A reason to wander [Finished]

[Shade]

Stumbling back a few steps in surprise, Lucio looked up at this new Lady seemingly fell from the sky. He thought he had caught Peaches eyes straying to the tree behind him. This impromptu trip to the Court was turning out to be full of surprises. He was already being questioned by two cards who had their human forms, and he had not even made it to the outer gates yet.

He listened to the womans description of this strange land and his eyes widened a bit in shock. He had certainly never been anywhere like that.

"I suppose, if the need were pressing enough, I could attempt such a journey. Though I would need time to talk to a few people and try to acquire, or have made, an item or two."

Lucio sat back on his haunches and tilted his head to the side. Was this new inquisitor just trying to scare him as well? Or did she have business in such an inhospitable land? If he was ever expected to take such a journey he would need, at the least, his biped form. Though his animal form would suite for the majority of the trip. He would also need to be visiting Cauter's shoppe. And maybe Corvistowne. They were usually quite the inventive bunch.

[Satra]

"Eh, not necessary. That's already my job," she said off-hand. She just needed to see the reaction, which was decent enough in her mind. "How would you like a tour of the Palace before you see His Majesty Shinrai?" Whether or not he wanted one, he would be getting one. This would increase the time she and Peaches had to mess with his mind.

"What do you think?" she looked up at the straight jacket-wearing Feline, "Think he is good enough to leave His Majesty's office alive?" Her head came back to Lucio's direction, "When he's angry, he breathes fire, you know. And he knows when anybody uses his name without the title. It's one of his abilities," she informed him. Heilyn demeanor the entire time was that of perfect business-like professionalism, despite the fact she was full of shit.

[Kari Muffin]

"Well.... he might make it out alive. It just depends on if Shinrai is hungry or not. You forgot to mention that sometimes he's cannibalistic when he's angry. We've lost more than one staff member that way." Peaches said with a cheerful note. It took all of her willpower not to crack up. Shinrai, a fire breathing cannibalistic Queen. That couldn't be further from the truth. His children might be strange but he was actually.... as normal as a person in the court of hearts could be.

A tour of the palace? Peaches hadn't thought about that. Hopefully no one would bother to stop them along the way. If Xiven found out that she was doing this to someone.

Didn't Shinrai have an open five o'clock? There were a lot of schedules to remember so she could have easily been confusing it with someone else. "Do you think the other members of the court would be willing to meet him? Maybe our local axe wielding psychopath? Or maybe one of our scientists?"

[Shade]

Lucio looked from one woman to the other. They did play well together.

"Then I do not envy you your job Mi'Lady. Though it does sound ...adventurous." He was right, he -was- being tested. Or played with. Lucio had really not decided what these two had in mind for him.

"Oh! I would love a tour, indeed." Glad they asked, he thought to himself. He was planning to ask if that were proper. Toying with him or not, it was a good idea to spend time around people he may possibly end up working with or for.

"Fire breathing and slightly psychic you say? The new Majesty is quite impressive indeed. Not that I ever had any doubts." Well now, this was the most he had heard about the new Queen.

Turning to face Peaches when she added her description of the new Queen, he tilted his head. "Cannibalistic hmm? Then perhaps my services or usefulness will be needed sooner than later with the turnover rate of help." Lucio was quite sure now these two were only toying with him, or just trying to see how he reacted under unsure circumstances. But he was not about to dismiss their slight 'warnings' out of hand. Though he felt they were strongly exaggerated, or even lies, he had heard of more unusual characters in his wanderings.

"An ax wielding psychopath? Now that is certainly not someone I expected to be running around the Court. Though I do suppose you need someone with such expertise working in the dungeons. And I do love the sciences, though I have never had a chance to study them. Tell me, if you don't mind, how is Mr. Bernard fairing?"

[Kari Muffin]

"Oh no. We have someone much scarier working in the dungeons. He skins people alive and all that.... well technically he doesn't have a title anymore and it's more of a hobby than a job.... but well, close enough. The axe wielding psychopath is someone else entirely. She's a rather skilled young lady with a flash point temper." Xiven would have snapped her mother's neck if she heard any of this. Of course, Peaches assumed that Lucio would take everything with a grain of salt, true or false. As for the scientists, she couldn't imagine he would enjoy the company of Mephit since she studied poisons and the like, and of course she wasn't the most social butterfly of the courts.


"How exactly do you know about his Highness Bernard?" Peaches asked absently. She had been asked the same question, and had to lie about it. After all she had been stalking the members of the castle for about two years previous to appearing for an interview. She doubted Lucio was doing any stalking... he didn't seem the type. He probably heard a rumor or two about Bernard.

