The Perfect Match [For Jenn! - DONE!]

[Tigeress]

After having left Ashwin's shoppe, the doe stared at the piece of paper curiously. Where in the heck..? She'd never heard of this place before, honestly, even after thinking for a while. Ugh, hopefully it wasn't smack in the middle of one of the marshes or something. But that would make little sense, in dangerous areas like that, thieves and bandits would have had all the prim and perfect Bandersnatches years ago and men like Paisley would have been scared out. Spotting a rather formal looking ram, she walked up to him quickly, smiling all the while. She hated asking for directions.

"Excuse me sir, might you be able to tell me where this is?" She showed him the paper, watching his expression carefully. When his eyes lit up a little, she could tell he knew at least more than she did, which was a good a start as any. Luckily for her, it appeared he had family in the small village, and was all too happy to explain the way to such a respectable lady as herself. When he'd finished describing it, it sounded like she couldn't miss it. But it would be quite a trek, however... she didn't Have to trek...

"Thank you very much." And with that, she was off. Two steps for momentum and her wings took her off the ground. She might be able to make it before nightfall after all, especially if the winds were in her favour throughout the entire flight.

----

A few hours later, after only one small bathroom stop, she arrived in the village, the residents all looking eerily similar to the educated ram she'd met earlier in the day. Very... pompous looking actually. Oh gods, this was going to be one of those places, wasn't it? She mentally groaned and tried to smile pleasantly at everyone she passed, noting their looks of vague interest of utter disinterest. Neutral or semi-positive seemed to be the best she would get, and she assumed that was Only because of her rank. The K on the doe's chest seemed to be quite the 'get out of jail free' card. Not that talking to any of these people would be like being locked up in prison.... ahem.

Unfortunately for her, she had no idea where to go to find this man. Approaching a woman who was tending to a garden, she decided to politely enquire.

"Excuse me, miss, might you know where I could find a man by the name of Paisley? He raises champion Bandersnatches." She explained, hoping that telling her intent might get her the directions a bit faster. Indeed it did, and she was surprised to find it was apparently on a little known road through the hills. She would have thought it'd be more of a central thing. It sounded like in order to match it's owner, the manor would be very up-scale and well known.

When she finally reached it after a solid 45 minutes of walking and an extra ten searching for the small road, she was not unimpressed. Not only was it high up on the scale, but it seemed to be one of the most sophisticated and important looking buildings on the main road at this point. Figures, it was probably where they got the most visitors from, word of mouth travelled fast luckily for them.

The lights were on, and there seemed to be the sounds of movement and activity coming from inside. Though, that didn't necessarily mean he was still welcoming business inside, but there was only one way to find out. She raised her hand to the door and knocked firmly, hopefully loud enough that if he wasn't in the immediate area, he would still be able to hear it throughout the mansion. And then she waited.

[The Jenn]

A moment or two passed after her knock, but then footsteps could be heard on the smooth floors inside the manor and the door opened shortly after that to reveal a Highland bird, a Ten of Diamonds, who gave her a curious look. When he caught sight of her rank, he bowed slightly, then stood up straighter. "You have come to the door of my master, Paisley. How may I help you today?" His voice was accented, hinting at the fact that he spoke the Highland regional tongue quite often. It had the same touch to it as many peoples' in the village had. This was deep within the region, after all.

Past the bird's shoulder, decor in red and gold could be seen, traditional Highland colors for an entryway. The palace of Hearts had taken that tradition to an extreme and decorated the entire space in those colors, but most Highlanders didn't take things to quite that level besides in the foyer.

[Tigeress]

She was pleased that her rank still granted her respect in the less well known areas of the Highlands, and wasn't bothered by the curious look the bird gave her. It was getting a little late, after all. However, he'd asked how he could help her, so obviously if he hadn't just told her to come back later, she'd made it in time. Phew.

"I was hoping for an audience with him today regarding his Highland Champion Bandersnatches. I'm interested in buying if I happen upon one I like." She smiled pleasantly, glancing behind the bird to see the room behind him. Her curiosity left her a little puzzled, the inside looked almost like someone had accidentally started building the palace of Hearts where Paisley's mansion stood, and a couple rooms had been left behind. She wondered in the rest of the house looked the same.

This was an interesting learning experience for the doe, as admittedly, she knew little about the Highlands outside of the court of hearts and the area surrounding it. The bird had the same accent that the woman she'd stopped earlier had, how intriguing...

