Kodi: Last Sam Hain, actually. I mean, I liked my costume...even if we both got some flak from the group for it.
Val: They’re nerds...but they weren’t wrong. I feel like whoever designed this stuff was like… a six-year-old trying to imagine what emo kids wore two decades ago.
Nick: That's a stereotype.
Cameron: The chicken thing? *Chuckles*
Nick: No, the fact that we eat dessert with fried chicken. *Laughs*
Cameron: I default to the words of a great comedian for this one. "All these years, I thought I liked chicken because it was delicious. Turns out I'm genetically pre-disposed to liking chicken."
*Nick and Cameron share a laugh*
Nick: To be fair, the fruit thing is a fox stereotype too. *Shakes head* Ever since someone penned that 'Fox and the Grapes' story, foxes have always been associated with grapes...which is only half right...
Cameron: *Chuckles* So what's your Achilles 'peel'? *Cameron bobs his brows to emphasize his 'pun', only for Val to let out a groan in reply*
Nick: Oh Blueberries, paws down. *Laughs* My perfect day ends with a piping hot slice of some of Carrot's Mom's Blueberry pie served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream...*Runs his tongue across his muzzle, patting his stomach appreciatively before striking a rather conspiratorial expression and cupping a paw to the side of his muzzle. Nick leans in, speaking in soft tones.* Don't tell Carrot's, but Misses Hopps pie may be better than rutting, by Saint Robin's Quiver I swear it.
Cameron: *Rolls his eyes, chuckling softly* Well, I wouldn't go that far with my own favorite fruit, but I will admit it has worked its way into the bedroom once or twice...*Snickers*
Val: *Now clasping her paws to her ears* DAD!
Cameron: Oh hush Motobug, This conversation doesn't concern you...
Val: UUUUGGGGHHH...
Cameron: For my wife Marian, she was all about pears. *Shakes head* I always found them too bitter myself, too gritty, but she just loved a nice succulent pear on a warm summer's day. *Chuckles* Her personal favorite dish was a simple baked pear, and much like you she loved it ala mode.
Nick: And what about you old timer? *Snickers*
Cameron: *Rolls eyes* Old?! I'm what, ten years older than you at most? *Shakes head* No, but me? I'm all about Honey Crisp Apples...crispy, sweet, tart...*Laps at his own muzzle* So tasty on their own, but then you go ahead and slather them in caramel and....*Shudders* Makes my tail fray with pleasure with every bite.
Val: Are we done now, can we-?
Cameron: Of course Marian wasn't great at making caramel apples, though to be fair I wasn't any better at baked pears.*Chuckles* Though I'm blessed that Clover both likes apples as much as I do, and makes a mean caramel apple herself...not to mention she makes an amazing apple pie that's ju-!
Val: CAN WE BE DONE PLEASE!?
Cameron: Oh, Val...are you feeling left out? Did you want to chime in?
Val: *Crosses her arms and huffs* No...
Cameron: Val has always been big on strawberries, and my adopted daughter Ellie loves Raspberries. *Chuckles* Though granted she's not a fox...Oh, and Cassie. My youngest now, she's a sheep and she loves grapes, the green ones specifically...
Val: Hey, that wasn't like-! Me giving permission to tell everyone my favorite fruit on my behalf!
Cameron: *Shakes head* Vy-fly, you're twenty-two now, you really must outgrow these social tantrums you love throwing whenever I'm trying to socialize around you.
Val: Socialize fine, just leave me out of it!
Nick: *Shakes head* I don't think that's something you ever outgrow when it comes to your parents..Just the other day I whined, honest to the gods, whined, because my mom fixed my lapel in front of Carrots after we had lunch the other day at her place. *Chuckles* It was involuntary, it left my muzzle before I was even aware it was happening...
Cameron: *Sighs* Some things never change I guess...*Chuckles* I'll just have to wait until the day comes where Val has her own kits to whine at her about how she's 'embarrassing them'.
(20 Years Later)
Val: Well, Melody loves those nasty cotton candy flavored grapes, and Marian, being the 'drama queen' she loves to pretend she is, likes to say she loves red grapes, but in truth it's peaches.
Melody and Marian: MOOOoooOOOOOM!
Val: *Pauses, with a dawning horror* Saint Robin's Quiver...I'm my Dad...
Dawn: So far, we haven't really had that issue, but I think that's because Vernon tends to...sort of spoon-cuddle me. *Snickers*
Vernon: I mean, it'll probably happen eventually, but I figure what with bein' curled up that way it's...it's like even in my sleep I'm real aware my Honey Lamb is there...
Trenton: So I'm not the only one playing Big Spoon? *Laughs*
Kodi: I kinda assumed that was the standard...granted Val doesn't want to do that every night...*Laughs* More often than not she's rolled over onto me...
