A Loyal Jack Takes the Next Step [Quest Complete]

[FlyingPanther]

Severus had arrived early. He sat silently in the room that he had been instructed to wait in by Dymphna. The Queen seemed particularly busy lately, for what reasons he was not completely sure, being that he often spent his days in the palace on his own, working for sure, but he was not the most social of the palace's residents. He had to make the meeting with her in order to get one at all. She looked equally as stressed. He only knew very vaguely what seemed to be going on in the palace lately, from rumors upon the wind, or simply being at the right place at the right time to overhear.

The reason for the meeting shouldn't have been to much of a suprise to anyone. Severus had been a loyal jack to the palace since his childhood. Since the day he passed his Jack Quest, he had lived within the palace walls, leaving very infrequently to visit his...family. He worked day in and day out, either running mundane errands, or working on some project on his own that he thought would benifit the palace one way or another. Just generally doing the duties of a Jack. It would be no suprise to those who knew him that he was an ambitious man with big dreams. It was only a matter of time before he would be seeking to become a King. And he was running out of time to gain such a title and stay within the palace walls. It was going to be now or never.

Severus might have been nervous for the first time in his life, though his exterior would never dare show it. His face held its usual half lidded contemptuous gaze, such was a normal gesture for him, weather he actually felt disdain for the things he was looking at was completely uncertain. It was just...his normally relaxed face. He sat, ironing out small wrinkles in his robes with his hands every now and again, waiting...

[The Jenn]

The room's door opened two or three minutes before Severus's meeting was scheduled to begin and Dymphna stepped in, bearing a tray with tea and several small lunch sandwiches. She smiled distractedly at the other Jack and set things down, swiftly pouring two cups of tea and generally arranging things so that she could place the tray to the side of the room. "His Majesty should be here in just a moment," she murmured apologetically. "He's not at the top of his game right now. Be careful not to make him angry."

She'd worked with the reclusive male a time or two and didn't have any problems with him, though she found it decidedly odd that one of Silvanus's children would be so prominent in the Court when his father was merely a Five. That was ambition for you, she supposed, to rise above your family and better yourself regardless of origins.



After she left, another minute passed before the doors opened again and Serafino entered, face its usual neutral expression but with small signs of tiredness that the Jack may or may not have been able to pick up on. He picked up the teacup before he even sat down, taking a quick sip and then settling in the chair left out for him. Crimson eyes flicked up to look at the fully clothed biped in silent appraisal.

"You arranged this meeting," he said quietly. "Why don't you tell me what exactly you're looking to get out of it?"

[FlyingPanther]

Severus did not smile back at Dymphna, though this shouldnt have been taken as anything other then his normal behavior. He didn't exactly smile regularly, and once his brother had even made a crack about it. It just wasn't who he was. Tea and sandwiches weren't exactly what he was looking for either, but anyone would be nervous in a situation like this, and therefore find it hard to keep anything down. It certainly didn't help when you gained news that the Queen wasn't 'on top of his game'. He bowed his head very slightly at Dymphna, "Thank you Dymphna...I will keep that in mind." he said a little above a whisper, his face and voice as stern as always.

He thought about what to do, or what to say to the Queen. Severus always seemed to have this problem. If he was faced with a problem he would solve it. If he was asked he would answer. But asking for things was a completely different matter, expecially if he had to ask for something from someone of much higher rank. It was all in his demenor, and he knew this. Severus wasn't exactly the most...friendliest of faces. He often looked rather condicending, a major flaw when coming into a game such as this. His voice always sounded commanding, stern, or at least gruff at times, things that wouldn't exactly woo the Queen into giving him the title of His King. He did very much want to stay at the palace if he could. He had lived here the majority of his life at any rate. It would almost be weird not to continue living here.

Before he had much more time to dwell on it, the Queen had made his appearence. He looked tired, by now if he couldn't have picked up on subtle changes in the Queen's facial expressions he probably would have been eatten alive. How long had he lived here? He couldn't even remember when he started....but he hadn't quite been a teen yet. Maybe he had been 10...or 11? That seemed likely. And now he was what....20? He hadnt kept track of his birthdays since he had come to live at the palace. 10 years was quite a resume...least he thought. He watched as the Queen quickly snatched up one of the cups, drinking from it as he sat. Severus sat silently unsure how to start, hands politely on his knees, both feet on the ground, his eyes watching and paying attention to the Queens subtlities, much more snakelike in personality then deer at the moment.

