A/N: Minor editing revisions on 07/10/2020. No plot changes from the original posting just trying clean it up a bit. Sorry about any of the updated story dings.
Distilled Dreams
Part One: Fermentation
Chapter Two
-Nick Age 9-
Nick woke slowly with the sun leaking through the edges of the heavy curtains of his parents' bedroom. The warmth of his parents curled around him and the familiarity of Johnathan's light snore and Vivian's much louder one where a comfort. The comfort wouldn't last though as memories of the night before though returned and a subvocal whimper of residual hurt echoed around the room. He could still feel the ache where the punches and kicks had landed.
"Huh...wha...t's alright Nicky," Vivian's snore cutting out abruptly as sleep slurred her words. Her child's subvocals waking her faster than any alarm clock ever could, "It's okay we are here." She curled tighter around her son and rubbed her muzzle against him.
"Time to get up?" Johnathan sleepily asked tightening his arms around both is mate and child hugging them close until Nick's subvocal cry of distress faded out. "What time is it?"
Vivian raised her head to look at the dim red glow of the alarm clock sitting on the night stand. "Nearly ten so we probably should," Vivian sighed, "We all must have needed the sleep after last night."
Slowly the three foxes untangled themselves from each other before filing though the bathroom. Stretching out their limbs as they wandered into the kitchen to begin the day. Sitting Nick down at the table with a light kiss on his head Vivian quickly started a batch of blueberry pancakes for breakfast while Johnathan got the coffee pot running. While the aroma from the coffee pot competed with pancakes Johnathan filled a glass of milk for Nick and filled Vivian in on his call with Mr. Big from the night before.
"...so, the car should be here at one," Johnathan concluded taking a sip from his coffee leaning near the stove. Nick, even half heartily picking though his food, was already halfway through his stack of pancakes. Pancakes, especially blueberry ones, never lasted long in front of him no matter how poorly he felt. Glancing at the wall clock Johnathan sighed, "Sorry my love for the short notice. I didn't think we would sleep as long as we did and I didn't want to delay this any longer than we must."
"It's okay honey," transferring a few pancakes from the skillet to a plate she tried to hand it to her mate only for him to push it back at her.
"No, I'll take care of the rest of the cooking while you eat," taking the spatula from his mate and handing her a fresh cup of coffee. Johnathan looked over at his son seeing him slowly dragging the last bit of his pancakes though the syrup.
Vivian's heart ached with how forlorn her son looked. His usual sparkling emerald eyes seemed as dull as the felt on an old pool table and his tail hung limp towards the floor. She moved one of her pancakes over to his plate hoping to cheer him up just a little, "Now don't inhale this one Nicky. Once I am done with mine we will need to get you washed up. We are going to be visiting Mr. Big today. You remember him don't you? He was the arctic shrew with the polar bears that came to the shop last year."
"Yes Mama," Nick said into his plate barely looking up at her tears started to well in his eyes. "The big polar bear let me ride on his shoulder for a while. It must be nice to be so big and tall...no one would be able to...beat him down and..."
Vivian gathered him into a hug before he could finish the thought her subvocals filling with love with an edge of the protective growl. "What happened wasn't your fault Nicky. What those kids did wasn't right."
"Why mama," Nicky asked tears filling his eyes, "I just wanted to be their friend...I wanted to fit in..."
"Oh Nicky...some mammals are just...," Vivian struggled with how to explain how others would view him just for being not just a predator but a fox as well.
"A long time ago son some mammals decided that foxes where bad," Johnathan said flipping the last of the pancakes onto his plate and turning off the stove. Taking his place at the table he continued, "You remember from history class...the dark days before civilization took hold...we were smaller the most predators and where preyed upon by them. In-turn we grew clever and ticked them. We would sneak into their dens and take their food. We found the shelters and caches they made near our dens and sabotaged them so they would be forced to move away. We took what we needed from them to help us survive knowing all the while if we where ever caught we would be killed and eaten in turn at best. We hunted our fair share of small prey ourselves between foraging for barriers and other food by being sneaky and tricky."
Johnathan slowly cut his pancakes while Nick looked up at his father listening intently. Taking bites between talking he continued, "Despite the time that has passed other predator species still find us untrustworthy because of what we had to do to survive in those dark days. That spread to most of the other species as well. When wolfs, bears, and mountain lions keep calling this small creature they tried to hunt terrible things like liar and thieves it was bound to spread to the other predator and prey species. We are the monster under the bed for some small prey like rabbits just waiting in the dark to grab them when they least expected it." Everyone was finished with their late breakfast and Johnathan stood gathering the plates. Starting the water in the sink to wash the sticky syrup from them. "We can live on meat or without it. We are both predator and prey while being neither at the same time. Even after all of this time few see us differently. Fewer even try to."
