"Shoo, well, here goes nothin'..."
Ted Placid looked up at the friendly-looking assortment of buildings that made up the Hopps compound. Of course, most burrows in Bunnyburrow were fashioned out of smooth, curved surfaces that looked welcoming and friendly, but because of what, and more importantly who, were in the establishment, he couldn't help but find himself a little nervous.
Ted was a black-furred bunny through and through, that kind of black that had a little glint to it when the sun caught it just right. On top of that, he had rich blue eyes, and was commonly seen as a handsome, youthful-looking bunny, if a little short. As he knocked on the door, he was admitted into the compound.
"Mm, Ted, right?" He was greeted with a warm smile from a bunny he knew as Jayce. He was nearly a head taller than Ted, making him feel quite short. Jayce beckoned to him. "C'mon in."
Little ears turned to the sound of someone being admitted; the small Hoppses' curiosity was much more predatory than the order of their species would indicate. Instantly, hushed childish voices began to speculate on why the black bunny was visiting again so soon.
"Hi, Jayce," Ted tried an uneasy smile, "say, you wouldn't happen to know where-"
Not all of the nosy bunnies were as reserved as the children, though.
"Hey Ted..." A very light gray and white-furred bunny came bursting through the throng, giving a malicious smirk. Ted's throat tightened and his next swallow was difficult. It was Jenny Hopps, and she was trouble with a capital J. He was sure "trouble" could pass for her middle name, though he thought he remembered it was something like "Fur".
"Ah, Jenny," Ted tossed a friendly smile to the teenage troublemaker. "How d'you find yourself today?"
"I'm just fine," Jenny grinned. "So, what're you here for today, Teddie? Business or pleasure?"
"Er, um," the black bunny chuckled uneasily. "Was wonderin' if you knew where Violet was keepin' herself."
"Agh! I told you!" Jenny whacked her much taller brother Jayce on the arm. "Didn't I tell you!?"
"You did tell me," Jayce rolled his eyes with a click of his tongue. "Vi's up on the tallest hill of the farm, taking survey. She should be easy enough to find."
"Ah, thank you kindly," Ted nodded gratefully pointing at the door he'd just entered, "I hope it won't be too rude if I um-"
"Go, you dummy!" Jenny grinned enormously, pushing him back out the door. "Gooooo...!"
With the vote of confidence, however pushy, Ted adjusted his shirt and began the long journey to the tallest hill on the Hopps compound, which had a stately tree marking it. Sure enough, Violet Hopps was there. She was statuesque, at least for a bunny; as tall as Jayce was. Her gray and light-gray coloration was fetching, and of course she had violet-shaded eyes. They were on the blue side of purple and sat behind red-framed glasses. She also tended to wear dark-colored sweaters and complimentary-colored skirts.
Violet was the head Hopps family organizer of both activities and duties, and an iPawpad sat dutifully in her paws as she oversaw the farm on that day. Her eyes flicked up as she noticed Ted's approach, his legs starting to burn pleasantly at the effort of his jog.
"Hello, Theodore," Violet greeted him.
"Heya, Violet, how are you today?" Ted replied with a little, guarded wave.
"Fair to partly cloudy," Violet remarked, barely looking at him. "Can I help you? I don't believe we will need anything from Placid Suppliers for quite awhile."
Ted rubbed behind his head, gathering his wits as he drew in a breath. "Actually, was wonderin' if you'd like to go to dinner tonight- er, with me tonight, in town, that is."
"Really?"
The black bunny had Violet's attention now, and though both were on even ground, she was still a little taller than him, which sent an illogical feeling of embarrassment through him. Maybe it was because she looked somewhat like a stern schoolteacher and Ted was feeling like an unruly schoolkit.
There was a moment of silence before Violet continued, as Ted didn't have a good answer to that simple question. "You had somewhere in mind?"
"Oh- oh yeah, haha..." Ted swallowed with considerable discomfort. "There's a place in town called Cowboy Jed's."
"Hm, never been there," Violet noted.
"It's got real swell food," the black bunny nodded enthusiastically. "Love their grilled zucchini with tomato sauce and feta cheese. Mm-mm! They even have a slogan! 'Lookit the foodage'!"
