Chapter Text
Fall was in full swing and with it a very uncharacteristic heat wave. The city had them before as usual, and mammals coped by staying cool indoors or relaxing in Tundra Town, much to the dismay of businesses in the other districts. This year however was different, it was much hotter, much more humid, and even the Arctic area was suffering. Late into the week the cooling climate wall was undergoing software updates and had a coding fault, resulting in the entire system shutting down for a reboot. This, on top of the already higher temps for the year, meant the wall had to work overtime to cool Tundra town, which led the heat from the evaporators and condenser to roll off in massive heat waves. Even camels and other desert dwellers were joking about it being to hot out. This was putting major strain on the electric grid, with several business shutting down to help prevent a black out. Finnick was siting at home without clothes to stay cool in front of his fan, Judy and Nick were enjoying the AC in the cruiser as they volunteered for a morning shift to get out of the office in case the power did go out and thus mean no cool air. The city was mostly dead as no one wanted to be out and about today, not even the criminals it seemed, leading to the duo having the afternoon off once lunch hit.
Dawn was among them, as were most sheep in general, as her thick heavy wool trapped the heat, making her miserable. She lay nude, her clothes strewn about and a few fans she picked up at a thrift store doing there best to move air around. She sighed with a huff, using her hoof to toss her head wool back from her face as she panted, “Ugh...why didn't they update that damn system earlier!” She grumbled as she sipped her cool glass of tea. She remembered vividly telling Lionheart the operating system was outdated when she first ran the campaign with him, but no, he insisted the system was fine and nothing would happen, but promised to push to upgrade soon. Yea...soon, like 3 years later. She scoffed to herself and looked around, needing something to do, but there was very little. No gaming system, no friends on social media, no movie player, her phone wasn't powerful enough to stream anything, not that she could afford to buy any subscriptions, as she was putting most if not all her extra money back to save up. She wasn't sure how easy it would be to find another job once her parole was up IF Clay wasn't able to keep her on. A slight smile crossed her muzzle as she thought back to her job, true they all weren't the best of friends, but they had each other' backs, and Clay was super nice to her, and kinda reminded her of Thomas, her once best friend, in many ways. She shook her head from the thoughts of what happened back then, “Focus on the present Dawn,” She muttered as she collapsed back into her couch with a soft whine. A chime from her phone drew her attention, picking up the device and not recognizing the number,
'Hi Dawn, you must be suffering right now lol all that wool'
-Who is this? I don't have many numbers on my phone- Dawn typed, confused at the vague, ominous yet playful text, brow furrowed as she waited for a reply
gling'April...from work'
-Oh Hi April- Dawn was very confused now, why would April text her out of the blue like this, they got along at work, but the raccoon always seems to be distant with her, which was fully understandable, -How you dealing with this heat? Any pointer?-
gling 'A few...look ill be honest dawn, clay mentioned that there's some.....animosity between us. He doesn't mind, but he hates tension in the work place...so mentioned I should reach out and...idk say hi I guess'
Dawn sighed rubbing the sweat from her muzzle, “Clay...you cant force this stuff” She muttered as she started to type again -He is such a caring mammal, but....there's some things that cant be helped...You hate me for what I did, and I feel guilty and hate myself for it as well. Only time can fix this.-
gling 'He knows....and I don't HATE you...it just hurts with what I had and could've had if you didn't interfere...but that's not why I'm texting Dawn. I saw you last night suffering with all that wool and ….offering to help a bit if your willing?'
Dawn cocked her head -Help? How?-
Gling 'How about a trim?'
-Oh I've never had anyone but a barber do it before and its been....hard for me to swallow my fear to go to one- Which was true, she always went to a local barber to get sheered for summer, but with her paranoia and past...she hadn't. And custom electric trimmer for hooved mammals were very pricey.
Gling 'That's why I'm offering. I used to be a cosmetologist and even though its been a bit...I can trim wool just fine.'
