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Post by Vyn on Feb 20, 2009 17:25:33 GMT -5
It was surprising what a bit of brooding and a good deal of internal frustration could do. It was especially surprising when coming to the conclusions of just why this or that frustrated him to no end, that he managed to unexpectedly surmount that little crest between Jack and King without really meaning to. Ultimately, he had a lot of changes to make. The crow ran his fingers over the freshly formed K on his chest, grinning to himself. It was something he'd been planning to do, more systematically, but it was at least part of the plans. What was not part of the plans was bowing his head to some Yarrow militant. Not that he disapproved of what Donnie was doing, just that he had absolutely no intention of being her King. So he'd just have to be Queen. It was an advance in his plans, yes, but the ultimate goal remained the same. He scheduled a meeting with Donnie, both to better get to know the woman and to apply for his advancement to Queen. Considering that he'd been a Jack the last they'd spoken, he assumed he'd be having to explain the sudden jump. Ah well. It was worth it. Red eyes flashed with a dark pleasure as he knocked on The Queen's door. He was so close to reaching Queen that he could already feel it. If it wasn't for the precautions of working things out with his Queen, he would've taken the final steps for himself. As it was, he wanted to make sure that this went smoothly. Suspicions among his peers would not favor him at all. (OOC -- Wulf's already got his points paid off for both King and Queen, as mentioned, he's going in as King and doing the official stuff to be sure he doesn't step on Donnie's toes too badly.<3) |
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Post by The Jenn on Feb 21, 2009 18:30:12 GMT -5
Donnie was indeed curious as to the jump of their only current Jack to Queen, but she would wait to hear from the man herself before she made any judgments. She didn't know the Tulgey as well as she might, half because she'd seen that he knew what he needed to do around the palace, and half because he seemed like a very private person and she wasn't the type to randomly socialize with males who didn't seek her out. The thought of having two male Queens under her was a bit galling, but she did enjoy Mia's company at times and she was coming to the realization that she didn't have any say in the gender of those within her Court. It didn't make her happy, but being understaffed gave her no room to be unduly picky. Sadly, gender wasn't grounds enough for her to do more than watch them closely to see that things were done in a competent fashion. She heard the knock and tapped her fingers a few times on the arm of her chair. "Come in, Wulfram," she called. If it was someone besides the Jack, maybe they'd get the hint that she was expecting someone else and ask to reschedule. |
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Post by Vyn on Feb 24, 2009 14:19:55 GMT -5
Good, she was expecting him. He liked knowing that the woman was on top of her game, it was a very large step above the fluttering Lysaras's anxious tittering over everything. Made her easy to respect, but far from something Wulfram wanted to devote himself entirely too.
The only person on the top of any pedestal was him.
Without hesitation, he made his way into the room and briefly flashed Donnie one of his toothy grins before the expression slid into place behind one of his more contained smirks. He was self-confident, yes, but he wasn't about to stick his nose up too high in the air and allow Donnie a reason to try and bite it off.
He swept into a smooth but low bow, red eyes never deviating from Donnie's face, and straightened once more to speak. "Goot efternoon, Your Majesty. It ist e great pleasure to finally get to speak to you in person." And, he thought smugly to himself, to do business with you.
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Post by The Jenn on Feb 28, 2009 11:14:53 GMT -5
Something about this man just seemed over the top to Donnie. Maybe it was the leather get-up, blatantly domineering and sexual. He may not have been trying, but he was succeeding in making something in the back of her mind hackle. She got the impression, from the grin that slid slowly into a smirk as he sauntered in, that this wasn't a man who would easily submit to anything.
Not her favorite sort of male. Not at all.
She would deal, though, because he'd been a titled noble since before her arrival and he had performed his duties very well ever since she took the throne. She just had a feeling that some of her aunts in the Yarrow would bare their teeth and attack him head-on were they ever to meet. Hopefully that wouldn't be the case.
"Likewise, sir. Please have a seat." She inclined her head towards one of the chairs in front of her desk. Manners and formality were a comfortable political shield. Her mother had taught them well. Besides, businesslike would probably be a good approach with this male. "Your missive mentioned that you had raised your rank to King and were interested in further advancement. Please elaborate."
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Post by Vyn on Mar 19, 2009 17:36:13 GMT -5
By the time Wulfram reached the chair directed to him, he had already smoothed over his dangerously cocky expression into one more suitable toward dealing with your 'superiors'. It was just good business not to get your head torn off before any negotiating had begun and, really, Wulfram didn't want to test the patience of this Wolverine cross.
His fingers strummed thoughtfully on the arm of the chair. How best to explain the situation?
Keep from being overly casual was a good step, and avoiding explaining his horrible moment in the alley way... waking up hurt and unaware. The crow could have growled, instead he smiled. It had been an obvious time for change, a time for increase... Pity he hadn't reached Queen without intending... It would save a whole lot of explanation as to why he couldn't just sit back and be her King.
Ugh.
"Ze increase to King vas mildly unintentional... Somethink I had envisioned for some time now, zough I had intended to go ebout it better." The crow shrugged his shoulders, but his eyes never left Donnie. He would have to be careful with his words. "To avoid beatink around ze bush, I vill be blunt: I em not entirely certain how compatible ve might be es King und Queen, our methods of handling things are quite different." He saw the way she handled Mia and while the partnership was amiable, the boy was also run straight down to the bone. Wuflram wouldn't take that sort of treatment nearly as easily and he had a strong feeling that Donalda wouldn't take his attitude laying down. "It ist for zat reason zat I vould like to request takink ze next step to A Queen. Partners auf e different sort und, of course, I vill be more zan capable of pullink my veight in ze position even vith our current unbalance in staff."
