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Post by Greenie on Dec 6, 2008 11:21:51 GMT -5
 Mia hadn't gotten any sleep, he hadn't eaten in a few days, roughly - did he have breakfast the morning after Donnie arrived? He couldn't remember - Zether had cried himself to sleep, leaving Mia feel like a horrible mother, and to top it all off? People wouldn't leave him alone. He'd tried to lock his rooms and fall asleep, but his mother had barged in and (surprisingly with reluctance) woke him up to inform him there was someone from Hearts that needed to talk to someone asap and Donnie was busy. That meant he had to do it, of course - who else was there? After that, he had gone and hidden in an unoccupied suite, only to have Zether follow him and start to cry because he was confused and missed his father. He wasn't about to turn his back on his son, so Mia had spent a good two hours talking to him and reassuring him that no, everyone in the court wasn't about to die, and yes, his lousy lout of a father was coming back soon. Someday. Eventually. Whenever he felt like it - though he didn't share that particular train of thought. He'd taken Ze back to his bed and waited until he fell asleep. The third and final time, Dysthymia just gave up and staged a hostile takeover of the kitchens. It was much easier considering no one was there. Relieved that he was at least alone, he quickly barricaded the door with a chair and collapsed on a table, too tired to move. He was just too mentally drained from the past few days - past month - he had little energy left to deal with the ever persistant problems that kept cropping up in his life. |
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 6, 2008 16:57:38 GMT -5
Three days after that fateful afternoon in the great hall and Donnie was back on her feet. It wouldn't have taken her nearly so long to recuperate... if it hadn't been for the surgery immediately following and the subsequent pain-killers to knock her on her ass. She hadn't been seen for the two days following the fight, under doctor's orders to stay immobile and drugged so that the worst of the damage could begin to heal. The binding had dislocated her shoulders, leaving them remarkably tender for a little while, and there would always be scars on her forearms and back where the rings had to be removed. The ones on her back had been significant enough that the fur would likely never grow over those ten small, circular patches, but the doctor had mentioned that her arms may eventually regrow the fur. Six small holes for each forearm, and each of them justly earned, according to her thinking. That woman may have scarred her forever, but just like anything else, time would heal the wounds. As much as she would have wanted to use her biped form while recovering, she felt that she had to put on a very careful face during her first day out as the Court's new Queen and so she wore her human form. The injuries were entirely covered by her clothing, all but the bruise on her face where an invisible creature had slammed into her. She could only assume it to be Lysaras's summon. She hadn't eaten barely anything over the last few days and her stomach told her in no uncertain terms that it was time for breakfast. Walking in measured steps so that she didn't wobble or look unbalanced while the drugs worked their way out of her system, she went down to the kitchens and tried the handle - only to have the door jiggle as though something were blocking the entrance. She would have just sent one of the servants for food, but she didn't want to wait for someone to check up on her and she hadn't encountered anyone on her way from her room to the kitchen. Her voice was flat. "Let. Me. In." Oh, just have them try to keep her away from a decent meal. |
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Post by Greenie on Dec 6, 2008 17:05:46 GMT -5
Mia had just barely managed to fall into the lightest of dozes when the door began rattling.
He was CURSED, that was it. He was fucking cursed. Someone up there had a vengeance - or was bored - out for him and they were taking out by not letting him sleep. At this rate he was going to end up in a coma, and then die because he hadn't eaten anything, either.
If nothing else, that would teach Christopher not to leave him on his own for two fucking weeks in the middle of a crisis.
The ferret let out a groan that was surely audible from well outside the room, then allowed his body to fall from the table and hit the ground with a loud thump. He recovered from the dizzy spell it gave him just in time to hear Donnie's flat voice, and wondered what would happen if he didn't let her in.
Not that he had anything against her, of course. They hadn't had a chance to talk since the fight, but he'd made it clear his loyalties lay with her - all the same, he needed some freaking sleep. No doubt she'd break the door down if he didn't let her in, which would cause a huge rucus and he'd have to go find another hidey-hole.
