8149/A visit to the Asteroid to see Clarice

A visit to the Asteroid to see Clarice
Date of Scene:	07 October 2021
Location:	Cafeteria and Bar
Synopsis:	Hank takes Tara to Asteroid M so she can speak to Clarice and Theo, and see the stars!
Cast of Characters:	Tara Tsabedze, Henry McCoy, Clarice Ferguson

---

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Clarice got the call from Ritz that Henry and someone named K'Tara was coming to the asteroid to see her. Henry had all the clearance in the world, and visitors were welcome, so Ritz feels she did her part... once she teleported the two of them to the cafeteria. It was pot roast night, not that that was why they were coming, but it was the reason Ritz choose the cafeteria. Once they were through the portal, she saluted and went to get in line for pot roast.

Arriving in the cafetera, Tara didn't truly realize that they were in space, even though she was pretty certain a place called 'Asteroid M' would be in space. There were a lot more people than she expected, and it was a lot bigger than she thought it would be.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Henry keeps close to K'Tara as they appear in the cafeteria, his keen senses already enjoying the aroma of the roast. "Cafeteria." He grins, looking over to K'Tara with a nod. "I am sure Blink will be here shortly - they tend to announce visitors to the party that is being visited." He explains, though it seems common sense. He's always one to offer over information, to assuage any concerns. "We could get some food before we chat with her? She might be coming out this way to collect us, and discuss what you needed to?"

It's still unclear as to why the two are meeting up, but he's not overly concerned. It will all suss out in the end. "Welcome to space. Closer to the moon, and all." He nods.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    How did it get that late? Clarice has been so deeply emerged in her work that - quite honestly - it's probably a good thing she got interrupted. It also serves to remind her that it's been //hours// since she ate anything. She rises to her feet - stretching her arms over her head and curving her back before she makes her way out of her room, and through the halls towards the cafeteria. She needs the walk - even if it isn't that long of one - and it'll give Tara and Hank plenty of time to look at their options and make their selections.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara takes a few minutes to start looking around at things, which is when she spots a small window against the far wall. Taking Hank's hand she walks toward the window, she must see the stars or her brain won't believe.

"It does smell good," she comments on her way, her pace a little quick because she's in space and she /needs/ to see. "I would not mind having a little snack, if that is permitted. I do not want to take food from mouth of others, if there is a limit."

At the window she pauses only a moment before pressing her feline nose right against it to look out... and there they are... millions of stars. They really were in space and this makes her exclaim, "Holy Bast!"

Henry McCoy has posed:
She is followed to the window, Henry nodding. "There is plenty of food to be had, I promise." The man assures, hand in hers. "They always make plenty - there are a lot of people who have higher metabolism here." A wink to the black-furred woman.

When they reach the view, he smiles - letting her take in the stars and the perspective. "It is breath-taking, no matter how many time I've seen it." He whispers to her, his hand moving to the small of her back.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    If the view out the little window was impressive to Tara...
    When Clarice finally makes her way into the cafeteria, her gaze sweeps the room - searching for the pair of felinoid visitors. Honestly - shouldn't be hard to spot them, even in the varied crowd that calls the Asteroid home - not with Hank's size and coloring. She has a friendly smile on her features as she approaches the pair, her boots sounding dully on the textured metal flooring. "I hope you've beeen made to feel welcome," she offers simply by way of greeting.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara still has her nose against the glass, trying to see as many of the stars as possible and if she can, get even a glimpse of the moon. When Clarice speaks she steps back and looks to the magenta mutant, offering a bright, broad smile.

"Ritz was very kind and welcoming," she offers, before stepping over to Clarice to take one of her her hand and lift it to her cheek briefly, then let it go and step back. "This is an amazing place, Clarice... and you live here? How lucky you are!"

Henry McCoy has posed:
As the familiar sound of Clarice's voice, he turns to greet her. "Evening, Clarice." He smiles. "Yes, quite welcome. Thank you for allowing us a visit. I believe K'Tara had some news for you?" A smile, nodding as the other feline-person greeted Clarice as well.

