Cedar, spices, and chocolate, all buttery smooth. That's what he was able to pick out beyond the strong scent of tobacco as he brought the cigar up to the end of his long orange furred muzzle. John is able to discern the tasting notes before even lighting it up and taking a puff. Or maybe because this is his second one of the evening.

"I gotta hand it to you, Terry. You know your way around good cigars," John looks across the table at Stu's brother-in-law as he uses his canines to bite the end off and spit it in the ash tray in front of him.

"I'm glad you like them. Stu here said the chocolate ones are your favorite." Terry says as he sorts his playing cards before tapping his fingers on the table. "Check."

"Is that what he said, now?" The cigar John is holding in his maw handicapping his dictation. With the flick of a wrist, his lighter is open and a naked flame stands exposed to the card players for a brief second before John's free paw shields its decency. Life is breathed into the tight roll of tobacco as evidenced by the puffs of smoke leaving John's mouth.

The tapping of fingers against the table is heard again, but this time by the bunny to John's right, across from Stu. Indicating that it's his turn to bet. A four of spades and a four of hearts the hand that fox tod was dealt. Not a particularly good hand, but better than a high card. And his stock of chips is noticeably smaller than that of his opponents. So far everybody else has checked; there is no reason to fold.

John flicks his wrist once again to close his silver-plated lighter and taps it firmly against the edge of the poker table twice. "Chocolate is poisonous to foxes. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to sabotage my game, Stu."

Another puff of the cigar is taken before the fox blows smoke rings into the air before smirking at the father of his son's mate. "Or maybe you're just trying to butter me up."

John's always been on to have a chocolate craving. But his canine disposition prevents him from enjoying it often. However, he's found that he can satisfy that same craving with chocolate cigars as the flavor only exists as a tasting note. Unfortunately, they are just as well regulated by his wife as actual chocolate.

"Tryin' to appease the big bad fox so he doesn't turn Stu into stew when he loses." Pop-Pop cackles a laugh as he looks at Stu from across the table. "Maybe I should've bought you those cigars, boy. 'Cause I'm bleeding ya dry!"

After the round of betting, Stu lays out the flop. A queen of diamonds, a five of diamonds, and ten of clubs. Terry starts the betting. Pop-pop calls. John has at least a two-of-a-kind. His bad hand got a little better. So, he throws some chips into the center of the table. Stu throws his cards into the center of the table and stubs out his depleted stogie. He picks up his tumbler of amber. "Fold," is all he mutters before taking a sip.

Another card, another round of betting. The new card on the table is five spades. Suddenly things are looking up for the old reynard. If the final card is a four, then he'll have a full house. The other two remaining players toss a single chip in. John can afford that. He thinks about raising it but doesn't want the other to think he has a good hand now. He'll call for now. John doesn't have many chips left anyway. He needs to win or he won't have enough for another game.

Stu goes to deal the final card. He takes his time. Something the buck likes to do to stir up suspense whenever he deals, the fox has noticed.

The card reveals itself as the four of clubs. John gets excited but does his best to maintain his poker face. He has it in the bag. Terry checks, but Pop-Pop bets. For sure now, John won't have enough chips for another game, so he goes all in.

This forces Terry to fold, but old bunny matches the bet.

"Get ready to read 'em and weep," John spreads his cards out on the table. "Full house," he says as he leans back to take a big puff of his cigar.

"Not so fast, sonny" Pop-pop lays his hand on the table. The five of clubs and the five of hearts. "Four of a kind."

John leans in to see his cards. He lets his jaw hang open and his cigar falls out of his mouth.

"I didn't think a fox could be so bad a poker," the elderly bunny says as he reaches out to pull all his winnings his way. "Ain't ya suppose to be card shark?"

John laughs and looks down at himself and at his arms. "I don't think sharks have orange fur. I'm more of a card fox."

"A lousy one at that." Pop-pop chuckles. "Yer face ain't flinched an inch. But yer tail been giving you away all night."

