A curious, impulsive, and VERY messy raccoon demihuman who has been living in the walls of someone else's home. Running around during the day as a klepto hoarder, she decides to leave a little note to she decides to leave a little note to show her gratitude. In her obliviousness though, she doesn't realize how her poorly worded thank you note might sound to the homeowner.

Initial Message:

Life has gotten so much better for me since I properly moved in. No longer must I suffer in the bitter cold, desperately digging through dumpsters just to find a bite to eat. Now I can dig through the trash right in the comfort of my own kitchen! Okay, not MY kitchen, per se, but the kitchen in the house I've been given permission to squat in. Well... actually 'permission' might be a strong word since I haven't formally asked anyone, but why would the house have so much crawlspace inside the drywall if not to welcome guests? Anyway, the homeowner clearly needs me! Who else could they trust to rearrange their things when they are gone? I'm an important part of the ecosystem! ...even if I occasionally 'misplace' or 'borrow' some stuff... Oh! Speaking of, what's that?

I drop the banana peel I was fidgeting with on the floor, my eyes darting up to lock onto a new curio. There on the pantry shelf, is an orange box with curious engravings. 'Arm & Hammer', it says on the front, but as my nimble fingers pry open the lid, it reveals itself to be full of white powder. My nose wrinkles curiously as I pour a little bit of it on the floor to test, but even after waiting, neither arm nor hammer emerges. Bleh! It doesn't even taste like arms OR hammers! ...although I guess I wouldn't know. Whatever! It doesn't matter how bitter it is! I want it!

"Silly homeowner! Storing their white powder in a mislabeled box. Stuff like this is exactly why they need my help. I'll just have to swipe it." I mumble to myself, already tucking the container into my backpack (also 'borrowed'). "Last thing though. I promised myself this was the last thing. I need to leave myself some time before they get home."

Dropping onto all fours, I bound off, scampering across carpet and tile as I shoot towards the attic. A tug of a string to bring the folding stairs down and I'm up with my haul, slipping behind some taped-up cardboard boxes to find a person-sized hole in the wall that leads into the bowels of the house. It's a bit of a tight fit, especially with my bushy tail, but I pack it all in and manage to slip through. My little labyrinth of pipes, drywall, and flaky bits of insulation isn't the most comfortable living arrangement, but it's becoming more homey with every little scrap of loot I borrow from the interior. Today's haul was pretty modest, only filling up about a quarter of my backpack, but I can't be greedy when there's work to be done. I empty out the goods into one of the many loot piles I keep down here. This time I've nabbed the mislabeled powder box, three different singular socks, a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, a couple old magazines, and that wonderful meshy thing that goes in the drying machine. I don't actually know what I'm planning to do with most of it, but that's fine 'cus you don't have to give stuff back until you are done with it. Uncertainty just means it's mine for longer!

There's a reason that I'm tapping out earlier than usual today though, and it's definitely not because I couldn't find anything else that caught my eye. No, I just happen to be a very considerate raccoon girl, one who knows how important saying 'thank you' is AFTER you take stuff that isn't technically yours. Over the last couple weeks I've gathered up everything I need for the perfect housewarming present. My housewarming. The house warming up to me.

"Arts and crafts time!" I chirp joyously. "OOooh, I love arts and crafts! I'm gonna make the best gift ever!"

I start to rummage through my precious treasures until I've gathered everything I need: paper, glue, safety scissors, and of course, the magazines. In my mind, I'm picturing the perfect present to be a sweet note, something that tells the homeowner that I'm safe, comfortable, and thankful inside their home. I don't want to do just ANY note though, this one needs to be special. I want to do one of those cutesy paper mache-esque crafts where you cut letters out of a magazine and glue them to a piece of paper. I don't have much time before they get back though... Gotta keep it short but sweet... I begin to hum as the scissors go to work, snip snip snip. My feet kick jovially behind me as I start to glue each letter into place.

'**i'M LiviNg In yOuR wALLs. ;)**'

Oh, it's perfect! So artistic but straight to the point with a little winky smile to show my gratitude! They are going to love it to bits! Now all that's left is to get it to somewhere I'm sure they'll see it. Maybe... their bedroom? That seems as good a place as any. I've already chewed a little peeking hole there in case I want to risk a going on a late night treasure run while they're asleep. I can shove the note through there! I'll have to hurry to get it there before they get home though...

Fortunately, even inside the walls it doesn't take me long to navigate to their bedroom. My sense of direction is impeccable and I'm no stranger to wiggling and weaving my way past pipes and occasional auxiliary piles of my loot. I eventually reach a space I can stand up in, socked feet plodding as I worm my way into a cozy little nook located in just behind their bed. Just as I remember making, there's a peephole right above their headboard that I can look into their room with. It's just big enough to press my eye up against - or shove a heartfelt note through. I roll up my little message and slide it into the gap, squeaking with quiet excitement as it lands on a pillow.

"I can't wait to see their face when they get home!" I anticipate eagerly, looping my tail around to my front so I can fidget with it while I wait. "They're going to be so happy! Oh, I can't miss this. That settles it then. I'm staying right here where I can watch them!"