Feather Fall [Jack Quest] [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

Courage was something Sage had lacked throughout most of her life. But now she was older, better, and wasn't going to let people belittle her. She was outside of the Wood, away from her family, and she had managed to study in Villa. She now had skill under her belt beyond a pretty face. Fai was wrapped around her neck like a scarf.

She still found herself smoothing out her kimono out of nerves. With a small sigh she rearranged everything before approaching the door. Everything would be fine. She had sent a letter before hand, and received an answer. She had been expected and lead to the proper place by one of the guards.

Sucking up all her worries she knocked on the door, waiting for a response.

The Courts. It was a big step. Something unexpected, but something that she had always thought about. Not like anyone in her family knew about it either, she had decided all of this while she was in Villa. She reached up to pat the metal Tove that was quietly comforting her.

[The Jenn]

Sage's letter to the Court had been received and passed onto Anoushka, who was more than pleased to see that another interested Jack would be coming to potentially join there midst. She was also mildly amused to note that the applicant was a Tulgey and wondered if she would be anything like their odd, distasteful little Pascha. Her prejudice against birds was well-noted by the Court at large.

Not long ago, she'd had Radek romping around her office while Hadrian delivered a bit of paperwork, looking downright worn next to the child's exuberant energy. It had given her an idea for a 'quest' even before she met the young woman she would be testing. Sometimes, the word 'quest' really was a joke. Other times, less so.

This one would be pretty funny, if the knock at the door was who she'd been expecting. "Yes, come in. And close the door behind you."

[Kari Muffin]

Sage couldn't help but jump with slight surprise at the voice. She had even been expecting it, and yet she still jumped. Shaking off her nerves again she slipped open the door with a smile, trying to be as collected as she could.

She closed the door behind her as instructed. Her voice was quiet when she spoke, "I'm Sage, Your Highness." She glanced up at the woman after bowing slightly.

Fai remained around her neck as Sage made speculations about The King of Clubs. She looked completely worn out and rather... terrifying. She had interesting set of teeth for a wolf. The gold was also surprising, she had never met a Torquehelm that was free. She briefly wondered about how Poe was doing, they hadn't really been talking recently. Though she had heard something about a new binding...

She silently waited, shifting her wings slightly to get more comfortable.

[The Jenn]

"Sage, then. I am Her Highness Anoushka, as I'm qvite sure you know. Come in and sit down." Her words were tired but even and it ticked her off that she couldn't keep her age out of her voice anymore, couldn't fill it with the same amount of vitality as she'd used to. By no means did she sound decrepit, but she did sound... worn. Damn it all.

This was a pretty young thing, though, just the sort that some people 'expected to see' when they came to the palace, lovely and dolled up for the occasion. The biped wore her elaborate clothing well, despite the wings, which looked... a little odd themselves. The only attractive young woman the Court currently had among its titled ranks was another wolf by the name of Thyme. Looking at the Tulgey and remembering the strange Highlander, it struck her that the two could be sisters if placed next to one another. She had no clue as to the true nature of their relationship. She just found it amusing. She also loved how many canines flocked to the Court.

"So tell me. Vhy do you vant to join the Court, vhat do you feel that you have to offer, and vhat are you expecting of this visit?" All reasonable questions, but another floated through her mind. Just how well can a pretty, proper little thing like you handle yourself under unexpected pressures? Will you just... break? It was an important thing to consider in the volatile Court environment.

[Kari Muffin]

Sage gave another curtsy in thanks to the King for the seat. When the wolf-squirrel took a seat her wings disappeared completely. It made things easier when trying to get comfortable. She took note of the woman's voice, the strange accent and the quality of it. It really was quite fascinating, but she snapped back to focus.

The questions were only half expected. She knew quests sometimes had those sorts of things. She took a few deep breaths before actually speaking. "I' would like to join the Courts because of potential experiences I could have here. Most of my life I lived in the Wood, until I went to Villa to study... so I admit I lack in some of the social skills." She blushed a bit under her fur, but continued, "The greatest I have to offer is my voice talents. I don't know if you're in need of that, but I am first and foremost a singer and entertainer. I also like to think that I'm a quick learner, so if I need to be instructed in any matters I should get it the first time around."

There was one more question to answer, wasn't there?

"Even if I don't get accepted for a title, I'll at least learn something about myself, and more importantly about the politics and pride involving my Suit." The tip of her tail twitched as she worried if she was saying the right things. Was there a right answer?

[The Jenn]

Anoushka watched the girl and her insecurities come to the surface as closely as she listened to her words. Social skills, yes, she'd heard that the Wood wasn't exactly the best place to learn such things. And wasn't that the understatement of the year?

Regardless. "Interesting. I don't know how useful your voice vill be here beyond the occasional call for entertainment. Ve have var more veighty things at hand and if you imagine that you're going to be vhiling your days avay vith music like that von little villa in the Spades Court vas rumored to, you're sorely mistaken. If that is the case, I recommend that you return to the Villa vith all due haste. If, however, you are villing to apply yourself as a qvick learner to other pursuits then you vill be much more useful and velcome."

