A/N:
Once again. Big thanks to Razgriz/GameBoy for his assistance, I'm not even joking when I say he pointed out at LEAST a dozen harsh discrepancies and loose ends that were- upon truly considering them, atrocious. xD
Agent Wilde vs Doctor OhNo
Chapter 7: Reservations and Revelations
Judy's choice has been made and Nick hits a bump in the road that may work in his favor.
Night'n'Bite: Room 213 04-16 1800
Nick straightened his tie, holstered his gun to his side and donned his earpiece before buttoning his jacket. Deciding the firearm was well obscured, he gave himself a nod in the mirror.
"This is it." He said to his reflection. "Tonight, we go in, and bring this little psychopath down."
Right behind ya, buddy. Tail chimed.
Nick opened his door, stepping into the main hall of the second floor, he didn't have to wait long for his small counterpart to join him.
Wearing the same green dress she had the first night they met, he couldn't help but notice that she seemed off. The warm smile she usually wore was replaced by one less genuine, one laced with... Fear? Worry? He couldn't quite place it. "You okay, Carrots?" He asked.
"Oh. I'm fine, N-" She caught herself and quickly altered her sentence. "Nothing to worry about, yesterday was just a lot more... Excitement, than I'm used to." She finished with a nervous laugh, forcing her ears to stay up. "You and me both, fluff." Nick replied with an equally nervous chuckle. "Shall we?" Offering his arm to the doe, she accepted, and they made their way down to the first floor, into the hall to the dining area.
They'd asked Frank if they could dine-in a little earlier than his usual time, and the wolf had gladly- some might say over-enthusiastically, agreed.
As they sauntered down the hall, Nick's heart stopped. A sloth was, very slowly, making his way in the opposite direction... One that he recognized quite well.
Flash was inexplicably present at the establishment, and actually on vacation. Nick simply begged that he wouldn't be recognized.
Unfortunately for the fox, the sloth seemed to have recognized him, as the sloth's eyes widened in a painfully slow motion. "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic" The Sloth started as the fox was frantically begging the sloth to stop with his eyes.
Oh sweet shedding hell... Please. NO! Nick internally cried.
"Kel!" Flash finished, picking up a shiny nickel he spied on the floorboards, while Nick let out a shallow breath. "Must be... my... lucky day." He said, eyes slowly returning to the direction of the fox and rabbit.
His eyes slowly squinted for a moment as if in thought. "Wiiiiiiiiilde...!" He slowly began, eyes resuming an excited expression.
Please, please please please... Nick begged, once again on edge.
"Party... last week... Priscilla." Flash finished, leaving Nick wondering how many times he was going to have a heart attack tonight. "We should... invite... Penny... next time." He said. Nick finally realized the sloth was using a bluetooth earpiece, and was on his phone, far too distracted to notice the fox he'd nearly killed via panic attack.
Quickly ushering Carrots through the hall, Nick had no clue what was currently going through the sloth's mind as they passed.
That'll teach him... to put... whoopie cushions... on the... seats... before hours. Flash said to himself with an excruciatingly slow grin.
They entered the rather large dining room, illuminated with a large rustic chandelier. The table Frank had designated for them was set with attractive tableware, including finely polished silverware, genuine at that. A crimson cloth with matching napkins folded into the shape of a fox and rabbit, spotless glasses and plates as well as a small candelabra, lit with the same convincing, but fake, candles as the much larger centerpiece.
Does Frank think this is a date? Both Nick and Judy thought.
Can't hurt to act like it is... At least for a bit. Came three simultaneous responses from both ears and tail. Neither mammal had a response for the suggestion.
Nick pulled out a chair for Carrots with a slightly overblown bowing motion before seating himself. "Such a gentlemammal." She said as the fox took his seat. "What can I say, Carrots?" Nick replied with a smile. "Etiquette is a big deal in fox families." Chuckling lightly he added. "Besides, it'd be a shame not to take advantage of the atmosphere our host has so graciously provided."
Judy took another look around the room, soaking it all in, only now realizing there was just the softest tune playing from... Somewhere. She couldn't quite place the tune or its point of origin.
