Ask Judy; Bunny Girl Outfit?

 

Nick: Lingerie, yes. Bunny outfit, no...because it's redundant. *Chuckles*

Judy: Exactly. If I put on lingerie, it's a bunny outfit by default...*Chuckles* These ears are built in.

Nick: What would I do? Have her put on another set of ears? *Shakes head* I'm not like Stay Puft and Puppy, I'm not looking to roleplay a sexy night with a four-eared rabbit alien.

Judy: While I'm sure they don't appreciate being put on blast for sexual roleplay, I'm with you on that one Slick. *Snickers*

Nick: Hey, I'll make it fair...we like a little 'light restraints' in our bedroom activities...

Judy: NICK! *Blushes softly* C-C'mon now...

Nick: And sometimes even I'll wear a bit of frilly lingerie if the mood catches me right...*Chuckles* I'm not ashamed to admit it. *Flashes Judy a smug smirk* There, does that make us even?

Judy: *Head in paws* *Mumbles*

Nick: What was that, Carrots?

Judy: Y-You do look pretty good in...some frilly stuff...*Chuckles*

Nick: *Laughs loudly* Of course I do! Foxes can make anything work, regardless of sex. We're a very aesthetically pleasing-looking species. *Smirks smugly* That said, I have absolutely worn a bunny outfit for Carrots. *Winks*

Judy: *Still blushing intensely* I hope my parents don't read this...

Ask Nick and Judy; A lion named Sora.

 

Nick: I actually forgot about that kid for a long time...

Judy: It's not crazy, we deal with hundreds of perps daily, and a lot of those are poor little kits struggling to deal with their first time on some sort of illicit drug. 

Nick: Increasingly, unfortunately, with the number of night howler-based drugs growing year after year...I hate to admit that it's become...sort of a frequent sight...

Judy: It doesn't help that it's starting to get used in legitimate medication now, as it only muddies the waters in terms of policing the use of it...but I'd rather see it synthesized into medication that can help mammals even if it means it also trickles down to the drug trade...

Nick: Needless to say, he had to be very specific when he introduced himself as one of the newest recruits in the bullpen a few months ago. I honestly couldn't place him for a full minute.

Judy: As it turns out, he aggressively cleaned up his act after we had to take him in. No drugs, no drinking, burying himself in his schooling. He was devoted to turning his life around. 

Nick: Apparently, we inspired him to not only better himself, but to take up the blues himself, and become a ZPD officer. He also profusely apologized for sucker-punching me. *Chuckles* 

Judy: You were so blase about that. He was practically crying and yet that trademark smirk of yours didn't waver in the slightest. *Laughs*

Nick: Carrots, surely you remember how many black eyes I've gotten working as your sidekick?

Judy: *Furrows her brow, crossing her arms and looking slightly hurt by Nick's words.* Partner. *She corrects him*

Nick: *Rolls his eyes, shaking his head dismissively* Right, Partner...What I'm saying is, if I held a grudge with every mammal who ever gave me a black eye, half the city would be on my dung list.

Judy: *Laughs* As if I'm not right there with you...it's a wonder we only have two close-call injuries between us all things considered.

Nick: Never a dull moment when you're part of the ZPD's finest...especially when your partner is 'Judege Dread'...

Judy: *Rolls eyes* If we have to go with one of those nicknames, I'd prefer 'RoboHopps'. *Snickers* It just rolls off the tongue better...

Wasty: I should clarify, I meant no disrespect in that ask. I just wanted to make a joke while trying to find a way I could fit a 'Sora' into my Zootopia. I'll admit I'm not a fan of the series, it's just too much of a lore mess for me. But I'm glad others can enjoy it. That said, I sometimes forget some folks can take a gag like that seriously because I'm just so sure of its apparent joke nature that I'm sure it'll land with everyone. Not that everyone will find it funny, just that they'll get it. And I'm sorry if the portrayal upset you.

Thanks for the ask!

Ask Dawn, Vern, Nick and Judy; Harvest Feast Visits

 

Dawn and Vernon's Answer

Vernon: Iffin' yer talkin' about before the Harvest Feast trip...it coulda' gone better...granted it wasn't much of a visit on my part, cause I only saw Ma Bellwether for a few minutes on her way out...and I got kinda...distracted.

Dawn: S-sorry...

Vernon: It's alright Darlin'...it's all water under the bridge now I s'pose...*Sighs* Not that I'm all too keen re'treadin' an old argument, but fer context Clover kinda dropped in my lap that she read the more 'explicit parts' or 'Predator Seekin' Prey', which forced Dawn to admit she approved the more detailed version of the chapter fer public printin'...thanks to the proddin' o' that 'Publisher' o' her's...

Dawn: *Winces with visible guilt.* I-I...well..*Sighs* I mean I've already admitted I was totally in the wrong for that. As much as my Publisher sort of... sweet-talked me into going with that version, at the end of the day I made the call...and then couldn't bear to tell Puppy what I had done until I had my back against the wall so to speak...

Vernon: At the time I was mad fer a while...not just cause my bedroom performance was on public display...*Chuckles softly* Even iffin' it was a glowin' review. But I was more upset that Dawn kept another secret from me after that big talk we had at the Ranch back when we was tithed...

*Dawn frowns, rubbing her neck uneasily.*

Dawn: I'm so sorry...

Vernon: *Shakes head* Again, water under the bridge n' all Honey Lamb...I was mad at the time, but I realized...y'know...like with yer therapy sometimes we're gonna slip up and make mistakes...it ain't easy to just commit to somethin' like that without fail...just promise you'll go easy on me when I slip up Darlin'...

Dawn: So only two days of getting the cold shoulder rather than three? 

Vernon: *Chuckles* Iffin' we had some time alone earlier on Harvest Feast we probably woulda' made up sooner...But between the awkward train ride with Clover up ta' the Ranch, and my Ma and Pa swoonin' and crackin' jokes over us havin' our first 'real fight' as a tithed couple it didn't really give us a chance ta talk privately till before bed...

Dawn: As embarrassing as it was for you, I'm glad your parents were able to take the whole situation in good spirits...my Mother was on edge all day, afraid she had broken us up...*Shakes head* But considering her previous marriage, I suppose it's not a totally unexpected reaction...

Vernon: I'm just glad she's doin' better now, Val's Pa seems to do a pretty good job of keepin' those hooves of hers on the ground...

Dawn: *Chuckles* Sort of like you do for me...

*Vernon pulls Dawn into a gentle side hug, pressing down through her wooly poof and planting a kiss on her scalp.*

Vernon: Already told ya' I forgave ya, *Chuckles* Ya don't need ta keep up the flattery.

*Dawn snuggles down into the wolf's side, letting out a contented sigh.* 

Dawn: Oh I'm aware...you made it very clear that evening that things were back to normal...*Giggles*

Vernon: Yeah, that breakin' o' the house rule was all on me that time...It may have suspended 'er guest room privileges fer a decade at minimum, but it was more than worth it.

