houseofcards_rp | Intended for onlytolerable

On Monday morning, Christopher Kahl informed the principle of his agreement with the Lord Jack in tutoring the Lady Ace for the rest of the year. While there had been dead silence at the time, whispers somehow to manage to float about in the Faculty room by the time the day ended. He managed to keep it from the students until the day after Valentines because the last thing he wanted to do was add to the chaos of a School Party Day.

When he finally announced to them Wednesday morning turning Morning Meeting, the children took it very well. They were Deck-born for the most part or Deck-raised. If a Face Card asks, you do it, it's how it goes. A simple shrug, worries about their substitute that would be coming within a week and a half, they didn't quite understand. Lancelot was a parent, but understandable.

Christopher said yes to tutoring Eileen because he wanted to. After a decade of telling so many others, 'no'.

They don't know how hard it is and nor do they don't guess. Practiced smile, reminder there will still be an essay due next week, a promise to keep up with Chess Club, and it's all fine. Teachers are truly the best lairs because not one can even guess how much this is eating his stomach. When his students leave at 2:55, he continues his work on getting the classroom prepared for the substitute and for a visitor. He'd rather this conversation not be over heard. Not until Fin was done with the book.

(ooc: While intended for Sophie, others who want to talk to Christopher can.)

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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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