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It was evening in Angel Hare, Wylde Hare, and, well, real life. Both shows were live on Jonah's monitors, of course, three of four of his friends present. Gabby had briefly taken off to attend to some... angel duties, or something, leaving the group to their own devices, and to say it was awkward would be an understatement. Jonah was normally happy to flit around his room while the others chattered in the background—Gabby usually starting conversations and keeping them going—but now, in her absence, however brief she and Zagzagel said it would be, Francis could see how antsy he was. How he fidgeted in place rather than drawing, or talking to the rest of them. He couldn't blame him after the first disappearing scare—admittedly, it unnerved him too, but he was used to stretches of time where he didn't (or couldn't) see Gabby. Jonah watched the window of Francis' burrow; watched her cloud.
Zag was playing darts on the other monitor, with Francine tallying his score and berating him when he missed. He was quite a good shot, so it was rare enough to feel rewarding to her. Francis started to fidget himself, unsure what to do now he was alone in his show. He knew how easily he could slip over to the other monitor, but what he didn't know was how the other two would take that—if they'd want him there, if it'd feel cramped...
He considered Francine a friend; he was about as comfortable talking to her as you could be with someone you hadn't seen in a while, to the point where they say "Oh, I remember you," upon seeing you again. He wasn't quite sure about Zag— they'd met briefly all those years ago, briefly enough that if you asked he'd say he'd only ever met one angel hare before seeing him again. How could he not? In his eyes, being introduced to a "co-worker" of Gabby's in passing didn't seem like much to celebrate—especially with how cold Zag was, only offering him a curt nod. Nowadays, though, he admired Zag a lot; he wasn't sure what specifically it was, maybe the simple novelty of knowing an(other) angel, but he had a feeling it was because of how straightforward he was. Zagzagel didn't have time for niceties, he didn't mince words; if he was upset with Fran, he made it clear. He supposed that was partly why he liked Franny, too. Of course, Zag took it further than he would like sometimes. He was never a huge fan of blackjack. He wasn't sure if the respect was mutual, but the very least, Zag didn't hate him.
Oh, who was he kidding? Those two were simply out of his league. Francis shook his head and shuffled to the other side of the room, towards his desk. He could see Jonah's beginning look of barely concealed worry in the corner of his eye as the camera followed him. Then, how he sighed in relief once he stopped, seeing the window was still in view. In fact, it was in perfect view, now that Fran was standing right below it. Francis started to rifle through the drawers, figuring he might as well find something to do in the meantime. Maybe draw. Maybe it would encourage Jonah to do the same.
But as he searched for a blank piece of paper amidst his many sketches of rabbits with too many eyes, something fell out, catching his eye. The physics of the paper was very cartoony, given he was in a cartoon show. He picked it up off the ground and, for Gabby knows how long, just stared, trying to make sense of it.
He hadn't drawn this. At least, not that he remembered.
It was a drawing of two anime-style... people(?) with rabbit ears and angel wings, dressed in big, poofy dresses. It took him a moment to realise it was seemingly portraying Gab and Zag. They were striking heroic yet dainty poses, surrounded by sparkles.
Fran was horrified. Everyone would assume he drew this— he couldn't even be sure he didn't, but it wasn't his style at all. He thought he only knew realism. He knew he'd been staring at it too long—eventually the others would notice, but what could he do? He couldn't just put it back, could he?
By the time he'd looked up, Jonah's brown eyes had already darted down to him. "What's that, Francis?" He asked.
He must've noticed the shocked look on his face. Fran's ears drooped. "Oh, n-nothin'! Just an... old reminder I wrote myself. And forgot about. Until just now."
Jonah didn't look convinced, but simply cocked an eyebrow and shrugged. "Alright then," he said, turning his attention back to Gabby's cloud.
Francis resisted the urge to wipe the sweat off his forehead.
"What was the reminder?" Asked Zag, idly fiddling with a dart. "It wasn't... important," he clicked his tongue on the last 't', "was it?"
Francis glanced to Zag, feeling like sisyphus' rock had lodged itself in his gullet as he noticed him narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, no, no– not at all, Angel Zaggy!" He laughed. "It was a reminder to, uh... not forget the reminder."
Francine burst out laughing, nudging Zag's arm with her elbow.
"You're a mysterious badger, Fran," Zag remarked, very confused and slightly agitated with the elbow in his shoulder.
"He was only messin' with ya, hun," Said Francine, wiping a tear from her eye with her free hand. "Love the honesty, though."
