Here is the 41st installment. Hope you enjoy.
Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)
If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."
You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come.
Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.
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Morning, WildeHopps home.
Nick stretched as he returned to consciousness, then curled back around his bunny who sighed into his chest fur and groaned. "Why do you have to get up?" She asked sleepily.
Wishing he could give in and seriously considering calling off for the day, Nick started to disentangle himself from his gray furred bed companion. "Because unlike some-bunny, I still have to go to work. However, you have to get up too, because I have to drop you off at Lizz and Mike's with clothes for both of us. Because we have dinner tonight at Mike's parents, the Wolford Alpha's, home."
Judy whined as he got off the bed. "I don't like you right now. Stealing my warmth!"
"I don't like me either, but we both have to get moving. Get up and ready, I'll make some food. Chicken or turkey?" Shaking his head in disbelief. "Look at me being the responsible one here. Mark your calendar, Fluff."
WIth a dark chuckle, Judy rolled to look at him. "Chicken. I still don't like you."
Leaning over and kissing her on the neck. "I know, but I still love you."
Flopping on her back before rolling onto her other side so she could watch him get dressed. "I love you more."
Smirking, Nick looked back and blew her a kiss. "I Love you more than that."
"You Better!" She nearly growled out at him.
Nick's smirk never wavering. "Whatever, rabbit. Time to get moving."
Sitting up, Judy glared at Nick. "What was that, Fox?"
"You know you love me." Pulling his shirt on and buttoning it up."
"Sometimes, I wonder." Standing and realizing she had to pee, badly. "But yes, Yes I do. Now out of the way. Pee emergency."
Nick leapt out of her path with a chuckle and after grabbing his tie, headed for the kitchen to fix his mate breakfast. Judy made it in time, and signed with relief. Looking down at her belly. "Y'all best behave today." Getting at least three good solid kicks she groaned again. "Really? That's how you treat your mother?"
After cleaning up Judy got dressed. A bright green sun-dress that matched Nick's eyes and had a shawl she could wear if she got cold, as well as her jacket. Dressed and loaded up, she grabbed her purse and phone, made sure her weapons were safe and ready, and headed for the kitchen and the delectable smell of chicken sausage and omelets.
Seeing her enter the room, Nick smiled. "I figured I'd mix it up a little, so I chopped up the sausage and put it in the omelets."
Judy hummed. "Well, if it tastes as good as it smells."
"I hope so. I'm not as good as Fin, but he did text me the how-to on that new seasoning method he's been using." Cutting the omelet in the pan and sliding the sections off onto two plates, then putting the pan in the sink to be washed. Nick took the plates, setting the larger portion in front of his mate who eagerly dug in.
"Mmmm. Oh, you did good Nick."
"You're only saying that because you are starving."
"No. I mean it. This is maybe better than the burritos. You should give this idea to Fin."
"Wow, now that's high praise." Taking a bite of his own section of omelet. "Mmm. Okay, that is good even if I do say so myself. I make no promises to be able to duplicate this, but I will try."
"That's all I can ask."
Nick got up to retrieve the toast as it popped out of the toaster, his timing slightly off. A short time later the dishes were drying and Nick was finishing getting dressed, putting on his tie. Turning to see his bunny waiting for him, Nick couldn't help but grin widely."
Judy's ears fell back as she saw the grin. "What?"
"I just see you, and sometimes it hits me how lucky I am, how unbelievable it is that you love me like you do. That I get to be your mate, that you are carrying my kits. I just... I'm just so happy." Wiping away a tear. "Sorry. I know... Foxes, so emotional."
Judy stepped forward and pulled Nick down into a hug. "I know Nick. It's okay. It is just us, let it out my love." Gently petting his ears as the tears flowed. She knew, after so many years that his walls were down when it was just them, and sometimes he needed a moment. He had it so bad for so long, and they had talked about it at length. His insecurities, claimed or not, got the best of him sometimes, and then the claim he could see and feel would assert himself and the joy would overwhelm him.
