[AN Apologies for the long delay. The vacation had some...challenges...and while I was out two major projects at work exploded on the person who was covering for me (large scale data integrations between our company and others...9 or so internal teams, 5+ teams at each of the other companies, exec level visibility on the projects and so on)...so the last 3 to 4 weeks have been insane. I need another vacation already.
Important Notes:
This chapter doesn't have wildehopps (covers up head). I have 2k words written - in 3 different versions - and none of them are good enough yet. You've all been patiently waiting so I'm posting this today. I plan (hope?) to have the next chapter up this weekend. It will start with that WildeHopps sequence.
This chapter has some subtle references in dialog back to previous chapters (10 especially, but really from 10 forward); if you have time I'd suggest re-reading those since it has been so long - I think you'll get more out of this one if you are able to do that.
Shoutouts:
One to toannghe1997 for putting together a short fan art strip timed around when Judy dragged Nick off to the bedroom. While they described it in colorful terms as to its quality, it's far better than anything I'd do as an artist and I'm honored someone would take the time to do art for this fanfic. So thank you! There are also comics for a few other stories as well that they've put up.
deviantart dot com/art/The-sounds-at-night-661294379 ]
And another shoutout to another story. If you have not read Conspiracy by Zanrok go read it. Seriously. Well read this first (you're already here so I mean why not) and then go read that. WildeHopps and WolfEyer in full swing with all the associated chaos and hysteria and a massive love conspiracy to boot. It's bedlam in the best of ways so far and I'm sure the chaos factor will only increase as it continues.
]
[AN - Review Comments
General Note: Last chapter was actually a tough one to complete. Mostly because like many of you...I was laughing at the visual image of the scenes in my head. I still don't know where "she's a chicken" came from.
General Note 2: I hope the reviewers who's names I list together don't take offense. I want to show I do read all the reviews - it's just that sometimes my only comment back is a smile or thank you and it seemed odd to list a lot of those so I put them all together.
Shiso Kitsune: Glad you finally found it and it's nice to hear you are enjoying it. =D
Hewhoislost: Thank you. I'm trying to not go too extreme with Bogo however the chaos surrounding these two and the fact he always has to deal with it would certainly take its toll on...well...any mammal I would think. =D
LordForrester: You are quite kind. We've skewed to the very humorous for the last few; some will always be present all the next few chapters although as we wrap up Love's Impact and move to Love's Cry it will start inching up the seriousness level.
Foxinthehenhouse: Glad you thought the style worked. I don't think it's perfect but I think it is pretty good compromise on having simultaneous action in multiple scenes; using the line breaks (which I did in the first draft) made it seem really choppy. More on Ralph and Nadine to come. They will have an active role through the rest of this segment and heavily in the next.
A revert back to earlier style this time; longer segments in each location and with each group.
Bagnome: I actually wanted to have two more locations included (Bogo and then other officers at their normal hangout bar) - which would have made it even choppier I think. Repeating the broadcast would be really annoying to the reader. I played with having one location be told in the present and the others in a "past tense" type style - showing an outcome and then working back through what happened without fully repeating the broadcast but that also felt rather awkward.
Erinnyes01: I'm glad that flip came as a surprise - I was worried I'd telegraphed it too much.
GustheBear: At least with her fox anyways. =D
Captainprice79: This chapter will give a few more hints into whether its flirting, foreplay, or just friends.
Matri, Archangel12575, Thatguynamedguy, Guest, Hate Eater, DarthJosku, OneWolfe, Guest, Guest, Guest: =D Thank you!
Starfang's Secrets: They are certainly going to have a reaction to Rosie and the interview...that's for sure. I was a little worried his inner voice doing the she's a chicken was too much; I originally wrote it as Nick just having thoughts/talking to self vs. inner voice however using the inner voice felt more right.
Thomas Linquist: The thought of rabbits teething had not crossed my mind for some reason. It's...it's just wrong. I like it. =D Good questions at the end - some answered now, all of them eventually.