"Perhaps after some food, and you two discuss, we can show her the view of the moon from here?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I am," Clarice agrees with Tara, her smile broadening for a moment.
    Her attention shifts to Hank as she adds, "Well - I need to take a break to eat, but after that, I should probably get back to it. Still a lot of logistics to iron out before we're ready for that op. But you absolutely must show Tara the garden. This view," she gestures towards the window that has Tara so captivated, "is nothing by comparison." She starts to lead her way towards where the pot roast is being carved - and various other foods are on offer, giving Ritz a brief nod as the woman passes with her own tray.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Ritz has managed to get her pot roast and now she's moving down the buffet line for the other delicious sides.

Once again Tara takes Hank's hand as they walk. "There is an op?" She asks, curious but not intending to intrude. "This is... about China?" She glances between Hank and Clarice. It doesn't take a rocket scientists to realize that the destruction of the Beijing power plant had something to do with whatever it was that was going on. She'd seen the picture with the warning melted into the smoke stack, and though Magneto was a name she had only heard in passing, again... does not take a rocket scientist.

Getting a tray and a plate, along with utensils, she takes her place in line. "If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know. I can take off work if my healing is required."

Henry McCoy has posed:
A nod to K'Tara on that, the man sighing. "Things are coming to a head." He says, quietly. He'll let Clarice explain, of course. While he is involved, it's her operation. He gives K'Tara's hand a gentle squeeze, then reaches for a tray for her. Once she has one, Henry gets one of his own. Then they move into the line, selecting sides with the pot roast.

"K'Tara is a healer, Clarice. I'm not certain if she'd told you, but as she's brought it up in conversation..." He grins over to the two women. "It is hoped, that healing won't be needed - but even as an optimist, I understand that is a dream."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "There's almost always an op," Clarice says in a wry tone. "We're making arrangements to have the healer we usually work with here on the Asteroid. But... perhaps we could arrange to have you in place on Genosha?" she suggests. Since they'll be sending a large number of children there - and it wouldn't hurt to have them evaluated and treated there. She doesn't confirm or deny China's involvement, however, as she likewise helps herself to the potroast - drenching it with a spicy curry sauce. Were the two //meant to be combined? In Clarice's mind they were. "We appreciate your willingness to help," she adds, as she heaps some roasted carrots and beets onto her plate, with a crispy, warm bread roll.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara gets pot roast, but she puts regular old gravy on it, along with the mashed potatoes she put on her plate.

"Genosha is a good idea," she offers, already more than capable of putting two and two together. "I can be ready at a moments notice, or head there a head of the op. Having been there once, I can get there myself, so long as you let those there know I am coming. I would rather not surprise them and end up zapped or melted."

A few green beans and peas go onto the plate as well, because greens are important. "If I had known things were quite to hectic, I would have waited for another day to talk to you, in fact if you would rather... we can have dinner and I can call you in a few days?"

Henry McCoy has posed:
Henry's plate is a good mix of everything - potroast, veggies, starches, grains... he's a growing boy! "I could likely contact Lorna to advise her, of course. I have no doubt they will welcome the assistance." The man nods, moving along with the two as they all fix up their meals.

"Perhaps a social call and a view in the garden?" He smiles.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'll make sure it's all arranged ahead of time," Clarice promises, as she leads the way towards the drinks. She gets herself a cup of coffee - adding plenty of cream and sweetner, before leadint the trio to a table to sit.
    "Honestly, if you have news to share, I'd love to hear it," Clarice answers. "I know Theo's been dying to know more about his options." It seems someone's far less evasive now about just who it is that needs Tara's help. Her gaze attentively trained on the woman, she slices herself a piece of the roast to nibble at.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara pauses for a moment as Hank whisper something to her, then she nods and watches him take his tray with him as he heads out of the cafeteria. "He needs to make a phone call," she offers to Clarice. "I did not even think that was possible from here."

