"In a life where waking hours are draped in the costume of horrid nightmare,
where reality has suddenly become questionable, it's easy to be scared by dreams."
― Scott Sigler, Infected
The vibrant colours of various vegetables piled high in bins was something that Jack could always say that he enjoyed about this store.
Not that it was overwhelmingly fascinating, no. It was the simple serenity of it all. Nostalgic, even.
Its earthy scent along with the calm, ambient muzak was something that he always looked forward to whenever he stopped by, and today was no exception; he needed somewhere familiar to de-stress from the hectic week he had.
The store was a staple with the Hopps' as they were one of the main suppliers for the chain with a sister location somewhere in Zootopia. Appealing to both predator and prey, "Leverets" had a bit of everything for everyone.
If you wanted to buy fresh vegetables from one of the top farmers in the area, this was the place to go. Or if you needed the freshest seafood or bugs in the tri-burrows, then this was one of the few stores that had such a thing.
Getting started with gardening? This was the store to start. Fun times with fishing? They had beginner's tips. Need to make food for five to five hundred? The recipes, ingredients, cookware, and samples were all available.
Looking for party supplies? They had champagne, grills, and patio furniture. Judy set it all on fire like last year? The fire extinguishers and first aid kits were in the back. Odd nicknacks? There were slap bracelets, fireworks, commemorative plaques, and keychains next to the pretzels in the check-out line.
With the mish-mash of produce and other such things, it was hard to not want to buy something when you walked in.
Even now, waiting at the pharmacy register stocked full of snacks, candies, and allergy medication, Jack could recall when he, along with Judy, was a part of it all. He was only broken from his reminiscing with an overly chipper voice calling him.
"Heya Jackie!"
Looking up from the bag of parsnip chips he had been not so secretly staring at for the past minute or two, the stripped bunny was met with his classmate performing a pawstand on the cash register.
He had a more casual dress with grey khakis and a blue short-sleeved polo. His red apron with the store logo seemed more professional than his goofy expression allowed.
A smile curled on his lips. "Hey, Allen."
The hare gave a beaming smile back, balancing dangerously on the display as his ears flopped to and fro to keep him steady. It wasn't the first time that Jack had seen him try this, and he figured that, since Allen was the leader of the drama team, that this was his usual routine.
"So... how's it goin'?" he asked, wobbling the contraption below him and counterbalancing with his legs.
Watching his friend take to his stunt with gusto, Jack thought about what he was truly being asked.
The day started off well enough. He had breakfast with the Hopps' as usual and then was dropped off to the police station along with Judy and Juniper. From there, he was on duty with the sheriff and had to shadow him since. It was about then that he started thinking about Judy's poor decisions concerning the fox and, from that moment on, he couldn't really focus.
Now that he was here, waiting for Sheriff Chamby to come back, he could finally give a good answer. Thankful for an audience of one, he sighed, "Not great, actually."
Focused on his act, Allen paid him little heed as he attempted to lift one forepaw and complete the pose. "Are you still upset with Nick?"
Taken aback, Jack's ears stood on end. "How'd you know?"
Allen wasn't known for making wise decisions - like the teetering he was doing now - nor did he harbour any sage advice, as far as Jack knew. So how he caught on so quickly was beyond him.
As if to answer him, the hare began to open his muzzle to speak, only to use it to squeak in distress as he overcorrected the pawstand. He fell from the cash register gracelessly, breaking his fall on a shelf of bandaids and pain medications.
Wincing from what he saw, Jack moved forward to aid his fellow lagomorph but stopped when the hare started laughing. The taller buck hopped off the shelf with practiced grace, dusting himself off as he smiled.
"Say, you wouldn't be interested in pickin' up your old apron, would you, buddy?" Allen asked, haphazardly shuffling the stock quickly back into place.
Relieved, Jack shook his head. "I work for the sheriff's department."
Flickering his sandy coloured ears, the hare leaned back onto the shelf; his paws hovering over him in mock rebuke of the fluorescent lighting. "Alas! One destined for the theater such as I, only to be bound to the ceaseless mundanity of the till."
Allen's theatrics didn't come as a surprise to Jack in the slightest. The school drama team was always doing a performance somewhere. From introductions, spontaneous song and dance, to the simple happy birthday. Their group was something special indeed.
Still, Jack raised a brow at what his classmate just said. "Wait, I thought you did stock work. So why are you at the counter?"
Letting his paws fall as he chuckled, the hare shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I did. But since y'all left, I had to work harder. So dad put me up here because I can be trusted."
He said this all with an easy smile and glimmer of his nametag until several of the items he half-stocked came crashing back down. Now trailing down to the mess he made (again), Allen chuckled nervously. He started to pick up a few of the things he knocked over when a frustrated sigh rang out beside them.
The two lagomorphs looked over to the side as a third marched his way towards them.