Val: *Snickers* He's so fluffy there's almost no position I can lay on him from that's uncomfortable...It's like he's made of memory foam...*laughs*
Qali: Usually I tend to wriggle around the most during sleep...Trenny's like a rock once he's out. *Giggles*
Trenton: That's why she always starts out in my arms, and when we wake up she's pressed up under and around my chin.
Vanna: *Blushes* I...don't really want to admit this but...I mean, it has happened...
Zach: Luckily my Kitten is a very light sleeper...so the second she rolls over me, she'll wake up on her own a'fore I even object...
Vanna: G-Generally I'm the big spoon...but sometimes...well...
Zach: Cuddles can get purty warm, and with Kitten bein' so light at sleep, we don't always tangle ourselves up so we can actually get good sleep when we need to...we start work purty early in the mornin' after all.
Vanna: Says you...when you're out, you're out...I don't even think a bomb going off would pull you out of a dead sleep...
Zach: *Laughs* Why do y'all think half the time I don't even wake up when y'all accidentally start smotherin' me?
Dawn: It's starting to sound like being a very deep sleeper is a Hunter thing...
Wade: Well, I guess I break the mold then...because me and Gizzy are the opposite...which is...why the rollovers can be a pretty big issue...
Zach: *Chuckles* Big is an understatement considerin' how tall Gizzy is...
Giselle: *Blushes* Y-yeah, when I fall asleep...I...I tend to go out like a light...and well, I...also tend to toss and turn a lot...due to my neck pain...
Wade: So at least once or twice a night I'll get smothered...*Chuckles* And not in the fun way...
Giselle: *Giselle is flustered* I'm so sorry Love...Really...I-...once we find a place in Tundratown big enough for me, my neck aches will stop, and the-.
Wade: *Places a paw up* It's okay Darlin', really...Haven't gotten hurt too bad yet. *Chuckles* Side's, I knew the score when we started datin', and I was more than willin' to take that risk fer a gal like you...
Giselle: Oh Love...*Kisses Wade on the top of her head.* I love you so much...
Zach: Though...didn't you tell me you almost suffocated last time it happened?
Wade: *Quietly shushes Zach, and whispers* You lookin' to make my gal cry?"
Zach: Oh course not! *Zach replies, placing his paws up defensively.* 'Sides...*Rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably* Not like I got an umbrella handy...*Chuckles*
Gus: It's kinda corny but... you guys know that song from Goatsbusters 2?
Joel: "On Our Own" by Bobby B'aahrwn?
Gus: No! Not that one!
Vernon: Wait...that one...the one about love liftin' ya?
Gus: Yes! 'Higher and Higher' by 'Howard Huntsburro'!
Vernon: Yeah, I remember that one....y'all snuck it into the playlist o' songs fer our tithe iffin' I remember correctly. *Chuckles* That's yer song?
Gus: *Taps his hooves together nervously.* I-I mean we played it at our wedding too...It's a good dancing song! And it-.
Melanie: It may be a little more light and upbeat than I'm sure most of you guy's couples songs are going to be. But the lyrics I think are...pretty fitting for us.
Gus: Well, I think you do more of the heavy lifting in this relationship Mellowmar...*Chuckles*
Joel: Dude, Goatsbusters 2 is so lame compared to the first one...and that song is so 80s it's practically 'pizzle music'.
Gus: Hey! Goatsbusters 2 is an underrated classic! It may not be as great as the first, but it's a damn fine entry into the series!
Broomie: Especially compared to Goatsbusters 2016...
Gus: *Narrows his gaze at Broomie* We don't talk about 2016. Nobody does.
Joel: The memory hole runs deep...shame, they missed a real opportunity to canonize "Extreme GoatsBusters"
Vernon: My favorite bit is the bit with the Taurtanic pullin' up to the dock. *Chuckles*
Dawn: That, and when they turn the Statue of Lipurrty into what is essentially a golem.
Joel: Speaking of, considering how much you dug that movie Gus, I'm surprised you never statted a Statue of Lipurrty Golem for a campaign.
Gus: *Chuckles evilly* Who says I haven't? Both it and Mount Rushmoose, the problem is crafting a campaign that would be fitting to deploy them in.
Vernon: *Chuckles* We've gone purty far off track here...much as I'm lookin' forward to whatever campaign y'all can cram them into. Since y'all protested so much about Gus and Mel's song, what's yer and Megumi's song Joel?
Megumi: The 'Wolf Whistling Song' by Ringo Baahori.
Gus: *Chuckles* An Animalme intro song, color me shocked.
Joel: It's a very pretty piece.
Vernon: Y'all pick that 'cause y'all see Megumi as a wild, untamed wolf goddess? *Chuckles*
Megumi: *Laughs* More so that I see Joel as my Prince. In song, the Prince is specifically referred to as golden swan...even if the prince is actually a fox. Regardless, my Joel does has the neck of a swan. *Snickers*
Joel: And Megumi is pretty close to a feral wolf-girl who eats like a little gremlin. And she loves Apples.
