The following morning Judy woke early, as she always did. Farm girls kept early hours and despite being years separated from the farm and its rigors, she rarely slept past dawn. Unless it was finals, of course. In the quiet of the post-dawn light she hurried through her morning chores and groomed herself very thoroughly. She showered, taking time to condition her fur, which was rare for the rabbit. There was usually little interest in her for such, as she saw it, unnecessary efforts. She had better endeavors to apply her energies to, like her art.

Today, however, was an exception. As she was going to be modeling for someone, she thought it would be worth it to present herself well. The fact that it was Nick freaking Wilde made it doubly important.

The sculptor's name was a byword among dealers, collectors and artists. His skill and talent were the envy of the community, as were his fame and success. However, the vulpine was exceedingly private, rarely offering anyone a foot in the door to his little slice of reality. Judy had gotten exactly that. The thought made her giddy. The memory of him opening his door half-naked turned the giddiness euphoric.

She knew his face from magazine articles and gallery profiles. Now, she knew quite a bit more.

Russet fur and deep, olivine eyes had haunted her dreams all night. When she slept- what little she slept -her mind supplied her with nothing but sensual interludes. When she wasn't asleep, which was most of the night, her repose was riddled with daydreams from the superfluous to the deeply pornographic and graphically lurid.

Dinner with her roommate, who happened to her younger sister Amanda, was rife with questions from the younger doe, followed by an avalanche of disbelief by the time they were on their way back from the dining hall.

"Jude, you have got to be pulling my leg."

"I'm serious, Ammy. It was him!"

"The Doc was right. You do need a break."

"I'm not delusional and it's Doctor Mousekewitz."

"You're telling me that you picked up a want ad on the Uni cork board and it turned out to be one of the most famous artists in the city. That you, who have no experience as a model, were hired to be exactly that by him. Right."

"I know it sounds like something from a dime-store novel."

"What it sounds like is a lookalike tricking you into giving him a little cottontail."

"Do you really think I'd make that kind of mistake?"

"I think you haven't had a buck in a while and you're obsessed with art. Mix the two when you're overtired and…" Amanda left the statement trailing in the air, the implications clear.

"I know how it sounds, but I wasn't daydreaming. You saw the sketch in my room!"

"I saw a beautiful sketch, but that doesn't make it a Wilde," Amanda argued her point.

"Fine." Judy spouted petulantly. "Do I have to prove it?"

"Judy…"

"No, no!" Judy quickly cut her sister off. "I'm not going to let this go. The last time one of my sisters thought I was making a bad decision someone told dad and it took mom threatening to make him sleep in the barn to keep him from coming to get me. I still had to convince her, as well."

"And look how Tom turned out…"

The eye roll that followed that statement begged for celestial aid. "We broke up because he transferred to Zoo Tech and we're still in touch. He didn't run from me screaming into the night and he wasn't a serial rapist, like Joana told dad."

"She said he was a little like a bad buck. Dad did the rest on his own." Amanda's clarification did nothing to set her sister at ease.

"And that's why I'm doing this." So saying Judy pulled out her phone and pulled the number from her call history. "I'm not going through another ordeal because someone assumed I was being stupid."

"Judy, are you serious?" Amanda's voice was part concerned, part disbelieving. She'd been trying to rib her sister a bit and make sure she wasn't being foolish because her workaholic tendencies had caught up with her. However, Judy was not the type to take it lying down when she felt wronged. She hadn't intended to, but it looked like she'd pushed Judy a little too far. Amanda resigned herself to seeing her mistake through.

Before she hit the call icon, Judy pulled out her earphones and plugged them in, handing one side of them to her sister who reluctantly took it. When the earbuds settled, Judy hit the icon and the phone rang. Several tense moments later the rings cut out in favor of a voice Judy was unfamiliar with. It was a rich tenor with a light continental accent. Panic flooded through her as Judy tried not to think her sister had been right.

"Hello?" the voice repeated.

"Um, hi. My name is Judy Hopps. I interviewed with Mister Wilde this afternoon. Is he available?"

