-Scientific Spring Part 2-
"Be sure to offer to clear the table while you are there," Bonnie said as she brushed at Sarah's ears, the small doe fidgeting slightly, both in annoyance and excitement as she sat on her mother's lap.
"Yes mom," Judy said, repeating the same two words she had been for the past few minutes as her mother listed off ideas about how to be good burrow guests when they arrived in Manta Bay. The doe sat next to her mother but her gaze was directed out the window as their train car sped past the cloud covered fields outside.
Roughly a week ago Judy had gotten an exciting phone call from one of her new friends in the seaside city of Manta Bay. Trisha and her friends had worked together to raise money so Judy and Sarah could come and partake in a science camp that was taking place at the local aquarium. Judy had all but written off the camp and the chances of going this year. Money was tight when you had 274 brothers and sisters. The Hopp's family was not poor mind you, it just took a lot of time, money, and planning to keep both the farm running and the family fed.
Things like camps were not brought up often and most of the kits didn't mind that at all. With so many siblings it was easy to find fun games to play to pass the time.
Judy and Sarah, however, were lucky enough to be friends with a brown bunny who wanted to spend time with them. So much so that Trisha had shanghaied her friends into performing various tasks in order to raise money.
"Oh and in the morning be sure to fold up your sleeping bags so they don't take up space," Bonnie instructed.
A large wolf in a conductor's uniform lumbered through the train car which caught Bonnie's attention. The canine gave the bunnies a friendly smile before speaking.
"Ma'am you are heading to Manta Bay correct?"
Bonnie nodded quickly.
"We will be entering the city limits in roughly 5 minutes."
"Oh thank you, sir," Bonnie said, letting out a sigh of relief.
Being a bunny from BunnyBurrow meant seeing larger canines was rare. There were only 3 families of them in the small town so most of the smaller species weren't used to coming into contact with them very often.
"Were almost there?" Sarah squeaked happily as she scrambled off her mothers lap and joined Judy at the large window. The pair of bunnies pressed their faces to the glass and watched as they traveled closer and closer to their destination.
While not nearly as large as Zootopia, Manta Bay was not some small town like BunnyBurrow. The city had several skyscrapers spread across its limits. Some of the buildings only looked tall as they had been built into the side of the cliffs that sat next to the dark water of the bay. The city was covered in a series of dark gray clouds that matched Judy's fur perfectly. So much so that Sarah looked to the sky and then her older sister, poking the bunnies fur before pointing back to the sky.
Judy giggled and wrapped a stormy colored arm around her sibling and brought her close into a hug.
Since neither Sarah nor Judy had ever visited Zootopia, Manta Bay seemed like a giant sprawling metropolis to the farmland bunnies. Their eyes both were wide with wonderment as they whizzed by a series of large warehouses that could easily fit their own home 10 times over, burrow and all.
Unlike BunnyBurrow the Manta Bay train station sat in the center of the city. The tracks went right over several streets before leveling out and coming into a large glass structure. Two other trains sat idling in the station as their own arrived. Many mammals were seen moving around, some getting ready to depart, others disembarking and heading off into the city.
"I see them!" Sarah squeaked excitedly as she wiggled in Judy's arms.
Judy scanned the platform, it didn't take long however to see their hosts.
Trisha was dressed in a dark blue hoodie and baggy shorts. Her mother Peggy was wearing a pair of jeans and a light blue blouse. It wasn't the clothing that caught Sarah's attention. No, it was the bouncing brown bunny who was leaping as high as her small legs would let her as she waved with both arms at the three bunnies from BunnyBurrow.
Judy and Sarah both waved eagerly out the window as their train came to a slow halt. Bonnie busied herself with gathering their things.
"Well are you two just gonna wave at your friend or are you going to go give her a proper greeting?" Bonnie asked her daughter's with a friendly smile.
Since Manta Bay was just one of the stops on the trains schedule only a pawful of mammals actually disembarked. The narrow aisle of the train car was devoid of traffic which allowed Judy and Sarah to hurry out of their train car.
Once on the platform, it was just a quick run over to Trisha who met them halfway, the bunny giggling excitedly as Sarah leapt up into the bunnies arms. Judy was close behind her sister and didn't hesitate to hug Trisha with Sarah giggling happily in the middle, the smaller multicolored doe squished between her sister and her friend.
"I'm so excited you're here!" Trisha exclaimed as she nuzzled her cheek against Judy's before nuzzling into Sarah.