She moves to follow Clarice to the table and settles in. A napkin gets unfolded and placed in her lap, before she takes the cup of coffee she grabbed and adds a little cream, of course cream for the feline.

"I have been successful in altering the gender of three female guinea pigs from female to male," she says with a bright smile while stirring the coffee. She pauses there, as if that is all the news there is, but she finally says, "And one of them fathered a litter of pups, meaning it was a complete success."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We couldn't be out of touch like that," Clarice answers in an amused tone. She takes another bite of her food - this one a bit larger than might be strictly polite. She was more hungry than she'd realized. Here attention trains back onto Tara - and a little surprise shows on her features, followed by a broad smile. "So... You really believe you can do it?" she asks. "Theo could even be a father?" She could end up being... an aunt, someday? That was- wow. That was a bit of a wild thought, really. "Were there any side affects you could detect? Any risks?"

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Starting to slice up the pot roast, making sure to get a little of the potatoes with it, Tara takes a bite. The aroma did it justice, it was far better than she expected. "Oh this is lovely," she comments once she swallows, then uses the other napkin to wipe her mouth.

"At this time there has been no adverse side effects physically," she offers, setting her utensils down. "There was a little confusion at first from each of the new males, the change of hormones took some adjusting, but once the testosterone was fully in their system, they became randy little buggers." She offers another smile. "I would like to perform the experiment on pigs next, as they are the closest human analog possible, but I do not foresee issues. I will be sure to share all the information regarding that experiment as well, also... would you like guinea pig?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We have excellent chefs here. We're very fortune," Clarice agrees with a smile. "A few different chefs that specialize in different sorts of cuisine." She takes another bite of her food, before giving the woman across from her a puzzled look. "A... guinea pig? I honestly - I'm not quite sure I know what they are," she has to admit. "But they're different than //pigs//?" Apparently, based on what Tara just suggested. "What do people do with guinea pigs?"

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Getting her phone out, Tara pulls up the pictures of the guinea pigs... there are a lot of them, and one picture has the babies in it. She offers the phone over. "These are guinea pigs," she says. "Adorable little rodents that are kept in cages as pets by many school children, and some teachers keep them in their class rooms to help educate children."

Taking another bite of her meal, she savors the new flavors. Yes, she's had pot roast and gravy before, but not /this/ pot roast and gravy. Everyone made is different. "I may have to share a few Kenyan recipes with your chef," she comments softly. "See how he makes them."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice studies the photos with curiosity, her smile broadening a little at the sight of the babies, before her expression goes more contemplative. "They're... somewhere between mice, and rabbits?" she concludes in a thoughtful tone. "Maybe. I'll see what Theo and Pete think of the idea - I share my quarters with them, so..." It was worth at least asking them first. "But perhaps. If you need help finding new homes for all of them - I suppose we could send out a bulletin to others here on the Asteroid. Since they're small, they'd be easy enough for people to keep up here."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Leaning over Tara looks at the photo Clarice is on, "That is Crumpet." she offers. "The mother, but yes in appearance they are like a cross between a hamster and a rabbit. They are a food staple in some countries because they are easy to raise and take very little space. I would much prefer to find them homes however."

Sitting back, she considers something a moment before saying, "I do not know what you have told Theo about all this. I do believe in time I will be able to do exactly what we spoke of, but I do not want to rush. If he would prefer to know all the risks and possibilities however, I am willing to speak to him."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I've been pretty open with him about it," Clarice confides, as she offers the phone back. "Including the fact that this is something you'd never attempted before. If I'm being honest, it still makes me a little uneasy. I don't like the fact that- well, we'll be trying something so experimental on my brother. But I don't have the right to decide for him - only to give him his options." She might //legally// have the right, but he's old enough that it would be stupid to try to force that, and cause tension between them.
    Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out her phone, pulling up a digital album that has pictures of 'Thia' and 'Theo' - offering this over towards Tara, so she can finally see the person she's been doing all this work to help.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Again Tara leans to look at the photos, grinning broad at the handsome young man in the picture. "He is very good looking young man Clarice, you must be proud of his strength and determination."

