2025-02-19 - Bennie Meet Bunny

It may still be cold, but cold weather is the best for eating ice cream. So that’s exactly what Bennie is doing. Or at least trying to do. He and Oz walk…or rather Oz hitches a ride on Bennie’s shoulder and the pair make their way through the Square.

“Oz I wasn’t going to make a complaint that they don’t carry ferret friendly ice cream. Yes I think it’s sad you can’t have ice cream. No I don’t think that it is an issue the rest of the world is as concerned about. I think it’s just as insulting as you, but it’s the reality of things.”

With that he brings his cone closer and stops just short of taking a lick. Sighing he looks to Oz, “Well I’m sure there IS a way to make ferret friendly ice cream. We’d just have to find some alternatives. Also, no me being lactose intolerant and eating it anyways isn’t the same as you being lactose intolerant.”

Another lick is attempted before he shakes his head, “I don’t know. It just isn’t. I get gassy when I eat ice cream. You could die. Or at least I don’t know that you wouldn’t die.”

As he comments to Oz a small group of people walking past break out into varying giggles and walk quickly in the opposite direction. “Great. Now they know I’m gassy. Are you happy?”

He looks to Oz and lofts a brow, “Wow. Thanks.”

The tone and mannerisms between the two looks relaxed though so it isn’t likely they are really upset. Still. Ice cream is serious business.

Speaking. Of. Which.

Another lick is attempted and right before he is successful, Bennie pulls back and looks around. “Oz. Did you hear that?” He then looks to the ferret, “No not THAT. I haven’t even had any ice cream yet. It sounds like somebody is crying.”

“Wait. I’ve heard that sound before.” Walking around, ice cream in hand and ferret on shoulder, Bennie approaches a bench and bends down to see a familiar sight…a pink ball of fur.

“Hey. It’s another one of those bunnies. Like Arte found.” The sad song indeed fills the air and Bennie frowns. “They need help.”

Crouching, he holds out his free hand as Oz tilts his head back and forth and watches silently. The pink rabbit looks towards Bennie as the movement is seen. “Hey, little bunny. It’s ok you’re safe. C’mhere.”

Holding out his hand, palm side up, he speaks softly and kind to the bunny. The bunny moves into his hand and he lifts it, bringing it up to his eye level. “There you are. It’s too cold for you to be sitting on the ground out here. What do you say we get you warm. Huh?”

There is a blink from the bunny’s wide eyes before it looks to Bennie’s hoodie pocket. “You want to go in there? It is definitely warm. Here.”

Lowering his hand without disrupting the rabbit, he stops it when it’s at the level of his pocket hoodie. The rabbit looks for a moment before sniffing with a twitching nose. Then, it moves forward and climbs into the soft cave.

Giving a nod, Bennie puts his free hand over the hoodie pocket to make sure the rabbit is secure. “Ok. Let’s get you back to the apartment and see if we can’t find someone to help. Or should I say? SomeBUNNY to help. Yeah?”

There is no response from the pocket aside from the soft breathing of a sleeping rabbit. Oz however gives a hard look to Bennie. “Oh come on. That was top tier pun material, Oz.”

Either way, the bunny is safe. That’s the important thing. He thinks he remembers seeing something on the Employee Messages about these bunnies…they need to find their bunny pair.

“That’s what we’ll do. We’ll find who you’re looking for. Don’t worry.” With that decided? Bennie ventures on.

“Now. Where was I?” Bringing the ice cream forward again he moves to finally enjoy the treat. Until thin air strikes again. He trips briefly, catching himself before he falls, but the scoop of ice cream falls and meets it’s demise on the pathway.

Staring at it, Bennie is silent before looking over to Oz. The ferret watched the whole thing and looked to the ice cream too, his gaze lifting and meeting Bennie’s at the same time. “Not. A word.”