Originally posted on alt.devilbunnies 27 february to 7 June, 1997. Why so spread-out? The people I collaborated with, Jason Helm (no email at present) and Susan Kennedy (who helped-out after Jason graduated and lost interent access and was kind enough to allow us to use her character's base), had little spare time....especially Jason, who underestimated how much time his senior classes would take-up. But we still pulled it off. So enjoy.
©1997 by Scott Bernier, Jason Helm and Susan Kennedy
First HTML-ized by Scott Bernier on 15 June, 1997
*****TIGHTBEAM TO SGT SAAK*****
*****BUNNYSTUMPER DELUXE™ ACTIVATED*****
Sergeant Saak,
I apologize for taking so long to respond to your offer from last summer. One thing after another has come-up over here in Maine as you may know. However, things have finally cooled-down enough up here that I can feel confidant enough in leaving the base in SGT Pomerleau's hands for a while. I request your permission to visit your base and discuss with your scientists about their potential cure to my ailment.
Your scientists will have up to three volunteers to work with. In addition to myself, I will be bringing my two daughters. As you may already know, they were kidnapped by the enemy last fall and converted against their will. (STOMP!) Knowing how the rumor mill works in the Army of Fudd, I've enclosed a copy of the official report on the incident. In the few months since then, they have grown to near adulthood, but alas, they are still quite young and do at times have difficulty controlling their cuteness despite my efforts to teach them control. This may cause havoc with your personal. Of course whether or not they go through with the experiment will be their own decision.
If there is any further information you need, let me know. We will be accompanied by Captain Stickney and intend to arrive early next week, unless that is too soon for your scientists. Thank you for this chance, however slim it might be, at a possible cure for my daughters, Julie and Cathy, and myself.
Major Steve Blake
Commander, Maine Fudd Volunteers
*****END TIGHTBEAM AND ENCRYPTION*****
***********RETURN TIGHTBEAM TO MAJOR BLAKE***********
> *****TIGHTBEAM TO SGT SAAK*****
> *****BUNNYSTUMPER DELUXE™ ACTIVATED*****
>
> Sergeant Saak,
>
> I apologize for taking so long to respond to your offer from last summer. One
thing after
>another has come-up over here in Maine as you may know. However, things have
finally
>cooled-down enough up here that I can feel confidant enough in leaving the base in
SGT
>Pomerleau's hands for a while. I request your permission to visit your base and
discuss with
>your scientists about their potential cure to my ailment.
Excellent. You certainly have my permission. Let us know your arrival time, and I will have someone pick you up.
>Your scientists will have up to three volunteers to work with. In addition to
myself, I will
>be bringing my two daughters. As you may already know, they were kidnapped by
the enemy
>last fall and converted against their will. (STOMP!) Knowing how the rumor mill
works in the
>Army of Fudd, I've enclosed a copy of the official report on the incident. In the few
months
>since then, they have grown to near adulthood, but alas, they are still quite young
and do at
>times have difficulty controlling their cuteness despite my efforts to teach them
control. This
>may cause havoc with your personal. Of course whether or not they go through
with the
>experiment will be their own decision.
I have seen the official reports, of course, and also heard the rumors. I'm really sorry to hear about your daughters, and I think they should consider themselves lucky that you are there to aid them. This has to be a difficult transition period for your whole family.
I will be sure to assign my most levelheaded personell to this matter.
> If there is any further information you need, let me know. We will be
accompanied by
>Captain Stickney and intend to arrive early next week, unless that is too soon for
your
>scientists. Thank you for this chance, however slim it might be, at a possible cure
for my
>daughters, Julie and Cathy, and myself.
That's plenty of time. The lab is already set up. We have had some success with turning born buns into humans, and back again. We have no idea how this process will work on transformed humans. If it works the same, it will be extremely difficult, but there is hope.
Incidently, could you possibly bring a supply of Moxie with you? Our supplies are getting low due to the experiments. We could use a couple of cases ASAP.
Seen you soon (and hopefully human!).
Sgt. Saak
*****************END TIGHTBEAM**************
>***********RETURN TIGHTBEAM TO MAJOR BLAKE***********
*****REPLY*****
*****BUNNYSTUMPER DELUXE™ ACTIVATED*****
>Excellent. You certainly have my permission. Let us know your arrival time,
and I will have
>someone pick you up.
Expect my party next Monday. I will be escorted by Captain George Stickney. As such we won't need an escourt.
>I have seen the official reports, of course, and also heard the rumors. I'm really
sorry to hear
>about your daughters, and I think they should consider themselves lucky that you
are there to
>aid them. This has to be a difficult transition period for your whole family.
(sighfluff) You don't know the half of it, Sergeant.
>I will be sure to assign my most levelheaded personell to this matter.
Thank you.
[about arrival time]
>That's plenty of time. The lab is already set up. We have had some success
with turning born
>buns into humans, and back again. We have no idea how this process will work
on
>transformed humans. If it works the same, it will be extremely difficult, but there
is hope.
(perklefteartip) Success with bun to human? Where did you find a volun...no, never mind, you/your scientists can tell me all about it upon our arrival.
>Incidently, could you possibly bring a supply of Moxie with you? Our supplies
are getting low
>due to the experiments. We could use a couple of cases ASAP.
Not a problem I'll see how much we can carry as freight on the plane.
>Seen you soon (and hopefully human!).
>Sgt. Saak
Again thanks for offering my family this chance, Sgt Saak.
Major Blake
*****************END TIGHTBEAM**************
"But, but," (tearynosetwitch) "I like being a bunny," Julie pleaded at the dinner table at the end of the meal.
"Me too," Cathy added.
"Who said you have to go through with it," Steve Blake stated calmly to his two daughters adding a (reassuringfluff). "Your mother and I decided that you are old enough to make your own decision on this matter."
"Then why do we have to go at all?" Julie asked.
Steve got up from his place and hopped over to his daughters and bunny-hugged them. "Because I've dreamed of this chance since the day of my accident. I'd like you two to be there to provide me support as I go through this. Besides, you might change your minds on this matter after seeing what they do to me."
Julie looked smartly at her father. "And you'll need our help if something goes wrong, since we're the same blood type."
Steve (sighfluffed). He kept forgetting how much more quickly bunnies grew-up compared to humans. He couldn't hide anything from them.
"Yes, that too."
"Will the change back, hurt?"
"I don't know, Cathy. The scientists there will fill us in when we get there. They aren't even sure if it will even work at this point."
Both does turned for a moment to their mother. There was a single tear in her eye and she mouthed without speaking, *Go with him.*
"Well..." Cathy started.
"We'll go with you, Daddy," Julie completed.
"But only if we get to go see Mt Rushmore afterwards." (pleadfluff)
"I don't think the base is in that part of South Dakota..." Steve looked at his two daughters putting-on the cute, pitiful, hurt doe with bambi-eyes routine and his heart melted. "but...I suppose we could detour after the trip to the base."
