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Chapter 15: Campaign

Flora, Pete, Rosemary, and Becca sat in the waiting area of the student health center.

The great horned owl at the front desk turned her head toward them occasionally but didn't

disturb their anxious waiting. At last, Cynthia appeared striding down the hall on her crutches,

her left leg finally free of the cast she'd worn from the beginning of school until now, Saturday

after the seventh week of class.

"How was your leg?" Flora chirped anxiously as the mouse approached.

"Good!" Cynthia squeaked. "They said if I do my exercises, it should be as good as new

early next semester."

"That's still a long way off," Flora fretted. "I'll keep helping you as long as you need me."

Cynthia smiled up at her, showing the tips of her large incisors, "I never doubted that you

would," she replied cheerfully.

Flora crouched down on the floor and scooped the little mouse up, slipping Cynthia's

crutches into the side pocket of her bag.

"And after that, if you still want to carry me, I don't mind, especially when we're going to

the same place," Cynthia added cheekily. "I like barely needing to touch the ground."

Flora smiled at the little mouse fondly.

"How does it feel?" Rosemary inquired.

"Great to finally have that cast off! My leg does feel a little funny, but I just need to get

used to using it again. I'm happy that I'll finally be able to take a shower!"

"You weren't converted to Chester's way of grooming then after all those weeks,"

Rosemary teased.

Cynthia brushed a finger over her whiskers, smiling coyly, "Well, maybe if Chester does

the grooming for me."

"Martin and I have been trying out reciprocal grooming," Becca piped. "We've only done

each other's head and ears so far though."

Becca had begun dating another stoat named Martin within the past week and was

keeping her friends updated on how their relationship progressed. Flora had initially been

confused about whether Becca's boyfriend was named Martin or was a member of one of the

mustelid marten species. Confusion notwithstanding, Flora was happy to see the sometimes-

short-tempered stoat so filled with joy.

"That sounds nice," Flora commented genially. "It must feel really intimate."

"And relaxing," Becca confirmed. "Whether I'm doing the licking or getting licked, there's

a rhythm to it that's very soothing."

"R-rabbits can groom each other too, Flora," Pete squeaked shyly. "I could wash your

ears."

"We can try it if you want," Flora agreed. "Foxes can groom each other too, but it's more

like nibbling the fur. I think a comb or brush works better."

They exited the health center and headed back toward the dorms. They'd been walking

down the sidewalk together for a few seconds when Rosemary spoke.

"You were really lucky you met Flora when you did, Cynthia, but it never should have

been an issue. The college ought to accommodate everyone, whether they're abled or disabled,

big or small. I've been thinking about what could be done, and I have some ideas. Could I run

them by everybody sometime tomorrow?"

"Sure! I'd like to see what you've come up with," Cynthia piped. "I'm glad that breaking

my leg meant meeting all of you, but I really thought it was only a matter of time before

someone stepped on me again until Flora offered to help me."

"Cool, I'll try to make some sketches of what I think we need and meet you-all at lunch or

after."

They returned to their respective dorms to work on homework until dinner. Flora was

curious to see what Rosemary would come up with. As happily as meeting Cynthia had turned

out for both of them, Flora completely agreed with Rosemary. The college should not place

Cynthia or anyone else in a position where they had to rely on the goodwill of someone like

Flora. Everyone was, in fact, interdependent, but a certain level of independence was a matter

of dignity. And accessibility was essential for that.

* * *

The next day after lunch, the five of them along with Chester, Lance, Alex, and Amber

met in the library. Clustered around a large, rectangular wooden table with Cynthia sitting on

top, Alex crouching at one end, and Becca and Rosemary standing on their chairs, they

examined Rosemary's sketches.

"The most obvious thing was that there should be somewhere different for the smallest

people to walk. I considered a tunnel since it would be impossible for someone to step on or trip

over, but I realized it might flood or become buried under snow, so I decided a raised walkway

would be better. It needs to be wheelchair accessible of course, but for a near-ground-level

path, ramps should be okay. However, I also thought it would be nice if there were some

skyways between different buildings, and these could connect to the ground-level path by

elevators."

"Skyways would be nice for everyone," Amber remarked.

"I agree, but they'll be more expensive if they have to carry everyone," Rosemary

replied. "You can take the elevators inside instead of the stairs, but it's still a longer trip between

buildings for someone Cynthia's size than it is for, say, Chester or even you and me."

"Is that what the train is for?" Chester meowed amusedly, pointing to a sketch on the

next page.

Rosemary nodded, "I know it's a long shot, but it really is a lot farther to walk across

campus when you're small. The light rail wouldn't need to have too many stops to even out the

walking time significantly."

"I think it's a good idea," Becca commented. "Do you think it would be big enough for you

or me to ride? Running around campus keeps me in shape, but I get awfully hot sometimes."

"Maybe," Rosemary replied hesitantly.

"Wouldn't it be awfully easy for the tracks to get blocked?" Lance pointed out. "If it's that

small, just about anything would do it."

"Er, yeah, I guess," Rosemary agreed. "I guess it might need to be covered somehow,

like in a cage or tube, but there would need to be some way to get out if it broke down."

"It would be fun to watch," Chester remarked jovially. "Maybe we can tell them it doubles

as entertainment."

Rosemary rolled her eyes but smirked at the cat's joke, "Good idea, we can tap into two

budgets at once that way," she replied wryly. She flipped the page to her next sketch. "The other

thing I thought about is the desks. Especially in the halls with fixed seating, they ought to find a

way for everyone to seat themselves, so I thought they could suspend balcony seating from the

ceilings for the smaller desks. There would need to be elevators to reach it, but then the smaller

students wouldn't need to beg someone to get them a desk."

"These are all good ideas," Amber remarked. "Is there someone you can email them to?"

"I think it would be better if we showed more students support these changes if we can,"

Rosemary returned. "At least, it would make it harder to ignore."

"So like a petition?" Amber asked.

Rosemary nodded, "I looked into it, and you can book a table in the student union for the

day. I thought we could try to book it for Saturday next week and get as many students to sign

off on the changes as possible."

"Whatever we need to do, we'll get them to consider your ideas," Flora chirped. "Even if

they don't do all of them, the raised walkway alone would go a long way to making campus

safer and more accessible."

"Are you all okay with the idea of spending part of next Saturday personing our table

then?" Rosemary queried. "We can take turns, so no one will need to be there more than a few

hours."

"Of course, we're in!" Chester yowled. "Especially if it will make campus safer for our

little mousie!"

Flora and the others voiced their agreement.

Cynthia adjusted her whiskers bashfully, "I know it's not just for me, but I'm glad I'm

friends with all of you."

Flora smiled fondly at the little mouse, "We're glad you're our friend too. You've already

made my first semester here a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be."

Chester purred, "You know I appreciate being your friend, mousie."

"We all do," Rosemary agreed. "Like you said, this isn't only for you, but you're who I had

in mind. I would do it just for you."

"So would I," Flora agreed.

"Me too," Becca added.

"We all would!" Chester declared. "I already said so! Anything for our little mousie."

The others nodded in agreement.

Ears and nose bright pink, Cynthia looked away as she straightened her whiskers.

"Thanks everybody," she squeaked embarrassedly.

Their group broke up, but Flora, Cynthia, Pete, and Becca remained in the library to do

homework together after locating a slightly smaller table.

"Did you-all finish the calculus homework?" Becca asked. "I'm stuck on number twenty-

two."

"Let me see," Flora requested.

Becca slid her book and work paper across the table. Flora looked over Becca's work

then withdrew her own for comparison.

