Living in a dormitory was not always the most wonderful thing.  People tended to get snappy and angry in the winter.  It was cold, there was very little sunlight (and they lived in the basements to begin with), and the New Year had just started – meaning a new school year was going to be looming in the near future. 

Even worse, it was the end of January.  And that meant that February was starting.  And everyone knew what was going to happen in February: Valentine’s Day.

It was a maddening, horrible, experience: and the new rule that competition and backstabbing was probably not conducive to finding a date for Valentine’s Day at Hogsmeade. 

Not that Jordyn was thinking about not.  The Yule Ball had been a trial – finding a dress and being impressive and fantastic and having amazing conversations and being enchanting.  She’d probably failed at that – and then she had lost all of her appeal as anything to someone like Seraphin when she’d lost her badge.  She became a nothing.

No clubs. No title.  No money. No family. 

When Livi had proposed that it all just stop, it was like a breath of fresh air.  Of course, it was hard: Jordyn was predisposed to be totally exasperated with anyone who did not live up to her high standards of humanity.  But, she was trying.  Sometimes, it took a good talk session to get through it. 

So, she’d invited Liviana to one of the most private places in Slytherin house: a bed with the curtains pulled round.  Silencing charms (for the odd snorer) would keep their talk private, and they could discuss everything: from Valentine’s to viciousness without worry that there’d be repercussions. 

She’d left the curtain pulled open just a tad as she sprawled across the spread with a magazine in front of her (Teen Witch was covering New Year Trends), kicking her stripe-socked feet kicking back and forth as she waited for Livi.  It wasn’t as though Jordyn had anything better to do on a Saturday than read about how to improve her non-existent love life and trends she could not possibly afford while she waited. 

For Liviana, Jordyn Dimbley way a constant reminder that good breeding didn't just come from money (the same was another houemate proved  coming from  money didn't ensure it either, Liv was still making a face over the garish shade of green she'd seen the blonde sporting the other day). Of course she didn't focus on it too long because she was bouncing back to the dormitory in search of a wayward former Prefect who had been particularly sulky lately. She couldn't blame the girl of course; there was a special brand of humiliation in having to hand your Prefect badge over to Georgiana Trishna. Liv got along with her fine; but she didn't exactly want the other girl representing the house en force. For Livi Prefects were meant to be the best of the best. Jordyn had been that and then some, now they had... well a Trishna.

Peeking through the curtain, her pink lips curved in a happy sort of smile, "There you are. Oh, you didn't tell me I didn't have to dress for the occasion," her tone was teasing as she parted the curtains and carefully crawled into bed beside the other dark hair'd girl. Glancing down at Jordyn's feet she grinned, tweaking one of her toes, "How is it in your jammies and stripes you look better than I do after I've done my hair and makeup"? It wasn't really a stretch, or Liv trying to stroke the other girl's ego. She really did look lovely, and comfortable (a fact that pained Liv a little as the underwire of her bra dug into her side ever so slightly). Settling herself she peeked over the edge of the magazine and sighed, "That rubbish will rot your brains. Oh! See if they have suggestions for boyfriends who have no time for their girlfriends".

She was smooshing pillows and trying to get comfortable, slipping her shoes off and making sure they were carefully cloaked in silence, slender legs curling underneath her, "What can we do to pick you up Darling? You're moping again and I keep telling you it's going to give you wrinkles. You're too young and pretty for wrinkles. Besides while you're sulking in here our house is in dire need of some straightening up. Have you seen the way some people are carrying on lately? It's absolutely undignified. I mean if you're going to run an illegal crime syndicate in Hogwarts why would you call it the Mafia? Why would you call it anything," heaving a great sigh she collapsed back on her new bed of pillows and rested the back of her hand against her forehead, "these children will be the death of me. I swear".

Jordyn looked up from the trashy magazine in front of her as soon as she saw the hints of fingers pulling away at the curtains.  Of course, perfectly manicured and attired, Liviana was halfway into her bed as she started to speak, smiling all the while. "I believe the indication of attire might have been in the small print of your formal invitation," Jordyn greeted, only a ghost of a smile accompanying her dry humor. 

