The Furry Forums

Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Dynax on March 13, 2016, 09:00:10 AM

Title: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 13, 2016, 09:00:10 AM

(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad281/Swizz_the_Wolf/blind_faith.png)

Fear. Treachery. Bloodlust. These are the forces they say used to rule our world. Only the young and foolish believe that things are no longer so. From small burghs, to the towers of Zootopia, the place where it’s said anyone can be anything. It’s a small enough lie. It sits atop a mountain of falsehood upon which a shining city stands. In truth, it’s a place build upon decades of darkness. Mandatory shock collars, muzzles, lines of segregation drawn over dirty cement with fresh blood. Just because those things are no longer said out loud, the collars and disciplinary instruments stashed away never to see the light of day again, does not mean their shadows don’t dominate every corner of this supposed utopia, or darken the corners of the biggest truth of them all. In this world, there is only Predator, and Prey. And they will always be enemies. They can’t be anything else.

The color of nature is red.

**

Clarice Beruk stood as straight as a Lemur could, bearing the howling wet winds that rattled the  twisting vines and wide leaves of the canopic trees surrounding the small wooden platform with the dignity that only a hardened businesswoman could muster. She tapped her tail irritably against the slick surface of the perch but immediately ceased when she thought she could make out a shape, fighting hard against the tumultuous gales, laboriously dodging branches, vines, and wires. A battered, wet shape flapped hard from the darkness and landed heavily upon the platform--a large fruit bat wearing a dark pressed suit, soaked through.

“I trust you have the goods?” He grunted as he straightened up, approaching the Lemur impatiently.

“The formula is right here, but only if you have my money, Bat.” The Lemur held up a small, unmarked package. Within was the USB containing the formula the Bat’s employer was looking to purchase. It was an outdated instrument to be sure, but Beruk was old fashioned and frankly didn’t trust the signal to be interrupted. The Bat approached, glared hard at the USB before nodding grimly.

“You know what will happen if that’s not the genuine article.”

“Please. Don’t expect me to run afoul of the Bloodmouth, it’s the real deal. Now if you would be so kind as to hurry.”

“The police have no way to reach us.” The Bat whipped out his phone and tapped a message into the screen. “There. The funds have been wired to your account. No wolf or rhino can get up here. They can’t get us.”

**

[/size][/font]

“We got ‘em!”

“Shut up, Fangmire, you’re distracting me!”

The scene might have been comical if not for the tension thickening the air. Wolfram, a big Timber Wolf frowned in concentration as she hovered over a series of slick silver controls, bejeweled with colored buttons and lights, staring intently through a small screen that represented the vision of their secret weapon. In their sights were the two crooks exchanging their dirty deal upon the tiny wooden platform in real time and in HD. Crowded around her were several other officers, Fangmire, Higgins, McHorn and Delgato,a Polar Bear, a Hippo a Rhino a Lion respectively--and standing directly behind her was the Chief Bogo. Blue black hide stretched tight over huge muscles, the Cape Buffalo was wearing a delicate headset that looked hilariously delicate and small perched on his mighty head. The small room was crowded with hide and bone and tusk and fur and awfully hot, but everyone wanted a chance to see both the secret weapon in action as well as the execution of a risky plan to catch criminals who had been gracing Zootopia’s Most Wanted for years.

“That storm looks bad. Are they going to be okay? That’s a three hundred foot drop easy.”

Chief Bogo grunted. “They’re the only ones on the force who can respond to this situation. Have a little faith.”

“Chief, send them in now!” Fangmire urged. “Wolfram got what we needed!”

“Not yet!” Snapped Wolfram, “This wind is playing hell with my rotors…”

“I need you in position now, Wolfram,” Bogo’s voice was calm, but tight with tension, his hand hovering by his ear.

“Right. Got it, Chief.”

“Operation Hummingbird is a go!” Bogo commanded into the mic. “Bring them in!”

There was a brief crackle of static. A pregnant pause, distorted by the roar of the storm. Then, another crackle and a bright voice on the other end of the line,

“Affirmative, Chief! We’re coming in hot!”

**[/font]

Just as the small package was about to leave the Lemur’s hand’s, there was a whoosh and a blaze of lights. A black drone, with the letters ZDP engraved into the side bounced up alongside the platform, the air from the rotors doing even more to tear at the clothing of the two suspects upon the platform. Both of them used their hands to shield their sensitive eyes. Balanced precariously atop the drone were the ZDP’s newest recruits--hero cops and the smallest members of the force by at least fifty pounds:

Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

Judy was all business as she seized the microphone and called out over the storm,

“Clarice Beruk, you are under arrest for the sale and intent to receive stolen property! Get down on the ground!”

But rather than obey, both suspects turned and scrambled to flee.

“Nick! The Bat!” She called out as she leaped high off the drone, dropping down like a piece of hail to land beside the Lemur. The Lemur cried out and immediately turned to leap for a nearby vine. Judy grimly tore after her, balancing as carefully as she could as she used her rope equipment to chase her. She trusted Nick to take care of the Bat--and she couldn’t afford to let Beruk get away!

“Stop!” She cried out at the Lemur, taking care to look down. Look where you want your feet to go. Tread carefully. This was her training talking.

“You don’t belong up here, Rabbit!” The Lemur snarled, turning back to Judy and leaping over her to head back towards and under the platform. However, she didn’t seem to expect Judy to use her rope tools to flip right around without falling. She had a gut feeling that Nick with his quick instincts had already dealt with the Bat--or at the very least she prayed to whomever might be listening that he had. And if he hadn’t well...improvisation was one of their strengths.

The Lemur blew past Nick. But the Lemur had miscalculated the height of her jump and when she landed on the edge of the platform, the slick wetness of the wood cause her to lose balance and tip over the edge with a scream.

She would have fallen to her death if Judy had not thrown herself after her.

And Judy would have died too, if not for Nick.

“Nick, incoming!” Judy shouted as she grabbed at the Lemur. For one sickening heartbeat she was floating above the dark forest, with nothing to keep her from plummeting down to break into a thousand pieces.

But she knew Nick would catch her.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 13, 2016, 10:37:19 AM

Nick was with her on the large drone, holding for dear life to one of its receivers. Admittedly, this may or may not have interfered somewhat with the remote team down below. But foxes were not meant to be this high in the air, that much they had gotten right. What they didn't get correct, however, was his determination to take these two down - especially considering the drone had been his idea to begin with. When Judy threw herself from the drone, it rocked a little, making him hold tighter until it stabilized. As much as it was going to stabilize, anyway. He saw Judy slip on the slick footing a couple times, and immediately forgot himself, but his partner could take care of herself.


He let go of the antenna finally, seeing the bat trying to escape. "Not today, batty." He spoke to himself, though no doubt the police force below heard him through the receiver in his ear. Judy yelled at him to grab the bat, but she didn't need to - he had already crouched, and launched himself off the drone, sending the already unstable thing spinning with the force of his leap. He heard a crunch behind him, but it mattered very little in his mind. His eyes were on the bat coming up quick below him. With a thud, he slammed into the desperately flapping creature and took him down to the walkway, making sure the bat took the brunt of his fall. Immediately, the bat snapped at him, but he moved his muzzle and punched it as hard as he could, dazing it. The thing was struggling like its life were on the line, which - if you counted a life in prison - it was.


"Stronger than you look. What's the matter, fox too -" he punched the bat again, "heavy for you?"


With a screech, the bat bit at him again, clawing at his sides with his legs. "You don't know what you're getting into, fox! You get involved, and it's your bunny that's in trouble." The bat angled its eyes upward, above them. As soon as Nick craned his head to look, the bat thrust at the ground beneath him with its hind legs, sending them both falling off the walkway.


He had probably been counting on Nick letting him go in surprise, but Nick was too privy to those kinds of games. He'd used the distraction bit more than enough times himself; including once not too long ago, to get Hopps off of him. That ended with no success, just as much as this did for the bat. Nick only tightened his grip as they both fell, being whipped with vines and leaves. They both came to a stop with a bouncing jerk, tangled in any number of vines around them.


Thinking quickly, he grabbed a length of vine nearby and bit through it, spitting the middle half out to the side, and wrapped the vine around the bats wings. With a jerk, he tied a knot, holding its wings to its side. The bat still struggled, but the vine was too thick for its small mouth, so Nick had no worry that it wouldn't be able to get free. Exhaling loudly, he dropped back in his own tangled set of vines, letting his head loll so he was looking up above them. Where was Judy? Dumb bunny probably got herself in an even worse predicament than himself.


"I'm going to need some coffee after this." He muttered, closing his eyes for a moment.


"The Bloodmouth will not like me being captured, fox. She will target you. More importantly, you have signed your partner's death certificate. The lemur would have gone unpunished. Let me go, and coffee will be your greatest concern. Keep me, and you will have much bigger ones." The bat stopped struggling, realizing the futility and attempting a bargain.


"Be quiet, you flying rodent."


"Rodent! Rod -"


Nick held up two fingers to the sides of his muzzle and stuck his tongue out, bobbing his head back and forth. "Bluh, I'm a bat, fear me! Ze flying rodent of ze sky! Bluh!"


The bat was silent for a moment, then shook its head, giving up. "I don't talk like that. And do not ever say I didn't warn you. The Bloodmouth is not a forgiving creature. But then, you know that better than most, don't you, fox?"


Nick tilted his head, opening his mouth to ask what the bat meant, when he heard Judy scream from above him. "Nick, incoming!" He looked around through the rain and treetops frantically until he saw Judy free falling after the lemur girl. Think, Wilde, think! He looked around desperately, then his eyes rested on the vines holding him in midair. Tracing them up with his eyes, he grabbed a knife at his belt and sucked in some air. Whoever is up there, for the love of Lady Luck let this be the right one. Quickly hacking at the other vines - all except two; the one he thought might be holding him, and the one the fruit bat was tied to - he felt himself free fall and closed his eyes, gripping the vine tightly.


With a jerk that tightened a tangled appendage around his waist, the vine began to swing him in an arc toward where Judy was falling from. She had caught Beruk, but they would still fall to their deaths if he didn't ... Now! He reached out and grabbed Judy under the arms, so she could still hold on to Beruk. "Nice catch there, Carrots. Little more of a warning next time, though? Hm?" He looked down at Officer Hopps as they swung freely back and forth from the vine he was tangled in and holding on to.


As he looked around the swaying world, looking for a way down, "Any ideas on how to get down from here?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 13, 2016, 11:19:45 AM

Beruk was too petrified to even think of struggling against Judy’s grip. At this point, the lights from the police sirens flashed and blinked from three hundred feet below, playing against the shining wet leaves of the canopy. Dripping wet but not at all cold, Judy, afire with adrenaline and the thrill of victory turned to face her partner with a grin.

“Not so bad yourself. I have full confidence in your ability to improvise, Officer Wilde,” she said, half a laugh in her bright voice as she readjusted her grip on the terrified and defeated lemur. “And Wolfram will pilot the--oh…” her laugh petered out slightly when she realized that the drone that should have been able to take them back down had been lodged firmly the branches of a tree a good thirty feet away from their vine, the rotors still struggling pathetically against the foliage, the sound of its small engine faint against the roar of the storm.
Judy winced. Still, she could see that the other suspect, the bat, had been effectively apprehended.

“I still think we can call this one a victory,” she said. The storm pushed the vine gently back and forth, and Judy for her part--soaking wet, cold, and sticky from the chase and the rain found that she couldn’t be more comfortable pressed against Nick’s chest and feeling his strong heartbeat against her back.

**


It had taken them almost an hour to get down. With the drone crashed, the Chief had had to request one of the small canopy blimps to bob up slowly to their position. The Flying Squirrel and Ocelot staff had helped disentangle Nick, Judy and their apprehended suspects and what had followed was a very cold, wet and muggy descent down to the forest floor where the backup was waiting. Nick and Judy were equipped with reflective blankets and bad coffee as their bundled suspects were driven away in a squad car.
Flushed with triumph, Judy had to restrain her inner kitten not to kick her feet against the sit, instead sitting relatively still at Nicks’s side as they were driven back to the police station.

It had long, difficult case. Beruk and her dirty dealings had been something of a poorly kept secret for almost three years, long before Judy and Nick had arrived on the scene. And now finally, after those three long years the case was finally slammed closed to the relief of the whole station, who were thrilled to finally see the devious Lemur behind bars.
Nick and Judy had headed to their respective locker rooms to shower the worst of the rain and mud and filth from their fur before coming out, welcomed by hoots and roars. Wolfram, who had piloted the drone up until Nick crashed it also shared in the praise, and there had been an impromptu late night order of pizza to celebrate.

Judy was grateful for this. She hadn’t eaten for probably ten hours, and the smell of pizza alone was enough to make her mouth water. While everyone was gleefully stuffing their faces with hot, celebratory pizza, the Chief walked into the bullpen. While Bogo was not one for exaggerated displays of anything other than gruff bruqseuness, he seemed satisfied as he stomped up to his podium. Judy sat up a little straighter. She respected the debriefing process, knowing it was very important to keep to protocol, but after a day this long she hoped fervently he’d keep it short so they could be released.

She had a bad feeling that she was going to be reprimanded for what Bogo might have interpreted as recklessness on her part, but at the same time she knew she wouldn’t feel sorry about it in the slightest. Her faith in Nick was unshakable as stone, and she trusted him with more than just her life.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 13, 2016, 11:58:18 AM

While they sat on the seats in the car, both huddled up in their blanket, Nick had reached over and put a hand between her ears, ruffling the fur on her head and making her ears bounce slightly. He smiled fondly at her, not feeling the need to say anything, before he put his hand back to his cup of coffee and sipped at the black gold. Always one for a good quick nap, a leftover from taking sleep when he could when he was younger, he dozed off on the way to the police station.


The pizza had smelled great to him, too. He'd stood with his hands in his pockets for a while before selecting two pieces; a larger one, and a smaller one. Bringing them both over, he'd given Judy the larger piece, as he knew she went more times than even he did without eating. She always got her nose too deep in to the case, and she'd forget about eating. Especially tonight, the culmination of all their planning and their next moment in the spotlight. She no doubt hadn't eaten since that morning, when they'd shared a small breakfast. Turning in his seat, he saw Clawhauser with his hands to his mouth in delight at the single donut Nick had placed beside the pizza box. He turned around with a smile and leaned back in the chair with one arm over the headrest to listen.



Chief Bogo tapped his papers loudly on the podium so the noise was amplified on the speakers. Fortunately, this was the preliminary debriefing before the story was officially told to the press that would be waiting outside the following morning. "This was -A- victory." He started, his eyes quite clearly resting on Nick and Judy. It felt like multiple sets of eyes turned to them, to which Nick raised a paw and waved once, smiling his most disarming smile. "Today we closed a case that has been open for many years on one Clarice Beruk." Cheers started, but Bogo snorted and held up a hand, silencing them before they could really get started. "We got an official recording with the drone, before it was smashed into a tree and brought in for -costly- repairs, Nick P. Wilde."


This time he didn't even bother to look. Nick felt a friendly punch to his shoulder. "How do you know it wasn't Officer Hopps that destroyed it?" He raised his voice, not looking at the irritation he knew Judy would be showing him.


"You want to try and convince me a small rabbit had the strength to send a medium sized drone spinning out of control into a tree and getting itself lodged? Don't," he quickly added when Nick opened his mouth. "It was you, Nick. Seeing as using the new drones was your idea, I'm giving you a pass. This time. But don't push my buttons, or it will be your badge."


"Or it will be your badge." Nick spoke in tandem with him, rolling his eyes.


Bogo made a noise in his throat that sounded rather threatening before resuming the debriefing. "We got the recording we needed on Beruk thanks to this tactical espionage. The item she was trading for," he paused as a picture flickered on behind him on a display screen. "Is this USB. It was badly damaged in the reckless capture by Officer Hopps," He flicked his eyes to Judy, and Nick laughed when she shrunk down a little.


"Ow," he mouthed to her when she kicked his leg.


"Our team of technicians are working on it as we speak, and will have an update by tomorrow evening as to what was contained on the device. Officer Nick Wilde has shared with us the name Bloodmouth that his arrest taunted him with. We will be looking into the possible connection at a later time. For now, it is considered a false name, as this dealt with stolen property and not disappearances." He explained when murmurs started. "While Officer Hopps and Officer Wilde were reckless and unorthodox in the apprehension, they are to be commended for the capture. You are dismissed for the evening for R and R."


As Nick went to stand, he looked down at Judy, who was giving him that look that he knew so well. "I'll talk to you about that over coffee tomorrow. I wanted personal time for something of a personal nature. Okay?"


Officer Bogo, with his booming steps, stopped at their row with his hands behind his back, looking down his nose at them. "Officers. Come in tomorrow evening after the media reveal. I need to speak with the both of you." Without waiting for a response, he stomped away to his office, paperwork and files in hand.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 13, 2016, 12:48:01 PM

"Bloodmouth?" Judy murmured as Bogo continued with the debriefing. She glanced at Nick, this having been the first she heard of it. That sounded like a tacky alias, but she knew from experience now that nicknames and identities like this had their own power, and ability to warp--for better or for worse. She cringed a little when the Chief highlighted her reckless capture. It wouldn't have been her first or her last, and she couldn't truly say she was sorry for it. After all, they'd caught the bad guys. The method, as long as no one was harmed or nothing illegal was done shouldn't matter right?  She refocused her attention on the information given and the debriefing passed without much further incident beyond her partner's wisecracks and her hindpaw to his shin. "Personal time for something of a personal nature? Okay, but don't think I'll forget to ask," Judy quirked an eyebrow at her vulpine partner but left it at that for now. For now. She had no intention of letting that one slip by, as she was a dangerous mixture of curious and sightly wary.


When the Chief approached them and gave his order, Judy nodded, "Sir," she said as an affirmative as Bogo turned to stomp into his office. "What do you think he wants?" she mused to Nick as they left the station. "He didn't need us for the media reveal, so that's something," she said as they climbed onto the late-night train. They rode for the first few stops together before needing to part ways to go to their respective apartments. That would probably got to the Officers who had been on Beruk's case for longer than the two who just happened to be the only ones qualified to take part in the operation that would capture them. It was only right, and she was satisfied with how the job had gone. "Good thinking on the drone capture, Nick." she said, her voice warm. Her ears twitched at the memory of the drones. "I hope in the future I get a chance to pilot one." It was unlikely. She hadn't scored terribly well on the preliminaries cold. She needed more practice, but unfortunately there wasn't a lot of leeway for mistakes with the experimental equipment.


When she got to her stop, she gave Nick an enthusiastic hug, wished him a goodnight and walked the rest of the way home.


The short, dark walk was the kind of thing that Judy had always been taught to fear, and frankly, something that she had been wired for. The night, being alone, in a dangerous place, and being so terribly small. But it was instinct, and instinct could be trained, and managed. And this walk had become familiar, routine, and most people in the area would know her on sight. After the Savage Conspiracy, even a year later, she and Nick were some of the most visible cops on the force--for better or for worse.


But tonight was not a time to focus on the worse. She would sleep thinking of the victory. Thanks to the drone images, they should have been able to provide the media with something positive to read as well as showcase the talents of the force's first fox.


**


Noon the next day found Nick and Judy on their lunchbreak at the fox's favorite Starbucks. Having parked the patrol car, Judy pressed the door open with a jangle and filed into the busy lunch rush line alongside Nick. Crouching alongside the food selections, Judy coudn't help but notice--


"Wow, they're selling Back to Basics bars in Starbucks? Wild." she marveled, glancing around. Several predators were happily chomping down on the protein bars--a new and popular brand that had sprung up in the last six months that had largely taken the city's Predators by storm. The packaging was a little bit tasteless, featuring thinly veiled synonyms for "real meat flavor" and actually featuring the pawprints--if not the images--of Prey animals on the packaging. This was normally considered taboo, but the product had to have been good enough to survive bad marketing. Or maybe, Judy considered darkly for a moment, it appealed to something low and mean. But she put that thought aside in favor of imagining that the person designing the packages was probably a Predator and may not have considered the feelings of an audience the product wasn't likely to have, and may not have meant it cruelly.


She ordered her small chamomile tea and purchased a package of hummus, carrots and apple slices before sitting down with Nick next to a window and a newspaper rack and waited patiently for Nick to get his own food before opening her own. Sh was aware of the gazes fixed on them, something she'd grown use to with time. It was normal for people to stare at cops in uniforms, but it wasn't as though Nick and Judy could go anywhre without being recognized as the force's barrier smashing, record breaking, Rabbit and Fox duo.


"So," she said, absently taking a newspaper from the rack, "What's this about personal...oh. Sweet Mother Goose, what is this?" her voice almost cracked as she stared down at the newspaper. "'Fox cop's recklessness nearly kills Rabbit partner and suspect'?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 14, 2016, 09:33:26 AM

Nick sat across from her, with no breakfast before him - he wasn't particularly hungry this morning, though Clawhauser would more than likely offer him one of his doughnuts. He might just take him up on that offer this morning, if for no other reason than to send the guy into shock. He'd just ordered a large coffee this morning, that he blew on to make the steam curl in the air. Sniffing the coffee first and letting out a content sigh, he brought the cup up. He'd considered trying one of those Back to Basics bars, but he already had enough of an addiction to the caffeine filled, heated beverage in his hand. The last thing he needed was another addiction, and to be honest, predator or not, the little pictures of prey on the bars didn't settle well with him. Not after the whole Savage affair that wasn't far enough in the past to be forgotten.


When Judy read the headline out loud, he stopped the cup where it was, lowering it just fractionally. It was enough, no doubt, for Judy to read him. It made him uncomfortable, seeing as they already got enough attention drawn to them simply for being a predator and prey team. Along with cracking the Savage case, and their more recent efforts, it was the last thing he needed. Still, he took the drink he was going to and calmly set the cup down, giving her his most disarming smile. "They got a pretty good picture of me, at least. Makes me look very hard core, don't you think?" He plucked the paper up, turning it to read the article. "I think I have something in my teeth there though. Is that lettuce? I don't remember eating lettuce." He snapped his fingers, pointing at her. "You had me try that sandwich from your parent's farm. Said it would be healthy for me or something." He only read a small portion of the article, but it was enough.


In another harrowing arrest made by the respected Officer, Judy Hopps, of the ZPD, her partner came dangerously close to blowing the entire arrest. Nick P. Wilde, Judy's ill-advised partner, crashed their only means of safely returning to the ground in his attempt to detain one of the perpetrators in the exchange of sensitive materials. Not only that, but due to his reckless behavior, Officer Hopps was thrown from the treetops, nearly falling to her death if it weren't for her quick thinking.
No word has reached us about what the object they were after was, but one thing is for certain - Officer Nick Wilde should not be allowed to -

He stopped reading there, putting the paper back down on the table. "What does it matter? One little article isn't going to hurt anything. Even if the reporters don't think it's a smart partnership, I -know- it is, and that's all that matters. Don't stress it too much, I'm sure it will all just blow over." He brought his coffee back up to take another drink. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, though, with a distant look about him. He was quite clearly unsettled, thinking about it, but he wasn't going to let Judy know it concerned him.


Maybe he would get a chance to clear this all up at the precinct. No doubt a few reporters were still around, waiting for any crumb of detail that might come out the doors about the USB they had found. His eyes were on a leopard munching happily on a Back to Basics bar. That was as good a subject change as any - undoubtedly Judy wouldn't be fooled by it, but it was worth a try. "I don't understand how those things are so popular. What are they, some kind of body building bar? Maybe it's energy. Everyone that eats them seems a lot more awake to me." Tilting the cup at Judy, he nodded his head toward the white and green paper container. "This is all the energy I need. If I'm any more wired I might -actually- put your life in danger." He winked at her - wrong move; that line brought it right back to the article. Ah well. At least she'd be distracted enough by the shady reporting to not think about the Bloodmouth comment, if he played his cards right.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 14, 2016, 08:11:36 PM

Judy's eyes had flicked to Nick just in time for her to see that his grip on his cup faltered ever so slightly before he set it down and gave her that familiar grin, the 'don't worry about me' one that made an appearance when he wanted to throw her off or get her to stop worrying about something. It was different from his genuine or usual smarmy grin--characterized by the fact that his ears were slightly stiff, ever so slightly angled back. He was clearly uncomfortable, and with good reason. Judy was frowning, staring hard at the article. The headline's inaccuracy was so bold there was no way it could have been anything other than intentional, coupled with the very unflattering photo of Nick. It was an action shot, taken from slightly below. His mouth was open, displaying his full maw of sharp, pointed teeth and his eyes were focused on his target--the Bat suspect. It was very much reminiscent of what someone might see viewing a diorama at the Natural History Museum, and the callback to their experience there, intentional or not made Judy's eartips heat up with anger.


"It does matter, Nick. We both know what's happening here." Bias against foxes was nothing new, but the fact that it was still hounding Nick after almost a whole year after the Savage Conspiracy was a little shocking to Judy, although in retrospect it shouldn't have been. Nick had quietly dealt with the fallout of his joining the force, which had had very mixed results. And the populace had had no trouble making their opinions known. Fellow foxes alternatively praised him for his accomplishment or reviled him as a 'traitor to his kind', and everyone else had their doubts as to the ability of a Fox to perform in favor of the law instead of dodging it. Questions of his integrity and ability to physically endure the tests required--not unlike what Judy went through--had been lobbed at him as well, and of course there was the media, always in search of scandal. While Nick's new involvement had started seeing other predators with bad reputations moving to join the force--Judy thought there might be a weasel in training at the moment--the toll it had taken on her partner was a subtle one. He might have hardened himself to the prejudices of others, but he had worked so hard to turn a new leaf, make a difference and prove it to the world that she knew that this didn't just bounce off his armor entirely.  "This is completely untrue and hurtful to you! This is libel! Who wrote this?" she asked in disbelief, taking the paper back from Nick. She found the name, underlining it with her claw. "Will O'Riley? He's writing for Zootopia Daily now? I thought he just broadcasted!" she held her head in frustration. The Skunk was well known for his sensationalist articles and political agenda bleeding into a lot of his work. He polarized the populace and his success was built on making people, particularly Prey, afraid and angry.


Judy did not have a lot of strong, angry feelings towards many mammals. She had always been raised, despite obvious prejudices towards Foxes and other Predators that had been hard to shake, to at least try and believe the best in others. But O'Riley and Dawn Bellweather were among those she could not forgive.


"You and I both know these things don't just blow over," she said, looking him in the eye with real concern in her voice. "We need address this at the media reveal somehow. If there's push from the public about--us--we have to push right back and show them that their preconceptions are wrong! And don't," she said, her voice sharp, "Try to change the subject by bringing up some novelty protein bars." she folded her hands under her chin. "Who is this Bloodmouth, Nick?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 15, 2016, 04:15:19 AM

Damn. He should have known it wouldn't breeze by her. She was too good at her job for him to have thought she'd forget about any detail, even if minor. It wasn't quite a sigh that escaped him, but one of resignation. "You're right, of course. If we're going to break this bad reputation they keep trying to start, we have to be careful. As much as I don't want to bring it up, and believe me when I say I don't, you weren't exactly subtle the last time you were in front of cameras for making a case." His smile changed, very slightly, but Judy undoubtedly wouldn't miss the fondness behind it. "Have you been practicing? I know you have. Will it help when we get to the ZPD? I'm hoping it will."


