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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 22, 2010 18:50:00 GMT -5
This duck was just full of surprises, wasn't he? Maybe most Spades weren't as violent as terrifying Queen they had now. Though, this man probably had enough fight in him to cause a bit of trouble. She waved a hand as she started to walk a bit. "Unpopular inside and outside of the Courts, indeed. It is good to be proud of what you are though, there's no point in hating the mark on your chest when it can never change. Of course there are people who can stand above their suit and rank, but I've only met one or two of those individuals."
Perhaps she was meeting another today. Though she was sure that despite his high ideals he did have his bias. The way he was walking in the Court of Hearts shed a bit of light on his personality.
"Now, anyway, we can visit a few more places before it's time for a meal and a bit of rest. Unless you have any protests there's a rather nice little place in the garden with a fascinating gazebo that doesn't really match the rest of the overly ornate palace."
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Post by Lucca on Mar 23, 2010 7:23:06 GMT -5
As dignified as Graeme seemed in the way he normally held himself, Em might be surprised (or not) to know that he had a fairly explosive temper once something set him off. It was actually rather famous, in its own way...rumors sometimes circulated about McDuck's famous rages, during which he'd curse other Cards out in the Highlands tongue and use his cane as a fairly effective weapon. But those lapses of control were not something the Duck really wanted to think about (for obvious reasons); in fact he'd one earlier that day before meeting Nerissa where he blew up at his Corvie mechanic friend for something he couldn't have really helped.
"Exactly," he replied, pushing up the spectacles on his bill and following his guide. He did indeed have his own biases...though they were less about Suit and more about actions. He had a rather...harsh view of the sorts of people that just accepted their lot in life instead of actually trying to better themselves. Those who claimed they could never find work. Anyone could find work and a means to support himself if he tried hard enough! Some places even employed Lowlanders.
He also had little patience for those who were wealthy without having had to work for it. And, of course, he wasn't fond of titled Court members, though that particular bias was being challenged today.
"A gazebo, hm? Sounds interesting," Graeme said. "I wonder if there's a story behind that, then...a reason it doesn't fit with everything else."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 23, 2010 19:48:33 GMT -5
The woman twirled around to look him in the face as she walked backwards. "It was built for a wedding once upon a time. Before quite a few reigns, actually. There's a rather adorable and heartfelt inscription on it. It was a gift from one of the Queens to one of their precious Kings. I imagine none of the previous Queens figured it would do them any good to tear it down when it takes up a rather nice chunk of the little garden."
She shrugged. "Or it could be something else entirely. Unfortunately the records for such a thing are buried under a pile of Courtly matters, and dust. I imagine someone would eventually find why it's so different than the rest of the styling of the palace."
Of course no one would ever bother with suck a trivial matter in the Court of Hearts. They just accepted it and moved on. With they way they organized things that weren't important she could understand why.
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Post by Lucca on Mar 25, 2010 22:05:47 GMT -5
So she did know the story? Well that was more than he had expected! So she wasn't interested in who the famous past rulers were, but she knew this...what an odd woman. Or perhaps she was just a Card after his own Heart and didn't like getting involved in politics? Then again, if that were the case...she would never be part of the Courts at all, especially so close to the reigning Queen. Graeme mentally shrugged it off; Em was an enigma and he'd have to leave it at that unless she decided to share with him. He wasn't going to hold his breath on that one.
"Ah, I see. What does the inscription say? Is it written in Common?" If nothing else, that should prove or disprove the story, or at least lend credence to it, were it such a message. The Duck was obviously interested now as he followed along behind her towards this mysterious gazebo. Nothing got his blood pumping like a good mystery, after all. Profitable mysteries were even better, of course...but Graeme'd take what he could get.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 28, 2010 11:43:53 GMT -5
Em hated politics and would be more than happy to leave the court of Hearts. However, Xiven was dead set against leaving. She wanted a responsible leader and help the court of Hearts. Really, she had never wanted to be the Queen so why was she so set on keeping the title? Oh well. She would stick by Xiven's side no matter what.
"It's in common, yes. You should read it when you get there. It's entirely too charming to be spoken out loud in casual conversation. It's fairly evident that they were madly in love. Or at least the Queen was in love with their King." The woman waved her hand as she continued down the way. The path was winding and twisting so they could avoid the various gardeners who were tending to the plants. It was quite lively this afternoon, which made her wonder how much time had actually passed since she had started this tour.
"Ah, here we go," she said motioning to the white and rose covered form in the distance. It was a nice large structure that seemed to be completely integrated with the garden completely. White roses were growing up the sides and were obviously well tended to.
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Post by Lucca on Mar 28, 2010 19:08:30 GMT -5
It was good to hear the inscription was in Common...sad as it was to say, Graeme's Highlands was actually a bit rusty since he dealt with so many Cards in the Capital, where -everyone- spoke Common. And even when he didn't leave his own business, many of his employees and business partners were also from other regions, so as a convenience Common was the main language there as well. Time to read some of his favorite old Highlands books again.
