King Quest - Red Mouse Rising [Conquered]

[Kasatsu]

The red mouse made his way through the halls of the court, his dragon cane clicking against the stone floor softly with each step. He gripped it with a bare hand, feeling the slight tingling that such an action did, but for the most part he ignored it not really sure why it caused such a reaction. Juris, his Tove, wiggled in the air over his left shoulder. Though it could not fully be seen through the fur his left arm sported the scars of a dog’s bite, serving as a constant reminder to himself.

He had sent a letter ahead addressing his wish to raise his current rank of Jack in the courts to that of a King. And the responding letter had informed him of their meeting time and place. He had taken extra care to make sure that he would arrive just on time, not too early or not too late. It would not do for him to arrive early and have to wait, nor to cause a bad impression with causing the person he was to see, to have wait for his arrival. He was not that high up in rank yet to even attempt that yet.

Spotting the door he needed, he waited a moment to take a deep breathe before knocking on the door.

[The Jenn]

Voices could be heard from the other side of the door, at least two of them, and it opened a moment later to reveal Anoushka with a fangish grin on her face. "Vell, yes! Yes, it seems he has arrived, my Qveen. This vay, Aderlass. His Majesty Veldmair avaits you." She threw the door wide and sauntered back into the room, tail wagging enthusiastically. This promised to be at least vaguely interesting.

The sitting room was simply but richly appointed, the warm colors of their suit prominent in fabrics and accessories. Hardwood floors were partially covered by a rich cream carpet, the walls were touched with swirls of pale orange and cream, and all of the furniture was likewise upholstered with rich wood and softly patterned fabric. One of the chairs was noticeably larger than the others, obviously designed specifically for the proportions of its inhabitant, a large Corvistowne bull with brilliant blue markings and a curious, intent gaze. The King reached his chair and proceeded to practically climb into his lap, reclining across him and relaxing. In a very, very odd way, it was reminiscent of a lapdog.

"Your Excellence Aderlass," the man said after a moment, his voice as deep as his barrel of a chest suggested it should be. "Please, do come in. Close the door and have a seat. I believe you have a boon to ask of me?"

[Kasatsu]

The mouse entered the room as his Majesty informed him too, shutting the door behind him. He was a little nervous about what was about to happen, though he was determined not to show it. After he had shut the door he gave a low bow at the waist, “Thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty.”

As he had been told to do, he took the vacant seat across from his Queen. He sat at attention, his hands resting on the top of his cane, giving the appearance of being confident but not being in the least bit cocky.

“I am honored that you have taken time out of your busy schedule to see me.” He nodded his head towards the bull once again.

He noted the way that King Anoushka had draped herself across his Majesty’s lap. He silently wondered what kind of relationship they had. He was careful to not meet her eyes. He was more then aware of the fact that she knew his weaknesses, even if he had already defeated them in front of her eyes.

Turning his full attention back to the bull before him, he replied to his question. “I come to ask for my Kinghood, Your Majesty.”

[The Jenn]

Veldmair nodded polite acknowledgment of the courtesies, taking them as they were offered and almost absently petting the shoulder of the canine on his lap. "Kinghood. Hmm. And similarly, you're aware that I am the Court's only official Queen, and that I certainly do have room for more Kings under my rule. My current one would probably appreciate the challenge of someone nearer to her rank than a mere Jack." And the fact that the man could call a Jack 'mere' spoke for how long he'd held his position, a decade at least.

Relaxed where she was, Anoushka smirked and eyed the mouse. "Yes, vell, I concede that it might be fun. This von has proven a capable sort. Of course, there vould be more responsibility as vell as privilege if you took this rank and the title that goes vith it."

The bull nodded slowly. "Of course, that is always the case in the Courts. Tell me, however. What makes you think that you're ready for the increased responsibility? What about the Courts appeals to you enough to drive you higher?"

[Kasatsu]

He was aware that there were not many, if any, other Kings in the Club Court. It was something that made him more determined as well as made him saddened. There were far too many clubs out there for their court to be as barren as it was.

