#ccsemberclub

She hugs him as he does.

"If this helps your Seelie impulses.... well." He sighs. "So be it."

"Thank you, dear."

"Besides, you know me, come close to Samhain you'll have talked me into ruining the stability of another noble hold."

"And this close to... well."

"I prefer to think of it as the long game, but yes it's possible I'm just sentimental." A laugh "I almost gave them a potion as a gift."

"-What??-"

Outraged-ish

"Well I didn't. Though I'm not sure if they'd thank me or August would die of embarrassment."

"Good God, Callidora...:...." He trails off, frustrated.

Satyress that she is, she winces a little "Out with it. I'm already feeling badd, better through it rather than around"

He sighs.

She pulls him along, "Come on, I'll give you a massage and relax you while we talk'

(And she leads him off... End Scene,for Shady probably has keyboard face)

...........a massage..............

"Callidora." Somewhat muffled. "I hate Sidhe. What they took from me, what they took from all of us on a grander scheme... And you provide comfort to them? Two of them? I've destroyed Kith for less. And yet I love you." He chuckles. "Oh dear. I -am- twisted......"

She keeps her massage going, working, "That's not how I see it. I took pity on two mortals. One of whom is very rich and might one day be of use in my buinssess, the other who is a mother with who I felt some sympathy. I would have done the same if a troll or sluagh were related to them, particularly for the money and favors I got." She works the kinks out.

They will be long at work at this if she thinks she's working the kinks out. "Callidora, was that the first thought you had when you heard, or is that what you are thinking -now-?"

"Actually, my first thought is 'zara wants my help? poor dear'" she says "You know I am fond of young wilders with potential."

She pushes his muscles for a while before he asks "What was Zara's interest, then?"

She can feel his stress, and keeps working, "I thought you knew? She's fond of August. '

"Oh, I've seen inklings. I know she carries a few torches. So this Sidhe is one of them?"

"I think the torch has dimmed somewhat dear, friendship remains, and a part of her will always savor the bitter sweet 'might have been'," She works, "But ahem, given how her eyes shimmered when Vashti brought her in for that potion, I think it's safe to say our dear sweet girl enjoys Iowa Corn ."

He chuckles. "That was... special. I tried to be scarce, but....."

"I appreciate that, but can't blame you. " A chuckle, "Also, you have taught me a lot."

"No one matches your skill with shall we say creative ingredients?"

"Oh, I think it is a mutual education, Dearest."

"This Sidhe.... he received your notice based on Zara, and his ties to Caesar?"

"I suppose my question is, how far would you go, Dearest?"

A sigh "I had hoped I'd successfully changed the subject. " She answers, "If it please the prosecutor, my crime was of repaying a debt as Seelie sometimes do and taking pity on a mortal couple close to my own age. I seem to recall, isn't there some kith...with a frequent urge to help those in need? What are they called again? Bondoggles? Bonbons? Starts with a B...' She kisses the back of his neck.

"Yeeessss....."

"Now I won't apologize for what I did, and no I don't want you to 'correct it' somehow. I can tell you that I'm not likey to end up in those circumstances every again.. what I can do help you feel better? Unrelated, but it will bring a smile to your face."

"Answer my question." Amused. "How far would you go? For Zara. I suppose the answer is understood for Caesar." A pause, and he clears his throat. "For what it is worth, I would... go far, myself, for Caesar. For you."

"Then go as far as to stop grilling me. Zara didn't get charity, she wants to work for it. She offered a trade. I thought it greater pay off than the cost so I made it.I didn't go 'far' for Zara. I got a damn good bargain. Really, what were the mortals going to do? bite me?"

He exhales, and some of the tension eases away. "Only if you inspired them to do so, Dearest."

"Very well."

"Good, now do you want to hear my idea or not?"

"Of course. I love your ideas."

"great, now, a tragedy has struck Bergen County, floods and storms... and that's terrible' A beat, "Buuuut... I am thinking of writing a check for oh say , 6000 dollars, to Brekke King with the tagline 'for the Rivervale Flood Assistance program' and signing it either the Emberclub, or just CC and Bill."

He starts, jack-knifing up from the massage and staring at her. "What!??!"

"What about not-playing with them?!?!"

"I said you shouldn't play with them," A smile, "Besides, they need the help. If theyy're too hidebound and 'honorable' to accept it, that's their problem. We'll make it just from the EmberClub so your 'name' isn't directly on it then. Let them do the math and stew, and we help folks."

He actually flaps his arms. "You.... you think they don't -know- we are the Ember Club?"

"I'm sure they do." Her lips turn up in an amused bow, "It's your call. I thought you'd be tickled."

He lifts his hands, helpless. "Shall we engrave an invitation to an open bar here, as well?"

A deep chuckle, "I think if we do that it loses it's 'for charity' angle"

He rolls his eyes. "Callidora, you take my meaning."

"You think they'll honestly come down here to grumble and threaten about 'interference' when it's helping to rebuild homes or refugees?"

"I think it is inviting... connection. Dearest, I have not lasted as long as I have without knowing how to leave things alone...." He eyes her ".... but...." slowly "... you enjoy this. The tease. The tempting."

"No...sometimes. Honestly I was going to do it because it makes you happy AND, again, it might help some folks." She says, "How about just from me, not even the club then? One degree of separation?"

He starts to object, then stops. "It.... that might.... if you need to use that dead-man's switch we discussed.... that could help."