Hello! I hope ya like this chapter. It was fun to write!
Marlene walked Antonio around the zoo, showing everything him she knew.
"That Skipper penguin.." He began. They were near the lemurs habitat."He's a little well.. off, isn't he?"
"Skipper. Yeah he's.. To much sometimes." Marlene looked away for a moment.
"Say.. ." Antonio gazed at her. He stopped and pointed out. "If I didn't know any better it almost looked like you like him. I saw the look. "
"Wha? No. No I don't."
He chuckled and leaned in closer. He whispered. "Your fur is standing up which means you do. Also you're a terrible liar. "
"N-No its not! Also I am too a good liar!" she backed away and begin to smooth it out, unfortunately it didn't want to relax. She growled at herself.
"And you're blushing. How cute."
"I'm not cute!" She hissed. "And I'm not blushing!"
He laughed once more which made her blush deeper which wasn't helping her case.
"Relax." Antonio gripped her paw, forcing her to look at him. He smiled when he met her eyes. "It's okay if you do. In fact, why don't I help you?"
"You.. You want to help me? To get with Skipper? " She was confused.
"Why of course! It looked like you two have been friends for years. I understand if you have feelings for him." Antonio said with a smile. "Also he's not a bad catch if I do say myself."
"But... I thought.."
"I do like you Marlene. But I don't exactly believe in love at first sight." He explained. "If it doesn't work out. I'll be here for you. Always. Besides I want to get to know you better if we do start dating in the future."
Marlene gave a smile, but it faded away.
"Antonio thank you but.." She frowned and gazed away. "Skipper.. He.. He told me we couldn't get together because... Because we're different species. And well. That's that. He kissed me last night and I went to talk to him. I wanted him to say those simple 3 words. But. He just.. I don't understand. He doesn't want to admit it. He's so stubborn. "
"Ah, I understand." His face fell. "Once I was in love with a porcupine and she too, told me we couldn't be together. You're not alone in this. I'm here for you. Skipper is missing out because you're a awesome otter."
Marlene gazed at him. She leaned in hugging him tight. "Thank you."
"Now enough of this sad talk." Antonio grinned. He pulled away and gazed around. "Why don't you introduce me to all your neighbors."
Marlene smiled and led him to the lemurs.
"I'm warning you. King Julien. Well he's.." Marlene played with her paws. Then she grabbed Antonio and pulled him along. She sighed. "Well. Let me just show you."
"Maurice! !" King Julien yelled out in anger. He held a smoothie in his paw and he pointed at it in disgust. "Wat is this? I asked for de best Smootie for de best king! This is not even close! Go make me another one!"
"Right away, King Julien." Maurice sighed deeply before turning away to make another one.
King Julien threw the smoothie in the air not even caring where it landed. It almost hit Marlene and Antonio in the progress who just jumped into their habitat.
"Hey! Watch where you're throwing that thing!" Marlene barked.
"Hm?" He turned around and grinned from his throne. "Ah. Well isn't the lovely innocent otter, Marlene. And oh? What's this? You brought a new subject for me? Aw. You're too much."
He wiped away a tear. Antonio gazed at Marlene, confused. And Marlene shot him a 'I told you' look.
"Hola. My name is Antonio." He held out his paw. When he saw that he wasn't going to give him a paw shake Antonio pulled his paw away and coughed awkwardly. "And you are er.. King Julien? Right? "
"Yes dat is me." He grinned holding a paw to his chest. "I am the lovely King Julien. You see the crown? It makes me king. So it's okay for you to be jealous of a handsome king like myself. And this here is Maurice and Mort. But they're not important. I am"
"Hello! I like the royal feet!" Mort said with a grin, getting a confused look from Antiono.
"Sup." Maurice simply waved from the bar.
"Er. Of course. Hello." Antonio waved at the others before turning toward King Julien . "How do you do it King Julien? I wanna be just like you."
"What are you doing?" Marlene whispered against his ear.
"Tag along and learn."
"Oh? You wanna be just like me you say? I like you already. Maurice! BEING ME MY BOOMY BOX." He ordered then turned back at the two otters mostly looking at Antonio. "We shall see how good you are, for this is a dance fight!"
"Yes, your Majesty." Antonio followed him with Marlene close behind. The boom box began to play loud music and Julian began dancing toward the beat.
"You! Handsome otter just like me! Dance with me and show me your moves!"
"Of course, your Majesty." Antonio winked toward Marlene then he followed him and begin dancing. It made Marlene laugh.
"Yes! You are a worthy opponent! Dance! Dance like there's no tomorrow!"
"You guys are such idiots." Marlene giggled.
"Join us." Antonio held out his paw towards her. He shrugged. "If you can't beat them. Might as well join them right?"
She rolled her eyes. Gripping his paw she smiled. "Well I guess you're not wrong."
"Yes! Now it is a party! Move it! Move that otter booty! Let's jump into my lovely bouncy!" Julien danced around before jumping off the edge. Antiono gazed confused until he saw him bounce back up.
"What is that?"
