But, it's not like it ain't hard to put two and two together iffin' ya saw the live broadcast of the Mammalian Rights Summit a few months ago...and iffin' ya haven't....well it ain't exactly hard to look up on the internet...*Rubs neck uncomfortably* It sorta became all anyone talked about when it came to the summit, which is the biggest shame o' the whole thang...
Elizabeth: Oh...well...I don't know if all skunks do it but...
Lumi: Probably not the boys...I know boy foxes tend to ignore their tails aside from worrying about how big they are! *Giggles*
Elizabeth: Well, even so...I do take a... a little bit of pride in my tail. So I do brush it regularly, or sometimes one of my fathers will brush it out for me.
Lumi: Then there are the sleepovers where we brush each other's tails!
Elizabeth: *Giggles* Oh yes, that's so much fun...I do love doing the whole sleepover spa ritual. It's so much fun!
Paige: Makes me wish I had a tail as long and luxurious as you guys do...all I've got is a half stubby little fur wool matted mess...
Lumi: Hey, I like a challenge! Besides, you have that amazing mop of head wool I can't keep my paws out of when you come over! *Giggles* It's so fluffy!
Piper: Jeeze, like mudder like daughter. I sure hopes yas at least asked halfsie over there before gettin' ya dirty paws all up in her head wool.
Paige: *Scoffs* She did, and honestly Lumi works wonders with those magic paws of hers, between her pro styling skills and her dressmaking she's probably going to end up a big stylist someday.
Lumi: *Blushes* Aww, hush cuz! *Giggles*
Piper: Eh...as much as I'm loathed to give a compliment, credit where it's due, Lumi does good woik. *Cackles* Even wit me, and I got barely any fur to woik wit
WT: Actually, this isn't entirely off the table...I mean Gazelle and Finn having a kit or calf or whatever. What I mean to say is, that Gazelle has the kind of money to pay for the most cutting-edge pregnancy treatments in all of Animalia, which would be slim pickings when Paige is first born, but as the years go on, Zoot medical and fertility experts would be able to get better and better at helping hybrid couples conceive as they grew to understand the process.
That said, I don't see Gazelle and Finn pursuing it for quite a while...more than likely even starting to toy with the idea fifteen to twenty years after the first pred-prey hybrid. (Paige). But before then, I can easily see Gazelle and Finn getting married and starting a family...primarily through adoption. Gazelle would keep her career, of course, sticking mostly to Sahara Square performances like a Vegas act, and Finn would continue to work for the ZPD. I could see them adopting several pups, of varying species, similar to what our celebrities do, barring the difference that Gazelle and Finn would earnestly want to give their calves better lives, and not see them as just a fashion accessory and means of virtue signaling.
These kids' interests would be all over the place, some taking after their adoptive Mom or Dad, and taking an interest in music or law enforcement. Others would stray to different interests and careers. But regardless all would be fully supported and loved by their odd parents. I don't see Gazelle or Finn pushing for a specific career like Dorian did, but nurturing whatever interest their pups have to the best of their abilities.
When most of those kids are grown, and the tech has improved enough, that's when I could see Gazelle and Finnick taking a stab at having a hybrid and pursuing cutting-edge fertility treatments to make it happen. By this point, Finn would be looking at early retirement, and Gazelle probably would have put a pin in her nightly stage shows to become more of a support or guest singer and lyricist on other younger performer's songs, allowing the both of them to be nearly full time stay at home parents. As for what a hypothetical Gazelle and Finn pup would look like, that's all over the place...they could be lanky and canid looking, tiny and antelope looking...who can say? But regardless, Gazelle and Finn would have pups in my lore down the road. The means and desire would be there.
That said, I took a stab at some designs for some 'theoretical hybrids', and as per usual, as I crafted these two I came up with personality stuff for them.
Gabriel Finnley - Awkward, lanky, and very insecure about his hybrid identity, Gabe is somewhat of a social recluse and introvert. His interests are all dorky, and very self-involved, which makes connecting with either of his parents very difficult a lot of the time, though they try to be supportive. Gabe has a hoof full of real-life friends that get together at that gaming store run by that weird older goat couple to play BnB. This is because as much as Gabe isn't very keen on being out in public, the store is relatively quiet, and having sessions in the family 'manor' just feels awkward, as it makes him feel less like he's normal, and on equal footing with his other equally dorky friends. That said, his favorite pastime, as well as his method of running BnB sessions when he's feeling too agoraphobic to leave the house, is VR sessions. In the VR space, Gabe can 'choose' how he looks, and that suits him just fine.
Frankie Finnley-Gazelle - Frankie is the polar opposite of her older brother. An energetic extrovert who copes with being teased over her hybrid status by sharply leaning into whatever 'hybrid rumors' other mammals are tossing around (Short of myths that could get her hurt.) This includes threatening to eat other mammals, pred or prey. , As well as cackling madly and claiming the conflict between her pred and prey brains are driving her 'Loco'. Needless to say, save for a few mammals she managed to befriend in kit-hood, most of the Zootopian populace gives her a wide berth whenever she passes by. But it's no skin off Frankie's nose, as she has more than enough blessings in her life to make her happy.
