#fenixtj

Jessica sighs and rubs her face. "Okay. Listen, I'd like details from you, and Father V, please. I know it's not going to be pleasant, but .... "

"Fortunately it was not an every day, or every night occurence, and I say fortunately with a sort of anger... You understand Father V is NOT going to to name names? The confessional is very important to him."

He goes on, "In truth, my resistance took out the worse offender before you ever got here. A nasty brute of a balor named Sir Grath."

"I'm not asking for names, just to know more about the situation and what's been done to address it." Jessica clarifies.

"Sir Grath was killed chimerical, and framed, then left with a very cruel prison system in one of the more corrupt areas of mainland mexico where he worked hard labor unaware of his fae nature"

Diego says it quite calmly, then with a bit more fire, "I was a leader of one of the women that was used so. I don't take that sort of thing kindly, and I protect my people"

"I have no complaint, Diego."

"Good" A shrug "Now, about the proposal ?" back to the paper

"It seems to be ... not unfair. Could use some fleshing out. How many on the counsel, and how will they be selected?"

"By vote, of course, let the council be the democratic counter balance to noble tyranny"

"Who votes?"

"And, not for nothing, but how's my tyranny record so far?"

"Well, you understand I don't want to give you a swelled head?"

"And I was thinking all fae who live in the city, of course. Wilder and up. The childlings may protest that"

"Well, what is your reasoning?"

"For blocking the childlings?"

"Yes."

"Well, two reasons, one is maturity. YOu can't count on a strong enough rememberance to help them over come that. The other? WHat is exciting for some wilders, or grumps, or even tolerable, can be a bit banal for childlings. It might reeduce their glamour, or age them across the seeming too soon. At least that's my observation"

She thinks, nods. "I can agree with that reasoning."

"Voting for Far that reside here?"

"In the county, yes. Does that not seem fair?"

"It does."

"Do you have in mind any qualifications for those elected?"

"Well, we might want to make sure they've lived here themselves for at least a year that we can verify. Otherwise the nobles will plant lackeys and lickspittles as proxies"

"How will that impact Eshu?"

"This a fair point? Perhaps a residence they claim even when not in use?" He frowns, clearly there are a few holes he hadn't considered

"That could lead to the lickspittal problem
" she points out.

He takes the paper back, "I'll work on it some more." A sigh

"Revolution is hard." Not without sympathy.

"It is," He admits, "But" A smile, "You don't mind the idea of a supporting commoner council in general, and that gives ,me hope, thank you"

"Well, I already kind of have one."

"I appreciate being part of it, but what kind of hypocrite would I be to stop seeking voices for the common folk just because I had claimed MY voice? Mmm"

Jessica seems amused. "Do you think they will vote you onto the counsel?"

"If I ran," He says "Maybe. I'm unsure if I should"

"Why is that?"

"You and I might end up in strong opposition" he says "Others might worry I've been compromised"

"This counsel is an -advisory- counsel, yes?"

"No, what part of the 'veto powers' did you not see? It was at the top of the list"

"The would be allowed, with majority, to veto noble rulings"

The troll frowns.

"Well, purely advisory would be toothless, insulting in it being just for show"

"I don't know, Diego..."

"What are you afraid of? The Duke?"

"Frankly, I am concerned about putting the fate of the County in anyone else's hands."

"Only you can save us?" Arched brow

"Not saying that, but I don't want to give up control, either."

"Interesting' He says "Jessica, you're no tyrant. You asked, and I'm answering, but this is the sort of thing a tyrant has trouble doing. Sharing power"

"Sharing power, fine. Giving up the ability to rule? That's different."

"What would YOU consider sharing power without giving up the ability to rule?"

"I -need- a strong advisory counsel and frankly, I think there's some merit to including both commoners and nobles. Remember, Diego, I'm not really -trained- for this although my mother's example is surely a good one."