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It's a beautiful Spring day in Philadelphia's Hedge! Ari sits quietly in a chair sized for them, set outside their cottage. They've got a glass of ice water and a book, and they look like they're casually just spending an afternoon, instead of, you know, waiting for someone. Which they are.
Oh to be a Changeling able to spend a casual afternoon with a class of water and a book, even if you are waiting for someone. Because Jack is certainly not one of those, today. He slips into the Hollow a few minutes late, charcoal smudges high on his cheeks, and breathing a little hard, like he's been running. His hair threatens to flop in front of his face and he pushes it away, annoyed, as he steps quickly toward Ari.
"Fucking buses - sorry I'm late."
"SEPTA, causing someone to be late? Be still my heart." The giant Elemental closes their book and sets it next to the chair, rising and offering their broad green-stone to Jack in greeting. "How are you?"
Jack shakes Ari's hand and makes an effort at calming himself, now that he no longer needs to run or worry about being late. The flickering in his mien slowly dies down as he kinda nods and shrugs at the same time. "Can't complain, really. Life's crazy, but 's nothing new. How've you been?"
The Spring Monarch spreads their hands and slowly sits back down in their chair, creaking with a sound like plates of slate grinding against one another. "Well, all things considered... " their voice trails off. "I'm not doing too badly." There's an awful lot of space in 'all things considered' and not just the NPR show. "What can I do for you, Jack?"
"I'm...I've been thinking recently about how I haven't been all that...active, as a courtier." He's choosing his words carefully, it sounds like. "And how I might wanna change that. An' I figured talking to you'd be a decent wait to go about...figuring out how to do that."
They drop their hands into their lap and look at Jack for a long time with those solid black eyes, the scribbles and edges of the younger Spring briefly visible in their smooth stone gaze. "It's more a question of what you want to do, than your activity, don't you think? I would be happy to have you as more than a Page, but most important is what you want to be doing within the Court, and where you're going. What's your heart's desire, there?" It's not a sarcastic question.
"Fair enough." Jack huffs in quiet amusement. "With how much I'm connected to shit Ironside, I was kinda thinking that an Emissary might be something to shoot for. Dunno if one in the unions is something that'd be useful, but most of my connections are there, right now."
When Ari is in Serious Mode, they don't move a lot, which makes for sort of a weird look. "It is certainly a position one could prove oneself worthy of," Ari answers thoughtfully. "We haven't had an Emissary to the Unions or to ... much of human society for several years, since Baize moved to Tulsa. Why you'd want to move to Tulsa is beyond me, but they did."
"Can't say I've ever been to Oklahoma - and I've never really wanted to, either. So I've got nothing." He smiles. "But if that's something that could be useful for the Court, I'd be down to start working towards it."
"It would be extremely useful, in the right hands, and is a good goal to work towards. I would suggest spending some time as a Joyeux to work toward that," Ari answers, leaning back such that the chair creaks in protest. "Spending time responsible for the desires and clarity of mind of others is a valuable way to learn important diplomatic skills, and placing the needs of others first. I have seen you as a union rep -- I can tell that you're already on the path there -- and this is a good way to continue that path."
"Dunno if I'm cut out for the Joyeux, 'f I'm honest." Jack scratches the back of his head. "Much as I...do try to put other people's needs first, just in general. I'm definitely not the kinda person who really...embodies what Spring's all about, always. An' I feel like you really gotta be, to be a Joyeux?" He doesn't sound entirely certain.
The Spring Monarch leans forward in their chair with another disastrous creak. "I suppose, then, you will have to learn to embody all that Spring is about. There will be no way for you to be an Emissary without that. The Emissaries represent us. How could I send someone to represent us who does not embody all that Spring is about?" They prop their chin on their hand, their elbow on their knee.
He shifts, and stares at the ground rather than his Monarch. "...Point taken. I guess being a Joyeux's a way to figure it out...? Or is that something I should start doing before I take the position?"
"I would set my sights on that job, and learn what I could from it, on my way to the Emissary," Ari answers thoughtfully. "The answer to your question is 'both.' It's all a process." Their chuckle is a a gentle sort of sound: they're not laughing at him, they're acknowledging the absurdity of saying 'well it's both.'
Jack nods. "I'll...I'll do that, then. Hopefully I won't fuck things up too bad, with anyone. I like to think I've got an okay handle on helping other people with their shit, but...you know. Meeting people where they are's tough, sometimes."
The Spring Monarch raises one stony eyebrow and lets out a puff of breath. "Yes, I am aware. You'll do well with it, with practice." Their hands rest contentedly in their lap. "Once you feel ready to move forward as a Joyeux, let me know. Consider yourself -- pre-approved, I suppose."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." A smile crosses his face. "And thanks for helping me talk this through."
"You're welcome. It's... literally my job, but you are welcome all the same." Ari reaches for their glass of water, lifts it from the ground, and takes a sip, then reaches for their book.
"Appreciate it. I'll eh...I'll keep you updated, on all of it." He nods and half turns to leave. "See you around?"
One large dark eye closes in a wink, and then the Spring Monarch opens their book to the place they marked.
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