De'Coration Academy for Exceptional Rabbits Part 7: An Exciting Invitation

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Marshmallow and Sprinkles had well and truly settled into their new lodge. However, their observations of the humans continued to be very confusing. The humans seemed to both serve the great sky rabbits and something else. It was very frustrating. Marshmallow and Sprinkles had yet to find a way of monitoring the humans once they retreat into the lair. Months had passed and they had gained minimal additional information. The Academy was content with the rate of progress. It had, after all, taken generations of Exceptional Rabbits to gather the amount of information they had. The Secret Paw remained silent. They had sent no message and they and set no missions. Every so often one of their operatives would drop by to see Marshmallow and Sprinkles and learned anything new or exciting.

The summer faded into autumn and winter was very close on the horizon. The nights were getting longer and colder, perfect of lengthy explorations. Fuzzbutt Von Whiskers had been very excited to show Marshmallow and Sprinkles all around his territory. All the local cats greeted them with polite confusion but gave them no trouble. No one was willing to cross The Fuzz and risk getting a pawfull of claws across the face.

The Fuzz ran his gang of cats with a firm paw. His gang provided an unparalleled network of communications that reached inside multiple human lairs.

“There hasn’t been any unrest around here for a few years now. Not since Norbert and Shelly moved into the that house over there.” The Fuzz bragged, flicking his tail in the direction of a human lair with a bright blue door. “I put them in their places quickly enough. Norbert knew what was good for him and fell in line, no problem. Shelly, well Shelly knows how to use her claws and she bites like everything tastes good. She took this chunk here out of my ear.” He said dipping his head and gesturing to notch on his left ear. “She’s one of my best now. She keeps an eye out of wonderers and outsiders, she also keeps the foxes in check. You don’t need to worry about her. She knows you’re with The Secret Paw. Not to be interfered with. She’ll let you go about your business if she ever comes across you and she’ll help you out if she can. Just tell her that her collar makes her eyes pretty and she’ll love you forever.” Sprinkles gently nudged Marshmallow’s side as they walked with The Fuzz, It would be very useful to have strong connections with the cats. Cats were a notoriously difficult group to find an in with. Marshmallow nodded and quickly flattened a fly away tuft of fluff on Sprinkles’ head, before dashing to catch up with The Fuzz who had swaggered on ahead of them towards a large metal gate.

“We’ve come a long way tonight, The Fuzz. We should head back home soon, the human seems to be getting up before the sun recently.” Said Marshmallow as she once again drew level with the cat.

“Of cause. There’s just one more animal I would like you to meet. He lives just through here. Don’t be frightened of him, he’s very large but he’s as soft as your fur.” Sprinkles and Marshmallow shared a look. They had met all sorts of creatures since they had left the safety of The De’Coration Academy for Exceptional Rabbits. What sort of being could they be meeting know to warrant that sort of warning? “His name is Buster and he is the host of the best party of the year!”

Buster.

Buster was definitely a dog’s name. They were meeting a dog. Marshmallow froze, sniffing the air. Definitely dog. They could turn back now and everything would be absolutely fine. The Fuzz knew they had to leave quickly, they could make their excuses and go. Sprinkles turned to Marshmallow, a few steps in front of the white lop. Were they heading home?

“Come along bunnies, nothing to worry about, I promise.” The fuzz called over his shoulder without breaking stride. He slipped through the twisting bars of the metal gate and continued on into the darkness. “Hello, Buster! I bring some wonderful new friends to meet you. Marshmallow and Sprinkles. We met through the order.”

“Operatives? New operatives. Exciting. Are they little? Are they soft? Are they friends with Buster too?”

“Yes, I’m sure they’re friends with Buster too, isn’t that right Marshmallow, Sprinkles?”

“Oh yes! We love making new friends!” Sprinkles announced excitedly, bouncing forward completely oblivious to the potential mortal peril that awaited her in the jaws of that was quite possibly that largest dog Marshmallow had ever imagined.

“I was just about to tell these find rabbits about your pond parties.”

“Pond party should be soon. Have tested the water, it is starting to get cold and crispy at the edges. Will be solid soon.” Buster nodded and lowered his head to the floor so his eyes were level with Sprinkles. “You look soft. Are you very soft? I like to snuggle soft friends.”

“I am very soft and very fluffy! Feel!” Sprinkles hopped forward and snuggled up against Buster’s face. Marshmallow bolted forward ready to defend, only to stop less than a paws length away from Sprinkles to stared at her in surprise.

“Are you also soft? Will you also snuggle?” Buster asked slowly, tipping his head to one side, pressing Sprinkles gently to the ground beneath his enormous cheek.

“Come and snuggle Marshmallow!” Sprinkles encouraged, snuggling closer to Buster. Without a word Marshmallow crept forward and took up position on the other side of Buster’s face.

“So Soft. Good, new friends. You will come to the pond party.”

“What’s the pond party?” Sprinkles asked, looking between The Fuzz and Buster curiously.

“Sometimes when it is very cold, my pond is sold. It is good and fun to slide on. Everyone comes.” Buster explained sleepily, his eyes closed as he nuzzled into first Marshmallow and them Sprinkles.

“Yes. When the pond freezes over the word goes out and everyone who is anyone around here, congregates for a party. We slide on the ice and hold the largest cuddle puddle of the year. Sometimes even those with the winter sleepies join us. We’re all really looking forward to it this year because the pond didn’t freeze over at all last year. Very disappointing.”

“Oh, we would love to come! Wouldn’t we Marshmallow?”

“Yes. We have to go home now. The human will be bringing us breakfast soon.”

“It was lovely meeting you Buster!” Sprinkles exclaimed as she wiggled out from under the large ear that had flopped over her.

“Yes.”

“Good to meet new, soft friends. Come back soon.” Buster mumbled before letting out the largest yawn, exposing so many sharp and sparkly teeth. Sprinkles flattened her ears to her head, she had been so very close to so many sharp and pointy death spikes. It was definitely time to go home. Even if Buster seemed very nice, and they had been invited to a party, it was still very scary to see carnivore teeth up close. Even The Fuzz had scary teeth and he was only twice Sprinkles size, Buster was even bigger than that, he might even be close to human size. That was a very scary thought indeed.

Part 8

Marshmallow and Sprinkles are both real life rescue rabbits, I'm fostering them while they search for their forever home. I'm only able to do this because of the Support provided by Rabbit Retail who are a small business local to me, so please check them out. Any purchases or donations made on their website will be helping to keep these two bunnies happy and healthy, and will help pay for their spays as will any tips.