3:10

The beaver wasn’t afraid. But he wasn’t stupid either, and something told him that Edward had hidden reserves that would make just trifling with him ill advised. Still, he wasn’t about to give the bunny what he wanted without making him pay for it and …

Edward’s ears shot upright and he cocked his head. “Oh for … You have the luck of the gods about you. I have enough to deal with without adding even more complications.”

“Still, if it was just him, you might not be free of me so easily,” the bunny muttered, hopping toward the door of the apartment.

“This is not resolved, and I will have my answers!” he informed a befuddled-looking beaver.

Moments later Edward was gone from the apartment while the beaver was still forming his first retort. If Edward had chosen that moment to pop his head back in, he would have treated to the unique vision that was a beaver with his mouth hanging open. It was probably a good thing for any future interactions that he did not.

The beaver slowly relaxed and, taking a deep, cleansing breath, moved over to his beloved lemon and settled down to await whatever had driven off the floppy-eared nuisance, although he suspected it was nothing more special than his roommate. Why the mere presence of Gareth, the subject of all this nonsense, would gain him this reprieve was a bit of a mystery. Still, now that the beaver had time and the players were illuminated, he could make plans to add a little chaos to that interfering March Hare’s existence. But it was clear that a little forward momentum was called for.

Outside two voices approached the door, and the beaver settled back to see what this new factor would bring in the door.