[FIN] A Darkness Comes at Dawn [Nafa]

[Lucca]

"Oh..." Myth felt her face heat up as an odd, tingling feeling went through her at his compliment. She'd never been called beautiful before...at least not since...not since she'd gotten these bone cuffs. There had been that one well-spoken Leveret she had met in the Capital before, but she was sure he'd shun her now. Everyone would. She still felt that she had no place in proper Rabbit society being a Leveret with strange powers, but yet she had no where else to go.

"Thank you," she mumbled very quietly, though she flinched badly at the slamming of the drink down in front of her. Leaning forward, she carefully took a sniff (she was trained to know the smell of several common poisons, in case a Jack ever asked her to test his food and drink for it). It just smelled like tea and spices, and so she took a cautious sip.

Myth could read a little bit, and since she'd occasionally helped in the kitchen (though she was an atrocious cook no matter how much she tried) she knew how to read most food names, so she moved the menu closer. As she did, Sabe might get a glance of her paw and the strange bones that encircled it tightly. Just as she was about to decide on the tomato soup and garden salad, her paw hovering over the choice, he asked something that made her suddenly forget how to breathe.

With a small gasp, Myth rushed to make an excuse, words tumbling out before she knew what she was saying. "I can't Sir, please, I'm not hot at all and I need to wear this cloak or...or something bad might happen."

The little Leveret was more than aware how horrible it would be to have her identity revealed here, in public, with so many Cards about.

[/|/afamere]

He saw the paw and then the bones that seemed to be bound tightly about her wrist. Though it was quite odd of a paw, it wasn't as dainty as that of a mouse, and yet the wiskers on that one were long as he could tell. It was rather weird. He started to think of other races that she might be. Maybe a otter? Though when she answered did he stop in mid thought.

Something was wrong. She was probably being hunted as they spoke right now. Something was up and he knew that she was in some sort of danger, and probably the only reason that they hadn't jumped yet was because of they might know who he was, that they knew that he was a ranked queen.

Sabe leaned across the table and lay his hand over her paw. "It's ok... Your with me now, no one will hurt you so long as I am around." he said as he looked about the room seeing if any one was looking there way... he saw someone point in there direction and noted that one of them was a nine ranked lowlander...

His eyes narrowed as he thought some rather nasty things, wishing that they attacked this young woman.

He glanced back at it and laid several gold on the table for his tip hoping that would be the last that he would have to pay.

He looked back at Myth... "Lets go somewhere else... I think that you have been caught on by them..." he said thinking the worst. He would carry her, but knew that she probably was too proud to do so. He would instead untie the bander and then lead the way out, to a place where he knew that they would be rather safe at.

It was a old inn hidden behind a grocery store... the place only rented their rooms out to those that delivered, but he knew the people from ages past where he used to deliver things to them and stay for a night. He would quickly pay them and then lead her up the stairs...

Once up there would he look about, closing the windows and then locking the door, leaving Kira gazing and with a low growl towards Myth... he knew that she wouldn't attack her,... but she knew something that he didn't.

"We should be safe here... As a titled Queen in the Court of Clubs... I will make sure that no harm will come to you." he said as he took a seat on the end of the bed. "Now tell me what is the matter so I can do the best that I can in this situation." he said with a very serious tone that showed both in voice and in his face and posture.

[Lucca]

Myth tensed when the hand went over her paw, realizing he must have seen the cursed cuffs...but yet...he wasn't hurting her? But then, he didn't know the full truth. Hopefully he never would...but it was then that the Bird, after glancing around, said those words. You've been caught. Her eyes widened and she looked hurriedly around. "What?" she whispered, voice shaky and scared, "by who?" Her disguise had been so good this time around...she didn't think anyone would suspect her...but the seeds of panic had been planted, and when he left, Myth followed with surprising speed.

