houseofcards_rp | [OTA] Parties are a Diamond's Best Friend

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[OTA] Parties are a Diamond's Best Friend

Without a doubt, late autumn and winter are prime season for Diamond events. Getting married? You're both Diamonds? It's entirely likely that about five minutes after the proposal, the bride decided a winter wedding would be just fantastic - with all the blue and the white and the crystal. Which, of course, leads to the anniversary parties being the same time of year. The Diamonds also have their fair share of autumn and winter babies, which means that whenever someone turns fifteen and formally enters the Suit - and happens to be from one of those families - a debut simply must be thrown, with all the decorations, guest lists, catering, floral arrangements and et cetera to arrange and coordinate. There's also the holidays. There may not be that many extremely religious Deckbabies, but no one doesn't like holiday parties, whether it's for Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Diwali, or just the Winter Solstice: this is the time of year when everyone comes to the event planning department at Diamond Castle and tells Katriane Berthier and her boss, Valentina Frost, that they have this fabulous idea for just a tiny little soiree, and have they got just a little bit of time?

All that aside, winter is also the time when the Suit invites all of the Deck to Diamond Castle to ~~show off~~ celebrate the season with them, and for some utterly inexplicable reason, Valentina's washed her hands of the whole thing this time around and Silas has decided that organizing it by herself would be good for Kat.

And now it's October. In the past, it's been one of Kat's favorite months - when she goes outside to appreciate the changing leaves, come up with ideas for little (unimportant) parties, organizes them all and still has time for things like dating. But this year? Oh no. This year, Kat is closed up in her office. There's a pile of catalogs on her desk, and she's replying to a nervous Diamond bride who decided to get married Christmas Eve and now is thinking that with everything else, no one will come to her elegant red-and-crystal wedding.

Someone should definitely interrupt the therapy/event planning and make Kat eat a sandwich before the catalogs start looking like a pillow.

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Silas already looks apologetic, if pensive, when he knocks on the door to her office. "Miss Berthier, it's Silas," he calls through the closed door. "I need just a moment of your time."

He'd postponed far longer than he should have for this, but if he's honest, Silas hasn't been ready to do this yet. Hasn't been ready to say goodbye officially and permanently until now. He can only hope that everyone else is ready by now, or at least closer to ready. There's a single white tulip in his hand, and when he pushes open the door, he settles it in front of her. The meaning of the white is not lost on him: forgiveness. Which is, certainly, what he's hoping for, after he springs this on her.

"Of course, Your Majesty." The desk is a mess - after Sasha's little email panic attack, there was a last minute autumnal dinner party that cropped up for one of the old Town families - but Kat slips the guest list a menu wish list into a drawer and looks at the King expectantly.

On a less harried day she'd recognize the tulip as a bad sign, but right now she just opens a drawer to pull out the Feast plans. "Did you want to discuss the winter event, my lord?" They aren't very far along yet - the department's already overloaded - but at least she managed a skeleton while she was up at night worrying about one sister or another.

He shakes his head, waving off the plans. "That can be discussed...later. I actually have another request for you, and I apologize sincerely for delaying as long as I have, but we...need another event. This Saturday." He pauses to wince a little. "For approximately five hundred people, possibly more. It's a memorial service for Isaac."

Five hundred...no. He's misspoken, surely. Except from that sheepish look on his face, he hasn't, and Kat swallows.

And begins counting in her head. When she gets to thirty, she manages to draw a calming breath. "Where do you want to hold it, Your Majesty? There are limited venues within the Castle that will hold that many people, and outdoor events are chancey in autumn."

Later, she thinks. Later there will be darts. And a photograph. So many darts and one photograph.

After a moment's pause, Silas looks away. Yes, he regrets dumping this on her at the last minute, but surely she understands. Surely she can, in time, forgive him for this, as she'll forgive him for putting the Diamond Winter Event in her hands when it goes as well as he knows it will.

"Our largest ballroom should be sufficient, don't you think?"

It doesn't really matter if he regrets it; she's still not going to be sleeping much - if at all - between now and then. But snapping at him will do nothing, neither will ranting, though it's likely that she'll be doing some of that with her friends tonight when they finally manage to drag her away from her desk later today.

She does, however, heave a sigh and shoot off an email to reserve the ballroom. "If you have any preferences regarding decor or menu, my lord, you should let us know now. I can't guarantee that they'll be fulfilled with only three and a half days to accomplish this, but we'll certainly do our best."

He shakes his head, offering the tiniest of smiles, both hopeful and apologetic still. "Neither bear any specifications. I trust you, and I trust the staff to do the best that can be done with what is available." He hesitates, just a moment, before looking at her again. "Thank you for accepting this, Katriane. I know this is a busy season for you, and I would understand if you had refused."

But he's grateful that she didn't. That she's shouldering this for him, for the family, for the Suit. Isaac touched so many lives, and it's only fitting that his memorial service be open to all of those lives.

