The Quest Goes on... [Sekhmet's Jack Quest][DONE!]

[Tigeress]

She had followed Serafino's directions perfectly, and honestly it hadn't been very difficult, despite the fact that she'd only ever been in that part of the courts once... and that was when she'd been leaving. She wondered idly if Pravus had regained consciousness yet, and if he had asked Serafino for her whereabouts. Surely he wouldn't tell, not that it would matter, by the time he was healed she'd be done her quest and have moved on.

She was on the main walk and was looking for either a noticeably important person, or building, as she assumed the training wouldn't take place out in the open in Fino's gardens where his roses could take the fall for a bit of a magical mishap here and there. Pausing to look around, she checked her bandages and found that the only one showing signs of fresh blood was the one on her neck, and as she'd been expecting that, it was no big deal. The wound had already lessened in size by almost half, now it just had to close over the rest of the way.

"Hello?" She tried calling out, wondering if her trainer had been notified of her very sudden request. She might have to wait a while, so she found a bench and took a seat for the moment. She'd wait ten minutes or so and then continue walking on.

[Nathalia]

Bernard pushed his way hurriedly out of his office, a few papers clutched tightly in his hand as he rubbed at his forehead, his hair slightly mussed and looking older than usual. He turned right to head off down the hallway and nearly managed to run over the pretty young Morganberry sitting on the bench outside of the door.

He blinked, backing up and giving her a quick, polite nod.

"Terribly sorry...I just found something and eh...I'm afraid I got over-excited. Can I help you?"

He smiled, hoping his messy looks wouldn't frighten her off...or cause her to feel disdain towards him, he was a bit too worked up for that...he might not see it right away again. Then the rest of the court would have a laugh over him later. Blast...

He looked her over again, recognizing a few features, though they were far more lovely and pronounced on this particular doe...there was no question that her face reminded him strongly of Dymphna.

"Ah, are you one of those sisters our Dymphna keeps talking about? Pleased to meet you, I'm Bernard, King of Hearts."

He wondered what she was there for and if her had kept her waiting...until his eyes were caught by the bright "10" on her chest.

She was here for a Jack's quest.

Ah, that explained it then.

Bernard felt a bit of a fool, but waited for her to confirm it first...no need to stuff his foot in his mouth twice in under a minute.

[Tigeress]

She started when the handsome male almost toppled over her, but managed to regain her composure again quickly, settling her wings which had ruffled themselves without her knowledge. He seemed in a rush, so she felt a little bad asking him around, especially after his majesty's very particular directions, surely she hadn't wandered off by accident? That would be quite embarassing, though, considering her bruised and banged up state, one could understand her mind being a little slow to function.

That would have to pass, as the second he introduced himself she realized he must have been exactly who she was looking for. Well, no turning back now, she was at a bit of a disadvantage because of her injuries, but hey, maybe they awared 'extra points' for that sort of thing? She bowed a little stiffly at the waist when she stood; the chair had kept her a little too rigid and her back was protesting just a touch. "Pleasure to meet you, your highness. And yes," She couldn't help but chuckle a moment, smiling in bemused confusion before continuing "I am one of those sisters Dymphna talks of. I am Sekhmet, and I am here to complete a quest to become a Jack, if you have the time your highness." She glanced down at the bundle in his hands and smiled her understanding. The Court of Hearts was a busy place, and she had just Barged right in without very much warning at all. None, actually.

She wondered momentarily, did Dymphna really speak of her? Hopefully it was kind... though knowing her sister, how could it be any other way? Despite how she felt, she was a warm hearted optimist, she seemed to take all the good qualities that both Artemis and herself shared. Artemis was an optomist with a pessimist's downtrodden brooding tendencies, and Sekhmet was often far too skeptical.

