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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"Could do." There's something almost amused in the bob of her head as she leans forward, elbows resting on her knees. "Or I could carve a landscape for you in the back of the door."

Kevin... would not approve. Neither, likely, would Gideon.

"Might want to ask for an old door to practice on." No sense in antagonizing them further. "Just to make sure you get it all right before starting your masterpiece."

He pulls a hand from his pocket and unfolds his fingers to reveal a pair of hand-carved earrings.

She's not a typical teenage girl, true--although more typical in the Deck than elsewhere. She does spend a small amount of time actively working not to fall into the box of being one, even.

But a little, thoughtful present like that? Jewelry she'll actually wear? She can't help perking up, actually lifting from her chair to come examine.

"...you didn't make these, did you?"

'Course he did. "Gotta do something when I'm over at the Spades. What d'you think? Made 'em from memory. Twelve arms each, right?"

A quick examination will show each octopus has 8 arms.

Of course he did. Of course he's the best. Of course she's not going to be able to hold back the tiny smile.

"They're-- beautiful, Monty. Really."

"Not. They're goofy, and you know it. But that's what makes 'em fun." When the time comes, she should go to school near the ocean where she could at least minor in marine biology. In fact....

"Occurs to me Deck ought to send some folk off to study marine sciences now that it looks like we've acquired ourselves a seashore." Hell. Would they need a navy?

He's suddenly mightily happy he's only a Five.

"You think so?"

Other children would remember to think that they, themselves, might grow up to be something they could genuinely love. Eileen, as ever, sounds quietly detached as she considers.

"I should imagine there'd be much more need for ecologists."

She's someone folk genuinely love now. He don't see that ever changing.

"That, too. Don't know much about that stuff, but seems to me the advent of a new habitat might make for some interesting challenges."

He's right, of course. That doesn't mean her smile isn't a bit edged as she nods, fingers tracing carefully over the edges of a tentacle.

"I doubt there's anyone particularly concerned with it, all things considered."

"Maybe not now, but they will be once this other cr--stuff--gets ironed out." And it would. Deck hadn't stood as long as it had if they hadn't encountered a few storms.

"Ain't that part of being Ace? Bringing stuff up that needs attention? Bet if you asked Kevin he'd make sure you got any reports on the new area that come in."

"--what, me?" Does he know how many years of schooling it takes to be a real expert in ecology? Marine biology? Climatology? "There's-- got to be someone far better qualified."

"For the down and dirty, sure. But you can lay out the reasons why it's important. Hell, if the Great Lakes affect weather, what will a seacoast do?"

"Dreadfully. And fairly quickly. The bird life's certainly going to be adjusting itself, and we'll probably have a while of uncomfortable pollination."

Is that a smile? Maybe. Well done, Monty.

"Something to think about." You know, while she's locked up in here. She don't need to spend all her time fretting over the magic problem or fuming over unjust adults (even those who had her best interests at heart).

"Gonna have to go soon. Promised Kevin. Which reminds me. Evander's been stir crazy. You have a problem if I turn him out so he can run? Exercise him, too, if you want?"

It's a good thought. A wonderful thought. A thought she'll run with when she's done with Caleb's translations--and genuinely enjoy working on, at that.

"If it isn't a horrible inconvenience, I'd-- very much appreciate that."

"'Course it's not, but he's your horse. You might have other plans for him. Gotta go, Darlin'." He hesitates. "You hanging in there?"

'Cause that's the real reason behind his call, as she well knows.

[Please ignore any pronoun errors when it comes to Evander.]

"Doing my best to, certainly."

But what would help more? Is if she had a hug. Alas for the fact she's gotten to be too grown-up to ask with more than just a slight biting of her lower lip.

[Evander is a boy. o/]

"Reckon your best's a da--dang--sight better'n most folks'." She's getting too big for unasked for hugs, but he can open his arms some showing the offer's there. Couldn't pay him to be her age again, no sir, nohow.

There. Much better to be allowed to slink closer, latch tight around his waist and cling tight for a few heartbeats. "You're far too kind to me, Monty."

He'll hold her as long as she allows it and, sneaky man that he is, drop a kiss on top of her head. "Don't go makin' the mistake of thinking' folk are good 'cause they're good to you, darlin'. You're one of my favorite people, so hang in there, 'kay?"

"I'll do my best." And, if he'll let her, briefly lift up onto her tiptoes for a moment and press a firm kiss to his cheek as well.

Two can play that game, sir.

[ota] beware, be canny and careful

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