"I think you need to take the log first," Flora noted. "That should make it easier."

"Alright, thanks," Becca chirped.

Flora returned her book and work paper.

Some minutes later, Becca spoke again, "I'm having dinner with Martin later. Do you

want to join us? I'd like you to meet him."

"I'd love to," Flora replied warmly.

"Me too!" Cynthia squeaked.

Pete nodded his assent.

At around a quarter till six, the four of them made their way to the cafeteria. Martin had

yet to arrive, so they found a six-seat table and got their food. Flora and Pete sat next to each

other, and Becca sat across from Pete with one space between her and Flora. Shortly, a second

stoat approached the table. Like Becca, he had typical stoat coloration with a brown face and

back, white hands, feet, chin, and belly, and a black-tipped tail; however, his brown fur was

slightly more reddish. While Becca wore a pleated green midi skirt printed with pale yellow

roses, Martin wore a light blue blazer, which was completely unbuttoned to reveal his creamy

white belly. Flora thought he was cute, but he was one-sixteenth her size and perhaps bound to

appear so.

"Hey Becca, are these your friends?" he piped in greeting.

Becca returned him a toothy, cheerful grin, "Yeah, these are Pete, Flora, and Cynthia."

"Hi, I'm Martin!" he squeaked amiably. "I'm famished. Let me grab dinner." He bounded

away.

Becca turned toward Flora expectantly.

"He seems nice so far," Flora offered. "And he's cute."

"He's a hunk!" Becca proclaimed. "Did you notice he's a centimeter taller than me?"

"I guess I'd have to see you side-by-side," Flora replied diplomatically.

Martin returned after a few minutes and navigated getting his tray onto the oversized

table. He set it on his chair then climbed up after before lifting it onto the table. However, when

he sat, he could barely poke his dark brick nose above the tabletop.

"This table is kind of big," he stated the obvious.

"You can sit with me if that's okay with Flora," Becca replied from atop Flora's book bag.

"Sure," Flora agreed.

Martin scrambled up onto the table, moved his tray over by Becca's, then leapt down

onto Becca's chair with a light thump. He climbed on top of the green bag and sat pressed close

to Becca on the meager cushion, his shoulders now clearing the table. Martin was indeed the

slightly larger of the diminutive carnivores as Becca's shoulders were not visible. Becca turned

her head to nuzzle his crescent-shaped ear, and he nuzzled her back.

"Becca told us you're a sophomore, Martin," Flora remarked. "Have you decided your

major?"

"Poli-sci," he answered.

"Our friend Rosemary is a political science major," Flora returned amiably. "We're all

science majors."

"Three biochem., and Cynthia's chemistry," Becca told him amusedly.

"Wow, and you're all first-years, right? Did you meet in class?" Martin asked.

"I met Flora through Chester and Pete and Cynthia through Flora. They're all in my

calculus class though," Becca explained.

"How's your first semester going? How do you like RCV?" Martin asked, glancing

between Flora, Pete, and Cynthia. "It must seem just like home to you, huh, Flora?"

"Erm, not really. I'd actually never met a red fox before I got here, and Willowdale was

mostly prey, especially rabbits," Flora answered awkwardly. "I like it here though. I've met a lot

of great friends, problems aside."

"What kind of problems?" Martin asked curiously.

"Um, just with my first roommate, mostly, and some of the other red foxes. We didn't get

along, and she's made sure the others don't like me either."

"Oh! Oh Zeus! I'm an idiot!" Martin squeaked embarrassedly. "It didn't click. I saw you

two sitting together, but I didn't realize you're the fox and rabbit couple." He paused and smiled

awkwardly, "Sorry, I don't pay much attention to the gossip, but I figure, let people do what they

want to do. If you both want to be together, do it."

"That's okay," Flora responded embarrassedly. "I kind of wish everyone didn't know us

that way. I don't mind people knowing we're together, but you don't know what assumptions

they're making when that's all they know."

"I get that," Martin replied. "That's why I try not to pay attention. You can't believe

everything you hear."

"Lots of people are just assholes!" Becca declared irately. "I've told more than one idiot

to shut the fuck up about you and Pete, not that they listen."

"You don't have to do that," Flora replied embarrassedly. "I don't care what people say."

"Of course I do! You're my friend!" Becca rejoined. "I know you'd do the same if you

heard someone talking shit about me!"

Flora nodded in acknowledgement, "Just don't get hurt, okay?"

Martin wrapped his arm around Becca and gave her a squeeze. "If anyone tries to hurt

Becca, they'll see how ferocious two stoats can be!" he averred.

"I get why Pete's parents don't like it, but I don't understand why predators have an

issue," Cynthia remarked.

"I don't want to repeat what I've heard," Becca replied darkly. "But they find reasons.

They're just bigots though. Their reasons are excuses."

Cynthia nodded, "That sounds right. I guess I've gotten spoiled living with Flora; every

predator I meet now is so nice."

"You weren't there when Isabelle tried to jump us a couple weeks ago," Flora replied. "It

isn't always safe."

"If there was trouble, you'd protect us, Flora," Pete asserted fervently.

Flora smiled at him softly and put her hand on top of his, "I'd certainly do anything I

could."

They finished eating, and Flora, Pete, and Cynthia said goodnight to Becca and Martin

before heading back to their dorm.

"It was nice to meet you, Martin," Flora chirped.

"I'm glad I got to meet you too. Hopefully, I'll see you around again soon," Martin replied.

"Keep doing what you're doing; you seem to have things figured out."

"We will. Goodnight. See you tomorrow, Becca."

The three of them returned to Hollow Oak Hall and all entered Flora and Cynthia's room,

where Pete gave Flora her nightly foot massage while she read. They'd begun this relaxing

routine shortly after their date, and even on the five nights a week Pete didn't sleep with her, he

visited before their showers to perform the massage. For Flora, it was a soothing massage, but

for Pete, it was a ritual of worship. What mattered to Flora was the love and devotion for one

another they shared, but she let Pete have his little excesses.

When he was done, Flora took her shower. Cynthia returned from her own shower

shortly after Flora returned from hers.

"I'm glad I can take a shower now," Cynthia remarked. "But I wish everyone wouldn't

jump in the handicapped shower. I've had to wait both times even though there were other

showers open. I get that it's bigger, but I actually need it."

"I could take you with me if that would be better," Flora offered.

"How would that work?" Cynthia queried. "Do you want me to sit under you and use your

runoff? I think that's a little more fox than I want to contend with."

Flora blushed, "I was thinking I could hold you while you washed then take my shower

once you were done."

"I guess that would work," Cynthia acknowledged. "I'll think about it. I'd like to manage

on my own, but thanks for the offer."

"Alright, I get that you want to do more things on your own instead of fewer now that your

cast is off, but if you change your mind, let me know."

Cynthia proceeded to her bed, sat down, and propped her crutches at the foot. "Can you

pick me up now, Flora?"

Flora hopped off of her bed and crouched to scoop the little wood mouse off of hers. She

stood, looking down into her hands curiously, and Cynthia smiled up at her fondly.

"I do appreciate how close we are, Flora," Cynthia squeaked. "I wouldn't mind showering

with you. I just don't want to feel like a burden. I know you don't see it like that, but if you had to

take extra time to help me, I'd still feel that way. You already go out of your way for me every

day."

"I'm happy to help. You aren't a burden, and a little longer in the shower would be no big

deal. But I understand. Just so long as you know you can always ask me anytime you need

anything."

"I know that," Cynthia replied fondly. "You're a good friend, Flora."

Flora lifted Cynthia and gently touched her nose to the top of the mouse's head.

