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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"...you must be busy."

But it would be a comfort. It would be something to keep her stable a little longer.

Is it something she deserves? She's not certain.

"No more than usual, Miss." And he'd made her one of his responsibilities years ago. "If you'd just have a seat. Would you prefer a fishtail or a mermaid braid?"

Gideon's a great believer in normalcy. Even though Eileen locked in her room is far from normal, he can ensure as much of her regular routine as possible. He finds it comforting. Certainly others do.

Butlers are good for that. Creating order, creating comfort, maintaining patterns even in the strangest of times.

"...mermaid, I think."

One last, scrambling drag of fingers through her hair, a gesture more than a help, and she'll sit straight as a rod in her chair like a good girl.

His fingers comb through her hair before he picks up first the brush to smooth it out. The comb will come later. "I made some new sketches of you'd care to peruse them while I style your hair, Miss." He pauses. "Of the new beach area."

Fingers are the best part of this. It's relaxing to trust the physical contact, reassuring to feel positive and close to another human being.

"--really?" It takes effort not to actually physically perk up. She's wanted desperately to see the new ocean, after all. "Is-- I'd very much like to see them."

"I thought you might, Miss. You'll find my sketchbook under your tray. It's all rather murky. There's one lone island with the remains of the Arcana tower on it.

"I thought I'd spend some time there on my half day and see if I can find any shells."

It takes but a moment to separate her hair into parts and begin the braid. someday the young miss will want to cut her hair. She may even decide to wear it short. Until that time he'd be here to dress it (and to stare down any lady's maid who thought to usurp his role).

She wants to go with him. She's all but twitching with the idea of being allowed to have another wander through nature with Gideon, to go explore while he let her watch his notes and sketches, to be outside and enjoying herself.

Intense training keeps her head level while her shoulders slump.

"...and you'll bring them back?"

Not the same as being allowed to go. Not by a long shot.

"Of course. I expect we'll have an influx of bird species with the new environment." He can braid in his sleep. The Young Miss's hair is lovely and thick and a pleasure to work.

"I thought I saw a curlew flying yesterday, though I can't be certain, having never seen one before."

She wonders, sometimes, if people raised without the constant attention of butlers have the same simple genuine pleasure from having their hair toyed with. It's possible that this sort of calm is a learned reaction.

"You'll have to bring a camera next time."

Of course not. Only the most special are worthy recipients of buttling.

His fingers hesitate. He prefers sketches to photos. He should have remembered he had a camera at hand at all times. "I confess I never thought on it, Miss. I'll remedy my error next visit." He smiles. "Or perhaps by then you'll be free to accompany me. I should like that best of all."

Really, she'd rather just go with him. She could snap photos while he sketched, pour over them intently, classify exactingly when they were back in the kitchen. And then they'd still have his beautiful art.

And, well. They'd have the time together. The time outside.

"Next week, perhaps. If-- you don't mind waiting."

"Shan't mind at all, Miss." Surely, her ridiculous punishment would be over by then. "I've plenty to occupy myself until we can go together."

"...thank you, Gideon." It's hard to explain what it means to her, that he brings her tea and braids her hair, that he wants to spend his free time with her. It's almost impossible to put that feeling of protection and love into words.

Hopefully a quiet smile will suffice. Will communicate what her words are struggling to.

He stills momentarily, but it's a pleased sort of pause. He swiftly bands the braid and steps back. He doesn't require thanks for performing his job, particularly when it's a duty he enjoys, and especially not when his favorite Club has expressed interest in spending time with him.

"My pleasure, Miss." He freshens her tea. "Will you dine now or shall I leave this?"

To return later to retrieve the tray.

It's perfect, as always. Her fingers lift briefly to the end of the braid, perfectly content. Perfectly pleased to have this reminder of the fact she's loved.

"Would you mind coming back in a bit for it?"

More because it would be good to see again than anything else.

"I had considered that eventuality, Miss." Amazing how useful trays could be when combined with a little forethought and their proper use.

"Is there anything I may bring you at that time?"

Of course he had. He considers everything. Whatever magic there is in the Deck, there's certainly a strong concentration among the butlers.

"I don't suppose it's still cold enough for cocoa."

"It's always right for cocoa, particularly in the evening. The cocoa bean is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids and contains quite a bit of serotonin, which is quite relaxing." They won't mention the caffeine.

"A most excellent request, Miss." He'll just leave his sketchpad with her?

He's wonderful. He's really, genuinely wonderful. She's thankful--as always--that he's taken over for Karin.

Kept them all safe in spite of themselves.

"Thank you, Gideon."

She'll absolutely be hanging onto his sketchpad.

[ota] beware, be canny and careful

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So for some reason I had Katya's notifs and not the other 2

DW that's not nice. :|

I should've scrolled up sooner.

Or DW should have worked. :|

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