Chase your dreams

daphne stared for a moment before laughing hollowly, edging her way around the girl so she was standing on the other side. if she needed to escape, she could. “oh, fantastic, that’s just fucking great, isn’t it? i’ve been here for five fucking seconds and i’ve already met bunny cop 2.0. at least you’re not one of those predators.”

she batted her eyelids. “not where i’m from, sweetheart.”

Melissa knew she should have expected that sort of a reaction, still It didn’t make her want to roll her eyes any less. “Actually, I have no interest in becoming a cop.” she protested politely. “My mom may be one but that doesn’t mean I have to be.” The bunny held her tongue about the predator comment, even though it was hard not to say anything. Most of her friends were predators and she had always come to their defense. 

On cue, Crimson draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close while they walked. He nodded towards the closest gas bar. “There’s our prize,” he crooned before making a small ‘huh?’ sound as Melissa questioned him. “Is it bad to say I don’t like being alone? I like going on adventures, even small ones like going to get slushies, and I’d prefer to do it with other people. The more the merrier, you know?”

“that’s what I am trying to find out…” he said softly, “hey, do you want to join me? we could find where it is together.”

despite the girl’s casual tone, daphne narrowed her eyes. she didn’t believe that her mother was that much of a threat, at least not compared to so many of the other villains out there, so it was easy to put two and two together. “…you’re from zootopia, aren’t you?” she said the word ‘zootopia’ as though it was some sort of dirty poison.

“there are,” she agreed, with an obviously fake smile. “but i don’t make a habit of doing things politely.”

Despite the bitterness in her tone, the bunny simply nodded in response. There was no point in hiding it after all. “I’m Melissa Hopps.” she introduced herself. She didn’t have to say much else though, she figured the rest spoke for itself. 

hearing the girl’s surprise, she quickly went on the defensive, her hair flying behind her as she whipped her head around. “yes, bellwether. is that a problem?” she knew that it was likely that there were people from zootopia around. she just didn’t know who.

clicking her tongue, she headed out the door, just so she wouldn’t have to deal with the office lady. “what? i don’t like people getting into my business. is that a crime?”

“I never said it was..” she replied shaking her head. “The name just sounded familiar. I think my mom mentioned it once or twice.” she attempted to sound as casual as possible. Of course it was a major understatement but she didn’t want to make the girl more upset than she already seemed to be. 

“I mean, you COULD. Wouldn’t it leave some mystery and adventure?” he teased right alongside her. After the handshake, Crimson motioned down the walkway with his chin. “Slushies are this way, Melissa.” He held his arm up, offering to drape it around her shoulders. He was one for skinship but he understood boundaries (took him a lot of ear lickings and face punches to learn that one, though).

on the isle, daphne had needed to work her way up to being intimidating. she was tiny and her mother wasn’t that powerful, so it wasn’t as though she could make much of an impression appearance-wise. she had to use her words and her actions. being proven wrong was one of the things she hated most, and her face twisted with annoyance at the girl’s comment. she was about to say something else when she heard the office lady’s voice from behind the counter.

“miss bellwether, would you please stop making a scene and blocking the door?”

in an instant, she set her sights on the lady and flipped her off. “fuck off, you old hag, what i do is none of your fucking business!”

She wasn’t quite sure what made the girl so upset, but if she had to guess it went a little deeper then being bumped into. As soon as she heard the name she had to blink a bit in surprise. “Bellwether?” she found herself repeating, knowing exactly who her parent was. Her mother had told her enough stories to know.

daphne crossed her arms, crinkling her enrolment papers in the process. it wasn’t as though they were important to her, so she barely looked at them. fixing her hair ( not that it would make much difference with her being a constant mess ), she gave the girl a glare and looked her up and down. the camera was what stood out to her most.

“fuckin’ auradonians and their technology. is that why you guys have no idea what’s going on around you?” she’d heard what auradon had been like as of late, which was all the more reason she didn’t want to be here.

Melissa moved back a bit, creating a little more space between them, she certainly looked like she could use some. “Like, I said I’m sorry about that.” she told her, although her tone wasn’t as gentle as before. It wasn’t hard to tell that she found the stranger’s attitude off putting, however she wasn’t going to be rude in return. Her mother had taught her better then that. 

“you want me to bring you some real food?” she asked, eyebrow raised. “because i can do that. it can’t be worse than whatever they’re feeding you in here.”

Her own tears were stopping now, the hope inside her growing, the weight lifting from Melissa’s assurances. I know you’d never hurt me. Betty hugged her tighter, and then pulled away, just so she could wipe Melissa’s tears off with her hands. “You’re one of the best I know, do you know that?” she smiled. “And I’m going to help you get better, I’ll be here for you whenever you need me –”