Fran managed a smile. Well, that was something. He guessed he could put the drawing away. Nobody was going to go through his drawers but him, anyway. Ignoring the possibility that someone did in order to plant it there without Fran noticing in the first place... Still, so long as he remembered where it was, everything would be fine, right?
He carefully slipped the paper back in, making sure it was blank side up, and went to open the drawer beneath it.
There, in perfect view, was the same drawing. He paused. He closed the drawer and opened it again. Still there. He opened the one above it, turning over the blank paper he remembered just putting in, and it was still there too.
He closed both, then opened the third and final drawer. It was full of them. He hurriedly closed it.
His head spun. What in Gabby's name was happening...?
"Looking for something?" Asked Jonah.
"That's one way of puttin' it..." Francis said wearily before perking up. "I mean— yes."
"What is it?"
"Just a– a blank piece of paper. Nothin' else. Seems I ran out..."
Francine hummed, reaching into her own desk drawer and pulling out a little notebook. "Will this do?" She asked, holding it up for him to see. "Haven't touched it yet."
"Oh! Oh, yes, it will! Thank you, Miss Franny!" Francis brightened, walking over to the edge of the screen.
"Ah, it's nothin', hun," Shrugged Francine, passing the notebook, as well as a pencil, to Zag. She gestured for him to pass them to Francis, given he was closer.
Francis tried not get too giddy about his fingertips brushing Zag's as he took it. "Are— are you gonna need this back, or...?"
"Nah, you can keep it. That way, you won't be losin' your reminders anymore." Francine smiled.
"Aw, gee...! Thanks again, Miss Franny..."
"Don't mention it," Said Franny with a wave of the hand. "Seriously, don't. Everyone in the city's a gossip."
"Alrighty," Francis laughed into his hand as he made his way back towards the couch, making sure to sit on the far left end so that the window wasn't obscured.
He happily began sketching some eldritch nightmare, humming the Angel Hare theme to himself. Minutes passed before he decided he was about done, and flicked to the next page, where the process would repeat itself.
With the second drawing finished, he flicked back to the first page to survey his work, and when he did...
"What in the name of the Almighty—?"
There it was again. He couldn't believe his eyes.
The badger recalled everything he knew about demon hares—which was a lot—he was pretty sure he didn't remember them being able to do this, but what else could it be? Was he cursed? Was Zag doing this? Zag's not really the type, he conceded.
Speak of the angel, "What's goin' on, Fran?" Zag asked impatiently. He figured something was up since the first instance of Francis staring in shock at a piece of paper, and was really tired of him being so shifty.
"I..." Francis felt all three pairs of eyes on him. "I have no idea, to be honest, Zaggy."
"Let me see," Zag commanded, holding out a hand and flexing his fingers.
"I...! I don't..." Francis stammered.
"Now, Francis."
Francine put a hand on Zag's shoulder. "Detective..." She scolded, "give him a minute,"
"If there's somethin' fishy goin' on, I have to know about it, France!"
"That's right, and you aren't makin' it any easier for him to show ya what's up, now, are you?"
"That's...!"
Jonah sighed, "Francis..."
"...Yes, Jonah?"
"Whatever it is, we promise not to be mad."
Francis felt himself relax. He knew Jonah didn't think very highly of his own voice, but ever since he became Gabby's man on the outside, Francis found it quite comforting. Maybe because he was about as clueless as himself a lot of the time. Maybe because it signified change—that he wasn't alone now, that he wouldn't have to face Gabby's scorn by himself anymore, that he didn't have to follow a script anymore. And, of course, it was good to know he'd grown up well. He never blamed Gabby for putting Jonah first—he needed the help more than Francis did.
"Right, guys?" Jonah turned to Zagzagel and Francine.
"Sure thing, hun." Nodded Francine.
Zag sighed. "We'll see."
"Zag..." Sighed Francine and Jonah.
Well, two out of three wasn't bad, Francis supposed. He'd take it.
"...Alright," Said Francis, voice wobbly. "So, I was searchin' my drawers for a blank piece o' paper, as you know..."
Francine and Jonah nodded. Zag only tilted his head downwards.
"When a drawin' fell out. I picked it up off the ground, and when I looked at it, I realised... I didn't draw that one. Not my style at all, no siree... I was tryin'a figure out where it came from but, I got embarrassed and just– decided to put it away and open the next drawer. And there it was again."
He saw the cogs visibly turning in Jonah's head as he processed the words.
"Third drawer, again! Dozens of 'em...! And I– I didn't know what to do! When Franny gave me that notebook I thought that was the end of it, but when I flipped back to my sketch it was there again!"
"Huh..." Thought Jonah aloud. "Does it have anything to do with Gabby not being here, do you think?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe...?"