So that's some brief, rough run-downs of these two. Are the canon? Aren't they? Who cares, it was a fun exercise regardless...
Thanks for your ask!
-Wasty
Judy: Not usually...*scratches the back of her head awkwardly* I mean, my parents stop by occasionally to check in on us...
Nick: With about twenty of your siblings minimum. *Snickers*
Judy: But when it comes to holiday get-togethers, the Hopps family burrow is the central meeting place for the family. It's pretty much assured at least one hundred-plus Hopps intend to visit home for the holidays, and then you have to take into account how many of my siblings are still living at home, even with a few no-shows, that's a drop in the bucket in terms of taking off the overall 'occupancy pressure'.
Nick: Essentially, it makes it impossible to have a 'Hopps Family Holiday Gathering' At 'Casa De Wilde-Hopps'. Our apartment just doesn't have the room, not even taking into account the building codes...
Judy: Even twenty-plus visitors is *Offers a wincing, sheepish smile* is kinda pushing things with the landlord...as well as the fire department. So we're pretty much locked in when it comes to visiting Bunnyburrow for holidays rather than the other way around.
Nick: At least when we aren't no-shows ourselves. *Laughs*
Judy: *Sighs* I hate when we can't visit, but being a cop is pretty demanding...sometimes the scheduling won't allow for visiting my folks on the actual holiday. Sometimes we come shortly before, or after, or just try to make up for it when the next big holiday comes around.
Nick: When we head out for a Hopps gathering for like, Harvest Feast or Yule, we'll usually bring my Mom along so she's not alone for the holiday...*huffs* When she isn't with that wolf...
Judy: *Snickers* Still got a chip on your shoulder about Tiernen?
Nick: *Crosses his arms, looking up and away from his diminutive mate with a grouse.* I'd prefer to not talk about him for the time being...him and his...weird Roaropean foodstuffs...
Judy: Don't tell me this is about that little stomach bug you had.
Nick: *Stabs the air with an indignant finger.* I still think he dosed those weird little chicken sausages he made so I'd get the runs! I swear he's got it out for me!.
Judy: *Rolls her eyes*, I wouldn't know, I had the veggie version of those 'banger' things, which was very nice of him to go out of his way to think of me.
Nick: *Snorts* Et tu Carrots? *Scoffs* Everyone's against me when it comes to this guy!
Judy: *Shakes head, letting out a chuckle* Anyway...when work kind of puts a hitch in our plans, we'll usually have our holiday with Nick's Mom, or invite her here along with the few stray other Hopps that live nearby and can't make it to the Burrows for similar reasons...It may not have that same...completely warm and encompassing nostalgic feeling that going back to the burrow for the holidays has, but it's got it's own charms that are starting to grow on me...
Nick: It's a lot quieter, that's for sure...
*Judy Snickers*
As for those that spend most of their time on the surface, their eyes are super sensitive to light, and thus need not only lenses that help improve their vision but limit the glare from the sun...
Val: Sort of like sunglasses?
Amelia: Exactly.
Val: But aren't flying foxes pretty much outdoor bats? They used to sleep in trees right? So what's with your lenses?
Amelia: Well, it's partially light sensitivity...and mostly er...*Blushes slightly* I don't like how big and buggy my pupils are without them...I mean, my Iris color is still amber...but it's just like a...massive amber wall under these lenses...it puts most other mammals off...Makes me look like a Powerpup girl reject...
Val: *Snickers* A-Are you for real?
Amelia: Oh don't give me that look, or do we have to start talking about how sensitive you are about how your tail looks?
*Val Opens her muzzle, raising a finger as if she's ready to protest before suddenly backing down. The vixen lets out a huff, crossing her arms as a scowl splits her muzzle...*
Val: We'll call this one a draw...for now...
Audrey: I think the short answer is, it really depends on species...and maybe tone? Iffin' I recall, it was the technical term fer a long while....but around the time I was hittin' my early teens it was already startin' to be frowned upon bein' used due to it bein'...tainted from usin' it as a slur. At least in terms o' wolf social circles...Although I've heard it's still pretty liberally used with native wolves...
Val: I've only ever been called a bitch with a negative slant...which I guess is technically wrong since I'm a vixen. But it's not like that's ever stopped a guy from using it... *Snickers*
Dawn: So use of that 'term' spread to foxes?
Qali: I mean...we've always been included under the 'B' word umbrella...at least for as long as I've been alive...
Val: Probably cause we're closely related to canines...pretty sure coyotes get it too...wild dogs...probably any mammal that's vaguely related to canines has heard it at least once in their lives, in a technical sense or otherwise...*Val shrugs* I dunno, I'm no expert in this stuff...
Dawn: I guess that can probably be chalked up to the evolution of language...
Ada: Personally, I take pride in bein' called a bitch...
Dawn: Aren't Hyena's technically related to felines? I...I believe you told me that, didn't you...?