Dawn: *Blushes intensely and swats at her mate* Bad Puppy! I- I could barely look Audrey in the eyes the next day when I apologized...I-I was so...so ashamed. Even with you trying to take the blame for the whole thing. *Shakes head* But as Audrey's told me before...it takes two to tango...

Vernon: Well...it ain't like y'all told me ta' stop... *Snickers* In fact, y'all demanded a lot o' the opposite.

Dawn: PUPPY HUSH! 

Nick and Judy's Answer

Nick: We didn't visit my Mom, so much as we dragged her along to the Hopps Family Farm while we visited Judy's folks.

Judy: It made sense. It's a lot easier to take on one extra fox, than to expect one hundred or so more rabbits to cram into a train car, and then into mine and Nick's modest little apartment. We'd fill up one whole train car, standing room only, if the entire Hopps family had to travel to Zootopia all at once. *Snickers*

Nick: I still don't get how one mammal can have so many kits and just be able to...*Sighs* Never mind...some things weren't meant to be known by foxes I suppose.

Judy: My Mom's got a lot of grit, and nothing can keep her down for more than a second. I get my trademark resilience from her. *Snickers*

Nick: Your Mom is a machine Carrot's. Between having all those kits, and still managing to do anything else around your family's farm just blows my mind. I know your brothers and sisters help out a bit, but... geez...

Judy: Well, Dad helps out too...*Laughs*

Nick: Just visiting for a few days is like being caught in a perpetual black Friday rush at the Savannah Central Mega Mall. How that Doe is able to keep her sanity dealing with all of that on the daily...well...let's just say she should write a guidebook. It'd be a service to the rest of us. *Snickers*

Judy: *Chortles* So, is that your way of saying you had a good time?

Nick: Of course I did, *laughs* as exhausting as it was with all those grabby kits swarming me...Plus your Mom's cooking is only second to my Mom's.

Judy: Misses Wilde is a great cook, even if prey-style cooking is new to her...but, I think most mammals prefer their own Mom's cooking by default. *Snickers* We're all conditioned since birth to love...or at least tolerate our parents' cooking.

Nick: Thank your Mom and Dad again for letting me bring my Mom along on the trip. It...It did her a lot of good. 

Judy: Oh you know they didn't mind. *Shakes head* My mom was practically chomping at the bit just to have a 'co-conspirator' when it came to prattling on and on about you and me, and the fastest way to get us hitched.

Nick: That should make me regret the decision all the more...but the whole headache of having to field that sort of conversation for the rest of the visit was more than worth it to see my Mom smile. 

Judy: *Giggles* It was adorable seeing her with my little brothers and sisters. Unlike you, she never seemed to get tired...

Nick: *Laughs* Oh she's just good at hiding it...lest you forget how she passed out on the train ride back. Still, she handled it better than I could...*Laughs* Maybe it's not just Bonnie, but a superpower all Moms have...

Judy: Don't sell yourself short Slick...you still sneak fewer naps than my Dad does on the regular...*Chuckles* He actually learned how to sleep with his eyes open from one of his old friends who served in the North Mammalian Standing Army just to be more stealthy about it.

Nick: *Ears stand up sharply, clearly surprised.* Well...now that conversation I tried to have with him in the den makes a lot more sense...he just stared through me the whole time while I tried to make conversation.

Judy: No, he was awake for that...he's just still mad about the 'Ferris Wheel' incident...

Nick: Ahh...*Laughs* Right, right...

Ask Nick and Judy; Hopps Holiday Feasts

 

Ask Nick and Judy; Visiting Family

 

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*

Ask Nick and Judy; Judy's Virginity

 

Judy: *Huffs, blushing intensely* That's...really rude! Just going and asking a doe something like that!

Nick: *Opens his muzzle, only for Judy to stare daggers at him*

Judy: NICK, DON'T, EVEN-!

Nick: *Holds up his paws defensively.* Hey, hey, relax, relax Jude. I wasn't going to out you or anything...

Judy: DON'T PHRASE IT LIKE THAT! NOW YOU MADE IT SOUND LIKE I WAS A VI-I! *Judy places her head in her paws and groans*

Nick: I'll keep this as clean as I can and tell you there's two competing stereotypes when it comes to bunny bumpkins. One is the very conservative, wait-till-marriage types who believe holding paws is considered first base. And then there's the second group who says all that same stuff, and sleeps with half the bucks in town on the sly.

Judy: You're making it worse! *Judy groans, muffled through her paws.*

Nick: Now with Judy, I'll just say I was not her first, but I'm in the low single digits...*Quirks a brow* Is that safe to say? Or is that too much?

Judy: *Her head remains buried in her paws* I-I dunno...*Huffs*

Nick: What if I reveal my body count? Will that help?

Judy: *Says nothing, but nods into her paws.*

Nick: *Pulls Judy into as side hug, petting her head as she switches to burying her face into his chest, the tod shakes his head* I'm three, counting Judy. *Feigns a look of surprise* Shocking I know, scandalous even. A handsome tod like me with such a low count? Surely I should have been drowning in-

Judy: *Bumps Nick with her head softly, letting out a clearly irritated grumble*

Nick: *Nick chuckles* Sorry, I know, laying it on thick... *Shakes head* Really though, I've always been a romantic at heart that took the whole dating scene very seriously. That's mostly my Mom's fault. Even though my Dad died when I was very little, they were always so happy together. And even after he was taken from us, my Mom never really stopped loving him. *Shrugs* I guess...I dunno, that inspired me as a kit. I wanted what they had, and so I didn't-...*Sighs, running a paw through his head fur* Of the many foxish traits I leaned into in life, being a serial date, rut and dumper wasn't my style. Which I'll have you know was quite hard at times. *Chuckles* Being a charmer wasn't simply a fox trait I leaned into in order to take advantage of others, I'm just naturally charming.

Judy: *Her snickering is muffled, and while she doesn't pull her head out of his chest, she wraps her arms around him, hugging him tightly.*

Nick: What!? I am. *Laughs* Charmed you didn't I?

Judy: *Finally pulls head out of Nick's chest* More like wore me down Slick...*Laughs*

Nick: *Feigns offense* Carrots, honestly. You're own mate swoops in to stand up for you, and you mock him for it...for shame...I am wounded Carrots. *Draps paw over his eyes and leans back dramatically.* Stabbed in the back with a Carrot shaped knife!

Judy: *Ribs the tod in his side while chuckling* Knock off the schtick Slick. You're only amusing yourself.

Nick: *Laughs* Why can't I amuse myself? Besides, you laughed.

Judy: *Rolls eyes*

Nick: I will say, Judy was my first in terms of going outside of my species..so technically I was a virgin there.

