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Post by seraaches on Jan 14, 2009 16:33:32 GMT -5
Shortly after Ira and Se had turned the corner and gone back out of sight, Drostan glanced fearfully back over his shoulder and realized that the horrific Queen of Hearts was finally gone. A shudder shook his entire body and when Dre gestured for them to take a different path from the monstrosity that was her uncle, Drostan was the first one to move in the proper direction. He never wanted to see that. . . thing again! Dre nodded at Bernard's words, forcing her expression to remain serene, but she was bothered by a great many of factors, one of the main ones being the condition of The King of Hearts. She didn't leave the Highlander behind, instead keeping pace with him as she asked softly, "Bernard. . . you're not going to leave the Court are you?" |
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Post by Kasatsu on Jan 14, 2009 17:41:59 GMT -5
Things were definitely out of the ordinary and probably would remain that way for a while yet. The only thing he could do was make the best of it and keep things as safe as he could. At Bernard's motion for them to take the lead, Iggy went ahead with a little bow of his head, careful to keep his pace slow to match that of Bernard's and Dre's. At Dre's question he flicked an ear back, interested in the answer that would be given. Reaching the King's office he opened the door then stepping to the side motioned for the two of them to enter first. Once everyone was safely inside he closed the door, locking it to prevent just anyone to enter. With that done he turned his attention to the room, standing silently. |
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Post by Nathalia on Jan 17, 2009 16:36:59 GMT -5
Ignatius's lack of verbal response unnerved Bernard almost as much as Ira's flickering smile. The Court was crumbling and there was nothing he could do but stay here and try to make sense of it. Hell if he was leaving. The King had to admit to himself that he was surprised they stayed behind to walk with him, though it shouldn't have been so much of a shock from Dre. Still, everyone else was going mad, why not her too? "I'm fine, Dre, just old." It hurt to say, but it was so damn true he felt he was lying if he tried to make any other excuse. "No, I don't intend to leave, not at all. I'll be here either until his majesty fires me, or I die."His face set, he managed to make ti to the office without actually needing help, though it would take a miracle to get him upstairs again. He glanced at the two and gestured toward the seats, a lump in his throat rising as he saw, for a split second, Nikolai. His son had sat there just a few weeks ago, complaining about the two older members of the cooking staff who had refused to serve him. The poor boy, Hills...would he ever see them again? He gave himself a mental shake and focused on the Cards before him. No need to go to pieces, that could be saved for later in the evening. "Ignatius, Dre." He nodded at them each in turn. "I won't be leaving, you have my word, but I can assure you many of the others will. Many of the children are already gone, especially Sekmeht's...can you imagine what he might do to them? I can... Please indulge me. What in all hell is going on?" |
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Post by seraaches on Jan 17, 2009 21:16:42 GMT -5
Since he seemed reluctant to be overly forthright about his condition, she simply took his words at face value and assumed that he was able to still work. In her mind, if he could not work then he would say so or find assistants. She put that matter from her mind.
It was a relief to hear that he was staying. She had no idea that she'd been so concerned about it until the moment when he said he wasn't leaving. Drostan skirted into the room with her and continued to huddle against her leg. The sight of the new Queen had sucked all the sarcasm right out of him.
"I wonder if there would have even been a problem," she replied lightly. "None of them looked particularly like Grandfather; even Sid favoured Father more. . ." she glanced at Ignatius for confirmation of this. "Uncle Se doesn't particularly care for children, but it's not as though he actually goes out of his way to hurt them." She understood the sentiment, however; better safe than sorry. She left the majority of the explanation, however, to her spouse; he was, along with Ira, the mastermind of this situation.
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Post by Kasatsu on Jan 20, 2009 21:25:02 GMT -5
It relieved the mix greatly, more so then he would have thought it to, that the King was going to stay around. They were going to need his help in this matter to come as well.
"Se does not really have anything against anyone besides for his father, and now that he believes him to be dead," he gave a small shrug as if he was not telling the King a telling thing, "there should not be as much to set the male off. When it comes to explaining the matter of Se himself . . . it is a little . . . difficult for other people to accept.
"Simply put, he believes that everyone who is in the Courts is dead - killed by his father to be more precise - though he thinks me to simply be a figment of his imagination." He gave the barest of grins as if he was slightly amused by this assumption of himself. "As long as we can keep him content with this idea of everyone being ghosts and do not do anything to set him off . . . I imagine things will not be much different than they have been."
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Post by Nathalia on Jan 29, 2009 19:17:06 GMT -5
Bernard rubbed at his temples for a moment, his empty socket stung as unused muscles attempted to close an eyelid no longer there.
"Whether or not there would have been a problem, Dre, it's good to have them out. Sid looks an awful lot like his grandfather and though you all may trust Se not to go off on anyone else...well, after his display no one's really willing to take the chance." He raised his face back to hers, watching her expression crease a bit in mild consternation. "I can see why they worry, how could they know that he sees them all as ghosts? If I didn't trust the two of you so highly I would probably be upstairs with Heilyn chuffing people out the door. It's hard to hear, but madness is one of the most frightening things most people can consider, whether it's contained or not."
He turned to Iggy, his shoulders rolling forward slightly as he felt his back creak. Damn this body.
"I understand, Ignatius. Or, at least, I'm trying to. Your explanation, while mildly calming, still leaves me wondering where he will focus his energy now. Just because his father is gone does not make him stable, in fact...now that his focus is gone, I worry further."
