Zombie-like, she stumbled clumsily towards the docks, her vision flitting in and out of consciousness. Hearing footsteps approaching from behind, she knew the group had begun to follow her lead onto their grand leave to rest and regeneration. Yet, she could clearly make out the scrambled mumbles about the next quest, it had something to do with dragons. Her head was spinning in a slow motion tornado and the entire boat ride could only be pictured as a Jasper sitting upright, eyes half closed, body completely limp, back hunched and an excruciatingly exhausted mannerism to her. All she did was stare out into the foggy unknown of Siren Lake as they left the same way they had entered just a few days ago. Was it just a couple of days? Again this quest had felt like months and time seemed to stretch out into eternity here in Nowhere.
"And dis how you do it hunny" the elderly said with a warm smile as she tilted the cream filled pitcher back onto its bottom. What steamed in front of them was no longer just a cup of coffee, it was art. The leaves of the dairy fern swirled through the roasted brown color of the caffeine, a warming mist permeating from it. Picking up her own pot of heavy milk, she stared contemplatively at the blank canvas of the dark coffee, thinking hard about what image she would pour into the undisturbed liquid. Grinning as she finally settled on her choice, Jasper began to carefully tip the spout, allowing regulated amounts of cream leave the narrowed opening. She moved her hands in a steady motion without any sharp turns or edges, the picture forming delicately into her desired outcome. Returning the container back to its balanced stature, the senile Asian senior patted her back proudly. "It's beautiful Jasper."
A white rose contrasted well with black coffee.~
A form stirring beneath the thick duvet covers, Jasper let out a soft murmur as she woke from the pleasant dream. It had been a treasured memory, a learning session from... what was her name? How could she forget her own manager's name or better yet, her long lost grandmother of no actual relations name! Rubbing her eyes frantically whilst pushing a hand against the mattress to get her into a sitting position, she racked her brain to remember the old lady's name.
~10 minutes later~
'I can't believe it! I have no clue. Just an
O... that's all I know. It started with the letter
O!' She threw her hands up in frustration as she paced back and forth around the room.
Another thing she didn't know was that she had slept through two whole days in the castle. Maids would knock on her locked door every couple of time periods, yet gave up when no response was given.
Stepping towards the vanity, she seated herself on an expensive looking chair and faced the mirror. Studying her face, she wondered how she had gotten so clean after getting off the boat. In fact, she couldn't recall exiting the water craft at all. Gaze trailing down to her apparel, she noticed she was currently in a white night gown that paired well with her pale skin tone and pallid hair. Grabbing the seemingly unused brush which sat atop the vanity surface, she ran its teeth through her knots till all her strands lay flat and presentable. A
floral dress sat patiently at the foot of the bed as well and she didn't bother throwing a tantrum over it since she had worn something much worse than that upon her arrival to the Queen's abode. Slipping her head through the hole above, she wiggled a bit until its hem fell in soft waves just above her knees. Much to her surprise, the article of clothing was rather comfortable and airy.
Pushing the large door open just a crack, a kind mouse outfitted in a blue dress and a white apron greeted her with a smile. "The Queen is waiting, please follow me."
Jasper trailed her footsteps silently until she was lead into a room with the others and the entrance was shut behind her. Skitz and Delirium were preoccupied with their conversation to notice her soundless entrance as the two did not cease their babbling. Already she felt insecure about her bruise covered legs and arms, which had actually reduced in hue over her healing time, as she took a seat at the dessert spotted table. Nothing was out of the ordinary of course. Plates upon plates of sweets were disseminated throughout the dining surface, Ace digging in gleefully. Jasper flashed back to when she had reacted the same way on her first day attending Queen Delirium's welcome party.
Though she hadn't eaten for a couple of days now, knowledge she had been made aware of by the mouse maid who was apparently assigned to care for her during her stay in the castle, her appetite was on the down low at the moment. All she did was stare at the spread of food laid out before them, yet she felt no urge to take her pick, simply sitting there. Straightening out the fabric of the dress on her lap, she folded her hands together neatly and focused her blank attention on the enormous vase of candy flowers sitting smack dab at the center of the table.