"Frank really did go all out, didn't he?" She sighed with a genuine smile, the first of the night. "It really makes me wonder why it's so empty in here. It's lovely." She finished as the wolf in question approached the table, they wouldn't have recognized him under different circumstances. Wearing black slacks and long sleeved shirt, a crimson vest matching the cloth on the table and a black, pocketed apron tied off at his waist.
"Believe me, if I knew the answer to that question, I might have more business." The wolf let out a bark of laughter. "I'm glad you like the decor." He said, tail wagging, grin a mile wide. "If you two could spread the word, I'd really appreciate it!"
"And you believe me. If your cooking is as wonderful as the atmosphere, I'll gladly recommend your place to all the boys back at the office." Nick assured the wolf.
Chuckling, Frank gave a nod, pulling a small notepad and pen out of his apron. "I'll try not to disappoint then!" He said. "Now! What can I get you two to start?"
Judy took the lead this time. "Actually, a nice cup of coffee would be brilliant right now, it's been a long day." She said, Nick nodding his agreement. "And..." She added softly, picking up a small laminated card that conveyed the items available for the evening. "The roasted honey-glaze plate?" Frank scribbled it down on his notepad. "You got it! Coffee will be out in a few minutes, plate'll be another fifteen." He said, making his way to the kitchen, leaving them to their company, or in this case, their thoughts.
Shame it's all over tonight. Judy noted.
I'm gonna miss this crazy ball of fluff. Nick thought.
Too bad this is likely the only date night I'll get to host for the decade. Frank thought.
We play our hand properly, and it doesn't have to be over. Nick, Judy and Frank mused in unison.
The fox and bunny simply gazed at eachother for what would otherwise have been an uncomfortable amount of time, though neither mammal cared how long it was at that point. They were simply enjoying the company, until Frank returned with two piping hot mugs and a small caddie filled with sugar, alongside a dish of what had to be fresh cream. All expertly balanced by a well trained paw on a tray.
Broken from the strange daze, they turned their attention to the ebony bliss that now sat at their clawtips.
Taking a long, heavy sniff at the mug, Nick let out a contented sigh. "I don't even have to taste it, this mug is clearly filled with pure heaven." He said, eyes drooping in sheer ecstasy. Judy let out an amused giggle, saying. "If you're good on a whiff, I'll drink it for you." Reaching for the fox's mug.
Nick, realizing his precious coffee was in danger, let out a deep growl, teeth fully on display. "Touch it, and you lose a limb." He said, slowly crossing his eyes at the doe, getting a laugh out of her, he paused. "Hold on..." Fumbling in a pocket, he found what he was looking for. Tearing open the small packet, he tossed a seltzer tablet into his maw and gave it a bite. Resuming the savage fox act, now foaming at the mouth, It was too much for the bunny who all but fell out of her seat in laughter. "Careful there, Slick! Someone might mistake it for the real deal and tranquilize you." She managed, fighting to regain her composure, and failing miserably.
Frank, watching the display as he rounded the corner to the kitchen with a smile, couldn't help but mutter. "Those two are one weird pair... But I'd be crazy if I said they aren't cute together." Judy was, luckily, too distracted to catch the wolf's remark.
He's like an overgrown pup. Lefty stated with amusement.
It's adorable! Righty added with a sigh. He'd be so good with kits.
Yeah... He really would. Judy thought she internalized, looking at the fox with a goofy smile on her face.
"I really would, what. Fluff?" Nick asked.
Judy couldn't respond, her ears had slowly fell, eyes going wide as realization hit her. "...What?" She said.
Nick let out a snort before responding. "Well, first you were staring at me with those big, soul-crushing eyes that could put the world's saddest puppy to shame, then you said- and I quote. 'Yeah. He really would.' hence my question." He finished, leaning in a bit closer. "So... I can only assume it was directed at me, given our host isn't present." Finishing with a smug grin, Nick held eye contact with the bunny, waiting for her response.