He carefully placed the washed dishes on a drying rack. Walking back to the table he knelt to be at eye level with his son. "Son we are foxes. Many mammals, not all but many, without even knowing you will assume all you want to do is trick them out of what is theirs. That everything you have doesn't belong to you and was taken from someone else. They will feel justified in doing bad things to us because they will see it as a form of twisted justice for what they believe all foxes are." He hugged his son gently, "I wish I didn't have to tell you this yet son but I have to. Your mother, myself, and other foxes all have to work twice as hard for half as much as other mammals just to be seen by those close to us as worth the same as other mammals."
Nick didn't know what to say as Vivian joined Johnathan in the hug. He just sat there thinking over what his father had said. He felt like he was missing something still but so much more started to click into place. Johnathan let go, "Now go get cleaned up my boy." Slowly Nick slid off the chair and headed back to the bathroom in thought. He thought about all the times in the store with his mother when she told him he mustn't touch what they weren't going to buy even to just look at it. The times his father had argued with a customer about the price of the suit that had been agreed to suddenly being higher then the customer wanting to pay. The number of shoves and bumps he got at school despite there being plenty of room in the hallways.
Johnathan moved to the cooling skillet and took it to the sink to wash it feeling Vivian's eyes on the back of his head. He could feel her unasked question, "I am sorry my love I wish it had been a few more years before we had to tell him that."
Vivian shuttered her mind briefly returning to a time when her mother had had to sit her down with her torn dress and pain where there had never been before to a slightly different but similar speech. She sighed as those memories faded quickly dulled after all the years had passed, "It's not something a child should have to hear."
Soap bubbles floated away from the sink with how hard Johnathan was scrubbing the pan. "Those who beat on Nick for being a fox won't be the last...maybe if we had told him sooner he would have been more on guard going into the meeting. I didn't think it would start so soon...I thought things where changing for the better."
Vivian moved to the sink to hug her mate from behind arms wrapped around his stomach with her paws clasped together. "One way or another we will get through this and help him through it. He isn't alone. This won't break him."
Johnathan rested a soapy paw on his mate's paws remembering the time his father had given him a similar speech as he had just now given his son while he held an ice pack to a black eye and spit muzzle. "It already has my love if only in a small way...the rose-colored glasses of a kit are gone now for him. We just have to try and keep him from being all sharp edges when he puts the pieces back together."
Johnathan turned off the sink and placed the pan with the plates to dry. Turning around in his mates grip he hugged her back their muzzles nestled in each other's necks. Taking comfort in each other's presence for a time. Too soon for their liking they parted. The car to take them to Mr. Big would be arriving soon and they still needed to finish getting ready.
Koslov carried Mr. Big, Gran-mama, and Fru Fru though the mansion to the front door to great the Wildes. The car they had sent for them was just now moving through the gate check point and would be at the front door in a few minutes. "Is everything prepared?" Mr. Big asked Koslov as they moved though the hallways. He had spent most of the morning informing various mammals on the staff and within the Family what had happened. Mr. Big respected the work the Wilde's had done for him. They had firmly broken the stereotype of foxes to most everyone who they worked with and he did not want to have to delay any help he could give them if he could help it. They were part of the Family, his Family, what happened to them happened to him and he would not let that rest without an appropriate response.
"Da," Koslov rumbled, "The doctor is ready to see the boy, Gran-mama and Fru Fru will go with him so he is not alone. The chef and Gran-mama have already made a great deal of food and sweets to keep him occupied while you and Mr. and Mrs. Wilde talk. We have the lawyers and accountants working in a nearby room if they are needed. I will handle any...enforcement that maybe needed."
"Good. Thank you Kozlov you have everything in paw as normal," Mr. Big said as they came to a stop in the entryway.
"Thank you sir but they were you orders. I only ensured they were carried out."
"Take the complement Koslov they can be rare enough at times." Two young polar bears opened the doors before Koslov could answer Mr. Big. Three foxes walked in thanking the polar bears helping them. Johnathan was carrying a small case about the size of a shoe box in one paw while the other paw rested on his mates back. Nick could be seen walking paw in paw with Vivian slightly behind her as if he could duck behind her skirts at a moment's notice. "Ah Johnathan, Vivian I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances," Mr. Big greeted them. Koslov lowered his hand so the three shrews where at eye level with Nick who clung closer to his mother. "And this must be Nicholas. You have grown so much bigger than the last time I saw you my son."
