Prey Master Chapter 2.
#2 of Prey Master
The Prey Master Chapter 2.
Wilde Manor
"Honey its me, I need you to look up a mammal of Interest. 'First name Judith, last name, Hopps."
"Oh hello to you too, Wilde! I'm fine thank you for asking! I hope your having a wonderful day too... jackass!" came the loud snarky voice at the other end.
Wilde had to push his ears away from the loud voice coming from Honey through the lines. Oh, that's right, he had not spoken to her in the last month. Sighing loudly, he quickly apologized.
"I'm truly sorry Honey, I really am but I have been a busy fox..."
"Doing what?" half yelled the Honey Badger on the other side. "Last I check, you only handle parts of your companies and finances. The rest is up to your little play things and your real work at your office..."
"...Trying to keep off the pawful of annoying businesses that want to try and ruin Zootopia with ill intentions." He finished.
"..."
"..."
"... what was the name again?" she answered with a small sigh.
"Thank you. Again, First name, Judith, last name, Hopps. Middle, Laverne. Species, bunny, age 24 and all around cute little thing."
There was typing heard at the other end before a few bings followed.
"Let's see... Born May 12, 1992, in Tri-Burrowls; top scores in all classes... has valedictorian ... "
"Anything that might be off-site?"
The Honey badger at the other end hummed.
"There is something here saying she is undercover but for what, doesn't specify." She paused. "Is she in your house?"
"She applied to work as one of my maids, I gave her a job as bodyguard."
"... Your are the most idiotic fox I have met."
"And yet you have slept with him on multiple occasions." He perked, grinning like said idiot.
"Twice!"
"In the last two months!"
"...'sigh'.... Why did you hire her again?"
"Well for one thing, that bunny managed to hustle me good. She played the whole... 'unappreciated, no one wants a bunny for an officer' act and she actually seemed to know her stuff."
"Any reason why she is under cover?"
"Not sure yet, but most likely word got around to Bogo or the higher ups that the big businesses are coming to visit me by weeks end."
"And?"
"And... and they want to try 'persuading' me on partnering up. If I do not join, I will have the largest corporations from this side of the continent painting giant targets on my tail."
"And if you do?" she asked, a bit hesitantly.
"Zootopia falls. And... I can't live with my life knowing that there are those out there whom would put profits over daily lives of mammals here. My family have worked with prey and predator for generations so that we can maintain the interests of Zootopia. We have let little slips here and there but if they try to get one of the most famous and beloved cities in the world under control, a control that involves corporate take overs or other evils, they could very well ruin what is left of peace between predator and prey."
There was a moment of silence before Honey answered on the other side with a groan.
"What the hell you get into this time Wilde? And when did you become so damn noble? Don't answer that. It was rhetorical and we both know you care for everyone." she sounded defeated but from trying to understand what he was doing. "You always have some claws in the fate of Zootopia."
"Fate is a bitch, my friend. You and I both know we only deal with the cards we are dealt with..."
"While underneath the table, a loaded handgun is pointing at you to see if you play fair..." she continued.
"Because I am a fox." He finished.
They both stayed silent before Honey responded with a bit of clarity in her voice.
"What you gonna do with the rabbit?"
"Bunny." he corrected. "Whatever!" was her response. "What you gonna do with her?" Nick sighed.
"As far as I know, she is just doing her job. She is going to be reporting to her chief. If and when she will actually join the conversations is yet to be said. As for now, I know that she will try to stay by my side as much as possible."
"Will you let her? She gets too close, she might expose something nasty on you."
He shrugged as if she was in the same room as him.
"Nothing the world doesn't already know. Maybe with the relations I have with Mr. Big in Tundratown but that might be it."
Honey was heard through the phone scratching something on her desk.
"That doesn't concern you at all? Your already on thin ice with him as is... no pun intended."
