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The Cohen Clover

Caroline & The Chancellor C

copyright comidacomida 2024

Caroline had been out on the streets of Ka Hoda on a number of occasions and with different members of the Chancellor's council over the course of the months she'd lived at his manor on Shattered Earth but the following morning she was up early with a strange sense of excitement. Perhaps it was because she was finally getting a chance to see some of the inner workings of facilities she hadn't been previously allowed to visit, or perhaps it was because she would finally be joined by Chancellor Calther himself but, regardless of the reason, she was ready to go well over an hour ahead of schedule.

She made her way down the grand staircase down to the ground floor where she was greeted by many of the staff, and Kalsur. The young Akita stood at attention as much as the rest of the Oolou. Caroline greeted each of the staff by name, getting a courteous nod from each, and she paused at the Chancellor's son. "Good morning, Kalsur. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Kalsur's left ear flicked and he failed to meet her gaze as he proffered an arm, speaking to her in English rather than the Oolou tongue. "Father wanted me to bring you to breakfast. He said I need to spend some time with you and to get to know you."

The Human woman slid her arm into his; his words were surprisingly casual for an Oolou and it created an obvious shift from his formal demeanor and body language. Nevertheless she followed his lead by speaking English as well. "He means well, I'm certain. I apologize if it creates an imposition for you."

The young Akita reached up with his free paw to adjust his ascot; she was surprised when he dropped the formal Oolou dialect when speaking English and regarded her casually. "Nah. Not really, Doctor Ashley. I... would have just been reading on my tablet anyway."

Offering a smile in return to the statement, Caroline pressed further. "Oh? And what have you been reading as of late, pray tell?"

Kalsur's steps slowed and he came to a stop, turning to look at her with one ear turned sideways, a wary expression on his muzzle. "When Emmy spoke in Human languages she sounded like a Human, not an Oolou."

Caroline took a moment to assess her responses to Kalsur's statements and she realized what he meant: there was a certain antique dialectic to the Oolou language and translating that literally into English was very '19th century'. She resolved to correct that and started with her question, stating it as casually as she could think of. "Does hearing a literal translation bug you? You want me to cut it out?"

His ear righted itself and his tail started to wag. Kalsur shot a quick glance over his shoulder at the servants then back to her. "Honesty? Yeah. It's... kinda weird."

The Human woman continued to maintain a well-mannered demeanor, covering her giggle with a gloved hand, but she let her words lose their formal tone. "The Unity Programme respects the cultures of other Earths and Oolou are formal, so it's something I do by reflex."

The young Akita continued onward, arm still locked to hers. "It took awhile for Emma to stop doing it around me too so that's fine. I think I like Humans better when you're being you and not Oolou."

Caroline glanced his way as they walked on; she noticed that they were not heading toward the dining room but she focused on a more pressing thought. "Not that I mind, but you seem different this morning."

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, tail starting to wag faster, but his voice remained neutral. "Different how?"

She had always preferred honesty, so she kept with that approach. "Before now I got the feeling that you didn't want me around."

Kalsur laughed aloud at that, tail stopping as he quickly composed himself, glancing over his shoulder at the disapproval glances of the household servants before he addressed her comment. "Emma called me 'complicated'. Don't take it personally, Doctor Ashley. I'm not angry with you or anything... not really. I just didn't want Emma to leave... but what you said yesterday morning? ...Thank you."

Caroline couldn't help but speak up on that regard. "I'm glad you don't blame me... you shouldn't blame the Chancellor either, you know."

For the first time, Kalsur seemed like a real teenager, a dour expression on his muzzle as he shrugged. "Yeah... I guess not."

Only once the young Akita made the right-hand turn at the main hall did the Human realize where she was being led. "We're heading out?"

Kalsur nodded, pausing to switch back into the Oolou language as he opened the door respectfully for her. "Indeed, Dr Ashley. Father wished to start early so we will be taking our breakfast in the carriage."

Following his lead in returning to the Akita's native tongue she nodded her head to the Oolou servants at the door before addressing Kalsur. "Oh. That sounds lovely."

Having not eaten 'on the go' on Shattered Earth before that morning, Caroline didn't know what to expect, but she was pleasantly surprised when Kalsur helped her up into the carriage and saw a fold-out table situated with a number of easy to-go pastries, cakes, and hand-pies on platters waiting for her. Kalsur climbed up behind her and slid onto the bench across the table from her. He offered a muted smile. "The pies with the orange crust are very enjoyable, Dr. Ashley. I suggest trying one of those first."

