[ota] this is just a tribute

[hamelinic]

So apparently there are a zillion things going wrong with the Deck these days. Murders and Challenges and hijinks and all the sort of thing which really, well, if the denizens don't expect it by now, they're just not the best at denizen-ing this particular location of denizenship, are they.

So you know who isn't concerned? This Joker.

And you know who is still riding a high from his weekend get-away with his super-best-friend Johniel? Also this Joker. So you know who is ready to talk your ear off about elephants and dyeing silk and macaroni on a stick? Yes, still Cynric. He is, at least, playing very energetically while he babbles.

Seriously, though. Mac and cheese. On a stick. You know you have hours to listen to him talk about that. Don't be shy.

Comments

[hamelinic]

"No. You'll love it." Maybe. Not necessarily. But it lights up the Joker's face like a normal human being who's actually just excited about something, not the deviant gleam of his profession. "Have you spent much time in trees, Lady?"

[hamelinic]

"If you liked." His fingers at her hair tug cheerfully before he leans back onto his elbows. "Seems easier to just do my best t' make you smile. Quite an electric smile, Miss Katya."

[gotyourheart]

Which is a comforting, even pleasant, thing to see.

"Not nearly as much to be able to stay in them comfortably, but certainly enough to get by."

Enough to help her climb into windows or get away from crime scenes, for example.

[heartvestment]

"I would not. You'd hurt yourself all the time, then, which would be terrible. Plus, we don't want the other boys getting jealous."

[hamelinic]

That's enough. That's ideal, almost.

"Johnny promised he'd help me put proper hammocks in a tree." Cynric tended to sleep in natural dips of branches, but more normal human beings might need, you know. A properly safe place to rest to be encouraged to spend real amounts of time there. "Will you help test them out?"

[hamelinic]

"Don't be ridiculous, darling." Give him your hand. It needs kissing, clearly. "I'd love the other boys to be dreadfully jealous of me.

[gotyourheart]

A hammock. She's fairly certain she's never actually been in a hammock before. She's not entirely certain that qualifies her to be a tester.

Ah, well. First time for everything, right?

"Suppose if it doesn't interfere too much with Queenly duties."

[hamelinic]

"It'll bring you joy, Lady Rowan. And joy will make you a far more effecatious leader than you already are. Really, you ought to play more-- to minimize unhappiness interfering with your duties."

It can be serious and not at the same time.

[maidenthespade]

"First stunning and now electric? Are you certain I am not eel?" She chuckles. "How much easier life would be. Spade halls would clear quickly if I could zap at will. No, no, I would cut too far into my daily half-hour of allotted fun."

It is not difficult thing to make her smile, after all, hardly worth effort of such a talented Joker. Her eyes crinkle with amusement. "Or do you perhaps say I am shocking?"

[hamelinic]

"Only in the best sense of the word, dearest, I do positively assure you."

The lute is shifted further for a moment so he can properly flop onto his back beside her, watch the sky with a pleased grin.

"D'you enjoy it? Being shocking?"

[gotyourheart]

Truer words have never been spoken, and her there's a glint of something like respect-- or at least acknowledgement of the wisdom of his words-- in her eyes as she nods.

"I quite agree. We all could benefit from taking a little time off to enjoy ourselves."

[messire_messer]

Oh, Cynric. "Have to be rather small people. I suppose it can be a magnet for when people lose their children during their meals."

Which is not exactly a denial of lying in sun spots. Just him lying in that particular sun spot.

[hamelinic]

It absolutely gets him puffing up just a hair with contentment.

"Got to keep you on the up and up. Who else is going to keep the Hearts on the straightish and narrowish?"

[hamelinic]

Boo. Booooooo. Boo but also another bite of cake.

"Could be whole marketing strategy. Adult drinks after dinner while the children play with specks of light."

[messire_messer]

"Lovely summer project. I suspect if you went and told Lasse now, you'd get a succession of free meals." Or a pat on the back and one free meal. Something like that.

Also hah last quarter of the cake into his mouth. It can totally fit.

[gotyourheart]

"Isn't that what we've the other Faces for?" she jests.

But really, they all need to be in their best conditions.

[maidenthespade]

"I am only shocking because I do not often fit into Queen mold." Her pursed lips conceal a smile. "But I am always amused to watch reactions when I fail to do so. Some, I think, would like to pull out 'Dealing with Royals' instruction manual and point me to page with correct response.

"Jokers are said to be shocking, yes? Though I believe label comes from speaking truth as they see it. People do not often enjoy hearing truths." She points at sky. "That one is looking like winged bunny."

[heartvestment]

How is she supposed to resist? "What a charmer. But what if there's a boy I don't want to make jealous, mm?"

[hamelinic]

Choke on that lack of sharing, sir. But also accept this lean of comfortable contemplation.

"You think?"

[hamelinic]

"What, and me out of a job?" Clearly, the point of a Joker is this. "I've absolutely got dibs on looking after you lot."

[hamelinic]

It's nice that some Spades are so reasonable. Really, it's best of all to see the Suit he should have loved best of all has a capable head on its shoulders. This one is a few worlds better than Athena, that's certain.

"Which?" Give him a second to squirm closer, squint with his head next to hers. "Next to the ice cream cone?"

[hamelinic]

"Who wouldn't you want to make jealous? Isn't it one of the greatest methods to a man's heart?" Tell Cynric of your love life. Or give him kisses. Or both.

[heartvestment]

"Mmm, usually," she says, curling her legs up under her. "But the man in question... he has enough going on right now, mmm?" Kisses on the cheek are absolutely doable.

[messire_messer]

"Lasse is such a generous soul, d'you know?" Hand to forehead in mock swoon. His patron is so wonderful, Cynric, he must resort to this.

[gotyourheart]

"Ah, and now we discover the true purpose of the Jokers," she says with a grin, "You've helped me solve an age-old mystery, sir."