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josephstoontown · 6 years

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Nightmares

A Joseph's ToonTown story.

So, alright. This story here? Half of it was kind of inspired by a rather… not-real-great dream I had, once. I'll just leave it, at that.

Word count: 4,279 – Character count: 24,566 Originally written: January 28th, 2017 Revised on: September 6th, 2017

Everyone has to face their own nightmares to face. These are just some of them.

Fawn Deer, Raw Toonage, and related characters and properties created by and © The Walt Disney Company Lola Bunny, The Looney Tunes Show, and related characters and properties created by and © Warner Bros. Animation Spydor, Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys, and related characters and properties created by Monkeyshine Productions, Inc. and © Hallmark Entertainment

“Fawn…?”

The deer looked up from the counter of Joe’s Diner. She was busying herself, counting the money in the tip jar, but when she saw who’d called her name, she brightly smiled. “Mr. Lithius? Hello! I’m…” Something suddenly struck her as odd. Her smile faded in an instant and she set the jar down, her full attention upon the man at the door. “Are you alright…? You look terrible… Your eyes are really bloodshot and… and… have you been crying?” she said, noticing tear stains in his fur. “I… I had a bad dream, Fawn…” the fox whimpered. “You did?” She gave a blink. “It really must have been awful for you to look so shaken-up… But, why come here, after a bad dream?” “Because…” He gave a hard swallow before murmuring, “It was about you…”

Joseph sat sideways on the lawn chair across from Fawn. Even though the weather was much cooler in November, the deer knew he’d wanted to talk to her in private… and so, leaving Spydor to keep an eye on things, down below, she led him to the roof of Joe’s Diner where they could chat, uninterrupted. She’d expected Joseph’s dream to be bad, given his state… but, what she hadn’t been expecting… was just how bad of a dream it had been.

“There’s… there’s no way you would ever do something so awful, to me,” she quietly reassured the fox. “I’m absolutely sure of it.” “But… but, it felt so real to me, Fawn…” he whimpered, trying to keep himself from crying. “I could feel you squirming… feel your heart beating through your back… I could hear you cry out in fear as I… as I…” “Mr. Lithius…” she cooed as she walked over and sat beside him. He winced a little as she wrapped her arms around his frame… but, it still seemed to calm him, if only just so. “It was just a dream…” she told him in a soft, compassionate voice. “A horrible, terrible dream… but, that’s all it was. It doesn’t mean anything.” “But, what if it does…?” Joseph fearfully asked. “What if… what if I’m just waiting for the right time to… to do that, to you?” Fawn hugged him a little tighter. “You’d never do that. Not in a million years.” “But, Fawn…” The deer sat back as she felt him sit up. She couldn’t help but brush the tears out of his golden eyes and away from his white cheeks as she looked up at him with a smile. “You’re a good person, Mr. Lithius…” she said with confidence. “Good people don’t do things, like that. Plus, you care about me and I care about you. You’d never throw that away just for a night of one-sided ‘romance.’”

The fox hesitated… She sounded like she knew what she was talking about… and, the way she smiled up at him, as she said those words… It just reminded him of what kind of warm and wonderful person she truly was. Maybe that’s why… he had to look away.

“Do you know what just went through my mind just now?” Joseph said with a sniffle. “Something genuine and sweet?” was Fawn’s answer. That made him jolt and perk his ears, again… A moment later, the ears fell back down. “So you know, then…” “I had a feeling…” she said. He gave a twitch as, in the moment that followed, he felt her draw close… and, kiss his wet cheek. “Bad people act on thoughts and impulses, like those, Mr. Lithius… but, you don’t. You don’t… because, you care enough about me to respect my relationship with Bonkers and would never do anything to upset that. And, that’s why I gave you a kiss.” He looked back her way just in time to see her settle back down, one foot on the roof and the other bent leg on the chair. As she continued to look his way, he couldn’t help but think… She really has a beautiful smile… “You’re a warm, wonderful person, Mr. Joseph Lithius,” she continued, “who deserves the best out of life. I’m sorry that I can’t be the one to give it to you… but, I’m flattered that you feel the way you do… and, I’m very honored to have someone, like you, as a close friend.” And, that… seemed to be the breaking point for him.

