The sun wasn't quite up to its highest point in the sky, meaning it wasn't afternoon just yet. Very strange too since by now Marlene would be up and active for the day. Today though, she lied on top of her habitat, not quite sleeping but she was not quite awake either.
She sighed as she stretched her limbs and arms out on the rock and let the sum warm her fur. But she didn't quite feel so warm today. It was a slightly cloudy day, but enough to call it a gloomy day. But either way it sure felt like one to Marlene… and she couldn't understand why.
As she though this over, she heard a sudden splash coming from her pool. Her ear twitched at the sound and she turned over to her pool's direction to see what caused the splash. Then she watched Julien climbing out of there completely soaked. He was drying his crown, already desperate to get it dry as he shook it furiously. The water just might damage his leafy crown!
"Julien?" asked Marlene.
The lemur looked up at her, "Oh, why hello Marlene. I did not see you up there!"
"What are you doing there?"
"Well… can't I come over for a visit anymore? Do you now want me around anymore, Marlene?"
"No, I mean, what are you doing there in my pool. I didn't know you could swim."
"Oh… why yes or course! I'm a natural, aren't I not?"
Marlene smiled, a weak one but it was still a smile. She lazily climbed down the rock and reached to the bottom where Julien stood. He put his crown back on; confident it would be just fine, even if a couple of leaves hung over loosely.
"So, what's up?" she asked.
Suddenly she noticed Julien approaching her with open arms… and puckering his lips! She was rather shocked.
"Whoa, whoa," she stopped him before he could reach her. "What the heck do you think you're doing?"
Julien blinked as Marlene pressed her paws against his chest to keep him away.
"Er… I… nothing?" he stammered. He pulled away, a bit confused. "I thought we could… y'know, since we're…"
Marlene looked puzzled, but then after a while her expression changed as if she remembered an extraordinary thought she would never have imagined.
"Oh that's right," she said. "We're dating now."
"So we are…" smiled Julien flirtatiously at the same time a bit uncertain.
"Yeah… well, I just don't feel ready to get to the kissing part… yet… I, well…"
She looked up at Julien and she was surprised to see his puppy-dog eyes staring right back at her! She blinked; she didn't want to hurt his feelings! What the heck was he trying to imply?! She thought quickly.
"I… uh… am feeling… hungry! Yup!" she nodded frantically. "I haven't had much of a breakfast… it's uh… inside, so I should probably be getting back."
"Oh great!" nodded Julien. "I shall join you too."
"Sure!" smiled Marlene.
* * *
It wasn't long before the two had their fill of fish (well, that's not all true since Marlene didn't actually have much of an appetite and Julien continued to stash his away in the trash bin without Marlene noticing). It was then Julien realized she wasn't in her cheery self. She looked thoughtful and was very quiet as they sat on the floor in the middle of the room with a big plate of sardines. Julien wondered if how he should comfort her. This was his opportunity to prove he could make an ideal mate for her. So he smiled warmly (and half nervously).
"Marlene?" he called.
Marlene blinked before he turned to him.
"Yup," she answered.
"Eh? You alright there, honeybunch?"
Honeybunch? Marlene thought. "Yeah… I guess I'm still sleeping right now."
"Are you sure that's all you're worried about?" asked Julien with an arched brow.
"Of course."
Julien scooted closer to Marlene putting his arm around her.
"Because you know that you can tell me anything, even those nasty feelings. Remember that a good doctor knows when a sickness is near."
Marlene smiled, "Right, you said that before."
"Exactly… so…"
Julien pressed Marlene her closer to him, making her relax a little and sigh.
"Okay… I guess I'm just a bummed about last night."
"With that very rude, really testy, non-royal, always-being-a-loser-and-I'll-be-betterest-than-him-at-everything penguin?"
"Uh… I guess that's the one."
"Pfft! Don't worry about him, Marlene. Besides you gave him what he deserves, and I promise he'll never bother you again."
"Yeah I know, but… still. I mean, I just want us to be friends. I'm afraid things will never be the same again after that."
Julien looked at Marlene's face as she stared off into the floor. He didn't like the look on her face at all. Yes she did have a sorrowful look, but she had another emotion written on her face. As if she was sorry or sympathetic… or something more than being compassionate. And Julien didn't like it.
