[ota] all this weight on my mind, what's a little more?

[ishineon]

There's some worrying things Säde is finding in her finance department. Residency and IT both have been secretly leaking money for months, apparently in concert with people in other Suits. She's been working late nights tracing things back, not that it's immediately apparent in her appearance. But then, anyone wondering might be diverted by the financial news Outside. Apparently a banking company with a rather familiar name is in a bit of trouble.

Whichever the case, there's definitely something puzzling about finding the Queen of Diamonds in the gardens and shredding a poor innocent flower into small strips with an absolutely serene look on her face.

[ooc: this post is set before the dead-Spade-in-Diamond-Castle kerfuffle]

Comments

[ishineon]

She looks up from the delicate strip of a petal at Rachel, fingers stilling as she settles her expression more firmly into a smile. All but her eyes, at least, but she's not bothering to do anything about that. "Good afternoon to you."

[thecutdiamond]

"And you, milady." She gestures to the empty seat beside her on the bench, "May I?"

[ishineon]

"Of course." The flower drops into her lap as she motions to the empty seat. She waits for Rachel to settle herself before asking, "How was your visit to the Outposts? I've read your report, but what of your personal impressions?"

[thecutdiamond]

A bob of a nod, "As I said, it went well, and other than the new additions from when everything was in an upheaval, there's been nothing out of the ordinary. The Diamonds there are adjusting quite well to the new lands they've to deal with." Which is reassuring, hopefully, "As for the issue with the guards, my impression is largely that it was from boredom, but as you wished I-- suggested--" With perhaps a little bit more force than a mere suggestion, "That Liliana return to the main Castle. Although I would recommend that perhaps to decrease the chances of more occurrences, we increase the number of rotations of guards, at least for the time being."

[ishineon]

"Draw up a rota, then. At least for the next six months seems suitable. I think that ought to work. And the root of her conflict with this Club, it was..." she gestures sharply, "purely out of boredom? That's what they all said?"

[thecutdiamond]

"Mostly," she says, "I believe-- though I can't confirm it-- that there may be just a little bit of bad blood between them, which likely helped set things off."

[ishineon]

She tilts her head, considering. "How long was it since they were assigned to the Outposts that they began fighting? Bad blood never starts or stops at just one punch."

[thecutdiamond]

"Some of the other guards I spoke to said they'd fought before, but not while they were on duty." Which hadn't been the case in this most recent incident, "I imagine that this time when they were out on patrol, they happened to run into one another and, not having anything else to look to, exchanged words and then blows."

[ishineon]

"Ah." Well. It's not like Liliana doesn't have an example to follow. Säde can only hope the guard doesn't try to use that in her defence. "I hope you counselled her on the consequences of repeating that."

[thecutdiamond]

"Of course, milady," said with a dip of a nod, "She seemed to take the message to heart."

Likely because Rachel still had a way of delivering it in a manner that would make the woman obey.

[ishineon]

She clicks her tongue. "Then I hope Elisha's man does his part. In any case, we're not having her run errands to Club Castle. Just in case."

[thecutdiamond]

"That would be quite wise," she agrees, "It'd likely be best if she stayed largely in or around our own Castle for now."

[ishineon]

She shakes her head. "If she will do that, then very well. But I've no wish to restrict her, unless you are absolutely certain she wouldn't be able to control herself if she encountered him again."

[thecutdiamond]

"No, I simply believed you may prefer the precaution. I believe she will handle herself much better from here on out."

[ishineon]

"Good, good." She twirls the flower in her hands restlessly. "That's... good."

[thecutdiamond]

The unsettled appearance of the Queen has Rachel reaching out to hold one of Säde's wrists, lightly. She is her Queen, yes, but they were friends before she was a Face Card.

"Säde." The words are gentle, "I know there must be a lot to deal with right now. If there's anything I can do to make things easier, please don't spare me."

[ishineon]

She twirls the flower more and more, trusting her fingers to find the right rhythm. "It isn't all mine to tell, I'm afraid. Family business. You understand."

[thecutdiamond]

"Of course," Rachel murmurs, her head dipping in a nod-- because she understands family matters perfectly.

"Nonetheless. If you need me, I'm here."

Both as Ten and as a friend.