>>1123198
>>1123199
I don't know if we know morse code, but definitely a warning thump so they can get ready.

tippler 2026/03/11(Wed)00:16 No. 1123274 ID: f1368b
File 177318816547.png - (12.24KB , 500x500 , p54.png )

>Stay away
It doesn’t look like the trap is ready yet. Frustration makes me seethe and stamp my feet. They’ve been relaxing in the sun while I was risking my life as bait! This could have been a great opportunity to finish the chameleon off in one fell swoop if they just took it seriously.

Speaking of which, I move back toward the south end of the forest to see if the chameleon has followed me out of town. I don’t see any sign of him, if the trap was ready I could go back into the neighborhood and lure him further this way, but of course it’s not.

I keep watch to make sure the hunter isn’t coming, because someone has to be responsible around here. I eat while I wait, anger pulsing in my head. I don’t like the way it makes me resentful towards my brothers, but they’re the ones who messed things up!

The chameleon never appears. The sky darkens and I use the light of the stars to find my way to the burrow. I can hear Grass, Root, and Sky fucking in the main den.

A. Interrupt and chastise them
B. Push past and go straight to bed

A. Communication is key.

>>1123274
A. Interrupt and chastise them. You had a plan. They made you risk your life for the plan! They should have done their part! Or told you if they wanted to change it!

Don't feel ashamed of yourself, Rudger. You have a right to be angry with your brothers if they're going to treat you like you're disposable. You deserve better than this.

B. You were happier with Lucy.

>>1123274
I say b.
Chastise them later. Let them know youre mad though by not greeting.

B) Tomorrow, ask them why they think lazing in the sun when they're about to murder someone is normal.

B. Fine! You’ll set the traps and do everything yourself!

Don’t say anything but Give them a nasty glare as you push past them.

>>1123275
Ye, A.

>>1123284
This. ESPECIALLY after all the shit they gave you earlier.

tippler 2026/03/14(Sat)13:11 No. 1123431 ID: f1368b
File 177349390735.png - (10.18KB , 500x500 , p55.png )

>Tie, default to the more passive B
I’m in a bad mood, one of the worst I’ve ever been in. I don’t know how to deal with it–at least when I was trapped in a cage in the factory I knew we were all on the same page, and when I was with Lucy I was happy and safe and cared for.

I feel so alone. The sound of those three moaning and grunting with pleasure is starting to disgust me, and I hurry to shove my way through to the sleeping chamber.

“Hey Rudger, glad you made it back safe, want to join?” Root asks hopefully.

I glare at him but I doubt he sees anything in the darkness.

>The next morning…
>Weather check (warm or wet): Warm
I wake up pissed off, crammed between Sky’s butt and Root’s restless leg, the culprit behind my sudden awakening. I squeeze out of the burrow early to avoid having to talk to anyone, and squint at the bright sun already cresting the trees. What should I do today?

Set up the fucking traps
By yourself
Because you gotta do everything yourself, right?
Be passive aggressive, sarcastic, and guilt tripping towards anyone who questions you especially those that doesn’t help

Guess its up to you to make sure the trap is ready

Talk to Root now that you had the night to calm down, let him know about how you are not happy with them not working on the trap.

From what I’ve seen from Root, he isn’t really a good leader, being a coward when infiltrating the crime scene, and now not taking things like building traps seriously. If he doesn’t step up, you might have to consider physically fighting him to become the dominate rabbit and lead and work these lazy bums to shape. For now though, try and voice your concerns and ask him to step up as a leader

Busy yourself with the traps. Take brakes though, the Sun is no joke.

Begin to seriously consider life on the run with Lucy, and whether you would be willing to help hunt down other wild prey animals for her to eat.

Meanwhile, get started on those traps.

>>1123431
Talk to the others about your plans. That's what we planned to do in the morning. You thought they were going to set up traps and they didn't, and you want to know why. Root is still at least acting like he cares, so hopefully we can come to some kind of understanding. Maybe they did set up traps and they were too well-hidden to notice. Maybe they were waiting for you to come back. Or maybe they really did just stop caring.

>>1123440
This. Don't let your temporary anger turn you against your own ethics. You're mad because they're not taking this seriously, not because they're trying to enjoy the trappings of freedom.

>>1123440
Yeah.
This.
Still let them know youre mad though, but acknowledge you cant assume theyll do stuff just cause it was a good idea.

tippler 2026/03/17(Tue)00:32 No. 1123520 ID: f1368b
File 177370757888.png - (17.32KB , 500x500 , p56.png )

>Get to work
If they’re not going to set up the traps, I guess I have to do everything myself. I cram my belly with fresh food and then start digging.

The humid air begins to heat up and I find myself panting from exertion. This is harder than it looks, but I have to do it, I have to!

“Hey Windy, there you are. We were wondering why you were acting so weird when you came home yesterday.”

Grass perches on the edge of the pit as he chews on his breakfast, knocking a clump of dirt back down on top of me. I ball up my fists but pointedly ignore him. Let Grass realize he’s a hypocrite who neglected the mission.

“Windy? Hey Windy, are you mad at me or something?”

