T - Kari, Jenn, Lucca, Greenie

[Kari Muffin]

Zane was afraid that he was just going to die in the chair while the man was gone. He found himself trying to keep busy by any means necessary. It didn't really work. And when he looked down at his stomach he was more than a little alarmed.

It didn't look like that when he had been in the carriage had it? He poked it. That was just about when the King walked in. He puffed up slightly shifting to sit forward in his chair. Distressing news? What now?

"I... didn't see it. I was just told about it." He swallowed. Suits. "I could try to take a look at them, but I was told that they absolutely wouldn't stir."

He whimpered, "You wouldn't have happened to come across my brother or sister would you? I grabbed one of the servants earlier... and I really really... want to talk to my brother."

(( I'm going to bring Ez in next post. Just because Zane is being a whiny bitch about this.))

[Greenie]

Elodie waited patiently while the Diamonds King left to go find whomever it was he was finding - she had no idea who any of the names being thrown about were. When he came back to tell them said names were in coma-like states, however, she began to get a little worried; it couldn't be a good thing when nobility from more than one Court were all dropping like flies. Not a good thing at all.

And then there was her new buddy Zane who looked like he had a rapidly growing tumor that had sprouted limbs and was trying to crawl it's way out of his abdomen, all while he turned interesting and unnatural shades of grey. The cat wanted to inform him exactly how well he impersonated the grim reaper, but didn't think the comment would go over well.

Her gaze traveled between the two Kings, then finally she shrugged. "Perhaps the young lady and I can go door to door and bring those still... awake... back here, with us? I'm afraid I won't be of much use in the making decisions department, as it stands."

[Lucca]

Mirriam looked curiously at the Yarrow Feline as she came in and gave a little wave. At least she didn't look like she was about to fall over! She nodded to her guardian, understanding completely. With a cheerful wave of her wing she fluttered out of the room. However, she got a bit distracted by the fact that everyone in the Court seemed to be acting so...oddly. The little Bat could find no reason or justification for for it, unless everyone had spontaneously come down with a case of the flu. When she remembered her mission and made it to the kitchen, she had to repeat herself several times before the cooks finally understood what she was saying and went to prepare the food.

This, at least, was a little relieving...Mirriam knew she'd be hopeless at trying to make the food herself. Finally she had a nice little tray, and she flew it back up to the office and inside with a grin. Which fell as soon as she saw...did the Sparrow look even WORSE than before or was it just her imagination? "I brought some tea and cookies," she said, carefully setting the tray down. She frowned as Zane seemed to be really upset and feeling awful. "Maybe you should lie down, Your Highness," she suggested, offering him a cup of tea.

Then she turned to the Feline as she was apparently mentioned. "My name is Mirriam," she told her. "And we could do that if it would help. Why, are a lot of people actually asleep?" She looked over towards Khushrenada, a worried frown on her young features.

[The Jenn]

Khushrenada glanced towards his ward distractedly as she returned with her burden. "Thank you, Mirriam," he murmured distractedly before returning his attention to the foreign King.

God, the man really wasn't looking well. Perhaps he should eat. Regardless. "It would perhaps be useless for you to see them, and more than a little distressing. It is... unnerving to see someone lying so still while continuing to breathe. I only saw their Majesties, with no evidence of either Ezekiel or Ceren. I did not see King Mnemosyne either, but I don't believe that she's in attendance at the palace this week, so that is of less concern. I would like to speak to your siblings as well."

Sending a servant out for them would likely be pointless. He simply couldn't fathom why, but it seemed that the entirety of the staff was 'off'. What the Yarrow woman suggested, however...

"Mirriam knows this Court exceptionally well. I also trust her judgment in where to go and who to check. I haven't noticed a problem with any of the servants falling unconscious yet, merely the Queens. If you wish to join her in searching for our other Kings, I would be most appreciative. We do not currently have any titled Jacks in residence."