Violet nodded absentmindedly, then suddenly looked Ted square in his blue eyes. "Theodore, what would be your goal in this date?"
"Muh- my goal?" Ted blinked, his eyes widening. He was wondering if his throat would ever feel moist again. "I'd uh, just kinda like to get to know you a little better."
"I do know I'm not the first Hopps doe you've tried dating," Violet remarked. Ted tried to awkwardly smile it off, but it didn't seem like Violet was teasing him.
"No ma'am," Ted shook his head. "Judy n' I just didn't really work out. That doe's a firecracker."
"It also occurs to me that the Placids might have an... ulterior motive for trying to make one of them a Hopps," Violet wrinkled her nose.
"Now wait a minute," Ted's brow fell slightly. "I will be forthright with you, Violet. My mother has brought up the thought to me, but that's not why I'm askin' you out."
"Really?" Violet looked at him skeptically, and the height difference really layered on a bit of intimidation, as well as that uncomfortable feeling of bunny matriarchy. "Because it seems to me like your having a thing for Hopps females plays right into that. If the Placids got one of themselves into the Hopps family, then it'd be so much easier to secure a good working relationship between the Placids as suppliers and the Hopps as farmers, yes? Very convenient."
Ted looked down slightly. "But can't it just be 'cause I'm attracted to you Hopps does?"
"Pardon...?" Violet blinked twice.
"It's- look, I know it ain't much better to harp on somethin' physical like this, but the gray n' white really does something for me," Ted's smile was as sheepish as he felt. "A lot of you Hopps does... you're such go getters. Bonnie, Jenny, Judy especially. I just wondered, y'know... you're kind of more low-key than most of your family-"
"Then clearly you don't know much about me," Violet snipped.
"I'd like to," Ted shrugged weakly.
"Well, I can get very anxious, and not just because of my job," the taller doe offered. "Just... sometimes for no reason at all."
"Well, shoot, anxieties weigh on us all, Violet," Ted nodded.
"Not like this," Violet shook her head. "I've been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. It's a problem. I can have good days and bad days, and sometimes nothing anyone can do can bring me out of a bad day. Think you could deal with that?"
"Shoo... I'd hate to think of myself as a fair-weather buck, Violet," Ted frowned.
Violet's frown faltered, just for a second. "...If I said I was too busy today to go out this evening, would that deter you?"
"Tch, my family's always said I was a pushover," Ted finally broke eye contact with Violet, looking off at the calm sky with its puffy clouds. "But I'm also a straight shooter. If you have no interest in me, I don't wanna waste your or my time. I'll leave you be."
"I..." Violet's jaw dropped just a little, and she drove her front teeth into her lip in discomfort, her grip tightening around her pad. "Um... I suppose I could ask Dad to take care of those things this evening."
"Huh...?" Ted had already taken a couple of steps down the hill, but halted and looked behind him.
"You said zucchini with tomato sauce?" Violet chewed on her lip a little more. "That does sound nice..."
"Could I come back at around seven-ish?" Ted gave a small smile. "Or am I chasing up the wrong tree?"
"All right, you have yourself a date, Theodore," Violet nodded decisively. "Seven sharp."
"As a tack," Ted casually saluted, heading back down the hill.
Violet felt flutters in her stomach, immediately wondering what she'd gotten herself into.
Freshly showered and fluffed, Violet made her way down the hall from one of the communal females' showers to her room, a towel wrapped tightly around her. She could make this journey with her eyes closed, and she was nearsighted enough that she may as well have had her eyes shut. Opening her room's door, she let out a shrill gasp as she saw a blurry gray form sitting on her bed. She scrambled for her glasses and slapped them on her face.
"Judy!?" Violet squeaked, her nose twitching rapidly. "Sweet Serendipity, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Nick and I had the day off and were in the area, so..." Judy kicked her legs dangling over the bed, giving a smile.
"Right, you had the day off," Violet grunted, clearly disbelieving.
"Hey, don't underestimate how far Nick'll go to get some of Mom's blueberry pie," Judy shrugged one shoulder.