Judy scrambled for an excuse, failing to find one she instead took great interest in her coffee. "Don't sweat it, Carrots. internal monologue slips happen to the best of us... At least you don't have arguments with your tail." He said, right on queue his tail whipped into his muzzle, forcing him to go cross-eyed at the appendage, getting another rise out of Judy.
Hey! Tail howled. Don't go spilling insider secrets!
Nick grabbed his tail in both paws, proceeding to 'choke' it. "Oh no, you're not getting in the way tonight!"
Very funny. Tail deadpanned. Now quit it.
Nick didn't stop.
Seriously, a little tight, buddy. Tail gurgled. Starting to chafe.
This is payback. Nick replied.
For what!?
I DON'T KNOW! But SOMETHING... Likely preemptive! Nick growled back.
Judy, nearly in tears, watched the odd fox strangle his own tail before letting it go and making an 'I'm watching you' gesture as it twitched in front of his face, then slowly fell to lay across his lap.
See? Talking tail, talking ears... Lefty commented. Perfectly normal.
He's kidding, Q-tip, and I'd rather have one tail annoying me, instead of two ears. Judy quipped.
Mhm...
Judy's next statement was brought to a screeching halt as her left ear promptly fell, smacked the tip of a spoon, and sent it directly into her forehead, causing Nick to choke on his coffee.
Vengeance is a bittersweet dish, you're gonna need that spoon. Lefty snarked as Judy smoothed her ears back.
I'll return the favor later. She snapped at Lefty. Remember that brush you hate?
The scratchy one!? Righty gasped. You wouldn't...
Oh you're safe, you haven't done anything... Yet. Judy threatened.
Point taken.
"You'd be surprised how much trouble ears can be." She said with a halfhearted laugh.
Nick stared at her for a moment. Now that is dedication to humor. He thought.
Frank had returned with their plate, just in time to see the odd rabbit nail herself with a spoon. Yep, they're both weird enough they've gotta be a couple. He thought, muffling a laugh with his free paw, he brushed it aside and asked. "How's the coffee?"
"Fantastic." Nick gushed, taking another sip. "Do you import the grounds?" This question got Frank's tail wagging like a propeller. "I grow and roast 'em in-house!" He stated proudly. "If you like the coffee, just wait 'til you try this." He added, setting down the steaming plate of roasted carrots and potatoes, coated in a thin honey glaze, garnished with red, ripe strawberries.
The sight of the dish alone set their salivary glands into overdrive, Nick licking down one side of his muzzle as the scent hit his nostrils, much to the wolf's unabashed delight. Nothing made him happier than seeing mammals taste his cooking for the first time.
Taking a bite, Judy felt as though her brain had melted. "Oh my god..." She mumbled through the mouthful, eyes sinking shut as she swallowed. "Can I get a bucket of these to go?" She asked, spearing another forkful.
Noting their drinks were nearly drained, Frank excused himself, heading back to the kitchen, returning a moment later with a carafe, full to the brim with more of the much enjoyed home-brew.
"I'll be right back, need to hit the head." Nick said, polishing off his first coffee and handing the mug to the wolf. Judy gave him a nod as he stood and made his way to the restroom. Frank, having refilled their mugs, took the carafe back to the kitchen.
Judy watched the fox round a corner, tail swaying behind him.
Fun's over. Lefty said. Time for his medicine.
Judy's smile fell as she silently agreed. Pulling out a small vial, Sodium Amytal. She hesitated before pulling the stopper, dashing a bit of its contents into the fox's mug, the powder dissolved quickly in the hot liquid without a trace.
Okay... That should be enough to disarm him without any heavy side-effects. She said, mainly to herself. We've got a good 20 minutes before it really hits him, need to have him out of sight by then. It won't last long with that dosage.
"Even the bathroom is classy and spotless!" Nick exclaimed as he approached the table, the doe's actions having gone unnoticed... Though not by the Wolf rounding the corner to check on his guests.
What was that? Frank wondered, one ear cocked to the side.
Nick took his seat, and began sipping from his mug. "Tell me, Carrots. Why didn't you ever go after that dream of being a police officer?" He asked between sips.
