|
|
Post by Vyn on Jan 24, 2011 19:19:32 GMT -5
Malachior took a deep breath at the prodding, scowling at his Tulgey acquaintance before straightening himself and adjusting his glasses. "We'll be on with it. Just wanted a moment to see if the beast was dead." He rolled his eyes at Lucius.
He paused at Conall's question, but Fetu was right, it seemed like a Noble would pay more for their pet's health, however... "It most likely belongs to someone nearby, but this stitch looks rough, rushed... The animal doesn't look much better... The person who did this may still be around." He shook his head slightly, a frown on his muzzle. "Regardless, you're right, Miss Fetu: standing around won't solve anything. We should head inside. Hopefully we'll find some answers there."
He found that highly unlikely and, really, quite worrisome. The atmosphere was uncomfortable at best.
Lucius was eager to get on with his 'mission' to return the Conall boy to his proper guardian and be gone. There was a strange feeling in the air, an unmistakable wrongness. He hissed faintly in displeasure and kept on toward the palace, whether or not anyone was immediately following.
He would not bother with the Ace, had no interest in lowering himself to worry over a bloody animal.
The Palace entrance was no better. In fact, Lucius was certain it was worse. A painful tension descended upon him accompanied by a feeling of animosity and foreboding. He recognized the feeling, Tulgey seethed with it when Outsiders came calling. Something didn't want him -- or anyone else -- here, of that he was certain. Combined with the feeling in the air, the fact that the main entry hall was silent and utterly deserted while looking perfectly untouched stuck him as painfully surreal.
(Malachior's number is 27. Lucius's is 11.)
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Jan 24, 2011 19:29:36 GMT -5
Fetu's eyes followed the Queen uneasily as he began to investigate the premises. She agreed entirely - no palace would ever allow their guard down to this extent, much less Hearts. The very thought would have been laughable if they weren't witnesses to the disturbing sight. Taking a slow, steadying breath, she started forward into the palace. She also summoned her familiar, who appeared at her side with a displeased bristling of his quills and an exaggerated yawn. "I don't know what we're facing. Stay alert," she said quietly to the creature, who she would swear rolled its eyes but obediently began scanning the area. After a moment's hesitation, she also withdrew her bizarre lantern from her pack. It was covered with a thick cloth, but she could whip that away if need be. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many Highlanders here... but hell, that was like hoping there weren't too many criminals in the Outer Bazaar. With a grimace, she stepped over the threshhold and into the main hall of the palace. Like a scary story... nothing moved. And nothing looked out of place, either. Nothing except for her. She couldn't discern colors, of course, not with the dual obstacles of her odd vision and her protective glasses, but movement would have been obvious. If only there had been any... ...but she probably shouldn't go hoping for something to appear, either... (Randomizer said 24 for Fetu.) |
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 24, 2011 19:40:55 GMT -5
Conall suddenly made a small squeak, the bird on his shoulder ruffling its feathers. He had a feeling that he "knew" the Ace. It was a weird feeling that he couldn't quite place. He didn't like it. This not knowing thing was creepy. Why couldn't remember what he was supposed to? He edged closer to the deer. He seemed like the safest person, and the snake was likely to smack him if he even attempted to invade personal space. And the other two were just... no. "I really think it could be a noble's pet," he muttered.
He closely followed along, doing his best not to cling onto the deer's sleeve at the horrible feeling that seemed to wash over him. This was bad. The entire place was silent and no matter where he looked things seemed to be still. It was unnatural. Where where all the people?
(( Conall rolled a 2 ))
|
|
|
|
Post by Vyn on Jan 24, 2011 20:14:17 GMT -5
Malachior hesitated when Conall squeaked, a frown spreading over his muzzle. He seemed certain about the Ace and, considering he had grown up here, Malachior was inclined to believe him. He sighed and put a hand on the boy's birdless shoulder. "You're probably right. Perhaps..." He turned to Sabe hopefully. "Ah, Your Majesty... Would you be willing to carry the Ace? If it does indeed belong to a Noble of the Court, I think would be good to get it out of the sun at very least."
The elder buck would've done it himself, but he was certain he was getting too old to heft about full-grown Aces and, even if he was, he wasn't comfortable tempting fate. Whether or not the man accepted, Malachior would offer him a thankful incline of his head before returning his attention to the clinging child. He gave him a light squeeze on the shoulder and a faintly reassuring smile.
Ahead, Fetu had summoned her familiar and produced a strange lantern. The sight was not particularly encouraging but Malachior kept his concerns to himself. His best years may have been behind him, but he still had some tricks up his sleeves.
Lucius, though he wouldn't admit it, was actually quite glad that the others had at last joined him. He stood stiffly by the door, his posture rigid and a scowling look of displeasure on his face. Hadn't he offered that man money to increase the grandeur of the Hearts? How could this place by so empty now?
|
|
|
|
Post by /|/afamere on Jan 24, 2011 20:36:03 GMT -5
Sabe stood there in the guard house for a moment, scanning the area around and not noticing anything that seemed to be too much out of the way of things, save for the fact that the only they young guardsman was left here, dead to the sight. He gave a brief sigh and noted it down in his head to remember for his report later. He exited the small squat building to find that the others were still about and waiting. It was one thing to keep a good look out, it was quite another to be the one to be the scout. All is well though, he felt responsible for these people as a Titled Queen.