He leaned forward, giving her a little tap on the nose before returning his hand to the nearly empty coffee cup before him. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts. It was no secret that half the city loved him, and the other half was either vocally against him, or against him in the privacy of their homes. He didn't think he had done anything to make everyone distrust him. He tried every day to show he was there to do good. For once in his life, he felt like he had a cause to fight for. Not just his and all foxes' reputation, but his partner. His eyes shifted to her as he thought it. The one person who had believed in him, despite everything. Hell, even let her put his jaws around her throat. That alone. That had shown him. And she relied on him just as much as he did her; he wouldn't be here if not for that trust.


Why, then, did so many hate him? It went deeper than just that he was a predator. He knew the reputation foxes had. He had been the stereotypical fox, little more than a year ago. Personified and affirmed everything they feared. That was enough of a reason to let them have their biases, he supposed - on some level, he understood.


His thoughts drifted back to the years when he was younger, dumber. When he met another fox, an arctic fox, on the streets in their run down neighborhood. All the thoughts of partners brought his mind drifting back. Finnick, introducing him to her. He would pretend he couldn't remember her name to make it easier, but he knew it. Aurora. They had been a fairly good team, the two of them - and the city didn't hate them any more than they did the common criminal or double talker. Two predators? It was only natural. She had extreme views, but he could always rely on her. At least in the way a partner in crime could rely on another, if nothing more.


Still, she wasn't a partner in the way Judy was. Sure, she got jobs done, but she was just an accomplice, not someone he could say he had protective and fond feelings for. He had no doubts she felt the same way about him, especially after ... Well, truth be told, her views had disturbed him even then, though he knew she never acted on them. That, and the fact that they weren't all that unnatural for the environment they both had grown up in. He was very glad they had parted ways. Even more so now.


"The Bloodmouth," he finally said "I'm not entirely sure who or what the Bloodmouth is, but the bat, when he was at that point where they all go. You know, trying to bribe and barter with an officer? He said something that sounded like I -should- know who they are. There's no one else I'd rather give me their thoughts, so maybe you can make sense of it. He told me 'The Bloodmouth is not a forgiving creature,' and here's the part that bothered me. Made me think it should be personal, but I just can't pin why. 'But then, you would know that better than most, wouldn't you, fox?' I thought maybe he was just trying to mess with me. I don't know." Nick threw the remaining cold contents of his coffee in a nearby trashcan, looking away out a nearby window. "It just seemed like truth, when he said it." Out of the corner of his eyes, he looked at Judy's reflection to judge her reaction. "I didn't have my carrot powered lie detector with me, so I can't be sure. If I recall, she was, what was it?" He tapped a finger to his muzzle pretending to have to actually recall the circumstances. "That's right. Jumping to her death over a three hundred foot drop." He shook his head, smiling more to himself than anything. "Honestly, I'm more than a little flattered that you trust me that much. But you can be a dumb bunny, sometimes. If you had died." He dropped his head, just a little, at the thought.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 15, 2016, 05:07:14 AM

Judy's ears twitched and she winced at the memory of that disastrous press conference. It had been as though every coherent though in her mind had fled to the four corners of the earth, leaving her a stammering, nervous wreck before a horde ravenous for information. It had happened in a blur, and it was one of those memories that always felt like a punch to the gut to recall, and in this context Nick was right to bring it up. He didn't do it out of malice, and the affection in his bearing was comfortable and familiar. Granted, she had been improving, and she had been practicing, as he had no doubt noticed that she'd purchased a couple of used books on public speaking and memorizing pawdcasts full of helpful advice within the realm of public speaking, knowing that the Savage Conspiracy press conference would not be the last time that she would be called upon to speak in public again. It had paid off at Nick's inaugural ceremony, but aside from a few statements to the press here and there neither Nick nor Judy had been asked to address the media directly with anything resembling a full on speech.


"If Chief Bogo doesn't have any plans to let us speak to the press directly, I'll ask for the opportunity," Judy promised. Her paws clenched beneath the table as Nick's manner shifted. He seemed introspective, as though mustering something up for the commencement of his explanation regarding the Bloodmouth. Her ears perked up sharply, her eyes wide and fixed upon him, her attention laser-focused. Nick had a slightly far away look. When he talked about his past, which was rare so when he did she always made sure she had no eye or ear for anything else, his gaze tended to drift away, as though he was watching it play out on a window, or a reflection in real time. His tone would smooth out and quiet slightly, and even his ears might tilt back as though his subconscious was nervous about the show of vulnerability, however small. Judy was always honored by his confidence. Nick's armor was dense, but even back when their friendship was new he had been bold enough to let her in enough to see through the cracks, and wrap her little paws around that daring, butterfly-fragile vulnerability.


While he spoke, she could feel her face contorting into a slow frown of concentration. Her heart started to skip at a dangerous thought.


"It sounds like..." she said slowly, "The Bloodmouth might be someone you did know, growing up, turned into...whatever they are," she confessed. This was bad news. Anyone who has taken the named "Bloodmouth" wasn't good news by any measure, and this could not just be bad for the streets, but personally a huge problem for Nick on a number of levels. "And--Nick, look at me," she implored, trying to encourage him to meet her eyes. "Part of our job is risking our lives. There is no one in the world that I would trust mine with more than you. You can always count on that, okay? I know you'll always be there for me."


She could say no more than that without being truthful. Because there was, however small, the very real possibility that one or both of them might someday fall in the line of duty. It was not a thought she liked to entertain. But despite this, when she was with Nick, she felt far less afraid of such an end, having a blind confidence that refused to die in his loyalty and dedication.


She considered adding something along those lines when she heard a small, sheepish voice.


"A-Are you Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde?" she turned to see a young lioness--a kid no more than eight or nine, standing next to a young male gazelle. Both of them had empty coffee cups, but the gazelle had a sharpie in his hand. The lioness' cub's voice was an awkard squeak and Judy offered the cub a smile. There was no one else who they could possibly be.


"Sure are," she said warmly to the children, turning to face them. "What can we do for you?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 16, 2016, 02:23:08 AM

Nick opened his mouth to say something more, but was cut off by the children approaching them. Instead, he reached out and squeezed her paw, so she knew he appreciated it deeply. When she said it might be someone he did know, it gave him an idea. Someone from his past. There was no one he suspected, but he did know someone from his past that shared a similar mentality, if not the gumption to go through with it. And fortunately, he knew exactly where Aurora was. Where she would be for quite some time.


He leaned forward toward the kids, putting his elbows on his knees so his line of sight was a little more even with theirs. The lion cub, still obviously the more nervous one, looked over at the gazelle with her before turning back. "We were wondering," she started, but trailed off.


"If you would sign," the gazelle picked up almost immediately for her, which made Nick smile. The two reminded him of himself and Judy already.


"Our cups." The lion finally spoke again, right along with the gazelle, who smiled reassuringly at her friend. They both held their cups out hopefully toward them.


"I think, and I believe Judy would agree with me, there is nothing I would rather do more." The kids positively beamed while Nick took the sharpie and a cup from the lion, scrawling his name across it and writing "To our heroes" above it and "keep up the good work!" underneath. Because honestly, to him, they were heroes. Here, finally, were two people that didn't judge him for being a fox, didn't distrust him, didn't doubt his ability.


"We're your biggest fans!" The gazelle chimed as Nick took her cup and signed it in much the same way before setting both the pen and two cups near Judy.


"Our biggest fans?" He feigned surprise, looking over at Judy. "Judy, we've been wanting to meet our biggest fans for months now, haven't we?"


The kids, delighted, did a little bounce before the lion spoke up. "We want to grow up to be just like you and officer Judy! We're gonna stop the crime-a-nals like you do. If you guys can be a team, then we can too!"


"Well I see you've got the making of a pretty solid team, there. But you're gonna need speed -and- brawn. You have that?" He saw Judy mouth "Brawn?" at him with a smile. He shrugged and pointed to himself, doing a small flex before focusing on the kids again.


"Yeah we do! I've been practicing!" the gazelle said, puffing his chest up proudly.


"Practicing? Wait, don't tell me. I bet that the brawn is ..." he pretended to think about it a moment before tapping the gazelle on the nose. "You!"


"Nuh-uh, I'm fast!"


Nick laughed, sitting back a little. "I bet you could outrun Judy, huh?" He put his hand to the side of his muzzle, pretending to be whispering a secret to them. "She trips a lot, so you could probably win."


"And I'm the brawn!" the little lion cub let out a particularly cute roar and swiped at the air.


Nick leaned back and held up his hands. "Woah, I surrender! I surrender! Just don't hurt me before going to work, I can't do my job!" He was obviously enjoying himself with this, quite thoroughly. Who'd have thought he'd be good with kids? But if he could convince adults to trust him, of course he'd be good with children, when you thought about it.


Unnoticed in the corner near them, while Nick joked and played with the kids, a ferret in a small bowler hat held a phone over his shoulder and snapped pictures of what was happening at the booth. O'Riley was going to love this. He hunched forward more, taking a drink of his coffee. The headphones in his ears weren't playing anything - they were for show.


This was too good.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 17, 2016, 04:55:57 AM

They finished their shift as the sun started to set over the city's shining towards. The sky was a warm orange as the blue night started to threaten from the east, a sprinkling of ambitious stars peering out of the coming dark. Streetlamps and neon signs winked into existence, and the tail end of the rush hour was just starting to die off as Judy and Nick rolled into the precinct after parking and reviewing the patrol car. However, the work day was not quite yet over. The lobby was starting to fill with news correspondents from every major channel in the nation, getting ready for the media release regarding the high profile arrest of Clarice Beruk and the details of such.


Judy and Nick rolled in through the revolving door. They were small enough that they weren't immediately noticed by the chittering crowd gathering around the podium, impatiently waiting for Chief Bogo to make his appearance and share the details of the arrest. However, even from the door Judy could see Clawhauser waving agitatedly at them, beckoning them over and mouthing, "Over here!"


Confused, Judy picked up the pace and approached. Clawhauser was gnawing on a Back to Basics bar, something that took Judy by surprise since the cheetah's sweet tooth was what typically defined his snacks, but she supposed it just spoke to the popularity of the brand.


"All the predators in Zootopia are eating those," she commented to Nick as they neared the desk. "Have you had one yet?" Once they got within a few feet of the front desk, Judy paused and looked up at Clauwhauser.


"Clawhauser?" she asked tilting her head slightly.


As soon as the Cheetah made enough room in his mouth to speak, he blurted,


"Did you two see the news?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 17, 2016, 07:36:35 AM

Nick puts his arm on the counter, leaning beside Judy and looking around at all the press, clearly uncomfortable in light of the recent article. Ah well, the world was what it was. Still, he was more distracted by thinking of something he could say to clear the air to the press. "They kind of make me uncomfortable." He was speaking to Judy, in answer to her question about the Back to Basics bars. "The wrapping, I mean. Sheep and bunnies all over them. If I wanted to eat a bunny, I've got my own handy right here." He stuck his tongue out and wet his muzzle, teasing Judy, but Clawhauser interrupted, leaning further over the counter, donut in hand.

"You should be careful, Nick. There's press all around. I don't think she'd taste that good anyway. She barely even touches sweets."

Judy had started tapping her foot rapidly on the ground, and while it was always fun to tease her, Clawhauser was of course right. "I think I've had just about as much of the news as I can handle today." He changed the subject, tapping the newspaper open to the article about the arrest.

"Oooh, that was terrible what they said about you!" Clawhauser put his hand on the desk, pointing at the paper. "Did you see where they said you were a threat to the integrity of the police department and a severe oversight on our payroll?" Popping the rest of the donut in his mouth, he spoke around it, though it was muffled enough that they couldn't understand him. It sounded like "But that wasn't what I was talking about," but there was no way to be sure.

"Yeah. Yeah, I read it." Nick muttered, turning away from the paper and the article it contained with his ears down against his head. Nick's ears suddenly perked backed up, though. He heard something over all the equipment and talking reporters, looking around for the source.

A little field mouse tapped his paw, and he looked down. He looked around, seeing if there was anyone else nearby showing them undue attention - with a microphone, a camera, something. He crouched down to bring his eyes closer to level with the mouse.

"Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps?"

Suspicious, Nick tilted his head fractionally, looking around again. "How can we help you?"

"Follow me please." And the little mouse began scurrying across the counter, towards the back of the welcome desk.

Looking over at Judy, he raised an eyebrow. "What do you think this is all about now?"

"Officers, I'm afraid we have a strict time restraint. If you would."

A silent question in his eyes was turned to Judy. Should they?

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 17, 2016, 08:14:38 AM

"Har har," Judy said, rolling her eyes good naturally at Nick and Clawhauser even as she tapped her foot against the ground. For the record she did enjoy sweets, but not the processed kind. Coming from a family of farmers, with plentiful access to fresh fruits, vegetables and wild honey she'd been more or less ruined with regard to enjoyment of highly processed treats. But either way, it was a bit of a delicate joke--between the three of them, they all knew each other well enough to not be offended. But in polite company such jokes were not typically made, and Clawhauser was right. With press all around, they couldn't be too careful in light of O'Rilley's borderline libel and outright lies.


She winced as Clawhauser read aloud portions of the vile article in question, her gaze flicking over to Nick, who was visibly uncomfortable at this point. She was about to open her mouth to firmly, if tactfully ask Clawhauser to get to the point when she heard the voice. Her ears twitched and she looked up at the field mouse on the desk.


She resisted the urge to frown. If this mouse was with the reporters, why wasn't she with the others by the podium. Curious, her instinct was to follow. At Nick's silent question as the mouse scurried around the desk, she said, her voice a little apologetic, "It can't hurt for us to see what she wants." She turned to follow the mouse around to the back of the rounded desk, to be greeted by a shockingly sharp and clear voice.


"Officers! Thank you so much for your time. And it is assuredly of the essence, and I would love if you would be so kind as to answer some questions."


Judy blinked up. A Naked Mole Rat, wearing a formal skirt and pressed, bright red blouse over which a tiny blazer fit snugly around her narrow shoulders sat comfortably on the edge of the desk, holding a pad of paper in one hand, but no microphone. But most tellingly was the very famous necklace that she wore: a tiny gold necklace in the shape of a star.


"Gloria Burrows?" Judy said, her eyes widening at the sight of the Naked Mole Rat. "I--wow! It's an honor to meet you," Judy said honestly. Gloria Burrows, one of the most reknowned reporters in Zootopia. She wasn't as active as she used to be, her advanced age slowing her down in her work, but she had been famous for her dedication to exposing the truth, and reporting directly from the field for the best and most accurate coverage.


"The very same, bunny girl," Burrows said. "And I'm afraid I don't have much time, as neither me nor my assistant are technically supposed to be here with you today. In light of recent events and some slanderous toads, I would like to do what I can to set the record straight, and would love it if you two would answer some questions for me concerning last night's arrest."


Judy's heart leaped at the thought. Someone with a great reputation who wanted to advocate for Nick! But at the same time, experience had led her to question motives, and before she replied immediately she glanced to Nick to gauge his reaction. Would he be comfortable with this?


But before either of them could say anything, she heard the telltale stomp of Chief Bogo's hooves against the polished floor.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 17, 2016, 08:41:06 AM

"Hopps!" Bogo bellowed in his usual way, loudly enough to alert the press around the corner. They came stampeding around the corner, immediately letting questions and pictures fly haphazardly with no guidance. In the tumult, Gloria slid off the counter, making a retreat as fast as she could after tucking her signature necklace under her clothing. A naked mole rat as a journalist was nearly unheard of, especially one of her renown; but it was only nearly unheard of. Without something to set her apart, she would probably get out unnoticed with a far more pressing story right before them.

Nick put his paw up, head down, and started to slink away with his hands in his pockets, but Bogo bellowed once more over the crowd "You too, Wilde! In my office, now!" Bogo pushed the multitude of reporters back as he turned, yelling only "No questions!"

"Chief Bogo, why -" a reporter near Nick spoke up, but he put a paw on the pig's shoulder, cutting him off.

"Because he doesn't care." Then picked Judy up and put her under an arm to help through the press, but only until they got passed some rhino officers that had come forward to keep them all at bay. Setting her on the ground, he looked back over his shoulder and began walking to the chief's office. A skunk at the back of the crowd was hastily writing in his notebook about the scene that had just occurred. "You think this could be about something -other- than the article? Pretty sure Candybar said that wasn't what he was talking about." He asked with no small hint of hope in his voice as they walked.

They reached Bogo's door only shortly after, and Nick stopped her from opening the door with a touch to the shoulder. "Hey, Judes. I've been thinking, before we go in there. That whole thing we were talking about, at the coffee shop? The .." Lowering his voice and looking around, "Bloodmouth bit? Listen, I know I can always count on you for things like that. But it doesn't mean I should stop thanking you for it. At least someone believes in me. So. Thanks. You know, before we," he gestured at Bogo's door, "Open the door to our deaths."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 17, 2016, 09:01:34 AM

Judy was surprised! In high profile cases, the Chief often addressed the media directly, and after Clarice Beruk--and in light of O'Riley's article, she was a little shocked to find him so grim. However, that indicated that something else was afoot and she was immediately on high alert. The mass of reporters and cameras and microphones thrusting the instruments in their direction was claustrophobic. She made as though to forge her way through, straight backed and impassive-faced when Nick picked her up and helped carry her through the crowd. She stiffened a little indignantly but let it be--Nick meant well and she couldn't say she wasn't grateful that she didn't have to navigate the forest of ravenous reporters.


"I don't think it's about the article. It was bad, but I don't think the Chief would blow off of a media reveal just for a piece of libel. Something bigger's got to be at work here," Judy said, her voice a heavy mix of grimness and something like anticipation.


She reached up to open the handle to let them into the Chief's office when she felt Nick's paw pads press against her shoulder.


She was slightly taken aback by the heartfelt nature of Nick's words. Her face softened and she turned to face him. She suddenly felt a strange, insane, impulsive desire to close to gap, to touch him, to try to say something with more than just a word that could somehow communicate that the feeling was utterly and completely mutual. But in the end, some shred of professionalism--for the sake of the fact they were about to meet their boss--remained and she limited herself to a heartfelt quirk of a smile and, "Nick, that's what partners---friends--are for." She wanted to say more. She wanted to say, I will always be there for you. But something stopped her, and to distract herself from her disconnect she pushed the door open, and climbed up onto the chair in front of the Chief's desk, waiting for Nick to join her on the seat before she placed her hands on the desk and asked the buffalo, "Sir?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 17, 2016, 09:50:09 AM

Chief Bogo stared at them the whole time they were walking in, so Nick took his time to sit next to Judy. When they were finally settled, Bogo moved his hand and pushed Judy's paws away from his desktop. "Unfortunately, there's a new case." He moved a red file in front of him and tapped his hoof against it a few times before continuing. "We need the best on this one." When Nick leaned forward to reach for the file, his hand was quickly smacked away. "It's very sensitive, and very high profile. Unfortunately, our best are you two." He pointed back and forth between the two of them.

"Your praise is, as always, very uplifting, sir."

"Shut it, Wilde. I'm not in the mood. Should never have accepted you into this task force." Bogo glared at him, then grudgingly sighed. "But you have proved yourself. Have either of you heard of Chesmu "Raghorn" Buck?" He raised an eyebrow, apparently awaiting a legitimate answer.

Nick's eyes fell on the wrapper of a familiar protein bar in the chief's trash can. He held his paw face up, pointing at the wrapper. "Raghorn Buck. Back to Basics Buck?" Bogo leaned over to look what he was pointing at, then returned his gaze to them.

"Impressive. Not because you did your research. Because I'm impressed you can put a two piece puzzle together correctly." Bogo pulled a picture out of the file, sliding it toward them upside down. He kept a finger on it for a moment. "Hope you both have the stomachs for this."

Nick snatched it from Judy at those words before she could see it. He knew she could handle it, but the chief never warned them of anything like that. Turning it over, his ears drooped right along with his tail sticking out the back of the chair. If he could turn ashen, he certainly would have. Still, Judy needed to see it. He turned the image toward her.

A bloodied, almost unrecognizable body hung from a meat hook, wrapped in a tarp. The photo didn't show the floor, but it could be assumed what was down there. No doubt other pictures in that file detailed the scene more closely. From what Nick could tell, it looked like a fancy apartment, or an office of some kind. Most likely Buck's own. Immediately, he wondered how the killer had gotten in. Had they killed him elsewhere, took his keys and brought him back? In that case, wouldn't someone have been there? A night guard, a butler? Then were they in on it?

"Buck went missing a few days ago. It wasn't out of the ordinary, until now. We're fairly certain it's the work of a serial killer that just sprung up. A few more low priority missing persons reports were filed over the past few months, but we didn't think anything of it until," he spread out more of the pictures on his desk. Nick held a hand up to his eyes, taking a deep breath before looking. There were a number of other animals in various gruesome positions and levels of butchery. "Someone posted every one of these up on Furbook."

Bogo looked pointedly between the two of them. "You're gonna like this part even less. The name on the poster is all we have. Bloodmouth." His eyes remained on Nick, gauging his reaction.

Nick sat up straighter at that name and jerked his head toward Judy, wide eyed.

"You see one of the other reasons we chose you and Wilde, then." He put an arm on the desk, leaning forward threateningly. "When you take it - and I know you will, Hopps - this is to be a no-media case until it's solved." He accentuated the statement by jabbing at the counter with a thud. "Do I make myself clear, Officers?"

Nick nodded. As Judy looked at the pictures, he cleared his throat and held up a paw.

"What is it, Wilde?"

"Sir. What's the other reason?"

"What?" Bogo sounded irritated, but Nick pressed anyway.

"The other reason you chose us?"

Bogo turned away from looking at him and focused on Judy. He knew who made the end decisions with these two. "You'll see when you get to the scene."

This was more than just a case - it was the perfect way to prove himself, to all of the citizens of Zootopia. To clear his name! He felt bad, that kind of thought with such a horrible thing in front of him, but they would be dealing with cases like this from time to time. Apparently a lot more often than even that. The only way to keep sane through them would be lighter-side thoughts, and of course being himself. He watched Judy, though, resisting the urge to hug and comfort her after having to look at all those pictures. He would leave this one up to her, as usual. Where she went, he would go without question.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 17, 2016, 09:07:06 PM

Judy made a face when Nick snatched the file before she could open it up, her ears twitching with mild annoyance. They both knew that she could handle whatever was in that file. She had seen pictures of murders before, and in the Academy they had both received training to toughen them up to the visions of gruesome scenes. She did not appreciate Nick trying to protect her here, especially in front of Chief Bogo. But she didn't say anything--now was not the appropriate time to scold him. However, Nick's reaction to whatever was in the case file made her blink in surprise. His eyes widened imperceptibly, his ears flicked back. She could see his hands stiffen on the edges of the file, and she knew then whatever was in there was going to be worse than anything she had ever seen.


She was right. He turned the file towards her and she placed a paw over her mouth in silent horror and the images. A big white-tailed buck, or what was left of him strung up by a meat hook. Most of the body had been savagely skinned, exposing the raw, red flesh, but the head remaind intact, mostly recognizable although the tongue was lolling out and the eyes long glazed over. Meathooks like the one showed here were long outlawed, and the last time she had seen even remotely like this had been crude, highly censored diagram in a textbook passage that was describing how predators used to butcher prey in the stone age. To see it in reality, and to actually see a new hook was as grotesque as it was gruesome. The worst thing, is that hunks of flesh had been torn from the shoulder, and the high res image suggested the work of claws and teeth. She felt her lunch rebel against her guts but she swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain professional even as the outrage bubbled up in her heart and threatened to spread to every corner of her body.


This was the most hideous crime she had ever heard of--ever seen. Someone actually eating people in this day and age, and spreading the pictures around to strike terror into the hearts of Prey? Just as bad would be the effect on the Predators. So soon after the Savage Conspiracy, tensions were high and fears were tender. This--animal, this Bloodmouth was just picking off where mammals like Bellweather started, and the thought made her blood boil.


The other pictures were just as bad. Butchered mammals, all prey, had been strung up or laid out with clear bite marks and claw slashes ripping through their rent flesh. The screenshots from Furbook had no commentary beyond the name of the poster--the Bloodmouth. She met Nick's worried gaze with her own when Bogo said the name aloud.


At the Chief's growled commands, she nodded. A no-media case? That was going to be difficult, as reporters had no doubt gotten a hold of the story by now, but what the buffalo meant was that she and Nick were not to talk directly to the media. And the command did make sense, in the context of a serial killer, where publicity would be the first priority.


"Crystal clear, sir," she said in affirmative. She was a little disconcerted by the suggestion that she and Nick had been chosen for ulterior reasons beyond their ability to solve the case at hand, and was irritated with the Chief for not simply stating why. It was a stupid power trip that almost every superior she'd ever had indulged in, but knowing the pattern didn't make it any less annoying to an already impatient Rabbit.


At the very least, she though, looking at Nick, that the solving of this high profile case with Nick at it's helm should do something to help balance out his Fox's reputation and the public fear of Predators. She would make sure something came out of this that was good.


"We'll take the case," she said, taking the case file in both hands. "We'll catch this Bloodmouth no matter what it takes."


**


Normally they would have been off shift by now, but the urgency of the case and the freshness of the crime scene drove Judy and Nick to get to it as soon as possible after the meeting. By the time they arrived, the sky was blue black with night, although the city lights and the floodlights around the scene made things sharply bright and painful. They parked the car outside the swanky apartment complex that Buck had once lived in, but to her disgust she saw there was also a van waiting for them: Channel 13 News. And worst of all, O'Riley himself, a squat skunk was sitting on a booster box with his micorphone as cops milled in the background of his shot.


"We'll just sneak by him," she grunted to Nick as they got out of the car. They were small enough to pass more or less unnoticed and by the time one of the Skunk's staff spotted the brush of Nick's tail they had already entered the building and were on the way up to the penthouse apartment, flashing their badges to bypass security before entering the scene.


Forensics was finishing up. The body had been removed for the formal autopsy, but the bloodsplatters were still everywhere, drying dark and rusty on the fine carpet, wood finishes and fancy furniture. It stank of old blood and metal, but people were not so much gathered around the nasty meat hook as they were around one aspect of the crime scene--a small pawprint, red and bloody smeared on the once pristine walls.


The pawprint of a fox.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 18, 2016, 03:54:20 AM

Nick took his time circling the crime scene, being careful to keep his tail lifted and off the floor. The last thing he needed was blood in his fur, not to mention the disgusting reporter outside. And he didn't mean disgusting because of his scent, though that would certainly be part of it. "The news is going to have a field day with this." He remarked, crouching down to look closely at the larger concentration of blood, then around at the walls. "I might be wrong, but it looks to me like he didn't even struggle. He tried to flee," Nick indicated the multiple locations of blood spatter, pointing toward the ceiling in some places. His finger traced the wall splatters as they got lower in location. "But collapsed somewhere over there. Sedative maybe?" He looked to Judy for her opinion, but his eyes fell on the wall behind her.


"Just can't keep my ears up today." He pointed behind her, at the wall. "You think that's what Bogo was talking about when he said we'd see? Like we foxes don't have a bad enough reputation out there already, it had to be a fox." Nick grabbed some gloves off a forensics table set up nearby, pulling them on and going over to look at the print more closely. "On the plus side, it's much smaller. Different species of fox, so there's no way they can tie this to me." Taking a step back, he sighed. Perhaps this was the time to tell her.


