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Post by Kari Muffin on Feb 17, 2010 12:58:23 GMT -5
He knew how to play the game well. Xiven did her best not to smirk as she watched the man speak. He didn't seem to be doing what most Highlanders did and judging her silently. There was nothing that could make the region better for her. She would always have some form of paranoia about the realm.
Xiven was an elitist on the inside. More often than not she wasn't vocal about her small dislike of most other suits. She had only every slept with Red cards and had no intention to ever sleep with a Black suit. Though she consider Linnea her daughter, that was completely different.
"I would like to think that most people here are open," she said with a smile. "We do take pride in our Suit, but we don't necessarily ban other suits from paying a visit. Of course we do encourage appointments and announced visits."
The Queen tipped her cup over on its saucer. "Are you interested in the famous rose gardens?"
Nerissa was finally trotting back to the office with a servant and a tray of tea. Hopefully this would be suitable for her stupid mother, and it would smooth things over a bit.
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Post by Lucca on Feb 17, 2010 16:24:03 GMT -5
Graeme couldn't have really cared less what Queen Xiven thought on the inside...actions were more important than feelings. You couldn't -feel- your way out of a crisis or into a job, for example. (At least, not any job the Duck ever wanted to have). So what mattered to him was that his Suit get a fair treatment, not what went on in the minds of the nobles when he was walking past. Being paranoid only mattered when choosing how to safeguard one's money. And even that could lead to disaster...why, Graeme could remember a nasty incident...but that had been years ago, and hardly applicable to the situation he found himself in now.
"Of course, Your Majesty," he said with a smile. "And if I were to ever visit your Court again, I would of course make a proper appointment." He couldn't really see himself having reason to ever do so, but then, he could never have forseen being here today, either.
Graeme looked curiously at the Queen at that statement. Weren't they waiting for tea? Well, if she would rather get out of this stuffy office, he wouldn't complain. "I must confess to a certain... curiosity concerning them, yes. I have heard they rival even the finest gardens anywhere else in the Highlands." He liked to think of himself as the type of person to enjoy things of class, especially if he could see them for free!
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Post by Kari Muffin on Feb 21, 2010 22:50:12 GMT -5
They were waiting for tea. She just wasn't going to sit there awkwardly and stare at the duck. Conversation was always a good thing to have. At least this way she could slowly find out a bit more concerning the business men. Even if it wasn't useful information it could keep her entertained for the time being. "I'm sure the gardeners would be utterly flattered to hear that. We all take a great pride in the roses here. I'll have to show you after the tea."
There was a knock on the door, Nerissia poked her head in shortly afterward. She was followed by a servant carrying a large tray with a teapot and a set of cups. Walking over to the Queen's desk with her head bowed she poured Xiven a fresh cup and then a cup for the Highlander. With a rather bright smile and a brief pardon she hurried off. Nerissa was left to take a seat by the door yet again. Her escape was foiled by the servant shutting the door before she had a chance to slip out.
The little girl shot her mother a death glare before returning to staring at the ceiling and commenting, "It's the best Highland blend we have."
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Post by Lucca on Feb 21, 2010 23:52:01 GMT -5
And if Graeme had mentioned anything out loud about his thoughts, he would have been suitably embarrassed for jumping to conclusions. He was just...so out of his league in this situation no matter how much he was able to recover his good dignity after an initial show of nerves. Luckily, he was able to save face by simply resettling himself in the chair.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I would be honored to see them." He was actually...rather amazed by how much time out of her day Xiven seemed willing to use on him. Despite how important he thought himself, even he was not so prideful as to think a businessman, even a very, very rich one, would matter overly much to the Queen of Hearts! Maybe it was something else...but he was distracted from these thoughts at the arrival of their tea.
He turned and thanked the servant politely, lifting the cup properly and taking a careful sip. He recognized the blend, though he couldn't put a name to it. Tea was really more his maid's specialty. He just liked to drink it to help calm down and relax; he didn't pretend to be any sort of expert. "It's most excellent. Thank you, Nerissa."
He felt a bit sorry for the child, able to see that all she wanted was to go off by herself and try out the poison she bought. He certainly didn't envy those that needed to grow up in the Courts. For all this his childhood had been a struggle, this was almost worse in its own way.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Feb 22, 2010 18:37:51 GMT -5
Xiven was fascinated by the Highlander businessmen. And getting on his good side certainly couldn't hurt Court relations. Having a Highlander (mix or no) on her side rather than against her seemed like a rather pleasant possibility to the future. He was more than a little influential. Xiven opened her mouth to reply only to be cut off by a sharp and frantic knock on the door.
She wasn't expecting anyone. "Come in," she said after the knock repeated.
A servant slipped into the room. Her eyes seemingly wide with terror. "Y-Your Majesty, you're presence is needed at the infirmary. The matter is urgent, I profusely apologize if I'm interrupting anything."
Xiven managed to stuff down the terrified feeling she had. "I'm terribly sorry," she said as she stood, offering the man her hand. "I need to take care of this. Please feel free to take your time finishing your tea. I can have someone escort you to the gardens if you like."
