{"sf1_id":2036480,"sf2_id":"3egll0Vm","title":"Chapter 15: Campaign","author":"HeatherOBunn","words":11684,"posted_at":"2023-08-11T18:05:00.000Z","tags":["Accessibility","Buck","Cat","College","Date","Disability","Fox","Friendship","Mouse","Novel","Plan","Prejudice","President","Rabbit","Romance","Sit-in","Squirrel","Stoat","Tickling","Tod","Vixen","Wolverine","administration","confrontation","grudge","petition","protest","safety","tom"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2036480-chapter-15-campaign","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/3egll0Vm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/c9/74/c9745160-20fa-42b2-851f-81589f0657f2","description":"#15 of Flora: A Tale from Vulpineva\n\nRosemary organizes her friends and classmates to make the campus safer for the smallest animals.","content":" **Chapter 15: Campaign**  \nFlora, Pete, Rosemary, and Becca sat in the waiting area of the student health center.  \nThe great horned owl at the front desk turned her head toward them occasionally but didn't  \ndisturb their anxious waiting. At last, Cynthia appeared striding down the hall on her crutches,  \nher left leg finally free of the cast she'd worn from the beginning of school until now, Saturday  \nafter the seventh week of class.  \n\"How was your leg?\" Flora chirped anxiously as the mouse approached.  \n\"Good!\" Cynthia squeaked. \"They said if I do my exercises, it should be as good as new  \nearly next semester.\"  \n\"That's still a long way off,\" Flora fretted. \"I'll keep helping you as long as you need me.\"  \nCynthia smiled up at her, showing the tips of her large incisors, \"I never doubted that you  \nwould,\" she replied cheerfully.  \nFlora crouched down on the floor and scooped the little mouse up, slipping Cynthia's  \ncrutches into the side pocket of her bag.  \n\"And after that, if you still want to carry me, I don't mind, especially when we're going to  \nthe same place,\" Cynthia added cheekily. \"I like barely needing to touch the ground.\"  \nFlora smiled at the little mouse fondly.  \n\"How does it feel?\" Rosemary inquired.  \n\"Great to finally have that cast off! My leg does feel a little funny, but I just need to get  \nused to using it again. I'm happy that I'll finally be able to take a shower!\"  \n\"You weren't converted to Chester's way of grooming then after all those weeks,\"  \nRosemary teased.  \nCynthia brushed a finger over her whiskers, smiling coyly, \"Well, maybe if Chester does  \nthe grooming for me.\"  \n\"Martin and I have been trying out reciprocal grooming,\" Becca piped. \"We've only done  \neach other's head and ears so far though.\"  \nBecca had begun dating another stoat named Martin within the past week and was  \nkeeping her friends updated on how their relationship progressed. Flora had initially been  \nconfused about whether Becca's boyfriend was named Martin or was a member of one of the  \nmustelid marten species. Confusion notwithstanding, Flora was happy to see the sometimes-  \nshort-tempered stoat so filled with joy.  \n\"That sounds nice,\" Flora commented genially. \"It must feel really intimate.\"  \n\"And relaxing,\" Becca confirmed. \"Whether I'm doing the licking or getting licked, there's  \na rhythm to it that's very soothing.\"  \n\"R-rabbits can groom each other too, Flora,\" Pete squeaked shyly. \"I could wash your  \nears.\"  \n\"We can try it if you want,\" Flora agreed. \"Foxes can groom each other too, but it's more  \nlike nibbling the fur. I think a comb or brush works better.\"  \nThey exited the health center and headed back toward the dorms. They'd been walking  \ndown the sidewalk together for a few seconds when Rosemary spoke.  \n\"You were really lucky you met Flora when you did, Cynthia, but it never should have  \nbeen an issue. The college ought to accommodate everyone, whether they're abled or disabled,  \nbig or small. I've been thinking about what could be done, and I have some ideas. Could I run  \nthem by everybody sometime tomorrow?\"  \n\"Sure! I'd like to see what you've come up with,\" Cynthia piped. \"I'm glad that breaking  \nmy leg meant meeting all of you, but I really thought it was only a matter of time before  \nsomeone stepped on me again until Flora offered to help me.\"  \n\"Cool, I'll try to make some sketches of what I think we need and meet you-all at lunch or  \nafter.\"  \nThey returned to their respective dorms to work on homework until dinner. Flora was  \ncurious to see what Rosemary would come up with. As happily as meeting Cynthia had turned  \nout for both of them, Flora completely agreed with Rosemary. The college should not place  \nCynthia or anyone else in a position where they had to rely on the goodwill of someone like  \nFlora. Everyone was, in fact, interdependent, but a certain level of independence was a matter  \nof dignity. And accessibility was essential for that.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nThe next day after lunch, the five of them along with Chester, Lance, Alex, and Amber  \nmet in the library. Clustered around a large, rectangular wooden table with Cynthia sitting on  \ntop, Alex crouching at one end, and Becca and Rosemary standing on their chairs, they  \nexamined Rosemary's sketches.  \n\"The most obvious thing was that there should be somewhere different for the smallest  \npeople to walk. I considered a tunnel since it would be impossible for someone to step on or trip  \nover, but I realized it might flood or become buried under snow, so I decided a raised walkway  \nwould be better. It needs to be wheelchair accessible of course, but for a near-ground-level  \npath, ramps should be okay. However, I also thought it would be nice if there were some  \nskyways between different buildings, and these could connect to the ground-level path by  \nelevators.\"  \n\"Skyways would be nice for everyone,\" Amber remarked.  \n\"I agree, but they'll be more expensive if they have to carry everyone,\" Rosemary  \nreplied. \"You can take the elevators inside instead of the stairs, but it's still a longer trip between  \nbuildings for someone Cynthia's size than it is for, say, Chester or even you and me.\"  \n\"Is that what the train is for?\" Chester meowed amusedly, pointing to a sketch on the  \nnext page.  \nRosemary nodded, \"I know it's a long shot, but it really is a lot farther to walk across  \ncampus when you're small. The light rail wouldn't need to have too many stops to even out the  \nwalking time significantly.\"  \n\"I think it's a good idea,\" Becca commented. \"Do you think it would be big enough for you  \nor me to ride? Running around campus keeps me in shape, but I get awfully hot sometimes.\"  \n\"Maybe,\" Rosemary replied hesitantly.  \n\"Wouldn't it be awfully easy for the tracks to get blocked?\" Lance pointed out. \"If it's that  \nsmall, just about anything would do it.\"  \n\"Er, yeah, I guess,\" Rosemary agreed. \"I guess it might need to be covered somehow,  \nlike in a cage or tube, but there would need to be some way to get out if it broke down.\"  \n\"It would be fun to watch,\" Chester remarked jovially. \"Maybe we can tell them it doubles  \nas entertainment.\"  \nRosemary rolled her eyes but smirked at the cat's joke, \"Good idea, we can tap into two  \nbudgets at once that way,\" she replied wryly. She flipped the page to her next sketch. \"The other  \nthing I thought about is the desks. Especially in the halls with fixed seating, they ought to find a  \nway for everyone to seat themselves, so I thought they could suspend balcony seating from the  \nceilings for the smaller desks. There would need to be elevators to reach it, but then the smaller  \nstudents wouldn't need to beg someone to get them a desk.\"  \n\"These are all good ideas,\" Amber remarked. \"Is there someone you can email them to?\"  \n\"I think it would be better if we showed more students support these changes if we can,\"  \nRosemary returned. \"At least, it would make it harder to ignore.\"  \n\"So like a petition?\" Amber asked.  \nRosemary nodded, \"I looked into it, and you can book a table in the student union for the  \nday. I thought we could try to book it for Saturday next week and get as many students to sign  \noff on the changes as possible.\"  \n\"Whatever we need to do, we'll get them to consider your ideas,\" Flora chirped. \"Even if  \nthey don't do all of them, the raised walkway alone would go a long way to making campus  \nsafer and more accessible.\"  \n\"Are you all okay with the idea of spending part of next Saturday personing our table  \nthen?\" Rosemary queried. \"We can take turns, so no one will need to be there more than a few  \nhours.\"  \n\"Of course, we're in!\" Chester yowled. \"Especially if it will make campus safer for our  \nlittle mousie!\"  \nFlora and the others voiced their agreement.  \nCynthia adjusted her whiskers bashfully, \"I know it's not just for me, but I'm glad I'm  \nfriends with all of you.\"  \nFlora smiled fondly at the little mouse, \"We're glad you're our friend too. You've already  \nmade my first semester here a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be.