Mr. Big noticed how quickly Nick pulled away and blinked when the paw came towards him. He could see a bit of skin between Nicks fur with fresh bruises. Keeping his voice friendly despite the anger building at the beaten kit in front of him he continued, "A big young mammal like you is just what I need right now." He gestured to his daughter and Gran-mama, "My daughter and Gran-mama are in need of an escort to the family doctor for their yearly checkup today. You look like a trustworthy young mammal, could you do me this personal favor my son?" Nick hesitated looking between the shrews, his mother, and his father with a bit of worry in his eyes. Mr. Big wouldn't force him but knew how to sweeten a deal when he saw that moment of uncertainty.
Gran-mama however recognized it faster and beat him to the punch, "And afterwards my young mammal I would need some help too. I've been trying to teach our chef the family recipes and we need some help comparing how they taste against each other. I believe it was cannolis he was trying to make today. Lots of fresh fruits from the farms outside of the city in them." She smiled as Nicks ears picked up and his tail swished lightly looking to his mother now seeking permission.
Vivian laughed lightly, "Go on Nicky just don't eat too many of them." Nick quickly let go of her skirts and moved to Koslov's outstretched paw. Fru Fru and Gran-mama climbed onto his shoulders and started guiding him though the house chatting about various things as their voices faded though the halls. One of the young polar bears who opened the door silently followed at a discreet distance. "Thank you, Mr. Big, for doing this for us...we cannot thank you enough for..." Vivian started as soon as Nick was out of earshot.
Mr. Big waved the thanks away, "Think nothing of it my dear. You are part of the Family. What happened to your son is something I cannot let go unnoticed or ignored. But come it was late when Johnathan called and I would like to hear the full story before we talk about why you wanted this meeting. It will also give time for the doctor to look over your son and for Gran-mama to see what she can do to help him even if it nothing more then filling him full of cannolis. Come let's go to my office."
Koslov moved through the halls at a measured pace so the Wildes could stay at a walking pace rather than be forced to keep up with his longer strides. It did not take long though for them to arrive at the personal office of Mr. Big. It differed slightly from his official office in it lacked the ice hole under the rug while also being kept a bit warmer for the guest's comfort. Once Mr. Big was on the desk and the Wildes where in their own chairs he gestured to the sideboard. "Somehow I don't think this a story is one that easy to tell. Can Koslov get you two anything before we start?"
Vivian and Johnathan glanced at each other briefly. Johnathan cleared his throat, "Some hot coffee or tea would be welcome. Sorry sir but it is still a bit cold for us in Tundra-town." Koslov quickly filled two mugs of coffee from an insulated carafe he had placed in the office earlier. Few mammals besides those use to the arctic conditions in this part of the city ever went anywhere without something warm to drink close at hand.
Johnathan took a few sips of the steaming beverage before reaching for the package he had left on the floor by his hind paws. He pulled out the muzzle that they had removed from Nick the night before and placed it on the desk near Mr. Big. Mr. Big stood and walked towards it. He examined the cruel device with bits of fur still clinging to it. Fur glued on it by dried blood. He ran is hands across the small claw marks whose edges where stained with blood while Vivian and Johnathan told him of the night before when Nick had come home early from the meeting with the Junior Ranger Scouts.
Nick walked down the halls listening to Fru Fru and Gran-mama tell him about the various pieces of art along the walls, an interesting fact about a particular room they passed, and the occasional direction leading him on. How they where acting was at odds with what his father had said this morning he thought. He was a fox and they where smaller then him why where they acting as if nothing was the matter. Where they planning of putting a muzzle on him like the of the other kits had done. Those kits had acted nice before they had beaten him to the ground last night. But besides the young polar bear following them they where too small to do anything.
Nick's silence did not go unnoticed by Gran-mama. He had started the walk off energetic enough but after a while she could see him thinking and occasionally sneaking glances at the polar bear following them. She made a few subtle hand signs realizing what was likely the matter. The polar bear moved to open the next door he came to acting like he was try to reach it all along but didn't want to step around the small fox todd carrying two members of Mr. Big's family. "Oh that Raymond," she chattered making a show of looking back, "Always so considerate when smaller mammals are walking in the hallway. Sometimes he takes all day to go about his tasks just because an old nanny goat is in the way."
"That's nice of him," Nick said relaxing. He wasn't following them to hurt him.
