Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588 
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Post by Ivory on Apr 14, 2021 1:21:30 GMT -8
The Bardot Brasserie at the ARIA Resort was designed with the intent of transporting guests to a café along the Champs-Élysées in the 1920s - which made sense considering it was one of the best places for French cuisine in the entirety of Las Vegas. Every inch of the space had been painstakingly designed to that end, from the tiled floor, to the seating, and even the lighting. In a word? It was gorgeous.  However, to those in the know, the Pale Dragon's choice of the venue had more substance than it's hefty price tag and beautiful decor. The Bardot was well known for its brunch, which encouraged a three-course model from starters, to main courses, and dessert. They also had caviar in abundance. Despite all of this, the Bardot retained the roots of the image by enforcing only a light dress code, requiring people only to dress up-scale casual rather than in resort elegance to dine. What did that mean? Well, for the men at least khakis, slacks, and a collared shirt. Blazers were encouraged, though not necessary. Preferably no jeans, though so long as they were tailored for a fit and in good condition they were allowed. Really the only big no's were t-shirts, sweatpants, sneakers, and sandals. For women it meant likened attire, a skirt, or dress and heels. Ivory was, naturally, already present and perusing the menu. When @archie arrived he merely needed to mention he was with Abigail Cartwright and he would be directed to their table, tucked away in a corner to provide some element of privacy. In adherence to the policy, the Pale Dragon was dressed in a tastefully loose fitting blouse and a tan skirt bereft of wrinkles. She paired the look with a pair of black kitten heels. Overall, though, the look was more casual than she normally went when it came to eating out. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2021 9:50:19 GMT -8
Would the third time be the charm?
Archie originally reached out to many of his Spring cohorts and had eaten crow for it. Second was professional; he had tried to be open but cautious. He was the fool though, wasn’t he? So what lesson would he learn today?
As for dress code, Archie was fine. Cream slacks and blazers, brown leather loafers, and a black herringbone collared shirt. No bowtie or the like, and his hair was a little less perfect than normal. Upon his entrance he spent a few minutes talking to the hostess, before finally making his way over, slipping a card for the place into his jacket. Never one to stop working.
“Abigail.”
A nice simple greeting, as he picked up the menu.
“Have you kicked things off yet, or waiting for a second opinion?”
He asked glancing at their brunch
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 14, 2021 15:29:46 GMT -8
At the familiar tone of Archie's voice, the dragon would raise her head. Gilded eyes took in the Chatelaine's dress and, if her look meant anything, Ivory approved. Thus, his greeting was met with a smile, betraying a hint of cautious warmth.
"Archie," she said, responding in kind. At his question there was a slight shake of the head.
"Oh no, neither," she offered, "I consider it uncouth to order before my company has arrived. I prefer to eat with them, if that makes sense... That and I'm currently stuck between prime steak tartare and caviar deviled eggs. Still, I think I might go with the latter. Steak tartare is amazing, but caviar, well... you understand."
Both had been open about their wealth and Ivory assumed Archie had at the very least explored the food options his income could provide him. It would be rude to expand on a subject the Chatelaine likely well understood. Looking back to the menu, the dragon looked pensive for a moment. "Then again... I could just circumvent the eggs, get my tartare and the caviar on the side. Or we could settle for caviar service separate from the starters entirely."
Then came a thought that prompted the dragon to look back to the man, "Also, in the case that the intention was unclear, brunch is on me today. No need to grab your wallet unless you get carded," she teased.
After the server dismissed themselves to grant the pair a minute to peruse the menu, the look of the Fairest softened.
"I... would also like to apologize, Archie," she said. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2021 20:36:12 GMT -8
Archie smiled in kind, and let Ivory have her piece. She was young, liked to show her wealth, and played the role of a socialite well. He was not 100% sure of how much she brought into the part, as she easily could have fit the mold of a Real Housewife - he just wouldn’t say it to her face. While she had been speaking he had been perusing the menu, having been an age since he had last been here so he couldn’t for the life of him remember what the menu was in detail, but he followed along while browsing at something to start with. That was when she dropped it, and it caught him somewhat off guard. He lowered his menu some and looked dead on at her, a would you like at that expression. Was this sincere? Regardless. “Apology accepted, Abigail. I was thinking cheese to start even if it sounds horribly boring.”It rolled off casually as if they had discussing plans for the day. Josh (Strong King) - Archie — Today at 9:32 PM
Brunch
Is Ivory's Apology Genuine?
