AN: Sorry folks. Quite a few little errors where in this one. I need to check on my autocorrect setting.
Distilled Dreams
Part One: Fermentation
Chapter Six
-Judy Age 8 & Nick Age 9-
Everything had settled into a routine for the Wilde Clan in the month since the Hood Clan had come to visit. Johnathan would have breakfast with the family before leaving to work in his shop and be back in time for dinner. So far there had been only one day he had to miss dinner so he could finish unloading a fresh shipment of fabric. He had been running though his supply of sturdier cloth far faster then he had expected from making so many sets of rabbit work clothes. More and more normal and work clothing had been sold compared to the more formal clothing he had made in Zootopia. He did not mind the change of pace. Tuesdays and Wednesdays he kept the shop closed so he could spend time with his wife and son as well as giving himself a break from the work.
Vivian on the other paw was nearly always at home working in her barn or around the house. She was busy in the brewery for three days when a tank had finished fermenting and needed to be emptied and cleaned before she could start a fresh batch. She had already ran her first tank though the still and had a cask aging even now on top of the three batches of cider she had been able to make before the end of the early apple harvest. It was not an exact science when a tank would be ready but it was close and she had been able to time them well enough they hadn't finished so close together as to keep her constantly busy without a break. With a few more tanks she might have been able to squeeze a few more cider batches in before the end of the early harvest. Only having two fermentation tanks was the main bottleneck she had been running into with the amount and variation she could produce. Too many more though and she would need more permanent help then asking the Hopps or the Hoods if they could spare anyone for the day.
Nick however had a bit of a problem with his routine. The long school break for the Carrot Days festival had ended and Judy had to return to school. Besides Meadow nearly everyone else around Nick's age was back in school. He was getting a little lonely. With Judy's homework and chores they had not been able to play together as much as they had been over the break. Both of them had been taking the time away from each other hard. While the longer summer break was coming it was still a ways off.
He had his own school work to do with the workbooks to keep him busy but he found without the distraction of other kits he could finish his assignments in a fraction of the time it had taken him before. Vivian and Marion had made an arrangement where he and Meadow had been working on their school work together a couple of times a week. It helped the two of them finish their work faster and gave the two a chance to spend time together under the watchful eyes of the vixens. Meadow would come with Marion when they dropped off the eggs on Thursdays and she would stay at the Wilde's Den for the day where they would work together on their assignments and play. He also joined Meadow and Marion on Monday mornings to finish the egg order drop offs before returning to their Den. He helped look after the chickens and helped with Meadows chores when they had finished their school work for the day before he headed back home. The Hoods had been good on their word of keeping themselves clothed on the days he went over but he could help but feel a little guilty about being the reason they couldn't be as natural as they wanted when he was around.
Nick sighed as he pushed the eggs around his plate instead of eating them. "Whats wrong Nicky?" Vivian asked taking a sip from her coffee while watching him. Her own plate empty was empty save a few crumbs and a streak of egg yolk, "You've hardly touched your breakfast...are you feeling alright?"
"It's nothing..." Nick said quietly taking a small bite before returning to pushing his food around the plate.
Johnathan's ears twitched at the deflated tone his son was using and set his own mug of coffee down. "Now son the first thing you learn as a parent is that 'nothing' is usually something. Is the school work not going well?"
"That's going fine. Meadow and I finished the rest of this weeks work yesterday when she was over," Nick said.
Vivian nodded having looked over the work book before she set the two of them loose outside to run around. "You and her have been getting a lot done when you work together. Maybe I should talk with Marion to see if we can arrange more time for the two of you to spend together. If you keep working ahead like you have been you'll be done with this year's school work before summer break starts for everyone else."
Nick shrugged thinking back on the first tine Judy had walked in to find him and Meadow sitting next to each other hunched over their work books after school had resumed. His and Meadow's tails had been slowly wagging as they worked though a particularly hard math problem. Their tails collided wrapping around each other without thought when they had solved it. Both at looked at each other in surprise at the feeling of their tails intertwining. Of course that had been the moment Judy had walked in on her way home from school with her backpack still on her back to see if Nick wanted to play before dinner. She had left rather quickly claiming to have just stopped by to say hi before having to get home. It had taken a few days before Judy stopped by again. She looked relived when he explained he and Meadow only spent two days together working on their school work since they where both in the same program.
"I don't know mom. I feel bad that shes uncomfortable while wearing clothes since I am around," Nick slowly said. "It just there isn't much for me to do and Jud...errr...everyone I use to play with is in school."
"Give it a few years and you have a different reason to feel bad about her wearing clothes," Johnathan murmured under his breath with a chuckling before Vivian's paw lightly smacked him in the back of the head. He cleared his throat and took a sip of coffee before continuing loud enough for Nick to hear, "You're always welcome to join me in the shop Nicky. You always have a steady hand cutting out patterns for me to sew." Johnathan knew it was a lost cause even before Nick started to shake his head but still offered all the same. It was the one think Nick wouldn't offer to help with unless Johnathan was truly behind. Nick just didn't have the same love for tailoring that Johnathan had. Nick knew the basics and with needle, thread, and cloth could make a passable set of clothes for himself.
"Can I help you today mom?" Nick asked his tail giving a halfhearted wag when he looked up from his breakfast.
