Clawhauser, already sagging in his seat behind the desk, whiskers limp and ears low, slumped further on seeing her approach. She slowed as she passed, expression curling with disgust, her spotted tail flicking.
"Fat failure," she spat. "Overweight, idiotic excuse for a che-"
She was cut off abruptly when she thumped into a looming, powerful figure that stepped sharply into her path. Arms crossed, expression a study in barely contained anger, Chief Bogo glared down at the female cheetah, who seemed to physically deflate.
"When I was first informed," he intoned, voice stony, "that the officer specially seconded from Savannah Central to aid an investigation was deliberately and persistently harassing, indeed verbally abusing, one of my own officers, I didn't accept it. Surely they wouldn't be so cruel." A harder edge grew in his face and voice. "Or so stupid. And yet..."
The cheetah took a shaky step away, quailing even more; her muzzle worked erratically but nothing came out.
"And yet, here we are. Report to my office; when I join you, we'll be discussing disciplinary action, and I will be contacting your Chief about this. Do you understand?"
A tremulous nod. "Ch...Chief, I..."
"Get to my office," Bogo repeated, more thunder gathering in his low voice. "Now."
She started, and hastened away, the stares of many an officer boring into her back.
Bogo sighed deeply, his eyes closing, one hoof pinching the bridge of his snout; then his posture softened, his arms uncrossing, and the big buffalo reached out to press Clawhauser's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I should have seen what was happening sooner."
"Not your fault, Ch-Chief." The portly cheetah was doing his level best to pull himself together, even managing a weak smile. "She was careful to only do it when she thought no-one could see or hear."
"Thankfully, Wilde's more observant than most, and Hopps can hear whispers from the other side of the room."
Clawhauser's smile widened, his posture lifting. "Should have known it'd be those two. Gotta find a way to thank them..."
"Getting back to your lovable, cheery self would do just fine!" Chimed in Judy, springing up onto the desk; she radiated concern.
"The place just isn't the same without your endless supplies of snacks and ebullient disposition," Nick agreed, leaning against the counter; as much as he tried to seem nonchalant, worry crinkled the edges of his eyes and mouth. "And squeals. Gotta have the squeals."
"Aw, thanks, guys." Clawhauser's eyes grew a little wet; tugging them both into a smothering hug of gratitude, he couldn't help dabbing tiny kisses between their ears. "But...that's easier said than done..."
"Which is why," Bogo interrupted, firmly, "I strongly recommend you make use of the precinct counsellor, as well as all of the leave you've accrued, Clawhauser."
"Definitely!" Judy agreed, still pressed into the plump feline. "Pamper yourself a bit, Ben."
Nick had pulled away and slipped back to the floor, just a tinge of red in his ears as he rubbed lightly between them; Clawhauser giggled, his paw over his mouth. "I can suggest a few places you can stay, and no, I don't mean those kinds of places."
The cheetah giggled louder. " Thanks, but...I already know where I'm gonna go; if they let mammals stay, that is."
"Where?" three voices chorused untidily.
"You'll never believe me..."
A few hours later, as dusk was beginning to darken the eastern sky, a rather nervous Clawhauser stepped off a bus. Thanking the driver, he set down his sole, small case and stared at the huge, faux-Morrocown palace of a building he stood before. Etched in massive, warm brown lettering above an arched door was its name:-
Mystic Spring Oasis
Clawhauser swallowed. "I hope I'm not making a big mistake..."
Gathering up his determination, he grabbed his case and entered. In the softly-lit, curtain-draped atrium a particularly shaggy yak, a cloud of flies buzzing drowsily around his head, either slept or meditated – it was difficult to tell – behind a counter. The cheetah walked up to them and cleared his throat.
"Excuse me..."
"Huh?" The yak stirred, yawning, and lifting his mane out of his eyes to blink at the cat. He started. "Oh! Officer Clawhauser. You're here a little earlier than I thought you'd be."
Ben chuckled self-consciously. "Couldn't wait to get settled in."
