{"sf1_id":2020072,"sf2_id":"3egl3OPm","title":"Chapter 12: Reign","author":"HeatherOBunn","words":10587,"posted_at":"2023-07-07T11:42:00.000Z","tags":["Bobcat","Cat","Chapter","Date","Fox","Novel","Plan","Police","Predator/Prey","Public relations","Ridiculous laws","Royal Court","Scandal","Thriller","Training","Vixen","dinner","governor","interview","pine marten","tom"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2020072-chapter-12-reign","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/3egl3OPm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e2/9a/e29af5a0-1625-447d-a681-5322c426f4d0","description":"#12 of The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror\n\nRita does damage control after Ellie and Jason's video drops.","content":"Chapter 12: Reign  \nMonday and Tuesday were consumed by interviewing officers to replace those lost in  \nthe cultists' raid. By Vulpinevan law, all officers had to attend police academy, a three year  \nprogram where they were educated in Vulpinevan law, psychology, and sociology as well as  \nbest practices in policing with an emphasis on de-escalation. Rita supposed that all of these  \nthings were very valuable for the officers to know, but she did find it somewhat inconvenient. All  \nof the newly graduated cadets she interviewed were brimming with a deep sense of  \nresponsibility to the community. The first few were unduly surprised when she noted that their  \nprimary responsibility was to her, their employer, and she dropped the question after the third  \ninterview. Ultimately, she picked those who seemed best for the job, with particular attention to  \ntheir record at the academy and character references. It was a tedious process, and she  \nregretted having decided to take on the task by the time it was done.  \nHowever, now it was Wednesday, and her very first court had been scheduled for that  \nafternoon. Rita stopped to inspect her dais-raised throne in the back center of the vaulted entry  \nhall as she entered the building. Her metallic golden gown shimmered in the warm morning  \nsunlight that shone through the rows of windows and formed elongated parallelograms across  \nthe white marble floor. The bottom of the gown rippled around her ankles as she regally  \nsauntered up the indigo carpet to the high-backed maple throne atop its pink marble dais.  \nTurning, she carefully sat on the maroon cushioned seat and leaned back, stretching her  \nunsleeved forearms out in front of her on the smooth, varnished arms of the chair.  \nGazing over the empty hall in front of her, she imagined it filled with courtiers and  \nsupplicants, each in elegant formal attire or humble homespun garments as befitting their  \nstations. She closed her amber eyes as she indulged in the fantasy: not only lowlier species but  \nother red foxes made up her retinue, other nobles: counts and lords, baronesses and dames.  \nEven patronizing fools like Count Dubois would bow and scrape before her exalted majesty!  \nRita started and her eyes popped open as a low growl issued from nearby, \"Fancy. I  \nguess you're ready for your party or whatever you called it this afternoon, huh, Your Grace?\"  \nRita turned her head to eye the puma, Felicia, standing to the right of her dais, with a  \nsevere gaze, \"Royal court is no party. It is essential, the very nitty-gritty of operating a kingdom.\"  \nFelicia responded with, what Rita found to be, a somewhat mocking smirk, \"As you say,  \nYour Grace.\"  \n\"Did you let Terrance and Heather know I wish to speak with them?\" Rita returned  \nhaughtily.  \n\"The weasel is on it,\" Felicia replied placidly.  \n\"Pine marten, and his name is Edgar,\" Rita reminded tersely.  \nFelicia smirked again, \"As you say, Your Grace.\"  \nRita held back a huff of annoyance and, turning away from the cat, rose from her throne  \nand strode down the dais and toward the marble stairs on her left without offering the puma a  \nsecond glance. She could hear the cat padding behind her, surprisingly softly given her size.  \nRita didn't turn back to confirm the mocking grin she suspected was plastered across the  \nfeline's face. While Felicia did as she was told and certainly served as an imposing presence to  \ndissuade any would-be attackers, she was nothing like Rita's adoring Boots had been. Rita was  \npleased she wouldn't be joining her at the estate when this was all over.  \nTerrance and Heather were standing patiently in front of her desk when they reached  \nRita's office. Rita offered them a friendly smile, which the gray fox and squirrel both returned,  \nthough they glanced at Felicia a bit nervously. Edgar peeked up from behind her desk and  \nquickly ducked back down upon spotting the puma.  \n\"Guard the door if you would, Felicia,\" Rita instructed, glancing back at the enormous  \ncat.  \n\"Don't you think I should stay by your side, Your Grace?\" Felicia asked amusedly. She  \neyed Terrance with mock suspicion, \"This one looks shifty.\"  \nThe gray fox shuffled his feet uncomfortably.  \n\"I'll be quite alright with my friends. Guard the door.\"  \nThe puma grinned at Heather and Terrance again before turning on the pad of her foot,  \nstepping back out of the office, and softly closing the door behind her.  \nHeather and Terrance eyed the door uncomfortably once she'd left.  \n\"My apologies, Dears, she was the best I could find on such short notice,\" Rita  \naddressed the council members.  \nTerrance shook his head, \"No, it's alright, Your Grace. What was it you wanted to  \ndiscuss with us?\"  \n\"One moment!\"  \nRita quickly trotted to the other side of her desk, eyed Edgar cowering behind it  \nexasperatedly, and withdrew a forest green three-ring binder from the lower right side drawer.  \nShe turned the binder toward Terrance and Heather and slid it out to the edge of her desk. The  \nred squirrel stepped forward, took the binder, and began to flip through it while Terrance  \nwatched over her shoulder.  \n\"These are my ideas for how to engender greater trust and friendship between the  \npredators and prey of Maplesburg,\" Rita noted.  \n\"I'm not so sure about this one. Offspring exchange, Your Grace?\" Heather responded  \nconcernedly. \"I doubt many parents will be comfortable with that.\"  \n\"Also, I doubt many of the smaller prey could handle predator children,\" Terrance added.  \nHeather gave him an annoyed look, \"They'd be perfectly capable, Terrance.\"  \nTerrance dipped his head apologetically, \"I merely meant because of the size difference,  \nHeather. Even the youngest predators might not fit in the typical murine home, for example.\"  \n\"That's true enough,\" Heather allowed.  \n\"Look through some of the other ideas,\" Rita suggested nonchalantly.  \n\"This one looks quite doable,\" Terrance chirped after they'd perused the binder a few  \nseconds more. \"Community potlucks should be simple to organize.\"  \n\"Hmm, I agree with you there, Terrance,\" Heather replied. \"But given the differences in  \ndiets, I doubt it will do much to bring the community together. Anything centered around food  \nwould tend to naturally segregate.\" She looked up at Rita apologetically, \"I don't think it's a bad  \nidea, Your Grace. I just don't think it will be as effective as we'd like.\"  \n\"I quite agree with your assessment,\" Rita replied. \"Look at the next one.\"  \nHeather flipped the page, \"Visit a neighbor,\" she read the title.  \nThe red squirrel and gray fox scanned the page.  \n\"I see, Your Grace,\" Heather replied hesitantly. \"It does address some of our concerns  \nabout the offspring exchange. It seems a bit one-sided though. Your proposal is that each adult  \nprey should visit a predator home for a few days to a week, correct? Predators would have to  \ntake on multiple prey or-\"  \n\"I felt one prey at a time would be best,\" Rita interjected.  \nHeather nodded slowly, \"You don't think predators would resent being forced to house  \nprey for up to a month with no compensation?\"  \n\"Predators will gladly accept such a responsibility for the good of Maplesburg,\" Terrance  \nrejoined. \"I'm more concerned prey won't be comfortable living among predators for that long.  \nIt's one thing to visit for the day, but do you think many prey will be comfortable sleeping in a  \npredator's home?\"  \nHeather eyed him irritatedly, \"Prey aren't so fearful that they can't handle themselves for  \na few nights, unless you think predators won't be able to control themselves.\"  \n\"We're not beasts!\" Terrance protested. \"The prey will be perfectly safe, safer than usual  \neven!\"  \n\"I'd say it's settled then!\" Rita chirped. \"Terrance, arrange a press conference to  \nannounce the policy. Heather, work out the details with the rest of the Council.\"  \nThe squirrel and gray fox exchanged a surprised glance.  \n\"We'll get on it, Your Grace,\" Heather stated.  \n\"Thank you, Heather,\" Rita replied graciously. \"As always, the two of you are a great  \nhelp to me.\"  \nTerrance dipped his head respectfully, \"It's a pleasure to be of service.\"  \nThe two council members left the office, and Rita glanced down at Edgar, who was still  \ncrouched down, cowering beside her chair.  \n\"Felicia!\" Rita called to the door.  \nThe door opened, and the puma poked her head in, \"Yes, Your Grace?\"  \n\"Is Franz here yet?\"  \n\"He is.\"  \n\"Let him watch the door and take Edgar back to the hotel room. He doesn't seem well.\"  \nEdgar looked up at her, trembling in terror, \"Y-Your Grace?\" he squeaked.  \nRita ignored him as the puma strode into the office. She nodded toward where Edgar  \nwas hiding, and the gigantic cat crouched down to seize the pine marten around the middle in  \none massive hand. Edgar whimpered but didn't struggle as he was lifted from the floor. Felicia  \nstalked out of the office with the pine marten held out in front of her at chest level. Rita sighed  \nand shook her head exasperatedly. She wondered if the pine marten had become even more  \nskittish in his time away from her. He hadn't even been captured by the cultists! There was no  \nexcuse for such fearful behavior around the larger predator.  \nOnly a few minutes later, Terrance hurried back into the room, \"Your Grace! I called the  \nchannel five station!\"  \n\"Thank you, Terrance. When-\"  \n\"They said Ferdinand Gamboa needs to speak with you! Urgently!\"  \nRita blinked at the tod in surprise, \"Did they really? Whatever about? Old Ferdie is doing  \nwell, I hope.\"  \nThe tod seemed confused as to how to respond, \"I-I didn't ask, Your Grace; about Mr.  \nGamboa's health, I mean. They said it's a delicate matter surrounding your noble personage.  \nThey didn't go into further detail.\"  \n\"I suppose I shall have to attend to whatever it is then,\" Rita decided. \"I only hope my  \ncourt shan't be delayed. Where are we meeting?\"  \n\"They asked you to meet Mr. Gamboa at the studio as soon as possible.\"  \n\"Very well, tell Miguel to meet me at the front.\"  \nShe stood from her desk and trotted past Terrance to the door. She nodded to Franz,  \nand the badger followed her toward the stairs. Terrance scurried out of the office and down the  \nhall behind them. Rita and the badger soon arrived at the front doors of the hall. Miguel had not  \nyet arrived with the car. Rita turned her attention to her bodyguard, inspecting his black jacket,  \nwhite shirt, and yellow tie. Rita lifted the tie and inspected what appeared to be a coffee stain on  \none edge. The larger carnivore, who was a head taller than her and roughly half again her  \nweight, shifted uncomfortably.  \n\"I presume this is an old stain unless you changed your shirt,\" Rita remarked.  \n\"I-it is, Your Grace,\" Franz stammered.  \n\"You realize your appearance reflects on me as well, yes?\"  \n\"Y-yes, Your Grace.\"  \n\"Then I expect you won't wear soiled clothes in my presence again,\" Rita concluded.  \n\"No, Your Grace.\"  \nRita turned her attention back to the door, watching the street through the glass. At last,  \nMiguel arrived driving a silver sedan, his own vehicle as Rita hadn't had time to send for one of  \nhers. Rita glanced at Franz, who hurriedly opened the door, and then trotted down the cement  \nstairs to the curb. Miguel hopped out, and the fluffy silver tabby bounded around the car to open  \nthe back door on Rita's side, bowing gracefully as she climbed in. Franz climbed into the seat in  \nfront of her as Miguel returned to the driver's seat.  \nThe cat's bright blue eyes peeked at her through the rearview mirror, \"Got an interview  \nwith five, eh, Your Grace? Must make you nervous, bein' on tv. Though maybe you're used to  \nthat kinda thing; be shakin' in my fur myself.\"  \n\"It's more of a personal call really. I've been meaning to speak with Old Ferdie, but it  \nseems he has something urgent to tell me.\"  \nThe cat grinned toothily in the mirror, \"Know old Gamboa then, do you? Old friend or,\" he  \nlet the sentence hang suggestively.  \n\"I don't know him at all, actually,\" Rita corrected. \"You might simply say I've appreciated  \nhis reporting over the years. You know the way to the studio, I assume?\"  \n\"Got it in my phone.\"  \n\"Let's get going then,\" Rita directed conclusively.  \nTaking the hint from her tone, the tabby started the car.  \nThe drive across town took about ten minutes. Miguel dropped Rita and Franz in front of  \nthe red brick studio and took the car to park it in the private lot. The white bull terrier guarding  \nthe door immediately recognized Rita and bowed low, his broad snout nearly touching the  \nground while his short white tail poked up from behind his black uniform top. At half height, he  \nstill came to Rita's shoulder.  \nHe hastily shot back up and saluted, \"Your Grace! It's an honor, Your Grace!\"  \nRita smiled indulgently at the flustered dog, \"Thank you, Dear. Ferdie is waiting for me, I  \ntake it?\"  \n\"Yes, Your Grace!\"  \n\"Show us the way if you would then.\"  \nThe bull terrier hurriedly opened the heavy door, \"This way, Your Grace! Just up the  \nstairs.\"  \nRita gave him another winning smile and trotted in with Franz lumbering close behind.  \nImmediately, an alarm screamed. Franz and the dog both nearly leapt out of their fur. Rita  \nglanced at the flashing red lights above the door.  \n\"Have we upset something?\" she queried curiously.  \n\"S-Sorry, Your Grace! We just had that installed, for extra security, you understand,\" the  \nterrier stammered. He turned to Franz, \"You're not carrying anything metal are you, Sir? I  \nassure you Her Grace will be safe, so if you'd leave any weapons in the car-\"  \n\"I believe that was me,\" Rita cut him off.  \nThe terrier looked down at her in surprise.  \nRita unzipped her shiny black clutch and withdrew Judith's knife, smiling amusedly at the  \ndog and badger's shocked expressions. \"I can leave this in the car if you think it's necessary.\"  \n\"Er, th-that won't be necessary, Your Grace,\" the dog answered anxiously.  \nRita returned the knife to her clutch, \"Let's not keep Ferdie waiting then.\"  \nThe terrier showed them upstairs to a room with a gray rectangular conference table and  \ngreen office chairs. Ferdinand Gamboa was nervously pacing around the table and jumped as  \nRita and Franz entered.  \n\"Y-Your Grace! Th-thank you for coming on such short notice! I, I hate to bother you,  \nbut-\"  \nRita held up her hand to silence the peevishly mewling feline. \"It's no problem, Dear. It's  \nbest you alert me at the first sign of trouble. You said it's a delicate matter, yes?\"  \n\"Y-Yes, Your Grace!\"  \nRita turned to Franz, \"Wait outside the door if you would. I'll be safe here with Old  \nFerdie.\"  \nThe badger stepped back out to wait in the hall with the bull terrier, quietly closing the  \ndoor behind him. Rita turned back to examine the corpulent black and white cat; she grinned  \nwolfishly as she ran her eyes over his marshmallowy form. The image of the folding knife tucked  \nin her purse burned in her consciousness, and her fingers itched to grasp the weapon. Hungrily,  \nshe advanced a step toward the nervous feline. She'd been waiting years to have this whinging  \nexcuse for a predator at her mercy!  \n\"Y-Your Grace?\" he whined.  \nRita stopped herself and took a deep breath to quench her rising bloodlust. She couldn't  \nkill him now, not with his guard just outside the door. She couldn't even trust Franz to take her  \nside if he saw the bloody knife in her hand. Patience, you'll get him someday, she scolded  \nherself. Brushing aside the last vestiges of her murderous urges, she gave him a friendly smile.  \n\"Ferdie, Ferdie, Ferdie,\" she tutted scoldingly, wryly shaking her head. \"You should have  \ncome to visit me in all these years. There's always a place for you at the estate, you know.\"  \nThe cat blinked his yellow eyes, staring at her in confusion, \"There is? I, er, we haven't  \nmet before, have we, Your Grace?\"  \n\"No, but after watching you every morning, let's just say you've piqued my interest,\" Rita  \nanswered airily. \"I'd be delighted to entertain you for an evening.\"  \n\"I-I'll consider it, thank you, Your Grace.\"  \nRita smiled toothily again, resisting a giggle. She took another deep breath to calm her  \nexcitement. \"Now, what is it you needed to tell me?\" she asked briskly.  \nThe cat's confused visage returned to its nervous conformation, \"I-I wouldn't have  \nbothered you with this except for what I saw this morning. We, yesterday, we had some visitors.  \nUm, it's difficult to explain, but you see, they'd visited before. I, I kept a skeptical mind of course,  \nbut what they said,\" he stopped, painfully trying to figure out how to continue.  \n\"Take your time, Dear,\" Rita soothed.  \n\"Th-they said some t-truly slanderous things about you, Your Grace,\" the cat whined. \"A-  \nand this morning, I-I don't know if you've seen it--it's gaining some attention--but they've  \nuploaded a video. I-I watched the whole thing, and i-it's even worse than what they said before.\"  \nRita frowned, \"I'd best see it then. Show me the video.\"  \nThe rotund cat withdrew his phone from the pocket of his powder blue jacket and, after  \npoking at the screen a few seconds, offered it to Rita. Ellie's dour expression greeted her as she  \naccepted the phone, and Rita couldn't resist an amused smile. These two? What were her pets  \nup to now? She touched the screen to get the video to play.  \n\"Rita Belmont is a murderer,\" Ellie began bluntly. \"She's the monster who viciously  \nmurdered Daniel Planter, Bartholomew Potter, and the other prey whose mutilated bodies have  \nbeen found around Maplesburg in the past months.\"  \nFerdinand whimpered nervously, and Rita glanced up at him before returning her gaze  \nto the video.  \n\"You may have heard of me as well as my partner: we're the private inspectors who  \ndisappeared last month, presumed murdered by the same serial killer. We weren't killed, but we  \nwere captured. It was a horrific experience, but I'll recount what I can. Everyone needs to know.\"  \nShe paused briefly before continuing, \"We'd been investigating the murders for weeks. Finally,  \nour investigations led us to the Duchess' estate. We didn't know what we were walking into, if  \nwe had,\" Ellie paused and shook her head sadly. After a moment, she looked directly into the  \ncamera, her brown eyes burning with resolve, \"We were there when the Duchess murdered  \nBartholomew Potter.\" She sighed sadly, turning her gaze down, \"There was nothing we could do  \nfor him. We can't say how sorry we are to his wife Gretchen, who asked us to find him. If only  \nwe'd suspected the Duchess,\" she let the sentence hang with another morose shake of her  \nhead.  \n\"After that, she tortured us. You might be wondering how it is we're alive when so many  \nother decent people were butchered by this witch. In a way, we were lucky; the Duchess' own  \ndepravity is what spared us. When she couldn't force my partner to eat me,\" the camera briefly  \nswung toward Jason at the wheel of the car, who looked embarrassed to be on video. \"She  \ndecided to torment us other ways, too terrible to mention. Perhaps if there's ever a trial, every  \nmonstrous thing she's done will come to light.\" Ellie paused again, \"Ultimately, she decided to  \nlet us live as her slaves. It was miserable, but at least we had each other. It was only the  \ncultists' attack on her estate that allowed us to escape.\" Ellie glanced off screen toward Jason.  \n\"We tried to tell all of this to the media, but. But the Duchess is a 'hero' now, and they didn't  \nwant to listen.\" Ellie glared into the camera, \"She's not a hero. Everyone but especially prey  \nneed to know that. She's dangerous. She shouldn't be left alone with prey; no one should trust  \nher.\"  \n\"Please share this video and tell any prey you know what I've said. Even if you don't  \nbelieve me, just stay safe. Don't let her title fool you; she's as vicious as the terrorists who she's  \nsupplanted. If you can, stay away until she's gone. We were in Maplesburg for a few days, but  \nnow we're leaving for our own safety. I hope this video spreads, and I hope no more prey are  \nmurdered by this monster. Stay safe.\"  \nThe video ended, and Rita handed Ferdie back his phone. She glanced at his fearful  \nexpression and realized he was waiting for a reaction. Am I meant to be angry? Distraught?  \nShocked? Annoyed? Rita decided to try the second one. Turning away toward the door, she  \nchoked out a heavy sob.  \n\"I-I'm sorry, Your Grace! I didn't want to show you that!\" the cat cried.  \nRita heard him rapidly padding over the carpet, and then he was beside her, his left  \nhand grasping her right.  \n\"I, I'm sure no one believes it! It's terrible! No one would think-\"  \n\"It's worse than that!\" Rita wailed. Horrified, confused, not quite hysterical. She turned  \nher head away as she forced out some tears to wet her cheeks and make her natural black  \neyeliner glisten. \"Th-they did stay with me. I just thought,\" she ended with another sob leaving  \nthe rest for the cat's mind to finish.  \n\"Y-you know them then?\" he meowed worriedly, \"They were with you all that time?\"  \nShe turned toward the cat, who was gazing up at her with an expression of  \nconsternation and confusion. \"Ellie and Jason, yes. They were dear to me. N-not at first--they  \ndid show up accusing my guard of murder--but I thought we'd reached an understanding. I  \neven thought they'd begun to care a bit for me too.\"  \nFerdinand squeezed her hand, \"I-I'm sorry, Your Grace,\" he whined in his typical peevish  \ntone. \"I wish I didn't have to show you, but, but I was afraid it might blow up. And then you'd be  \nblindsided when you're already so busy, and-\"  \n\"You did the right thing,\" Rita cut him off. \"I needed to know, even if it's hurtful to be  \nbetrayed by those you care for.\"  \n\"I, I think you should address this,\" the cat advised hesitantly. \"Especially since they did  \nstay with you, you should give your version.\"  \nRita gave him a little smile and wiped her eyes with her free hand, finishing with a wet  \nlittle sniff. \"Thank you, Ferdie. I appreciate your assistance in this matter; I haven't much  \nexperience with public relations.\"  \n\"You wouldn't know that from your press conferences so far, Your Grace,\" Ferdie  \ncomplimented ingratiatingly. \"You're a natural in front of the camera.\"  \nRita let her smile brighten just a bit, \"Thank you for saying so, Dear. How would you  \nsuggest I handle this? I wish to deal with this ugliness quickly so that I can get on with my plan  \nfor healing Maplesburg. The last things we need are accusations and division.\"  \n\"We can do an interview, Your Grace. You can give your side and then tell everyone  \nhow you're working to get us through this crisis.\" He gave Rita what she supposed passed for a  \ncomforting smile on his sour features, \"Everything will be alright, Your Grace.