<p>"Do you really need so much of my blood?" Alex asked after the last needle was remove from his arm. "I mean, didn't you got almost three bag of it? What do you do with all of it?"</p>

<p>"Is just for research." A lion doctor said as he took the syringe with Alex's blood in it and stored it into a compartment.</p>

<p>"But you already took a lot of samples. Don't you need just one?"</p>

<p>"Many of the scientists are requesting to have their own samples." Doctor Moosard said as he stood by Alex's side. "It seems that some of them have their own ideas of what kind of tests do with the blood samples, and some of them seem to believe that if they allow others to have access to it, it could interfere with the results of their own testing."</p>

<p>Alex looked up at him, "Well, I hope that they understand that I need my blood for my body to work."</p>

<p>Moosard chuckled a bit at him, "Don't worry, you are fine."</p>

<p>"Except for the wound in my leg." Alex said, as he got up from the chair, and used a close-by crutch to help himself to stand. The wound on his leg had been evaluated and treated properly by doctor Moosard in the previous day, when he came back after fighting Pollard. After they cleaned it and put a proper bandage over, the doctor said that Alex should avoid doing efforts on that leg for at least one week. Still, they say that he was lucky that Pollard's claws didn't hit any tendon.</p>

<p>"You are really lucky for escaping with little wounds by facing such dangerous individuals." Doctor Moosard said to him. "One swipe of these claws could easily have gotten you crippled for life."</p>

<p>"Yeah, I definitely would not do that again." Alex said, "Thanks for taking care of it, and I'm glad that I didn't needed any stitches."</p>

<p>"I still think that you should take an anti-tetanus shot."</p>

<p>"Nah, Jeff said I'm cool on that." Alex said, and he said to the others in the room, "So, since you seem to have all you need, then I'll be going back to my room now." He then started to walk away of the room without even waiting for an answer.</p>

<p>Sure, none of them tried to stop him, for they knew that trying to force the cougar to stay if he didn't wanted was a sure-shot to have them kicked out of the hospital and losing any and all access to the cougar. Doctor Moosard had made it perfectly clear, and since the doctor was the one that had access to the meta mammals, because they trusted him, they didn't want to get on his bad side.</p>

<p>Alex walked out of the room, and he started to walk back to his own room, which was easy now that he had memorized the hallways of the hospital for having lived in there for over a week, and he was ready to go back to his room, when a familiar voice called by the intercom of the hospital.</p>

<p>"<em>Attention, attention. Calling Mr. Hunter and Ms. Thompson. Your presence is requested on the room 882, of the third floor. Please, Alexander Peregrine Hunter and Linda Lorelei Thompson, please, come to room 882 on the third floor to discuss something that will be very important.</em>"</p>

<p>Alex looked up, and he rolled his eyes at the familiar voice. "Oh, Jeff." He said, as he turned around, and started to walk in another direction, now he was going to the elevator.</p>

<p>Upon arriving, the doors opened, to reveal Linda already in there, waiting for him and with her arms crossed.</p>

<p>"Hey."</p>

<p>"Hey."</p>

<p>Alex walked inside the elevator with the help of the crutch, and he was standing right by Linda's side as the door closed.</p>

<p>"So, how your day is going so far?" Linda asked, and Alex shrugged.</p>

<p>"They took almost two liters of my blood." He said, "I think some of them actually plan to try cloning me."</p>

<p>Linda chuckled, and she asked him: "Do you know why Jeff is calling us?"</p>

<p>"Well, in what comes to Jeff, it could be nearly anything." Alex said as the elevator moved. "You know that sometimes ifs hard to follow the way that he thinks."</p>

<p>Soon, the elevator dinged as they arrived in the third floor, where Jeff's current room was. They walked out of the hallways, and they walked in direction to the room that they had separated for him.</p>

<p>Upon arriving, they heard voices.</p>

<p>"- you can't just hack into the intercom system and use it to make calls."</p>

<p>"Well, I don't have a carrot phone… yet."</p>

<p>"So use the phone in your room."</p>

<p>"Have you seem my size?"</p>

<p>"Hi there!" Alex said as they walked in, and they arrived just in time for seeing Jeff in the room with two security guards who were a tiger and a bear.</p>

<p>"Oh, hi guys!" Jeff said to them with his small and squeakily voice, but that still carried quite a power. "Good thing you came! I just have some news that I think you two will like! So, would you mind giving us some space? This conversation is kind of only between me and them."</p>

<p>The guard looked at the mouse, and then at the two mammals who had just arrived. He sighed, and said: "This conversation ain't over". He turned around and left, the bear following him soon after, and as they closed the door, Alex turned to his rodent friend.</p>

<p>"You hacked into their intercom system?"</p>

<p>"I used pieces of one of the televisions they brought and some material from the room, it was surprisingly easy, actually, their system is a bit primitive in here. But, this is not the case, as I said, I have some news to share with both of you, and I think you will need to consider it important."</p>

<p>"Is about how we ended up in this world?" Alex asked as they approached.</p>

<p>"No."</p>

<p>"It has to do with where we can find the others?"</p>

<p>"I'm still working on that, but no."</p>

<p>"Is a way that we could return to our home?"</p>

<p>"Until I found out how exactly we ended up in here, definitely no."</p>

<p>"Then what is so important?" Alex asked him, as both he and Linda looked at the mouse, who smiled at them, and said:</p>

<p>"I got you two a home."</p>

<p>This really surprised the two, who shared a look before looking back at the mouse.</p>

<p>"Wait, are you serious?" Linda asked him, and Jeff just nodded.</p>

<p>"Absolutely. This hospital looks like a very good place to be, but you have to agree that it is not like the kind of place where you two could live indefinitely. I mean, you two obviously need a place for yourselves, somewhere you two can have your privacy so they don't go thinking that you are at their complete disposal at every single moment. So, I went forward and found a place for you two to call home, because I am a really good friend."</p>

<p>"Yeah, our really good friend could have told us that he was trying to find a home for us." Alex said and Jeff simply shrugged.</p>