"I'd nuzzle you back, but I'd get nose-wet all over me," Cynthia quipped.

On impish impulse, Flora licked the mouse from foot to nose with a generous slurp.

"Bleck! I'm covered in fox slobber!" Cynthia squeaked in surprise.

"I just brushed my teeth, so it shouldn't be too nasty," Flora consoled amusedly. "You

can snuggle into my fur and dry off."

"Gee, thanks," Cynthia grumbled. "I'll really smell like fox after that."

"If you didn't want to smell like me, you wouldn't sleep with me," Flora teased.

Cynthia sighed resignedly, "I guess not."

"You can lick me back if that will make you feel better," Flora offered teasingly.

Cynthia rolled her eyes and sighed again.

Flora sat back on her bed and reclined against her reading pillow before setting Cynthia

on her belly. "Roll around and dry off. There's plenty of fur to get you dry," she instructed.

Cynthia complied, scooting and rolling herself through Flora's fluffy white belly fur until

she was dry. When she sat up, she had a few long hairs stuck to her, which Flora amusedly

plucked off.

"Better?"

"Maybe I should just let you give me a tongue bath. That would really save time,"

Cynthia returned dryly.

"You seemed to think you might like Chester to give you one," Flora reminded teasingly.

"H-his tongue is less slobbery!" Cynthia rejoined embarrassedly.

"I suppose it is," Flora replied coyly.

"E-everyone knows cats' tongues are less slobbery!" Cynthia protested.

"I suppose they do."

"I'm tired. Quit being dumb, and let's go to bed."

Flora complied, putting away her reading pillow and climbing into bed with the mouse.

She tucked Cynthia in her spot by the base of Flora's neck, and Cynthia snuggled into her fur.

Flora gently ran a finger from the mouse's head to her tail then cupped her hand over her.

"Goodnight, smelly mouse," Flora murmured affectionately.

"Goodnight, drooly fox," Cynthia returned warmly.

* * *

Unfortunately, there were no tables available for the full day in the student union

Saturday that week; however, they were able to book one for the following week. They had the

table from 7AM until 11PM, so they planned for each group to take two 2-hour shifts. Flora,

Cynthia, and Pete had their first shift from 9AM to 11AM, following Alex and Rosemary's shift.

Rosemary handed off the clipboards loaded with copies of the petition to Flora when the three of

them arrived. The top page on each was about half full. Flora peeked under the top sheets, but

the other sheets were all empty.

"It was slow," Rosemary explained. "Hopefully, more people start coming in. Good luck."

Flora nodded in acknowledgment, and the black squirrel and mountain goat left. She and

Pete took their seats, Cynthia sitting on top of the table, and Flora gave Pete the smaller

clipboard, which held petitions that looked to Flora like notecards. Her unwieldy clipboard held

sheets roughly twice the area she was used to writing on. They'd decided against purchasing

clipboards in more than two sizes but had pens in several.

While the main cafeteria was in the dining hall, the student union hosted a coffee shop

along with a small convenience store, the college bookstore, and ample study and recreation

area. Personally, Flora rarely visited, but as the nine o'clock hour proceeded, more students

began to filter in. Flora, Pete, and Cynthia did their best to wave them to the table. With

Cynthia's help, they obtained at least a few dozen signatures from mice, shrews, voles, and

other diminutive mammals, who seemed more inclined to pay attention when she called to

them. They were quite enthusiastic about the proposals, which would, of course, benefit them.

Flora was able to grab the attention of several dozen other students, both mammalian and

avian, predator and prey; however, only a few red foxes signed with most ignoring them

altogether. The only other demographic they had notable trouble with were lagomorphs, several

rabbits and hares giving Pete the side eye as they passed; although, a pair of pikas did sign.

Flora was relieved when Becca and Amber arrived to take over the next shift. "We've

only had trouble with rabbits and red foxes," Flora informed them. "I don't know what we can do

about the red foxes, but I think you should have better luck with the rabbits."

"B-Bill has been telling them about me and Flora," Pete squeaked awkwardly. "I don't

really know what, but I guess it's worked."

"It looks like you've been doing pretty well to me," Amber remarked. "Rosemary said

they'd only filled half a page each. You've gotten a lot more."

"Flora's our draw," Cynthia squeaked cheekily.

"You've convinced a lot of people too," Flora replied awkwardly.

Cynthia shrugged, "After I got their attention, they were bound to sign."

Flora, Pete, and Cynthia's next shift wasn't until 7PM. They grabbed a quick lunch then

went to the library to do homework until dinner. They found Rosemary and Amber in the

cafeteria at a quarter till six, the squirrels having completed their second shift at five.

"It was a little better this afternoon," Rosemary divulged. "It's hard to attract predators

with two squirrels even though you might think it should be the opposite."

"We did seem to get more attention when I was with Becca," Amber admitted. "But it

might have been because it was close to lunch. I don't think many people come to the student

union in the middle of the afternoon. Most club stuff is later."

"Maybe we should have split up Chester and Lance if having a predator and a prey

present attracts the most people," Flora remarked worriedly.

Amber shook her head, "I wouldn't split those two up. Whatever they were doing, they

were doing it right! There were, like, double the number of signatures when I got back for my

shift with Rosemary, and Chester and Lance did the only shift between."

"Chester can be very charming," Rosemary admitted. "Even if he is a goofball."

Rosemary and Amber had finished their meals and left when Moxie approached their

table, furtively glanced around, and sat.

"I've heard you're collecting signatures," she whispered.

"Alex and Becca are right now. They're at a table in the front of the student union. We'll

be back there at seven."

"You're trying to get upgrades for the small mammal students, right?" Moxie inquired

hesitantly.

"We're trying to increase the safety and accessibility, especially for injured or disabled

small mammals," Flora answered.

Moxie nodded slowly, "I'd like to sign. I heard a bunch of people did this afternoon when

the cute cat was there."

"Chester," Flora clarified. "You've met him, the beige tabby with golden eyes."

"Right. I want to sign too, and Stella. We'll try to come by later."

Flora smiled amiably, "Thanks, we have the table till eleven."

"The reason I came to talk to you though," Moxie went on anxiously. "Is to tell you that

Isabelle found out you were involved. I don't know what she's going to do, but you should be

prepared."

Flora sighed wearily, "Of course she couldn't just stay out of it. She's consumed with

spite. I didn't ask to be her obsession. I wish she would just go away."

Moxie nodded sympathetically, "Stella's tried to convince her to forget about you, but like

you said, she's obsessed. Katrina and Orion don't help. I think they enjoy seeing her angry."

"We'll keep an eye out," Flora responded. "Thanks for letting us know."

Moxie slipped away, and they finished dinner. They took their things to their rooms

before returning to the student union for their second shift. They found Martin at the table along

with Becca and Alex. Alex was sitting on a chair with a seat that was taller than the table, and

the two stoats were standing in front.

"Hi Flora!" Martin squeaked as they approached. "Is our time up already?"

"It's our turn," Flora confirmed. "How's it going? I hope there hasn't been any trouble."

Martin shook his head, "It's been great! I was telling Becca we could use the paths and

skyways too, even if we had to wriggle through on all fours! Of course, we're really just glad to

be involved with making the campus better."

"I didn't know if Martin would have time, but he was anxious to help when he heard what

we were doing," Becca explained.

Martin stepped beside Becca and nuzzled her ear, "And it was more time to spend with

Becca, so how could I refuse?"

Flora turned her attention to the mountain goat, "How have you been, Alex?"

"Fine," xe responded mildly. Xe nudged the larger clipboard, which was resting on the

table, "We got more than this morning."

