A/N: Have you ever noticed that these chapters are never completely light-hearted and there's always some level of angst and drama within them? This chapter is no different, although it's better than most. Sadly, this is going to be one of the last of the red-hot light-hearted chapters since we're spiralling into a darker plot. There might be humor, but it's not gonna be slapstick-worthy anymore. This hath been decided by me and the general people. Dreamworks and "kiddie-friendliness" went out the window a long time ago, so I'd like to apologize profusely to the reviewer who commented on there being too much gore. I can't really get rid of it at this point because the violence is the backbone of everything, so it's no longer worthy of being called a true "sequel" to OTH. I'm sorry about that. It's rated PG-13 for a reason, because I'm just a dark, demented author, and I'm just going to keep on getting darker.
Welcome to the Dark Side... We have cookies!
Disclaimer: See previous chapters...
"And just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lost all defenses
And crossed some borderline"
-Wicked
Chapter Six- On This Night of a Thousand Stars
He stood on the ledge, overlooking the vast expanse of trees spread out like a carpet at the feet of a king. To her, he was a king. Regal, glorious, and worthy of her undying devotion. She wanted to worship him like a god and build temples in his honor. He just had that much of an effect on her.
And even with that being so, she was mere seconds away from betraying him.
"So this is how the other half lives." His beautiful baritone voice sent shivers down her spine. He had no idea what was about to happen to him. He had no idea that his young life- a life that could and would have been spent with her- was about to be cut tragically short.
And she could do nothing but watch now, because she was too much of a coward to tread the path of heroes and lovers. The very path that he trod without question. This being so, how could she have ever hoped to be able to hold him forever?
Perhaps Xylia was doing her a favor. Perhaps she would kill him before he had the chance to break her heart, leaving her with only his passion and his love in her memory, and not his bitterness and spite.
Yes, and perhaps pigs truly could touch the stars on silver wings.
"Ruby?"
He must have sensed her tension and fear, judging by the look on his face. She cursed herself silently. She'd have to learn not to wear her emotions on her sleeve if she was going to go through with this. He probably already suspected something was up. If that were true, however, he made no sign of it. He simply wrapped an arm around her and led her to the edge so that she could share with him the spectacular view. It was a view she'd seen many times before, but somehow it seemed different to her. It was even more beautiful than usual, because she was seeing it with him.
For the first time and for the last time.
She felt the shadows creep up before they fell upon them. He whirled around first and found himself gazing into the eyes of the most vicious-looking she-wolf he'd ever seen with several other equally vicious wolves behind her.
"Good girl, Ruby," Queen Xylia practically purred. "You certainly earn your keep around here."
"Ruby, what's going on?" He asked her. She didn't answer. She simply turned and walked away, not wanting to watch the horror that she had brought upon her beloved. She was stopped, however, by Tristan. "Move," she scowled.
"'Fraid not, pudding," Tristan replied before forcefully jerking her around so that she faced the wolves that were boring down upon her hapless former lover. He held her arms tightly behind her back so that she couldn't move no matter how hard she struggled. Apparently, Tristan's weak limbs could work miracles when they wished to, though this was hardly a miracle.
"Let me go!" She snapped. "Queen Xylia, I did my part."
"Your part?" He looked at her in beweilderment, and it pained her to see the hurt in his brown eyes.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"Ruby, my pet, you must learn never to make this mistake again so you're going to watch as I kill him."
"No!" She cried, but Xylia would not be swayed.
He just stood there with an emotionless look on his face and embraced his fate and his death with warm, inviting arms. Somehow, this hurt her more than if he had died crying in agony and praying for mercy.
She'd never forget the last thing he whispered before Xylia ripped him apart right before her eyes.
"I forgive you, Ruby."
A second later, she watched as the creature she had loved died in the most gruesome fashion possible without blinking, without moving, and without even flinching when the blood began to splatter on the white fur of her chest, appropriately near her heart.
It had been a long time since she'd thrown up this violently. Half the contents of her stomach that lay strewn about the forest floor she couldn't even identify, as if she really wanted to. Her whole body shook with that horrible sensation one feels after they've vomited heavily and she had to sit down to avoid getting dizzy and repeating the process.
How long since she'd had a dream that vivid? It had felt like she had gone back in time to the night of Aiden's tragic death and was being forced to relive the whole thing over again. She had to wonder if her newfound relationship with RJ was the culprit. After all, they had spent another night in a tree hollow away from the valley together, and this time there had been no nervous breakdowns between them.
Was this all moving far too fast? Was it getting far too hot for her to handle?
No... She wouldn't believe that. She was in full control of the situation. She had to be.
Otherwise she'd be haunted by the ghosts of two dead lovers, and her sanity just couldn't take that.
"Isn't it a little early for that?" RJ's voice called from above her, still in the hollow. She looked up at him, trying to feign a look of annoyance at his bad joke, but inside she was smiling. Her emotions were calling the shots for her again, and she knew it. Imagine what happens to one's emotional well-being when they decide that they've fallen in love! Before now, she would have been thoroughly insulted at such a blatent disregard for her health and well-being, but now she knew that it was just RJ's subtle way of trying to make her feel better.
Oh, she had it bad, and she was certain that she was enjoying it... At least for the moment.
"Very funny," she called back. "Come down here. We need to get back to the valley before we're missed again."
