Small and Interesting Adventures [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

"Well then. I know what most people know of the realm. Yarrows despise men as lesser beings, and I can't say there's much wrong with that on a whole. Though, I do believe in exceptions to the rule." She gave the woman a curious look. Did she believe that all men were nothing but garbage or was she a bit more forgiving? "But I don't know the truth from a Yarrow."

Had she ever actually met a typical Yarrow before? She couldn't remember back on any case. Funny how things worked...

Back onto the subject of food she gave a grin. "We have quite a few. Though I prefer to stick to stick to a pretty simple diet. However, since my Mom has abandoned you, and you now seem to be my guest. I supposed that I could convince them to cook something special for the pair of us. A small dinner for two."

[Blue]

So the Queen of Hearts did know a little about the ways of the Gardens. Did she dare tell her more? Especially since it was such a dark subject. Cal wasn't sure she wanted to bring the mood down to that level. She did have her doubts about the more extreme practices several Yarrows carried out. Killing or "altering" male Yarrows just didn't sit right with her conscience. And it wasn't information she was at all proud to admit to believing in.

"Yes, men have proven themselves to be the weaker sex time and time again in the past. But, to be honest, I agree with you, Your Majesty. There are exceptions to every rule, and I'm sure the case is the same in this situation. I just haven't witnessed it for myself yet. I guess that doesn't make me your typical Yarrow woman." she said a little sheepishly.

If the Queen asked to know more, she would divulge that information when the time came. But for now, she didn't quite feel like losing her appetite by talking about the Gardens hidden secrets. Especially now that Xiven wanted to have a small private dinner with her. Her tail wagged happily at the thought.

"Dinner with you sounds wonderful. Like I mentioned, I'm not at all opposed to trying something new, so whatever you choose to have prepared will be fine with me, Your Majesty. Oh, and I do hope your mother will get better soon. I never realized what an impact the Gardens had on outsiders." Who knew that such beautiful flowers could make someone that ill?

[Kari Muffin]

Weaker sex. Interesting way of putting it. Her tail twitched in contemplation. Cal seemed like a very nice person. It was still odd that her mother had brought her home. What... had the woman actually been thinking? "If you are typical or not, you're certainly more opened minded than what I've heard about most Yarrows. I've only heard they were rather merciless and heartless towards males."

In some cases she couldn't blame them. However... to go as far as killing your on child or teaching them they were lesser beings just... never sat well with her.

But Dinner for two sat very well. She waved over a servant who had been passing by, giving them a few hushed orders. They hurried off. Xiven turned back to Cal as she took a few more sips of tea. "She'll be fine. She may not have a poison immunity but our doctors are good enough that she should be fine."

[Blue]

Cal certainly didn't think she was typical. She'd probably get beaten if any other Yarrow heard what she was saying about her native realm. "It's true, most Yarrows aren't like myself. I also don't believe that killing or modifying a male from the Gardens is right at all. I'm not sure if you've heard of those that practice that sort of thing, Your Majesty, but someone of your ranking should probably know about the ugly side of the Gardens, or any realm for that matter."

Knowledge was power after all. The more one knew, the better. Funny enough, that would make Cal quite stupid, since she didn't know much else outside the Gardens and the flowers it contained. Maybe this would be a good chance to get to know more about the Queen's realm. Purple and black...that was Torquehelm, right?

Your Majesty, I was just thinking to myself, and I find that I don't know much outside my realm of expertise, being the Gardens and my florist business. Could you tell me more about your realm? It's Torquehelm, is it not? You must've gotten that from your mother, with her purple hair and all."

She giggled a little at the thought of that long mane of purple hair that sat on Peaches' head. Cal was glad she could be well attended to here while she was sick. Not having a poison immunity certainly did have its setbacks.

When she saw Xiven whisper some orders to one of the servants, she began to wonder what would be in store for their private dinner that evening. The day had already gone so well, having seen the immaculate garden and being able to enjoy the tea with the Queen of Hearts. It had its bumps along the way, but all in all, she was having the time of her life. She sighed quietly and happily, and took another sip of her tea, enjoying every drop of it.

[Kari Muffin]

Oh dear. She had only heard rumors about the Yarrows being harsh about bearing males. She just never thought someone would actually kill their own child. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Killing your siblings was a completely different story.

"I didn't think people would actually kill or mutilate their own children. Then again I suppose it was just my faith in others. I'm glad to know that you would never practice in something like that." At least. It seemed she never would. Words were all well and good, but someone could easily go back on them. Who knew what this sweet woman was actually capable of behind closed doors?

Oh? She didn't know much about other regions? Xiven couldn't help but smile. It wasn't every day you met someone who didn't know the basics. Might as well enlighten her since she had never been out of the garden. Or perhaps she was just humoring Xiven? Who knew.

"I've only been to my region once. I grew up in the Highlands here at the Palace." She sighed. "It's not a very pretty region, only because of the inhabitants. I have never met as many unhappy people before in my life. Though, there I did meet a rather sweet girl who had horrible bindings. I couldn't believe anyone would do that... so I offered to have them removed for her so she could be rebound with something less life threatening."

