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Legal Notice: This story is Copyright © 2003-present by Joe Martelle. This story may not be sold or used for commercial profit in any form or fashion. This story may not be modified in any way. This story may not be posted on a mirror site or any other Internet site without the written permission of the author. This story may not be distributed on print, magnetic, electrical or optical mediums.\nRick Coona, Gwen Smith Coona, Kacy “KC” Coona, Kirk Otterman, Mike Ferretti, Cassy Bhunny Ferretti, Max Badger, Kath Badger, Bill Badger, Ted Badger, Bruno, Lupé Carlotta, Panda Phil, Jo-Ann Procyon, Charles Procyon, Marcus Procyon, Jack Canus, Esmerelda Smyth, Richard Coona, Helen Coona, Max Coona, Sally Coona, et.al. © Joe Martelle\n\nAny resemblance to any person or fur, living, dead, or fictional is coincidental", "description_bbcode_parsed": "
An Anthropomorphic Novel

This is a work of fiction and is not intended to portray any actual events, persons living or dead or undead; or any character in a virtual environment or from any other printed work. Legal Notice: This story is Copyright © 2003-present by Joe Martelle. This story may not be sold or used for commercial profit in any form or fashion. This story may not be modified in any way. This story may not be posted on a mirror site or any other Internet site without the written permission of the author. This story may not be distributed on print, magnetic, electrical or optical mediums.
Rick Coona, Gwen Smith Coona, Kacy “KC” Coona, Kirk Otterman, Mike Ferretti, Cassy Bhunny Ferretti, Max Badger, Kath Badger, Bill Badger, Ted Badger, Bruno, Lupé Carlotta, Panda Phil, Jo-Ann Procyon, Charles Procyon, Marcus Procyon, Jack Canus, Esmerelda Smyth, Richard Coona, Helen Coona, Max Coona, Sally Coona, et.al. © Joe Martelle

Any resemblance to any person or fur, living, dead, or fictional is coincidental", "writing": "[center]Chapter 30\nSpells, Charms, And Bar-B-Que[/center]\n\n\tWhen Kel pulled into my place, the first thing she noticed was the wonderful smell of Mesquite wood smoke. Yup, Bar-B-Que. Gwen met her at the door, in the standard dress of the Coona household; her fur.\n\t\"Hello Amanda, welcome. Aren't you a little overdressed for this party?\" Gwen teased with a wink. \"Oh...I…uh...am I?\" Kel stammered.\n\t\"Oh relax love. Can I get you anything?\" Kel's stomach took that moment to growl. It was definitely aroused from its slumber by the tantalizing aroma, wafting about.\n\t\"Okay, that settles it. You need a snack.\" Gwen chuckled, leading Kel into the kitchen.\n\t\"Yeah, I kinda missed lunch—and breakfast too, now that I think about it. Oh, where should I put these?\" indicating the notebooks.\n\t\"Dream Journals?\" Gwen asked, Kel nodded. \"On my desk in the Den, leave your book \tthere too.\" When she returned to the kitchen, Gwen handed her a glass of thick red liquid,\n\t\"What is it?\" Kel asked. \"V8 and wasabe, it'll help patch that gaping hole where your \tstomach used to be.\"\n\t\"Oh, I like V8.\" Kel said taking a tentative sip. \"Oh nice.\"\n\t\"Drink-Drink-Drink! Quick, before the wasabe has a chance to hit your sinuses.\" Gwen urged. Kel bolted the glass of juice. \"Aaah, That was- Woo Hot!\" Kel panted as the wasabe fumes crept into her sinus cavities. But her stomach, on the other paw, pounced on this new visitor and promptly quit complaining. \"Ooh, warm, Thanks.\" Kel purred, patted her belly and smiling at the skunk. \"Shall we check on the twins?\" Gwen asked as they headed for the patio.\n\t\"KELSO!\" KC almost squealed, rushing over and giving the vixen a welcoming hug.\n\t\"Aren't you a bit overdressed, girl?\" KC beamed.\n\t\"Oh, okay!\" Kel relented.\n \"Ooh, let me-let me!\" Kacy giggled as she helped quickly strip the vixen of her clothes. \"Now that's better.\" KC said, openly admiring the shapely red and cream vixen.\n\t\"Hey Kel, good to see you again.