#a meadowland's morning smile

[2truehearts]

YES I HAVE A LETTER FOR YOUR DOVE

new movie finished:

the cat returns

it's so silly??? I really like it honestly. stranger than most ghibli films, but still silly and I love it <33

it has a sequel i think, the whisper of the heart? I'm going to watch it next!

YIPPEE IM ECSTATIC U DO INGKA MY LOVE HEHEHEHE <3

immediately watching it when i finish studying n (gently) barging into ur inbox to rant HJDSGDSAAK (if u don't mind!)

WOOWOWOWWOOOWW RLLY??? if it does i'm gonna watch it w my family later for movie night !!

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

a/n: live from the meadowlands! i’m freezing my tits off in new jersey and getting ready to head into the stadium to scream my head off for the boys! so i figured it would be a perfect time to provide some best man mat smut - this is so unedited it’s not even funny, but i hope you guys enjoy and i’ll catch up with you all on monday once i’ve thawed out! 🧡💙🤍

word count: 3.3k

tw: dirty dancing, dirty talk, unprotected sex, fingering (f receiving), nipple play, creampie, let me know if there’s anything i missed

summary: it’s ethan and lenasia’s wedding day and mat’s the best man. it’s not your fault that he looks so damn good in a suit

“And if there’s anything you take away from this speech tonight, it’s yes, I can actually read! Let’s raise a toast to the bride and groom,” Mat smiles, laughs a little, and lifts his drink in the air to toast Ethan and Lenasia. You swallow a giggle and then a sip of champagne, setting the flute down on the table so you can call and cheer wildly as Ethan cups Lenasia’s face and kisses her deeply.

By the time the clapping tapers off, Mat is back in his seat next to you, his hand finding yours and lacing your fingers together. He lifts your hand to his mouth and kisses the back of it, causing a blush to heat your cheeks. “How was it?” He asks, sounding slightly nervous, lips tilted in a self-conscious smile.

“Perfect,” you grin, leaning slightly into his personal space. “Who knew you were so good with words?” Your silk-covered knee knocks against his tuxedoed one.

Mat scoffs and takes a drink of water, his hand dwarfing the glass. “You know I’m very good with words, babe,” he winks at you. He sits back in his seat, watching as Lenasia’s maid of honor steps up to the front of the room to give her speech. The pad of his thumb rubs against the underside of your ring finger, catching on the pavé band of your engagement ring. You let your knee knock against Mat’s again and the corner of his mouth curves up in a smile, his attention focused on the speech.

A few short minutes later, you’re lifting your glasses in another toast to Ethan and Lenasia. Mat’s hand never leaves yours and he squeezes your fingers gently as he sips at his champagne. You can’t help but stare at him, taking in his mussed hair and unbuttoned shirt. The hint of skin and collarbone has you feeling overly warm. He’s always looked sinfully good in formalwear.

“Like what you see, babe?” He laughs, leaning into you when you’re sitting down again, starting to poke at the salads in front of you. His lips brush against your cheek and you shiver.

“Always,” you murmur back, bumping his shoulder with yours. “Just thinking about how good you look. How I didn’t get to see you at all today.”

Mat shifts in his seat and you grin wickedly, glancing down to see the effect your words are having on him. Since he’s the best man, he’d been up and out of the hotel room early to get ready, so all you’d gotten this morning was a rushed make-out session and an ass squeeze, leaving you unsatisfied.

“Later,” Mat whispers in your ear, a promise and a threat.

“I’m holding you to that,” you grin, turning your head slightly to capture his lips with yours. You bite down gently on his lower lip and Mat groans quietly into your mouth.

He presses a quick kiss to the corner of your mouth when you pull back and mutters, “gonna hold you to something, for sure.”

You snort a laugh and shake your head at him a little, pushing at his thigh where it’s pressed against yours. “You’re so cheesy,” you tease, digging into your salad.

“It’s weddings,” he replies around a mouthful of food. “They bring out my inner Hallmark movie hero.”

The subtle tease at your preferred guilty pleasure entertainment makes you roll your eyes. He joins in on watching the Christmas movies more than he’d ever admit. You smirk at him, “keep this energy up for Christmastime.”

After that, you both fall into conversation with your friends at the table, eating dinner as it’s served and drinking too much. Mat continuously delivers you bay breezes, the vodka flooding your veins and making you pleasantly tipsy by the time you’re on the dance floor.

Mat’s hands are all over your body, holding you close as you sway and scream along to the music, hips bumping together. Your hair is slowly starting to fall out of the updo you’d spent most of the morning working on, little pieces frizzing around your face and sticking to your forehead. Mat’s hands are hot on your skin through the silk of your dress, leaving a phantom impression whenever he moves them.

The music changes, slows down, and Mat pulls you close, hands landing on the curve of your ass. You grin at him, buzzing from the alcohol and skin tingling from his touch. His eyes are a little unfocused from his own drinking but he lands a kiss on your lips with precision accuracy. He tastes like whiskey and beer and Mat. You smile into the kiss, giggling when he grows sloppy, kissing the corners of your mouth. “You look gorgeous,” he says, mouth close to yours. “Like a…a…a gorgeous woman.”

You laugh out loud, clearly Mat’s drunker than you thought he was, and press yourself closer to him as you sway. “I thought you had a way with words?” You tease him, stroking your fingers through his hair and over the nape of his neck. He shudders in your arms at your touch, sensitive against your gentle ministrations.

“I said words, didn’t I?” He laughs, turning his head to kiss the inside of your arm. “You are gorgeous, what else m’I s’posed to say?”

“Hmm,” you hum, head pleasantly fuzzy from the drinks, “I dunno, anything else you think is appropriate.”

Mat’s silent, for once in his life, and Elvis croons about falling in love.

“How about,” he grins, holding you close and lowering his voice so you’re the only one who can hear him, “I wanna fuck you until you forget your own name.”

His breath ghosts against your cheek and your knees wobble, the surge of lust in your blood overwhelming. Your fingers tighten around Mat’s hair, tugging sharply, and you lean even closer to him, soaking up the warmth of his body. “I like that plan,” you giggle, the sound tapering off into a little gasp when the music changes and Mat grinds his hips into yours. The bulge of his cock presses against you, a promise for later.

The reception lasts into the wee hours of the morning, music bumping and drinks flowing. You’ve taken a spin around the dance floor with Ethan, scream-sung along to the Spice Girls with Lenasia and some of the bridesmaids, and given baby Gracie some cuddles before she was ushered off to bed by Lenasia’s mom.

Now it’s just the straggler, party-animals left and you’re once again in Mat’s arms, his chest pressed against your back. His hand is warm against your stomach, fingers splayed out to cover as much of you as he can. You lean your head back against his shoulder, swaying along to the music completely off-tempo. Mat’s lips are against your skin, kissing your temple, your hair, every inch of you he can reach.

“Fuck,” he mutters, “you’re so pretty.” His words are a little slurred, running into each other. “Someone should marry you.”

A drunken laugh startles out of your mouth and you lift your left hand, engagement ring glinting in the low lighting, back to curl in his hair, nails scratching at his scalp. “Someone is,” you tease, kissing the point of his chin.

“Who?” He turns his head and plants a sloppy, wet kiss on your cheek. “Cause I’ll fight him. I wanna marry you.”

“You dork,” you laugh, “you’re marrying me.”

Mat’s hand stops its movement over your stomach and chest, fingers frozen where they’re curled around your breast. “Oh fuck yes,” he crows. “How’d I forget that?”

“I don’t know, exactly how drunk are you, my love?” Your hand tangles further into Mat’s hair, hips never stopping their lazy grind against Mat’s groin. Your other hand cover’s Mat’s tracing over his knuckles and the veins underneath his skin. You’re not even remotely close to sober yourself, alcohol blurring the edges of all your thoughts, making your movements slow and loose.

“Not drunk enough that I won’t be able to fuck you in the hotel room,” he promises, biting down on your earlobe and making you shiver.

“Good,” you grind your ass back against his cock, grinning impishly when you feel him twitch against you, “I’ve been looking forward to it all night.”

His hand squeezes your breast tightly and you yelp a little, nipples pebbling under the silky fabric of your dress. Mat’s mouth marks a hot trail over your jaw and down your neck, kissing at the join of your neck and shoulder, burying his nose against your skin. “You smell good,” he mumbles, holding you close. ”Love you so much.”

“Love you,” you reply, squealing when Mat grabs your hand and twirls you out to the side and then back in, your back slamming against his chest when you lose your balance. He wraps his arms around your stomach, hands clasped over your belly button, chin resting on your shoulder, and sways along with the music.

Mat’s lips are hot on your skin, magnetized apparently since he can’t stop kissing your exposed neck and collarbone. You melt against him, leaning heavily into his embrace, butterflies kicking around in your stomach. Every shift of his hips presses his erection against your ass, hard heat searing through the thin silk of your dress. Arousal grows slick between your legs, your panties damp and your thighs gliding against each other.

He tugs gently at the fabric under his hands, bunching it a little so the hem of your dress starts to inch higher. His heart beats against your back, his bare chest hot against your skin. The fabric of Mat’s unbuttoned shirt tickles your sweaty skin and you wonder, deep in the back corner of your mind, where his tie went and if he’ll ever get it back. Then his palm is sliding up your thigh and you have no more thoughts, just the feeling of Mat’s skin on yours.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Mat whispers in your ear, his breath warm on your cheek. “Wanna be inside you.”

You nod and Mat drags you off, hand tight around yours, your heels clipping along the floor as you hurry to keep up with him.

——

“You taste like pineapples,” Mat comments, sucking one of your nipples into his mouth and laving over the pebbled bud with the flat of his tongue.

Your back arches, Mat’s hands at your lower back bracing you. “Oh my - god,” you gasp, “I sp-spilled a drink earlier.”

Mat licks up over the swell of your breast, sucking a mark at the top. He nuzzles his nose against the skin of your sternum and your breath hitches in your chest. Your hips roll over the bulge in his pants, soaking the fabric of his slacks.

Your panties have been tossed to the side and the skirt of your dress is bunched up around your waist, making it easier for you to straddle Mat’s lap. He’d made quick work of pulling the straps of your dress down over your arms, baring your breasts to him and wasting no time marking them up with his mouth.

“Love these tits,” he groans, licking a hot stripe through the valley between your breasts and up to the hollow of your throat. “Bouncing so perfectly while you ride me.”

You whine and dig your nails into his shoulders, “M’not riding you,” you complain, rolling your hips over his clothed lap. “Take your pants off and fuck me.”

His shirt is on the floor, hair mussed from your hands, but his slacks are still on and you’re getting frustrated, whiny and desperate for the burn of his cock in your cunt. Mat’s hands roam your back, one cupping the nape of your neck and the other sliding under the curve of your ass. His fingers tease at your entrance and you clench, a fresh rush of arousal staining his slacks.

“Mat,” you whine his name, pressing closer to his fingers and burying your face in the crook of his neck, “please, please, wanna fuck you. Wanna have you fill me up.”

“Needy,” Mat teases, kissing you solidly as he lifts you off his lap and deposits you on the mattress. “Touch yourself while you wait,” he demands, hand on his belt buckle. You blink up at him and he cocks his head, raising an eyebrow. “Go ahead, babe, give that pretty pussy the attention she deserves.”

With Mat’s gaze focused on your bare cunt, you bring your hand to the swollen, sensitive flesh. Your fingers tremble a little as you circle them around your clit, head falling back against the mattress and a breath stuttering out of your lungs. “Oh god,” you moan, applying more pressure and picking up your speed.

Distracted, you don’t realize Mat’s undoing his belt and pants, shucking them down his muscular legs and kicking them to the side. “There you go, baby,” he rasps, sitting back down on the mattress, watching arousal drip out of your cunt. “Gonna slide right in, you’re so fucking soaked.”

He fists his cock lazily, running the flat of his palm over the reddened tip. Your fingers stutter as you watch him, ready for him to fill you up. “Can I - Mat,” you exhale harshly, rubbing your fingers hard over your clit. He hasn’t told you to stop, so you won’t, but you’re losing patience. “Please,” your voice cracks a little and Mat takes pity on you, reaching his free hand for your thigh.

“Aw, come here, baby,” Mat murmurs, hauling you over his lap again, hand falling away from his cock. Your hands brace on his shoulders and you settle your knees on either side of Mat’s hips. “Gonna sit you right where you belong, stretched out on my cock, okay?”

You nod desperately, chanting his name and then gasping when Mat lines the head of his cock right at your entrance, dragging you down by the hips until your ass is flush against his thighs and his cock is fully sheathed in your cunt.

“Ohhhh god,” you moan, head falling back and hips moving of their own accord, bouncing on Mat’s cock. The drag of his cock against your walls is delicious, the bare heat of him blistering from the inside. “Feels so good, god, fuck, Mat.”

His fingers are tight on your hips and Mat’s eyes are locked on your bouncing tits. “Baby, god, so tight. Been wanting to fuck you all night, fill this pussy with my cum, lick it out of you, make you scream my name.” Filth drops from his lips until he can’t help himself and he leans in to tug one of your nipples with his teeth, grinning around you when you shriek.

His pace never stops, his hips bucking upwards into yours, his cock head hitting your g-spot and making you see stars. Your nails dig into Mat’s shoulders and your thighs burn with the bouncing, but your stomach is tightening with pleasure and you beg Mat not to stop, chanting his name.

“Go ahead,” he mumbles against your chest, slicking your tits with his spit, “come on my cock, baby. Soak my dick.” His hand snakes forward and he pinches at your clit, drawing a scream from your lips. Sweat drips down both of your bodies, mixing with your arousal on Mat’s thighs, the glide of his cock in your cunt so smooth.

With his cock pounding into you, his fingers on your clit, and his mouth on your nipples, Mat drags you over the cliff and your orgasm hits like a freight train. You come with a scream, gushing around his cock and soaking his lap. Mat’s not too far behind you, bucking his hips up into yours while you shake through the aftershocks of your orgasm. His cock thickens inside of you and you babble in his ear, talking to him and coaxing him into coming inside of you.

“Fuck, fuck, baby,” he grunts, biting hard on your shoulder when he comes, filling you with hot, thick ropes of cum. Tears well in your eyes at the sensation, toes curling. He flops backwards onto the mattress, taking you with him with a little yelp.

You’re crushed against Mat’s chest, the bunched up fabric of your dress sliding against your slick skin, his cock softening inside of you. You bury your face against Mat’s neck and giggle lightly, wiggling happily when Mat’s hands caress your asscheeks. He groans into your hair, “Squeaks, I think wedding sex is our thing.”

Your laughter is louder now, vibrating through your body. It’s not like there’s always that many opportunities - besides tonight, you’d been to three of your friends’ weddings this summer and honestly, yeah, you’d had some pretty mindblowing sex after all of those weddings too.

Your fingers card through Mat’s sweaty hair, pushing it off his face and tracing his browbone gently. “Hmm, just imagine how good it’s going to be after our own wedding,” you tease, biting at your lower lip.

Mat lifts his head to capture your lips with his, teasing at your lower lip with his tongue until you release it from your teeth. His fingers trail all over your lower body, dipping between your legs and dragging the mix of your fluids over your skin. “Wedding night sex?” He says when he pulls back, eyes twinkling with mischief, “that’s the night I’m supposed to pretend we’re both virgins who’ve never seen each others’ ankles, right?”

You laugh and shift, the movement dragging your messy cunt over his cock. Mat winces at the graze, soft against your thigh. “Hmm, I don’t think either of us can pretend to be virgins,” you kiss his cheek and reach down between your bodies to stroke your fingers over his lower stomach and then lower, over the hair at the base of his cock and cup his balls, enjoying the groan Mat can’t hold back when you squeeze gently. “Not with our raw animal magnetism.”

Mat snorts a laugh, “raw animal magnetism? Why am I marrying you again, you weirdo?”

“My world class roast chicken and gold medal blow jobs, obviously,” you flip your hair off your shoulder, immediately wincing when your fingers catch in a knot. “Oh fuck that. My hair is a rat’s nest.”

You roll off of Mat’s chest, legs still tangled with his. He rolls to his side and drapes a hand over your hip. You study his face, swollen lips and hazy expression in his eyes. Stubble is sprouting on his jaw and you reach up to scrape your fingers against it, making him smile and press his face into your touch like a cat. “You do make a really good roast chicken,” Mat mumbles, eyelids shutting. His blinks grow lazy and it takes a few seconds longer than usual for his eyelids to open again. You hum happily, still stroking his face.

Mat’s completely asleep a few minutes later, mouth wide open, drunken snores echoing throughout the room. You roll your eyes affectionately - how is this the man you’re going to marry?

Carefully, you wiggle off the bed so you can take off your dress and shower, the hot water soothing your muscles and washing away the sticky feeling between your legs. Your mind wanders as you shower, thinking about how amazing the wedding was and how much planning you’ll be doing in the upcoming year for your own wedding.

Mat’s still asleep when you get back into the room, but now he’s wrapped himself up in the sheets, sprawled out on his stomach. “Blanket thief,” you mutter, crawling up next to him and wiggling under the duvet. A bobby pin digs into your scalp and you run a hand through your hair, trying to dislodge it but too lazy to actually take your hair down. It shifts a bit, not actively lobotomizing you, so you close your eyes and press your face into the pillow, yawning wide enough to crack your jaw.

As sleep takes over, you feel Mat’s hand move around the mattress, finding yours and lacing his fingers with yours.

You fall asleep with a smile on your face.

[star-girl69]

Ultraviolence

Natalie Scatorccio x Fem!Reader

—-

a/n: i hope you all enjoy!!

warnings: mentions of death, swearing, mentions of a knife, mentions of starvation, tell me if i missed anything!!

Chapter Six - Prayers

Chapter Six - Prayers

—-

1996-

Late last night, Misty had heated up the blade of the axe she used to cut Coach Ben’s leg off, and pressed it to his wound. He screamed for only a moment, before it tapered off- stopping abruptly.

When you got up to check if he was still alive, Misty was wrapping the new burned wound on his leg, and his breathing was harsh and heavy, but he was breathing.

With the silent forest, save the crackling of the fire and the sounds of the wilderness, you eventually fell asleep- telling yourself that morning will come, and so will rescue.

When you woke up, there was no rescue, and all of the girls whispered that it would simply come later in the day.

In the meantime, the grave digging started.

They weren’t finished until noon, using scrap bits of metal from the plane as shovels. Everyone stands around the small plot of graves, marked by pieces of metal with names drawn in marker.

You wonder faintly if that’s what they would have wanted.

Now, the earth is freshly scared with the imprint of the bodies, raising up the soil, but soon- the scars will fade. The ground will level out again. And besides for the metal marking the graves- no one would know they’re there.

“Before we took off,” Van starts, staring at the grave right in front of her, “I heard Rachel say that she was going to see Oasis at the Meadowlands next month. She was really excited. And she’s never gonna hear “Wonderwall” again.”

You can’t help but dig your feet into the ground, the tip of your Converse making a small indent in the soft soil. You thought back to what Shauna said to Javi. Is it really like sleeping? Does the dirt feel like a blanket? Are they warm? Cold?

“Come on,” Laura Lee says after a moment. “Let’s join hands.”

Squished between two freshmen, you hold out your hands, and the two girls on either side of you tenderly intwine their hands with yours.

“We’ll pray for them,” she says, and you almost smile- because what else would you expect from Laura Lee?

Slowly, all of the girls follow suit, grabbing hands, closing their eyes.

“Rachel,” Laura Lee starts, “You just moved up from JV, so we didn’t really know you. But, in Trig, you never confuses your secants and your cosecants. You seemed really smart. Anyone else?”

“I saw her carry a flute case once,” Van rushes out.

“Oh, Lord, please accept Rachel Goldman into your arms so that she may fill your kingdom with music.” She licks her lips, and blinks harshly. “Please accept Coach Martinez into your glory, too, and flight attendant Janet, pilot Robert, pilot Fred. Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

The world seems to fade out, and you faintly remember the funeral your mother had taken you too, the open casket, the eerie stillness of the body of a woman you never knew. But she knew you.

Your mother had told you not to be scared of death. But she had never been to the wilderness before.

“The Lord is my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is my strength. Whom shall I fear?”

“I’m going for a walk,” Tai announces suddenly, letting go of the others hands, walking towards the forest, away from the graves.

And soon, everyone followed suit, their hands dropping.

—-

“This is all we have?” one of the girls asks, a group gathered around the small collection of food and drinks the flight attendant was giving out.

“Yeah. We gotta ration,” Van says. She studies the small collection, before glancing at Shauna. “Okay. Cut them,” she says, leaving the knife next to the food. “Split this water,” she says to another girl, giving her a plastic water bottle.

“Well,” Jackie starts, looking at a small chocolate covered treat Shauna had given to her, “Maybe we can find something in the forest. I saw some berries-”

You perk up. “What did they look like?”

Jackie frowns. “Uh… they looked like little oranges.”

“Oh, no, you can’t eat those.” Everyone looks at you, confused and curious. You feel your cheeks warm up, but a suddenly realization comes to you. You are useful. You know the plants. “They’re probably Buckthorn berries, which are native around here. If you eat them, they cause swelling of uh, the nervous system, I think.” Another moment of silence. “My mother is a botanist, so…”

“Shit, really?” Van asks, looking around the woods. “You know what we can eat from here?”