She scooted out of the way, allowing Livi some room on the practically covered bed (Jordyn had a penchant for pillows and miscellany - including, but not limited to, her school books, and an odd piece of clothing wherever it might have come from). 

Letting her face fall into the magazine, Jordyn squeaked and convulsed away from Livi as she grabbed her toe.  A yelp followed, as she fell into the side of the bed (stuck by magic for odd moments, like these, when she threatened to fall out of the bed).  A blush settled on her cheeks, and Jordyn sighed.  "Stop it," a half hearted slap to the knee was all the chiding Jordyn could muster.  "You're absolutely flawless, everyone knows it.  I'm just..." she was at a loss for what she was.  Instead, she made a face that somehow managed to include a wrinkled nose, stuck out tongue, and frown all together.  Not attractive was the only descriptor she could imagine fit.  "I haven't even gotten out of bed yet," she sighed, finally lifting her head up again, squinting as the print on the page peeled off the side of her face with a groan of dismay. 

Obviously, Livi was right.  She was reading drivel, but at least it was entertaining drivel.  "That section might be between you're too fat for that wand and he doesn't like you because of your dragon pox scars..." she idly flipped the pages again, trying to ignore the flashing advertisements for products of all kinds. 

She'd had it, obviously, and closed the magazine with a disgruntled huff before rearranging herself so she could rest on a pillow as well, and listened as Livi spoke.  She rolled onto her back and slapped her hands over her face with exasperation.  "Ugh - that tripe again?"  It was ridiculous, really - and so cliche.  Jordyn could hardly believe it was true, and from her own house: of all things.  If it were her, of course, she'd have it squashed immediately.  But some people did not think to curb the illicit dealings of students.  "I think it's best we stay as far away as humanly possible.  I could kiss any chance of Head Girl goodbye if I ever got caught even thinking about such idiocy."

She rolled back over, resting her head on her fist, looking up at Livi through thick eyelashes.  "What's even the point, really?"

Though Liv could come across as disinterested in a good many of her housemates and she certainly wasn't an open heart'd empathetic kind of person... she was worried about the other girl. Jordyn seemed so listless, she wasn't at all herself, like she didn't know where to start or why to bother. This care and concern for her well being was one of many strong markers that indicated at some point their friendship based on ease and status had shifted into something genuine. Liv wasn't the snuggle and talk till it's better type - but she was concerned. Much more of this and there would be no repairing Jordyn's reputation

"There isn't much to get out of bed for on a Saturday. I had to have a talk with Miss Finnigan, she's such a sugar lump," Liv rolled her eyes a little. It wasn't that she didn't like the professor, it was more that the woman smacked of sweetness and earnest intention and was going to get eaten alive by the likes of Theo and the second years. She arched a single eyebrow as the other girl tossed the magazine away, "You know, I've always wondered if my wand gave me a fat arse. Of course then I use it for target practice and don't give a Flobberworm fart about having a possible big bottom because I'm utterly fantastic," she grinned a little, giving Jordyn another sidelong glance, please as she seemed on board with a disgruntled gossip session about the absolute ridiculous nature of their house mates newest plot.

"It's just so... beneath what we're actually capable of. It also feeds into this stereotype we're all petty criminals in the making. Now granted, historically some of our predecessors have fallen off the path to righteousness in nefarious dealings. I see no reason why we should play into the idea we're all spoiled little bitches," propping herself up on her elbows, her expression was serious, "It makes the rest of us look bad. I have half a mind to take Kitty's muzzle off and let her feast," there was another pause as though Livi was seriously considering the idea before she shook her head dismissively. "Of course then we could end up with another flyer debacle, which really wouldn't draw the sort of attention we need or want at this point," she sighed before flopping back on the bed, "Why does it feel like we're the only sensible witches left in this school"?

"What did you possibly have to talk about with a professor on Saturday?" Jordyn sighed, eyeing her housemate curiously.  Sure, they all cared about their grades (Jordyn was a stickler for them), but even she avoided seeing anything related to work on Saturday morning.  That would have to wait until at least the afternoon. 

