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Post by The Jenn on Oct 8, 2007 11:51:25 GMT -5
 -- made by FlyingPanther --Bright morning sunlight shone through the windows of Serafino's sitting room, causing the gems of the rings he fiddled with to glitter and sparkle brightly. Only one ring graced his own pale hand, the small hearts set at intervals along the gold band also winking in the light. He admired them, first one and then another, his fingers restless. Today he and his uncle would welcome a chosen few into their private confidence and finally see a matter resolved that had been too long ignored. The set had been beautiful when delivered to him, a masterpiece in craftsmanship and painstaking detail. Now, however, the stones almost seemed to glow of their own accord and something burned within their shining depths, a hint of power and enchantment. Hopefully the individuals called forward to bear their power would be up to the task. At their level of power, they could rightly be called magical artifacts rather than simple enchanted items. It had taken Bernard months to concoct and perfect the magics hidden beneath their shining surfaces. The spell was a complex network of smaller enchantments, all woven together in a pattern so intricate it made his head hurt to think about it. No less would do, not for this hunt. He wanted nothing left up to chance. Its participants would receive all of the help that he and his uncle could provide. Were they not so burdened with responsibilities, they would have undertaken it themselves long ago. His treacherous father and sister would finally be made to pay for their crimes.
The Great Hall of the palace was normally only used during formal sessions of court, banquets, galas, and Very Special Occasions. Today fell under the latter. Servants had cleared away all unnecessary items, leaving only the permanent fixtures and thrones at the far end. White marble showed gold veining even more clearly in this room and sunlight shone in through high windows to set the place ablaze with light. A light breeze blew in through a lower open window, carrying with it the scent of the rose gardens outside. Serafino paced the hall, their guests not due to arrive for roughly half an hour. When they did, he would stand calmly and cooly to the side. Now, in the company of no one save Bernard, he didn't have to worry about it. Sometimes he could delude himself into thinking that walks helped his headaches. The older Highlander looked exhausted, dark bruises under his eyes and a haggared air about him. Where his nephew was all energy, he looked ready to collapse for several days' uninterrupted sleep. Enchanting the rings had been a nightmare of late nights and skipped meals. He simply couldn't stand to eat when he knew where a spell needed to go without knowing how to get there. Research without goals or expectations was so much more his forte. Only Fino's insistence, and sometimes his frustrated supervision, had kept the King from succumbing to hunger. Brat. He would have to thank him later. "I can't believe we're finally... almost there," Fino said tightly, voice filled with mixed emotions. Eagerness, excitement, hatred, bloodlust, and above all an overwhelming desire for vengeance warred in his tone. The King smiled, the expression sharp for all that it was laced with exhaustion. "We almost waited too long, but I don't suppose it could be helped," he agreed. "At least now they're lulled into a false sense of security, for all that they're still hiding.""My bastard father might be, but Talyn most certainly isn't. If anything, she's only been more well-hidden. She'll be the real trouble when it comes time." And that time was so very, very close now. The door to the hall opened and a servant peeked in, staying respectfully - and cautiously - behind the door except for the upper half of his torso. The canine knew the monarch was in a state of high anticipation, and sometimes that could translate to a bit much 'enthusiasm' if he was disturbed unduly. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the first of the requested guests has arrived a bit early. Should I show them in now or tell them to await your pleasure?"Fino looked over at the man and considered. "Keep them waiting in the lobby until all four have arrived, and then escort them here." The man bowed and ducked away, off to do the Queen's bidding. |
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Post by Jaguara Katial on Oct 10, 2007 19:28:39 GMT -5
She sighed to herself as she waited in the lobby. The attendant said to wait here and she was content to do so. Every thing looked as beautiful as it had the day she had been banished from the palace by Serafino. She was actually quite amazed that she had been one of the chosen few to help the queen after all that had happened. She wondered if he knew she would be here. She did not think that he did since it had been a slight pain to get past the guards. If she had not had the summons papers from the king she knew that she would not have made it this far.