You nod, feeling a little proud. “Um, elderberries should be around here too. If we cook those, then they’re not poisonous, but uncooked one’s are.”

“Okay,” Shauna nods, “we’ll have a little more to go off of.”

Akilah starts rationing out the water using the little plastic from the cart, everyone reminding her not to spill any.

Suddenly, Travis stands up and marches over to the pile of food, grabbing a bag of CornNuts.

“Dude!” Can shouted after him.

“Travis, what are you doing?” Jackie asks, and all of you watch as he marches off, not even looking back.

You stare at the small bag he has clutched in his fist, your stomach twisting angrily at the sight.

“Uh… Maybe you didn’t notice, but we’re kind of in a situation here, Flex.” Lottie says.

“Don’t.” Nat says.

Travis turns around for just a moment, leveling a sharp glare at Lottie, before continuing into the trees.

“Who died and made him king of snacks?” Lottie spits.

“His dad, Lottie. Literally… his fucking dad.”

“Nat’s right,” Jackie sighs. “We should cut him some slack.”

“I guess it’s fine if we all starve to death, as long as Travis’s feelings are okay…” Mari says.

“No one is starving to death. When the rescue team gets here, it’ll be fine, but for now-” Jackie starts.

“You mean if it gets here.”

“Don’t say that, Van.” Jackie says, looking slightly shocked.

“It… has been three days, Jackie.”

She smiles a bit, whether to cover up her true feelings, or if she really believes that they’ll come, you don’t know.

“They’re coming.”

—-

“Guys!” Tai shouted, returning finally from her long walk, panting. “Guys! There’s a lake! There’s a lake. I saw it from over that hill,” she points, “It looks about 4 or 5 miles away.”

You couldn’t help a small smile from winding its way onto your face. Elderberries would grow well in the soil by a lake, and other plants too. Maybe if you could just get there and recognize a few of them, you would remember more, and be able to help more-

“Do you think we can hike it?” Shauna asks.

“It’s pretty rocky,” Taissa breathes, “but yeah.”

“Uh, we, uh, we can’t… we can’t just leave,” Jackie stutters, standing up and gesturing from the plane to the direction Taissa came from.

You can tell she has no support.

“We have two days of water, tops.”

Jackie shakes her head slightly, as if to say “so?”

“And then what?” Tai continues. “Just sit around and die?” Your stomach twists.

Before all of this, you had things you wanted to do, a life you wanted to live.

“What of the rescue team comes?”

“Do you think they’re taking their time on purpose?” Taissa looks around, and while some people haven’t accepted it- you’re not a fool. If they were coming, they would have come by now. “If they knew where we were then they would be here already.”

“You don’t know that,” Jackie sneers, not unkindly, but she gets the point across.

“What do you think, Coach?”

Everyone turns to the man who you once thought wouldn’t make it through the night, now barely alive, sitting on a plane seat the girls had dragged outside. He relied on Misty for everything.

“I don’t- I don’t know,” he says, clutching his amputated leg. “Uh, I mean, you’d have to leave me behind. But, whatever.”

“We could make you a stretcher,” Tai declares, looking around. But at the first inkling that going to the lake would keep you all alive for longer- most of the girls were swayed.

“Oh, okay,” Jackie laughs.

“Seriously. If we take turns carrying it-”

“N-no! This-this is bullshit. I say no. Okay? No way.”

After Jackie’s outburst, no one speaks for a second. You look around the group of girls gathered, and most of them can’t even look at Jackie. They’ve already made their decision. You look at Nat, but her eyes are fixed to the floor.

“Let’s put it to a vote,” Tai says, staring at Jackie. “All in favor of waiting here?” Jackie raises her hand. Only a few other girls follow suit. “All in favor of the lake?” Tai raises her hand, and after a moment, you do as well.

Natalie raises her hand too.

Even Shauna raises her hand, which earns her a scorching glare from Jackie, but before anything else can happen, Tai speaks.

“Then it’s settled.”

—-

You stuffed all your clothes into your bag, a hairbrush, other toiletries- and finally, after a moment, you grabbed the small glass cube. Your mom had gifted it to you a few years ago, back when she was around more, before your dad had left, and she hadn’t thrown herself into your work and slowly stared to forget about you.

The rest of these girls probably all had people who cared for them. Who wanted them to come home. You wondered if your mother had even noticed your absence.

Inside the small glass cube was a preserved sample of deadly nightshade. A small stem with a few berries, one leaf. You wondered often if the poison still worked.

Slowly, everyone filed into a rough line, and you all began your descent to the lake.

You wondered faintly if Laura Lee should have lead you all in prayer before you started the hike.

—-

taglist:

@sweetdayme4427 @dreaming-for-an-escape @peachydoki

[celmation-gibson]

Hello, Well 2018 was a Great time for Cinemas, and what a Year for such Creature Features such as the ones I will be reviewing here, and now may I present to you some reviews of the movies that I've observed on the Big Screen that year.

Pacific Rim: Uprising – My First movie to see in Theaters since I couldn’t find a Perfect time to see Aardman’s ‘Early Man’, but I’m pretty sure this Year would be a Monster of a Movie experience in the Cinemas. Since I’ve have and Watched the First film on DVD, I would think that I should enjoy its Sequel that has been made, and even though Mr. Guillermo Del Toro (the first film’s Director) didn’t direct this Film, he Helped Produce it as well. And as I said before, I do Love a Good Giant monster film, and this film was always filled with Suspense, Action, & Drama, and I would Fear that there won’t be any Hope left if those Giant Monsters win. Also it breaks my Heart wide Open to see a Character who I say and Liked in the First film died in this one. And that one Villainous Character is sure a Wicked Dick (*pardon my Language*) about this one being Possessed by a Kaiju Masterminded Brain. And surprising how that Rouge Jaeger was controlled by a Kaiju Brain, Hit him once & he’ll hit you back Twice as Hard. But I’m glad the heroes win in this Battle, and it took near the Tail end of the Film for the Movie’s Title to appear, unlike the First one where you wait 15-20 minutes for the Main Title to appear in a longest prologue, but for Me, I would almost stick with the Original Film.

Rampage – As I said before, I do Love a Good Giant monster Movie, and this is one of them. And it was a God-Epic monster Mash, even had some hilarious Moments, like when George flips the Bird, and I was like “Did that Primate just flip a Bird?”, though I do know another Ape who can Flip a Bird. And not to mention that the movie is actually based off an Old Arcade game of the same name, and if you Look very closely in the Office Building of Energyne, there are Arcade Cabinets of the Original ‘Rampage’ game, and ‘Rampage: World Tour(?), though I’m not quite sure what the other one is. And the monsters are Hardcore Badass, I don’t know which one(s) are Great (though I pick all of them), and for Bonus, there was another Creature in the Beginning of this Film that was a Rat Test subject. And the Sequence where they hunt the Giant Wolf Down was Awesome and it gave me Goosebumps completely. Plus some Good Elements from the Game is Included as Well, such as Eating People, Tearing down a Building from top to bottom, the military being involved, and Destruction of the monsters themselves. Even when me and my Dad were watching it in the Theaters, and when Dad watched the Commercials for the Film, one of his Favorite Quotes from the movie was “And of course the Wolf Flies”, LOL! And the Lizard Monster in the Film was so Massive & a “Pain in the Ass”, there was no End in that Creature, even when you plant an Explosion in his Ears & throw Missiles at him, he gets back up again, and I thought the Impalement on George would have Killed him Completely, but it was just thru his Shoulders and Thank goodness not the Heart Area or Between the Chests. But still, this film was an Epic Fun Thrillride, the characters are Great & Fun-filled, and I guaranteed this Year would be a Monster Movie Experience in the Theaters.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - Well, me and my Dad seen the first 'Jurassic World' in Theaters back in 2015, so we figured since we love Dinosaur movies, we go this this latest update, and to our Surprise, Original Jurassic Park star Mr. Jeff Goldblum (the big Chill, the Fly(1986)) will be starring in Guest Role, and it was a Surprise seeing him in a Honda(?) commercial to promote the Film. And That my Foodtown was already selling products, even sodas & Chips in Promoting the Features, and it featured some of my Favorite Dinosaurs in the Film such as the Classic T-Rex, and boy was that Opening Scene in the Pouring Rain so Intense, the Surviving Raptor of the Original JW film Blue, who is one of my Favorite 'Good Guy' Raptors, the Comical Dino Hard-head Stiggy, who I find entertaining & Funny in the Movie, and My Favorite Villainous Dinosaur, the IndoRaptor, and if you think the Indomenous Rex in 'Jurassic World' was Terrifying, this IndoRaptor is one Badass Creep, even when she(?) smiles while playing Dead while one of the Soldier guys was about to Chip a Tooth off her, kinda gives it like a Cartoon-y feel to it like the minor ones in 'the Adventures of Pinocchio'(1996). And that Epic moment where the Island was in Volcanic Eruption was so Frantic, even one scene in the Film was shot in One single Lengthy shot during those Round Vehicle Thingies, an I thought the Part where one of the Brachiosaurus was Left behind on the Island while Massive smoke was covering him was the most Disturbed sequences in the Film. Well i certainly enjoyed the film, while my Daddy didn't, cuz he thought there wasn't much action or creature footage in the film, as he thought there was more of some "Love Stories" being put into it, that's why he might like 'Rampage' more, where they showed some monsters earlier in the film, but you might say that some Critics praised Pratt's and Howard's performance, Bayona's direction, the visuals, Michael Giacchino's score and the "surprisingly dark moments", while others suggested the series had run its course, criticizing the screenplay and lack of innovation.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation - Well, Mr. Genndy Tartakovsky Never Fails to impress us with this Three-times Charmer, and how Lucky was I to reserve a Seating to see this on my Birthday of 2018, after a Good Morning at the Meadowlands flea Market, and a goof Lunch at Taco Bell, I hit the Theaters with my Dad, and the Movie was Fantastic, and since Mr. Genndy Tartakovsky Co-written this Film (along with one of the 'Austin Powers' writer), I know what some Moments in the Film, there are certain scenes that are free of Dialogue, just like the ones in 'Samurai Jack'. And it was a-bit strange to see a Character from one the 'Hotel Transylvania' shorts that I've never seen, and that short was "Puppy", but in order to watch the short (even for myself), I have to watch that Gross-out 'Emoji movie' for it. But for HT3, the Climatic part of the DJ Battle with Professor Van Helsing (Drac's old Nemesis, and was surprise to see him still Alive in Machine parts) & the Kraken was Awesome, I didn't remember the first Official song played, but I do know the second being 'Don't Worry, be Happy', and the Final one was none other than the 'Macarena' and supposedly it's the Extended River remix version of the song which I have on my I-Tunes and have no regret in Purchasing it, along with Daft Punk's 'One More Time'. So I like the Film and can't wait to get it for Christmas, along with 'Rampage' this Year. And I even heard that Genndy will be working more at SPA where he will be set to Direct an R-rated animated feature titled 'Fixed', and an Adventure Film named 'Black Knight'.

Smallfoot - When I saw some Preview ads on CartoonBrew, I thought this looks kinda Weird and thought I'd just pass on it, but after seeing some TV Ads for the film, and seeing how interesting it looks, I thought I'd give it a shot, and kinda find the movie very Interesting if you wanna feel Young at Heart, and was Lucky to see it on Columbus Day, the only Actor(s) in the Cast i know were comedian Danny Devito & Basketball superstar Lebron James, and to my surprise seeing the closing credit of the film that Cartoonist Justin Roiland voiced in the film as well as one of the Yeti folks in the Kingdom, and I only know the names Common & Gina Rodriguez starring in the film. And the Music and songs in the Film are Nice, and I like how some Advance the Characters or Advance the plot, and it was Hilarious hearing one Song being sung in the tune of Queen/David Bowie's 'Under Pressure', and since Common is a Rapper in real-life, he did a Good Singing on when the Stonekeeper himself tells Migo that Humans & Yetis were Enemies in the old ages. And the other reasone I like watching this film is that I'm also Fascinated with Yetis and Drawing them, as you can see from my old 'YETI & other Stories' story in my Gallery, and one of my Yeti inspirations was the old Unfinished/soon-to-be-Finished David Allen film 'the Primevals'. And don't forget that the SF film was inspired by a book called 'Yeti Tracks', which is a good thing that some Films were based on Books such as 'Mr. Popper's Penguins', 'Home', & 'the Adventures of Pinocchio(1996)'. And I like how the Film was promoted "from the Studio who brought you 'Looney Tunes'" in which case, it is made by Warner Bros., and also the people who worked on 'Storks', and this film now made me think of two Environmental Animated films from 20th century Fox such as 'Ferngully: the Last Rainforest' & 'Once upon a Forest'.

Halloween(2018) - I never even heard that the Original 1978 classic is getting a Remake, although It may not look like a remake, but a True sequel to the Original film, and avoiding stuff on what happened in 'Halloween II(1981)', 'Halloween 4 -Curse', & 'H20'. And I read that the original star Ms. Jamie Lee Curtis will be in this Film, as well as being executive producer for the feature along with the Original 1978 Film's Director Mr. John Carpenter, as in they want to make it look Perfect as the original Monsterpiece, and they did succeed in it in Keeping the Spirit & Atmosphere like the 1978 movie. And I gotta say, Micheal Myers is one 'Pain-in-the-Ass' monster in this Film, like he always is in the original series, and I feel sorry for the People who got killed by that Creep, the Podcasters, the Boy who was equipped with a Gun along with his daddy, and a Woman who Micheal murdered and left a Baby behind. And an amazing thing my dad found in a Twist of Story is when Micheal got hit by the Sheriff, the Sheriff and the Late Dr. Loomis' student professor went out to investigate and kill Micheal, only for the Sheriff to be killed by the Professor, and when the Professor dude wore Micheal's mask, my dad thought that he was gonna be the New Micheal Myers, but Micheal resurfaced and soon killed the Professor afterwards. And one part in the Film which left the Audience in an applause is a Sequence that was based off the Original film, when Micheal attacked Laurie and pushed her off the Balcony, he saw her Body Lying there, but when Micheal turned away and looked back again, she was gone, just like what happened in the 1978's film ending. even after watching this film with my dad, he still had alot of Questions need to be Answered about some parts in the film, and I wish they showed more of the Ending with Micheal being Burned alive in the Cellar. And this may be one Creepy Classic that i might never watch again, but I just stick with the original Masterpiece of Fright & Shock.

the Grinch - Man, I am seeing alot of Good films in 2018, and this one may be the Last that interest me that Year, and this one was an Adaption of Dr. Suess' Classic Holiday Tale, 'How the Grinch stole Christmas', or simply titled 'the Grinch'. And seeing how Interesting it looks after seeing some Previews and TV Ads, especially that part where the Grinch whispers to Max and Fred "This is the Loudest Snow I've ever heard in my Life", I've decided to give it a Go, and hoping to see if it's Fascinating like the Original 1966 Animated Classic and more Better than the 2000 Live-Action Jim Carrey one, and it was. How lucky i was to see this movie on a Day off afternoon on a Wednesday, and I thought i would be the only one seeing the Film in Theaters, but it was also some Girls and their Parents & Guardians, possibly had a Half a day off. But for the Film, I Loved how the Narrator of the Film narrates in Rhyme, like the Original Dr. Suess books, and how the Writers improvised the Story using the same Lines in the Books, and It had a Great choices in Christmas soundtrack, especially in the part with Grinch Wake-up Radio with some Familiar tunes I know and Cherished. And it was a Great Film produced by the Wonders of Illumination, the Wizards behind 'Despicable me', 'the Secret Life of Pets', & 'Sing', plus they did another Dr. Sues adaption such as 'the Lorax', even some of the character designs in the film made me think of the Designs from Disney features such as 'Wreck-It Ralph' & 'Monster University'. And some of the Voice Cast in the film I know of was Keenan Thompson of 'All That' & 'Keenan & Kel' voicing Bricklebaum, a jolly citizen of Whoville, and Angela Lansbury as the Whoville's Mayor, and how Surprised/Not Surprised to hear another Familiar Voice in the Film playing one of Cindy Lou's Friends, who that boy is none other than Mr. Sam Lavagnino, the Voice of Baby Grizz in 'We Bare Bears' & Pepper and Alien King in 'Summer Camp Island'. And I'd thought Ms. Cindy Lou Who would have a cute design just like the one in the 1966 Classic, and she did have a Cuter design in this Film when it comes to the Creative Artists of Illumination. And Yet, this has become another Holiday Classic, and when I told my Mother how much Fun it is, she might be hoping to get the Film on DVD for my Niece to Enjoy.

There was a Movie called 'the Meg', though I may have interest to see that, but I wasn't sure how much interested I will be with the Whole thing. And sorry if I didn't felt like seeing 'Ralph breaks the Internet' or 'Into the Spider-Verse', I go for the Obscure & Non-Disney taste in the Cinemas as of now.

[terrorandtales]

Gentle Stream

Sweet Sunflower… Oh how beautiful you truly are… I’ve been able to slow myself down to admire your beauty. I count each petal steadily one by one. Wanting to always admire you. Taking my time to learn and study each golden blade that you’ve earned in this lifetime. Swirling, twirling, and whirling around the meadowlands of my universe has come to a slow waltz. Peacefully gliding through the woods following the Angels' heavenly tunes of love. I’ve slowed like the stream that flows through a quiet wood. Hearing the sweet rustling of the leaves. Feeling the gentle breeze that caresses my soft feathers. Smelling the sweet scents of moss, papayas, and lemons. I’m in my happy place. Nearing the heart of the in-between. Fluttering along this gentle brook I started to calm and relax into the familiar unknown. Following the sunshine that leads me to your bright golden rays. ”You’re my morning sunshine,” you’ve said sweetly. I’ll be the sunshine and you be the gorgeous sunflowers that make the world brighter. I want to hear your soul speak. I want to listen to understand you. My gaze and heart are transfixed. I’m not afraid to follow the stream that leads to you; to take this leap of faith. I already have… The moment I heard the tunes of the Universe I was hooked. My curiosity and yearning for gentleness motivating me to find you. I’m used to running away when things become too real, but with you my sweet Sunflower I want to revel within your vibrancy. I want each petal to touch my soul deeply. To admire and love you is a privilege. You have a natural way of making me feel grounded and safe. Your tender soul warms the edges of my weathered heart and I shall cherish every sweet golden blade. Even the ones that don’t reach the sun rays some days. I’ll water you, speak kindly to you, and nurture you as best as I can. This I promise you. Divine stardust blossoms with each smile, laugh, and twinkle of your eyes. Your presence alone helps to spread love. Fairy dust surrounds you and tickles my nose. Allowing me to slip back into my inner child. These golden rays have brought me to the soft mound of grass I’ve missed so much and there you are resting underneath my pink and orange Truffula tree that smells of papayas and lemons. My skin begins to glow again. My heart is warming from the inside out. I feel warmth, love, and wonder coursing through my being. My heart slows and our eyes lock. The skies around us shift into a kaleidoscope of greens, whites, and purple auroras. Shaped as beautiful people dancing to the tunes I can finally hear. This is where I want to be… With you, wrapped in your arms resting underneath the Truffula tree. Peace overcomes me; a faint smile comes across my lips once again and I fall into you, so deeply, I fall.

[ketso]

Episode 5

…

Of course I did not go to Meadowlands. Zithulele dropped me off at my place after I spent thirty minutes complaining and talking him into not taking me to South Africa without a passport. He left that evening and according to when he said he would be back, he should be back as of this morning. But he came to see me two days ago and we ended up getting involved in Ona’s and Dise’s drama. Then he disappeared on that night, telling me that he is going back to Soweto, and I have not seen him since. We are not in a relationship, so I cannot exactly question him. I just keep quiet and when he appears in my life, I smile. When he disappears, I miss him in silence.

My grocery, toiletries and spending money for the month has come through, so I am waiting for the university bus to pick me up, alongside the other students, and take me to the mall. I love the postgraduate life. We are all stressed out about our own things. We are technically adults so some people are going to town to deposit money for kids, some are topping up with daily essentials like I am doing and others – well, they are enjoying the Sunday before Monday lectures and practicals.

While I wait here for the bus to arrive, I WhatsApp Regodise. She was in a much better space when we left the doctor’s rooms, but I do want to check in and make sure that she is okay. To be in a relationship with someone like Ona Mohale cannot be easy.

“Hey gorgeous. I am just checking in and hoping that you are okay.” That’s my text.

She replies almost instantly saying:

“Thanks so much for checking in and thanks so much for everything that you did to help me the other day. I have been meaning to call you. Are you available for a quick phone call?”

Now this I was not expecting. I just reply and say: “Sure.”

She phones me immediately. The bus arrives, so I climb into the bus, sit at the back, and then answer her phone call.

“Hey Dise”.

“Hey Tlali. Firstly, thank you so much for the other day. I truly appreciate everything that you and Zithulele did for me. Thank you.”

“It’s really no bother. I am just glad that you are doing okay now.”

“I am, thank you. As you know, I am not returning to res because I have to move into the royal house after the wedding. That means my sub-warden role has become available. I referred you to the warden and she is keen for you to take my role. The pay is really great and you’ll get to live there for free, which means that the accommodation fees that you get from the royal house can go towards something else.”