"Oh, you were the interviewee!" Judy saw her sister react to the delight in the speaker's voice. "I must thank you for stopping by today, he's been very excited since you met with him."

"He has?"

"Simply bubbly!"

Judy felt the flush in her cheeks and ears. "Oh! I- Um… Is he available? I wanted to ask him a couple questions, if I wasn't imposing."

"Not at all! Not at all, I assure you. Can you wait a moment? He's a touch tied up. I'll see how quickly he can extricate himself."

The phone was muffled somewhat, but Judy and Amanda could hear a muffled conversation going on. A few moments later, the same voice she'd heard earlier in the day rolled through the speakers and straight to the pit of her stomach, where the butterflies were. It was everything she remembered from earlier in the day, but now it had a laconic, satisfied quality to it that hadn't been there earlier. Red fur and bedroom eyes flashed into Judy's mind and Amanda's presence was completely forgotten.

"Miss Hopps. It's a pleasure to hear from you."

"Likewise." Judy kicked herself for the awkward response and the fact that the chuckle that it earned made her stomach tighten. "I had a small request to make, if you don't mind?"

"And what is that?"

"My sister doesn't believe that I met you. I don't mean to impose, but I wanted to ask if you minded her coming with me tomorrow to confirm it is you."

"Are we reconsidering taking the job?"

"We are not! I mean, I'm not," Judy struggled not to trip further over her tongue. "I'm definitely taking the job."

The same velvety laugh rolled through the phone. "I'm just ruffling your fur, fluff. You want to make sure someone knows where you'll be and who you're with so your family doesn't get too upset, or scared, right?"

"How did you know?"

"It's fairly common, especially for female models. Personal security is always wise. I was going to call you and suggest it, but I got a bit distracted. I apologize." Sincerity shone through in the male's warm voice.

"No! No, it's fine. I'm just glad you're okay with it," Judy scrambled to cover up her embarrassment at forgetting such an obvious safety measure.

"Very much so. I need to get back, though. Nine o'clock, Miss Hopps."

"I'll be there. And "Judy" is fine."

"Alright, Judy. See you and your sister then." Judy smiled. "I'll even put a shirt on," he added before the line went dead.

Judy had to blink away the effects of the sculptor's final tease before she realized the call had ended. She turned to her sister with a triumphant expression that melted the instant their eyes met.

"What?"

"You are crushing so hard," taunted Amanda in a teasing tone used only by siblings.

"I am not!"

"You're blushing straight through your fur and you sounded like you were talking to a buck for the first time."

"Oh gods, Amanda, shut up," Judy groused.

Amanda wanted to keep teasing her sister, but she'd pushed Judy pretty hard already, so she conceded. For now. Holding up her paws in a sign of defeat, she chortled, "I'll admit I was wrong. He sounds a bit smug, but I didn't get a creepy vibe from him."

Judy breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Good."

Amanda couldn't resist one final tease. "He must be a good looking male to get you so flustered. And "I'll even put a shirt on"? Wow…"

Judy had blushed the whole way home.

One of the things she loved about her vocation as an artist was the freedom to let her imagination loose. That same imagination had kept the blood racing in her veins since she returned from dinner. Between the phone call and her sister's teasing, she'd been a prisoner in her own head all night; the victim of her own gloriously active imagination.

Judy was no fool. Nor was she inexperienced despite being only twenty-one years old. She had known the fox for less than a day. He was an acquaintance at most. The rest was a fantasy and a little bit of hero worship. Not a bad thing, as long as she kept the fantasy in her head. She was not about to let a little infatuation get in the way of her art, or compromise her good sense. She was going to be his model for about three weeks. At the end of that, she might have someone new to call a friend. Someone who was covered in red fur and made her knees weak just from hearing his laugh.

Judy shook herself and firmly set aside the daydreams. She still had a lot to do before she could get to her first day of work.

Following her shower, she scrubbed the water from her fur and let the fur drier do the rest. Then, after careful and thorough attention with her grooming brushes and the application of a little product, she deemed herself done with her morning preparations.

