Seeking trinkets [Jenn- DONE]

[Tigeress]

Astyana smiled down at the two children who followed her into the courts, not yet knowing what was in store for them. She had only given away select details, hoping that they would enjoy whatever it was they managed to receive. She didn't know exactly if this would work out, but her paranoid motherly instincts had told her it was worth a try. Inca and Irving were getting older now, two early teen children perking their ears and scanning their eyes around the splendidly decorated area with obvious curiosity. Soon they would want to be on their own more, and then on their own entirely, and... she just... needed to know they'd be okay, Irving most especially.

"Why are we here again?" Irving asked curiously, his neck straining out with the effort it took to keep up. He was getting better, but still he hadn't quite perfected moving without looking like a war victim. "Shhh, just enjoy the walk, Irving." His sister responded quietly, looking up at her mother's smiling face just in time to receive a wink. She'd been told beforehand to... curb Irving's natural curiosity until she could reveal everything herself. Inca was good at accepting orders and carrying them out in an efficient manner, too bad she didn't particularily seem to have much interest about joining the courts herself.

She noticed a servant wandering around and decided to approach, as she had no idea how to get around in the palace or where to go to find His Majesty, the Queen of Hearts. She'd been told he was one of the best when it came to knowing especially skilled aquaintances who were learned in magic. She wanted something magical, just a little trinket for her children, she didn't think it would be too much to ask. Hopefully. She really didn't want to settle for anything less than the best, and that was what she was here to find.

"E-excuse me there! Hello! Yes, I'm looking for His Majesty, the Queen of Hearts, do you know how I might find him? I have a, ah- little favour to ask." She blushed mildly, hoping she wasn't being too forward, but she figured the more info she gave, the better the servant would know how to direct her. Obviously business calls would come before social calls so if he was busy she might be able to squeeze the doe in with her kids for just a few minutes. She had mostly brought them along for a walk and the scenery, but if the Queen saw Irving's condition, perhaps he'd be more sympathetic? She didn't know, really, but she'd tried to think ahead and had done everything possible to increase her chances of succeeding in this important endeavour.

[The Jenn]

The man, a Selkie mouse in bipedal form and an Eight of Hearts, stopped to regard her briefly before deciding that she was a guest he should take a moment to answer. Someone who had acquired their human form, yes, and with two children in tow, though they were by no means 'young'. That human form alone garnered some respect, though he couldn't see her rank clearly displayed. And she was calling on His Majesty specifically for a favor? Bold. She was probably of a rank to warrant it, then.

"You've caught us just between the morning Court session and His Majesty's late-morning meeting with some of his guard," the man informed her primly, offering a small bow just in case it was warranted. "Your timing is quite lucky, all things considered. I will lead you to him, if you would please to follow me. Then I must make haste, so excuse me for not introducing you when we arrive."

He made a motion with one hand for the doe and her entourage to follow him through the palace and led her to a wing generally used during meetings, where His Majesty would likely be receiving his late-morning tea at this hour. A knock on one of the doors and the mouse opened it with permission, bowing. "Your Majesty, a petitioner for your royal favor. At your pleasure, I will show her in."

Serafino sat with a freshly poured cup of tea, not even one sip in, and sighed before he nodded permission. Yes, favor... that he could take care of quickly, he thought, before his attention would have to be directed elsewhere. "Yes, that's fine. Send her in."

[Tigeress]

Astyana beamed at the mouse, pleased that he was so responsive and helpful without knowing anything about her; her rank was hidden tastefully behind the dress she wore and she liked it that way. Being a Jack meant she had too many offers to become a lackey in the courts, and she really couldn't keep up with all the duties she'd be asked to do, not with her family just growing like it was. So this way it was assumed that she wasn't worth the time, and she could go about her merry way.

"Thank you very much, I appreciate the assistance." She followed behind with an excited bounce to her step, her children seeming ever the more puzzled by the turn of events and why she was so excited about all of this going so smoothly. Inca certainly wouldn't object to getting to sniff around the palace a bit, it sure was... shiny. Irving couldn't care less which way things went, he'd probably be left to hobble about either way, and he only liked to practice walking in private. In public it was preferred that he was sandwiched between two people so others wouldn't gawk so much.

"Is that him?" Irving asked curiously as he caught a quick glimpse of a robed man through the crack of a door. His mother quickly hushed him, however, and soon they were through the door so that he could get a better look on his own. Oh yes, he most certainly must have been royal. Look at that pose, so tall and straight, they all stood like that though, didn't they?

With the Queen's consent, the human female strode forward, taking a rather elegant bow for someone so unpracticed in the movement, and then folding her hands before her in a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Greetings your majesty Serafino, Queen of Hearts. My name is Astyana, and I am here to ask a favour for my children, especially for Irving here..." At this, she ushered the deer forward, though it pained her to see the look of horror and embarassment on his face as he took two simple steps forward, though they were not simple for him at all.

"They are growing out of childhood, and in my fear of having to let them go, I want to bestow them with two trinkets blessed with protective powers. I will do whatever you require to make this happen, majesty." She dipped down again, though barely able to hide how anxious she was to hear if this would really work out, if she could really get them these special items. She'd been told it was often easy enough, so long as his majesty was in a good mood and she was willing to do some legwork. Which, of course, she was.

