Now Hold the Note [Uny]

[Lucca]

Colin felt a flare of satisfaction and pride as she admitted he was right, though of course, as a gentleman, he didn't let it show on his face. He nodded as Kama answered his questions, and didn't seem at all bothered by his wording! What a relief. Though...he tilted his head slightly in that peculiar way Avians have of doing. "Where are you on your way to, if you don't mind my asking?" Though he certainly understood her frustrations regarding the Cards in this area. Most of them were just so content to laze about (something about 'being on vacation' turned otherwise perfectly sensible people into slovenly disgraces--Colin never understood it) or too busy 'having fun' to practice common courtesy. It was really quite upsetting. One should never be too busy to practice common courtesy!

And then, Kama asked another question...one that made Colin's heart sink. It was the very thing he'd been attempting to avoid thinking about. He sighed, letting just a hint of his inner distress show, his crest drooping. "I sincerely hope that I do not have the opportunity to consider such a situation," he said, shaking his head. "I will wait until sunset, if I have to, but if no one shows up by then...I suppose I shall have no choice but to seek out the leaders of the village myself, or return to Court empty handed." Neither of which were very appealing options to the Cardinal.

[Unyko]

His response to her question was similar to what her own would have been, were she to switch places with him. It was never fun to be stood up, especially when others were counting on your meeting, too. After a short moment of thought, quickly weighing her options, she decided that the Golden Rule was there (and named thus) for a reason. Besides, she had to at least make up for causing him to look so unhappy. "Would you accept some company, if you do end up having to seek them out? I hope it doesn't come to that, but if your representative doesn't appear, I'd be glad to render any assistance I am able to help you find out what happened. Even if all I can offer is friendly company." If she were in the same situation, a congenial word or offer of companionship would have been greatly appreciated. What this Courtly Jack would think of her idea was another thing entirely. She only hoped he didn't think it was overly forward or presumptuous of her.

"As to where I am headed," she continued, "that is, eventually, the Capital. I'm not bee-lining, though. A little sight-seeing, a little job-scouting here and there along the way." She paused for only a second, a sly, mischievous grin flirting with her features as she continued. "I'm on a mission to spread the joy and love that is fresh, delicious water to those who may desire it." A smooth half-bow rounded out her little speech (she couldn't manage a full bow, since she didn't particularly want to get up just now, so a slight head-bob would have to suffice).

[Lucca]

Surprise flickered across the Cardinal's face at her offer, but was quickly replaced with a smile that was the most genuine he'd been able to offer her so far. "Thank you for the very kind offer. I would be honored to have your company, if it indeed should come to that." But if she was involved, too...he wouldn't give the tardy business associate quite so long a grace period. One more hour, and they'd go looking for him or her.

He listened to her story with interest, nodding and smiling in polite amusement at her little charade. "I hear that's actually quite a lucrative business, fresh water from the Lakes," Colin said, fluffing his feathers a bit and wishing he had time to properly groom the sand out of them. Blech. "But you know," and here his eyes took on a teasing glint. "If you ever want to branch out into a different sort of business, the Court is always looking for promising new talent." She nearly had the Rank for it, after all! Of course, he didn't actually expect her to be interested. Once again, as with many of the things Colin did and said, it was a social formality. Her Highness Vessetha still wanted them to be recruiting.

[Unyko]

Pleased (and rather relieved) that he had not only heard her offer the way it was meant, but actually decided to take her up on it, Kama's grin grew slightly broader. Her time here had been fun and an adventure in and of itself, but now that the novelty had worn off, an interesting side-trip was just what she needed. In more ways than one.

She nodded in answer to his comment, but amended the statement. "It's really only profitable if you can get it far enough away. Selling water to your neighbor isn't very worthwhile, unless your neighbor isn't very quick on the uptake." Which was why she was here in the first place. His second comment, though, caused her to pause in thought. Promising talent? Like what?

Kamayaro cocked her head to the side, pondering this possibility. Certainly, he sounded as though it were meant in jest, but it was food for thought, none the less. What if she could offer something that no one (or even very few) else could?

[Lucca]

Colin laughed appreciatively, nodding his head as a wry grin twisted his beak. "I can imagine. But a lot of Selkie businesses have huge sales in exports, especially to some of the dryer regions as well as, of course, the Capital." He gestured with a wing, but cut the motion off before he accidentally hit Kama with it, as that would have been exceedingly embarrassing (and something he was sadly likely to do--he had always been a bit clumsy).