She sat down in one of the plush chairs as she continued to wait. It seemed that she was the first to arrive. She resisted the urge to preen herself, she had taken great care to bathe and clean her self before she came. She hoped that due to her living conditions she did not look to haggard for the highness’ taste. She had done her best in that category. She also hoped that Serafino would not turn her away because of her past indiscretion. She had not meant to do any harm and maybe by now he had come to realize that.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 10, 2007 19:32:45 GMT -5
Theofilus had been sent the message of approval. He wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not, considering that he knew nothing of what he would be asked to do. It was the King of Hearts who had sent the messenger, not like Theofilus was familiar with any of the court of hearts extensively. He let out a sigh before he entered the Court of Hearts, being directed to the proper place. He still felt lost in such a white and gold palace, but he imagined that he wouldn't be there for long. If this was a quest he would be sent to do a task. The lack of knowledge was killing him, his curiosity was begging for an answer. It seemed like a life time before he came to the proper room, the canine servant was waiting there looking rather busy dusting and fidgeting with things. He hastily explained that they had to wait for the other guests to arrive, but at least one person had showed up earlier than him. "Ah, Thank you," Theofilus said as he pushed his glasses further onto his face. "Waiting it is." He eyed the girl also waiting. Huh. This would be interesting. |
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Post by Vyn on Oct 11, 2007 11:47:53 GMT -5
(*Note* I have sent in her rank increase request to Nat and Jenn has given me permission to begin RPing her as thus.<3)With a bold new 10 emblazoned upon her breast, Ophelia casually made her way to the palace and into the lobby beyond. On the outside she was cool and rather collected, but inwardly she was more anxious than she'd been in a long time. The courts! She disdained them so from her childhood growing up in the Court of Spades, beneath her haughty father's dictation. She had never intended to return back to the Courts, especially not as a 10 and not by her father's encouragement. The bipedal deer serpent mix stepped lightly into the lobby she'd been directed to, eyeing the others that had arrived before her. There were only three (a club and a diamond) and apparently the final member to this unusual summoning was even later than she...and a Heart at that. A smirk touched her maw and she nodded in turn to the Avians before slumping down into a chair. There was nothing left to do now but wait and wonder. What on earth did His Majesty, the great Queen of Hearts, Serafino need with four magically adept strangers? Leaning back into the seat she'd chosen to wait in, Ophelia teased the straps of her traveling bag carelessly as she surrendered to waiting. Time was the only thing that would really answer her questions.
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Post by Spiderfly on Oct 11, 2007 11:58:42 GMT -5
His lithe twisted, but now grown in form rippled as he stalked forwards towards the palace. The gruesome jabberwocky spine twisting his own kept his head at an odd angle that he had now grown used to. He blinked blankly at the guards who hurriedly showed him to the waiting room. Quickly scanning the room he noticed Ophelia, now a 10, and he inclined his head at her in slight regard before taking up a spot in a far corner. So. . . they were all here. These. . .these were the 4 best of the land? His eyes mockingly laughed, dark and cynical as he shifted into his bipedal form. It was not a pretty transformation, though, nothing about him was truly pretty anymore. A small price to pay for the magic he received. Ophelia, perhaps he could understand, but the other two. . . Birds. . and one a club. His lip sneered at Maji slightly before taking in the jack crest upon the brighter avians chest. Perhaps the mild-looking male had a few tricks up his sleeve. He curled is hands together overtop of his abdomen and dropped his head. Pravus' half-hooded eyes appearing as if asleep, though they didn't miss a single movement in the room. |
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Post by The Jenn on Oct 11, 2007 12:44:50 GMT -5
Seeing that all four of them had finally arrived, the canine attendant abandoned his fidgeting with a relieved sigh and bade them all to follow him. The walk to the Great Hall from the lobby took less than a minute, the room placed in such a way that visitors would not get lost upon arrival. No one wanted tetchy guests during a ball or a feast. He stopped them in front of the doors and knocked respectfully before slipping in, announcing their arrival. The list of names in his hand, he read them aloud by suit and motioned for each to enter only after he'd announced them all.
"Pravus, Ten of Hearts." Fino's eyes narrowed in pleasure to hear that name. The feline would prove an excellent hunter and his mind assigned him a quest automatically. And a suit. It would amuse him to watch the young man's reaction to that announcement. Bernard was slightly less entertained by the prospect after hearing unsavory stories, but his qualifications for what they needed were hard to ignore.
"His Excellence Theofilus, Jack of Diamonds." The Lakeland sparrow? Interesting... he wouldn't have imagined him a likely candidate, but perhaps he would be ideal for tempering the zeal of another. Pairing anyone less stable with such a chaotic personality would be sheer folly. With that pairing in his mind, the appropriate suit followed. It was simply the only one that would compliment.
"Ophelia, Ten of Spades." He had come across that name before, but where? An eyebrow raised when he remembered Bernard telling him of Severus's Jack quest. Hadn't Ophelia been the name of his mother, used to lure emotion out of the reticent youth? He rather thought so. A curious glance at to his uncle, met with the slightest nod, confirmed it. Well. Interesting. He'd wanted to meet the parent whose experiments had resulted in such an unusual son.
