OTA - [Belly of the Beast]

[heart_the_art]

Wednesday mid-afternoonish and the Heartlet is back at Spades Castle again. Not in the cleaning uniform, not in the paint splattered casual clothes, but in a new outfit for her new job starting... she believes next week. This is technically apart of her new job, making amends and getting … help.

Lasandra pulls out the ear buds, tucks them and her

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[maskofhearts]

Hearts are popular in Spade Castle. In his defense, though, all of his aunts and uncles (and their children) were Spades. In truth, he had ample excuse to be there. Only he wasn't there to see them, not today. He was, rather, there to speak with the Ace of Spades.

Not that he's sure he's looking forward to that.

"Being bold today?" He asked as he came upon Sandy, tilting his head to the side.

[heart_the_art]

Oh, Hadyn had 99 reasons to be here compared to Sandy's miserable 2 (or 3?). So she doesn't look all that surprised to see the younger Novak brother. She smirks slightly, "What are you talking about Hadyn, I live here." Ten hours a day for the last 6? That totally counts living here.

Then Sandy throws a look around, not at all impressed with her 'home', "I'm actually here for business reasons. The Nine of Clubs gave suggestions it might be easier to work for her if I don't have everyone in Spades Castle displeased with me. I thought yesterday would be my last day."

[maskofhearts]

"You're working for Tegan?" He asked a bit surprised. "Doing....what?" Because he was pretty sure that neither Tegan nor Sandy had switched suits.

"Though, I guess it does make sense that you try to win them back over, though."

[heart_the_art]

"Assisting, actually. It's a little unconventional but she asked me to and... I agreed. I'm starting to think I need a more steady job, anyway." This was a little more than unconventional, and she's not sure if it's going to fly because she hasn't heard that happening, but Sandy agreed.

"I really doubt giving them gifts are going to do a lot." She scowled, looking at the bag. "Well, I don't mind giving Vincent one. But it's... to show good will."

[starscrownher]

"I spy with my little eye," Urania murmurs just loud enough to be heard as she peers around a corner. She was gone during the excitement but, oh, she's heard all about it, Sandy. She's just glad that you didn't pick on her butler.

[heart_the_art]

Oh, Sandy would never pick on a butler on purpose. She simply has the horrible luck of getting into trouble that happens... to catch butler ire. Though she's awfully fond of Urania's butler. Perhaps if Sandy hadn't randomly gotten in touch with Chives and given a bad impression-

Nope. It was glitter. She's doomed forever and she was glad she didn't have to deal with him... at all. She turns at the sound of a voice and looks Urania, not quite aware of the living legend. "Good afternoon?"

[starscrownher]

Well, it's certainly unwise. The butlers are the secret masters of the universe, after all - well, and mistress, with Karin. But Urania will come all the way around the corner and beam.

"Good afternoon, Miss Adare. Visiting Miss Kattalakis again?"

[heart_the_art]

In a household where she was allowed to color on the walls back in her parent's condo. Thoughtless but not cruel, but sometimes it's often the same thing. When it happened to Isaac, she tried her best to make up for it. And she will continue, somehow.

She bobs her head slightly, "I might if I have time, Miss ... Ma'am?" To be fair, Sandy looks a little guilty for not knowing the woman's name.

[acethatmatters]

Oh, Julien wasn't annoyed with her. Still, he'd heard all about it.

"Miss Adare."

Where did he come from? Your guess is as good as anyone's, Lasandra.

[heart_the_art]

She hoped he wouldn't be. Prayed he wouldn't be. He and David. And they were both very different people so just because David had been amused in the end, Julien wouldn't be.

There's a pause in her step, a full stop really, and she gives a half bow. Heart hammering.

"Lord Ace."

Shadows, she's calling the shadows.

[acethatmatters]

"And how have you been enjoying our Castle these past several days?"

Oh, he was amused, Lasandra. More amused than annoyed, anyway. And if he'd really thought about being annoyed it would have been with Victor and his guards for not keeping her out. And yet, he knows how very competent Victor is so he was leaning toward it not being an accident that it was so easy for Lasandra to get in and out unnoticed.

So it was easier to lean toward amusement.

But toying with the Heart girl was also its own kind of fun.

