closed starter: @aalwaysforgotten !! location: outside the jukebox

it was easier to convince yourself that you were the problem than it was to convince yourself that you weren't... and that was the very predicament judy found themselves in as they watched their ex-boyfriend walk out of the diner with a smile she hadn't seen since they met for the first time. it was like a hard punch to the gut, feeling responsible for being the reason someone stopped smiling like that, and as much as judy's friends had tried to reassure her that she wasn't to blame... she couldn't help but feel like she was. judy made an effort to move past, to jump ship, her appetite suddenly squashed and an ache in her chest so intense it felt like her chest was concaving in on itself.

no one tells you when you're young how isolating a breakup can be, especially one you were still getting over all this time later. at its surface, judy knew the explanation could be as simple as they weren't right for each other... but to judy's core, she had failed him. she had failed THEM. unfortunately, judy didn't move fast enough, and her eyes were finding his before they had an opportunity to make a clean breakaway. stiffening their posture, though trying to look relaxed, judy waved awkwardly; ❛ h-hey, nuka. wow i uh, i almost didn't recognize you !! ❜

❛ SO weird. i never want to deal with a guy ever again, especially weird ones. ❜ judy huffed, scrunching their nose as they accepted the receipt and their card back from the bartender, scrawling a far too overgenerous tip on the designated line before scribbling some sort of signature beneath it. tapping her foot, judy hummed in delight at the sound of tacos, turning to winnie with a glow in her eyes as she nodded her head delightedly. ❛ hell yeah, i love tacos !! i uh...can't say i've had them many times but, the one time i did — they were great. do you think they'll have vegetarian options ?? ❜

Now...that was a good point. Everyone knew the golden rule in kindergarten and seemingly forgot it the second they got to elementary school. It was always everyone for themselves instead of caring about anyone else. It was pretty sad, actually. "Guys are always weird." So weird. Dennis was weird...she was thinking the word weird a little too much for comfort. But that didn't make the thought any less accurate. "See, you're my kind of person! I am dying for some tacos from that street stand by the park. They are so addicting." And the perfect food to take home after a night out.

as they approached their food-establishment of choice, judy rolled their eyes at nick's antics, but an almost sad frown curved on her lips. she knew what shifters back home did in the past to predators... the way they were treated as monsters. she knew about the past nick had, albeit only glimpses but, enough for the visual of nick being imprisoned to make her sad. however, her tune switched when he accused them of being jealous, flying to look at him with a look of offense on her features. ❛ i am NOT jealous !! i am entitled, there is a difference... and as your best friend and partner, i have every right to be entitled. ❜ judy pushed open the doors to the restaurant when they had finally arrived, scanning around for somewhere to sit as the warmth of grub & pub sunk deep into her skin and made her sigh. grabbing onto nick's forearm and tugging on it, judy began to steer them towards an open booth she had spotted, scoffing as a playful smile lulled on her lips. ❛ benevolent ?? trust me, wilde, you've made a lot of progress but i wouldn't quite say we're at benevolent status yet. we're pinching pennies here, nick, now is not the time to be making charitable donations to the girls that broke your heart.❜

"Depends, how's the food?" Honestly, there were times in his life Nick had to think a sanctuary might have been less stressful than real life, but for someone that sure did hate feeling caged in, he knew himself well enough to know he would be miserable. "You'd be amazed what my mind can come up with. I have to say, Judy, jealousy is not a pretty color on you." He was teasing, knowing she didn't mean it like that, but he couldn't help himself. He was better at deflecting than reflecting, always had been. "I deserve to freeze? Come on, that's kind of harsh. That's what I get for being benevolent? I thought you wanted me to be a better person. Sending me mixed signals over here, Carrots."

