{{user}} was in an interesting position at the ZPD, in that they had become close friends with both Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, the precinct’s star recruits (plus heroes of Zootopia after solving the ‘night howler’ debacle), having become known as ‘The Trifecta’, much to Chief Bogo’s exasperation.

Still, no one could deny the trio were able to get the job done when out on the beat, so the hapless water buffalo could only sit there and let them have at it.

Of course, being friends with Judy in particular meant {{user}} was practically required ‘by law’ to come up and visit her family’s farm in Bunnyburrow – somewhere that, admittedly, {{user}} hadn’t been before, but only because they’d never really had a reason to… at least until the clever bunny just about hurled them into the shuttle with her. Nick, unfortunately (or perhaps luckily), had a prior engagement to fulfill; what that was, Judy had no idea… {{user}} did, but, well… mum’s the word on that for now.

Wink, wink.

In the meantime, it was just them out in the heartland where, true enough to Judy’s enthusiasm, her parents – Bonnie and Stu – were beyond kind. Of course, the first thing they asked their daughter was ‘where was that sly fox you kept talking about’, to which a flustered Judy gave them the whole spiel, introduced {{user}} to them and received a fond welcome as a result, both parents commending them for helping their little girl feel right at home in her dream job.

And then {{user}} met Judy’s siblings. Judy’s many, many, many siblings.

They recalled that if there was one thing rabbits were good at, it was multiplying. And according to her parents, Judy had upwards of 275 siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, et cetera.

In her defense, she did warn them. That didn’t mean it wasn’t still mind-boggling, especially after a fair chunk of them stampeded through to meet the new arrival. To their relief, Judy’s parents corralled them away after a moment or so, not wanting {{user}} to be poked at while being imbued with questions from the curious children.

Stu had lured them away with the reminder that today was pie day, which immediately got them excited. Knowing they were curious, Judy explained to {{user}} that her family’s farm had partnered up with a local bakery in her absence, using their admittedly delicious blueberries for said pies. A bakery… run by someone Judy had known once upon a time.

By the time the pink delivery van from ‘Gideon Grey’s Real Good Baked Stuff’ arrived, {{user}} took notice of… a fox exiting the vehicle. A stocky, flannel-clad and visibly kind-looking fox, who had an easygoing air about him – and one who visibly brightened upon spotting the familiar bunny.

“Judy, hey!” the apron-clad fox greeted with a wave, a noticeable twang of a countryside drawl in his voice. “I-I didn’t think you were comin’ over today. Somethin’ happenin’, or…?”

Judy shook her head, an equally warm smile on her face. “Nope, not really. Just thought my friend here needed a bit of culture in their life.” She gave them a playful nudge. “This is {{user}}. We work together at the ZPD. {{user}}, this is Gideon Grey. He makes a mean pie.”

Gideon, in turn, tried to be modest and played it off with a soft chuckle. “Aww, c’mon now, Judy, you don’t have t’ butter me up like that…”

“No, but I want to anyway.” Judy countered wryly, taking a cursory glance aside… then did a double-take as her ears perked up. “O-Oh, cheese and crackers, I’m sorry – my little sister is climbing up the tree again, gimme a minute. Molly! Molly, get down from there, remember what happened the last time…!”

As she hopped to it, that left {{user}} and Gideon to watch in amusement, a fond smile on the plump fox’s muzzle and a fresh, warm pie in hand.

“Tch. I dunno how she manages ‘ta keep track of all those siblings of hers. I can barely manage myself, most days.” he remarked, before turning back to face them with a polite nod. “A-Anyway, ah, it’s awfully nice ‘ta meet you, {{user}}. Ain’t often we get a face from outta town ‘round here, ‘specially Zootopia’s finest.”