"Enthusiastic!" the yak beamed; he collected something from behind the desk, then stood up. "Follow me, and I'll show you your room."
"Thanks." Clawhauser followed as they languidly strolled to another large set of doors.
Once they were swung open and he'd stepped through, all Ben could do was stand and stare, eyes widening, jaw falling loose. A huge open area spread before him, filled with more life and colour than he could possibly take in. Palm trees stood high, a broad blue pool shimmered with a jumble of rocks and greenery rising behind, a generous wallow of mud glistened around a basking rock, sweeps of neatly-mown grass hosted volleyball and tennis nets of several sizes with ample room left over for other activities, and there were pagodas and parasols and so many shady little spots scattered around that finding somewhere quiet to curl up and doze would never be issue.
There were also easily more than a hundred mammals of at least two dozen species scattered around, from pigs and a leopard lazing in the mud pool to bears blissfully rubbing themselves on palm trunks to four kinds of big cat playing volleyball to a group of mice reading in the safe shade of a clump of bushes to a tiger giving a wolf a kneading massage to a whole cornucopia splashing in or lying around the swimming pool.
"O...M...goodness," Ben breathed.
"Welcome to our little piece of paradise," Yax grinned. "All you could ever need to rest, relax, and leave the noisy old world behind." He led the cheetah along the path tiled in light grey and white that wound its gentle way through the Oasis. "You'll like it here, for sure!"
"You know, I just might." Clawhauser gazed around in wide-eyed awe as he walked; a maned wolf cub startled him out of it by running past right in front of him, quickly followed by an equally young sheep. The cheetah stared after them, amused. "You allow cubs in here, huh?"
"With proper adult supervision, for sure." Yax was unperturbed. "This is a place for everyone to chill and be themselves, young and old, male and female and everything in between, all species predator and prey."
Ben's smile widened a notch. "Maybe I'm not making a mistake."
They passed the swimming pool, and among the many enjoying it his eye was caught by a female gazelle sitting in the shallows. For a heady second he thought it was the Gazelle, but then he heard the strong city accent, spotted the lack of jewellery, make-up and hair, saw the black stripes down her flanks, and noticed the girl fawn, almost a miniature version of her, she was playing a spirited splashing game with.
"It's not like she'd ever come here, anyway," Clawhauser thought with a giggle, shaking his head. "Imagine the headlines!" Still, it did spark a question he voiced out loud. "Any famous mammals ever visited?"
"For sure," Yax told him, as they reached the back of the Oasis, and a set of stairs tucked behind the covered walkway. "Not that you'd ever know it; they're always, yannow, incognito."
"So there might even be one here, now?"
Yax didn't answer, just ambled along the verandah until he came to a door near the corner, unlocking it. "This is your room. It's a little small, and there's a spider living in the corner above the bed, and one of the drawers of the chest sticks a little, and the window squeaks a bit, and I think the shower head's only about eighty-five percent clear, but you'll love it, for sure."
Not entirely convinced, Clawhauser stepped inside. Yes, there was a spider crouched in a web above the bed, and yes the room was pretty compact, but the draperies and the candles and the warm earth tones leant it such a cosy, relaxing atmosphere these little issues were easy to overlook. He peeked into the bathroom – a tiny but well-arranged space with sink, toilet and shower – then set his case on the plush bed and turned to Yax.
"I think it'll do just fine!"
Yax grinned, bobbing his head; he passed over the key. "You can come and go as you like, day and night – just don't disturb anyone – there's a buffet near the main doors and a coupla restaurants within a block or two – just get dressed before you go, they reallly don't like nude diners turning up – and don't forget Nangi's yoga classes and my meditation ones. If you need help, just ask. Have fun, now!" Without waiting for an answer, the yak wandered out, closing the door behind him.
Ben sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a long, long sigh. A paw rubbed across his face and his tail flexed, while his pulse quickened, a rush of nerves swelling. He looked to the door, looked at his case, the fingers of his other paw flexing, his ears flattened a bit and his mouth tightened slightly...then shook his head sharply and stood back up.
