Here is the third chapter after way too long. I've been very sick recently, but I've managed to write this a bit at a time. Please enjoy this super long chapter, and I hope to get the next one up soon.
Just like Beatrice had predicted, the clothes were delivered first thing in the morning, along with several presents as an apology for the delay. After a nice breakfast, the four friends got down to the serious business of getting ready for the party. They were starting with a full spa day, and they headed into it brimming with vigor and determination. The first thing they did was rinse off in the showers. Judy practiced her new accent and personality just like she'd done since the day before. All afternoon the previous day, she'd acted like Jru Jru, stopping only once her acting energy was tapped out. Now, with a fresh night of sleep behind her and a day of luxury spread before her, she was back at it.
"Oh my gawd, Fru," Judy said. "This is gonna be the best spa day ever. I'm so glad you invited me."
"Oh, you know as well as I do that Daddy invited you this time," Fru Fru said.
"We are rarely asked to assist," Beatrice said, and she turned off the water. There was the sound of a spray of water hitting the walls of the shower as she shook off before the hum of the dryer started.
"Yeah," Genevieve said from her stall. "Pretty sure it's because you're a copper, Jru. No way Mr. Big would let us get mixed up in anything else."
"I'm glad he let you guys help," Judy said. "It would be awful if I didn't have help. I could never have come up with such a fabulous name and backstory by myself. You're all so sweet, and that's the truth. But what will you do durin' the party?"
"We're gonna have fun, mate," Genevieve said.
"But if you need a bit of assistance yourself, we should have a signal."
"One ear up, one ear down," Judy said. "I'll show you in a sec, doll. It's an old trick my sisters and I used as kids."
Once they were all clean, Judy showed them the signal. She lowered her right ear and smoothed her paw over it. "If I meet your eyes while I'm doin' this, I need your help."
"That's an obvious signal, Jru," Beatrice pointed out.
"Not if I rub my ears every couple minutes," Judy said. She smiled. "It'll just be groomin' myself, as far as they're concerned. Don't worry, sweetheart. I know what I'm doin'. Now I don't know about you girls, but I'm ready for a massage! Does Gennie pass, Bea?"
Beatrice gazed at the koala then nodded. "This time, you got it on your first try."
Gennie grilled her eyes. "Don't expect it every time. It's only cuz I had to wash last night to sleep in a bed. You would've been unhappy if I'd slept dusty."
With that, the girls headed for the massage parlor. They disrobed and lay down then began to chat with each other. Judy got more practice in, this time with a distractingly good massage testing her. She managed to stay mostly in character with only two slip ups. The masseuses were enjoying the show, and they joined in when Judy indicated she didn't mind. It was a lovely discussion during an invigorating massage. Once they were done there, they headed to get facials.
Judy always fell asleep during her facial, and this time was no different. After the facial, they relaxed in a steam sauna to eat a good lunch. Judy enjoyed her fruit salad and vegetable medley, seasoned to perfection as usual.
"How are you doin', doll?" Fru Fru asked.
Judy looked up, her nose twitching as she chewed. "I'm okay, but I'm going to take a break. Don't want to deplete my acting well. It takes energy to sustain that sort of thing."
"No need to explain, Jru," Genevieve said, winking.
"Though it is entertaining," Beatrice said, slurping up some ice water with her tongue.
"I'm enjoying it, which makes it easier," Judy said. "I've had worse roles."
"Like what?" Fru Fru asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.
"Oh, I have a good range, but the worst one was playing this stuck up cheerleader. She talked like you, with your accent, but she wasn't nearly as nice. She was downright despicable. I had to wash really good after every performance. She wasn't the hero, obviously."
"What was her role?" Genevieve asked.
"I bet she was the one who was against the hero for the interest of the male," Beatrice said loftily.
"Yep. Date bait, we called them in our theatre. It was my first role in high school, and I vowed I would never play another one. Some people can pretend to be hateful. I don't like it. Makes me feel dirty, and I don't mean digging up carrots dirty."
Genevieve raised her brows. "I respect that, Jru. Some actors will take anythin' they come across, and that ain't always what's best for them. Especially since actin' is such a personal thing."
"Is it?" Beatrice asked.
"Of course. I can't do it outside of writin'. I tried, but I couldn't handle feelin' the way the characters did and then expressing it to an audience. I always felt… fake. Like I was lyin' because those weren't my feelin's. So I decided actin' wasn't for me and I looked for other hobbies. I figured out pretty quick that I was a whiz with a pen. What I write, I feel, and what I feel, I write. That's honest to me. And my audience loves it, too."
