[ota] so much thought, so little time

[theacethatmatters]

Julien's trainees have all scattered for the evening. If he were to be truthful, they've all come quite a ways and he calculates most of them will be ready for their own assignments elsewhere soon enough. Then, he supposes, he'll have to take on a few more or find some other way to fill his time.

Which is why he's working, somewhat mechanically, against a practice dummy. The practice is good for keeping his body fit and loose, but the routine is rote enough to let him focus more on his thoughts and less on the exercise.

He could, of course, concern himself more closely with the rumors of unrest among certain factions of the Deck. Even if it wasn't strictly his duty.

Or, and the thought brings a twitch of a smile to his lips, he could surprise everyone by taking a vacation and visiting the beach. Might be worth it just for the expressions. Would be more worth it if he could make it useful, somehow.

Soon enough, though, Julien is finished and moving away to scoop up a waiting bottle of water and drop down on a nearby bench for a few moments as he towels his face and arms off. Somewhere in there, he'll wave at whomever is nearest, "your turn."

Comments

[lowtohigh]

She's not exactly a fixture of the Spades training fields. She's there a fair amount, but not necessarily an overly notable amount. It's still nice to feel, almost, as if she's not remarkable here, the way she's not remarkable walking down the halls of her own castle.

Still, it would be nice to be a bit remarked by this Spade in particular.

"...have I got to earn my conversations now, then?"

that expression in the icon is perfect. /snerk

[theacethatmatters]

Julien looks up at her as he drapes the towel over the back of the bench. "I thought you came to train," he says, blandly.

But he'll scoot over some so he's not taking up most of the middle of the bench. "It is that time of day, after all."

No, he totes didn't not notice it was you, Eileen. He wasn't distracted or anything.

Kristina makes good faces the way Cassandra and Anna do. It is the unifying Eileen factor. \o/

[lowtohigh]

It's not the best feeling in the world, even if it did come from distraction and not a lack of affection. Or if, you know. It came from distraction and a lack of affection. That would be the worst.

"Not explicitly."

Because it was the time of day to catch him here, after all.

Re: Kristina makes good faces the way Cassandra and Anna do. It is the unifying Eileen factor. \o/

[theacethatmatters]

"No?" He waves at the space next to him, "anything explicitly then?"

At least even if he was distracted, he's still making time for her. That hasn't changed.

[lowtohigh]

"For the ambiance, I suppose."

Explicitly. The ambiance, of course, being that the world felt a bit more electric here in a good way than it did elsewhere in the world.

"And to see my friends."

[theacethatmatters]

"Friends." It's the 's' on the end that has him looking at her sidelong. "And how is that going?"

You know, because she's talking to him rather than anyone in her own peer group. Then again, anyone her age isn't really in her peer group.

[lowtohigh]

Some people have more than one. People like Eileen.

Admittedly, he probably had her beat on the 'number of friends vs. number of friends in own age cohort' ratio. "Well enough, unless you're stopping me from seeing you."

[theacethatmatters]

That gets an extra-sharp sidelong look, "and what makes you think that?"

Seriously, Eileen, seriously. Are people telling you things about him?

Do you know why I'm in thIS ACCOUNT BECAUSE FUCK EVERYTHING MY HEART ANA

[lowtohigh]

Which gets her stopping briefly. Thinking quietly. Watching his face with a layer of uncertainty for just a moment because it's notable when he's sharp with her.

"You're just... not seeming particularly up to it, at the moment."

[morallydefunct]

"Kind of you to announce as much, My Lord." Victor said, as he came up behind Julien, hands in his pockets. "However, I'm not interested in the gym. Walk with me."

There was some business to discuss after all. And Julien might not be Ace, but Victor didn't see a reason to be very open to working with the new one.

[theacethatmatters]

Some might expect Julien to bristle at Victor's perfunctory tone but really, the two had worked together enough for him to expect such things. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asks as he stands and falls into step beside the other man.

At least if its Victor bringing something to him, it's likely to be interesting.

[morallydefunct]

"Hearsay, and the like. What ever do you owe the pleasure to?" Victor asked, a brow raising just slightly. But as they walked, he looked ahead again, before reaching into his inside pocket on his jacket and pulling out an envelope. Handing the item over to Julien, a small smirk played on this lips, which was not entirely unusual in these circumstances.

"A little bird thought you might be interested in that," he went on, realizing that Pasha probably had little idea of just what Victor had sent him off deck most recently to find.

