#ccsemberclub

The desserts are ready

He returns with a cart, which might surprise CC; this is not the usual, then.....

On the cart is a luscious looking chocolate cake, and surrounding is a host of sides; frosting of different flavors, caramel, fruit, and more.

"Oh my word that looks good" Marsha says

"It does, " Her husband agrees.

"Emerson's the best" a smile broke on CC's face, "Emerson, please dont' forget to reclaim your own seat mm?"

He does so, after he has served. "Now, each may prepare their slice to their liking. " he smiles.

And they do, Marsha is very appreciative , and Emerson knows a real fan when he sees one.

"So, Emerson," The Professor says, "how does it feel to live in an area without any government? It must be quite disturbing, very wild wild west without a gun of your own"

"I find it suits me. There is always someone in need."

"Ah, but if you had a proper liege those needs might be met by those with the resources to tend to them with greater ease," The professor says, then a look to CC "it's a shame you can't petition for a fiefdom, my dear."

CC nearly chokes.

"Oh dear.... " he goes to get her a glass of water.... and compose himself.

"We need more non sidhe rulers," The professor says, "Why you and Emerson clearly provide and care for the local kithain in the area, who better?"

"Cornelius," CC says after a drink, "What you're trying to do. Let's not convince the Queen of Grass to overturn this fief. Firnost is the font of power, and whatever government it goes with goes the area."

"Firnost is a testament to a failed state" The professor sighs

Marsha pats her husband's arm "Honey, not everyone enjoys this sort of conversation for a meal."

"Firnost's authority and autonomy is universally recognized and recorded." He points out.

"Add to that derided, and used as an excuse by sidhe nobles to mock commoner leadership," The professor counters, "It has become a drag on true reform rather than the success story modernists hoped. Now, on the other hand, the elevation of commoner kith to rule in their own fiefs has done more to truly reform the system by gradual increments than the nobles ever expected. You want real change? Positive change where we keep security while building equality? Find more Chieftain Brekkes, more Countess Ruxandra ..a sluagh by the way, or Count Almond... a satyr. Changing the system from within, broadening it, bettering it."

"Hear that, Emerson? The Professor thinks I should be a sultana of Swing" CC chuckles

"Mmm. No one should be forced to serve, though." He sips. "I think I would welcome more Baroness Brekkes."

"Ah, and here I worried you'd not see the sense of it. Yes, she's been an amazing buffer and fine ruler, Isay buffer because she mitigates sidhe haughtiness while still maintaing the escheat. And, while I agree it's wrong to FORCE someone to serve , I do find that sometimes those who want power least handle it best"

"Mmmm...." a conversational noise, as his mouth is full.

CC says "But what of power corrupting?"

"A risk, always a risk," he said.

"But we clearly democracy isn't working to well, as Firnost shows"

"Perhpas it appears that way from Rivervale." Mildly.

"Oh, my perceptions aren't limited to rivervale" He says

"Cornelius does do his research, travels a lot" Marsha supports

"However, I will agree that firnost is worse than most other democratic attempts" The professor says "Alas, it is also still more famous or infamous as well."

"It's had a reputation in all it's incarnations," CC says "But to head this off at the pass, Cornelius, I have no interest in ruling anything but my part of the club and the hearts of my admirers" she smiles "Marsha, how are your activities going?"

"Oh dandy," Marsha says "Some of the community projects are thriving with the locals. The schools have actually started a yoga program as I requested, it's small but growing"

Emerson looks like he would respond to the professor.... but doesn't.

The girls talk yoga for a bit, and then the parts that Emerson might be interested in, not just for his kith's sake either, gossip!

"Well, Kerri was sick as a dog, poor dear, and rumor has it a childling brought her healing fruit. Anyway, she's much better now"

"Oh, which childling?" CC asks "I mean, hwo young was this girl?"

"Boy, Connor, a pooka who the lodge has taken as a ward. He's so sweet. Unfortunate slilpped seeming so he can't interact with mortals often"

A brief eyebrow, listening.

"Apparently his old guardian was an Ailil sidhe and when he visited, they got a new horse. Naturally, Dagmar was thrilled" Marsha gushes.

And Emerson may realize that Marsha is a gold mine of information. Perhaps because she's kinian, she tries even harder to stay a part of the community to keep up with the kithain. He learns much, of Dagmar's heroics, of Nadeen's political endeavours and father , and some stories so wild that it's almost impossible to believe them, but the woman clearly does and her husband backs her.

Of course, he's sure even if true they only know anywhere from half to 2/3rds the story, but it's certainly not bad gossip for a non boggan.

Oh, he certainly files that away....

It would appear that yes, a family did indeed become kithain in one night save for Adam. Marsha rolls with it. The professor finds it fascinating. A redcap being made a Peacemaker comes up, and that might have gone below CC's radar before. "So this Dirk is Seelie?" A brow.

"Wouldn't know it from some of the things he still does," Marsha says "But they seem to have him in hand at least. He's still a bully regardless, but more ..directed."

"Chieftain and Hearth certainly seem to bring him around" Her husband opines."

"Those ladies are.... quite a force."

"I wish they'd give me tips in husband management" Marsha jokes. Her husband laughs and kisses her cheek.

"Sounds like wilders are really stepping up," CC says "Daughters abound too?"

"Oh yes," Marsha agrees, "And while the Chieftain is subdued, both she and her husband are SO proud of their eldest daughter you can tell if they weren't trolls they'd be obnoxious"

"Mmm." And CC knows -just- what he means.