#ccsemberclub

"Emerson, honey? You didn't... try to provoke a civil war between the baroness of Rivervale and the Beltaine blade did you?" CC asks as he's having his morning coffee

He doesn't spit-take. He purses his lips, considering. "What an interesting idea, Dearest. Why do you ask?"

"Apparently, at this big saining ceremony near Caer Falken itself, big because of Centaurs....Emmit DeBuke came out as a public namer. And a goblin thallian took a shot at him... saved by a squire from being JFKed. Unfortunately the Wayburtons don't know too much else but I snooped and... honestly I had to retreat fast. The... Spymaster is in a frenzy. "

"Mm." he sets his coffee down "Has Emmit gone soft in the head?" he asks politely.

"I have NO idea," She scowls "Perhaps he thinks bullseye designs are fashionable? Of all the times for a geratric rebellion"

He takes a moment to think. "I imagine the DeBukes are on lockdown?"

"Oh yes. They suggest we hang back and not visit for a bit"

A frown. "That... impacts our plans."

"Yes. It does" She bites her lips "Clem says she might sneak out to help me here but... she believes it would be better in a hold"

"Also, she's a Chieftain, so duty to her hold and family" Wry

"Which... well, we'd rather that stay a secret for now?"

"Dearest, I -do- have some concerns to discuss on that matter, if the time is right."

"Go on? Don't want me digging tunnels in the nude?"

"I can't think of a more attractive image." he says with a smirk, but reaches across the table to take her hand "I've been reading, doing a bit of research.... have you and Clem discussed how this will work? How it will play out?"

"Some. What concerns you?"

"Well, I would like to -know-." he huffs patiently.

"Well," She says "I was told that if the change works as it should, she should be able to transform the cancer with me, and my body, now being that of a Naked Mole rat, will prevent spread at the least, possibly cause a natural erasure of it.... either way, after a week, I change back, see how it went"

"A week." he nods "And potentially another few treatments. Hm. Where will you stay?"

"Well, it was going to be the farm where she could keep watch on me better, and because the hold would help fuel the healing process. We have our own hold, but I'm not sure she knows that"

"... and which we'd like to keep secret, yes." he agree, having referenced that already "Dearest.... are they prepared to keep an exotic animal like yourself? And, in an exotic animal form like a naked mole rat?"

"They claim they could harbor penquins if they have to. Teesha's already been told to put her hawk away around me"

"Both you and naked mole rats are incredibly social creatures. You'll be a queen, of course, but a queen needs a court, and people to rule. A colony. And a colony needs space, an enclosure to keep you safe. Without fur, for the time being, you'll need temperature regulation. Diet. We'll need to set all this up." he points out.

"They kind of control their local weather" She points out

"Mole rats are African animals. Clem is willing to maintain sub-Saharan temperatures in Iowa winter?" he checks, worried.

"Dearest, time is not our friend in this. I am willing to do absolutely, utterly, -anything- to resolve this. I'm trying to determine how many zoo break-ins I'll need to stage and cover up."

"She's willing to raise a barn and climate control the ground and space within yes..." She says

Then she covers her mouth to stiffle a laugh

A sideways smile, and a squeeze of her hand.

She squeezes back, "Okay, okay. Let's remember, the first test is ONLY for a week. I'll be fine in less than zoo like conditions if need be for a week. "

"I am concerned that -nothing- stress your little ratty system so we can tell if these measures will be effective!" he insists.

She kisses his cheek "Everything we do has a risk. Surgery, radiation, elder form"

"And I understand that." he insists "But can we not ensure we give this the best possible chance?"

"You want every angle covered" She observes, "As best as it can be. Okay. Why don't you write up a full list of needs and suggestions and I'll take it to Clem?"

He nods, and stands to cross to the writing desk; he returns with a sealed envelope and offers it to her.

"I may have already taken the liberty."

"Oh for the love of..." She is torn between rolling her eyes or being impressed or laughing.

A chuckle. "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

"Yes I did," She kisses him slowly this time, when they part "Your brilliance is dazzling, your tendency to over organize often vexing, but I love you"

"And I love you." he says warmly "Even if you do flatter me."

"I am amazing arm candy" She agrees deliberately misinterputing

He chuckles, nodding his agreement, but then grows serious "You must be properly cared for, to allow this idea to have a chance of success."

"It -is- a better alternative than mortal medicine, or Naming."

"You're telling me I'm going to need to be coddled and not bitching about it"

A mmph

she then says "sometimes I like bitching, it can be soothing"

"Yes." he soothes.

"Fine. I'll ..realize it, work for it"

He seems to exhale, settle a bit. "Thank you."

"Now, I've been cut off from some of my grandkids. You know I'll be in a bear of a mood about that. What are YOU going to do to appease my volcano goddes like wrath?"

"Anything you desire. I am your servant." a kiss.