Testing the Waters [Belated King Quest / Finished]

[seraaches]

Was that a flick of deep red eyes? Perhaps a flicker of interest? Perhaps not, but the stallion held some hope, especially with the Queen’s next statements. An uncommon stallion trying to find entrance into a completely unusual Court. Shinrai tried to keep his wildly spiking emotions from showing. The fire demon approached and Rai could only hope that the creature, as interesting and frightening as it might be, wouldn’t ruin this next part for him.

It was almost second nature to call forth his Jack’s ability; he used to practice it as much as he possibly could. The stallion stalked suddenly forward, silently circling the table to come up beside and slightly behind the Queen.

After a moment of contemplation, his voice sounded from the same spot he’d been standing in throughout their interview as he answered the question in a cool, smooth tone. ”Strategic misinformation.” He could afford to push himself now with his ability because he couldn’t repeat it very often, to his regret.

The illusion of himself sidestepped away from his Majesty, kneeling down into a graceful bow because it was controlled mentally and had none of the constraints his physical form. The horse waited a bit uneasily for the Queen’s response, though at least he was invisible and for once he could not be judged on his expression and body movements.

[The Jenn]

The fiery demon circled the equine, then suddenly stopped and coiled around inself in surprise as he separated from his image. Fino didn't know what had happened, only that something had changed. His eyes narrowed suddenly as the figure bent in a much more graceful and fluid motion than he had before, speaking. Something was different, but he didn't know what and might not have been tipped off without the demon's confusion.

"Misinformation can be extremely useful, especially in espionage and politics. What makes your particular strategy superior to another's?" He continued speaking to the illusion, knowing no better.

Corliss slowly twisted around the image, then slithered back to his person and stared at the spot where Rai's true form stood. The Queen absently reached up and stroked his fiery scales, waiting for a response.

[seraaches]

The fiery snake knew the truth of his situation and Rai had hope that perhaps the Queen hadn’t realized yet wot had occurred. The illusion was flawless, but not from practice; the mirror image of himself was naturally an exact copy of himself. ”Superior may not be the best description,” he admitted quietly. ”But it is exceedingly useful because it is unexpected.”

The stallion dropped his invisible self back into the bow and let the illusion disappear abruptly, which immediately brought his real form back into view. ”They won’t know they’re not looking at the real thing,” the stallion came back up to his four feet to regard the Queen with careful neutrality. ”Waiting for the magic trick to happen that might allow espionage and they’ll miss the truth of the situation.” One of many different uses for his particular talent, but perhaps one of the most fitting for the Courts. ”I have not found the limit of my control on the illusion, but I also don’t have many people to test it with.” Except for the few times he’d used it to duck a follower or two, Rai had little reason to not be near his illusion. Though, he had caused an almost riot once when he had missed a passing cart and a woman had seen it rumble straight “through” him. There were warnings of ghosts for a few weeks and he had kept himself quite scarce until they died down.

[The Jenn]

Fino's fingers tightened in his skirts as the stallion abruptly disappeared, wondering for a split second if he had a power of teleportation - and how did that relate to misinformation? - until he felt the presence just behind and to his side. Slowly he turned, looking at the stallion who now stood behind him.

"So rather than movement, it's some sort of deceptive duplicate," he mused aloud, doing a good job of hiding his surprise only through practice. He should have noticed Corliss's unusual behavior and paid more attention to it, but the serpent was still a relatively new addition to his mind and he had yet to properly interpret all of the gestures he and his companions made. Perhaps they would have to work out some sort of system, to prevent a similar situation from occurring. And if they could sense the presence of an invisible person... that made them even more valuable to him.

"That is unusual and unexpected, I agree. Potentially very useful. We may have to test its limits at some point, see where your control ends and how much energy and attention you will need to budget. It can leave you in a bad situation, losing control during a critical moment. I speak from experience." He considered the equine. "So you have made your value known to me as a member of my Court, and as someone under my direct control... but what, personally, would make you appealing as one of my Kings? I have three at present, and each of them offers something on a personal level."

[seraaches]

A personal level? Truly a question he hadn’t expected and thus hadn’t tried to pre-prepare an answer for. His mind skimmed wot he knew about the three other Kings present in the Court already. Wot did he have that they did not? Only one answer came to mind: ambition.

”You want me as one of your Kings,” the stallion replied steadily, gambling on meeting the Queen’s gaze again. ”Because I would only be a temporary fixture in your Court. I have no plans to remain on the same level as those other three and you will want the personal connection back to me when I become a Queen in my own right.” Potentially dangerous words: there were –no- other Queens; was that because no one fit the bill or because Serafino made certain there were no other Queens? There was always the chance that this would get him killed, but the stallion knew that he had an advantage even if the latter was true. The Queen would want lower Queens who were indebted to him. And this would give Serafino a tie to hold over Shinrai’s head.

[The Jenn]

More than interested in the conversation now, Fino's mood elevated from 'listening' to 'intent'. Well, so the equine had ambition above and beyond the usual fare. A Queen in his own right.

He hadn't had someone directly aspiring towards that position for some time now. Of his current Kings, Bernard didn't and had never wanted more than the rank he was born with. Gaston probably couldn't handle the responsibilities, nor did he seem to want them, and he was a much better subordinate at any rate, though the relationship was 'complicated'. And Pravus... was his. He would never allow the feline such a position even if he had expressed an interest, which he hadn't. It just wouldn't work.