Nerissa didn't slip out of the door. She gave the servant a curious look as she spoke. Who hand managed to screw up this time? Was it her brother, or was it that nasty little monstrosity that had the hookah coming out of its back? Either way this was bound to make an interesting show. What would the Duck do about the Queen up and leaving him?
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Post by Lucca on Feb 22, 2010 19:33:13 GMT -5
At first, Graeme didn't give the knock much thought; surely the Queen had so many callers interrupt her on a daily basis that it was nothing to be worried about. The fast-paced urgency behind it didn't merit a second glance either, as many nobles thought silly things of the utmost importance, in his experience. It was only when the terrified note in the servant's voice reached his ears that Graeme stopped, tea cup suspended in the air, and turned to look. His bill turned to a frown, worry creasing his forehead under his hat.
He stood, unable to quite account for the action, except for just an inability to stay seated with the tension suddenly in the air. He clasped Xiven's hand firmly for a moment, inclining his head, and then let go. "Of course, Your Majesty...don't worry about it. I do hope that everything is all right." Unsettled, he watched as she departed with the frantic servant, taking another sip of his tea just to help himself remain calm.
Graeme glanced briefly towards Nerissa, debating if it would be proper to ask her if she had any idea what was going on...and wondering if this was the last he'd see of the Queen.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Feb 25, 2010 21:15:09 GMT -5
Nerissa watched with a curious expression as her mother left the room. Her eyes eventually wanted back to the duck. From the look on his face he wanted to ask her a question or two. Of course she could just leave him here and be done with the entire situation. He was hardly her responsibility. After all Peaches was the one who had so kindly invited him to the palace.
But he was still staring at her. "I can't provide you with the answers," she said after a moment. "Hell if I know what's going on. I imagine one of her other hellspawn managed to get into trouble. Or maybe her King. It's the same thing sometimes." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure someone will come around to pick you up and escort you to your room and all that nonsense. While I have the chance I'm going to hurry off before someone finds my purchase and your business card."
She slipped towards the door. She was done being sociable. She needed to get things done.
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Post by Lucca on Feb 25, 2010 22:02:52 GMT -5
Graeme's mind was drifting a bit, so he probably didn't realize he was still looking expectantly at the small Deer mix. He blinked startled orange eyes as Nerissa actually answered his unspoken questions. He winced at her more blunt way of speaking now that her mother was no longer in the room. Hellspawn was not a very...pleasant way to refer to your own siblings. And then she made her intentions to just leave very clear, and the Duck found himself frowning slightly despite his attempts to remain neutral. The thought of being left alone in the Court of Hearts made him...antsy.
But he was hardly going to keep the poor adult in a child's body here against her will, even assuming he had any sort of power to do so. "Good luck, Miss Nerissa," he said politely. "I have a feeling we'll see each other again in the future." He did too...what was it with him and strange Hearts? Huh.
Left alone, Graeme would simply sip his tea and attempt to keep his composure and look like he didn't feel horribly out of place.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 3, 2010 13:46:53 GMT -5
He was alone for five or so minutes before someone decided to pay him a visit. The woman with bright green hair opened the door with a curious expression. So this was the old man that Xiven had been curious about? Perhaps she should show him around the palace?
She wasn't particularly fond of Highlanders, but it could be a bit interesting. And Xiven was dealing with quite a few things at the moment. She didn't want to bother the woman when she was so terribly stressed so she could bother this wonderful gentlemen.
Emeraude knocked lightly on the door, "You would be Mr. McDuck yes?" She opened the door all of the way, leaning on the door frame. Her ridiculous pink and yellow outfit standing out against everything and everyone in the palace. Clearly sensibility wasn't this woman's forte. "I can show you around the palace if you like. Her Majesty is going to be a long while, unfortunately."
(( OOC: Just so you know, Emeraude doesn't give you meeting points. <3 She just realllllly wanted to play.))
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Post by Lucca on Mar 3, 2010 20:49:46 GMT -5
The tea was, unfortunately, gone within the first minute of his solitude. The next minute was spent frowning at his cup, but of course, this solved nothing. Within the next minute, he had gotten up to pace, webbed feet marking out the floor, hands clasped behind his back, wings fluttering nervously, and cane lying on his chair. The knock caught him in midstep, and Graeme hurriedly straightened, looking as if he were merely...standing in the middle of the room. Yes.
He smiled politely and offered a small bow to the newcomer, unsure if they were Ranking or not, but better safe than sorry. "The one and only," he quipped, though as he took a good look at the girl...it was only long years of practice that kept him from having a visible reaction to her ridiculous outfit. What in the world was she wearing? Well, he did respect a good sense of individuality, but this...well...
"Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that," he said honestly. "I hope it's nothing too...distressing for Her Majesty. But that is kind of you to offer, and as a guest here it behooves me to accept." Graeme moved to collect his cane, and gestured to the brightly dressed woman to lead the way.
Truthfully, he was already beginning to tire of these political games. They were wearing on him, especially as it was getting towards the time of day where, were he at home, he would be settling down for the night with a hot drink and the latest issue of Economic Trends.
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