Alex stood, and Martin handed the other clipboard to Pete.

"Good luck!" Martin piped.

"See ya," Flora chirped.

She and Pete took their seats, Flora setting Cynthia on the table. Their shift began much

as it had that morning; although, now most of the students filing into the building were headed to

club activities rather than the coffee shop. However, that immediately changed when a certain

auburn-furred vixen stalked through the two sets of glass doors. Flora's eyes met Isabelle's, and

the red vixen bounded across the entryway to loom over the table threateningly, her amber eyes

embers as she stared down at Flora. Pete shrunk fearfully in his seat, but Cynthia held her

nerve.

"Would you like to sign our petition?" the mouse piped. "We're trying to make campus

more accessible for the smallest members of our community."

Isabelle ignored Cynthia but glanced down at the sketches Rosemary had left for people

to look over. "Is this what you're up to now?" she asked Flora scathingly. "You want to fill our

campus with rodent paths?"

"Sign or go away," Flora replied annoyedly. "Since you don't care about anyone but

yourself, I suggest the latter."

Isabelle looked back up at her hatefully, "That's rich coming from you! I'm not the one

dragging our school's reputation through the mud!"

Flora stared at the red vixen, baffled, "I don't even know what you're talking about. No

one besides you even cares about me and Pete."

"Is that so?" Isabelle snapped. "What do you call this?!" She jabbed at her phone for a

couple seconds then thrust the screen toward Flora angrily.

Flora instantly recognized the picture at the top of the article, and a stone dropped into

her stomach: it was her and Pete posing at the art museum. I guess she wasn't an art student

after all. The title read, 'Illicit Love at the Royal College?'

"Well?" Isabelle demanded. "How did this interview end up in this tawdry rag?!"

"She, um, said she was an art student," Flora replied lamely. "We didn't even know it

was an interview."

Isabelle snorted contemptuously. "If you hadn't been out flaunting your deviancy, it

wouldn't have happened!"

Flora narrowed her eyes dangerously, "We didn't mean for it to be a story, but who

cares? It's dumb that they thought it was worthy of an article, but I definitely don't think it's

'dragging our school's reputation through the mud'."

Isabelle's amber eyes glared daggers back at Flora, "RCV has a reputation for

scholarship, not perverse liaisons between completely incompatible species," she growled. "And

the fact that it involves a fox, even of your genus," she stopped seeming too disgusted to go on.

"It's just a good thing no one reads this rag nor would credit anything it prints!"

"Then it doesn't matter, and you can go away!" Flora snapped.

"Next time it might be a reputable paper," Isabelle rejoined. "I won't-"

"Hi Izzy," another vixen's voice interrupted.

Flora and Isabelle turned to see Moxie and Stella approaching from Flora's left.

Stella smiled at her friend awkwardly and gently pushed the smaller vixen toward the

table, "You can sign first, Moxie."

Moxie eyed Isabelle nervously but stepped forward. Flora pushed the larger clipboard

toward her, and she signed the petition. Moxie stepped back, and Stella stepped forward and

took a pen.

"You're going to sign, Stella?!" Isabelle yelped incredulously.

Stella looked up from the petition, "I know you and Flora have your disagreements, but

this doesn't really have anything to do with that," she stated calmly. She signed the petition and

stepped back beside Moxie.

With a final glare at Flora, Isabelle whipped around and tromped out of the student union

in high dudgeon.

Flora breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks."

Stella regarded her embarrassedly, "I'm sorry about Isabelle. I have tried to convince her

to stop bothering you. I'm afraid I haven't had much success."

"She's not really your responsibility," Flora returned awkwardly. "I appreciate that you've

been trying though."

"I'm not ready to give up!" Stella declared. "Maybe this will show her how unreasonable

she's allowed this feud to make her."

Flora didn't think that was likely, but she nodded in agreement anyway, "I hope so.

Thank you for signing."

"No problem, I can't imagine why any decent person wouldn't want the campus to be

safe for everyone. If it's not safe now, then it needs to be fixed."

Stella and Moxie left, but a short while later, Trevor sauntered into the student union.

"Moxie told me about your petition," the silver fox stated smoothly. They stepped up to

the table and signed the petition with a flourish. "You should have told me what you were doing.

I'd like to help if I can. Have you had much luck with the red foxes?"

"Not while we've been here," Flora admitted. "It sounded like Chester might have had

more luck."

"Allow me to assist you," he offered gallantly with a slight bow. Turning toward the

entrance, he caught the attention of a red tod, who was headed out of the building, "Good sir,

would you be so kind as to lend us your signature?"

The red fox turned back toward them and hesitantly walked over to the table, "For

what?"

"We're endeavoring to make the campus safer for our smaller classmates, like this

unfortunate mouse," Trevor indicated Cynthia with an elegant sweep of their arm. "You wouldn't

want her to be crushed under someone's hoof or paw, would you?"

"C-certainly not!" the red tod yelped anxiously.

"Kindly sign our petition so that she may traverse our campus in safety."

The tod hurried to comply. After he'd signed, he looked up at Flora uncertainly, "Are you-

"

Trevor clapped their hand heartily on the tod's shoulder, causing him to flinch, "Thank

you for your assistance! Have a pleasant evening!"

The tod returned Trevor an awkward smile that was more of a grimace, "Y-you too." He

hurried out of the building.

Flora was uncertain about Trevor's methodology, but they had gotten someone to sign

who probably wouldn't have.

"May I stay and assist you?" Trevor requested.

Flora nodded. She supposed it wouldn't hurt.

With Trevor's help, they secured the signatures of at least a dozen more red foxes. They

continued to obtain signatures from other species as well but still had little luck with rabbits and

hares. By the time Chester and Lance arrived for the final shift, Flora felt like taking a soothing

hot shower and climbing into bed.

The beige tabby sauntered up to the table with Lance close behind, "Hey, how's it

going?" he meowed cheerfully.

"Pretty well," Flora answered. "Trevor's been helping us attract red foxes."

"I'd like to stay and keep helping if you don't mind," Trevor added.

Chester smiled at the silver fox amiably, "Sure."

Flora scooped up Cynthia, and she and Pete stood to let Chester and Lance have the

table.

"Why don't you take one of the seats if you've been standing, Trevor," Chester offered. "I

like to stand, so I can get people's attention better."

Trevor took the seat beside Lance, and Chester turned to Flora.

"Have a good night, Flora, Pete, and you too, mousie," he meowed genially. "See you

around tomorrow."

"Night, Chester," Cynthia squeaked.

"Good luck," Flora chirped.

The three of them returned to their dorm.

Flora was reclining in bed after her shower when she heard a knock at the door. Cynthia

had not yet returned from her own shower, so Flora slid out of bed and crept to the door. Gently

pushing the button to trigger the automatic door, she slipped into the corner behind where it

opened. Pete stepped into the room, watching the floor carefully and looked around in

confusion.

"Hello? Cynthia?" he called.

Flora pounced out from behind the closing door and grabbed the rabbit under the arms,

"Gotcha!"

Pete rocketed toward the ceiling with a squeal of surprise. As he dropped back to the

floor, Flora wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly against her chest. She

licked the base of his ear affectionately.

"Caught you, bunny," she declared amusedly.

"Y-you startled me!" Pete protested.

"Sorry, Pete. I was just so excited to get my claws on my sweet bun," Flora teased.

"What do you say I give you a tickle before Cynthia gets back?"

"Y-you want to?" Pete asked shyly.

"Unless you don't feel up to it."

"I do!" Pete returned hastily.

