|
|
Post by seraaches on Oct 20, 2007 23:02:04 GMT -5
"SHE WOT?!" the horse skittered sideways in shock, grey-green eyes wide. He smacked into a passing crow, causing a bit of a ruckus as he sorted out the ruffled feathers. Fortunately it was a lower Heart and Rai was able to send it off fairly quickly without much work. He turned back to the table with a dark glare, just daring Minh to say anything further.
In truth, that wasn’t a good idea, but he was angry, blast it all. If he was going to give someone a good time he wanted to remember it. And make sure it WAS a good time.
The horse’s ears remained flat and he was a mere second from baring his teeth and trying to order the cat away, despite her obvious attempts to settle in, when a voice behind caused his tail to tuck, his ears flatten and he nearly shrunk in on himself.
“Minh, I have you a very simple set of instructions to carry out; I really think you should be able to do so in a timely manner--oh, what a pleasant surprise, darling.”
Rai took a deep bracing, breath and whirled to stare at the canine standing behind him. ”Hello…. Mnem.” He didn’t actually remember her full name; in his drunken state at the time of their initial meeting, he could only remember the first bit.
(( Btw, Mnem used with Bee's permission.. xD;;;;; ))
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Oct 20, 2007 23:20:30 GMT -5
Mnemosyne was not quite able to quelch the slightly predatory edge to her smile. And it wasn't predatory in the bad way, as such. When she had first sent Minh out on her shopping trip, what seemed like ages ago, she had been unpacking a few boxes that she had shipped from the Gardens. Minh had seemed quite baffled by Mnem's desire to turn their house into a veritable jungle of strange plants, but Mnem had insisted that they were merely keepsakes that reminded her of her homeland. She would tell Minh about their true purposes later, when Mnem herself felt more certain about what she was going to do with them.
She had not intended on getting a business going in the City--it was so much easier to run it from the Gardens--but now she was sliding slowly in that direction.
Fortunately, she now had a distraction to stop her from thinking about it entirely.
"How do you do, darling? I'm quite surprised you can still walk."
|
|
|
|
Post by Trebias on Oct 20, 2007 23:46:17 GMT -5
Elias cackled wildly at the sexing up. “I notice she didn’t say anything about you. Not one of your prouder moments, I take it, Whip?” He cackled again at the implications that Rai’s nickname brought to mind.
But, in all honestly, he didn’t have time for jealous old lovers. “I’m sure fun was had by all, but we really don’t have time for stalkers right now. Is there any way we can get some privacy for a minute? I promise from the depths of my compassion that I won’t keep Rai Rai from you for too long.
He cackled again, ruckously. “I’m not even going to say anything about you being sexed up instead of getting our work done, someone suffered enough at least. And here you’re supposed to be this big stallion.”
He forced himself from this sideline. “Bah, you dirty scoundrel, you almost made me forget why I’m here. Rumors tell of some dirty, stinking lowlanders trying to set up camp just across the border in the Range. Have you found anyone else here that can convince them that it would be in their best interests to move?” He dropped his voice to a whisper adding, “They’re not in the tour guide business, if you catch my meaning.”
|
|
|
|
Post by seraaches on Oct 21, 2007 0:17:09 GMT -5
Shinrai was working hard to keep from flushing darkly, but he only had limited success. Gads, it was a one night thing (he was fairly certain), and they should just leave it alone! His ears were tilted backwards in annoyance. El was just going to run with this forever and that was all he needed the canine to hold over his head. If only he could just remember wot had happened…
Elias' news, however, drove the teasing right out of his mind. His eyes narrowed sharply and drifted off to nothing as he assimilated the information. He hated the Range. Hated the Lowlands. And now some of those.... he didn't even have words for them, they weren't even worth the curse words he knew. Lower than anything. Determination slipped across his features. They would get revenge.
”Alright, we can swing by my place and pack up my supplies.” He glanced upwards to check the sun. It was already mid-afternoon; not wise to go back now. ”We can leave in the morning.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Trebias on Oct 22, 2007 7:13:13 GMT -5
“I didn’t say we should leave now, I said do you know anybody that can convince them to move,” El replied patiently. “You’re not going to move up in court if you go wage war on any Lowlanders and Rangers that raise your ire, and you’re not going to get enough steam to really hurt ‘em without some influence in court. Didn’t that therapist of yours teach you balance?” In truth, Rai was good in a fight, and in his own way Elias wasn’t that bad off, but there were more than a few Lowlanders setting up camp.
He thought for a minute. “Now, if you can convince somebody important that the Lowlands is declaring war on our lands, that might get somewhere. You could even go back. I bet with your rank they’d let you go back and lead an army to commit any number of atrocious war crimes against the Lowlanders.” Elias cackled. “It’ll be great!”
|
|
|
|
Post by seraaches on Oct 22, 2007 19:56:47 GMT -5
But…but… He –wanted- to go back and beat up some Lowlanders. Preferably even kill some. Even more preferably all of them. The old dog had a point though, blast it all. He hated it when Elias was right, at least partially because the dog had a terribly habit of lording it over everyone in his immediate vicinity. Blast and double blast. TRIPLE blast.
