[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]

"Oh, yes, Get Jordan Drunk Night," Jordan says dryly as he sets up another shot. "An abysmal failure on that front, I'm afraid." Jordan didn't get drunk, but Andrea had inspired the urge, at least. "Are you going to send one to Sieben, too?" He's just kind of curious.

He'd be hurt if he knew that. Mildly, at least, though honestly - he's not expecting to be named to the post. He wasn't named last time, he wasn't named Ace, and he does some of the most work in the Suit. But he's also...Jordan Novak, and while Ceiro ironically gives him the benefit of the doubt, he doesn't think Judith has ever liked him very much. They're close to the same age, after all.

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

She's only been drunk, seriously, seriously, drunk a handful of times. One time was two nights before she challenged for Ten and she's fairly sure she smashed up a few good vases of a friend. "No, I got to take home a few people and made sure they ended up in their bed." Meghana looks aghast for a moment but starts to laugh, "There are rumors about the Jack, and there are other rumors about the Jack. I don't want to see if any of those rumors are true." She's been poisoned once before, it is not happening again if the rumors are true. "I'm only sharing the pictures with non-Spades."

She doesn't even know why the idea unsettles her. Perhaps it's own annoyance she never got to challenge for Jack. Judith is... a strange woman, really. But she might be wiser than Meghana gives her credit for. "Hey, I was thinking.." She brushes back a stray hair. "If Ethan had a get Jordan Drunk Night... can I have a 'take Jordan out to Dinner' night?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

He's been seriously drunk once. He was sixteen, and didn't care much for the feeling of it. "That sounds fun," he says dryly. "My brother got carried home by whatever he calls Elisha Kagan." Boyfriend? Probably not. Hadyn's not exactly one for commitment. Of course, neither is Jordan.

Which is part of why he blinks and surprise at Meghana's question. Judith is a strange woman. So's Meghana, given he'd not expected that. "I have a lot less objections to a 'take Jordan out to Dinner' night than Ethan's Get Jordan Drunk night," he says slowly. "I can't think of any, actually."

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

"Oh, it was fabulous. No wonder Diana was pissed." She rubs her temple and gives a slight nod. Kegan. Six when she was gone. Ten when she came back. Someone was busy.

If you think you're confused, Jordan, look at Meghana. Or not. A polite smile for right now as she flicks thought in her mind. Why did she ask that? Why did she want that? How many Diamond and Heart girls did she hear about? "I mean, theoretical and all? I mean, I can't be sure if someone wants to do that or not. Probably not Ethan. No, not Ethan."

Goddamnit, she was 27. She left trails of hearts. What is this?

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Elisha Kagan had done it in three months, too, making all of the people who took pride in knowing what everyone else was sit up, take notice and recalculate.

She heard about a lot of Heart and Diamond girls. A few Clubs, too, even one or two Spades. But Jordan is just smiling, slowly, the dimples deepening in his cheeks. "Ethan's definitely not interested in Take Jordan Out To Dinner Night," he says. "Someone else will have to do it."

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

Who hasn't? Rumors and trails.

Her hands, nails painted pearl white, quietly running her fingertips over the chair's back. Meghana gives him a smile, flits his gaze away, "Rumors are so cruel about you two. Who should I listen to? You or them?" She then rests her elbow on the back of the chair to study him a moment longer with amused eyes, "Are there girls left on the Deck that wouldn't be a repeat, Mr. Novak?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"Both, obviously," Jordan says. "And then come to your own conclusions." He shoots another ball, and then straightens. "There's a few girls," he adds.

"There's you."

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

"I kinda am used to being in the minority, y'know." But she doesn't look away. She smiles, more amused than anything, "But didn't you give up on this crusade hmm... when you were 20?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"Five years ago," he agrees. "I was busy being a responsible adult. But maybe I want to try again."

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

"And I have heard each and everyone of those attempts of adulthood in the real of romantic context since then, y'know." She looks curious for a moment, trying to study his reaction. "Though they have more bittersweet endings than sour."

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Jordan lifts his eyebrows, and then shrugs. "I'm not a heartbreaker, Meghana."

[wiredspade.livejournal.com]

"And if I really thought you were, this conversation wouldn't have gotten to this point. I fucking hate beating around the Bush." She keeps her gaze on him, "So... May I take you out for dinner, Jordan?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Jordan's lips curved up and he inclines his head. "Why, Meghana," he says. "Yes, you may."