Wild Hollywood (closed)

[WatchingCloud]

Carl had little choice but to follow Zia's enthusiastic lead. He was amazed at how human-like her behavior was, and how this was completely normal to the staff.

As they approached the lions, Carl hesitated a bit.

"This okay? I don't know what new lion parents are like."

He was looking around, trying to catch his first glimpse of the cubs.

 

[Asa]

Alexis was hard at work with the lioness. An old female lioness paced watching over till Zia walked up then she nudged her and sniffed at Carl.

Vivvie... Friend

Alexis called.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl stiffened up as the lion approached and then sniffed him. If not for his trust in Alexis or, oddly enough, Zia, he'd have panicked. Fortunately, the lion must have decided he was tolerable.

He then slowly worked his way over toward Alexis to see what she was doing.

 

[Asa]

That's Vivvie she tends to stay in the wild but always knows when one of the animals needs her. Sort of like a midwife.

Alexis smiles as finally the twin cubs decide to be born.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Wild? That did nothing to calm Carl. Still, Alexis was confident so he just stood there and did his best invisibility impression.

He then found his anxiety diminish as he became absorbed with the birth of the cubs. He was equally fascinated with how engaged and comfortable Alexis was in handling everything. She was definitively in her element.

 

[Asa]

She smiled wiping her hands off as she looked to him as the cubs nursed and momma seemed to fall asleep while they did and the elderly lioness nudged him closer to Alexis as if she knew and approved.

Zia signed babies sleep too much.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl took the lion's nudge and sidled up beside Alexis, putting an arm around her while watching the cubs nurse.

"Cute little things, aren't they? Is that what Zia's saying?"

 

[Asa]

She is saying babies sleep too much. Her way of reminding herself she can't play with them because they are so little.

She looked down at her clothes.

I should really go get cleaned up.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl glanced back at the lions and figured there was little else for him to do here right now.

"Want a hand?"

 

[Asa]

She smiled to him.

Perhaps or Zia can show you around more and I can catch up. Say the watering hole pond in 30 mi Utes for picnic?

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl took it to mean she just needed a little time to herself to catch up and clean up. The picnic lunch sounded good.

"Thirty minutes. Sounds good. Zia, looks like it's up to you to show me around for a while and not get me lost."

He didn't know which was more strange - that he was asking the young gorilla to show him around or that he was pretty sure she understood him well enough to do so.

 

[Asa]

Zia took him to see the elephants and tugging at their caretaker as he got one of them to kneel. Zia then pointed up onto its back then climbed up and signed...

Ride elephant Carl... Go for ride.

The old man looked to him.

You are Carl? She wants you and her to go for ride. Is okay Diamond very gentle and knows reserve well we help Zia show you around.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl was simply impressed looking at the elephants. He was less certain about riding one around the reserve with a gorilla.

Sure, why not?

"Yes, I'm Carl," he said to the caretaker, shaking the man's hand. "And I'll have to take your word for it. Zia hasn't led me wrong yet."

He thanked the guy for helping him get up behind Zia. On the back of an elephant. Oh how his agent would kill to get a picture of video of this.

"Lead on Zia, and, uh, Diamond."

 

[Asa]

The old elephant trumpeted and began walking along with her caretaker as Zia seemed to kiss the top of the elephant's head and pointed out different things to Carl. Zia seemed to love the role of tour guide showing him everything till they cameto the watering hole pond and the elephant started to walk into the water.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl enjoyed the tour, impressed with the extent of the reserve and Zia's enthusiasm.

"Hope you are good with the water there, Zia," he said, patting her.

It was hot enough out that he didn't mind getting a bit of a dip. And for all he knew, this was something that the guests regularly got treated to.

 

[Asa]

Zia laughed and clapped as Diamond filled her trunk and sprayed over her head drenching her travel companions.

Alexis watched calling out.

Having fun you two?

She was in a native dress standing there her hair loose as she watched them and laughed.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl knew the water was coming, but it was Zia's enthusiasm for it that caught him off-guard. She was like a little kid at the water park. He got thoroughly soaked, but it felt nice against the heat.

He turned at the sound of Alexis's voice, having missed her approach. He almost didn't recognize her with her hair let down and in a dress of the local flavor rather than her usual "work" clothes from the set that tended toward the more utilitarian side. She'd always been attractive to him, but the new look was downright beautiful.

So distracted was he by Alexis, Carl missed that Diamond had reloaded and hit them with another blast of water. He lost his tenuous grip and slid over the side of the elephant. He almost grabbed Zia, but decided at the last moment that risking pulling her in on top of him probably wouldn't end well.

He hit the water and came up sputtering, sighing, and laughing. Diamond turned around to look at him with what he assumed to be disappointment and Zia hooted and laughed at him.

"Yeah, having a great time," Carl said to Alexis with a shrug. "I think I'm the entertainment."

 

[Asa]

Alexis smiled and motioned Diamond to lift him up and bring them to the tent she had set up to relax in.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl appreciated the elephant's assistance and escort to the tent.

"You look absolutely gorgeous," he said as he caught up with Alexis. "So of course I'm a dripping mess for the second day in a row. This is becoming a thing..."

He smiled and shrugged.

 

[Asa]

She motioned to the tent.

You should find your stuff in there Carl.

 

[WatchingCloud]

He went inside and it took a moment for his eyes to dial back from the bright African sun. Sure enough, his backpack with a change of clothes was waiting.

While he stripped off his shirt, he asked, "So what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

 

[Asa]

Picnic... Keep an eye on mother and cubs and guess we will see what else happens.

Her voice held a playful note at the end.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Well, I'm sure we can find something...else."

His shorts followed his shirt and then he fished out some dry replacements. Nothing quite as nice as Alexis's attire, but he did have a decent cream short sleeve button down and khaki shorts.

He wrung out the wet clothes and laid them out in the sun to dry. Finally decent, he wrapped an arm around Alexis and gave her a kiss.

 

[Asa]

She curled into his arms and kissed him softly in return.

I am sure we can... Hungry?

She motioned her hand to the table under a near by tree laden with food and drinks.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Famished, actually. What do we have to eat?"

He offered her his arm for the short trip to the tree.