“It’s okay, Mr. Lithius…” she said as she held the crying fox in her arms. “It’s okay…” “I’m… so… sorry…” he huffed. “I don’t know… why my brain…” “Shhhhh shh-shh…” The deer gave his back a rub as she hushed him. “A-and, I can’t believe… I can’t believe…” She perked a little. “I can’t believe…” Joseph seemed to be calming… but, he also seemed to have something on his mind – something he couldn’t quite get out. She continued to rub his back and keep him in her warm embrace, letting him vent his emotions into her shoulder until he was done.

After several moments of quietly sobbing then a couple more to catch his breath, the fox sat back. Even after all of that, Fawn still wore her beautiful, friendly smile for him, just happy to help out in any way she could. “Fawn?” She perked again. “Hm?” He hesitated, looking to one side. After another moment, Fawn watched as he brought two fingers up to his muzzle, giving them a kiss. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to try and touch them to her lips… but, to her surprise, he ended up touching her cheek, instead.

“Mr. Lithius…?” she asked, wearing a confused look. “I’m a rotten friend…” he said with another huff, keeping his ears folded and gaze averted. “I don’t deserve someone as awesome as you. But…” He looked up, a little, offering the deer a soft smile. “I’m glad to have you in my life.” Fawn reached up and ruffled his bangs, brightly smiling with her eyes closed. “Me, too, Mr. Lithius,” she quietly giggled. “Me, too…”

After grabbing something for the road, Joseph found his way back to his apartment. When he walked inside, however, he was surprised by what he’d found.

“Lola?” The orangey-furred rabbit looked to her right from a seated position on his couch. She offered a welcoming smile as Joseph closed the apartment door behind him. “What are you doing, awake…?” he quietly asked. “Couldn’t sleep without my faaavorite body pillow!” was her simple answer. “Where’d you go, anyway? No, wait, I can see where you went.” She pointed to the bag in his hand. “You went to Eat at Joe’s! Must be some good food, to make you cry! I should’ve come with. I’m pretty hungry… so hungry that I could eat a bull moose!” She paused… “Well, not an actual bull moose… but, maybe, a bull moose made out of bean curd! Boy, wouldn’t it be weird if moose were made of bean curd? They’d be so wobbly and probably trip a lot! It’d be like that time I worked out for too long! I couldn’t move, for hours! Good thing I was really tired, then. But, when I woke up, I was really stiff! But, that’s what happens when you forget to do your cool-down exercises!

“Anyway!” she started, again, as she stood up. “What’d you bring me…?” “I, uh…” The fox gave a blink as Lola took the bag away from him… then, he folded his ears as she gave him a dirty look. “This meatball sub isn’t vegan-friendly, is it?” She gave a mighty sigh before complaining, “Great, now I want a no-meatball sub!” With that, she handed the bag back and stomped over to the couch. “What… are…” the fox asked as he watched her remove her oversized t-shirt and replace it with her purple dress. “Gonna Eat at Joe’s!” she said as she spun back around, fully-dressed. “The craving is strong, in this one! Can I borrow your keys? Thanks!” The fox had no time to reply as she stole his key ring. “Don’t wait up, Jojo! But, if you do? Try and keep it down. Woody’s reeaaal tired and gets reeaaal mad if you wake him.” When she kissed her gloved hand then placed it on his cheek with a playful “chu” noise, he just gave another blink. “‘bye-yeeeee!” And, with that, she ran out the apartment door, leaving the fox standing dumbfounded near the doorway. –––––

“Monsieur!”

