full
“Toad @ Toad Hall” by Tempo (read by Khaki)
You were right all along. Rat and Mole are boyfriends.
Welcome to the River Bank. It's cottagecore, but with internet. Let's look in on Toad Hall and the goings-on of the various waistcoated creatures of the modern day.
Today’s story is “Toad @ Toad Hall" by Tempe O'Kun, who is the staff writer at Culturally F'd, and the writer of the Windfall and Sixes Wild series by FurPlanet Productions, and you can find more of his stories on his FurAffinity or his SoFurry account.
Read for you by Khaki, your faithful fireside companion.
thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.
https://thevoice.dog/episode/toad-toad-hall-by-tempo
Transcript
You’re
listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
Speaker:This
Speaker:is
Speaker:Rob
Speaker:MacWolf,
Speaker:your
Speaker:Fellow
Speaker:Traveller,
Speaker:and
Speaker:Today’s
Speaker:story
Speaker:is “Toad @
Speaker:Toad Hall" by Tempe O'Kun, who
Speaker:is
Speaker:the
Speaker:staff writer
Speaker:at
Speaker:Culturally
Speaker:F'd,
Speaker:and
Speaker:the
Speaker:writer
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:Windfall
Speaker:and
Speaker:Sixes
Speaker:Wild
Speaker:series
Speaker:by
Speaker:FurPlanet
Speaker:Productions, and
Speaker:you
Speaker:can
Speaker:find
Speaker:more
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:stories
Speaker:on
Speaker:his
Speaker:FurAffinity
Speaker:or
Speaker:his
Speaker:SoFurry
Speaker:account.
Read
by Khaki,
Speaker:your
Speaker:Faithful
Speaker:Fireside
Speaker:Companion.
Please
enjoy
"Toad @
Toad
Speaker:Hall”
Speaker:by
Speaker:Tempe
Speaker:O'Kun.
TOAD
BRIDGE
Autumn
leaves
Speaker:clung
Speaker:to
Speaker:branches,
Speaker:resolute
Speaker:but
Speaker:fragile
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:face
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:coming
Speaker:winter,
Speaker:like
Speaker:the
Speaker:final
Speaker:bar
Speaker:of
Speaker:mobile
Speaker:phone
Speaker:signal.
Badger,
Toad,
Speaker:and
Speaker:Mole
Speaker:sat
Speaker:together
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:splendor
Speaker:of
Speaker:Toad Hall.
Speaker:Rat
Speaker:paced
Speaker:the
Speaker:polished
Speaker:floor,
Speaker:his
Speaker:supple
Speaker:tail, and
Speaker:which
Speaker:normally
Speaker:echoed
Speaker:the
Speaker:gentle
Speaker:curves
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:river,
Speaker:now
Speaker:ran
Speaker:straight
Speaker:with
Speaker:unabashed
Speaker:annoyance.
Speaker:Now
Speaker:and
Speaker:then,
Speaker:he
Speaker:sat
Speaker:down
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:great
Speaker:wooden
Speaker:table,
Speaker:laden
Speaker:with
Speaker:silver
Speaker:dishes
Speaker:and
Speaker:fine
Speaker:foods,
Speaker:only
Speaker:to
Speaker:spring
Speaker:up
Speaker:again
Speaker:to
Speaker:return
Speaker:to
Speaker:his
Speaker:fidgety
Speaker:ambulations.
Toad
emitted a groan
Speaker:that
Speaker:bubbled
Speaker:up
Speaker:through
Speaker:his
Speaker:sugar-free
Speaker:fizzy
Speaker:coconut
Speaker:water. "Oh
Speaker:Ratty.
Speaker:Are
Speaker:you
Speaker:still
Speaker:on
Speaker:about
Speaker:that
Speaker:silly
Speaker:old
Speaker:yacht?"
The
rodent
Speaker:pointed
Speaker:out
Speaker:the
Speaker:window
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:ship,
Speaker:run
Speaker:aground
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:inland
Speaker:estate. "It
Speaker:was
Speaker:yesterday!"
“Ah."
The
Speaker:sharply-dressed
Speaker:amphibian
Speaker:blinked
Speaker:dully. "Perhaps
Speaker:so.
Speaker:Well,
Speaker:the
Speaker:past
Speaker:is
Speaker:prolog,
Speaker:as
Speaker:they
Speaker:say.
Speaker:And
Speaker:nobody
Speaker:bothers
Speaker:with
Speaker:a
Speaker:book’s
Speaker:prolog.”
"You've
entirely
Speaker:halted
Speaker:all
Speaker:traffic
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:river!"
“Do
keep
Speaker:your
Speaker:vibes
Speaker:positive,
Speaker:old
Speaker:thing.”
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:closed
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes
Speaker:with an
Speaker:assumed
Speaker:serenity. “I
Speaker:am
Speaker:trying
Speaker:to
Speaker:enter
Speaker:ketosis.”
Badger
looked
Speaker:up
Speaker:from
Speaker:pouring
Speaker:a
Speaker:scotch
Speaker:whiskey,
Speaker:laid
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:cellar
Speaker:by
Speaker:the
Speaker:previous
Speaker:Mister
Speaker:Toad. "I
Speaker:haven't
Speaker:a
Speaker:clue
Speaker:what
Speaker:that
Speaker:is.
Speaker:What's
Speaker:more,
Speaker:I'm
Speaker:quite
Speaker:certain
Speaker:you
Speaker:don't
Speaker:either."
“Ketosis!"
Their
Speaker:host
Speaker:hopped
Speaker:to
Speaker:his
Speaker:feet. "The
Speaker:ketogenetic
Speaker:diet.
Speaker:It’s
Speaker:when
Speaker:you
Speaker:rev
Speaker:up
Speaker:your
Speaker:brain’s
Speaker:functioning
Speaker:by
Speaker:refusing
Speaker:to
Speaker:eat
Speaker:hydrocarbons.”
“Carbohydrates.”
Rat
Speaker:corrected
Speaker:him
Speaker:automatically,
Speaker:his
Speaker:keel
Speaker:still
Speaker:uneven.
Mole
patted
Speaker:his
Speaker:boyfriend’s
Speaker:paw. “This
Speaker:is
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:we’re
Speaker:talking
Speaker:about.
Speaker:He
Speaker:may
Speaker:run
Speaker:on
Speaker:petrol.”
The
rodent
Speaker:smiled
Speaker:a
Speaker:little
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:remark.
Speaker:His
Speaker:spoon
Speaker:made
Speaker:exploratory
Speaker:voyages
Speaker:into
Speaker:a
Speaker:square
Speaker:of
Speaker:steak
Speaker:and
Speaker:kidney
Speaker:pie,
Speaker:bounded
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:edges
Speaker:by
Speaker:a
Speaker:cauliflower
Speaker:crust.
“Whatever.”
Toad
Speaker:waved
Speaker:his
Speaker:fork,
Speaker:sprinkling
Speaker:the
Speaker:floor
Speaker:with
Speaker:cream
Speaker:sauce. “You
Speaker:embargo
Speaker:the
Speaker:old
Speaker:carbos.
Speaker:Then
Speaker:your
Speaker:brain
Speaker:burns
Speaker:oil
Speaker:instead.
Speaker:Terribly
Speaker:efficient.
Speaker:Good
Speaker:luck
Speaker:igniting
Speaker:a
Speaker:potato,
Speaker:but
Speaker:throw
Speaker:a
Speaker:match
Speaker:on
Speaker:some
Speaker:oil
Speaker:and —hoo hoo!—
Speaker:goes
Speaker:up in
Speaker:a
Speaker:flash.
Speaker:Now
Speaker:isn’t
Speaker:that
Speaker:what
Speaker:you
Speaker:want
Speaker:happening
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:old
Speaker:noggin?”
The
stocky
Speaker:mustelid
Speaker:fished
Speaker:out
Speaker:a
Speaker:whiskey
Speaker:stone
Speaker:from
Speaker:the
Speaker:fog-puffing
Speaker:dry-ice
Speaker:contraption
Speaker:that
Speaker:had
Speaker:taken
Speaker:up
Speaker:residence
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:dinner
Speaker:table
Speaker:a
Speaker:few
Speaker:months
Speaker:back,
Speaker:after
Speaker:waiting
Speaker:unopened
Speaker:in
Speaker:its
Speaker:box
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:year
Speaker:by
Speaker:the
Speaker:front
Speaker:door.
Speaker:The
Speaker:frozen
Speaker:stone
Speaker:plunked
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:depths
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:drink
Speaker:and
Speaker:curled
Speaker:cold
Speaker:currents
Speaker:throughout. “Toad,
Speaker:you
Speaker:have
Speaker:quite
Speaker:enough
Speaker:combustion
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:brain
Speaker:already.”
"I
can
Speaker:feel
Speaker:it
Speaker:working.
Speaker:The
Speaker:keto,
Speaker:you
Speaker:know."
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:wiggled
Speaker:webbed
Speaker:fingers
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:air. “Surely
Speaker:you’ve
Speaker:noticed.
Speaker:I’m
Speaker:much
Speaker:less
Speaker:carbonated.”
“I’d
say
Speaker:you’re as
Speaker:bubbly
Speaker:as
Speaker:ever."
Speaker:Mole
Speaker:gave
Speaker:a
Speaker:reassuring
Speaker:smile. "Effervescent,
Speaker:really.”
"Oh, Mole,
do
Speaker:follow
Speaker:along.
Speaker:I've
Speaker:detoxified
Speaker:all
Speaker:the
Speaker:carbs
Speaker:from
Speaker:my
Speaker:body."
