Creator questions
What's your name (real or screen, your choice)
SmilingDolphins or :Dolphins
Tell me about yourself, age, where you're from, what you do, anything you want others to know about you, sex, etc.
I am a 13-year-old mixed straight male and I have lived in Texas for my entire life. My favorite vacation spot is Lake Tahoe. Some hobbies of mine are reading, woodworking, sword fighting, writing, playing video games, and hanging out with my girlfriend, who is the inspiration for Pulchra, and who I have nicknamed Lady-Orca. We have been together for 3 years. I want to be a business owner and engineer. I have 3 brothers and I am a new uncle, which I'm still excited about. I love Star Wars and it is the best thing ever, right after Zootopia, of course. I also love bass fishing with my dad, which is our special father-son pastime. My PB is 5 pounds, 7 ounces, which for those that don't bass fish, is huge! I also play the trumpet and play in my school's most prestigious bands, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. During the hot Texas summer, my family and I enjoy taking our boat out on Lake Travis with our cousins who have their own boat as well. My dream car is a 1965 classic Ford Mustang, cherry red, so feel free to buy me one.
What brought you to the Zootopia fandom?
One day I just realized that Zootopia had ended on a massive romantical cliff-hanger, with the bait of Wildehopps being too tempting to thousands of people. I looked up some fan-fics and the first one(you always remember your first time ;D) I found was "At The Beginning" by WingedKatt. I began to read more fics, then decided to start my own fic about Zootopia+Vampires, called Bloodbunny. I'm rewriting Bloodbunny and making it much better than the original. I'm also working on something called the Origins trilogy, which involves Wolfx1120 and FairlyOddFaller's, along with my own OC's origins stories as college buddies.
Who is your OC today?
My OC's name is Delphin Aureum Mare (This is his official name, but my stories have varying names for my OC). He is the Director of M.O.I.A, the Mammalian Ocean Intelligence Agency.
What animal are they?
Delphin is a purebred Bottlenose Dolphin. Tursiops truncatus.
In the movie, the creators went to great lengths and efforts to make the characters as much like their real-life counterparts as possible. Why choose an anthropomorphic dolphin as a character?
Well, it's mainly for two reasons. One is that dolphins are badass, smart, and just look so damn happy. The second is because I've always liked to stand out. I enjoy being different than what one would consider normal. It's just the way I am.
In your AU do you see dolphins as being a rare sighting or common in zootopia?
Well, in my AU, for Zootopia, or really anywhere above water it is rare to see them, along with other animals such as sharks, orcas, and larger fish. But, under the ocean, they are quite plentiful. Bottlenose and a few other species have developed sweat glands, allowing them to be on land for an extended period of time before needing a good 5-minute soak. Some dolphin species however have not developed sweat glands, meaning they are still ocean-bound.
Is there a line of communication or regular relations between aquatic mammals and land mammals?
Well, there are the matters of things like borders, negotiations, wars, that kind of thing. Each ocean is considered its own country (the mammalian ocean replaces the Atlantic ocean), so it has diplomats and ambassadors. Sometimes land mammals will come to the ocean, and sometimes ocean mammals will go on land. They usually alternate, to try and keep it fair. There are also border patrols and things like that, just like with any other country. Ocean City is the Mammalian Ocean's capital, and is one of the few cities that are actually domed, and not fully submerged underwater, allowing land mammals to visit the country's main city. MOIA headquarters is also located in Ocean City.
What do they look like? Special markings, colorations, etc.
Delphin is 36 years old. He has short, curly, dark brown hair. His eyes are hazel with streaks of green in them. His tail has a nick where it was cut by the shrapnel of an underwater mine. He is a full-grown dolphin, meaning he's about 12-13 feet tall when standing straight up. He has a VERY muscular and buff build. "You could grind meat on that stomach!" -Crodut Fingul Sangelui, The Tasso Chapters. Always on his wrist is his watch, which was given to him by his father before his father and mother went MIA. Don't touch the watch, as you could kill yourself. He is usually wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, along with a gold chain. On his finger is a ring made from a large chunk of gold he "found" while on a mission. When he's at the MOIA, or on agency business he's usually in a dark ocean blue tuxedo, looking very debonair. Whenever he's chilling at home with his wife, he usually likes to wear weathered jeans, a button-up shirt, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat.