She thought of the professor in question.  She didn't really know her.  She supposed she didn't know any professors very well, outside of their classrooms and their content.  She very much liked Professor Reid, but even then, it was only in the context of her curriculum.  But, school was too much for this time of day and Jordyn shifted again - an endless search for being comfortable in her own bed. 

Giving her friend an exagerated once over, Jordyn wiggled her eyebrows (as best she could - which was actually just an awkward), "Some wizards, I've heard," she grinned, "like that sort of thing - especially the Americans." A bubble of laughter escaped her and disolved into a train of giggles.  She pretended to hold a little pad of paper and a quill in her dainty hands, "Tell me, Ms. Wiedman, how did the family react when they found out about your dalliances with American wizards?" she giggled, falling back into pillows. 

False gossip fell to the side in favor of real gossip, however, and Jordyn sighed.  "Honestly, it's just such a waste of potential!" Slytherin ambition and cunning was not only suited toward dark dealings of an amateur variety.  If anyone was going to be a criminal, they should, at the very least, be the best at it.  This was not even close to the reign Devlin and his crew had when they wandered the hallowed halls.  "But, we needn't be rash.  If it doesn't end soon, we might just have to let her go.  I'm sure she's dying to sink her claws in..."  Jordyn made a swiping motion with her hand and snorted, "it's just so difficult, not wanting to be the snitch..."

Jordyn figured that wouldn't help her any in her quest to get back into the good graces of anyone.  She was surviving on good grace alone, at this point.  “The world is absolutely mad,” Jordyn sympathized, pursing her lips in thought.  “I just don’t understand,” she added, plucking at the tassles at the corner of one of the soft pillows, “What is the purpose, really?  I only see it coming to bite them on their arses in the end.” 

Livi made a small face, her eyes shifting in guilt, "It's best if I don't tell you.," she paused before giving a small sigh. Jordyn had been through enough humilation lately, and it wasn't as though she were Kitty who would use it against her later, "I may have, conceivably, been trying to talk my way out of a detention later today for passing a rather unflattering drawing of  Professor Kesali as a particularly deranged looking Unicorn...tryingtolureafourthyearintohisden". She scrunched up her face before hiding it behind her hand, and peeking through her fingers at Dimbleby, "To be fair I didn't actually draw it, and I was simply handing it to someone else; while trying not to suffocate from stifling my laughter. It was just so perfect Jordy! I couldn't help it. It's creepy the way he interacts so personally with his students. It's like he thinks he's one of us," she couldn't hide the visible shudder that rippled through her shoulders as she shook her head.

When the other girl wiggled her eyebrows, Liviana absolutely lost it, dissolving into a fit of giggles as she hid her face in a pillow. It was so unlike Jordyn! It wasn't that the other girl didn't have a sense of humor, it just wasn't a particularly bawdy brand. The sixteen year old couldn't even pretend to try and answer, her sides aching as she doubled over. Of course the topic shifted to more serious matters and slowly Livi's breath came back to her. Her lips ticked up with a knowing sort of smile as the other girl agreed about the seeming lack of Slytherin cunning to the whole mess. Jordyn walked a pretty straight path from everything Livi had learned about her after living together for nearly six years; but obviously it was a point of house pride that if rules were to be broken it should be on a grand scale.

"Oh I'm sure she is, after all she hasn't taken any shots at either of us since I arranged our truce over Christmas," Liv settled back against the mass of pillows, eyes focusing on the canopy over head, chewing on her bottom lip, "it's a bit weird, being on the same side isn't it? I can't remember the last time that happened. Certainly not in the last two years," she sighed and shook her head, appearing pensive for a moment, "I think the most disappointing thing about the whole Mafia mess is that if it weren't such a show of overt power they could actually have some lasting impact. I mean not that anyone should strive to be Devlin Matthews, we can see where all that brilliance got him, but where is the pizzazz? It doesn't take much to bully younger years into doing your bidding. If there's no challenge in it, I don't understand how it's fun".