She sat there for a few minutes thinking it over, and overthinking things but sighed and relented, the heat getting to her -OK, sounds good to me...Ill make some more iced tea.-
Gling 'sounds good see ya in a few'
Dawn set her phone down on the arm rest and walked over to her kitchen to make more tea, nervous about having a predator in her place...especially one that has harsh feeling towards her, praying to Saint Martin everything would go well.
.
.
.
James and Rose were walking down the sidewalk, two of the very few mammals still out and about, making their way to Vivian's. He needed to talk to her about what Catherine sent him. To be honest...he was scared, for him, for Nick....and for Rose. IF everything went good...well nothing bad would happen, but If Nick...or Vivian gives the word, he and Rose would be punished for their sins, something he didn't want Rose to experience. But...laws were laws, and these Exemption Rites were engrained in vulpine culture. He knocked on the door of his old place, letting out a shaky exhale as the door opened. Vivian greeted them, pulling a very stunned Rose into a hug, and sidestepping to let James in. They all sat down at the kitchen table, James and Rose looking solemn as he handed Vivian the summons, her eyes a mixture of amusement, and concern.
“That's funny...I just talked to Catherine last week at the store, I didn't mention you since it slipped my mind with the season kicking in and such. But....James you know that if we all go...” She trialed off, glancing to Rose, not wanting to scare the poor kit, “Well, you remember the teachings in temple.”
James sighed, “Yea....that's what I'm afraid of...I...Dont want to see her hurt....or see you guys have to be the ones to do it.”
Vivian sighed and looked at the two of them, “James...you know me. Yes I'm hurt but I would never want to cause harm to folks....but it all depends on what the temple wishes for us.” James and Rose nodded, the younger vixen looking like she was going to puke as the clock ticked away. Vivian texted Nick to let him know what was going on and to have him meet them at the temple after he got home and changed.
.
.
.
Dawn quickly tossed on a lighter material shirt and sports shorts then opened the door to reveal April, who seemed to be sporting a similar attire although much less miserable. April laughed as she walked in, “Wearing the same thing? We must be the height of Zootopian fashion.”
Dawn laughed as she poured glasses of iced tea, “Sorry....just with this heat I cant wear anything without nearly passing out from heat...I just tossed this on so I wouldn't be naked when you came over.”
April waved her off, “Eh I get it...so...what kind of trim?”
“Oh....um...I don't know...I usually just sheared normally when I would go in for a trim.” She shrugged. April pulled out a small almost leather looking bag from her purse and set it on the table with a shake of her head.
“Tsk tsk...you mean just a standard shearing? Tch...those 'professional' sheep barbers just do what they always have, and you end up looking like a wool blob like before the trim just smaller. No no no, not doing that.” She gaze and ran her eyes over Dawn, who blushed under the scrutiny, “Hmm...I'm thinking a...a more form fitting short shear. Short enough to stay cool this fall but long enough for heat retention once the weather changes, and give ya a more curvy appeal.”
“Appeal? Tcch...no ram would want to touch me and if they do...well it only because of who I was...not ...not who I'm trying to be.” Dawn sighed looking to the ground before taking a gulp of the icy liquid, “But...I go with your judgment...your the expert in this.”
“Good...now strip.” April all but commanded much to the shock of Dawn, her jaw working up and down in shock and a bit of anger.
“What?” She tried to keep her voice calm, getting nude in front of anyone, especially a predator that holds some grudge against her, was not going to happen.
April pulled out some electric trimmer and some very old looking scissor, “What? I need to know where you start and the wool ends...other wise you might have super thin and thick patches all over.”
Dawn sighed letting her anger out, April did have a point. She was uneasy about it, but set her cup down and grabbed her hem, pulling it over her head, a cooler rush telling her she was getting hot even with a basic shirt. She them shimmied from her shorts, letting the material fall unceremoniously as she stood before April nude.