Bunnies were rather affectionate mammals so the greeting was somewhat common. That didn't stop several passing mammals from making a few comments about the adorable scene shared between the three bunnies.
While the three younger does embraced Bonnie walked over followed closely by an antelope in an official-looking uniform who was pushing a cart with a wooden crate and various bags piled on it.
"Bonnie, so good to see you," Peggy said warmly as she strolled over and gave the Hopps mother a friendly hug.
"Peggy I can't thank you enough for letting the girls stay with you all," Bonnie said as she gave Peggy a friendly peck on the cheek.
"Oh it's no problem at all Bonnie," Peggy said with a simple wave of the paw.
"And you," Bonnie said as she turned to look at Trisha who was busy twirling Sarah around so the smaller bunny's legs lifted off the ground.
Trisha stopped and gave Bonnie a nervous smile, worried she may have been a little too rough with Sarah who was laughing happily.
"Come here you sweet sweet bun," Bonnie said warmly as she opened her arms
Trisha's bright blue eyes widened happily as she set Sarah down and hurried over to Bonnie who lifted Trisha up and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek, Trisha squeaking happily.
"Thank you so much, Trisha, for doing this for my girls," Bonnie said as she ran a paw down Trisha's ears and stared into the young doe's eyes.
Trisha didn't know it but this had meant so much for Bonnie because while she loved Judy having a chance at the camp, Sarah needed it most of all. The younger doe had missed so many good memories simply because of a dumb taboo about her fur. The fact that Trisha not only included Sarah but actually wanted her there meant so much to Bonnie.
"Of course Mrs. Hopps."
"Bonnie, sweetie," Bonnie whispered kindly.
"Of course Auntie Bonnie," Trisha replied with a giggle.
Just like that Trisha found a way to form a bond with the older doe and she couldn't help but smile as she glanced over at Peggy who had a knowing smirk on her lips.
"Auntie Peggy!" Sarah squealed happily as she scampered over to Trisha's mother, arms wide as she prepared for a hug.
"Oh come here cutie," Peggy said as she took a knee and wrapped her arms around Sarah. She glanced at Judy and gave the gray doe a wink. Judy took the hint and walked over, receiving a hug from Trisha's mother as well.
"So are you spending the week or moving in?" Peggy asked as she glanced at the crate on the cart.
"Oh, I completely forgot," Bonnie said as she set Trisha down. The brown bunny had barely been on the ground for a second before Sarah hurried over and wrapped her arms around the brown bunny's waist and nuzzled into her. The two began a new hug session which caused Judy to laugh until she was grabbed by Trisha and held as well.
As the three girls renewed their little hug battle Bonnie thanked the antelope for helping retrieve their luggage and gave him a tip. The steward nodded and with a tip of his hat he turned and strolled away.
"So Stu and I wanted to thank you again for putting the girls up for this," Bonnie said as she patted the crate.
"Which is completely unnecessary because we are more than happy to have them," Peggy pointed out as she put a paw on her hip but smiled none the less.
"Well my husband being the thoughtful and stubborn type refused to let me come here without bringing you all some carrots and the likes from our harvest."
"Carrots?" Trisha managed to bark as she poked her head from the little pile of Hopps bunny affection.
"Oh, now ya did it," Peggy chuckled.
It may have been a bit of a stereotype but Trisha and many other bunnies loved carrots. It was a wonderful little snack for a growing bun, one that Trisha couldn't get enough of apparently.
Bonnie took a moment to open the crate and showed the different bags filled with various vegetables, all grown on the Hopp's family farm. Trisha tried to climb into the box at one point, her tail flicking back and forth excitedly. Peggy had to lift her mischievous little bunny up and set her back on the ground, explaining they could enjoy some snacks later. For now, it was best to get the girls settled back at their place.
"I helped pick them," Sarah said triumphantly.
Trisha beamed at Sarah and scooped the smaller bunny up and gave her a nuzzle on the cheek.
"Did you get me a big one?" Trisha asked playfully as the smaller colored doe giggled in her arms.
"The biggest!"
"She had trouble carrying a few of them they were so big," Judy pointed out as she watched her friend and sister playfully cuddle.
Does she ever get enough of hugging?
"Judy helped too," Sarah pointed out.
