Finding Common Ground (Closed)

[The Jenn]

Lani made a face at the server. "I guess some tea for both of us would be nice, but make sure it's only a small tumbler of vodka for him, and maybe a sandwich or something for me. Roast beef if you have it. Bleh, I don't really like drinking this early. That's an evening thing. Besides, it's not like one would do me any good with the poison immunity. Do you have any idea how ridiculous my tabs get sometimes at clubs just to get a buzz?"

The man went off to the kitchens and the Queen prodded her uncle lightly with one wingtip. "So you're going to be okay for traveling after we pump you full of caffeine and alcohol, right?"

After a few minutes, the staff came back with a tray of tea and two sandwiches, both roast beef. Lani grinned a thanks at the man and started in on hers, leaving her uncle to doctor the drink however he would.

[Nathalia]

"Oh, I can imagine well enough, I remember how long it took my old Queen, Lin to get anything out of alcohol..."

He mumbled, his hair flopped limply over his shoulder, face buried in his arms as he tried to snap himself awake...it was working about as well as a lead balloon.

"Well, it'll get me up a little faster and you don't have to have any."

He listened to her place the order and, having no issue with it whatsoever, just remained in position until the food and tea arrived. He lifted himself into a more acceptable position, one elbow on the table propping his head up, and dumped the alcohol into his tea, adding a little sugar before taking a quick swig of it and relaxing.

He smiled at his niece, brushing his bangs out of the way as he began to attack the sandwich.

"I'll be perfectly fine, I just need a few minutes for it all to kick in, I won't fall over in Court, I promise."

He spoke true enough, within another ten minutes, he was sitting up straight and laughing with the wait staff about their coachman, who had apparently suffered quite the hangover this morning. They were soon back in the Coach and on the move again, only about seven hours away.

"So, any other questions about the Court of Clubs before we get there? Or shall we discuss something more to your liking?"

[The Jenn]

Lani made a noise of agreement - she knew she got her power from her father, who'd gotten it from his mother, who was apparently Lin, even though whenever she thought Lin, all she could see was an albino snake with a feathery crest that she'd dearly coveted when she was younger. Now the girl was just annoying to her.

The sandwich was tasty, especially with whatever house sauce they spread on the meat, and she sipped her tea down quickly before the jokes about the lizard coachman started. She sniggered a little but didn't feel the need to add much, since she hadn't seen him nearly as bad as the staff had earlier in the morning.

Again with the coach, and she wished it wasn't such a long ride because the day was going to feel absolutely wasted once they got to the Court. It was nearly one in the afternoon when they set out, which meant it would be close to eight at night when they got there. They would have to eat leftovers instead of dinner at its proper time and she would feel restless and bored until she finally fell asleep in whatever bed they assigned her. She wondered if it would be a proper palace, belonging to Clubs and whatnot. Probably, but then again, she doubted it was anything that could hold a candle to the palace of Hearts.

"You've been to this place before quite a few times, right? Can you tell me a little about what it looks like, where we'll probably be put, stuff like that?"

[Nathalia]

Bernard watched Peter clamber back up to his perch on the front of the coach, a thin bottle of water clutched in his bony fingers, a scowl lining his face as he smacked one of the Aces rather harder than necessary. Ignoring this as best he could, Bernard refrained from calling the man out on his binge of the night before...he looked as though he had suffered enough.

The King of Hearts wasn't really looking forward to the long coach ride either. He planned to stop halfway there at a restaurant so that Lani could get something decent to eat...and he could move around. He had found over the past few weeks that staying in one position...or just sitting in general, for long periods of time made his lame leg start to ache horribly...he despised what he had done to it more than he had imagined he would.

"Oh yes, quite a few times, and no, it's not a dump just because it's run by Clubs. I can see it in your expression, don't worry, you'll get a guest room just as nice as the ones we have, they're still royalty."

He chided with a grin, mocking her desire for soft, extra-comfy beds.

"It's rather nicely set up, mostly sandstone...the front doors are something to see though, the carvings all the way up half the front gate and the palace doors are always somehting I've envied, though I prefer marble. Everything is well patterned and they're not as into gardens as we are...it's nice enough, though the palace is longer than ours is, they spread out as opposed to up as we and the Diamonds have done."