Fawn looked up with a start as she heard the diner door violently jingle and clatter. A look across the way revealed the form of an orange-and-tan rabbit girl in a purple dress… holding her foot straight forward. Apparently, she’d kicked the free-swinging door open. But… “Your finest– eep!” The door did not take kindly to being handled so roughly. It was quick to swing back at the rabbit, essentially swatting her away from the diner like she were a fly. “What-the-monkey-lovin’-what… is goin’ on, out there?!” a voice called, from the back. “I think this customer is having a fight with our front door!” Fawn said as she ran around the counter. “And, losing!” “Oh, now this I gotta see.”

She opened the door as her co-worker swung into the room. The two then stared as the rabbit lay face-down with her butt in the air, some distance away from the entrance. “Miss Rabbit…?” Fawn called with a gasp. “Are you–” “What th’ heck happened, anyways?!” the monkey on her head and shoulders interrupted. “Well, Spydor…” the deer responded, “She tried to kick the door in… and, it kicked back.” “Oh. I see.” Spydor tilted his head. “Should… we help ‘er up?” “I’m okaaay!” was her pavement-muffled answer as she raised an arm up. “Ah-hah… Well, I’m goin’ back inta th’ kitchen.” The monkey hopped into the lights and swung his way back behind the counter as he said, “Gimme a ring if ya need me, Fawn.” “Will do…” She looked down at the rabbit, again. “Do… you need some help?” “No, no, this is actually pretty comfy!” was her response. “The cool pavement feels nice, against my warm face.” Even though she hadn’t noticed any sarcasm… or, maybe, because she hadn’t… Fawn gave a grimace, standing awkwardly in the doorway and rubbing her arm. “Well… if you’re sure…” she said before turning around and re-entering the diner.

After a couple of minutes passed, Fawn was once again alerted by the door that they had a customer. It was the rabbit, again. Unlike earlier, however, she’d gently opened the door and calmly walked inside, much to the deer’s relief. “Monsieur!” she called before noticing who was standing behind the counter. “Oh, I mean, Mademoiselle! Your finest no-meatball sub, s’il vous plaît!” “Our what, now…?” Suddenly, Spydor flew out of the back of the eatery, leaping over the counter and landing a few steps away from the rabbit. “Th’ heck you tryin’ t’ order, lady?! ‘No-meatball sub?!’ So, what? Jus’ bread ‘n marinara…?” “Oh! You must be ‘Spider!’” the rabbit said as she looked down with a bright smile. “Jojo’s told me a lot, about you!”

The monkey suspiciously narrowed his eyes, after hearing that. “What’s that s’posed t’ mean? Who’s ‘Jojo?’ An’, fer that matter,” he said as he pointed a finger up at her, “Who th’ flip are you?!” “Who, me? I’m Lola!” she cheerfully said as she extended her hand to the monkey. “Pleased to finally meet you!” Spydor’s eyes narrowed even further, at that… “Wait… You’re Lola?” Both Lola and Spydor looked over at Fawn as she spoke up. She was brightly smiling from behind the counter as the former. “I thought I’d recognized you, from somewhere!” she cheerfully said. “You’re the famous ‘Miss Lola Bunny’ from that movie, ‘Space Jam,’ aren’t you?” “Close, but no cigar! I’m Lola Bunny from The Looney Tunes Show, Miss…” She paused, focusing on something Fawn was wearing. “I can’t… read your– hold on.” Lola took about two steps before stumbling right over Spydor, causing her to hit the ground with a whump and causing him to screech and scurry around in a panic. He eventually jumped into the lights, again, hanging by his tail and glaring daggers at the downed rabbit.