Taking the suggestion into consideration, Caroline looked across the spread; she began selecting items for her plate even as the young Oolou did but she refrained from eating, knowing it would be poor manners until her fiance showed. Chancellor Calther was timely to a fault, showing up only a few minutes before they were set to depart. The coachman helped him up and he slid in next to his son, smiling warmly across the table to Caroline. "Good morning, Ash... I hope you slept well."

Kalsur's ears went up and his eyes alternated between the two of them before he turned to the Chancellor. "Father, do you believe it prudent to refer to Dr Ashley--"

Calther reached up and patted his son on the head. "Ash and I are to be wed soon, Kalsur. She and I spoke of this last night-- she is to call me by my first name, and she stated in no uncertain terms that she prefers to be called Ash rather than Caroline so, yes... not only is it prudent, but it is in direct acknowledgement of her wishes."

The late-teen Oolou's ears flattened dejectedly; he reached up and smoothed out his head fur. "Understood."

Smiling, Caroline met the agitated young Akita's eyes as she said "If you are going to be my stepson, then I would very much like it if you would also call me Ash, Kalsur."

Kalsur's ears raised immediately and he opened his mouth to speak, but Calther spoke up first. "In private, please. In public you should still be mindful that she is an esteemed Doctor among the Humans, and refer to her as such."

The discussion died off after that with breakfast starting. Caroline was astounded at the first bite she took of the pie suggested by Kalsur; he was definitely right to recommend it. The entire meal, though obviously designed 'to go' was no less pleasant than those they took in the dining room, and, while the rocking and swaying of the carriage didn't make eating while paying attention to proper etiquette the easiest thing in the world, it was still a fun and unique experience.

Once the meal came to an end Kalsur obediently collected the platter and silverware in a canvas bag and stowed it beneath the bench before he and the Chancellor raised the hinged platform that had served as their table, creating more space for them within the carriage. Only when the barrier between them had been raised did Calther speak. "I hope you do not mind the escorts I had assigned us today."

Caroline moved the curtains aside from the carriage's window, taking note for the first time that their retinue was not the usual company of attendants, rather, they wore the work uniforms of Ka Hoda's police force. She was honestly surprised. "Guards? Why?"

The Chancellor offered a reassuring smile. "Precautionary measures, I assure you, Ash. There is no cause for alarm but, as you may have read some of the security reports, there are still certain elements within Ka Hoda who are... 'jumpy'."

Dr Ashley had indeed read the reports; as with Water Earth, there were certain segments of the population that feared Humans... and for good cause; the weaponry the Unity Programme brought with them for protection purposes were truly frightening for any race that didn't excel in war the same way Humans did. Considering the Oolou had essentially disarmed after the nuclear war that almost drove them to extinction, the weapons that the Seekers had created since then were scarcely more advanced than pneumatic crossbows.

Even as she considered the ramifications of fearful Oolou Kalsur reached out and placed a paw on her arm. "Father and I both gave our word to Emmy that we would look out for you, Ash. You'll be safe. I promise."

Calther cleared his throat pointedly, glancing sidelong at his son, who drew his paw back, ears lowering slightly. Once Kalsur was seated once more, the Chancellor turned toward Caroline, offering a placating smile. "Despite my ex-wife's son's overly-excitable admission, it is my plan to protect you with more than promises and optimism, my dear. We have six well trained personnel and this carriage is reinforced against burst thrower shots; the windows are covered, and Chairman Eskon solicited the assistance of the Unity Programme's security team to verify our route was free of any possible trouble."

Although Caroline wasn't particularly anxious she had to admit the reassurances helped what little concern she had. "Dughl went to THAT great a length just to clear our trip through Ka Hoda?"

The Chancellor laughed heartily and spoke in a surprisingly casual, mirthful tone. "Working with the Chairman on a first-name basis after only three months? You are fortunate that I'm not the jealous type, Ash."

She offered a wry smirk in opposition. "You and I are on a first name basis after just two days. I feel it's safe to say that you have no competition, Calther."

Raising an eyebrow, the older Akita's ears also raised as a mischievous smirk split his muzzle. "Perhaps I'll be more secure when you're calling me 'husband'."

Kalsur rolled his eyes and went to peeking out at the road past the curtains. Offering a smile to the Chancellor, Caroline focused once again on the younger Oolou. "You know... I miss Emilia too. I was mentored by her too, you know."