Breakfast was a simple affair most days, so it took little time for her to whip up a pair of veggie wraps and an apple-berry smoothie. Her meal was done and she was going through her satchel when Amanda joined her.

"Ready to go?" Judy chirped cheerfully.

Used to Judy's enthusiasm in the mornings, Amanda just shook her head as she eyed her sister. "I'm more ready than you are, Miss Hopps. You aren't even dressed."

"I was waiting until it was time to go."

"That's now, then."

"What?" Judy glanced at the clock. "No. it's only 7:45. There's an hour until we have to leave."

"Judy, on time means fifteen minutes early," Amanda explained.

"That still leaves forty-five minutes until we have to leave," Judy's ears, perked high in excitement, began to droop in confusion.

"Nope. We're leaving now and taking a stupidly long route."

"Uh… Why?"

Smirking, Amanda pointed towards the floor right in front of her sister. "Because your foot is thumping like crazy and I don't want to hear it until then."

Judy looked at the offending limb and forcibly stilled it. "Sorry," she muttered sheepishly.

Amanda chuckled. "Go get dressed. I'll eat while we walk."

An hour later Judy was nervously standing outside the same door she'd faced yesterday, now with her smirking sister side-eyeing her. They'd wandered over most of campus and stopped at the student center for some coffee before making their way to Safflower Lane and Judy's moment of truth.

Judy glanced at her sister's smartphone. She'd insisted that Amanda pull up a picture of Nick for a direct visual comparison and the doe had complied, but not without giving her a very knowing look. She was relieved when she saw the digital clock read 8:45, as it meant she would no longer have to suffer her sister's silent amusement at her expense.

Judy rapped smartly on the door and waited. A few minutes passed and she was about to knock again when the door rattled in it's frame and creaked open. Judy's excitement changed to confusion as not a fox, but a hare opened the door. A male hare in canvas trousers and a white t-shirt. Both garments were covered in dirt and burns, the shirt obviously well-worn to point of being nearly see through. The buck had a light grey coat that was almost white, severe dark stripes adorned his cheeks and ears, and he possessed some of the brightest blue eyes she'd ever seen.

"Which one of you lovely young ladies is Judy?" Those blue orbs moved over the forms of both young does, taking their measure. However, there was no heat in that gaze, unless one counted artistic fervor.

Amanda leaned in and stage whispered, "You sure we're at the right house? I only ask because that's not a fox."

Judy elbowed her sister, much to the amusement of the hare. "Nick is in the shower," he offered. "Come in and you can have some coffee while you wait."

Amanda put a paw on Judy's shoulder and said, "Hang on. We heard your voice yesterday, but who are you?"

"I'm terribly sorry, Miss. Where are my manners?" The hare extended his paw. "Jack Savage, at your service."

Deciding she'd had enough of being talked around, Judy took his paw. "Judy Hopps. This is my sister Amanda."

"Enchanted." Jack turned sideways and, with a wave of his of a paw, ushered them inside to continue their conversation in private.

"I'm sure." Amanda commented as the door closed behind them, earning another elbow to the ribs before following her sister and the buck into the residence.

"Mister Savage-," Judy began. Once more she took in the space, this time factoring in the knowledge of just who occupied it. The eclectic decor and slight disarray made complete sense to Judy, though she could see Amanda twitch a nose at the 'mess'.

"It's professor, actually, but Jack will do," their host cheeked.

Amanda leaped at the opening. "Professor, huh? You teach at ZU?"

"I do. Art history and metallurgy."

"Whoa! Whoawhoawhoa!" Amanda's outburst startled Judy who turned to glare at her sister in annoyance. "You're that professor in the Art department! The one who never has an empty class!"

"Ah… The price of fame…" Jack seemed unfazed as he continued across the room to the where coffee and fixings had been set, preparing each doe a mug.

Judy swung her gaze from her sister to Jack, then back again, "You know him?"

"Of course, I do." The tone of Amanda's voice begged to know how Judy could not know his name.

"You're in Theater Arts. How do you know an art professor?"

