A/N #3
And here's already the third chapter and first update for you all to read. This chapter already is almost three times longer than the last, and I plan to continue this trend. As always, I'd appreciate any reviews or suggestions you have in mind. I'm rather open to change some little things that may bother you, or include any of your ideas, if they would fit!
One thing I'd ask anyone that reads as I'm a bit unsure, is if I do dialogues in the right way. Like, formatting, language, usage and the right extent. Let me know!
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Exploration and care
I took a deep breath, knowing this will be quite a journey. I walked to the station's exit. There were a couple shelves filled with flyers and magazines for free. One of them had maps on it, and I gladly took one. I stepped out of the station, and found myself in Savannah Central. According to the map. It was a giant plaza. There were massive buildings: The City Hall, the Zootopia Police Department, Grand Pangolin Apartments, a Natural History Museum, and a huge café apparently for huge animals. I wasn't really hungry yet, and still had some water left in my bottle, so I thought a museum, as long as it was free, would help me learn something about this world. The museum was across from the station, so I only had to walk a bit over the plaza.
A few seconds after I started to walk, I noticed a group of 4 big animals. Two buffaloes, one rhino and an ox. Sure, it seemed suspicious, but I adjusted my way of walking to keep some distance. I'm not too prejudiced, much less from this world, but who could judge me for still having some sort of fearful respect towards such massive horned creatures. Unfortunately, the rhino, who was taking a look at me while I adjusted my way, noticed that move and tapped the others around him, said something and pointed towards me. I stood in shock, my heartbeat going into overdrive and me just hoping not to get beaten up for being racist that obviously. Or would that be speciest? I didn't know how this world handled things just yet. They started walking into my direction, and as they were in front of me, but holding a little distance.
"Hey kid, are you afraid of us or something?" The rhino began to speak in a slow, a bit accusing manner. "Do I look that dangerous to you?"
'OF COURSE!' I thought to myself, almost hitting myself for being so 'speciest'. I hated prejudices, but sometimes one just cannot hold it. "N-No, sir."
"Hah, don't lie to us. You wanted to walk around us. Haven't your parents taught you some respect?" he asked further, but not at all aggressive, making me feel a tad bit safer.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not from here, I'm here for the first time. I'm from .. uh .. Foxwalls. There are no big animals like you, so I apologize for making it seem like you're dangerous or something." I stuttered out. Could people at least stop talking about my parents? 'For fox' sake, I was asked about my parents two times in just one hour. I left my world for a reason.' I said to myself.
"Foxwalls? Never heard of that." One of the buffaloes said. "Well I guess we look somewhat intimidating, but that's no reason for acting like that."
"Yeah, this city is based on tolerance, so don't fuck it up on your first try." The other one added chuckling.
"I know, I realized. I'm really sorry." I said again.
"It's alright, kiddo. That's why we're here. We trying to prove people that prejudices should have no reason to exist. It's not like we're trying to prove your first thought of us on you." The rhino chuckled. "I'm Rhynold, by the way. And these are Harry, Bernard and Justin. We're animal rights activists."
"That's right." Bernard, the ox, agreed. "Nobody should be judged because of his appearance."
I nodded. They're right. I felt like an complete ass. That racism thing here must be even more of a problem than in my world. And they wouldn't be talking with me right now, if there wouldn't be enough people that are prejudiced and intolerant.
"Thanks for reminding me. I never had to think about it until now." I told them with a smile. They definitely were good people. "I'm Mordecai." I added.
"Well, welcome to Zootopia then Mordecai. Have a great time, and remember what we told you." He smiled. "Take care though, not everyone is like us. Foxes can face some prejudices too."
I thanked them, shook their hooves, and went on with my way to the museum.
I was glad the first people I met in this city were friendly.
I stood in front of the Natural History Museum after a few minutes. I sipped the last drop of water from my bottle, and threw it into a trashcan in front of the museum's doors. I went trough, and saw a massive hall. There was no reception or similar, it went straight to exhibits and walls of text. So no entrance fee, fortunately.
I went to a sign that had "START" written on it. Next to it was a wall of text. It was a little anecdote, or introduction. Apparently a rather new shiny plate of engraved metal.
Thousands of years ago, these were the forces that ruled our world:
A world where prey were scared of predators, and predators had an uncontrollable biological urge to maim and maul.
Back then, the world was divided in two. Vicious predator and meek prey.
But over time, we evolved, and moved beyond our primitive savage ways.
Now, predator and prey live in harmony, and every mammal has multitudinous opportunities.
You are in the great city of Zootopia, where our ancestors first joined together in peace, and declared that anyone can be anything.
This museum will show you the way our ancestors have lived, how evolution made us to what we are now, and the most historic moments of the city of Zootopia.
Funded by the Zootopia Government, Mammal Inclusion Initiative, Zootopia Police Department and private donations.
Written by Judith L. Hopps. First bunny police officer of the ZPD.
'What a nice introduction to a museum!' I thought. After this introduction, there were a few exhibits of evolution of various mammals. Bones, rendered pictures, educational movies and so on. Next on were a few historic points in Zootopia in order of the time happening. The big drought, rodent inclusion, Rainforest District fire, and one currently in construction named 'Nighthowler scandal'. Too bad, I enjoyed stories were things go bad but somehow get fixed. I assumed this was one of such stories, I would've loved to see it.
