Ch 1: The Newest Lemur
(series) Missing Moments in PoM
Episode 237 (Right Hand Man) (rewrite)
(Location: Gift Shop... aka: Official meeting room for the animals of the zoo)
The animals in the room looked up as the door swung open to reveal the three lemurs - late as usual.
"It's about time, Ring Tail. This meeting should have been your number one priority," Skipper snapped, glaring across the room at the self-proclaimed lemur king.
"Don't get your feathers in a bunch. I have arrived and now the meeting can... WOAH!" Julien found himself flying forward as he tripped over a plushy laying on the ground. Expecting to land on the hard floor as the penguins dived out of the way, the king was surprised to find himself crashing into something soft. His eyes widened as he came to the realization that he was lip-to-lip with the green-eyed beauty sprawled beneath him.
"Oh, hello," Julien purred, pulling back to let the other lemur breath. He couldn't help but run his eyes over the soft red-to-black fur of his newest subject.
"Hello," the crimson lemur murmured, staring up at Julien who was still perched on top of him.
"My sincerest of apologies, um..." Julien commented, waiting.
"Oh, it's Clemson. My name, I mean," the green-eyed creature replied bashfully.
"Clemmyson..." Julien purred, getting to his feet and reaching out a hand to help the other lemur up. He then lifted the red-furred paw to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. "Clemson... I am Julien. King Julien."
"Oh, a thousand pardons, Your Majesty," Clemson commented, his words coming to a stop only when the other lemur's finger touched his lips.
"No need for that, my little red beauty," the grey-furred lemur assured him. Clemson felt his heart give a strange flutter as he returned the lemur king's smile with an awkward one of his own.
"Oh for crying out loud! Are you two done? We have a meeting to finish," the bossy penguin interrupted, bringing their attention back to the animals staring at them.
"Fine. Come on, Clemmyson. You can be sitting with me – obviously" the lemur king smirked, pulling him along to where the other two lemurs had claimed a barrel full of stuffed toys as their resting place.
"So, you've all met our new arrival, Clemson. Now, onto more pressing matters..." Skipper continued, droning on about military operations that left the new lemur more confused by the minute.
"So, Clemson... where is it that you hail from?" Julien asked, wrapping an arm around the other lemur's softly furred shoulders.
"Um... Selcouth Zoo. It's in Canada," Clemson lied, feeling his face heat up at the close proximity of the lemur king.
"We're from Madagascar," Maurice commented, leaning around the king to get a better look at their new arrival.
"Is Madagascar a zoo?" the red lemur asked curiously.
"Madagascar is being a beautiful island where lemurs live free of cages. Naturally, I am their King. Maurice - this is him, is being my adviser; and Mort is... he's just annoying." Julien gave the smallest lemur a glare, frowning at how the little annoyance was curling up to Clemson's other side.
"It sounds wonderful. To be free of bars and cages. To truly be in control of your life..." Clemson sighed heavily, and didn't notice that he had started to stroke Mort's soft fur.
"Have you lived in a zoo all your life?" Maurice asked.
"I was born in captivity," Clemson whispered. He was treading a fine line by opening himself up to these lemurs. Some lines shouldn't be crossed. Still, it felt nice to tell the truth for once.
"Someday, I will take you with me back to Madagascar," Julien promised, slipping a hand under Clemson's chin, and turning his face so that he could look into the other lemur's beautiful, green eyes.
Something passed between them in that special moment. Something strange and exhilarating at the same time. The red lemur couldn't help but lean in, closing the gap between them. "Thank you," Clemson whispered, nuzzling the other lemur's cheek lightly before pulling back.
"It is to be being my pleasure," Julien smiled brightly.
"Well, that's over. Time to get Red Fur back to his crate before Alice finds out he's missing," Skipper announced. The other zoo animals crowded through the doorway and out into the night.
Julien sighed, but released the other lemur's hand, and watched him walk over to join the penguins.
"We'll see him tomorrow, Your Majesty," Maurice reminded him.
"I know, I know," Julien commented, but his heart felt heavy as he watched their newest troop member walk away.
(after dropping off Clemson)
"Skipper, what do you think of the new lemur? Julien seemed quite taken with him," Private commented as the squad waddled through the zoo toward their base.
"Lemurs are annoying, hyperactive mammals. But if Red Fur can keep Ring Tail out of my feathers, I might just learn to like him," Skipper answered.
"It's just - I think they make a cute couple, is all," Private blushed.
"Aw, young private. Your head is always in the clouds. That's why you're the expendable one on our team." The leader turned and patted the younger bird on the head.
Private smiled brightly at the complement, but turned to Kowalski as Skipper walked off. "What does expendable mean?"
"Uh...It means special," the scientist lied, sticking a fake smile on his face to keep the younger penguin clueless.
"Skipper thinks I'm special?" Private let out a soft squeal of joy and waddled faster.
"You know, someday he's going to find out what that word really means," Kowalski sighed. Rico nodded and slipped closer to the tall penguin, letting their feathers brush as they slowly waddled back to the base.