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Post by seraaches on Nov 23, 2007 10:04:48 GMT -5
When the stallion first entered the Highlands, he thought it was the most beautiful place he’d ever seen. Unsurprisingly, really, the world truly was prettier from here. However, the estate he stopped before seemed to be the epitome of epitomes and the stallion couldn’t help his low whistle of appreciation. Paisley had evidently found the absolute best of the best and set up his shop there. Settled in the hills, the house was framed by the flaming trees of autumn, sprawling comfortably as though it owned the land itself.
If even the estate was this arrogant, it would be no surprise for the owner to be equally supercilious and thus perfectly logical for Queen Serafino to dislike the man. But, of course, the breeder would need the prestige a client like the Queen of Hearts brought, and Serafino wanted the lovely Sultana. Shinrai smiled lightly as he moved up the road leading to the house itself. Well, the stallion had no high aspirations; he could only hope that Serafino’s clout would bring him to the breeder’s gate and his money would overcome any dislike of a connection with the Queen of Heart’s name.
The horse knocked lightly at the gleaming wood of the door, waiting for the unknown breeder with nearly baited breath.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 23, 2007 10:36:51 GMT -5
After a few moments of waiting, footsteps could be heard behind the door and it opened, revealing a Highland bird, a Ten of Diamonds. He took note of Rai's rank and inclined his torso in a small bow, wing tucking forward elegantly. "Good afternoon, Your Highness," he said in a smooth, slightly accented voice. Many of the Highlanders this far into the region carried an accent that indicated they spoke their region's native tongue with more than passing frequency. "By description, may I guess that you are King Shinrai of the Heart Court? If so, my master has been expecting you. Please, follow me."
Another respectful half-bow and the avian led him into a foyer decorated in reds and golds, traditional for the region.
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Post by seraaches on Nov 23, 2007 10:47:50 GMT -5
The stallion was again surprised by the note of respect from the other Card, though he gave no indication that such an unbefitting emotion had swept through him. He only inclined his head slightly and stepped after the white bird with the regal air befitting his rank. The house was, again unsurprisingly, quite beautiful and it was terribly expected that it have the same expectant air, as though waiting for visitors to praise it.
The Josiggy Marshdweller would have felt a great deal more out of place if he hadn’t been living at the Palace of Hearts for the last few months; the Palace was able to edge out this house for overwhelming beauty and an extremely stiff disregard for the concept of a rainbow of colours. Well, it was none of his concern; he still belonged back home in his beloved Josiggy Marsh, where the colours were not limited to such a stringent palate.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 25, 2007 7:26:45 GMT -5
The bird seemed quite used to handling ranking individuals, which made sense if he served someone who regularly entertained guests with prestige akin to the Queen of Hearts and other bander-hopefuls. He led the horse out of the foyer and into a hallway that was decorated with more of an eye for color. It seemed that the owner of the house wasn't quite as one-track in his decorating as Serafino, who took it to extremes. Though Rai likely wouldn't know, it was something of a Highland tradition to decorate the 'opening' room of a building with the region's colors as a sign of pride and respect. The rest of the rooms held no such requirement.
Down a hallway, through a small antechamber, and then the bird rapped on a door politely. "Milord," he called out respectfully, "Your anticipated guest has arrived, His Highness Shinrai, on the day appointed. Will you see him?" The words seemed little more than a formality, but it was worth wondering whether or not the bird would actually throw him out on his ear if his master said 'no'.
"Yes, see him in," a voice confirmed from the other side of the door and the avian opened it, bowing for Rai to precede him.
The room was fairly large and several banders were lounging at various point on the different surfaces, the decor primarily blues, greens, and golds. A Siamese-esque feline stood to one side of the room by a small table, on which a violet bander stood and arched, in the middle of being groomed. It seemed to enjoy the gentle strokes and coughed every now and again.
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Post by seraaches on Nov 25, 2007 8:00:30 GMT -5
Rai was pleased to see the colours change the room past the foyer, though he wasn’t entirely certain if it would be rude to say so. Perhaps as long as he didn’t word it quite that way everything would be fine. The stallion stepped easily into the new room, grey-green eyes skimming slightly with interest before settling in on the feline. If he had come here simply on his own, he would have been more concerned about the avian’s question preceding his entrance into the room; but he was here with the Queen of Hearts’ blessing and it simply did not occur to the stallion that anyone would turn down Queen Serafino.
