A piece of art to show off characters I've used much of late, in my various Zootopian works of fanfiction. A familiar face from the movie getting a bit of a happy life, and the source of his freedom from fear.
Duke Weaselton needs little introduction. He's a predator in a city that treats them like dirt if they don't have the scratch and cachet to earn begrudging respect from suck-ups and sycophants. A streetcorner hustler of lesser mettle than luminaries like Finnick and Nick P. Wilde, he still carves out his niche with bootleg movies and... anything else. Even his noodly body needs nourishment, so he'll do anything to survive. He must. He must live on, robbing next week to pay for today, being audacious. For someone with a more natural respect he would be said to have panache. At best, in his lowly state, he's just a picaresque novel in real time. In hock to mammals it's best not to be in hock to, the second figure enters our tale.
Muffin Lanige, of the Canyonland Laniges, resident of the posh wadiside area of Hyenahurst. Old money. Money so old it has linen wrappings. Slightly older, but not too much, soft, sweet, kind, generous, and hopelessly in love with a hob who boggles every time he contemplates her affection. She was taken by the charming audacity of his streetcorner come-ons. That day, that moment, she was another mark for his "legitimate goods", or that's what he told himself. He couldn't keep his eyes from her and he just got lost in her gaze while she appreciated the daring it took to eke out life as he did. He figured he'd never see her again. She came back the next day with a meal to share, standing with him at his table, watching him work. So much followed, until the day very serious polar bears told her she could walk away and leave him with them. She did nothing of the sort. She rattled off an account number directly to the face of Mr. Big, unhesitating. The diminutive Don all but handed her a pink slip for her brand new purchase, the life of one D. Weaselton. She moved him out of his place to hers, bought him nice clothes and offered him freedom to grow. They're quite a pair. This is farther than I've written but is inevitable. Note the rings. This is post-wedding. Technically speaking, he is Mr. Duke Lanige, legitimate mammal. Househusband, uncomfortable socialite, and lover.
Muffin just loves to travel around to places. Zootopia has everything, including beautiful, warm beaches, the perfect place for her and her perpetually-boggling husband to get away and be with one another. She is a stylish matron, and enjoys showing her rounded, zaftig, rubenesque form, even if some portion of puff is fluff. Her chinchilla fur doesn't actually allow her to go in the water, but she can show off her figure and admire her husband. And Duke is in his standard "outside" posture, the figure of a confused weasel. Hands wringing, slightly hunched, eyes a bit bugged. But it's not fear anymore, not really. It's disbelief that his wife is rich and pretty, and he's alive and fed. Strange things happen in a life. Sometimes you get what you don't quite deserve, because someone thinks you're worth it.
Art by Capt_Hairball A wonderful fellow. Quick, attentive, open. He's worth seeing for all your artistic needs. Zootopia and Duke Weaselton (c) Disney Muffin Lanige the chinchilla is mine
The fact that someone can purchase another person's life in your Zootopia has always struck me as its most abhorrent feature. I do hope Mr. Big and his entire organization face the justice they deserve. Your stories re packed with cute, but boy oh boy do they have seedy undersides.
This however is pure adorable.
The fact that someone can purchase another person's life in your Zootopia has always struck me as it
That was a flair of verbiage. What it was meant to imply (and what Duke actually says in the stories) is he was in hock to Mr. Big, as in he owed him money, loan-shark style. And Big already hates him. Just plain living is an expensive proposition. Putting a meal on the table and a roof overhead is a continual cost, a precarious proposition with a decent job and reasonable respect from the society at large. Muffin paid off his debt. Slate's clean, he's out. Big fully intended to either ice him or do the standard loan-shark kick the everloving crap out of him for going too long without making a payment. In THAT sense Muffin purchased his life. Again, in the story there's a reminiscence that Big even said so. He literally owes her his life. I assumed that rhetorical flourish and glib turns of phrase were easy enough to spot but I see that I went to far with flowery language.
That was a flair of verbiage. What it was meant to imply (and what Duke actually says in the stories
Well that's nice to know, but Mr. Big is still pure evil. I like your Bellwether AU story for actually noting this; most fans try to excuse him as somehow being good because he's associated with Judy and my hopes that he and all those associated with him face justice remains unabated. How many didn't get a Muffin and perished or suffered at his paws? It is a satin on Judy to have even been in his presence.
But your stories are brilliant, I've never seen ones focus on so many languages or religions before. (And so few of them are fighting!)
Well that's nice to know, but Mr. Big is still pure evil. I like your Bellwether AU story for actual
That's why I started the "Big" series in "The Lionhearts". It's one universe where there's a motivated reason and opportunity to take him down. He's not a good man at all and deserves what happens to him. Also, since Judy never needs him and never saves Fru-Fru, There's no need to worry.
That's why I started the "Big" series in "The Lionhearts". It's one universe where there's a motivat
And it's a glory to see. Too often is morality bent so that problems with the main characters can be tucked under the rug. It was, and is, a glory to read each chapter and I can only hope mainline Judy can be half as bold. You have a unique voice with these stories, one I see nowhere else in the fandom. I wish it were more common, but long may you have success.
And it's a glory to see. Too often is morality bent so that problems with the main characters can be
I like the design of Muffin. I kinda get the vibe of Duke kinda being a glorified pet but she seems to love him none the less, and I can see the bonus reason she loves him with Duke wearing that speedo. Where is this story at?
I like the design of Muffin. I kinda get the vibe of Duke kinda being a glorified pet but she seems
Depending on how generous you feel, the difference in money and social power can give that appearance but really it's just an awkwardly imbalanced relationship between mutually smitten parties. Also, yes. Duke doesn't have a lot to his name but what he has he came by honestly and will be a very serious inheritance he can pass on to his sons. Had he the skill he could have made a living doing Finnick's gig on a pole or on call. This is better.
Capt_Hairball A wonderful fellow. Quick, attentive, open. He's worth seeing for all your artistic needs.
