Discussions of Position [Nat] *Finished*

[seraaches]

He was tired. The Court was in an uproar and the stallion had been moving swiftly to consolidate his power, encouraging them to accept him and killing one or two to prove his willingness to hold the position. Becoming the Queen of Hearts might not have been his plan, but he certainly wasn't going to let it be simply stolen from him now.

This would have been a great deal easier if he'd managed to get a bit more power beneath him. And this was the next step.

The Queen of Hearts knocked firmly on the door, but strode in without waiting for a real response. A brief scan proved that his target was there, accompanied mostly by nurses and a doctor. He knew that the man was doing better; he'd nearly been overwhelmed by visitors when the doctor had allowed them the day before.

"Leave us." His words, directed at the medical staff, held the authority of his position. Grey-green eyes focused on the man on the bed, face blank for the moment. Gads, this was far harder than he cared to contemplate.

[Nathalia]

Bernard sighed, looking away as Temmin stuck yet another needle into his arm....if these meds didn't alleviate the pain he'd have kicked the Heron out. He had at least been able to have a relaxing morning, no one had stopped in yet and after last night...anything would be better. Temmin had been good company, for all the needles, and the nurses and Dymphna had talked him out of his funk.

For awhile at least.

He was therefore, rather shocked when the door banged open and The Queen strode in, calmly chucking out his wait staff and then giving him a rather cool stare.

"Damn..." Bernard whimpered in his head. Was Rai really going to kick him out now? He had figured that the new Queen would...why would he want the old Queen's Uncle? But he had at least figured he would be allowed to heal up first....good god.

He was actually a little frightened by this man's gaze...he stared at his hands for a few moments, embarrassed by his position...damn, this was annoying, if only his leg would start working again...and his side would heal up...ugh

"I...good day, your Majesty, I hope I find you well. What can I do for you?"

He tried to sound upbeat, but it was difficult, he was nervous and in pain and his face showed it...damn. How could he have let this happen...?

Any of it...?

[seraaches]

Bernard, The Queen was sad to realize, looked more than a little worse for the wear. It was to be expected, he assumed, but it was obvious the King needed a lot more rest. If the rumour mill had been correct, and Rai had no reason to doubt it on this, yesterday the man had been visited constantly. That was hardly the best way for him to heal. The frown deepened briefly as the stallion wondered just why Temmin had allowed so many people to come. Well, he would check with the doctor and make sure that Bernard was not to be overwrought by visitors again. Peace and quiet were two of the best helpers for any healer.

"I'm obviously doing a lot better than you," Shinrai said wryly and strode towards a chair. He pulled it next to Bernard's bed and sat himself easily in it. This was... a bit harder than he had expected it to be. Honestly, he didn't know Fino's Kings all that well; they knew each other, obviously, but he had never really worked with any of them. Why on earth would Bernard want to come on staff, so to speak, for him? He had no ties to the stallion. His eyes narrowed in thought, unaware that he might seem imposing. "How are you feeling? Is the medical staff treating you well?"

[Nathalia]

I'm obviously doing a lot better than you,.... Did he really look that bad?...This wasn't going to go well, was it?

The Queen sat down near him, obviously at ease and seeming colder than ever. Why hadn't he bothered to get to know the Equine? Rai had always just seemed seclusive, rarely around at meetings and often off on excursions...he had been harder to get a hold of...

Excuses...

"I'm feeling better than I was when I was first brought in...that's all I can really ask for. The medical staff are fantastic, I've been friends with Temmin for awhile, no complaints."

He tried not to let his nerves show through, this was not the time... He needed help, so he'd best request it. Then the stallion narrowed his eyes....he looked almost scornful...damn.

"So, your Majesty...I've been wondering if you would have any use for a beat up old King around the palace?"

He said it with a wry smile, poking fun at himself had always helped before.

[seraaches]

The stallion gave a low, surprised laugh; just a short bark of humour that just as quickly disappeared again. It was a relief to have the topic broached, but he didn't agree with Bernard's estimation of himself.

"To be honest," the Queen said quietly. "I've been at a bit of a loss as to wot I should do about all of... his Kings." A hint of his sorrow fled across the man's face before he could quickly hide it away again. If he was saddened, there was no end to Bernard's emotional pain. Best to move on and not prod at new wounds. "This was an unexpected and very upsetting event and I will admit that I've never been trained to become The Queen of Hearts." He mused on his words briefly before pushing on again. "I doubt I would have much use for a 'beat-up old King', but I did stop by today with the hopes that you would consider staying on." Grey-green eyes settled on the older man quietly.

Rai might be calm and composed, but he certainly desired the information locked in Bernard's mind as well as the physical representation, if one would be so forgiving, of Serafino's 'approval' through Bernard's appearance at his side. He refused to think too hard about the other reasons. The fact that he still wanted some link to the insane Queen who had taken him in; made him a King nearly sight unseen; the truth that the Court of Hearts wouldn't be the same without some connection back to the man that had shaped them all so drastically.

[Nathalia]

The sudden laugh made Bernard jump. He hadn't expected it and the snort really had come out of left field. One second, the Queen was stone-faced and looked bored, the next he was laughing...Bernard had no idea what to make of the situation any more.

His remaining eye widened in surprise as The Queen carried on.

I doubt I would have much use for a 'beat-up old King', but I did stop by today with the hopes that you would consider staying on.

Really? The Queen actually wanted to waste one of his spots on Bernard? That was a shock...

