#ccsemberclub

Once Caesar and April are gone, CC and EBG have a moment alone "Sooo?"

"Hm?" Innocently.

"I Know that look," She says "You have ideas"

"Ah. Well...." Is he sheepish? "Apologies. I can't help myself."

"I can't either, that's why I must know the details brewing in that fascinating mind of yours"

A chuckle. "Oh dear. Well, I could not help but wonder what mischief could be made in Rivervale, with the connection between myself and Sally Mae DeBuke."

"A financial type no less, Caesar isn't bad himself at it, if he thinks she's even better she probably is" She ponders "She seems loyal to Hearth Kerri, dear. You'd have to make sure it didn't come across as a direct conflict"

He looks shocked. "You aren't trying to distract me from the idea??"

"Well, eventually I'm going to want you for sex, odd jobs, or a fine meal.... but I want you happy and it's not fair of me to squelch your plotting entirely. Is it?" A fond look, "if it gets too far I might kill your buzz"

He laughs, and leans over to kiss her.

"But Rivervale Trolls? I'm not allowed!"

A kiss back, "I know. I worry however if kinian count as a legit loophole. Technically she's not a troll"

"Ooooo....." she says the most tantalizing, seductive things.

A nibble at his ear, "But I'm so proud of you for not thinking of that loophole, it shows how dedicated you are to being a good boy"

"Hmmph. Losing my edge."

"Must be me nibbling it off," a smile "Would you like an insincere apology?"

"No." He can't suppress a small smile. "It's a bit alarming, but...."

"Well, in your defense, some of the details you didn't know until just now. And once you got those details, your mind went there like a greyhound on the chase"

"Yes, but....."

"Go on if you want" She coaxes and refills his drink. She knows he likes to play host with others, but now and then she likes to make him aware she is happy to cater to him in turn.

He accepts this graciously. "Well, I promised you."

"You did, though, I confess, you have me curious. HOw would you use her?"

"Oh, I hadn't got that far." He demurs, teasing.

"Oof...but I want to know" A pout

He makes room for her on the couch. "Well........"

"Surrogates, at first. Perhaps knowing, perhaps not, but others to start to get to know her. Observation from a distance. No rush, there's no clock on this. More a hobby than a mission, yes?"

She scotches and listens. "Everyone needs a hobby" she agrees

"And then, gradually, slowly, become known to her myself. The DeBukes are virulently, happily, anti-Sidhe. I'm sure we have some things in common."

"They are..." She agrees

"A casual acquaintance, bumping into each other at the supermarket and such, you know. Then slowly, more depth. Perhaps design an occasion where I could help her. Or she, me. Either way, there is a bond there that can grow."

"Meanwhile, of course, more in-depth work in the background. Her social bonds, networking, her dreams and designs..... we know she wishes to be acknowledged for her skills at the hearth. That .... grain of sand could become quite a pebble in her shoe, with the right direction...."

"What on earth can you possibly offer that beats Hearthdom at a lodge?" Intrigued

"That's the point; she's not getting Hearthdom at a lodge, is she?"

"Nope, probably never" She agrees

"Hm. I suppose the real question is, what would I have her do? How would I use her?"

"First thought would be utilize her on how to undermine the finances of the nobility, how to legally seize the property or business that the mortal side of sidhe wealth flows from"

"Oh, very nice, Dearest. Perhaps that Sidhe Count that has such a stranglehold on Rivervale?"

"Entirely possible. You could not break the bonds of oaths, but one could perhaps damage the toy company's profits enough that the Count would have to trust rulership even more to the individual barons including the Chieftain herself. By the time he salvaged his company, if he could, you might have several years of near autonomy for Rivervale"

A happy sigh.

"naturally, when the COunt tried to regain his old level of control, assuming he tried , he would face resentment and create an atmosphere more conducive to anti monarchist recruits."

A soft groan, and he drops his head back along the couch back.

"Even if Brekke remained loyal, which she would to be sure, whoever was chief after here might be quite ready to declare independence if one played their cards right. Or, if the Count should be retired, than even the Chieftess herself might hate the idea of swearing to a new liege and simply undertake that indpendence herself and heaven help those seeking to force her to bend knee. It's a long game, but the seeds could be planted all due to one Kinian girl" she rubs her hands "you think?"

"Oh, Dearest....." a murmur.

"Yes."

"my goodness, " She says "Honestly, I should just hit Brekke up for protection money and get paid for holding you back." Guilty wicked look

A laugh. "Would you?"

"Be amusing to see her reaction" A smile "Darling, I think you might find it would risk either a wasteful fight between Rivervale and that farm, or.. unite them, and instead might have the DeBukes decide nobles have changed and the younger generation go reformer instead of modernist"

He looks startled; shocked, even. "You do?"

"I do what?" curious

"Sorry, you think that the idea could flip the DeBukes?"