Returning with the [p]rize [closed]

[petzisme]

Ok, this is for Spidey-love again lol. Hope she likes it.

The sun was just new in the sky when a purple being rose from a peaceful slumber and made her way towards the residental part of down. The days had been growing shorter and the bite in the breeze growing more prevalent as time passed by, bidding away the dreadful heat of summer and calling forth the cool, dry winds of fall. Soon the weather would tease leaves from their temporary homes, forcing them into a glorious array of color. For one week's time, all the wolrd would seem to be swallowed in a living rainbow. Vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, greens, purples and browns could be found at every corner and on nearly every form of vegatation. But after the delightful time of change, each stationary organism would loose their summer gowns, turning the decedence to a dull, dusty brown and releasing it from their clutches. One by one, the leaves would cover the ground until all untied in a near continuous plane of debris, where the promise of snow soon followed.

Presently, only the chill could be found in the morning and evening air, but the days were definitely cooler. Morning dew hung on the tips off all the ground foilage and licked at the heels of many a passerby, dampening scales and fur alike. While most were asleep at this early hour, the soft hum of music still covered the town in a warm and familiar veil. Much like the song birds in early spring, Villa residents were especially joyful when it came to their music. Aroha, the lithe fox labeled with "Master" and "Lover" across her entire form, took comfort in this. It was always good to be home.

A couple weeks had past since the female had last seen her stuttering customer. The Queen of Hearts had sent her to the fox, himself, and while that didn't mean much to Aroha, she knew that met that this Spade must have some very real talent. Serafino just didn't give any visitor the time of day, nonetheless send them off to find his Artisian to craft them a personalized instrument. After finishing the lute she had started when Lleurela came across her, she had spent the better part of the past two weeks acquiring the appropriate materials and creating the perfect pennywhistle for the squirrel

Now it was time to present her masterpiece, which was why the Club rose early for breakfast and was now searching through a number of small vertical homes that jutted out of the cliff face as if each one was part of the rock, itself. Seeming to find the one she was looking for, she sank back onto her haunches and tugged the bell with her jaws. A lovely, green leather bag was slung over one shoulder on this occasion to carry her package, the color matching her elegant jewelry. She could have came in a more agreeable form for such travel, but somehow she felt this was more fitting. Now, all there was left to do was wait.

[Spiderfly]

Rustling was heard inside the building and a somewhat high masculine voice was heard. "Lleurela! Door please I'm not done washing the dishes!"

"Okay Dad!" Scurrying and then the door swung open. Standing there was Lleurela in all her small and purple glory. "Aroha! P.. pleasure to see you ag.. again. Come in!"

The small chipmunk stood to the side and waved the canine in, smiling warmly. She led her down a hallway and into an open sort of room with a low table and pillows piled around it. Everything was done in warm comforting shades and Lleurela motioned to let Aroha know she could sit wherever she pleased.

"Did.. you care for an. any tea? My Dad has a wonderful selection." And at that the elder male wandered out to the main dining room.

"Ah Excellent! Lleurela here has told me all about your wonderful work. Sit sit! I'll get us something to snack on and you just make yourself comfortable. Our house is your house and all that!" He scurried off into the kitchen again and Lleurela was left to sweatdrop a little at her father's enthusiasm.

[petzisme]

Long ears pricked up as voices echoed from within the lovely rockside home shortly after she tugged the doorbell's cord. The first was a gruff, distinctly masculine sound that Aroha didn't recognize, while the second was a much more familiar one. From behind the heavy wooden frame, she could not distinguish the words spoken on the other side, but she gathered it was someone telling her customer to answer the door. Afterall, no sooner had a female voice answered then the door was swung open to offer her entry, short violet chipmunk taking its place.

Aroha smiled softly and nodded in response to the warm greating, her own voice adding to the mix in a light, whispy tone. Greetings, Lleur. I do believe the pleasure is all mine. If the anyone cared to notice, the fox's belly had swelled slightly since the last time the pair conversed, leaving her refined figure behind in exchange for a more average shape. Perhaps it was because she wasn't climbing the mountain much lately and thus, wasn't exercising as much as usual, or maybe it was due to simply eating more. Stress perhaps? Arbitrarily bloated? However, al the excuses she could muster didn't seem to hide what Aroha sensed deep down. She just wasn't ready to face that yet.

