[ota] a walk in the park

[heartafterheart]

Dr. Cataldo was a good man, if slightly on the perplexing side. He'd been trying hard to keep up his practice in Town while serving as interim head of the Castle Medical Facility. Ceiro had, some time ago, offered him the position itself, but he'd declined due to an apparent love of his offices in town- and his patience there. In the need, Ceiro

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[cipherspeak]

Elisha had called the King of Hearts' name, and then tipped his head to one side as it was ignored - no, Ceiro was unlikely to ignore anyone, he hadn't noticed. And that, in itself, was concerning. He'd heard he was ill, of course, but not how ill he was.

"Your Majesty," he said again as he caught up to the King. "A nice evening for a walk, isn't it?"

[heartafterheart]

Ceiro looked up when Elisha came up next to him, offering that same gentle smile as he nodded his head.

"Indeed, It is a rather pleasant evening for a walk." Or pleasant enough, at least. "Out for a bit of shopping?"

[cipherspeak]

"Art supplies," Elisha said, lifting the bag. "Eileen's about ready to move beyond watercolors, so we're trying tempera." He inclined his head, though. "You seemed lost in thought."

[heartafterheart]

"I suppose I was." He said with some small agreement. "A side affect of being King, I find. One is often prone to mulling over difficult problems."

But he waved it off as he turned his attention to the art supplies. "She'll make a fine artist someday with you to instruct her. It is good to see such influences in her life."

[kindlybutle]

Butlers had a sixth sense. It was that 'ping' that went off when something was Wrong in their Castle. Knowing something was wrong and being able to pinpoint it, however, was not always the easiest thing.

So he fell into step with the King, just behind and to the left as was appropriate.

[heartafterheart]

It took Ceiro some time to realize Sean was there, and he turned to slowly look at the man before he stopped and frowned. There was a problem. A problem that Ceiro didn't have an answer for, either.

"If you had to pick a king, Sean, who would you pick?"

[kindlybutle]

...That didn't bode particularly well. But Sean was not made to Judge, only to Serve. He gave the question it's due consideration, face blank but for the blanket of calm he carried with him.

"What kind of King, my Lord?" A King for the Clubs? One for the Diamonds? A King for a time in struggle, or a King for peace?

[heartafterheart]

"A Good King- one strong, but understanding." A perfect king, even. One that was better than him, most likely. But he kept that to himself.

Instead he sighed, rubbing his temples gently with his fingers as he closed his eyes. "I do not think I am well, Sean." And he felt guilty for that admission.