Like Allen, he wore grey khakis and a blue short-sleeved polo as well as the store apron. However, unlike Allen, he was a rabbit; shorter stature with hazy-turquoise eyes, the rabbit's multi-toned fur colouring was a work of art itself.
He quickly approached the two, immediately jabbing a finger at the hare's chest with a stern look in his eyes. "Dad put you here because you were trying to do a stage play with a melon. Again."
Jack merely watched as Allen smiled back and raised his paws defensively, "It was Romeow and Juliannet, the scene where they decide to run away and meet each other at the orchard because..." and with hushed breath, he deliberately leaned forward as he elaborated with a waggle of his eyebrows, "... they can't elope."
Barry groaned at the unfortunate pun, shaking his head between his paws. "I should have known better. Every time with you."
Satisfied, he crossed his arms and tapped his foot, realizing that they had a customer. He nodded towards Jack and was greeted in kind.
Throughout all this, Allen laughed. He waltzed over to the bunny, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Cheer up, baby bro! It's just a little spill, see?"
The two looked at the disordered shelves - one now with a pack of googly eyes next to the sleeping medication - before a voice rang over the intercom.
"CLEANUP ON AISLE FIVE!"
It was shrill, yet calm. Collected, yet urgent. A bit squeaky and somehow demanding.
Taking a deep breath as if he knew what would happen, Barry pointed up towards the hare. "That's the furniture, soda, and electric appliance aisle. You're helping me with this."
With the spotlight on him as the two rabbits stared up at him, Allen did what he did best, theatrically.
He backpedaled from one rabbit to another, extending his arms as if he was showing off a new car model.
"Our company policy is that, 'Once there are no customers in the line, then I can assist where other duties require.' So it'll have to wait until everyone's been served with a smile because Leverets is your one-stop shop for everything!"
As Allen started waving his jazzpaws, Barry's eye twitched. It took a moment for him to visibly calm down and throw his arms up in defeat.
"Fine," the bunny said, doing an about turn as the hare almost started to smirk. "I'll just tell dad exactly where you were last Saturday."
Jack nearly flinched as he heard a deep, ear-piercing gasp from the mortified Drama King.
"You wouldn't!" Allen squeaked, his eyes visibly becoming pinpoints.
It was the spotted rabbit's turn to smile.
"During my lunch break, I went down to the theater and saw you two making out in the back row. You traitor." He seethed. "I couldn't tell the difference between you two and the actors on the screen."
Mouth ajar, Allen, for once, had nothing to say.
With his brother's ears down by his sides along with the terrified look on his face, Barry knew he had won. He would have pressed further, but the clop of hooves was the only thing that spared him from ending his brother's act.
The opportunity to escape in his paws, Allen quickly composed himself. "I will help you after I ring him up," he vowed, a hint of urgency in his features.
Giving his brother a disappointed stare, Barry shook his head. He turned and raced off with a wave. "You better..."
Sighing in relief, the taller brother quickly leapt behind the counter just as the sheriff casually trotted up. He placed a pharmacy bag next to the register along with a roll of licorice.
Typing in the items quickly, Allen asked, "Will that be all?"
The buck officer mulled over the options, pointing a hoof at one of the cigarette cartons to the side. "And one of those."
Looking behind him, Allen shook his head and tutted. "My dear, deer Sherrif. Your secretary called us and told me that, due to your..." he coughed into his paw, "condition, I'm not allowed to sell you any tobacco products, accessories, or paraphernalia."
The deer crossed his arms in defiance. "I ain't got no secretary."
Apparently not hearing him as he paced back and forth on the counter and packed the items in a bag, Allen continued.
"From my second job," he emphasized with a wiggle of his brow while Chamby's own twitched, "I was informed that you shouldn't be allowed the purchase of such material per your doctor's orders and, while I can't stop you, I must strongly suggest," he casually leaned over and waved his paws philanthropically, "and also report to your secretary, that you don't have any in your possession per purchase from our store."
"That heifer!" the deer sneered, stomping as the bunny and hare watched.
Pawing the bag over to the sheriff, Allen waggled a finger. "She also told me to inform her if you have any outbursts."
Seeing as he wasn't going to win, he took the bag in his hooves. "... y'all have a nice day," he tipped his hat and trotted off, waving for Jack to follow. "C'mon, kid. I got a secretary to deal with and a coyote to visit."
Waving his goodbye with a smile and flicker of his ear, Allen then sat on the counter and dangled his feet off the counter. He looked down at his friend exuberantly.
"Anyhoo, about your problem with Nick?" Jack looked up attentively. The hare shrugged. "I know the feeling."
For the second time that morning, Jack was surprised that Allen had any experience outside of theater arts. He generally ignored any pressing matters like safety and logic in favor of being overdramatic. "You do?"
He nodded back, drumming his paws on the till. "Up until a few months ago, I was at odds with someone that enjoys the spotlight as much as I do. Neither of us could get along no matter what."
