Gonna Need a Montage [FIN]

[The Jenn]

Hearing Ashta address Aleah right outside the door, something twisted in the pit of Valeny's stomach. He had been listening? Not unheard of, certainly, but... so embarrassing. She had been asking some awkward questions and receiving very uncomfortable answers. Had he been listening out of worry or something else? She wanted to believe it was worry. She really did.

The night saw her awake and restless, unable to get used to the feeling of this strange body so quickly. It felt huge in comparison to her tiny Leveret form and the longer hair kept getting in her way, twisting around her paws and tugging painfully at her scalp when she shifted. She had at least tried to keep her eyes closed and feign sleep, if only for the sake of her current roommate.

Red eyes snapped open at the sound of that voice and she slowly rose, stretching as though she had rested. "Yes..." Her voice sounded whispery even to her own ears and she coughed, trying to moisten her mouth. It felt so dry.

Walking behind the older Doe felt like a funeral march. Right now, she remained untouched by a Jack and could theoretically remain free indefinitely. In reality, it was only a matter of time until someone, somewhere, found her and bound her to the life of a Doe. She kept her head low when the door opened, long mane trailed down in wild tendrils and obscuring her face.

[carcinoGeneticist]

Vikenti was enjoying a cup of freshly-brewed coffee and looking over sheets of paper. They detailed a number of things: New Jacks that lived close enough to earn his attention, Old Jacks who had fallen, the general state of affairs in the Highlands. For a Rabbit as warlike as the Highlander was, it seemed to his mind that it would be a tragedy to allow a disaster to befall his Warren simply because of his own inattentivenes.

At the sound of feet outside of his door, his ears twitched, but he didn't look up from his papers. Instead, he turned one over, checking the information scrawled on the back.

When the door opened and Ashta moved into the room, however, he looked up at her with a warm smile. "Ashta, my dear,[/b]" he greeted, wondering what the reason for her sudden appearance in his chambers was. Of course, he didn't need to, for a moment later another Doe entered. With the shock of red hair and Highland markings, there was only one Rabbit it could be - Valeny. He went still for a moment, and then shook himself slightly. His words had reached her, then.

Good.

"...and Valeny, too. I must say, my lady, that your change pleases me. What would please me more if you would hold yourself with the pride that your current position warrants.[/b]" the man rose from his seat, giving his Ashta another fond look before turning his attention back to the newly-changed Doe. "When did the change happen?[/b]" His voice had its usual boom, but there was something softer, as well.

He'd known the girl would do him proud. And since the change had occured before his son was ready... Well, it only made sense that he'd help to prepare her to be the very best that Aleah could possibly wish for. A virgin Doe was lovely, to be certain, but an experienced one was equally so, as his lovely Ashta was proof of.

[Nako]

The girl wasn't talking. Oh dear, she really didn't want her making a fool of herself in front of the Czar. Quickly, Ashta intervened on the other Doe's behalf. "Late night, early morning, dear. She's.. having a time adjusting to this change." Explaining quickly, she shuffled closer to her Jack, subconsciously wanting to make her presence known while he evaluated the other Doe so closely.

Oh, she knew what he'd do to her. There really wasn't much she could do about that. Perhaps though, it was for the best. Her Aleah was such a gentle creature; she didn't know if the boy would know what to do with a resisting, squealing, unwilling Doe. Perhaps a good dose of the Need would loosen her up. Yes. That would probably be kinder to the boy. Perhaps even... a spark of jealousy would get his little bony ass in gear.

[The Jenn]

Valeny didn't shrink any further when she fell under the Jack's gaze, something that took a great deal of willpower. She knew she would thank herself for it later. From living here for as many months as she had, she knew the Czar looked cooly upon weakness. Hiding under her hair was bad enough, though hopefully excusable under the circumstances. What had Ashta said... mistakes she could talk her way out of?

Too bad she wasn't feeling particularly vocal this morning. At least the man's comment made her straighten, which sent some of the hair falling back against her sides rather than obscuring her face. Red eyes looked up at him finally and she couldn't hide her fear. She felt absolutely craven in that moment, terrified to the core of everything she knew would come and hating herself bitterly for that fear.

She was a Highlander. She was an individual. She had always been property! What was so different about all of this?

...everything.

