[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

[theacethatmatters]

More than one might expect. Well, up until his little tiff with Säde had turned out badly for him.

"Then you really don't need another. I'd rather just keep to what I do best." Even if what he does best is currently being done by someone else.

[old_dog]

"Well I hope one day you'll consider becoming good at something else." Realistically speaking, this kind of thing Julien prided himself in wasn't going to work out for him long-term.

"Even if it's not going to be small talk."

[theacethatmatters]

"You'll have to give me some suggestions sometime. Maybe over tea."

The thought of the two of them have tea in a formal sitting room is entertaining, anyway, if only for the looks they might get.

[old_dog]

"Should I bring some knitting needles and borrow a cat for our tea appointment, then?" There's an idea for the inevitable future decline. Socks and sweaters would fly off the shelf at this time of the year.

More likely than not there would be alcohol in the tea and an ashtray on a small adjacent table.

"You might be good at more than just throwing them at a target."

[theacethatmatters]

"You know...I've never tried that with knitting needles. Might be worth a shot."

Literally.

[old_dog]

"Has anyone told you lately that you're dangerous to be around?" Because it was worth mentioning even though it was fairly obvious.

[theacethatmatters]

"Not in the last hour at least. Has anyone ever told you you're more dangerous than you look?"

He pays attention.

[old_dog]

"Often, in the kitchen when I'm fumbling with a knife." Deliberate misinterpretation, perhaps, but you couldn't tell he'd done it on purpose when his smile was so innocent.

[theacethatmatters]

"Ri-ight. I'll make sure to have someone else do the cooking then." You know, when he comes for dinner. Because he does things like that.

[old_dog]

That does earn him an amused rise of the eyebrows.

"As much as I would love to have you over, my cave out in Town hasn't been tidied since I moved in, and I shouldn't take the pleasure of serving you meals from Chives. He'll have my head."