Jack tilted his head. How is competing for the spotlight the same as being attacked by a fox? "My situation is different."
"We didn't like each other, even to the point of sabotage," Allen chuckled lowly, his tone laced with regret. "Happened in the tri-burrows improv show."
Again, Jack wondered where he was going with this. "What does this have to do with me and Nick?"
Stretching, Allen stood up, tapping his paw on the counter in a rhythm only he could find. "Thing was, I had to work with them once. Y'know... as a team."
Jack's ears drooped. "Are you even listening?"
Definitely not listening, the hare hopped down from his stage. "It was a complete disaster for like... five? Eeeeiiiggh-ten. Ten minutes tops."
"Okay," Jack huffed, hoping that this was going somewhere. "But what-"
He was cut off by the story that was going on a dead-mammals curve. "Turns out that I was wrong all along. And now we both have an acting gig and internship."
Furthermore, he ignored Jack's gestures, opting instead to pirouette when he was a few feet ahead of him.
"It was tough to see things from their side... well, after I demolished their half the stage and they, mine. It was hard to see anything, really." He stopped, staring at the smaller buck and spoke with a much chipper tone than he usually did. "But, we made up."
"And made OUT!" Barry yelled from a few aisles away, startling them both. He had a small mat under one arm and a mop and bucket in front of him. He stared at his brother, untold fury in his eyes. "Five! Spill! NOW! There's soda all over the electrical wiring of the recliners!"
Cringing, Allen chuckled sheepishly. He hiked his thumbs in the direction of both his brother and a tall hare both making their way to the spill. Both seemingly deep in conversation.
"I gotta go before Barry gets dad to ground me for life!" Not a moment later, the drama king raced away. "See ya, Jack! And think about what I said!"
Left utterly confused at what Allen was going on about, Jack huffed. How am I gonna get them to see that he's just like Gideon?
As he watched the Leverets get to work, he mulled over what to do. He could worry about it until sundown, but it wouldn't do him any good.
With nothing left to do in the store, he padded his way to the front. If anything, maybe his Godmother would have an answer for him.
Staring up at the golden-yellow and azure-blue sky, Jack drew in a deep breath of the warm, refreshing spring air.
Leaning back to rest his shoulders against the bench table, he idly twirled his knife in his paws as he viewed the scenery.
Overgrown grass, rickety benches, worn metal cages, and splintered wooden slats in the distance was what he had known for years as the local range. It was a few miles away from the Hopps' farm but it felt more like home than any other he had known.
While most would say that it wasn't the best-kept place in the burrows or most serene, the fact was that the range had been an integral part of Jack's life.
He had come here with his father many times before he disappeared; plus, his Godmother ran this business. He'd often be here listening to her stories, taking advice, or practicing his aim at one of the booths that were set up along the way - admittedly, he had gotten better over the years.
And today was no different.
He had finished a round of target practice as well as "attempted driving" and was now just cooling off along with the sheriff and his Godmother. They sat together on one of the few picnic-style benches, casually listening to the little, ancient radio in the center of the table.
Balancing his knife on one digit, he looked over his shoulder to the coyote. She had busied herself with counting ammo and ensuring that the weapons were in working condition. Expertly inspecting and cleaning each part set before her until she could see her reflection on its surface, Sunny remained as sharp as he had ever seen her.
The sheriff, however...
Jack glanced over across the table. The deer buck had an ice-pack cradled to the side of his head while he sipped on a glass of iced tea. When he set the glass back down, he caught the little rabbit half-staring at him.
Immediately, Jack turned around. He saw the deer start to narrow his eyes in indignation and he knew he was in for it.
Thankfully, before he was chewed out by his superior, the radio chimed in.
"Due to the recent anti-predator protests in Sahara Square, the city's police force, lead by Chief Aonghus Bogo, has been under constant scrutiny~"
As the scratchy voice came through, every ear at the table swiveled to listen more intently. Chamby's drink had been abandoned, Sunny stopped cleaning, and Jack rested his knife on the table.
"In an interview last week, he stated that, quote: 'The last thing we want is for prey and predators to panic. After what happened in the Meadowlands this past winter, our city council is deciding whether or not that we should~"
The abrupt crackle cut off whatever little voice the radio show had left.
Unfortunately, the radio, having been on the fritz and wheezing out the news, started to fade. All eyes on it, the owner huffed and reached for it to try bringing it back to life.
Taking it into her paws, Sunny furiously shook the device. Through its rattling and a few parts flying away, they could all see that it had finally broadcast its last. The light faded away from the panel as it slowly powered down.
Grunting, the coyote placed it back on the table before continuing her gun inspections.
In the ensuing silence, the deer sighed, "I'm tellin' ya, Sunny, folks done lost their minds in that city."