Wulfram did nothing without weighing the consequences. He was a hard and stubborn worker from start to finish and, in his time as Jack under Donnie, she should be well enough aware of that.
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 24, 2009 9:50:27 GMT -5
Donnie listened to the man speak with a reserved expression, honestly curious as to his reasoning. From what she'd seen of him, she didn't think he would make a very good King. He was not the subservient sort, and she would never be able to stand an arrogant, or even overly assertive, male as one of her direct underlings. Jacks were less bound in that respect. So... it really was a case of raising his rank to Queen and dealing with the power struggle that might ensue if he got a taste for the power, or telling him to leave the Court. A slight that grievous wouldn't be taken lightly, not by this man. She would have a challenge on her hands for sure as soon as he raised his rank, were that the case, as opposed to the possibility of a working partnership with the benefits of authority.
Hmm. It was an uncomfortable situation, but when the options arranged themselves that way, there really wasn't any contest.
"I agree with your assessment on the nature of our working relationship," she replied after a moment in thought, her own eyes never dropping the vaguely creepy stare of his Tulgey eyes. Even in that respect, she would not back down and give him that power over her. Fuck that. "A Queenship would be much easier on the both of us, I think, provided that we are able to work around one another's personalities. What sorts of responsibilities would you be taking on as a Queen? You know the kinds of things that need doing around the Court, although there are probably a few things that I would have to brief you on. How will you make yourself more useful in that position than you did as a Jack?"
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Post by Vyn on Nov 3, 2009 20:19:40 GMT -5
The Tulgey grinned darkly as Donalda spoke. She was a good Queen, strong and confident. Wulfram respected that in her, but he wasn't going to subject himself to her power. He was content with sharing Queenship with such a woman, so long as she didn't cross him first. Unlike Lysaras, there was no need to manipulate Donalda.
"I spent time under a former King of Spades in my youth, I know how to keep keep eh Court runnink smoothly." He'd need to be brought properly up to date with information and regulations, but Wulfram had no concerns about managing the affairs of a Queen. "In these times, vhen so much reorganization is beink done, it vould be eh great asset to you that you needn't manage all of ze Qveenly affairs alone. Your desire to make our Court great again is mine as vell: I vill do anythink in my power to assist with that goal."
Useless conflict would only weaken the Court they were trying to revive.
(I'm so sorry this took so incredibly long, Wulfram's muse was being an asshat >_< He's finally recovered from his fail.)
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 21, 2009 10:33:05 GMT -5
Wulfram had been a member of the Court for longer than Donnie had and, if he truly worked under a former King of Spades in earlier years, he probably knew things about Spades that she hadn't yet uncovered. It made him more dangerous and more useful all at once. Without conscious thought, one of her hands began a light tapping on the arm of her chair, an excercise for the fingers that strengthened and increased flexibility for a musician.
"Later on, I think I'd like to have a discussion on some of the more specific natures of your duties in this Court. I'm only familiar with the barest details. I'm sure you can understand my interest in trying to know Spades as intimately as I possibly can, having been absent from the political scene for much of recent history. I still don't know why our relationships with the Hearts are frosty, though I know that it happened sometime during the early years of Queen Serafino's reign. Possibly it has roots in Zulaya or Abelinda's periods as well. Information is scarce. I can only guess that Diamonds and Clubs don't have any special regard for us, good or ill, beyond general disdain for our lack of action and leadership. Besides a Jack who spent much of her time in the Court prior to my arrival managing the staff, and a very few attendants who may or may not be interested in sharing truth, you are my only source of accurate information from that period. I hope to use this to my advantage. Official and unofficial records are very sadly lacking."
Laying all of that out in front of him without mincing words was a gamble, but if he was going to be a Queen beside her then she was going to need his full cooperation and assistance. He needed to support and make up for her weaknesses, primarily her lack of information and general experience. She watched him with a level expression and waited for his reaction.
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Post by Vyn on Dec 22, 2009 0:23:47 GMT -5
Wulfram's expression gave little away as Donalda spoke. He listened with a dark, impassive expression and that faint grin until the Queen was finished. Only then did his smile widen, ever so slightly.
Perfect.
He always knew that old man would give him leverage and here it was, being handed to him on a silver platter. Donnie needed history like only the old man could provide. Malachior had always been fond of politics and Wulfram remembered a great deal of his frustrations in regards to the young Queen of Spades, Lysaras. She seemed to be the hitch in their great suit, Wulfram was glad that she'd finally been replaced by someone competent.
"I vould be more zhen happy to fill in ze blanks auf your absence, Your Majesty." Wulfram leaned back into his chair slightly, hands folding in his lap. "I vas not particularly close to Queen Lysaras, but I believe Malachior vas one auf her Kings in ze early years auf her reign. I can get ze information you need."
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Post by The Jenn on Dec 31, 2009 23:18:00 GMT -5
Something in Donnie truly didn't trust this Tulgey man, but she sincerely hoped that they could develop a working relationship. It would make things... so much easier.
"Alright then. I'll task you with that information-gathering as your quest. I need facts in particular, but if something's speculation then still include it and make sure it's clear as such. A written report that I can refer back to at my leisure will be the end product of the quest, and what I'll be ranking you up based on. It's a big jump, a big responsibility, and so I expect as comprehensive a report as you can manage. Also, if you have it, the contact information of Malachior. I believe I've seen his name on a few documents, but of course there's very little in the way of verifiable facts."
She leveled him with an even gaze. "This is an acceptable quest to you? I'll give you a full month to put everything together, should you need it." Hopefully he would use all of that time...
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