Speaker:The
Speaker:aristocrat
Speaker:struck
Speaker:a
Speaker:noble
Speaker:pose,
Speaker:one
Speaker:well-practiced
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:selfies. "It's
Speaker:what
Speaker:gives
Speaker:me
Speaker:such
Speaker:a
Speaker:healthy
Speaker:glow."
Rat
spread
Speaker:pink
Speaker:fingers
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:oak
Speaker:table. “So
Speaker:how
Speaker:will
Speaker:you
Speaker:put
Speaker:that
Speaker:healthy
Speaker:glow
Speaker:to
Speaker:use
Speaker:getting
Speaker:your
Speaker:blasted
Speaker:yacht
Speaker:out
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:river?”
“Hm?”
Toad
Speaker:looked
Speaker:up
Speaker:from
Speaker:disposing
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:coconut
Speaker:water
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:fireplace. “Can’t
Speaker:say
Speaker:I’ve
Speaker:given
Speaker:it
Speaker:much
Speaker:thought.
Speaker:Blasting
Speaker:might
Speaker:do
Speaker:the
Speaker:trick,
Speaker:though.
Speaker:Where
Speaker:does
Speaker:a
Speaker:chap
Speaker:buy
Speaker:torpedoes?
Speaker:Rat,
Speaker:I
Speaker:shall
Speaker:require
Speaker:the
Speaker:use
Speaker:of
Speaker:your
Speaker:boat
Speaker:for
Speaker:an
Speaker:evening.”
The
rodent
Speaker:squeaked,
Speaker:aghast. “I’d
Speaker:rather
Speaker:send
Speaker:you
Speaker:out
Speaker:on
Speaker:an
Speaker:ice
Speaker:floe.”
Toad
rolled
Speaker:his
Speaker:eyes. “No
Speaker:need
Speaker:to
Speaker:be
Speaker:nippy.
Speaker:I’ll
Speaker:borrow
Speaker:Otter’s
Speaker:boat.
Speaker:Surely
Speaker:it
Speaker:could
Speaker:fit
Speaker:a
Speaker:torpedo
Speaker:or
Speaker:two.
Speaker:I’ve
Speaker:seen
Speaker:the
Speaker:size
Speaker:of
Speaker:his
Speaker:family’s
Speaker:picnic
Speaker:lunches.”
Badger
cleared
Speaker:his
Speaker:throat. “You
Speaker:can’t
Speaker:torpedo
Speaker:your
Speaker:yacht
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:middle
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:river,
Speaker:Toad.”
“I’d
say
Speaker:I jolly
Speaker:well
Speaker:can!
Speaker:I
Speaker:paid
Speaker:for
Speaker:the
Speaker:thing
Speaker:and
Speaker:it
Speaker:outlived
Speaker:its
Speaker:useful
Speaker:life.
Speaker:Decommissioning
Speaker:from
Speaker:the fleet,
Speaker:they
Speaker:call
Speaker:it.
Speaker:Fire
Speaker:the
Speaker:scuttling
Speaker:charges,
Speaker:maximum
Speaker:yield,
Speaker:full
Speaker:spread,
Speaker:engage!
Speaker:Pew-pew! Haha!”
Speaker:He
Speaker:rocked
Speaker:back
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:chair,
Speaker:nearly
Speaker:tipping
Speaker:over.
The
distinguished
Speaker:mustelid
Speaker:shook
Speaker:his
Speaker:head. “It’s
Speaker:loaded
Speaker:with
Speaker:fuel.”
“And
champagne.”
Speaker:Mole
Speaker:raised
Speaker:a
Speaker:glass.
Toad
swept
Speaker:a
Speaker:flipper
Speaker:at
Speaker:them,
Speaker:explaining
Speaker:the
Speaker:concept
Speaker:slowly. “Those
Speaker:ought
Speaker:to
Speaker:make
Speaker:the
Speaker:blast
Speaker:all
Speaker:the
Speaker:more
Speaker:impressive.”
Badger
interlaced
Speaker:his
Speaker:fingers
Speaker:and
Speaker:leaned
Speaker:his
Speaker:bulk
Speaker:forward. “It’ll
Speaker:pollute
Speaker:the
Speaker:ecosystem.”
“And
get
Speaker:it
Speaker:drunk.”
Speaker:Moley
Speaker:paused
Speaker:and
Speaker:looked
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:river
Speaker:rat,
Speaker:as
Speaker:if
Speaker:to
Speaker:gain
Speaker:aquatic
Speaker:habitat
Speaker:knowledge
Speaker:by
Speaker:osmosis. “If
Speaker:that
Speaker:is
Speaker:how
Speaker:fish
Speaker:work.”
Undeterred,
their
Speaker:host
Speaker:scoffed. “But
Speaker:surely
Speaker:the
Speaker:fish
Speaker:won’t
Speaker:mind
Speaker:once
Speaker:it
Speaker:sinks
Speaker:and
Speaker:becomes
Speaker:a
Speaker:coral
Speaker:reef.
Speaker:Ah ha!
Speaker:You
Speaker:see?”
Speaker:The
Speaker:amphibian
Speaker:tapped
Speaker:a
Speaker:finger
Speaker:to
Speaker:his
Speaker:temple. “Ketosis. I’m
Speaker:thinking up
Speaker:gale-force
Speaker:brainstorms.”
Badger and
Rat
Speaker:weathered
Speaker:the
Speaker:stormy
Speaker:brainwaves,
Speaker:casting
Speaker:each
Speaker:other
Speaker:commiserating
Speaker:looks.
Mole
sniffed
Speaker:about
Speaker:the
Speaker:dining
Speaker:table. “Excuse
Speaker:me,
Speaker:but
Speaker:have
Speaker:we
Speaker:any
Speaker:noodles
Speaker:left?”
“Noodles? Bah!"
Toad
Speaker:indulged
Speaker:in
Speaker:a
Speaker:little
Speaker:chuckle
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:idea
Speaker:of
Speaker:pasta. "Who eats
Speaker:noodles
Speaker:anymore? Carb
Speaker:shoelaces,
Speaker:that’s
Speaker:what
Speaker:they
Speaker:are!”
“Oh.
I
Speaker:suppose."
Speaker:Moley
Speaker:nodded
Speaker:along,
Speaker:eyeglasses
Speaker:wobbling. "What
Speaker:do
Speaker:we
Speaker:put
Speaker:the
Speaker:sauce
Speaker:on
Speaker:instead?”
With
theatrical
Speaker:panache,
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:snatched
Speaker:the
Speaker:silver
Speaker:cover
Speaker:over
Speaker:a
Speaker:serving
Speaker:tray
Speaker:of
Speaker:pinkish
Speaker:brown
Speaker:matter. “Manzoghetti-branded 100% pure beef noodle-replacement food
Speaker:product.”
Up
on
Speaker:his
Speaker:tiptoes,
Speaker:Mole
Speaker:managed
Speaker:enough
Speaker:height
Speaker:to
Speaker:look
Speaker:into
Speaker:the
Speaker:chafing
Speaker:dish,
Speaker:warmed
Speaker:by
Speaker:a
Speaker:tiny
Speaker:silver
Speaker:toad
Speaker:figurine
Speaker:holding
Speaker:up
Speaker:an
Speaker:actual
Speaker:flame.
Speaker:He
Speaker:tilted
Speaker:a
Speaker:claw
Speaker:at
Speaker:the
Speaker:contents. “They’re
Speaker:a
Speaker:bit
Speaker:worm-like,
Speaker:aren’t
Speaker:they?
Speaker:Not
Speaker:that
Speaker:I’m
Speaker:objecting.
Speaker:Why,
Speaker:my
Speaker:grandmother—”
Hurriedly,
Toad
Speaker:swallowed
Speaker:a
Speaker:mouthful
Speaker:of
Speaker:keto
Speaker:cuisine,
Speaker:to
Speaker:make
Speaker:room
Speaker:for
Speaker:a
Speaker:mouthful
Speaker:of
Speaker:words. “Mole, I’d
Speaker:never
Speaker:wish
Speaker:to
Speaker:offend
Speaker:your
Speaker:grandmother’s
Speaker:worms,
Speaker:but
Speaker:I
Speaker:am
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:midst
Speaker:of
Speaker:an
Speaker:explanation.”
“Oh,
quite
Speaker:sorry."
Speaker:He
Speaker:scooped
Speaker:a
Speaker:portion
Speaker:onto
Speaker:his
Speaker:plate
Speaker:with the
Speaker:pasta
Speaker:ladle. "Do
Speaker:continue.”
“Double
Beef
Speaker:Stroganoff."
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:proclaimed
Speaker:it
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:heavens,
Speaker:or
Speaker:at
Speaker:least
Speaker:the
Speaker:quad-copter
Speaker:drones
Speaker:lodged
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:rafters. "Named
Speaker:after
Speaker:the
Speaker:famous chef, Beef Stroganoffski.”
Badger tutted. “Toad,
you
Speaker:cannot
Speaker:go
Speaker:about
Speaker:adding ‘-ski’
Speaker:to
Speaker:names
Speaker:that
Speaker:already
Speaker:have
Speaker:an ‘-ov,’
Speaker:unless
Speaker:you’re
Speaker:talking
Speaker:about
Speaker:a
Speaker:prince
Speaker:who
Speaker:rules
Speaker:over
Speaker:a
Speaker:person
Speaker:who
Speaker:is
Speaker:from
Speaker:Strogan—”
“I
can
Speaker:feel
Speaker:it!
Speaker:I’m
Speaker:ketosizing!
Speaker:By
Speaker:Jove!"