RJ scaled the tree and landed deftly beside her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine... Just ate something I shouldn't have, I guess." She wished he'd just drop it. It wasn't something that she felt comfortable discussing, but she was in too deep with him now to risk upsetting him by being cold and harsh about it. Somehow he sensed her tension and backed off. She recalled he, too, had his secrets and he didn't seem apt to make a hypocrite out of himself by pushing her to tell her secrets, when he wasn't willing to tell his.
"We probably do need to get back," he said, sincerity in his light blue eyes.
For some reason, that one sentence spoke volumes to her that went beyond merely what he had said aloud.
"RJ didn't come back last night, did he?" Verne stood before his assembled family and scanned the faces, not seeing the familiar masked face of the his raccoon friend. Once again they had come together in the hopes they could spend some quality time that they had been denied due to circumstances that had arisen since they had arrived in the valley, although no one really could complain. In the past few days, they'd achieved a kind of happiness that transcended anything they'd had back in their old home even before it became El Rancho Camelot. Even so, they knew they couldn't simply abandon each other in favor of new friends. They were a family, after all.
"I don't think so," Ozzie replied. "Then again, I was with Sadie most of yesterday."
"You sure spend a lot of time with her," Stella looked at the opossum wryly. Ozzie, however, didn't look the least bit nonplussed.
"She appreciates my skill for the dramatic."
"That's just a nice way to say he can't get anywhere with her because she's married," Heather said with a snarky smirk plastered all over her face.
"Heather!" Her father tried to sound serious, but it came out too choked. Making matters worse, his face was starting to flush.
"You have to know the right thing to say to get him riled up," Heather casually said to Stella. "It's a daughter thing."
"I have taught you well, girl," the skunk laughed, wrapping an arm around Heather's shoulders.
"Um, guys?" Verne cleared his throat. "We're still short one raccoon."
"He's probably with Ruuuuuuby," Hammy laughed, drawing out the 'u' sound in a childish manner.
"Still?" Verne blinked. "He left with her about midafternoon yesterday while we were in the forest. Did he never came back?"
"His bag's still where he left it this morning," Heather piped up. This earned her several odd looks from everyone present, which caused her to blush a little. "Not that I was, uh, looking or anything."
"Morning, family!" The familiar dulcet tones of RJ's baritone voice rang out, clear as a bell. The raccoon in question was coming up towards them, a cheerful smile on his face. Oddly enough, he was alone.
"RJ, where have you been?" Verne scolded. "You had us worried sick! Next time you-" He was abruptly cut off by RJ grabbing him firmly by the shell and twirling him around in the air like an overzealous child at play.
"Where've I been?" RJ laughed. "Where've I been? To the moon and back!" He dropped Verne on the ground and only by sheer luck, the turtle avoided being deposited onto his back again.
"I know that look in his eyes," Tiger said as RJ snatched up Hammy and continued to dance around like a fool. "It is the same look that once graced my own eyes when I met you, Stella."
Stella blushed mildy. "Oh, Tiger..." She smiled and turned to look at RJ. "Well, it couldn't have happened to a better guy." She became aware that Heather had suddenly wormed her way out from under her arm, and turned her attentions to the young female opossum just in time to see her hurry away. Ozzie watched her go with confusion and started to follow, calling out her name. Doyle poked his head out of his mother's hollow and then completely emerged, his gaze following the older opossum's.
"What's going on, Mr. O?"
"Heather just ran off in a huff. I don't know what came over her," Ozzie blinked in confusion. Doyle patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry about her. She's a teenage girl and teenage girl's all have issues. Want me to talk to her?"
"I think that might be the best thing," Ozzie replied, not really feeling the words. "Someone her own age might be able to get through to her." He quietly watched as Doyle scurried off after his daughter and sighed before turning back to the rest of the family, aware that Stella and Tiger's attentions were on him, while everyone else continued to be amused by RJ's antics, with the exception of Verne who was trying futilely to figure out what was going on.
"You okay, Oz?" Stella asked him.
Ozzie shrugged. "I just don't want to lose my daughter, Stella. She used to be able to tell me everything, but... Well, ever since we got here, she's been distant and I just feel like she's hiding something."
"She's a young girl," Stella rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "There comes a time in every girl's life when she feels she needs to have her own life and to do that, she feels the need to keep things secret from her father. Don't worry about it, Ozzie."
Ozzie nodded, although the gesture was numb. He couldn't help thinking that maybe there was something about Heather's actions that went deeper than a teen girl's desire to be on her own.
He had no idea.
Doyle caught up with Heather rather quickly. Apparently one couldn't move very fast when they're bound and determined to stomp on everything in their path to express their anger. A smarter person would have left her alone to simmer, but Doyle had never been known for his intelligence. Unfortunately, Heather had never been known for her patience.
In other words, the conversation was doomed before it ever began.
"Heather, are you okay?" He asked, knowing vaugely that it was probably a really stupid thing to begin a conversation with.
"Does it look like I'm okay?" She narrowed her eyes dangerously at him.
He didn't get the picture. "No... No, it doesn't. Look, you can talk to me... I'm your friend. Just tell me what's wrong."
Heather froze, her body shaking with anger. What was wrong? What was wrong? Everything she had ever wanted- at least at this point in time- was falling apart all around her. Her heart was breaking in her chest, and instead of being sad and depressed, she was angry about it. Angry because by coming here, someone better than her had come along and stolen away something she desperately wanted. If they had been able to live the rest of their lives in that stupid snip of a forest instead of being forced out, she could have been the one.