>Confront
“Yes! I am! While I was risking my life leading the chameleon to our trap as we agreed, you three were lying in the sun like lazy idiots! I thought you wanted to kill him, but I guess you’re not even taking that seriously! I have to do everything myself, I guess!”

Grass swallows his mouthful of forage. “It was fucking hot and we were tired, dude. We can’t just dig a deep hole and fill it with sharpened sticks and then cover it up in one day. You said you were just going to flaunt yourself around town a little yesterday, none of us were expecting you to find the chameleon that fast.”

I suddenly feel very stupid. I’m still so angry I want to cry, but the righteousness has been taken out of my anger. Grass shakes his head and jumps down into the trench with me.

“Can’t believe you thought we were being lazy when you’re the one who’s been a pet for who knows how long. That snake seriously scrambled your brain, Wind. Honestly, if you want to actually work today I’d be happy to take a stroll around town, sounds way easier.”

Is this guy fucking joking right now? Tired from what? Being a little bitch? And this stupid asshole is still calling you Wind on purpose?

Call him on it. Let him take that fucking walk. Maybe when the chameleon's got a barrel on his skull he'll finally start taking things seriously.

Tell him to forget it, and Ask him to just help you with this. No time for arguments at this time.

Work first, then argue. Build the trap now, then complain about the time it took to make it.

>>1123520
Hey, this asshole is trying for excuses.
It wasnt hot all day. They could have started.
It wasnt as hot at night, they could have worked then after resting all day. He saw it was warm and took an easy out.

Plus, he keeps bringing up the pet thing and sticking to your old name.
I dont know if hes jealous or just threatened by you rudger.

But if he pushes, ask him how many guns hes brought back to the burrow. How long hes spent with dangerous predators trying to find an intact doe for the colony. And how close hes been to having his thumbs and balls cut off because staying close to that danger was the best way to help the burrow

>>1123520
As long as he's working, ignore him and keep at it. Put the energy somewhere useful.

It's Rudger. Respect that.

>>1123520
They can't dig a pit trap in one day. Sure, that makes sense. So what did they do?

>>1123526
Also this. Grass is clearly looking for excuses to pick on you with a thin veneer of concern, and he'll only get worse if you don't confront him.

But whatever you do, don't send him out scouting if he's going to treat it like a leisurely stroll. Don't let your anger push you too far. He's being a bully right now, but he could be killed if he gets spotted by a predator. You might be safe if they see your collar and recognize him as an escaped pet, but if they see Grass they might suspect he's a rebel and shoot him on sight.

Better to stick to the plan. The chameleon has seen you, he knows that you revisit Lucy's home sometimes. That's our best bet for luring him into a trap after we make one.

Also don't forget that you stayed away all day partially because you thought the chameleon guy might have been tracking you. You had to be as sure as you could that the others were safe.

>>1123520
It's either dig in the heat, or dig in the wet. If they need Rudger's help, he can do so. But the hole won't be getting any deeper if they all just laze around.

>>1123520
remember that you care about this idiot. For better or worse, him pissing you off right now is reading as an expression of utterly suicidal foolishness.

tippler 2026/03/19(Thu)01:28 No. 1123582 ID: f1368b
File 177388373581.png - (13.83KB , 500x500 , p57.png )

>What did my brothers actually do?
I want to sock Grass for calling me Windy and always having it out for me ever since I fell behind that night and got lost and met Lucy. I feel like he’s deliberately being an asshole and making excuses, but he, Sky, and Root did dig most of this trench yesterday. Unfortunately, judging by how hot and cranky I am after an hour of digging, I can see how they only got this far.

>Don’t take the bait
“It’s not safe for you to go to town because they’ll just try to shoot you on sight. Forget it, let’s just get this stupid trap finished.” I grumble. “Where’s Sky and Root?”

“Working on new leaf cloaks. Gotta have ‘em ready for the next time it rains.”

We dig in silence until the simmering annoyance gets to me.

“Can you stop being a jerk and call me Rudger instead of Wind?”

“No, that’s your stupid pet name. You said it yourself, you’re done with being a pet.”

I’m going to go crazy and kill him. I used to be really close with Grass, since he was more talkative than the other two when we were stuck in the cage, and now he hates me for having a little bit of empathy for good reptiles like Lucy. I wish I could trust him again.

A. Patrol Lucy’s neighborhood to get away from Grass
B. Stick to working on the trap

>>1123582
A. Get out of there before this gets worse. You'll need to talk this out sooner or later but working in the heat is making it more unpleasant than it needs to be. Go and monitor the situation in town. And if you're spotted near Lucy's house again, you'll seem predictable, and we'll know where they'll go to look for you when we spring the trap.

How close was Fresh Grass to his parents? You said you didn't know your own mother all that well, and that might be why he's so upset. You're using the name Rudger instead of Wind on Fur because you love and trust Lucy, but from his perspective it's like you're forgetting about the woman who cared for you when you were young.

A. Go home and rest on Lucy's bed. Better than the heat out here.

B. Just focus on the work and don’t say anything more to him, even if he tries to strike up a conversation. Leaving will just make him think you’re a hypocrite for complaining about others not working on the trap, just to have you leave and no longer work on the trap.

B) Show the others that you can push through the stress and get things done.