The stallion inclined his head politely to the other King, greeting the other man with a subdued, ”Lord Paisley. You have a lovely abode.” He had no qualms addressing the feline politely; while strictly speaking his rank was higher due to being titled, he was here in need of a favour, which immediately put him on ‘weaker’ footing.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 25, 2007 8:48:30 GMT -5
"Kind of you to say, Your Highness, coming from the palace as you do," the feline said with a slightly amused expression, tinged with a sneer as if he'd smelled something distasteful. It quickly smoothed itself out, however, as he turned and regarded Shinrai in full. "It was a marvelously beautiful place when I last visited. His Ever-Glorious Majesty's missive mentioned that you were interested in purchasing one of my bander kits from the most recent litter."
He gave the bander on the table a light stroke before setting down the brush and approaching, stopping a comfortably polite distance away. "I assume you won't mind my asking you a few questions over lunch, to ensure that you will provide a suitable home and ownership? You will have to excuse my insistence, but it is of great importance to me that all of my kits go to the best homes they possibly can."
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Post by seraaches on Nov 25, 2007 9:05:49 GMT -5
The stallion couldn’t be certain if that look was aimed at him or at the remembrance of the Palace and specific personages there within. So Rai simply decided to ignore it for now, instead concentrating on the other King’s words.
Shinrai gave a lofted brow, impressed despite himself (and despite the projected annoyance that he wasn’t automatically considered ‘worthy’) at the care with which Paisley approached the adoption of his bander kits. It didn’t really matter how much the Marshdweller may or may not mind, he had a feeling the interview would take place or he would be quite welcome to walk himself right back out of there, something the stallion was certainly not willing to do. ”My concern over being questioned has little relevance,” Shinra said blithely. ”My desire to purchase one of your famous banders far outweighs any issues I may have with your methods.” Despite the potentially insulting words, the stallion was closer to amused than anything else.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 25, 2007 19:57:19 GMT -5
The feline smirked, his smooth, thin tail whipping back and forth. "Well said, Your Highness. Let me collect the two kits in question then so that while I pose you questions, you can watch them and decide which may be more to your liking. Both are currently available, which is lucky for you, as you actually get a choice in the availability. It isn't always that convenient, I assure you. Litters of one happen just as often as two or three, and it's not uncommon for a breeder to take their pick of the stock."With a gesture to follow, Paisley moved towards the door of the room and out into the hall, going to the next door over and opening it with a small brass key. A few sneezes could be heard the second the door cracked open and he slipped inside for a moment, door closing behind him. When he returned, two very young bander kits were tucked in the crook of one arm against his smoothly furred chest and King's marking.   "The two boys," he said eloquently, then led through a room and down a hallway until they reached a small sitting or eating room. It was set with a small, very adequate lunch. With the size and quality of the house, it only made sense that the food would follow. |
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Post by seraaches on Nov 25, 2007 20:51:58 GMT -5
Shinrai’s ears flicked up at the sight of the two kits, grey-green eyes roving the small bundles of fur with distinct interest and likely something closer to –want-. The stallion had to force himself into some semblance of apathy, though he knew he wasn’t being overly successful. He carefully sat across the way from Paisley, curious as to how the interview would go now. He couldn’t keep his eyes on either the décor or the food; his attention was wrapped up onto the two little kits.
They were both absolutely gorgeous; it was easy to see their superiour lines compared to the bandersnatches that roamed the Capital City. The leopard was handsome, but Rai found his eyes straying more often to the blue; something about the blanket appaloosa male reminded him of Sultana… perhaps that was why he was so distracted by him. The stallion wouldn’t begin eating until Paisley, though less out of politeness and more out of his sheer distraction by the pair of kits.
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 1, 2007 6:05:19 GMT -5
Paisley noted his visible interest and smirked, setting the kits down to explore the previously unknown play area of 'sitting room' that they'd never yet explored. They quickly took to scouting out the edges of the room, carefully tasting something here or there and swiping at one another when they got too close. They were obviously fiercely independent of one another. It had only been the careful hold of their breeder that had kept them from tussling in his arms.
"So yes," he began, pulling a few small finger-sized fish onto his plate and pouring himself a cup of tea, liberally dosed with milk. "I need to inquire about just a few things, such as your position within the palace. You are obviously a titled King. This gives you residence within its walls. Is there anywhere else you count as home, anywhere that you will be housing a potential bandersnatch? Or will they be staying at the palace regardless?"
He delicately nibbled on one of his fish, holding it carefully on a small fork. "Also, how well do you get on with His Majesty, the Light of our Lives? Is he liable to throw you out at a moment's notice, or has he been fairly impressed with your... performance thus far? In whatever capacity?" The feline looked quite amused as he sipped his tea. "I shouldn't want one of these boys in an unstable situation, you understand. If he likes you well enough, he'll probably be willing to tell you a thing or two about raising Highland stock. It is both more demanding and more rewarding than catering to the common creatures."
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