Editing Shaking Hands 9.1

{{infobox chapter
| work       = Pale
| book       = Shaking Hands
| number     = 9.1
| dateposted = 9-2-2021 
| link       = [https://palewebserial.wordpress.com/2021/02/09/shaking-hands-9-1/ {{PAGENAME}}]
| previous   =[[Vanishing Points 8.8]] 
| next       =[[Shaking Hands 9.2]]
}}

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the first chapter of [[Shaking Hands]]. Lucy has a nightmare. The girls meet up with Lis and attend a meeting with the expanded Kennet Council. After introductions, a proposal is made and the trio reaffirm their convictions to Kennet. 

==Plot==
[[Alpeana]] sends Lucy a nightmare in which [[Booker Ellingson|Booker]] is involved in a fatal collision with a drunk driver. Within the dream, Alpeana warns Lucy that the Carmine's replacement doesn't intend to make things better after taking power. She delivers a message from [[Crooked Rook]], who believes that the original council members have too much unchecked power and that none of the new Others in town trust the [[Kennet Trio]] yet.   

Lucy wakes up, checks on Booker and [[Jasmine Ellingson|her mom]], and drifts back to sleep.  
----
We rejoin Lucy and [[Jasmine Ellingson]] around lunchtime as Booker wakes up hungover after their night out drinking with friends. Trying his best to consume Jasmine's best "hangover cure," Booker shares an unusual dream that he and [[Alyssa]] had that resembled a drunk driving PSA. While making plans to spent time together, Alyssa arrives, also hungover, and offers Lucy the last breakfast pastry. Alyssa opts for the same drink that Booker is having. 
----
The perspective shifts to the parking lot next to a playground where some children are playing. Lucy shares Alpeana's message with Avery and Verona while they wait to meet with someone. After the children leave the park, one remains behind. The remaining child reveals herself to be [[Lis]], taking the form of an individual with traits from Lucy, Avery, and Verona merged into one. Lis talks about herself and shares her opinion on several of the new Kennet Others. Lucy considers Rook's warning from her conversation with Alpeana about Others who are quick to trust. 

The group arrives at [[Matthew Moss|Matthew]] and [[Edith James|Edith]]'s house, where they wait for everyone to arrive.  

[[Cherrypop]] starts off the meeting by fighting and losing to both a small unnamed goblin and [[Cig]]. Matthew then suggests to the [[Kennet Trio]] that they have the option to back out of much of the conflict since the Others never intended for the girls to face so much danger and hardship. Lucy asks them to state what they are asking for directly and Edith responds. 

The Others of [[Kennet]] want a truce, a firm statement that the girls won't bother them if they don't bother the girls. Lucy refuses and reaffirms their commitment to their initial deal with the Others of Kennet. After gauging the response of those present, Lucy becomes uneasy, as the new inductees seem unhappy with the deal in its initial terms. 

==Major Events==
*Alpeana warns Lucy about the Kennet others in a nightmare.
*The girls restate their commitment and intent to remain involved in the protection of Kennet and its people.

==Characters==
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
! scope="col" |
|-
|
===[[Kennet Trio]]===
*[[Lucy]]
*[[Verona]]
*[[Avery]]
**[[Snowdrop]]
===[[Kennet Others]]===
*[[Alpeana]]
*[[Bluntmunch]]
*[[Charles Abrams]]
*[[Cherrypop]]
*[[Edith James]]
*[[Gashwad]]
*[[Guilherme]]
*[[John Stiles]]
*[[Matthew Moss]]
*[[Maricica]]
*[[Sir Toadswallow]]
*New Kennet Others
**[[Butty]]
**[[Chloe]]
**[[Cig]]
**[[Doglick]]
**[[Jabber]]
**[[Ken]]
**[[Lis]]
**[[Montague]]
**[[Nat]]
**[[Nibble]]
**[[Tashlit]]
**6 or so other goblins

===[[Innocence|Innocents]]===
*[[Alyssa]]
*[[Booker Ellingson]]
*[[Jasmine Ellingson]]

===Mentioned===
*Alchemists/enchanters
*[[Alexander Belanger]]
*Bogeyman strapped to a spiked wheel
*Booker's friends
*[[Brett Hayward]]
*[[Crooked Rook]]
*[[Hungry Choir]]
*[[Jeremy Clifford]]
*[[Kerry Kelly]]
*[[Lawrence Bristow]]
*[[Melissa Oakham]]
*[[Mr. Bader]]
*[[Raymond Sunshine]]
*[[Sheridan Kelly]]
*Wind elemental
*Witch hunters
|}