Trisha's bright blue eyes popped opened and went right to Judy who gave a nervous smile. A second later the gray doe found herself with Trisha's cheek pressed against her own as she was once again wrapped up in a hug.
Apparently not…I like it.
It took them only a short while to exit the train station. Bonnie pushing the cart with the crate and bags on it while Peggy carried Bonnie's purse to help lighten the load. Trisha, Sarah, and Judy took the lead, all of them paw in paw as Trisha pointed out a few landmarks inside the station.
Judy tilted her head slightly when she noticed an A-frame sign that sat near one of the newsstands.
It had a few words hastily painted on it: Atom's Hugging station hours of operation.
Beneath it was a series of numbers. A lovely looking gray she-wolf was reading the sign and let out a sad sigh. A black wolf strolled over, having just bought a magazine from the newsstand.
"Says he isn't here today," The gray wolf said as she looked at her friend.
"Well we will be back tomorrow, maybe he will be open then and you can get another few hugs."
"I miss him already," The gray wolf said as she walked away with her friend. "Those really were the best hugs ever."
Judy looked back at Trisha, a questioning look on her face. Trisha simply smiled though.
"I'll tell ya later," The brown bunny said with a playful wink as she continued to skip along.
The Rose residence was a bit of a drive from the city center. The house sat at the end of a cul-de-sac surrounded by houses of all sorts of different shapes and sizes. The drive, however, wasn't very boring to Sarah and Judy who had their attention focused on the city outside the car for the bulk of the trip. Bonnie and Peggy sat in the front of the car, gossiping about various motherly topics. Sarah sat buckled up in the center with Trisha and Judy on either side of her. Judy couldn't help but notice how Trisha kept an arm around Sarah for most of the drive. The smaller bunny didn't mind though, she would occasionally look up at Trisha and giggle happily as she nuzzled into her friend.
Judy watched the two interact and felt so much joy for her sister. She didn't really act like this back home. She normally kept to herself, not wanting to cause trouble with her other siblings. To see her bubbly and wanting to cuddle with Trisha was so very uplifting. The feeling, however, doubled whenever Trisha smiled down at Sarah and suddenly wrapped her arms around her.
Once at Trisha's place they hefted everything from the car and brought it into the family living room. Peggy offering to fix everyone some sandwiches which the girls all excitedly agreed to. Bonnie wouldn't let Peggy do all the work though and insisted on helping. Since the next train to BunnyBurrow wouldn't be for a few hours Bonnie would be spending the afternoon in Manta Bay as well, something Peggy seemed more than happy about.
"Why don't you show the girls your room and then the guest room where they will be sleeping?" Peggy suggested as she started getting some plates out for lunch, Bonnie busied herself with cleaning a few carrots from the Hopp's farm crate, humming a sweet tune as she did.
"About that," Trisha said with a mischievous tone.
Peggy rolled her eyes and prepared for whatever Trisha was about to suggest.
"I would hate for them to be all nervous, staying in a new place and all," Trisha began as she walked over to her mother and tried to put on an innocent smile. "And it would be very rude of us as hosts to not be on their every beck and call.."
Peggy's eyelids drooped and she looked over at Sarah and Judy, "She wants to know if you two want to sleep in her room with her but she is such a weird bunny that she has to find a weird way of saying it."
Trisha's ears drooped but only for a second because Judy beamed, "That would be so much fun! Like a slumber party."
Trisha's head whipped around and the happiest of smiles was on her face as she wiggled with excitement.
"Slumber party?" Sarah asked as she tilted her head. "We get to party?"
Trisha giggled and nodded at the smaller bunny, "Gonna be the best kind."
"Whys that?"
"Because you are here."
Trisha was right about one thing, it was one of the best slumber parties, even if it only involved the three buns.
The day had gone by so quickly it felt like a blur. Peggy had driven Bonnie back to the train station. The older doe planting a kiss on each of her daughter's foreheads as she gave them last minute instructions about behaving themselves.
"Oh trust me, Bonnie," Peggy began as she grabbed her car keys, "I am sure they can't cause nearly as much trouble as Trisha normally does."
The brown bunny couldn't help but giggle at the look her mother gave her. Bonnie strolled over and gave Trisha one last hug and with that she headed out with Peggy, leaving the girls to their own devices.
As it turned out it looked like it would be an all-girls weekend. Trisha's father and brothers had gone off camping. Peggy had been invited since Trisha would be spending most of her time at the aquarium, the thought of having the house to herself was too much for the older doe to pass up. Peggy insisting she would be fine staying home and watching the girls.