\"  \nWithout warning, Rita yanked him into a hug, squeezing him tightly. She tucked his head  \nunder her jaw with his pointy ears to either side. Ferdie squirmed embarrassedly but didn't  \nverbally protest and in fact returned the hug, though very lightly. He was, perhaps, even  \nsquishier than Rita had imagined. How does he carry his weight with such a pitiful lack of  \nmuscle tone? Rita couldn't resist squeezing him a bit harder, just enough to be uncomfortable  \nfor the soft feline. Finally, she released him, and he quickly stepped back, avoiding eye contact  \nby turning toward the door.  \n\"I-I'll show you to our interview studio, Your Grace,\" he meowed embarrassedly.  \nRita followed him out the door and down the hall, passing between their respective  \nguards, who followed.  \n\"Tell Sarah we're doing an interview with Her Grace,\" Ferdinand instructed.  \nThe bull terrier turned and hurried back the way they'd come.  \nRita glanced back at Franz and smiled to let him know everything was alright. Whether  \nor not he'd heard the video, he'd certainly heard her exchange with Ferdie. The badger returned  \nthe glance, but his striped visage remained stoic.  \nFerdie led her into a room with a black faux leather armchair and matching sofa across a  \ncoffee table. Rita trotted around the cat and seated herself on the edge of the armchair with her  \nhands folded in the lap of her shimmering golden gown. Ferdie hesitated a moment before  \ntaking the sofa himself. Rita kept her snout toward the door but eyed the cat amusedly out of the  \ncorner of her eye. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen enough channel five interviews to know she'd  \ntaken his seat. After a few minutes, a brown bird fluttered into the room followed by a sturdy  \notter rolling a camera. Rita turned her attention back to Ferdie whilst they got everything ready.  \n\"You're aware I'm holding court for the first time this afternoon, of course,\" Rita stated  \nconversationally.  \n\"I am, Your Grace.\"  \n\"I'd love to see you there. You don't need to have anything to request, but if you do think  \nof anything, you're welcome to submit a petition.\" She finished with a friendly smile.  \n\"Er, I'd be there if I could, Your Grace,\" he replied apologetically. \"I'll be needed here,  \nunfortunately.\"  \n\"Well, any day you can come will be fine. We could even do dinner afterwards if you  \nlike.\"  \n\"Th-thank you, Your Grace. I'll let you know if I have time,\" he returned embarrassedly.  \nThe bird fluttered over, landing on the arm of the sofa, \"We're ready when you are,  \nFerdinand.\" She cocked her head, adorned with a red beret, toward Rita, \"Nice to meet you,  \nYour Grace.\" She took off and swooped back over by the camera.  \n\"That was Sarah,\" Ferdinand meowed. \"She coordinates production. I'd be lost without  \nher. Even during the evacuation, she didn't leave. I told her she should, but she wouldn't. We  \nwere barricaded in here together. Fortunately, we had enough to eat.\"  \nRita smiled toothily, \"It's good to have people we can count on.\"  \nFerdinand glanced at the camera to let them know they were ready, and the bird waved  \na wing. The cat turned toward Rita and put on a comically grave expression. Rita scootched  \nback on her seat and crossed her left foot over her right, resisting the impulse to leap onto the  \ntable and slap him.  \n\"Today I'm joined by an esteemed guest; I'm sure you all recognize Her Grace, the  \nDuchess of Gooseberry,\" the cat began solemnly. \"Her Grace has graciously offered us some of  \nher valuable time to address a slanderous video that appeared online this morning. Thank you  \nfor being here, Your Grace.\"  \n\"Thank you, Ferdie. I want to get this unpleasantness out of the way and not allow it to  \ndisrupt my vital work with City Council,\" Rita responded.  \n\"I assume most of our viewers have seen the video,\" Ferdinand stated. \"For those who  \nhaven't, a pair of private inspectors, until now thought dead, released a vile video this morning  \naccusing Her Grace of murder among other unthinkable acts. The two of them visited our studio  \nyesterday and made similar deranged accusations against both Her Grace and our courageous  \nchief of police, Lily Schulz. You say you know the inspectors in question, yes, Your Grace?\"  \n\"I do.\"  \n\"And how would you describe them?\"  \nRita pondered this a moment, \"I suppose they have little respect for authority, but I truly  \ndidn't think they'd release such an unsettling video. We had our differences, but I believed the  \nthree of us could be friends someday.\"  \n\"How did you meet them, Your Grace?\"  \n\"As I told you, Ferdie, they arrived at my house uninvited and accused my bodyguard of  \nmurder.\" She paused and then murmured sadly, \"Poor Wolfgang, he was killed protecting me  \nfrom the terrorists along with Johann and Boots and,\" she turned away from the camera, tears--  \ngenuine now--beginning to well in the corners of her eyes. \"I'm sorry. I've lost so many people,  \nand, and now,\" she didn't finish the statement.  \n\"You told me you'd begun to care for these inspectors, yes, Your Grace?\"  \nRita turned back to Ferdie, blinking her eyes to allow her tears, shining in the studio  \nlights, to drop down onto her lap. She smiled weakly. Self-conscious but not angry, the baffled  \nvictim of cruel deception. \"I did. One thing they said was true: I did capture them. I had good  \nreason to. I tried to convince them Wolfgang was innocent, but then Ellie drew a gun on me. I  \nhad no choice but to confine such dangerous animals. They resented it, of course, but I tried to  \nmake them comfortable. After a time, I dared to believe they'd come to accept what I'd done,  \nand I even became quite attached to them, as I told you. I still can't believe they'd attack me so  \nviciously. I could have left them for the terrorists to find, but I helped them escape. Especially  \nnow, when we all need to come together after this terrible crisis, I can't believe they'd make  \nsuch hideous, divisive accusations.\"  \nFerdinand shook his head slowly, \"I can't understand it either. Perhaps it's a political  \nploy. You said they had little respect for authority. Do you think they could be some type of  \nanarchists?\"  \n\"That's very possible,\" Rita was happy to allow. \"They never expressed such radical  \nviews to me, but I suppose they wouldn't.\"  \n\"Some have speculated that the killings they were investigating were in fact perpetrated  \nby the same terrorists who attacked Maplesburg. What are your thoughts on that supposition?\"  \nRita pretended to consider the proposition carefully before answering, \"That doesn't  \nseem likely to me. The terrorists preferred to eat their victims; I never saw them torture. I'll make  \nsure Officer Schulz gives these terrible crimes all the attention they deserve when we're certain  \nthe greater threat has been eliminated.\"  \n\"It's reassuring to have someone with your experience in charge in these trying times,\"  \nFerdie complimented unctuously. \"Can you tell us more about your plans to set things right after  \nthis disaster?\"  \n\"I don't want to take all the credit as I've worked closely with City Council, but in addition  \nto holding royal court--starting this afternoon as I'm sure your viewers are aware--I've devised  \na new form of training that should help foster a greater sense of community between predators  \nand prey. This new training builds on the training all predators receive from infancy, but it's a bit  \ndifferent. Heretofore, all training has focused on predators, teaching them to understand and  \ncontrol their instincts and to respect the sensibilities of prey. All of that is incredibly valuable, but  \none thing was always neglected: prey themselves. Certainly, predators get to meet and even  \nbefriend prey at school and work, but unless it's a particularly close friendship prey always  \nremain somewhat inscrutable. The new training solves this in the only way possible: it forces  \npredators and prey into close proximity, through cohabitation.\"  \nFerdie blinked at this final sentence. \"Cohabitation? I'm not sure I follow, Your Grace.  \nYou want predators and prey to live in the same homes?