She ran blindly, ears pressed tight against her head, hearing footfalls chasing her, hearing every shout, every rustle, as some hostile entity that would have her shipped off to a lab in Corvistowne (she'd heard stories) or maybe just killed on sight so the Cards could continue to believe she didn't exist.

She didn't register reality again until she heard the click of a lock...and realized that this Card had -tricked- her! He'd gotten her here just so -he- could do all those horrible things to her! She backed up, shaking her head wildly, eyes wide and scared. "No, no, please...don't!" She barely heard his words, not that she would have known the meaning of his Rank and Title anyway. As she backed up...her hood slipped, revealing something strange...

Two long ears, looking like nothing on a normal Card...but much like a mythical Rabbit...

Eyes wide with fear, she continued to plead with him. "I...I'm sorry! I...please...don't hurt me..." It was shameful to her, how she cowered, and this time the blood soaked the back of her garment as her cut began to bleed.

((pfft, sorry, she's being a bit...paranoid right now. >_> ))

[/|/afamere]

He didn't quite know what to say to her, as she started to panic and back up until she was on the other side of the room. Something was up and he just didn't quite know what it was, that was until the hood slipped backwards and he noted the two long ears pressed tightly on the side of her head. Those were rather strange... and then he started to wonder why she had long ears... his mind started to race as his mind was trying to figure out all the details of her, trying to figure out what she was.

That was when he remembered the stories... the stories of rabbits that his mother would tell him. Those dreadful creatures that would steal away little kids if they didn't listen to their parents. Something about all this was just dreadful... that here in front of him was something that wasn't suppose to exist.

Though he was a curious bird... "Are you... a... rabbit?" he asked as he leaned forward a bit his mind reeling at the thought... maybe that over pompous Highlander was right... they did exist...

then he knew that something was up... "If you are or are not... maybe even a long eared mouse... I still hold true to what I said... no harm will come to you... even from me or others." he said as then he noted that her back was bleeding... and that wasn't supost to happen.

Worry crept over his face as he got off the bed and moved to pull the blanket off the bed... the white clean sheets underneath was right there... "I'm not that good of a doctor, but I should be able to stop that bleeding... and if I can't I know someone that would keep it quite that your a rabbit and heal you." even if he had to spend his entire fortune to protect her... that he promissed.

He would start to rip the sheet in long pieces of bandages.

[Lucca]

Myth swallowed, opening her mouth to try and answer the question, but she couldn't. Not at first. She was shaking too much to get anything out. If he backed her into a corner...it was possible she could use her ability on him...it would at least distract him until she could get away...

Finally, though, something of the Bird's words got through Myth's blinding terror, and she looked up at him, awareness coming back into those baby blues. "Y-yes..." she said so softly he might barely hear. "I am...a Rabbit." Strange to say it, right out like that. The last two Cards she had met who had seen her for what she was had known instantly, but perhaps Sabe's reaction was, after all, the more normal one. Most Cards wouldn't believe their eyes upon seeing her, she was sure.

It was then that Myth noticed what Sabe was doing, and she took several steps toward him, a paw held out. "W-wait! There is no need." Taking a deep breath, Myth made herself stop bleeding, and the cuts ceased pouring out her life to stain her cloak. "Mr. Sabe, have you ever met a Mid Ranger before? We're...different than other Regions. The bleeding...it can be controlled. It is a choice. If we compromise our honor and fail to live up to our duties, we need to amend. I don't need a doctor." She looked up at him, hoping he'd understand what she meant. She knew that it was the same for the Cards of her Realm as for the Rabbits. All had a magical cut that bled when they felt shamed.

[/|/afamere]

Sabe stopped what he did when he heard what she had to say. He gazed back over to her with rather wide eyes... she did say that she was a Mid Ranger... but why is it that they still share the same ailments? His mind started to race. He knew that Mid Rangers bled when in distress or when in trouble and knew it. Though... for a rabbit to have the same ailment... well that only meant that they really were not that far different from one another. Though... didn't that mean that there were other rabbits that held different regions? So there could be a Torque's, Khamadian Forests, Highland... and even... Low Landers. It would only make sense.