"Not in the slightest," Wilde answered quickly. "Bogo and other chiefs in Zootopia know not to touch or mess with Mr. Big or his associates across Zootopia. They know he ain't no saint but he does play fair on certain levels. He is mostly a business mobster, the others might be a bit more of cartel and all that but they never go above and beyond mayhem and violence, which is why I am meeting with him. Maybe if things go south with the others coming by weeks end, he might be able to support me."
"Even if he does Wilde, its still you three against business giants." There was no response but Honey could practically hear the grin coming from Wilde's mouth. "You have a plan?"
"I'll run it by you after I meet with Big and any other associates he might have. Send me any other info you got on 'Hopps' if you can. I want to make sure she at least knows what she is into."
"Will do."
"Thanks Honey..." he paused. "And for what is worth, I am sorry. If you want, we can catch up... for old times sake."
There was silence for a moment, the claw of the honey badger could be heard tapping on the desk.
"I'll think about it..."
Wilde has heard those words before and he knew that meant 'no'. He always had to sweeten the deal.
"I'll... throw in money for new equipment and a date night at a fancy dinner."
'Damn' was softly heard away from the phone. He got her.
"Yes?"
"Yes...but only because I need some new gear here!" she said defensively.
"Sure Honey. What ever you want. Ill schedule something... after this week. Though if you can also run a quick check of my security, please. I want to make sure we don't get really early unwanted visitors."
"Got it." He watched as his computer switched to the 20 or so cameras surrounding his house, along with the fences and alarms that inhabited his mansion. The computer screen would flicker back and forth between areas, including jumping to coded pages and more. The fast typing was easily heard through the phone that would make most computers geeks and hackers envious.
After a full minute of intense and near nauseating flashes of his screen, Wilde saw a green bar with the words 'Armed and Secured.'
"Alright everything is good on my end. Your security is up to date. No glitches, alarms are all set and the house is secured."
"Thanks Honey. Not sure with how the hell this week will end but I know that it won't be pretty and neither will I."
The Honey badger snorted before giving a harsh laugh.
"That's what your worried about? Nick, I have seen you at your worst and your ugliest and those where the times I did sleep with you. And besides, it doesn't take a million bucks to look good."
"My father would have said otherwise."
"Right and you take after your father so well?" she scoffed. "Alright Wilde, I'll send what I can but I am holding you up to your neck with that dinner... err new equipment." She realized her mistake and quickly shouted a 'Bye!' before hanging up.
Nick chuckled and put down the phone. There was never more of a reliable mammal than Honey. That beautiful Honey badger was the only few predators he loves(and makes love to still) and one of the fewer ones he trusts with his heart and life.
She more or less landed as one of those 'Insane Ex-Girlfriends' categories, but instead of ex, it was best friends with benefits that you only see once in a blue moon, and 'Insane' being she is a conspirator. Both qualities made her loveable and a perfect informant.
A soft 'ping' was heard on his computer and he saw a few files pop up. Leaning in, he opened them up and saw very little of interests of the bunny. Born raised Tri-burrowls, mother Bonnie Hopps, father Stu Hopps... siblings.... Holy Shit! 275!
"That poor woman." He said to himself. But he couldn't really blame them. Rabbits were good at multiplying but they must have been a really, really busy couple. "Damn horny bunnies are going to ruin us all." Then he thought. "Well, maybe we can get more cute ones like Judy."
Reading on, he saw that she had some files on the force. So... she was enrolled for a week, before just being removed. None of the work stated she was fired or let go, but she wasn't on the normal roll call either. So, what Honey said was true and that she was either off-site or undercover. Either way, he saw this as a sweet little challenge and took it with glee. Maybe he could convince Judy to leave the ZPD, convincing her she could have it better here, thereby showing up Bogo and making him more pissy than usual. Heck, it wouldn't be the first time he had butted heads with the bull, so to speak.
The many times he does go out in public, he has sped past the limits in his sports cars, caused traffic jams with his mere presence(causing hassles for the cops to get anywhere or to make way for others) and even once managed to make two of his officers laugh so hard, that they didn't report him or fine him, causing the Chief to loose his shit.