"No turning tail now, Benny-boy," he admonished himself. He fished his phone from the pocket of his slacks and sent a quick text to Judy.
Got my room. About to get undressed and look around. Wish me luck!
Not allowing himself to dwell or hesitate, Clawhauser briskly stripped off, then opened his case. He removed a selection of toiletries and put them in the bathroom, stowed the few articles of clothing he'd packed in the chest, set a comic book he'd been reading and two small framed photos – one of a family of cheetahs and one of a smiling Gazelle – on the bedside table, and stashed a few small snacks beneath it.
Lastly, he pulled out a small, soft bag on an elasticated strap, tucking his wallet and badge into it. Just as he picked up his phone, it chimed.
Luck wished! You're a far braver mammal than me, Ben! x
Clawhauser chuckled; he doubted that. Adding his phone to the bag he slung its strap over one shoulder and across his chest, then turned to the door. Anxiety started to bubble up again, the cheetah suddenly painfully aware of his nudity, but he shook himself firmly, and headed outside, locking the door after he was through it.
The soft click of another latching nearby drew his attention along the verandah, to see the gazelle had just left her room, too. She waved to him, smiling; he blushed and flicked a self-conscious paw.
"This is your first time, isn't it?" she asked, walking toward him.
"Y-yes," he stammered back.
"Mine too. It's a little nerve-wracking at first, but you'll soon get used to it." Her smile turned kindly. "No-one here cares what you look like."
Clawhauser relaxed, a little. "Sounds idyllic."
"I'm certainly finding it so. Where were you heading?"
"Get a bite to eat. You?"
"I'm going to have a quiet laze in the mud-bath whilst my daughter's resting." She laughed softly. "I love her to distraction, but she can be a real pawful sometimes."
Ben started, then stifled a giggle.
The antelope cocked her head. "Was it something I said?"
The cheetah giggled louder. "You're a gazelle, quoting Gazelle lyrics!"
She blinked, then chuckled. "Huh. So I am." Smile widening, she took Clawhauser's paw and started moving. "Walk with me a moment."
"O-okay." The cat stumbled briefly, then matched her easy pace. "Can I ask your name? This'd be kinda awkward, otherwise..."
"Call me Elle. You are?"
"Ben. Ben Clawhauser. Lovely to meet you!" He grinned cheerily, his nerves dissipating more with each step.
"Likewise!" Elle inclined her head politely. "You must be a big fan of Gazelle to know her lyrics that well."
The cheetah nodded vigorously. "Her biggest! I own all her CDs, and all her vinyls, and the digital albums, and all her posters, some of them signed and boy they cost me a pretty penny, and a framed photo, and an unofficial biography but it's rubbish, and..." He trailed off, realising that Elle was looking at him just a touch askance. "Aaand I don't have a shrine to her in my basement, as that'd just be creepy. I don't even have a basement." He giggled awkwardly.
There was a long, to Ben deeply uncomfortable pause as they walked down the steps, then the gazelle burst out laughing.
"Such devotion!" She squeezed his paw. "May I ask what inspired it?"
"She helped me through a difficult time." Ben's voice dropped a little, as did his eyes, his free hand fiddling with the end of his tail. "Kept me from doing something stupid. She's...she's my Angel with Horns..."
Elle's expression softened, her eyes glimmering. "I...think she would be proud to know her music supported someone like that."
"More like saved." Clawhauser spotted some familiar faces, and leapt on the chance to change the subject. "Hey, it's the Ottertons."
The gazelle's gaze lingered on him a little longer, then moved to the pair of small otters sitting together, quite closely entwined, beside the bathing pool, talking with a tiger and a white wolf. Her smile grew.
"I might go say hello after I've eaten," Ben debated. "See how they're doing."
"Good thinking," Elle agreed, bringing them to a halt. "And feel free to join me in the mud-bath if I'm still there. I'd love to talk more."
"All right; I will." Clawhauser, spirits rising once more, nodded with a smile. "And thanks. I'm a lot more comfortable now."