“What’s th’ big, monkey-lovin’ idea, ya stupid, clumsy–?!” “Spydor!” He winced from his hanging position before looking over at Fawn. She was glaring up at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m sure it was just an accident! Isn’t that right, Miss Bunny?” “Not my fault!” Lola said as she picked herself up. “Didn’t see him! He’s just so tiny!” “‘Tiny?!’” raged the small monkey. “Why, I oughta…! You tryin’ fer a fat lip t’ match that fat head’a yers, lady?!” “Spydor!” “My head’s not fat,” the rabbit said as she left around her face. “Is it…?!” “Yer darn right it is, ya–” “Spy… dor!” “Bu– but…” Lola turned around, deeply frowning up at the monkey. “I take such good care of myself! I eat right, I count my carbs, I exercise all the time! It’s like I was telling Jojo, just now… this one time, I exercised so much that I ended up sleeping on the floor!” “Oh, dear…” Fawn said as she turned her attention to the bunny. “That doesn’t sound very healthy…” “Funny enough, it was the best night’s sleep I’d had in forever!” she said as she looked at Fawn. “But, I was so stiff, the next morning… I could barely even move! Luckily, I didn’t have to be anywhere, that day, so I just set my iPod on Shuffle and vegged out! Going to pee was an problem, though… Oh! That reminds me, I’ll take a salad with that no-meatball sub, please!”

“No-meatball sub?!” Spydor screamed a second time. “What are you even– How do you– that doesn’t make a lick’a… a-ga-fhg– jeh-buh-ghk–!!” “Mr. Spider, are you okay?” Lola innocent asked as she looked up to him. “You’re foaming… Do you have rabies?!” She hopped back from the monkey as he wiped his mouth with a growl. “S-stay back! I haven’t had my rabies shot, this year!”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to get those, annually…” Fawn commented. “Oooooh…” the rabbit said with a thoughtful look. “That’s probably why I haven’t had one! Hey, Mr. Spider!” Lola gave a blink as she looked up at the monkey hanging from the ceiling. He looked like he was having an aneurysm, with the way he was twitching and trembling. “Maybe you should get a rabies shot! If you have rabies, I mean… or, even if you don’t! You can never be too safe!” The noise he made as he tried to respond was an odd one. After failing to speak, however, he just gave a short, labored sigh and scurried toward the front door from the ceiling. “I’ll be on th’ roof,” he spat. “I can’t deal with dis dame…” “But, aren’t you the cook?” she asked as he vanished through the swinging door. She immediately turned toward Fawn with her gloved hands pressed together just in front of her jaw, her face showing a worried expression. “Now who’s going to make my no-meatball sub and salad…?” she asked. “I could make it,” the deer offered. “Really?!” Lola’s face lit up as Fawn gave a nod. “Only…” The rabbit gave a blink. “I’m not exactly sure what you were trying to order…” She gave another blink, upon hearing that.

“A no-meatball sub!” she explained. “It’s like a meatball sub… but with ‘no-meatballs!’” “So… marinara sauce and cheese on a baguette?” “No! Actually, wait… when you say it like that, that sounds really good.” Lola pointed to the deer. “Can I get that, instead?” “Isn’t that what you were trying to order, in the first place?” “Was I?” The rabbit took a moment to think about the question. “You said you wanted a ‘no meatball sub;’ a submarine sandwich without meatballs.” “Oh, no-no-no-no!” she said, shaking her head and waving her hands at the waitress. “What I wanted was a no-meatball sub!” “Right.” Fawn gestured with one hand. “A meatball sub without meatballs.” “Yes! No! Wait– I’m confused…” The deer scratched her head, looking at her customer and feeling much the same way.

“Can you, maybe… just describe what it is that you’re trying to order?” she offered. “Be as detailed as possible.” “Maybe I should just make it, myself…” Lola suggested as she hopped up on a nearby stool before vaulting the counter. “You guys clearly have no idea of what I want!” “Um… Miss!” Fawn called as she followed the rabbit into the kitchen. “Miss, customers… generally aren’t allowed back there!” “I’m not a customer… yet!” she said, opening a nearby fridge. “I’m a connoisseur! Now! Where do you keep the fresh lentils…? I’ll need about a cup of them! Put some water on to boil, would you, please? These beans aren’t going to cook themselves! Oh, but what if they did?” Lola turned around, a thoughtful look on her face as she stared at the deer. “Can you imagine? Self-cooking beans! I should invent that! I’d make a ton of money!! But, that can wait for another day! Right now, let’s find those normal beans!”