Wits + Emp + Specialty
@dicecord-CoD Roll 7
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
— Today at 9:32 PM
@josh (Strong King) - Archie rolled 7 dice and got 2 successes. 2 4 3 4 9 10(1) 4 |
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 15, 2021 21:24:23 GMT -8
Indeed, there was a certain hesitance to the Pale Dragon's words, but her want to apologize was genuine. It was the action of apology that was new to her. She was uncomfortable, but felt this was something she needed to do.
The casual dismissal of the matter was met with a stare from his Fairest compatriot, some light frustration upon her features.
"I haven't apologized yet, Mr. Hartman," she said, "Please, allow me to do so before you offer your forgiveness. You are worth that much."
Clearly, Ivory wanted to do this the right way, whatever that meant to her.
That would have to wait, it seemed, as the waitress returned, ready to take their orders for beverages and a starter. Ivory ordered the oeufs mimosa, the caviar laden deviled eggs having drawn her attention. She also ordered a mimosa, but, at the offer of bottomless mimosas she declined.
"Oh, no. I promised to keep it to one today, thank you," she said to the server, "Water will be fine once I finish the glass."
It wasn't necessarily a new leaf for the dragon, but Ivory was slowly beginning to listen to Anthony's concerns and, when the boy mentioned his concern of her overimbibing at brunch, Ivory had promised not to do so, she aimed to keep this promise.
The golden gaze of the Pale Dragon of Spring would move to Archie, opening the way for the Chatelaine to order for himself.
The server would remain, attentive. Should he make his selection, the server would depart once more, affording them privacy once again.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2021 20:34:25 GMT -8
Archie went ahead and ordered himself sparkling water with lemon. He would withhold any other options until a consensus had been reached. He had set the menu aside for the moment that they now had.
He leaned back in his seat some and yielded the floor to her. There was no fight against what she was insisting she wanted to do. He seemed rather listless all things considered. Not due to a disinterest but that there were matters weighing.
“Alright Abigail, I can understand that sentiment so you have my undivided attention.”
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 17, 2021 17:23:14 GMT -8
"Thank you," the Pale Dragon said as she leaned forward, fingers steepling together as she collected her thoughts, trying to find the words that would best suit the needs of the moment.
"When we first met, I treated you with unwarranted suspicion beyond necessary caution in regards to your wants to assist myself and our other peers," she began, "Later, when I desired to formulate a charity to boost our efforts in Whitney, I came to you and treated you like a product, becoming frustrated and closed off when you responded to my requests for your services, wealth, and assets with reasonable restraint in the wake of my vague answers to your inquiries. In nearly all other incidents, I have further treated you with a coldness you did not earn. To be blunt, in the process of the pursuit of my own ambition and my often extreme vigilance in regards to the security of myself and others, I have not granted you the respect you are owed as a member of good standing in our shared company and a dear friend to others I admire. You are a good man and I have treated you as something less."
She let the statements sit for a moment. Apologizing was... difficult, but Ivory was well aware she had been in the wrong insofar as her dealings with Archie had been.
"I will not offer excuses for my behavior, as it has not been excusable," she continued, "I am also not under any illusion that the conclusion of our meeting here will bring about some sudden friendship. However, I have wound your validation as a person with my treatment and I have no wish to allow my shortcomings fade away without granting you the apology you are due. I know you may not believe me and you would be well within your rights for thinking as much, but I am sorry, Mr. Hartman. Henceforth, I will take every step I can to grant you the validation and respect you deserve."
Ivory did not ask for Archie's forgiveness. It was not her place to make such a request and, frankly, she would understand if it was not offered. Ivory had been awful to Archie, despite all the good he has offered, from his work with Riley to bolster their own status and pursue their dreams all the way to the Chatelaine's meticulous preparation of Ostara for the benefit of the entire Spring Court. Her fellow Fairest had not given Ivory reason to mistrust him, not even once. The reverse was not true.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2021 22:01:13 GMT -8
“Well I appreciate hearing that, Ivory. It means a lot.”
It was sweet of her, it really was. Maybe she had done some growing up.
“I would be lying if I said that everything had not motivated me to seek new avenues, so even if situations were what could be called ‘dire’ I feel we both can take something from them. I was even trying to reach out in my own way after Rowan was so eager to try and find who made you sick that one time.”