I honestly cannot believe my ears right now. I love my bachelor pad and the privacy it comes with, but I can definitely do with the extra money.

“Thank you so much for thinking of me, Dise. I am so grateful.”

“Cool. It would require you to move into the res. It houses third years and Honours Degree students. There are a few Masters Degree students. You will be required to be at res every time you are on duty, but when you are not on duty, you are allowed to sleep out.”

“Dise, yes. I’ll take it. Thank you so so much.” I say.

“Awesome, I’ll be in contact with you regarding next steps. Ona is helping me move my stuff out after the wedding, so as soon as I move out, you can move into my room. It is nice and spacious. Plus, you can hide your man in there. Just make sure he comes in before visiting hours are over then leaves when the visiting hours start again the next morning.”

We both laugh at this. I am sure she and Ona have stories for days about this. We say our goodbyes and my heart is already jumping for joy.

When I arrive in town, my first stop is Tholoana Fruit&Veggie Market. I buy some fruit and vegetables for myself. I usually do not buy these in bulk because vegetables particularly go off very quickly. I make these kinds of trips twice a month, but I am getting enough to see me through the next two weeks. When I leave, I go to Tholoana butchery where I buy myself meat in bulk. This I can keep in the deep freeze and it will carry me until month-end. I see Zithulele picking out braai meat. He is with a man who looks just like him, but older. Zithulele is actually an attractive man. He dresses so well and has an obsession with Jordan. He is wearing Jordan shorts, Jordan sneakers, and a white Jordan t-shirt. He just got a haircut and he looks nice. I don't usually like men who wear earrings, but his diamond studs look very good on him.

He turns around and looks at me. He better not call me Moringa or I will end his life.

"Tlali, hey", he says. Good.

I smile and wave at him.

He really is good looking and his body is very nice. I can see that he spends quite a lot of time at the gym. His arms... his legs... his ass... he even has abs.

He is walking in my direction. Gosh!

"How was Soweto?" I ask him as soon as he stands next to me.

"It was boring. The party was whack. All the huns were old and their music was even older than them." He says.

"It was a 60th birthday party, wasn't it?" I ask.

He smiles at me. I smile back at him.

"My brothers and I are having a braai at the club. Would you like to join us?" He says.

"The club?" Me.

"Yeah, Club Q. Remember I told you that I know the owner. He is letting us use the roof top of the club for the braai." He says.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping or something? You just got back from Soweto and we have class tomorrow. Even a tutorial or two would do", me.

"I'll just copy from you. You did complete them while we were partying away last week", him.

I roll my eyes.

"Come on, Tlali, you've got the rest of the year to be uptight and stuck up. Even the nerds deserve a good time once in a while", he says.

This guy has called me stuck up, uptight and a nerd in one sentence then he still believes that I'm going anywhere with him?

"I'm busy preparing for the term ahead. I want to make sure that everything is in order." I say.

"Shup, and I can take you to your place to drop off these things. Then we head to a braai. It's chilled, I promise." He says. I do need his car to drop off my groceries at home. It's a lot. Am I willing to go to the braai in exchange for a lift?

...

By the way, Zithulele has a very nice car for a student. His family must be very rich.

He parks his Range Rover Velar outside the door of my place just as he always does every time he comes here. I showed him where I live once and he has become very frequent here. I am sitting in the backseat with my groceries, toiletries and an outfit or two I picked up at the mall, so I could attend his event. Also, I just felt like spoiling myself.

He introduced me to his brother when we were driving here. His name is Phendulile. He seems like a nicer version of Zithulele. Every time Zithulele was being himself, his brother told him that's not how a man treats his girlfriend. Zithulele would laugh and say, “Moringa knows this is how I love her”. His brother is still trying to figure out who or what Moringa is.

"How long are you going to take to get ready?" Zithulele asks me as I climb out of his car.

I look at him, honestly trying to understand why he is asking me such.

"I'm going to drop my brother and the meat we bought off at the club so they can get the braai started. I'll come pick you up when you are ready." He says.

Okay.

"An hour tops." I say.

"An hour? What will you be doing?" Zithulele.

"Hai man, just come back after an hour." Phendulile comes to my rescue.

Zithulele shakes his head then climbs out of the car to help me bring the plastic bags in. Phendu helps us too. He leaves for the car as soon all of my stuff are lined up on the floor of my room.

When we are done, Zee and I are alone in the kitchen for a young minute.

"Why does your brother think that I am your girlfriend?" I ask him.

"Because you are my girlfriend", he says.

Excuse me?

"I am not your girlfriend. Stop lying to your family and whoever else you've told this too. Are you trying to get your real girlfriend to come murder me?" I am actually annoyed. The arrogance!

"Calm down, Tlali. You are my girlfriend. At the end of this year when we complete our honours year, I'm going to pay lobola for you. Then when God has favoured us, he will give us children – a number that He believes will suit us best. And we are going to make a great team. Coz if the kids only have you, you'll drive them to committing suicide. If they only have me, I'll drive them to taking nothing seriously and becoming losers. With both of us, they'll be the best of both worlds." I giggle. I don't know why I'm giggling, but I giggle. When did he think of all of this?

"I'll see you in an hour", he says.

"I am not your girlfriend." Me.

He just smiles at me then closes the door.

I start off by unpacking the plastic bags. I pack everything where it is supposed to be. I then put on some RNB music and file my notes. I was watching YouTube videos of introductions into the course work we will be doing this year.

I put my notes into files and place my work on my bookshelf.

I take a shower. When I am done, I give my face a good skin care routine. I can't wait to start working so that I can afford makeup that won't make my skin breakout like this. There's nothing wrong with the makeup, my skin is just very sensitive and I do not have R8000 to just spend on makeup. Today though, I bought myself expensive foundation at the Mac store. No takeaways for the rest of the month.

I start applying my makeup when I am done lotioning my body and mixing my prima with my sunscreen on my face.

I look nice. My braids are still decent, but shame it is time to let them go. Thank God I bought hair extensions, so I can do my hair this weekend. I will undo it tonight then wash it. I have very nice relaxed hair. It's very long and very thick. I love it.

I let my braids loose and put a cute rose gold alice-band on.

Now to dress up. I wear blue denim pants that are torn at the knees. I wear a white hemp that has two buttons to cover up the breasts then flows outwards. I wear white sneakers that I bought for R50. They work though.

I want to tell Zithulele that I am ready but ke, I don't have his number.

…

I am fixing my studying timetable when my phone rings. I'm still waiting for Zithulele and it has been more than two hours. That is a man who definitely knows how to make a woman wait.

Dee is calling. I'm honestly not in the mood so I do not answer.

She calls again. I do not answer.

She sends me a text that reads:

"Hey babe. We at the gate. Please let us in. We just want to swim. The postgraduate res has the best pool".

I switch my phone off.

At 6pm, there is still no word from Zithulele. I shower, get into my pyjamas and spend the rest of the evening watching series and undoing my hair. I'm actually hurt.

...

I know that Moringa is upset with me for standing her up and I know that I need to fix things. I know that she will treat me like I'm a piece of shit - she's not the type that will let this slide so easily. I just know it.

I love how she keeps me on my toes, I really do. But I also hate it because women are not supposed to make a man feel as if he owes her the full story. Moringa does that to me. She controls me in the way that she moves, the way that she looks at me, the way that she smiles and the way that she carries herself. The worst part about it is that she has no idea that she does this.

I want things to get serious between us. If things get serious between us, I will need to let her in. Knowing Moringa, she is going to want to know things and possibly even control things. For some reason, I am okay with that. There are things that I feel for Moringa that make me miss Nobuhle. And there are also things about Moringa that make me realise that she will have a bigger impact in my life than what Nobuhle did. Most importantly – and I suppose this is unfair, but I need it in a relationship – Moringa knows how to survive. I'm upset with Nobuhle for not surviving that day. I'm angry at her for not thinking within her moment of panic. I didn't stop to look back and see if she was running with us because I expected her to run with us when we all took off. She stayed and she died with my child. Moringa is sharp. She thinks quickly on her feet and when it's time to run, she runs. When it's time to survive, she survives. I respect that the most about her.

"Legoa, that girl of yours – the one that you are spending a lot of time with... is she someone important?" Khotso asks me. It was always going to be him who was going to enquire about Moringa. Ona just goes with it. If he sees me with someone else tomorrow, he won’t be bothered or have any acknowledgement of the fact that Moringa pulled through for him with Dise just a few nights ago. Khotso needs to understand at all times who he needs to respect and who he can treat as “one of many that are not worth mentioning.”

We are all in the club, my brothers, the Mohale twins and I. We had work to do. There was a heist that took place over the weekend and we are sitting here cleaning the money. My classmates are all either fast asleep or preparing for class. It is 6am and I am cleaning illegal money before class.

"What girl?" Jabu asks. He never knows anything. He lives in his wife's panties.

"Thule has a girlfriend", Phendu says.

Jabu seems – I don't know – I'll go with concerned. But I can't read this emotion off his face.

"I like her. A lot. She's a beautiful woman and she's smart as hell. I want to see where this goes. It is my wish to marry her at the end of this year. But with that one, you just never know." I say.

"Woah! Marriage? Haven't you been together for five minutes?" Ona.

"I know all I need to know about her. Besides, she's been with me for five minutes. I've been with her before she even noticed me four years ago." I explain.

The guys laugh at me.

We finish up cleaning this money and people get ready to leave and start their day.

"Let’s have dinner tonight at my place. Siza will cook and we can meet your new girlfriend. Surely we must know her if she is about to become our new sister." Jabu says.

"That’s actually a good idea. Are my wife and I invited too?" Phendu.

"It does sound nice, but today will not be great. She is kind of mad at me. I was supposed to spend time with her yesterday and I flaked because we had that meeting with pope and bishop. I'm honestly thinking of ways to get back in her good books right now." I explain.

"Oh ja. She was expecting you to pick her up for the braai." Phendu.

"Does she know what it is that you do for a living?" Ona asks. Those are the things that concern him, not whether or not we are in love.

I shake my head.

He nods his head and says, "Get her flowers, maybe some chocolate and fuck her. She will be fine. But don't answer any questions about where you really were and what you were doing." Ona says.

"Maybe next time when we go do work, she can stay at the royal house with Fiks and Dise. It might be good for her to start getting used to you just disappearing, you know. Spending time with Fiks and Dise will also limit her questioning you." Khotso.

“Plus, Dise tells me that they talk. So, they are probably forming a friendship.” Ona.

Now, you need to understand that I can have any woman on this planet. Any! If I wanted a mute bitch who doesn't challenge me, I'd have no problem finding her. I have no plans of changing Moringa from who she is to what these men believe she should be with me. If anything, I have plans of telling her everything one day.

"Jabu, let me fix things with her today then we will have that dinner some other time." I finally respond to my brother's invite.

He nods his head.

"ZITHULELE!"

I know that voice. I just want to run away. The gents are already laughing and Khotso is removing the money we’ve been counting into a bag, then under my desk.

I am silent. I am anticipating her walking in through the door. I tell this girl so many times that this is a place of work. She cannot just parade in here and do as she pleases. I'm irritated because I've only fucked this girl once and it wasn't even that great! But now she thinks she owns me and she can do as she pleases. When she doesn't get her way, she cries.

She walks into the office and stumbles upon all of us gents ready for her to enter and just be herself.

"I've been calling you!" She says, paying no mind that there are people here and we don't just fight in front of people. This is why we can never be a thing. I don't wife hood-rats who have no basic home-training.

"I know!" I say.

This seems to hurt her. Good.

"Why haven't you been answering my calls?"

"I was with my girlfriend. And I'm tired of you calling me every time I am with her. She's asking questions and you are not significant enough in my life to start shit between her and I."

"Girlfriend? Girlfriend, Zithulele? What am I to you?"

"Nothing!"

"Nothing? Nothing Zithulele? Really?"

She comes flying at me like a crazy bird escaping out of a cage, slaps me and throws her handbag at me.

"Who do you think you are?! Is this what you do to people? You take people for granted wena Zithulele! You are full of shit! I am nothing now? When you fucked me, I wasn't nothing. Now I'm reduced to nothing because you are -

"Now that you've got that off your chest, can we vow to never see or call each other again? Please!"

The look she gives me!

"You better pray that I never meet this girlfriend of yours because I will tell her exactly who you are!" She says.

"Why would she care? She's the one who’s got me. You are just a bitter fucked bitch in her world who slept with her man and expected the world to care. You are more stupid than you look if you think you would move her."

She comes at me again! This time, she's hitting me with her heels and Ona grabs her, dragging her out of the club. She must be on her way to work. She is wearing a suit and expensive heels. She used my card to pay for those heels, so I know they are expensive.

"Maybe you need to let the bad bitches go. This new girl of yours doesn't strike me as the type that will deal with all of this." Khotso says.

…

I surprisingly had a good morning. I went to the postgraduate res gym and worked out. The trainers here help us get fit for free, so I train with one because honestly, I am so lazy. I need the push.

I then had a good breakfast and got to campus early so I could push an hour in the library. I am still a little bit hurt about Zithulele standing me up, but today is about gratitude. I'm grateful for everything else that went right. Which, honestly, is everything but him.

I make my way to our first seminar and find Zithulele already sitting next to my seat. I sit on the other side of the lecture room, next to the white people in the class. Even they are shocked. I don't care. His face drops. I'm quite sure that if he had my number, he would be texting me. I thank God for this miracle.

We sign the register.

"Who is missing today?" The professor enquires.

We all look around and no one says anything.

"Zithu, who normally sits next to you? Where's Moringa?" The professor enquires to the class' hysteria.

Zithulele does not chuckle. He knows he is going to pay for this.

I raise my hand and when the prof looks at me I say, "My name is Letlali. I'm happy for you to call me Tlali, but anything outside of that I regard as bullying. I doubt you'd want me to go to the dean and report this now, would you?"

The professor is stunned.

"My apologies, Tlali", the prof says.

Everyone in the class is taken aback.

Good.

After our two hour seminar, I sit in the lecture room and wait for the class to leave. I want to be the last one out so that I don't bump into Zithulele. Then I'll run to the bus and leave for my place. I'm obviously done talking to this guy. Now that the class is clear, I pack my notes and textbook, print the slides used today with the lecture room printer, then head out.

"Tlali", his voice calls out to me. Shit. He waited for me. But I keep walking.

"Tlali, I'm not going to run after you", he says.

"I don't want you to", me.

"Tlali, please stop. Ngiyakucela. Please." I finally stop. I turn around and look at him.

"About yesterday -

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. I told you, I'm not your girlfriend." I cut him.

"I feel like I have to. We had plans and flaking isn't my thing. I don't want you thinking that of me."

"Why do you care what I think of you?"

"Because I really like you, Tlali. It took me three years to get your attention. Now that you actually know who I am, I don't want to mess this vibe that we have. And clearly I have because you acting up. You acting up because you upset. And the only reason that I can think of that has made you upset about yesterday is that you like me too and I hurt you. I'm sorry", he says.

"You are very presumptuous, aren't you?" I say.

"Look Tlali, if I'm wrong, it's cool. I'll leave you alone. In this day and age, no means no and I respect that. I don't want to romanticize forcing you to be with me when you've made up your mind about not being with me. That's not chasing anymore, that's gender-based violence. So tell me right now to fuck off, and I will. It's against my will because I'm serious about marrying you at the end of this year and having a family with you. But if that's not what you want, shup jo, I'll leave you alone." He says.

I don't want him to leave me alone.

"I'm a guy who says what he means and means what he says. I need the same from you." Him.

"I'm scared, Zee", I say.

"Of what?" Him.

"Of you. You are everywhere and you have women all over you and a million girlfriends. You wake up and leave your place, seeing potential girlfriends everywhere." I say. He chuckles.

"I do like you. I don't like the fact that I like you, but I do like you. And I'm scared that you'll hurt me." I confess.

"Baby girl, I don't have a million girlfriends. I sleep with a lot of girls, yes. I promise I use condoms all the time. I don't see potential girlfriends everywhere, not everyone can handle me the way that I believe you can. And if you let me be yours and you be mine, I'll stop fucking around. I promise. You don't have to be scared of me. I don't want to hurt you. I want to make you my wife." He says.

I giggle.

"I'm sorry about yesterday. I really am." He says.

"What happened?" I enquire.

"A crazy fuck buddy showed up and was acting crazy and breaking shit. I didn't want to expose you to that", he says.

"Serves you right", I say and laugh. I should be angry, but I'm laughing.

"Had I known you'd take it this way, I would have definitely fetched you", him.

"If there is one thing I'll ever ask of you is that you keep these women far away from me. That's all I ask." I say.

He nods, hugs me and says, "Okay girlfriend."

I pull away from the hug and say, "not so fast. I like to be courted. So until I hear you ask me to be your girlfriend and I say yes, I am not your girlfriend."

He laughs out loud. Literally. I giggle.

"I have to go. I have a strict study schedule that I need to stick to."

"We can study together at the club", he says.

I look at him, puzzled. There seems to be more to this club than what he is letting on.

"I got a job as the manager, so I kinda need to be there and make sure everything is in order. I'd really appreciate the assistance and company", he says.

"Okay", I say.

Just like that, we leave.

[petelonesome]

Meadowlands

Drink with me, to the

broken men the screaming child

the pill stuck in the throat

the unforgiven husbands,

the travelers, the salesmen,

the chattering Kathys

their quivering Ken

to the telephones and beeping

signs, the hilltop message

the broken chimes, the coded

mask of hidebound trains,

kernel of optimism leaving

town, cutting across

the meadowlands, arms across and above

the blighted marshy plain

digylycerides of puzzledom invoke

movement as the wing’s shadow

crosses grey waters

drink to the flag over which

silent holocausts manifest

as dancing smiling businessmen

drink with me to the murdered

whole note of those bequieted

men, starved hungry before

the blast furnace of an imagined

future, afraid to weep in their

own quiet, afraid of their own

sky; drink again as all wander

about the shining obelisk, never

hearing the murmur of their god

as midnight waters flow beneath

an empty bridge, as silverfish

lay helplessly at bay from

the winnowing tide, as leaves

begin to plummet and salt tears

turn solid ice in the afternoon

of a murdered faun; drink

beside the prism of window

which blinks in reflex

to a rising neon sun.

drink mammon, drink hyperion,

drink molotov, nouvelle blush,

drink the attic smell of old

books and unread orders,

unsaid prayers, banished toys,

drink song, drink pistol,

drink the olde ballad of

centurion humility and wonder

aloud, barkeep Jesus was a drunk

too because he said what needed

saying and passed out in the

afternoon; drink happiness;

drink shame; drink

futility on a commuter train,

drink words you’ll say

when you wake up again.

drink in the winter of shatter

the locket rusted, lust ratcheted,

the dark clattering bus

motoring southward into blue

tardrunk night as swallows

skirt the high branches

in a paroxysm of flower;

drink in the hyacinth gloom

as summer treads past,

children gather in graveyards

with wreath and forelock

in a dance of blind and

broken fever dreams; still,

I looked for you there, drank

the humid air leaning against

a Spanish elm chasing my

questioning thoughts with

memories of other absent mornings.

drink after fasting let the

blood spill through your teeth like

a shattered levee, the marshy

embankment a chrysalis of

undulating predation as

hunting vermin emerge to

consume the remains of your

sweetest dreams; drunk in

a meadow with a girl, sweet music,

kindly light, a fair climate,

cavorting into shapes of

mating you join together in a

disaster of limbs and teeth,

the blood comes, you drink,

you drink, as they wait for

the end of your ending,

and devour your minutes

like a ripe plumb.

drink, as you go, into the

sluggish late afternoon,

early stars perspicate the

hazy diameters as dusky

half-lit divers descend

through the smokestack smog;

drink as you go through

fields of black droplets,

grease of carburetor clinging

to your open unchanging

face as the bobbling silver

obelisk careens elbow to

elbow across the undulating

hinterglow of the meadowlands.

drink to the unfolding tableau,

east orange, brick church,

mountain station, the nearby

drop points where the load

meets the road and a girl

for every boy beckons with

a cradle and a hard hat and

the burden of dues; raise

high and sing what you

know — those who took the

chalice before, who wrote

your song, who wanted not

for pity, only sustenance,

drink to their spit, and

foolishness, it is your own.

drink to this train; this colorless

torpedo cutting through the

watery meadowlands, its

metallic cradle, this train

we all ride; taking us somewhere,

baptized in tunnels, the river basements

of our finest desperate clinging

margins; see us through this

miasma of unknowing; empty

towns at frames per second, we

read covetously of another bygone

day; where are our own names:

they are absent — we still live,

we fly home, to the living, those

small ones we feed to grow outward,

eyes open to the flash of silver,

golden encomiums before the sun

as they climb aboard, conducted.

[yevonscribbles]

Dignity

In which Gideon and Nick get it in a compromising position…

*****

Hey everybody I hope you have been enjoying the story of Nick and Gideon with the budding romance of Judy and Edward cause I have been enjoying writing it. I have plenty of ideas coming up continuing the story loosely. This weekend I am going to do some house cleaning and get hyper links going to make reading the stories flow a bit better (especially now that I am cluttering Tumblr with my random fan art...) so thank you for all the feedback, notes, and messages they mean a lot! 

