057 » your clothes never wear as well the next day

[haillenarte]

[it's a bitterly cold day in the middle of december when the mistress of the house drives him out to a local shelter and tells him, quite bluntly, to get out of the car. he's confused. he tries to express himself without words, at first, but when she says, "well? go on," he responds to her, quietly.

"what do you want me to do?" he asks.

she rolls her eyes, impatient. she checks the clock. it's 2:34, and she's anxious, francel knows, because the children need to be picked up from school at 3:00. "listen," she says, "i'm sorry, but there's no place for you in our home anymore. i mean, there's no room. do you know how much taller you've gotten? and how much more you eat?"

she isn't an unkind woman — at least, francel thinks so — but she gets like this sometimes, when she's upset with her husband, and she winds up taking it out on the family pet instead. "look, you're a smart kiddo," she says. "you read. honestly, i'm pretty sure that makes you smarter than my kids. but look, you're more than we can handle right now, and we didn't think this would happen to you for another two or three years. the breeder probably lied to us about your age. but you can't stay with us."]

Comments

[haillenarte]

[francel thinks she has other reasons. he fidgets in the backseat of the car. "and the children don't play with me as often as they used to," he observes, quietly; they've gotten older, and so has he.

miss rivienne nods, sagely. "right, now you're getting it," she says. "they don't really need you anymore. and besides, luquelort and i are a married couple — i don't know what the hell we'd do if you wound up going into heat. the people inside: — she jerks her thumb at the building outside — "will take care of you. you're probably not even the first they've had today. now, go on, get."

francel doesn't need to be told twice. slowly, he exits the car, closing the door behind him, but he's shocked when she starts up the car and drives off, leaving him there, at the steps of the shelter. he thought that she would at least stay to make sure he got inside safely. he was wrong.

they don't accept him at the shelter, because they don't have any more beds, and he doesn't seem like an unsalvageable pet — the receptionist assures him he'll be able to find a new owner or a new family quickly. he isn't so sure. it's cold outside, and rivienne didn't tell him to bring a jacket. by the time he's walked a mere four or five blocks from the shelter, he feels half-frozen, his fingertips flushed red, almost purple, from the chill.

shivering, francel stumbles on some ice, and tries to brace himself against a wall, but the stone is even colder than the air, and he only makes himself feel even colder as a result.]

[valhourdin]

[ On his lunch break, Zephirin usually passes the local animal shelter as he walks around the block before sitting down to eat — every time, it calls to mind conversations that his friends have struck up with him for the past while. There's nothing wrong with keeping a pet, most people do it for different reasons, you get a sense of satisfaction out of the bond. All of that is true enough, and Janlenoux in particular enjoys caring for his rather demanding cat-eared companion, but Zephirin has never felt the need to acquire a pet himself. He doesn't have children, he handles his housework on his own, he wouldn't say that he feels especially lonely.

Truthfully, it bothers him to know that plenty of pets are discarded, necessitating these shelters, but it's not within his power to intervene. One pet taken home still leaves countless waiting for another chance — and what criteria would determine which one to choose over another?

Zephirin walks past the building, down the street.

It's started snowing, and the wind has picked up; adjusting his scarf, Zephirin quickens his steps. Up ahead, he catches sight of someone slipping on a patch of pavement not cleared of ice, stumbling against the nearest wall. The young man isn't dressed for the cold.

What his story might be can wait — for now, Zephirin reaches the stranger in a few more strides, offering him a hand to steady him. His gaze sweeps over the boy, from his ears to his reddened fingers. His free hand loosens his scarf first, and holds the item out. ]

Here. It's only going to get colder.

[haillenarte]

[francel can barely feel his ears anymore — lopped, fluffy rabbit ears that fall nearly to his chest, though he's tucked them into the collar of his sweater in a vain attempt to keep them warm. he half-stumbles into zephirin's arms, but he seems to panic, wide-eyed, when the man offers him the scarf off his neck. he cannot accept so valuable a gift. he shakes his head vehemently.]

I-I'd rather not inconvenience you, sir. I'm s-sorry...

[his voice comes out strangely quiet, as if he is unused to speaking, and he doesn't quite meet zephirin's eyes.]