"You'll have to pardon my lack of knowledge about how all of this works, I was born a ten so this is my first real rise in power." She blushed a little at this, feeling intensely stupid for not having searched it out a little more beforehand, though really, the choice had come to her quite suddenly to really Do this. Hopefully his kindness equalled his patience, though she hoped to be a quick learner. Perhaps she'd stall out just a little to see if she could get a little more time with the handsome King... No, no, she had to stay focussed for this... sadly.

[Nathalia]

She didn't look too upset at nearly being run over and she did smile in a fashion that was reassuring. Upon hearing that she was Dymphna's sister, and that she was in fact here on a Jack's quest, he seemed to relax a little. His shoulders rolling forward into his usual semi-slump and his face easing into a less tense expression, he let the corner of his mouth twitch up in a smile.

His work had been interrupted, but it hadn't been a discovery or...well...a failure gone amok. Simply a few notes that needed checking. She had caught him at a relatively good time considering how obtuse he could be when really involved in his calling.

He ran a hand up the back of his neck awkwardly, stuffing the crupmled notes into his back pocket and trying not to reall the time that he had ignored a poor ten for over eight hours because of an experiment that had been going too well to stop.

...Or the one whom he had pulled in and involved...

Well, that one still claimed to like the way his eyes saw another plane in the dark...it was just the daytime that was an issue for him now. Damn.

He shook his head slightly and then inclined it again, politely.

"No trouble at all, and might I inquire as to whether you are the lady Sekhmet, or Atremis?"

He chuckled softly as he spoke, motioning her to follow him back into the study he had just burst out of, and closing the door behind her.

The study looked relatively small, a clean desk, two chairs covered in leather, and a shelf of books with some extra paper. Not much for a self-proclaimed work-a-holic but...he appeared to make do. Situating himself behind the desk, he began to rifle through it.

"I wouldn't worry, there is only so much to it as you yourself can put forth and each quest is unique to the person who is en-scrolled upon it. I'm certain that you'll do just fine."

He pulled out a few papers, shuffled the into something resembling order and then selected two. Placing them down before him, he gave a sigh of apparent satisfaction and looked up at her.

"So, if you wouldn't mind telling me, what are you more interested in; magic, or stability, meaning work and family?"

[Tigeress]

He was strangely just as she had imagined, though perhaps a little more... normal than the rest of the court members she'd met. Soft but well spoken, always lost in a train of thought unknown to those around him, but still managing to keep his presence in the present. He seemed like the ideal businessman, or inventor perhaps. As a King, she idly wondered what his time really went to, and how he had enough to spare for surprise visits such as her own.

His awkward movements made her tilt her head with a smile, wings fluttering behind her anxiously. What was he thinking about? Her unusual and appealing appearance often put others on edge, but that couldn't be it, surely in his position he'd seen beauties more exotic than even she. "Sekhmet, your highness. I am more kissed by the sun whereas my sister has the look of moonlight... you may come to meet her someday, I am unsure of her plans for the future, however..." It was true, they hadn't spoken in months. She barely even knew when her sister came home. Where was she, and what was she doing? This ran through her head constantly.

She brushed the door with her fingers as she stood just before it, she couldn't see very many places to seat herself, and besides, she hadn't been asked. It was nice enough for him to invite her in out of the ever growing crowd. But apparently he needed some items from inside the small study anyway. It seemed like the workings of a brilliant mind were everywhere, and her tail twitched with the want to inspect them. Sekhmet craved knowledge, not power but knowledge. It actually cleared her mind enough to be on such a train of thought when he asked his question.

"I'm interested in knowledge. I wish to learn and better myself, impress those dear to me and find a purpose to follow. Though I do wish to become stronger, it isn't my pressing drive." She wanted to be able to ward off all those who would do harm to her, to right all the wrongs that had been done. It was bitter but true, she felt vulnerable like this, too vulnerable. Especially in the setting she was in now.

[Nathalia]

Bernard smiled and gave a small half-laugh. "Kissed by the sun? Are you an actress, my lady?" He smoother out the crumpled papers in his hand and stowed them away in his desk. "Interesting job, if it's one you are fond of, poetry, perhaps?"