He needed to figure out a way to cheer her up fast, not just because he sincerely cares for her feelings but he feared that Maurice might be right after all. It could be she had feelings for him! He can't lose Julien can't afford to lose her now! And he was determined.
"Marlene, please," cooed Julien as he pulled Marlene's head to her chest. "Think nothing of it. You are with me now. The handsome, royal, best-bootie-shaking lemur in all the zoo. Who needs him?"
Marlene blinked and thought his gesture over. Boy was he quick to be affectionate to her. How sweet. But why do I still feel uncomfortable? Thought Marlene.
"C'mon, Marlene, lighten up, my sweet queen," he cooed as he leaned close to her ever so tenderly. "I know you can be fun, I've seen you. And remember it's just you and I… so there's many things we can do together…"
Marlene's temperature suddenly rose and her eyes widened.
"Oh, wow… Julien…" she stammered as she could feel herself blushing.
He had her attention, she had no idea he would pull something like this off! This was nice, right? It would help her forget her troubles; he would guide her out of the sadness that was driving Marlene crazy. But did it still feel like her troubles were only beginning? Julien was now just a lips distance away. Chills sprang up Marlene's spine.
"You are looking better already," he whispered and leaned in.
Marlene slowly closed her eyes and waited… she still wasn't comfortable enough to actually lean in herself. In fact… she pulled away.
"I'm sorry…" she sighed. "W-Why don't we actually do something else together?" She got up from the floor. "Why don't we go for a walk, or a swim? Let's just… do something."
Julien frowned and Marlene was already regretting this suggestion. Until Julien smirked as he got up.
"Hmm… what else can we do?" he asked almost slyly.
Marlene blinked, just what was he up to? Julien tapped his chin until finally he pupils turned to Marlene without actually tilting his head. Marlene's brows rose. Heck her whole body tensed up! What did he have in his mind?
"OOF!" shrieked Marlene when Julien suddenly tackled her onto the bunk!
* * *
Skipper skidded across the cement, focusing on getting to his destination. He slid past his own habitat before he reached Marlene's. Without pausing, he leapt over the fence with a perfect 360 front flip, nailed the landing on the cement without splashing into Marlene's pool, and quickly pressed his back against Marlene's home by the entrance. Then he closed his eyes and drew a heavy sigh.
"Okay," he mumbled to himself. "Just quickly apologize to Marlene, and then take Ringtail out for some threatening- I mean stern words." He drew another breath. "Okay."
"Hi!" squeaked a tiny voice beside him.
Skipper's eyes snapped open and turned beside him.
"Sad Eyes!" he stammered.
Mort giggled as he smiled up at him.
"What are you doing here? Leave the stakeouts to the pros."
"I wanna help."
"Not now… wait, why?"
"Because…" Mort replied timidly.
"No. Just go back to your habitat."
"But… but-"
"Gah, I don't have time for this! Just-"
Suddenly he heard yelps. It sounded like Marlene! Then he heard Julien's laughter. He could hear them laughing and panting and he could even hear different phrases over and over.
"You like that? You like that huh?" Julien cried passionately
"Wait! Julien!" Marlene screamed and then laughed.
Shock couldn't even cover the expression Skipper had on his face. He was absolutely mortified! Just what were they doing in there?!
Mort pricked his ears to the sounds Skipper was hearing. They could hear Marlene's moans, she was panting almost! They could hear her squeal delightedly. And they could even hear Julien's groans! Skipper could hear objects were crashing and he could hear the two were banging against the walls!
"Yes! Keep struggling!" he cried. "All the better!"
Marlene panted, "Julien! Julien!!!"
Mort looked up at Skipper and noticed that with every moan and squeal and every cry of Julien's name, Skipper's pupils shrank! He stood there immobile, without a doubt it was out of pure shock. Mort's brows furrowed.
"GET IN THERE!!!" he cried angrily in his high-pitched voice, his feet off the ground.
Skipper shook his head and without another word he dove inside.
Skipper's eyes were wide in horror and practically twitched! He gasped loudly as his jaw swung open! The image before him was something he'll never forget.
