8: Drama at Devils Tower
XxX
SATURDAY MORNING: one day before the Stergis rally~
…
"Nick … Nick … wake up sleepy head."
"That's not working mom, let me try… DAD! Wake up please…" says Sarah softly into Nick's ear.
"What? What? …. dang it Sarah…!"
"It's time for breakfast sleepy head" she says laughing "'C'mon get up, we're hungry!"
"Ok already. What time is it anyway?"
"Almost seven" states Sarah "hurry up, we don't wanna miss breakfast!"
"They serve breakfast 'til ten … give a sleepy fox a break will ya?" asks Nick trying to turn over.
"Nope, I wanna get to the shop and talk to Ramone about the trike, and then you promised to take me to someplace to talk… I don't wanna miss nut'n!"
"Nut'n? Grammar young lady" playfully scolds Judy.
"I ain't got no grammar" shoots back Sarah, sticking out her tongue at Judy "Dad's parents have passed, just like yours, and Gerald's folks don't count!"
"Why you litt-"
And Judy is promptly interrupted by a frantic pounding on the room's door!
"NICK … NICK, are you awake?" comes Skye's emotion laden voice.
Bolting for the door, Nick crosses the room in seconds.
Opening the door, Nick is greeted by a tearful and totally freaked out vixen.
"Nick, ya gotta come to Nickie's room. She's in a bad way, and I'm really worried that she'll hurt herself!"
"Let's go…"
…
Following Skye down the short hallway, Nick bursts into the room that Nickie has been alone in for only a day or so, and finds his twin sister, practically naked sitting in the middle of the room, crying.
The room itself is an absolute disaster! Everything torn down off the walls, curtains shredded, sheets and mattress torn up, clothes scattered everywhere!
Seeing Nick, Nickie scrambled for the bathroom, only to be cut off and locked in a hug by Skye.
"Let me go, let me go, Nick's gonna kill me. Please let me go…!"
"Nick's not gonna hurt you honey, Nick's here to help you … I promise…"
Cautiously approaching his upset sister, Nick stops short and kneeling, looks into the panic-stricken vixen's emerald eyes.
"It's ok Nickie, it's ok. I'm here to make things better ok?"
"Y-you're not gonna kill me … right?"
"No sis, I'm not. I just wanna be sure that you're ok, ok?"
"For real? This ain't one of your stupid pranks … right?"
"It's not a prank, Junior Ranger Scout's honor." which brings back memories for Judy of when she and Nick first met, and is noticed by Sarah.
"O-ok."
As Nick gives Skye a short nod, Skye cautiously releases Nickie and Nick quickly takes her into his arms for a tight hug of his own.
"I-I'm sorry Nick … I'm so sorry. A-after you and then Skye both wanting nothing to do with me, I-I finally understand what it's like to have no one. Even after only a day without either you (hic) you and Skye in my life, I thought I'd go insane. I can't stand it. I don't know how you managed to keep your sanity missing Judy for so long like you did.'
'PLEASE forgive me … please" and breaks down in tears.
"That's Nickie, Nick's twin sister" Judy informs Sarah in a whisper. "they had a fight yesterday."
"What about? … Was it about us?"
"Yes sweetie it was."
"And she's sorry now?"
"It appears so, yea."
Taking a deep breath, Sarah walks slowly over to where Nick and Nickie are hugging, (all the while being watched closely by both Judy and Skye) Sarah asks gently "Are you my dad's sister? You look just like him!"
Stunned by the question coming from the young doe, Nickie can only nod.
Blinking rapidly, Nickie can only ask "Nick's your dad?"
"Um-hm. I asked him last night if he'd be my dad and he said he would. I've never had a dad before, just like you and him. So, if he's my dad, that means you're my auntie, right? I'd like that, 'cause I really don't have an auntie either. You look like you need another hug … can I give you a hug … please?"
Tears welling up in her eyes again, Nickie indicates to Nick that she's ok.
"Can I call you Auntie Nickie?"
"I-I think I'd like that very much."
Gathering Sarah, into a tight hug, the tears flow again.
"It's ok auntie Nickie, don't cry."