While Peggy was dropping Bonnie off at the train station the girls had the house all to themselves and that's when it hit Judy. She couldn't remember the last time she had been in a house where at least a dozen kits were in view. Now though she found herself on a house that was strangely quiet. Well, that was till Trisha suggested they build a fort in the living room and watch afternoon cartoons. It took them a little while to get their fort assembled. Trisha disappeared for a few minutes and returned with her arms full of blankets, sheets, and a large carrot plushie which was almost the same size as Sarah.
To both Judy and Trisha's surprise, Sarah turned out to be a master fort builder. The smaller bunny mumbling a sweet tune as she started to push the couch cushions into the right position. She made herself right at home and went into the kitchen on her own and returned, pushing a chair right up to the couch so they could drape a sheet over it, making a ceiling for their fort.
"Sarah we really shouldn't be moving chairs," Judy tried to say but Trisha interrupted.
"OMG what a good idea Sarah!" the brown bunny squeaked happily. "Wait we need beanbags. Sarah, you keep working on the fort ok, we will be right back."
"Ok Trisha," Sarah said happily as she stood up on the couch and pulled an end of the sheet to adjust their new ceiling.
Trisha grabbed Judy by the paw and led her down the hallway. They came to a door with a big sign on it that read: Trisha stay out!
The brown doe ignored the sign and pushed the door open and lead Judy inside.
"We suppose to be in here?"
"Oh yeah, he didn't have time to set up any traps so he won't know," Trisha said, referring to her older brother. "Help me with the bean bag."
The bean bag was massive in size and would take both Trisha and Judy to move it.
"Trisha this thing is huge "
"I know right? Mom and dad got it for one of my brothers for Christmas, turns out they ordered the wrong size, think it was supposed to be for a wolf."
"I bet."
"Speaking of canines…"
Judy tensed up suddenly, she had a feeling this subject was going to be brought up but she had been hoping it wouldn't.
"What do you mean?" Judy tried to act innocent but Trisha saw right through it.
"Don't try and hide it," Trisha said as she grabbed one end of the beanbag and tried to drag it, her small body wasn't quite enough though. "You know I write to him too so I know neither of you has been writing each other."
"That's not true!" Judy said defensively as she grabbed the bean bag and began to help her friend. With her added strength they managed to get the bean bag moving, slowly though. "Sarah and I wrote him a thank you card for saving her from the snowball fight last time."
"And after that?"
Judy fell silent and her ears drooped.
"He's really nice ya know, he asks how everyone is doing, tells these cheesy jokes, one time he drew a picture for a fort we need to built for the next snow war."
"I know he is nice!" Judy said rather loudly which made Trisha chuckle.
"Then why don't you write him?"
"I…I um…"
There was a sudden crash from the living room. Both the gray and brown bunny stood up straight and froze as their ears went up.
"Sarah!" They yelled in unison as they darted from Trisha's brother's room.
Please be ok please be ok please be ok!
Different scenarios played out in Judy's mind. Each one made her terrified as to what she was about to walk into. She wasn't worried about getting in trouble, no she was far more concerned for her little sister's safety.
Why did we leave her alone? Oh gosh, Sarah, I'm coming.
Judy was the first one around the corner, she had been running so fast she almost overshot the entryway. While her heart had been racing while running down the hall she felt a wave of relief when she saw her sister.
Sarah was looking at Judy nervously, having landed upside-down on a cushion. She had somehow gotten tangled up in a sheet and found herself a little tiled up.
"Uhh…he did it," Sarah said as she pointed over at the large carrot plushie sitting on a chair nearby.
"You ok Sarah?" Judy cooed as she hurried over and inspected her sister. There didn't appear to be any damage, but that didn't stop some tears to well up in Sarah's bright pink eyes.
"Yeah, sorry...I think I ruined our fort," Sarah said, her words shaking as she looked up at Judy apologetically.
"it's ok Sarah."
"Yeah don't worry Sarah," Trisha joined as she got on her knees in front of the upside-down bunny. "we can rebuild. You should see how many times Atom has come over and wrecked my forts."
Sarah calmed down before a meltdown could occur. She had obviously felt bad for messing the fort up but Judy and Trisha kept insisting she didn't do anything wrong.
Trisha helped Judy get Sarah untangled but stopped when the doe squeaked.
