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Post by Lucca on Jan 18, 2010 14:54:01 GMT -5
 It was a rather melancholy Cardinal that flapped his slow and steady way towards the entrance to the Court of Spades. He'd had it all just two nights ago...a steady job, a steady girlfriend, a lovely apartment...and all it took was one night to ruin it. One night, and his stupid beak opening at the wrong time and saying the wrong thing. He had to go and bring up 'that topic' with his girlfriend. But he'd really liked--okay, he'd even loved--Suha, and he thought she cared about him enough to that they could settle down together, maybe have a family...but it turned out she didn't want that sort of a commitment. Oh, she'd turned him down pleasantly enough but...he still couldn't think about it without crying. After that, he'd been mopey enough to miss work by accident, and, well...he didn't dare to show his face there again. Going home was out of the question. His apartment just seemed too empty, even though it was no more empty than before. He'd been out of other options. ...so he'd made an appointment to meet with the King of Spades to try for a title. At this point, what did he really have to lose? And what he really needed was change, a fresh start, and distractions...all of which he knew he'd find at Court. As he came within sight of the gate, he touched down, immediately putting on a lovely smile. This, together with his well-groomed feathers and cheerful demeanor (faked, of course, but he was good at faking for the sake of saving face) would hopefully be enough to hide that he was feeling anything less than his best. " Good day, sirs," he said politely, bowing low and with proper form. " I'm here for my Jack Quest. I made an appointment with Her Highness Vessatha?" Neither of the guards were his old friend Ichigo, and Colin felt a pang of regret...from what he could tell from the occasional responses to his letters, the mouse seemed to be doing a little better at coping with his...odd magical mishap, but it would be nice to see him again... |
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Post by Greenie on Jan 18, 2010 19:58:37 GMT -5
The guards verified with some papers. "Colin?" They paused to wait for an answer, then a large Selkie coyote nodded to him and indicated for him to follow. "Her office is right this way, if you will follow me please.." The coyote set off, and lead him through the Court to the wing of offices. Vessatha was actually on her way to her office when she spotted one of her guards and a bright purple cardinal a ways down the hallway from her office. She waited at the door for them. "Thank you, Roland," She said to the coyote, who smiled and left to go back to his post. Vessatha turned to the bird. "You must be Colin. Please, come in." She unlocked the door and went through it, motioning him through, and then for him to take one of the chairs while she settled herself behind the desk. She gave him a moment to adjust, then cocked her head. "So, Colin of Villa en Miir, what made you decide to apply to the Court of Spades?" |
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Post by Lucca on Jan 18, 2010 20:14:35 GMT -5
"Yes, I am," the Cardinal said calmly, though inwardly he was kicking himself for forgetting to mention that. It was a harmless enough slip up now, in front of the guards, but he must make extra sure not to repeat such a mistake while meeting the person who would be giving him his quest. He had never met this particular Ferret before, but he had met her son, and had gotten on with him well enough...that was practically a year ago by this point though. He'd come a long way since then.
He smiled politely as soon as he saw the Ferret, and swept a graceful bow. "Your Highness," he greeted her, before entering the office and taking a seat as he was directed. He noticed two things about her...first, her resemblance to her son, and second...that unless he was imagining things, she was pregnant...of course, he would bring neither of these up...yet.
He sat straighter as she asked him the question, replying calmly. After all, he had been thinking up answers to possible interview questions on the flight over. "Truthfully, I've been interested in the Court of Spades for some time. I think too few of our Suit show any interest in Court matters, which is quite a shame because the decisions made in these halls affect all of us. Whether or not to join the Court itself or just remain a politically active member of our Suit is a question I've thought about quite deeply before now. And, recently, I decided a change was in order. I want to do something with my life, Your Highness. I want to become someone that makes a difference." He decided to stop there before he got too rambly, looking at her earnestly. He knew his answer wasn't very original, but it was sincere and honest, and he hoped that would count for something.
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Post by Greenie on Jan 18, 2010 20:34:21 GMT -5
Vessatha had no interest in sharing her bodily state with the cardinal, and as she was in a fairly good mood for her condition, she didn't consider it something he needed to know. The bulge in her stomach spoke well enough for itself, though it meant she had to watch her words a bit more carefully than normal so as not to appear snappish.
She watched his expression more than she listened to his words, noting how he sat up straighter and how his tone was steady; it was clear his answer was somewhat rehearsed, but it had enough feeling behind it that she nodded. "You think you can make a difference in this crazy world?" The ferret asked with curiosity. "Most people lead their lives without it ever occurring to them that they can change the people and the environment around them."
Vessatha fell silent for a moment, and leaned back into her chair to examine him for a few long moments. There was something behind his words that she wasn't quite picking up; something he didn't want to share. Well, it would be his problem if it made his quest more difficult.
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Post by Lucca on Jan 18, 2010 22:15:33 GMT -5
Colin shrugged, blue eyes clear and honest. "Someone's got to. I'm a musician, you see, and I hope to enlighten people with my music...but some point along the way I realized that it's foolish to expect people to learn from something they don't understand, and it's...sad just how many people don't understand music." He paused to collect his thoughts so that he wouldn't go too off-subject...he hoped he hadn't already, and he kept his gaze carefully fixed on the King so he would notice if she showed a discernible hint of displeasure.