She takes a sip of her coffee now. Deciding to speak a thought she had. "There was a thought that came to me a week ago," she begins, still looking at the photo. "I... there are other transgender people out there, some are mutants, some are humans. I could always make the offer to them, and... try it on one of them first."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I've only known him for- I think two months now? And for much of that time, he was my sister, not my brother. It's been strange - but wonderful. And yes - I'm proud of him. He's brave, and smart, and talented. I only wish we'd found each other sooner." Yes, to no one's surprise - she still harbors a little piece of that.
    At the suggestion that they let someone //else// be the first - she gives a nod of confirmation. "I'd feel more comfortable with that. But again - we'll have to talk to Theo. I think... just being allowed to live how he wants, and knowing that we're trying to find the best way to... fix things has helped him a lot, already."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara nods, another sip of coffee and a bite of food while Clarice talks. Her claws make handling utensils a bit tricky, but she seems to have gotten it down for the most part.

"If that is how you would prefer to do it, then that is how we will do it," she replies. "We can speak to him when you feel you and he are ready. I will do the research with pigs next, and report back on how that goes. Then, if you both prefer someone else goes first, I will use some of my new contacts and arrange someone else to be first."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I could ask him if he wants to talk to you now," Clarice offers with amusement. "He'd probably discover a new way to use his powers to teleport after all," she adds in a dry tone. Tearing off a piece of her bread roll, she dips it into the curry sauce, devouring the morsel with relish. "Again - I have no way to adequately express my gratitude to you - for helping us with this. I just want Theo to be happy - to be able to live a 'normal' life. Especially after everything he's gone through." This time - she not only sops of up some of the curry with her bread, she tops it with a bit of the pot roast before devouring it. Mmmm. Yum.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
The last bit of pot roast and mashed potatoes goes onto the fork, and Tara stabs a few green beans as well. Like Henry, she's a big time eater, her metabolism requiring extra calories to keep her going. Not one to forget the vegetables, once that bite is gone she finishes of the peas.

"Now is perfectly acceptable," she offers when she's swallowed and taken a sip of coffee. "I do not know his powers, and only know yours because I have seen them. Are his similar to yours?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice doesn't have the 'gift' of an increased metabolism - but she doesn't exercise frequently, so she doesn't seem to have any qualms about wiping the plate free of curry sauce with her bread, and happily enjoying her veggies - along with her liberally sugared coffee. She has a bit of a sweet tooth. "Similar, yes," she confirms. "He can 'pocket' things and retrieve them at will from a sort of... stasis space. He just can't pocket living things. ...safely. We're trying to see if we can fix that."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara cants her head, trying to imagine that power. "A stasis space," she repeats softly. "I can understand this, a 'pocket' as you call it, where things go that he can then call back. That is very useful, in many ways, but nothing living." She hmms softly, as if she has some clue how his power worked, or perhaps she was thinking of other things related to it.

"He is still young, perhaps it is something that will come in time?" She then offers, finishing the last of her coffee.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Hopefully," Clarice agrees. "Powers develop and grow with time and practice. He under-rates his power's usefulness. But... well. I'm not sure that's a bad thing, right now. Let's him focus on his school work instead." Finishing off the last of her own meal, she pulls out her phone, typing out, 'Wanna talk to my majik friend about sex change?' She smirks in amusement at the response she gets before adding, 'Ok. Stay there.'

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Theo had been doing his homework, but that wasn't happening any more. Pete was sitting on the couch, working through his own home work and watching Theo already pacing the room and ranting.

"She's here! I get to talk to her Pete, be excited, the magic woman is here!" Theo rants.

