Show Me the Glint of Light on Broken Glass [OTA]

[thediamondqueen]

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Throne Room

[thediamondqueen]

[diemwnt]

It's too much, too fast.

His own face is still a ghastly mess of bruises around the left eye. His attention is still scattered and his concentration shot. Everything is still far too bright and loud. Maybe that's why this seems surreal.

There are a million directions to go in. He needs to converse with the other Tens, to check in with his new Jack, to ask Silas what help he needs. To make sure Leigh and Sophie and Avery are all still in one piece. To process that the institution is shifting, that he's going to be bowing deeply to a Queen who isn't Rachel.

He'll pick one and move. As soon as the nausea passes.

[karatofquality]

Silas had known weeks ago that Rachel was leaving, but not like this. He'd never anticipated this. But there isn't time to think about the knot in his stomach or the lump in his throat. This is not the moment for him to lose himself to his own grief. He'd nearly come to terms with the loss of his Queen, but now he is faced with truly losing her. No, his Diamonds need him right now.

And he can spot the one who needs him most from where he stands beside his throne. A throne which means more right now than it ever has. Down the three stairs and across the throne room, Silas squeezed Cadogan's shoulder from behind. "Tell me what you need," he said quietly, but firmly.

[diemwnt]

And isn't that the way of being a Diamond--set one's own aside and look placidly toward others.

Turning a little too quickly toward his King has his head spinning again, fingers grasping helplessly for a moment at Silas' arm. Once he's stable, he blinks hard, gets Silas' face back into focus and takes back his hand.

/To work. You should be resting./

Hospital

[thediamondqueen]

[uncutclarity]

She's not a Face Card, of course. Those are Säde, and Silas, and Tally. But Avery is still at the hospital before the announcement. And no one should really be surprised by that - because where else would she be?

Her fingers tighten in her lap as she sits next Rachel. And...she doesn't know what to say. Words usually come so easily to her.

[thediamondqueen]

There's something of an ironic echo in the situation they're in. A few months ago, it was Avery in the hospital bed, coping with an injury she wasn't sure she'd recover from and having to step down from her position as a Face Card.

For a long few moments there's only silence, just the sound of the heart monitor and the careful rise and fall of their breathing.

Finally, Rachel speaks at last, "Perhaps it's... for the best."

[uncutclarity]

It's something Avery would have never wanted to see repeated, with any of their Faces, but especially Rachel. Rachel is far too young to be her mother, of course, and Avery has a mother, and loves her. But the Queen has always been something like a much older sister as well as a mentor.

In a way, there is no Diamond Avery is closer to.

Her lips tighten when Rachel speaks, but she keeps the control she learned primarily from the woman laying in the bed. "I don't think I could ever say it's for the best," she says, quietly. "But it's not an insurmountable obstacle. You'll survive it, Rachel."

It's so hard, saying her name without prefacing it with Queen. But she'll learn to do it.