I remember feeling like I was drowning, like a dam opened up and it held an infinite amount of water that would never stop flowing. My eyes burned as I tried to open them, and instead of being greeted by my surroundings, it felt as if someone suddenly stuck a red hot poker right through them. My head hurt, worse than I can ever remember. I also felt drained. Physically and emotionally.

I tried to open my eyes again, but even with what little light there was in the room, it was still enough to cause the headache to worsen. I felt around the bed I was in, trying to find anything to remind me where I was, and that this pain wasn't just simply the passing feelings of a dying body. Then I remembered last night.

"Holly? Mark? You guys here?"

Nothing. Were they still asleep? I remember them holding me as I drifted away, but I didn't even know if they had stayed. They said they would never leave me, but here I am, alone and blind, felling helpless. No Olivia! Stop thinking like that! I am not helpless. I need to be strong. I've been nearly blown up, have a giant scar on my face, nearly got eaten. I've been shot, dunked into radioactive waters, even been violated, but I'm still here. I'm still alive. Nate, he's the one I need to be strong for.

I opened my eyes. The pain was great, and I just wanted to close them again, but I forced them to stay open. I slowly moved to get off of the bed, but the moment I stood up, I felt nauseous and lightheaded, causing me to collapse right back onto the bed. I felt better lying down here with my eyes closed, but I needed to see Nate. I needed to be there when he woke up. I tried again.

It took me a good four attempts before I was able to stand on my own. I still felt lightheaded, and every step made me want to puke, but I slowly worked my way out of the room and towards the medical facility. I saw a few Guardians on the way, but none I recognized, although from how some of them gave me a wide berth, they sure as hell recognized me. Was it wrong of me to chuckle internally at the fact, that these Guardians, these trained soldiers, are scared of a tiny bunny who hasn't even been on the surface for a few months? Maybe it was just fact that I probably look like I've gone to Hell and back. I sure do feel like it.

Under normal circumstances, it would have probably only taken me ten minutes to get to the med lab, but with my head pounding, and having to stop a few times to prevent myself from puking, it took me nearly thirty minutes, but I made it. I tried to compose myself better, but I failed miserably as I had to grab the edge of a nearby desk to prevent myself from falling. That caught the Doc's attention. Then I noticed, besides him, the room was empty.

"Where's Nate?"

I felt a spark of anger intertwining with my words. If anything happened to him and no one bothered to wake me? Then this crazy rabbit will show them what crazy really is.

"Oh, Miss Springs, you don't look very well, can I…"

"Where's. Nate?"

"He's fine, I assure you. Unfortunately he's still in a coma, but since there's nothing more to do here, I figured a more comfortable resting accommodation would be deserved. We moved him to some quarters away from most of the activity to give him some peace and quiet while he continues to recover."

The spark of anger faded as I realized he was still okay. Why do I keep snapping like that? I'm worried for him, but Holly's right. I really am letting my emotions get the better of me. I really need to work on that, but it's so hard to do that when bad things keep happening to good mammals.

"You don't look well, is there anything I can do for you?"

"My head hurts. Bad."

"You experiencing nausea and light-headiness?"

I simply nodded.

"Got just the thing for you." The badger moved towards a large cabinet and after a few seconds pulled out a small bottle. He empties its contents into his paw. Two small blue pills. "These will do the trick, here."

He gave them to me along with a small cup of water. The water felt really good as it swept the pills into my stomach. A cool feeling filled my stomach. Then I realized, I wasn't only thirsty, but for the first time in days, I actually felt hungry. Once I checked on Nate and the others, I may have to find some food. Even if it is a powdered gruel.

"Thanks." This must have been some fast working medicine because while the headache wasn't gone, it felt a hundred times better. "Wow, these things sure kick in quick."

"Headaches like that are not uncommon here. You'll need to take it easy for a bit and drink plenty of fluids, but otherwise you should be fine."

"Could I get a few for the road?"

