Disclaimer: Penguins of Madagascar do not belong to me.
Short 1 - Five Otters
She was very excited. Marlene had heard from Julien, who had heard from the chameleon, who had heard from Phil and Mason who had overheard the keeper, Alice; the zoo was getting new tenants! Not just anyone mind, but otters! Her habitat expansion was almost complete, and she was zipping around trying to keep everything neat and tidy for her new roomies.
Finally the big day arrived and she watched eagerly as the crate was opened. All she saw were four dark blurs that dove into the water.
"Hi! My name's Marlene and I'd like to be the first one to officially welcome you to Central Park Zoo!" She greeted the four hiding under the surface.
As soon as Alice was gone four black heads bobbed to the surface and scanned the area. In the span of a blink they had leaped from the pond and landed in front of her. Each of them were stunning specimens. Stunning male specimens.
Marlene gulped, suddenly feeling very nervous.
One of them stepped forward, the obvious leader of this lot. Still dripping, his fur was well-groomed, lustrous and blacker than the midnight sky. In contrast, his face around his muzzle, down his throat and across his chest was whiter than snow. His stout, powerful frame and rippling muscles may have intimidated her a little, but it was his piercing cobalt eyes that stole the breath from her lungs.
"Greetings fellow otter, my current designation is Skipper. Men!" He barked to the three behind him. His rich and husky voice made her heart pitter-patter. "Sound off!"
"Private!" Saluted the youngest.
"Kowalski!" The tallest snapped off a quick salute and motioned to the robust one beside him. "Rico."
She didn't know why, or how, but at that moment she felt as though a part that had been missing was returned to her. She felt complete, and safe.