Barkeeps: Tacotini, shaken, and spilled…like all over the place.
"I can't believe this," Nick grumbled as he looked down at his cell phone which currently had a small mammal displayed on it. "After all you have been through? All the good times?" The fox began to let his lip quiver. "You abandon me like this?"
The otter on the screen let her eye lids droop as she shook her head. "Nick…I needed a night off..." Em tried to explain but it fell on deaf ears.
"Don't try and talk your way out of this!" Nick said, exaggerating his movements as he put an arm to his eyes and tilted his head back.
"You have plenty of help there big guy," Em said as she rolled her eyes.
The otter was right. Tonight Em was off. She was originally scheduled to come in but Nick and Judy had also been scheduled. When echo offered the otter a chance to take the night off she took it to spend time with some of her friends. According to Nick, however, this meant he would be all alone.
"Help?!" Nick asked as he looked back at the otter. He pressed a button on the screen which caused the camera on the front of the phone to activate so the otter could see this supposed help. The fox aimed the camera at Judy. "I mean Judy is helpful of course."
"She isn't the only one..." Em began but was cut off as Nick panned the camera to Trisha who was currently putting bottles in a mini fridge under the bar. "This one though…" Trisha's ears twitched slightly and she turned to look at the fox, an evil smirk spreading across her lips.
"This one what?" She asked as she closed the fridge door and put a paw on her supple hips, given the fox a daring look.
"And then there is…." Nick began as he moved the camera so it looked down the bar. Down at the very end on the other side of the bar, a pair of white and black spotted ears suddenly perked up. A bunny with an open mouth smile slowly peaked over the bar, her tiny paws grabbing the bar and helping her up. She took a minute but finally managed to hook a leg over the side of the bar. Her gaze never left Nick's that was until she lost her balance and fell off the bar with a thud.
Both Trisha and Judy looked on in concern but their fears were calmed when they heard one of the new girl's signature catch phrases, "I'm alright!"
Nick pressed a button which caused the camera to return to him. An amused looking Em reached off screen and pulled a bottle of beer into view. She raised the bottle at Nick and winked. "Have fun at work Nick."
"Em, I can't fight them off on my own!" Nick pleaded.
"Sure ya can," Em said simply as she leaned close to her own phone so her face filled Nick's screen. "You could always put those bunnies in their place by going…savage."
Both Trisha and Judy's ears twitched at the words coming from Nick's speaker. The two looked over at Nick. Judy had a look of hunger in her eyes while Trisha eyed Nick with curiosity.
"Did someone say savage?" Taco shouted from the other end of the bar. "I have a tranq gun and I am not afraid to use it!"
Nick rolled his eyes at the threat and looked at Taco, his eyes going wide. The small doe hefted up an actual tranquilizer gun the ZPD normally had as part of their duty tools. The gun was obviously from a large mammal as it was two sizes too big for the smaller bunny.
"Where the hell did you get that?" Judy shouted as she scrambled towards Taco, waving her paws about.
"Taco what the hell?!" Trisha blurted out in surprise.
"I found it!" The new bunny explained happily as if she had come across some childhood treasure. "Finders keepers' right?"
While Judy disarmed the now unhappy Taconny Nick looked back at his screen, a look of surrender on his face.
"Have a good night Nick, love ya!" Em said as she gave the fox a wink before ending the call.
Nick put the phone away and looked down the bar. Trisha stood with her paws on her hips as she looked at Taconny. Judy was busy ensuring the tranq guns safety mechanism was active. The small white and black spotted bunny had a look of defeat on her face as her ears droop.
Much to Nick's concern the smallest of the does suddenly perked up as she remembered something, "I get to keep the asp though right?" With that, the bunny held up a small cylinder and with a click, it extended out. Both Nick and Judy looked at one another in concern as it was Trisha's turn to disarm Taco who was currently waving the nightstick about and making whooshing noises.
After a slight struggle Taco was finally relieved of her "Sword of Savage beating" as she called it. Trisha rolled her eyes and mumbled something about locking up the lost and found box.
"Or maybe putting it somewhere up high?" Judy suggested.
Trisha had a suddenly defeated look as she looked at Judy, "how am I suppose to get to it then?"
"What could you possibly need from the lost and found box that an officer may leave…?" The look on Judy's face was priceless as she realized just what Trisha might be suggesting. "Trisha!"