He wasn’t going to call it an overdose in such polite company.
“Needless to say my aggressive pursuits didn’t serve me very well.”
He raised his right hand pointing out the scar tissue.
“One shot here, straight through. Thank goodness for the magic of modern medicine, right? Either way it makes for another lesson tied up in this saga, and I should have made like the baby autumn and realized giving up on the whole thing was the way to go.”
He shrugged as he waited the moment it took the staff to drop off his sparkling water with lemon, quickly taking a from the glass with a small ‘aah’ before setting it back down and returning to the situation.
“We at least that situation has taken care of itself. It was Ambrosia by the way - if you weren’t already aware. Who, what, where, why, when, and how are all mysteries to me but the Queen herself dropped that conclusion in our laps.”
He seemed to be dancing around any specifics of the apology, or reacting directly to it.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 7:59:43 GMT -8
It wasn't forgiveness, but, for now, it would have to be enough. At the admission that he had been assisting Rowan in the pursuit of the source for Rose Water - and been scarred in doing so, a great amount of guilt bloomed upon the Pale Dragon's face.
"I... did not want anyone to be hurt on my behalf," Ivory said, her tone low and quiet, "And, even if my condition alone was not the entirety of your motivation to assist, I am very sorry you were caught within the crossfire."
The mention of the perpetrator was met with a soft nod, Ivory's look was solemn, but accepting.
"I had washed my hands of the matter shortly after my return from the hospital. The... fallout required more of my attention," she admitted, thoughts drifting to the anger of Anthony towards both her and Evelyn, "In either case, the situation seems resolved, perhaps its best to leave the remaining questions unanswered."Eyes drifted to the Chatelaine, observing his blocking behavior to the talk of her apology. Something was wrong, but what? Stray — Today at 9:56 AM Checking Archie's emotional state in regards to her apology Wits+Empathy [9:56 AM] @dicecord-CoD roll 4 Dicecord-CoD BOT — Today at 9:56 AM stray rolled 4 dice and got 1 success. 6 9 1 2 |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2021 16:01:48 GMT -8
“The cost of trying to build something, sometimes you get hurt, and sometimes even the best laid plans crumble. It was what it was, an attempt to reach out, an attempt to build some clout within the court, and exert my own identity. If anything being aerated at least serves as a poignant lesson about what I can expect dealing with people in our lifestyle.”
Cheese arrived - oh yum. Archie would casually grab a piece to nibble on, something sharp. It gave Ivory a chance to reply and to wane his mood. There was a sense of expediency, and this was a formality he was entertaining. If simple words made her feel better - she could have them.
“So Abigail. Letting the dead rest where they may, and seeing as we are only on course number one - how are things with the club? Have been able to live your philosophy? Which...I don’t know if I have ever caught your outlook on going green.”
Coded words.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 16:55:39 GMT -8
"I still feel at fault," she admitted, granting the Chatelaine a slight smile. However, though softened by the words, the guilt remained, "If I had been more careful you would have never been dragged into this mess. Neither would have Rowan. Perhaps it's sometimes better to let certain actions that concern me pass me by, but that is never a lesson I've allowed myself to learn. Maybe it's time I did."
Ivory did not feel better, but the sentiment that Archie did it for himself was nice.
The deviled eggs also arrived, Ivory thanked the server. Then the server flitted away again after retrieving the mimosa Ivory had also ordered. Ivory lifted up one of the delicacies, abundant with caviar, and took a bite. If the pleased groan was anything to go by, it had elevated her mood. At least a little.
The questions were met with a slight smile. Always the mover and shaker. Even now, in this private moment, Archie remained interested in what made his fellow Lost tick. She had to admire his tenacity.
Finishing the caviar laden deviled egg, the Pale Dragon's gaze shifted to the window, observing the coming and goings of people beyond her field of vision.
"You know, if you had told me at sixteen that I'd be eating caviar deviled eggs in a brunch with a top listed agent at the Bardot Brasserie, I never would have believed you," she says, "Things rarely work out how we think, hm?"
It was a slight stall, something light to blunt the push into business.
"Things with the club are... relatively stagnant," she said, letting out a sigh, "Recent events have deterred me from reaching out too much. Well that and I've been dealing with the fallout of my sickness, which, as you can imagine, has been difficult for some in my life. That said, I'm finishing up a favor for one of our associates and the fallout is normalizing. I think things are beginning to take a turn and I can return to some semblance of normal. Albeit with a few lessons learned. As for my coming to the green..."