❛ are you asking me to put you in a sanctuary, nick ?? is that what you want ?? ❜ judy inquired, sarcasm dripping from her lips until nick lowered his voice and spoke again. stepping closer, she looked up at the taller man, furrowing her brows before horror flashed in her expression; ❛ cheese and crackers, nick, why would you even think of something like that !? ❜ they frowned at the prospect, looking between him and the concrete as realization dawned, trying to keep their mind from going in that horrible direction but finding themselves unable to stop it. ❛ —hey, i'm your best friend. i get first dibs. it's not my fault you let your exes, and i HATE that the word exes is plural, keep your clothes. maybe at this rate, you deserve to freeze. ❜

"People keep foxes too," he informed them, "I follow this sanctuary on Instagram that has a few rescues. Which makes me a little curious..." Glancing around them, Nick lowered his voice, making absolute certain no one could overhear. "You think shifters ever get caught and kept as pets?" It was a horrible thought. But it had to have happened before, right? At least once. He rolled his eyes, as if the cold wasn't getting to him. And it wasn't getting to him quite as badly as it was Judy, but his bare arms did not feel great at he moment. "Well, some people," two exes, and her, who he was mainly referring to, "keep stealing them. What am I supposed to do, just keep buying jackets? I'm not made of money, Judy."

❛ i always have time for you fran, ❜ judy reassured, though her hooded eyelids and mounds of paperwork in front of her said otherwise. franny was one of the most fascinating people judy had ever met, and that was saying a lot given who their best friend was, but she taught FROGS to SING. not shifting frogs, but real actual frogs that were just frogs and people that shifted into frogs. fuck— maybe judy's second cup of coffee WAS one too many. ❛ uh... not much. keeping nick out of trouble, checking the meters, trying to solve a missing person's case, nothing exciting.❜ judy waved her hands dismissively, laughing. ❛ please show me the frogs. i love the frogs. i still can't wrap my head around how you can make them sing. ❜

closed starter @notadxmbbunny location: java lava

"are you sure you have time right now?" franny asked, a little hyperactive from the first coffee she had already downed while waiting for her friend. "'cause i know you're really busy with your job and stuff. i just. really think you should have some of this coffee. and maybe also check out this video i have of the frog choir performing. and maybe give me some feedback. or like....tell me how life has been? wow, i think i need another cup of this stuff..." hands shaking as she brought the rest of her second coffee to her lips she took a small sip before flashing them a grin. "i mean hey judy, what's hopping?"

𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓇𝑜𝓉𝓈,

𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚅𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚡 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚎.

𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖

𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝

𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎

𝚈𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚕

𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑, 𝙸 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎. 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝.

𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚋𝚞𝚝

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎.

𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚍 𝚘𝚛 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗.

💕✒️ 𝒩𝒾𝒸𝓀.

judy huffed, shoving nick with as much strength as her tiny body could muster, flaring her nostrils. ❛ ugh, shut up !! ❜ she groaned, tilting her head back and stomping her feet like a toddler throwing a tantrum. ❛ so many rabbit jokes — always a dig on rabbits !! some people, get this nick, some people keep rabbits as pets. did you know that ?? unbelievable. ❜ judy was on a totally off topic tangent now, her stride increasing as she was desperate to get to the restaurant and curl up into the warmth of a worn-out booth. ❛ i am not going to succumb to the cold,❜ judy grumbled, unfolding their arms to hold them by her sides, turning her head to look up at nick with violently rosy cheeks and a nose bitten so pink it looked like a cherry. ❛ —you'll succumb before i do, you're the one not wearing a jacket, nick !! ❜

"Of course, are you kidding? There are different types of lettuce. Romaine, iceberg... probably something else." Nick wasn't really sure, he knew painstakingly little about vegetables, typically going for fruit when fish and meat wasn't an option, but he wasn't picky by any means. His joke fell a little flat with the lack of names, but he wouldn't tease her over her diet too much; at least she didn't try to push it on him. He could respect that. Letting out a small laugh as they wrinkled their nose, so Judy it was endearing, he shook his head in response. "There goes my plan. Fine, fine, I'll eat like a peasant today... and tip the server. If we even make it there, you look like you're going to succumb to the cold any minute now."

judy huffed at nick's words, tucking their hands deeper into the pits of their jacket, wishing they had worn gloves or something because their poor little fingers were about to fall off. ❛ did you know that some places call salads RABBIT FOOD on their menu ?? we eat more than just lettuce, y'know. ❜ they also ate kale and... other vegetables. not just lettuce !! there was a bit of a stomp to judy's walk now, feet heavy on the concrete as she walked faster towards downtown, short breaths coming out in puffs from her nostrils. ❛ no, i'm not gonna make you go vegan i just... you know that stuff grosses me out, ❜ judy frowned, scrunching their nose up so it wrinkled. judy tolerated it because nick was her best friend but... when rabbit legs were on the menu ?? that's when judy drew the line, the thought alone enough to make her gag. cheese and crackers. ❛ no, i don't need you to foot the bill. i got it, ❜ the shifted waved him off with a roll of her eyes. ❛ — just don't order like... the most expensive thing on the menu and we'll be fine. i may need you to tip the sever though, ❜ judy smiled, turning to look at nick and fluttering their lashes at him.