Zanrok: Interesting thought about Rosie and Harvey (heh heh). I debated having one more exchange at the end where Peter passed back to Harvey with something like "Look's like you made a friend" and when they cut back Rosie was bouncing her tail between his ears as he stared up at the tip of it but I felt Rosie had already done enough "damage".
ytodd: Glad you're enjoying it! Judy's just...well...had a long day...literally...it still only has been about 26 hours. She'll be more back to normal by tomorrow (story time) - maybe. Tee hee.
Drummermax64: On Judy being vengeful - I mean, she's sweet and fluffy and cute right? =D
Lupinthewolf: Sometimes I "write" (aka play the scenes) in my head while in that auto-pilot driving mode or stopped at a light. Fortunately it has been winter so when I have burst out laughing a few times at how things play out in my head the other drivers haven't seemed to notice. O.o
Half-Elf: There's at least 4 to 6 more chapters in this segment of the overall story - possibly more; I'm still deciding exactly where/how I want to break between Love's Impact (this segment) and Love's Cry (the next).
Guest: (for chapter 13 - alt ending to Love's Sting) I like them both but do prefer - especially with how the story line has evolved from my original planning - the one I actually ended up using.
JKnight97: There are definitely going to be more moments of "misunderstanding" (e.g. species differences) between Ralph and Nadine. =D
LGSyrus: Sometimes I think I do as well; my wife also does - she reads this and laughs but then looks at me with that expression of "You really are as odd as you said you were aren't you?"
]
The monitors in the conference room had been turned off and the laughter had died down - although a few chuckles leaked out time-to-time from some of the mammals around the table. Everyone was focused on whatever was in front of them - notes, phones...anything to keep from making eye-contact with their co-workers to avoid breaking out in laughter again. The room was waiting for the mayor to take the lead.
"Amy," the gazelle turned to the mayor. "Get Miranda on the phone and ask them what the hell just happened and why they didn't cut the live feed." She nodded and left the room already dialing.
"Carl, what does this do?" The coyote sighed. "It's too early to tell. We've probably moved inter-species relationships and attitudes about rabbits 20 years...I just don't know if we went forwards or backwards." He clicked his tongue a few times. "We already had a team ready to monitor social media after the segment and have public opinion polls lined up for tomorrow. I'll contact the polling company - we'll probably want to change the questions we had queued up for them."
He paused.
"All along we've been worried since they're a pred/prey couple. The last few polls have been favorable towards inter-species couples - over 80% either actively support or feel what two adult mammals do is their business. The remainder are split evenly between unsure and against. The numbers aren't nearly as good for pred/prey couples - barely over 50% in the first category with about 30% actively against them. The number one concern opponents have is around domestic violence." He tapped his pen against his notepad.
"From that standpoint...what happened tonight in the interview," he tilted his head trying not to snicker, "...it might actually be a good thing." He looked at the mayor.
She was quiet for a moment. "Are you on drugs?"
"What? Seriously Kara?" He frowned back at her.
She leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed.
"It's all about the violence concern - especially with WildeHopps. A fox and bunny? Natural predator with their natural prey? Plus the stereotypes on both species - the sly and untrustworthy fox taking advantage of the cute innocent little bunny." The mayor opened her mouth and then closed it; she nodded at him to continue.
"That clip from the graduation? Where she tackled him and knocked him off screen? You know why that was part of the story. She may be a bunny but she's tough...strong. We needed it to counter the other videos - her being carried when she was wounded and when he swept her off her feet and carried her out of ZPD."
"That interview and all the things this Rosie character said. Yes it's beyond embarrassing for the two of them. Humiliating even. I'm still trying to figure out how we can deal with that. But...and this is a big but...who was at risk of getting hurt? It sure wasn't that 'sweet innocent' little bunny." He'd made air-quotes with his paws while talking.
"It doesn't matter that most pred/prey couples aren't like them. They're the one on the news. They're the poster children for all of this. All we need is an opening. Some angle to shift the narrative away from the predator taking advantage of their prey. Take this along with some of the cases Hopps has closed where she arrested much larger mammals and I think we can use it."