"Oh hush," Trisha shot back as she strolled past Judy, stopping for just a moment before whispering into the gray bunny's ears, "I'm sure they are useful when someone goes…what was it? Savage?"
Judy turned a bright shade of red as Trisha leaned over and nuzzled her cheek against Judy's before strolling back down the bar, giving Nick a wiggle of the eyebrows as she eyed the fox up and down. Nick couldn't help but put his paws over his chest and lower region worried the brown doe may have developed X ray vision.
"Did someone say savage?" Taco shouted as she produced a small can of pepper spray from her pocket.
"That's it someone needs a pat down!" Trisha shouted. Taco's eyes went wide as she watched both Trisha and Judy suddenly bear down on her.
"Eeeeeeee!" The smaller bunny squealed as she rushed away, waving the pepper spray bottle above her head as she tried to avoid the other two does.
Nick watched and shook his head, cursing Em for her need of a social life and then cursing himself for taking this gig in the first place.
There was a crash in the corner of the bar and Nick watched as Trisha pinned Taco to the floor as the bunny tried to hold the small canister of spray just out of reach.
"Taco!" Trisha growled between giggles.
"Finders keepers!" Taco shouted as she tried to squirm free.
Judy trotted up and took the small pepper spray from the bunny as if she were picking a flower from a field. She then looked down at Taco with a firm look.
"What else?" Judy asked.
The small spotted bunny froze suddenly as a guilty look crossed her face.
"Nothing!" the bunny obviously lied as she tried to remain perfectly still.
A few minutes later the new girl had been relieved of all her precious treasures she had accumulated over the work week. Nick couldn't believe just how much junk the ZPD seemed to misplace at the bar and just how much of it the small bunny could have on her. Nick had a feeling that there were probably more items stored throughout the bar. Little stashes most likely filled with various items and smelling of tacos.
As the evening carried on Trisha and Nick mixed various drinks for the few patrons visiting the bar that night. The crowds would most likely show up later so the team enjoyed the lull while they could. Nick even took the opportunity to teach Judy a few drink recipes. His crime fighting partner proved she was a fast learner and was soon starting to mix a few drink orders herself.
On occasion, Nick even showed Taconny a trick or two. Though she was a bit much sometimes Nick had to admit he was warming up to the energetic fluff ball. She, of course, had her moment, especially when asked to paw over a small container of cherries Nick intended to use for a tropical drink. When Nick reached into the small silver container he noticed it was empty. Looking down all he saw were cherry stems.
"Where are…" The fox began as he looked around only to notice the fur around Tacos mouth was stained red. "Taco?"
"Hmmm?" The bunny mumbled, her mouth obviously full.
"Where are the cherries?" Nick asked as his eyelids drooped.
The black and white bunny shrugged and let out a muffled giggle which caused a small cherry to pop out on the bar. The bunny pointed at the cherry and smiled.
"mfundmm mmonemm Ick!" The bunny managed to get out before another cherry popped out of her mouth.
Nick just looked up at Trisha who was chatting with a medic. "Oi blueberry!"
Trisha's ears perked and she smirked at her nickname that the fox had given her recently. She looked over at Nick and watched as Taco turned around to give the brown bunny a wicked smirk.
"It's your turn to kit sit!" The fox grumbled as he pushed Taconny over to the other bartender.
Taco raised her arms and wrapped them around Trisha and made a muffled squeaking noise as she tried to hug her trainer.
"Why do you smell like cherries?" Trisha asked between laughs. She then put her paws on Taco's cheeks and squeezed slightly causing a cherry to pop out of the other bunny's mouth and smack Trisha right in the forehead.
"Don't know!" Taco mumbled.
"Taco!"
"No!"
"Oh gosh how can I stay mad at-" Trisha began to say but was cut off as a stream of Cherry's suddenly shot out of Taco's mouth and snacked Trisha on the face.
"Judy!" Trisha shouted as she looked at her friend who was currently serving a few mammals from the ZPD. Judy looked over as Trisha pushes the doe from behind the bar.
"It's your turn to kit sit!"
Undeterred by being passed from one bartender to another the small black spotted bunny held her arms open wide as she ran over to Judy.
"I thought one of you was bad enough," Nick mumbled to Trisha as he grabbed a towel and began to wipe the counter down.
"Yeah me….hey wait!" Trisha said as she realized what Nick was getting at.
"Why do you smell like cherries?" Judy asked loudly which caused both Nick and Trisha to burst out laughing.