Pausing, the coyote nodded sagely. "City kaputz, like used to be car," She hiked a thumb in the direction of her 'used to be car'. It was one of her former vehicles that she allowed Jack to drive... once. It didn't survive. So, she used it as a target on the range. Returning to her work and giving Jack a faint smile, she pat his shoulder contentedly. "No place to live. Danger to kids."
"Got that right," Chamby grunted, focusing his gaze on another 'danger'. Jack was blissfully unaware as he had taken to staring off into space.
He stared for a second longer before he relented. Leaning back, he breathed deeply, "I may need to make a trip up there for a few."
Hearing this, the coyote lifted her head and gave him a questioning look. Taking a glance at the formerly working radio and the deer, Sunny raised a brow as if to ask him if he heard the news or not.
Chamby wasn't dissuaded. "Y'know, to see my ol' squad."
Furrowing her brow, she took a moment to think. Soon enough, it finally clicked. "Oh! Chief and son?"
Only giving guttural sounds in acknowledgment, the deer stared down at the now decommissioned radio morosely. A few beads of water formed on his glass of iced-tea as he idly swished it around and took a few measured sips.
Jack could only look on as well. With what was happening in the city, he couldn't help but feel like what was going on with predators there was going to get worse. It seemed like any predator in Zootopia could turn... "savage" at any moment.
What was worse, was that a predator from the city, a fox, was now in his hometown. And worse still, Judy didn't seem to understand the danger that she called her classmate.
While the bunny mulled over this, he didn't notice the slight frown from the coyote next to him.
Ever inquisitive and always alert, Sunny never liked seeing his expression so grim. Placing her equipment down, she sought to change that.
"What is with long face?" she asked, her tone both concerned and motherly. She propped herself on one elbow and pat the top of his head with her free paw. "You are to be joyous youth! Where is joy?"
For a moment, Jack didn't answer. He could only look up at her with his mouth slightly ajar as he tried to ask her what he should do - or what even could be done - about Nick.
Should I tell her? he wondered.
He could ask Sunny anything; she was his Godmother, after all. No matter the situation, she always gave him good advice.
Before he could even attempt to tell her what was on his mind, the sheriff answered for him. He placed his half-melted ice bag down on the table.
"He's just been havin' some..." Chamby rolled his hoof, giving him a pleading side-glance. "trouble, with some kid at school."
Jack gave the Sheriff a quizzical look. How did he know that this was about Nick?
Between the three, there was a long drought of silence as Sunny darted her eyes from the sheriff to her godson. Her lips slowly parted as she began to growl. She quickly stood and reached for a few shells for her shotgun.
"Where is he?! What he do?!" Sunny shouted, slinging the weapon over her shoulder as she reached for her trusted revolver. She clicked the safety off and stepped away from the table before throwing a heated glare at the sheriff.
Teeth bared, her eyes locked onto the deer in front of her. "Give me address! We make visit right now!"
Despite her display, she only earned herself a flicker of the deer's ear.
Calm, cool, and collected, Chamby set the empty glass down and waved her off. "You ain't visitin' nobody. Now sit back down."
"No! I make visit now!" the canid retorted, arms akimbo. Trying to make any excuse, she gestured to her working pickup truck. "What if new kid sick? I am being good neighbour. Bringing present."
The deer huffed. "Sunny! You ain't got no present!"
In a disagreeable demonstration, she brandished her shotgun. "Bird shots! I go and leave message."
Frustrated, the deer rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Sunny, I saw you load that thing. That's a buckshot!"
Not the least bit perturbed, the coyote brushed that little detail off. "Bird, buck. Both 'b' words," she replied, taking her eyes off one buck and onto the other. Already fetching her keys out of her pocket, she calmly asked Jack, "Now, who give you trouble?"
Through the familiarity of their back and forth, Jack thought of what to do. He had to tell her.
"He's..." Jack paused, now garnering the attention of his elders.
What was he? the bunny contemplated. Dangerous? Conniving? A liar? Shifty? Going to attack Judy when her back was turned?
Mulling over these possibilities, he summed it up in one answer, "He's a fox."
As he said this, Sunny completely froze. Her muzzle quivered and her paw shook.
She appeared like she didn't have a clear response.
That was until she reached for another magazine. "We go to his house, now..."
Finally frustrated, Chamby grunted. "Don't. You. Dare."
"Fox always trouble!" she continued. She checked her iron-sights and pointed her weapon down the dirt road as she gesticulated with it. "Remember Greys?"
"Yeah, I do." Chamby retorted, "Earl's still on probation. He knows he only got one more time to mess up before he's hauled off."
Seeing he wasn't getting her point, she pointed at his shoulder. "The one that gave you scar?"
Narrowing his eyes, the buck tapped his hoof on the table.
"I told you it won't no fox that did that," his voice was a deep, warning bellow. "And could ya not wave that thing around?"
"Then there was other fox, Belyy D'yavol!" She gave a low growl, her teeth flashing as she reached for her combat knife. "Terror to everyone! She even send Max to crazy house!"
