houseofcards_rp | [For Katya] Unexpected Visitors

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[For Katya] Unexpected Visitors

Even just a day away from everything was centering, and by dusk on Saturday night, Elisha was feeling much more...even than he had been. New plans and ideas were buzzing in his head, and while he'd promised to spend a weekend away from his work, his work was still on his mind.

Still, he'd gotten out a sketchpad and settled on the couch in the cabin he'd taken for the weekend, ready to turn off his brain and get to work on other work - a mural of Israel for Elani's festival, maybe a general world culture mural too. But then his phone rang.

It took a second for his brain to start translating the Russian, but the name Athena snapped his mind to attention. He'd left after she'd arrived, so he knew, of course. And was just as glad not to be anywhere near the inevitable Spade explosion.

"Why don't you come out here," he said after a moment in fluid Russian - still accented with Israeli, as it always was with that language. "I've got steaks. And vodka."

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She should not leave her Suit. David is due back and he and Julien will be killing one another. There are outpost problems and arcana and insubordinate Numbers and Victor thinking to turn into J. Edgar Hoover and Chives requesting kisses and--and it is too much. If Julien can drown himself in alcohol and David run off Deck, then Katya can take one night for herself.

"I will. They can be killing themselves for one night. I lost my temper, Ilyusha, and you know that does not often happen." She leans her head against the wall and closes her eyes, relaxing already. "I will bring you surprise. Do not be starting without me. I will be very cross."

A note for Declan--no repeat of David's disappearance for her--a change of clothes, toothbrush and other necessities stuffed into her bag, and she and the Porsche Turbo are showing their backs to the Spades for at least an evening.

"Oh, Katinka," he says. If he was in person and at Spade Castle he'd probably have to remember to be more formal with their Queen. "I promise, the only thing I'll start without you is the marinade."

And he keeps his promise there. By the time he hears the Porsche roaring up to the cabin the steaks have been soaking in scotch, dijon and worcestershire for half an hour and are about ready for the grill he's getting charcoal out for.

And as promised, she has brought him present, handing over bottle of Glenfidditch--and a kiss on the cheek--once door opens.

"You are lifesaver, Ilyushenka. I am sure I would be killing someone if I am not getting away. You did not mention dessert. I have brought strawberries and cream."

Elisha smiles and kisses Katya back - also just on the cheek - before beckoning her inside. "Dessert wasn't high on my list of priorities when I was shopping for this," he says, "so that sounds perfect." There will also be baked potatoes and salad that they can eat on the deck behind the house.

"Come on through and tell me about the storm damage," he says. "I was about to put the steaks on."

She follows him into kitchen. It is not first time they have prepared meal together, though she looks around the rooms of the house with interest.

"I am running away," she tells him as she begins to open drawers in search of bowl and whisk. "It seemed wise after breaking things. Chives will be giving me a Look.." It is easy to fall into old patter, to make light of things serious. She spots a blender--much better--and sets about making whipped cream. The bowl she places in the freezer to chill.

"It is as expected. Julien looks like thundercloud--" She screws her face into an approximate Julien glower. "Castle is buzzing. Everyone is looking awaiting Queen showdown like they are at dog fight and two bitches have been thrown in ring."

He knows dogs, yes? Bitches fight to kill. Dogs do not. She laughs at comparison. "Perhaps they are half right." She does not mention her talk with Athena or invisible target she feels between her shoulder blades.

"It is well David is away." She does not wish to be dealing with Ace and King once more.

He smirks a little as he wraps potatoes in foil and seasons fresh off the cob corn. "That makes two of us," he says. "I imagine you can guess what Alexander is using Lance's death as an excuse to do." Further militarize the Clubs, of course. Or try. Their new Jack wouldn't let him, and Elisha had spent the year stripping as much authority as he could from the autocratic King of Clubs.

"I doubt you'll give her the satisfaction of making it public," he adds. But then he listens more, and leans against the counter, tipping his head to one side. "You've called David, I assume?" Because if the King of Spades was forewarned...the explosion would be much less.

She would not be surprised to learn Alexander had sent Lancelot to outposts with just such an outcome in mind. Or perhaps not. That would require planning.

"You should do something about him, my friend, or it will be you next." Katya transfers the newly whipped cream to the chilled bowl, covers it and washes out blender. A quick search finds paring knife and she sets to work hulling strawberries.

"David learned of her return nearly as soon as I did." Let him wonder whether she had called him or whether David's much vaunted spies had already had news. "And we have a Two regretting he took word first to Julien instead of me."