"No! Not there!" Sarah cried out suddenly when Trisha's paw brushed her side.
Trisha and Judy looked at one another with knowing looks.
"Why not there Sarah?" Trisha asked evilly.
"I think it's because someone is ticklish there." Judy joined in.
"No!" Sarah shouted as she tried to get free, still being tangled on the sheet meant she was trapped and at there mercy of the two older does. Mercy which she did not receive right away as Trisha began to run her paws up and down Sarah's sides, wriggling her digits against the smaller bunny who began to wheeze with laughter. "Judy help!"
Judy, however, was busy untangling one of Sarah's flailing feet, but not necessarily for innocent reasons. Soon the small multi-colored doe was laughing so hard her eyes were shut as her own sister betrayed her and began to tickle the underside of Sarah's large feet.
"This isn't fair!" Sarah cried out as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.
Luckily for Sarah Trisha was easily distracted. While Judy focused on her little sister's feet she had lost track of the mischievous brown bunny who was eyeing her with a pair of scheming bright blue eyes.
Judy's earshot up when she felt a pair of small paws reach under her arm and begin to tickle the fur beneath her own shirt.
"Ack! Trisha!" Judy yelped as she tried to press her arms to her sides in a vain attempt to stop the ticklish sensation already coursing through her.
Trisha, however, did not let up, Judy turned to see an evil grin on her friend's cute face, her tongue sticking out slightly to the side.
"What are you doing?!" Judy laughed as she tried to wriggle away.
Judy did her best to scramble over Sarah but had trouble, which just meant she was in Trisha's grasp that much longer. Sarah however intervened and managed to grab Trisha's ankles.
"Don't you dare!" Trisha said frantically as she tried to get away from Sarah who had suddenly turned the tables.
The house was filled with different bunny laughter as the three does found ways to tickle one another. Soon though the laughter died down as they had managed to wear one another out rather quickly. Trisha was laying on the ground outside the fort, Judy was face down on a cushion, and Sarah was still tangled up in a sheet, the small doe trying to figure out a way out quickly lest she fall victim to another attack.
The tickle fight, however, had come to an end and once Trisha had gotten her breath back she recruited Judy and Sarah to help her move the massive bean bag out of her brother's room. While Judy was helpful Sarah was not so much. The smaller bunny squealed when she saw the massive bean bag and belly flopped right into the center, wiggling around on the soft fabric. Trisha and Judy both rolled their eyes as they grabbed pawfuls of the beanbag and dragged it from the room. While Sarah wasn't exactly helpful when it came to moving the bean bag both the older bunnies agreed it was best to keep an eye on her.
By the time Peggy returned from dropping Bonnie off at the train station the three bunnies had managed to construct quiet the fort. Judy was impressed with their paw work until she heard the front door open. Her eyes went wide and her ears fell behind her head.
Oh gosh! Mom said to behave and we built a fort in the living room?! Peggy is gonna be so mad!
Trisha, however, seemed unphased as she heard her mother stroll down the hallway. The brown bunny had Sarah wrapped up in her arms as the two looked straight ahead at the TV. Sarah being slightly smaller meant Trisha could easily rest her head on top of Sarah's, right between her black and white ears. Sarah had her paws resting on Trisha's arms, her mouth open as she stared at the TV which was currently playing an episode of Captain Carrot and Blueberry Boy!
"Which episode is it?" Peggy asked as she got on her paws and knees and crawled underneath the fort's ceiling.
To Judy's surprise Peggy was not at all angry about the fort, in fact, she acted like this was as common as finding them all curled up on the couch.
"It's the one with the robot pirates," Trisha said, not looking away from the screen.
"Oh I like that one," Peggy said as she found her way onto the bean bag. "Make room my little bunny builders."
Peggy took a seat in between Judy and Trisha and put her arms out on either side of the smaller does. She then brought Trisha in closer. The brown doe wiggling closer to her mother, bringing Sarah with her. Judy couldn't explain it but she felt comfortable with Peggy there. Though they weren't actually related she had been so warm and welcoming that she felt like family. Judy found herself nestled next to Peggy, her cheek resting on the taller doe's shoulder as a light brown arm gently went up and down Judy's own storm cloud gray one.
This is nice.
Judy looked over at Sarah who began to giggle happily while watching cartoons. Judy couldn't remember the last time she had seen Sarah so content.
This is really nice.
