In a small part of the bustling city, the festivities of Dia de los Muertos, a time of celebration and remembrance, were underway. The streets were vibrant with the colors of the celebration and the sounds of music filled the air throughout where the locals were visiting. The festive marigold petals created a vivid carpet underfoot, and papel picado banners swayed gently in the breeze on either side of the streets.
In the middle of it all was Judy and Nick, who strolled along together through the busy sights, taking in the lively atmosphere, the bright orange flower petals crunched beneath their feet as they moved through the crowd. As the fox and rabbit both passed a group of dancers twirling to the rhythm of a mariachi band performing there, Judy smirked back at her companion.
With a playful glint in her eye, she said to him, "Hey, Nick, have you ever considered taking up tango lessons?"
The fox to her left, always ready for a quick comeback, shot her a sly grin. "Well, Carrots, you do have those swift bunny feet, and I'm not too proud to admit that I've got some moves. Maybe we should give it a whirl."
Judy chuckled, her voice lilting. "Oh, you've got moves now? I'd love to see you match my agility, Slick."
Nick's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, I guess you underestimate the power of the Wilde charm, Fluff. Can't reveal all of mine at once, now, can I?"
The gray doe couldn't help but play along, her voice light and teasing. "I'm not sure charm alone can carry you through a tango, Nick. Even if it's the Wilde charm."
Her fox leaned in with a hint of playfulness, lowering his voice in a mock-confidential manner. "Ah, but you've never seen my secret dance moves, Carrots. I keep them reserved for special occasions."
Judy raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "Secret dance moves, you say? Do they involve lots of fancy footwork?"
"I'll have you swooning before you know it, Judy," Nick answered with certainty, grinning mischievously.
As the lively music enveloped them, they couldn't resist swaying together to the rhythm, their playful laughter blending seamlessly with the festivities that surrounded them. Judy's laughter was like music to Nick's ears, and their connection was a dance all its own, a testament to the unbreakable bond they shared.
Judy chuckled, her voice softening with affection. "Well, Nick," she said, "it's a good thing we're not on a dance floor right now. I wouldn't want to steal the show from some of these talented dancers having fun here."
Nick nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving hers. "True, Carrots," he replied, "but the best show in town is right here."
The rabbit's heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. She playfully nudged him. "You sure know how to lay on the charm, Wilde."
The vulpine chuckled as he leaned in closer, adjusting his tie. "Well, what can I say, Judy? You bring out the best in me."
The two of them paused for a moment as they shared a silent, meaningful gaze, a world of understanding and affection passing between them. Just as they were lost in their shared moment, the two of them rounded a corner and unexpectedly ended up bumping into someone that turned out to be a familiar face to Nick.
Behind him was a tall tiger that Nick greeted warmly with a wide grin. "Hey, Diego, old buddy! I didn't expect to see you here."
The striped feline charismatically flashed a toothy smile and gave Nick a hearty pat on the back. "Nick Wilde, my sly friend! Long time no see..."
"Yep, sure has been awhile since we caught with each other."
Diego shrugged. "Well, you know how it goes. Life as a backup dancer for a pop star like Gazelle keeps me hopping."
Nick shook his head, knowing that with him being one of the tigers that was always on either side of the stage with the Angel with Horns, he was certainly a busy mammal. "I can only imagine. But we've had our fair share of adventures too."
Judy, who was curious about Nick's friend, chimed in, "So, Diego, what brings you here?"
Diego's eyes sparkled as he spoke to the rabbit. "I'm here to celebrate and to honor someone very special in my life. Mi abuela..."
Nick nodded in understanding, recalling their shared memories. When the two of them were friends throughout the last years of grade school and middle school, he recalled how his grandmother always was happy to have him over when the two of them would hang out. "Ah, yes," he said, "I remember her well. She was always there to cheer you on, even in the early days when you were just learning to dance."
"You remember!" Diego's face lit up with gratitude. As he nodded his head, he remarked, "She's the reason I'm here today."
Judy, with genuine interest, asked, "So, you've created an ofrenda here in her memory, right?"
Diego nodded, his voice filled with pride. "Yes, exactly. The ofrenda I've made's a way for me to pay tribute to her and all the wisdom and love she shared. It's right this way; I'd love it if you both would come with me to see it."