As the night proceeded on a few mammals entered the bar seeking drinks and conversation. Something the 10-7 always provided. Judy took a moment to stand back and take in the sights. Taco was currently standing on a table chatting up a Zebra in medic BDU pants with a tired look. Trisha was giving a hard time to some of the firefighters over at their regular table. The doe waving her arms about and pointing over at the ZFD flag which caused the group to roar with laughter. Nick had just finished mixing a drink and was serving it to a pair of lovely gazelle dispatchers who giggled at the fox's antics, one of them blushing. Judy felt a pang of jealousy but it passed when the fox smiled over at Judy before giving her one of his sly wink which always caused her cheeks to warm.
The mood of the bar was energetic and actually somewhat upbeat. Something the patrons of the bar desperately needed some time. Judy felt a sense of pride knowing that she not only protected the city during the day but could help give back to her fellow first responders at night.
Little did Judy know but the night was about to grow just slightly more entertaining. As the bunny stood behind the bar and helped gather up a few empty glasses she heard a commotion on the other side of the front door. Judy's ears twitched as she listened to what sounded like some kind of struggle. There was a roar followed by a thumping noise.
"What in the…" Nick mumbled as he stood behind Judy, both of them staring at the door.
"I got this!" Taco shouted as she jumped over the bar.
"Taco! Wait! Petey can handle any trouble!" Trisha tried to catch the small bunny but was just a little too slow a d watched as the doe darted for the door. Before anyone could stop the eager bunny she was out the door.
There was a surprised shout followed by laughter. This calmed the bartenders and a few of the patrons who had been watching the door with hesitation. What came barreling through the door both surprised Judy but calmed her almost instantly.
A large bear threw the door open. A broad grin on his face. Judy looked over the massive mammal and noticed a winded looking Petey with a big grin on his face, the rhino chuckling as he looked down at his phone.
The door closed behind the bear who limbered into the bar. The mammal's massive figure covered in what could best be described as a lumberjack outfit. A pair of dark blue jeans held up by suspenders that wrapped over a black and red checkered shirt. Judy was instantly reminded of a woodsmammal. The bear looked like he belonged out in the wild tearing trees out of the ground with his bare hands.
The bear would look very intimidating if it wasn't for the small white and black spotted bunny currently sitting on the predator's shoulders as she hugged his head.
"Gummy gummy gummy," Taco said sweetly as she cuddled into the bears head.
"Hahaha, hey sis," the bear said, his deep voice filled with a tenderness that was rather disarming. Though he looked as if he could easily tear one of the walls of the bar down his movements were slow and graceful. He was literally the definition of gentle giant. Something that was made more apparent by the way Taco continued to cuddle into him. "Ok geez! Easy! Remember last time? You rubbed me so much I couldn't touch a door handle without getting shocked!"
"You!" Came a loud yell from across the bar. The bear, Taconny, Nick, and Judy all froze and turned to see Trisha storming down the bar top towards the bear.
"Me?" The large grizzly bear asked as he pointed a paw at himself
"You!" Trisha growled
"Taco!" Taco joined in as she raised her paws up in the air, seeming more than comfortable sitting on the bear's shoulders.
"Oh this is going to be good," Nick chuckled as he sat back and watched the scene play out. "My money is on Gus."
"S.W.A.T vs Trisha?" Judy asked as she looked over at the bear and then the brown doe currently storming by a pair of medical who lifted their drinks out of the bartender's path. "As much as it pains me to bet against the blue, gotta go with Trish on this."
Gummy bear, or Gus to everyone besides Taco, was part of ZPDs precinct 1 S.W.A.T team. The large bear having joined the prestigious unit a year ago and proven his worth time and time again. Judy and Nick had witnessed the bear on several occasions rip a door off its hinges when suspects refused to open their front doors. His sheer size alone was enough to make most stand offs only last a few minutes. Most criminals not wanting to be on the wrong side of the bear if things did get ugly.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Trisha asked as she waved her arms about before putting them on her hips as she stood at the edge of the bar and stared the muscled predator down.
"What?!" Gus asked as a shocked look came across his face. "I was here just last week!"
"That's not often enough!" Trisha shot back as she crossed her arms and started to thump her foot against the bar. "I demand you visit at least 5 times a week!"
"5 times?! How much do you think I make?!"
"Can you put a price on your favorite bartender?" Trisha said with a wicked smirk, "and her young ward!"
