(Untitled)

[spysinspades]

It seems I have been... remiss. [Yes, that is his version of an almost-apology. Don't let it go to your head.]

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[dancerofhearts]

He was back? She'd heard he left, but she hadn't believed it until she'd come over and his office door was locked. The moment she knew he was back, she had literally left everything where it was in the random place she had been dancing and took off at a run to get to him.

Once she was there, she skidded to a stop in front of his office door and gave it a light knock before she was in the room.

"You're back!" She barely restrained herself just in front of his desk from going around to hug him. Just barely. But the bubbly happiness that came from her was instantaneous. "So..uhh..I drank like..ten Red Bulls. And you totally missed it. And..and.." Oh yeah, she was happy.

[spysinspades]

[Yes, he was back.

Her flying into his office had actually been expected a little sooner. The ramble had not. AS she spoke, a soft, amused look slid onto his face. Sitting back in his chair, he leaned his chin on one hand thoughtfully.]

It seems I missed the world. But it was for something important.

[dancerofhearts]

Okay, yes, she was really going to keep herself contained. She was really not going to fly around his desk to hug him. But as she kept that contained, her green eyes shined brightly and it was evident in her face that she missed him. More than she'd like to admit.

A grin crossed her lips after a moment and she shook her head. "Not the world. Just me really, really hyper. And well, I imagine lots of other things, but nothing so big as the world from me."

No, she could not contain it anymore and she was around his desk to throw her arms about his neck and give him a hug before she stepped back with an even brighter smile.

[spysinspades]

[Being hugged quite so excitedly had not been expected, but he handled it well enough. And when she stepped back, he stood to retrieve her present.]

I picked something up while I was away. I do hope you don't mind.

[When he reappeared, there was a collection of trophies and a small box in his arms.]

[maskofhearts]

He wasn't intending to let it go to his head, mostly because he doesn't think that David realizes he isn't someone else at the moment. He's only here because Master Henry wanted him to personally give all the Royals their invitations to the production of Hamlet July.

"It is not a concern, Your Highness." He said after a moment, not quite making eye contact with David.

[spysinspades]

Very good.

[Lifting one file from the pile in front of him and moving it over to another, he let cool interest seep into his tone.]

And what may I do for you, Mr. Novak.

[maskofhearts]

"Master Henry has asked that I extend personal invitations to you and your suit to attend the 38th Annual Shakespeare On The Green production of Hamlet." He said, as countless others had probably said every year before him. The Leads, apparently, had the honor to invite the royals, and such. Henry insisted it was a traditional and personal touch.

"As every year, the performance will be the first weekend of July."

[spysinspades]

[David was rather used to these invitations - he liked that Henry continued to insist in them, despite the time never changing from one year to the next.]

Thank you, Mr. Novak. I make the usual arrangements.

[A smile - real, though it was unlikely any Novak would trust it.]

Please extend my gratitude to Master Henry.

[heartofsoldier]

Seraphina had heard about him leaving and about his return. She moved quietly towards her King's office and knocked on the door before she poked her head in. For more reason than one, she was going to come see him today. There was much she had heard about things but for now? she just wanted to check in to see if he was all right.

"How are you, Your Majesty?"

[spysinspades]

As I ever am, Seraphina.

[Coolly amused. But also more relaxed, in a way that is obvious only to those who look closely. He is back the way he had been nearly a year ago, despite the recent shock of Athena.

Seeing his family had done wonders. Had shown him what weak, pathetic creatures they were.]

[heartofsoldier]

She smiled a little more and nodded.

"It's good to have you back." And yes, she noticed it, she looked close enough at everyone who mattered to her in some way. And David mattered, not just because he was her King but because he was..him. There wasn't much else she could say on the matter. Not love, not in a romantic sense, but in the sense of she would follow him to death if that is what he asked of her. But no one, not any person in the entire Suit or Deck, would ever know that her loyalty ran that deep.

"May I come in, Your Majesty? ..well, the rest of the way, that is." Since it was still just her head that peeked around his door.

[spysinspades]

Please, Sera. Have a seat.

[David gestures across his desk at the chair always present.]

Would you like some tea?

[heartsthespades]

[He'll do his best to keep the ego at bay, but he just inclines his head in acknowledgment. There's only a tiny smirk in his eyes, at least, and to be fair: that's his natural state.]

Wren wanted to speak to you about it, but she's been swamped. [Due in part, he was sure, to the new Jack and who the new Jack was.] I hope you don't mind that she's asked me instead, Your Majesty.

[spysinspades]

[Is that so. David is so very pleased to hear it.

One finger taps against the stacks of paper on his Desk, piling up the longer he had no assistant and bigger for having been gone some time.]

I see. What seems to be the trouble?

[Always let people tell you, unless you have a reason to be expressing your knowledge. It was one of the easier ways to gather information.]

[heartsthespades]

It seems one of your Sixes has been harassing visiting Hearts. Miss Sinclair?

[Of course, he's speaking to David, so of course he's sure the King knows already what this is about. ]

Hadyn has had a few run-ins with her, and so has Miss Adare.

[spysinspades]

[Ah, yes. Amy. She had been a little too enthusiastic recently.]

She is attempting to encourage visitors to remain in the public areas of our Castle.

[The look he gives Jordan says he's surprised the Hearts hadn't noticed that, yet.]

With the... Prank that occurred so recently, there's little wonder as to why.

[Or were such things expected to be ignored? Really, Jordan. Come now.]

[starscrownher]

It's no trouble, Your Majesty.

[After all, David's recent absence just meant she had time to train the new assistant.]

I just wanted to make sure I formally introduced your new assistant.

[Who is totally not lurking behind her. He's probably the only Spade who can almost hide behind Urania.]

[spysinspades]

[A smile. Assistant, she says? Oh, this is why Urania was so very useful.]

Lovely. So kind of my lady to take the time from er children.

[Perhaps she had ceased her act of madness, but David would admit to missing the exchanges it had allowed. He can only hope she'll survive the shock and go along with his good mood.]

[starscrownher]

[That earns him a bright twinkle in her eyes.]

I put them down for their naps, my lord.

[Then she elbows the Spade behind her and he steps out and bows.]

Dominick de Luca, sire. A Five, formerly in acquisitions. He's very...organized.

[Read: obsessive.]

[spysinspades]

[His eyes flick over Dominick, taking him in. Yes... he remembered this one. Meticulous, if memory served right.]

Good morning, Dominick.

[Anyone would be better than Ethan, but... actually attentive to the work would be nice.]

Thank you, Urania. I'm sure this will work out nicely.