xp_logs | Amanda and Clea

Clea gets an invitation in the mail that Amanda is not impressed with.

Clea was sorting the mail and packages for the day for XF members, making sure everything was safe and nothing would explode upon opening. From the corner of her eye she saw a blonde figure standing in the doorway, "Hey Amanda. I am almost done sorting. Then we can get lunch?" Looking up at the office clock, "Late lunch?" She smiled at her teacher before seeing a golden envelope in the mix. There were traces of magic laced, and it was addressed to her. "Odd." She turned it over to see a familiar seal on the back.

"Lunch, dinner, whatever. As long as there's food." Amanda grimaced as her stomach growled. Then as Clea paused, she came closer, tiling her head curiously. "What's up? The Ancient One sending us mysterious hints via the mail again?"

"No." She touched the seal before opening the envelope and removing the letter. She quickly scanned it, allowing Amanda a closer look. "It is an invitation to the Paris Hellfire Club. They want me in their Court."

Amanda frowned, the playful note leaving her voice, leaving it flat. "They do? What do they want you for?"

"They invited me to be a Witness on their Junior Gold Court." She lowered the invitation down and looked up at Amanda. "They want an answer by the Imbolc."

Amanda opened her mouth to forbid Clea from even thinking about such a thing... and closed it again. Clea wasn't a child any more and more than proven she was capable of making her own choices. But the Hellfire Club? "What are you going to tell them?"

Clea shrugged her shoulders, "I still have time before Imbolc. I could make a pros and cons list. They can't be as annoying as.." She held up a familiar-looking black and white rock wedged between two magazines, "These people." She closed the letter and looked at Amanda, "I can't think on an empty stomach."

"They might not be as annoying, but they have their own issues. Like being completely amoral and only about themselves. And they don't care who they use to get it." Amanda's tone was only a little bitter. "C'mon, we'll get lunch and talk about it."

"It can't be all of them like that. I mean, look at Doug." Clea said and then thought about it, "But I wouldn't put it past him. Yeah, let's get some food. I wonder if that little diner on the corner is busy at this time."

"And that's exactly it. When you get down to it, HFC people's first loyalty is to the Club." Rather than angry, Amanda sounded sad as she grabbed her jacket from the hook. "As individuals they can be selfless and honourable and loyal but... in the end, they support their Court and whatever the Court wants. And that's something you are going to need to think about if you take this route. Split loyalties."

"I'll add that to the list." Clea had a lot to think about and not enough time. Imbolc was just around the corner. "Have you decided on food?" Deciding to change the subject back to food as her stomach made a loud noise. "I could go for something spicy."

"Let's go to Kirby's. It has a good curry. And to be honest, I'm going to need drinks for this conversation."