...and other happenings at Namakata Labs.
Since there is no one title for these, but they are inter-related, I've put them all under this one header. Special thanks to Remus Sheppard for his help in this.
© 1998 by Scott Bernier and Remus
Sheppard
First HTML-ized 4 May, 1998 by Scott Bernier
Last update 20 December, 1998 to make minor additions/corrections.
Personal Journal 10 April
(wearysighflick..pause...fluff) I'm growing tired of all the tests, but I do understand where Aldin is coming from. It scares me how much I have changed as I have observed in myself over the past few days.
During that time, Aldin has put me under a series of physical and psychological tests. Many of the former surprised both him and me. My claws can still be fully extended but they can not be fully retracted. The tips remain exposed as on a squirrel. 'Retracted' they exhibit the same strength as a squirrel's. I can dangle by a single claw, holding-up the weight of my entire body without the claw extending. Through practice and therapy, I've learned how to maneuver with my new center of gravity and can leap just as far with the squirrel tail as I could without. However, I've put my paw down when it came to climbing tests. (shudderflick) I'm not interested in exploring that field yet, if ever.
Many of the psych tests where pulled on me without my knowledge. For example, Aldin took me for a hop in the woods yesterday evening. He led me through a small clearing and I suddenly stopped for I smelled Fudd. My nose twitched for a moment and Aldin asked what was bothering me. I pointed to the ground and told him what I smelled. He looked at me in disbelief. I started digging for I had to find what it was I was smelling. As I dug, the scent got stronger until I found the source nearly a foot down where I found an old, Fudd-issue steel-toed boot. Aldin admitted he had it buried that morning and explained the test. I know that before the accident I'd have never smelled that boot. Aldin then explained that a squirrel could normally smell food buried at that depth. He was trying to see how far I've been altered on various levels. This worries me. He didn't state it directly, but I'm beginning to fear that I may have changed too much already to be changed back. (drooptail)
All the while, Mapletip has come to visit me in a new way. Not physically, for she remains confined to her burrow, but in my dreams. I can't get her out of my dreams. The dreams are mixed. In several we are mates and settled down, raising a family of...(shudderflick) cross-bun/squirrels similar to what I have become. In others I'm taking great delight in torturing her for what she has done to me. In still others she and I have left Namakata, both as buns. I confided these troubling dreams to Aldin this morning and though he didn't say much, I could read it in his body language that this disturbed him deeply. I told him that until I can get a better hold of myself mentally, I'd be in no shape to press charges against Mapletip, if I press them at all. I also suggested that maybe they should allow her to at least do light work well away from the lab rather then keep her cooped-up in her burrow.
Frith! It just occurred to me that I've had no trouble these past few days understanding any of these squirrels' tail flicks or chittering...and...(dismayflick) I may have responded in kind without realizing it! I know I had been starting to pick-up on both the language and the tail wigwagging before the accident, but I've never even attempted to respond in squirrel...until now.
Maybe it's time to confront Aldin...perhaps I should take a second look at those tree climbing test....maybe it's time I should just give-up trying to remain devilbunny and become a damn tree rat. Perhaps my superiors will treat me better then the blackies when I do finally return to them with my report. (wearysighflick....poof) Perhaps I should give-up that dream too, and accept the lot Frith has thrown at me. }:(
[momentary pause] Get apaw of yourself, Mustard. (STOMP!) I was a devilbunny. I *WILL* not be a squirrel, (STOMP!) EVER! (commandflick/fluff) I will be a (SNICK!) devilbunny again.
Mustard SnowPaw, Aldin Busheytail's best henchbun/squirrel (buirrel?)
Personal Journal, 10 April, 1998...8pm
(sighchitter) The more tests I put Mustard through the more dishearten I've become. Physically, he is still mostly rabbit, except for his extremities as I've already documented. Mentally...at the conscious level he remains mostly rabbit (as proven by the majority of his behavior and his reaction to the toe dinner the evening of the accident), but at the subconscious level...he's definitely squirrel. This has been observed as he easily and openly communicates with a combination of speech in both English and squirrel and tailflicks, switching back and forth with no hesitations. I haven't dared confront him on this last bit for I'm afraid it would upset him further, but I should talk to him. I'm positive he hasn't really noticed this yet, or at least he hasn't admitted it.