Megumi: *Swats joel playfully* Baaaaaka! *Laughs, then clears her throat as best as she can as she adjusts her glasses.* I-It's true, I do love apples though...*Snickers*
Dawn: Not to...judge, but I am wondering if we'll get an answer sufficiently as exotic from Dylan and Talia.
Talia: Звёздное Лето, K Алла Пугачёва.
Joel: *Laughs* What was that!? Did you just hex us!?
*Talia growls at Joel, and Broomie places a hoof on her forearm, gently petting it to calm her down.*
Broomie: Animanglish please Babe...
Talia: *Huffs* 'Starry Summer', by 'Alla Pawacheva'...
Vernon: I ain't really...I mean...I wasn't familiar with Joel's choice neither, but...I'm really lost when it comes to Grussian chart toppers...
Talia: It is song about the beauty of summer...which as you imagine is very short....how you say 'fleeting', time in Grussia...but it makes me think of Dylan because...he is my starry summer...
*The girls in the group, aside from Val, let out a collective 'Awww...'*
Dawn: That's so sweet...
Talia: He is summer that doesn't end, and he is always with me...also...his wool is soft and warm like caress of meadow grass on breezy summer day...Я люблю тебя, милая, Dylan.
Broomie: я тоже тебя любл Talia...
*The group looks at Broomie with a mixture of skepticism and confusion.*
Broomie: *Shrugs* What? I'm taking Duolamgo courses...
Joel: Duuuude...do Roesetta Stone, or actual classes...Duolamgo is terrible!
*Vernon now turns his attention to Kodi, who's tail is already wagging furiously. The older wolf rolls his eyes, as does Val.*
Vernon: So I guess that leaves y'all t-.
Kodi: *Cuts Vernon Off* "I can't fight this feeling anymore!" By REO Speedwaggin'!
Val: Uggh...
Dawn: Val sounds like she's disagreeing with you there Kodi. *Snickers*
Val: *The vixen huffs, causing her fur tuft to bounce on the tip of her snout. She turns away from the others, crossing her arms.* L-Look, I didn't...I...Uggh...*shakes head* my Damn Dad...
Joel: What, that's you and your Dad's song? *Chuckles* I knew wolves had that stereotype about inbreeding, but foxes too?
*Val stares daggers at Joel, her muzzle curled into a snarl. Vernon simply sighs.*
Kodi: Hey, not all wo-!
Vernon: *Now cuts Kodi off.* YOU DON'T GET TO TALK SISTER RUTTER! *Shakes head* Yer part o' the damn problem!
*Kodi's ears flatten, the wolf letting out a soft whine. Surprisingly, Val pulls Kodi's head into her arms, snuggling it and petting the top of his head gingerly.*
Val: Hey, give the guy a break...he's a Marshmellow. *Val loll's here head as if she's weighing over something* And kind of an idiot...
Kodi: *Perks up an ear* HEeeeeyyy...
Val: A cute idiot.
Kodi: Thank you. *Chuckles*
Val: I get like...half of my musical tastes from my Dad...and he likes a bunch of real cheesers...ones that found their way onto my phone in some form or another.
Kodi: And the night I said 'I love you' for the first time, "I can't fight this Feeling" was playing on my trucks bluefang from my little Velvet S'more's phone.
Val: *Shakes head* Yeah, talk about atmosphere...sadly, that cheeser really stuck though...
Dawn: Well, I happen to think it's a lovely song, surprisingly lovely coming from...er...well...
*Val furrows her brow at Dawn* Watch yourself puffball...or else I'm gonna call up Dad and ask what's his favorite slow jam to rut your Mom to...
Dawn: *Rolls eyes* Oh please, like that's going to-.
*Val pulls her Carrot phone from her pocket, tapping a few buttons before revealing she's brought up her father's contact info. The vixen hovers a single claw over the call button. In response, Dawn holds out her hooves in desperate protest*
Dawn: OKAY! OKAY! Lamb Sakes! *Dawn crosses her arms and huffs* No need to hit under the wool, please...
*Val smiles smugly*
As for those that spend most of their time on the surface, their eyes are super sensitive to light, and thus need not only lenses that help improve their vision but limit the glare from the sun...
Val: Sort of like sunglasses?
Amelia: Exactly.
Val: But aren't flying foxes pretty much outdoor bats? They used to sleep in trees right? So what's with your lenses?
Amelia: Well, it's partially light sensitivity...and mostly er...*Blushes slightly* I don't like how big and buggy my pupils are without them...I mean, my Iris color is still amber...but it's just like a...massive amber wall under these lenses...it puts most other mammals off...Makes me look like a Powerpup girl reject...
Val: *Snickers* A-Are you for real?
Amelia: Oh don't give me that look, or do we have to start talking about how sensitive you are about how your tail looks?