But, do you... um, if it isn't too much trouble... do you know of any place I could go? Another — another shelter? Th-This one was... full.

[valhourdin]

[ Another abandoned pet, Zephirin thinks — the rabbit-eared boy doesn't look so bedraggled that it would indicate days or weeks or longer spent wandering the streets, so it must have happened relatively recently. Nothing about him explains why, but that can wait, too. ]

I'm afraid I don't know of any others in the area. [ If the local one didn't point the boy elsewhere, it's likely that there isn't another option nearby. ] It doesn't inconvenience me to help you, at any rate. Please take this, and come with me.

[ Patiently, Zephirin continues to hold the scarf proffered, his mind made up. He can't turn around and be on his way, even if the unfortunate stranger insists, and another shelter won't be found on foot in this weather. After a moment, he removes his coat as well, taking the liberty to drape it around the boy's shoulders.

It's probably excessive, frowned upon according to certain standards, but the alternative is worse. ]

[haillenarte]

[the rabbit-eared boy seems startled when zephirin's coat suddenly blocks the stinging chill around his shoulders, but he clutches at it, drawing it closer around him. slowly and uncertainly, he draws his arms into its sleeves. then — looking much happier, indeed with a soft smile playing about his lips — he noses into zephirin's scarf when it is offered, like a timid baby bunny seeking warmth in its owner's cupped hand.]

So warm...

[the scarf and coat are by no means heated, but they feel warm against francel's chilled skin, through the soft cable-knit sweater that is inadequate against today's wind. the scarf pins his fluffy ears against his cheeks.]

Okay! I'll follow you. And... and thank you.

[it is almost distressing, really, how easily francel acquiesces to following zephirin, a complete stranger. plainly, his previous owners never told him to distrust strangers, and there are depraved souls out there, men who murder and butcher strays for the fun of it, with impunity, because they have no owners to whom fines would be paid.]

[valhourdin]

[ Evidently, Zephirin has managed to win the boy over, at least enough to secure himself a small measure of his trust. Bundled up in the scarf and the coat, he should thaw as they walk to the train station — Zephirin plans to call in to work, stating a sudden emergency. He rarely takes time off, so it will undoubtedly raise questions, but that's a problem to prepare for and deal with after his immediate task.

There's no reason for his unexpected charge to trust him, of course. He casts the stray a sidelong glance. ]

You're welcome — do you mind telling me about yourself?

[ A clearer idea of the situation would allow him to identify some options from here, a temporary solution, if nothing else. ]

You can call me Zephirin, on that note. "Sir" is unnecessary.

[haillenarte]

Y-Yes, sir. I mean, um, Zephirin!

[fancel buries his nose into the scarf around his neck, breathing deep of its scent; his breath colors the air before him white. zephirin's scarf smells good, all laundered linens and a hint of inoffensive cologne — not like luquelort's clothes, always steeped in the stench of cigarettes and paint. obediently, he matches zephirin's pace as they walk.]

My name is Francel... I'm a bunny.

[he says this cutely, though with a touch of embarrassment, as if perhaps it is something he has been coached to say.]

Miss Rivienne bought me so that I would help take care of her children. But, um... the seller said that I'd stay small forever, and I didn't. And she'd been mad for a while... she told me to eat less... but I kept getting bigger, so...

[valhourdin]

[ So Francel had outgrown the space that his owner was willing to allocate to a pet, and found himself cast out. ]

I see... [ Zephirin's brow furrows briefly. ] Are you hungry, Francel?

[ The train station is distinctly warmer than the streets were, once the sliding doors close behind them; Zephirin leads Francel to a bench near a cafe. There, looking the boy over more closely, he awaits his answer.

Francel's seller was clearly mistaken — Francel may not be alarmingly large, but he is tall despite his soft, boyish features, and since he doesn't seem malnourished as a consequence of Miss Rivienne's displeasure, perhaps he has another growth spurt left in him. Another thought occurs to Zephirin: as a bunny, Francel might have dietary preferences, if not requirements. ]

[haillenarte]

I-I'm fine...