"Sorry sweety but I told you the other day I'll be working with the still today. You're a little too young for me to be comfortable with you working around it. Not to mention how the entire barn will smell once it gets going," Vivian said with a sad smile. Nick had helped her at every opportunity he could over the last few weeks. He had taken to the work like a fish to water and wanted to learn more every day. "Maybe the Hopps need a little helping paw today. Why don't you go over and ask Bonnie if there is anything you can help with? Something to pass the time until Judy and the rest of the young ones get home from school. Its the weekend tomorrow so she will likely have time to play."
Nicks ears perked up at the thought of being helpful and getting the chance to play with Judy again. She had had a test that she had been studying for and hadn't been over much the last week. "Okay!" Nick cried out starting to push back his chair.
Vivian and Johnathan chuckled at his eagerness but Vivian placed a paw on his shoulder to still him while she stood. "Finish your breakfast first Nicky and I'll get some jerky for you to take with you to snack on." Vivian knew that Bonnie had said many times that feeding an extra mouth was no trouble and Nick, as well as the rest of them, where always welcome over for a meal but Vivian liked to make sure Nick had some extra protein with him when he went over. It was less trouble for the Hopps if they didn't need to worry about making a special meal for them if they had some meat tucked into their pockets.
Bonnie looked up from the carefully planted rows of her herb garden by the kitchens when she saw a spot of red fur out of the corner of her eye. A smile spread across her face as she watched Nick hop from stone to stone on the main pathway though the garden. Even without Judy around he mimicked how she liked to walk the path though the gardens. "Nick sweety! Over here!" Bonnie called when he got into earshot and waved her paw giving him permission to come to her and leave the path. Bonnie's herb garden was one of the few places that kits did not play in or swarm her when she was working in it. "Its good to see you! What bring you by? I don't think I've seen you since last weekend. Did Vivian send you over?" she asked pulling him into a hug and nuzzling her chin into his fur as she would do with one of her own kits.
Nick's tail wagged and he took a deep breath of her scent as he returned the hug. "Sort of Mrs. Hopps," Nick said as the hug ended. "Mom's working with the still today and I don't have anything to do at home." Nick's ears fell slightly and his tail slowed its wagging. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Bonnie tilted her head and looked at Nick carefully, "You're done with your school work already?"
"Yes Mrs. Hopps," Nick said nodding.
"Your chores at home? I would hate to learn you are skipping out on them young todd," Bonnie said in the universal suspicious mother tone of voice tying to catch their kits in a lie.
"They're done Mrs. Hopps," Nick's ears flicked a bit under Bonnie's gaze but he held her eyes until her gaze softened.
"Alright I believe you Nicky. Now lets see..." Bonnie closed her eyes and rested her head against her paw thinking though all the chores being done. With a frown she opened her eyes, "I cannot think of anything in particular. Stu is with the the older kits in the northeast fields today tilling, the other fields have already had their once over for weeding, and even I am just getting my paws dirty and enjoying the quiet while the kits are in school." She saw Nick's tail droop. "Maybe Abby need some help in the kitchens. Not too many are here for lunch but they usually start the dinner prep early when school is in."
"Okay! I'll check Mrs. Hopps," Nick said his tail giving a few wags as he walked away. "Thanks!" He called back over his shoulder taking the same route back to the main path he had taken to get to her. Bonnie smiled as she watched him go before returning to pinching off a damaged leaf on one plant and checking for bugs on others.
Abby looked down at the red fox standing in her kitchen. Ears pinned back...check, emerald eyes open wide...check, a very slight whine coming from him while his lips quivered...check, and him looking up at her with his shoulders hunched slightly...check. Abby sighed and shook her head regretting showing her weakness one time when Nick and Judy had come by for a snack while she had been making brownies. The two had wanted to lick the beaters and that was her first time up against Nick's puppy dog eyes. Nick had found early on how well his puppy dog eyes worked on the head chef and he wasn't above using that to his advantage. "Oh stop that Nicky," Abby said taking a cookie from a cooling tray and handing it to the kit. "And don't tell anyone or we will have a kerfuffle in the kitchen when the young ones get home." Instantly Nick stopped the begging and bit into the fresh warm cookie while his tail wagged excitedly. "So besides pilfering my cookies what brings you by Nicky?"
With one last quick bite and a lick of his paw the last crumbs of the cookie disappeared. Nick glanced at the small tower of cookies on the counter but decided not to press his luck. "I'm bored. Judy's in school along with everyone else I can play with and I don't have anything to do at home and was wondering if you needed any help," Nick said quietly scuffing is paw against the floor.
Abby blinked and tilted her head to the side looking down at Nick. She felt bad for the lonely kit. Growing up she had had her litter and then more and more younger siblings. Not to mention the friends she had made with those in school. A sadness had come over Judy when she had told Abby that Nick wasn't going to be joining her in school for the last of this year and possible staying home schooled after that. "Since you are here I am guessing your folks don't need any help..."
"Dad's in the shop and Mom is working the still and doesn't want me around it," Nick answered the unasked question.
Abby sighed again. "I am sorry Nicky but we really don't need an extra set of paws today." Abby's heart broke seeing Nick deflate with nothing useful to do. "Although my sister Beth was complaining over breakfast about how the library was so out of order since school stared back up and she was going to be there all day trying to fix it. She would like an extra paw or two of help I bet."
Nick's ears perked up back up to where they had been when he had entered the kitchen but his tail wasn't wagging as it had been. "Okay...I'll go check with her," Nick said before disappearing into the hallway.
