Title: Cousins: Life's a Switch (1/3) By Cousin Tserisa (headpigeons@hotmail.com) with the help of Cousinly Receptionist Jess' editing skills. Place: CERK and thereabouts Time: Saturday, July 7th Following "Post-Traumatic Switch Disorder". * * * * * Time: Early Morning * * * * * Luckily, it seemed LaCroix had flown home, leaving the Cousins with the limo to return to CERK after the party at the Raven. Tserisa yawned, clomping back through the doors of CERK with the rest of the Cousins. Tok was shooing the Ever-Squeeky Jess back to the receptionist desk, but as far as Tser could see, no one had attacked the place in their absence or left any important packages. "She looks kind of disappointed," Brandi commented of the Cousinly Receptionist. "I guess the desk doesn't allow for much partying." "It's not that," Tser said, looking around quickly to ascertain He was not within immediate earshot. "You see, she's got a strong Ratpacker streak, and she's a little low now that LaCroix is intelligible and clean again." "Hmm, that's interesting," Celeste said thoughtfully. "I dunno. I don't think it's so much 'interesting' as 'strange and wrong'," Rhonda said, pushing a long strand of reddish brown hair behind her ear. "Not that," Celeste said. "I mean, McLisa defected to the Ratpackers, and now we've got a Ratpacker working the front desk." "Another switch!" Cousin Will exclaimed. The Cousinly Leaders had filled the others in on the situation during the drive back. In the background, a large sweatdrop formed on Jess' temple and her eyes hooded. "Hmmm," expressed Tserisa, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "At any rate," Tok said seriously, having situated Jess at the desk and written up some post-it notes about LaCroix's situation, which she was sticking liberally to the receptionist's computer, "we'd better figure out what caused LaCroix and Screed to be evicted from their bodies. The General said to solve this problem *immediately*." Tser nodded, but she didn't really *want* to. She was confused enough as it was, and tired. She was used to being up all night -- a Nocturnal constitution disposed her too it -- but it was sunny out now. Sun meant sleep. After all that had gone on, however, she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to snooze, even if she had the time. "I'll start with the 'net," Tok said. "Why don't you visit the library, Tser -- maybe you can find something about this situation in a book." Tser nodded again. Some of the Cousins were milling about the lobby, as if seeking to be useful. "Everyone should keep their eyes peeled and ears ready. We need to find out if anyone else knows anything, or if it's limited to LaCroix." "Maybe one of the other factions has information," Will commented. "Oooo," Bree said, eyes wide. "Does this mean we need to attack them?" "It may come to that," Tok said seriously. "Perhaps to get ahold of some data. But first we need some hint that they do know something, before we waste any time or energy." She paused. "If anyone finds out anything, write a post-it note and leave it at the lobby desk." Jess looked in fear at all the yellow surrounding her. "Right," Tser said. "Then I'm off. I'll try to find something out." Tser left the other Cousins in the lobby, feeling the early morning sun, and turned towards the Cousinly Stables. The closest branch of the Toronto Public Library was still a good ways, and it'd be quicker to ride than walk. Besides that, she missed Xandy and Lava, her horse and burro. If she couldn't find anything at the TPL, she figured she'd have to try something more serious, like the University of Toronto Library. She brushed her purple bangs out of her eyes and realized just how long they'd gotten... she might take advantage of her time away from headquarters to get a trim. She was actually glad for the reprieve. She didn't fancy running into LaCroix, seeing as he was Not Amused. When LaCroix was Not Amused, bad things could happen and he got very scary. Xandy snorted and threw his head as he saw Tser enter. He wanted food, of course, or perhaps a drink of soda. Tser was growing the chestnut Arabian's bridle path out, and at the moment, it looked something like a floppy mohawk. The corner of the Cousinly Leader's mouth twitched. Now there's an idea... * * * * * LaCroix had retired to his penthouse after returning from the party, taking a long time to shower and change into a fresh, clean suit. The one he had worn to the party was dropped in the incinerator. Mostly his suite had seemed untouched, allowing him a hint of relief, until he found the pink rat carcass on his chair. He was pacing the length of the room, thinking up vile punishments for anyone who might be behind the strange event when he stopped and looked around. His head felt suddenly lighter, and his clean and pressed suit chafed and seemed restrictive. He reached up and felt his hair. Where had it all gone? He looked down at the body he was occupying and blinked. * * * * * Time: Noon * * * * * Tser nudged Xandy forward and turned him towards the known location of a hair salon, slipping off his back and heading inside. A haircut had nothing to do with the switching, as far as Tser could tell, but she could always explain she was watching for Vaqueras buying hair care products. The public library was a bust... the closest she'd found was a comic concerning brain-sucking alien fiends. She'd get a haircut then head over to the University for some heavy research. * * * * * Continued in Part 2/3. -- 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/