"I got us something to make it even more fun," Flora told him coyly. "Lie on the bed."

Flora moved her reading pillow, and Pete lay on his back. Stepping over to her desk,

Flora removed a roll of lime green ribbon and a pair of scissors from the second drawer. She

unrolled two arm-lengths of ribbon and snipped it off the roll.

"Put your arms up over your head," she instructed.

Pete complied. Flora tied one end of the ribbon to one of his wrists, looped it around the

narrow headboard, and tied his other hand. When she had finished, she bent over him and gave

him a lick on the nose.

"Comfortable, bunny?"

Pete nodded.

"Our safe word is still periwinkle," Flora reminded. She climbed onto the bed and sat on

his hips with her legs straddling his waist and her feet drawn underneath. She flipped her bushy

tail excitedly as she surveyed her bound bunny. "Looks like you're in trouble now, Pete," she

teased in titillation. "Let's see how ticklish your ribs and underarms are tonight."

Pete squirmed underneath her, staring up with anxious excitement, "D-do it!"

Flora slowly leaned forward, reaching her sharp-clawed hands toward his helplessly

exposed ribs with a wicked grin. Pete held his breath, his blue eyes wide with anticipation.

Flora's hands darted in, and her wriggling fingers raced mercilessly over their target.

"Eek! Eeheehee, eeheehee, eeheeheeheeheehee!" Pete squealed with laughter.

Unrelenting, Flora reached up to tickle his underarms then returned to his ribs,

underarms then ribs, underarms, ribs. Pete's squeals and squirming spurred her fingers into

more vigorous wriggles and filled her with elation until she couldn't help but giggle herself as

she tickled the tied rabbit. Pete gasped for breath between bouts of giggling. He exhausted his

squirming and submitted to her racing fingers. Her fingers began to feel sore, but still, Flora

didn't relent.

"Peeheeheehee! P-peeheeheehee! P-p-periwinkle!" Pete squealed.

Flora's fingers halted, and she sat back, "Have you had all you can stand then?" Flora

asked amusedly.

"All the, all the tickling," Pete managed through gasps.

Flora leaned forward until she dropped onto all fours. She crouched down so that she

was holding herself just above Pete, their chest fur brushing together and their noses touching.

"So you might be up for something else, hmm?" she murmured sultrily.

"Don't mind me," came Cynthia's cheeky squeak.

Flora looked up in surprised embarrassment to see the wood mouse sitting on the small

bed.

"W-where did you come from?" Flora queried.

"I came in a couple minutes ago," Cynthia stated amusedly. "I didn't want to disturb you.

I can leave again if you want."

"N-no, that's okay," Flora stammered. "Pete's had enough."

Cynthia grabbed her crutches and stood, "I don't want to disturb you. I'll call Rosemary

and see if she can come get me. Carry on!"

Cynthia hurried to the door, much faster now that she was able to place some weight on

her injured leg, and hit the button. Flora watched her out of the corner of one eye as she made

her way out into the hall and the door closed behind her.

She looked back at Pete awkwardly, "Erm, I guess we're alone then. Do you want me to

let you up?"

Pete reached his legs up around Flora's middle, "I-I want you to tell me what else you're

going to do to me," he squeaked anxiously.

Flora looked down, her nose once again pressed against his. She gazed intensely into

his inky blue-ringed orbs, and he gazed back, quivering with excitement. Flora lowered herself

on top of him.

* * *

"I scanned all of the pages and uploaded them to my account," Rosemary informed

Flora, Pete, Cynthia, Amber, and Becca at lunch the next day. "I'll send the link to the president,

the dean of students, the trustees, and anyone else who I can think of whose email I can find.

Hopefully, we'll hear something back in a week or so."

"What if they just say no?" Amber asked.

"They can't just say no! We got like five hundred signatures!" Becca insisted.

"Five hundred and fourteen was my count," Rosemary confirmed. "But we should still be

prepared for them to say no."

"What do we do then?!" Becca demanded.

"We should try to organize some kind of protest if they won't give us anything,"

Rosemary answered. "A sit-in in the administrative offices might work. At some point, they'll just

want their offices back."

"We'll do whatever we have to," Flora agreed.

"Just as long as you don't all get expelled!" Cynthia squeaked anxiously. "I don't want

your futures ruined because of me!"

"I doubt it will come to that," Flora soothed.

"As long as we don't set fire to the offices, I think we should be fine," Rosemary chaffed.

"Think how bad it would look if they expelled us over a peaceful protest aimed at increasing

campus safety."

"Isabelle would be pleased to see she was right about me spoiling the college's

reputation," Flora stated dryly. "She showed up to accuse me of that during our second shift."

Rosemary rolled their eyes exasperatedly, "Seriously? I hope they approve everything,

even the train, just so she can stew in her rage."

"Moxie and Stella showed up to sign, so maybe she got the idea she isn't going to win

on this one," Flora suggested optimistically.

Rosemary gave her a dubious look, "Maybe."

* * *

That evening, Flora returned from her shower to find Cynthia waiting expectantly in their

room, the mouse having left to take her shower whilst Pete gave Flora her nightly massage.

"You haven't told me how it went with Pete last night," Cynthia pried.

"It was nice," Flora replied vaguely.

"You did do it, didn't you?" Cynthia demanded anxiously.

"We might have," Flora answered coyly.

"Flora!" Cynthia pleaded. "You have to tell me something!"

"Pete was very, ah, very attentive," Flora returned meaningfully. "That's all I'll say. You

should have hidden under the bed if you wanted to be a little voyeur," she teased.

"If you're not going to tell me anything, next time I will!" Cynthia declared peevishly.

"Careful we don't find you, or I might shove you in a drawer until morning," Flora taunted

lightly.

Cynthia crossed her arms with a huff. "Worth it," she grumbled. "I can't believe you won't

tell me anything."

"It felt good, and we did 'do it'," Flora divulged. "I'm not going into graphic detail. That's

private. You don't tell me what you do with Chester."

"That's different! I don't want you to worry!"

"And I don't ask because that's your private time together," Flora rejoined.

Cynthia sighed resignedly, "Fair enough."

Flora crouched by the bed and scooped up the little mouse. "I know I can tell you

anything, Cynthia," she murmured affectionately. "It's not that I don't trust you to be discreet."

"I get that some things are too private," Cynthia replied. "I just need to know how your

relationship is going. It was your first time and everything, right? That's a big deal!"

Flora smirked softly, "It's going well. Pete and I had a wonderful time. Thank you for

giving us our privacy, so we could."

"Any time you want privacy again, just ask!" Cynthia squeaked earnestly. "I'm glad you

had a good time."

"So you're not going to hide under the bed then?" Flora teased.

"Probably not, I wouldn't be able to see a thing under there!" Cynthia quipped cheekily.

Flora petted the mouse's head with her thumb, "You're lucky I love you, pervy mouse,"

she returned affectionately.

Cynthia caught Flora's thumb in her minuscule hands and smiled up at her fondly, "I

know I am."

* * *

Wednesday on her way to biology, Flora got Rosemary's text. It read, 'Forwarded you

the email. Discouraging, but we won't give up.'

Flora hurried to class, her stomach churning. She refrained from checking her email

during lecture, but she had a difficult time focusing. Moxie took notice of her anxiety.

"Is everything alright, Flora?" the swift fox asked when class had ended.

"Rosemary texted me. It sounds like we got a response on our proposals, and it wasn't

good," Flora answered.

"I would have thought they could have considered it a bit longer!" Moxie responded

annoyedly. "I thought they were good ideas!"

"We're not going to give up, no matter what they said," Flora replied resolutely.

