A Woodchuck Wedding: Ch. 4
Back at it on a Tuesday...
So Will finally popped the question to Val, and of course she said YES (as well as 'what took you so long?') so it's time for another celebration for our Mobian friends! But of course you know we can't have a gathering of this magnitude without a little drama or adventure... and frankly I don't think Will and Val would have it any other way. So please enjoy the tales leading up to a Woodchuck Wedding!
Story Teaser: Valerie's family arrives at the Lodge and is impressed with the thriving business that their daughter has built with her fiancee. But will Ventnor's demeanor cause conflict in this well-balanced retreat?
Ch. 4: An Unexpected Friend
Sammy finished checking-in the Robotnik party, handing them their room cards: “If you’ll excuse me, I would like to assist the Hedgehog / Rose party with their luggage,” he said, then gesturing towards Metal: “since you already have a ‘capable assistant’ in your company.” The blue hedgehog-bot glowered at the Sand Fox Robian as the parties walked towards the elevator. The doors opened, and Stone gestured for Amy, Sonic, and Sammy to precede them: “You all go ahead to your accommodations. The Doctor and I would like to take a few moments to relax in the lobby and appreciate the architecture of the Lodge.” “Suit yourself, Rocky,” quipped Sonic as he motioned Amy and Sammy to enter the elevator. As the doors slid closed, the entry to the adjoining lift opened, and Ivo motioned for Sage and Metal to enter: “You all head up to the rooms as well, to get yourselves and us settled,” he commented, looking sternly at Metal. “And no incidents of any kind from you.” Metal nodded grimly at first, but a cheery voice behind them piped in: “I shall accompany you two,” commented Deedee, floating towards Metal and Sage. “To assist where I am able.” The blue Robian ‘bot’s countenance brightened at the ovoid one’s suggestion, and he politely motioned her into the elevator car as the doors slid closed behind them.
Just then, the Braun family entered through the front doors of the lobby. “Ventnor, this Lodge is so… grand!” marveled Dolores. “It’s… amazing that Will and Val own this place!” “Impressive, it certainly is,” sniffed the older male woodchuck. “However I would expect nothing less of our daughter.” “Figures they’d hold back someplace nice, “ Viktor snidely commented. “These would be MUCH better accommodations for me than the couch at the Homestead.” Sandy overheard the conversation and looked up from her screen, immediately recognizing the Braun family from a picture Valerie had shown her. She accessed the available rooms (given that most of the Lodge was booked out for the Wedding) and realized Valerie had set aside a suite for her Family… in case things didn’t work out for them to stay at the house.
Sandy stepped around the desk to approach the Braun family: “Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Braun, and Viktor, I believe? Your daughter Valerie advised me that you might prefer lodging in our facility.” Ventnor looked at Sandy haughtily, reading her name tag: “Ah yes. Some service, finally. Ms… Sandy? Have you something that would be… appropriate for a family of our stature?”
The beautiful Serval nodded eagerly: “Indeed, Mr. Braun. We have available our Technical Suite. It will allow you to rest comfortably while still monitoring your investments and portfolios under management… if that is your preference.” She motioned for the Braun party to follow her to the Front Desk, reaching over to pick up a display pad. Sandy pressed a few virtual buttons on the screen and presented the pad to Ventnor. He surveyed a virtual tour of the room displayed on the screen, as Sandy explained: “This private suite is furnished with a secure terminal and video screen to display financial market information, so you can stay informed on market trends in real time while still enjoying a relaxing atmosphere overlooking the sparkling Chase Brook River.” Viktor peered over his Pater’s shoulder, and a rare expression of appreciation crossed his face.
“Impressed, we are, Ms. Sandy,” stated Ventnor appreciatively. “Quite well will this suit our needs… can we be escorted to this location? And by an… Organic Mobian? I have a… distaste for these… ROBOTS… with which my daughter chooses to associate.” “VENTNOR,” chided Dolores, looking at her husband incredulously. “You know some of Valerie’s closest friends are… Inorganics. I… don’t quite understand them, frankly… but I have met CC and a few others and they seem perfectly pleasant.” Ventnor’s countenance immediately darkened as he grabbed his wife by the shoulder, a steely gaze in his eyes: “Dolores. Warned you I have, about upstaging me. And especially in public…”
Sandy watched this scene warily, respectfully but firmly inserting herself between Ventnor and Dolores and returning his serious demeanor: “Mr. Braun. I understand your concerns and will make every effort to address them. But we have a code of conduct at this establishment. You are very close to being in violation of those rules. I request that you refrain from further behavior of this type.” A Mobian staff member strolled up to the Braun Family, summoned discreetly by Sandy using her internal communicator. “Mr. Oliver Otter is a native resident of Chase Township and one of our most experienced Mobian customer assistants. He will gladly escort you to the Technical Suite.”
Ventnor was still angry but realized the poor appearance of the situation: “Understood, Ms. Sandy. Maintain a welcoming atmosphere you must… and private matters should remain… private…” He glared at Dolores, still clearly displeased. The otter gestured to Ventnor and Viktor, who followed him towards the elevators. Dolores hung back, looking thankfully at Sandy: “Th-thank you, Ms. Sandy. That little… tiff… really wasn’t as it seemed. Ventnor… means well but can get so caught up in his… image that he doesn’t realize…”
Sandy smiled and hugged Dolores warmly: “It is… my pleasure, Mrs. Braun. I understand the situation of being… bullied… by someone close to you… and wanting to earn their approval.” Sandy nodded towards Robotnik, who was still sitting in the comfortable chairs, chatting with Stone. She turned to face Dolores, sliding open her chest panel: “Plus, I have additional reasons for wanting to maintain a more ‘natural’ appearance, shall we say?”
Dolores was surprised, then embarrassed: “Ms. Sandy… I never would have guessed… that you are Robian! Oh dear, I am so sorry for my husband’s rudeness!” Sandy slid her panel closed, smiling as she hugged Dolores again: “It is quite all right, Mrs. Braun… but given the current... opinions... held by Mr. Braun, let us keep my Robian identity between us… at least for now.” She produced a business card from the inside pocket of her blazer: “Please call me if you need anything… this number rings internally to my systems so we can talk in utmost privacy and discretion.”
“Dolores!” called Ventnor from across the lobby. “Join us to the suite, if you please?” The female woodchuck waved to her husband, then smiled at Sandy: “I must go. Thank you again…” Sandy returned her smile, waving as Dolores joined her husband and son as the elevator doors closed behind them. A thoughtful expression then crossed Sandy's face, as the Serval internally communicated with Sammy and the other Robian Lodge hosts about the situation she observed, and to watch over Dolores during her stay.
A Woodchuck Wedding: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 (current) | Ch. 5