Following the chipmunk's lead, she slipped past the entrance gracefully and meandered down the hall to the seating area. To make life simple, the female sat on the closest pillow to her, though still allowing her to reach the table if need be. When questioned about tea, she smiled and nodded gently. That would be lovely. Do you have any white raspberry tea, perhaps? The fox questioned in a mildly tired tone. Then she giggled a little and lifted up one of her paws from behind her fluffy tail. ...If so, in a saucer, if you don't mind?. Of course, she could always adjust to make her appendages more "mug friendly," but she didn't want to appear rude.

Then another Villa resident entered the comfortable room, to which the canine nodded in greeting and respect, ears flipped back. She assumed this man was Lleur's dad and owner of the house, considering the instructions and the unspoken relationship between them. At his warm welcome, she grinned modestly, polite laughter dancing in those deep blue eyes. Thank you, Sirrr, for welcoming me into your home.

[Spiderfly]

Lleurela nodded at the canines request. "I. . believe we have something similar if not exactly what you want."

She scurried off after her father into the kitchen. "She seems quite nice Lleur."

"She i .. is Dad." ^_^ Lleur smiled as she rooted through the cupboards. Ah there it was! The box of white bumbleberry tea. Raspberry, currant and blueberry all in one. She hoped it would suit their guest :/

Her father had anticipated and already had a kettle with water heating up and Lleurela dropped in a bag of the tea before carrying it back out to the main room alone with a saucer. She carefully poured a bit and set it before the canine.

"S.. sorry it's not raspberry, but it has raspberry in it! It's really q.. quite nice."[/b] She smiled warmly before pouring herself a small mug and sitting down a little ways from the canine around the table.

Lleur's dad soon returned with a plate of nuts, cheese, and various veggies "Not your usual fair I assume! Hah. But hopefully you'll find something besides the tea worth eating ^_^ So! I'm guessing by that gorgeous little pouch around your shoulders there that you have a surprise for my daughter?" ^_^ He simled warmly back at the friendly canine. He was curious to see the artisans work after all that Lleur had told him about her.

[petzisme]

Shortly after the older gentlemen vanished into the kitchen to retreive some snacks, vanished behind him. She lingered only long enough to catch Aroha's polite request for white raspberry tea, but then scurried off as well in order fetch the drink for her. The Eight wasn't really use to being pampered like this. Sure, she had a few other Cards answer her requests before, and was treated kindly on a personal level, but very few actually did common services without the intent of getting something in return.

Perhaps the prize she held in her pouch could be considered an even exchange, but Aroha would already be receiving payment for it, with or without Lleur's generosity. Aside from that, to think that a Ten of Spades would make tea for an Eight of Clubs and pour it as per her specifications was unusual, but nice. Perhaps that was why the fox took a liking to this Villa lass. She was indifferent to social class and always had a soft, sweet demeanor about her, however nervous. Sometimes, Aroha wondered how Lleur could be so meek and survive at her rank... but maybe she was just born there. Of course, the Club had yet to meet the chipmunk's Queen, anyway. Maybe then she'd just assume all members of that Court were a little... off.

While the pair were getting things ready, the canine was left to examine the room in mild curiosity, her blue eyes searching through the warm light and noticing their mustelids' own tastes. On the whole, the house was very predictable for their region. One could clearly see the whole city's love of music and the arts ingraved in every person's home, as well as the professions the pursued and the festivals that they held. She grinned softly to herself, knowing that her lastest achievement would be in good paws. Even if she was a little biased towards home, Aroha knew that no Villa resident would ever mistreat their instruments. It just wasn't done.

As promised, the pair shuffled back in with tea and hors d'oeuvres for them to snack on. She smiled sweetly towards the female with "Me llamo" and "Name" scribbled on her sides, shaking her head when she was concerned about the flavor of tea. Don't worry, m'dear. I'm sure it taste wonderful. Thank you. Once poured, she blew off the steam for a few seconds and then lapped at the contents of her saucer politely. While a little more fruity and berry-like then she had in mind, it was still quite lovely, so she smiled approvingly to answer Lleur's silent question... figuring the chipmunk would be fretting over it mildly.