This was the last line of questioning Judy expected. "It just didn't pan out." She said with a shrug. Nick 'hum'd, nodding. Judy noticed his eyes drooped slightly after the motion.
That was a bit faster than I expected. She thought.
Coffee. Lefty stated.
...Right. Didn't factor that in, let's get him moving then.
Letting out a yawn, Judy made a suggestion. "I hate to call it a night, but maybe we should get ready to pack it in." Nick nodded, but didn't move, instead he started speaking. "You know, I hated mammals like you, for a while." He began. "Couldn't stand prey." Against her better judgement, she let him continue while she pulled him from his chair.
She waved Frank down, and handed him a few large bills, more than covering the wolf's expenses. "It was wonderful, Frank. Thank you." She said, offering him a wide smile.
He reluctantly returned it, and unable to hide his suspicion said. "You uh... You take care of your boyfriend there, he isn't looking too well." Judy brushed off the remark and pulled the fox along by his tie. "Oh I will. He just needs to lay down for a bit, it's been a long day for him." She said, towing the fox behind her.
Frank watched the pair leave, and thought. I knew bunnies were into some weird stuff... But drugging their guy? ...Kinky. Shrugging, he mumbled. "To each, their own. I guess." And went to clear the table and wash up.
After retrieving the items from the table, Frank had time to consider what he'd witnessed. He concluded that regardless of the circumstances, he'd be personally responsible if something happened to the mammals under his roof, and called it in.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a police department on the small island, and what few officers there were generally got wrangled into dealing with unruly or violent mammals. If nothing else, the report was made, and hopefully they'd be there in time to prevent any misfortune that may occur.
I really hope they're just as weird as they seem. He thought, returning to his cleanup, deciding he'd check on the two soon... Just in case.
Nick was slightly unsteady on his feet as he was lead out of the dining hall, to his room. "I honestly couldn't. Know why?" He asked, beginning to slur his words slightly. Judy didn't respond, she kept her eyes forward, leading the drugged tod onward. "Remember I told you about my mom? How she worked her tail off to keep things going after my dad passed?" He continued, Judy's ears falling lower with every word.
Please stop... She silently begged.
"I was, maybe eight. And I wanted to join this club, the Ranger Scouts." He said, raising two uncoordinated claws to his forehead in a mock salute. "They were mostly prey, but they acted alright around me." He added. "So she scrimped and saved to buy me the uniform, and I couldn't have been happier when she tied that kerchief around my neck." Nick continued wistfully. "I was so proud. So happy..." He trailed off a bit before continuing, Judy opening the door to his room and ushering him in. "I wasn't gonna be the 'token fox' anymore. I was finally gonna be part of a pack."
Please... Judy sat him on the bed and removed his jacket.
"When I got there, they took me downstairs for the meet-up." Nick paused at this point, seeming to collect his scattered thoughts. Judy removed the gun at his side.
What was I talking about...? Nick questioned.
Grglphlerf. His tail replied.
Oh, Right! Nick said.
"They took me downstairs for the meeting, and the lights went out."
Stop... Judy begged once more, removing her contacts.
"They had a flashlight turned on me while they had me recite the oath, I thought it was just some hazing thing for new guys." He paused again but this time Judy was watching him, she could see the pain in his eyes as he carefully forced out his next words, Judy laid him out on the bed, straddling the mostly incoherent fox across his chest. "I did it... But that's when they knocked me to the ground." Nick stared into nothing as he went on. "You think we'd ever trust a fox without a muzzle?" His paws instinctively rubbed along his face.
As if this weren't hard enough already... Well trained or not, Judy was mortified at what she was hearing, everything in her was screaming for her to take the fox, and run before she could make this any worse.
"I couldn't understand how they could treat someone like that. I ran out, pulled that cold piece of metal off my mouth, and ran home." He whispered, now locking emerald eyes with violet. "I never told her what happened that night. She just knew it was something bad."
Wow. Lefty remarked. And I thought 'pass the bunny' was rough... He was just a kit.
Think we could get away if we tried tonight? Righty questioned.