Beth watched the red fox out of the corner of her eye as he sorted though the stack of book she had brought him when she came to drop off more books and take the ones he had sorted to their proper shelf. He would pick up a book from the stack and glance at the little tag on the spine before setting it on one of several books carts behind him. Beth had been skeptical of the todd that Judy had all but dragged along with her. When Stu had been passing out anti-fox products Beth had quietly slipped the fox-away spray into a pocket but had refused to take anything else. The spray could be used on more then just foxes she had thought at the time. Now though she was grateful for the help and regretted that little can of spray still in her pocket she had absently reached for when he had entered the library looking to help.
"So Nicholas..." Beth said sitting down to take a quick break. "Why are you not in school with everyone else?"
Nick kept sorting having the energy to keep going. "Mom and Dad didn't know about the school before we got here so they signed me up for a home school program to finish out this year."
"Hmmm," Beth hummed narrowing her gray eyes at the todd not really trusting how well a home school program worked. "What is twenty-four point five times seventy-two and one-forth?"
Nick stopped sorting the books as his eyes unfocused for a minute while his mouth moves silently. "One thousand seven hundred-seventy and one eighth or point one two five," Nick replied confidently as his eyes came back into focus.
Beth blinked in surprise not having expected to get the right answer or that Nick would be able to do that in his head. "Impressive. When was the Mammal Peace Accords signed?"
Nick cocked his head to the side. "The first Accord was signed in 1592 but that was only between several local wolf tribes and the Great Bahtain sheep settlers. More and more species and governments added their signatures to the Accords over the next three hundred years. Some signed willingly while other where compelled to do so though force."
Beth's mouth dropped open in shock at Nick's answer. She had just expected the generic answer of 1592 not the more complete answer she had gotten. "How did you know that?"
Nick shrugged and went back to sorting books. "Dad likes history and he use to me at night to help me fall asleep."
"Your dad would read you history books at night to help you fall asleep?" Beth said with a chuckle.
"Yeah," Nick said struggling with a particularly thick book. "Didn't always help me sleep though. He would start something interesting and not always finish before it got too late. After he found me asleep with the book he was reading from open and a ways ahead of where he had left off he let me read on my own before bed." Nick glanced over his shoulder at the shelves of books and his tail wagged at seeing them all before it stopped and drooped, "We use to go to the Zootopia Central library every couple of weeks to get new books."
Beth rubber her chin with a paw thinking. "Well there are plenty of books here and you are doing a fair job handling them. If you promise to treat them well I suppose I could let you check them out like the other kits do. Having your help from time to time to straighten things out would be nice too..." She did not get much farther before a streak of red ran into her and arms tightened in a hug.
"Thank you!" Nick said as he hugged her.
Beth smiled and patted his head before untangling herself from Nick's arms. "Alright. Alright enough of that. Lets finish sorting these out. If you see something interesting you would like set it to the side and I'll check to see if anyone else already had their name down for it first."
Beth and he working together had finished sorting the books waiting to be returned to the shelf in a few hours and he had found a history book about the Roaran Empire and their legions. Nick was curled in one of the overstuffed chairs in the library with the book propped up on his tail when the house started to shake lightly. "Sounds like the kits are back from school," Beth said closing the book with a muscled shirtless rabbit buck standing in a heroic pose on the cover she had been reading from but holding the place with her thumb. "The hallways will be packed while the kits drop off their backpacks. We might as well wait here until they settle." Beth opened the book and became lost in it again.
"I cannot believe Mrs. Thomson wants us to do a five page report on middle age Bahtain," a voice complained, "Hey Beth! Did we get any new history books in for the middle ages!"
Beth looked up at the high school aged gray buck when he came into view around a shelf. "Nothing new in the last year but what we have is in the nine-forties Francis."
"Blah! Eric did a report on it last year and what we have wasn't good enough for more then a C," Francis waved his arms in annoyance.
"What we have is fine," Beth said crossly, "Eric was always leaving his reports to the last minute and just copied something that was close enough out of the books." It was her library to manage and she knew most every book in it. She did not like it when her sibling called it not enough.
"We need new books!" Francis countered.
Beth snapped her book shut and put it face down on the table while standing. "If we didn't have to keep replacing school books all the time we would have more money to expand! Remind me who left their chemistry book out in the rain for a second time this year!" Francis' ears dropped and he back petaled away from his angry older sister. "If you don't care for the selection we have then donate to it yourself like your brothers and sisters do. The J litter's birthday is next month so buy a few books for them! They will be nine so what will be good for them might be a little advanced for your reading level!" Francis ran away and Beth calmly returned to pick up her book. She glanced over at Nick who was frowning. "Sorry Nicholas that you had to see that. I cannot stand the younger kits complaining about the books."
"Judy's birthday is next month? She didn't tell me..." Nick tailed off his ears drooping.
"Oh Nicholas," Beth said slipping a bookmark in her book and walking over to Nick. She sat on the arm of the chair and placed a paw on his shoulder. "I am sure she didn't mean to not tell you but didn't think it was a big deal. Its just rabbit birthdays are...different then most mammals. I was shocked the first time I got invited to a birthday party when I was a kit. The ewe got so many gifts just to herself I found it mind boggling. Sure we celebrate Mom's and Dad's birthday individually but each litter has a communal party and communal gifts. Toys, books, and the other gifts get added to the playroom, this library, or where they are needed after the litter has some time to enjoy them among themselves. Any gift they get is in the end a gift for the entire Warren."