[Shade]

"A ...hobby eh? Quite mess, but I suppose everyone needs to pass the time. I'll just make a not to be well behaved. I have grown to like my skin over the years." Well, this was turning out to be an absolutely -lovely- conversation.

"As for the ax-wielder, perhaps she would like a new whetstone? Or a fresh piece of finishing leather? Seems wise to keep on her good side." For some reason Lucio did not doubt that such a person could very well be walking (hunting?) the halls and corridors of the Palace. It would be quite the effective security measure. Perhaps they used her to train the Palace Guard.

"As for knowing about Sir Bernard, I thought everyone did. His knowledge of the mystical is almost legendary. I had heard a rumor that he was injured in the recent ...trouble in the Palace. I hope that he is recovering well. Perhaps someday in the future I'd be able to meet him. And if I live long enough, maybe even have him enchant a weapon for me"

He hoped that whatever these two were looking for in him, they were finding it. But they had not sent him on his way yet. That had to be a good sign. Right?

[Satra]

He seemed to be answering well enough, and judging by the way he looked between the two of them, it seemed as though he was already questioning their motives.

"You said the Queen is uninformed of your visit?" she asked, "I think I shall go change that. Peaches, m'dear, you take things from here." She then turned and left. However, instead of going to see Shinrai, upon entering the Palace, Heilyn went straight to her room and threw open the door.

"Children! Out! Daddy and I need some 'special time'!" and with the kids sufficiently given the boot, the entire situation with Lucio had been completely put out of her mind. Hell, all she'd said was she would 'think' and she had, deciding that her sexy hulk of a lover required her attentions and effort far more than a newcomer who hadn't even think to send word ahead that he was showing up. Not like she promised anything.

Mmm~ tasty Spade manflesh.

[aand Heilyn is out of the thread. Have fun, chilluns! x3 ]

[Kari Muffin]

....

Oh well then. She was left with this interesting person and she had to lead him around. Peaches had to wonder if Heilyn would actually inform the Queen of their guest. She wasn't going to get her hope up. The cat readjusted her jacket before she continued walking.

"Bernard is fine. Better than he has been anyway," Peaches said as she glanced at the man. She wasn't quite sure if he was being sarcastic or not. Sometimes she wished for that diamond ability so she could see what was the truth and what wasn't, oh well.

"So right now we're walking down the main hallway. This basically leads to just about everywhere. Of course there are various twists and turns, etc. Anyway, I'm going to show you the famous rose gardens first. Then the kitchens, then probably a room for the night. The Queen will probably see you in the morning if he's willing." The cat mentally cursed. She sounded like a freaking tour guide.

[Shade]

Lucio nodded his farewell to Heilyn before turning back to Peaches. She was telling him that Bernard was recovering, and then glanced back over her shoulder. She probably did not trust him yet. But given the situation, and how he had just turned up he could not really blame her.

"Oh good. I'm glad to here is doing better. It would be a tragedy to lose such a brilliant man."

Lucio quickly followed the woman, nodding as he went along. Various twists and turns indeed. If he had hands he would be tempted to be drawing a map! It would be a miracle if he was ever able to walk through this place without getting lost.

"Ah, the Rose Gardens. Our former Queen spent many hours trying to relax there, did he not?" Oh for the love. He was acting like a common grade tourist. Ich.

"And the kitchens I'm greatly looking forward to. The bit of food I carry that keeps good for awhile all sort of taste like solid air. And the bed would be nice as well. It's been quite awhile since I have lain on one. I'd also like to thank you for your patience in putting up with me, and the hospitality you are showing. It is greatly appreciated."

[Kari Muffin]

Was he a tourist or a just a wanderer? Peaches had to wonder as she walked towards the rose garden. Maybe Xiven would be there and she could deal with him. She was a nice girl... so she could handle something like this.

That or she could just leave him in the rose garden and some random servant could take care of him. It stopped being her problem after a while. She wasn't in charge of people, but paperwork and a few other things. That and her spying hobby.

"The rose gardens are over a 100 years old, everyone in the Court of Hearts is proud of them. I can't think of a better place to be than in the rose garden." She said quietly. Then again, the whole palace smelled like Roses, there was no way to get away from it. When she left the palace she was always a little homesick because of it--as weird as it sounded.

They came to the garden in no time, roses littered the path. One of the gardeners could be seen trimming back some of the flowers. But she couldn't spy Xiven anywhere. Where was that girl--actually doing work?