He doesn't grieve well

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

There was more than one problem with Lance's death.

The biggest one being that when Julien felt...well, felt too much, it was always Lancelot he ended up finding and needling and fighting. Sometimes talking, true. But more than a few of Julien's scars came at the Jack of Clubs' hands.

He'd re-paid that favor, of course.

But now the man is dead. Or gone. Both. And there's no one suitable to vent his rage on. No one worthy. Oh, David, perhaps, if he wanted to tear the Spades to shreds. And he doesn't. Victor maybe...if the man weren't still currently a cripple. He'd even briefly considered the King of Clubs, make it into something of a tradition, and the only thing that had stopped him was his utter contempt for the man.

So instead he's hidden himself away in some un-used room in the Castle with little in the way of furnishings, save an old, threadbare couch. And a few bottles of truly terrible whiskey, of the sort that set your insides on fire as it went down. Julien tended to believe that if you were going to get drunk, it was best to do so with something that hurt.

Come find the Ace of Spades at your own risk.

Comments

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

It's a grand tradition you're interrupting, Nico. If he's going to get drunk, he'll do it with something terrible. And he's well on his way to drunk.

"No....not really."

He turned and looked over the back of the couch at Nicholas, his expression clearly stating how the hell did you find me?

"Why're you here?"

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

He has his ways, Julien. You don't live the sort of life that he has lived - survive as many attempts on his life as he has - without picking up a few things.

"I was concerned." Which is true to an extent; Julien, as their Ace, is vital to the running of the Suit but he is also a man when it comes right down to it. One that has experienced a rather significant loss - on top of yet another loss, one that it is unlikely that he has dealt with.

"However," he says as he sets down the bottle. "You appear to be busy. So perhaps I shall simply take my leave."

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

Julien let out a short, sardonic, bark of laughter. "Concerned about me, Nico? Why do I find that hard to believe?"

Concern for the Suit he might find more believable. Or at least understandable. He cares about the Suit, too, after all. Which is why he's here instead of rampaging through the Castle.

"You should stay. Have a drink."

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

"I assure you that no one is more shocked than I." There's a flash of a grin, one that shows far too many teeth.

"But, if my Lord insists. Who am I to say no?"

And, really, one could probably have far worse company when drinking themselves into oblivion.

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

That's quite alright, most of Julien's grins tend to show far too many teeth as well, so they're in good company. So to speak.

"No one, Nicholas. No one at all," but he'll shift enough so that the other man can sit down.

It's probably good he's brought his own bottle. Julien doesn't look inclined to share.

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

Nico's absolutely fine with that.

He will, however, raise his bottle in a silent toast. This is one of those evenings that the less said the better.

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

Julien takes a long swallow from his bottle, grimacing as it goes down.

"What do you think about them, then?" as he waved toward the one window which just happened to provide a view of the Arcana Embassy.

Because getting drunk and contemplating torching the damn thing was such a good way to pass the time.

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

Them -- oh, the Arcana.

"I've yet to have the pleasure." He'd been concentrating on matters a little closer to home, after all. Perhaps this would change soon.

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

"Maybe you should."

Not that he'd call it a pleasure, but that's obvious enough from his tone.

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps I will."

Once he'd gotten a few of the other things out of the way -- Eli, first, since he was the most immediate issue. Andrea next, though that could probably wait a little while longer. "Though I'll admit I have heard some interesting stories."

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

"B'lieve everyone has."

And he's not particularly in the mood for stories right now, Nico. Unless they go something like, and the Arcana's greatest weakness is....

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

"However," he adds almost as an afterthought before he takes a swig of his own drink. "It does lack a certain balance, the five Castles."

And it probably says something about him that this, more than anything, is what he would notice.

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

Julien cuts a sidelong look over at Nico that clearly says that's something I'm supposed to care about?

And then he drinks some more. Because that doesn't even deserve a verbal response.