Summoned by the Court [Concluded]

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus could smell the roses before he even saw them, miles down the road. It wafted with the breeze, and he found his knees shaking ever so slightly so anxious that the wind was threatening to make him fall over. He had heard many wonderful and terrible things about this place from his mother, who had visited here all to often for commissions. He remembered her always being a little anxious before leaving. After all, sometimes she never knew what she was being summoned for. She always seemed to pull it together before she left though, smiling and waving to him from the door, saying with great confidence, "I'll be back before you know it". He wondered if she ever buckled a little from pressure. If at the smell of the roses, did her knees shake as well? Did she let her guise falter? Even if just for a moment? His mother had been a strong woman. With everything she had gone through, a weaker woman would have simply died. He tried to remember that as he walked closer and closer to the front gate, and he felt his footing gaining more strength.

As it was, it was a little hard to walk with only two legs on the beautiful cobblestone that lay outside the palace on it's roads. He had never been to the palace before, but his mother had always told him that it was best to appear as an Anthro in front of superiors. They thought those of his rank lowly, but they would think better of him if he showed that he was capable of walking on two legs. He had always thought it was silly, but he couldn't argue with the politics of the court. That always got you beheaded. He looked up at the marvoulous entrance to the palace. White, gold, and red were everywhere, as well as the pungant roses. It was far to beautiful to discribe in words, but it reminded him of the Highlands, a place he had visited only in passing. He wasted no time taking in his surrondings for to long however. Another word of wisdom from his mother, never keep anyone in the royal courts waiting, ESPECIALLY if you have no idea who summoned you.

He began to feel a bit shakey again. He had no idea what to expect. He was not world renouned like his mother. Barely any knew that he possessed the same skill. He had decided long ago that the court-life was not for him, and while he knew a valuble skill that could easily get him into the courts, he feared its politics and agressive ways to much to venture into bettering his rank. He was happy with the way his life was going...he wondered how much this visit would change that...

He approached the guards at the gate, steping towards them with the conviction of someone who might have been there more then once. Confidence was something highly prized, and he didn't want to appear weak in front of whoever it was he was going to see. "My name is Silvanus, I have been summoned to the palace." he said, feeling the compelling need to say please...or some other nicety, but the messanger had told him to simply say that to the guards, and they would take it from there.

[The Jenn]

The guard to the right of the gate gave him the briefest of glances and nodded, his head jerking towards the intricately-wrought gold. "He's expecting you," the canine said in a bored tone. To the other side, the guard didn't even bother looking and kept his eyes straight ahead. The pair of them seemed to think nothing of the extravagant splendor beyond the walls in the Court of Hearts.

Just beyond the entrance was another cobbled road leading to the palace itself. Roses grew on either side in bushes both tall and short, their fragrance even more cloying to passerby than they were from the outside. Several people could be seen, most of them Hearts, going about their daily business and paying no attention to one lone visitor. Here there were a higher concentration of bipedal forms and even one or two rare humans. It seemed that everyone who could assume a 'higher' form did so without exception. It was a mark of status as much as the suit and number emblazoned on everyone's right breast, some visible and some not.

Traveling on the main road would bypass most of the gardens and lead to a set of large, ornately decorated doors. They were thrown wide to admit daily traffic and the inside was as opulently decorated as the doors might suggest. This place was obviously decorated along the theme of 'expensive and gaudy'. The main foyer seemed to be a busy area and people breezed through it constantly.

An attendant caught sight of the stag and approached, a Ten of Hearts clearly emblazoned on the breast of her jacket. Her sunset-hued fur blended well with the colors of her suit and large, doe-like eyes gazed up at him. She was, in fact, a doe, and had earned her bipedal form. "Good day, sir," she said primly. "I take it you are Silvanus. This way, if you please." So saying, she turned and began walking, fully expecting him to follow.

[FlyingPanther]

He had to admit, that while he had been summoned to the palace, he had not expected his entry to be so easy. He had anticipated some sort of bickering between the guards, or slight harrassment. Instead he was met with a willing guide. This was slightly unsettling. He had learned from the guards that whoever it was that wanted to meet him was male, and that he obviously was very anxious to see him. Or at the very least, wanted to see him as soon as possible. He found himself thinking the worst, backtracking through everything he had done in his travels. He didn't think he had done anything worth punishing, but he could be wrong. He had heard of people being beheaded for nearly no reason at all. The court was definately a dangerous place from his understanding.

