To the Victor Goes the Spoils [King Quest: Satra]

[Kitty]

Jarvis wasn't quite certain how long he'd actually spent recovering, but it had definitely been far longer then he'd wanted. Jerome had made certain he had been returned to the Court of Hearts, marking the canine as a definite friend in the eyes of this chipmunk. The canine had also agreed to fulfill his odd desire to make sure his tail was treated and attached to a little chain so he could keep it as a reminder and a good luck charm. Jerome had balked at the thought of the tail being at all lucky since it had been removed, but .... he was alive wasn't he? He counted that as lucky.

He was ordered to take it easy for awhile, and was quite surprised when his sister had appeared out of the blue to visit her little brother. She had an eye patch now, and a rather gnarly looking scar across her face, but she was absolutely giddy. He'd sworn she'd finally lost what little sanity she had left, especially since she'd gone into the details about how their parents and brothers were all dead. Why the hell was she so happy? That's when she told him about their ultimate victory over the lowlands and what had become of the realm. A part of him was delighted, a larger portion of him felt ill. By this time he had heard about the Lakelanders as well. None of it made sense, all that hate... all it had ended in was the extinction of two entire regions.

His bruises disappeared, his cuts all healed into odd raised, blackened scars despite all the efforts to get them to be, at the very least, normal.... and he still reeked of pen ink, but he felt he was finally ready for another change. He'd been a dedicated guard and Jack so ... why not a King?

He'd written a formal letter to her Majesty Heilyn requesting a meeting with her, and had been pleased to hear back that she would be meeting with him. He stepped toward he office, tail hooked to one of his spider limbs. He paused for a moment to smooth out his fur a bit, hoping his new appearance wouldn't be offsetting to the Queen, and knocked.

[Satra]

She had time before her meeting, so she dicked around, fretting in front of a mirror. Her appearance had really dulled ever since Makenna had taken the subtle rainbow sheen out of the oils in her fur. It was an accident, she knew. The girl only wanted to play, but poof! The second someone other than her little human girl touched the rainbow string, it disintigrated never to be recovered.

The shine was still there, but it seemed so flat now. As if age wasn't taking its toll enough. Either very few others noticed, or she had done too good of a job scaring the piss out of all underlings that they were too afraid to say anything.

Knock, knock.

But enough of that frivolous nonsense. There was business at hand. Very important business. She hoped this meeting went where she wanted it to. Action needed to be taken, and now.

"Enter," she said, turning the mirror around and kicking it gently so it rolled to the corner.

[Kitty]

He made a valiant effort to smooth down his fur once more, the raised scars making him look ragged no matter what he did, before turning the knob, opening the door and stepping inside. He closed the door gently behind him before turning, lifting a hand to his chest and giving her a courteous bow of greeting.

Your Majesty.

When he looked up and his gaze fell on her, a little bit of nervousness shot through his system. He was finally here, actually meeting her beyond just in passing, the woman he's respected from afar for so long. Couldn't call it worship, cause that was downright creepy, maybe researched? But he'd done that with all of the nobles, mostly present nobles but a few from the past. There were such fantastic tales to go with her name, and she was as respected as she was feared amongst the staff. In short, she was one hell of a woman even as she aged gracefully here in the Court.

He couldn't hold back the grin that tugged at the corners of his maw as he stayed put, being a good little Jack and awaiting his superior's instructions.

It did, however, require a great deal of effort on his part not to twiddle his claws in front of him .... damn nervous energy.

[Satra]

Heilyn always thought he was a strange-looking fellow, even before the recent events that left him scarred like an emo Villa-wannabe. Tamis. That name had been bouncing around a bit lately, judging from the information she got back from Peaches. When he walked in she checked her desk. Had she spilled some ink? No. Odd. She returned his bow with a dip of her own head.

"It's nice to actually have a formal meeting with you, Your Excellency." In her head, her Weapon smiled. Spider legs! "Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable," she extended in a non-committal wave at her room, "Any bit of furniture will do. Don't mind my pacing. My aging back and piles of paperwork can't seem to agree with one another." She paused to fidget with a pen on her desk.

"I hope your break was restful and therapeutic. From what I understand, you needed it." She looked back at him, ignoring her Weapon's giggling. Spider legs! She let him speak, then got to business.

