Blending In

18. Campaigning and Cheering

"It's strange once you think about it. How nothing has changed within such a long-time frame, no matter how much we've progressed technologically." She huffed at that, tapping the wood on her desk. "I couldn't help but hate it when I was your age and hated it even more as I grew up. I've had a lot of time to come up with some ideas and have only now started implementing some of them."

"I'm guessing you've had help with that. I mean, I can't imagine all of this was done by yourself." That was something Eddy had always been curious about. She'd gotten him into Ever After with as little trouble as possible. Especially with Grimm at the helm of it. "Probably a few contacts."

"Only a few," Bloodgood shrugged. A few favors had to be picked up now and then and whether that mean she had to move some along helped things. "Baba Yaga is an old friend I've come to rely on. A sycophant or two had to be recruited, though they all don't really know what I'm doing. So far, I had only one real partner and I haven't from them since..."

She trailed off before narrowing her eyes at the boy. "...You got me monologuing again. You mischievous little bastard."

"What can I say?" Eddy shrugged, feeling smug about the trick. "I was curious. Haven't really heard much on your side of the story yet, so why not try and see what I can get."

"You could just ask. It's not like I'm trying to bar any information from you." Bloodgood, shooed him away, rolling her eyes fondly as she did so. "And if you must know, I do plan on hiring a few people to get things under control here. Can't rely on you three all the time."

"Good," There was palpable relief at that news, shoulders becoming less squared at the confirmation. "I think we're doing great, but that doesn't mean help ain't appreciated."

"It's just a matter of sorting through candidates, honestly." She shrugged. "I'd suggest getting back into your latest scheme. Remember, play nice."

"Yeah, yeah, mom, I'll get to work." Eddy rolled his eyes. He almost didn't notice the weird look she gave him. "What?"

The stare off went on between the two before Eddy suddenly realized what he said. He didn't add anymore to the conversation before teleporting himself out of there with his magic.

Bloodgood sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes closed. "Those kids are going to kill me at some point. I just know it."

"Sorry about nearly stabbing you with a button, Dexter." Double D laughed nervously as he helped clean up the wound on the boy's chest. "Things have gotten really hectic with this election and Maddie's getting a little excitable."

"Yeah, she's really gotten into the spirit of it." Raven was gathering up the medical supplies and handing them off the boy while he did the cleaning. "I don't think she's stopped with the campaigning ever since you brought it up. I'm starting to wonder if she should take a break."

"It's alright. I mean, I highly doubt you'd do that on purpose, Maddie." Dexter tried to comfort the pink girl as she sat next to them. Her worried expression didn't lessen in the slightest. "I can understand why you're excited. Seems like you're getting a lot of traction."

"He's right, weirdly enough. Can't believe I'm saying this, but we're pretty much on par with Apple at this point." Cerise refreshed the poll numbers again on her MirrorPad, watching them closely. "Wasn't really expecting it, but it looks like we might at least make it a stalemate. Not sure if that's a good thing though."

"Rebels have been congratulating me all day, but I don't think any Royals are happy about this." Maddie did look nervous, swinging her legs up from the chair she was sitting on. "I haven't heard from Apple either since we started and I'm starting to get a little worried."