(no subject)

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[Sweat beaded on his forehead, and dripped down David's nose. He ignored it, completely focused on his practice - the flowing movements and the thoughts he let buble behind them.

Dominick had turned out to be a very good assistant indeed. The office was sorted and organized in no time at all, with a new system for incoming reports and information. Though he should remind Ethan he needed a weekly summary report of information he gathered, as well as.

These were the kinds of things he thought about while trying to reach that calm center people told him had to exist. That calm center he at least managed to pretend was there when he fought.

It had been six months since he fought even remotely in public. A few more since he'd trained. But it was good to use the Spade training rooms every once in a while - when time and daylight granted him the gift.

Nice to remind the Castle he was still King - and he would be for a while.]

Comments

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

[She'd come back from Santorini braced to tell David about her part in Athena's survival. She'd known, really, that she'd have to tell him from the first, and Athena and Sophie had just confirmed it. But then she'd come back, and the Castle had been abuzz with Amy Sinclair's demotion, and after that David had been gone for the weekend on business.

So here it was a week later, and being Zoe, she'd been...stewing about it. Waiting even longer would only make it worse, though, so when she had a moment, she sought the king out.]

Your Majesty? I was wondering if I could talk to you?

[Possibly the training room wasn't the best place for this conversation, but she'd already spoken up.]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[David slowed, movements stilling as he gave his attention to Zoe.]

Yes, my dear?

[Oh... Now he felt the sweat. That was rather uncomfortable. It had soaked through his short sleeved shirt in places, and his nose wrinkled only the tiniest amount. The towel he had draped to the side could at least clean up his face.]

What can I do for you.

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

[It's on the tip of her tongue to ask if he wouldn't rather wait until after he's finished training, but instead she just bites down on the inside of her lip and pushes forward.]

It's about Lady Athena, and the matter you asked me to look into.

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

I see.

[Likely not nearly as clearly as he would like. She seemed far to uncertain about this exchange. Do go on. He'll just take a drink of water while he waits for you to get to the point.]

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

[Zoe only paused a moment before speaking again. Gathering her thoughts, even though she'd mentally rehearsed this exchange more than once over the past week. When she does speak, the words are even and measured.]

I helped her while she was off-Deck, with her finances.

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

I see.

[And now he did. He remained carefully bland, rubbing the towel over the back of his neck as he processed this.

It was good of her, to help Athena, and he couldn't fault her for it now - he had never said one couldn't go and speak to the woman. The only issue would come from...]

And where did you find the funds?

[So carefully gentle and neutral. He dearly hoped it wasn't somewhere he'd have to get annoyed about.]

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

She emptied her accounts before she left, and sold off some of her jewelry.

[Largely the jewelry that they'd purchased together on a drunken shopping spree...on Zoe's mother's credit card. The fact that Charlotte had partially financed Athena's life Outside had amused Zoe enough to keep from getting too upset about the aftermath of switching to the Spades.

Most of the time.]

Then I invested it, and that's what she lived on while...away.

[7waystobetray.livejournal.com]

[Delilah came in, barely gave him a glance, and went to work tossing the knives she knew as well as her own fingers. And not seeming to notice, of course, meant she was watching him closely. Almost sizing him up. Making sure he was still her best bet.]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[He still moved as smoothly as ever - it was easy to do that in training, though. Thing got much more stuttered in a real fight.

it was about being able to simply not be where they expected. Agility based, if he thought about it. Speed and endurance would wear an enemy out.

But if she was in question, he could always invite her to fight. He wasn't stupid or humble enough to think that anyone in the training room right now wasn't trying to see if the mighty were ready to fall.]

[7waystobetray.livejournal.com]

[she finished her round, and then looked him over more obviously.]

Sharp as always, your majesty. [and she'll give him one of her usual grins]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

I do try, Delilah.

[Bland amusement is sent in the direction of that smile. They hadn't matched words in some time, it seemed.

How nice to see her spirit properly back. Even if it did tend to make him work harder.]

hey, David should tag into Alexander's post from the 27th...

[7waystobetray.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't be King if you didn't, I suspect. [meant less cheeky than it sounded, she promises.]

Mmkay

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

It's very likely I wouldn't.

[Cheekiness could be allowed, in these slightly less formal settings. Particularly since we didn't even begin to feel threatened by her. It would make him a small man indeed if he were.]

[lowtohigh.livejournal.com]

[]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[A turn brings his eyes to the door, with her standing there looking worried. Why worry? It seems everyone worried for him far too much these days.

He slows, easing to a stop and reaching for the towel he had set aside.]

Good afternoon, sweetheart.

[What bring you to see him?

[lowtohigh.livejournal.com]

[]

Uncle David. [] I'm not interrupting, am I?

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

Not anything that can't be interrupted.

[He scrubs away some of his sweat, and crosses the room to her. They could walk and talk to his office - a more familiar setting, he would think.]

Is something wrong?

[lowtohigh.livejournal.com]

[]

Not at all, Uncle. I just... I've finished an report for Mr Kahl, and I thought you might like to read it first.

[]

Ahhhh I lost this I'm sorry ;;

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[He'll be pleased to see anything she writes.]

i would be delighted, sweetheart.

[Guiding her into her office, he gestures her towards his couch before disappearing into his bed chamber to get a slightly less sweat shirt.]

Just give me a moment, hm?

[needsnomirror.livejournal.com]

[ Don't ask how she is here again. Not that she couldn't make up some very nice business reason, she just would rather not.

And take your time training, she can wait. It's entertaining enough as is. ]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

[David saw her, but... well. She could wait. He was in the middle of something and he hated when he had to interrupt it.

So he went through his entire routine, absorbed in the motions and trying to ignore his audience. It had to end sometime, of course. He couldn't ignore her forever.

Probably. Nope. Definitely not.]

Athena.

[needsnomirror.livejournal.com]

David.

[ Ignorance would have been better, likely. Less complicated, less confusing, though, of course, no solution. ]

Some things never change, apparently.

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

Oh?

[He has no idea what you're talking about, as he grabs some water and a towel.]

[needsnomirror.livejournal.com]

The way you fight.

[ Said lightly. And nope, she's not moving. ]

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

It's been that way for a very long time. I don't see many changes in it's future.

[Unlike everything else int he Deck, which seemed to be constantly shifting these days.]