"Well enough of pleasantries. There's plenty of time for tea or whatever later. Let's not waste any time, shall we?"

[Kitty]

Not only scarred, but the permanent scruffyness of his coat also had the nice effect of making him look like something a bander had gotten out of the trash and coughed up. Perhaps he could invest in a potion or something to make his fur longer, at least then he could smooth it out and hide his scars. But then he'd just look like a frilly puff ball, which didn't sound right either. he'd just have to get used to it.

It's quite the pleasure to finally meet you as well Your Majesty. I just wish our meeting would have followed less tragic events.

He took a seat in a chair close to her desk, it just seemed.... the most proper of the choices.

He wondered briefly how she might feel about being made to sleep while such things happened all over Wonderland and in the court it's self even. He would have felt rather agitated about the whole matter had he not been through what he had staying awake. He also wished it didn't take such huge measures to get him to be unhappy with his lot in life as well. It took Perseus to get him to step up to Jack, and then this to get him to pursue his Kingship. He should have done this sooner, much sooner.

Ah, yes. My injuries have healed besides a few fractures to my spider limbs, they always have healed far slower. I wish the downtime hadn't' been necessary though, I would have liked to help out sooner.

Then again, he had always been one of those that delved far too deep in their work at the cost of nearly all of their social lives. He'd received word that Lachlan had seemingly vanished, which wasn't like him in such times, and it was feared that he was burnt along with the Lowlands, that left him only one friend in the world... Beowulf. As bad he felt about the thought, he would have gladly traded his sister's life for the tiger's any day. But he'd spent a little too much time musing over that in the confines of his chambers already. There were more pressing matters at hand and he was quite thankful the time for small talk was drawing to a close ... he wasn't good at it.

At her suggestion to getting straight down to business he straightened up in his chair, fixed his gaze on her and let his expression slide from a grin to a more neutral, 'business' face.

I wouldn't dream of it, your majesty. I am eager to begin.

Too bad he couldn't loosen up a bit, it might make this a little less nerve wracking.

[Satra]

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked, roaming to the hatch in her office and pulled out a bottle of whiskey from the Bog. Controversial, that whiskey, as it was made in the Bog and therefore has the poisons present. It had spent the last 20 years bouncing in and out of legality, "I have booze that won't make you hallucinate, in case you were wondering," she mentioned off-hand, pouring herself a glass. As amusing as that would be, it could wait. She poured whatever he requested (if any) then walked over to the desk and leaned back against it. She took a swig and looked down at him, handing him his drink.

"I need you to be honest with me: What are your feelings about the war between the Josiggy and the Lowlands and the near extinction of the Lowlanders?"

Her face was blank. She wanted it as neutral as possible. She wanted his raw feelings, free of any potential intimidation by any expressed opinion.

[Kitty]

Not to mention he'd have to politely decline any tea for now, he didn't feel like embarrassing himself with it's... .effects that he sometimes enjoyed in the confines of his own room. True, it was a nice little high.... but the foaming at the mouth part he could pass on. His ears perked a little when she mentioned hallucinations, and he chuckled a bit, the grin tugging at the corners of his maw again.

Well, I can definitely say I could use a stiff drink after it all. Something hard and, yes.... non-hallucinogenic please.

And then things got serious, and his expression followed suit. He would give her nothing but his thoughts, if that's what she wished. It would actually.... be nice to express it to someone who wasn't a psychotic, lowland murderer dead set on ridding the world of any hint of their kind.

I do not condone the actions of my realm, nor can I call myself a Lowlands supporter by any means. They are people, after all ... no matter how filthy and diseased they are. Suits, they killed children! I cannot, under any circumstance, support that. An entire realm.... ugh.

He tapped the arm of the chair, pulling his notched little ears back a bit.

I'm sure you all noticed when my sister left in a rage after she came to visit me. I asked her a simple question, what will she do if she succeeds in ridding the world of every last Lowlander? She stared at me for a few minutes, and then went into a rage. She hasn't a clue, hunting them is too far ingrained to her very being. I'm .... I'm afraid for the Marsh really, afraid they're going to go down a rather dark path. There are so many who know nothing but hate and violence, I fear they may turn their attentions to another realm.

