I Thought You Were Joking When You Said You'd Never Leave

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

Dissatisfied is an understatement. Argine is bound to hold on to her rank for as long as she's permitted to hold it, regardless of resultant detriment to the Suit. Tegan is gone. And regardless of how well-fitted for the job he may be, Pierre knows that Elisha would sooner see Eileen be both Ace and Jack than put him in that position that certainly needs to be filled. It doesn't matter how good he is at what he does at his King's command -- both on the record and off; as long as Elisha is in office, Pierre never will be higher than Ten.

So he's taking advantage of an extra opportunity to train both body and mind, working hand-to-hand with the best fighter he could reach on short notice. The man is smaller than him, but he's still fast and packs a hell if a punch. It's a hard workout for both of them. When the Six taps out so that he can shower and prepare for his shift, nothing has changed; there is no winner or loser, only two men drenched in their own seat, and Pierre's head is a but clearer. He's still frustrated, but it's under his control, even though he'll likely be snappish in response and barking commands rather than calmly delivering them today.

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Comments

[butlebattler.livejournal.com]

"I simply wanted to check in on you and your men." Isn't she so helpful and kind, Pierre? She only means well by those who belong to her Suit. While she'd never truly stand up to the Quartermaster, she thinks of these men as hers, as all the Clubs are.

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

She is helpful, and he appreciates it. He'd appreciate it more if she weren't interrupting. "As you can see, Lady, we're all doing fine. How are you?"

[butlebattler.livejournal.com]

"Wonderful, I've got a large lunch in the works--grilled cheese and tomato soup. Should I hold some in reserve in the case that your training runs late?" It would be an inconvenience to her, of course. Her subtle rage leaks from her eyes.

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

His rolling eyes are so subtle that even he hardly notices it. "That won't be necessary. You know I'm militaristic when it comes to scheduling. When I'm scheduled to be finished, I'm finished." He's testy today, Karin. Don't look for an apology.

[butlebattler.livejournal.com]

She eyes him for a moment, frowning. "I'll make sure there's extra soup--it looks like they'll be too exhausted to chew."

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

"They'll be fine." And they always are, even when he puts them through the wringer like he is today. They may hate him for it, but eventually, well. They get over it.

[butlebattler.livejournal.com]

"For certain values of the term. Your job is to be hard on them. My job is to butle to them." She stands her ground, not leaving yet, watching Pierre as if waiting for a counter-argument, or perhaps a dismissal.

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

He waves her off, giving a shrill whistle to call them to gather 'round. "Hydration time, boys and girls. I want a bottle of water apiece consumed, do you understand? Go. Now." They know better than to wander off.

"If you'd like to check them all over, go ahead, but I assure you that they're fine. Just working like they usually don't." He sounds condescending. He doesn't care.

[butlebattler.livejournal.com]

"Yes, because this is the only sort of work that counts, of course." She does take the time to examine a couple of them, blotting at a couple of cuts with a handkerchief pulled from who-knows-where.

[hommesadique.livejournal.com]

"No, but they certainly don't do this often." Keep up, Karin. He didn't say they don't work, he said they don't work like this. Pay attention, little butler; you might learn something.