\"  \n\"Only temporarily. Each prey will visit a predator's home for about a week, at the end of  \nwhich all involved will have a greater appreciation for the capabilities of the other. Predators will  \nsee prey can take care of themselves, and prey will see that predators are civilized animals  \ncapable of impeccable hospitality.\"  \n\"I, uh, suppose that could be effective, Your Grace,\" Ferdie conceded uncertainly. \"But  \ndo you think prey will really be comfortable going home with predators after what's just  \nhappened?\"  \n\"We all need to learn to trust each other again,\" Rita stated. \"Those few terrorists were  \nan aberration. Predators want to show prey they can be trusted, and prey want to show  \npredators they're not a problem to be tiptoed around. Besides, think of all the friendships this  \ncohabitation will spawn. We'll make Maplesburg such a tight-knit community that nothing like  \nthis will ever be able to happen again!\"  \n\"That's what we all want,\" Ferdie agreed anxiously. \"This must never happen again, no  \nmore killing!\"  \n\"I'm glad we agree. Preventing another such incident is our top priority.\"  \n\"Is there anything else you'd like to tell people, Your Grace?\"  \nRita turned and gave the camera her best winning smile, \"I just want to say what a  \npleasure it's been to work with City Council so far. I know my methods may seem heavy-pawed  \nto some, but I've been working with your elected officials to ensure every possible concern is  \naccounted for. Please cooperate with us to ensure a speedy return to normality.\"  \n\"I'm sure we will, Your Grace. Thank you for coming on our program.\"  \n\"It was a pleasure, Ferdie.\"  \n\"And that's a wrap!\" the bird chirped.  \nFerdie relaxed on the couch and released a sigh of relief. The otter shut off the camera,  \nand the bird fluttered over to perch on the edge of the coffee table.  \n\"Good job, Ferdinand, and you, Your Grace,\" the bird chirped, cocking her head toward  \neach of them in turn. \"We have time for a break for lunch before our afternoon programming. If  \nyou'd like to join us, I'm sure we could have something delivered, Your Grace.\"  \n\"Thank you for the offer, but I really must be returning to City Hall,\" Rita replied  \ngraciously. \"Perhaps another time.\"  \nThe bird shrugged her wings and took off, landing to hop-skip out the door.  \nRita turned back to the slouching feline, who looked as if he'd already sprouted roots into  \nthe faux leather couch. Again, Rita had to restrain herself from pouncing on and dispatching the  \nloathsome feline. If only being an affront to predator dignity were a capital offense! Rita could  \nhave declared it such, but she doubted Frederick would have let such a decision stand.  \nBesides, the bloated cat was more useful to her alive than dead at the moment. She hopped up  \nfrom her seat.  \n\"Thank you for your help, Ferdie. Franz and I can show ourselves out,\" Rita concluded.  \nThe cat pushed himself up and slid onto the floor, stepping around the table and offering  \nhis hand. \"It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.\"  \nRita shook his hand perfunctorily before reminding him, \"Don't forget to come visit like I  \nsaid, for dinner in Maplesburg and then later at the estate. I'll be terribly disappointed if you can't  \nfind the time.\"  \n\"I'll make it a priority, Your Grace,\" he replied embarrassedly.  \nRita headed for the door, picking up Franz in the hall. They returned to their car  \nunescorted and returned to City Hall.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nThe first day of royal court was neither a wild success nor a disappointment.  \nSupplicants, at first, seemed confused as to what to do, milling around in the entry hall until Rita  \ninstructed Miguel to line them up before her throne. Felicia and Franz stood guard to her right  \nand left as the long-furred silver tabby escorted each in turn to kneel on the indigo carpet in front  \nof the pink marble dais.  \nMany of them simply wanted to thank Rita for what she'd done, and she accepted their  \npraises with conspicuous humility. She had just dismissed the fifth such loyal subject when  \nsomeone darted toward her throne. Felicia was there in a flash, snarling, dagger-like fangs  \nbared. The offending bobcat kitten squeaked in terror.  \n\"Felicia! Stand down! Can't you see it's a kitten?!\" Rita yelped.  \nThe puma glanced back at her dourly but then stepped back beside her throne with a  \nwarning growl at the kitten.  \nRita regarded the trembling spotted feline and his shocked mother apologetically, \"Poor  \nlittle Dear.\" She patted her lap with both hands, \"Come sit with Auntie Rita. Tell me what you  \nneed.\"  \nHesitantly, the kitten crept up the dais. Rita stood and picked him up, sitting back in the  \nmaroon cushioned chair with the kitten curled on her lap. She petted his soft fur until he seemed  \nrecovered from his scare.  \n\"That's better,\" she crooned. \"Now, what is it you want? You seemed anxious to speak  \nwith me.\"  \nThe kitten looked toward his mother, \"Mom has it.\"  \nThe adult bobcat withdrew a folded piece of paper from her white tote and held it out  \ntoward Rita. Rita nodded to Franz, and he retrieved the paper, which Rita unfolded to reveal a  \ncrude crayon drawing of what Rita assumed was an animal figure of some sort.  \n\"I drew a picture of you!\" the kitten squeaked proudly.  \nRita gave him an indulgent smile, \"It's lovely. May I keep it?\"  \nThe kitten nodded enthusiastically. Rita refolded the picture and tucked it into the bosom  \nof her dress.  \n\"Thank you. What was your name, Dear?\"  \n\"Colin,\" he piped.  \n\"Thank you, Colin. I think your mother would like you back now.\"  \nThe kitten jumped down and bounded down the dais to his mother who hugged him  \ntight.  \n\"Is there anything you needed?\" Rita asked her.  \n\"No, thank you, Your Grace.\"  \nThe bobcat's left, and the next supplicant, a light brown chihuahua in a red sundress  \nstepped forward.  \n\"I have something to ask, Your Grace!\" the dog yapped anxiously.  \nRita grinned toothily. Finally! She'd been waiting to enthrall the public with her sagacious  \nleadership. \"Ask away!\" she chirped.  \n\"I, I'm sure you've noticed, Your Grace, and I can't help but think this whole thing is a  \njudgement of some kind. We have an epidemic, Your Grace, an epidemic of--I hate to say this  \nto your royal person--but it's an epidemic of perversion, Your Grace, degeneracy! I know Your  \nGrace can-\"  \n\"I'm not quite certain I follow,\" Rita cut off the rambling chihuahua. \"What do you mean  \nby perversion?\"  \n\"Predators and prey!\" she yapped. \"Together, in bed, Your Grace! I support interspecies  \ncouples, but-\"  \nRita held up her hand, regarding the dog sternly, \"I've heard enough!\" she barked.  \n\"There's no place for such bigotry in Vulpineva! I suggest you take yourself and your  \ndiscriminatory views elsewhere!\"  \nThe chihuahua stared at her open-mouthed and flabbergasted, \"B-b-but!\"  \n\"Felicia, escort this vile creature from the premises!\" Rita commanded.  \nThe puma started toward the dog, but the chihuahua turned and bolted out the door. Rita  \nwatched the door swing shut with a contemptuous glare before fiercely turning her gaze over  \nher gathered subjects.  \n\"Does anyone else have a similar complaint? I suggest those who do leave now.\"  \nEars and tails flicked nervously; feet shuffled uncertainly, but no one left the line. Even if  \nthey agreed with the chihuahua, they probably didn't want to admit it, even silently.  \nRita eyed the next person in line, a blue jay who ruffled her bright blue wings under  \nRita's probing gaze.  \n\"M-my question is about c-cigarette smoking, Y-Your Grace,\" the bird squawked  \napprehensively.  \n\"A nasty habit,\" Rita stated. \"Go on.\"  \nThe blue jay continued with a bit more confidence, \"I-I believe it should be banned in  \npublic, Your Grace. I can't tell you how many times I've stepped outside for a breath of fresh air  \nonly to walk into a cloud of smoke. It's disgusting, and I'm sure you know it causes cancer. So I  \nthought-\"  \n\"Excellent idea. I don't know why it hasn't been done sooner. Smoking is now banned in  \nMaplesburg,\" Rita pronounced.  \nThe blue jay blinked at her, \"It is? J-just like-\"  \n\"Just like that! See how efficient this form of government is?\" Rita returned with a flourish  \nof her hands.  \nA few of her supplicants chuckled, and Rita looked over them with a playful but superior  \nsmile, sharing a joke they didn't realize was at their expense.  \n\"Was there anything else?\" Rita asked the blue jay.  \n\"No, Your Grace, thank you.\" The bird bowed then hop-skipped to the door.  \nThe next supplicant was a gray-whiskered otter in an open red velvet vest; he stepped  \nforward and bowed deeply.  \n\"What do you need, good citizen?\" Rita prompted.  \n\"Nothing I need, Your Grace, though the last one got me thinkin',\" he chirped gruffly.  \n\"'Ave you e'er had misfortune with chewing gum, Your Grace?\"  \nRita blinked a bit bemusedly, \"Chewing gum? No, I can't say I have.\"  \n\"Hope that you ne'er do, Your Grace, but many a time, I've stepped in a wad what some  \ninconsiderate creature spit. Road, sidewalk, even in the woods, Your Grace, I've stepped in it.  \nTakes days to get all out of your fur.\"  \n\"That does sound unpleasant,\" Rita replied sympathetically. \"What do you think I should  \ndo?\"  \n\"I was thinkin' you could ban the stuff, Your Grace. You can't stop critters from bein'  \ninconsiderate, but you can get rid of the stuff they spit.\"  \nRita pondered the suggestion a moment. Banning chewing gum seemed rather extreme.  \n\"They also stick it on things, Your Grace, anything at all. World'd be covered in the stuff  \nif someone didn't scrape it off,\" the otter added.  \n\"Perhaps it's more trouble than it's worth,\" Rita conceded. \"Alright, it's banned.\"  \nThe otter bowed again, \"Thank you, Your Grace!\" He waddled away.  \nThe next person, a male cardinal hopped forward anxiously, \"Your Grace, I want to talk  \nto you about skateboarding!\"  \nRita nodded, \"Go on.\"  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nRita's court was scheduled for two hours, so promptly at three, she stood, and allowed  \nher guards to escort her past the remaining supplicants with a wave and a reminder to return  \nthe next day. Rita returned to her office. Her guards waited outside. First thing, she phoned the  \nchief of police.  \nAfter a ring and a half, the phone was answered by the surly bobcat's growl, \"Hello?  \nYour Grace?\"  \n\"My dear Officer Schulz! All is going well with the newest additions to your force, I hope,\"  \nRita chirped cheerfully.  \n\"Well enough,\" the bobcat growled grumpily. \"Is that it?\"  \n\"No, I have a few new laws I need you to take care of, nothing that should cause you too  \nmuch trouble.\"  \nThere was a lengthy pause and then a worried, \"New laws, Your Grace?\"  \n\"Just a few. Let's see: I've banned cigarettes and chewing gum. I also banned  \nskateboarding except in designated areas. I changed littering from a fine to a felony, and,\" she  \npaused to remember. \"Oh yes, I also banned public use of profanity, particularly in written form.\"  \nThere was an even lengthier pause followed by a strained, \"And what do you expect me  \nto do to enforce those edicts?\"  \n\"Arrest anyone who breaks them, of course. You can let them off with a warning at first, I  \nsuppose, but after a few days, people should be accustomed to the new rules.\"  \n\"And then?! You want to try people for chewing gum?\" the bobcat snapped.  \n\"I'll handle that. There's no reason to tie the courts up with such matters. You give me  \nthe evidence, and I'll decide an appropriate sentence.\"  \nThe bobcat sighed resignedly, \"Fine. Have you announced these laws to anyone else  \nyet?\"  \n\"I'll have another chat with Old Ferdie tomorrow to take care of it. You can withhold  \nmaking arrests until after it airs.\"  \n\"Right. Is that all?\"  \n\"That's all. Have a good afternoon and evening, Officer.\"  \nThe other end hung up.  \nThe workday was nearly over when Heather and Terrance paid Rita another visit.  \nRita smiled at the two Council members fondly as they stepped through the door under  \nthe watchful eye of Felicia, \"Is there something I can help you with?\"  \nThe red squirrel and gray fox exchanged a worried glance. Heather spoke first, \"We've,  \nuh, been receiving some complaints this afternoon, Your Grace. Some people have been saying  \nthat you've banned skateboarding as, as well as chewing gum?\"  \n\"Skateboarding is still allowed in designated areas. Chewing gum is banned though,\"  \nRita corrected.  \nHeather frowned, \"Why?\"  \nRita waved a hand dismissively, \"It's more trouble than it's worth. We can save a lot of  \ntime scraping it off of things if it's simply illegal. Besides, it makes a terrible mess when people  \nstep in it.\"  \n\"I, I still don't think we should ban it or skateboarding either,\" Heather replied. \"And I  \nthink you should discuss any potential laws with us.\"  \n\"I wouldn't want to bother you about every little thing,\" Rita returned cheerfully. \"Focus  \non getting ready for your elections; I'll take care of the minor details. I'll let you know if there's  \nsomething more important.\"  \n\"How do you plan to enforce these new laws?\" Terrance inquired.  \n\"I've already spoken to Officer Schulz about enforcement. I'll handle the sentencing and  \nmake certain it fits the crime.\"  \n\"That's the job of the courts,\" Terrance replied matter-of-factly.  \n\"I'm sure they're busy enough without having to deal with these minor concerns. I'll take  \ncare of it all. If you hear from more people who think the laws go too far, tell them to come  \ndiscuss it with me at my daily court. Both of these laws were suggested to me by Maplesburg  \ncitizens; I'm always ready to hear my subjects out.\"  \n\"You're doing more than I thought you would,\" Terrance rejoined disconcertedly. \"I didn't  \nrealize there would be new laws.\"  \n\"You did agree I could take charge,\" Rita reminded mildly. \"But I'll let you know if it's  \nsomething more important. You can always overturn what I do when your government is  \nrestored.\"  \nHeather and Terrance exchanged another worried glance. \"I suppose we did agree to  \nthat,\" Heather conceded. \"But we'd appreciate it if you at least run any new laws by us, even if  \nyou feel they're minor concerns.\"  \n\"If it's a concern, you may attend court to act as my advisor,\" Rita allowed. \"Either or  \nboth of you are welcome.\"  \nHeather glanced at Terrance again then replied, \"We'll talk it over, but I think one of us  \nwill need to be there. People should know they're still being represented.\"  \n\"Of course,\" Rita soothed. \"It's very important people believe they have a say. I'll see you  \nat court then. Did you need anything else?\"  \n\"Ferdinand Gamboa wanted to speak with you,\" Terrance told her.  \n\"Did he? Call and have him transferred to my line. I'll see what he wants.\"  \n\"He's here, Your Grace. I left him in my office,\" he clarified.  \n\"Oh! Well, send him in. And I do appreciate your advice. Please don't hesitate to tell me  \nif you have any other concerns.\"  \nHeather nodded, \"We will. Have a good evening, Your Grace.\"  \nThe council members left, and a couple minutes later, Felicia followed Ferdinand inside.  \n\"This tom wants to speak with you,\" she growled, eyeing the fluffy black and white cat  \ndangerously.  \n\"Thank you, Felicia. You can wait outside,\" Rita responded. When Felicia had returned  \nto the hall and shut the door, Rita gave the news anchor her best winning smile. \"So, to what do  \nI owe this pleasure? I didn't expect to see you again so soon.\"  \nThe plump cat shifted his feet awkwardly. Rita held her pleasant, unsuspecting smile  \nthough she could guess from his attire why he'd come: his powder blue jacket had been  \nreplaced by a tight-fitting black jacket, white dress shirt, and black bow tie. By the look of it, the  \njacket had been purchased when he was significantly thinner, and the only fastened button  \nlooked like it might pop at any moment. Rita watched the cat squirm embarrassedly, restraining  \nher smile from widening into a wolfish grin.  \n\"I, er, I was wondering, um, I mean, if you wanted, er,\" he struggled, his ears reddening  \nby the second.  \n\"Take your time, Dear,\" she soothed. \"It must be awfully important for you to come all the  \nway here.\"  \n\"I-I'd like to take you to dinner, Your Grace!\" he blurted.  \nRita feigned a look of surprise, \"Ferdie! Do you really? With little old me? I'm flattered!\"  \nThe cat squirmed, his fluffy tail thrashing, \"I-if you don't want to, I-\"  \nRita cut him off, \"I'd love to. Do you have a place in mind, or do you prefer the hotel?  \nThey do deliver room service, you know.\"  \nFerdinand spluttered, Ptpah-I, I have a place, Your Grace! I think you'll like it.\"  \nRita hopped up from her seat, \"Let's go then! Are we taking your car or mine? I believe  \nMiguel needs to head home before long, so perhaps it should be yours.\"  \n\"M-my car, Your Grace. It's out front.\"  \n\"Very well.\" Rita trotted around the desk and looped her left arm under the right of the  \npartially stunned feline. \"Lead the way, Ferdie!\" she chirped playfully.  \nFerdinand recovered his senses and led them out into the hall.  \nRita glanced at Felicia and Franz, \"Franz, you're coming with us. Felicia, go home and  \ngive those kits a hug for me; I'll see you tomorrow.\"  \nThe puma frowned, \"Are you sure you'll be alright, Your Grace?\"  \n\"I'll be fine. I have Franz and Ferdie to protect me. Don't worry.\"  \n\"Alright, Your Grace, thank you.\" The puma tromped away.  \nFerdie was eyeing Franz nervously, \"H-he's coming with us, Your Grace?\"  \nRita regarded the badger, \"Unless you need to head home too, Franz.\"  \nFranz shook his striped muzzle.  \nRita smiled at the badger then turned back to Ferdinand, \"He can sit a few tables away;  \nit will be quite discreet.\"  \nFerdinand still looked uncomfortable, but he nodded his agreement.  \nFerdinand's car was a two-door sports car, neon green. Rita found it unbelievably gaudy.  \nAfter Franz squeezed past her seat into the back, Rita got into the front passenger's seat, noting  \nthe white faux leather. Ferdinand drove them across town and stopped outside of a black brick  \nhighrise. Large windows on the ground floor looked into an elegant restaurant with circular  \ntables of various sizes while the other floors apparently held apartments. A carved wooden sign  \nabove the door read \"The Obsidian Crow\". Rita hoped this was a reference to the owner and not  \nthe food.  \nFerdie hurried around the front of the car to open Rita's door, offering his hand to help  \nher. Rita took his hand with mock decorum, her sarcastic smirk betraying her amusement.  \nFerdinand handed the keys to a swift fox in a red valet jacket while Franz pried himself out of  \nthe cramped back seat. The badger popped out and nearly fell onto his face, stumbling forward.  \nRita had to leap out of the way to avoid being trampled. She eyed the badger with annoyance,  \nand he mumbled an embarrassed apology.  \nFerdinand offered Rita his arm, which she accepted, again hooking her left under his  \nright. A head taller than the cat, she was holding his arm closer to the shoulder than the elbow  \nas they sauntered through the tinted glass doors of the restaurant. Rita found the entire  \nspectacle quite ridiculous. She'd barely been able to stop herself from gutting the cat this  \nmorning, and now, she was having dinner with him on what could hardly be considered anything  \nless than a date.  \nThey were met inside by a magpie in a white bowtie, \"Table for three?\" he squawked.  \n\"Two and one,\" Rita corrected. \"My associate would like a table a discreet distance from  \nours.\"  \nThe magpie collected three cardstock menus, somewhat miraculously managing to  \nscoop them under his wing without dropping them. He led Rita and Ferdinand to a small table  \nnear the back of the dining area and seated Franz a couple tables over in the middle. The dining  \narea was softly lit with a few soft white bulbs hanging in broad, conical black fixtures. Each dark  \nwalnut table had a small candle burning in an ornamental mold, and the floors were also a dark  \nwood while the walls were painted black.  \nRita began to read her menu, which encompassed an eclectic selection of gourmet  \ndishes. There were several unusual meat offerings including swordfish, shark, chinchilla, and  \nopossum. There was no poultry on the menu.  \n\"I think we should get some wine, don't you, Ferdie?\" Rita suggested.  \n\"Y-yes, Your Grace,\" he meowed nervously.  \n\"What would you like?\"  \n\"You pick, Your Grace.\"  \nRita scanned the listings on the back of the menu, \"What were you going to eat?\"  \n\"I like the grilled swordfish, Your Grace.\"  \nRita studied the list further, \"Hmm, let's get the White Zinfandel then. We'll split the  \nbottle.\"  \n\"What are you getting, Your Grace?\"  \n\"I was thinking about the roast rabbit. What do you think? Is it good?\"  \n\"I-I've never had it, Your Grace. I u-usually get the fish.\"  \n\"I'll have to be the one to taste it then,\" Rita decided. \"I'd like to see how it measures up  \nagainst the real thing.\"  \nFerdinand looked at her worriedly, but he was apparently too nervous to question the  \nremark. Rita set down her menu, turned her head to scan the restaurant, and then turned back  \nto the cat with an amused smile.  \n\"It seems we're one of the few people here. Is this place a little secret of yours, or is it  \njust that expensive?\" Rita glanced at the menu again: it did seem pricey, but she didn't have  \nmuch context for what other people could afford.  \n\"I-it's usually full, Your Grace. I made a reservation, but I, I guess with everything that's  \nhappened,\" he shrugged.  \n\"I suppose you're right,\" Rita replied. \"People either haven't returned yet, or they're  \nstaying home. I really must emphasize to everyone that everything is fine now.\"  \n\"D-did they ever catch the rest of the terrorists, Your Grace?\" Ferdinand queried  \nnervously.  \nRita shrugged as if it hardly mattered, which to her, it did not, \"Any who escaped will be  \nlong gone by now. I did have something else to speak with you about, but let's wait until we  \norder.\"  \nA raven was taking Franz's order, and when they finished, Rita smiled at the bird, who  \nstrutted over to their table.  \n\"You're ready?\" the raven cawed.  \n\"I'll have the roast rabbit with a side salad, and my friend would like the grilled swordfish  \nand,\" she paused to look at Ferdinand. \"What was your side?\"  \n\"Fries, Your Grace.\"  \nRita winced at the embarrassing combination. \"We'll also have a bottle of White  \nZinfandel,\" she finished.  \n\"Dressing?\" the bird squawked.  \nIt took Rita a moment to realize they meant on her salad, \"A light vinaigrette if you have  \none.\"  \nThe raven bobbed their head in what Rita supposed was affirmation, and then the  \ntaciturn bird took the menus and strutted back to the kitchen.  \n\"So, as I was saying, Ferdie. I do have an update for you to report on. I've made some  \nnew laws to improve the tenor of this fine city.\"  \nFor the first time that evening, Ferdinand looked more intrigued than nervous, \"What are  \nthey, Your Grace?\"  \n\"Let's see: skateboarding is now limited to designated areas. I banned chewing gum,  \ncigarettes, and public profanity, and littering is now a felony.\"  \nThe cat looked at her in confusion for a few awkward moments and then hesitantly  \nasked, \"A-are you making a joke, Your Grace?\"  \nIncensed by the idiotic question, Rita snapped, \"I never make jokes on matters of state!\"  \nAlarmed, the cat laid back his ears and cowered in his seat. If he'd hissed at her, Rita  \nmight just have gutted him then and there.  \n\"I-I, I just, erm, th-they, they're very odd laws, Y-Your Grace,\" he whimpered.  \nRita took a deep breath and let it out slowly, closing her eyes so that she wouldn't see  \nthe sniveling feline as she calmed herself. Finally, she opened her eyes to address him in a  \nmeasured tone, \"These were concerns brought to me by the citizens of Maplesburg. Whether  \nthey make for 'odd laws' is not for me to judge. These were the issues citizens wanted  \naddressed.