[OTA] A Sudden Bold and Unexpected Question

[gotyourheart]

When King Theo had called her to his office, she had gone in fully anticipating he was going to tell her he was making her Head of Security at last. Which he did.

What she wasn't expecting was for him to offer the position of Queen. She'd been hesitant, at first, but as he explained his expectations and hopes for her and the rest of the Suit, she found herself feeling more comfortable as she recognized that they were the same. At the end, she'd accepted, and taken her leave to go get things in order in her office. Eventually, though, it properly sank in exactly what she'd committed to, and while she didn't regret it, she certainly needed a little bit of liquid courage to deal with the news.

Which is why, late in the evening, the new Queen of Hearts will make her way down to the Four Suits to indulge in a (surely well-deserved) drink.

[tag for Rowan ♥ ?]

Comments

[butneverbreak]

This isn't exactly the sort of news that gets hidden. It is the sort of news that hits upper cards first. And the reaction of going to get a drink?

Makes perfect sense.

So the Four Suits is absolutely where Rita will be looking for her new Queen to give the younger woman a firm squeeze on the shoulder. "What's a gal like you doing in a joint like this?"

[gotyourheart]

At least having a drink means she's actually able to smile mostly-properly when Rita comes to greet her.

"Don't let Diana hear you. She'll let you know straight up that this 'joint' is probably the finest establishment on Deck." A pause to take another sip of her drink, "And I suspect you know exactly what I'm doing here."

She knows the way in which this news spreads, after all.

[butneverbreak]

"And we are some of the finest gals on Deck," comes the easy reply, hand sticking right where it is on Rowan's shoulder while she settles into a seat. "And I suspect you know I'm buying that drink for you. Finest form of congratulations I've ever heard of."

See? Light. Easy. Happy. Nothing wrong here, newly Queenly one. Everyone calm.

[gotyourheart]

The touch helps her grin at the older woman, just a little wryly.

"You're a woman after my own heart, Rita."

She's becoming calmer. Things aren't bad. It's good, for the Suit to have a full hand of Faces again.

She can do this. She just needs to get a drink or two first.

[somuchheart]

"Rowan." Blythe's at the door, just a little flushed from the cold air as she made her way down to the Four Suits. "So you've heard the news? Congratulations."

[gotyourheart]

"Blythe," she greets, beckoning her to come sit beside her, "Theo told me earlier today. Got to admit I was a little bit surprised."

There were female Tens, after all-- Marina Wooler, for one. Rowan hadn't thought the woman so bad at her work, even if she wasn't quite Queen material.

Which is why she was surprised (and a little bit gratified) to think the other Faces thought her as much.

[somuchheart]

She takes a seat, giving her a wide smile. "You deserve it. And, you know, we needed a Queen. You'll do a good job." She smiles, tugging at the purse hanging from her shoulder. "Can I spot you for a drink in celebration of your new title?"

[gotyourheart]

"I'll do my best."

It's reassuring to hear such faith from someone who's been a Face for longer, younger though the woman is.

"That would be lovely," she says in regards to the drink, "Thank you."

[bluntforces]

He's been more wrapped up in the Hearts than ever, lately. It makes sense. Good, clean logic. And it means that--for an off-Deck Four of Clubs--Evan gets the news actually rather quickly.

Next time she checks her phone, there will absolutely be a heavily exclamation-pointed message waiting for her.

Did you plan this when i couldnt come give you a hug? Why so cruel, rowan?! congrats!!

[gotyourheart]

One good thing about knowing a McCartney: They were pretty much guaranteed to make your day if they weren't off bouncing from one thing to another.

I assure you-- not planned at all. Otherwise you would've totally known that I was breaking out my plans for Deck takeover before this. ;)

And, more seriously and just a moment later. Thanks, Evan.

[bluntforces]

They could be pretty good at making days even while getting rid of their apparently endless bouts of energy. That's where all the spontaneous dance breaks came from, after all.

She can probably guess from the extended pause that he's either having an animated conversation or accidentally fallen off the couch and needs a moment to get upright. She may even accurately guess that it's both.

Dont think this means you wont be getting hug-crushed when i have more time off. Are you excited?

[gotyourheart]

And she fully expects to be pulled into one of those spontaneous dance breaks at some point in one of his visits back to the Deck.

Excited. Little nervous. Wasn't really expecting it, you know?

[maskofhearts]

There was a time and a place for getting drunk, being four sheets to the wind and not much caring. Mitch had finally convinced him to stop being a old married woman, and dragged him out after a long day talking to Henry about the new season's line up- the man wanted more comedy's this year, which meant less of Hadyn in the spot light.