"And... Majida, Ten of Clubs." That name he certainly recognized, after instructing his guards to ban its bearer from his palace a while back. Crimson eyes narrowed and he turned his head to glare at Bernard, who gave him a tired Look and mouthed the words 'best qualified'. His lips drew back in a sneer but he looked away, not arguing. Time would tell if the foolish girl had gained any sense, or if she was still nothing more than a flighty little goose.
Bowing to the royals, the servant withdrew and motioned each of the guests to walk inside.
((After this point in the pre-quest bit, there will be no posting order whatesoever until the quests themselves begin. Respond when you can and don't be surprised if I hustle through explanations after only one or two replies. I want to get assignments out of the way so the juicy plot-driven stuff can begin. Hopefully you'll forgive me. ^_^ After being assigned a ring and a partner, I will wait for a reply from each of you once again, asking for any questions in-character, before sending you off on your respective journies.))
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Post by Jaguara Katial on Oct 11, 2007 13:02:44 GMT -5
She nodded to the selkie when he asked her his question. He had arrived not long after she did and slowly they all had trickled in. She did not recognize the doe, but the feline that had stalked up last was one of the basket mates from when she was younger. Seems he had been dealt a hard life as well as she looked him over from the corner of her eye.
When the servant ushered all four of them to the next room and told them to wait she did so as she listened for any reactions from Serafino to each candidate’s names. Her heart skipped a little when her name was called. She waited the queen to send for the guards saying that her being here was a mistake. He had not forgotten her and he had not forgiven her past acts. Yet in anticipation for those words to pass Serafino’s lips, she was slightly surprised that they did not come. She noticed the other man who must have been the king mouthed the words “best qualified” and resisted the urge to sigh. She would just have to show him that she was useful and that she was not just a nuisance, that she had her worth as well as she entered the room behind everyone else and bowed to the royals.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 11, 2007 13:07:32 GMT -5
The group was assembled, their names were announced. Theofilus took note that everyone except for him was a Ten. High ranking and magically inclined, they still seemed like a strange group. This was one of the few times where Theofilus found himself at a complete loss of words.
Better yet he had no knowledge of who these people were. He heard of Ophelia because of her reputation in Corvistowne, but that was about it. The girl, Majida apparently, seemed far less threatening than the other two. Pravus... that man seemed extremely dangerous. With any luck Theofilus wouldn't have to deal with him for this quest. But when did he have such luck?
When the servant withdrew, he glanced at the others before allowing the heart to present himself first. He doubted the Queen of Hearts would want it any other way. He gave a gracious gesture of a half bow to the feline and the ladies. One step closer to finding out the mission.
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Post by Vyn on Oct 11, 2007 13:24:36 GMT -5
Pravus's entrance in the room nearly stopped Ophelia's heart. The last she'd seen of him, he'd been horribly scarred but this was something more -- more than just the attached Jabberwocky spine. No, this was a complete twisting of character as well. Her breath returned to her as he sat down in the furthest corner, keeping away from everyone...even her. They'd been so close before, could such a short amount of time change so much? It was sad, really, but she could not focus on that.
They were all here, and now the attendant was leading them in to stand before the Queen. Ophelia rose and entered as her name was called, standing with the others and bowing her head in respect to the royalty before her. Childhood in the Courts had taught her enough that she would know how to treat those above her, but it was also to be known that Ophelia lowered herself for no one. As much as she denied it, she had inherited her father's blazing pride albeit without his elitism.
A vast majority of her children with Silvanus desired position in this court, standing firm in their desires to reach the tops of court lives. Ophelia disliked it greatly, but she would not deny her children their paths in life. If the court was what they desired, then they were free to tangle themselves in the politics she would not. Of course, now was not the time to be thinking of friends and family. She was on a quest, a job so to speak, and she would behave professionally as she awaited their debriefing.
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Post by Spiderfly on Oct 11, 2007 14:17:17 GMT -5
Pravus' new twisted bipedal form whispered through the doorway after his name was announced. He stalked quietly forwards taking up the spot he was motioned to. Dark eyes lifted to look into the Queen's own and a he performed a low but quick bow, before the next entrant was announced.
His distant eyes coldly watched each of the others enter and when Majida entered he sneered again. Pravus' attention switched back up to Fino and the dark laughter was back in his eyes as he realized that Fino and himself were mirrors of each other. Highlanders, hearts, and sneering at the club avian. And odd expression crossed his face as he truly contemplated the others being here. Whatever tasks the Queen had to set before them, Pravus knew he was capable of them all.
Why must he include others? But no matter, he would prove himself, and do anything the Queen wanted with no questions. He settled into a crooked stance, arms heavy and eyes dark.
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