"My pleasure." The antelope gave his paw one last squeeze, her smile warming, then turned to head for the now quieter wallow.
Ben watched her ease in, trying to imagine the Gazelle lazing in a pool of mud, and the highly unlikely image made him giggle. More energy in his gait, he wheeled round and sought out for the buffet. It proved to be a modest affair a short way along the front wall from the main doors, just a counter with a capybara behind it and a half-dozen tables and chairs. The food selection, in contrast, was pretty varied, and the cheetah was able to fill a plate quite satisfactorily.
As he was the only customer, he ate and drank in peaceable solitude, not hurrying in the slightest. That was probably why, when he finally headed back to the mud-bath, there was no trace of Elle. Luckily, the Ottertons were still conversing with the wolf and the tiger, so he made for them, only to falter as he got near; he didn't want to interrupt the conversation, so decided to linger a while in hopes it'd be over soon.
That plan was summarily ruined when Lily spotted him; she gasped, a paw going to her muzzle, then flowed from her husband's arms with a huge smile warming her face and scurried over.
"Officer Clawhauser! So wonderful to see you!" She stood in front of him with shining eyes and paws clasped. "You were so very kind to me when Emmitt was missing, and I never had a chance to thank you!"
Ben blushed. "Just doing my job, Ma'am."
"Would you like to join us, Officer?" the otter asked, gesturing to the little group. "I'm sure no-one would mind."
Clawhauser looked over; Emmitt was almost as eager as his mate, the tiger politely interested, the wolf half-curious, half-anxious. "I wouldn't want to intrude..."
"You won't," Lily assured him. "You might even be able to help."
"Weeell...if you insist..."
Lily's paws latched onto one of his fingers, and she tugged insistently; she only succeeded in lifting his arm a little, but that didn't discourage her one bit. "I insist!"
Chuckling, Ben let her lead him to the group. She got him to sit right next to her mate, then rippled back into Emmitt's embrace. The larger otter nuzzled-kissed her scalp, then smiled at the cheetah.
"Welcome, Officer; a pleasure to meet you." He offered a paw.
"Call me Ben," Clawhauser carefully shook it.
The tiger offered his immediately afterwards. "I'm Ray. Welcome to our little night-howler support group."
The wolf waved, a touch self-consciously. "I'm Gary, and I'm an idiot."
Ray cuffed him lightly. "No, you're not."
Ben blinked. "I'm sorry?"
Lily sighed. "Gary believes he's the reason his friend was...hurt."
The wolf, ears limp, fixed wide, pained brown eyes on Clawhauser, his paws wringing. "I was! If-if I hadn't taken him out there...he wouldn't have been hit by the...by the nighthowler...and he wouldn't have gone savage...and...and he wouldn't have been b-beaten by those mammals with their b-baseball bats...and he wouldn't lying b-broken in hospital right now..." Gary's voice dropped to an agonised whisper. "I just...just wanted to tell him I love him..."
Ben felt his heart clench in horror and sympathy. He leaned forwards to catch the wolf's paws. "It wasn't your fault; I know it wasn't."
"How? If I'd just t-told him in the house..."
"He'd still have been hit...and you might be dead."
All four other mammals stared at him in shock; Gary gaped.
"He wouldn't have been hit at random," Ben explained, quickly. "The targets were chosen by Bellwether, to cause as much panic as possible, or get revenge on someone. He was hit because he was meant to be."
"But why?" Gary's confusion was acute. "What did he ever do t..." His ears rose sharply. "Unless it was Cliffside..."
"Wasn't that where the vanished mammals were found?" Lily asked.
Gary nodded. "Larry and I were guarding it that night. I caught a fox's scent, started to follow it, but then, well..." He blushed. "Someone let out a howl, and I couldn't resist howling right back."
"Judy," Clawhauser supplied, with a smile. "And Nick's scent."
The wolf's head snapped to one side so sharply his neck cracked, his ears bolt upright and his eyes cartoon-wide. "Wait, the bunny howled like that? For real?"
