[ota] let me count the ways....

[wouldbetrump]

Clive wasn't convinced anything was going right lately. He'd made his stop at the Fox wedding, given the bride and the...groom his well wishes as it were. But he had something he needed to focus on outside of the wedding.

And today he was out in town because it was, he realized, not a good look for a man not to be speaking with his Jack. Which meant apologizes were in order, even if they were not the easiest things to do. No suits today, either, as he walked slowly ahead.

This was not going to be a fun conversation.

Comments

[wouldbetrump]

"I am glad to hear that, Julien, truly." He even smiled a bit warmer as though to convey just that.

As for his thoughts, well...

"I've merely been contemplating your replacement. It is a careful choice to make, after all."

[theacethatmatters]

"I can only imagine the amount of thought that must go into that decision. I do hope you're going to discuss it with her Majesty as well."

He sounds completely sincere and helpful, at least.

Not snarky a bit.

[wouldbetrump]

"Oh, I intend to Julien. Don't worry. We do actually make these choices together, as we should."

Such as when they'd demoted Julien, for example. This was how things worked in the new suit order.

[theacethatmatters]

"Of course, forgive me for implying otherwise." And his expression turns curious, thoughtful. "Might I ask who it is you're considering?"

Don't worry, Clive. He won't actually do anything to the prospects...it would be too obvious who had done something, after all.

[wouldbetrump]

He wasn't planning on telling Julien in either case. Some things just never needed to be spoken, least people get the wrong ideas.

"Several, Julien. Ivona, Helena," he said, before listing off a few other tens. "It would be of particular use if Mr. Fox would simply agree."

Not that he ever was, but it did amuse him when it came to how many rumors floated about the castle that the reason the Ace had not been named yet was because Victor Fox had dug his heels in.

[theacethatmatters]

Julien snorts. Not loud, but enough to get the gist across. He knows Victor too well for that. The fact that the man had even went for Ten had been a bit surprising. "He would have quite a lot of experience as regards the duties of an Ace."

He should be given a medal for how tightly he's reining himself in.

[wouldbetrump]

"He would, wouldn't he? And Katya has quite the shine for him. I think she'd be happy to see him as Ace." Still, it wasn't likely to happen and everyone knew it. Oh well, it saved them from replacing at Ten at least.

"And what is it that has you occupied today, Julien?"

[theacethatmatters]

"Oh," he says as he rolls his shoulders, "I thought I was taking a vacation, your Majesty."

There's a momentary flash of something like a smile on his face. Less an actual movement in his lips and more a movement of his eyebrows, of the muscles around his mouth.

"I've also found a few Sixes and Sevens who were looking for some...advanced training, if it please you."

[wouldbetrump]

He didn't really want Julien teaching anyone, but thus far Hadyn was still training with the former Ace and there seemed little stopping that. And it wasn't as if he could deny that Julien had something to teach the others.

"If you so desire, Julien, I see no reason for you do so such." It at least would keep the man busy, and that with hope would keep him out of trouble.