I honestly don't know if I can reverse the psychological damage brought on by the aborted conversion. I suspect that if the conversion can be reversed, there will remain some lingering side effects. He'll probably remain fluent in squirrel for example. Maybe he'll keep the heightened sense of smell.
It would probably be easy to wallow in self-pity over my failures in this experiment, but that doesn't help my henchbun recover. All I can do is try. If I fail (sighchitter) then we can discuss about him living life as a squirrel. At this point, it wouldn't be much of a change for him, he's most of the way there, except for his physical body. We will also need to deal with Mapletip then. Then again, maybe I should have just followed Mapletip's wish and allowed Mustard to fully convert. }:(
[pause for a moment...] Why am I so concerned over the life of a devilbunny? The majority of that race wants nothing more then to enslave or kill squirrels? (chatterspit) Why am I stressing-out over this? (ponderflick) Is Mustard any different? He had been part of a platoon that was planning to attack our allies at the Maine Fudd Base. Since I allowed him semi-restricted access to the computer system, I'm sure he's been taking notes on what to report to his superiors when he leaves here. He did rescue those ten trapped on the ice flow. He has been given several chances to escape and has even been offered an escort to the nearest bun warren, which he's passed-up on so far. So why am I so stressed over this accident?
I know we've gained some rather useful data out of examining him. For example I've been able to pinpoint the exact genes involved with vorpal claws. (shudderflick) Not that I'd want to produce a race of devilsquirrels anytime soon, but the data should not be discarded. (deviousflick) If we ever gain the right influence someday, maybe we could breed it out of their race. This accident also shows that my dream of somday making LonGears a chipmunk isn't as far-fetched as it seems. (amusedflick)
However, I feel deep guilt in subjecting Mustard to all these tests, especially, when I know not all of them are truly necessary to help him and that some of them are just to satisfy my own curiosity. But why am I so concerned over Mustard's fate? After all, we could gain a truly loyal squirrel out of it rather then a devilbunny with questionable loyalties.
(wearysighflick) Perhaps...perhaps I had hoped to win him over to our cause without the use of drugs, conversion and/or other means as the devilbunny community does to humans. Perhaps, it's because I was starting to like the bun and deep down, he reminds me a little about father. His presence in the lab in and of itself, invokes the old days here under Rabbit. The lab just wasn't the same without a bunny working in our midst. You can feel the gloom in the lab, hovering over the others as they try to help find a way to heal Mustard. Though none of them had worked with Rabbit, they, too, could feel the difference of having a bun in the lab working at their side.
I've never been in favor of forced conversion, being a victim of that myself for a time period. But what of Mustard's case? If I find it is possible, and I hope it is, to reverse the damage done, should I just do it or ask him what he wants? Is he mentally capable in his current state to make a clear, uninfluenced decision on his own? (curisouflick)
And what are we to do with Mapletip? She can't go unpunished, but what would be an appropriate punishment? What if Mustard has been altered mentally to the point that he doesn't want to see Mapletip punished? (flick, flick, flick) Or worse, Mustard, with my help, fully recovers and demands a similar fate dished-out to Mapletip. How could I go through with such an experiment and live with myself? (dismayflick) She would wind-up a very small bunny, if it is possible to pull-off. Or might Mustard decide to remain as he is and request Mapletip to be altered accordingly, with the two going off on their own to raise a family of half-breeds? (ponderflick)
(pause) At least there is one thing I will not need to ponder over: Would I have converted Mustard if he had approached me of his own free will? If he had betrayed us outright, that would be a differant matter, but that isn't the case yet...or is it?
(chitter) Ash keeps telling me I worry too much and that I should take one day at a time and see what comes of it. (resolutionflick) Very well, I'll try my best to push my worries aside and concentrate on curing Mustard. (alasflick) These past few days I've gotten very little sleep, even with Ash's help. (hopefullyflick) Tonight will be different.