"I'm so sorry for treating your mom and Nick like I did. I'm so ashamed."
"It's ok, dad forgives you, so-"
"But, umm, you know you don't have any clothes on, right?" Sarah whispers.
"Oh, shit!" trying to cover herself, Nickie turns at least three shades redder than her normal fur color and scrambles to try to find something to put on.
"With that, I guess we'll be heading back to our room and get ready for breakfast" says Nick "Skye, you and Nickie can join us when you finally get her cleaned up and presentable. Ok?"
"Ok, we'll see you then. And … thanks for coming Nick."
"Anytime, but you might wanna thank Sarah as well…"
Kneeling in front of the young doe, Skye opens her arms for a hug that is quickly accepted by Sarah "Thank you for giving me Nickie back sweetheart." she whispers.
"You're her girlfriend?" she whispers back.
"Yes I am. Is that ok?"
"Sure, that just means that I have two aunties now. Can I call you auntie Skye?"
"Of course you can sweetie."
"Thanks. You take care of auntie Nickie and we'll see you at breakfast, ok?" in a normal voice.
Lightly kissing Sarah between her ears "Ok, I'll do that. See you soon, Ok?"
"Ok."
…
Returning to their room, Judy grabs Sarah into a tight hug "I'm so proud of you honey."
"What! Why?"
"For talking with Nickie like you did" answers Nick.
"It was incredibly unselfish." adds Judy.
"I don't understand!"
"You will wh-"
"When I get older … yea, yea, yea. I've heard that before." says Sarah in a slightly mocking tone and rolling her eyes.
"Anyhow" says Nick "let's get ready and head down to breakfast, I'm sure Skye and Nickie 'll be down before long."
…
In the spacious dining room, after filling their plates from the self-serve breakfast buffet, our trio seat themselves, and begin eating.
Several minutes later, Skye and Nickie arrive, much to the delight of Sarah.
"Auntie Skye, auntie Nickie! Over here!" she says, waving frantically.
Giving a bit of an embarrassed smile and a short wave, Nickie passes by the table and gives Sarah a quick hug "Thanks Little Bit, for … everything." she says quietly.
Looking at Nick in confusion "Who's Little Bit?" Sarah asks.
"Looks like that'd be you" says Nick "We Wilde's are notorious for handing out nicknames, and it seems like you just got yours. Skye and Nickie will most likely be the only ones to call you that. Although…if anyone at the shop hears it, you might be in for a rough time."
"Really? That's kinda neat! I don't mind a bit. I've heard much worse at school, so I'm cool with it!"
"You never cease to surprise me, did you know that?" asks Judy of Sarah.
"Umm, thanks … I think?"
"It's a complement" whispers Nick, "So just go with it, ok?"
Giving him a quick peck on the cheek she whispers back "Ok, no problem … dad."
As they finish eating and leave their plates for the servers, Nick leaves a generous tip and comments to Skye and Nickie "We're heading for the shop. Make sure you stop by and see if there's anything that needs doing before you head out for wherever, ok?"
"Ok" responds Nickie. "Umm Nick, about the room-"
"Don't worry about it sis, I'm just glad that we got everything worked out. If you really want to make up for it, you can pay the damage deposit out of your share of the profits for the week, ok?"
"I'll do that, thanks again Nick… and to you especially Little Bit!"
"You're welcome auntie. See you at the shop, love you both … bye!"
…
Arriving at the shop, Sarah immediately heads straight for the paint booth to find Raoul to finalize her design for the trike.
"Got everything worked out?" Nick asks when she returns about fifteen minutes later.
"Yup. So, now what?"
"Well, your mom wats to stick around here and help Skye and Nickie organize stuff for you and her to do during the build-off competition, so maybe now would be a good time to head towards Devils Tower for our talk. Wadda ya think?"
"That's the special place you were taking about earlier?"
"Yea, it's where your mom and I shared a lot of stuff just after we got here, and we more or less decided to try getting together."
"Great, let's go!"
…
Heading out through Stergis, then turning west on I90, Nick and Sarah travel the 61 miles in the normal hour and fifteen minutes, with Sarah enjoying the scenery and the opportunity to spend quality time with her new dad.
