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Prompt 4 (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 amount 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.
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 amount 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.
Dawn yawned and stretched before she turned her attention to the little dog that was currently sniffing at a bush. “Come on Tony, it's cold, aren't you ready to go back?” The dog just ignored the young woman and all she could do was sigh. She typically loved walking her neighborhood dogs. It was a wonderful way for her to get her exercise, help her neighbors, and get some money from it as well but Tony… Tony was one of those dogs that just had to sniff every square inch of the ground before moving on to the next square inch. He was one of the more persistent pups she had the misfortune to work with. But even that was only a minor inconvenience. Normally she was able to enjoy the slow and leisurely meandering of the dog but tonight she had a paper she needed to work on. School wouldn’t wait for her jobs, and it surely wouldn’t wait for Tony.
“Let's go Tony. Lets just go to the park for a little bit before going back ok? You like the park don’t you?” She coaxed the dog to lay off of the bush and finally got him moving towards the small little grass patch that the neighborhood generously called a park. One tree and a few benches did not a park make, but it was enough for Tony to use the restroom and have a tiny run around if he wanted. He couldn’t be off leash, there was no fence so it wasn’t safe, but there was enough lead in the leash that Dawn could sit and he could play a bit while she watched. So Dawn sat and started to read through one of the digital books for class while Tony started to sniff around in the snow covering.
It wasn’t until the small dog started to bark and strain at the leash that Dawn looked up to see Tony trying to go after a few little white rabbits. Small things. Almost like baby bunnies but it was definitely the wrong season for that. “Tony! No! Leave the bunnies alone!” She got up and physically picked the dog up, doing her best not to get scratched or nipped by the squirming canine. “Tony! Tony calm down!” She carried the dog back to the bench and did her best to sooth the fussy pup even as she watched the two white rabbits curiously hop closer.
The dog continued to bark but he was at least not trying to escape, Dawn had him pretty well contained which was good since the bunnies were coming closer and closer. This was definitely not normal for rabbits. They should be far away from both the human and the dog, especially the dog, but they just got closer…. And the two rabbits were now four. And then six…. And now eight. Until there was a small gathering of about a dozen of the creatures around the bench Dawn was sitting on. Tony was now shivering and silent, as if he had passed his threshold of fear into quivering terror. She was trying to figure out what to do when suddenly she sneezed, this sent the rabbits scrambling, freaked out Tony who was able to wriggle out of her hold, and honestly everyone seemed to just scatter. Dawn was pretty sure the dog would have even disappeared as quickly as the rabbits did if she hadn’t held onto his leash for dear life.
After a moment to resettle the dog the two left the park, Dawn confused and worried about the small rabbits, and Tony more than ready to be inside and away from the snow creatures.