"Did she say what exactly they said?"

"She forwarded me the email. I'll look at it once I pick up Cynthia."

"Can I come? I'd like to see what they said too," Moxie requested.

"Okay," Flora agreed.

The two vixens and Pete made their way to Cynthia's physics classroom, where they

found the mouse fuming with indignation.

"Did you read this?!" she squeaked irately.

"I was about to," Flora answered. She slipped her phone out of its holster and opened

her email. Rosemary's email was the second down under an update from residential life. Flora

opened the forwarded email:

'Dear Mx. Greene,

I would like to thank you for contacting me about these concerns. The accessibility of our

campus is a top priority for me and our trustees, and we will consider the changes you've

proposed in coming years. We are currently considering updates to classroom seating;

however, we do not currently have funds allocated for updates to campus walkways beyond

routine repairs. While I understand the size of the campus may create a greater burden for

students of smaller size, it is unlikely that the light rail system you suggest could be installed

without a designated grant. I hope our response does not discourage you from future

participation in our campus community, and I appreciate the interest you've raised in campus

accessibility.

Well wishes,

President Bartok

Rosemary's commentary above read, 'No "funds allocated". As if they don't have the

money. This isn't over.'

Flora handed the phone to Moxie so that she could read it as well.

"It sounds to me like they're just hoping the problem will go away," Moxie concluded

when she'd finished.

Flora took back her phone and shoved it into her holster. "Yeah, like Rosemary said,

there's no way they don't have the money. The school all of the rich red foxes go to? Their

endowment must be incredible!"

"What are you going to do?" Moxie asked.

"Rosemary suggested we could do a sit-in in the administrative offices," Flora told her. "I

don't know when."

"Count me in when you do!" Moxie chirped.

Flora gave her a friendly smile, "Alright, I'll let you know."

"Cool, I have to meet Stella. See you around!"

"See ya!"

Moxie trotted out of the room and toward the exit. Flora scooped up Cynthia, and they

headed to lunch. They found Rosemary and Amber already in the cafeteria.

"Hi Rosemary, we got your email," Flora chirped.

Rosemary nodded in acknowledgement, "What did you think? I didn't think they'd give us

everything, but I thought their response was pretty lame, especially the part about 'allocated

funds'. No shit, they haven't allocated them! They weren't planning on addressing the issue!"

"I agree. They're hoping they can just brush us off," Flora replied.

"They think we'll give up if they just tell us it's important and they'll consider it later!"

Cynthia squeaked angrily. "If it's so important, why haven't they done anything before now?! It's

not like they just started accepting mice or other small mammals!"

"Right, they're just pretending to take us seriously in hopes that it will placate us,"

Rosemary agreed. "We won't give up that easily!"

"So are we going to do the sit-in like you said?" Flora inquired.

Rosemary nodded, "We should do it soon so that people still remember what the petition

was about, but we need a little time to spread the word so that it's not just us. If even ten

percent of the people who signed show up, we ought to be able to fill the president and dean's

offices. The administrative offices don't open until nine, so I think we could meet in front of the

entrance at nine-thirty on Friday."

"We, uh, have chemistry class then," Pete noted awkwardly.

"I have class then too," Rosemary replied. "We can't wait until class is over. We need to

show them we're serious."

"We don't have an exam. I'm sure Professor Serrano will understand," Flora reassured

the rabbit.

"W-what about Dr. Whitman?" Pete asked anxiously.

"If she docks us points for that day, I'm sure our grades will be fine," Flora replied.

"I think we'll all understand if you'd rather not come, Pete," Rosemary remarked. "It might

get pretty tense. I wouldn't want you to panic and get hurt."

"N-no, if Flora's going, then I am," Pete returned, nervous but determined.

Flora placed her right hand over his left, "Whatever happens, we'll stick together.

Whether they change their minds or not, we'll know we tried."

Pete turned his head toward her and gave her a small nod with a grateful smile.

"If everyone's okay with the plan, then we just need to spread the word," Rosemary

decided. "Tell anyone who you think would come, even if they didn't sign the petition."

"Moxie asked me to tell her, and I'll tell Trevor too," Flora responded. "Hopefully, they

can convince some of their other friends too."

"I'll tell my old roommate," Cynthia added.

"Alex should be able to convince some of xir other friends too," Rosemary stated. "Large

animals will be harder to ignore."

They finished lunch, and Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their dorm. After texting

Moxie and Trevor. Flora tried to think of other people she knew who she could tell. She emailed

a few other students who she'd talked to before in class including the ginger tabby she sat next

to in organic, the wildcat she sat by in biology, and the arctic, fennec, and Rüppell's foxes from

her writing section. Flora hoped the others knew more other people. Her phone pinged, and she

examined it to see she had another email from Rosemary, this one with an attachment:

Hi Flora,

Please email everyone you can on these pages of the petition.

Thanks,

Rosemary

(she/they)

Three scanned pages of the petition were attached; it looked like she had her work cut

out for her. Flora downloaded the pages, opened the first, and started typing.

* * *

Thursday in her writing section, Flora noticed she was once again the center of attention;

although, this time it seemed more mixed instead of purely negative, the glances in her direction

ranging from annoyed to curious. As usual, Professor McLaughlin was oblivious to all. After a

typically insipid class, Flora was approached by the arctic and Rüppell's foxes as well as a red

tod. Flora knew the arctic fox was named Freya, and the Rüppell's fox was named Dante. She

didn't remember the red tod's name.

"I got your email," the arctic vixen noted awkwardly.

"So did I," the sandy-colored desert tod added.

"I got one. I don't think it was from you, but you were there when I signed up," the red tod

remarked.

Flora smiled at the three foxes self-consciously, "Did you have any questions? I think I or

whoever emailed you probably said we're meeting outside of the administrative building at nine-

thirty tomorrow morning."

"Could you explain a little more about that?" Freya requested. "You said it was to make

the campus safer, right?"

"We're trying to get the college to make the campus safer and more accessible to small

mammals, like mice and voles," Flora explained. "We had a number of proposals, but the most

important was a raised walkway they can use so that they don't have to worry about being

stepped on."

"They were collecting signatures on Saturday in the student union," the red tod noted.

"But it seems the administration wasn't altogether impressed."

"More like they didn't want to do anything about it," Flora returned irritatedly. "We got five

hundred signatures!"

"Wow! Really?! And they still brushed you off? That sucks!" Dante exclaimed.

"I'd be inclined to come to your rally, but unfortunately, I have calculus at that time," the

red tod told her apologetically.

"I have class too," Flora replied. "We want to show the administration this issue is

important enough to us that we'll miss class over it. We're meeting at nine-thirty, so I'll leave

organic ten to fifteen minutes before that. Then we're going to sit in the president's and dean's

offices until we come to an agreement or they drag us out."

"Count me in!" Dante chirped.

Freya nodded, "I'll try to make it too."

"I'll consider it," the red tod allowed. "I suppose missing one class won't be the end of

Vulpineva."

"Thank you!" Flora chirped genially. "If you know anyone else who might come, please

invite them. Hopefully, there will be so many of us that we won't even all fit inside. If they're

overflowed with students who want the campus updated, they'll have to concede!"

"Right! We'll see you there," Dante piped.

He and Freya went to grab their things, but the red tod remained next to Flora's seat.

"I, uh, wanted to apologize for my part in the rumors people have been spreading about

you," he murmured uncomfortably after a second.

Flora blinked up at him, "Alright. I'm glad you realize I'm not whatever Isabelle has been

saying."

He nodded. "See you around, Flora." He walked by her and out of the classroom.