Tell him you're getting first pick of the does. If he objects he'd better put in the extra work to earn it. Same goes for every other rabbit in the pack. They'll get their turn, but the laziest goes last. The laziest gets the nutritious sludge. The laziest is given everything they need to succeed and nothing to make them content.

>>1123582
B.
But ask him if letting him call you a name you dont want is any different? Thats just another person forcing their will on you.
If he dismisses your opinion, cause im sure he will, start calling him grassy. Or grassbag. Or grasshole.

tippler 2026/03/20(Fri)21:31 No. 1123660 ID: f1368b
File 177404227866.png - (12.83KB , 500x500 , p58.png )

>B
I have to prove I’m not going to run away again, even if that means tolerating Grass. I ignore him and focus on deepening the pit so that an adult reptile would actually be stunned by the fall.

>Heat exhaustion avoidance check (75%): Success
I’m determined to keep up with Grass, and he eventually calls for a break first, giving me the decisive mental victory. We sit in the shade of the bushes and slowly eat grass to rehydrate.

“Y’know, I’ve been thinking, how exactly are we supposed to break into Gargill and free some does by killing this chameleon guy?”

My mouth is full and it takes me a while to swallow and process what Grass said. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, we have some rope now, if he falls in the trap we can threaten him with the gun and then tie him up as a hostage. That way we’ll have leverage against Gargill–maybe enough that we can ask for an exchange rather than risk getting trapped in the factory again.”

“I thought you wanted to kill all reptiles. You going soft?” I snort.

“Well, yeah, we’ll still kill ‘em eventually, but if we get a greater numbers advantage before we try we’ll be more successful. It’s smart, c’mon, what d’you think?”

And once you hand him over, what happens to your leverage? How do you keep him in the hole and how do you handle food, bathroom, etc needs? Not killing him is a nice thought but that isn't the situation you find yourselves in.

>>1123660
Grass raises a good point, though his plan has some flaws. It's not exactly clear how murdering the chameleon would fit into our larger plans; we'll remove him as a threat, but we'll put Gargill on high alert as soon as they realize what we did. But taking him as a hostage has problems of its own.

For one, Gargill doesn't value the lives of reptiles, only wealth and power. He showed his priorities when he had two innocent women murdered just for being fertile and arrested Lucy on false charges; he is more than willing to sacrifice a single assassin if it means eliminating us as a threat.

And in order to use the chameleon as a hostage, we'll need to communicate with Gargill ourselves. If his disappearance would draw attention, announcing that we're looking for fertile women would make them pull out all the stops to exterminate us before we multiply. We'd need a lot more protection than one hostage to survive.

Basically, what I'm saying is that we should think bigger. If we're going to take a hostage, we need to make it someone Gargill actually cares about: Gustave Gargill, the son of their leader Gummy Gargill. We know Gummy values his son on some level, and that might give us enough leverage to free a lot of rabbits and save Lucy too. And we'll draw the attention of more than just the company; if we send out a public message to all reptiles, any potential rabbit sympathizers will know that we're as intelligent as they are and that we need help.

the point of the trap was to get him in position to shoot him. How would you capture him? Just cause he's in a little pit doesn't mean 4 small rabbits can overpower him.

It's a good thought, but too ambitious for their current capability.

>>1123677
Yeah, if we're taking a hostage, we need to go for broke. We don't need some grunt or contractor, we need the big man.

We're only trying to kill this guy so we can loot his body for stuff. Hunters have weapons and gear that are stronger than this tiny pistol. Gets even better if he has a key on him, then we can find his place and ransack it for automatic weapons or something.

We're not the good guys. We're fighting because the evil guys prevent anyone in this wretched city from being the good guys.

>>1123691
is not hunting organized so they know exactly what sector they go missing in not doing much more then revealing our location if its not very far away?

tippler 2026/03/23(Mon)01:20 No. 1123859 ID: f1368b
File 177422882663.png - (12.28KB , 500x500 , p59.png )

“You’ve got a point, but the logistics would be too complicated. Even if he’s stuck in the trap, how do we overpower the guy long enough to tie him up?” I ask.

“Easy, we point the gun at him and threaten to shoot unless he cooperates. Then we can take all his loot like we would have done anyway so we’ll get another gun.”

Dammit, that’s a good point. I have to poke a hole in the plan somewhere, because something about it just doesn’t sit right with me.

I’ve never seen or met the Gustave Gargill guy that Lucy told me about, but I know he’s involved in the investigation and with his pedigree he’d be a much more valuable hostage. We could maybe even bargain for Lucy’s release with the extra value. That’s it, let’s target Gustave instead of the chameleon!

It’s Grass’s turn to be skeptical after I explain the relationship between Gustave and the Gargill brand. “Okay, sure, but how do we find this guy? We don’t even know what he looks like or what type of reptile he is and he’s not stalking us like the chameleon.”

>>1123859
The problem with live capture is at at least two of you getting close to him. Two need to handle the gun.
And praying he doesnt grab one as a shield or just outright kill them.
Youve been handled by a few. Grasshole is forgetting exactly how much stronger than you guys.

Tricks will win the day.

If you do insist on tying this shit up, your going to need strong rope and some kind of slipnot you can tell him to put on his hand and foot at the same time so you can hobble him without approaching, then move in safely to apply the real ties.