\" I said with an eyebrow twitch and Kel's muzzle 'poufed' in response. I then turned my attention to my sister. \"So Sis, how went your visit with Bruno?\" KC's eyes got dreamy and she hugged herself sighing, \"Wonderfully!\" She answered in a slightly husky voice. \"That bear can do things to me that nobody has ever been able to pull off.\" I smirked, shaking my head. Knowing her proclivities, that was saying a lot.\n\t\"Well, all I can tell you is, he was having a great night before that corpse walked in. Say, how's Cassy doing Kel? Didn't you tell Gwen you were just there?\"\n\t\"Oh, right. Um, she seems to be doing okay; that was one of the things I wanted to \tdiscuss with Gwen...she—she is expected to make a full recovery, But...\" The vixen visibly drooped. “But because the bullet is lodged in her spine, they are saying she can't have kids...\" \n\t\"Oh my God,” KC gasped. Kel nodded solemnly. “Yeah…and that's why I want to talk to \tGwen. Isn't there something that we can do for her?\" Kel pleaded.\n\t\"Interesting that you bring that up, Amanda. Rick and I were just discussing the possible options...well you all know what I say; there are no coincidences. Amanda's request is a clear sign that we must see what we can do to help Cassandra.\" Gwen pronounced. Kel turned to KC. \"What do you think?\"\n\t\"Oh I agree. It's just that my limited magical talent revolves around food: Flavor enhancing, Enjoyment and contentment charms. Things like that. I can look at a fur, and know exactly what they most desire; Food wise, that is.\" KC grinned, giving the vixen a rakish wink. \"For example, looking at you, Kelso...Lobster Florentine.\"\n\t“Oh-My-God! I only had that once and it was incredible!\" \n\t\"But tonight...\" KC looked at Kel.\"...Judging from your hunger levels, I'd say it's a fair bet you'd go for a nice, -rare- steak. Say...venison, about an inch-and-a-half thick.\" KC grinned, Bullseye!\n\t\"Shtop It! You’re making my mouse wha-ther!\" Kel said, slurping as she tried not to drool.\n\t\"Well, I've got some Venison Steaks marinating... Oh, Top em off with sautéed wild Morel Mushrooms.\" KC grinned; she had the vixen dead to rights...\n\t\"RIIICK! \" Kel cried. \"Kacy's Torturing ME!!!\" KC laughed good-naturedly. \n\t\"Okay-okay. It was just a demonstration.\" KC chuckled, paws raised in surrender.\n\t\"That's am amazing ability, KC. I didn't know you studied magic?\" Kel asked.\n\t\"It's just to augment my natural talent as a chef. To me honest, it's become second nature. But Rick and Gwen are the ones you want to go to for something like this. Rick has a talent similar to mine. He can tell you the best drink, etc. He's also an empath. So he can tell what's bugging you, and how best to solve it. He's also one hell of a Blackjack player!\" Kacy chuckled, taking Kel's paw. \n\tKel took the buxom raccoon in a hug then drifted back into the house. I was in the kitchen preparing something grill-able. \"Have you seen Gwen?\" she asked. \"Den\" I replied while tying up a stuffed butterflied buffalo roast; It smelled heavenly! Just as she was about to knock, Gwen bade her to enter. \"Come in, Amanda.\" She opened the door to see Gwen intently poring over her dream journals. Kel pulled up a chair and waited for her to finish. A few minutes later Gwen looked over at her. \n\t\"Very thoroughly documented. So, what did you learn?\" Kel blinked.\n\t\"Well... off the cuff, I'd have to say I went through the wringer.\" Kel paused. “...And through it all, the guardian was there, watching. And even in the depths of \tdespair, I knew I was never alone, for they were with me, a source of strength, and compassion...\" Kel closed her eyes—there in the darkness were the Dragon and Salamander. Watching, smiling.\n \"...Ask.\" it spoke to her soul. A picture of her desire for Cassy formed unbidden. \n\"Possible...”\n “Dangerous\" the salamander put in.\n \"Achievable.\" The Dragon's eyes flashed, causing Kel to blink. \n \"Did you hear that? The—\" \nGwen nodded solemnly. \"Yes...but know this Amanda...if she accepts the offer, it could prove fatal.