Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They are property of Marc Brown and PBS.
A/N: Beautiful Mind, I appreciate your suggestions. I think I might just read a few of your fanfictions. But I must dispute a few things you have mentioned. I am almost pausitive that Prunbella and Rubella are poodles. I know PBS.com calls them rats, but I think they're msitaken too. They are obviously not rans just by the shape of their ears. There is no way Fern is a poddle. She is definately a dog of some sort, but not a poodle. I do undertsand that Rubella would normally be too young for Ratburn, but I've, for the sake of my fanfiction, made Rubella a little older and Ratburn a littel younger. I hope our disagreements will not prevent our reading each other's fanfictions. Like, who really cares if soemthing is wrong...it makes it kind of interesting. Thank you for reviewing. I hope you will review again.
LEARNING TO BREATHE
by Lina Shay
Chapter Two: A Thought or Two Your Way
After a hard day in school, Ratburn drove back to his nice, clean house. Ratburn loved this house. He had grown up there. Only recently had his mother passed away, leaving him all by himself. He did have his sister, but she was currently living in an apartment. So Ratburn was alone in that house, no one ever to talk to. Most days, he found solace in carpentry, making desks and even marionettes. But that didn't always fill the void.
At times such as these, there was only one thing to do. Ratburn went straight to the kitchen and slipped his arm around his cookie jar. Before he had even gone two steps, he noticed the lack of clamor coming from it. Quickly, Ratburn pulled the top of the jar off and stared dismally into the emptiness within. Just a chocolate chip and a few crumbbies remained.
"Oh, dear," Ratburn groaned to himself. "I'll have to make some new ones."
Ratburn hung his suit jacket on the back of a chair and wrapped a apron over his head and around his waist. He pulled his cooking book from the shelf and shuffled through for a good recipe. He came upon something quite appetizing when the phone rang.
"Nigil Ratburn," he said into the phone.
"Nigil, Darling, how have you been?"
"I've been quite well, Rodentia. And yourself?" Ratburn asked politely.
"Dismal," she announced. "I have been missing my brother as of late."
Ratburn smiled, saying, "Well, I have been missing my sister."
"Are you free tonight?" Rodentia asked. "We can go to that lovely restaurant, Venustus Bivium."
"Wherever you would like is fine," Ratburn told her.
"You are the dearest brother I have," Rodentia crooned. "See you at seven, kiss kiss."
"Yes, indeed," with that, Ratburn hung up the phone.
Ratburn had time to bake a batch of cookies while listening to a Spooky-Poo episode from the kitchen. It was a great one where Spooky Poo and the Decipher gang found a headless mummy in the Amazon. He turned out to be their tour guide, Mr. Scoundrel. While he stuffed his belly with sweets, he laughed away his loneliness. He did this same thing practically everyday. Now, if you ever asked him about this, he would certainly deny it. After all, an upstanding, learned man needs nothing but the stimulation of his own intellect. No, Ratburn would be the last person to let anyone see him vulnerable.
****************
Ratburn tapped his fingers on the restaurant table, staring down at his watch. She should have been there by now. If she didn't arrive soon, he would have to order without her. He looked at his watch once more and heaved a sigh. All around him sat cute couples clinking their glasses together. Ratburn thought through his life and couldn't remember a single time that he had been as happy as these couples. There had been a few women in his life, but nothing serious. He hadn't really loved for any of them, that kind of love that lasts. Why was he alone?
He had no business being alone in a place like this. He was seriously considering getting up and leaving. Then his sister walked up, a smile on her face.
"Dear, brother," she began sweetly, "I am dreadfully sorry that I am late."
"It was no inconvenience, I assure you," Ratburn said, standing up to give her a kiss on the cheek. "How have you been?"
"Tolerably well, I'd say," Rodentia told him.
Ratburn pulled out her seat for her and Rodentia sat down. He took his place opposite her.
"Have you ordered?" Rodentia asked.
"I was waiting for you," Ratburn explained. "Waiter!"
A dark brown dog in tuxedo came over instantly, asking, "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes," Rodentia began, "I will have the chicken alfado and a side of caviar."
"Excellent choice," the waiter complimented. "And for you, sir?"
"Veal Parmesan," Ratburn ordered, "with truffles."
"Yes, sir," the waiter said as he walked off.
Rodentia tapped her fingernails against her champagne glass as she began, "Might I ask if there is anyone new in your life as of late?"