The mayor spun side to side in her chair tapping the fingers on her paws together. She nodded. "Do it."
Amy re-entered the room and at a nod from the mayor updated everyone on her call as she took her seat.
"The official reason the live feed was never cut is that nothing which was said violated any regulations."
The mayor's eyebrows went up. "Really? Interesting. What's the unofficial reason?"
The gazelle swallowed nervously and let out a small laugh. She paused. "Everyone was...well...laughing too hard." She looked around the room and shrugged.
The mayor closed her eyes and sighed.
"Miranda said they have a follow-up segment for tomorrow with a geneticist. They'll be discussing inter-species couples in general, biological factors, chances of having offspring, genetics of the offspring and so on."
"I suppose it makes even more sense as a topic after tonight." Amy nodded in agreement; others around the table joined her.
"Given how tonight went call her back and make certain they aren't planning...oh you know...any detailed anatomical discussions." Amy blinked at her a few times.
"Or live demonstrations." Amy's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"Just in case." The mayor's eyes narrowed. "And to make a point."
The chief's wife muted the television as a commercial started. She was worried about her mate - he'd been acting strangely for the last few days. What was happening with his officers was really affecting him.
Throughout the broadcast he'd been giggling and snorting; she couldn't blame him for that - even she'd been laughing although she felt guilty. Those poor mammals. To have something like that on the news. She couldn't imagine what they were feeling right now. She shook her head and shifted her attention back to her mate. He was still giggling and snorting - and making gestures with his hands as if he was having a conversation with someone.
"Adrian."
"Adrian." She leaned against him.
"Adrian!" She reached up and turned his head to look at her.
His eyes slowly focused in on her. "Ahempth ur. Yes?" He giggled again.
At O'Malley's quite the level of chaos still reigned. Clawhauser had asked the bartender to switch over to the news and let the other regulars from Precinct One - McHorn, Trunkaby, Worgton, Del Gato had made it tonight - know about the segment before it started. All of them, along with the rest of the bar, hadn't been able to control their laughter as Rosie's interview described their fellow officers' night.
Laughter had died down at The Pack House although cackles and snorts still broke out from the crowd - usually with some wild gesture towards the now muted television.
Nadine was desperately trying to convince her partner she didn't just drool on him all the while fighting a blush; with limited success at either. She'd sat back on her side of the table and Ralph was leaning towards her a bit - smirking.
"Come on! It's tears. I was laughing so hard I was crying. You were too!"
"Drool." Ralph smirked as he wiped at his shoulder with a napkin.
"It. Was. Not-."
"Drool." His smirk became even larger.
"Aaarrrgh." Ralph laughed and she put her head in in her paws. I'll have to ask Judy how she deals with Nick every day. Wait...what?
So...you're going to ask Judy how she deals with Nick?
Uh...uh...
Kind of like relationship advice?
What? No. Uh. On dealing with the humor. And stuff.
Right. Stuff. So this a date now?
...
She raised her head and her paws slid down to cover her muzzle. She stared at her partner. His laughter had stopped and his smirk faded as she kept staring. "You okay?" When she didn't respond he leaned closer and put a paw on her arm. "Nadine?" She blinked.
Do you want it to be?
I...I've been flirting all night haven't I?
Perching on the table? Hanging on him?
After today...he just...I mean...
He's been flirting back. That means something.
She blinked again. Ralph put his other paw on her other arm and started rubbing. "What's wrong? I'm just teasing." Oh geez. Is drooling like booping? Did I just make fun of something serious? "Uh...Sorry? Did I do something dumb again?"
Playing and teasing?
We've been doing that all night.
You're not normally this playful with her. Or really at all.
We're both halfway drunk - at least.
You're both playing and flirting.
Exactly!
Kind of like Judy and Nick do.
Wha-
So this a date now?
She lifted her paws off her muzzle and twisted her arms reaching over to take Ralph's with the opposite one and lowered their arms down to the table.