He let his eyes wander around the halls, taking in the sites as quickly as he could, he had somewhere to be after all, but he couldn't help but be a bit of a sightseer as well. Thats what he loved to do, go to places he had never been before and look around. But the last thing he wanted to do was keep whoever it was waiting. He was then presented to a doe, he bowed his head a little to the guard who had shown him the way thusfar. He was inside the palace now, he saw no reason in not being polite. He then turned to the doe, who was quite beautiful. He had not seen another deer in quite some time, and he couldn't help but break into a handsome smile. He bowed his head a bit more then he had done with the guard, "Good day, indeed. Yes, M'lady, Thank you." it was all he could really say before she turned abruptly and he had to begin following her. Oh well, he wasn't here for idol chitchat was he?

[The Jenn]

The guard inclined his head to the doe before turning away and returning to his post. Whenever He expected particular individuals as guests, it was always a good idea to lead them where they needed to go so that He would not be kept waiting. If He was and you could have prevented it, you were the one at fault. So.

Smiling slightly where he couldn't see, the doe led Silvanus through a short maze of hallways, each with numerous doors and other hallways branching off from it. She certainly wasn't immune to his good looks and handsome smile, but she had a job to do first. Maybe she could find him sometime later and make his acquaintance properly. "My name is Dymphna," she said casually over her shoulder, slowing her pace slightly so that she could be almost next to him but still leading. He was only a five, yes...but he had gained a bipedal form, was obviously important enough in some fashion for Him to be interested, and was from Avington. All of these things stood him in good favor and she found them as appealing as the attractive package they traveled in.

They arrived moments later at a small door that led into what appeared to be a sitting room. Sturdy but ornamental chairs were arranged around an equally ornate table cleared of everything but a single vase. In it stood red, white, and yellow roses, a predictable decoration given the theme of the place. Seated in one of the chairs was a human man wearing the same colors, his gown draping so that only the tip of one boot peeked out from under the bottom. All of his jewelry was done in gold and rubies, the blood-red color of the largest stones matching his hair almost perfectly, and his pale, faintly metallic skin shone in the light streaming in from the window to his left. The mark of Queen was emblazoned on his breast, made clearly visible by the gown's square-cut neckline. His expression was cool but not annoyed.



Queen Serafino liked to arrive at least ten minutes early to all of his meetings, not out of respect for his guests but to hopefully catch them off-guard and give them the impression that he had been waiting. It was a favored game of his and often let him set the tone he wanted in the discussion. It was a rare creature that would speak up against a powerful individual they'd already inconvenienced.

Silvanus was not at all tardy to their meeting and was, in fact, a few minutes early, though whether or not he would be able to tell was debatable. This left the Queen in reasonably good humor. Most people in the palace proper had taken to carrying pocket watches for just that reason.

When they entered, Dymphna bowed low to her monarch. He acknowledged her with a faint tilt of his head. "Silvanus, your majesty, as you requested. Will you be needing anything further?"

"No," he said after a moment's pause. "I think not. That will be all."

With another bow, the doe turned and exited the room, giving the handsome stag a sidelong glance as she left and closing the door behind her. The room's other occupant gave his guest an appraising look, crimson eyes thoughtful, and reached for his teacup. He took a sip and set it back down before formally acknowledging him. "You would be the son of the famous jeweler, then?" he asked in a tone that was more statement than question.

[FlyingPanther]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Dymphna. It has been long since I've seen another deer." he was able to say breifly. He wanted despreately to flatter her with an extra comment. She was indeed one of the most beautiful does he had seen in quite some time, it helped that she was a ten and probably came from a higher up family. He did not mean that in a shallow way, it was just that the rich always seemed to be the most naturally beautiful. Unfair as it may be...it was just the way of the world. But this was hardly the time to oggle does, and besides...one look at his 5 and shed probably turn tail from any ideas. He wasn't very high ranking, he couldn't imagine that a palace female would have any interest in someone so lowly as he when there were plenty of Jacks or maybe even Kings or Queens that would gladly keep them company.

This didn't change his mood, it had only been a passing thought. Truth be told, he was actually far more anxious then he could have ever been aroused. Dymphna was leading him into a lovely furnished and decorated room. Whoever it was that wanted to see him, was very important. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind, did the doe bow and mention something about 'her majesty'. He looked up into the human face of none other then the Queen himself! Needless to say, Silvanus' eyes widened before he had a chance to control them, bright blue eyes staring like...well...like a deer in the headlights. Oh god what had he done? He certainly hadn't done anything GOOD in order to receive such an invitation. His eyes blinked a couple times, trying to resume back to normal. By the time the shock had warn off the lady was retreating, and he bowed his head lightly to her, thanking her for whatever fate she had left him to.

