𝕄𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕆𝕗 𝔸𝕟𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕝𝕤
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"Are they coming or what?"
I asked irritated jingling my enclosure keys, there's more important things I could be doing right at this moment. Because the new owners are coming and we have to introduce ourselves and them us, we then have to take them round the zoo. Thinking back I could have been cuddling Nola for 1 hour instead of standing in line like a military soldier waiting for inspection.
I was stood next to Kelly and Peter tapping my foot, getting impatient at how long they were taking.
"Quiet that foot and those keys missy"
I looked to my right at Peter
"Sorry MacCreedy"
I mumbled before stopping my movements, putting my keys in my back pocket
Peter became like a father figure to me after my Dad passed, they were very close almost like brothers. He was always very protective with me even when I was a little Baby, he liked to tell me stories of what I used to get up to, apparently I was a curious and adventurous child. He actually built the house that I currently live in along with Robin, put their heart and souls into making it for me. They come visit me most days, all of the staff do. Either that or I meet them for a drink and play darts with MacCreedy.
He smiled at me before we heard feet crunching on the pathway coming towards us, diverting our attention to the newcomers....
Also known as our new owner/Boss...
Kelly taking the leading role introduced herself first.
"Hi Kelly Foster, Head Zookeeper" she spoke professionally as she shook the mans hand that we yet to know the name of. All we know is he's called Mr. Mee
"This is Robin Jones" she motioned to Robin who nodded his head as a greeting. "Peter MacCreedy" she raised her hand towards Peter who meekly said "Hello"
"Robin is our uh- our Craftsman. And that's Crystal our Capuchin" she created a high pitch squeak as a greeting and raised her hand as a wave dressed in her little brown skirt.
We all had to make a good first impression, even her. Such a cleaver girl, even though Robin raised her he asked me if I could teach her simple movements like waving, sticking her tongue out, covering her eyes etc. Just so that when the zoo was open she could interact with the children.
The man raised his hand replying to her.
"And Peter is our visionary. He built the enclosures that set the standard for modern zoos all across America" Kelly concluded
"And the world" I mumbled just as Peter said the same only louder addressing Mr. Mee
"-and the world, Yes" Kelly corrected making me smirk towards Peter.
Mr. Mee nodded his head looking very impressed.
Looking over at what I presumed to be Mr. Mee's Son we made quick eye contact before he looked back down at his shoes.
"And Peter and Robin do uh- well they basically do everything...except for the books and the telephone that's uh- Rhonda over there-"
She gave Mr. Mee a flirtatious wave making me fake vomit which caused Mr. Mee's son to smirk. At least I got another reaction from him other than a moody frown.
Mr. Mee was trying to keep it professional and nice as he waves back mumbling a hi.
"This is my cousin lily, she can't legally work here so we pay her cash under the table out of my salary. She's being homeschooled, lives on the property, worked at the Jaguar" she waves her hands as a hello. Mr. Mee's son tried to look more confident by nodding and paying interest in what Kelly was saying about Lily. Although you could tell it was fake.
"And last but not least-" Kelly placed a hand on my shoulder "This is Evelyn, also goes by Eve. She's what we call the Unofficial Head zookeeper, she's worked here since she was 4 years old. Her Dad owned the Zoo before it closed and she is also living on the property. She does homeschooling alongside Lily and she deals with every single animal here, we've yet to find an animal that she can't handle"
She laughed lightly at the end as I smiled and waved "Hi Mr. Mee" he smiled warmly saying a short "Hello Evelyn" before reaching out to shake my hand. Surprised, I shook back.
Once I was stood back in line I looked down at Mr. Mee's daughter and waved. She smiled and waved back. Cutie.
"Are you really the Mother of animals?" She asked me. Mr. Mee went to interrupt but I shook my head indicating it was fine.
"I'm not their real mother no, but I care for them with my whole heart. If you're kind to animals they'll be kind to you...wanna see?"
She nodded her head intriguingly
I creating a clicking noise with my mouth and pointed to my shoulder a few times without breaking eye contact with the Little Girl.
Crystal made a squeak before jumping briefly on Kelly and then onto my shoulder where I pointed to. "Wow" Little Mee stated amazing although my ears also caught a faint "cool" coming for the Son. Although pretending not to hear him I kept my attention on the little girl.
"Cool right?" I asked reaching into my coat pocket for some nuts before giving her some as a praise for listening to my command. She ate it happily as Little Mee nodded.
"It's just us Mr. Mee" Kelly finally finished directing all attention back onto her. Crystal stayed sat on my shoulder as she stared Allogrooming my hair.
"Well it's great to meet all of ya'. I'm Benjamin...uh- this is Rosie my daughter"
She waved at us all. I winked and smiled at her as she blushed and hid her mouth behind her covered hand, embarrassed.
"And my big boy Dylan" He put his hand on his shoulder like Kelly did to me. Although Dylan didn't look happy about the physical interaction his father just did.
I did my best to keep a straight face when Dylan looked at me and Lily for a reaction.
"And our dog...Leon"
Love Beagles! Well any dog in fact..
"And this is our Zoo now..I guess"
I know it shouldn't hurt but what Mr. Mee said really affected me. It's their Zoo...to just hear those words made me sick. They don't know a thing about animals and they have the nerve to say it's THEIR Zoo! They may have paid for it but they don't know how to deal with a single Exotic Animal. They have A DOG. One dog I mean, come on! They think they can just waltz in here and do nothing. 'Oh here's an idea Let's buy a zoo and we can have a bunch of cool animals! It'll be easy and fun!' That was probably what they did..
I crossed my arms now annoyed
"And- love the house, smells and all right?" He looked to Rosie who didn't reply.
God this is awkward..
"So id like to declare ourselves, modern day adventurous" I raised an eyebrow, taking a peek at Kelly...her face cracked me up. In other words it says "What the F***"
Benjamin put his hand on Dylan's shoulder again, which he got annoyed about before twisting his body to get Benjamin's hand off.
Benjamin looked just as awkward as we all felt.
Most of us tried to contain our laughter at the two. Peter was cracking up ever so slightly so I hit my hand against his chest making him look down at me with a smirk, me doing the same.
It's trouble if you keep me and Peter together for too long, I'll tell you.
"And sponsors of animal greatness" Benjamin lifted a fist into the hair. Like Bender from the Breakfast Club.
Favourite.
Movie.
Ever.
We all looked confused now...even Crystal put her hand against her hair as if to say 'stupid' making me chuckle.
"Okay, lets go" Benjamin turned and started walking the totally opposite way of where we were supposed to go. So we all just turned and walked to our first destination, letting Mr. Mee figure out his mistake.
"Dad?" Dylan asked as Benjamin turned and looked at us all walking away, he suddenly turned around and started walking the correct way with Rosie and Dylan following after him. "Yep"