Fair warning this one is a little mature for suggestive content so shield your eyes!

***** 

Everything was going well for Gideon Grey. The pudgy baker had just successfully opened his first “Gideon Grey’s Real Good Baked Stuff” in the Meadowlands, his fiance was due home any minute for a night alone, and he was working with his investors to plan out the future of his rapidly growing business. The red fox had been working endless hours with the goal of creating a franchise and having a test kitchen in Zootopia. That way he could finally find a house and move in with a certain Nick Wilde. With a smirk, Gideon poured some wine to go with the salad he had made for dinner. A jingle of keys alerted the baker that his partner was home.

“Welcome home mah Doughnut!” Gideon called from the kitchen. He heard a heavy coat hit the couch but no response from the fox officer. Suddenly, a warm breath tickled the back of his neck as a pair of paws wrapped around his waist. A whisper made his fur stand on end.

“Why hello sexy…” Nick said dripping with desire.

“Hhh...Hi yerself…” Gideon shivered. No matter how many times the fox officer whispered into the larger foxes ears Gid always felt weak to his knees. Expert paws slowly removed the button on the baker’s bib overalls. He felt the clothing slack around his waist. With a purr, Nick began to unbutton the plaid shirt his partner wore. With a jerk, the larger foxes shirt feel to the kitchen floor. Nick nuzzled the larger mammal and commanded. “Turn around.”

The baker turned around to meet the slender fox and saw the desire in Nick’s green eyes. Gideon kissed his fiance as he began to unbutton the crisp police uniform while his own desire began to grow. Warm paws reached below the slacked coveralls and grabbed below the baker’s tail. A noise escaped the pudgy mammal’s maul, breaking the kiss. The officer licked his lips and with a final pull the coveralls fell to the floor. Gideon felt his face turn red feeling so exposed.

“You are so sexy my Pumpkin…” Nick said before falling to his knees and running his paws through the cream fur on display before him. The officer had been waiting for this moment for the last week.

“Ah...ah guess we are putting dinner on hold?” Gideon asked with a smile, his paws moving to his partner’s head. Before Nick could respond, the door to the apartment cracked opened. Both foxes turned to the noise as their noses began to twitch trying to figure out what was happening. “Nick...did you lock da door?” The larger fox whispered.

“Yeeeesssss…” Nick hissed. A pair of voices could be heard and the door as the foxes could finally make out the mammal who had opened the door.

“... Don’t worry Edward my foxes arn’t home…” Judy slurred. Both foxes cursed to themselves.

“...Oh? Well let’s get you some water.” The raccoon said. Gideon gave Nick a confused look.

“That's Judy’s boyfriend…” The slender fox said. Nick began to curse every letting Judy have a key to his apartment. Suddenly the pair heard a heavy slump onto the couch and the muffled sound of two mammals making out. A small fit of giggling followed before more sloppy kisses could be heard. Nick looked up to his boyfriend. “Now what do we do?”

Meeting his partner’s gaze the baker said. “WE put on our clothes and try to get to our bedroom-”

“Um...Hi?”

Both foxes froze and looked to the new voice with their ears glued to their skulls. A shirtless raccoon stood in the doorway with his jeans unbutton and offered a weak wave. His face a bright crimson, “Judy...were not alone…” The grey bunny officer stumbled into the room obviously disheveled with her shirt unbuttoned and ears dropped.

“Sweet cheese and crackers...Nick you weren't lying about how big Gid is!” The rabbit slurred with a grin. Edward began to laugh and Gideon felt his face burn. Nick gave his partner a mischievous grin.

“Yah told her about mah DICK!?” The baker said with disbelief. Judy joined her boyfriend in laughing at the baker expense. Nick tried to stifle his own laughter.

“Ok. Ok. Give us 5 minutes to get dressed and we will meet you in the living room.” The slender fox said.

After a few minutes, Judy was sitting on her boyfriends lap while he sat across the couch where Gideon and Nick sat next to each other where the slender fox had his paw around his partner. An uncomfortable silence had filled the air. Not sure what the hell to do, the newest mammal spoke up.

“So ummm… Hi again Nick and hello other fox. You must be Gideon!” Edward said with a scratch of his head and a nervous smile. The baker fox gave a wave before the raccoon continued. “I’m Edward and as you might have guessed I am dating Judy who may have had too much to drink…” With a smile the rabbit lifted up her paw.

“Guilty! But to be fair, we thought you two had dinner plans and wouldn’t be home till much later. So we had a good time at a bar close by and I wanted to have sex-”

“Alright, no more talking from the drunk bunny!” Edward laughed, pulling Judy’s raised paw down and holding it. The normally composed rabbit officer began to giggle. With a sigh, the raccoon gave her a nuzzle.

“Ah don’t mind if Judy wants to come over and use our apartment for...ahem…’recreational uses,’ but ah little warning would have been nice!” Gideon said with a huff.

“I’m still horny…” Judy protested causing the rest of the room to erupt in laughter.

“I have never seen her so drunk!” Nick said slapping his knee. “What did you give her!?”

With a sigh, the raccoon gave a smile. “Dirty Shirley Temples…Apparently vodka is her weakness. My plan was to get her here, maybe make out a little until she falls asleep, and then take care of her in the morning when she gets the hangover of her life.” The both foxes found themselves giving an involuntary ‘awww.’ Judy had began to nuzzle her boyfriend’s neck.

“I wanted to hear you make that noise again…” The rabbit slurred. “That one when I put my finger-”

“Whoa, hey there Judy, some of us have already shared a lot about our private anatomy today and I don’t feel like being on that list!” Edward interrupted. “Where can I put our favorite bunny so she can rest?” Gideon got up from the couch and motioned for the raccoon to follow him. Down the hall, the baker pointed to the spare bedroom that Judy had claimed shortly after Nick moved in. Walking past the fox, the sobering rabbit officer began to giggle.

“I’m sorry we ruined your special time Gid…” Judy said.

“And?” The baker said with a huff.

“...And I am sorry I knew how big your penis was… Blame Nick!” The rabbit protested causing her boyfriend to let out a laugh.

“Don’t be too hard on the poor fox Gideon.” Edward added with a smile. “You know Judy is going to turn beet red when she hears what she said while drunk right?”

“Ohhhh yeah, ah am looking forward to it!” Gideon said with a wicked smile. “Now you take care of her, she mean a lot to us.”

“I intend on it, hopefully next time we hang out we can have less awkward nudity.” The raccoon added with a slight blush. “I might not be gay but damn dude!”

Gideon began to blush. “Sush! Get to bed both of ya!” With a final wave, the baker fox made his way to the living room only to find his boyfriend naked on the couch with a cocky smile. Gideon felt his jaw hang open.

“Like what you see?” Nick teased while patting the seat next to him. “I figured we could start again from where we were interrupted…”

“But...ah...They will hear us…: Gideon protested before his lost all rational thinking. With a sigh, Nick got up from the couch and wrapped his paws around his fiance’s waist pulling the baker fox in for a kiss. Pulling away, the officer licked his lips and gave Gideon a satisfied smile. “Well I don’t hear you protesting now…”

With his own smirk, Gideon licked the tip of his partner’s nose. “Yer horrible, ya know that you sly fox…” The larger fox lifted Nick and laid him on the couch. Rubbing his paws over the toned muscles of the officer. “Ah guess we can play Mr. Wilde.  Besides, it’s yer house…”

“I like the way you think Mr. Grey… or should I say Mr. Grey-Wilde?” The lean fox teased.

“Ah could get used to that.” Gideon smiled. “Ah love you.”

“Really...Show me.” Nick purred, his emerald eyes gleaming with need. With a chuckle the larger fox proceeded to show the officer just how much he loved his fiance.

*****

The next morning...

Judy resolved never to drink again. The harsh morning sun hurt her eyes while she recovered in bed. A soft click of the door caused the rabbit to perk up. Edward came into the room holding two cups of coffee and a warm smile.

“Good morning Sunshine.” The raccoon whispered, not wanting to agitate the rabbit further. “How you feeling?”

“Like I was in an explosion...again…” Judy said taking a cup from the raccoon. “How did we make it to Nick’s apartment?”

“Well you wanted to have some naked time…” Edward admitted with a blush. “But I knew you were a little drunk, so I figured I would let you have sloppy make out times then get you to bed. We made it here and you proceeded to remove my shirt and start taking off my pants before I insisted I get you some water. When I went into the kitchen-”

“Oh sweet cheese and crackers please…” The rabbit slapped her paw to her forehead.

“Your foxes had a similar evening planned and were naked in the kitchen. I waved to them and was about to excuse myself when you stumbled into the kitchen and proceeded to compliment Gideon on the size of his penis.” The raccoon said with a smile. He was enjoying watching Judy’s reaction to what Drunk Judy had done. It might be his new favorite game.

“Oh please end me!” Judy pleaded.

“Not on your life, I have grown quite fond of you Judy Hopps. Though you may want to avoid the couch for awhile. After we went to sleep, the foxes seemed to have had a good night.” The raccoon smirked while the rabbit gave him a strained confused look.

In the other room, two foxes snored blissfully into the morning unaware of the smell of sex and stains over their fur and couch. Nick was happily laying face first in the chest of his partner whose mouth hung open with a grin. A blanket had been thrown over them by Edward when he had made coffee. At least the foxes could keep some of their dignity...

[randomwoohoo]

Howdy! Here comes the fanfic series of Zootopia Tokusatsu AU!

Tokusatsu =  a genre of Japanese live action audio-visual entertainment usually, but not always, involving super heroes/heroines comabtting evil monsters. For example, super sentai (Power rangers), masked riders and metal heroes.

Hope you enjoy it~

Fanfiction.net link

Synopsis:  3 years after Nick and Judy started working together as police partners, Zootopia was encountering a threat, the monsters called Savages. ZPD (Zootopia Police Department) and DIB (Defense Intelligence Bureau) co-founded SCU (Savage Control Unit), the special task force with sole purpose to exterminate Savages. Nick and Judy were senior police officers but they tended to tackle the monsters a lot by becoming one, an armored hero mixed between fox and rabbit, Hybrid. The new cases, chaos and henshin heroes arrived!

     A fleeing sports car came to a screeching halt. Officer Judy Hopps and Officer Nick Wilde exited their patrol cruiser then approached a street racer. “Sir, you were going 115 miles per hour. I hope you have a good explanation.” Judy informed.

    However, when the driver’s window moved down, the lawbreaker was revealed to be… “Flash? Flash? Hundred yard dash!?” Nick took off his shades to get a good look at the driver. It was Flash the sloth.

“. . . N i c k” Flash called out the brand new cop’s name at a seriously slow pace.

    That was the first assignment of Nick and Judy as partners. It felt like yesterday although it had already been three year since back then. In the morning at the Zootopia Police Department headquarters, there were some minor changes here and there, new faces, transferred employees, some… had gone...

“All right. Everybody! Sit! Today, I have an important announcement.” A mammal standing at the podium was no one other than Chief Bogo, a male Cape buffalo and the chief of the Zootopia Police Department or ZPD for short.

“Sir, aren’t you tired from being a chief for many years? Consider settling down?” The fox senior police officer teased his supervisor.

“It’s too early to get rid of me, Wilde.” Chief quipped as a response to the first and still the only one fox cop in the department, Nick Wilde, which got a laugh out of others in the bullpen. This playful behaviour had become a routine at work. It lightened up the mood and helped reinforcing a positive impression towards the fox.

    Bogo put on glasses to read the report in his hoof. “Ahem. Y’all might have already known. Just to remind you, the missing mammal cases that occurred these recent years in the Canals, the Meadowlands, the Nocturnal District, Outback Island, Sherwood and Bunnyburrow-” He paused to glance at one officer after he mentioned her hometown. Senior Officer Judy Hopps, who shared a front roll seat with her partner Nick, was listening attentively. Moreover, she seemed tense. It was understandable for Bogo. He breathed in and resumed. “Just now, there is progress in those cases. Police from other precincts found clues that lead to Zootopia. A few of you are needed to work on them. Treat ’em as your priority. Assignments!” The buffalo was about to give assignments but he felt the urge to emphasize current situation. “Oh by the way, if anybody encounters Savage , escort citizens in the area, contact SCU and stay away from Savage. Understand?”

“Yes’sir” Every police in the bullpen burst out in reply, not exactly every single one.

    Bogo inspected Judy being quiet. She averted her eyes when they met with Bogo’s. He knew immediately what was on her mind. “Officer Hopps. Parking duty.”

    The bunny cop went all alert. “What!? Chief-” She wanted to argue. However, Bogo interrupted. “Now… do you understand?” He repeated intimidatingly.

.--. .- .-. - -. . .-. ...

“This is ridiculous! Can’t believe after all these years, I got assigned a parking duty again!” Judy grunted. At Downtown street, she and her partner, Nick Wilde, were standing next to a patrol car that Chief let them drive instead of meter maid cart because of current city situation… It would be dangerous, not fast enough to escape...

“Chill, Fluff. Besides, if either of us is supposed to complain. I should be the one since I tag along with you.” Wearing sunglasses, Nick swirled a cup of coffee in his paw.

“You don’t have to say that. I’ve felt bad already.” Judy sighed, feeling blameworthy that she was a reason the fox was punished as well… He would not let her go through hard time alone. That sort of made her happy, yet also built up a guilt.

“Hey, we are duo through thick ’n thin no matter what, Carrots. And where is your positivity? Couple of years ago, you still found a way to challenge ourselves doing this kind of tasks. Aren’t ya gonna write hundreds of tickets or something?” This was not the first time they were assigned a parking duty together but as Nick stated, Judy used to bring out a spirit to any assignments.

“I will if it’s possible! Look! There are scarcely few cars on street!” The bunny pointed out their surroundings. Road was clear, not many cars running or parking, which was probably what they expected when Bogo intended to keep them far from the battleground. Therefore, he gave them this disciplinary penalty for acting stubborn.

“Consider this taking things slow then.” The tod sip his coffee. “Snarlbucks blueberry coffee is delish.”

    Judy put on a half-smile. She loved her partner’s blueberry obsession but the smile turned to frown. “How can I slow down? The city is-”

“Go ahead, patrol, Judy, my dear.” Old lady voice attracted the doe’s attention, causing rabbit ears to flick. Judy turned around to greet. “Officer Mabel!” An elderly female goat meter maid, walking with a cane, waved the hand to greet back. “Don’t be worried. I can cover for you two. It has been a light work since nobody dares to roam the streets anyway.” said Mabel.

    Judy grinned and ran to open the driver door of police car. “Thank you, Officer Mabel! Call us if anything happens! Nick! Get in a car!” The bunny ordered, yet Nick tarried. “Hang on~ I wanna appreciate some peaceful moments more-” He was going to take another sip.  A door of passenger seat was opened from the inside, a bunny paw reached out and grabbed his tie. “Hurry!” Judy crawled from driver seat to passenger seat and opened the door to get her partner who struck a pose outside the cruiser. She dragged him in. The fox staggered into a car. “Mah coffee!” almost dropped his cup. They closed the doors in unison then the doe started the engine.

“Good luck” Mabel wished two officers luck as they departed.

- .... .. -.-. -.- / .- -. -.. / - .... .. -.

    After hours of patrolling around Downtown and Rainforest district, both arrived at Cliffside Asylum. There were a group of mammals yelling at a guard. Bunny cop turned off the engine to take a look.

“You folks ain’t allowed to come in here!” A wolf guard stopped teenage camera crew at the gate. The crew was consisted of bear, fox, rabbit, raccoon and skunk.

“C’mon! We’re not messing around!” A bear, holding a camera, shouted. A skunk flipped a script and assisted protesting. “We’re here to film a documentary.” Juveniles clamored. A rabbit buck brought out a phone to record a video. “This building is wicked! It was involved in former-mayor Lionheart mammal abduction and Savage-”

“No video!” The guard swatted buck’s phone away, standing ground to say no to the youngsters.

    Judy monitored the fuss, speaking nonspecifically. “Ever since then, this place has been forbidden. Suspicious-”

“Hold your horses! Forget about investigation. Even the high ranked police strenuously get a warrant.” Removing his shades, Nick interjected. The mentioned fact distressed the doe. She moaned while staring out the window. Shortly afterwards, Judy jerked, making Nick flinched. He shifted his focus to the same direction as his partner, spotting other raccoon going through the gate when wolf guard was busy dealing with camera crew.

“The thing is, you don’t need a warrant if you have probable cause-” Judy stated then Nick added promptly. “And you saw a potential criminal sneaking in.”

“Bingo~” The doe exclaimed. “Sly bunny~” Tod commented.

“Let’s go. And don’t forget your driver!” She said.

“How can you carry it with you all the time?” He questioned. “I have my own method.” Bunny responded. Nick and Judy got off the car and used this chance while the guard being distracted to sneak into the complex.

    Inside the asylum, which had dramatically changed, wrecked and abandoned, demolished walls, ceilings and floors, equipments and stuff scattering all over the place, blood stain…, the raccoon intruder held a flashlight in his mouth as he rummaged through a crumbled laboratory. “Where is it? Geez...” Raccoon expressed annoyance. He kept searching though his jaw felt sore from holding the flashlight. But he turned down the light and ducked under a table when he heard some noise, peeping who or what was coming. Two police officers, fox and rabbit, more than enough to identify who they are, scouted about. Nick pointed at one direction and moved his paw in and out, suggesting he should go that way. Judy shook her head to reject Nick’s suggestion. She pointed at Nick, drew her paw in and tapped her chest with index finger, advising him not to separate but stick together.

Shoot! Cops!! At least, it’s mammal. I can grab it quickly and get out of here before- Speaking of the devil, the most terrifying thing Raccoon wished he did not encounter emerged.

    The partner’s ears captured a scream. They rushed to the source of sound, surprisingly bumping against the intruder. Apparently, he was fleeing from something and there was no need to guess because it followed the raccoon not far behind. Its pupils were glowing in the dark. The duo instantly perceived what it was.

“RunRunRunRunRun!!” Judy commanded incessantly. They raced down the hallway, avoiding tripping concrete wreckage.

“Still some left in here? Good grief~” Nick grumbled.

“Savage ...” Judy called a monster that was after them, the mammal-like purple creatures which had threatened Zootopia since one year ago, their behavior resembled the fierce feral animals. Therefore, they were named Savage. This one looked similar to a jaguar. However, it had the exoskeleton covering its body and a strip of long fur lined down its spine. Its saliva dripped everywhere while it was chasing police and civilian on all four.

“Bunny! Aren’t you a cop? Shoot it!” Raccoon bawled.

“I have only tranq gun and it doesn’t work on them!” Judy’s lethal weapon was confiscated when she received an assignment that those types of weapons are not necessary.

“Use mine.” Nick gave Judy a pistol. “H-How?” Puzzled, the doe inquired. Subsequently, tod riposted. “I’m not the one getting punished. remember?” Both beamed at each other. Judy grasped Nick’s pistol. It is a bit too big for her paws but she could work on it. Nick offered his firearm since Judy is a better shooter than him. She started firing on Savage which was pursuing them.

“For the last time, no means no! You can’t go in-” The wolf guard addressed the final warning to the teenagers before ears perked up to catch the roar from the asylum. Wolf rotated to get a glimpse, three mammals running away from Jaguar Savage . “Okay, you kids do whatever you please. I gonna call SCU.” Guard and camera crew split.

“You! That way!” Judy told the raccoon, pointing different direction. They made it out of building, still Savage kept hunting them.

“Don’t leave me, Coppah!” He whined. Nick swiftly corrected raccoon’s thought. “We will decoy that monster. Now, go!” Fox stressed. The raccoon hesitated. He eventually escaped to hide around the corner of the asylum.

“Finally, we’re left alone.” The doe heaved a sigh of relief. “Ready, partner?” She stopped abruptly, so did the tod. They about-faced the monster and brought out the devices. “Here we go again” Nick was mentally prepared. Both put them over the front middle of waist.

    The devices are identical, arm-sized black machine with purple 1.25 inch diameter flat circle at the center, maroon motorcycle handlebar on the right half and silver syringe having a 45 degree tilt. The devices extended the belt to wrap around the wearer's waist.

    Nick pulled the syringe which has spring mechanism. It was drawn back automatically after he let it go. “ DRAW BLOOD ” Nick’s device spoke robotically. Blood filled in Nick’s syringe then it teleported into the syringe of Judy’s device. Judy pressed the syringe which sprang out on its own. “ INJECT ” Judy’s device spoke robotically as well. Fox’s blood was injected into rabbit. He fell asleep standing up, lying unconsciously on the ground.

    Savage was charging at the duo. Rabbit uttered. “Transform!” Then she twisted the device’s handle anticlockwise with her right paw. “ IGNITE ” Judy’s device spoke. The handle was twisted back by the spring mechanism. It released purple steam, followed by the hot purple mist explosion. Savage halted, viewing the mist swallowing the bunny whole. In the thick fog, device core illuminated, two amethyst headlamps shone up where Judy eyes are. The mist was fading, revealing a flamingo red full suit head-to-toe bio armoured Hybrid between a fox and a rabbit, obvious Judy’s body type, soft metal long rabbit ears, red long fluffy fox tail made of spikes instead of fur, light green torso with blue stripe on front dividing left and right, grayish-tan lower body except flamingo red feet, stylish headlights for eyes and fangs with a pair of buck teeth pattern on muzzle.

