BACKTRACKING...
About a quarter of two, Town Chancellor Samantha Twist and Skulk leader Akane no Tachibana realized they had done about all they could for now, but it was quite a lot.
Plans and alternative measures had been drawn up in case Jennifer Harper's family, or anyone else coming to the new were-vixen's wedding, reacted negatively to Jenny's post transformation vastly improved human appearance, let alone discovered that were creatures actually existed.
"You know, sometimes I think it's a shame we have to go to such lengths to protect ourselves, but the vast majority of the world at large couldn't handle knowing about us right now," commented Samantha.
"Sad, but true," agreed Akane, looking at the pile of used note pad paper sitting on the conference room table between them. "Perhaps someday, but, better to plan ahead and not need to take any action after all than to do nothing and regret the indecision later."
"So, how do we—" began Samantha, only to have Akane offer a solution.
"I shall have my secretary transcribe and make copies of our work. How many will you need?"
"Myself, the mayor, and the chief of police for sure. Anyone else on my end, we can make more copies from there."
"Very well. I shall try to have this done and couriered to the Town Hall by close of business today. Otherwise, it shall be waiting for you first thing in the morning," promised Akane.
"Thank you," said Samantha, while rising from her chair. "As always, it's a pleasure working with you Mrs. Tachibana. I just wish the business itself was more pleasurable to deal with."
"Perhaps, in time," said Akane hopefully. "There cannot be a problem every day of the week that needs attending."
"Let us hope," agreed Samantha, as her hostess walked the Town Chancellor back to the elevator.
After Samantha Twist left to be fashionably late to another Town Council meeting, the Skulk leader briefly walked back into the conference room they used long enough to collect their plans. She stopped by the secretary/receptionist on that floor, giving the lady instructions to begin work immediately on making the copies, then walked to a smaller conference room next to the one she used.
Inside, Akane saw all her grandsons feverishly working. Each was at a laptop computer sitting around a smaller conference table. In the middle of the electronics collection was a speaker that had broadcast every word the Town Chancellor and the Skulk leader had spoken next door.
"Thoughts gentlemen?" asked Akane, closing the conference room door behind her.
"So far, no reservations or travel plans have been made that will bring the subjects to the Pacific Northwest, let alone the Moon Lake area," revealed Daisuke.
"Probably because poor Jennifer Harper hasn't worked up the nerve to invite them yet," realized Akane, "but she will have to do so soon if it is still her wish for her family to attend the wedding."
"I ran a background check on the Harpers," announced Yamato, standing up as he pushed a few buttons on his laptop. The conference room display screen on the wall at the end of the table lit up as he spoke.
"James Harper, Senior," said Yamato, showing a picture of a hardened looking man with gray temples, a sunburned complexion, and plenty of wrinkles. "Current age: 56"
"He looks older," observed Akane, before motioning for her grandson to continue.
"Graduated local high school, graduated the local community college with an introductory engineering degree. Has been employed as a 'line technician' for the local power company ever since. Mrs. Elizabeth Janice, nee Monroe, Harper," said Yamato, as he changed the picture. The display now showed a pale woman with a similar amount of gray hair and almost as many wrinkles. "56, graduated high school. Then, other than a marriage certificate to Mister Harper dated a month later, there is nothing for her at all, other than a driver's license and hospital records relating to the birth of their children."
"What?" asked Akane in disbelief. "She didn't even get to attend any form of college, let alone work outside the home?"
"No grandma-san."
"A pity," commented Akane, studying the photo of Mrs. Harper more closely.
"This, I believe is the reason why," explained Yamato, changing the display to show what appeared to be a younger version of Mister Harper in his early 20s. "James Harper, Junior; born exactly one year after the Harpers wedding. Graduated high school, currently attending the same community college his father did, but is attempting to acquire a technology degree. Next is our new sister Jennifer," said Yamato, changing the image to show a picture of what Jenny Harper looked like before becoming a were-vixen. Skinny, with lifeless blonde hair and no figure to speak of.
"Then is John Harper, 18, about to graduate high school next spring. No known plans," announced Yamato, while showing a picture that looked like a slightly younger image of James Junior, "and Janice Harper, who has just started her freshman year at the same high school every other member of her family has attended," he said, showing a photo of a gawky, blonde haired teenager with braces.
"Other family, friends?" asked Akane, as the projector went dark.
"There are other Harpers listed as residing in and around Alabama, but James Senior is an only child, so how many are direct relations, let alone will be invited and can attend, remains to be seen. However, we have yet to discover any more Monroes within the state. Mrs. Harper's parents are listed as deceased, but there was both an older sister and a fraternal brother as of her wedding to James Senior. Current status unknown, so we cannot say whether or not the Harper siblings are even aware of their aunt and uncle," revealed Yamato, concluding his report.
"So, we now have a tactical advantage being aware of our risks and potential enemies. What did you gentlemen think of our plans?" asked their grandmother.
"Mrs. Twist surprised me by being such a brilliant strategist," admitted Sora. "Otherwise, the only addendum I would make at the moment, depending upon future developments, is to confirm the operating frequency of any cellphones the Harpers might possess, as well as that of the senior Harper's hearing aid," he added, calling back up the image of James Senior and zeroing in on the man's left ear, that showed a slight hint of the device there. "The possibility is minute, but we don't want them to accidentally overhear any of our conversations when we're out in the field."
"Agreed. I also think our greatest risks will be the Harper men," observed Akane, "although we cannot ignore the ladies. Our sister Jennifer is the only one that will definitely be on our side, but there is no way to completely know how the others will react until the time comes. Now then, let us discuss logistics and implementation, for town and Skulk security will be our highest priority until after the wedding is over and the Harper clan goes back to Alabama."
MEANWHILE...