The rest of the day was a rather lazy but overall pleasant day. After watching some cartoons Peggy suggested that the girls stretch their legs before dinner. Trisha took Sarah and Judy on a quick stroll of the neighborhood. She pointed out where some of her classmates lived, a few of the trees she liked to climb, they even strolled past a park that Trisha promised to take them back to later.
"And where does Delta live?" Judy asked a playful smirk on her lips.
Trisha grinned at her friend and simply nodded down one of the streets they passed.
"5-minute walk that way," Trisha said, try as she might she couldn't help but let a light red blush go up her ears. A clear sign that certain feelings had come to mind. "Why, you want to visit him?"
"Yeah! I like Delta!" Sarah exclaimed, her bright pink eyes shining. "And Atom."
"Oh everyone loves Atom," Trisha said as she gave Sarah's paw a squeeze, the two having held paws the whole walk.
Once back home the girls were treated to a lovely vegetable dinner. Peggy having used the food that Bonnie had given them. To Judy's surprise though it didn't taste the same way it did when her own mother made. Peggy had glazed some of the carrots with a brown sugar that made them especially sweet. Judy tried to pace herself but everything tasted so good that she just had to have more. Trisha meanwhile was devouring everything on her plate and didn't hesitate to go for seconds.
"Judy please tell your parents thank you again for these wonderful vegetables," Peggy said as she scooped more onto Sarah's plate, the spotted bunny having finished her first serving rather quickly.
"Of course Aunt Peggy," Judy said happily.
"And thank you for picking out the best ones," Trisha said as she looked over at Sarah who beamed.
After dinner, the girls all showered and got dressed in their pajamas. Judy was somewhat surprised as to how early the Rose family turned in but she didn't question her hosts. They must have a reason to go to bed early. Of course the way Trisha acted one would think she liked to stay up late.
Once inside Trisha's room, Judy couldn't help but laugh at how random everything seemed to be. While most of her sisters liked to decorate their rooms with different band posters, pictures, or have a general theme going Trisha seemed to have trouble making up her mind.
There were a pawful of band posters, several posters of fish, one or two space shuttles, pictures of Trisha with friends, but the most interesting thing was a giant corkboard that almost took up one of the walls on its own. The board was covered with postcards. All of them different shapes and sizes with varying images on them.
Judy recognized one she had sent Trisha and took a few steps closer. A smile on her face gave away how much she appreciated seeing that Trisha had kept the postcard. She soon saw another one she had sent the brown bunny, then another, and another.
Trisha hadn't just kept one of them, she had kept them all!
"You like my collection?" Trisha asked as stepped up behind Judy and wrapped her arms around her friend's waist, putting her chin on Judy's shoulder.
"You kept them all?"
"Well duh!" Trisha giggled. "Didn't just keep yours though."
Trisha raised a paw and began to point to the different cards that covered the wall.
"That one is from a friend in a town called Fairfax. Those are from a brother and sister in Novato, those are from Deerbrook, oh that one is from this small town called Dutch Flats. It's just outside Fairfax, near the national parks."
Each postcard had a small story behind it and Judy could tell that Trisha enjoyed talking about each postcard and the mammal it was from.
"Those!" Trisha began as she pointed at the ones Judy had sent. "Are from this super sweet bunny in BunnyBurrow and her adorable sister."
Judy couldn't help but chuckle. She looked to her side and noticed Sarah who was reaching up and putting a paw on one of the cards with a giant redwood on it, the bunny smiled as her eyes went to the next card.
"Those are from this brave fox in Zootopia," Trisha continued.
Judy let her eagerness get the best of her as her head snapped back to where Trisha was pointing. The motion hadn't gone unnoticed by Trisha who giggled as she leaned closer to her friend.
"I keep you and his next to each other," She whispered teasingly.
"Shut up," Judy grumbled as she blushed. She put her paws on Trisha's arms none the less as she leaned back against her friend. "Thanks…"
"It wasn't hard, I just find some tacs lying around and then every time one of you sends me-"
"No," Judy interrupted her friend as she nuzzled her cheek against Trisha's. "For all this. For raising the money, for inviting Sarah, for just-"
It was Trisha's turn to interrupt Judy, "Its what friends do." With that, she gave Judy a sweet peck on the cheek. She then let go of Judy and turned to Sarah. "Uh oh!"
Sarah's ears fell behind her head and she looked around nervously, "Uh oh?"