No, if Wilde was going to keep Judy, he was going to have to earn her trust and keep it quiet on what he knows about her. Not only that but find some way to get her to reveal herself to him on her own terms. He would have to wait on that.
For now though, he had to figure out what the hell he was going to be weeks end. The Bigs are coming and not the friendly Bigs like Mr. Big. The shrew even knew that they were an evil corrupted bunch and that they would try to corrupt Zootopia or even ruin it. He was hoping that Mr. Big as well as the few other mobsters in Zootopia would help him deal with the corporations.
Political wise, current Mayor Lionheart was corrupted already, he was allowing corporations to start working on certain areas in Zootopia. There was no sense in trying to talk to him out of it, nor buy him out. Wilde was rich but he didn't want to spend money on a lost cause.
He might have to turn to his assistant... and his greatest frienenemy ever, Dawn Bellweather. The beautiful little sheep was his hope that the runner up against Mayor Lionheart, Ms. Swington, is a better candidate, something he actually witness upclose. She was no fan of giant corporations, so she was not easily swayed by money, but neither was she loyal to one side. She had her own agenda, something Dawn was carious of when he mentioned it to her.
His stomach rumbled that matched a bear's growl and he knew that was a sign of a long day. He stretched out on his chair, flashing his sharp teeth to the world before standing up from his chair and making his way out of the room.
Pros about being rich, your kitchen is always filled with food everyday with a variety that extended even most modern homes. From fruits, to vegetables, fried, or fat free, bugs or fish, it was always stocked because carrying for 10 maids(plus two children and one on the way) you need to keep them happy as well as yourself.
Cons, he has to walk to the kitchen. The mansion had about 30 rooms and almost 30,000 feet of walking through out the whole place. The kitchen was down a hallway, down the flight of stairs and then turning to left to a large kitchen that any animal could working in. Sure he could have one of the maids bring it. But as his father had always told him, 'Laziness turns to greed, greed turns to anger and anger leads to savagery. Always be the better mammals by pushing that extra step.'
Perk... walking lead to cardio, cardio lead to staying in shape and staying in shape lead to amazing stamina when it comes to being in bed with another mammal. Also, he preferred to walk around his house, see to the girls and their daily duties, makes sure that they are both satisfied and happy.
Walking out of his office, he came through the hallway which lead to a railing where the first to pass in his eyes, was a little gray mouse, Ms. Squeaky. The smallest one of the bunch, she more or less cleaned areas where others couldn't reach; like in the corners, tight areas or dealt with small maintenance in difficult spots the others might not reach.
The little mouse was actually very caring and put in a lot into her work. Trying to never miss a spot or going for hard to reach areas. "Master Wilde." She said in a pleasant tone, humming along as she cleaned the railings of the hallway.
Nick gave a courteous nod.
"Ms. Squeaky. How are things?"
The mouse in the maid uniform gave a small shrug.
"Same as usual. You know me, hard working but casual about it."
"Hard working and... you never take a day off." commented Nick with a small chuckle. "Seriously, you haven't stopped working since two months ago. Surely you want to take a day off?"
"No need," quipped the mouse, giving a little twirl as she brushed on. "When not everyday feels like a workday. Just little choirs here and there?"
"No, I guess not." He said in a gentle smile. Ms. Squeaky curtsies before continuing on with her harmonious tone.
He moved on from there and made his way from the hallway, making his way towards the stairs. The maids worked towards every inch of the house and yet, he cared little for the dust or the details because he had given them all a home, an amazing pay, and simple life style. Each made had their own story that gave him a reason to be hired.
Ms. Squeaky, a 34 year old, had come from a poor family, practically living underground. He was working with Honey when she introduced her family of 50 something mice and the harsh living conditions. Ms. Squeaky helped Honey keep her equipment clean from getting dusted over. He immediately took her in and gave her money to help her family find a decent home. After which, she took the job with vigorous attitude and sent most of her money to her family, since she already lived here. However, they opted out in staying in the mansion for not wanting to impose any further. No children or mates with her yet.