The pause stretched on for what may have felt like an uncomfortably long time, with the Queen staring at the equine, almost staring him down. He was thinking, weighing Rai's words, and weighing his options.

Finally he broke the silence. "So your ambitions towards Queenhood are firmly cemented, then? You've decided, without a doubt, to pursue not only the rank, but also a titled position in a Court you've never even visited before, with duties and responsibilities that you've probably never had the opportunity to explore? I don't know whether to consider you brazen or foolish. Perhaps both."

Quiet again, and Corliss moved to wrap around Fino's neck like a fiery boa, the flames from his scales casting odd flickering lights on the pale skin. "There are no other Queens in my Court," he said finally, "because no one has proven themselves worthy of the degree of trust - or at least, cessation of paranoia - that I absolutely demand in anyone with such aspirations. A very good first step towards that goal would be becoming one of my Kings and proving your integrity, and your willingness to submit to my rule. Perhaps not to me... but to my authority, certainly. As a titled Queen, you would be granted a certain amount of autonomy. You need to prove yourself worthy of it in my service first."

He waited for a reaction, watching every move and every breath of the other Heart.

[seraaches]

Silence. Long, long, LONG stretch of silence. Had he botched it up with that? He had a bit of a problem if so, actually, because his best chance of escape was the illusion he’d already dropped. He –might- be able to re-summon its use, but that might just exhaust him utterly and sign his death warrant either way. He nearly shifted his weight, but remained still; no abortive movements to give away his unease, though he nearly felt it oozing out of his pores. When the Queen finally spoke again, the stallion felt he could sway in relief; though, of course, he wouldn’t give himself away that clearly. It was just a very near thing, even if Serafino just might be insulting him.

Could Shinrai stop his constant paranoia? Unlikely, but he –could- still make himself work under Serafino’s direction. It wasn’t that he trusted the other man— Serafino was not known for being sane— it was that this was simply yet another step on his ladder to power. He dropped his head in a semi-bow, well aware of wot he needed from this situation. He didn’t want to be THE ruling Queen, but he needed the power to strike back at his enemies. Bowing to Serafino was the most logical use of his time and energy.

”I seek the chance to prove myself to you, Your Majesty,” he said smoothly, with only the faintest waver in his voice to bespeak his extreme emotions in the past few minutes.

[The Jenn]

A bow was a smart move on the equine's part. Acknowledgment of manners, of propriety, of at least some knowledge useful to Court even though he obviously had little experience in the world of political power. He could be trained, molded to some extent, and taught things he would never have had the opportunity to pick up elsewhere. If nothing else, he would learn to read people better than he had ever wanted to.

Overall, a decent reaction, whether a silent nod to what he had said and taking it as a given, or disagreeing but keeping it to himself. Only time and experience with the man would tell. Regardless, he would enjoy the challenge of finding a limit to the man's ability. There were always limits... though that wasn't to say one couldn't surpass them given enough training. His own Queen ability had knocked him nearly unconscious with every limited use, but now he could use and hold it more confidently than ever with nothing more than noticeable fatigue, and could call his fiery friends forth from the flames.

"I generally let the King handle rank adjustments and quests," he said cooly, "but perhaps he would be willing to let you get off 'easier' if you can prove yourself to me. Normally what you have done and signs of potential, not to mention desire to learn, would be enough for me to throw you his way. But. If you wish to skip that step and move right into a spot you so obviously want, and because your ambitions run stronger than the average applicant, it might be able to be arranged."

He stood, running a quick hand to smooth his skirts, and motioned for the equine to follow before striding from the room.

[seraaches]

The stallion wasn’t entirely certain wot the Queen was pointing to, and when he got an inkling he didn’t dare hope for wot he thought the other man had inferred. So instead of saying anything and taking a chance of offending the much more powerful Card, the stallion simply bowed his head again in acquiesce. The green Marshdweller followed the Queen of Hearts with a deep sense of trepidation and an equally strong need to see this through. The Queen was certainly a great deal more frightening in real life; his rumours could not live up to his own overwhelming aura. Add to that the fact that the man was an absolute enigma. Shinrai could only hope that he would learn to at least begin to accurately read the Queen.

This part of the Palace was just as beautiful as the rest of it, and the stallion couldn’t help but admire it as he followed after Queen Serafino. He said nothing, but his hooves tripped lightly along the marble floors, a gentle yet ringing tone.

[The Jenn]

Fino led him to the nearest palace exit into the gardens, a wide archway into the fragrant area. The roses had begun to wilt with the change in seasons, but the smell was even more cloying for that fact, enough to make any canine sneeze at least once whether they liked it or not. He loved the flowers best in full bloom, but they had a certain poignant charm in their slow, graceful death that he also found appealing.

Finally they reached a pond, his favorite of the small few that decorated the palace gardens. Koi fish swam in its watery depths, no more than five or so feet down even at the deepest point, though it was wide enough for all that. What could he do to test the equine?

Something... unexpected. Perhaps it would startle out a reaction that swayed him one way or the other, or at least entertain him out of his worry and into a more constructive, thoughtful mode. The water was cold this time of year, not yet enough to bite with winter freeze but enough that no one would find it especially comfortable.

The Queen pulled one of the bangles from his arm, looked at it closely as it glittered in the sunlight, and then held it towards Rai. "You see," he said calmly, and then threw it into the middle of the pond. "Oh dear. I seem to have lost my accessory. As my King, my whims will be your responsibility to carry out. Fetch it for me." All of this was said in a completely even voice, almost but not quite a monotone.