"Carrots, I have some bad news, and some worse news that I think I should share with you." He looked over at what Judy was doing, his tail swishing a couple times. "The bad news is, this is quickly beginning to come together with a thought I had earlier, when you mentioned someone from my past. When we were talking about ..." looking around, he thought twice about mentioning they were already talking about the Bloodmouth earlier in the day, then this happened; it would all seem far too coincidental, and if it ever got out. Nick shuddered at the thought. "You know, our conversation. I know someone that we might be able to talk to. She knew a lot of people in the underworld, more than even I did.
She was somewhat a celebrity, for her opinions and views. Played to the people, riled them up, that sort of thing. She wasn't the type to ever go through with anything extreme, but she might know someone who would. Here's the worse news. She and I ... well ..."


At Judy's questioning look, he sighed and put his fingers to his eyes. "We were partners, for a while. In a different way than you and I are." He quickly amended, holding both paws up to stall the verbal scolding he knew would be coming. "Partners in the way that getting paid is the only glue keeping you together. We parted on rather bad terms."


Judy put he hands on her hips, her ears dropped only slightly in irritation. This was just getting worse and worse. "How bad of terms are we talking?" She asked him, not too happily.


Nick cleared his throat, "Uh." He stuck his head up a little further, looking left and right. He didn't want to meet her gaze when he said this next part, but he owed her at least that much, so he brought his eyes back to hers. "You remember the skunk butt rug?"


"Oh God, Nick. No."


"No, no! Not like that." Judy sighed in relief, but he kept going. "Worse than that. Probably about ten times worse than that." He made a so-so motion with his hand. "Roughly ten times. Give or take. I may have. Accidentally. Kind of, but not really on purpose. Got her thrown in jail. For twenty years, if I remember the court case well enough. I," he trailed off, "don't really," laughing very falsely, kind of a 'heh-heh' to cover up the look Judy was giving him now. "Remember?" He finished pathetically.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 18, 2016, 04:39:15 AM

"Hmmm..." Judy murmured, looking at the traces of blood and where they led, staring at the fox print on the wall. Her heart sank. Their first serial killer, and it's a Fox. "You might be right. If whoever left this pawprint was indeed the murderer, then a sedative is likely. A fox of this size wouldn't be able to kill a full grown Deer without a considerable struggle. No murder weapon has been found and if the bite marks on the pictures are any indication, the killer might have actually murdered him with their claws and teeth alone...we'll have to see what the autopsy says.


"I don't think Bogo meant that the case could die to you directly, Nick," Judy tried to comfort her partner. "But I do think he's assuming that as a Fox, you'll have...you know," she winced, "People whom you might be able to talk to that the other officers won't have," she said lamely. It was a terrible thing to say, and a gross assumption. However, neither she nor Bogo could deny that Nick had been a shady grifter, and while he'd never been arrested he had dangled precariously right above the pit where serious criminals resided. And of course, Nick had always been proud and quick to mention the fact that he did know just about everyone. It wasn't too far a stretch to consider that aside from a healthy helping of petty thieves, he might know some truly dangerous mammals as well.


When he swished his tail nervously, she frowned slightly as she listened to him carefully. The longer he spoke the worse it got, although when he hovered on talking about this vixen, she wondered in alarm if they had possibly been romantically involved. The sudden thought struck her like a slap. It was an idea she found immediately shying away from and for the first time in her life she felt something like territoriality. It evaporated almost as soon as it had come. It would be utterly insane for her to have imagined that Nick had never been in a relationship with someone before. He was thirty two years old. But since he never talked about such things, it was difficult for her to imagine. Thankfully it turned out to be nothing more than another hustling partner, but she unworthily cringed at herself at the relief she felt.


However, when he finished she slapped a paw to here forehead in something like exasperation. "Twenty years of prison! Nick, she's probably going want to take a bite out of your neck if we approach her!" Judy sighed. But it was clear it had to be done. She frowned, doing the math quickly. Nick was thirty two. Assuming that this vixen was around the same age as him, she had probably been put away when she was around twelve or thirteen! So the crime had to have been first degree murder.


"What happened?" she asked, her voice full of concern, he ears drooping slightly. "D-did she even do it?" She knew to ask now, because Nick's scams had all been dubiously legal--but still legal. She couldn't even picture him getting involved in something that would end in murder. She just couldn't. And she knew that when Foxes or other mammals with terrible species wide reputations were involved, the justice wasn't always carried out.




 

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 18, 2016, 06:56:07 AM

His paw went involuntarily to his neck when she stated that, but he forced it down to remove the gloves he'd been wearing. He grabbed one of the fingers and shot it at one of the forensic teams, grinning at the gesture they made toward him. "What happened? Well, that's a rather long story." He looked around for some way out, anything, hedging around the question as much as possible. "It was a basic Drop and Switch, to start with. Things just got a little out of hand." He held up two fingers, pointing at her. "Was she there when it happened? Yes, yes she was." He just about had nowhere else to go with it, and couldn't avoid telling her the full story. He was saved, however, by the most unlikely of sources.


A camera flash went off behind him, and he whipped around in time to see Will O'Riley sticking his head through the door, a ferret over his shoulder snapping pictures with his camera. "Officer Wilde! Officer Hopps! A moment of your time!" The ferret slithered his way in past the police that came barreling up the stairs behind them, taking pictures rapidly and dodging Nick's grabs.


"Get out of here, O'Riley! This is a closed crime scene!" Nick practically parked, baring his teeth in frustration.


"Why were you put on this case? Is it because of the Bloodmouth? Earlier reports have told us that the bat you arrested prior mentioned a connection between you and someone of that name. Is it the same Bloodmouth committing these crimes, and if so, do you not feel like you're unfit to be on the case because of personal history?" Will grabbed the doorframe, dropping his mic as the police began wrenching him away from the doorway. "Do you think you'll be able to do the type of work expected of you if this Bloodmouth ends up being a relative, as the bat implied?!"


"That is not what he implied and you know it, O'Riley!" Nick finally gave up on the ferret, letting Judy - who was much quicker, and so better suited to ferret grabbing - take care of him. He about opened his mouth, but closed it before he could say more. "There's nothing to say to the media. This case is currently under investigation. Please escort him out." He turned around, crossing his arms, his tail practically bristling, even if he did keep it in check just barely.


"Uh, Wilde. Hopps." Another police officer, close behind the ones dragging O'Riley down the stairs, came up with his cell phone out and turned sideways. A very small amount of noise was emanating from it. "We have a problem. I think you should see this."


--------


Back at the police station, Bogo turned the power off on his TV, putting his head in his hands. Almost immediately, the phone started blowing up as line after line started flashing with callers. Of course the damn skunk had a camera on him. Of course he was broadcasting it live. Nick and Judy had handled it as well as they could have, considering the circumstances. His only real victory here was that the only things the officers had said were about O'Riley not being allowed there, and about his butchering of the quote to try and make his troops look bad.


Bogo reached over and pressed the intercom button, taking the first call. "This is Chief Bogo."


"Chief Bogo! Thrush Limburg, KOZI 104. Is it true what O'Riley said, do you feel like you made a mistake assigning -"


"Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are our best officers. I would not have assigned either of them if I didn't have full faith in them and their ability to get this done, and close this case fast." He hung up on the media representative, pressing the next call button. Even as he did, the prior one lit back up and he sighed. "Yes, Chief Bogo."


"Chief, Fairly Mayweather, Channel 9. Nick Wilde -"


Bogo slammed his hand on the desk, making a loud boom. "Is a perfectly capable and fully decorated police officer. I put the best we have on this case, and yes - I stand behind my decision. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are. the. best. No more comment." He hung up again. Again the light turned on, but before he could press it, the door to his office flew open. A naked molerat with a little field mouse came bustling into his office.


Clawhauser came panting right behind them, holding his belt up with one hand and leaning on the door, breathless. "I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry. I told them you were. Really busy. With. The news and all."
Bogo frowned, looking down at the molerat. He wasn't frowning at who it was - this all just seemed entirely too familiar. He didn't like it.


"A moment of your time, Chief. In a way, it's -about- the news."


Bogo grunted, looking to Clawhauser. "Close the door. And get someone to answer these calls. The only answers I want going out are "Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps are the best officers we have," and "No further comment." Got that, Cheetah?"


"Yes. Sir." Clawhauser half saluted and turned, closing the door behind him as he tried to recover his breath.


"Gloria." Bogo stood, putting his hands behind his back. "You know I always have time for you. I must say your appearances of late have been less and less frequent, unless something huge is about to happen. You don't have bad news for me, do you?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 18, 2016, 07:48:22 AM

Judy frowned. She never liked it when Nick kept things from her, even though it was normally his right to be private about his past if he chose to be. But this was a crime scene, and the questions she was asking were directly related to the task at hand, and his evasion only served to make her more nervous about what the answers would eventually be, and made her start wondering, unreasonably, if maybe he didn't trust her. Of course, that was surely very silly and this was probably all very difficult for him to talk about...but they were cops. They had to get to the bottom of this. His callback to their press conference 101 did not mollify her, but at the same time even as she opened her mouth she realized that it would be inappropriate to push the matter here, friend and partner or no. Her jaw clicked shut when the door slammed open to reveal the Skunk and a Weasel photographer.


The Weasel scurried around the crime scene as quickly as he was careful, snapping pictures like a mad mammal.


"What--no!" Judy spluttered before her voice hardened and became as commanding as it could ever be. "Neither of you are authorized to be here. I'm going--to--have--" her words were punctuated by attempts to seize the Weasel, "--ask--you--to--leave!" She finally managed to get a hold of the Weasel and firmly direct him back to where his boss was being dragged away. Judy had to make a huge effort not to wrinkle her nose in disgust at O'Riley's allegations. Of all the ridiculous lies...


When Elena, the forensics officer present--a big brawny tiger--offered up her cell phone to show Judy whatever it was, Judy actually cringed. The camera, since it was obviously on O'Riley's person jangled and shook, but the damage was done. The grisly scene and the officer's frenzied attempts to remove the reporters made them all look like fools. But the worst thing was O'Riley's allegations had been heard by every idiot who had the bad taste to tune into Channel thirteen. She groaned and pressed a paw to her forehead.


Once the dust settled and every last detail of the scene recorded, Judy put her writing pad away and placed her hands tiredly on her hips.


"Nick, I think we're done here. Forensics is going to finish up in a second and we need to get this report back to the Chief before we go home."


**


"Chief Bogo," Gloria said, scrambling up the chair with an agility that belied her age and species. Her assistant followed. "As always, your time and kindness are much appreciated. It is good to hear your voice again." she straightened up. "Bad things are always happening, Chief Bogo. This business with the Bloodmouth I predict can only get nastier. But my news about the news is largely regarding your two Officers Hopps and Wilde. Before you start to worry, allow me to explain," she said, holding up a tiny paw. "I've been in news for a long time. Longer than even you've been on the force. I'm getting old, Chief Bogo, and while there is a part of me that wishes to rest and spend more time with my grandchildren, I can't abide this disgusting smear campaign that is threatening the reputation of the ZPD, you personally, and of course the heroic duo, namely the Fox. Officer Hopps is immediately sympathetic to the crowds. She is the perfect headline, you know this--young, optimistic, good hearted and just naive enough while being effective to capture the heart of the city. Her partner, on the other hand, despite his commendable and excellent performance the past year is a Fox, and rumored to be an ex-con at that.


"I would like to set the record straight with a story of my own, and take a little time to interview them and get the truth out to the people of Zootopia. I might be an old Rat, but I've never been one to stew in the attitudes of the past. I would like to do my part to help things change."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 18, 2016, 08:49:10 AM

Bono considered for a moment Gloria's words, turning to look out over the city from his window. The peaceful looking skyline, the towers, towering trees, and low bergs of each individual section of the city. It was a beautiful sight that covered a deeper darkness that couldn't be seen on the surface. The chief inhaled deeply, and turned back to Gloria. "I don't see any harm in permitting you an interview with them. You were always the more honest of those sewage shined reporters knocking at my doors at all hours. Sometimes to my disgruntlement, on more occasion than one."


He pulled his chair out, lowering his weight into it with a creak from the hinges. "I'm not sure when they're going to be back, with having to clean up and fight through swarms of ... we'll call them your kin." He folded his hands on the desktop. She knew, no doubt, what he was talking of. The live broadcast would already be in the ears of every civilian, from the lowest carp to the most powerful lion. He was just glad the new mayor was a lot more levelheaded. "I can take your information and relay it to them to set up a time. You let me know, and I'll make sure they -make- time for you. Just leave the information with Clawhauser on your way out." Bogo put his glasses on, going back to the paperwork piled on his desk as Gloria made her way out of the office with a satisfied nod.


The intercom on his desk chimed, and his secretary's voice came on the speaker. "Sir?"


"What is it, Shepard?"


"I hate to bother you, but line one."


"Another media reporter? Tell them I'll address their concerns later."


"Yes, sir. But line one. It's the mayor, sir."


There was silence from Bogo until he removed his glasses and folded them, taking a calming breath. "I'll take it immediately. Thank you, Shepard."


--------


"I think you're right." Nick took one last look around. "I guess the cat's out of the bag anyway." When Elena looked at him with perked ears, Nick held up a hand in apology. "Sorry, Elena. Just a saying." He started for the door, holding it open for Judy to go through before him. "We'll have to face the music one way or the other. I swear sometimes these people don't sleep."


When they were half way down the stairs, Nick stopped her on the stair above him, suddenly embracing her with a paw on the back of her head. He lowered his voice so only she could hear. "Thank you for not pressing the story. I'll tell you every detail later, I promise. It's just something I don't want anyone else to hear, considering. That part of my life is over. The media doesn't need to hear that, especially as hearsay from the mouth of another cop." It felt good to hug her, and originally he'd been using it so he could whisper about it in her ear, but he held on a moment longer than was entirely necessary before putting her down and putting a paw between her ears.


Then he took out his sunglasses, gave her a sly smile and winked before putting them on. "Off to report to Chief Greeting Cards. You're going to write the report up, right Carrots? Fox handwriting? Not the best. I think it's better if you do it. Besides, all those product inventory lists in, what was it again. I don't remember. Podunk? You've got plenty of practice, I'm sure."


Stopping at the door to the fancy apartment complex, with just his feet showing to the media outside, he took a deep breath in the way Judy showed him on how she was always so cool and collected when facing this kind of swarm. Then stepped to the side after a pause and bowed, gesturing with a hand to the doorway. "I believe it was ladies first?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 18, 2016, 09:11:04 AM

Halfway down the stairs Nick slithered in front of her, and embraced her. She was a little surprised by the gesture, but his touch was familiar, welcome. In the past she would have tensed up instinctively, out of surprise more than anything, but sometimes it was as though her personal space parameters didn't even register Nick as another body. She hugged him back, even as he whispered in her ear.


"Nick..." she started, her voice gentle as her heart warmed at his confidence. "I understand. And thank you," she added, gripping him tighter. "Your stories will always be safe with me."


He placed his slender paw between her ears, the rough pads of his fingers and palm firm and comforting against her head. From anyone else the gesture might have been patronizing, but so would have the sobriquet "Carrots". With him, these things were special, and she didn't begrudge him them. She offered him a quirk of a smile before starting again down the stairs.




"You and I both know you know the name of my town so I'll pardon you for a bad joke since it's been a long night," Judy said. She would have preferred to report to Bogo herself, but she had the strangest feeling that Nick in particular needed that meeting with the Chief himself. While she was the senior officer, for the most part they acted as equal peers and for what it was worth, her handwriting was a little better.


 

Their quiet moment was immediately seized and gutted by the hordes of excited, exhausted reporters, desperate for a scrap of story to bring back to their masters. Judy suppressed a groan but was unable to contain a sigh. "Ever the gentlemammal," she huffed at him with a wry grin before jerking her head in a 'come on' motion and stepping outside into the swarm.


She soldiered through the crowd, doing her best to ignore forest of microphones thrust in her face and the flash of hot lights. Despite the howls, she and Nick managed to make it to the police car, and finally to the station without further dramatic incident. Once they arrived at the station, she said, "Right then. I'll get these reports filed. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast, usual place? Be sure to eat tomorrow, I think it's going to be a long day," she added. She faltered for a moment, wondering if she should hug Nick goodbye. In the end, she decided against it for reasons she couldn't explain even to herself, and then trotted past the empty reception desk--Clawhauser had probably just gone home, the graveyard shift had just settled herself, a reindeer named Candi-to her office space.


It didn't take her long to file the reports. She almost wished for coffee, but if she'd had any she would have been wired the reset of the night. Stifling a yawn, she prepared the reports, turned them in and waited for Nick. She could have caught the bus home, but she always preferred to catch it with him, even if they didn't talk much on the way to their respective apartments. They would part ways at the third stop, but this ritual was one she would leave unbroken.


She briefly found herself entertaining the idea of how much easier it would be if they lived in the same place, but squashed it down.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 18, 2016, 09:52:15 AM

She could hear Nick, loud and joking as always, leaving the chief's office shortly after. He had changed into his favorite style of clothes, a button-up shirt and slacks. He had a sucker in his mouth - where he got that, who could say? He made his way over to where Judy was waiting, holding on to the end of the sucker sticking out of his mouth. Popping it out, he held it out to her, and shrugged when she held up her paws and pushed his hand away. "At least this news isn't so bad."


Tugging a piece of paper out of his pocket, folded in quarters, he held it out to her. "Got clearance to go to the jail and talk to my old friend tomorrow." He held the paper over her head so she had to hop to get it. When she finally grabbed it and gave him that look of annoyance she always did, he popped the sucker back in his mouth. "You're just cute when you do that." He knew full well she didn't like other races calling her cute. When she didn't say anything about it, he adjusted his tie, removing the sucker once more - he didn't know what to say to her not responding, seeing as he really did think it was cute. He was hoping he could have written it off after she got indignant with him, but when she didn't, he was forced to change the subject. "One bit of stormy weather, though. You remember that blind reporter?" He moved the sucker in a circle, thinking. "Gloria something. What?" He asked at a disbelieving look. "I didn't have a lot of time for TV when I was younger." His ears twitched at the next part, "Or money -for- a TV, for that matter.


The chief wants us to meet with her. Insists enough to make it a priority to call her on this number." A business card appeared in his hand when he flicked his wrist toward her. An old slight of hand trick that he still used from time to time to this day. "She wants to interview with us." He said over his shoulder as he started walking toward the bus stop. If they didn't get going, they would miss it.


--------


The bus ride home was as uneventful as always, with Nick sitting on the outside almost protectively of his partner. He always rode in the outside seat; he liked to tell her it was because he was worried she'd bounce around and start talking to everyone on the bus, and his days were already long enough as it was. As the brakes squealed to a stop a block from her house, Nick put a paw on her leg, looking over and down at her. "This is your stop."


This time, however, he didn't ask her the usual "You gonna be alright, little bunny?" so she could respond with a quip of her own. This time, he got up and started for the bus doors with her, taking the two steps and waiting at the bottom. Once she was off, he slapped the bus side hard enough to let the driver know he wasn't getting back on, and the bus slowly picked up speed as its lights dwindled.


He walked in silence beside her, hands in his pockets, clearly deep in thought. Finally, he spoke up, still not looking at her. His voice had a note of playfulness in it, but she couldn't see his eyes, so she couldn't be sure. "You know how much easier this would be if we just got a place together? Bet we could afford a nice place. Your salary after busting that Savage case. Me living in the nice house you could afford on the salary you make after busting that Savage case." He flicked the sucker's stem at a trash can, where it hit the rim but fell in. Nick held up a paw in victory. "Two points!" Was he quickly changing the subject, or was it just a joke?

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 12:47:43 AM

Judy hopped, indignantly, to snatch the paper out of his hand and tuck it away. Her mouth twisted at his commentary of cuteness and she decided to leave it at that, letting her annoyed silence speak for itself and waiting for him to do what passed for tactful in him and changed the subject. At the announcement of stormy weather, her ears perked up. She must have made a face when he indicated he didn't know who Gloria Burrows was, and inwardly cringed at the follow up. She really only knew who Gloria Burrows was growing up because her mother had occasionally watched her and indicated that she "had interesting things to say, even if she is a bit on the...er...progressive side of things." Judy, who did not own a TV with cable--she had recently upgraded to a laptop and streamed her news from ZBN.com--was aware of Burrows largely because she'd seen her articles not long after arriving in Zootopia, and even though the Naked Mole Rat did not come to them directly after the Savage Conspiracy, she had written about it with remarkable accuracy.


But even so, at the suggestion of another interview, Judy was a little wary. She followed after Nick through the revolving doors and out into the night. "It would be a good opportunity to set the record straight with someone whose reputation is one grounded in making sure the facts get to the people," she said as they stepped up onto the bus. "We'll have to fit it in somehow. Tomorrow's going to be tough, but the longer we delay the worse it'll be...." she tapped her foot pensively even as they continued the bus ride in silence.


Once they got to their stop, Judy was all prepared to quip back with Nick with his usual comment, but instead he surprised her by following her off the bus. She didn't ask him immediately, instead looking at him with a question in her eyes. They walked in silence for a short time, and she, curious to see what he had to say allowed him to break the silence first. His tone was light, but she couldn't get a good look at his eyes from her vantage point, and she felt almost as though she had been struck at the thought.


"We both cracked that case," she said automatically before anything else coherent managed to tumble from her mouth. "A-are you serious?" she stammered, her voice breathier than she would have liked it to be. "No, Nick, don't just try to change the subject," she protested as they came up to the door of her apartment complex. She'd moved out of the Pangolin Apartment she'd originally lived in when first arriving in Zootopia--primarily for one reason: she wanted to be able to have people over. Namely, she wanted to be able to have Nick over from time to time, and as her friend circle had grown, she'd become more and more embarrassed of the dirty closet she called home. Being frugal and responsible with her money was a necessity and there was a certain romance to the terrible studio apartment with loud neighbors upon first arriving. But practicality in the end won out and with the bonus she received from the Savage Conspiracy, she had been able to afford moving to a better apartment. Still a one-bedroom, but this one had tiny kitchen and a tiny bathroom to go with it. Rent in the city was expensive.


The thought of living with Nick was a heady one. It was true that they spent most of their waking time together. What was another few hours? And of course they would be able to afford a more comfortable place for less money. But that was just the superficial aspect, the business aspect. The truth of the matter was that Judy couldn't say she didn't like the idea. She had roomates back at the Academy, but this was entirely different. Different, and new. Of course, animals close in species but different often shared rooms provided they were in the same size grouping, but Predators and Prey almost never did. It was largely unheard of. That part didn't bother her, she was more distracted by the idea of getting to know a different dimension of Nick that had been closed off to her, something she couldn't say she wasn't curious about.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 06:24:56 AM

Nick stopped with her outside her door, or at least the door to the apartments. A light drizzle had picked up, though nothing too severe. It just made him look up at the sky for a moment. "Well, we don't have to talk about it now, of course. It's just a thought. It would make it a lot easier to get to work. A lot easier on the wallet. Plus," he wanted to say 'plus I wouldn't be opposed to living with you.' Or 'it would feel much like everything was how it was supposed to be,' but he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Plus, I would ..." But what else could he say that wouldn't sound completely out of the blue?

"I wanted to make sure you got home alright." Smooth, Nick. "This whole thing with the murdered prey, some crazy pred out there killing for fun or enjoyment, and worse," he forced a shudder, pretending like this next thing was far worse than a serial killer, "reporters and media representatives around every corner."

He turned to leave, stopped with his head down against the rain. He turned back and put his arms around her, put his muzzle on her head. He didn't say anything for a moment until he let her go. "Thanks again. For everything. I'll see you in the morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I mean you will be. I'll need a coffee first. Partner." He saluted her, smiled as brightly as a wet fox could, and made his way down the street. It was a ways to his apartment, but he needed the time anyway. This whole case was getting to him; too much of his past being dredged up in only a few days.

--------

The next morning found Nick pulling up back at Judy's place with a police cruiser. He'd already gone to the precinct, signed one out, -and- gotten them both their respective StarBucks drinks of choice, with the little green logo and a deer wearing sunglasses on it. He had them, a piece of carrot cake, and a small bin of raspberries sitting on the hood of the car.

He was leaning against the door, popping a raspberry in his mouth, coffee in hand, when Hopps came out. He waved to her and pulled the bill of his hat down. He had dressed in something other than uniform, and certainly not something he usually wore. A t-shirt and jeans? "Figured this would look a lot less antagonizing, considering the person we're going to meet. What do you think, cottontail?" He did a little pose with his hands on his hips. "How does it look? Think she'll bite the face off someone so otherworldly handsome? I could sweep the rims off a car and nobody would notice in this. Could," he was quick to point out, holding up a finger. "Never would. But could."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 07:07:31 AM

Judy was listening, her eyes big and focused as she fiddled ridiculously with her keys. Her heart skipped a little when he paused, stumbled over his words as he fished for the right thing to say. It took all of her self control not to follow up with, "Plus...what?" but she didn't remaining silent and hoping he might say...well. She had a vague idea of what she thought she wanted to hear, but for some reason she couldn't make out the words. She didn't quite sag when he instead mentioned the serial killer, or the rampant paparazzi on the prowl, but in the end she couldn't help but feel ever so slightly disappointed. About what she couldn't even properly, reasonably say.


As the rain started down, and he put his wiry arms around her, she returned the gesture as well as she could.


"Partner," she echoed back with a little quirk of a smile. However, when he turned to go the rain intensified, rattling down and doing its level best to soak the Fox as he walked away. Suddenly, Judy's heart lodged itself in her throat and she started down the steps again and raised her arm, to call him back, invite him in. But something seized her like claws, and her voice died in her throat before she could get out a sound, and by then Nick had already turned the corner, his brush disappearing from sight.


She stood there in the rain for almost a minute, ears flopped down her back before struggling with the lock and climbing up the stairs to her apartment. She slid inside, threw her keys on the nightstand and thumped her head against the wall.


Tomorrow would be a new day.


**


She woke sharply to the sound of her alarm, 5:30 sharp. As usual she was quick to rise, washing her face and neatly putting on her uniform. It was still pre-dawn, the blue-gray wash seeping in through her window, the last of the night lights winking out as the city started to wake up. Judy peered out her window and was surprised to see Nick already there in the police crusier. She blinked. She was usually the one to go get him, as he was not the morning person she was. She wondered if she should read into the gesture and decided that she ought not to.


She paused before she left. Normally she preferred to wear her uniform, but she had a niggling feeling that the day might take them places the uniform might not be so helpful. So at the last moment she packed a quick bag with an unassuming summer outfit--a pair of high waisted teal pants, a lacy white tank top and finally a red plaid shirt. It was big on her, and for good reason. The shirt had a bit of a history. She had been sick and had fallen asleep on Nick's couch one day and he'd covered her with the shirt. She'd woken up in her own apartment with it, and had never found the time to give it back, and even though it didn't smell like him as much as it used to, she had more or less laid claim to it now.


She tried not to think about what that implied and threw them in the bag.