And now... Now she'd never be!
"RJ's in love," she scowled. She had to tell someone, otherwise she'd be forced into a passive-agressive state that, if left alone, would eventually cause her to snap and kill everyone... Or something to that effect. She hated that the "someone" was Doyle, but he was the only one available and, thus, the only one she felt apt to tell.
"So?"
She snapped. "So? So! Can't you get it through your thick skull that I'm in love with him and have been since the moment I first met him?"
"Isn't he a little old for you?" Doyle piped up, once again not allowing his brain to steer his mouth, and thus letting his ignorance show.
"Shut up!" Heather growled. She'd never gotten this angry before, which was odd since she was a brooding teenage girl and brooding teenage girls were prone to bouts of anger. She supposed she just never had a real reason to get angry before now. He scowled and turned away from Doyle. "This whole situation sucks."
Doyle thought about letting his emotions call the shots for him in this situation, but made an uncharacteristically wise decision not to. He had decided that he was in love with Heather when he first met her, but unfortunately he had quickly discovered that he wasn't up to code with what she considered "worth her time." He could have gotten angry with her, vehemently expressing his distaste that she'd forsake his devotion to her for the love of someone who didn't and would probably never love her.
However, he didn't. He just stood there and sighed. "I agree."
Ruby returned not long after RJ did, having gone off alone to collect her bearings and recover fully from her awful nightmare. She was greeted by the sight of RJ dancing around like a complete idiot with his family, laughing joyfully. She watched this display for a long time, a delighted smile creeping onto her face.
"Boy, he looks like someone gave him the night of his life."
Ruby turned to see Velma leaning casually against a nearby tree, a coy smirk on her face. "Come to think of it, when was the last time you slept at home?"
"Velma," Ruby whined, more than slightly embarassed, "please..."
Velma laughed at her friend's obvious humiliation. "I've barely seen you for the past three days, aren't I allowed a little fun?" She paused and shook her head a little at Ruby's discomfort. "But compared to you, his little display is nothing. You, my dear, are positively glowing."
Ruby blushed and turned away, but she couldn't hide her happiness. Velma could sense it radiating off of her like a bright, shimmering aura. The truth was, she was happier than she'd ever been in a long time, mostly due to her newfound relationship with RJ which had filled a void in her heart that had been eating her up on the inside for years. However, there was another reason for her undeniable joy. A fact she couldn't deny. She had asserted herself enough to break free of her submission to Xylia, and that was a cause for joy in itself. Still, she had a nagging sensation in the back of her head that kept whispering that when the time came she'd never be able to stand up and tell the regal wolf no. She looked to Velma, knowing she could give her the advice she sought... If she only knew the truth. Once again the desire to tell her best friend everything that she kept within herself- the secrets that she told no one. Once again, something made her back out, but this time she fought against it. RJ's life was in danger every second she was with him. Every word she whispered was driving a dagger further into his back and she was poisoning him a little bit with each gentle caress and sensuous touch. However, the fact remained that she knew if she were to open the floodgates of her dark, tainted past, she would probably drown in the deluge. Besides that, she wasn't sure if Velma was sensible enough to support her if she knew. Either way, she was risking losing someone she cared about.
Oh, what a tangled web this was.
Val's nasally voice suddenly rang out, as clear and irritating as a loud bell breaking up a quiet, peaceful evening. Though a part of Ruby was thankful for the distraction. "Okay, everyone, I've realized that we've never really given our new friends a proper welcome as a group, so I've decided to organize a little party in their honor." A cheer rang out. "And it's going to take place tonight!" The cheers instantly tapered out as the valley residents looked to Val, unmasked horror on their faces.
"Val, there's no way we can prepare for something of that magnitude in one afternoon," Sadie said.
"Why not? Tristan just brought us our food yesterday so we've still got plenty to have a decent little get-together," Val said, obviously not getting the picture.
"But we haven't thrown a party in years," whined a female squirrel. "Not to mention, these guys aren't from around here. They might not like our kind of parties."
"It's not like we're not standing right here," Verne muttered.
"Allow me to be of assistance," RJ stepped up, using what could only be described as his "charming con man" voice, the use of which caused Verne to smack his forehead. The raccoon vanished for a moment into the underbrush and then returned with his bag, which he proceeded to rifle through much to the amazement of the valley animals who had never seen anything like this display in their lives. Seconds later, RJ produced a small, portable, battery-operated radio with a set of tiny speakers and gestured for Bucky, Quillo, and Spike to come over and hold the items up for everyone to see.
"What is that?" Val asked.
"Oh here he goes," Verne rolled his eyes. If RJ heard him, he chose to ignore it.
"That is what humans call a radio. They listen to it when they don't want to deal with other members of their species. It produces what they define as music in their terms, which ranges from being increasingly annoying to positively dulcet." He switched it on and a squeaky pop ballad blared through the speakers, causing all the animals to flinch. "That would be the example of annoying," RJ muttered, covering his ears before switching the station. This time soft, very pleasant music drifted out. There was a general chorus of "ooohs" and "ahhs" in the wake of it, and a few of the animals even swayed a little to the beat.
"It's nice and all that, but what are we going to use it for?" Reginald asked, a little skeptical.
"What else?" RJ smirked. He grabbed Val's paw and pulled her into a dip, causing the skunk to blush significantly at the action. He gave her a little twirl that sent her back to where she was standing and she gasped a little. "That was amazing!"