[The Jenn]

The bird tilted his head in acceptance of her words, his expression turning slightly pensive. It wasn't the clearest expression with a beak, but something about the way the skin tightened might have given a clue if someone was used to reading the expressions of those with beaks and feathers. "Ah, I hadn't been aware that an interested buyer would be arriving anytime soon. Did you send a message to indicate your intent to visit? We haven't received any-"

A voice cut across the avian's speaking as soft, padding footsteps came up behind him. "I'm sure this visitor can explain her lack of courtesy, or perhaps merely enthusiastic oversight, over a meal after she introduces herself. It's getting cold." It sounded tetchy, the Highland accent just as strong, and the feline who came into view carried himself very proudly upright. The mark of a Queen of Hearts sat proudly on his breast and his fur was extremely smooth and well-groomed. He was built long and lean like a Siamese, his fur very close to his body.

Bowing to the man, the bird murmured acknowledgment and turned to go further into the manor. The master of the house kept his eyes trained on the doe, half-lidded and expectant.

((Paisley's a tetchy little prick sometimes. XD I enjoy him immensely. Sorry for all the 'tude, but these are the epitome of upper crust Highland nobles who don't get out all that often. <3))

[Tigeress]

Oops. Hmmm, she should have sent word ahead of time shouldn't she? Despite being a noble herself, she couldn't expect everyone to run on her time. Well, he was a touch rude now wasn't he? But it had been her oversight, and she'd have to to do her best to make up for it. He could have just tossed her out, but he didn't, so she gave him points for that. Stuffy upper crust types were normally hard to deal with. As soon as she got a good view of the feline she bowed politely. He looked quite impressively well groomed, as if he was born to raise champion banders, being a fine example of a feline specimen himself.

This gave her high hopes, however, for her Bander situatiion. If they were anything like their master, she wouldn't be returning home alone. "I appreciate you not throwing me out due to my enthusiastic oversight. You're not an easy man to find and I've spent a while trying to pin down your location, my excitement most certainly got the best of my manners. My name is Sekhmet." She didn't disclose any information about her being in the courts, it was unnecessary and he would probably take it as her trying to grandstand or use her rank to demand something out of him. Upper class paranoia and pride was a tricky thing to dance around.

She stepped inside the doorway just enough to close the door before the cool evening air bothered the finicky feline. "May I join you then?" He had already invited her in for a bit to eat it seemed, which she greatly appreciated, but she figured it polite to give him one last chance to tell her to come back later. Forced deals often resulted in the great displeasure of the one doing the forcing. Wouldn't want him to withhold any of his finest Banders from her out of spite.

[The Jenn]

At least her manners seemed up to the task of apologizing, or at least explaining and showing appreciation. He made a noncommittal noise and inclined his head. "Paisley, Queen of Hearts. Very well then, come inside and join me for dinner, since you seemed to have arrived at such a fortuitous moment. If you are sincerely interested in acquiring one of my bandersnatches, I will need to speak with you and interview you properly first. Dinner will be an appropriate setting for that."

The feline motion for her to follow and led her into his home. Past the entryway, the colors were much more subdued than the bold Highland palette. When they reached the dining room, it was a combination of warm browns and greens with gold accents. The furniture was all a rich, dark wood, polished until it gleamed. This was the home of someone with quite a lot of money to spend on creature comforts and appearances. Considering what he did for a living and what he charged for the creatures he bred, this wasn't especially surprising.

He indicated which chair she should take, next to the head of the table where he sat so that they could converse more comfortably. Once he had settled, a servant began to bring out the first course of the meal.

"So tell me, Sekhmet," he began coolly, "what makes you think you are worthy of my consideration, in terms of finding a home for one of my precious banders? I value them highly, you see, and do not merely sell to anyone with the funds to meet my price. I must be able to rest easy with the knowledge that they will be well taken care of, in a safe, healthy environment that is suitable for them. Can you provide such a place to live?"

[Tigeress]

He seemed to be settled a little by her apology and explanation, though there really was little excuse for showing up on his doorstep at the dinner hour. At least it served as a convenient method for interviewing. She'd heard private breeders were especially careful with whom they allowed to purchase a Bandersnatch. Oh yes, she knew that aquiring the funds would only be half the battle, and what a battle it had been... She only hoped the price range she'd been given was accurate, and she'd be able to afford to be picky as the breeder himself.

