-Snakes in the Bar-

The city of Zootopia seemed to be alive with a renewed energy. No one could explain why but the metropolis just seemed far more active than it had in the past month. Maybe it was because of the new expansions in the Meadowlands districts. Or maybe it was that new transportation system that had been proposed in the rainforest district. Some might even say it was because of some new movie that may have been announced recently.

Whatever the reason, there was a contagious, invigorating sense of hope that was making the citizens of Zootopia excited. This same energy was the cause for a little skip in a certain mammal's step.

Em couldn't help but hum a little tune she had just heard echoing in the train car she had used to get to work. Someone a few seats down had been listening to a new Gazelle single that had just dropped, and just like her other hit, it was easy to get hooked on.

As the otter sauntered down the street, she took a moment to adjust her backpack, which was weighted down with some special snacks she had just gotten from a friend she had made overseas. Em was a rather active otter; when not at work, she was normally at the gym or busy moving her body at one of the many dance classes she attended. It wasn't just to stay fit, mind you; the otter enjoyed just losing herself in the music.

Some nights when the owner of the 10-7 was out, Em and her bubbly compatriot would sometimes blast music around the bar and put on a little show. Letting the music take them as they moved their bodies to the beat. It not only helped with tips but also unique opportunities like the one Em had just recently returned from.

While dancing away one evening behind the bar, Em was approached by a member of the ZPD who had a friend who was in need of a favor. It turned out this friend was actually a commissioner in a city down in the southern tropical regions. Every year, their city would host an extravagant parade with floats as tall as buildings filled with dancers. Each year the local fire commissioner had always found a way to one-up the local police department with their float. The commissioner could bear it no longer and was desperate for some kind of help, so he had put out a request to other law enforcement agencies for ideas, entertainers, and dancers for their float.

Em had been nervous at first but with some encouragement from a certain blue-eyed cheerleader and her boss, who not only approved the time off but desperately pleaded with Em to take this opportunity, the otter had flown away on a dancing adventure that had led to some live long bonds and many exotic snacks she was now required to bring to work whenever they arrived.

As the sun began to sink from its position high in the sky Em made her way down a familiar sidewalk towards the 10-7 bar. Petey, the bouncer, had not arrived just yet, but his faithful stool sat at the front door of the bar. Some of the local kits would occasionally be found waiting on the stool, eagerly awaiting the rhino, who would scoop them up and twirl them around like they were an airplane.

Em placed a paw on the worn door that led into the secret watering hole, sliding into the opening and smiling as her eyes adjusted to the low light in the bar. There was already a pawful of mammals milling about, most of them with chilled mugs or brightly colored glasses. Since the clientele at the bar was composed of the different first responder departments around the city it was no surprise to see mammals of all shapes and sizes.

What was surprising, though, was the reptile at the bar.

Wait…reptile?!

Em blinked in disbelief at the sight of a bright blue snake coiled up on one of the bar stools. While the lower portion was rolled up nicely on the seat, the upper part was sitting upright, looking down at a lovely brown rabbit in a dark blue 10-7 shirt.

The doe was leaning across the bar, her chin in her paw as she gave the snake a smug look, the reptile leaning closer to her, his small tongue flicking out.

"Careful!" Em announced as she strolled behind the bar and towards her bubbly brown bunny and her new friend. "That thing is vicious and can attack at any moment."

The bunny gawked at Em, completely shocked that her normally calm and collected friend would say something so speciest. The snake also looked shocked, its bright yellow eyes shimmering as it seemed to pout.

"Em! He isn't that ba-"

"I wasn't talking about him," Em said smugly as she strolled behind the bunny, giving her a little hip check. "I was warning him about you."

The bunny, who had looked shocked, let her eyelids droop as she smacked her lips.

Meanwhile, the snake seemed to perk up, sitting a little straighter in his seat as he flicked his tongue out, lightly wrapping it around his single fang before leaning down and happily sipping at a bright orange crazy straw that twisted and circled into a dark green concoction Trisha had made him.

"You are lucky you are so cute," The doe mumbled before her eyes met Em's. There was a brief pause before they both stuck the tip of their tongues out at one another.

With that, Em proceeded into the back area of the bar where she could change into her standard Firehouse red 10-7 shirt and khaki short shorts. The otter had only just finished getting changed when she felt a pair of soft paws wrap around her from behind. She let out the softest of gasps as she raised her arms up only to lower them, placing her paws atop her bubbly bunny friend's.

"Mmmm, didn't get my Em hug yet," The bunny whispered a she nuzzled her cheek against Em's.

Em, however, had a knowing smile on her lips as the doe continued to nuzzle from behind.

"Snacks are in my bag, Trisha," Em muttered.

"Eeeee!" Trisha said excitedly as she released the otter and scrambled over to Em's backpack, opening it and immediately scooping up an armful of brightly colored bags.

"So, who is the coiled cutie at the bar?"

"Who, Gary?" Trisha asked as she turned to smile at Em, her arms filled with snacks. "He is the new guy."

"So we have snakes at the bar? Well, this is exciting," Em said softly as she sauntered over and helped the blue-eyed troublemaker with the pile of snacks. "Always enjoy seeing new faces."

"Em, I have a feeling we are about to see a whole new slew of minions," Trisha announced proudly as she and Em headed back toward the front of the bar.

"Think you mean friends."

"I know what I said," Trisha chuckled as she managed to open one of the bags of chips before popping one in her mouth. "Hey, Gary! Em brought snacks!"

Hey there!

So, unless you have been under a rock for the past few days, then you all know we are finally getting a sequel! Yay! So exciting, right?

After seeing the new characters, I was asked how Trisha would react to Gary, and well...I mean... it's Trisha. What do you expect? xD

To her, a stranger is just a minion she hasn't recruited yet :P

Hope you enjoyed this fun little chapter.

As a reminder, a lot of my content is moving to A 0 of the three, so fanfic updates may be rare but still around.

Till next time!

-Blue