"You've never danced before?" He asked, addressing all of the animals in question. There was a general concensus of no. "You guys don't know what you're missing!" He snapped his fingers and looked to Tiger and Stella. "You two want to show them how it's done?"
"With pleasure," Stella smirked. "Tiger?"
Tiger didn't have to say a word. The music blaring from the radio suddenly became a sharp tango beat, and in response the Persian cat pulled a rose from a nearby bush and bit down on it before taking Stella in his arms as they both began to move sensuously to the music in the best imitation of a tango they could pull off, which was rather impressive all things considered. Everyone stared in awe of them as they moved rhythmically to the music, each step in perfect synch with the blaring trumpets and drum beats.
"Where did they learn to do that?" Verne asked RJ under his breath, obviously in complete shock.
"You know the Miller's?"
"Yeah."
"They don't shut their blinds... Ever. A couple could learn a lot more from that family than simply how to execute a proper tango."
The two of them turned back to Stella and Tiger who were reaching a crescendo in their dance. As the final notes blared out of existence, the two of them initiated a perfect sprint which ended with Stella fainting across one of Tiger's outstretched arms in a highly dramatic and effective pose. The crowd went wild, and suddenly the idea of a party didn't seem all that impossible an idea anymore. When the amazement wore off, they all dispersed to prepare for the bash to take place that night in their own ways. Heather, who had returned at some point during Stella and Tiger's dance, had learned of the whole plan from a casual observer and was suddenly intrigued by the whole idea. Her blue eyes found RJ in the crowd as he explained a few dance techniques alongside Tiger to a few animals around her age. Tonight would be the perfect opportunity to win RJ's heart for herself and prove to him that she's better for him than Ruby- after all, she had seen him first. Ruby was the homewrecker if anything.
She found Stella talking with Val, who was fawning over her in that way that only girlfriends can do, and made her way towards them, hoping they could help her. They were still talking about the tango tour de force, which had apparently been one of the best shows any of the residents of the valley had ever seen. Heather figured she'd have Stella teach her how to dance like that once she'd gotten RJ all to herself.
"Hi, guys," she spoke up, hating to interrupt but desperate for some female advice.
"Hey, Heather!" Stella beamed. "You feeling better? You had your father worried sick when you ran off like that. He was giving us the whole 'I'm losing my little girl' speal."
"That's dad," Heather chuckled nervously. "Anyway, I'm okay. I, uh, just wanted to know if you two could help me... Umm... Get ready for the party tonight."
Stella and Val exchanged looks and identical grins spread across their faces at the same time. Obviously, Heather wanted to impress someone, and they automatically assumed it was Doyle, not knowing what else to assume. How could they even begin to think that she had a crush on RJ? Sure, most teenage girls are attracted to the older bad boy types, but the fact was she had never shone any sign of having anything but respect and friendly adoration for RJ. She was just that good at hiding her feelings. Of course, it meant that her friends would draw a wrong conclusion that could prove emotionally fatal, but Heather didn't think of that. Her mind was made up.
"Of course, honey!" Val said, excitedly. "When I get done with you, the males in this place will be crawling all over themselves just to dance with you. Just trust your Auntie Val. She'll make you look marvelous!"
Stella leaned over and added in Heather's ear. "I'll make sure she doesn't mess you up too bad."
Doyle was still seething on the inside from Heather's rejection, but outside he was the picture of the calm and collected scholarly type that he was. It was just in his nature not to wear his negative emotions on his sleeve. Still, he couldn't help being completely insulted and upset about this whole ordeal. This party thing only made things significantly worse. He slumped onto a nearby log and watched everyone mull about with an air of disdain corrupting his person internally. He was only vaugely aware of the fact that someone had just sat beside him as he continued to think despairing thoughts watching as everyone rushed to get things done before nightfall.
"Doyle?" The young opossum looked up to see Ozzie on the log beside him, looking a little bit concerned.
"Hi, Mr. O," Doyle said, unable to hide how glum his voice sounded.
"I don't suppose you got through to Heather, did you?"
Doyle laughed sarcastically. "She won't even listen to me!"
"I was afraid of that," Ozzie muttered. The two male opossums let out two identical sighs and slumped their shoulders in defeat. "If it's any consolation, Doyle," he added after a moment, "I think you'd be the perfect boy for my daughter."
Doyle blinked in surprise and looked up at the older opossum. "Really?"
"Yes, and I wouldn't say that about anyone." He hopped off the log and faced Doyle. "So I'm going to give you some romantic advice so you can find the key to winning her heart."
"Are you kidding me?" Doyle balked. In a flash, his expression wavered to one of skepticism. "Why are you doing this for me?"
"Because I firmly believe if Heather falls for a nice boy, she'll stop being so moody and go back to being my little girl again... Or something to that effect. You see, my boy, I believe if all goes according to plan, we'll both get what we want."
"You know this is never going to work, right?"
Ozzie proceeded to smack him across the back of the head. "Lesson One, never think in the negative."
"What does that have to do with attracting women?" Doyle asked, rubbing his head.
"Women are attracted to confidence in a man."
"I'm not a naturally confident person, Mr. O." This earned him another light whack across the head.
"That brings us to Lesson Two," Ozzie replied. "Acting is the key to everything. If you can act like you're a confident, charismatic individual, then you will become a confident, charismatic individual. It's as simple as that."