Curiosity piqued, Judy and Nick followed Diego through the winding streets of Zootopia until they arrived at a small plaza where ofrendas to honor a loved on that had passed away had been set up around the area.
As they walked, Diego couldn't help but share more about his grandmother that he loved so much. "You know, she was quite a character. She had this way of making even the dullest days feel like an adventure. When we left our old home and came to Zootopia, it was like a whole new world for us. She encouraged me to embrace the city and all its opportunities."
Judy's ears perked up with curiosity. "What was it like back at your old home?"
Diego smiled warmly as he recalled these memories that were still fresh in his mind as he did so. "It was a place of rich traditions and a beautiful culture," he responded matter-of-factly. "We had a small village of mammals there, and my grandmother taught me about our ancestors and their connection to the land. She used to say that life was a never-ending dance, and we should embrace it."
Nick, with a reminiscent tone, added, "It's true. I remember Diego's stories about that back in school. He made us city kids dream of one day traveling to see places like that."
Diego chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I was a bit of a dreamer, I suppose. Dancing was my way of connecting the two worlds. Mi abuela always said it was our ancestors' way of watching over us."
"Your grandmother sounds amazing, Diego," Judy remarked, her voice filled with admiration. "She must have been quite a source of inspiration."
The tiger agreed with a fond smile on his face. "She was, Judy," he answered happily. "She watched me practice my dance routines that I'd perform in the living room of the home she raised me in here in Zootopia. Even when they were far from perfect, she'd always clap for me and tell me to keep practicing. Even when a lot of kits thought I was silly for wanting to be that when I grew up, she never doubted my passion for a minute."
As they neared the ofrenda, the soft glow of candles illuminated the small framed photographs Diego had set out of his beloved abuela, creating a sacred space for remembrance. The marigold petals rustled in the breeze, and the scent of incense filled the air, adding to the solemn yet celebratory atmosphere. Diego's eyes shimmered with emotion as he turned his attention over to it. There was never a day that went by that he didn't miss her and wished she were here to see how far he came, what he managed to accomplish by taking all the positive advice throughout the years he had gotten from her.
Diego spoke, his voice filled with gratitude and love, "She always used to say to me, 'You must follow your heart, mi nieto, and never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.' And I still go by those words today."
Nick, touched by Diego's words, turned to his bunny and added, "I remember the first day Diego and I met at school. He was being picked on by some kits who always were the bullies during recess, and my pal Fin and I couldn't stand to see that. We went over to talk to him, and he told us about what he was going to be someday. The two of us honestly thought that was the coolest thing."
Diego grinned at the trip down memory lane, his voice beginning to carry a hint of nostalgia. "Ah, yes, the good old school days. I didn't expect you and your friend to understand, thought you'd just laugh at me like those meanies did, but you surprised me. You didn't laugh; instead, you appreciated what I could do." With a small chuckle, he added, "I taught you two my one dance move that day, didn't I?"
Nick nodded and chuckled, reminiscing. "You sure did. We even performed that one little routine in the school talent show that year. You remember?"
Diego laughed, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "I guess I showed those bullies back then I'd never give up on the dream, didn't I, Nick?"
Nick replied with a grin, "Sure did, Diego. That was one for the history books."
As the three stood in front of the ofrenda, the good friends shared a moment of silence, honoring the memory of Diego's grandmother. It was a moment filled with a deep sense of unity, love, and cherished friendship. The surroundings seemed to fade away as they embraced the magic of the annual observance.
Author's Note: Hey there, everybody! :)
Well, this was an idea that was one of those things that came about and I just felt needed to be written out. Since today is the last day of the celebration of Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, I decided that I would do one for this observance as something different. I know it was very much on the simpler side of things, but I still hope it was enjoyable to read anyways.
The tiger character Diego, who's Nick's good friend and is a backup dancer for Gazelle, was a character I written previously in another story in this collection that I loosely referenced in this story (chapter 133, The Tiger That Was Born to Dance). Maybe I'll be creating some future stories centered around when I can, as I really enjoyed writing him, but until then I'll be autumn-themed stories as well as some of my usual slice-of-life snippets I have planned.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this little tale I came up with. As always, your thoughts, good or bad, are always appreciated.
'Til next time! :)