On a lighter note, the kits started school this week and they are all doing well. Puffcheeks and Hazel have already started thinking about how they will serve their fellow squirrels come fall once they are through their schooling. I, being a new parent with only the experiences of observation of others raising their young, mostly human society, found it shocking that at one month old they were already planning what to do as adults. I guess I've been away from my own kind too long, for I forgot how quickly squirrels grow-up, faster then even rabbits, who take a year on average, while squirrels are ready to live on their own after 12 weeks.
Anyway, Puffcheeks wants to be a soldier of some sort...maybe serve on continuous scout patrol or by going to other squirrel warrens and help fight in the resistance....weapons trainer he called it. I fear we'll lose him, such is fate in war, but I don't dare attempt to change his mind, for it is a worthy cause to try and liberate our comrades who are still slaves. Hazel is looking into computers and communications and is already showing some expertise in basic computer use. Cloud(chitter) has not made any decisions yet, other then to state he doesn't want to leave us anytime soon. (sighflick) In some ways, I wish they did grow-up more slowly...they'll be out of the nest too soon as it is....maybe, just maybe, Ash will be up to raising a second litter this summer (squirrelybounce).
Aldin Busheytail
[11 April]
*****BUNNYSTUMPER DELUXE™ TIGHTBEAM*****
TO: Dr. Remus Shepard
FROM: Aldin Busheytail
(Greetingsflick) Remus! How are things at NoCO? Is that Ferrotti keeping you out of trouble? Ash and the kits are doing well. They're growing rapidly. We are slowly making outdoor repairs after the terrible ice storm this past January, though it will take years for the trees to recover.
Yes, this is more then a social call. Since you are the AoF's formost expert on nanites, I have a few questions to ask you if you can spare a moment. I hope you will keep this information in strict confidence for now.
Have you had time to review the files that communications here at Namakata forwarded to you dealing with Rabbit Mentat's nanite research? If you haven't received them, I'll look into the matter and personally forward another copy. They're quite detailed.
I'm asking this for we have started experimenting with nanites here for the first time since the days of Rabbit Mentat. Matter of fact we found some nanites preserved in one of the lab freezers which we used to produce other nanites.
I have combined my past genetics research, a secret project termed Operation Unlimited Toes (OUT) (shudderflick) with Rabbit's nanite tutorial/research files for this new line of research. An overview of the original OUT project is on file at NoCO which you should have clearence to access. My goal is to produce...well I guess the best term would be nanodocs. Medical nanites that can perform microscopic surgery on living tissue...genetic defect corrections, etc.
The first experiment was quite successful. The voluntary test subject had lost his tail to frostbite during the ice storm. I've enclosed full details on the procedure in which the nanites encouraged tail regrowth.
(drooptail) But the second experiment wasn't so successful thanks to outside interference. I've enclosed full details and analysis on that as well.
I have started the process of producing 'fresh' nanites from scratch. I'd like to reverse what has happened to the test subject but am unsure if I can do it. Maybe a new set of eyes from someone else in the nanite field can spot something I may have missed. Would you be willing to look over the data for me, Remus? (pleadflick)
May the Spirit watch over you.
Aldin Busheytail
Enclosures
*****END ENCRYPTED TIGHTBEAM*****
Personal Journal, 11 April
Aldin and I had a long talk today discussing my situation. He painted things with so much doom and gloom at one point that I got fed-up and said he might as well just change me into a tree rat and be done with it. At which he responded....
"No."
"What?" (annoyedflick) "Look at me, Aldin, I'm already more then half-way there." Mustard grabs his tail. "I can't even get a decent fluff unless I concentrate thanks to this! I chitter without realizing it. Frith! I'm even started to taking a liking to honey-roasted cashews! And you've pointed-out other signs."
