A Heartattack and a Half [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

Zane was downright terrified, but he had made the decision. He wanted to become a Jack and he was going to take the test at the court of Spades. He had received a letter that said it was all right for him to take the quest, and he had a proper appointment.

It didn't make him feel any better. He was in a strange place, looking for the King he had an appointment with. If Zane wasn't so determined to go through with his plan he would have walked in the opposite direction. He wanted to make his father proud, he wanted to make his sister realize that he wasn't a pansy like she thought he was. So what if he was only really good with math and had no luck with women. He was going to change his luck today. This would be his first step.

He looked around. This seemed to be the right place... was he early or late? There wasn't a soul around.

[Nathalia]

Varestes watched from behind the veil of magic that disguised itself as a wall as the sparrow walked by. What an interesting looking bird...was he a mixed breed, or was that simply an of mutation? Whichever it was it made for quite the different look. He rather hoped the lad was a mix-breed...it would be fun to give a quest out to another mix like himself...

After the bird had passed him, he slipped out from behind the veil, using his Jack's ability to move in silence as he meandered after the boy for a few moments, watching the way he moved.

Shoulders slightly hunched, not rolled forward with the weight of the wings as many birds did, but bent at a crook. Uncertainty and an air of distinct discomfort from that posture. His legs, though long, were taking short quick steps, as though he just wanted to get things over with...

He would have fun with this one...sometimes the meekest of them turned out to be the ones with the most damned backbone.

"Here for your quest, Zane?"

The name was fun, he rather liked it, it fit the oddity that was the boy without being overbearingly ugly...or trying too hard.

"Your father was unsure of your questing...did you know?"

He asked, having sent a quick message to the lesser Queen of Diamonds after receiving Zane's request, not wanting to step on the higher ranking cards toes. For all he knew, Theofilius would want that lazy cat, Vestra, teaching his son. And even though he knew the uncertainty he had received was all directed at him not the boy...why tell the boy that?

Smiling, he waited for the reaction.

[Kari Muffin]

Zane jumped with surprise, letting out a rather loud chirp. He spun around to see the King. The sparrow's eyes widened for a moment before returning to a less surprised state. He really was scared, he would just do his best not to show it. "Y-yes, I am here to take my quest, Your Highness," he managed to say. Damn, he wasn't good at covering up his hesitation like Ez and Ceren were. At least he remembered his manners.

Zane was taken by surprise with the news. Dad knew that he was taking his quest... and he doubted him? Dad doubted him? That was really weird. Usually Dad constantly said he trusted Zane's judgment the most out of all of his siblings. Why would he decide to doubt him now? At least the Brotherhood didn't doubt him. He did need to respond to the King though, however creepy he was.

"No, I didn't. Then again that's probably why I didn't want to tell him about it." The sparrow choked back a sigh as he stood in front of the King.

[Nathalia]

A little hesitation, but nothing over dramatic or unwarranted and the manners were quick and attentive. Well trained and respectful with normal reaction time...very good, very good.

The reaction to the news about his father was good, nice to know that there was some budding resentment there...he would play on that.

"Didn't want to tell him, eh? Your father does seem to have one or two...control issues, but I suppose that's natural for one of his rank. So tell me, why is it that you want to rise in rank? Are you interested in life in the Courts? Perhaps the power that comes with the rank, or is it the respect you're after?"

He waved a hand toward the wall and turned back the way he came, walking slowly and deliberately toward the wall.

"Please follow me, we'll continue our chat in my office."

He stepped up to and then, to all appearance, right through the wall. Upon closer inspection it could be seen that the thin magical veil over the wall covered a staircase that spiraled upward, lowlit torches lining the wall.

[Kari Muffin]

"Respect mostly. I highly doubt I would but suited for the courts, at least not now. I would rather make a name for myself before joining the courts, Your Highness." That and Zane didn't want to live under his father's shadow. He would be stuck under it if he decide to join the courts now. Always known as Theofilus' son rather than Zane.