<p>"Well, I assumed that you two already had enough problems, and so I decided to take it all on my own… diminutive paws, so to speak." He said, showing them his tiny hands. "Anyway, I was able to provide when I started to work yesterday. I was able to find a good place for you to stay, and I also found one for myself."</p>

<p>"That is a lot of efficiency." Alex said.</p>

<p>"You know me." Jeff said back to him. "Either I do things right or I don't do them."</p>

<p>"Well…" Linda said.</p>

<p>"Lets not go there, please." Jeff said to her.</p>

<p>"Anyway, where is this 'new home' you found for us?"</p>

<p>"Oh, it is a place here in Savannah Central, actually, a bit closer to the area of Downtown. It is a nice place and for a very reasonable price. The apartment is not very good, but it is said to be quite cozy. I mean, I haven't seen it, but that add in the internet spoke well of it."</p>

<p>"Wait, 'apartment'? As in just one?" Linda asked.</p>

<p>"Yeah, pretty much." Jeff said, and there was a silence as Linda and Alex looked at each other.</p>

<p>"Oh, come on, you two are not really doing <em>that</em> are you?" Jeff asked to them, sounding annoyed more than anything. "Come guys, you have been dating for what? One year and three months? You already did pretty much everything that mammals who are dating do, and I'm talking both of the dating and the more 'intimate' part."</p>

<p>Linda and Alex both blushed at this.</p>

<p>"So, I assume that living together is the kind of natural step for both of you, since it looks like you two are really serious, right? I hope so, because I got practically everything set in with the landlady and she already booked <em>one</em> apartment for two mammals, and I don't want to call her telling her to change it to two."</p>

<p>The mammals shared a look, and it was almost as if they were having a silent conversation.</p>

<p>Well, Jeff did had a point. They were dating for a long time, and they were serious and firm. So, if that was the case, then moving together was indeed the next logical step. Of course, neither of them had really stopped to think or discuss that lately, but now that they were in there, they were realizing that it was maybe something they should already be doing.</p>

<p>"Well, I'll try if you try." Alex said, reaching out to hold her hooved hand. She smiled, and held his hand back.</p>

<p>"Yeah, it can be fun."</p>

<p>"So, we have this settled!" Jeff said, and he looked at the two. "Now, all that is left to do is to gather your stuff, tell the guys you are moving and go to your new house!"</p>

<p>"What, you mean now?" Linda said.</p>

<p>"I got everything taken care off. The apartment already has furniture, and the landlady is quite nice, despite having clearly some attitude. In fact, she is ready to give you the apartment as soon as you two come in there today. You only need to pay in the end of the month, so I guess that you two can work something out."</p>

<p>When Jeff said that, he brought to attention another important detail.</p>

<p>"That is right! We don't have jobs yet!" Alex said, "I mean, we can't pay until we have jobs, and we will also need money for food. We will have to search for jobs, and this is not the kind of thing that… you already took care of it too, right?" He said when he saw the smile that Jeff had on his furry muzzle.</p>

<p>"I looked into some posts in the internet, looked here and there, made a few calls. I'm still waiting for the return of the employee, but I think he will accept both of you." Jeff said to them, and he added. "Now, we can start to pack and tell the others we will be moving out. All the three of us."</p><hr />

<p>After that, Alex and Jeff both were going to talk with doctor Moosard, while Linda was packing the few things that Alex and her had with them (most of it has been provided by their new friends, who gave them new food and also a few things as a gift), while she was having a conversation with Judy in "MuzzleTime".</p>

<p>"So, you are all moving out of the hospital?" The bunny in her police uniform said as she looked at the image of the gazelle in her own cellphone.</p>

<p>"Yeah, Jeff kind of took care of everything after yesterday."</p>

<p>"He found you all a new home in a day?" Judy asked, sounding like she was genuinely impressed.</p>

<p>"Yeah, he is good at this kind of thing." Linda said, "Sometimes it seems that he is always one or two steps ahead of everyone…. I still would have liked him to talk with us about this before booking that apartment for us."</p>

<p>"Yeah, I got you." Judy said, "Where are you two moving to, anyways?"</p>

<p>"Oh, some place here in Savannah Central. I think the name is… 'Grand Arms of the Pang… or something."</p>

<p>"Wait." Judy said, "Grand Pangolin Arms?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, that is the place!" Linda said.</p>

<p>"Oh my god! What are the odds of this?" Judy said a smile forming in her lips, and Linda looked at her.</p>

<p>"Do you know the place?"</p>

<p>"If I know? I live in there! That is my building!"</p>

<p>"You're kidding!" Linda said as she looked at the bunny on the other end of the line of MuzzleTime, and Judy just smiled at her.</p>

<p>"What apartment are you staying in?"</p>

<p>"I think it is 014, on the first floor."</p>

<p>"Mine is 010! On the same floor! We are gonna be neighbors!" Judy said, sounding more and more excited as she spoke. "Man, this is great!"</p>

<p>"Woah… talk about coincidences." Linda said more to herself than to Judy, and she wondered just what were the chances of the apartment that Jeff found to them was in the same building and even on the same floor…</p>

<p>"So, when are you moving in?"</p>

<p>"Today. Actually, I just finishing packing our stuff… Jeff really took care of all the rest." Linda said to the bunny, as she finished packing a few more pairs of intimate clothing in the baggage. Those had actually been a gift from Judy, who went with her to buy her fresh clothes, since she didn't had any when she first arrived there in Zootopia.</p>

<p>"Woah… He really <em>is</em> efficient." Judy said, "So, starting today we are officially neighbors?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, I guess so."</p>

<p>"Great! So, I'll pass on your home later today when I'm clear off the duty. We will make a little party to celebrate! I'll take some snacks!" Judy said, and a red head of a fox popped in the corner of the screen as Nick's voice could be heard.</p>

<p>"Oh, party and snacks? Count me in!"</p>

<p>Both women chuckled at the comedic fox, and Judy said, "Well, then it is decided. We meet tonight in your new apartment. See you tonight, neighbor." Judy said, and Linda nodded at her, and they both hung their phones, and Linda was left alone with her thoughts.</p>

