=alternate format may not be something that is regular. This is something of an experiment. Anyways, the paragraphs have their timestamps below them.=

Daily log, property of Daniel Wilde

18 September.

I have began this daily log upon advice of my therapist, Vanilla Foxglove. The purpose of this log is to record the highlights of the day in systematic manner, giving me the means of impartial hindsight. While the premise seems rather… pointless to me, I have to cede the authority to miss Foxglove on this matter. A psychologist I am not. Dad's right about one thing though, I do feel more comfortable talking to an old friend about these things than a total stranger.

Barring the obvious matter of starting the log, nothing noteworthy has happened today.

6:12 PM, Daniel Wilde.

19 September.

Nothing to report.

8:02 PM, Daniel Wilde.

20 September.

A therapy session today. I`ve recounted some anecdotes of my "formative years". Specifically, the whole issue with Nick`s muzzling, among other things. Normally, I wouldn`t discuss something so intimate and embarrassing, but Vanilla has procured a note from Nick in which he had all but explicitly ordered me to talk about it. With written permission at hand, there was little reason to resist. I have to admit, after discussing it at length, I`ve understood the events better - a surprising revelation, considering that I`ve never doubted the veracity of events to begin with.

6:17 PM, Daniel Wilde.

God damn it, I almost lopped off my own finger just now! This door catch is a menace. I'm fixing it first thing tomorrow. Hopefully, one of the wrench jockeys will loan me a screwdriver.

9:57 PM, D.W.

21 September.

Had a big discussion with dad today. He`s… surprisingly reasonable. I`ve expected more anger. Either my memory is making him angrier than he really was, or he took some therapy as well. Thinking it`s second - dad`s always been quick to anger, just like me. Now, he takes his time before going nuclear.

Anyway, he gave me keys to a loft studio here. Now I don't have to fix the door catch. Joy be for the small favors. On the other hand, the park is full of rabbits… Not that I have anything against the long-eared, per ce, but… Damn it, Nick, why couldn't you at least pick another predator species. Fox and rabbit, that`s a dinner recipe, not a date!

...Nonetheless, I have given my word that I will attempt to look past the species. I believe I`m prepared to do it, but practice has a habit of shattering theory rather effortlessly. Wait and see, I suppose.

2:25 PM, Daniel Wilde.

Huh, dad really came through with this loft. After the rat trap I settled in, this is a fucking palace. Gonna go make me a proper bath… Damn it, I forgot when I had a proper bath the last time.

7:02 PM, D.W.

Fucking hell, I missed this.

10:34 PM, D.W.

22 September.

Spent the whole day going around the park, talking to relatives, setting things. Vanilla`s prediction checks out - discussing things was the key. So far, so good - I actually got some decent answers to my concerns, and that puts me at ease. Well, easier than before. What really will tip the scales… Deb. She`s going to be the toughest to square things with. Both me and dad have tempers, but we ain't got shit on Deb in that department.

But I will allow myself to put this down as roughly optimistic. Got some words from Vanilla just before I went back to my loft - not a full session, obviously, but she tells me I'm doing good. I wish I shared her sentiment.

8:13 PM, Daniel Wilde.

P.S. Almost forgot. Turns out that cocky lieutenant? Also Hopps. Goddamn rabbits, they're everywhere! ...Seriously enough, I should have expected that. In a town, rabbits are usually all related.

8:17 PM, D.W.

I can't sleep. I keep thinking about Nick and Judy. I wanted to write "that rabbit", but… I don't think I can get away with it. She`s here to stay, and I gotta learn her name. I wish it was just a crush. Or a misunderstanding. Or… something. But… The way Nick looks at her. The way SHE looks at Nick. No fucking chances. I can't do shit about them. I`m not going to even try.

Nick says they're ready. I suppose he tested that. They did have to do this public thing… Not as a couple, though. Just as colleagues. But, hell, when did that stop tabloids? And they're still on. And even got their boss to sign out on it. Real points, there. A boss willing to stick out his neck for an interspecies couple? Either they have even worse dirt on him, or they're really the best he has. I wouldn't put it past Nick to actually have some blackmail on his boss, but his bunny seems like a straight shooter. Painfully straight one, heh.

Oh well. Regardless of how things go from now on, I sincerely doubt those two will be separated by anything short of an early grave. So I guess I`m going to just… get used to it.

23:56 PM, D.W.

23 September.

Alex and Lucielle. They seem well-adjusted. I'm less nervous about them than I am about Nick and Judy. Maybe it's because Alex knows his way around the law and an interspecies couple is technically protected by law. I did have a slight issue with her being a model, (camwhore weasel was my first impression) but at this point it's a means to an end for her. She's studying to be a doctor, who knew? I've asked her a bit about how she gets clientele, and… yeah. Well. Let's just say military police ain't getting screened that intensely and leave it at that. Not that it's a bad idea, obviously. Keeping things classy and ripping heads off those who suggest otherwise is one decent way to keep squeaky clean, and that shit does look good on paper, too. A lot of effort and nerves, granted, but if it works for her...

8:42 AM, Daniel Wilde

P.S. My cousin Gideon is dating Cherry Foxglove, turns out. Fool. He's got no idea what he's gotten into… Or maybe he does and gets off to it. Oh well, not my business, that`s for sure.

