[OTA] How Much Is That Doggy In The Window (The butler will kill me)

[heartsthespades]

This had seemed like a wiser idea before he breached Spade Castle with a puppy technically on a leash - but really eating the leash as far as Jordan could tell

Comments

And now for some whiplash with these accounts.

[piquedbutler]

Violently. In the night. With a metric ton of bleach out of which will come Knives, Knives Everywhere.

Or, quite possibly, just with the Stare of Entire Disapproval pointed in the direction of Novak and Dog.

People have been Mortally Injured by generations of Disapproving Chives with merely this sort of Look.

My brain hurts already.

[heartsthespades]

...Jordan remembers this stare. He got it - frequently, terrifyingly - from the current Chives' father for much of his childhood. Alas, it is too late for retreat, thanks to wriggling, affectionate Dog in his arms.

He doesn't shed, at least.

"He's for Meghana," he finally says. "She's always adored animals and has never been able to have what she wants."

[piquedbutler]

Ah. That means it's time for Calculus.

Novaks back in the Castle Spades. Good. Jordan Novak in the Castle Spades pushing Boundaries? Less. Anyone at all in the Castle Spades with A Creature? Horrible and Bad in Every Way. Letting one of his Beloved Tens have something she wanted, when really, life so rarely gave her what she Wanted? Really Quite Good.

He'll bring it down from Entire to Very Real Disapproval. "And will it be staying, then?"

[heartsthespades]

"I'm afraid so, Chives." He pauses. "It doesn't shed."

Whether this is actually enough to tamp down the disapproval is up for debate. But one has to try, at least, and he sighs as he leans away from earkisses. "She'll make Meghana very happy."

[piquedbutler]

It doesn't shed. That's Something, isn't it.

His breath might escape, very slightly, in a Long-Suffering sort of Exhale before he lifts his chin. Not quite up to Approval, but... well. Jordan is playing the right cards on this negotiation.

Come back, Wayward Spade.

"And if it doesn't, sir, I expect it will be removed?"

[heartsthespades]

"I'll find it another home in another Suit." Likely the Hearts or Clubs, given the more easy-going nature of Sean and Karin.

His lips curved in a smile as he ducked another kiss. "I solemnly swear."

He can't go home, of course. It's simply not possible, no matter how much they might wish otherwise. But he inclines his head. "I should get him out of the hall." Before he does something worthy of puppy assassination.

[piquedbutler]

That had best be a smile of Genuinely Promising, Jordan Novak. The Glare of a Chives man in the back is just as deadly as in the face.

"So please you, sir." The bow is neat, sharp, even to the Ten of another Suit. He does not, however, immediately sweep off to continue disapproving of things elsewhere. "She'll send if assistance is required, I expect?"

Because he's not asking the kitchen to prepare dog scraps without Explicit Orders.

[heartsthespades]

It is a Solemn Swear, Chives. Domino will not shed and Meghana will be ecstatic and these are both very good things, aren't they? Extremely good things.

"I'm certain she will," he says gently, "and that she'll try to make her as unobtrusive a presence in the Castle as possible." Which, given the amount of wriggling and puppy kisses, was probably not that unobtrusive.

[piquedbutler]

The hum is brief, faint, but just a touch like something Approving. This is not something given to Non-Favourites every day. Hopefully it will be cherished or some other appropriately Weighty verb while the butler dematerializes back into the Darkness of the Castle Spades.
Trust that any shed hairs, should they ever appear, will somehow Transport into the Castle Hearts.