"After my... return, I was angry, Archie," she began, "Even after I settled the accounts that I needed to, I was... reckless. Self-destructive. I had lost my entire life and there were things I'd never be able to experience. Things I was looking forward to. I won't get into details because I know my story isn't exactly unique. You have heard all this before. The change came with Arthur and that's, well, a story."
There was a slight chuckle as the Pale Dragon recalled some distant memory.
"God, I hated him," she said, "He was not from the city. Visited off and on like he did here in Vegas when we were together. Always came into town with a fancy car, his nice suits, and that million dollar smile. The kind of face you just want to hit when you've been slumming it on couches in shitty one-bedroom apartments."
"But... he never hated me," she said, "We met at a gathering. He came up to me and tried to start a conversation... I brushed him off. He kept at it though. I don't think I offered him more than one? Two sentences at a time? Eventually, I agreed to have a dinner with him. I've had other dinners too, mind you, but his intent was different. He wanted to help... I think he could sense the spiral I was on. After a few more meet-up's I caved and accepted his help to move to Pittsburgh and start again. What the hell, right? It's not like where I was currently living was helping me."
"We became friends and later lovers, but you already know that. Eventually, we married," Ivory continued, "Throughout it all he kept showing me something beautiful. Showed how we could help others in worse circumstances. He showed me I had lost a lot, but that didn't need to be the end. I could build something better for myself and, in time, I could help others too... My coming to the club was gradual. It wasn't fully realized until about a year before his passing."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2021 17:35:51 GMT -8
Archie was kind, and listened to her story. An elaboration of what she had explained in his office that one day. It was an opportunity to enjoy the cheese. He appreciated that, he was lacking his same energy, his questioning being more poignant than normal. He may have been beaten down, but he was engaging her still - at the very least their shared Court gave them something to speak too. It would have been rude to leave at this part.
“A mentor, lover, partner. I can understand that - it is a story as old as the Greeks, not that there's anything wrong with that. The Greek’s created the outline for every story ever told. It is really interesting stuff. Charity, though, is an ambition I can respect. Would you say that is your truest desire though?”
Given her background he could understand wanting to help others avoid it. It was sweet of her, really. It wanted to probe it more - not for details on how to establish a charity but to really begin to understand her relationship to the Antler Crown. Not everyone understood what they wanted, but knew they were missing something.
“Given everything you have gone through recently, do you still seek to grow in rank as well? I can understand how hardship may require reflection and there is no shame in that. You are young, and there is plenty of time.”
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 18:31:46 GMT -8
Archie's questions were good. It was easy to see how he had helped others pursue their dreams and talents to their peak. He made it his business. So what was the harm in getting the man's opinion?
"Before I answer either question, I'm curious, Mr. Hartman," she began, "You have built your reputation and your business on your ability to read and understand me. I know we don't know each other well, but I'm certain you've already developed your own theories in regards to the answers you seek. I would like to hear them, if you're willing to indulge. What do you see when you look at me and hear my words?"
A free shot to the dragon's ego, an honest break down of his internal thoughts on Ivory, or a choice to abstain entirely. The choice was his.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2021 19:45:36 GMT -8
The cheese was fantastic, was his first thought as she answered him with a curiosity. She opened herself up to his assessment, and it would actually take the Fairest a moment to assess if this was some type of goading, or trap. However, she had made such an honest and earnest effort to reach out, a promise to respect him, etc, it was already being put to the test.
“In the most distilled form? Respect, and preferably a benevolent form of it. Your husband left a shadow looming that you wish to fill, and serve just as nobally as he had.
Your altruism is likely inherited, as you have lived a life without and you understand the hardships, and thus how easy some of the more wicked winds may be avoided. This does not mean it is fleeting, I really do believe you want to help people - but you also deeply want people to believe that this isn’t an atonement for tricking a man out of his money.
You are young and beautiful so it is easy for passersby to cast judgement quickly and almost dismissively without a second thought. They don’t understand you didn't just throw caution to the wind the first time you met. Despite his intentions you weren’t going to be known as that kind of woman. The tragedy though? Not only was he a good man, and his intentions pure, and likely a handsome in his own right, you were always a romantic I assume. So eventually you were swept off your feet because he was there for you, and not himself.
