The Extension of the Mind [Finished]

[seraaches]

Things were. . . slightly better for Uncle Se. His outbursts were fewer and farther between, yet not entirely gone. It helped that Father was so often around, playing with a bone hand, but it didn't change the fact that the Court was already starting to fall behind. She wasn't going to let it mire down as badly as it had for Grandfather after he'd been given control. This was her Court, after all, and her late Grandfather and even her father had taught her that.

With this in mind, Dre tossed her head in a very equine manner and knocked firmly on the study door.

Drostan sighed from the end of his leash, but didn't make an effort to run. Not yet anyway. He knew why she'd attached it to him today; they were going to see The Queen. And Drostan hated the man.

[seraaches]

"Come in!" he called out cheerfully in response to the knock, though he certainly wouldn't be surprised by who was on the other side of the door. He knew this was coming; she'd scheduled it with him yesterday for some reason he couldn't fathom. She'd told him it was to be official and he assumed it was something to let the others still in the Court cling to. Business could continue as usual despite who was on the throne. It didn't really bother him; serving Se was more fun Mommy Dearest.

When his daughter and her pet came in, Ira waved at them with Mommy Dearest's arm. "Let's go on in!" And he led the way into the inner office.

He had been in his human form. His brain had come by. And now he didn't have hands. He wasn't entirely certain wot had happened, but he assumed his mind had a good reason for it. Staring down at his claws, he was unaware of those who entered his office.

[seraaches]

Drostan felt nothing but relief as they entered the office and found Se standing in the corner staring at his very animal toes. He would not liked to have known the circumstances surrounding the change, however; he hated feeling beholden to Ignatius for anything. Still, this meant that he could move along beside his mistress and not worry about the panic that otherwise threatened to overcome his good sense.

Dre dropped a quick curtsy to her uncle as she stepped into the room and was unsurprised to find it utterly unacknowledged. So she simply remained in the position for an appropriate amount of time, then rose to her full height yet again. As no one else was in bipedal form, her proud head was held quite above everyone else. Still she smiled at her father and opened her beak to make her pronouncement.

"I would like to apply for a Queen slot, Your Majesty. Please grant me a task to prove my worth of both the rank and the responsibilities."

[seraaches]

Ira beamed benevolently at his daughter, and, once she made her pronouncement, happily clapped for her. He, at least, was well-pleased by this. Xiven appeared to hate Se and, thereby association, himself. It was really quite sad; he knew he was a lovely individual. He glanced over at his brother to see if Se had even caught this somewot question directed at him.

Se was hearing voices again. His ears went back and he frowned at his toes before green eyes came up to stare hard at the ghosts standing in the room with him. He frowned harder and tried to decide what to do about this invasion. Not that the ghosts or his mind seemed to follow what he wanted to occur.

"I think this is a splendid idea," Ira said in a falsetto voice, that was, perhaps supposed to be an imitation of Se. "Perhaps you should have a tea party!"

[seraaches]

Dre smiled at her father's antics, golden eyes watching the Queen of Hearts carefully despite her amused demeanour. Se seemed to be doing very well lately, though it was very well for him and not necessarily 'normal'. Still, few in the Court of Hearts could truly be called normal, so she wasn't as concerned about it as perhaps she otherwise might be.

The woman swiftly hid the calculations yet again, her smile still wide and not quite as beaming as her father's. "That's a lovely idea," she announced, as thought it was Se's idea coming through Ira's mouth. "I think I'll go meet with the other nobles. Would that suffice, Your Majesty?"

Drostan would have snorted to show his disdain of Ira's 'trick', but he likely would have been more afraid of the Queen being more aware of his surroundings.

[seraaches]

"Wot a lovely idea!" Ira exclaimed brightly. "You should send them our greetings." His manner was entirely without duplicity; he evidently fully believed this was an excellent idea. Perhaps it would even help mend the relations between them and the other a Queen in the Court.

Se looked over at Ira, wondering exactly who he was talking to; Ira couldn't see the ghosts, after all. Of this, Se was certain. Was there a rumour about someone else who could see ghosts? As usual, he felt his chest tightening, his heartbeat suddenly speeding up, and his eyes darted back and forth around the room. There wasn't anyone here but Ira. It was okay. Right? Everything was fine.