"I'm going to buy a cape!" Taco squeaked from Gus's head.
"2 times!" Gus said as he held up his massive paws which could easily engulf Trisha.
"4!"
"2!"
"2 ½," Trisha said, her tone making it sound like this was her final offer.
"How do you visit a bar half a time?" Nick asked before closing his eyes as a small coaster landed on his head. "You gotta be kitting..."
"You swing by, give us a hug, then get back to whatever it is you do when not tearing trees out of the ground."
Gus roared with laughter and nodded. His laughter grew louder as Trisha leaped up and wrapped her arms around the bear's massive frame, unable to get her body around the bear she settled for just clinging to his chest. Gus patted Trisha on the back before letting the bunny to hop off. Taco, however, showed no interest in jumping from her spot and remained a top Gus's head like some kind of fluffy hat.
"Well well well," Gus said as he took a seat at one of the larger seats at the bar which still made sounds in protest.
"Don't even say it," Nick pleaded but it was too late.
"10-7 must have lowered its hiring standards to bring you in Nick," The bear couldn't help but make a joke at the fox's expense.
"Bogo told you to say that?" Nick asked as his ears drooped to the top of his head.
"It was in the briefing this morning that if we visit the 10-7 and see you we are supposed to…what was it again?" Gus asked as he looked up at the ceiling. His vision suddenly filled with a pair of bright sky blue eyes. The bear chuckled as he lifted Taco from his head and set her down on the counter. Only to have the small bunny grab onto his bicep and nuzzle into his warm brown fur.
"Tip generously?" Nick asked, knowing full well this would be the last thing Bogo suggested.
"Drive you…and I quote... Wilde." Gus said with a chuckle.
Nick's eye lids drooped as he heard the pin, the same pun he heard every time he ended up serving a member of the ZPD who had talked to Bogo about the fox at the 10-7.
"Let me make you a Bogo special," the fox said and trotted down the bar.
"I normally just do beer..." Gus said as he raised a paw in protest.
"Oh no! I insist," Nick shot back, an evil smirk spreading across his lips.
"Well now you done it," Judy chuckled as she watched her fox trot away, a sway in his tail telling her he was scheming.
"So," Gus began, bringing Judy's attention back to the large mammal. "Enjoying your moonlighting?"
Judy grinned as she leaned against the bar and looked up at the towering mass of brown fur and muscles.
"Loving it!" Judy exclaimed. She began bringing up some of the fun times ahead had experienced since picking up this gig. Some of them involving Trisha, a few about Nick. When the subject of Taco came up Gus chuckled and eyed the bunny. However, his look changed from amusement to seriousness when he heard about the tranq gun and night stick incident.
"Tee?" The bear began but the bunny quickly hopped off the bear and scurried away.
"Sorry," Gus began as he looked back to Judy. "She can be a pawful I am-"
The bear's words were cut off by a loud crashing noise from across the bar.
"I'm alright!" Came Tacos catch phrase.
Both Gus and Judy winced as they looked down the bar and then back at one another.
"One Bogo special!" Nick declared as he returned with a bright pink drink topped with cotton candy.
Gus looked down at the drink which was in a glass that was a perfect size for the fox but looked like a tiny thimble compared to Gus.
"No…" Gus began as he stared at the drink as if it would lunge out and bite him.
"I'll put it on Bogos tab," Nick chuckled as he strolled away.
"He isn't here to have a tab!" Judy shot back at her fox.
"I left it open from last time."
"Nick!" Judy shot back.
"Nick!" Gus joined in as he pushed the small girly drink away from him with a large claw.
"Taco!" Came a sweet voice from down the bar.
"Trisha!" Gus groaned as he looked at the brown bunny for help as he pointed at his drink. The brown bunny rolled her eyes.
"Nick!" Trisha shot at the fox who seemed to be starting a trend with serving fruity drinks to the larger beer drinkers.
"Bingo!" Came a loud cheer from the fire mammals table. Everyone at the bar looked over and saw a painted dog joining his friends as they greeted their comrade.
The night carried on as the drinks flowed. After the pink monstrosity of a drink, Nick had made for Gus was disposed of the large bear was pleased to have a pitcher of draft in front of him. With his size, it looked like a normal glass and he happily drank up the bitter drink.
"Go go go," Taco cheered from atop the bear's shoulders, having scurried up to the large predator after serving a few drinks.