Kneeling, he pulled her into a deeper hug, tears flowing. "There has just been so much since we hustled Mike and Lizz. We got roped into a lot of this stuff, now we're going to be adding membership as Firsts to wolf pack Designates‽ It is even a lot for me." Standing up and wiping tears with a paper towel and then checking to make sure his fur was straight with a sniff. "You have ruined me rabbit. Showing emotion. Being legitimately happy. Telling my backstory to your father, with edits of course."
Pushing him away by the shoulders but holding on to him, Judy looked at Nick in surprise. "You did what?"
"He and I had a heart to heart. It only took me three ciders to get through, although I was starting my fourth when Jesse called."
"Nick?" Judy searched his eyes and was pleasantly surprised at what she saw. "Oh Nick. You did that for me." Pulling him back into a hug, tears of her own fully joining his. "You damn, stupid, thoughtful, dumb, sweat, fox."
"But I'm your dumb fox."
Swatting him, Judy's giggle a bit watery due to the tears. "Yeah, and you had best not forget that."
"Not possible. It's demonstrated that even with full amnesia, a fox can recognize his mate, even if he doesn't know anything else about them."
"So you have said, and given our experiences with Night Howler, I am hard pressed to disbelieve you on that one. Now come on. Let's straighten ourselves up, get me over to Mike and Lizz's place, and you to work. Elli is supposed to be meeting us there to do some sort of wolf protocol and culture crash course."
They were on the road a few minutes later and a good hour earlier than they normally would leave the house. Twenty minutes later, Nick pulled into a free spot at the building that currently housed the Wolfeyer residence. After a long hike up many, many, stairs, they finally reached the right floor, Nick knocking on the door slightly winded.
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Wolfeyer residence, same time frame.
Mike woke up surrounded by warmth and found when he tried to stretch, that he was unable, as he was currently wrapped in tiger. The sudden jolt of a cubs foot from her belly into his bladder area forced him to shift, waking her.
"Mmrrmph... Don't wanna wake up."
Mike chuckled. "Sorry, love, but you have to at least let me go. One of the cubs just kicked me in the bladder and I gotta pee."
Groaning, she released her arms, but grabbed and ran her claws through his tail as he got off the bed causing him to shudder. "Come back quick. Need my Snuggle wolf."
Glancing at his nightstand, he picked up the phone and shut off the alarm just as it started. "Sorry again, love. However, it is time for me to get up and ready for work, and Nick will be bringing Judy by as well. I'll make some pancakes."
Lizz grumbled and eyed him. "Fine, but I refuse to be perky." Stretching out."Gods, they were so active last night until I curled about you. You gave that contented rumbling growl and it was as if they all fell asleep. So I feel weirdly rested."
"That's great!" Slipping his shirt on and leaning over the bed to give her a kiss which she pulled him deeper into. Finally released, Mike grinned down at Lizz. "Oh, the promise that kiss has for our official wedding night."
"It's going to be so weird to have others watching us have sex. I don't know if I can feel sexy."
Mike nodded. "I get it love. It isn't like some say. The reality is only that someone needs to confirm that we have tied the knot, otherwise we'll be behind curtains until free and able to put on robes."
"Well, that's a bit better, but it is still weird! Is it because I'm not a wolf?"
Mike nodded. "That is part of it. But it is also a side effect of me being the Designate. We'll talk more about it with mom tonight."
Lizz blushed and shook her head. "Oh gods. That part is probably the worst! Discussing our sex life with your mom is going to be a nightmare."
Helping her stand, Mike gave her a quick kiss as she stood. "It's really just about making sure that I didn't knot you without us talking about what that meant first."
"But we did. You had a whole presentation prepared."
Mike chuckled."Yep, and just like with foxes, and most canines really, that is an almost irrevocable step. Just after the claiming bites. Which is something that only wolves and foxes still do, and apparently tigers. So you and Judy have that part in common too."