Judy: *Elbows him harder, flashing him a glare* NICK! Shush!

Nick: *Quirks a brow* What!? It's true, why is that- Oh...did you think I was imply-...?

Judy: *Clasps paws over Nick's muzzle* Shhh! Garret listens to the podcast, I don't want that getting back to him or Sha-...*Judy's ears flatten, and she withdraws her paws only to clasp them over her own muzzle* 

Nick: Oh...You thought I was talking about...no, no Carrots...I was just talking about me, I wasn't even thinking about your first time...

Judy: *Looks horrified, blushing and sweating heavily* S-Sweet cheese and crackers! Delete this! Nick how do you delete the file!? Is it this button!?

Nick: No...that would be the send button...

JUDY: NOOOOOOO! It can't send while it's Rec-?

Ask the Cops; The Dumbest Lawbreaker

 

Nick and Judy: Weaselton.

Bogo: *Groans* Weaselton...

Wade: Even I know who Weaselton is...we've picked him up a few times in our district. One of them times that idiot got his tongue stuck to a lamppost while tryin' ta make off with some ol' lady sheep's purse.

Nick: Seriously? *Laughs* How?

Wade: Well, based on the witness testimony, and the evidence at the scene, seems like he tried ta yank the purse away, and whipped around to run without fully gettin' his bearin's while tryin' to flee as fast as his legs could carry him. He barley made it two steps before collidin' face-first into the pole, and his maw was wide open.

Judy: Knowing Duke, probably because he was laughing like a maniac...

Wade: By the time me and Mavsa got to the scene, the ol' ewe had been wailin' on him fer a good ten minutes with her cane...*Snickers* She couldn't really hurt him all that much considerin' the gal was kickin' around her nineties, but even weak little thwaps can start to wear y'all down after ten minutes...

Nick: What about you Finn?

Finnick: *Scratches chin thoughtfully.* Hmm...still you Nick...

Nick: *Nick feigns being slighted* Ouch, Francis you wound me...

Finnick: *Growls* Keep my first name outcha mouth Wilde...I've only gotten better at taking down mammals ten times my size since joining the ZPD. I won't even break a sweat dealin' with you...

Nick: *Laughs* Hey, what I lack in physical strength I make up for in being charismatic and quick on my feet...

Judy: *Gets between the two tods, holding her paws out to keep them at a distance from each other.* Alright, alright, guys. You're both pretty, so please stop winding each other up. I don't want to have to arrest two of my fellow officers.

Nick: Fine, fine...I'll save my barbed wit for another target for now...like the other Hunter Officers perhaps?

*Dorian glares at the tod, causing him to shrink into his shoulders.*

Nick: *Coughs* N-not you of course Sheriff...

Dorian: A 'course not Officer Wilde...but do try and cut my boys some slack alright...y'all should know by now what with bein' a fancy city cop how hard police work actually is...

Nick: R-Right...yessir...*Gulps*

Dorian: Up where I'm from we got a few...dim bulbs flickerin' in and out of the station every so often. The Baah'ly Brothers fer one...usually startin' bar fights er' vandalizin' folks crops...they've even tried their hooves at hoaxin' a few crop circles which got my boy Ully's hackles up...Then there's old George Boarson's son, Billy Boarson...that boy ended up on the sex offender registry thanks to stickin' his willy in a buncha places it don't belong, and several o' those times we got called to pull the poor idiot out of whatever he got himself 'stuck' in.

Judy: *Cringes* Do I want to know this?

Dorian: He's purty harmless...mostly got caught with his pig pecker in a bunch of inanimate thangs...Although there was one time he tried to get frisky with one of ol' Shetland's Ostriches... *Winces* That was the one that got him bumped up from local sex pervert to registered sex offender...As well as a nasty talon scar on his face fer his trouble...

*Yuri and Trent look at each, a mixture of disgust and amusement on their faces as they stifle a laugh*.

Wade: What's so funny?

Yuri: Nothin' nothin'...just *Snrk* Got a bunch o' jokes about Billy Boarson stuffin' bird hittin' my brain all at once. *Pft*

Trenton: *PFFT*Thank the gods it weren't just me... remember the ol' rhyme they had kickin' around when we was teens...

Yuri: *In a sing-songy tone* Billy Boarson boffed a bird.

Trenton: *Now joining in Yuri's tenor* Although I'm sure it sounds absurd.

Yuri: He grasped and gripped while the big bird squirmed. And sprayed its feathers with ropes of-.

Dorian: *Cuts Yuri off* Alright, alright, I know how it goes...I know we're all cops here, but try to keep the gutter talk to a minimum boys...

Yuri: *Rolls his eyes* Psh, fine...I'll just talk about my dumbest perps...most of which are o' course, gang members...Usually pups so y'all expect 'em to be dumb.

Dorian: Anythin' serious?

Yuri: Not from the young ones. Usually, they get busted fer spray paintin' er' dealin' nip er' toad drops er' lichen gum...I've picked up a number of 'em just walkin' down the road with a crate o' booze, lookin' nowhere near eighteen...Then me and Lance get to listen to them struggle to make excuses fer themselves 'er adamantly declare they're adults but fergot their wallet. The dumbest stories they're just prayin' we'll take at face value and let 'em off...

Trenton: How long do you let them go on for before taking them in?

Yuri: As long as it takes to hang themselves, which don't take long fer 'em to do... Of course, we let 'em go longer iffin' it's real funny. *Chuckles*

*The assembled cops laugh knowingly*

Yuri: We also got a homeless guy called ol' Gus, kind of a crotchety old jaguar who spends most of his days proletizin' about the end times on street corners...*Laughs* Kinda reminds me of Ully actually...just without a handler in Honey. 

*Dorian snorts, clearly unimpressed by Yuri's comparison of Ully to a crazy homeless mammal*

Yuri: We take him down to the station from time to time iffin' he has one of his more aggressive days, er' needs to sleep off some booze fer the night. Dumb as a box o' rocks but loves to talk to anyone who will listen, so me and Lance get subjected to a lot o' his crazy stories...

Trenton: Sounds more sad than dumb...

Yuri: Well, one o' my favorite dumb perp stories features Gus just walkin' into a carrot phone store and yanking a tablet out of its stand. Then he goes out the nearest corner and just plops down there to toy with it...So we get called out, and he tells me, Lance, and the manager standin' there, watchin' him use the tablet that he always had it. Despite the fact he'd never got past the lock screen...and the metal brackets and torn USB cable were still hangin' off the damn thang...

Dorian: Sound like them kids you was talkin' about earlier...

Yuri: Yeah, well those kids wouldn't have been as dumb as to start writin' a grocery list in Sharpie on the tablet, thinkin' that's how tablets work.

*The cops share a laugh*

Wade: What about you Trent?