    Savage ’s instinct commanded it to assault the new threat. The monster stormed towards the armoured figure. Hybrid sprinted off, dodging to the right side, landing a right hook on Jaguar Savage ’s shoulder, knee bashing its throat. Savage angled its head upward. Hybrid palm struck monster’s chin.

“You punch like a bunny.” Judy jestingly criticized Nick who chuckled at a pun. How can he help it? He was literally in the bunny body…

    The monster bounced back, trying to attack the fox-mixed rabbit once again. Judy protracted the right paw claw, pivoting 360 degree, lacerating Savage’s face. It bellowed in agony. “And you are ferocious.” Tod remarked. “Like a fox~” Doe added. “Oy! That’s all you. Tenderness runs in my blood.” He protested.

    Savage veered off, hurtling toward a defenseless sleeping fox. Nick gasped “It’s going after my body!” He panicked. Judy pushed the syringe. “ ACTIVATE ” The belt voiced. Hybrid zoomed at an incredible pace, breaking through the wind, each step sent the dust flying everywhere, catching up with the monster in a trice. Hybrid hopped, trampling on Savage ’s back. It paused due to a severe blow, giving an opportunity for Hybrid to retrieve Nick’s body. Judy was carrying the fox to the side of building. She laid him down where it must be safe from harm. “Dang! I look good even when I’m napping.~” Nick complimented his presence. He rubbed his chin but Judy intervened. “Cut it out already! We’re far from done with that Savage.”

    When Hybrid returned, the monster had disappeared. “See! We’ve lost it!” The doe blamed the tod. “Relax, Carrots.” Nick pushed the syringe. “ ACTIVATE ” Hybrid’s ears perked up, harking the sounds of environment, tracing its location. “That way!” Duo shouted.

- .-. .- -. ... ..-. --- .-. --

    Jaguar Savage escaped from Cliffside Asylum and reached South Canyon. However, a trope of armed mammals were blocking a road. They were wearing tactical gears, bulletproof uniforms and face shield helmets, SCU logos are embroidered on back and right chest.

“Ready!” A white stallion signaled. SCU agents rifles properly. He continued. “Aim!” They target Savage . “Fire!” Horse bawled. The agents opened fire on the monster. It stood sideways to avoid the probable damages. Its shell deflected the bullets yet it began to fracture after the several hits. SCU team is specialized in exterminating Savage. They hastened to track down and eliminate the target as soon as they were contacted by a wolf. The jaguar was about to withdraw. “Quick! If it climbs up that hill, we won’t be able to follow it!” Stallion warned.

“Mine Mine Mine Mine~” The repeated yelling earned agents’ attention. It was as loud as or even louder than the gunshot noise. They stopped shooting to take a gaze. A weird rabbit knight was heading towards their way. Actually, it was the running bio armoured bunny fox hybrid. “Don’t ya steal my kill!” said Nick. Judy twisted the device’s handle anticlockwise again. “ CRITICAL BREAK ” Hybrid accelerated to the point of becoming a red blur with amethyst light lines alongside from the eyes. Hybrid leaped when getting close enough to Savage and roll front flip in mid-air. The partners double kicked the monster’s flank. The impact shattered its exoskeleton. The protracted bunny feet claws were inserted through the shell cracks, digging in Savage ’s flesh. Hybrid shoved the monster away, landing backflip on a ground. Every part of Savage was evaporating as it was dying.

    SCU gaped at an armoured mammal. “Applause~ Applause~ No need to thank me~ Just doing my job.” Nick babbled. “Freeze, Hybrid !” They did not get a round of applause. Instead, the agents were pointing the rifles at Hybrid . “I would love to stay but… Gotta dash!” Nick waved a paw. Judy, giggling at a fox’s frisky nature, took control of the body, skedaddling. Horse directed. “Fire tranq dart! Fire!” They shot nonstop at Hybrid, who pressed the syringe, “ACTIVATE” vanishing into thin air. “We lost them again!” White horse neighed after Hybrid evaded the special force once again without any traces.

“Let’s meet at the car.” Judy advised, holing up over the hill despite being on the road below merely second ago. “Roger~ See ya, Carrots~” Nick agreed. She pulled the syringe. Blood was drawn and teleported to other syringe as Judy detransformed. The suit let out purple steam then disappeared. Her body and clothes were back to the state before Nick and she fought the monster together.

.- --. .- .. -.

“Hello, this is Jim Tuck.” Just invading the prohibited area, saved by police and hiding behind the side of asylum from the monster, the raccoon made a phone call. “No, I haven’t got a thing yet-” He jerked away from his phone because his interlocutor brawled aggressively. “What was I supposed to do!? Savage almost killed me! Look! Just give me more time, okay?” He stayed silent for seconds, hearing the answer. “Good! Deal! Bye!” He hung up and sighed.

“Tough luck huh?” The voice startled Jim. He turned to find the fox officer. Jim tried to bolt but the tod could seize raccoon’s wrist first. “Chill out~ I’m not here to arrest you. In fact, I think I can lend you a paw...” Nick apprised.

- --- / -... . / -.-. --- -. - .. -. ..- . -..

[maggieandthedragon]

ponytabonita asked: Can you write something about Credence getting a tattoo? Or something set after This Thing of Darkness where Percival first sees a tattoo he got while he was overseas w Newt? Graves hadn’t noticed the marks on Credence’s wrist when the young man had come into his office, fresh air on his tanned skin, confidence and magic in his smile. He’d been so frantic to touch, to kiss, to have his gorgeous wonder back in his arms.  They hadn’t even undressed. 

Graves had brought Credence home immediately after, sliding an arm around him and apparating them back to the brownstone. Credence’s bag shook and squeaked violently as soon as he set it down on the ground as Trouble scrambled her way out of it to throw herself at Graves’ feet, snuffling and squishing herself against his legs, leaving midnight blue hair dusted over his slacks.

 Graves crouched down and buried his fingers in her fur. “Hey girl. Miss me?” 

The Puffskein flopped on her side for the affection and began to hum in pleasure.

 “She did. She missed you,”  Credence said and his voice had gone hoarse.

 “I missed her too,” Graves said. He stood and brushed his knuckles against Credence’s cheek. “And you.”

 Credence hugged him tightly with a soft, choked sound. Their bodies collided again, hard enough that Graves’ unsteady leg wobbled again and would have collapsed entirely if he hadn’t apparated them upstairs and into his bed. 

Their bed.

 They took their time and lingered in each other and when they were done, Graves lit the fire in the small bedroom hearth with a flick of his fingers, the other wrapped around Credence pressed close against his side.  He glanced down at his lover’s dark tousled hair, then noticed something deep green and silvery twined around his wrist.“What’s that?”

“It’s a tattoo,” Credence said. “I got it in London. It’s suppose to be empathic like Theseus’ but it’s  never moved. I don’t know. Maybe my magic is still wrong.” “It’s beautiful. And so is your magic.” Graves slid his thumb over the delicate flora. “Rosevines?”

“Thistle.” Credence drew his wrist back slightly, biting his lip, shy, uncertain. 

“Nemo me impune lacessit,” Graves murmured. “No one touches me with impunity.” 

Credence nodded mutely, sitting up and Graves could see the curvature coming back into his spine. “When I left. I got so angry and so scared. You were this thing that kept me stable and then you weren’t there--”

“I’m sorry, Credence. I wouldn’t have done it so abruptly--”

“No. I don’t mean to--” Credence sighed, fingers rubbing over the thistle growing on his skin. “She hurt me so much and I didn’t-- I didn’t know how to not let that happen again. You had protected me; Newt was protecting me but--”

“It still meant you depended on us.”  Graves sat up and took his hands, tugging them into his lap. His fingers brushed over the leaves, sharp spines on the points, silvery fuzz in the center.  “You wanted to protect yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that.” 

“Theseus taught me. The Langlock jinx, Petrificus Totalus. How to incapacitate without hurting. How--” and Credence’s dark eyes looked up at him. “How to be not be strong without being like her.”

Percival lifted his hands to his lips and kissed them, brushed his lips over the tattoo, the warning that Credence Barebone-- that Daniel Smoke-- would never be hurt again. “You aren’t like her.” 

“You don’t know that.”

 “I do. I know you have never been like her, not since we met,” Graves said. “Credence. When I took you to the Meadowlands and told you you’d been lied to and deceived for months. That I had no idea who you were. And you made me tea.”

Credence’s hand tightened on his. “What if you’re wrong?”

“I don’t think I am,” Graves answered. “Credence, you made me tea. You only let Theseus teach you spells that incapacitated.” He could see his lover’s brown eyes were still dark with worry. “I don’t think...I don’t think your Ma ever worried about who she hurt.”He took Credence’s free hand, placed the fingers over the thistle on his wrist. “Thistle doesn’t sting unless you try to rip it out.”

“Fair enough,”  Credence said softly and for a moment, there was something like belief in his face. The next morning, when Credence came downstairs groggily to find Graves making eggs and bacon in the kitchen, he didn’t notice the faint tufts of feathery purple ink starting to bud and bloom.

[2truehearts]

I'M CRYING WHISPER OF THE HEART STARTS WITH TWO MINUTES OF COUNTRY ROADS (CHURCH CHOIR REMIX) I AM LAUGHING SO HARD THERE ARE TEARS IN MY EYES HFYFYDGDYDGDGDGDTD

"CHURCH CHOIR REMIX" IM SOBBING GOODBYE SDFJGSDGIYJESVGHKDDDSKJH

[askdawnandvern]

A Lamb Among Wolves: Ch 18

his is quite possibly the longest chapter I've ever written. Longer than anything in "The Rehabilitation of Dawn Bellwether" and any of the chapters in this story as of yet. Initially it was supposed to be combined with the previous chapter, but once how saw how long it was getting I had to break it up. Even this is pushing it at 25 pages, but I felt it couldn't be split up anywhere else. This chapter had a bit of last minute tweaking done with some help from my Patreons, so that it felt more natural and realistic. I really have to thank them for their help, and continue to support me as I write this and create other stuff. If you are interested in early access stuff and being part of out little book club, you can check out my patreon. Every little bit helps keep the stories and art coming!

(If you are interested in commissions, contact via PM for pricing and availability.)

https://www.patreon.com/wastedtimeee

-WT

-------------------------------

Chapter Eighteen: Of Old Flames and Funnel Cakes

Stress, fear, anxiety and woe. Since Vernon had arrived at his family home just two days ago those feelings had never strayed too far away from him. It had managed to make the relatively short time spent at the Hunter Ranch feel like an eternity. For every little glimmer of hope, every ounce of promise, for every little bit of joy, there managed to be something that came along and ripped it away from him. His Father's attitude, Yuri's crude and tasteless sense of 'humor', Zach agreeing with Dorian about the couple staying away from the fair. All of it had been twisting the wolf's insides further and further. Each act adding to the growing sense of dread and misery in the wolf faster than the rest of his more accepting family members could ease it. But finally, for the first time since he had arrived in the North Meadowlands, Vernon was actually having great time.

It had been hours now since he and Dawn had first set out with the goal of making their date at the fair the best it could possible be. The sun had shifted from the edge of the horizon to far overhead, their shadows tapering to little more than a concentrated blot beneath their feet. Despite the intensity of the noon day rays against Vernon's fur, the wolf could feel a wavering in its strength. The warmth of the summer sun finally beginning to wither away before the growing chill of the autumn air. It struggled against the cool breeze, at least keeping it warm enough not to need a jacket, but thankfully beaten down enough by the cool air to keep the fair grounds from being stifling.

From her perch atop the wolf's shoulders, Dawn had lead the charge in the couple's desperate need for fun and relief from the family reunion. The ewe was unusually exuberant, excitement lacing her every statement as the couple began to meander through the crowds of mammals. Her rising excitement had the wolf grinning stupidly in mere seconds after she had started.  It became clear very quickly to Vernon that the sheep hadn't been to anything like a fair or amusement park in ages. It shone in her childlike wonder and glee as she stared in awe at the variety of attractions. Much like the excitable fox who had left for the rides just before them, the ewe was pointing from ride to ride as she struggled to settle on what to go on first. Each decisive and final choice turning on a dime as she spotted yet another new ride she hadn't seen.

It was Vernon who ultimately became the deciding factor of their first ride together. Dawn had been in the middle of listing off several different choices before she evidently remembered that she was with someone. Vernon stifled a laugh as Dawn suddenly froze mid sentence, glancing down at the wolf she had been clutching on to so tightly.

"V-vernon I'm so sorry." The ewe began to blush. "I was so overwhelmed by all the rides I didn't even think to a-ask you."

Vernon flashed her a warm smirk. After such a hard start to the day, nothing could make the wolf feel better than seeing his mate brimming with excitement and joy.

"W-what do you think we should ride?" Dawn asked, squeezing his shoulders a bit as she leaned further over his head.

"Welp..." Vernon scratched his chin. "Since I was a little pup, every year when the fair came around the first thing I'd ride was the merry go round." The wolf shrugged slightly, causing the ewe seated on his shoulders to rise and fall with his motion. "I guess it sort of became a tradition of mine."

"Well then, no sense in breaking tradition." Dawn smiled widely.

Turning her attention back to the fair around her, the ewe stabbed a finger in the direction of the ride.

"Onward, my valiant Puppy!" Dawn giggled as she spoke, squeezing his shoulder tightly with her one hoof still holding on.

The line for the ride was short, which Vernon had expected. It was never the most popular ride in the fair, but it still was one of his favorites. As they entered the ride the Vernon found himself overwhelmed with the sudden feeling of nostalgia as he spied over the various seats. The finely polished and colorful exotic birds looked as though they hadn't aged since his childhood. Cockatoos, parrots, parakeets and even a massive toucan pulling a chariot made for an amazing display of bright and tantalizing colors, which only became more entrancing as the ride was in motion. Vernon stopped briefly as he passed a familiar old macaw with a chip in it's beak, gently rubbing a paw across its smooth surface as memories came flooding back.

The wolf had neglected to tell Dawn how such a gentle, slow paced ride became the favorite of a young, excitable wolf pup. But the last thing Vernon wanted to do was ruin the mood they had just struggled to get back into by bringing up painful memories. Yet as he glanced into the shining eye of the old macaw he couldn't help but recall his countless rides on its back. How many times he held his paws tightly around it's neck, staring up at the sky and wishing the old bird would take off into it. Flying the young wolf away from his troubles. Away from losing Dawn, away from his anger at the world, away from all of it. The wolf shook his head as he drew his paw back from the bird, worried that lingering any longer would prompt his mate to question why. Those memories were long gone, and now his ewe was back. It wasn't worth ruining the date to mourn what could have been.

Naturally Vernon opted for the chariot, the only double-seater on the ride, and the perfect place to enjoy the experience with Dawn. The wolf made a dash for the seat, fearful that another fairgoer would nab it despite the lack of riders. Once he had staked his claim, he eased the ewe off of his shoulders and onto the seat before taking a spot next to her.

He watched the ewe put her hooves on her knees, leaning forward as she waited excitedly for the ride to begin. Vernon in turn simply leaned back against the hard wood of the seat back, leaning one of his arms on the side edge of the chariot as he watched her. The wolf couldn't help but admire her sheer joy. She was clearly putting in the effort of forgetting everything in favor of just having a good time, and if she had any lingering thoughts or doubts, it certainly wasn’t showing.

As the ride jolted to a start, he watched the sheep jump slightly in surprise and couldn't help but chuckle. Dawn flashed the wolf a dour frown.

"What?" She asked.

Vernon shook his head dismissively. "Nothin' Darlin'."

The ewe leaned back as the ride began to pick up speed, but her eyes remained on the wolf.

"C'mon Vernon, what?" This time a giggle escaped at the end of her sentence.

"Yer just so darn adorable. I can barely stand it." The wolf said, a goofy grin crawling across his face.

"VeeEERNoooOOON!" Dawn whined, giving the wolf a playful slap.

"Yer only making it worse." The wolf chuckled.

"So are you!" Dawn blushed, placing her hooves over her muzzle. The ewe slid slightly away from Vernon as she eyed the wolf warily. "Y-you don't smell it do you?"

Vernon crooked an eyebrow. "The pheromones or the-?"

"Yes, my pheromones." Dawn replied.

Vernon leaned near the sheep, taking a good hard whiff of the air around her. It was there, sure. But it was barely noticeable over the fading scent of his Mother's perfume.

"Perfume's doing its job." Vernon stated.

"G-good." Dawn gave a shaky reply as she placed her hooves back on the seating. She was quiet for a moment as Vernon kept watching her. Clearly there was more on her mind.

"A-and the perfume isn't too b-bad now?" Dawn asked timidly, twiddling her hooves nervously as she spoke.

Vernon chuckled, but instead of giving her a reply the wolf simply pulled her close to his side. The ewe resisted for a moment, but in the end she gave in, allowing herself to lean against his chest as the ride continued to whirl around them. Once Vernon heard her let out a contented sigh, the wolf slacked his grip, allowing his arm to hang loosely against her.

"This answer yer question Honey Lamb?" Vernon asked.

He felt the sheep nod affirmatively against his side, placing a hoof on his chest as she continued to lean against him.

"Good." Vernon rubbed Dawn's shoulder gently. "Now let's just enjoy ourselves."

The rest of the morning would go more or less the same, the ewe only seeming to worry about her scent more than anything else. Her pheromones had spiked a few times as they moved from ride to ride, but it had managed to be nothing the wolf couldn't endure. And as the day progressed the wolf could feel himself growing more and more at ease. His stress, his doubts, all of them were rapidly falling away as he enjoyed being with the one he loved, the two just having mindless fun as they experienced the excitement of the fair together. The teacups, the spinning swings, the funhouse, the bumper cars, with each attraction the wolf’s troubles felt more and more distant. The misery the weekend had been causing him become more and more obscured as his date reinforced and strengthened the whole reason he had come to the reunion in the first place, to simply show Dawn a good time. And with every smile, giggle, and hug from the petite ewe, the wolf’s heart swelled with love.

Now that lunch had rolled around the wolf was practically back to his old self, strolling lazily across the fair grounds with Dawn holding his paw tightly as they walked together. The only thing left nagging him was the lingering embarrassment of accidentally taking a bite out of Dawn’s hair instead of the cotton candy they had bought to split. He made the mistake of not looking down when she had held the staff of spun sugar up for him, instead staring off at the next attraction he had his heart set on riding with his date.

Vernon let out another quiet whine as the memory replayed in his head.

“Vernon stop.” The wolf turned his attention to the small sheep at his side.

“What?” Vernon asked.

“You’re still thinking about the cotton candy.” Dawn eyelids drooped as she stared at him.

The wolf scratched the back of his head, flashing an uneasy smile.

“You could tell huh?” Vernon muttered.

“Vernon. It’s fine.” Dawn laughed, running a hoof through the fluffy mane that Vernon had coined her nickname from before placing it against her hip. “You barely bit into it before you realized what was wrong. You didn’t even pull any wool out.” Dawn let out a sigh. “Trust me, it’s not the first time someone tried to eat my wool.” Dawn let out a sigh.

Vernon eyed the ewe curiously. “Oh really?”

The ewe blushed slightly, letting out an awkward cough.

“W-well you know, college.” Dawn murmured. “A lot of mammals experimented with hallucinogens and stuff. Yellow lichen gum was a big hit on campus.” Dawn place her hoof over her face. “So when you have a mare for a roommate who’s very into hallucinogens, you find yourself waking up to a horse slobbering on your head a fairly often.” Dawn sighed.

Vernon let out a barking laugh.

“You can’t be serious!” The wolf choked through his laughter.

The ewe let out an exasperated sigh. “At least cotton candy was actually involved this time around.”

The wolf smirked. “And in my defense, they did go out of their way to make it look like you.”

“Oh yeah.” Dawn laughed. “There’s something very comforting about a cotton candy stand run by coyotes who craft the cotton candy to look like cartoon sheep heads.” The ewe shook her head. “I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I was eating a crude replica of my own head, or you were.”

Vernon flashed the ewe a half lidded stare, a mischievous grin crossing his muzzle.

“Well, I do love to eat you Honey Lamb.” Vernon chuckled. “Granted it ain’t exactly the same thing, but it certainly is tasty.”

Vernon had barely finished his statement before Dawn abruptly released her tight grip on his paw. Blushing intensely, the ewe took a few steps away from the wolf, clasping her hooves over her muzzle.

“VERNON!” She hissed, her tone was stern but it wavered, the lamb clearly attempting to keep from laughing. “You are KILLING me! I can’t take this today!”

Vernon let out a soft chuckle. “Sorry Mutton Chop, I keep forgetting.”

The ewe wiped a hoof across her brow, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“At least that means the perfume is doing its job.” Dawn sighed. “But that doesn’t make it any easier for me! You have to cut down on the flirting.”

Vernon placed his paws in his pockets, looking down at the worn dirt path beneath his feet. The wolf idly kicked a small stone, glancing back at Dawn occasionally with a pair of wide, sorrowful eyes. It was all an act of course; the wolf wasn’t quite done teasing his mate. But he knew his weaponized ‘Puppy Eyes’ were the best in his arsenal when it came to flustering Dawn.