"I am excited Theo, see me not running to hide from a new person?" Pete replies.

Making sure to bus her own table, Tara clears her things then follows Clarice out of the cafeteria. She pauses for a moment in the small garden of the central nexus to look up at the stars. That was a huge window, even more stars, but still no moon. So she manages to follow Clarice while looking upwards, using her scenting until they enter a hall and the stars are no longer visible.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    After busing her tray, Clarice leads the way towards her quarters, looking back towards Tara - amusement on her features at the woman's fixation. She understands it of course - and capitalizes on it at times, but it was still amusing to watch. "I promise, we won't let Hank leave the Asteroid until he takes you up to the //big// garden dome," she offers in response.
    Part of her considers starting the conversation in her room with 'hey, Tara wants to know if we'd like a guinea pig?' But she imagines the humor of that would go over like a lead balloon. So as the door slides open she simply greets her brothers with a broad, warm smile. "Hey Theo - hey Pete. I take it you wanted to meet my friend Tara, huh?" She gestures towards Tara then adds, "Tara, these are my brothers, Theo and Pete."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Upon entering the room and being introduce, Tara offers a slight bow to each of the boys. Just meeting them for the first time, that is the proper tradition of greeting.

"I am pleased to meet you both," she offers then adds. "Pete," the bow for him. "Theo," and the bow for him.

Theo immediately stops pacing, which is thankfully right in front of Pete. "Holy... Miss Tsabedze?!" He looks at Pete, then back to Tara. "She's the school nurse at Happy Harbor!"

Pete stands up, because it would be rude to remain sitting, "Nice to meet you Tara," he offers quietly, then jabs Theo in the ribs.

Theo yelps and goes a shade darker in his cheeks, "Shyster! I mean... Hello Miss Tsebedze."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well then - I guess it's practically her job to help you," Clarice offers with good natured humor. "Please Tara - make yourself comfortable. I have cognac in my room, if you'd like a little?" she offers. She glances at the boys as well - she really doesn't mind if they have a drink. Besides - she'd rather they do it here than down in Happy Harbor at some high school party.
    Even as she's offering the drinks, she moves towards Theo to give him a brief, one-armed hug, before offering the same greeting to Pete.
    "Tara wanted to know if we want a pet guinea pig," she adds with some amusement. "But... that's probably not what you want to talk to her about. So far she has good news to report..."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara does in fact move to the couch and takes a seat, watching the two boys. She had not seen Theo in the nurses office for anything, but she knew who his friends were.

"Cognac?" She asks, looking to Clarice. "I do not think I have had that before. Perhaps a small taste?"

Theo nudges Pete, who nudges right back, the two of them clearly holding a conversation. When Clarice hugs Theo however, that's when Pete manages to escape to his desk to sit, leaving the couch by Tara for Theo.

Theo hugs back, looking excited and afraid at the same time, then it hits him that Clarice asked him a question. "A guinea pig? Yes! That would be cool!" he chimes, then looks back to Tara. "GOod news?"

Tara nods, "Indeed." She pulls out her phone to get the same pictures to show to Theo. "The babies in that picture were sired by a guinea pig that I successfully altered the gender on."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Tara says she's going to try the same process on some female pigs next," Clarice adds, giving her brother an encouraging smile. She steps into her room then - coming back with her usual ornate-looking bottle of cognac, with four stemmed glasses hanging upside-down from her fingers. She pours two glasses - a small taste for Tara, and a normal portion for herself, then glances at the boys questioningly. If either of them indicate interest, she pours for them, as well. She offers Tara her own glass first, before taking a seat next to Theo, crossing her legs and sipping her drink.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Pete shakes his head, he doesn't really like alcohol yet and Theo honestly just doesn't see it cause he's stupidly staring at Tara and the pictures.

"You..." Theo starts, trying to find the right words. "So you actually took a female guinea pig and not only made her male, but then he could make babies? How..." he glances to Clarice, then looks back to Tara. "That's the magic part, right?"