"Something we have the option of refreshing at that time, right?"
Mike nodded, as his ears flicked back. "You are going to want me to bite so much harder, aren't you."
Giving him a swat on the butt with her tail, Lizz smiled. "Yes, make a real statement. Medical assistance will be on hand. Still, my teeth are so much bigger and I worry about hurting you."
"I know and I'm not worried. Besides, all of this will be well after you give birth. Mom, no matter what, isn't going to let you or I get pushed into it until you have had a chance to recover from that for several weeks at least, if not a few months, and you being on suppressors or not is none of their damn business. We just have to get it on the calendar is all."
Lizz nodded. "Okay. Now, go make those pancakes."
Mike gave her another quick kiss and then trotted off to the kitchen. Lizz making her way into the bathroom and soon drawn into their small eating area wearing her ZPD sweats which exposed her belly because they wouldn't stretch over
Mike grinned as he slipped a stack in front of her. "Oh my, I need to get you a new sweater, at least until you give birth."
Lizz narrowed her eyes at Mike. "You saying I'm fat?"
"Not at all, Love. You're just super-pregnant, and absolutely beautiful."
Lizz blushed and swallowed a bite of pancake. "Mike!"
Mike sat down with his own stack of pancakes with a grin. "What? It's true. It'll be a question that I will be asked, and there will be some super attractive she-wolves trying to hit on me, but I have no eyes for anyone but you. Sure, I'm not going to lie and say I cannot appreciate that they are beautiful, and whoever ends up with them, as long as they're decent wolves beyond their looks, then whoever they end up with is a damn lucky wolf. I am not however interested. I want you to know. I have scented many wolves that have been in heat since we have been together, and other than noting the fact, I have had no reaction. Yet when I scent it on you, I find it hard to keep myself under control."
Blushing even deeper, Lizz grinned. "I know it might be weird, but that means more to hear than you might realize, Mike." Leaning over they shared a kiss and then turned to their breakfast.
Once finished, Lizz looked up at Mike. "So, they're really going to test us both then, aren't they? Just to confirm that we are on the up and up?"
Mike frowned and looked away for a moment before turning his gaze back to Lizz. "Yes. I don't know what all they are going to do, but I do not doubt that some of those older wolves on the council that are against us will push things right up to, if not well into inappropriate. That's part of what we will need to talk to mom about. It is also why we will have our Firsts, Nick and Judy, at our sides when this is going on. I'm sure mom will back us up on this, and we will talk to her about this as well, but if they try and separate you from your First. Especially if it is just because she's not a wolf. Push back. First the fact that you're not a wolf either, and second, she's your First, wolf or not. Having a non-wolf as a first is not unprecedented, it's you as the mate of the Designate and future Alpha that is."
Lizz nodded. "I see. So if they were to do that, then I should insist that I get confirmation from... mom." Grinning. "I like calling her that. But can I force them to get her sign off before things I'm less than comfortable with, or separating Judy from me."
Mike nodded with a small smile. "Pretty much. I assure you, if you ask her tonight if you can call her mom, she will flip! She does love you, Lizz. As for forcing proof that she is okay with something, yes. One hundred percent do it. Ed has told me a few times in the past few days when we've talked that if he or Elli had done that, Mom or Dad would have stepped in. So do not be afraid to ask."
"I know. It's just ... Gonna be a change."
"It is going to be interesting, that's for sure." Looking up at a knock on their door and calling out. "One moment!" Looking to Lizz. "Be right back. Probably Nick and Judy."
Getting up, Mike opened the door to find just that, Nick and Judy waiting outside. "Hey guys. Earlier than I expected. We were just finishing up breakfast. Come in!" Stepping aside.
Nick and Judy enter the Wolfeyer apartment, Nick giving his two finger salute. "Thanks buddy. Just wanted to make sure we could get here early enough that you and I wouldn't be late or have to rush out on our ladies."
Judy was already in the dining area, Lizz having helped her into a seat. "Damn Lizz. I don't know how you manage those stairs for so long. It's such a great thing that you will be moving."
