Hello Readers,
Here's the newest installment of A Weasel's Watch. A little bit of sexual reference here just so your aware, but nothing graphic. Criticism always welcome and enjoy!
-CG
Reggie briskly walked towards his destination. He was running behind schedule thanks to a delay in the trains. Sheri had told him to come to a little cafe on the ground floor of the Rainforest District at 8 AM and it was already 8:03. The Weasel was torn between running full tilt and looking like a mess or slowing down and showing up too late. Finally his destination appeared, a cafe named "The Vine Yard," which was bustling with activity. Thankfully he spotted his raccoon right away.
Sheri was sitting at an outside table under an awning, sipping on a cup of what could only be coffee. She wore a yellow sundress with thin straps, revealing the procyon's lighter grey fur. The barista stopped mid-sip and turned towards the Weasel. Sheri smiled and waved.
Reggie couldn't tell if his heart was pounding because of his anxiety, the speed walking, or the sight of the raccoon. He decided all three and smoothed out his shirt. The Weasel had been told to wear "Something nice" by Sheri, but had honestly no idea what that meant. After asking Mary, and her laughing up a storm at him trying to decode this message, she instructed him what to wear. The officer had bought a sky blue polo and khakis. Thankfully he wasn't wearing a button down or he would have been a mess. He waved back and moved to her table. Before he was seated, a Beaver waiter came with a cup for him.
"I hoped you would get here before it cooled," commented the raccoon, "and I'm glad to see you did!"
"Sorry!" apologized the Weasel, "The train delayed and getting off was a mess because of all the mammals standing about and-"
"Reggie, breath!" Sheri placed a paw over one of the Weasel's, "It's ok. Deep breath." The mustela breathed deeply, before letting it out slowly. The raccoon smiled, "There you go! No need to get worked up over something this small." She released his paw and leaned back into her chair. The procyon brought the drink up to the teasing smile on her lips. "Any other mammal would be excited for tonight."
The officer flushed at the mention of their "plans." Their days off finally lined up, and the raccoon had asked Reggie if he wanted to spend the day with her. The mustela jumped at the opportunity, but she wasn't finished.
"Maybe even...spend the night...?"
The Weasel's mind went blank when she said that, and it seemed that only the rigor mortis grip on his phone is all that stopped it from falling. When he did regain consciousness, he found that their conversations had ended and he agreed to spend the night. This led Reggie to the dilemma that had bothered him non-stop. "What the rutt am I supposed to do?" The Weasel knew the letter of the law, could take down mammals ten times his size, worked for the best Precinct in the city and even went undercover for three months to stop gun smuggling yet...the raccoon sitting across from him intimidated the officer more than any other mammal he had faced off against.
Reggie smiled nervously, "No, I'm very excited...yep..." He should have been excited. A female was practically throwing herself at him, yet he was scared. The Weasel looked down at the warm mug and picked it up. The faint hint of Chai tickled his nose and the cinnamon colored swirl of liquid called to him. The mustela closed his eyes and sipped the warm beverage. The hint of spice and pinch of bitterness told him everything about it. Reggie opened his eyes with a soft smile, "Dirty Chai? Am I so predictable?"
Sheri smiled back, her paws clasped on her mug, "Yes and No."
The Weasel looked down at his drink and sighed contentedly. The reason for why he was so worried hadn't eluded the mustela, but that didn't make it easier to do deal with. Sheri was special, not only to him but in general, and Reggie wondered if he could live up to her expectations. This wasn't simply worrying about lack of performance in the bedroom, but in life itself. She had it all planned out and was a self-starter, and he sometimes felt he didn't belong in the Police. The raccoon made everyone's day better by simply smiling, and he made it worse by being around. They were polar opposites in many ways and Reggie couldn't help but wonder when it would all end. He knew that he should enjoy the ride and savor every moment, but it was hard when she was the best thing to happen to him.
"Reg~gie," Sheri sing songed, "You there?" The young mustela felt the raccoon's paw gently push his muzzle up. He glanced at her, before back down at his drink. "Aw Reggie...what's going on behind that handsome face of yours?" Reggie blushed. "You're so cute when you blush," giggled the procyon. His blush deepened. There was a moment of silence between the two before the barista sighed heavily, "Just talk to me Regg..."
