of course, Nero was more than right in those words; even he, so well known for his deeds at the Third Crusades, for his military skills and swordsmanship, had hardly been the perfect King many would have thought him to be. Richard the Lionheart much caused hassles for his people, even his younger brother who so fondly enjoyed fighting him and usurp him from his rightful throne. John Lackland may have been a selfish fool, a brat even, but Richard’s decency as a chivalrous knight didn’t allow him to despise so much someone who did him no good.
Truly, whether or not the Great Fire of Rome had been Nero’s fault or maybe even truly the Christians’ fault, that hardly mattered anymore.
With the Emperor’s willingness to perform came the King’s utmost excitement, sparkling eyes akin of a child’s, and no bigger honor could one have then witness an Emperor and performer both do what they did best; perform. In the back of his mind, Richard makes notes of everything she asks of: backdrop? He could easily arrange one, the finest and most suiting of them. Lyre? Surely, there were many stores that could provide one fitting for an Emperor. A ten horse chariot? … That, perhaps not so much. Even if William were around, hardly Richard thought the man would be able to summon ten horses and a chariot.
– No. After all he had done as a King, all his feats and the many absurds things he had asked of his courtmen, to lay low because of a simple ten horse chariot…!
❝ You! ❞ A random festival staff is pointed at, all of Richard’s intimidating aura and royal speech put into his tone. ❝ Do not waste a moment; fetch me your finest backdrop. It must be of the highest quality, and the most vibrant tone of red. You! Take your fastest men and search for the lyre with the softest tune, the shiniest gold! You and you! I have heard this city has a zoo; must you find it, and order them to deliver their finest horses, fitting for an Emperor. A chariot is also to be request, your biggest one! Do not worry about the costs: We swear on the name of Our ancestor, King Arthur Pendragon, that all costs will be properly paid off, every servant rightfully tipped. Clear the stage, and properly organize it! It might not be on the schedule, but I have with me not only a performer but an Emperor worth the attention of all, and for us she shall perform, bless us with music and acting that I’m sure will drive all of us to tears enough to create a whole new ocean! Waste no time: all of this must be done before sunset! ❞
And when all is said and done, most people looking at each other confused and a couple of others running to different directions, he turns back to Nero with a much too proud smile on his features. ❝ I believe that might be enough for you, Your Majesty. If only had I my trusted friends with me, I would even go as far as provide a fitting new costume for you. But I believe that to be for another day, another time! I cannot possibly wait to see with my own eyes the greatness that you will bestow upon me. ❞
“ you needn’t worry about any costume! rather, it’s better i keep this one, to maintain familiarity with all who see me..! but seeing your burning passion towards bringing together the stage on which i may perform, i have no doubts you would have acquired a piece from the heavens--no! ripped from the hands of god himself to bestow upon me for my performance! king richard, for your haste and desire to see such a sight, it would bring me the highest of shame to not deliver my greatest! i needn’t no script! everything from here will be from the deepest reaches of my heart, and when all is said and done, it too will strike at your’s like a flaming arrow! now, preparations! “
( ♚ THE CONFUSION ); and chaos birthed from richard’s sudden demands caused the staff of the festival to go into a panic, all of whom were unsure just who they were working under to make such an impossible scenario a reality. all of them asked questions as to who they were listening to, being only told that it was of someone of high regard. confusion was swept even more but they believed it to have simply been their employer to which they kept working. while the back drop and stage was being set up, the act of finding a seven horse carriage was a much more difficult matter.
( ♚ IN THE END ); they had manage to at least throw together something made from one of the carriage rides that took you around the festival, adorned it with flowers and hammered a throne onto it. shoddy, but nero’s eyes lit up at the sight of her throne on wheels. as for the animals itself, it was really about five horses, two donkeys and a llama. the variety was fine in nero’s eyes, it was pleasing to see various animals all work together!
( ♚ THE BACKDROP ); had been completed and simply put, it was a stage large enough to accommodate the carriage, having the silhouette of an olympic arena behind it. with everything together and looking like it would end up nothing short of perfect, nero placed a hand atop her heart, her eyes wet with admiration and adoration before turning to richard.
“ seat yourself. you’ve done enough for this emperor short of rearranging the stars in my image. be seated with your fellow man but do not stay down for long, for at the end of my performance you will surely leap from your seats and cheer at your most. the time is coming to start and with a golden sunset to bless my performance, it will surely be something to remember..! “