"Whooppie!" the two squealed.
"Now help your mom with the dishes."
The two (poutfluffed) but did as they were told. After they left the room with their mother, Steve turned to his son. "Matt, I'm sorry I can't take you and Mommy with us. I want you to be the man I know you are and take care of her while we're gone."
Matt looked bright-eyed at his father and pulled-out a hatchet with the blade still in it's sheath. "I will, Daddy. Uncle Stinky has taught me how to use an axe much like his. No bunny other than Julie, Cathy, or you, Daddy will be able to get near her." He held the hatchet proudly and properly.
Steve sighed. "This isn't a game, Matt. You've seen what your sisters and I could do. If you see a strange bunny, don't go near it. Warn the grown-ups on the farm and then stay with Mommy."
"But.."
"This is real important, Matt. I hate leaving the farm and base in Uncle Eu'G's hands. Every time I've had to do so in the past, devilbunnies have attacked." (tearfilledeyes) "and I want you and Mommy to be safe until we return."
Matt scooped-up and hugged his father ruffling his fur. "I will, Daddy." A single tear trickled down Matt's cheek and dampened Steve's fur. He set Steve down again.
"Now, scoot, I'm sure your sisters will need help putting the dishes away and I need to talk to uncle Eu'G for a little while.
"Enter," Eugene responded to the knock at his door. Steve hopped in followed by Captain George Stickney as Eugene stood at attention.
"At ease, Gene or should I say, Uncle Eu'G." (chuckle)
Eugene cringed slightly at the name. "Better than some other nicknames I've heard," he looked at Uncle Stinky/Stickney as he spoke. They all sat down.
"As you know George, my daughters and I will be leaving tomorrow morning for SGT Saak's base out to South Dakota. I don't know how long we'll be gone, but that leaves you in command."
"Thank you, Steve."
Steve leaned forward and his claws unsheathed for a moment. "You can thank me by not blowing-up the base while I'm gone or egging-on Admiral Marlin or some other bun into attacking or..." he leaned back in his seat again, "well I'm sure you understand. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now about this banter with Snug and Chit..."
*Oh, El'Mah,* Eugene thought to himself.
"I want you to stop and think before you send replies. Seriously sit back and carefully review what you are saying. I'm disappointed in your response to Snug. You may have compromised our operations in Florida with that Moxie™ comment. It's mistakes like that that are keeping you at your current rank, Gene."
"And I don't know where you're going with Chit." (shudderfluff) "In that area, simply shut your trap. One accidental click and the messages will wind-up unencrypted widebeam and you will not only endanger our operatives if we can ever reestablish contact, but you will endanger Chit's project also if he succeeds. Get O'Keefe working on trying to contact our operatives again."
"What? You support Chit?"
(sighfluff) "It's not so much I support the squirrel. He seems totally off his rocker, much like Teral, but I do know there are those out there who wouldn't jump at the chance at making what they would believe would be the ultimate sacrifice--give-up their lives as humans in order to provide intelligence on the enemy. Look at my daughters. Neither is interested in getting cured, they both want to be Fudd-spies like their father. And if these scientists at Saak's base are successful, Chit might actually succeed in his recruitment drive for his whacked experiment." (wave-offfluff) (chuckle) "The squirrel believes he's a carrier of bunnyvirus™ for cryin'-out-loud. He's not working with a full load of nuts. Let him try, but I won't be the one biting and infecting Fudds."
Steve changed the subject. "The order for Saak's base is ready, isn't it?"
Eugene caught-off guard a moment and blinked before he caught-on. "Yes, I've loaded the van with 15 cases of Moxie™ and another 10 cases of Diet Moxie™."
"Diet? But that's useless as a weapon."
"I know, but there is a special Fudd there who's diabetic and can't drink the good stuff." Eugene didn't bother mentioning he knew about Magic, assuming Blake either knew already or would find-out for himself soon enough.
"Thank you." Steve and Capt. Stickney got-up to leave.
"Steve," Steve turned back, "good luck."
"Thanks," they shook hand-to-paw and Steve left.
Written by Jason "Magic Bunny" Helm
Magic woke up in a cold sweat. This is the third time this week he had that dream again. "Damn Compubun, I didn't mean to kill him" Magic thought as he stumbled to the sink to splash some cold water on his face. For no obvious reason, the dreams had come back.
"I might as well stay up and do something, Ill never get back to sleep. God, I wish I could have some really Moxie™!" As you all remember, Magic developed a nasty addiction to this wonderfully evil beverage when he used it in his bunny to human transformation formula. Now, he has to curb his craving with Bunny-Safe Moxie™. Yet this just doesn't have the same kick the really stuff has.
Looking around, he started feeling a little bit better. He really did have it pretty good. Saak has been more than kind to him. She even allowed him to have a whole wing of the base to himself. Ok, the three or four rooms to a person may not be much, but to a bunny...darn near a castle. One room is his sleeping quarters. A person almost goes into a hypnotic trance when entering this room because of its intense cutness. cozy to the third power doesn't even describe this. "Someday, the whole base may look like this" Magic thought as he giggled. A few rooms down lies Magic's laboratory. With Saak's permission, Magic created a laboratory almost equal to those of a standard Fudd Science Outpost. In a fire-proof safe, hidden under a loose board lies some of his secret calculations and experiment data. He doesn't really want to be a scientist for a living but it's a fun hobby. >:)
Suddenly, it just came to him. "Of course, I almost forgot about that variable" Magic thought. He hopped into the lab and carefully removed some notes and charts from their hidden, safe environment. Magic quickly scribbled some numbers and formulas down, and then sighed with relief. That sleepy feeling has finally come over him again. He carefully put the valuable notes back to there place, and hopped back to his room. Magic grabbed his Autographed Model, patented, plastic, bunny battle axe™ cuddled up to it like a child would cuddle a teddy bear, and fell asleep.
Magic
The flight in the chartered jet from Waterville, Maine to Vermillion, South Dakota was uneventful, though Julie and Cathy quietly complained about being cramped in the bunnycages in the back. The deadly cargo next to them was contained within special cargo containers to protect them from any accidents of said contents spilling-out.
It took a half hour for the cages, Moxie™ and other assorted items to be loaded into a van. Once away from the airport, Steve and his daughters let themselves out of their cages and hopped-up to the front of the tinted-glass vehicle. Julie and Cathy gazed in fascination at the countryside and approaching town. Steve hurriedly put on his uniform shirt.
"It looks so...so flat!" Cathy squealed with surprise. "Even more so than Caswell ever looked."
"And they've got more snow then we've got back home."
Blake smiled to himself at the marvels of his daughters' new discoveries of someplace different. The van pulled into the town, passing apartment buildings and other homes, eventually passing through the business district and the University of South Dakota. Beyond the university, they turned-off the main drag and approached a gate. There were several buildings beyond the gate.