[there is a touch of something guilty to francel's tone, though, one that suggests that the boy is lying, but he is grateful for the warmth of the station, and he looks around wildly as he does so. he has never been to a train station. rivienne and luquelort always drove their car.

the young bunny-boy seems on high alert, as if he is afraid some sort of passing wolf will snatch him up. in reality, he is supposing that zephirin means to leave him here — perhaps he will leave the scarf and jacket, if he feels generous, and then francel can build a nest for himself on the cafe bench.]

Well... maybe I'm a little hungry. But I did have coriander for breakfast.

[valhourdin]

[ Coriander doesn't sound especially filling, at least to Zephirin. His eyes track Francel's abruptly uneasy movements, though he can't guess at an explanation for the boy's nervousness — Francel had warmed up to him fairly quickly, or so he'd thought. ]

I was planning to have lunch myself, and I'd appreciate the company. What would you like to eat?

[ The bench affords them a clear view of the cafe's menu behind the counter, white chalk on a blackboard. It boasts a range of hot drinks and baked goods in two full columns; a final section lists warm meals on offer, including vegetarian dishes.

Pointing out the board with a nod, Zephirin turns back to Francel. ]

[haillenarte]

[francel's fluffy ears slip out of his collar as they stick as far up as they will go — lopped as they are, they don't rise farther than some short distance above his shoulders, but he looks very cute and innocent, staring down the various delicious-sounding items on the cafe's menu.]

M-Me? With you? But — Miss Rivienne always said — people shouldn't eat with their pets. Ah, um...

[he cannot hide the clear interest on his face, though, nor the fact that he feels as though he is starving. moreover, his desire to please is at odds with his fear of accepting more than he is worth. surely it would be inappropriate to dine with zephirin, but then — would it not also be inappropriate to defy his wishes?]

W-Would you like to set a price limit? I don't want to order anything too expensive...

[valhourdin]

[ It's unlikely that Zephirin will ever meet Francel's previous owner, and he shouldn't judge her too harshly based on her views on keeping a pet — conventional, commonly held views — but her insistence on following rules that treat people like Francel as lesser creatures already leaves Zephirin with a poor impression of the woman. Silent for some moments, though he could argue that Francel technically isn't his pet, and therefore free to eat with him thanks to that loophole in Miss Rivienne's reasoning, he watches the boy's expressive ears, the look on his face.

Coriander for breakfast wasn't enough, even for a bunny. ]

Nothing on the menu is too expensive. Go ahead and choose anything you like — I'll place our orders at the same time.

[ No less patient than he was earlier, waiting for Francel to accept his scarf, Zephirin leans back in his seat, eyes on the menu to take some pressure off the boy beside him while they decide on their selections. ]

[haillenarte]

A-Anything? Um...

[francel sounds almost dismayed, replying in the same tone of voice one might expect him to say oh no, and he feels a little anxious as he looks over the seemingly endless array of options on the cafe wall. pressing his ears against his cheeks in a vague effort to self-soothe, francel ponders the list for some time before he ultimately feels pressured to make a snap decision.]

Um... then... maybe a vegetable wrap... a-and if it's not too much, a warm drink? Like... hot chocolate, maybe?

[valhourdin]

[ Zephirin smiles then, faint but approving, and stands to take care of ordering their lunch, as promised. In hopes of reassuring Francel, who still seems jumpy, he adjusts his own order. ]

Good choices. I'm having the same.

[ In other words, Francel has chosen something well within budget.

It doesn't take Zephirin long to pay for their food and drinks; he returns to place Francel's plate before him, setting the second plate down on the opposite side of the table between their seats. The wraps are lightly heated up, and the hot chocolate will be brought over in a few minutes.

Suspecting that Francel won't eat until he starts, Zephirin reaches for his wrap, raising it to his mouth. ]

[haillenarte]

[once they are seated, and zephirin places one plate in front of francel, the curious rabbit bends over his food, sniffing it curiously. after evidently being satisfied by this, he picks the wrap up in his hands — he is surprised that it is warm, given how accustomed he is to eating leafy greens at room temperature.

he takes a bite — his ears prick upward. then he takes a second bite, and a third, stuffing his cheeks full before he begins steadily chewing, the mass in his mouth slowly disappearing as his eyes glitter with joy.]

...This is so good!

