Hey everyone,
Okay, I'm going to be honest. I am so excited to get to the birthday part of the story, I can hardly get a word out of my fingers as my hands are trembling that much. Also, I don't think it needs to be said, but expect the birthday bit to cover multiple chapters. I'm not yet sure if it's going to be 2, 3 or 4, but I am willing to bet on the latter of the bunch as there is just so much to cover. Especially now that my characters have that much more depth to them.
We'll see,

Venquine1990

Chapter 05
A Few More Hours

23rd of June 2007
Urmila's Boutique
Carmelita's POV

"Bonjour Cheri, did you sleep well?" Urmila asks me as I leave the bedroom she appointed me the other night. I stretch my body one last time and let out a moan of rested delight as I say: "Bonjour Urmila, I can honestly say that was the best night of rest I've had in almost half a year's time." I turn to look at the gorgeous queen-sized four poster bed with soft baby pink curtains and broken white comforter and cushions.
"I'm glad to hear that, Cheri. Shall we go have breakfast? Your family will be here in little over an hour and a half's time. Also, I feel like we need to discuss your decision of the other night a little more." I feel curious at the woman's words, but nod regardless and follow her back to the kitchen and lounge room that we were in the other night. "You against just a bowl of cereal with some fruit, Cheri?" I shake my head and the two of us prepare a bowl each.
Urmila takes a kiwi that she cuts in half and I grab an apple for myself as the snake says: "Now Cheri, there are a few things that, as I went to bed, I realized would be important consequences if you decide to stick by your desire to join Sly's gang. I wanted to discuss them with you, so you can be fully aware of how much your life will change after you announce your decision to him." I nod at the caring tone of the woman's voice and she continues:

"First of all, as you will be a Master Thief, it would be unwise for you to remain at your current home address. Everyone and their mother, as they say, knows where it is, so you will be an easy target for arresting and that is the last thing any of us would want." Her words really ring true, yet I surprise myself as I don't feel half as bad about this surprise as I had thought I would. I take a few bites of my meal as I contemplate my own feelings and mutter:
"I don't think that will really be a problem. For one, I'd be around Sly almost 24/7 and his treatment of me will definitely be good for me. For another, I go on missions outside of Paris so often these days, I'm hardly home as it is. And then there's my rent, which as I told you, is so bloody high I can hardly keep any savings and which I'm sure would have just gone even further up in the next few years. So, if I hadn't made this decision, the rent would have probably forced me out."
Urmila nods and I shrug as I say: "To be honest, the last month or so, I felt like I was only staying there because the view was gorgeous and because I didn't have any work that took me out of the country, which has become surprisingly rare the last few years. I was kind of just waiting for that period of my life to be over, but – I don't think I was expecting it to be like this. I thought it would just be with Barkley sending me on another mission to China or something."

"I do not like to hear you talk so negatively about your own home, Cheri, but I am glad to know that there won't be a bad case of homesickness once you move in with Sly. Though you did bring up another thing I felt the need to discuss. Once you become a Master Thief, you will no longer have a steady, month-by-month income. Your income will depend on what heists Sly and the others can pull off and how successful they are, not to mention the Otto Van Cooper law."
I've finished my bowl and I'm munching on my apple as I say: "I kind of already figured that out myself. But there are two reasons why that don't bother me. One, Sly has never given me any indication that he doesn't make enough on his heists to live by and two, he does have you to design his stuff for him. I get that he pays you for it and all, but with your care and his expertise in living off of stolen goods, I really don't think it will be that hard. Different, but not hard."

Urmila nods and I curiously ask her: "What is this Cooper law about anyway? I know it was mentioned during our dinner at Michael's, but I can't say I've ever heard of it." The two of us head back to the room that has my outfit and Urmila explains: "It protects both Sly and the citizens of the world, Cheri. It allows them to reward him if he returns them their stolen goods, without this being considered aiding a criminal.
It was a law that was created after the Second World War, though it was in honor of Otto Van Cooper, who lived during the First. He was the famous air craft pilot who, in a week's time, build a total of three dozen aircrafts, filled them up with gifts, taught pilots how to man and fly them, flew them across the war zones and flew his own at such speed, he was able to defend the other aircrafts from potential enemy fire."

My eyes are wide and bulging as I can hardly believe that one of Sly's ancestors might have done such an amazing feat and ask: "You mean in that first Christmas of the war? Back in 1916?" Urmila nods and then she tells me: "But do not be deceived, Cheri. Otto van Cooper was still a Cooper. He used his aircraft skill for both good and bad. He often had it fly circles around a certain area, while using a very thin, almost invisible rope to get himself down to his targets, who he would then relieve of their precious wares."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." I can't help but giggle and while Urmila grins back at me, she also says: "Don't forget, Cheri. If you hold onto your decision, that will become your style of fighting and working as well." I nod at this and then take the outfit and head for the changing screen that is on the other side of the room. I already wore the cloths temporarily the other night so Urmila could adjust their sizes just right.