"And I'm not. I'm being perfectly sensible; steakhouses sell salads." He was just joking, and while he'd groan about it, if she really wanted him to, he would avoid eating meat in front of her — even if he was undeniably and unavoidably a carnivore. He supposed it was the least he could do, after everything she had done for him. Even just continuing to be on his side.

Nick's eyebrow lifted, wondering how broke she was. Were they struggling to get by here? He was doing alright, despite the lack of funds he'd been used to from his old lifestyle. He didn't exactly live a lavish lifestyle, and he'd learned how to save from a young age. "Grub & Pub, unless you're making me go vegan for the evening. But, hey, I can foot the bill, Carrots," he offered, "don't worry about it."

❛ well, maybe if we all remembered what we learned in kindergarten, the world would be a better place !! ❜ perhaps that's why judy clung so tightly onto her motto — make the world a better place. it's why she wanted to go into law enforcement, why she wanted to help others, why she never saw the reason there was a rift between shifters back home. did that make her naive or optimistic ?? judy liked to believe the latter. ❛ he is weird. super duper weird, ❜ the tipsy shifter replied, miming winnie's actions to close out her own tab. looking at her friend, stars seemed to sparkle in judy's eyes, nodding her head enthusiastically; ❛ yes please, i am always hungry and will almost never say no to food. ❜ only time she'd say no is when she's sick or... the food being offered was meat. especially rabbit.

"I don't think I've ever heard that before outside of like a kindergarten." And even that was a maybe. The whole play on words felt like a teachers dream when it came to teaching about friendship and the importance of being a nice person. "Oh stop, I'm sure he does. Nick is just weird like that." To be fair, Winnie didn't know Nick all that well outside of what Judy told her, but that whole act seemed exactly like something he would do to mess with them. Clapping her hands together, she motioned towards the bartender to close out, already thinking of places they could head to next. "Are you hungry? I could definitely go for some food."

judy nodded assuringly, taking another sip from her coffee and humming audibly at the taste. the shifter didn't want to take up too much of the man's time, but she was already running late and honestly ?? her head wasn't in it lately. sure, being a meter maid was... fine, but she had a real task at hand. shifters were still missing, and they had to get on that. ❛ oh, you have nooooo idea, nick is ... he's something else. ❜ judy laughed, remembering the kind of person nick was when she DID meet him. the very man was someone that judy should have turned in but she, to this day, is forever grateful she blackmailed him into helping her. no regrets, there. ❛ oh uh, none taken. i'm... not much of a cop here, honestly. never was back home either. i just run the parking meters and... do some occasional p.i. work if needed. ❜ okay, not official private investigator work but... she counted it anyways.

"Thanks, man." He was glad that he'd found at least one person in uniform that was trying. It was refreshing to see, after how he'd grown up. Either way, he figured he should switch the conversation up, just for safety's sake. Didn't need anyone getting nosy, even if they were being nice about it. At least now they moved on to one of Judy's friends. "Oh, I don't know about that," Fillmore replied with a small shake of the head. "I might be a decent guy but that doesn't mean I'm any kind of influence. Plus how bad can he be if he hangs out with a cop with his own free will? No offense."

taking the shot with less reluctance than normal, judy tilted her head back and let the shot and it's pickle chaser slide down her throat. the whiskey burned going down but the pickle juice was delightful, and judy hummed delightedly as she set her glasses down onto the bartop. ❛ that was actually... so good, ❜ they mused, looking to winnie, proud of themselves for going through with a shot they likely would have never taken. okay, she probably would have taken it because a shots a shot but... who even came UP with that ?? ❛ isn't it cute ?? ❜ judy laughed, shrugging at the cheesiness of the cheers. ❛ nick hates that one, at least i think he does. he always does this thing with his face when i do it and its all... ❜ judy scrunches up her face, trying to mime what he would do, before laughter came tumbling out of her. ❛ — he says he loves me but i think he's a liar !! ❜