Doyle raised a paw sheepishly. "But isn't that kind of like lying?" Once again, Ozzie hit him.
"It's acting, Doyle, not lying. There's a difference."
"One more question... Why do you keep hitting me!"
"Because pain is the best tool for teaching," Ozzie replied without missing a beat. "Now for Lesson Three..."
As Ozzie droned on, Doyle rubbed his head sourly and realized with an unsettling bit of displeasure that he had absolutely no clue what he had gotten himself into.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
"Ouch! Velma, watch it with those torns," Ruby protested when yet another rose thorn found it's way into her fur. Her best friend was currently trying to place a handmade wreath of roses on her head, and so far the deed had proved difficult due to her nervous squirming coupled with the sharp thorns that kept poking her whenever Velma tried to place the wreath on her head.
"If you'd stand still for five seconds, maybe I could get it on," Velma replied, obviously weary of this game. With no due amount of gentleness, she shoved the wreath down on Ruby's head. There was a small gasp of surprise but no whimpers of pain followed, proving that she had finally succeeded in getting the damned thing on without the thorns objecting. Ruby tried to adjust it a little, but Velma smacked her paw away. "Don't touch it."
"Yes, ma'am," Ruby scowled, rubbing her paw. She peered at her reflection in the spring that they had situated themselves beside in order to better prepare for the party without the distraction of all of the hustle and bustle that surrounded their little community. The face staring back at her startled her, because it didn't seem like her at all. There was too much grace and charm in those blue eyes. Too much confidence and beauty in her features. Had she really changed all that much on the outset when she realized her internal change? A wreath of roses could only do so much for someone's appearance, after all.
Velma's reflection joined hers in the water. "You look beautiful, Ruby."
"Thanks, Vel," the female raccoon whispered, still in awe of her own reflection. She wasn't a vain creature by nature, but rather she was a creature who had never considered herself beautiful at all until she was faced with an image that made her wish to rethink that self-analysis. It was a sobering mirror to look upon in her tormented state. All her fears and doubts were cast aside all of a sudden. She would enjoy this night with the man she loved, without regret and certainly without fear. Tomorrow, if she could stomach it, she would tell Velma everything and figure out where she went from here.
Tonight, however, was her night.
"What about you, Velma?" She cast a wry smile in the direction of her friend. "Aren't you going to doll up and primp a little?"
Velma scoffed. "Please, Ruby, I'm too old to go strutting around with the likes of the young, and I have no one to impress."
"What about Verne?" Ruby purred, her voice coming out in a teasing lilt. Velma tried to cover a blush.
"Ruby, I never-"
"You like him," Ruby said in a sing-song voice. "You love him."
"I do not!"
"You're a liar."
"And you're a few hairs short of a tail if you don't shut up," Velma said, trying to add a tinge of darkness to her voice, but she couldn't help laughing at the amusing "kissy faces" that Ruby was making to further accentuate her point. "You're terrible!"
"And you're in love," Ruby replied, a sincere smile on her face. She plopped down on the bank and began to make a daisy chain, humming to herself. Velma shook her head at the sight. How long had it been since Ruby had been as happy as she was now? Not since Aiden, that was for sure, but even then she hadn't been this... Light-hearted and carefree. She'd been like a scatterbrained kitten around Aiden, falling all over herself to please him and always looking up at him with shining, adoring sapphire eyes. One would hardly have called it love if they only rarely bore witness to it. Even in their more romantic moments, Velma couldn't recall Ruby ever being so helplessly infatuated. She had to assume it was because of the passion RJ had instilled in her, breathing a life that was thought to have been dead back into her tragedy-battered body.
She had no idea that it had less to do with the passion and more to do with the risks involved. After all, they say love always tastes sweeter in the heart of a dangerous situation. That thought never crossed Velma's mind. All she saw was that her friend was, for the first time in a long time, deliriously happy.
And that was all that mattered.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?"
"What kind of question is that?"
In the corner RJ had reserved as his own personal space, he and Verne found themselves preparing for the party, finally in peace after everyone had finally dispersed even more as night (and the party) began to draw nearer. RJ was currently trying to preen in the reflection of the back of his John Tesch CD while Verne looked on.
"It's a simple one," the turtle replied. "You've been acting weird for the past two days. What I don't understand is how the two of you mended all of your differences. You can't tell me there wasn't a deep sort of tension in your first meeting."
"We're both hiding things, Verne, and I'm not ashamed to admit it," RJ said.
"You know you can trust me, RJ... With anything," Verne said, taking slight offense to his friend's comment and feeling the ned to make note of that discreetly. It was only another painful reminder of how little he knew about this charismatic raccoon he had come to know these past two months. Hearing that sort of thing from Velma was one thing, but hearing it from RJ was a completely different and more painful matter entirely.
"I know," RJ sighed, tossing the CD haphazardly into his bag. "Oh, how I know... But the past is behind me, Verne, and I've got nothing left but my future."
"With her..." Verne said, his voice denoting his discontent.
"With all of you!" RJ protested, resting his paws on the turtle's shell. "You're my family and no female is going to stand in the way of that, no matter how pretty. And besides, don't you have a little honey muffin, yourself?"
"Velma is not a honey muffin nor is she any sort of sugary treat," Verne said, rolling his eyes. "She's just... A good friend."
RJ wasn't convinced. "A good friend you want to-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Verne narrowed his eyes. RJ just rolled his.
"You told me in the woods you liked her."