Holstering her weapons, she reached for her keys. "I go stop fox now, before it's too late!"
"Sunny, how many times did I tell you, 'If I find that you had a run-in with someone, I'ma have to arrest you myself'?"
"You'd need to find body, or no crime happened."
"Sunny! That ain't how crime works!"
"In my country, no body, no crime! And never pay taxes! They only make tyranny!"
"We ain't in your country! And y'er gonna pay your taxes and stay away from that fox!"
As the two continued back and forth about how Sunny was definitely gonna show up to 'the fox's' house and how Chamby was definitely going to not allow that to happen, Jack mentally sorted out what he really wanted to do.
He didn't want a repeat of what happened with Gideon, and more so, he didn't want Judy to make the mistake of befriending a fox.
To ensure both, he needed time to think, time to plan. What he needed was a bit of time to plan out how to tackle the problem and show them that Nick was the bad guy here.
If he went back to the Hopps' he wouldn't have that time. However, there was one place that he could do just that.
In the middle of their banter, he asked. "Can I stay with you, for the weekend?"
Immediately catching the tincture of his voice, the coyote abandoned her shouting match. She won - not in the deer's eyes - so that was enough for her to shift her focus.
Staring down at him, she slowly nodded. He was always welcome to stay with her.
Before she got further, she remembered one key detail.
"You have scout meeting today, yes?"
Running a paw over his uniform to ensure that there weren't any flaws, Jack smiled back at himself in the low hanging mirror.
Not a wrinkle, spot, or loose fiber was exactly what he wanted to see in the reflection: absolute perfection. The ideal image of what he was representing.
As a Ranger Scout, he had both a duty to uphold and a reputation to keep. In order to perform that, he tasked himself to be presentable and on time every meeting. Thus far, he was successful.
Never skipping out on lessons, always available for outings, and knowing the guidebook from cover to cover, Jack was what every scout should be, and he was prepared for anything.
With a smile as bright as his freshly polished scout leader badge, he went over the last detail: the little bandana that he wore snugly around his neck.
Much like the responsibilities he was bestowed upon being a scout, he held this simple piece of cloth in high regard. He'd always kept it neat and orderly in honour of his dear pen pal friend. Even the watch was precious to him as he grew into it.
Making sure that it was just right and firmly secured as to not fall off somewhere, he smoothed his paws over it reverently. Perfect, he thought, going over the rest of his outfit one last time.
As he did his final inspection, he caught something moving out of the corner of his eye. Right next to him, and just behind one of the houseplants that adorned the household, he saw a lanky figure attempting to camouflage himself.
Jack couldn't help but snicker. "Ludvig."
There was a slight pause and rustle of leaves.
"Are you sure it's me?" said the wolf half hiding and idly swishing his tail.
While it technically could have been one of the other wolves, only Ludvig would even attempt something like that. Shaking his head and smiling back at the properly uniformed bunny in the mirror, Jack checked the time before turning to his fellow packmate.
"The meeting's about to start," he informed, already pacing towards the living room. "Is everyone here?"
His cover blown, the wolf abandoned his antics and followed suit. His strides lengthier, he passed the bunny with ease.
"Well almost everyone. Kelvin had a meeting with his firefighter squad and the twins had a scuffle and their bike broke down, so Jemeny won't be here either," the canid counted with his digits as he rounded the corner, "Oh! And then Allen had something he said he needed to take care of with a... he said he needed a new eye patch?"
Raising a brow in bewilderment at what that meant, Jack was glad to have the welcome distraction that the scouts brought. Even if his fellow troop members were odd at times.
They could be rowdy, disorganized, and a bit unfocused, but he was determined to be the best scout that he could.
With Sunny having dropped him off and informing him the sheriff would pick him up later, he had time enough to do just that.
As the two entered the living room, the familiar sounds of cheers and arguments over which wood was better for building a treehouse - birch or pine… the answer was mahogany - filled the bunny's ears.
In the well-lit room, Jack was greeted by his fellow pack mates.
The diversity of their group had been well known throughout the burrows. Despite their scoutmaster being a wolf, the majority of his troop consisted of prey mammals.
Even among the group, there were only three wolves. Two of which were currently attempting to see how many objects they could balance on their snouts with the assistance of a squirrel and a lemur; they had gotten several badges, pencils, and their instruction books so far.
Then there was Shorin who stood by their neighbouring raccoon classmate. The two were in deep conversation with a zebra who kept trying to re-adjust his ranger's hat; the daunting task it was with uncloven hooves.
A few bunnies, a beaver, and a bear occupied themselves with their main guidebooks on wilderness survival.
All in all, the Fanghanel house was packed. But neither the host nor guests seemed to mind the space.
In fact, the troop seemed to like being there more than any other residence as Chloe, Eliot's wife, always had interesting snacks set out for them. Usually something pumpkin-based.