*Val Opens her muzzle, raising a finger as if she's ready to protest before suddenly backing down. The vixen lets out a huff, crossing her arms as a scowl splits her muzzle...*
Val: We'll call this one a draw...for now...
Audrey: I think the short answer is, it really depends on species...and maybe tone? Iffin' I recall, it was the technical term fer a long while....but around the time I was hittin' my early teens it was already startin' to be frowned upon bein' used due to it bein'...tainted from usin' it as a slur. At least in terms o' wolf social circles...Although I've heard it's still pretty liberally used with native wolves...
Val: I've only ever been called a bitch with a negative slant...which I guess is technically wrong since I'm a vixen. But it's not like that's ever stopped a guy from using it... *Snickers*
Dawn: So use of that 'term' spread to foxes?
Qali: I mean...we've always been included under the 'B' word umbrella...at least for as long as I've been alive...
Val: Probably cause we're closely related to canines...pretty sure coyotes get it too...wild dogs...probably any mammal that's vaguely related to canines has heard it at least once in their lives, in a technical sense or otherwise...*Val shrugs* I dunno, I'm no expert in this stuff...
Dawn: I guess that can probably be chalked up to the evolution of language...
Ada: Personally, I take pride in bein' called a bitch...
Dawn: Aren't Hyena's technically related to felines? I...I believe you told me that, didn't you...?
Ada: Technicallys yes...but I can be a bitch when I need tas...*Cackles*
Talia: In Grrussia, bitch, or сука, is all slur...it has been slur since turn of century...and anyone who calls me the B 'word' gets snapped in half...
Audrey: See, it's...real touch and go territory...so I'd recommend y'all don't go about usin' it unless yer aimin' to insult...cause most shewolves are probably gonna take it the same way a bunny takes bein' called 'cute'...As fer with other canines...I really couldn't tell ya...
Talia: It's probably for the best you just don't use the word at all...your life may depend on it...
Nick: Honestly I don't get where this comes from. You show me one predator, just one, regardless of species who doesn't like fried chicken! Hel, chicken in general!
Val: I prefer hot wings personally...or a roast...My dad makes a killer bird for Yule Dinner...
Nick: But come on, Vernon? What about you?
Vernon: *Chuckles* I like my wings and thighs as much as the next pred. Spicier the better.
Nick: *Gestures toward Vernon* See! every pred likes chicken meat...it's universal...
Val: Even some prey for that matter...those that can stomach it anyway...
Vernon: I know my Honey Lamb was big into wings while she was pregnant...I do miss the freedom of bein' able to bring some home without the smell grossin' her out. *Laughs*
Nick: The thing is, the old stereotype got started because the foxes in Roarope were nomadic, and oftentimes when they couldn't scrounge up enough food for the caravan...they may have stolen some livestock here and there. Chicken was easiest to kill and carry a bunch of...but little did my ancestors know that was going to set a precedent.
Vernon: Ya mean aside from foxes bein' shifty theivin' types?
Nick: *Rolls eyes* We did what we had to do. And the cartoons back in the first half of the century didn't help either...
Vernon: You ain't the only one whose species suffered thanks to species stereotypes in old cartoons. *Laughs* Thanks to them, most mammals think wolves are big dumb brutes with the lung capacity of a hurricane who scoop up pigs and sheep to take home and turn into a stew...
Nick: *Chuckles* Okay, maybe those old cartoons weren't all bad...
Vernon: *Huffs* They don't air 'em anymore fer a reason Red.
Val: Pft...that's no fun.
Nick: That said, the fried chicken thing isn't as common as the...egg thing.
Vernon: Oh yeah, I've heard that one...is it true they almost used foxes fer Estara instead o' bunnies cause y'all love stealin' and hidin' eggs so much?
Nick: *Rolls eyes* We don't 'hide' eggs. Ancient foxes used to create 'food caches', essentially scattering bits of food around a territory to eat later. We don't really do that anymore...
Vernon: But do ya like eggs is the question?
Nick: Again, who doesn't?
Val: Soft-boiled, runny yolk, with a pinch of salt...that's the good stuff.
Nick: I prefer a nice omelet, heavy on the cheese. *Chuckles* maybe with some jalapeno mixed in if I'm feeling a little...spicey. *Snickers*
Vernon: I like mine sunny side up and runny...even if the yolk gets all stuck in my muzzle fur. *Laughs* Love soppin' up the excess with fresh toast.
Nick: *Chuckles* Sounds like you got a little fox in you after all Pup...
Val: Shame he missed out on getting to put a little wolf in this fox when he had the chance...Made me have to give up and find a different wolf for that...
Vernon: VAL!
Vernon: I think paws down, that crown is gonna have to go to Kodi. With maybe...Qali in second place...
Kodi: Yeeep...me and my sister are prolific shedders...
Val: Tell me about it, the house has got whole packs of white fuzzy tumbleweeds rolling around every room.
Trenton: *Chuckles* Qalis does shed, but not that badly...