"Is it demonic?" Asked Zag.
"I... don't know...?"
"Oh, for the love of— just hand it over!"
"Hey," Jonah cut in, "does it really matter what it is? It's not outwardly demonic, is it, Fran?"
"No, not that I can tell."
"Then no, it doesn't." Said Jonah with confidence.
Francis made a mental note to thank him later.
"We still need to investigate," Stressed Zag, "this could mean trouble. Gabs said to call if we need her, and it seems like we—"
"We can't tell Gabby about this!" Exclaimed Francis in a panic. He knew Jonah had been itching for any excuse to call on her, and he couldn't bear facing her like this.
Everyone seemed to stifle at that. He could feel Jonah and Francine getting more suspicious with every beat.
"Hun, are you alright?" Asked Francine.
Zag narrowed his eyes again, worldlessly crossing over into Angel Hare.
"Now— now wait a minute, Zaggy—" Francis began to back up, but he wasn't quick enough.
"I knew you were hiding something!" Declared Zag, effortlessly pulling the notebook from the badger's hands.
Francis all but trembled as the detective flipped to the first page.
"Now, what do we have here—? What the–?" Zag kept muttering as he stared, "What...? What is this? Is that...? Wh–? Is that me–?!"
The detective shut the notebook as quickly as he'd opened it.
"Well, now I'm curious," Commented Francine.
Zag ignored her, focusing back on the other Fran. "And you're sure you didn't draw this?"
Francis thought his blush just might be visible through his fur.
"Yes! They're all identical, detective, I couldn't do that if I tried! And why would I if it's so embarrassing you had to yank it outta my hands?"
"...You have a fair point," Zag conceded, "I believe ya, Fran."
Francis sighed in relief, "Hooooo..."
"So, in that case..." Zag took in a breath.
He held up the note for Francine and Jonah to see. "Who do you suppose might've done this?"
Francine burst out laughing again.
Jonah just barely contained his. "Wow, whoever did it is very good!"
"Enough joking around! This could still be demonic intervention!" Zag asserted.
"I'm serious! I'm an artist!" Said Jonah in mock defense.
"I suppose I can't disagree..." Added Francis.
"Y'know, detective, if I didn't know better I'd think you were embarrassed," Laughed Francine.
"I– I don't get embarrassed," Zag said defensively, "it's a shoddy likeness. Doesn't look anything like me. Not only is it juvenile, but inaccurate."
"It is strangely specific," Noted Jonah. "Gabby and Zag as magical girls? Surprised I didn't have the idea first."
"Is that what they are?" Asked Zag.
"Yeah, they're basically superheroes but, like, anime girls in dresses. Hence the title."
"Interesting..." Mused Zag. "Well, either way,"
Zagzagel put a hand on Francis' shoulder.
"all four of us can vouch for you not having drawn these, so you don't need to worry about what Gabby will think, alright?"
"O...Okay. Thank you."
Francis still thought he might faint. Maybe for different reasons.
"Right." Said Jonah. "Angel Gabby?"
Lo and behold, Gabby descended in a split second, landing next to Francis.
"Hello, Jonah. You called?"
"We, uh..."
"We've got a situation here," Interjected Zag.
Gabby giggled. "I know."
"...Huh?"
Gabby gently took the notebook from Zag.
"I did this." She announced with a smile. "Do you like it?" She asked, looking pointedly at Zagzagel.
Francine really tried to contain her laughter this time.
"I... uh, it's great, Gabs—"
"It's okay, Zagzagel. I was here the whole time."
"...What?"
Gabby turned to Francis. "Francis, I know you struggle with... being truthful. So, I decided to test you."
"And... did I pass...?"
"Well..." She paused to think of a way to put it delicately. "Six out of ten score."
"Ain't half bad," Zag commented. "for you."
Francis was just glad he hadn't suddenly developed amnesia. "I'll take it!"
"Good,"
Gabby snapped her fingers and Francis' drawing returned to normal.
"D'aww, I wanted a copy." Pouted Francine.
Gabby shuffled over to the side of the screen and pulled a copy from behind her back, semi-discretely slipping it to Franny.
"They don't call you angel for nothin'," Francine smiled. "Unlike someone." She added, glaring at Zag.
Gabby giggled. Zag glared back as he hopped back into Wylde Hare.
"So... No demon hares?" Asked Francis.
"No, Francis. No demon hares." Said Gabby.
"Darn..."
Gabby's eyebrows furrowed. "Francis."
"Sorry, Gabby."
So, Zag and Francine definitely didn't hate him.