[heart_the_art]

There's a long pause. Be polite despite being nervous and the pulse beating in her throat. At the least she didn't sing when he was around?

"It's... well designed and well run, Lord Ace. I didn't know there could be so many various shades of dark gray. Your Head Butler is an artist and maestro." Some snark, she can't help it. But the compliments for the Head Butler were entirely true.

Honestly, she had a feeling someone allowed her to get in. No, she knew, knew if someone had an issue with her, she wouldn't get past the tunnels. That's why she demanded the others have masks and she didn't.

She kept her eyes on Julien's shoulder.

[bitchwithabite]

Why. Why? At first, she didn't recognize the woman in the fancy dress with the purse. It wasn't very Spade-like, which is what got her attention in the first place. Then she recognized Lasandra, and her jaw tightened as she hastened her pace. She was on her way back to the office she shared with Ethan to finish up the first drawer of files, but this was far more important.

"I need to see documentation that allows you to be here, Miss Six." Gods help the guards who let Sandy in if the documentation didn't exist.

[heart_the_art]

Why? Because she has to speak to the only psychologist on Deck, try to explain to an innocent victim they were chosen to make things less obvious to why Lasandra did it, and to try and salvage an odd sorts of ... something. She should be lucky if the doctor agrees, the victim understands this was caused by a larger psychological problem, and the Jack wants to be civil acquaintances at the least.

However, Sandy doesn't quite recognize the redhead. She pauses from her stride to study Amy for a moment, though she assumes she's infamous because of the incident. She bows her head, not quite knowing Amy's rank but she might as well because she doesn't want issues today. "Of course," Her tone is light -- pleasant -- as she hands Amy the note she had shown the guard earlier.

When Tegan wrote it, she was a Nine of Clubs. Today? Tegan is soon to be Jack of Clubs. Read it and sweep, ex-guard. "Your Lord Ace is also aware that I'm within the Castle, Ms. ... Miss?"

[bitchwithabite]

Damn it all, the little girl did have reason to be there -- and permission besides. Even if that permission did come from a Club instead of a Heart like it should have. This was problematic and annoying as well, but she'd have to swallow it and deal with it for now.

"Sinclair. Amy Sinclair, Six of Spades. And you're Lasandra Adare, Six of Hearts. The criminal mastermind behind the raid and banner here less than a week ago, if I'm not mistaken. Right?" There was a sharp, cold edge to her words. No mistaking how she felt about this Six and the Hearts in general, at least.

[heart_the_art]

Oh, it's all about intersuit relations, Amy. Sandy ... used to be amazing at them. And it wouldn't be the first a Heart worked for a Club, but not within the Castle nor in HR, normally. She keeps her smile polite and civil.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Sinclair." Same rank then. They're equals though she's on Amy's home turf so respect must be given. "I wouldn't call it a rai-- well, yes, I suppose fraternity gentlemen would call it a raid. But clothes have been returned and I'm compensating the victims at this very moment while here for medical issues."

[is_to_art]

A Heart in Spade Castle is hardly unheard of, despite what the younger generation seem to think. This Heart, however, seems to attract trouble to her like a magnet and, in light of his promise to Chives, the Nine has no intention of letting her amble about unsupervised.

Sorry, Sandy. That's just how it goes.

"No glitter today, Ms. Adare?" His tone is deceptively mild as he falls into step beside her.

[heart_the_art]

The old guard seemed more amused by the petite Heart walking down the halls than the elder. As for trouble? Well, today was a new day.

It was odd to feel her heart pound and be even more uncomfortable than she was speaking to Julien, though she knew exactly why she feels that way. She had told herself all week it was stupid and it would invite more trouble.

God, she just can't get away from it.

"No glitter, I'm afraid. It seems like we match," Sandy tips her head to look for any traces of stray glitter in his hair or shoulders and her voice is unusually low though not quiet. "You saved me a trip, you know."

[is_to_art]

"Did I really?"

Nico isn't entirely sure what to make of that, to be honest, though he'd be lying if he said that he wasn't intrigued.

[heart_the_art]

"I had no clue where I'd find you, and look, here you are, hovering after me." Absently, before she gave it any thought, Sandy picked off 'lint' from his shoulder. A subtle touch of fingertips with no lint to speak of. "And we... have a little to talk about, I think."

But not in the hallway.