<p>"Is it actually a coincidence?" Linda asked to herself as she continued to pack the things in the two small suitcases. They didn't really had much, only a few pairs of shirts and pants for Alex, and a few blouses and skirts and one single dress for herself, as well as a few possessions that they had acquired since they arrived in there.</p>

<p>They would need to buy new clothes when they had the chance…</p><hr />

<p>"So, are you two really moving to an apartment?" Doctor Moosard asked, "Because there is absolutely no problem in you two staying in here for a longer time."</p>

<p>"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that all of the scientists in here would love if their subjects were to remain in the hospital where they can easily have access to them." Jeff said, "But, I guess that it is better if Linda and Alex have their own space now. You know, having some place that they can really call 'home'."</p>

<p>"Yeah, he got a point in there." Alex said, "We kind of need a place for ourselves."</p>

<p>"It's okay. I understand." Doctor Moosard said, "Well, in this case." He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket, and noted some numbers in it. "This is my personal phone number." He said, as he handed the piece of paper to Alex. "If you have any problem, or if you need anything, do not hesitate to call me."</p>

<p>"Thanks." Alex said, taking the number, "You have really been nice to us in the last days."</p>

<p>"Well, you were my patient, and I had to care for you, it is the job of a doctor, right?" The doctor said, as if it was something that he usually would do for anyone. Alex was able to smile at him, and soon, he was saying.</p>

<p>"Well, I gotta go see if Linda is done packing." He said, and he bid a quick farewell to Moosard, who walked away to look into other patients and into some other important schedules in the hospital.</p>

<p>"What a cool guy." Alex said, and Jeff agreed with him.</p>

<p>"Yeah, indeed. Let me take a look in this number, I'd like to keep in touch with him." Jeff said.</p>

<p>"So, we need to leave right now?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, before the other scientists find out we are leaving and try to convince us otherwise." Jeff said, "I just hope Moosard don't run into any of them and tell that we are leaving…"</p>

<p>"Do you really think they would try to prevent us from leaving the hospital for us to stay here and be studied?" Alex asked the mouse that was on his shoulder as he continued to walk with the help of the crutch.</p>

<p>"Yeah, I do think so." He spoke, and looked at Alex, "Twelve years ago, it was something that <em>I</em> would have done…"</p><hr />

<p>Soon Linda had their luggage ready, and they were getting out of the hospital, as quickly and quietly as they could (because Jeff <em>insisted</em> for them to do so), and soon, they were taking a "Zuber" that would take them to the places where they needed to go. First, it would leave Jeff in the place where <em>he</em> would have his new home, and then it would take Linda and Alex straight to their new home into the Grand Pangolin Arms.</p>

<p>To pay for the Zuber, they would resort to the money that Alex "made" on his first day in Zootopia.</p>

<p>"You haven't forgot your old skills, by what I see." Jeff mentioned when he brought up the money. Alex himself could only blush as he looked away. Indeed, he had kept the money that he "made" when coming to Zootopia. It had been given back to him soon after the events with Rhinehart. They probably assumed that the money was his', and with all of the things that had happened ever since, everybody seemed to have forgotten that Alex was even accused of having stolen that money, and that a police officer was the witness of this. Alex didn't say anything about it, and eventually everybody forgot about the money, up until that moment.</p>

<p>Linda was giving him a glare because of this.</p>

<p>Still, they eventually forgot about the money, as they now focused in telling the one who was their Zuber where they should go. This one was proving to be a challenge, for the driver was a giraffe, and there was a "big" difference in height due to that.</p>

<p>Alex could hardly disguise his surprise in seeing that absurdly tall car come to them and stop, and upon entering, he was greet with the sight of a literal giraffe of a driver. Luckily, they were able to avert any commentaries or any situation of the like as he gave to him his first address: "the main gate of Little Rodentia".</p>

<p>The driver, whose name was "Jeremy" soon was driving them away from the hospital and across the city. They all were sitting in the back seat, with Jeff sitting in Linda's hand with his little luggage, and they were talking.</p>

<p>"So, this 'Little Rodentia' is somewhere inside the city?" The gazelle asked.</p>

<p>"Indeed." Jeff said to her. "It is a whole infrastructure build in for mammals of rodent size to life into and even work without having to take the risk of being stepped on by the bigger species of mammals. A literal 'city inside a city'. Quite clever, if you ask me, and interesting. Little Rodentia is the place of this kind here in Savannah Central. There is one on each district."</p>

<p>Linda nodded at this, and so did Alex. It made sense that the little guys of the city would need a place where they could live without risking to have someone come and maybe step on them, with their big feet. Alex even wondered if there were cases like that around the city as a whole, considering the mammals with so many different sizes that existed in there.</p>

<p>It took around ten minutes of travel in the Zuber, but the car eventually stopped, and Jeremy turned his head to them and told them. "Okay, here we are."</p>

<p>"Thank you, my friend! Linda, do you mind?" Jeff said, and Linda, as for his request, opened the door (it had special handles for mammals of most sizes to be able to open it), and she helped Jeff to walk outside, and she could see the "Little Rodentia".</p>

<p>It was indeed a city, and it had buildings that were truly miniature versions of the city that was Zootopia. Linda was able to see them through the tall fence that surrounded the perimeter of that miniature city, and in the bottom of the fence, right in front of them, she could see a small gate that actually had the saying "<strong>LITTLE RODENTIA</strong>" in it. She could see rodents moving in and out of the city. Most of them were dressed as if they were ready for a day out or to go to work in the big Zootopian city.</p>

<p>"As you can see, it is a nice place." Jeff said, "You can put me in the ground now, I'll fix myself from here."</p>

<p>Linda looked at him as she lowered her hooved hand to allow Jeff to jump out of it and into the concrete ground.</p>

<p>"Are you sure that you don't want to live with us?" Linda said.</p>

<p>"Nah, I need my own space too, and I think I got an apartment that will do for now, at least until I can find something better." Jeff said as he jumped to the ground. "Anyway, I think that you two will want a little privacy for yourselves without a little mouse like me playing the 'peeping tom', or would it be, the 'peeping <em>jerry</em>'?" He asked, moving his eyebrows in a suggesting way.</p>

<p>Linda looked at him for a few moments, and she blushed, as she knew perfectly well what the diminutive mammal was talking about.</p>