John looks behind himself. "Traitor." Then he looks up at the open barn door to see Nick and Judy walking in, with Mary and Bonnie in tow. "Hey, it's Slick Nick," he starts.

"And Jude the Dude!" Stu finishes.

"You boys better not be getting into too much trouble out here," Bonnie hollers as they leisurely close the gap.

"Great timing! I was just about to ask if you had any more twenties on you," John says looking at his wife.

She gives him the stink eye, "fat chance, mister."

Judy hops over to where her father is seated and drapes her arms around his shoulders to give him a hug from behind his chair. "Dad! I missed you!" She says as she kisses him on the cheek.

"I missed you too Bunbun. I hope the drive wasn't too bad, the highway can get crazy this time of year."

While Judy was catching up with her father, Nick walks up behind where John is seated and mimics Judy. "Dad! I missed you!" He repeats.

"Boy, you kiss me, and I'll whoop your butt," John laughs. "Now hand me stogie. It rolled under the table."

After Nick retrieves the cigar for his father, he notices all but Pop-Pop smoking them. "What, you don't like cigars, Pop-Pop?" Nick teases.

"I cut him off after he smoked two of those smelly things in half an hour" Bonnie says from behind.

"And they were fine smokes," he retorts.

"I suppose we ought to call it a night," Stu says. Then he looks at Nick and Judy. "You guys head on inside. Bonnie kept dinner warm for you. We'll clean up our mess out here."


The next day had been uneventful. Most of what everyone did was help set up for the upcoming festivities. Bonnie was busy running her kitchen, preparing as much food ahead of time that can be prepared. Mostly cookies and other desserts.

The old barn that held last night's poker game now gets prepared for the barn dance later in the week. The structure sits just across the large back yard from the Hopps burrow. It is no longer used for farming anymore, now serving as a space to entertain family and other guests. Inside is a stage against the back where music can be played, and talks can be given. Chairs and tables are set up along the outer perimeter of the barn. The center is left clear for dancing. Next to the barn doors is a self-serve bar that will be stocked with beer on tap and lemonade for the kits.

Out in the yard, a large white tent was constructed, and long rows of tables are set up inside to accommodate the many family members who will show up. A large open space is left between the tent and the farmland butting up against the yard to allow for kits to jump around and play.

Nick was a little concerned about the weather, considering that they are in the dead of winter and they're setting up an outdoor area. Judy reminded him that even though there is no climate wall out in the Burrows to regulate weather, the winters are rather mild.

But the mid-winter days can still get quite cold, and a few inches of snow can be expected every winter. So, spread out between all the tables are a series of gas-powered heaters that will be on all week long to keep the large event tent warm. The barn has heat and it will be nice and cozy at night with the live music and dancing.

Nick and Judy are helping by stringing lights above the tables. "Alright Carrots, pull them tight," Nick says as he threads a string of lights onto a poll. Judy tugs at the other end of the string to hoist it up into the air. Satisfied with the height, she anchors the string of lights.

"You're looking a little hot there, Slick."

"I'm always hot, Carrots." Nick starts doing muscle-mammal poses.

"Har har," Judy rolls her eyes. "Let's take a break and go inside to get some water."

As they walk inside, they pass Bonnie and Mary, who are sitting in a sunroom as they chat over iced tea.

Nick walks up and leans in to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. "Hello mom," then moves to Judy's mother to do the same. "-other mom."

"You're in a good mood."

"Just thankful to have a mother-in-law that I like. Ow-"

Judy boxes Nick's shoulder. "We just finished putting up the lights in the yard."

"Thank you, dear," Bonnie says. "But you should spend the rest of your vacation relaxing. You two are a part of the wedding group this year. Let the rest of us handle everything."