[theacethatmatters]

The first part doesn't deserve a response, but he'll take the envelope and open it curiously, opening as they walk. "If only people knew my fondness for little birds, they might bring me more of them."

[morallydefunct]

"It is a rather sad that more people are not aware. We could make you a sign to hang upon your door, but the quality of bird might well go down hill." Victor said with a smirk.

"I think you'll find that the information is sound. You might well choose to act on it soon."

[theacethatmatters]

"Yes and I don't think that would benefit either of us, now would it?" He folds the letter up and slips it into his coat pocket. "I'm sure action will be taken quite soon. Would hate to miss such an opportunity."

He might even go see to it personally.

[morallydefunct]

"I think it might cheer you up at the very least." He mused, before adjusting his jacket and slipping his hands back into his pants pockets. "I would, however, would suggest to neglect in telling the king of your...intentions."

[theacethatmatters]

"I believe the King tends to be happier when he isn't aware of any intentions I may have and I am loath to make him unhappy, of course."

He shrugs slightly, glancing over at Victor, "I don't anticipate any issues that will require Royal intervention, anyway." And if they did, he'd go to Katya. Or leave it on Michael's lap.

Before he makes to part ways, he pauses and raises an eyebrow curiously at the Ten, "by the way. What sort of good works are required for sainthood? Do you think this particular service might fall under that category?"

[old_dog]

There's a distinct chuckle before Michael straightens up from leaning against the wall, unfolds his arms and slips his hands into his pockets, and just shakes his head.

"Too old for this, surely." One could never be too old in the Spades, to be sure, but he'd always claimed to be fairly useless against practice dummies and even more so against real people.

"Why pick on something that can't hit back?"

[theacethatmatters]

Julien takes another long swallow of the water from his bottle before replying. "Isn't that what they're made for? Or are you suggesting you'd make a better target?"

He'd say opponent but Michael's the one always saying he's no good at this.

[old_dog]

"Would I?" he asked, complete with a tilted head, innocent wide eyes and a pleasant smile. Julien wouldn't be the first to offer to draw blood and leave scars, so to speak, and likely wouldn't be the last.

"I wouldn't hit you back either, but I wouldn't stop you from taking a swing at me if you think you need it," he offered as he approached.

[theacethatmatters]

Don't worry, old man, Julien wouldn't actually be one of the young hotheads who might really buy this. Doesn't mean he won't take Michael up on his offer.

So he stands and rolls his shoulders, "it's not need." Not that he hasn't felt the urge with people in the past, of course, but he's found a certain sort of equilibrium in his life. "And if you just stand there, it takes all the fun out of it, anyway."

[old_dog]

"Well then," he started, straightening his shirt by tugging on the bottom. Getting into an altercation wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he decided to drop by, but it wasn't an offer he had made in jest, he did deserve a lot more than a thrashing from Julien, all things considered, and it was bad manners to retract his offer.

"Where do you need me and what do you want me to do?" Ever the people-pleaser. Would you expect anything less?

[theacethatmatters]

Julien lets out a huff of breath and waves over to one of the mats, "it's called sparring, Michael. Surely somebody's shown you how to do it? Or do I need to add another student to my list?"

The idea, at least, is amusing enough to cause a quirk to the corner of his mouth. Michael, next to a bunch of nineteen and twenty-year-olds.

[old_dog]

"Old dogs can't learn new tricks," he said, but even as he said it he was stepping out of his shoes, emptying his pockets, casting his jacket aside rather carelessly and folding up his sleeves. He seemed to be considering the ring on his middle finger for a moment while he took his watch off before he wriggled the plain silver band off and placed it on the edge of the bench.

"Please be gentle. I've been told I hit like a girl," he commented with a soft laugh even though it wasn't true. They might not have sparred with each other before, but there had been many a competent Spade who gave Michael valuable parting gifts over the years. Even in this day and age, one (unfortunately) didn't get to be Jack without being able to hold his ground far better than impressionable youths more than half his age, lest it gave them wild ideas about murdering him in his sleep.

[theacethatmatters]

"Don't see why not, if they're smart dogs." Julien, of course, is already more or less dressed for the occasion, so he just waits on the mat for Michael though the other man's second comment has him snorting in a fashion that almost sounds like laughter.

"Quite the compliment, then, considering some of my students."

But once Michael appears ready, he won't waste time with more banter. Just because he doesn't plan on actually smacking Michael around, or even hitting him very hard for that matter, doesn't mean he's going to play completely fair.