A Friendly Face (Sera + Chao)

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel bit her lower lip as she walked down the halls of the Diamond Court Palace. It wasn't her first visit here but like all the other times this place made her nervous. She hardly ever saw anyone of a low Rank, and actually seeing the people that ran her Suit....it was just a little intimidating, even for her.

She had been hired by a Jack of this court, her own court, to tail his lover. The Ferret had thought the Card he loved was sleeping with someone else and couldn't take not knowing any longer. Lariel had tailed the Sparrow for a week and had come to the undeniable conclusion that she was in fact not cheating on her lover. The only reason this news had upset the Bobcat was because clients usually believed the bad news more readily than they would if she had something good to report.

Having given her report, all notes and photos to the Ferret Jack Lariel had collected her payment and intended to deposit it in her bank right away. It was as she was weaving her way through the halls towards the front exit, she saw her.

Lariel recognized the blue and white coloring of a Ranger far down the hall, and even more familiar was the shape of the Bi-Ped Skunk named Kel. It had been close to a month since she'd seen the homelander and she was grateful for a familiar face.

The Bobcat quickly padded after her, calling the Skunks name as she went. "Kel!"

[seraaches]

Kel closed her eyes in frustration as the Ten of Diamonds stared up at her with disgust in his gaze despite the fact that he was trying to be demure in her presence.

"Yes, it's good that the paperwork was finished," she said quietly, looking at him yet again. "But I very specifically asked you to do it, not pass it off to one of the secretaries."

The Afghan Hound sneered at her, "It's been done. That's what you wanted and that's what I gave you."

The skunk's annoyance level skyrocketed since he was purposefully misunderstanding her. Bright Light, how in the world was she supposed to deal with this?

A voice called her and Kel half-turned. A smile wormed its way onto her face and she lifted a hand to her friend. "Lariel, it's so good to see you." Finally a good spot on her day.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel paid no mind to the fact that Kel seemed to be preoccupied with another Card and ran to her ... friend. It was such an odd word to use for the Bobcat; she was still getting used to it. Also not used to the slick floors of the Court, Lariel skidded after attempting to stop. She slid for a few feet but was able to stop before crashing into Kel.

"Oh, that could be real fun if taken at a run. Have you tried to yet?" she asked the Skunk, glancing once at the Hound but ignoring his presence otherwise.

The Bobcat grinned up at her fellow Ranger. "Fancy seeing you here. I know you work here and all, but the place is so damn big I never expected to actually see you. What have you been up to?"

[seraaches]

Kel gave a small laugh, amused by the bobcat's antics even as she almost felt embarrassed by them. Ah, well, the only one around was the Ten, and his opinion certainly held no weight. "No, I have not," she answered softly. "Though it does look fun."

Her features grew serious at the question, though the faint, self-condescending smile remained in place. "Just working, really." Her eyes slipped to the man with her and her smile vanished completely for a moment before she turned back to her friend. "Feel free to find me any time you come to the Palace," the skunk said. "Just ask any of the guards."

The dog gave a rude snort and Kel tried to send him a withering look. He sniffed loudly and ignored it and the woman gave a small sigh before looking back at Lariel. "Oh, I almost forgot; I have a present for you."

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel grinned mischievously at Kel. If the Bi-Pedal Skunk was ever going to go sliding down the halls, she knew it would take a lot of persuasion. It could happen, but only with a little bit of luck. Lariel decided she'd get Kel to try someday. "It's always fun. Especially when there are people to watch. It's good to stir up feathers and fur every once in awhile. Keeps people on their toes."

The Bobcat frowned as she watched Kel glance at the Ten. Was he the reason she seemed...unsettled? "I'll do that! Now that you've invited me, you'll probably never get rid of me. I always need a break from the ignoramuses I work with," Lariel said, glancing meaningfully at the Hound. Deciding to take the situation head on, as she always did, she turned her body towards him. "I have business with Kel. Isn't there something else you could be doing now?"

She was forced to pull her attention back to Kel at the mention of one word. "Present?" She couldn't help the look of complete surprise take over her face. She hadn't received a present in.....well, Lariel couldn't actually remember if anyone had ever given her a present.