The simpler option, of course, was to let her in and just blockade the both of them in. That sounded much less painful and much quieter. "I'm coming, I'm coming, just be quiet!" He yelled through the door, then hastily moved the chair and opened it just enough to slip in.
If his bedraggled fur and exhausted expression didn't scare her, the dark circles under his eyes visible through his fur would. "In, in," He ushered, then quickly shut the door behind her and replaced the chair. "If we make too much noise, Vessatha will get suspicious and she will prevent me from sleeping for another three days."
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 6, 2008 17:14:04 GMT -5
Donnie heard the loud groan from the other side of the door and blinked in confusion, wondering just what was going on in the kitchens. It had sounded eerily quiet until that noise. She would have expected some form of activity, but... how early was it? She hadn't glanced at any clocks on her way down. One look at the sky outside told her that, oh, it was indeed rather early. Or late? Was that false dawn or dawn cresting the horizon? She really couldn't tell in her slightly fuzzy state.
When Mia opened the door and ushered her inside, she gave him a startled look. Well, whatever she'd been expecting, that certainly hadn't been it. He looked as though someone had smacked him in the face with insomnia. "I wouldn't want that. You look like you've been awake for as long as I've been unconscious. Why the kitchen of all places? Won't she be more likely to find you here?"
As she spoke, she'd headed towards one of the cupboards and had begun to rifle through it for something fast and easy that she wouldn't have to cook. Unearthing some bread and cheese, she decided to start with that and cut herself a large chunk of both, carefully sitting down in one of the chairs at the table with a grimace. Her back was still so very tender, and picking anything up with her arms hurt, no matter how light the object.
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Post by Greenie on Dec 6, 2008 17:18:49 GMT -5
"I have no idea when I last slept. Or ate. I can't remember what I was doing before I came in here." He said flatly, not bothering to cover a massive yawn. While she rifled for food he resumed his place at the table he'd been at, not bothering with the chair; the table had more surface area. He didn't bother trying to fall asleep, knowing it wouldn't work now that he'd been interrupted once more.
"No," He replied. "She's interviewing for all the positions that were deserted after the fight. She'll be busy all day. .. night.. whichever word is appropriate.." He shifted a bit on the table so his bindings weren't underneath him. "This is the only place no one else is. Except you, now." Was his only explanation, since he couldn't really remember whyelse he'd chosen the kitchens.
He stared blankly up at the ceiling, his necklace humming gently at his chest.
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 6, 2008 17:26:44 GMT -5
"Ahh, good of her," Donnie agreed with a small grimace before tearing into the bread with a vengeance. "I had a feeling it would be bad. I just... hadn't expected to be unconscious for the beginning of it. Thank the cliffs for your mother. Whether she lets you get any sleep or not."
As she stuffed some more food in her face, she wondered how many positions had been abandoned. Probably a lot of the garden staff, if they knew what was good for them. She fully expected that pretty Hisstor bastard she'd glimpsed before the fight to skip town, and if he hadn't, she was going to make him wish he did. The King of Spades, who'd done absolutely nothing to help his Queen in running the kingdom... oh yes, he would have gotten a 'welcome back' not soon to be forgotten. She didn't suppose he was still around, though. Some of the servants who'd been too used to Lysaras's timid touch would probably resign, if they hadn't already. There were going to be a lot of job openings in the Court. Hopefully the fact that they were under new management would inspire a few people to join their ranks.
"You look like you need to just go and pass out for a few hours. If it's that bad, I'll offer one of the rooms in my suite. I seriously doubt that anyone will barge in there to look for you. You're probably the only male I'd offer one of my beds to at this point in time, but I really can't afford to have the King of Spades turn into an invalid while I'm still recovering."