<p>"Anyway, I'll keep on touch." He said as he picked his luggage and looked at her, "I'll give you a return yet today about that job thing I have provided for you, don't lose your phone." He said and he waved at her, and Linda waved back as he walked in direction to that diminutive city that would be his new home.</p>

<p>Linda looked at him, and just after he disappeared into the small gate, she went back inside and closed the door. Alex had been looking over her shoulder as she and Jeff talked, and he too felt a bit of a blush forming on his face (he hoped that the fur on his head now helped hide it better), and he looked as the rodent disappeared inside of Little Rodentia (… oh! Now he got the name!).</p>

<p>"So, I guess that we can't really go to visit his home now, can we?" Alex said, and Linda shrugged, and she turned to Jeremy.</p>

<p>"Okay, now lets go to the next address, that one will be our stop."</p>

<p>"Right away, miss." The giraffe said with a smile, and he hit the gas as he accelerated in direction to their next stop. The windows were all the way up there, so they could not look through them to see the city moving, but they could feel the car moving, and they assumed safely that they were now moving in direction to their new home.</p>

<p>It took around another fifteen minutes of driving, but they finally arrived as the Zuber pulled in front of the place. "Here we are!" Jeremy announced. "Apartment complex Grand Pangolin Arms. That will be 75.46, please."</p>

<p>"Kind of expensive." Linda said, and Alex was already separating the money from the buddle that he had.</p>

<p>"Wow, that is a lot of money." Jeremy said, "I'm not sure if it is safe to walk with all of that in your pocket."</p>

<p>"Well, I don't have a credit card and neither a bank account yet, so I have to keep my money at hand." Alex answered as he counted the money. "I mean, I just got in this city a little over a week ago."</p>

<p>"Oh, so you arrived in time for…" Jeremy started to say, but he stopped when he actually took a good look in Alex. "Wait…"</p>

<p>"Thank you for that, and keep the change." Alex said, handing him eighty zoolars and moving out of the car.</p>

<p>"Thanks for that, Jeremy." Linda said, and soon they both were getting out of the Zuber car and they were now looking at the front of what would be their new home. The place was an apartment complex that stood around four, maybe five stores high. Well, at least it looked like that due to the height, but the windows from the third floor onwards looked as if they got smaller. Other than that, the building seemed like you would expect from a regular apartment complex in an area of the city like that. It looked actually very similar to the buildings that were right by the side, except for the shade that it used for the bricks that made the front of the building. Alex even took a moment to look, so he would not confuse the buildings.</p>

<p>"Well, it seems that it is here." Linda said, and they both walked forward carrying their small luggage as the Zuber that brought them in there started to move away, but not before Jeremy gave a good look at the two mammals that he had transported…</p>

<p>They climbed the steps and Linda knocked on the door.</p>

<p>They waited just for a few moments before the door opened, and an armadillo woman, with glasses on her face and wearing a blouse, a jacket and a skirt, greeted them. She looked up at them, and she asked: "How may I help you?"</p>

<p>"Hmmm." Linda said, "Misses… Dharma Armadillo?"</p>

<p>"Yes?"</p>

<p>"We are Thompson and Hunter." Linda said, gesturing at herself and Alex, "We are here because we will rent an apartment.</p>

<p>The armadillo looked up at her for a few seconds, before saying: "Oh, yes, yes. The mammals who will be renting apartment 014. Please, come in and follow me." She said as she opened the door and the two mammals walked inside. As soon as they were in, the armadillo closed the doors, and she started to guide them inside the building as she gestured around.</p>

<p>"Grand Pangolin Arms is a place that has some regulations. For instance, no loud music after eleven, since there are many tenants in here that need to work and so require a good night sleep." She said as she guided them to the stairs. "There are also some other regulations, for instance, any kind of change in the apartments must have an advance request with a minimum of one week advance. So, if you, for instance, want to change the wallpaper or paint the walls you will need to send in a memo requesting it and the request will be analyze." She said as they climbed the stairs, Alex had some difficulty due to his clutch. "However, this is only for your own apartment, since it is strictly forbidden doing any alterations in the public areas of the building, like the hallways or the bathroom."</p>

<p>"Wait, this place has a public bathroom?" Alex asked as they climbed.</p>

<p>"Yes. I suggest you to come to terms with the other tenants on how to use it. They have an unofficial rule of only ten minutes to each mammal on any single use. Of course, you can negotiate with them if you want."</p>

<p>The two mammals shared a look, and they continued to walk up the stairs as the armadillo lady continued. "There are also other rules that you two will need to follow, but you two seem like you want to just get to your apartment and relax, so I'll provide a memo with a list later on." She said as she guided them to the first floor, and they both started to walk into a hallway that had doors on each side, and they walked until one door of wood that had a faded "014" printed in it, and the armadillo woman fished in her pocket for a key that had the same number in it. She placed it in the door and unlocked it, opening the door.</p>

<p>"So, welcome to the Grand Pangolin Arms." She said as she gestured to their new apartment, in which the two mammals took a look inside.</p>

<p>They were not exactly thrilled by what they saw.</p>

<p>The "apartment" in question had a single room in there, and it wasn't the kind you would expect in a luxurious building. The room was narrow, around fourteen feet long for ten feet wide, and around sixteen feet tall on the ceiling. It was decorated very modestly, with some old wallpaper, and the "furniture" of the place were basically one bed, a small desk, with a lamp in it, a mini freezer, a microwave, a shelve above the bed, and a single mirror resting against the wall, and it had a crack on it.</p>

<p>"This is our apartment?" Alex asked as he looked inside, and he even ventured to look inside. Linda followed him soon suit, and as they looked, Armadillo continued to talk:</p>

<p>"Yep, a nice apartment for a good price." Dharma said, "Flea and tick removal once every two months…"</p>

<p>"Wait, fleas?"</p>

<p>"Ticks?"</p>

<p>"First payment one week from now." She finished, and walked to Linda, offering her something. "Here is your key. Don't lose it, I mean it!" She said, and Linda hesitated for a moment before taking it.</p>

