T'was pass seven in the evening they slowly stroll down to Tundratown where Nick used to frost his pawpsicles and sell to the masses. Happily, while they walk with their sweaters on, Judy opened their conversation:
"Nick, did you ever fell in love?"
"Why'd you even ask?"
"I'm just curious"
"In all of the questions in the world— "
"Come on, can you tell me? Please?" Judy asked with a pleasing voice that Nick couldn't resist.
"Okay, okay you got me. You know I worked for Mr. Big, right? Well, Mr. Big was Zootopia's most powerful shrew since the time of Jerry Vole. Notice every shop owners greet him like he's the mayor? See, every market in Tundratown was owned by Mr. Big, technically. Mammals can loan money from him to start their business in any ridiculous amount. But here's the catch: 70 percent of their income is Mr. Big's. If you failed to pay him every end of the month, expect Kevin or Raymond right at your door."
"Why?" Judy wonders.
"To get beaten into a pulp"
"What does it have to do with anything?" Judy asked.
"Keep listening, you haven't heard everything yet"
"Oh, Okay"
"Haven't I told you about Wilde Times?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Well, after I venture so much money from Mr. Big for an amusement park that failed, I had the audacity to begged money again to start another business: A rug business. B-But let's skip to that part, you know already about that."
"You mean the skunk butt rug part?" Judy teases.
"I said skip it!" Nick replied in a high tone.
"All right." Judy said while her eyes rolls around.
"But during my rug business, I met her. The most beautiful wolf I've ever seen since my mother. Her name's Joy Anderson."
"Sooo, what's with her?" Judy inquires.
"She's the daughter of the shop owner next to mine." Nick still remembers the white wolf that takes his breath away. The whiteness of her fur, those crystal blue eyes, and the gentleness of her voice like cotton that captured his heart was still fresh in his memories like that it was only yesterday they've met.
"She hit me like a truck. In fact, like a bullet train. His father sells candies and assortment of nuts. Mr. Anderson has a big heart for kids. He gave candies and nuts to kids who can't afford to buy almost every day." Nick continues. "Then one day, when their shop wasn't able to pay their due, they decided to take his daughter away as a payment and to serve Mr. Big for the rest of her life. When I can't bear to hear the commotion next door, I intervened in their business. I try to reason to Kevin and Raymond not to take Joy away from her father but they were too stubborn. So, I made a deal, I offered myself instead of Joy. That's the reason why I become Mr. Big's right paw. From that moment on, I never saw her or her father's shop again."
Moments later during their conversation, they arrived at the restaurant Judy was referring.
"Ah, here we are", Judy said so. A large marquee that spells "DAVID'S" in a cursive manner.
"Wow, in just over a year, and this!" was Nick's remarks for insulting the restaurant's baroque-styled façade that was once an old empty snow field.
"Don't be put off by that! don't judge a book by its cover. C'mon let's go inside", Judy's response to Nick's insult.
"They better surprise my taste buds in this outfit", Nick banters.
So, they approached the entrance.
"After you, m'lady!", Nick reach the door first to open it for Judy like a gentlemammal he is.
"Why thank you, my good fox!" is what Judy said in a medieval fashion.
After their feet reaches the restaurant's floor, they have been transported back to Zootopia's golden age. Nick and Judy was awestruck by the ambiance the of restaurant's class and pageantry. Everywhere they look was an alluring sight to see. Classical music plays on the background to add some atmosphere of joy all over the restaurant.
"I take back my words carrots, this place is beautiful" Nick told Judy so.
"I told you so!" Judy jokingly told Nick.
While they we're still in a state of awe, a hyena approaches them.
"Welcome to David's. How may I serve you?" the well-dressed hyena inquires.
"For two, please!" Nick answered with class.
"Please follow me" the hyena instructed.
Nick and Judy followed the hyena as he told them to do. So, the hyena lifts his right paw to show them their table.
Nick being a gentlemammal, offered a seat to Judy first. Judy felt so special from that moment. She smiled to Nick while sitting to his chair on the other side of the round table for two.
After they have seated, an antelope lit up the candles and served them wine while the hyena handed the menu to each of them.
"Come on, Carrots. Take whatever you like" Nick offered.
"Uhm, let's see…" Judy said while her finger's selecting from the scrumptious menu the restaurant can offer.
"Grilled asparagus and carrots" is what she selected.
"Good choice, Madame. And for you sir?" the kind hyena asked Nick.
"Just give me your house special or whatever can surprise me" is what Nick replied from all the menu he can choose from.
"Understood. Would that will be all, sir?" the hyena asked the last time.
"That's all, my good mammal" Nick said.
The hyena took the menu and left their domain to prepare their meal for the evening.
A little while after sipping a good wine from a good old year, Judy opened the interrupted story that Nick was telling. "Soooo, do you still in love with her?"
"What?" Nick wonders.
"The wolf you fell in love with?" Judy wonders with a little sadness that lingers her face.
"Mm, I can't say. It's been years since my last encounter with her" Nick answered.
"If you were given a chance, if you were able to meet again, would you marry her?" Our bunny nervously questioned our fox.
"Well..."
Judy blushes with a little sorrow on her face and said "Forget it" while looking away.
"You know what? The past is the past. Maybe she's married to someone else already. Who knows?"
"You think so?"
"Uh-hu!" while Nick sipped some wine.
Knowing Judy, she cared for Nick so much throughout their friendship. And sometimes, even more like a friend. As for Nick, he never showed his true feelings. But when she's in real danger, he'll pull heaven and earth just to save her.
Several minutes later, the waiter delivered their course.
"Grilled Asparagus and Carrots" the waiter placed Judy's order and opened the cover: Steaming, fresh, and mouth-watering asparagus and carrots covered in buttery coating.
"And, Steamed Crayfish in Soy Sauce" was the house special for Nick: carefully steamed crayfish with butter bathe in soy sauce for hours in perfection to seasoned to taste just right.
"Well, you surprised me!" Nick applauded.
"Enjoy!" is what the waiter said.
Nick and Judy put their napkins on to start digging in.
Noticing from afar, the waiter served them wine again as their glasses were half empty.
"Thank you!" Judy's response with cheer.
"Mmm, This. Is. Perfect." Nick said like he never tasted a crayfish so perfect before.
After a scrumptious dinner, both are full, satisfied, and relieved after a hard day's work. Nick paid for their dinner and both headed out with a little take-out from the bake shop of the restaurant.
Now, the time was pass half nine. Stores are closing while they are walking home. Nick walked Judy home first before going in his place.
"I gotta hand it to them, that restaurant was something worth my well and hard-earned pay. Gonna go back there sometime. And oh, boy can't wait to bring this Blueberry pie home" was Nick's appraisal over the restaurant.
"Well, I'm here. So, see you tomorrow?"
"My place or yours?" Nick questioned.
"Yours!" Judy replied. "And I'm pretty sure there are dust bunnies as high as me under your bed" she scolded Nick softly.
"Hey, I was busy to clean up!"
Judy chuckled a little while going up the steps outside the apartment's main entrance.
"Bye Nick!" with a sweet and gentle voice, she bid goodbye to Nick.
Nick salutes with his two fingers up with a smirk on his face.