Ultimately though, Using the gun just because you have it isnt the best idea.
Its best used to defend you guys in a last ditch situation if your den is compromised.
Now, you still need the pit and killzone and a well practiced plan, but just because youre ready to shoot the chameleon, doesnt mean you should unless you have to. Because even if everything goes to grassholes plan, you take him alive and swap him for some intact does, you still need a second temporary den to fall back to because you wont be living here anymore the second you initiate a conflict in or around this area.

Im now wondering how many of your instinctual tricks youve lost in captivity. How many escape passages does your den have?

>>1123859
Snares would help with the tying issue, a little bit.

As for who he is, that's a tough nut to crack. You've probably heard his voice on the phone with Lucy, but you'd need to hear it to recognize him.

>>1123859
What's bothering you about the chameleon guy?
Is it that he didn't follow you into the woods so he might not be chasing you?
Is it that he might notice the pit trap?
Or that it might not incapacitate him?
Or that he'll fight back while you're threatening him?
Or that you'll have to keep him prisoner all the time while you negotiate?
Or that you'll have to draw Gargill's attention to yourself to negotiate?
Or that they consider breeding rabbits such a threat they're likely to sacrifice him just to make sure we're all dead?

Gustave... what did Lucy say about Gustave? Did she mention anything like him popping out of a lake? That, at least, would tell us he's an aquatic reptile. Where else could we get information about him? Eavesdropping on his minions?

tippler 2026/03/26(Thu)22:06 No. 1123964 ID: f1368b
File 177456279233.png - (12.60KB , 500x500 , p60.png )

I’m partially trying to pick a hole in Grass’s idea to give him a hard time, although it also makes me uncomfortable to hold a reptile captive because of the unavoidable physical risk. Well, if we’re going to kidnap someone I guess it would be easier to go after the chameleon than Gustave since I don’t know anything about where to find him, much less lure him toward the trap.

“You’re right, I guess this Gustave idea isn’t feasible. Let’s make sure we can really catch the chameleon: since we’ll be working on the trap for at least another day, I can look for some more rope in town tomorrow.”

Grass relaxes, pleased that I’m agreeing with him, finally. “Yeah, good idea. Can never have enough rope.”

>Does the burrow have multiple exits?
It does, my brothers were sufficiently paranoid when they built it.

We switch between digging and resting until it’s too dark to see. I think we’ve made the trench deep enough, so we can focus on sharpening sticks to plant around the walls next.

Grass nudges my side playfully as we walk to the burrow. “You wanna do it tonight?”

Another time. Wiped after this hole business.

>>1123964
Only if you get to top. You have some frustrations to work out.

That's enough holes for one day.

Go back to Lucy's.

>>1123964
Sure, you might as well. You seem like you've started getting over your frustrations now that we know his side of the story.

I wouldn't give up on catching Gargill just yet. We could still make the plan work if we just get more info. When we capture the chameleon guy, we can interrogate him about his mission and the company's command structure. As long as we're not too specific, we won't clue them in about what we're planning.

tippler 2026/03/28(Sat)19:54 No. 1124010 ID: f1368b
File 177472765650.png - (14.68KB , 500x500 , p61.png )

>Too much hole for one day
“Naw, I’m exhausted from digging, I just want to go to bed.” I mutter.

“Oh okay, we can cuddle then.”

“Sure.” I don’t want Grass to think I’m holding a grudge against him. I’m still frustrated, of course, but I don’t need to keep throwing a fit about it. I need to be mature. I need to get it together.

I find a new leaf cloak waiting for me in the main chamber, and Root and Sky seem glad I’m more talkative tonight. We all settle into our comfortable nest and I feel the others quickly fall asleep while I stare up at the dark earth ceiling. I’m sore and worn-out from a long day’s labor, but for some reason that’s not enough to fall asleep.

>Go back to Lucy’s house
There’s not really much point going there now since it’s dark and the chameleon won’t be there. As the hours drag on I finally fall asleep.

>The next morning…
>Weather check (warm or wet): Warm
I feel groggy and sore when I emerge from the burrow. Another hot, stifling day.

A. Work on the trap with everyone
B. Go into town to look for the chameleon, Gustave, and more rope

A) got to be ready

>>1124010
B. We'll need the rope, and we're the best one to get it. Rather than rope, which would probably be inside a store and more secure, we could consider stealing the leashes from yard rabbits like Minnie.

>>1124010
A: Keep working on the trap. The next time we have a chance at this plan, we want to be ready. We'll miss out on the information you would have found, but you're still tired from last night, and you should be as alert as you can when you risk exploring reptile town.

>>1124010
A, but start a morning coordination routine.
Share your planned actions with the others and them with you.
Not for input, but so you and they are aware of where the others are going to be and what theyre doing.
Its not something that needs much detail nor time, just a touching of bases and keeping you all feeling like part of the same warren.
The rope is the goal.
Anytjing else is a bonys.
Finish early enough and you can return to help.

B: rope time

tippler 2026/03/30(Mon)20:01 No. 1124063 ID: f1368b
File 177490090144.png - (13.58KB , 500x500 , p62.png )

>A, start a morning coordination meeting
I duck back into the warren to round everyone up for a planning session over breakfast. I don’t want to be caught off guard and make a fool of myself again.