You know full well that little creep wouldn't let us disappear that easily. If we want to get out of this and keep him... OhNo needs to come down first. Judy replied. We have to follow through, and we're going to have to find a way to convince Nick we're on his side here.
Easier said than done after tonight. Lefty stated.
Never said it would be easy in the first place.
Nick's faculties were slowly returning as he began to register what was going on. More specifically, three things.
He was in his room, in bed.
There was a bunny in a green dress sitting across his chest, cuffing his paws to the headboard.
...The bunny had hauntingly familiar, violet eyes.
He shook his head a bit as it cleared slightly. "...Carrots?" He asked as she pulled out a knife, and pressed it to his throat.
"Just a precaution, Nick." The doe stated, eyes glazed with unshed tears.
Nick's mind crashed into the present when she used his real name.
What the hell happened!? He questioned.
Ugh... Not so loud. Tail remarked. Wait, why are we in bed?
Bunny, evil, apparently... That explains why she laughed at that 'Nicknames' joke, and why she only had one blue eye yesterday. I shouldn't have written that off as being a result of nearly drowning.
Okay... Tail mumbled. We have an out, here?
Not unless she gets a little closer. Nick replied, more or less fully cognizant after the initial shock wore off.
...You're not really going to- Tail began, but was quickly cut off.
Not many options, and too much movement might end poorly for us, I kick, she goes the wrong way... Dead fox can't close a case.
"Gotta say, I'm not usually into the whole bondage thing, but I think I can make an exception here." Nick whispered at the bunny, making her ears flare up. "Stuff it, fox." She snapped.
"I'd love to, Fluff. But I'm a little tied up at the moment." He snarked, quirking an eyebrow with a grin. Judy's ears turned two shades darker.
"So, gonna use that knife already? Don't worry, no repercussions on this one. Nobody would miss the token fox at work."
Judy, writhing under the surface, didn't move. "I can't let you out until I'm sure you'll play nice." She said in a mock-playful tone. Nick, looking to press for as much time as he could manage, let out a low chuckle. "You should really let me go, now." She remained rooted in place. "And why is that?" Nick gave his best sad puppy look before saying with a grin. "I need to pee."
Judy was, of course, unimpressed. "You went before we left the table." Nick narrowed his eyes. "You mean before you drugged me and dragged me back here."
Judy, still refusing to budge, let out a short breath. "Look." She said. "I don't want your blood on my paws, and you probably don't either... Just leave before this goes any further, and you won't have to do so in a body bag. I'll look the other way, you won't have any more contract killers on your tail... You just vanish, and we pretend this all never happened. Deal?" She didn't want him to go, at least not alone. She did hope, however, he might make this easy and spare them both what she knew was coming if he didn't back out.
"Sorry, Fluff, can't do that. I came here for a job, and I'm not leaving until it's done." He said. "So either you use that knife, or things get interesting." Glaring at the doe, he waited for her to take the bait.
And you're taunting the bunny with a knife at our throat... Why? Tail inquired.
She's no killer. He thought. She wouldn't wait this long if she were. Or she would've just let us drown, less personal that way.
Judy glared back at the fox, leaning in slightly.
There it is. Tail said.
"And just what do you think you can do from here, Slick?" She asked, getting just a bit too close to the fox.
Judy let out a shocked 'eep!' as Nick snapped his jaws around her throat, drawing his own blood in the process.
Neither mammal dared move, Nick holding her gaze from the side. To his surprise, She didn't bother holding back the tears any longer, letting them silently course through her fur, and onto the fox, emerald eyes never turning from violet.
A/N MkII
What did I title this chapter? Reservations and Revelations? I meant Cliffhangers. Reservations and Cliffhangers.
Oops. =3
So, that happened. They're in a stalemate.
'Pass the Bunny'...? The hell is that?
Will the facts about Judy's own painful trials ever come to light?
What's the deal with Charlie, is Judy really gonna give her due vengeance?
Spoiler Warning: They will come to light and Charlie will receive ample amounts of Bunny Wrath.
FoxInTheHenHouse: Savage Bunny indeed... HIT THE DECK!