08:45 AM, D.W.

24 September.

Sat down at the breakfast table and damnable mystery scent is driving me nuts. Every time I catch a whiff of it my head fogs up. Can't think straight, hell I can't even speak straight. I gotta' figure out where this scent is coming from before someone notices - they'll never let me live it down if they do..

Me and Deb have had our issues for as long as I can remember. The easiest is to let her cool off and make the first step. Trouble is, it's been a few months and no first step yet. So… either I avoid her till she`s done being temperamental, or I bite the bullet… And I'm not sure I want to bite any bullets just yet. Wait and see, wait and see. Maybe get Nick around before I talk… Or Vanilla. Someone to mediate. Oh well. We`ll see how it plays. For all I know, she already cooled down and is assuming it's me who's sulking in rage.

On the other hand, I just can't afford to put it off much longer. The rest of folks and talks have had been done, after all. So….

09:00 AM, Daniel Wilde.

So… Turns out Jack is a sneaky bastard. Tricked me and Deborah in a same gondola on ferris wheel. But, I suppose we did sort things out. I knew he`s being too yes`m for Deb, but I didn't expect such, uh… direct subterfuge. But then again, he does teach in school, doesn't he? I should've known.

All those issues I've been having with Deb since the airport? Lack of communication, she said she sent a letter and never got a response. Musta' been that chopper that crashed on the airfield. Damn, of all the stupid shit that happened over there… Guess neither of us can stay mad at each other over something like that. Nice to finally be able to catch up with her after all that's settled. Same with Jack as with Judy, just gonna' have to get used to him. He's not goin' anywhere, Deb's tantrums made that clear.

12:40 PM, D.W.

I… have a hunch what`s driving my nose wild, and I don`t like it. Apparently, it`s… a rabbit. Yes. A rabbit. Did I mention that it`s not the yummy-yum-yum kinda smell? And actually more of a fuckity-fucky-fuck smell?

Either she`s wearing a pheromone perfume, or… No, we're not going there. Not today. I`m going to snoop in her room discreet-like, see if she has anything scented like that. If yes, well… I guess I`ll go talk to Nick and his significant other. If no… Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit. Getting attracted to a rabbit is the last fucking thing I want right now if I want that trial to go over well. All they'll have to do otherwise would be just point and laugh.

21:46 PM, D.W.

A few beers and a few games of Nertz with Nick and Gideon and I can almost forget about what happened earlier today. Almost, if not for the damnable fact that I somehow ended up writing it in my journal. My head is still spinning about that, I need to keep it under control. Nick and Judy keep trading between hands, that little rabbit knows how to take openings in this game. Vanilla's offered to take over for me a few times but I keep telling her that if she wants in to just grab a deck and join in. Think I've had a few too many, startin' to doze off. Gonna' hit the sack and try not to think about Jane Hopps anymore tonight.

23:45 PM, D.W.

25 September.

There is one thing I am happy about out of all of this. I'm glad to see mom and dad reconciled. Alex says Judy suggested it - but how... I mean, I`ve been asking about that for years… And then that rabbit waltzes in, waves her frigging lucky paws and suddenly all is hunky-dory between ancestors. What the bloody fuck.

What is it about her that gets people to listen to her? Well, whatever, mom and dad are happy at least. Though now I wish mom would lay off with her matchmaking. I`m not bloody ready for this, and she knows it!

Someone to settle with… Damnit! I don't even WANT just… someone. And settling with… Or settling FOR!? No way. I'll probably need to talk this over with Vanilla sometime soon. This is starting to seriously bug me.

19:19 PM, Daniel Wilde.

26 September.

Nothing particularly noteworthy today. Spent most of daytime showing around baby rabbits. Helps me put my mind off my issues. A bit. Still…

Also, snuck around to figure out that mysterious rabbit smell. So her name is Jane. And she's got nothing at her room that'd work. I checked. No discarded bottles, no spots of smell… Her bed simply reeks of fuckity-fucky-fuck, though, had to beat it before I started drooling. I… am not keen on this. Why is it always someone least suitable that smells good?

Never a vixen. Never a FOX, damnit! Shit, at times I'd think I'd accept being gay if I could get someone compatible. But no. It's always… not it. Rabbits, hedgehogs, that wallaby girl back in high school…. What the hell is wrong with me….

Oh well, I need to get myself together. Alex and Deborah are going to join in this evening. More nertz, maybe some poker if I manage to talk the others into it.

20:01 PM, Daniel Wilde.

More Nertz. Jack came by, too. The game takes my mind off the problem… But I have to admit that the longer I think on it, the less I care. I`d blame alcohol for the loss of inhibition, but I haven't had any. The beer is all alcohol-free today, on account of Deborah. I'm pretty sure she would like some proper lager, but… noblesse oblige. It is rather nice to be on speaking terms with my siblings again, admittedly, even if this game brings all of us to cusses. Good thing mother gave up on swearing jars back when I graduated from high school or we'd all owe a fortune by now.

I wonder if anyone else will join in tomorrow. At this rate, dad could start a card club and have his core clientele all set, if the current rate of newcomers keeps.

Judy is making me nervous with her plans to invite Jane and Jacqueline along, though. I am not sure how well I can take multiple rabbits at the table, especially those two. Maybe I'll sit this one out.

23:44 PM, D.W.