Ada: Technicallys yes...but I can be a bitch when I need tas...*Cackles*
Talia: In Grrussia, bitch, or сука, is all slur...it has been slur since turn of century...and anyone who calls me the B 'word' gets snapped in half...
Audrey: See, it's...real touch and go territory...so I'd recommend y'all don't go about usin' it unless yer aimin' to insult...cause most shewolves are probably gonna take it the same way a bunny takes bein' called 'cute'...As fer with other canines...I really couldn't tell ya...
Talia: It's probably for the best you just don't use the word at all...your life may depend on it...
Dawn: Vernon and I have our wedding song...the one we had our first dance to.
Vernon: Crystal, by Suri Nicks. Dawn's favorite musician.
Dawn: *Whispers* Don't tell Gazelle.
Vernon: I also like that song 'Bones' by The Killers...
Dawn: And 'When you were young.'
Vernon: What about y'all?
Ada: Tainted Love...*Snickers* Da classic by 'Soft Shell'.
Yuri: Also Poison, the one by Alice Coopurr...*Chuckles*
Vernon: Well that's...charmin'...*Snickers*
Dawn: My mom actually found a lot of solace in 'Tainted Love' for...obvious reasons...
Yuri: Nah, I mean we like them songs but jokes aside our song is "Wonderful tonight" by Eric Clopton...
Ada: *Sighs warmly* Youse guys probably rememba dat one for our little make up titde last years...
Vernon: Yeah, now that y'all mentioned it...*Chuckles* I think that's the most affectionate I've ever seen y'all when you was sharin' that first dance...
Ada: *Blushes* Well...I means yous twos...you know what it's like durin' dat dance...
Yuri: The whole world just sorta...melts away...and all yer left with is those beautiful emerald eyes to get lost in...*Coughs awkwardly* Er...y'know...
Ada: Aww...Mookie...*Kisses the top of his head.*
Vernon: And as fer y'all and Vanna, I know yer song already.
Dawn: Oh, let me guess, is it Suri Nicks related?
Vanna: *Nods, smiling warmly and clearly pleased.* Yes. 'Leather and Lace.'
Dawn: Ohh! That's a fantastic song! Love the duet between Suri and Don Hogley.
*Zach sidles up next to his mate, wrapping an arm around her and nuzzling into her side.*
Zach: What a night that was...I'll never ferget it fer as long as I live...There were so many fireflies out...but y'all were still the brightest light on the dance floor...
*Vanna blushes softly, chuffing as she wraps her arm around her diminutive mate and nuzzles into his scalp.*
Vanna: Goofball...*She mutters shyly*
Yuri: Sure y'all didn't pick that one cause y'all like a little hard leather with yer lace in the bedroom...iffin' ya know what I mean? *chuckles*
*Vanna and Zach both begin to blush profusely*
Vanna: Y-Yuri...*Huffs*
Zach: C'mon now, we turnin' this into a sex play shamin' session 'er we gonna talk romantic songs?
*Ada nudges Yuri in the ribs with an elbow*
Ada: Mookie, watch dat tongue...dat's my sista yer embarassin'!
Yuri: *Rolls his eyes* What!? It's not like I was sayin' them two was into full on Dominatrix stuff...sides' we all got a lil' bedroom spice in our lives...nothin' to be ashamed of...A little soft restraint is hardly a real skeleton in the closet...
Ada: It's still goin' up on Da internet! Hows would youse like everyone ta knows you like a little love bitin' and scratchin'?
Yuri: *Chuckles, crossing his arms* As iffin' you don't...
Ada: *Blushing slightly* I-I neva said I didn't... *Snickers*
Vernon: Can we get this thang back on track already? Trent, Qali, y'all go.
Qali: Oh! Oh! We love rutting outside, especially in the snow!
Trenton: *Trenton, usually stoic, is totally flustered* QAILS!
Vernon: *Slaps a paw to his forehead* No, no, we wanted to know what yer couple song was!
Qali: Oh...OhhhHHHhhh....*Ears sag, the little vixen looking embarrassed* S-Sorry Trenny...
*Trenton now has his head in his paw, letting out a sigh.*
Trenton: I-It's alright Darlin'...just...let's move on.
Qali: Can you...um...do Yule songs count?
Vernon: Do y'all listen to it outside of Yule?
Qali: Well...yeah...cause me and Trenny shared our first kiss to it! *Sighs warmly* It always gives me tingles thinking about it.
Trenton: We can give ya more than one fer somethin' that ain't totally seasonal. But yeah, 'It musta been the mistletoe' is a real meaninful song fer us..." The one by Barbara Lambdrelle.
Qali: *Clasps her paws together, swooning* It's why we played it at our tithe first...even if it was September.
Trenton: The next song was 'Time after Time" by Cyndi Leaper.
Qali: Born in the 90s, but an 80s girl in my heart...*Giggles*
Vanna: *Giggles* That makes most of us I think...
Ada: *Rolls eyes* 80s rock and metal mostly, but shoire. *snickers* Hows about youse two?
