Karen Skippel was happy for her stable job as Lead Technical Officer at precinct one, though she admitted to herself that she could have done less with some of the drama it took to get her there. As the second bunny on the ZPD, she had unavoidably been compared, rather unfavorably, to Judy Hopps. Karen's skill was with computers, and she lacked both the courage and raw physical ability of her counterpart. As an arctic hare with no siblings, the big space in her brain that would have been devoted to learning hundreds of siblings' names and personalities was barren, and eager for some sort of information.
So, Karen got into computers, data analysis, and pattern recognition, and had some hacking skills, as well. Left idle, she might easily have been tempted to use her skills for selfish, criminal gain. However, her father Harold sensed that she might become a misanthrope. He explained to her that in Zootopia, there are so many mammals that want to do things for selfish gain, and it takes a truly special animal to be selfless. Karen thought this was pretty hokey, until she reflected that her father had given up a lot to help raise her correctly following the death of his wife during her childbirth. He also never remarried, showing his devotion was to his daughter and his wife's memory. Karen decided she'd try to use her powers for "good".
Of all the places to end up, the same precinct with Judy Hopps was not what Karen had wanted. Karen was reserved, quiet, blunt, and came from a small family, and basically none of that was true about Judy. Karen resented when Judy wanted to make friends with her just because they were both lapine. But a dangerous case or two later, Karen started letting her guard down and letting Judy into her life, a bit at a time.
Ironically, each time she let her defenses down around Judy, her life started getting better, bit by bit.
Her social skills were lacking and what sort of mammal she might be attracted to was a mystery, even to her. Karen was also traumatized by one dangerous case she was a part of. She suffered nightmares and panic attacks from her near death experience and physical and mental torture. Letting Judy in again also caused Nick Wilde to get involved, a fox whom Karen liked even less than Judy due to his self-assured and cocky nature, but, there they went again and made her life better.
She was introduced to Crystal Lumi, an exuberant female snow leopard who ended up being everything she wanted in a partner. Crystal was vivacious, friendly, playful, cuddly, and she could make winsome purring chirps. Karen found that this was the first time she felt this way about anyone, and quickly let Crystal know that she didn't want to lose her.
For Crystal's part, she had always been attracted to small prey girls. She loved the idea of scooping them up in her arms and giving them protective hugs. Crystal's passion was acting, and she toured in a mildly successful theater troupe before being discovered by chance to star in a movie. The movie was Infection: K9, a loose retelling of the Canine Virus that had swept across Zootopia, and that Karen coincidentally had a part in helping stop.
Crystal's portrayal of the villain was both praised and panned as being bombastic, hammy, and maybe even overacted. However, there was no doubt that she had great control over her emotions and facial expressions, and she was signed on for several other movies, nearly one a year. Because of her acting style, she was typecast into comedies and other frivolous "joke" characters, because none of her directors thought she could act seriously. She even tried some voice acting, but it was always exuberant, loud characters.
Between takes on one set, Crystal got a call from Karen; she knew she wouldn't call unless it was important. Right when they were ready to start the take, Crystal apologized and excused herself. Her director, a Thompson's gazelle, angrily followed her to instruct her that they were filming at this particular hour for a reason.
"Oh, what's the matter, sweetie?" Crystal said worriedly into her phone. "I know, honey, I know. I wish you didn't have to work on something so frightening while I'm away... I'll give you extra hugs and cuddles when I get home, okay? ...Okay, be sure to hug that full-size snow leopard plushie I got for you, okay? Cuddle it to sleep. ...No, it's not stupid! I hugged it to put extra love and care into it just for you, so don't waste it... Hmhm, love you, sweetheart, take care of yourself, and I'll see you soon."
The director raised an eyebrow. He had no idea if Crystal was talking to her mate or her child, but the depth in Crystal's emotion and facial expressions was apparent, even over a voice-only call. He decided to file this in the back of his mind and call upon her the next time he had a romantic comedy to film, and decided to let Crystal try a role as the leading lady. She did quite well.
Karen always did watch Crystal's movies, every single one, some multiple times. Even though she knew Crystal was acting, Karen still covered her eyes with her ears when Crystal had to act romantic and smooch with other mammals in her movies.
Crystal never revealed to anyone that she was in love with an arctic hare. This was a protection for both of them; she knew Karen would not fare well if accosted by paparazzi, and might even fall into a panic. Crystal also was growing uneasy at some steadily growing movements that were speaking out against pred/prey relationships, and Crystal didn't want any reproach to come onto either of them.
There was a citizen of Zootopia even more marginalized than a predator and prey relationship. She had a love for the world, and especially Zootopia, but was starting to have a hard time seeing that love return to her. Though she wore a pleasant expression, her heart often ached at how hateful the world could be.