"Oh hush Tac," The bear grumbled but gave the bunny a smirk. The young doe giggled as she gave the bear an open mouth grin.
Trisha and Judy found a moment of peace in the orders and were happily gossiping at one end of the bar as Nick talked up a few friends from the ZPD. All seemed right in the bar, the mood was somewhat chipper. That was until Trisha received a text.
"I can't explain it," The brown bunny giggled as she reached for her cell. "I just have a thing for different colored fur on a mammal."
"I noticed," Judy chuckled as she thought of a certain mammal covered in an array of different colors, Trisha having become quite smitten with the mammal in question.
"Oh not again," Trisha grumbled as she looked at her cell phone and then at the front door.
"What's up?" Judy asked as she tilted her head. Her gaze went to the door but then back to Trisha who began to type out a message.
"Just a fan," Trisha groaned.
"Look at you miss popular," Judy smirked as she put a paw on her hip.
"Not for me," Trisha said with a laugh, "though that is already a big fan club."
"I bet."
"Nick's president," Trisha said with a wink.
Judy who had been reaching for a glass of water on the bar snorted, glad she hadn't been drinking during that last comment.
The door the bar swung open and Judy looked over to see a lean looking snow leopard in a white t shirt and black jeans stroll into the bar.
Trisha let out a low growl which made Judy's ears raise up. Mind you this wasn't the only odd reaction Judy took note of. Taco who had been rubbing her paws through the fur of Gus's head suddenly froze and stared at the newly arrived feline. If Judy didn't know any better she could have sworn that Taco began to blush when her eyes met the hazel eyes of the snow leopard.
Judy began to put two and two together and realized what exactly was going on. This new mammal must have a thing for the black and white bunny and she may be rather excited about this. It was made even more obvious as both her ears raised up and her tail flicked a few times.
"Ohhhhh! One of those types," Judy realized with a chuckle. She did feel a little concerned though, like an older sister watching her younger sibling being asked out to prom. Judy's protective instincts wanted to take over but at the same time, she did think it was somewhat adorable.
"He better watch where his eyes go," Trisha growled, an evil grin suddenly came across the does face. "Mind covering the tables while I mess with him?"
"Oh come on Trish, play nice," Judy whispered as she looked at her best friend. She thought it was somewhat cute how protective Trisha was being when it came to Taconny.
The snow leopard took a seat at the bar, his gaze never breaking away from Taco who began to giggle.
There was a coughing noise in front of the predator who slowly looked forward, his smug smirk vanishing in an instant as he noticed Trisha standing before him on the bar top. Even though she was just a fraction of his side she gave off a rather intimidating presence.
"Ummm," The predator began to say as he began to run his paw across the edge of the wooden bar.
"Gonna order something this time or are you here to ogle my Taco?" Trisha asked with a bit of fire in her eyes as she crossed her arms.
"Your Taco?" The leopard asked with a laugh. "Last time I checked-"
Before the large predator could finish Trisha raised a paw up in the air and snapped her fingers. Like a bolt of lighting, Taconny was there, her arms wrapped around Trisha who remained looking at the predator with her own smug look. She then put a paw around Taco's waist as she ran a paw down the back of the does head, petting the now purring bunny.
"She does that for everyone," The predator said with a laugh as he raised his own paw and snapped his fingers. Taco squirmed slightly as she tried to get free from Trisha to seek attention from the feline. Trisha, however, held on a little tighter to the black and white bunny.
Taco finally relented and snuggled into her friends bust. Her eyes went wide and she then put her face right into Trisha's chest and began to bury herself into Trisha which caused the brown bunny to let out a surprised gasp.
"Hehehehe, boobies!" came a muffled cheer from Taconny.
Trisha took a moment to stick her tongue out at the snow leopard. Showing that while she was being rather protective of her sweet friend she was also still her regular playful self, even towards the predator.
She took a moment to run a paw down the back of Taco's ears which earned her a small purr from the bunny in her eyes. Trisha's eyes twitched slightly at the rather nice feeling she got from the vibrations coming from Taco as she nuzzled her head into Trisha's chest.
"Just wanted to come by and see my-" the feline tried to say but was cut off.
"You look thirsty," Trisha said softly, still holding a giggling Taco in her arms. "Nick! Bogo special!"
As if the fox pulled the drink out of thin air a bright pink drink with cotton candy slid and came to a stop in front of Trisha who used her large rabbit foot to scoot the glass across the counter to the snow leopard.