"When's your next book comin' out?" Fru Fur asked.
"Next month," Genevieve replied. "Why?"
"I think I want to throw a shindig for ya," Fru Fru said. "It's your twentieth book, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yep." The koala puffed up with pride. "I thought writin' the first one was the hardest thing I did. I really expected the next was bound to be harder. But I was right the first time. Writin' the first one was the hardest. And that's not the case for everyone."
"That's really neat, Gen," Judy said. She winked and spoke in her new accent. "You could say it's swell, too. At least for business, right, doll?"
"For sure," Genevieve said.
"What's next?" Judy asked.
"Body wraps, fur treatment, outfits, makeup, and hair, if you want."
"Hair for me for sure," Judy said.
"I think we'll all go for it today," Beatrice said thoughtfully. "What do you think, Gennie?"
"Sure, why not? It's gonna be a great party," Genevieve said.
"We done eatin'?" Fru Fru asked.
They all agreed, so they headed into another room of the spa for body wraps. Nobody spoke during this segment, and Judy was pretty sure the others had fallen asleep again after such a nice lunch, but she still wasn't comfortable being restrained by the wrap, so she was awake. It was relaxing once she could push pass the initial wave of anxiety. She spent her time thinking over her backstory, adding details here and there to flesh out the botanical side of the business. That part she could supply, while Genevieve would have had to research for a long time to find out what she knew simply from growing up with a father who had gone to college for botanical studies.
When they were rinsed and fresh, they went for their fur treatment, which was always individualized. Judy discussed adding a new part to her at-home routine with her usual bunny, Ruby, then the personalized mixture was massaged into her fur. She was very soft and her fur was a bit poofy afterward. When she stepped out in her robe, Beatrice smiled approvingly.
"You look so fluffy, sweetie," she said.
"I know. It's so much better since I started my new regimen. Ruby has worked her magic, for sure!" Judy said, slipping into a bit of an accent as she winked.
Ruby giggled and waved them off as they left to do one of the most important and time consuming tasks: finding the perfect outfit for the party. The room was full of outfits of every kind. Judy had an especially large selection, bigger than any she'd ever been offered. Her ears went stiff and her nose twitched as she sat up, alert as she scanned the sheer number of rabbit options. Then she lowered one ear, smoothed her paw down it several times in a nervous manner, and spoke like Jru Jru. "Well, girls, I hope you can help me pick or we'll never get to the party. Fru, doll, this is too much!"
"We'll help, don't you worry," Beatrice said.
Judy released her ear and it joined its twin. "First we should pick the color. That will help with narrowin' down the outfits. Fru, what color are you goin' for? I can't outshine the birthday girl."
"I went with red, and my cousin helped me to pick out the dress a few days ago."
"Okay, so not red," Judy said.
"How about blue? Blue is a good color on you," Beatrice said.
"Or green," Genevieve said.
"Or even purple," Fru Fru said.
"But only dark colors," Genevieve said.
"Why only dark, Gen?" Judy asked.
"Makes ya more mysterious, and if there's one thing you gotta be, it's a mystery," Genevieve said, grinning.
They all laughed and agreed as they arranged an array of options for Judy to try on in green, purple, and blue, all rich dark colors. None of them payed the slightest mind to anybody else's clothing options.
"What about you all?" Judy asked, frowning.
"I told you, sweetie, my outfit is decided already," Fru Fru said. "I just need to pick accents. Your outfit is more important this time. Daddy never asks for help from me, and he asked me to make sure you pull off whatever we're goin' for. So Gennie, what are we goin' for?"
Genevieve tapped her foot. "Start tryin' dresses on. We'll know when we see it."
"So definitely a dress?" Judy asked.
"Or a skirt," Beatrice conceded. "But you're always in pants while on duty, so those are out."
Judy nodded and studied her options before selecting a dark blue dress with a poofy tulle skirt and sapphire sequins dotted along the bottom. She shrugged out of her robe and slipped the dress up her hips until it was on properly. Genevieve zipped her up, and Judy spun to face them. Beatrice winced.
"No. Your personality isn't bubbly enough to pull that dress off."
Judy nodded and turned around so Genevieve could unzip the dress. If Beatrice said no, the three of them usually listened. She had an eye for fashion, and after seeing just one dress on Judy, the black leopard took away a few more options out of all the colors. That did help a little, and Judy was glad that she wasn't going to have to try on a hundred outfits. It was tiring and she still had to get through the party.