Chancellor Calther's ears raised slightly once again as he watched the Human speak to his son and a smile spread across his muzzle. He remained quiet, taking a backseat in the discussion once he saw that Caroline had caught Kalsur's attention. She was surprised at just how quickly the younger Akita opened up as she discussed all of the many idiosyncrasies of being Emilia Loris' mentee. Every now and again Caroline glanced at the older Oolou, each time seeing him watching wordlessly, a warm smile in place on his elated face.

She lost track of how long she and Kalsur spent talking but things started to grow quiet as the sunlight on the thin curtains dimmed; even though she didn't look out the window she could tell that they were entering the city proper since downtown Ka Hoda had four and five story buildings which were plenty tall enough to block out the morning sun. Calther must have noticed her glance; his warm baritone spoke up. "You're welcome to open the curtains, my dear... we should be drawing close to town center at this point, and the campus is breathtaking in the morning light." He rapped the wall behind himself with the head of his walking cane and barked. "NIKAS! STOP THE CARRIAGE!"

At her fiance's insistence, Caroline slid the curtain aside and peered out the window. She had been in the Unity Programme Square before, but never so early in the morning, and Calther was not overselling. The carriage had pulled up to the walkway on the outside of the roundabout in the center of the square, providing her a full view of the statute placed in the green space surrounded by road. The statue depicted a Human extending a hand and an Oolou reaching out to accept it, both facing a quarter toward one another, and a quarter toward the east so that they would both be lit by the dawning sun.

Behind the statue on the opposite side of the roundabout Caroline could see Unity Plaza, a large pedestrian area which was framed by two large buildings. The front of the Cultural Library was lit by the golden light of the morning and next to it was the Shattered Earth Unity Centre stood serenely with the dawn lighting up its many windows, which was glowing brightly to greet the day. It was early yet so there were not many people in the plaza, but Caroline could imagine how busy it would be once the school day started.

Kalsur's voice pulled Caroline out of her reverie, his dour tone poignant with obvious displeasure. "I was supposed to attend classes at the Unity Centre, but they would not let me since I was unable to take the entrance exam."

Chancellor Calther let out a calm sigh. "But that led you to having Dr. Loris tutor you privately, Kalsur... and that turned out to be a much better option for you in the long run, as I am sure you would agree."

The younger Akita's thin black lips drew even thinner as he forced a neutral expression onto his muzzle; Caroline could tell that he was still dejected despite the reassurance. Reaching across the carriage interior, the Human woman patted Kalsur's forearm. "You speak amazingly for not having a formal UC education, you know."

The statement seemed to perk him up a little, but he still said nothing, glancing out the window toward the statue. The Chancellor, on the other hand, was happy to acknowledge the praise. "Dr. Loris is an amazing instructor... that much is true. Not only did she tutor Kalsur, but she also worked extensively with me on my pronunciation... It is to my everlasting shame that it took me MONTHS to be able to pronounce my wife's name."

A faint smirk appeared on Kalsur's muzzle as he spoke in English "It took me less than three weeks. M's aren't THAT hard."

Caroline didn't miss the way that Kalsur's casual tone and word usage returned when he switched to English. Calther's, however didn't, as he maintained a degree of formality. "Be that as it may, learning is not a race except against one's own progress and, I am certain the gracious Doctor Ashley would agree that we are both at least passingly fluent."

Smiling, Caroline laughed when both Oolou looked at her for input, and she responded likewise in English "You are both excellent conversationalists regardless of the language. I hope I make at least half as good an impression in your language!"

The three shared a surprisingly stress-free laugh, and Caroline's smile came even easier; it wasn't just relaxing to see father and son get along so well, it was gratifying and reassuring. Her first impressions of a hidden tension between them may have been accurate, but she was glad to know that they could put it aside and come together as a family if the situation warranted it. Careful not to call attention to it for the sake of avoiding potential conflict in clashing personalities, Caroline just basked in the moment, enjoying the pleasant peace as she slowly closed the curtains before saying "And, unless I'm mistaken, we're heading to the processing center next, yes?"

Chancellor Calther nodded with certainty despite the faint lilt to his ears. "Correct, my dear.. presuming that is still what you desire."

Caroline had heard time and time again that the processing center, which was the polite way to reference the slaughter house was not for sensitive sensibilities or the faint of heart, but she knew that the way food was handled by a culture was an important component to understanding it and, until that point, nobody had given her leave. "Yes. I've heard enough about it that I feel it prudent to at least visit."