"Judy has never gotten a gift just for her?" Nick asked rubbing his arm across his eyes.
"A few little things perhaps from her non-rabbit friends from around town if they knew it was her birthday. Something like a stuffed animal or doll," Beth said rubbing her paw on Nick's back. "I remember there was a little grumbling about a large stuffed carrot someone had won her never leaving her room but that was just a bit of jealousy I believe." Nick chuckled remembering the carrot he had won her at the Carrot Days festival. Beth twitched her ears hearing soft foot falls in the hallway.
"Beth? Are you here? I finished those detective stories and was hoping some more are back in," Judy said walking into the library carrying a few books against her chest. She stopped when she saw Beth and Nick. "NICK!" In a rush Judy had hopped across the room and up on the chair to pull Nick into a hug crushing the books she had been carrying between them. "I didn't think I would be able to see you until tomorrow!"
"Judith the books!" Beth said snatching them from between the two when Judy relaxed the hug.
"Sorry Beth," Judy and Nick said together. Their eyes quickly met and they shared a quick laugh. "Jinx!" They said together only to laugh harder.
Beth looked over the books quickly and was satisfied there wasn't any damage done. "Well why don't I get these put away and I'll see if there is something you haven't read yet in." Beth looked up to see that Nick had curled himself around Judy with his tail acting as a lap blanket for Judy. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched the two kits talk about what they had been up to in the week apart. "That looks cozy all cuddled up together like that. I'll bring any books over that I find and leave you alone. It sounds like you have a lot to catch up on."
Nick walked slowly back home with a spare book bag filled to the brim. Beth had picked out several books for him when she had left him and Judy to talk. The history book he had been reading was the heaviest along with a natural science book the formed the bulk of the bags weight and would help supplement his homeschooling workbook. A few smaller fiction books rounded out the bag for reading for fun. Beth had even slipped in a detective story that Judy had finished when Nick had quietly asked about what books Judy liked.
Vivian stood several paces from the open door breathing deeply from the night air while a full face respirator hung from her neck. The harsh slightly sweet scent of strong alcohol drifted from the wide open doors. When he got close enough to scent the air he sneezed. Vivian's ears twitched in his direction. "Nicky? Is that you?"
"Yes Mom. I am back from the Hopps," Nick said moving to give his mother a hug.
Vivian took a step back and held up her paw. "Sorry sweety but that will have to wait until after a shower or two. I forgot to open one of the vents and the vapors where a little thick in the end." Nick took a step back his ears drooping a bit but he understood. Before he started helping his mother she had gone over safety. With how sensitive his nose was even the alcohol vapor that lingered on Vivian's fur and clothes would send him into sneezing fits. "Why don't you head inside the Den sweety. Your Dad should have something ready if you're hungry. I just need to take a quick shower and then I'll be in too."
"Okay mom," Nick said heading into the side entrance and the kitchen.
Johnathan looked up from the table when the door opened. "Nicky my boy! You're home late. I was going to head over and check on you if you where much later." Walking over he scooped his son into a tight hug before taking the book bag from him. "Ooof! Did they send you home with some bricks?"
"Books!" Nick said excitedly, "Mrs. Hopps didn't have anything for me to do but I ended up helping in their library. Beth let me check some books out as a thank you for helping."
Johnathan took the books out and flipped through the history book taking a few minutes to read an interesting page. "Roaran Empire huh. I was always more partial to the mummies and pyramids of Camgypt but the Roaran Empire was fascinating in its own way. Ah good a chapter on their aqueducts and other great building projects. Truly fascinating how many of their structures have held up to more then a thousand years of time." Johnathan looked up and noticed Nick had lost some of his excitement.
"Oh my that is a lot of books," Vivian said walking into the room wrapped in a robe and rubbing a towel over her wet fur, "From the Hopps?" Nick nodded quickly explaining how he came to help in the library. "Well that will save us a trip or two to the town library. Anything else interesting happen while you where over there?"
"Judy and I read together for a while before dinner," Nick said leaving out how they had stayed cuddled together the entire time, "It's Judy's birthday next month."
"Oh how exciting! Did she invite you to the party? When is it and do you know what she would like as a gift?" Vivian asked before noticing Nick's tail droop to the floor.
"No...they do a party for the entire litter with just the family," Nick answered, "The gifts they get end up being shared with the whole family after a while."
"Makes sense I suppose," Johnathan said rubbing his paw across his muzzle in thought, "So many kits all having the same birthday that would be the easiest way to keep anyone from feeling left out."
"I am sure Judy would like a gift from you Nicky even if there isn't a party," Vivian said ruffling the fur between Nick's ears. "So...any ideas or should I ask Bonnie?"
Nick looked over the books and frowned in thought. She had liked the stuffed carrot he had won for her after the play...the play! "She likes detective books...and she wants to be a cop when she is older...is...is there a book that would teach her how to be a cop?" Nick asked looking up and between his parents.
"Hmmm...A police manual perhaps," Johnathan thought aloud, "Or some of the materiel they would get at the police academy."
Vivian tilted her head looking at her mate, "Not something we can get around here though and besides the police station itself I wouldn't know where to go for something like that..."
"Perhaps Sheriff Blackwoole would have an idea where we could get something like that," Johnathan said. "Don't worry Nicky we will make sure you have something to give Judy."
