Chapter Forty-Three
The Benefit of Bunnies
By the time the game was over and Jennifer was off to Rosemary Carmody's house, she was ready to brave turkey again. Bunnies scattered as she was welcomed with open arms, greeting not only Rosemary and Lav, but her two siblings, Damiana Harper and Basil Carmody. She most especially gave Basil a hug, for although she had seen Damiana once after Bell Choir practice, she hadn't seen Basil since she had been in school.
"It is so good to see all of you again!" Jennifer said warmly, scooping up the little black bunny who had raced in front of her as they walked to the backyard.
"Hey, how come Ebony comes to you? I've been trying to get him to come to me since he was born," Lav complained as they got to the back, and Rosemary chuckled at them.
"Let's face it, Lav, bunnies have never been your thing," Basil teased her, then looked over at Jennifer. "I have a buck named Sport because he's a fast little guy. In fact, we've been using him around the office to carry memos back and forth, believe it or not, in a little tube harness I made for him."
"Oh, I believe it. My eldest son made something similar for his cat familiar, but she tends not to be in a hurry to deliver them unless there's treats at the end," Jennifer said.
"In my experience, bunnies are much more reliable than cats," Basil said.
"Only if you're single," Damiana retorted. "When I was pregnant last year, Rick had to leave his buck here at Mom's for the duration."
"Yes, which only got me more bunnies," Rosemary laughed. "But lets not get in the cats vs. rabbit wars again, I'd like to keep things civil in front of our guest."
"What sort of familiar do you have now, Jennifer?" Basil asked.
"A Huang, actually," Jennifer said with a smile.
"Wait... it's better seen than explained," Lav said, and brought out her phone to show him a picture of Radiance.
"What in the world?" Basil said with a laugh. "It looks Anisplinched."
"She's actually really pretty in person," Lavender informed him.
"Yes, she is," Jennifer agreed with a smile. "She's in New York right now since I'm staying there this week, but usually she's at the school if you want to see her sometime."
"How did you end up with such a bird like that?" Basil said.
"Well, after my bad Ratfly died, I had a rather large list of qualities that I wanted in a new familiar, and it was the only one that fit all of my needs at the time," Jennifer explained. "A flyer that was long-lived, quiet but protective, good with children, that sort of thing, and we asked one of our former Magical Creatures instructors, and he picked her out," she explained with a smile. "There is one rabbit in the family, though. My daughter Lucky has a Lop named Houdini. We thought we'd never get him trained to a hat," she said with exasperation, Basil grinned.
"Ever thought of getting another one of your own?" Rosemary asked, her three kids rolling their eyes at that, knowing their mother was likely scheming to get rid of a few.
"Oh no, not really all that interested, actually, I really don't want a familiar without a long lifespan again, especially considering... well, I suppose everyone knows I have several doses of the Elixir of Life in me after some very close calls with death when I was younger, and I really don't want to go through the grief of losing one familiar after another during my time on this planet."
"Elixir or no Elixir, we can't exactly predict when it's our time. You might get hit by a bus tomorrow," Rosemary pointed out.
"A cab more than likely, considering she's going back to New York after this," Lav teased.
"True, but I'm also not going to set myself up for a loss that can be prevented," Jennifer said firmly. Suddenly there was the sound of a baby crying and they all paused to listen.
"Sounds like Naomi is hungry, I'd better go feed her," Damiana said.
"Ask Rick how he's coming with that turkey while you're at it. I'm getting hungry myself," Rosemary said. "Maybe you two ought to go set up so we can eat soon."
"Good idea, I'm hungry too. Lav, come help me finish setting the table up out here," Basil said.
"Sure thing, then I can start making up some drinks," Lav said enthusiastically, and they went inside.
"That seemed a bit convenient," Jennifer observed, Rosemary smiling at that.
"My kids are really good at getting hints," Rosemary agreed. "Ebony really seems to like you, doesn't he?"
"Still not interested," she said with exasperation, smiling at her old teacher.
"Are you afraid of death, Jennifer?" she asked bluntly.
"Of my own? No, not really," Jennifer said, but noticed that Rosemary was looking at her fixedly. "Of people I care about, yes. But who isn't?" she asked challengingly.
"Fair enough, but there's such a thing as a healthy amount of fear and an unhealthy amount," Rosemary replied. "The unhealthy amount meaning to be so afraid of it that it keeps you from getting attached to anyone that you might lose."
"Rosemary, we're talking about a familiar, not people. It's a matter of being practical, and it's more practical to have a long-lived familiar," Jennifer replied.
"Yes, but I'm really concerned about that attitude coming from you, Jennifer, and about what that decision is hiding," Rosemary said with a serious expression. "Because you are using this excuse to prevent yourself from facing the fact that your artificial longevity is going to have some serious consequences down the line." Jennifer looked uncomfortable, deciding to concentrate on placating the baby rabbit on her lap. "Is that a shy violet I see?" she asked knowingly, tsking at her "What have I told you countless times about that?"
