42 A New Beginning

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To begin with, I know that I seem to be spending a lot of time on Sylvia, but it just feels like this needs to be presented in order for the story to be finished correctly.

Which brings me to my next topic – I expect to be finishing the story in another 1 or 2 chapters after this one.

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Watching the retreating figure, Renee turns to a still slightly stunned Sylvia "It seems that you have an admirer Morning Sun. Are you certain that you wish to meet with this mammal?"

After a moment's thought, a now more confident Sylvia answers "Yes, I believe so. I cannot continue to let my past haunt my future. This Black Feather seems to be a good mammal, or I'm sure he wouldn't be allowed to travel with the band. Like Wolf Spirit, I have to be able to move forward if I'm to be able to make peace with my past and myself."

"I will have Iron Eyes speak with this Paul Laroche to see what sort of mammal Black Feather truly is," Renee assures Sylvia "and have him speak with your mother. You are quite correct in the fact that your past should not cloud your future. My wish for you is that this truly happens. Let us return to help out with the customers."

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As the day begins to wind down, Renee has a few words with Sylvia in private. "Your mother has told me that she believes that you and Black Feather need to have a conversation informing each other of your intentions and expectations, as well as a bit of your pasts. I know that you consider yourself as damaged, and I have a suspicion that Black Feather considers himself the same. I will set up a place, away from the crowds, where you may exchange you thoughts privately. I will of course chaperone, being close enough to monitor you both, but far enough away to be discrete. Is this agreeable to you?"

Knowing that a good relationship is based on mutual trust, and that part of that trust is sharing of not only good, but not so good moments of their past as well, Sylvia leans on Judy's tearful revelation of her and Nick's revealing their darkest moments. The slight loss of dignity must be countered with the honesty and trust that needs to be present in a stable relationship.

"Yes, it is agreeable with me, as I know it must be with Black Feather." she finally admits.

"I would advise you to be cautious in what you might reveal to your possible suitor, but I see in your eyes that you have already considered what to tell and what to hold back." cautions Renee.

"Judy, that is Wolf Spirit, told me when she and Nick first got together that they both laid their most unpleasant memories bare for each other to see. I plan to do the same with Black Feather. He needs to see me for who I was as well as who I am. I will not hide anything from him, and I hope he will do the same for me."

With a small smile, Renee tells the doe "You are truly wise beyond your years, and have truly earned your given name of Morning Sun, as you face a new relationship as you would face the first rays of a morning sunrise. Iron Eyes is speaking with Black Feather as we now speak, and unless something changes, we will escort you both to a prearranged spot shortly before sunset."

"I look forward to the opportunity to spend time with Black Feather and to speak with him on a fursonal and honest level ..." proudly declares Sylvia.

"Then it is decided, I will relay the message to Iron Eyes and the time and place will be set."

At roughly 8 pm, shortly before closing time for the store, Nick pops into the store and gives Renee a quick nod, then leaves.

"It is time Morning Sun…" Renee announces.

Knowing that Laverne, Shirley and the cubs are more than capable of properly closing the store, Sylvia and Renee meet Nick and Black Feather in the street.

With Nick leading the other three mammals, the short journey takes the small procession to a wooded area just off the main commercial area of the town.

Entering the small grove, a sacred circle is set up with two tree stumps roughly 3 feet apart that are evidently to be used as seats for the prospective couple.

As with all circles, the opening is to the east, a conch shell is set up at the entrance with sage and sweetgrass smoldering in it.

"Hear my words young ones," begins a solemn Nick "She Always Laughs will smudge you into the sacred circle. Once in the circle remember that the spirits will be watching you. You may speak what is in your hearts and must not judge or take offense to anything that the other mammal may reveal. You may not touch, regardless of the circumstances. She Always Laughs will remain seated at the place provided for her, far enough away to be mindful of your privacy, but close enough to interfere if needed. Be mindful that the Spirits are watching. When you have spoken your hearts to each other, you will give She Always Laughs a sign and she will smudge you out of the circle. You will then go your separate ways and will be notified by Grandmother Hopps later as to her decision whether or not you be allowed to see each other. Do you understand my words?"

"Yes Iron Eyes…" answer both Sylvia and Black Feather.

"Mitakuye Oyasin." remarks Nick as he turns and leaves.

"Mitakuye Oyasin." reply the three remaining mammals.