The rabbit’s search for lentils quickly turned the kitchen of Joe’s Diner into quite the mess. Containers of dried goods were knocked over, pots and pans were strewn about, and even the fridge and freezer had become disorganized. In the end, though, Lola had to end up settling on something much less fresh.

“I guess this can of store-brand pinto beans will have to do…” Lola said as she stared at the can in her hand. “Now, all I need is some garlic and onion… and, a mixer. I think I saw one over there, a minute ago!” “Miss Bunny, stop!” The rabbit jolted at the raised voice. When she turned to look, she noticed Fawn standing nearby… but, she looked kind of different. Her apron and hat looked disheveled, her dress was wrinkled, her hair was slightly messy, and, above all… she looked pretty angry. “Oooooh, you look like you could use a beauty day, at the spa!” was Lola’s immediate response. “Want me to make an appointment at the one in Burbank? I know a guy!” “What I want is for you to stop messing up our kitchen and get out!” Lola scoffed, in response to that. “Well! Rude! See if I ever recommend this place, to my friends!” And, much to Fawn’s relief, Lola left the kitchen. As she began to undo the mess the rabbit had made of things, however, she heard her come back in.

“Say, can I have these beans?” she politely asked. “You’re not using them, right?” “Out!” was all Fawn cared to say. “You’re not out of beans!” Lola said as she walked over to a nearby cabinet. “See?” As she opened the door, however, the entire thing fell and crashed onto a nearby counter. “Oooooh… sss…” She clenched her free hand under her chin again, giving a sheepish look. She then pointed at the broken cabinet as she said, “You should get that fixed.” Fawn just stood there with a broom in her hands, giving the rabbit a death-glare. “Riiight… I’ll just be going, then.” The bunny casually walked back to the swinging kitchen door. Before exiting, however, she turned back and cheerfully said, “Thanks for the beans! ‘bye-yeeeee!” As the door’s bell jingled, signaling Lola’s departure, Fawn fell to her knees, covered her face, inhaled… and…

“Fawny…?” Spydor swung in through the back door after hearing the girl scream into her hands. “What in th’– holey-moly!!” He dropped to the floor as he looked around. “What in th’ flippin’ heck happened back here?! An’, why ya sittin’ on th’ floor? Jus’ what all’d I miss…?” Fawn got back to her feet and stomped over to Spydor, shoving the broom into his hands. “You deal with this mess!” she angrily shouted. “Now, I need some ‘roof time!’” And, just like that, Spydor was left in the ruined kitchen, confused… and, worried.

“Man, oh, man,” he said as he started to clean up, “that rabbit dame must’a done a number on poor Fawn… I ain’t never seen ‘er look so mad! Then again, can’t say as I blame ‘er. That bunny is bonkers!” “What about my boyfriend…?” Spydor looked toward the rear entrance. Fawn had come back in, for some reason… “Naw-naw-naw, Fawny… I was jus’ sayin’, that rabbit gal is crazy-in-th’-coconut!” “That’s putting it mildly…” she muttered. “Also, I’m sorry I raised my voice to you, just now. I just…” “Yeeaaah… can’t say as I’ve ever seen ya lose ya cool wid a customer, before,” he commented. “She must’a just up ‘n blasted yer patience!” “Well…” Fawn said as she started picking up spilled cans, “she decimated the kitchen, looking for fresh lentils…” “She did this?” He gave a blink. “Wait, len’ils?” “Yeah. I tried to tell her we don’t have any, but…” “Did she look inna upper half’a th’ fridge?” he asked. “What?” Rather than answer Fawn with words, he hopped up on a nearby counter and pulled open the top half of the fridge. She gave a blank stare as he withdrew a large bag of what appeared to be fat, disc-like pea pods. The deer looked over at Spydor as he shook it toward her. “Len’ils, fresh from m’ own garden!” he said. “We usually don’t serve ‘em t’ customers, but– ah, Fawny? Why ya laughin’? What’s th’ gag? Fawny…?” But, she was off in her own little world, again, collapsed on her knees looking completely out-of-it, as she laughed. Clearly, she’d hit her limit of nonsense, for the night. –––––

“I’m baaack!”