"Judy, you have got to get out of the studio more. He's a celebrity instructor. His advanced metal sculpture class is always full and his art history classes are standing room only, every semester."

Jack laughed. "I suppose I am known on campus, but that's mostly due to my accent."

"And how good he looks in a suit, right Jack?" Nick asked from the doorway.

The does jumped and Jack used the excuse of pouring a mug for the new arrival to hide his smile.

"Miste-, Um, Nick! Hi!" Judy practically squeaked in excitement. Resisting the urge to facepaw, she swallowed a groan and refused to look at her sister.

"Good morning, Fluff and companion of fluff. Sorry I'm late."

"No problem. Jack has been entertaining us," Amanda slipped in while her sister recovered.

"I'm sure he has," the fox chortled, giving his fellow a wink.

The hare rolled his eyes and scooped up his own mug. "If you're ready to take over, I need to get back to the shop."

"Off you go, Jackie. My best to your latest creation."

"Mhmm. Just try not to get too carried away. They aren't used to your… intensity," Jack cautioned Nick in a low voice before turning back to the pair of young does. "A pleasure to meet you ladies," he offered with a nod of his head and flash of a smile. Then he disappeared through a door on the other side of the room.

Both Amanda and Judy followed his exit, each admiring the athletic benefits of metallurgy, before returning their attention to the fox who was now fixing his coffee to his satisfaction.

Amanda was the first to break the relative silence. "What did he mean about not getting carried away?"

The question was addressed to Judy, but it was Nick who answered. "I have a tendency to get lost in my work. If I get into a proper flow, I won't stop for hours at a time. That can be a bit taxing on a model."

"Is that what you had planned for me, today?" Judy asked, trepidation evident in her voice. "When I told you that I hadn't modeled before I wasn't joking. I can't do hours at a stretch."

"Deep breath, Carrots. I have a timer that rings at twenty-minute intervals."

Judy and Nick chattered back and forth for several minutes about various artistic details, forgetting the other rabbit in the room entirely. That was, of course, until Amanda's amusement at her sister's crush gave way to boredom and she decided to check the identity of the male in the room against the profile she had on her phone. It took her several rechecks before she was able to admit her eyes weren't lying to her, but when she finally convinced herself, everything changed.

"Holy shit!"

"Ammy, you ok?" Judy asked cautiously. Her sister was not inclined to profanity, so whatever it was that caught her attention was significant.

In response, Amanda stared at the fox and stammered, "You're him."

"I'm whom?"

"You're Nick Wilde," she replied breathily.

"Last I checked, yes." Nick tilted his head, pretending to think the statement over. "I did just see myself in the mirror, so it's a pretty sure thing."

Judy saw where this was going and was torn between gloating and launching herself into damage control. "Amanda Hopps, stop gawking."

Amanda found that impossible and flashed Judy a gleefully mischievous grin. "You saw him shirtless."

"Oh, gods…."

Nick chuckled. "I promised to wear a shirt, today, and I am wearing one. Your innocent eyes will remain unsullied."

"I'm not sure I'd mind…"

"Amanda!" Judy hissed loudly.

"I presume that is your name, Miss Hopps," Nick said as he offered his paw. "Unless you want to continue to have me at a disadvantage."

Amanda leaned forward a bit more than was necessary to take the offered appendage. "You presume correctly, but I think having you at my mercy could be a lot of fun!"

Nick barked a laugh and Judy decided she'd had enough of her sister embarrassing her. She grabbed her sister by the shoulders and steered her with great alacrity and little dignity to the door. "Thank you so much, Ammy! Now, you know who I'm with. If I vanish you have a place to start looking."

Amanda couldn't resist. "The first place I'll look is his bed, if I don't see you home tonight."

Judy, ears quickly going from pink to red, pulled open the door and shoved her sister out. "Off you go!"

"If you get nervous I could stand in for you!" Amanda offered over her shoulder.

The door slammed, but it didn't drown out her sister's laughter. Judy turned to find Nick fighting to suppress his own mirth. He did not appear to winning the battle.