Xavier: Oh...well...*Coughs, rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably* Well...I'm going to get raked over the coals for this as I always did growing up but...
Yuri: A Buckstreet boys song? *Chortles*
*Xavier furrows his brow and snorts*
Xavier: Not quite, but...admittedly a song in that sort of...genre...
Malcolm: Pft, y'all ain't gonna get a rise outta me, I wear 'I Swear' by 'All Fur One' like a badge o' honor.
Yuri: *Snickers* That's real ruttin' corny....
*Malcolm wraps an arm around Xavier, pulling the taller wolf to his side as he puffs out his chest.*
Malcolm: It may be corny, but it's our song! It was on my Spotsify when Xavier was helpin' me lock up my restaurant fur the night, and we shared our first kiss to it! *Smooches Xavier on the side of his snout.* So it's always gonna hold that spot in my heart...
Xavier: *Blushes, smiling warmly* G-Gingersnap...
Malcolm: I love you.
Xavier: I love you too...*Kisses Malcolm.*
The Hunter Pack: Awwwww....
Vernon: So 'side from Ma and Pa, that leaves the untithed couples here..that might make havin' a 'song' a harder choice I'd think?
Honey: I like Big Butts...*Laughs* by Sir Mixahop...
Vernon: PFt..* Vernon attempts to stifle a giggle.* F-fer real?
*Honey grasps Ulric's wrists, turning around to face the group before gripping the hapless wolf's paws to either side of her posterior.*
Honey: Trust me, I know what my lil' Doggy loves...*Chuckles*
*Ulric rips his paws away, blushing fiercely.*
Ulric: H-Honey Please! *Stammering* I-I uh...I mean...M-my...that stuff should be private, privileged in-information!
Honey: *Laughs* I'm just goofing babe...relax...
Zach: Well, y'all objected....but y'all didn't deny it Ully... *Snickers*
Ulric: I...er...I mean...maybe...erm...*Huffs, crossing his arms* Y-You guys know I'm not good at this stuff...I'm better suited for logical things! Not matters of "Love".
Vernon: Y'all say that...but yer blushin' worse...and my sniffer's goin' off...
Zach: *Squints skeptically as Ulric* Yeah...I smell it too....y'all got somethin' up in that scattered brain o' yers...so spill it!
Ulric: *Blushing harder* I-I'm not at liberty to disclose-.
*Yuri makes a move to punch Ulric, stopping well short of making contact with his muzzle but getting the desired result of Ulric raising his paws defensively and shrinking away.*
Ulric: WITCHY WOMAM'! IT'S WITCHY WOMAM'! *Ulric pleads!*
*Yuri settles back into a casual stance as he earns a scowl from the other Hunters. Honey quickly sidles up to Ulric, pulling the wolf out of his cower and consoling him.*
Honey: *Glares at Yuri* Was that Really necessary?
Yuri: *Shrugs* What...it got it out of him didn't it? *Notices the other Hunter's scowls of disapproval, and raises his paws* What!? It's not like I actually hit him!
Honey: Witchy Womam' huh big guy? *Honey cooes*
Ulric: *Blushing, rubbing his neck in clear discomfort...* W-well...I mean you b-bewitched me...I-In a good way...I mean...
Honey: *Smirks, placing a kiss on Ully's snout.* Next time you ask me why I'd ever fall for you, try to remember this moment, 'kay?
*Ulric skews his head, clearly puzzled.*
Ulric: I-uh...sure...?
Vanna: That was...surprisingly sweet...
Ada: Da last Hunta I had pegged for bein' a romantic was Ully...*Laughs*
Vernon: Either Ully's finally growin' up....er he's actually on his meds consistently fer one...*Chuckles*
Zach: Maybe both...*Chortles*
Wade: Are we the last ones up?
Vernon: Yup, at least a'fore Ma and Pa anyway...
Wade: Well, me and Gizzy are both Beagles heads...so...you can probably guess it's a Beagles song...
Giselle: I know, I know, A Kittish gal being into the Beagles...stop me if ya heard it before... *Titters*
Yuri: *Groans* Not looking forward to that reception's playlist, that's fer sure...
Wade: *Clearly ignoring Yuri* Anyway, we picked 'And I love her'...or rather...I guess I picked it...*Snickers* I guess it's sort of a one-sided song.
Trenton: Well, some of our song choices fit the same category...it's just more about the feelin'.
Giselle: 'Sides, pro-nouns aside...I feel the same way about you me 'ittle love...
*Wade does his best to hug one of Giselle's massive legs as she brings her head down to nuzzle against his.*
Zach: And that leaves Ma and Pa...
Yuri: I'd guess somethin' featurin' Rick Springhopper, iffin' I didn't remember what they played at their tithe renewal.
Audrey: As much as I love that Dingo, he occupies a different part o' my heart...*Ears sag as she offers a sheepish smile.* 'Sides, most of his songs didn't really...apply to my feelin's fer yer Pa when we started out...
Dorian: But y'all can't go wrong the the Baahgee's...
