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Post by Trebias on May 29, 2008 16:06:48 GMT -5
El watched the woman's thoughts, whatever they were, dance across her features with unconealed interest. When she congratulated him, he was honestly baffled for a moment. "What? Oh. Um. Thanks." Given the circumstances leading to his promotion, he wasn't exactly thrilled about it.
"No, really, thanks. I'm just a little distracted today. I've been watching what's been going on in the Courts, and I don't like it. I'm not talking about what's going on with the Lowlanders, I'm talking about the Courts themselves. People killing each other and being killed over titles, and for what? So they can shuffle papers to solve everyone's problems while not having a say over anyone's life. You know what I listened in on this morning? A man came in complaining about injuries he got doing something or another. I don't remember what. He's been told that he shouldn't do that thing before, but he's either too stupid to listen or smart enough to know that, unless some Face Card wants to get some bad PR and beat the living crud out of him, he doesn't have to do what they say." He shook his head.
"It's some craziness. It's not just the Court of Hearts, if what I hear is right. People fighting to get ahead in the world, and what do they get, instead of a nice reward of a more leisurely life? Boring, tedious work on behalf of everyone else. I don't think that would be so bad, if the Courts had a say in the lives of the people following them."
He looked back at Kel. "Sorry, I just got on a run there. What I wanted to talk about was a little more of where we left off. Have you heard anything about Lowlandes being out of place? And did you ask if Queen Theo would be willing to pool resources to share the inane workload between Courts?"
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Post by seraaches on May 29, 2008 16:17:30 GMT -5
Kelasia was baffled by the man's near hostility regarding his rank which was just as swiftly switched to grudging appreciation and then led straight into a diatribe about the Courts. Her rounded ears were back in unease and hesitation, though she still listened with a great deal of interest.
Personally. . . she had never really thought about what they did in the Courts. She did her part and returned to her suite every night still thinking about what other paperwork she hadn't finished that day. There really didn't seem to be an end to it, but she had expected that.
El's anger seemed misplaced at first, but she listened to his rant about the Card-- the stupid Card, evidently-- with a sense of understanding. She had met people like that in the Court of Diamonds as well.
"No," she admitted softly. "I haven't had a chance to talk to him about that yet." She hesitated slightly before continuing. "I may not be the best one to approach him about such a thing."
She was a pencil pusher. Nothing more. Her heart ached.
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Post by Trebias on Jun 1, 2008 10:31:31 GMT -5
Elias nodded thoughtfully. He wasn’t especially upset, more baffled at himself that he’d expected the timid woman to broach such a bold topic. Really, depending on how each ruler was, it might not even be safe for anyone less than a Queen, or perhaps another THE Queen, to bring something like that up. He didn’t really expect Theo to have a dangerous temper or anything like that, but he hadn’t thought the bird would have killed anyone for the top spot, either.
“I hadn’t thought about that. I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position, Kelasia. I actually wonder if it’s our place to suggest it. I might have to ask around, get a feel for things. Observer the crowd. You know how that goes, I’m sure.” He smiled at her in what he hoped was a charming manner.
“I’ve been thinking pretty strongly of joining the Court of Clubs, as well. I think that, if I do that, and still do my work within the Court of Hearts, it might show that bridges can be built, and open the door for talks of cooperation. I don’t see why we should have to shuffle papers all day. There are plenty of Cards out there that would be willing to do that to get out of more tedious or dangerous jobs. What do you think?”
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Post by seraaches on Jun 1, 2008 13:27:48 GMT -5
"Not really," the skunk admitted to the man without shame. She was hesitant still, but she really didn't know about the 'observing the crowd' Elias did so easily. She paused for a very long moment before she continued quickly, forcing the words out in a short rush. "But I would like to learn."
Somehow it seemed like Elias would be able to help teach her some more about this strange self-confidence thing, if only indirectly through contact with him. He was so very self-assured it was almost frightening. Not in the same way as Mnem and Minh, though. She couldn't help a small, quirking smile at the thought of the two women.
They each had so much self confidence; it was obvious they knew exactly who they were. But Kel didn't know who she was; she had small bits of different people that added up into a still very messed up individual. Kel gave a small sigh, hoping that, perhaps, El could help her.
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Post by Trebias on Jun 2, 2008 0:21:43 GMT -5
“Learn what now?” It was Elias turn to feel like he wasn’t keeping up. “Observing people? But you already do that, to a certain extent, I bet. I think the difference between you and me is how cynically we observe other people. Or, I’m just talking to prevent an awkward silence on my part.” He grinned at her, and watched different emotions and expressions play over her face as she thought – well, whatever it was she happened to be thinking.