Lola announced her presence – quietly but excitedly – as she walked through the unlocked door to Apartment 3C. She was holding a small grocery bag of items and wore a bright smile on her face as she closed the door before walking to the kitchenette.

“Apparently, not everyone can Eat at Joe’s! Can you believe they wouldn’t make my no-meatball sub? They didn’t even know what it was! And they call themselves a diner! Oh, well… it’s not a total loss!” The rabbit placed a can of beans on the kitchen counter, then started unloading the other items from the bag. “I got a can of pinto beans… plus, I stopped by that 24-hour Walmart over in the Warner District and got some other things! If you’re still hungry, I can whip up some of my no-meatball subs for us in no time! Even Woody couldn’t complain about oven-baked, well-seasoned no-meatballs delicately placed on top of finely-cut, day-old French bread, drenched in spicy, delicious marinara! Très bien! Ne seriez-vous pas d’accord, Monsieur Renard?”

Lola smiled as she waited for a response. “Monsieur Renard?” she called again. “Salut? Êtes-vous là?” She then realized… “Oh! Was I speaking French, this whole time? No wonder you didn’t reply! You probably didn’t know what I was saying! Well, let me start again…” The bunny headed out of the kitchenette, rounding the corner and taking long strides. “I said, ‘Very good! Wouldn’t you say, Mr. Fox?’” Once again, there was no response. As she drew closer to the living room, however, it didn’t take her long to find out why… Joseph was sprawled out on the couch, his blanket a bit askew and one leg hanging off the cushions. His eyes were closed and he still had his glasses and clothes on. Given his long, slow draws of breath and relaxed pose, Lola concluded… “Oh. He must have fallen asleep, waiting for me…” She gave a light smirk… “When I said ‘don’t wait up,’ I didn’t think he’d take it so seriously!”

Bearing that in mind, she walked back over to the kitchenette and turned off the light. She then walked back to the couch and carefully removed the blanket from her friend before snuggling up against him, not even bothering to change back out of her own dress. She wasn’t particularly tired, by that point… but, snuggling up all warm-and-cozy with her friend seemed like a good way to relax, after her impromptu trip to Joe’s. Plus, she was a little chilly, from the night air, besides.

“Dormez bien, petit renard d’or,” she whispered as she pulled one of his arms around her body and settled in. “Demain apporte de délicieux sous-sandwichs, mais pour l’instant, ils doivent rester un rêve dans votre petit tête de fourrure.” With a soft kiss to his cheek, she added, “Bonne nuit,” before settling in for some rest. –––––

“Say, did you hear about the crazy customer we had, last night?”

Joseph’s ears perked. He’d been washing some dishes at Joe’s Diner when his boss, Minerva, had called back through the order window. “Crazy customer, ya say?” replied the voice of his co-worker and friend, Woody. “Yeah. From what Mona heard from Fawn and Spydor, Some crazy lady came in, last night, just after 2 AM. She kicked open the front door, tried to order something nonsensical, then started smashing-up the kitchen, looking for beans, of all things!” “Is that why our canned goods cupboard is missing?” the woodpecker asked. “I guess so…” “Great…” He scowled as he flipped a couple of hamburger patties on the nearby stove. “Well, if she comes back, on our watch, we’ll just run her right back out! Ain’t that right, Joe?”

As Woody gave his trademark laugh, all Joseph could do was stand by the sink… stiff as stone and frozen on-the-spot. He knew exactly who Minerva was talking about…

Gods… damn… that… rabbit.

#fiction #Joseph's ToonTown #commercial characters #Raw Toonage #Fawn Deer #The Looney Tunes Show #Lola Bunny #Captain Simian & The Space Monkeys #Spydor #original characters #Essence of Ragnarok #Joseph Lithius #drama #comedy

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