The Weasel ran a paw over his head and sighed, "It's just..." He opened and closed his muzzle, trying to find the words to express his apprehension. "I'm...worried that I'm not good enough for you..." The mustela looked up at the procyon, her cocked head and searching eyes showing her confusion. "You've done so much for me, and I feel like I've done nothing for you. Sher your just so perfect an-"
"Hold on Cutie," interrupted Sheri, placing a digit on the male's lips, "I am notperfect by any standard. I'm just a normal raccoon." She finished her statement with a shrug and apologetic smile.
Reggie scoffed and rolled his eyes, "You're definitely not normal."
"But I'm not perfect either," countered the barista with a raised digit, "And the sooner you stop thinking I am, the sooner you'll realize how perfect you are."
"I'm not perfect." grumbled the Weasel with a frown.
"But you aren't normal either," the raccoon retorted with a sly grin. She put her mug down and placed her paws over the Weasel's.
His grip was still tight on his own cup, and the female pushed up. Slowly the mug came to Reggie's muzzle. He blew on it before taking a small sip. The mustela closed his eyes as he enjoyed the drink. It wasn't as good as when Sheri made it, but was delicious nonetheless. He drank another sip.
The raccoon sighed and the Weasel tentatively opened his eyes. The female looked apprehensive, her paws resting on her own mug once more. "I...didn't want the day to start like this..." She chuckled mirthlessly and shook her head, "In truth I would rather not talk about it, but..." Her gaze softened and grew misty, "I think I need to tell you, because I know how bad it could be to think someone is perfect."
"What are you talking about?" questioned the Weasel as his dread began to build.
Sheri grimaced, "I'm going to tell you about my...dating history..."
I didn't start dating until I was a junior in High School. You may not believe it, but I was shy growing up.
You're right I don't.
Ha! Shut up...Anyway I was shy. The Meadowlands doesn't have a large population of mammals outside of herds. So there were a ton of Sheep, Horses, Goats and so on, but not too many other types. Being a raccoon made me stand out a bit, and with that came the normal prejudice.
I've...experienced that before...
*Sigh* I could only imagine...There was me and my brothers and one other raccoon. A striker for the small mammals' soccer team named Brad Prokouv. He was everything that a girl could dream of in High School. He was popular, athletic, well off and had a car, so pretty much every "Cool Guy" stereotype that they show in movies. He didn't notice me at first, me being a grade lower, but that all changed my junior year. All of a sudden he would go out of his way to talk to me, compliment me on my fur or dress or whatever he could. I felt like I was the only thing when he looked at me. One day he asked me out and I said yes. It was...ok...he said all the right things and did what was expected, so I did what I thought was expected of me...
...Your first time?
...In the back of his car...He didn't talk to me after that...Afterwards I found out that Brad did that to a lot of girls, so even in that sense I wasn't special.
I'm sorry.
It was a long time ago...but hopefully this explains why I acted that way the other night.
...It does...
The couple walked to the ground level stop for the Sky tram. The pair had finished their drinks and eaten a few choice pastries. Their conversations had been light after Sheri's story, with Reggie torn between two feelings. One was tracking down this Brad and showing the other male why you don't play with mammals hearts. The other was a need to keep Sheri close, just in case someone else tried to hurt her. He settled for wrapping an arm around her and scanning for possible threats. The female had wrapped her arm around his lithe midsection and was leaning her head on his shoulder. If mammals had problem with the pair, they didn't voice it.
Reggie was surprised to not see a line for the Sky tram as it was popular among tourists. They waited a few minutes on the platform, neither releasing their grip from one another, before a car arrived. The Weasel released the procyon and opened the door, offering a paw for Sheri. "Such a gentlemammal!" she remarked with a giggle. The mustela tried to smile, but all that appeared was a grimace. His gaze followed the barista until she was safely inside before jumping in and closing the door. In no time the car moved, lifting higher off the ground and living up to its name.
The Weasel found the raccoon leaning against the lip of the car, staring out to the retreating scene below. Reggie wasn't a master of reading mammals like Wilde claimed to be, but even he could see how depressed Sheri seemed. He came up behind her and ran his paws from her shoulders down her arms. The mustela carefully sidestepped the bushy tail of the female, and drew her into a hug.
She leaned back into the lithe mammal and tipped her head back. "For someone with no experience, you sure know how to get a girls blood pumping."
Reggie chuckled and squeezed the raccoon in his arms, "I just did what felt right."