Finally reaching his spot, which is actually a scenic overlook just south of the Tower, Nick pulls over and the pair dismount the bike.
"Wow! That is so cool!" remarks Sarah.
"Yea, it is." Says Nick, smiling at the doe.
"How do you suppose it got there?"
"Well, according to the Native Animalian tribes of the Kiowa, Cheyenne and Lakota, a group of young girls went out to play and were spotted by several giant bears, who began to chase them. In an effort to escape the bears, the girls climbed atop a rock, fell to their knees, and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them. Hearing their prayers, the Great Spirit made the rock rise from the ground towards the heavens so that the bears could not reach the girls. The bears, in an effort to climb the rock, left deep claw marks in the sides, which had become too steep to climb. Those are the marks which appear today on the sides of Devils Tower. When the girls reached the sky, they were turned into the stars of the Pleiades."
"Really?"
"Ya wanna hear the scientific theories?"
"No, not really, I kinda like the legend."
"Sounds good to me. So, where to start-"
"Mom told me something last night that I wanna ask you about first, ok?"
"Sure honey, no problem. What is it?"
"When I thanked her for giving you a second chance last night, she said that it was you who gave her the second chance. What did she mean?"
Thinking for a long minute about how to present the facts to Sarah without upsetting her too much, Nick began by narrating the damning press conference, and how he had given her back his application to the police academy and walked out instead of waiting around to have her explain herself and clarify things.
"And that's what led to the big pred scare, and why things went so badly for predators for a while?"
"I'm afraid so sweetheart. I should have known better, actually we both should have known better, especially after the cable car ride."
"Cable car ride?"
Nick went on to relate the tale of his muzzling at the paws of the Junior Ranger Scouts that he had confessed to Judy so many years ago.
"So that's why mom started to cry when you told auntie Nickie 'Scouts Honor!"
"She did? I didn't notice that!"
"Well, she, I mean we, were behind you so you couldn't have seen her.
"I guess that makes sense, thanks for telling me."
"You're welcome. Umm, was there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
Wearing a very sad face, Nick started with his stopping Nickie from confronting Judy after the press conference, his depression after not being able to find Judy after looking for her first in Zootopia and then in Bunnyburrow to try to make things right, then joining the military.
After describing to Sarah the same mission that he told Judy about, using the same details, Nick was afraid that the doe would hate him, but knew that it was best the she knows now, otherwise she would most likely find out one way or another anyway, which would only make it worse by looking like he was trying to hide it.
Pondering the revelation for a few moments "If you hadn't shot the lady, she would have shot you?"
"Yes sweetheart, she would have, without a doubt."
"And you wouldn't be around to be with mom and me?"
"That's right."
"… It's not good that that had to happen, but I think I understand. And you said that you did this to protect mom, even though you couldn't be with her?"
"Yes Sarah I did. I think I've loved your mom since the moment I met her. I'd gladly give my life to save hers, and now yours. If you think less of me for it, I understand, but I feel that you have every right to know."
Taking Nick into a hug, Sarah actually consoles him.
"You did what you did to do dad, I still love you…"
Separating from the hug, and picking up where he left off, Nick tells Sarah about his mom's passing, how he acquired the shop, and the decision to set up the shop at the rally and the invitation for the build-off.
"Is there anything else you might want to know about?" he asks?"
"Not that I can think of right now."
"Well, wadda ya say we ride back to Stergis by a different route, so you can see more of the Badlands region countryside?"
"Yes plea-"
Just then a fully loaded Hurley dresser pulls up and stops beside Nick and Sarah.
Nick immediately recognizes the tiger couple from the first night in Stergis and prepares for the worst, while hoping for the best.
…
"Well, well, well" begins the male "if it isn't the same sack of shit biker pelt we met the other night! Seems like I've got a score to settle with you, and this time there's no one around to interfere."
"Norman. Please don-" was as far as the female got because of a backpawed (backhanded) strike to her muzzle from the male.
"Shut up bitch, when I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!"
"First off" began a highly pissed Nick, making sure that Sarah was behind him "please watch your language around my young daughter. Secondly, no one should go around hitting a female, any female, like that!"
