houseofcards_rp | ota {behind the mirror}

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ota {behind the mirror}

He's only meant to close his eyes for a minute, maybe five. But, he'd worked till well after sundown yesterday, then had come Donia Carruthers and her emergency stroke, which had seen him up all night long, getting the woman stable and trying to calm her distraught husband, and by then, adrenaline and coffee had rendered him unable to sleep, so back to his office he went.

And the agenda was full: a meeting with Rowan regarding the security issues involving the other Suits, the conversation with Mano about the h/vac system in the Castle as well as the planning and organization of a possible summer luau for the entire Deck, and countless other little details scrawled into his calendar. But somewhere around mid-morning, Theo's eyes just refused to stay open and he unconsciously leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, slipping into a doze before he realized it.

Just a minute. Just five minutes. That's all.

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She listens for a moment, crossing her arms over her chest. "Justin... he had a hard time in the Spades. Um... I don't think that... forcing him into duties is the right way to... go about things." She's silent for a second, then says, "I mean, of course, he has to do something, but... I'll try to work with him to find some way he can contribute and be happy."

"I'm aware he did, yes. However, if he's to overcome those previously bad days, he needs structure and responsibility." One of Theo's brows quirked. "I'm hardly a tyrant, Blythe," he told her blandly. "But we're not going to coddle him, either. He's more than capable of serving his Suit, and I want nothing more for him than to grow and become a well-adjusted young man."

Theo tapped his fingertips together, looking at her. "I'd appreciate it if you would take him in hand. Let him know we're here to support him, not to make his life miserable. And what's expected of him, despite his obvious distaste for authority."

"I wasn't calling you a tyrant, sir." She gestures vaguely with one hand as she speaks. "But I think what he needs isn't so much responsibility as... something constructive he can do without fear of reproach." She shrugs, lips curving into a smile. "So I'll work on it. It'll be fun."

"Whatever you believe will get through to him, I give you carte blanche." Theo acquiesced with a wave of fingers. "And I look forward to glowing progress reports weekly. I've already given him the task of helping me in here with the painting; when that's done, he's all yours."

He leaned forward and propped elbows on his desk. "Anything else on your mind, then? I've got a bit before the next conference."

"Is there anything else I can take off your plate for you?" She laughs a little, gesturing to her tote bag. "I even came prepared with a file folder, Theo. Don't make me leave here with it empty."

He laughed with her, hand over his heart. "My savioress. Pull up a chair." Theo reached for his glasses, shoved them on his nose and began sorting through the papers on his desk, peering at a few before finally finding the ones he wanted.

"The kitchen drains seem to be spotty, or so I'm told. Personally, I think they're just trying to get shiny new stainless steel sinks, but it's possible that the complaint's legit." He passed that memo over. "Secondly, perhaps most importantly, one of the Templeton kids was caught stealing."

He frowned, reading over the report. "Samson's only eight, but he knows better. His mother brought it to my attention--seems this isn't his first offense. I'll leave it to you to take care of, if you would."

She'll glance through the memos, nodding, then look up at him. "Of course. I can take care of this. If- if there's anything else, please don't hesitate to tell me." She attempts a smile, but this time, her expression stays mostly serious. "I already watched one King work himself to exhaustion. I really, really don't want to see it again." She worries, that's all.

Theo smiled back at her, nodding. "I don't plan to make a habit of it, promise." He even crossed his heart, no pun intended. "After I get Justin started in here, I might just nip out of the office for the rest of today and catch up on my sleep."

Sounded like an amazing plan, now that he thought about it.

"I can stay in here and deal with anyone who comes to see you. If you'd like, that is." She'd had a lot of experience dealing with a variety of problems after all, thanks to the last several months.

He shook his head. "That's all right. I think I'm going to finish this for Mano, then head down to check on Donia and call it a day. That way I can get more done tomorrow."

Theo nodded towards her folder. "You've enough on your plate, and everything else will keep for a bit."

Her lips twist unhappily at that. She wants to point out that she barely has anything on her plate as it is, and buying new kitchen sinks wasn't going to be a lot of work, but she stays quiet. After a moment, "as you'd like, your Majesty. I hope the rest of your day proceeds nicely."

"Thank you, madam Ace. I appreciate it muchly." It would, just as soon as he fired off these last emails, closed his office door and went for a nap in his quarters.

"Oh, one more thing, while it's on my mind; what's the thought about a summer luau sometime this June? Mano brought it up and I think it'd be a good idea, weather and circumstances allowing."

She thinks about it for a moment. "If people aren't too partied out by the Spring Swing, I suppose it'd be a nice idea," she murmurs with a smile. "Weather permitting, definitely. If last October had been any chillier, the Halloween ball would've been a flop."

"I was thinking sometime around the start of July, so mid-summer. But definitely, weather permitting." He snorted lightly. "Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if we had a blizzard right about the end of June. It'd certainly be true to form, as weird as things have already been this year.

"But check with Mano; I'll leave the planning details to the two of you, if you wouldn't mind."

"Got it, your Majesty. I'll go find Mano right away." She salutes to him before finally slipping out of the door.

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ota {behind the mirror}

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