Rise of the Fruitcake [Jack Quest - Finished]

[Dark]

Minh opened the letter for the umpteenth time, slitted eyes intent on the elegant, cursive scrawl that embellished the fine velum paper for anything she might have missed the first several dozen times she'd read it. She'd been absolutely flabbergasted when the courier had shown up at her apartment door, yesterday. The well-groomed rat obviously had not belonged—he was just too…clean…for such a dingy hallway—but he’d schooled his expression into one of polite neutrality, and hadn’t given any indication of the rather seedy surroundings bothering him. He’d just handed over the letter, made sure she understood she was to be there at the appointed time, and made a quick—but dignified—exit.

Even with reading the letter as many times as she had, she still couldn’t seem to come to a conclusion as to why she had received it. Besides her connection with Aderlass, there was no reason whatsoever for the court to have taken an interest in her—and up until this point she’d been grateful for that disinterest. Getting too deeply involved in the courts would mean a higher level of scrutiny on her work that she simply couldn’t afford, no matter how interesting she’d always found the world of intrigue to be. But she couldn’t refuse—one didn’t refuse the courts, and since they obviously knew where she lived, there was no reason trying to disappear, either.

She tucked the letter away, careful not to crease it, and starred up at the Club of Courts. It was a rather foreboding complex, and she couldn’t help but feel a small inkling of dread as she approached it. Which was ridiculous, of course, since she hadn’t done anything wrong—or, more appropriately, she hadn’t been caught doing anything as such.

Minh steeled herself, and approached the gatekeeper, “I have an appointment?”

[The Jenn]

((In the future, please do put the picture in the first post of every thread you're in. Please. It really does save my poor brain. Also, sorry it took so long to respond to this. <3))

The Selkie feline looked over at her words and smiled in a friendly fashion, his expression polite even as bright blue eyes took in the odd appearance. Well, he certainly didn't see many like this very often. If ever. His poofy fro-like mane bobbed with his nod. "An appointment? Well then, let me just see your paper and I'll be able to direct you, ma'am."

After examining the document a moment, he rolled it back up and handed it to her, nodding again. It always interested him, what sort of people were looking to raise their status, either for personal means or for entry into the Court. "You'll want to see Her Highness Anoushka then, if it's an advancement into the nobility you're after. I can take you there if you'd like, ma'am?"

[Dark]

((Oh geez, I'm sorry Jenn. I don't know why I have such a hard time remembering that finer detail. XP))

Minh wasn't really sure what she was expecting from the entire affair, but she nodded and excepted the feline's offered escort as graciously as she could; which wasn't overly gracious, really, being as 'graciousness' was just not something Minh regularly practiced, or even really believed in. She was trying, though. It would be rather unfortunate to start pissing the wrong people off her very first day in Court, after all. And she'd found throughout her experiences that knowing the working man was often times more beneficial then cuddling up to points of authority.

"Yes, please. You're very kind."

And, maybe, raising herself in the Court could prove to be advantageous. With enough power, she could do as she pleased, and wouldn't that be delightfully, wickedly fun.

The possibilities were endless.

[The Jenn]

((*giggles* It's just fine, a reminder helps everyone. My forgetfulness seems to come and go in terms of tokens. XD; <3))

The feline smiled and tipped an imaginary hat to the bizarre-looking woman, his mane bobbing as he moved his head. "Well then, into the palace we go, ma'am. If you'll kindly follow me, I can direct you to Her Highness and you can work on your new rank. This way, please." With another polite bob of his head, he left his partner at the gate and escorted her into the palace of Clubs.

The walk wasn't a terribly long one, though the complex seemed large enough behind the gated entrance. It was a busy time of day for people to be out and about but the guard knew how to wend his way through the crowds and patches of people without disrupting any of them or their conversations. Years of practice at it, most likely. It wasn't long before they'd moved through the modestly but attractively decorated halls of the palace, warm with the suit's symbolic colors, and reached a hallway that seemed less traveled than many of the others.



There was, however, one lone canine walking the halls towards them, a Torquehelm in her animal form with leather bindings along her legs. Her gait seemed modified but fluid with the unusual hindrances and she was obviously quite used to them. There were not, oddly enough, the traditional wings of her region splayed across her back, only dark color. There was, also unusually, gold on her tail. She paused not far away as the guard made a motion to attract her attention. He bowed after he'd caught her eye. "Your Highness, I come bearing guests, a Lady Minh by her invitation. She wishes to increase her rank. As I have so conveniently found you in the hall, I will leave her with you and return to my post. With your permission."

"Yes, yes, of course, and my thanks for shoving her the vay. Very good." She waved her hand and the feline bowed again before trotting off, at which case the King returned her attention to Minh. "Vell, aren't you an odd von! Nice little things coming out of you there. A colorful kitty, yes. A Jack's rank for you, then, vhat vith that Ten on your breast? I vas just heading off to lunch, but it isn't anything I can't put off until later. Hunger is all in your mind for the first few cravings, after all, vouldn't you agree? Vould you care to join me in my chambers?" She inclined her head towards the door about ten or so feet down the hallway and stood to match her bipedal form to Minh's.

[Dark]

((Jenn, dear... this quest is for Minh. XD;; I love you!))

Minh nodded politely, remembering her manners. Her Highness Anoushka possessed a rather...startling...appearance, but Minh tried to steer her thoughts away from the rather too-sharp smile and more towards business. She wasn't one to really judge an appearance, besides--especially after her last failed experiment. Her tentacles flexed in sympathy.

"If it's not too much trouble, thank you."