She very deliberately did not deflate under his gaze. Her attempts at rallying had at least given her back enough of her normal spirit to permit that. A handful of hoarse was nowhere near enough time to come to terms with everything that had just changed in her life, but her time away from the gaze of the Czar was now up and she didn't have a choice. She had never felt so conflicted. In no way did she want to be a meek, retiring little coward. The thought made her queasy. But so did the thought of things to come.

How painfully dramatic. If she'd been an observer to all of this, she knew she would have sneered at herself.

"I woke up to it, sir," she said in a steady voice. It wasn't loud or strong, but it was steady. That was more than the whispery croak she had managed earlier. Would she ever feel comfortable with the Jack-Doe relationship, not the physical side of it but the everyday mannerisms? 'Dear'. Could she ever call someone like the Czar 'dear'? Could she ever call anyone 'dear'? "I apologize for my..." Horror? Distress? Trauma? "...confusion."

[carcinoGeneticist]

Oh, the girl was terrified! Her slow reply did not go unnoticed by the Czar, nor did Ashta's interference. His favored Doe knew what his plans for Valeny had been up until this point, and as such he wasn't entirely surprised when she jumped in to speak for the terrified creature. But just because he understood... It didn't mean that the man approved, not in the slightest. In fact, he thought that the fear that he saw in her eyes was absolutely deplorable, something that should never be seen in proud Highland eyes.

His own yellow-gold eyes narrowed for the briefest of moments, and when Ashta moved to his side he slowly ran his fingers through her long hair, keeping her close, lovingly. But his eyes never once left the other Doe. She really was beautiful.

But she simply couldn't be so timid!

"Ladies, please, feel free to take a seat.[/b]" he clearly intended for Ashta to take the seat nearest to him, but the other seat avaliable was also close. Perfect. "Shall I call for tea? Breakfast? Valeny, dear one, do not worry yourself. You've overcome an incredible barrier, it's only natural to feel nervous.[/b]" But not to cower as you do. You never wanted this change, did you? "I don't want to see sadness or fear on the eyes of any of my beloved ladies, and you're one of them now.[/b]" where his hand sat atop Ashta's head, it hesitated for a moment. "I think that you will stay with me today. There is... quite a lot for us to discuss.[/b]"

And to do, but if she was too nervous... He'd press that matter later. Soon, but not now.

[Nako]

Ashta obediently hopped up into the seat nearest him, flashing all her smiles for him. Of course, then he wasn't happy with Valeny. It was Ashta's instinct to let her flounder. After all, a Doe had to watch out for herself. But.. it was her first day as a Doe. That would be heartless, even for Ashta. Cautiously, she raised her brows up and down, trying to convey -something- to the frightened girl that she needed to keep a stiff upper lip.

Vikenti's hand had hesitated. With a soft noise, she arched up to meet it. She couldn't help but speak up Putting a paw on Vikenti's thigh, she smiled at Valeny. "The Czar is kind to all of his Does. I can certainly vouch for that. Darling," This time, she looked to the Czar. "Do you wish for me to leave you two be? I do not wish to impose." Honestly, she didn't know whether her presence was hurting or helping.

[The Jenn]

The briefly narrowed eyes centered on her face certainly told Valeny that the Czar was displeased. She had expected it. She was unhappy with herself, and not just that the change had occurred. She knew better. The sane part of her mind told her so, and those disapproving eyes boring into her told her so. Even the furtive wiggling of Ashta's eyebrows communicated the message obscurely.

There were only three options, as she saw it. She could stand there frozen like a statue and suffere the consequences. She could start crying and crumple like something in her desperately wanted to do. Or... she could shut off the part of her mind that wanted to scream and just pretend it was someone else going through the motions, a proper Highlander who would act as befit her realm and obey her Jack. Could she do that? Could she really treat herself as though she wasn't herself?

With the alternatives what they were, she would just have to try. Whatever damage it would do to her seemed preferable to the damage that wouldn't be done. From the look in those eyes, she had to choose now. She couldn't tell if it was the coward's route or the Highlander's route she was taking. Maybe both. What an awful thought. She hoped not. With a deep breath, she told herself to watch a Highland Doe do what it was that a Highland Doe needed to do.

Attempting to visibly compose herself, she hopped up to the Czar's other side and sat carefully, trying not to catch her mane underfoot. She held her head more naturally, which for her meant high and proud. Something in her eyes looked a little off, but they were no longer gleaming with fear. "Breakfast would be welcome, sir, thank you. I haven't eaten yet this morning."