"Afraid not. These are highly addictive, and very dangerous. Two pills can cure a migraine, four pills will make sure you never have one again."

"I'd love to never get one of these again."

"Um, I think you missed the point. Too many can kill you."

"Oh. Yeah, don't think the others would take too kindly on that."

"You best be on your way Miss Springs. I have Nate's vitals connected to my office, so if there's any change what so ever, I will make sure you are the first to know about it."

"Thank you. And, sorry for snapping."

"I'm used to it, and given the circumstances, I'd be worried if you didn't snap, just take it easy on some of the Guardians. Not everyone is used to being yelled at. Good day Miss Springs."

What did he…? Oh. Tuskgen. If it wasn't for Mark and Holly… I'll need to apologize to her for that. I didn't mean it, I wasn't myself then. I just don't know what to do to in order to make sure it doesn't happen again. Since I left the Burrow, it feels as if I've split the wasteland into two. Half of it wants to kill me, while the other half is scared of me. There are only a few beacons of light in my life and I need to make sure that I don't drive them away. Or get them extinguished.

I had forgotten to ask the doctor where exactly these quieter quarters were, so I found myself wandering the hallways of the base. With my headache mostly subdued, I was able to move at a much quicker pace. I kept my eyes open for any mammal to ask, or any signs to point me in the right direction, but when he said this was a quieter area, he wasn't kidding. Save for a few automated task robots, it was lifeless. I was about to give up and go back to ask where this place was when I heard someone talking. No, it wasn't talking, it was singing.

It sounded like a rather sad song, but it wasn't the singing that caught my attention really, it was the sound of crying between verses. I slowly followed the music until I was at a door partially opened. I slowly pushed it and saw Nate laying on a bed, small machines with wires and hoses leading from them to his body. There, sitting on a small chair by the side of the bed, was Mark.

I moved up behind him and put my paw on his shoulder. I wasn't trying to scare him, but I also didn't want him to stop. The song was sad, but at the same time it felt right to be hearing it.

"Holly?"

"It's me."

"Oh. You…" he made a motion with his paw, probably trying to wipe the tears off of his face, "…how you doing?"

"I'm okay, I think. How about you?"

"I'm… I'm scared. We've been through a lot together, especially in the Burrow. I've always been there for him, always found some way to help him, but now? I'm feeling helpless as he lies here. I want to do something for my brother, but besides praying for him, I don't know what else to do."

I moved my paw and hugged Mark. "I know exactly what you're going through. I feel helpless as well. I feel like there's something I should be doing to help, but for the life of me I can't think what."

Mark moved his paws and held mine. "You know he loves you, right? Deeper than I think it was even possible for him to. The thing is, in the past he'd always done what he could to watch out for Holly and me, but when things got really bad, he often was too scared, or too broken, to do much. It didn't bother me or Holly at all. We know how he thinks, how he works, and more often than not, it's us saving his scrawny butt. But then you came along and, well, it seemed to have opened up something deep inside, something neither of us knew he had. Heck, I don't even think he knew he had it. Now, when I see him together with you, and how he goes out of his way, out of his own comfort zones to protect you? It feels like you have done so much for him in such a little time than I could ever have in my entire life."

He was crying again, but this time he wasn't trying to hide it. "You… I'm not trying to take him away from you."

"No, that's… that's not what I mean. I'm happy for this change, I really am. I couldn't be any more proud of my little brother. He's turned into someone far greater than I ever thought possible. And I have you to thank for it. You really are the best thing that could have ever happened to him."

I didn't know how to respond. I know that he and Holly have told me how much Nate cared for me, but to hear it put like this, to hear his own brother tell me with such emotion tied to it, if I didn't believe it before, it was impossible to deny it now.

"I'm afraid."

His words caught me off-guard. Not what he said, but how he said it. His voice was filled with such pure unadulterated fear.

"We're all afraid Mark."