Lizz shrugged. "It's been a struggle as I have gotten farther along. At first I was used to it, until shortly after I went on leave. Then it started to wear on me. Even tried going up and down a few times a day, but it just became too much."
"I hear that. I rode up on Nick after the fourth floor."
Lizz laughed. "You didn't!"
Coming around the corner, Nick nodded. "Oh, she very much did."
Judy grinned. "Well, what use is having a fox as a mate if I can't take advantage of my big strong fox every so often?"
Lizz snorted as she tried to suppress a giggle. "Oh gods. That is so true. Mike can't carry me, but he sure has come in handy in supporting me as we come up the stairs a few times. You're right though Judy. Moving cannot come soon enough. I've reached the point that I can get about 2 floors before I have to sit and rest before doing another set."
Mike and Nick exchanged a look and just shrugged, Mike leaning over and kissing Lizz. "I'll take care of the dishes, but then Nick and I need to head out. Better a bit early than parking duty."
Lizz nodded, pulling Mike back in for a deeper kiss. "Be safe, and try and keep him out of trouble." Pointing to Nick.
Judy laughed. "I don't know if that is possible, Lizz." Grabbing Nick's tie and pulling him into a kiss as well. "You behave and come home safe. Both me and these guys need you." Patting her belly.
Nick grinned blissfully after the kiss. "How can I refuse such a request punctuated like that?" Leaning down and kissing Judy's belly as well. "You all behave for you mother."
A few minutes later the dishes were drying and with another set of goodbye kisses between the mated pairs, Mike and Nick closed the door behind them. The door opened again a moment later. Mike calling louder to be heard inside. "Morning Elli. Don't beat them too hard, they need to be functional for dinner tonight."
Elli's laugh could be heard. "I find positive reinforcement to be far more effective Mike, even with wolves. Though the occasional ear flick does help punctuate the occasional point."
Nick could just be heard. "Hey! Just no! I'm not a wolf, foxes do not do the ears! Evil deer!"
A few chuckles and Elli's cackle could be heard before the door closed and she walked into the dining area/kitchen. "Hello Ladies. How has your mornings gone?"
Lizz and Judy share a look, Judy responding. "Way to fucking early! Way too early to be more careful about my language about it. You city mammals are a bad influence on me."
Elli laughed again and shook her head. "All good. I get it. Not going to start in on training or anything until at least eleven this morning. So if you two want to nap, or chat, or whatever until you're feeling fully awake, it's all good."
Lizz stood. "Let's retire to the couch with some drinks and see what brainless morning TV there is. Soften the brain with some mindless shows, maybe a game show or something, before we start pouring wolf etiquette and protocol into our brains."
Judy nodded. "Sounds Good. Can I get a hand here, or step stool?"
With a smile, Lizz turned and helped Judy down while Elli noded. "I agree. Something mindless is in order this early. Wasn't sure if you'd be here Judy, given Nick knows quite a bit."
"He may know a lot, but it was all focused on hustles. Gives him a head start, but not enough for the job as First. Something I've still not gotten my brain one hundred percent wrapped around.
After a quick discussion on drinks, juice for Lizz and Judy, tea for Elli, they all find seats on the couch. Lizz and Judy taking up positions against the arm rests with pillows to support their back, Elli between them. The TV is quickly on and the morning news starts playing.
Judy turns to Elli. "So, without diving into the details, we can do that part later. What are we going to need to know for tonight? I've only got what they taught in our PR courses in the academy, mammal interaction courses as I worked on my Masters, what Nick knows, and what I've picked up on the job working with wolves like Mike and others."
Lizz looked over. "Wait, Judy... You have your masters?"
"Just about finished. One course left actually, and since I've been on leave I've been powering through them. Better than going completely stir crazy."
Elli grinned. "That's fantastic! I assume Nick is close as well?"