Audrey: Every time I hear 'How deep is yer Love' I just....I get them same butterflies I had when I first laid eyes on yer Pa...makes me weak in the knees just thinkin' about it...
Dorian: I share them feelin's Darlin'...o'course...I don't need some song to get weak in the knees over ya...I can just look in them beautiful brown eyes o' yers and it's like my first time seein' ya all over again...
*Audrey gives Dorian a long, passionate kiss on his lips.*
*The Hunter gals proceed to swoon and 'aww' collectively. The Hunter boys recoil in various degrees of discomfort to outright disgust...*
*Breaking the kiss, Audrey throws her son's a glare.*
Audrey: Oh, grow up! *Laughs*
(Part 2 with the Ruminerds coming eventually.)
To all my wonderful backers and supporters, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate it, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa and or Yule season!
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Where to begin; where to begin? Ah, well I supposed I should start with a bit of an elephant in the room. Mainly the ask blog. First, I'm going to try to keep this as brief as possible. Yes, more asks are coming shortly after this post goes live. (written ones tonight) However, I've had a discussion with the Author of the Found AU and as of right now, I'm no longer answering 'FOUND AU' asks. This is largely because I received some complaints over the sheer volume of them, and the amount of writing that went into them...well...Let's just say I could be devoting more time to my own fics. That said, the actual Found Fic is on Hiatus until further notice. It was amicable, with no bad blood.
Moving to the next order of business, I will be publicly releasing the next chapter of the Val fic this week, as my editor has completed his work. I merely need to go over the last seven or so pages and make the next thumbnail and she'll be good to go. There's still another chapter he'll be working on after this that's waiting in line to be edited. And normally I'd be starting the next chapter toward the end of this month, but to change things up I'll be working on a side fic just after Christmas to take a break from tFV. Not that I'm straying far from the Bellhunterverse AU, I'm actually just going to be writing a one-shot for 'Tales From The BellHunterverse' about Gus and Mellie. I'm kinda excited about the outline, and think it'll make for a very cute side story one can read to add a little more 'flavor' to the Gus and Mellie side story in tFV.
Next up, keychains! Yes, I'm working on them. I'll keep this brief as well as I'm going to post a follow-up about them specifically. Sufficed to say the keychains from the first pass are substandard. Not that it was wholly unexpected, although at one point there was an accident that I thought totally ruined them mid-acrylic pouring. However, at the end of the process, they came out better than expected. And as a result, I've refined the process based on the mistakes I made. I'm currently waiting on a few more production items to arrive to take a stab at a second pass, but I'm fairly confident the next batch will be near perfect, and I can start making keychains and even standees. That said, if anyone wants the 'fudged' versions for free, I'd like to just pick two folks to give them to at random, but I want to gauge interest. I'll reiterate this on the post about them, so please leave your comments there. (WIPs are Patreon 5 dollar tier exclusives, and so is the chance to get the practice keychains)
Lastly, I'm just about caught up on comms, and so I'm gonna be hyper-focused on my 'Caprine Christmas' projects exclusively in an effort to get them out before Christmas. This includes the Dawn Stickers, of which I'll be sharing the WIPs after this post, as well as the 'Tenderizing Mutton' pic with Dawn and Vern that's still sitting with flat colors and awaiting shading. I'm gonna try to push the stickers first, with the pic after as it's less 'holiday' centric and so a slight late drop won't matter if my health acts up. (Again WIPs are part of the 5 Dollar Patreon tier)
Speaking of health, not only is my pots acting up hard, which is why I'm going to the heart doctor on the 11th. But I also developed a corn on the pad of my left foot, and so I'm currently hobbling around like I'm an old fogey with a bad hip. Sadly I can't just 'rest it off' since I have to get up a lot to take care of my mom fairly frequently. But I'm doing my best to keep it elevated and coated in ointment pads in between caring for her. Also, with it being Christmas, I do want to actually make time for Christmas stuff with my Mom...considering the way her health is currently, it could be her last Christmas for all I know...
So yeah, sorry to end this on a rather dour note...but that's about everything left to tell...I'll probably open public commissions in January and start adding folks to the queue again. I also gotta get back to doing those Savage Love Pages....gods, so much to do, so little hands...or tentacles...
Anyway, once again, I wish you all the merriest of the holiday seasons, and thank you again for another year of support! And consider checking out my Patreon! https://patreon.com/wastedtimeee?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
-Wasty
Omari: Well, it's not as sharp as my super mammal costume, but it'll do.
Elizabeth: *Giggles* Do you still have that old thing? How would you even fit in it?
Omari: No, Mom has that. Part of her 'precious pup' collection of trinkets from when me and my brothers and sister were growing up. My first Sam Hain costume is vacuum-sealed as if it were a fine museum piece.
Elizabeth: *Sigh*, I do wish I still had...even a recollection of my first Sam Hain scare costume...though the more I think about it, I'm not sure my birth mother ever took me trick or treating...so my 'Phantom of the Opera' costume that my Dad's let me pick out was probably my first costume ever...