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:patted
Speaker:himself
Speaker:down
Speaker:for
Speaker:medical
Speaker:miracles. "Wait.
Speaker:Wait.
Speaker:No…just
Speaker:my
Speaker:mobile
Speaker:vibrating.
Speaker:Oh,
Speaker:bother
Speaker:and
Speaker:blow.”
Speaker:He
Speaker:slumped,
Speaker:dejected,
Speaker:in
Speaker:his
Speaker:chair.
Unswayed,
the
Speaker:greying
Speaker:mustelid
Speaker:sampled
Speaker:the
Speaker:extra-beefy
Speaker:stroganoff. “Tastes
Speaker:quite
Speaker:decent,
Speaker:really.
Speaker:But
Speaker:you
Speaker:are,
Speaker:nonetheless,
Speaker:responsible
Speaker:for
Speaker:that
Speaker:yacht.
Speaker:You
Speaker:had it
Speaker:delivered
Speaker:without
Speaker:checking
Speaker:if
Speaker:it
Speaker:could
Speaker:turn
Speaker:around
Speaker:in
Speaker:the
Speaker:river.”
“Oh
the
Speaker:river…”
Speaker:Ratty
Speaker:groaned.
“I’m
allowing
Speaker:nature
Speaker:to
Speaker:reclaim
Speaker:it.
Speaker:Kindest
Speaker:thing,
Speaker:really."
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:stuffed
Speaker:a
Speaker:massive
Speaker:bite
Speaker:of
Speaker:non-pasta
Speaker:noodles
Speaker:into
Speaker:his
Speaker:mouth
Speaker:and
Speaker:spoke
Speaker:around
Speaker:it. "No
Speaker:one
Speaker:will
Speaker:interfere
Speaker:with
Speaker:the
Speaker:old
Speaker:girl,
Speaker:whilst
Speaker:she
Speaker:returns
Speaker:to her
Speaker:elements.”
“The
local
Speaker:children
Speaker:are
Speaker:skipping
Speaker:across
Speaker:it
Speaker:on
Speaker:the
Speaker:way
Speaker:to
Speaker:school."
Speaker:Rat
Speaker:emerged
Speaker:from
Speaker:his
Speaker:river
Speaker:revelry. "I
Speaker:heard
Speaker:them
Speaker:call
Speaker:it
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:Bridge
Speaker:this
Speaker:morning,
Speaker:while
Speaker:I
Speaker:was
Speaker:assessing
Speaker:the
Speaker:damage.”
“Toad
Bridge!
Speaker:Oh,
Speaker:I
Speaker:rather
Speaker:like
Speaker:that."
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:stroked
Speaker:his
Speaker:chin. "Past
Speaker:due
Speaker:for
Speaker:someone
Speaker:to
Speaker:name
Speaker:a
Speaker:bridge
Speaker:after
Speaker:me.”
~ ~ ~
WEASELBYTE
The
green
Speaker:of
Speaker:spring
Speaker:had
Speaker:returned
Speaker:to
Speaker:ancient
Speaker:oaks,
Speaker:their
Speaker:foliage
Speaker:rustled
Speaker:by
Speaker:songbirds
Speaker:passing
Speaker:down
Speaker:songs
Speaker:just
Speaker:as
Speaker:old
Speaker:to
Speaker:their
Speaker:young,
Speaker:accompanied
Speaker:here
Speaker:and
Speaker:there
Speaker:by
Speaker:the
Speaker:whir
Speaker:of
Speaker:wayward
Speaker:quadcopter
Speaker:drones
Speaker:amid
Speaker:the
Speaker:boughs.
In
Toad
Speaker:Hall,
Speaker:the
Speaker:master
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:house
Speaker:led
Speaker:his
Speaker:friends
Speaker:in
Speaker:a
Speaker:procession
Speaker:to
Speaker:the
Speaker:full-size
Speaker:tower
Speaker:personal
Speaker:computer
Speaker:blinking
Speaker:and
Speaker:humming
Speaker:under
Speaker:the
Speaker:sprawling
Speaker:mahogany
Speaker:desk.
Speaker:A curved
Speaker:LCD
Speaker:display
Speaker:swept
Speaker:along
Speaker:the
Speaker:dark
Speaker:surface
Speaker:in
Speaker:a
Speaker:gentle
Speaker:arc,
Speaker:festooned
Speaker:with
Speaker:countless
Speaker:desktop
Speaker:icons.
“Now
gather
Speaker:round,
Speaker:you
Speaker:lads!
Speaker:Gather
Speaker:round
Speaker:the
Speaker:warm
Speaker:glow
Speaker:of
Speaker:ye
Speaker:olde
Speaker:Toad
Speaker:mainframe.
Speaker:I
Speaker:present
Speaker:to
Speaker:you,
Speaker:the
Speaker:newest
Speaker:wonder
Speaker:of
Speaker:our
Speaker:computational
era:era:
WeaselByte.
era:Jolly
era:ingenious.
era:Compresses
era:all
era:your
era:files
era:into
era:one
era:bit!”
era:Toad
era:clicked
era:far
era:more
era:times
era:than
era:was
era:necessary. “Haha!
era:There
era:is
era:goes!
era:You
era:see?
era:Ten
era:terrible
era:bites
era:into
era:one
era:little
era:nibble
era:of
era:a
era:bit.”
Rattyt
blinked
era:at
era:the
era:screen,
era:where
era:two
era:terabytes
era:of
era:data
era:had
era:just
era:vanished. “Just
era:one
era:bit?
era:As
era:in
era:a
era:one
era:or a
era:zero?”
“That’s
very
era:impressive,
era:Toad.”
era:Mole
era:nodded,
era:manicured
era:claws
era:on
era:his
era:chin. “But
era:how
era:does
era:it
era:know
era:how
era:to,
era:well,
era:turn
era:it
era:back
era:into
era:your
era:data?”
The
amphibian
era:aristocrat
era:puffed
era:up
era:beside
era:his
era:PC. “Well, it
era:unstuffs
era:all
era:that
era:from
era:inside
era:the
era:bit.
era:Naturally!”
Mole
fidgeted. “I’m
era:afraid,
era:though,
era:I
era:don’t
era:see
era:how
era:it
era:could
era:do
era:it…when
era:all
era:you’re
era:left
era:with
era:is
era:a
era:single
era:one
era:or
era:zero.”
“Oh,
Moley,
era:Moley.
era:Perhaps
era:the
era:bits
era:of
era:your
era:computer
era:can
era:only
era:hold
era:a
era:one
era:or
era:zero,
era:but
era:I
era:have
era:the
era:finest
era:computer
era:bits
era:money
era:can
era:buy.
era:There’s
era:the
era:typing
era:bit,
era:the
era:screen
era:bit,
era:all
era:manner
era:of
era:blinky
era:bits
era:that
era:tell
era:you
era:when
era:things
era:are
era:happening…
era:The man at
era:the
era:shop
era:said
era:this
era:computer
era:had
era:quite
era:a
era:lot
era:of
era:different
era:bits.
era:I
era:imagine
era:the
era:bulk
era:of
era:them
era:are
era:very
era:small
era:and
era:tucked
era:away
era:inside
era:the
era:box
era:part.
era:Sixty-four
era:bits
era:in
era:all,
era:he
era:said,
era:yes.”
“Pity
you
era:opted
era:for
era:a
era:two-bit
era:compression
era:app.”
era:Ratty
era:munched
era:another
era:of
era:the
era:crackers.
Casting
his
era:gaze
era:away,
era:power-user
era:Toad
era:flipped
era:his
era:scarf
era:with
era:unrivaled
era:melodrama. “Hm?
era:Me?
era:I?
era:Hoo!”
“The
cheese
era:and
era:cracker
era:tray
era:is
era:top-notch,
era:however.”
era:The
era:rodent
era:gave
era:a
era:refined
era:flourish
era:of
era:his
era:pink
era:paw. “Try a
era:sprouted
era:rye,
era:Badger.”
The
sturdy
era:mustelid
era:accepted
era:the
era:cracker. “What
era:Mole
era:is
era:rightly
era:concerned
era:about
era:is
era:whether
era:you’ll
era:be
era:able
era:to
era:decompress
era:your
era:files
era:ever
era:again.
era:Hmmm.
era:Yes,
era:this
era:is
era:quite
era:good
era:with
era:the
era:Munster.”
“Of
course
era:my
era:files
era:are
era:safe.”
era:Toad
era:slapped
era:a
era:webbed
era:finger
era:onto
era:the
era:monitor. “It
era:even
era:says ‘OK’
era:next to
era:all
era:of
era:them,
era:right
era:there
era:for
era:all
era:to
era:see.”
Badger
adjusted
era:his
era:spectacles. “That
era:is
era:the
era:file
era:size,
era:Toad.
era:It
era:says 0K,
era:as
era:in
era:zero
era:kilobytes.”
“Come
again?”
The
older
era:gent
era:ran
era:a
era:paw
era:down
era:his
era:face-stripes. “Toad,
era:you’ve
era:compressed
era:your
era:files
era:into
era:a
era:black
era:hole,
era:a
era:computational
era:singularity
era:from
era:which
era:they
era:can
era:never
era:return.”
“But
I
era:have
era:had
era:them
era:return.
era:Granted,
era:I
era:got
era:impatient
era:and
era:paid
era:to
era:have
era:the
era:process
era:boosted.
era:Cost
era:me
era:a
era:pretty
era:penny
era:each
era:time,
era:but
era:I
era:am
era:a
era:busy
era:fellow.
era:Time
era:is
era:money. The
era:little
era:progress
era:what’s-it
era:said
era:it
era:would
era:take
era:years
era:otherwise.”
era:He
era:opened
era:a
era:file
era:to
era:demonstrate,
era:paying
era:the
era:rather
era:large
era:microtransaction.
era:It
era:dinged
era:merrily
era:a
era:moment
era:later.