"No, I mean. There's an unspoken bond between most siblings. Sure, some might act like they hate each other, but deep down, there's a love that binds them more than just biologically. This love instills each of them to protect one another. To share each other's joys, to feel each other's pain. The thing is, I'm afraid that after everything that has happened that I'm not loving him nearly as much as a brother should, that I've failed him somehow as family."

"You have not failed him. You have stuck by his side this entire time, right?" He simply nodded, tears falling heavier than before. "Holly told me what happened to him when you two were kids. What happened up until you two left the Burrow. Did you ever abandon him then? Do you plan on abandoning him now?"

"N-no."

"Then that shows you still love him. Sure, I might get a bit too violent and emotional when it comes to my love for him, but that's me. You show it differently, and without you and Holly, I don't think he would have ever survived long enough to even meet me. If what you two say is true, and I have helped shape him into who is he today, it also stands to reason that you have helped shape him into the mammal that was able to make it till today."

I felt his paws grip mine tighter as I held him even more so. Neither of us had anything else to say, there really wasn't much else to. We both sat there in a few moments of silence, sharing each other's tears until he started to softly sing again. While I didn't know the words, I started to join in. It was a sad song, but now was a time to be sad.

"Hey Mark, have you seen… oh. You two look like a mess."

If this was any other time, I'm sure Holly would have made a teasing remark at the fact I had my arms wrapped around her boyfriend, but I could tell that she was taking this entire thing just as hard. We both stopped singing as we turned towards Holly who was slowly approaching us. When she got close enough, she joined in on the hugging. It was nice to not feel alone.

"So 'livi, how you holding up?"

"I'm doing dandy, can't you tell?"

"Keep that up and I'll have to question why you have your paws wrapped around my fox. Seriously though, you doing okay? Yesterday you were a little…"

"I'm not going to lie and say it's in the past. When I woke and saw Nate wasn't in the med lab anymore, I nearly snapped again thinking the worst. I'm trying though. I really am. It's just, hard, you know?"

"Yeah, I can understand. You're a good girl 'livi, you just have a few loose wires is all."

"Heh, I can fix everything but myself."

"That's why you need to be strong. Don't hope that Nate will wake, know he will. You've done so much to fix him, I have a feeling that after this whole ordeal is over, he might be the one fixing you for a change."

I was going to make a remark at that, but my stomach reminded me of how hungry I was. It was so loud I think everyone heard it.

"Someone's hungry. Not surprised. You haven't eaten a good meal in days. Any longer and I was gonna have the Doc hook you up to an I.V. and force it in you."

"Yeah, I think I'm actually willing to eat something."

Holly must have noticed that I was staring at Nate this entire time. "He'll be right here waiting for you. I gave the Doc your Pip-Boar comm-link identifier. Told him that as soon as he regains consciousness that you are the first to be contacted."

"T-thank you."

I knew he had said he would contact me, but I didn't realize how. Having a direct link to Nate made me feel ever so slightly better at leaving him. I still didn't want to, but I knew I couldn't just spend my entire life in this room waiting for him to wake. Mark and Holly got up and headed towards the door, but before I joined them I moved close to Nate. He had a breathing tube in his mouth so I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I love you."

Someone must have told Bo that I was coming because he had brought some more fresh food from the garden. It still wasn't the prettiest looking vegetables I've seen, but it was so much better than these rations. Bo was actually in the kitchen with the on-duty chef preparing the food. It seems that bison was a mammal of many talents. There were so many intoxicating smells coming from there, but one caught my nose above all else.

"What is that? It smells really good."

"Got mushrooms, asparagus, fried leeks and tuna, working on some carrots for you Olivia."

"Actually, can I have the fish?"

Everyone stopped talking and I could feel all of their eyes focused right on the rabbit who just ordered meat. I could have sworn I saw a few worried looks in a few of the Defenders.

"Yeah, long story. Turns out I'm a rabbit who can digest meat, who knew? So, may I have some of that fish? Getting a bit tired of carrots."