[he says at last, once he has properly swallowed. his ears tip backward in relaxation as a waitress comes to their table with their drinks, but they curve upward once more as he catches a whiff of the sweet chocolate. whatever the cafe serves, it smells a dozen times more potent than the powdered hot chocolate drinks he was sometimes allowed as a reward in rivienne and luquelort's house.]

Oooooh...

[francel, poor bunny that he is, simply stares at his hot chocolate in awe. it is still too hot to taste, but one imagines his fluffy tail puffed up with anticipation beneath the table...]

[valhourdin]

[ Both the wrap and the hot chocolate must be novel experiences for Francel, judging by the series of reactions playing out for Zephirin to observe. That his owner could act so coldly towards him is difficult to comprehend — the sight of him devouring his first few bites of his meal is impossibly endearing, so much so, in fact, that Zephirin pauses to watch, his own wrap lowered to his plate. One would think that any onlooker would be moved to pet the young rabbit, even to spoil him with treats, after witnessing his delight.

A small smile tugs at Zephirin's lips. Placing his wrap down all the way, he touches his fingertips to the side of his cup of hot chocolate. ]

Careful... It should be fine to drink soon.

[ Without scalding Francel's tongue or his throat. Until then, he has more of his food left to eat, and their drinks are a promising dessert of sorts, deliciously sweet-smelling, topped with frothy swirls.

Where to go from there is something to bring up after Francel has lunch in him. ]

[haillenarte]

[francel eats his meal quickly, treating zephirin to myriad delights — the hot chocolate elicits obvious excitement, and he impatiently blows at the surface of the liquid to cool it, though he also takes his time to savor the sauces and the variety of vegetables in the wrap. he is quiet, not overly loud, as he exclaims over this and that — at one point, he sets his wrap down simply to regard zephirin with a fond smile, his ears twitching eagerly as he contemplates (what seems to him) a relative stranger's infinite kindness.

once the rabbit does, in fact, have lunch in him, he sets his empty mug of hot chocolate on the table, feeling more full and bloated than he has in a long time.]

Ahhh, I'm so happy...!

[it's almost difficult to comprehend how he must have been treated, if something so simple as a meal out pleases him this much.]

How... how should I repay you?

[he giggles, cupping his chin between both his hands as he leans on the table.]

I don't have a lot of skills, but I can help you keep your house clean. Or help entertain kids? But maybe you don't have kids... You can pet me a whole lot, though!

[valhourdin]

[ Zephirin has yet to finish eating, down to the last quarter of his wrap, a final few sips of hot chocolate, preoccupied with his observations. Curling his fingers around his cup's handle, he pulls it closer as another smile settles on his lips. ]

I don't have kids — I live alone. I take it you're not opposed to moving in with a stranger?

[ By all appearances, Francel's unease has dissipated entirely, making way for his sheer joy over his humble lunch — Janlenoux might step in before long — and now the contentment in its wake. Zephirin vaguely entertains the idea of petting Francel, perhaps something else that the rabbit's previous owner denied him. ]

Keeping the house clean would be more than enough.

[ Letting go of his cup of hot chocolate, Zephirin reaches across the table on the heels of his words, experimentally stroking Francel at the base of one fluffy ear. ]

[haillenarte]

Do I get to move in with you? Are you going to keep m — aaaah...

[francel has just formulated the thought that he would love to be zephirin's pet when the man's fingers brush over his fluffy ear, and then the boy's eyelids flutter closed, his expression one of perfect euphoria. he doesn't quite purr, being that he's not a cat, but a soft crooning emerges from within his throat. zephirin doesn't pet francel the way he is used to being petted — rivienne's children tended to ruffle, a little roughly, and sometimes they would pull his ears to get him to cry.

but zephirin is nice. zephirin is gentle, and buys francel food, and he tries to catch francel when he falls. drowsily, the boy turns his face to one side, rubbing the smooth apple of his cheek against zephirin's hand.]

...Zephirin, I really really want to be yours...

[to the rest of the world, they must already seem like a particularly close pet-and-master couple.]

[valhourdin]

[ Zephirin's decision to provide Francel with shelter at the least was already made, but the boy's newest reaction cements it. Once more, it seems absurd that anyone with a conscience could deny him his simple pleasures, that they could abandon him in the cold — surely it would have been no trouble to find him another home.

