Small and Interesting Adventures [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

What an absolutely fantastic reaction. Xiven couldn't help but be a little more cheerful as she took a seat. The tip of her tail twitched with curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder why her mother had brought home a Yarrow. As far as she knew Yarrows weren't one of her favorite regions... was her mother plotting something else?

The thoughts popped as Cal asked a rather difficult question. It was a shame she couldn't give her a proper answer. However flowers were never one of her interests. Even if she had to study about plants with her wonderful Esterberry tutor for all those years she never really got the knack for plants.

"I'm afraid I have no idea how they breed these particular coloration. I could try to find one of the gardener's for you but I know some of these are closely guarded secrets." She gave the Yarrow a rather bright smile.

[Blue]

Cal's hopes of learning more about these extraordinary roses slipped a little when Xiven told her that she knew nothing of their coloration. She didn't expect the Queen to know everything. And perhaps it was better that these "secrets" stayed that way. She certainly did not want to get in trouble for knowing too much about them. It's not like she knew much of botany herself.

"That's quite alright, Your Majesty. You need not bother yourself finding one of the gardeners. I think I'll live having been able to see these glorious roses in person and not know any more about them than the fact that they are beautiful. Actually, that purple hued one over there actually makes me think of you, Your Majesty." The last line slipped out before Calanthe could stop herself from saying it. She covered her mouth with her paw once the words spilled forth. She indeed thought the Queen was charming, but she didn't want her to know this quite yet. They had only met just a short time ago!

"I...I apologize, Your Majesty. I meant nothing bad by my last comment. I only meant to keep it to myself, but it seems my mouth had other plans..." she trailed off. Again, she blushed a deep red, and bowed her head to conceal it. What was she going to do now? Composing herself, she raised her head again and wondered when the tea would be arriving. She hoped it would be sooner rather than later, for sure.

[Kari Muffin]

A deep crimson graced Xiven's face at the sudden smooth compliment. Not many people complimented her region. In her youth how many times had she been mocked by that blasted Esterberry? And now a rather sweet Yarrow woman was complimenting her for who she was. Maybe it was because she had a title now? Maybe not.

Either way she was going to keep that compliment to heart. She glanced at the purple rose, it was a similar shade to her purple, though if she ventured a guess it was deeper. Red roses were the favorite among the palace, this was one of the few gardens that held a good variety of brightly colored ones.

"You don't have to apologize. That is one of the sweetest things anyone has said to me in a long time. And thank you, thank you very much." A bright smile flashed on the feline's face.

There was a quiet 'ahem' as a servant carrying tea appeared with a tray in her hands. She flipped open a small little stand and set it down in front of the Queen and the Yarrow. A small dainty bowl was given to Cal, while they servant handed the Queen a small cup. She promptly disappeared when everything was said and done.

[Blue]

When Cal saw that Xiven's face too turned a deep crimson, she couldn't help but feel a bit better. Obviously, she took her comment as a compliment, and her saying so confirmed it. Her tail began to wag now that her spirits had been lifted again.

"You're quite welcome, Your Majesty. I'm glad you took no offense, for none was meant by my words. I've just never had the pleasure of talking to a Queen such as yourself, so it seems that sometimes my formalities slip. But I'm glad that I've gotten this time to get to know you better. You are certainly one of the kindest people I've met, regardless of rank."

It was then that the tea finally arrived, and Calanthe sat up straighter as the female servant attended to them. She gave a polite "thank you" once the servant was done performing her duties. Turning to Xiven again, she asked "What flavor of tea shall we be enjoying today, M'Lady? Your mother mentioned her liking of Black Valentine's Tea when I first met her, but you seem like someone who'd go for something different altogether." She remembered Peaches mentioning Green Tea when it came to her daughter's tastes, but she wanted to see if that's what Xiven truly enjoyed.

[Kari Muffin]

Dear Highland Hills this woman knew how to sweet talk. It was that or she was far too honest and sweet for her own good. "You're quite the flatterer." Xiven said quietly with a small innocent smile.

The thought hadn't crossed her mind that her mother had set this up for such a reason. A sweet and modest girl who knew how to have fun. It was nice to think it was just by chance rather than planned.

She blinked in surprise. Apparently her mother was kind enough to tell people her tea preferences. What was that woman honestly thinking? Either way Xiven decided to play it as smoothly as possible. "Today we have a rather interesting blend. It is a mix of various plants from Torquehelm and the Highlands. It's a little more bitter than most Green teas, but it leaves a rather nice aftertaste."

The feline took a small sip of her tea. Should she bother to ask what her mother had told the canine? Perhaps it was better to ignore the fact that her darling other stuck her nose where it didn't belong.

[Blue]

Blushing, yet again, Cal replied to the Queen. "I'm just naturally polite, that's all. I try not to be unpleasant unless I have a reason to be, and you, M'Lady, have been so sweet to me that you deserve the same in return." she said with a shy grin. It was true that she gave everyone a fair chance upon meeting them. First impressions were important in her book, but she honestly couldn't be a total judge of character on that alone. If that had been the case, events in this situation could have turned out differently, and she may not have ended up sitting here with the Queen of Hearts.

