There was too much energy, too much emotion, and not enough time to blow off that steam, so while there was a lull in the work day, Silas changed into a pair of swimming shorts and a black short-sleeved shirt, then made his way toward the pool.

Maybe doing laps would calm his mind, if only slightly.

Thanks to the rain earlier, the air was clean and the breeze crisp. He hadn't played hooky in a while and damned if Ethan didn't take the opportunity to do so, heading out to a favorite spot on the grounds and, uncaring of the still-damp grass, stretched out comfortably, simply enjoying the afternoon.

Grace has kept largely to herself the last few weeks, not wanting a repeat of her run-in with Julien, or to bring anymore notice to herself from the King of Spades. With Ethan off doing errands and the few friends she'd made being otherwise busy, it was easy for her to get lost in her chores and find a pattern of work and sleep. Until today. Today ( Read more... )

After his audience with the Most High, Ethan headed off to find a bottle of amber liquid and a nice hole in the wall. He'd been thinking far too much lately; it was time to just stop, take a deep breath and re-prioritize.

A day of sulking was enough. More than, even. And be damned if he shirk his duties due to a bout of petulance. So, finally disgusted with himself enough to do something about it, Ethan hauled his backbone back into place and locked it, steeling what remained of his battered emotions ( Read more... )

After the incident last night at the Spade castle, Grace had gone and bundled herself up in her room, fear of the reprisals making her feel queasy. Would she be asked to leave now? Sent back to where he could find her ( Read more... )

Grace was finding herself in the company of a certain Spade more often than not lately. She was still telling herself that he was 'just a friend' and she was there for him to have someone to lean on, to talk to when he needed to, but that small voice in her head was telling her to wise up and admit that it was a lie. She was currently cramming ( Read more... )

Isaac's been a touch glum lately-- but fear not! Shiny things abound in Diamond Castle! All of the shinies with shiny shines and shinyshinyshiny...

All right, in truth he's searching through his well-loved Diamond antiques on a mission from his Jack to find a possible Arcana relic, but seriously. All them shinies. Do approach, he's blissful right ( Read more... )

I can't decide: pie or shortcake?

Avery has a few things on her plate: the possibility of a Diamond relic and other assorted issues with the Arcana, all things Andrea, and the possibility that Säde might need to go off-Deck for a week, leaving her in charge of the Diamonds all by herself. As always, she does her best thinking in the kitchen, so ( Read more... )

[Crutches, stairs...This might get complicated.]

Fact: Where there is a will, there is a way. Also- where there is an Ace of Spades, there is a ten of Spades getting his way. For the moment. Julien had some twos find Victor a pair of crutches the other day, and since he's heard about Andrea (and then Andrea didn't come to see him like he wantedOr ( Read more... )