{ota} the baffled king composed hallelujah

[denythyfather]

These days, things happen. The question is: how fast does gossip travel around Diamond Castle? And, honestly, does it count as gossip if the subject of said news is airing it loudly to the public as well? Because Adrien isn't wasting any time in letting people know that he's challenging up.

That's right. Ermenegilde Pascal Adrien Fitzgerald is challenging up to Seven. "About time I climbed up the ladder, don't you think?" he'll ask as Sitara giggles from behind him.

Comments

[allthesamemask]

Of course her eyebrows rise high. "What, like a fashion show? You gonna have a walk-off, or something?" She can't imagine her guardian allowing something like that. Or Silas either, for that matter.

[denythyfather]

"... not quite. More like identifying collar styles. Their year of origin and designer. That sort of thing." Infinitely more acceptable, right?

[denythyfather]

"Oh, you know. Sophie and I have been talking about it. She's challenging up as well, you know." It's basically like a couple thing, Cadogan. That's all.

[diemwnt]

/Why now?/

And don't think for a minute he'll be distracted by the happy not-marriage of it all. These are two of his closest friends challenging up in a time of duress.

[denythyfather]

He shrugs flippantly, then signs and speaks at the same time. Although he says, "the Diamonds need support," his finger must slip, because they spell out /I need to support you./

[allthesamemask]

"And you're... challengin' someone who's also knowledgeable in that, yes?" Because otherwise it seems a pretty obscure challenge to her.

[denythyfather]

A pause. "I'm... not sure, but I'm giving her a few weeks. So that's ample time to study while I slack off, I think."

[diemwnt]

Now, see, how is Cadogan supposed to react with a child present?

There's a clear physical stutter. There's a necessity to pull out his phone and type, pass it off without any 'overhearing.'

You don't think you already do?

[denythyfather]

He laughs a little. /Not enough from where I am. You deserve more./

[diemwnt]

You're an idiot.

But. That said.

Adrien is an idiot he'd like to bump foreheads with now. It works more easily than a hug.

[denythyfather]

Even with Sitara's urgent whisper of "Cooties!"? Cadogan's too kind. Adrien will just grin happily as he presses his forehead to the other man's.

[diemwnt]

Cooties happen. And if they happen now, well, it's pretty necessary for continued breathing to lean his forehead against Adrien's forehead, to briefly catch the back of the other man's neck and hold them in place.

Does he need to actually say 'thank you,' or is the love simply felt?

i have important possibly wedding-related things to talk to you about~

[denythyfather]

He doesn't need to say 'thank you', not at all. His thanks is so palpable in his actions that Adrien can hear it loud and clear.

Cadogan, however, doesn't get a choice - Adrien is going to shift to kiss him on the nose even with Sitara's irritated huff.

...which wedding. :|a also pm/email me~

[diemwnt]

Good.

And not good. What the hell, Adrien. Cooties. At least the swatting is gentle, affectionate.

[onlytolerable]

She bats at his hand. "You know that's not what I meant!" Although.... Her eyes meet his and she starts to laugh despite herself, causing Sitara to look even more confused. That only makes Sophie want to kiss the little girl again, so she does.

"Remind me to teach you the proper inflection for 'annoying peacock,'" she tells her, eyes beaming at Adrien over the girl's head.

<3

[denythyfather]

Ridiculous, Cadogan. You are ridiculous and not accepting of love.

So obviously Sitara and Adrien need to hug you tight. Really tight.

[denythyfather]

“Peacock? What?” Blink blink. “Is that what you call Papa when he’s being silly?” The smile on Adrien’s face shifts into something slightly more fatherly, more proud. Sure, she’s insulting him – but see how quickly she catches on.

[allthesamemask]

She'll believe that. Just like she'll also believe that he's going to find the path rocky. "...didja bribe Miss Sahdeh? No, must've been blackmail. Or was it Silas?"

[onlytolerable]

"Papa's always silly. He'd forget his own name if I used it all the time." And, cooties or not, Sophie shifts Sitara just enough so she can lean in and land a kiss somewhere between Adrien's cheek and the corner of his mouth.

"It's more a pet name, like mon chou." The sting that had prompted the phrase so long ago had long since left.

"Would you like to know a secret?" she asks Sitara.

[denythyfather]

"Nothing like that. No bribery." He holds an insulted hand to his heart. "Just an honest ambition to provide more help to the Suit."

[denythyfather]

She'll have to deal with the disgusted protest from the little girl, but Adrien won't mind. Not a bit. And it's with a little sullen voice that she'll ask, "what sort of secret?"

[onlytolerable]

"It's a secret. Not even for Papas." Especially not for Papas. She leans close and murmurs in Sitara's ear--but not before turning to put that ear and her mouth as far away from Adrien as possible.

"When I was just a little older than you I had the most ridiculous crush on your Papa--even if he did have cooties."

[allthesamemask]

She believes him. At least 65% believes him, anyway. "An' you're not gonna be knocked down the moment you get there, right?" Right, Sitara? Help her get him to promise that.

[diemwnt]

Unfair use of adorable child, sir. Definitely unfair. But he'll be good, fold an arm around the little one--if head-butt slightly the older one.