[When Leah arrives, she's more than a little disheveled, still panting slightly, and damp with sweat. It's not the most dignified way to appear before her king, but she had been training as she received the order to meet with him.
She knocks before entering -- a rare courtesy, and not one she'd afford to many.]
[Alexander bids her enter and waits for her to seat herself before speaking]
"I've decided we must strengthen our position in the deck. However, the other suits are on guard against me. Only those who make themselves enemies should fear, but perhaps that's how they see themselves.
In either case, we need to develop a capacity to defend our interests. Household troops may not be adequate. We require dedicated specialists. I'm making you my lieutenant in this matter. You won't be recognized as such in court, but you have my full confidence and backing."
[Straight to the point -- she appreciates that, and acknowledges it with a slow smirk. This is an honor their previous king would never have afforded her.]
I agree. If it makes them see us as their enemies? Whatever. At least we can match them.
Is there anyone in particular you've got your eye on?
[Alexander's fingers go to his chin as he takes a considering look]
"We'll have to begin a screening process. I've been considering that...I think we can agree as experienced fighters that footwork is key. You may find this outlandish - in fact it comes from my time in the outlands - but I'm considering that a well-designed dance would be as good a covert aptitude test as any. I've already tested it on Noelle of the Diamonds. The foot techniques I have will make dangerous fighters quickly. And observers none the wiser."
[He hadn't planned Noelle as a test subject, nor had she become so insignificant to him. He certainly enjoyed her honesty and openness and making a warrior is satisfying to him in all cases. But she certainly had verified his suspicions regarding training methods...and she would recognize the "dance" if she saw it...that issue will have to be addressed]
[She cocks her head, curious. Outlandish indeed. But she does know dance well enough to understand his logic, so after a moment, she nods.]
Interesting. I never would've pegged Noelle as a fighter. But she's graceful enough, I guess. And being slight and beautiful enough to be underestimated can only be a good thing. We'll have to vary the test so she doesn't pick up on it, or else I'll just have to keep an eye on who's watching.
You'll have to show me your techniques, but I'm pretty confident I can do this. I danced for a living, back when I was... young. Younger.
[Interesting. What background might that indicate? He nods]
"Of course. I think she would keep it to herself if I asked her to. The advantage of the Diamonds being meticulous bean-counters is that they tend to have a sense of indebtedness near as strong as a soldier's honor. However she may owe her Queen enough to outweigh any loyalty I've earned by teaching her, so we'll aim to keep things discreet.
Speaking of teaching, we'll need to look for instructors as well as recruits. In a standup fight, we're positioned to be the elite. But not everything is done that way here. I've done my share of night raids, but I know little enough of quieter urban wetwork."
[She shoots him a skeptical look. Trusting anyone from another suit, no matter how benign they may seem, is foolish to her.]
I'll avoid the subject in her presence.
Yeah, we'll need someone else for the quiet side of things, 'cause I'm a fair fight sorta girl. Honor, and all that. I'll look into it.
As for recruits? I've been dying to get Ten off his ass and into training for months. And who knows, maybe we can even convert Elani from a talented musician into a warrior using the dance angle.
[Alexander has already considered that. The dancing lessons for screening purposes would come along so much easier if he had the dance instructor on his team. He scribbles on some parchment and pours some wax, stamping it]
"You'll need my seal to get our illustrious ten to listen to you. Do you have any suggestions regarding the quiet work?"
(ooc: Haha, no, she thinks their ten is complacent. Alex is the opposite.)
[She nods, taking the parchment. What he's saying makes perfect sense.]
Still, someone around here's gotta be smart enough to know that this is the perfect time to prove their loyalty to the suit. I'll avoid the lower numbers at first; they're new, gossip might spread.
[His plans entail more than the formation of a strikeforce, though that in itself would be a considerable accomplishment. The long term prize will come when the heavy hitters of rank - either currently held or gained through acquired skills - affect a trickle-down attitude change in his suit.
Furthermore, the issue of Noelle has him thinking...could he poach talent from other suits? Or perhaps build and strengthen allies within the other houses? Oh the possibilities. He's beginning to apply the politics of the barbarian chieftains he's dealt with to the courts. After all, they are just competing tribe in finer clothes]
"Yes, Lance is certainly the most probable and relevant of the possible opposition to this project. I don't think he truly recognizes my authority as King. Most likely he feels as if he would be betraying Andrew by letting the suit change course. But he's being contained at least.