Omari: Oof...what a choice...I mean considering the Phantom's....tragic history?
Elizabeth: *Flicks a paw at Omari* I made the choice myself...despite my own...trauma...I've always been a musical theater girl and...well...I loved that story. It also was...well it was sort of a way for me to...embrace my features...and learn to live with them. I suppose that's why my Dad's didn't stop me from picking it...Still, I loved that costume. I think I wore it from the age of nine to twelve...at least until I couldn't fit it anymore. *Chuckles* It makes it a bit harder to tell from photos just what year it was taken without the old Furbook post date...
Omari: I still can't believe Furbook is limping along...it's so...archaic.
Elizabeth: Our parents and grandparents keep it propped up...and us, unfortunately. Forced to have accounts just to keep connected with the older Hunters. *Snickers* What can you do? Most of them aren't super tech-savvy these days.
Omari: *Pft...* Tell me about it, Mom is still struggling with a standard projector interface. I'm just glad Jabari can field all those 'tech support' calls from Mom, otherwise, I'd be next in line. *Snickers*
Gus: Melly loves dumb, mindless slasher films, the gorier the better... *Chuckles*
Melanie: Oh hell yeah! Blood! Blood and death! *Her giggling turns into a snort* I'd be hard-pressed to find a slasher movie I didn't like, from the cheapest of trash to the finest of treasures. If I had to pick an absolute favorite....hmmm....*Scratches chin thoughtfully*
Gus: It's going to be weird and obscure isn't it?
Mellanie: I mean, I could go with something like the Saw movies for something new...mostly cause I love the traps, and the saw puppet design...To a real classic like the Freddy Cougar movies...oh and Jason! *Chef's kiss*.
Gus: *Chuckles and rolls his eyes*
Melanie: But I'm even into really dumb stuff like Gingerbread Mam', or Jackal Frost...It's just, soo, soo corny!
Gus: I think Chickie sorta falls into that category...although the production value is better than those films.
Melanie: *Snickers* At least at first...but like all franchises, they just get cheesier with each new installment. Of course, I can appreciate that too...though my favorite of all time has to be 'Basket Case'...
Gus: *Guffaws* The one with the dude with the malformed twin brother that he keeps in a wicker basket!?
Melanie: *Nods Briskly* It's just so dumb, but also kinda good...despite the budget. Granted the...rapey scenes are...*Winces*
Joel: Yeah, that was all B-movies from the eighties. A not so tactful, hamfisted way to shoehorn in some bare pelts to hopefully sell more product.
Megumi: I also like Slashers...though less than Kaiju films. The Ring is a good series...at least the Japandese version. *Scoffs* Howlywood ruined it like everything else they try to...what is the word? 'a-adapt'?
Joel: *Nods*
Melanie: Yeah, the North Mammalian adaptation is a little dull....still nowhere near as bad as found footage horror though...that's my least favorite horror film genre. The fad started by the Hare Witch really wrecked horror movies for a while.
Vernon: Much like reality TV shows ruined TV...
Dawn: *Rolls her eyes* Ugh, Reality TV, I could chatter on about the worst examples I've seen for hours...
Vernon: That said we ain't really into slasher films...
Dawn: Not that either of us find them particularly scary...more just dull...aside from a few exceptional meshes of more cerebral films with horror...like The Thing, or In the Muzzle of Madness...
Melanie: OOOH! The Thing's great. Hey, have I shown you two 'Event Horizon'? That one is great!
Dawn: Yes, right after we watched 'chopping maul' on double date movie night. *Giggles*
Melanie: *Laughs* I like to balance out the scarier ones with a goofy one when watching back-to-back.
Joel: What about you Brooms, you've been awfully quiet...
Broomie: We...sorta have a ban on Slasher movies at home...war films too...
Dawn: Really? Why?
Vernon: Is Talia scared of a few cheap jumpscares and blood made to look like chocolate?
Broomie: No...*rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably.* But with her...history, some of that stuff can really...touch some psychological sore spots... *winces*
Gus: Right...her PTSD...I totally forgot.
Broomie: The last thing we tried to watch was Mammalian Centipede, and as goofy as it was, something set Talia off so bad she was ready to tear the TV in half...
Vernon: Geeze...that's-
*Nearby door suddenly busts open, revealing Dom, looking as though he just came from running a marathon.*
Dom: WHO'S TALKING ABOUT MAMMALIAN CENTIPEDE!?
Nick: Honestly I don't get where this comes from. You show me one predator, just one, regardless of species who doesn't like fried chicken! Hel, chicken in general!
Val: I prefer hot wings personally...or a roast...My dad makes a killer bird for Yule Dinner...
Nick: But come on, Vernon? What about you?
Vernon: *Chuckles* I like my wings and thighs as much as the next pred. Spicier the better.
Nick: *Gestures toward Vernon* See! every pred likes chicken meat...it's universal...
Val: Even some prey for that matter...those that can stomach it anyway...
