houseofcards_rp | [ota] beware, be canny and careful

She doesn't regret it in the slightest. What's to regret?

Eileen is fully capable of making her own decisions. She's allowed to decide to leave Kevin behind and go visit the Spade dungeon. And someone--she's not certain who--is also fully capable of infinitely childishly telling Kevin exactly where he or she saw his theoretical charge slipping off to while he was turned around. And Kevin is not just capable but essentially required to tell her mother things like where her daughter was this past weekend.

Which means Eileen Eicheln has, for the first time in her life, seen her mother actually angry. It also means, for the first time in her life and very likely one of the first times in history, the Ace of Clubs is grounded.

Mr Kahl is allowed to bring work and keep her up to date with her studies. A student from Mr DeWitt's class is allowed to spend a bit of time letting her know what's she's missed. The King and Jack are certainly permitted to speak to their Ace at their convenience.

But everyone else? Is getting Kevin's most sympathetic smile and a firm shake of his head. "Seems house arrest is catching."

[ooc; Except probably anyone with half a reason can talk to the moodiest tween about how she done wrong. Kevin is secretly easy. Or just come shoot the shit with Kevin, I guess? o/]

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It takes a second before her head bobs slightly, fingers shifting to catch hold of Blythe's carefully.

"...even though we're Aces?"

That seemed to be the problem, after all; the fact certain people weren't allowed to act as private citizens.

She can't help the smile on her face. "Eileen, I just climbed the tower in the Green a few days ago with nothing more than a long rope and a harness. Do you really think I told any of the Heart Faces before I did it?"

"...would they have stopped you?" It's a legitimate question. There is, after all, the difference of their ages to be considered.

People tended to worry more about the physical safety of children than of their fellow adults.

She hesitates, then says slightly softer, "they don't want to let me do anything these days. It's always like - 'oh, you need a break. Oh, you need to get out of the castle. Go do something fun!' It's like - that's not the type of person-- the Deck isn't safe. There are things that need to be done, and I'm not going to go enjoy myself when they aren't being done."

She taps her fingers against the windowsill. "I'd like to think that I'm less stressed out than I was before."

It's encouraging to know that it's not just her. It's discouraging to know that it's not just her.

"It's... out of love, at least."

She shrugs. "It's the same for you. That doesn't mean it doesn't suck."

"...a little less that it comes from love, at least."

Although, really, they both knew it wasn't much.

"I don't expect there's much to be done about it."

"People do a lot of things in the name of love. I guess... I guess we should be glad that this is actual love." She shrugs. "It still majorly blows, though."

Beat. "And what do you mean there's nothing we can do about it? Why do you think I'm here?" To bust you out, doof.

That connection absolutely has not been made yet. That's what this lost expression is about.

"I climbed the Tower in the Green with a bit of rope, Eileen. If you can open this window, I can get us both down from here in a couple seconds." A pause. "This isn't me saying you shouldn't be punished for anything you do. This is me giving you a break from anyone who's treating you like a stupid kid."

She almost jumps at the offer. Almost.

"...that's what's got me in trouble, though."

Literally the out the window bit.

"No, sneaking past guards to see a prisoner who some may consider dangerous was what got you in trouble," she corrects. "There's never anything wrong with climbing."

"...won't it... just make Elisha more upset?"

It's too exhausting, fighting with him. Too painful to keep having his disappointment pressing down on her shoulders.

"A little. I'll take the blame. Say that I kidnapped you." She smiles, getting up to reach a hand out to her. "There aren't any diplomatic tensions between Hearts and Clubs yet. We have some leeway."

She almost says yes. She's at such a good age to say yes, to rebel more, to throw off the authority being pressed down on her.

But.

"He'll-- I can't make him more disappointed."

"... then can I stay here with you? Just... we can talk, can't we? That's not against the rules yet?"

"Please?" It takes a second to pull herself back from the sudden perk. "I mean-- if you're not horribly busy."

"I have loads of free time, Eileen. Tons of it. We'll do whatever you want. Even if you want board games. I'll beat you in Trivial Pursuit, how about that?"

"That's what you think." And doesn't it feel good to say something cheerful, for a change.

"Um, may I remind you how I got to Ten the second time? Don't even try, little Miss Eicheln," she says, laughing.

"We'll have to see, Miss Merrick." Because this is about to be a throw down.

Kevin will probably end up poking in when things start to sound... actually happy.

They'll have to convince him to play. Poor man.

[ota] beware, be canny and careful

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