T - Kari, Jenn, Lucca, Greenie

[Kari Muffin]

Oh thank the suits. They stopped.

He was a bit surprised to see the Yarrow, and the fact that she was willing to help him, but he was terribly grateful. He didn't care about her suit or rank and he bowed in thanks. "My name is Zane, I'm a King under Her Majesty Donalda. The Court of Spades has run into a great deal of trouble and we need the court of Diamonds to assist us."

He nearly stumbled getting into the carriage. He felt like crap and it was only getting worse. Maybe it was just because he was tired from all the flying? He carefully pulled the door shut behind him. "I can't thank you enough, Miss."

The bird slouched slightly. They needed to hurry. Who knew if the situation was going to get worse while he was gone. It had taken him plenty of time to get here.

[The Jenn]

She seemed more receptive to conversation than Khushrenada had initially feared. He allowed the shred of a smile to settle more firmly around his beak, though it continued to look tired. And serious. If anyone could make a smile look serious, he certainly could.

"There is some mild concern as to how well my body can handle what is turning out to be an unusual pregnancy," he began mildly. "I'm in no immediate danger, so please don't worry. I've consulted several physicians, however, and they all agree that I will not be able to adequately perform the duties that my Queen requires of me while I am working through and recovering from this child. As a result of this verdict, I have decided to resign my title at Court and move closer to my roots."

He let the fact of the matter sink in for a few moments before continuing. It was certainly an important decision to him, and not one that he had ever anticipated having to make for any reason.

"I no longer have any family in Avington to return to. I have been away for... a long time. Longer than I had anticipated. I'm considering the Highlands at the moment, as I spent a great deal of time there in my youth. Wherever I end up, though, I will need to know your plans in order to make arrangements." He paused. "You're close to being an adult now and you have lived the majority of your life in the palace of Diamonds. I know that the Queen would not look ill on your continued presence if you decided to stay. However, I would also be happy to have your companionship, if you wished to move away with me. In fact, that would... be my preference. But this is not a decision that I can force on you in good conscience."

[Greenie]

Elodie sat back in her seat and gave him a visual once-over. He looked bedraggled and exhausted, and almost as if he was in pain. He came from the Court of Spades, in that condition? What kind of trouble were they brewing, explosives? She raised an eyebrow slightly, curious but essentially ignorant of anything relating to Court politics. She worshiped Hearts as per requirements of her status, but that didn't mean she had any idea what they really did.

"You may call me Elodie, and you're quite welcome. I was looking for a diversion from the, ah, emptiness of the City regardless." She shifted, her bushy tail twitching slightly as she considered the ramifications of where he'd been. "Does the commotion at Spades have anything to do with the City? I'm sure you noticed how deserted it was. It's quite... strange."

[Kari Muffin]

Zane leaned into the seat further. A small part of him wanted to sleep, but that would have been terribly rude and he couldn't have that. He finally noticed that the Yarrow was a heart, and he couldn't help but wonder why she had really stopped.

She answered that question fairly quickly.

Zane shook his head, "There seems to be an enchantment on the Court of Spades. I couldn't actually get into the building. I don't even remember leaving the building, but I woke up in the garden. Something needs to be done, and two of the nobles happen to be in need of medical attention. I was the only one around so I was sent to the Court of Diamonds."

He glanced out the window, watching the empty streets pass by. "I have no idea what's going on in the city, but everything might be connected. I pray the Court of Diamonds is all right."

He paused to give the woman another bow. "I apologize for not properly addressing you and introducing myself, Miss Elodie."

[Lucca]

Mirriam's eyes widened. His body wasn't handling the pregnancy well? Was that one of those adult codes for 'he could die'? Of course, before she could open her mouth to ask it, Khushrenada was already soothing that fear away. A bit. It still sounded worrisome. She fidgeted a bit, finding it hard to remain as still and silent as she should. Part of her just wanted to wrap her wings around the man in a hug, but she was still unsure how he was feeling towards her at the moment, so she forced herself to stay where she was.

He was...resigning from the Court? Leaving? And going...to his roots? For a moment, Mirriam thought of Avington and the breath caught in her throat. She'd always wanted to return there...to see if she couldn't find out the truth behind what had happened all those years ago. In the next moment, though, the bird had dispelled that theory. Besides, she realized, why was she assuming he'd take her wherever he was going? Still, her ears perked curiously. This was all leading somewhere, but she wasn't sure where...and oh. Ohhhh. Her eyes widened and she felt tears sting them. He...he wanted her to go with him after all?

Then there was no question. Moral disagreement or not, she wasn't going to abandon him in a time like this. "I would come with you," she said, with a small smile, hopping a bit closer to him. "I've never seen much of the Highlands. It could certainly be...educational. It was you who taught me to always ask questions and continue to learn new things. Besides...I don't want you getting all...lonely." She grinned, flashing her teeth in a slightly teasing expression.

She felt...good. Better than good. Like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Mirriam knew things between her and Khushrenada would never be the same as they were before...she would never again see him as the infallible source of all wisdom. But she still cared for him, as much as any child would a parent. Besides... "I'm gonna get a little brother or sister!" she added on an excited chirp.