Time passed as I finished my tour through the museum. It seemed like my world, basically. Just with a lot of evolved animals. To be fair, humans are also only evolved animals. These just kept their form.
I left the museum, and stood in front. I looked over the Savannah Plaza again. It began to dawn, and the first lights turned on, filling the plaza with a bunch of various bright colors and light effects. It looked beautiful.
My stomach began to grumble. I haven't eaten for quite a while now. "Let's see what five bucks can give me." I joked at myself.
While I inspected what was around me, I found a little café, much smaller than the one I saw at the station, so I guessed this one was for animals my size. It was a neat, mid-small sized building, painted in a bright light red. The front was made of windows and a glass door that had "Tigrans' café" written on it. There were elegant, but still cheap looking chairs and tables in front, and of course in the café. Definitely a place where 5 bucks could get me a bite. There was a menu board out, and I skimmed through it. It was split in predator and prey meals. So I, as a fox, picked one out of the predatory meals: A small portion of 'Spaghetti Bunnygnese'. I seemed a bit of a stereotype, but I only picked it because it was the only one whose name was familiar and I could think of what it could be. There was a little info at the end of the menu. 'All predator meals have the meat replaced with fish and flavoring agents.'. Weird, but I guessed it made sense, since nobody would agree with being eaten. The museum stated that only mammals and some reptiles evolved, so fish is okay to eat.
I went in and ordered the pasta, and paid the 4,50 bucks, and got back 50 does. I chuckled at the money because of the names, and sat myself down on one of the tables outside. I was now almost fully dark outside, but with all the different lights from shops and venues, it didn't even matter.
The spaghetti definitely smelled of fish, but I didn't care much, fish was alright. I poked my fork in, swirled it around 2 times, and put the little ball of spaghetti in my mouth. It didn't taste like fish at all, to my surprise, although the smell added onto it, making it a nice mix of tastes when I swallowed it. I finished my meal after a couple minutes, and slowly felt tired. I had no place to be yet, or enough money left for a hotel room, assuming they would even accept a 14 years old fox kit. So I had to look out for a place to spend the night.
'What would be a safe place to sleep?' I asked myself and looked around. The only two places would be the City Hall, and the ZPD. They'd be safe for sure. I went up to the City Hall, but there were guards and still hundreds of people walking in and out in all directions. That was too much too sleep. There wasn't even a good spot to do it, without getting chased away by guards, so I went over to the ZPD, which was pretty much next to the City Hall. This looked much better. Rarely a cop going in or out, nobody watching the areas around or the parking lot. The ZPD itself was a massive building. It was made out of stone and glass, with a couple green spots and trees around it. I walked around the bulding, and next to the parking lot was another green spot with a tree and a little bush. I figured I could sleep there, without anybody noticing me until I wake up.
I sat myself down next to the tree, took off my beanie and put it on the ground to use as a pillow. I let out a happy, satisfied sigh, closed my eyes and fell asleep.
The next day; 7:40AM; March 25th, 2017
"Hey buddy, wake up." A gentle deep voice said, and tapped me on my shoulder. "What are you doing out here?"
I opened my eyes slowly, and gave my face a short wake up massage with my paws. 'Huh?' I asked myself.
"Finally, you're awake." The voice said. I turned to see who belongs to the voice. It was an dark brown furred timber wolf, with a white muzzle and dressed in a police uniform.
'Oh crap.' I thought. I didn't want to get problems with the police just after a day.
"What are you doing out here, all alone, sleeping outside?" The wolf asked me curiously.
It had no use to lie, so I told him. "Uhh, I just came to Zootopia, and don't have a place to stay yet." I stuttered.
"New to Zootopia, eh? What's your name?" He asked me, while helping me up from the ground. I put on my beanie again. Luckily my clothes didn't get dirty.
"I'm Mordecai. I'm from Foxwalls, I arrived in the city yesterday." I replied.
"Alright Mordecai. Welcome to Zootopia I'd say. I'm Officer Wolfard. Don't you have any parents with you?"
"No, officer. I don't have any parents. I'm alone here. I didn't run away or anything though, before you ask." I said quickly, making him look surprised. But luckily he didn't go further on my parents.
"Well, you know you can't just sleep outside. Why didn't you come in and say you need help?" He said in a friendly tone. He studied me, giving out a surprised expression. Was it the beanie?
"I don't need help, I think." I stated. I weren't completely sure. I mean I thought I could handle it by myself, although I didn't really knew how.
"You don't need help?" The wolf chuckled. "Then why do you sleep behind a bush?"
"Okay, Officer, you got me." I said with a defeated sigh. I just hoped I wouldn't get on some missing list or be put in foster care.
"Alright, kid. You're coming with me." He said in a protective and calming tone.