Soon we’re all sitting in a patch of shady grass, munching away.

“Thanks for working on the cloaks yesterday, Root and Sky. Grass thinks that it would be better to take the chameleon hostage and I agree, which means we need to learn how to restrain a reptile. Sky, you practice with the rope we already have. I’ll work on finishing the trap with Grass and Root and hopefully we’ll be able to get it mostly done today. Any questions?”

Everyone nods along. Root is the one who speaks up.

“That sounds great, Rudger. Also, we’ve been wondering if you’re doing okay? I know all of this is really stressful and we don’t want you to push yourself too hard.”

I glare at Grass, who shrugs. “You kind of blew up at me yesterday and you look like you haven’t been sleeping great.”

“You can tell us if something’s wrong.” Sky adds.

Freedom isn't free and it's costing you sleep. You're just looking forward to when you can have peace again.

You're worried that your little band of outlaws is becoming too reactionary, too predictable. Like, if Gargill put out a notice claiming that every lizard should exercise three times a day, you morons would stop exercising on principle.

You're fighting because you want the rest of the world to stop breathing down your necks, telling you what to do, who you are, and how you die. But if things go too far, you'll be haunted by your guilt until you die anyway.

You're angry because your brothers seem to not get this. Have any of them thought about the future, beyond their next breeding? About what they want out of life and what parts Gargill will do anything to prevent them from having? And what shouldn't be sacrificed in the name of freedom?

>>1124063
Tell them straight, you're losing sleep because Lucy's in prison for trying to help us get some intact does. She took a serious risk, and it sounds like she even killed a Gargill employee, even AFTER one of us stabbed her. It's time Grass put some respect on Lucy's name, and that includes the one she gave you.

You know trying to rescue her is a stupid idea and would probably just make things worse for everyone involved, which just makes it feel worse. And Grass constantly needling you doesn't help.

tippler 2026/04/01(Wed)19:50 No. 1124166 ID: f1368b
File 177507302761.png - (12.89KB , 500x500 , p63.png )

“I…It’s…I don’t know really, I feel like it’s almost like we’re trapped again, like we’re trying so hard for freedom that there isn’t space for questioning what actually would make us happy.”

“Sounds like you’re pushing yourself too hard. It’s okay to take your time with the trap, heat exhaustion is really dangerous on days like this.” Root says kindly.

“No, it’s not just that. I feel guilty. I feel horribly guilty–Lucy is in prison because she tried to help us. She killed another snake, a Gargill employee, trying to save two women! You saw the house yourself, it was an awful place where they were being kept as toys. I hate that Grass acts like Lucy’s nothing just because she’s a reptile when she’s a person like us. I know I can’t do anything about what happened but the constant needling doesn’t help. He’s still calling me Wind when I told him not to!”

Root draws himself up to his full height and bearing. “Grass, stop trying to make Rudger forget about his experience with this Lucy woman. She treated our brother well, and we should be grateful for that. We were so worried after we lost him, and she helped him recover and stay safe.”

Grass rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. I feel a little better, but there’s a lingering, yawning chasm of anxiety in my stomach and I’m not even really sure why it’s there. Lucy is trapped. Our plan might not even work and we could be captured or injured in the struggle.

I must look disturbed, because everyone’s faces are full of pity.

Sky nudges my side. “C’mon, we can find some good sticks and sit in the shade and start sharpening. You’ll feel better when you’re distracted by something.”

Is there anything I want to talk about with my brothers while we work?

You're missing your girl, and that's natural. Not only is she of interest to you, she's an asset to you and your brothers. They might not realize how much though. Your conscious really needs some closure here. There has to be a way to help her.

>>1124169
If they've detained her on suspicion of conspiring with rabbits, any direct attempt by rabbits to help her will confirm those charges. She'll be on the run with Rudger for the rest of her life.

Which isn't to say that we can't or shouldn't. But that's a life-altering decision that she should ideally be a part of making, and we have no way to ask her.

>>1124166
Start thinking about the possibility that our plan to break out some intact does fails. Or even if it succeeds.

We can't stay this close to town. Where should we go? Where do they fantasize about going? Do you all even know what things like beaches or mountains are?

tippler 2026/04/03(Fri)19:55 No. 1124282 ID: f1368b
File 177524614837.png - (9.71KB , 500x500 , p64.png )

>There has to be a way to help Lucy
I’m not sure there’s a feasible way for us to free any women at this point, much less a reptile that my brothers don’t know or care about. This whole chameleon plan has been making me terribly anxious. If it goes wrong, we’ll have to flee. We might even get hurt so badly we can’t flee.

I grip the branch I’m stripping of bark and bonk it against my head. Sky looks up from his sticks and the rope.

“Sky, what’s our back-up plan? What happens if we can’t capture this guy and they find our burrow? We’ll have to leave and we might not ever be able to come back.”

“Then we’ll leave. We can travel around and look for wild rabbits, the weather’s warm enough that we don’t need a permanent burrow to survive.”

“But what if someone’s hurt? What if Gargill keeps hunting us?”

