Gotta know when to hold 'em - Sophie Challengs to 8 | OTA

[onlytolerable]

[OOC: Commenters can attend one or both challenges. I'll assume you were at the piano recital unless you say otherwise. TL;DR: Sophie won!]

Comments

[uncutclarity]

She's always liked performance challenges. She hasn't done one for years, of course - her first was vocal, and after that baking, but after Four she'd settled into a more...martial march up the ranks of Diamonds. But she's still always liked when the Diamonds showed they could sparkle and gleam with the arts as much as swords, knives, or things intellectual.

It's likely Astrid's influence.

So Avery's there, of course, somewhere lost in the middle of the crowd. No one is probably surprised that the dress is purple and the shoes are teal, knowing Avery, or that she beams despite the past week when Sophie wins. She deserved it. She's far too smart and talented, too good a Diamond to sit forever in the middle ranks.

She's got wine when she comes up to Sophie during the reception. "Congratulations," she says, and tips her head to one side. "Counter?"

She can't imagine Charlotte wouldn't.

[onlytolerable]

She wants to wrinkle her nose in disgust, but this is a victory, and she's a Diamond, and more so, Rachel would want them to shine now more than ever. "Oh, yes." She takes a sip of her own wine. "Poker. Tomorrow morning."

She'll give Lotty one thing. She'd chosen her counter well.

[uncutclarity]

"Mm." Avery makes a slight face at that, taking a sip of her wine. "She'll be overconfident, at least," she points out. Of course, it's relatively safe to be overconfident, considering all of Sophie's tells.

Still, Charlotte hadn't done very well when she'd challenged Avery in poker.

[onlytolerable]

"Lotty is nothing if not overconfident--about everything." It was both charming and maddening. "I'd feel the same if our positions were reversed. Still...Lotty's not nearly as good a player as she fancies herself. I'll simply have to find a way to muddle through."

Because there is no way she is losing in a counter.

[uncutclarity]

"I've noticed that before, actually. Of course, she is very smart." And the finance department would be in chaos if left entirely to Noelle. "I'm sure it'll be an interesting match to watch, and I hope you defend Eight, Sophie."

A tumble down might help Charlotte grow up some more, at least.

[onlytolerable]

So does she, but there's no point in fretting over the game. What happens, happens. "Thanks. I hope so, too."

[uncutclarity]

Avery smiles and squeezes Sophie's hand. "We should have tea next week, whatever happens," she says. "You can let me know if there's anything PR can do to help with the library."

[onlytolerable]

"Tea sounds lovely. I'll have a better idea where we stand by then. I think...I think anything we can do to help you reassure everyone we're still standing and stronger than ever should be one of our priorities. The lending library should be open come Monday."

[uncutclarity]

"I think that's wise. The sooner the entire Suit can be back to business as usual is better. It'll reassure our Suit, and the Deck." That the Diamonds would persevere.

Remind them that they always did.

[onlytolerable]

"I can open up an employee's only entrance for now. I'm not sure how passable the corridor will be." And they could do without any looky Lou's, thanks.

"It helps people to see business as usual." Diamonds never shatter. Ever.

[uncutclarity]

"We should have it cleaned up by Monday. I know we've already got staff working." Replacing the wall would take more time, but she knew inquiries were already being made with artisans and restorers.

"Yes," Avery agrees with a slight smile. "And I think it's good to remind the Deck that the Diamonds are always strong."

[onlytolerable]

"Oh, good. I knew they'd been working on it, but wasn't certain about the timetable. I'm afraid my head's been full of, um, other things." Her eyes widen helplessly. So many things. No doubt Avery's had similar problems.

"Maybe we could do a 'Fall into Fall Books' event...."

[uncutclarity]

"It's understandable, and besides. I think things go more smoothly when we all concentrate on our own things." It's been a zoo. Constant work, constant worrying, and Silas will be gone soon to see Isaac.

"You know, I think that's a good idea? It coincides with the beginning of school, too."

[onlytolerable]

"I so agree." She smiles. "We have one planned for the Children's Library, so it will hardly be any trouble at all to expand the program."

[uncutclarity]

"It's an excellent idea." Avery smiles a little. "I suspect the adults tend to forget that they're allowed to read for fun."

[onlytolerable]

"I think adults forget they're allowed to have fun in general."