Aldin sat back and let-out a long (sighchitter) and drooped his tail. "Calm-down and hear me out, Mustard...." (pleadflick)
"I'm not going to give-up on you even though you may already have. If I were to complete the conversion, there would be no hope of ever going back to being a bunny. Furthermore," (scuffpaw) "though it would further the anti-bun forces, with several of them praising my 'discovery', I don't want to do it. I don't want to be remembered as the scientist who found a way to use conversion against devilbunnydom."
"What does that have to do with..."
"Everything, Mustard, though pride is portion of it. I pride myself as being above the methods of my enemies. If my goal had been to convert you to a squirrel, I'd have done just that upon your arrival with no regards as to what you thought. Personally, if I was researching bun-to-other conversion, I wouldn't 'dirty' the squirrel gene-pool. I'd follow-up on my April Fool's day joke and find a way to turn devilbunnies into chipmunks or some other truly harmless species." (gigglechitter)
Mustard's tail drooped and he shuddered at the thought of becoming a chipmunk.
(pardonflick) "I'm sidetracking. The problem, Mustard, is that subconsciously you are a squirrel. The part of you that is squirrel may be trying to influence the rest of you to become fully squirrel. And my frankness with you over this whole incident maybe helping to influence that subconscious. There is a lot about the mind that we haven't learned about...not even the bunny mentat community has delved far into it, other then the warnings they give to recipients of morpharmor..."
"So you are refusing for you fear that I may not be making a clear, fully-conscious decision here..."
(affirmativeflick) "And as such, we may both regret this later if I just complete the conversion now. Look at your own mentat community's failures: Major Blake, BunnyHugger, and Steekman to name a few. Victories to their enemies and our side, but all failures to those who had forced them to convert or held them in limbo inbetween. Remember, there is no going back, once you've lost the body mass. I'm positive we can coax the paws back, but it wouldn't be possible to do the same if your torso shrank as would happen if we completed the conversion at this point.
"Overall, I'd feel better if we could change you back and gave you some time to think about it. It wasn't too long ago you were telling me you had no desire 'to become a tree rat anytime soon'. So to that end let me give you the following answer to your request....
"Think about this seriously for the next few days. Review your personal journal entries. They provide an anchor to your past. I know you've been making extensive entries for computer services asked if they should give you more storage space on the disks, which I readily agreed to." Catching the bun/squirrel's body reaction to the statement, Aldin continued, "I don't know what is in your journal, Mustard, and I don't want to know. That's personal and none of my business. I'm sure the early stuff may even include notes as to what you'd report to your superiors about us." (another shocked look) (waveoffpaw) "It doesn't matter, but it may help you recover. Carefully read-over or at least listen to your entries, Mustard. Let them help you remember who you are and who you really want to be.
"If by Tuesday you still feel you want to become a squirrel, then I'll honor your request, against my better judgement. If not, hopefully in another week we can start the tests on the new nanites and pray they can do the job of fixing the damage." (slyflick) "I'm sure Mapletip hopes I fail in persuading you to remain a bunny. };3 (gigglechitter)
Aldin paused for a moment before continuing in a more serious tone, "Call me selfish but, I hope you remain a bun. I don't want to rack this experiment-up as my first major failure, especially, when I was just beginning to like you, Mustard, the way you are..." (umflick) "were."
I hadn't realized how much respect I had gained from Aldin, or how much I'm beginning to respect him. So now I shall do as he suggests, starting soon after I complete this entry. Looking back on the encounter, I'm not so sure I had asked simply because his frankness with me made me loose hope. Maybe this subconscious stuff had something to do with it.
The mention of Mapletip brought-up mixed emotions within me. I fear my new squirrely-side is taking root. (sighchitter) Frith, I could use one of her rub-downs to relax right now...I wonder if the guards would let me into her ro...what am I saying???!!! I had best sign-off before other thoughts come to mind.
Mustard Snowpaw, Aldin Busheytail's henchbuirrel...squrunny?
Mustard hopped down the halls from insomnia induced by listening to some of his journal entries. They didn't seem to be helping him, much, more like agitating him. He wanted to get some sleep, but sleep eluded him. So he was now trying to physically wear himself out. Making sure there was no one about for he would never want to admit to anyone he did it, he scurried clumsily up and down the central log in a stairwell that connected the three levels of the warren. After thirty minutes he was worn-out, but not tired.