Ira moved to the desk and opened a draw, pulling out a bone hand and moved closer to his brother. His attention was still on his daughter, however, and he was still smiling even as he showed the limb to Se. "This is the sort of task that requires immediate planning. Off you go, dear!"

Seeing the limb, Se's tense frame immediately began to relax.

[seraaches]

"But of course," the Highlander mix said, dropping another curtsy to her father and uncle. "I will let you know how things go." She straightened once more and tilted her head to smile at them once more, before tugging gently on Drostan's leash and made her stately exit out of the room.

---

Drostan wasn't actually looking forward to any of these meetings. Today, they were to have tea in the gardens with the other titled Queen, Xiven. His glimpses of her in the passageways hadn't encouraged him to think this would go very well. Dre had a tendency to cause people to love her immediately or hate her rather passionately. Fortunately, more people found her diverting than annoying, but he knew well the fine line she walked, even if she appeared to be entirely unaware of it.

Dre happily settled at the table set up with a nice, proper tea and waited for her majesty Xiven to appear. Drostan was arranged at her side, a lovely bow around his neck, blooming behind his head like a wonderful flower. He had been amazingly calm when she'd tied it, and she just chalked it up as further proof that things were going to go well today.

[Kari Muffin]

Life was still falling apart. Nothing was going right. Well, at least in all of her frustration she had figured out the human form thing. It was a difficult thing to get used to, especially the idea of clothing since she was never quite fond of it on her fur.

But in all of the chaos of the courts, in all of the stress of losing two of her Kings, and all of the mess with That Man as The Queen she had somehow been invited to have a nice chat over tea. The very idea made her fur stand on end. Was it really appropriate to have tea when everything was going to hell and a hand basket as far as she knew.

Either way, she might as well go. At least she wouldn't have to deal with reality for a while. The feline shifted into her human form and made her way to the garden. When she arrived the other woman was already waiting, and with her was a rather.... interesting looking Ace. She had to bite her lip to prevent herself from laughing. Something with so many battle scars wearing a cute little bow just seemed silly.

"I hope you don't mind my late entrance and present form, Miss Dierdre." She said with the brightest smile she could pull off as she approached the mixed region. Xiven did her best not to judge her by mere appearance and region. But Highlanders.... oh this might not go smoothly.

[seraaches]

Dre's ears perked up excitedly when the Queen made her entrance, and she fairly bounced to her feet at the sight of the human form. "Oh, your majesty Xiven! You look divine!" Well pleased by anything she considered attractive, the horse-bird was nearly ecstatic by the elegant picture the woman presented. "Now, let's sit down, Ms. Xiven," the Highlander mix said cheerfully, then gestured towards the Ace waiting patiently beside the table. "This is Drostan." She gave him an affectionate pat on the head before returning to her seat so she could pour the tea out for both of them. "May I offer you any other refreshment?"

When presented to the Queen, the Tulgey Ace dropped his head in a nod to her very high rank above his. He would, for once, be on his very best behaviour. He knew what rode on this meeting, even if Dre did not fully understand it.

[Kari Muffin]

Xiven was terribly surprised by the woman's actions, a Highlander.... saying... something like that. Perhaps it was just because she was used to dealing with the snotty bastards who paraded around the Highlands, but part of her remained on guard and paranoid, waiting for some sort of off handed remark.

"Thank you, very much. It's nice to finally meet you officially, considering I have only heard rumors and seen you from a distance," She said with smile offering the other woman her hand if she desired to shake it. Xiven raised an eyebrow at the introduction of the other woman's pet. At least his name seemed fitting, even if it was a bit too much like a real person's for the feline's comfort.

'It's a pity I didn't bring Fluffy along.' She thought as she took a seat. Fluffy had been less than helpful lately. Of course it wasn't her fault, she didn't understand what was going on... a distraction though, would have been wonderful, then again this Ace looked like he could tear Fluffy limb from limb.

"Just tea is fine," Xiven said, she didn't hesitate to launch straight into conversation. "So what exactly is your intention by asking me here?"