Beatrice ruled out several more choices, one because it was too figure-hugging and Judy would be uncomfortable with so much fur revealed, one because it was not in this year, and one because it simply didn't compliment her slender figure. As she slipped the fourth option off, Beatrice took away several more dresses. Judy was intrigued.
"How do you know what to take away?" she asked.
Beatrice looked at her and smiled. "I think it's the same thing that controls what Gen writes. Or along the same lines, at least."
"In other words," Genevieve said jovially. "She can't explain it because it's so natural."
"So you just know?" Judy asked. "Sweetheart, that is just sooo fabulous!"
"Thanks, Jru," Beatrice said. "Try on this one. I want to be sure this won't do."
Judy obediently slipped on the rich green silk dress, and Beatrice started shaking her head before she could even ask Genevieve to zip her up.
"Right, that won't do. We need something fun but not bubbly, smooth but not perky or flirty. And something fine, fine enough to be worn by an heiress."
"You pick me somethin', Bea," Judy said. "You just have such good taste and you've got that flair for fashion. I don't know why you don't try designin' your own line. I know you could do it."
Beatrice paused, but the tip of her tail flicked back and forth as her ears slicked back a little. She began to wander through Judy's remaining options. As she leaned down to study a rich purple dress, she spoke very softly. "Do you really think so?"
"Sure!" Judy said eagerly. "Doll, you're always so fashionable, and you said you needed a job to keep you occupied. Why not try breakin' in to the fashion industry? You'll have my support, though it doesn't count for much."
"You're the first one who's ever told me to pursue fashion," Beatrice said, beginning to wander through the options again. "I thought it was just a silly fancy. Mother told me to just enjoy our wealth, but I want to work. Fashion is the only thing that's ever stood out to me. It's cutthroat."
"You can be, too," Genevieve pointed out. "You dig in your claws, and you're not movin' anywhere. You can use that in business just as well as you do socially."
Beatrice didn't say anything as she went through the rest of the dresses again before pulling one of each color. The forest green one was of medium length with a lot of sequins, the violet one was cut shorter and a bit tighter and was made of satin, and the dark blue one was loose and reached the floor with a gauzy fabric flowing from the shoulders. Judy was intrigued as Beatrice held out the three options.
"I know which one I think will work. If you agree, I'll look into going into fashion."
"No backin' out, Bea," Fru Fru said. "I promise you I'll hold your feet to the fire for this. I can't believe I never thought of you goin' into fashion, but if that ain't the best idea I ever heard, I don't know what is."
"We'll see," Beatrice said, and held up the options. "Try each of these on and see which one you think will work. We might not agree."
Judy grinned and tried on the purple one first. It was cut so high in the skirt that Judy was leery about it. It fit her much better than she'd thought, and the cut wasn't as revealing as she'd feared. She looked at her friends and spun around experimentally. Then she strode to the mirror and looked at herself. Her lips pursed, and she walked back to stand with the others and wordlessly turned so that Genevieve could unzip the dress. She selected the green one next and tried it on.
"Ooh, that looks good," Fru Fru said, peering at her. "Give us a twirl."
Judy did so, and she enjoyed the length more than the purple one. She went to the mirror and stood tall, staring at herself. She walked this way and that, gazing into the mirror with such intensity. Then she lowered her ear and stroked it almost thoughtfully, proving to her friends that her idea would work with just how natural it looked. Judy tilted her head then her ears went up again and she went to try on the last dress. Beatrice's eyes were inscrutable as she slipped out of the green dress and handed it to Genevieve. Judy took the blue dress and slipped it on.
It fitted her perfectly, and Genevieve gave a cry of pleasure. "Now that looks good! That blue is perfect, ain't it, Fru?"
"The fit is good too," Fru Fru said. "Walk around a bit, Jru."
Judy did so. The dress didn't impeded her at all, and she hurried to the mirror to see the effect. The gauzy fabric that hung from the shoulders of the dress flowed like a cape with each movement. She turned this way and that, twirling to see the effect. The skirt of the dress just brushed the floor, but with some small heels, Judy knew she wouldn't trip on it, and there was a slit on the left side that would just reveal a bit of her leg as she walked.
"It has to be this one, Bea," Judy said. "This is Jru Jru Fields, botanical heiress, and I couldn't have picked better myself."
Beatrice let out a breath and sank to the floor, running her trembling paws over her face. "That's the one I picked," she said softly.
"Guess you're goin' into fashion now," Genevieve said, grinning.
"I'll help you get started," Fru Fru said. "I can get you in front of the right people, but you're on your own after that, doll."
"Yes, of course," Beatrice said. She took a deep breath and stood. "Gen, we need to pick our outfits. Then we're doing hair next, right?"