Sabe sat down in a chair that he pulled from under the table. He looked over at her and tried to formulate what this really meant. How could something like this stay secret for this long? Could it have been the courts doing? That they would expunge any that knew this highly secret race? He would have to bring this up to his Queen... the thought about such things. He knew that if the Queen hadn't met one than he would be chalked up as a loon and tossed into a padded room with no windows for the rest of his life.

He gave a quick laugh as he leaned back into his chair, he didn't stop for a moment as he held his side. Tears even flowed a bit. After a bit he would stop whipping away his tears as he gripped his cane a bit...

"You know... If I even told anyone about you, I would be considered crazy and lose title and rank." He said as he thought about this in all possiable angles that he could approach this situation. "Myth... that is a wonderful part of your name... I don't know if your called by that, but I think it will fit the situation..." he said as he stood up and moved over to the door that he had locked.

He would look at it and smile... he couldn't let her run away... but he needed something to drink... and there was no talking tubes in this place either. So he had to bluff this well. He didn't need her to run off, he had questions after all.

He could only do what he knew that he could do... He would have to use a bit of valuable magic in order to transmit a message... he hopped that that person was here at work today. He didn't see him out on the floor but he had a good feeling that he would come and deliver even if he wasn't.

He would pull out a small piece of chalk that he carried around for this purpose and start to concentrate on the club that he knew here in this establishment. He would smile when he felt the connection between the two.

"Hey Jacky! This is Sabe from Safe Sabes Exports, and no your not going insane. I need you to come to room twelve with some something strong to drink. Just come by and knock on the door five times and pause and knock again once. Then I'll come out and give you the coin for the drink... if your wondering why... I have a very special friend here that is quite sinsitive to having others around..." he said as he finished, the chalk returning back to his pocket.

♣ Powerful Magical Ability ♣
When activated, he can communicate with another Club he is acquainted with by touching or holding a piece of chalk. This will allow his mind to concentrate enough to contact them through telepathy. The other Card will not be able to respond, only to listen, but he can talk to them for up to ten minutes.

Well now... that was done...

"So... Myth.. tell me about yourself if you wouldn't mind." he said as he waited for the knocks to come.

[Lucca]

Though he didn't respond, the Card stopped ripping up the sheets, for which Myth was grateful. It would be a needless waste, and as a Leveret, she was very conscious of such things. After all, she had changed bedsheets before, and she knew what a frustrating job it could be, especially if the Does or Jacks (Leverets never got anything so amazing as an actual bed, at least in her experience) wanted to make life difficult for their servants.

Slowly, she felt her pounding heart calm as the Card made no threatening motions toward her. She slipped out of her cloak, eying it a bit sadly and hoping she would have a chance to wash it before she departed (assuming he LET her depart...no, no calm down...). Not trusting her voice just yet, Myth nodded, memory sparking as his words recalled what the first Card she had ever interacted with had said to her. So far, they'd all been Birds...odd that...

Well, unless you counted the one that haunted her dreams and her quiet moments awake as well. Which she didn't want to think about. Blue eyes traced all of Sabe's movements as he went toward the door, took something out of his pocket, and...spoke to it?

Perhaps it was some sort of odd magical item? It was the only thing that made sense. Her forepaws shuffled restlessly, bone sliding on bone with a strange scratchy sound. It was then that she was asked the question, and she looked up at the Bird, ears folded back. "I...I'm just a Leveret, Sir. A cursed Leveret. There's really nothing to tell."

[/|/afamere]

He gave a nod as he thought about what she said. So she was what is called a Leveret... something was up with that one. So they had rank, even though they apparently didn't have a number or a court. He guessed that was the biggest difference. He gave a few nods before he would speak again.