"But people understand power. They understand decrees, laws, Rank," the Cardinal continued. "Up until now, I like to think I've helped make the world a better place, in my own way." He thought of the little 'adventure' that had led to his Rank going to Ten...but he wouldn't bring that up unless it was applicable. "It's time to take it to the next level, you know? I've always had a a policy, Your Highness, that if you're not willing to fight for a belief, to sacrifice for it, than you may as well not believe anything at all." The Cardinal's eyes gleamed with passion, his words sounding somewhat less rehearsed as the conversation went on, though he had a life time of training on how to interact with Cards in social situations, especially high ranking Cards.
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Post by Greenie on Jan 19, 2010 14:10:11 GMT -5
Vessatha watched with hidden amusement as he kept going. My, my, someone liked to talk. Did they need an orator? Perhaps she'd make them need one, he certainly wasn't going to do them any good in the paperwork division. Donnie would certainly appreciate her fellow countryman's talents being used appropriately, she thought wryly.
"Alright, Colin," She said finally, and leaned forward to give him a discerning look. "With that in mind, here's your Quest. There's a rather crotchety lynx in the kitchens, and an petulant young maid that's currently cleaning suites. I want you to find them, and make their days better." She rose an eyebrow, then sat back in her chair, not particularly bothering to look at his reaction. He would probably find the idea very strange, after all the stories of heroic and dangerous quests that circulated, but she knew which skills she wished to test for this particular cardinal, and sending him off on some superfluous mission wasn't going to help one bit.
After a moment she looked back up at him, not surprised to see him still sitting there. "You have until five p.m. Go." She then went back to her paperwork.
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Post by Lucca on Jan 19, 2010 14:31:58 GMT -5
Colin perked, ready to hear about what his Quest was going to be. His heart pounded with excitement. In his earlier research on the Court, he'd read or heard accounts of many Quests (some obviously fabricated, others closer to the truth), and he had to wonder what sort of thing would be asked of him. The reply was...not very expected. He sat, stunned, for a moment, waiting for more information...like what the names of these individuals were.
But when she said that obvious statement of dismissal, he stood up, quickly gathering his composure, and bowed low to her. "Consider it done, Your Highness," he promised, with far more confidence than he felt. Still, he should easily be able to do this, right?
He left the office and began by making his way to the kitchens...since he remembered about where they were from his previous visit here. Musing over all the ways he could make someone's day better as he walked.
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Post by Greenie on Jan 19, 2010 16:05:36 GMT -5
Vessatha smiled to herself once he'd left the room. She hadn't told either person what was coming towards them, but Geoff was intelligent, and would probably figure out what was going on within a few minutes. Holly, though, liked to see the worst in everyone, and would likely present a challenge for Colin. She was definitely interested to see how he fared.
Geoff was having difficulties with flavoring a stew, and it was making him rather cranky. Well, crankier than usual. His joints were aching from standing for so long, but if he sat down the stew would over cook.. Acht. He rummaged around on the shelf above his head for some parsley and knocked over several containers in the process, one of which broke at his feet. He swore viciously several times, but kicked the shards away instead of cleaning them up. He had a stew to cook, after all.
In his rage he failed to notice Colin enter, and jumped when he saw him, which sent his spoon (quite hot from the stew) flying across the room, where it smacked into the wall and left a rather tomato-y impression on the wall. He scowled at the cardinal, swearing under his breath. "Dun startle me like that, man! What do you want, huh? Huh?" The lynx didn't wait for an answer, and limped over to a drawer to get another spoon.
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Post by Lucca on Jan 19, 2010 20:29:36 GMT -5
Colin jumped at the spoon that smacked the wall right beside his head as soon as he walked through the doorway, feeling a few drops of tomato sauce get on his wing. He shook it lightly and turned toward the Card he was supposed to cheer up. Well! Crotchety indeed. " I'm very sorry, Sir," he said, bowing slightly. " I did not intend to startle you. I may soon find myself...around this Court far more often, and so I wanted to aquaint myself with some of the staff." After all, it would be cheating to say he was on a Quest. " Is there anything I can help you with?" It was then that he saw the shards of the glass container at Geoff's feet...and his blue eyes widened. Maybe...he had an easy out to this... He picked up the thrown spoon carefully in one claw, and then hopped his way over towards the Card. " Oh, Sir, I know we just met, but I must insist you be a little careful of that glass...you don't want to cut your feet." He narrowed his eyes at the glass shards, focusing...and in an instant the container was back, whole, sitting at the cook's feet, good as new and not a single piece missing...though sadly the contents were still scattered. The tingle of residual magic sizzled briefly in the air. Small Power: He is able to repair shattered glass objects back into their original form with only a thought once per week.((ooc: I hope you uh, don't mind this...*cough* It was just too perfect when I saw that, since he has this lovely little ability!  )) |
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Post by Greenie on Jan 21, 2010 20:05:21 GMT -5
Geoff gave the bird a suspicious look over his shoulder. He wanted to acquaint himself with the staff? Who the hell did that? This was that stupid ferret's idea, he just knew it. She was constantly telling him to be more cheerful and throwing obnoxiously cheerful people at him. Pfa! That's what he said to that!
"No. You can't. There are many stupid people over there," He waved his new spoon towards a doorway across the room, spraying more sauce everywhere, "That are paid to help me. I don't need unpaid ones too."
He continued to scowl at Colin when he was told to be careful. Didn't he know to be careful? Didn't he break things all the time? He never hurt himself, just other things. When the container magically healed itself, he glared down at it, then back up at Colin. "Did I say I wanted the container fixed? What if it was old, and I broke it so I had a reason to buy a new one? Huh? Huh? Did you think of that, huh?" He shoved the container away from him with his foot and continued stirring.
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))