[OTA] Business Not As Usual

[wherethewild]

Now that the snow's stopped, it's mostly just...like winter in London, really. Dreary, cold, gray. London never gets this much snow, of course, but otherwise it's a bit like home, and when Peter emerges from his hole in the basement of Diamond Castle, he's dressed for the weather in a wool peacoat, a scarf, and a hat over his hair. Add in the messenger bag draped over his shoulder, and it looks like he's dressed for a day of protecting the free world at Thames House.

He only wishes. At least what he's doing is interesting, or at least more so than fixing the internet connections of clueless Diamonds. Possibly it's even marginally dangerous, considering how the last Spade challenge went. He wouldn't have to do it, he thinks, if the Spades hadn't used quite so many ridiculous security protocols. It's legions more robust than any of the other Suits; he'd broken through the Clubs systems (well, most of them, the Royal files had a curiously complex system around them) and the Hearts, too, without much effort.

Bloody Spades.

It's not such a big deal, though. He's examined the system from every angle he can from outside it, and he's pretty sure it can be cracked if he's in it. So off to the Castle of blood and knives. If anyone asks, he can say he's visiting friends.

Might as well use his not terrible social interaction for good, after all.

Comments

[dum_spiro_servio]

Where do they breed brats like these? The Hearts?

"I'm afraid I will have to insist on not letting you go in there alone. Sir."

[wherethewild]

Please. The Diamonds.

"Oh, so that's the defining Spade trait." It's a fairly placid tone. "Fine, you can come in with me, unless you feel the need for a pair of guards and a Face Card just to be extra sure that a Two of Diamonds isn't going to blow up your entire computer system."

[dum_spiro_servio]

Please. Don't make Iollan smack you.

"I can handle you on my own just fine, sir." Not a threat, or a deadpan way of boasting of one's capabilities. Just an assurance that if you stepped into the lion's den, you will be met with bared teeth and sharp claws.

The Spades' reputation of being able to look after themselves was not unfounded, after all.

[wherethewild]

With any luck...whoever this was was not all that conversant with computers. It seemed to be a Spade habit, really. Amy wasn't spectacular with them, the Ace clearly had no clue; if Peter was lucky Iollan would be the same.

"Martin - you know, Five of Spades? Asked me to install this. It was my specialty Outside, so that's why he's outsourcing." Yes, that means he's going to need to open the server rack and dig in the wires. It doesn't mean anything.

Really.

[dum_spiro_servio]

Does he know a Five of Spades? What a Preposterous Question. One that could no doubt only be asked by an Outsider. What Chives would not know all the Spades from the Twos to their Respectable Ace? On top of that Iollan could list all the Spades that had come and gone during his time.

Have a blank stare, Peter, which was the non-verbal way of communicating that Iollan didn't know anything about the witchcraft that took place in the server room.

"He is in his office. You can obtain the keys from him."

[wherethewild]

Not every Spade has been as impressive as Iollan Chives. He'd gotten a couple of blank stares from Spades prior to Julien, after all.

A less impressive sort of blank stare than Iollan's.

"This key card, you mean?" He asks. "The one he gave me before he sent me down here? We're all set."

[dum_spiro_servio]

"Very well, sir." He inclined his head and pursued the matter no further. He was not part of the security personnel, after all, and what business the Five of Spades had with an Outsider was none of Iollan's concern.

"I trust you are able to find your way back, once you are finished." He'd have no reason to linger if that was the case.

[wherethewild]

"I can." And with the supervision gone, Peter relaxes a bit. There's still the cameras to be concerned with, of course, but he had to get in here. There's no choice in the matter, other than giving up and going home.

And Jack made it clear that wasn't a choice.

"Thank you, though, sir."

[dum_spiro_servio]

That sounded Vaguely Genuine. Perhaps this Lost Cause could be redeemed after all. He offered just the slightest touch of something that could be construed as a smile before he turned away and left the Two of Diamonds in peace.