Chapter 2: Whispers from the Forest

- 6 months before Eunice's death [3rd person POV]
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"Ah another glorious day," cried Eunice to herself as she opened her door and took a
light-footed step outside.

She could hear the beautiful crickets sing their song under the pink dawn light. The trees
rustled softly in the fresh summer breeze. Watching the orange clouds run away from the
sunrise she knew this was happiness, to hear nature's song dance through her ears. This
was contentment, listening to the crystal waters lap against the riverside peacefully with
the cool dew soaked air.

"Let me think, what do I need to do today," she spoke out loud to herself as she shut the
wood paneled door behind her. "Hmm, well I did get that letter the other day about Tom
Nook having that sale, maybe I should see what's good today."

And with that she began her trek through the trees, stepping across the rocks where they
rested softly in the green green grass, tip toeing through Rover's lawn as to not wake him
as he stood there with his eyes calmly shut. He usually fell asleep outside, and never in the
comfort of his own house. It was always fun for the villagers to poke fun at him about that common
quirk he had when it came to his sleeping habits. Finally she came across Nook's shop after
passing by the warmly lit post office. Peeking from around a tree she saw that it had just opened.
With anticipation she entered through the sliding door into Nookington's, taking in the
contemporary fluorescent light as she took her steps.

"Ah, Eunice, lovely seeing you again," came a voice from behind the counter. It was
Tom who was adjusting his apron appropriately presenting himself as the store's owner.
"Is there anything I can help you with today?"

"Oh, no, nothing in particular, I did hear about that sale that you wrote about in your
daily letter."

"Ah yes that," he chimed with a brightened smile. "I'm offering some excellent prices on
this regal wallpaper and flooring, care to take a look at it spread out?"

"Certainly," replied Eunice with an equally warm smile.

As he spread out the golden flooring against the basic tile of the store, she knew
immediately that she wanted it.

"Oh that will be enough Tom," she joked. "I'll definitely take it."

He quickly rolled up the flooring into its usual green cylinder, "Wonderful, it's only 120
bells today."

After handing him over the golden sac of currency, she placed the wallpaper inside her
clothing hurriedly with excitement.

"I can't wait to see how this looks in my home. Tom, you never cease to disappoint me."

He chuckled softly, adjusting his apron a bit, "Oh Eunice, you're too kind, I'm only here
to please the town folk with my modest selections."

She flashed another smile as she stepped out the door. Today really was going excellent
she thought. Tom Nook is such a nice man, a real winner in the town. The village was a
warm place to be in at this moment in time, and Eunice knew she was glad to be apart of
it.

******************************************************
*A few hours later*

Shutting the door behind her again, she was greeted by a familiar face. It was her
neighbor Mitzi.

"Hello Eunice! Going for your afternoon walk?" she cooed from across the green grass
while chasing a cricket.

"Oh certainly not," joked Eunice as she opened her umbrella to cover herself from the
searing hot summer sun. "I don't want to give myself another stroke!"

Mitzi laughed and carried on with her cricket chasing, pouncing across a rock and into
her flowers.

She watched as the feline muddled through them, tearing the tulips and dandelions to
shreds, I'll have to get those replaced she thought, but they were not thoughts of
contempt, but of humor. It was a peaceful sight to watch, almost simplistic, a cat
entertaining herself by a simple insect in a meadow. Too bad her flowers had to fall
victim, Eunice thought with a small chuckle.

As she strolled across the rickety wood bridge and past the small waterfall that ushered
its daily mantra of splashing water and crystal specks of moist droplets across the rocks,
she heard a voice from behind the trees.

"It's very serious...he can't allow......it's just wrong..." came the muffled barely
audible voice.

With careful footsteps, Eunice edged herself closer to the densely packed trees to hear the
conversation more clearly.

"Tortimer cannot tax the villagers like this, it is disgraceful," added another voice. It was
Blathers. She would have recognized the hooty chime from anywhere. She pressed herself
against the trees even further, keeping herself concealed, but still close enough to listen in
on the hushed voices clandestinely.

"It is hard enough to maintain the museum on current funding, now what am I supposed
to do?"

Taxing the villagers? Eunice thought. That seemed somewhat odd for the town of
Brighton. Why would Tortimer want more money?

"Greed Eunice."

Oh no! Did I say my thoughts out loud? screamed Eunice in her mind.

"You don't have to hide from us Eunice, it's quite alright for you to join the
conversation," continued Blathers' cooing voice.

Slowly, Eunice stepped around the trunk of the tree to see Mable, Vladimir, and Blathers
all standing in a circle looking at her. At this point, she felt somewhat silly, having been
hiding behind a tree and eavesdropping on three of her village acquaintances.

