The Warrior Princess
It wasn't every day that new animals were sent to the Central Park zoo to join the numbers. Admittedly, it was often, not particularly was it every day, per se. It was, however, in any case, especially unusual that the zoo was sent carnivores. In fact, the last large "predator" the residents had seen was Alex, but he'd gone on an unexpected trip with three of his other Africa oriented friends, the hippo Gloria, Melman the giraffe, and Marty the zebra, but the four had yet to return.
Well, that wasn't exactly correct either. They'd seen them since but they'd been prancing around with some circus troupe and had disappeared as soon as they arrived. They were probably touring all over America at this very moment, playing part in some spectacular flashy and neon glowing show. It had been a very exciting day indeed for the zoo animals that day, but crazy about the screeching and demands of the little less than mad animal control lady once the tranquilizer effects wore off, they were Indeed NOT. That part had been relatively unpleasant.
The penguins after the ordeal had, in the end, elected to rejoin the zoos numbers (A few unwelcome lemur guests tagging along shortly after), deciding to take a break from the excitement to focus on their operations. Kowalski namely was happy for this change in direction. He'd not nearly the time to work on his experiments since they'd set out for the South Pole that year ago, closest in fact, he'd gotten to do anything close to his hobby was build the plane. But a plane had already been invented so it wasn't nearly as much fun. Private, if you could get him to admit it, was slightly relieved. All the danger they'd gone through, all the hits he'd had to take (i.e. getting hit repeatedly by trucks in operation "Tourist Trap", serving as live bait for the fossa…).
Which especially made it more surprising, (and slightly horrifying to private as his last encounter with was not a pleasant one,) that the newest neighbor was indeed a hunter, as evident by the sharply pointed paw print labeled on the delivery note. (The zoo officials had elected to start labeling the animals dangerous or not due to an incident with one of the newest reptile house members and a zookeeper's hand. A paw print with pointed claws was dangerous; a paw print more close to a common dogs was not.) Not to mention it was from their neck of the woods. Not south, but north, relatively similar biome, to be honest, south a bit more brutal than the north, so there was what could be made of that.
"What is it?" Private inquired to his leader or really anyone who'd answer him, an obvious concern lacing his voice, but he didn't dare take his eyes off the crate all the zoo animals had gathered around.
Julien was keeping a respective distance, considering his outgoing nature. He'd seen enough of what the fossa could do that he'd be sure there was at least a spare Mort lying around at all times to put between him and any predators. Maurice if Mort was unavailable. He eyed the box suspiciously. He hasn't had time (nor the resources, to be honest,) to learn much about the animals outside of his home: Madagascar. Really, each and every new animal brought was a totally new being to look over, (and effectively judge at that.)
"Don't know. We'll just have to crack it open and see." Skipper replied simply, he stood flippers laced behind his back in a proud posture. Skipper, in all reality, couldn't have been more unconcerned if he'd tried. After all they'd been through in the past year it should be well known him and his soldiers were a force to be reckoned with, if they couldn't protect these animals (should the need arise, mind you,) then no one could.
"Where're Phil and Mason when you need them…?" Marlene piped in with a groan. If they were here they could read the note, but it was that exact reason they'd opted out today. If there was a chance Julien would get devoured, or at least Mort, then they'd have no part in stopping it.
"It'll be fine Marlene, me and the boys' got this. Rico?" He cued, to which the Mohawk'd penguin in question responded by coughing up a crowbar from within the curious hammer space that was his stomach with an unpleasant gagging noise to go with it. He'd been up on top of the crate within an instant, a mad grin across his beak as he pried it open with an enthusiastic 'crack!' sounding off before the front fell to the floor, effectively letting loose whatever was inside. Rico stood; crowbar now rose above his head ready to whack whatever the beast was across the head if it tried anything.
Instead, it was a rather pleasant surprise. The animal within had been lounged politely on her belly looking forward with an expectant glance, paws crossed in front of herself. Pointed ears perked once her container had been opened and her vision was filled with visions of black and white. A wolf, she was a wolf, Kowalski noted immediately. Phew, it wasn't a small bear somehow packed in there. (Kowalski had a habit to make the worst of situations). However, when she'd stood to her full height he'd realized she may as well have been. She was an arctic wolf, the anatomically biggest of all the wolf species, pure almost blinding white fur as she stepped into the light and soulful icy blue eyes, painted… with no less than a look of annoyance.
"Well, it's about time, I thought you were going to keep me in there all day." She'd stated, and left hanging in the air, ears pulled flat against her cranium. No one had known exactly what to expect. Skipper was indifferent, which wasn't unusual, Private and Kowalski looked equally as curious but probably for different reasons. She could have been an interesting study topic for the taller penguin, but private thought she looked like a fairly nice animal, and she hadn't tried to eat any of them yet. Maybe they could be friends? He'd never met any kind of wild canine before, but he'd heard they were very spiritual beings. He almost chuckled, her and Skipper might disagree a bit if that were the case. Rico was slightly disappointed the animal hadn't been a hostile one and sighed sadly before jumping down from his spot on the box, going to stand beside Kowalski.
Marlene on the other hand suddenly found herself little more than ecstatic. Another girl! Finally! And there didn't seem to be anything wrong with her yet! There may actually be a chance for her to make a girl friend who isn't completely disgusting or singing repeatedly "take me out to the ball game" (and only that singular line), none of them here had any kind of idea of how desperately starved she was for some girl time. Though there was that one time Skipper had thought himself a female but… that had just been awkward and forced. Especially when he had insisted they talk about boys… She wouldn't go into detail on this.