Then he was finally addressed, and it had been the moment he had been waiting for. He still couldn't find the words to say what he wanted to. He sighed a bit, uncomfortible with the situation, but knowing there was really no other way around it. He certainly couldn't start acting like someone he wasn't. He was a blunt and sometimes rude individual, and he could only tone it down so much. "Your Magesty, I have worked in the palace as one of its attending Jacks for at least 10 years now. However, I have always dreamt of much more. I figured, if it wasn't going to be now, it wasn't going to be ever. I have arranged this meeting because I would like to become one of your Kings." his voice was matter of fact, the seemingly only alternative to his condicending tone, which he figured was much better. His face however, couldn't help but hold the confidence it always seemed to.

[The Jenn]

Fino watched the man with a sort of tired curiosity. For all that he felt tired and worn and generally quite indisposed towards tolerance of anything at all, he was still a bit curious what Severus wanted. He couldn't complain of the service he'd provided the palace with for the years he'd been a part of it, even though he generally stayed out of the public eye. Bernard seemed pleased enough with his magical aptitude and he didn't cause trouble with most of the nobles or courtiers, just tended to avoid them all like the plague.

"You've always been ambitious," the Queen agreed in a neutral tone, sipping a bit more at his tea. He would have to be blind not to see the desire for power in some of his actions. Acquiring a title so young was extraordinarily rare, notable enough that his uncle had made a special case of it. His interest in magic was also an obvious hint.

So... King. "As I'm sure you're quite aware, I have one more space available for a King, though I'm sure that Shinrai will be advancing soon enough. He, too, is an ambitious individual. What makes you think that you will do well as a King? In particular, what makes you think that you will fit as one of my Kings. They are an eclectic bunch." No, he wasn't going to make this any easier on the man. He didn't feel like it.

[FlyingPanther]

Severus allowed himself a small smile, though it was more akin to a smirk then an actual smile, at the Queen's recognition of his ambition. It felt good to know that the Queen had paid the slightest bit of attention, even if it was slight, instead of just...meandering about the palace unbeknownst to the things going on around him, like some figureheads whichhewouldnotname*coughcough*thatstupidDiamondQueen. He had heard rumors on the wind that she had taken a possible new suitor in the form of a Hisstor Wastes Queen. To him this spelled disaster, though it was not his place to step into the affairs of the Diamond court. This court was his own, and this was the one he had chosen to serve and to hopefully help lead at one point.

The 'smile' did not last very long however, and soon he was back to presenting himself the way he had the entire time. He listened to the Queen's questions, considering them all for some time before he spoke. He reserved his opinions on how 'eclectic' his bunch of King's really were...instead deciding to speak of it subtly, though not aiming to insult in any way. It should have been barely noticable, if at all. "Despite my unsocial nature, I might venture to say, that I would be a rather vauble asset to you're....'collection of kings'." he says slowly, as if not entirely sure of his words, before picking up again with a more confident air, "I am not a man of brute strength such as Gaston, my magics have not reached the level of your Uncle though I do seek to remedy that as well, I am not nearly as cruel...nor as appealing visually as Pravus, and I have not had the pleasure of meeting the King Shinrai to know exactly what it is that has won him prized place as your king, though there is much I can offer, that none of your current kings can." the smirk was back...as if knowing that what he was about to say next would probably cause more questions that would only help him in his case. The pause was only for a moment, for dramatic effect. "You see, My Queen, I could very well save you're life with the knowledge I have attained, if the need ever arised. As King...I would be much closer to you then one would be as only a Jack."[/b]

[The Jenn]

Fino listened to the man speak, eyes narrowing slightly at the tactic he decided to use. He absently drank down his cup of tea as Severus spoke, putting it back on the table carefully and narrowing his eyes further. The Jack was unfortunate enough to have caught him on a poor day and it showed.