Pvt Derrick happen to have the afternoon shift at the front gate of the SD Fudd Base. Not much had happened at the base directly lately and he had allowed his guard to slip slightly as he leaned back in his chair in the gate house, watching some talk-show about aliens on the boob-tube. He noticed the van approaching the gate and got-up.
(beep, beep, beep) Derrick jumped when he heard the Cuteness Imager™ go off. He picked-up the pager-sized device from the counter in front of him and looked at the read-out...the van had at least one strong cuton source. He didn't hesitate and called a silent alarm into base command for back-up.
Derrick then stepped-out of the gate house, supersoaker lowered, but ready if needed. He held-up his free hand indicating the van should stop. The butt of an axe protruded from his backside. The van had tinted windows. Derrick didn't think this was good.
Captain Stickney slowed the van to a stop in front of the guard. Blake signalled to his daughters that they should get-out of sight in case things turned ugly. Stickney rolled down the window and handed over some ID to the guard. The guard cautiously took it as several other armed Fudds approached the gate. Derrick read the ID.
"Captain George Stickney, formerly of LuFI, currently affiliated with Maine Fudd Volunteers, huh? Little far from home. What's your business here?"
"Courier," he presented his orders and freight invoice. "I've got some freight that the Sergeant requested from the Maine Fudds and three passengers."
"One minute," Derrick grabbed a clipboard out of the gate house and made eye contact with on of the other Fudds. They proceeded to surround the van. He then went back to the van.
"You're not on the schedule roster for today, Captain. Will you please step out of the van."
"Private, what's the problem."
"I said get out of the vehicle and keep your hands where I can see them!" Derrick's order was echoed by the other Fudds cocking their weapons, including a few shotguns.
"Do it," Blake whispered.
Stickney slowly got out of the van keeping his hands in view.
"So, symp, how many buns were you transporting."
Blake depressed the window switch to open the passenger side window and then hopped into view onto the front seat. He kept his paws in view with the claws sheathed. "Private, that's no way to address your superior. He was transporting myself and my two daughters. We're scheduled for treatment here under SGT Saak's invitation."
Blake's appearance caught Derrick slightly off-guard. Several of the Fudds reaimed their weapons at the brown bun on the front seat. Derrick stared at the devilbunny wearing a mini-AoF uniform, complete with proper insignia and several declarations on it, including several Purple Axes for injury in battle and one he didn't recognize. As he looked the bun over, it stood at attention and saluted.
"Major Steve Blake, Commander, Maine Fudd Volunteers." He paw-gestured behind him and two slightly smaller buns hopped up on the seat (fearfluffing) "And these are my daughters, Cathy and Julie," pointing to the brown and the calico in turn.
Derrick shook his head and a few of the other Fudds wavered. "Nice trick, fluffer." He signalled a Fudd over to keep an eye on Stickney. Derrick reentered the gatehouse and got on the base-radio.
"This is Private Derrick at the front gate. Tell the Sergeant we've got a situation at the front gate....no, this is real important, we've got a symp and three devilbunnies here trying to get on base...you heard me...three...no they haven't attacked yet....the symp is impersonating a Fudd officer and one of the fluffers claims to be a Fudd Major...yes that's what I said, a Fudd Major...he's even wearing a mini-Fudd uniform and the proper insignia and medals of honor...claims SGT Saak invited them here...what's his name? Blake...Major Steve Blake...of course I'll wait a moment...."
"I'm scared, daddy," Julie whispered.
Steve hugged his daughters reassuringly and whispered back. "We'll be alright as long as you two remember your lessons."
Saak was frowning as she strode across the compound to the gate. "What the hell is going on here, Derrick?" she demanded of the private in charge of the gate.
"This symp was trying to sneak buns on base, sir!" Derrick responded. "Claims you asked them here!"
Saak caught a glimpse of the bun in the van window. He was wearing a miniature AoF uniform, complete with insignia. Behind him, she saw a pair of brown ears twitching. "Blake, is that you?" The bun in the window nodded. "I *did* ask them here, you idiot! Where the hell is Maison??? He was supposed to be here to meet them and make sure this didn't happen! Get away from him!" she growled at the men guarding Captain Stickney. "You!" She pointed to one of the men. "Go find Maison, and tell him to get his rear to my office, and that he better have a damn good explanation for why I'm out here doing his job for him!" The man chosen whirled and ran for the buildings without a word.
"I'm sorry about this, Captain, Major. If you'll come with me, I'll take you to the labs. Derrick, here, will see to your van." She frowned at the private. "Park it by administration." She started to turn away, then turned back. "Oh, and good job, Private."
"You'll find 15 cases of Moxie™ and 10 cases of Diet Moxie™ in the back, Sergeant," Stickney interjected. "It's all our little charter jet could handle for cargo."
Saak nodded her thanks and reached to open the door as Blake lowered himself to the seat. Blake hopped cautiously out, followed by Julie and Cathy. "These are my daughters, Julie and Cathy," Blake said, indicating first the calico and then the brown doe. "I'm sure you can see why I brought them along."
Saak's smiled at the youngsters. "Pleased to meet you, Julie, Cathy. If you'll come with me, I'll introduce you to Dr. Anderson and his assistant, who developed this process." The young does fell in behind as the adults crossed the compound to the lab building. Quietly, Saak spoke to Blake. "You understand this is an experimental procedure. We have no way of knowing if it will work or not, and if it does, it's at least as dangerous as the original change, maybe more so. Are you sure you want your daughters to be here?"
Blake nodded. "I'm not saying they should undergo this treatment, but what other hope do they have of ever being human again?"
"True." Saak was frowning. "I'd hate to be in your situation. I just wish this procedure was perfected, so we could give you some guarantees, and some idea of what was going to happen. It's only been tried once, and that was successful, but it was on a born bun, not a convert." She sighed as she opened the door to the lab. Blake and his daughters followed her inside.
"However, they are nearly adults now and can make that decision for themselves when the time comes. I also brought them along because I know there are risks involved and we three happen to be the same blood..." Blake stopped in mid-sentence with his jaw open.
Standing at a lab table was a short man with blond hair, who was pouring something into a test tube, but what immediately caught Blake's eye was not the man, but the small black bunny on the table beside him. It appeared to be giving him instructions!
Both turned to Saak and company. "Major Steve Blake, Dr. Anderson," she introduced him to the man, who in turn bowed slightly and offered his hand without thinking. "And Magic, the bun I told you about, who created this process...."
Blake (stammerfluffed) and was left speechless. Behind him, his daughters were star-struck over the jet black bunny before them. Butterflies fluttered within Cathy's and Judy's stomachs. It took a moment for Steve to regain his composure. There was disbelief in his voice. As he spoke, his daughters started last minute preening of themselves in anticipation of meeting this handsome buck.
"You're telling me that a devilbunny created this process? And you expect me to entrust my life in the paws of that devilbunny?" (disbelieffluff)
"Hello Mr. Blake sir! It's an honor." Magic said. Magic looked over at the two attractive does looking at him and smiled. The two girls looked at each other and started giggling. After receiving a menacing glare from their father, they quieted down a bit.