She greeted him with raised eyebrows. She did admit to herself that the fox did seem rather effacing and harmless in the outfit. She wasn't one to be a judge of beauty in other species but foxes as much as they were regarded with distrust also were considered an elegant looking species if not outright nice looking even to others. Nick was no exception to this. But even so she said, "You know, you're the first person to make me say this ever, but I think you might be trying a little too hard, Nick. In any case, you could show up in a tuxedo and after twenty years of prison I don't know if it would make much difference. And you still have to show your badge," she waggled her finger at him. "We're not undercover...Oh! You remembered!" she said with delight as she climbed up into the car and spotted the carrot cake. "This is Franny's!" she said, recognizing the cake as one from her favorite bakery. It would have been at least five minutes out of Nick's way. She gave him a little squeeze. "My favorite." it was a sweet start to what she new was going to be a long day. "Right. Irondale Prison, here we come."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 08:00:36 AM

He leaned on the hood of the car, using one paw to grab her bag for her. The paw that dangled over the side of the roof pointed, "You know, that's not a bad idea. I should wear a tuxedo from now on." He moved to put her bag in the back with his, but stopped at the color of a shirt sticking out of it. His head slowly came back into view from the back door, looking at her with a barely concealed smile and a raised eyebrow. "It looked good on you. Not that I watched you, just saying. Good choice." [size=78%]Then he just went back, put her bag down next to his, and went around to get in the car behind the wheel.[/size]



Before starting the car, he pulled the front of his shirt out to show her the sticker he had put on it, not unlike the one he'd gotten so long ago. "Got my badge, right here." With a turn of the keys, the engine roared and they were on their way.



He didn't turn on the lights this time to get where they were going faster, though any other day he probably would have. It was a large reason he didn't drive the car as often anymore. The larger part of it was Judy was headstrong and liked to be the one driving - which he honestly enjoyed. Less work for him to take care of. Nick turned on the radio as they drove.


"Nick Wilde and Judy -" kisssh "The two officers -" kissssh "- a fox print at the scene. Questions about Officer Wilde's -" Nick turned off the radio with a sigh, focusing on the road instead. It was increasingly difficult to keep up the good humor.


He took a drink of his coffee, and pulled a newspaper out from between the seats, holding it out to Judy without a word for her to read the latest from Will O'Riley. "He used a lot more brush strokes this time. He writes like Molenet painted. 'Look over here! No, over here! Wait, -this- was the point!' Very smooth misguidance, if you know what to look for." Not the most upbeat he's ever sounded, but he was trying.


---------


The car pulled up in front of a towering prison - one of Zootopia's oldest establishments. It had seen better days, but then again, newer prisons didn't get the attention this one did. Loud alarms clanged as the gate was pulled open for them after Nick flashed his fake badge (followed by fumbling with his wallet for where he pinned the real one). The guard didn't get nearly as much of a kick out of it as he himself did. "Not much of a sense of humor around here, huh Carrots? What is it with cops always being frown faced and gloomy?" It took him a minute before he reached over and wiggled one of her ears. "Except you, of course. Maybe that's why they like you us so much."


Nick pulled up next to an armored vehicle, putting the car in park. Getting out of the car, he leaned both arms on the hood and whistled at the impressive vehicle next to them. "How would you like to drive that bad boy into a gun fight? How long do you think it would last?" He realized then that Judy was already leaving him behind, and he ran to catch up, though he slowed down near the front, looking up at all the barred windows. He heard a loud clang of a cell door, and followed Judy inside.


It was cool in the reception room, and his nose started twitching immediately at the smell of coffee - even poorly brewed. "I assume this is free?" He raised his voice even as he went ahead and filled his cup from their breakfast, adding very little sweetener and just a touch of powdered creamer. It was some synthetic, as most of the bovines in the population wouldn't hear of actual milk just for coffee. Nick didn't know if he wanted that swirling around in his drink anyway, even if the city had toyed with the idea before.


As he came up to the desk with Judy and the rhino manning the counter, he heard his bunny talking as fast as she usually did, with a lot of legal fluff and everything. The rhino was clearly not paying much attention, so Nick put the paperwork on the counter, reached over, and flicked the antenna to the TV that was blaring Squeal of Fortune. Static filled the room immediately, and the rhino snorted at him in irritation. Nick pointed down at where Judy was. "I believe, and I could be wrong, but I believe you should be paying attention to your superiors. That right, Judes? You're above him in rank, last I checked," He never looked away from the rhinos beady eyes, though he smiled slyly. "Aren't you, Officer Hopps?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 08:25:54 AM

"Don't compare this hack to Monet even as a joke," Judy said in disgust, looking over the article through a mouthful of carrot cake. She blazed through the article, and immediately regretted it. She needed to be cool and calm for when they went to the prison to deal with Nick's contact. She knew that prisoners could smell fear or anger and she also knew they would probably be heckled by the inmates simply because of who and what they were already.  "Back where I'm from we call this lying." She could sense the falter in Nick's demeanor and frowned. "Don't let this garbage get to you, Nick," she said, her voice encouraging. "They'll all see what you're really like and capable of soon enough. And with the way O'Riley writes, there's no way he's not getting sued for libel at some point."


**


Judy's demeanor had heated into something that was almost ferocious. As soon as the car stopped she was out, striding towards the doors of Irondale prison with firm purpose, her ears stiff, her back straight and her expression as neutral as it could be. She was happy to be the one striding up to the desk and while Nick refilled his coffee she laid out the forms for the Rhino's perusal. However, either because it was early or he simply didn't care, the Rhino was merely nodding along to her words without looking at her. She was starting to get annoyed, but before she addressed the issue, Nick did, and handily.


"My partner has a point," Judy said raising a brow at the Rhino. "We need to see this prisoner immediately for the sake of a high stakes case that needs to be addressed. I trust you can help us?" there was a bit of a threat in her tone and the Rhino, finally hearing something other than mindless chatter scanned the paperwork and grunted,


"Cellblock C, last cell on the right."


**


Judy stared down at the row of cells on both sides as the door clanged open to allow them both inside. She took a deep breath. This was actually her first time visiting a prison like this. Jails were one thing, but this was on a whole new level. Hardened killers were behind bars here, and even worse than that. She straightened her shoulders, and whispered to Nick, "Ignore them," and started to walk.


The sight of the bunny officer and her fox companion immediately drew howls of derision from the inmates.


"You're in the wrong neighborhood, little bunny!" a wolf said, licking his chops dramatically.


 "You're so cute I could just eat you up!"


"Hey! Fox! **censor** traitor!" yowled a skinny vixen from behind her cell bars.


"Well aren't these the most tender little cops you've ever seen! Bogo's losing his edge if he's sending the likes of them to us..."


Judy grit her teeth and utterly ignored the calls, counting the cells. Finally, they arrived at the end of the corridor...and were staring at an empty cell.


"She's not here," she said in disbelief.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 08:58:41 AM

Nick had stopped at the cell to the one that had called him traitor, sipping on his coffee idly, his tail languidly making swishes across the floor. He didn't say anything, simply stared into the cell before looking left and right. He walked out of sight of that particular cell, then walked backward to look into it again. "Sorry. Thought I left my freedom back here." A paw swiped at him, but he didn't move, letting it graze through the air right near his nose. "My mistake. Must have left it in the field outside." He tipped his coffee cup to the prisoner, receiving a growl and more curses. He was tempted to go back and taunt them more, but what Judy said made his ears turn toward her, followed shortly by his head.


He came up beside her, looking into the empty cell that had a broken lightbulb in it - they clearly didn't replace it unless a prisoner was going to be held there. Nick doubted they would even then. Fishing his phone out of his pocket and flicking on the flashlight. He immediately turned it off when he saw his name written on the wall, as he didn't feel like looking at more, and tucked the phone in his back pocket. "Well, this place is maximum security. I don't like to think what it could mean, but maybe they just moved her?" The unspoken part of that was the implication of 'maybe she wasn't so harmless as I thought.'


"Maybe he got the cell block wrong. He was rather distracted." He was about to tell Judy they should head back and find out where they moved her, when he heard the sound of a pair of hooves hitting the floor and a familiar voice call out to them.


"Is that Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde? It's been so long, dears. Are you here to see me?"


Nick's ears immediately went back against his head, stepping just a couple cells down. "Well I'll be a canned ... something." He turned his head to look at Judy, coming up alongside him. He moved his tail out her way just in time before she stepped on it. He knew that voice would distract her and bring all sorts of memories back. "Ex-mayor Bellwether."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 09:20:56 AM

Judy could hear Nick taunting the prisoner that had cursed at him and inwardly sighed. He just couldn't resist, could he? Still, it was no prerogative of hers to dictate how he processed these things. In a way coming down here might be harder than it was for her. But still, the main concern was the fact that the mammal they were here to see was gone, and by the look of the cell, she hadn't been here for some time. She saw the ugly scrawl of Nick's name on the wall and cringed.


"Well..." she said, "There's no doubt that she was probably here. We'll have to go back to the security guards and double check and see if they moved her--" but before she could get much further she heard the familiar voice. Her ears twitched and her eyes widened before she stiffened. Bellweather? This was a maximim security prison after all...she stepped back into the light to see the diminutive ewe standing not far from the bars of her cell. Her wool was still fastidiously neat, but the prison jumper didn't suit her, and it looked like she had lost some weight being here. "Ms. Bellweather," Judy said, her voice cold. There was a part of her that wanted to be vicious, and say something along the lines of "you wish w e were here to see you," but she refrained. There was no goodness in taunting a defeated enemy. "We're here on the grounds of a case that we are not at liberty to discuss."


Bellweather offered them a savage smirk, similar to the one she had worn when she had fired the blueberry at Nick's neck almost a year ago.


"Oh, but I think I know," she said, her voice sibilant steel, all false good humor. "I'm hearing all sorts of things about this Bloodmouth character. You hear all sorts of things, listening to the pred rifraff in here. Things about 'embracing the animal within' and getting back to the basics." she shot a meaningful look at Nick. "Look at you. Office Wilde. Never would have imagined it. Must feel good for a Predator to follow that track, musn't it? Even for that moment you had your fangs around Judy's pretty little throat." she brought her hooves up to her own neck to punctuate her words. Judy's ear twitched. She remembered that moment. The most important part of it had been that she hadn't felt an ounce of fear, even as Nick's fangs had rested against the delicate skin of her throat. "Didn't it come as naturally as breathing, Nick?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 09:34:48 AM

Nick came up behind Judy, talking as he did. "As naturally. Well, yes it did, second in line for mayor and only able to reach it through underhanded deeds and murder." He put one arm around Judy, resting it over her chest, proving a point that would sting the mayor more than a physical blow. A predator and a prey, being close, and her not flinching away. It was also because he'd seen her ear twitch, and was trying to comfort her and calm her down, the way she did for him oh so many times in their history.


"Opening my mouth did come rather easily." He opened his muzzle again, wide, before closing it. "See? I did it again. You're right, the more I do it, the easier it gets."


"It's certainly opening and closing more than enough. Perhaps you should keep it closed this time." She waved away his sarcasm like she usually did. Bellwether looked at Nick's arm, then into Judy's eyes. "Predator and Prey can never truly be friends, Judy."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 09:50:46 AM

Judy leaned into Nick's touch and by extension wrapped her own arm around his waist, staring straight back at Bellweather with unflinching eyes. At her comment, Judy found it within herself to speak.


"I once thought it was impossible for mammals like Rabbits or Sheep to go savage," she said, her voice firm. "But after meeting you, I realized I couldn't be more wrong. You might think that friendship like ours is impossible, but you'll always have to remember the fact it was this friendship that put you in that jail cell."


The comment was well placed and Bellweather might have winced if she had been a weaker Sheep. Still, by the way she adjusted her glasses Judy could tell the comment stung. In the end, the ewe offered her a frosty little smile. "Nature will out, Judy," she said in a sickeningly sweet school teacher's tone. "Sooner or later you'll find yourself on the fangs of a Predator, metaphorically or literally. But I hope that it's the latter, if only for the beautiful irony."


She hit a nerve and Judy was tempted to say something back, even though she knew that engaging Bellweather was not the proper thing to dow when a Wolf security guard burst in through the corridor.


"Officers Hopps and Wilde!" she panted, coming to a stop in front of them. "We're so sorry. We've made a mistake. The prisoner you are looking for was released six months ago after her twenty year sentence was up. We aren't sure what's become of her," the Wolf said apologetically.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 10:09:50 AM

Judy could probably feel Nick's breath being released in one go at the Wolf's words. So she hadn't been moved or executed or anything for more violent crimes. That was a good thing. Her ideals were still just that - ideals. "Bellwether, it's been a ... something. Talking to you."


"Pleasure?" The ewe provided.


Nick shook his head, turning with Judy and looking back at Bellwether. "No. Never that." On their way out, at the cell nearest the door, a fox's paw reached out and touched Nick's shirt. He didn't jump back, because the movement was so slow. He looked down at the paw, arm still around Judy - he was determined to make a point to every predator here - and followed it up to a face he never thought he'd see again, much less remember.


Judy could feel him stiffen, much more than he usually did in any scenario - enough that she could feel him shake, his paw clenching into a fist. "Let's go."


"Please don't." A timid voice came from the fox in the cell, a much older fox, now clenching Nick's shirt. Nick didn't move to stop it, and pointedly didn't look at the furry gentleman. "I thought it was you, when you came in. You've grown quite a bit. And an officer now! Who would have thought." Nick was still silent, and the old fox sighed, giving a tired smile to Judy.


"This must be Officer Hopps."


Nick put out a paw, to stall Judy from talking. "Don't acknowledge him. Can we just go?"


"Alright, alright." The old one held up his hands in surrender. "You don't have to talk, Nick. Just listen. Let an old father try to make amends with his boy before he dies in here. I'm sorry, for what I did. To you and your mother, leaving you both alone." He shuffled up to the bars, sticking his muzzle through, a tear sliding out of his eye. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I was only trying to do what was best for you and her, provide as much as I could for us, get us all out of those slums and into a nicer part of town. Where you could grow up with every opportunity awarded everyone else. But I failed, and miserably.


Sometimes, living there, it's hard to get out, Nick. But you did it," the old fox sniffed, an almost heart wrenching noise. "Didn't you, my boy? I'm so very proud of you. If nothing else, know I'm very proud of you, for the life you lead now. You got out. Not all of us can say the same." He pulled at the bright orange outfit that hung from his shoulders. He reached his paw out, giving Nick's arm a squeeze - to which he didn't move away or stiffen, this time.


Without another word, the old fox shuffled back to his cot, sitting down on it with a creak of the springs, and staring at his hands. Nick didn't move for the longest time. He did look at his father, turning his head ever so slightly - but it was enough of a turn for Judy to see, before the doors buzzed and let Judy and him through. Outside the station, he snapped his sunglasses on almost angrily. His tail was still bushy in agitation, and he didn't say anything all the way to the cruiser.


He stopped at the driver's side door, fists at his side, before he visibly forced his posture to relax, if only long enough to hold the keys out to the side for Judy. "I think maybe you should drive."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 19, 2016, 10:33:53 AM

Judy was glad to take their leave of Bellweather. There was nothing to be gained from continuing to engage her, and she could walk away feeling satisfied that she and Nick had done their duty by the city and by justice to see her there. They made to turn away when a withered paw reached out to touch Nick and Judy's felt him seize up as though he had been struck. In surprise, she whirled to look and her jaw dropped. Standing in the cell was a gray muzzled old Red Fox. He had to be at least sixty years old, his ears battered and torn with scars all along his paws, but even through all that Judy thought she recognized a familiar brow, and shape of the muzzle. And when the fox continued to speak, she actually gasped, her gut dropping.


Nick's father? She glanced at him. He must have his mother's eyes, she thought numbly, looking back at the old todd. As he spoke, she had to force herself not to keep looking back between Nick and his father. She felt like an intruder, insanely enough, to be looking at this private moment, this ugly reunion. And her heart was breaking. She had no idea what Nick's father did to land him here, but...even though she was supposed to be a cynical cop, cynicsm didn't come naturally to her heart. She believed that whatever he had done his heart had been in the right place, if not his actions.


They left the prison, and Judy's heart was heavy. Nick was very clearly agitated, and she couldn't blame him. It was all she could do to keep herself from giving him looks of pity--because she knew he wouldn't want it, and that she shouldn't be pitying him. Feeling sympathy was one thing, pity was another.


"Nick..." she started, her voice soft, but she didn't say anything after that. She wanted to know what had happened, of course she did, but in truth, she knew that it wasn't her business, and Nick had to volunteer that information. It wasn't her place to demand it, as a partner or a friend. She allowed Nick the silence. She would have tried to physically comfort him, but he was walking quickly back towards the car. She took the keys and wordlessly climbed up into the driver's seat and started the engine.


**


They got lunch at a kiosk that sold lettuce wraps friendly to both Predator and Prey (fillings included things like fruit, honey, seeds, nuts, root vegetables and of course things like roasted crickets and protein compounds), catering specifically to those on the smaller end of things. The vendor was a coyote, but his coworker was a chinchilla, which was encouraging for Judy to see on the streets. They ate their lunch in the car, which was parked in an alley with a good view of the streets, and they ate in relative silence. Neither of them had spoken much since the encounter with Nick's father.


But in the interest of the job, Judy finally sighed and wiped her mouth on her napkin before turning to Nick. "Do you think Finnick might know where this vixen went?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 19, 2016, 11:11:33 AM

Nick took a drink from his cup to wash the food down, setting his back in his lap on the foil it had come in, and turned extremely grateful eyes on her. "That's a thought. Finnick knows almost as many people as I do. It's as good a lead as any we've got." Nick looked at the clock on the dashboard. "He should be parking his van right around now. If we rush, we can probably meet him there before heads out for his night business." He didn't care to elaborate on what that night business was, but if Finnick gave them a good lead, they both knew they wouldn't arrest him. Like Mr. Big, he would be too valuable of an asset to throw behind bars.


In answer, Judy started the car. Nick didn't need to give her directions, as she knew where Finnick would more than likely be parking his van, so he looked out the window as they drove. He had his window down to feel the cool air ruffle through his fur. As they drove slowly through town, he got more than enough calls, most of them unsavory.


"**censor** traitor!" a drink cup hit the side of the car with a splash.


Nick raised a hand and waved at the irate civilian, shouting back. "Yeah, good to see you too."


Judy looked over at him, her nose twitching like it did when she was concerned. "Are you sure you okay with coming back this way, so shortly after ..."


Nick raised an eyebrow at her before looking back out the window with his muzzle on his paw. "it's okay, Judy. You can say it. My dad." He watched some of the homes go by, at the cracking paint, the trash littering the streets. "He wasn't so bad, when he was around, you know. He was always attentive. Did his best to support my mom and I. When he wasn't working the streets and was trying to go straight as a door-to-door salesman." Nick practically snorted. "A fox. A door-to-door salesman." He looked over at Judy. "He didn't do too well. He was a fox, and who trusts a fox, right? People always thought he was trying to swindle them somehow. Sell them faulty vacuums. Low quality furniture. He wasn't, of course, but you know the reputation we foxes have. Can't be trusted with anything. Ever.


I suppose that's why he went back." Nick rolled the window up, then back down, up, before finally leaving it there. He didn't want the off chance that someone else would hear him. "I just can't forgive him for it, really. He raised me my whole life, not just teaching me but showing me that a fox could go straight. Could make it legitimately. Then, suddenly, I'm watching the news of his arrest. An officer showed up at our door, ransacked the place looking for more evidence. Suddenly my father isn't coming home.


To this day I'm not sure of all the details, but I know he took a job. You know what kind of job I mean. It was a big one. Conning the head of a rather large corporation. He almost made it, from what I hear. But things went bad. One of his crew - they had a gun." Nick's eyes were deep in the past, as if the whole scene was playing out before him. "There was a firefight. My father came out of it alive, obviously. But he was the only one. Him and the CEO. He swore he never fire a shot, never killed anyone, but who are they going to believe? The CEO of a big wig corporation, or a conniving, dirty fox?


So he was jailed. Did he kill anyone? Other than a con, was there any other crime he committed? I don't know. I don't want to believe he did. But whatever I believe, everyone else believes the opposite. So he wound up where you saw him. And my mom and me? We were left alone.


After he was gone, my mother. Well, foxes are known for being ... promiscuous, we'll say. She was trying to raise a son, too. Send him to the scouts. We were short on cash, and she worked as a waitress at a run down old diner. Wasn't making the tips she needed, so what choice do you think she had?


And me?" Nick looked down at himself, one paw stroking the badge on his chest. "I got into all sorts of trouble. Left at the age of ten. I was too much of a burden on my mother, and because of me, she was doing things that no self respecting woman should have to. That's when I met Finnick.


But it all worked out, I suppose. I managed to get out. Get a badge. Work on the force against people like me, like my mom and dad. It all wouldn't have happened if that rat hadn't made the choice he did.


But thanks to you, I'm here now. You believed in me. You were the bright star you chase your whole life and never think you're going to catch. When you do, you don't know what to do with it."


He stopped fiddling with his badge and looked up as the car slowly came to a stop. Confused, he looked over at Judy. "Are you lost? It's a few more blocks to Finnick's place."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 01:34:39 AM

There were plenty of things that people could list about Judy that were not conducive to the life of a cop. When mammals started on that list, Judy had always staunchly tuned them out, or had fired back with a reason why the trait in question was helpful in her life. However, right now, those things were rising up in her guts, threatening to choke her as Nick spoke. She ignored the drink cup as it smashed against the window of their cruiser, but as the neighborhood got seedier and seedier, Nick continued to dive into a past that she had started to wonder if he would ever divulge to her.

How she had imagined such a conversation going was worlds different from this. She had imagined him opening up maybe when they were together on the couch, or overlooking the city after a long day, a quiet moment just for the two of them. Out of uniform, away from the job if only for a short time, out of reach of the responsibilites that tied them to the lifeblood of the city they served. She hoped to be looking at him, reading his body language as carefully as she might listen to his words. Instead, she was navigating twisting, cracked roads and barbed-wire fences, which forced her eyes to the road as she listened.

And as she did so, we could feel her eyes starting to water. This was the longest she had ever heard Nick talk about his past. Even when she had asked before, timidly, he had volunteered very little, and she had been very reluctant to press for more given that it was clearly painful and dug at his heart like an errant claw. And she pictured it, with her vague understanding of the experience of a poor family of foxes in Zootopia. She only had her own experience to guide her. Knowing how hard it had been to break into the police force coming from a loving family, one that helped send her to school and training and gave her every opportunity she could have asked for and fighting for the once that were denied her, she could only vaguely imagine the pain of what it might have been like for Nick. He and so many young foxes were trapped in a way she couldn't possibly truly understand, trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime that was enforced by the very institution she had come to represent. And knowing that made her all the more determined to do something about it with every breath she took while in uniform.

She cringed when Nick implied what his mother had had to do to take care of him, and the effect that it had on him, forcing him out of his childhood far sooner than anyone should be. What had she been doing at ten years old? Going to school, playing police officer, watching black and white noir films on their old television with at least twenty other brothers and sisters crowded into the TV room of the warren. Her hands had been soft then, even if her feet were tough, and the scars left by Gideon Grey still stark on her cheek. She'd been selling lemonade by the freeway, and weeding gardens.

Nick had been shunted into adulthood by then, earning greasy bills and working the streets.

And to hear him attribute his relative freedom now to her made her crack a little inside. She stopped the car and briefly rested her forehead against the wheel before turning to Nick.

"Nick," she started, her voice cracking a little bit before she forced her tone to stabilize. "I'm not lost. I just--you have to understand, we're here to make a difference, so that what happened to you doesn't keep happening. A-and, I'm sorry that this case has dragged up all this pain, and bad memories for you. I can't promise you everything's going to be okay because I know I can't honestly garuntee you that, but I can promise you that we're going to take steps to make things right." it wasn't much of  consolation, and she felt stupid for saying it. She sniffed. "You didn't have to tell me any of this...but I'm grateful that you did." She shook her head and took a deep breath. "You're one of the strongest people I know, Nick."

She started the car up again, and started to drive again.

She parked the car a few blocks away from where she knew they would find Finnick's van. As an afterthought, she hopped into the backseat of the car, ordered Nick to keep a lookout and changed as quickly as she could into her plain clothes. She wasn't sure how it would do for Finnick's reputation if everyone saw him getting friendly with a cop in uniform.

They approached the van, and Judy knocked on the back door. She knew that by now Finnick had heard them coming, but was waiting to see who it was.

"Finnick?" she called, "It's Judy and Nick. If you've got a moment, we need to ask you some questions about a case."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 02:41:59 AM

Nick undid his badge while Judy changed, pretending to be as stoic as he usually was. He didn't look, but he had tilted the rear view mirror to mess with her. In truth, her words had meant a lot to him, had even bolstered his spirits. Finding out Aurora was back out, and obviously still held a grudge, had not comforted him in any way. Then Bellwether, and his dad. Even his calm demeanor couldn't withstand it all at once, so not just knowing but hearing that Judy was still herself was a breath of fresh air. It made him smile, knowing she was still as emotional as ever. How could he resist that? As long as she was herself and still there, he didn't know that he could.

He knew Finnick's usual MO, so leaned against the back of the van, his head tilted up. And sure enough, Finnick looked over the side and down at them, a golf club in his hands. "Heyya, Fin. Or should I say Toot Toot?"

"I told you not to call me that, Mittens." Finnick looked around, suspicious. "You two bring any more with you, or is this the best the police have to offer?"

Judy mouthed Mittens at him, and he shook his head at her in a 'don't ask' kind of way, gesturing around. "We need more? The only two the ZPD needs is the two here. Or have you been too busy avoiding us to pay attention to us?"

Finnick jumped down, looking Judy up and down. "I appreciate the subtlety of the outfits. Is that Nick's?" He tugged on the shirt Judy was wearing, looking over at the fox. "What's going on with that, I didn't hear anything on the news. Sly fox." He elbowed Nick - not in a friendly way, it was elbowing him out of the way so he could open the doors. Once he climbed in, his voice came out the back. "Get in before someone sees you idiots. And don't get all familiar with me."

Nick motioned for Judy to go first, climbing in after her and closing the back door. Finnick got in Judy's face, though he talked to both of them. "Nothing you see in here exists if you want help." He went about his business, finally, moving boxes around. Nick watched him with a practiced eye - technically nothing illegal, but more than enough to hold him on suspicion should the need arise. "You gone from dirty fox to dirty cop, Wilde. Still, it's an impressive move. No small part due to the bunny, I'm sure."

"And you're still pulling small time scams, so I see that hasn't changed."

Finnick poked a ladle into Nick's muzzle. "Don't start, -partner-. What do slimes and cottontail want that couldn't wait, before I kick you out on grounds of intruding without a warrant or probable cause?"

"Aurora." Was all Nick had to say, leaning back against the wall of the van.

"Oh hell no. Nick, you ain't goin after her right soon after she was released, are you?"

"We have questions for her that she might be able to help shed some light on, that's all."

"You know she don't like you, after that last snag you left her in. You were a brother to her, and you went and left her in a beautiful show of partnership. And you think she gonna just up and forget that? You're crazier than I thought you were. What you got, a death wish?" Finnick looked at Judy this time. "What you done that made him want to seek his own death?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 02:59:44 AM

Judy considered putting on her best professional face--they were here for work after all. But Finnick deserved more than that. She would never forget that he helped her when he had absolutely no reason to do so a year ago to help her tie up what was left of the Savage Conspiracy, and it was something that she would never forget. And since he wasn't doing anything illegal, and she hoped he correctly filed his taxes, she had no reason to suspect him from anything aside dishonest business. She did feel a twinge of guilt for this behavior, but they needed Finnick, and he had done nothing to deserve extra scrutiny. And he also could have just as easilly told them to get lost. He had no obgliation to take time out of his day. She thought back to when he had met Nick, when the latter was barely out of cubhood. He'd probably had good reason to take in a skinny Red Fox either then. Finnick's heart, she guessed, was bigger than his tiny self would have normally indicated. She wondered what his life had been like.


