The new, new mayor

Well, I bought most of what Em's goose needs. I'll buy the actual goose and everything meant for the fridge tomorrow. I also saw something neat. It was just a tiny box of chocolates with various Christmas shapes. Nothing special, but I wanted to gift her something. It felt weird celebrating Christmas with a disposable income and not gifting anything to my only guest. With a bag full of groceries, I appeared at the Old Castle, the Mayor's Residence. It's an imposing building, that hosts a lot of the bureaucracy of the city. The actual civil servants doing their job.

Part of it is partially separated and used as the private residence of the mayor. That's where I was invited to today. I rang the doorbell and was quite nervous. A servant brought me inside. Mayor Donalds was waiting for me at a table meant for multiple people and large buffets, but today, it was just us two. Yet, the buffet selection was still enormous. Multiple kinds of meat, various side dishes and vegetables to add to your meal. And they all tasted great. The rich and powerful have good cooks, I'll give them that much.

"Let's get right to business, Mr. Goodman. I don't think I need to explain that if I try to run for election, I wouldn't have great chances. Normally. We, the LPP have been the only big party unaffected by the scandals in the City. But campaigns cost money... I know your business doesn't make a lot of money, but your father has always donated a modest sum before. I'm not greedy, I just hope you... continue this trend."

"I haven't decided yet. I've seen the money my father has put aside and I could use it, but it's still early in the election cycle."

"That is true... However, you know how these things go... Some promises are never meant to be kept, others can never be put into reality if opposing parties become mayor and council majority. I would greatly appreciate it, if you could donate to my party. We are really business friendly. And with some donations, even to family businesses."

"Mayor Donalds, as a businessman, I understand the needs of my company and the needs of my tenants. Yet at the same time, I think the last thing this city needs is another mayor who seeks money in exchange for political favors."

"Mr. Goodman, your concern is legitimate, but please don't forget... It's legal. You're not giving me money, you're giving my campaign money. And all I can give you is a pinky promise. Sometimes politicians don't care about what they promised to donors."

"And yet usually, they do. Mayor Donalds, what the city needs right now, is an honest candidate. Not the usual sleaze. I know, that's going to be difficult, but it's what's right to do. Besides... you've said it yourself, the other parties are battered right now... Just strike a deal with the SGP or the CTP and skirt to the left or right, to ensure one of them doesn't field a candidate. Should be an easy enough victory."

"Well, that was plan from the start, Mr. Goodman... But for that, I need your money. If I get your money early on in the campaign, more donors will flock to me. Some party will be bled dry and beg for some compromises in exchange for their core voter base. I'm only giving you this tip now because you're young and inexperienced... Your cash is a weapon. And as much as I'd hurt my re-election chances if I bow down to party pressure and increase your tax rate, raising the rent of my voter base, I'd also have the stability to pass all other projects. You know how the political winds are blowing at the moment, and I do too. You and all your tenants are not getting well out of this one unless I ally with the CTP - which might hurt my chances more than it might help - or you pay my campaign some money. Can you really be responsible for that?"

"You said that it would hurt your chances, no? And you are an economist, from what I've heard. Do you not have respect for the experience and connections family businesses have?"

"Those connections need to be maintained... And quite frankly, it's unlikely I will have such an easy second election in five and a half years."

"Tell me, would you really raise the taxes on my business? Couldn't you just lower everyone else's tax rate? I'm sure that would give you plenty of donors, too."

"And then what about the city budget?"

"You mean the one that is saving in case we get an eighth rainy year?"

"Hm, you could be right about that... Very well. If I still want your contributions for an election promise, I'll call you. After that, it's your choice. If you hear nothing from me, I have chosen your proposal. Servants! Lead Mr. Goodman out of this maze please, I have another appointment at 6:30PM."

These servants weren't rough, but they nevertheless rushed me. It didn't feel like I was thrown out, but nevertheless known that my presence was no longer wished and thus a nuisance. I stumbled down the steps when I saw trouble, in the form of one Megan Dapy, with earbuds, listening to something on her laptop.

"Well hello there, Mister Goodman. I must say, you've been quite formidable."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The way you called the mayor out on her corruption..."

"Huh? How do you know?" She put an earplug in my ear, I could hear the mayor speak to herself The young Goodman... Naive... But he'll learn. And it wasn't a total no. But his idea might work. Let me check the books again, how balanced were they? What can I offer to- Megan pulled the earplug away. "Were you...?"

"Yes of course. I told you I have my ways. Don't worry, it's legal."

"Well if you say so, I guess... I have to go now. We'll still meet later this week. What date was that again?"

"Uhm... The 27th was the... date."

"Thanks, bye. It's getting cold." With that, I stepped through the thin layer of snow, grocery bag in hand.

Amber

Christine was here! And she brought cookies from Floria, it was nice.

"So what's everyone in the office up to?"