“You can tell me!” Jordyn leaned forward, “now that you said that you have to tell me.”  It was like an unwritten rule.  Once someone said something was not good to be shared, it had to be shared.  She knew that Livi knew that, and she was about to give her the puppy eyes, she started to spill the beans.  Jordyn was glad she did not have to unleash the formidable force that were her large, brown puppy eyes. 

Granted, they were just eyes – she didn’t have particularly pretty ones- but she’d been told that her emotions and outward shows of exaggerated feelings were so unsettling people tended to do what she wanted.  She didn’t know if it’d have the same effect on someone who actually knew her – but it wasn’t the time.   She could only gape at her friend as she admitted what had happened, and how and Jordyn threw a small pillow at her.  “Livi!” she sqeaked, “No matter how funny that sounds,” she admitted, “it’s about a teacher, you could not expect to avoid getting in trouble.” 

Even still, Jordyn was a stickler for the rules.  She didn’t like that, but she supposed it was as much a mechanism for staying out of the spotlight now as it had been for keeping her reign established as a prefect before Gigi took it from her.  She was still trying to get better at not feeling intense resentment for the other sixth year, but it was hard.  Being mature was so difficult, as evidenced by the occasional dip into the less highbrow humor they valued above all things.

As for Kitty, Jordyn shook her head.  “If you had told me one year ago things would be like this, I would have tried to hex the sense back into you.”  She laughed at the truth of the situation.  She felt like it seemed so unreal, that Kitty was not going after them and there was no real inner house turmoil – at least none that really mattered or caused a stir.  The things they’d seen in previous years were intense, insane, and beyond whatever anyone was trying now. 

“I tend to disagree though,” Jordyn sighed, “I don’t know what lasting impact they could have if I don’t really understand the point.  It’s not as though they’re a Dumbledore’s Army, from what I understand.”  Refernecing history on a Saturday morning: Jordyn had clearly hit the pinnacle of adjusted and cool witch.  “If they are, then I’ve missed a substantial part of the manifesto.” 

She flicked her hair over her shoulder, “I do feel badly about what happened to Devlin though.”  She had actually fake dated him last year, only as part of his scheme to get near Blake, but still.  He was a nice guy, to her, anyway, and seeing him get mixed up with the wrong people – get the consequences he did – she shook her head.  “It’s almost sad no one is really learning from anyone else.” 

Readjusting on the bed, she shrugged her shoulders and curled into more of the pillows.  “Have you heard anything new about what they are planning?”

Livi sighed and hid her face again, "I know Jordyn, but you can hardly blame a girl for being handed a piece of paper! It wasn't as though I went looking for a hilarious picture of Kesali. I happen to like having an O in Charms and he strikes me as the sort to downgrade you when crossed. It was just a very very unfortunate situation. I couldn't help it"!

Of course the wounded look on her face wasn't really real. Liviana mostly had the good sense to know when she'd done something too far reaching to get away with (not that she did them often). Still, the fact that Jordyn couldn't see the hilarity involved in said image was a little disheartening, she needed to loosen up a little but that wasn't likely to happen as long as she was gunning for Head Girl and wanting to knock Gigi off her misbegotten pedestal.

Liv gave a small scoffing laugh, "You haven't missed a damn thing Darling, it seems to have been a hair brained scheme that likely would have died out - because you know Rohan and Rod couldn't pull off any long lasting damage. Then Alexa got involved and now," she just rolled her eyes. Of course no one had learned from Devlin's mistakes. In the attention span of teenagers out of sight was out of mind, never mind that being out of sight meant he was in Azkaban.

She considered all the gossip she had heard, people she knew who had actually interacted with them and tried to decide which information could be counted as reliable when Jordyn asked what they were even up to. "Well, don't ask me how I know, but Sellaphix helped himself to the Apothecary and they seemed to latch onto that idea pretty quickly. I've also heard rumors around the cauldron they're supplying love potions - because that's brilliant right? Land you in Azkaban before you've even thought about sitting for your NEWTs".

“I just hope there are no consequences for you, darling,” Jordyn smirked.  There probably wouldn’t be – honestly, it seemed unlikely anyone would get in trouble over such a silly thing, at least enough to impact their grades.  “Your work stands for itself, silly picture or not.” 

