#ccsemberclub

"Normally" She says, seeming a bit spooked still by what happened to her, "Thank you again. Mister Stodgepoole"

"Mm. You're welcome. Now, I'm stepping out for a bit. I'll ask you to remain here in our little spot, yes? No need to risk observation should you depart. There will be mortals about."

"Whatever you say, sir. " She seems biddable enough

He nods. "Thank you. We'll check in on you again." and he makes his way out.

CC waits for him, dressed nicely "Did you give her a meal?"

"I certainly did, and excellent advice. A mildly interesting situation I shall tell you about over mudbugs and a crisp Sav Blanc."

"Delightful" She takes his arm, "Lead on."

And he does; they motor there in his most recent rental, a nicely appointed BMW. He calls ahead to ensure a reservation. They are warmly greeted; he shakes hands with the hostess and matre'd each. Once seated, he orders the wine and they get menus.

CC defers to his taste, clearly enjoying being spoiled. "I think the last time we were here was pre Covid"

"I fear so." He glances at the menu, sets it aside on top of hers. When the server comes (prompted by that clear signal) he orders two different crayfish dishes, side veggies and salad, and indicates there WILL be dessert. He pours their wine.

And then relates Lorri's story.

And the curiousity that is One World.

"Why does that sound .. ominous" she ponders "Can a charity be banal?"

"Of course!" amused "Especially if it is not particularly charitable. I've seen it before."

"Mmm, I've relied on a few of those in my rougher years" A mother and son on the run, "I did see some volunteers who looked weary to the bone, but I never saw one at her level."

"Did you see volunteers of our sort?" eyebrow.

"No, to be fair. I tended to avoid for a bit. Always worried they were agents"

He takes her fingers in his hand. "It must have been very lonely."

"At times" She admits "And there were a few who ..won my trust" A squeeze

A curve to his lips. "I am -glad- of that. I know you were not alone but.... that you had succor."

"SO." he sips his wine "She may have run afoul of one of these organizations. Perhaps she can learn from it."

"Perhaps. Still, might want to keep an eye out for this group 'helping' in our area"

"I'm not unaware of them; thought them sketchy at best. Steered clear, myself."

"Smart." A nod and sip of her wine, "Oh this is nice. I guess I'm feeling a wee bit protective of our side of the street."

"You mean Kansas City?"

"Well, our neighborhood in it" she admits

An eyebrow "Dearest, are you hinting that I should take a closer look at One World?"

"more like we should be on guard if they enroach" She says honestly "I don't normally inflict banal forces on the man I love"

"I didn't mean to imply you did." he squeeze her fingers "On guard, it is." he nods off to the side; the food is arriving.

She looks up and sniffs the air "mmm"

The server smiles and lays out all the goodies

"Thank you. Bon appitite." to each at the table in turn.

and she savors "mmm.. Yes, I was craving sea food.. pardon me" She corrects herself "River food"

"At least they can get this within a day's drive or less." he points out "Chilled but not necessarily frozen."

"And we know how you hate frozen" Amused. She witnessed his out rage the time a food supplier tried to sell him that the stuff that had been frozen for nearly a month would taste just as good as the stuff frozen for just a week

"I'm not saying it doesn't have it's place.... but I prefer fresh, yes." as common as he claims, he IS a snob in his own way.

And she adores him for it.

"We are going to have to get used to intruders on our little hold now that word is getting out. We'll control the narrative. Small, crowded, so on.. but we need to decide what sort of folks we want to give a priority to"

A slight grumble as he sucks the head.

(Sucks the flavor out of the crayfish head!! It IS a thing!)

(Snerk)

She does like wise with hers, and with amazing expertise, savors then says "You know what I mean. that which can't be stopped should be....nuanced"

"Mm. I always saw that as, at best, a battlefield mitiagtion. If you can't win, try to nuance the loss." he sighs, and sips "That said, I can't say I've never done it."

"I know, it's not ideal. " SSHe says "But I was thinking that, we might ...'accidentally' let some of the more rebellious youth visit. Of course I would only care about the club, and you play humble host and both of us seem clueless to ideas like insurection... but covertly, if we were to guidde them?"

"What sort of rebellious youth?"

"Anti monarchists.. maybe" A sip

"Only maybe?"

"Well, we're a team" she reminds "I figure you do have some say in this" A delicate bite

of food. Biting him is later

A chuckle. "If I didn't know better, I might suspect you're interested in building a similar network to my previous one."