Ben giggled. "Yep! Full of hidden talents, that little cu...er, lady."
"Wow." Gary was awestruck. "Maybe she's part wolf?"
"So, wait," Ray interjected. "You almost caught Nick and Judy?"
The wolf snapped out of his daze with a shake of his head. "Yeah. If I hadn't been such a doofus..."
"You really have to stop blaming yourself for everything," Emmitt told him. "Besides, I might not be here, cuddling my beautiful mate, if you had caught them."
Lily snuggled closer, kissing his muzzle. "You don't know that for sure, dear. It's a good point, though."
"You'd certainly have made Bellwether's life more difficult," Ben told the wolf. "She couldn't have framed Lionheart without Judy and Nick, and she really wanted him out of the way. He was a danger to her plan and might even have found a way to cure the savage mammals. If you had caught Judy and Nick, her whole plan could have collapsed. It did anyway, of course, but she's a vindictive little ball of wool, and well..."
Gary laughed softly. "You know, that actually makes sense; but then, why go after Larry and not me?"
"'Cause that's what would hurt you the most. Like I said: vindictive."
"It would hurt. It does hurt." New life was blooming in the wolf. "But not as much any more. In fact..." He nodded decisively. "I think I'll go see him. Tomorrow. I know it won't be easy but...it's worth a try."
"Definitely," four voices chorused.
Gary lunged forwards, hugging Clawhauser tightly. "Thank you!"
The cheetah giggled, giving a light one back. "Happy I could help!"
"You've worked wonders," Lily beamed at him, patting his arm. "Now, let us try to help you in return."
As Gary sat back, Ben huddled into himself just a little. "What makes you think I need help?"
"What makes you think we don't know a troubled soul when we see one?" Emmitt asked him, sympathetically.
Clawhauser sighed, fidgeting. "It's nothing serious. Nothing to match what you two, or Gary, or Ray have been through."
"You don't know what I've been through," the tiger pointed out.
"I don't have to; it's night-howlers. How does being bullied compare to night-howlers? Even if..." Ben sagged. "Even if it reminds me of high school and how it was just an endless cycle of teasing and taunting till I honestly felt like..." He swallowed a sob.
"Oh, Ben..." Lily laid both paws on his arm. "That's not nothing."
"No, that's...actually kinda awful," Gary agreed. "I mean, I got teased at school, but not so bad I..." He shivered. "How could anyone...?"
"Have you told anyone?" Ray asked. "Surely there's someone at work who can help?"
"Three someone's, and they caught her," Clawhauser answered with a small smile, regaining a little composure. "And if I know the Chief she won't be allowed anywhere near the station again."
"That's wonderful!" Lily cheered. "Must have been such a relief!"
Ben nodded. "Doesn't make the pain go away, though, which is why I took some time off and came to stay here. I wasn't sure I'd made the right choice, but now..." His smile grew. "Now I'm thinking I might have made a great one. Will you all be here again tomorrow?"
"Depends how things go with Larry," Gary answered. "but I'll try!"
"We'll be back in the afternoon," Emmitt told him. "With the cubs."
Clawhauser very nearly squealed. "Oh, I'd love to meet them!"
"And I'm staying here," Ray added in. "Want to meet for breakfast?"
"Happy to!" Ben almost beamed, then stifled a yawn. "I'd better drag myself to bed. Been a full day. Thank you for letting me sit in."
"Our pleasure!" Lily bounced up to give him a peck on the cheek, her mate shook his finger firmly.
"And thank you again!" Gary gave him another bone-compressing hug and a nuzzle for good measure. "You might just have changed my life!"
Clawhauser giggled and blushed. "Aww, it was nothing."
Ray shook his paw, too. "What time do you want to meet?"
"Is eight o'clock all right?"
"That's fine. See you at the buffet!"
"Until then." Ben got to his feet, smiling at all of them. "Good night, everyone. It feels good to have made some new friends...i-if I can call you all that."
The collective response was immediate. "Yes!"
Ben laughed, bowed his head, then took his leave.