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" The smaller bunny asked as she took a step closer to Trisha.
"Its…" Trisha said, building up the suspense. "The CLAW!"
Trisha had been hiding one of her paws behind her back but suddenly brought it right up in front of her face, curing her paw to make it look like a hook.
"The claw?" Sarah asked as she looked at Trisha and tilted her head.
Trisha leapt at Sarah and began her tickle attack on the unsuspecting mammal.
"Ah, Trisha no! Judy help!"
"Fear not citizen!" Judy said as she struck a pose. Both Sarah and Trisha turned to look at Judy, Trisha's eyes wide with delight. "For Captain Carrot is here!"
They all lost track of time as they bounced around Trisha's room. After Captain Carrots saved Sarah from the Claw the three of them sat around on Trisha's bed and chatted. Trisha brushing Sarah's fur as Sarah and Judy played cards. Judy couldn't help but notice how much fun Trisha seemed to be having with the Hopps girls. She had a feeling it had something to do with the fact she was the only girl in their family. Which meant she probably didn't get to do stuff like this very often.
"Alright girls," Peggy said as she opened the door to check on the three buns. "Gotta be up early tomorrow to be at the train station. Lights out."
"Train station?" Judy asked as she tilted her head.
"MOM!" Trisha shouted with a look of annoyance. "It was gonna be a surprise!"
"She doesn't know Nick is coming?"
Judy's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the fox's name. They had only met two times before but each time had left a lasting impression on the young doe.
"Well now she does," Trisha groaned.
"Nick?" Sarah asked as she tilted her head and looked back at Trisha.
"The cute fox your sister was cuddling with last winter."
"Oh, the ranger scout?" Sarah asked with a smile.
Judy could only guess as to how red her cheeks and ears had become. She felt her whole body warm in embarrassment.
"I didn't…I mean…We just sat together and were talking." The small gray bunny stammered as tried to collect herself. It didn't really work however since she was so frazzled she couldn't construct whole sentences.
"Sounds like the library incident," Peggy said from the doorway with a smug smirk.
It was Trisha's turn to turn bright red as she looked over at her mother, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Mom!" Trisha shouted in shock.
"Trisha?" Judy asked with a sly smile.
"Sarah!" Sarah announced as she tossed her paws up in the air happily.
After a few more minutes of Peggy poking fun at the two young does it was time for bed. As it turned out they had a big day ahead of them tomorrow. While the summer camp wouldn't start until the day after tomorrow they still had a lot to do. The main event, however, was to happen in the morning. Everyone would be getting together to go and greet Nick as he arrived at the train station from Zootopia.
Judy couldn't believe that Nick was coming. Trisha had failed to mention him when she had called her back in BunnyBurrow with the good news about the camp. Judy had assumed he wouldn't be making it. While she had been somewhat disappointed in this regard she had still been so excited to be visiting Manta Bay with her sister.
When they finally managed to settle down Judy got her sleeping bag ready. She reached down and undid the zipper. Before crawling in though she helped Sarah set up her own. The smaller bunny, however, seemed cautious in her motions, almost as if she were trying to delay her bedtime. Judy studied her sister and could tell the younger doe was tired. They did after all have a busy day.
With a knowing smile, Judy got into her sleeping bag but held it open and looked at Sarah, signaling her sibling with a slight nod. Sarah's mood suddenly brightened as she scurried over and burrowed into the sleeping bag with Judy. This was after all not their home and they were in a strange city, Sarah was most likely in need of some sibling comfort. Judy wrapped her sister up in her arms and left the sleeping bag open.
Trisha had been watching the scene play out and smiled down at Judy from her bed.
"Good night Sarah, night Judy," The brown doe whispered from her spot on the bed.
"Good night Trisha," Judy said as she looked up at her friend.
"Good night Trisha. Love you," Sarah said before opening her mouth in a wide yawn.
With that, the three bunnies drifted off.
Judy let out a soft yawn as she woke up in the middle of the night. She let out a soft sigh as her eyes fluttered open, only to widen suddenly at the sight of a sleeping Trisha resting just inches away from her. After blinking a few times her eyes finally adjusted to the low light.
What is she…?
There was a soft moan followed by some stirring just beneath Judy's chin. She looked down and smiled at the sight of her sister still curled up in Judy's arms. The small doe, however, had adjusted, her back resting against Judy as she buried her head into Trisha's chest. Sarah seemed rather comfortable as she slept between the brown and gray bunnies. Occasionally her mouth would fall open and her paws would grab bits of Trisha's shirt as she found a new and more comfortable position to continue her slumber.
