Beauty in Bander Fur [Finished]

[seraaches]

Shinrai was first disappointed that he couldn’t go immediately, but the Queen of Hearts knew a great deal more the whole situation than he and of course he could do nothing more than bow to the Queen’s plan. It would also be entirely pointless to make a trip all the way out to the Highlands only to discover there were no banders available at all, especially no males, which was evidently now a requirement and not some form of pointed suggestion. Actually, that wasn’t a problem in the least; Shinrai definitely preferred the idea of a male and not just for hopes of getting a few bander babies from a match with Sultana. The stallion was entirely taken with the female. No, Rai had enough women in his life attempting to change him or order him around; he’d definitely prefer another male to bond with.

He made certain that his voice didn’t give away his disappointment, however, and showed only his gratitude for the Queen’s intervention. ”You are certainly too kind, Your Majesty; I appreciate all that you’re doing to support this endeavour.” And he most certainly did.

[The Jenn]

Fino nodded graciously, mind already trying to figure out just how to word his inquiry. Any communication with Paisley on a request-basis had to be very carefully crafted. The man would read anything amiss and was more than willing to find a reason to take affront from Fino, just as Fino was from him. They really did not get along. It was a good thing the feline couldn't quite ignore an official request.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what you end up with," he said in amusement, and then looked over at a sundial not too far away with roses creeping up its base. "I need to be going, however, or this walk will quickly run over the time I've allotted for it. Expect to hear from me once Paisley has sent word. I should have the message out by sometime tomorrow."

---

Within roughly two weeks, a response had been received in the affirmative. Paisley had a litter of month-old kits, two males, and both were up for potential purchases. Fino promptly informed the equine, handed him a bit of money, and told him not to come back until he had his bander. Simple as that, really.

[seraaches]

Six days after his send off, Shinrai returned, but not alone. Over their several day journey, the little kit had slowly grown more and more accustomed to his new owner and appeared to be developing into a bit calmer creature than Sultana. There was little doubt in Rai’s mind that the male would not be the alpha in the growing pack; not with the fiery female dominating the Palace already. No, the little blue male would make his own place. The stallion couldn’t imagine the independent creature doing exactly that. So his return to the Palace was with more excitement than trepidation, despite the heavy, if expected, blow to his money purse.

The stallion had struggled over the naming during their first 24 hours together and he had finally settled on something he found fitting and a bit of a tribute. He was pleased with it even as he walked the now extremely curious bander to his quarters so they could both clean up a bit from their travels. The stallion showered swiftly and came back out to discover the kit had destroyed a pillow in his short absence. The blue bander sat amidst the fluff, dozing lightly, though he peeked out with one glittering black eye briefly to make sure it was his owner who approached. Rai shook his head wryly and made a mental note to attempt to bander-proof his suite a bit better; his original preparations evidently hadn’t worked.

Reattaching the deep crimson leash to the matching collar, he scooped up the tired young creature and heading off to locate the Queen of Hearts. He’d already noticed the Queen’s attempts to spend afternoons outside and the weather was fairly nice today, so the stallion went to scour the gardens first; if he couldn’t locate the man there, he would search for Dymphna to ask. One or the other was likely around.

[The Jenn]

The gardens were a good guess as to Fino's whereabouts, especially on such a bright day for the season. Rain would be moving in over the next few days and so he wanted to enjoy the weather while it lasted. He wasn't particularly fond of soaking cold showers. When he wanted to get wet, he took a steaming bath and that was that.

Sultana was with him, not too far away but far enough that she pretended to ignore his existence, sniffing at flowers and snapping up insects when they buzzed too close. She looked to be in good spirits today, her movements active and lively, her dark eyes flicking everywhere with interest at each suspect noise. She really was a pleasure to watch and he sat down on a stone bench placed strategically close to a flowering column, the smell concentrated in the area.

He hadn't heard yet of Rai's return but he expected the equine any day now. He still had one more before his 'official' leave was up and another two before the Queen would start to become annoyed. Sometimes Paisley could be a hassle, which he well understood.

[The Jenn]

Jenn and Sera both 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!