<p>"Welcome and have a good staying." She said and she walked out, before closing the door, and leaving the two mammals in their new home… Or, what was supposed to be their new home…</p>

<p>The two mammals looked around. Alex tested the bed, and he saw that it was unsteady and that it was screeching as the springs underneath seemed to almost be rusty. The bed itself was actually a bit small, and Linda and Alex would have to cradle together if they wanted to sleep in there.</p>

<p>Linda, on her end, passed a hand in the wall, and saw that it was a bit greasy.</p>

<p>They shared a look, and soon, they heard a sound coming from the wall. Or rather, from the apartment that was just next to theirs…</p>

<p>"BUCKY! HAVE YOU SEEM MY WALLET!?"</p>

<p>"IT IS PROBABLY UNDER THE BED! NOT LIKE YOU WOULD BOTHER SEARCHING UNDER IT, ANYWAY!"</p>

<p>"OH, NOT THIS AGAIN! YOU KNOW I HAVE TO WORK!"</p>

<p>"OH, SO I JUST STAY IN HOME ALL DAY DOING NOTHING!?"</p>

<p>"CAN WE PLEASE NOT START THIS NOW!?"</p>

<p>"YOU WERE THE ONE WHO LOST YOUR WALLET!"</p>

<p>"OH, SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>As the owners of these voices, who were both male, told each other to "shut up", these orders were punctuated by what seemed to be someone hitting the wall, and hard. This startled the two mammals., who shared a look, and soon Linda was knocking at the wall with her hoof.</p>

<p>"Hey, is everything alright in there!?"</p>

<p>"Who is this?"</p>

<p>One of the voices asked from the other side.</p>

<p>Linda looked at Alex, and after a second or so, she said:</p>

<p>"Hmmm, hi? I'm Linda, my boyfriend and I just moved in and… we heard you two screaming." She said, and soon the answer came.</p>

<p>"Yeah, we are loud!" The voice said back, "And we won't apologize for that!"</p>

<p>Linda was a bit taken back by this, and she looked at her boyfriend, who looked at her with very much the same expression, as the voices resumed.</p>

<p>"Hey, don't be so rude! She is new and she got worried by two mammals screaming!"</p>

<p>"Well, now she knows that we are loud!"</p>

<p>"Yeah, and we made a bad first impression! That is why most of the neighbors won't talk to us!"</p>

<p>"Yeah, that is why!"</p>

<p>"You know what a mean!"</p>

<p>"OF COURSE I KNOW! I'M NOT STUPID!"</p>

<p>"OH, SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, <em>YOU</em> SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>Linda and Alex stood in silence as they heard that going on for a few moments, and then Alex said to Linda:</p>

<p>"I'm going to kill Jeff."</p><hr />

<p>That bickering and screaming contest between their new neighbors lasted for a while, and once it was over, there was only silence, even though they were sure that one of them had stayed at home. After that, Linda and Alex stayed in the place that was their new home.</p>

<p>The place was not exactly fancy, but it was somewhat cozy, except for the fact that it was small.</p>

<p>"How much it costs in here?" Alex asked Linda, and the answer came from the wall.</p>

<p>"Around two hundred zollars a month!"</p>

<p>It was one of the neighbors, and this startled a bit the two mammals.</p>

<p>"The walls are pretty thin, aren't they?" Linda asked, and Alex rolled his eyes.</p>

<p>"Too much for privacy."</p>

<p>The cougar got up, "I'll go take a shower." He said, and searched in their luggage to find his towel, a dryer, and a new change of clothes, and he went off walking in direction to the door, and he was just praying that the bathroom had a better condition than the shoebox that they called apartment.</p>

<p>Linda was left alone in the apartment, and she looked at the wall. She hesitated for a moment, but he knocked in it.</p>

<p>"What is it!?" The voice on the other end asked, and Linda took a moment to answer.</p>

<p>"I… I just want to talk a bit." She said, and the voice remained silent for a moment. So, Linda continued. "You know, we just moved in here and we are not really sure on what to expect. So, living here is nice?"</p>

<p>"Oh, it is a bit!" The voice said, "When Pronk took me here and said that we would live in here I was like 'are you freaking kidding me!?' but the place is actually nice! It is small and easy to clean! Not the mention that the rent is pretty good, and we got some money to spare for a movie and dinner sometimes!"</p>

<p>"Right." Linda said, and she asked, "And you and Pronk are… you know, close?"</p>

<p>"Well, we are!" The voice said, "It would be strange we two being married and not being close!"</p>

<p>"Oh!" Linda said, "I see, well, I barely know you two, but you seem like an interesting couple…"</p>

<p>"Yeah, we get that a lot! I'm Bucky, by the way!"</p>

<p>"I'm Linda."</p>

<p>"Yeah, you already said that!"</p>

<p>"So, the thing of screaming… you two do that a lot?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, nearly all the time!" Bucky said from his end of the wall. "This is kinda how we are! You get used to it after a day or two!"</p>

<p>Linda had some doubts about that, but she refrained from saying that.</p>

<p>"So, how long have you two lived in here?"</p>

<p>"Around five years! Pronk says that this place is all that we need, but I still hope that we can change for something a bit bigger! Maybe a place with a balcony! Or at least a private bathroom!"</p>

<p>"Yeah, it sounds nice." Linda said, and she searched for something else to say, and she asked: "So, what is Pronk like? I mean, when he is not in a hurry and is not being loud?"</p>

<p>"You mean; we he is not being a jerk?" Bucky asked, and Linda shrugged.</p>

<p>"Yeah, is he nice? Is he romantic?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, sometimes." Bucky said, "Just yesterday he took me to dinner in a place to celebrate the day we met each other." He sounded actually a bit dreamt as he said that. "We ate some nice food and danced in the rhythm of the first song we ever danced together."</p>

<p>"Oh, that is so romantic!" Linda said, "Pronk really seems like a sweet guy."</p>

<p>"Pronk!? Hah! No way! He is a cranky, loud, antisocial jerk!" Bucky said from the other side of the wall. After a few moments, he added: "But he is <em>my</em> cranky, loud, antisocial jerk." The dreamy tune was in there once more, and Linda was actually able to chuckle a little at that.</p>