Ratty
paused
era:in
era:loading
era:a
era:fresh
era:cargo
era:of
era:crackers
era:and
era:cheeses
era:onto
era:his
era:plate. “Goodness
era:me.
era:It
era:actually
era:worked.”
Their
host
era:crossed
era:his
era:arms. “Of
era:course
era:it
era:worked.
era:The
era:only
era:time
era:it
era:didn’t
era:work
era:is
era:when
era:I ambled too far
era:from
era:the
era:wi-fidelity.”
Mole
sniffed
era:at
era:the
era:screen,
era:impressed. “Why
era:should
era:a
era:compression
era:program
era:need
era:wifi?”
Ratty
cocked
era:his
era:whiskers. “And
era:how
era:could
era:one could
era:speed
era:up
era:a
era:processor
era:with
era:money?”
Toad
propped
era:fists
era:on
era:his
era:hips
era:and
era:looked
era:on
era:the
era:verge
era:of
era:performing
era:an
era:opera
era:to
era:himself. “Because
era:time
era:is
era:money.
era:I
era:just
era:said—”
Rat
pulled
era:up
era:alongside
era:him. “If
era:I
era:may
era:commandeer
era:the
era:mouse,
era:old chap.
era:Thank
era:you.
era:Deary
era:me.
era:The
era:developer
era:is
era:listed
era:as ‘Wild Wood
era:Bloomin’
era:Technologies,’
era:if
era:you’ll
era:pardon
era:my
era:language.”
Mole
polished
era:his
era:glasses,
era:but
era:found
era:the
era:text
era:onscreen
era:remained
era:the
era:same. “Oh
era:deary
era:me,
era:as
era:well.”
The
rodent
era:stepped
era:away
era:to
era:let
era:the
era:PC’s
era:owner
era:take
era:the
era:helm
era:again. “I
era:think
era:you’ve
era:just
era:paid
era:the
era:weasels
era:to
era:steal
era:all
era:your
era:files.”
“My
f—
era:All
era:my files?! Even the 3D
era:models
era:I
era:commissioned
era:of
era:myself?
era:But
era:what
era:will
era:I
era:have
era:modified
era:into
era:all
era:my
era:games?”
“It
appears
era:they’re
era:all ‘compressed.’”
era:Rat
era:waggled
era:a
era:claw
era:down
era:the
era:list
era:of
era:files,
era:all
era:reading
era:less
era:than
era:a
era:kilobyte.
“I’m
so
era:sorry.”
era:Mole
era:patted
era:him
era:on
era:the
era:shoulder.
“Oh drat!
Double
era:drat!
era:The
era:stupid
era:thing.
era:I
era:never
era:did
era:trust
era:it.”
era:Toad
era:stomped
era:in
era:place.
era:He
era:then
era:took
era:up
era:the
era:mousepad
era:and
era:hopped
era:on
era:that
era:as
era:well.
Turning
from
era:the
era:rampage,
era:Mole
era:tapped
era:his
era:claws
era:together. “Isn’t
era:there
era:anything
era:that
era:can
era:be
era:done?”
Badger
let
era:out
era:a
era:heavy
era:sigh. “Toad…”
“I
don’t
era:need
era:your
era:piffling
era:parables
era:presently.
era:Not
era:when
era:all
era:my
era:precious
era:files are
era:have
era:been
era:waylaid!”
era:He
era:wilted
era:halfway
era:to
era:the
era:floor
era:in
era:front
era:of
era:the
era:machine. “Oh!
era:Oh
era:woe
era:betides
era:my
era:computer!
era:Struck
era:down
era:in
era:its prime.”
“Toad.”
“Oh, what is it? Can’t you see this
cruel
era:twist
era:of
era:fate
era:has
era:brought
era:in the
era:tide or tidings
era:or
era:whatever
era:it
era:is?”
Badger
continued
era:with
era:stalwart
era:patience. “There
era:is…
era:some…
era:hope.”
“Hm?
You
era:mean
era:you’ll
era:storm
era:the
era:weasels’
era:den?
era:You
era:are
era:the
era:only
era:one
era:of
era:us
era:who
era:could
era:carry
era:a
era:server.
era:Now,
era:mind
era:you
era:tote it
era:carefully,
era:if
era:it’s
era:got
era:all
era:my
era:best
era:data. Do
era:you
era:suppose
era:you
era:could
era:carry
era:it
era:with
era:one
era:hand
era:so you could
era:manage
era:the
era:pummeling
era:as
era:well?
era:If
era:you’ve
era:not
era:gotten
era:too
era:old.”
“My
doctor
era:says
era:I
era:pummel
era:like
era:a
era:badger
era:half
era:my
era:age.
era:However,
era:my
era:lawyer
era:says
era:all
era:pummeling
era:must
era:have
era:a
era:solid
era:legal
era:foundation,
era:which
era:this
era:instance
era:is
era:lacking.”
“Poppycock!
The
era:weasels
era:are
era:holding
era:my selfie
era:collection
era:hostage!
era:The
era:greatest
era:hits,
era:Badger!”
“I
took
era:the
era:precaution
era:of
era:backing
era:up
era:all
era:your
era:father’s
era:critical
era:files
era:onto
era:archival
era:magnetic
era:tapes.
era:They’re
era:in
era:a
era:safe
era:deposit
era:box
era:at
era:the
era:post
era:office,
era:along
era:with
era:the
era:contraption
era:for
era:reading
era:them.
era:It
era:may
era:even
era:have
era:one
era:of
era:those
era:newfangled
era:USB
era:connections.”
era:He
era:turned
era:to
era:his
era:three
era:companions
era:as
era:a
era:group. “Yes,
era:my
era:friends,
era:but it’ll
era:be
era:a
era:slow
era:process,
era:but,
era:with
era:enough
era:access
era:to
era:Toad’s
era:wine
era:cellar,
era:I
era:think
era:we
era:could
era:manage
era:it.”
“Dash
those
era:dusty
era:old
era:files
era:of
era:father’s!
era:What
era:about
era:mine?”
The
older
era:gentleman
era:hurumphed. “These
era:are
era:Toad
era:Hall’s
era:fiscal
era:and
era:historical
era:files,
era:not
era:your
era:personal
era:ones.”
“But
those
era:are
era:important
era:to
era:me
era:personally!”
Rat
finished
era:onboarding
era:his
era:snacks
era:and
era:began
era:sorting
era:them
era:into
era:pairings. “Perhaps
era:you
era:can
era:download
era:them
era:from
era:your
era:social
era:media
era:accounts?”
“Oh,
that’s
era:a
era:good
era:notion.”
era:Mole
era:patted
era:his
era:boyfriend
era:on
era:the
era:back,
era:looking
era:at
era:their
era:host. “After
era:all,
era:you
era:do
era:maintain
era:quite
era:a
era:lot
era:of
era:those.”
Toad
nodded. “Mmm.
era:Yes,
era:that
era:could
era:work.
era:No
era:doubt
era:the
era:denizens
era:of in
era:the
era:internet
era:have
era:already
era:crowdsourced
era:them
era:onto
era:the
era:Toad
era:Wiki.
era:I
era:got
era:distracted
era:setting
era:it
era:up,
era:but
era:it
era:does
era:have
era:a
era:world-class
era:GIF
era:gallery
era:on
era:the
era:home
era:page.”
~ ~ ~
MONEYTIME
Spring
hurried
era:into
era:the
era:River Bank
era:without
era:even
era:waiting
era:for
era:winter
era:to
era:leave.
era:Impatient
era:little
era:flowers
era:sprung
era:up
era:inches
era:from
era:melting
era:drifts.
era:Snow
era:clung
era:to
era:the
era:stately
era:slate
era:roof
era:of
era:Toad
era:Hall,
era:like
era:the
era:last
era:snow-bearing
era:clouds
era:of
era:winter
era:vanishing
era:into
era:a gray
era:sky.
era:Playing
era:the
era:part
era:of
era:the
era:moon
era:in
era:this
era:pantomime
era:of
era:the
era:heavens
era:was a
era:listing
era:satellite
era:dish,
era:which (in
era:spite
era:of
era:grand
era:promises)
era:had
era:only
era:ever
era:received
era:the
era:signals
era:from
era:local
era:blenders
era:and
era:kitchen
era:mixers
era:with
era:perfect
era:clarity.
A
trio
era:of
era:visitors
era:arrived
era:at
era:the
era:front
era:door
era:and
era:pulled
era:the
era:doorbell.
era:Mole
era:gave
era:a
era:wary
era:glance
era:back
era:to
era:the
era:stone
era:pineapple
era:that
era:had
era:overnight
era:tumbled
era:off
era:the
era:roof
era:and
era:smashed
era:flat
era:one
era:of
era:the
era:many
era:topiary
era:replicas
era:of
era:Toad.
era:Ratty
era:patted
era:the
era:surprised
era:creature’s
era:arm.
era:Badger
era:grumbled.
era:After
era:no
era:small
era:delay,
era:he
era:rang
era:the
era:doorbell
era:again.
Mr.
Toad
era:flung
era:open
era:the
era:door,
era:eyes
era:on
era:his
era:mobile
era:phone. “Greetings
era:and
era:salutations!
era:I
era:say,
era:you
era:lot
era:made
era:a
era:bit
era:of
era:a
era:racket
era:coming
era:up
era:the
era:path.”