April walked over slowly and started to circle the ewe, eyes running over her nude form as she painted a picture in her head. She stopped in front of her as she tapped her chin, humming in thought, “OK Dawn...I know this may seem uncomfortable to you...BUT I need to run my paws over you, your wool Is VERY thick and need to get a physical profile...If your ok with it?”
Dawn wanted to say no, to tell her to just get the shearing over with, since April probably has no idea what this kind of contact means to sheep, but she relented and nodded her head, raising her arms in a 'T' pose. April smiled softly as she placed her hands on her shoulders and pressed in a bit, feeling where her body was under all the fluff, slowly and gently working her way down her arms before returning and roaming over her chest and stomach, Dawn blushed and fought back a soft sigh as she felt her paws slide over sensitive areas. Had it really been THAT long since she...yea it had, between prison and keeping a low profile she had very little time for..'personal time'. April continued roaming her paws, down her legs and around her back, thankfully avoiding the area between her thighs as her face showed her mind working, creating measurements as she stood with an sly smile, “Ok got ya all in my head,” She reached over and grabbed the trimmers, “You little ewe have quite the body from what I felt...lets get this diamond in the rough out shall we?” Dawn sighed with a light smile as she stood straighter as April walked back over, clinking the shears together as she gently grabbed a pawful of wool and went to work.
.
.
.
.
Vivian, James, and Rose met up with Nick and Judy in front of the large temple near the edge of Savanna Square, and the adjoining forest biome. Judy was in awe of the large brick structure, the very rounded arches and short spires gave a clear religious image to her. She had never really paid much attention to the various different architectures within the city, since she really didn't have a reason to, or the main central city had very modern looking buildings and all blended together. The five of them walked in, and was met by who Judy caused was this Catherine that Nick mentioned, wearing a very subdued, yet elegant type of robes, an off white or cream colored fabric, tied at the waist with a shiny black satin sash, with a odd red and orange design flowing up from her left ankle to her right shoulder. It took Judy a second to realize it was a flame pattern. Catherine's bare paws, click gently on the tile floors as she walked up to the group with a light smile on her muzzle. “Vivian,” She pulled the other vixen into a tight hug, “So good to see you again so soon.” She went down the line, hugging and greeting each of the foxes and then greeted Judy, giving her an odd look before shrugging and turning, guiding them all to follow her down the hallway.
“I am so glad that you all could come in so quickly, not just for returning to temple, but to possible help get things figured out sooner.” She gave them all a smile as they went up to a large double set of doors, where they paused and Catherine gave Nick an odd look, “Although, I wasn't expecting a guest, since there are a few things that....”She trailed off biting her lips nervously, “Nicholas...why don't you...try to explain a few things before you and her join us...Just in case.” She sighed as she held the doors open, a nervous Rose was the last of the group to enter the double doors, followed by Catherine as Nick and Judy lingered, Nick giving a large sigh as he looked nervous and worried.
“Judy...before we go in there...there are things about my religion, regardless of the fact that I'm a more...liberal fox, doesn't change of what may happen in there. Depending on what the high mother decides, may depend on the punishment of those who sinned....” Nick trailed off as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Judy looked aghast, “Nick...what's going to happen in there? Is...Is Rose going to be hurt?”
` Nick shrugged sadly and nodded, “Possibly.”
“NICK! We are cops...we cant just sit back and let...” She was cut off by Nick harshly whispering to her.
“I KNOW!...but...this is a very touchy religious thing for us foxes. And I know we are cops...but in here...the ancient laws supersede...to a point anyway...modern Accord laws. So please...you don't have to go in...but please understand how important It is that I CANT stop what Mother Catherine decides.”
Judy fumed, she was not here to watch an innocent girl get hurt or worse for some stupid....then she realized that Nick had a point, there was a lot of rabbit things that had similar resounded acts within its theology. She sighed, clenching her paws then relent, nodding slowly to Nick with a sigh. The two gave each other a tight hug, then steeled their nerves before entering the room as well.