\" Kel gasped involuntarily. \"For the lines of probability that I can see forming, Cassandra intends on giving Mike a child. Regardless of the danger to herself.\"\n\t\"...But…\" Kel whispered.\n\t\"Why?” Gwen answered for her, and the vixen nodded mutely. \"Love. It is more powerful than self-preservation. And Cassandra LOVES Mike, and he her. She is willing to take any risk to give him a child.\" Kel nodded, knowing Cassy's desire to have children.\n\t\"I know...Given a fifty/fifty chance of failure, she always looks at the fifty percent \tchance of success...\" \n\t\"...And in that lies her salvation. But before we proceed—it has been three days, Amanda. Do you wish to walk the paths of magic?\" Gwen gave Kel a penetrating stare.\n\t\"Oh...right. Yes, more so now than ever. For if I can help Cassy...I feel this is the direction my life is leading me, it is my... What was that word? Orlog? Yes. It is my Orlog to become a worker on the pathways of magic.\"\n\t\"...So be it. For in the Guardians’ eyes you have come through your ordeal unscathed. Tonight you shall stand before the Ancients and take your oath. Then—and only then—will you come under the Guardians’ full protection. And I will be able to teach you my craft.\" This sent a tingle of exhilaration racing down Kel’s spine to the tip of her tail. Nodding, Kel noticed something different about Gwen. Knotting her brow, she tilted her head slightly. \n\t\"What?\" Gwen asked at seeing Kel's expression.\n\t\"I—I don't know. I'm...seeing something. You look 'glowy.' You’re not pregnant, are you?\"\nKel blinked and her vision returned to 'normal'. Gwen paused, closing her eyes and looking inward. \"...Nooo, at least, not yet. Why?\"\n\t\"Wellll.\" Kel shook her head. \"I don't know, but the feeling I got when I saw you all glowy like that was, ‘she's pregnant.’\" Kel shrugged.\n\t\"Aah...\" Gwen nodded, \"It sounds like you are starting to see what are called 'Lines of Probability.’ They can indicate to you possible future events or outcomes. That's a good sign.\" Gwen smiled warmly at Kel. \"For from my own readings, that may become a reality fairly soon.\"\n\t\"Really?\" Kel eeped.\n\t\"Looks that way.\" Gwen beamed, chuckling at Kel's reaction.\n\t\"Oh wow! Congratulations, Gwen!\" A huge open muzzled grin crowned her face.\n\t\"Thanks. But it has not come to pass...yet.\" They both chuckled.\t\"Oh, right, yet. Gods Gwen, you’re going to be such a great Mom! I just can’t shake the image, I see you sitting there with a babe on each breast. Like you’re gonna have twins, I don't know Why, but that's what I See when I Look at you. So what do you think it means?\" Kel asked.\n\t\"Well...\" Gwen mused. \"Twins run down both sides of our family line, Rick and his twin, \tand so does my mother. So it's quite possibly that I will as well. We shall see.\" Gwen smiled at the pleasant thought. Kel had seen that slightly dreamy look before, on Cassy's face.\n\t\"So, shall we see what the twins are up to?\" Gwen asked, rising from her desk and heading for the door.\n# #\n\t\"Rick and KC were in the kitchen, an arm around each other, discussing their creations. Rick had made a buffalo roulade, stuffed with sixteen herbs and spices in a garlic paste, and wrapped with bacon. This was on the rotisserie over the Mesquite charcoal. Kacy had marinated venison steaks with sautéed wild Morel mushrooms; shredded cucumber salad, Japanese style; and of course, her signature \"Death-By-Chocolate\" drops.\n\t\"Looks like we are a go for tonight, Amanda's on board.\" Gwen announced as she and Kel entered the kitchen.\n\n\t\"Excellent.\" Rick turned \"I'll help you set up the arena.\" As he and Gwen headed to the back yard. Kel was left in the kitchen with KC, who threw her arm around her shoulder.\n\t\"Hey Kelso, how are you doing?\" she returned the one armed hug. \"I'm good. This feels right, KC.\" Kel said thoughtfully.\n\t\n\t\"Kelso, we've known each other, what? Three years, now?\" Kacy ventured.\n\t\n\t\"Yeah, something like that. Kacy, I had no idea you worked so hard.