“Oh Puppy no!” Dawn immediately scolded. "Don't you give me that look!"

“I-I’m sorry Floofs, I-“ Vernon suppressed the urge to smirk, holding steadfast in his mock frown.” I just love ya so much, I can’t help myself sometimes.”

“You already have me!” Dawn chuckled. “You don’t have to flirt anymore!”

Vernon broke his sad façade for a moment, flashing the ewe a brief smirk.

“Where’s the fun in that?” The wolf replied.

“OHH!” Dawn huffed. “ Mean, MEAN wolf!"

Vernon slipped back into his dejected stance, making his eyes as wide a he could and feigning a sniffle.

"A-aw, now ya gone and hurt me Dawn." Vernon whimpered. "Cut me deep."

Out of the corner of his eye he could see the ewe's frustrated face, but he could also see a hint of worry, part of her clearly wasn't sure if she had really hurt him, and Vernon was ready to continue to play on it to get one up on her.

"V-vernon!" She stammered. "S-stop, please!"

"I just wanted to have a good time with ya." Vernon whimpered. "Now I got ya scolding me for showin' ya how much I love ya."

"Y-you are still toying with me aren't you?" Dawn sputtered. Vernon could tell her resolve was weakening.

Vernon slackened his stance further, his ears flattening against his head as he stared back at the ewe.

Dawn's own protective stance seemed to shrink, and her muzzle twisted into a worried frown.

"Oh...oh Vernon." She murmured. "I-I'm sorry. I am, really." The ewe took a careful step closer, all the while the wolf kept up his sorrowful act, waiting for the chance to strike.

"I love your flirting, r-really." She continued. "I mean I love when w-we flirt together. B-but you have to understand why that's n-not so easy to deal with today."

Of course Vernon knew better, he had some idea what the 'itch' was like. But the opportunity to tease was simply too good to pass up. If they had been back in Zootopia, the little problem with Dawn's pheromones would have been something they would have been able to deal with swiftly, several times in one evening. The wolf would have been eager to make sure his ewe spent the week walking funny rather then frustratingly stewing in her own wool. And, as much of a risk as it was just getting too strong a whiff of her scent, another part of Vernon was compelled to drink deeply of it. The intoxicating aroma of Dawn's natural scent was something the wolf had become addicted to, and he had never smelled it as strongly as it had been that morning. He knew it was wrong, that it would be torture for the both of them, but his need of that familiar flowery and fruity scent he had grown to love was getting the best of him.

The wolf gave a somber nod, keeping his attention mostly to the ground as the ewe took another cautious step toward him. Glancing up at the timid ewe, Vernon turned up the heat by adding a quivering pout to his deadly Puppy eyes. It was nearly time to strike, he just needed her to fully let her guard down.

"Oh Vernon, please." Dawn sighed, opening her arms wide as she gestured the wolf toward her. "I'm sorry."

The wolf dropped his false pout in favor of a devious smile as he sprung his trap. Lurching forward, the wolf snapped the ewe up into his arms and pulled her tightly against his chest. He had taken her by surprise so well she hadn't even fully registered what was going on until she was firmly pressed against his plaid shirt.

"V-Vernon! WHA-NO!" The ewe sputtered, squirming wildly as the wolf held her tightly. With his prey properly restrained, he was free to torture her just a little bit more, even though in a way it was torture for the both of them. Vernon placed his muzzle firmly against the poof of her wool, burying it all the way through to Dawn's scalp.

"Y'know that wool was surprisingly tasty. I may need a few more nips!" Vernon laughed.

"NOOoooOOO!" Dawn whined, still frantically wriggling as Vernon began to plant kisses all over the top of her head. With each quick, tiny peck the wolf could hear a giggle force it's way through Dawn's protests. Eventually the ewe gave up on fighting to get free, and Vernon could feel her hooves pushing against his neck as the wolf continued his assault. She was desperately trying to push him back, but she didn't stand a chance. The wolf had no plans of letting her go until he was good and ready. Another few playful kisses and the wolf got a slight whiff of what he was searching for, that familiar aroma just barely rising over the withering scent of his Mother's perfume. Vernon took a deep breath as he moved in for another kiss, closing his eyes as he relished in the smell for a moment.

However, his trajectory had been slightly off, and in the haze of the ewe's delicious odor, the wolf had sort of forgotten exactly what he was doing. It was only when his teeth found a soft, playful purchase on the rim of one of the ewe's ears did Dawn manage to drag him out of his growing cloudy, dream-like state.

"V-Vernon." The wolf felt one of Dawn's hooves paw at his chest feebly. Her voice had shifted from playfully irritance, to worrying, to an almost pleaful tone. And simultaneously, as her wilted plea reached the wolf's ears, he was hit was a powerful blast of pheromones. It was enough to make the wolf reel back slightly, shocked by just how potent he had managed to make it with such little effort. Either the perfume was rapidly losing strength, or he just hadn't managed to get her that riled up all morning.

Vernon quickly placed the ewe down, and Dawn quickly darted a few steps away from him. Dawn was blushing furiously, but Vernon knew he was looking just as bad.

The wolf scratched the back of his head, letting out an awkward cough as he tried to distract himself by staring at the nearest ride or stand he could find.

"S-sorry Darlin'." Vern muttered. "I-uh..."

He suddenly felt the ewe's hooves push at his waist, causing him to stumble back slightly. Dawn was glaring at him, cheeks flushed with red and puffed out in annoyance.

"I'm going to remember this!" She hissed. " I'm going to get you back later, I swear!" Dawn pouted.

Vernon couldn't help but laugh, it was clear he had embarrassed her. But her stern scolding carried with it a hint of vague playfulness, as if whatever evil scheme she was cooking up she was anticipating with glee.

"D-don't worry about that too much Honey Lamb." Vernon sighed. "Trust me, that was more painful for me t-than I thought it would be." The wolf let out a weak, faltering chuckle.

Dawn stabbed finger into the wolf's chest poking him several times.

"Oh no, that's not enough!" She huffed. "We're in public!" The sheep said, glancing over her shoulders warily. Placing a paw to her muzzle, she lowered her tone to a whisper. "I don't need all the rams here knowing I'm in season!" Dawn whined quietly. "I-It's...personal."

Vernon nodded meekly.

"I-I'm real sorry Floofs." Vernon said, leaning down to Dawn's level. The wolf had to stop himself from placing his paws on her shoulders. The last thing he wanted to do was possibly make it worse.

"I-it's okay." Dawn mumbled, twisting a hoof awkwardly into the dirt. "I-I'm not mad, I'm just embarrassed."

The wolf nodded solemnly.

" I didn't really think about the other mammals pickin' up on that smell before. I promise I'll try to hold back on the flirting and the huggin' and stuff." Vernon said, offering a weak smile.

"W-well." Dawn twiddled her hooves nervously. "D-don't hold back too much okay?"

Vernon chuckled. "Alright Honey Lamb, you got it."

As the wolf rose to his feet, he felt the ewe give him another light shove.

"I'm still going to get you back though!" Dawn whined.

Vernon let out a loud barking laugh. "Alright, alright, you'll get your shot. I've still got a lot planned out today."

"On top of all this?" Dawn asked. "We've already covered half the fair!"

"And I intend to cover the other half." Vernon replied, flashing Dawn a wide grin. "I'm going to make sure we at least get around to the tunnel of love today."

"ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Dawn yelped before clasping a hoof over her muzzle in surprise of herself. "T-there's no way I can do that right now. I'm feeling so-"

Vernon placed his paws out protectively. "Easy, easy there Floofs. Not right now of course." The wolf chuckled. " Gotta let ya cool down a  bit first."

"But Vernon, are you sure it's really a good id-?"

"Dawn we ain't bunnies." Vernon replied. "We ain't gonna come out of that tunnel with twenty kids. The perfume is working well enough, and I'd like to think you feel I got some sense of self control."

The ewe gave a slow, wary nod.

"O-okay..." Dawn relented. "B-but way later. Like at the end of the day."

"You got it." Vernon affirmed.

As the wolf started to make his way back into the crowd, he felt Dawn's hoof find his paw again.

"S-so is that everything?" Dawn asked.

"Heck no." Vernon said, his voice practically singing with excitement. "When were finished at the fair, you and me are gonna have a nice, quiet picnic in the fields back home. Just the two of us."

"R-really? You planned that too?" Dawn pressed.

"Yeah, I already set aside a little care package of pies and other stuff at the house. I bet you were wondering why we hadn't had any of Ma's free food yet?" Vernon grinned down at the ewe.

"Actually I did find it odd you insisted we split cotton candy and funnel cakes for lunch. I mean that's barely food." Dawn tutted.

"Yep, all part of my master plan." Vernon beamed. "I'll make the hot corn right out there, and we'll have pie and all sorts of other goodies. Then we can watch the stars come out, just like I used to when I was a Pup."

"Oh Vernon." Dawn cooed. "T-that sounds wonderful. You planned all this out ahead of time?"

Vernon's grin just grew wider. "About a week before we had the trip pinned down Floofs. I'm going to make this the best weekend of our lives, family or not."

The wolf's eyelids drooped slightly as a mischievous smile returned to his muzzle.

"And you can get me back all you want when we're out there." The wolf cooed. "And if you get a little frisky, well we can take care of that too my little Honey Lamb."

"VEEERNOOON!" Dawn whined, the blush returning to her muzzle as she playfully slapped at him. Vernon couldn't help but chuckle to himself, it was far to easy to fluster the lamb. And it was something he was sure he'd never get tired of.

"Wait Vernon!?" A voice rang out, a familiar voice that reflexively caused Vernon's ears to sag and his muzzle to twist into a sharp grimace.

"Vernon Hunter!? OH EM GOODNESS! I can't BELIEVE THIS!" No, it couldn't be. She couldn't be here. Vernon felt a hard lump form in his throat.

'She moved away.' Vernon thought to himself. 'Zach told me she moved far away!' The wolf was frozen stock still, his body fighting to turn in the direction the call had come from, but his mind too fearful to confirm his suspicions.

"Yoo-hoo? You go deaf Scrappy?" There it was, the last painful bit of confirmation the wolf needed to know exactly who was calling out to him. That nickname had been exclusively used by only one wolf in his entire life, tied up neatly with a chunk of his past that the wolf had tried so desperately to forget. Vernon cursed silently to himself as he turned to face the music.

The wolf kept his gaze low, first eyeing the now very confused looking ewe by his side. But as he dragged his sight-line up he eventually met the gaze of the one other wolf aside from Yuri he could have happily gone the rest of his life without ever seeing again. His ex-mate from High School, Anabelle Windpaw.

It was almost surprising how little the red wolf had changed since he had seen her last. While the couple had long since broken up by the end of high school, she continued to make herself a presence in Vernon's life right up until graduation. Each tedious and irritating encounter went more or less the same. The she-wolf would 'randomly' run into Vernon when she happened to be with her newest boy toy. She would flaunt his prowess  and superiority while simultaneously belittling Vernon's weakness and overall failure to keep her. At least that how she liked to tell it, whether you wanted to hear it or not.

Despite getting slightly taller, the fiery red and creamy tan fur was still just as he remembered it. The same went for the several garish 'traditional' Canidean feather earrings the she-wolf had strewn about her ears. She even still wore the same faded red vinyl jacket, with the same patches and runes related to 'native wolf' culture that Vernon was certain she didn't know the actual meaning of. Of course her outfit wasn't complete without her professionally 'worn' clothing. Her faded blue jeans with precision tears made by  mechanized hands, and a tee-shirt that simply said 'wolf pack' made to look as though it had been through several hundred washes, although the wolfess had probably bought it yesterday. She had always called the style 'distressed', which to Vernon translated to 'clothing that looks like it would be in a thrift shop, but sold  for three times the price.'

But the thing that really made the wolf feel as though he was staring directly into his own past, that made his stomach lurch, was that same smug and self-righteous grin she always wore. Her green eyes gleaming with mischief despite conveying a half lidded disinterest. In that moment, Vernon felt like he was in High School all over again.

"Ana." Vernon grumbled through clenched teeth.

The she-wolf let out a laugh.

"What are the odds I'd run into you of all mammals out here!" She grinned. "Last I heard you ran off to Zootopia with your tail between your legs because you couldn't cut it as a cop."

The second sentence out of her mouth, that had to be a new record for the she-wolf. Usually she at least tried to keep up the pretense of a casual conversation for a few minutes before starting to tear into him. It was clear she had been honing her skills with time. Vernon let out a harsh sigh before turning on the sarcastic pleasantries.

"Ana, and here I thought you had become a professional drifter, moving from town to town to find the biggest, toughest wolf you could to suck dry before dumping him for the next hapless sap." The wolf retorted, flashing a fake smile.

Ana simply chuckled in response.

"Those of us who are proud of our heritage call that being nomadic. It's in a wolf's blood. Not that I'd expect you to know anything about that." The she-wolf returned the false smile in kind. "Of course there's always something that draws us back home I suppose."

Before Vernon could fire off another biting comment, Ana cut him off.

"Oh, oh! I have to introduce you to my mate!" Ana said, turning to the crowd behind her.

"Ken, Ken Darling, come here! There is someone you have to meet!" She cooed.

There were roughly three or four wolves in the crowd behind her, but naturally the largest wolf was the one who stepped forward. His fur was pitch black, obscuring most of the features of his form while causing his green eyes and gleaming white fangs to stand out like stars against the night sky. Unlike Ana, this wolf was dressed to the nines, wearing a sleek grey suit and deep green tie. It appeared immaculately maintained and tailor fit, so much so that even Xavier's classiest attire would make him look like a pauper by comparison.

As the wolf casually approached the group, it became apparent that the wolf was even slightly taller than him, perhaps by one or two inches, and his shoulders just as wide as Vernon's. Everything about Ken's appearance made it perfectly clear why Ana chose him. He was an 'Alpha', and the aura around him practically screamed it from the heavens themselves.

"Vernon, this is Kendrick Loupon." Ana beamed, patting the wolf's broad chest gently as she leaned against it. "He's the Assistant Representative of the entirety of the Meadowlands. He works directly under Representative Damon Ruddy!" Looking up at the dark black wolf, Ana's smile was practically childlike. "He's a big mammal in the Meadowlands Community. Probably bigger than your old 'Mam."

Vernon sneered. The wolf had always been fine with Ana's usual superiority shtick, but when she brought his folks into the conversation it always got his hackles up.

Ana turned her attention back to Vernon, her smile twisting into a more venomous sneer.

"And Ken Darling, this is Vernon Hunter. It's probably quite hard to believe, but he was my mate back in High School. You know, before I discovered what true 'Alpha' wolves were like." Ana tutted. "He was lucky to have me for as long as he did."

"Ha, ha, ha." Vernon stated sarcastically. "Lucky is one interpretation, but I personally think 'cursed' is more appropriate wouldn't you say?"

Ken let out a deep throaty chuckle, extending a paw out to Vernon, but Ana caught his arm mid-way, pulling it back toward him.

"Oh Ken don't!" Ana laughed. " I'm pretty sure failure is contagious Darling. We don't need Vernon's weakness tainting someone of your stature."

Vernon let out a quiet growl as the large wolf eyed his mouthy mate with slight confusion.

"S-She's the ex you were talking about on the train?" Vernon heard Dawn whisper as she tugged at his paw.

"Unfortunately." Vernon muttered, briefly frowning down at the ewe.

"O-oh Mutton chops." Came her nearly inaudible reply.

Ana seemingly hadn't noticed their little exchanged, she was too focused on the story she was preparing to tell. Vernon had of course heard it all before, he imagined that the wolfess had it boiled down to bullet points by now, ready to prattle it off to her newest mate as her cautionary tale of choice.

"Oh wow, it's all coming right back." Ana cooed. " I can't tell you how many times old Scrappy over there failed to stick up for his mate and be a proper wolf."

"Scrappy?" Ken asked.

"That's was one of the nicknames I gave him." Ana flashed a smug grin Vernon's way. "Well, that's the most polite one anyway."

Vernon balled his free fist tightly as Ana let out another laugh.

"But I called him Scrappy because he lost most of the fights he got into. I swear, he was absolutely terrible in a brawl." Ana mused.

"That's because you got me into those fights." Vernon grumbled. "Very unnecessary fights. With mammals way larger than I was."

Ana dismissed his objections with a wave of her paw. "Oh please Vernon, it's not my fault you were such a coward you didn't want to stand up for me when other mammals had wronged me."

"Yeah, let's share some examples shall we?" Vernon growled. "How many times did you insult someone because they 'looked at you wrong',  or how you 'heard they might of said something about you' when they never even met you." The wolf shook his head. "You never let anything go, and would goad mammals into a frenzy just to sic me on them. Yeah, but they wronged you."

"AHH!" Ana squealed with delight. "I just remembered that time with that brown bear. The look on your face when he had his jaw wrapped around you neck was absolutely priceless!"

Vernon uneasily groped at his throat as the memory came back to him. The wolf had never forgotten the feel of the angry bears incisors on his throat, the pressure of the teeth against his jugular.

"And surprise, surprise, you lost that one too." Ana teased.

"I also cut a scar across the poor fella's eye." Vernon grimaced. "He's still got that because of me, and I hate myself for it."

"Pft...so you gave him a scar. Big deal." Ana mocked.

"Nah, 'course it's no big deal." Vernon grumbled. " Would have been better if I killed him right? More 'Alpha'? More like a real wolf would have done?"

"Well, nothing says Alpha quite like a wolf whose spent some time in prison." Ana let out another long laugh before trailing of into a contented sigh.

"Just seeing you reminds me of how foolish I was when I was younger." Ana shook her head dismissively. " I was so naive when it came to picking wolves that were 'pack leader' material. So many disappointments, so many failures." The she-wolf glared at Vernon briefly before turning her attention back to Ken. "It took a wolf like Ken to show me what it means to be a true 'Alpha'." Ana cooed, gently pawing at Ken's chest appreciatively. The large wolf squirmed slightly, seemingly uncomfortable with the attention. Perhaps it came off a little too lurid for a public display.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Vernon spat, eager to push the conversation by as fast as possible.

Ana scoffed, rolling her eyes as she clutched back up against the towering wolf next to her.

"Oh, well if you must know. Ken has to be here because of his position in the community. He and Damon are going to be presiding over several very important Harvest Festival ceremonies and so he decided to take me along and turn it into a little date!" Ana cooed, patting Ken's chest gently.

"Yeah, I'd love to be wearing casuals right now." Ken said, scratching the back of his neck. "But technically I'm on official government business, at least part time, so I need to look the part." The wolf gently tugged at the collar of his suit. "To be honest it's a little stif-"

"He's also going to be presiding over several traditional Canidean wolf pack rites for the local native community." Ana cut the large wolf off, continuing her pitch.

"Did you know Ken is half native grey wolf? It's true, his Mother was part of a tribe on the West Coast before she moved to Zootopia." She smiled broadly. "He is very in touch with his cultural roots, and Ms. Loupon instilled a deep respect in him for our ancestors cultural practices."

"W-well I mean not all of them ar-"

"Yes, my mate truly is a perfect balance of a modern wolf, and a proud native warrior. A real Alpha male. A true Canidean wolf." Ana sighed dreamily before turning her attention back to Vernon. Her eyelids drooped as the smug grin returned to her muzzle. "Which is more than I could say for some of us here."

Vernon chuckled, surprised at just how thick the she-wolf was laying out her endless praises of the large, dark wolf. The wolf imagined it had been a long time since she had a good outlet to dump her insecurities on, and his presence gave her the perfect opportunity.

"Oh yeah." The wolf shook his head. "That's right, if I remember correctly the last native wolf in your family line was your great-great grandmother. So that would make you the least native mammal here by default."

That was the first time Vernon saw Ana's smug facade drop slightly. The wolfess grimaced briefly before turning her nose up at the wolf.

Satisfied he had hit his mark, Vernon continued. "Even so, not like that kind of thing was ever a big deal to me. Native, non-native, we're all wolves." It was an olive branch, one Vernon was sure that would ultimately be wasted. But at least he was attempting to turn the tone of the conversation to something less bitter and spiteful.

"Spoken like a true omega wolf." As expected, Ana was quick to toss that branch aside. "I swear if your family respected anything about their roots you would have been kicked out of your pack a long time ago."

Ana's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "Oh, is that why you're here? To plead with your Father to let you back into the family? To give you your name back? Are you just Vernon 'No last name given' now? Oh that wou-"

"W-what is your problem!?"

The sudden statement startled the wolf, but not because what was said, but rather who had said it. Looking down, the wolf found that Dawn had stepped forward slightly while still clasping his paw. Her other hoof was balled into a tight fist that matched his own. Ana seemed confused before discovering the voice had come from below her line of sight.

"E-excuse me?" Ana sputtered.

"Y-you heard me!" Dawn's voice waivered slightly, but ultimately remained stern.

"Why did you even bother us? It's clear you don't like Vernon so what was the point?" Dawn released her grip on Vernon's paw, taking another step toward the she-wolf. The ewe stood firm, her fists clenched as Vernon watched.

"Do you honestly have nothing better to do?" Dawn continued, her voice rising slightly. "Are y-you so childish that you need to validate yourself by seeking out a mammal you dated in High School just to put him down?"