"And you're gonna do what PELT?" says the tiger, unsheathing and sheathing his claws. "And that little piece of fluff is your daughter? Times must be rough when you gotta screw a rabbit! And such a young one to boot! Does her mommy know where she is?"
"Yea she does, you fuckin' fleabag!" pipes up Sarah.
"Sarah, language…"
"Fine…"
"For your information pelt, I do what I want, when I want, and to whom I want."
"Then I guess I'll just have to change your mind about that, won't I?"
Suddenly and without warning, the male attacks with claws extended.
Unfortunately for the tiger, Nick was expecting exactly that.
While deftly dodging the sudden attack, Nick used his tail to keep Sarah behind him and out of harm's way.
"C'mon Norman" Nick taunts "surely you can do better that that!"
"I thought his name was Norman, not Shirley." says Sarah, further enraging the big cat.
"You little shit, you're next after I get finished with this fuckin' fox!"
"So, now the big bad tiger wants ta fight a fourteen-year-old bunny? Ain't you the brave one?" she further remarks.
As the enraged tiger steps in for another attack, Nick ducks under the attack and lands two very hard strikes to the tiger's midsection, driving all of the air from his lungs. A swift kick to the outside of his opponent's left knee brings the feline to his knees, eye to eye with Nick. Instantly, Nick grabs the tiger's throat with his left paw, claws extended just far enough to almost break the skin beneath the fur, but not enough to draw blood.
Locking eyes with the male, Nick begins "Listen up dummy, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once … if I ever see you again, no matter where and no matter when, I'll kill you. If I ever hear of you striking another female again, I'll hunt you down, find you and I'll kill you. I have a unique set of skills that served me well in the military and I haven't forgotten a single one of 'em.'
'Now, I'm gonna ease up just a bit on your throat and you're gonna either tell me that you understand and you'll take my advice to disappear for good and I'll let you be on your way. Or on the other paw, if you don't, I'll rip out your throat and leave the body for the buzzards. I think my fully documented claim of PTSD should serve me well in this case, so what's it gonna be?"
Feeling the pressure ease slightly on his throat, the tiger readily agreed to leave not only the Stergis area, the Badlands region, and possibly Animalia altogether.
Striding the large Hurley, the tiger extends a paw to his wife "Come on Adelle, let's go."
Pausing for a moment, the female decides that she's had enough "No, I don't think so. I've had enough of your bad mouth and beatings to last a lifetime. If you're anywhere around when I get to town there'll be a warrant out for you, because as soon as I get back to Stergis I'm filing a criminal complaint against you for domestic abuse. When you get home, get your shit and get out.'
'I'll be calling my lawyer and having him draw up divorce papers. Now, get moving while you've got the chance."
"Fine." And with that the male starts the bike and heads back towards Stergis.
Turning towards Nick and Sarah "I don't suppose that-"
"We could find you some transportation back to town?" finishes Nick.
"Yes, please?"
With a few moment's thought, Nick dials a number …
"Skye …? Where are you and Nickie right now? Sundance? And you're riding? … wait, you've got one of those new Bluetooth helmets, right? Yea, I know, I know. Listen, since you're already kinda heading this way, are you and Nickie riding double? You're not? Great. There's a stranded tigress here at my 'thinking place' and she needs a lift back to town. Twenty minutes? Great, Sarah and I'll wait here for you. See you then, bye.'
'Well, I guess you heard all of that, so I won't need to tell you anything except that my sister and her girlfriend will be here directly. In the meantime, let's all just set back and enjoy the view. There's water in the right paw saddlebag if you need some."
"You're very generous to someone you've only met recently, and not under the best of circumstances."
"That's what he does." says Sarah.
"Did you say that this pretty doe was your daughter earlier?"
"Sure did."
"And just how is that possible? So far as I know, scientists haven't been able to figure out how to successfully crossbreed pred and prey mammals."
"Kind of a long story…"
"We've got some time, let's hear it."
After recounting a brief telling of how he and Judy met, then got reacquainted, the tigress had but one question: "So, you're telling me that this young one's mother, is the same Judy Hopps that first cause all of the mayhem with the infamous news conference?"
