houseofcards_rp | Intended for onlytolerable

[Sophie was tutored her entire life. Even her studies Outside at the Sorbonne and in Vatican City were one-on-one internships. She's never seen a classroom, and is running a few minutes late--unheard of for punctual Sophie--because she's frankly been taking a look at everything. She's peeked through the door windows and looked at blackboards, admired the display of kindergarten art and science fair ribbons and eventually, thanks to a fifth grader hurrying off to some lesson or other, finds her way to Christopher's classroom. And that's when she realizes.

"I'm late! I'm so sorry! What an amazing place."

Christopher's classroom has a touch of sanity that doesn't quite match some of the classrooms that Sophie has see prior, though she might be able to tell a few teachers attempted to mimic his style. The classroom is neat but colorful, the work boards well organized and the bookshelves packed with books. Picture books. Chapter books. Books that might be a touch too high for some family sensibilities but Christopher does not care. Right now the colors in the classroom are predominantly pink and purple (the softer red and black), bright and childish. Obviously the students had a hand in making their classroom ready for yesterday's party. He'll take it all down Friday afternoon.

He looks up when Sophie comes in, the smile tried but welcoming. "No worries. I'm here until six." Possibly later tonight. He's got a lot to do. "It is very nice. I can't really say it was nicer than my old place of work, but compared to my student teaching? It's amazing." Christopher gestured to one of the chairs near his desk. "Take a seat, if you'd like."

Of course, there is a bean bag near the library shelf.

She's made a beeline for the books, leaning down to peruse the spines. "Oh! Judy Moody. And here's A Wrinkle in Time." She gives the titles one last, fond smile before joining him.

"You're used to the place, so it it seems ordinary to you. The school is a relatively new feature in the Deck."

"The Wizard of Oz series, the first three books of Harry Potter... You'll also find The Giver and The Chocolate War. I do try to push Twain on the more advanced students, but that's a touch of a challenge. They don't quite get the idea such a world exists at this age. Notably since they're from the Deck. They'll enjoy it but they lose something with the context." He smiled apologetically, knowing he was babbling right now.

"Well, I've seen it grow quite a bit. Just fairly recently from what I gather." He sits up straighter and leans back in his chair. "Jacob told me the schools needed a touch of work and some families still refuse to send their students here." And he's had families try to push their rank on him.

He takes a deep breath, not sure if he should begin with why he invited her here, or the latest change of his job. For now, he'll let the conversation flow.

"You need to sneak up with the classics. Don't let them know. Do you have a story hour? Twain especially reads well aloud. Maybe have one of the parents come in and read?"

He didn't ask her here to discuss the school reading selection, but she can wait, though part of her is practically squirming with curiosity. And chagrin. How had she missed whatever it was?

"Old Deck families cling to their dusty musty ways, I'm afraid." She gives him a purely Gallic shrug. Case in point, the Berthiers.

"Perhaps his short stories. The fun classic. It's not so much the comprehension level but the fact so many students don't quite realize what the world outside the Deck is like. It's hard enough back on the Outside to connect them to some of the material."

He sighs quietly and rubs his hands together and for a moment he wishes there was some way to check for bugs. Dear lord, do the Clubs even have electronic bugs? They should but it strikes him since King Andrew...

"Old Deck families do. Some are older than others." He presses his lips together. "Someone in your library is terrible in organizing books you know. That book I found not too long ago? It's a diary."

Sophie's family goes back at least 27 generations. As usual, she's uncomfortable by that and never, unlike Irene, likely to point it out.

And then he captures her attention by the comment about her library, because if something wasn't where it ought to be, it's a reflection on her and she knows none of her staff would make such an error, and certainly not since their most recent inventory and--and she takes a deep breath and relaxes. More likely someone had secreted the volume away. It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened.

"A diary? Whose?"

The attention he's caught makes him sit up straighter in his chair and he notices the deep breath. To be honest, they though it was Ms. Henshaw who mislabel it. It made sense because both Fin and he knew that Sophie was very much in love with her library. It was hardly a poor reflection on her.

And if someone hadn't hidden it away, it would have been discovered by someone less giving.

"A family that helped found the Deck and became Diamonds." For all he knows, it could be her family. "From what little I could guess, the language is similar to Spanish. Fin's still translating but what we've both gleamed is that the family were refugees of a civil war." He takes a breath, "And as you know on the Outside, the Tarot came first, the standardized playing Cards came second. So... it seems interesting to me that seems to be the result here."

