Prompt 7 (Snowbunnies): Winter seems to bring out the cutest of all rodents; this isn’t the first time that small, white rabbits have infested Destiny City. They’re small, rarely larger than a guinea pig, and have large eyes and wiggling noses. They are always pure white and seem to show up whenever there’s snow. They aren't menacing or evil, they're just everywhere. They seem strangely domesticated; they are sweet, curious, and friendly creatures that will eat anything you give them. They always seem cold to the touch, and when they shake, little snowflakes sprinkle off of them.
While they seem to be social creatures who seem to appreciate anything warm and will cuddle up to steal body heat, they are too skittish and fast to be kept for pets. They can show up just about anywhere, either alone or--often--in pairs. They tend to wander off on their own without any trouble, but if you surprise them or try to catch or hurt them, they may bite. Their little teeth are enough to break skin, but after one bite they run away. The bite itself isn’t bad, but the effects are a bit unpleasant: for roughly two days after the bite, the injury is cold and the victim will feel random, cold, shooting pains. Their core body temperature will drop and they will often be sent into random fits of shivering. No medicine seems to help, and no amounts of blankets or hot baths can soothe the chill. You're just going to have to deal with it and hope it gets better…
Most experiences with the bunnies are perfectly pleasant, you just have to worry about them burrowing. There are holes peppering Destiny City, and with the fresh fallen snow it can be impossible to tell where they are hiding. The holes range from small holes to several feet deep, so can be a minor inconvenience to a potential hazard. On the bright side, sometimes you wind up covered in bunnies looking for warmth from their sudden guest. On the other hand, there are a rising number of trips to the hospital for twists and sprains. The bunnies always leave with the snow, so best to enjoy them--or avoid them--for as long as you can.
Galya stretched as her and Darya walked side by side. It was quite and the freshly fallen snow had Galya ready for a warm peppermint mocha with a peppermint stir stick and peppermint cookies. After all, it was nearly Christmas and peppermint was the flavor of the season.
"Darya look at that." Something had suddenly caught Galya's attention, "Are those the bunnies everyone's been talking about?"
She looked towards her sister trying not to look too excited about the random chance of maybe being able to meet one of the little critters.
Orangeish Sherbert
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 4:49 pm
Dasha didn’t spend nearly enough time with her sister. Didn’t spend nearly enough time with any of her family much anymore. Life was becoming rather overwhelming. She missed Feliks so much still that it felt almost like a constant ache in her chest. But, Gayla had wanted to go and get…well. The dreaded peppermint everything for the season, and she couldn’t tell her twin ‘no’...even if peppermint was still the worst flavor known to man.
“Hm?”
Glancing over, Dasha blinked and pursed her lips. “If it’s not, it’s missing a great chance to be…it’s very cute, isn’t it!” A distraction was good. A diversion to perhaps delay the peppermint torture that awaited her.
“Should we go and see if it wants to cuddle, do you think? I’ve heard that they were friendly.”
Gayla tried not to look concerned when she noticed her sister had been deep in thought. But at least the bunnies had gotten her sister from her troubled thoughts it seemed.
"Yes, it is very cute!" She chuckled and smiled, "It sounds like a good idea to me, lets go play with them. Maybe one will want to follow us home?"
Gayla wasn't sure if they should try to pick them up. She'd rather have all the peppermint goodies than get bitten by one. Gayla looked around and found a place to sit that wasn't completely in the snow. "Here's a place we should be able to get them to come to us here and it not be completely freezing."
Orangeish Sherbert
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:16 pm
Dasha shook her head. “I’m not sure it’s a great idea to abduct wild rabbits to keep as pets…even if they do look soft as anything…ugh. I want to pet one…”
She made her way over to the spot her twin had decided would be best and sat down, resting her head against Gayla’s shoulder for a moment as she watched the bunnies. “Look, if this keeps us away from that vile peppermint…I’m happy to stay here all day long, and I hope you know that.”
For a moment, there was almost a spark of her old humor, but it faded after a moment. “We should have brought some carrots or lettuce or something…” Then they could have had happy bunnies climbing all over them and the day would have turned into a real winter wonderland.
“Do you think that they are someone’s pets that just got out? Do you think we should put up signs or something? Hm..maybe not though. There’s news about them everywhere, isn’t there…”
"It's fine, how do you think we got cats and dogs as pets. That worked out well right?" The twin paused as she thought about that statement and playfully chuckled, "Though I suppose you are right they might not like being a pet."