"Yea, but she's also the same Judy Hopps that solved the case and put Bellwether and her cronies behind bars for good."
"And you're the one that initially helped her figure things out, and you were the fox that we saw leaving the news conference?"
"Yea, that was me."
"And yet you forgave her and are now going out with her, and actually have her kit calling you her father?"
"The same."
Turning and kneeling down in front of Sarah "Little one, you've got a hell of a mammal here, hang on to him with all you've got."
"I will, I promise."
Just then, Skye and Nickie arrive on their bikes.
"What's with you and damsels in distress lately Nick?" asks Skye.
"I guess it's a curse I have to bear. Anyway, umm, I never did get your name ma'am."
"Adelle, Adelle Stripers.
"Adelle Stripers, meet my twin sister Nickie Wilde and her significant other, Skye Winters."
"With introductions out of the way, Sarah and I are gonna finish the loop and take the alternate way back to town. We'll catch you two later probably back at the shop."
…
While taking the alternate route back to Stergis, Nick pulls over in the small town of Aladin to get them both something else to drink.
While sitting on a bench in the shade of an old tree, Sarah asks "Are you ok dad?"
"Hmm? Yea, I-"
"No you're not! Don't lie, please."
Letting out a long sigh, Nick admits "No Sarah, you're right, I'm not ok. It-it bothers me that you had to see me like that. It bothers me a lot. I was only inches away from killing a mammal … again.'
'I swore I'd never take another life when I got out of the military. And what bothers me the most is that you, of all mammals, had to see it. I'm sorry …"
"Placing her tiny paws on Nick's cheeks, Sarah looks deeply into Nicks eyes "If you hadn't done what you did, would he have hurt you?"
"Yea, he would."
"Killed you maybe?"
"Probably, yea."
"And then me?"
"… you're trying to make me feel a bit better about what happened, ain't you?"
"Maybe …?"
Taking her into a deep and tight hug "How did someone so young, get to be so old?" he asks quietly.
"I have to help mom sometimes when she gets like this. Please don't tell her I told you, ok?"
"Your secret is safe with me darlin'."
"You all better now?"
"Not completely, but yea, I'm better. What say we get back to town, maybe Ramone is about done with the trike."
"I don't think he will be just yet, so can we stop and do a little shopin' first?"
"Sure thing sweetie. You got sumpin' in mind?"
"I think so, if I can find what I'm lookin' for."
"And that is…?"
"I'll know it when I see it, but I don't wanna get my hopes up, just in case."
"Ok, no problem. Saddle up and let's get back."
…
Entering Stergis from the western edge and going east on Lazalle, Nick finds that the traffic has increased steadily, just like he expected. Making the turn to go down Main Sarah stands on the back pegs and looks for a certain shop "Here dad, stop here if you can!"
Backing the bike into an open slot in front of a certain souvenir shop, Nick dismounts, picks up Sarah and sets her on the sidewalk.
"C'mon dad…hurry up!" she says impatiently while pulling on his paw.
Grinning like a fool, Nick allows himself to be drawn into a t-shirt sales tent.
"This, this is what I want … PLEEEEEASE!"
"What in the world?"
In front of Nick are three-quarter length t-shirts that look like semi-naked animals, that in this case happen to be red fox and artic fox vixens. The shirts are showing naked breasts and body all the way to mid-thigh, with a bikini bottom covering what would be their 'delicate' parts.
"You're serious? Really?"
"Yea, I wanna get them for auntie Nickie and auntie Skye."
"This is to embarrass them for this morning, right?"
"Too much too soon?"
"Heck no, it's perfect. I'll get them for you on one condition …"
"Lemmie guess … you wanna to get one for mom too, right?"
"Bingo. Go ahead and get the ones for your aunties, then find one to fit your mom. Are you sure you're not part fox?"
The question catching her by surprise, Sarah can only stare at Nick "I don't think so, why?"
"C'ause it's the type of stunt that I'd pull."
Grinning like only Sarah can do "Thanks dad."
"You're more than welcome. Let's pay up and see if we can get them wrapped in some brown paper or something so they can't guess what they are."