Stepping to the opening to the circle, Renee picks up the shell and prepares to smudge the hopefuls into the circle. "As Iron Eyes stated, the spirits will be watching and will know the truth in your hearts. Speak only the truth and all will be well."

As the two hopefuls approach the circle, Black Feather is smudged in first, taking the leftmost seat followed closely by Sylvia, who crosses behind the feline. Waiting until Sylvia takes her place, the young lynx motions for Sylvia to be seated before taking his own seat.

For several moments, both mammals are silent, however Black Feather takes the initiative and begins – "We were told to speak out hearts regardless of one another's feelings, so I will begin.

"Morning Sun … First, I must reveal that I am an outcast from my parent's tribes. My parents were … not of the same identical species. My father was a cougar and my mother a lynx. Although I am a lynx by all appearances, I am considered a half-breed and spurned by many. I have been mocked, ridiculed, beaten and banished from my home tribe and that of both of my parents. My father was forced into exile when I was but a very young cub, and my mother died of a broken heart when I was but four summers old.

"I was raised by my maternal grandmother until I was ten when I ran away to try to make my own way in the world. I drifted from village to village, but my sin of being a half-breed followed me. I ended up getting into many fights, winning some but losing most. You may have noticed that I always wear long sleeved shirts … the sleeves help to hide the scars on my arms and shoulders, and unless we marry you never see me without a shirt … it helps to hide the scars."

Seeing Sylvia begin to tear up, the feline raises a paw and offers words of encouragement to the doe "Please do not weep for me, while the scars will remain, the pain is gone. I have been made to wear the black feather in my fur because of my shame. The black feather is from a raven, who is known to be a trickster and an omen of bad will."

Sitting to the side, Renee herself can't help but be moved by the young feline's tale.

"One day many summers ago, when Brulé was just getting started, they played a short concert in the village I happened to be in at the time. They needed a spare paw to help set up the sound system and the stage so I volunteered. Paul LaRoche must have seen something good in me because he hired me on as a permanent employee, and I have been with them ever since. I haven't gotten into any trouble since working with Brulé, and am a hard worker. I – I have been offered a job as an apprentice mechanic at Iron Eyes shop and will try my best to be a good employee and learn as much as I can. If you are allowed to see me I will accept the job, and if not I will stay with Brulé and never bother you again.

"While I do not have much in the way of worldly goods to offer you, I can only promise to honor you as best I can every day by being attentive and being a hard worker. These are my words to you, spoken with all my heart."

After several moments, Sylvia finally manages to collect herself and begin her own tale "Black Feather … I … I have a tale of sorrow to speak of as well.

"Like my sister Wolf Spirit, I have never been one to conform with the life of the average bunny, that is to be a farmer. I was always taking chances, taking unnecessary risks. One night when I was freshman in high school, against my parents' wishes, I went out on my own. I – I got hooked up with a local buck, one with a bad reputation and … and ended up getting raped. Like so many other does in the town who suffered the same fate, no one believed me because the buck was the son of an influential family and so could do no wrong.

"Many of my sisters tried to console me but I wouldn't listen to them and barricaded myself in my room for the longest time, crying and feeling sorry for myself and watching tv, only coming out long enough to eat a little and go to the bathroom. I – I … I watched some stupid program so much that I ended up talking like some make believe Cajun from a tv reality show. This went on for years and most mammals gave me a wide berth, figuring that I had gone off the deep end … I guess they weren't far from the truth." she adds with a mirthless laugh.

"One day after Nick and Judy, that is Iron Eyes and Wolf Spirit, moved their shop to Bunnyburrow, Wolf Spirit informed me that they were going to have a lodge at their home and Wolf Spirit thought that it would be a good idea if I would attend. I of course refused to begin with, but after speaking with one of their new employees, I decided what the heck, what did I have to lose?

"Iron Eyes asked me if I would be interested in learning to be a fire keeper, and I decided to give it a try. Somewhere along the way, he came up with the name Morning sun, and after having a vision in lodge and breaking down in tears when I greeted the morning sun as I exited the lodge, Sees Far held a naming ceremony right then and declared me to be Tiyospaye and told everyone that henceforth I was to be called Morning Sun.

"I have been doing my best to learn the ways and customs of the Lakota. I'm going to be running the store for the first actual job I've ever had in my life, all the while accepting guidance from anyone who has the knowledge that I require. I'm trying to be a good mammal, I truly am.

"My pledge to you, if we're allowed to court, and if you are still willing to court me, is to be the best mammal I can be, and if we are able to build a successful relationship, I will try to be the best mate any mammal could hope for … these are my words to you."