"Oh, nothing much... Many people are gone already, so it's getting more lonely by the day. And tomorrow I'll have James all to myself."

"Haha, excited?"

"Yeah, very much. I could barely contain myself today."

"What do you mean?"

"A-Amber, I... I've been so horny today. Last time we didn't do more than just making out and the longer it's been, the more I want to go further with him..."

"Wow, never thought I'd see you like this. James must be a special man for you, huh? Kinda makes me feel bad now..."

"Don't be... You see, I... I came here to admit something. It has to do with why I warmed up to James so quickly."

"Tell me, I'm curious. I've never seen him melt a girl's heart in real time. Well, besides my own I guess, but that was six years ago already!"

"The thing is, about the Friday before last Friday, when Beth told us she'd leave Donna in charge... I completely snapped. I felt so alone, so abandoned because even my best friends only talked about him. I... blamed him for everything that went wrong in my life and I just... snapped. I grabbed a pair of scissors and nearly tried to... kill him. Helen stopped me, but... I felt awful after that. To know I could do such a thing and to know I didn't even hesitate, I was scared of myself." She attacked master? What? How could she... Couldn't she see how great of a person he is? So dependable, gentle, comforting, attractive... Ahem, I need to focus.

"You attacked him? But..."

"I know... I regret it now, obviously, but... In any case, James went easy on me, for the lack of a better term. He called a therapist for me and I've been talking through a lot of my problems with men with her. It's been such a great help. And after that, I... realized how great of a person he was. I was blinded by my trauma and couldn't see him for who he was and that's why I hated him at the start, but now... I like him, a lot. And well, the fact that we never went further than making out makes me like him more. He could have tried, but we just enjoyed that. I... have some real hope that he can finally be the man I always wanted to have. One that's there for me, takes me and my boundaries seriously, one that won't abandon me. Is he that for you?"

"Let me put it like this... I love him. I want to be near him for the rest of my life. And yes, it's in large part for the same reasons. You once told me that all of my college stories involve James and that's because I never had any other friends, I was never able to make friends until we met as colleagues. In all these years, James cheered me up when I'm down and he still does it today. And when it comes to the bedroom stuff, I don't know what you're into, but if you're anywhere near as kinky as I am, he'll always make sure you have a way out and say no. Quite frankly, I wish he was a bit more forceful with me sometimes. He recently brought home a woman and asked me to join and... the only time I felt jealous was when he was more dominant with her than he ever was with me. But that's James for you, if he loves you too much he can't stop being gentle."

"Do you think he loves me? Or... did I scare him so much that he just tries to play along with my desires? I hope I didn't scare him too much..."

"No need to worry, Christine. We talked a bot about you and I think he genuinely likes you a lot."

"Did he already tell you that I attacked him?"

"No. He told me about your date but nothing more."

"Yeah, I wanted to tell you in person, I hope you understand."

"I do, don't worry."

Hm, so that's probably why master didn't want to tell me. Not only did I react quite badly to Christine's admission at first, but also the fact that... Well she's clearly ashamed. It's funny how little master had to do to help her, I guess therapy can really help. Maybe I should have tried back in college, but... It's no longer useful anyway.

"By the way, Amber... I invited James to our workout session on Sundays... If you want to come, you're invited as always."

"I'll think about it. I'm helping Klara on the farm here, so I kind of work out a lot already."

"Haha, it's okay. I want to have some time with him alone afterwards anyway, so..."

"You go ahead, we can share."

"Thanks Amber. I'll go now, okay?"

"Sure, thanks for bringing the cookies, and enjoy the holidays."

James

There she was. I had been home barely for a minute and Christine was here.

"So, have you eaten anything yet?"

"No, not really."

"Okay, then I'll cook you something."

"M-Me? Just for me alone?"

"Well, yeah, I've eaten already. I'm nowhere near as good as the mayor's chefs, but I'll do my best..."

"No need to, I can just blow you until I'm full."

"Woah Christine. I never imagined you to come in swinging like this."

"That isn't a no, is it?"

"You're way too fast, Christine. If you're horny, blowing me won't do a lot to help you with that. I'll make you some food and then we can have sex, okay? Why do you want it so much now? You didn't ask last time."

"Honestly, in large part I want it because we didn't do it last time. I know you just held yourself back, but... I'm ready, I'm horny, and I trust you completely. If you didn't try to do weird things back then, you certainly won't now."

"Well alright then, I'll make something quick and you keep yourself busy. You can play some games, watch some TV..."

Christine undressed lightning fast and started rubbing herself. Oh god, she might be a beast. Whatever, I didn't upgrade my trait for nothing. When the food was ready and she started eating, I asked her an important question.

"Anything you're into? Anything that's a total no? I want us both to have fun at the end of the day."

"Hm... Just do what you want, honestly. I want to make you happy and I think, horny as I am, that anything we do will make me happy. Let's keep the details for some other time."

"Alright then..."