[ elizabeth is glad for her mother's continued support. she might need to pull herself together, too, but it's nice to feel her here. solid and real against her. neither a ghost nor a dream.

and now she is able to lend support to her as well, in the tight clasp of her arms and the small, watery smile she manages to provide. ]

So long as it does not involve more death, I am with you, Lady Mother.

[ including richard's. dick might be a bag of dicks, but he's still family. to her, that means something. even if it doesn't to him. but when her mother continues and says the words by any means necessary, she bites her lip, and then straightens. she has put her foot down before.

and she really has not wanted to argue so soon, or even to court the remote possibility of one. but she cannot lose her ground here. ]

No. Please, Lady Mother, no more death. The Pope can resolve this peacefully!

Do you not recall that Uncle Richard never obtained a dispensation to marry the Lady Anne?

[ her mother is always so quick to commit to rash actions. and she is not. the thought of more violence terrifies her, frankly. it only ever results in death, turmoil and pain. ]