“Obviously.”
“I wonder what they want?” Dynah murmured, her eyebrows knit in a look of consternation. “They can’t stop us, can they?”
“Nope,” Ris confirmed. “We’re totally in the clear.”
She had no idea how the news of her little community center-hosted gatherings had reached Cevanorë’s vaunted walls, but the knowledge that someone, somewhere within the enclave had felt it necessary to intervene — because she couldn’t imagine they had invited her to do anything but that — was a good enough indication to her that their secondary group was necessary.Necessary, and they knew it too. And they probably hate that.
She accepted a mimosa upon entering the dining room to which she had been directed, glancing around. Clusters of Elvish women dotted the space, their voices pitched low, bright bursts of laughter punctuating the atmosphere here and there. This was the ladies’ salon, she’d been informed. There was a family dining room, a banquet hall and ballroom, a garden room where tea was held, and a separate gentleman’s lounge.
“Ris!”
She turned at the sound of her name. The Elvish woman coming towards her was not someone she knew. Not someone she’d ever once laid eyes on.And yet she knows your name.
“It’ssowonderful to see you! Thank you so much for joining us! I see you already found some refreshment. Come, sit. They’ll be around with a pastry basket soon.”
She hadn’t grown up in this world. She’d been adjacent to it, had gone to the Elvish school within an enclave, she’d never been a part of it . . . but proximity had made her an excellent code switcher all these years, and if this elf thought Ris would be easily intimidated, she had another thing coming. Pretty, popular Ris always found her place.
“I’ve been hearing about your little project,” the elf, Maraliese, said, her voice bright. “Sounds very . . . earnest!”
Ris smiled.Earnest. That’s an interesting word. She may as well pinch you on the cheek and pat your head.
“We’re coming along! It’s just a small group right now, but who knows how we’ll grow.”Who knows what will happen when more of the younger generation begin to choose something different thanthis?
Silva had attended her first meeting and it had been like having their very own mole, an insider spy to the Cevanorë way of life.
“You want to reach out to Rael Kaspard,” she’d told them confidently after the bulk of the group had dispersed for the evening. Ris and Caleia remained, along with Dynah, the naiad, and one of the sylvans. Silva was an expert on the inner workings of Cevanorë and was herself still technically a member. “He and his second wife tried to secure their membership for ages, but they wouldn’t have it. Old money family,verydeep pockets. She’s a huldra, which was the issue with the board. He still lives in the enclave, but they’re basically pariahs. I know he’sverybitter over the whole situation. If you give her a seat on acommittee, his wallet will fall open. Also, the Eillis family . . . I went to school with Dorea. I don’t know if they’re still in Cambric Creek, but again — it was an ugly situation. If you give them a place to belong, they’ll repay the favor.”
The inside track felt invaluable. Now they had an inside peek into how Cevanorë was structured, what memberships looked like, what it entailed, and what was offered. Ris had wanted to ask Silva what had changed, but held her tongue. Silva was sharper, flintier, the experience of her marriage having changed the soft, sweet uptight princess she’d been, and Ris hadn’t wanted to risk offending her. Silva had left with Dynah, discussing dinner plans for the following evening, closer friends with the proximity of their condos.
Ris grinned now, secure in the knowledge that theywouldcontinue to grow.
“So I’ve heard! That’s so wonderful, darling. I always applaud the efforts of grassroots organizations.”
She said it as ifgrassrootsmeant Ris was a literal dirt peddler. Her grin tightened as the other elf continued.
“I wanted, if you don’t mind, to offer some advice.” Maraliese glanced around, as if she were about to disclose the secret of the universe. “Some individuals can be . . . well,sensitive. Especially women who already feel like they’re on the margins. You wouldn’t want anyone to feelexcluded by something that’s meant to beinclusive.”
Ris’s smile sharpened. “Yes. That’s kind of the point. We’re not looking toexclude anyone. But I’m glad we can both acknowledge therearesome who do feel like they’re on the margins . . . for whatever reason.”
Maraliese laughed, high and effervescent. “Of course, darling! But sometimes these things work best when they’re folded into an existing structure, that’s all. That way, there’s guidance, you understand. Oversight.”
Oversight. A gate, keeping out the riff raff like you, like Dynah. Ris took a sip of her mimosa, buying a beat of time before responding.
“Well, we’re not really looking to imposeoversighton who joins us. Because if the oversight is working . . . why do those margins exist? Women who already feel like they’re on the margins clearly haven’t been helped by the existingguidance. An open door is kind of our whole policy. That’s why we’ve opened membership to species beyond elves. We’re all going to be here together for a long time; may as well foster a community together and thrive.”
Maraliese’s smile thinned for a moment. “I just worry,” she went on, voice now dripping in phony concern, “that your little group might be positioning this as an alternative when it doesn’t need to be. That can make people uncomfortable.”
“Why on earth would inclusion make anyone uncomfortable?” Ris asked, her turn to laugh, high and phony.
This was a game she had been playing all her life. She might not understand the internal hierarchies as well as Silva, but she knew mean girls and queen bees.Thisgame she knew, and she was fluent in corporate speak besides.
“And you actually touched on one of our important words that we’ve stressed from the beginning. Analternative. Not a replacement. We don’t want anyone to feel obligated to leave the existing structure if they have a place in it.” She drained her glass, placing it on the table deliberately. She’d heard enough. “But I can’t help but wonder why we’re more concerned with the comfort of those who already have a place than the exclusion of those who don’t?”
The other elf’s smile hardened out, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Just be careful, darling. You don’t want to find yourself alienated.”
Ris laughed again, making her voice sparkle as brightly as the chandelier above her head. This well-appointed dining room was beautiful, but table linens and flowers didn’t make up for Dynah never receiving acceptance when she had attempted to join this club.
“Oh, I don’t need to worry about that.We’renot interested in alienating anyone. And if there is a group that is . . . well, it’s a good thing there’s an alternative. We’re about to break ground on phase one of our clubhouse, so it’s averyexciting time to become involved. Thank you so much for inviting me today, Maraliese. This was . . . illuminating.”