The cheese and things were left be for the time being, considering it would be a rough fair for her to consume any of those without making a mess in her current thumbless body. However, she nodded at Lleurela's father just the same, allowing a wide and proud grin to stretch across her muzzle when the velveteen pouch was mentioned. Aie, Sir. That it would be. A devious gilt caught in her eyes, but she fought it back as the shoulder pouch slowly slide off her shoulders. Unfortunately or not, she could not do such an action without her entire figure rolling with it and thus, extenuating her curves and natural beauty, even in feral form.

[Spiderfly]

Lleurela tried not to watch, but she was so very worried that the canine wouldn't particularly like it. As her long slender tongue lapped gently at the bowl she relaxed a little. And as if she Aroha had read Lleurela's mind she smiled approvingly at her. She visibly relaxed a little and began to sip at her own, allowing the fruity aroma and warmth to take the last of the tenseness from her muscles.

She however realized their rudeness of how the snacks were served. "Aroha, is there anything off the plate you'd like us to get for you? I know we placed the plate too far away." She thought it perhaps rude to mention the lack of useable hands so instead came up with a different reason for the help. She wasn't good at. . social petting and so her smile after the sentence was a little awkward, though only full of intent to help.

Lleur's father sighed appreciatively and leaned over the table, resting on his elbows. He couldn't wait to see the piece, though a slight heat flushed up his cheeks as the female did what she had to to remove the pouch. He'd always had a bit of a thing for pretty canines >.> and he tried to hide it as well as he could.

"Did you want us to get it out of the pouch for you? I really can't wait to see what you made my word. I'm just so excited!" He beamed at Aroha like a veritable lighthouse.

(LOL I'm really starting to like Lleur's dad XD)

[petzisme]

"Master" and "Lover" flex all along a grape colored body as the female wiggled out of the shoulder back, tail twisting back and forth like a fluffy snake tempting its prey at her rear. Her jaws opened to reveal pearly whites as they searched for the pack and closed around the thin, hunter green strap, so it and its precious contents did not meet a crashing end once the bag fell completely off of her form. Once she was clear of it, she slowly lowered the small little pouch to the cushion beneath her and smiled sweetly, her brilliant blue eyes peering upwards and dancing around the room. From the lovely little room to the shy female and then to her ear father, they travelled all available space, then focused on the two other Cards equally as she spoke once more.

No thank you. Food nor assistance shall not be required at this moment. Her voice was crisp and harmonic in the padded area, clearly polite but also exuding her self-confidence. One could even go as far as to say she was indirectly asserting her position. Some craftsmen might have been clearly offended when Lleurela's dad suggested that he rip the maker's work out of his own paws for him. While it was presumably offered in kindness and excitement, some would take that as a threat and an invasion into private territory. Artisans were always known to be extremely proud of their work and half the thrill it comes from presenting their accomplishments. By suggesting to speed up the process, he may be (in essence) stealing an artist's thunder. It was unbecoming of the chipmunk.

Still, fortunate for him Aroha was not this way. Her 'brows raised slightly at the notion, but she brushed it off as a common error and gave him the benefit of the doubt. These were good, kind people. They would not intentionally rob her of what was rightfully hers. A smile spread infectiously over her violet cheeks and her eyes twinkled for a moment as she watched them, before she ducked her head and nosed into her carrier carefully. It took a few seconds worth of rummaging until the fox got a good grip, and gingerly withdrew the dazzling piece. It was everything she discussed with Lleur and more.

A pennywhistle with a slight horn in a royal blue color that swirled naturally with the rich green of malachite along the entire fourteen inch length. The mouthpiece was predominantly azurite to offset and compliment the lovely, semi-transparent stone embedded into the top just past the slitted openning where the sound first develops in the instrument. A thin line of silver wire bordered the nearly perfect oval shape onto the body and held it snuggly in place. Further down, the blue twisted around and became green where the finger holes started and the colors alternated at random intervals until the end. Every hole and the rim of the horn was bordered in a delicate line of silver. There was a slight groove on the underside to allow for a comfortable hold, though shallow enough that it did not distrupt the curve of the tube inside and thus, the melodic, solid sound of the airflow. She designed it to be petite with finger holes about the size of her big claws, allowing for her customer's miniature hands to grasp it comfortably, but still left room for a bipedal or more developed hand to cradle the instrument with relative ease.

[Spiderfly]

He nodded understanding completely the lack of need for help. His wife had always been the same way, quite proud of her animal form and how many things she could do without hands. He continued to smile and watch with great enthusiasm as she slowly, almost painfully, revealed the instrument.

