Editing Shaking Hands 9.2

{{infobox chapter
| work       = Pale
| book       = Shaking Hands
| number     = 9.2
| dateposted = 13-2-2021 
| link       = [https://palewebserial.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/shaking-hands-9-2/ {{PAGENAME}}]
| previous   =[[Shaking Hands 9.1]] 
| next       =[[Shaking Hands 9.3]]
}}

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the second chapter of [[Shaking Hands]]. 

The Kennet council meeting continues. [[Charles Abrams|Charles]] and [[John Stiles|John]] discuss the perimeter and patrols. [[Avery Kelly|Avery]] asks if friendly practitioners can be invited into town. The girls get acquainted with the [[Nibble]] and [[Chloe]]. [[Matthew Moss|Matthew]] offers a piece of land to use as her Demesne, while [[Verona Hayward|Verona]] contemplates change and permanence. 

==Plot==
The chapter begins with [[Edith James|Edith]] outlining the three main problems facing [[Kennet]] in the moment. She speaks of [[Melissa Oakham]], the invading Others who have escaped detection, and the handling of the perimeter. The [[Kennet Trio|Kennet trio]] is tasked with handling the Melissa situation, but Verona says that they want to help with the other problems as well. 

[[Ken]] is able to sense the general mood and motives of the invading Others, but cannot pinpoint their location. [[Cig]], [[Lis]], and the [[Goblin|goblins]] are assigned to locating them, and [[Sir Toadswallow|Toadswallow]] goes on a Verona-instigated tangent about the practice of goblins acting as "Tods" looking for "Barneys." The girls are asked to keep an eye out for these Others as well. 

[[Charles Abrams|Charles]] takes over the discussion as things are proceed to the topic of the perimeter. Charles describes the purpose of the perimeter in three parts: sapping from and making Kennet inhospitable to intruders, acting as an outright barrier, and alerting Kennet Others of trouble. He describes the barrier as a house of cards, and speaks about how difficult of a task it would be to reassemble the pieces. Regarding the alarm system, it currently is nonfunctional due to the Carmine influence. 

As the talk turns to patrols, [[John Stiles|John]] takes over. The girls offer to join in on patrols, but aren't able to set a clear schedule. Verona asks about Nibble and Chloe's food supply, and [[Matthew Moss|Matthew]] suggests they join the two of them on their patrol if they want to have that discussion. 

The floor is opened up to questions for the Kennet trio, in. which [[Montague]] brings up the obligation for each of them to receive gifts from the new Others. After some unpleasant discussion, [[Guilherme]] suggests that the girls can ask for gifts after they help out any of the new Others, and that these deals are secondary to the primary duties relating to the threats Kennet faces. 

Avery announces her intent to take [[Snowdrop]] as her familiar. She then asks for permission to bring other practitioners to Kennet, on the condition that they agree to help out and keep quiet. Matthew promises to discuss the request and plans another meeting for the next day without inviting the girls. Patrols are assigned and Matthew adjourns the meeting.

Afterward, the girls join Matthew, Nibble, Chloe, and [[Tashlit]] on the ghoul's patrol. Lucy, Avery, and Verona question the ghouls as they walk in an effort to learn more about them. 

Edith presents a large plot of land overlooking the town as a possible [[Demesne]] for Verona. Verona asks for the time to think about it, and she is eventually left alone by the plot to consider the offer. She reflects on idea of setting down roots, and the permanence of the decisions that she has made and will make in the future. 

==Major Events==
*The girls discuss how to best manage threats to Kennet with the Kennet council.
*Avery announces her intent to take Snowdrop as a familiar to the Kennet council.
*Verona is offered a demesne by the Kennet Others.

==Characters==
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
! scope="col" |
|-
|
===[[Kennet Trio]]===
*[[Lucy]]
*[[Verona]]
*[[Avery]]
**[[Snowdrop]]
===[[Kennet Others]]===
*[[Bluntmunch]]
*[[Charles Abrams]]
*[[Cherrypop]]
*[[Edith James]]
*[[Guilherme]]
*[[John Stiles]]
*[[Matthew Moss]]
*[[Maricica]]
*[[Sir Toadswallow]]
*New Kennet Others
**[[Biscuit]]
**[[Chloe]]
**[[Cig]]
**[[Doglick]]
**[[Humpydump]]
**[[Jabber]]
**[[Ken]]
**[[Lis]]
**[[Montague]]
**[[Nibble]]
**[[Ramjam]]
**[[Tashlit]]
**misc. goblins

===Mentioned===
*[[America Tedd]]
*[[Booker Ellingson]]
*[[Brett Hayward]]
*[[Crooked Rook]]
*[[Faith]]
*[[Jeremy Clifford]]
*[[Jessica Casabien]]
*[[Lawrence Bristow]]
*[[Liberty Tedd]]
*[[Melissa Oakham]]
*[[Nicolette Belanger]]
*Plague Doctor Other
*[[Rad Ray Sunshine]]
*[[Sharon Griggs]]
*Warmed Cow Shit (Verona's lawnmower)
*Wraith
*[[Zed Sadler]]
|}