The thylacine, being punctual and polite, casually strode in with a tray of pastries fresh from the oven. She set them down amidst the ensuing chaos.
With a jubilant smile, she greeted them. "I made pastries if anyone's hungry."
Despite all of the chaos, the whole room focused their attention to the snack tray sans the balancing wolves… they were now up to household plants, tv remotes, and whatever phones they could find, currently three each..
Breaking away from their conversations to form a line - sans two wolves - the troop slowly settled in, each thanking their host as they picked out what they wanted.
Finding his way in line, Jack felt at home here. It gave him time to sort out the issue he had been mulling over about Nick.
As he drew near to the front and picked out a pumpkin pastry, his ears perked up as the doorbell rang.
Along with the other scouts turning to hear the arrival of the new guest, Chloe's ears swiveled towards the foyer.
"Looks like we have a guest," she announced, smiling as she headed to greet the newcomer.
As happy as she was to host them for the evening, Chloe knew their antics. Making her way to the door, she stopped only to tell the two wolves not to further rearrange the living room
"Boys, put the couch down." she said casually.
Furniture in their paws while the coffee table was balanced on their snouts, the two canids sighed "Yes ma'am."
Chuckling as they began to put furniture back from their balancing act, the thylacine opened the door and smiled at the deer tipping his hat to her.
Watching as Chloe welcomed the mammal at the door, Jack was genuinely curious.
Strange, he thought. His meeting had just begun and Sheriff Chamby was here now?
Already stepping into the kitchen to check his phone for any message from his Godmother, Jack wanted to know if their schedule had changed.
"Good afternoon, Sheriff," Chloe greeted, swinging the door further open as she let her guest in. Her smile only widened as not one, but two mammals greeted her back. "Nicholas?! I didn't expect to see you here."
"Ma'am," the deer said cordially as he waved his hoof for the other guest to follow him and, with a bit of curiosity in his step, the fox did so.
The smaller mammal looked up to his counselor and smiled. "I didn't expect to be dragged from my house into a berry patch earlier. But it was delicious."
Chloe couldn't tell whether she raised her brow out of worry or wonder. But before she could pry further, the deer asked her, "I do apologize for the interruption, but would you mind tellin' me where I can find your husband?"
Blinking once… twice… and half a third time, Chloe crossed her arms, hung her head and sighed. "What did he do this time?"
On the verge of informing the thylacine about the wolf's antics, the deer stopped as a joyous voice echoed through the house. Nearly every eye turned to see the wolf in question entering from the kitchen.
Along with his impeccable timing, he was dressed for the occasion. Every badge in place, his bandana secured, and his scoutmaster's hat wrinkle free, Eliot clapped his paws together.
"Alright scouts! Today we're gonna work on structural integrity, so get a partner and we'll-"
The wolf stopped as soon as he got near the plate of pastries. Aside from seeing all the scouts, there was the addition of a certain deer giving him a stern look while Chloe merely shook her head and stepped away from the door.
"Sheriff Chamby..." he said with a bit of reservation in his voice… until he saw the red-furred mammal beside him. His usual overjoyed self returned in an instant. "NICK!"
He practically howled, running towards them.
"Don't you 'Sheriff Chamby' me!" the deer bellowed, stopping Elliot dead in his tracks from whatever it was that he was thinking of doing by holding up a hoof to his muzzle. With Elliot, that usually entailed picking someone up excitedly and asking them a hundred questions while his tail wagged like an airplane propeller. "What's this I hear 'bout you breakin' the door to his house down?"
Skidding to a stop with eyes as wide as the moon, Eliot knew he was caught. "I-"
The deer didn't stop his interrogation. "And what, pray tell, did you leave out in your report about mah car?"
The canid could only blink. He nervously smiled and shrugged. "It… uh... was an accident?"
Eye twitching and feeling his head throb from trying to put the pieces together, the Sheriff sought to make a "purpose" pretty quick. He took one indignant step forward, pointed his hoof in accusation and opened his mouth to shout, only to be stopped by a casual smiling thylacine with a pastry in her paw.
"Pumpkin-spice turnover?" Chloe offered cheerfully.
Though frustrated at the wolf and his antics, Chamby was never one to either linger on someone's faults or fail to be respectful.
So holding back his wrath, he graciously accepted the snack.
"Thank ya kindly." He said, taking a bite and savouring the flavor. As good as it was, he was here on business. "I still got words for you, Eliot."
Knowing that he wasn't going to be let off the hook on this one, the wolf nodded and motioned for them to go outside.
Taking the hint, Chamby would soon follow. There was one last thing he had to do as he had a minor to watch over. He looked down to the fox. "Wait here for a few. I gotta speak to a mammal about a door."
With the deer following the wide-eyed wolf to the kitchen and then out to the back porch, Chloe drew in a deep breath and addressed the troop.
"Scoutmaster Eliot and I will be right back. So please be cordial to our guest."