He looked back to the Queen, wondering if he shouldn't have addressed the female at all in the presence of the monarch. He was still quite stunned, though now he could move. The Queens question finally prompted him to say something. He bowed deeply, his antlers nearly touching the floor as he got on a knee. He lifted his head, but didn't move from his bended knee, not sure what to do. His mother had never been before the Queen, and she left him no words of wisdom when it came to him. He had heard to many stories to be truely calm, though his exterior wouldn't let the queen know how nervous he was. Thought intuitively the Queen probably knew just how nervous he was.

"My mother, Cerynitis, was a famous goldsmith. I suppose she is the one you speak of, your majesty." he dared not move, or even ask the question that was begging to erupt from his lips. If the Queen was as impaitent as he sounded, Silvanus knew he would recieve the answer fairly soon.

[The Jenn]

Another small sip of tea, another delicate 'chink' as Fino set the porcelain teacup back on its saucer, and finally a response. "Yes, Cerynitis was the name relayed to me by one of my Jacks. Very good." His long fingers absently stroked one of the ruby-inset bracelets he wore on his forearm. The stones were large and of a good quality, obviously costing a fortune, as did most of the other jewelry decorating his person. He spared no expense when it came to his appearance.

Red eyes flicked briefly to the golden charm hanging on one of the stag's horns before his attention returned to the man's face. "I was recently informed of her skill with gold when I noticed one of my subordinates with a new piece that she apparently made several years ago for his family. After questioning him as to its creator, I did a bit of searching and learned of her untimely demise." Speaking on the subject, the Queen looked less sympathetic than disappointed at the inconvenience. "Along with that came the hint that she had a son, though my source knew very little. I had to find another to learn more. You are not the easiest person to track with your...habit...of wandering. Tell me, are you an artisan yourself?"

He absently wondered what he would do if the young man answered in the negative. Whatever he did, it probably wouldn't be pleasant. He so disliked being disappointed and a goldsmith who could make pieces of the quality he had seen were hard to locate.

[FlyingPanther]

He smiled a bit, his mother often did jewelery for the Jacks of this court. She probably would have done things for those of higher status if they had not been so busy with politics and ruling, but oh well. "My mother often did jewelery for the people of this court, once a goblet. She would have been very happy to hear that her work had caught the notice of none other then your majesty." he bowed his head at the end of the sentance, it didn't seem right not to. Praise seemed the right thing to do, but he was not sure what to do with his body. Should he sit on one of the chairs nearby the Queen? That seemed to bold without an invitation to do so. He continued to kneel before the Queen. He wouldn't move until he was told to do so. He wished he knew a little bit more about how to act in front of the Queen.

He found it strange that the Queen seemed to have no remorse for his mother's death other then the fact that he would no longer be able to contact her, but he supposed the Queen had bigger...and more important things to worry about other then the life of a lowly 8. Silvanus couldn't help but reach back and scratch his neck in embarrassment that he had been so hard to find for the Queen. He supposed he needed more friends that would be able to tell people where he was. But he had such a wild spirit...it took very little to convince him to go somewhere he had never been before. Very much the impulsive person in that respect. Exploring was something that truely gave him joy.

"That is a...difficult question to answer, your majesty..." he said...scratching the back of his neck again, before continueing with an explination. He wasn't quite sure the Queen liked...explinations...so much as he would probably like a straight answer..."In that, there isn't a straight answer. I have the skills of my mother, for she taught me all there is to know about any precious metal or stone. I don't know...if Artisan would be the right thing to call me, however. I'm more of a wanderer, as you seem to already know. I use my skills to make money to get me from place to place...no more, no less. But if you seek someone who has the skills of my mother, then I would be the right one to come to..." he hoped this would be sufficant, and not make the Queen to angry. He had heard storys of disappointing the Queen...and knew this was not the thing that he should do...

[The Jenn]

Serafino listened dispassionately to the young man's explanation, any annoyance mollified by his manners and the fact that he continued to kneel despite the fact that it was an likely awkward pose for his bipedal form. He thought that was a rather nice touch. For all that he was a lowly five and barely worth the Queen's notice, he handled himself well enough under pressure, with the exception of that hand-to-neck habit. His appearance was nothing to scoff at either, the natural elegance of an Avington resident making itself apparent in how he held himself.

"Interesting," he commented diffidently, his hand moving from the small teacup to the petals of a white rose sitting in the vase on the table. Unless he was unduly angry, some part of him was always moving. "Well, so long as you possess the talent to back up your claims, you may well leave this conversation better off than when you entered."