Zephirin's palm cups Francel's soft cheek. His thumb meets the boy's movements, tracing tiny circles upon Francel's smooth skin, curious and somehow charmed. He has never approached other pets quite like this, and he can't imagine that Adelphel, for instance, is so openly and palpably appreciative of Janlenoux's care. ]

Come with me, then. [ Assuming that the rabbit isn't too full and sleepy for the walk to the platform to take the train now. ] We'll get you settled in.

[ The first step of taking Francel home is straightforward — the rest is a matter of research, possibly pointers from Janlenoux. ]

[haillenarte]

[francel lights up like the sun when zephirin promises to take him home, to keep him — with his ears all aflutter and his smooth cheeks curved in a smile, he is a sight to be remembered, at least to those who have the eyes to see him as more than just another animal.

the rabbit isn't too full or too sleepy for the train ride home, at least, though it's his first time taking the metro, and he spends the entire ride clinging to zephirin with his tail puffed up in overstimulated panic. (a few onlookers smile, amused by the terrified bunny's absolute trust in his owner to protect him from the imagined horrors of the public transit system.) the ride is a short one, and eventually, they arrive at zephirin's home without further incident.

francel clings to zephirin's hand, timid but assured by zephirin's calming presence.]

...Is this it?

[valhourdin]

We're home.

[ Zephirin answers with a nod as he leads the way into the foyer of the three-story building where he rents his apartment on the top floor. Allowing Francel to hold on to his hand throughout, he retrieves his keys with the other once each flight of stairs is behind them, unlocking the door to his apartment down the hall. It's spacious, light and airy on a nice day, but it's not untouched by this wintry afternoon's gloom. ]

Let's leave our shoes and my coat here.

[ Indicating a rack by the wall intended for that purpose, Zephirin helps Francel out of the coat, leaving him to keep the scarf on or remove it as he pleases. His gaze rests on the rabbit, contemplative. ]

Shall I show you around or would you prefer a bath straightaway?

[ For the warmth, and for Francel to make himself at home — he looks well groomed as it is. ]

[haillenarte]

[francel's excitement is palpable the moment he walks in through the door. someone more worldly might see zephirin's minimalist apartment and note the touch of gloom, an emptiness to it, but francel only sniffs the air and notes the lack of old smoke fumes, the fresher smells of clean clothing somewhere down the hall. he whirls back around to zephirin, starry-eyed and already full of a boundless amount of love.]

A bath? Zephirin, do you have a tub?

[luquelort and rivienne's home wasn't equipped with a proper bathtub — the family shared a cramped shower, which francel was allowed to clean himself in once a day, after everyone else had used it.]

I'll do anything you want, but... I want to see the tub!

[valhourdin]

[ Amused to see Francel delighted even by the apartment's interior — or whatever scents his daintily twitching nose picks up — Zephirin takes the boy from the door through the hallway branching off into different rooms, but he can't help but wonder what sort of home housed Francel before. The bathroom lies at the end of the hall, all clean white tiles and gleaming fixtures, and it does indeed contain a tub, a pointless luxury until now. Zephirin himself prefers to use it as a shower over soaking in a bubble bath, but Francel may take full advantage of it.

With a flick of his fingers, he invites the rabbit to step closer. ]

I'll bring you a towel and clothes to borrow for now. Help yourself to anything you need here.

[ In the meantime, while Francel bathes, Zephirin has a call to make and his next steps to consider. ]

[haillenarte]

[it takes some reassurance — and perhaps a kindly worded comment or two that, yes, francel can help himself to as much body wash as he likes — but in the end, the young rabbit enjoys a very long and luxurious bubble bath in zephirin's clean white tub, meticulously rubbing his ears clean, letting them float on top of the suds when he sinks nose-deep into the water.

but eventually, of course, he must emerge from his watery sanctuary. after a length of time long enough for zephirin to conduct whatever business he must, francel emerges from the bath. zephirin's shirt fits him well enough, but the pajama bottoms have a crucial flaw — there isn't a proper hole for francel's tail, so the plaid sweatpants sit askew on francel's hips as his fluffy tail pokes out over their waistband.]

...Zephirin? I finished...