<p>These new neighbors seemed to be really interesting…</p><hr />

<p>Alex had just finished bathing, and he was currently using a dryer to dry his fur. Alex had got used to this aspect of this world, which was all of the mammals using either towels or some hair dryers to dry their fur after bathing. He had got used with that, as well as with the mammals in there using fur shampoo instead of soap when they bathed.</p>

<p>The shampoo thing was not that big of a deal, but the drying of the fur was proving to be quite a challenge. It was a bit like drying hair, but now it was on the whole body. Alex even noticed some places that had giant blowers that helped to dry the whole body. It seemed not the case of this building, not the Alex actually expected this, as he already noticed just how humble the place was.</p>

<p>"Considering the price of this place, I guess I should not be surprised." Alex said to himself, and he continued to dry himself. Of course he just didn't have to dry his leg, once he avoided getting it wet due to the wound in it that was still healing and the bandages covering said wound. Still, he washed as much of his body as he could, and drying his fur was quite a challenge, but he managed to do that with both a towel and a dryer.</p>

<p>After he was done, Alex just put in a new set of clothing (he still had some problems to fit his tail in the hole) and he walked out with his towel under his arms and his other arm holding the crutch for him to be able to walk.</p>

<p>Upon arriving, he met Linda organizing their things over the desk that they had in the room. She was putting her and his' clothes in the drawers of the desk, while some of their little possessions were left on top of it. Her cellphone was also in there, and it was now recharging with a new charger that Judy had provided to her.</p>

<p>"So, we are really staying here?" Alex asked.</p>

<p>"Yeah, I guess so. At least for now." Linda said, "I'm putting mine on the top drawer and yours in the one right below it." She said to him, as their clothes were <em>floating</em> in the air and landing safely in the drawers, which closed on their own with gestures of her hooved hands. "Maybe we can get a vase of flowers to put in the window." She said, "You know, give it more of a 'home, sweet home' look."</p>

<p>Alex smiled at her. "Yeah, maybe Jeff should have taken us to look at this home before renting it for us. You know, maybe checking on the neighbors."</p>

<p>"You know; I think they are actually nice." Linda said, and a voice said from the wall.</p>

<p>"Yeah, we really are. Well, when you know us, I mean." Bucky said, and Alex looked at the wall.</p>

<p>"This place really costs two hundred a month? It seems a bit overpriced." Alex said, looking around, and he added: "I mean, it is small, the walls are thin, and the bed seems to need a little fixing."</p>

<p>"Yeah, I know that is not the best." Linda said, "But I guess that for the first home that you and I share, it is actually pretty nice." She said, "And I guess that it has just the privacy that we need… if we keep it down." She added the last one in a whisper on his ear, and Alex could feel his ears heating at the way that Linda spoke. He knew exactly what she was talking about, and he cleared his throat being a little uncomfortable.</p>

<p>"Soooo, we already made ourselves at home in here, and we pretty much know the house already… What do you say of we getting out and maybe knowing the neighborhood?"</p>

<p>Linda smiled at her boyfriend, and she said, "Sounds nice. Actually, it would be a good chance for you to take me on a date. We haven't had one in a while."</p>

<p>"I know a place just two blocks from here that is actually pretty nice!" Bucky said through the wall. "They have a great salad in there!"</p>

<p>Alex looked at the wall. Linda, on her end, just asked: "It is the place Pronk took you yesterday?"</p>

<p>"Yeah, the very same! They also serve predators in there, so you and your boyfriend can have lunch in there together! They also have a nice dancefloor! Do you know how to dance, Hunter?"</p>

<p>Alex was left a bit speechless as he saw one of their new neighbors getting so intimate with him after they just move in. Linda, on the other hand, just chuckled at the expression on her boyfriend's face, and she leaned in, saying to him. "That is Bucky, one of the neighbors. You will know him soon enough."</p><hr />

<p>After that, Linda and Alex both walked out of their room so they could go to some other place to have some food and maybe a dinner. During their walk, they had the chance to look around the neighborhood. It was actually pretty nice and cozy, and it was a welcoming place, with brick walls and with closed windows, but mammals walked on the streets and complimented themselves as they walked. Linda and Alex both walked in there as they held hands, Alex did the best he could, since he had to use his other arm to hold on the crutch that was helping him walk. Still, he was able to hold Linda's hand as they both walked, both with disguises to avoid being recognized.</p>

<p>Alex had a jacket with a hood, and Linda once more had a handkerchief over her head and a pair of sunglasses. These were quite lame for a disguise, but they did the trick. Still, Alex could not avoid but notice the looks they were getting from the animals that they passed by. Most of them were curious, some were surprised, and others actually almost seemed to be looks of outrage. These last ones made Alex the most uncomfortable of all, still, no one said a word to them or paid them too much mind as they just continued on their way.</p>

<p>After walking for nearly two blocks, the two lovers were able to reach for a place that had the name of: "<strong><em>DIVINE WATERING HOLE</em></strong>". It was a place that looked as if it was the kind of place where you could have some decent meal, and it had colorations of red and orange in the front, and the inside was visible through the open front with glass windows of the restaurant place. It was possible to see the tables of the place, as well as a what seemed to be a dancefloor in the back.</p>

<p>As the two mammals went inside, they were able to hear the sound of music playing in the background, and they could even spot a few mammals dancing in the floor, even though most seemed to be more focused on eating their food. Most of the ones eating were prey species, but it was also possible to sight some predators among them.</p>

<p>Alex and Linda were soon searching for a table of their own, and soon someone came to greet them and to ask them what they wanted to eat.</p>

<p>Alex asked for some grilled fish, while Linda asked for then vegetarian linguine. The moose waiter took note and asked them to wait so their orders would be brought in shortly.</p>

<p>As they waited, the two mammals stayed in the table as they waited for the orders to arrive, they ordered some juice and both drank it as they talked. Most of it were small jokes and some comments that probably would make sense only for them. Still, they were careful with what they said, once they didn't want to attract too much attention from the other animals in there.</p>

