-OTA- Changing Hands, Changing Heads

[alwaysopportunities]

It was only a routine financial meeting. A briefing, really; Cam, several of the assorted Sixes through Nines who helped balance the suit's checkbooks, Katya, Clive, a few assorted others. Just another going over the books in preparation for the end of the year, but when the meeting itself wraps, Cam clears his throat and steps up to the table again. He's been working towards this moment for a while, and while there were rumors, he'd neither confirmed nor denied them. Until now.

"Sir, you know I admire the work you've done for us as King, and I'd like to thank you for continuing to allow me to serve what I consider to be my family, regardless of blood. You've done an excellent job of managing what was handed you, and I can see you feel responsible for the suit as a whole, but I think we both know there are other places you'd rather be, and this is not one of them. With all due respect, I challenge you for tue position of King."

The challenge was accepted, if a little unusual. Each man given ten thousand dollars in bonds, with the objective of growing that sum as quickly as possible. The first man to hit one million would hold the throne, barring a potential counter-challenge if things played out that way. And at the start, it was a surprising picture. Clive took the lead early and kept it, quickly outpacing Cam with judicious use of his people skills, chats with outside brokers, some interesting risks. But he stalled out around 850,000, and Cam quickly began making up the diatance. 600, 700, 800, until finally at 925,000 he outpaced Clive and took the lead.

There was no counter-challenge, just a private discussion between the two men, an hour spent in the King's office, words exchanged, and when that door opened again, there was a new King leading the Spades. A different King. And Clive...well, he was alive, healthy, and more likely to stay that way than he had been prior to the Challenge. More than most former Spade Kings could say.

[Feel free to be at the meeting to announce the winner of the Challenge, visiting Cam as he settles into the role, whatever. He doesn't bite, honest.]

Comments

[headfollowheart]

She'd had to step hard on Penelope's foot when the girl squeaked during Camden's challenge to Clive. Zoe herself had just paused slightly in drinking her tea, and then set it carefully in its saucer until after the challenge and the terms were decided upon. She was only thinking two things at the time.

One, she was glad Cam had waited until after she'd reported on the audit their Outside accounts had been subjected to and two - this was probably the first time she'd ever heard about something before Victor.

She'd kept out of it from then on, of course, but watched with interest. She only dabbled in the financial management end of things a little, though she'd always been interested in it. Still, she liked Clive enough not to want to involve herself, and she only introduced herself once it was all over and Cam was ensconced in the King's office.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," Zoe said. "Michael asked me to bring these numbers by."

[theacethatmatters]

Julien had, of course, heard of the Challenge and the new King, even if he wasn't present at the Challenge itself. Not so difficult to find Camden later.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Though it's obvious the former Ace is evaluating them. Just as it was quite well known that there had been no love lost between Clive and Julie and certainly even less between Julien and David.

[morallydefunct]

Clive Kelly had always been a bit fun to wind up, just as much as David had been...fun to leave baffled. Cam, he had to admit, wasn't someone he knew much of though. How very interesting, he thought, as he'd watch Clive make his exit. For an ousted King, he certainly didn't seem that heartbroken over things.

Maybe he was relieved to just be alive. Very few former Spade Kings could have claimed that.

"My Lord King," Victor said as he come into the office, taking in the orange that Clive had allowed Raph to paint on the walls. He had to give Clive this- the office was a bit more lively these days. Even if a bit to boardroom like. "I have the reports on the latest incidents involving the so called 'Blood Born' and the, aptly named, 'Outsiders'. It might be of an interest to you."

[old_dog]

They didn't catch up until much later in the evening, when Michael was on the way out of the Castle. He did seem a little preoccupied with whatever might have been going through his head, but if he was in a hurry to get going, it certainly didn't show when he stopped and grinned at the new King before putting on the most serious expression he could muster.

"If you'd like my job while you're at it, you might be happy to know that I was planning on early retirement," Michael jested, lacking all the formality one ought to have with a King. But then, they'd known each other for years. He knew Camden well enough to know that he would have been born and lived and would almost certainly die not being able to trust a single King of Spades in his lifetime - but such was the way of their Suit.

"I had big plans for buying a Greek island and escaping off into the sunset when no one's looking."

Darn you. I want to call him Cameron. /ducks

[maidenthespade]

She had not batted eye when Camden issued challenge even though inside she sighed relief that she would not see Clive risk death nor need to begin plotting means to rid herself of unsuitable and unsupportable king.

Katya was neat woman. She so disliked messes.

She could work well with either man, and so spoke truth when she wished them both luck before taking her leave. In end, she was surprised it took so little time to achieve their goal. Perhaps she should ask Michael to go over basic investment strategies. Her education had veered into other direction.

She had left minion lying in wait and knew almost at once when Cam and Clive had finished their meeting. She caught up to Cam shortly after. "Well done." And then she allowed a slow smile--one many a Spade had come to regret--to form. "Michael will be happy to see nest egg grown to such proportions." They had, after all, been given funds for challenge. Windfall should thin out frown lines her Jack had been wearing of late. He had been worried they would be in red this quarter.

"Shall we walk or would you prefer discussing transition in my office?"

Each Face was different. He might wish her to make announcement or proclaim his success himself. He could leave it to official correspondence or fall back upon formal court. Missives would need to be sent to all Suits, new signature ring ordered and old one collected, official stationery changed and, most importantly, tea preferences made know to Chives. No need to bring doom upon them all by alienating kitchen staff.

In current climate, she believed it best to adhere to tradition. Ultimately, choice belonged to Cam. He had days of briefings to look forward to. Let him enjoy this first.