#ccsemberclub

"It's a matter of respect, I don't like her talking to you that way, but if you allow it then I suppose she gets to stay off a crack addition this week."

His lips quirk in a smile. "Well, I cannot ask her to be what she is not."

"Says you," but it's a muffled glumph "Okay. What do you think this sluagh, and what is her name anyway? is going to want? One last mission so dark you'll be hunted down if found out and they can blackmail you? Not crazy about that."

"Yes, very much like that I think. Her name is Cassandra."

"Yes, well, no. I had the noose of the shadow court around my neck and that took forever to shake. I don't want something similar on you"

"Precisely!" He beams. "Mission accomplished, payment made, and walk away!"

"I'm not sure we're talking to each other. I don't want you doing a mission if it's going to be used as blackmail material so they can try to drag you back in"

"No, the idea is that, should a departing member wish to betray the organization they cannot do so without also betraying, sacrificing, themselves. But, once the mission is done, you simply...walk away."

"I really really don't like this." frown

"What does Cassandra think about your brother?"

"She does not know about him."

"Neither do the others. I thought it best to get the plan in place."

A sigh "My fault, it took too long to build and now.. well, shit." the balefire flares

"Now, now, Dearest...." Soothingly, with a glance at the 'Fire. "It will take exactly as long as it needs, and no longer or shorter. I've known about this contingency for years. I'm prepared."

"Well, I'm not. I have the perfect man, the perfect club, even with a balefire, and then this ...Cassandra thing upturns my apple cart of joy."

He presses his lips together, thinking. "What bothers you about it? The risk? Well, we live with that every day, do we not? Is it Cassandra herself? I cannot say I taught her everything she knows, she did much of that herself, but I had a hand in it. I swear, Dearest, there is nothing between us of a... romantic, or sexual, nature."

"Alexis was right. I flirted with her.... but not ever with her sister."

"I don't care about the sexual nature..." she says "It's the power imbalance. Her having you by the proverbial balls forever and only her 'honor' to have her hold her side of it?"

"Yes." Wry "One can only hope that whoever chose her for the position knew what they were doing."

"Feh, logic" She waves her hands up

He recaptures her hand when she quits waving them, and kisses it. "I have had, as you say, others by the proverbial balls. Now, it's my turn. And after the mission, I will be truely.... retired."

"I love you" She finally says, "And sometimes that makes me protective and feisty for you."

But her voice has softened at his gesture

"I love -you.-" He confirms to her. "Imagine how I feel."

"I still think you should have a weaker grip around the jewels given they might want to use our hold to rest up sometime."

"Ah-ha!" he grins roguishly "That could be a point in negotiations."

"Yes indeed," A kiss on his hand. "I'd like to be with you when you talk to her. But I'll understand if you want to coach me first."

"Oh dear. Hm. Well. I can ask, of course... it would be an unusual request."

"I will ask." He agrees.

A nose wrinkle, "If you feel it won't put you in 'further debt'" Eye roll

He chuckles. "I know. Ironic, that -I- should speak of debts and payments."

"Yes. Enough to send me careening into Unseelie until Beltaine. It's going to make me mean. The staff will get scared."

"Oh, I do like you Unseelie..." a low purr "... I should try irony more often."

'Cad" Firm, then gentler "What do you want me to do? Corrupt a nun?"

"Oh, that does sound like fun." He agrees. "No. At least, not for my sake. We'll just wait for Cassandra, and I'll talk with her and we'll see where it leads us."

"Don't keep me out of the looop no matter what it is."

"Even if the idea makes me feel fiesty and protective?" With a wicked grin.

"Especially then"

But she is touching him now and then, cleearly her ill mood having dimmed

He smiles. "There now." Reassuring and pleased.

"Mmph. Don't think I'll see reason and sense so quickly next time."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Seriously.

"Good." A lean against him. "Now, anything else you need to tell me about visitors and such?
"

"Hmmmm...." he thinks "Well, I did tell Janet about the place. I left it up to her, should she wish to tell Ice." Then, amused, as he slips his arm around her "I try desperately not to interfere between mothers and sons."

"Smart man" She concedes, "Fine and dandy. he'd learn about it anyway, and she's a fine lady. She's welcome anytime"

"Mmm." He presses a kiss to her shoulder. "And, it is well guarded."

"mmm yes. We try." A stroke along his cheek.

"Oh, thinking of doing a broadway night, samples and bits... Magdalene inquired. I may have to study a part from 'Cell Block Tango' of Chicago. Sound good?"

"Oh! That sounds like it would bring the house down." Approving "How is she?"

"As confused as ever, the poor dear, but resolved to it" A frown "If I destroy the coin, I destroy her. Something to work on."