The Blind Leading the Blind [End]

[Momo]

Ursula wasn’t one hundred percent sure why she came back. The capital hadn’t been all she was hoping for, but she already knew what being back at the Gardens meant: beautiful glasshouse flowers and ghosts of a life past. Ghosts of many things, actually, coupled with an unshakable sense of déjà vu. Or something. The fox had never been very good at analyzing her tumultuous emotions.

“Look, isn’t that Inali’s daughter? She does look exactly like her!”

Suits, was this really starting up again? She used to be proud to be compared to her mother, but now it just pissed her off. They weren’t the same person. Not to say she didn’t love her mom – she did very much – but…

Ugh. You know what she meant. It was just impossible to measure to someone ennobled by death. Maybe that was why Ursula didn’t try very hard.

“Or I’m just lazy,” the female whispered under her breath and chuckled to herself. Whatever the reason, she was stuck. It didn’t help she was dead-broke and no real career. If things didn’t improve soon she’d probably have to start participating in certain illegal activities again. It was a dirty way to get cash, but usually rather fun.

None of this, however, explained why she was here. Friends? Entertained. Mother’s grave? Visited. The customary walk down memory lane? Her favorite willow tree still bore the scars of her and an old girlfriend’s initials. Everything that had to be done was completed – maybe it was time she left. But go where? And do what? She was stifled by the possibilities.

Maybe she'd just sit under the shade of the maple trees for a little while longer.

[Lucca]

Looking rather out of place among all the color of the Gardens, a Torquehelm cat stalked along a path, ears back and stance wary. It was too sunny here. Not enough shadows to hide in, at least during the day, and it made the would-be spy very uneasy. The inhabitants of the Gardens, after recognizing she was female, normally left her mostly alone, but still! What a place to come visit. At least, she had told herself in the past few hours since arriving, it wasn't boring here. Though it was beginning to be rather hot, and the longer she was in the open, the more uncomfortable she became.

So it was with relief that she spotted a stand of perfectly arranged maple trees, and slunk over to take refuge under them. It didn't take long, though, before she realized she wasn't alone. The cat froze, ears going forward in curiosity as she spotted a canine of some sort sitting down a few feet away. Funny, though she had Yarrow coloration, she looked almost as out of place here as Eldryia felt. Making a decision, she swished her tail, lifted her head, and approached the other Card.

"Excuse me, Miss?" It always was a safe assumption here, even if it wasn't true. "Do you live here?"

[Momo]

Maybe she’d go to the Highlands or Villa…somewhere pretty but interesting at the same time. Villa would be lovely actually, she loved to listen to the instruments that everyone seemed to have and play excellently. She didn’t know how they managed it; some of them could perform using just their paws.

Ursula heard the sound of footsteps nearby and uncharacteristically jerked her gaze upwards inelegantly. She didn’t like being caught unawares. Her pink eyes instantly began taking the stranger in: a Torque – heavy bindings – cat – female. Her expression warmed up considerably after noticing that the nervous looking woman was the same suit and rank she was. In fact, she was her usual self now, with a puzzling smile replacing her worried look.

“I used to.” She didn’t have a permanent residence here anymore, or anywhere else for that matter. “Why? A little lost?” Ursula asked teasingly. She knew the backward streets well enough, but even she got turned around once in a while. For some reason it struck her as funny that a Torque would visit here to begin with, didn’t they like somber places? The black coloring really stood out against all the pink, orange, and green.

[Lucca]

The cat's ears went forward as the canine seemed startled to hear her coming. True, this wasn't odd, as she could walk with near silent pawsteps when she needed to, despite her binding, but she hadn't seen the point in being quiet while so...exposed as she was here. She glanced over the canine quickly, and felt her estimation for the woman go up when she noticed she was a heart. Well, good. She'd picked someone worth her time to speak with, then. Having grown up very sheltered in the palace, Eldy had a (perhaps pardonable) streak of Suit pride.

She nodded at the other's response, having expected something of the sort, though she frowned defensively at the question. "No, just...exploring," she said flatly. "Actually, though, I was hoping you would know somewhere around where I could perhaps...get out of the sun for a while and maybe grab something to drink." If she'd used to live around here, Eldy was sure she'd know a place like that.

[Momo]

Ursula laughed gregariously. “I’m sorry to make the assumption, I’m just so use to getting lost myself. Not here though, obviously,” the fox added breezily. “How do you like the Gardens so far?” Luckily the Torque was a female; Ursula had faded memories of male tourists ignored or straight up harassed by the natives. In fact, as a child she could distinctly remember sticking her tongue out at those misdirected fools.

The pink and yellow canine mulled over the question for a moment. They were on the outskirts of Belladon Square… and unfortunately the area didn’t have a whole lot of options. Only one acceptable little café sprang to mind. “The Terrace is nearby. It’s probably the best place, assuming you don’t mind a little excitement,” she drawled, tail swaying lazily. It would be busy this time of day, especially with the sunshine as strong as it was. No doubt there would be dozens of dainty Yarrows sipping ice tea, waiting for the heat of the day to abate so they could have some fun.