Vernon: I know my Honey Lamb was big into wings while she was pregnant...I do miss the freedom of bein' able to bring some home without the smell grossin' her out. *Laughs*
Nick: The thing is, the old stereotype got started because the foxes in Roarope were nomadic, and oftentimes when they couldn't scrounge up enough food for the caravan...they may have stolen some livestock here and there. Chicken was easiest to kill and carry a bunch of...but little did my ancestors know that was going to set a precedent.
Vernon: Ya mean aside from foxes bein' shifty theivin' types?
Nick: *Rolls eyes* We did what we had to do. And the cartoons back in the first half of the century didn't help either...
Vernon: You ain't the only one whose species suffered thanks to species stereotypes in old cartoons. *Laughs* Thanks to them, most mammals think wolves are big dumb brutes with the lung capacity of a hurricane who scoop up pigs and sheep to take home and turn into a stew...
Nick: *Chuckles* Okay, maybe those old cartoons weren't all bad...
Vernon: *Huffs* They don't air 'em anymore fer a reason Red.
Val: Pft...that's no fun.
Nick: That said, the fried chicken thing isn't as common as the...egg thing.
Vernon: Oh yeah, I've heard that one...is it true they almost used foxes fer Estara instead o' bunnies cause y'all love stealin' and hidin' eggs so much?
Nick: *Rolls eyes* We don't 'hide' eggs. Ancient foxes used to create 'food caches', essentially scattering bits of food around a territory to eat later. We don't really do that anymore...
Vernon: But do ya like eggs is the question?
Nick: Again, who doesn't?
Val: Soft-boiled, runny yolk, with a pinch of salt...that's the good stuff.
Nick: I prefer a nice omelet, heavy on the cheese. *Chuckles* maybe with some jalapeno mixed in if I'm feeling a little...spicey. *Snickers*
Vernon: I like mine sunny side up and runny...even if the yolk gets all stuck in my muzzle fur. *Laughs* Love soppin' up the excess with fresh toast.
Nick: *Chuckles* Sounds like you got a little fox in you after all Pup...
Val: Shame he missed out on getting to put a little wolf in this fox when he had the chance...Made me have to give up and find a different wolf for that...
Vernon: VAL!
Varun: Didn't we do this? I distinctly remember discussing my interview-
Zelda: Interrogation.
Varun: *Rolls eyes* Interrogation with little Akio. Still, I've made no secret of the fact that I'm at least somewhat protective of my little princess when it comes to boys...I was their age once, I know what boys think about.
Zelda: *Quirks a brow* Do ya now?
Varun: *Blushes slightly* Well...actually I was usually thinking about sports games...or action movies to be fair...I wasn't exactly a ladies' mammal going up...
Zelda: *Flashes Varun a dubious gaze* With such roguishly handsome good looks you expect me to believe ya'll wasn't ladies choice in high-school?
Varun: looks can only get you so far...being socially awkward and...admittedly thick-witted when it came to flirting I was...let's just say for a while my parents though I might have been gay.
Zelda: He's not Mom and Dad, believe me...*Bobs her eyebrows suggestively before giggling like a schoolgirl.*
Varun: *Blushes* Mi Corizone, please.
Zelda: Alright, alright....*Chuckles* As fer me, I haven't gone to hard into the Momma wolf mode unless some strange lookin' boys cast eyes Marigold's way...generally iffin' I catch 'em lookin' her up and down like a piece of slow cooked chicken, y'all better believe I'mma scare 'em off. But with lil' Akio, he seems earnest and genuine with how he's feelin' about Mari...even if he's as socially awkward as my Big Kat here when it comes to figurin' out how he feels about Mari...
Varun: Marigold too for that matter...*Groans* I'm really not looking forward to us having to break that down for her soon...
Zelda: Us? More like me...I'm in charge o' that talk and I'm dreadin' it somethin' fierce...*Whines*
Varun:*Varun wraps his paws around Zelda, hugging her tightly* There, there my Love, we still have plenty of time with Marigold before we'll be giving her away at the altar...We must savor it...and it's not like she'd stop being our daughter once she's tithed.
Zelda: I-I know but...*whimpers*
Varun: Think about your Mother-daughter shopping days...knitting together...going to the firing range.
Zelda: *Wipes a tear from her eye.* Well to be fair, that's a family activity...*Chuckles* And she's a crack shot with a pistol...*Shakes head* Just don't tell Ma or she'll be pushin' fer her to have a law career in no time flat.
Varun: *Chuckles* Best grouping I've seen outside of Doreen. And you should see her throw a hatchet.
Zelda: *Ears droop* Y'all went hatchet throwin' without me!? *Pouts.*
Varun: *Chuckles* Apologies, Mi Corizone, but Marigold and I do need some Father-Daughter time too...we can't share every activity. Unless you want to go with us to the ostrich ranch next time because-
Zelda: *Tenses up, pulling away from her mate and looking very uncomfortable* N-Naw y'all can keep the Ostritch wranglin' to just the two of ya...*Laughs awkwardly* I'd prefer not to be anywhere near them birds iffin' the job don't require it thank ya very much.