Once Xiven had taken her first sip of tea, Calanthe proceeded to do the same. It was quite strong at first, but as it proceeded to run down her throat, the taste became sweeter and more pleasant. She enjoyed it quite a bit, and would certainly have to ask for the names of the ingredients at some point before departing from the Court.

Not knowing quite what to say next, Cal instead took a couple more sips from her tea bowl. Then, she'd thought she'd give the Queen a chance to ask some of the questions. "M'Lady, I have asked many questions since I've arrived, so, if you'd like, you are welcome to ask some of me." After stating this, she wondered what Xiven would ask her first. After all, she was a stranger in her Court!

[Kari Muffin]

Surprise flickered on Xiven's face briefly. This woman did actually seem to be a genuine nice Card. Perhaps she was just better at kissing up than the rest of the people around here? Or perhaps... it was something else. Most low ranked cards were in utter awe of the courts, or some of the thoroughly disenchanted.

Calanthe was something completely different. Something that the feline couldn't place.

Her ears perked when she spoke up again. Well then. She might have to take the woman up on the offer. A smile crept onto her face as she took another small sip of tea. "I know very little first hand of your region, I've only heard about it. But I would like to know a little bit more about you. Have you ever met a Queen before? Not necessarily someone with a title, but a Queen in general?"

It just seemed a little more romantic than most to call someone "M'Lady." Perhaps someone she had met before asked her to use the term?

[Blue]

Cal's ears perked up once Xiven asked her first question. This wasn't quite was she was expecting from the Queen, but nonetheless, she answered her very honestly.

"No, I have never met another Queen before. You're the first, Your Majesty. Have I done or said something I shouldn't have in front of someone such as yourself? I would hope that if that were the case, you would tell me so..." she trailed off, worry beginning to grip her.

Is that why she asked that question first? It was true that she'd never encountered another Queen before, so perhaps she wasn't being as formal as she should be? She instinctively wrapped her tail around her, as more and more questions and a growing sense of doubt ran through her head. Calanthe certainly didn't want to upset someone like Xiven, especially since she liked her a great deal. Her ears twitched slightly and went back against her head as she looked again at the Queen in front of her.

[Kari Muffin]

"No, No. You didn't say or do anything wrong. You simply don't have the... idiotic problems that most people have when meeting royalty. I've dealt with all sorts, but I haven't quite met a person who has your charming and romantic grace." She smiled at the woman, taking note of the worry clearly painted by her expression and body language.

"So, I have to ask... Are all Yarrows as eloquent as you are? Or are you just gifted at flattery? Because, My goodness, Miss Calanthe, you've practically swept me off my feet with your mannerism and compliments. I have honestly never met someone like you before." There was no point in hiding it. She was lonely, and she honestly missed... a lot of things. This was probably one of them. Sure, she got them from other people but... this was a different soft of sweet.

"I'm sorry, that must be too forward. Is there any particular food that you like Miss Calanthe?"

[Blue]

As Xiven spoke, her words calmed the Yarrow canine and the worry began to ebb away from her thoughts, which helped to clear up her mind. Once she processed what the Queen was telling her, of other people having "idiotic problems" by just being in her presence, she pondered on her upbringing. Cal began to realize that her acting with "charming and romantic grace" was just her being herself. And eloquent? She supposed the way she spoke and acted just came naturally. No one had ever taught her to act this way, but rather how to treat others.

"I'm very glad I did nothing to disrespect you. I guess...I guess I just treat everyone I meet with the same sort of regard I'd want in return. Having lived in the Gardens all my life, I was brought up to respect the rules of the realm, and even those rules and residents outside our borders. Some Yarrows may follow the same rules that I do, but nothing can be said for how they may act in front of other Cards. Although the same can't be said of men at all. Oh! You said you didn't know much of the Gardens, so maybe I should explain that last statement...unless you know about our ways to that extent?"

Maybe this would be a good time to fill in Her Majesty on the Yarrow Gardens, although she wasn't quite sure how the Queen would handle the information. It was true she rather disliked men very much, and seeing as she had never encountered one yet, this would hold true until that time came. For now that she'd been out of the Gardens once, it was most likely to happen more often from here on out, thus increasing her chances of crossing paths into a male. But she'd take that chance head on, because if being out of the Gardens meant being with Xiven, well, she'd certainly would enjoy that very much, men or no men. If only she had her biped form...

With the mention of food, Cal's stomach grumbled rather loudly in response, changing the subject in her mind. When was the last time she eaten? Must've been hours ago, way before the carriage ended up in the Court. She decided to be truthful in her response to that question, since her stomach had pretty much given her thoughts away at that point.

"While I feel like I could eat a huge meal, I'd like to know if this Court has any particular specialties that I could try. I'm not very picky when it comes to food, trust me." Calanthe felt her spirits lift even more at the thought of trying something new, especially since she would get to enjoy it with this delightful feline. She was quite glad to have swept the Queen off her feet, for that fact alone made this whole trip worthwhile.