🦊┊ 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆

Nick and Judy were at an elegant garden party as undercover cops, investigating a case. Lights hung like jewels in the air, reflecting in glasses and smiles that were far too wide to be sincere. It was easy to get lost amidst such luxury: mammals in tailored suits, lizards unable to hide the impatience in the flick of their tails, birds strutting their brilliant feathers as if they were trophies. Everything was a parade of appearances.

Nick adjusted the knot of his tie—a detail as unnecessary as it was uncomfortable—and let his cynical smile do the rest of the work. He knew how to navigate environments like this: invisible to those who didn't matter, charming to those who looked at him too long. Beside him, Judy seemed like a perfect contradiction. The simple dress fell naturally on her, discreet yet elegant, and yet, there was something about her that drew more attention than any puffed-up tail or ostentatious jewel at the party. Nick pretended not to notice, even though he noticed everything.

The evening seemed like just another elite gathering, but beneath the surface, there was something more than simple smiles and toasts—and they knew it.