"Don't get me wrong if he was in a rush he probably would have asked nicely before stepping over you to get down the hall quicker. I have never seem him move so fast that one time he had a bad fish. You could track his progress to the bathroom by the shouted apologies as he vaulted over the mammals in his way." Nick started to chuckle thinking of the big polar bear trying to get to a bathroom while avoiding any mammals in his way. "Ah here we are the door on the left young one."
"Yes Mrs..."
"Just call me Gran-mama young one everyone dose. Oh give the door a quick knock that old billy goat can open it from the inside" she cut him-off gently.
"Yes Gran-mama," he said knocking glad someone else was going to open the door. He could reach the handle but the wood door looked thick and heavy.
A old billy goat with more gray in his beard then white poked his head out looking up at first. Blinking he quickly looked down seeing the red fox with two shrews on either shoulder. "Oh who is this young one? You look a little short to be escorting this two lovely ladies." The billy goat started to laugh at his own joke before opening the door wider. "Come in. Come in my name is Doctor Bill Whitebeard. Feel free to call me Bill. Ha ha my parents had a sense of humor Bill the billy goat."
Bill lead them into the medical offices. Nick saw a small waiting area that had some couches and chairs where mammals could wait if they needed and a small office desk that by the old picture of a nanny goat in a stripped full length swimsuit belonged to Bill. Nick followed Bill further in as the goat chattered about how the rooms where set up to accommodate the larger mammals before getting to the rooms in the back sized for the smaller mammals like himself.
"In here if you will," Bill said gesturing to one of the smaller room. "I didn't catch you name my boy or am I just getting too old to remember?"
"Its Nicholas Doctor, Nick," he said helping Gran-mama and Fru Fru onto the table.
"Ah Nick that sound familiar," Bill winked, "It must be getting old. Now hop on up yourself. You are here so I might as well check on you too. It's been some time since I've examined a young fox like yourself. Help an old man keep himself sharp will you?" Nick smiled hopping up to sit besides the shrews. "Thank you youngster I appreciate it."
Dr. Whitebeard was one of the mammals Mr. Big had told about Nick. What little he knew about what happened to Nick he had decided to set the young todd at easy by playing up the old goat he was. He wouldn't have needed the warning from Mr. Big though on what he had likely gone through. He had noticed from first seeing him something was hurting him by how he walked and carried himself. Nick just looked like someone had been beating on him. Gran-mama and Fru Fru didn't need their check up for another few months but he went though the basic motions anyway before getting to Nick.
"Hmmmm," Bill hummed, "Now for you youngster. This will take a bit longer I am afraid since I haven't seem you before. Off with the shirt if you wouldn't mind. I am sure these lovely ladies wouldn't mind a handsome todd like yourself taking it off around them." Bill and Gran-mama laughed at Nick's and Fru Fru's blush as Nick removed his shirt. He went as quickly and as gently as he could examining Nick starting with the normal check up routine. Checking the eyes, ears, temperature, and so before moving on to the real reason Nick was in his office. Gently and carefully he felt around Nick's ribs and skull for any breaks or cracks. Nick winced a few time at the ribs but Bill was certain it wasn't cracked. He had seen enough broken and cracked bones around the Family to know the difference between a deep bruise and something more serious. Moving Nicks fur out of the way he examined the bruising closely. He knew of the Wildes, though not personally, and the thought didn't cross his mind that they where responsible for the patchwork of bruising on Nick but his time in the children hospitals when the Family didn't need him taught him to be thorough when kits where involved. 'Multiple different paw and hoof marks. Child sized small mammal and child sized medium mammal sized.' he noted moving on to Nicks head. He found the claw marks that seemed to skip over inch wide bands already cleaned with the slight glisten of ointment on them though a bit dull. He quickly washed the cuts out and grabbed a new tube of antibiotic and anti-scarring ointment from a nearby cabinet. He handed the rest of the tube to Nick when he was done. It was likely better then what the Wildes had on hand and if not a new tube would be welcome as it wasn't the cheapest ointment on the market.
"Well all done youngster," Bill said cleaning his hoofs, "Now put your shirt on and scoot. Your too young to spend this much time in a doctors office." He laughed at his own joke as he left the room heading for his desk to write up a medical report for the Wiles and Mr. Big. He didn't feel like laughing though as he helped open the door for the leaving trio and started in on his report. Mr. Big wasn't going to like this. Definitely children who had done it. It would be hard to punish any of them directly.