With that, she gave Nick a quick smile and followed off to act as a mediator.
On her way through, she passed by Jack as he pocketed his phone.
Well, Sunny hasn't said anything. He said to himself. Though seeing the Sheriff and Eliot walk outside did make him question what was going on.
For now, he brushed it off. At least I have some time to think before I go back. I just need to figure out what to do about -
"NICK!"
Immediately, the buck's ears perked up. He turned to follow suit where most of his troop members had gathered around the fox he had been avoiding.
Eyes wide, the lagomorph took a step back. He's here?! Jack's thoughts screamed at him.
They seemed to be enamored with him. Fascinated that there was a fox among them. The wolves tried to sniff him, the squirrel was already standing on his snout, the lemur had taken to staring at his shirt.
Jack's mind could only go haywire. Don't they know the danger he is? Can't they see how he's just trying to fool them?!
Though he did stare up at the Zebra constantly, Nick just kind of stood there.
So caught up in his own thoughts, Jack didn't notice the wolf and sheep nearing him.
Lu placed his paw on the bunny's shoulder, startling him a bit before getting his full attention. "Heya, buddy! Can I see you for a sec in the kitchen?"
The wolf escorted Jack out of the room before he got a chance to protest. He quickly addressed the pack before he disappeared around the corner."We'll be right back! Make sure you've brushed up on structural integrity!"
Entering and having Shorin watch the door, Luproc began to question him.
"Okay, what's going on with you now? You've been staring into space for about a minute." Thinking of what it could be, the canid immediately went down the list of the most likely thing that it could be "Did Judy burn down the patio furniture again? That's like... the third time, right?"
Though a good guess, Jack shook his head. "No, Judy didn't-"
"Great!" Luproc interrupted, already starting to march back. " Because that's a great place to-"
"Lu..." Shorin drawled, sighing as he shook his head. While the wolf was probably right that Judy did burn something down, one look at Jack said that this wasn't what was troubling him.
Taking a glance back at the foyer, the sheep surmised the problem. "I'm assuming that this has something to do with Nick."
Surprised that Shorin caught on so quickly, the bunny could only slowly nod. "Yeah,"
It took a moment for it to click for Lu, "Oooohhhh..." he drawled.
"Oh, indeed." the sheep added, tapping his hoof against the floor, deep in thought. He took a few steps away and motioned for the wolf to follow him.
Jack waited by the door while the two stood near the refrigerator and had… something of a conversation.
He couldn't see what the two were saying, really. Gesturing towards one another, they spoke in hushed tones and in a language he didn't understand. As the wolf waved his paws, the sheep did so with his hooves. Both just gesticulated at one another rather animatedly. The only word that Jack could actually hear towards the end of their talk was "vote".
Just like that, it was over. The wolf and sheep shook on their agreement and made their way out, motioning for Jack to follow.
Curious as to what they were up to, he stepped back into the living room with them only to be waved over by Shorin as he went to a small group to work on their downhill derby cars.
Strange, Jack thought. He was usually never allowed to touch the thing, but here he was helping.
He did look over his shoulder, though to see where the fox was, but Lu was with him and others on the couch. They'd taken to checking out maps of the area.
After a few minutes, they would eventually meander to some other group and when Jack looked up, instead of the sheep, the wolf was right there. Again, the bunny looked around to check where the fox was, but he was on the other side of the room with Shorin next to him.
Raising his brow, Jack went along with what was going on for a while to see if what he was thinking was actually happening.
When they went to another activity, sure enough, Lu was there in his cousin's place - the sheep now much nearer the fox.
Jack was right.
Whenever one was near him, the other was farther away near Nick. They kept swapping places every few minutes with one keeping the fox at bay and ensuring that the rest of the curious mammals didn't ask too many questions; though the two other wolves did ask Nick who they thought was more capable of balancing the refrigerator on their nose.
Soon enough, even with all the chaos that came with an unfamiliar face, the troop got back to their routine. It was them coming up with ideas, etching out future plans, figuring out where they'd eventually camp out that year; the usual conversations.
After a while, Chamby and Eliot walked through the door and all the scouts stopped all their various activities.
Nodding at the group, he spoke. "Arright. Jack, Nick, I gotta drop y'all both off."
Receiving "aww's" of disappointment from many of the scouts, and even Eliot, they all bid their farewells; some even asking the fox if he'd be back while Jack's thoughts yelled "NO" every second.
However, the wolf wasn't quickly deterred. His ears perked up. "Wait! I can-"
The deer, however, gave him a single, furious glance.
Sheriff Chamby turned to the bunny and fox. "Sunny asked me if I could drop you off," he said authoritatively. "Said she had somethin' to take care of."
While Jack understood, he didn't really want to go so quickly. Rather, he didn't want to go at all. Nick was going to be there!
But before he could say anything, Chamby looked over to Nick. "We'll be droppin' you off first."
