Falling Down and Not Getting Up [Finished]

[carcinoGeneticist]

Aimili accepted the package that was handed to her graciously, smiling at Heike before turning her attention back to the Esterberry rabbit. Well, that was interesting. It was rather pretty, wasn't it? She had never seen someone from that region and had certainly not been expecting the rather lovely colors that covered the Leveret's body. She had always imagined they'd look more stuffy, like their books. Her father had never exactly spoken kindly of them, but she figured it was always worth a try.

At its cheerful greeting, Aimili blinked slightly. "Likewise," she said softly, glancing at Heike in a way that seemed to ask if it really was a pleasure to meet the newcomer. "I'm Aimili. I'll take you to my Master, then."

She held tightly to the package, giving Heike a small smile before leading the Leveret down one of the long tunnels of the Warren. This was the right way to do things, wasn't it? Her father would be so proud of both of them - Heike for finding both the package and the new worker, and Aimili for learning how to process said new worker. "What kind of skills do you have, Shashi?" the young rabbit asked, glancing back at the other and smiling brightly, her bone paws clicking on the path before them.

[Kari Muffin]

She was a very strange thing. Bones for arms? Shashi wasn't going to make mention of it tough. She seemed so very young, which probably meant that she was related to the Czar. He wasn't going to push buttons until he made sure it was perfectly safe to.

"This and that. I mostly organize things. In my previous warrens I alphabetized and sorted the entire study, and his library of books in a particular order that he could find what he wanted without having to hunt for it. In the warren before that I set up planners and a variety of other things." He smiled at her. "What is your job, Aimili?"

Heike's ears twitched as he watched the pair walk away. He didn't trust that Esterberry. Biting his lower lip he nodded to himself, as he decided that following the pair of them for Amil's sake was in order. As quietly as possible the antlered rabbit padded behind them, making sure that he was far enough away that he could leap into a door way if he needed to hide.

[carcinoGeneticist]

Her bone-arms were a subject that the poor rabbit was fairly nervous about, and she tried to ignore the clicking as she walked down the paved halls of her family Warren. She knew that the sound was annoying to many of the Rabbits that worked and lived here, but there wasn't a lot that she could do about it, so she did her best to ignore it and hoped that others would do the same.

As Shashi spoke, the girl bobbed her head slightly. Though the action seemed like it would indicate that she was listening closely, there was something in her eyes that seemed to say that she was extremely distracted. It was nothing against the other Leveret, of course, but Aimili was running through thoughts at a mile a minute. Heike had done a good job with her education, but learning and doing were entirely different things, especially since this was her first time acting without assistance.

"Um, I'm sure that we'll find use for your skills here, yes," the girl said softly, nodding her head. What had his skills been, again? Her cheeks darkened slightly. "The Czar... The Czar has much need for those who can plan books! He does love to read, and I'm sure he'd appreciate the assistance should he decide to write." she felt some of the tension vanish. Hey, she had at least remembered something!

They reached a door, and the young Leveret paused outside of it. She sat back on her haunches, giving the Esterberry a small smile. She was a pretty Leveret, that was for sure. "Do you have any other questions? This is the main entrance to the Warren, we'll be at the Czar's room soon enough."

[Kari Muffin]

Well, she got it half right. That was better than not getting it at all. Not like any rabbits who didn't come from an Esterberry Warren listened. Everyone who didn't have the grace or smarts ended up being in other warrens. He was an exception to that rule of course. He had to leave because he couldn't become a Doe. Sticky situation that.

"That's good to hear. I would hate to come here for absolutely nothing," Shashi shrugged. It was a good thing that he could write as well as do a variety of things he wasn't supposed to. It was fun raiding the studies of his former Jacks. He wondered if it would be as fun here.

Heike watched carefully from a distance with narrowed eyes. When Aimili stopped at the main door he threw himself into one of the open broom closets. Hopefully she hadn't caught sight of him.

Shashi's lop ears twitched at the sound behind him. Must have been his imagination. "Is there anything particular that I should know about manners with the Czar. Is he the type to want us to have our heads lowered and groveling or is he the other type of Jack who could care less?"

[carcinoGeneticist]

The young Leveret was far too distracted to notice Heike's darting about. Her bone limbs clicked as she considered the purple and copper patterned Rabbit, head tilted thoughtfully to the side. She had spent her entire life under her father's control, obviously, and she wasn't entirely sure how to describe the best way to act around the man. It had always just been an everyday thing, not something that had ever demanded her active thought.

When she was unsure, her little bones clicked at a more rapid pace. She was unsure now, and the clicking continued on.

"The Czar is demanding of respect, but he is a good Jack." she said quietly, thoughtfully. "He expects a lot out of his workers, but if you do as you're told you'll be treated well. The Czar does want his servants to be happy, because we work better when we are." She pushed the heavy door open, holding it there for the other Rabbit with a small smile.

"The Czar will be happy to meet you. He'll think you're quite beautiful, I'm sure. He's always looking for new Does, after all." And with that, the young girl ushered Shashi through the door and down the hall, pausing outside of the Czar's door.