"I know you must be upset seeing me after what has happened to you and all, but I assure you I, am not like the others. Just ask the Sgt."
"That's true," said Saak, "I wouldn't let him stay here if I didn't think he had good intentions." Magic then made an extremely cute and innocent face...didn't effect Saak or Blake, but for some reason it made the daughters feel a little faint.
"For personal reasons, I created a formula which turned me into a human. The yummy chemicals in Moxie™ combined with the bunny virus created a reaction which caused me to be transformed into a human. To grow, I had to consume large amounts of food to gain mass. Finally, to hold my human form, I had to drink large amounts of Moxie™ in order to keep the chemicals reacting. This is an extremely simplified description, the exact proportions must be used to make this work also, other minor chemicals and formulas are used. The only person...or bunny that knows any of this is me. So you MUST trust me. There are risks that you should know, however: You must drink at least a six pack of Moxie™ a day to keep your form, otherwise you will revert back to your bunny form. The Moxie™ however forms an intense chemical dependency...20 times that of heroin my research finds. Also, the transformation is very hard on your body. A typical human may end up physically aging 2-3 years. This is all assuming the experiment is a success. There is a 60% chance that it won't even work at all, and there is a 30% chance it will kill you. Quick math shows that there is only a 10% success probability for you and your family. The choice is yours, but I promise you I will do my best to serve you faithfully."
After Magic's long speech and explanation, there was a long tense silence. Blake looked quite disturbed and deep in thought. The daughters looked deep in thought too...even though they didn't here a word Magic said. Their attention seemed to be focused on the bun's tight buns. Magic caught there glare, discretely flexed a muscle and winked. After what seemed like an eternity, someone finally spoke...
Magic
Blake after much contemplation broke the silence. "I will need more time to think on this. If I do *trust* you," (glare) "Mentat Magic, I expect you to treat this all in a professional manner and allow observers. I assume that is why Dr. Anderson is here."
"It's just Magic, Major, I intend to follow every precaution and Dr. Anderson is to assist and observe, he's been trying to find a cure for bunny virus for several years."
"Steve when we're not in front of the troops. Otherwise, we're all going to get sick of titles and no one or bun will trust no one."
Steve's daughters giggled behind him. He turned himself. "Julie and Cathy, we'll talk when we're alone." (fatherlySTOMP!) Steve didn't notice Magic flicking one ear towards the does as he turned back around. "My apologies for my lack of manners. Magic, Anderson, I present my daughters, Julie," the calico (curtseyfluffed), "and Cathy." the brown miniature of Blake (curtseyfluffed) but tried to outdo Julie's curtseyfluff.
Magic raised his eyebrows and gave the girls, what they thought was the cutest smile they ever seen. Whenever Blake would turn his head, Magic would try to "discreatly" flex a muscle or two.
"Some bunnies in New Brunswick kidnapped us last October and infected us with Human-Lapine Virus™," Julie got it out without tripping over the pronunciation. (cutewiggle) "before Daddy could rescue us."
"He's not my real Daddy," Cathy added with (dewyeyes). "I was Julie's best friend and it's my fault that we were tricked by Sugartail, my pet 'D.B. Bunny' into entering their warren. And... and..." (snifflefluff) "they killed my parents while Julie's dad was trying to rescue us." (moresnifflingandopentears) "But Julie's parents adopted me after that." Steve comforted his adopted daughter and Julie joined in.
As they snuggled and hugged each other, Steve looked to Magic. "I think you have some idea as to why I am hesitant about this experiment. If I decide to go through it, that's one thing, but I won't make that decision for them. Julie and Cathy are nearly adults already, they'll have to make that decision for themselves. Could we be shown to our quarters? It's been a long flight, and we're all a bit fatigued. Once we're settled in, perhaps you and I can talk alone, Magic."
Blake and his daughters were lead by Magic into the wing of the base that was Magic's. He lead them into a human-sized room that was partitioned-off into a bun-sized corridor with doors to either side and at the end. Magic stopped in front of the first door on the left and opened it for Blake's daughters.
"This is where you, Cathy and Julie will be staying. The bathroom is at the end of the hall. There's only one, so knock before you enter. I'll show you, Steve, to your room on the right in a moment."
"No need, Magic. I won't be retiring yet. I will, however, talk to my daughters for about five minutes then I'd like to talk to you."
They hopped into the room Magic had indicated for the does and Magic turned the lights on. Blake felt instantly dizzy. The interior was done up in sickeningly cute pastel colors. To his dismay, his daughters squealed with delight. The sleeping pit was done-up with Disney sheet fabrics. There was a bun-sized bureau on the far wall with a bun-length mirror. There was also a bun-sized desk and computer terminal.
"I hope it's to your liking....I decorated it myself." (proudfluff) "The next room down is done-up the same if you'd prefer separate rooms."
"Figures..." Steve mumbled under his breath to Magic's decorating tastes. Magic ignored the comment as he was engrossed by the thankfulness of Steve's daughters. Steve cleared his throat to get their attention.
"If you'll excuse us for a few minutes, Magic, I need to talk privately with my daughters." Magic bowed and left, closing the door behind him. Steve turned to his daughters.
"You're not going to give us the 'birds and the bees' bit, are you?" Cathy (pleadfluffed).
(sternpoof) "No. You two are old enough to know what's happening to you. I only ask a few things of you to give your old man peace of mind. I don't care nor want to know what you and he decide to do as long as: " He started checking-off on his claws like a human would to ones fingers...one at a time. "You will not fight over Magic's attention. You do not distract him when he's busy putting me through medical treatment. And you keep in mind that if either of you get romantically involved that we don't have access to bunny-contraceptives here..."
Julie and Cathy both (blushfluff). "Ddddaaaaddddd...."
"Well, it can happen so fast with bunnies. And I saw how he was trying to flirt with you two out of the corner of my eye. Anyway, finally, keep in mind that we don't have bunny-contraceptives and the consequences if the nuzzling becomes a bit more involved than that. I doubt your mom is ready for and I know I'm not ready to be a grandparent yet."
"Ddddaaaaaddddd....we wouldn't be that foolish!" They protested.
"I hope not. But finally, and this is real important. Even if you ignore everything else I've asked of you these past few minutes," (pleadfluff) "inform me immediately if he physically harms either of you in anyway." (STOMP!)
They scuffed their paws on the floor a moment but promised to do so. "Get some rest, we'll be eating with our host this evening." Blake headed for the door. Magic was waiting a discrete distance down the hall. "Is there some place private away from those two where you and I can talk?"
"My room is down that way." Magic pointed back the way they had come and led Blake out into his lab.
"This is good enough. If I am to trust you, Magic in this operation/experiment, we need to get a few things straight."
(inquirefluff) "And that would be?"