Qali: I can't help it! I'm an Arctic fox! *whining* Of course I'm going to shed when the weather gets warm! I wasn't built for that.
Trenton: *Scoops Qali up into his arms, hugging her into him.* There, there Darlin', I already told ya that don't bother me none. Ain't like I don't shed too...and as much as y'all do shed in the summer, it still ain't that much in the grand scheme o' thangs...cause yer so adorably tiny. *Kisses the top of Qali's head.*
Qali: *Squirms in Trenton's grip, giggling* Trenny stahp! *Titters*
Val: At least you only shed in the summer. This dork sheds all the time...like constantly. *Val points a thumb in Kodi's direction*
Kodi: Hey! I'm an Arctic mammal too! I definitely wasn't made for living in Sahara Square! And you wonder why I'm so glad to have been moved to the outpost in Tundratown so I at least get a breather on my workdays now.
Ulric: Actually, that probably makes it way worse...Switching back and forth from an arctic climate to an arid climate is more than likely confusing the processes in your body that make you grow and shed fur. This is why the shedding is happening all year round, cause every time you go to work you're body is going 'It's so cold! Grow fur grow!' And then you go home and it's like 'This is boiling, shed, shed, shed!'
Vernon: That was...an oddly reasoned take from y'all Ully...
Ulric: Just because you guys don't take most of my interests seriously, I'd expect you'd at least wouldn't forget I worked in forensics, so I do know a thing or two about how mammalian bodies work!
Kodi: Yeah, well tell my mate that then! I'd love nothing more than for us to pick up and move to Tundratown full time but she wo-.
Val: Not negotiable. Dad gave me and El the house to split, you knew that and still decided to propose.
Kodi: So! We can give it to El! We can ju-.
Val: Nothing doing. *Shakes head* Amelia and I already have a garage location picked out. The lease is signed...once I wrap tech school the garage opens. Why move farther away from my business?
Kodi: Babe...I'm begging you here...
Val: *Eyes widen, getting shimmery and startling the surrounding mammals as well as Kodi.* "Kodi...I can't...it's not just my Dad's house...it was...my Mom's too you know...
Vernon: S-Sweet sawgrass! That's some powerful puppy eyes...
Kodi: *Lets out a whine, then a huff before throwing his head back and sighing...* Alright, fine! Fine!... But if we stay in Sahara Square, the shedding will always be an issue.
Val: *Immediately drops the pleading eyes, her smug smirk returning.* As long as you keep cleaning 'em up...'sides...they're growing on me...sorta like how you did...
Kodi: *Shakes head* Pft...c'mon, now you're really messing with me...
Val: *Laughs* Hey, they remind me of you when you aren't home...that...and they sorta get me thinking about what it might be like having some little dorks running around that look like you someday...
Kodi: *Tail begins to wag furiously*
Val: *Roles her eyes* I said 'someday'! 'Someday okay! *Laughs* Don't get too worked up...
Kodi: *Wraps Val in a tight, excited hug! kissing the top of her head like crazy as his tail continued to wag. Val puts up a weak protest but ultimately gives in.* I can't stop now! You know I can't turn off my tail once it kicks off! We just gotta ride it out now!
Val: *Rolls her eyes* You're lucky I love you...
Kodi: *Tail wagging faster* You're only making it worse! *Chuckles*
Gus: Anyone else miss when Val was cold and unfeeling? Or is it just me? *Snickers*
Val: I really don't know about that sort of stuff...history and biology aren't my strongsuit. Basically if I can't ride it, I'm not interested.
Cameron: You are talking about the pupil thing right? Not the fact that arctic foxes tend to have slanted eyes compared to their non-arctic counterparts?
Nick: I've actually kind of wondered about that myself...it's one of those things you keep telling yourself you'll look up, and then you just never do, y'know?
Qali: Oh, well I can answer that! I mean I think I can...*scratches chin thoughtfully* I remember in middle school they said evolutionists thought arctic foxes eyes became more slanted and squinty due to it helping to keep snow out of them in the blustery and frigid tundra weather. Sorta like how our ears are smaller to help us better regulate our body heat compared to normal foxes and Fennecs.
Nick: When your eyes are actually open, they're almost as big as Carrots...I can't imagine any amount of squinting or slanting could keep those eyes from going snowblind...*Chuckles*
Cameron: Evolution is fast and sporadic in Animalia, at least since the whole 'mammalian awakening period' or whatever they called it back in highschool at the onset of the ice age. After that point, mammalian evolution started moving double-time...I wouldn't be surprised if arctic fox eyes were smaller at the height of the primal age only to have grown larger since then as they moved away from daily survival and attraction of mates became more important...but I couldn't tell you...there's a reason I'm a graphic designer and not a biologist or evolutionary scholar.
Val: But you're the one who said you knew why red foxes were occasionally born with slit eyes...