"Uh…" Bo wasn't sure how to respond.

"Yeah, she's a strange bunny, but it's okay, she can handle it. She's already had trout." Holly seemed to be having a bit too much fun with freaking out the Guardians in the room.

"Sure…"

"You really know how to capture a crowd, don't you 'livi?"

"Kinda forgot about it honestly. Smelled nice and I really am getting tired of having carrots all the time."

"I know you liked that trout that Nate had, but after everything, with the other rabbits…"

I had actually forgotten about that Burrow. I was too busy blaming myself for everything that happened, I just didn't even put two and two together.

"I didn't order rabbit or anything. Plus, I don't know. Yeah, I did like the taste, but is it weird to say that part of me thinks that I'm somehow sharing my taste of it with him?"

"A bit, but a marking can do weird things to a mammals brain, and being that you're already part fox, I'm sure it's effecting you in a way that Mark and I couldn't even begin to comprehend. Could you… could you really smell him back there?"

"Yeah. I couldn't explain it if I tried, but not only did I smell his own aroma, but I could smell his fear as well. It was strong, strong enough that it was like there was a path to him being drawn right before my eyes. Are you telling me that neither of you have had a feeling like that?"

"Honestly? No. Sure, sitting here I can smell Mark clear as day, but put me out of this room? I would probably lose it. Only time it's ever stronger is when we are, well… you know."

"She's right. I have a much better nose than her, but even then I wouldn't be able to smell her scent much farther than this room. If it was a fresh marking, maybe, but you two haven't remarked, have you?"

"Wait, you have to re-mark?"

"Yeah. Not like every day of course. After a few months, especially if you've been taking a lot of showers, it can be necessary. Unless you, unless you, well… what she was trying to say."

"Nate and I have actually only done it once. Both 'it's, It's just. It was just as strong, if not stronger than even the day he marked me. It also made it hard to focus on anything else other than saving him. At that point, nothing else in the world mattered."

"We could tell."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Yes, you need to work on that short fuse you've seemed to have developed, but don't stop trying to protect those you love. To be honest, while I don't agree with what happened initially, if we had taken it any slower, Nate might have not lived long enough to save you. Right now I would love nothing more than to drop a nuke into that Burrow." Holly seemed very serious about that last part.

"If we stumbled upon that place a few weeks ago, I probably would have not wanted to leave until we freed those rabbits being kept as food. Now? I couldn't give a fuck about that place. Let the Guardians deal with it. I don't ever want to go back to that place."

Bo brought us our food, but seemed a little hesitant about putting the fish in front of me. I assured him that it was okay. I really hadn't been thinking about those murderous rabbits when I ordered the fish, but now as I looked at it, poking it with my fork as I watched it flake into pieces, it was now fresh on my mind. I closed my eyes and breathed. I pushed that image out of my head and inhaled the smell of the food. It didn't smell like blood, it didn't smell like a rotting corpse. It smelled like food. This was fish, not rabbit. I may be able to eat meat, but I'll never resort to eating a rabbit, or any mammal, no matter the circumstances.

I put the food into my mouth and started to chew. It was good, really good. The fish was soft and tender, but the fried skin gave it a bit of a crunch. The thoughts of that Burrow melted away as my stomach started to thank me for finally feeding it. I think everyone was staring at me, watching, probably for the first time a rabbit eating meat, but when I went to return their glares, they all acted like nothing happened and went back to their own selves.

"This is pretty good."

"You really are an odd rabbit Olivia Springs." Bo still seemed surprised, but was slowly fading into acceptance.

"So people keep telling me. Okay Holly, out with it. You've been looking like you had to say something for a while now."

"Yeah. Well, Tuskgen has compiled a few places for the parts we need for the arm."

I had also forgotten about that. I was so worried about whether or not he would live, that I had kept ignoring the fact that he was currently missing one of his appendages. "Go on."