"It's a bounce house! Have you not seen one before? You silly otter! You should try it!" He called out as he bounced up and down.
"Er.. Uhh."
Marlene rolled her eyes with a soft shove she sent him falling in,Before she too fell in after him.
"Whoa!" Antonio jumped up and down surprised at what was happening,then he grinned and began to enjoy it. He turned toward Marlene, who was dancing beside him. "I've never been on these before! They're actually pretty fun!"
"Silly otter." Julien let out a chuckle. "There's always fun when I'm around. And you know what?"
After a few moments of jumping, He jumped off and landed on the ground. Holding his paws together he began to think.
"This calls for a party! And it will be de best one yet! It will take time preparing. It has to perfect! Maurice! BRING ME MY SCHEDULE AT ONCE!"
"Yes,Your Majesty. " Maurice replied." Right away. Your Majesty"
"MORT. TURN OFF ME BOOMY BOX. "
"Yes King Julien !" Mort cheered happily and with a paw he turned it off.
"Alrighty let me check my schedule. Yes. This week I am booked on doing nothing and just sitting on my throne." He rubbed his furry chin while he gazed down at his schedule. With a grin he pointed at the paper . "Ah ha! Next month on a Friday Will be perfect! Maurice will get de guest list ready. I, of course! Will get ready and you two love birds will be there as well!"
"er..love birds?" Marlene begin to blush, her fur beginning to stand up once again .
"uh. Yea! You two are a couple no?" King Julien rubbed his head in confusion.
"N-No.."
"We're just friends." Antiono wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. "Best friends isn't that right?"
"Yeah!"
"And as a best friend. You need to show me aroud."
Marlene finally got what he meant.
"Oh..yeah.! Silly me. How rude. Let's go Antiono . I want you to meet our other neighbors." she nodded. they slowly begin to back away.
"Alrighty farewell lovebirds! I, your handsome king Julian will be here.. Getting ready and.." He glanced down to find Mort hugging his feet. "Mort? How many times do I have to tell you? NO TOUCHING THE ROYALS FEET!"
He kicked him away nearly hitting Antiono and Marlene in the process. They quickly jumped away and out of the habitat.
"Wow. That was."
"Told ya."
Antiono chuckled. "He does dance pertty well."
"Trust me. It gets annoying real quick. He dances everyday and all night long. I'm glad you thought quick and we got out of there." Marlene said. She gazed around. "Now. Since you met the penguins and lembers. Let's go meet everyone else."
"Well we got a party to go soon."
"Gee. Can't wait." She rolled her eyes.
..
...
...
.
"Who knew the zoo would be so full of life!"
The otters had met almost everyone and were on their way to the chimp habitat.
"Why haven't you come before?"
"well. I thought about it. I've wanted to meet the other animals, But I wasn't sure if I would be welcome here. The penguins kinda proved that."
"Yeah. They're always paranoid about everything and everyone." she rolled her eyes and sighed "Well, the last a animals you gotta meet are Mason and Phil. They're chimps. And I've been meaning to ask."
"Si?"
"I know we just met but umm." She played with her paws. "I was wondering if you want to move in."
Antiono didn't respond. His eyes widen at the request
"I-I mean. I know we just met and I know it might be too fast but, I've never really had a real roommate well I did but she was gross and well not a otter, But I've never had a otter roommate before." She blushed deeply. "I won't be lonely anymore. It'll be fun. "
"Oh?" He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "Lonely you say?"
"N-Not like that!" She cried out. Her face filled with embarrassment. "I mean, I need a friend."
He smiled. "Marlene I would be honored to be your roommate. A tree isn't really comfortable to sleep in to be honest."
"Great!" Marlene's face lit up. "Come on, we'll talk to the chimps. They can read and will help us with the papers for you to stay."
"Sounds good."
...
..
"Hey Mason and Phil!" Marlene waved as she jumped into their habitat with Antiono right behind her.
"Greetings Marlene." Mason waved as he looked from his game of checkers. He gazed confused. "I'll say.. Have there always been two of you?"
"No. This is my friend Antiono."
"Hola." He reached out with a paw.
"Greetings." Mason shook his paw turned toward Phil who was signing to him. "This is Phil. And I'm Mason. He says hi. I don't mean to be rude but What brings you our hababit? "
"I was wondering if you'll help us with something." Marlene replied.
"Ask away."
"Antiono wants to stay here. We were wondering if you'll help us with papers."
"Why, of course!" He smiled brightly but then held a hand to his chin. "Though we might need Kowalski help as well to work on the computer. We should do it when the zoo is completely closed and the works have gone home so we don't get caught."
"Thank you! We will come back later then!"
"Adios amigos!" Antiono gave a wave. He quickly followed Marlene
"Farewell! "
Mason gazed at his brother who was signing to him.
"I agree Phill." Mason nodded. He turned in the direction where the two otters went. "They do make a dashing couple."
...
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How's that for a chapter? I know that Marlene asking Antiono to stay is too early. But she'll explain that in the next chapter. Stay tuned.