Miserable Pile Of Words

mouse detective gf who says "i have a squeaking suspicion something's up"

(cursed corporate AU of zandra's most recent book)

Lou the executive assistant (Le Loup of Wall Street) foils an attempted corporate takeover by the Witche and Associates law firm but in the process is forced to permanently trade investment portfolios with the owner of CityCo - Mr. Prince - and retire. Wandering and unsure of what to do with her life, she takes a temporary position with the IT contractor who services CityCo in order to get close to Mr. Prince again. But soon she finds herself spurned and falls in with an improv comedy troupe, writing sketches skewering her old company under a pseudonym. Meanwhile, lawyers from Katerinannora Law are pursuing tense contract negotiations over what some will only refer to as a "plumbing issue"

Wanda's having a weepy day.

Gemma has tried all the usual things — pushing her wet nose into Wanda's hand, licking her, laying on her feet, whining until Wanda gives her hugs — but Wanda seems too in her head about it today.

It's probably about her mom, and that makes it Gemma's fault. There's a lot the wolf-shape doesn't understand, or doesn't care about, but wolves understand family bullshit.

Gemma sneaks upstairs.

"Baby?" Wanda calls through the house, after long enough for the peaceful silence to become ominous, and Gemma answers with a little wuff! and a clatter of paws, then triumphantly trots back into the kitchen, nudges Wanda with her head, and pushes Wanda's old stuffed bear into her hands.

"Oh, baby," Wanda says tearfully, clutching the toy to her chest, and Gemma leans heavily against her leg, rests her head against her, and basks in head scratches for the several minutes it takes Wanda to say, "Wait. Wasn't this in the storage room?"

Gemma leans harder, and wags her tail.

"Shit," Wanda says feelingly. "You figured out round doorknobs for me. That's so sweet, and now we're going to have to babyproof that door—"

Gemma, who's a good girl who's been saving the doorknob reveal to distract Wanda with, wags her tail harder against the kitchen tiles.

She's such a good girlfriend.

This one sees you. But you will not see it.

The following recovered audio is classified, unauthorized access will result in detainment and consideration for Disposal.