After revealing their innermost secrets, both young mammals are emotionally drained, and Renee senses that the time has come for them to leave the circle.

"Come young ones, it is time for you to part ways for now." she says softly as she takes her place at the opening to the circle, smudging shell in paw.

After smudging the two out of the circle, She Always Laughs makes a small concession "You two may console each other for a brief time if you wish. A brief hug and paw holding only. Much has been revealed this night, and the foundation to a good relationship has been laid. I shall inform Grandmother Hopps and Iron Eyes of your conversation and shall add my thoughts on whether you shall be allowed to court."

After Black Feather and Sylvia share a brief hug the two touch foreheads, they join paws for a few moments, then wish each other a pleasant sleep as they part ways.

"What are your thoughts She Always laughs?" Sylvia asks Renee as they walk toward the main part of town where the shop is located.

Taking a moment to decide whether or not to share, Renee finally tells her "While it is not truly up to me, I think that you would make an excellent pair, regardless of your species." she admits. "However, the final decision belongs to your mother and Iron Eyes."

"I understand," admits Sylvia "but your words are encouraging. I shall try to not get my hopes up too high, but I have a good feeling about it. regardless of his past, I feel that Black Feather is an honorable mammal who is a victim of poor circumstances."

"Much like yourself it would seem." adds Renee.

"Yes … much like myself…" quietly admits Sylvia, more to herself than anyone else.

As the two females gain the main thoroughfare, they find Skye waiting patiently in front of the store.

"Well, it's about time you two" the vixen snarks "… and don't bother to explain, I already know why you're as late as you are, that's why I'm here. Come She Always laughs, I'll give you a ride to my place. Morning Sun has her own truck so she can see herself back to the warren."

Obviously, Sylvia has a difficult (make that impossible) time sleeping, although she finally manages to drift off and at least gets a few hours of rest.

Rising at her now usual time of 6 am so she can get ready to go to the store for prep and to open, the doe decides to wear her Fancy Shawl outfit today to make a suitable impression on her (hopefully) new suitor.

After a lengthy shower and extra time spent brushing out her fur, Sylvia dresses and gives herself one final look in the full-length mirror … and is shocked to discover that she has unknowingly dressed in her new Northern Traditional regalia.

Knowing that she doesn't have enough time to change, Sylvia accepts her fate and heads to the main dining hall for a bit of breakfast, as hurried as it might be.

Entering the dining area, Sylvia sees Short Tail and Bright Eyes at a table and heads to the serving line so she can join them at their table.

As the doe grabs a tray, she spies her mother standing near the kitchen entrance, wearing a very neutral expression, which is very uncommon for the elder rabbit.

Passing down the serving line, Sylvia accepts whatever is placed on her tray and as she joins the cubs, she can't help but notice the odd looks she's getting from Short Tail and the undisguised giggles that Bright Eyes is emitting.

Grabbing her fork, the doe is astonished to see not only the small salad that she has, but the turkey sausage and fried eggs that had been placed on her tray! Protein … 'Mom has GOT to have had a paw in this' she thinks to herself.

Quickly glancing towards the doorway, Sylvia notices that her mother has disappeared.

Shrugging of the implications that niggle at the back of her mind, and knowing that most of the warren is probably aware that she's been eating a lot of protein at Gideon's, the doe simply shrugs and enjoys the well-prepared meal.

More red flags are raised in a certain does mind as the three mammals are headed from the burrow to the store in town, with the cubs being unnaturally quiet, while trying to shoot cautious glances at the now suddenly nervous driver.

Heading down the main drag (the main street of the town for those unfamiliar with the term) Sylvia observes a bit of unusual activity in an empty lot that has previously been used for parking for the celebration, but simply shrugs the observation off.

Pulling into the lot behind the store which is used for employee parking, Sylvia notices that not only Skye's car is already there (not unusual with She always Laughs as well as Laverne and Shirley staying with the vixen,) but a small but well-used U-Haul It van backed up to the building.

Entering the store, she discovers not only the previously mentioned adults in the store, but "Sees Far … Stands With A Fist!" there as well.

"Híŋhaŋni wašté Heehahnnee Ahnpahwee (Good morning, Morning Sun)" Michael smilingly greets the totally surprised doe in old tongue.

"Iron Eyes called early yesterday to tell us that you would be needing more things to sell and asked if we had more to deliver and if we could make it, to be here early so you could unload it and put it on display.