Kalsur interjected, returning to the much more formal Oolou language. "It would be far more prudent to NOT visit, Doctor Ashley... the processing center is not a pleasant place and it is known to be very upsetting. Emm-- Dr. Loris had nightmares for days after her walk-through of it when she first arrived, and she never went back... for good reason."

Glancing at the younger Akita, Caroline's conviction faltered for just a moment when she saw the firm set of his jaw, the way his ears laid back, and the slightly widened eyes, but she resolved to follow through with her plan. It didn't stop her from asking after Kalsur's discomfort. "Have you visited the processing center, Kalsur?"

He fidgeted, growling out the clearing of his throat as he reached up to stroke one of his ears. "Ah. I... yes. Mother had her steward walk me through it a few years past... she had said it would build character, and encourage me to respect the quality of life she has been giving me... all because I had asked her about the--"

Caroline hadn't realized that Calther reacted until the older Akita had tapped the edge of the youth's foot paw with his cane. "Be mindful of your words, Kalsur... it would not be respectful of your family or our guest if you were to begin speaking ill of your mother."

Glancing back and forth between the two Oolou, she watched as Kalsur's defiant resolve dissolved in the face of his father's surprisingly stern countenance; the Human couldn't recall the last time she'd seen such an obvious expression of authority from the Chancellor. The younger Akita eventually caved and nodded. "Of course. I apologize, father." He then turned to Caroline. "Please forgive me, Dr. Ashley... I was perhaps a little too free with my words but, suffice to say, I am certain that visiting the processing center will not be a pleasant experience for you."

Smiling reassuringly, Caroline reached across the cabin of the carriage and rested a hand on the younger Ooou's forearm. "Thank you for the warning, Kalsur. I have no doubt that it will be harrowing, but not everything that we have to do in life will be pleasant."

Nodding, the Chancellor tapped the wall behind himself with the head of his cane and barked out "NIKAS! LET US BE UNDERWAY AGAIN!"

The driver heard based on the fact that the carriage began moving again. The cabin was quiet for quite some time as Caroline considered what she was on her way to see while the Oolou traveling with her held their own council, apparently having nothing more to say on the matter. After what was probably close to a half an hour, a gentle knock rapped against the wooden wall from behind Calther. Nikas, the carriage driver spoke up loud enough that Caroline was able to hear the Samoyed. "We've reached Lowtown, Chancellor."

Dr Ashley had visited Lowtown on a few occasions but the trips were not common as she would have liked since the Council didn't see any reason to 'put her at risk'. She understood that not all Seeker Oolou liked the idea of the Unity Programme and, as such there was a small but vocal faction that greatly opposed it, but Caroline never considered the possibility that there was any real chance for danger. She also knew that the Council always erred on the site of caution and, as such, they tried to reduce the likelihood of increased tension between city factions; many of them had said as much on many occasions.

She was so caught up with her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed Calther; across from her the Chancellor had slid open the curtains from the window and was staring out at the scenery, ears flat against his head, a distant, forlorn gaze in his eyes. Caroline went to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. She tried again, pushing the words out quietly. "Is everything alright, Calther?"

He snapped out of whatever daze he had been in, ears slowly rising again as he made an obviously poor attempt at hiding his dismay. "Oh... ah... quite alright, Ash, yes... thank you. I was just... thinking."

Caroline didn't relent. "I've seen you thinking before, and you don't normally come across as a flat-head."

The term 'flat head' was a social term to describe the way Oolou ears flattened back against their head when they were worried or afraid, and referenced someone who was obviously worried, in which case the term could be applied to them directly. She had never found a reason to use it before but, in that moment, the Chancellor was definitely a flat-head. Kalsur spoke up to condemn him. "Mother has always said that Father was opposed to airing his concerns to anyone and preferred to weather them alone."

Calther shot his son a glance and it was accompanied by a faint growl. "Uncouth, Kalsur... not only did you speak on my behalf, but you did so with hearsay." The older Akita let out a sigh, "Though not entirely unfounded either... I will admit that I try to avoid troubling others with my concerns."

Caroline reached forward to rest a hand on each of their paws. "Gentlemen... I am going to become wife to one of you, and stepmother to the other. I WANT you to share your concerns with me. I WANT to know your fears, and I WANT you to let me know when you need my help. This may be a formality of my role in the household and as part of the Unity Programme, but I take it seriously."

She was surprised when father and son both nodded, lowering their heads before guiltily speaking in unison "Yes, ma'am."

