Arc 1- The Arrival: Part 5- Generosity
The air was electric as Gazelle took her final bow. The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause that echoed throughout the stadium, the vibrations palpable even backstage. The concert had been a triumph—a huge success. Gazelle couldn't possible overstate her satisfaction. Every ticket sold, every commemorative t-shirt purchased, and every donation made tonight would go toward funding research and treatments for various diseases that so many mammals in Zootopia still suffered from.
As the stage lights dimmed, Gazelle grabbed the microphone one last time. "Thank you, Zootopia!" she said, her rich, melodic voice carrying effortlessly over the cheers. "Tonight, we didn't just dance and sing—we made a difference! Because when we come together, we can achieve incredible things. This is all thanks to you. I love you all!"
The applause roared anew, and she waved enthusiastically before vanishing backstage.
Her manager, a dapper honey badger in a tailored suit, was waiting for her, clapping politely as she approached. "Bravo, Gazelle. Another flawless performance," he said, offering her a water bottle. "You've outdone yourself again."
"Thank you, darling," Gazelle replied with a radiant smile, dabbing her brow with a towel. "The energy out there was incredible! I could feel the love pouring in from every corner of the stadium."
The manager's smile tightened as he followed her toward her dressing room. "Yes, yes, but Gazelle, we need to talk about your schedule. You've been doing so many of these charity concerts lately. They're all well and good and generate tons of sweet PR, but we should really consider diversifying your focus. Maybe work on building up your discography or locking in some more brand deals. The buzz from your last album is waning, and there's real money on the table with some of these offers."
Gazelle paused, turning to face him, her expression warm but firm. "I hear you, I really do. But my music isn't about chasing numbers or stacking up deals. I've already been blessed with fame, with fans who love me, and more than enough success. What's the point of all of it if I'm not using it to give back?" She stepped closer, placing a hoof-hand on over her heart as she continued, "These charity concerts—they're important. They're not just gigs to me. They're a way to help the mammals who need it the most, to inspire hope. That matters more to me than adding another platinum record to my wall."
The manager sighed, clearly outmaneuvered by her passion and conviction. "I just don't want you to burn out, Gazelle. You give so much of yourself to everyone else."
"And that's how I want it to be," she replied with a small laugh. "I'll rest when I know we've made a difference, okay? Now, go on. Enjoy the afterparty for me, would you?"
The honey badger sighed, shaking his head. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"And you wouldn't have me any other way." With that, she slipped into her dressing room, closing the door behind her.
The dressing room was as immaculate as always, decorated in soft whites and golds, with plush chairs and an expansive vanity mirror lined with glowing bulbs. Gazelle sighed contentedly, tossing her towel onto a chair and moving toward the vanity.
That's when she saw it.
Sitting on the table next to her usual array of makeup and jewelry was a gem unlike anything she'd seen before. It was a deep, resplendent purple, shaped like a four-sided diamond. The way it caught the light was almost hypnotic, as though it shimmered with its own inner glow.
Dazzled by the gem's appearance, she reached out and picked it up. The gem was cool to the touch at first, but as she held it in her hoof-hand, she felt a strange warmth spread through her. It wasn't just physical warmth—it was emotional, almost spiritual. It felt... right. Like this gem belonged with her, even though she had no memory of ever seeing it before.
"Where did you come from?" she murmured, turning the gem over a few times, "Did a fan sneak in and leave you here? No. . . they would have left a fan letter or a note at least. What am I saying, my security is too good to let that happen."
The gem didn't match any of her usual jewelry, nor did it seem like something her manager or staff would have left for her. And yet, she felt compelled to hold onto it.
As she studied it, a soft smile crept across her face. "You're a little mystery, aren't you? But I like you. I think I'll keep you."
She slipped the gem into a small compartment in her jewelry box, her mind lingering on the peculiar warmth it had given her. Something about it felt wondrous, almost magical, though she quickly dismissed the thought. She wasn't one to believe in fairy tales, after all.
As she leaned back in her chair and glanced at her reflection, a strange sense of serenity washed over her. The concert had been a success, the audience had been incredible, and now she had this curious little gem to ponder. For a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the feeling of fulfillment.
Tomorrow, there would be more work to do, more lives to touch, and more causes to champion. But for tonight, she was content. Gazelle closed her eyes, letting the memory of the crowd's cheers and the strange warmth of the gem lull her into a peaceful reverie.