"We've run into other old forms of romance languages with other items. Fin would remember...." She shifts just a little in her seat. "I, forgive me, but I think you misspoke? The playing cards we know were part of the Tarot, ace through king. The page and knight combined to form the more modern Jack and--and I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Sorry. I go off on these tangents.

"...and the civil war? You think this diary might be referring to the rift that broke apart the arcanas? That's--that's--that would be so very enlightening! You're wise to keep it quiet. I doubt our visitors want us knowing the details." And then she's struck by an idea. Oh, dear.

"Copies should be made. This may be our only source, and if something happens to it...."

"That's what I meant. The Tarot came first, the more modernized playing cards came second that were adapted from the Tarot. The point I make is that even on the Outside, there is an indication of a break and a change where two separate sets have come into being."

"It's the possibility. That's why I didn't dare say a word about it in public. ... I think all of the Suits are acting... like children over this. I know there's been so much chaos and pain in the last few months... years even but that's why acting like this is terrifying to me. I think that's why I wasn't thrilled about the Tournament. It felt like a show."

He smiles weakly, "I'm afraid it's not in my hands at the moment. You might want to harass Fin to be quicker on the translation. A few copies should be made and given to each Library and... a discussion should happen. You can't fume with one another if you cease to exist."

"You know, I hadn't thought about that before. Do you suppose the break somehow became known Outside and that's why the playing decks split? Perhaps refugees from the war...." She makes a face. "Sorry. I go off on these wild tangents." Sophie pushes her demolished napkin aside.

"I think our leaders are acting more as a unit than they ever have--at least in my memory. But there's so much distrust sown, due either to a Suit's historical reputation or...or recent events." The thought of King Andrew's murder saddens her. "The castle festivals have been aimed at the Arcana. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the 'show' was intended to demonstrate we aren't pushovers.

"However, I certainly agree that we sometimes appear to be working against each rather than with each other. Most of that's unintentional. I hope. Once this challenge is over and done with, I planned to address the problem, at least so far as research goes. But maybe you could bring up the subject before that?

And I'll talk to Fin. It won't take long to copy the diary. I have this horrible dread that something will happen to it before he finishes. His translation should definitely be copied and the copy kept separate from the original."

She sounds like a paranoid. Oh, dear. "Perhaps I've read too much fiction."

"Outsider. I'm very egocentric," He flashes a white grin and looks almost bashful, "Actually, yes, that's what I think. Between the natural evolution of games and passing through dozens of countries, surly a few Deck-born and Arcana-Refugees could have been in the mix trying to 'fix' things. And who knows? One also has to wonder if the Tarot has been encouraging propaganda Outside, too."

"The reflection of what happens on the bottom is a reflection what happens on the top. I have no doubt the leaders are talking and want to be united, but if they can't even coordinate the information that's shared regarding this situation, it doesn't matter how much we show off. Perhaps their majesties know more and I am not to question but... I think a citizen should feel secure." King Andrew's death had been a blow to him as well, but leaders die. It hurt. But perhaps he was taking his Global perspective in such a small community. Still, more people could possibly die.

He took a breath, not frustrated with her but frustrated with the situation. He rubbed his face and suddenly looked so very tried. If he could manage to get Spade kids and Heart kids working together on a project, it shouldn't be so hard to get grow ups to work. Then he looks startled when she tells him he could bring up the subject. "Sophie, I'm just a teacher and only a five. And I have no idea how it could possibly look when the Ace's new tutor-"

He pauses. Damn. Rarely he lets something like that slip. Moving on...

"No, you have all the right. There's only three people who know about this and once Fin is done, it will be 11 and then the Deck. I want the copies to go to all the royals." And give Fin and Sophie the credit. He merely found the damn book.

It...felt nice to actually have someone agree with her instead of...instead of unintentionally whittling away at her confidence. She gives him a shy smile of her own. "That's an interesting idea--and a bit of a frightening one. Most of our knowledge about the Arcanas comes from what we all know from Outside history. If they've manipulated it, well, how much of what we know is accurate?" Okay, she sees a bit what Ben means here. "But I suppose we can only go by what we do know and adapt later if we have to."