He made his way to the mess hall. There was no one about this time of night, since most squirrels were diurnal. He had made a note of this in his journals--best time to attack would be the dead of night. Aldin had mentioned contemplating recruiting a few flying squirrels one time to help-out on the night shift, since they were nocturnal, but it hadn't happened yet. Mustard poured himself some institutional-brand milk (the stuff you find at summer camp kitchens with the three month expiration date on it) from one of the kitchen coolers and warmed it on the stove, hoping the old remedy would relax him enough to sleep. It didn't help. Mustard sighed, somehow not chittering in the process, and made-up his mind as to what he'd need to do.
The squirrels used caffeine sparingly for it affected them like speed. This one, obviously, should have used a little as the guard was asleep at his post. Mustard tipclawed over the sprawled form and checked the door. Finding it unlocked, he let himself in and closed the door quietly.
There was a small light lit in the corner, giving-off enough light to see by. The center of the room was clear with a small desk and terminal next to the door. Another door to his right led to a bathroom. On the far wall near the lamp table was a platform upon which was nesting material. A grey form lay on its side, back to Mustard. Its chest moved in rhythm to its breathing in sleep.
Part of him couldn't believe he was doing this. The rest of him didn't care. He needed to be here for some reason. He crossed the room and gently placed a paw on the squirrel's shoulder and whispered in its ear, "Mapletip?"
Mapletip stirred and rolled-over. The scent of her 'Chosen' awoke her almost instantly.
"MustHhhmpphhh?!" (elationflick)
Mustard stuck his tailtip in her mouth to quiet her quickly. *Well, there are a few useful things for a long tail,* he mused to himself. When she stopped struggling, he removed it and stated quietly, "Hush, your 'watcher' is asleep outside the door."
She nodded slowly as a single thought raced through her head. He was going to tell her how upset with her he was, and then kill her. She had had a lot of time to mope and contemplate the possible results of her actions to try and turn Mustard into a squirrel. And this one seemed to be the most likely.
"Why are you here, Mustard?" (nervouscuriousflick) she asked quietly.
"I..." He shook his head. "I'm not quite sure. I just knew I needed to come..." (pause)
(confusedflick) "What? But..."
Mustard hushed her again. "I don't suppose you've heard any details of what I've been through these past few days?" Mapletip (negativeflick) and Mustard brushed over the various tests he'd undergone and the humiliation involved. How he was trying to cope with the combined bun/rabbit emotions. All the while, Mapletip got more and more worried...for her own life as more and more emotion seemed to build-up in Mustard's words, but without him raising his voice. She could also see it in his tail language. Mustard wasn't happy with the situation.
"Aldin suggested I go over my journal entries to try and stabilize myself...get a better paw on who I am or should be. So I've done so. I've gone through two months worth of entries over the past few days. It helped, oh yes, it did, Mapletip. It helped to set things straight. So much so, that haven't been able to sleep since. And you know what?" (SNICK!)
Mapletip cowered from Mustard towards the back wall of her nest platform.
"I...got EXACTLY what I deserved. The devilbunny I had been used you to gain intelligence on this warren and the squirrels within it. I thought I had you wrapped around my paw. Then you pulled this..." He yanked at his tail. "Seems I'm the real fool." (fangygrin) "If you had succeeded or if Aldin had decided our only course of action was to complete the conversion, it would be a just punishment for what I had planned to do with that information--win back the confidence of those who sent me on that suicidal mission and lead them back here to enslave the lot of you..." (gigglechitter) "I'd have probably been promoted as warren leader to oversee your redispersal..."
Mapletip was too much in shock over the revelation to speak.
Mustard sobered-up. "I intend to become fully bunny again," (shakehead) "but not that rabbit. Everyone here is much kinder to me then I ever experienced in my home warren. I guess this is my home now. However," (flick) "I don't want to spend life as a squirrel. Aldin is working on creating a batch of nanites that will hopefully change me back."