She turns around and pops a sweet, red strawberry on her tongue. "Ah, that is good. I have had enough of putting out fires. And you? I am surprised to find you here instead of elsewhere."

With his little Sweet Heart, perhaps.

That sort of thing was more in tune with Elisha's own thought process, and Alexander's mind as they'd seen time and time again...just didn't work this way. Which, he supposed, had ultimately been to Elisha's advantage.

"Hmm," he murmured noncommittally, possibly because Katya's words hit a bit too close to what he was already moving towards. They'd have to see what happened, but for now - well, Elisha would focus on the present.

"The same, really." He pushes open the door and raises his voice to be heard through the open window. "The Deck's been burning all spring." Andrea being the most ridiculous and ravenous fire. "I decided to take a few days away from it. I'll be back Monday morning."

She toes off her shoes, sliding them under the lower cabinets so they're out of her way. it has been trying year, but it is not politic to say so. She had liked Andrew in his way.

"Monday. I must return tomorrow. David is away. No rest for wicked." She finishes the strawberries, dribbles sugar over top and puts them in refrigerator.

"I am surprised you are here alone," she tells him, padding onto patio. "Shall I make you drink?"

Andrew was what the Clubs had needed. Whoever had decided to rid the Clubs of him had destabilized the entire Suit - which, indeed, may have been the intention - and brought them to the current situation.

"And that's why you couldn't pay me to be a royal," he says lightly. Which is the truth, but also a lie. He'll do it if he's needed.

"I wanted time away from everyone," he says with an amused look. "A scotch, if you don't mind."

"There is pay? Why is no one telling me that?" Her chuckle drifts on the air as she returns with their drinks.

"Poor Ilyusha. I feel I should console you for interrupting your away time. I am sure we can be finding something more interesting to discuss than Alexander."

Or Athena.

There must have been things they talked about before they had pain in the ass royals to gripe over. Elisha smirks as he slides the steaks and the corn onto the grill.

"Did Elani catch you for the cultural festival she's planning?" he asks. "I think she hit me up first, possibly." And then he'd sent her over to Spade Castle to ~~bother Victor~~ recruit volunteers.

Art. They had spoken of art back when he was eccentric artist and had discovered her painting pysanky. Then they had become Tens and talk had switched to need to throttle royals.

It is Katya's turn to smirk. "Can you imagine me stuck behind booth all day? There are other Russians. I will send one to her. And you? Give krav maga demonstration. That would be different than what they will be expecting from Israel."

"I should have asked you for lessons all those years ago when you said I should branch out from my eggs." She looks at him fondly.

He remembers those days. He hasn't gotten to regale anyone with a ridiculous made up story about waterfowl in over a year. Maybe that's what's been lacking in his life of late.

"Oh, but I'd need a volunteer," Elisha says. "And Noah still hasn't forgiven me for knocking him down to Six." He pauses. "Or the broken wrist and dislocated knee, I suppose."

He smiles over at her. "Perhaps if things ever calm down, we can still do lessons. Or even if they don't. You have to make time for these things."

Katya smirks. She had not attended that challenge, though she knew Noah well. She can imagine his shock that "namby pamby finger painter" had demolished him. "I sometimes think Deck pays far too much attention to weaponry and not enough to hand-to-hand. There are very few who offer sparring challenge."

"Time to smell the turpentine, Ilyusha? You make good point. There is too much tradition to pysanky and not enough room for expression. You would help me express myself?"

She might not be speaking solely of painting.

Elisha had done his hiding well in the Clubs. People had been worried for him when he challenged to Eight right after Andrew's assassination. And then he'd destroyed Noah, and they looked at him differently. Jared hadn't fared much better in knife-fighting, but then Elisha had spent years sparring with Victor Fox. Getting through those matches with a minimum of blood involved becoming very good.

"They like their swords on the Deck," he agrees. "Do you get bored with the parade of sword challenges in the Spades?"

Then he smiles a little. They used to flirt like this all the time, and it would go to it's natural conclusion. Somehow...he didn't want it to. Perhaps Katya had been right about he and Hadyn. "In art," he says. "I'd help you express yourself."

"I will hold you to that promise." The satisfied flash of her smile says he's confirmed something she'd only guessed at. "I did warn you, my friend. I am happy for you." They were friends, yes? She will be just as happy with a night of conversation and harmless flirting and his couch, though Haydn's absence now seems all the stranger.

"I had an odd request not long ago," she tells him, deciding to share since he had. "I do not know what to make of it."

"You did indeed." And he had some apologizing - and possibly maneuvering - to do when he got back, but he'd needed some time.