Vivian woke with a start trying to figure out what had woke her. The second ring of the phone answered that question. Dragging herself out of bed she glanced at the clock to find it was mid-morning. Johnathan must have let her sleep in. She had spent the entire day before with the still and had been exhausted when she finally made it to bed. "Hello? Vivian Wilde speaking," Vivian said tiredly managing to get to the phone by the fourth ring.
"Mrs. Wilde this is Rosette Blackwoole. We met a few months ago at Big Manor after the incident with Nicholas. I am sorry it sounds like my call woke you up."
"Ms. Blackwoole..." Vivian repeated rubbing her eyes trying to drive the sleep from her mind, "Ah yes I remember you Ms. Blackwoole. No need to apologize I should have been up anyway. Just a late night working the still. How have you been?"
"Well enough Mrs. Wilde thank you. How have you and your family been settling in?"
Vivian stretched and yawned before answering. "We have been doing well. There has been a few hiccups along the way but that has largely smoothed over. Our neighbors have certainly made for a few interesting times. Johnathan's shop is doing brisk business and the distributor has been calling every few days to see if I have a shipment ready. Nicky has made a few friends too. A rabbit doe next door and a young vixen nearby have taken a shine to him." A smile spread across Vivian's face at some of her memories of Nick, Meadow, and Judy together.
"Yes my father said he was lucky to slip away from work when a shipment came in so he could get some of the cider you made. It has been quite popular I am told. I am glad to hear Nicholas has been doing well. I admit I have been worried about him. What happened to him can change mammals."
"That it can Ms. Blackwoole," Vivian agreed. "Johnathan and I have noticed he has for the most part gone back to how he was before...though there are moments you can tell that he has lost some of his kit-hood innocence at how he sees the world."
"I am sorry to hear that...that is however a part of why I am calling today. As you know Mr. Big withdrew his support of the Ranger Scout Program bit there have been...developments in the investigation into the incident that may involve Nicholas and your family."
"Such as?" Vivian asked curiously. She had expected that everything would just be swept under the rug given enough time.
"The investigation that was conducted by the Ranger Scouts and confirmed by Mr. Big's own investigators have shown that what happened to Nicholas was not an isolated incident. Mr. Big was understandably irritated that he had indirectly had a hand in it with his financial support. The head of the Ranger Scout Program was found dead apparently by his own hoof with copies of reports that he had a hoof in covering up. The police ruled it a guilt driven suicide."
Vivian froze and a slight shutter ran though her spine. She knew Mr. Big wouldn't have ordered an 'accident' without compelling evidence. "We had not heard. How dose this involve Nicky?"
"My firm is starting a lawsuit against the Ranger Scouts with Mr. Big's blessing. He insisted, and I agree, that as the ones who brought this matter to his attention I offer you the first chance to join."
"I don't know if that type of attention would be good for us," Vivian said worriedly biting her lip.
"It would be completely anonymous. The only record of your family being involved with this lawsuit will be in my firms records for when we disperse the settlement. Before you decide one way or the other perhaps we could meet in person...I can come out to Bunnyburrow so as not in inconvenience you."
Vivian wrapped the phone cord around her paw and unwrapped it thinking. "Alright. When would be able to make the trip? Johnathan keeps the shop closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays."
"Would this Tuesday be too soon?"
"That will work fine. Better to get this over with sooner rather then later. We have plenty of guest rooms if you would care to stay with us I know its a long drive back and forth." Vivian said with a sigh.
"I don't want to impose..."
"Nonsense," Vivian interrupted, "Hosting you is the least we can do after everything you've done for us. Will you be taking the train? We can pick you up if you are."
"No I'll be driving in but thank you for the offer. I should be there in the early afternoon. Is there anything you where expecting from or needed from Zootopia? Since I am making the trip anyway..."
"I think we are fin.." Vivian stopped mid-thought, "Actually there was something Johnathan and I where going to be looking for. Judy, the rabbit doe Nicky has become friends with, wants to be a police officer in Zootopia when she gets older. Her birthday is coming up and Nicky wanted to get her something to help her with that dream. A training manual or what she would eventually need to know to get though the academy."
Silence came over the phone line before Rosette responded. "I have a few copies of the police procedure manual and some spare law books though they may be a little advanced for a kit. I should be able to get some of the training material and physical requirements of the academy. I've never heard of a small mammal making it though the academy though..."
"She is motivated enough to be borderline obsessed with it," Vivian said with a smile, "Perhaps with this edge she will be the first."
"I'll be happy to help and I'll bring them with me. If there is nothing else I should let you go so you can enjoy your day."
Vivian said her goodbyes and hung up the phone. "One problem solved and another on the horizon," she said to herself standing up and headed to the shower. She would have to let Johnathan know they needn't bother the Sheriff.
Tuesday had come sooner then Vivian and Johnathan expected as they watched the small black car pull into their driveway with Nick between them. Nick tilted his head in confusion when the black wooled ewe stepped out of the car with a small suitcase. She look familiar. "Ms. Blackwoole! We are glad to see you again," Vivian said moving forward to shake Rosette's hoof. "How was the drive in?"
"Longer then I remember it being and please call me Rosette," Rosette said returning the hand shake. Once she got her hoof back she rubbed the small of her back trying to work some feeling back into it.
"Please allow me to help you with your bag," Johnathan offered taking the suitcase from Rosette, "Would you like a chance to unpack and relax for a bit after that drive or perhaps something to eat?"