And to be honest, Hadyn had to wonder if Elisha had said something to the man in private with the way Henry nodded and winked a little at him. 'Bit more free time for you and your lover, eh?' He said, in that every so coy manner that the Nine had long come to suspect was really just posturing to hide annoyance. So either it was Elisha had spoken to him...or Alasdair had once again stopped by and started a fight.

So he was there, with Mitchell, and eventually Jordan had joined him. After all, today was about 'celebrating' too. Theo had needed a new Queen, finally, to replace Judith. And wouldn't you know? He choose Rowan. "Fantastic," he said to Jordan, "just fucking brilliant. I love being a Heart today."

Turning away from his brother, he went to the bar to order a new drink- a rum with a splash of coke.

And then he saw her, her the beast that dwelled at the bottom of the well and threatened to suck what remained of his life right out of him. He was certain that she took some sick pleasure in making life miserable for him in some way.

"I hear congrats are in order," he said in a heated, if not slurred manner. "Loving it, yet?"

[gotyourheart]

She was actually starting to calm down from the momentary panic. Actually starting to enjoy her night and look forward to her new Rank.

And then the bane of her existence had to come and ruin all of it. For a moment, she's tempted to throw her glass into his face across the room, but she reigns in her irritation and smiles in a sickly-sweet way at the Nine.

"Oh, I'm thrilled, thanks for asking." Although she's not the least bit grateful. "I'm just looking forward to all I'll be able to do with my new position, mm?"

Like maybe knock him down a peg or two.

[maskofhearts]

"I thought you always harbored aspirations for power, you seem glum for that." He said with a slight roll of his eyes. It wouldn't surprise him, really, if she somehow found a way to knock him a few ranks down. Regardless of how benign he was in the grand scheme of things.

Judith's belated change of Heart (pardon the pun) would never change everyone else's view that he didn't belong.

"I'm sure you'll be settling in just fine, your Highness. You seem the sort."

[gotyourheart]

"Celebrating with a drink is hardly being glum," she answers cheerily.

What was making her glum was a certain someone she was currently speaking with.

"And I'm quite certain I will." She's adaptable. Had to be, when she arrived here.

[falsepretences]

He was mostly here because Hadyn had wanted to go out - and apparently Elisha was getting worried looks if he tried going out into the cold hair, something that must drive him nuts. And so, here was Jordan.

This ought to be fun.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Your Majesty." Now they'd see if she still thought he was was worse than dirt for leaving the Hearts instead of giving her the opportunity to challenge him.

He'd put his money on yes.

[gotyourheart]

Really? Really? Both Novaks in one night? Did the universe have some kind of protest against her becoming Queen, or was she really just that unlucky?

Taking a breath to remind herself that it isn't befitting of a Queen to punch Sevens of her own Suit-- to say the least of others'-- she manages to smile in an entirely counterfeit manner. Which is, well, probably obvious.

"Thank you, Mr. Novak." So sweetly spoken. Truly. "I trust things are going well in the Spades?" He's finally where he belongs, after all.

Good riddance.

[falsepretences]

He's Hadyn-sitting. And Diana's kind enough not to bar her doors to people Rowan Maclean thinks don't deserve to live - or whatever her opinion is of the Novaks. He suspects it's the same opinion as most of the Hearts, the ones who have largely despised him for most of his life.

Fitting that the Hearts have a Queen who so fits the mold.

"Naturally," he says, though. "I doubt you're really all that interested in the inner workings of archives, though." After all, she'd resented the librarian for becoming Head of Security over her.

[fiddlerjohnny]

Having a drink seems as good a time as any for Johnny to slide into the seat next to her and grin.

"You're buying, right, m'lady?"

Yes, he's heard the gossip, already.

[gotyourheart]

She grins back, lifting her drink to her lip before responding.

"As much a gentleman as ever, I see, Johnny."

Trying to get the lady to pay for them both. He could've at least tried to go Dutch-- although she imagines she's probably the better off of the two of them, financially.

One of the perks of finally achieving Facehood, she supposes.

[fiddlerjohnny]

Hey, everybody knows when you get elevated, you buy the first round, right?

"That's right, m'Lady. I can even bow if you want."

Cheeky, cheeky grin. "And I'll have a Jack and Coke, thanks."

[sirforawhile]

He's been mulling over the thought for far too long, it seems to him, and now it's time to suit word to deed. At the Four Suits, though, surely isn't the time. Surely it's just the time to try to find somewhere near Rowan and try to catch her attention through the flock. (Why is there a flock, he wonders.)

[gotyourheart]

It'll take her a bit to notice him through the flock, but once she manages to squeeze through (shooing away the people who simply want to 'Your Majesty' at her) she'll smile at Iggy with a faintly frazzled expression.

"What's up?"

[sirforawhile]

He does, honestly, mean to ask to speak to her more privately. He even has the notebook in his hand ready to convince her to come away. But before that someone says something and he'll just be slackjawed a moment or two. "Majesty?"