\" \"Kel looked at the raccoon standing before her, seeing her for the first time with her new senses.\nKC shrugged. \"Eh, Wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't. You get used to the eighty to hundred hour weeks after a while. I've got a great crew, and that really helps a lot. \"\nKC thought of Kirk Otterman, her number two guy and head sous chef, thinking that she should give him a call and see how it's going with the \"Deep- fried Cajun King\". She sighed.\n\t \"What is it, Kacy?\" Kel asked.\n\t\"Oh it's nothing. I was just wondering how Kirk was holding up with that crazy possum in my kitchen.\"\n\t\"Who's Kirk?\" Kel smiled.\n\t\"Huh? Oh, Kirk! Kirk Otterman, my head Sous chief, and my second in command. I wanted to turn my kitchen over to him. But Eric wanted a 'name' so he got the \"Cajun King\" to sub for me.\"\n\t\"Isn't he that possum with the cooking show?\" Kel asked, recognizing who she was describing.\n\t\"YUP!\" KC growled with disgust. \"Last time he showed up, he damn near burned my kitchen to the ground! I ask you, Kelso. Who in their right mind flambées with a quart of Moonshine?\" KC exclaimed.\n\t\"WHAT?\" Kel took an involuntary step backwards.\n\t\"Oh yeah, not to mention \"Warming\" a SEALED Mason jar of Moonshine in the DEEP FRYER!” she continued, throwing up her paws in frustration.\n\t \"My God!\" Kel blanched. \"Was anyone hurt?\" \n\t\"Fortunately not. Like I said, I've got a good crew, They Beat-Feet outta there before the \tDeep-Fryer exploded. Eric covered it up by saying we needed new equipment. Thank \tGod Kirk was there; he popped the Halon Fire suppression system and made sure \teveryone got out. You'd be amazed how much damage five gallons of flaming fryer \tgrease can do. Took us three weeks to get my kitchen back on-line\" KC Growled.\n\t \"A-And THAT'S who's covering for you?\" Kel couldn't believe it.\n\t \"Yup. Crazy, huh.\" KC shook her head, slumping her shoulders. Kel drew the frustrated raccoon into a comforting embrace.\n\t \"Mmmm, this is Nice.\" KC purred. “Thanks, Kelso. I needed this.\" she rumbled, resting her head against the Vixen's chest…noting her pleasantly spicy-cinnamony musk.\n# #\n\t Gwen and I found KC and Kel sharing an embrace. We took each other's paws, smiling to ourselves, and with a gentle touch brought the girls into the present moment.\n\t\"Oh...um...uh, kinda got lost in that.\" Kacy blushed a bit. \n\t\"S’okay, KC, It was...nice. Besides, you looked like you could use a hug.\" Kel said reassuringly.\n\t\"Can't get too many of those Kelso, thanks. It was nice.\" A sweet smile dusted KC's muzzle. \"Time to get ready, Amanda.\" Gwen led her off to the den, leaving the twins in the Kitchen. \"Kace, you okay? I asked, placing a paw on her shoulder.\n \t\"Yeah...\" KC sighed \"I'm realizing I don't get a lot of intimate contact in my daily life..\n\tShe just…hugged me. No holding back, no ulterior motives, just drew me into a loving embrace. It was…nice.\"\n\t\"Agape?\" Rick offered.\n\t\"Yeah, she sensed my need and poured herself into it, unconditionally…a true example of unconditional love on a higher plane. I just drifted off in her embrace.” Kacy shook her head. \"You know some good furs, Rick.\"\n\t\"Takes one to know one, Sis…\"\n\t[center]# # #[/center]", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Chapter 30
Spells, Charms, And Bar-B-Que


\tWhen Kel pulled into my place, the first thing she noticed was the wonderful smell of Mesquite wood smoke. Yup, Bar-B-Que. Gwen met her at the door, in the standard dress of the Coona household; her fur.
\t"Hello Amanda, welcome. Aren't you a little overdressed for this party?" Gwen teased with a wink. "Oh...I…uh...am I?" Kel stammered.
\t"Oh relax love. Can I get you anything?"  Kel's stomach took that moment to growl. It was definitely aroused from its slumber by the tantalizing aroma, wafting about.
\t"Okay, that settles it. You need a snack." Gwen chuckled, leading Kel into the kitchen.