"I saw how attracted my daughters were to you. If you feel like wise, fine, but if you don't you'd best tell them soon rather than build their hopes up for nothing." Magic made to protest, but Blake cut him off. "I don't care what you and they do behind my back, even if you wind-up my son-in-law. Julie and Cathy are adults, they can make their own decisions in such matters. However, keep in mind in your socialization with them that they may decide to become human again if and when you succeed in curing me." (STOMP!) "And you had best not try to convince them to remain buns if they should start thinking about being human again. And when you are operating on me, you are NOT to be distracted by them in any way whatsoever. Am I clear on that?" (glarefluff)
"Yes sir, I have noticed too," Magic replied meekly. "I do have to admit, they make very attractive buns. However, I'm not really ready for a long-term relationship... not yet. I can assure you that if they start thinking that way, I will tell them so. I just thought that they must be sorta lonely being isolated in bunny form and all, and I just wanted to let them know that even in bunny form, they are attractive, and can have some fun. As for trying to talk them out of converting, I can assure you that I would never do that. I know how it feels to be in the 'other' form, I really didn't care for it as much as my original. It seems fun at first, but it's just not 'you', you know? I'll encourage them to do what is best for them."
Blake calmed-down. "Good, however, you don't need to try and encourage them to go through the experiment either. Overall the decision is theirs to make." Then his voice dropped several levels to almost a whisper. "I doubt I need to say the following, for you appear to be sincere and contrite enough, but I shall anyway, for I must...call it that fatherly protection instinct if you wish. If you should physically harm either of them, I'll hunt you down, Magic, and you will pay for doing so."
(insaltedandslightlyangrypoof) "As I said before, I would never harm you or your daughters intentionally."
"Very well, if you're ready, we can start on your experiment in the morning." Blake switched subjects and was just as friendly as if the previous conversation had never been spoken. "I assume you'll need to put me through a series of tests. From what you stated earlier this experiment of yours is a bit finicky. I'm much larger in mass than you and as such, I assume you'll have to make alterations in this 'formula' you've developed."
Magic scratched his ear and thought for a second. "Well, not as much for you as I will have to with you girls if they decide to go through with it. Just between us at this time, they have the best chance in the experiment. They are the closest to my size than you are. I've already done some changes to account for you starting as a human. That itself makes the experiment very dangerous. I'll brief you more about what will happen in the morning."
"Well, unless you have other questions or concerns, I'm going to go get some rest before dinner. Until then, Magic." Steve turned and hopped to the room that was designated as his.
The first full day was spent performing various tests upon Steve Blake. Basic physical and blood samples taken by Dr Anderson. Magic didn't really need all this. He was ready to start treating Blake, but he wanted to make a proper impression on Steve, so he went through the standard tests anyway. That afternoon, he kept Steve's daughters company taking them for a stroll around the compound. He enjoyed their company and they enjoyed his. Magic informed Steve that evening that he'd be ready to start the actual experiment in the morning.
The following morning, Magic woke up a good hour before everyone else to make sure everything was in order. "This could be my chance to not only help a nice family, but to also make a name for myself!" Magic thought with anticipation as he thumbed through some last minute notes. "There, that should do it, this constant finally equals the size and mass of my brave subjects. Everything is almost ready!"
About two hours later, Blake and his clan walked (or mostly hopped) into the laboratory. "Sorry, I'm late, getting everyone together on time can be challenging sometimes" Blake said with a smile.
"That's all right," Magic said as he glanced at the girls, "just getting some last minute supplies in." Blake fluffed his eyebrows and looked around. He didn't notice before the entire western wall was stocked full of food, closely related to the appearance of a grocery store.
"You see, after you take the formula, you will become very sick and sleep for about a day. This is the chemicals in the Moxie™ reacting with the protein compounds of the bunny virus. When you regain consciousness, you will shed until you are almost bald. That is why we have the quilts and blankets over there. Next, the direct result of the chemical reaction between the Moxie™, and the virus forces the reverse effect of the persons, or bunny's form. Also while this is happening, you will be gaining mass at an astronomical amount. In order to keep up with your new metabolism and gain mass is to eat an outstanding amount of food. The amount of food you will eat could feed a starving elephant for a week. After the process is complete, you must drink close to a six pack of Moxie™ a day to keep your form. If not, you will revert back to your bunny form. As I warned you before, this is really dangerous, are you sure you want to go ahead with it?"
Blake ground his teeth and swallowed hard. "If this is my only chance of becoming normal, I have to take it."
Magic took a vial filled with a smelly green potion from the special refrigerated unit used to store chemicals. "I have already prepared the formula for you, whenever you are ready..." Magic pawed the formula to Blake. Blake looked at his family for what he hoped wouldn't be the last time, and like a cowboy in a saloon drinking cheep whisky, Blake tipped up the vial and took the big gulp. He had visions of a bad B mad scientist flick as the vile contents hit his stomach.
Blake contorted in spasmatic pain as the contents of the vile reacted with the acid in his stomach, and dropped to the floor asleep. Dr. Anderson quickly picked him-up gently and placed him on the prepared medical bed. Blake's daughters quivered in fear. Magic took them aside and reassured them that though their father was going to experience a lot of pain, that he'd be alright. He quickly ushered them out of the lab after hugging them so he could concentrate on his patient before they could distract him again.
Magic monitored Blake's condition for several hours until he was sure, Blake would be alright and then he spent another afternoon entertaining Blake's daughters. By the end of the day, he had set them each-up with a guest computer account and had showed them how to access the Internet so that they would have something to do during the day while he was busy attending to their father. The entire time, he behaved like a gentlebuck.
While Magic worked on their father during the day, Julie and Cathy had time on their paws to themselves. They didn't want to go out and about on the base without the company of Magic or Uncle 'Stinky' for they didn't want to disrupt things on Saak's base. So they turned to the net and the guest accounts that Magic had set-up for them.
They stayed away from most of the banter on the newsgroup, for they didn't have an interest in that yet. They were more interested in some of the cute sites on the Internet, cartoon pages, mostly. Then they tripped across a page on fashion tips....but they were human fashion tips. This didn't appeal to Julie and Cathy now that they were bunnies, but it did get them thinking, for they had both been disappointed in their attempts to get Magic's attention up to now. All he had done was polite flirting. He seemed to keep his distance from them for some reason.
Performing a search of 'devilbunnies' allowed them to access the usual information they had seen while back in Maine: The Devilbunnies Homepage, NoCO Command, Maine's Fudd page, The Dunwich Fudds. But this time around the search also turned-up several bunny pages, many of which they had never noticed on all those past searches. One in particular caught their eyes, so they clicked on it and accessed: Wynn's Spring Doe Fashion Tips.*
Julie and Cathy read on in fascination (gigglefluffing) to one another for the next hour, learning the latest in devilbunny doe fashions. They then explored the contents of the bureau in their room and then struck-out to other parts of the base to find what they needed.