\"  \nChester purred, \"You know I appreciate being your friend, mousie.\"  \n\"We all do,\" Rosemary agreed. \"Like you said, this isn't only for you, but you're who I had  \nin mind. I would do it just for you.\"  \n\"So would I,\" Flora agreed.  \n\"Me too,\" Becca added.  \n\"We all would!\" Chester declared. \"I already said so! Anything for our little mousie.\"  \nThe others nodded in agreement.  \nEars and nose bright pink, Cynthia looked away as she straightened her whiskers.  \n\"Thanks everybody,\" she squeaked embarrassedly.  \nTheir group broke up, but Flora, Cynthia, Pete, and Becca remained in the library to do  \nhomework together after locating a slightly smaller table.  \n\"Did you-all finish the calculus homework?\" Becca asked. \"I'm stuck on number twenty-  \ntwo.\"  \n\"Let me see,\" Flora requested.  \nBecca slid her book and work paper across the table. Flora looked over Becca's work  \nthen withdrew her own for comparison.  \n\"I think you need to take the log first,\" Flora noted. \"That should make it easier.\"  \n\"Alright, thanks,\" Becca chirped.  \nFlora returned her book and work paper.  \nSome minutes later, Becca spoke again, \"I'm having dinner with Martin later. Do you  \nwant to join us? I'd like you to meet him.\"  \n\"I'd love to,\" Flora replied warmly.  \n\"Me too!\" Cynthia squeaked.  \nPete nodded his assent.  \nAt around a quarter till six, the four of them made their way to the cafeteria. Martin had  \nyet to arrive, so they found a six-seat table and got their food. Flora and Pete sat next to each  \nother, and Becca sat across from Pete with one space between her and Flora. Shortly, a second  \nstoat approached the table. Like Becca, he had typical stoat coloration with a brown face and  \nback, white hands, feet, chin, and belly, and a black-tipped tail; however, his brown fur was  \nslightly more reddish. While Becca wore a pleated green midi skirt printed with pale yellow  \nroses, Martin wore a light blue blazer, which was completely unbuttoned to reveal his creamy  \nwhite belly. Flora thought he was cute, but he was one-sixteenth her size and perhaps bound to  \nappear so.  \n\"Hey Becca, are these your friends?\" he piped in greeting.  \nBecca returned him a toothy, cheerful grin, \"Yeah, these are Pete, Flora, and Cynthia.\"  \n\"Hi, I'm Martin!\" he squeaked amiably. \"I'm famished. Let me grab dinner.\" He bounded  \naway.  \nBecca turned toward Flora expectantly.  \n\"He seems nice so far,\" Flora offered. \"And he's cute.\"  \n\"He's a hunk!\" Becca proclaimed. \"Did you notice he's a centimeter taller than me?\"  \n\"I guess I'd have to see you side-by-side,\" Flora replied diplomatically.  \nMartin returned after a few minutes and navigated getting his tray onto the oversized  \ntable. He set it on his chair then climbed up after before lifting it onto the table. However, when  \nhe sat, he could barely poke his dark brick nose above the tabletop.  \n\"This table is kind of big,\" he stated the obvious.  \n\"You can sit with me if that's okay with Flora,\" Becca replied from atop Flora's book bag.  \n\"Sure,\" Flora agreed.  \nMartin scrambled up onto the table, moved his tray over by Becca's, then leapt down  \nonto Becca's chair with a light thump. He climbed on top of the green bag and sat pressed close  \nto Becca on the meager cushion, his shoulders now clearing the table. Martin was indeed the  \nslightly larger of the diminutive carnivores as Becca's shoulders were not visible. Becca turned  \nher head to nuzzle his crescent-shaped ear, and he nuzzled her back.  \n\"Becca told us you're a sophomore, Martin,\" Flora remarked. \"Have you decided your  \nmajor?\"  \n\"Poli-sci,\" he answered.  \n\"Our friend Rosemary is a political science major,\" Flora returned amiably. \"We're all  \nscience majors.\"  \n\"Three biochem., and Cynthia's chemistry,\" Becca told him amusedly.  \n\"Wow, and you're all first-years, right? Did you meet in class?\" Martin asked.  \n\"I met Flora through Chester and Pete and Cynthia through Flora. They're all in my  \ncalculus class though,\" Becca explained.  \n\"How's your first semester going? How do you like RCV?\" Martin asked, glancing  \nbetween Flora, Pete, and Cynthia. \"It must seem just like home to you, huh, Flora?\"  \n\"Erm, not really. I'd actually never met a red fox before I got here, and Willowdale was  \nmostly prey, especially rabbits,\" Flora answered awkwardly. \"I like it here though. I've met a lot  \nof great friends, problems aside.\"  \n\"What kind of problems?\" Martin asked curiously.  \n\"Um, just with my first roommate, mostly, and some of the other red foxes. We didn't get  \nalong, and she's made sure the others don't like me either.\"  \n\"Oh! Oh Zeus! I'm an idiot!\" Martin squeaked embarrassedly. \"It didn't click. I saw you  \ntwo sitting together, but I didn't realize you're the fox and rabbit couple.\" He paused and smiled  \nawkwardly, \"Sorry, I don't pay much attention to the gossip, but I figure, let people do what they  \nwant to do. If you both want to be together, do it.\"  \n\"That's okay,\" Flora responded embarrassedly. \"I kind of wish everyone didn't know us  \nthat way. I don't mind people knowing we're together, but you don't know what assumptions  \nthey're making when that's all they know.\"  \n\"I get that,\" Martin replied. \"That's why I try not to pay attention. You can't believe  \neverything you hear.\"  \n\"Lots of people are just assholes!\" Becca declared irately. \"I've told more than one idiot  \nto shut the fuck up about you and Pete, not that they listen.\"  \n\"You don't have to do that,\" Flora replied embarrassedly. \"I don't care what people say.\"  \n\"Of course I do! You're my friend!\" Becca rejoined. \"I know you'd do the same if you  \nheard someone talking shit about me!\"  \nFlora nodded in acknowledgement, \"Just don't get hurt, okay?\"  \nMartin wrapped his arm around Becca and gave her a squeeze. \"If anyone tries to hurt  \nBecca, they'll see how ferocious two stoats can be!\" he averred.  \n\"I get why Pete's parents don't like it, but I don't understand why predators have an  \nissue,\" Cynthia remarked.  \n\"I don't want to repeat what I've heard,\" Becca replied darkly. \"But they find reasons.  \nThey're just bigots though. Their reasons are excuses.\"  \nCynthia nodded, \"That sounds right. I guess I've gotten spoiled living with Flora; every  \npredator I meet now is so nice.\"  \n\"You weren't there when Isabelle tried to jump us a couple weeks ago,\" Flora replied. \"It  \nisn't always safe.\"  \n\"If there was trouble, you'd protect us, Flora,\" Pete asserted fervently.  \nFlora smiled at him softly and put her hand on top of his, \"I'd certainly do anything I  \ncould.\"  \nThey finished eating, and Flora, Pete, and Cynthia said goodnight to Becca and Martin  \nbefore heading back to their dorm.  \n\"It was nice to meet you, Martin,\" Flora chirped.  \n\"I'm glad I got to meet you too. Hopefully, I'll see you around again soon,\" Martin replied.  \n\"Keep doing what you're doing; you seem to have things figured out.\"  \n\"We will. Goodnight. See you tomorrow, Becca.\"  \nThe three of them returned to Hollow Oak Hall and all entered Flora and Cynthia's room,  \nwhere Pete gave Flora her nightly foot massage while she read. They'd begun this relaxing  \nroutine shortly after their date, and even on the five nights a week Pete didn't sleep with her, he  \nvisited before their showers to perform the massage. For Flora, it was a soothing massage, but  \nfor Pete, it was a ritual of worship. What mattered to Flora was the love and devotion for one  \nanother they shared, but she let Pete have his little excesses.  \nWhen he was done, Flora took her shower. Cynthia returned from her own shower  \nshortly after Flora returned from hers.  \n\"I'm glad I can take a shower now,\" Cynthia remarked. \"But I wish everyone wouldn't  \njump in the handicapped shower. I've had to wait both times even though there were other  \nshowers open. I get that it's bigger, but I actually need it.\"  \n\"I could take you with me if that would be better,\" Flora offered.  \n\"How would that work?\" Cynthia queried. \"Do you want me to sit under you and use your  \nrunoff? I think that's a little more fox than I want to contend with.\"  \nFlora blushed, \"I was thinking I could hold you while you washed then take my shower  \nonce you were done.\"  \n\"I guess that would work,\" Cynthia acknowledged. \"I'll think about it. I'd like to manage  \non my own, but thanks for the offer.\"  \n\"Alright, I get that you want to do more things on your own instead of fewer now that your  \ncast is off, but if you change your mind, let me know.\"  \nCynthia proceeded to her bed, sat down, and propped her crutches at the foot. \"Can you  \npick me up now, Flora?\"  \nFlora hopped off of her bed and crouched to scoop the little wood mouse off of hers. She  \nstood, looking down into her hands curiously, and Cynthia smiled up at her fondly.  \n\"I do appreciate how close we are, Flora,\" Cynthia squeaked. \"I wouldn't mind showering  \nwith you. I just don't want to feel like a burden. I know you don't see it like that, but if you had to  \ntake extra time to help me, I'd still feel that way. You already go out of your way for me every  \nday.\"  \n\"I'm happy to help. You aren't a burden, and a little longer in the shower would be no big  \ndeal. But I understand. Just so long as you know you can always ask me anytime you need  \nanything.\"  \n\"I know that,\" Cynthia replied fondly. \"You're a good friend, Flora.\"  \nFlora lifted Cynthia and gently touched her nose to the top of the mouse's head.  \n\"I'd nuzzle you back, but I'd get nose-wet all over me,\" Cynthia quipped.  \nOn impish impulse, Flora licked the mouse from foot to nose with a generous slurp.  \n\"Bleck! I'm covered in fox slobber!\" Cynthia squeaked in surprise.  \n\"I just brushed my teeth, so it shouldn't be too nasty,\" Flora consoled amusedly. \"You  \ncan snuggle into my fur and dry off.\"  \n\"Gee, thanks,\" Cynthia grumbled. \"I'll really smell like fox after that.\"  \n\"If you didn't want to smell like me, you wouldn't sleep with me,\" Flora teased.  \nCynthia sighed resignedly, \"I guess not.\"  \n\"You can lick me back if that will make you feel better,\" Flora offered teasingly.  \nCynthia rolled her eyes and sighed again.  \nFlora sat back on her bed and reclined against her reading pillow before setting Cynthia  \non her belly. \"Roll around and dry off. There's plenty of fur to get you dry,\" she instructed.  \nCynthia complied, scooting and rolling herself through Flora's fluffy white belly fur until  \nshe was dry. When she sat up, she had a few long hairs stuck to her, which Flora amusedly  \nplucked off.  \n\"Better?\"  \n\"Maybe I should just let you give me a tongue bath. That would really save time,\"  \nCynthia returned dryly.  \n\"You seemed to think you might like Chester to give you one,\" Flora reminded teasingly.  \n\"H-his tongue is less slobbery!\" Cynthia rejoined embarrassedly.  \n\"I suppose it is,\" Flora replied coyly.  \n\"E-everyone knows cats' tongues are less slobbery!\" Cynthia protested.  \n\"I suppose they do.\"  \n\"I'm tired. Quit being dumb, and let's go to bed.\"  \nFlora complied, putting away her reading pillow and climbing into bed with the mouse.  \nShe tucked Cynthia in her spot by the base of Flora's neck, and Cynthia snuggled into her fur.  \nFlora gently ran a finger from the mouse's head to her tail then cupped her hand over her.  \n\"Goodnight, smelly mouse,\" Flora murmured affectionately.  \n\"Goodnight, drooly fox,\" Cynthia returned warmly.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nUnfortunately, there were no tables available for the full day in the student union  \nSaturday that week; however, they were able to book one for the following week. They had the  \ntable from 7AM until 11PM, so they planned for each group to take two 2-hour shifts. Flora,  \nCynthia, and Pete had their first shift from 9AM to 11AM, following Alex and Rosemary's shift.  \nRosemary handed off the clipboards loaded with copies of the petition to Flora when the three of  \nthem arrived. The top page on each was about half full. Flora peeked under the top sheets, but  \nthe other sheets were all empty.  \n\"It was slow,\" Rosemary explained. \"Hopefully, more people start coming in. Good luck.\"  \nFlora nodded in acknowledgment, and the black squirrel and mountain goat left. She and  \nPete took their seats, Cynthia sitting on top of the table, and Flora gave Pete the smaller  \nclipboard, which held petitions that looked to Flora like notecards. Her unwieldy clipboard held  \nsheets roughly twice the area she was used to writing on. They'd decided against purchasing  \nclipboards in more than two sizes but had pens in several.  \nWhile the main cafeteria was in the dining hall, the student union hosted a coffee shop  \nalong with a small convenience store, the college bookstore, and ample study and recreation  \narea. Personally, Flora rarely visited, but as the nine o'clock hour proceeded, more students  \nbegan to filter in. Flora, Pete, and Cynthia did their best to wave them to the table. With  \nCynthia's help, they obtained at least a few dozen signatures from mice, shrews, voles, and  \nother diminutive mammals, who seemed more inclined to pay attention when she called to  \nthem. They were quite enthusiastic about the proposals, which would, of course, benefit them.  \nFlora was able to grab the attention of several dozen other students, both mammalian and  \navian, predator and prey; however, only a few red foxes signed with most ignoring them  \naltogether. The only other demographic they had notable trouble with were lagomorphs, several  \nrabbits and hares giving Pete the side eye as they passed; although, a pair of pikas did sign.  \nFlora was relieved when Becca and Amber arrived to take over the next shift. \"We've  \nonly had trouble with rabbits and red foxes,\" Flora informed them. \"I don't know what we can do  \nabout the red foxes, but I think you should have better luck with the rabbits.\"  \n\"B-Bill has been telling them about me and Flora,\" Pete squeaked awkwardly. \"I don't  \nreally know what, but I guess it's worked.\"  \n\"It looks like you've been doing pretty well to me,\" Amber remarked. \"Rosemary said  \nthey'd only filled half a page each. You've gotten a lot more.\"  \n\"Flora's our draw,\" Cynthia squeaked cheekily.  \n\"You've convinced a lot of people too,\" Flora replied awkwardly.  \nCynthia shrugged, \"After I got their attention, they were bound to sign.\"  \nFlora, Pete, and Cynthia's next shift wasn't until 7PM. They grabbed a quick lunch then  \nwent to the library to do homework until dinner. They found Rosemary and Amber in the  \ncafeteria at a quarter till six, the squirrels having completed their second shift at five.  \n\"It was a little better this afternoon,\" Rosemary divulged. \"It's hard to attract predators  \nwith two squirrels even though you might think it should be the opposite.\"  \n\"We did seem to get more attention when I was with Becca,\" Amber admitted. \"But it  \nmight have been because it was close to lunch. I don't think many people come to the student  \nunion in the middle of the afternoon. Most club stuff is later.\"  \n\"Maybe we should have split up Chester and Lance if having a predator and a prey  \npresent attracts the most people,\" Flora remarked worriedly.  \nAmber shook her head, \"I wouldn't split those two up. Whatever they were doing, they  \nwere doing it right! There were, like, double the number of signatures when I got back for my  \nshift with Rosemary, and Chester and Lance did the only shift between.\"  \n\"Chester can be very charming,\" Rosemary admitted. \"Even if he is a goofball.\"  \nRosemary and Amber had finished their meals and left when Moxie approached their  \ntable, furtively glanced around, and sat.  \n\"I've heard you're collecting signatures,\" she whispered.  \n\"Alex and Becca are right now. They're at a table in the front of the student union. We'll  \nbe back there at seven.\"  \n\"You're trying to get upgrades for the small mammal students, right?\" Moxie inquired  \nhesitantly.  \n\"We're trying to increase the safety and accessibility, especially for injured or disabled  \nsmall mammals,\" Flora answered.  \nMoxie nodded slowly, \"I'd like to sign. I heard a bunch of people did this afternoon when  \nthe cute cat was there.\"  \n\"Chester,\" Flora clarified. \"You've met him, the beige tabby with golden eyes.\"  \n\"Right. I want to sign too, and Stella. We'll try to come by later.\"  \nFlora smiled amiably, \"Thanks, we have the table till eleven.\"  \n\"The reason I came to talk to you though,\" Moxie went on anxiously. \"Is to tell you that  \nIsabelle found out you were involved. I don't know what she's going to do, but you should be  \nprepared.\"  \nFlora sighed wearily, \"Of course she couldn't just stay out of it. She's consumed with  \nspite. I didn't ask to be her obsession. I wish she would just go away.\"  \nMoxie nodded sympathetically, \"Stella's tried to convince her to forget about you, but like  \nyou said, she's obsessed. Katrina and Orion don't help. I think they enjoy seeing her angry.\"  \n\"We'll keep an eye out,\" Flora responded. \"Thanks for letting us know.\"  \nMoxie slipped away, and they finished dinner. They took their things to their rooms  \nbefore returning to the student union for their second shift. They found Martin at the table along  \nwith Becca and Alex. Alex was sitting on a chair with a seat that was taller than the table, and  \nthe two stoats were standing in front.  \n\"Hi Flora!\" Martin squeaked as they approached. \"Is our time up already?\"  \n\"It's our turn,\" Flora confirmed. \"How's it going? I hope there hasn't been any trouble.\"  \nMartin shook his head, \"It's been great! I was telling Becca we could use the paths and  \nskyways too, even if we had to wriggle through on all fours! Of course, we're really just glad to  \nbe involved with making the campus better.