\t"Yeah, I kinda missed lunch—and breakfast too, now that I think about it. Oh, where should I put these?" indicating the notebooks.
\t"Dream Journals?" Gwen asked, Kel nodded. "On my desk in the Den, leave your book \tthere too." When she returned to the kitchen, Gwen handed her a glass of thick red liquid,
\t"What is it?" Kel asked. "V8 and wasabe, it'll help patch that gaping hole where your \tstomach used to be."
\t"Oh, I like V8." Kel said taking a tentative sip. "Oh nice."
\t"Drink-Drink-Drink! Quick, before the wasabe has a chance to hit your sinuses." Gwen urged. Kel bolted the glass of juice. "Aaah, That was- Woo Hot!" Kel panted as the wasabe fumes crept into her sinus cavities. But her stomach, on the other paw, pounced on this new visitor and promptly quit complaining. "Ooh, warm, Thanks." Kel purred, patted her belly and smiling at the skunk.  "Shall we check on the twins?" Gwen asked as they headed for the patio.
\t"KELSO!" KC almost squealed, rushing over and giving the vixen a welcoming hug.
\t"Aren't you a bit overdressed, girl?" KC beamed.
\t"Oh, okay!" Kel relented.
 "Ooh, let me-let me!" Kacy giggled as she helped quickly strip the vixen of her clothes. "Now that's better." KC said, openly admiring the shapely red and cream vixen.
\t"Hey Kel, good to see you again." I said with an eyebrow twitch and Kel's muzzle 'poufed' in response. I then turned my attention to my sister. "So Sis, how went your visit with Bruno?" KC's eyes got dreamy and she hugged herself sighing, "Wonderfully!" She answered in a slightly husky voice. "That bear can do things to me that nobody has ever been able to pull off." I smirked, shaking my head. Knowing her proclivities, that was saying a lot.
\t"Well, all I can tell you is, he was having a great night before that corpse walked in. Say, how's Cassy doing Kel? Didn't you tell Gwen you were just there?"
\t"Oh, right. Um, she seems to be doing okay; that was one of the things I wanted to \tdiscuss with Gwen...she—she is expected to make a full recovery, But..." The vixen visibly drooped. “But because the bullet is lodged in her spine, they are saying she can't have kids..."
\t"Oh my God,” KC gasped. Kel nodded solemnly. “Yeah…and that's why I want to talk to \tGwen. Isn't there something that we can do for her?" Kel pleaded.
\t"Interesting that you bring that up, Amanda. Rick and I were just discussing the possible options...well you all know what I say; there are no coincidences. Amanda's request is a clear sign that we must see what we can do to help Cassandra." Gwen pronounced. Kel turned to KC. "What do you think?"
\t"Oh I agree. It's just that my limited magical talent revolves around food: Flavor enhancing, Enjoyment and contentment charms. Things like that. I can look at a fur, and know exactly what they most desire; Food wise, that is." KC grinned, giving the vixen a rakish wink. "For example, looking at you, Kelso...Lobster Florentine."
\t“Oh-My-God! I only had that once and it was incredible!"
\t"But tonight..." KC looked at Kel."...Judging from your hunger levels, I'd say it's a fair bet you'd go for a nice, -rare- steak. Say...venison, about an inch-and-a-half thick." KC grinned, Bullseye!
\t"Shtop It! You’re making my mouse wha-ther!" Kel said, slurping as she tried not to drool.
\t"Well, I've got some Venison Steaks marinating... Oh, Top em off with sautéed wild Morel Mushrooms." KC grinned; she had the vixen dead to rights...
\t"RIIICK! " Kel cried. "Kacy's Torturing ME!!!"  KC laughed good-naturedly.  
\t"Okay-okay. It was just a demonstration." KC chuckled, paws raised in surrender.
\t"That's am amazing ability, KC. I didn't know you studied magic?" Kel asked.
\t"It's just to augment my natural talent as a chef. To me honest, it's become second nature. But Rick and Gwen are the ones you want to go to for something like this. Rick has a talent similar to mine. He can tell you the best drink, etc. He's also an empath. So he can tell what's bugging you, and how best to solve it. He's also one hell of a Blackjack player!" Kacy chuckled, taking Kel's paw.