Judy chuckled nervously. "Siblings! Can't live with them; can't get rid of them fast enough!"

"I can't claim to know, personally," Nick chortled. "I'm an only kit."

There were serious thoughts of following Ammy out of the door. "Oh! I'm sorry."

"I'm not." Nick took up his coffee mug and walked towards the door Jack had passed through not long ago. "Shall we?"

Judy grabbed her own coffee mug, careful not to slosh the contents, and followed him down a hallway and into what she could only describe as a giant nest. The room had likely been a solarium once upon a time. The outward facing wall would have fit in perfectly in any of her family's greenhouses. The raised beds and trellises had been left alone where they didn't impact the light unduly and repurposed as display space and seating.

On one side, seating cushions, chaise lounges and a daybed warred for space with piled throw pillows and lush rugs. A raised dais dominated the other side; obviously space for his model or hanging piece to be displayed. There was space in the center for a work table or platform to be erected, as well, and Judy saw the component pieces of both leaning against a wall. Everything seemed to be slightly off center; set vaguely opposite each other, but slightly akimbo in the room.

It dawned on her awareness that the room appeared to be arranged for viewing. Judy could only presume that Nick enjoyed showcasing his own work for friends, or critics. For a thrilling moment she thought he could conduct workshops in the space, but her thoughts were derailed as the fox cleared his throat.

Turning, Judy saw her host gesture to join him as he sat in the sun pouring into the room. Forcing the thoughts of how good he looked in that light to one side, Judy took her seat. The image was, however, poignant to her and refused to remain a point of side note.

The conversation that followed was an old script as far as Nick was concerned. Hours, effort, compensation, expectations and requirements; the basics of negotiation between any artist and their potential model. He was pleased to discover that Judy was no slouch when it came to negotiating and she was entirely unafraid to ask for information. There was something she was uncertain about. Well, two things.

She was very anxious when it came to discussing her modeling in the nude, but quickly acquiesced once he swore on his honor not to pounce on her and devour her whole in a fit of mindless passion. Her uncontrollable laughter and beet red ears were a delightful compliment to each other. His paws were itching for his sketchbook.

Fifteen minutes later, they had an accord all hammered out. Fair wages, reasonable expectations and no carnal propositions without dinner first. However, Nick still sensed, all joking aside, that the rabbit was itching to ask a question. Finally, he couldn't take the suspense any longer and caved.

"Judy, as much as I find it charming watching you squirm, I would like to get to work and my curiosity is killing me. What are you struggling not to ask?" Her reply was anything but what he expected.

"Would you be willing to offer me alternate compensation?"

Nick arched a brow at her words. He just couldn't resist. "I thought we just agreed on dinner, first."

"Har har. I'm not talking about your thinly veiled attempt to joke your way into helping me relax."

Nick smirked. "Clever bunny."

Judy preened. "I meant that I would be willing to trade my wages for something else."

"What would that be? Your wages wouldn't cover the cost of even a small piece of mine and as much as I've enjoyed your company, I like to eat, so no discounts."

Nick's teasing finally broke the dam and the question shot out of her mouth as though fleeing for its life. "Would you model for me?"

All Nick could do for a moment was blink, open-mouthed. "I beg your pardon?"

"When I saw you in the light a little bit ago I couldn't help but to want to paint it." The question asked, Judy's modesty reasserted itself. She wanted to melt through the floor. "I… I'm sorry…"

Nick tried. He really did, but there was something about this rabbit he found disastrously engaging. He managed to mask it as a cough for a moment, but, this time, the laughter wouldn't be contained. It bubbled up and took on a life of its own that Nick, for all his years and experience, could not restrain. It roared out of him and in his mirth, he felt a tiny pang of guilt. The little bunny was blushing furiously and looked like she was about to cry from the humiliation of him laughing at her.

Mastering himself took a moment or two, but through the tears and aftershocks, he reached out and placed his paw over hers for a moment, saying, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh."

"Then why did you?" she huffed, voice filled with emotion.

"Because for the build up you gave it, that was the last question I thought you would ask."