"No, my sister, there is no one," Ratburn told her, clasping his fingers together under his chin.
"That is unfortunate," Rodentia muttered. "Why is it, brother, that you do not find someone?"
"It isn't as easy as that," Ratburn informed her, watching for their meal to arrive. "I would find someone if there was anyone to find."
"Ellwood City isn't that minuscule, dear Nigil," Rodentia insisted. "I'm sure there are single women out there."
"Looking for a reclusive school teacher, I'm sure?" Ratburn chuckled. "I do thank you for your concern, but it is no use. Truly, there is not a lady alive who would strike my fancy, and feel the same in return."
"Brother, you are too hard on yourself," Rodentia said as the waiter set their meals before them. "I assure you that there are those who would find you fascinating. In fact, I do know a lady who might become quite taken with you. Should I make the call?"
"Don't bother," Ratburn told her. "I am in no need of a relationship at present."
That was a lie. It was the only thing that would soothe poor Ratburn's despondent state. Naturally, he would not admit to such a thing. To avoid the whole subject, Ratburn started eating. If he was eating, his sister would not prod him with more questions. Rodentia got the message and began on her meal as well. There was silence. Ratburn's eyes wandered about the restaurant, re-examining those happy couples. One couple, though, caught his attention. Why, it was Mr. and Mrs. Kirst! They talked pleasantly over a romantic dinner. Had they left Rubella and Prunella alone? Of course, Rubella was completely capable of caring for herself. Ratburn was sure Rubella could do anything she put her mind to.
"Nigil, who ARE you staring at?" Rodentia demanded.
"Why, no one," Ratburn insisted, turning his attention back to his sister.
"Don't try to fool me," Rodentia warned. "I'm your sister. No one knows you better than I?"
"Dearest, I was just thinking," Ratburn told her. "I have school early tomorrow. Maybe we should call it a night."
"We only just arrived," Rodentia insisted. "What is the matter with you?"
"Nothing at all," Ratburn told her, standing up. "I will tell the waiter to put it on my bill. Have a lovely evening."
Ratburn kissed his sister and headed out of the restaurant.
A/N: Rodentia Ratburn is quite out of character. I don't know. I think I made them sound too British, too.
A/N: Beautiful Mind, I appreciate your suggestions. I think I might just read a few of your fanfictions. But I must dispute a few things you have mentioned. I am almost pausitive that Prunbella and Rubella are poodles. I know PBS.com calls them rats, but I think they're msitaken too. They are obviously not rans just by the shape of their ears. There is no way Fern is a poddle. She is definately a dog of some sort, but not a poodle. I do undertsand that Rubella would normally be too young for Ratburn, but I've, for the sake of my fanfiction, made Rubella a little older and Ratburn a littel younger. I hope our disagreements will not prevent our reading each other's fanfictions. Like, who really cares if soemthing is wrong...it makes it kind of interesting. Thank you for reviewing. I hope you will review again.
LEARNING TO BREATHE
by Lina Shay
Chapter Two: A Thought or Two Your Way
After a hard day in school, Ratburn drove back to his nice, clean house. Ratburn loved this house. He had grown up there. Only recently had his mother passed away, leaving him all by himself. He did have his sister, but she was currently living in an apartment. So Ratburn was alone in that house, no one ever to talk to. Most days, he found solace in carpentry, making desks and even marionettes. But that didn't always fill the void.
At times such as these, there was only one thing to do. Ratburn went straight to the kitchen and slipped his arm around his cookie jar. Before he had even gone two steps, he noticed the lack of clamor coming from it. Quickly, Ratburn pulled the top of the jar off and stared dismally into the emptiness within. Just a chocolate chip and a few crumbbies remained.
"Oh, dear," Ratburn groaned to himself. "I'll have to make some new ones."
Ratburn hung his suit jacket on the back of a chair and wrapped a apron over his head and around his waist. He pulled his cooking book from the shelf and shuffled through for a good recipe. He came upon something quite appetizing when the phone rang.
"Nigil Ratburn," he said into the phone.
"Nigil, Darling, how have you been?"
"I've been quite well, Rodentia. And yourself?" Ratburn asked politely.
"Dismal," she announced. "I have been missing my brother as of late."
Ratburn smiled, saying, "Well, I have been missing my sister."
"Are you free tonight?" Rodentia asked. "We can go to that lovely restaurant, Venustus Bivium."