This is important to the assessment, don't lose me now.
You two formed a partnership but it was always going to have the taint of what it looked like. You were going to be everything you could be, you were going to buck the labels, you were going to show you weren’t a leech, you weren’t a charity case, you weren’t an accessory, you were worthy of it all - and you two were going to do it together.
Tragedy strikes, and now you are going it alone.
The mission though is the same. You are more than any of that, and you will make people understand that. You will lash out against those who doubt you. You will show people the cause isn’t dead because even though you walk the path alone, you walk it with your head held high.
People will witness you, people will respect you, and people will eventually no longer see you as standing in the shadow - but rather casting it.”
He bit off a bit of cheese and chewed it, keeping his tired eyes locked with Abigails.
“That is an optimistic read. The less optimistic is that you are merely wanting to guard the memories of what was, and the disrespect further antagonizes your beloved memories. You will destroy yourself, keep the shrine to that memory safe, and it will likely make you rash. I however want to believe you are more than a crypt keeper and that you want to do right by the opportunities you were offered, and prove you are not only worthy of them but can continue and grow their spirit.
Either way they are similarly styled. One is an interpretation for those who lead, the other for those who follow. Only you can decide which one you are - and when it all comes down it choose if the life you live is compatible with chasing that deepest desire.”
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Apr 19, 2021 21:02:05 GMT -8
Ivory listened, elbows resting on the table as hands rise with fingers intertwined for her chin to rest upon. There was a slight nod here and there as the Chatelaine spoke. Most of what he said was... rather flattering actually, and pretty on the money when it came to Ivory's mindset. It was easy for Ivory to see why others had entrusted Archie as much as they had.
"Thank you for your kind words towards my husband," Ivory said, her tone sincere, "He was a good man. Truly. You would have liked him, I think."
Leaning back the dragon would take a drink of the mimosa as she digested all Archie had said.
"And you're not wrong. I think it's fair to assume my greatest desire is to be respected," she said, granting the Chatelaine a small victory, "though I prefer to think of these things in 3's. For me, the three are respect, security, and aid. The respect you already understand rather well. I want my worth to be known and acknowledged. The security I refer to is in regards to both myself and my son, with others I hold dear also having my concern in that arena first. The reality of my situation is I have another life I need to concern myself with. Even if he is a legal adult, he is still in Vegas and I can't allow him to be endangered. The third is aid. As you said, I understand what it's like to lose a great deal. If I'm in a position to prevent it or at least soften the blow? I want to be there."
There was a pause.
"For what are we born if not to aid one another?" she asked, "That's... Hemingway, I can't take credit for that."
Another caviar deviled egg found itself down the hatch.
"As for your less optimistic assessment, I will tell you something I learned and acknowledged after ample reflection - and a little therapy," she said, "The grief of Arthur's passing will always be with me in some form or another, but it doesn't need to be who I am. And it isn't. Arthur would not want to be mourned and he would want us to continue moving forward. At the end of the day, that is the only way to move on."
Motivations confirmed and concerns addressed. Check. Now, to advancement.
"There is a ceiling right now as to how high I wish to climb," she said, moving to answer the question she had not yet addressed, "For now, all I will seek is a position beneath one of our... managers. In that way, yes, I will continue to seek advancement, as it feeds into my three ambitions. There is a security in being held to one of their agreements. With where I stand currently, I am vulnerable. Refusing a task I would rather not be involved in can harm future endeavors politically, which, ultimately, does more harm than good and could threaten other things in my life. Whereas if I am in league with a manager whose ideals are not dissimilar to my own, there is less likelihood I will be approached. Thus, allowing me to build the security I need and foster the respect I want."
Vassalage meant others would understand she was under a greater authority. She could deny requests if she felt they were against a Knight's interest to which she was a vassal. That was more difficult to do right now, as she had no political clout and it would threaten future opportunities and relations.
"I doubt I will pursue management myself, but I suppose that's an idea for the long term," she said, "For now it's far from my mind. I do not know the club president well."
Plain and simple. Philicia held the Antler Crown. She was, by all rights, the rightful ruler of the Season in the eyes of Spring itself, but Ivory did not know her. Desire was interpreted in a myriad of ways, with none of the paths less 'right' than the others. That is what made the Emerald Court so dangerous to navigate if one lacked the proper caution. The Season's courtiers were varied and, often, unpredictable if you did not know them well.
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