“They can’t chase us forever, it’s not worth it for them, costs too much. We’ll be okay, Rudger. I’m sorry you’re having a hard time right now.”

I take a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “Yeah. Thanks.”

We make a ton of progress, especially with the four of us all working together. Once we finish mounting the spikes along the walls and floor of the pit, Sky leads us in weaving a mat to hide our trap. With some clods of dirt and grass, the hole is pretty well disguised. I think it’s ready for the chameleon, which means I can start wandering around town again tomorrow.

My brothers let me slink back to the burrow unbothered so I can sleep early to make up for the last few nights. It still takes me hours to slip into a doze, and I’m constantly interrupted by jolts of heart-pounding anxiety. At least the trap is done.

>The next morning…
>Weather check (warm or wet): Warm
Well whaddya know, another dry spell, perfect for baiting reptiles. I take my new leaf cloak for camouflage so I can move without alerting the ordinary civilians–what’s my strategy for finding the chameleon today?

remove the collar for today. Hide it somewhere. reasons: if the plan fails and the chameleon gets away, they will have evidence that you as Lucy's "pet" was in cahoots with the bnuuy resistance, and thus she will probably be executed for allying herself with them.

Secondly, the chameleon is looking for wild rabbits anyways. He's probably not going to be too dedicated to hunt down anyone perceived as a pet

Thirdly, Lucy's friend might spot you if you wear the collar.

>>1124284
Good calls. There's the risk he shoots at you, but if he's at all smart he'll try to track you back to the others and bag the whole bunch. I think the gamble is worth it to avoid implicating Lucy. It's the least we can do on our end.

tippler 2026/04/05(Sun)19:21 No. 1124592 ID: f1368b
File 177541687701.png - (12.36KB , 500x500 , p65.png )

>Leave the collar at the burrow
This way Violet won’t recognize me and I won’t get Lucy in more trouble. My neck feels bare after I unhook the clasp and tuck the strip of black nylon into the corner of the sleeping chamber.

“Stay safe!” Root calls as I squeeze out of the burrow and head south.

>Random area selection (Lucy’s neighborhood, the road in the west, downtown, near the factory): Downtown
I don’t really know where I want to go to start. I might as well go to the densest area in hopes the chameleon will be passing through–not like he can shoot at me in the middle of town without causing a scare.

I move from bush to bush until the greenery turns into concrete and brick and I have to hide behind trash cans and in alleys instead.

>Sneak check: Success
I make it to the street with the veterinarian and the police station without anyone seeing me. It’s my turn to keep watch and wait for the chameleon to pass by from the uncomfortable, smelly gap behind a dumpster and a cool stone wall.

I see him after an hour of waiting, wearing the same practical clothes and plodding down the street. His eyes swivel to my position the moment I step out of my hiding spot and he stops moving entirely.

I hide and pop out again to check to see if he’s come closer. Nope, stuck there like a statue. Huh, how am I supposed to lure him toward me if he won’t follow me?

>>1124592
He's probably running the mental math on whether he can use his gun here or not.

Make a lewd finger-licking gesture at him, then scamper down the alley and see if he starts to track you.

Leave, and take an overt path. Let him think he's outsmarting a dumb beast.

You have to make it look like you're trying to sneak away from him, while also making sure he sees you trying to sneak away from him. It'll look suspicious that way.

Does the alley on the other end have an opening, or is it a dead end? if so, you can probably put your back against the wall on the other side of the dumpster to obscure you until you get to the half-way point of the ally. and then, when you get half-way, make a run to the other end as you run towards the middle of the alley. That should keep you relatively safe if he tries to shoot you and you can run fast enough to the other end, and possibly have him run towards you in hopes he can catch up to you.

tippler 2026/04/08(Wed)00:06 No. 1124798 ID: f1368b
File 177560678586.png - (14.01KB , 500x500 , p66.png )

>Taunt him
I mime a lewd gesture. He stares. It’s kind of creepy how he doesn’t react, and other reptiles have to keep stepping around him on the sidewalk.

>Leave via a visible path
I can take the alleys away from downtown and toward the more residential areas. I scamper fast enough away that he has to actually move if he wants to keep me in sight, and I hear him finally follow me. I check over my shoulder to make sure he’s not going to shoot me.

>Shoot avoidance check (50%-10% from taunt = 40%): Success
He doesn’t draw his gun, which makes me feel more comfortable slowing down so that I stay obvious. We make it all the way to the neighborhood before I hear something strange.

“You’re the pet, I can tell by how you’re different from the others. You’re Rudger, aren’t you? I want to talk.”

>>1124798
I wouldn't let him get any closer, or stand still and be an easy target. Hide behind a tree and tell him to talk if he's talking.

He can talk just fine from way over there and you behind a tree.

Hide behind tree, don’t say anything as your mother once told you, and listen. If he gets closer, run off

>>1124798
Hm. There's a few ways he could know that name, can't shake the possibility he knows Lucy somehow. It's not strong enough to actually talk to him, though.

>>1124798
He know you by name, and he's not trying to shoot you, but this could be a trap. But then why isn't he attacking?

He might be trying to distract us. Someone could be sneaking up on you right now. Look around for anyone else nearby. And keep an eye on him in case he reaches for his gun.