Trenton: Eh, my job ain't got much to tell...I'm a trooper, not a cop. So most o' my dumb perps tend to come in the form of folks lyin' to get out of a speedin' ticket. I can't tell ya how many times I've had bunnies tryin' to convince me, totally stone-faced and serious that 'clearly my radar gun is broken, cause they were only goin' 55...' Meanwhile, I'm flippin' through the highway cams up the road catchin' stills of these folks blowin' past everyone else like it's a fast and furrious movie...

Dorian: It's really somethin' just how many folks will try to convince y'all, right to yer face, that they didn't break the law...it's like they got no other option but goin' fer broke...

Nick: I think that's the universal sign of a dumb perp. 

Judy: At the very least a desperate one...

Finnick: Actin' like you didn't try your paw at that sorta crap when we worked our side hustles...

Nick: *Shrugs* Hey, I didn't necessarily think they'd go for it! I just figured maybe I could charm my way out of the situation...it worked...*Winces* Well sometimes...Till Carrots ruined my streak of good luck anyway...

Judy: More like dumb luck...

Nick: Hey, I'll take any luck I can get...*Laughs*

Ask Judy and Nick; The 'C' word pass

 

Nick: Only in the bedroom...

Judy: NICK!

Nick: And only usually when cuffs are involved...

Judy: NICHOLAS P WILDE!

FOUND AU Ask; Swiner 49er!

 

Vernon: Look, okay...I'm tryin' to make a sorta peace with Lily bein' a natural in term's of takin' to crime solvin' and law stuff. I don't wanna make the same mistakes my Pa made with me, 'er my Grandpaw made with him...

Dawn: But...?

Vernon: *Whines softly* I jus-why does every case she's gotta trip into be some big honkin' conspiracy er' cold case e'r whatever with real, dangerous criminals?  *whimpers* Is it too much to ask she finds someone's lost chameleon er' parrot or somethin'? Somethin' that won't scare me half to death to hear about? Least til she's an adult?

Nick: Something more like a Nancy Ewe book mystery rather than something likean episode of CSI; Maimew Mice?

Vernon: Yes! That, please...At this rate my lil' princess is gonna put me in an early grave with all the heart attacks she's flirtin' with given me...I need a break here!

Dawn: As much as I also don't want to...dampen Lily's enthusiasm, or quash her natural talent. I have to agree with my Puppy on this one...*winces slightly* Our lives can be pretty hectic as is, and it would help if Lily solved a case or two that wasn't groundbreaking from time to time...

Judy: Well, I wouldn't exactly call the 'Swiner 49er' a really 'groundbreaking' case. It was really more of a cute little urban legen-.

Nick: Jealous you didn't solve it when you were a kit huh Carrots?

Judy: *Groans, placing her head in her paws.* YEEEESSSSS...*She hisses*  I honestly didn't think it was real! So I barely ever acknowledged it as a kit! *Shakes head* If I had any inkling the whole thing was an actual crime that was ongoing, you bet I would have been all about solving that as a kit!

Bonnie: To be fair, we assumed just as much.

Stu: Granted, I think that ol' billy wasn't actually playin' the part of the ghost until after me and Bonn had kits of our own...Before that it was just an endurin' myth that had kicked around since the 'Goldrock Den' drainage tunnel eruption in...oh, 1889 I think it was?

Bonnie: 87'.

Stu: Right, anyway folks would swear they saw a ghost skulkin' around in that old house ever since. Supposta' have been one of the miners who got kilt in the disaster floatin' around his old home...It's been around so long most of us adults took to ignorin' it.

Nick: I suppose that's what made it such a viable hideout for those chips, and what made it so easy to scare the occasional nosey pup or kit away from by the ol' mam' when they got too close. The local police wouldn't follow up on anything like that...but by that logic, I suppose it means Lily wasn't in any real danger.

Judy: The suspect wasn't exactly armed bu-.

Vernon: I'm just sayin' I want to be able to take my eyes off my pup fer two seconds and know she's gonna be there when I look back...without havin' to resort to...*Growls* the leash...*Glares in Nick's direction* or a chip...fer that matter...

Nick: *raising his paws defensively.* It was a harmless suggestion, that's all.

Vernon: Eventually my poor pup is gonna wander into something way over her head, and she...could get real hurt...and I- *Whimpers*

Dawn: *Petting Vernon Comfortingly* There, there Wolfy...I know...

Vernon: That's why I want to discourage her from doin' this stuff...but I mean...I don't wanna turn her away from what she wants to do...I just want her to be safe...*Shakes head* Last thing I want is her sniffin' fer another local mystery and stumblin' into a gang's drug peddlin' operation, er' some crazy serial killer's trap basement...*Whines*

Dawn: I know Puppy, I know...*Dawn cooes sweetly* Maybe I can ask Dr. Gnu for advice on how to handle this...I know he's not exactly a child psychologist, but he may have something we can work with...

Vernon: *Nods weakly* T-that sounds good Honey Lamb...T-thanks...

Dawn: *Giggles* Thanks? We're in this together Puppy Love, I'm just as worried as you are! *Dawn pats the wolf gingerly on the knee.* Let's go inside for a little while and you can try and wind down...that's more than enough blog questions for the moment.

Vernon: *Nods* A-Alright...

Dawn: Besides, everyone knows where we stand on the other half of this question. If you guys want to answer, you can...just, wait till we're out of earshot.

*Dawn and Vernon make their way off the porch, and into the burrow, Vernon ducking significantly low to enter the Hopps home before the pair disappear inside.*

Nick: Pretty sure we answered this one too before...it comes up a lot whenever Lily's exploits make the local news.

Judy: Or international news for that matter.

Stu: She's really solvin' cases that big on the regular?

Judy: *Nods* Oh yeah, it actually has the top brass at the ZPD arguing a little bit...they aren't too happy big cases are being solved by a middle schooler...it's not a great look for us.

Stu: Dang, she sounds like a real prodigy. 

Nick: To a comical degree I'd say. So much so that had I not seen the aftermath of a lot of these, I'd think it was something straight out of a kits series.

Judy: I...hate to say I honestly don't blame Vernon for trying to pull Lily back just a smidge. And considering my upbringing, I think that speaks volumes...

Bonnie: *Grimaces slightly* I know we weren't all that encouraging of your dreams sweetie...and we're still sorry for that...

Judy: And I wasn't even out there stumbling over cold cases and smuggled gold...If my kit was doing that weekly, you bet I'd probably try to distract them with cartoons about princesses and stuff. 

Nick: A little research into Princess Isabelle would have helped ol' Puppy in the long run though...I'm sure that was a very uncomfortable watch once Isabelle was made the sheriff as well as a princess...*Snickers*

Judy: Dawn's told me plenty of times before that when Vernon's worried or nervous, he tends to act before he thinks...She says "His heart's bigger than his head sometimes."

