgrade the kitchen, and her espresso arrived just before she had to leave her study to attend the Hall. Sipping her coffee on her way, she smiled to a few of the palace servants, and even chatted lightly with one. She had to get to know some people around here somehow, and so far, this had proven to be as good a way as any.

Once in the Hall, she was presented with paperwork. To be exact, they were requests and reports. Suggestions to the Hall for improvements on the city now that she had lifted the ban on advanced technologies. However, what some of the citizenry did not understand was that she meant only to defend her people and allow them to thrive. She was not willing to undermine the forests of Southern Gaia just so they could have cell phone towers. The reports were of the army's status. New training and weapons were already being put into use, and the mix of fire and earth magics with some of the technologies that she had procured thanks to Nico (whom she had sent for but the darned cat refused... some note about foxes actually being canines and not wanting to be chased or something like that). But the military was still trial and error, and much of that had to be micromanaged.

So after the reports, she had to meet with a few Council members (a different mix of a few of them every day) and random nobles from different influential kitsune houses. They all chatted nicely, and they all happened to have something or another on their mind- a request for more land, more resources, or to have a certain nephew or Shaman promoted to the Queen's own household, or some such nonsense. This polite but annoying banter continued on through lunch, where Queen Rose had to entertain her worthy guests. After that she had to go out and check on some things herself, including upgrades to security (mounted cameras) and even perimeter checks.

After that, there were financial reports, social notes and notices, and a meeting with her High Royal Shaman, Trella. Trella had given Rose her crash course on kitsunes, but on a daily basis, thought it best to fill in where there might be gaps in knowledge. In turn, Rose discussed ideas for the future of the Southern Kitsune Kingdom, and they came up with compromises and plans.

Dinner was quiet, just her Speaker, her High Royal Shaman, and when he could make it, her General. Sahm and Trella were often tired enough, so the conversation might stall and utterly fail at times. Kyrre wasn't even always able to make it to the dinner, as he was out with the army, supervising. Unless Rose thought she was going to be away, his role as Viceroy was not full-time.

After dinner, Rose was able to retreat to her suite, where she tapped in to ANTIE-D's system and checked in on things at home. Niko always had a few things to report, and ANTIE-D always had... nothing to report. Which was good- it meant the house was fine. And that Taran was still gone. And that... everything was quiet. Serene, even, on the home front. No interstellar crisis, planets or races in danger of being wiped out. No need for Rose to leave her happy little kingdom.

The next day, Rose woke, and had breakfast. Eggs and toast and... some kind of meat. She took her espresso to the Hall, where she went over reports and requests, and tried not to yawn through them. Then the nobles and a Councilman or two came in and socialized with their queen. They had a lunch, where Rose had to manage to decline requests for grants or deeds, while still managing to look as if she were having a lovely time. After lunch, there were inspections of the city, and then her meeting with Trella. Eventually, evening came on, and there was dinner. Kyrre was absent, and Trella and Sahm were more quiet than ever. Finished, Rose retired to her room, to find that the antics of the many pets and animals enjoying her house were trivial but annoying, and Niko had more than a few things to report. ANTIE-D still had nothing. Then Rose went to bed.

The next day, she woke up and had breakfast, read reports and requests, met nobles who stayed for lunch because of their selfish agendas, followed by yet another inspection of the city's defenses. Then the meeting with the Shaman, a dinner where Rose didn't bother to respond past a nod, then a report in her room with her household outside Barton town that was not missing her. No one was missing her.

The next day was like the one before. And like the one after.

And the one after that.

Rose could no longer tell if she'd been Queen a week, a month, or half a year. Progress met with resistance, and technology seemed at odd with tradition too often. And no one cared who Rose was anymore.

Rose didn't know who Rose was anymore.

Her life was serene, and for once, lacking insanity. Everything was almost perfect.

Rose is on the edge of cracking.