"Very well," Graeme said, even more intrigued. "That's actually rather touching...loyalty like that is sometimes lacking in Court members, especially from a Queen to someone beneath them -- uh, no offense intended to Her Majesty Xiven, of course. But I've heard some unpleasant stories." He followed along the path, just enjoying the atmosphere of the garden. It was so peaceful here, and elegant, almost like a dream. Even all the Cards working seemed cheerful and full of energy...or perhaps that was just his own perception. The gilded fountain and the promise of a good mystery had given him a second wind, and Graeme no longer felt as tired.
He had to stop and admire for a moment as they came within sight of the gazebo...it was obviously something that the gardeners liked, as they were keeping up the garden around it quite nicely, pruning the roses so they were complementing it instead of crowding it out, as they could have for a monument that was too nostalgic to be rid of, but too out of place to fit in with the mood of the garden.
But after only a moment, he made for it again, anxious to read this inscription. Even if love stories sometimes made him a little misty eyed...not that it was something he really wanted to happen to him...again. That ship had long sailed, and he didn't bother wasting time with regret, though the memories were...a pleasant distraction, sometimes.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 28, 2010 23:39:59 GMT -5
"I do hope you haven't heard any of that nonsense about My Majesty! She--I hate to say this but--she is madly in love with her King. I quite honestly think she would die for the idiot who can't keep his pants on," the woman said as she choked a bit. If it weren't for all the horrible influences Xiven would be such a better person. She wouldn't be stressed. She wouldn't be psychotic at times. She would be a normal happy person with the drive to learn magic of all kinds.
But she just had to stay as the Queen of Hearts because of responsibility.
"I think she treats people well. I mean, she treated you well didn't she?" Em said after a few more moments of silence. It wasn't until she turned to look at the man did she notice that he was... off. What was the proper term? Nostalgic.
"You look a little heart broken." She said in a half whisper. Maybe they should change the destination?
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Post by Lucca on Mar 29, 2010 17:22:39 GMT -5
Graeme shook his head quickly. "Oh, no, not about Her Majesty Xiven! I've actually heard very little about her, other than some rumors about the odd events surrounding her ascent to power." He eyed Em over his spectacles. "In fact, I was glad to hear of that. She seems like a fair ruler, and according to the rumors the previous Queen was literally insane...though..." A very slight frown graced the Duck's bill. "I think I have heard of this King. His name is something...dramatic...oh, what was it..." He stroked his beard thoughtfully, but his mind began to drift in the silence that followed.
He was walking towards the gazebo, but he was rather lost in thought...about -her-, unfortunately enough. About his past. He didn't even hear Em's further question about the Queen of Hearts, but he came to a dead stop at the whisper, as it somehow caught his ear. His face colored slightly...was he really that easy to read? No wonder he tried never to indulge in memories while in company, though it had been a long day, perhaps he could blame his lack of discretion on that? Bah.
"Oh, no," he said with a laugh that was somewhat heavy. "Heartbroken is..." He paused, getting an odd look on his face, eyes straying towards the gazebo again, though he obviously wasn't actually seeing it... "...is too simple a way of putting it," he said quietly, almost to himself. "I don't...I can't regret what...happened...it was just...unfortunate..." His knuckles twitched, showing that he was gripping his cane rather tightly.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Mar 29, 2010 21:25:13 GMT -5
It was good to hear about the rumors from outside of the Court. Heaven only knew what people really thought of the girl. Not like he would tell her any of the negative. And a small smile passed on her face at the mention of the melodramatic name that the dear King had. She simply knew his story because of Xiven, and in all honesty she could have cared less. No matter what he was he was still a bad influence. She ran her fingers through her curly hair in thought.
His reaction was.... well unexpected. The Avington watched with narrow eyes. not sure of what she was supposed do to do or say. In all honesty she didn't understand the love thing. "Unfortunate? From the look on your face I would say it was more than that. Are you sure that you're all right? We can change our destination if you want."
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Post by Lucca on Apr 3, 2010 20:37:54 GMT -5
Graeme's grip on the cane tightened further, knuckles cracking with a small -pop- and bill clenching slightly as a wave of anger rose up. Why was he being question on this by someone who obviously didn't understand what the situation even was? She was far too young to understand, far too...something else he couldn't put a feathered finger on to even begin to comprehend that of which she was speaking. He controlled his anger, put a tight reign on it until it faded, leaving only an aching tiredness. Shaking his head, he started forward again, towards the gazebo, one webbed foot in front of the other, until he paused an turned back, some emotion making his eyes distant.
"Sorry about that. I..." He managed a small, heavy laugh. "I'm all right. It was a long time ago. A long time ago." Gold-orange eyes slipped to the ground, focusing on a trailing rosebush and finally just letting the memories come, feeling a sense of peace wash over him as he didn't hold back the flood. "I'm not...upset about it, anymore. I can't say I never wish things could have been different...but they couldn't have. We had our separate paths to follow, and that was that. She was lovely, though...and a real treasure. Not many girls like her I've met, nor really any better partner on an adventure..." He was almost talking to himself, and the expression on his face was now peaceful, thoughtful...wistful.
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