Rosette shifted from hoof to hoof for a moment in slight embarrassment. It had been a long drive and she hadn't stopped anywhere since leaving Zootopia. "A moment or two to freshen up in the restroom first if you don't mind but something to eat would be wonderful after if it isn't any trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. We had a late breakfast and where waiting to have lunch until you got here. Nicky, can you show Rosette to the guest restroom and then to her room?" Vivian gave Nick a light push. "Johnathan will take your bag there for you."
"Okay mom," Nick said. He held out his paw and a bemused Rosette took it, "This way Ms. Blackwoole."
"My goodness. What a little gentle-mammal you are," Rosette giggled and followed Nick, "I trust I am in good paws my young todd." Nick stood up a little straighter at the praise and lead them quickly though the Den.
Rosette washed and dried her paws in relief. She should have stopped somewhere in town or along the way but traffic getting out of Zootopia had nearly made her late. Opening the door she found Nick waiting a little ways down the hallway. His ears perked up when he saw her. "Your room is just over here Ms. Blackwoole," he said gesturing to an open door a few doors down the hallway.
"Thank you Nicholas," Rosette said ruffling the fur on his head as she passed. "This Den certainly is big. Lots of room for a todd to run around in." She could hear the soft footfalls follow her down the hall but stop at the door way into her room. She glanced over her shoulder, "A gentle-mammal again. Waiting to be invited into a ewe's room. Come in. I have something for you in my bag and I'll need your help finding my way around until their is time for a tour." Rosette opened her suitcase and pushed her neatly founded clothes around. "Oh and there is a cooler in my trunk I will need a hoof with."
"Ms. Blackwoole?" Nick asked padding closer and leading against the bed. "Is Blackwoole a common last name? You look a lot like Sharla and Sheriff Blackwoole with your wool color and you all have the same muzzle shape."
Pausing in her unpacking she turned to look at Nick with a smile. "My, my, aren't you an observant young todd. No, Blackwoole isn't a particularly common name and the family resemblance runs strong in our family. Dwayne is my Uncle and Sharla is my cousin. I was planning on visiting them before returning to Zootopia since I am here."
"Sharla's nice. We've played together a few times when she came over to Judy's." Nick said.
"I am glad the two of you have been getting along," Rosette continued to move clothes until she got to what she was looking for. Three thick hard back books and several smaller paperbacks. She set them down in front of Nick so he could see the title on the spines. "Speaking of Judy I understand you where looking for a birthday gift for your doe-friend your parents asked me to bring these with me." She watched the confused look in nick's eyes change to excitement as he read over the tittles. Zootopia Common and Criminal Law, Zootopia Police Policy and Procedure, and Criminology 101 where the three large books and the small ones where simplified primers into law and guidebooks normally handed out at the police academy that covered training and physical fitness requirements. "The hard backed ones may be a little advanced for her now but with the primers, time, and dedication they will give her an edge in getting through the academy."
Nick looked between the books and Rosette before launching himself at her and wrapping his arms around her in a crushing hug. "Thank you!"
Rosette returned the hug though with a little less force before extracting herself and straightening out the wrinkles in her clothes. "You should thank your parents. I just brought along what they asked for." Her stomach growled loudly. "How about we head up for lunch and we can stop at my car on the way."
"Okay Ms. Blackwoole," Nick said leaving the books safely in Rosette's room for the moment. He wanted a chance to look though them and didn't want Judy to see them before her birthday. Nick lead on through the twisting hallways up to the main floor where they ducked though a side door.
Between the two of them they where able to bring in the cooler into the kitchen where Vivian and Johnathan waited with lunch quietly talking among themselves. "Oh I should have asked if you had anything else you wanted to bring in," Vivian said tilting her head in curiosity looking at the cooler.
"I was in a rush to freshen up and forgot about it," Rosette said opening the cooler and handing a package to Nick with a smile. "Would you be so kind as to bring this to your mother for me?"
Nick nodded as his nose twitched at the new scent. Vivian took the package and unwrapped it finding a filet of dark red meat. "Is this...Is this ostrich?"
"It is and enough for a few meals," Rosette said taking out a few more similarly wrapped packages from the cooler before pulling out three large eggs. "This is a gift to the Wilde Clan's winter stores for your hospitality in letting me share in your Den's safety."
Vivian's eyes widened in surprise. Ostrich eggs where as rare to find on the Wilde table as ostrich meat was. It was normally just once a year they splurged on such an expensive meal. "We accept though the comforts of our Den is hardly worth such a generous gift." Vivian said carefully taking one of the eggs from Rosette while Johnathan took the other two to the fridge while Nick's wide eyes followed them. "You know fox customs?" Vivian asked as Rosette followed them to the fridge with the packages of meat.
"I had a very good friend growing up who taught me," Rosette said with a sad smile, "An arctic todd but he said that most fox species shared similar customs."
Vivian's ears twitched at the tone the ewe had used, "I take it he is no longer..."
"He passed shortly after graduation from high school," Rosette said curtly shaking her head to clear the memories, "I am sorry those are not pleasant memories. His passing was sudden and violent."
Vivian placed her paw on Rosette's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "May he live on in the hearts of those that cared for him and may his spirit know peace and plenty."
"Thank you," Rosette whispered and carefully dabbed the tear away from her eye. Vivian's only reply was another gentle squeeze of the shoulder before leaving Rosette alone for a moment to collect herself.