"What the?" The feline began to ask.
"How did you make it that fast?" Came a surprised Gus who was currently a few seats away.
"Ancient fox secret," Nick said with a wink as he proceeded to pour the large bear a fresh glass.
"I didn't even know we had cotton candy!" Taco said as she tried to reach out and grab some of the fluffy candy. Trisha, however, squeezed the doe closer which caused the bunny to squeal with happiness.
"We don't," Trisha pointed out, "I have been meaning to ask where he had been getting that stuff."
"Ancient fox sec-" Nick began to repeat his previous phrase but stopped when a coaster landed on top of his head. "Every damn time..."
"Listen…I feel like we got off on the wrong paw," The snow leopard began to explain as he looked at his drink and then up at Trisha.
"I have made like 10 of those things and no one has even tried a sip," Nick began to complain to Gus who busied himself with a bowl of bar nuts.
"Anyone trying to date my sweet sweet Taco is always gonna be on the wrong paw." Trisha pointed out as she stroked the bunny's ears. "Until they prove otherwise."
"Bet I can prove otherwise," the leopard said confidently. This caused Trisha to raise an eyebrow.
"Ok Mom," Taco groaned as she tried to free herself from Trisha's grasp but relented when Trisha rubbed the base of one of Taco's ears in just the right way.
"Wait…" Gus growled a seat away.
"Eeeeep," Taco said as her bright blue eyes shot open. Realizing how Gus may take all this.
The large bear stood up and lumbered over till he was standing next to the snow leopard. The smaller predator remained looking straight forward out of fear the muscle mass beside him may lift him up and threw him into the next district over.
"Gummy bear down!" Taco exclaimed as she freed herself from Trisha's grasp and waved her arms about.
"Tell me," Gus growled as he lowered himself so his face was inches from the snow leopard. "What are your intentions with my little sis?"
"Gummy bear play nice with Adam!" Taco tried to push the massive bear back but his sheer size alone kept him grounded. "He plays nice with me!"
Though Taco meant to defuse the situation the last part didn't exactly help.
"And how exactly does he play," Gus asked as he looked down at Taco in concern.
"I umm…." To the snow leopard's merit, he stood his ground, keeping his gaze straight ahead. He now had the option of either starting down Trisha or the giant bear next to him. He instead reached forward and picked up the pink drink. He removed the cotton candy and drained the glass of its contents.
"Yes!" Nick cheered from down the bar, raising his paws in the air. "Someone finally tried one of my drinks! How was it bud?"
"Oddly good!" Adam said as he held the cotton candy up. Taco squealed with happiness and grabbed the cotton candy and scurried away, munching on the candy, only remembering her friend was still stuck between Gus and Trisha.
"How about this," Came a calm voice. Everyone turned to look at Judy who walked over to the scene having witnessed enough. "Why don't you," she began as she looked at Gus. "Enjoy your beer and get to know the guy first?"
Gus snorted but his respect for Judy kept him in check as he sat back in the bar stool right next to Adam. Unfortunately, the stool was not designed for a mammal of his size and it was crushed under his weight. Everyone watched as the bear dropped onto his butt with a loud thud. Try as he might Gus couldn't keep a straight face and burst out laughing.
"Can I look?" Adam asked Taco in a whisper. The bunny whose cheeks were now covered in pink cotton candy nodded happily.
The snow leopard looked over and snorted at the image of Gus who even sitting on the floor was still eye level.
"You okay sir?" He asked the bear who just waved a massive paw.
"Would you believe that wasn't the first stool I broke here?"
"Gonna start a tab on stools at this rate," Trisha grumbled before looking back at Adam.
"And as for you!" Judy said firmly as she put her paws on Trisha's shoulders and gave a little squeeze. "How about you go bug Nick for a bit."
"Hey now! How did I end up being a distraction?" Nick shot from the other end of the bar.
"Come on," Judy whispered. "Maybe he will let you hold his tail."
Trisha rolled her eyes as she looked at Judy but then over at Nick, her eyes going to the canine's large fluffy tail.
"It is fluffy…"
"Awww lucky!" Taco whined. "I wanna cuddle with the fluff!"
"Later," Judy said sweetly. The doe knew she would have to be the voice of reason in the bar tonight. While it would be amusing to see what Trisha might do to Adam to protect Taco, Judy understood that Taco was a big bunny and could make her own decisions. "How about you introduce me to your new friend?"