Lleurela's breathe caught in her throat and she had to cough to clear it, it was the most amazing instrument she had ever seen. The colours blended so harmoniously and yet stayed separate. The richness and make were apparent in every exquisite detail.

She had to remember to breathe and she could not tear her eyes away. "O. . Oh. . ." Is all she could manage. Lleurela seemed frozen, not wanting to reach for it, instead so waited for the canine to hand it over as she felt fit. Her father however was a bit less reserved.

"Oh now then! That is a proper instrument my dear girl. THAT is truly a piece of art and I bet it sounds as beautiful as it's maker looks!. . . .OH DEAR ME, I meant as /it/ looks. Yes quite quite. . . As it looks, dear me."

"I. . I've never seen a.. anything as beautiful in my entire li. . .life."

[petzisme]

That proud, crafty smile only artist who has met accomplishment in their art can possess doubled into a beaming grin the instant Aroha saw the two chipmunks' faces. Their looks were priceless and it gave her boundless joy. Very few things in this world were better for her then feeling the triumph and success of her mastery wash over her when she looked into the faces of her awe-struck customers. It was moments like these that made it all worth it. All the hard work, time, effort and sometimes frustration... none of it really mattered when she got to the finished product.

Every single piece she ever made was unique and personalized. They were designed for the requester to a T and no one else. While some artisans could make general pieces that were applicable to a wide range of users, Aroha was not that way. She fashioned each one according to individual tastes. Generalized instruments never played as well as specialty made ones. She wanted her customers to feel the music and the tool she crafted for them was a link to their full potential. Of course, her talents allowed almost anyone to handle and play her instruments, but only one would ever truly "feel" them. It was a bond between instrument and player, almost akin to the bond between mother and child in the vixen's mind. Of course, she WAS raised in Villa en Miir, after all.

Her blue eyes danced over the pair, feeding off of their energy as she nodded slowly and offered the slender piece to its new partner. If and when Lleur took it, she would find the whistle to be incredibly light, even though it was made out of stone... almost featherlike, but with just enough weight to keep it balanced and steady. Aroha waited a few moments to allow the pair to "get to know each other" before speaking her usual, sensual way. I know we agreed upon turquoise and malachite, but once I started gathering materials, azurite just called for me. It has a richer, deeper blue then the pale turquoise and shares a natural, intimate bond with malachite. I find the distinctive pattern between blue and green astonishing, so I barely editted the color distribution at all. Aside from that, everything should agree to our terms. How does it suit you?

The father's compliments and wandering eye were not lost on her either. She turned to him and flashed him an alluring smile with a little tilt of her narrow, foxy head. His slip up was amusing to her, particularly with his stuttering attempt to cover it up and the blush she figured would go along with it, even if it never appeared on his cheeks. How darling. It appeared while the daughter was blind to her tempting beauty, this male was easily ensnared. Her eyes danced in devious laughter as she swiveled around and seated herself elegantly back upon the pillow, tail swaying behind her in a teasing, suggestive way. Why thank you, Sir. You are far too kind. Does it's graceful beauty and mellow sound appeal to you as well?

[Spiderfly]

Lleurela gently took the instrument from Aroha with a certain amount of reverance. She squeaked when she realized how truly light it was, expecting something far heavier. It seemed to be molded exactly for her hands and when she put her fingers over the holes the spacing was perfect. She simply stared at the whistle as her father talked to the canine.


Lleur's father blinked sheepishly but he refused to look away from Aroha as if that would somehow make his mistake worse. "It's beauty is unchallenged." He said with a bit of a strangled voice. He did truly mean the instrument, and while it was so very tempting to flirt. . he remembered his wife and it sobered him a little.

He would always appreciate the beauty of other women but all would ultimately pale to the one that had been his true love.

"As for sound! Lleurela my dear stop gawking at it like a fish on land and play it!" He clapped her on the back and it seemed to bring her out of her daze.

She did a slight bow before placing the mouthpiece to her lips. . Perfect. . So very perfect. And then the first note. It was the single most beautiful note Lleurela had ever heard, it sang in her ears and made her happy. She moved to the next note, and the next until she had played a whole song without realizing.

"So. . wonderful." She whispered quietly.