He then folded his hands on the desk and smiled at her.

"Sekhmet then, very nice to meet you, I'm certain, please have a seat."

He gestured to the chair across from him.

"Knowledge to better impress..." He murmured. "The reason I ask this question, is that the Courts do have a way of...consuming most who work within them, it is very difficult for most people to escape their duties long enough to be with their family..or to create one. So I ask you to really look into yourself, and to think about what it is you might really desire for the future. The Court of Hearts is a wonderful place, but it has its pitfalls just like any other home or work environment."

He watched her face, interested to see what it was she would truly wish to get out of this...she wanted magic for herself and to impress her family. Fair enough, what aspiring number card did not? But he wanted to be sure of whether or not Court life was truly something this girl would desire. Years had taught him that not all who came to the Courts were meant for them...even now he questioned some of his placements.

"Magic is something that can be learned here, we try to make it easily accessible and attempt to assist eager learners, like yourself. So tell me this; what is it about the magic you truly desire? The prestige, or the power itself? Are you here out of a desire for politics, or just to learn more and be on your way, what is it you are really here for? We call it a Jack's quest, but really...it could be many things."

He smiled slightly, remembering when he had inducted her sister...and how firmly she had proclaimed herself in the interest of learning the ins and outs of the Court workings...and how solidly a part of the structure she was now...perhaps her sister would follow after her. Hopefully so, another like Severus and...well.

A clash of ambitions that high could lead to quite the disaster.

[Tigeress]

His laugh was contagious, and she put a hand to her mouth to attempt to still the sound before it became unbecomming. She wanted to appear as respectful as possible, despite the discolourations in her fur and the obviously tired and pained set to her eyes. "No, but it was something my sister used to say to me when we were younger, so it has stuck with me, I'm afraid. She read poetry, I was too consumed by trying to be older than I was." She admitted with a half-smile, thinking back to a time when being lusted after was a bragging right higher than anything else. Trinkets and power and potential all fell victim to the pressure of misguided peers playing a role they didn't even yet understand. But she'd grown out of it as much as she was going to, now she just tried to... occupy herself.

"Thank you, Ber- ah, your highness. Pardon me, I'm used to associating with a certain other King who I am on a more... informal basis with." Her eyes showed a mix of feelings when she spoke about the feline who had shown her such a harsh introduction to the courts. She had him to thank for many things, but the past made her bitter over the entire ordeal more than it would have for the average person. Fear lingered that she could not dispell and she didn't know who she was afraid of more at this point. She had to believe that she was strong enough now not to become what she had been years ago after a similar event...

"I've... noticed. I don't know if she speaks of me as often as people make out, but my sister Dymphna and I don't have the closest relationship, though it is my fault in the end. I haven't seen my oldest sister in months, and I've no desire to contact my parents ever again really. I've lived a long time without any family or sense of belonging, I suppose that's part of what I'm here to find. Not the family, that part I think has trained me to accept this kind of lifestyle, that I've gone so long on my own without feeling regret for what might have been." She paused a moment, putting a finger to her lips as she tried to work it all out in her head in a way she never really had before. Unfortunately this was more of a brainstorming session than anything, but she could only hope she wasn't making a bad impression.

"The only person I really want to impress is myself, after all this time. I have been punished and submitted and controlled, but it was my own reluctance to pick myself up that made the recovery process take so very long, in fact I think in some respects it's still unfinished. I need to do this to prove I can become someone worth being, if that makes any sense at all. Pretending I didn't have ambition to succeed only carried me so far and now I tire of a life of just existing. Does that make more sense?" She laughed at this, hiding her face behind a hand as she shook her head. This wasn't supposed to come out so... unconstructed, but she'd come into this decision so fast, she only knew she wanted it but until now it hadn't made sense why. It made sense to her but it was so hard to explain, she could only hope that somehow he understood.