She still wondered what happen to that girl.

But that didn't really answer Cal's question did it. "Most people from my region are bound because of "the curse." So the realm tends to take after the depressing nature of the thing, whatever it really is. I ended up freeing myself. Frankly I wouldn't recommend taking a trip there."

[Blue]

Shivers went through her spine as she thought of the terrible practices of the Gardens. If Yarrow women would go to such lengths to do that, then was there anything they wouldn't do? Calanthe didn't even want to think about it.

"I just couldn't think of myself killing anyone, let alone my own child. Certainly not all males are terrible...are they? It's been instilled in me that they are, but when I really think about it, it just doesn't seem possible..." she trailed off, going deep into her thoughts.

She came back to the conversation when Xiven began to talk about Torquehelm. It indeed sounded like a very depressing place. And what about this "curse"? She wondered about it as the Queen continued to tell her more about the realm. Once Her Majesty was finished, it was then that Cal piped up to ask a few more questions. Whether the Queen could answer them or not, it didn't matter. She was just being highly curious, per usual.

"This "curse" sounds quite...painful. Are many Torques able to release themselves from their bindings like yourself, Your Majesty? Also, do you know anything else about this "curse" and what it entails? It must be quite serious if everyone from Torquehelm binds themselves, some almost to the point of killing themselves. She shook her head as she thought about the girl Xiven had mentioned. "That poor poor girl. Do you know whatever happened to her?"

[Kari Muffin]

"The curse is something many grow up with. It's so ingrained in them, most of them always remain bound. To be honest I've never met another free Torquehelm, so I suppose it's fairly rare." Extremely rare. Most Torquehelm's didn't believe in helping themselves, she supposed. She sighed.

"To be honest, I have no idea what the curse really is. I find it utterly baffling, and I don't think I could ever put it in words. Perhaps... you should ask one of the servants if you get the chance--however I doubt they would be able to explain things in words either. I know my mother can't." Xiven gave her a shrug.

As for the girl. Well that was a simple answer. "I have no idea. I left her in the care of her brother, and beyond that... I'm not sure. A Torquehelm is bound by their parents, so her parents were clearly cruel enough to bind her in such away, and she was far too afraid to release herself."

[Blue]

Calanthe was shocked at the grip the curse had on practically all of Torquehelm. All except for the feline in front of her. Xiven was certainly a very strong individual if she was able to remove her bindings herself. If this curse was real, she wondered if it would rear its ugly head at her for doing such a thing somewhere down the line. But enough talk about such a depressing subject. Cal decided it was time to move on to something brighter.

"This curse sounds absolutely dreadful. Maybe one day, when I can buck up the courage, I'll ask another Torque about it. Just thinking that it's the parents that do this to their own children makes me shudder. And that poor girl! I do hope she's doing alright after you were able to help her. I know if that were me, I'd be eternally grateful to you, Your Majesty," she said rather quietly, and her cheeks burned slightly with the beginnings of a blush.

She scrambled her brain trying to think of another topic, and it was then she realized that Xiven had only really asked her one question about herself. Maybe there could be something else she'd like to know? Certainly couldn't hurt to ask.

M'Lady, I realized that you've only asked about the Gardens thus far in your questioning. Is there anything else you'd like to know about me?" A small grin began to spread across her face as she waited for the Queen to speak.

[Kari Muffin]

Mom really knew how to pick them. Cal was quite the sweet girl, and honest to boot. Or at least she was acting honest. Xiven sometimes liked to have a little faith in other people even if it would come back to slap her in the face. Maybe she would throw caution to the wind yet again.

"I think I would prefer the rest of the Gardens to be a mystery for now," Xiven said with a smile. "I wouldn't want to suck the fun out speaking with you over dinner. And I imagine you intend to stay the night since the Yarrow Gardens are far off. We have plenty of time to talk about the Gardens and such."

She finished off her tea setting the cup down. The cat's tail curled. "When you're finished with your tea I can give you a tour of the palace if you like."

[Blue]

Wow. Time had really passed them by that afternoon. Thank goodness Her Majesty brought this to Cal's attention. Going back to the Gardens at this point would be silly, so staying at the Court seemed like the only logical option. And talking any more about the secrets of the Garden would be pointless as well. Cal thought back on their conversation thus far, and in actuality, she had told Xiven everything she knew about the Gardens. Who knew if there was any other private information hidden away amongst all the beautiful, poisonous flowers?

"If I wouldn't be a burden on you, Your Majesty, may I stay here for the night? It would indeed be a long trip back to the Gardens, and I would love to spend more time here...with you." The last two words were said under her breath, and she wasn't sure if Xiven would hear them. Her affinity for the Queen was growing with every passing moment, and it was getting harder for her to hide it. She'd never felt like this before about another woman, and to be honest with herself, she wasn't quite sure what to do. Best to take it one step at a time, Cal supposed. The tour of the Court with Xiven would be the next one.

"A tour of the palace would be absolutely wonderful, Your Majesty." She lapped up the last of her tea, and nosed the bowl toward the middle of the table to indicate that she was finished. Bowing to the Queen, she said, "I am ready whenever you are, M'Lady."