"It just occurred to me, I haven't introduced myself." What a terrible guide she made already! "I'm Ursula, lovely to meet you."

[Lucca]

Eldy chose to ignore the half-apology, opting instead to answer the next question posed to her. "Well, it's very....colorful...here," she began lamely, with a small shrug. "Colorful Cards I'm used to, but the scenery wasn't quite this dazzling at...where I used to live." Just in time, she'd remembered that it would be foolish to blurt out her connections with the Court to a total stranger. She let a friendly grin show on her face, in order to cover up the small slip.

"The Terrace," the cat repeated, thinking about it. Well, it would be as good a place as any...'excitement' aside. Her tail swished as she looked up at the canine. "Sounds fine to me. Lead the way, if you please."

She was about to start walking, when the woman remembered to introduce herself. Eldy blinked, wondering how it had escaped her attention that she hadn't yet gotten her name. She nodded her head graciously. "Eldryia, though please, call me Eldy."

[Momo]

Ursula giggled and glanced around. “Yeah, it can be a little bright on the eyes, especially if you’re not originally from the region.” Personally, she loved the yellows, oranges, and purples, but the feline in front of her was from Torquehelm. Did they even have flowers there? Probably only moss. “I guess it’s like anything else, you need to get used to it.”

“Wonderful.” She hadn’t been there in a while; it would be a nice chore to reconnect with a few acquaintances. The fox began to saunter away, looking out towards the perfectly circular sun; she had missed summer. “It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?” She asked, for once content to talk trivially. This was a stranger who didn’t seem to like to chat, after all.

The Yarrow turned her head and smiled. “I always wanted a nickname, but that doesn’t really work when your name is Ursula.” She paused thoughtfully. “So what brings you here, Eldy, business or pleasure?” Not many people wandered down to the Gardens for anything other than fun, but maybe the Torque would be the exception to the rule.

[Lucca]

Eldy half-shrugged. Personally, she saw no reason at all to get used to such scenery. It wasn't like she was planning to stay in Yarrow for very long. Just long enough to see what it was like, maybe spy on some interesting people...so many powerful Cards came from here recently, after all. There was Donalda, the Queen of Spades, and that mantis she had met back in the Capital, who had also been a Queen...

"Mm-hmm," she replied noncomitally, also shooting a glance at the blue sky and the gleaming sunlight. Personally, she prefered shadows and darkness, but she was well aware she was in the minority with that opinion. Besides, with such dark fur, it was easy to get overheated on sunny days.

"Ursula...is a rather odd name to shorten," she agreed, pausing for a moment for her gaze to linger on a particularly bright flower. She recalled hearing that most of the plants here were poisonous or dangerous, and caught herself thinking about all the assasinations that were probably attempted that way, and how once again Hearts proved their superiority by being able to attain the ability to no longer fear poison of any sort...but she was letting her mind wander again.

Purple eyes fixed themselves on the canine as she considered her question. "Neither, really," she replied finally, tail twitching. "I'm here to broaden my horizons, experience new things, meet new people, and...find myself." She laughed softly. "It sounds kinda corny but...there it is. I'm trying to visit as many Realms as possible. And maybe by the time I finish my explorations...I'll know better what I want to do with my life."

[Momo]

Ursula tipped her head back and laughed. “Ah, we’re in the same boat then! I came back here to figure out what I should do next – or where to go next, really. Hopefully you have more luck that I’ve had,” she explained shamelessly. “So far I’ve just been whittling away the time.” No doubt she’d wander back to the Capital, eventually, once the feminine hues became tiresome. “So thank you for giving me something to do,” she added with a wide grin.

“Where else have you been?” The Yarrow asked curiously. “I’ve only ever been here or the Capital, but traveling sounds like a nice change of pace.” She paused, pondering where she’d go. “Maybe not to places like the Wastes or the Lowlands.” Ursula shuddered at the thought. No, definitely not there. “But the Highlands or Avington sounds pleasant.” She chuckled. “I guess what I’m really looking for is a vacation.” From what, she couldn’t guess, but that didn’t change the fact that she couldn’t see herself mucking around in a swamp or marsh.

[Lucca]

At the fox's laugh, Eldy couldn't help but grin slightly, and then to laugh along with her, her laugh soft and strained, as if it didn't get excersized very often. "Well, good luck then, I guess," she mewed thoughtfully. "And you're quite welcome. I'm not...the most sociable of people, really, but I'm finding some company is actually pleasant." It was a surprising statement, coming from her. She shrugged, not wanting to worry about it too much.

"Actually, so far only to the Capital and the Highlands," she said a bit sheepishly. It only made sense to come here first, though, it was so near the palace, and her mother had been here before. "But then, that's a lot more travelling than I've done before." She nodded slightly. "A vacation is always good, so I think I'm learning. It's nice to get out of...whatever stuffy place you've been cooped up in all your life." Eldy worried her lip with a tooth, hoping Ursula couldn't guess from all that where she was from, but worried she could. Then again, since the death of her father, did it matter if people knew about her and who her mother was? Honestly, she wasn't sure sometimes, though her upbringing and suspicious nature taught her not to give away information like that so easily to a stranger. Though at least this stranger was a Heart.