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Post by Greenie on Dec 6, 2008 17:39:24 GMT -5
"I think we handled it. At least most of it. She's dealing with the inner court and I've been doing my best to deal with everyone that's pouring in, wanting to know what's going on. There's a log in your office of everyone that's come and gone, what they wanted and what they got, if anything, be it information or something else. If you need clarification on anything just let me know." He pushed the necklace aside to rub at his chest and frowned at the warmth, but disregarded it and continued. "I don't know the exact number of resigns we've had, but she has one of the large meeting rooms completely full of people waiting to be interviewed, and she's to the point of setting up a training camp for all of them. They all have to go through you under these circumstances, of course, but just pick a day and she'll have them all ready."
If nothing else, his mother was very good and efficient at what she did. Vessatha had wasted no time in getting rid of those that were overly loyal to Lysaras, though most of them had left of their own regard. Not even an hour later had she sent out couriers to all of their diplomatic stations letting them know the Court was in need of personnel.
"Thank you, but no, it won't help. I -- what?" He paused and stared at her, his head swimming over the implications of what he thought he'd heard. "What did you say?" He asked with far, far more clarity than he felt. His necklace began burning, but he failed to notice it through his confusion.
The King of Spades? The King of Spades? How was that possible, Varestes--. Varestes was gone. He'd known that, but it had never clicked, never came to him that he was the only one left.
There were no other Kings in Spades.
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 6, 2008 17:55:43 GMT -5
Cliffs, but that woman was dependable. Donnie felt lucky as hell that she and her son both decided to stay with the Court. Without them... well, she didn't know what kind of shambles the palace would be in right now, nor did she even want to think about it. "We're going to have to do a drug screening on the applicants too, if they get to the point of being hired," she added thoughtfully. "I don't want to deal with another situation like the gardeners. Cigarettes and alcohol are one thing, but checkmate? When Midori freezes over, maybe."
She sighed and rubbed carefully at her cheek, where the bruise was just blossoming into a beautiful smear of green and yellow and blue, not to mention the purple to match her marking. Ugly thing. At least she'd earned it and hadn't walked into a door or something like that. She didn't mind showing her face bruised so long as there was a good reason.
"I'd really like to thank you for keeping things together, by the way. You're probably one of the most dependable males I've ever- what?" She blinked, cut off in the middle of a compliment by his question. "What did I say about what? Hiring? Your sleeping habits?"
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Post by Greenie on Dec 6, 2008 18:03:55 GMT -5
"I doubt it will be a problem, but if you want, sure. None of the people Vessatha's hired have run into any trouble, just the ones that were here before she was. My mother has a habit of not hiring anyone she can't get along with, and she doesn't support abusive habits." He was still struggling with the fact that all the gardeners had been so drugged up - the one from his quest still disgusted and haunted him. He was just as upset as Donnie was that she'd let it go that far, but had been in a far harder place to do anything about it.
"You called me the King of Spades, didn't you," He said quietly, the question more rhetorical than anything. His head was beginning to swim, and his necklace was burning - no doubt thanks to the turmoil he couldn't get away from.
He had no idea if he was ready to be the King of Spades. It wasn't something he'd ever thought about - Suits, he hadn't even been a King that long. Granted, he'd grown into the position fast out of necessity and had practically been operating as the primary king, but he hadn't held the title so it had kept him from thinking about it.
Why did everything have to fall on his head all at once? This, Christopher, the fight, Zether, life - it was enough to make him want to throw up.
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 6, 2008 18:16:59 GMT -5
Mia's stated question had been quiet, but his expression turned strange. It almost looked to Donnie as though he were getting dizzy, or light-headed. She paused mid-chew, then finished masticating the cheese to death and swallowed. "Yes, I did. You're the only King here. I mean, unless you're really opposed to the position and you want me to leave it open or something... but at this point, I can't even think of anyone I'd feel comfortable putting in the spot besides you. No one else has been a King in the palace, no one else knows the place as well, and no one else is experienced in what needs to be done for the job. You're it."
She would have asked him to lay down if he hadn't already been half-sprawled on the table. The young man really didn't look so hot. It made the wolverine wish his mother was present, even with the amused fussing, just so that she could figure out what was wrong. "...Mia? Don't you collapse on me."
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