As the wolf hybrid motions to a few pieces set on the top of a display case "You will notice that not only have we put the small price tags on the pieces, but have attached other tags, which tell of the artist and which tribe or village they belong to … a small piece of history to go with the item."

"That's wonderful!" exclaims the doe clapping her paws.

And then Sylvia finally notices "You … You're dressed in regalia …. Northern Traditional, I believe … and so are you …" now noticing Stands With A Fist "and you" (seeing Laverne and Shirley) "and even you two!" finally noticing exactly what the cubs were wearing.

Before having a chance to gather her wits, Sylvia sees Nick and her mother enter through the front door.

"Mom? Ni-Iron Eyes? What …?" not so much seeing Nick even though he's dressed in regalia, but her mother? Also in full regalia? And literally everyone is dressed in Northern Traditional?

"Morning Sun," begins She Always Laughs solemnly as she holds out a paw "as your chaperone, I will escort you to the sacred circle!" and offers no further explanation to the stunned doe.

Exiting the building, everyone forms a small procession, with Skye locking the store behind them.

As they begin their short trek up the street, they are joined by Black Feather, dressed in a simple ribbon shirt and pants, who is immediately escorted by Nick, who is also dressed in Northern Traditional regalia!

Even though it's relatively early, there seems to be a good-sized crowd gathered by the lot that Sylvia observed on the way to the store.

As the crowd parts for the procession, Sylvia observes that the lot has been transformed into a … what?

Stopping just short of what seems to be a larger sacred circle Sees Far (Michael) begins to speak.

"All gathered here, hear my words – what you see before you is a sacred circle. Within the center of the circle is a drum with several elder mammals sitting around the drum, this is how we send our songs and prayers to the Great Spirit, the Creator of all. What you will observe later is called a Round Dance, it is usually used for special ceremonies and at various powwows as a celebration of our spirit.

"Today marks a special day. A young doe of your village has asked permission to be courted by another mammal, a mammal previously unknown to her or her clan. The mammals have spoken in private of their hopes and dreams, and of their pasts. Their fate is in the paws of her mother, the matriarch of the Hopps burrow, Grandmother Hopps, and of the mammal that had been chosen as her guardian. That mammal is known locally as Nicholas Wilde, but is known within the clan as Iron Eyes."

"Grandmother Hopps, Iron Eyes, please enter the sacred circle and face me."

As Nick and Bonnie are smudged into the circle by Renee, Michael takes his place on a small stage set just opposite of the opening to the circle.

"Black Feather, Morning Sun, enter the sacred circle and stand beside your designated mammals."

After being smudged into the circle, Black Feather takes place to Nick's right and Sylvia takes her place to her mother's right.

First, focusing on Bonnie, Michael asks "Grandmother Hopps, what are your thoughts concerning Morning Sun?"

Turning to face the gathered crowd, in a very strong voice, Bonnie begins "My daughter Morning Sun, commonly known as Sylvia Hopps, has been dealt many harsh blows in her past and had been emotionally scarred by them. After many years of dealing with her hardships on her own, her path was changed because of certain events which were started in motion by her sister Judith Hopps, now known as Wolf Spirit and a friend. Wolf Spirit had appointed Iron Eyes as Morning Sun's protector and it was he who gave Morning Sun her given name. Morning Sun has participated in and Inipi and has become a changed mammal and is walking a different path. It is my thought that Morning Sun might be courted by Black Feather."

Michael then focuses his attention on Nick, continuing "Iron eyes, as the appointed protector of Morning Sun, what are your words concerning Black Feather?"

Also turning to face the gathered mammals, Nick begins "The mammal called Black Feather has had many summers of ill fate, not of his own design. He has been persecuted for many things not of his own doing. In spite of these hardships, he has persevered to overcome his previous hardships and has become a better mammal. In speaking to his employer, I have found Black Feather to be a hard-working mammal, kind and generous to all around him."

"Do either of you have any reservations considering the courtship of Black Feather and Morning Sun?" asks a now very serious Michael.

Turning towards Michael and stepping forward, surprisingly it's Nick who unexpectedly raises an objection.

"I, Iron eyes, protector of Morning Sun, raise an objection!" comes a statement which shocks almost all of the mammals observing the event.

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AN: For those who wish to point out that a north American lynx is actually called a bobcat, I claim artistic license, since lynx is easier to use and is a general classification, I prefer to use the term.