He shrugged watching the landscape pass, still smiling a little, but he looked slightly drained...he wasn't sure what type of greeting they would get from Anoushka...she was fairly unpredictable...and he didn't know this new Queen at all...

[The Jenn]

Lani didn't pay any attention to the driver once they were on the move, not really caring what the man did so long as he drove the coach and didn't crash them into anything. If he wanted to whip his Aces into moving, well, that was his prerogative and not any business that she cared to become involved with. After all, they were only Aces.

"Yes, I can hear the scolding in your voice, thank you very much," she said with a roll of her expressive golden eyes, also grinning. She just found it all incredibly funny. Her uncle's description of the palace and their doors interested her, but only slightly, as she wasn't very concerned with architecture or carvings. So long as everything looked good, it didn't really matter how or why. That was left to the people who actually decorated the palaces. Still, she had a feeling she would like the doors if they impressed Uncle so much, living where they both did.

"It's a shame, but I guess not everyone can have gardens like we do." Her smirk was vaguely smug. The palace of Hearts had been cultivating their rose garden for centuries now, ever since the early days of the palace when the Queens had decided they were the only flowers suited perfectly to the suit's color scheme. Of course, it didn't hurt that they grew especially well in Highland soil and were found all over the region.

After a few hours of riding and chatting, they stopped at an inn for dinner, not quite as nice as they one they'd stayed at in the Capital but that was fine. Places near the city all competed with one another. Wayside inns didn't have to worry about that level of competition, considering that they were usually so spaced out. Still, the food was tasty and she didn't have much to complain about besides another few hours stuck in the coach. At least it was Uncle Bernard she had to talk to, not... Daddy or something. As much as she loved him, that much time spent with no escape would just be mind-numbing.

[Nathalia]

"I'm sure you can, I know how you tend to feel about the Suit of Clubs, Lani. Heart pride is healthy and all that bull, but really...keep it toned down here, alright?"

He hoped he had a least interested her a little, it was hard for him to tell when she was being sarcastic...he had spent so much time with Lin...and then Serafino, and honestly...himself, that he shamefully had to admit to himself that he was better at reading Human emotions than the normal Animal or Biped ones.

"No, not everyone has a love for gardens...but, there are other things to hold your attention, I'm sure."

He continued to chat with her throughout the remainder of the ride. He had to admit to being glad she had come along...otherwise he would more than likely have turned up at the palace of Clubs dead asleep. Lani was a rather good conversationalist, and he needed to be filled in by a good gossip hound every now and again.

Upon arriving, passing through the elaborate sandstone entrance gates, the coach stopped and Bernard clambered out, shouldering his bag and turning toward the doors. Peter clambered down from the coach behind them, gathering up the gifts for King Anoushka and Queen Aderlass.

Striding forward, a bit worried about who would greet them...probably the Wolf...he looked over his shoulder once to see if Lani was ok, then pressed onward into the main hall.

[The Jenn]

Lani made a noncommittal 'yeah, sure' noise in the back of her throat at the comments. She had as much Heart pride as anyone else who lived in the palace of Hearts day in and day out, which was to say, a hell of a lot. Still, she hadn't snuck in with her uncle just so that she could embarrass him and sour whatever diplomatic relations he was trying to establish. She wouldn't be so brazen around the other Court, or at least, not about things like that. They were sore points, she was sure. It wasn't like any other Court could match up to theirs in presentation.

She had to admit that the sandstone doors really were spectacular when they passed through them, though she couldn't see that much in the dark of night even if there were lights here and there to direct walkers and coaches. It wasn't as tall as she thought a palace should be, but Uncle Bernard had already warned her of that so she wasn't unduly surprised. The faintest whiff of roses caught her nose and she blinked, surprised. Where had that come from? Maybe it was just in her imagination.

Shrugging, she hopped out of the coach and followed after her uncle, fluffy her boa subconsciously and tossing her hair back away from her face.