Zane was taken by surprise when Varestes walked towards the wall, and then through it. The feathers on his tail puffed up slightly as he studied the wall. Well, apparently it wasn't a wall, but that was still a surprise. With caution he walked through it. How horribly disturbing.

Inside was actually creepier. The stairwell and the torches definitely didn't scream "friendly." Zane was suddenly feeling a bit of regret that he didn't just take his quest at the Diamonds Court. However, he had come this far, and he wasn't about to give up. Even if he was scared witless.

[Nathalia]

Respect... That wasn't the answer he usually received...most would think it, certainly, but most would never admit it to him...too proud of being a Spade and not a Club to admit that they were in need of respect. So the boy had a good head on his shoulders...admirable.

Varestes couldn't help but wonder what would be made of this Zane, weather he would be able to withstand heavy disappointments and the responsibilities that often came with gaining rank...sometimes even familiy members would ostracize one another if they held rank over each other. This family seemed different though, especially that Diamond Queen...very odd for a Queen, very odd.

Not that he could talk, his Queen hadn't been seen outside of her bedroom for a good two months now.

Still...made for a good amount of fun when people had to come straight to him with their problems. Good of Lysaras to leave him in charge for now.

The passage behind the concealed opening was rather small, easy for most to fit through, but obviously designed for the Human form. Varestes climbed the black, marble stairs, his steps making no sound. Smiling to himself...

The King of Spades turned to a small door, oak, placed into the wall. The stairs continued to spiral upward into the darkness, Varestes ignored them..he knew what lay above. Instead he stood inside, holding the door open, welcoming his guest.

"Please, do come in, Zane, we have much to discuss..."

The room was sparsely furnished, two large velvet covered chairs in front of a cold, empty fireplace. A few tables covered in quills and parchment, and a door near the far left corner of the room.

"Have a seat and we'll get started, shall we?"

The King of Spades turned to a small oak cabinet, pulling out two glasses and and old, twisted wooden bottle.

Uncorking the flask, he filled both glasses halfway and handed one to the rat. He smiled, lips thin and still, nodding once before making sure the other saw him drink first. Hesitation was something he was used to when he offered anything to another, he was fairly sure that Lowlanders got the same treatment for their kindness.

"Just a bit of a drink, it always helps one to relax before a trial..."

He seemed to slink down into the other chair across from the odd Sparrow, taking small sips of the wine as he watched the others features with interest. Reaching down a long fingered hand to grab a small bit of bracken and toss it onto the fire.

"I know that it can help to talk about things that might bother you before I continue with your quest. Anything that might be weighing on your mind, please tell me so that it won't...interfere..."

[Kari Muffin]

Zane was filled with hesitation. Even though he was filled with doubt, he found himself following the King of Spades. Though he did have a bit of trouble with his wings. The sparrow wasn't thrilled when he was invited to sit down. He hadn't any idea what to expect, but he didn't expect this.

The drink wasn't something he expected either. He took a careful sip, his nerves were really doing a number on him. He honestly wondered why the hell he had decided to respect his suit and come to this court to take his test. He imagined it would be a lot less creepy dealing with someone he knew. His nerves would still be as bad though.

Talking about things? Talking about things on his mind? What was he supposed to say? "To be honest, I haven't the slightest idea what I'm supposed to say to that. I don't know what would interfere and what wouldn't, Your Highness." Zane wasn't one to talk to strangers about what worried him. This was no exception to the rule. That, and his anxiety wasn't going to let him relax until after this was over.

[Nathalia]

Varestes gave the Sparrow a patronizing look, one eyebrow raised in what appeared to be slight exasperation.

To be honest, I haven't the slightest idea what I'm supposed to say to that.

By his father's skull, couldn't the damn child think for himself...or was he far more sheltered than he had imagined? Either way, his opinion of the bird had diminished slightly.