"I, really? Ah, excuse me. It's just a bit of a surprise, I didn't think you would want me around...especially not after my rash actions...of late."

He smiled a little, some of the color returning to his face.

"I must admit that I am relieved to hear it, it would be an honor to stay on and assist you in any way you saw fit, of course."

He inclined his head in the best bow he could manage in his position.

"As for what to do about the rest of my Nephew's Kings...I might request that you look into Gaston and Severus. They are both highly capable, don't laugh."

He said with a grin, after mentioning Gaston.

"And I know they would be of good assistance to you. Gaston at least, will keep all of the children out of your hair, he's taken to all of my nephew's offspring, and he'll keep them in order without anyone's needing to ask. Also...there's the matter of Pravus...I might request that he stays on in the palace as a bit of a permanent guest. I do not think he would sit well as one of your Kings, but he is being cared for by two of our Jacks, Mephitisia and Peaches... He has become a bit unbalanced...and we would all fear greatly for him were he to be told to leave."

Bernard felt much better at ease now, still slightly tense and worried, but the air was easier to breathe again, that was certain.

He was still employed here. He still had a purpose, he would help his new Queen with anything he needed.

[seraaches]

"Rash is an understatement," the stallion said easily. "But it is nice to know that this threat is no longer one."

If he'd been in an animal form his ears would have flicked back thoughtfully as he listened to the King's words. He had been considering Gaston, but he didn't know anything about Severus. The man, from wot he was aware, was often locked away in some sort of research and, perhaps, development. The deer was rather anti-social, or exceedingly shy, and, really no one had any reason to cultivate ties with him when there was the larger than life Queen Serafino to work for and not some random, Josiggy Marsh Queen hidden somewhere in the background working on other projects that didn't involve them.

Rai kept his sigh purely mental; he had a great deal to be thankful toward Serafino for, yet he'd been so entirely overshadowed that now he was in straits trying to keep the Court strong and whole. At least no one had challenged him yet.

"Pravus is, of course, welcome to remain in the Court for as long as he desires," the equine said quietly. That man had always rather creeped out the Queen and with the tie to Fino broken, Rai had initially thought the feline would make a bid towards him. At least that wasn't a reality.

As for the other two.... "I appreciate your concern for your nephew's Kings, but I'm afraid I'll have to meet with them to be certain that we can even work together." He -wasn't- Queen Serafino, after all, and was very much his own person. That was one aspect of taking any of Fino's Kings that concerned him. He didn't want people to think that he was trying to replace the late Queen of Hearts.

[Nathalia]

Bernard nodded, smiling lightly with relief that Pravus would be allowed to stay on and be cared for. Letting him go free on the streets was practically sentencing some hapless stranger to death without cause...the poor Feline really was better off here with Peaches and Mephitisia...

"Oh of course. Meetings with each of them will be necessary, just tossing my oppinion on the pile."

He grinned, really feeling much better now, Rai was much easier to get along with then his demeanor had seemed to promise...Bernard wished he had begun to get to know him sooner, he liked the Josiggy's dry wit.

"I'm well aware that working with people on a recommendation alone can be utterly disastrous, make sure the mere sight of them won't kill you first."

He teased, leaning back and trying to get into any semblance of comfort.

"Do you have any questions that I can help you with, your majesty? I'd be nly too glad to assist. I know this was all extremely sudden...if there's anything I can do, I would love to."

[seraaches]

Rai smiled wryly in response to the King's teasing, relieved by this indication that Bernard was feeling better and relaxing in his presence. Nevertheless, his reply still held a sense of hidden dislike as he lifted his left hand, popping it in a practice motion to bare the bones. "Or that the sight of me doesn't sent them running." There was a rueness to the tone, and still a hint of Rai's discomfort and embarrassment as to the fleshless appendage. Evidently, still a very sore topic even after all the time he'd had to get used to it.

He was relieved when Bernard changed the topic and he let it go without complaint; actually, he'd always been curious about wot all Bernard's duties had covered under Queen Serafino. He'd heard of little else than a few explosions.

"Wot all did you do under Serafino?" Despite the total confidence of his words, he was entirely certain how he should refer to the deceased Queen. Blunt lightness seemed best; don't prod at new wounds.

[Nathalia]

Bernard returned the grin, but it faded slowly to a look of contemplation as...his Queen, held up the remains of his left arm. That was...different.

The King's eyebrow's knitted for a few seconds as he considered the appendage....

"You know...someday, when I'm a bit more...able to get around without screaming...I'd like to have a look at that and see if there isn't anything I can do about it, my Queen..."

He wondered if the effect was magical...or medical...damn, now the thought wouldn't leave him alone until he was better allowed to examine the Queen's hand. Heh, later...

"The sight of you won't send anyone running, but I will advise you to hide it from Gaston unless you want wise cracks." He murmured, half joking, half serious.

He gave Rai a small half-smile in response to the last question.

"Under my nephew? I researched different varieties of magic for the Court, remember Serafino's summoned serpents? The ones made of fire? I figured out how to summon them, and if you've seen our palace guard lately, you'll note their ability to shorten distances while running? I managed that too, a few other things but, well, I could list them later, if you're interested. I do what I can to better the Court."

He shrugged lightly, trying not to disrupt the stitches all over his body.

"I've also been the one to run Jack and occasionally King quests, I can continue to do so if you would like."

He smiled at the green-haired man.

"Anything else you would like me to do? And would you mind too terribly if I rang for some tea?"