Cameron: Just because I said I wasn't a biology student, doesn't mean I didn't pay attention in school my little Motobug. *chuckles* I paid attention in class, especially when my species came up in discussion that wasn't totally negative.
Nick: So enlighten us old mam', my hackles are standing on end with anticipation...
Cameron: Pft...old Mam'...I have half a mind to...*Holds up paws and shakes head* No, no, it's not worth it...*Ahem* Anyway, the 'slit eye' or 'cat's eye' as it's often referred to in foxes manifests for two reasons...one reason is of course that sometimes lingering ancient strands of DNA thought to be gone will happen to manifest for one reason or another out of the blue in mammals. My co-worker Derrick suffers from a similar condition, in that he was born with single solid hooves for paws instead of the more common 'hoof fingers' among ungulate prey, similar to ancient horses.
Val: Oh yeah! Kodi has one of those...things...
Cameron: He does? Huh...I've never noticed...what kind of Genetic Holdover Deformity does he have...?
Val: Uhhh...*Sweats* It's...uh...well it's uh...his....ears are weird...yeah, that's it! It's really subtle, you'd never notice!
Cameron: Huh...in what way?
Val: Hey, so that slit-eye thing right?
Cameron: Ah right...I suppose I'm getting off track...
Val: *Phew*...
Cameron: Anyway, so yeah I'm not exactly sure of the term, but I believe it's something like 'Genetic Holdover Deformity' or something similar...but the other reason is that it's a more common genetic trait in far eastern foxes and some native species...
Nick: So...like Japandese foxes?
Cameron: Correct...and some tribes of native North Mammalian Foxes. Similar to Roaropean sheep, our evolutionary development favored the round pupil. And since Roaropeans came to displace a lot of North Mammalian foxes through colonization and intermarrying it's...well it's less of a common trait than it was....but it's still fairly prevalent in Japanda. I remember reading in some magazine in a waiting room that roughly forty percent of the fox population in Ursa have the slit pupil.
Nick: huh, that's kinda interesting...
Val: Ehh...your mileage may vary...I know mine does...and the half pint fell asleep standing up...
Qali: *Snore-* W-What, I'm awake! *Rubs eyes* S-sorry! I-I'm just really worn out...
Val: It's okay squirt, I got bored too...
Qali: Don't call me SQUIRT! *Huffs* A-And besides, I-I wasn't bored...I j-just...Work's been heavy at the tree farm okay! *Crosses arms defiantly*
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13578632/7/The-Family-Vulpes
Took too long to get this out, but it's here. This also means it's time to do some more writing, and there's some things I want to go back and fix up in the first few chapters I noticed upon re-reading it. Hope you guys enjoy this post Christmas gift. Happy New Year! Where's the tylenol?
-Wasty
Gus: I mean, I'd say yes, strictly due to the acting chops on Pepe Le Pew, even if it is...uncouth to talk about his work these days.
Melanie: I'm surprised it caught on back then...he's...I mean it's kinda grody how pushy he is and yet it's played for laughs.
Gus: Well it was aimed at kids anyway, I don't think they were thinking about the implications of each scenario, much less that kids would read anything deeper into it, or act it out. The bulk of it is low-brow "I smell super bad" humor anyway.
Vernon: Funny thang too...I always figured Maris was like...mostly horses.
Val: Can confirm actually, I've visited Ellie in Maris once or twice, and like...eighty percent of the mammals there are some sorta long-legged prey, usually horses.
Gus: Which makes it all the funnier that the 'pushy Prench skunk stereotype' became the dominant thought when folks thought of Marisians. The native population of Mustelids is like...fractionally tiny. But here we are...and then we had Fifi to re-enforce that image in the late eighties.
Vernon: Heh, I remember her...purty sure Zach had a lil' crush on that gal when we was growin' up. I distinctly remember finding a pin-up o' her under his bed.
Joel: Nice. Your brother has pretty good taste.
Gus: Naturally between the two of them, skunks have developed that flirtatious, romantic reputation...which they cling to for dear life because before that all they had was being seen as 'stinky'.
Broomie: And that stereotype is still fighting neck and neck alongside the romantic thing.
Melly: Can you call that a stereotype if it's true?
Dawn: I mean, there's a reason most skunks elect to have their spray glands removed...it's very...leaky from what I've heard. So they never quite know if they're going to have a slight accident and start stinking up the place...it sounds rough. It's better to just nip it in the bud and get rid of them as they don't...I mean it's not really a needed mechanism in modern times anyway.
Gus: I dunno, I mean it did save Fifi's life when that stalker tried to pounce on her in the 90s.
Melanie: She still has her glands?
Gus: Prench Skunks are very big believers in being 'all-natural'. A few stinky situations in life are worth remaining 'in-tact' to them. Plus it was part of her act...though it was super exaggerated. Although she sprayed that boar so thoroughly that he was left blinded and puking, and the police had to carry him off while covering their own mouths with handkerchiefs.