\"  \n\"I didn't know if Martin would have time, but he was anxious to help when he heard what  \nwe were doing,\" Becca explained.  \nMartin stepped beside Becca and nuzzled her ear, \"And it was more time to spend with  \nBecca, so how could I refuse?\"  \nFlora turned her attention to the mountain goat, \"How have you been, Alex?\"  \n\"Fine,\" xe responded mildly. Xe nudged the larger clipboard, which was resting on the  \ntable, \"We got more than this morning.\"  \nAlex stood, and Martin handed the other clipboard to Pete.  \n\"Good luck!\" Martin piped.  \n\"See ya,\" Flora chirped.  \nShe and Pete took their seats, Flora setting Cynthia on the table. Their shift began much  \nas it had that morning; although, now most of the students filing into the building were headed to  \nclub activities rather than the coffee shop. However, that immediately changed when a certain  \nauburn-furred vixen stalked through the two sets of glass doors. Flora's eyes met Isabelle's, and  \nthe red vixen bounded across the entryway to loom over the table threateningly, her amber eyes  \nembers as she stared down at Flora. Pete shrunk fearfully in his seat, but Cynthia held her  \nnerve.  \n\"Would you like to sign our petition?\" the mouse piped. \"We're trying to make campus  \nmore accessible for the smallest members of our community.\"  \nIsabelle ignored Cynthia but glanced down at the sketches Rosemary had left for people  \nto look over. \"Is this what you're up to now?\" she asked Flora scathingly. \"You want to fill our  \ncampus with rodent paths?\"  \n\"Sign or go away,\" Flora replied annoyedly. \"Since you don't care about anyone but  \nyourself, I suggest the latter.\"  \nIsabelle looked back up at her hatefully, \"That's rich coming from you! I'm not the one  \ndragging our school's reputation through the mud!\"  \nFlora stared at the red vixen, baffled, \"I don't even know what you're talking about. No  \none besides you even cares about me and Pete.\"  \n\"Is that so?\" Isabelle snapped. \"What do you call this?!\" She jabbed at her phone for a  \ncouple seconds then thrust the screen toward Flora angrily.  \nFlora instantly recognized the picture at the top of the article, and a stone dropped into  \nher stomach: it was her and Pete posing at the art museum. I guess she wasn't an art student  \nafter all. The title read, 'Illicit Love at the Royal College?'  \n\"Well?\" Isabelle demanded. \"How did this interview end up in this tawdry rag?!\"  \n\"She, um, said she was an art student,\" Flora replied lamely. \"We didn't even know it  \nwas an interview.\"  \nIsabelle snorted contemptuously. \"If you hadn't been out flaunting your deviancy, it  \nwouldn't have happened!\"  \nFlora narrowed her eyes dangerously, \"We didn't mean for it to be a story, but who  \ncares? It's dumb that they thought it was worthy of an article, but I definitely don't think it's  \n'dragging our school's reputation through the mud'.\"  \nIsabelle's amber eyes glared daggers back at Flora, \"RCV has a reputation for  \nscholarship, not perverse liaisons between completely incompatible species,\" she growled. \"And  \nthe fact that it involves a fox, even of your genus,\" she stopped seeming too disgusted to go on.  \n\"It's just a good thing no one reads this rag nor would credit anything it prints!\"  \n\"Then it doesn't matter, and you can go away!\" Flora snapped.  \n\"Next time it might be a reputable paper,\" Isabelle rejoined. \"I won't-\"  \n\"Hi Izzy,\" another vixen's voice interrupted.  \nFlora and Isabelle turned to see Moxie and Stella approaching from Flora's left.  \nStella smiled at her friend awkwardly and gently pushed the smaller vixen toward the  \ntable, \"You can sign first, Moxie.\"  \nMoxie eyed Isabelle nervously but stepped forward. Flora pushed the larger clipboard  \ntoward her, and she signed the petition. Moxie stepped back, and Stella stepped forward and  \ntook a pen.  \n\"You're going to sign, Stella?!\" Isabelle yelped incredulously.  \nStella looked up from the petition, \"I know you and Flora have your disagreements, but  \nthis doesn't really have anything to do with that,\" she stated calmly. She signed the petition and  \nstepped back beside Moxie.  \nWith a final glare at Flora, Isabelle whipped around and tromped out of the student union  \nin high dudgeon.  \nFlora breathed a sigh of relief, \"Thanks.\"  \nStella regarded her embarrassedly, \"I'm sorry about Isabelle. I have tried to convince her  \nto stop bothering you. I'm afraid I haven't had much success.\"  \n\"She's not really your responsibility,\" Flora returned awkwardly. \"I appreciate that you've  \nbeen trying though.\"  \n\"I'm not ready to give up!\" Stella declared. \"Maybe this will show her how unreasonable  \nshe's allowed this feud to make her.\"  \nFlora didn't think that was likely, but she nodded in agreement anyway, \"I hope so.  \nThank you for signing.\"  \n\"No problem, I can't imagine why any decent person wouldn't want the campus to be  \nsafe for everyone. If it's not safe now, then it needs to be fixed.\"  \nStella and Moxie left, but a short while later, Trevor sauntered into the student union.  \n\"Moxie told me about your petition,\" the silver fox stated smoothly. They stepped up to  \nthe table and signed the petition with a flourish. \"You should have told me what you were doing.  \nI'd like to help if I can. Have you had much luck with the red foxes?\"  \n\"Not while we've been here,\" Flora admitted. \"It sounded like Chester might have had  \nmore luck.\"  \n\"Allow me to assist you,\" he offered gallantly with a slight bow. Turning toward the  \nentrance, he caught the attention of a red tod, who was headed out of the building, \"Good sir,  \nwould you be so kind as to lend us your signature?\"  \nThe red fox turned back toward them and hesitantly walked over to the table, \"For  \nwhat?\"  \n\"We're endeavoring to make the campus safer for our smaller classmates, like this  \nunfortunate mouse,\" Trevor indicated Cynthia with an elegant sweep of their arm. \"You wouldn't  \nwant her to be crushed under someone's hoof or paw, would you?\"  \n\"C-certainly not!\" the red tod yelped anxiously.  \n\"Kindly sign our petition so that she may traverse our campus in safety.\"  \nThe tod hurried to comply. After he'd signed, he looked up at Flora uncertainly, \"Are you-  \n\"  \nTrevor clapped their hand heartily on the tod's shoulder, causing him to flinch, \"Thank  \nyou for your assistance! Have a pleasant evening!\"  \nThe tod returned Trevor an awkward smile that was more of a grimace, \"Y-you too.\" He  \nhurried out of the building.  \nFlora was uncertain about Trevor's methodology, but they had gotten someone to sign  \nwho probably wouldn't have.  \n\"May I stay and assist you?\" Trevor requested.  \nFlora nodded. She supposed it wouldn't hurt.  \nWith Trevor's help, they secured the signatures of at least a dozen more red foxes. They  \ncontinued to obtain signatures from other species as well but still had little luck with rabbits and  \nhares. By the time Chester and Lance arrived for the final shift, Flora felt like taking a soothing  \nhot shower and climbing into bed.  \nThe beige tabby sauntered up to the table with Lance close behind, \"Hey, how's it  \ngoing?\" he meowed cheerfully.  \n\"Pretty well,\" Flora answered. \"Trevor's been helping us attract red foxes.\"  \n\"I'd like to stay and keep helping if you don't mind,\" Trevor added.  \nChester smiled at the silver fox amiably, \"Sure.\"  \nFlora scooped up Cynthia, and she and Pete stood to let Chester and Lance have the  \ntable.  \n\"Why don't you take one of the seats if you've been standing, Trevor,\" Chester offered. \"I  \nlike to stand, so I can get people's attention better.\"  \nTrevor took the seat beside Lance, and Chester turned to Flora.  \n\"Have a good night, Flora, Pete, and you too, mousie,\" he meowed genially. \"See you  \naround tomorrow.\"  \n\"Night, Chester,\" Cynthia squeaked.  \n\"Good luck,\" Flora chirped.  \nThe three of them returned to their dorm.  \nFlora was reclining in bed after her shower when she heard a knock at the door. Cynthia  \nhad not yet returned from her own shower, so Flora slid out of bed and crept to the door. Gently  \npushing the button to trigger the automatic door, she slipped into the corner behind where it  \nopened. Pete stepped into the room, watching the floor carefully and looked around in  \nconfusion.  \n\"Hello? Cynthia?\" he called.  \nFlora pounced out from behind the closing door and grabbed the rabbit under the arms,  \n\"Gotcha!\"  \nPete rocketed toward the ceiling with a squeal of surprise. As he dropped back to the  \nfloor, Flora wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly against her chest. She  \nlicked the base of his ear affectionately.  \n\"Caught you, bunny,\" she declared amusedly.  \n\"Y-you startled me!\" Pete protested.  \n\"Sorry, Pete. I was just so excited to get my claws on my sweet bun,\" Flora teased.  \n\"What do you say I give you a tickle before Cynthia gets back?\"  \n\"Y-you want to?\" Pete asked shyly.  \n\"Unless you don't feel up to it.\"  \n\"I do!\" Pete returned hastily.  \n\"I got us something to make it even more fun,\" Flora told him coyly. \"Lie on the bed.\"  \nFlora moved her reading pillow, and Pete lay on his back. Stepping over to her desk,  \nFlora removed a roll of lime green ribbon and a pair of scissors from the second drawer. She  \nunrolled two arm-lengths of ribbon and snipped it off the roll.  \n\"Put your arms up over your head,\" she instructed.  \nPete complied. Flora tied one end of the ribbon to one of his wrists, looped it around the  \nnarrow headboard, and tied his other hand. When she had finished, she bent over him and gave  \nhim a lick on the nose.  \n\"Comfortable, bunny?\"  \nPete nodded.  \n\"Our safe word is still periwinkle,\" Flora reminded. She climbed onto the bed and sat on  \nhis hips with her legs straddling his waist and her feet drawn underneath. She flipped her bushy  \ntail excitedly as she surveyed her bound bunny. \"Looks like you're in trouble now, Pete,\" she  \nteased in titillation. \"Let's see how ticklish your ribs and underarms are tonight.\"  \nPete squirmed underneath her, staring up with anxious excitement, \"D-do it!\"  \nFlora slowly leaned forward, reaching her sharp-clawed hands toward his helplessly  \nexposed ribs with a wicked grin. Pete held his breath, his blue eyes wide with anticipation.  \nFlora's hands darted in, and her wriggling fingers raced mercilessly over their target.  \n\"Eek! Eeheehee, eeheehee, eeheeheeheeheehee!\" Pete squealed with laughter.  \nUnrelenting, Flora reached up to tickle his underarms then returned to his ribs,  \nunderarms then ribs, underarms, ribs. Pete's squeals and squirming spurred her fingers into  \nmore vigorous wriggles and filled her with elation until she couldn't help but giggle herself as  \nshe tickled the tied rabbit. Pete gasped for breath between bouts of giggling. He exhausted his  \nsquirming and submitted to her racing fingers. Her fingers began to feel sore, but still, Flora  \ndidn't relent.  \n\"Peeheeheehee! P-peeheeheehee! P-p-periwinkle!\" Pete squealed.  \nFlora's fingers halted, and she sat back, \"Have you had all you can stand then?\" Flora  \nasked amusedly.  \n\"All the, all the tickling,\" Pete managed through gasps.  \nFlora leaned forward until she dropped onto all fours. She crouched down so that she  \nwas holding herself just above Pete, their chest fur brushing together and their noses touching.  \n\"So you might be up for something else, hmm?\" she murmured sultrily.  \n\"Don't mind me,\" came Cynthia's cheeky squeak.  \nFlora looked up in surprised embarrassment to see the wood mouse sitting on the small  \nbed.  \n\"W-where did you come from?\" Flora queried.  \n\"I came in a couple minutes ago,\" Cynthia stated amusedly. \"I didn't want to disturb you.  \nI can leave again if you want.\"  \n\"N-no, that's okay,\" Flora stammered. \"Pete's had enough.\"  \nCynthia grabbed her crutches and stood, \"I don't want to disturb you. I'll call Rosemary  \nand see if she can come get me. Carry on!\"  \nCynthia hurried to the door, much faster now that she was able to place some weight on  \nher injured leg, and hit the button. Flora watched her out of the corner of one eye as she made  \nher way out into the hall and the door closed behind her.  \nShe looked back at Pete awkwardly, \"Erm, I guess we're alone then. Do you want me to  \nlet you up?\"  \nPete reached his legs up around Flora's middle, \"I-I want you to tell me what else you're  \ngoing to do to me,\" he squeaked anxiously.  \nFlora looked down, her nose once again pressed against his. She gazed intensely into  \nhis inky blue-ringed orbs, and he gazed back, quivering with excitement. Flora lowered herself  \non top of him.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n\"I scanned all of the pages and uploaded them to my account,\" Rosemary informed  \nFlora, Pete, Cynthia, Amber, and Becca at lunch the next day. \"I'll send the link to the president,  \nthe dean of students, the trustees, and anyone else who I can think of whose email I can find.  \nHopefully, we'll hear something back in a week or so.\"  \n\"What if they just say no?\" Amber asked.  \n\"They can't just say no! We got like five hundred signatures!\" Becca insisted.  \n\"Five hundred and fourteen was my count,\" Rosemary confirmed. \"But we should still be  \nprepared for them to say no.\"  \n\"What do we do then?!\" Becca demanded.  \n\"We should try to organize some kind of protest if they won't give us anything,\"  \nRosemary answered. \"A sit-in in the administrative offices might work. At some point, they'll just  \nwant their offices back.\"  \n\"We'll do whatever we have to,\" Flora agreed.  \n\"Just as long as you don't all get expelled!\" Cynthia squeaked anxiously. \"I don't want  \nyour futures ruined because of me!\"  \n\"I doubt it will come to that,\" Flora soothed.  \n\"As long as we don't set fire to the offices, I think we should be fine,\" Rosemary chaffed.  \n\"Think how bad it would look if they expelled us over a peaceful protest aimed at increasing  \ncampus safety.\"  \n\"Isabelle would be pleased to see she was right about me spoiling the college's  \nreputation,\" Flora stated dryly. \"She showed up to accuse me of that during our second shift.\"  \nRosemary rolled their eyes exasperatedly, \"Seriously? I hope they approve everything,  \neven the train, just so she can stew in her rage.\"  \n\"Moxie and Stella showed up to sign, so maybe she got the idea she isn't going to win  \non this one,\" Flora suggested optimistically.  \nRosemary gave her a dubious look, \"Maybe.\"  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nThat evening, Flora returned from her shower to find Cynthia waiting expectantly in their  \nroom, the mouse having left to take her shower whilst Pete gave Flora her nightly massage.  \n\"You haven't told me how it went with Pete last night,\" Cynthia pried.  \n\"It was nice,\" Flora replied vaguely.  \n\"You did do it, didn't you?\" Cynthia demanded anxiously.  \n\"We might have,\" Flora answered coyly.  \n\"Flora!\" Cynthia pleaded. \"You have to tell me something!\"  \n\"Pete was very, ah, very attentive,\" Flora returned meaningfully. \"That's all I'll say. You  \nshould have hidden under the bed if you wanted to be a little voyeur,\" she teased.  \n\"If you're not going to tell me anything, next time I will!\" Cynthia declared peevishly.  \n\"Careful we don't find you, or I might shove you in a drawer until morning,\" Flora taunted  \nlightly.  \nCynthia crossed her arms with a huff. \"Worth it,\" she grumbled. \"I can't believe you won't  \ntell me anything.\"  \n\"It felt good, and we did 'do it',\" Flora divulged. \"I'm not going into graphic detail. That's  \nprivate. You don't tell me what you do with Chester.\"  \n\"That's different! I don't want you to worry!\"  \n\"And I don't ask because that's your private time together,\" Flora rejoined.  \nCynthia sighed resignedly, \"Fair enough.\"  \nFlora crouched by the bed and scooped up the little mouse. \"I know I can tell you  \nanything, Cynthia,\" she murmured affectionately. \"It's not that I don't trust you to be discreet.\"  \n\"I get that some things are too private,\" Cynthia replied. \"I just need to know how your  \nrelationship is going. It was your first time and everything, right? That's a big deal!\"  \nFlora smirked softly, \"It's going well. Pete and I had a wonderful time. Thank you for  \ngiving us our privacy, so we could.\"  \n\"Any time you want privacy again, just ask!\" Cynthia squeaked earnestly. \"I'm glad you  \nhad a good time.\"  \n\"So you're not going to hide under the bed then?\" Flora teased.  \n\"Probably not, I wouldn't be able to see a thing under there!\" Cynthia quipped cheekily.  \nFlora petted the mouse's head with her thumb, \"You're lucky I love you, pervy mouse,\"  \nshe returned affectionately.  \nCynthia caught Flora's thumb in her minuscule hands and smiled up at her fondly, \"I  \nknow I am.\"  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nWednesday on her way to biology, Flora got Rosemary's text. It read, 'Forwarded you  \nthe email. Discouraging, but we won't give up.'  \nFlora hurried to class, her stomach churning. She refrained from checking her email  \nduring lecture, but she had a difficult time focusing. Moxie took notice of her anxiety.  \n\"Is everything alright, Flora?\" the swift fox asked when class had ended.  \n\"Rosemary texted me. It sounds like we got a response on our proposals, and it wasn't  \ngood,\" Flora answered.  \n\"I would have thought they could have considered it a bit longer!\" Moxie responded  \nannoyedly. \"I thought they were good ideas!\"  \n\"We're not going to give up, no matter what they said,\" Flora replied resolutely.  \n\"Did she say what exactly they said?\"  \n\"She forwarded me the email. I'll look at it once I pick up Cynthia.\"  \n\"Can I come? I'd like to see what they said too,\" Moxie requested.  \n\"Okay,\" Flora agreed.  \nThe two vixens and Pete made their way to Cynthia's physics classroom, where they  \nfound the mouse fuming with indignation.  \n\"Did you read this?!\" she squeaked irately.  \n\"I was about to,\" Flora answered. She slipped her phone out of its holster and opened  \nher email. Rosemary's email was the second down under an update from residential life. Flora  \nopened the forwarded email:  \n'Dear Mx. Greene,  \nI would like to thank you for contacting me about these concerns. The accessibility of our  \ncampus is a top priority for me and our trustees, and we will consider the changes you've  \nproposed in coming years. We are currently considering updates to classroom seating;  \nhowever, we do not currently have funds allocated for updates to campus walkways beyond  \nroutine repairs. While I understand the size of the campus may create a greater burden for  \nstudents of smaller size, it is unlikely that the light rail system you suggest could be installed  \nwithout a designated grant. I hope our response does not discourage you from future  \nparticipation in our campus community, and I appreciate the interest you've raised in campus  \naccessibility.  \nWell wishes,  \nPresident Bartok  \nRosemary's commentary above read, 'No \"funds allocated\". As if they don't have the  \nmoney. This isn't over.'  \nFlora handed the phone to Moxie so that she could read it as well.  \n\"It sounds to me like they're just hoping the problem will go away,\" Moxie concluded  \nwhen she'd finished.  \nFlora took back her phone and shoved it into her holster. \"Yeah, like Rosemary said,  \nthere's no way they don't have the money. The school all of the rich red foxes go to? Their  \nendowment must be incredible!\"  \n\"What are you going to do?\" Moxie asked.  \n\"Rosemary suggested we could do a sit-in in the administrative offices,\" Flora told her. \"I  \ndon't know when.\"  \n\"Count me in when you do!\" Moxie chirped.  \nFlora gave her a friendly smile, \"Alright, I'll let you know.\"  \n\"Cool, I have to meet Stella. See you around!\"  \n\"See ya!\"  \nMoxie trotted out of the room and toward the exit. Flora scooped up Cynthia, and they  \nheaded to lunch. They found Rosemary and Amber already in the cafeteria.  \n\"Hi Rosemary, we got your email,\" Flora chirped.  \nRosemary nodded in acknowledgement, \"What did you think? I didn't think they'd give us  \neverything, but I thought their response was pretty lame, especially the part about 'allocated  \nfunds'. No shit, they haven't allocated them! They weren't planning on addressing the issue!\"  \n\"I agree. They're hoping they can just brush us off,\" Flora replied.  \n\"They think we'll give up if they just tell us it's important and they'll consider it later!\"  \nCynthia squeaked angrily. \"If it's so important, why haven't they done anything before now?! It's  \nnot like they just started accepting mice or other small mammals!\"  \n\"Right, they're just pretending to take us seriously in hopes that it will placate us,\"  \nRosemary agreed. \"We won't give up that easily!\"  \n\"So are we going to do the sit-in like you said?\" Flora inquired.  \nRosemary nodded, \"We should do it soon so that people still remember what the petition  \nwas about, but we need a little time to spread the word so that it's not just us. If even ten  \npercent of the people who signed show up, we ought to be able to fill the president and dean's  \noffices. The administrative offices don't open until nine, so I think we could meet in front of the  \nentrance at nine-thirty on Friday.\"  \n\"We, uh, have chemistry class then,\" Pete noted awkwardly.  \n\"I have class then too,\" Rosemary replied. \"We can't wait until class is over. We need to  \nshow them we're serious.\"  \n\"We don't have an exam. I'm sure Professor Serrano will understand,\" Flora reassured  \nthe rabbit.  \n\"W-what about Dr. Whitman?\" Pete asked anxiously.  \n\"If she docks us points for that day, I'm sure our grades will be fine,\" Flora replied.  \n\"I think we'll all understand if you'd rather not come, Pete,\" Rosemary remarked. \"It might  \nget pretty tense. I wouldn't want you to panic and get hurt.\"  \n\"N-no, if Flora's going, then I am,\" Pete returned, nervous but determined.  \nFlora placed her right hand over his left, \"Whatever happens, we'll stick together.  \nWhether they change their minds or not, we'll know we tried.\"  \nPete turned his head toward her and gave her a small nod with a grateful smile.  \n\"If everyone's okay with the plan, then we just need to spread the word,\" Rosemary  \ndecided. \"Tell anyone who you think would come, even if they didn't sign the petition.\"  \n\"Moxie asked me to tell her, and I'll tell Trevor too,\" Flora responded. \"Hopefully, they  \ncan convince some of their other friends too.\"  \n\"I'll tell my old roommate,\" Cynthia added.  \n\"Alex should be able to convince some of xir other friends too,\" Rosemary stated. \"Large  \nanimals will be harder to ignore.\"  \nThey finished lunch, and Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their dorm. After texting  \nMoxie and Trevor. Flora tried to think of other people she knew who she could tell. She emailed  \na few other students who she'd talked to before in class including the ginger tabby she sat next  \nto in organic, the wildcat she sat by in biology, and the arctic, fennec, and Rüppell's foxes from  \nher writing section. Flora hoped the others knew more other people. Her phone pinged, and she  \nexamined it to see she had another email from Rosemary, this one with an attachment:  \nHi Flora,  \nPlease email everyone you can on these pages of the petition.  \nThanks,  \nRosemary  \n(she/they)  \nThree scanned pages of the petition were attached; it looked like she had her work cut  \nout for her. Flora downloaded the pages, opened the first, and started typing.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nThursday in her writing section, Flora noticed she was once again the center of attention;  \nalthough, this time it seemed more mixed instead of purely negative, the glances in her direction  \nranging from annoyed to curious. As usual, Professor McLaughlin was oblivious to all. After a  \ntypically insipid class, Flora was approached by the arctic and Rüppell's foxes as well as a red  \ntod. Flora knew the arctic fox was named Freya, and the Rüppell's fox was named Dante. She  \ndidn't remember the red tod's name.  \n\"I got your email,\" the arctic vixen noted awkwardly.  \n\"So did I,\" the sandy-colored desert tod added.  \n\"I got one. I don't think it was from you, but you were there when I signed up,\" the red tod  \nremarked.  \nFlora smiled at the three foxes self-consciously, \"Did you have any questions? I think I or  \nwhoever emailed you probably said we're meeting outside of the administrative building at nine-  \nthirty tomorrow morning.\"  \n\"Could you explain a little more about that?\" Freya requested. \"You said it was to make  \nthe campus safer, right?\"  \n\"We're trying to get the college to make the campus safer and more accessible to small  \nmammals, like mice and voles,\" Flora explained. \"We had a number of proposals, but the most  \nimportant was a raised walkway they can use so that they don't have to worry about being  \nstepped on.\"  \n\"They were collecting signatures on Saturday in the student union,\" the red tod noted.  \n\"But it seems the administration wasn't altogether impressed.\"  \n\"More like they didn't want to do anything about it,\" Flora returned irritatedly. \"We got five  \nhundred signatures!\"  \n\"Wow! Really?! And they still brushed you off? That sucks!\" Dante exclaimed.  \n\"I'd be inclined to come to your rally, but unfortunately, I have calculus at that time,\" the  \nred tod told her apologetically.  \n\"I have class too,\" Flora replied. \"We want to show the administration this issue is  \nimportant enough to us that we'll miss class over it. We're meeting at nine-thirty, so I'll leave  \norganic ten to fifteen minutes before that. Then we're going to sit in the president's and dean's  \noffices until we come to an agreement or they drag us out.\"  \n\"Count me in!\" Dante chirped.  \nFreya nodded, \"I'll try to make it too.\"  \n\"I'll consider it,\" the red tod allowed. \"I suppose missing one class won't be the end of  \nVulpineva.\"  \n\"Thank you!\" Flora chirped genially. \"If you know anyone else who might come, please  \ninvite them. Hopefully, there will be so many of us that we won't even all fit inside. If they're  \noverflowed with students who want the campus updated, they'll have to concede!\"  \n\"Right! We'll see you there,\" Dante piped.  \nHe and Freya went to grab their things, but the red tod remained next to Flora's seat.  \n\"I, uh, wanted to apologize for my part in the rumors people have been spreading about  \nyou,\" he murmured uncomfortably after a second.  \nFlora blinked up at him, \"Alright. I'm glad you realize I'm not whatever Isabelle has been  \nsaying.\"  \nHe nodded. \"See you around, Flora.\" He walked by her and out of the classroom.  \nI'll have to pay attention, so I can catch his name, Flora considered embarrassedly. She  \ngrabbed her bag and went to collect Cynthia.