If he wants to talk, tell him to talk, but also hide behind something so you can duck for cover if he starts shooting. And not just behind a lone tree where he could pin you down, somewhere that has an escspe route if you need to run away. And we'll need to strike a balance between talking quietly enough to avoid attention, but loudly enough so that you can hear each other from a safe distance.

>>1124840
Rudger's name was probably on the adoption/ownership paperwork Lucy signed, Gargill and its agents would have access to those.

if you are unhappy with the path that you are on, but cannot see any others, then perhaps it is worth the risk investigating even the most unlikely alternatives.

>>1124882
endangering a rebellion because of personal dissatisfaction isn't even an option here lol, fuck no to that

tippler 2026/05/05(Tue)19:40 No. 1126397 ID: f1368b
File 177801002856.png - (11.52KB , 500x500 , p67.png )

>Don’t let him get close
I take cover behind the nearest sturdy tree and glare at him from around the trunk. “Put your hands up and don’t get any closer!”

There aren’t any other reptiles close enough to hear me speak although there’s plenty of activity in the area, we are in the neighborhood during a warm day, after all. We should be able to have a conversation without anyone noticing.

The chameleon seems to be performing the same check. He raises his hands and shuffles a little closer.

“What do you want?” I say, not bothering to keep the hostility out of my voice. This is the enemy! Anything he says will be treated with great suspicion.

“Speaking on behalf of Gustave Gargill, we’d like to make a deal with you. The three other escapees I don’t think we have much hope for, but you lived with Lucy Green for a while and can understand us reptiles better. All we want is to produce food safely for our people.”

I motion impatiently for him to get to the point.

“You care about Lucy Green, who we currently have in prison. She is guilty of murder, and it would be trivial to keep her there for the rest of her life. But–if you cooperate with us and give up whatever attack or rebellion you’re planning, we’ll allow you to stay here with Lucy, as owner and pet. The other three can leave for the wilderness.”

Do a flip-the-bird dance. Even if you were selfish enough to take the deal, Gargill would renege their end of the bargain and then vivisect you just because they can.

Honestly, if you could get any assurances that they'll hold up their end, it's not a terrible deal. That's a pretty big If though.

Prod for further information, while trying to lure him closer to the trap. And hey, maybe downplay Lucy's involvement in your activities, just to make things a little easier on her.

Maybe something like "Why should I trust Gargill after he set up Lucy?" Deny any scheming on her end, and make it seem like your understanding of events is that Gustave wanted to get rid of Lucy to remove your protections and flush you out.

>>1126397
If we were doing this, the other two are a maybe, but that's really not gonna fly with Grass. Assuming Gargill could be trusted on this deal, Grass would likely go back on it and screw us over in the process.

>>1126399
I agree. This sort of truce only really works if both sides have something on the other.

Respond sympathetically first, say you understand that reptiles like Lucy need to eat. But that doesn't give you any reason to think he wouldn't stab you in the back if you follow through on your end.

We'd need something legal on paper with Lucy to confirm. That's how reptiles do things, right? Legally binding agreements?

...If we play this right, we could get Lucy in a better position to bust her out. Whatever that existence on the run would look like, it would be on the table.

But why would you believe him? Why would the company let any of you go when they could just eliminate you? Or if they didn't care, then why are they tracking you down?

We need proof

>>1126397
A hunter will try to trick you.
You are just a dumb bunny to him.

This offer is a seemingly clear escape route that ends in a net.
Tempting you with everything all of your side wants and a vague gesture towards their goals.
Its too good to be true...
Pretend to be considering it.

But.
Something occurs to me
This encounter had brought focus onto what it us cargill wants.
The status quo maintained.
And, if he has chosen to offer a deal, that tells you something important.
There is something within your power to do that can upset it.
You have to suspect by now that physical strikes are going to have minimal effect.
Theyre not afraid of your ability to cause physical damages.
Im beginning to think the thing they fear is...
Your voices.
youve been trained to think your voices have to be hidden from lizards.
But why?
Well, not all lizards would care, but im willing to bet a portion of them would be like lucy and balk at the idea of eating a creature smart enough to talk.
And that would hit his sales.
Just foid for thought... what if the biggest way to hurt cargill is to start talking to lizards who have had their consumption of you so sanitized they dont even see you moving, let alone realise youre sentient beings.
Not all will care, but if you find one in ten... then that is appreciable damage.

tippler 2026/05/07(Thu)19:52 No. 1126469 ID: f1368b
File 177818355949.png - (12.73KB , 500x500 , p68.png )

“I don’t think Gargill promises are worth squat. How come you’re the ones who arrested Lucy anyway? Sounds like you set her up after stalking her. How do I even know she’s okay and that you haven’t hurt her?” I snap.

“I assure you she’s very much alive. We left a picture of her in her cell at your burrow in front of her house.” the chameleon says blandly. “I guess you didn’t see it.”

“And what’s stopping you from arresting her again and killing me as soon as I agree? I don’t have any legal rights as a rabbit and she’s a war widow.”

The hunter shrugs. “You can’t be sure. I can’t be sure you’ll uphold your end of the deal either. This is an attempt for a truce before anyone else gets hurt.”