Tara accept the drink, first smelling it and letting it rest there for a moment while she decides if the scent is nice or not. Apparently it is as she takes a sip. "Yes, that would be the magic part," she replies. "Understanding the human body helps a great deal, but this goes down to the DNA level. That is why I am practicing on guinea pigs and pigs first."

Pete tilts his head, and asks, "How did you over come the lack of a Y chromosome?"

Tara smiles, looking over to Pete. "I trick the DNA into believing there is a Y chromosome, when there is not one present, and thus the body acts and reacts as if there is one there, including creating testosterone. The singular downside of this however, is that all of the guinea pigs born are female, as the X chromosome is the only real one present."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Ummm." Clarice looks between the othere three people in the room. This is something they all seem to know, and understand - so she can only assume this comes from her having skipped //schooling//. "...what's a chromosome. And why's that mean all the babies are girls? I mean - not that that really matters. ...right?" Not by comparison with everything else.
    She takes another sip of her drink before adding, "Tara said that if the experiment with the pigs goes well, she can try it with a human. But she's pretty confident she could find someone else who'd be willing to take the risk of being the first... Just so we could really be certain that everything is going as it should." There's something questioning in Clarice's eyes as she says this, her gaze locked onto Theo, to see what he'll say.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara shifts her feline eyes to Clarice. "Men have two chromosomes, X and Y, while women have XX. The male's Y needs to be present for a son to be conceived, without it, with only the X, the offspring will always be female. Even with tricking the body into believing the Y is there, so allow it to generate the correct hormones, there is still only X, and so Theo's children would all be female."

After Clarice explains about the pigs and another person, Theo looks over at Pete. A silent conversation is held for all of thirty seconds before Theo looks back to Clarice. "That's what you want, right? For someone else to be first?" He asks, fidgeting a little where he sits. "You're worried about mistakes, or problems... but... couldn't she just put it all back if there's a problem?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Oh," Clarice answers, as she tries to wrap her head around all of this. She still isn't quite sure what these 'chromosomes' are - but she can look that up later. Right? "I see." Well. She sees just enough to get the point, before her attention shifts towards Theo.
    "Maybe?" she answers. "Probably she could, I just... If things did go wrong somehow, I don't like the thought of you suffering, or in pain. But I know..." and here her gaze flicks towards Pete for a moment, before returning to Theo, "that you already are in some degree of pain. I'd rather you weren't the first, but you get to decide, and I'm going to support your choice," she promises seriously.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Theo looks from Clarice to Tara, then over to Pete, then finally back to Clarice.

"It's... been better," he offers. "Since I started living as a boy, it's been better. I know you're scared, and well... I'm scared too, so..." he looks back to Tara. "I think it's be better for someone else to go first. I can wait, and it will make Clarice way more comfortable, and that's important too."

Tara offers the young man a smile and a nod. "Of course Theo, if that is your wish. I will so my research with the pigs, and share the results with you and your sister. If it goes as I believe it will, I will them proceed to another transgender looking to for the change and report the results. I will not rush however, it is important to take each thing step by step."

Theo nods, "I understand." He looks to Clarice again. "That okay?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yes," Clarice agrees, distinctly relieved by Theo's decision, as she leans into her brother to wrap one arm around him. "That's absolutely okay. And I'm so glad to know things are indeed better now. That's all I really care about, ultimately. That things keep getting better for you."
    She grins as she adds, "Besides, apparently we're going to have a pet guinea pig soon. And that can only make things even better. I've never had a pet before." Her brow furrows as she adds, "Well, I think I won a goldfish at a carnival once? But we... left it in Barbados?"

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Pete chuckles softly as she says, "I think it's cute she thinks we're only getting one."

Theo laughs and shhhhs at Pete, "Hush, we can tell her about that later, when we go to pick them out!"

