Author's Note: Goooood evening or morning or whatever. This one is again inspired by a word generator. Boo yeah. No warnings. If you have an extremely overactive imagination there could be a pairing, but it's a big stretch. Hah.

Silver + HoneyGoddess thank you! Bingo on The Last Word thing. Cliché - hmmm, perhaps you have a point, but it's the kind of moment that couples have in real life (myself included), so I stand by it ;)

Sea lion

"Hey, check out the seals! That's neat," Herry cheered. He pointed enthusiastically at the sea lion enclosure which had recently been unveiled at the New Olympia zoo. There were four of the slippery creatures visible - three were sitting on a number of long flat rocks, unmoving in the sun, while the fourth one was swimming around the water aimlessly.

"Herry, those are sea lions, not seals," Odie replied.

"They don't look anything like lions. Why do they call them that?" he asked, studying their shapes.

"I don't know, actually. We should look that up," Odie said.

One of the sea lions lazing on the rock slowly stirred and moved over to the edge of the water. Herry gripped the railing of the enclosure excitedly. "It's doing something!"

As if to spite them, it promptly laid down and became still again. Both of the boys frowned. "That's a let down. You sure they're not seals?" Herry asked.

Odie stared at him incredulously for a brief moment. "Yes. They have ear flaps instead of ear holes, but you don't need to know that to read the huge sign right there that says 'Sea lions.'"

"Oh. Gotcha. Well they're still pretty cool," he smiled. "Even if they're lazy, or ... maybe they're tired."

"Mm. They're smart too. Apparently the US Navy trains them to carry out tasks. I can't remember exactly what it is they do, though. I'm assuming it's something more complex than the usual tricks with a beach ball."

"Wow, that's cool." Herry was even more impressed with them now, even though the specimens in front of him were not exactly putting on a life-changing show. "How come you know so much about sea lions?"

"I read things, Herry," he replied dryly.

Herry chuckled. "Hey, maybe I should try that."

"It probably wouldn't hurt," the shorter boy suggested. "It might take some of your time away from lifting weights, but that's probably for the better."

Herry considered the options. "Nah. Sounds hard. I'll always have you around to explain stuff anyway." He ruffled Odie's hair affectionately and wandered ahead to the next enclosure. Odie grimaced.

"That's kind of an ignorant thing to say Herry. You know if you just tr-"

"Hey look over here! Geese!" his hulking friend interrupted.

Odie put his head in his hands. "Herry, those are swans."