She hopped up into the van and Finnick slammed the door behind them both. It smelled, for some reason, like cigarette smoke, fox hair, cheap food products and gasoline. She dutifully ignored the boxes, that were, to no one's surprise, unlabeled. She listened to the echange between the two foxes. She winced inwardly at the suggestion that a young Nick and Aurora had been close. This would not help their investigation at all...


At Finnick's question she raised her eyebrows.


"Nothing he hasn't done to himself," she said, "We're cops," she said simply. "And we're partners. As long as we're both together and if Aurora is keen to stay out of prison I don't think that she'll try to hurt him. What we need to know is just how to find her. She's not in trouble," she assured Finnick, "We just want to know if she can help us with any leads regarding the case we're working. It's important."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 03:27:57 AM

Finnick looked extremely suspicious, stopping midway between moving a box. "She's done nothing to wind back up there, and you both know it. Don't go pestering her with legal jumbo." He finished moving the box, then wiped his forehead with a towel, draping it over his shoulder. "You gonna help and earn your information, or you just gonna sit there, Wilde? Don't pretend you don't know where it goes."

Nick sighed, standing and moving the box he'd been sitting on.

"Still. Long as you're not bringing her trouble. She's a good fox, and a good partner. Even if some don't show her that respect." He looked pointedly at Nick before cutting open the top of a box. "Last I heard, she took a job at Back to Basics. Hear she's security or on the line or somethin. Trying to get on the straight." He almost took something out of the box, then thought better of it, going to the back of the van. "Think that's all you wanted, so if you don't mind, I'm already over time on the delivery." He gestured them out.

Nick hopped out first this time, but as Judy went to follow, Finnick stopped her. "Listen, hopalong. Don't let what I said put doubt in you 'bout that fox out there. He had my back more times than I can count. Truth told, I'm jealous of what he's got.

You helped him. A lot. So, with Aurora trying to go clean," he looked extremely uncomfortable saying this, but he kept on. "Guess I'm sayin I wouldn't miss her too much if I lost another partner to the likes of you." Then he shoved her gently out of the van, where Nick caught her, knowing Finnick's blunt attitude. "Now get out of here. Fore I call the real cops." He slammed the door on them, and shortly after, the van started and pulled away.

Nick placed Judy on her feet after he realized he'd been holding her he whole time that Finnick drove off. "Well, that was worth it. What did he say before you shoved you out? Something life changing? He's a little rough around the tiny edges, but he was always like a fath ... Well, someone I looked up to. Or down to, as it were."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 03:53:34 AM

Judy wondered about that. Twenty years of prison would doubtlessly change a person dramatically. Aurora would have spent her teenage years and her young adulthood in jail. A time when a young mammal should be going to school, getting a job, exploring what life had to offer her. What would life in the prison yard change her into? She was distracted by Finnick ushering them out, but when he stopped her she turned to face him. She blinked in surprise at his heartfelt words before she was discharged from the van and into Nick's arms. Annoyed, she squirmed until he put her down and she dusted herself off.


"He said...well. He's proud of you, Nick," she confessed as the van drove off into the dusty day. "For making it out." She clapped her hands together, consdiering their information and trying to turn the subject to work. Nick's emotions had been bruised enough for one day. "Right. So we have a good lead! Aurora works at the Back to Basics factory. So we just need---" she stopped dead in her tracks, her ears stiffening with something like realization. "Wait a second," she said, her eyes widening. "Back to basics. Bellweather said something about predators going back to basics. Mr. Buck was the co-CEO of Back to Basics the company, and he's been murdered by presumably, the Bloodmouth, whose identity is unknown. And suddenly we find that Aurora Pircir works there?" She started pacing. "Not all of these pieces fit, but some of them must! But I have a feeling that there's something suspicious going on at the Back to Basics factory, and I think we're going to need a warrant, and to check up on Mr. Buck's former partner. We have to get back to the station!"


**


They had rushed to the station in a flurry, tires squealing. A few hours later of whizzing around through headquarters, signing affidavits and finally scurrying to the courthouse to get a warrant issued, the pair were finally on their way to visit the Back to Basics in the factory district of Sahara Square. Judy parked the police cruiser and practically leaped out--back in her official uniform.


"Okay, here's the plan," she told Nick. "We'll go interview Aurora, and let Ben Feral sweat it out a bit. Then, we'll go to him and initiate a thorough sweep of the---"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 06:24:34 AM

Nick was with her the whole way until she brought up going to interview Aurora together. Knowing her history, her time in prison, and more notably her history with him in specific, he didn't think it was a very good idea that Hopps come with him. "It's a good plan, except," he did his best to placate her before saying the next part, putting his paws on either of her shoulders. "For the part where we both go interview Aurora. I'm not saying I don't -want- you there by any wild stretch of the imagination. But the part you don't know about Aurora is what exactly her ideals were." He looked around the front of the factory, looking for ... Ah, there. He pointed at the logo, with multiple prey painted all around one of their by now iconic bars.

"See those prey advertising something healthy for predators? There's a reason I'm not surprised this is where Aurora decided to start a normal job. She is not so forgiving of the way predators were treated when Zootopia was first founded. I can understand where she's coming from, to a point. Would you want me with a shock collar on? But she had a bit more extreme of a view than the Forgive and Forget one I have.

Cute little bunny like you, in her book, is still prey to we predators, and should be treated as such. You know what I mean. Blood! Blood! Annnnd death, to take a page from your script. We're still treated as poorly. You know that, as well as I do. She just doesn't have the patience or the mentality to let it go, much less to recognize the tension on both of us living in one city together. Her speeches were all along the same lines.

My point is, I don't think she's going to take very kindly to the ex-partner who got her locked in jail showing up with prey for a partner. I know you don't like the idea of me going in to face her alone, not any more than I do, but I'll be fine. I want -" he almost said 'I want to protect you,' but that would have been bad on two fronts. One, because Judy was Judy, and two, because it was dangerously close to admitting just how much he cared about her. "- to make this as effective of an investigation as we can." He finished lamely. "What if we attacked at both times? I'll keep Aurora distracted and find out what I can. You do what you do best - go after the CEO, get a tour of the factory, sniff out anything that might lead us to where Buck went. Where the Bloodmouth could have possibly seen him or any of the other animals that were posted.

You've always been better at that kind of thing than me, anyway. Right?" He tilted her head up to look into her eyes, almost pleading with her not to push it. If she did, he would let her, of course, without further argument. But it would be a lot easier on him to deal with the Aurora that was only mad at him for leaving her, and not the Aurora that would be mad at him for leaving her to partner with prey. Especially getting as close to and as trusting with Judy as he was; Aurora would see that instantly. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop himself from defending her at every turn.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 07:33:27 AM

Judy realized, lamely, belatedly she had not asked what Aurora's extreme views were. She had been so excited about putting the other pieces of the puzzle together that somehow it had slipped her normally discerning nature to do so. She had passed into the building without comment, but now it was her job to pay attention. She didn't need Nick pointing out the distasteful advertisements to notice them, and as big and garish as they were in the form of banners on the walls, she couldn't help but make a face. This company had its head on backwards, she thought grimly as they stepped over the threshold. Appealing the angriest, weakest parts of the mammals in the city. It was obscene in a way that made her recall the obscenity of Buck's murder.


She listened to Nick with her arms crossed. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Nick did have a point. If Aurora was the type to react very badly to a Prey police officer, as awful as it was, she needed to comply with his suggestion if she wanted to maximize their effectiveness. And at the same time, she realized that there was a good chance that Nick didn't want her to hear whatever it was Aurora was going to say. In truth, Judy might have felt like an intruder in that scenario anyway.


She almost rolled her eyes at Nick's attempt to appeal to her pride but she refrained, for the most part, her ear twitching in something a little like disbelief.


"Okay," she said at last, "I trust you. I'll meet you back at the entrance."


Almost moments after she said these words, a door on the upper level opened to reveal a Tazmanian Devil in a snappy black suit punctuated with a blood red tie. His fur was shiny and expertly styled, and his claws neatly trimmed and lacquered with clear gloss. And he was visibly nervous, even flanked by some kind of assistant and a peon.


"Officers Wilde, Hopps!" he said descending some stairs to meet them and looking like he was trying hard not to wring his hands. Judy was immediately on alert, he seemed very interested in cultivating this image of a cringing, nervous individual before the law, eager to please, but she also knew that most CEOs of large corporations had excellent stage presence and cool demeanors even when it looked like they were in trouble. They were politicians at heart, and they had to be. But she supposed he did have reason to be nervous. He was being thoroughly investigated on account of being Buck's former partner. "I'm sorry that we had to meet under such circumstances. I've heard such things about the two of you. If anyone had to search my factory, I suppose I would prefer it to be the two of you."

[/size][size=78%]"We thank you very much for your cooperation, Mr. Ferrel," Judy said with a bright, but professional voice, displaying the search warrant. "For starts, I think that I'll need a tour of the building, while Officier Wilde has need to speak with one of your employees--one Aurora Pircir? We understand she has been a security guard here for some six months or so."[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]"But of course. Is she in some kind of trouble?" Ferrel said concerndly. Judy made a mental note and gave Nick a guarded, meaningful look. What kind of CEO actually knew the names of his many security guards? There was no way Aurora could have made such an impression to someone who rarely visited the the factory at all. "Not at all," Judy soothed. "We just think that she may be able to help us answer a few questions given her expertise on the security cameras."[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]"Certainly," Ferrel said. "Augusta will show you the way." [/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]The long legged snow leopard at his side nodded and gestured for Nick to follow her with her tail, "This way please, Officer Wilde." [/size]
[/size]
[/size]When Nick started to walk away with the leopard, Judy thought at his back, Good luck...[size=78%]


But she turned then to Ferrel and smiled. "Shall we?"


**


Augusta led Nick up a flight of stairs, to a catwalk and down an open hallway at the end of which was a control center. She knocked politely on the door and called gently, "Ms. Pircir, there is an Officer here to see you. He would just like to ask you a few questions."


Without waiting for the vixen inside to answer, she opened the door to reveal a bushy furred Arctic Fox perching on top of a chair. She was big for her species. While Artic Foxes could grow to be the densest and heaviest of the Foxes, they could never grow as lanky or tall. She wore a poorly fitting blue security guard's uniform--shirt, pants and a little hat that sat incongruously between her badly scared ears that glittered with a row of tarnished gold piercings. Around one of her thin wrists, a vanity she allowed herself was a pair of cheap gold bracelets. She might have been a pretty vixen, but experience and cynicism had hardened her flinty yellow eyes and twisted her face into something deeply wounded and just a twitch away from a toothy snarl.


She had actually been snarling, at a black and white image on the security camera of Judy, poking around the factory and taking pictures with her phone. But when the door opened she twirled in the char to meet Nick's eyes, and her lip curled back to show her long teeth.


"We've met." she said curtly.


Augusta seemed to take the hint. The bristling fur, the nasty look were all enough for the snow leopard to politely excuse herself and shut the door before furtively scurrying away.


"Long time no see, Nick," Aurora sneered. "Been about twenty years, don't you think? I nearly lost count."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 08:00:45 AM

Nick stood for a while looking at the arctic fox, at the woman before him. He remembered her last as still a child, young and naive as he was. He knew how to handle his old partner, but that was just it - his -old- partner. This new creature before him, scarred, wearing jewelry, clearly angry with the world. No, not the world. Him. How did he treat her?

"Twenty years?" He quipped, peering over her shoulder at the camera screen, unwilling to look her directly in the eyes quite yet. He kept his arms away from his weapon, proudly let his badge shimmer in the dim light as a reminder to her. In case she had any ideas. "Was it that long ago? I thought for sure I had more time to write you. Never got that letter out, did I?" Nick shrugged. "Oops. But hey, we can catch up now!"

He stepped a little closer, to the side of her chair. "I see you're following my partner. Has she done something wrong? Security wise." He reached down, spun a knob that moved the camera, then turned to face her, finally looking at her. "Well that was clutsy of me. Did that," pointing at the camera screen that showed a metal wall now. "Move the camera? My mistake, I just get so curious sometimes. Especially about this demented, mentally damaged, misguided, and," he kept getting his muzzle closer to Aurora with every descriptive term, clearly taunting her. The old her, he always got involuntary information from by teasing her. Maybe it would work the same here?

"-Stupid- character. The Bloodmouth." Nick paused, keeping his muzzle inches from hers, but not quite touching. "Heard of them? Aurora?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 08:28:17 AM

"Has she done something wrong? Plenty. She dug you up out of the small time crime you'd sunken into and put you on her nasty Prey arm," Aurora snorted. At the mention of the Blood mouth, her ears flattened and she let a snarl leave her lips. "You might think you're a fancy Officer of he law now Nick, but I'll always know you for who you really are. A traitor." she threw a crumpled newspaper at him. "And the mammals you claim to serve? Look at how much they love you!" she sniped. She flattened her ears further. "I don't have to answer a single one of your godforsaken questions, Officer Wilde," she spat the name as though it were a curse. "So if you want answers, you better give me a good reason to do so, otherwise you can take your bushy red tail and march it right out of this room back to your beloved bunny Rabbit."


**


"We produce a top quality product, catering specifically to Predators," Ferrel was explaining as he toured Judy around the facility. "We take the highest quality insect proteins and sometimes fish and with the help of our talented chemists and dieticians come up with a compound that is not only nutritious but gives the flavor and nutrients of what you might call...er, pardon me for saying so, natural meals. A paleo-diet, if you will. After all, we have evolved of course, but dietary necessities haven't changed. Even Buck believed in that," he assured her. "Buck was such a passionate friend, and eager to understand and reach out to Predators in a way that few Prey do. I'm sure you in particular understand that, Officer."


Judy listened attentively, and answered as politely as she could in response. Finally, Ferrel was called away to an important meeting, leaving her to continue her search since they still had time on the clock. She thanked Ferrel for his time, and continued to poke around. She couldn't find much that was at all incriminating beyond the tasteness nature of the venture, and she was almost about to give up when she saw something flutter out of the corner of her eye.


She turned her phone flashlight onto a dark corner, punctuated by the shadows of the complex machienery and the workers on the line.


She picked it up carefully with her claws. A smudged ticket of some kind, red paper, bearing a number and a logo she didn't recognize. It looked almost like a stylized slash mark, and reminded her of gang signs she had seen in the past. He ears perked up. This was more like it. Even if it meant nothing, she knew exactly whom she wanted to see after this.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 09:39:04 AM

Nick grabbed the newspaper as it bounced off his chest, glancing momentarily at the part of the headline he could read. Will O'Riley's work. He could try teasing, threatening, all the things that were fairly standard. But he knew it wouldn't work. Because it wouldn't work on him. There was one thing his father had taught him, only recently, however, that just might. Because it most certainly worked on him, as evidenced by his confession in the car. Maybe it was just that Judy, his most beloved partner in truth, disarmed him every time. But maybe not.


Nick threw the paper into the trash, looking back at the cameras. "You know, Aurora. You're absolutely right." His ears fell, and he reached out, turning the knob again back to the conveyors, where he saw Judy picking something up off the ground. No doubt Aurora saw it too, but it was a bit late for that. They had a warrant to search the premises, after all. Any evidence found could most certainly go back with them. Turning to leave, he took a few steps before stopping. This way, his back was to her so she couldn't see his features. Time to put his past to use in the present.


"For what it's worth, Aurora," what was it Finnick had said about her, he was like a brother? "Back then. I couldn't have asked for a better partner, and I blew it. His tail hung along the ground behind him, but he still didn't turn around. "You understood me. You were like a sister to me." Carrots, you were a genius. Hopefully this worked as well on another fox as Judy had on him. "I'm sorry. I was young and dumb, and I didn't know what to do. You don't have to forgive me. Hell, I wouldn't.


And you're right. You've done nothing wrong but try to go straight. So did I. We've always been a lot alike. Listen, I know a simple sorry can't fix it. I owe you more than I can repay, and I'm asking a lot of you to even be here. I had to fight to be the one to come here, you know, so I could at least try to mend burned bridges. I owed you at least that.


If you think of anything, you know where to find me, alright?"


He stopped at the doorway, putting a paw against the frame, head still down. Come on, take it. Worst case, at least Judy had a lead, so this was his last ditch effort. "I'm proud of you for coming here instead of going back after you got out. For what it's worth." He started walking out slowly, in hopes it worked.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 09:49:58 AM

Something moved in Aurora. Her ears twitched, her tail lowered. Something seemed to crack, and she said harshly,


"Wait." She gestured Nick to come back with her small paw, and sighed heavily, reluctantly. "I can't tell you anything about the Bloodmouth right now," she said in something that almost bordered on apologetic. "Mammals have lots of stories. Suspicions that they're a smaller Predator. Wasn't it a Fox print they found at the scene? So a Fox, or an Aardawolf or Coyote." she shrugged. "You're free to look at the security footage it it'll help," she said, indicating the control panel. "I won't stop you from doing that much at least."


She unwrapped a Back to Basics bar and began to gnaw on it distractedly with sharp teeth, watching Nick carefully. It was one that had a Rabbit on the packaging, and it almost look like she was stifling a smile as she chewed on it. She offered another one to Nick. "You can have it if you're hungry. We get them for free here," she said casually.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 10:06:39 AM

Nick stopped, perking one ear up to listen to what she said. He kept up with it, taking one step as if seeing if she were sure before coming back to the cameras. It was a slow process, rewinding the days ever so slowly, keeping the cameras on where Judy found the ticket. He had to make it look he wasn't eager, was doing it because he was grateful for the help. He looked over at the bar, almost let his tail twitch. That would have been a sure giveaway. Instead, he reached out and took the bar.


"A bunny." He looked at his own packaging. He knew it wasn't coincidence, either. "Still have your sense of humor, I see." He smiled at her, putting the bar in his pocket after sniffing it. "It smells good, but I ate right before coming over. I'll keep it for later when I need a snack. If, of course, that's alright with you? I'm not going to get arrested for taking stolen property, am I?" He used his own humor, the same type of jokes he used to tell. "I suppose I'd have to be arrested by the rabbit this time, huh?"


He almost missed it, stopping the cameras just in time. There was another prey on the screen. Not Buck, he noted, looking almost crestfallen. That would have been way too big of a swift close to all this business. Still, there was an Aardawolf, practically cornering him. Nick zoomed the camera, but he couldn't make out what it was. He assumed it would be whatever it was Judy had picked up. At least they had a species. Then the Aardawolf turned, giving him a fairly good picture of his face. Nick hit the pause button.


"Is there a way to print this out anywhere?" He put a paw out, slowly putting it on Aurora's smaller one. Smaller; the thought nagged at him. But nothing came of it. Aurora was here, working a legitimate job, and he just found a suspect. "And thank you, Aurora. It ... means a lot."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 10:17:31 AM

Aurora continued to eat her bar noisily, looking as though she was ignoring Nick's words. However, that  was not he case, her eyes were fixed on his every move, reading whatever she could of his body language. The air between them was tense, and despite her brashness Aurora seemed to be on high alert, as though looking.


"Getting cute with me isn't going to help your case, Wilde," she said, her voice flat. "Oh, that Aardawolf works here. Assembly line. His name's Jong Lewe. The wallaby is Brea Mckenzie. She's janitorial," Aurora explained. "They frequently have little spats like this but nothing that either of them could get in trouble for. You can just print it right here," she added, gesturing an old printer in the corner.


But when Nick touched her paw she pulled away firmly, leveling him with a hard stare but saying nothing.


"Don't thank me," she grunted. "I don't need to get on the cop's bad side now."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 10:29:51 AM

Nick was already printing the still, just in case. Despite what she said, he wasn't sure yet if he could trust her words. Folding up the image and tucking it in a pocket, he turned to face her. "Fair enough." His eyes fell on her nearly finished bar, even as he pulled the one in his pocket out. It was going to disgust him, having to do this. It was on principle, more than anything, though. Everything at Back to Basics seemed legitimate enough. Until a psycho serial killer went rampaging, they even had a prey to support the brand, so how bad could it be? He unwrapped the bar in front of her, pulling the wrapped off all the way. Crumpling it up in his paw as he took a bite, he held out his hand for her wrapper, nodding to the trash can.


"I'll throw it out for you on my way, at the least. Your trash can is already full. I know you'll have to clean up if you start throwing garbage around." He put all of the innocence and nonchalance in his eyes that he possibly could, carefully balanced. Like he was desperately trying to do even a small thing to help her out. He hadn't dwelled long enough on the possibility for it to show in his eyes that he suspected her in any way, he was sure of that, but the way she tensed up ... he wasn't going to take a chance.


He forced a swallow. The truth of it was the bar wasn't actually that bad, and it did brighten him up. He could see why they were addictive, if he was going to be honest with himself. All the more reason not to ever eat another one. he thought while he stood with his paw out for her wrapper.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 10:38:59 AM

Aurora hesitated for a fraction of a second and finished peeling her bar before carefully placing it in Nick's paw. Her eyes had remained cold for the entirety of the meeting, and they did not waver now. Her ears were still stiff with bitterness, and her ever present snarl wrinkling her muzzle.


"Tasty, aren't they?" she said as Nick took a bite. "This one is my favorite flavor." She ignored his overtures for anything resembling friendliness and flicked her tail at the door. [size=78%]"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," she said with a voice full of casual venom. "I'm sure your partner is waiting for you. I have work to get back to." she said, swiveling her chair back around.[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]It was a dismissal and a hard one. There was a brief silence between them that stretched into eternity, something uncomfortable, heavy with things left unsaid. But she ignored him, and proceeded as though he had already left. [/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]**[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]"There you are!" Judy said with relief as Nick approached her. "I think I've found something that's going to help us. We're about out of time so we need to get back to the car."[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]By now night had fallen on the city, and the neon signs and brilliant lights had started to dance the blackness away. Once they were in the patrol car, Judy opened her mouth excitedly before remembering herself. "Did it go all right?" she asked, reaching out to touch Nick's shoulder.[/size]

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 10:57:59 AM

Nick had unfortunately had to crumple the wrapper a little bit, though he'd left it not balled up so he could remember which wrapper was which. Once in the car, he had immediately opened the glove box, looking for an evidence bag. He stopped, his demeanor relaxing at Judy's hand on his shoulder. He leaned his head ever so slightly to the side - was he squeezing her hand, or was it just a movement? It wasn't for sure - before he snapped open an evidence bag and tucked Aurora's wrapper in it. "It went as well as it could have, all things considered. Almost didn't get anything." Then he pulled the image out of his pocket, holding it up to her. "But I did see you found something, and managed to get her to let me view the tapes. Found this, in the same location you found that slip of paper." It had a fairly clear shot of the Aardawolf's face in the image, along with the wallaby janitor.


"Aurora said they both worked there and they had spats all the time. She's different, Judy. I couldn't trust her." It was almost a defense, but it was more to reassure himself. With a sigh, he held up the bag still in his paw, with the wrapper. "Especially because of how she was so quick to defend those two. When I touched her paw, she snapped it away. It wasn't natural, but it wasn't unnatural either. It's to be expected. Still. She has small paws." He said that in a way that would prompt Judy to understand what he was saying. "So I managed to get this from her. It has a saliva sample on it that we can run. Just to be sure."


Putting the bag delicately back in the glovebox, he looked up and over at her. "What did you find? Something that will tell us where to go next?" While Judy was watching him put the wrapper away, she no doubt saw the animal that was on both of their wrappers. He didn't throw either of them away, as he didn't have time. With her quick thought, she probably knew he'd had to eat one of the bars, too, which he hadn't mentioned - mostly because she knew how much he disliked them. And he had swished coffee in his mouth and spit it out on the street corner before getting in the vehicle with her. "I hope it's better than what I got. A picture isn't going to help much if we don't know where to use it."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 10:01:02 PM

Judy blinked at the evidence bag and then turned her attention to the image Nick had printed out, showing the face of a snarly looking Aardawolf and a cowering wallaby in a janitor's uniform. She recognized the location as the place where the found the unusual red ticket. Her face twisted in sympathy when he discussed Aurora and his lack of faith in her. She nodded, understanding. She refrained from saying "I told you so" because it wouldn't have been helpful in the slightest. She had guessed that whatever Aurora had been like as a thirteen year old kid and what she was like as a thirty three year old full grown vixen who literally grew up behind bars would be dramatically different from whatever tenderness Nick could remember.


"Sly fox," she said, impressed as he slid the wrapper into the evidence bag. "It definetely can't hurt to run it. Actually, if we're going to suspect that she might be connected to the case somehow, after twenty years of prison I'm sure she must have a pawprint on file somewhere. As for where to go next," she said, holding up the ticket, "I found this. It just has the number 7305 on it and this gang symbol. Or what I think is a gang symbol." she put the ticket away. "Either way, I think I know who we need to visit next."


**


For the second time that day, Judy had changed out of her police officer's uniform, and wished she had brought a jacket. Her thin fur did nothing for the chill of Tundratown. This time, they had to park the squad car in a public parking lot, and Judy had had to put a call in to Fru Fru. About an hour of waiting later--for one didn't simply drop in on Mr. Big unnanounced since despite the fact he was a crime boss, he was also a businessman. Fru Fru was estatic to hear from Judy, and after twenty minutes of exchited chatter was happy to send a car to pick Nick and Judy up at a discreet location. The Polar Bears in question were not Kevin or Raymond, but the driver turned out to be Mr. Manchas, who greeted them with a tip of his hat and a toothy smile. Judy was pleased to see that his cars had long since faded and were nearly invisible against his dark fur.


Mr. Big had elected to meet them at his home once again, but instead of his formal receiving room, he had them meet him in one of the more private rooms in the house, a comfortable sitting room full of squashy, fancy armchars and couches, richdly decorated with authentic paintings and ornate lamps. Mr. Big's tiny chair was resting upon what for anyone else might have been nothing more than a coffee table for a Bear-sized individual, but for him worked as a platform that raised him to Nick and Judy's eye level when they sat down in the comfortable sofa chair together.


They made some polite small talk about their private lives that Judy knew the mob boss would appreciate more than their professional ones given that he was surely aware of the news and Judy placed a tiny wrapped present on the coffee table next to Mr. Big's chair. It was a dress for baby Judy, a present that Judy had been meaning to give for a while now but not having had a chance to visit in person. Finally, after their coffee cups had been drained, Mr. Big sat his down and said,


"Now, to business. I know things haven't been looking too good for the two of you in the paper, and I hear whispers you're on a tricky case looking for the serial killer. Now, what can I help you with?"


"While I was searching the Back to Basics factory, we found this," Judy said, procuring the red ticket and handing it to Mr. Big. "My best guess is that this is some kind of gang symbol or organization logo, but it's nothing I've ever seen before."


Mr. Big grunted, and Nick showed him the picture of the Aardawolf and the wallaby.


"Ah, I recognize him. Small timer, likes to fight." he sighed heavilly. "There is a good reason you've never seen this sign, Judy," he confessed, his voice sounding weary. "It's from an underground fighting ring called Natural Selection. It's the kind of dirty crime I would never stick my own claws in. The things they deal in are things that no self respecting businessmammal should be involved with, on either side of the tracks. Prey isn't allowed there, except as an offering, or a bet."


Judy didn't like where this was going but pressed on. "Could you elaborate on that, sir?"