That afternoon after Magic was done with Blake (who had awaken somewhat and started to shed his pelt rapidly) for the day, he went in search of Julie and Cathy to provide them with some company for the afternoon. They spotted him before he spotted them. They both pounced on him with squeals of delight before he could react, barraging him with questions about how he thought they looked. He (Boinked!) when he got a good look at them. Julie had bright red satin earbows while Cathy was wearing sky blue velvet earbows. Magic was overwhelmed by the scent of strawberries. He couldn't help himself and just allowed them to nuzzle him in affection. 'Where these the same two timid does I had to reassure the day before that their father would be alright?' he thought to himself.
"So, like," Cathy (shimywiggled) against Magic. "What, do you think, Magic?" The sky blue earbows contrasted well with her brown pelt.
"Yeah," (gigglepoof) "don't our ear bows look., like, way cool?" Julie replied, wiggling her ears to show-off the red bows and how well they went with her calico black, brown, and white pelt.
Magic gulped "humm mmm, you girls look terrific!!" Magic managed to say while slightly hunched over. Beads of sweat started to form on his forhead.
"You really think so!" The girls said almost in unison. They then looked at each other and started giggling.
"Must be a girl thing" Magic thought. (The authors will forgo typing all of Magic's and the girl's thoughts, for they would all be crushed by the infamous [PG-13] sign.) After shaking his head and attempting to think of non-cute things such as: George Burns, and world famine, baseball...naked baseball, naked bunny baseball played on a pink field.. *Nooo, that's not it* He screamed mentally. After gaining his composure (the ability to stand upright agian), he finally spoke. "Ummm, ahhhh, I was wondering if you girls would like to get together for supper or something?"
"That would be wonderful" The again shouted out together like twins. "We'll come get you at 7:00!" Cathy cried with excitement.
"Great, I'll go shower up and I'll see ya then." Magic skipped off to his room and thought *yea, a long COLD shower!*
Magic and the Blake Daughters' adventures TBC at some future time
----- * You can, like, learn the latest fashion tips too! Just access Wynn's homepage at: http://www.ziplink.net/~wynn Without her tips this, like, way cool post would not have been possible! >;)
Steve Blake awoke with a gasp and in pain. He attempted to stretch, but his body refused to respond. Panic struck through him, yet he couldn't (panicfluff). He opened his eyes.
Steve was on his back...his back! Devilbunnies didn't lie on their backs naturally. He was able to turn his head a little, so he could looked down the length of his body. It was covered in blankets, but the lumps under the blanket appeared to be more or less human. His stomach rumbled deeply. That's when Dr. Anderson came into the view of his vision, greeted him "Good Morning" and proceeded to spoon feed him.
Magic checked in from time to time and made sure Steve drank his Moxie™. Six cans a day, broken-down over the day one can at a time. Then there was the physical therapy to rebuild the strength in his newly reformed human muscles. Little stuff at first..gripping balls with his hands, wiggling his toes. Toes! He had toes again! Then the therapist would move his arms and legs up, down and sideways, one at a time. Within a week, he was able to sit-up on his own and feed himself.
Through the whole time, his daughters would come visit him and keep encouraging him on. They were very proud of their father. They looked so small now to him. So did Magic. He had been a bun so long, he had all but forgotten the "giant's" point of view a human had over a bunny. He could almost feel the cutons reeling off his daughters, especially since they started wearing earbows. As much as he wanted to ask, he didn't question his daughters about what they were doing in their free time.
Another week went by and Steve was relearning to walk, something he found very difficult to do after being a devilbunny for so long. His first couple of attempts, his muscles cramped-up as his brain sent signals for them to bunch-up for a bunnyhop, which the muscles weren't designed to do. But then after several days of exhaustingly dragging himself across a set of double bars, using his arms for support, he was walking, though slowly, by himself.
That's when he graduated to the next step of freedom. Being able to use the bathroom on his own. His first attempt, however, frightened him when he unzipped his pants and called Magic into the bathroom, who in turn called Anderson over, much to Steve's embarrassment.
"Well, I warned you there could be side affects, Steve."
"But you said, it would become normal before now."
(minorSTOMP) "Would you have preferred to remain a bunny? I'm sure you'll agree this is a minor sacrifice to being human again. It could be worse, you could have been stuck with claws or bunny ears."
Dr. Anderson remained professional in his tone. "I doubt it will affect the performance..."
"WHAT?!"
Magic on the other hand (er paw) couldn't resist a little banter. "Didn't you tell me about a week back that your wife's pet name for you was 'Lover Buck'?" He lowered his voice. "Well, now she'll get an extra furry surprise next time you..." (scuffpaw) "well, you know." (blushfluff) Magic was careful not to tease Steve about how cute the cottontail looked on him in addition to the brown bunny fur covered appendage, despite he being human (well, mostly human) again.
(impatientfluff) "When can I open my eyes?" Magic inquired.
(hushfluff) "We're almost there," Cathy replied as she led Magic down the hallway keeping his eyes covered with her paws. This made it rather awkward to hop, but somehow they managed. She led him into the room she shared with Julie.
*POP*! Magic shuddered at the sound of a soft drink can being opened. An all too familiar scent wafted into the air as he heard something fizzy being poured out of the can. The scent became stronger as a glass was waved under his nose. He cringed back.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Julie giggled as Cathy uncovered Magic's eyes. "See." Julie sipped gingerly from the glass she had poured moments before from the huge (to a bunny) orange colored can of normal Moxie (tm). A second can sat next to the opened one. (shudderickfluff) "I couldn't stand this stuff even when I was a girl. Want some, sis?"
(ickfluff) "Why not?" Cathy also sipped from the glass and made a sour muzzled face. "How can Unca U'Gy stand that stuff!"
Magic stared, jaw agape at the two does. "How...how is this possible. Moxie™ burns bunnies."
The two does smiled seductively and replied in unison, "Don't question it, Magic." (enthusiasticwiggle) "Enjoy it."
"You've told us in the past how much you miss being able to drink normal Moxie™. Drink-up." (gleefulwiggle) Julie added.
Cathy was cuddling up to Magic, offering him a full glass. "Consider it our little thanks to you for helping our father fulfill his dream."
Magic took a hesitant little sip. (BOINK!) It was real Moxie™, not that weak Bunny-safe Moxie, but real, honest to goodness Bunny-unsafe uncute Moxie™. But it didn't burn or irritate him one little bit. Magic lost his control and drained the rest of the glass in one gulp. His ears and whiskers curled in satisfaction.
The does (gigglefluffed) with glee. Julie produced a small silver flask from behind the cans of Moxie™. "This is how we did it, Magic. Daddy said he didn't need this anymore and said we could give it to you. Open it, but do so carefully."
Magic took the small, bunny-sized liquor flask and unscrewed the top. Inside the cap was a medicine dropper and the flask was filled about half-way with an opaque liquid. It smelled somewhat familiar to Magic, but he couldn't quite place it. Finally, he asked, "What is it?" (inquisitivenosetwitch)
"Moxie neutralizer," Cathy answered. "Daddy always kept some with him, for he's been accidentally hit by friendly fire before. Use it sparingly." (warningpoof) "It only takes three drops to neutralize a whole can of Moxie™."