Nick: That's not a stretch, wolves have brains the size of walnuts.

Judy: *Tries to stifle a snicker while scolding the fox* NICK!

Nick: What!? *Laughs. *It's true, I saw a video that proves as much on Zootube...Then again, the host was also trying to sell 'all-natural brain vitality' pellets for a good portion of the video so...y'know, take it with a grain of salt.

The Only Thing Hopps Have to Fear (Special)

 

This was a commission/blog post for my Askdawnandvern blog. We were discussing Zootopia stuff in the Patreon Server and the talk went in the direction of the Hopps family, and sheer size of rabbit families in general. I think we were specifically talking about the tithe in aLAW, and mammal marriages. Particularly the bouquet toss and the showdown between Ada and Melly. That drifted to talking about the brutally violent event a bouquet toss at a rabbit wedding must be like,  and me joking it would look like the Doom box art.

So the commission was pitched pretty immediately, and I was paid on the spot without my consent. Lol.

In context, I'd imagine all bunny bouquet tosses at weddings are like this, and the Hopps family are no exception. In context I'd imagine Judy would warn Nick about this, which of course the tod would not take seriously at all. Judy would go on to reassure him she doesn't take the whole 'bouquet' traditional seriously anyway, and that she's not pushing him to marry her. She actually intends to stay out of the toss altogether. But much like with the bouquet landing in Clover's lap by chance or fate in aLAW, the bouquet ends up in Judy's lap. In that instant, it's like a switch flips, and suddenly the doe is all in on defending the bouquet and her mate as the bouquet brawl continues. Now Judy stands against the horde, protecting her prize, (both the bouquet and Nick) from the encrouaching mob of Hopps doe's looking for that wedding blessing. Can Judy run out the traditional '10 minute fre-for all' timer and secure that tod? Well if anyone's got a shot, it's Judy. After all, a Hopps doesn't know when to quit...but I suppose that goes for most of the other girls too doesn't it?

(DOOM MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

Thanks for the Comm!

-Wasty

Ask Judy and Jenny; Year of the Rabbit!

 

Judy: Well, as I've mentioned before, the Hopps clan has Pandese roots. So naturally Pandese New Year has always had a place in our family to have a relatively modest celebration.

Jenny: Two New Year's parties for the price of one!  Wooo!

Judy: That said, this year's Celebration being a 'rabbit' year, not only had a massive turnout in regards to the various members of the Hopps clan coming home for the holiday, but Bunny Burrow did their own big celebration for it...well, I mean bigger than normal.

Jenny: It was as big as your average Carrot Days or Yule thing, with fireworks and all sorts of crap like that...Any other year and it'd be a ghost town...

Judy: That's understandable, most of the families in town are pure native North Mammalian rabbits, there's even less incentive to celebrate years that aren't 'rabbit-centric'.

Jenny: On a rabbit year, every rabbit has Pandese ancestry. *Laughs*

Judy: In regards to making the most of the rest of the year of the rabbit, I'm not planning anything too wild...aside from maybe using it as an excuse to *ahem* "persuade" Nick to pick up more of my paperwork or housework. *Snickers*

Jenny: Don't tell me you forgot about the discounts Judy! I've got more live shows set up for me and Gregg to check out this year than I could have ever afforded without the bunny discount!

Judy: *Laughs* Oh, right! Yeah, a lot of companies and shops and such tend to celebrate Pandese New Year by offering discounts and price cuts to whoever's species year it is. Admittedly, it's a little...I mean a lawyer could argue it's-.

Jenny: Discriminatory? 

Judy: Yeah...but it's sort of an old tradition, and not done with malice or an attempt to marginalize others, so the public doesn't really give it much thought...

Jenny: The discounts are generally pretty small, unless you're dealing with bunny-specific vendors...

Judy: Ah, which raises a point I forgot to mention. Those of you who aren't bunnies are probably thinking 'how does any store with bunny discounts manage not to go under during rabbit years considering the swelling rabbit population'? Well, most bunny businesses are created specifically to support the bunny population. 

Jenny: Essentially for every hundred dozen bunnies born, another several farms, clothing boutiques, etc crop up in response. 

Judy: We're very good at making sure supplies always meet demand. It's our second greatest talent...next to multiplying.

Judy and Jenny: *Snicker*

Ask the Blog; Happy New Year Wishes~!

 

Nick: Well this one got here pretty late huh? Tell me puff-and-stuff, you got any Yule well wishes letters hiding back there?

Dawn: *Winces* I'm sorry, really...we've been kind of...well...

Vernon: We've been havin' trouble keepin' up as o' late what with Paige and the pups...

Dawn: And the book tours, and the speaking engagements, and the podcast...

Nick: *Chuckles* Hey, hey, relax you two...I was kidding. 

Judy: We know you have a lot on your plate, and hey...sometimes stuff just slips through the cracks, right?

Dawn: I...suppose....*Adjusts glasses* Still, I wish we had a better grasp of keeping up with these more 'time-sensitive' submissions...

Vernon: Maybe we need to hire y'all an assistant?

Dawn: *Winces* Based on personal...experience, I think I'd prefer to avoid hiring on an 'assistant' thank you very much...

Ask the Ruminerds PLUS; Weirdopolis or Fictionpunk?

Vernon: Phew, that's a purty weird, wide net to be castin' in terms of who yer askin'...I mean, I'd expect a question like this fer me and the other Ruminerds...but Gazelle? And Finnick? I don't really even know that fella...

Dawn: I do know about Finnick quite well...but only by virtue of writing his and Gazelle's stories for my sequel book; "The Crosser Diaries". But other than that, I can't say I really...know him in a sense that was...well, I wouldn't say we're on "Nick and Judy" terms. Finnick seems like a very private mammal who doesn't like being bothered...and as for Gazelle, I'd feel weird to be bothering her with a question like this...no offense.

Nick: Afraid it's too small a question for her, or afraid she's gonna steal this guy's ideas and take them to some big movie studio? *Chuckles*

Judy: Nick, don't joke like that! Gazelle would never steal from someone!

Nick: The chapter on Gazelle's faun-hood in Dawn's book would beg to differ Carrots. And that's straight from the antelope's muzzle.

Judy: *Huffs and crosses her arms* Well that...um...I mean...look she doesn't now! And she did that to survive!

Gus: Adding to Dawn's 'no offense' remark, even if Gazelle wanted to steal an idea like that, I don't think she'd know who to take it to in order to sell it. Now me stealing one of these settings for a BnB campaign, that's far more likely. *Snickers*

Melly: *Raises and skeptical brow* Really? C'mon Gussie...You're better than that...

Gus: What!? It's not like I'd be selling it or something, it'd just be a space to play in for our group. If it wasn't for this little conversation with Dawn acting as a stenographer to post it on her and Vernon's 'dear tabby' blog, this hyena guy would never know I intended to use it.