Mr. Big looked away from the bloody muzzle once Johnathan and Vivian stopped talking. Silence hung in the office. Koslov slowly stood and moved to the sideboard pouring himself a glass of something strong and clear before downing it trying to keep his composure despite the anger welling up in him. He gestured to the bottles looking at Vivian and Johnathan. Both shook their heads declining they wanted a completely clear head for the next part of the meeting despite how sick the retelling of the story made them. Mr. Big though nodded and Koslov carefully used a dropper to fill a shrew sized glass of cognac and bring it to him.
Sipping from his glass Mr. Big looked to the foxes in front of him. "Had my daughter gone through something like that...I don't know what I would do..." he sighed, "You have my deepest sympathies and whatever help I can offer for Nicholas and yourselves." Mr. Big held up his hand to stop Johnathan from talking, "Before we get to that a moment. Koslov please bring in Mr. Lemmington and Ms. Blackwoole." Koslov left the room. "An accountant and attorney of mine." Mr. Big explained as Koslov carried a lemming in a business suit as a young ewe in a professional skirt and blouse when introducing them to the Wildes. "Mr. Lemmington please inform your partners at Lemming Brothers Bank that I want all of the donation funds to the Junior Ranger Scouts and its affiliated programs frozen immediately. Have the funds they had been receiving transferred to the donations for the cities children hospitals and orphanages."
"Yes Mr. Big as soon as I get back to my office it will be done," Mr. Lemmington looked to the Wildes then back at Mr. Big. "Should I have them prepare any other funds for withdrawal or transfer?"
Mr. Big thought for a moment, "I will let you know if that is needed before the day is out but not at the moment. You may go Koslov please help him back to his office." He turned to Ms. Blackwoole, "You are aware of the basics of why I am withdrawing my support from the Ranger Scout programs?"
Ms. Blackwoole nodded looking to the Wildes before handing them a business card. "Yes sir. Mr. and Mrs. Wilde my name Rosette Blackwoole. I cannot imagine what your son as well as yourselves are going though. If you would like to peruse this matter though the courts I would be happy to assist you pro bono. To single out someone, especially a kit, for this type of blatant specieism should not exists in this day and age."
"Thank you," Vivian said touched by the sincerity in the sheep's voice tucking the card away.
Mr. Big nodded, "That is generous of you Ms. Blackwoole. But to return to why I asked you here please compose a letter to the Rangers National Chair explaining why they are losing my support. The type of violent specieism against a child displayed by an entire pack speaks of more then just a few bad apples spooling the bushel. Give just enough details so they conduct a proper investigation. If I am satisfied they did a proper investigation and properly punished those involved at every level hint they may again expect the donation I have made in the past."
"Yes sir Mr. Big. You will have a draft to look over before the hour is out. If I may?" Ms. Blackwoole quickly exited the office at Mr. Big's nod as Koslov returned holding the door open for her.
Vivian and Johnathan where stunned. While they knew in their minds the Family stuck together and what happened to one of the happened to all of them they could not stop that whisper of doubt in their hearts that no one would do anything for the foxes they where if they could help it.
"Johnathan...Vivian," Mr. Big said sitting back down and looking at them, "What I just did I did for myself. It was no favor and you own me nothing for it. If anything I owe you for bringing this to my attention. Just knowing what happened...we maybe evolved but deep down we are still just animals it seems." He swirled the cognac in his glass before taking a sip, "Ms. Blackwoole's offer is her own as well and you owe me nothing for it. So I ask you knowing what has already happened comes at no price...what do you asking from me?"
"Your blessing Mr. Big," Johnathan cleared his throat, "We wish to sell my business and our home so we can leave the city but did not want to do so without informing you. We would also like to file a report with the police over this incident though we are not going to file charges. Even with Ms. Blackwoole's help it would likely not end well for Nicholas or ourselves if we pushed it too hard. That it happened being known and on record would be enough for us."
Silence hung in the office again. "I see," Mr. Big. This was not exactly where he though this conversation would go. This could be a very large favor they where asking for or several smaller ones. "Please clarify for me Johnathan. Are you asking to leave the Family as well or just the city."
"The Family has been good to us Mr. Big," Vivian chimed into the conversation, "If at all possible we would like to remain within it. We can just no longer see raising my son in the city right now where anything or any one may set those memories off. Hopefully out of the city we can help him move past this and let him retain a part of his childhood for a while longer."
"I would prefer to keep you in the Family as well," Mr. Big said relaxing somewhat, "Both of you have worked hard over the years and your work has enriched the Family. You do not deserve to be cut off from us. As for my blessing you have it but that is hardly a favor." He paused thinking over what he could do. Mammals often came to him when they where due favors trying to squeeze ever last drop they could out of them. These two just wanted to protect their son the best way they could. To try and give him a better life. "Your shop is in a good location Johnathan. There are many that could use it in the Family or even just renting it out would bring in revenue. I would like to make you an offer for it and help with finding where you will move to."