Varun: Scared of over-sized chickens My Love?
Zelda: More like scared of their raptor claws...*Huffs*
Varun: *Chuckles* What if you had to choose between this and baseball with Mari?
Zelda: *Winces* I'd....I still pick baseball...fer Marigold's sake...But I'd be lyin' iffin' I said I didn't have to think about it fer a hot minute. *Chuckles weakly*
*And for the Doreen and Adrian Follow-up*
Doreen: I got me an inklin'...*Chuckles* I've been hearin' some thangs from the locals about Marigold bein' a crack shot with a pistol from locals who saw her at the range.
Adrian: Doreen...*He says dully, clearly not amused*
Doreen: Now, now, I ain't gonna push...at least not unless Mari shows some interest in wantin' to be an officer like lil' Lily does. I don't wanna be too pushy...the gods know I'm still gettin' shade thrown my way from Vera...
Adrian: That's because she remembers her Puphood Doreen...*Laughs* She's right to wary of y'all...
Doreen: *Shrugs* I suppose that's fair...*Laughs* I just hate seein' natural talent go to waste is all...
Adrian: Anywho, we just fell in love with Marigold the moment we met her. We was ecstatic to have her be a part o' our family. Y'all should know me by now, I don't care what kinda pelt my grandpup has, so long as they're my grandpup.
Doreen: I feel the same way, though granted I didn't express it by pullin' that gal into an almost hour-long hug.
Adrian: *Rolls eyes* It was not an hour-long...*Winces slightly. *Maybe...a little over a half hour, tops!
Doreen: *Snickers*
Vanna: There was a small part of me that wanted to be sympathetic to Zach regarding his...*Ahem* error. But that was grossly overshadowed by the fact that I was having a kitten at the time.
Zach: *Blushes, a sheepish, awkward grin crawling across his muzzle* She wouldn't talk to me fer the whole rest of the ride...Which meant Marcus was playin' messenger fer most of it to keep the air from gettin' too awkward...
Vanna: Zach would ask me if I was in pain, and I would ignore him, so he'd ask Marcus to ask me, and I'd respond 'Tell your father it doesn't hurt as much as the fact that he forgot his mate who is giving birth to his kitten back at the house as though she were a little more than luggage at an airport'
Zach: *Rubs the back of his head, clearly uneasy* Heh, y-yeah...I uh-.
Vanna: It was mostly hormones at the time if I am being honest. In retrospect I feel bad for putting Marcus through acting as our mediator...it wasn't fair to put that on him.
Zach: And fer me too? Maybe a little bit?
Vanna: *Glares at Zach* No.
Zach: *Shrinks into his shoulders. Flashing Vanna the puppy-dog eyes.* Y-Ya don't mean that do ya Kitten?
Vanna: *Chuckles, rolling her eyes and touseling Zach's headfur.* If I meant it, I wouldn't have given up the cold shoulder once we got to the hospital Goofball...*Vanna smirks* It's impossible to stay mad at you...
Zach: *His tail starts wagging furiously, and a wide grin spreads across his muzzle* A-Aww Kitten! I love you too!
*The wolf goes in for a hug, only to get wrapped into a playful headlock by Vanna. Zach laughs and pretends to struggle as she nuzzles against the top of his head and chuffs affectionately.*
Vanna: As for Marcus worrying over holding Rose...while I couldn't exactly feel what he was feeling, I could definitely see on his face what I could feel was on my face when I was first allowed to hold Paige.
Zach: *Struggles a bit more before Vanna finally let's him free, in response the wolf playfully swats back, chuckling as he does.* Poor pup looked like a deer in head-...*Zach pauses, scratching his muzzle.* Wait, is that offensive to say?
Vanna: *Shrugs* Perhaps, unlike Vernon getting a pass of sheep puns, you aren't dating a deer, so I don't think you have an out Goofball.
Zach: Alright...well he just went all pale and wide-eyed. *Chuckles* Prolly looked like me in the delivery room iffin' I'm honest...but at least I didn't faint like Ol' Puppy did...*Chuckles*
Vanna: *Tries to stifle a laugh while shushing Zach* Still, once Rose was in his arms, all that fear and anxiety just melted away...he just...it was like he was in awe...
Zach: We all were at that point. Rose just got all quiet, starin' back up at Marcus with them big beautiful eyes o' hers...and everythin' was just so quiet...it's like they was connected right then and there. He was her big brother, and she his lil' sister. It was one o' them universal, inherent truths Ully is prone to talkin' about.
Vanna: When Marcus finally managed to speak...it was...*She wipes a stray tear from her eye* I was just so...*sniffles*
Zach: He just, all he said was that he promised he'd be the best big brother ever. And I...*Sniffles* I ain't ashamed to admit I was bawlin' like a newborn pup myself...
Vanna: *Sniffles* Honestly, I wasn't much better...
Zach: Though to be fair, ya was still dealin' with the hormones at the time...*Tries to chuckle through his sniffling*