"What are you doing in my room?" Judy's older sister snapped, looking through her closet for something to wear. There were a lot of sweaters, but not many dresses.
"Wellll..." the smaller bunny's grin grew slowly, but ended quite wide. "Word is you have a date tonight. With my ex!"
Violet's eyelids fell halfway. "Color me unsurprised that news has spread this fast. This is the Hopps compound, after all. I mean, I know the hills have ears, but who...?" She trailed off, looking back at Judy sidelong.
"Jenny," both of them said simultaneously.
"That doe," Violet shook her head. She took out a soft, but casual-enough dress of dark gray from her closet, looking it over with a critical eye. She adjusted her glasses in her other paw; they were on a bit crooked from her harried equipping of them from a few moments prior.
"Thought I might give you some advice!" Judy chirped, laying back on Violet's bed. "Advice liiiike... don't wear that."
"What do you mean?" Violet replied. "This dress is plenty casual."
"It's Ted," Judy sat up, shrugging. "He's a sweet guy, but he isn't exactly hard to impress. You're just going to dinner with him at a place in Bunnyburrow, not out dancing or something."
Violet put the dress back and held up a burgundy sweater and black skirt with a questioning look.
"Perfect! That really says 'Vi' to me," Judy grinned.
"What about the glasses?" Violet quickly asked. "Should I lose them?"
"Vi, you hate contacts," Judy sucked at her teeth. "Just go as yourself."
"Very well," Violet sighed, pausing a moment to give her sister a sidelong glance. Judy took her ears and draped them over her eyes. Violet let down her towel and got changed briskly. "I'm still not sure why you're so keen on giving me advice regarding Theodore..."
"'Cause he's so nice!" Judy said, giggling through her ears. "I think you two would make a cute couple."
"Why didn't it work out between you two again?" Violet inquired, slipping her sweater on. "Okay, I'm decent."
Judy brushed her ears back, which quickly popped back up to their usual perky disposition. "I think it was because I was too hyper for him?" She giggled lightly. "I don't think he could keep up with me."
"Embodies his last name, hm?" Violet remarked.
"Oh, don't be mean, Vi," Judy shook her head, "like I said, he's really nice. I just wasn't what he was looking for. I doubt he wants to move out of Bunnyburrow, either. He likes it here. Oh! And on your date, make sure to turn your phone off. On my first date with Nick, I got like four hundred messages from you all. Almost dozen from you alone!"
"Mm," Violet bit her lip, walked to her door and opened it, stepping into the hall. Judy followed behind. Down that hall a bit, Violet huffed in amusement as she saw Nick racing down the hall with one of her teenage brothers, Bradley, riding on the fox's back.
"See, Brad?" Nick said while tearing around. "You don't need to own a car when you are the car!"
"Yeah-ha! You can really move, Nick!" Brad said, holding on tight. Nick came to a halt when he saw Judy giving him a wry smirk, folding her arms tightly.
"Nick, what are you doing?" Judy chided.
"What's it look like?" Nick returned without an ounce of shame.
"Brad, aren't you a little old to be getting a bunnyback ride from Nick?" Judy teased her younger brother.
"Uh, no?" The yellow-and-brown bunny retorted matter-of-factually. "Nick's big enough that I'll never be too tall to get a bunnyback ride from him!"
"Kit has a point," Nick shrugged, blinking slowly.
"Does he?" Judy leaned up, giving him judgemental eyes. "Does he really?"
"Yes, he does," Nick grinned mischievously back, "because 'does he, does he really' isn't a compelling argument." The two glared at each other with nearly closed eyes and devilish smirks before both simultaneously darted in for a quick kiss.
Bradley threw a confused look over to Violet. "Vi, does that even count as flirting?"
Violet actually chuckled a little. "I hope Theodore knows what craziness he's getting into."
"Theo- oh, Ted?" Nick brightened up, walking over to Violet. "Guy's a class act. Heard about your date with 'im. Hope it goes well."
Violet looked up at him, puzzled. "Wasn't he, I dunno, your rival or something?"
"Never directly," Nick chuckled. "Tsk, Ted was never really gonna get in the way of me being with Judy."