"I doubt Unca U'gy would be happy if he were to find-out that we gave it to you," Julie added as she refilled Magic's glass. "But you've earned it."
"But what is _IN_ it?" Magic (pleadfluffed)
"Well..." Cathy scuffed a hindpaw.
"Unca U'Gy, Daddy, Cathy and myself are the only ones who know what this is. Unca U'Gy discovered it when he was in college before he learned of the war. If we tell you, you must not ever, ever," Julie shook her head back and forth with her ears flopping slightly to emphasize the point. "ever tell anyone else. Not another bun, not another human, not even Sgt Saak, about what is in this." She pointed to the flask. "Daddy didn't give us permission to tell you, and I know Unca U'Gy would..." (umfluff) "have a cow, I think is the phrase, if he learned we had given you the flask, never mind told you what was in it."
"But these past few weeks, you've done many nice things for us," Cathy picked-up where Julie had left-off. "and you've showed us that not all devilbunnies are evil and bad. And most of all, Daddy is happy as a human again. You're a good buck, Magic, so we're going to tell you."
Magic set-down his reemptied glass just in time as the two does pounced him, snuggling. They slowly worked their way to his ears, one doe in each and quietly whispered in unison what was in the flask and what happened when one added it to Moxie™. Magic's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief.
"But that's..."
Julie shushed him. "We know, that's why it's important that the military buns never learn what it is. Many of our friends, including possibly, Daddy, or your own SGT Saak could die if bad devilbunnies learned about it."
"You have my word that I'll keep quite about this...but I have to see this for myself."
Cathy carefully opened the second can and poured a large glassful (about a third of the can) without splattering any on herself or the others. Julie opened the flask, and using the medicine dropper, allowed one drop of the neutralizing agent to splash into the deadly soft drink. Magic watched in amazement as a white powdery precipitate fell to the bottom of the glass.
"Ten seconds is all it takes to make a can safe to drink," Cathy said, pulling Magic out of his revery.
"Amazing," was all the buck could stutter before he was smothered by the two does again. They spent the rest of the evening in each others company.
[Two days after Magic's Reward...]
The day had gone by as usual. Steve had made further progress in his physical therapy. He was able to make his way around the base with the help of a walker. It was believed he might be able to walk for short distances unaided in a couple of days. The decision had been made for him and his daughters to depart the following day. Magic had entertained Cathy and Julie that evening for what was to be their last night together and it had gone on late. He was exhausted.
He settled himself down into his sleeping hollow and began to drift-off to sleep. He was rudely awaken by rough pounding on his door.
"MAGIC! DR. ANDERSON NEEDS YOU OUT HERE AND NOW! DADDY IS HURTING BAD!"
He recognized Julie's voice and bolted for the door. One look at her face told him everything and he rushed into the room they had set-aside for Steve Blake.
Upon entering, he saw Dr. Anderson finishing affixing safety straps around Blake's body, which was contorting spasmodically. Magic (cringefluff) as Steve screamed in torment. Several of his teeth flew out of his mouth. Dread fell across Magic's muzzle.
"How long?"
"Who knows? He may have been ignoring the pain for days. It's that damn strain of Bunnyvirus™ in his system. It's resisting the treatment. Who knows what it's done to him internally at this point."
Steve screamed a second time. Julie and Cathy bolted into the room. There was terror in their eyes.
(STOMP!) "Then we'll increase the dosage!"
"No..." (gasp) "it's too...late...for that." Steve panted a moment and closed his eyes shut tight as his body contorted again. His two daughters rushed to him before Anderson or Magic could stop them. They hugged their father tightly, crying. He tried to reassure them.
"There...(cringe) there...things will...be..fine...(pantforbreath) but.. you've got to leave (grimace) this room... and let Magic.... and the doctor do... (gasp) what they must. You don't... want you... (pausecloseeyestightly) to watch this. Go."
"But..." (dewyeyes)
Blake whispred, "go.." before he spasmed again and slipped into unconsiousness.
Anderson scooped the two up carefully and walked them to their room, placed them inside, and though he didn't want to, he locked their door. He rushed back to the room set-up for Steve.
"Have you ever seen a rapid conversion before, Magic?"
Magic shook his head negatively. Guilt in his eyes. "I failed them. All of them."
Dr. Anderson grabbed the bun and shook him silly. "Snap-out of it. There's no time for self-pity right now. If you think that way those two in the other room will wind-up fatherless. Now I need you to get the following together. Anderson rattled-off a list. Magic nodded half-heartedly, but complied.
Six hours later, Anderson pulled a brown buck from out of a rather messy and smelly pile of goo and wiped him down. The bun remained unconscious, but alive. He was placed on a second, smaller medical bed and wheeled into another room closer to his daughters.
Anderson let them out of their room.
"Your father lives, for now. But we won't be sure for a few days. You may visit him, for a short time, but he's still not awake."
Julie and Cathy spent the next 10 minutes nuzzling-up to the unconscious form of their devilbunny father. The tears flowed freely. Magic was waiting for them outside. He too had tear filled-eyes. They bunnihugged in a threesome in the hallway with the two daughters reassuring Magic that he had done his best. No one except perhaps Steve, slept well that night.
[The following morning...]
Doctor Anderson was examining the monitoring equipment to one side of Steve's bed. He shook his head sadly. He confronted Magic.
"I need to move him to the normal medical facility and now."
They did so. Steve remained unconscious. His kidneys began to weaken and failed that evening. They put his unconscious form on a bun-sized dialysis machine. (No, I'm not going to ask where Saak and company got one.) Miraculously, everything else appeared to function normally, but he remained unconscious.
Anderson approached Julie and Cathy. "If your father is to have a chance to live, one of you will need to donate a kidney to him and do so soon."
Before Julie could respond, Cathy spoke-up in a very grown-up tone. "I'll do it."
"We'll have to test and see if you're compatible, especially since you aren't his biological daughter."
"I (assurefluff) you that I am just as much his daughter now as Julie is. Take a blood sample and see for yourself." As Anderson took blood and tissue samples, Cathy continued. "I was dying of HLV exposure when Daddy saved my life by doing something he didn't want to do. He bit me and infected me with the strain he carries and I lived. Now here's my chance to repay him. But (pleadfluff) don't let him know that you know. He's still upset with himself for 'giving into his devilbunny side' that day as he words it."
The tests came back confirming what Cathy had stated. She was prepped immediately for surgery.
The operation had gone well. And in the few hours since, Blake's body didn't show any signs of rejecting Cathy's donated kidney. Both patients were resting/recovering in adjacent beds in the SD Fudd Base medical facility. Steve had yet to awaken.
Julie visited with her sister as soon as she was allowed to. Cathy smiled weakly at Julie.