[The Jenn]

Fino thoughtfully regarded the woman as he took a sip of his tea, curls of steam rising into the air to denote its freshness and the faint fragrance of rose hips filling the air. Of course, that was almost certainly enhanced by the large arrangement of roses settled on the table. Her human form was an elegant one. They all reflected their bearers in some way and hers seemed to speak of a natural inclination towards nobility. Perhaps she had been born with a respectable rank, or had striven to acquire one. He couldn't imagine her having bothered with humanity unless she was of a fitting rank to pull it off without seeming odd.

For all that her expression seemed quite nervous and unsure, she held herself well and had simply gorgeous hair. She had to be a Kahmden with hair and eyes like those. Evidently the region's natural apathy didn't extend to her maternal instincts if she was petitioning him on her children's behalf. The one seemed quite healthy for her age, with an unexpected pair of wings. The other, however... yes, he could see why she would worry about a child with so obvious a disability.

He had been lucky himself that all of his children were born whole and healthy, and, much as he may or may not care to admit it, he thought he might be able to understand her concern to some small extent. He would wish his children every advantage they could get. Being born to power had its drawbacks as well as its advantages, and both were overwhelming at times.

"Interesting. So you seek my favor to grant you an item for each of your children, ones that will protect them. What kind of 'trinkets' do you have in mind? That will affect where you would be sent with the favor I may grant. Different craftsmen take care of different requests, and some of them are capable of enchanting their own items while others require the assistance of a Court mage. If your desire is reasonable, I see no problem in granting the favor. However, do be quick. I have limited time at my disposal this morning."

[Tigeress]

The room made her relax visibly, all of the beauty of the court of Hearts displayed proudly, almost thoughtfully complimenting the Queen who sat perfectly framed by the splendour. It took her a few blinks to come back to herself, not used to such elaborate decorations. Of course, she should have seen it coming based on the effort put into the exterior, that the interior would put even that to shame. Nodding her head rapidly, she allowed Irving to return to her side, noting the frustrated stare he gave to the floor. He would probably be quite upset with her later, but hopefully he understood her motherly plight. The way he studied her made her blush in spite of the situation, she had spent hours trying to primp herself up to look as respectable as possible. Nothing was more shameful than mussed hair and dirtied skin, especially behind the gleaming walls of the courts, and it seemed her effort might have not gone unnoticed.

"I do not wish for something too large, I just want them to have a slight upper hand in the face of danger, just something enough to give them a warning which could potentially save their lives with that one second extra to react." She was being surprisingly particular for not having ever thought of it before, but it had come to her suddenly in an imagery of her children caught in an alley with foes coming up behind. Irving would never be able to react fast enough naturally, he especially would need some kind of sixth sense enabling him to be more aware of his surroundings.

"I so very much appreciate your assistance in these matters your majesty, and I hope to be out of your way as quickly as possible." Not only did she not want to embarass herself with her lack of knowledge regarding enchanting and magic in general, but she could only assume that the longer she stayed and the more of a bother she became, the less chance she'd have of being pointed in the best direction. Not to say that the Queen was a spiteful creature, no, he seemed unusually understanding for not having children of his own. Or did he? No, surely nobody in the courts would have time for that. Either way, she'd made her children promise to be on their best behaviour ahead of time, which, for Inca, was incredibly easy.

As if on key, she blinked up at her mother and did a polite dip of her head in the Queen's direction. She didn't know the exact words to say, and she wasn't one for words anyway. Her mother had said all that needed to be said and she didn't need to interfere.

[The Jenn]

Fino wasn't a mage himself, though he had taken great pains to learn his own innate and granted abilities as best he was able. He knew a mage, however, knew him very well, and had watched him work in silence more times than he could possibly count. A protective charm would likely do best attached to something small, perhaps something decorative. A piece of jewelry might work best. For two deer, a ring would be out of the question, and a bracelet or armband might likewise be tricky to manage. Necklaces would probably provide the easiest means of protection and if they were pendants, the stones could hold the enchantment more effectively than a simple metal piece. For some reason, stones were often naturally suited to those kinds of magics.

"Very well, Astyana. That does not sound unreasonable. I see no reason not to grant your request, phrased so respectfully." He drew two small squares of cloth from a small pouch, both of them a pale yellow to suit his whim that day and lined with a border of white. He focused on the silky squares for a moment, eyes half-closed, expecting her to remain silent while he did so.

Once he had finished, the squares were both placed on the edge of the table nearest her and he waved a hand at them. "There you are, then, a pair of royal favors with my symbol stitched in the corner. If you take the pair of them to a craftsman named Vrittrin in the Capital, a Morganberry canine Nine of Hearts who owns a jewelry shop, he should be able to assist you to the best of his ability with your request. The results will be moderated by his capability, of course, and you will have to make do with whatever he is able to craft and enchant for you. These favors will ensure his manners and cooperation in this endeavor, and the fee should be minimal. That is what you were after?"

He watched her, expecting her to take the favors and depart. If she stayed, that would mean she wanted something else, and the time he could spare was just about up. He awaited her response.