I'll have to pay attention, so I can catch his name, Flora considered embarrassedly. She

grabbed her bag and went to collect Cynthia.

* * *

Flora didn't get a lot of sleep that night, tossing and turning as she contemplated what

might happen at the sit-in. She didn't think they would be expelled, but might they be sanctioned

in some other way? And what if the administration had less restraint than they anticipated?

Would she be able to get into another college if she was expelled from RCV? What if they were

arrested?! She didn't want her parents to have to come get her out of jail, and the looks of

disappointment she imagined on their faces dropped a stone into her belly. When her alarm

woke her from fitful dreams, she felt even more exhausted than she did anxious.

Flora's anxiety made her taciturn at breakfast, which neither Pete nor Cynthia failed to

notice. Both did their best to comfort her, Cynthia chattering cheerfully, and Pete placing a hand

on her knee. Flora knew they were nervous too, and she tried to put on a smile to show them

she was alright. She didn't want them to have her to worry about as well.

They met Becca in the calculus classroom. "Are you ready?" the stoat asked them

nervously.

"We're ready!" Cynthia declared.

"What are you doing about next period?" Becca queried.

"We're going to go and leave when it's time to head over," Flora stated.

"I was thinking about skipping altogether," Becca divulged. "It'll be more awkward if I

have to walk out all by myself. At least you know it'll be the three of you."

"Trevor and Alex will be there too," Flora noted. "It's completely up to you whether you

go of course."

They took their seats as the other students continued to file in. Flora kept an ear cocked

in Quincy's direction, half expecting the tod to give her another of his warnings about Isabelle's

wrath, but he never spoke. Dr. Delafosse arrived, and class proceeded as usual. Flora, Pete,

and Cynthia told Becca they'd see her soon and headed to chemistry class.

In the tiered lecture hall, Flora kept an eye on her classmates as they entered,

wondering which of them would be leaving with her. The ginger cat gave her an enigmatic glace

as they sat on Flora's left but said nothing. Before long, Dr. Serrano wheeled himself down to

the front of the room. He watched as the last students trickled in, and when the stream had

dried up, he glanced at his watch before looking up at the class with an indulgent smile.

"It's come to my attention that there's a student protest scheduled this morning," he

stated cheerfully. "So I'm cancelling class for today. If you're attending, good luck. If not, enjoy

your free hour."

His eyes met Flora's as he wished them luck, and Flora felt a little nervous flutter in her

belly. Did he know she was involved?

Students began to stand. Flora's keen ears caught whispers and mutters expressing

everything from annoyance to curiosity to gratitude. She scooped up Cynthia and collected Pete

before meeting Trevor and Alex at the top of the room. The five of them exited together.

"What should we do for the next half hour?" Trevor asked amusedly. "I didn't think our

professors would actually excuse us from class."

"Do you think they all are or just Professor Serrano?" Flora queried.

Trevor shrugged nonchalantly, "I guess we'll find out."

"It would be nice if we have the support of the faculty," Flora remarked. "I wonder how he

found out."

"I'm sure things get around," Trevor replied.

"We could take our stuff to our rooms," Pete suggested shyly.

Flora turned to the rabbit and gave him a warm smile, "Good idea, Pete. We don't really

need our books. It might be good to bring something to drink at least if you can though."

Pete eyed the green water bottle crammed in one of the side pockets of her bag and

nodded.

"If you don't have a bottle, you can share mine," Flora teased.

"I-I have one," Pete stammered embarrassedly.

"Alright, see you outside of the administrative building then," Trevor chirped genially.

Their group broke up, and Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their dorm. After leaving

his bag and filling his blue water bottle, Pete met the girls in their room.

"Are you ready, Pete?" Flora asked the rabbit anxiously.

Pete nodded nervously, "We're going to stick together, right?"

Flora nodded, "Stay close to my side. If anything happens, I'll make sure we get out

alright."

"It's going to turn out fine!" Cynthia declared optimistically. "We already have some of the

faculty on our side, or at least Dr. Serrano."

"That does make me a little more hopeful," Flora admitted.

"We'll get them to change their minds, and even if we don't, we'll show them we aren't

going to give up on this issue," the mouse squeaked determinedly. "No matter what happens,

I'm glad I have friends like you two."

Flora smiled fondly at the little mouse, her determination bolstered by Cynthia's own. We

can do this! Shortly, they left for the administrative building.

A group of students had already gathered when they arrived several minutes before

9:30. Flora had a difficult time estimating how many because of the varying sizes, from a moose

to the many mice, voles, shrews, and moles who were clustered a short distance away from the

larger animals. In addition, many avian students were perched in the surrounding trees. They

found Becca, Martin, Trevor, Alex, Amber, and Rosemary together at the front of the crowd.

"We have a decent turnout so far," Rosemary commented. "And there's still a little time

left."

Flora nodded in hopeful acknowledgement.

"Flora!" a vulpine voice piped.

Flora turned to see Dante and Freya a short distance back. The diminutive desert fox

waved at her excitedly, and Flora waved back with a friendly smile.

Moxie was the next to join their group. "I wanted to let you know that Stella and I are

here," the swift fox chirped anxiously.

"You're both welcome to join us up here if you want," Rosemary told her nonchalantly.

"Or you can stay back if you prefer."

Moxie regarded the squirrel conflictedly, "I'll see what Stella wants to do." She hurried

away.

At the last minute, Chester bounded up next to them with Lance ambling along behind

him.

"For a minute, I thought you'd overslept," Rosemary quipped.

"Blame Lance!" Chester yowled embarrassedly. "He just had to have a second helping at

breakfast!"

"I might not get to eat again today," Lance replied matter-of-factly. "I didn't want to be

hungry."

"We'll have to consider if we can send people for food depending how long this goes,"

Rosemary remarked. "Or we could order it."

"We'll figure that out when we need to," Chester replied cheerfully. "Is it time?"

Rosemary nodded. "Alex, can you hold me up?" the squirrel requested.

The mountain goat crouched down, and Rosemary scrambled into xir hooves. Alex

stood and held Rosemary over xir head where everyone would see her.

"Alright! Can I get everyone's attention?" Rosemary chirped loudly.

Gradually, the murmur of voices faded away.

"Thank you all for coming!" the squirrel piped. "We're ready to head inside. If we can't all

fit in the offices, then some of us can sit in the hallway or remain outside, but we're not leaving

until they agree to make campus safe and accessible for everyone!"

"Let's do it!" Chester yowled.

Several other participants voiced their agreement.

"Follow us! Forward march!" Rosemary cheered.

Alex set the squirrel on the sidewalk, and with her friends around her, Rosemary

marched determinedly toward the double-door entrance to the white marble edifice. However,

as they approached the steps leading up to the entrance, the doors swung open, and a dozen

red foxes swarmed out and stood in front of the doors. Flora instantly recognized Isabelle as

well as some of her closest cronies. The red foxes held signs with slogans such as 'Protect Our

Campus' Beauty' and 'No Rodent Paths'.

"No rodent paths!" Isabelle shouted. "We won't let you spoil our beautiful campus!"

Her companions cheered in agreement.

"How in Tartarus will some raised sidewalks spoil the campus?" Rosemary yelled back

incredulously. "Get out of the way!"

"We're not moving!" Isabelle declared defiantly.

"We could just use the back door," Amber suggested quietly. "They'll have a hard time

blocking both."

"They'll try," Rosemary responded. "I don't want to start with a shoving match, but I

guess we might have to."

Moxie and Stella hurried up to the front of the crowd. Flora and her friends regarded

them hopefully.