"Wherever you would like is fine," Ratburn told her.
"You are the dearest brother I have," Rodentia crooned. "See you at seven, kiss kiss."
"Yes, indeed," with that, Ratburn hung up the phone.
Ratburn had time to bake a batch of cookies while listening to a Spooky-Poo episode from the kitchen. It was a great one where Spooky Poo and the Decipher gang found a headless mummy in the Amazon. He turned out to be their tour guide, Mr. Scoundrel. While he stuffed his belly with sweets, he laughed away his loneliness. He did this same thing practically everyday. Now, if you ever asked him about this, he would certainly deny it. After all, an upstanding, learned man needs nothing but the stimulation of his own intellect. No, Ratburn would be the last person to let anyone see him vulnerable.
****************
Ratburn tapped his fingers on the restaurant table, staring down at his watch. She should have been there by now. If she didn't arrive soon, he would have to order without her. He looked at his watch once more and heaved a sigh. All around him sat cute couples clinking their glasses together. Ratburn thought through his life and couldn't remember a single time that he had been as happy as these couples. There had been a few women in his life, but nothing serious. He hadn't really loved for any of them, that kind of love that lasts. Why was he alone?
He had no business being alone in a place like this. He was seriously considering getting up and leaving. Then his sister walked up, a smile on her face.
"Dear, brother," she began sweetly, "I am dreadfully sorry that I am late."
"It was no inconvenience, I assure you," Ratburn said, standing up to give her a kiss on the cheek. "How have you been?"
"Tolerably well, I'd say," Rodentia told him.
Ratburn pulled out her seat for her and Rodentia sat down. He took his place opposite her.
"Have you ordered?" Rodentia asked.
"I was waiting for you," Ratburn explained. "Waiter!"
A dark brown dog in tuxedo came over instantly, asking, "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes," Rodentia began, "I will have the chicken alfado and a side of caviar."
"Excellent choice," the waiter complimented. "And for you, sir?"
"Veal Parmesan," Ratburn ordered, "with truffles."
"Yes, sir," the waiter said as he walked off.
Rodentia tapped her fingernails against her champagne glass as she began, "Might I ask if there is anyone new in your life as of late?"
"No, my sister, there is no one," Ratburn told her, clasping his fingers together under his chin.
"That is unfortunate," Rodentia muttered. "Why is it, brother, that you do not find someone?"
"It isn't as easy as that," Ratburn informed her, watching for their meal to arrive. "I would find someone if there was anyone to find."
"Ellwood City isn't that minuscule, dear Nigil," Rodentia insisted. "I'm sure there are single women out there."
"Looking for a reclusive school teacher, I'm sure?" Ratburn chuckled. "I do thank you for your concern, but it is no use. Truly, there is not a lady alive who would strike my fancy, and feel the same in return."
"Brother, you are too hard on yourself," Rodentia said as the waiter set their meals before them. "I assure you that there are those who would find you fascinating. In fact, I do know a lady who might become quite taken with you. Should I make the call?"
"Don't bother," Ratburn told her. "I am in no need of a relationship at present."
That was a lie. It was the only thing that would soothe poor Ratburn's despondent state. Naturally, he would not admit to such a thing. To avoid the whole subject, Ratburn started eating. If he was eating, his sister would not prod him with more questions. Rodentia got the message and began on her meal as well. There was silence. Ratburn's eyes wandered about the restaurant, re-examining those happy couples. One couple, though, caught his attention. Why, it was Mr. and Mrs. Kirst! They talked pleasantly over a romantic dinner. Had they left Rubella and Prunella alone? Of course, Rubella was completely capable of caring for herself. Ratburn was sure Rubella could do anything she put her mind to.
"Nigil, who ARE you staring at?" Rodentia demanded.
"Why, no one," Ratburn insisted, turning his attention back to his sister.
"Don't try to fool me," Rodentia warned. "I'm your sister. No one knows you better than I?"
"Dearest, I was just thinking," Ratburn told her. "I have school early tomorrow. Maybe we should call it a night."
"We only just arrived," Rodentia insisted. "What is the matter with you?"
"Nothing at all," Ratburn told her, standing up. "I will tell the waiter to put it on my bill. Have a lovely evening."
Ratburn kissed his sister and headed out of the restaurant.
A/N: Rodentia Ratburn is quite out of character. I don't know. I think I made them sound too British, too.