[OTA] Just another game

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

He'd been laying low, keeping quiet for...several days, really, though he'd started giving serious consideration to Ceiro's offhand idea about a museum for the assorted in-storage artifacts he'd spent way too many years organizing and cataloging. And that was odd for him, to be giving credence to the ideas of a man he'd been planning to replace as long as he'd been king. But there it was.

For now, however, Jordan was down at the Four Suits, alone. He had bourbon, though not enough to get him drunk, of course; a pool cue and the table to himself. It was a good way to deal with some of the recent stress without looking like he was dealing with the recent stress - there was something satisfying about the sound of the balls knocking together, but to all the world it looked like he was just playing a game. And honestly, in a lot of ways? Jordan was always playing some sort of game.

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[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Jordan shrugged, his expression still faintly amused.as he took up position on one side of the table. "Perhaps, then, some of them shouldn't get into situations where young ladies have the inclination to prank them." He tapped his cue on the floor and shrugged.

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

"That would be clever of them, yes." Davin shrugged in return and did the breaking of the balls.

"Or perhaps at least ensure that their guards feel a little more motivated to prevent the pranking from occurring."

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure the guards are in a tizzy over it." Jordan just raised his eyebrows, though, as his uncle started methodically sinking balls. "But maybe it can be an informative lesson for them."

He'd be watching awhile, he thought, and tipped his head to one side. "I think it's nearly time to challenge for Ten." After all, it doesn't seem like Wren's promotion plan will likely be coming to pass."

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

"It's so easy for them to get in a tizzy, I find." Not that Davin would ever do anything like that on purpose. Well, not overtly, at any rate.

He hissed a little as he just misses a pocket and gestures grandly for Jordan to take his turn. "Do you? Have someone in mind?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Jordan's smirk flashed for a moment before he started circling the table for the best shot, and he took it, sinking a ball into a corner pocket before speaking. "Blythe Merrick," he said. "She'd prefer knives, but I have doubts that a knife-fighting challenge would win approval." He'd still ask, of course, but there was no reason he shouldn't prepare for a more Ceiro-friendly contest.

Badminton, perhaps. Or Candyland. The king would likely love that idea.

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

Davin leaned against the nearby wall, watching Jordan play as he waited for his turn to come again. "Oh, but if you both have some skill with knives, it's not as if you're asking for an unfair Challenge."

But if he suggested Candyland, he'd at least get a laugh out of his uncle.

"And isn't the Queen of Hearts a bit more...martially-minded than her husband?" Or at least, he'd heard about Judith's warhammer.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"Judith's always been something of a warrior," Jordan agreed as he worked his way around the table. "And it's her I'll ask, of course. But Blythe is something of a protege of hers, and I've never gotten the feeling that she cared much for me."

And of course, half the reason he'd ask Judith is to see if - should she deny the request, of course - she bothered coming up with any reason for it. General distrust didn't strike him as a realistic one to give, though Judith certainly felt that; Jordan was observant enough to to catch that kind of air to an interaction.

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

Davin tilted his head curiously, "and if she turns you down, will you ask the King? What will you do if they both say no?"

He paused a beat, possibly timing it to just as Jordan was about to make another hit, "perhaps you could ask to challenge her in Simon Says."

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

...Well, that one ricocheted, and Jordan lifted his eyes to meet his uncle's for a moment before giving into laughter. "Exactly their kind of thing," he said dryly, "and Blythe would definitely be surprised."

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

Davin flashed Jordan a grin before starting his turn. "It might be worth it just for that...if you can get the right person to be 'Simon', that is."

Someone who wasn't obviously biased, anyway.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"It's always about the right people," Jordan said, leaning against the table. That was a lesson long ago learned, after all, long before they'd even left the Spades. "I suppose some sort of impartial judge would be wise."

Well. Impartial.

[so-complicit.livejournal.com]

"If you wish to avoid any accusations of cheating," he agreed as he sank another ball.

"Something to consider, anyway."

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"It's probably best." To appear to be completely wholesome, on the up-and-up, et cetera.

As much as possible, at any rate.