Joel: You're pretty knowledgable about the Gus...didn't take you for a prench physical comedian fan...
Gus: I am literally just reading this stuff off Wikipawdia on my phone.
Joel: Aww...and here I thought you were cultured.
Gus: Stinky comedy isn't high-class comedy...it's not cultured. And it's not funny.
Val: Sexual assault-based comedy, on the other paw, is hilarious...
Cameron: Again, I really don't know much about Japandese culture...our family ancestry was largely western Roaropean and so...we aren't well versed in the way of Japandese foxes, and legends regarding them. In terms of a fox's tail, well...I don't think I have to tell you that our tails are sort of a very important...I want to say feature of the fox as a species. It's come to represent virility in both males and females, and to lose one's tail in life sort of puts a fox on the backpaw so to speak. It definitely affects the way a fox is seen by other foxes, even on a subconscious level.
Val: Eh, I don't really care too much for tail envy...
Cameron: Did I ever tell you the doctors nearly had to cut your tail off when you were born?
Val: WHAT!? *Clutches tail protectively*. No way!
Cameron: You're right, that didn't happen. I merely wanted to prove a point.
Val: *Furrows brow* DAAAAAD! *Hisses* Not funny!
Cameron: In terms of being born with multiple tails in Zootopia, generally they are snipped off, regardless of species, unless a parent is adamant about keeping it. Even so, most of those cases end with the kit getting the extra tail snipped off as an adult, as almost all 'extra tails' tend to grow in malformed and stunted. It's rare that a fox would be born with an extra tail, and even more rare for one to be born with two or more healthy tails.
Qali: According to this wikipawdia page online, it says that thanks to the Kitsune myth, most foxes born with a second tail tend to keep them. It's actually encouraged and considered a blessing by the gods.
Val: Wow, so like the polar opposite...
Qali: But your Dad was definitely right about most of those extra tails not forming right...a lot of the examples show little hairless nubs or really kinked-up tails that are like a third of the side of an average fox tail.
Val: It's like trying to grow two plants in one really tiny pot, both of them aren't going to make it...*Chuckles*
Cameron: I'll be honest I don't really know much about Raccoon Dogs...or that they're tricksters...I know it's a Japandese thing, but I don't know much else.
Val: I mean, what's the drive to compete for the title of the 'biggest' trickster. It's not like the title has been doing foxes any favors for the last few thousand years.
Qali: They can totally have that title if they want. I'd rather not have most mammals look down their snouts at me...
Val: Or do a quick, and what they think is a subtle pocket check to make sure I didn't steal their wallet just because I was within five feet of them.
Nick: Yeah, they are definitely welcome to steal the title from us for at least a few thousand years. Then we can re-evaluate the deal and see if we're willing to take it back...
Dawn: Oh well, I've never actually been much of a beach or pool person, I've never really done all that great in the heat to be honest.
Ada: Cause of da wool right?
Dawn: Well, yes and no. I mean granted the wool is a big part of it. Trying to swim after your wool gets soaked is pretty exhausting as it gets really heavy and restrictive. And in terms of sunbathing, or lounging, it's like you're doing it in a sweater.
Ada: Yeesh...
Dawn: That why if I know I'm going to be spending a lot of time at the pool or beach for a summer, I usually have Vernon shear me down to the bear minimum of wool, so basically my head wool and a few...*Coughs* playful patches on the front of my body.
Val: *Snickers* Sounds like Puppy is having a bit more fun shearing you than he probably should be...
Dawn: Well...that makes two of us more often than not. *Giggles*. Still, even sheared, that's not the end of my problems as then I have to worry about getting severely sunburned if I'm not careful.
Vanna: Oh right, I didn't even consider that. You are probably the only one of us who has most of their actual hide exposed most of the time.
Dawn: It doesn't help that my skin is so pale too, and my genetics don't tan, only burn.
Qali: Yeah, most of us only have to worry about keeping our snouts and paw pads covered in sunscreen.
Vanna: And not even considering most of you have very dark pigmented noses which tend not to burn. Myself on the other paw...well let's just say I've suffered my share of painful snout burns while trying to sunbathe.
Dawn: So generally when it comes to my preferred place for a pool day that would be by our backyard pool, lounging under the darkest, thickest parasol I have and reading a nice novel while I watch my Puppy and lambs play in the pool together. *giggles*
Mellie: What a coincidence, that's my favorite place for a pool day too. *Snickers* Have I mentioned how much me and Gussy appreciate the open invites?
Dawn: It's the least we can do for you guys, you're family to us and the lambs after all.
Mellie: It means a lot to Gus, he's already very against going to the beach and public pool for sanitary and privacy reasons. Plus we both love seeing our nephew and nieces.
Dawn: Vernon and I love the privacy as well. Puppy insists he looks weird in any swimsuit he puts on despite me telling him otherwise. *Giggles*
Qali: It's probably a fur thing...too much fur under your clothes can make you look kinda boxy...at least that's what Trenny says. He's the same way. *Snickers*.
