|
|
Post by Lucca on May 27, 2009 21:16:01 GMT -5
 It had been a long time in coming. The research about the state of the Court, both present and past, the traveling, the meeting of so many interesting and high ranked Cards of his own Suit (and a few not of his own) had been an ongoing process for the past few months. But now was when it would pay off. It had been exactly a week ago today that Colin had woken up feeling...stronger. Better, somehow. And imagine his absolute delight at finding a shiny new black 8 on his chest where the 5 had been the night before! Armed with his new, more dignified rank, Colin had decided a trip to the court was in order. So he had sent a message ahead to a friend who worked there, Ichigo, the mouse guard. Proudly, but with a proper stance of respect for where he was, the cardinal approached the Court of Spades for the first time in person, looking around in awe and reverence. And of course, also trying to spot a grey-and-black figure among the guards at the front of the gate. |
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on May 31, 2009 21:02:36 GMT -5
He hadn't been looking for the letter, and was quite surprised when it came. He had never expected it to show up so soon, but it was quite the cheerful occurrence. To make things better he had been assigned as his escort considering the circumstances. And now it was just a waiting game. A waiting game that wasn't going to take that long. The mouse saw the purple in the distance. A smile twitched on his face as he saw the man other man in the distance. There weren't that many Villa around in the first place, and he didn't know that many birds. So it must have been Colin... there was no other possible answer. When the cardinal finally closed the gap of distance, the mouse's ears perked. "Welcome to the court of Spades, Mr. Colin. It's been sometime." Ichigo gave him his brightest grin, a ten was now on his chest, he was still working on obtaining Jack. (( OOC: *headdesk* Ichigo is giving me one heck of a time. )) |
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Jun 1, 2009 19:13:37 GMT -5
It didn't take long for Colin to spot the familiar figure, even as small as he was, with those crescent-shaped markings and bright blue eyes. As soon as he recognized Ichigo, his beak split into a smile. Despite his calm demeanor, he was actually somewhat nervous. After all, here he had a chance of running into a high-ranking noble of the Court...perhaps even the Queen herself! It was both an exciting and a terrifying thought.
"Thank you for the kind welcome, Sir," he said with a sweeping bow to his friend, and as he stood back to his full height, he couldn't help but puff out the feathers on his chest, just a little, so as to show off his new rank. Though it was then that he noticed something about the mouse.
"I see you have also obtained a higher rank since we last met," he said, a note of definite admiration coloring his voice. If anything, it made him even more determined to push forward, and of course happier then ever that his own rise to eight had occured so fortuituously. "Congratulations," he added, noting in the back of his mind that this meant Ichigo now had a familiar to call his own, as all Spades did upon reaching Ten.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jun 3, 2009 19:34:38 GMT -5
Ichigo brightened considerably at the man's greeting and compliment. The mouse gave him a bright smile. "Why thank you on all accounts." He gave the man a small bow.
"It's not proper to discuss everything at the gates, of course, shall we get going?" The mouse motioned towards the palace entrance. This was going to be a rather nice change from the usual. Normally he didn't give anyone tours, he simply escorted them where they needed to go. It was rare that he got the chance to show someone the different parts of the palace and explain what they were.
"What would you like to see first?" The mid-ranger asked as he walked through the gate, assuming that Colin was following him. It was a slow pace, it should have been good enough pace for the bird to follow. Ichigo's ears twitched as he listened for a response.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Jun 3, 2009 21:46:43 GMT -5
Colin nodded, and of course followed the mouse as he began to lead the way into the palace, feeling small electric prickles of excitement run up his back. Though he was almost perfectly composed, painfully aware of all the important people around, his eyes were roving over the beautiful black stone of the entry way. "I'm ready," he said, and was proud of how level his voice sounded. He'd been dreaming of this day for months...and here it was. And now the mouse was asking him a question, which...somehow he had not been prepared for.
He nearly stopped walking to think about it, but there was no need to stop unless Ichigo did as well. Really, he would have liked to see whatever the most impressive display of architecture, knowing that was the palace's strong point, and being that he thought he could appreciate the beauty of it all. Especially since most of the stone the place was constructed of came from cliffs near his home region.