Broomie: What makes you think he's a hyena?

Gus: 'Laugh'lin...with a surname like that, how can he not be?

Melly: *Lets out a snorting laugh* *Shakes her head* Gus, that was terrible...

Gus: *Smirks* It was worth it...

Megumi: Didn't he say his name was pronounced 'lawf'lin...?Why would that...uh...? I am sorry, I'm confused...

Joel: *Whispers in Megumi's ear.*

Megumi: *Eyes widen as realization washes over her.* *The little red panda begins laughing hysterically* Oh-HO-HO! HA-! LAUGH! Because H-hYena's laugh...you said his n-naHAHAme wrong on purpose as part of the joke! *Continues cackling*

Gus: *Flashes Joel a half-lidded gaze.* She really didn't get that?

Joel: *Smirks* She's very good when it comes to Zootopian and Animalian culture and humor in general...but every once and a while something doesn't get through the internal translator just right, and stuff like this happens....*Laughs* I do so love these little 'lost in translation' moments...

*Megumi's laugh trails off as the little panda wipes a tear from her eye.*

Megumi: *Phew*...I need to catch my breath...that caressed my ribs...

Gus: *Quirks eyebrow* Uh...what?

Joel: Tickled babe, the expression is 'tickled my ribs".

Dawn: We're getting way off track. Dustin wanted to know which of these if novelized, we'd rather read.

Gus: Allow me to reframe it for the group if you would Dawn? Guys, which of these settings would you rather play in?

Joel: Fiction Punk...

Megumi: Because you want to rub shoulders with your anime heroes...*Snickers* Or 'super simian Joel'...

Joel: *Places a hoof finger up to his muzzle and hushes Megumi loudly* You promised you'd keep that a secret! *Joel whispers to his mate*

Gus: Oh please, we all know about super simian Joel...we've seen your secret commission harvesting art page...

Joel: *Looks flustered* M-Megumi! You to-!?

Broomie: She didn't do anything, you left yourself logged into Gus BnB computer in the office and forgot to log out. And well...*snickers* There was no way I was gonna keep gold like that to myself.

Joel: *Huffs* I t-thought it was one of those...logs out from the guest systems on idle deals! *Snorts in irritation* CHIKUSHOU!

Gus: I'm voting Weirdopolis.

Vernon: Same...I feel y'all got more creative freedom with that one...with the fiction one y'all gotta...pull from cartoons and books and movies and such...I dunno if I'm keen in playin' in a world like that Ready Player One movie...and as a book...well, I mean I feel that Fiction Punk thang is better served by bein' in a visual medium.

Dawn: It's a difficult call with Fiction Punk...as much as I like it...if you lean heavily on established characters across media interacting you tend to end up leaning toward fan service, and it may hurt the concept...at the same time, a world of original characters, such as fake cartoon and book characters...well not only would you have trouble getting an audience if you didn't have one already...but you'd have to really work out exactly what makes different fictives stand apart from one another...like toony cartoons or superheroes, or...whatever else. Sort of like species traits...

Vernon: So...Weirdopolis?

Dawn: I'd vote Weirdopolis yes.

Melanie: I'd agree with the rest of you...the whole cryptids element really kinda hooks me in from the jump as I'm a bit of a 'conspiracy, urban legends, and cryptid' nerd.

Vernon: *Snickers* Don't let Ully hear you say that...

Melanie: *Laughs* I won't, believe me! I've heard their podcast...and seen their live streams... Ulric would give Alex Roams a run for his money.

Megumi: I do like the creepy and strange concept more...it seems very intriguing.

Joel: Oh sure! Everyone just vote me down! *laughs*

Vernon: What about y'all...I mean...I wager yer probably not interested in this kinda stuff...but...

Judy: As far as books go...I'd lean Weirdopolis...

Nick: As far as your little backroom fantasy games go, we'd go neither. *Chuckles* Though I'd say Fiction Punk would make for a good film...although...I'm not sure what you'd have to do to distance yourself from ol' Roger Rabbit...

Dawn: That's another fair point I guess...Not to discourage you, Dustin, please don't take any of this that way...they're both fun ideas! But if I'm forced to choose...

Nick: He asked for an answer, if he didn't like it, he shouldn't have pitched it to us in the first place.

Judy: Nick, be nice!

Nick: *Rolls eyes* Fine Carrots, fine...

Dawn: Perhaps I can get Gazelle's opinion sometime in the future, but for now I hope that is enough feedback for you Dustin. Good luck in your writing endeavors!

*The group falls silent for a moment*

Megumi: So...is he actually a hyena, or...?

Ask Wasty; Cyberpunk Deco AU (Glitz and Chips)

 

WT: A lot of good ideas there. Seriously. If I had to take a crack at them I'd think maybe we'd have a bit of a placement reversal. Like, Nick is already working for a corrupt version of the ZPD, although he's on the shallow end of the corruption. He had ideals, dreams, all of which get dashed when he managed to get into the ZPD and see what it was really like. But rather than walk away, he resigns himself to the role for a time, accepting it as the 'way the world is' and trying to do good where he can. It's when Judy joins the force, and he's forced to be her partner that he begins to shift back to his former self. Judy reminds him a lot of himself when he first joined, but unlike him, she refuses to give in to corruption and aims to be the one to clean the organization up.

Nick tries to talk her out of it, telling her it's not worth the trouble and to keep her head down for her own safety. Of course, Judy declines, saying she didn't become a police officer to 'play it safe' and collect a paycheck. Naturally, Judy ends up ruffling feathers in the ZPD, and Nick is warned to keep a leash on his pet or they'll 'deal with her', but those threats still aren't enough to dissuade Judy who continues to press her luck until it finally runs out. It's only thanks to Nick overhearing the plan that was already set in motion to kill Judy, and his split-second moral decision to act, that saves the poor rabbit from a gruesome 'gas leak explosion' death in the locker room. However, both mammals are still left maimed despite Nick's efforts to push her out of the way of the blast. For Judy, the attempt on her life costs her both legs below the knee, and for Nick, the blast costs him his sight.

The two are rushed to the hospital and stabilized, but only have a short time to recover before both have to flee in order to escape the ZPD looking to 'finish the job'. Nick stumbles blindly out of the hospital with only Judy to guide him, the bunny slung over his shoulder, as the pair make their escape. But the duo ends up running from the ZPD's grasp right into the arms of a mysterious mammal who leads them into the sewers. This tall, gruff, and imposing creature reveals himself to be none other than the formerly 'disgraced' Chief of the ZPD, Bogo. Bogo now works for an underground shadow agency seeking to purge the city of its corporate overlords who control the ZPD and government and restore it to its former non-dystopian system.

