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Post by Kiki on Jan 25, 2008 15:33:04 GMT -5
 As Dilis neared the building Father had told her to go to, she looked over the paper she had received in the mail this morning. She had been cordially invited to the Court of Clubs. She was very excited, she wanted to be a Jack for so long and finally her chance to prove herself was here. Father had even beamed at her when he handed her the invitation. Father was so proud of his little girl and he showed it by buying her the dress she had wanted so long ago. He had told her that she had to be on her best behavior today as it would determine whether or not she could become a Jack. Today was a day she wouldn't forget, she dressed up extra nice today. She always dressed like a lady but today she was meeting royalty and she wanted to look her best. She walked up to the door slowly, trying to calm her nerves and knocked. |
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 26, 2008 19:24:53 GMT -5
The guard at the gate, a Selkie feline with an exceptionally large and textured mane, cleared his throat to catch her attention and flashed her a smile. "Hello there, milady. If I can be of any assistance then please, don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to let you in the gate to the palace if you would give me your name and a brief reason for your visit. Then I might be able to help you get to where you need to be even faster, if you'd permit. I've never seen you around here before, so forgive me if I presume, but you could probably use a guide through the palace the first few times if you're going anywhere in particular."
His tone said 'friendly' and 'helpful'. She looked remarkably young and, dressed like that, quite proper as well. It wouldn't do to have less than impressive manners, especially if she was new to the Court. And she was a Ten, from what he could see of her ranking... so there was always the guess that she was interested in Court life.
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Post by Kiki on Jan 26, 2008 19:44:09 GMT -5
As she knocked, a guard appeared; she had never seen someone like him before so she guessed he was from a region she had not been to yet. He was smiling so she loosened up a bit and figured out he probably was not a brute. "Hello" Dilis curtsied as best she could given her form. "My name is Dilis of Avington and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am here because I have received an invitation in the mail this morning." She smiled and gently showed the invite to the guardsmen and then put it away in a safe place.
The way he spoke to her, told her that he wanted to genuinely help and she was thankful. The Court was so large that had he not shown up, she could have been lost forever. "A guide is a wonderful idea if someone would not mind showing me where I need to go. However, I really do not mean to be a bother so please do not go out of your way for my sake" Dilis smiled sweetly.
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 28, 2008 16:15:42 GMT -5
The man's smile widened when he realized this was a person who could genuinely use his help. They were always the most rewarding. He'd been correct in his assumption, which was a relief, since accidentally insulting a regular by not noticing them would be a fast track to the graveyard shift and he knew very well that his wife wouldn't appreciate a change in hours.
And her letter, that was Anoushka's hand if he'd ever seen it. The writing almost looked rushed, as if she'd gotten it out in between other things and hadn't had the time to spend on particularly neat handwriting."It's good to meet you as well, Lady Dilis. Helping you find your way will be no trouble at all. I'm sure that Her Highness Anoushka wouldn't appreciate having an aspiring Jack lost to the corridors of the palace, so if you would please follow me, I will escort you to her chamber." With a very polite gesture, he inclined his head and led her through the gate, towards the palace.
It would only take them a handful of minutes to get through the busy halls and into the more residential area, where the titled nobility took up residence.
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Post by Kiki on Jan 28, 2008 16:39:21 GMT -5
He had taken a moment to read her letter and Dilis hoped everything was alright. She bowed her head out of respect for him.
When the man smiled at her, Dilis felt relieved. She was out of her element and did not know what she should be doing or not doing.
He was going to lead her to Her Highness Anoushka, Dilis could feel the butterflies in her stomach as she realized where they were headed. Before she was able to keep her cool but now she could feel a tiny bit of nervousness.
I am just being silly, she will certainly not bite me... I should not be so scared, it does not suit a lady." She smiled to herself and walked slowly through the gate toward the palace, pressing down her dress as she walked. I would not want to embarrass myself by giving the nobility a show, would i?
As they walked she turned to the man. "Thank you, you are very kind sir..." She waited politely for him to speak his name as Father had taught her to always do.