He fluffed his feathers uncomfortably, and then forced them to smoothe again as best he could. "Mirriam, I apologize. It appears that their Majesties Sadie and Iria are currently unconscious in their chambers. Though they appear unharmed, I was unable to wake either of them. According to His Highness, this mimics symptoms that are currently afflicting several Spades nobles. It makes me wonder what Hearts and Clubs are experiencing, if anything. Still, Mirriam? I don't want you going off alone right now. This is very important. Please don't go anywhere without a companion."

[Kari Muffin]

Zane found himself staring at the little girl's suggestion. It was a very good one, and she seemed to be the only one with a bit of sense in her head. He murmured a 'thank you' for the tea, carefully accepting the hot liquid with slightly shaky hands.

Oh suits this was not okay. He managed to stop the shaking and drink the tea down as he listened to everyone converse. They were going to look for everyone and leave him here to have a nice chat? The sparrow set his cup down and took a few deep breaths. He could do this. He could handle this. There wasn't anything he could do about the Queens, and there wasn't much he could do period.

"I'm not going to just sit here," he said as he forced himself to stand. Thankfully his wings helped him balance. Though he was still fairly wobbly. Suits, was there a doctor in the Court that could look at him? "I'm going to go to my brother's room. And then I'm going to go to the infirmary."

He sounded out of breath.

--



Meanwhile Ez was staring at the librarian. He normally liked to tease them with horrible grammar and mispronouncing simple words. He had tried a variety of things today and had ended up getting nothing but a blank stare. No matter what he did he couldn't get a raise out of anyone today.

The bird fluffed up as he walked out of the library to run directly into a servant. Shoot.

After a rather confusing exchange of words he had managed to gather that his brother was here and apparently looked like death warmed over. Grabbing the servant he pushed her along to show him where his brother was supposed to be. At least if he was holding on to her if she got distracted he would be able to get her back on course.

Not to mention he wasn't particularly keen on being alone today.

[Lucca]

Mirriam's eyes widened. So -that- was what was going on? Wow, that was bad. Maybe this had something to do with the reason everyone was tired. Maybe they were something worse than tired. The little Bat thought back to all the servants in the kitchen and throughout the palace, who all seemed so oddly...sluggish today. Her young face crumpled into a worried frown, and she nodded at Khushrenada. "I won't," she promised, and meant it. But after a minute..."You either, please." If he was already feeling a little down from his pregnancy, her guardian shouldn't be wandering around by himself with everyone dropping like flies.

She squeaked in protest as Zane got up, but if he was going to find his brother...maybe it would be okay? Hopefully his room was close, the Sparrow didn't look like he could walk very far right now. She turned to Elodie. "I guess we should go try and find everyone else," she said, fluttering into the air to hover near the Feline's head. She glanced at the mark on her chest. "You're not even a Diamond..." There was an edge of curiosity to her voice. She didn't meet many Hearts, not here at any rate.

[The Jenn]

Khushrenada regarded the other King for a moment before sighing. "Perhaps we should both search for your brother, then, as well as your sister. I'm not sure who we have in attendance right now to serve as a doctor - likely we'll have to send for someone from nearby. Physicians here generally work on an on-call basis."

He glanced down at Mirriam, worrying that he would essentially be sending the girl off with a stranger, but the thought was dispelled after a moment. She was in her home, in her element. And she would find him quickly if she discovered a new problem, he was sure of it. He gave a solemn nod to her request, and then tucked his wings to leave the room with Zane. King Ezekiel's room wasn't too far away, and he would feel much better to see that another member of the Diamonds mobility was still up and moving. Hopefully.

[Kari Muffin]

They had no active doctors in the Court? When had they decided to change that policy? He winced.

The sparrow's room wasn't far, but it was a terribly painful walk for Zane. He had to hug the wall the entire time, and when they reached the door he almost collapsed when he opened the door.

The room was very empty. Zane let out a small sound of discontent as he leaned on the door frame. Had they seriously just missed him? He almost slipped down the door frame in disappointment.