"If you are not as strong as my Gaston, or as magically adept as my uncle, or as devoted as my Pravus, and you don't even know what Rai has to offer me, then what makes you think that you can match up to any of them?" His eyebrows drew down slightly and he settled back into his chair, willing his tense shoulders to relax at least somewhat. "It does not seem that you have yet said anything of interest, besides vaguely hinting at your possession of knowledge. Personally, I doubt that you could save my life should the need arise. You have not said anything to convince me to the contrary. Try again."

[FlyingPanther]

Deep inside he could feel his stomach and heart quiver with the glare the Queen was currently giving him. However, if the Queen was an empath, that would be the only way for him to know that Severus was at all afraid. His need for the position taking over his urge to naturally run away back into his safe labratory. His face was stern, though not aggressive persay. So knowledge did not impress the Queen? That was a bit of a let down, he supposed he should be more specific then. "I assumed that you chose your Kings for very specific reasons. Reasons that set them apart from the rest. I never said I would not be devoted, simply by being here and asking for this position, I feel as if I have proven some interest in devoting myself and my work to you. For me that would come with the territory of being King. I do not think that I could match up to them in terms of what they are currently giving you, their specialization and what keeps them at your side. Though I do plan to increase my abilities in magic as much as I can, hopefully with non-other then your uncles help. He has been very kind to me throughout my years here, and has show me a small thing here and there, but I have yet to seek out his teachings for larger lessons due to my studies and Jack duties."[/b] he paused again, watching as the Queen relaxed back into his chair. He waited, then spoke again, "I know you do not know me very well, Your Majesty. There are very few here who do. I keep myself busy, and I do what needs to be done. One always doubts those he doesn't know or trust, wouldn't you say so? Then let me elaborate a little. I am the son of Ophelia, known in Corvistowne for her brilliant work in genetics. There is very little that she did not teach me in my childhood before I came here to become a Jack. When I did, I devoted myself to the courts entirely, and in my free time, studied potions, how to make them, their uses, as well as many other things. Many people take potions for granted, Your Majesty. There is much you can do with them. Bottle fame, brew glory, and even..."[/b] he stopped for only a moment, his ears flicking slightly, as if he were listening for other people around them, all the while the confidence in his voice was evident, "Stopper death."

He took a sip of tea. His nerves were high, he needed this position just as much as he needed air to breathe. He was confident, but the nerves were less then favorible at the moment. Like they were ever favorible. "There are these things and more that I can do with potions, though some of those listed I'm sure you don't particularly need."[/b] his tail slithered slightly before he continued, "I also, have the rather handy ability of ditecting poison. True, I could not protect you from a physical onslaught. That would be more Gaston's job, at least this is why I have come to believe it is one of the reasons he was crowned as one of your Kings. But there is more then one way to skin a cat, My Queen. If someone truely wanted to hurt you without alerting anyone, wouldn't you say that poison would be one of the easiest ways to do so? Poison is a rather nasty buisness. With just a sniff, or a touch with a finger I can identify if anything was poisoned."[/b]

[The Jenn]

Though Fino didn't notice anything but composure in Severus's features, his semi-dramatic pauses were annoying after a morning of Court and individuals trying to use any means necessary to get things out of him. It was... annoying. The Jack simply spoke that way, however, and he did not fault him for the slight drama as much as he might have simply through vague familiarity.

"I did not say that I was disinterested in your proposal, merely that it was too vague and not nearly enough to impress me. Also, though I don't necessarily fault you for not knowing this - it is not something I advertise for obvious reasons - I am generally immune to most poisons. Even if I were to ingest a poisoned object, my body would neutralize the poison and it would not affect me. Have you ever noticed that your Queen does not drink alcohol?" He quirked an eyebrow. Whether the man had noticed it or not, he didn't know. It was a semi-obscure fact. "Even the relatively mild toxins in alcoholic drinks do not affect me, though it is not necessarily the same for everyone with my... ability. I prefer to think of it as an immunity, though I know that it is magical in nature."