"Ralph. All kidding aside. Is this..." She looked down and then back up at him. "Is this a-"
"Sorry that took so long! I was laughing so hard I dropped I tray. Ugh!" Cindy put two more bottles on the edge of the table. Her smile became concern as she glanced between them. "You two...you okay? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just...a lot of things happening today-"
"One after the other you know?"
Cindy's head snapped back and forth between them and tilted; the two of them burst out laughing. Ralph pulled his arms out of Nadine's grasp. "I...I...will be right back. Nature calls; too much laughter and alcohol."
As he walked, or rather bolted, to the restroom his thoughts matched his pace - frantic. Thank you Cindy. Thank you Cindy. She was asking if this was a date. Does she want it to be one? Do I want it to be one? He almost collided with several other patrons on the way. They took one look (and sniff) and simply moved aside. I haven't been this nervous since...before. Asking Jamie out. Am I really ready for this? I know I think I am. What if I'm really not? I know she's interested. Well I think I know. Do I know? I mean I think I know how I feel. And how she feels. Does she know? Bill was walking out of the restroom as he approached; the wolf took one look (and sniff) and held the door for him - Ralph didn't notice. He also didn't notice Bill follow him back in and wait by the sink at the front of the restroom. I've been her partner for years. What's different now?
You finally said goodbye
But why now?
Did you do it for her? For Nadine?
What? No! I'd already decided that during the day.
So...what's the issue?
What's the issue? We went from partners to...something...in hours!
Maybe it's always been there
I should have noticed something at some point.
Maybe you weren't looking
Washing his paws at the sink he looked in the mirror. I'm so nervous I'm going to be sick. Breathe. Do not puke. He dropped his head and let out a long slow breath. Bill sniffed and smiled.
"If it doesn't work out between you two can I have her number?"
Ralph's snarl was louder and sharper then he'd expected. Woohoo! Boy's got it bad!
"Bill...I'm sorry! I don't know what-"
"Ha! Don't worry. Figured it was the easiest way to get you to see it."
"I...Wha-"
"Buddy - all night you've been giving the rest of us the 'this is mine' treatment."
Ralph stammered and mumbled something incoherent.
"Oh don't worry...she's doing the same thing. Feline scents are different...but..uh...yeah."
Bill wrapped his arm around Ralph's shoulder giving him a bro-hug and a shake.
"You got this. Now go get 'em tiger. Er...go get your tiger? Uh...Go catch a tiger by the-"
"Oh shut up." Bill snorted. "Go get some tiger tail?" He wiggled his eyebrows. Ralph punched him in the arm. "Ow! Too soon?"
"Bill..." Ralph muttered and shook his head. He headed out the door the other wolf opened for him with a flourish and a chuckle.
Nadine's eyes didn't leave Ralph as he walked away. Sneaky way to avoid the question.
Between Ralph darting away, Nadine's expression, and all the scents in the air it was clear to Cindy they hadn't settled anything yet. Idiots. Fine. Time to help this along then.
"I haven't seen him like this in long time. Real honest laughter. Happy." She leaned over and put a paw on Nadine's arm. "Thank you."
"I have no idea what I'm doing. Tonight. All day in fact." She hung her head and avoided looking at the she-wolf.
"Hey. I'm serious. You're good for him." Nadine looked over at her. "And he's good for you."
Nadine had to mouth a few words before anything came out.
"Cindy...I...I don't know why I'm here. Are we hanging out? Is this a date? What about-" She could feel her panic level starting to rise. A squeeze on her arm stopped her.
"Oh...it's a date. Trust me." She tapped the end of her nose, "for both of you," and raised her eyebrows.
"But-"
"And no, it's not the booze. That smells different."
"But-"
"He just said good-bye to Jamie? So this is all too fast?"
Nadine stared at her for a moment before nodding. So they're not only intimidating they can read minds? Note to self - never piss off a she-wolf.
"That's a long topic." Cindy frowned. "Okay. Uh...here's the most important parts."
"We wolves are very ceremonial - we have a lot of different ones. Saying good-bye is...well...it's one of our big ones. It's how we know we're really ready."
"For what?"