It was tempting to take the shots and head out now that Winnie was out of the dance floor crowd, the idea of heading back in there was a daunting one. She loved a good party, that could not be denied, but once the wolf hit a wall, it was time to call it before her attitude turned. Grabbing her shot with what she was just learning was a pickleback, Winnie lifted her glass and tapped it against Judy's. Giggling playfully, she cheered and threw the shot back, not mad about the choice. Shockingly. It was pretty delicious as far as shots went. Warmth spread through her chest as she put the empty shot back on the bar and gave her friend a grin. "That was such a cheesy toast, like gouda-level, but I loved it."

judy pouted at the idea of going through it, tilting her head to the side; ❛ oh no... ❜ the shifted sighed forlornly, eyes turning down to match the downward curve of her lips. ❛ yeah, of course, ❜ judy sighed, trying to swallow down the urge to inquire what was wrong and see if she could help in anyway. judy was a bit of a problem-solver — primarily of problems that weren't their own. they tended to get overly involved in things that didn't concern them, and it was something they were working on. kind of. a smile lilted on judy's lips and she nodded, clutching her drink in her hand. ❛ yeah, you're a good guy, fillmore. my friend nick could use someone like you to show him the ropes of being well behaved. ❜

Fillmore nodded slowly to confirm, and just before Judy could get any ideas in their head, he decided to cut things off at the pass. "Yeah, she's going through it and she's a good kid," he told Judy, completely ignoring the fact that Aurora was only a couple of years younger than him and definitely wasn't a kid. "But I don't want her to know 'cause like...I don't want her to think it's pity, y'know?" Plus she was a good employee, and a free get out of parking trouble card was the least he could do. "Honestly, if I ever do anything to make you want to give me a pass, we're just gonna end up giving it to people I know. I don't know if you notice, but I behave myself pretty well."

judy eagerly drummed buzzing palms atop the bar top, watching the barkeep as they made their shots, eyes wide and transfixed on the process as she stood besides winnie. her weight kept rocking up onto the balls of her feet, resisting the urge to tap her foot in excitement. looking back at winnie, judy offered a smile; ❛ we can totally dip after these if you want, ❜ they offered, turning to smile at the bartender as their shots were delivered and signaling to close out her tab. ❛ the night is still young, we can go wherever. even if it's home !! ❜ picking up her set of two shot glasses, judy nodded her head in the direction of winnie's, smiling pridefully. ❛ there are big ships, and little ships, but the best ships are friendships, ❜ judy beamed, clinking their glasses against winnie's; ❛ — to you absolutely killing it this semester !! ❜

Apparently, the two of them were not the right people to go to when it came to alcohol choices, but Winnie was alright with that. If people wanted advice on building an empire or music or grunge fashion? She was the right one to go to but shots? Not so much. Her suggestion of picklebacks went over a lot better than Winnie had expected it too and now they were locked in; there was no going back once you said it out loud. She thought about telling Judy the shot was less vegetable and more whiskey but thought better of it as she ordered them, already looking forward to how she'd react to the taste. "I wouldn't be too mad about that but next time we have to go somewhere else, I feel like I'm not going to last long here."

judy was too blinded by her own prideful display of being right to even notice the softness in nick's words, the way his expression always seemed to dampen when he was no longer in her direct eye-line. she knew he could be a bit moody and aloof so, oftentimes, she didn't look too far into it... but, judy noticed it most whenever they talked about getting out of here. going back home. nick had never been quote unquote accepted where they came from but... judy had assumed he had turned a new leaf once they started working together. she felt optimistic about life changing for the better — once they got out of this cursed town.

judy groaned at all of nick's suggestions, nose scrunching. ❛ god, nick, i'm a vegetarian. at least try to be somewhat sensible in your suggestions... !! ❜ the shifted huffed, the pep in her step not being lost by his efforts to make her nose twitch. which he managed to do successfully, the button tip twisting as she huffed in reply. ❛ i'm also broke so... it's either grub & pub orrrrrrr the diner. take it or leave it, wilde. ❜