That, at least, was a relief. Kat merely gave Silas a brief smile. He hadn't been King long, she thought; he didn't understand, she didn't think, that she can't say no to him. He's King. She's a Six. This is work-related.

She has to make it happen. There's no saying no. "I'm sure I'll fit it in." Somehow. "Do you want to have your office issue the announcement, or should I notify the PR department?"

He tipped his head in consideration before shrugging. "May as well send it out both ways. PR for the other Suits, HR for ours." That sounded feasible, right? Less than ridiculous?

Actually no, this whole thing was ridiculous.

She'd meant the Office of the King of Diamonds, not human resources, but Kat just nods calmly. Any growing panic is carefully hidden under a Diamond mask. "I'll see it done, Your Majesty."

The last thing Silas wants is for attendance to seem mandatory, and that's exactly how it would seem coming from the Office of the King of Diamonds. Coming from human resources, it's a matter of information and invitation; coming from Silas Taccetta, it's a personal request. "Thank you, Katriane. I apologize for the short notice, again, but I'm sure you can manage."

Coming from human resources, it's impersonal. And a memorial is a very personal thing. But she's tired, she's swamped, she will be short on sleep until January with the workload that's been piled on her desk for the next three months. So she doesn't bother wasting her time arguing with him, just flicks him a sharp look.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," she says sweetly. "Yes, we will manage. I'll let you know if there are any difficulties, my lord."

He gives her a Look for the tone, but hardly more than that; it's justified, after all, so he won't pay it too much mind. Instead, he tucks his hands into his pockets and makes his way back to the door. "I'll wait anxiously by the phone, should any such difficulty arise. Take your lunch break, Miss Berthier. You're late and haven't taken it yet." That last bit isn't a request. "Good afternoon." And then he's gone.

While Dybbuk spent all of winter preparing for the monthly circus shows that ran from spring through to autumn, Halloween often caught him unawares. Thankfully he did not have to run an entire show for Halloween but his artists would perform at a venue close to whichever Suit was hosting the main event. He only used the services of an event planner when he was struggling to keep afloat.

He arrives with a handwritten list of the items he needs. It is a relatively short list but for the harassed young Berthier, it could be the final straw. Hence, he comes bearing left over Black Forest cake to appease her. It had been made on Saturday and today was Tuesday so it was still fresh.

She was practicing breathing, really, when Dybbuk comes in. She's pulled off last minute memorials before - for Lindsey, specifically, while also planning Irene's wedding - but it's nothing like her schedule right now. She'll get everything done, of course, but she's got that tight feeling in her chest she gets before challenges, the one where she's sure she's going to fail spectacularly.

But Kat's too much of a Diamond to let it show, and so after a blink at the Joker - no, he prefers Jester - she folds her hands on her desk. "Is there something I can help you with, sir?"

"Yes, Lady Fair. The leaves are a-turning as All Hallows Eve approaches. For my part, I must hire out benches and a stall. I am also seeking the services of a pastry chef and a make-up artist."

The rest he had organised of his own accord, from the costumes to the backdrop. Although the Heart Suit was sorting out the technical aspects of the event.

"Cake?" he offered, holding a small decorative cardboard box under Kat's nose.

Edited 2012-10-03 16:37 (UTC)

"A stall and benches. Pastry chef." It's been one of those days when it's best to just keep her mind on one track, and that track is business. "Makeup artist?" Hurrem had had an assistant, before she left the Deck with her husband. What was her name? Dalia, right.

Then she notices the cake. It was never going to take long, not with her sweet tooth. "Oh, that looks delicious. You really didn't have to, though."

"All true and correct," he encouraged. Hopefully the make-up artist had some experience with special effect cosmetics.

Dybbuk is glad to see that Kat is one of those healthy girls who do not turn down good food. It would have been a shame to let such decadent cake go to waste. "Oh but I had to. Confectionaries are the best kind of pick-me-up. They can put any drink to shame." He should know; he used to drink as a younger man but had pulled away from alcohol altogether when he had started noticing little signs of it developing a hold on him.

Likely not, but Dalia was good at improvising - and it was true that some of the Carnivale makeup got interesting in the Diamonds, so maybe that would be good enough. "Is it for All-Hallow's Eve proper?" She asks as she pulls up the schedule and starts to look at who's available.

Once that's done, of course, she's taking a bite of the cake. And closing her eyes. "Best lunch ever," she says after she takes a bite. Breakfast had been coffee, some hours ago. And there'd been too much going on to even send to the kitchens for a sandwich.

"Same event as the Halloween hosted by the Hearts. Cirque de Cartes will provide some measure of entertainment," he explained.

As far as Dybbuk was concerned only he was allowed to forget main meals. Everyone else, young people especially, had to be catered for.

"Ohh. Well, in that case." She paused. She'd been about to suggest talking to Cooper Elliot, over at the Hearts, but the man had brought her cake. "It shouldn't be a problem," she said. "I'll make some calls, but I think between the Hearts and Diamonds we should be able to cover you for it."

