#ccsemberclub

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"..............and then Ryker took them to his Farmhold and Mountain, and I made sure the odds and ends were swept up, and then came here immediately, to tell you all about it." He assures CC.

CC raises a brow, "Well, it's been awhile, if you were hoping for some pay off, surely it would be here by now?"

Tsks. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be of assistance." His smile is really more a smirk; she knows him better than that.

"Besides, I do like to let a good turn mature and fester."

"You're...COUNTING On them being very seelie about this aren't you?" She says stunned

An expansive gesture. "Far be it from me to demand people be other than who they genuinely are."

She grins at that, "You sir, are very good at very bad." A kiss, "Still. I can't..."

OOC: Oh, is this at the club or their home? 🙂

OOC Up to you!

BIC: That's when the troll enters the club. One they recognize, but perhaps were not expecting. One Clem DeBuke

"Hmmmm...." Emerson indicates the troll with a gesture of his head.

"Well, I thought the gent himself would come, but I guess maybe he shared a little with... you or I dear?"

"Oh, together? Or, myself. I was the one at the warehouse, after all."

"Yes, need to talk about Rocco gathering 'private hideaways of his own' could be he has hobbies."

He leans over, kisses her cheek. "Have fun." And then rises to meet and greet Clem.

"Miss DeBuke!" A cheerful, hearty greeting. "Welcome, welcome..... what can we get for you?"

"You folks serve RC cola around here?" SHe says "And, is this a bad time sir? I Hoped to speak to you and maybe Miss CC?"

"Well, I think Miss CC is working but... let me see. Do you know, I happen to have some RC here?" A wink. "I keep it for special occasions. Do sit down." He bustles around and sets her up with a glass. "Now, you did not come all this way just for a soda, I think?"

"No sir, though if this is a bad time, I can visit again" She says

"Nonsense, nonsense. Do you wish privacy for our conversation?"

"If it ain't too troublesome, surely"

"Bring your drink." He ushers her backstage. The Club is closed, some work going on in the kitchen, and backstage is deserted. He finds them seats. "Now. How can I be of assistance?"

Once back there and out of mortal earshot, "Well, it would appear lately sir, you've been of a lot of assistance, to the point where I'm worried I've lost two kinain... but you also arranged for some Eiluned plotters to be dropped off, and that does tend to endear folks to the elders. WHat I'm curious about, is why?"

Emerson settles himself. "It is in my nature, my dear!" With some surprise.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Mr. Emerson, but one of the earliest stories I recall as a child has a scorpion that says that very same thing. I'd really like to know the cost of these free rides given how that tale ends"

A shrug. "What would you consider fair?"

"Well, at least you admit there's a cost" She says "Okay, first, let's talk about the triplets shall we?" A sip "I take it miss CC is excited to be a grand mother?"

"She is." He confirms mildly.

"I figured and.. rightly so. But..it also appears that you're pulling April and May away from the farm? "

A shrug. "I admit I have provided them an opportunity to move on, yes."

"Damn." Clem says "Theyr'e their own people, of course, but we need every kithain and kinain we can get. And next generation has to come from somewhere. You once said you admired our little set up. I Hope you meant that? That we do good work just by existing to spite the nobles without them?"

He nods. "I did, and I do."

"Well, if you could help our PR with May, I'd sure appreciate it. I kind of figured we'd lose her overall but we'd like her to at least stay in touch and ... heck, show the child his or her kin. It's.. how we survive?"

Emerson nods. "Of course. I'll encourage that, but she -is- her own woman."

"That describes about a third of my family." She says "To be fair, past policies on Kinain have to change... we were always too possessive too..controling. So this could be good to show them how that's not how we want it any more. I do appreciate you letting her know that door is always open. I'd say we owed yhou for that, but I do believe you also are the one who helped empower her egress so..evens on that" A smile

"That seems fair." Pleasantly.

"But 'whatever you think is fair' for foiling an Eiluned plot? " A low whisttle through her teeth "How about a wagon load of summer squash for your restaurant?"

A low chuckle. "I think the Eiluned would be offended at rating only a wagon load, and only squash!" Genuinely amused.

"That's part of the appeal" she admits, "But yes I suppose it's a bit on the stingy side. Honestly sir? The one thing I don't want is a lingering debt. Those have a way of festering between good folk"

"Mmmm.... well." A sigh.

"Truth be told, Miss Clem, it pleases me to see Miss CC happy. And, she is. So, consider this a... gift. From myself, on behalf of the Carollos's, to the DeBukes."

"oh you are sweet, but that... doesn't sit right with me" Clem says "Would you like us to put up some wards anywhere? I think you're quite aware by now we have those resources"

A nod. "And powerful they are, at that. We have our own defenses here, but I thank you. Hm." He thinks "If you insist on calling this a debt, and mind you, I do not; it is a gift. But, if you -do-....."

"Would it be possible to arrange some kind of... understanding between our two groups? Admittedly, my group here being much smaller than yours."

"That depends. I don't want us caught up in a war, sir. For us, we withdrew from that a long time ago"

A curious tilt of his head. "War? What would make you say that?"

"Just rumors... " She says "And I shan't name the source. What underrstanding are you hoping for?"

"That Caesar, and Miss CC, will be welcome there. That they can come to visit, be part of the lives of these children."

"Oh goodness... " Clem says "Sir, that's no repayment, that's his right as a father as far as I'm concerned. June and I have.. had a talk about that. Before we go any further, yes, both are welcome to visit, of course. Why you and miss CC have been nothing but kind to me and I would not be so callous as to throw you out when you want to see family. And Caesar's going to be a father. " A pause "Mind you, some of OUR men folk may lock up their daughters when he visits. " She rolls her eyes

Emerson chuckles. "Caesar... is what he is. And, what he is is genuinely respectful and good. If a lady were to tell him they are not interested, he would respect that."