Getting ready to get back on the bike to head back to the shop, Nick stows the t-shirts in the bike's saddle bags, and sees the little black box that he had shown Judy earlier that week.
"Before we head back" he tells Sarah "there's something that I'd like you to have."
"Really? And that is…?"
Opening the small box to reveal the black onyx pendant, Nick removes the pendant and places it around Sarah's neck.
"I originally got this for your mom. But after we decided to try to work things out between us and get together, I remembered seeing the two-piece heart necklaces that you saw on your mom and I earlier in a store. That's when I decided to get us the necklaces and to give you the pendant instead. And yes, your mom approves of it, it was just a matter of the right time to give it to you. And now seemed like the right time. Umm, do you like it?"
After looking closely at the pendant, Nick is gathered into a tight, trearful hug by the tiny doe "I'll take that as a yes."
"I-I've never, ever been given anything like this before" she chokes out between happy sobs "it's beautiful …thank you."
"You're very welcome Sarah. Now, do you think it's safe to go back to the shop, or do we need to find something else to do for a while?"
'SNIFF' "Just a sec and I'll find out…"
Making a quick call, Sarah confirms that they can go ahead and return to the shop.
"Trike's finished, let's go. I wanna show you MY surprise."
…
Entering the shop area via the one of the bay doors at the rear of the building, Sarah and Nick dismount and approach a machine covered by a drop cloth.
"Ok" begins Sarah "dad gave me permission to do whatever I wanted on the paint, so I hope you like it… Ramone, if you would, please show us the trike…"
Pulling the drop cloth off to reveal the totally redone trike, everyone in the shop, including a few customers, are totally blown away.
What they see is something entirely different than the machine that entered the building slightly less than two days before.
In place of the standard slider type front end was a totally upgraded springer suspension with a custom front wheel and new tire.
The engine had a set of Panhead style rocker boxes (valve covers) and a high intake air cleaner.
The rear wheels exactly matched the front wheel, with super wide tires which just filled the wheel wells of the vehicle.
However, the most noticeable change was the paint! In the place of the totally worn out three-tone red, was a base coat of white pearl, with a mostly translucent overlay of gray around the central part of the main body, fuel tank, and front and rear fenders.
All of the edges were trimmed in black with a russet red tinge, and to set it all off, was what appeared to be a chocolate candy Easter bunny with ice blue eyes, set in the middle of the fuel tank just below the chrome filler cap.
With everyone gawking at the trike, too stunned to say a word, Sarah was a bit worried.
"Umm … is it ok? It's not ugly or anything is it? If it is, I'm sorry-"
Gathering the tiny bunny up in yet another massive hug, Nick sums it up for all "My darling daughter, this is, without a doubt, the most beautiful bike, trike, whatever, I have ever seen in my entire life! It's beyond perfect, thank you."
"R-really? You mean it? No foolin'?"
"Scouts honor, Sarah. I mean every word of it!"
Suddenly, both Sarah and Nick are startled by applause and whistles from the gathered crowd!
As a tearful Judy joins the pair to look at the trike closer, mammals are asking if it's possible to get something like that done for their rides.
"Looks like you've got some fans Lil' Bit comments Nickie.
"Auntie Nickie, auntie Skye!"
Partially defending herself from the brown doe's hugs and kisses, Nickie says" You really did a good job designing the paint Sarah. Well done. I guess that you're gonna have a tough time fending off customers all week."
"Customers?"
"There must be at least twenty mammals out there that are wanting you to design paint schemes for their bikes. And there are bound to be more, especially since the rally doesn't even officially begin until tomorrow. Then there are bound to be lots more."
"But … I don't know nuthin' about designin' that stuff."
"Well, seeing what I'm seeing from here" remarks Skye "I'd say that I'd have to disagree with that. I agree with Nick, that's the best paint I think I've ever seen, especially on a trike."
Noting the confusion and concern on the young doe's face, Nick steps in "Sarah, honey, it's alright! If it's too much for you, or you don't feel like taking on that kind of responsibility, we understand" as Judy stands beside him nodding the affirmative.
"Umm … I-I wouldn't know how to go about it, I-"
"Actually" interrupts Nick "you do. You just don't realize it!"