"And I do! I really, really do... But I don't know, what if she doesn't like me back?"
"Think that stopped me?"
"Well, you're reckless! ...And you don't have a fear of rejection."
"Fear of rejection?" RJ balked. "Verne... Man, when did you have time to develop a fear of rejection? Have you even seen a female of your own species before now?"
"Does my mother count?"
"No."
"...Then no."
"My point exactly," RJ pulled a brush from his bag and began to comb his fur with the practiced expertise of someone who was used to doing it often. "One cannot fear rejection unless one has been rejected."
"Who says that?"
"I do."
"Let's get back to you and Ruby and lay off me and Velma... How about it?"
"Sure, whatever you say," RJ shrugged, tossing his brush back in the bag as he went rummaging through it for something else.
"Are you sure you're not rushing into this?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Answer all of my questions with questions?"
RJ shrugged again. "You should ask better questions." He vanished into his bag, clawing through it like a dog digging for a bone. Verne rolled his eyes and massaged his temples. Trying to have a conversation with RJ without him being ambiguous was about as impossible as trying to explain anything to Hammy in a room filled with nuts. There was a part of him was actually happy for RJ, but since his friend was so reckless, he felt a strong desire to be tentative for him. There was just something about Ruby that he couldn't put his finger on, but he didn't like it. The last time he'd had this feeling, RJ wound up betraying both him and his family and while that ended all right in the long run, he couldn't always expect everything to get put away as neat and tidy as that when all was said and done.
Then again, this was RJ's problem and RJ had proven on many an occasion that he was perfectly capable of handling his own issues and he didn't need a neurotic turtle peeking over his shoulder, asking him constantly if he's sure that this is a good idea.
"Never mind," he finally said. "Just... Be careful, okay?"
RJ emerged from his bag with a cheap black bowtie that had apparently been stolen off of some little girl's teddy bear. "You know I will." He put the bowtie around his neck and turned to face Verne. "So how do I look?"
"Like an idiot," Verne replied with a wry smirk to show that he was mostly kidding.
RJ pulled out his CD again to examine for himself. "Or a Chippendale dancer, but I think I make it work." He tossed the CD back into the bag again, and smirked. "Shall we go?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Nope."
"Then we shall..."
Somewhere, several miles away from the community, an odd pair consisting of a mole and a field mouse wandered through the forest. They hadn't gotten caught up in the whole party idea as everyone else had, and were simply enjoying a pleasant walk through the forest while everyone else was otherwise occupied with the party.
"So you couldn't find anyone to go with either?" The mole asked.
"Nope."
There was also the simple fact that neither of them could find dates, and thus were trying to delay the inevitable discovery of the fact that they were complete losers.
Something rustled in the bushes and the two of them froze. "What was that, Harry?" The field mouse whimpered, latching onto the mole's leg. The mole shook him off.
"It's probably nothing." The rustling grew louder all of a sudden and he snatched up his field mouse friend and clutched him to his chest in fear. They stood there shuddering for a long time until the tall grass began to part and their fears were realized as the biggest, meanest snake they had ever laid eyes on slithered out before them. This was unusual as well as horrifying because there hadn't been a predator in the valley since...
...Since the reign of Amity and Cyril.
That was two years ago, when they were children, so what they knew of the villainous duo was restricted to bedtime stories told by their parents. They had always been taught that there was nothing to fear any longer, since those two were driven away. Queen Xylia kept the lands free of predators. She kept them safe. She'd always kept them safe with the exception of a dissappearance every now and then.
But if all that were true, then why was there a snake in front of them, looking as if it belonged here?
They tried to back away, but they were met by something soft and furry that blocked their path. Fearfully they looked up and found themselves staring into the golden glass eyes of a beautiful, yet deadly, female bobcat. Now it seemed that their worst fears had been realized, for these couldn't possibly be any ordinary predators daring to cross the Queen's borders on a whim.
These were the predators that mothers warned their children about.
"Hello," Amity purred. "Aren't you a little far away from home?"
"N-n-no, ma'am," the mole whimpered. The field mouse he held clutched in his arms squirmed.
"Shut up, man!" He squeaked.
"I'm sure you probably know who I am. Not many bobcats in this parts, I'm afraid... But have you met my friend Cyril?" she gestured to the snake. "He's been cooped up in a glass tank for a very long time, so you'll forgive him if he's a little... Unsociable."
"Let's just kill 'em, Amity," Cyril hissed. "I'm tired of waiting around."
"Did I ever tell you, Cyril darling, that your lack of patience is very unbecoming?"
"It's bad enough that Tristan busts us out of the Sanctuary and then doesn't tell us what his plan is right there and then. Oh no, that pretty boy fox forces us to wait until tonight, and until then..."
"We get in a good spot of violence, Cyril," Amity smirked. The mole and the field mouse tried to scurry away, but the bobcat stopped them with one deft movement of her paw. "Now see, Cyril, all this bickering is ruining our fun. I trust our friend Tristan to deliver and you should too."
"T-Tristan, you say?" The mole blurted out.
"Harry, shut up!" The mouse whined nervously.
"Oh, you weren't aware that your old pal Tristan was a Benedict Arnold?" Cyril snickered. "Shame you'll never live to let anyone know."
Amity laughed. "There's the rub!" She feigned a yawn. "But I do grow weary of talking, Cyril. Shall we?"
"Oh yes... We shall."
