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Post by seraaches on Nov 5, 2007 10:28:05 GMT -5
 Golden and yellow hooves clicked slowly across the white stone, each step firm and confident though unease and hesitancy lanced through his mind with each hoof beat. He had made this appointment just over a month ago; evidently that was a short amount of time to wait and officious weasel he had scheduled the meeting with had wanted to make him wait three months. Fortunately, the weasel was also a Heart and Shinrai only needed to walk the Six into a wall four times before the Card had saw sense and gave Rai the earliest opening he possibly could. And now the horse was wondering if he should have taken the three months appointment rather than the month one. The stallion’s ears swiveled swiftly around as he looked for assistance on where exactly to go next. He was supposed to meet with Queen Serafino today; a feeling out meeting for both of them. His nostrils flared as he caught the heavy scent of roses dancing across the lawns and through the Palace. It was beautiful here; red and gold intertwined with the pure white, though all the stallion could think of was a parody of blood. Rumours of the Queen weren’t kind and Rai was uneasy even though he was counting on that very trait to win over the Queen’s support of his plan; or, at least, non-interference when the Jack became his own Queen. Striding through the impressive grand doors, the Josiggy Marsh dweller kept his head up and held high as he searched for some clue as to the proper procedure here. To the unpracticed eye, he seemed completely confident and secure; but deep within he still fought his own uneasiness. |
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 5, 2007 14:36:43 GMT -5
The guards didn't so much as twitch when the Jack of Hearts passed through the gates and moved towards the palace, his rank more than statement enough of his right to be there. The interior of the palace was busy, but not as hectic as it was during some occasions, with people moving about and several attendants helping them be where they needed to be. It was a busy place, and lavishly decorated.
One of them approached Rai and nodded his head politely. "Greetings, m'lord," the Nine of Hearts greeted. "Can I be of any assistance to you today?" He was tall, willowy for a canine like an Afghan or some such, with long green and cream fur. Tiny horns protruded from his head. Very obviously an Avington.
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Post by seraaches on Nov 5, 2007 16:13:14 GMT -5
The stallion startled inside, but he had long since trained himself to not give away such reactions. His hindquarters bunched slightly, but he simply turned his head to eye the canine with studied disinterest. The Nine was properly respectful and this nearly came as a shock to the horse who seemed surrounded by a multitude of Cards with little to no regard for rank and suit. It was… refreshing. Wonderfully so. Maybe he –should- start avoid the dives in the Capital. They seemed to naturally collect the dregs of society; why should lowly Cards be concerned with their status in the world?
”I have an appointment to meet with Queen Serafino,” Rai answered, his voice smooth and confident, betraying none of his inner thoughts. For once. ”If you could direct me it would be greatly appreciated.” As he had once read, always be nice first. You can always be mean later, but if you’re mean from the start you can never go back to be nice again.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 7, 2007 9:25:32 GMT -5
The canine bowed his head again, a bit lower. "Allow me a moment to check the schedule and confirm, m'lord, and I will be more than happy to escort you to His Majesty." He turned and walked over to a woman behind a desk, speaking with her in low tones and waiting as she flipped through a book before nodding and returning. "You would be Shinrai, m'lord? If that's the case, then the Queen is expecting you in one of the sitting rooms, if you'll please follow me." A proper bow, and they were off, down the maze of corridors through the palace.  Serafino sat by a small table in a sumptuously decorated room, sipping tea and watching one of his fiery snakes twist through the air playfully. The orange-blue one, who he decided would be called Corliss, had been summoned earlier that morning to drape about his neck during meetings. It always did wonders to make the lower Cards twitch something fierce, and only seemed to add to his reputation. Such fun. One appointment had just left, and another was scheduled to start. When he heard a knock on his door, he raised a hand for the fire demon to coil around his arm and up to his neck, then spoke. "Enter."On the other side of the door, the canine turned the nob and stepped half-in. "Shinrai, Jack of Hearts, to meet with Your Majesty." Bowing very low, he stepped back and made way for the equine, then closed the door. |
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Post by seraaches on Nov 7, 2007 9:55:55 GMT -5
The stallion was surprised to be taken directly the Queen; he had purposefully come early. Well, he –thought- he was early; had it taken longer to gain entrance into the Palace than he expected? He fought down his trepidation as he followed the Nine through so many twists and turns, he could only pray that he would be able to find his way back out again. The canine led the way through a large, imposing door and Shinrai threw up his head with one final steadying breath before entering himself.
His eyes focused instantly on the Queen and the horse’s nostrils flared as the imposing features of the Queen vied with the fire demon for Shinrai’s immediate attention. No use looking like a country bumpkin, though he was curious about the flowing, fiery snake. Rai’s ears flicked backwards as he heard the door close behind him, but he took another step forward before dropping gracefully down into his own deep bow; one that nearly bumped his nose to the very nice rug on the floor. The bow had better look good, at least; he’d been practicing it for the better part of a month in front of a mirror in his suite. He also hoped that the Queen wouldn’t want him to hold it for long; inevitably he’d start to cramp up and probably fall over. That was not the sort of impression he wanted to make on this imposing man whom Rai was eyeing to do his “apprenticeship” with, for lack of a better term. He wouldn’t speak until the Queen did; he knew the rumours too well to be forward. He didn’t have the power to get away with such a thing.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 7, 2007 12:39:45 GMT -5
For a hoofed mammal, the bow was sufficient... though that couldn't be comfortable on his knees, even if the floor was cushioned and padded a large rug. Fino noted the brief stare, though whether for him, his companion, or both, he couldn't tell. It didn't really matter. That silent acknowledgment of the situation was enough to please him inwardly.
