Blame FrostedScales for this, and me for some of the liberties I took.

Memory Transcription Subject: Hilchi, Venlil Park Ranger

Date [standardized human time]: June 7, 2139

I hummed as I emptied the bag of leaves into the compost bin, closing the lid and throwing the bag over my shoulder as I went on my merry way, enjoying the chill in the air that always came to my park in Autumn.

Only to have my day ruined by a pink Krakotl fidgeting his way into my path with that look on his beak that told me he had a thing going on today.

"Lilon," I greet, consciously stopping myself from grinding my teeth, "What can I help you with today?"

You overgrown chicken shit

"I-I-I-It's Terrence! He's planning something," he stuttered out, leaning close to me to whisper as he pointed at the Human currently raking the path clear, "H-He keeps checking the pocket of the front of his pelts! I think he has a weapon in there!"

I took a deep breath, disguising it as adjusting my hat, and laid a paw to his shoulder.

"It's alright, Lilon, I'll check on it!" I told him, giving my best cop impression.

I've been meaning to check on Terry anyways, and if it keeps him from getting divebombed by you, then that's just dandy

"I-I just don't know how you do it, Hilchi! Good luck, and watch out!"

And with that, the pink nuisance was up on a branch in a tree, well away from the oh-so-dangerous predator.

Marching over, I tugged on the towering omnivore's pantsleg, stepping back and putting my paws on my hips as he turned around.

"Chicken's spooked, what's in your pocket?"

Terry chuckled at my bluntness, shaking his head as he laid his rake against a tree.

"Wife an' I couldn't find a sitter today."

I blinked.

Terrence must have seen my confusion, because he gestured to the tree he'd laid his rake against and pulled the front pocket of his overalls open.

Shrugging, I sit my bag down next to his rake, unsheathed my claws, and climbed up a couple of feet. Once I was eye level with my friend, I let a paw loose and swung around to look at what he had.

Three small pairs of beady eyes stared back at me.

"Hi!" One of the light-furred Dossur kittens greeted me. Another, one with a darker patch of fur over their mouth, gave me a wave before busying themselves with Terrence's phone, playing some fruit slicing game. The last one was obscured by an apple slice that they were too busy munching on to bother with a greeting.

"Huh," I said, tipping my hat up with my free paw, "Hey there, little peanuts!"

"Sitter got sick and Miila had to work today, so I just took our babies to work with me!"

"Well, they're cute kids, and well behaved if I didn't know about them before."

"Thank you, Hill! They take after their momma in both regards!"

"I know," I said as I dropped down and grabbed my bag, "The well behaved part told me as much."

Terrence barked a laugh at that, said something to his kids that I couldn't catch, then he closed his pocket and picked up his rake, and went back to work.

I walked back down the path, fully intent to do the same, when Lilon landed beside me.

"So what was it? A knife? A bomb!? Some poor Prey's severed fingers!?"

"It was his kids." I answered, not bothering to look at him, "Apparently, Terry's married to a Dossur."

I shrugged as I set the bag down and grabbed my own rake, shrugging as my tail swayed smugly at the Krakotl's befuddled expression.

"You learn something new everyday!"