(encouragefluff) "All we can do now is wait. The doctor said I'll feel weak for a few days, then I'll be back on my feet." She smiled. "I just hope it's the same for Daddy."
They conversed quietly for half-an-hour, then Julie hugged her sister and nuzzled her father and left. She settled down for the night in the room she had shared with Cathy for the night.
An hour of tossing and turning later, she gave-up trying to sleep. She hadn't realized how use to sleeping cuddled-up to her sister she had become. Without Cathy there, she couldn't relax enough to sleep.
Magic had spent the day in self-pity over Steve's condition and had isolated himself in his room. Where had he gone wrong? Why hadn't Steve complained earlier about the pain? He couldn't sleep. The net had nothing for him. He didn't eat for he wasn't hungry. He was contemplating going through the calculations again to pass the time when there was a scratching at his door. Magic was surprised upon opening it and seeing Julie.
(shybashfulfluff) "I hope I didn't wake you. I can't sleep." (scuffpaw) "Can I come in for a little while and talk?"
Magic was at a loss for words for a moment before he remembered his manners. (surefluff) "Come in, come in, but I don't understand why? Your father is fighting for his life because of my mistake."
Julie quickly bunniehugged Magic, much to his surprise and whispered in his ear. "Nothing is your fault, Magic. You warned Daddy about the dangers. He chose to take the risk, and he looked better this evening. Sis' is a little weak from the operations, but that's all." She wiped a few tears from her eyes. "Stop blaming yourself."
"But..."
Julie hushed him. "I forgive you. I'm sure Cathy would say the same." Those few words lifted a heavy burden off Magic's chest. Despite his failure he had redemption.
(hesitantwiggle) "Anyway like I had said, I couldn't sleep. You see, since our recovery after conversion, Cathy and I slept together as siblings. She's in the infirmary recovering from the operations. And as such I can't seem to sleep, for she's not there. I'm use to snuggling down beside her and we use to talk for a little while until we fell asleep and such."
Julie looked Magic in the eyes. "Could I sleep here tonight?"
(BOINK!) A part of Magic screamed not to do this, but he nodded his head to Julie. She pounced at him and hugged him, expressing her thanks for a moment before hopping into the sleeping hollow and snuggling under the blankets.
*Now what do I do?* Magic thought for a moment, before turning the lights-out and getting into the hollow next to her. His nostrils were flooded by her scent. She spent an hour talking about her old home in the northern Maine countryside. Magic talked about his early life and how he had met Sgt Saak until they both drifted off to sleep snuggled-up next to each other. All the while, Magic remained the gentlebuck... though a part of him found it hard to remain so.
Bright light and pain. He blinked a couple times and (fluffed). It hurt to move as he attempted to stretch. Why did he have an IV unit in one paw. Paw? No... Had it all been a dream? He tried to call for a nurse, but it came-out as unintelligible.
"Daddy?" (nosetwitch) "Doctor! Doctor! Daddy's awake!" (weakexcitedpoofle)
Doctor Anderson entered and checked on Steve Blake. "You had us worried." He offered Blake a small cup of water, which he guzzled greedily.
"It didn't work, did it?" he gasped out dryly despite the water.
"Well, you are a devilbunny again, but you have your daughter to thank for your life."
He turned to his side and saw Cathy. "She had to give blood, right?"
"More than that..."
"You'll always carry part of me with you, Daddy." (winkwiggle)
That's when Steve could finally focus enough to realize that the pain he was feeling was centered around one portion of his back. "That bad?"
Anderson nodded. "Kidney failure. Fortunately for you, Cathy happened to be a suitable donor. All we can do is hope your body doesn't reject it. You'll be off your paws for a week or two and be limited in your abilities and endurance for several more after that. Your daughter gets to look forward to a similar recovery schedule.
Julie's muzzle peered around the corner. She brightened-up considerable when she saw Steve was awake. She leaped onto the bed and hugged him gently. "You're awake. You're going to be alright." (happywigglefluff) She then looked more sternly at him. "And if you don't recover, mother will kill you!" She giggled at the joke and Steve smiled.
Anderson cut the visit short stating his patients needed their rest. Julie (poutfluff) but complied. She bounded off to tell Magic the good news.
A week went by and Steve slowly regained his strength. Cathy was up and about sooner than expected. Doctor Anderson attributed it to kit resiliency. Steve was finally strong enough to be transported. It was decided Steve would make a better recovery around friends and family, so he was going to get air-transfer back to Maine.
Everyone gathered to wish them off and were milling about waiting for Julie and Magic. They finally showed-up, together. Julie didn't have her knapsack or even looked like she was ready to leave.
"I'm not ready to go home yet. I'll be home in a couple weeks."
"WHAT?" Steve stammered.
"Well," (scuffpaw) "I still have a few things to do here. And Magic has been nice enough to let me stay with him until then... Sgt Saak has already given her clearance on this....so...I guess this is goodbye." (lookdownandscuffhindpaw)
Julie hugged her sister who whispered to her to take care. She then hugged her father and whispered in his ear, "Nothing to fear, Daddy. Magic has been a gentlebun. And I'm sure he'll remain so. There are simply some things I need to do here...things I can learn from Magic and Saak's Fudds, that are different from back home."
Steve wiped a single tear from his eye. "You've grown-up so soon, Julie. You don't need my permission to stay. But it feels good that you care enough to ask. Take care."
Steve then did something Magic wasn't expecting. He hugged him. "Thanks for trying your best," he whispered in Magic's ear.
(confusedfluff) "But I failed..."
"No you didn't. You warned me of the dangers and I took the risk anyway. If you've learned anything from the experiment, then it wasn't a failure. You did a good job. I got to be human again...for a little while. That's more than I had hoped for. And if you and Dr. Anderson hadn't kept level heads on your shoulders I wouldn't still be here."
Magic nodded slowly in understanding. Steve glanced at his daughter quickly and then back at Magic. "You will take care of her?"
Magic poofed himself-up proudly. "You know I will, sir."
Steve physically relaxed somewhat. "Well, if things should become serious, I'd be proud to call you son."
"Ddddaaaaddddd...." (indignantpoof) Julie protested. "It's not like that at all!"
"Well one can only hope." Steve smiled mischievously as he hugged her again. Steve and Cathy then left escorted by a couple of Saak's Fudds.
Written and posted by Susan Kennedy
(thought I had sent this - but can't find it anywhere)
****************InitiateWidebeam****************
****************InitiateBunnyStumperDeluxe****************
To: All Fudd Bases with medical research personnel
The experiment attempting to return a devilbunny convert to human form has been a dismal failure. The subject, while showing a promising beginning, has not only totally returned to the devilbunny form, but almost lost his life due to heart strain and kidney failure. Only the incredible luck of having on hand a compatible and willing donor saved his life.
Suggest no further experimenting be attempted on living patients until more is known about the virus and how it interacts with the formula.
Dr. Anderson, SDFHQ
********************CloseBunnyStumperDeluxe*******************
**************************EndWideBeam*************************
FIN