"You don't need me to," Mr. Big said. "You have to know that the market for the flesh of Prey does exist. And it thrives in dark places. It would not surprise me that the Bloodmouth would be involved with them in some way. You can't safely go there. He might be able to," Mr. Big said, pointing at Nick. "But it's risky no matter what. If they find out you're cops, you'll wish they'd have just killed you."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 20, 2016, 10:35:38 PM

Nick stood next to her near the car. When he saw Judy shivering, he unlocked the doors and leaned in the back, unzipping his bag and removing another shirt of his. It wouldn't be much, but it was something. He draped it over her shoulders right before the limo came to get them, rubbing her upper arms in a familiar "There, get warm" motion.

The entire trip he talked with Mr. Manchas about how things had been after the Savage case, idly turning the heat up in the back compartment like it were him that needed the heat on.

At Mr. Big's, he was uncharacteristically silent, though Judy knew full well why. He still wasn't used to this whole setup, much less being in Mr. Big's good graces, though towards the end he had stood up and walked around a bit, leaning in and looking at various paintings.

"Speaking of media, there's this -" He held up a finger, but stopped when Judy shot him a look. "You know what. Never mind. We can handle it."

Mr. Big paused in his address, looking at Nick. "You can't just ice all of your problems, Nicky. That is a temporary solution. To a much bigger problem."

He continued with Judy again, while Nick went and looked at a lamp standing on a pedestal. He reached out a finger, bringing it closer and closer as Mr. Big talked. When he mentioned Nick once again, that he could do it, it made him jump and jab the lamp a little too hard, knocking it off the pedestal with a crash. Nick shot upright and spun around, straight backed in the way he had been when they first were taken here so long ago.

Clenching and unclenching his fists, with his ears on high alert and eyes wide, he pointed up at a polar bear near him. The polar bear growled and slapped him on the back of the head at a motion from Mr. Big.

He never stopped looking at Judy, so thankfully this time he didn't seem particularly upset about something Nick did. "You're sure that this," he pointed at Nick again, who received another polar bear slap to the back of his head and scurried away to sit back next to Judy. "Is the partner you need and deserve? We could find you a much more qualified one. To protect you." He leaned forward conspiratorially in his chair. "I know people in the ZPD."

"She's perfectly fine being unprotected by me. Wait. That came out wrong."

"Indeed." He was silent a moment, looking Nick up and down before turning his chair pointedly toward Judy. "Still, you could do worse, child. As we were saying?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 20, 2016, 11:25:52 PM

Judy knew that Mr. Big meant well, and the idea of him having "contacts" in the ZPD beyond her, as hypocritical as that was, was a little bit uncomfortable. Still she shook her head and said politely, "After everything we've been through, Mr. Big, I can promise you that Nick is the only mammal I'd want by my side. As for the rest, we need to get to this crime ring. If there's a chance that we can find out more about the Bloodmouth by going, then it's worth doing, regardless of the risk. There is lots of missing Prey, and we can't just let this killer have free reign of the streets."




"Maybe you didn't hear me, my child," Mr. Big sighed. "At that fighting ring, Prey are bought and sold to be eaten."


Judy almost gagged at the thought, but she kept her head and stiffened her ears.


"All the more reason for us to get in there and shut it down."


Mr. Big finally sighed. "My child," he said, "I can give you a name of someone who knows them, but the mammals who work in that ring are enemies of mine. I can't garuntee the situation won't go bad. Try the docks, tomorrow night. There's a Fossa who works as a faciliator to get interested Predators to go. Name's Randal Smog. Go in disguise. He can smell cops."


**


After the business meeting with Mr. Big, the shrew had invited them to dinner, an invation that they could not refuse politely. By the time they were done, it was well past midnight, and Judy was both cold, disheartened and exhausted. They had big leads, but the reveal of where the ticket came from left her with a sick feeling in her guts. They got into the police car, checked it back into the station, but by the time they got to the bus stop Judy was leaning heavilly against Nick, and needing to resist the urge to hold Nick's paw. She felt small and sick despite their huge leads, and the idea of going back to her apartment, alone in the dark made he physically recoil.


"Nick," she said as her stop appraochd. It was raining again outside, which she was thankful for because it gave her a pretext for her request. "Would you want to stay with me tonight? So you don't have to walk home in the rain?"" she added quickly. "I still have some of your stuff..."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 21, 2016, 01:36:33 AM

Nick looked down the street, looking almost pathetic with his fur dropped from the water, his tail a lot thinner than it usually was. "I was going to walk home," he pulled something out of his pocket, a little plastic case with a dvd inside with a blue strip down the middle and 'Forrest Thump' written on the side. "But if I did that, then we couldn't watch the movie I rented for us, could I? And I'm not going to watch a movie about a dumb bunny by myself without my own dumb bunny right there with me. What kind of fox would I be if I did that?"

He was already moving up the steps, under the awning where it was relatively dry, shaking out his fur a little. "I think a night spent with you, after a day like this, is just about required. For sanity's sake. And of course, if I get a cold from the rain, how can I be there to keep you from doing something completely insane and extremely dangerous at the docks? I've seen you swim." He winked at her, holding the movie up.

"What do you think? Think you can keep your mind off work long enough to relax tonight?" If either of them needed that, of course, it was him. But he wasn't about to admit how much he needed it. He wasn't going to admit how much he needed her, how his heart raced at her even offering. How much more safe he himself would feel, with her around, and how he was honestly afraid of facing a lot of truths and history that was brought up all in one day. The nightmares he'd have, the thoughts he'd have. Yes, in many ways he needed her and her comfortable, familiar presence.

But he kept that facade of not needing it up like he always did. At least in public.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 21, 2016, 04:46:52 AM

She looked at the DVD in his hand. A DVD, who used DVDs these days? But the odds of the film actually being on Petflix were slim enough and luckily she had an external DVD player held together with tape that should work all right to function with the old disk. "I think we can make a gallant effort," she said with a small half-smile. She opened the door the the apartment complex and led them both inside. The wooden steps creaked as they padded up the narrow staircase up to the second floor, and Judy opened her door after wrenching her keys around.


Her apartment was a little bit cold, but that was nothing a few blankets and turning on the space heater wouldn't fix. She turned the string of twinkle lights that wound around the small space on, gently illuminating the narrow apartment. There was a tiny sitting area that snugly fit a a squat secondhand faded red couch draped with a pile of homemade quilts and knitted blankets from home. There was battered coffee table before it. It was slightly crooked as at some point one of its legs had been broken off and replaced with a piece of sturdy plywood and a brick, upon which sat Judy's laptop, a much needed purchase from last year. Her kitchenette was crammed up against a recess in the wall, spotless except for one dinged kettle out on the electric stove. And mashed up at the very back of the space was Judy's narrow bed, neatly made and half hidden behind a short Ikea dresser that was liberally decorated with small framed photographs a photo album. The door to the bathroom lay just beside it.


Judy turned on the space heater and dove behind her dresser to dig out some of Nick's clothes had he'd left behind from the last few times he'd stayed over and flopped them on the couch.


"You can shower first," she said, indicating his wet fur and clothes. "I'll--" she checked her mini fridge and winced. Just about empty except for what remained of a bundle of carrots, half a carton of raspberries and some soy milk. She hadn't gone shopping this week yet, "Order us some pizza!"


While Nick was in the shower, Judy ordered their mutually favorite pizza, plugged in her laptop and set the DVD up, trying to focus on making the apartment comfortable rather than the stresses of the day. She was concerned about the ticket, and their next leads, but mostly she was worried about Nick. He'd been through a lot today. This case was asking much of him, and yet Judy was almost desperate to know more. As innapropriate as it was, she knew she shouldn't have been there to see his reunion with Aurora. And yet...after Finnicks' words, and what Nick had told her of the vixen...


She thought of you as a brother...

She wanted to know more. She wanted to see all the pieces laid out in front of her, so she could make an accurate picture of the vixen that used to run with Nick.


When Nick came out of the shower, his fur towel-dry and sticking up in silly places, she she handed him the bills that would pay for the pizza and excused herself to the shower. She leaned against the tiled walls as the hot water poured down hr shoulders, feeling like a bad partner. She shouldn't ask him. They needed to just relax, get away from work for a few hours and go to sleep. She should not be still on about this!


She dried and threw on a blue T-shirt and sweatpants before exiting the bathroom in a cloud of aromatic steam, pleased to see that the pizza had arrived. They didn't bother with plates as they curled up on the couch and settled beneath one of her sister's quilts to watch the movie. Settled was an approximate word. With the size of the couch and the limbs they had to navigate--here long legs, Nick's brush--it took a bit of fiddling.


"Comfy? Can I press play?" Judy said, leaning over awkwardly to press play on the screen.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 21, 2016, 05:26:40 AM

When she'd come out of the shower, he'd quickly put one of the pictures down. She'd probably scene his paw touching the picture in a fond way. In his haste, he managed to knock over a few more, not having expected her out so quickly. Patting the pictures like that was how they were supposed to be, he went over to sit with her on the couch. His tail was still wedged between the sofa cushions and the back rest, but it wasn't being sat on or bent on any awkward way, so it was comfortable enough.

He nodded to her, taking up a slice of pizza and taking a large bite. "Nothing like home cooked at Pizza Den." He spoke around the mouthful. Once finished, while the opening credits rolled, he looked around her place, nibbling at a bit of dropping cheese. "I like it. It's homey. Could use a fox's touch though. Like this," he tapped the table with his foot. "Saw off the legs, make it shorter. It could be one of those popular tanuki style tables, if we played it right."

Setting the pizza down, he put an arm around her and motioned with his other hand to the opposite wall, encompassing the breadth of it with a swipe of his hand. "We could get a mural done over there. Of us, cuffing the perp. I have ideas." He sat back in the couch, grabbing his slice again, his eyes on the movie.

Shortly in to it, almost done with his second slice, he looked over at her. She'd been oddly quiet the whole time. Pointing at the movie, where Forrest Thump was running with those ridiculous braces on, "I think I would pay to see you try and run as fast as you do with those things on."

A little laugh, and that was it. She was distracted. If he were more openly honest, he was just cracking jokes to keep his own mind off the events of the day anyway. It was clearly both eating at them. Looking down at her half eaten slice, the cooling pizza, he set the remainder of his down. The movie kept playing, but he knew his partner. She needed this as much as he did. "There were moments, today, that I wish I could have seen her in the same way she saw me. Maybe things would have been different. Maybe I wouldn't have been so willing to save my own tail." He speared a piece of an olive on his claw, flicking it back into the box.

Wiping his hand with a napkin before patting her leg, he smiled reassuringly at her. "It's okay. It's been a long day. Since it's tied in directly with the case, you have every right to know. More than that, you make me want to tell you. Go ahead, you silly bunny."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 21, 2016, 05:41:58 AM

She had curled up comfortably with Nick and pressed play when he'd given her the go ahead. While the movie played she rolled her eyes. "A fox's touch?" She wondered what that sort of thing might entail. There he was bringing up the possibility of moving in together again. He did it lightly, but she knew that he was serious. Not the time, she though to herself. Try to relax and watch the movie. You like this one. And she did, for the first few minutes. She allowed herself to get sucked into it, but as Forrest's braces came off, it was as though the suffocating pressure in her own mind regarding Aurora, regarding the case shattered too. She went quiet, unable to process the film anymore, and her  mind deep diving into the events of the day. Where she normally might have provided observation and commentary in tandem with Nick's, she found she was unable to do so now.


She started to shift, not because she was uncomfortable, but because she suddenly felt nervous, uneasy. Anxious about what had transpired between her partner and his former friend. In the end, after his touch, she turned over and flopped, laying her back across his lap so that she was looking up at him. But it was also commonly known that a bunny wouldn't show her belly to anyone except the most trusted of friends, and it was this subconscious gesture that she hoped would communicate her confidence in Nick even as he spoke of all this.


"What happened, Nick?" she asked. "How did it all go so...wrong?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 21, 2016, 06:08:42 AM

He knew it, well enough, and it made him feel that much better. Gently, he lay a hand on her stomach, leaning back further into the couch. "What's this, the second thing I've told you today?" He had closed his eyes, but opened one to look down at her for a moment. "One of these days, you're going to have to give me one." Then he kicked his feet up on the slightly tilted table, with Forest in the background. My momma always said life was like a box of produce. You never know what you're gonna get.

"We were young. Very young. But we'd both grown up on the streets, pulling small time cons to make our money. We both knew Finnick - that's how we got paired up. This part you know. By that time, I'd hardened myself to the world. Wasn't about to let anyone in. I thought Aurora was the same, but it turns out not.

Anyway, the part you want to know. Neither of us were kids. Oh, sure, our bodies were. But -we- weren't. We'd both pulled a lot of small stuff together, but we wanted a big score. The two of us, pulling off a large heist. Finnick found one he thought we could handle. A large shipment of freshly printed bills was being shipped in to a bank, and he'd gotten wind of the day and all the way down to the hour.

With that kind of information, he figured it was a sure win. Aurora and I, we made our plans. A simple Drop and Snatch. The crates would be kept overnight in a warehouse until they could be picked up in the morning. It was then we'd drop in from above with a crane, lift them out onto a boat, and be chugging along before anyone knew anything.

We were good, I don't deny that. Very good. We successfully managed to cut the alarms, rent the crane with a few bribes here and there. What we missed was the smallest, most ridiculous thing. One of the shipments we used to climb down - it had its own remote alarms built into the crate. We should have known, but we were high on the thrill of it all. The silent alarm tripped. Normally, it wouldn't be so bad, but it took long enough strapping the crate in that the police got there.

Did we panic? I'd like to say we kept our cool, pretended we were meant to be there. But we didn't. Yeah, we paniced. I jumped up the crates, running for my life. Aurora was more muscular, smaller. She couldn't follow me fast enough. When she leapt at the suspended money crate, she caught the bottom, but one of the police grabbed her ankle.

She lost her grip. During the struggle of trying to get him off her ankle, the crate swung and snapped free. I assume Aurora fractured an ankle, from her cries. She got away easy, though. The policeman that had been grabbing her, well ... The crate landed on him. He was killed. And Aurora was surrounded.

From the roof, looking down, terrified, I didn't know what to do. When a flashlight turned on me, the last thing I remember is Aurora reaching up to me, pleading, and a voice yelling for me to freeze. I ran. I ran as fast as I could, and hid in an alley for the next four hours, in the sewage drain. Until the search expanded out. They didn't get a good look at me, so I managed out to the streets and made my way back to Finnick's.

That was the last I saw of her." Judy could hear the pain that came with the memory the whole time he talked. Could almost see the little lost fox, soaked through with sewage and the spray from the ocean, trudging back to what passed for a home. Seeing someone killed, if accidentally, still at their hands, by someone so young. And there really wasn't much he could have done more, except allow himself to be caught.

But Finnick had relied on him, his mother needed the money he sent her; he couldn't let himself be caught. He still clearly felt bad for what he did to Aurora, even if he saw her as nothing more than a partner. It was still an awful decision he had had to make.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 21, 2016, 06:26:56 AM

Judy watched him as he got lost in the memory, her heart twisting as he told his tale. She could picture it--two young foxes, desperate, high on the thrill of a sucess so far, scurrying around the crates, carrying what they knew to be their way out. Their future, in boxes. But they had failed, and Aurora paid the price one way, Nick another. She could only guess at the rage and pain that must have cycled through Aurora for twenty years, only wonder how Nick had shouldered the burden of something so grim. And she knew that growing up on the streets that couldn't have even been the worst thing Nick had seen.


She sat up carefully, catching his eyes for a moment before she shifted closed so that she'd drawn her arms around him in a tight embrace, her head leaning against his narrow chest, his heart pounding in her ear. She stayed liked that for a long time, just holding him.


"Nick...I don't think there's anything you could have done to save her," Judy said softly, "You were doing the best you could. I'm..." she almost said, "I'm sorry," but the worst felt so trite on her tongue that they died before she could get them out. In the end, she simply cuddled up against Nick, offering what silent comfort she could, if any at all. 

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 21, 2016, 06:56:22 AM

Nick put a hand on her head, looking down at her. "The past is in the past. I have you now. Judy." There was more he wanted to say to her. You're more comfort than you know. More and more I feel like this is all I need. But somehow it seemed like this said more than his words ever could. He ran a hand done her ears, yawning deeply. It wasn't long before he dozed off, one paw on Judy's side, one on her head.

------

The morning light woke him with a start, shining a bar across his eyelids. He lifted a paw, squinting his eyes as they roamed the place, looking for a clock. As usual, Judy was up and gone. He looked for her, but couldn't see her from his vantage point. Standing and stretching with an arch of his back, a stretch that went all the way down through his tail, he called out rather groggily. "Judy?" Don't tell me she went to the precinct already. It wouldn't surprise him, but how was he supposed to lock up the apartment?

Then Judy came in with a couple coffees and heir usual morning snacks. "Bless you and your swift thinking." He took the offered cup, blowing on the lid to cool the drink. On their way out, he saw his clothes from yesterday still draped over a chair, but didn't do anything about it. On their way down the stairs, "Let's maybe not have another day like yesterday, huh? I think I've had enough of my past for a lifetime." He pointed at her as he held the apartment doors open. "It's your turn to share."

They sat on the bus in relatively good mood to the precinct, chatting in the way they usually did and enjoying each other's company. Nick couldn't help but notice the looks at them from the other passengers, however, and it started to get to him, even if he didn't say anything. Something was up.

Inside the station, everyone was rushing around in their usual haste. Their only warning was Clawhauser, running up to them from behind the desk. "Oh boy, you guys came in. Have you read the paper? Tell me you read the paper. Otherwise it's going to be a lot bigger surprise for you both."

"Woah, woah, slow down. What's going to be a bigger surprise?"

"WILDE! HOPPS!" Bogo bellowed from his open office, not showing himself.

"That is." Clawhauser started back for the desk, but not before saying to them, "Ooooh. I'm sorry, you guys."

Nick looked down at Judy, resignation written in his eyes. "Third day's a charm?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 21, 2016, 07:16:28 AM

 Judy had allowed herself to doze off cuddled up next to Nick. The texture of his fur, his scent, his bones, all were as familiar as her own by now, and it was an embrace she sank into without reservation. She awoke to the insistent vibrating of her phone on the coffee table. Blinking herself awake she had slid carefully from Nick's arms and onto the floor, scurrying to get ready and dash out the door to get their breakfasts and coffee from Beanz Cafe across the street. At this hour there was almost no line so she was able to return promptly with the treats and coffee. She collected Nick and they took the bus to work--and at Nicks' request for stories of her past she almost laughed.


"My childhood wasn't anything as interesting as yours," she said, in the interest of using language that would avoid getting them strange looks on the bus. "I may or may not have broken an expensive vase when I was seven or so. My oldest brothers and I hid the pieces." she shrugged. In truth she'd have to actually sit down and consider parts of her past that might have been painful or dark outside of the struggles she faced with regard to pursuing her dreams. Predator-Prey relations in Bunnyburrow were stricken with prejudice and that had played out many times over the course of her life. But it was nothing she felt she had the right to complain about to Nick of all people.


However, once they stepped off the bus and walked into the station, Judy couldn't help but notice the odd looks being sent their way. Instantly her ears stiffened and she found herself on high alert. But she wasn't alarmed until she saw Clawhauser actually run to them from behind his desk looking frantic. As soon as he mentioned the news, Judy looked concernedly at Nick and then back to the Cheetah.


"No, we didn't--we came straight here from--"


The Chief's bellow cut her off and she had no choice but to trot into Bogo's office. It wasn't even time for roll call yet and already it looked like they were in more trouble than they could handle for the day.


She was mortified to climb up on the chair in front of the irate buffalo's desk to find that he was practically breathing fire at a newspaper on his desk--running the headline: "SHOCKING EXPOSE: NICK WILDE'S CHILDHOOD FRIEND, FORMER CONVICT BREAKS THE SILENCE!"


"What?" she gasped in shock and indignation, just as Bogo leaned across the desk to better address them both.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 21, 2016, 09:28:58 AM

"You two," Bogo took a deep breath through his nostrils, letting it out in one blast. "Are more trouble than you're worth. If it weren't for beheading being illegal, they would be calling for your head, Wilde." His voice was heavier than it usually was, which told Nick all he needed to know about just how angry the chief was. "I assume you two haven't read the article, or you'd be apologizing." He looked back and forth between them. "Right. Now."


"I'm ... sorry? Sir?" Nick sat properly for once in his life, though he was probably just as, if not more confused than Judy.


Bogo slammed his hoof on the desk, knocking over a cup of pens, his name plaque askew. Nick reached to straighten it, but snapped his hand back when the chief bellowed, "Leave it! A criminal past, Wilde? Criminal past? Keep that muzzle shut, Officer. I know you don't have one. You don't think I looked in to it?"


"Of course you did, sir." Nick was as apologetic as he could manage, looking at Judy out of the corner of his eye. The newspaper hit him in the face, causing him to look back at Bogo.


"Your eyes are here, Wilde. On me! They want you off this case. Unfortunately, I'm forced into agreeing with them. Please tell me you two found something at the Back to Basics factory other than someone from your," he jabbed at Nick, "less than stellar past for O'Riley to talk to." He put his arms on the desk. It looked like he was nearly ready to upend his desk. "We have enough on this police departments record in the last two days -"


"Technically three, sir."


"TWO DAYS. To fill its own case file. First a fox print at the scene of Buck's murder, then another fox shows up from your past that -you- put in prison. Then you go antagonize her at her JOB. And to top all this off, Aurora Pircir is now missing." He threw a missing persons report onto the desk with a slap. "And you know what they find at the scene of her disappearance? Fox prints! -Fox- prints! You look bad enough and all this is making us look worse. Now did you find something that is going to give me some reason not to pull you from this case right this moment?" He wrapped up the newspaper, getting ready to throw it angrily in the trash, pointed it at Judy, then Wilde. "They want you off the case, then I will pull you. We serve -them-, not the other way around, Officers. So if you want me to give you a chance to clear yourselves, you will tell me now. Do you have something, or am I putting more qualified and less guilty looking cops on the trail?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 21, 2016, 04:38:51 PM

Judy endured the tirade with wide, horrified eyes. This could not be happening. The full enormity of what the Chief was saying struck Judy like a blow to the head, leaving her reeling and baffled. It was bad enough that, if the article's contents were any indication, Aurora had had a paw in creating, but now she had gone mysteriously missing? Her mind started to race as she struggled to put the pieces of the puzzle in place beneath the furious gaze of her boss and Nick's thick apprehension at her side, and naturally beneath the pressure of the mounting righteous indignation caused by the article itself. O' Rilley had definitely crossed a line here, and she needed to get a word in edgewise.


"Sir," she began, standing up in the chair. "With all due respect, we all know that this article is libel at best! Everyone knows that in order to be an Officer you can't have a criminal past to begin with..." she took a deep, calming breath through her nose and exhaled sharply before looking up at the Cape Buffalo. "We did find things." she took the bag containing the red ticket and placed it carefully on Bogo's desk, along with the evidence bag containing Aurora's wrapper. "We visited the Back to Basics factory. Ben Ferrel was accommodating, but he was very nervous to see us there. Ms. Piricir works security there now after her stint in prison, and a few things struck me as strange. Mr. Ferrel was aware of both her name and the fact that she was on schedule at the time of our arrival. What CEOs of major companies know the names of their security guards, let alone when they're on shift? There's no reason that Ben Ferrel even visited the factory more than once a month for inspections and oversight of production.


"This combined with the fact that Mr. Buck, the co-head of this same company was murdered makes me think that Ms. Pircir and Mr. Ferrel are both somehow involved in this case, and the connecting factor is Back to Basics itself. Aurora Pircir's mysterious disappearance the very night after we visit, followed by an article designed to make one of the Officers on the case look bad seems even more incriminating! While Nick was with her, he managed to get a hold of the wrapper she had to see if it'll be useful later for DNA analysis, just in case later we find something at a scene that puts her there too.


"Furthermore," Judy placed the print outs of the security footage showing the Aardawolf and the Wallaby. "Nick did manage to convince her to let him go through the security footage. And in this exact location where we see this Aardawolf threatening the Wallaby, I found the red ticket." Judy pointed to the ticket in the bag. "We did some looking, and after contacting a reliable source, we learned that this ticket is from an illegal fighting ring. But it gets worse sir." Judy said, briefly closing her eyes as though to steel herself for what she was about to say. "It's a place where Predators go to fight and place bets on the outcomes of those fights. But the main attraction is the fact that Prey are brought along for one reason: to be sold as consumables on a black market for their flesh." her voice was firm, professional, but she felt nauseated just thinking about it.


"Finally," she said, "This, combined with the known activities of the Bloodmouth make Nick and I believe that Back to Basics, Ben Ferrel and Aurora Pircir are all mixed up in this somehow. All the disappearances attributed to the Bloodmouth and later confirmed by their social media have Prey victims. We can't know more until we visit this fighting ring ourselves and investigate." the last words was something she had not discussed with Nick yet, more a slow realization that had built up over the course of her report to the Chief. "I have a feeling that if we're going to find someone who knows more about the Bloodmouth, it's going to be there." 

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 22, 2016, 01:16:35 AM

Bogo made a point to take his time putting his glasses on, reaching for the baggies with his still on the two of them. Finally, he brought first one bag up to the light, the one with the ticket Judy had found. His rage had seemed to abate momentarily with the good news and even better summary that Judy laid forth. "This will be enough for one more shot. One, officer." Setting the bag down. He looked with a hard gaze on Nick. "If you don't find anything I can bring before the media, then you both are off the case."

"Sir, if I may." Nick stood with his hands behind his back, not taking his eyes off of Bogo. Hopps always stood up for him, always put herself in the way of the speeding train. Not this time. "I believe Officer Hopps has good reason to want to go in there, and her evidence is sound." He couldn't help but feel like Judy was getting a bad reputation because of his being on this case, like he were tarnishing her pristine record. He wasn't going to let that happen. "If we don't find anything at the fighting ring, I'm prepared to go in front of the media, answer their questions, and voluntarily resign from the case. For whatever reason you would like me to give. I only ask that officer Hopps not be removed. I'll state any discrepancies in the case were my fault."

Bogo tapped the bag with the Back to Basics wrapper, his glasses still on his wide nose. "You understand, Wilde, that doing that would make them demand more than a confession. They would want your badge, and there's nothing I could do about it if they did."

Nick didn't even hesitate, nodding. "Yes, sir. If that's what the people want."

"Good. Now sit down and stop being a martyr. I wanted to see how far you were willing to go. Even if they called for your badge, I'm not losing one of my best cops - hell, teams - to a bunch of citizen whining. You two, together, are on the trail of our second biggest case, and you solved the last one too. I don't know how it works, but it does. Besides," Bogo stood, handing the evidence back to Judy. "If I took your badge, you'd still be helping the bunny behind my back. Better an enemy you see than one you don't.

Go get your warrant. You better have a damn good disguise if you're going undercover. You're dismissed. Not you, Hopps. I have a few more questions for you." He waited until Nick was out the door, then walked around his desk and slammed a fist into the wood of the closed barrier. She could hear Nick yelp 'Ow!' Before Bogo returned to his desk.

