I Know What You Did Last Century (closed to Natasha)

[longterm]

It had all been a surprising coincidence. Cesare had merely been chatting about the political climate as he always did, when he mentioned Natasha in passing. Someone happened to know about Natasha. Know a lot, in fact. And eventually, as more drinks were poured and they had some discussions, so did Cesare.

Now, part of Cesare thinks he should keep this information to himself. After all, he might need it at some point. But another part of him, the more persuasive part, is too tempted to watch Natasha squirm. She's always been so composed and stoic. Cesare is curious to find out if, all in good fun, he can make that facade crack.

He invites her to afternoon drinks, as he's grown accustomed to doing. (After all, it's always helpful to keep the door to fellow vampires open when they've chosen to sit on the wrong side). For Natasha at least, it seems like any other day.

"How have you been?" he asks politely, standing when she enters because he's a gentleman like that. And also because he's old as sin.

Comments

[longterm]

"Oh, I don't know. The concept of one ruler holding control over all parties does seem familiar for some reason... I feel like there might be a word for that..." He falsely ponders, clearly searching for the word dictator. Natasha can try to make Sylvia look better and less threatening all she likes. Cesare will still abhor her.

"Maybe it's happened a few times in history, perhaps?" He gives her a look before rolling his eyes.

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha blinks slowly, not rising to this bait. She's recovered her composure enough to be ready for this, and while he may be older than her, Natasha has experience in this area. She remembers Stalin. Sylvia Redbright is no Stalin.

"Don't you think you're being a little over-dramatic about this? She never had control of all parties, and she's already abdicated her position with Daybreak. Peaceful exchange of power and all."

[longterm]

"What makes you so sure she's given up her power willingly? Or even done so at all? She nominated Samantha, after all, didn't she? I'm sure you're familiar with puppet governments..."

He knows that's not the case. There's no puppet here, at least not from Samantha. But Natasha doesn't need to know that. The more doubt he casts on to everyone else, the trickier it is to track his allegiances.

"I'm sure plenty of people were called dramatic before they were proven right." He sips his drink a little smugly.

[outstandingbalance]

"If Sylvia were pulling Samantha's strings, I wouldn't expect her policies to be such a sharp departure. Would you?" Natasha keeps the tone light, her skepticism rooted in no special information.

If he wants to stir suspicion, he'll need something more than suggestions.

"But I suppose you're right about that." Softening her push back.

[longterm]

Cesare shrugs. She does have a point, even he has to admit that.

"Unless one of them is keeping their true goals quiet," he says as he sips his drink.

"But enough of politics. Tell me how you're doing. I hear that you and Ms. Frye have been getting along rather well..." He says it with a smile. News travels pretty easily in this city, especially when you're old enough to know a lot of people with loose tongues. "She's a lovely young woman."

[outstandingbalance]

"I would say we are." If Natasha were in a relationship with anyone else, this might feel like a veiled threat. Evie is very capable of taking care of herself, though, and she doesn't think Cesare would be that brazen with another member of the nest. "I'm very lucky."