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Post by The Jenn on Mar 3, 2009 0:08:36 GMT -5
Valeny's posture straightened and she twitched her head so that her mane would frond properly. She flashed him a pleased grin and looked for all the world like a bird that had just been complimented on its plumage. "Yes. Yes I am. Thank you, Aleah." For another Highlander to tell her that she had the true spirit of her realm felt better than just about anything she'd ever done. That was a measure of success right there. She would have to prove herself worthy of his words by not cowering anymore. Subservient was one thing. Cowering was another.
"I don't intend to end up in pieces, don't worry," she reassured him with a less beaming smile, her expression and stance moderating themselves. "And I'm glad to hear there will be no babying. Can you tell me more about Heike? I've only heard a little. I know I met him before. Isn't he the Avington with the antlers? The male? There are two Avingtons, but his headgear's a pretty distinguishing feature."
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Post by Nako on Mar 3, 2009 0:20:57 GMT -5
With tensions eased, he allowed himself to lay comfortably upon the grass and looked up at the strutting Highland female. She was such a funny sort, and so much personality. The warren would certainly be much brighter with her clear headed, happy way of going about life. Hopefully she'd be able to wipe some of the cynicism that was rife among the leverets.
"Heike..." There were so many other things he'd rather talk with Valeny about, but it was a valid question and he would not deny her an answer. "He's cynical, harsh... he's difficult to be around at times, but he keeps the warren running and supremely helpful for a male leveret, for sure. That is probably why he has such a solid place in the ranks of leverets. I don't think you'll have any problem with him, personally. If you do your work he won't have a bad thing to say about you."
It was rare that he could steal a moment to lounge in the gardens. It was even rarer he could find a person to do it with. It was a rare luxury, especially with such stimulating company. "Did you have many males in your last warren? Male leverets, that is?"
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 3, 2009 12:58:23 GMT -5
The description of Heike left Valeny slowly nodding her head, thinking about it. If this was the general Leveret taskmaster, as she'd gotten the impression he was, then she would do her best so that he didn't have anything bad to say about her. Well, besides what had already happened. Hopefully the Doe wouldn't be causing problems with the rest of the staff...
"Male Leverets? Yes, we had two. My father-Jack was fairly full on Leverets and so he could afford to have them without being huffy. Besides, they worked just as well as any of the girls. I don't really think he knew one of them was male, though. He flirted on occasion, from what I saw. It was never anything terribly serious - he was more focused on a Kahmden girl who sort of wanted to become a Doe anyway. Makes me wonder if she ever did." The thought made her shudder a little, though it might have looked like she was chilled or just had a random twitch. Wanting to become a Doe? Why?!
"So are you and Heike the only male Leverets in the Czar's warren, or are there others?" It really was nice to take a moment to relax, especially after all of that scrubbing.
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Post by Nako on Mar 3, 2009 19:26:11 GMT -5
"Hm. When they have their minds set on it, they normally do. If they don't do it themselves, then the Jack finds a way." Aleah said oh-so conversationally, falling back into a more comfortable position. He noted the shudder, tilting his head curiously for a moment but decided not to speak of it.
"We are the only ones, far as I know. We... had one other. He lied about his gender and had to be dealt with." Aleah said gently, eyes glazing over as he recalled the event. It had been so awful. The mess that had to be cleaned up afterward had been enough to exacerbate his insomnia for weeks afterward. "The Czar doesn't tolerate dishonesty. Not to any degree."
"But.. no. It's just us." He recapped, changing the subject from that unfortunate event. "The Czar is unhappy enough to have two males in his warren as it is."
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 3, 2009 20:38:01 GMT -5
Jacks finding a way to make a Leveret turn into a Doe. That was like some sort of nightmare that would have her waking up whimpering in an embarrassing fashion. Guh. No, thank you. Just the thought of 'Doe or death' made her want to shiver again.
"Not a very smart Leveret, lying to his Jack," she agreed, settling after a moment to lounge beside him. If they were going to be taking a short break, she would sit near a rose bush and inhale the full blast of the fragrance while she spoke. "Even if I were prone to lying, which I'm not, I wouldn't really think the Czar would be the best Jack to try it on. His reputation really does precede him."
She reached out to delicately paw at one of the flowers, not wanting to incur the wrath of the thorns that she'd seen Aleah trimming from the one he'd given her. That sat nearby, not forgotten. "So can you tell me more about these flowers...? You seemed pretty fond."
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Post by Nako on Mar 3, 2009 21:52:46 GMT -5
Aleah nodded in silent agreeance. Though he was more.. used to Vikenti's ways, it did not make the Jack any less terrifying. Luckily, he wasn't necessarily unpredictable; his Jackly code of morals kept people in line, yet... oddly made those who were used to it feel secure. Aleah could only hope to match the justice the Czar was capable of if he became a Jack himself.
He'd given a small jump when she spoke; he'd found himself dozing every so slightly in the warm sun, just enough to get his head to nod downward and his eyes to flutter shut before being jarred awake again. "Oh yes, very fond indeed. Was there anything in particular you wanted to know about them? The varieties, the colors...?" There was so much he could say, but he would be prattling rather endlessly without some direction. The last thing he wanted to do was to bore her.