She wondered absently how much pleasant chit-chat was required/necessary when dealing with royalty, but decided the safest best was to be avoid it entirely if she could. Small talk had never been one of her better talents.

They arrived at the door rather promptly, and Minh felt herself hovering in indecisiveness. What was proper etiquette, when dealing with this sort of thing? Did she open the door? Would that be considered verly presumptuous? Did she wait for Anoushka? Could that be misconstrued as being overly egotistical?

PANIC.

[The Jenn]

((...dammit. I know this. XD I doooo. They look so very different and I know the different personalities attached to the appearances. But their names! As I have said to Nat. I cannot separate their names. Never. I even look above to reassure myself and I /still/ forget. Because they both start with 'M' and have four letters. X3 And thus you see another of my weaknesses! Heh.))

Anoushka watched her moment's hesitation and laughed, flinging open the door herself and stepping in, motioning for the feline to follow. "Vell, come in! I have invited you and so you are velcome."

Her antechamber was bare of much ornamentation, a large bay window letting in the noonday sun to illuminate the yellows, golds, and browns that seemed the predominant colors of the room. She stalked over to a wooden bench, fluffed one of the golden cushions on its hard surface, and settled herself on her stomach. It was her preferred posture, especially considering her bindings. Anything else looked rather silly. At least this showed off her figure as it should.

"So, as you come at lunchtime, I can only assume that you are not very hungry yourself or you vould have already eaten. If I assume incorrectly... vell, you delay my lunch as vell, so ve may hunger together. Not that I really mind." She yawned, teeth gleaming white and, oddly enough, gold in the light. "To the business at hand, then. You vish to become a Jack, vhether to join the Court or for other purposes. Ambition can be healthy, to be sure, especially if you are ready to face it, mentally or physically. Vhich, do you think, vould you fare best vith, Miss Minh?"

[Dark]

(( Eheheheee. Silly. <3 ))

If Minh were completely honest with herself, there was very little ambition involved in the endeavor. She had never particularly cared about her rank, as it had no real impact on her work. It was just a passing fancy, really, more likely to please Aderlass than herself. She just wanted to prove she could advance, if she ever felt so inclined.

As to whether she would enter the Court or not, the answer was a definitive no. She'd stifle under regulations and decorum. The Court just wasn't the proper environment for a mad genius geneticist, such as herself.

She was bored, plain and simple. Ranking had seemed like a semi-productive undertaking--she would certainly be accomplishing more here, than at home. And maybe, if she did ever decide to climb higher in political rank, she might eventually be able to help people like Aiolos.

"I'd just like to rank, please, your Highness. Entering the courts at this stage in my life would be...unwise."

[The Jenn]

The King smiled widely, showcasing her impressive array of pointed teeth once again. "And it's better for you to realize that before you enter rather than after, believe you me. There are far too many people who make the mistake of trying to take up a role they just can't manage. Usually they fail miserably. It is only their lot, after all, for not knoving themselves and their limitations. You must be avare of yourself before you can hope to be avare of the things around you."

She reached out one hand and poked at a tentacle as it moved near enough for her to reach, chuckling at the odd appendage. "You have more vith vhich to come to terms, perhaps? Or are these things something you have come to accept as society might not? Are they natural?" She asked it in the manner of one woman inquiring after another's hair color.

"But still, no matter. Vhether you vill face a physical or a mental challenge vill be up to you. How avare of yourself are you? Vhich vill you choose?"

[Dark]

Minh was more than confident in her abilities, but she couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive when faced with such a sharp smile. With the exception of her rather...unexpected...accident with her last concoction--her tentacles twitched in sympathy--she didn't doubt her mental capacities. And despite having spent most of her life hidden far away from the light of the sun working in her lab, she had a moderately athletic build.

So when faced with the decision, Minh wasn't entirely certain what path she should take. Logic suggested she go with her strong suit, but she was bored and looking for a challenge in her life--which would mean selecting a more physical ordeal for herself.

Ah, indecision.

"I think," she said rather slowly, feeling out the idea as she spoke, "that I would not choose either. Too great of a strength can become a weakness, and a balanced approach to live is much more healthy."

[The Jenn]

Anoushka's eyebrows rose as she regarded the feline from her reclining pose on the bench. She had a young philosopher on her hands, did she? They didn't come along nearly so often as they might, especially not to raise their rank. In a Corvie, it was even more of an oddity. Maybe she was just trying to impress the King with a new angle, something unexpected. It was hard to tell.

"So you'd prefer to balance intellect and physical provess? Huh. Very vell. You present me vith a dilemma. But not really. I am more creative than that. Come vith me." She twisted around, resettling her bindings for walking, and stood with a stretch. Wagging her tail slightly, she motioned for Minh to follow her and left her room once again. For this challenge, she would need supplies.

She led the Ten through a few hallways and stopped by a door that apparently led into a very small palace library. She snagged a heavy book off of the librarian's desk, which startled the man, and then walked out, making sure that Minh followed. Her next stop was an armory, from which she grabbed a large axe, hefting its weight experimentally. It was heavy.

With a wider grin, she led Minh out into the middle of a courtyard, what looked to be a training ground for soldiers. There she handed the feline the book in one hand and the axe in the other. "You vant balance, ve can do balance. Hold the book and the axe above your head, one in each hand, and stand here. Von is learning. The other is strength. Let's see if you still vant balance by the end of the day." Her grin was positively feral. "Drop von of them by the end of the test and there vill be consequences. Drop both and you vill not succeed in your quest. You are to stand here, unmoving, until I come for you. Do not speak. Do not go anyvhere. I vill be vatching. Understood?"

So saying, she turned and sauntered off, hips swaying and tail wagging.