[OTA] One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

[karatofquality]

Within the last several weeks, a lot had happened. People who were careful to keep their King in the loop were reporting the return of the last King of Spades, and monitoring his activities so that the Diamond Face Cards could be prepared for further upset.

Silas was less concerned with that than with the failings within his own Suit. He'd started to notice the strain between Säde and Avery even more, recently, and things weren't too much better between her and Cadogan. It was absolutely unacceptable.

But before he could talk to his Queen about it, he needed full information from his Ace and his Jack. There was enough unrest already as a direct result of Säde's uncontrolled actions, for which she had not yet truly answered.

All in due time.

He needed to talk to others, first.

Comments

[denythyfather]

"... why did you call me here, your Majesty?" Adrien shifts from one foot to the other, glancing around his office. It had... been a while since he visited, yes. But he had been occupied with other things recently. Lots of other things.

[karatofquality]

Looking up, Silas gestured to the chair across from him. "I've heard you plan to challenge, Adrien. I'm curious about your motivations -- not that I'm complaining, of course. I'm proud of you for it. But why? Why now?" His tone was curious, not insulting or aggressive.

[denythyfather]

He leans forward, hand resting on the back of the chair instead of taking a seat. What had he initially told Sade again? Right. "So that I can contribute more to the Suit during a time of need," he says, "and because Sitara deserves to be proud of her father."

[karatofquality]

He noddded, folding his hands under his chin, and looked up at the younger man with a pleased expression. "Those are good reasons, Adrien." They didn't sound like him, but he'd accept it. "Fabtastic reasons, actually. What motivated you to take the steps forward?"

The timing wasn't lost on him, after all, but he was curious.

[denythyfather]

He raises an eyebrow, shrugging. "Sophie and I were talking about it. Thought it'd be cute. Why do you ask?"

[karatofquality]

His blink was slow, almost disbelieving. Of all the reasons, they were doing it because they thought it would be cute? That's...

Okay.

"Curious minds must inquire, is all. Nothing to worry about."

[denythyfather]

He almost snorts at that. “No need to look so appalled. Sophie nearly smacked me when I suggested it’d be adorable. But I don’t approve of violence in front of Sitara, so she had to restrain herself.”

[karatofquality]

It's fine, Adrien. Silas actually did snort, shaking his head. "Whatever makes you happy, Adrien," he said good-naturedly. "You've been approved for your challenge, am I correct?"

[denythyfather]

He raises an eyebrow. "Of... course. Why would I announce my intent before I was approved?"

[karatofquality]

Raising one hand, Silas shook his head. "It's not a reprimand, Adrien, or even a prelude to it. I was simply asking; there are those who wait until not long at all before their intended date to request permission, so as to guarantee that their opponent has minimal time to prepare."

[denythyfather]

It still doesn't make sense to him, but why prolong the discussion? Adrien merely gives him a laid-back shrug. "Alright. Well, you know my answer. DO you need anything else?"

[karatofquality]

After a moment's contemplation, Silas shook his head. "No, that's it. Unless there's anything you'd like to say or ask of me, you're free to return to whatever you were doing. Thank you for coming up and explaining things for me."