"Of course, thank you very much Paisley." She followed him inside, intrigued by the ever changing mix of colours and style to fit the personality of almost every room, it seemed. The dining room was paricularily pleasing, and she couldn't help but wonder if he'd paid someone to decorate and choose the colours for him, or if he'd done it himself. She wouldn't ask that, though, it wasn't what they were here to talk about, and if he'd hired someone else, he probably wouldn't want to share the credit for his beautiful home anyway.

She sat where he told her to, watching a servant bring them the first of the food but focussing her attention afterwards on the Queen. "I am a King in the court of hearts, residing in the palace, and I intend to keep my chosen companion with me to share in my luxuries. My Queen has two Highland Champions himself, so I have had a lot of time to study their needs and relationship with him in the courts." She paused for a moment, anticipating his next set of questions. She couldn't help but wonder if anyone outside the courts had ever managed to persuade a breeder into handing one over, they certainly did seem to need the space and attention that being in the palace offered.

[The Jenn]

Paisley listened to her speak with a neutral expression for a moment, sipping at the small glass of sparkling water that had been brought out. "Another palace Heart, hmm? That place has indeed turned into a suitable location for banders, especially with the previous and current Queen so interested in acquiring and raising them properly. I'm glad to see a shift in power, I will admit, but the circumstances are... highly distasteful. I did not approve of the last Queen's manner and I do not approve of the current one's region, at least in the context of 'the' Queen of Hearts. That is a position for a Highlander. However, he is by all counts a very responsible owner towards his companions."

His opinions were firm and strongly rooted in his regional pride, as well as his own ego, which was... quite exceptional. He took a few moments to pick at his food before turning to her with a coolly curious expression. "It would just so happen that your timing is unwittingly good. Normally it is appropriate procedure to contact breeders and see if they have a litter of the appropriate age even available. Quite often, the answer is no. We breed for quality in Chayth, you see, not quantity. I do, however, have a litter of three in my possession." He wanted to see her reaction.

[Tigeress]

She listeened to him intently, noting with amusement his dislike of Serafino's attitude. He had been a... unique man, but she'd seen a kinder side of him that still made her twinge with guilt over the fact that she'd never had a chance to patch things up... but living in the past was no good for anyone, she'd learned that the hard way.

"I would agree on all accounts sir. I can only hope that my region and position is more suited to your tastes for someone who would own one of your Bandersnatches." She added respectfully, not trying to mock his over opinionated fashion in any way. People held strong opinions because they grew up with them usually, trying to break or insult those opinions was foolish and social suicide.

"That is unusually good luck, assuming you find me a suitable owner, and if you do not then I suppose that is unusually bad luck." She smiled at this, perhaps he would appreciate a bit of light humour, though she wasn't exactly counting on it. She didn't want to press him further, if he found her suitable, he'd introduce them to her, asking to see them would be far too hasty. Pretending to be slightly less excited than she was was difficult, but if she seemed overexcited he'd probably taunt her with more interviewing out of sheer enjoyment of watching her squirm.

[The Jenn]

Paisley approved of her brevity and politeness. It suited him, as did the flattery. She was indeed reading the signals correctly and not wasting his time. Very good. He supped on his dinner for a few moments with idle comments about the food before turning his attention once more to the matter at hand. This was his home - he was perfectly entitled to waste her time, seeing as she was the one who had come calling unannounced. Besides, she wouldn't leave until dinner was finished at the risk of being rude, he was sure.

"Neither your region nor your position bother me unduly," he said eventually, dabbing at his mouth with a cloth napkin. "Morganberry is a civilized place, after all. I have ventured there once or twice on business and have found it agreeable. On the other hand, the palace of Hearts irks me, but that is mostly due to individuals rather than location. And, as I said, it is quite a suitable home for a bandersnatch. I have no complaints on that count either."

Now it was left to see how she acted around actual kits. He motioned for her to finish her dinner and left once his own plate was thoroughly picked at, not picked clean but certainly not ignored, with a word for her to remain where she was momentarily. When he returned, three squirming bodies were held in his arms and deposited very carefully on the carpet, where they proceeded to go off in all different directions. "My present litter," he said with a note of pride in his voice. "I was expecting a lot from the parents and received quite the colorful bunch. You'll notice a certain consistency to the markings. The mother was a blue dapple blanket, the father a red dappled point."