(OTA) I've Swallowed a Secret Burning Thread

[trainingwreck]

The sign on the door of the salle said there was to be no training until Monday at the earliest. The note on Tally's apartment door said she was out. The servants have been given three conflicting stories about where she'll be, including the tale that she's skipped to the Outside for a week in Paris

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[cardpuncher]

She was going out somewhere. The place didn't really matter for Rowan, because she was going on her own; it usually meant she would end up leaving someone bloody. Or that she would wake up in her bed (hopefully) and get back to work. Just another night.

But then again, maybe not. The fire caught her eye, and moments later she was closing in, eyeing the tent with curiosity. This better be worth her night.

"Who lives?" She called in a strong, yet not precisely loud shout. It was a silly way to ask for people, but it seemed to fit the strange moment.

[trainingwreck]

"Atalanta Hawkins of Diamonds. Who comes?" That seemed the best response at the moment. The voice wasn't one she recognized, but...why not? Let's play along and see what merry mischief may be found this evening at her camp.

[cardpuncher]

That was a totally regal response. Shrugging, Rowan kept walking.

"Rowan Justice of...Hearts." It sounded silly when she said it. Why it sounded silly when she said it? That was not fair.

"Uh, you're the Ten right? I'm an Eight." She was almost there now.

[trainingwreck]

"Actually, I was the Nine." She chuckles. "Are you staying for dinner, or just visiting to make sure I don't burn the whole place down?"

[cardpuncher]

"Ah, my bad." She couldn't possibly be expected to keep everyone listed. But mind you, she did have lists for situations like these. Just not on her at that moment.

Finally getting close enough to see Tally, Rowan shrugs. "Yeah, why not? I wasn't going to do anything as healthy as this anyway."

And then it sink in. "Was?"

[trainingwreck]

"Was. This is the Right and Proper way to spend one's first night as Jack of Diamonds, don't you know?" Sarcasm drips from the second sentence. Tally's very much a Diamond in the rough, not the shiny transparent gem her Queen or Ace are. She counts herself lucky the King understood her need for a night like this after the surprise promotion.

[cardpuncher]

It's a weird meeting, and Rowan can tell it. This woman in front of her doesn't give that Jack vibe, and even less of the Diamond suit. She likes her already. That could mean a number of things coming from one of the most atypical Hearts.

"Well, now that's one appealing reason to go up in the ranks." Differently from Tally, though, Rowan's tone is the one of someone considering it seriously. "Tell you what, once I'm at the very top I'll call you for a night out."

The second part though, it's more on a joking tone.

[trainingwreck]

"Don't make me wait too long--I've got the patience of a two year-old." Joking along with Rowan. "Marshmallows are in the leather bag, by the way. Campfire's just not right without them, and if I eat them all, someone'll have to roll me back to my castle."

is this the oddest sort of instant friendship or whaaaat

[cardpuncher]

"Demanding, aren't we? Now I need to find a Ten that's not scared of me." This was said with absolute seriousness, actually. She had a... unfavorable reputation. It didn't stop the challenges though.

Grinning, Rowan helped herself a few of them to put them in the fire. "We wouldn't want you to be christened as Fat Jack right off the bat." Picking a nearby stick, she proceeded to impale a marshmallow with extreme prejudice. "But if it happens, I'm claiming naming rights."

The bestest kind!

[trainingwreck]

"Why're the Tens of Hearts scared of you, hm? You don't look too bad to me." But then, Tally got where she was by being the one who trained most of the Diamonds in the first place. She knew what everyone dreaded a challenge in most.

She takes a marshmallow for herself, her handy roasting stick showing residue from about half the bag already.

[cardpuncher]

Sighing, Rowan inspected a somewhat roasted marshmallow before answering. "Well, I guess some people are a bit upset I got up in the ranks by virtue of punching people." She then shot a somewhat predatory smile at Tally. "Specially the renowned, ancient, extremely appreciated and snob Justice household."

Deciding it was just good enough, Rowan bit. Hmm-hmm, marshmallow.

[trainingwreck]

"I am so lucky that the Hawkins family is relatively new, and I'm the only Face Card they have to call their own so far. Otherwise, I'd probably be in the same place right now. Except, less punching." She shakes her head, waiting until her own marshmallow is a lovely shade of char.

"Besides, the ranks are the ranks. If your King and Queen okayed the challenges, ain't nobody got the right to say it's wrong. And as I recall, your Queen's a deft hand with a war hammer herself."

[cardpuncher]

"I envy that. I really do. I honestly want no business in being a Face Card. Too much of a hassle. What's so wrong with punching?" Way too much, and her family would not leave her alone.

"Oh they had fun watching, or at least accepting it. Not Ceiro, he's too much a nice guy. The little Queen though, truly a woman to admire."

[trainingwreck]

"Eh, I've never had much to do with any of them, except seeing the Queen on the practice field with the hammer a few times. Now, your Jack..." Tally shakes her head a little there. "I'm saying nothing on that subject. Wouldn't want to start a thing."

[cardpuncher]

"Athena?" She shrugs. "Trust me, I have no intention of spreading rumors or whatever. Why don't we talk freely and keep it to ourselves? It's supposed to be a bonding experience or some shit."

Most likely some shit.

[trainingwreck]

"Eh, I just don't see her value as a Face. She's an alcoholic who ran away from the Deck, and whose sister and brother-in-law gave a shiny title. Just bullshit, if you ask me." She shrugs. "But what do I know? I wouldn't have picked me for Jack, either."