Johnathan's jaw fell open speechless. Vivian quickly replied for her mate, "That is far more then we could ask for Mr. Big."
"Nonsense my dear it is my wardrobes best interest to ensure you are able to relocate and retain your husbands talent even if I have to wait longer to receive my orders. Mammals tend to do their best work when they are not worried about things like the roof over their heads." Mr. Big said chuckling slightly trying to brush off what he as doing, "As for your talents I am at a bit of a loss as most of my operations for producing alcohol are in city except for a few wineries and distilleries in the old country."
"I wouldn't mind the time to look after Nick more closely then I have been able to though I would like to continue to brew and distill. I have found it to be very satisfy work when I see people enjoy what I make," Vivian said lowering her head.
Rubbing his muzzle Mr. Big looked deep into his glass. It was a limited quantity bottle from one of his businesses. Sought after and expensive not just for its extremely high quality but because the quantity was strictly limited. "There has been an uptick in interest recently in small craft alcohols. If you where close to quality ingredients and had the right equipment one person or with a little assistant..." he mused.
Vivian's ears perked up and her tail swished quickly. If she could convince Mr. Big that she would still be useful to the Family it would go a long way to helping Nick, "Small quantities of high quality would sell well in the city with the right reputation. If we combine shipments back with your suit orders we could cut down costs and still be able to sell in the city as well as where we end up." She turned to her mate, "Out of the city in nice place with both of us still working with the Family and selling to the locals we would be able to provide a better life for Nicky. Think of him being able to play in the grass and fresh air. Someplace a bit friendlier to hardworking foxes."
Johnathan nodded along plans coming together in his mind. "We would have to stay somewhat close to the city. We both need specialty things for our work that gets expensive when shipped long ways, fox friendly so Nicky has a better chance of fitting in, a big enough population to support my shop, farm land for you my love to grown our own ingredients or buy them from the neighbors..."
"Ms. Blackwoole has an associate who handles my real estate interest that would be able to help you find somewhere and arrange a fair payment for your shop." Mr. Big said. He was happy to be keeping the Wildes in the Family and help with their own family. "If there is nothing else..." Vivian and Johnathan shock their heads already overwhelmed with Mr. Big's generosity. "Koslov please show them to Ms. Blackwoole. She can introduce them to Mr. Howlstine." Mr. Big accepted the Wildes thanks and watched them leave.
As the door closed he stood back up and waked to the muzzle still sitting on the table. It left a tang of iron in the air close to it. Part of him wished they had asked for more. He felt all he had done is move two hardworking Family members to a new location to continue to be hardworking members of the Family. The cost of buying their shop and home from them was instantly offset by him owning the property. Any property in the city was valuable where space was at a premium. He knew Johnathan's accounting books and he hadn't needed his suit orders to stay in business thought they help in the leaner years. No matter where Johnathan set up a tailor shop as long as there was enough people around his business would remain a good investment for the Family. Vivian was a higher risk venture though she had talent and he did not worry too much. She had a nose, literately, for making consistently high quality batches. Loosing her would cost him in the short term until she could get established but more then pay for itself in the long run. He rested his paw on the claw and blood marked leather of the muzzle. If Nicholas recovered from this and inherited one of his parents talents he would add another profitable contributor to the Family. Mr. Big tasted something bitter in his mouth as his mind automatically filled in the other possibility of the young kit's future. If this broke him a bitter jaded fox would be useful in the darker parts of the Family.
Vivian held a sleeping Nick on the drive back to their home. His stomach bulging with all the food he had eaten while they had talked with Mr. Big and the dinner they had been given. The talk with Ms. Blackwoole hadn't taken long about filing a report. She already had a copy of the medical report from Dr. Whitebeard and went over it with them before they where introduced to Mr. Howlstine. He had listened to what they where looking for and assured them they would have a list of possibility by the end of next week as well as the papers needed to sell their home and shop. They joined Nick and Gran-mama in the kitchen for a quick early dinner. More food was packed away in containers, nearly filling the trunk it seemed as it was loaded, that Gran-mama insisting that they take with them. Enough they they didn't have to worry about cooking for a while she had told them when Nick drifted off to sleep with his head on the table.