As she lapsed into thoughtful silence, Colin wondered if she was thinking about his offer, which surprised and delighted him. He certainly hadn't been sure she'd even consider it, although at least she wasn't one of those Cards that balked at the very mention of the Courts. He would have read it on her face earlier (or in her voice) when he'd first mentioned his business here. Here, though, was the confirmation of it. The fact that she hadn't immediately declined or changed the subject. Perhaps, then, it would be acceptable to speak of it more?

"The Courts are not for everyone, of course," he said, keeping his expression casual, though his blue eyes watched closely for her reaction without seeming to be so focused. "The political games can be a bit rough on the unprepared. But our current Queen is open to suggestions, and she actually took mine of a more intentional Court music room to heart even before I actually joined. Now, there's a practice room there as well as an area of concerts, both private ones for the Queen and more public ones for any member of Court staff. I play in them whenever they'll let me get away from the paper work." He smiled fondly, unable to keep from mentioning his skill as a pianist whenever he got the chance. He was a true Villa at heart.

[Unyko]

"Very true," Kamayaro admitted, her grin broad, "that's where I am headed, and why I've been sent, after all." Well, the Capital was where she had been sent, the other stops on her way were her own idea. She was especially curious about those dryer regions Colin had briefly mentioned, especially the Wastes. That place was so close to her own watery home, and yet still so dry! Never having been far distant from water herself, Kama was interested to see just what it was like.

Colin was speaking again, calling her attention back from those flights of fancy about traveling and the Capital and the Court. She watched him just as intently (and covertly) as he was watching her for reactions, nodding slightly and smiling when he went into his own personal accomplishment. The fact that he had musical talent was at once an interesting revelation, and somewhat expected, considering who it was. "That's wonderful," she said sincerely. Kama had always been fond of music, if not exactly musical herself (singing was one thing, but actually playing an instrument seemed to be perpetually out of her grasp). "I would love to hear you play, some day."

[Lucca]

The briefest nod...and a smile that was hard to interpret. His mind buzzed with these things, cataloging and observing them, while outwardly he continued to keep up the social game known as polite conversation. He was pretty sure he could make small talk in his sleep (but he didn't know if he did or not, since he'd never shared a room with anyone other than his Tove, who, if he heard the Cardinal mumbling in his dreams, had never mentioned it. Not that a voiceless creature could technically mention anything anyway...) "I'm glad you think so," he said, and he felt his heart swell with pride at her desire, even if she were only being polite. "I would love to play for you! If you're living in the Capital, you may yet be able to see me perform. I do get away from the Palace occasionally and back to my old haunts there."

Or, he had once, but it had been painful to be in a place with so many memories of those few months when he had been in love. But that was a while ago and...and he could certainly handle himself better now. Or so Colin firmly told himself. At any rate, he absolutely refused to get emo about it right now.

[Unyko]

Kama was rather enjoying the conversation at hand. But really, what was there to be dissatisfied with? It was rare to meet a card with such high rank, and she was learning something new with every exchange, it seemed. The fact that he was quite pleasant company just made it that much better. (Not that she had expected him to be boring or as monotonous as some of her parents' business contacts, but it was a real possibility!) So, while she felt no real need to disguise her interest, her bright eyes were still hidden. All that could be seen was the lingering upturn to the corner of her mouth, and her relaxed posture. Surely enough cues to hint at pleasure, right?

"I'll be sure to keep an eye and ear open for you, then," she said, once again without any hint of guile. One more item on her list of things to look forward to, now that she was out of the house. This trip was just getting better and better!

[Lucca]

The smile Colin gave her now was certainly as genuine as it ever could be. The Villa loved playing for people. And just because he'd joined the Courts didn't mean he'd given up his dream of being a world-renowned musician! And really, while he was quite proud of his Rank, it made him feel even better to have Cards compliment him on his compositional abilities. He was certainly a Villa through and through.

Colin was plenty able to pick up on the cues he was given. Her posture and her small smile...those were all the hints he needed to tell her general mood. Besides, the longer he was in her company, the easier it was for Colin to pick up on the subtleties of Kama's emotions, even without seeing her eyes.

The thought of playing for her, of having an audience again, a fresh set of ears...it was enough for the Cardinal to have a reason to go back to the Capital again. He just wouldn't think about the past. "Look for me at the Central Diner." He wondered, vaguely, if his friend Aima still worked there. She was nice, if a bit odd, but then all Corvies had their little quirks.

Colin took a moment to look around again, scowl a bit, and then turn back to Kama apologetically. "Thank you, again, for keeping me company here." He refrained from sighing. This wasn't really how he'd expected this day would go.

[Ry]

((OOC: I think I see an opportunity to interpose Mana discreetly, if neither you nor Lucca object?))