[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200731/7b0275756646d73c6e29c8c33a546a01.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190811/2ceb96cd6ec45e7860629eaba32549e8.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190929/9a6606149c33d088185332e7bbef6639.png[/img] Location: Alice's Manor, receiving room[/center] --- Jandar strolled into Queen’s Alice manor. It was rather difficult to keep his expression politely neutral when he was feeling the utmost disgust at all the pretentious ‘splendor’ – especially the awful, ugly ceiling. The heavy perfume also made him want to sneeze, but he refrained. The furniture was overdone as well, but really, there were so many things [i]wrong[i] that a few overly luxurious chairs were entirely unworthy of mention. [color=20B2AA]“Of course, I understand how busy a Court can be,”[/color] the Warlord replied to the servant civilly, offering him a curt but forgiving nod. He was left alone for a while after the servant left, and Jandar strolled along the receiving hall, his expression coolly judgmental as he examined all the trifling decoration. He had the feeling that it’d be a long while before he could see the Queen – if she’d receive him at all. Who knew what inanities she was occupied with. Though he knew perfectly well he could call upon a servant, he didn’t see a cause to do so. Perhaps he could explore a bit under the guise of bored wandering. Trailing a finger just in front of one of the paintings, as if he were absorbed in inspecting the manor’s artistic adornments, he slowly and leisurely began to trek further inside. Sybl inwardly winced. If there were few things in this world of which he was certain they would include these: If it were the black jeweled warlord prince there would have been more panic in the steward’s voice. If he were to serve under Alice she would come to find it most tedious. And lastly, that she would not live long once she exposed herself for who she was. None the less he smiled. [color=B2E0DD]"It would be my pleasure, my Queen,"[/color] he said in his quiet rasp before moving through the doors. It was not long before he saw the man who came to call. Certainly not Saetan. [color=B2E0DD]"She'll be upset if she finds you left the receiving chambers,"[/color] he told Jandar as he approached. He gestured back the way Jandar had come, indicating that he should walk before Sybl. Jandar turned when he heard the newcomer, and looked him over in a quick up-down-up sweep. [color=20B2AA]“Then she should not have given me the opportunity to loiter,”[/color] he answered. He’d deal with the Queen’s potential irritation if he had to. However, he did follow the direction of other man. He was a mixed Warlord Prince, it seemed, which was somewhat curious. [color=20B2AA]“So, you are to occupy me until the Lady deigns to receive me, I take it,”[/color] he stated, rising an expectant eyebrow at the green eyes man. Sybl raised his eyebrows to the man. How odd that her trust should be seen as something to take advantage of. Was he one of those young men who were perhaps looking to get into the Lady's good graces? And then perhaps her bed? It would certainly give Sybl some reprieve. [color=B2E0DD]"Or perhaps to babysit,"[/color] he replied cooly but with a smile on his lips. [color=B2E0DD]"In truth she hoped you were the Black."[/color] He wondered what the man would do with this information. [color=20B2AA]“It is common sense that guests need to be minded lest they make their own entertainment, no?”[/color] Jandar retorted, amused. He was not at all offended by the implication that he’d done the kind of misdeed only a recalcitrant child would have done, because even if that [i]were[/i] true, he had his own reasons for acting as he did. [color=20B2AA]“Besides, what else is all this beauty for if not to appreciate?”[/color] he drawled, perfectly polite but with an undertone of something else, as he gestured vaguely at their surroundings. Jandar cocked his head to the side when the other man mentioned that his lady was hoping for SaDiablo. He could guess based on that fact that whoever the local Queen was, she must be lacking in brains - or simply fatally reckless - to hope for such a thing. [color=20B2AA]“The kept beast?”[/color] he sneered, injecting the appropriate amount of scorn to cover his ambivalence at the idea. [color=20B2AA]“I’ve certainly heard he’s let out of Dhemlan every now and then, but for him to be sent [i]here[/i]…that would have to be [i]quite[/i] the occasion,”[/color] he smirked lopsidedly, blatantly lightly mocking now. Partly to fish for information, partly to vent, and partly because he had nothing better to do. [color=B2E0DD]"He is in possession of quite a…. An individual personality."[/color] He put it as kindly as he could think. Bearish would also have been appropriate. Violent. But Sybl could not entirely fault the man for his rage at his situation. [color=B2E0DD]"I doubt the man would ever appear in so small a Court. Queen Alice is only just a rising jewel."[/color] He spoke with hollow pride in his voice. [color=B2E0DD]"What brings you to visit our lovely lady?"[/color] [color=20B2AA]“Know him personally, do you?”[/color] he asked with scoff. Though it was possible, Jandar would sooner believe the mixed-blood had only heard of SaDiablo’s reputation. Sybl declined to answer this question and remained silent. [color=20B2AA]“Mm, small but quaint. Nice seaside location. Could be useful for a little vacation for those of [i]discerning[/i] tastes,”[/color] Jandar couldn’t help but let a bit of critique leak into his voice as he emphasized that word. [color=20B2AA]“This place does have [i]some[/i] potential,”[/color] he prevaricated to cover up for the minor slip beforehand, acting the part of a haughty assessor. [color=20B2AA]“We were travelling for leisure, and I’ve heard some tidbits about the local court that piqued my curiosity. So, I’m here to acquaint myself with it, make some connections. You know how it is,”[/color] he shrugged lightly. Sybl could hear the way his words were emphasized or changed. This made him anxious because, with others, this would mean some kind of mind game he would likely lose. He was not good at discerning what was to be meant - only the “lyrical” changes of voice. He frowned slightly and looked toward the door. [color=B2E0DD]“And who is we?”[/color] [color=20B2AA]“[i]We[/i] are the Lady I serve and her growing court. She’s young, but has potential,”[/color] Jandar answered curtly. He didn’t want to give much more away to this Warlord Prince, especially since he’d have to make some things up for Alice later on. [color=B2E0DD]"A Lady not invited? How daring."[/color] He crossed his arms and shifted his weight slightly. [color=B2E0DD]"I wouldn't mention your Lady to Queen Alice."[/color] Should he tell Alice of this woman though? If they were just passing through… what if they were here to take over Alice's claim? He was suddenly very uncomfortable. [color=20B2AA]“Is Queen Alice not interested in an alliance, then?”[/color] Jandar wondered. He suddenly gazed sharply at the other man, as if seeing him for the first time. [color=B2E0DD]"A Queen must be invited before entering another's territory."[/color] He raised an eyebrow. [color=B2E0DD]"Surely someone of your station would know this. Unless your Queen is here to make trouble there are certain channels through which something like this should be done."[/color] He uncrossed his arms and took a step closer to Jandar. [color=B2E0DD]"Are you here to make trouble?"[/color] The Warlord chuckled lightly, despite feeling a light sliver of intimidation from the approaching Warlord Prince, and due to his own mistake. [color=20B2AA]“She’s a troublemaker, but not in that sense. We’ll be leaving soon, so you needn’t worry. But proper or not, it was a risk worth taking...or so she claims,”[/color] he shrugged. Honestly, Jandar hadn’t considered that a Queen visiting uninvited would be such a great offense. Once again, he’d said too much. He sighed and shook his head. [color=B2E0DD]"I'll let my Lady decide to what she shall take offense. I hope the risk really is worth taking. I hope your Lady is worth this risk."[/color] He moved back, leaning against the wall.