Nick stood and briskly fetched a sketch pad and coals. He almost dropped them when he heard her ask, "Am I fired?"

"Absolutely not!"

The silence following his outburst was one of mutual surprise.

Judy blinked owlishly while Nick recomposed himself. He was aware of his propensity for intense reactions. It had gotten him into his fair share of binds when he was younger. He'd lost models and contacts to it when his career was in its infancy. He'd learned to rein it in and keep it under wraps long enough for new people to get acclimated. Today, however, he'd slipped up a bit and let out a little too much too soon. He had to cool the situation down a bit or he might scare her off.

"I'm not about to fire you for asking for something like that," he explained in a carefully modulated voice. "However, I can't just say yes. I value my privacy very highly."

"I understand," Judy replied in an equally careful tone.

"That doesn't mean I'm saying no…" The look of confused hope on her face was absolutely precious. "I'll make you a deal. I would only consider doing something like that for a very close friend and under certain circumstances. If we end up in such a situation, I'll consider it. Deal?"

"Deal!"

"Good. Now, let's get to work."

It was almost one o'clock when Nick finally stopped sketching. Once Judy had gotten over her reticence things had progressed very smoothly. Nick's joking and easy manner put her at ease and his complete professionalism removed any doubts she had about his integrity. After the first hour, they found themselves in a rhythm. The poses she took were simple and natural and with minimal guidance from the fox. He seemed to prefer an organic method to finding his inspiration, relying on instinct instead of possessing a clear vision from the start. As she shifted her position, he would ask her to hold in place, or request small adjustments, but seldom anything more than that.

The timer kept their pace brisk and the posing from being too taxing on her, but by the time Nick set down his sketchbook and coals Judy was very ready for a longer rest. As Nick put his supplies away, Judy pulled on the robe he had leant her for the day.

"Lunch?" Nick proposed.

Judy's stomach answered for her and she chuckled ruefully.

He grinned. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on."

Nick led her back through the house to the kitchen where he told her to sit. To her surprise, the fox began pulling ingredients and implements from their places around the room and, quickly, a meal took shape. It was a meal that earned an appreciative moan from her on the first bite.

"This is incredible!"

"It's soup, salad and a sandwich," Nick demurred with a shrug. "Hardly spectacular, but I'm glad to see it appreciated."

Judy eyed him skeptically. "This is not a simple meal. Now with this flavor."

"Tomato soup made with curry and coconut milk, root veggies on bread, and fresh greens in a bowl."

"No. I refuse to believe it's that simple at all. It tastes too good," Judy insisted. She motioned with the piece of bread she held, preparing to dip it into the soup. "I swear this bread is homemade."

"It is," he agreed.

Judy stopped mid-bite and stared.

Noting her unwavering gaze he returned her look. "What?"

"This is sourdough."

"Yes…?" Nick drawled.

Judy swallowed her mouthful and put her sandwich back on her plate. "Sourdough bread is a pain in the tail to keep going. It takes a lot of work."

"I am aware," he stated.

Judy replied with the only, unfortunately lame, compliment she could think of. "You cook extremely well."

"I took classes." He licked his spoon and watched as her eyes lit up with curiosity. His fingers tingled to return to sketching, or preferable clay.

"Where?"

"Zootopia Culinary Institute." Nick paused his own meal and waited. He had an idea of where the conversation was going.

"That's a professional grade program. My brother is in it, now. They don't offer classes outside the program."

"I didn't say I wasn't admitted to the school."

Judy watched Nick sip his water and digested what he'd just admitted. It meant that he was trained to be a professional chef, as well as a world class artist. It didn't make sense. All she could ask was, "Why?"

"Why what, Fluff?"

"Why would you study to be a professional chef when you're already a famous artist?" She couldn't wrap her mind around learning and practicing both disciplines at once.

"When I learned to cook, I wasn't famous and I needed to pay rent," he stated pragmatically. "The ZCI allowed me to do so and learn a valuable skill."

"So, you learned to cook on a professional level for a part time job?"