"Yeah, this idiot did a good enough job of that on his own," Judy nudged him in the side.
"But that's a long story," Nick added with a nervous chuckle. "No, he's a nice guy."
"So I'm hearing," Violet said, half-smiling.
"I had a drink with him, even!" Nick nodded. "Guy's low-key and honest, to the point, even. He might be a good match for you!"
"I suppose we'll see," Violet checked her phone. "He's on his way now, supposed to be picking me up at seven sharp."
"Ah, he'll be here five minutes early, I bet," Judy smiled. "Guy doesn't like to disappoint!"
"Teddie's cool, I hope if you start dating him he can come over more often," Brad grinned. "He played some Meowrio Kart with me last time he came over. He's not very good at it."
"We'll see, Bradley," Violet rolled her eyes. "You behave yourself for Judy and Nick."
"No way!" Bradley protested.
Nick chuckled. "Yeah, what would be the fun in that?"
Violet couldn't help a giggle as she headed off to the compound's parking lot.
The atmosphere in Cowboy Jed's was laid-back and quiet. The dim lighting complemented the soft, rustic music that lingered in the air, and the overall wooden decor made Violet feel at ease. To make sure she held onto that feeling, she double-checked that her phone was off.
A pretty young cow placed two orders of a zucchini with tomato sauce dish in front them.
"Y'all enjoy, honeys," she remarked as she left.
"I have to say I expected a different... feel to this place," Violet admitted as she looked at her plate. "Perhaps a little more raucous?"
"Well shoot," Ted chuckled, "I know it's a stereotype n'all, but bovines aren't normally known for causing a ruckus."
"Still, this is Bunnyburrow," Violet nodded, "and you get any number of bunnies together; the volume level goes up considerably." Staring at some bunnies behaving themselves, Violet focused back on her table and hesitantly tried a bite of the food. "Mm... oh that is good. The zucchini has just the right amount of give; not too mushy, not too tough."
"Right?" Ted nodded enthusiastically, taking a big bite of his. "That's what I'm sayin'! My siblings are always tellin' me I impress too easily. Ol' borin' Ted Placid, livin up to his surname. Gettin' excited over food again."
"Well, eating is something you have to do several times a day," Violet said, sipping from her water, "so you might as well enjoy it."
"True, but I think I'll stop short of describin' my sleepin' habits," Ted chuckled.
"Oh, believe me, I know the value of a good nights' sleep, rare as it is for me," Violet shook her head subtly. "Anxiety tends to keep me up."
"Mm, that's a shame," Ted's brow fell, "you think it's the job?"
"It's a compounding factor, but my family responsibilities are just what my mind runs to when it wants to chew on something," Violet said, taking a small break to chew on her own dinner. "I actually quite enjoy being the Hopps family organizer."
"Shoo," Ted looked off to the side. "Tell you the truth, I'm pretty keen to ditch my family's business as soon as I get the opportunity."
"Really?" Violet blinked. "Why's that?"
Ted paused, chewing thoroughly before giving a weak glance up at Violet. "Well, it's gonna sound pretty corny."
"We come from farming families, so we should be quite familiar with corn," Violet muttered. Ted paused, waiting for a tiny smirk from the bunny sitting opposite him, then he laughed as if he had just been given permission.
"My family is so hung up on business," Ted shook his head. "Competition is fierce, so the Placids have to be fierce. Anything to combat that name we got. Sometimes I feel like I was born an employee, not a son. Mom goes 'you're the nicest one, Ted, you close that deal with the Hopps, and you better, else you'll have to feed yourself tonight'!"
Violet blinked. "Well, you're certainly forthright about that."
"Never had much of a mind or a care for duplicity," Ted wrinkled his nose and moved a bit of zucchini around on his plate.
"That's why you're around our place so often, to close those deals," Violet nodded. "Suppose it makes sense; one of the biggest farms with one of the biggest suppliers."