She's Deck-born, raised to have confidence in her Royals for the most part. "It's possible they wish verification from more than one source. It's also possible they've fallen into old habits a bit. Normally, when a Suit researches a topic, it has no reason to share with other Suits. But it's our duty to Suit and Deck to bring attention to the matter. And if not us, who? All the people I know of who have been researching into the Arcana are mid- to lower Numbers."

She bites her lower lip. Tutoring Eileen? Oh, that will be so good for the Little Ace. They couldn't have chosen a better person. But she catches his expression and pretends not to notice his unintentional announcement. Personally, she thinks bringing the matter to Eileen's attention would be a good idea, but then again, she's not a tutor who could be accused of abusing his trust.

"Then I'll do it. After the challenge. I'd planned to anyway, and people are used to me overstepping my bounds when it comes to anything that affects my library." She shrugs. "And perhaps people listen a little more to someone who used to be an Eight, even if she's fallen so very 'low.'"

He once sat around, dreaming of stories to write. It never worked out so well because he was a teacher by nature. The last thing for a teacher and former writer should do is criticize someone's ideas. Ideas were just that. They floated and formed until they became actions. "It's all smoke and mirrors it feels like. I don't know how much really is accurate and I think I'm going to be the last to find out." Christopher studies her for a moment before he sighs. "You're right. We just need to adapt but... having some knowledge helps."

Southern-born and despite a fairly social liberal leaning, there is a curiosity on what the Royals are doing for something like... this. "I would vote on falling into old habits... though I find it all foolish not to share. The exchange of ideas is-" Another time he cuts himself off. He speaks like an Outsider again.

The last thing Christopher wants to do is use his position to influence the Ace in matters like that. It's not his role and most notably not within his rank. Then he realizes what he's asking her and he takes a breath, "How about we do it together? A matter Deck Unity. It's... not fair to put the task solely on you."

She'd be shocked to learn he still felt like an Outsider after all these years, or that he thinks an Outsider's opinion wouldn't be found valuable.

"...smoke and mirrors. How aptly put. It's always felt that way to me, too. Everything has seemed geared to throw us off balance, huge, sweeping gestures that sets the Deck buzzing. I know a lot of effort was wasted on how these things were done rather than why."

She's twisting her fingers, staring down at them as she turns them first one way and then the other. She knows it's a horrible habit stemming from nervousness when the focus is on her or when she's being daring and voicing opinions that will inevitably be shot down. But she's never been able to drop it completely. She's mentally chiding herself about this when she realizes he's just made a suggestion, a very surprising suggestion. Together?

"I--!" She swallows her refusal. She's promised herself not to start playing safe again just because she's lost her catalyst. "That--yes. I like the idea." Christopher she feels comfortable with. She's not so certain about the others. "Should we ask researchers from the Hearts and Spades, too? Form a Deck-wide rabble rousing committee?"

Edited 2012-02-23 15:36 (UTC)

He's more or less from the Town, and he's fully aware there are many worlds upon this pond they call the Deck. Outsider seems to be the best category because that's how he's chosen to place himself. He's 'safe'. And now he's being pushed into a new world.

No, not pushed, he's stepping into it.

"It's a little different in Town, sometimes. Sure, some students and families get upset. The most sigh and get on with their lives. I've found that families from the Mid-tiers have the most to say on it. It's.. interesting."

Christopher's eyes linger on her fingers for a moment, then dart away. Rude of him. But he does recognize this gesture of nerves. He's seen a hundred nervous ticks in his students as they grow into adults.

"It's unfair of me to put you in the spot. I... knowing Fin, Fin may not enjoy the diplomacy of speaking to researchers and historians and blame is harder to place when there are more heads to point at." He smiles encouragingly. "That's exactly what I'd like to see."

Someday, she'll explain that they're called Outsiders because they're from Outside, not because they aren't an important part of the Deck. Anyone who claims otherwise can try and tell that to her.

Fortunately, she doesn't see the direction of his gaze before she balls her offending hands into fists and shoves them into her pockets. She shakes her head as he continues.

"Y-you didn't put me on the spot. I volunteered. We've obviously been contemplating the same thing." Sophie's lips twitch into a smile when he mentions Fin, and she really, really shouldn't. No, really, but--she starts laughing. "Oh, dear. No. Fin would never be my choice as diplomatic emissary. And there shouldn't be any blame at all. Everyone's pitching in to help the best they can. If someone doesn't like that, then I challenge them to do any better."