She knew that was true: Livi was a smart girl.  Not all of Jordyn’s friends were geniuses, often, Jordyn was not sure of how smart she was either.  She just knew that she worked hard, and that, in and of itself, was worth her grades.  Any natural inclination towards being brilliant was probably not in her.  Livi seemed to have moments where brilliance and beauty were so flawlessly easy that Jordyn could have ripped her hair out if they were not friends, and she did not know just how good of a person she could be.  Other wise, she’d have gone mad by now. 

But, as good as Livi was, it just about balanced out the wretchedness of some of their other housemates: misguided youths they were. 

Another unwritten rule of social interactions was when information was private, you just couldn’t ask who gave it. Obviously, the other person was free to tell, if they so pleased, but you never asked.  Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees and gasped, “Good Godric!” she squeaked.
 
“That’s just – that’s just asking for trouble!”  Jordyn was so scandalized by the very idea that she stopped leaning and grabbed her chest, feeling her heart speed up just a little bit.  “It’s one thing to make a love potion or two,” Jordyn commented, “but to steal from a Professor?!”  She shook her head, horrified that someone would even think to do that.

“I hope it’s not just Slytherins involved,” she frowned, and whispered (though she was not entirely sure why) - there were silencing charms, after all. “I’d hate to see what would happen to all of us if they got caught and it was.” 

Livi's lips formed a bemused smirk, "Aye, well Professor Finnigan thinks I need to learn about appropriate respect due to Professors, even if they're creepy one eye'd gypsy drama queens who dress like women," she rolled her eyes a little and sighed. She figured she'd receive the same lecture from Jordyn she had from Finnigan. She would never be so disrespectful to his face, but a person ought to have been entitled to their own opinion and being able to share it in the privacy of bed curtains. Jordyn was a stickler for the rules, which was mostly endearing but sometimes Liviana wished she'd cut loose and do something scandalous. That being said (or in this case thought) there was something comforting about having a friend who knew how to toe the line and keep you on the right side of it. Dimbleby was a good one to have in your corner.

She gave a firm nod of her head in answer to Jordyn decrying what the Mafia was up to, "I personally don't understand why you would risk everything to make a few bucks. They can't honestly believe they'll have some lasting impression on Hogwarts. It's as if they don't realize how many students pass through the castle or how little importance any of us have on this thing called history. Once you're out of sight you're out of mind. So Alexa can stomp and fume and try to ruin lives but at the end of next year, when we leave, no one is going to care to remember about her. A clever person would spend this time building a bankable reputation," she paused giving Jordyn a sympathetic look. Livi was aware the other girl knew that game all to well even if her titles had been stripped from her.

"Not just Slytherin, if they're working with Fig that's Hufflepuff, and I think I heard something about some Ravenclaws. Which is a relief in a way because at least when they're all found out they'll all probably roll on one another and everyone will lose house points. It is the closest thing to a silver lining I can find in this mess," shaking her head Livi toyed with the ring around her middle finger, expression growing pensive, "You know..." she shifted her brown eyes to look at the other girl, "they might not be so hard to dismantle before it even gets to that point. Alexa is like Kitty in so much as she rules by fear and bullying. What if we offered the more savory members, the salvageable ones at least, a more refined alternative? It's not like the Monarchy has a lot else going on right now".

“She might be speaking a small grain of sense,” Jordyn offered, lightly.  She didn’t want to totally launch into overprotective friend mode and lecture her about the importance of keeping one’s opinions out of the classroom.  Jordyn was sure that Livi had heard it before, it wasn’t an unknown speech to anyone, and she didn’t need to be such a wet blanket anymore.  Though, in some ways, she wanted to be even more of one. Maybe that would help her get her rightful spot back. 