He waited until then to lift his glass and take a swig, his ears twitching as it burned his throat. Oh, he definitely needed that. It helped him stomach the shame that threatened to bubble up.

[Satra]

Hearing his request, she grabbed the closest bottle to her. If he wasn't going to be picky, then neither was she. She picked one of her cheaper liquors, but considering her tastes weren't cheap, that actual alcohol wasn't so bad. The sheer amount of variety she had in her office alone was rather daunting (and worthy of the rumors regarding her questionable sobriety).

She watched him as he spoke. She was pleased it paralleled her own views. For as much as the Lowlanders' outer appearance and general cleanliness disgusted her, she'd found they didn't act much different than other Cards. Hell, her own race generally had an even more piss-poor attitude than the Lowlanders. The last line he spoke especially pleased her. She was afraid of the same thing as well.

She tipped the glass on her lips and sipped, thinking. Mention of the man's sister concerned her. Could potentially be a wrench in her plan.

"What else did you discuss with your sister?" She really didn't care that, while she was addressing the issue she was taking forever to get to the meat of it. Hell, if he wanted to be her King, he could wait for her.

[Kitty]

He wasn't alone in his fears? That was the most comforting thing he'd heard since he'd been back on his feet again. He wasn't crazy, or overly paranoid ... not yet.

First thing she mentioned after forced pleasantries was that the rest of the family had gone down at various points in the battle. Not surprised really, Father used to be General, mother one of his subordinates.... I'm sure some of the lowland defenders recognized them. The brothers went down in the fire, too interested in their fights to escape. How I ended up with an even head on my shoulders, I'll never know.

He shook his head, sighing lightly at the thought.

She was absolutely giddy the whole time, so thrilled about the Lowlands, and then just as disgusted that I didn't share her.... joy. She conked me square on the head with the butt of her sword and stormed off. I can't say I've ever felt much of an attachment to her, she's always been like that... hasty, irrational, aggressive and compassionless.

Traits that, in any other woman, might have actually intrigued him. But she was his sister, and he'd leave those types of relations to the Golfams.

[Satra]

Hmm. Conked. Heilyn turned the idea over in her head. Perhaps the sibling could be removed for assault of a Court Noble? Bah, she was getting ahead of herself. That could be dealt with later.

"I would apologize for what I'm about to request of you, but unlike what most believe this job requires more than sitting around with a silver spoon in one's mouth. I believe one's title should actually mean something." A small 'thunk' sounded as she placed her glass down on her desk. She hadn't had much, all she wanted was the comfort of the familiar burn.

"There are many concerns and questions that have come up due to the recent events that have plagued Wonderland. We've had Peaches doing what she does best, but she is one person. If you are willing and capable, I would like to send you to spy on the Jossigy army.

Understand that my doing this is not asking you to commit treason against your own Realm. My concerns are several fold: For one, the war just happened to have taken place the exact same day three of the Courts were attacked and the Selkie Lakes as well? I want to know the connection. Part of me wonders if someone is testing their bounds to make a power grab. As you go, you'll be collaborating with Peaches to fill in whatever blanks information either of you may have and be reporting to me, Her Majesty Xiven if she has the time.

My other, less compounded concern is a little more selfish," she sighed. Her eyes wandered from his face to his spider legs, then back again, "I'm concerned for my home. If the Marshdwellers are willing to go this length for a war that no one remembers the origin of, what's next? I'm well aware that we Boggies are not a pleasant people. We're viewed as barbaric, crude and seen as dirty due to the smell our natural oils cause. Who's to say we're not next on their list? Especially with the use of the fire that wiped out the Lowlands, my concerns double. In case you're not aware, fire coming in contact with Bog air becomes a pyromaniac's wet dream. A quarter of the fire power that destroyed the Lowlands could nuke the Bog right off the map." Had she not been so confident in his trustworthiness, she would not have shared that last bit of information.

"While I have always had a distaste for the Lowlanders, this extermination in no way thrills me. If anything, I --and the general public and politicians of the Bog-- distrust the Jossigy. Not all, though. If those feelings extended to you, I can assure you we would be having a very different meeting right now."

She stood up from the desk and faced him squarely.

"Your thoughts?"

[quick note: for the sake of brevity, meetings with Peaches will be assumed. Already spoke to Kari about this.]