Lunch had passed quickly. Rosette had dug into the pasture salad that the Wilde's had made for her. Johnathan had grinned at the sheepish look on Rosette's face when she had finished long before the others and took her plate to add seconds to it. She finished her second helping when the other finished their meal. "That was delicious. Thank you," Rosette said rubbing her very full stomach and took a sip of ice tea.
"You are very welcome," Johnathan said gathering up the plates with Nick's help. A quick wash later the todd's rejoined the table. "So I suppose we should get the business of your visit out of the way. Nicky why don't you go over to the Hopps? One of Stu's sons was in the shop yesterday saying they where going to doing some thinning in the carrot field."
Rosette set her glass down and waited for Nick to disappear our the door before explaining everything. She left nothing out. Not the findings of the investigation, not her plans to purge the Ranger program, not Mr. Big's support of her plan, and not the rumors of a few purges in the Family related to it. "So that's everything. When you brought what happen to Nicholas to Mr. Big's attention you inadvertently started a chain reaction."
Vivian and Johnathan looked a little pale. They had not expected this. They only wanted to look after their kit and make sure he was safe. "If we say we do not want to be a part of this lawsuit what will happen?" Johnathan asked.
"Your involvement in it would simply end. There are enough other cases that with or without your involvement the Ranger Scout program will end." Rosette said stirring the ice in her cup. "I am only here to make you the offer not to dictate what you decide to do."
"If we say yes?" Vivian asked.
"We sign a few papers that will allow me to use the medical report Dr. Whitebeard made as evidence in the lawsuit as well as the police report and statement. All will have the names redacted as I said before. When the Ranger Scout program tries to settle out of courts I will bring their offer to you and you can decide to take it, wait for another offer, or wait until it reaches the courts." Rosette said still stirring the ice in her cup before taking a sip. "I have talked with my counterparts at the Lemming Brothers Bank. We can transfer the settlement money into a series of trusts and then to anywhere you would like while preserving the anonymity. The proper reports will be filed for taxes but no one will know where the money came from or where it goes other than you."
Rosette took a deep breath before continuing hating herself a little for using this argument. "The settlement would likely be substantial. Once the media catches wind of it it wont take long for the first settlements offers to come in and public outrage will force the courts to act quickly. Vivian... Johnathan... I helped you set up your bushiness accounts. I know you have been diverting a share of your profits into an account for Nicholas. This boost in funds along with the investments that Lemming Brothers Bank handles for his account would leave him with a significant amount when he is able to access it."
A low growl echoed around the kitchen. Vivian's ears where flat against her head as he stared into Rosettes eyes. Rosette gulped but kept her eyes locked on Vivian's. "What do you get out of this lawsuit?" Vivian snapped out her protective maternal instincts taking over.
"As most will see it fame and fortune," Rosette relied, "I am however donating my personal fee into the victims fund. With the exception of enough to pay for the salaries of those involved with the lawsuit my firm is also going to donate into the victims fund. I do not care for the fame or the prestige beyond that it will give the the reputation that I am trying to help the species that cannot turn to anyone for help. What happened to Nicholas and the other kits is not right. It took the backing of my firm to get Nicholas' police report filed instead of tossed into the trash. How many others are out there that don't have the Family to turn to when they need help? Those who feel they cannot trust anyone? That is what I am getting out of this Mrs. Wilde. A better chance to help those who feel there is no one they can turn to!" By the end Rosette was standing and had walked around the table to be right next to Vivian staring eye to eye.
Slowly the growl died off and Vivian nodded once satisfied with the answer she had gotten. "Alright we will do it. Where do we sign?"
-Judy Age 9 & Nick Age 9-
Vivian watched Nick drum his claws against the table as his tail twitched erratically as she pulled a cloth off of a small dark chocolate cake she had baked earlier in the day. "Can you help me with the frosting Nicky?" Vivian asked pulling the frosting out of the fridge. "It will help pass the time until Judy comes over for the sleep over." Convening Bonnie and Stu to let Judy spend the weekend after her birthday at the Den hadn't taken much effort on Vivian's part once Nick had extended the invitation. Bonnie had already agreed saying if that was how Judy wanted to spend her chore free birthday weekend she could. The extra growler that Vivian had slipped Stu had convinced him it would be a good idea to agree with his mate and let Judy go.
"Okay mom," Nick said as Vivian brought the cake and frosting to the table. He carefully smeared the frosting thickly on the cake. Nick had asked Abby one day when Judy was in school what type of cake Judy liked and had been surprised when it wasn't carrot cake. Abby had laughed at him and said while Judy enjoyed carrot cake as much as any rabbit woe would befall any rabbit that got between her and a dark chocolate cake with coconut frosting. She had promised not to ruin the surprise and gave Nick a copy of the recipe. It had been a long month for Nick waiting for Judy's birthday. The books that Rosette Blackwoole had brought where wrapped and neatly stacked on the table. He had managed to keep them hidden by tucking them in one of the cask aging rooms deep in the Den.
"Hey Nick! I'm here!" Judy cried out coming into the kitchen with her backpack stuffed full of clothes. "Thank for inviting me over! This will be more fun then..." Judy's nose twitched when she saw the cake sitting on the table. It twitched more when she noticed the small pile of gifts. "What's all of this?" She asked slowly walking up to the table looking between Nick and Vivian. Vivian smiled warmly and Nick rubbed the back of his neck.
"Ummm...I thought since you don't get your own party...that we could...maybe...celebrate it here..." Nick fumbled his ears going bright red. "I asked Abby about the cake...mom made it...mom and dad helped get a little gift..."