But, then again, maybe it wouldn’t do anything except ruin all of the fun of her final year at Hogwarts.  She already felt quite miserable, she supposed she didn’t need to really feel any worse…

Pursing her lips, Jordyn sighed – Livi’s assessment of their classmates was true, particularly those that decided it was time to ruin lives and stomp on everyone to do it.  “I think, as Slytherins, we’ve amounted quite a reputation for destruction.  We might as well try to cultivate something slightly different.”  Jordyn wasn’t talking about holding hands and loving everyone – far from it, she thought that was just as bad as tearing down entirely civil circumstances, but they didn’t need to be brash and bullying. 

Superiority came from a number of places: one such example being the high ground. 

Of course, she was going to comment on it… but Livi brought up a very interesting point.  Mulling her jaw, Jordyn ran her hand through her hair.  “I see your point,” she nodded, “however, I’m just wondering who, out of that crew do you think is even salvageable?  I’d also be cautious, I don’t know if Alexa is our biggest fan.  She might seize the opportunity to cause trouble.” 

"People latch onto the wrong legacy. I really believe that. We're supposed to be cunning. What's cunning about twisting someone's arm to get what you want? That doesn't take a brain. It's disheartening really. We could be so much more, as a house if they'd all just learn to bite their tongues. I know I just said this but I really do feel like sometimes we're the only remotely sensible ones left. Now that the lot of us aren't infighting we really are the picture of class, brains, and wit - and it's that very reason we have nothing to fear from Bagnold. She might have the juice to manipluate other houses and younger years but Jordy, we're royalty - and with my lovely cousin out of the picture we're not insidious bitches anymore. It wouldn't take much to turn the Monarchy into a benevolent dictatorship".

She looked rather pleased with herself as she shifted onto her knees, bright eyes looming over Jordyn for a moment as she clasp her hands together, "And we start by attacking the weakest link in the Mafia's armor. Katherine Beckett, I may have been priming Carys for bits of information and the picture painted to me is of a girl very unhappy with her lot in life. It's obvious she hates Alexa and Rod which means half our job is already done for us. The reason Kitty could never bring us down, and likewise we could never end her is because of key friendships. If we can offer her an alliance with the Monarchy turning her against Bagnold should take bout five minutes," Livi looked almost giddy as she began to bounce on her knees.

"Think about it, we take her into our comforting protective enclave, we have Carys to vouch that we're on the level, maybe we throw in some girly makeover things, she's already very well groomed. She wouldn't be out of place among us of Kitty stays civil; which I am sure she will because she adores subterfuge and is probably bored out of her mind playing nice all the time. Neely is a darling anyway, and Mimi has a genuinely good heart even if her taste in boys is slightly questionable. We offer sanctuary, Katherine gives us the goods on the mafia, her life is better, our lives are better, Alexa slinks off to the shadows where she belongs. Come on, admit it, I'm brilliant"!

Benevolent dictatorship.  Jordyn quite liked that.  It still implied a leader, but she supposed it could also mean a sort of oligarchy that required the best of the best leading, but could still be a force of “good” in the halls of Hogwarts, particularly if it meant rooting out the source of illegal activity and problems that could eventually manifest from ‘the mafia.’  Honestly, to Jordyn, it felt stupid even calling them that.

Wasn’t it some kind of silly muggle concept about crime families?  Did anyone even use that type of language anymore? “Go on,” she raised her eyebrows at Livi, waiting for her genius plan.

And, of course, it did seem fairly genius.  Carys was very sweet, and Jordyn quite liked her.  She was a well-bred Ravenclaw and always seemed to be on the up-and-up, she’d never offended Jordyn, at the very least. 

She held her tongue though; ready to hear the rest of Livi’s plan.  The Slytherin girl was impossibly brilliant, so it didn’t strike her as odd that this was all coming out of her mouth.  Jordyn was school smart, and even had some street smarts, but it wasn’t the same.  “Letting Kitty in on this will release a metaphorical Kraken,” Jordyn commented, knowing that the girl would have far more fun with this than either of them.  For Jordyn, it was a matter of practicality.  She didn’t want any of this to travel back to her house, to the place she took so much pride in, what it did for Livi, she could only guess.  But Kitty, she would love it. 