He sighed and continued to look at Severus with mild annoyance. "Potions in general are interesting, but my uncle is a very capable individual magically. Granted, he is also exceptionally busy most of the time, but regardless. Harmful poisonous substances do not adversely affect me. Medicines that are supposed to help relieve things such as pain often do the opposite. Bernard learned that the hard way and has since refrained from giving me potions or medicines of any sort. Try. Again."

((Sorry about the 'tude Fino is throwing. >_> He's just being exceptionally difficult and I can't write it any other way.))

[FlyingPanther]

[OOC: *shakes head* Not at all! I know how Fino is...and the way that Severus is...I always imagined this meeting would be...'tudish XD;]

Severus' confidence and hope that this meeting would turn out well, quickly plummeted with each word that came out of Fino's mouth, but still there was no physical indications of the going ons of his mind. His mother had often told him from time to time that he really should have been born a diamond, not because he was nessesarily a charming individual, I think everyone who had ever met him could agree that he was about as opposite of charming as they come, but because he could mask things so well as to almost be an entirely different person on the inside. As if his skin, the outside, was merely a machanical shell which his inner self could manuver while it plotted and planned.

But there was no plotting and planning going on the inside of him. It was as if his mind was a huge library of files, and a tiny little him was looking around frantically for something else. It was as if he was a pound dog, who found a hole in the fence only to be shot dead before tasting freedom. Inside he was screaming, 'It's not fair...I've worked SO hard for this.' It only made him seeth angrily at those who had the title he wanted who he felt had gotten a freebie. In reality, they had probably had just as much of a hard time with Fino as Severus was having currently, but that didn't matter. Severus' anger seemed to fuel him forward. He would find a way. He would not leave this room without what he had come for. He at least had to try something else before throwing his hands in the air. In this moment he wished he had followed a thought that had crossed his mind the other day, to meet with Bernard and discuss a proper course of action. Bernard was probably the only one in the palace he could really be social with at all, without wanting to vomit immidiately afterwords, for one reason or another.

He stroked a scaled chin thoughtfully, "Poison immunity, as well. Well, we have something in common, besides the whole...half serpent bit. I really should have thought of that." he admited out loud to the Queen, though with no real purpose behind it. Another of those infamous pauses, but not for dramatic effect this time, the cogs were obviously working behind those eyes. "Well, I hope to gain powers paralleled to your uncle's legendary magical prowess, just as I hope to gain rank in this court. In my short time here, I have already gained and learned much, all through hard work and devotion to what I set out to do. Your uncle is busy you say, but as King I would be by your side when he cannot be, and I would be a level ahead to begin learning things that I right now could not possibly due to my rank. I suppose I could not concretely promise you anything, but once the door is open and I know what can be accomplished, the possibilities are limitless. Well, as limitless as they can be for a King."[/b], no concrete promises. He doubted that would be enough to impress the Queen, he doubted that it could impress him at all, but as Jack...he had already attained what seemed to be on level with the Queen's Uncle as far as Potions were concerned, how much better could he get if he could just reach the next level? He tried to think of how to word what he was going to say next without sounding to overly confident.

"Do you suffer from pain often, Your Majesty?"[/b], maybe this was something he could work to his favor.

[The Jenn]

Again, the emotional turmoil of the man before him was not apparent, though Fino could only assume that some amount of frustration or anger was building. He wasn't sure. The deer-snake was always so very reserved that he didn't really understand a lot of what went on behind that bland facade. He allowed him time to think, taking the opportunity to finish his cup of tea and pour himself another. The headache that had been slowly threatening him for hours had finally decided to settle in his forehead, stretching back to his temples, and he avoided letting the pain show in favor of drowning it in tea. Not that it really worked well.

"Your determination in the face of my irritation is enough to merit you the rank, I think," he said with less inflection than he might have otherwise. "The title, however, is still extremely debatable. I find myself with... headaches, sometimes. Yes." From blinding, mind-numbing migraines that incapacitated him for a day or two at a time, all the way down to a dull ache that persisted just as long, yes. He suffered from pain very often. He tended to keep the true extent of it between himself, his uncle, and Pravus, however. It was not a fact to share with anyone else for fear of it being used against him, very legitimate fear.