Someone special in Zootopia

65.- Familiars

"So... is he still doing the same thing?" Judy asked her companion as they walked through the streets of Savanna Central. She was taking a cream ice cream cone, as higher temperatures were approaching.

"Even though he's alone, Finnick manages to get by with the same business. But I'm not sure how he's doing financially now that he's also filing taxes." Nick took a sip of his bubble tea, which, surprisingly, wasn't blueberry. This time, he decided to try grape flavour.

"Isn't he the type who would ask you for money?"

The fox shook his head. "He's too proud, he wouldn't ask for it even if he lived under a bridge... and much less me." He couldn't help but let out a short laugh.

"We can always check on him, right?" She took a bite of the cookie.

Nick snorted, almost finishing his drink. "If it makes you feel better, we'll go see him, but I'm sure he won't talk about his problems. I let you know."

Although Judy would like to help the desert fox, being what Nick said he was, it wouldn't make sense to try to force the situation. At least she hoped he'd be well, but that's why she decided to go with her colleague for a visit, to make sure he wasn't really having a bad time. And although the fox wouldn't admit it, she knew he had some concerns about his former coworker.

"Would you like to take him a little gift while you're at it?" Nick remarked, glancing sideways at Judy, smiling as he threw the empty tea container into the trash. "I know you."

The bunny felt that he had partially caught her, but she tried to hide it, flashing a smile. "Oh, no, I'm doing it more for you, as if I didn't know you still love your little friend." She tried to fight back to avoid the topic of helping him.

"Love him? I wish I did. He's the only one who didn't fall for my charms, can you believe it?" He turned his head, pretending that the lack of attention was an offense.

"I can't imagine..." Judy replied sarcastically, enjoying how the fox made excuses after excuse. "But you're still worried about him."

Nick snorted once more. "Let's go see him and have you try to help him, then we can get back to business."

Judy's eyes widened; she'd been caught. She wondered how it could have happened, but she would never understand the way that damn fox identified both criminals and her. But at the same time, Judy knew things about him that Nick himself kept hidden. A clear case of back-and-forth.

At the ZPD, Vol was sorting documents in the warehouse. Of course, officers also have to do that kind of work, and due to the division of labor, this time it was the fox's turn to handle it. Although he liked the quiet, this situation was very boring for him, even worse than filling out reports, since he simply had to put the papers in their place, sorted by date. It was simple, but it didn't make it enjoyable.

"What a bore... and I don't have anyone to talk to." He thought as he kept his attention focused on his work. "I'll try to finish this quickly..."

There wasn't much material to sort through either, but it was such a repetitive situation that it was tiring, always the same motion. Even though his eyes were reading well enough, he was gradually losing energy, and this affected his eyelids, as they were closing with each passing moment. And worst of all, he was left with a pile of papers. It felt like it was endless.

"And they had to do this too? I don't know how they could stand it..." He sighed, continuing to sort the reports. "Thanks to everything that's happened, there are days when they don't work and I do. And I'm a bit short-pawed." He looked at his paw and, inwardly, laughed at the bad joke; he needed something like this to give him enough energy. Still, he knew it wouldn't end soon.