Judy nodded. "Yes. We were at the same spot, but I've had the time to power through where he's still stuck working on them after work when he gets home. So he still has about three or four months to complete his. I'll be done with my finals next week."
Elli's grin got even bigger. "Doesn't matter, that is such a perfect point in both your favors as Firsts for Liz and Mike."
"Well... It's kinda needed for us to make Lieutenant and detective, as well as grow beyond that."
Lizz shook her head. "No it isn't, Judy. You only need the Bachelors to make detective and LT. No, Masters is needed if you want to make Captain and beyond. This must be why Mike was looking at on-line classes."
Judy nodded. "Nick sent him the information for the school we are using. They're accredited, and they are on the approved list for no waiver needed to get the degree accepted by the promotion board."
"That's great." Lizz sighed. "Mike and I both need to get into those classes then and get our Bachelor's finished. I'm about a third of the way, but physical class rooms, even night classes just don't work for cops. Not in the long term. Mike's about half way, for the same reason."
Judy smiled with a light laugh. "I totally get that. I had my BS before I joined the academy, but trying to work towards my Masters was just not happening. On-line is the way to go. Nick got a waiver, but was given three years to get his AS. He found the online classes, confirmed they would be accepted and had his AS in a year, BS the year after. That convinced me, and we started working on our Masters together.
The power of the on-line classes is that whenever you have time, you can log in and work. Middle of the day on a day off. Late night when you have the next day off and can't sleep because of a crazy shift. They even have a phone app where you can do your reading and take any multiple choice tests and simple text answers. You could do an essay on it, but I wouldn't recommend that." Shrugging. "Anyway, Nick and I have tag teamed doing some class reading while on stake outs. The app does auto-bookmarking of where you were. So he'd watch while I read a chapter, then we'd switch. It is also a lot cheaper than in person schooling. The one we use even gives discounts to first responders, as long as you can get MR to sign off on the documents, which they do happily."
Lizz grinned. "Oh, that sounds awesome. Exactly the kind of flexibility officers need."
Elli almost bounced in excitement, clapping her hooves. "This is perfect! Judy, with you and Nick having or almost being at such a high degree of education, and helping Lizz and Mike bring theirs up. It's like you guys were tailor made to act as Firsts, because you are already acting as their Firsts, just not officially.
As for what is going to happen. Dinner, once the initial pomp is over with, will be pretty informal, much like last night at Therus once we're actually sitting down and eating. It's the before and after that all the stuffy stuff comes into play. Though mom is far more relaxed at family dinners than many Alphas, tonight is going to have a lot more than usual. This is because she has to do an honest evaluation of both Lizz and Mike, their relationship, and you and Nick and your position as Firsts. Your fitness to act as Firsts to Lizz and Mike, as well as their fitness as mates and future alphas."
"Any idea what that is going to entail?"
"Mostly, that you acknowledge that you are not wolves and just learning the protocols and such, that you do at least a passable job, and respond to corrections. As well as how the four of you interact. Nick and Mike, you, Lizz, and Judy. As well as Judy to Mike and Nick to you, Lizz."
Lizz nodded. "Okay. That doesn't sound too bad... yet. I feel there is a but, coming... What about the testing that Mike has been telling me about? He told me that I need to insist that I get face to face confirmation from mom if I'm uncomfortable with something, or if they try to separate Judy and I."
Elli nodded vigorously. "Yes. Exactly that. I wish Ed and I had done that. There are going to be some on the council that are against you because you are a tiger, because you aren't a wolf period, or even just because you're not their cub and species be damned. So they are going to try and push things, so yes, one hundred percent, push back. Even those that are in your corner may try something to get you to push back, and test you to make sure you are able to set boundaries. Lots of that will be talked about with mom at or after dinner." Turning to face Judy. "That means that you as the First may need to do that push back as well, or at least be obvious in your giving council to Lizz."
"Okay, so most of the bounds of what is acceptable will be covered tonight then?" Judy asked.