And putting the outfit on once more now that it is entirely set to fit my form and snuggle my shapes and size, I feel a huge grin adorn my face. I know I will need to work hard not to let this grin grow on my face when I am around Sly and pretending to be a statue, but I am quite confident that I can pull this off. Especially because the thought of the Ringtail's shocked look is an excellent motivator that also makes me burst out in giggles.
I put on the boots and fasten the clasp at the top of them both and then walk out from behind the curtain. Urmila's smile broadens as she sees me and she mutters: "I do not think I have ever created a more perfect design in all my years of working at the industry." I see a mirror against the wall between us and just by gazing at my reflection, I can't help but mutter: "I definitely agree." The woman beams at me and asks: "Shall we go wait for our guests in the party room?" I nod at her.

An hour later
At 10.40

I am trying not to pace as I nervously await the next five minutes to pass by. "Not having second thoughts, are you Cheri?" Urmila asks, obviously able to spot my nerves growing stronger. I shake my head at her and say: "No Urmila, I just wish my parents would get here already. I haven't seen them in almost 3 years. The last time I saw mum was a year and a half ago and that was while we were riding to work. She works for a hospital close to Interpol, you see."
The woman nods and asks: "Do you plan to tell them your decision?" I shrug and mutter: "I think that would be for the best. I mean, I have ten minutes before Bentley and Murray show up, so I might as well deal with that hornet's nest before I enjoy myself." But to this Urmila gently grabs my hand and says: "Remember Cheri, they were there when Michael and Melanie told me about your horrible situation at work and your terrible boss.
If you tell them that you want to resign and join the gang of who the leader treats you like a princess instead of a lady of pleasure, they will certainly agree with you, Cheri. And considering that Barkley has been tricking them as well, in order to further create a gap between you four, I wouldn't be surprised if they, since I met them, have considered the same idea." I stare at the woman as I really hadn't thought of that option.

"Madam, the families Fox and Andrews are here." Crystal's voice then startles me out of my shock and suddenly I feel as if I am dressed in the worst way imaginable. But I push this feeling to the back and think: "This is for Sly. It's his birthday, I'm his gift and he will finally help me relieve all of the stress I felt over what Barkley has put me through. He'll help me feel like I have wanted to feel since I started my job, I know it. This is for Sly."
And with that I look up at my parents, even if my face doesn't reflect the determination I now feel within. Yet I get shocked when suddenly Helena rushes at me with tears in her eyes. My older sister by two years cries on my shoulder and brabbles about apologies and how sorry she is, yet her words just confuse me. "Barkley's been giving her fake paperwork that supposedly came from you. She's sorry for falling for his trick as it was obviously meant to frustrate her."
Cheren tells me as he and the others enter the room. Mama and papa seem to inspect the interior and, to my relief, papa nods and says: "A very nice mix. If this is meant to represent how important my little Carrie is to Cooper, then I definitely approve." I beam at the man I have missed so badly and then whisper at my sister: "I don't blame you, Lena. I don't. Please stop crying, sis. You'll ruin your good looks before the party even started."

Helena hiccups a laugh and Cheren helps me pull her off of me. I gently wipe her tears off her face and out of her fur, which is a darker shade of orange than my own and is often mistaken for a soft brown by others. Mama then walks over to me and while she fixes a few ruffles on my cloths, she also beams at me and says: "You look incredible, darling." And I happily hug my mother close to my form as I missed her almost more than I missed Cheren or Helena.
Papa also joins in on the hug and whispers: "My little vixen, all grown up and partying with her closest rival in crime fighting." I giggle at this statement, but then I decide that it's now or never. I pull away from the two and decide to just be blunt about it, just like I always was when telling them about something, like the day I decided to move out and start my career. I look at them both and say: "Mama, papa, today is my last day as an Inspector for Interpol.
I've been thinking of resigning for some time now, but I didn't do it. Both because I didn't want to give Barkley the idea that he won, because I couldn't stand the idea of one of his brutes taking over Sly's case and because I – I didn't want you to be disappointed in me. I also kept myself from resigning because I didn't want to waste months looking for a new job. But – I don't have to worry about that anymore because –."

Here I falter, the bravado and bravery I felt when I started suddenly leaving me as I realize who I am talking to. But then Cheren, like he always did when we were kids, comes to my rescue. "Because you decided to tell Cooper you want to join his gang. Get in line, sis. We've all been playing with that thought for the past few weeks, ever since we realized how badly we let Barkley trick us all. That place is no good and we'd rather not be there when Cooper razes it to the ground."
I stare in relieved amazement at my brother and turn to my parents. "To be honest, your mother is still keeping her job, but that's because we felt it might come in handy in case one of us gets hurt during a heist. You know, having someone who can patch you back up without the big law bozos finding out that you're not underground, licking your wounds. It sounded like it would make sense and is probably a nice way to convince the gang to let us join."

