Part two!! A faint rustling and scrambling sounded from behind the door, followed with a brief exclamation, “I’ll be with you momentarily!” After a half a minute or so, the doorknob turned then the door flew open; and the seemingly ever-patient fox was greeted by one Randall Remington. Remington was a creature of average hight, quite plump but with a jolly demeanor; his beady eyes flitted to and fro with an underlying anxiety that contrasted with the silly grin he wore. He fidgeted with his worn, light-brown overcoat and played with the single silver button that dangled, in danger of falling off entirely like the other two. His short but slightly fluffed grey fur stuck out messily at odd angles and looked frayed at the tips. The fur around his eyes was colored black like the mask one would see upon a bandit, as all raccoons have. His great big tail fluffed out like a pillow and its fur was covered in black-tinted rings. His stark-white whiskers bunched together and stuck out straight with slightly drooping ends; and his hand-like paws fumbled around with each other nervously. His small and slightly pointed ears angled this way and that, seemingly searching for signs of danger. Remington’s faced brightened at the sight of his dear old friend, and he opened the door wider to step out. “Why if it isn’t my beloved friend, little Finn! Too many years have passed us by since our last meeting. How has life been treating you? We have much to discuss, I’m sure!” Remington’s voice was loud but friendly, a voice that was comfortingly confrontational. It was deep and even, with little fluctuations in pitch to match his enthusiasm. He reached out and shook his friend’s paw with ardor, taking in the sight of the little fox he had not seen in so long. Finnegan and Remington had continued a tradition of calling each other by a nickname since childhood. Finnegan was called “little Finn” or just “Finn” even, and Remington was called “Remy”. A bit startled by this greeting, Finnegan paused a moment to collect his thoughts, but nodded back to his friend with a small smile. “Yes, Remy, I am much too glad to see you after all this time. I’m afraid our lack of each other’s company has been entirely my fault, as I am always occupied with unending thoughts and worries that cause me to forget my responsibilities in reality. Ah, my friend, I yearn to know how you have been doing in my absence! Oh, yes, life has treated me… alright. It’s not of much importance anyhow, I more so wish to hear your voice.” Finnegan pushed away the small whisperings and mutterings nipping at the back of his mind and focused on this dear, dear friend whose company he had yearned for through all these years. “Yes, come inside my friend! I cannot bear to keep you waiting in the cold! Come, sit by the fire! Dinner will soon be ready, and I hope you’ll join us.” Remington beckoned him inside, leading him to two comfy-looking chairs by a cozy fireplace, and begged him to sit down. Finnegan wondered what he had meant by “us”, but did not have to wait long to find out. Into the livingroom rushed another raccoon of a more slender and delicate build, closing the door Remington had clumsily left open and turning to confront him about it. Her pretty eyes widened when she saw they had company, and the scolding look on her face melted away to reveal embarrassment. (Go down to Notes and Credits)
“Oh my, Randall, who might this be? You didn’t tell me you were expecting company today!” Her maroon dress swished with every small movement and her pearly whiskers curved downwards, gingerly brushing against her glossy face fur. She sighed and glanced to a corner where three little creatures danced around and crawled on one another, resembling the flames in the hearth. Each were a spitting image of their parents, two males wrestling and a female watching intently. “Rachel, dear, I didn’t know myself! This is my dear old friend, little Finn- I mean, Fletcher Finnegan Firthwood. I’ve told you about him, I’m sure! I’m sorry for the short notice dear, but is there enough to eat for one more? I’d like it if he could stay for dinner.” Remington fidgeted as he addressed his wife, hoping he would not upset her. Finnegan was surprised, for as long as he had known Remington, he had never talked of love or marriage. Now he had a wife and three children. How surprising. “All right, yes, I will make sure there is enough. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Firthwood. Randall talks of you quite constantly. Now, you if you’ll excuse me, I have a dinner and three children to attend to.” Rachael Remington huffed and twirled away, gathering up her children and ushering them to another room so they would not disturb the two adults. Finnegan turned in his chair to face Remington, and gave him an interested yet inquiring look. Remington sighed and collapsed into the chair opposite of his friend, seemingly exhausted. A few moments later he was revived, and continued conversing like normal. “I apologize, Finn, but it has been quite a while since you last saw me. Yes, I have a wife now. As well as three lovely little children. I love my family, and I hope you grow to be fond of them as well. Seriously, old friend, how have you been? I’m dying to know.” Remington chuckled here and there in a pleasant way, and leaned in closer as he finished. His intent gaze beamed with curiosity and concern. Finnegan, although still slightly shocked that his friend had built himself such an intricate life, accepted that his friend had every right to change his life so drastically given the length of his absence. He sighed and collected himself for a reply…