[ota] my crown is on my head, not in my heart

[ishineon]

Well. She can't say she wasn't half-expecting this, but she certainly wasn't expecting how it would go. She'd sought out Silas with some questions- small, important, needing only the approval of the King or Queen. Instead he'd set a small stack of paperwork in her hands and left without a word.

The first sheet is titled: Ascension to Position of

Comments

[uncutclarity]

It's perhaps expected that Avery's soon at Säde's door. Her new door, she thinks, but it's good that they're making these changes swiftly, not lingering and waiting. It's like ripping off a band-aid.

She expected this decision, anyway. Silas could have picked Tally, of course. Could have picked Avery or one of the other female Tens. But Säde has been Ace as long as Rachel was Queen. She's the natural choice.

"Your Majesty." She inclines her head. "I wanted to know if there was any way I could assist."

[ishineon]

She's going to have to get used to hearing that, just as she's going to have to get used to being on the other side of Rachel's desk. Her desk, now.

"I think we can begin by assuring everyone that there will be no major changes in the Suit, for now. I don't wish to pile anything more to worry about on them."

[uncutclarity]

Avery nods with a very slight smile. It's what Rachel would want; it's what Silas will need while Isaac is off-Deck...off-Deck dying, she makes herself think.

"The hallway by the library was cleared yesterday," she says, "and I've had Renee in touch with some of her contacts in Town - restorers and contractors. It should be back in shape soon." The library would be more complicated, of course.

[ishineon]

"Good, good. That's uncomplicated, at least. The library has enough people to sort through the rubble for what can be saved? Or will they need to borrow from the Twos first?" There's so much that is already lost, what can be retrieved would be a blessing for the future.

[uncutclarity]

"I think the trouble is mostly convincing Sophie to let anyone else help," Avery says, tipping her head to one side. "You know her; everything in there's her baby.

"She did mention at her challenge that she wants to hold a library event as soon as possible, though, to make sure the Suit knows everything is going on as normal."

[ishineon]

"Surely not while it's still being rebuilt." The surprise is evident in her voice. "There are plenty of empty rooms with space big enough to house events for the time being."

[uncutclarity]

"It depends, I imagine, on the extent of the damage." Which is quite extensive on the lower levels, but not as much on the upper floors. "But I'll remind her that we need to be careful about utilizing the space."

[ishineon]

At least the upper levels are structurally sound, or there'd be another worry altogether about using what's left of the library. "Very good, then. You had other concerns...?"

[uncutclarity]

"Mm. Just one, really." Public relations related, which came under her jurisdiction too. "I wanted your opinion on any specific measures we should take to assure the other Suits of our continued strength."

[ishineon]

"We'll work inside out. I've no doubt they're already drawing their own conclusions about my change in rank and Silas' brief absence, but the Diamonds as a whole will manage. Especially assure the lower Diamonds that if anyone needs time off to deal with Rachel's leaving," or Isaac's likely permanent absence from the Deck, "they may do so." She doubts that many will. Diamonds are Diamonds, after all. The appearance of strength is important to them.

And the other Suits could decide in the coming days just how strong they see the Diamonds as.

[uncutclarity]

"That's how I planned to proceed," Avery says with a slight nod and a smile that is distinctly Diamond. "I'll let our people know, of course." But it would be the rare Diamond who would. Perhaps the ones who'd been closest to Isaac, but even then, she doubted it.

Diamonds were strong.