The ewe pointed a finger at the bewildered she-wolf. "What was that, more than ten years ago? And your dwelling on it like it was yesterday? Is there nothing more going on in your life?"

The she-wolf was silent, merely blinking at the ewe in shock. It was clear Dawn had caught her off guard. But the lamb also managed to catch Vernon off guard as well. Dawn had made great strides in finding her own voice since the 'Zootopia's Last Night' affair. It was a change the wolf could see growing in her with each passing day. The way she carried herself, holding her head a bit higher than she used to. Standing up for herself more often. Vernon assumed that the close call she had suffered that week in the hospital had fundamentally changed her, like many others who have had close brushes with death.

However it was still surprising to the wolf to see the timid little ewe so boldly stand up to Ana, and it caused Vernon's heart to swell with pride and love. The wolf soon found himself returning the smug smile the same she-wolf had been previously wearing.

Ana tried to laugh, but a few coughs choked through it. It was clear the wolfess had lost some of her stride with Dawn's unexpected interjection.

"A-and what's this supposed to be?" Ana stuttered slightly as she gestured to the petite ewe. " Did I judge you too soon Scrappy? Is that a snack for later?"

Vernon crossed his arms, letting off a derisive huff.

"Heck no, that's vile." Vernon sneered.

Vernon watched as the she-wolf crouched down to Dawn's level, leaning close to the little sheep.

"You know another great thing Canidean wolves had right you little grazer?" Ana sneered, her eyes flicking between Dawn and Vernon as she spoke. " That the only use for a sheep was for clothing and food."

"Hey now-" Ken tried to interject, but Ana was on a roll.

"You know, I've been all over North Mammalia, and met all sorts of REAL native wolves." Ana hissed at Dawn. " I've even been to a few communes, waaaAAAaaay up north where they still see sheep as a hearty meal." Ana grinned broadly, leaning practically muzzle to muzzle with Dawn. Vernon couldn't see Dawn's reaction, but her legs were beginning to tremble. Whatever resolve the ewe had was being pushed to it's limit. "Once or twice, I've even had the pleasure of partaking in one of their traditional hunts, and the thrill of biting into a real rack of MUTTON!"

As she spat out the word mutton, she lunged forward causing Dawn to stagger backward slightly. Dawn looked back at Vernon fearfully for a moment, but rather than run back to his side she returned to her defiant stance.

"Ana please!" Ken raised his voice slightly, his eyes shifting across the various fair-goers. Vernon had nearly forgot about them in the heat of rising altercation, but it seemed they had yet to draw any attention from the passers by. "This is the Meadowlands Darling, please don't uses words like that around my constituants."

Ana let out a derisive snort as she eyed Ken briefly. Still Ana seemed pleased enough with the reaction she drew out of the sheep, the smug grin returning to her face. The she-wolf returned to her feet, taking her place back at Ken's side.

"Honestly it was a beautiful ritual, it's a shame more wolves don't honor their roots like that. Such a proud and visceral tradition ." Ana chuckled.

"Well native wolves had a lot of stupid traditions." Vernon chuckled. "That's why all those tribes have practically died out. In another fifty years or so those die hard packs will be nothing more then a black mark in the history books."

"Not with wolves like me keeping the culture alive." Ana sneered. "I'll make sure it lives on in my pups."

Vernon scoffed, shaking his head in dismissal.

"So I take it he's your body guard then?" Ana ignored him, turning her attention back to Dawn. "Otherwise I can't imagine you'd have the gall to talk to me like-"

"She's my mate." Vernon said firmly, stepping to the ewe's side and grasping her hoof again. The wolf squeezed it tightly, flashing Dawn a soft smile. Dawn had done enough fighting on her own for his sake. The wolf felt it was time to step up.

The ewe looked back at him in shock, at least at first. It only took seconds for tears to start flowing from the corners of her eyes.

"V-vernon." She murmured.

"W-wh-what?" Ana's eyes flew open, blinking rapidly. "I-I'm sorry, w-what was that?" The she-wolf stumbled over her words.

Vernon took a deep breath, puffing his chest out proudly. Dawn was his, and he wasn't ashamed to make it clear.

"This is Dawn Bellwether, and she's my mate." The wolf stated confidently.

Ana simply seemed to freeze, eyes wide in disbelief as to what she had heard. But behind her eyes Vernon could see a hint of glee. A shine like the one a pup gets on the early Yule morning, looking over the mound of presents that had been left the night before. It was as if the information had simply over stimulated her, shut down her ability to process it, and the reaction was waiting for her to come back online.

Suddenly the she-wolf reeled back, letting out the most uproarious and boisterous laugh Vernon had ever heard from her. She placed a paw over her eyes as she continued to laugh like maniac, reeling back and forth as she continued to cackle. As her laugh grew louder and louder, Vernon could see a crowd beginning to draw around them The fairgoers had all stopped dead in their tracks, now looking intently at the scene before them.

With another hard reel back, Ana's laugh turned into a howl. And it didn't take long for some of the other wolves in the fair to join in. Vernon could hear them piping up from all over the carnival. Surprisingly, Kendrick kept silent. It was clear that like Vernon, the wolf had trained himself to suppress the urge to howl. Instead he seemed to become increasingly flustered.

With that last howl, the she-wolf fell into a crouch, clawing desperately at her chest as tried to catch her breath.

"Wait, Dawn Bellwether?" Kendrick asked. Seemingly trying to change the subject away from the scene Ana was trying to create.

"Y-yes?" Dawn muttered weakly.

"Ah, I was a big fan of your political career!" Ken said, clapping his paws together. "I followed it really closely up until...um...well you know."

"O-oh..." Dawn murmured, twisting a hoof awkwardly into the dirt.

"But I have to say, the laws you helped get passed for the city wer-"

The wolf was unable to finish his sentence before Ana slammed into his side, a laugh escaping through her labored breath as she struggled to keep from collapsing.

"OH THIS IS TOO PERFECT!" Ana practically sang. "VERNON HUNTER! THE WEAK OMEGA WHO COULD'T KEEP A REAL SHE-WOLF SATISFIED IS A DIRTY PREY CHASER!" Ana let out another howl of laughter. "AND NOT JUST ANY PREY, BUT A SHEEP!"

"Ana, calm down, you're stirring up the other wo-"

The wolfess gave her mate a playful elbow to the rib.

"AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, SHE'S AN EX-CON!" Ana wheezed. "SHE WAS GOING TO WIPE OUT ALL THE PREDATORS IN THE CITY REMEMBER!? WHAT, DID YOU FORGET THAT SCRAPPY!?" The wolfess pawed at her increasingly uncomfortable looking mate.

The she wolf began to wipe tears from her eyes as she continued to choke out laughter. "OR DO YOU LIKE THAT? BEING SUBORDINATE TO SOME GRAZER WHO LOOKS AT YOU LIKE YOU'RE THE LESSER MAMMAL?"

"ANA! These are my constit-" Ken reached out a paw, but the she-wolf pushed him away. Ana strolled up to Vernon, putting her face right up to his as she tried to suppress her laughing fit.

"Does she hit you? Huh?" She continued. "Do you tell your co-workers you got a black eye from 'falling down the stairs'?" Ana grinned evilly. "Or do you like letting her own you because you're so weak? So lowly? Such an omega that not even a female of your own species would put up with you?"

The she-wolf turned to the crowd, holding her paws out as if beckoning them to join in her spectacle.

"WHAT A FREAKSHOW! A SHEEP AND A WOLF!" Ana let out another howling laugh. "HOW DISGUSTING! HOW UNNATURAL!" Ana shot a glare at the couple. "It's just plain wrong."

With that Ana turned back to Ken, proudly strolling back toward the now flustered looking black wolf. However, stopped mid-way, turning her head back to glance at the pair.

"But I suppose it makes sense." Ana chuckled darkly. "Two broken, twisted, sick freaks with no one else to turn to. A weak willed, soft, miserable excuse for a wolf. An omega in every sense of the word. And a fragile, tiny little sheep who spent her life playing second fiddle to everyone and couldn't even get her petty little revenge plan right. Who's praying that everyone will forget what she did the first time around because of what she did a few months ago." Ana scoffed. "And they won't, by the way."

"You know what you problem is Ana?" Vernon said coolly. The wolf gingerly released Dawn's hoof from his grip, marching back toward the now smugly smiling she wolf. Vernon had enough. In the past he had been more than willing to simply let Ana tire herself. To continue to lob insults until she grew bored and left. It was pointless to stoop to her level. But with all those times Vernon had been alone, and wasn't compelled to argue pointlessly with the nasty she-wolf. He knew she was wrong, and nothing he could say was going to change that, so it had never been worth his time to protest. Seeing her again after all this time had thrown him right back into his High School mindset, and he had been ready to let it play out the same way.

But then Dawn spoke up, stood up for him in the face of Ana's insults and put-downs. Dawn reminded him that he wasn't in high school anymore, that things were no longer the same, and that someone was looking out for him. And it was his time to defend his mate just as she had for him, to say all the things he had always wanted to tell the nasty she-wolf that he never thought he'd get the chance to say. That was, until now.

"You're scared of anyone knowing who you really are." Vernon spat.

Ana raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Pft...what?"

"Look at you." Vernon continued. " All this native wolf pride bullcrap. The last name 'Windpaw'?" Vernon scoffed. "Any mammal with a lick of knowledge about native wolves knows that no actual tribe would recognize you, right? Because wolves that get kicked out, or choose to leave their packs don't get to keep their pack name."

Ana's grin faltered slightly, eyes widening in shock.

"W-what?"

"We both know the only reason yer great-great grandma came to Zootopia was because she was an omega, just like my grandma." Vernon spat. " They left because they hated native wolf tradition, they hated what it represented. Just like every other native wolf that moved out here. They were happy to take their husbands name because they didn't want anything to do with where they came from, but they also had no last names to replace!" Vernon sneered.

"You may have found out what your grandma's old pack name was, but to any actual native wolf tribe, they'd never accept you, especially the actual Windpaws if they are still even around. As soon as anyone found out you were from Zootopia, they'd know why." Vernon gestured to the she wolf.

Ana was frowning now, her ears completely flattened against her head.

"Hell, you don't even know any actual native wolf howl-speak do you? Aside from the curse words." Vernon spat. "Or has that changed since I saw you last? The gods know you weren't a big reader."

"I-I-I-" Ana stammered, clearly unable to think of a good snide reply. Rather than give her the opening, Vernon pressed on.

"But you needed to be unique, to have an edge right?" Vernon turned his back the the she-wolf as he started pacing. "Otherwise you had nothing else that made you different from the other wolfess' in our school. " Vernon pinched the bridge of his muzzle. "So you embraced the Native Wolf in your blood line for better or for worse. It was something, anything you could grasp at to help you stand out."

By now Ana appeared to be shrinking slightly, slinking deeper into her boyfriends side.

"So you gleaned all the most basic knowledge about Native Wolf cultural and crafted this tough, wild persona around that tiny element in your families history, because you had absolutely nothing else to offer anyone." Vernon stomped back towards Ana, stabbing a finger at her. The she wolf recoiled slightly, as if she had expected Vernon swing at her.

"And it made you insecure. So desperate to be liked and validated that you put down everyone around you to build yourself up, to stroke you ego. And when you had a mate, you constantly put them to the test to prove they cared about you. Because you needed to be sure, you needed constant reinforcement that you were loved. And it was never enough." Vernon was beginning to smile as he watched Ana cowering. The weight of the days earlier pressures were suddenly all rising to the surface. Flowing out of him like a waterfall as he unloaded the days baggage in one rant focused at the cruel red wolf.

"And that's why your back right? Why you came back to Zootopia?" Vernon mused, scratching his chin. "You never went to any communes, or at least you were never allowed to stay at them. Because of who you really were."

"Th-that's not true!" Ana hissed. Her voice waivered, the wolf's words were   obviously hitting her sore spot.

"So YOU came back to Zootopia with YOUR tail between your legs. And kept up your old persona because at this point it was really all you had. Because you are empty." Vernon spat. "You are an empty, hollow shell of a wolfess who clings to the faded image of old wolf traditions because without them you have nothing else."

Vernon turned to engage the crowd, spreading his arms out in a similar fashion that Ana had before.

"And me? Well I get the heat because I'm the first one. The one you were the most open with. The one who knows all of your secrets. The ones you hoped I'd never repeat if you kept putting me down. If you brow beat me into shamed silence."

With that Vernon strolled over to Dawn. Taking hold of her hoof with a firm grasp the wolf pulled her forward slightly. With a nod, Dawn and Vernon stood their ground at each other's side. Her touch emboldening Vernon's resolve, the look of determination in her eyes pressing the wolf onward.

"Look at us Ana!" Vernon snarled, gesturing at himself and the ewe.

"Think whatever you want, but she's my soul mate!" Vernon barked.

"And he's mine!" Dawn added, seemingly trying to be as loud as she could.

"We have each other." Vernon smiled. "And one day your going to run out of mates to use up and find yourself all alone. An embittered old she-wolf without a family or friends, without pups of her own, because you drove them all away."

Vernon let out a hard sigh as the scene fell silent. Ana looked like she was nearly going to faint, but Vernon still had one last thing to say. The grin on his muzzle widened as he prepared his final statement, knowing it would leave the she-wolf devastated.

"Because you're an Omega on the inside Ana Millfang." Vernon said coldly. "And you always have been."

Ana's eyes went wide in what Vernon could only describe as sheer terror.

"Y-you-You." Ana choked. "R-remembered my-"

"Your real last name." Vernon said, a smug grin creeping across his face.

At that moment Ana began to shudder, and Vernon watched as the flesh beneath her fur went through several shades of red as the shock turned to pure rage. She hadn't seen that coming, she had never expected the wolf to stand against her, much less actually tell the truth about her. The bits he had learned before she had made her full transformation into the self described alpha female she now was. Her cheeks swelled as she began to sputter a rebuttal.

"WHY Y-Y-I, I-" She snarled, glaring daggers at the couple. "I'M GO-"

Ana shook her head briskly before switching her stare to the towering wolf next to her. Her eyes were so focused on Ken it looked as though her vision alone could cut through the wolf's flesh.

"WELL!" Ana hissed.

"W-well what?" Ken stuttered.

Ana slapped a paw hard enough against his chest for the whole crowd to hear. It echoed over the silent fairground as Ken winced.

"STAND UP FOR YOUR MATE! BURY HIM!" Ana frantically gestured toward Vernon.

Ken pulled at his collar.

"Ana, I'm a politician.' the wolf coughed,  adjusting his tie as he seemed to compose himself. "I'm not the type of mammal who gets into fist fights. It's bad for my public image."

Ana gave the wolf another hard slap, causing him to wince.            "THEN WHY AM I EVEN WITH YOU!?" The she wolf hissed.

Ken looked down at the wolfess in annoyance. It was slight, but Vernon could see it in his eyes. The large wolf let out a sigh.

Ken pulled away from the she-wolf and walked toward the couple. As he approached he seemed to swell his chest, an obvious attempt at intimidation. Ken loomed over them, an imposing aura flowing off him despite keeping a calm and pleasant look to his face.

"Vernon Hunter, right?" Ken spoke quietly.

"Yes." Vernon said with a growl.

"Good, good." Ken muttered. "I'm sorry to say this isn't the end of this my friend."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The wolf hissed.

Ken looked over his shoulder briefly, letting out another sigh before turning back to the couple. "You'll see soon enough Mr. Hunter. You'll see."

With that, Ken turned to the crowd of fair goers, raising and lowering his arms as if signaling the crowd to simmer down.

"I'm sorry for that little ahem...." The large wolf glanced over at his mate, who simply turned her head away from him, letting out an annoyed huff. "Disruption. But please, go back to enjoying the fair. I apologize if my mate said anything out of turn, it's been a stressful day for the two of us."

With that, Ken glanced back at Vernon. For a brief moment the wolf felt another lump form in his throat, the sudden fear of Ken trying to sic the crowd on the two of them rising in his mind. But instead the official turned back to the crowd and calmly continued.

"Her remarks toward sheep folk were completely off base, and I do not support them. And I assure you we will be discussing this later." Ken glared at his mate, earning yet another huff.

"Anyway, please enjoy the fair." Ken concluded, before making his way back toward Ana, extending an arm to her as he passed. Ana however, pushed it away, keeping a few feet from the wolf official. Clearly his little public apology had pleased everyone but her. Letting out a sigh of defeat, the wolf strode forward. Ana gave on last glare back at Dawn and Vernon, turning her nose up before following behind Ken as the pair walked into the crowd and disappeared.

Vernon stood tall, still clutching Dawn's hoof tightly in his paw as he let out a relieved sigh. He had done it, he had finally told Ana off and mam' had it felt good. It certainly had taken the edge off the anxiety and misery that Vernon had built up from earlier in the day. But his brief elation was short lived as he looked down at the worried looking ewe next to him. She seemed to quiver as she latched on to Vernon's arm completely, looking up at him with tear filled eyes.

"O-Oh Vernon." Dawn sobbed. "W-what are we going to do now?"

"W-what? What's wrong Honey Lamb? We told her off. We-"

Dawn shook her head briskly, wiping her eyes against his arm.

"D-Didn't you hear what Loupon said?" Dawn stammered.

"Oh that?" Vernon chuckled. "It's fine Darling. He's got nothing."

"B-but Vernon!" Dawn pleaded. "He's a politician! I k-know politicians! H-he might have connections Vernon!" The ewe wept.

"Aw please." Vernon smirked. "What's the worst he could do to us?"

[cab-the-maned-wolf]

Chapter 2: Godless Youth for my Zootopia Fanfic When The Stars Wish Me Dead is out now!

You can read a sneak preview and find the links to the full chapters after the break!

I wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel about the thing that happened last night. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty sure I was absolutely terrified. There was no need for discussion about that. The fact that I was occasionally glancing over my shoulder every couple of seconds, while walking in my own house, fearing that whoever lunatic had been watching me might somehow attack me, was definite proof that I was going crazy. My therapist used to tell me, if I felt unsure about anything, I was supposed to just look for a silver lining, anything positive that might come out of the situation.

I don't know about you guys, but there is definitely no silver lining about a damn stalker.

But was I going to do anything about it? Hell no, I wouldn't even know how to go about it. I had no idea who that mammal might have been. Not once did I catch a glimpse of them, not even a scent. It was as if I was hunting a ghost. The only exception was that ghosts wouldn't be able to throw fucking pinecones with messages attached to them. And this mammal did it twice.

What was even more unsettling was that this mammal knew who I was and where I lived. This mammal knew exactly, when I was on that roof. To say it was creepy would be an understatement. But just as I had said before, there was no way I could have done anything about it. I couldn't just go to the ZPD with no leads at all, telling them that a forest spirit was harassing me with pinecones. They would have a good laugh and then send me off to Cliffside for being another nutjob.

So like any angsty teenager, I did the only thing a teenager would do when they were facing problems and fears; I bottled it up and threw it as far away as possible, somewhere where my mind couldn't find it in the hopes I would forget it. My therapist used to say that this behavior was extremely unhealthy, but I was here for a good time, not for a long time, right?

After putting on some decent clothes and brushing my teeth, I quickly descended the stairs as I walked into the living room, crossing it hurriedly. I tried my best not to appear suspicious, taking several steadying breaths before I entered the kitchen. I didn't want to give my mom any indications as to what had happened last night. That lady had enough problems to deal with as it was, the last thing she would need was a stalker outside of her home.

"Morning mom," I greeted her, the elder maned wolf turning her head to look at me, a beaming smile on her face as she flashed a warm toothy smile, the argument last night seemingly forgotten.

"Morning hun, did you sleep well?" she asked before turning back to the newspaper in her paws.

"Like a baby," I answered nonchalantly while leaning against the counter. It wasn't technically a lie. I mean, I didn't have a baby, but judging by the mammals that did have kids, I doubt their circles under their eyes came from sleeping children. So technically, I did sleep like a baby. Not at all.

"That's good to hear. Do you have any plans today? The weather is pretty nice, don't you think, considering it's in the middle of October," she asked, raising the mug of coffee towards her snout before taking a cautious sip from the hot brew.

"Yeah I guess. I'm going out soon, gonna meet up with Chris and Sam at Central Park. You remember them?"

"Oh, of course! Your little friends," she smiled as she turned around to regard me. Her eyes lit up as she recalled the two, "That little snow leopard and the hyena. Gosh, they were so darn cute! I wonder how they are doing, haven't seen them in a while…"

"Well, I'm more than glad to tell you all about them as soon as I'm back," I interrupted her mullings, an amused smile on my face as I started to move backwards towards the front entrance, but stopping in my tracks as she spoke up.

"Oh, okay," she turned back towards me as her expression slightly darkened, "Be careful though, alright?"

"Come on, mom," I huffed, "These are the Meadowlands! Nothing happens around here! The highlight of the week here used to be the ice cream man driving through. What's he gonna do? Ice me to death? "

"Oh hush, you. You know what I mean," she waves it off before the smile returned to her face, still a concerned sparkle in her eyes, "I'm just saying. You can't judge a mother for caring about her child, do ya?

"Well, you should go now. Don't want your friends waiting, right? You should drop by the church some time if you happen to be around."

"Yeah, will do. See ya later," I hurriedly said goodbye as I was already halfway out of the door, sending her a last wave before I left the building...