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nFlora didn't get a lot of sleep that night, tossing and turning as she contemplated what  \nmight happen at the sit-in. She didn't think they would be expelled, but might they be sanctioned  \nin some other way? And what if the administration had less restraint than they anticipated?  \nWould she be able to get into another college if she was expelled from RCV? What if they were  \narrested?! She didn't want her parents to have to come get her out of jail, and the looks of  \ndisappointment she imagined on their faces dropped a stone into her belly. When her alarm  \nwoke her from fitful dreams, she felt even more exhausted than she did anxious.  \nFlora's anxiety made her taciturn at breakfast, which neither Pete nor Cynthia failed to  \nnotice. Both did their best to comfort her, Cynthia chattering cheerfully, and Pete placing a hand  \non her knee. Flora knew they were nervous too, and she tried to put on a smile to show them  \nshe was alright. She didn't want them to have her to worry about as well.  \nThey met Becca in the calculus classroom. \"Are you ready?\" the stoat asked them  \nnervously.  \n\"We're ready!\" Cynthia declared.  \n\"What are you doing about next period?\" Becca queried.  \n\"We're going to go and leave when it's time to head over,\" Flora stated.  \n\"I was thinking about skipping altogether,\" Becca divulged. \"It'll be more awkward if I  \nhave to walk out all by myself. At least you know it'll be the three of you.\"  \n\"Trevor and Alex will be there too,\" Flora noted. \"It's completely up to you whether you  \ngo of course.\"  \nThey took their seats as the other students continued to file in. Flora kept an ear cocked  \nin Quincy's direction, half expecting the tod to give her another of his warnings about Isabelle's  \nwrath, but he never spoke. Dr. Delafosse arrived, and class proceeded as usual. Flora, Pete,  \nand Cynthia told Becca they'd see her soon and headed to chemistry class.  \nIn the tiered lecture hall, Flora kept an eye on her classmates as they entered,  \nwondering which of them would be leaving with her. The ginger cat gave her an enigmatic glace  \nas they sat on Flora's left but said nothing. Before long, Dr. Serrano wheeled himself down to  \nthe front of the room. He watched as the last students trickled in, and when the stream had  \ndried up, he glanced at his watch before looking up at the class with an indulgent smile.  \n\"It's come to my attention that there's a student protest scheduled this morning,\" he  \nstated cheerfully. \"So I'm cancelling class for today. If you're attending, good luck. If not, enjoy  \nyour free hour.\"  \nHis eyes met Flora's as he wished them luck, and Flora felt a little nervous flutter in her  \nbelly. Did he know she was involved?  \nStudents began to stand. Flora's keen ears caught whispers and mutters expressing  \neverything from annoyance to curiosity to gratitude. She scooped up Cynthia and collected Pete  \nbefore meeting Trevor and Alex at the top of the room. The five of them exited together.  \n\"What should we do for the next half hour?\" Trevor asked amusedly. \"I didn't think our  \nprofessors would actually excuse us from class.\"  \n\"Do you think they all are or just Professor Serrano?\" Flora queried.  \nTrevor shrugged nonchalantly, \"I guess we'll find out.\"  \n\"It would be nice if we have the support of the faculty,\" Flora remarked. \"I wonder how he  \nfound out.\"  \n\"I'm sure things get around,\" Trevor replied.  \n\"We could take our stuff to our rooms,\" Pete suggested shyly.  \nFlora turned to the rabbit and gave him a warm smile, \"Good idea, Pete. We don't really  \nneed our books. It might be good to bring something to drink at least if you can though.\"  \nPete eyed the green water bottle crammed in one of the side pockets of her bag and  \nnodded.  \n\"If you don't have a bottle, you can share mine,\" Flora teased.  \n\"I-I have one,\" Pete stammered embarrassedly.  \n\"Alright, see you outside of the administrative building then,\" Trevor chirped genially.  \nTheir group broke up, and Flora, Cynthia, and Pete returned to their dorm. After leaving  \nhis bag and filling his blue water bottle, Pete met the girls in their room.  \n\"Are you ready, Pete?\" Flora asked the rabbit anxiously.  \nPete nodded nervously, \"We're going to stick together, right?\"  \nFlora nodded, \"Stay close to my side. If anything happens, I'll make sure we get out  \nalright.\"  \n\"It's going to turn out fine!\" Cynthia declared optimistically. \"We already have some of the  \nfaculty on our side, or at least Dr. Serrano.\"  \n\"That does make me a little more hopeful,\" Flora admitted.  \n\"We'll get them to change their minds, and even if we don't, we'll show them we aren't  \ngoing to give up on this issue,\" the mouse squeaked determinedly. \"No matter what happens,  \nI'm glad I have friends like you two.\"  \nFlora smiled fondly at the little mouse, her determination bolstered by Cynthia's own. We  \ncan do this! Shortly, they left for the administrative building.  \nA group of students had already gathered when they arrived several minutes before  \n9:30. Flora had a difficult time estimating how many because of the varying sizes, from a moose  \nto the many mice, voles, shrews, and moles who were clustered a short distance away from the  \nlarger animals. In addition, many avian students were perched in the surrounding trees. They  \nfound Becca, Martin, Trevor, Alex, Amber, and Rosemary together at the front of the crowd.  \n\"We have a decent turnout so far,\" Rosemary commented. \"And there's still a little time  \nleft.\"  \nFlora nodded in hopeful acknowledgement.  \n\"Flora!\" a vulpine voice piped.  \nFlora turned to see Dante and Freya a short distance back. The diminutive desert fox  \nwaved at her excitedly, and Flora waved back with a friendly smile.  \nMoxie was the next to join their group. \"I wanted to let you know that Stella and I are  \nhere,\" the swift fox chirped anxiously.  \n\"You're both welcome to join us up here if you want,\" Rosemary told her nonchalantly.  \n\"Or you can stay back if you prefer.\"  \nMoxie regarded the squirrel conflictedly, \"I'll see what Stella wants to do.\" She hurried  \naway.  \nAt the last minute, Chester bounded up next to them with Lance ambling along behind  \nhim.  \n\"For a minute, I thought you'd overslept,\" Rosemary quipped.  \n\"Blame Lance!\" Chester yowled embarrassedly. \"He just had to have a second helping at  \nbreakfast!\"  \n\"I might not get to eat again today,\" Lance replied matter-of-factly. \"I didn't want to be  \nhungry.\"  \n\"We'll have to consider if we can send people for food depending how long this goes,\"  \nRosemary remarked. \"Or we could order it.\"  \n\"We'll figure that out when we need to,\" Chester replied cheerfully. \"Is it time?\"  \nRosemary nodded. \"Alex, can you hold me up?\" the squirrel requested.  \nThe mountain goat crouched down, and Rosemary scrambled into xir hooves. Alex  \nstood and held Rosemary over xir head where everyone would see her.  \n\"Alright! Can I get everyone's attention?\" Rosemary chirped loudly.  \nGradually, the murmur of voices faded away.  \n\"Thank you all for coming!\" the squirrel piped. \"We're ready to head inside. If we can't all  \nfit in the offices, then some of us can sit in the hallway or remain outside, but we're not leaving  \nuntil they agree to make campus safe and accessible for everyone!\"  \n\"Let's do it!\" Chester yowled.  \nSeveral other participants voiced their agreement.  \n\"Follow us! Forward march!\" Rosemary cheered.  \nAlex set the squirrel on the sidewalk, and with her friends around her, Rosemary  \nmarched determinedly toward the double-door entrance to the white marble edifice. However,  \nas they approached the steps leading up to the entrance, the doors swung open, and a dozen  \nred foxes swarmed out and stood in front of the doors. Flora instantly recognized Isabelle as  \nwell as some of her closest cronies. The red foxes held signs with slogans such as 'Protect Our  \nCampus' Beauty' and 'No Rodent Paths'.  \n\"No rodent paths!\" Isabelle shouted. \"We won't let you spoil our beautiful campus!\"  \nHer companions cheered in agreement.  \n\"How in Tartarus will some raised sidewalks spoil the campus?\" Rosemary yelled back  \nincredulously. \"Get out of the way!\"  \n\"We're not moving!\" Isabelle declared defiantly.  \n\"We could just use the back door,\" Amber suggested quietly. \"They'll have a hard time  \nblocking both.\"  \n\"They'll try,\" Rosemary responded. \"I don't want to start with a shoving match, but I  \nguess we might have to.\"  \nMoxie and Stella hurried up to the front of the crowd. Flora and her friends regarded  \nthem hopefully.  \n\"This has gone far enough, Izzy!\" Stella called. \"I know you feel like Flora insulted you,  \nbut it's time to let it go! This isn't about the two of you; it's about what's good for RCV!\"  \n\"And we don't need a bunch of unsightly rodent paths disfiguring our campus!