She's fierce, is Sophie, when protecting anyone who's not herself. "No one's done that, have they?"

"And I should have..." He sighed and smiled faintly. "I'm being overly cautious on things I don't... I suppose that's a problem of mine. Being cautious and trying not to approach something I know so little of. I'd like to know more and the only way I can is be bold and daring?" The last time he had been bold and daring had been... more often than he thought or considered. "Not taking the book right away to..." He laughed suddenly. "God, I don't even know who to approach besides King Alexander and I'm not nearly as fond of him as I was of Andrew. But I thank you."

He shook his head, "Not that I'm aware of. It would be the first time... in a long time? If at all?"

She smiles at that. "Good. Finger pointers make me want to bite the offending fingers clean off." She ducks her head a bit. "Goodness. I'm really not a vicious person. Promise."

She thinks about the various Royals of all the Suits. "I miss King Andrew. He was a wonderful man. A kind man. Kindness is always underrated. Have you ever noticed?" She tilts her head back and thinks for a moment. "Normally, you'd bring something like this to the attention of the Ace rather than the King or Queen. Maybe the Jack. We've had so many upheavals lately. For the Clubs, I'd honestly say Eileen first, but...maybe Queen Argine? Or Elisha. I don't know Lancelot that well, though he seems perfectly capable."

"I'd suggest Lady Sade for the Diamonds. Avery is new in her position, so is probably busy settling in and Queen Rachel has been ill. The researchers from the other two suits will no doubt know who to take our suggestions to."

“As long as you don't teach that habit to students, I'll pretend you're truly a sweet and capable woman who couldn't hurt a fly.” No, he's aware that someone who would be Ace has skills capable of taking down a fly. But she wouldn't hurt a fly because they were relatively harmless. That he was sure of.

“I miss him too. I've talked to him... once or twice. A short kind word but that was enough to judge. It seems that kindness on the Deck is only rewarded with … unpleasant ends.” He shifts uncomfortably when she begins to talk about the other royals. “I don't known Queen Argine well and... well, there's an unspoken agreement on a few you've spoken to. I can't ask Eileen... maybe Lancelot or Elisha.”

“I don't know how your Lady Sade manages to manage in this state of affairs. … I really don't know anyone in the Hearts who has a researcher persay. I know Wren is approachable as are both their majesties. Jordan Novak is an archivist... he might be our man.” And then he chuckles, “I'm sure one of the Spades will claim to be a researcher.”

The shy smile and a slight pinkening of her cheeks at his comments turn into concern. She reaches out and nearly touches his arm before folding her hands together instead.

"I know it's hard not to think otherwise considering what happened to Andrew, but...but the Deck's not so horrible, is it? I know good people from all Suits and, yes, bad from all. In the end, we're all just people, aren't we?" She can't state her thoughts any better. But she's Deck born, and if the Deck is horrible, then she's horrible. She doesn't want him to think that of her. After a moment she sighs.

"Under the circumstances, no. You shouldn't ask Eileen. It's a shame, though. I'll leave it up to you to talk to the Clubs. Lady Sade's been researching, but so have I. She hates inefficiency, so I'm sure she'll agree. Jordan...." She won't tell him Jordan was a Spade for nearly half his life. "I suppose he's the best one to ask. As for the Spades, if Fin can't give us a name, I'll ask my friend Zoe. She just switched Suites from Hearts to Spades. She'll find out for us if she doesn't know the answer already."

He notices the gesture and his smile warms. “I shouldn't have said the 'Deck'. I think it's just been a long few days for me. Yesterday was an utter nightmare. School parties are horrible things and I hate myself for introducing them eight years ago. “ But then the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. “It's not so much just the Deck, but it often seems that kind people are the ones to suffer for it. No group is entirely bad.” He hears the soft anxiety and for a moment he just realized he insulted her and his home. “The Deck is no different than anywhere else.”

“I refuse to breach trust like that. I'll find someone. I can be a pest when necessary and I'll have to talk to them more. I won't have much choice in the next few days.” He's aware of the Novaks, despite his joke with the Spades, he'll trust Jordan. If only for the fact they have extra have copies to send to the Hearts, just in case. Though if he had to be honest, his best students were often Spades. “That would be wonderful, Sophie.”