Badger
scoffed. “Toad!
era:Haven't
era:I
era:told
era:you
era:your
era:masonry
era:is
era:in
era:a
era:sorry
era:state?
era:Your
era:family's hall
era:is
era:tumbling
era:down
era:around
era:your
era:nonexistent
era:ears."
The
amphibious
era:aristocrats
era:chuckled. "Oh,
era:Badger,
era:don't
era:be
era:dramatic.
era:It's
era:been
era:holding
era:together
era:for
era:positive
era:ages.
era:Would
era:be
era:quite
era:uncharacteristic
era:for
era:it
era:to
era:come
era:undone
era:now."
Mole
pointed
era:a
era:claw
era:meekly
era:back
era:to
era:the
era:smashed
era:bushes. "I'm
era:afraid
era:it is
era:starting
era:to
era:crumble
era:here and there, Toad. You've a gargoyle glaring
era:out
era:from
era:your hedge. It
era:gave
era:me
era:quite
era:a
era:fright
era:while
era:we
era:walked
era:up
era:the
era:path
era:just
era:now."
Webbed
hands
era:gripped
era:an
era:imaginary
era:steering
era:wheel. “Oh,
era:he
era:only
era:snapped
era:off
era:because
era:a
era:very
era:powerful
era:and
era:expensive
era:electronical
era:motorcar
era:glanced
era:the side
era:of
era:the
era:house
era:just
era:so.
era:Could've
era:happened
era:to
era:anybody."
Badger
cast a
era:gaze
era:around
era:the
era:manor
era:house. "I
era:expect
era:you've
era:not
era:started
era:getting
era:quotes
era:for
era:a
era:restoration,
era:but
era:you'd do
era:well
era:to
era:have
era:braces
era:put
era:in.
era:That would
era:at
era:least
era:buy
era:you
era:time."
"But
I
era:am
era:buying
era:time,
era:Badger!”
era:Toad
era:waggled
era:his
era:mobile
era:phone. “If
era:you'd
era:stop
era:interrupting
era:me.
era:Nearly
era:cornered
era:the
era:market
era:on
era:Tuesdays."
era:Tapping
era:at
era:the
era:screen,
era:he
era:waved
era:them
era:indoors.
Badger
unwrapped
era:his
era:scarf,
era:emblazoned
era:with
era:the
era:golden
era:bee
era:mascot
era:of
era:his
era:old
era:cricket
era:club. "What
era:in
era:blazes
era:are
era:you
era:babbling
era:about?"
Mole
scratched
era:his
era:chin. "Is
era:this
era:like—
era:Oh
era:whatever
era:was
era:the
era:name
era:of
era:it? —WeaselCoin?"
Croaking a
laugh,
era:the
era:scion
era:of
era:the
era:great
era:amphibious
era:house
era:waved
era:away
era:the
era:comparison. "Pah!
era:WeaselCoin
era:crashed
era:days
era:ago.
era:Antiquated
era:notion,
era:cryptocurrency. No, I'm
era:buying
era:something
era:with
era:real
value:value:
time.
value:With
value:this
value:app,
value:you
value:see,
value:you
value:buy
value:particular
value:minutes
value:of
value:the
value:days
value:of
value:the
value:week.
value:That's
value:why
value:it's
value:called
value:MoneyTime.
value:Time
value:is
value:money;
value:I
value:expect
value:you've
value:heard."
The
waterproof
value:rodent
value:brushed
value:the
value:last
value:of
value:the
value:snow
value:from
value:his
value:boots,
value:then
value:lifted
value:his
value:brow
value:at Badger. "Where
value:does
value:that
value:stand,
value:on
value:legal
value:grounds?"
The
stocky
value:mustelid
value:wiped
value:the
value:fog
value:from
value:his
value:spectacles
value:with
value:a
value:monogrammed
value:microfiber
value:cloth. "Somewhere
value:between
value:Robert
value:Walpole
value:and
value:Prince
value:John.
value:I
value:expect
value:Parliament
value:will
value:deem
value:it
value:a
value:financial
value:crime
value:within
value:the
value:year."
Toad
returned
value:to
value:poking
value:avidly
value:at
value:his
value:phone. "Oh,
value:that
value:won't
value:be
value:good
value:for
value:Monday
value:values.
value:You
value:know
value:how
value:Monday
value:holders
value:are.
value:Spooked
value:by
value:the
value:slightest
value:bad
value:news.
value:But
value:fear
value:not!
value:I'm
value:putting
value:in
value:a
value:swap
value:for
value:Thursdays
value:now.
value:Ever
value:the
value:ironclad
value:investment,
value:Thursday.
value:Haha!"
value:A
value:chime
value:from
value:the
value:device
value:sent
value:him
value:into
value:a
value:quick
value:prance
value:of
value:celebration.
An
indulgent
value:smile
value:arose
value:on
value:Ratty’s
value:lips. "If
value:you've
value:patience
value:for
value:a
value:foolish
value:creature
value:like
value:me,
value:Toad,
value:I
value:should
value:like
value:to
value:have
value:it
value:explained
value:how
value:this
value:is
value:any
value:different
value:from
value:NFTs."
The
amphibian’s
value:eyes
value:rolled. "Of
value:course this is
value:different from NFTs.
value:The
value:trouble
value:with
value:those
value:was
value:the
value:art.
value:Everybody
value:was
value:always
value:funging
value:it.
value:Can't
value:funge
value:another
value:man's
value:minute
value:and
value:post it
value:online."
"Not
without
value:taking
value:a
value:photo
value:of
value:a
value:clock." His
value:pink
value:fingers
value:mimicked a
value:camera
value:frame
value:around
value:Toad’s
value:grandfather’s
value:grandfather
value:clock.
value:A
value:small
value:brass
value:toad
value:figurine
value:swing
value:carefree
value:on
value:the
value:pendulum.
Toad
dropped
value:his
value:jaw
value:in
value:theatrical
value:shock. "I
value:say!
value:That's
value:hardly
value:sporting."
Without
a
value:glance
value:at
value:the
value:melodrama, Badger poured himself a sherry. "So you've
value:been
value:sold
value:a
value:bill
value:of
value:goods."
Toad
slapped
value:him
value:on
value:his
value:broad
value:back. "Yes!
value:Exactly.
value:I'm
value:glad
value:you
value:at
value:least
value:get
value:it,
value:Badger."
Mole propped his
thumbs
value:in
value:the
value:little
value:pockets
value:of
value:his
value:vest,
value:framing
value:his
value:soft
value:middle. "I
value:suppose
value:this counts as
value:redistribution
value:of
value:wealth.
value:Rather
value:egalitarian,
value:in
value:its
value:way.”
Badger
examined
value:the
value:spring
value:light as
value:filtered
value:through
value:the
value:beverage. "Only
value:if
value:he's
value:not
value:distributing
value:it
value:to
value:another
value:rich idler."
“Egalitarian. Eagle lit hairy
Anne.”
value:The
value:amphibian
value:set
value:down
value:his
value:phone
value:to
value:mouth
value:the
value:word,
value:taking
value:it
value:for
value:a
value:test
value:drive. “Oh
value:bravo,
value:Mole!
value:And
value:bravo
value:me,
value:as well.
value:Egalitarian
value:Toad.
value:I
value:shall
value:have
value:that
value:engraved
value:on
value:my
value:next
value:bust.
value:I
value:have
value:my
value:usual
value:sculptor
value:popping
value:by
value:next
value:week.
value:She’s
value:riding
value:high
value:after
value:making
value:those
value:bespoke
value:pencil
value:toppers
value:I
value:presented
value:you
value:all
value:with.
value:Inspired
value:stuff.”
The
rodent
value:shook
value:his
value:whispered
value:muzzle. "Toad,
value:this
value:MoneyTime
value:mania
value:is
value:smoke-vending
value:of
value:the
value:worst
value:sort.
value:At
value:least
value:when
value:you
value:were
value:obsessed
value:with
value:parasailing,
value:you
value:had
value:a
value:parasail
value:at
value:the
value:end
value:of
value:it."
Perking
at
value:his
value:partner’s
value:change
value:of
value:tack,
value:Mole
value:bounced
value:brightly. "And
value:that
value:lovely
value:neck-brace!"
“Hm?
Oh
value:yes,
value:MoneyTime.”
value:He
value:glanced
value:at
value:the
value:incomplete
value:transaction
value:blinking
value:on
value:his
value:mobile. “I
value:say,
value:telephone,
value:do
value:tell
value:me —I
value:mean,
value:my
value:friends—
value:just
value:what
value:egalitarian
value:means.”
A
robotic
value:voice
value:rattled
value:off
value:the
definition:“Egalitarian.
definition:Adjective.
definition:Characterized
definition:by
definition:a
definition:belief
definition:in
definition:the
definition:equality
definition:of
definition:all
definition:creatures,
definition:socially
definition:and
definition:economically.”
“Well!
If
definition:that
definition:doesn’t
definition:describe,
definition:I
definition:don’t
definition:know
definition:what
definition:does.
definition:I’m
definition:forever
definition:sharing
definition:the
definition:benefits
definition:of
definition:my
definition:superior
definition:brain
definition:with
definition:ordinary
definition:people—for
definition:free,
definition:no
definition:less!”
Sipping
sherry,
definition:the
definition:elder
definition:mustelid
definition:turned
definition:to
definition:their
definition:host. “Is
definition:it
definition:possible,
definition:Comrade Toad,
definition:that
definition:your
definition:superior
definition:brain
definition:has
definition:forgotten
definition:why
definition:we
definition:were
definition:meeting
definition:today?”
“Hm?
Haven’t
definition:the
definition:foggiest.”