Gayla sighed when her twin reminded her of the hate for peppermint. "You know they have other things besides peppermint, just because I love it doesn't mean you have to."
"Hm ... you're right we should have brought something. Maybe we can bring something next time?" Gayla was trying to move some of the snow to see if there was any grass under it. Though everything seemed dead which was, unfortunate.
"Hmm . . . I mean there is news about them. They seemed to just crop up outa no where. I'm not sure what's going on with them. Maybe a rabbit breeder lost them? I mean I guess it depends on how many there actually are?"
Gayla tilted her head as she watched the rabbits hopping slightly closer to her and her sister. Her fingers softly waggled at them trying to coax them like one would a cat.
Orangeish Sherbert
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:41 pm
“I am well aware that there are other flavors, but you always obsess over it! Goodness, Gayla. Thanksgiving ends and the next minute you’re raving on about candycanes and peppermint flavored everything. It’s utterly endearing but.” Dash wrinkled her nose, shaking her head and huffing a soft laugh. “We can bring something next time, I bet they’d like it.
She grew very still as one of the rabbits moved towards her and after a few nose twitching moments, hopped right up into her lap.
Dasha’s eyes grew wide and she seemed to stop breathing as she waited, hoping that the small creature would allow her to stroke its soft fur, and finally, finally, she was rewarded and gently pet the rabbit, chewing her lip to stop from squealing. “...okay Gayla. This was a good idea. I think I’ve died, it’s so soft! Sit real still and one might climb into your lap too!”
…Maybe they could just take one home. Oh, she would take very good care of these rabbits. They would want for nothing and would be pampered pets indeed.
Gayla chuckled softly, "Well I'm sorry they only sell peppermint flavored stuff for a small window each year. It's more exclusive than anything pumpkin spice. Which is bleh, I wouldn't blather on so much about it if it was easily accessible all year round." There was a soft smile on her face as she nodded in agreement.
"Yes we should bring something next time." She sat watching as a rabbit moved and hopped into her sister's lap, as she listened to her twins advice Gayla also stilled herself watching the rabbits one had come up to her, to sniff at her sitting crossed legged on the ground.
"You most certainly haven't died yet, close. But not yet." She winked to her sister then paused with a soft oh! As a rabbit also decided her lap was a good place to be. She eased her hand towards the rabbit ever so softly so as not to startle it. "Oh, they are very soft." She whispered when she was finally able to rub the fuzzy critter.
She wondered what their mother would say if they brought home such a cute little fellow. It'd be yet another mouth to feed that was for sure. ". . . . Should we name them Dasha?" She asked in a cautious whisper. Even if they - probably - couldn't come home with them; they deserved names right?
Orangeish Sherbert
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:04 pm
Pumpkin spice was bad too, but Dasha held her peace, and sighed. “I want to say yes…I want to name them, but you know how that works. If you name them you’re obligated to bring them home and that…ow!”
Dasha drew her hand back from the rabbit’s head she was stroking, scowling at the small creature and rubbing a small puncture mark from where it had bitten her. It…bit her. The sweet bunny that she was obviously pouring her heart out over had the nerve to bite.
It…figured but. It still sucked.
For a moment, Dasha had to fight off tears, but then…she had to fight off a sudden wave of piercing cold. “Oh…d-damn…”
Her teeth began chattering and she slid the rabbit off of her lap, looking at her sister with obvious concern. “...It just got…super c-cold…we should go…I don’t want to take any biting rabbits home with us…ah…maybe I’ll get something to drink after all..”
At this point…she’d even take peppermint, if it were hot.
"That's true . . . " Gayla sighed softly when Dasha pointed out they'd have to take them home if they named then and suddenly the rabbit bit her sister. "HEY!'
The sudden noise startled the bunny she was playing with and it bit her on her finger. "Oi, bitting is not nice!" She said scolding the bunnies when she noticed it was suddenly getting colder out.
She was looking at her sister who had chattering teeth. "Lets. . . go get something warm to drink." She stood up and offered a hand to her sister, "I'm sure they have something besides peppermint."
She was trying not to shiver; "M-maybe we should've worn thicker jackets?" She asked after a moment as she started to head towards the coffee shop after helping her sister to her feet.