They suddenly struck without mercy and without much else in the way of warning. Neither the mole or the field mouse even had the slightest opportunity to scream.
Music wafted from a nearby tree where RJ's radio had been situated. All around, couples were paired off, swaying to the beat and following the movements of those who actually knew what they were doing. Nature provided them with all the decoration they needed for a party of this magnitude. Fireflies fluttered in place all around the trees, providing a beautiful source of light for them all, coupled with the crisp foliage and fragrant flowers that enveloped them in the space, all of which truly were the makings of a night to remember. Off to to side, stood two opossums watching the festivities, but not yet in the midst of them yet, one being too reluctant to make that leap.
"Ozzie, I don't think..." Sadie said, trailing off. "I mean, you're a wonderful guy and all, but... Oh, what if Bert were to come back and see us together?"
"Sadie," Ozzie said gently, taking her paws in his hands. "I'm not asking you to marry me, I'm just asking you to dance with me. One dance."
Sadie pondered this for a moment and then sighed, reluctantly offering Ozzie her arm. It was a small step in the general direction that the male opossum wanted to go, and he made a small apology to Iris for his blatent disregard for her feelings, wherever she was now. It wasn't as if he was particularly in love with Sadie or anything of the sort. It was just a kind of sympathy for her plight. She was lonely, obviously, and she looked like she'd had no one to show her a good time in a very long time. He only felt a strong desire to show her that good time, if she'd only let him.
Meanwhile, Heather poked her head out from behind a tree, keeping watch over the party, waiting for the proper moment to make her move. Stella and Val had worked wonders on her, and she looked so much older, so much more fetching now. Surely she'd be able to impress RJ tonight. The two female skunks seemed to think so, which pleased her immensely. At least she had someone on her side.
She saw RJ make his way into the crowd with Verne and she knew now was the time to make her move. With an air of allure, she strode through the couples and made her way towards the raccoon in question, stopping a few feet away from him. She then froze in what she hoped would be considered a seductive pose. It didn't take long for RJ to notice her, which she chalked up to her plan working out perfectly.
"Hi, Heather, and might I say you look absolutely lovely tonight." He spoke in that charismatic way that made her heart melt, but she tried not to let the attraction and desire show on her face as she turned to face him, forcing feminine charm to radiate off of her in waves as Stella and Val had told her to do. It hadn't seemed an easy or even possible feat, and they hadn't been able to explain it very well, so she has to take in a shot in the dark on whether or not she was doing it right. "Why thank you," she smiled, and then remembered that Val had told her it was always best to feign humility in these situations. "Although, I think I could look even better, but this whole party came up so fast, you know." She suddenly became aware that RJ was no longer looking at her, but was looking somewhere out beyond her. Whirling around, she realized quickly who now held all of his attention, robbing her of it.
Ruby.
"RJ?" Heather said, her voice coming out slightly strangled.
"Yeah... Be with you in a second, Heather," RJ replied, although his voice had the dreamlike quality of someone in a trance. He gently pushed past her moving towards the female raccoon. Heather suppressed a small growl of rage and made an attempt to storm off only to run right into the arms of Val and Stella.
"So when you said you wanted to look pretty tonight... It wasn't for Doyle, was it?" Val asked.
"No," Heather scowled, casting a look over her shoulder. "It wasn't for Doyle."
"Oh, honey," Stella said,pulling Heather into a tight hug. The young opossum was trying to resist the urge to cry. This was so unfair to her! Why was it that the one person she desperately wanted to be with didn't want to be with her?
"It's not fair," she said out loud, burying her face in Stella's chest.
"I know, baby, I know," Stella stroked her head. She exchanged a look with Val, and the two of them then looked at RJ who was talking to Ruby animatedly.
"Come here, honey," Val grabbed Heather by the paw and began to lead her towards the raccoon pair with Stella following. "RJ, can we borrow you for a second?"
RJ blinked a little in confusion. "Uhh..."
"That wasn't a request," Val broke in before she and Stella grabbed his shoulders and dragged him off, leaving Heather alone with Ruby.
"Uh, wait-" the young opossum tried to call out, but the two skunks were already gone and RJ with them. She cast a dark glance at Ruby and then crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to be haughty. Ruby knew that look. She may have bypassed her difficult years by being orphaned at such a young age, but she'd been through plenty of teenagers in the valley since she arrived two and a half years ago to know the sullen look of adolescence when she saw it.
"Do you want to talk about something?"
Heather gave her a cold look. "Not with you."
Well, that's not what I was hoping for. Awkwardness set in as the two of them stood staring at everyone dancing and having a good time. You could cut the tension between them with a knife.
"What is it about you that he likes so much?" Heather finally asked, her voice softer than it had been.
"Huh?" Ruby cocked her head in confusion.
"RJ... He's obviously in love with you. So why you?"
"Heather, do you like RJ?" Ruby asked as gently as she could without sounding condescending.
"What do you care? You've already got him," Heather rolled her eyes.
"You're obviously upset about this, but it's not entirely my fault. You can't help who you're attracted to, Heather, and you can't make someone love you. It's just something that happens." She placed a paw on Heather's shoulder, and the young opossum didn't shy away. "Look, I'm sure there's someone out there that's meant just for you. Someone who will treat you like a princess and love you more than anything." She hugged her a litte closer to her. "If people are meant to be together, they'll find each other, no matter where, no matter what. Just remember that." She looked out in the direction that RJ had been dragged off in, and smiled. "Isn't that right?" She whispered.
