[Locked to Eileen]

[livebytheclub]

[Alexander looks for Eileen in the library, finding her hard at work as per usual. Wishing to avoid the intimidating nature of formality, he walks casually to her table, smiling]

"Mark your place and close your book. Let's get some air, shall we?"

Comments

[lowtohigh]

[Her entire body does snap to a seated sort of attention as he speaks. His actual words seem to catch her somewhat off-guard; it's not becoming of an Ace, but she hesitates before marking her page.]

"Where are we going, sir...?"

[livebytheclub]

[Alexander laughs]

"I'm Alexander today. We're going for a ride."

[Waiting only a moment for her to begin gathering her things, he turns and walks with a relaxed, rolling gate, headed toward the front hall]

[lowtohigh]

[That little sentence--permission to call him by his name, like a member of the family--brings an almost instant calm to her shoulders. She nods smartly, pulling her things together properly before hopping up to follow.]

"A ride? To see the land, or to a destination, then?"

[livebytheclub]

[Alexander is quite enjoying himself, pleased as he is at having planned a day for Eileen. To be sure, the outing is largely to continue her exposure to his particular way of thinking in interest of molding her into a truly strong Spade leader, but even without that interest, he hopes to pleasantly surprise the girl. She reminds him of many young recruits who he fostered into ruthless and loyal fighting men. The association is endearing]

"Both. Call it a surprise."

[He leads her to the massive front doors of the castle, beyond which a car waits for them. The driver quickly takes them outside the city, making for the coast, but turns off the main way far short of the shore, taking them into thick woods. Soon after, the road ends in a clearing which contains only a stable and the signposts of several wooded trails. A groom stands outside the stable holding two saddled horses of fine breeding - a large black stallion, visibly impatient, and a somewhat smaller, more relaxed white mare. Alexander opens the car door]

"We're here."