"You have good instincts then..." murmured the raccoon. The swaying of the car caused the embraced mammals to sway as well. It was a peaceful moment that felt as though they were dancing. "I need to tell you the rest...let everything out...We can't keep growing unless there are no more secrets between us."
"I know," whispered the Weasel. He could tell this wasn't an easy decision for Sheri, to reveal so much of her past to him, and he would listen as long as she needed to talk. The mustela bit his lip, wondering when he should reveal his past. "Should I...tell you things as well?"
"I have a feeling that your stories may need some drinking and lots of swearing," the raccoon quietly responded. "So for now, we'll talk about me."
The Weasel nodded and tightened his grip on the barista, as if she might slip through his grasp. "Ok...whenever you're ready."
Sheri sighed and grasped the mustela's paws with her own, "Alright..."
After Brad I gained a...reputation... Someone either found out or Brad told everyone, I never did find out what happened. Either way I started getting the wrong type of attention from males, all expecting me to be an easy lay. The stigma lasted with me all the way through my senior year, and even after I graduated. It got so bad, that I decided to go to the Zootopia Community College branch in the Rainforest District instead of Meadowlands.
That's terrible.
No, the move was good for me. I didn't realize it, but living around herd mentality Gave me the same thinking process. Thankfully being on my own and becoming self sufficient allowed me to grow out of it...but not fast enough...I didn't last long in College, not because I didn't like it or because I failed my classes, but because of one mammal...His name was Chett and he was another raccoon.
I'm not going like Chett, am I?
No...Good mammals normally don't. Chett's an ass, who didn't deserve me giving him the time of day. Sadly I gave him more than that. I made the mistake of going to a party that the slime ball was at. He seemed nice, said all the right things and made me feel special again. He supported my idea of owning my own business and preached how more raccoons should become business owners.
I would like to point out that I support your idea completely.
It's ok Regg, I know. I know you want me to succeed because you care for me. Chett Told me that he wanted me to succeed so he could sleep with me...Sadly I still had some of that Meadowlands mentality and fell for his snake oil charm. I went on one date with him, and it was even worse than with Brad. He insulted me instead of compliments, hit on a waitress in front of me and drank too much to drive me back home. It wasn't too big of a deal since I was in walking distance from my apartment, but then the idiot got it in his thick skull to invite himself along! I told him that it was over and to sleep it off in his car, but when I turned to leave he grabbed me by the arm.
...What did he do?
It's ok Cutie. That's all he got before I turned around kicked him right in the groin!
That's my girl.
*Giggles* Thanks Reggie. I'm still proud of myself for that one too...Thing is that after that night, some rumors started up...just like in High School. This time it didn't take long to figure out who started them. Chett, in his scumbag way, told All of his friends how easy I was and what I did to him...it was terrible...It got so bad that midway through my second semester I dropped out. I just couldn't take the stares anymore...It's because of Chett that I carry around the Pepper Spray. Also thanks to him I could no longer see the appeal in male raccoons, so...maybe thank him for that?
Yay?
The couple made it to the canopy level, the highest level in the Rainforest District. Reggie had only been up this high a pawful of times. They were above the sprinklers, walking on wooden walkways that rested on some of the tree tops. The midday sun was shining brightly, but the wind cooled the pair. It was a perfect day and the two were enjoying it with paws intertwined. There weren't many buildings outside of expensive residential homes and boutique stores that would put both mammals into debt. Still the view was amazing and it was always free to look.
"Could you imagine me in something like this?" Sheri teasingly pointed to a dress in a window display. It was a thin, sapphire blue number that had holes in the sides and for some reason the navel. Jewels encrusted the low neckline and the dress cut off what would have been mid-thigh for any small mammal.
Reggie hummed in thought, drawing his arm around the female. "Maybe," he eventually replied, "but does that even count as a dress? There's barely anything there." He turned and kissed the raccoon on the cheek, "More like a fancy apron." Sheri snorted with a shake of her head and the mustela grinned. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a pair of eyes glowering back at them from the store window. He turned and looked nonchalantly at a grey squirrel staring at the pair. He didn't need his nose to recognize the look of disgust and mistrust; it was one he was all too familiar with. The rodent pulled something from behind them and placed it firmly at the window. It was a sign that read "Right to refuse service" with the first and last word in bold red.