"To live again. Ralph's been ready for awhile. He just needed a little push."
"What? I didn't-" She shot up and leaned back against the bench turning towards Cindy.
Cindy cut her off with a wave of a paw that settled back on the tigress' shoulder. "However today happened doesn't matter. Just know that we don't do rebound relationships; when we're ready we're ready...and whatever happens next between you two-"
"We're partners; we work together! And...different species!" She'd waved her arms before settling her paws on her muzzle. Am I specist? I don't care he's a wolf do I? No - I don't. But wolves have a pack. I can't be in a pack can I? And cubs? We couldn't...Wait. What? Cubs? Why am I thinking about cubs? HOLY-
"So what? That didn't stop Hopps and Wilde did it?" Nadine's train of thought, already careening at the edges, launched itself off the tracks.
She sat there, paws on muzzle, blinking at Cindy. A part of her mind chimed in helpfully with "You've been doing that a lot today."
"Look, there's only one thing that matters. Are you glad you're here? With Ralph? Tonight?" Nadine was still frozen.
That's a good question for her to ask.
Yes it is.
Right down to the heart of the matter.
It truly is.
So...are you going to answer her?
Do I have to?
It's probably too late to run away.
We could try?
That might make her angry.
She closed her eyes and breathed out. "Yeah. I am."
She felt a squeeze and a rub on her shoulder. "He's as scared as you are; maybe more." Nadine opened her eyes; Cindy was staring back with a small smile. "Females tend to make the first move nowadays - it wasn't always like that but it is now, especially in the city." The tigress gave a few small nods and mouthed a "Thank you" at her. Cindy took a step back; she saw Ralph approaching out of the corner of her eye.
He started slipping into his seat looking between the two females. "Did I...uh...miss...something? Everything okay?"
"Just girl talk." She patted him on the shoulder. His ears went flat and he looked at Nadine wide-eyed; she put her paws back on the table and smiled at him - just a hint of a blush showing through.
"Well, I'll leave you to alone - if you need anything just holler." Cindy smiled at both of them before turning and walking off to another table.
As Cindy left their eyes met and suddenly both of them found their side of the table to be quite fascinating; they were poking at it with their claws and studying it intently.
Nadine waited. Are you really going to ignore what we were talking about? She thought about what Cindy had said. Fine.
"You good now? You...uh...sure left the table in a hurry." We'll play. Ante up.
"Um..yeah...all good. That much alcohol and all the laughter...just um...had to go take care of it. Ooooh boy. She. Seems. Annoyed. Get it together. Quick.
"Hmm. Good. Good." She nodded but didn't look up. Call. "I saw Bill follow you back in and the two of you come out together. Everything okay?" Raise. Your play.
"Oh...it was just...you know...guy talk." Just like a she-wolf. Maybe more intimidating. "Did you and my cousin have a good chat?" Oh...oh...that was dumb. I need to just tell her - not tug the tiger's tail. And I'm never using that analogy again.
Nadine looked up at him her claw pausing in the design she was tracing on the table; Ralph kept studying his side. Raise.
"Yeah..it was good. I like her. She didn't have much time to talk though. I might call her tomorrow; it depends." She shrugged. "I mean, maybe it doesn't matter." All in.
That got Ralph to look up; his ears down. Bill's were down too. He was following the exchange from his seat nearby and barely holding himself back from running over and shaking his friend. JUST. TELL. HER. He clamped his own paws over his muzzle. AARRRGHH. You were just like this with Jamie. You give me ulcers.
"I don't know about this whole inter-species thing. Especially a fox and a bunny. That's not right." Nadine's ears flicked in the direction of the voice as she frowned. Ralph's ears did the same; his frown much...colder. Are you kidding me? It was from a few tables away.
"Hey. Shut up! There's a wolf and a tiger right over there and they're cops too." Two pairs of eyes narrowed; their unspoken conversation on hold by an equally unspoken agreement.
"That's different. It's two predators." Ralph held up one finger to Nadine; she nodded. He shifted so he could look straight at the speaker. His lips curled in a silent snarl and fur bristling; one paw leaving marks on the table. Nadine's eyes were on her partner. He's angry, scary-level-angry. I mean, the guy's a jerk...but this, this is something more.