But when he opened his beak, something else entirely came out. "Would it be possible to see the room where challenges for the Queenship are held?" Realizing this was a bit morbid, Colin shook his head lightly, reprimanding himself in his head. "I mean...I hear it's a rather stunning place, despite its tarnished history." Hopefully Ichigo would not think ill of him for being drawn to the place where the fate of the Court was so recently and violently decided.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jun 4, 2009 12:33:37 GMT -5
It was slightly unexpected, but completely understandable. The Queen battles were an important part of the culture, and the latest one had changed everything about their suit. Nothing was falling in disrepair, they were getting more respect, and the future looked brighter than it had.
"That wouldn't be a problem at all," Ichigo said cheerfully. "It's just a little ways in. If you want to stop at any time before that just tell me. There are plenty of places to go and things to do here. And we might run into a noble on our way there."
It was a bit of a walk to their destination. They crossed the path of several busy servants, some of with gave a small greeting to the pair, others of with passed by in their own haze. After ten minutes of walking they came to the great hall, "And here we are. I think it's best to let it speak on its own."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Jun 4, 2009 20:21:24 GMT -5
The mouse's cheerful manner reassured Colin, and he felt strangely at ease as he followed the guard through the Palace. "Thank you, I will inform you if anything catches my attention," he replied, purple feathers settling as they walked. He managed to keep mostly focused; now that he was here, in the Court he'd dreamed of, he found himself possessing an almost bizzare sense of calm. Truth be told, it was all a little surreal...the servants rushing to and fro, the rich hangings in colors of green and black, the lovely stonework. Though the cardinal found himself staring about with interest, he didn't see anything that so captured his curiosity as the thought of the room they were making way towards with every step.
Finally...they were there, and Colin stepped into the room, his eyes widening at the amazing sight. The Great Hall of the Spades Court...so much had changed here. It wasn't as long ago as it felt that the fate of all Spades had been decided here...Donalda had struck down the late Queen. He stared at the large symbol on the floor, familiar as the back of his hand...or at least the feathers on his chest. Slowly, he paced forward, to stand on top of it and look around the room...the great, sweeping lines of it possessing great beauty. He felt odd, to be standing here, where Lysaraus had died...and possibly other Queens before her...
"If we know not death, how then can we truly love our life?" he murmured, probably not aware of having spoken aloud.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jun 6, 2009 22:10:03 GMT -5
The mouse's ears perked at the comment. He was completely unsure if the bird meant to speak it aloud or not, but the mouse wasn't about to step on toes. It was a true statement and made perfect sense. Death was part of living. The queen battles were not only battles for life but battles for a future, good or bad.
It was depressing to think about how many people had possibly died for the sake of the future and the way things were.
Ichigo glanced at he bird and waited. He would simply wait until Colin was finished inspecting the place before he ushered them forward. The palace was large enough to spend days in if you didn't know where to go, and he had forgotten to ask how long the cardinal was planning to stay. The day was still young, and he had plenty of time to ask later.
"Where would you like to go after this?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucca on Jun 7, 2009 20:56:07 GMT -5
The cardinal spent several minutes of contemplative silence, even bowing his head at one point and thinking about the most recent death that occured here. Despite the fact that she maybe hadn't been the greatest leader, Colin still held a great deal of respect for Lysarus. So he figured he could take a moment to lament her passing and its necessity for the sake of those who still missed the previous Queen of Spades.
It was with a solemn demeanor that he approached his friend and guide once more, though an underlying tremor of excitement still added a lilt to his gait. "I am ready to proceed," he intoned, inclining his head politely. "I very much appreciate you taking the time to do this for me. As for our next destination..." Colin hesitated, considering. To tell the truth, he hadn't expected to be in charge of the tour, so to speak, and the layout of the palace wasn't really somethign he'd had a chance to study in detail...especially not a recent map, since the current leadership had taken effect. He was sure Queen Donalda had changed more than just the policies of her Court.
"Is there by any chance...a music room or something of that nature?" He was curious, especially with the fact that the Queen was half Villa...and even in a busy Court, there should always be a time and place for things of beauty.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jun 8, 2009 19:43:25 GMT -5
A music room? Ichigo's ears twitched in thought. There was nothing of that sort open to the public that he knew of. Then again he didn't pay attention to that sort of thing. Music was never something he thought much about, but he should have anticipated a question like that from a Villa.
"I'm afraid I have no knowledge of a music room in the palace. If we do have one I'm sure it's private...." The mouse gave a small shrug. "Though, are you hungry? The kitchen isn't too far away and we should probably get some lunch before the rush."
And early meal in the gardens would be a pleasant. That way Colin could have a proper meal from the Court of Spades cooks in the nice little setting without having to deal with the normal hustle and bustle of lunch time.
|
|
