[ota] Facing the music....

[heartafterheart]

Doctor Catadlo had been perplexed by the results. And had decided to take more blood- and run the test himself this time. Something was amiss, the man said, not only in how long it had taken them to return...but that nothing was there. Nothing- as if the king was not sick. But Ceiro hardly looked the picture of health at the moment

Comments

[spysinspades]

It took a bit of looking to find the Heart King, ensconced in the library as he was, but there was an important matter to be discussed. After the conversation with Elisha, he had to confirm the vague agreement they'd come to so long ago.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

[heartafterheart]

Sometimes Ceiro had to hide in places other than his office, it was true. The library, though, was bright and warm- like much of the castle. It gave off a feeling of cheer that few other places in the Deck could, at least in Ceiro's mind.

"No," he said as he looked up at the sound of David's voice, "no you are not interrupting. Please. Join me."

[spysinspades]

Ceiro didn't look well. He looked nearly as bad as Lindsey had, when the deceased King had tried to wave off his bout of the chicken pocks.

"Thank you." David settled easily into a chair across the table from Ceiro, and ignored the haggard appearance beyond coming to the point quickly - little reason to drag it would when the King wasn't feeling well. "Do you remember our conversation on ambassadors?"

[heartafterheart]

"Ambassadors?" Ceiro's brow knotted for a moment. It wasn't as if he should have forgotten- he'd taken to the idea so well months ago. But he seemed more confused for a moment, before resolving to simply agree.

"Of course, why do you ask?"

[spysinspades]

Perhaps there was more cause for concern than David had seen . There had been a lapse between planning and execution, he agreed, but not enough for confusion over it's existence.

Maybe he misread the confusion. He would think that, for now. Think that and file this away for later, when it would likely come back to make an issue. Prior planning and hedging his bets were, in many cases, the only things that kept him on top.

"I spoke to Elisha, and in renewing old agreements I brought the idea to his attention. I think it would be beneficial for the Suits to exchange ambassadors - it will give us all a presence in one another's Courts and perhaps assist in reopening waning communications."

[heartafterheart]

"Ah, yes." It was a good idea. A good plan. But for the life of him he wasn't able to focus on it well enough. "I will have to speak to Judith about it, of course." If only because she would likely be able to situate thing. "And Wren...."

He paused then. Athena would need to be consulted, if only for her opinion on ambassadors, but she was still...recovering.

"Did you have someone in mind? From the Hearts, that is?" Hadyn would do well as an Ambassador to the Clubs, but the other suits. Mm. He would have to make a note of it somewhere, to remind himself of this later.

[spysinspades]

"Not as such, no." Anyone he would choose specifically was likely already in place. That only left those he wished to tweak - Laureline as too dangerous, Hadyn as not enough fun... "It would be cruel of me to request Jordan, I suppose."

Cruel, yes. But right within the bounds of his only-slightly twisted humor. Right inside the bounds of toeing a line with the chessmaster lioness. The smile that flashed across his face couldn't be helped, nor the mischief it carried.

"If you have any preferences, the Queen and I would be glad to entertain them."

[heartafterheart]

"Jordan, then. I will ask if he will be willing." Though Ceiro wasn't so sure, given their last conversation. "He has a lot on his plate at the moment. I cannot promise he would agree."

However, as for who David wanted to send to them, he merely waved his hand a little. "Whoever you think is best, David. You have more of an eye for it." Or perhaps Ceiro wasn't sure he trusted himself to think about it clearly. Or even to remember he'd agreed to it, given his record of late.

[spysinspades]

A surprised quirk of his brow, hidden almost as fast as it appeared. Ceiro was trusting, and kind. But even for him, that seemed like... too much.

"Perhaps once you've spoken to the Queen," David hedged, to leave the Hearts a little wiggle room.

It seemed it was past time for David to be looking into whatever was causing Ceiro's... odd behavior. "I believe that was all. I can... leave you to your books."

[heartafterheart]

"Oh.....Yes," he said softly, looking over his books. "I'll speak with Judith."

It was going on his growing list of things to do.