Caught by chance [Ended]

[Tigeress]

She could tell the comment meant a lot to the woman, and she wished there was something more she could do for her. Raising a child in an environment full of bias and outright hatred must have been difficult, Hadrian himself would probably have a pretty rough time growing up. Most of the kids around here (and unfortunately, hers included) were not shy about being cruel for any reason. Him being a Club and with mixed heritage both from outside of the highlands made him a prime target. Fighting the urge to sigh, she tilted her head at the comment.

"As adorable as he is, I think I'm content with Banders." Smiling, she glanced back as if remembering not to leave them alone for too long, though in truth they were always on her mind. Truth be told she had no idea how to care for a mome or a tove, and last thing she'd want would be to make the thing miserable. Despite the fact that his antics often went ignored, Tinman seemed happy with Heilyn. Leave it to those with a knack, she guessed.

"...Really? Even to those who grew up in it? I can't imagine what your childhood there must have been like. I'm sure you have stories to tell." She grinned and shook her head, having met a few from the less shiny areas of the marshes she could safely say they were out of their minds with how they always shrugged off life in their homelands as being not as bad as everyone made it out to be. Apparently this woman held no illusions about what her home was truly like.

"You didn't answer my question about what brought you here, of all places." Normally Sekhmet didn't like to prod, but it wasn't everyday she got to have a conversation with another royal who didn't immediately give her the 'what the hell are we doing letting you walk these halls?' vibe. She missed social interaction, even though most of her talk seemed to be about her work and things related to it, sharing opinions was still something social to enjoy.

[Satra]

The boy chewed contentedly on his mother's hand as the too women spoke. Suddenly he perked up, dropping Heilyn's saliva-soaked hand and looked up at her face.

"No!" he yipped happily. He was just learning how to talk, and so far 'no' was a word he was very familiar with, if not the most familiar. Heilyn smirked at the tyke, and scratched him behind the ear, to which he wagged his tail harder.

"No," she said to Sek, but looking up at her Tove who was hovering near her face, chirping, "Tinman. Go. To. Seth," she enunciated each word clearly. The creature gave one last chirp and flew off, leaving them behind. She looked at the King, "To me, the place is home. It's culture and mode of thought making far more sense to me than what is accepted Out here. I was speaking from a foreigner's perspective. Having left it, lived outside of it, and later returned to it - with a foreigner, might I add - it gave me a very good perspective of comparison." She couldn't help be smirk, "Everyone has stories to tell, just some more interesting than others.

"As far as why I'm here? Simple. I was chosen to go. I could've refused, but only the passionate would've been chosen in the first place," there was... something almost feral about her as she spoke. A wild light in her eyes that flashed like the fangs in her mouth, "I was chosen for my skill, adaptability, and..." a toothy grin of amusement, "my expendability." She never lied to herself. She knew one of the criteria of the brutally practical Bog Dwellers was someone who would not be of great loss to the Bog should they fail and the worse were to happen.

She knew, because she agreed whole heartily with the decision. She thought the same way they did. Practical to the point of primitive brutality.

"But enough on that," Yes, the reaction just might prove amusing enough, "I came to the Court of Hearts because, well, I'm a Heart. Truthfully, I could work anywhere, but being a titled noble would make my work easier. I would be the one in control, instead of having to work through the influence of someone else's title

"And that is me," she shrugged, semi-feral aura still glimmering, "I dislike favoring the Court of Hearts as I am a liaison to the Outside, not any particular Court, but it helps cement my place here, which is moderately important.

Any thing else?" an amused smirk was curling her lip.

[Tigeress]

She raised an eye curiously when the excitable pup finally gave his two cents. It seemed like the words were strangely not too foreign to the child and she could barely contain a grin. Carefully she observed the tove's reaction when Heilyn took the time to pronounce every syllable as if she were upset with the creature. Did he misunderstand commands easily, or was he being reprimanded? She couldn't tell to be honest, but it would be interesting to find out more about the creature.

"I think I understand where you're coming from." Her eyes darted away for a moment though they snapped back to the Jack when she spoke again, shimmering with mirth. Well, she certainly had a sense of humour, the lighter side was unexpected but most welcome. The courts could be rather stuffy at times, especially when one was often left near higher chains of command who expected a certain professional attitude.

"...you.." And then she was laughing, and she couldn't help it. A surprised look crossed her face as she moved a hand up to stifle the noise which had burst from her in such an unladylike fashion. A slight flush lit her face as she coughed and shifted position, lacing and unlacing her fingers before facing Heilyn with carefully pursed lips, obviously still recovering herself.

"I'm sorry, I know it's not that funny, just... brutal honesty isn't really something one comes across in this position, I find. It's very refreshing." She didn't bother to ask stupid questions like 'has the thought ever upset you? Aren't you afraid to die? How could you joke about something like that?', because she already knew the answers. It was a series of questions that had flown right past her the second she'd walked into His Majesty's room for the first time. She'd never hesitated on her King quest, because she'd already made peace with knowing her life was even more likely to end at any moment from that point on. It's something you just get over, or you don't, and chances are when that happens, you fail.

"Very practical reasons for being here of all places. Do you visit the other courts very often then?" She asked, laughing in a much more controlled fashion at the woman's clever closing remark. "Oh but of course. Let's start with your favourite colour and move gradually to everyone who you've ever slept with." She smirked in return before shaking her head with a chuckle. This was turning out to be the most bizarre meeting she'd ever had. It was strange, she always imagined getting on fairly well with most members of the courts, but she never really imagined having any true friends. She let the thought sift around in her head with an amused look still present on her features.