"It's an ugly apron anyway," commented Sheri. She pulled the male by the paw, "Come on Cutie, we got more to see!"
The Weasel huffed, his fur still not completely down from the Squirrel's speciest behavior. "Is that a nickname for me now?" The question came out gruffer than he intended, but he didn't take it back.
The raccoon bounced a digit on her pursed lips as she looked away in contemplation. "...Maybe? I'm trying it out, what do you think?"
"Just don't say it in front of Wilde," grumbled Reggie, "That's the last thing I need!"
The barista laughed before resting her head on the officer's shoulder. There was a heavy silence, and the mustela knew what was coming next. "It's interesting that you bring up Wilde..."
The Weasel groaned and covered his eyes with his free paw, "Please tell me you didn't date Wilde! I may have toMurder himif he hurt you."
"Please, Reggie, I have standards," the raccoon joked, winking at the Weasel. Her expression fell and her gaze with it. "I did...sort of date...a Fox though..."
"Wasn't Wilde, right?" Sheri nodded curtly, "Then no big deal...unless he hurt you."
The procyon sighed and gripped the mustela tighter, "Not in the way your thinking..."
It was not too long after I left college. I couldn't go back to the Meadowlands, but I didn't know what else to do. So I worked a couple jobs part-time, moving on when it was obvious I wasn't wanted. Eventually I found myself spending more and more of my free time at the cafe from this morning. It was then that I realized how much I enjoyed the atmosphere that I decided to open up my own one day. I met John Topher there, a graduate student from Z.U. studying in Mammalian History. He was also a grey Fox. We never considered it serious, just a way for both of us to release tension...at least that's how it was in the beginning.
Did He hurt you?
Not in the same ways the Brad or Chett did, and not on purpose either. The more time we spent together, the more I wanted things to be permanent. John never wanted to go that route, he considered himself a free spirit who whose true love was history.
He sounds...kinda like a flake.
*Chuckles* Very much so. When he got a job outside of Zootopia, he didn't even tell me till the night beforeā¦It hurt to have someone think so little of me.
Then why go back to the Cafe?
Huh...Oh! I go back because it's independently owned and has been thriving for the past fourteen years. Considering how volatile it can be to own your own business, it's incredible to me that it's stayed open that long! I go there to study what I can and figure out the small things that make them successful.
*Chuckles* I should have known better.
You'll learn soon enough...Cutie!
The pair had skipped lunch, neither feeling hungry, but by the time 5 o'clock rolled around they were starving. On the third level they found what they thought at the time was a small restaurant, but it turned out to be a Smooth Jazz club. The lights were low and food was available, so the Weasel and raccoon got comfortable and listened to the music. It wasn't too long before the mustela noticed the procyon fidgeting, suspiciously to the beat of the music.
"You, uh...wanna dance?" asked Reggie finally.
The raccoon's smile brightened as she grabbed the Weasel by the paw. She pulled him to follow, and he did. The procyon picked a corner close to their table on the dance floor and spun to face the male. "I'm assuming you don't dance." Reggie shook his head. The female flashed a sly smile, "It's ok, just follow my lead. That's all you need to do." She grabbed the mustela's paws, placing one just above her hip and holding on to the other. She placed her free paw on the male's shoulder. "Now step with me."
Sheri stepped left and Reggie stepped right mirroring her as his paws stayed firmly in place. He could feel her fur trying to poke through the fabric of the dress, enticing the male to run his paw to her back. Sheri stepped back and Reggie stepped forward. The raccoon's paw felt so delicate in his own. It wasn't much smaller, and strength similar to the Weasel's paw squeezed back. Still the officer felt if he were drop the paw, or even squeeze too hard, than it would shatter like glass. Sheri stepped right and Reggie stepped left. The female's eyes shone with emotion. The procyon's expressions could easily be read, or was she simply not hiding anything? At that moment they shone with happiness and hope. Reggie stepped backwards and Sheri stepped forward.
The raccoon's smile doubled, "You learn fast."
"I learn slowly," replied Reggie teasingly, "It's why it took you three moves before I figured out my one." The procyon pressed her face into his chest and laughed. The Weasel used the opportunity to move his paw up to the center of the female's back, keeping her close to the male. There was silence as the two swayed in place.