"I'm sure you can," he chuckled softly, it wouldn't take much to go low when it came to him. Most people back home looked at him like something on the bottom of their shoe, snarling insults, it was always mild banter with Judy and he could only hope that never changed. That she never saw him the way everyone else did, the way he did. Watching her bounce up and down, Nick just shook his head, he found it endearing how much they seemed to embrace their nature while he went out of his way to shield everything about him from public view. Part of him felt jealous that they had never had to worry about it in the same way. But he would never wish it upon Judy, he would never wish it upon anyone. "That's not saying much, Judy," he stated as he started to walk alongside her. "Yeah? What are you feeling?" Painting the picture by talking with his hands, he started to ramble off the most expensive options he could think of, most of which he'd never actually tried. "I think I'm feeling steak, oysters, a nice, tall glass of Chateau Lafite, maybe truffle ice cream for dessert... oh, and a side of caviar, of course."

judy frowned at the dismissal of fillmore having a special someone, wishing that all her friends would find that person that made them feel out of this world. wait...was fillmore her friend ?? judy liked to believe so. he HAD just spotted her order, after all.... so when she heard the name he wanted to pass along his gift to, judy smiled and nodded their head curtly. ❛ got it; aurora. is that the pretty blonde one ?? ❜ making a display of zipping her lips, judy nodded one more and held up her pinkie; ❛ you're secret is safe with me, fillmore. swear it. ❜

Well, it was always nice to see that someone appreciated his food. Fillmore grinned to himself, starting on a bit of prep work. Nothing that would keep them from talking, but just enough to keep himself looking busy if anyone else came up. When Judy brought up 'a special someone', he raised a lazy eyebrow at them. "Nah, nothin' like that, man," he replied easily. Fillmore hadn't actually dated anyone in...well, a while. At least, nobody that he was aware of. "You know Aurora that works here? She can have it. Just don't like...mention it to her, I guess?"

looking up, surprise casting themselves over their features as hercules remembered her name, the shifter offered him a bashful smile in return; ❛ uh, yeah. yeah, i'm judy. officer hopps or.... y'know, judy works fine.❜ clearing their throat, judy rolled her lips together as she tried to find a way to ease the embarrassment pulsing through her. cheese and crackers, judy, get it together. ❛ hercules right ?? you....you work at the gym ?? ❜ judy was surprised the man had even known her name to begin with, rocking her hips against the ground to feel if her tail had fled the scene. that had NEVER happened before — what was with this town ?! ❛ oh yeah — uh, that'd be great !! ❜ judy cleared their throat and smiled appreciatively, slipping their smaller hand into his and grabbing on for dear life as they hoisted themselves up. as slickly as they could, judy made a display of wiping the dirt off the back of her pants, heaving a sigh as she realized the tail was gone and they were in the clear. ❛ thanks. i've uh....you know... i've never fallen like that. guess there's a first time for everything, right ??❜

“ HEY , JUDY , RIGHT ?” Herc smiles , momentarily too lost in recognition to take action . It’s a buzz to bump into fellow gym-goers , especially considering he doesn’t have the biggest social circle ‘cause — well , gym .

He tries to make sense of the scenario — piece together if anything and everything he knows about Judy ( which is, well , gym ) can explain the sight of her launching bush-ward , but he comes up short . As his eyes wander leisurely back to her palms , the flash of red slaps him right back to reality .

“ Shit, ” he says ( he swears now , mom ) , crouching down with a re-energised burst of urgency , “ can I help you up ?” he asks , holding a hand out , prepped and ready to heave her from the bush once permission is granted . Answers can come after action .

❛ i mean... yeah, or like, paper plates or whatever they use recycled paper for, ❜ judy said with a shrug of her shoulders, turning to face the stranger better now that they had concluded their perusal of the magazines. then, confusion washed over the meter-maids features, nose twisting as she pondered on a response. ❛ uh... arrested for recycling?? ❜ judy repeated, wanting to ensure they were on the same page. ❛ i.... don't think you'd get arrested for recycling, no... though, if that's a genuine concern, i got some connections i can ask to make sure.❜

"Toilet paper," Wendy repeated, a laugh echoing in the hollow of her chest. It was a thought that had never crossed her mind before. "I haven't checked," she admitted; like many other things, she had not put much effort into this. It was easier to just think about it in passing and never actually do anything about it. Call her lazy, call her unmotivated, Wendy just liked to think they had better things to do with their time. (They were lazy.) "Would I get arrested for using them?"