He eyed the canine for a moment, neither with distrust or distaste. It would be interesting to have to face her day to day. Though apparently there was nothing like facing your fears. Maybe something more then simple distrust on his side could come of it? “I believe I am ready to accept the responsibility.” He replied gently.

Turning to face his Queen he found himself fighting a lump in his throat. Though it had been a few months and many things had happened since, some things were still hard to get over. Fighting the moment of weakness his eyes became set with determination.

“I have something to prove to myself, Your Majesty, and a goal I have every intention of seeing fulfilled. I failed it once and now stand before you stronger and more set because of it.” He answered his question; his tone held every sense of his being determined to do just that.

[The Jenn]

Regarding him with mild interest, Veldmair nodded at his words. "Eloquently put. No doubt you've been preparing for several questions, and your answers show quite a bit of thought behind them. You're certainly unlike other Kings I've had in the past, and I dare to say that you and my current King are quite, quite different. Still..."

He eyed the mouse speculatively, his thoughts unclear, but there was a feeling of 'intent' behind the look. "If you want to serve me in a higher capacity, I need to know just how willing you are to serve me, and even to humor me, in any capacity that I choose. The responsibilities and duties of a King are multi-faceted. I suppose what it comes down to is... if I asked you to do something, would you do it?"

Anoushka's eyebrows suddenly peaked with interest and she turned her head to look first at the bull and then at the mouse. A slow, fanged grin spread across her face.

[Kasatsu]

He tried to keep his features smooth as he contemplated the bull’s question, both what he had asked out right as well as what he might have implied with it.

It had not taken him long at all to discover out that everything had a catch to it, especially the questions that were the most simple. And all of his senses told him that this one question mattered more in his aspirations more then he obviously knew.

The look that the current King got on her face made him worried. He was still more then a little leery about her after having gone through his own Jack quest. No one outside of those he trusted knew about what she had discovered during that event.

After a few moments he finally replied, “I have every intention of serving you to the best of my abilities,” both mentally and physically he added in his head, “Your Majesty, for as long as I am one of your Kings.”

[The Jenn]

Veldmair looked pleased with the mouse's response and Anoushka's grin only widened as she slid off of the Queen's lap and approached Aderlass. "Your performance in this Court has been noted as exceptional. You seem to be dedicated to your vork and I have no cause for complaint. Indeed, I feel you deserving of the rank of King. So I vill give it to you. His Majesty, of course, decides vhether or not you get a place as von of his Kings. Hold still."

She reached out, close enough to him now that she could place a hand over his ranking, much like she did last time. A moment's concentration, a stronger burning and tingling sensation and the brand over his heart was changed to that of a 'K'. She stepped back, looking pleased, and offered him a nod. "And you are von step closer to being my eqval," she said with amusement. "Not so close yet that ve are 'familiar', mind. Perhaps if your plans ever include becoming a Qveen, you vill surpass it."

As she sauntered back to the Queen, a self-satisfied walk if ever there was one, he reached out a hand and drew her calmly closer. She seemed pleased with the attention. Then he turned his attention to the mouse. "If you wish to continue serving the Court," he rumbled, "we will have another meeting tonight and you will come back to this room. Then I'll see about making you one of my Kings."

((Feel free to skip to the next morning in your last post. *snerk* You know what's going to happen, and I know how you're going to (probably) respond, so you can make it the last one and assume that he told you that Ader's in. <3))

[Kasatsu]

“Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness.” He said as the canine went to stand by the Queen again.

“Since I am interested, I will see you here again later tonight then.”

~ ~ ~

He stared around his new quarters. It was a considerable size change compared to what had been his Jack. He stared at its decorations and furniture in more numbed shock than exhilarating happiness. He still could not quite believe what he had done to stay in the courts. The benefits of his decision outweighed that of the action, he supposed.

Minh definitely could not learn what had happened between him and the Queen. He had a feeling that she would not have a pleasant reaction to it. At all. While they were not truly ‘committed’ to each other they still remained loyal to each other.

Blinking, a small smile started to spread on his face as the shock wore off. He had made it. He was now a King. All of his plans were one, or two, steps away.

[Nathalia]

((XD Delightedly claps her hands and does a dance!))

~Nathalia