Leaving that comment to hang in the air for a moment, he gestured to the chair across from him, its padding plush and covered with a smooth white velvet. "You may sit." Assuming that Silvanus did so, he would take another sip of tea and smile thinly, his human lips making the expression somewhat intimidating. "I require your services on a commission, a set of rings for myself."

[FlyingPanther]

Silvanus watched as the Queen considered a rose after his brief explination. 'Interesting', wasn't exactly the best word to hear. Interesting was a word that gave no hint into the Queen's mental going ons. Never having met the Queen before, he wouldn't know to take solice in his movements. Had he now upset the Queen? Maybe he should have just lied, and said yes, but that was never Silvanus' way. He could never lie, or even really tell half-truths. These were things that ruined a good moral fiber, something that he always strived for. To the bitter end, he would tell the truth.

His insides stopped squirming with the Queen's next words. He didn't visibly change, he decided not to show Serafino that he was feeling uneasy, as that would potentially inspire him for something cruel...or just...piss him off. He was trying to move as carefully as possible. Someone had once told him, that a meeting with the Queen of Hearts was like an intricate chess game, where you certainly didn't want to get check mated. He never really realized how true it was until he finally was here, in his presence. "I will not let you down." he said as a short responce, and he truely believed it. His mother had worked within the palace, doing commissions for years, and others who he had done jewelery for often commented that his work was near exactness to his mother, but with his own special flare. He had confidence in his abilities, though the Queen was beginning to make him doubt ever so slightly.

When the Queen told him to sit, he did so gladly, finally happy to get off his knees. Upon standing to his full height, Serafino might notice that he was a rather tall creature, or at least...not the usual height. It might be an attribute from Avington, but who really knew. His height didn't deminish his beauty in any way, but it was something that was noticeable. He sat slowly into the chair and looked at the Queen as he spoke, though making sure not to look directly into his eyes. He saw this as subservence, and hoped that the Queen would note it as that to. To look into the eyes of someone higher then you seemed to be somewhat of a challange of dominance. He noded at the Queens request and took a glance at his hands. Beautiful, but bare...maybe that is why he was anxious for a commission? Or maybe he intended for them to be gifts? He asked "Will the set be for yourself, your majesty? Or someone else? If so, do you have a jeweller that you usually see that I can speak to about the size of the rings in question? I would hate to make them to small...or to big, though if they were to be, it would be a very simple repair." His voice, seemed to take a small buisness tone, though he still tried to be as polite as possible. While a client, the Queen was still the Queen, and he didn't want him to feel as if a buisness tone was some sort of dominate one.

[The Jenn]

Serafino made note of the stag's height in the back of his mind, much the same way he had noted the charm dangling from his antlers and the way Dymphna had shot him a Look on her way out, despite his being a mere Five. The size seemed to suit him, and it suited the Queen just fine that he in no way made an issue of his stature or his gaze. Submission pleased him, as it meant less hassle and headache. Of course, sometimes a good fight could be so invigorating.

"I should hope not," he agreed wryly to the response, and listened to the rest before making a reply. No sense in interrupting when the questions were valid and not overlong. He catered very well to Fino's preferred style of conversation with subordinates: short, to the point, respectful, and unassuming. "They will be for myself initially. Should I grow bored with them, I may gift them to another, at which point they can worry about things like sizing. My own are detailed as per my usual jeweler in this envelope. So too are the descriptions of the pieces I'm interested in. I took into account the style of the piece I had seen initially when describing what I would like."

One long-fingered hand reached into a small bag he had with him, withdrawing a thick, creme-colored envelope which he then handed to Silvanus. It was made of a very fine parchment and felt as though there could be several objects inside, such as small ring bands. Those would be the sizes necessary. In a precise, flowing script, the word 'jeweler' was printed on the front. That same script would be repeated on the parchment inside, as well as a blockier script explaining sizing. Those would be the words of the Queen's regular jeweler.

The hand withdrew once Silvanus accepted the envelope and returned to the small cup of tea, of which only a few sips remained. Fino took another sip and looked at the stag over the rim of his cup. "Everything you need can be found there. Should you have further questions, direct them to my assistant and she will relay them to me. She can return you to the palace entrance. Another meeting will not be necessary until you return with the finished pieces."

Clearly dismissing the young stag, he turned ran his finger along the lip of his cup and waited for him to exit before leaving himself. Dymphna would be near the door when he opened it.