What inspired you to create them?
I love dolphins for their playful nature, incredible intelligence, and awesome looks. If I got reincarnated as an animal, I would 100% want to be a dolphin, no doubt about it.
What are they like?
Delphin's mood usually reflects the situation he's in. Most of the time he is either embarrassed or playful though. Pulchra and Delphin switch on and off between being embarrassed by suggestive comments, to being the ones making them at each other. But when he's in a bad mood, it hits the mammals around him hard. He doesn't really have a setting from 0 to 10 so he's never in the middle about his emotions. If he's happy, you will know. If he's confused, you'll be able to tell. If he's angry(especially at you), then run. He is from the southern part of the ocean as well, so he has a southern accent, just like me.
What's their family life like?
When Delphin was 8 years old, his mother and father, both M.O.I.A agents, went MIA (Missing In Action). At least that's what everyone thinks is what happened. Delphin, and his brother, Trey, were raised by his father's best friend, Oscissor Duken alongside Oscissor's daughter, Pulchra. Delphins brother never wanted to go into the family business of espionage, so he lives in Mare Manor, Delphin's home until his parents went missing. Mare Manor is in the underwater city of Porposia, which is actually in the Mediterranian, near Greece. Because Delphin is the director of the M.O.I.A and a spy, and a good one at that, he has multiple enemies. Mare Manor has multiple security measures in place to protect Delphin's childhood home and family.
Do they have a love interest?
Yes of course! There is his beautiful Lady Orca. That's not her real name, obviously. Her real name is Pulchra Ballena Mare. She is, of course, an Orca, or Killer Whale. They have been married for 8 years, ever since he got promoted to Director of the M.O.I.A(which is a long story). Once he got promoted, he felt he was "at the top" and finally asked her to marry him with no worries for their safety as an interspecies couple. Also, Delphin and Pulchra are technically in a pred-prey relationship, as bottlenose dolphins are orcas' ancient primary food source. They live on the coast of Greece(Greecamal?), in a cliffside mansion(think Tony Stark's house). They both love telling the story of how they met, though it can freak other mammals out. Every day, they take a special underwater car/sub to Ocean City, where M.O.I.A HQ is stationed, deep in the south mammalian ocean. Delphin and Pulchra want calves, as they are the same right down to the Delphinidae family, where they split between species. So it's theoretically possible, but also never been done before.
Do you have any stories written about them or that they're included in?
Delphin is actually in all of my stories, in one form or another. But his official self is in my origins trilogy, which contains The Hybrid Chronicles, The Tasso Chapters, and The Porpoise Files, which is Delphin's own origin story.
Tell us how you see culture in Zootopia. For example, do all foxes or rabbits have the same culture, or is there a difference depending on subspecies or region?
I would say culture depends on the species. Like predators mark or knot their mates while prey don't, and most predators mate for life in Zootopia while multiple prey species could be called… "easy".
Ultimate Zootopia question. Are you a WildeHopps shipper or do you prefer them with a different ship?
WILDEHOPPS FOREVER!
Though I'm surprised by the WildeSavage ship.
For the purpose of the OC interview the setting is the creator's OC is about to be interviewed by my co-owned OC Vicky Chola. A north american grey fox vixen in her mid 20s. They're both in a studio booth with headphones on and microphones to speak into. The interview we did earlier about the creator and their OC is considered a pre conversation between these two before going on the air. Vicky will ask questions based on the answers provided by the creator. Enjoy!
