OTA

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

She needs a breather.

Finally- finally- work is down to a level where she'd consider herself able to leave the rest to others. Stress relief is called for.

It is called for in the form of throwing knives at things. Yes.

[ooc: Catch her on the way to or at the training grounds.]

Comments

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

"I would have thought her overqualified." Thud. But under-experienced, if David was anything to go by. "Adjusting well, I suppose?" Her tone is bland enough to make it unclear whether she refers to the Jack or the Suit.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps. But the Hearts already have a Queen." And the thought of Athena as Queen was slightly disturbing - and not only for their plans, but for the Hearts in general. As Jack...she could be used. Mother assured him.

"It seems so," he answers calmly. "Hearts are resilient." It was yet to be seen if Athena had that particular trait, of course.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

There's a mild quirk as she lets the next knife fly. That's a quality more often assigned to the Diamonds, but she won't quibble. "True. How is Judith, then? Receiving her sister's return well?"

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Ah, but the Hearts can't completely be the fluffy, happy bunnies of the Deck, no matter how much they acted like it. "She's very happy about it," Jordan says with a faint smile.

"I daresay she couldn't imagine a better Jack of Hearts."

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

"Mmm." Aim. "Certainly that's why she chose Athena." Release. Thud. "One less thing to worry about while caring for the little prince."

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"That's certainly a high priority for Her Majesty." Perhaps the priority? He wouldn't comment on her devotion to the Hearts, of course, but certainly Ceiro has been more in evidence in recent months.

And certainly it's well-known that Judith hadn't really wanted to be Queen.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

"You'd know better than I." She pauses in her aiming, straightening a moment so she can turn her head and gauge him properly. "What do you think of your new Jack, then?"

She doubts he'll be honest. But that's what comes where different Suits are concerned.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Jordan Novak is rarely completely honest with anyone but his family, and even then he has a tendency to prevaricate. They just know where the lines are to read between them. But it's still more honest than one might expect.

"I think it's too soon to tell, milady," he says. "She's only been in office a few weeks and I'm not exactly intimately familiar with her work as Queen of Spades." Because there hadn't been much to be familiar with, more than anything else.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

Her mouth tugs sideways, less than a smile when her lips are pressed so thin. "Wait and see. With the current situation, I think there are several ways for her to display her abilities." Or lack thereof. Athena had been Queen longer than Säde has been Ace, but Säde's rather pridefully sure that she's accomplished more than Athena.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"I'm certain there are, and that Athena will find the one that suits her best." Which can be taken so many ways. But Athena had always been interesting to watch. Even if...less than completely impressive as a Spade Queen. Then again, there was a lot of shock and awe to live up to where Medea was concerned.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

The Spades were surely relieved to spend some time without shock and awe after Athena was crowned, really. The Deck as a whole must have exhaled in relief.

"Settle in no time, I've no doubt." Aim. Release. Thud. Though she was certain one Suit wouldn't be able to settle any time soon.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

Not all of the Spades, though there wasn't any reason to point out that no reign of terror can last that long with out supporters.

"I have every confidence she will, my lady." His eyebrows lift slightly. "Have you been to speak with her yet?"

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

She pauses to shake her head before drawing another knife. "Not until I'm reasonably certain she isn't going to suddenly disappear again." Not until she can be sure what on earth Athena- hell what on earth all the Heart Faces- are up to.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

He wished her luck in figuring out what Athena was up to. Their Ace was...not pleased. Ceiro and Judith were happy, shiny and nuts, in his opinion, but nothing new there. "Perhaps she'll decide to come visit the Diamonds instead."

But he wouldn't hold his breath.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

Aim. "When she's settled, perhaps." Release. Thud. "We'll have plenty of opportunities to visit each other." Aim. "If work permits." Release. Thud.

If Athena actually does work instead of leaving it to others as she did before. Säde might turn up unexpectedly just to see if that's true.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

"It's true that she isn't going anywhere." Jordan smirks, and the 'maybe' is as clear as if he actually said it.

The word is she's revamping security. Which is part of why Jordan's planning to ask about being Head of Security when he challenges up. Have to keep your tools close at hand, after all.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

"Judith would be disappointed if that were to happen." Again. Aim. "I'm not keeping you from your duties, I hope?" Release. Thud.

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

I imagine." He didn't much care about Judith's disappointment, though. "Not particularly. Though I should let you practice in peace, my lady."

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

"Go well, Jordan." She spares him half a smile, only barely forced, as she returns her attention to the target. The sound of knives hitting it speeds up as he goes, thudthudthud.