"Shouldn't be too hard for me," Judy said. "I'm gonna match my best friend, ain't that right, Fru? Unless the birthday girl doesn't want it?"
"Oh, we could be twinses!" Fru Fru shrieked with glee. "Yes, yes, of course! And it would make it look like you're tryin' to get in good with me, which will work to throw the rat off."
Judy grinned, and then she and Fru Fru helped Genevieve and Beatrice to pick out their outfits. Beatrice selected a yellow dress. It wasn't too bright, but it was brighter than what she usually wore. It hugged her upper half and flowed smoothly down to just past her knees. She gazed at herself in the mirror then frowned.
"It needs something," she said.
"Whatever it is, we'll get it," Fru Fru said.
"I don't know yet. I need to think. But this is what I'm going with. I just need the right accents and… whatever is missing. I'm ready. Gen, what are you wearing?"
"You pick," Genevieve said. "You're on a roll, and I ain't gonna mess with it."
"You'll wear whatever I pick out?" Beatrice asked in surprise.
"As long as it agrees with my walkin' style, yep," Genevieve said. "But I ain't wearin' heels this time. I turned my ankle last time, and I don't want to spend Fru's party sittin' at a table. So make sure I can't trip over the dress in flats. Other than that, let me see what you pick."
Beatrice prowled through the koala's options, carefully studying the colors and shapes. "Fru, what color are you in?"
"My husband helped me pick," Fru Fru said. "It's a red numba, and it's princess style with poof. It's kinda like what Judy tried on first, but in a nice cherry red with a sequined bodice."
"Okay," Beatrice said. She veered away from the red options and focused on other colors. She finally selected a medium-length gold dress and carried it over. "Try this. I know it's flashy, but I think it will work."
Genevieve shrugged off her robe and pulled the dress on. Judy zipped it up and Genevieve turned back for their opinions. They all smiled with delight.
"That compliments you so well!" Fru Fru squealed.
"Girl, you look so amazingly fabulous!" Judy exclaimed. "And just think what you'd look like with a wig, a nice black one."
"I agree," Beatrice said.
"Well, okay then," Genevieve said. "Since Fru seems to like it and it's her birthday, I'll wear it. But don't expect this every time."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Beatrice said, smiling. "But you do look good. Now, Fru, you'd better get dressed so we can get our hair done."
Fru Fru quickly got ready in her dress, and Beatrice carefully used a single sharp claw to snag the zipper and pull it up for her. Fru Fru did look good in red, and unlike Judy, she could pull off the bubbly look. They all gazed at each other appreciatively before they headed for the hair salon. Aster was waiting for them, and she immediately greeted them warmly.
"There's the birthday shrew!" she exclaimed. "You're first, so what do you want?"
"Me and Judy want to match hairstyles," Fru Fru said at once. "So make sure it goes with both of us."
"Same cut and color, or just the same cut?"
"Same cut, different color," Judy said. "That way I'm not copying you too closely."
"Done," Aster said. "You all sit down and I'll get to it. You two, think about what you want," Aster said to Beatrice and Genevieve.
"Sure thing, mate," Genevieve said, and she began to look through the options that lined the walls. Beatrice joined her, and they started to talk.
While they were doing that, Aster quickly got to work on Fru Fru. Selecting a black wig, she settled it on Fru Fru's head. "This is a feathered style," she said. "Nice volume on the bottom, and see how the hair is curled out? What do you think?"
"Do you have it in red?" Judy asked, her lips twitching.
"Red!" Fru Fru giggled. "You are darin' today, ain't ya? Let's see it on Judy. She must look good for my birthday, Aster. So if she don't look good in the hair you pick, for me I'm gonna have to switch it."
"Yes, ma'am," Aster said. "Let me grab that red one and we'll see how it looks."
Aster skittered over to the shelves and climbed up to select a wig that matched Fru Fru's in style, but it was a rich reddish-orange. She returned to Judy and set it on her head.
"Bea, Gennie," Judy called. "What do you think?"
Her friends came over to stare at her. Beatrice grinned. "I think it works. That red hair is flashy against that blue, though."
"I think it's great!" Genevieve exclaimed.
"But is it Jru Jru Fields?" Judy asked.
"Give us a bit of a show," Genevieve said.
"Don't move too much," Aster said. "It's not pinned in."
So Judy grinned and turned to Fru Fru. "Oh my gawd, Fru! I can't wait for your party! I spent all afternoon gettin' ready, and I just want to dance and meet all the interestin' people! Especially that Rattigan. I hear he's fascinatin'."