You can find the full chapter here x and here x !

Until next time!

~Bye!

[falke-scribblings]

It wasn't farm early, but it was close. Judy could still feel the cool morning air in her ears up here, even with the sun now shining directly on the rooftop.

Everything else felt pretty farmlike, too - the scent of the fresh dirt, and the feel of it running through her fingers. There was even a packet of seeds floating in her vision.

She looked up. Nick was holding out a lumpy parchment-paper envelope with the words green beans scribbled on it.

"Oh, good, you found them."

"Right where you said they'd be. And I brought the cream cheese." He stepped back to let her get to her feet.

Breakfast, as it usually was on weekends, was bagels from Moe's, eaten there on the roof. Judy brushed the worst of the soil off her paws and helped Nick separate the bagel halves.

"Will there be enough?" Nick asked.

"Cream cheese, or beans?"

"Beans."

"Should be just enough," Judy said. "This is fill for the second harvest, right? We don't need as many this time around."

Nick seemed to be counting the beans in the packet anyway. Judy let him doubt her. He was particular about his green beans. These seeds - and the young plants growing in a whole tray all to themselves now - were from the local farmers' market. They weren't her family's seeds, which she would have preferred, but they were way better than storebought. Close enough until she had time to go home and bring some back.

They'd had to expand to accommodate. Green bell peppers, cucumbers, chili peppers, new tomatoes, basil and dill in the corner, and now lots of green beans starting to come in. The rooftop garden was up to three trays, and they were considering adding a couple more. Now they were killing time building little scrap-wood planters for the plastic bins themselves, just so they looked nicer, and Judy was considering edging the lot with more perennials to bring more colors and pollinators around.

For now, though, they sat with their backs to the warming brickwork and munched on breakfast. They had time to take things slow.

"They'll take another month or so," Nick said. "The green beans."

"You're anxious."

"Just hungry." But his tail flipped in amusement. "You know I've wanted to try these ever since we started the garden. They're important to have if you're running one." He pointed. "Like tomatoes."

Judy had wondered, a couple times early on, if Nick had just been doing this to humor her, because it was an excuse to spend time together. The latter was definitely true - he wasn't going to deny that - but he'd also banished any possibility of the former in short order. Gardening was another thing he'd never had a chance to try before, and now he paid such careful attention to their progress. It had become a full-blown hobby for him, too. She'd make a real farmer of him yet.

She knelt next to him at the green bean tray and they went after the little weeds together. Up here, they were nothing serious, but they would compete with their cultivation for water and sunlight all the same.

They both ignored the spade, she noticed, and used their paws to pull out the interlopers and cover the batch of new seeds with dirt. Nick went to fill the watering can from the little tap in the corner.

As he was sprinkling the water in an even pattern over the furrow, Judy's phone rang. Both of them twitched their ears as they recognized the tone. That was an official contact. Judy brushed her paws again and dug it out of her pocket.

"It's the weekend, Fangmire," she muttered, and tapped receive. "Hello, Captain."

"Morning, Hopps. I'm assuming Wilde is with you."

Judy put him on speaker. Nick already had a patient smile at her apologetic expression. "Hey, Cap."

"Guess who Torren just found?"

He wouldn't call them on their days off unless it was Stern, their one lead in the cold case they'd been hammering on for two weeks. Judy put everything else on mental hold and started thinking about their progress again.

"A certain antelope."

"Figured you'd want to know we got an address that matches, finally. We'll have one of the second shift teams go out and bring him in. Unless you want it."

"No, go ahead and send them. We'll be along to the station soon."

"Suit yourself. It's your weekend."

"Our case, too. See you soon." She ended the call.

Nick scratched his muzzle. "What's Torren doing in on the weekend?"

The same thing they would be. She looked at his ears. "Sorry, Nick."

"No, it's okay. Quit it." They came back up, and he put a paw on her shoulder. "You're right and we both know it. We've been working on this one even longer than the rest of them. It's important. A llama got poisoned."

"Yeah, more than ten years ago."

But that gap didn't matter. Judy couldn't ignore the first big break of this case, any more than Nick or Torren or any of the others could. Now it would be cutting into their off time, because they both understood seeing these things through was as much a part of the job as anything else.

She decided their departure could wait, though - at least long enough to finish their watering.

---

Four weeks later, they were almost done.

And while it wasn't the hardest case of their careers so far - that honor went to the Boots fiasco they'd just wrapped up - it had been the longest. Stern had given them leads to the golf course, and the homeowner's association, and a bar down in Meadowlands. It had led them to and old golfing buddy, and a neighbor of the deceased, and even through the offices of a real estate firm that had negotiated two different sales of the house where an old llama had died.

The question, as usual, was who to arrest. All of their suspects had been in contact with the food and drink Derek Harstein consumed the day he died. The toxicology results were all negative for the food. But in all that time, in all those years, nobody had thought to check the silverware itself for DNA traces.

They'd spent most of the time waiting on those forensics checks, each of them entering the back of the queue with every other unsolved death and assault and rape. It was slow going. They'd spent long nights - and more than a few unintentional weekend shifts away from their garden and their time together that was more important than ever - tenaciously chasing leads and checking results against every name on their list of possible suspects. Now, at long last, Judy and Nick had cleared them all, except for one. The long shot.

"I still don't believe it," she said again, in the cruiser as they pulled to a stop. "She sat through days of testimony and interview. ZPD cleared her, and then cleared her again for good measure."

"We weren't there to see it," Nick said. "We're taking the reports at their words, and those reports didn't have DNA evidence to match."

"Okay, but his wife? Really? After all that?"

"Cherchez la femme," Nick quoted. They started up the broad steps. Harstein's widow had moved to a nice part of town, where she now lived in a giant old house as a total recluse. "The girl always has something to do with it. There was insurance involved, right? Mammals have killed each other with poison-laced forks over less, I'm sure."

"You read too many detective stories."

"You and I might as well be detectives at this point." He smiled over at her. "Don't worry. We'll be through with this in no time."

They rang the bell - twice - and waited so long that Judy would have followed Nick back to the car had she not picked up the faint sounds of someone walking around inside.

"Wait. She's in there."

The door creaked, and a positively ancient-looking llama peered out at them from behind thick glasses.

"Oh, hello, officers. Can I help you?"

"Mariel Harstein?"

She looked at Judy. "That's right. What can I do for you?"

Judy held up the warrant paperwork. "We're here to take you into police custody, Ma'am. It's about your husband."

Harstein frowned in confusion. "But my husband died a decade ago."

"We know, Ma'am. The DA would like to ask you more questions."

Harstein blinked. "This is all very strange." She fumbled for the ornate handle and pulled the door wider. "Won't you come in? The tea is on. We can talk about it over refreshments."

"Ma'am-"

But she was gone, turning to take unsteady steps back into the house. They followed, and stared.

Widowing didn't appear to have been kind to Harstein. There was a grand hardwood staircase in the main entrance, an actual dead-trees library through the archway to the right, and a full multi-scale dining room table, set with silverware and glasses for a whole host of guests.

And it was all covered in a thick layer of dust.

Read the rest over on AO3! Sorry to break it up. This one is kind of long.

[davidastbury]

Victoria Railway Station

They must have been away from each other for a while - perhaps days; perhaps a college term - and boy are they glad to see each other. The hugging isn’t enough; they have to lean back and look at each other. They might be seeing changes - after all, they have been involved in unshared experiences. Along with time studying he will have spent time with friends - mixed friends. They will have talked about their lives, their backgrounds, their parents, even their relationships. They would have laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company. He might have liked one of the girls - who knows?

Soon they will share edited versions of ‘catching up’ and the mild surprise of his different hair length, use of unfamiliar words and oddly cautious smile will melt away along with the irritating smell of hotel soap.

Mr. Rahmani .... for Rochelle

Mr. Rahmani was one of our first asylum seeker friends. He left Afghanistan with his wife and large family and was trapped for a year or so in Pakistan. It was there that his heart condition became critical and he had bypass surgery. Then onwards to Germany and finally England. Pat met him in the local housing office where he was being allocated two adjacent apartments (on a dreadfully run-down estate; the local authority had 550 empty flats and were happy to take a block booking from the government to cover the rented accommodation for the newest refugees).

Mr. R was a very grand person; at least sixty years old - iron grey hair and wise, green eyes. He wore tailored grey suits and silk shirts and walked like a monarch. In fact he had been the governor of a huge chunk of Afghanistan. The people in the housing office, normally off-hand and impatient with their clients, jumped up and fussed Mr Rahmani offering him a chair and being creepy-crawly attentive.

So we became friends. He came to our house many times and we visited his twin flats nearly every day. We had long conversations about the collapse of order in his home country, the demise of the Iranian Shah, the opportunistic Soviet invasion, the Western mischief - all that stuff.

The important aspect was that we were the only friends he had at that time, and we did all we could to ease the difficulties of settling into normal life in this country - helping with his appeals, filling in endless forms for this and that, buying household items, finding school places for his younger children and college applications for the older ones. They had all previously attended the best private schools - his eldest daughter was a gynaecologist and a son was a civil engineer. And it was all done with good humour and cheerfulness. We enjoyed being with them - and honestly, how on earth would I otherwise have met such an interesting personality?

But it’s the little things that I remember best. Once, when admiring his suit, I gave him a cane handled umbrella and he practiced walking with it - and to complete the ensemble I presented him with an overcoat, I’d hardly ever worn it as it made me feel self conscious - it was expensive and it had been foolish to buy it - but it was superb on Mr Rahmani! Elegant Herringbone - three-quarter length, maroon satin lining - and - slim black velvet collar! He was delighted - as if it brought back the memories of half forgotten simple pleasures.

He sailed through the tribunal appearances - the immigration judges knew a big player when they saw one - and once that was settled he told me that he would be taking his family to London. It was at that point that he very movingly said - ‘For what you have done for me and my family, you will go to Paradise!’

Lunchtime on the Terrace

Creased Frenchwoman nearby, sucking on a cigarette. She calls across to a woman at the next table - and what a voice - 24ct Edith Piaf, hoarse, raucous, scarred by decades of shouting and sour wine.

I half close my eyes and Paris is everywhere; eating my watery soup with a heavy spoon; a saucer of cream for the pussycat; a livre de poche on the table and I’m up for anything - love, cheap brandy, dodging grape-shot at the barricades, waving my hat at the garçons and ripping up cobblestones.

The Moorcroft Building ... (Miss Jean Turpin, 1963)

Fake Roman - solid, dependable. Built by the dignitaries who put up the money for the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. Now (1963) in the worthy hands of the Chamber of Commerce. It sits in splendour, facing the town-hall, the Portland stone facade sparkling like a sugared biscuit in the thin English sunshine. Most memorable of all - and anyone who knew Manchester at that time will agree - was the sight of the amazing curved doors. Two gorgeous, stainless-steel segments - slid back by the porter each morning - following the curvature of the doorway, allowing entrance via an inner plate glass revolving door.

A commercial bank on the ground floor and a warren of rented rooms up above. Numerous names on the brass plates - solicitors, actuaries, surveyors etc had sets of rooms and throughout the day people arrived and left - red faced business men rolled in from late lunches, export clerks carried stacked files, barristers scuttered along in their striped trousers.

Just entering this building inspired reassurance and confidence - the people there would look after your pension, your lump-sum, your annuity, your trust-fund!

Miss Jean Turpin worked in the first-floor office of Meadowland International Finance, as private secretary to Mr Harrop the Northern manager. She was a sharp and disagreeable woman living out the last years of youthfulness and moral constraint. She nursed a very widespread anger - none were spared; except Mr Harrop, who was actually afraid of her. She was amused by his nervousness; the way he squirmed and apologised when asking her to do something - or his habit of peering round her door - it made her imagine that he was undressed, or he spent the day in women’s clothes or stood naked at his tape-recorder, dictating the complexities of an irrevocable letter of credit to the rotating spools. But her thoughts mostly focused on Mr. Latimer, who delivered the contracts every afternoon. She had plans for Mr. Latimer - although he was unaware. He was another mild mannered man, inoffensive and soft spoken, divorced (but kept the house) nice to his neighbours in Cheadle Hulme. Jean Turpin would watch him lay the folders on the long table at the window, each one neatly labelled, paginated, with supplementary documents attached and she would plot his seduction ... the light suggestive humour, the teasing, the ‘knowing’ look, the coaxing, the accidentally-on-purpose touch, the slide beyond the point of no return - and then the fury of her unleashed nature. Poor Mr Latimer would no longer gaze furtively at the legs of the prickly Miss Turpin; nor would he share randy chat over the garden fence with the Jack-the-Lad man next door - nor would slipping between the gorgeous segments of the stainless steel doors ever be the same again.

A Family

It’s nice to be in the middle and look both backwards and forwards. Once upon a time there were three generations in that house ... the widowed grandmother, stoical and grumbling, always sitting in ‘her chair’ or occasionally, putting on sensible shoes and best navy blue coat and going to church. She’d lost her brother in WW1.

Then there was her daughter. She had welcomed home her husband from WW2 and they worked as a team - he drove the bus, she collected fares. The optimistic fifties - a much loved couple.

And then there was her daughter. Badly upset by the death of her father - the hurt was deep and she kept it to herself - didn’t mention it at school. Yet she became a bright little star in the mid 1960s - always smiling, rushing about, kissing everyone - like all the female pop stars rolled into one - irresistible in dramatic black polos, leather minis, Quant hair; the lot.

And then her daughter (at this point my only info is FB) - I’d guess in her early fifties. And further guess she’s either a medic or something in caring. Wonderful kindly look, both outwards at the camera and when facing her mother - the sort of face you would like to see if ever you are in trouble.

And then there is her daughter - bright eyed at her own wedding - modern, greedy for happiness.

And then there is her daughter ... a baby.

Russell and the Frog

It was early evening and I was watching TV - probably Popeye or Yogi Bear - when Russell appeared at the side window. I rushed to open the door and saw that he was holding something in his cupped hands. ‘What is it?’ - I asked. He replied - ‘a frog’ - and creating a small crack I was able to see two bulging eyes staring back at me.

He said - ‘I’m taking it home. I’m going to keep him in the garden’.

Russell had been walking home from one of his private lessons, probably music, and had taken the shortcut (forbidden) across swampy land behind the barracks - and there he had come across the frog.

I told him that frogs need to be in their own territory - the place where they lived as tadpoles. Sometimes they travelled away but always came home for the spawning season. That’s where they had to have their babies - even if it meant crossing roads and being killed.

Russell said - ‘I didn’t know this. I’ll take him back’.

So together we went back to the land behind the barracks and to the exact place where Russell had found him.

He crouched down and the frog jumped from his hand and nuzzled his way into the reeds.

And then we walked home and talked about other things.

Russell And The Unexploded Bomb ... for Leyla

My hometown was never on the tick-list of the German bombing department - however, nearby Manchester certainly was. The industrial areas around Trafford Park were badly hit. But sometimes, for unknown reasons, not all the bombs were released and rather than return home and having to explain things, the German aircrews simply dropped them anywhere and headed for home.

For several years after, some of these bombs which had failed to explode on impact, would be accidentally discovered. Russell found one.

We crossed boggy fields to where the ground sloped down to the river. There was the bomb, rinsed by rainfalls, gleaming with the sombre dignity of a beached whale. Perhaps there had been a movement in the soil, or perhaps the field itself had wished to reject this unwelcome foreign body - so there it was, sticking outwards at an angle, wrong way up.

I remember looking at the stencil lettering - which we couldn’t understand - and the long line of numbers. We discussed telling our parents but that would have been boring. Adults never believed us - so we held on to a lot of things - like how we knew that a platoon of Japanese soldiers were living in the woods near our school. They didn’t know that the war was over and they would shoot us if we approached them.

We visited the bomb about three times - and then it vanished. The surface of the field was chewed up with tyre tracks. It had been removed. Russell wanted to learn more about what had happened and against my advice, we knocked on the farmer’s door. I was apprehensive about the farmer recognising me - he had chased me off his land more than once. The door was opened by his wife, who glared at us, said she didn’t know anything about bombs, and slammed it shut in our faces.

So that was the end. Except the memory of seeing it for the first time. And how Russell got astride it like a motorbike and I rode pillion; my arms around his waist, laughing and holding tight and Russell shouting ‘Fuck off!’ and the crows flying to the treetops and the big shiny bomb between our legs.

Mel Brooks said that the words ‘so am I’ characterised his marriage to Anne Bancroft. Whenever she announced an intention to do something he’d call out ‘so am I!’ If she said ‘I’m going shopping’ or ‘I’m ready to eat’ he would tell her ‘so am I’.

And she did exactly the same with him.

Never tired of each other - never wanting to do things separately - never wanting their ‘own space’.

On The Train

She’s thin and she has a cough. It’s a cold night and she’s wearing a T-shirt and jeans; at every stop the doors slide and the heat of the carriage is sucked out. And she coughs ... and coughs.

Coughing means something to my generation. We remember the word ‘consumption’ and experimental ‘open-air’ hospitals for children - and Victorian sanitoriums, set back from the road, places we were told to keep away from - and the signs on buses announcing that spitting was strictly prohibited - and the haggard, lung-sick faces of men in pub doorways - and the hopelessness of broken homes, poverty and early deaths.

There was another side of course - my lot getting to know everything in college. Glib talk about the coughing artists and writers. We could hear the coughing in Modigliani, Beardsley and early Picasso; in the poetry of the Brontës and Keats and all the others. This wasn’t too bad - every genius seemed to cough.

But here we are in 2020 and she shouldn’t be coughing - and all the love we feel is held back - our love is like a flower under concrete and it’s as hard for us as it is for her.

[bpellerin]

Can a happy city fight climate change?

It’s not the kind of weapon most people think of using, but when you start thinking about it, it makes sense even if the cause-and-effect relationship is hard to plot on a chart.

What’s a happy city? In part, it’s one where people have lots of contact and connections with others. Not necessarily meaningful connections. Just your average, everyday nod of the head and the good-mornings you exchange as you walk your dog.

Soft connections, they’re called. And we don’t have enough of them. Mostly because we’re all in our own private bubble so much of the time.

When you live in a city that has wide streets and lots of cars, you don’t tend to spend much time hanging around outside on foot. When you don’t spend time hanging around outside on foot, you don’t have those short interactions with other people because they’re not hanging around outside on foot either.

You can still meet people, but usually that happens after you drive to the meeting place and park there. If you don’t have the means to drive — if you don’t have a car — then your opportunities to spend time with other people dwindle.

You’re lonely, don’t feel like you belong, and don’t get involved. You also tend to distrust people, because you don’t know them.

This fellow gets it. He wants cities to be designed, or redesigned, to encourage walkability and more contact among neighbours. There are all kinds of ways to do that, including by adding density to existing neighbourhoods, but one way in particular strikes me as something we could fix relatively easily.

Make more of our streets places where people on foot can hang out.

Imagine Meadowlands Drive. Well, OK. You don’t need to imagine it. You know what it looks like. It’s a nice enough street, with lots of various housing ��� some apartment buildings, some social housing, some detached homes, duplexes, etc. But you know what it doesn’t have? People hanging out, on foot or bicycle. And why not? Because it’s a raceway. Cars and buses drive by, and few of them respect the speed limit of 40km/h.

Why? Because Meadowlands is incredibly wide. There is easily enough room for five cars, maybe six if we squeezed by slowly. But the road is designed for one car each way. You have tons of space when you’re driving. How can you not be tempted to speed?

Roads represent 80% of the public space in an average North American city. That space ought to be for everyone, not just cars. Not necessarily everywhere, but where warranted.

If we took some portions of Meadowlands and narrowed it considerably, we could use the space on the side for hanging out. We could have benches, mini basketball hoops for the kids, a sheltered box with books donated by neighbours. Plants and flowers, maybe a small container garden for anyone to grow radishes. Yes, of course, that outdoors living space would have to be protected from traffic with concrete planters or barriers. If it didn’t feel safe enough, nobody would use it. But imagine a few planters with small trees or shrubs providing a screen between traffic and the space for humans, creating a small urban oasis a block’s length or so, where people might naturally mingle or just hang out in.

Why not go crazy and add outdoor furniture so people can have meetings there or eat their lunch?

Near where I live on Craig Henry (another residential street where the 40km/h speed limit is routinely ignored), there are huge medians in some places. Why not encircle them with barriers or fences, and create mini public spaces with, I don’t know, chess boards or mini climbing walls for toddlers? Why not encourage people to use space that is already public and not reserved for cars?

Yes, you bet it would make drivers more careful if they saw human beings everywhere around them. That’s sort of the point. Make drivers slow down, breathe deeply, and wish they could just get lost in a book on a bench instead of sitting in their cars.

Humans are social animals. Even the anti-social among us need contact with others to be our best selves. I know this because I’m solitary to a fault yet find myself going about my business with renewed energy after a stroll to my local Tim’s. Something about being outside, and just smiling to a stranger, brings the best in everyone.

I confess I don’t see the direct connection between a walkable happy city and climate change. Obviously if we walk more and drive less that’s a good thing. But I’m not sure how big an impact that would make. And I say so what. Happiness, human fulfilment ought to be goals on their own, and if it helps us reduce emissions, well, that’s a fantastic bonus.