"Do yourself a favor and stop thinking of what it is you're supposed to do for others. Keep in mind that some of the most heinous crimes in history are the result of people never questioning the establishment...that and good intentions... You may mean well by it, by telling me that you haven't the slightest idea of how to tell me what you think it is that I want to hear. But let me inform you now that this is no way for a higher ranking Card to act, especially one who so desires respect..."

He took another sip of his drink and tilted his head in the direction of the fire, the soft glow caught the dull bone of his half mask, trimming the eye socket with an odd light that almost made it look alive.

"I can see that you're nervous, and I appreciate the manners you show me, Zane. But if you want to move up, you will need to be able to divulge yourself more easily, telling people everything is, of course, out of the question. I could fill a book, no, several books with what my Queen doesn't know, but that gives me no reason not to have a ready answer for her should she come asking."

He steepled his fingers, taloned bone rings clicking together softly.

"And by no means am I telling you to lie there are ways to dance around answering a question without answering with things you do not wish the others to know. Think on your feet, boy. Life, especially with the higher ups, requires you to have a far better answer than 'I don't know'..."

He smiled at the Sparrow again, now crossing one leg over the other, the markings on the faded fabric of his pants almost looking as though they spelled out a word...but unless closer looking was a choice followed through upon, naught can be made out.

"I'll give you another question then. Why is it really that you chose to try your hand at higher ranking in this Court, where no one knows you, than over at the Diamond Court with old Vestra?"

[Kari Muffin]

That was about as friendly as a smack across the face. The sparrow was at a complete loss for words. He honestly couldn't defend himself if he wanted to. He was never good at being lectured to any degree. It always felt like he had failed. Failure never was a fun thing. Being a failure in the same room with someone as terrifying with this wasn't a fantastic prospect either.

Why had he come here? What were the words to explain it?

"Because he knows me. I met him when I was a child. I'm also not going to be a part of the Court of Diamonds, so why would I need to pass their test?" The sparrow tapped his nails on the cup. "I figured coming to this Court would make me decided if I wanted to join the Court of Spades or not. I'd rather not entertain the thought if there's no chance in Hell."

That certainly covered his feelings on the subject. No it didn't actually. "I'm not doing this for anyone but myself. If I wanted to make my father proud or my siblings jealous I would take over the family business. I have every intention of passing or failing this endeavor all the way through. I certainly don't want to waste time if there's no chance of me passing because I'm too much of an indecisive twit. I'll leave if that's the case, Your Highness. I'll come back to take the test again though. One failure isn't enough to stop me from tying to make myself a better person."

[Nathalia]

Varestes eyed the boy levelly.

"I'm not going to stop your quest over something so petty, but in order for you to earn the respect you speak of; you will need to learn how to respect yourself, others about you no matter the situation, and be able to take the critique of others, which will not always be as pleasant as the quips I'm giving you."

He watched the Sparrow's face, waiting for the next reaction. This Zane would most assuredly need to learn to handle his disappointments better or he would never get anywhere much less be successful in the Courts.

"Your choice to take you quest here was a good one based on what you've told me. Vestra is too easy in giving out rank increases to those he knows without any issue. In order to truly test yourself, this was a good place to come to."

Listening to the boy's last statements peaked his intrigue again.

"Now, that's the spirit I'm looking for. Now that you've assured yourself of what it is you've come for, let us begin the second half of your quest, shall we?"

He turned to the left and placed his cup on a small tea table, the fire glinting again off the bone mask and the thin tail of vertebrae clacked together softly with his movement.

"Let us have a look at a hypothetical situation, shall we? Let's say that your father became ill due to a bout of poisoning. You have been to the palace of Diamonds and have not been able to find any evidence with the powers you have...in this Court, however, you know that one of our guards has the ability to see a little ways into the past. In exchange for your use of his power for your means, however; he wishes for you to make it easier for him to access the room in which one of our other Jack's children are kept. He does not speak further on the subject and you know of no one else with powers to assist you in this matter..."

He watched the Sparrow's face intently.

"Will you make the trade?"