"But the- the atmosphere in the Placid compound and the Hopps compound is like night n' day," Ted gestured with a paw, "all the kits at your place are loud, friendly, and curious. The adults are witty. The matriarch and patriarch are jovial n' sweet. It's like somethin' out of those old bunny sitcoms, y'know? The ideal bunny family. The kind I only thought existed in fiction."
"Well, it's not all sunshine and rainbows," Violet sighed slowly, "in fact, I appreciate that you've brought me here. It's a nice change of pace from the hectic atmosphere of my home. It's true that you do eventually get a taste for it, but noise and happenings are always going to cause anxiety."
"Noise level or not, it's just nice to go into a place where everyone seems to like you, that's all," Ted shrugged. "You got a bunch of good cooks there, friendly bucks, and um... heh, fine-lookin' does."
"Really," Violet smirked. "Any in particular you'd care to name?"
"I do have to say that the glasses n' sweater combo is eyecatchin'," Ted grinned.
"Most of the nearsighted ones in our family got laser surgery," Violet shook her head, "I was... less than thrilled with the idea."
"Oh, me too, but my folks coerced me," the black buck nodded, "said I looked too much like a pencil-pusher with glasses, and contacts didn't agree with my eyes very well. It was a frightenin' few minutes, to be sure."
"I'm not liking the sound of the Placids much," Violet narrowed an eye. "They sound like they've been controlling you."
"To be honest, if something like you and me works out," Ted gave a bashful smile, "I'd be pretty keen to work on the Hopps farm instead."
"Really," the tall gray bunny looked amused, "that'd put you under my father, mother, and me. You'd just go from one controller to another."
"I'm hopin' you'd be a mite bit kinder," the black bunny chuckled unsteadily.
"Well, you wouldn't get any preferential treatment even if you were my mate," Violet sniffed, but gave him a playful smile. "Though I do tend to play fair, so I'm told."
"Heck, I don't want this to seem like a business deal," Ted looked uncomfortable. "But it is kinda what I want. To find a nice doe on a nice farm and just sort of live my days with her."
Violet smiled. "You are a sweet one, Ted."
The cow returned after some time with the check and placed it down. "For whenever y'all are ready, darlins."
The tall gray bunny quickly reached out for the check and got out a debit card.
"What...?" Ted blinked. "Nh-no Violet, that ain't right, you shouldn't pay."
"Just because I'm a doe?" Violet wiggled her card, placing it on the table. "It's my treat."
"No, because I asked you out on the date," Ted shook his head, getting out his own card. "I didn't go in expectin' a handout."
Violet gently pushed Ted's extending arm back. "I'd like to pay. I want to thank you for giving me this evening of peacefulness; I appreciate it more than I can adequately express. ...You can pay next time, all right?"
Ted was slightly stunned by the implication that he'd already locked in a second date, but he nodded.
"Only I get to choose where we go this time," Violet smirked. She thought about this only briefly. "Oh, of course, I'll take you to one of my favorite places, Bunnyburrow's Best Reads."
"Ah- oh, a bookstore?" Ted blinked.
"Maybe a bit of an unorthodox choice," Violet shrugged playfully, "but they have good coffee and pastries. It's a great place to relax... and I think I'd enjoy relaxing with you, Ted."
Ted responded with an honest smile. "That- well, that does sound nice, Violet."
Ted's truck pulled into the Hopps parking lot, taking the guest space. He released a contented sigh, looking over at Violet. In return, the doe grinned at him, leaning in for a soft kiss. Ted barely had time to return it before it was over, leaving him dumbfounded and a little flustered.
"Hmhm, cute," Violet smiled. "I really enjoyed my time, Ted. I mean it."
"Would you like me to walk you to the door?" Ted blinked.
"Oh, please," Violet nodded. "I just figured I'd get the goodnight kiss out of the way before there are dozens of eyes on us."
"Ah, ri-right you are," Ted rushed to get the door for Violet, but she was already out of the truck. He fumbled awkwardly for her paw as the two walked together in the dim light and cool air of the evening.
"Kinda glad its a bit of a walk to the main building," Ted noted, staring at the starry sky. "Makes for a nice stroll."