"Yes. Well, at least I hope so. We'll go over the behavioral stuff, how to address certain wolves, etc... today. How to tell their rank compared to yours, things like that."
Lizz smiled. "Okay. Mike's been trying to teach me some of that the past few nights, when he didn't get home late and just pass out, like last night."
"Good. Mike's a good mate. I just wish Ed and I hadn't had such a hard fight of it to be accepted. Then you two wouldn't have been so scared. Mike especially."
Lizz nodded and put a paw on Elli's shoulder. "We talked about it. He just wanted to protect me from the nightmare he saw you two go through. Said that Ed told him a few times that you two almost called it quits because he couldn't bear to put you through that hell anymore."
Elli looked down, her ears flicking. "Yeah. He tried to break it off several times with me. I refused to let him. The last time… We yelled. I begged him to stay, to not walk away from me. I knew why he was doing it, he told me that he couldn't put me through it anymore. It wasn't fair to me, just to be with him. That he wasn't worth it. Then he walked out. I heard his agonized howl a few minutes later through the window. I knew in that moment that he was truly gone…
I lost it. All the pain of what we had been put through, them slipping she-wolves into our bed to wait for him to get home. All the crap we had been put through. It all erupted in me and turned into rage. I had mom's number and I called her directly. Cussed her a blue streak about how they were hurting Ed. I told her that if her damn protocols and crap was more important to her than the happiness of her son, then those things were not worth a damn and I didn't care if I was violating any or all of them, because I loved Ed and he loved me. Yet because of what she was doing, he had just left me. At which point the rage evaporated and I just felt empty. I broke down crying and hung up. I think I repeated that he left me a few times before I managed to hit the hang up button.
It shocked her. We don't really talk about it, but I know she called Ed. She was at my apartment within the hour and pulled me into a hug when I opened the door. That was when the nightmare ended. That was when she dragged me home and took me under her wing, teaching me all the things about being a she-wolf with a mate of Ed's position in the pack. But by then it was too late for you and Mike. He'd already seen the things that we'd been put through. Mike stopped coming to anything he absolutely couldn't avoid so he didn't see the changes, or the hell that was paid once mom found out what we had been through. Testing was one thing, but what we were subjected to enraged her. She took what they did as a direct affront to her personal honor. Sadly, because Mike cut himself off as much as he could get away with, he never saw that, or how things turned around."
Lizz nodded. "He explained some of what you went through. I don't know how you withstood that, but then again, I guess I would go through just about anything for Mike."
Elli nodded. "First lesson, and this is an easy one, though harder in the moment. Full names. No shortened names or nicknames."
Judy laughed. "That'll probably be the hardest one for Nick. Or, in the vein of tonight. Nicholas."
Elli nodded. "Right. So let's go over some names real quick. I'm Ellissa Marie Wolford. I took Ed's name, though you don't have to, or you could merge them like Judy has. Ed is, Edward James Wolford, by the way."
Lizz nodded. "Got it. Ellissa Maria and Edward James. I'm Elizabeth Violetta Fangmeyer, and I know Mike is Michael Arron Wolford. I now know that Nick really is Nicholas."
Judy smiled. "I guess that leaves me and Nick. So yes, Nick is Nicholas Piberius WildeHopps."
Lizz snorted a laugh. "Piberius? Really?"
Judy nodded. "Yes, and don't you dare tease him about it." Pointing a finger at Lizz. "It's a reminder of his father and grandfather."
Lizz put up her paws. "Down bunny! I wasn't going to, just surprised. Now what about you."
"Judith Laverne WildeHopps."
Lizz nodded, holding back a snicker at Judy's glare. "Go ahead, Elizabeth Violetta. Laugh it up."
Lizz was having trouble holding in her laugh. "I'm not. It's just…" Several snickers escaping her muzzle.
Judy glared at Lizz. "Watch it Violet, or that's going to be your new nickname."
Lizz's eyes went wide and her laugh froze in her throat. "You didn't! I haven't been called that since I was a cub! It was my great great grandmother's name!"