"Bet your students loved you for it, though." Her smile fades. "People are people everywhere. And even the kind ones bite when pushed." Does that make her a kind person? Probably not. She'd systematically planned her challenge to occur at the worst possible time. Maybe all that sparring hadn't released all her anger like she'd thought it had.

"Oh, no! Of course you can't approach Eileen. It's not just about abusing trust. I imagine it's important to maintain the teacher/student relationship, and that could become difficult if she never knows when she's supposed to be Eileen the Ace or when she should be Eileen the student. It will fall together, and probably with much less effort than we're using to plan it out."

"Well, the love has been equally distributed in recent years. Ms. Saunders does it better than I do. So professional that it hurts." And with that he gently flicks one of the paper hearts. "They do, it's logical. Kind doesn't entirely mean you allow someone to walk all over you." He considers that as 'nice'.

"Exactly, I don't want to approach her with matters of being an Ace. It's not my job nor my place and I don't think anyone would be too upset if I speak to them about Deck matters instead of Eileen. And if someone disagrees well..." He shrugs again, "If it's not her Mother or Lancelot, I'll simply nod and thank them for their constructive criticism."

Oh, I don't know. I bet they're awfully cute. [She's a little wistful. Gerhardt never celebrated any of the holidays. They hadn't so much made construction paper hearts. They'd learned the history surrounding them, naturally, but never actually celebrated. Kitty would have loved the lace.]

The best comparison to the Deck and Outside I've ever been able to come up with is the military, though we're more than that, of course. But we all live together, have ranks, that sort of thing. And I expect even a--a private?--even a private with important information to share would be welcome.

[She smiles at the paper heart and picks it up.] Do you need help taking everything down or will you be leaving the decorations up for a few days?

Until someone brings the cupcakes. Then Sweet Jesus, they're a force of nature akin to a hurricane. [Christopher has never met Gerhardt, and probably never will. It's just as well, there would be a clash of personalities.] But the smiles are worth it, and they do work hard. Besides, there won't be another reason for a parry until Spring.

[He laughs.] Well, I do respect the military. And it all depends on who is charge, but yes, a private could give important information to share.

I'm keeping it up for a few days. I'll probably take everything down by Friday night.

Spring? You mean Easter? [Sophie rests her chin on her hand and smiles. Christopher can complain all he wants, but it's clear he loves what he does, and probably his students, too.]

[She gives him an encouraging nod.] Exactly. I thought it might help if you looked at the situation that way. It's easy to get caught up by title and rank when you're part of the Deck.

Well, that's a month and a half. That's an eternity for a child and it's going - Was going to be a Spring Party because a few of my students have different faiths. [If he didn't love his students, he wouldn't have remained on deck or in this room.]

It all really depends on the Suit, too. And I have to deal with all the lower ranked families. It's not a bad thing but there is an imbalance of perspective. I suppose I'll see it from the other end, now.

I always thought it would be fun to dance around a May pole.... [Her cheeks glow pink.] ...until I read about the symbolism when I was older. I suppose parents might balk at that. What would you do for a Spring Party?

[She stretches out her legs a little, staring at her feet before looking at him.] We're all people. Some will stand on rank and position, but I suspect that's the same all over. The wisest realize that it's the person who matters, not the number.

It depends on what you read. [He grins.] Some people say it's simply the axis of the world is celebrated and others say it's for the worship of Priapus. I'll go with axis of the world, since it's Germanic in tradition and Pripaus is Roman... and we know how Romans and Germanic Tribes got along. Not entirely swimmingly.

But it wouldn't be the first time a holiday is sanitized. [He gently lifts a purple heart then smiles.] A garden party, quite literally. Lemonade, sugar cookies, and planting vegetables to give the next class a a headache to harvest next year.

Of course. I'm melancholy because of such a busy years, month... week. It's nice to sound it out. Thank you for letting me do that, Sophie.

That's, um, probably a good idea. I'll remember that. [Oh, dear. She lifts her hands briefly to her cheeks. She flounders for a change of subject. Spring. Parties. What--?] Bugs. Have a bug hunt? Only...don't keep them. We used to catch ladybugs. No one ever told us they're carnivorous. Poor things. [She gives him a shy smile.]