He sighed heavily and brushed his bangs out of his face. Trying to sit back upright without too much of a grimace, he gave the Bull-Mouse a brief smile.
"That's not to say I don't trust you. If you've helped him through everything other than this. He called you his mind? Ignatius really, I won't even ask. I just worry about the impact. Who will be running the Court? He's certainly not in a fit state to do so, and as much as I like you Ignatius, we really do need a Heart Queen here. With Xiven needing to take the children away, I'm not sure what to do."
He really didn't. He assumed that Iggy and Dre might stay a short while to see to Se, but then Iggy would return home...and surely his wife would follow. He turned to the Ace as he crept out. Perfect.
"Excuse me, Drostan. Fetch some tea, will you please? If the help questions you, just tell them I sent you down. Thanks."
Hills, what to do?
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Post by seraaches on Jan 29, 2009 20:09:05 GMT -5
Drostan's ears flattened at the King's request and he very nearly would have said 'no', but Dre was already absently shooing him towards the door. Bloody snot. The Ace sent his mistress one long look of despair, but she didn't even notice. The Ace slunk from the room, keeping low and near the walls, ready to bolt back in no matter what any of them wanted if he saw Se yet again. Even the memory caused him to shiver.
"I'll take it over, Bernard, don't fear," the Highlander mix answered calmly and clearly. "I've been training for this since my arrival. I may not be the most experienced but if you're still here, at least, then we can weather anything. Uncle Se already accepts me as related to his mind and I shall simply work myself up to take over the other a Queen slot." The solution was obvious in her mind and also proved that she apparently assumed Xiven would still hold the other slot.
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Post by Kasatsu on Jan 30, 2009 19:55:42 GMT -5
As King Bernard spoke, he sat there listening quietly, considering everything that the Highlander said. He supposed that it would look much like that to someone looking in on the situation. Iggy gave a nod of his head in reply to the King.
"As much as I am aligned with the Hearts I am still fully aware of the Suit on my chest." One he would not change even if he had the chance. "The current plan is to keep Se around long enough till someone more . . . fitting for the responsibilities is found. At which time Se will be persuaded, with out a struggle inflicted on everyone else, to go on and do happier things leaving all of this behind."
Considering just how much influence he had on the winged-mix, that task should be easy and as soon as a replacement was found he could begin convincing Se of the plan. Until then it was very likely that he would have to play his hand at keeping order and making decisions for the Court. Something he was not willing or wanting to do in the shortest of a long term.
When Dre spoke up his eyes widened in surprise. He had not heard anything of this plan and was most definitely not sure how to take the idea. For a moment he was about to protest but quickly bit his tongue when a quick thought changed his opinion. That might just be something to consider. In fact it might just be the perfect solution.
Iggy held off saying anything till Bernard gave his opinion on the matter.
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Post by Nathalia on Feb 25, 2009 15:01:28 GMT -5
Their replies seemed suitable, though he wondered how much of the thought they put behind Se was based on faith rather than fact... Nothing he could do about it though, attacking the insane Yarrow mix was out of the question after that display, and he would rather ensure that the palace itself remained intact until everyone else was able to return.
"Until someone more fitting for the responsibility is found, Ignatius?" Bernard asked, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Perhaps some advertisement would make this whole ordeal pass faster, huh?"
He shook his head slightly and leaned back with a bit of a groan. His back was killing him. Hills! Stress had never been his friend, but this was absurd. He lifted his face a bit in order to continue a bit of banter with Iggy, when Dre spoke up.
"That...wouldn't bother you? Hmmm, could work, at least temporarily, until we have Se settled and out. Could work." He paused and watched Dre's face for a moment. She looked sincere enough, though he knew the two of them probably desired nothing more than to run off and begin living their life together. Sacrifice...hopefully this wouldn't drive the two of them apart. He had seen high position and strain put many other couples on the line with one another. He nodded in response and reached into his desk for a piece of papaer and began scribbling.
"If you're willing, Dre, I'm certainly not going to tell you no. It won't be fun, I can almost guarantee, but I'll do my best to help the two of you with whatever you need. I'll have this sent down to the scribe in the Capitol and hopefully we'll have a formal proclamation of it drafted within a few weeks. Then we can write you up properly when you gain the rank."
He allowed himself to smile as he awaited their response. Relief was something he felt. That the insane tyrant wouldn't be allowed to wander off leash; but he couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before the Yarrow mix either snapped, or had his limits pushed...he hoped it wouldn't have to come to that.
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Post by seraaches on Feb 26, 2009 16:20:00 GMT -5
Dre nodded immediately; she wouldn't have said as much if she hadn't been willing to go through it. The strain on her new marriage might be difficult as well, and they probably wouldn't get to see each other as much as they wanted to, but her relationship with Ignatius was an unrelated thing to her duties here at the Court of Hearts.
The Club hybrid wouldn't cheat on her; of that she was also certain. After all, she had no compunctions about removing heads and Ignatius liked that about her.
Drostan came scampering back into the study, followed by a servant with a tea tray. The Ace went immediately to his mistress' side and huddled there.
"I doubt it will take me long to attain the rank," she said confidently after the servant left the tray with them. She began to pour, beginning with a cup for Bernard, which she passed over to him gracefully. "Don't worry about me. I can handle it."
(( Can't check word count, from phone, so I'll edit from my comp if I didn't hit it. XD; ))
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