(bigKY00TBAMBIeyes) "Will you forgive me for what I was doing to you, Mapletip, and what I had planned to do to everyone else?" (pleadflick/fluff)
Mixed emotions swelled-up inside of Mapletip. A small part of her, a very small part for that matter, was upset over being used. But the rest of her didn't care....she leaped at Mustard and hugged him. The two of them wrapped their tails around one another.
"Of course I do, Mustard," she wiped a few tears out of her eyes. "But it's I who should be apologizing. I was selfish and only cared about what I wanted with no concern for your cares, wants or well being..."
They sat there in silence in each others embrace for a few minutes. Mustard finally broke the silence as he pulled away slightly from Mapletip slightly.
"We'll never be able to have kits of our own, we're just not compatible...but we could adopt..." (encourageflick/fluff)
Mapletip couldn't believe her ears. "You mean?"
Mustard simply nodded. She squealed in delight, as he pulled her back to himself in embrace.
Personal Journal, 14 April
After reviewing my journal entries, Aldin was right, I am a totally different being from the devilbunny who came here as a prisoner two months ago. I have no plans anytime soon to see this place handed over to my former superiors. However, I'm still bunny, and if this place is captured, then I'll provide full cooperation but only if and when that occurs. (noddle)
Aldin was quite happy with my decision to have the partial-conversion reversed if possible. (scuffpaw) I also requested that if possible, I'd like to keep the tail for now and explained my late night visit to Mapletip after his inquiry. Aldin remained professional about the request and stated it wouldn't be hard to do, citing his April Fool's day joke he pulled on General LonGears two years ago. He did confess, though, that he's having trouble with the new nanites, which in turn has added a few weeks delay to the process. (sighfluff/flick)
The Council of Elders will decide Mapletip's fate tomorrow afternoon. I, of course, must attend the meeting being the party offended by her actions. Together, I'm sure we'll pull through it.
(happyfluff) I've found that I can fluff with less effort then before and I do have partial control over when and when not the tail will flick. }:3. While awaiting better success with the nanites, I've volunteered to undergo further testing to keep Aldin happy, including those climbing tests. I can't climb as well or 'graceful' (as Aldin put it) as a squirrel, but I can do better then a devilbunny. Rabbits simply aren't built to climb trees.
Mustard SnowPaw, Aldin Busheytail's bestest Henchbuirrel
"This meeting is in session. Bring-out the accused."
The Council of Elders had gathered outside in the lower boughs of the ancient white pine they used for meetings three days after the accident in the lab. Miraculously, it had survived the winter's ice storm relatively unscathed. Mustard sat at the base of the tree where he had been pointed to as Mapletip was brought forward. Mustard did not return the gaze she gave him. Her parents sat at a respectful distance watching the proceedings along with most of Namakata's squirrels, at least those not busy with the kits.
Ash stared down hard at Mapletip. "Mapletip, you understand why you're here."
"Yes," she answered emotionlessly.
"You have been brought before us accused of several crimes. Some of which we've never had to deal with before. You are accused with the following: Interference in a lab experiment, namely Aldin Busheytail's nanite experiment. Endangering the life of another, namely, Mustard SnowPaw. Attempted conversion against one's will, also against Mustard SnowPaw. And rape, also against Mustard SnowPaw..."
(STOMP!) Mustard interrupted the proceedings. "She did not rape me!"
Ash stared icily down at Mustard. "She is accused of injecting you with squirrel hormones which messed with your body chemistry and caused you to chase after her. She then took advantage of you in your weakened state and allowed you to mate with her. Did you consent to this?"
(scuffpawdejectedflick) "No..."
"Did you agree to mate with her beforepaw?"
"No." (drooptail)
"Then the accusation stands." She turned to look at Mapletip. "Do you understand the charges against you?" Mapletip simply nodded. "How do you plea?"
(sniffle) "Guilty. I know what I did and I did it for love..."
Ash turned back to Mustard. "Aldin has already submitted his proposed punishment for the one offense against himself. Mustard, you are allow to suggest possible punishment for the guilty for the offenses against you."