Some harmless flirting wouldn't hurt either.

He raises an eyebrow as he turns the steaks on the grill. "An odd request?" he asks. "What was it?"

The night air rings with her delighted laughter. "Oh, Ilyusha! Never change, zaichik. Take off your Ten face. I am not spilling state secrets.

"No, no, but it is very odd, you see. A kiss." She shrugs and sips her drink. "For birthday present--on cheek, very chaste. Had it been from anyone else I would suspect attempt to curry favor. It leaves me quite perplexed."

"A man can always hope, can't they?" Elisha says, but he just shrugs his shoulders. "A kiss, hm? Well, you are a very lovely woman, Katinka," he says.

"Perhaps this person is harboring a crush on his lady Queen." It was one of hers, wasn't it? Not that the Katya Fan Club couldn't be far-reaching.

"You may laugh, but it is all very strange. Men usually ask for more than to kiss cheek. That is something I can handle. I do not know how to stand on pedestal."

One corner of her mouth lifts in a wry smell.

"But I am certain I know how to topple off."

"And who is your adoring admirer," Elisha asks, stepping back from the grill to get the plates. "One of the younger Spades with a serious case of heroine worship?"

But he smiles. "Toppling down has always seemed like the easy part. The perch gets more precarious the higher you go."

"Exactly! This is why I am so good at toppling off, yes? It is also harder to stay put when one is liking high heels the way I do." One cannot rise much higher than Queen.

Katya tilts her head. "You are not to be gossiping like old woman, Ilyusha. I know you. I do not mind for myself, but other person involved would be devastated."

Once she receives acquiescence, she continues.

"Declan--Chives."

"You know I don't talk if there's no reason to." And this wasn't exactly something to be used as leverage for any of his usual maneuvering.

Especially not given who it ended up being, Elisha thinks as he blinks. "Your butler?" he says, tipping his head to one side. "That...is an odd request."

She waves a hand at him. "Do not sap all fun out of teasing you. And yes, my butler. I suspect he sees Queen more than Katya. I will disappoint him one day." This last she says a trifle sadly. Declan is one of few she can relax around. That will change once she no longer dazzles.

"Maybe you underestimate him," Elisha offers as he takes the steaks and vegetables off the grill. They'll have to rest of course. Enough time for more scotch. "It's possible he sees both the Queen and Katya, and likes both."

"Perhaps. Such things become more difficult the higher one climbs. Have you ever taken up with another Club?"

He has to stop and think about that. He hadn't slept with anyone the first couple of years. "A...few," he says. "Not in some time, though, I have to admit. It's nice to be able go home to another building."

Katya hunts in Elisha's cabinets and drawers until she locates plates and cutlery.

"This is true. No fighting for covers. No searching for wash room in dark. I find higher one rises, same suit becomes more difficult. There is always risk of pressure where it is not intended."

And the coat tail climbers, of course, though those are easy enough to spot.

"I found that myself." Opportunities for dating in the Clubs sort of dried up about the time he cut down Noah in one of the shortest krav maga fights he'd ever been in. And there's the fact that when you're in the same Castle it starts to feel pointless to walk down the hall to sleep.

And then suddenly you're living together. "But fortunately I always have the Spades and Hearts to turn to, right?"

"You never know, Ilyusha." Katya readies the salad, her tone teasing. "I am fickle woman. Victor, I think, you can always come home to. Do not be forgetting Diamonds. I understand their Jack is fond of dark men."

Jacks and Aces, Elisha, have all the fun.

"Oh, but he's left me for another woman," Elisha says as he slices the steak and piles pieces on a plate. "And given that she had me evicted while he was in the infirmary, I'm not sure I can count on his solace."

A shame, in that case, that Alexander and Argine didn't see fit to name him Jack. But then - he wasn't really surprised.

Katya tsks. "And she will not share? That is very bad of her. Poor, zaichik. If that is case I will have no choice but to console you. Perhaps I will take you shoe shopping."

"Some girls are just terribly possessive," Elisha muses and hands Katya the steak. "Nothing to be done about it. And I'm always glad to escort you on your trips to make the shopkeepers very happy." Even if shopping was mostly a required endeavor that he happened to be good at.

Katya sets the platter on top of the gathered dishes and carries everything to the table. "Ilyusha, I would not make you go shopping--unless it was for weapons. You are no fun to tease if you accept your fate so easily.

"Though I do not see why you do not enjoy shoes."

"You're a goddess, Katinka, truly." And he grins as they sit at the patio table. "It's just that the interesting ones don't come in my size."

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