Judy and Nick agree to join, and are suited up and kitted out with augments to fix Judy's legs and Nick's eyes, and the pair become rogue agents, working to undermine and overthrow Zootopia's overlords at every turn. As for their relationship with Dawn and Vern, I imagine that Nick already knew the detectives while in the ZPD, and went to them for use as informants. Judy's brief interaction with them while on the force always left her wary, as the pair seemed sketchy to her. Well, as luck would have it, the reason they both came off as sketchy is that they too are part of the organization that Nick and Judy would join after their brush with death, acting as one of their sets of eyes and ears on the surface and feeding false leads to the ZPD when it came to cases involving 'terrorists'. Also, while solving smaller, more personal cases to try to involve the ZPD as little as possible, if any case led to the corpos or ZPD directly, Dawn and Vern would pass it to Bogo to be handled by one or more of his agents.

Naturally, Nick and Judy working as basically secret agent rogues means Judy doesn't get the siren hat. Not exactly stealth is it? But that said, I can see Judy having a sort of... espionage deco flare to her outfits. Something form-fitting with a singlet bottom to allow her bionic legs to be fully exposed... With Nick, I see him in sort of the more classic trenchcoat kinda thing over a fine suit, topped off with the traditional detective hat...all black of course to hit that noir aesthetic and make his augmented green eyes and tie really pop. At the time of writing this, I haven't yet drawn them, but I have a mostly clear mental image...so these elements will surely be in the finals.

Hope you guys liked the really rough, off the cuff ideas. Thanks for the ask!

-Wasty

FOUND AU Ask; Judy and Nick on 'Hall Monitors'

Judy: I wouldn't worry about it...I would have done the same sort of thing when I was her age...in fact, I did...we just...it was early internet so we couldn't share anything the way kits can now...

Nick: *Chuckles* Oh that's cute...I'm trying to picture that...it's got to be adorable...

Judy: Psh...watch that 'c' word mister...

Nick: *Places his paws up defensively* Hey it was an accidental slip...I wasn't thinking. *Snickers*

Judy: Granted I didn't have the level of production value Lily's friends could pull off...and I was a one mammal crew and performer...and all of my stuff was...well staged...but still I took it very seriously.

Nick: Please, please tell me these home movies are still floating around. As your mate, I feel I have a right to see them...especially considering you've seen me as a kit in the bathtub. It's only fair.

Judy: *Laughs* I'll text Mom and see what she can scrounge up...but I mean, the tapes our in our basement, and that place....it's like the warehouse from Indiana Bones...Good luck finding anything on your own...

Nick: Alright, alright...we're getting off track right? haven't even really answered the question have we?

Judy: Oh, yes, well. *Ahem* Like I said, I wouldn't be too concerned...it just seems like a fun little project for her and her friends to do together...and I mean...Lily is very...she's...weeell...

Nick: Some sort of detective-savant? Possibly even clairvoyant? 

Judy: Yes...as much as I feel bad when it comes to...trying to soothe and downplay Dawn and especially Vernon's concerns, she's just got such a knack for police work. *shakes head* She honestly blows my mind with the cases she stumbles-no, not even, she solves. It wouldn't be fair to make it sound like she solves them with dumb luck...she merely finds them by luck and solves them through actual skill and aptitude. *Laughs* Compared to me as a kit, she's is leagues beyond, and she's only going to improve as she gets older...

Nick: That said, it's hard to argue for encouraging her knowing what a social pariah the Hunter-Bellwether family is due to Dawn's past and her relationship. They have enough enemies as it is without Lily accidentally creating more out of sometimes really hardened criminals...it's just putting a bigger target on their back...

Judy: Yeah...it's...I mean it's complicated...but Lily is...she's a force unto herself...she's such a natural...and to stifle her just...I mean it just seems like a recipe for a very unhappy adult...

Nick: And loads of therapy...although considering her parents she was probably going to need that already...

Judy: NICK!

Ask AU; Childhood Friends AU

 

Wasty: I think the difficult thing here...aside from bringing the ages in line, is figuring out how to have them all grow up in the same general area while still maintaining large elements of their initial upbringing. What I would probably do would be to drop everyone in roughly the same area, and the one that's most accommodating for everyone involved would be in between the North and South Meadowlands, with Nick living in the more suburban Southern Meadowlands, and Judy and her family being shifted up to the North Meadowlands either with them moving or having always lived there. I'd also shift over Gideon Grey and Sharla and her brother to keep Judy's Kithood mostly consistent.

Starting off, I think Dawn and Judy would become friends first, what with both being fairly small mammals. Considering young Judy's personality, I think she'd notice a very shy and timid Dawn and feel sort of compelled to befriend her. She'd also usually be the one to stick up for Dawn against bullies even if her efforts to do so were easily blow off by most mammals since she was just a 'weak little bunny'. Through that connection Dawn would also be befriended by Sharla, as Judy would have met the little black lamb before Dawn and brought her along. Vernon would come along shortly after, with the same situation occurring that brought them together in the first place, only this time there'd be a distinct difference. The bully would be Gideon Grey. I imagine Judy would miss school semi-regularly due to having to help with the family farm, which would end up leaving Dawn without a defender, and after several attempts on picking on the ewe spoiled by Judy going Hall Monitor on Gideon, the first absence since Judy started stepping in for Dawn would leave an opening to good for the fox to pass up. After all, the tod knew there was no way Sharla would step in without Judy. Sharla would run to the teacher to get help, but by the time she got help the situation would have already been handled by a certain grey wolf pup.

Vernon would still leap into the fray, pulling the same stunt he always did by recklessly fighting a bully, but he would more than likely win this one, as despite being a runt, he'd still be bigger than Gideon. The next day Dawn would introduce Vernon to Judy and Sharla and tell her about how he sent Gideon wailing for a teacher, and Vernon would immediately earn the rabbits' friendship. In a short time, Judy would become super enamored with Vernon's family after finding out just what they did, and would probably get to the point of driving Vernon and his brothers nuts by asking endless questions about real police work. As they grow up, she even develops a little kithood crush on Vernon's Dad for a while because he's just 'So COOL!" in her words. And unlike her own parents and most of those in the community, Dorian and the Hunters, (Save for Yuri), are super supportive of Judy's dream. Dorian even allows her to train with the boys, much to Yuri's annoyance.

Dawn and Vernon's friendship is still briefly broken up by Aster about a month after the trio unites. However, Dawn having multiple friends in school rather than just one wolf gives Clover the extra push she needs to leave her husband the night he breaks Dawn's friendship bracelets, (As there is now a bracelet from for both Vernon and Judy.) At that point, Dorian brings Clover and Dawn to the Hunter Ranch to stay while Clover files for divorce and looks to find a new home for her and her daughter. They end up staying a year before, with the help of Dorian and Judy's Parents, managed to find a small townhome relatively close to both the Hunter Ranch and the Hopps farm, thus allowing Dawn continued easy access to her friends.