“We
are
definition:here,
definition:my
definition:good
definition:animal,
definition:to
definition:shovel
definition:you
definition:out
definition:from
definition:under
definition:the
definition:mountain
definition:of
definition:post you have
definition:allowed
definition:to
definition:accumulate
definition:under
definition:your
definition:slot.”
definition:He
definition:turned,
definition:so
definition:the
definition:stripes
definition:of
definition:his
definition:serious
definition:face
definition:aligned
definition:on
definition:the
definition:unrivaled heap
definition:of
definition:post office
definition:offerings.
“Oh…that.”
Toad
definition:followed
definition:his
definition:gaze
definition:and
definition:became
definition:instantly
definition:bored
definition:at
definition:the
definition:sight. “Well,
definition:I
definition:suppose
definition:we
definition:could
definition:sift
definition:through
definition:that,
definition:unless
definition:you
definition:lot
definition:would
definition:rather
definition:engage
definition:with
definition:some
definition:high
definition:Italian
definition:art
definition:with
definition:me.
definition:I’ve
definition:just
definition:downloaded
definition:the
definition:latest
definition:in
definition:the
definition:Mario
definition:Party
definition:video
definition:gaming
definition:series,
definition:you
definition:see.”
”I
do
definition:like
definition:those.”
definition:Moley
definition:looked
definition:up
definition:from
definition:fixing
definition:a
definition:cuff
definition:button
definition:that
definition:had
definition:come
definition:unbuttoned.
Rat,
the
definition:wearer
definition:of
definition:the
definition:shirt
definition:being
definition:buttoned,
definition:smiled
definition:with
definition:indulgence. “I
definition:know,
definition:old
definition:chap,
definition:but
definition:we’ve
definition:a
definition:job
definition:to
definition:do.”
“Yes,
I
definition:suppose
definition:you’re
definition:right,
definition:Ratty.”
definition:The
definition:mole
definition:gave
definition:a
definition:bashful
definition:chuckle. “I
definition:do
definition:get
definition:a
definition:bit
definition:hard
definition:core
definition:for
definition:casual
definition:games,
definition:I
definition:know.”
“Don’t
have
definition:to
definition:tell
definition:me.”
definition:The
definition:rodent
definition:patted
definition:his
definition:boyfriend
definition:on
definition:the
definition:back. “Your
definition:replica
definition:of
definition:Toad
definition:Hall in
definition:Garden
definition:Simulator
definition:is
definition:a
definition:sight
definition:to
definition:behold.”
Badger
gathered
definition:a
definition:great
definition:armload
definition:of
definition:stamped
definition:envelopes
definition:from
definition:beside
definition:the
definition:front
definition:door.
definition:He
definition:set
definition:them
definition:on
definition:the
definition:card
definition:table.
definition:He
definition:dealt
definition:them
definition:out
definition:into
definition:four
definition:equal
definition:piles.
definition:The four
definition:creatures
definition:started
definition:processing
definition:this
definition:bumper
definition:crop
definition:of
definition:mail.
Having
failed
definition:to tempt
definition:his
definition:friends into
definition:away
definition:from
definition:work,
definition:Mr.
definition:Toad
definition:resigned
definition:himself
definition:into
definition:sitting
definition:on
definition:his
definition:overstuffed
definition:chair
definition:and
definition:pretending
definition:to
definition:read
definition:the
definition:same
definition:letter
definition:several
definition:times.
definition:Eventually,
definition:he
definition:quit
definition:even
definition:this
definition:pretense,
definition:and
definition:used
definition:his
definition:mobile
definition:phone
definition:to
definition:summon
definition:a
definition:robotic
definition:tea
definition:service
definition:tray
definition:from
definition:the
definition:kitchen.
definition:It
definition:arrived
definition:without
definition:spilling
definition:a
definition:drop
definition:or
definition:crumb
definition:and
definition:only
definition:knocking
definition:over
definition:a
definition:single
definition:model
definition:sailing
definition:ship
definition:that
definition:had
definition:a
definition:recklessly
definition:lowered
definition:anchor.
Mole,
dealt
definition:a
definition:handful
definition:of
definition:junk
definition:mail,
definition:finished
definition:his
definition:portion
definition:early
definition:and
definition:set
definition:about
definition:the
definition:vicinity
definition:looking
definition:for
definition:missed
definition:mail. "I
definition:found
definition:more
definition:correspondences
definition:under
definition:the
definition:davenport."
Toad
tossed
definition:his
definition:solitary
definition:letter
definition:in
definition:the
definition:air. "Spam,
definition:the
definition:lot
definition:of
definition:it!
definition:I
definition:should
definition:like
definition:a
definition:paper
definition:shredder
definition:in
definition:place
definition:of
definition:my
definition:slot
definition:for
definition:all
definition:the
definition:good
definition:it
definition:does
definition:me.
definition:No,
definition:no,
definition:parcels.
definition:That's
definition:the
definition:only
definition:thing!"
definition:Finding
definition:his
definition:hands free,
definition:he
definition:saw
definition:about
definition:buttering
definition:one
definition:of
definition:the
definition:newly-delivered
definition:muffins.
After
a
definition:moment’s indecision
definition:about
definition:whether
definition:or
definition:not
definition:to
definition:engage
definition:with
definition:this
definition:latest
definition:tomfoolery,
definition:Mole
definition:poked
definition:a
definition:claw
definition:in
definition:the
definition:direction
definition:of
definition:the
definition:dining
definition:hall. "One
definition:of
definition:those
definition:robot
definition:vacuum
definition:cleaners
definition:was
definition:trapped
definition:under
definition:there
definition:as
definition:well.
definition:I
definition:felt
definition:terribly
definition:for
definition:the
definition:little
definition:thing,
definition:all
definition:out
definition:of
definition:battery,
definition:so
definition:I
definition:tucked
definition:it
definition:in
definition:safely
definition:in
definition:its
definition:charging
definition:station."
Rat
placed
definition:a
definition:hand
definition:over
definition:his
definition:heart. "Valiant
definition:Mole,
definition:friend
definition:to
definition:robots
definition:everywhere."
Badger
opened
definition:yet
definition:another
definition:envelope
definition:with
definition:his
definition:claw. "Toad,
definition:do
definition:you
definition:retain
definition:a
definition:legal
definition:team at
definition:Possum &
definition:McCormack?"
Toad
sat
definition:up. "Ah!”
definition:He
definition:poked
definition:a
definition:finger
definition:in
definition:the
definition:air,
definition:then
definition:let
definition:it
definition:drop
definition:again. “…Doesn't
definition:ring
definition:a
definition:bell."
The
mustelid
definition:adjusted
definition:his
definition:reading
definition:glasses
definition:and
definition:peered
definition:at
definition:the
definition:text. "This
definition:says
definition:they're
definition:petitioning
definition:to
definition:have
definition:this
definition:estate
definition:entered
definition:on
definition:the
definition:National
definition:Registry
definition:on
definition:behalf
definition:of
definition:the
definition:Toad
definition:Hall
definition:Preservation
definition:Society."
The
amphibian
definition:nodded
definition:brightly,
definition:happy
definition:to
definition:be
definition:talking
definition:about
definition:himself
definition:again. "Oh
definition:yes.
definition:That's
definition:me."
Badger’s
expression
definition:softened.
definition:He
definition:reconsidered
definition:Toad,
definition:as
definition:might
definition:a
definition:weed
definition:that
definition:one
definition:had
definition:assumed
definition:to
definition:be
definition:all prickles,
definition:but
definition:now
definition:produced
definition:surprise
definition:blossoms. "Mmmf.
definition:Well,
definition:at
definition:last,
definition:you're
definition:taking
definition:a
definition:serious
definition:interest
definition:in
definition:the
definition:history
definition:of
definition:the
definition:place."
On
a
definition:little
definition:break,
definition:Rat
definition:sat
definition:up
definition:from
definition:nibbling
definition:on
definition:cheese
definition:and
definition:crackers. "Hold
definition:fast.
definition:I
definition:saw
definition:something
definition:about
definition:that.
definition:Here
definition:it
definition:is."
definition:His
definition:pink
definition:paws
definition:flicked
definition:through
definition:a
definition:stack
definition:of
definition:mail,
definition:finding
definition:another
definition:formal
definition:letter. "Ah,
definition:here
definition:we
definition:are.
definition:Seems
definition:someone
definition:is
definition:litigating
definition:against
definition:the
definition:Toad
definition:Hall
definition:Preservation
definition:Society 'pursuant
definition:to
definition:necessary
definition:and
definition:vital
definition:modifications
definition:of
definition:the
definition:estate.'"
Toad
scoffed
definition:around
definition:an
definition:entire
definition:muffin,
definition:blackcurrant
definition:jam
definition:falling
definition:on
definition:the
definition:starched
definition:collar
definition:of
definition:his
definition:shirt. "You
definition:know
definition:how
definition:these
definition:solicitous
definition:types
definition:are,
definition:always
definition:courting
definition:each
definition:other."
Ratty
dusted
definition:crumbs
definition:from
definition:his
definition:jumper
definition:and
definition:studied
definition:the
definition:heavy
definition:paper
definition:as
definition:his
definition:ancestors
definition:might
definition:a sail. "The
definition:letterhead
definition:says
definition:this
definition:firm's
definition:Mink,
definition:Murray, &
definition:Mink,
definition:working
definition:on
definition:behalf
definition:of
definition:something
definition:called
definition:Toad
definition:Unlimited?"
Toad
jammed a
definition:fifth
definition:muffin,
definition:strawberry
definition:this
definition:time. "Hm?
definition:Oh,
definition:yes.
definition:That's
definition:me
definition:as
definition:well."