"First things first. Do I want to know who this informant is of yours?" He stood next to her, at the side of the chair. "And I want to know how far you trust that fox. There are an awful lot of foxes showing up on this case, and we can't rule out, as much as it pains to think of, that Nick Wilde might be involved. This Aurora Pircir is someone from his past - how close were they? Would you trust Officer Wilde, if it meant your life?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 22, 2016, 03:21:56 AM

"Nick!" Judy had started in indignation as Nick rattled off what he would be willing to do to protect her reputation. However, she'd had to clamp down on her words as Nick had barreled on and the Chief had replied. She crossed her arms, clearly unhappy with the situation. There was no way she would simply let Nick resign from the case, or leave her as a partner. It just wasn't going to happen. They were Wilde-Hopps, and absolutely nothing was going to tear them apart. This conviction jarred a little bit with her singleminded focus on her job, leaving room for a niggling concern  about that. But she shook it away and returned her attention to the situation at hand.


Once Nick had left the room and Bogo addressed her, she drew herself up with a frown of determination.


"Sir," she said her voice clear and firm, "I can assure you that you do not want to know the name of our informant--only that he is legally untouchable and is what you'd call a legitimate businessmammal," she said carefully. "As for how much I trust Officer Wilde...I trust him absolutely. Unconditionally. A year ago at the conclusion of the Savage Conspiracy, we told you in the wrap up for that case that we had tricked Bellweather into thinking Nick had been shot with the serum. I didn't elaborate on the details of the scene because it wasn't important to the wrap up. But you saw is in that Stone Age pit. Nick pretended to be infected with the serum went as far as to chase me into the wall, stalk me and in the final moments to ensure that Bellweather was one hundred percent sure her plan would work, I let him put his jaws around my neck." she emphasized her statement my indicating the span that Nick's jaws had closed around on herself. "We had seconds to come up with his plan. And I didn't hesitate, or feel fear even more a moment. One twitch of his jaw, or if he had miscalculated in the slightest, I wouldn't be standing here, sir."


She let those words sink in before moving on.


"Aurora Pircir knew nick when he was about twelve years old. Two fox kids with no real home, or family that could take care of them, and full of desperation. Their relationship was based on that, and little else. She knew him, yes, but mammals change sir. Time and circumstance molds a mammal into the adult they become. Aurora spent her entire youth behind bars for an accidental murder. Whatever she was as a child, warped behind those bars into something angry. It's no surprise to anyone that she would want to hurt a person she's been resenting for two decades--someone who fraternizes with cops and Prey."


**


It was true that most precincts did not have a Costume and Makeup Department. However, Zootopia's did, simply given how complex it was to work makeup and disguises onto a completely non-standard population. This is where Ida Perez came in. A lanky maned wolf who had once worked in the film industry, she now turned her efforts to the proper carriage of justice to help cops in their undercover duties. She was well known for her friendly manner and exceptional expertise, and her time in the industry meant that she could work quickly as well as effectively. She was always moderately busy, helping grunge up a police officer or informatn here and there to help them in their undercover work, but rarely was she involved in huge, special cases. Until she received an email from Bogo's secretary indicating that she would be working on the Bloodmouth case, and helping Officer Nick Wilde transform into another mammal.


When the fox entered her studio--she refused to think of it as an office, as it was a room large enough to accomodate even an elephant, equipped with a wide countertop for her cosmetics and an enormous mirror and lights--she whirled in her chair and smiled toothilly at him.


"Hello handsome," she said, her voice friendly and energetic. "Word on the wire is that we'll be transforming you into a shady ruffian for for a night-time operation in one of the most dangerous places in Zootopia."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 22, 2016, 05:55:42 AM

"I didn't hear what I'm fairly certain I did. Whether you trust him or not, Hopps, there is always room for mammal error." He took his time sitting back at his desk, organizing the paperwork he'd had strewn all over it. "Though I'm happy to hear of the trust a team here can have in each other. Don't, I can't stress enough, don't put your life in unnecessary danger again. The next time, perhaps a hundred parking tickets a day will remind you why we don't.

I'm putting my faith in you for this, Hopps. Let me make it clear before I go on. Misuse of police resources will put you in a very bad predicament, and I'll make sure Aurora Pircir and the Back to Basics factory are the least of your problems.

You are head officer for this one. Prove to me you can handle it. I'm sending a SWAT team with you. If they hear even a peep that something went wrong with you down there, they are going in. Nick Wilde can handle himself. I am not the least bit comfortable sending a prey officer into a literal den of predators. Are we understood what stakes are in play for this little sting?"

------

Nick looked around at all the makeup, equipment, and everything that went into changing him into something else, put a finger to his eye. "Can you give me a really killer scar under my eye? I hear they go crazy for that kind of thing." He walked over to her table, picking up a brush that was immediately slapped out of his hand.

"No touching, officer. Your world is out there, and down in the pits of an illegal black market on murder victims bodies." Nick eyes a Back to Basics bar sitting on her counter; he couldn't blame her. She didn't know the evidence they had found, or the seedy business the company might be running. Still, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. "This is my world. You won't see me coming in and moving your victims around, I expect the same here."

Victims. He looked at her various makeup implements - he wasn't used to makeup to begin with, so he wasn't sure what he thought about it. But victims? "I won't move your bodies anymore, I promise. Just don't hurt me."

"Oh dear, it won't hurt much. Now," she started dabbing a pad in a thing of black color, "shall we begin?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 22, 2016, 06:47:15 AM

"I won't do anything I don't think is absolutely necessary to get what we need on the case," Judy promised, choosing her words very carefully. "I understand that what we're after here is worth more than just me. I'm grateful for the backup, there is a good chance that something won't go according to plan. We won't let you down, sir." She finished, meeting the Cape Buffalo's eyes readily. He seemed satisfied at last, sending her away to prepare for the sting.


Her job was to get the necessary paperwork in order, communicate the locations to the SWAT team and get outfitted by Mrs. Ida Perez when she was done. Equipment gave her an odd little device, something like the archaic beeper.


"When you see the suspect you're looking for, all you have to do is press it. The beeper will vibrate discreetly, and Officer Wilde will know immediately. The SWAT team will have similar equipment, and know when to move in. We can't equip you with more because we know they're going to search the both of you, so this is the best we're going to get for now." It all seemed so unreal as they walked Judy through using the equipment. Where she and Nick were actually going to go, and how more than just their lives were at stake here.


I could really die in the field tonight, she thought, the notion strange and distant.


She had a little time to leave the station and get dinner for Nick and herself, knowing that his makeup was going to take a long time. She got him a Bug Burger with a drink and herself a salad wrap--and an inoffensive latte for Mrs. Perez--before reentering the precint and heading for the makeup department.


Upon finally finding Mrs. Perez's studio, she knocked and was allowed entry, shocked to see the transformation taking place.


Nick was sitting in a makeup chair with his shirt off, which was jarring enough, but more impressively he hardly looked like the same Fox. The Maned Wolf was going over him with an airbrush, his fur having gone from brilliant red to a mix of blacks, silvers and his natural coloring. His face, shoulders, tail and paws had all been blackened. The tip of his tail had been airbrushed white, and there were traces of silver outlining the dark mask of his face. Draped over a chair nearby was what she assumed his disguise clothes were, and she couldn't help but stare.


"Oh, Nick!" she exclaimed, setting the food down. "You're a Cross Fox!"


"Yes," Ida Perez said proudly. "I wanted to work with his natural coloring. But the dark face will hide the more prominent features of his muzzle, and make it harder to identify him. Okay Officer Wilde, you're all done. Officer Hopps, please, take a seat. I think the ticket for you will be to add some dust-brown to your arms, muzzle and paint out those beautiful sporty black ear tips of yours..."


**


Once they were finally released and properly disguised (Judy had been given a baggy white band T-shirt and a pair of lightly torn shorts--a casual summer getup for a young doe rabbit hanging out with friends and some cheap jewelry), they were driven in an unmarked car within several blocks of their final destination on the docks. Judy's hands were tied at the wrist in front of her, and her makeup had been touched up to include what looked like a minor head wound.


"Here's your stop, Officers," Officer Delgato said, dropping them off in the shadow of several huge shipping containers. "Good luck."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 22, 2016, 10:15:51 AM

Nick fiddled at the collar of his f-shirt for what must have been the seventh time since leaving the precinct. The shirt was cut at the neckline; he supposed the more accurate term would be slashed. They'd had one of the other predators claw it, to make him look more rough and itching for a fight. His jeans had mutiple slashes and a few dangling threads, been dirtied up a little. He didn't want to know what they had used for blood stains. And the makeup, particularly around his eyes, did it ever itch. But he controlled himself fairly well.

Once out of the car, he looked at Judy's hands and her entire outfit and cringed a little on the inside. "You're sure you're okay with this, Judes?" When Judy gave him that impatient glare, he nodded. It was like a sudden and complete change of character - which shouldn't have been too surprising, considering the swindles he used to pull. Acting was a large part of that - when they reached the location they'd been given by Mr. Big.

A weasel in a brimmed hat came out of a door under a flickering lamp, his hat pulled low enough to shade his eyes from any possible cameras lurking about. When he got bear Nick and Judy, he stood and looked them both over. "Never seen you before, fox." The weasel had a nasal sound to his voice, leaning up at putting a finger under Nick's nose. "Who sent you here, cross breed?"

Nick bit at the finger under his muzzle, feeling the weasel's skin barely brush his teeth. That was a close one. "That's none of your concern." He shoved Judy forward hard enough to make her stumble and fall. He was going to hear about that one, he was sure - even if she did understand. "Business sent me."

The weasel looked at the rabbit on the ground, put a foot on her and rolled her over, his face inches from hers. "Where'd ya find this? Better be on the up and up. You know the rules." His head whipped to Nick, his eyes narrowed. "Bunnies are a hard press. No family, dats the rules. You tellin me this carrot muncher ain't got family?"

"She's got plenty. Enough that no one would miss her." Nick took a step toward the weasel, put his hand around the thing's throat. "Seems to me like maybe a fox got her. These things happen. Tragic, really." The weasel was steadfast, though. Probably had this happen more times than either of them knew. "Or you tryin to say I don't know my business, you stretched out rat?"

He finally let the weasel drop. The creature rubbed its throat, but that was the extent of it before he went to grab Judy. Nick shoved him, hard, and lifted Judy onto his shoulder, letting her ears flop across his back. "You're not getting a cut of this bet, weasel. I'm delivering this one myself." The weasel made a sort of growl in his throat, but went back to the door where he'd come from and knocked in a series of erratic thumps and pauses.

Finally, they were admitted entrance. Once Judy and Nick were well down the stairs, he scurried to the office and pressed a call button on an older model desk phone. "Yeah, you told me to let yous guys know if a red fox and a bunny showed up. Ain't no red fox, but he got a bunny wit him. No, definitely not red. Cross fox, he is." Then he hung up the phone.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 22, 2016, 01:15:34 PM

Once they hit the docks, she could almost feel the change, and despite the danger of the situation Judy honestly found herself impressed. Oh she had seen Nick transform more than once. He'd utterly fooled her when they first met with his act with Finnick, playing the sincere, doting father. Then he could become a demure salesmammal, and then back to himself all liquid movements and razor wit, and finally his act to fool Bellweather as a "savage" Predator. He wore his roles like a second fur, which is part of what made knowing his true self, the real Nick, all the more delightful and special. His acting even extended to his eyes, that surprisingly honest, genuine expressive green often half hidden beneath lazy lids. When he became someone else, his eyes would change too--from the heartfelt eyes of the father or the empty eyes of the feral beast.


Now, when she turned to look at him, those familiar eyes had become something she had never seen before--and that was cruel and cold. His ears were set aggressively and his muzzle, darkened by the airbrush magic looked one twitch away from a vicious snarl. She couldn't fear him though, even like this. But it was her job to act like it. Bellweather had been easy to fool. She'd been high above the scene, flush with her own success to notice anything remiss. And Judy knew that the crooks at this ring were going to be a hard sell. She had never considered herself a particularly talented actress. She had adored doing it as a small child, taking every opportunity to act in school plays, or play pretend with friends and siblings. She'd obviously had to stop as she grew out of those years, and focused her studies on chasing her practical dream. But now, as an officer, acting was going to mean the difference between life and death. Not just hers, but Nick's and the lives of everyone threatened by the Bloodmouth and this crime ring.


When she and Nick had tricked Bellweather, she'd thought about the famous rabbit folk heroes, Peter Cottontail, or the Rabbit in the Moon. Rabbits in the distant past had needed to use their wits to survive, just like foxes. And it had been tricks that had gotten her and Nick through the Savage Conspiracy. She needed to channel that once again. So she let her eyes grow wide with fear and her ears to droop as though in total defeat. She hunched her shoulders, and flinched at every sound. Particularly impressive was the timbre of Nick's voice. It wasn't a different voice per say, but the tone was rough, unfamiliar and bore the echo of a half-formed growl.


When Nick shoved her she tumbled the ground awkwardly, allowing a whimper to escape her lips as her knuckles and knees scraped the pavement. The Weasel was big, and smelled like cheap cologne and copper. A lifetime ago she might have been truly scared of him, recalling how Gideon Grey had loomed over her nine year old self. But now she feigned terror, nose twitching, eyes wide. It was almost a relief when nick scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes before the weasel led them down the dingy stairwell.

Her keen ears did catch the Weasel's conversation though and she cursed inwardly. So they're on the lookout for a Fox and a Rabbit, she thought grimly, but hopefully since we don't match our normal descriptions we'll get away with it. The doorway led down, down a long corridor that was tall enough admit even a Lion-sized Predator, and as they moved Judy was certain she could hear something that sounded like roars and cheers growing louder and louder until finally she and Nick passed through a door guarded by a pair of tigers, and into a vision that seemed out of hell.

Even from her place from Nick's shoulder, Judy got a good view of the nightmare scene. Predators of every species shape and size wandered and jostled along the rough stone floors, bartering, arguing, shouting and eating. Many of them were gnawing on Back to Basics snacks, but enough of them were chewing on what looked like actual bones, some with dripping meat still attatched. Judy had no need to disguise the horror on her face at the sight of the bloody grins and greasy bills changing paws. But the main center of the entertainment were the rings. There were several stages, each representing a different habitat, inside which Predators were squaring off one on one against each other while the blood-crazed audience shouted bets and wagers. There was even a box office, adorned with the pseudonyms of prized fighters.

But the worst of the worst was the Meat Market. She only knew it for what it was because it was actually labeled such in crude red letters. It was a holding pen for Prey--one large one for bigger mammals and several smaller ones to accomodate the more diminutive species. Every single captive bore a colored collar with a number on it, and the ones that weren't dead eyed and defeated were weeping.

Judy took in the scene as fast as she could, trying to move past how nauseated she was starting to feel. Most of the Predators here looked like grungy small time crooks, but some of them were wearing business suits and had groomed and styled fur...and within the seething crowd, she stiffened when she realized she saw one Ben Ferrel, arguing with a Wolf over a terrified looking gazelle, both waving fistfulls of cash. She kicked Nick lightly to indicate he look in that direction, her heart pounding.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 23, 2016, 06:05:34 AM

The kick got him to look, first at her feet, then over in the direction of Ferel. His eyes fell on the gazelle first, then the cash in their hands. "Alright." He spoke under his breath so even he could barely hear it. No one would but someone with extremely good, rabbit-like hearing. "If you want me to do something, it's high time we showed Bogo how to eat his own words. Just follow my lead."

With that, and without waiting for confirmation, he marched straight up Ben Ferel and the man he appeared to be bartering with. He wasn't too happy, inside, about what he had to do here, but undercover was undercover. "Ben. So my information was correct. You're here after all."

Ferel looked over at him, as did his "partner". "Who might you be? More importantly, who might be your informant?" Ben looked him up and down, but was clearly satisfied with the lack of anything that might look like Nick. "You are interrupting a business meeting, fox. Out with why before I lose my patience."

Nick ignored him, looking at the wolf. He still talked to Ferel; or both, he didn't really care. Or, his fursona didn't really care. "Heard you had a little visit from the fuzz."

"I truly -must- meet this informant of yours."

Nick growled almost a borderline feral snarl, baring his teeth at the CEO of Back to Basics. "I'm not interrupting business, I'm joining it." He tossed Judy roughly on the ground, near the gazelle. "My bunny against your gazelle."

Ben was taken aback, but slowly smiled. "And what makes you -"

"And. Both of your fistfuls of cash."

That truly stunned Ferel into silence before he broke out laughing, a scratchy sort of thing. The wolf literally howled along with him. "And what," Ben managed as he wiped the corner of his eye. "Makes you think that even sounds remotely like a good deal, tiny?"

Nick bristled in a way that an angry predator would, his fursona all the way to the bone. He even lunged closer to Ben, but stopped when he heard weapons all around him being loaded. Taking a deep breath, he growled. "Call me that again, and this deal is off. A deal you might find well suited to your little ... Fuzzy infestation." With one claw, he pointed down to Judy, swishing his tail angrily. "This, Basic Bar, is Audry Hopps."

When Ben didn't say anything, but went wide eyed with greed over a prize literally at his feet, looking toward the rabbit, Nick bared his teeth once more, this time in the grin of someone who knows they've won. "Yes, the one you're thinking. Sister of the cutest police officer ever hired. One Judy Hopps." He paused for effect, then started to reach for Judy. "Interested now, or should I just -"

Ben grabbed him by the paw, looking him dead in the eyes. "You better be serious, Mr. -?"

Nick thought fast, making up a name for himself. "Felix."

"Felix, then. If this doesn't turn out to be Audry Hopps, there will be no end to who I send after you."

Nick brought his teeth level with Ben's nose, close enough that the CEO could feel his hot breath on his cheeks. "You're assuming you're going to win."

Ben smiled, patted him on the muzzle without a flinch. "Then I will accept on one condition." Nick raised his ears, to show he was listening. "The third party in this," he waved his hand at the wolf that was with them. "Picks the habitat, the combatant, and the rules." Nick hesitated for only a moment. "You do well the be hesitant, my overbearing friend. If you wish to back out with some dignity, I'll spare you and just take the bu-"

"Done."

Ben looked genuinely impressed, bowed his head fractionally and waved for the wolf to state his terms. The wolf took two steps forward, practically salivating at this sure thing. "I choose the rainforest, against the one that has won me many a bet," he indicated the aardwolf they had seen fighting earlier, now a little bloodied, though certainly no worse for wear. It looked like he had barely even broken a sweat.

The wolf had more than a modicum of showmanship in him. As the gathering crowds held their silence, many having gotten wind of the bet that was currently being made, he put his hands together in eagerness. "A fight -"

His voice echoed through the murmuring hush. "To the death."

The crowd roared. Nick's mouth went dry.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 23, 2016, 07:11:39 AM

The persistent fear in Judy's blood surged as they approached the two dealers. She couldn't believe it--the most blatant kind of confirmation that Ben Ferrel and back to basics were in on this with the Bloodmouth. Worse, she realized in horror what the Back to Basics bars were made of. Thousands of innocent, unknowing Predators had unintentionally consumed the flesh of missing Prey. She almost retched at the thought, and the look of twisted horror on her face only served to add to the moment as Nick started to argue with the Tasmanian Devil.


Judy had to force herself to fall badly. She had been trained to fall, trained to roll to he feet like any Officer, but if any of that was made apparent their disguise, already damning because of their partnership might start to unravel. It almost knocked the wind out of her lungs and she didn't have to reach very far to seem petrified, taking in the terror of the gazelle, the bloody, stained leers of a crowd gathering. After all, anything to do with someone as important as Ben Ferrel was sure to attract attention. Where the money was, so was the spotlight.


She almost winced as Nick accepted the terms of the deal before the Wolf could even name them. Of course it was in his character to do so, the character he was playing, but the words out of the Wolf's mouth that followed dragged a shocked, "No..." from her throat. It just as easily might have been taken for an expression of horror for herself, but either way is was drowned out by the hoots and roars of the assembled crowd. Almost immediately, a steward of some kind pushed through the crowd and looped a hard plastic collar around Judy and the Gazelle's neck--bright red, like the blood the crowds seemed to thirst for.


Almost without warning she and the Gazelle were dragged away, and it took every fiber of Judy's being not to reach out, to call to Nick as he disappeared within the throng. She was dragged around like a ragdoll, but not seriously hurt as she was shunted from rough paw to rough paw until she found herself tethered in a line of Prey animals roughly her size. She didn't realize she was shaking until her captors claws left her skin. Heart hammering, she gripped the bars of the holding cage, eyes huge.


A fight to the death. There was just no way. Nick could not kill, but if he didn't fight, he would die too. She had to do something, anything. But what could she do? Their plan was predicated on his win. In something like desperation mixed with frustration she growled and tugged futilely at the bars. And whatever happened, she would have to witness it. The holding cage had an arrow view of the elevated rainforest stage...


**


Ben Ferrel grinned as the Rabbit and the Gazelle were dragged away.


"Pleasure doin' business with you son," he said to the Cross Fox in the most patronizing voice imaginable. "You got ten minutes to prepare for a round with Fehu. Make your peace."


With that, he strutted away and to a viewing box at the level of the stage, but far enough away that the heavy sprinklers showering warm water on the arena would't soak him.


The Aardwolf had alredy taken the stage, his handler pointing the Cross Fox out. The Adrwolf grinned at him, showing bloody teeth and making a rude beckoning gesture to his oppoent.


**

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 24, 2016, 06:45:41 AM

Right, Nick. He thought to himself, making his way to the stage. He knew as soon as he stepped out there, the fight was on. No bell, no warning. He took a deep breath, turning slowly at all the animals around him, staring at them all. He lingered on Judy, raised a closed paw - it was for her to see his confidence, a confidence he wore like a second layer. More of an outfit than anything.

You're not winning this one by any wild stretch of the imagination by brute force. This one has one thing more that you don't, though - Rage. Use it to your advantage. He put a snarl on, leapt out onto the field and immediately grabbed a relatively thick tree branch, pulling it back and letting it go.

He had assumed correctly that the aardwolf's opening move would be to lunge at him. The tree branch connected with the flying wolf with a thud, sending him flying backward. Cheers resounded through the stadium. Nick didn't let himself get cocky, however. He knew he'd only managed to enrage the aardwolf further; on one paw, he -was- going for that. In a rage, mammals were a lot less prone to think before acting. On the other paw, it also made him far more dangerous if he got his jaws on Nick.

The aardwolf stood, getting feet under him and shaking his head to get rid of the stun he was feeling. With a growl, he began walking around Nick, looking for an opening. "Clever, fox. But that won't work a second time."

"Awww. You're like a kitten." Nick looked around, squatted to the ground. "Only less threatening. Am I in a fight with the bunny, or a wolf? I'm confused."

That worked. A little too well. Nick threw a rock from the ground as the wolf ran at him, but although it hit his muzzle, although it drew blood, it did little else. Nick ran for a tree, but the aardwolf bit hard into his tail, puncturing and tasting blood as he drug him back. Nick slashed at his muzzle, and was rewarded by being flung into a boulder. Nick yowled as his shoulders slammed into it, but he got his feet as swiftly as possible.

The aardwolf was already charging, claws out. Nick held himself against the boulder until just the right moment, then ducked and scurried behind the large rock. The aardwolf slammed his muzzle into the rock, biting at Nick's throat. "Get out here and fight, cross fox!"

Nick wiped his eyes of the constant falling moisture - he'd call it rain, but it was artificially made. "I refuse to hit a lady!" He yelled back, looking up at a nearby tree. He looked down at his tail, the light red blood mixing with the water. A claw swiped across his eye as he was distracted, and before he knew it, he was down on the ground with teeth scratching at his arm. Nick picked up a rock, slamming it at the aardwolf's face.

Finally, the aardwolf backed off, a tooth broken on the left side of his muzzle. Nick, right eye closed against the scratch leaking blood, scoot himself backward, front paws on the ground. With a heave, he delivered a solid kick to the aardwolf's throat. Not stopping to see what happened, he turned and ran for the tree he'd spotted. This aardwolf was serious - of course he was. But while he could kill Nick, Nick had no such leniency.

He didn't notice as he climbed, but his makeup had begun to run down his fur. A bit of red was starting to show. Still, he was hopefully near ending it.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 24, 2016, 07:11:29 AM

Judy watched the battle with baited breath. Her heart hammered in her thin throat, wincing as Nick and the Aardwolf traded blows. More than once other mammals jostled her view, or blocked it entirely and it was all she could do to squirm around in the holding cage to get a better view, gripping the cold bars as though they were some kind of life line as opposed to the death sentence they represented.


"What's the point, bunny girl," a defeated beaver said, her head in her hands. "We're all going to end up Predator food. Who cares who lives or dies in those arenas? What, do you want to get a look at the monster that's going to eat you?"


Judy bit her tongue. She wanted so badly, so desperately to burst out, to cry out that Nick was her friend, and to offer comfort to the beaver. No one else on their watch was going to die tonight, not if she could help it.


But what could she help? In her current situation, the best she could do was watch...and wait.


Judy hated waiting.


She was almost too focused on the battle to catch the gasp from the Meat Market steward. Almost. Her ear flipped up in response to the shocked voice, "Boss! W-wait, are you sure? Ben Ferrel and--"


The words were drowned out as suddenly, a shadow fell across Judy's cage. A small shape, silhouetted by the harsh lights of the arena. Judy's breath stopped.


As though afraid, and a part of her had gone cold with horror, it was  fact, she backed away from the menacing shape and pressed against the back of the cage, twisting her hips so that she activated the beeper.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 24, 2016, 07:40:00 AM

Nick, not the best climber, did his best at getting his feet under him on a swaying branch. He crouched, ready to leap. Then a buzzing went off at his hip. It startled him, as he's completely forgotten about the little mechanism. His leap was thrown off, and while he came close, his claws merely swiped bark off the limb above him, and he fell.

His back hit a limb on the way down, bouncing him head over tail so he was falling face first toward the open mouth of the wolf, waiting to tear him apart. With no option, he put his arm in front of him, landing heavily on top of the wolf.

The wolf was a lot stronger, and managed to get his teeth back around his arm. Nick knew from personal experience it would hurt a lot less with less leverage, so instead of pulling away he shoved his arm forward, into the back of the aardwolf's jaws. The two of them rolled around for what seemed to him an eternity, through puddles and foliage. Both of them were good and scraped up by the time they stopped rolling, clawing and biting at each other. The aardwolf was on top, with Nick laying in a particularly deep gully between the roots.

Enough water had collected there for the wolf to shove his paws down on Nick's chest, submerging his muzzle, yanking violently at his arm. Nick went desperate, clawing at the wolf's underbelly until he let up enough that he could gasp some air. In that split second, he heard a scream; Judy! That bastard broke the deal! Nick, risking a mouthful of water, brought his head down and bit as hard as he could on the aardwolf's muzzle. The taste of blood filled his mouth. The worst part of it all was that vaguely, in the back of his mind, something told him it tasted good.

He was drug away from the roots by the wolf himself, trying to get the fox off of him. He hadn't noticed that the crowd had grown silent, he just kept up, unrelenting. His partner was in trouble, and this wolf was between him and her. Letting go, he slid right, using the aardwolf's connecting swipe to throw him further.

His side stung, but he couldn't feel the pain with everything going through his mind, indeed his body. Behind and to the left of the aardwolf now, he jumped on his opponent, wrapping one arm around its neck, the other grabbing the muzzle so he couldn't open it. The aardwolf thrashed, but Nick held on until the thrashing slowed, and finally stopped. The wolf was unconscious - which was good enough for him.