Nick would come along later, shortly after the 'Ranger Scout' incident. I figure Nick's Mom would be a mixture of heartbroken and livid that her son was treated the way he was, but knowing she wouldn't be able to get anyone to do anything meaningful about it, and that Nick would still have to go to school with those kids that teased him, she calls on her cousin in the North Meadowlands and with their help quickly relocates her and her son out of the suburbs. That cousin is Gideon Grey's mother, and while part of the intent of moving Nick up there was so he'd be able to be friends with his second cousin Gideon, and have a fox friend, the pair immediately rub each other the wrong way. It doesn't help that they're forced to live under one roof while Nick's mom attempts to find a new job and a new home for the both of them.

Fairly quickly the two get in a fight after Gideon finds out that Nick is still holding on to some of his ranger scout uniform and teases him mercilessly over it, eventually sending Nick running out of the house in tears. Nick walks alone for a while, wandering the local roads of the North Meadowlands until he gets to a small bridge over a river. Nick, still crying considers tossing the last of his Ranger scout gear into the water when he's discovered by an awkward little billy goat who mistakes him for a new recruit to the scouts he hasn't met yet. After Nick reluctantly explains himself and what happened, the little goat refuses to let the young tod throw away his ranger gear, instead promising to get Nick into his own troop. This little billy, if you haven't picked up on it by now, is Gustav Hornsly. 

With Gus vouching for him, the fox is inducted, (reluctantly on the part of the den leader), into the North Meadowlands Ranger Scout Troop. Of course, that reluctance came more from his being related to notable troublemaker Gideon Grey more than anything. But being friends with the weird sickly little goat is bound to get you picked on, and thus a similar situation happens to that of the initial bathroom swirly scene where Gus met Vernon. Only now, Gus is quickly dropped in favor of Nick when the tod steps in to defend his friend. Of course, his charisma isn't enough to save him, and so the tod finds himself about to get the crap kicked out of him by a lumbering teenage cheetah when Vernon enters the bathroom and breaks the whole mess up. Nick tries to play off needing the wolf's help, but Gus undermines him by thanking the wolf for saving both their hides. Gus and Vernon become fast friends, with Nick tailing behind as the friend group is finally connected.

A lot goes on from that point in terms of character interaction. Gus and Vern start the school's BnB club together, dragging a reluctant Nick along with Dawn, Judy, Sharla, Broomie, Joel, and Claire. Judy ends up joining the ranger scouts and being one of the few mammals aside from Gus willing to work with Nick, the pair become fast friends. Dawn still briefly dates Gus in this timeline, and then the 'singles' prom situation plays out similarly, only now Dawn has a significantly larger female support group advising her as to what to do, and the same goes for Vern with his male support group. Of course, being friends with Claire, Dawn knows she has feelings for Vern and that does cause friction when Dawn develops her own feelings for the wolf. And as for Vern, you can bet Nick mercilessly teases Vernon over being a prey chaser. Of course, that's before actually going to the prom, and the wolf actually catching feelings for Dawn, at which point Nick is oddly sympathetic and encouraging.

Meanwhile, ol' Gideon Grey has been out of the picture for a while, at least in terms of picking on members of the group. It is only when he comes to see Nick and apologizes to him that everyone learns the chunky tod has been seeing a counselor and has mostly mended his ways. He apologizes to everyone in the group and is eventually absorbed into it. In the lead-up to prom, Gideon and Sharla really warm up to each other, but it still really shocks the group when Gideon asks Sharla to the prom, and even more shockingly she agrees. Naturally, this puts Sharla in the best position to really rally behind Dawn when her own romantic feelings for Vern begin to form, as well as makes her the best to confide in about her feelings next to Judy.

After graduation, Judy is the first to rocket into the local police academy, with both Dorian's training giving her a head start, and a written recommendation from the law wolf forcing a lot of the instructors to push aside their misgivings about a rabbit aiming to be a cop. According to Dorian, starting out in the North Meadowland Police would make for a great stepping stone to getting into the ZPD, a goal that the doe is eager to shoot for. By this point, Nick and Judy have become really close, and so she ends up encouraging him to follow along with her into the NMPD, and after some training with ol' Mam' Hunter, the fox signs up for the academy as well.

Vernon is reluctant to go into the police academy. He feels...sort of pigeonholed by his father to take up the work and definitely feels uncertain about the whole thing. But with two of his friends in the academy, the wolf decides to go for it. As for Dawn, encouraged by seeing all of her friends enter, especially Judy, and having endured the 'Hunter Family' police regiment herself, and done quite well in Dorian's eyes, Dawn follows swiftly along with her mate. While Vernon and Judy prove to be strong in the athletic portion of the training, Dawn, and Nick really shine in the more mental investigation and observation aspects of the work. The four are hired onto the NMPD shortly after graduation, and while Vernon and Dawn stay in the North Meadowlands and rise to the ranks of deputy. Judy transfers out to the ZPD about two years in, with Nick following shortly behind his partner. 

Though now separated, the four meet up fairly regularly and remain close friends even into the present. Although the four of them have begun to muse about the prospect of creating a private investigation business in Zootopia to run together. Whether that happens or not, who can say? It was a fun little tangent nonetheless.

Yearbook Transcript

Yo Gus, hope summer camp won't keep ya too busy. Me and Dawn are gonna really miss havin' ya around. Plus without you around to stem the flock, these ewe's 'er gonna eat me alive.

-Yer best friend "Sheepdog" A.K.A. Vernon Hunter

I'm sorry things didn't work out between us Gussy. I hope we can always stay best friends! See you after your Ranger Camp stuff.

-Dawn Bellwether

Howdy Gus, Sorry I'm not great at the BnB stuff! Still had fun though!

-Love, Sharla Baker

Thanks fer makin' me feel welcome after all I did ta most of ya. Thanks for the second chance.

-Gideon Grey

Hey Gus, have fun at Ranger Camp! Much Love,

-Claire Baahley

When you get back, you owe me a pocket mammals rematch!

-Yer Bud Dylan Broomie

Ey Shatterhorn, hate to admit it, but I actually had fun "playing pretend" with your other nerd friends in club. See ya in the Ranger Scouts Summer Camp. Heads up! I'm coming for that merit badge record!

-Nick P. Wilde - Your 'better' best friend.

Hey Ranger buddy! Looking forward to summer camp? I know I am! Hope you prep a campaign or two for the slow nights! I'm really digging this roleplaying stuff.

-Judy Hopps

Hey Dude, have fun at summer camp! Promise I'll have a bunch of Mamanga's to share when you get back! I swear to keep the porn ones to a minimum.

-Joel Pacal

(And here's a 'yearbook signage free' version of Gus' yearbook page for the BnB club. The characters are around 16 to 17 here.)