Clement laid in his bed, inside of his Hut. He had gotten hurt while working, so he had his leg bandaged, and gauze wrapped around several parts of his body. He had an ice pack on his head, and still felt fever-ish. As he was writing a report in his notebook, Riley and Ruby slithered inside. Ruby looked concerned, while Riley looked ticked.

“Oh, Clement, I’m sorry!” Ruby said. “If we didn’t give you such a hard schedule, you wouldn’t have gotten light-headed and fallen off of the wall! If only those Wood Poles weren’t there-”

“You dumbass!” Riley said, hissing. “Now we look bad! Now some of the other Humans think we treat our Human workers badly! Could you have POSSIBLY screwed up more?!”

“Riley!” Ruby said. “Don’t be mean to him! He’s hurt!”

“I-It’s okay…I just slipped up and didn’t realize I was getting sick…” Clement said, setting the notebook on his side table. “If I had noticed, I’d have reported it right away-”

They heard heavy footsteps rapidly approaching the hut, and Clement groaned, bracing himself, as Sonia ran inside.

“CLEMENT I HEARD WHAT HAPPENED!” Sonia exclaimed, and jumped onto the bed.

“OOPH-” Clement exclaimed. “Jesus christ on a cheese bike-”

“Are you okay?! I heard you broke your leg! You Humans are so fragile!” Sonia said, shaking him pretty fast. “Are you dying?! Let me feel your forehead…YOU’RE BURNING UP! WHY HAVEN’T THE DOCTORS STARTED TREATING YOU YET?! THIS IS-”

“S-SONIA!” Ruby exclaimed. “S-stop shaking him, he’s hurt and Sick!”

“I get you’re concerned, but at this rate, you’ll turn his Brains into Scrambled Eggs, dummy!” Riley hissed.

“R…Right! Sorry!” Sonia said, setting him down.

“I-I’m at my limit…I’m gonna throw up…” Clement said, a bit jokingly. “I think this is the end…”

“NO DON’T JOKE ABOUT THAT CLEMENT!” Sonia said, laying on him. “Never ever ever ever ever ever joke about that stuff!”

“Sonia…I can’t breathe…” Clement said, weakly.

“O-oh crap, sorry!” She said, getting off of him.

“I’m okay, Sonia…it’s just a fever…” Clement said, rubbing his forehead. “I just need some time to rest…”

As they were talking, the tent’s door opened, and in walked Alden. He’s an Anteater Type Therian, and the main head of Harmony Haven. He walks with a slight limp, and uses a cane to support himself. He didn’t know for sure, but Clement heard that 40 years ago, before he was even born, Alden had gotten shot in the leg by Security while helping a group of Humans escape.

“Ahh…sorry to bother you two…” He said, with his soft and gentle voice. “Sonia, could you please leave for just a moment…I’d like to speak with Clement.”

“Sure, but if something goes wrong please call me back!” Sonia said, before leaving with Riley and Ruby.

“...This is about your situation, isn’t it…” Clement said, sullenly.

“Yes, indeed…” Alden said, sitting at the foot of his bed. “As you may know, one of the drawbacks of us Therians is our lifespan being limited to around 60 or 65 years…”

“And you’re approaching that age…” Clement added.

“Precisely…but…” Alder said, gripping his walking stick tightly. “Our informants have managed to find information implying that President Linnaeus is trying to find a way to expand the lifespan of Therians in the Cities…”

“...Meaning there’s a good chance they can all outlive the Therians here…” Clement said, starting to become more worried.

“...Clement…I know I’ve only implied this, but…” Alder said, before being silent for a moment… “I would like for you to help guide the council…I believe there are only three people who could take my place, and you’re one of them.”

“I understand…this is a very dire situation…” Clement said, sitting up. “I’ll do everything I can. After all, our goal could affect the whole world for the better…it wouldn’t matter if-”

“No.” Alder interrupted. “Please…don’t finish that. I know you’re loyal to our cause…but I can’t stand the thought of any Human or Therian sacrificing their own wellbeing for our beliefs…”

“...Right…” Clement said, quietly. “I…I just wish so much to see your vision come true…a world where me and Sonia can be together without judgement…”

“It’s an admirable goal, for sure, but…” Alder said, placing his hand on Clement’s shoulder. “Please…don’t put yourself in danger, Clement…”