Heather smiled and laughed a little. "You know, I really wanted to hate you, but you've made a good point."
Ruby giggled. "Now see, that wasn't so hard, was it?" She was laughing on the outside, but on the insider she was fixated on the irony of the whole situation. She could solve the problems of everyone she met, but she couldn't even begin to solve her own.
"WHAT!"
"Heather's got a crush on you!"
"I heard you the first time, but... What!"
Stella and Val had wasted no time in telling RJ the truth of the matter, a matter that he was completely unaware of apparently. Then again, Heather hadn't exactly been incredibly obvious with her feelings and any casual observer would have just seen sisterly adoration in the way she looked at RJ, and nothing more than that. Even if she had shown her feelings, RJ knew without saying so that he wasn't attracted to her and saw her as nothing more than a friend. It was an emotion that had nothing to do with Ruby, but it wasn't something no one wants to have to explain for fear of hurting feelings and losing friends.
"Poor kid... I had no idea," RJ paced up and down behind a section of trees where Val and Stella had taken him. The party was still in full swing beyond them and even from here a funky latino beat could be heard blaring from the radio. "How am I going to break this to her."
"Gently," Stella said. "She's fragile right now and if you break her heart, Ozzie's gonna break your legs."
"I wouldn't have guessed Oz was so violent," RJ winced at the thought.
"Oh when it comes to Heather, Ozzie's a maniac," Stella said in a tone that made her words come out almost like some sort of threat.
RJ poked his head out of the group of trees and found Heather talking with Ruby. "I think I have an idea." He moved away, not even bothering to tell Val and Stella he was leaving, and swaggered over to the duo, deep within conversation. When he was mere inches from them, he cleared his throat and offered a paw to Heather. "May I have this dance?"
Heather blinked in confusion and looked to Ruby who stifled a small giggle at the display and urged her to go on. As RJ led the teenager off, he gave the female raccoon a wink over his shoulder which she returned, shaking her head with a bright smile. The music changed to something softer and more elegant and all of the animals swayed gently to the beat, including RJ and Heather. "What were you and Ruby talking about?" He asked.
"Oh, girl stuff," Heather replied. RJ twirled her around and dipped her with one debonair motion.
"You know I really do care about you, kid."
"It's okay. You don't have to pretend," Heather shook her head with a small smile, showing that she held no more hard feelings towards the way things were going.
"Who says I'm pretending?" RJ pulled her into a carefully executed sprint. "One day you're going to meet a guy who makes you happy..." At that moment he saw Doyle walk in out of the corner of his eye and a smile crossed his face. "And I think that day is today." He turned her around so that she could see the young male opossum, who was walking with a more confident stride than usual. Heather couldn't help but think that he seemed a little less dorky than usual and smiled in spite of herself. "Go to him, kid. He's waiting for you," she heard RJ whisper in her ear.
"Thanks, RJ." She turned to face him and bit her lip as if debating something and then finally stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the cheek before turning to go. "Hey, Doyle!" She called and by the time she had his attention, she had grabbed him by the arm and was dragging him off somewhere to dance. RJ had to laugh in spite of himself at that display.
Someone slipped an arm around his and he didn't have to look to tell it was Ruby. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Now...Do you want to go to a real party?"
RJ turned to face her, a wry smile playing across his features. "Do bees be? Do bears bear? Does Spock beam up?"
Ruby laughed. "That better be your sorry excuse for a yes." She led him away, practically dragging him along with her in her desire to get away again. The only one who bore witness to their exodus, however, was Velma who was currently dancing with Verne, wearing the diasy chain Ruby had been making on the stream bank around her neck. She smiled as she watched them leave, which didn't go unnoticed by Verne.
"What is it?" He asked.
Velma shook her head. "It's all just so romantic." For a long time they stared into each others' eyes and then finally they moved in for the kiss, creating an even more magical moment just for themselves.
It was still a beautiful night, a night of a thousand stars, and everything was perfect.
And nothing could ever spoil that.
Hammy, Sammy, and Bianca had bypassed the party altogether, mostly because it just wasn't their forte, so they had decided to make their own fun by making a night of playing tag out in the forest, which had been a most enjoyable experience for all of them. Even they were having a good time just like everyone at the party.
"Tag! You're it!" Hammy giggled, tackling Bianca before skirting off with Sammy right behind him. Bianca groaned, being relatively calmer in nature than the two crazy squirrels, she detested being "it." She skipped off, following them as best she could, but she'd already lost them in the trees. She rolled her eyes and crossed her tiny arms over her chest.
"Not funny, guys! You know I'm not that fast!"
There was no reply and she trudged through the forest, grimacing. She stopped suddenly as her foot touched something wet and sticky on the ground and she backed up, too frightened to look down. The forest seemed to close in around her and every noise seemed to beat a cruel tattoo against her skull, telling her that she was about to faced with something very frightening. Finally, she forced herself to look down, knowing she'd have to face that fear...
...And she screamed.
Her cries alerted Hammy and Sammy who were at her side immediately, but by the time they reached her she had gone silent, shuddering in fear. It didn't take long for the two squirrels to see what had scared her so badly and they both gasped in shock at the sight.
Lying on the forest floor was an animal corpse, mutilated beyond all recognition.
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A/N: Wow... That wasn't my best chapter, but oh well. Sorry it took so long to get it up. I couldn't make my Document Manager work. Heh...
