[OTA] Shop and Spy

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

Best order from a royal ever: go shopping and see what you can hear about what the Tower and the Devil might have in store other than dubiously romantic dates in Town.

So after a trip over to Diamond Castle, Zoe wanders first to Heartsong, her uncle's music store where Sara first spotted Burke and Asmodai, flipping through Uncle Lucien's used record collection as she listened to the chatter from the other customers. But it seems that all is quiet again on the Arcana front, and she's soon out the door again, wandering down the street and pausing here and there to look at this dress or this one or those shoes.

And listening to idle chatter, of course.

Comments

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

"There's no such thing as a bad day for shopping, Monty." Fortunately, she hasn't acquired all that much so far. The dress, at least, should be easy enough to slip into the closet unnoticed. The red patent Manolos? Probably not so much.

"And are you helping the local economy today too?"

[threecardmonty.livejournal.com]

"Spoken like a seasoned shopper. Thought I'd take a look around, maybe pick up a new dress shirt or three. Maybe some jeans." He nods his head. "Run into a friend or two."

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

"Are you going to get out your fancy dress for the ball again?" He'd worn a tuxedo for the masquerade, and had looked very nice in it while they danced the Viennese waltz. "If you do, I might have to beg Blythe to release you for at least one dance."

[threecardmonty.livejournal.com]

"Don't reckon the tux will fit with what Blythe is wearing, but if it makes you feel any better I'll be in Tom Ford." Why, yes. He does know designer names. Imagine that. "Don't expect she'd begrudge you a dance or two either. Victor can't make it?"

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

It's a shock. Give her a moment Monty, to catch her breath. "I'm sure you'll look wonderful. I'll be in red." Slit nearly to the hip, in fact, in a design that had made her stare at Signora Pivoni wide-eyed. But she was a Spade now, according to the Italian dressmaker, and Spade women were not afraid of drama.

As for Victor, she lifts her shoulders in a shrug. "I am allowed to dance with other men, you know. He hasn't said, but he might be called off-Deck on business." Just in time to avoid a large, fancy, chaotic Deck party. Well, you couldn't say Zoe doesn't know the man she loves.

[threecardmonty.livejournal.com]

From what he'd gathered Victor avoided Deck functions like the plague. The Masquerade had been exception rather than rule. "Well now, I'm plumb disappointed. You know I left room for him on my dance card. Reckon I have no objection to squiring his lady a time or two. I'm sure Blythe will be stolen away for a few dances.

"Hope his business don't keep him away long."

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

"I don't know that there is any yet," Zoe points out. She's just mentally prepared. After all, if Victor had been the type to go to these things, she probably would have met him somewhere other than a bar.

"You'll just have to split his spots between Blythe and I, I suppose. We're willing to console you."

[threecardmonty.livejournal.com]

"Reckon that'll just be my cross to bear. Tough assignment, but I'll scrape by somehow."

He'd talk to Blythe and give her a head's up. They're new enough he doesn't want her thinking he's deserting her for another pretty face. "Somehow don't think you'll be lacking for partners."

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

"Somehow I figured you'd be up to the challenge."

She's not sure why she's worrying about it. She's been to balls alone before. "Well, I've got you and Evan," she says. "I don't know that there will really be that many others."