"I would not expect anything less; this is why I keep coming back here for help," he admitted. "You are among a select few who know what is happening in le cirque ahead of time. You will keep my secrets, won't you Fair Lady?" he asked, tapping the bridge of his nose knowingly.

She gives him a wink. Kat can sometimes be a gossip - but when it's work? No one hears a word. "It's safe with me, I solemnly swear," she says, raising one manicured hand. "And I'll make sure everything's ready for you, come Halloween."

"Sweetie." Seb knocks on the doorframe as a means of warning before walking in. He knows how this season can get - which is why he comes to hover at her side, laying a hand on her shoulder. "What did you have for breakfast?" Because he's guessing the answer is 'nothing'.

"Um...." There's a pause. Kat tips her head to one side and stares into space like this is a test.

"I put cream and sugar in my coffee?"

"Right. Well then. Up with you, Miss Berthier." Tug tug at her arm. "Time for you to eat. And possibly sleep."

"I can just get a Two to bring me a sandwich." She will eat. She swears she'll eat. "But no way can I nap. Do you know what happened today? The King came by and wants a memorial service organized by the weekend. I cannot sleep, Seb, I swear. Not until Sunday at least."

"Breathe, sweetie. Up out of your seat. Come on." If you don't cooperate, he'll have to resort to desperate measures. "Kat, please. Just thirty minutes. It won't hurt."

"I have a wedding, an anniversary party, a debut ball, and a memorial in the next two weeks. I have to organize the winter thing by myself. My staff is lazy or disappeared. My sisters are all driving me absolutely insane." She pauses. "Well, okay, just the twins, but still. I don't have time for a nap."

Well, she's the one who protested. Seb sighs, then bends to wrap his arms around her - one at her waist and one at her knees. Lifting her up into his arms isn't that hard. "If you squirm, I promise you, I will drop you. You're taking a break."

...What the hell. No. "Sebastian Luka Oberon Ambrosi, have you completely lost your mind?" If she didn't like him, he'd be getting an elbow to the throat. "You know I'm just going to lie there and not sleep."

"No, I don't believe I have." He nudges open the door, carrying her out of her office and in the direction of the kitchens. "Lying there is better than working. Just clear your mind. I swear I'll get you back in one piece in thirty minutes."

Well, this wasn't embarrassing at all. And it certainly wasn't going to spread around Diamond Castle like wildfire. She smiles weakly at whatever Henshaw twin has brown hair as they head down the hallway. "You know what's really unfair about this? There is absolutely no way I can reciprocate without recruiting someone burly."

"It's okay. There's no need to reciprocate. I understand the value of food and a good night's sleep, see?" He laughs quietly as he carries her into the kitchen, setting her down on the counter. "Now, do you want eggs and bacon or something sweeter?"

"Bullshit. Don't think I remember this spring and summer, Sebastian. Dozing off against the wall of the cellar doesn't count as sleeping." She huffs and crosses her legs and arms before she finally answers.

"Ham and eggs on a croissant, I suppose. I do hope you're going to let Gwen make it, cheri."

"I wouldn't try to poison you by making it myself. Don't worry. And while you're waiting for her, you can doze off yourself. See? It's a golden plan."

"I'm not going to fall asleep on the counter, Sebastian." Seriously. Seriously, Sebastian. "I have work to do."

"Not for..." He checks his watch. "Not for twenty-seven minutes, you don't." Seb relents just slightly, leaning against the counter next to her. "Come on. It's just for a little while. Then you can drive yourself insane again."

She pulls out her phone and pulls up the calendar, handing it over with her lips in an annoyed line. Not only does October have Saturday's 500 person memorial, there's two 250 person weddings, three dinner parties of fifty or more, a fifteenth birthday party, an anniversary ball, and an engagement dinner.

"And how am I supposed to sleep with all of that in the next three weeks?"

"I understand you're busy, honey. I'm not even suggesting you sleep for one night, as you probably should. Just fifteen minutes." He's cajoling now, slipping the phone out of her grasp. "Is there any way I can help you with any of this?"

"I don't know. Mon Dieu, the worst part is this memorial. Five hundred people, in four days. I have no idea how I'm even supposed to manage it."

"If you want me to help at all with the food, I can try my best to commandeer the Diamond kitchens. Though I don't know if they'd listen to me or not."

"It's worth a shot, at least. Honestly." Her breath gusts out. "I have no idea what it is with give Kat every big job this year, but I'm getting tired of it."

"Think of it as a compliment. Obviously, you're the one who's trusted with all the big jobs because you can do them right." Look at his smile, Kat. He must be right.

"Apparently." She suspected, somehow, that Valentina was behind this. And if this was the level of stress she was under now, she'd probably cry if she had to actually had to do everything. She grimaces, tough.

"I hate winter."

"It's only three months. You'll be fine." Technically, winter hadn't even started yet, but he won't bring that up.

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[OTA] Parties are a Diamond's Best Friend

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Back dated before the storm.

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