Her three friends burst out laughing. "That's it," Fru Fru said. "Me and Jru will take these. Get us ready so we can pick some accessories! Bea, you and Gen keep lookin'."
It took an hour for both Fru Fru and Judy to be ready, and Aster turned her attention to Genevieve and Beatrice as Fru Fru and Judy went to the accessory room. Gems and jewels of all sorts glittered from the tables of jewelry, and purses and scarves and belts and every other kind of accessory an animal could imagine surrounded the tables.
"Okay, now what do you think?" Fru Fru asked.
"You know jewelry better than me," Judy said. "You pick something for me. Gen did the backstory, Bea did the fashion, I want you to pick the jewelry. That way you all helped with Jru Jru."
"Sure thing, doll. I think we want simple. How do you feel about gold?"
"I'd wear it," Judy said.
So Fru Fru picked out a beautiful gold necklace for Judy with a fire opal pendant that nearly perfectly matched her hair color. Then she selected a pair of gold bracelets studded with sunstones and an anklet that matched for Judy's left ankle, which was the side with the slit. Judy approved of both, and she spent some time selecting Fru Fru's jewelry before Genevieve and Beatrice came in. They already had their makeup done.
"We're running out of time," Beatrice said. "It's almost five, and we still have to be driven to the venue, so I had Dara work on me while Gennie was getting her hair done, then she switched."
"Pick out what you want," Fru Fru said. "Jru and I just need shoes, then we can get our makeup done. Hurry, girls."
Fru Fru helped Judy select a basic gold shoe with only a bit of heel. Judy could easily walk in them, and Fru Fru selected a pair of bright red heels that were much higher. She'd had far more practice than Judy in heels, and Judy admired her for her choice. She'd be sitting most of the night in those, but Judy knew Fru Fru was going to dance with her husband all night long.
Once they were ready, Fru Fru and Judy hurried to sit for Dara. Dara needed no instruction, and she made up Fru Fru's face to match her outfit before she turned to Judy.
"Light and natural?" Dara asked.
"Not this time. Make me shine," Judy said. "I need to look like an heiress today."
Dara's eyes gleamed, and she began to work at once. Genevieve and Beatrice hurried out, accessorized and shod in their shoes of choice. As soon as Dara was done, she stood back on the vanity and gestured at the mirror. "How's that for an heiress, Judy?"
Judy rarely allowed Dara to do what she wanted, and she had gone all out this time. Her eyes popped, offset by a beautiful gold eyeshadow that glittered in the light. Her cheeks were fluffed and rouged, and her lips were outlined in an orange lipstick that matched her hair. Judy leaned forward to study herself and grinned.
"Oh my gawd, Fru! Don't I look like a dream? Ain't no way nobody's recognizin' me in this getup! What do you think?"
"I think we need to leave," Beatrice said. "You look perfect, Jru. And so do you, Fru."
"Let's get goin' then. Thanks, sheilas, for everything," Genevieve said.
"Picture! Picture!" Fru Fru exclaimed. "Quick! Then we really do gotta scoot or we'll be late for my own party!"
The four friends pressed together and took a picture, just like they did every spa day. Judy posed with a sultry smirk as she leaned close to Beatrice and Genevieve with Fru Fru in Beatrice's paw between them. Aster took the picture for them, and they checked to make sure it was a good shot before they gathered their skirts and waved.
"See you next time!" Judy called.
"Have fun, girls!" Aster called, and Dara waved beside her as the four friends booked it for the waiting car. Jasper opened the door as soon as he saw them, and they quickly scrunched into the back of the limousine.
"Drive quick, Jasper," Fru Fru said.
"I'll get you there on time, barring traffic, which I can't help, ma'am," Jasper said, tipping his cap. Then he shut the door and hurried to the driver's seat.
As they set off, Beatrice, Genevieve, Fru Fru, and Judy relaxed into the seats.
"Well, that's done," Fru Fru said. "Now we just gotta do the party. You ready, Jru?"
Judy took a deep breath and looked at her. "Doll, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Let's go over everything, just in case," Genevieve said.
As the car headed toward the party venue, they went over everything again. Judy was excited and nervous, but as they talked, she grew more confident. She was an excellent actress, and this was like the role of a lifetime. If she did it right, they'd have Rattigan arrested and charged before the night was up. But if she slipped up, she'd miss her rat and disappoint Mr. Big at the same time. It was time to really focus and put all her energy into becoming Jru Jru Fields, heiress and socialite. The night hinged on her success or failure.
'So no pressure,' she thought wryly. 'No pressure at all.'