"I think what my son is trying to say," Vivian said taking pity on Nicks attempt to explain, "Is surprise! Happy Birthday Judy dear." Vivian bent down and pulled Judy into a hug and whispered, "This was all Nick's idea. He wanted to make your birthday special for being such a good friend to him."
"Yeah...Happy Birthday Judy," Nick said walking over.
A gray blur tackled him as soon as Vivian let go of Judy. His arms where pinned to his sides and his tail was uncomfortable pinned between himself and the ground. "Oh Nick thank you! I've always wanted my own party after going to Sharla's last year! It's selfish to want that but I did! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Judy dear," Vivian said wiping a tear from her eye from seeing Judy's response to Nick's surprise, "You should probably let him go. I am not sure if he can breath with you giving him that hug."
"Tail!" Nick gasped letting out a yip.
"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" Judy said dragging her paw across her eyes before helping Nick back on his feet. "Are you okay?"
Nick ran his claws though his tail returning the ruffled fur to its normal silky smooth look. "I'm okay. I just wasn't expecting that."
"You yipped," Judy said her ears hanging down slightly in embarrassment for nearly crushing Nick in a hug. "I guess that was me tugging your tail."
Vivian burst out laughing. Nick and Judy looked over is slight concern when she had to sit down and hold her sides. "It sounds like I missed a good joke," Johnathan said walking into the kitchen having closed the shop early so he could be here for the party. He looked between his mate and Judy before continuing, "Happy Birthday Judy. My love...what was so funny?"
"Nicky yipped!" Vivian managed to say between laughter. "She tugged on his tail when she tackled him in a hug!"
Johnathan stood dumbfounded for a moment before falling into his own chair laughing. Wiping a tear from the laughter away he looked at the kits, "Remind me to let you in on the joke when you are older." He glanced over at the uncut cake and still wrapped gifts. "So...dinner first or cake and gifts first?" Johnathan asked Judy.
Judy looked up in confusion as Vivian finally managed to stop laughing. "Huh?"
"You're the birthday-doe dear," Vivian said, "You decide."
"Ummm..." Judy glanced between all the foxes in the room and the cake on the table. "Dinner before desert?"
"Is that a question?" Johnathan asked smiling at Judy.
"No?" Judy replied confused.
"It sounded like a question to me," Vivian said putting nine candles in the cake and lighting them.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Judy. Happy birthday to you!" the three foxes sang as Judy cried. "Make a wish and blow out the candles dear," Vivian said resting her paw on Judy's shoulder. Judy closed her eyes and thought. Taking a deep breath she blew out all the candles in one go.
"What did you wish for?" Nick asked, "You got all of the candles so it will come true."
Judy smiled, "Cannot say or it wont come true."
"She has you there Nicky," Johnathan chuckled taking a knife to the cake and dividing it up. He gave Judy a bigger piece with a wink while Vivian brought some ice cream from the freezer and added it to all the plates.
"Well dig in," Vivian said waiting for Judy to take the first bite, "Once we are finished with desert I have a stew that I've been working on. Vegetable for you Judy and with the last of the ostrich meat Ms. Blackwoole gave us for us foxes. It's a special day after all and we should celebrate with something little extra special. Bonnie was kind enough to let me raid her herb garden for this meal."
Judy ate her piece of cake slowly. It was rare that the kitchens at home would make a dark chocolate cake and she savored every bite. The vegetable stew and fresh bread Vivian gave her was just as good as anything that came out of Abby's kitchens, By the way the foxes quickly ate their own bowls of stew with meat they must have enjoyed it as well. Once everyone had had enough food Nick had slid the gifts over to Judy. With every one she opened the desire to hug Nick increased.
"Ms. Blackwoole said to start with the soft backs," Nick said as Judy ran her paws over the book about academy physical requirements. "The hard backs will be easier after you've read them."
Judy was at a loss for words. With her family she had unwrapped several dolls, books she had no interest in, and a carrot shaped toy that Bonnie had quickly snatched away before she could get a good look at. Here there where books she wanted. Gathered by mammals who wanted her to have something she wanted not something that was good for the entire Warren. Judy hugged Nick and the others careful not to grip too tight and cried. She whispered thank you into his ears before pulling away. It was the first time some one had supported her dream and helped in achieving it. The first time she had been just Judy and not just one of the J litter.
"Isn't that cute," Vivian said to Johnathan after finding Nick and Judy cuddled up together on the couch sleeping several hours later. The primer into law was propped up on Nick's tail but both kits where fast asleep.
Johnathan tucked the blanket over then despite the fact that Judy was cuddling with nick's tail and was covered by it. "They certainly are comfortable together." Johnathan looked over the sleeping duo. "Do you think they will try for something more then friend in a few years?"
Vivian was silent for several moments before responding, "I don't know. Meadow has shown she is interested but they are so young still."
"We will just have to wait to see how everything works out," Johnathan said pulling Vivian away from the sleeping pair. He nuzzled into her neck spreading his scent over her. "It years away in any case. Lets leave then to sleep."
A/N: Well here it is. I suffered major brain lock on this one and still am not entirely happy with it. I am going to be changing my original plans a bit and do a more substantial time skip in the next chapter to bring them to being teenagers. They will be a bit easier to write once they are no longer so young and I won't need to tip toe around so much.
As always thanks for reading and any comments and reviews.