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 29, 2008 10:10:45 GMT -5
The man coughed in slight embarrassment and lowered his voice, looking briefly to the ground. "My name is Orfa," he muttered, not sounding particularly happy about it, "but if you could, milady, please call me A.C. It's what everybody else does." He glanced at her hopefully, then turned to the door they'd finally arrived in front of. Clearing his throat, he used a knocker designed for animal forms.  The door swung open after a moment and a tall bipedal wolf stood on the other end, eying the pair of them curiously. She nodded to the guard and waited for an explanation, gaze straying over to the other feline and her pretty little dress. Well, someone was obviously trying to make an impression. "Your Highness, if I may present Lady Dilis, here to test herself in a Jack's quest." He bowed and took a step back, awaiting a dismissal which was readily given. Now Anoushka's attention was squarely on the Avington feline, looking her up and down before grinning. Her grin was full of gleaming fangs. "Vell then, come in, Miss Dilis! Aren't you the proper little lady. So... cute." The word was said with a faint sneer, but it was more of an amused expression than a cruel one. Probably. "Yes, please, do come into my room. Then ve may begin your Jack's qvest properly." |
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Post by Kiki on Jan 29, 2008 12:05:12 GMT -5
Dilis nodded politely to the guard. “It is a pleasure, um… A.C. " She bowed her head respectfully. They finally had arrived at the door and waited for him to knock. As the door opened, she noticed the wolf; she was bipedal and kind of loomed over here. Until she achieved Bipedal herself, she did not think she would ever get used to it.
A.C spoke first and that made Dilis kind of relieved, she was not sure what to say any way. Her highness had turned back to Dilis now and was giving her the look over.
“Your Highness, it is an honor to be here. Thank you for taking the time to see me.” She smiled sweetly. "Yes, please, do come into my room. Then ve may begin your Jack's qvest properly." She had invited her in so Dilis made haste into the room so as not to annoy Anoushka.
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 29, 2008 12:11:26 GMT -5
The wolf closed the door behind Dilis, indicating one of the benches for her to sit while she took one herself, the one with the plush cushions covering it. The others were all bare wood.
"So," she began with an amused glint in her eyes, "vhat does a pretty little thing like you vant in the Courts? Looking to voo yourself a higher-ranking patron? Or are you here on your merits alone? Vhy are you looking to become a Jack, little miss?"
As she spoke, her body slowly curled up and back into a more 'comfortable' position, leaving her resting on her stomach and her bindings stretched taut. She seemed to like it that way and her golden eyes did not leave the other female, staring, challenging. Just how much of a child was this pretty little confection in a dress?
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Post by Kiki on Jan 29, 2008 12:47:40 GMT -5
Miss Anoushka had gestured to a bench so Dilis promptly sat. She noticed that all of the benches were bare wood except for the royalty’s. She supposed that it was only fitting as Father would probably behave the same way.
As she sat, her highness addressed her. “Well, ever since I was a young girl I have wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. He himself is a King so it would only be right if I were to do that. I would also enjoy having the respect that those of a higher rank have, I got picked on terribly when I was just a seven.” As she made her admission, she felt a weight lifted off of her. She had never uttered these words before, not even to Father. “Do not get me wrong, I want to join the courts for many reasons but the respect factor sounds enticing to me.” She crossed her paws daintily and waited for a reply.
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 29, 2008 19:01:30 GMT -5
Anoushka watched the girl move, very dainty and delicate. She'd obviously come from a background in which ladies were expected to be well-bred and well-mannered, pretty much the opposite of the wolf's home in growing up. Then again, those were very different times and it was hard to compare the two. Still.
As Dilis admitted things to her, she couldn't help but grin widely. The girl was sharing weakness with her, sharing things that got beneath her skin and made an impact on her growing up. The silly thing was so trusting. It warmed her heart that she would be the one to show her the ways of the Court, that no one else had gotten to her yet. She couldn't have been happier with the circumstances if she'd planned them outright. This would be such fun.
"Fair enough, I suppose," she said in a more neutral tone. "Respect is von of the more enticing aspect of titled nobility. I can see you dreaming of such a thing as a child. Tell me, though. I vill give you a choice, because you have been so forthright vith me. Vould you rather your challenge be a physical von or a mental von?"
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