<p>Still, it seemed that the animals in there were actually paying attention to them. Well, some of them were. Alex could almost feel their eyes on him, and he had a feeling that one or two of them were actually talking about them. Could it be that they were recognized? Alex was not sure of it, but he wanted to ignore it and focus on Linda. It was far too long since they had a chance of romance, and this was a chance that he was not willing to pass just because there was someone paying attention to them.</p>

<p>Once their food arrived, both of the mammals ate, and they continued with their talk, and in the meantime, they also had a lot of chances to hold hands and to trade a few loving words. It was nice to have a chance on a real date like that again, and it didn't matter that the other animals were looking at them, as they were more worried with each other than with the ones that surrounded them.</p>

<p>After the food was done, they ordered the desert, a single bowl of vanilla ice cream that they both shared. It was one of those magical moments that people who are dating always talk about, and the two mammals enjoyed it. Bucky was right, the ice cream in there was great.</p>

<p>After they were done, they ordered the bill, and once it was paid, they both started to walk out, once more holding hands while Alex was using the crutch to be able to walk. As they walked, Alex's sensitive feline ears were able to catch the end of a conversation.</p>

<p>"Man, do you believe this?" A voice whispered. "A gazelle and a cougar? Man, it is wrong."</p>

<p>"Come, dude, just let them alone. They are not hurting anyone."</p>

<p>"It is against the laws of nature."</p>

<p>"Come on dude, just let them be. It is not our business."</p>

<p>The owner of the other voice scoffed, and he said, "I'm just glad that they are leaving and I don't have to look at them anymore. It is just wrong."</p>

<p>Alex's ear twitched as he heard that. He looked over his shoulder and could see the owner of that voice, he was a big rhino, and the one talking to him was a reindeer. Alex narrowed his eyes at him, and moved a single furred finger in his hand with the crutch. A small lightning jumped from his finger and traveled to the rhino, hitting him just into a part of his hide that was exposed.</p>

<p>The rhino immediately let out a yelp as he jumped out of the chair, startling the others who were around.</p>

<p>Alex smiled at himself as he and Linda continued to walk, until he noticed that Linda was looking at him.</p>

<p>He was a big bashful for a moment, when Linda said, "Alex, this was childish and mean." The cougar looked down for a few moments, until his girlfriend also added. "But that guy surely deserved it." She had a small smile on her face, and Alex smiled back at her.</p>

<p>"I mean, saying that we can't date just because of our species? It is just like saying we can't do something because of what we can do. It is pure prejudice." Linda said as they both walked, and Alex was forced to agree.</p>

<p>"Let's go somewhere else. We need to take that jerk away from our minds." Alex said, as they were now walking out of the restaurant and to another place. After all, since they had just moved, it make sense they would walk to know their new neighborhood. Besides, it was still a date.</p>

<p>They mostly walked around their neighborhood, getting to know the place and looking around at the places that were near their home. Most of it were either houses or buildings, and the rest consisted in commercial places, like places for eat and also stores that sold things. It even had a drugstore not too far away from their land, and they also passed by a few stands. One of them had written "<strong><em>DUKE'S LEGITIMATE MOVIES</em></strong>" or something of the like, with a weasel trying to convince others to buy his movies, which Alex had the strong suspicious that were actually pirate copies.</p>

<p>They passed by him and continued to walk, and they stopped a lot of times to sit and enjoy the environment around them, often stopping in a bench and sitting so they could just sit in there and enjoy each other's company. They still attracted eyes as they sat and held hands, but they already knew how to ignore this kind of looks. They just continued their stroll for a few hours, and the coloration of the sun was changing as the day went by.</p>

<p>They even made a few purchases as they went by, namely, a few flowers that Alex bought for Linda, and also a vase of flowers where they would put the flowers once they got home. Other than that, it was what someone would expect from a date, with the two enjoying each other's company. These things that couples usually did when they were together.</p>

<p>The afternoon was already ending once they both walked back to their home, and they even passed by a pizzeria to buy something that could be their dinner. Once they returned home, Linda was already fixing he flowers that Alex gave her in the vase with water. It was put on the window, and it gave the apartment a little cozier appearance (at least in Linda's opinion).</p>

<p>"The neighborhood in here is actually nice." Linda said as she finished fixing the flowers.</p>

<p>"Yeah, the only problem is the apartment." Alex said, and Linda was forced to agree with him.</p>

<p>
  <em>Knock, knock</em>
</p>

<p>The sound of someone knocking on the door made them stop and look at each other. Linda was the one who went to open it. Upon opening, she looked around and saw no one. That was when a voice said.</p>

<p>"Hey, neighbor."</p>

<p>She looked down, and saw a familiar bunny in police officer outfit.</p>

<p>"Oh, Judy, hi!" Linda said to her bunny friend. She had forgotten about their little plan of making a little party to celebrate the new crib.</p>

<p>"So, are you ready to make a little party?" Judy asked, "Nick will be on his way shortly, and he will be bringing something to drink."</p>

<p>"Great, we already have pizza. Half vegetarian, half cricket." Linda said, and Alex looked at them as they talked.</p>

<p>"Sorry, there is going to be a party?" Alex asked to the two females, and Linda looked at him.</p>

<p>"Just a small reunion to inaugurate the new house. It will be fun." Linda said.</p>

<p>"Hey, can we participate?" Bucky's voice came from the other side of the wall, and soon after, the other voice came.</p>

<p>"Hey, you can't just ask like that! They will think we are intruding!"</p>

<p>"Oh, come on! We are just trying to be good neighbors! We will bring something to help with the party! Maybe those sandwiches in the fridge!"</p>

<p>"That is for my lunch tomorrow!"</p>

<p>"Come on, just offer a few of them! Besides, you need to go easy on the sandwiches, you are starting to put on weight!"</p>

<p>"Oh, shut up!"</p>

<p>"No, YOU shut up!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>The other animals looked at the wall, and Judy could not avoid saying.</p>

<p>"So, I guess you two already know the Oryx-Antlersons." She had a smile as she met them, and Linda nodded.</p>

<p>"Yeah, they are both some figures."</p>

<p>"I'll say." Alex added, and Linda said:</p>

<p>"And yes, boys, you are both invited!"</p>

<p>"Thanks, Linda!" Bucky answered "See? They are actually nice, even though you are rude!"</p>