Having just been informed by a slightly out-of-breath servant that the coach from the palace of Hearts had arrived, Anoushka left her room and walked down to the main entryway just in time to see the Highlanders come in through the doors of the palace. She made out Bernard, scrawny little human that he was, and a lizard carrying boxes and bags, and a third figure that she didn't know to expect. Her eyebrows raised and she approached, making a polite gesture towards the King of Hearts. "Bernard, good to see that you arrived in one piece. My Qveen and- vhat in all the hells happened to your face?!" She stopped and stared at the wound.

Lani had to refrain from baring her teeth and asking the woman the same question. She would let her uncle handle it. It wasn't her place.

Everyone had heard about the fiasco at the Heart Court. Everyone knew His Highness Bernard had been injured. But... she had not heard the extent of the injuries and was, by nature, quite a blunt person. It took her a moment to recover some of her aplomb. "No, no... sorry, I know vhat happened. But holy hells, I vas not expecting that."

[Nathalia]

Bernard ignored the halfhearted mutter his niece made as she hopped out of the coach and walked up with him...he knew that she would behave, she acted very differently when she was in a mind to be a brat.

Passing through the archways into the main hall, he was not at all surprised to see the form of Anoushka moving towards them...the woman knew everything, it seemed. She was never surprised, at least not that he knew. He gave her a grin, the tiredness having worn off and, now that it was nearing night, feeling much more awake.

"Your Highness Anoushka, good to see you too I-"

He was cut off by her sudden, loud exclamation over his face. It brought him up short and her stared at her, mouth slightly open and hand still outstretched like a deer in the headlights.

She backpedaled quickly and he ignored it as best he could.

"It's no problem, really. Sorry to...disturb you. Ah, I've brought a few things for you and your Queen, is there a servant handy that could show Peter to the kitchens?"

He asked, hoping she would either lead them upstairs or to the Queen, he felt awkward.

[The Jenn]

After making a proper fool of herself, Anoushka coughed and accepted his still-outstretched hand for a brief shake. He was a bird, yes, but he never took his feathery form so it wasn't a constant slap in her face. Highland bird... bah. Still, that had been a boundary she wouldn't have normally crossed with the comment. Even for her, that had been quite rude, and she hadn't actually intended it as such. A pity - it would have done so well against certain others.

"Ah, yes, of course. Apologies, Bernard, that vas a bit stupid of me. Bertram!" She turned and pointed at a passing man, who stopped and gave her a startled, 'me?' look. She jerked her thumb towards the Highland lizard. "This man needs to be in the kitchens. Show him the vay, hmm?" The man nodded quickly and moved to escort Peter off down a hallway to the left.

The wolf's attention turned back to the pair of them. "Anyvay, my Qveen prefers to conduct his business later in the day, but I have a feeling that the trip has felt qvite long, especially vith injuries still annoying you. Vhy don't I assign you both rooms and ve can meet sometime after lunch tomorrow. Does that sound acceptable?"

Lani still wanted to bite the woman. Like, a lot. At least she apologized, though. Geez, what a bitch...

[Nathalia]

Bernard smiled in relief as she instantly turned to address a servant, her apologies were always quick, but genuine...Anoushka wouldn't bother with something insincere he had the feeling...

"It's not at all an issue, and yes...that would be really nice, thanks."

He looked over his shoulder at Lani and then followed after the Wolf, limping heavily and really wanting that room...he normally took longer to fall asleep but something told him that he was about to crash...this was the most he'd been up since being injured in one day. It irritated him that he wore out so fast.

The rooms were as nice as he had said, broader than those given to guests in the palace of Hearts but with less in them. The view from the back was amazing though. He bid his niece good evening, hoping that she would explore a little before bed, honestly, and then moved off to take a shower. Hot water sounded heavenly...

The next morning, at eleven, he was awakened by a knock at the door and hastened to let in a servant with a teatray...and some vodka.

"Thanks, Anoushka..."

He muttered with a grin, thanking the servant and sending them out. At around 12:30, he would start heading down to the garden grounds in search of the King and Queen of Clubs. He hoped Lani was already there, he hadn't been able to find her...damn early risers.

(We need a Kasatsu after one more post!)