"This has gone far enough, Izzy!" Stella called. "I know you feel like Flora insulted you,

but it's time to let it go! This isn't about the two of you; it's about what's good for RCV!"

"And we don't need a bunch of unsightly rodent paths disfiguring our campus!" Isabelle

rejoined. "I'm disappointed in you, Stella. I can't say I'm surprised at this point, but I'm

disappointed."

Trevor stepped to the front of the group, "Miss Bouillier, I have to agree with your friend.

It's time for you to abandon this vendetta."

Isabelle stared down at the silver fox in shock, "Tr-Trevor?! What are you doing with

these malcontents?!"

"These 'malcontents', as you call them, are my friends, and I believe in what they're

fighting for!" Trevor declared.

"But, but I thought we-"

"Unless you give up this bitterness, we could never be together," Trevor cut off her

distressed plea. "I did find our time together surprisingly diverting, and I believe you're capable

of being better than this. But until you can respect those different from yourself, I could never be

your friend or anything else."

Distraught, Isabelle stared down at the silver fox for a moment then turned and raced

down the wheelchair ramp to the left of the stairs. Not stopping at the bottom, she fled across

campus. Her companions glanced at one another awkwardly then also filed down the ramp.

Flora noticed Katrina giving her a dirty look, but none of them spoke as they dispersed.

"What the fuck was that?!" Rosemary squawked incredulously. "That was like some

ridiculous soap opera!"

"Red foxes," Amber muttered under her breath.

Trevor looked down at them awkwardly, "Sorry," he apologized embarrassedly.

"You solved the issue without shoving, so I think we all owe you a thank you," Flora

responded. "Now that the entrance is clear, let's go!"

"Right! Forward march!" Rosemary cheered.

They flooded up the stairs and ramp to the heavy oak doors. Alex grabbed one, and

Trevor grabbed the other. And the deluge of students continued through the entryway and up

the interior stairs to the third floor where the president's office was. The elderly red fox, who had

a grizzled muzzle and wore a velvety midnight blue jacket over a white shirt with a ruffled collar,

stood beside the open door to his office, regarding the approaching throng nervously.

"Erm, my schedule is rather tight this morning, but I'm sure we can discuss your

grievances. Could you appoint a representative?" President Bartok chirped agitatedly.

They poured past him into the office, sitting wherever they could find space as they filled

the room.

Rosemary scampered up the president's chair and onto his desk. "We're not leaving until

you agree to our demands!" she proclaimed. "Make RCV safe and accessible for everyone!"

Flora and many of the other students voiced their agreement by repeating the squirrel's

second statement.

From the hall, where the deluge of students continued to pour into other administrative

offices, the grizzled fox regarded them worriedly. "I'll have to contact the trustees," he replied

uncomfortably.

Soon, students filled the hall as well as the offices. Someone opened the windows in the

president's office, and several birds flew in and perched on the bookshelf, chairs, and coat rack.

Finally, a portion of the group of mice, shrews, voles, and moles arrived, and the other students

helped them onto the desk with Rosemary. Cynthia sat on Flora's shoulder whilst Pete sat in

Flora's lap with her arms wrapped around him comfortingly. Her other friends were clustered

around her in front of the desk. So far, everything had been fairly calm, and Flora hoped it

stayed that way. The president had disappeared and was presumably anxiously phoning the

various trustees. Flora hoped they would be reasonable.

About an hour later, President Bartok poked his head in the room, "Miss, uh, Greene,

wasn't it? Could you meet me in the conference room?"

"You know what we want!" Rosemary stated determinedly. "I sent you the petition. If you

have an offer, you can tell all of us, right here!"

"The trustees would like to discuss this matter with you personally," the president

returned anxiously. "You seem to be the leader of your group."

"I only took the lead in organizing," Rosemary replied. "If you have a proposal, then tell it

to these students," she gestured to the smaller mammals surrounding her on the desk with a

sweep of her arm. "If they're not satisfied, then I'm not satisfied."

"Let me speak with them some more," the president responded. He hurried away.

Twenty minutes later he was back, "The trustees said we'll implement your changes to

the seating, and they'll vote on your proposed walkways at their next meeting."

"When is that?" Rosemary demanded.

"It's scheduled for February."

"We're not waiting that long!" Rosemary shot back irritatedly. "Besides, they might just

vote no! No raised walkways, no deal!"

President Bartok frowned and ducked back out of the room.

"They really think we're stupid," Rosemary groused. "We might be here for a while."

It soon seemed that Rosemary's prediction was correct. The lunch hour passed without

further communication from the president. At 2PM, he offered to put lines on the existing

sidewalks to designate a section for the smallest students. Rosemary conferred with the small

mammals, but they rejected this as inadequate. At 5PM, the president informed them he'd had

pizza ordered for all of them as well as salad for the stricter herbivores. Flora was glad for this

hospitality as her stomach was growling. At 7PM, after they'd eaten, the president offered to set

up a shuttle service that would run buses for the smaller students along the sidewalks.

Rosemary and the smaller mammals agreed this was an acceptable substitute for the train but

not for the raised walkways. Looking frustrated, the president disappeared again. The sun set,

and the lamps along the sidewalks flickered on. But still, he didn't return. Flora began to think

he'd gone home and left them to spend the night.

"Flora?" Cynthia yawned. "Can I sit in your lap?"

Flora plucked the little mouse off of her shoulder and placed her on her right thigh next

to Pete's side. The rabbit, who was sitting between Flora's legs, glanced down at the mouse as

she snuggled into the nook created by his side and Flora's belly and thigh. Flora squeezed him

to her belly.

"You can go to sleep too if you want, Pete," she murmured.

She glanced over to where Lance was curled around Chester, both of them sleeping

with one of the wolverine's strong arms draped over the cat, his massive hand on top of

Chester's head. She noticed Martin holding Becca with her head tucked under his chin. Both

stoats had their eyes closed, but as they were still sitting up, Flora wasn't sure they were

sleeping. Amber climbed up onto the desk and patted her lap, and Rosemary flopped across it

and closed their eyes as Amber stroked them. Turning to look behind her, Flora saw that Alex

had acquired a pair of pikas, who were curled in the fluffy white bovine's lap. It seemed most of

the students present had accepted they would be spending the night. Flora agreed with them

but wished the wooden floor were more comfortable.

Flora had nodded off, still holding Pete, when she was startled awake by a knock on the

door. The president stood in the doorway, looking haggard. Flora glanced at the gold-faced

analogue clock on the front wall: nearly a quarter after three in the morning. Rosemary sat up

from where she'd been curled up with Amber.

"The trustees have agreed to construct separate paths," the president muttered

exhaustedly. "That's in addition to the seating updates and the shuttles. They'll consult with

engineers to determine whether a raised path, tunnel, or some type of enclosure is better, but it

will be separate from the main sidewalk. They don't think we can do the skyways right now, but

they'll look into the cost and consider it in the future."

Rosemary glanced around at the mice, voles, shrews, and moles seated or reclined on

the desk around her.

"That sounds good to me," one shrew squeaked.

The others nodded in agreement.

"When will you start construction?" Rosemary asked.

"Probably not until Summer," the president replied wearily.

Rosemary looked back to her diminutive comrades.

"That sounds soon enough," the shrew decided.

The others murmured in agreement.

Rosemary looked up at the grizzled tod and grinned, "It sounds like we have an

agreement!"

The president let out a sigh of relief, "Thank Zeus."

"But if you aren't constructing those paths by next school year, we'll do this again!"

Rosemary warned feistily.

The elderly fox offered her a wry smile, "I don't doubt it."