\tKel took the buxom raccoon in a hug then drifted back into the house. I was in the kitchen preparing something grill-able. "Have you seen Gwen?" she asked. "Den" I replied while tying up a stuffed butterflied buffalo roast; It smelled heavenly!   Just as she was about to knock, Gwen bade her to enter. "Come in, Amanda." She opened the door to see Gwen intently poring over her dream journals. Kel pulled up a chair and waited for her to finish. A few minutes later Gwen looked over at her.
\t"Very thoroughly documented. So, what did you learn?" Kel blinked.
\t"Well... off the cuff, I'd have to say I went through the wringer." Kel paused. “...And through it all, the guardian was there, watching. And even in the depths of \tdespair, I knew I was never alone, for they were with me, a source of strength, and compassion..." Kel closed her eyes—there in the darkness were the Dragon and Salamander. Watching, smiling.
 "...Ask." it spoke to her soul. A picture of her desire for Cassy formed unbidden.
"Possible...”
 “Dangerous" the salamander put in.
 "Achievable." The Dragon's eyes flashed, causing Kel to blink.
 "Did you hear that? The—"
Gwen nodded solemnly. "Yes...but know this Amanda...if she accepts the offer, it could prove fatal." Kel gasped involuntarily. "For the lines of probability that I can see forming, Cassandra intends on giving Mike a child. Regardless of the danger to herself."
\t"...But…" Kel whispered.
\t"Why?” Gwen answered for her, and the vixen nodded mutely. "Love. It is more powerful  than self-preservation. And Cassandra LOVES Mike, and he her. She is willing to take any risk to give him a child." Kel nodded, knowing Cassy's desire to have children.
\t"I know...Given a fifty/fifty chance of failure, she always looks at the fifty percent \tchance of success..."
\t"...And in that lies her salvation. But before we proceed—it has been three days, Amanda. Do you wish to walk the paths of magic?" Gwen gave Kel a penetrating stare.
\t"Oh...right.  Yes, more so now than ever. For if I can help Cassy...I feel this is the direction my life is leading me, it is my... What was that word?  Orlog? Yes. It is my Orlog to become a worker on the pathways of magic."
\t"...So be it. For in the Guardians’ eyes you have come through your ordeal unscathed. Tonight you shall stand before the Ancients and take your oath. Then—and only then—will you come under the Guardians’ full protection. And I will be able to teach you my craft." This sent a tingle of exhilaration racing down Kel’s spine to the tip of her tail. Nodding, Kel noticed something different about Gwen. Knotting her brow, she tilted her head slightly.
\t"What?" Gwen asked at seeing Kel's expression.
\t"I—I don't know. I'm...seeing something. You look 'glowy.' You’re not pregnant, are you?"
Kel blinked and her vision returned to 'normal'. Gwen paused, closing her eyes and looking inward. "...Nooo, at least, not yet. Why?"
\t"Wellll." Kel shook her head. "I don't know, but the feeling I got when I saw you all glowy like that was, ‘she's pregnant.’" Kel shrugged.
\t"Aah..." Gwen nodded, "It sounds like you are starting to see what are called 'Lines of Probability.’ They can indicate to you possible future events or outcomes. That's a good  sign." Gwen smiled warmly at Kel. "For from my own readings, that may become a reality fairly soon."
\t"Really?" Kel eeped.
\t"Looks that way." Gwen beamed, chuckling at Kel's reaction.
\t"Oh wow! Congratulations, Gwen!" A huge open muzzled grin crowned her face.
\t"Thanks. But it has not come to pass...yet." They both chuckled.\t"Oh, right, yet. Gods Gwen, you’re going to be such a great Mom! I just can’t shake the image, I see you sitting there with a babe on each breast. Like you’re gonna have twins, I don't know Why, but that's what I See when I Look at you. So what do you think it means?" Kel asked.
\t"Well..." Gwen mused. "Twins run down both sides of our family line, Rick and his twin, \tand so does my mother. So it's quite possibly that I will as well. We shall see." Gwen smiled at the pleasant thought. Kel had seen that slightly dreamy look before, on Cassy's face.
\t"So, shall we see what the twins are up to?" Gwen asked, rising from her desk and heading for the door.