“You know, it’s remarkable just how little we’ve learned about each other since we met. Maybe not remarkable, since we just met yesterday, but it’s still something I’d like to remedy. You go first. What all do they make you handle at the courts?” Elias was more than willing to bet it was more of the same old paperwork. Seriously, why did people want these positions so badly? Maybe they thought they could make a difference? Like he thought he would by joining the court? Hmm.
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Post by seraaches on Jun 2, 2008 12:12:41 GMT -5
Kel shook her head uneasily, the hint of embarrassment she'd previously kept at bay flaring slightly. "But I don't. . . Not really." Her admittance was accompanied by a deeper flush and her eyes fell uncomfortably towards the floor again. "I watch my feet. . ." She abruptly realized she was doing that again and, with a sigh, she forced her gaze back up to Elias' face. "I don't watch people," she said, fighting the urge to bite her lower lip in nervousness. "Because I'm always trying to avoid them."
Not necessarily a very flattering thing for a King of Diamonds to admit; Diamonds were, of course, known for their charm, and she had none except what was granted to her through her ability. She guessed she could try to keep it activated all the time, but she found it wearing and she'd much rather just hide in the background anyway.
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Post by Trebias on Jun 4, 2008 1:46:03 GMT -5
Elias nodded, not wanting to make light of her obvious distress. “I can’t knock you for avoiding people. I’ve done it for a long time. You have to observe them a little to be able to avoid them, though, right? And if you’re trying to avoid them, why seek a spot in the Court?” Elias had been leaning forward, but relaxed so that he wasn’t intruding on her space. “I’m not criticizing you, Kel, I just want to know what’s making you tick. Sorry if I came on a little strong.”
He thought about trying to sell his idea to her, questioned his motives, and decided to press forward. “If there were a way that you could drop this, and pursue what you wanted to, without feeling like you’ve abandoned your friends and your duties, would you be willing to work for that? So that you could avoid people or not avoid them as you saw fit? That’s one of the things I really want to work toward, if we could just relieve the stress of the Queens and Kings long enough to get things going. I don’t know about you, but it sounds nice to me.”
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Post by seraaches on Jun 4, 2008 10:42:53 GMT -5
Kel's ears went back in further unease as she contemplated his words. She knew that she tended to simply follow other people, avoiding choices and just going wherever she was led to go. Overall, she enjoyed that, though; she liked the stability of knowing someone was in charge and that someone had made the decisions. It was easier that was and it followed the patterns of the rest of her life.
"I enjoy doing paperwork," she finally said softly, hoping she didn't sound like a complete idiot to the quick-minded and witty Elias. "And it needs to be done." She almost flinched, as though expecting a blow for saying that. Once everything was all said and done, it was true; governments-- and Courts-- ran on paperwork. Everything needed proof because nobody tended to believe anybody. It was the way of the world.
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Post by Trebias on Jun 4, 2008 18:25:49 GMT -5
Elias was a little taken aback at the fact that Kel liked paperwork. He thought that most of it was pointless, from what he’d seen. It had it’s uses, he supposed, but it was still dumb. “I guess I can’t understand liking paperwork because I don’t like it myself. And true, it needs to be done, but not by you, or the Queens. What I’m working on is a system where most of the decisions can be taken care of lower down on the chain of command, only bothering the uppers in the more important duties that they would then have time for when something big needs approved or discussed or whatever. And, with cooperation between the Courts, we can help more people, which is even more important! If the Queen of Clubs doesn’t have the time to see a Club that has business that isn’t specific to the Court, that Club can ask the Queen of Spades, or Diamonds, or Hearts. Things like storekeepers, who deal with all the suits anyway. It just excites me, but getting something like that won’t happen if the Courts have to keep running like they do, and undermanned to boot. What do you think about it?”
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Post by seraaches on Jun 4, 2008 19:11:32 GMT -5
Kel listened carefully and her face showed just how seriously she was considering his words. The idea of losing the safety of her paperwork, of not being able to retreat back behind her stacks of protection, very nearly panicked her, but she tried to bravely keep it covered from view.
A Court with less paperwork and fewer decisions. . . Actually the idea was a bit surprising knowing of the canine's friendship to the Queen of Hearts. Queen Shinrai seemed like a bit of a control freak to her; why would he willingly relinquish control to those beneath him? The rumour mill said that he didn't trust anybody, not even his own Kings.
She gave a small shake of her head, trying to think of how to word these very doubts without insulting the man.
"I don't know how good that would be," she admitted softly. "Would all of the Queens be willing to turn over any of their power to those below them? Most of them had to kill to get into their current positions. . ."
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