His tail and ears went down with a hint of his inner dejectedness, but he had to push it off.
”I don’t yet have any real contacts,” the horse admitted, keeping his tone even, though El likely could hear his hidden frustration. He’d been hoping to find entrance into the Court of Hearts here in the Capital City, but every passing day was suggesting he would simply have to relocate again; this time to the Highlands. He gave an inward sigh. It was difficult to admit, even if he hadn’t been gone from home all –that- long yet. Everyone knew of the Court of Hearts and everyone feared it, but few –knew- it.
|
|
Dark
Five of Diamonds
Bladed Hare
You are not prepared.
Posts: 2,105
|
Post by Dark on Oct 22, 2007 22:24:12 GMT -5
Minh listened in on the conversation shamelessly, ears twitching as she followed individual nuances. Lowlanders? Borders? More than trace amounts of hate? Booorrriiinnng. But being bothersome was fun, and she was sure Mnemosyne would be interested at least. Mnemosyne was always interested, and usually involved—and Minh couldn’t help but wonder how many cookie jars the canine had her paw dipped into.
Ah, well. Back to making Shinrai squirm. She sidled closer and smiled serenely, “But you know us, Shinrai.”
Then she looked at Mnemosyne, “I don’t think disliking Lowlanders is anything unusual, but does wanting to eat that scrawny rat count towards brownie points?”
Because, really—Osias had just been asking for it. She disliked rats as a general rule, being of feline descent and all, but his attitude had just been utterly ridiculous. She hadn’t even introduced herself before he felt his beady little eyes assessing and judging her, all hyped up on his own self-importance.
Her hackles rose at the thought. That jerk.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Oct 24, 2007 14:51:14 GMT -5
Mnemosyne considered this for a moment. She did not have any particular prejudices--she quite liked cats, for all that most canines were not supposed to be very fond of them, and she viewed all people in virtually the same way: easily exploited, perhaps useful and entertaining--but she could certainly understand Minh's dislike of rats--and the one she had nearly made into a snack most of all.
She remembered the library and her ire are briefly aggravated. It settled down quickly, though, like it usually did. Mnemosyne was a firm adherent to the philosophy that revenge was a dish best served cold: rare was the plot that succeeded when brewed in blisteringly hot rage. She prided herself on her ability to keep a level head--most of the time.
Cheerily, she said, "Oh, I think a few brownie points are in order. More than a few." She glanced at Shinrai, and could not resist a slightly cryptic smile. She really would have to learn to stop playing with people. Someday. "And I think perhaps you've already encountered a couple of very useful contacts indeed. They might," she continued, "even be interested in accompanying you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Trebias on Oct 27, 2007 2:40:16 GMT -5
Elias let out a frustrated “Bah.” He didn’t really think that the horse was slacking off, he just figured those uptight court members were making things hard. How were they supposed to get a good and proper war brewing if nobody in the courts would even take the time to listen to their case.
Elias sniffed at the two eavesdroppers. “Neither one of you smell like you got a royal army under your fur. Am I mistaken?” Come to think of it, why were they listening in at all? He was about to tell them that when people move off and speak in low voices, proper form is to not eavesdrop, despite what he always did to Shinrai. “You don’t like the rots, you got that going for you at least.”
He turned back to Shinrai. “Well, if it won’t mess your plans up here, may as well come back and help deal with them. It’ll keep them from getting whatever it is set up, make us feel better, and any step towards wiping out the Lowlanders is a step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned. I just hoped we could finally get ‘em all, Whip.” The disappointment was evident in his features, but he would soon shake it off.
|
|
|
|
Post by seraaches on Oct 27, 2007 9:13:22 GMT -5
Rai’s ears had steadily flattened as the two females spoke, but Elias managed to restore at least part of his good humour; the Josiggy Marsh Club was a great friend, even if they didn’t always see eye to eye. There would be a moment of male bonding, except the presence of their audience, so the horse simply contented himself with sending the dog a swift, grateful glance.
For now, the stallion ignored the women’s input; El had made all the point they really needed to with his one comment. ”Even if I had entrance, it’s doubtful I would have the needed power for wot we have in mind.” He gave a small shake of his head. ”For now, our best bet is to keep to our retaliatory strikes.” As disappointing as it was.
So far, everyone was still exceedingly closed mouth about getting into the Courts, but the rumours of Queen Serafino were outright frightening. It gave the horse hope, however. All he knew thus far was that he needed to be powerful to survive the Court, and he needed to be stronger before he made his bid in.
|
|