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 4, 2009 0:33:44 GMT -5
*timeskip of three weeks*
With time to settle more into the routine of the warren and having Aleah to explain a few things to her, Valeny became a lot more comfortable in her new home, enough that she could anticipate the demands of the senior Leverets, even if none of them ever really had a handle on the Czar. He wanted certain things at certain times and she knew that much, but when and how his routine deviated was still a dangerous mystery to her. The others only had so much insight into the workings of a Jack.
She'd managed to stay clear of Miss Aisha by spending a lot of time doing tasks that required her to be away from the Does' area. It had also kept her away from any other errant females who might ask something more demanding than a simple run-and-fetch mission. She'd heard more about their whims and particular quirks, though she was sure there were others she hadn't stumbled across yet.
Like why Aleah's mother-Doe might have sent him to fetch her specifically to his side. Did she want to dress her up in something ridiculous? She'd heard Heike talking about that habit. Or... have tea, or something? She had no idea. It would probably be something demeaning and she would soldier her way through it.
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Post by Nako on Mar 4, 2009 21:44:49 GMT -5
The warren was always ill at ease when a Doe was displeased. Especially Ashta. Unlike the more outward displeasure of some of the more 'normal' Does, Ashta was just... strange. She'd stayed in her room since that morning, refusing the morning meal. It was usually when the Czar was disposed with another Doe or some pressing matter that she decided to have these.. episodes, not outwardly upset but often refusing to do anything but.. sit in her room. As usual, Aleah came in to check on her. "Lady Ashta, what ails you? I was told you missed breakfast." Ashta didn't respond to the gentle voice at first, staring towards her window as she sat serenely at her tea table. The almost gaudily decorated curtains flapped in the breeze that came from the small, high window. "Why do you assume there is anything wrong with me?" It was a trapping question, and Aleah grimaced slightly, quickly trying to find a way to diffuse the situation. Aleah's rage was never something obvious. It was like a silent, scentless gas; dangerous and almost completely undetectable until too late. "And why would we do anything but worry about our lovely Mother Doe if she missed breakfast? We know how you love your morning tea. Look.. you have your nice tablecloth out. Would you like me to fetch you some?"As if roused from a deep thought, she looked abruptly over to her leveret son, appearing surprised that he was there. "Aleah.. you look so tired. Has the medication not been helping?""Oh, yes it has been helping very much!" Aleah assured, her, lying but knowing that she wouldn't call him on it. "I'd sleep even better to know that you are taking care of yourself. Mother, let me get you some tea. Perhaps you would like company?""Yes... that would be fine. Oh, but not you, dear. Find me someone else; you are dreadful company for a cheerful tea party." Aleah remained unoffended, merely nodding as his mother went on obliviously. "What about that new girl? I have yet to formally meet her." There was something, sharp about her tone. It made Aleah nervous. "I... very well." He quickly bowed his head down when her eyes threaten to sharpen in his direction. Hopefully she would be in a charitable mood with Valeny. "She.. would undoubtedly love to meet you, Dear Mother. She is -very- dedicated to the warren." Emphasizing this with great grandeur, he bowed his head as he backed out of the room. His mother called after him. "Don't forget, dear! Get mommy some raspberry tea! You know it is my favorite!" Luckily she informed him. Her 'favorite' tended to change weekly. ----- "Be cordial.. humor her. Remember that as long as she is happy, everything is fine. She's in an odd mood. We usually don't send in the new people when she's in these moods.. but she specifically asked for you. No worries! It is all about her whim. I don't think there is any worrisome reason for it." Even though he spoke lightly of it, he seemed much more alert and anxious than he normally did. Dealing with Ashta was somethings.. a tedious job. She could be as docile as a lamb, but one always had to be on their toes. "Just be sure to agree with her. When that doesn't work, just try to flatter her." His tone went quiet as they came to the closed door, and he relinquished the tea cart to Valeny. "You're on your own from here. You are the only one she invited in. She won't approve of my entry." |
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 4, 2009 22:26:01 GMT -5
Valeny looked a little nervous at how jittery her companion seemed, but she settled as his tone became more serious in front of the Doe's chamber door. Her head bobbed in a serious nod, frond of hair waving slightly above her. "Do as she says, keep her happy, agree with her, and flatter her. I think I can manage, especially since all of my attentions's going to be on her. Thanks for the heads up, Aleah."
She flashed him a quick, now-or-never grin, and then adopted a more demure and submissive demeanor as she stood on her hind legs to hop the tea tray into the room. She could do obedient. She was obedient. Good Leverets listened to their betters. "Your tea, ma'am," she murmured as she wheeled it ahead of her, stopping near the table so that she could begin carefully setting out a cup and pouring the steaming liquid into the Doe's cup. "Would it please you to have company, ma'am?"
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Post by Nako on Mar 4, 2009 22:37:55 GMT -5
Ashta could hardly even see the levered, save for the gentle bounce of rigid hair just over the rim of the tea tray. She absently wondered if any of that hair was going to get into her food. Hm. At least if she found any long red strands in her food, she'd know where it came from.
Propping her chin upon her paw, she watched the leveret carefully as she poured the tea, blathering out the typical pleasantries as she poured the tea. Without meaning to, the leveret had taken control of the situation in her own way. Upon asking if she wanted company, she just stared. The awkward silence went on for a few paces, until the leveret decided to look up to see what the lack of response was all about.
Ashta's expression was blank, but her eyes were locked dead center, as if she were trying to drill straight into the girl's head with her very gaze. "Sit down."
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