[seraaches]

The little blue bander woke up when the sunlight and fresh air hit his bright fur and he sneezed in agitation to be let down from the man's arms. "Easy there, easy," the stallion answered, grey-green eyes skimming the gardens until he spotted Sultana's beautiful form amidst the flowers. Unsurprisingly, he had to pause a moment to enjoy her beautiful colours and lines. The male in his arms flicked up his ears and coughed curiously at the other creature before he started to wiggle rather frantically. He wanted to go meet the other bander!!!

Rai had heard rumours of Sultana's greetings for other banders, however, and simply carefully tightened his grip on the little blue ball of fluff. He kneeled down to hold the squirming muscle-y bander at just over ground level, leaving blue-grey legs squirming in the air as he coughed and sneezed, trying to get Sultana's attention.

[The Jenn]

Sultana heard those noises before her person did, head snapping up and around as if something had just bitten her. Black eyes stared in unwavering concentration at the bright blue creature making all the fuss, one completely unknown to her, and her nose twitched for a hint of its scent. New. Very new. She abandoned her idle search and stalked towards Rai and the fiercely squirming creature, sneezing once and then again in a no-nonsense manner.

At the sound, Fino looked over from his brief distracted contemplation of a near-bloom rose and spied the equine holding a brilliantly colored ball of fuzz. His expression lightened and he stood, roses forgotten, approaching behind the red bander and examining the young kit curiously.

Gorgeous color, simply gorgeous, and that dappling was as pronounced as Sultana's own, though not overlaid by tabby. He watched curiously to see how the young male - hopefully male, at any rate - reacted to the female's dominant stance. "Very handsome," he murmured approvingly.

[seraaches]

The male’s black eyes went wide at the female, but he knew that not only was she current bigger than him, it was obvious she was a great deal more dominant. His blue body wiggled wildly for a moment, trying to hunker down and roll over to show his belly, but it didn’t work with Rai’s strong hands keeping him carefully pinned in the air. Unable to do anything else, he curled up in the man’s grasp becoming a little air bander ball in the only show of subservience he could manage from there.

Rai’s ears flicked briefly towards the Queen of Hearts though his grey-green eyes remained on the pair of banders, afraid to move his gaze for now. If Sultana attacked he wanted to pull the male out of her reach. ”Thank you, Your Highness,” the stallion said softly, not wanting to distract the pair either. ”Lord Paisley seemed well pleased with him and his brother.”

[The Jenn]

"I should imagine so if the pair of them were both held to such high standards," Fino agreed, stepping closer. He wouldn't stop the female from exerting her dominance, no, but he would stop any potential conflicts with a kit should they arise. He didn't want the little thing injured before he was able to defend himself.

Muzzle twitching like crazy, the red bander craned her neck towards the kit and sneezed twice more, easy one a bit closer, before reaching out and prodding the bander-ball with her nose. Even though it wasn't a belly, she could see the submission as the little thing curled in on itself. She was Appeased. Without a second glance, she turned and walked away. Sometime later, when there were not People in the way, they would make a proper introduction. As it was, she didn't feel in any way challenged and resumed her bug-hunt.

The Queen's lips twitched upwards and he nodded approval. "You've won her over, and I see no problems with the kit. Very nice equipment you have for him. Why don't you tell me his name?"

[seraaches]

Shinrai was relieved by the Queen’s assessment of the situation; when Sultana turned and pranced off with little care, the stallion had initially thought the female may have rejected his bander and for a moment Rai had almost disliked her. With that proven incorrect, however, the stallion sent her a mental apology and put down the creature who was now squirming again now that he’d passed the test. He wanted to explore too. Nevertheless, Rai kept a firm hold on the sturdy leash, keeping the blue male within easy range of his owner.

”His name is Jou,” Rai answered quietly, and he couldn’t –quite- keep his voice level, though he rather hoped the Queen wouldn’t push him on the topic. He could deliver a brief explanation without trouble, but anything longer, like where his brother might be now, he wasn’t certain he’d be able to pull off as emotionlessly as the Courts needed.