#   #
\t"Rick and KC were in the kitchen, an arm around each other, discussing their creations. Rick had made a buffalo roulade, stuffed with sixteen herbs and spices in a garlic paste, and wrapped with bacon. This was on the rotisserie over the Mesquite charcoal. Kacy had marinated venison steaks with sautéed wild Morel mushrooms; shredded cucumber salad, Japanese style; and of course, her signature "Death-By-Chocolate" drops.
\t"Looks like we are a go for tonight, Amanda's on board." Gwen announced as she and Kel entered the kitchen.

\t"Excellent." Rick turned "I'll help you set up the arena." As he and Gwen headed to the back yard. Kel was left in the kitchen with KC, who threw her arm around her shoulder.
\t"Hey Kelso, how are you doing?" she returned the one armed hug. "I'm good. This feels right, KC." Kel said thoughtfully.
\t
\t"Kelso, we've known each other, what? Three years, now?" Kacy ventured.
\t
\t"Yeah, something like that. Kacy, I had no idea you worked so hard." "Kel looked at the raccoon standing before her, seeing her for the first time with her new senses.
KC shrugged. "Eh, Wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't. You get used to the eighty to hundred hour weeks after a while. I've got a great crew, and that really helps a lot. "
KC thought of Kirk Otterman, her number two guy and head sous chef, thinking that she should give him a call and see how it's going with the "Deep- fried Cajun King". She sighed.
\t "What is it, Kacy?" Kel asked.
\t"Oh it's nothing. I was just wondering how Kirk was holding up with that crazy possum in my kitchen."
\t"Who's Kirk?" Kel smiled.
\t"Huh? Oh, Kirk! Kirk Otterman, my head Sous chief, and my second in command. I wanted to turn my kitchen over to him. But Eric wanted a 'name' so he got the "Cajun King" to sub for me."
\t"Isn't he that possum with the cooking show?" Kel asked, recognizing who she was describing.
\t"YUP!" KC growled with disgust. "Last time he showed up, he damn near burned my kitchen to the ground! I ask you, Kelso. Who in their right mind flambées with a quart of Moonshine?" KC exclaimed.
\t"WHAT?" Kel took an involuntary step backwards.
\t"Oh yeah, not to mention "Warming" a SEALED Mason jar of Moonshine in the DEEP FRYER!” she continued, throwing up her paws in frustration.
\t "My God!" Kel blanched. "Was anyone hurt?"
\t"Fortunately not. Like I said, I've got a good crew, They Beat-Feet outta there before the  \tDeep-Fryer exploded. Eric covered it up by saying we needed new equipment. Thank \tGod Kirk was there; he popped the Halon Fire suppression system and made sure \teveryone got out. You'd be amazed how much damage five gallons of flaming fryer \tgrease can do. Took us three weeks to get my kitchen back on-line" KC Growled.
\t "A-And THAT'S who's covering for you?" Kel couldn't believe it.
\t "Yup. Crazy, huh." KC shook her head, slumping her shoulders. Kel drew the frustrated raccoon into a comforting embrace.
\t "Mmmm, this is Nice." KC purred. “Thanks, Kelso. I needed this." she rumbled, resting her head against the Vixen's chest…noting her pleasantly spicy-cinnamony musk.
#   #
\t Gwen and I found KC and Kel sharing an embrace. We took each other's paws, smiling to ourselves, and with a gentle touch brought the girls into the present moment.
\t"Oh...um...uh, kinda got lost in that." Kacy blushed a bit.
\t"S’okay, KC, It was...nice. Besides, you looked like you could use a hug." Kel said reassuringly.
\t"Can't get too many of those Kelso, thanks. It was nice." A sweet smile dusted KC's muzzle. "Time to get ready, Amanda." Gwen led her off to the den, leaving the twins in the Kitchen. "Kace, you okay? I asked, placing a paw on her shoulder.
  \t"Yeah..." KC sighed "I'm realizing I don't get a lot of intimate contact in my daily life..
\tShe just…hugged me. No holding back, no ulterior motives, just drew me into a loving embrace. It was…nice."
\t"Agape?" Rick offered.
\t"Yeah, she sensed my need and poured herself into it, unconditionally…a true example of unconditional love on a higher plane. I just drifted off in her embrace.” Kacy shook her head. "You know some good furs, Rick."
\t"Takes one to know one, Sis…"
\t
#     #     #
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