"Shy violets only wilt, too afraid to see the sun," Jennifer repeated with a sigh.
"So you do remember," Rosemary said with a nod. "Jennifer, by both circumstance and heritage, you have a personality of extremes, and I know that your sensitive side is so sensitive that anytime you try to bury things, it eats you from the inside, and this issue is no exception. You are at your best when you face your fears head on, and we both know it. Use that deep strength within you to challenge what is before you, whether it's an enemy or it's simply harsh truths that you want to sweep under the rug. You cannot hide from this, Jennifer!" she told her firmly. "To do so would render the decisions someone made to safe you with the Elixir in the first place meaningless. Because the fact of the matter is, as much as you'd might like to, you can't give a dose to everyone in the world you care about. People you love will die of old age... generations of people you love will, just as like it happens to Wind and Lunette. You need to learn how to face that fact head on... and also face the fact that anyone that you or your husband give that Elixir to will share the exact same fate. Just because you're out of step with the circle of life doesn't mean that it still doesn't go on... and so it should. I've seen how your face lights up every time you talk about both your new siblings and grandchildren, Jennifer, and rightly so, it is a joy. It is a continuation of your family tree... one which, impressively enough, you Craws know better than anybody. But if new generations are to shine, older generations must also fade. Life renews and improves itself, while those that have finished their work will move on to a higher plane. And those of you who have sidestepped that circle for a little bit are duty-bound to use that extra time to help guide the process along, and to use your knowledge and wisdom to aid your fellow man. Sometimes that will mean stepping boldly into a situation. Sometimes that will mean completely stepping aside, so that you don't get in the way of those needing the space to grow and experience things without you...well... getting in the way. But the fact is that those times will happen more often as time goes on. That doesn't mean that you should allow yourself to stagnate, however... you should keep growing and improving yourself. Wind and Lunette haven't stopped growing either, their roles have simply changed over time."
"Yes, just like Albus and Minerva," Jennifer acknowledged somberly, and Rosemary smiled, taking her hand.
"That said, I think you still have many years before you need to learn how to step aside for more than a moment or two. In some ways, Jennifer, you haven't even reached your peak yet, although I think you're getting a little closer to it this year," Rosemary said with a smile. "But you do need to learn how to accept the sorrow and the loss in life just as much as you accept the joy in life. You don't have to like it," Rosemary she added softly with a gentle smile. "But you do need to learn how to accept it, because the fact of the matter is that those losses are going to start compiling. Fortunately, you do have some mentors who have the same problem and who can give you advice on this topic, and I'm not going anywhere just yet. But when my time comes and I am gone, I hope you remember this conversation and take it to heart. I will always love you, and you will carry that deep inside your heart for your whole life, regardless if I am still here or not."
Jennifer burst into tears and hugged her old teacher, unable to hold back all of the fear and grief she had been holding onto. Rosemary hugged her tightly and smiled, letting her cry herself out.
Lav, who had attempted to open the back door, shut it again, glancing in the kitchen where Rick, Basil, and Kenzie were fixing the plates.
"Looks like we need to give them another moment or two," Lav told them.
"That's okay with me. I can start telling your date some stories about how much of a pain in the butt you were when you were little!" Basil decided.
"Hey!" Lav protested, and kept peeking out the door anxiously, relieved when Jennifer and her mother finally stood up so that she could interrupt the current story that her brother was telling. "Oh look, they're ready! Let's take out some plates so I can introduce you!" Lav said quickly, shoving a casserole filled with succotash at Kenzie while she carried out handful of miniaturized tables and a long tablecloth. Lavender stepped out the door only to see the two of them walking away.
"And just where are you two going?" Lavender asked.
"I'm just taking her over to the rabbit hutch," Rosemary explained. "Oh, hey! New girlfriend! Do you like bunnies? Come on over."
"This is Kenzie Irving," Lavender quickly introduced, using her wand to quickly put together the tables and lay the table cloth so that Kenzie could put the casserole down.
Then they followed Rosemary and Jennifer to the corner where a very large, bunny hutch that looked rather like a rustic lodge hotel took up most of the back corner, a ramp leading up to its doors. Sitting in front of it and watching the bunnies happily was a red-eared spotted pointsetter who seemed quite enthusiastic about watching his young charges play.
"What a pretty dog!" Kenzie said with a smile.
"That's my familiar, Bargain. He's almost always back here, actually," Rosemary explained. "I lost a couple of bunnies to a hawk a few years back and I got him to keep an eye on things, and he loves his work," she said with amusement. "I have one other familiar too... Pearl!" she called out, and a large white bunny scampered out of one of the top rooms and made her way out through the ramp. Rosemary scooped her up, holding her out for Jennifer to take.