Honestly surprised that worked on not just one but both of them, Dr Ashley smiled, leaning back against her seat. After a brief pause she glanced back at the Chancellor, who was looking down at his gloved paws, left resting atop the right on the head of his cane. She waited until he glanced her way. "Does visiting Lowtown bother you?"

Calther sighed, glancing out the window. "The Lower Caste struggles daily in Ka Hoda. They do not have easy lives and they bear the hardships of our people far more than the Middle or Upper Caste."

Caroline nodded. "Yes... I learned about the division before coming here, but I haven't had much of an opportunity to work with the Lower Caste."

The Chancelor clicked his tongue in his muzzle, a sour expression on his face. "I am working to fix that, Ash... I promise you. The Unity Programme will change things... it will make all this better."

When Emmy explained to Caroline before she transferred to Shattered Earth that the Chancellor was a strange combination of a hopeless dreamer and a dedicated social warrior the young woman didn't know what to think and during her three months under the same roof as the older Oolou every impression she got was a dutiful public servant and an almost obsessive perfectionist; her impression was very quickly changing, and she honestly fond herself liking her new opinion of him. Smiling softly, she waited until he looked her way again. "The Unity Programme can't work miracles, but we want to make a positive difference in every Earth we encounter... but that takes a lot of effort on the part of our hosts too."

Calther offered a reserved but obviously earnest smile. "The Unity Programme will have every bit of support we can muster. You have my word."

In that moment, with the warmth of his smile, the light from the curtains highlighting half his face and the eye in shadow glimmering with the green glow of canine night vision it suddenly struck her: Calther was moving toward the later years of middle age, but there was still a lot of vitality in him and, despite him being an Oolou, he was still by her measure, a handsome man. She found herself blushing, and quickly looked away before she inadvertently made a fool of herself. In order to quickly gloss over the awkward moment she cleared her throat and spoke up. "After dinner last night during my talk with Chairman Olarus, he had brought up your life before being elected as Chancellor..."

Glancing her way, the Chancellor's ears rose and, for a moment, she was certain she saw the hint of a blush along their insides. He spoke quickly, with the hint of a smirk. "Ah yes, I recall... you mentioned that the two of you discussed my proclivity for limiting my intake of luxury foods."

Caroline found herself blushing again but forced her awkwardness into the back of her mind before pressing forward. "I wanted to know more about your upbringing. Although I heard that it is possible for members of a Caste to change their station, I have not heard of any firsthand stories and I would like to know more about your own experience."

A good-natured smile replaced his impish smirk and he set his cane aside, setting his paws in his lap, fingers interlaced and thumbs touching one another. "Well, considering you are my finance, the least I could do would be to provide you a little insight into my past... but I trust you will be just as open with me when I inquire after your own youth."

The young woman smiled back, spreading her arms. "I am an open-book for my future husband..." she paused, glancing over at Kalsur, smiling when he met her eyes. "and his son." She was pleased to see that, despite him looking away, his tail wagged.

Letting out a wistful sigh, Calther leaned back in his seat. "Well... let's see... where to begin? I suppose the best place to start is to confirm that yes, you are correct: my family was one of the better off houses of the Middle Caste and my parents spared no expense in attempting to secure better for me. I was fortunate enough to have the funding of my parents, uncles and aunts on both sides, and all four grandparents. While education is free within Ka Hoda, it is based on caste, and the learning required for a Higher Caste role requires a lot of money to cover private tutors."

His brief overview confirmed with everything she had learned about Ka Hoda's social structure. I see... and I can imagine that was probably a difficult path. Did you always want to find a place in the Higher Caste?"

Calther chuckled softly. "Honestly? No... at one time I had wanted to be an artist... at another I was studying to be ah..." he paused, "How do you say it in English? A...." his muzzle scrunched up in thought. "a Yuchta."

Caroline shook her head. "I don't know that word."

Kalsur interjected. "A 'Touch Therapist'."

The Human woman considered that. "Like... a Massage Therapist?"

The older Akita smiled. "Something of the sort. It is not exactly the same. It involves all kinds of touch, like massage, but also pressure on key points."

Caroline and Kalsur spoke up at the same time "Acupressure."

The two ended up laughing at their joint statement, but the humor was cut short from a shout outside the carriage; Caroline hadn't realized their transport had stopped but that became apparent when a heavy weight struck the door and, a moment later, a ratty, dirty-looking Alsatian pulled it open. One paw gripped the door frame and the other left the handle of the door in order to reach up and grab the handle from the blade he held clutched in his muzzle, blood-lust in his eyes.

From outside the carriage the guards shouted again. "ASSASSIN!"