"More or less." He could see the confusion bouncing about behind her eyes as she reassessed what she knew of him with this new information. Something didn't click for her; he could see the question forming before she asked.

"But why?"

Nick sighed. "Carrots, let me ask you a question. How many meals will you remember?"

"This one, for certain," she replied half jokingly.

"Beyond this one."

He was serious, she realized, and put down her spoon. Sitting up in her chair she shook her head. "Not many. They're just food."

"That, right there is your answer." A raised digit gets her attention before he waves both paws, palms up, over the table top. "You see a meal as just food. I see it as an experience. The more I experience, the richer my life becomes. That manifests in my art. If I want my art to grow and its meaning to deepen, I need to grow as a person. Constantly. New skills, new experiences; anything that makes my breadth of experience deepen."

Judy's ears drooped as she took in what he said. It made sense, logically, but… "I don't understand," she confessed.

Nick tapped a finger on the table top as he mulled something over. Judy was hideously afraid she had offended him, but didn't dare to interrupt his thoughts. Seeming to come to a decision, Nick popped to his feet and marched back to the door that led to his studio. Judy watched as the fox flung the door open and bellowed down the hall.

"JACK!"

An enormous crash followed by some very creative profanity was the response Nick had been hoping for as was evidenced by his swift return to his seat. A few minutes later, an irate Professor Jack Savage stalked into the room.

"You bellowed?"

"You're taking Judy to visit Marcelle this afternoon," Nick announced.

All the anger drained from the hare's face. He glanced at Judy before asking, "Are you sure?"

The fox looked his model up and down, smirking. "Quite sure."

Judy was very uncomfortable with the turn her day was taking. "Who is Marcelle?"

The fox answered, "You'll see."

Before Judy could follow up, Jack interjected. "Nicky, I can't. I have work to do."

Nick waved off the hare's concerns. "Your TA's are handling the grading and you've been staring at that pile of scrap metal for weeks. You need the break."

Jack huffed. "Oh, fine. Twist my arm." It was as close as he would come to agreeing with the fox about his art work. Or current lack thereof.

"That's a good hare. Now, go get cleaned up."

Jack didn't bother pretending to be upset anymore. The extra hop in his step was all the giveaway that was needed. As soon as he was out the door, Judy turned to the fox who was happily enjoying the rest of his meal and asked, "What am I doing now?"

"You are going to go with Jack to meet a friend of mine. This is part of your job, so you will be paid for your time and I will cover the expenses," assured her employer.

"That's all well and good, but who is he?"

"He is Marcelle," Nick failed to explain much of anything. "If you want to know more, you'll have to ask him."

Amanda Hopps's day, despite starting off so amusingly, had ended up distressingly mundane. After she left her sister in her crush's tender care, she'd gone off to enjoy a thoroughly unimpressive morning. Her only morning class was cancelled because the professor was sick. Her next class didn't start until four o'clock. That left all bloody morning for her to kill. All of her friends were in class, or working.

There weren't many entertainments that she could afford on her work-study paycheck and she didn't have a boyfriend, so that left mammal watching. The little coffee shop just off campus was a good place for an aspiring actress to study behavior and hone her observational skills. It was also priced for starving art students and sported a huge storefront window which was perfect for staring out of. It was a hotspot for everyone from caffeine riddled thesis writers to bored diletantes and hungover partygoers.

Amanda was just about two hours into mammal watching with a large mug of her favorite Acai Jasmine tea when it happened. She had pulled herself into her favorite corner by the window and settled in, expecting only the usual. She mostly got what she expected. A lover's quarrel, a family of annoyed parents with the kits in tow, a few hundred academics in various stages of barely coherent and one very lost pack of high school students who had gotten separated from their tour guide, were only par for the course.

She was getting ready to leave in the hopes that a walk would waste some time when who did she see but her big sister Judy out for a walk with Professor Savage. It was too good a moment and her paws acted without her brain's permission. Her phone leapt out and before she knew it the picture was flying through the airwaves to one Bonnie Hopps with the caption, "There's hope for her yet!"