Chapter 3.5: Making Good Friends in Bad Places

(A/N): This is a 'halfway chapter' because it's more of a detail-expansion, more than a direct plot advancement. It still helps explain character, though, so I promise it's not fluffy nonsense!

Nick decided to slip away and walk around the block for a bit- there might be something in the neighborhood that could act as a lead. And if his suspicions were right, he might find someone willing to talk to a friendly cop… even if it would take a few tries.

Nick knew from the second he stepped onto the commercial block what to expect. Small family stores crammed together on one block, with names like Chappie's Restaurant and Lana's Salon, although by this point, the names had either faded or the lights had burnt out. The owners wanted to make some sort of profit, so discounts were common, and even from his view on the block that more than a few people would sneak out without paying- these stores were so small and with so many people that it was impossible to keep track of them all. Lana's had a line out the door, right now, and Nick took the time to peer through the window. The chairs were missing upholstery, the mirrors had cracks, and there weren't enough seats or any air conditioning. Well, there was an air conditioner, but the thing had stopped running for some time.

Every other building he could see was much the same. Most had a thick coating of graffiti, most in crude black but some in full, varied colors. He could see more than few shattered windows and bent security doors in now-abandoned shops. Pedestrians were walking on chipped and sometimes broken sidewalks covered in brown bags, wrappers, cups, and cigarette butts. Cars cut corners without stopping, and he could see people with their paws protectively over their wallets or purses.

It reminded him of his old neighborhood. The memories coming up were not happy ones.

Nick decided to wait outside the hairdresser's- lots of folk in today, and talking to the right ones meant information. He watched as a few middle-aged men drifted out, headed back to the apartments or Chappie's next door. Some small billy goats, a buck rabbit- most of them didn't look up to talking- they avoided his eyes and walked quickly. At least, most of them did- one buck was digging through their wallet and grumbling. Nick took his chance.

"Short on change, man?" The buck jumped, and the wallet fell on the ground. Nick picked it up and handed it back to him, putting on a small smile. The wallet was basically empty- all Nick could see poking out were receipts, and the wallet had no stiffness to it. That meant an opportunity.

"What's your name?" he stuck his hand out. "Nick Wilde." The buck looked unsure, but took the shake after a second. "James. Did I do something?" Nick shook his head. "I'm just new to the area, and I wanted to know what things were like here. Anything you can tell me?" James frowned.

Nick knew he was taking a risk being that direct- but dancing around the issue and acting fake wouldn't fool anyone- getting down to their level would be best. So he brought out his own wallet.

"How about you show me what the local grub is like? It's on me." That got James to light up- he quickly led Nick to the diner and went to a side window, which Nick saw was a kind of side cafeteria- a few stools in front of a small countertop. An old pig sat behind a counter, tending to some insect wraps in an oven. Seeing James, the pig had gotten a bottle of water from a cooler and placed it on the countertop. He blanched when he saw Nick.

"Officer! I… I paid what I needed to, I swear. Just…" Nick took out a twenty and placed it on the counter. "All I want is some food for my friend here. Get him something fresh, alright?"
He and James sat on the stools, and Nick spun around slowly. James raised his eyebrow.

"You know," Nick began. "y'all have a pretty nice setup here. I remember when I grew up, we didn't have that many shops open on my block. You had the barber, the community gym, a school… but you guys look like you have a whole self-sustaining thing!" He hadn't seen much, but you can't have all these people and only two open stores…

James looked surprised. "You grew up in a bad neighborhood?" Nick nodded. "Bad enough that getting a uniform for Scouts took an arm and a leg. Had to cut back on spending for a while- one meal a day, you know?" James nodded again. The pig came back, bringing James a platter of some sort of soup. Nick could smell cilantro. James ate slowly, watching him. Nick continued. "Mom did her best, but sometimes other people can screw you over, yeah? So you learn to hustle, get all the deals you can, that way the only one who has a say what happens to you is you."

Nick looked down at his uniform. "And now I'm a cop. Ain't that odd? But sometimes people can show you that there's ways to stay in control of life and still do some good." He hadn't meant to say that much, honestly, but he was feeling sentimental. Maybe he was getting old in his early thirties.

James had eaten a good amount of his soup during Nick's talking, but he had still listened. "Is that why you came down here? You wanted to be some sorta hero?" Nick heard bitterness in that voice, and he felt for James. What had the law ever done here? He had been much the same not long ago.

Nick dug into his wallet, counted out some bills, and placed it on the counter. James stiffened, and Nick nodded slowly. The cash had gone before he could open his mouth.

"You've got a mom, right? Works hard?" A nod. "Yeah. Maybe that'll help. I'm no psychic, but everyone has bills. And what kind of person would I be if I didn't help out a bit?"

James had his eyes narrowed, but Nick had a good feeling. "Maybe I don't want you to be in my position, James. Is that so bad?"

Something broke in James and he hopped off the seat. "You don't know what it's like here, fox. You've no clue!" James pointed at him. "Trying to butter me up, make me think you understand… Bull."

Nick stood up and leveled his gaze. "Then show me so I can understand."

That was the start of it, planting a seed. Maybe it would come to something. They had separated after James had shown him around, and they had met again when he found Judy and Liam. The conflict he saw in James might be what they needed to get a foot in the door.

Slow and steady it was.