"What?!"
Badger
definition:thundered
definition:like
definition:an
definition:insulted
definition:god
definition:of
definition:practicalities.
Mole
blinked
definition:at
definition:the
definition:uproar. "Toad
definition:Unlimited?"
"That's
the
definition:name
definition:I
definition:use
definition:on
definition:my
definition:more
definition:techno-logical
definition:endeavors.”
definition:Toad
definition:beamed
definition:with
definition:pride. “Snappy,
definition:isn't
definition:it?"
"Toad!
You
definition:must
definition:call
definition:off
definition:your
definition:solicitors
definition:this
definition:instant."
definition:Badger
definition:replaced
definition:the
definition:muffin
definition:in
definition:the
definition:amphibian's
definition:hands
definition:with
definition:a
definition:phone. "To
definition:your
definition:email,
definition:man!"
Toad’s
pleasure
definition:metamorphosed
definition:into
definition:dismay
definition:at
definition:the
definition:banishment
definition:of
definition:his
definition:snack. "I
definition:say!
definition:What
definition:for?
definition:They're
definition:perfectly
definition:good
definition:lawyers."
The
older
definition:gent
definition:propped
definition:one
definition:fist
definition:on
definition:his
definition:hip
definition:and
definition:dropped
definition:a
definition:finger
definition:of
definition:judgement
definition:at
definition:the
definition:younger
definition:creature’s
definition:chest. "Yes,
definition:and
definition:you're on
definition:track
definition:to
definition:send
definition:them
definition:to
definition:jail
definition:as
definition:an
definition:accessory
definition:to
definition:fraud.
definition:And
definition:yourself
definition:besides.
definition:You're
definition:suing
definition:yourself,
definition:man!"
"Am
I?”
definition:Toad
definition:stroked
definition:his
definition:chin,
definition:oblivious
definition:to
definition:the
definition:multiple
definition:colors
definition:of
definition:jam
definition:there. “Suppose
definition:I
definition:am.
definition:Well,
definition:if
definition:one
definition:is
definition:to
definition:be
definition:sued…"
definition:He
definition:cast
definition:the
definition:trio
definition:a
definition:charming
definition:grin.
Moley
tapped
definition:his
definition:claws
definition:together,
definition:worriedly. "Is
definition:it
definition:really
definition:as
definition:bad
definition:as
definition:all
definition:that?
definition:Seems
definition:an
definition:honest
definition:mistake
definition:to
definition:me."
Rat
didn’t
definition:look
definition:up
definition:from
definition:his
definition:assigned
definition:letters. "Especially
definition:to
definition:anyone
definition:who's
definition:met
definition:Toad."
Badger
pressed a hand
definition:to
definition:his
definition:eyes,
definition:trying
definition:to
definition:avoid
definition:seeing
definition:the
definition:future. "No,
definition:this
definition:is
definition:just
definition:wasting
definition:the
definition:court's
definition:time,
definition:but
definition:he'll
definition:surely
definition:be
definition:audited.
definition:And
definition:he
definition:mustn't
definition:be
definition:audited
definition:until
definition:we
definition:recover
definition:the
definition:document
definition:safe
definition:the
definition:weasels
definition:dropped
definition:in
definition:the
definition:river."
Rat
gave
definition:a
definition:fond
definition:sigh
definition:and
definition:gazed
definition:into
definition:the
definition:distance. "Ah,
definition:the
definition:river…"
Mole
stroked
definition:his
definition:boyfriend's paw,
definition:knowing
definition:he'd
definition:come
definition:out
definition:of
definition:his
definition:revelry
definition:in
definition:due
definition:time. "And
definition:something
definition:in
definition:those
definition:papers
definition:has
definition:to
definition:do
definition:with
definition:fraud?"
The
elder
definition:mustelid
definition:tutted. "Everything
definition:the
definition:weasel
definition:gang
definition:does
definition:has
definition:to
definition:do
definition:with
definition:fraud.
definition:And
definition:the
definition:greater
definition:part
definition:of
definition:it
definition:has
definition:Toad's signature—especially
definition:since
definition:he
definition:got
definition:that
definition:confounded
definition:auto-signing
definition:contraption!"
Toad
looked
definition:aghast
definition:at
definition:this
definition:insult
definition:to
definition:his
definition:gadget’s
definition:honor. "Steady
definition:on,
definition:Badger.
definition:All
definition:the
definition:reviews
definition:agree
definition:the JotBuddy
definition:Platinum
definition:is
definition:the
definition:finest
definition:automated
definition:signatory
definition:enscribbler
definition:ever
definition:crowdfunded!"
~ ~ ~
BASIC
Summer
sun
definition:lavished
definition:the
definition:gently-swaying
definition:canopy
definition:over
definition:the
definition:River Bank
definition:in
definition:a
definition:peaceful
definition:warmth,
definition:countless
definition:leaves
definition:aglow
definition:like
definition:so
definition:many
definition:battery
definition:indicator
definition:LEDs.
In
his
definition:sitting
definition:room,
definition:Rat
definition:poured
definition:tea,
definition:enjoying
definition:the
definition:quiet
definition:company
definition:of
definition:Mole
definition:and
definition:Badger.
definition:They
definition:basked
definition:in
definition:the
definition:merry
definition:murmur
definition:of
definition:the
definition:water
definition:and
definition:the
definition:companionable
definition:chirp
definition:of
definition:crickets.
definition:The
definition:quiet
definition:morning
definition:was
definition:passing
definition:nicely
definition:as
definition:they
definition:poked
definition:about
definition:on
definition:their
definition:phones.
Mole
looked
definition:up
definition:from
definition:his
definition:device,
definition:clad
definition:in its
definition:dirt-proof
definition:case,
definition:with
definition:mild
definition:concern. "Ratty?
definition:Am
definition:I
definition:basic?"
The
river
definition:rat
definition:sipped
definition:his
definition:tea,
definition:eyes
definition:on
definition:a
definition:muted
definition:YouTube
definition:video
definition:comparing
definition:oar-locks
definition:from
definition:around
definition:the
definition:world. "Rather
definition:basic,
definition:yes."
"Goodness…"
Moley
definition:fidgeted. "How
definition:can
definition:one
definition:be
definition:sure?”
His
rodent
definition:boyfriend
definition:paused
definition:playback
definition:and
definition:cast
definition:him
definition:a
definition:fond
definition:smile. "My
definition:good
definition:chap.
definition:May
definition:I
definition:direct
definition:your
definition:attention
definition:to
definition:the
definition:Live-Laugh-Love
definition:sign
definition:above
definition:our
definition:bread box?”
The
shorter
definition:creature
definition:blinked
definition:down
definition:his
definition:long
definition:snout
definition:at
definition:the
definition:cursive
definition:lettering. "Oh
definition:deary
definition:me."
Realizing
he'd
definition:upset
definition:the
definition:delicate
definition:soul,
definition:Rat
definition:looked
definition:up
definition:with
definition:a
definition:reassuring
definition:smile. "Don't
definition:fret,
definition:Moley. I'm
definition:a
definition:late-middle-aged
definition:gent
definition:who
definition:owns
definition:a
definition:small
definition:boat.
definition:I am
definition:rather
definition:basic
definition:as
definition:well."
Badger
harrumphed. “Not
definition:worth
definition:your
definition:attention,
definition:Mole.
definition:Nothing
definition:whatsoever
definition:could
definition:be
definition:more
definition:basic
definition:than
definition:worrying
definition:about
definition:being
definition:basic."
definition:He
definition:thumbed
definition:through
definition:yet
definition:another
definition:historical
definition:ebook,
definition:this
definition:one
definition:something
definition:to
definition:do
definition:with
definition:irrigation
definition:in
definition:the
definition:Indus
definition:Valley
definition:Civilization.
The
pair
definition:looked
definition:at
definition:amused
definition:surprise
definition:at
definition:their
definition:gray-muzzled
definition:companion. "Why
definition:Badger,
definition:I
definition:didn't
definition:know
definition:you
definition:went
definition:in
definition:for
definition:modern
definition:lingo."
His
striped
definition:face
definition:rose
definition:from
definition:reading.
definition:Pride
definition:quirked
definition:the
definition:corner
definition:of
definition:his
definition:mouth. "I
definition:have
definition:gathered
definition:the
definition:meaning
definition:from
definition:context,
definition:like
definition:the
definition:berries
definition:of
definition:the
definition:Wild Wood."
Not
yet
definition:mollified,
definition:Mole
definition:rubbed
definition:his
definition:hands
definition:into
definition:various
definition:configurations. "To
definition:mend
definition:my
definition:basic
definition:ways,
definition:perhaps
definition:I
definition:could…spice
definition:things
definition:up
definition:a
definition:trifle."
Rat's
round
definition:little
definition:ears
definition:perked. "Oh?
definition:How
definition:so?
definition:What
definition:did
definition:you
definition:have
definition:in
definition:mind,
definition:dear
definition:fellow?"
Unprepared
to
definition:give
definition:detailed
definition:remarks,
definition:Moley
definition:stammered. "I
definition:only
definition:meant,
definition:as
definition:it were,
definition:when
definition:we're—
definition:Well,
definition:that
definition:is
definition:to
definition:say,
definition:when
definition:we…
definition:On
definition:the
definition:occasions
definition:when
definition:you
definition:and
definition:I…
definition:Oh
definition:heavens…"
definition:With
definition:a
definition:blush,
definition:he
definition:sank
definition:back behind
definition:his
definition:mobile
definition:phone.