Judy looked back up at Trisha whose nose wiggled slightly as she let out the softest of breaths. Judy studied her friend for a moment and smiled. Trisha being the youngest and only girl of her siblings must not have had this opportunity very much. Sure Judy enjoyed sleeping in her own bed at night curled up with a carrot plushy. Sometimes though she had to admit there was something so very enjoyable about curling up with another bunny or two. The way their bodies shared warmth, how soft the fur of one you cared about was, or the rhythmic breathing that would slowly send one back into dreamland.
Judy wrapped Sarah a little closer to her own body as she scooted closer, her forehead gently resting against Trisha's as their ears laid on top of one another. Sarah let out a soft coo as she felt her sister hold her closer. Ever so gently Judy grabbed part of the sleeping bag and brought it around Trisha so the bunny could enjoy the warmth. Judy then closed her eyes and breathed in the scents of her sister and Trisha and smiled as she dozed off once more.
-The next day-
"We will be arriving in Manta Bay shortly sweetie, best make sure you have all your things ready as this train has other stations to get to," A friendly female Zebra said as she checked in on the young fox currently sitting on his own in the train car.
"Thank you, ma'am," The fox said as his emerald eyes brightened at the news.
"Of course, did you check any bags?" The conductor asked, impressed with how polite the young tod was.
"I have one in the overhead," Nick nodded upwards. He had needed help getting the baggage up there in the first place and suddenly realized he would need help retrieving it.
"The green one?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The zebra being taller had no trouble reaching the luggage and set it down in the vacant seat. "Here you are, sweetie."
"Thank you!"
"Visiting family in Manta Bay?" The conductor asked, showing a sudden interest in the young vulpine she had been entrusted with.
"Yes, and friends," Nick said, his tail swishing. "They got together and bought me tickets to the aquarium which is having a camp."
He couldn't help but brag about this. Mainly because nothing like this had ever happened to him before. He began to wonder if this was what it was like to have friends who didn't seem him as just some sly fox. Before the negative memories of the past could make their way into Nick's mind the Zebra smiled at him.
"Awww, that is so very sweet of them," The conductor gushed. "You have some really good friends from the sounds of it."
"Yeah," Nick said, a broad grin crossing his muzzle. He couldn't help it and it felt wonderful. "I do."
When Nick's train pulled into the station that same goofy grin appeared on his face once more. The reason was currently bunched up on the train platform.
A small group of mammals stood on the train platform as the cars came to a slow stop. Nick saw his friends right away. It was especially easy thanks to Trisha who was currently waving like a mad bunny as she clung to Emily's back with one arm while waving the other. Emily was laughing as she waved at her cousin. Nick recognized Delta who was standing next to Emily. When the canine's eyes met they gave each other a friendly nod. Delta tossing in a friendly salute as well.
Nick tilted his head in confusion at the sight of Atom who was currently being lifted off the ground by a lovely black wolf. The larger canine burying her head into the side of Atom's as she squeezed the painted dog closer to her own body. Another wolf stood by, laughing at the sight.
There was another smaller bunny next to Emily, an adorable multi-colored doe whose sweet smile seemed to make the cloudy city a little brighter. Her bright pink eyes caught Nick's attention as she waved up at him.
As vibrant, happy, and welcoming as the others were, there was one mammal in particular that made Nick's tail swish back and forth. Standing on the platform in front of them all stood Judy. Her adorable purple eyes seemed to shine as she looked up at him. Her ears were high above her as she tilted her head. The subtle smile on her lips like some kind of greeting reserved just for him.
This is going to be the best break ever.
Hey there!
Hope you liked the chapter. I know it wasn't as much WildeHopps as some may like but it just started to be so much fun letting Trisha share some sweet moments with the Hopps girls. This is one of those stories that the words just come pouring out and I just let the story write itself. I have been going through some rather rough times recently but this story, it makes me feel better so I hope it brightens up some of your days as well.
Originally Springs was supposed to be a two-parter but the word count was just getting so high that I decided to split it into 3. Lets see if we can keep it that way.
I have some silly plans for the next chapter. Some friends of mine make a cameo or two. Can't wait!
Come back to visit Manta Bay soon!
-Blue