<p>"You are as rude as me!"</p>

<p>"Oh, shut up!"</p>

<p>"No, you shut up!"</p>

<p>"So, I guess this is it." Judy said, as the couple of neighbors continued their rambling, "Nick will be on in ten minutes and I have to change my clothes. Put on something a little more comfortable. See you soon."</p>

<p>"We will be waiting." Linda said as the bunny waved, and Linda closed the door. It seemed that Bucky and Pronk were still bickering at each other, and this time it was about the sandwiches. Linda looked at Alex, and she smiled. "Well, it seems that the day is going well." She said, and Alex was about to answer, when her phone started to ring, indicating it had a call.</p>

<p>The two mammals shared a look, and Linda reached for her phone. It was receiving a call in MuzzleTime. Linda accepted, and soon, she was looking at the face of a familiar mouse.</p>

<p>"Oh, Jeff!" Linda said, and Jeff complimented her back.</p>

<p>"Linda! So, are you and Alex liking your new home?"</p>

<p>"It is small and the bed screeches a lot, also, we have two neighbors who seem to like making shouting contests." Alex said, as Linda looked at him, and soon, she was sitting by his side while they looked back at Jeff.</p>

<p>"Yeah, I imagined it would have a problem or two. Still, it is a good place to stay." Jeff said, "The price is reasonable, there are many places for eating and also convenience stores very close. It is also very close to a bus stop and to the subway." The mouse said, numbering the reasons why that place was a good place. The other mammals actually shared a look, and they had to agree that, now that they had knew the place a while, it actually seemed to be a very nice place to live. Still, Alex continued to wish the place was bigger, and that the walls were not that thin…</p>

<p>"So, we are nice and we are starting to get comfortable in the place. Actually, Judy and Nick are coming over for a small party." Linda said, "Along with our neighbors."</p>

<p>"Good. Very good." Jeff said, "I wish I could be in there, but I'm still taking care of a few things regarding my new home."</p>

<p>"So, you called only to see if we were doing okay in our new home?" Alex asked to the mouse through the phone.</p>

<p>"Yes." Jeff said, "And also to inform you that I have received a return about a new job for you two." He added, "The manager of the place just gave me a return and said that you two have an interview tomorrow."</p>

<p>"Oh, yeah, that." Alex said, having nearly forgot about the talk that Jeff had also found them some job.</p>

<p>"Yes, it will be tomorrow, at Herd Avenue between Treetop Street and Pride Street. You just have to search for 'Groomed Feathers &amp; Polished Scales', and look for Lambert." Jeff explained to them.</p>

<p>"This is where we will be working?" Alex asked.</p>

<p>"If Lambert hires you."</p>

<p>"Well, by the name it is something related to birds and reptiles, right?" Linda asked.</p>

<p>"Yes, indeed." Jeff said to both of them, and the two animals nodded. They both had been wondering if there were birds and reptiles in that city, since the only animals that they had seen since they arrived were mammals. Of course, neither of them had been going out much since they arrived.</p>

<p>"So, what it is?" Alex said, "It is some kind of specialized spa?"</p>

<p>"I know the place!" Bucky said from the other end of the wall, surprising the animals who were on the other end, and looked at the wall behind them. "They are a pet shop that also gives beauty treatment to pets! They have some really cool things in there and they make a really good job! I went to there earlier today!"</p>

<p>"You went on that place again!? We already talked about this! We can't get a pet! We barely fit in this apartment, and it is against the regulations!"</p>

<p>"Oh, so I'm not allowed to dream anymore!?"</p>

<p>"Oh, shut up!"</p>

<p>"No, <em>you</em> shut up!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>"NO, YOU SHUT UP!"</p>

<p>These two animals continued to scream at each other to "shut up', and meanwhile, Alex and Linda absorbed what they had heard, and looked at each other as they said at the same time:</p>

<p>"Pet shop?"</p>

<p>"Yes." Jeff said from the cell phone. "A pet shop."</p>

<p>"Yeah, it's a pet shop!" Bucky shouted from across the wall.</p><hr />

<p>Outside of the city, a single car was driving across the road. It was a sportive car of a red coloration and a very fancy design, the kind you would expect some rich dude to drive, and to use it mostly for show than for anything else, but the car still had quite a power in the drive. As it drove, the two mammals inside were having a small conversation.</p>

<p>"So, this 'Zootopia' is really all of that they say?" The first mammal said, and took a drink of beer as he sat on the passenger's seat.</p>

<p>"If half of what they say is true, then it is a nice place for anyone to start anew, like you and I are doing." He said, as he picked up a small thing from his pocket. It was filled with some kind of herb, and he just opened it with a single paw and put it close to his face, taking a deep sniff of the contents. He shuddered and let out a growling sound as he looked ahead at the street before them. "You will see, dude. With your powers, and my smarts, we are going to own that city."</p>

<p>The other mammal simply snorted, as he turned his head and continued to drink his beer, as he watched at the night sky that passed by them, and soon, the city that they were travelling to was becoming closer and closer. The car passed by a great sign in the road, in which read: "<strong>WELCOME TO ZOOTOPIA – WHERE ANYONE CAN BE ANYTHING</strong>".</p>

<p>The car passed by it at high speed as the two mammals simply ignored the sign and continued to move in direction to the city.</p>

<p>After they were gone, the sign was left in the dark, with only the illumination that it had across the darkening sky. Moments passed, and soon, another car was coming.</p>

<p>This one was smaller, and it was of a less fancy model than the one that had come before, and it was somewhat of a more behaved style, being what some would classify as "economic", and it was driving inside the speed limit, unlike the other car, that was driving at a high speed. This car also had a less screaming coloration, being of a dull shade of grey. This one actually stopped in front of the sign, as the mammal who was driving took a look at the map.</p>

<p>This mammal put the head out and looked at the city in the distance, and at the great sign, taking a good look at the phrase that had been written along with the name.</p>

<p>With a raised eyebrow, the mammal said: "How tacky…" And put his head back in the car, before starting it again and driving in direction to the city…</p>