"There were others," muttered Sheri into the mustela eventually, "one's who lasted one date or night, but they happened...honestly I barely remember some."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want too," whispered Reggie into the raccoon's ear, "All that matters to me is that you're right here and in my arms." He heard a sniffle from the female. The Weasel stopped and removed his paw from Sheri's back. The mustela gently tilted the procyon's chin up. She looked at him and he looked at her. Her eyes were misty and gazed uncertain. Reggie wanted to remove that and reassure her. He smiled and she in return. With more ease than the first time, the Weasel pressed his lips to hers.
Passion still burned, but it was not the inferno from their first. That was fine as the couple had all night and neither was in a rush. Reggie slid his paw to the back of Sheri's head, hoping to prolong the kiss. The raccoon gave in to the Weasel and pushed deeper in. They could have stayed that way all night, but the growing desire between the two urged them to head out. The mustela pulled back first, gasping for air but staying close to the procyon. "Do you wanna...?"
"Yes," responded Sheri breathlessly, "Let's go."
The trip down to Sheri's apartment was a quiet one. Not because of any awkwardness between the pair, but because of first time jitters. Whenever Reggie would turn to the raccoon, intent on starting any conversation, the setting light would hit her fur just right or she would bat her eyes at him. Just like that, the words would dry in the mustela's throat and his face would turn cherry red. He knew this because Shari giggled each time and remarked on one occasion how dark his blush was.
His embarrassment morphed into trepidation as the raccoon's apartment building came into view. It seemed that a common theme in Sheri's stories were regret. Regret that she gave herself fully and openly, yet here she was about to do the same for the Weasel. Reggie didn't want to be another bitter memory. Even if they didn't last, the mustela wanted her to remember him positively like he would remember her. The officer didn't find the words to express this until he was standing outside of her apartment. Reggie placed a paw over Sheri's as she turned the handle. "Wait...just...wait."
The barista turned to the mustela, confused by the turn of events. "What's wrong?"
"Today was amazing," began the Weasel, pulling the held paw away from the handle, "I enjoyed every second with you, but you don't owe me anything."
"Owe you..." muttered the raccoon under her breath, her brow furrowing. In a flash her eyes went wide. "Wait, do you think I'm doing this because we went out?"
Reggie looked away, embarrassment tinting his ears red, "Well...I don't know!" The exclaimed that last part, his paws rising in frustration, "I don't know how these things go or what's supposed to happen next! All I know is I don't want you to hate me afterwards!" The words slipped out before he could stop them and the Weasel clamped his jaw shut.
Sheri's brow rose and she folded her arms, "You thought I'd hate you...after sleeping with you?" The pitch of her voice rose as her head tilted in confusion.
"I like you Sher, more than anyone else," started Reggie, trying desperately to express his feelings, "but I don't want you to regret being with me, ya know?" His shoulders slumped and expression fell, "You looked so beaten down when you were talking and I don't want to be the next story to tell..."
"Reggie..." the raccoon spoke softly, "Don't take this too harshly, but sometimes you don't think things through correctly."
"Mare just calls me a moron." The Weasel muttered.
Sheri chuckled and shook her head, "Well I hope that our relationship is different than you and your sister's." She gripped the Weasel's paw and gave them an encouraging squeeze. "You don't see Any different between you and all the rest?"
"Different species?" offered the mustela weakly.
"Regg," chided the raccoon gently, "it was more than species. Do you think any of them worried what I thought or what I felt?" Sheri smiled sadly and shook her head, "Not even a little...but you," her smile grew into a broad grin and her eyes shone with such passion, "You're having a moral crisis when other males would have kicked the door in!" The raccoon sighed and pulled the Weasel a step closer, "That's how I know that I won't hate you...and..." Her eyes grew misty as she looked into the mustela's "...I hope you're the last and only story I ever tell again." She let out a staccato breath and cleared her throat, "There are words that I want to say to you, words that are Very important, but I can still see that you aren't ready for them...so please...let me show youhow much you mean to me."
The raccoon pulled the Weasel closer to the door, him following step by step. Before she could turn and open it, Reggie grasped the handle and turned it, opening to the apartment. He gazed at Sheri, trying to convey all of adoration and affection in that one single moment. "Such a gentlemammal'" she tried to joke, but her voice was thick with emotion. The mustela watched as she gracefully stepped through the doorway, glancing with a half lidded expression. Reggie's heart thumped against his chest as he followed her, closing the door behind him.