She didn't lower her head at his comment. This surprised her. Then again, it didn't really feel like she was saying the words coming out of her mouth, either. "As you wish, of course. I don't want to displease you." No, I certainly don't. I want to live. Even if it is... like this. "Thank you, Lady Ashta," she added to the older Doe's comment. She had to acknowledge it in some way. All of these responses seemed 'appropriate' and they were coming out like rote. Good. Rote was probably the only thing she could manage.

[carcinoGeneticist]

The Doe was speaking now, but her words did little to change the Czar's current feelings towards the situation. The girl had known for ages now what was expected of her as long as she was to be living in his Warren, under his protection. The horror that she was showing was not becoming of a Doe, let alone a Highland Doe of his Warren! The man clenched the arm of his chair rather tightly, the only outward sign of his frustration with the situation.

If he wasn't so short on help, he would leave his irritating son to the whims of the world and trade this skittish creature away for something even more promising. But he did need the help, and in all honesty, the thought of a virgin Doe was enough to keep his expression pleasant.

When Ashta began to speak, Vikenti turned his attention to her, the hardness fading from his expression for a moment. As much as he was aware of the fact that Valeny was relying heavily on Ashta for emotional support, he didn't want that. He wanted to know - to be certain - that this Doe was worthy of his child. "...If you wouldn't mind terribly, my dearest, I would very much like an opportunity to speak with Valeny alone,[/b]" he slowly raised his eyes to the other woman, something steely in his eyes though his smile was soft and pleasant. "Thank you for bringing her to me. If you would ask one of the Leverets to bring breakfast, I would very much appreciate it.[/b]"

He leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on Ashta's forehead, then waited for the Doe to take her leave of them. Then he straightened in his seat, steepling his fingers as he regarded her. "I would very much like to be pleased with you, Valeny,[/b]" he said, expression going soft once more. "I should hope you understand why this is not the case.[/b]"

[The Jenn]

Had Valeny been more aware of the thoughts that kept the Czar's expression pleasant, she may have done something unfortunate. Like run in a blind panic. As it was, she did not and such thoughts remained part of the nebulous and terrifying future.

And now Ashta was abandoning her, at the woman's query and the Jack's whim. Oh, no, please no. Please don't go. They were words that wanted to claw themselves up her throat, but she refused. She refused to beg. Though if it had gotten her out of this predicament entirely, maybe she would have.

She stayed where she was, very still and watching the Highland Jack. The tightness of her muscles and tiny pupils betrayed her, but she kept the rest firmly under control. Besides those two factors, she appeared to be sitting calmly. Unfortunately, they would be all too noticeable to anyone close-up, especially someone watching her so acutely. "Yes, sir. I do."

[Nako]

Ashta couldn't help but churr in delight at the kiss he planted upon her brow, eyes flitting closed and tail giving the briefest of happy wags. After all... her Jack just had that affect on her. "I wouldn't mind at all. I'll try not to keep you two waiting and hungry for long."

Eyes clouded and dreamy, it only faltered for the briefest of moments when her eyes caught Valeny's. She offered a small smile, hoping to encourage some strength within the girl. But she couldn't stay; she knew that if she hadn't excused herself, the Czar would have likely dismissed her. It would be good if this was taken care of quickly.... Whatever he was considering taking care of.

She didn't like that idea.. not at all. But she pushed it aside long enough to find a leveret. The first one she saw.. Was Aleah. She avoided his searching gaze to see if there was another... no. Hrm. The boy looked -awful-. Had he slept? WIth more irritation in her voice than she'd hoped.... she spoke. "Make sure the Czar gets breakfast for two, will you? He's speaking with her now." She answered no more questions, turning away from him to head back to her own room. She should probably eat but.. she found herself lacking in appetite.


Aleah stood there for a few moments, watching the retreating back of his mother in something akin to horror. She was.. talking to the Czar already? Goodness... was it already that late in the morning? The hours had been ticking by so slowly.. he hadn't gotten any sleep...

Numbly, he walked to the kitchens. He'd likely take his time preparing the plates. He was half afraid he'd walk in and find Valeny horrified.. angry.. or worse.

By the White Rabbit.. he felt sick.