"I wish for strength, of character and heart more than power in itself. I want to know what it is to respect myself in every aspect and be someone worthy of respecting. It's hard to understand how to have a commanding presence, and while the threat of death is a very effective means of gaining such respect, I think I'm one of the very few who believes it is better to lead out of love rather than fear. Well, to be honest, an even balance would better suffice, but I wanted to stick with the saying." She grinned modestly at this, trying to make herself feel more at ease before any doubt could find a way in past the shield that she'd set up the moment she'd walked through the door, promising not to let herself down this time.

"Tell me, do you think I'm worthy?" She hadn't said much, but from the calculating set to his gaze she could tell he was chosen to take on those questing for power in the Court for a reason. Probably two sentences in he'd started to formulate a decision, some sort of calculation on whether or not she would make it.

[Nathalia]

Bernard listened to the stumble over his name...then why it was she had done it. Another King? Did she mean of this Court? Had Gaston scorned her or...

The look in her eyes confirmed his suspicions, though he made no mention of it...yet.

That damn cat...

He listened to her explanation with interest, it almost sounded as though she was overemphasizing...but she could just be nervous. Her habit of putting her hand up to her face spoke clearly enough of that. Her voice did not quaver, however man pauses she had, and all in all she was dealing fairly well with being put on the spot like this.

"Learning to respect yourself is an admirable thing to desire, Sekhmet."

He paused and riffled through another small bundle of papers, finally pulling out a small photograph. He sighed before holding it up to her.

"Sadly from what you've said I would have to discern that, if you were indeed referring to our Court...then this man was probably the one who caused you a...problem."

The photograph was of a tall Highland feline...with a serene look on his face... Pravus.

"If this is so, then I want you to talk to me about whether or not you truly think that you will be able to deal with being in the Courts with him around. Believe me when I say that I in no way blame you for what happened, I do not know the situation, but the cat's reputation proceeds him. Do you really think that you'll be able to coexist with him in the palace?"

He watched her, eyes steadily on her face. He knew that Pravus was an issue in and of himself...if he decided that he wanted to make life hard for the Doe, there would be very few who would call him off...what with the favor that Serafino continuously showed him... He would have to be sure that this was something she wouldn't be intimidated out of.

"Though I do not know why it is that the two of you are in disagreement, I can tell you that he will think himself in the right regardless of the truth of the situation...he is quite hot-headed. He will probably hound you and you will have to be ready to learn around him. He does not do well with indifference, ignoring him would probably be your best bet. But I need to know your answer to this as well."

He sighed slightly, pushing his mussed hair back a few times, aware that his bangs were now sticking up oddly in front of his face...he needed a shower soon...damn.

"I'm sorry if you feel that all of this is too personal, but my Jack's quests tend to be a bit more on the informal side. I prefer to know more about you, than to watch you do eight laps around the palace."

He smiled reassuringly, hoping that she wouldn't be frightened off.

"In my mind, knowing more about you and your personality will give me far more insight as to whether or not you would fit well here. Though might I tell you that I do admire your desire to better yourself..."

He picked up the two papers that he had originally set side and with a flick of his left hand set them on fire. The mark over her breast he knew would burn for a quick second as the papers disintegrated.

"And that...regardless of whether you remain with us, I see it fitting to grant you the rank of Jack."

[Tigeress]

She listened to everything he said before taking a deep breath, though when the picture rose, she visibly flinched, her eyes moving downcast to hide her heated expression from the King. The last thing she wanted him to think was that she was upset with him, no, she was very much upset with herself over having shown such an obvious response to the sheer image of the feline. Exhaling slowly, she ran a hand through the mussed up ruby mane which seemed to have been out of her eyes anyway. She almost smiled when she noticed Bernard making a similar gesture, but her mind was a little too distracted for cheerfulness at the moment.