His drinking buddy looked annoyed and leaned back a bit. "What? So you're only partially a-"
"Why does it matter?" Ralph's 'cop voice' shot across the bar interrupting them. It also quieted down most of the other conversations.
"Uh...what?" He looked at his buddy and then back at Ralph, seeming a lot less certain then he did a moment ago. His buddy took one look at Ralph and sipped his beer and slouched down in his chair.
"Pred/Pred or Pred/Prey", Ralph shrugged, "why does it matter?" Ralph shifted to look at the other wolf straight on.
"Well...you heard their neighbor. That's not natural." He waved a paw for emphasis and glancing around the bar. He didn't find much support from the expressions on everyone else; it didn't stop him. "Pfft. I bet it was really him growling and her in pain. Heck foxes used to-"
"He'd die for her." Ralph cut him off again. "He wouldn't even think about it." The wolf's buddy was slowly leaning further away from him.
"He'd do it just like any of us would for our mate." Nadine could see his paw trembling - barely, but it was there. Ralph...don't do this to yourself. She put hers on top of his.
She cares.
I...know.
So what are you going to do?
Prove I deserve it.
To who?
Myself.
Good. Now you know you're ready.
"And if", he paused to take a breath, "if something happened to her he'd punish himself every day even...even if it wasn't his fault."
The bar fell completely silent. The wolf's ears were back and his muzzle down; his buddy was staring into his beer. Nadine felt her eyes tearing up again. Oh Ralph...
"I've been alone...for a long time." Nadine sniffled and hung her head down. "I know what that feels like." She blinked a few times; it didn't help.
"I've felt it for so long I'd kind of forgotten what it's like to feel anything else." He moved his paw on top of Nadine's. And squeezed. "Until recently." I did it. Yes! Oh geez. I ACTUALLY DID IT. Do not throw up.
She closed her eyes and let out a few breaths. Wow. I guess this is a date?
At least. If not much more.
I...I think I'm going to cry again.
Why?
I DON'T KNOW!
Tigers. So emot-
DON'T EVEN.
Ralph let out a breath of his own. "Predator, prey, inter-species. Hell even same sex or opposite sex. It doesn't matter."
"Why should any mammal have to be alone...to feel something like that..." Ralph's gaze hardened into a glare and his snarl showed through, "just because it's not what you'd do." The other wolf licked his lips and dipped his head even further, ears down flat. Ralph gave him the tiniest of nods and his fur started settling back down.
Murmurs of approval and nods came from the crowd. Ralph looked over at Nadine; still holding on to her paw.
She started to reach up to wipe at her eyes but Ralph caught her arm. "I keep making you cry don't I?" He reached over and cupped her face with his paws, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. She closed her eyes; she could just barely feel him trembling - or maybe it was her. "Guess I'm not very good at this dating thing." Her eyes snapped open as her tail whipped and thumped against the bench. Bill couldn't take it anymore.
"JUST KISS HER ALREADY!" His head snapped towards Bill who started giving them a drum-roll on his table. Seriously? "Bill I'm-"
A paw on his muzzle turned his head back towards Nadine. She'd leaned closer and their noses were almost touching. He snapped his mouth shut.
"Ralph." Her voice was low and rough.
"Ye-yeah?" Breathe. I'm shaking like a pup. Do NOT throw up. That would be a mood killer.
"Ignore Bill. Kiss me." His eyes widened; his mouth would have dropped open if it weren't for her paw on it.
"Unless you'd rather kiss Bill." Her eyes twinkled from tears and mischief. "After all. In Zootopia anyo-hmmph...mmh"
Neither one of them heard the cheering around the bar. Or noticed the camera flashes.
[AN Yeah! Wolfeyer has official shipped in this story.
50 bonus points and a shout-out to anyone who figures out why it's Wolfeyer and not something else.
HINT: It's not just because it sounds better than the other options Bogo rattled though =D]