"There's actually an old robotics facility nearby, about an hour away by Tac that is. While she says it has been heavily picked over, what she needs is so small that it's possible that the items may still be there, hidden away in some nook or cranny."

"So, when we leave?" Mark and Holly stopped eating and just stared at me. "What? I don't want to leave Nate, but I'm also feeling helpless at the moment. If there is anything that I can do to help him recover, I need to be able to do it. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I missed an opportunity to help. Plus scrounging up random parts is kinda my thing."

"You sure? Tuskgen says that Jasmine needs to work out a few things in her custom armor, so they were going to both go. From what the Agents tell us, it's relatively safe. Guess all the scavengers figured it was too picked over and it doesn't really serve any significant advantage for a raider group to take it over."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Plus if Jasmine is going, I haven't spent enough time really getting to know her. Think it be good for the both of us."

"Well, if you're sure. Some fresh air wouldn't hurt either."

"Did I hear my name?"

Jasmine came walking in with Zack by her side. It was an odd pairing, her nearly three times his height, but it didn't seem to affect him the slightest.

"Yeah, we were just talking about you, come sit with us."

They both grabbed some food and then moved and sat down next to us.

"Um, how are… well…"

She was a bit hesitant about saying it for some reason, but I knew what she wanted to ask. It was what all my friends were asking me.

"I'm doing okay. Not a hundred percent, but working on it."

"T-that's good. What is that you're… is that…" She had a very worried expression on her face, "are you eating… you know that is…"

Holly just smiled at the baffled giraffe. "Yeah. She's eating meat, and yes, she is well aware of her species. Long story short, she's part fox."

"Part. Fox? How is that even…"

"Unless you want a headache, it's best not to think of it right now. The Doc will tell you all about it. He's the one who discovered it."

She still seemed horribly confused. Something tells me it's not very hard to confuse her.

"There, there Jay-Jay."

"Jay-Jay?" I gave Zack a questioning look.

"He's come to call me that. I… I kinda like it actually."

"That's cute. Maybe when Nate wakes up, we can have a double wedding."

Both Zack and Jasmine spit out their food and gave me a look as if they were asking me if I really said that. I needed to stop thinking about if Nate wakes up, and start to tell me that he will wake up. If I can make myself see that in a positive light, then maybe that'll be my next step in trying to control this depression welling up in me. I'm afraid of what will happen if it ever took over. Again.

"She's kidding." Holly looked as if she was trying to hide a snicker.

"Yes, well, we've only just gotten to know each other. I do think that would be rushing things rather quickly." Zack had a slightly worried tone to his speech.

"Actually, what I meant was that Mark and I haven't officially tied the knot yet, so I was thinking we could have a triple wedding."

I was expecting some snickering, and some more of that questionable look from Zack and Jasmine's faces, but what I didn't expect was to see Jasmine suddenly faint. A giraffe fainting is not a pretty sight, especially when there are movable objects nearby. Large, movable objects nearby.

We all got up and rushed to her side. It took a few attempts, but we finally got her to wake up.

"I… I… I…" She was stuttering uncontrollably.

"Way to go Holly, you have officially knocked someone unconscious with your teasing."

"I didn't expect her to faint!"

"You okay Jasmine?"

"I… I think so?"

"Holly was only teasing you. It's what she does, and apparently too well for her own good. Hey Zack, go get her some water."

"Yes Ma'am!" Every time anyone gives him something to do, he always seems to take it as an order. I'm not even in the Guardians and he's addressing me like I was.

Once he was out of earshot, I knelled close to Jasmine's head. "So, between us, do you like him?"

"I… I… think?"

"Well, he sure seems enamored with you. Take it from us, it's never a bad thing to have someone who cares for you at your side."

Zack returned with a large pitcher of water and a large straw. Jasmine's long tongue wrapped around the straw, bringing it close enough for her to drink. I think she was a bit nervous having Zack close enough that she could probably feel his body heat because she gulped down that entire pitcher without breathing, only to take a huge gulp of air when she was done.