The driver helped with moving the food into the house as Vivian had her hands full taking Nick to bed. Johnathan joined her in Nicks room after the driver left. They stood over Nicks bed watching him sleep. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "What is wrong my love?" Johnathan asked quietly.
"Its all so much happening so fast but we can give him a better life with this," she whispered. Johnathan just held her close while watching their son sleep. After a while they quietly walked to their own room leaving the doors open so they could hear if their son needed them before climbing into their own bed.
-Judy Age 8-
Judy Hopps skip-hopped on her way through town holding onto mothers paw. Bonny lacked the usual horde of children surrounding her as was normal at the burrow and most places she went. With the carrot festival in a month there was plenty of work to do in the fields and most of the children where needed there. She and her mate Stu tried to spend some one on one time with there children when they could even if was only for a few minutes before one sibling or another showed up needing something. Picking Judy up from the rehearsals for the carrot festival talent show play she and some of her school friends where putting on was as good a time as Bonny could hope for to spend some time with her.
"The sets are almost done Mom! I cannot wait until the rest of the costumes are too and we can really practice." Judy spoke quickly. She and her other siblings learned early any time alone with their parents could come to an abrupt end and they had to fit as much in as they could. "Bobby, the cougar in my class, has been practicing really hard to make all of the noises for the sound effects."
"It sounds like it will be quite good Judith my dear," Bonnie smiled at how exited her daughter was.
"Huh? Is that a wolf Mom talking with Ms. Thumperson? He looks hot in that suite...maybe he needs an ice cream? I bet an ice cream would be good right now," Judy rapidly said switching from questions to hinting at getting ice cream cone all to herself.
Bonnie looked around about to tell Judy they wouldn't be able to get an ice cream when she spotted the wolf. Near an empty store front an arctic wolf in a black suit was dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief while talking to a young bunny doe in a red blazer. Ms. Thumperson unlocked the door to the store front and the two disappeared inside.
"I guess someone is interested in that old store front," Bonnie said wondering who the wolf was. He didn't look like he was a local. Maybe someone from the city was tired of the hustle and bustle and wanted to set up something in the country. She silently wished them luck. Bunnyburrow rarely got any new shops that lasted more then a few months. Most of the bunny family's around where self-sufficient on their farms and the other species families besides the sheep where not numerous enough to support a specialized shop for long. "And we have some ice cream at home Judith.'
"Unless Jake, John, Jill, Justin, Jewel, and the other already found their way into the freezer again," Judy mutter before resuming her chatter with Bonnie as they walked back home. The walk was long but Bonnie was enjoying relative peace and quiet away from all but one of her children and Judy had energy to burn. They reached their family's roadside stand that a few of her oldest children where running when a car too new, too clean other then fresh road dust, and too impractical for farm work pulled in. The wolf and Ms. Thumperson got out.
"You will see quite of few of these stands by the larger families properties," Ms. Thumperson said in full Realtor mode. "The Hopps here are well known for the particular type of sweet carrot they grow as well as berries of various types."
"Audrey Thumperson it is good to see you again," Bonnie called out letting go of Judy's hand and putting on a fake glare. All but the youngest children who had to stay in the warren where trusted to run free on the family land. "Are you using our carrots as a selling point again?"
"Ah Mrs. Hopps," Audrey Thumperson looked guilty glancing between Bonnie and the wolf she was showing around town to look at available properties. "Mr. Howlstine was wondering about the farm land around this area and expressed interest in the local crops. He has clients in the city interested in buying land in the area and a shop in town. I couldn't think of a better example then your own farm to display the grandeur of areas capabilities."
Bonnie managed to maintain the glare for the entirety of Audrey's apology laden sales pitch before laughing. "Audrey...Audrey its alright. I take it you are taking...Mr. Howlstine was it...to the old Proudfoot place next door? It has been fallow for quite a while it would likely need a lot of work before anyone could live and work on the land."
Audrey winced thinking of how she could spin the negatives Bonnie had just said in front of Mr. Howlstine and what would be the biggest commission she had ever seen if it went through, "I believe it was Proudfeet but yes."
Mr. Howlstine moved closer to the rabbits with a container of strawberries he had just bought from the stand. He popped a couple into his mouth on the walk over quickly eating them. "Yes it Howard Howlstine. My apologies if I have caused an incident with my questions regarding your roadside stand and farm. I must confess it was part asking to fulfill my clients wishes and part so I could justify stopping for a quick snack to sample the local wares. It was a rather long drive from Zootopia."
