Dear Spades:

[ratherberiding.livejournal.com]

So, a part of Mel's history involves the Spades. Specifically, she went through a Rebellious Period right around 19 or 20 in which she met, got involved with, got engaged to, and violently broke up with an as-yet-unnamed Spade Simon. Before she could enter the making-up part of the relationship cycle, he was killed in a challenge by another Spade on his (or her) way up. She took it to heart and threw herself into her work, and she's never thrown herself out again. He was the last person she was involved with.

Looking at the timeline, I'm willing to make her current age somewhere between 30-36 so that her Spade fiancé could have been killed by one of the current Spades. Any takers? :3

Later...

Right, David it is. She hates him for it, but it's a cold, cordial hatred because she grew up in the Deck, she knows how it works, etc. But he's the reason she turned her back on court politics and why she won't discuss them.

Victor can still wander by and indelicately remind her of it, and she can get practice throwing things.

Comments

[morallydefunct.livejournal.com]

ME. PICK ME.

[ratherberiding.livejournal.com]

You get this look for your enthusiasm, Victor.

[morallydefunct.livejournal.com]

It actually fits rather well with his rise through the ranks. Victor did kill everyone he took on in a challenge. Be it them challenging him, or him challenging them. So, you know. It fits.