That was when he heard the loud speaker crackle to life. "Ladies and gentlemammals! It appears we have a celebrity in our midst!" Nick looked down at himself and cursed inwardly. His makeup was practically all gone, running in rivulets through his fur. He clutched his paw, where the aardwolf's teeth had nearly managed to cause substantial damage. Nick flexed his fingers, growling for real this time, at the pain.

"Officer. Nick. P. WILDE!" Nick looked around for a way out of the cage to rescues Judy, find out what was happening to her. His eyes fell upon someone he really did not want to see. Will O'Riley. Standing right next to Ben Ferel. Writing in a notebook. Nick almost punched something, then shook his head and ran toward the edge of the arena, where the mesh led far enough to the top to get to the building's rafters.

"Where are you going, Officer? You haven't won yet!" The announcer laughed as Nick began climbing, favoring his bleeding paw. He didn't look down, but he could hear a feral creature scratching at the chain links below him, too enraged to even think about the mobility required to climb. Thank god enraging him had worked just how Nick had hoped it would. The aardwolf was more base animal than evolved and thinking.

He finally reached the top, pulling himself up onto the thin bars cross crossing the ceiling. Use what Judy taught you. One foot, then the other. His mind went back to those days that seemed ages ago, in the rainforest district. He held his arm against his chest. One foot. Then another. He was making slow leeway to where they'd been keeping Judy, but it was a lot faster up here than down there.

The crowd was throwing cups, Back to Basics bars, anything they could find at him. Even, to his disgust, the remnants of raw prey. He almost threw up, but Judy needed him. He couldn't, and didn't.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 24, 2016, 08:08:01 AM

The crowd took on an entirely different animation, a new life. The howling hoard below started to twist and froth in different directions. First, a huge number of them started throwing things--food, trash, bones and insults at the Red Fox fleeing the arena. But a significant number of them, particularly those in suits ducked and ran, their private security ensconcing them like Elephants protecting young. Others, at the sight of a known police officer, started screaming and running in all directions for the exits. However, the chaos only escalated when armed members of the SWAT teams kicked in all four doors and stampeded into the grimy underground ring.


Tranquilizers of all sizes and potency were fired rapidly into the heaving crowds, huge armed officers storming through. Nets were deployed, scooping up large numbers of fleeing Predators.


Amidst the chaos, the steward of the Meat Market knew he was in more trouble than he'd ever been in his life and not likely to get out of it. Bloodmouth on one side, the Officer Nick Wilde on the other and of course the SWAT teams stampeding through the crowd and arresting the perpetrators en masse. The skinny Ocelot had ducked down, having stuffeed as much cash and collateral as he could in his pockets as he did his best to crawl away from the scene, hoping that Wilde hadn't spotted his distinctive coat in the crowds.

He was wrong. Something hit his back and forced him to the ground, and the fox snarled in his face, asking what had happened to the Rabbit he'd deposted with him. Here, only the truth mattered now.
[/size]
"Th-the Boss took her!" he stammered, holding his paws up in surrender. "Rabbit said something the Boss didn't like, and the Boss ripped her a new one! Look! that's her blood, right there!" The Ocelot pointed desperately to the blood trail leading off into the labyrinthine depths of the complex. "Lissen that's all I know! Let me go!" [/size][size=78%] [/size]

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 24, 2016, 08:49:37 AM

"Unfortunately for you, I believe you." Nick threw him into the cage Judy had been taken from, slamming the door closed and re-locking it. "They'll get you out and trade them for some bars a little more spacious than you gave the prey. Which is more than you deserve." He took off after the blood, shoving frantic and panicked animals out of his way. He didn't dare yell her name, though it was on the tip of his tongue. He knew very well how much that would alert the Bloodmouth.


He knew the Bloodmouth was behind it; the ocelot had told him the boss took her. That could only be the Bloodmouth. He followed the blood trail, any number of things going through his head - was Judy dead? Lost too much blood, lost a limb, knocked unconscious? He knew was gaining on them - he heard a crash ahead. So she's at least still lucid enough to fight back.


He picked up his pace, his tail dragging through Judy's blood left on the ground, but he didn't care. Reaching a corner, he dashed around it and saw the end of the trail a distance ahead.


"Judy!" He yelled, taking off after them. He had no weapons but his claws and teeth, but they'd served him well before, and they would be just fine now. But that was all thrown out the window when the one dragging her turned around, and his feet slapped the ground only twice more.


"Aurora?"

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 24, 2016, 09:25:20 AM

It had all happened in a blur. Judy had known known the vixen's face, but the pieces had fallen into place too neatly for it to be anyone else. And moments after the Arctic Fox had appeared before her, both parties had recognized the other for what they truly were beneath any phony disguises, names or roles. Judy had known with in those moments that Aurora would mean to take her, for it was clear by now that the vixen wished to destroy Nick shred by shred, and taking Judy would be as good a start down that road as any. The best even. Over the year that their friendship had endured, and continued to flourish, Nick and Judy had become something whole together. He had been her first true friend since leaving home to pursue her lifelong dream. He remained her staunchest, and Judy knew in her heart of hearts that he had experienced something similar. To hurt one, inevitably, was to hurt the other.


But once Aurora took her, how would Nick find Judy? The idea had come in a desperate flash as Aurora had opened the bars of Judy's cage, her yellow eyes malevolent with a silent glee, and cold with purpose. Judy did the first thing could think of to offend the Fox. She'd lashed out with her rangy hind limbs, striking the white vixen in the nose hard enough to make trickles of scarlet blood dampen her upper lip. Shock, indignation and pain had played out on her sharp face before Aurora made an impulsive move, and Judy knew she had to brace for pain.


She had let her scream tear through the air, naturally, when Aurora's sharp claws sliced three long bloody rents in her side, tearing through cloth, flesh and fur. As she had collapsed onto her knees and elbows, feeling the hot blood drip heavilly down her side, she bafflingly felt less fear than anger, and confidence.


Nick would find her. She was not going to die here.


Aurora was vicious. She'd seized Judy and run off, and Judy did her damndest to make the experience as miserable for the vixen as it was for her. She kicked, scratched and bit at Aurora as much as she could, but the Fox's thick fur prevented her from doing any serious damage--although she did suceed in slowing them down. However, as they approached Aurora's inevitable destination, Judy had started to feel light headed, and sick.


You don't have that much blood to lose, she had always been cautioned in all her training.


But she could hear approaching pawsteps, and knew she wasn't done yet.


**


Aurora stopped in front of the door that led to the processing plant. The back of the tunnel had expanded into an enormous room, drawn in half by a massive industrial glass wall that displayed the machinery beyond--conveyer belts, assembling stations, and new versions of old-fashioned meat grinders. The portal to the processing room--a simple door, barred by a keypad. She could hear the familiar footsteps behind her, and knew her time was running short. She slammed the code in, just as she heard the damned Rabbit gasp out, "Nick!"


The door slammed behind her, and Aurora dragged her weakly struggling Prey up onto the conveyer belt closest to the glass wall.


"I had to, Nick," she called out to him, her voice harsh with purpose. "You knew me. You had to know in that traitorous muscle you call a heart that this was the only way. Predator and Prey can never be friends. There are hunters, and the hunted. We were built to eat them, and they created to feed us. And now, now that we're supposed to live in harmony with them, our very being, has been reduced to an unnatural state bordering on slavery. Eating bugs and synthetics, nourished with dead dreams and twisted realities. This city, this world, needs a wake up call, and it's going to start with you, old friend." she spat out the words like a curse, and she fell into the primal predatory stance. All fours, teeth bared, leaning over her gasping Prey.


"You know your precious bunny isn't going to last long now. But her final act in this world is going to be a blessing to you Nick. She and I are going to remind you what the relationship between Fox and Rabbit, Predator and Prey is going to look like. I'm going to rip out her throat and drink her blood, and you are going to watch." she licked her lips. "And after that, I'm going to make you taste it."


She placed a heavy paw on Judy's heaving chest, pressing down and staring briefly into wide violet eyes as the Rabbit's blood pooled beneath her. Aurora bared her sharp teeth, and lunged forward.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 24, 2016, 10:47:27 PM

The entire time Aurora was talking, the horror of what he was hearing dug like talons into his nerves and gut. So he'd been right, eventually, to take the saliva sample. Now they just had to take it from the other victims and match her to the scene. It exonerated him, would certainly prove his innocence.

And yet, he truly hoped he had been wrong. That her ideals had not become some kind of sick parasite in her mind, growing and festering into this new Aurora. But they had. As she talked, he quietly and discreetly pressed the four number code he still remembered into the door. He hoped the tip off wasn't wrong, not this time. Of all times not to be wrong.

He waited, however, until the last second so that Aurora thought she had the upper hand. When he saw and figured out what she was about to do, he jammed the last button. He barely had enough time to open the door, then leap, claws out, slamming into Aurora and sending her scratching backward. He stood protectively in front of Judy, teeth bared in a snarl.

"No, Aurora. Not this time. I may have listened and almost fell into your preaching before." He stalked back and forth in front of Judy, tail held even with his spine. "But you're wrong, on every level. At one point, we were treated like that. Shock collars and all. As I recall, it was prey that fought to allow them to be removed. The very company you work for - who works for you, I see now - was run by a predator and a prey. Where are your ideals, there? If you truly believed what you're saying, you'd have gotten rid of Buck a lot earlier than you did. What did drive you to kill him, anyway? Was he going to snitch?

You know why? Because prey -are- better than us. They live and let live. It's us that drive them into a corner. That force them to do something disgusting. Bellwether was not entirely to blame for what she did.

And this bunny. This carrot farmer from Bunnyburrough, who followed her dreams and came here, against what everyone said, came to fight for equality amongst prey and predators. I have seen her protect us and defend us at every turn. She's the only one that still believed in -me-, even when my own parents didn't. When, through not fault of yours, you didn't. And I can tell you with utter conviction that if you had done the right thing, she'd have defended you, too.

Which of us is the real monster? You need only look at yourself, Aurora." Nick stopped in front of Judy, his eyes flicking down to the blood - her blood - all around her. Clever bunny.

"So no, Aurora. Save your breath. Because you're wrong."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 25, 2016, 03:18:02 AM

There had been a brief flash of primal terror as Aurora's teeth snapped at her throat, where everything had gone white. But in the heartbeat before it all could have ended, a flash of red barreled into Aurora and sent her skidding back with a shrill yelp of shock. Judy knew that she shouldn't move. It would only aggravate what she was realizing now was a serious wound, but she couldn't imagine staying flat on her back for this. With a grunt of agony, she forced herself to her elbows and knees as Nick paced, feral in front of her. She was weak with relief and still only even concious due to the adrenaline surging through her veins, amd there was some hint of grim satisfaction. Aurora had stepped in her blood, and she was leaving very clear pawprints all over the conveyer belt.


However, Aurora didn't have much to say in response to Nick's words, words that Judy processed only intellectually as she fought to stay lucid.


"What you say doesn't matter, Nick. I've already won. Your Rabbit's dead!" she snarled before launching herself at Nick, jaws open and bloody.


She collided with Nick heavilly, scratching wildly at his shoulders and making a ferocious bid to clamp her teeth down on his throat. When she found that his size and strength made this difficult, she tried a different tactic, shredding at his sensitive ears and eyes.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 25, 2016, 04:15:03 AM

"Not yet," was all he got out before words were unnecessary any further. They had gotten everything they each needed to say out. She managed to tear open the wound that had just barely stopped bleeding, adding her own claw marks, turning it into an x shape above his eye. Nick dug his claws into her side, trying to get his mouth the side of her neck, but her snapping only managed to collide with his own teeth. A clash of bone and snarls filled the air until Nick got his feet under her and shoved her body up, dragging his claws along her ribs. He might not have been able to throw her off, but locked as they were it was a stalemate. One of them would have to try a different tactic eventually, or they'd both bleed to death alongside Judy.


His mind raced for something he could do; the conveyor belts! Pitching himself to the side, heaving Aurora with him, he managed to get her back between solid ground and a moving belt. Hopefully the burn would eventually get her to let go.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 25, 2016, 04:46:42 AM

Aurora shrieked, a high pitch, vixen's scream as the friction of the conveyer belt dragged at her fur and hide. She had no choice but to unhook her claw from Nick's fur, before dropping down onto the ground with a snarl. She was wounded, but not badly. Nick was stronger than she thought he would be--probably the work of the police academy's training--and she had unerestimated him. His size might even cancel out her heavier mass and ferocious fighting. She thought about attacking again despite not having the higher ground when he heard, distantly, the stampede of invading hooves and paws. An alarm in her production plant went off, shutting the lights down so that the red emergency likes slammed on.


The sirens screeched, and she knew, grimly, that her Back to Basics operation was through. The cops were here, and probably arresting her patrons and followers left and right back in the arena. She wanted to scream with frustration, but she hadn't made it this far giving into tantrums. But she also knew that she didn't have the time to fight Nick to a standstill. She had to get out of here, and fast.


She thought quickly. Seeing the conveyer belts going gave her an idea. She dashed along the floor of the processing plant until she reached the lever controlling the one the Rabbit was dying on. With a savage wrench, she dragged it into the on position, and the conveyer belt rumbled to life, pushing the half-dead rabbit in the direction of one of the meat grinders, turned on by the activation of the belt.


"Better choose, Nick!" Aurora called as she raced away. "And I know what it'll be." with that, she slipped into the darkness. She found her escape hatch under a floor tile, removed it carefully before slipping down the tiny tunnel, and to safety.


**


Judy for her part couldn't tear her eyes away from the brutal scene. It was like a vision out of the Stone Age, two mammals circling each other and tearing at one another with claws and teeth. It wasn't done anymore. It shouldn't be. It wasn't civilized, or evolved, but she couldn't help but think of Mr. Big's words as she watched the two foxes battle it out. Deep down, we are all still animals...


But Nick was doing this to save her life. And to fight Aurora was to engage her on her terms.


However Judy was fading fast, and as the conveyer belt jerked to life she fell flat on her belly, and found that she was unable to move. Desperately grasping at her consciousness fleeing into the dark, the most she could do was watch as Aurora fled.


Everything went dark after that.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 25, 2016, 05:42:00 AM

Nick made to chase her instinctively, but he heard the noise as well. When she threw the switch, and he heard the conveyor start behind him, he knew as well as Aurora did what choice he would make. If it came down to saving Judy and chasing her, there was no question where his loyalties lay. Aurora would still be there. He would find her, hell or high water. With only a moment of hesitance, he turned and ran down the moving conveyor belt, out over the chasm that it moved above. He snatched Judy up in his mouth, holding her gently though tightly. There would more than likely be a couple bruises on her, but he was -not- going to drop her, not here.

His partner hanging limply in his mouth, he looked down over the side, at another belt that was nearly dyed red with blood, the black a little off colored. He could make the connections to what blood it was, but it was moving away from the grinder, obviously to take the ... spare parts upstairs to be packaged. That was all he needed. He jumped down from the height when they were just about over it, landing with a thud but letting most of his own body take the brunt of the force. His jaws closed a little harder, but it couldn't be avoided. They rode the rest of the way with Nick looking over his shoulder, all four paws on the ground to keep his balance. Damn you, Aurora. It didn't have to be like this.

------

The rest of the night was filled with multiple Emergency Teams checking him out, their blue and red lights filling virtually every alley of the Docks. Nick was wrapped in a blanket, sitting in the back of one of the ambulances. Multiple officers had tried to question him and get details, specifically about why he was in the condition he was in, but he remained silent, lost in the events of the night. The medical teams eventually pushed them away, telling them he was badly injured and wasn't in any condition to talk to them yet.

And he wasn't, but not because of the physical wounds - it was that, too, certainly - but had far more to do with emotional and mental wounds than anything. This whole case was escalating to just be too much for him. But he wouldn't let the case drop, especially not now. Now, Aurora had succeeded in making it personal. Still, he'd wait until Judy was stable before doing anything brash. When one of the crew tried to bring him to another ambulance than the one Judy was in, he stared at them with such a look that he may as well have bared his teeth. So they let him ride in the same ambulance, go to the same hospital. They had Judy strapped up to donated blood. He could only assume it was from one of her many family members - they'd called the Hopps family immediately.

Once at the hospital, after Nick's ears had been bandaged, his paw fixed and held in a sling before him, and all his scrapes and wounds cleaned and watched overnight and through the next day, he'd finally been allowed out to go see his partner. He had to walk with a medicine bag attached to a pole, doctor's orders, to replace lost fluids - but he was allowed to move about the hospital. He'd gone immediately to Judy's room, of course, holding a cup of black cherry juice, virtually untouched. But he'd stopped outside the door, seeing Judy's parents inside at her bed.

Bogo had come to visit both of them. He heard his footsteps from down the hall, but still didn't turn when Bogo thumped up beside him. The Chief's voice was low, being inside the hospital. A lot more comforting than Nick would have expected. "It's not your fault. You did everything she would have expected you to do, and more." He felt the chief's heavy hand on his shoulder. "It would have been a lot worse, if you hadn't been there. As it is, the doctors say it will take only a couple weeks for her to recover enough to be back to work. Parking duty for the next three months after that. For both of you." He tried to make a joke to lighten Nick's mood, but Nick didn't say anything. "You should be proud of what you did, son. She's lucky to have a partner like you. From surveying the scene, if it helps, she deliberately aggravated Aurora in order to get her to leave a trail of blood for you to follow. A smart move. You don't need to be nervous about any of this pointing back to you."

Nick finally spoke. "I'm more nervous to meet her family. In general, much less under these circumstances. I know who gave her the fox repel spray when she first came here. She told me all about it." He looked up at Bogo with his one un-patched eye. "You think they've got a tazer in there waiting for me?"

Bogo was taken aback. Still, he couldn't help but smile slightly. "Always trying to make light of the situation, Wilde. You'll be fine. Hopps left that trail knowing how much blood she would lose. She did that because she knew you'd get to her in time. That's an awful lot of blind faith the two of you have in each other." Bogo gently clapped him on the back. "If she trusts you that much, you can bet her parents know of it, and of you. Now get in there, before I make you pay a fee for loitering."

Nick went to the door as Bogo turned to leave behind him. He stood close enough that her family finally took notice, her dad tugging on her mom's shirt and pointing. Nick took a deep breath and opened the sliding door very gently, making his slow way into the room. Both of her parent's ears were on high alert, and her father reached behind him to the little counter where cards were left standing all over it. Nick didn't miss his attempt at subtly lowering a card to be face down, but he didn't say anything to call attention to it.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hopps? I'm Nick Wilde. Judy's partner."

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 25, 2016, 06:46:51 AM

Bonnie and Stu Hopps hadn't thought twice about leaving the Hopps Warren for the city. They'd gotten the call in the middle of the night, and at the news there was no question as to what they would do. They had left the farm in Jeremiah's care and packed into the pickup truck and before driving several hours. Both had attempted to reflect on any bright side or silver lining they could grasp at before falling back into worried silence. Bon spent most of that time trying not to knot her claws in her skirt. They'd had close to three hundred children. And they had lost children in the past. Ruth, childhood illness. Hosea, a tractor backfire. James, infection. Sometimes there were things that couldn't be helped, and Bon and Stu had always done their best to shelter, nurture and protect their many children despite the challenges of raising a warren. They saw those children off to safe and happy lives independent from them, working on the family farm, managing their own, marrying, having their own children. Safe. Settled. Secure. Successful.


But if a child needed more, all Bon and Stu could do was their best. They'd wanted to do what they could to save Judy, before she slipped out of the safety of their hopes for her and into that ream where Bon and Stu couldn't hold her anymore. That realm where Ruth, Hosea and James had gone. Though perhaps they could never truly understand, they tried anyhow. It was what you did, as a parent. But now their worst nightmare had come true--a phone call with grim news, telling them that their Judy had been mauled in the line of duty.


 When they were finally ushered into Judy's room after Bon had donated several ounces of blood, she nearly wept at the sight of her daughter, carefully immobilized in the narrow hospital bed. She'd been hooked up to an IV and dressed in a slim hospital gown, but all Bon could do was imagine the scars and bandages underneath the cotton. The doctor, a ferocious looking but very professional Wolverine explained the situation to them in tandem with Judy's boss, the enormous Cape Buffalo. They told them what they knew of the events that had transpired, leaving both Bon and Stu shaken, relieved and still yet afraid.


Bon and Stu stayed with Judy as long as they were allowed, keeping vigil by her bedside, watching her chest rise and fall and listening to the beep of the surrounding machines. But at some point, dawn was a thing that happened, and then the morning, and finally they were told that Judy's partner, the Fox, was going to come in.


A part of Bon, a stupid, irrational part immediately recoiled at the thought before her senses returned to her.


Then the Fox, this Nick Wilde they'd heard so much about, entered.


Both Bon and Stu stiffened, not sure what to expect. When the Fox spoke, Bon stood up, her heart pounding and her mouth dry. Stu had wrapped his arms protectively around her, but Bon moved away, guided by some instinct, and gratitude. She approached the fox, and tenatively put her arms around his narrow frame.


"Thank you," she said, unable to hold back a few rebel tears of gratitude. "Thank you. Without you, they told us she wouldn't have made it. Thank you for saving our Judy."


Stu seemed to relent and approached them both. "Hiya, Mr--Officer Wilde," he said, with something like strained good cheer. "We've heard a lot about you. Sorry this is the way we had to meet, but we're...super glad you're there to look after Judes."




Bon stepped away from the Fox with a watery smile. A short, awkward silence followed where neither party moved, and Bon realized, belatedly what the right thing to do was, even if it hurt to leave their daughter's side.


"We'll leave you two be," she assured the Fox carefully. "We know the two of you are...wonderful friends. Stu?"


"Huh?"


"We'll go find them some breakfast."


The two parents left, with a last look over their shoulders before they shut the door, and padded down the hallway.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 25, 2016, 07:53:30 AM

Nick hadn't known what to do or say. He knew the silence was a little off putting, but it was the first time he'd met them, and he was more than a little surprised to get a hug from her mom. He had put his good arm around her as much as he could, to show the comfort, but he couldn't keep his balance without the standing IV drip - medications did funny things to you.

When her parents had left, Nick sat down at her bedside and put a paw on hers, watching her in her most vulnerable state. A tear welled in his eye, and he squeezed her paw. "Hey Carrots. I don't know if you can hear me." He wanted to wipe the tear out of his eye, but he wanted even less to take his paw away from hers. He never wanted to leave her side; still, he knew soon he would have to. In a matter of days, or Aurora's trail would go cold.

"Dumb bunny." He told her, smiling fondly, putting the back of his paw against her cheek. "I told you not to go and do something without warning me again. I knew you wouldn't listen, though. You never do."

He was silent a little longer before continuing. He looked up at her monitors, watching the steady beating rhythm of her heart. "We both know we have to go after her." It took him time in between, to gather himself. "You're the best partner I've ever had. I don't just mean on the force. The best friend a guy could hope for." Finally he looked down at her prone form again. "This is my mess. I need to fix it. I'm going to do something rash. You don't need to tap your foot at me, or give me that look. I've already made up my mind, and I just thought, in some capacity, you should know.

I just wanted to tell you, I -" the tv turned on when he leaned forward. O'Riley showed up on the tv with an image of the docks behind him. It was a report from last night. The volume was low, barely audible, but he could make out the words.

"The crime ring has been brought to its knees by Officer Judy Hopps, once again saving the people of Zootopia from a terrible crime being committed right below our collective noses. We have word that everyone in on the Back to Basics scandal has been caught except for their leader, the Bloodmouth. The Bloodmouth has been positively identified as Aurora Pircir, an old friend and confidant of Nicholas P. Wilde, Hopps' partner. We have no leads on how close the two -" Nick shut off the tv with a dejected sigh.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Dynax on March 25, 2016, 08:12:34 AM

She drifted in a dark place for what felt like a long time. It was warm, a soothing pressure bearing down on her conciousness, as though it were the only thing keeping her spirit from floating straight up into the light and away from...wherever here was. She was numb, careless, languid, unnatatched to anyone or anything, without even a name. But slowly, the comforting pressure seemed to recede, and there was a heat, a dull throb somewhere below her ribs and right above her left hip. Pain, blood, wound. From there, she felt herself sink down into her body once again, once again aware of of pain and fur and flesh--and with it her name. Judy Hopps. Memories like pieces of broken glass started to fly back into place, to create an accurate reflection of what had happened then night before.


But in that awareness came another, the warm, rough, familiar paw pads of her partner wrapped around her own. Sound, at first distant, sharpened into clarity as the darkness fell away.


"I wanted you to know, I--"


"N-nick," Judy's voice started off a hoarse croak as she stirred, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal the inside of a hospital room. Light poured in through the window, lighting up the table that was full of cards and fresh flowers, even a few wrapped gifts. She sounded awful. She cleared her throat and tried again. This time her voice sounded something much closer to normal. "Nick!" she beamed, squeezing his paw back before she suddenly stiffened. Her parents had been here before him. Had they--


"Oh my god," Judy said in something almost like horror. "My parents. They didn't...?" she started, her voice panicky. She hadn't formally introced them yet! She'd alluded to her partner before, naming him, talking about him to her parents but they'd never met properly and despite the fact they worked with Gideon Grey now, old prejudices died hard. She knew that the hard way.

Title: Re: Zootopia: Blind Faith
Post by: Proto Triose on March 28, 2016, 03:34:43 AM

He debated telling her they brought out a fox taser and repellant, but he couldn't traumatized her more in the state she was in, especially because he partially blamed himself, his fault or not. "No, no. Nothing like that. Your dad was a little hesitant, but your mom hugged me, if you can believe that. It's good to see you awake again. I was afraid." He left it at that, letting the rest hang in the air.

Then he leaned over and put an arm around her, his paw in a sling between them. "Don't ever do that again. If you had died ..."

There was a knock at her door, and the glass slid sideways, allowing a civet cat in with a clipboard nestled in his arm. "Oh, dear, my apologies." He said when he looked up from the clipboard, turning around as Nick straightened.

"Nothing to worry about, Doctor."

"Doctor? Oh, young man, you flatter me. No no, just a volunteer that helps out. I was instructed to come inform the young Mrs. Hopps that we feel she will be free to go home within the next three days."

Nick looked over at Judy with a reassuring smile. The news struck him as both good and bad - good, Judy got to go home. Bad, that gave Aurora three days of leeway that he couldn't be on her trail.

"She will not be allowed to leave her home, however. Strict bed rest. No strenuous activity like running around and chasing insane serial killers."

Nick put his paw on her shoulder, stopping the protest he knew was coming. "She can stay with me. I'll make sure she gets the rest she requires."

"And deserves." The cat chimed, tapping a pen in their direction on his clipboard. "She is rather famous for her hard work. Second case, in only a year! I am a big fan myself. Why I could just," and here he actually mewed a bit instead of saying anything. At least, he thought it was a mewl - it could have been meant as more, but was keeping it quiet, "with pride. Now then, I will excuse myself. We'll see where this all goes in a couple days."

Nick made no pretense of ignoring that the cat had given him precisely zero credit. At this point, he didn't care, and he didn't blame the citizens. They had only the news to go off of - though admittedly, Will O'Riley was a real thorn in his paw, and him with no mouse to remove it. Just his bunny.

When the civet cat was finally gone, Nick looked back over at her, clearly a little shy. "Sorry. I made that offer without consulting you. Of course, you don't have to stay with me. I can come and check on you every few hours at your place." He had his paw in his lap, now, fiddling with the tie of the hospital gown.