IMPORTANT CHOICE:
A. Pretend to agree, but continue with the pitfall trap and hostage plan (It will be hard to save Lucy this way)
B. Agree to the deal sincerely (How will you convince your brothers, especially Grass, to leave?)
C. Threaten to take rabbit intelligence to the public by talking to reptiles around town (Wildcard)

C) Go nuts.

B.
The life you had with Lucy was the best you've ever had and you know it. Get back together, then get the hell out of Dodge. Skip town together. You don't need to convince the others of anything, either. Your disappearance is all they need.

C is a bit silly. For one, why threaten them with your wildcard option? That just ruins the element of surprise and gives them time to figure out how to spin it.

Aside that... From Lucy's conversations at the library, your average reptile kind of knows but has been propagandized since childhood and chosen the healthier mental route of not caring. Not that Rudger knows that in-character. He does know it's a hick conservative town whose main industry is making us into food.

But can we really call it the ending to soapbox quest if we don't get up on a soapbox at some point? So I think if we don't announce it to the hunter's face, C could be an interesting way to end things.

On another hand, I don't see broaching B with the gang going any way except a fight to the death with Grass. Because you will be everything that he ever accused you of being: a sellout who gave up when it got hard for an easy life as a pet.

My proper vote is for A. We'll do our best for Lucy, but we've spent all this time preparing to put nuts to butts and we've got more than just our doomed Juliet to save.

IF C wins, I suggest we NOT announce our crazy Hail Mary plan to the enemy. Instead, we go to their school and start there. Show the kids to their faces that they're eating people who can talk, tell them about your horrible conditions. Maybe it'll get to a few teachers too. You'll probably accomplish nothing in the moment and risk getting caught, but you'll seed ideas in the future generation. Best case scenario, someone in the media comes salivating over a potential scandal and we can get a chance to get something even further out there.

A) there's no way to trust them

>>1126469
A, but C should be given more consideration. I like the idea of leaving rabbit-produced Literature around town, just revealing we're capable of language seemed to be enough to convince Lucy and I'm willing to bet she wasn't unique in this.

>>1126469
Thinking on it, c only has the drawback of not putting us any closer to getting lucy free.
Kept secret or not.

So, if hitting them with releasing the secret of rabbit sapience is the plan, keep it quiet and pretend compliance while preparing it.

I say A, but keep the pit trap in the back pocket. Dont use it just because we have it, but when we need it.

Even if knowing about bunny intelligence doesnt put as many as we would like in opposition to cargill, at the very least they should have to live with the knowledge of what they are doing rather than hide it behind cargills sanitizatikn of the process.

C, but in a more clandestine way, as has been suggested

tippler 2026/05/09(Sat)20:55 No. 1126536 ID: f1368b
File 177836010225.png - (13.41KB , 500x500 , p69.png )

>A, with C influence
It feels weird to be talking to an unfamiliar reptile like this, out in the open. With Lucy I took weeks to feel brave enough to speak to her in the privacy of the house, I didn’t want to talk to Violet at all, and now I’m negotiating with a man who wants to kill me and my brothers like it’s a chat in the backyard.

Being treated like a person instead of meat, because I have something they want. The bitterness burns the back of my throat. Was it really this easy the whole time? Should I have told Violet to stop when she was touching me?

I want to confront her. I want to scream at all the carnivores that they’re eating people and that they’re monsters and should be ashamed of themselves. I’ll go down in a blaze of defiant glory.

I’m the only one who can do this. Lucy prepared me–it’s not something I can ask for from my brothers. For now, I need to stick with the plan of rescuing at least one doe so that they can have their dream and that means acting like I’m going along with the deal.

“Okay. Yeah. The life I had with Lucy was the best I’d ever had and I’d do anything to get it back. What do you want me to do?”

“Tell the other three to leave. If anyone sees them in town again, we’ll know you lied. Meet us in front of Green’s house tomorrow morning so we can verify the location of your burrow, and afterwards we’ll retrieve the snake. Wear your collar.”

That sounds like the perfect opportunity to lead Gustave and the chameleon to the trap. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

The chameleon nods and walks away, back to the street. I feel empty. What should I tell my brothers this evening? They might be suspicious if I give the full truth.

>>1126536
Keeping secrets just gives Gustave or the chameleon ammo to sow discord later during a critical confrontation.

The chameleon spotted us and he tried to cut a deal for a truce. We're going to use that to draw him out, maybe even Gustave. They need to know this, so they know where you're going and who you're going to be luring back, and that there might be more than one. They need to be ready with both the pit and the gun.

Anything about Plan C, they don't need to know. Beyond that point, it's not their problem anymore, it's our own personal mission.

>>1126536
...This isn't smart. We're made, frankly, we've essentially confirmed the rebellion exists AND agreed to show up to what will almost assuredly be some kind of ambush. And for what, bait? He now got to set terms. He's not biting.

All we have now is a chance to book it and re-establish ourselves elsewhere...

...or. or, we could raid the factory during the meeting time. I think forces will be divided enough for it to be a good time for a left hook. Bolster ranks, cause a stir, find SOME way to truly strike these genocidal pricks where it hurts.

>>1126547
Sounds about right.