3-

Not long after this, the gang sat semi-circle listening to Richard and a caffeinated Hammie share the story of Richard's entrance.

"It was actually kind of easy," said Richard, around an Aquapod the family offered him. "After I met your little friend here, he said he wanted to show me his nut stashes..."

"Yeah, Yeah!" chimed Hammie. "Really cool hidin' places!"

"Yup, so I followed him to each one. They're really good hiding places--behind those places where they get the food, between those...um...vending machines, did you say? And down alleys where the humans keep those big silver things..."

RJ waxed poetic. "Ah, yes. The cans. The silver treasure troves." Verne just rolled his eyes as Heather giggled.

"And we never saw any humans--well, except for one in a blue suit, with a big blue bag, driving a slow white van. He just kind of stood there with his eyes buggin' out, so we just went on by him."

"I bet he was one of the humans who deliver food!" exclaimed RJ.

"Nah, all he had was pieces of paper. But it looked like he'd leave some at every house," answered Richard.

"Yeah! Not even any cookies," groused Hammie.

"Hmmm...Humans are so weird," observed RJ. "Anyway, you've gotta meet everybody!"

After introductions all around, everyone, even Verne, admitted that RJ had found an impressive friend. Richard got on well with everyone, but he really took on well with Lou and Penny's kids, who found wonderful ways to play on his antlers.

Later on, while chatting with RJ and Richard, Verne finally said, "Well, RJ, I'll have to say, how could I have doubted you? But don't wait for me to kick myself."

"Fair enough," RJ laughed.

Richard looked around the woodland grove with awe. "This place is really nice."

"Yep," RJ agreed, "With all the comforts of home, too! A couple of creeks over that way, nice leafy canopy here, TV right there..."

"Where did you live, Richard?" asked Verne.

"Oh, it was kind of a boring green & gray forest--lotsa rocks and sand, not much water. I finally decided to up and leave it to look for food. That's when I met RJ."

"Interesting. Well, RJ is sure an expert when it comes to food."

"You know it!" RJ admitted. "Speaking of food, Rich, I bet you'd like to put those antlers to good use!"

Richard looked sideways at his antlers dubiously. "How so?"

"Well, on occasion, we hit human houses and stores for food, and I'm sure you could smash into almost anything with those."

Verne intervened. "RJ! How can you ask that of him!"

"Naw, it's alright," Richard said. "But you know, RJ, smashin' stuff would just make a lot of noise and get the people's attention, dontcha think?"

"Hey, you have a point," RJ admitted. "See Verne? He thinks on his hooves, as well!"

"Perhaps he is good for you," Verne observed dryly.

"I'd really like to learn how to do things the way you do 'em--pick locks and stuff, like you did with the vending machine the other night. That was real cool."

RJ hesitated. "Really?"

Richard nodded his huge head.

"Richard, I'm touched. It's nice to be admired for one's talents! Tell you what, I'll teach you the raccoon magic, and you could still help us out with the heists!"

Verne practically blanched. "RJ, how do you keep coming up with these things?! It was by dumb luck that Hammie managed to get him here. No offense, Richard, but you're very large."

"None taken," Richard smiled. "To guys like me, it's a compliment."

"How is he going to sneak anywhere? Much less pick locks?"

RJ took Verne by the shoulders. "I repeat Verney, it's the raccoon magic. Leave it to me!"

RJ pranced off with his new student in tow as Verne thought to himself, Yeah; famous last words.