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.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

Intended for onlytolerable

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