"…"
"How did you go about designing the paint colors for our trike?" asks Judy, catching on to where Nick is going.
"I just thought that your fur colors would look good on the … dang, I get it now!"
"Look honey" says Nick "If you really don't want to, that's fine. There is absolutely no pressure from us to do this. You know that right?"
"But if I wanted to, it would bring the shop more business, right?"
"Yes it would, but don't let that be the reason for taking on the responsibility."
"Can I talk to Ramone before I decide anything?"
"Sure you can. Go ahead and go over to the paint area and talk to him. We'll support you one hundred percent, regardless of what you decide."
Taking Ramone by the paw, Sarah leads the chihuahua to a secluded corner of the shop, where they speak quietly for several minutes.
Returning to her 'parents' Sarah tells them that Ramone wants to speak to them for a few minutes.
When the three finally finish with their discussion, they have all reached a decision.
"Ok" begins Judy "here's what we've decided-if you really want to do this, we're all for it, but on a limited basis to begin with. No more than three to five bikes a day for the first couple of days to begin with. After that, it'll be a day by day decision depending on how you're mentally handling the stress."
"And …" joins in Nick "as the designer, you're entitled to forty percent of the profits of each sale. Most of that money will go towards any special school that you want to attend after you graduate from high school, that your heart desires. We'll allow you to use a little of the money to buy whatever you want, within reason, while here at the rally."
"Finally," rejoins Judy "you'll need to be at the site of the build-off at the fairgrounds with us, to take the orders. That's so we can help weed out anything that's not appropriate for someone your age. Does this all sound ok to you?"
"… Absolutely" gathering both Nick and Judy into hug. "Thank you both so much…"
…
"Well" says Skye "I don't know about y'all, but I think it's about time for a cruise down Main. They should be setting up the barricades to keep the cages out."
"Cages?" asks Sarah.
"Cars honey" replies Nick. "Sure thing, let's all load up and-"'
"Wait, wait, wait" cries Sarah "I've got sumpin' ta give my aunties first!"
"And your mom?" asks Nick.
"Yea, and mom too. Wait a second …"
Heading over to the bike they rode in on, Sarah retrieves three small bundles wrapped in brown paper from the saddlebags.
"Here ya go" she says, handing a package to each of the females "but ya gotta try 'em on before we go … please!"
Opening their 'gifts', the vixens just stare at the young doe, then bust out laughing.
"You little devil" remarks Nickie. "Did Nick put you up to this?"
"Nope!"
Staring at the vixens modeling their t-shirts, and with the colors almost perfectly matching their natural fur colors, the pair look almost like they are truly half naked, Judy then suddenly realizes that she's probably in for the same treatment!
"This had better not be-oh, hell no!"
"Mother, language" which draws laughter from all three Vulpes.
"I am NOT wearing this in public. Absolutely not!"
"C'mon Judy, live a little, it's all in good fun" jibes Skye.
"Yea" joins in Nickie "Just once at least … pleeeeease?"
"Fine, just this once" and slips the t-shirt over her head.
Looking down at the effect, Judy notices something and has to comment "Damn, I didn't realize that my nipples were pierced!" as she joins in the fun, which draws another round of laughter from the group.
As all three Wilde's (not officially yet, but who really cares?) get on the trike and Skye and Nickie get on their bikes and start to head towards downtown, Midnight and Amy step out into the bay and both have to take a quick double-take, thinking they were looking at three half naked females.
Enjoying the looks, all laugh heartily as they exit the shop and head up Junction Avenue for downtown Stergis.
Hooking a left to head west in Main the three vehicles enjoy a slow roll to a turn-around spot and head back down Main towards Junction again where they'll turn and go to the motel for supper.
Halfway to the turn towards the Stergis Inn, Judy suddenly shouts "STOP Nick, stop now!"
Fearing something was drastically wrong, Nick stops immediately, with Judy literally jumping of the back of the trike.
Dismounting and telling Sarah to stay put on the bike, Nick follows quickly behind his bunny.
Approaching a tigress dressed in a black Stergis security uniform, Judy stops and confronts the female.
"Well as I live and breathe, if it ain't Liz Fangmeyer in the fur."