"Same for me!"
Elli watched the two pregnant mammals stare each other down and started laughing. "I don't know what is worse, that you two have such a friendship, or the fact that the pregnant rabbit has absolutely no fear of a pregnant tigress. You are perfect for each other. Judith, keep that up. That challenge to Elizabeth, holding her paws to the fire. She's going to need that. Elizabeth, you as well. Don't just accept what your First says, put her paws to the fire and make her justify the position. You'll both come to better decisions."
Lizz and Judy nodded, their attention turning to Elli. Lizz glancing at the time on the cable box. "Okay. I get that. I think it is time for some food, Judith?"
"I agree, Elizabeth, I think both of us are in need of sustenance, given our mutual conditions. Should we order in, or do you have something here we could share?"
"I think ordering in would be best, as this is a predator household, while I know you would be perfectly fine with a turkey and cheese sandwich, I don't believe our guest Ellissa can share a such a meal with us. I'm sadly lacking in the vegetable department as neither Michael, or I, eat them often, or as more than a side dish."
Judy nodded. "I agree completely." Turning to Elli. "So, do you have a specific craving for lunch, Ellissa?"
Snickering. "Oh, you two are going to fit right in. You'll have mom calling an end to formality in a matter of minutes with that."
Judy and Lizz looked at Elli confused, Judy speaking. "What do you mean, Ellissa?"
Still snickering. "That right there. Judith. The full conversation style is spot on for what you are going to experience at the beginning of the meal. There is a silent competition going on between the brothers, their mates and significant others, and anyone else invited. The goal is to get mom to call an end to the formality of the meal. If you two can keep that up right from the start and maintain, you'll have her calling an end by the end of the appetizer."
Lizz chuckled. "Oh, if Nicholas plays along, which I'm sure he will be more than happy too, I'm sure we will."
With a grin of her own, Judy nodded. "With certainty. Michael as well, I am certain. Where is the bar set, for the moment?"
"End of the main course. Mom hates it herself, but she has pride too."
Judy grinned, adding some haught to her voice. "Oh, Elizabeth, my dear mammal. This is going to be simply a great and unrepentantly great deal of fun. Do you not agree?"
Lizz grinned, putting all her teeth on display, and throwing some haught in herself. "Oh, I agree most fully and totally, Judith. I feel that this is a challenge for which we are more than up to meeting, with fervor. Don't you agree, dear sister, Ellissa?"
Elli laughed with a grin. "Oh, I think both Judy and yourself, Lizz, are more than up to this challenge. Mother will not know what hit her. Especially if Nick and Mike join the effort."
Judy nodded. "Now, back to the question at hand. Lunch, and what it is you are hungry for. Talking like this is just a slight deviation from how we have to write our reports."
Elli thought for a moment. "Given that tonight will be a catered meal of at least four courses, do either of you know how to eat such a meal?"
Lizz nodded. "Yeah. Got a quick lesson in that when we got taken to Greetha's"
Elli stopped and looked up at Lizz. "Greetha's? As in the place that you can't get a reservation to even if you are the head of the Wolford pack?"
Lizz's ears fell back. "Yeah, so I've been told. We, Mike and I, were guests of Judy and Nick. There were a bunch of us there, including Maria and her mate, Carry and Bill, and Delgato from the station."
Elli spun to Judy. "Judy! How can you be in a position to bring someone into Greetha's as a guest?"
Judy shrugged as if it wasn't as big a deal as Elli seemed to be making it. "Nick knew a mammal or two and got us a table early on when we were dating. It's exclusive enough that we didn't have to worry about being seen together. Only we were. Maria was there with Jarvis. I was doing my best to ignore her as she bored holes in me until finally she couldn't take it any more. She nearly screamed my name and ran across the restaurant, pulling me into a hug. You can imagine Nick's shock."
Lizz laughed. "Having now met her, I totally believe she made a complete scene about it."