The hum of the engine filled Jack's ears as he sat anxiously in the passenger seat. His paws clung desperately to the seatbelt buckle as he tried to ensure that, in case he needed, he could get out quickly.
Despite being right next to the Sheriff of Bunnyburrow, and with a grated window between him and the sole predator in the vehicle, he was still wary of the fox seated behind him.
Wide eyes peered back at the rearview mirror while passing vehicles helped illuminate the fox a little. Despite their little lighting in the pitch black, Jack could see Nick clearly. The dark never bothered him, really.
Since they got in the car, the fox had been back there, idly swishing his tail and munching on several blueberries from a basket.
Jack could only imagine what was going on in Nick's mind. What's he plotting? What's he scheming? Who is he going to attack first?
All of these thoughts left Jack quite literally on edge. He hadn't noticed he scooted a little further on the seat and was starting to fall off. Thankfully the seatbelt didn't let him get that far and pulled him back when they turned onto a dirt road.
Ever slowly, the cruiser neared the fox's den. Only the porch light was on.
The deer circled around the driveway until he was parked with his door facing the house.
"Arright, we're here." said Chamby as he idled the engine and unlocked the door. He looked through the rearview mirror and asked, "You need anything before we head off?"
While in the dark, Nick mulled over something. Without much else to go on, he asked what was on his mind. "What's grafting?"
Taken aback, the deer turned to Nick with his full attention. "Where'd you hear that term?"
For a moment, Nick just sat there silently. He wouldn't dare tell anyone everything that, but just enough.
"Well, Mr. Hopps wanted to know if I wanted to be grafted into the family."
What was left of Jack's composure vanished in an instant. HE WHAT?!
Tipping his hat and staring at Nick in the dark, Chamby couldn't believe his ears. But taking a long moment to see any sign that he was being lied to and finding none, he heaved a deep breath. "Means that… even if you come from a different tree, ye'r branch still grows with them."
Bewildered at the statement, Nick only tilted his head. The mannerisms and euphemisms of the folks down here got more confusing by the day.
With that, he shrugged and picked up the basket of blueberries before he stepped out. Careful as to not lose any of his haul, he made his way to the door and un-pocketed his keys to open it.
Seeing him off, the Sheriff waved him on. "Well, I hope y'all have a nice night. Keep me in touch 'bout y'er folks. We'll keep an eye out for you 'till then."
Waving back as he unlocked the door, Nick stopped. He turned around hastily. "Wait… we?"
"Mostly me," he stared out at the rather quizzical fox, but only gave an apologetic whisper, "And Deputy Elliot."
Nick's jaw hung open slightly.
Chamby went on. "Look, I know how he is, but he means well. If that wolf breaks the door again, though, you let me know.I can't tell you how many times he's done that… unless of course I get the paperwork on it."
"Is it okay if I barricade the door?"
The deer shrugged. "Wouldn't blame ya if ya did."
With that, Nick slowly closed the door, allowing Chamby to slowly drive off as he saw the porch light flicker off and the living room lights turn on. Slowly rolling out of the driveway towards Sunny's place, he had a few words for the other buck.
"I heard y'all at the store," he said casually, garnering Jack's attention but never taking his eyes off the road. "These ears aint that old."
Jack sat still. He wondered how the Sheriff caught wind of what he was thinking, but said nothing in response.
Looking back at the house as it slowly disappeared, the older buck went on, "I know why you're shook up, and I can't blame you for it. And with what's goin' on in the city, I'd be on alert too."
The bunny had wondered about that too. The city was a dangerous place now. He was just glad that their school didn't decide to take their spring break there.
"However, I done told Sunny like I'm tellin' you," the Sheriff glanced down at the Jr. Deputy in training, his voice even and stern without being harsh. "Leave well enough alone. If he ain't out causin' trouble, then I won't show up at his house for it.
"He ain't the devil, Jack." Chamby assured him. "An' if he was, the first one I'd call'd be Bonnie. She's 'bout the only one I'd trust to lay hands on anyone to set 'em right."
Having said all he was going to, Sheriff Chamby re-focused his attention solely to driving and let Jack simply think about what he said.
Leaning back into the cushion as he mulled over this, Jack took one last look in the rearview mirror.
Under the pale moonlight, the house slowly faded into the dark. While the fox's den disappeared, he could still see the long shadow it cast. Whether they were just a figment of his imagination or if they were catching up to the car was unknown to him.
He could only hope that they weren't real as they made it to the main road. Judy... you don't know what you've gotten yourself into.
Sometimes... trying to achieve your dream can be scary. Downright terrifying.
[A/N]
Huge thanks to Koraru-san for continued use of her OC's Eliot and Chloe. And to jadehopps for the use of Jada and Shadow Bunny Dragon for one of the wolves. XD
Special thanks to Jknight97 for his help with editing this.
More to come soon. The next chapter will feature a certain wolf. ^_^
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