I--I'm glad you did. I think quiet people sometimes bundle too much up inside. It feels good to have a plan of action. Thank you for listening to me rattle on.

[He looks away, politely. He sees it as a clinical thing rather than... anything more than that. Simple words.] A bug hunt where we release them at the end of the day. [He smiles gently at her, and it's only a second later he realizes it's probably the same smile he gives his students.]

You're welcome, it was no problem. So... we should... plan something in the near future.

[It's not the subject matter that flustered her, but the company. She doesn't notice the smile. Her hands are more interesting.]

When my challenge is over. I'm being terribly careful. The judges haven't been finalized and I want to make sure I stay out of the path of any of the candidates. It...it's too important. I don't want someone crying foul after.

Of course. We can't do much until the diary is translated. And if we're still waiting for your challenge, I'll do photocopies of whatever Fin's written and make sure they're protected. And then I'm returning the book to you and begging you to put it somewhere safe.

Fin won't like it, but the diary should be locked up someplace incredibly safe whenever he's not working on it. If word got out--

[Christopher sees that, doesn't he? If the Arcana somehow learned of it? She starts to pick up the paper hearts that have spilled across his desk and the floor.]

I suppose there's no need to borrow trouble. Let me help you straighten this up so you can get home at a reasonable hour.

Eileen did not particularly like being caught off-guard. Fortunately, for all the training she'd been put through her entire life--physical and mental and emotional--she rarely was. It tended to be little things, really, that caught her unawares... and horribly big things, but there seemed to be no helping that.

She had not expected Lance to inform her that Christopher Kahl was going to be taking over for a few of her tutors.

Perhaps she should have. She had complained about the Four teaching her literary theory. She had informed him that yes, she did sit still and listen better for Mr Kahl because he didn't torment her with infantile behaviour. Still, as she slips through the school looking for Mr Kahl, she can't help feeling that she didn't expected it.

Or expect to feel oddly guilty about it.

She can find that even at 5 o'clock that the door to Mr. Kahl's classroom is still open, though he hasn't seen students today. He's found himself going over his students notes on their behaviors, those who meshed well and who meshed too well, the students with Special Needs that he managed to figure out with the resources the Deck had available, the students with parents to watch out for. By the time he was done, the substitute teacher would be spoiled.

In theory.

He looks up when he hears the sounds of footsteps. It's not entirely uncommon in the Elementary wing of the school at this hour but usually the footsteps belong to a teacher or staff. Not to the young Ace who seems to be peeking in the classroom across from his. He sets his composition notebook down as well as his pen. "Eileen?"

(ooc - You do realize because of that guilt, Christopher is going to be glad he's make this choice.)

She's been in the school once or twice before, visiting, looking in wonder and awe at the classrooms and sheer numbers of students learning together. It seemed magical then--still does now. But it's not her life. Nothing in Town is Eileen's life, not really. She's never known what to make of it. Turning twelve hadn't brought more clarity.

Her head snaps slightly from examining a poster on the wall to look across the hall. She manages a flicker of a smile as she crosses to the correct door and stays lingering just outside, as if uncertain of actual invitation.

"Mr Kahl." Her fingers link together behind her back instead of in front of herself, a gesture of worry rather than thought. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

He recalls the visits because apparently everyone else but Christopher believes the children wouldn't behave if they didn't prepare. You set high expectations and you'll be amazed and what they could do under pressure.

He observes her body language and for a moment he's uncertain because it's not good form to have a student in the classroom when it's simple them and you. But then Christopher realizes this will be the norm in a week and a half, and if Lance trusts him then things will be fine. "Come in, Eileen."

The tall man smiles and gently shakes his head, "I'm only keeping myself busy right now. Interruptions would be welcomed." He'll come to know what that gesture means in the future though he does notice her hesitancy.

Despite her child's stature and youthful voice, Eileen's always managed to carry off some level of authority in her movements, honed properly from being an Ace since the age of six. Here, however, she falters just a hair, slipping almost apologetically for the moment into the classroom to set her fingers on the edge of his desk. The lip between her teeth is brief.

"It only... seemed right to come see you. Lancelot just informed me."

Of course he'd be here, packing up the life she was inadvertently taking him from.