"Yes, Pravus and I had an unfortunate first meeting. He... raped me when I went in search of information regarding the courts, preferably from someone higher up. In a way, I suppose I received exactly what I was looking for. Though it seems, not all of the court of Hearts is as sadistic as that first meeting implied. His majesty to a certain degree, and yourself especially, have demonstrated a calming amount of... normalcy? Sanity?" She laughed at this, though the sound echoed how tired the rest of her already felt. "With your advice in mind, I am most certain that we will be able to coexist, or at least, I will be able to function effectively in the palace even knowing he is there. I cannot speak for how well he will take to this news, however..." This was an honest concern, for no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't exist if he simply... didn't let her.

She would have to keep her cool, ignoring him whenever possible, until he made himself unable to ignore, and then what? She could only hope there was someone equal to, or just above Pravus who she could seek counsel from if he decide to not cooperate. She had a feeling that Serafino would be little to no help in that department, for the Queen was almost wholly blinded by love for the twisted feline from what she'd seen. Having been in such an overwhelming emotional state, she knew how it was to be... unlike oneself when comsumed by love.

The burning on her chest distracted her enough to look down and blink a few times, her eyes furrowing in confusion. "I don't understand... I had heard that Jack Quests are often considerably difficult? Please, I hope this is not pity you're offering, while I would appreciate the gesture, I need to do this for myself, I cannot accept handouts from kind individuals to set me along, I hope you understand your highness." She didn't break eye contact, which was a miracle considering how long it was taking her to relax in the King's presence thus far. An interview couldn't be really all there was, not with what she'd heard from certain other individuals... to be fair, one had been from a different court entirely.

[Nathalia]

"Yes...my nephew had dropped a few hints...but I wasn't aware of the extent... My apologies for that being your first experience here...we are ruthless in our perseverance and often in our rigidity...but we shouldn't be in our conduct with others when unnecessary."

For the first time his eyes swept down to her neck and the binding upon it...familiar territory that was.

"You may have to fear his sarcasm, his ways of garnering...certain attentions from our Queen, and his desire to hurt... but I can assure you..."

He held up again the picture of the Highland Feline, revealing the small hairs taped to the back. With a small flick of the wrist, he set fire to this as well. Waiting for a sing that she could now feel a small shuddering sensation at the base of her spine.

"He will find himself unable to take your life, and if you find yourself in extreme danger call out to either Serafino or myself, we will make certain he stops."

He watched her expression.

"You doubt the Queen, I'm sure after seeing him with Pravus, but I assure you he would not approve of any deaths his King caused in the court without the consent of the rest of the court. Believe in the Queen, as hard as it may be to believe, he is a just and fair ruler. He will help you if needed."

He listened to her last plea, nodding. Yes in comparison to some other Courts, his Quests must seem a walk in the park...but he'd seen things he would rather not result from a quest that could have been found out and prevented with a simple interview...besides, her first day in the palace was bound to be quest enough. The Court of Hearts was hard to get a handle on the first day...especially when sent to handle the kitchens...

"No need to fear, handouts are not something I'm likely to ever give. But in this chat we've had, I think you'll see that you've realized a bit more potential to yourself than you had originally come to me with. A transformation or a conformation are what I seek with my quests. You would be surprised how many people come in here and tell me only what they think I want to hear..."

He stood and walked around to her, a hand on her shoulder momentarily to reassure.

"Please report to the kitchens and find the pigeon named Rosa, she'll give you the first few tasks or the day, she will then give you your room assignment and your normal daily routine. If you have any questions either seek out myself, the King named Rai, or the man named Severus...he may be formidable, but he knows more about this palace than anyone else has ever bothered to see. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be away."

He reached onto the shelves in front of him, grasped a few books and then stood by the door to escort her out.

(One more response from you should be sufficient. Rosa in the kitchens will not be played out due to my overload atm, but you can assume that she tried her hardest to run poor Sek into the ground. Her normal duties will be something more along the lines of keeping the library in check (it's almost the size of an entire floor and it's a complete mess...it needs organization badly <3.)