Taco grinned as her eyes lit up. "Ok!" she said happily.
Before being brought over to Adam who was conversing with Gus, the two mammals remaining civil, Judy chanced a glance at Trisha who looked at Adam and then to Judy.
"If he hurts her..." Trisha whispered.
"He will have the whole of the 10-7 after him, something I am sure he understands and will of course avoid. He seems nice, let me get to know him before you torture the poor guy anymore," Judy said softly. She then gave Trisha kiss on the cheek before shooing the protective doe off to Nick. The fox, while having been out of most of the conversation, gave Judy a firm nod and a smile. Judy was glad to have such a perceptive partner. The fox understanding what Judy was trying to do.
"Alright fluff butt," Trisha said as she skipped over. "Let's see what Mama Wilde gave you!"
"Paws off the goods!" Nick shot back. "You gotta pay extra for that!"
"Put it on Bogos tab!" The brown bunny teased as she sat on the counter In front of Nick and smirked.
Judy returned her attention to Taco who happily grabbed Judy's paw and brought her into the conversation between the bear and snow leopard.
"Judy this is Adam!" Taco said happily.
"Pleasure," Adam said as he held out a paw.
"So tell me, Adam," Judy said with a smirk. "When not facing down vicious bunnies and big…what was it again Gus? Gummy bear?"
"Hey now! I am a big vicious gummy bear!" Gus chuckled. Taco giggled as she climbed up onto one of Gus's arms and nuzzled his fur.
"Well, when not facing down vicious mammals down what is it you do?" Judy asked in a friendly manner.
As Judy made friends with the new arrival she would occasionally glance over at Nick and Trisha. The fox and bunny laughing at a confused looking zebra who was currently holding a cotton candy topped drink. She returned to conversation at paw and soon learned a little about Adam. He was a new trauma surgeon intern. While he tried to remain modest Taco would jump in and explain just how talented the mammal was at his job. Adam though would brush the compliments aside saying he still had a lot to learn. Occasionally Judy noticed how Taconny's paw would brush against Adam who would gently take her paw into his own. Gus and Judy would give one another knowing looks. Both of them deciding that while they wanted to get to know the snow leopard a little more first he seemed to be an all around good mammal.
With the peace restored in the bar, Judy took a moment to relax. Everyone seemed to be getting a long and Judy was confident that nothing could ruin this wonderful evening.
"Adam look what I found in the lost and found box!" Taco shouted from down the bar. While Judy was distracted with her thoughts Taco had excused herself from Gus and Adam for a moment. All eyes went to the end of the bar where a happy looking Taco stood, a tranquilizer gun held up with both paws.
"Taco!" everyone shouted.
"What?" the black and white bunny asked at the exact moment the tranq gun let out a muffled popping noise. "Oops…"
Everyone watched in horror as a dart flew through the air and hit Adam right in the neck.
"Adam!" Judy exclaimed.
"Taco!" Gus blurted out.
"Nice shot," came a smug looking Trisha.
Special thanks time!
Taconny is a character who belongs to Toothless...or is it Judith? Taco Bun? Hold on one sec... AWildeHoppingTaco thats it! Sorry she changes her name so darn much! If you enjoyed reading Taconny/Taco then take a moment to check out her knows you may see a familiar bunny bouncing all over the place.
Gus the bear is a character created by...umm..Gusthebear. Well that is easy enough. Thanks for letting me have Gus visit the bar dude! It was actually a lot of fun having in there and I could tell all the characters seemed to click rather well. His big brother role for Taconny was a really fun write for me.
Finally onto Adam Shard is a character created by my buddy Zeronone and will be showing up in some of his works soon, along with Taconny! Because...they...are... *gags* I don't wanna say it! Taco is like a sweet little sister to Trisha so she and I agree, he better be a truly amazing mammal to that bunny. Seriously though thanks for being such a good sport through all this. It was fun poking at Adam and he is an amazing character who I am sure will be having a great deal of fun in other stories.
Special thanks to myself for creating Trisha, because lets face it she is awesome. :P
I wanna apologize for the large gaps in between my updates for this story and a few others. You all know how the real world can cause some trouble sometimes. We were hit by Hurricane Irma but we walked away from it and are very lucky. I also had to finish up Nighthowlers. Though that is where Trisha got her start it turned into more of a chore to have so I needed to finish it.
Thank you all for your continued support. Looking forward to a new Barkeeps down the line.
Cheers,
Blue