|
|
Post by The Jenn on Mar 6, 2008 14:19:37 GMT -5
Rogers lay panting on the hospital bed, trying to ignore the pain lancing through his body as best he could while he waited for some more of the painkillers to kick in. They'd given him a dosage at the beginning but it had started to wear off not long after they took the child away and he'd begged until they gave him more. He really wasn't made to handle this kind of pain... He could only wonder what was taking so long. The nurse had gone away with the child - thank the heavens there was only one or he might have exploded - and it seemed like she'd been gone for ages. He didn't even know what gender it was, what region, what suit... considering its parents, it had a relatively limited range, either Diamond or Club. They were both of moderate to decent rank, so hopefully it would fall somewhere around theirs. Regions... it could really be anything, couldn't it? He tried to imagine what a mix of their breeds would look like and just couldn't see it, so the child would probably have to be one or the other. Finally she came back in, a pudgy little biped Avington door mouse with antlers and an expression that made him blink and sweat. What was going on? Why did she look like that? "I'm afraid there's something... wrong with the child," she began hesitantly. He blanched. Wait, what? He hadn't even really wanted to have children ever, at any point in his life, and now when he finally had one, there was something wrong with it? She cleared her throat, blanket-wrapped bundle held forward for his inspection. "We're equipped to deal with it, sir, if you'd like us to dispose of it humanely. Whether you want it to remain alive or not is up to you, of course."The brilliantly orange and pink little thing looked up at him with huge eyes, its beak tiny and opened to let out the faintest little 'honk'. It was a swan, but it very much wasn't at the same time. A mix? And... its... chest... Ace of Clubs. He'd... he'd had an Ace. All of his mother's words on the matter came flooding back to him in one terrible moment of memory. She had been in the Diamond military and had plenty to say on the subject of Aces, how they weren't really people and most of the time they didn't deserve to live because they just ruined peoples' lives. Asha... Theofilus's Asha was an exception to that rule, of course. She wasn't an Ace, really. She was just... Asha. But this. This was an Ace. And it came out of him. It took him a long, stuttering moment to let out a breath. He looked away from it with effort, back up to the nurse. "I... I... no. I don't care. Just... take it away."The woman nodded and pulled the child back close to her, covering the marking again. "Of course, sir. The doctor is prepared to inform your partner that it died. I'll just go tell him to do that, then. I'm... so very sorry. These things happen sometimes. It's not your fault." Giving him a sympathetic look, she turned and took the child away. |
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 6, 2008 14:43:08 GMT -5
Was it supposed to take this long? Rosewood paced as he waited outside the door. What was happening to Rogers? Was he going to be all right? This whole having a kid thing just didn't sit well with the swan. He didn't want to in the first place, it was all just an accident and now.... what if Rogers wasn't going to make it through? Why hadn't anyone told him anything? He fidgeted about waiting for some sign of life. Finally a doctor appeared, he didn't look happy however. A shiver traveled down Rosewood's spine as he looked at the man waiting for an explanation of something, anything! "Mr. Rosewood, I've come to inform you off--""Is Rogers all right?" The swan cut off the doctor before he could get through with his speech. The man looked taken aback. Probably surprised about Rosewood's lack of concern over the baby. It never occurred to him that there could be something wrong with the baby or babies or whatever. He honestly didn't care. It seemed heartless but... he never wanted children.
"He's fine, but I'm afraid the baby didn't make it, sir. I'm sorry for your loss.""Oh..." Rosewood said blinking. He wasn't quite sure how to take the news. He just wanted to see how Rogers was. |
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Mar 6, 2008 14:56:51 GMT -5
The nurse went back into the women's locker room and opened her locker, cooing at the little baby as she nestled him inside her duffel bag with her change of clothes and nosed at him for a moment before closing the locker. He could stay in there until her shift was over and then she would take him home. None of her coworkers would question if they heard a baby's cry in the room. All she'd have to do was shrug and say 'Ace' and there would be nothing more said. They knew that she had a business on the side with the creatures.
About three hours later, she returned and collected her squirming little burden, zipping up the duffel and taking him home with her. The poor little thing would need something to eat, now wouldn't he?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Almost a year later, the Avington mouse walked through the streets of the bazaar until she reached the trading area. In tow behind her were three young Aces on leashes, the oldest being a feline at maybe two years and the youngest being the cute little swan-dog with those pretty, bright colors. He was such an affectionate thing and made the cutest noises that she had to nickname him Honker. She would need to find a good home for her little favorite. He would make someone such a sweet pet.