"Definitely," Violet nodded, squeezing Ted's paw. Right before they got around the corner to the front of the main building, she drew him in for a hug. He was small enough that she could tuck his head under hers if she looked up slightly, so she did. Ted hugged back, feeling happy and comfortable. "Mm, I just want to enjoy this moment of serenity for a little longer. Soon enough I'll have to step in there and be subject to dozens of questions about my night. Also my phone probably has a hundred or so texts on it wanting to know how things are going."
"I'd be glad the interest was there, heh," Ted smiled up at Violet as she released him. "I didn't even tell my family where I was going tonight."
"Well, unless you want to be a part of the fluffy chaos that is about to ensue, perhaps we should say goodnight here," Violet said. "Goodnight."
"Goodni-" Ted was interrupted by a swift kiss on the nose. "Night, Violet."
"See you, Ted," Violet smiled. She walked to the door and opened it after taking a moment to draw in a breath at the door.
"VIOLET!" An indistinguishably discordant mass of voices all screamed her name at nearly the same time, and then no more words could be made out as all of those voices launched into questions and conversation at once. Violet looked to her side, tossing Ted a slight smile before she was consumed by at least ten fluffy hands that dragged her into the house. It was the most adorably terrifying thing Ted had ever seen. He grinned slightly, shaking his head and turning around.
"Aagh! Deer Lord!" Ted flailed as Violet's father Stu was not a foot away.
"Teddie!" Before Ted could regain his composure, Stu gave him a hug that wouldn't have been out of place coming from a bear.
"Urk!"
"Oh, too tight?" Stu chuckled, releasing him. "Sorry, m'boy. I thought we'd seen all we were gonna see of you for this season, now that we got all our supplies squared away."
"Uh, no sir!" Ted offered. "In fact I was-"
"Gotta say I'm sorry for trying to hook you up with Judy- heck, I thought you'd be great for each other!" Stu held his paws out wide. "Guess Judy just likes em snarky, though. Wonder where she gets that from? Nick's a great fellow, though."
"Yeah, sure is, I was just-"
"So what're you doin' around here in the evening?" Stu planted his paws on his hips.
"I was- actually I was out on a date with your daughter Violet," Ted smiled sheepishly.
"Really?" Stu's eyebrow piqued. "Must have missed that memo; I was out all day. ...You n' Vi? Really...?"
"Is that a problem, sir?" Ted blinked.
"Oh no, no no..." Stu shook his head. "It's just... well, you're so down to earth and friendly- you know you kind of remind me of me when I was your age, a little! And Violet's well, she's different. She's warm enough, but she can be snippy and she just- well, she gets these times where she just doesn't want anything to do with anyone."
Ted nodded. "She's a swell gal, Mr. Hopps."
"Oh, no, Stu, please," Stu grinned. "And maybe 'Dad' some day, huh?"
"Um, not gonna rush into anything, sir," Ted winced. "Still gotta get to know her a little better. ...But it sounds like we at least have a little in common... we like to relax and have some quiet time to ourselves." Ted released a soft breath with a small smile. "I'm just hoping she'll want to spend some of that quiet time with me."
"Oh! Well, now then, that sounds like a good time, then," Stu considered. "Er, I think. Well, I'll be glad to see more of you around the compound. Oh, but speaking of 'seeing more of', if you use our communal showers, don't let any of the boys tease you because you're short. You tell me if they get onto you about that." He waggled his finger at Ted.
"Er, yes sir," Ted swallowed uncomfortably. He wondered if it was in some sort of cosmically written law that fathers had to make prospective boyfriends uncomfortable.
"Have a good night, m'boy! Come back soon!" Stu waved.
"You too sir- uhm, Stu! Good night!" Ted said, retreating into his truck and slamming the door, slumping down into his seat.
Whew, the Hopps sure were something. Kind of rowdy, super friendly, and they loved their hugs. Ted was really hoping he'd get to see some more of Violet soon, as well.
He caught himself on his own thoughts. Not like that, no no. Well... maybe, if she wanted to, that is...
Heck, he might even be a Hopps himself one day if everything turned out all right. It was an appealing prospect.
Ted started his car and headed for home. He felt like he had a lot to look forward to, not the least of which was getting a good night's rest.