[seraaches]

Kel gave a vague smile at the woman's first statement; she wasn't that great at stepping on people's toes. She usually went far, far out of her way to try and avoid doing that exact thing, actually. It didn't surprise her that Lariel had fun doing exactly that.

At the woman's mention of the ignorant, Kel muttered low under her breath, "You and me both. . ."

The hound sent the bobcat a dark, disparaging look as she tried to dismiss him, but he didn't have any reason to remind here. He turned quickly and stuck his nose up in the air.

"We'll finish this discussion later," Kel tried to sound firm, but it still came out as a bit of a question. Perhaps the Ten didn't hear her, but the skunk guessed he was ignoring her instead. He gave no indication that he had heard her parting command.

Kel gave an annoyed sigh and turned her attention back to the woman; at least this day had something of a good point to it. She smiled, her eyes still worried. "Yes, if you want it. You'll have to come by my rooms, though; I didn't expect to see you today either."

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel grinned mischievously at Kel when she heard what the woman said under her breath. Apparently life at the Court wasn't all fun and games. Remembering the Skunk at the Cafe with all the paperwork before her, the Bobcat imagined Kel needed some distraction. Distractions were one thing she was good at.

Lariel glared at the Hound as soon as she caught the look he was giving her. Sure she'd started it, but she was going to finish it too. She'd been baring her fangs and was only seconds away from hissing when the Ten turned on his heels and left. Good riddance. She turned to Kel as the woman tried calling out after him and frowned. Had she interrupted something important? Well, it was over and done with now and the Hound was long gone. He'd be back.

She saw Kel smile at her but couldn't help but noticed the smile wasn't as it should be. "Of course I want a present. Who doesn't want free stuff? I'm done with what I came here to do so if you have pressing business first I can jut follow you around until you have time to show me where you're living." She looked forward to nosing around the Court. She'd only been here so many times and never had the chance to actually take it all in.

[seraaches]

Kel was relieved by Lariel's response; she still wasn't entirely certain if she had been a bit high-handed in getting the other woman a present, but she was glad that the bobcat seemed excited rather than insulted.

"No, nothing pressing now. . ." her tone implied that the hound had been the last thing of import for her to take care of. He had, in fact, been her one important matter and now he was gone. Though it certainly wasn't Lariel's fault; Kel had been making a disaster of the situation long before the bobcat had even entered the Court.

The skunk gave another smile, this one at least a tiny bit less worried as she turned and began to lead the way. She switched forms instinctively, back in animal was almost a relief. She felt like less of a target. "Did your buiness go well?" she asked politely.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel frowned at Kel's wording. Nothing pressing now... She opened her mouth to ask about it when the Skunk changed from her Bi-Pedal form to animal. Dumbfounded, all she could do was stand and stare. She'd never been witness to someone changing forms before. Of course she knew the mechanics of the change, but seeing it happen right before your eyes for the first time was an experience to remember!

Lariel groaned. "Ugh, I can't wait until I get my Bi-Pedal form."

She followed next to Kel as they made their way down the hall. "I didn't ruin whatever that was back there, did I? Because I can drag his ass back here if you need me to." Lariel had thought Kel's expressions had meant she wanted whatever had been going on to be over. If in fact she'd ruined something important, the Bobcat would feel horrible.

"Just say the word and I'll bring him back here. He couldn't have gotten that far yet."

[seraaches]

Kel turned and blushed at Lariel's question. "No, I ruined it long before this particular incident," the woman answered ruefully with a slight blush. She gave a low sigh. "Sadly, I'm still not very. . . aggressive." That wasn't quite the right word, but it may as well have been.

Maybe someday she would develop a real backbone, but she had no idea when that day might be, and it saddened her horribly. Well, now really wasn't the time for that. "Bipedal is very useful," the woman said quietly. "I'm sure you will attain it soon.

They were almost to her suite, set near the center of the Palace. They weren't really the most desirable of rooms, but that was fine with the woman. She liked to be set a bit away from the others and preferably well out of the way.