Ez rounded the corner with the servant in tow. Seeing the Highlander Avington mix he let out a surprised chirp. Could he see a hint of his brother in the door frame. "Khushrenada! What are you doing? Do you know what the heck is going on with everyone?" he let go of the poor confused woman and trotted over to the very pregnant bird.

He skidded to a halt, his brother just coming into view. Death warmed over was probably one of the biggest understatements that had been made. Suits he looked like he was dying. "Oh god. Zane!" was the only thing he managed to say as he took his brother by the arm when he almost lost balance again. And what was with his stomach? Was he... pregnant? That didn't seem right. He was always careful about that sort of thing in bed.

Zane let out a painted sound as he leaned on his brother. A few of his feathers fluttered to the ground. Herm. That didn't seem good. "Please tell me.... you know... where Ceren is...." Because I think I might be dying. He really wished he was capable of saying that out loud. His brother would probably moving faster.

"No, no I don't know where she is. She's probably with her Queen."

"She's not."

Ez frowned and looked to Khushrenada with a fairly pleading look. "I hate to be a bother but could you help me get him over to the bed?"

[The Jenn]

Not in. Damn it all. Why was the man not in? At least he wasn't unconscious. In his room, anyway. The thought was both comforting and disconcerting.

Khushrenada started in surprise when he heard a chirp not far off down the hall. Turning to see his fellow King, alive and apparently well, was more of a relief than he would have been able to admit. "Ez, thank the Suits. We were looking for you. There are some... alarming goings on. And he would have to leave the rest until they got Zane inside, because the man was literally collapsing before his eyes.

Silently cursing his own condition, which was known by the Court at large, offered a shoulder on the ailing bird's other side and together they began to support him into the room. "Of- of course. I'm shocked you were able to make the journey here, Your Highness, I really am. Especially with such haste."

Between the two of them, they were able to awkwardly hobble the bat-winged sparrow to his brother's bed and settle him into a more comfortable reclined position. It was the oddest thing, but his stomach seemed to literally be swelling before their eyes. Surely not...

He drew his eyes away from the disturbing sight and turned to regard his peer, wings tucking closely to his body with unease. "I'll say this as concisely as possible. Iria and Sadie have collapsed into unconsciousness and cannot be woken, though they appear unharmed. Similar happenings have been afflicting Spades, which is one reason for your brother's visit. He was actually unable to physically enter the palace due to some sort of magical interference. Their nobility seems to be out of commission and their Queen is not present. Both of our Queens are down, and you and I have not yet fallen prey to whatever is occurring. I don't believe that Mnemosyne is here, which leaves Ceren. I believe that we should locate her, whether she is conscious or otherwise, and regroup to assess the situation before it grows further out of hand. Mirriam and your brother's traveling companion are currently searching for anomalies, and for Ceren if they can find her."

[Kari Muffin]

Ez found himself mildly horrified. Of course everything was falling apart while he decided to take a casual trip to the library for some reason. He tapped his talons on his corset for a moment as he looked his brother up and down.

There was no way in hell he was going to be able to walk around and search for anything. Suits he looked like he was going to die. But he still seemed to have his composure and determination. "All right... here's a plan," the sparrow said after silence had oozed into the room. "Zane we're going to leave you here. Summon your familiar and I'll wake up your monster of a bander so you have company. We'll be back as soon as we locate Ceren."

He gave his brother a careful hug. "Everything's going to be fine," he murmured before he whistled for the cheerful bright blue bander. She came skittering out of the connected room and hopped up the bed after a bit of happy wuffling.

Zane simply nodded and summoned his Mome. The grouchy little creature curled up on his shoulder, shooting both diamonds a dirty look. It was about as enthusiastic as the bat winged sparrow was.



Ez looked to Khushrenada motioning for him to go first. Once they were both out he made sure to lock his door. That way Zane couldn't wander around. He sighed. "Let's... go and find her. She's not in the library so she could be just about anywhere in this damn place. Are you going to be all right?"