"Feel better?"

"Y-yes. I do."

"Is everything alright here?" Tuskgen was at the doorway. Her voice was so quiet that if you weren't looking at her, you would never tell she was a two ton elephant.

"Yeah, just had a little incident is all. Everyone's fine." I needed to apologize to her, really apologize. I got up and moved towards her, but she took a step back. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry for what happened. I really am. I wasn't myself. I know you've probably heard some stories about me, and yes, most if not all of them are true, but you can understand that I'm going through some difficult times right now, but that is no excuse for taking it out on someone who only wants to help, and I can tell you genuinely want to."

"I shouldn't have reacted like that, it's just that, for such a small mammal, you are very scary." She was very blunt apparently.

"Yeah, I'm trying to work on that. I won't promise that I'll never snap again, until Nate is fully recovered I'm not going to be myself, but I do promise you this. No matter what happens, I will do no harm to you. I don't think Nate would be very happy to hear I hurt someone trying to help."

"I-I'll try not to do or say anything to set you off."

"Don't say that. All I want from you is for you to keep trying your best to help Nate, that's all."

"I promise."

"Now, I hear you're taking Jasmine to a place that might have the parts for Nate's arm?"

"Yes. I was actually coming to get her now. We leave in twenty minutes."

"Great. I'm coming with you." Her expression was that of worry when I said that. "I have to do something to help him, besides. You said it yourself that I'm a scary mammal, and you're an ally. Imagine how my enemies see me. You're probably safer with me around. Now, let's go build us an arm."

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Good morning Zootopian Wasteland! Now, before I begin, I'm sure you have already noticed that I sound a bit… different. That's because of today's interview, or rather, where it would be taking place. It seems that I'm not only banned from the city of Hope, but rather unwelcomed within Guardian HQ where our interviewee, one Mark Valiant, is currently at. BUT! I always find a way to bring you everything, no matter how badly it hurts Max, so I asked my partner Max here to be so kind as to bring a radio in with him where I will be conducting the interview from the comfort of my own home. So Max, we ready?"

[Max]

"Ooone second here Stripes… Right okay I've got this stupid thing shut down for the moment so he won't hear what I have to say. I'll let his question through just so we can gauge how stupid it is, and if by some brilliant stroke of luck it isn't, I'll either let ya answer it or figure a better question for ya. Trust me, I've been slippin' this past his drunk ass for months now. Works like a dream!… Right then… Sorry about that Stripes, seems we're having some intermittent reception issues here so you might get cut out a few times."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Really? Because it sounded to me that you shut it off, but rad storms do have the tendency to interrupt radio messages, so, let us just begin with something simple like always. Recently there have been many events that have prevented you from returning to your home within your bunker. Tell us, do you miss that place?"

[Mark] (Glancing at Max for go ahead.)

"Er… Yeah, yeah we're all kinda missing the familiarity right now. It's… Difficult."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"I'm sure it is, especially having to be constantly around a certain wolf whom the last time I saw I was sure he was going to shoot me… Now with recent events, there's not a whole lot of 'happy' questions to ask you, so I will try to keep them as calm as possible, however, after what happened to your brother, how do you feel about this whole situation that the three of you, meaning you, Nate, and Holly, have been dragged into? Do you ever regret the continued following of a certain rabbit?"

[Max]

"Shit… Sorry about that. You don't have to answer that one. He doesn't always think straight when a traumatic event has just taken place around others… I can, er… Give ya something else to answer if you want."

[Mark]

"I… Um… I think I can handle this one, just give me the go ahead when you've put him back on."

[Max]

"Sorry, any time you'd like now Mister Valiant."