Judy laughed along and nodded. "Oh, so very much. Then there was the instant, and loud interrogation about who this fox is that I seemed to be on a date with. How long had we been together? Shortly thereafter, our plates got moved to a larger table and Nick and I's date kinda ended at that point. I had to explain that Maria was my college roommate, and how we hadn't seen each other in a few years. Thus explaining her reaction. She had been staring at me since we were seated, trying to convince herself that it was me."
Elli looked between them confused. "Who precisely is Maria?"
Judy blushed. "I'm not really at liberty to say. I knew her before she was famous. College roommate, like I said. Remember the conversation about me being The Bunny Avenger?"
Elli thought back. "Gods, that wasn't even that long ago and it already seems like last year. Yeah, I had kinda forgotten a lot of that. Just way too much information."
Judy nodded. "Well, you see. My college roommate, Maria, who as you know became a rather famous actress, singer, etc... was The Crimson Gazelle."
Elli's eyes bulged, all the pieces falling into place. "Wait! Gazelle... The Gazelle, was your college roommate and a former vigilante?" Frowning for a moment. "I knew you knew her, but she's Gazelle... It just never clicked. How could I..." Elli groaned. "Because you always call her Maria, oh gods I'm such a dolt."
Judy nodded with a smile. "That's exactly why I call her Maria. Not many make the connection without be being spelled out, and I hope you'll keep that to yourself."
"Yeah, sure. Who the hell is going to believe me? This is good though. You have no idea how much credibility you can pull in if you can treat mom to a meal in Greetha's, and if your roommate happened to be there. Look, Mom will never admit it, but she is a Gazelle super fan. This is a real opportunity for you to score some points."
Lizz laughed. "Well, since we both sang on her upcoming charity album and... unless I misunderstood what was being talked about, will be performing on stage at the associated concert." Lizz looked past Elli to Judy. "Judy, think we can arrange something?"
Judy nodded with a half frown, ears drooping at half mast. "Yeah. She finally got Nick and I into a recording booth and got recordings that they can use. Turns out Lizz and Mike have good voices too and got roped into it as well."
Elli blinked for a second. "Oh my gods! You simply must tell mom about this!"
Judy's phone started ringing. "Wonder who that is?" Pulling her phone out she laughed. "Speak of the Gazelle herself." Answering it. "Hey Maria, what's up? Were your ears burning? ... You want us to what? ... No, I heard you. Please say you are not serious." Judy groaned as she listened. "No, tonight will not work at all. Friday? I'll confirm with Nick, Lizz, and Mike. ... Oh, we can see the comics then? Great! ... Okay, I'll text you later after I talk to Nick."
Lizz looked at Judy expectantly. "Well?"
Judy smiled with a shake of her head as she hung up and set her phone aside. "If Maria is to be believed, and I have no reason not to. The actual artists who have listened to our sets have all demanded that we add some additional tracks. We'll also get a chance to look at the first few comics and sign off on them."
Lizz smiled. "Oh, well that's awesome for you and Nick."
Judy shook her head with a mischievous smile. "That means you and Mike as well, Elizabeth."
Lizz groaned as her ears folded back. "No."
With a grin, Judy laughed. "Yes. The perfect chance to score those points with Mother Wolford. Invite her, but don't tell her what is going on. "
Elli's grin became wicked. "Yes! That is perfect. Friday, late afternoon to evening. If you can then arrange Dinner at Greetha's, that would be a complete home run with mom."
They eventually ordered in some wraps for Lizz and Judy, and a massive salad for Elli and Judy to split. After lunch, the conversation turned to the various protocols and expectations that both Lizz and Judy would be expected to know for the meal and beyond. It wasn't all that bad, once they started discussing things, but seemed daunting when Elli listed things initially. Boiling down to essentially over the top old school manners. As well as the requirement that, until Mother Wolford called an end to the formal part of the evening, they had to use full names and speech patterns."
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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.
If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.) and then select Scribblings Blog ( Scribblings ).