But, ever the pragmastist, as good as this plan sounded, Jordyn did have a few reservations.  “I think Katherine would be a good addition, that’s true, and it would hurt Bagnold’s friend base,” she acquiesced.  In a discussion, it was always best to point out the good of the other party’s argument before you pin-poked holes into it.  “But, perhaps her weakness comes out of a lack of information.  She seems a fine enough sort,” Jordyn shrugged, “but if she doesn’t have what we need, then we’ll have expended quite a bit of energy.  And true, charity is something we, as a whole in the monarchy, lack, but even still.” 

She smoothed her shorts and played with the hem (a normal habit of hers when any amount of anxiety is present).  “And whose to say Bagnold won’t twist other arms in just to replace her.  We can still, by all means, induct Katherine, but I think we need a bigger target.”

Liv gave a small scoff, "Kitty would revel in this, but of course I wanted to talk to you before anyone else. We share the same sort of house devotion Jordy. We both understand the importance of keeping house image on the up and up. It's worrying the way some people just don't care about feeding into stereotypes," the brunette sounded rather put out by the whole thing really. As much of a prissy princess as Liviana was she didn't appreciate the "bad Slytherin" moniker they'd been saddled with for years. That was the black eye people like Rod and Alexa put on their house. Resorting to brute force was not clever, it was not cunning, it was not what Slytherin actually stood for.

She considered Jordyn's perspective, head tilted to one side as she tapped her chin thoughtfully, "I don't think it's a matter of shrinking Alexa's friend base. I don't think she and Katherine are actually friends. Beckett looks at her the way I used to look at Kitty when I thought no one was looking. I think she hates her. Now, what that gets us in terms of information is anyone's best guess; but historically tyrants fall when the people rise up. Alexa might be old blood money but she hasn't spent the time we have cultivating connections. She's never been a part of the Monarchy, Maeve never bestowed that honor upon her for whatever reason; I can only guess". Liv had never been particularly sure how the selection process had gone for Maee, but it hardly mattered as she was gone now.

"I am fully amenable to a larger target, but I'm not sure who that would be," she paused tilting her head to one side as a slow knowing grin twitched on her lips, "you're planning something already aren't you? Alright you have to tell me what's going on in that brilliant mind of yours because we can stick a pin in Katherine if you're already scheming," the wonderful thing about Jordyn was her mind was always working. She also wasn't generally underhanded  or sneaky which meant that her plan would be completely on the up and up and was less likely to get any of them in trouble down the line. It was true that Alexa could just twist the arm of someone else (though the odds of that being a person of substance or connection were slim), if Jordy had a better idea Livi was ecstatically all ears.

Listening to Livi's thoughts, Jordyn considered.  She wondered how easily this girl would be manipulated and if they would even really like her.  It seemed so... horrible to invite her into the fold without that consideration, though she supposed, at this point, the monarchy wasn't truly about liking everyone associated with it.  If that were true they'd be sitting on Kitty's bed planning all of this out. 

It was about usefulness, and when someone wasn't useful - they were cast aside.  She imagined, were they on Kitty's bed, she would have been a tremendous help in all of this. 

Cunning was something Jordyn exhibited, at times, but she was more of the prideful, accomplished sort.  "I'm just not even sure Bagnold is the center of it," Jordyn pointed out.  "She doesn't seem... she paused, trying to consider a diplomatic word that would still convey what she meant.  "She doesn't seem like that sort of leader," she settled on with a definitive nod.  "She reminds me of a hench person, you know, high up, but not the epicenter." 

It wasn't necessarily a scheme, but it was a thought process that she was going through.  "To ruin something, you have to go for the center of it's existence, correct?" she asked, probably the most aware of that situation in all of the dorms.  She had been a right mess when they'd first approached her to step down - and even now, was still probably on the worse for wear side of the dilemma.  "To take down Alexa, we do take down a larger portion of the operation, but it's clearly not just her." 

She smacked her lips thoughtfully and drummed her painted nails against her plush pillow.  "Perhaps Beckett is a good option, but as soon as we find out more, we need... information bigger than Bagnold." 

How they'd get it, well, Jordyn didn't know, but that's why they were here having a brain trust, wasn't it?