Cesare vs. Sylvia (Territory Claim)

[longterm]

Cesare was reading the paper, sipping his morning coffee when the news of the Sylvia Redbright scandal broke. Good. He appreciated that so far Samantha had held up to her end of the bargain. All things considered, he had hoped she would but certainly hadn't expected it from her. Over time, Cesare has learned that people can be slippery like that, especially when you give them an opportunity for it. So far, Samantha has been solid. He likes her.

That morning he arranges a meeting with the press in one of the private function rooms of his hotel, somewhere private, where he cannot be interrupted. He's dressed in a suit, though his normal, somewhat ostentatious cufflinks are traded in for something more modest, and he's standing at a lectern on which his speech is written, a speech that he had written weeks prior.

"I am not the representative for my Nest and I speak solely for myself. However, I am certain when I say that President Redbright's behaviour has been shocking, appalling and harrowing. She has lead not one, not two, but three of the most prominent factions within this city and she has done so with underhand deals, deception and subterfuge. It is dishonest. It is corrupt. And it is undiplomatic.

When given the opportunity to be the voice of the people, she has used this power not for good, but for her own crooked personal gain. She has betrayed the people she was charged with representing, and that is why it is only right that she surrender a portion of the territories that she has dishonestly acquired, and give them to the Night Council that she has cheated for so long.

I am asking not for my own personal gain, but as a concerned citizen who has had enough of her corruption. It is time that she be held to account for her actions."

Comments

[brightwitch]

Another opportunistic bloodsucker, then. She's not surprised either. "Does he? Never did that to my face." She shakes her head. "This could be nothing, a distraction. But the leak must have come from the Islington Nest. I'd like you to talk to Mr Borgia for me. Make it clear that I won't take notice of such ridiculous demands, but see if you can't do a little digging along the way. He might just know something."

This should be right up Natasha's alley, right? And Sylvia's putting a lot of trust in her by asking this, trusting a vampire to spy on another vampire and report back.

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha snorts at Sylvia's observation. She would have been mildly amazed if Cesare had been upfront about his suspicions with the woman herself. That wasn't the game he played—not least because ultimately he had no intention of negotiating with her directly.

"I can try. I can't promise he'll see me, or that if he agrees it'll be in a timely manner." Her lips twitch. The amount of trust being put in her doesn't go unnoticed, though she does let it pass uncommented on. They can recognize it once they see what the effort gets them. "I doubt it could do any real harm, at least."

[brightwitch]

"Thank you." And she means it. She could do with all the help she can get, really. This story is too big for Sylvia to deal with alone. She smiles, a little tired. "It's getting late. I'm sure this is your best time of day, but I should probably be getting home."

She turns the laptop back around to switch it off, then stands up. There can't be any more news stories about her between now and tomorrow morning, surely, and she'll go mad if she keeps looking at her email feed any longer. Best to sleep on it.

[outstandingbalance]

"My work's just getting started," Natasha agrees with a little smile, a little sad. This time of year is always difficult for her, without a daylight gem, but she makes it work somehow.

Lucky for her Sylvia's a late worker.

"I'll let you know when there's news."