Melanie: Gus is the same, except with him he doesn't want to take his shirt off in public and risk other mammals seeing his little pot bellie...*Snickers* Of course, I happen to love his little spare tire.
Val: So you don't swim at all then?
Dawn: Oh, of course I do. I just don't really do it very often, and if I do it's usually at the family pool. When we go to the beach it's usually because the lambs want to more than me and Vernon...and we wouldn't want to deny our lambs thier lambhood fun just because Vernon and I tend to prefer cold weather activities.
Val: I really shouldn't have expected any other kind of answer from the two nerds in this little group. As for me, I'm the total opposite. Love the pool, and especially love the beach. And the less restrictive clothing I can get away with wearing in that kinda setting, the better. That's why I'm a huge fan of that Mystic Shoals place, where clothing is optional.
Dawn: That's that coastal resort that's an extension of the Mystic Springs Oasis right?
Val: Resort? Dunno. I've only ever went to the nudist beach part myself. I like to take in a little topless basking in the sun. Love the feeling of it on my bear fur.
Dawn: I should have expected you to be a bit of a voyuer...you do love showing off don't you?
Val: Hey, I go there for my own enjoyment, not to get oggled.
Melanie: Unless you drag Kodi with you...
Val: *Chuckles* Can't a vixen take a little pleasure in getting her mate all hot and bothered? Besides he oggles me everywhere...even with clothes on.
Melanie: He's been thirsty for you since he first laid eyes on you, I'm not surprised that fire hasn't died down. *Laughs*
Dawn: A portable ego booster...
Val: Like Vernon isn't for you little miss Egomaniac?
Dawn: I'm not an egomaniac.
Val: Pft...sure you're not...
Vanna: Things are getting off track, so to avoid another argument between the two of you, can we get back to the question?
Melanie: Vanna's got the right idea...so Val, the nudist beach is your favorite place for that kinda thing?
Val: Actually no. My favorite place poolside beach day place isn't a pool or beach at all. I actually prefer chilling in the hot tub in our backyard on cool summer evenings.
Ada: Hot tub? Niiiice....Wish me and Yuri had one o' dem.
Qali: Ooh, that's my favorite too! Although I prefer to take a dip in the hot tub on chilly winter nights when the snow is falling. *Giggles*
Giselle: Oh yes, nothin' beats a hot tub sit on a chilly night in tundra town...It's just so lovely...
Val: Ew...no thanks there, I'd get sick in a heartbeat...I've never done super well in the cold...I'm like the opposite of my Dad. He lives for winter and dies in the summer. Me, I get a cold if I'm in Tundratown for more than a day.
Ada: I'd be a beach bitch, paws down...dat is if didn't rain in Seaotter like...eighty percent o' da time! *Cackles* Usually gotta wait for a family trip to get down to da beach and get my fur baked by da sun.
Vanna: *Chuckles* I'm very much the same. Like Val and Ada I do love the feeling of the heat on my fur...though up until Dawn and Vernon got their house in the South Meadowlands, Zach and I had to make do with lounging by the public pool at the North Meadowlands rec center...which can be rather...noisy at times...
Ada: Dat jungle blood runs deep in us...*Cackles* We crave da heat like we was lizards or sumtin, don't we? It's just...it's so sooding...and relaxing to just...feel da heat dance across yours pelt. Youse like...get heat drunk...
Malcolm: That would explain why you'd fall asleep in minutes when we took you and Yuri out to the bay last time you visited. I'd be talkin' to y'all one minute, and the next y'all would be dead to the world. *Laughs*
Ada: Not a bad way to goes...but seriously just give me a beach chair, a tin blanket, sunglasses and a hat, and set mes up on a sunny, sandy beach and I'm in paradise. It's da best sleep aide in da world...and wit my job, I need it.
Malcolm: I can understand that. Though personally when it comes to mah preference, I've always been more of a water hound. Iffin' I'm gonna have my ideal lounge, it's gonna be sprawled out on an innertube and bein' rocked by the gentle waves of the sea...Now that would put me out fer' the count...
Dawn: That's kinda scary...aren't you worried about...y'know...drifting out to sea.
Malcolm: *Chuckles* Well generally I'd tie the innertube off, plus I got Xavey to keep an eye on me now, and that boy is even more of a water hound than I am. I get dozy at the beach, but he get's pumped up. Loves gettin' his excercise in the water whenever he can get it...even has some life guard trainin'...so iffin' anythin' happens, I know I'm in good paws...*chuckles*
Dawn: The way you laughed at that kind of makes me think you've had a close call or two and have a little experience to back that up.
Malcolm: *laughs* Well...I may have...faked goin' overboard a few times..
Vanna: Why on earth would you do that?
Malcolm: Y'all are familiar with how CPR works right? Let's just say I was fishin' to get a lil'.... mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
*The girls share a laugh*