"Well... Myth... if your a Leveret, then what else is there? You imply that there are ranks within your rabbit world, like their is in ours... one through five are low ranks, six through seven are middle ranks, and eight through ten are higher ranks." he said hopping that she got that... then he would point to his own chest, "I'm a queen... there are in the face cards.... There is the jack that is the lowest, then the king and then me... a queen." he said... then thought about something else... "I'm a Ranked queen in a court of clubs... I'm higher than all others save for The Queen of Clubs... is there anything like that in your socity?" he asked puzzled on the whole fact.

He would have loved to write what she said down, but anything that was physical could be used against him if someone accused him of being insane and thinking of something that didn't exist. Well they did! And there was one right in front of him right now.

Before she could talk did he hear the knocks on the door, he would remove his pouch and wave for her to stay out of sight. He would crack open the door and see his friend Jacky. He would smile chat with him a bit and then pay for the bottle that he had brought with him. He would come back in and uncork the bottle of wine... why wine? Jacky must have thought that he was trying to swoon someone in here... oh well... it was a white wine.

"Want some wine?" he asked as he poured two cups. "Oh sorry for the interuption, please answer if you can." he said as he took a slow sip from the glass.

[Lucca]

Myth blinked up at the Bird as he began to explain something called "Ranks"...wow. That was really confusing. Though it really seemed mostly like counting, with higher numbers being better, and a few letters being above that. Her blue eyes narrowed in thought, the Rabbit examined the 'Q' and odd symbol that looked like a clover on his feathers. She had seen that all Cards had such symbols on their chests, but had no idea what they meant until now. So it was a way to tell how important someone was...

Before she could ask anything or answer his questions (though she wasn't sure how much she should really tell a stranger), there were knocks on the door, and Myth zipped under the bed before she was even told to get out of sight. She lay there, tense, until the door was shut again and the Card came back into the room himself. Now he was offering her...

"Wine?" she gasped. "Oh, oh no, I couldn't! Leverets should never drink something so fancy and expensive, Sir. That's only for Jacks, and maybe Does on special occasions." But it made sense that this Card would have one, since he seemed to be so powerful in his society! Slowly, she hopped from under the bed to seated on it instead, ears now up in a more normal position as she decided how much to tell.

"Well...in our society...there are only three types of...well, only three ranks, I guess you could say. There's the Jacks, who are the most powerful. They, like you, can stand on two legs and have hands instead of paws. No other Rabbits can do that." She wiggled her own front paws to demonstrate. "Jacks are the leaders...the queens, I guess, of their own...court, if you want to call it that, but we call it a Warren. They each have several Does to take to bed and any number of Leverets to serve them. For you see, I am the lowest Rank in my society, sir, merely a servant. It is my duty to serve my Jack and his Does in all things, and to even die, if I displease him and he wishes it." She bowed her head for a moment, in a show of deference.

[/|/afamere]

Sabe stopped drinking his drink for a moment before looking at her when she said that she didn't get wine because she wasn't important enough. That made even more since when she continued telling him about how their system worked. Though in the end when she mentioned what she really did and for even if she had displeased her jack enough that she would die, just if it would please him.

That was wrong on so many levels. He set down his glass on the table before walking up next to the bed and sitting down beside her. He rubbed his fingers over his brows before thinking on what to say... well it would have to be explained. He guessed it would be kinda harsh, but the way she made jacks sound were something of nightmare proportions.

"Myth... I mean no disrespect about how you have lived, but I do have something to say about it." he would get back up and pour another glass before he thought about it, and even poured a second one and brought it back to her, setting it before her. "Your not in the warren... and I take it your jack isn't here either, huh?" he said with a smile before sitting down once more. "Have you ever wondered? I mean... really wondered what it would be like if you could get away from that sort of danger?" he said as he took a small sip once again. To his distaste... it was cheep white rice wine. Oh well... it would give him that buzz that he was looking forward too.

He would look over at the other, the feathers on his wings rustling while he moved them so that he didn't bend any of em.