I am in the best position to influence Eileen, so that you will leave to me. Concern yourself with the numbers and we will have our points covered together."
She knocks before entering -- a rare courtesy, and not one she'd afford to many.]
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"I've decided we must strengthen our position in the deck. However, the other suits are on guard against me. Only those who make themselves enemies should fear, but perhaps that's how they see themselves.
In either case, we need to develop a capacity to defend our interests. Household troops may not be adequate. We require dedicated specialists. I'm making you my lieutenant in this matter. You won't be recognized as such in court, but you have my full confidence and backing."
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I agree. If it makes them see us as their enemies? Whatever. At least we can match them.
Is there anyone in particular you've got your eye on?
Reply
"We'll have to begin a screening process. I've been considering that...I think we can agree as experienced fighters that footwork is key. You may find this outlandish - in fact it comes from my time in the outlands - but I'm considering that a well-designed dance would be as good a covert aptitude test as any. I've already tested it on Noelle of the Diamonds. The foot techniques I have will make dangerous fighters quickly. And observers none the wiser."
[He hadn't planned Noelle as a test subject, nor had she become so insignificant to him. He certainly enjoyed her honesty and openness and making a warrior is satisfying to him in all cases. But she certainly had verified his suspicions regarding training methods...and she would recognize the "dance" if she saw it...that issue will have to be addressed]
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Interesting. I never would've pegged Noelle as a fighter. But she's graceful enough, I guess. And being slight and beautiful enough to be underestimated can only be a good thing. We'll have to vary the test so she doesn't pick up on it, or else I'll just have to keep an eye on who's watching.
You'll have to show me your techniques, but I'm pretty confident I can do this. I danced for a living, back when I was... young. Younger.
[She laughs carelessly at the memory.]
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"Of course. I think she would keep it to herself if I asked her to. The advantage of the Diamonds being meticulous bean-counters is that they tend to have a sense of indebtedness near as strong as a soldier's honor. However she may owe her Queen enough to outweigh any loyalty I've earned by teaching her, so we'll aim to keep things discreet.
Speaking of teaching, we'll need to look for instructors as well as recruits. In a standup fight, we're positioned to be the elite. But not everything is done that way here. I've done my share of night raids, but I know little enough of quieter urban wetwork."
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I'll avoid the subject in her presence.
Yeah, we'll need someone else for the quiet side of things, 'cause I'm a fair fight sorta girl. Honor, and all that. I'll look into it.
As for recruits? I've been dying to get Ten off his ass and into training for months. And who knows, maybe we can even convert Elani from a talented musician into a warrior using the dance angle.
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"You'll need my seal to get our illustrious ten to listen to you. Do you have any suggestions regarding the quiet work?"
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[A sly smile. She's fond enough of her superior, but his complacency bothers her.]
A few of the middling numbers are options. I'll sniff around, see who's keen for an opportunity to shine.
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"Do that. I can't do a lot of the leg work personally or it would surely be noticed, but I expect regular reports.
And keep in mind that we have no room for glory hounds here. We're keeping to the shadows with this. For now."
[He likes Leah. She can take orders and take initiative. The combination is uncommon enough]
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[She nods, taking the parchment. What he's saying makes perfect sense.]
Still, someone around here's gotta be smart enough to know that this is the perfect time to prove their loyalty to the suit. I'll avoid the lower numbers at first; they're new, gossip might spread.
Reply
[His plans entail more than the formation of a strikeforce, though that in itself would be a considerable accomplishment. The long term prize will come when the heavy hitters of rank - either currently held or gained through acquired skills - affect a trickle-down attitude change in his suit.
Furthermore, the issue of Noelle has him thinking...could he poach talent from other suits? Or perhaps build and strengthen allies within the other houses? Oh the possibilities. He's beginning to apply the politics of the barbarian chieftains he's dealt with to the courts. After all, they are just competing tribe in finer clothes]
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[She cocks her head, considering this.]
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I am in the best position to influence Eileen, so that you will leave to me. Concern yourself with the numbers and we will have our points covered together."
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Of course, your call, my King.
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"Hopefully he'll come around. I certainly hope he does soon so I can give him better duty. He's a terrible spy.
Well, we have a plan and you have an assignment. Time to work."
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