Moving on, he went through the halls, passing some windows that lead outside, his gaze sought out on the gardens of his home where a zebra wearing a sun hat, work clothes matted in dirt whom currently on her knees tending to some flowers planted on the sides.
Zakora, a 29 year old zebra with the wisdom of a 60 year old whom was the house part-time gardener, part-time nurse, and all around wisdom sought, mammal. She in fact was not a Zootopian born mammal, let alone was from this side of the continent. She was born and raised in a different part of the world that Wilde honestly had a hard time pronouncing, even when he tried to 'Zoogle' it. Either way, she came to Zootopia to try and study in Zootopia schools. However, she needed a job right away.
Wilde had placed an add for a 'gardener wanted'. About 20 came for the position but Zakora more or less stood out from the rest. She was raised in some of the harshest environments in her country; Savannah, desert and so on. Coming from a small village, it is one of the few that can speak in 'Common language', so she had little difficulty in understanding or speaking to anyone. What made Wilde choose her was that not only did she understand how to work in various environments but has knowledge in natural medicines.
Her degree of choice was for Modern Health. Wilde thinks she would just waste her time going to a school, seeing as how she has been accreted the skills to fix a mammals body just with the ingredients in the garden. A few wild plants not native to Zootopia filled his lawn and the most exotic ones there are from her own seeds she had planted when he took her on just two years prior.
Moving down the stairs, he saw Marsy Pialia, a light brown Koala, currently finishing the last of her duties of polishing the furniture. As she let out a yawn, she was startled by the arrival of Nick.
"Oh, hello Nicky. I'm just about done here."
Nick nodded.
"Looks good Marsy. Trading shifts now with Rosey?"
She shook her head.
"No, that was yesterday. Today is Stella Luna's turn."
"Ah. Well then, have a 'Good Night' err... 'After Noon', then."
The Koala waved him off, yawing once more.
"Nighty Night, Little Nicky."
He growled at the name and that caused the Koala to giggle before heading upstairs. She was the one that pesters him with that nick name, though it makes no sense since she was 5 years younger than him and almost two feet shorter than him.
The Koala was a street raised kid, living on the border of Happytown. Not a nice way to live but she had survived that way for her whole life. Her Mother was dead when she was 12, her father bailed when she was 5 and she grew up thinking that the world was out to get her. Funny thing is, she struggled for a time but she was a good kid and found that good things come for those who wait. She always had a meal in her belly, she would always find a warm place at night to sleep in and she never took things for granted. When Nick saw how she helped the homeless, despite being homeless herself, Nick offered her a chance at a better life.
Now, she worked for one of the richest mammals on this side of the continent. She had a room of her own, meals when she wanted, slept when she needed to, got proper education and now wanted to start a business for helping troubled kids and runaways in Happytown. There was no shortish to what she believed would be solace to her life. He had even helped her gain a family here and that was a treasure above others.
Nick walked on, finally arriving at the kitchen where he saw a tan colored kangaroo, 'bouncing' around the large kitchen area, going from one side to the other, preparing the meals for the house.
Kyiga was the house cooker and a great one at that. No amount of 5 star restaurants could come close to this 'Doe's' cooking. She could cook anything with anything and make it taste amazing. From soups and salads, to sweets and delis, vegan and non-vegan. Wilde being the only carnivore around, she made his dishes off to the side, before or after the others have eaten. He didn't like the others to see his food nor cause some discomfort around them. When the times come to all eat together, he ate strictly vegan food, otherwise his simple taste was only fish and certain bugs. Even then was it only in small samplings or small doses.
"Wilde!" she called out, her back still turned to him.
