(posting for Cousin Tser, who's been prolific today)


Title: WAR: Cousins: Now That's Entertainment (1/1)
By Cousin Tserisa (headpigeons@hotmail.com)
Place: CERK
Time: 6 AM Sunday, July 8th

Takes place a while after "The Sweet Smell of Preparation"

* * * * *

Tserisa had taken the opportunity after making preparations for the UF
attack to give Xandy a good brushing, take a shower and a nap.  She was
avoiding LaCroix -- or, rather, Vachon -- but when she woke up, she
realized she couldn't shirk her duties as Cousinly Leader, whether LaCroix
was present or not.

CERK was generally active at all hours.  There were broadcasts to be made
(and not just the Nightcrawler), interns milling about, and many of the
Cousins tended to Nocturnal schedules, Tser included.  It was morning now,
and a new wave of people were about.

Most of the Cousins wandering around, resting in the halls and public
rooms, or otherwise active had strained looks on their faces.  This was
usual for the Cousinly faction during Wartime, although the fact that a
certain floofy haired Spaniard was inhabiting their General's body probably
added to the anxiety.

Tser saw Bratly Cousin Bree walking down the hall with an iced tea in her
hand.  "Bree!" Tser called and quickly caught up with her.  "Is LaCroix back?"

Bree shook her head sadly.  "No, it's still Vachon.  But he hasn't left
CERK."  She sniffled and looked forlornly into her glass.  "I'm so confused."

"Welcome to War," Tser said dryly.  "Where is... he?"

"The Salon."

Tser nodded her thanks and headed towards the Cousinly Salon, a well-kept
relaxation and gathering area, outfitted with tasteful squooshy chairs, an
open wet bar, and an exquisite sound system.  She took a deep breath to
prepare herself before entering.

LaCroix was sitting slouched in a fine burgundy chair, an uncomfortable
Cousin Rhonda sitting nearby.  Tser composed herself. It was disconcerting
to see *LaCroix* without his usual manner and poise -- she just had to
remember that he *wasn't* LaCroix.  Hadn't she seen much stranger things a
few Wars ago?  She could handle this.

She cleared her throat and Vachon and Rhonda turned to look at her.  Rhonda
looked grateful for the Cousinly Leader's presence.

"You haven't left," Tser commented.  "Overcome by the allure of our
Cousinly accommodations?"

Vachon-in-LaCroix's body gave 1/3rd of Cerberus a bland look. "Actually, I
find it boring.  What do you do for fun around here?  Or does bowing and
scraping to that pompous Roman you call General take up all your time?"

"He's not!" Rhonda said, brow furrowing.  "His ego is perfectly in
proportion to his true self-worth."

Vachon just leaned back and shook his head.

"There's plenty to do around here," Tser said.  "You've found one of our
main recreation areas."

"You call this recreation?" Vachon said.  "There's not even any
music.  Now, if you could bring me a guitar or something...." He looked at
Rhonda hopefully.

Rhonda didn't feel quite so intimidated by LaCroix's eyes as she might've
when LaCroix was actually behind them.  "Know what?" she said.  "I'd better
go get ready for the att-- that stuff we have planned with Shelley and
Arletta."  It didn't matter that there were hours before it was actually
scheduled... she got up and scurried off.

"This place has a superior sound system," Tser said.  "In fact, I think
Agent Talon and Cousin Maria stashed the CDs you brought over earlier
around here somewhere."

"What CDs?" Vachon asked.

Tser grinned.  She figured it had been Tracyfied Vachon, in truth, who'd
replaced CERK's musical broadcast with sickly sweet and perky music, but it
made little difference in her mind who had provided her with the tools for
torture.  She found the shoe box stashed behind a weeping fig, marked in
large red marker "DANGER" and amply dotted with bright green Mr. Yuck stickers.

"Here we are," Tser said, plugging a few of the CDs into the carousel and
hitting random.  She closed the cabinet that held the stereo and locked it.
"I hope that's better for you," she said.

"Uh, thanks," Vachon said, eyeing the Cousin suspiciously.

"I have a lot to do.  Duty calls.  Excuse me," Tser said, and exited the
Salon just as the strains of the first song started to waft through the room.

Vachon blinked and frowned in confusion.

o/`

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day.
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way,
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!

o/`

# # #

--
Cousin Tserisa & the Cousinly Critters
- headpigeons@hotmail.com -
Cousin, Ratpacker 8:>X and CaddyWhack
FK Stuff: http://geocities.com/tserisa/
CaddyWhacks: http://velvetdragon.com/caddy/