He looked to the buck and nodded and leaned down to scoop up the unconscious ace. He didn't know who it belonged to, but he knew that it shouldn't be called a animal or treated as such. He had meet some rather intriguing aces before and knew that their thought process was well beyond animals, and in some cases better than most of the cards that he had met. He carried the Ace to the coach and placed him on the seat, a good thing that he didn't have to ride in it, the smell would be horrid, he could fly so all was well.
"Ahh yes... keep a keen eye out for anything wrong, someone had after all done these two in." he said as he twirled his cane in his fingers, mindful of all the twisting roots that were as sharp as needle points. He would follow after the others, bringing up the rear to watch their backs and to watch the front as well from his vantage point, only the snake was as tall as he was, so he couldn't really look over that one, just around him instead.
((Sabe rolled: <insert Drum Roll> 18! Thank you Random.org! ^_^ I was thinking 15, but 18 is much much better.))
((Jenn I left the Ace in the carriage, XD. Just called it a couch =P))
|
|
|
|
Post by Nathalia on Jan 24, 2011 21:07:18 GMT -5
((Though they did look clearly, none of them were able to perceive what was hidden around them.
Proceed into the Palace, perhaps you'll have another chance...))
~Nathalia
|
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Jan 24, 2011 21:50:18 GMT -5
Fetu noticed absently that Sabe took it upon himself to bring the Ace along. Good of him, though potentially dangerous if they were set upon as the bird had obviously been. Hopefully the man had good reflexes.
The further she walked into the main hall, the more ill-at-ease she felt. This was not how things should be. This was more wrong than she could have possibly imagined, with the exception of the Capital. That only just managed to 'top' the cake.
"Whatever you do, don't draw attention to our presence," she said quietly, turning to look at each of them in turn. The last thing they needed was to be jumped before they had any sense of the problem at hand. Belatedly, she added, "Sirs."
Moving slowly, she entered a wider hallway that looked to be a main passage through the palace. Towards one of the wings - the left one. She wasn't entirely certain of this palace's direction. It probably had a name. Something pompous, she was sure. As she walked, her paws clicked loudly in the too-still air and she tried to walk more softly still. A futile effort. With as large a group as they possessed, silence would be nigh-on impossible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 24, 2011 22:25:52 GMT -5
When the chance arose, the young boy took to clinging to the deer's arm. This was all too scary for him to handle on top of not remembering the people he was supposed to know. He knew how a palace was supposed to be, and it was not like this.
He clung tighter to the Corvie man when the Hisstor spoke. Like they were going to make a show of things when it was this silent. Their foot steps alone would probably give them away to anyone who was around. "Shouldn't we look for the nobles? The Queen... The King... you know the people who run the place?" He said in a faint whisper. The bird on his shoulder twitching as it looked around.
He wasn't being very useful, all things considered, but he felt the need to confirm with someone what their actual goal was. He wanted to get it over with... or something. Something needed to be fixed in this very wrong situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vyn on Jan 25, 2011 15:40:11 GMT -5
Lucius remained slightly ahead of the group as they all shuffled into the Palace. He was utterly quiet, his serpentine feet making almost no sound and his cane lifted to prevent any unsightly tapping. The Tulgey was exceptionally tense, but his senses were sharp and he was on guard.
This was not what he had paid for, and he was quite displeased. When he was done with this venture to return Conall to his parents, he would hunt that man down and demand some answers. He only took pleasure in knowing that Malachior had emptied his own pocket just as well and could very well be suffering the same fate. Worse for him, Lucius consoled himself, because the man was in actual association with the Courts.
Malachior frowned. It was hard to be discreet when one's hooves made such a racket against marble tile (even on the lightest of steps) but the obvious alternative to switch to human was even less appealing. If they were going to be set upon, he'd rather have the strength of his biped form to work with.
He offered Fetu an acknowledging nod and squeezed Conall's hand. "We're certainly going to try. If nothing else, hopefully we'll find your father." Or perhaps not, considering the current atmosphere. He did not relish the prospect of being the one to tell this boy his parent was dead.
It would honestly be much more reassuring if they found absolutely no trace of him.
|
|
|
|
Post by /|/afamere on Jan 25, 2011 16:14:53 GMT -5
Sabe's claw falls sounded horrendous to anyone else, a constant rapping on the stone. Every step that he had made sounded like it echoed from every direction, a blatant disregard of silence. He tired to make it more quiet and found that it made more noise than he had started off with, so he walked normally.
"I know of all the court members in each court, though I really haven't met many from this court." he said and then thought it over a bit as he looked back behind him once again. "Well to be honest, I haven't met any titled court members from the Hearts." he said with a bit of mild amusement.
Come to think of it... this was his first time ever being here before. He had no idea where he was going nor did it look anything like the Court of Clubs. The layout was even different which made it more difficult to move around in here. It had to be asked... they were here but where were they going?
"Excuse me sirs, you have visited this palace before I presume... where exactly are we to go? Wondering around aimlessly will not do any good, so how about going to a central location of some sorts? Like the Thrown Room, or the Queens Study?" he said with a mild shrug as he moved behind the small party, finally realizing that the sounds from his clawed feet were no longer making noise. He looked down and noticed that they were walking on carpet now, how wonderful!
|
|