While Judy talks with their mothers, Nick catches some unfamiliar scents in the air. It's not Christmas yet, so the Hopps compound should not be expecting any visitors at this moment. He follows the scents down a hall that leads out of the sunroom. Maybe some of the Hopps kits have some friends over. That seems like the most likely reason.

He turns the corner into one of the upper dens of the burrow and immediately freezes. Inside are several kits. Some Hopps bunnies, some unfamiliar bunnies, a few sheep even. All dressed in green Junior Ranger Scout uniforms. There were at least fifteen of them.

The group is centered around a group of three kits who had their right paws raised, ready to lead their oath. They start and the rest follow. "I promise to be brave, loyal, helpful, and trustworthy."

Even though you're a fox? Nick's mind finishes.

"Hey look, it's Uncle Nick!"

"Hi Uncle Nick!"

"You have a fox for an uncle?"

The kits turn their attention to Nick and his fur bristles as they slowly crowd towards him. His breathing starts to accelerate and looks at them like he's staring at his impending demise. Nick realizes that he's starting to hyperventilate and finds enough control to turn himself around and run back out of the room and down the hall.

He pushes past Stu as he rounds the corner, nearly taking a fall. Nick slows down after the initial retreat but maintains a brisk walking pace. The tod can feel his heart pounding. He's still breathing fast. He emerges back into the sunroom and passes Bonnie, Mary, and Judy.

"Nick?" Judy asks. Nick looks back at her and she can see the look of agony in his eyes as he retreats down another hall and towards their bedroom. "I'll be back you guys." She says as she runs after Nick.

Bonnie and Mary look at each other. "What on earth was that about?"

Stu emerges from the hallway that Nick did moments ago. "Cripes, is Nick alright? He ran past me in the hallway. Looked like he was about to have a panic attack."

Mary instantly notices the uniform that Stu has on. A scout master uniform for the Junior Ranger Scouts. "You sponsor a pack?" She asks.

"Sure do," Stu says with pride. He makes a motion as if trying to grab the straps of his overalls but instead pats the nonexistent dirt off his uniform when he realizes he's not wearing his usual clothes.

"Pack 314. One of ten here in Bunnyburrow. They're actually back in the upper den right now for our annual Christmas party. Our usual meeting spot doesn't have electricity at the moment." Stu pondered for a minute. "The kits said he walked into the room and bolted a minute later."

"Judy ran after him to make sure he's alright," Mary looks down at her glass of iced tea, then back at Stu in the portal to the hallway. Some of the Junior Ranger Scout kits had made their way up and were poking their heads through the door.

"My poor Nicky had a bad experience with a pack once. As a kit, he wanted to be a part of a pack for so long. We eventually bought him a uniform and a scout handbook. The week leading up to the first meeting, he would read that handbook religiously until bedtime.

"He came home crying that night. The kits there put a muzzle on him and traumatized my baby. That night really changed him. Nicky had a hard time trusting new people after that. Lost his way as he grew up. That is until Judy found him and put that tod back on the straight and narrow."

"Oh Bon," Stu wipes his eyes as he starts to weep for his son-in-law. Judy and Nick had been honest with them about his rough life as a young adult and how he was making money before the Night Howler incident, but he'd never opened up to them about the Junior ranger scouts.

"I wasn't sure if that part of Nicky ever healed," Mary continues, "But I see that it hasn't. I just wish I could help him move on from that. It pains my old heart to see him like this."

Stu recovers from his display of emotions. "I don't know if it will help, but we have a camping trip scheduled just after New Years. Only half the pack can make it. Maybe we can invite Nick along and ease him into it. Try to replace those bad memories with good ones." Stu stands there in silence for a moment.

Mary gives Stu a smile. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea." She gets up from where she's been sitting next to Bonnie to give him a hug. "I'll talk to Nick later when he's feeling better. For now, I think we should get back to preparing for next week."

"And I should get back to the den to supervise the scouts." Stu says as he turns around to go back down the hall. Bonnie gets up to join Mary in preparations.