#ccsemberclub

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From here, in a shadowy back corner of the Ember club, the wailing sax is a soft whisper, the strong vocals a jazzy breeze really. Clem sighs unsure what to do, and smooths her stupid dress.

And she waits to see if someone is going to show or not.

Then she sighs Course she wants to meet at other areas, she was cooped up at the farm for weeks at a time, or so it probably felt. But I feel like a fool

Zara slips in, scanning the room first before heading over to the troll.

Clem is dressed well, in a style she rarely wears. WHen she sees Zara, she says "if you laugh, I will be very cross"

"Why would I laugh? You look lovely. Very elegant."

"...patriotic..."

"your sister is a menace," a sigh "I probably look like the British are ready to attack me any second. Have a seat, I tried to find a spot where the music and such would be extra soft and it would be shadowed if you want to eat while we talk"

"My sister? What did Vashti do?"

"Who do you think gave me the dress?" Clem says "'I needs must repay thee, Clementine, Chief of Chiefs' I can't tell if this really does look good or she wants to turn me into a July 4th Pic nic table for yucks but she was so darn insistant I couldn't refuse, and I don't have many dresses so when you wanted to meet here..."

"Well. It's very... Iowan."

"I think she meant well."

"Uh huh, pooka are a pain in my blue keister I swear," A sigh then gentling "But we'll get into that other problem later. We haven't been able to talk much since you got news of.. well, our judgement. Did..did we run you off with that? YOu're my friend, Zara, and I don't want that to stand between us"

"It's fine. Thank you, for being.. ah... merciful?"

"It was the right thing to do, vengeance and justice aren't always close kin even if they can fool you" A nod, "You got the message about the ward?" Lowering her voice "I know you don't need it anymore, but it feels weird you being without it"

"It does... but... good, aye?"

"I should learn to craft my own. A useful thing, that."

A brow, "Maybe, how close do you think you are to that, because you're already learning in a few years what some take decades to..." She looks up as a server approaches, the waitress is enchanted, a buxom beauty with a smile

the mortal says "I'm sorry to intrude... but I understand there are special needs involved and was told to tell you we're prepared, would you like to order anything? We have some slavic dishes that are... properly seasoned if you like" She says to Zara with a nod

A smile. "Ah, wonderful. I trust the taste of the house."

"If those seasoned are pirog... you may have the happiest of diners."

"They are in fact" The waitress says, "Cook Teensy is an expert at them and... well, so glad that works" She writes something down then looks at Clem "And you, miss?"

"Gotaburger?" Clem says dryly

"oh yes, we have... "Three different burgers, each more elaborate than the last, one made of buffalo meat, are mentioned.

Clem blinks as the mention of twenty spices in one is made and how it was lovingly prepared into the patty etcc etc

"terribly complicated." She shakes her head.

"Maybe I'll just have soup" Clem sighs

"Oh we have excellent selections in soup..." and a listing only a boggan with capital and world tastes could come up with is presented.

Clem says "Is anyone of those chicken noodle?"

"Ah, the third one, that's the French name for it. Would you like that?" The waitress says

"Yeah, and please, don't tell me about the nuance" Clem says.

"Yes, miss. I'll be back soon" she bobs her head and leaves.

"I'm sure it will be divine. Mr. Stodgepole has high standards."

"So help me if I eat this and discover I've dined on the emu with saffron or something..." Clem grumbles then sighs "Sorry, bit tense. Ah, Zara.. I'm going to ask you something, and I don't want you to be offended."

"...Alright?"

"Did you...perhchance, hit me with some sort of romantic whammy?" She says "Something to make me 'lucky' in drawing men's eyes?"

"Ah... no?"

A pause. "...oh..."

"Then how the hell do I.. wait ,what do you mean 'oh'?"

A look

"You said my sister felt indebted?"

"Yeah, frankly I think she made a bigger deal than we did.. " She shrugs "You know how scared she was of that man, with justification, but she seemed to think we were all at risk because of her" Clem seems confused by the change of subject "Anyway, it's weird. I've got some Cat Pooka who is out of nowhere dressed like a global theatre extra... and Cadman is back WITH The truffula trees, and uhm.. Caesar is.. well, he draws a LOT of eyes but he's flirted with me too and then there's this Chimera of all things and he's ..very humanoid.. and " A blush "It's getting out of hand"

"Aye. And because of us protecting her, she was able to reunite with her love..."

"Shalimar's a funny guy I'll give him that much, but the elders still aren't crazy about a loyalist..... "

Then "Wait," curious "Why do you keep bringing up Vashti when I'm talking about my problem?"

"So you are finding yourself blessed with lovers?"

"Lucky in love?"

A purple blush "So far it's more suitors than...active engagement and I'm trying to figure out why it's all happening at once let alone happening at all. It's like I've got whiskey flavored nipples or something all the sudden, pardon my metaphor, but ..." Realization dawns in her eyes.