I guessed he wouldn't do anything like I had in mind, so I let him lead me into the ZPD building. He brought me to what appeared to be the reception. A huge, and rather chubby cheetah was sitting there, going trough some papers and listening to some to some song. It sounded like Shakira. It had to be Shakira
"Hey Ben, I found this kit sleeping near the parking lot. He's new to town and apparently alone. Would you mind getting someone to take care of him? I'm assigned to patrol with Fangmeyer later on." Wolfard explained to the cheetah.
"Hey Sa… OHMYGOD HE'S SO.." The cheetah began.
"Don't." He interrupted chuckling. "Hold it in, and take care of him."
"Okay Sam. I think WildeHopps are free today." The cheetah responded.
"WildeHopps? Are you being serious?" Wolfard laughed out. "God, you really have to give them a break Clawhauser. Alright then. See you later kid."
The wolf stepped back out outside, and the cheetah leaned over to me.
"Sooooo, you're new in town and lost? I'm Benjamin, we're gonna help you out." He said, completely overwhelmed with joy. I guess he likes me.
"Yeah, though I'm not really lost, I have a map." I joked, making him laugh out loud.
"Okay okay, I'll call someone to take care of you, you'll love them." He replied. He turned to a radio next to his computer. "Hopps, Wilde, I'll need you at the reception. We have a lost fox kit over here."
"Alright, we'll be there in 5." A male voice replied.
"Sit down over there." Clawhauser said, pointing to a set of chairs in the lobby. "They'll be here shortly."
"Alright, thanks!" I smiled, and went over to sit on one of the chairs.
I looked around the interior of the building. Everything was made of stone, glass and wood. There were a few vending machines and plants all around the huge entrance hall. The floor was made out of polished marble, and the lobby had a big police badge printed onto the floor, with the reception right in the center. After a few minutes, a female gray bunny and an male orange fox dressed in police uniforms stepped into the lobby, and walked over to my direction. I guessed that would be Officer Hopps and Officer Wilde.
"Hey there kiddo, I'm Nick. What are you doing out here?" The fox began asking me.
"Uhmm, hi. I'm Mordecai, I came to Zootopia yesterday, and had nowhere to sleep. I figured out the police department would be the safest place to stay overnight." I returned to him, making him chuckle a bit.
"Smart thinking." He said. "So you're all by yourself? Any relatives or parents to call?"
"Thanks, and no, just me." I replied confidently.
"So you'd need a place to stay, before we figure out anything else. I think that one's already sorted for now." He smirked at the bunny. "Where ya from, kid?"
"Foxwalls." I told him. "It's really far away from here, before you wonder. I got here by foot."
"By foot? Jesus Camel." The bunny threw out surprised. "How old are you?"
"I just turned 14 yesterday." I smiled. "And it wasn't too long of a walk."
"Alright, I'll be checking if someone looks out for you, I'll leave you with Officer Hopps for now." Nick said. "And congratulations."
I nodded and thanked him for the congrats, turning around to Officer Hopps.
"Call me Judy. So..." She said, trying to start another sentence, which I interrupted.
"Judy? … Oh sorry for interrupting." I apologized, with her giving a 'don't mind' gesture. "Alright. Judy L. Hopps? I saw your introductionary text at the museum!"
"Leave out the L, please." She laughed. "You've read it? Wow, I think you're to first I know of."
"Yeah, I did. So poetic!" I replied complimentarily.
"Oh, shut it." She blushed. "So, what are you really doing around here?"
"Well, starting a new life basically." I said hesitatingly.
"Oh wow." She said surprised. "Why? You weren't satisfied with your old one?"
"Not … exactly." I told her. "But I'd rather not speak about it."
"Oh, I'm really sorry for you dear." Judy said in an understanding tone. "My apartment may be not the best way of starting a new life though." She joked.
"Your apartment? You're not putting me in any foster care or something?" I asked curiously. "What about you?"
"Oh, I don't need it anymore. I moved last week, but it's still running on me until next month." She replied. "Can you handle yourself somewhat alone? Until we figured out what to do with you, you'd stay there."
"I would say yes. I mean I had to handle myself for the last 7 years." I stated, giving her an even more woeful look.
"Oh my." She let out, before the fox came back.
"Alright, Mordo. I can call you that, right?" He asked. "Let's give you a place to stay so you don't have to spend another night in the cold."
"Yeah, Mordo is alright, and thanks, I really appreciate." I replied thankfully. I was blown away by the fact they're giving me one of their apartments to stay in, without even knowing too much about me. I guessed they wanted me safe before trying to interrogate me on my life.
"Good. Then let's get going Mordo. Do you have anything else with you?" He asked again
"No, just my phone." I said. "Oh do you have a charger for me by any chance? It's a micro-USB port." I hoped they used the same technology as us here.
"Sure, I have one left in the car. You can have it, as long as I can use yours at home?" Judy replied, while looking at Nick.
"Of course Carrots." He said. "Let's go then, the car's in the parking lot. I guess you're familiar with that place already." He smirked, earning a little poke from Judy with her elbow. I chuckled a bit at that tease.
We walked out of the ZPD, after Judy updated Clawhauser on what's happening with me, and got into a black and white police cruiser. It looked like an combination of a Jeep Cherokee and an Hummer Hx. Judy got into the drivers seat, and we drove off.