Bonnie looked up to Mr. Howlstine her nose twitch a couple of times at the wolf. It was an annoying subconscious reaction to the big predator whose teeth now had a slight red stain to that she tried to keep under control, "Its no trouble Mr. Howlstine just giving our little real estate bunny here a hard time. I would be happy to answer any question you have. Although my husband Stu maybe able to answer them better."
"Hmm...," Mr. Howlstine ate another strawberry while glancing between the two bunnies in front of him. "The property boarders your own so you may be the best to ask since the...Proudfeet?" Bonnie shook her head as Audrey nodded. Mr. Howlstine just dropped the name too hot away from the comfortable arctic conditions to care much about the difference between foot and feet besides what the title record held "...are no longer inhabiting it. You mentioned the land was fallow. Do you know if it is still viable and just let wild or has it been used up?"
"Its still viable as far as I know. I have tried to keep my kits out of the wild berry patches that have sprung up over their and I know Stu has complained the black berries that have been encroaching on the property line are particularly stubborn." Bonnie answered truthfully, "Someone on the other side helping keep the in check or letting Stu and the kits help clear them would be one less thing to worry about."
"That is good news and the main sticking point cleared up," Mr Howlstine replied his tail giving a couple of wags before coming to a rest. "How long the warren has sat vacant is less of a concern as long as the wells are still good. My clients would need to do a substantial remodel to size it to then in any case. It maybe easier for them to seal the warren in the beginning and build a fresh den."
Bonnie paused before asking carefully not wanting to come off as rude after hearing the work den instead of warren, "I understand if you cannot say but your clients don't sound like rabbits to me." She quickly continues seeing the uncomfortable look in the wolfs eye, "Nothing wrong if they are not. Its just most of the families around interested in farming land are rabbits so I was just curious. Not by sheer numbers thanks to how good rabbits are at multiplying but there are other species that call the area home. A fair many sheep families, some ferrets, a jaguar family that moved in a couple of years ago, several cougar families, and a couple of fox families too though that Grey boy could do with learning some manners."
Mr. Howlstine relaxed slightly at hearing the other species living here especially the foxes. He had looked but it was good to hear from a local that they where not just within the boarders but part of the community. "So far this area has meet or exceeded my clients requirements and wishes. If they choose to purchase here you may have to add an addition fox family to your accounting." What he said was on the edge of staying professional and holding client confidentiality but he had to know how potential neighbors would react.
Judy had been listening unnoticed by the adults jumped in to the conversation. "Oh foxes! Are they red foxes or arctic? Are they nice? Do they have kits around my age? Gideon is a bully and a jerk but I've always wanted to pet his tail. Fox tails look so soft. How many are there? Why do they want to farm? Why do they want a shop? What are they going to sell?..."
Audrey groaned internally while keeping a neutral smile on her face. Bunny kits had a bad habit of asking a hundred questions a second and Bonnie didn't look interested in stopping it. Mr. Howlstine looked shocked at the tirade of questions. If she lost her commission because this little doe couldn't learn to shut up...
A/N: It is oddly surprising how many times I had to change humanoid words like hands to anthropomorphic ones like paws during the editing sweeps. I can guess there is still rough patches despite those sweeps. As I said in the summery its been awhile since I have written anything I though was good enough to put out there so I am a bit rusty still.
I have cross posted this story across a few sites I frequent when I am in the mood to read fanfic so don't be surprised if you see it elsewhere too. In trying to keep it the same across all of them I may answer questions or reviews that have been asked in one you are not reading in. Though I may ignore questions whose answers would contain spoilers. I figure if some is asking it in one place others are wondering it in others.
On that note I would like to thank all those who have read and reviews or left comments. I am surprised at the number that has already shown up so thanks for the ego boost it helps with wanting to sit and type this up in what is basically my free time. So far though no question stand out as needing a direct answer or clarification at this time of this chapters original posting.
I do want to clarify a few things that haven't be brought up yet. I am altering Canon quite a bit in bringing Nick and Judy close together in age, having Nicks dad around as well as a larger role for his mom, expanding and establishing Nicks ties to Mr. Big, etc. Be warned plenty of AU ahead. I am using the word subvocals pretty loosely. You can read it as pretty much any noise other than words an animal may use to communicate. The various types of calls, barks, purrs, growls, etc than a less evolved animal may make in place of speech.
This was a bit of a longer chapter the what will likely be "normal" and I was able to write is up pretty quick after the last chapter due to the free time I had this weekend. I cannot promise a regular posting scheduled. While I have had this story rattling around my head building for some time but actually having time to sit down and write is out is another matter.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter hopefully the next one doesn't take took long.