The wolf quirked a single ear when she realized no one was going to speak, and supposed she should introduce herself in this case. "I am Sesi. I am from Alaska." She followed up, a slight accent on her tongue. Her eyes swept about the group, examining them all carefully. It had been a while since she'd actually been in Alaska, hence her accent hanging by a thread, but in what she had lost, she had gained in knowledge. She was already familiar with most of these animals; Penguins, they were from the South Pole. An otter (North America river, to be specific), commonly found in middle North America, a few other animals here and there, easy ones like a kangaroo (who she'd admit was staring her down with a menacing glare,) an elephant looking in from the window… that was different. And then… Was that a squirrel? Her mistake, Squirrels, she corrected herself. Three fluffy balls of fur sat just a bit behind her on a counter, bushy striped tails and wide amber colored eyes. Well that was unusual for. What was the one wearing on his head?
'Squirrels… odd things…' She'd concluded to herself.
Meanwhile Julien would not have believed the Sky Spirits could have sent him a more beautiful angel. He'd thought Arlene, the rare arctic mink, had been beautiful. He'd never realized just how wrong he could be, she completely paled in comparison to her. Hm, that makes two arctic animals Julien was certain he'd fallen in immediate love with. One could say he had a bad case of Arctic Chill (an opposite to the famous Jungle Fever).
"Yaaaay! King Julien's drooling on me!" Mort squeaked in delight at the tiniest form of contact with his glorious leader, even if in most cultures spit is a quite disrespectful thing, intentional or non… But Mort doesn't particularly have boundaries so it hardly matters anyhow. The animals turned to stare at the scene before them in slight disturbance and some amusement before mentioned Lemur King was brought back to reality, promptly wiping his mouth, and shoving Mort away deeming him "too close to the royal feet".
'Royal? Well I suppose that explains the hat…' Sesi mused to herself. 'Or he's just crazy…' that was equally likely, she determined, and almost laughed to herself.
"…Anyways,-" Skipper started, "Welcome to the Central Park Zoo. I trust this isn't the first you've been to?" Most animals had already been to at least a few by time they got around to New York. There was still a possibility however.
"You'd be right." She nodded shortly. She'd indeed been to at least a couple others, Hoboken being one. Dreadful place, but Sesi was clever. Bite a keeper, you get transferred, simple as that. He would have definitely felt her chomp on his leg the next day, she smiled as she remembered.
"Good. Then I don't think I need to remind you, being from the wild, that we don't hunt here. You get food from the keepers and that's it." He concluded. This was generally the only rule that the animals had to follow. They could fight amongst themselves (and often did, the leader penguin stole a glance at Joey,) but none of the animals here were killers. Skipper, did however, acknowledge the fact that some animals need meat to survive and that fact couldn't be changed no matter what they did. Hell, Alex the lion had been just a hair away from tearing into his best friend in the wake of starvation. The penguins themselves ate fish, so they could understand this better than anyone, and were reminded quite effectively once when the zoo had tried to feed them fish-cakes; A terrible soy cake in the shape of a fish but not nearly as appealing as the real thing.
"Yes, I understand." She noted duly, almost boredly even, as if she'd heard this whole spiel before. "'No eating of the other zoo animals'" She quoted from an unknown source, her pace of tone quickened as the she-wolf stared incredulously at the leader penguin "It's not like I'm a savage, you know, I have my decencies about me."
"No offence miss, we just need to make sure. You understand." Private followed shortly, backing up his commanding officer. Skipper always gave off such a mistrusting vibe, he'd find it hard to believe that even the thickest animal couldn't detect it. True, he probably hadn't meant to offend her, as stated, but the younger penguin didn't imagine it'd be a nice feeling to be told repeatedly that you shouldn't be going around killing your neighbors (because that's somewhat what they'd expect you to do). The wolf bowed her head respectively in a silent acknowledgment of the apology.
Marlene was practically ready to burst from excitement. She'd throw up a single paw into the air and immediately the room's attention was drawn to her, including Sesi who sat, ears perked now. "I can show her around and to her exhibit." She volunteered enthusiastically, going to take a spot besides her new assured friend, a broad smile on her features. She spoke lowly to the she-wolf "You would not believe how long I've waited for another girl to join here; these guys are all as dumb as a sack of potatoes." She laughed, Sesi following suit.
"Very well," Skipper noted "You know where it is? We can escort you." He was still a bit wary of their newest zoo animal, but if she were clever enough to get this far as a spy, then she wouldn't go rampaging as soon as the two were out of sight. Marlene would likely be fine with her for now, but they'd have to keep a tight surveillance on the canid.
"Ugh, Skipper, you know I CAN do things on my own right?" She groaned, the penguins were always butting into her business! If they would leave her alone long enough for some girl time with the newest neighbor then she could be one happy otter but she highly doubted this would happen judging by Skipper's attitude. Sesi, meanwhile, was smiling at the continued bickering. It reminded her well of herself and her family.
After things had settled down between the two, the wolf and otter had departed for the newly built exhibit on the opposite side of the zoo, chatting away; Marlene could last be heard noting again the less than respectful opinion of the boys' IQs whilst they did so, Sesi following with hearty laughs in response.
"Girls…" all the men concluded when mentioned otter and canid were out of earshot.