Mustard was surprised. He hadn't expected this. "What is the normal punishment in this instance?"
Ash sat back. (sighflick) "We've never had to deal with these kind of offenses before. It is unheard of among our kind. (howeverflick) My father in his wisdom wrote down suggested punishments for various crimes if they should ever come-up. For intentionally endangering another's life without their consent and/or conversion against ones will, life banishment is the maximum penalty. In the case of rape the maximum penalty is castration or spaying depending on the gender of the guilty."
Mapletip gasped as did several of those in the audience. Mustard nodded and thought for a moment.
"What if I dropped the charges?"
There was more murmuring in the audience. Ash whistled for silence.
"Why would you want to drop any or all of the charges, Mustard? She could have killed you. This is not some sort of test to see your loyalty."
Mustard nodded. "I know it isn't a test. I've had some time to think over the situation. I'm as much to blame for Mapletip's actions and got what I deserved. Provided, she could use some counseling, and..." he trailed-off. (scuffpaw)
Nine pairs of beady rodent eyes glared down at him. "And?"
"Reviewing my personal journal entries show I was falling in love with her, though I may not have realized it at the time." Mustard blushed through his fur. "I just wasn't moving along quickly enough for her. Of course, this isn't going to stop you from pressing any or all of the charges I've asked dropped. You may think my request is being heavily influenced by the mixed bun/squirrel emotions within me. Who knows, you could be right.
"However, what she did, I know can't be forgiven. Back at my home warren she would have been executed immediately, since she is a squirrel, and a trial would have been an after-the-fact triviality. I don't love her on the same level as she loves me, yet, but I have decided to become her mate." The murmuring started anew and got louder. Ash again whistled for quiet so Mustard could continue. "Whatever happens to her, happens to me. She wanted to become the mate of a bunny. So be it, let her reap the consequences of that decision, good or bad. Perhaps, in time, I'll love her as deeply as she loves me.
"This is what I suggest to the Council of Elders. Banish her if you wish, but hold-off until Aldin has a chance to cure me one way or the other so I can leave with her. Attempt to spay her, and you'll have to" (SNICK!) "kill me first, as I will defend the honor of my mate with very my life." (STOMP!)
Mapletip looked to Mustard with awe, wiping a few tears out of her eyes. Ash nodded. "We shall take a short recess to contemplate this." She and the other members of the Council bounded off through the trees.
Aldin moved forward. "You sure about this, Mustard?" he whispered.
Mustard nodded. "I'm the one who got myself into this. I should have scared her off long ago rather then encourage her." He peered over towards where Mapletip sat holding her tail in her paws, looking down quietly weeping. He hopped over to her and allowed her to bury her muzzle in his dewlap and held her close for 15 minutes until she calmed-down.
The Council returned 30 minutes after they went into recess. Ash brought the gathered to order and spoke, "We have decided to go with Mustard SnowPaw's request. The charges brought against Mapletip that affected Mustard are here-by dropped."
The trees erupted with chatters of elation, some of surprise. Ash had to whistle and chitter long and loud to try and get them to quiet-down.
"HOWEVER!!!" she screed to be heard and silence fell. "The charge of experiment interference stands. I stayed-out of the discussion of punishment, since my mate is involved with this charge. The Council has decided to go along with Aldin Busheytail's recommendations: Mapletip is here-by sentenced to 30 hours counseling, and 100 hours of remedial lab chores, and she is not to approach Mustard SnowPaw outside of the laboratory without Mustard's consent. Though considering Mustard's testimony, this last stipulation is moot. This meeting is adjourned." (FLICK!)
There was more murmuring in the treetops. Mapletip's parents hugged each other, thankful their daughter was spared the worst punishment.
Mapletip bowed to her elders. (respectfulflick) "Thank you for your mercy." She then got up and bounded-over cautiously to Mustard. He nodded as he opened his paws and hugged her gently. "You have my consent from here on out, Mapletip," he whispered, never noticing when their tails intertwined.