"I'm so sorry, I thought I heard something from the forest, and I came closer to listen, I
didn't mean to intrude."

"Oh not at all Eunice, you're always welcome to talk with us," said Mable with a smile as
she twiddled with one of her quills. "Have you heard about Tortimer's recent tax plan for
the village?" she added with a slightly darker tone.

"Oh...uh, no I haven't," replied Eunice. "Listen, I'm late for an afternoon meeting with
my friend Mitzi...I'm going to have to go."

Vladimir crossed his arms in his usual annoyed looking manner, "Ah, that's alright
Eunice, however come over anytime you want to talk." His demeanor was harsh looking,
but his tone friendly as usual. He might have been a brute looking bear, but he had the
capability of sounding amiable.

"Ok, thanks guys, see you later." And with that, Eunice stepped back into the bright
sunny light and away from the shadows of the forest's edge.

As she moved away slowly from the trees, re-opening her umbrella, she could hear Mable
whisper in her soft chirpy voice...

"How much do you think she heard?"

"Not nearly enough," replied Blathers in an equally hushed whisper.

Hear what? thought Eunice. Something was very odd around here...

*******************************************
*The next day*

Another day without rain, she thought as she stared at her wilting flowers. I swear, things
are going to have to change around here if they're going to stay good, she continued in
her mind, quietly thinking to herself under the hot beating sun.

Glancing ahead Eunice saw that the water level of the river seemed to have dropped
some showing off the sandy riverbank that used to be hidden under the crystal blue water.
Perking her ears up a bit, she noticed the distant waterfall no longer had its usual
powerful rumble, but instead a softer trickle, a weaker cry from its previous roar.

"This is all very strange," she whispered to her brown stained tulips.

"Whoo it sure is hot!" shouted Tangy from across the lawn, "Almost as hot as my new
fruity furniture selection," she added with a squeaky laugh that made Eunice cringe a bit.

"Good afternoon Tangy, yes it has been quite warm these days. I'm also having a hard
time remember the last time it rained. I hope we're not heading into a drought," she said
with a worried tone in her voice.

"Well, it looks like it Eunice! Heat plus no rain? I'd say that was a drought," belted
Tangy with a gleeful smile.

Nothing seemed to bother her as she nodded to Mitzi with a quirky smile who was walking by,
making an arc shaped path to avoid close contact with the exceptionally giddy feline.

With a smirk, Mitzi strolled across the yellowing grass and leaned against Eunice, "I
think Tangy's had to much sun, it's getting to her orange shaped head," she panted while
wiping a sweat drop from one of her whiskers.

"So is the sun getting to y..."

"TAX COLLECTION!" came a howling voice that abruptly cut off the heat stressed
feline.

"What the hell was that?!" cried Eunice as she swerved around.

Her eyes immediately laid upon Copper who was waving a large bag that appeared to
have quite a few bells in it.

"Oh! What's this all about?" cried Tangy with her usual plastered happy tone.

Mitzi let out an annoyed heat induced groan, "They're coming to take our money."

Oh that's nice, thought Eunice as she watched Tangy mindlessly dig through her bag of
bells. With her usual delirious smile the orange headed cat deposited a small gold coin
into Copper's burlap bag.

"There you go! I hope that covers it!" she exclaimed joyfully as though unaware of the
civil robbery that had just occurred right in front of her face.

With a grunt, he threw the bag over his shoulder, "I'm beginning to hate this job," he
panted as he approached Eunice and her feline friend. "Alright, what about you two."

"How much do we have to pay?" questioned Mitzi with suspicion.

Copper readjusted the bag to shift his weight around. It looked awfully heavy as he
gasped for more of the hot summer air.

"Just 200 bells for now, I don't know, it could change in the future."

Mitzi pulled out her purse and unclasped the golden snap with a grumble. She dug her
paw around the contents with frustration. She did not like having her well deserved money
being taken like this.

"Alright here it is, but just so you know, this is as much as a well caught catfish."

Copper took the bells quickly and tossed them into the bag, "Hey, don't shoot the
collector, it's Tortimer who started this whole thing."

Mitzi scratched her nose, shooing away an evening mosquito as the sun was nearing the
horizon, "Tortimer eh?" she paused for a moment in thought. "I see, well, we'll have to
bring this up with him huh Eunice? I mean, I don't really see the point of having taxes.
I'd think this town does just fine and dandy without them."

Without answering, Eunice simply nodded as she watched a brown leaf wither off a dead
looking tree. Glancing around the orange bathed meadow she saw that many trees were
brown, one after the other...all brown...all dying...

"Is this the beginning of the end to the better times?" she whispered.

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Sort of a prefix to the earlier installment. This series might jump around a bit timeline
wise...we'll see. Thanks for reading!