[ota] Facing the music....

[heartafterheart]

Doctor Catadlo had been perplexed by the results. And had decided to take more blood- and run the test himself this time. Something was amiss, the man said, not only in how long it had taken them to return...but that nothing was there. Nothing- as if the king was not sick. But Ceiro hardly looked the picture of health at the moment

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[heartsthespades]

He didn't work in the library anymore, but Jordan still found himself there when he needed to concentrate. So many years, he figured, of working exactly there. So when the King walked past in the direction of the medical books, Jordan was already there - redesigning the guard training regime. Something he was fairly qualified for, really, considering his mother.

He still paused when he saw where Ceiro was pausing. Cancer section. "Need help with something, Your Majesty?"

[heartafterheart]

"Mm?" Ceiro said, looking up and then shaking his head a little as he spotted Jordan. "I just...some reading."

No reason to worry anyone until they knew. Even if it was killing him slowly. Heh.

"I...would have expected you in your office."

[heartsthespades]

"This was my office for a long time," Jordan said. "Sometimes it's easier to concentrate. Besides," he waved at the pile of books next to him. "It's just as easy to do training schedules where the training books are, Your Majesty."

He gave the king a considering look, though. While his mother hadn't explicitly discussed things with him, he certainly knew what was going on. Not the method, but what was happening to the king - and he really should mention it to her later. In private.

[heartafterheart]

"Yes...I suppose there is comfort in old things." And though he wasn't normally the type to merely smile and leave....he wasn't sure he was up to conversations.

Well- except one.

"Perhaps I can speak with you a moment about a private matter?"

[heartafterheart]

Cancer was....a lot of read about. If his head hadn't hurt already, it would have been throbbing by now. It was.... a lot to take in and nothing that made for a particular fun evening.

He rubbed his head slowly, closing his eyes for a moment before he flipped a page in the biggest book on the table.

[heartafterheart]

"Hello," he replied with a small smile. "Dr. Cataldo's test did not tell him what he wanted." Hence the books. And the mental preparation.

And that talk he doesn't want to have with his Wife, would likely have to be sooner than later.

[falseflourish]

The only reason Wren comes to the library today is to find Ceiro, though she'd had to ask if anyone had seen him around before-- she hadn't expected to find him there.

"The new Head of Housekeeping is settling in," informs Wren of the ever-present smile, coming to perch on the edge of the table he had taken to study on. "I really think Sandy will do well there."

Her gaze dips to the pile of books.

[heartafterheart]

"Sandy will excel in most anything she puts her mind to." Ceiro agreed with a slight sigh. Wren, of course, would need to hear the truth as well. "There is something we should speak about...soon."

[falseflourish]

Wren has no arguments against that point, but she does notice the shadow across his face as he moves onto the next one. She laces her fingers together and purses her lips.

"Soon or now, honey? Is everything okay?"

[heartafterheart]

"It will be difficult to say," he admitted, "until Dr. Cataldo returns to deck with his test results." He wanted to say otherwise, but it was fast approaching the point of no longer being able to deny it.

"I have already spoken to Jordan- about the likelihood that I will be forced to step down."

[somuchheart]

Blythe can't help peeking curiously into the aisle for medical reference books when she hears footsteps there. When she sees who it is, she sets her flash cards aside, approaching the man. "-Looking for something, your Majesty?"

[heartafterheart]

"Nothing in particular." He said with sigh, "please, don't let me disturb you. You were busy." Working toward her challenge, no less.

[somuchheart]

"You're not disturbing anything, your Majesty. In fact, I should probably be taking a break sometime." She laughs quietly, running a hand through her hair. "I've already gotten told off for studying too much."

[heartafterheart]

"I doubt there is such a think as too much studying. But, breaks are good from time to time." He said with a slight smile. "How are things going on that front?"

[spysinspades]

It took a bit of looking to find the Heart King, ensconced in the library as he was, but there was an important matter to be discussed. After the conversation with Elisha, he had to confirm the vague agreement they'd come to so long ago.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

[heartafterheart]

Sometimes Ceiro had to hide in places other than his office, it was true. The library, though, was bright and warm- like much of the castle. It gave off a feeling of cheer that few other places in the Deck could, at least in Ceiro's mind.

"No," he said as he looked up at the sound of David's voice, "no you are not interrupting. Please. Join me."

[spysinspades]

Ceiro didn't look well. He looked nearly as bad as Lindsey had, when the deceased King had tried to wave off his bout of the chicken pocks.

"Thank you." David settled easily into a chair across the table from Ceiro, and ignored the haggard appearance beyond coming to the point quickly - little reason to drag it would when the King wasn't feeling well. "Do you remember our conversation on ambassadors?"

[heartafterheart]

"Ambassadors?" Ceiro's brow knotted for a moment. It wasn't as if he should have forgotten- he'd taken to the idea so well months ago. But he seemed more confused for a moment, before resolving to simply agree.

"Of course, why do you ask?"