[Mark]

"Right… We don't regret it for a second. Olivia is part of our family now, and she will be for as long as any of us still draw breath. Y-Yes it's been difficult and there have been painful moments. I-I don't even know if my brother is gonna pull through right now and that could very well kill Olivia. Holly's sitting with her right now and I'll need to head back there once this is over, but no. We have no regrets about her or following her. She's our family and that's that."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"How exactly is your brother doing? Things have not looked very pleasing on our end."

[Mark]

"How did you even…"

[Max] (Cutting the radio again)

"Honestly I have no clue and since we're not family we technically don't have any right to an answer right now so we can just skip this one. I think it'd be for the best anyhow."

[Mark]

"Th-thank you… I… Really. No one's really ever looked out for us like this. It's, it's really trying on us right now and I just… I really don't wanna focus on that."

[Max]

"Hey… Hey deep breathes now. I know what it's like. I really do, so take it slow and just nod to me if you're too uncomfortable and I'll cut us off and just let Stripes think we'd lost the signal. I didn't wanna do this at this time anyhow, but the Chief encouraged me to give you a friendly ear to talk to at least so I'll do my best to be a good distraction… And my damnedest to keep Stripes from interfering too long. Which reminds me… Did ya get that Stripes? No update right now, signal is really being wonky here."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"No update yet? Hmm, hope things are okay with him. Let us break away from this rather depressing venue and move onto something that I'm curious about. I heard it through the grapevine that you enjoy singing and even have a musical instrument of your own, a banjo was it?"

[Mark]

"Violin… I… I play a violin."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Close enough. How come you don't play it at all? I'm sure the audience would love to hear it."

[Mark]

"Don't… Don't do crowds, stage fright freezes me up. And they're nothing alike! A violin is a master's instrument! Anyone can pick a banjo up and strum something out but a Violin takes months of practice and YEARS of mastering!"

[Max]

"STRIPES! I warned you about making off paw remarks like that damn it!"

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Hey now, I'm not the musically gifted one here. I think I've tried my hooves at a drum-set I found once, however that turned out badly when my hoof went right through it… anyways, next question. I know that it has seemed rather… quick, but what is your opinion on both Jasmine and her developing relationship with Stalker Zachariah Grant? I know this has been asked of Holly before, but does both their rapid relationship and the one between your brother and Olivia ever make you feel… I don't know, jealous?"

[Mark]

"Why in the hell would I be jealous? So they've found comfort and love in another and it's developed and bloomed quickly! I'm happy for em and I hope everything works out. Jasmine is a fine girl once you get to know her and Zack is surely dedicated to keeping her safe and happy. Just as Nate and I are in our respective relationships."

[Max]

"Damn stupid Zebra… Gonna cut it here for a few seconds, let you catch your breath and even yourself out. Believe me, if you wanna punch him, which you honestly don't look to be the normal type to wanna do that, there's a queue forming right behind me… I think it's at three hundred eighty-two mammals now…?"

[Mark]

"… Really? It… It's that small? Er… Th-thanks again by the way. For having my back through this."

[Max]

"Heh, hey, us vulpine gotta stick together in this crazy world sometimes. And I know right? Celeste and I swear it should be in the thousands by now… But eh."

[Mark]

"Soo uh… Where are you and your girlfriend in that list…?"

[Max]

"… One eighty-five… Everyone thinks I'm number one on that list buuut nope. Mayor Swift is actually… Heh. Anyhow… Stripes, you hear me? We cut out there again."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"It's a clear day out there, isn't it? Let's just get back to your brother. While I know all of us wish him the best at his recovery, lets say, for just a moment, that he didn't make it, that he never woke from this coma he is currently in. What would you do?"

[Mark]

"…Nope, not answering that. Step too far and you've pretty much ensured I'm not doing another one of these with you. Max or his Girlfriend Celeste probably, but nope, not you."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"A simple no would have sufficed. Remember, I'm not forcing this, I'm simply asking the questions no one else will. Hearing your current mood, I think I am going to take a step back, figuratively speaking, and let Max ask some questions while I… ahem, take care of something."