I giggle at his words and give the two of them another big hug, my relief almost overwhelming me as I cannot believe I got this lucky. The best I had hoped for was that mama and papa would just be proud of me and accept my decision. The notion that they would join me and that I would finally get a chance to be with them again, just as close as we were when I still lived at home, hadn't been one I had dared to let myself believe in.
"Eh, sorry we're early. Do we need to come back in a few?" A nasally voice suddenly asks and I look over papa's shoulder to see Bentley, Murray and that strange purple Koala I remember them and Sly working with when we met in Australia. Then suddenly Angela runs at them and shouts: "HIPPO! BIG, BIG HIPPO!" The girl startles Murray for a bit, but then he laughs and gently picks her up. Melanie rubs the back of her head and says:
"A Hippo clown came to her school a few days ago. It was the first Hippo Angela ever met and he let her bounce on his belly for a few minutes. He did the same with other kids, but – like I said, her first time." Murray laughs and says: "Well, the Murray can make time to have this little Angel bounce on him. But does this little angel want to see the Murray bounce around the room?" Yet to this the purple koala snaps: "Brechne! Cre tsue primona."

Murray winces and says: "Right, good point, Master. But I could always try it in the hallway, right?" The koala nods and then Michael walks over. To my shocked amazement, I don't see Bentley tensing up or his hand reaching for his dart gun. Michael reaches his hand for the koala and says: "Greetings, good sir. My name is Michael Andrews. The lovely white leopard over there is my wife, Melanie and you've already met my daughter. What's your name?"
Yet before the Koala can do more than shake the offered hand, Bentley says: "His name is the Guru. He's Murray's master and a spiritual master from the Australian outback. And – ehm – I guess we don't have to introduce ourselves?" He ends tentatively and papa answers: "No, but we should. I am Marcus. This is my wife, Carmen, my daughter, Helena and my son, Cheren." Murray's eyes widen and Bentley mutters:

"I never knew Carmelita had a sister." Murray shakes his head to prove he didn't either and I grumble: "You can thank Barkley for that one." The two stare at me and I sigh as Urmila told me that they are aware of my situation, but later last night corrected herself and told me they were only aware that my situation was pretty bad, but not how bad. "It was not my story to tell them, Cheri, so I didn't." She had explained herself.
I gaze back at them and say: "Let's just say that Barkley is at the heart of all my troubles, but that I'd rather tell the whole tale after Sly gets here and we've had some fun. I – I need a bit of positivity to counter the negative effects this news is going to have." The two nod and while Murray holds Angela very gently, he walks over and whispers at me: "Is it true that you cried out of stress over it all when you met Urmila?"
My fur turns a soft red hue, but I nod at him nonetheless. Murray puts Angela down and then I receive the most caring hug I have ever been in. Murray's whole huge form seems to swallow me up and the way his arms are around me conveys his incredible care for me and his need to help me past this. "I'll make everything better, I promise." It's almost like his hug conveys these words. I feel new tears prickling at my eyelids, but blink them away and mutter:

"Murray, I appreciate your care, but I need to get in character. This can come later, okay?" The Hippo nods but when he pulls back, I suddenly notice it. There is a look in his eyes that proves he knows what I feel like; that he has gone through something similar. And with a start, I realize he might have been as there were tales of him feeling guilty over Bentley getting injured during the final moments of the battle against Clock-La.
I give the huge mammal a grateful smile and then shake my head to clear it and settle my emotions. "So you're really okay with this, Carmelita? With pretending to be a life-sized model for Sly? To be his birthday present?" Bentley asks and this helps me regain my inner strength as I remember what might happen soon. Urmila and I grin at each other and I tell Bentley: "Not just that, Bentley. I'm sure I can pretend to be a statue, while alone with Sly, for one full hour."
The turtle's eyes widen, but then Urmila tells my parents: "But in order for that to happen, you all need to move to the next room over, quickly. Sly has no idea about any of this. He cannot see you, not until the time is right. Quickly now, all of you." The whole group nods and while Urmila guides them – and even Murray, Bentley and Guru out of the room – the turtle turns to me at the door and says: "Good luck with that."

She'll need it,
This is going to be EPIC! I have finally reached the point where – surprisingly enough – the first chapter of the original story originally began. I cannot believe I didn't realize back then how much backstory actually goes into all this and to be honest, I consider the build up to this in that story to be a little lackluster. But that just means I appreciate this story and all its sweet, sweet upcoming glory all the more.
Let's have fun,

Venquine1990