She tapped her claws against the wood of her desk in a partially intimidating gesture, staring the girl down with sharp golden eyes. "As a Jack, your life vill broaden. It vill be about more than just 'you', as all of your reasons for coming here seem to be so very personal. I vant to know vhat you can offer us, not vhat this experience vill do to broaden you, although that certainly plays a part in your own decision to stay or run screaming from my office. Jacks do vhat is required of them by the Court, including any titled noble that may have need of their services. You gain a measure of authority, but also must resign yourself to that of your superiors. You vill need to be villing to put the concerns of the Kings and Qveens above your own if you gain a title. Can you do that?" Her voice had hardened by the end, eyes never wavering.

[Kari Muffin]

Sage wasn't quite sure how to react her eyes widened at the woman as she whipped out a verbal beating. Part of her actually wanted to run away, but she was already here... and what would giving up prove? She swallowed hard and kept eye contact. She wasn't going to give up.

"I've never met a truly selfless person." She said flatly. "I'm more than willing to learn how to be useful if I manage to take on a title. I wouldn't want to waste anyone's time or resources. As long as I can keep my personal goals than I'd happily be willing to help the Kings and Queens above me without question. I can offer you someone who won't give up, Your Highness."

The wolf-squirrel gripped the chair tightly, hoping that the King wouldn't smack her or anything, she didn't seem the time to like talking back. Or maybe... that had something to do with the rows of teeth.

[The Jenn]

Anoushka watched in frosty amusement as the little thing drew herself up and responded with a touch of spunk, though whether or not that had been part of a practiced speech redone or whether she'd startled it out of the girl was debatable. "Easy enough to say that you von't give up in an office setting, my dear, but vhen you begin to face the stresses of the vorking vorld, things settle into new perspectives and you have to really evaluate vhere you are and vhere you vant to be. Obeying vithout qvestion is vhat I ask of you, but if you take it too literally then you are setting yourself up for nothing but failure, at the hands of your own mind if nothing else."

She dug around in one of her desk drawers for a moment before withdrawing a small bag and palming one of the objects in it, then standing and gesturing for Sage to do the same. "Fine, if you're so happy to help me vithout qvestion, get up and follow me. I have a qvest for you." The proper word would have been 'chore', or perhaps 'trial'.

Leaving her office, she walked stiffly through the halls of the palace for a few moments, assuming that the girl followed her. She made her way to Hadrian's room, or at least the door, and knocked brusquely before letting herself in. She knew he'd be there at this time of day, or at least she had a pretty good idea. "Radek, get over here, monster. I found a babysitter for you for the day. Hadrian, come on. Ve're getting a qvick drink and then you're going to bed."

If anyone didn't listen to her, she would be quite surprised. As it was, she shoved the crunchy treat she'd pulled out of her door at Sage's hand and raised an eyebrow. "This is my son. You vill vatch him until his other parent returns to this room. Keep him entertained. Do not leave the room. Report back to my office vhen you are finished." With that, she would drag Hadrian out of the room and leave a seven-year-old freed Torque staring at Sage.

((Satra won't be RPing this one out. Poke her for reactions if you need them. <3 Hady will return to the room after about six hours and free her up.))

[Kari Muffin]

((OOC: Poked and prodded Satra, I do hope I'm doing this right. <3 ^^;; ))

No, Sage hadn't really planned anything. If she had she wouldn't have sounded convincing at all. Her tail twitched again as she listened to the woman's response. She spoke the truth... and Sage had not intention of following people blindly for the rest of her life.

She went to open her mouth but only shut promptly when she was instructed to stand. She tilted her head curiously at the bag. What was the woman planning to do? She followed her, silently and hoped for the best.

The one thing she hadn't expected, and the thought had never crossed her mind was babysitting. She wanted to protest... She would have loved to in all honesty, but she couldn't just say no? And what did she know about the child, he could have been a wonder to have around.

The instructions were given and Sage was left, alone, in the room with a seven year old boy. It was a surprise to say the least when he sat to attention and introduced himself and proceeded to ask if she wanted to wrestle.

Six hours was a long time to be in a room with someone. However he was surprisingly well behaved even when he was a giant ball of bright gold and purple energy. He gave her a few adorable compliments, even when she couldn't provide him with proper "tricks." Sage, however, could see why anyone would be tired after dealing with him for so long. Finally Hadrian returned and she was to report to Anoushka.

With as much haste as she could muster she navigated to the woman's office and knocked lightly on the door.

[The Jenn]

After snagging Hadrian out of the room for a 'nap', which consisted mostly of sleep on both their parts, she sent him back to Radek with his tail wagging and returned to her office. It probably wouldn't take the girl more than ten or fifteen minutes to come knocking on her door, assuming she hadn't run screaming as their son gnawed on her pretty clothing or something of the sort. Predicting the boy's mood was always difficult, especially if he hadn't been properly exercised and worn down for the day.

Then again, there was always the possibility of Hadrian chatting the girl up before she returned, which seemed more likely in Anoushka's mind as each minute ticked by. She looked just the sort for him to hit on without hesitation, right down to her breed and curves. If prior experience was anything to go by, the boy liked curvy things. The thought made her smirk.

The timid knock made her ears flick forward and she snorted. "Vhen you knock properly, you're allowed to come in."