As she approaches, the young Ace might see there is a tiredness to the teacher's eyes though it's more due to the conversation of prior. He notices the cast of sorrow and guilt in her tone, in her expression. She's young and despite being raised from such a young age to be Ace, she's still a child. In a few more years, she can be unreadable if she chooses to be.

"I thought he would tell you sooner, to be honest."

But right now, she can't hide her guilt very well. He takes a deep and even breath. Easier to talk about this instead of dancing around. She never liked being treated like a child and he wouldn't start now, "I chose this Eileen. My thoughts, my considerations. No one pressured me."

That's part of the deal--he'll catch the worry on her face, she'll catch the tired in his. Nothing to be done about it.

"I had hoped so." Because she might not know him like the back of her hand--not the way she knew Lance, knew Elisha--but the idea of him being pressured into working with her had been a weight between her shoulder-blades. It's eased marginally as she sets her attention on his desk, glancing over things, taking things in, trained beyond the point of thought. "I suspect the quality of instruction would have suffered if you'd had your hand forced."

The lovely thing is that Christopher can do something about her worry. Not much can be said about his exhaustion other than a good night's rest. She's not the one to cause it.

"You didn't know so?" But then this could be unexpected. For six years the young Ace has been trained and for six years he's remained under the radar. Outsider. Dedicated. His expertise was focused on another comprehension level. That was one reason why he started to entertain the young Ace in answering her questions when she had turned ten. Safe enough. "The Lord Jack is reasonable as a parent can be,"

Like Christopher, there's so little that can be read on his desk. Orderly, neat, a few teacher knickknacks, all so very generic. The only thing personalized is a photo of last years' class that will go in an album next year and his current class's photo will be placed in a frame. "You would be correct, the quality of anything forced will be questionable to be considered one's best."

"Always knowing things looks so pretentious, especially on children, I'm told." There isn't the usual spark behind her words, the actual blip of precociousness, not yet. It's still a touch unreal, a touch nervous, a touch like she's done something wrong even as her shoulders continue to relax back to where they belong.

There's nothing to fidget with. Thankfully, she's not a horrible fidgeter. Her eyes make the trip back up to his face.

"I did... I wanted to thank you, Mr Kahl."

"It can. But I would think the Lord Jack is someone you know and trust well. I don't think he acted out of character in asking me or encouraging me to accept the role. He spoke as a parent, not as a Jack." He's not at all sure if those words will ease the guilt. "And I saw some sense to his words. It's one thing to tutor a child of a spoiled family. I don't know what's going to happen when I'm done with them or when they're done with me. I don't know the family culture by heart like some here."

His face is how it usually is save dark circles. Patience and calmness as he speaks to a student. "I know the clay the Ace is made from, I know her personality, I know the people she considers her family and what they've done to help so far. I know what I'm working with and what the end result could be. I could help a brilliant child who can help others."

There's a worn smile, but one of his real ones. "You're welcome. To be honest... I'm intimidated."

If the continued reference to Lancelot as 'parent' make her eyes a little distant, it's only a brief and thoughtless thing. He is, really, of course. It's just odd to hear it so crystallized from others.

But genuine smiles can't help being met with genuine smiles, even as her head bobs slightly again.

"Please don't be. I won't actually turn into a horrid, disobedient monster just because you've to see me more often, Mr Kahl."

He chuckles faintly as he folds his hands neatly before him. "Well... it's not so much you becoming a sudden monster. I don't expect that at all. I expect you'll be the inquisitive young woman you usually are. I'm just afraid I might fail you." He's not so concerned about like. That part of the working relationship has happened.

"An incredibly doubtful hypothesis, Mr Kahl, but I suppose we'd be remiss if we didn't test it." And the tension is gone. She'll likely flutter a bit through their first few lessons, be distracted by the impulse to scan his face and be certain she's not a horrible burden.

But for now, she trusts that what's done is done well, and hold out her hand to him with a pleased little smile.

"Very doubtful, but I'm very much a human being with... flaws. But I tend to be honest about them for the most part." And he relaxes when he sees just the ease on her face. "So a test run it will be." She won't be a burden. She will be a challenge, and that makes all the difference in the world.

He takes the offered hand gently and gives it a firm shake, the smile a touch warn but for the first time since Sunday, he feels hopeful.

Or maybe it's been longer than that.

Intended for onlytolerable

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Edited! :D

:D!

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Productive Guilt! Yay!

It's amazing stuff.

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