[The Jenn]

The range of emotions that flitted across Mirriam's face would have been fascinating to watch at any other time. Khushrenada could even appreciate them a little bit now, but to a lesser degree with the serious nature of their conversation. At least she seemed extremely receptive to listening.

And to coming with him. Her words eased a tightness that he hadn't been consciously aware of and he let out a slow sigh. His sudden and undeniable relief at her acceptance meant more than he could easily express to the girl. She was the closest thing he'd ever had to a daughter. Pregnancy notwithstanding, she was his daughter in any practical sense, and that wouldn't change with one argument. He had been foolish to put off this conversation for so long.

"Thank you, Mirriam," he murmured quietly. "The Highlands are a beautiful place, rich in culture and natural beauty. There are a great many camping opportunities, and even more in Avington, which is incredibly close. I really think a change of scenery might be good for both of us." Even if he hadn't wanted or planned on a move, with plans underway, he had begun to look forward to it nonetheless.

"It certainly would have been a shame if I'd gotten... lonely." The skin around his beak twitched in amusement. Very, very fond amusement. "Even more of a shame if you hadn't gotten to meet your new sibling right away. I would certainly appreciate the help. The doctors say it looks like there's only one, but things are a bit unusual, so they haven't been able to say anything with much certainty."

[Lucca]

Mirriam's ears twitched curiously at the sigh. She wasn't exactly sure what the sound meant, but she was comforted that it must be something good, as her guardian looked a little bit less worn now. He really did want her to go with him. It was so...weird to think about. Leaving. Probably for good. Mirriam knew she had little patience for Court work, and she could say that since she'd grown up around it. Though she had the Rank for it, if she were forced to spend most of her time in an office, she would wither up and die like a flower without sunlight.

Still, Mirriam wasn't going to dwell on such things right now. She nodded, brown eyes excited. "Yeah! I think it would be too!" There would so much to explore! New species of plants and animals to discover! And maybe a mage she could study under. After all, the Highlands had some of those, right? She knew Tulgey had more but...that was a dangerous place and had wild Jubjub birds. Maybe she should tell him she'd been studying it? But she wasn't sure how to bring something like that up. And...now Khushrenada was speaking about the oddness of his pregnancy again, and this time Mirriam couldn't help flinging herself at him for a hug.

[The Jenn]

Having turned to reach for a bit of parchment, Khushrenada didn't see the hug until it was "upon him". He made a noise of surprise, but his wings quickly enfolded the girl, a sensation that she wasn't especially used to. He didn't often take his animal form unless he was traveling alone.

Mirriam would always be a little girl to him, wouldn't she? His little girl. The thought was strangely comforting. Whatever else would change, and however their relationship would mature with time and a change of scenery, this fact would remain the same. He may not have "wanted" children, but... the one that he had? He wouldn't trade for anything.

If only the process of growing another wasn't so awkard and occasionally painful. He shifted and released her after a moment, settling himself back onto the chair with a faint grimace of discomfort. "I've been in negotiations with a broker about purchasing a small house for roughly two weeks now. When he finds one that seems especially promising, the two of us can go and visit together. Give it the stamp of approval and all that. I would prefer to be moved before you meet your sibling, to save us all that particular stress, but that entails a good amount of work in the next few months. I'll probably end up hiring a decorator to save us some of the hassle. I certainly don't want to deal with it and I have enough money saved that it shouldn't be a problem. The Court also grants one several benefits."

[Lucca]

Mirriam was happy when her hug was returned, and at first she didn't notice its oddness. But after a moment the odd sensation of feathers sliding against her wings registered, and she giggled a bit into the hug. She felt more like a little girl in that moment than she had for years, and she found she liked the feeling. Growing up was never easy, and came with its own little aches and pains, so it was nice to have a situation, to have the company of another Card, where she could just let go. She fluttered back to perch on his desk when he let go, looking up at him and nodding earnestly. She tried not to notice his grimace of pain.

"That sounds good! I hope we can have a garden. Can we have a garden? We could grow fruits and vegetables and flowers!" It was a rather exciting prospect, and it was easy for Mirriam to get swept up in the thought of a new life and new situation. Of course, she was more level headed now than when she'd been younger...a bit at least. "Well, is there something I can do to help you prepare?" After all, she didn't want him to be so very...tired all of the time like this. And from what little she knew of pregnancies, it was only going to get more trying for him as it went along.

[The Jenn]

"Even if the property itself doesn't have a garden, I'm sure there will be someone we can rent land from to grow things," Khushrenada responded equably. "There's a great deal of farmland in the Highlands and people can afford to buy larger properties for less in the more rural areas. We'll have to see where we end up. I agree that it would be nice to have a good-sized yard."

And the further he could stay from the border with Avington, and from the Tulgey, the better. He knew well enough what lurked within the dark and foreboding foliage of the Wood. He never wanted to encounter a creature like that again.

"Probably the best thing you could do would be to go through your things. We've both lived here for a long time and we both probably have a lot of unnecessary 'stuff' that we won't need to bring with us. There are always charities we can donate them to along the way."