\" Isabelle  \nrejoined. \"I'm disappointed in you, Stella. I can't say I'm surprised at this point, but I'm  \ndisappointed.\"  \nTrevor stepped to the front of the group, \"Miss Bouillier, I have to agree with your friend.  \nIt's time for you to abandon this vendetta.\"  \nIsabelle stared down at the silver fox in shock, \"Tr-Trevor?! What are you doing with  \nthese malcontents?!\"  \n\"These 'malcontents', as you call them, are my friends, and I believe in what they're  \nfighting for!\" Trevor declared.  \n\"But, but I thought we-\"  \n\"Unless you give up this bitterness, we could never be together,\" Trevor cut off her  \ndistressed plea. \"I did find our time together surprisingly diverting, and I believe you're capable  \nof being better than this. But until you can respect those different from yourself, I could never be  \nyour friend or anything else.\"  \nDistraught, Isabelle stared down at the silver fox for a moment then turned and raced  \ndown the wheelchair ramp to the left of the stairs. Not stopping at the bottom, she fled across  \ncampus. Her companions glanced at one another awkwardly then also filed down the ramp.  \nFlora noticed Katrina giving her a dirty look, but none of them spoke as they dispersed.  \n\"What the fuck was that?!\" Rosemary squawked incredulously. \"That was like some  \nridiculous soap opera!\"  \n\"Red foxes,\" Amber muttered under her breath.  \nTrevor looked down at them awkwardly, \"Sorry,\" he apologized embarrassedly.  \n\"You solved the issue without shoving, so I think we all owe you a thank you,\" Flora  \nresponded. \"Now that the entrance is clear, let's go!\"  \n\"Right! Forward march!\" Rosemary cheered.  \nThey flooded up the stairs and ramp to the heavy oak doors. Alex grabbed one, and  \nTrevor grabbed the other. And the deluge of students continued through the entryway and up  \nthe interior stairs to the third floor where the president's office was. The elderly red fox, who had  \na grizzled muzzle and wore a velvety midnight blue jacket over a white shirt with a ruffled collar,  \nstood beside the open door to his office, regarding the approaching throng nervously.  \n\"Erm, my schedule is rather tight this morning, but I'm sure we can discuss your  \ngrievances. Could you appoint a representative?\" President Bartok chirped agitatedly.  \nThey poured past him into the office, sitting wherever they could find space as they filled  \nthe room.  \nRosemary scampered up the president's chair and onto his desk. \"We're not leaving until  \nyou agree to our demands!\" she proclaimed. \"Make RCV safe and accessible for everyone!\"  \nFlora and many of the other students voiced their agreement by repeating the squirrel's  \nsecond statement.  \nFrom the hall, where the deluge of students continued to pour into other administrative  \noffices, the grizzled fox regarded them worriedly. \"I'll have to contact the trustees,\" he replied  \nuncomfortably.  \nSoon, students filled the hall as well as the offices. Someone opened the windows in the  \npresident's office, and several birds flew in and perched on the bookshelf, chairs, and coat rack.  \nFinally, a portion of the group of mice, shrews, voles, and moles arrived, and the other students  \nhelped them onto the desk with Rosemary. Cynthia sat on Flora's shoulder whilst Pete sat in  \nFlora's lap with her arms wrapped around him comfortingly. Her other friends were clustered  \naround her in front of the desk. So far, everything had been fairly calm, and Flora hoped it  \nstayed that way. The president had disappeared and was presumably anxiously phoning the  \nvarious trustees. Flora hoped they would be reasonable.  \nAbout an hour later, President Bartok poked his head in the room, \"Miss, uh, Greene,  \nwasn't it? Could you meet me in the conference room?\"  \n\"You know what we want!\" Rosemary stated determinedly. \"I sent you the petition. If you  \nhave an offer, you can tell all of us, right here!\"  \n\"The trustees would like to discuss this matter with you personally,\" the president  \nreturned anxiously. \"You seem to be the leader of your group.\"  \n\"I only took the lead in organizing,\" Rosemary replied. \"If you have a proposal, then tell it  \nto these students,\" she gestured to the smaller mammals surrounding her on the desk with a  \nsweep of her arm. \"If they're not satisfied, then I'm not satisfied.\"  \n\"Let me speak with them some more,\" the president responded. He hurried away.  \nTwenty minutes later he was back, \"The trustees said we'll implement your changes to  \nthe seating, and they'll vote on your proposed walkways at their next meeting.\"  \n\"When is that?\" Rosemary demanded.  \n\"It's scheduled for February.\"  \n\"We're not waiting that long!\" Rosemary shot back irritatedly. \"Besides, they might just  \nvote no! No raised walkways, no deal!\"  \nPresident Bartok frowned and ducked back out of the room.  \n\"They really think we're stupid,\" Rosemary groused. \"We might be here for a while.\"  \nIt soon seemed that Rosemary's prediction was correct. The lunch hour passed without  \nfurther communication from the president. At 2PM, he offered to put lines on the existing  \nsidewalks to designate a section for the smallest students. Rosemary conferred with the small  \nmammals, but they rejected this as inadequate. At 5PM, the president informed them he'd had  \npizza ordered for all of them as well as salad for the stricter herbivores. Flora was glad for this  \nhospitality as her stomach was growling. At 7PM, after they'd eaten, the president offered to set  \nup a shuttle service that would run buses for the smaller students along the sidewalks.  \nRosemary and the smaller mammals agreed this was an acceptable substitute for the train but  \nnot for the raised walkways. Looking frustrated, the president disappeared again. The sun set,  \nand the lamps along the sidewalks flickered on. But still, he didn't return. Flora began to think  \nhe'd gone home and left them to spend the night.  \n\"Flora?\" Cynthia yawned. \"Can I sit in your lap?\"  \nFlora plucked the little mouse off of her shoulder and placed her on her right thigh next  \nto Pete's side. The rabbit, who was sitting between Flora's legs, glanced down at the mouse as  \nshe snuggled into the nook created by his side and Flora's belly and thigh. Flora squeezed him  \nto her belly.  \n\"You can go to sleep too if you want, Pete,\" she murmured.  \nShe glanced over to where Lance was curled around Chester, both of them sleeping  \nwith one of the wolverine's strong arms draped over the cat, his massive hand on top of  \nChester's head. She noticed Martin holding Becca with her head tucked under his chin. Both  \nstoats had their eyes closed, but as they were still sitting up, Flora wasn't sure they were  \nsleeping. Amber climbed up onto the desk and patted her lap, and Rosemary flopped across it  \nand closed their eyes as Amber stroked them. Turning to look behind her, Flora saw that Alex  \nhad acquired a pair of pikas, who were curled in the fluffy white bovine's lap. It seemed most of  \nthe students present had accepted they would be spending the night. Flora agreed with them  \nbut wished the wooden floor were more comfortable.  \nFlora had nodded off, still holding Pete, when she was startled awake by a knock on the  \ndoor. The president stood in the doorway, looking haggard. Flora glanced at the gold-faced  \nanalogue clock on the front wall: nearly a quarter after three in the morning. Rosemary sat up  \nfrom where she'd been curled up with Amber.  \n\"The trustees have agreed to construct separate paths,\" the president muttered  \nexhaustedly. \"That's in addition to the seating updates and the shuttles. They'll consult with  \nengineers to determine whether a raised path, tunnel, or some type of enclosure is better, but it  \nwill be separate from the main sidewalk. They don't think we can do the skyways right now, but  \nthey'll look into the cost and consider it in the future.\"  \nRosemary glanced around at the mice, voles, shrews, and moles seated or reclined on  \nthe desk around her.  \n\"That sounds good to me,\" one shrew squeaked.  \nThe others nodded in agreement.  \n\"When will you start construction?\" Rosemary asked.  \n\"Probably not until Summer,\" the president replied wearily.  \nRosemary looked back to her diminutive comrades.  \n\"That sounds soon enough,\" the shrew decided.  \nThe others murmured in agreement.  \nRosemary looked up at the grizzled tod and grinned, \"It sounds like we have an  \nagreement!\"  \nThe president let out a sigh of relief, \"Thank Zeus.\"  \n\"But if you aren't constructing those paths by next school year, we'll do this again!\"  \nRosemary warned feistily.  \nThe elderly fox offered her a wry smile, \"I don't doubt it.\"  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Flora: A Tale from Vulpineva","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2035972-chapter-14-dinner-date.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2036815-chapter-16-return-home.json"}}