He waved the still-raised hand dismissively. "Very good. You may stand. So tell me... Shinrai? What is the purpose of this appointment. I don't recognize you from previous Court appearances and am left to assume that this may be your first. Is that correct, or have I simply failed to notice you?"
Officious monarch was always such an entertaining role, especially when he wasn't trying to be insulting. Just very blunt and important, and 'busy' while he sipped his tea and awaited a response. The equine had requested the meeting, so it would be left to him to make whatever proposition or pose whatever question he needed to. The Queen wasn't going to help or hinder him in either case.
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Post by seraaches on Nov 7, 2007 13:17:22 GMT -5
Shinrai was pleased to be able to rise, though it wasn’t quite as smooth a motion. It wasn’t a lack of practice by any means; it was simply harder to get his forequarters up rather than down. The orange-blue creature twisting about the air between them distracted the stallion again and he was silent for a moment longer than he meant to before jerking his gaze back to the Queen. His ears twisted backwards in unease and some embarrassment before his head came up again betraying his own innate confidence.
”You are, indeed, correct, Your Majesty,” the stallion stated in a quiet, firm voice that accentuated his inner authority. More practice come into play, though this particular talent was developed over the years as a tour guide and now came nearly as second nature to the stallion. At least, when he wasn’t being thrown completely off his game by annoying, persistent, evil females.
”This is my first appearance in your illustrious Court; but I sincerely hope it will not be my last.” The stallion wasn’t making steady eye contact with the Queen. His grey-green gaze would meet Serafino’s briefly before dropping again appropriately as a subordinate. He had hoped for some clue as to how his words were affecting the Queen of Hearts but, unsurprisingly, there was nothing to see in that cool, impassable face. ”I’m hoping for more information on joining the Courts.” Subtext: your Court. Queen Serafino had the power that the stallion desired and as Rai was slowly working to make his own bid, he wanted powerful allies.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 7, 2007 14:14:22 GMT -5
Corliss writhed in the air for another moment but eventually settled by coiling around Fino's neck, burning merrily bright. He sent feelings of 'happy' the man's way, content with the day and being able to spend time with his person. He loved being able to dance in the open air, which only served to fuel his flames.
Fino smiled at the sensation, so very fond of the creatures already. That expression could easily be misinterpreted, but he didn't care. Let the man think what he would. He'd never guess, and if he dared to presume, well... too bad. The Jack handled himself well enough not to earn immediate disapproval.
He met those eyes in a challenging glance every time they happened to make contact, pleased when they fell away. He wouldn't have a Jack be uppity with him, especially not when requesting a Court position! Thoughts of his latest King made him frown slightly in annoyance. So far, he was the only one that tactic had worked for. If anyone else got ideas, they would be sorely mistaken. "Seeing as you're a Heart, that would be the only Court worth joining. Not that it wouldn't be in any case. It's actually rather simple to join, provided that you meet several basic qualifications and understand your place in things, as well as the responsibilities that will be put upon you within the palace. What questions do you have specifically?"
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Post by seraaches on Nov 8, 2007 6:13:32 GMT -5
The stallion wasn’t becoming any easier the longer he was alone with the Queen; expressions flit across the handsome, if unusual through lack of familiarity, face. First, a smile, a bit cruel around the edges, and then a frown, both of which pointed to displeasure in their interview thus far. Blast. The stallion didn’t know how else to proceed but to simply continue on. His eyes gave away some hint of his discomfiture, but there were few other external signs. His weight shifted slightly, just once, before he stopped that motion as well.
The conversation stepped into its most important phases, and, unfortunately for Rai’s unease, the time he needed to be most bold. The problem was that even in his preparation for this meeting, he had never come to a fully satisfactory way of coming through this portion. Plus, Queen Serafino was a –great- deal more intimidating in real life, even with the gossip surrounding the man and his Court. Court of Hearts, so the rumour ran, because of all the hearts the Queen had removed from their original owners. Not the most confidence-inspiring image, that.
Still, the stallion would have to push onwards, despite the frisson of fear uncurling in his belly. ”My most important question is,” Shinrai stated slowly and clearly, eyes raising back to those of the Queen. ”Wot can I do to be acceptable to you, Queen Serafino?” This was the moment he might throw his introduction into the Court to the dogs, so to speak. He was holding the Queen’s gaze for now, the look borderline challenging though still with a hint of fear and subservience within it. The Queen may dislike this part of his personality, but the stallion knew Queen Serafino needed to understand that he –would- be a force to be reckoned with and that his aspirations lay beyond being a mere Jack or King for the royal. Rai would bow his head to Queen Serafino, but he would not remain a lowly power in the Court of Hearts. He would be his own Queen, just not the Queen. Even if he –had- such aspirations, they were well dismissed with this meeting. He could not outdo Queen Serafino; he already knew that, and now definitely had no desire to do so.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 12, 2007 6:40:41 GMT -5
Generally caring more for body language than for words, Fino's crimson eyes were trained on the equine as he seemed to debate his response. The flicker of his eyes was lost, but the abortive shift was not, and another smile flicked along thin lips - genuinely a 'cruel smile' this time, rather than merely a misinterpretation.
The Queen loved making people uncomfortable and watching them squirm. For all that this equine did an excellent job of hiding it, movements like that let his nerves show through as easily as a stutter or quick speech, if not more so.
That question caught him a bit by surprise, however, and he let a moment of thoughtful - tense? - silence pass before responding. "Now isn't that an astute question..." One point for him, then, to stand up against Fino's several. "I suppose I like unique individuals more than the same old boring types. You're not exactly common in terms of looks, and you seem like a nervy thing, but what do you really have to offer in a place like this? Anything at all?"
Corliss moved towards the stallion, circling him loosely. He was curious, though only Fino could feel that. He could only imagine what it would seem like to his visitor, the heat from orange and blue flames licking at his sides, not touching but worryingly warm.
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