[Max]

"So… Wow… Shoulda seen him going for that. Sorry about not stopping him mid stride there but you held your own. SO why don't we focus on something that's more your… Tenor. Yes I'm making a musical joke and I know it's hashy as hell so keep the snickering up."

[Mark]

"N-no… No that's, that's just fine. I think I needed that little chuckle. And thanks, but I don't think I'll be answering any further familial questions on here."

[Max]

"That's not a problem. So, I understand you love music. Honestly I'll encourage that until my dying breath. Music is the voice of the soul and today it's very under-appreciated. So in that guise I'm curious as to what forms of music you prefer, vocal, instrumental, classical… Please enlighten us."

[Mark]

"Well, I'm a voracious reader and musician. So almost any piece of music harkens to me. But if we're gonna be a bit more specific. I am a Jazz Fox and a Classical Fox. I have been in love with those two forms of music for as long as I can remember. Jazz just sings to my heart while Classical expounds upon my soul and lets me experience a full breath of emotions. Of course I'm not opposed to a number of Rock and Roll songs or certain other types of music. Though Country and Rap are not part of my repertoire. I just… Can't stand either one of those formats."

[Max]

"Well I've always found myself a bit of a metal fan so I can't complain much on where you're coming from there. Thank you though Mister Valiant. It's refreshing to know music lovers still exist out there in the wasteland… Oh! I almost forgot, an Arctic Fox Named Andy asked me to give this to you. It's apparently a large digital collection of music that was played all over Zootopia some two hundred years back. He said he thought you'd appreciate this little gift from the past."

[Mark]

"That… ReallY?! That's wonderful, seriously! I'll definitely take care of this and make sure others get to hear it too. This is… Marion this is amazing! A-And please. Mark is just fine."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Well I'm back folks. Fresh vegetables are great and all, but I really need to double check my source for them next time. Anyways, I want to ask you something, something that has nothing to do with your brother and his condition. Out of every raider group out there, especially after everything you have been through with some of them, who do you think is the most immediate danger to this world?"

[Mark]

"Oh… Great… You again. I have no further opinions to offer you sir. Good Day."

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Did I hear something about Andy the fox from ZNN? Did he even sign off on this? You know what, I don't want to know. About that last question Mister Valiant?"

[Max]

"I think you've used all of your credits up on this one Stripes, better cut off now while you still have a chance…"

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Credits? This isn't some video game. It's kind of hard doing your job when no one likes you for doing it. Can I at least ask Mister Valiant one last question? It has to do with books, I know he likes books."

[Mark]

"We're sorry, the mammal or mammals you're attempting to interview are not available at this time. Please hang up and try again later…"

[Stripes] (through radio)

"Can I at least ask if he has any to borrow? I hear he has a copy of Fifty Shades of Fur and the Camel Sutra…"

[Max]

"Right, that's it. Cutting it off. No more of that and no more need be said."

[Mark]

"How… HOW do you survive working under him? I mean really?! Where does he even get his information? Never even heard of a 'Camel Sutra' was it…?"

[Max]

"Well… It used to be an inordinate amount of strong whiskey, but he'd always end up digging into my stash. That and Celeste got me off of drinking most of that gut rot. Which my liver thanks you for sweetheart! And as for his information strings…? Lord only knows. Honestly I'm really hoping Mister Lagopus gets ZNN back up and running. I'm tired of working under Stripes. I really, really am."

[Mark]

"Well… I dunno, Guardians could always use a good Public Relations representative. They might wanna pick you up too!"

[Max]

"… Huh. Never thought of that. I'll have ta check that up later then. Well Mark, thank you for sticking with me through this and I'm sorry I couldn't be a better buffer for ya. I'm sure your family is missing you so you'd best be off. AS for the rest of you listeners out there. I hope you've enjoyed the show and always remember, if you're curious about some piece of the Wasteland, or there's a mammal you wanna hear more from. Please let us know! We're always looking for exciting stories to throw out there for you all!"