She set up her stall, humming and picking up the children to sit on top of the table, scritching behind ears and settling them down onto the towels she'd brought with her. The baby rat was a little bit fussy, but hopefully he'd calm down before any buyers started to approach.
|
|
|
|
Post by carcinoGeneticist on Mar 6, 2008 15:15:36 GMT -5
It was a bright and beautiful day, as far as Calia was concerned. She hadn't been to the bazaar in far too long, and she really wasn't entirely sure of why she had stopped coming in the first place. All around her, smells of delicious food filled the air, and everywhere she looked someone was selling some bangle that sparkled in the sun. She wondered if she would be able to find a gift to send to Ceren and Iria, some shining jewelry for her beautiful granddaughters. Being a grandmother was far more exciting than she had ever imagined it would be, and she found herself looking for gifts more and more. She wanted to spoil those children. When she rounded the corner, her eyes fell on an Avington woman busily setting up her stall. The sparrow didn't see any of the goods that she would expect to see: There was no cart filled with produce, no boxes of jewelry or racks of clothing waving in the light breeze. All she could see was were several... Children, all on leashes. Calia's heart fell with a resounding thud, and she froze in place, staring blankly at the woman as she lifted the trio onto the table like some kind of luxury item. It made her stomach churn, and she could feel herself growing more and more angry the longer she watched. Some people tried so hard to have children and failed, yet here were these sweet young Cards, being sold on the street like pets. The red-haired woman strode forward suddenly, her steps confident. If she had seen this years ago, before Asha's birth and before Ez's miscarriage, she would have likely ignored it and moved to a different area. Now, she knew that she needed to do something. What, exactly, she wasn't yet sure. Keeping her voice as level as she could and forcing a smile, she called out a greeting to the other woman as she approached. " Excuse me, hello![/b]" |
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Mar 6, 2008 15:24:24 GMT -5
The woman looked up from where she'd been brushing the little feline's dark Corvistowne fur and smiled when she saw an elegant human woman approaching. My, what a lovely lady! That scarf was positively gorgeous, and the dress... she'd have killed to own something like that. She set the boar bristle brush down and dipped her head politely, uncertain of the woman's rank and not really caring - she was well-dressed, human, and obviously merited respect. She herself was a Six of Diamonds, comfortably middle-class with a career and a partner who was tolerant of her hobby and second job.
"Hello there, ma'am! A pleasure to meet you. I'm quite honored to have caught your attention. Do you see something that you like?" She glanced down at the children and smiled fondly, hand going down to stroke over their heads. "All of these lovely little things have been raised in my home since birth. I can attest to their good temperament and health - they're regularly groomed and tended for, and I've already been working on house training the lot of them. They're quite tidy, although little Honker still has the occasional accident. He knows that it's bad, of course, and tries not to."
She scritched under the swan-dog's beak, prompting him to make another of his precious little noises, and smiled. "I must confess, if you're looking for a pet with the temperament of a sweet little babe, Honker might be your best bet. He's the youngest too, probably the most trainable of the three. He's very eager to please, even so young. I think it's the dog in him."
|
|
|
|
Post by carcinoGeneticist on Mar 6, 2008 15:36:55 GMT -5
As Calia got closer to the stall, she felt her worries fade slightly. She certainly didn't agree with people being sold in the market, but the three children all looked to be in good health, and the woman was being surprisingly tender in her brushing the feline. She bit her tongue, holding herself back from saying something that would ruin her plans, and simply gave the mouse a polite nod and smile. "They really are beautiful... pets,[/b]" she commented, looking at the trio once more and swallowing her disgust.