"This is his room. I've got to bring this to his private chambers," she said, motioning towards the package. "Once you're settled I'll track you down again."

[Kari Muffin]

That kicking wanted to make him punch her in the teeth. Of course he was the great Shashi and that wasn't about to happen. He smoothed out the fur on his ears when he heard the textbook reply.

This girl didn't know what she was doing. Bugger.

His brow raised at the Doe comment. This was going to be a bad warren to stay in wasn't it. He watched the girl as she was ready to go. "W-wait. I'm not sure I understand. Am I supposed to talk to him alone or am I supposed to wait for your return?"

Heike was hovering, listening to every word as his ears twitched. All right, the Esterberry wasn't a complete ass, but that was probably because he was in need of a job. It was all an act, he was sure of it. That or he was being paranoid, but Heike was never paranoid.

Hopefully master would kick the pretty Esterberry out on their ass.

[carcinoGeneticist]

To say that the girl didn't know what she was doing was the understatement of the century. When Shashi began to politely protest her abandonment, the young rabbit stopped and looked at him, her nose wiggling in dismay. Her brows creased slightly as she seemed to consider it for a second. How was it that her father did things? Was it customary for new Leverets to be brought to him, or did they generally introduce themselves? She couldn't remember for the life of her.

Luckily, the panicked expression on the Esterberry's face told the young girl what she should do, and she smiled reassuringly, the clicking of her bones slowing slightly.

"I'll deliver this by hand, then. I can introduce you and make sure that the Czar gets his package all at the same time." she seemed to be rather proud of herself as she pushed the heavy door open, motioning for the other rabbit to follow her into the pristine study.

The large Jack cut an imposing figure where he sat in the plush chair that rested in the corner of the room, and when the pair of leverets came in he snapped the book he was reading shut. No flicker of joy passed his face when he saw his daughter, but he did give her a small nod when he saw the package she carried. "Just put that on the desk,[/b]" he said, motioning towards the mahogany furnishing. It was only a second before bright yellow eyes locked on Shashi.

A smile threatened to twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Aimili, who is this?[/b]" The man asked, leaning back and putting his chin against one fist.

"T-this is Shashi, Master," the young rabbit explained hastily, rushing to place the package to the desk, bowing her head low to her father. "She's looking for a job here."

[Kari Muffin]

Shashi breathed a sigh of relief at Amili's change of mind. He really didn't want to go in and introduce himself alone when he had only heard rumors about the Jack.

Once they had entered the room Shashi had regretted every stepping foot in the warren. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the Jack in the plush chair. His heart almost stopped when the Czar's eyes rested on him as a target. The Esterberry wanted to hyperventilate and bolt out of the room, but he couldn't even muster that.

For the first time in his entire life he was utterly terrified.

"I-" Shashi tried to begin, but it only came out as a weak squeak. Crap. This wasn't doing well for his image. He bowed his head, too terrified to look up. "I'm very sorry to impose on you, sir. I was just hoping that your warren would need some extra help, even if it is run so perfectly."

That Heike character was right. Shashi wished he would have listened.

[carcinoGeneticist]

The large Jack looked the small and trembling Leveret over with a rather bemused expression. He liked that kind of fear in his servants, it generally made them subservient and well-behaved. It was a kind of respect in the eyes of the Highlander.

And oh, but there was a large part of him that laughed inwardly at the thought that an Esterberry would show respect to anyone. It must have spoke volumes for what the little quaking creature thought of its new Jack.

Vikenti stood from his chair, setting his book aside. He waved a hand at his daughter, who quickly scurried out of the way, holding her head low and keeping her eyes lowered towards the floor. The quick bow made her ears fold over and drag on the ground, but she didn't want to correct them just yet. After all, she didn't want to accidentally offend her father. The Jack folded his arms behind his back as he looked the Leveret over closely. It was a pretty thing, he had to admit to himself, and he wondered if it would ever reach status as a Doe.

Then maybe it'd truely be worth something.

All the same, he could use the extra set of paws. "While I appreciate your shameless ass-kissing, Leveret, it is true that my Warren is run under a tight banner. Yes, I would go so far as to claim that it is run perfectly.[/b]" his voice was deep and filled the small room. "However, it is also growing. I have three Does, and each one of them requires as much attention as they rightfully deserve. My children are still learning, but when they have proven to be worthy, I will not keep them here. As such, I am in need of extra help.[/b]"

He looked at the cowering creature thoughtfully. "Tell me, Leveret, what skills do you possess?[/b]"

[Kari Muffin]

No wonder the Doe were all over him. He was a complete and utter jackass that ladies were so very fond of. Shashi would have rolled his eyes if he still wasn't utterly terrified of the man who could snap his neck like a twig.

Shashi made sure to keep his head down while he was speaking. "My main skills are organization. In my previous warrens I reorganized and categorized their studies and libraries. I also reorganized the living spaces to be more efficient in one of my previous jobs. Most of my skills are literary based. Writing organizers and planners for other Leverets to keep things moving smoothly."

Shashi hoped that that was enough to please the Czar. At the very least he didn't want to be punted out on his ass. Though, the Czar would probably do something much worse to him for wasting his time.