The
rodent
definition:leaned in
definition:on
definition:his
definition:elbow,
definition:watching
definition:in
definition:adoration. "Moley,
definition:please,
definition:vanilla
definition:is
definition:my
definition:kink.
definition:You
definition:mustn't
definition:tease
definition:me
definition:so."
With
a
definition:gruff
definition:rumble
definition:of
definition:amusement,
definition:Badger
definition:reached
definition:for
definition:another
definition:homemade
definition:cream
definition:cake
definition:from
definition:the
definition:tea
definition:tray.
A
series
definition:of
definition:distant
definition:skids
definition:and
definition:crashes
definition:came
definition:closer
definition:and
definition:closer
definition:along
definition:the
definition:river
definition:road.
definition:Some
definition:passerby
definition:hollered
definition:about
definition:the
definition:basket
definition:of
definition:wild
definition:mushrooms
definition:she'd dropped
definition:diving
definition:out
definition:of
definition:the
definition:way
definition:of
definition:an
definition:unseen "lunatic."
"Helloooooooo!"
A
definition:voice
definition:called
definition:outside
definition:the
definition:front
definition:door,
definition:accompanied
definition:by
definition:the
definition:high-pitched
definition:whine
definition:of
definition:an
definition:all-terrain
definition:electric
definition:penny-farthing.
definition:The
definition:plump
definition:figure
definition:of
definition:Mr.
definition:Toad
definition:appeared
definition:in
definition:the
definition:open
definition:doorway. "I
definition:say!
definition:Hello,
definition:you
definition:fellows!"
"Toady.
Dropped
definition:by
definition:for
definition:tea,
definition:have
definition:you?
definition:Just
definition:as
definition:well.
definition:We
definition:were
definition:wondering
definition:how
definition:we'd
definition:finish
definition:all
definition:these
definition:cream
definition:cakes."
definition:Ratty
definition:offered
definition:a
definition:half-full
definition:tray.
"My
good
definition:rodent,
definition:I
definition:don't
definition:have
definition:time
definition:for–
definition:Cream
definition:cakes,
definition:you
definition:say?
definition:Well,
definition:it
definition:wouldn't
definition:do
definition:to
definition:be
definition:rude
definition:by
definition:refusing.
definition:Have
definition:to
definition:uphold
definition:the
definition:good
definition:name
definition:of
definition:Toad
definition:Hall
definition:and
definition:all
definition:that."
definition:He
definition:shoved
definition:two
definition:of
definition:the
definition:bite-sized
definition:pastries
definition:in
definition:his
definition:mouth.
definition:Dabs
definition:of
definition:whipped
definition:cream
definition:blasted
definition:off
definition:in
definition:several
definition:directions. "Hoo hoo!
definition:I
definition:say,
definition:Ratty,
definition:I
definition:don't know
definition:why
definition:you
definition:go
definition:messing
definition:about
definition:with
definition:boats
definition:all
definition:day
definition:when
definition:you
definition:could
definition:be
definition:making
definition:these
definition:scrumptious
definition:confections."
"I
shall
definition:give
definition:your
definition:advice
definition:every
definition:consideration
definition:it
definition:deserves."
definition:Rat
definition:brushed
definition:a
definition:spot
definition:of
definition:filling
definition:off
definition:his
definition:vest. "Did
definition:you
definition:hurry
definition:over
definition:just
definition:to
definition:act
definition:as
definition:my
definition:life
definition:coach?
definition:Or
definition:was
definition:there
definition:something
definition:else?"
"Ah
yes!"
definition:The
definition:newcomer
definition:hopped
definition:to
definition:attention. "Gentlemen,
definition:I
definition:have
definition:decided
definition:we
definition:are
definition:to
definition:become
definition:a
definition:polymer."
definition:Hefting
definition:a
definition:tablet
definition:from
definition:his
definition:satchel,
definition:he
definition:drew
definition:lines
definition:between
definition:photos
definition:of
definition:their
definition:faces.
Badger's
sagely
definition:eyebrows
definition:rose. “If
definition:I
definition:recall
definition:my
definition:biology
definition:lessons,
definition:we
definition:are
definition:various
definition:sorts
definition:of
definition:polymers
definition:already.
definition:DNA,
definition:for
definition:one.
definition:I
definition:seem
definition:to
definition:recall
definition:most,
definition:if
definition:not
definition:all,
definition:proteins
definition:are.”
The
amphibian
definition:tutted. "Oh
definition:Badger,
definition:what
definition:are
definition:you
definition:babbling
definition:about?"
Mole
blinked,
definition:cleaned
definition:his
definition:spectacles,
definition:and
definition:studied
definition:the
definition:diagram
definition:again. "Toad,
definition:do
definition:you
definition:by
definition:chance mean 'polycule'?"
Toad
tilted
definition:his head
definition:back
definition:in
definition:despair. "No,
definition:no.
definition:This
definition:is
definition:about
definition:relationships, not atoms. Poly-amoré.”
“Polyamory indeed!”
Badger
definition:slapped
definition:the
definition:arm
definition:of
definition:his
definition:chair. "Toad,
definition:you vainglorious
definition:nincompoop.
definition:You're
definition:like
definition:a
definition:son
definition:to
definition:me
definition:and
definition:an
definition:infuriating
definition:one
definition:at
definition:that.
definition:Why
definition:would
definition:I
definition:want
definition:to
definition:date
definition:you?"
A
sudden
definition:chuckle
definition:bounced
definition:from
definition:Toad. "What?
definition:I
definition:don't
definition:want
definition:to
definition:date
definition:any
definition:of
definition:you.
definition:But
definition:then
definition:I
definition:suppose
definition:such
definition:misunderstandings
definition:are
definition:to
definition:be
definition:expected,
definition:given
definition:you're
definition:all
definition:single.
definition:No,
definition:no,
definition:this
definition:is
definition:about
definition:emotional
definition:support."
"Oh,
terribly
definition:single."
definition:Rat
definition:winked
definition:at
definition:his
definition:lover.
After
a
definition:bashful
definition:giggle,
definition:Mole
definition:tapped
definition:a claw
definition:to
definition:his
definition:lips
definition:as
definition:he
definition:considered
definition:how
definition:to
definition:decline
definition:delicately. "Toady,
definition:we
definition:do
definition:already
definition:give
definition:you
definition:a
definition:lot
definition:of
definition:emotional
definition:support.
definition:And
definition:well…"
The
river
definition:rat
definition:steepled
definition:his
definition:fingers,
definition:then
definition:tipped
definition:them
definition:at
definition:the
definition:amphibious
definition:aristocrat. "…And
definition:you're
definition:only
definition:passable
definition:at
definition:giving
definition:it
definition:back."
"Hmf!"
Toad
definition:propped
definition:his
definition:hands
definition:on
definition:his
definition:hips. "Well,
definition:that's
definition:a
definition:fine
definition:thing
definition:to
definition:say
definition:to
definition:your
definition:polymerizer."
With
a
definition:steading
definition:shot
definition:of
definition:tea,
definition:Badger
definition:recovered
definition:enough
definition:to
definition:lean
definition:forward
definition:in
definition:his
definition:chair,
definition:his
definition:hands
definition:holding
definition:steady
definition:on
definition:the
definition:armrests. "Toad,
definition:you've
definition:never
definition:shown
definition:a
definition:whit
definition:of
definition:interest
definition:in
definition:anyone
definition:other
definition:than
definition:yourself.
definition:Are
definition:you
definition:telling
definition:us
definition:you
definition:no
definition:longer
definition:think
definition:you're
definition:asexual?"
Mole
spread
definition:his
definition:claws
definition:in
definition:a
definition:shrug. "Aromatic,
definition:I
definition:always
definition:thought."
Rat
rolled
definition:his
definition:eyes. "Autoromantic
definition:is
definition:more
definition:like
definition:it."
With
a
definition:blink,
definition:Mr.
definition:Toad
definition:latched
definition:onto
definition:the
definition:change
definition:in
definition:topic.
definition:His
definition:hands
definition:instinctively
definition:gripped
definition:an
definition:imagined
definition:steering
definition:wheel. "I
definition:do
definition:love
definition:a
definition:good
definition:auto.
definition:Vroom vroom
definition:and
definition:whatnot.”
A
chuckle
definition:squeaked
definition:from
definition:Ratty. "Why,
definition:the
definition:best
definition:match
definition:would
definition:be
definition:to
definition:clone
definition:him."
The
amphibian
definition:gasped,
definition:impressed. "Now
definition:there's
definition:a
definition:capital
definition:idea!
definition:Wouldn’t
definition:have
definition:to
definition:spread
definition:myself
definition:so
definition:thin.”
Badger
took
definition:off
definition:his
definition:glasses
definition:and
definition:pinched
definition:the
definition:bridge
definition:of
definition:his
definition:nose. "Please,
definition:Ratty. Don't
definition:suggest
definition:such
definition:dreadful
definition:things.”
This
was “Toad @
definition:Toad
definition:Hall”
definition:written
definition:by
definition:Tempo,
definition:a
definition:fluffy
definition:dog
definition:in
definition:a
definition:cowboy
definition:hat.
Read
by
definition:Khaki,
definition:your
definition:Faithful
definition:Fireside
definition:Companion.
As
always,
definition:you
definition:can
definition:find
definition:more
definition:stories
definition:on
definition:the
definition:web
definition:at thevoice.dog,
definition:or
definition:find
definition:the
definition:show
definition:wherever
definition:you
definition:get
definition:your
definition:podcasts.
definition:Thank
definition:you
definition:for
definition:listening
definition:to
definition:The
definition:Voice
definition:of
definition:Dog.