He winced at her... oh so motherly voice. She was not the oldest of the bunch but she did act motherly to everyone. Her purpose in this house was to make sure everyone was fed, everyone has the proper diets, nutrients, etc, and to make sure that there was always food in the fridges. All four fridges as she cooks for everyone, for every meal of the day to food for the next. Since she is in the kitchen almost non-stop, she practically runs the joint to the point where anyone coming in and all, must go through her.
One of the things no one in the house ever does is try to sneak a snack out of the kitchen or leave the kitchen without a proper meal. That means eating out is not an option.
"Yes, Kyiga?" he asked a bit hesitantly.
"Are you ready for lunch?" she asked. Her back was to him, mixing a heavy pot of soup. "I know you haven't eaten yet so you must be hungry." Again, she is motherly to everyone but sometimes she goes a bit overboard and takes charge of it by knowing what is best for everyone.
At 35 years of age, she feeds 13 mammals... including herself and her future 'joey', with each meal being completely to that species standards. Nothing seemed to complicated nor was anything simple for her.
If it was to be a simple salad for anyone, it would be a grand salad that had cheese, tomatoes, dressing and more. If it was a snack for someone, she wouldn't give them a cookie. It would be a set of cookies on a platter with milk, a fruit on the side and applesauce to go with it.
Nick's case was protein, with some iron and carbs. A good meal from her was a sandwich with a layer of tuna and scattered bits of crispy bugs ontop. When it came to dinners, Salmon tended to go nicely with hummus and a side of vegatables or a bug-burger that was not fried but grilled with a layers of added on delicacies.
And no one ever, ever, Ever... complained about her food.
"Uh... yeah. Yeah, I am ready. That is why I am here for, Kyiga." he answered, making his way to her.
"And are you going to head back up?" She knew that he would. He never ate down here unless it was dinner and even then when his food contained meat, he didn't like the idea of eating in front of the others. Despite them saying they are 'okay with it', he was not. He was never 'okay' because he cared to much to let them be uncomfortable around him.
"Yeah... I do... I got some work to finish up."
The doe snorted before hoping away from the stove and to the microwave. One of the microwaves. He had 4.
Pulling out a small tray, she hopped back over to him and presented him a bowl of friend rice and sushi with steamed(was steamed) vegatables. He took the tray, his mouth almost watering at the meal before him, he licked his chops and gave her a big smile.
"Thank Kyiga, you always know how to please this fox."
She gave a small snort before turning back.
"Yeah, well 'this' fox wouldn't be alive if he didn't have a certain someone to keep him fed. You would end up starving without your maids."
"First off, your not maids, second off, I can cook!"
"Cereal doesn't count, 'Wilde'. Gods, being the second one to be hired by you, the first thing that I see is that you only been eating cereal since your folks retired 12 years back, I can't image how you survived without them."
"Of course I could have, you have just never seen me cook!" he countered. He moved to one of the drawers, picking out a fork before loudly eating on his way out. "I armf em exerent kook!" he said with food in his mouth.
"Neither do Waffles count!"
Gods was that 'doe' ever on a short stick.... But that is why he loves her. She would deal with his crap, like any mother would. She would force feed him if he wasn't compliant, like any mother would. She has stood over him, even threaten to call his mother if he ever truly misbehaved... like any mother would.
But she cared... she cared like a mother would. And so everyone also cared about him. When he was sad, they would comfort him, when he was distress, they would soothe him. When he knew that their might be a difficult situation, he knew that they would be there to help him. The same was with them. When a family had pass, he would make the funeral as beautiful as possible. When they stressed for the money that they were short on, he would make sure they would be set for life. When an injury took place, he would pay top doctor to have them healed.
He cared for each and every one of them. He lives for them. He lives for all of them. For all of Zootopia. His family started centuries back, on the fundamentals on harmony and co-existence. With predator and prey and other species that occupied the world. From the simplest mouse to the hardest working elephant, his family ensured that before 'Business took place', 'Family and friends' come first.
In Zootopia, Where Anyone Can be Anything, he was Nick Wilde and was going to keep it save and true, no matter the cost.