"Not that I am by any means the most interesting person, but I suppose with how I've accidentally verbally dissected you, the least I can do is offer to answer anything you might want to know about myself in return." The smile she offered this time was genuine, open. She'd actually, never really offered anyone a Q and A session before in her entire life, she volunteered what she would, and quite stubbornly would steer away from anything else. She really could be a stubborn ass sometimes.

[Kiki]

Satra and Tigs receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!

[Satra]

"Unfortunately with the arrival of children, much of my time is consumed and I haven't had a chance to visit the other courts yet. On top of that, my position is comfortable enough and the Majesties from my home region seem comfortable as well and haven't really pushed me yet. I have had dealings in the past with His Majesty Theofilus, and continue to work with him through his shipping company," she responded. As much as she ended up adoring her children, it certainly wasn't the sentiment during her pregnancy, and she certainly could not deny the disadvantages of caring for creatures to dependent.

Speaking of such, the little monster in her arms began displaying his impatience with violent thrashings of his body. She used her other hand and grabbed his snout from the top. He thrashed for a bit more, but calmed down. She smiled enigmatically at Sekhmet, as if there wasn't even a child in her arms.

"I meant about my position here. Personal questions come later, Your Highness." There was an odd manner with which she emphasized the King's title. She was not hostile, but she still seemed to imply a separation between them by making such a point to use the title rather than a name. Hadrian made another odd noise in combination with a whine while looking up at Heilyn. He really wanted to be let down.

[Tigeress]

"That makes sense. Do you plan on experiencing more of the courts after your children have grown? The ties you have already formed must be very useful, I hear Theofilus has quite the connections." Not to mention the success of his company. He was a very well respected man, and Sekhmet was impressed that the woman had managed to secure a bond with the busy Queen, it would no doubt be useful in her future.

"Unfortunately there are just some things that shouldn't be shared even in personal conversations. As far as your position... have you ever considered jumping up a rank to King? I think it would suit you well." She had frowned at the first part, knowing all too well what friendships could turn to in the blink of an eye and how delicate one had to be with any information that could be used against them. There were things she'd keep from her own mother just so that they would be securely protected. However the woman had an air about her of determination and the doe wouldn't be shocked in the least to learn she had higher aspirations.

Similar to Bernard she'd just brushed off the title thing entirely. Though the courts might dictate a gap between them socially, Sekhmet didn't intend on taking it to heart. After spending so much time being formal on a day to day basis in meetings and social gatherings involving the Queen, she often yearned to talk to other beings just as they were. It was one of the reasons she'd enjoyed engaging The King of Hearts in conversation so much, equal rank aside, he'd treated her the same way since she'd shown up in his office as a 10 of hearts as he did today.

The child had suddenly given up for the moment on his escape attempts, and Sekhmet had no idea how the other woman handled such a determined and rambunctious child. She handled him quite easily so she could only assume it came with a lot of practice, he was probably good for an upper body workout.

[Satra]

She blinked at the King. Yes, Heilyn had dearly desired to move up in Rank, but she was uncertain of the Title. Currently the only Queen in place was his Majesty Shinrai, and she was still somewhat uncertain of him. Xiven was growing quickly, though, and that boded well. In all honesty, she wanted to be a Queen, but only in rank, not in title. The power appealed to her, but not so much the work involved.

"I have," she answered simply, "I thank you for your high opinion of me." She was about to continue speaking when suddenly the child in her arms gator-rolled his way to almost freedom. There was a shocked look on the woman's face as she suddenly crouched, trapping the child between her upper body and bent legs. She made an exasperated noise and Tinman chirped wildly and loudly at the sudden exciting action. Looking after this child did almost as much for her upper body than lugging around those damnable tanks of air day after day before she became a Jack.

"I think... perhaps we should call it a day, Your Highness. Lots to do, you see," she commented wryly. The woman nodded her head in respect, bit down gently on the scruff of his neck still holding onto him with her hands and shifted into her Animal form. If often made people uncomfortable to see someone with their Human form to waltz around in their Animal, but she really didn't care. She went on her way, the boy perfectly still as he knew struggling while his skin was at the mercy of her teeth was rather unenjoyable. The Tove gave one last chirp before flying off, tugging at Heilyn's tail and the mask tied around her waist allthe way back to the room.

[Sorry, I felt this needed to be ended >>]

[Tigeress]

Sekhmet nodded her head and took in the information. It would be interesting to see where the woman settled then as she seemed to be intent on obtaining a more powerful position. She hadn't considered that the woman might just be in it for the rank and what it would give her as opposed to a formal court position, probably because she hadn't met anyone outside the courts who was higher than a Jack. It seemed to be a rarity, despite the way responsibilities tended to equal out the perks of a formal position.

"You're very welcome, Heilyn." She paused and winced as the child seemed to be giving his all in a valiant last attempt at freedom. It was easy to see he'd finally be successful, and the King fully understood when the woman gave up and exasperatedly announced her intention to depart. "I do see that, Your Excellence. Good luck." She commented with a small smile, nodding her head back in respect after she had received the gesture.

Just as the stigma with the woman's child hadn't bothered her, the animal form didn't make the woman so much as blink. She had spent a lot of time in bipedal even after obtaining her human form, it was just much stronger. Better to be in that form if an attack were ever to occur, and better to train to increase her ability in the form she'd be fighting in anyway. She waved to the Tove as it chirped and flew off, and watched the other woman depart out of sight. She still had a lot of time to kill today, and she really had no idea how to spend it. Making up her mind, she continued heading the way she had been before.

[No worries, I keep forgetting threads and getting too busy to really channel character muses ]