"Welcome everyone to another edition of the Characters of Zootopia show! I'm your host Vicky Chola and joining me today is Delphin Aureum Mare. Thank you for joining me Delphin."
"Why thank you, Miss Chola. It's good to be here."
"So why don't we start with the most obvious. Unlike the majority of our guests so far you're actually a sea mammal."
dolphin laugh "Well, back in the ocean, we're quite plentiful. But I understand that here, it's a very rare thing. You wouldn't believe the number of looks I get if I walk around town. Some mammals don't even know what I am, or the fact that I am actually a mammal as well. Luckily, no one has acted negatively towards me for being a dolphin. I've heard stories from my best buds, Simon and Vulperne, though."
"Stories like what?"
"Mostly things like someone refusing them service or just being jerks for no other reason except for the fact they're hybrids."
"While I can attest to that you seem to be on a whole different playing field it seems."
"How so?"
"Well, hybrid mammals still look similar to others. Fur, paws or hooves, etc. But you look more like a fish than mammal honestly."
"True. I have been called a fish plenty of times. But, and I don't mean to brag, I am known for my strength. Maybe my looks deter anyone from being rude. I have noticed no one ever treats Vulpes or Doc wrong when I'm around. *chuckle* My wife certainly doesn't seem to mind how I look."
"That's a fair point. So I know that most fish can't survive out of water for very long. Your body is obviously adapted to life at sea. Do you ever have trouble with being out of the water for too long?"
"Well, I can only last without some form or liquid for about 24 hours before I start to dry out. Thankfully, no matter where you go, water is usually pretty abundant, whether it be a water bottle over the head or a full shower. I still try to avoid any really hot places though."
"Do you try to avoid places like Sahara square then?"
"Yes, if possible."
"Have you ever been there or had to go there?"
"A good while ago I had to go there, but I thankfully didn't have to stay long. I did what I was there to do and was out within the hour. Not enough time for me to even get thirsty."
"How long have you been in Zootopia?"
"Well, I don't actually live here, if that's what you mean. I'm here visiting some old, ah, acquaintances. I don't have a set address, either, but most of the time I stay in Ocean City. We have a small little house there, close to M.O.I.A HQ. But I've been here for about a week now, and I must say, it's nice to be back. One thing you land mammals excel at is city building, that's for sure."
"So you're here on business or a personal visit?"
"Business, mostly."
"What kind of business?"
"Let's just say some of my acquaintances have been making bad choices. I've come to try and break them of their habits, so to speak."
"So you work for some form of government?"
"Yes. The Mammalian Ocean Intelligence Agency, or M.O.I.A, to be specific. Think of it as like your Z.I.A."
"Do you have to coordinate with them when you come to Zootopia?"
"Oh yes. Lots of paperwork, negotiations, that sort of thing. chuckle Wouldn't want to start a war because of a simple miscommunication. It's happened before, I'll tell you that. Thankfully, I have a friend in the Z.I.A, and he usually helps with getting me the permissions I need to do my work. I do most of the "land work" for the M.O.I.A, so it works out. If I'm not available, they'll send my partner. "
"Do you ever come to Zootopia just to visit?"
"I usually am just passing through. My friends live in a town out in the country called Vosstad, and Zootopia is almost always a stop. I don't stay more than 2 days most times though. I also graduated from ZU, so sometimes I come to do some alumni duties."
"What kind of accommodations did you have at ZU?"
"They just gave me an extra large dorm room. I had a shower, which was pretty much all I needed. I was the only one in the dorm for a while so I automatically became the Dorm Captain, which was useful for going to see my girlfriend after curfew at the time." chuckle
"I bet. What did you study while at ZU?"
"As an agent of the M.O.I.A, I do work all around the world. Sea animals can be just as ignorant about land mammals as land mammals can be about sea animals. Obviously, that can cause problems in my line of work. So I went to college for a degree in Mammalian Geography and Culture. Knowing certain customs has saved my life on a multitude of occasions."