In that moment, she knew what she had to do. If she could adopt one of the children and save it from a life of Suits-knew-what, it would be money well-spent. She was sure that Theofilus would agree. "It's no surprise, really.[/b]" she commented, as non-chalantly as she could. Honker? What kind of a name was that? He was a boy, not some animal. As she looked him over she took careful note of his colors. He was a beautiful child, though his mixed-breed gave him a slightly strange appearance, and she could almost feel her anger melting with each of the soft little noises that he made. She knelt down so that she was at eye-level with the child, slowly reaching out and tickling him as the woman had done. "He's still just a baby, isn't he?[/b]"
Something about the swan-dog drew her in completely, and her smile became less forced. The temperment of a sweet little babe, hmm? Then there would still be hope for the boy living a relatively normal life. "What do you think, Honker?[/b]" she asked in the child's direction, voice soft as she continued to scratch softly. "Would you like to come home with me?[/b]"
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 6, 2008 15:43:27 GMT -5
The swan dog continued to make noises as he was scratched under the chin. He really did love the attention of all these nice people. He honked happily when the pretty red haired lady in the flowy dresses spoke to him. He couldn't understand what she was saying of course, but he nudged up against her hand happily. Well he did understand his name, and that nothing bad was said about it. Maybe the pretty woman was going to give him a treat or something? He licked her hand, testing to see if she was going to give him anything. His ears twitched as he listened to all the other sounds around him. Lots of things were going on and he couldn't really understand any of it. He was after all, a house pet and a year old. He just understood the concept of food, being good, and doing bad things like destroying a carpet by tearing it to bits. |
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Mar 6, 2008 15:49:58 GMT -5
The mouse laughed in delight as the woman spoke to the Ace, patting his rump. "Oh, and isn't that just darling. Look, he said yes!" Referring, of course, to the little honking noise he'd made. It was like a woman cooing over a puppy licking someone's hand.
"Yes, he's the youngest of the three I have here today, only just coming up on a year old. His birthday is only a month from now. They age just like us, you know." She said the last bit in a whisper, then laughed again. "I'm so glad you're interested. I've been hoping to find this little guy a good home ever since I realized what a peach he is and you look like quite the responsible owner. They take a lot of care when they're little, about as much as a baby, and the more attention you pour into them, the more you get out of them. I'm sure you have friends with Aces as pets that you can ask about that, though."
If this woman was as high-society as she looked, then she probably would. It was quite fashionable to keep the little things as pets nowadays. The fur trade gaining popularity didn't sit well with her, as she preferred to see them happy and healthy in peoples' homes, not worn on a fashionable garment. "The price is a little steep because he's so young, but I promise you that he'll be worth every pewter."
|
|
|
|
Post by carcinoGeneticist on Mar 6, 2008 16:25:16 GMT -5
That was almost too much to take, and the woman laughed softly, beaming down at the cheerful little Morganberry. She knew that he hadn't understood what she'd said, but his positive reaction and the gentle little lick told her that she had made the right choice. He would at least be happy going home with her, she was almost positive. She gave the woman a wide smile, much easier to do while she was close to the adorable little hybrid. "Why, thank you. I hope I can raise him well.[/b]"
Calia stood, opening her bag and peering inside of it, reaching in to pull out her moneybag. "Money's not a problem. He's worth every penny.[/b]" she knew that Theofilus would be surprised, but she was sure he wouldn't be angry. She was doing something good today, and the boy was just so cute! She passed the woman the money, giving her a small smile.
She handed the woman the money, looking down at the boy, reaching out and picking him up gently, cradling him in her arms as she had done so many times with her own children. She was always surprised by their weight. "Is there anything else I should know about him? Does he have a favorite food or anything?[/b]" she wanted everything to be perfect for the boy.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Mar 6, 2008 16:32:33 GMT -5
The mouse accepted her coin with a smile and bobbed her head in delight. "Thank you very much, miss! I can already tell that he'll have a good home with you, don't you worry. I'm sure the two of you will get on just wonderfully." She tucked the money away and turned back to carefully take off the boy's leash. "You behave for the nice lady now, sweetheart. He should grow up to be a bright one - he hasn't shown any signs of mental deficiencies like so many Aces do, so he should be wonderfully trainable. As he gets older, I'm sure you'll be able to get him to do tricks for your friends."
She hesitated, then leaned close to whisper something quietly. "Make sure not to let him wander around, alright? I know you probably live in a very safe neighborhood, but there have been a disturbing string of thefts recently that I think are furthering the Ace fur trade. Pelts with that symbol on them are worth soooo much money right now and there are a lot of people who would resort to stealing the little darling to skin him. Please, please take care not to let him wander."
((And isn't it a nice footnote that about 40% of Aces do, in fact, have mental retardation. XD And all the ones born thus far have just rolled luckily.))
|
|