Tara lifts one brow, a coy smile playing on her lips. "They tag team you I see," she comments. "That is most unfair, but in this case I am afraid they are correct. Guinea pigs are better in pairs or groups. When the babies are old enough, since we know they are all female, I will let you know and you can come pick two for your room."

Theo grins over at Clarice. "Looks like you got back up." He leans into Clarice and hugs her to whisper in her ear. <"I really am doing better, I wasn't just making that up for your sake. It's been a /lot/ better.">

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "How... many are we gettting?" Clarice asks. She doesn't seem opposed, so much as caught off guard by this announcement from Pete. Lookig towards Tara she adds, "They do. They really do - but I didn't really have a choice here. Theo just looks so sad and forlorn when Pete's not around - it's just too pitiful. It turns out - brothers are better in pairs or groups." She sticks her tongue out at the boys, before leaning into the contact with Theo.
    "I didn't think you were," she murmurs in an equally quiet voice. You've seemed more... comfortable. Relaxed - ever since we went suit-shopping."
    "Oh!" she suddenly adds at a more normal volume. "We're going to need to rent you boys tuxes - for the opening of the Genoshan Embassay. Just so you know."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Both Pete and Theo sits up straighter, staring at Clarice, but it's Theo who speaks. "Wait, we're getting an Embassy?! Really?!" The 'wooooooo!' from the both of them is a little deafening, but they are both proud Genoshans, so this is big news.

"Can mine have tails?" Pete asks, because he has to be flashy yet stylish. The poor kid wants to be more bold and out there, flamboyant and free, but at the same time he's terrified of new people... he's getting better.

"A tuxedo," Theo muses, rubbing his hands together. "Soooo many choices, and they have to be just right or they look like you slept in them no matter what you do."

Tara takes another sip of the cognac, having decided she likes it. Alcohol doesn't effect her like it does most people, or rather it would take a lot of alcohol to have an effect.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "If you want tails, tails you shall have," Clarice answers with an amused smile. "I'm glad you guys are excited. Good news for Theo, guinea pigs, and tuxedos. What else could you ask for?"
    She looks over towards Tara as she stage whispers, "I spoil them. They both deserve it, though. So long as they keep up with their school work." They won't end up like her. Well - they already hadn't before she even entered the picture but- still.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara shifts her feline eyes between the boys before looking back to Clarice.

"They are a fine pair, and to answer the guinea pig question, usually two is acceptable, though they my try to talk you into more." She takes the last little sip of the cognac, "This is a fine drink Clarice, thank you for sharing it with me. There is a large number of things I have never tried, but now I know that this is one my brother would like and will take him some when I next return home."

Theo wiggles his brows as he looks at Pete, Claric e knows there is a conversation happening there, before Pete is the one who says, "Three, we want three guinea pigs so we can name them Winifred, Sarah, and Mary."

Theo just nods, "One of Pete's favorite movies, Hocus Pocus."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You know what? One second," Clarice climbs to her feet, moving back into her bedroom. She isn't long before she returns with what is actually the last two unopened bottles from her case of cognac. She didn't mind, though - she could always buy more. "Here," she offers, holding it out to Tara. "For everything you've been doing for us - please accept a gift," she says sincerely. "One for you to enjoy - and one for your brother."
    She looks between the two boys before she asks, "What's Hocus Pocus?"
    Whether or not the boys finish the homework before, or after they force Clarice to watch a movie is up for debate.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara cants her head, one ear turning slightly as her tail flicks.

"That is very kind of you, Clarice," she says as she accepts the two bottle. "Thank you very much. I will likely share with Hank, but my brother will keep his hidden and all to himself."

Now she stands, which allows her tail to flick even more wildly for a moment, it really hates being stuck on couches. "I believe I will go and find Hank at this point, he is probably wondering where I got off to. I will make sure he shows me the garden before we go."

Pete stares at Clarice, and is already starting to find a copy of the movie while Theo just shakes his head and says, "Clare, Clare, Clare... you are /so/ going to see this movie tonight."