"You mentioned being married earlier. Care to tell us a little about her?"
"Heh heh, oh yes! My wife is a beautiful Orca named Pulchra. We've been together since high school, and because I'm an idiot, I took 7, almost 8, years to mask her to marry me. But when I did, I knew I was making the best decision of my life. She's also my partner in the M.O.I.A, and I'm probably going to get in trouble for this, but I don't think there is anything hotter than watching your wife take out multiple trained mercenaries."
"So what about kids? Any little ones swimming around?"
"We for sure both want calves, but it hasn't happened yet. The main reason we haven't really tried is because of the life we live. It wouldn't be fair to get ourselves killed on a mission, and leave them orphaned. It's...choke... It's what happened to my parents. I can't put my own kid through that. But on the other hand, we can't just wait to retire. By that time we likely won't be able to have them. Me and Pulchra have spent many nights discussing how our family could work. I plan on becoming a stay at home dad, while Pulchra will continue to work and bring in money for the family. We'll have Pulchra's father, Oscissor, to help us with any calves too. Once the kid is a bit older, I'm going to try and become Director of the M.O.I.A again. I won a while back, but decided I like field missions better, so I returned to being an agent. I hope to win again, and keep the position at least until the calf or calves are old enough to somewhat take care of themselves."
"Is there a chance they won't let you come back?"
"Oh, no, I'll definitely be allowed to come back. There is no limit on how long you can be Director, nor is there a rule against running more than once. There is an election every 4 years, but almost all directors serve for at least 8. The only way I wouldn't be allowed to come back is if I was convicted of a crime. You have to have a spotless record to become a director. Of course, that hasn't stopped some directors using their power for crime. Former Director Grinde is currently severing a 35 year sentence for drug trafficking and a few counts of attempted murder while he was in office. But most Directors are good people, if I do say so myself."
"Oh, I meant if you had to become a stay at home dad. You'd have to resign wouldn't you?"
"Hmm, you know I haven't actually thought of that. Well I would probably get paternity leave for a time, so that would help. It would depend on how long my paternity leave is. Since I'm a Dolphin, I would usually get 3 years, while Pulchra would get 2. After that, I'm not sure. I certainly hope I will be allowed to come back, I can't see them refusing me. Not to brag, but I have been named agent of the month almost 50 times, and agent of the year 4 times. I think I'll be okay, though I'll still run it by my boss."
"You obviously love your job but what inspired you to join the MOIA?"
"That one is easy. My parents. They were both MOIA agents as well. My dad was one of the best Directors the MOIA ever had. My dad even has a memorial statue at MOIA HQ. But, they vanished when I was 8 years old. They went on a mission so top secret, the case file only has their names and the date they left. Eventually I found out what happened to them...the sacrifice they made...but I can't even talk about that. All I can say is that my parents saved a lot of mammals...and few will ever know how, or why."
"Well, we're certainly thankful for their sacrifice. So what happened to you after they passed away?"
"Well, some good came out of my parents mission. I was sent to live with my fathers best friend, Oscissor Duken, who just happened to be the father of Pulchra Duken. I grew up alongside Pulchra, and eventually grew feelings for her. Down in the ocean, inter-species relationships are extremely frowned upon, so you wouldn't believe the relief I had when she said yes, and Oscissor approved. Now, Pulchra is my wife, and she supported me through my time after I found out about my parents. She saved me from the brink of...just ending it all."
"What about extended family?"
"No, no relatives. Both of my parents were single children. I have a brother, but he never wanted to go into the family business, so he lives in our old family home, Mare Manor. I haven't talked to him in years. The last time I saw him was at me and Pulchra's wedding."
"Well, I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Thank you for coming in Delphin."
"Thanks for having me, Vicky. Now if you'll excuse me, my wife is waiting for me back at the hotel, and she hates to wait" Wink
"Thanks for joining us everyone, see you next time."