OFFICE VISIT (CLOSED TO SYLVIA)

[reticence]

Faolan doesn't know what to expect, to have been called to Sylvia's office like this as he has. Although he supposes he really should have suspected it. She is the President, after all. And as the President, she should probably be curious as to why a member of the Hillingdon clan, a faction that usually stays well away from any involvement in such activities, should suddenly have elected to nominate a candidate for such purposes. The dilemma is, what is he going to tell her. How much can he tell her? Is that even what she'll ask of him?

A million questions are racing through Faolan's head and he's doing his best to try and keep up and find answers to each one of them by the time he makes his way to her door. Swallowing back his nerves, hoping that he at least appears to be in control of himself, he raises a hand to knock.

Comments

[brightwitch]

It's a good answer, which is to say it's what she wants to hear. Sylvia nods.

"I called you here because I want the same things that you want. To maintain the peace. I believe that Hillingdon's independence should be preserved, but it's always a delicate balance when it comes to the more... extreme members of the clan." She's sure he knows what she's talking about. "That's where you can help. Be the voice of reason in the clan. Encourage everyone to keep the peace. I want you to be my eyes and ears in Hillingdon. The Night Council has to know of any threats to our security, no matter where they come from."

As a member of the faction, he's uniquely placed to sniff out any threats. He is, she hopes, trusted by the other hunters and clan members. This is what will give him – and consequently the Night Council – an advantage in looking out for the Hillingdon community.

[ooc: welp she just spelled it out so if you're game to continue or want to leave it there, I'll go with whatever!]

[reticence]

"You want me to spy for you. On my own people," he says, the words more of a statement than a question. The sound of his voice less offended by the idea than the average person might be, perhaps. At heart, after all, they are after the same thing. Allegedly. Whether that should hold true in times to come has yet to be seen -- if he should truly sniff out a threat, after all, he can only imagine what he's going to be asked to do about it. But it's a good strategic move, on her part, and it makes Faolan think better of her for asking.

He takes a moment to contemplate the matter, eyes directed down at the teacup in his hands, swirling the drink in the cup before he speaks up to give his response. "I do not know whether I have any choice in the matter to begin with," he says, flicking his eyes up to her again. "But I will do what you ask." He takes a deep breath in and lets it out slowly. "They will not listen to outside reason. And those on the inside are more likely to voice their assent than to keep the peace." He glances across at her, studying her features for a moment, before continuing, "I will do what I can."

[brightwitch]

She's giving him an order, which means he doesn't have a choice. But it's always more polite to maintain the illusion that he does, so Sylvia waits for him to agree before nodding, and then takes a sip of her tea. The fact that Hillingdon are more likely to listen to one of their own is exactly why she wants someone on the inside. She's glad that he understands that.

"Thank you," she says, voice soft. "Anything you find out, report directly to me. You'll be my direct channel to Hillingdon. Understood?"

The fewer people that know about this, the better. Best to keep it under wraps.

[reticence]

Faolan nods. He does understand. He understands what she's asking of him, he understands why she is, and he understands perhaps something of everything she is not saying to him too. Of where this could lead, depending on how it goes. And what it means for her, what it means for him. What it would mean for everyone, to have a direct channel to Hillingdon in the Night Council, when Hillingdon have been notoriously separate for all this time. Does he have a choice in it? Not at all. But he supposes it's better her choice than what some of the clan leaders in Hillingdon might put him up to.

"I will keep you informed," he says. Because it is the truth, for better or for worse. He swore an oath, after all.

[brightwitch]

She smiles. "Then I look forward to working with you."

She puts her teacup down on the table and stands up, brushing the creases from her skirt. As soon as Faolan follows suit, she'll show him to the door. For now, they've said everything they needed to.