"Oh, look at her! If she wasn't a doe, I'd say she was the spitting image of White, down the to flecks in her ears!" Jennifer said with a laugh.
"I know, that's why I kept her. I sell the vast majority of the does born to familiar shops, but she looked so much like White, I got attached to her," Rosemary said. "And she's a direct descendent too... come look!"
Jennifer followed behind Rosemary curiously, and was soon staring in amazement at the back wall of the hutch. It was covered by a giant board that reminded Jennifer a bit of the map and schedule boards at train and bus stops. But instead of maps and schedules, this one contained a giant family tree, tracing each bunny back to their parents. Symbols were next to the name of each bunny; labeling which ones who had died, were adopted, or sold; and those she knew had other details, like if they were familiars or not. Some had a small book attached where, if Jennifer touched it, opened to show the rabbit's current owner. Rosemary pointed to the top left name where White was, using her finger to follow it down to Pearl. And from Pearl, she noticed, had come several litters, and in the bottom one was Ebony, one of only two bucks in the litter.
"Pearl's my main producer at the moment... I put a potion in their kibble to help control how often she litters so I can keep it from overrunning the property," she explained. "Every now and again, I'll trade some bucks with other producers to keep the lines fresh, that's why some of these rabbits from the middle of the tree on have names with no ancestor trees, though I've had a couple of pedigreed ones that I do have information on," Rosemary said, touching one of the trees by their name to show the hidden family tree behind the symbol. "Could you imagine memorizing the Craw family line if it looked like this?" she asked wickedly.
"Ugh, I don't even want to think about it! I would think that my family would have to give up the tradition if it got this chaotic," Jennifer said, but was still awestruck by it all.
"Maybe... but I think there's a hint of your future in this," Rosemary said with a smile. Jennifer frowned, gazing at all of the ones marked with a gravestone symbol. "True, it'll never be as bad as your Half-Fae friends, who stop aging altogether, but at the same time, you need to be prepared for this: that includes you, everyone else who has been given a dose, and whoever Severus has to make one for in the future, since... alchemist to alchemist... you and I both know that such a formula as this Elixir would in no way be that shelf stable," she winked. Jennifer gasped softly at that, and then grimaced.
"It's all right," Rosemary smiled. "I'll take it to my grave, because I have no interest in such a thing, thank you. I can plainly see for myself how it's a double-edged sword. And I think your husband has always known about this as well. I can't see Albus giving him such a thing without having this discussion beforehand so that he understood just how serious it was."
"And I understand better just why my brother-in-law was so upset when Severus crossed the line that day and gave it to him against his wishes," Jennifer admitted quietly. "But Severus didn't want his sister to be left alone, and she's one of people in my life who naturally doesn't age, no more than Half Fae and 'Half Bear Spirit' do." Rosemary looked completely amused.
"Good lord, Jennifer, haven't you figured Wind's heritage out yet? I know he doesn't talk about it... in many ways, he doesn't even like to think about it since he was born before the Europeans invaded this country. But let me ask you this; what Fae race do you know that could have been living for many years as a bear, but might have been interested in a beautiful young Cherokee maiden enough to shapeshift into a human to mate with her?" Jennifer thought about it only a moment before she chuckled, exasperated with herself.
"Wind is Half-Pooka! Why didn't I ever see it before! That explains everything, from his longevity to the shape changing to his gift with manipulating nature!" Jennifer grinned. "I can't believe I missed that when it's so obvious now."
"Yes, well, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that this is something something you should keep to yourself, although I'm sure he won't mind that you're in on the secret," Rosemary winked.
"Of course not, Rosemary. I'd never betray Wind's secret," Jennifer said resolutely.
"Nor will I betray yours," Rosemary said.
"Of course not," Jennifer said with a smile, the two of them stepping back out again. Lavender and Kenzie, it seemed, had returned to help set up the table, but Basil was walking over to the hutch with someone else next to him; it was Aurelius. "Oh, dear. I should have expected that."
"See? There they are," Basil said. "Jennifer, he says he's one of your kids?"
"Yes, so he is," Jennifer said with a smile.
"Do you want a bunny?" Rosemary asked.
"Thanks, but I have a snake. What have you been talking about Mum?" Aurelius asked bluntly, and Jennifer smiled.
"Come over to where we were standing, Aurelius, I have something to show you. Rosemary, this affects him too," Jennifer explained.
"Yes, I can plainly see that," Rosemary admitted. "Basil, go set out another plate, it seems we have one more for dinner," she said, the three of them walking back over to White's family tree. Basil shrugged at the dismissal, curious bunnies scattering left and right as he walked back to the table.