\"  \nFerdinand nodded vigorously, seeming eager to move past the matter. \"H-have you  \nenjoyed your stay in Maplesburg so far, Your Grace?\"  \n\"I can't say I enjoyed it at first,\" Rita answered with exaggerated tartness. \"Being held  \nhostage wasn't at all what one would call a pleasant affair!\"  \nThe cat winced, \"I-I meant, I mean-ow!\" his whining was cut off as Rita kicked him under  \nthe table.  \n\"Try not to be quite so thick, Mr. Gamboa!\" she scolded. \"That was a joke! I've had a  \nvery pleasant time here, my stint in captivity notwithstanding.\"  \n\"I-I'm glad to hear that, Your Grace,\" he mewled peevishly.  \nRita sighed wearily. This cat was tiresome company. \"What made you invite me to  \ndinner tonight, Ferdie,\" she asked.  \n\"I-I thought you wanted to, Your Grace,\" he meowed nervously. \"Y-you asked me to-\"  \n\"Yes, I'm aware of what I said,\" Rita cut him off in annoyance. \"Why tonight though? Why  \nnot a week from today?\"  \nThe cat looked down nervously, actually twiddling his thumbs as he tried to answer! If  \nI'm not amused, he dies tonight!  \n\"I thought, I thought that, m-maybe you liked me, Your Grace.\"  \nRita stared at the cat in semi-bewilderment. Is this his attempt at a joke? He looked up  \nshyly, and Rita knew he was serious. She snorted, part derision, part amusement. She let out  \nhalf a giggle. Finally, she burst into a raucous guffaw, \"Ahahahahaha, ahaha, ahahahaha! Oh  \nZeus! Ahaha, ahahahahaha!\"  \nThe black and white cat sank down in his seat, \"Y-you don't?\"  \nStill laughing, Rita shook her head until finally, she calmed down enough to answer,  \n\"Ferdie, do I like you?\" She grinned ferociously, \"You make me ravenous!\"  \nThe cat fainted and fell right out of his seat, landing with a thud on the floor.  \n\"Oh dear!\" Rita gasped, suddenly concerned she'd given him a heart attack! He's not  \nsupposed to get away that easily! She grabbed the napkin from around her silverware and  \nhurried over to Franz's table, dunking the cloth in his water, \"Pardon me, Franz!\" She hastened  \nback to the fallen cat and, crouching beside him, began to bathe his head and ears. \"Ferdie?\"  \nshe spoke contritely. \"Ferdie, are you alright?\"  \nAfter a moment, the cat opened his yellow eyes and looked at her nervously, \"Your  \nGrace?\"  \n\"Thank Zeus,\" Rita breathed in relief. \"I thought I'd quite literally scared you to death!  \nCan you sit up?\"  \nHe nodded, pushing himself up. Rita helped him stand then guided him back into his  \nseat.  \n\"I'm sorry I frightened you, Ferdie\" she apologized. \"Were you hurt in your tumble?\"  \nHe shook his head, \"I'm fine.\"  \nRita gave him a warm smile, \"That's good. Now, to answer your question civilly, I'm  \nafraid you're not quite my type. To be brutally honest, Ferdie, the image of you on top of me isn't  \nsomething I can take seriously.\"  \nThe insides of the cat's ears turned beet red, \"I-I understand, Your Grace.\"  \n\"I assumed there was a Mrs. Gamboa at any rate,\" she added. \"Don't tell me the famous  \nFerdinand Gamboa can't find a lover.\"  \n\"I'm divorced, Your Grace, twice,\" he murmured embarrassedly.  \nRita was hardly surprised. The discussion ended there.  \nSoon, their dinner arrived. Rita was glad she'd managed to get the cat back in his seat  \nbefore the raven returned.  \n\"I don't think we'll be needing the wine,\" Rita informed the raven. \"Mr. Gamboa's had  \nquite enough excitement for this evening.\"  \nThe raven eyed the bottle, \"Open.\"  \nRita frowned, \"Well, let Franz have it then.\" She nodded toward the badger.  \nThe raven hopped over to his table and set the bottle down with a clunk.  \n\"I'll have ice water,\" Rita told the bird when they returned, \"And I think Mr. Gamboa  \nwould like some herbal tea.\"  \nThe raven bobbed their head and strutted away.  \nRita turned back to the cat, \"You do like herbal tea, don't you, Ferdie? I think I've heard  \nas much.\"  \nHe nodded his head, looking confused, \"Where did-?\"  \n\"I have my sources,\" Rita answered. She smiled knowingly.  \nThe cat seemed to accept this though he would have fainted again if he'd realized the  \nhorrific truth: this was one of the facts Rita had gleaned from the cat's late personal assistant as  \nshe'd tortured him to death!  \nAs they ate their meal, Rita chatted about her estate, describing the quaint pleasures  \nFerdinand would be able to enjoy when he visited. Increasingly, the cat seemed to warm to the  \nidea, and Rita could tell from the desire in his eyes that this was, in no small part, due to his  \ncontinued infatuation with her. Sex was certainly a powerful lure, and Rita had no scruples  \nabout using that against her would-be victims. Rather, she enjoyed the irony of seeing them  \nthirst for her as she thirsted for them in a different way. She might even let the cat have a little of  \nwhat he wanted before he met his gruesome end.  \nWhen they were finished, Ferdinand paid, and then the swift fox valet brought back  \nFerdinand's car. They had to help Franz, who was quite drunk, into the back, and by the time  \nthey arrived at the hotel, he was snoring loudly, curled in the backseat.  \nRita got out and gave Ferdinand a wave with her fingers, \"We must do this again, Ferdie,  \nperhaps in a few days or so. Next time will be my treat.\"  \nFerdinand looked back at the sleeping badger worriedly, \"What about him?\"  \n\"Look after him until he's sober. You can send him home or back here depending on the  \ntime. Goodnight, Ferdie.\"  \n\"Er, goodnight, Your Grace.\"  \nRita shut her door and trotted up the stairs to the hotel, serene with the knowledge that  \nFerdinand had this matter under control.  \nRita picked up a package she'd ordered from the reception desk and headed up the  \nelevator. Upon returning to her room, Rita hung up her dress and took a shower. It wasn't until  \nshe'd dried off, that she began to look for Edgar. She found him under his bed with a blanket  \ntucked over him. Rita prodded him with a sharp claw, and he jumped.  \n\"Quit sulking, Edgar,\" she scolded. \"This is a lucky night for you.\"  \nEdgar poked his head out of the blankets, \"It is?\" he whined hopefully.  \n\"Yes, I've just received some new toys, and I need help testing them out. Fortunately, I  \nhave my helpful little Edgar, yes?\"  \nEdgar nodded and smiled slightly. Rita got up, and he crawled out from under the bed. In  \nthe main room, Rita took her knife from her clutch and used it to unpack her new toys. Edgar  \nwatched her with nervous excitement. The box contained a bright pink strap-on, a spreader bar,  \nbuckle-on handcuffs, a riding crop, and a ball gag.  \n\"Are you ready to be my little test subject, Edgar?\" Rita teased.  \nEdgar whined and nodded eagerly.  \n\"Lie on the bed, belly down and arms out in front,\" Rita instructed.  \nEdgar complied, and she handcuffed him to the head of the bed before shoving the ball  \ngag between his long fangs and strapping the spreader bar cuffs onto his ankles. She fixed the  \nstrap-on around her own pelvis and collected the riding crop. Standing on the bed next to the  \nprone Edgar, she ran the faux-leather end of the riding crop down his spine, and he whimpered  \nin anticipation. She crouched down by his head and dangled a little aluminum packet in front of  \nhis face.  \n\"They even sent me a complimentary sample of lube. Aren't you a lucky pine marten?\"  \nEdgar nodded vigorously. Rita applied the lube to the pointy pink fox dildo while the pine  \nmarten watched and then stood and stepped around behind him. Edgar thrust his rear into the  \nair, and Rita giggled. Then she grabbed his tail tightly in her left hand, her right holding the  \nriding crop, and let Edgar have what he wanted.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2019673-chapter-11-resistance.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2020075-chapter-13-new-normal.json"}}