DISCLAIMER: Penguins of Madagascar and all original storyline characters are the property of Nickelodeon and the respective creative talents of the show. The creation of this fan fiction is for enjoyment purposes only and no money is being made. All characters of my own creation remain my property and may not be copied or used without permission.
Once More unto the Breach
Chapter 9
By
Wildgoose
(The scene opens up in the early evening as Hannibal sneaks his way into a truck stop parking lot outside of Houston Texas after having escaped the city zoo two days prior. The area lights of the parking lot have only just begun to come to life as the remaining light from the skyline transitions from a dim gold to a reddish hue as the last bits of sunlight prepare to disappear below the horizon. He tries to ignore his stomach as it reminds him that it is quite empty at the moment. Pickings along the street have been slim as during the day it has been far too busy to chance trying to grab something from a street vendor without being spotted and caught. A creaking noise from a door is heard at one end of the parking lot as a patron exits the bar prompting Hannibal to seek refuge underneath a car to avoid being seen, while under the car the sight of a small puddle of liquid sparks a feeling of dryness in his mouth reminding him that the heat of the city can be dehydrating. The urge to take a sip is tempting but the rainbow-colored hues from the liquid suggest that it is probably not safe to drink. Once the human from the bar has left in his own vehicle Hannibal emerges from his hiding place and looks around, the smells coming from the bar are rich with food and seem quite inviting as Hannibal debates whether to chance sneaking inside to search for food and water. He darts out from under the car and scales the downspout on the side of the building high enough to reach a small opening beneath the overhang of the roof that looks like it had been bored out by another animal in search of the same things. The opening leads through to a space above the drop ceiling where the plumbing and electrical work have been hidden from the people below. He is careful to walk only on the framework to avoid falling through and after searching around finds a small gap in one of the squares in the drop ceiling from which he can peek through without being seen. What he spies below him is in some ways familiar in that there are tables where people can be seen eating and drinking, some people are moving about, and some appear to work there but what is not familiar about this place is that while most of the humans are wearing clothing as per the norm there are a small number of females who wear almost nothing. These humans remain within a specific area of the establishment and seem to behave in ways that are to Hannibal, ...weird.)
Hannibal: (Shakes his head) I just don't get it. (His stomach growls) Alright already, I'm working on it. (Hannibal moves about trying to find the kitchen and after several moments succeeds. The view below is disheartening as there is plenty of food present but the area is confining and far too busy to make it down there and back up again without being seen. The thought of waiting until the place closes wanders through Hannibal's mind until his stomach growls again.) It's the safest option but I'm going to have to find something to hold me over until then or I think my stomach is going to implode. (He makes his way outside again and looks around the parking lot from the roof of the building. At the far side of the parking lot is a big rig truck with no trailer and a passenger side window that is half open.) That looks like it might be worth a look, you always hear about truckers having snacks stashed away for the road. (He makes his way over to the truck and manages to climb in through the window. The inside of the cab is littered with trash on the passenger side floor) Geez, what a slob! (Hannibal pops open the glove compartment and spies a package of beef jerky and a water bottle.) PAYDIRT! (As Hannibal pries the package and bottle open) Mr. Trucker, you've just redeemed yourself. (While eating) Ugh, ...it's not fish but it will have to do. (After looking around some more he finds a partially eaten hot dog wrapped in some foil and with a grin goes to work on it.) Things are looking up after all. (After finishing the hotdog Hannibal drinks more from the bottle and sighs in relief leaning back against the seat. Before long Hannibal nods off without ever realizing he was tired and is awakened sometime later by the sound of a key in the truck door. Hannibal snaps his eyes open to see the cab light come on with the opening of the door. Slightly dazed at having awoken so suddenly Hannibal at first cannot focus his eyes enough to determine a route of rapid egress.)
Trucker: (distinct Texas drawl) (Surprise at seeing an otter standing upright in his truck) What in the hey!? (Still in a slight daze, Hannibal is mentally kicking himself for letting his guard down and feeling trapped. He draws his sword from its hiding spot in the fur on his back) What the ..? (In response the trucker reaches for a revolver tucked into his belt behind his back and draws it on Hannibal) Now THIS is a first. (Pause before speaking directly to Hannibal) What the heck, how often does an animal pull a weapon on you. Hey there friend, ...any chance this is some weird hallucination from something that was slipped into my drink back in the bar?
Hannibal: (Decides that under the circumstances there is nothing to lose by responding) (Otter English) Don't…think...so.
Trucker: (face pales slightly as he was not actually expecting a response) Well this is some twisted up diaper dimension S**t right here. (Pause as he tries to figure out what to do.) Um, …listen…small but armed talking animal. You're not some kind of half crazed mutant or something, are you? Old age puking Kung Fu gerbils or some crazy stuff like that? (Hannibal only responds with a confused look) Never mind. Let's give this one a shot, … what in the heck are you doing in my truck?
Hannibal: (otter English) Need...help.
Trucker: Yea, don't we all but I don't think you'll find too many shrinks that work with cats carrying pick stickers.
Hannibal: (otter English) ...Otter.
Trucker: Gesundheit. (Hannibal rolls his eyes)
Hannibal: (otter English) Taken, ...trying...to...get...home.
Trucker: Taken? (pause) What like you were trapped or something, …I mean which planet do they trap talking animals on? (Hannibal responds with a confusing gesture to suggest "Seriously?". …After a moment the trucker grumbles and makes an assumption) Never mind, I just had to throw that out there for the heck of it. (Pause) Stinking fur traders, you'd think that sort of thing would have died out when people realized that rawhide was better. (Pause with a sigh) Alrighty then, well since I don't have all night to sit here and figure out what's wrong with my head and I don't have any inclinations about shooting up my rig over a possible hallucination so what say we try this whole thing again? (pause) I'll put my piece away, you put that pick sticker away and we'll talk a spell. How'd that be for you? (Hannibal hoping for the best complies with the trucker reciprocating.) Well alright then, this should make for a heck of a story when I wake up and find myself sedated in the funny farm somewhere. (The trucker climbs into the cab and shuts the door) So play me your tiny violin then, slim. (Hannibal looks confused) Tell me your sad story, son. What's on your mind that brings you here sitting in my rig next to the likes of me?
Hannibal: (Otter English) Hungry...needed... food.
Trucker: Yea well, I can see you found some. You're welcome by the way.
Hannibal: (Otter English) Thanks, ...sorry.
Trucker: (Purses his lips briefly and shakes his head) Don't sweat it none. (Pause) So where do you hang your hat? (Hannibal looks confused) Where do you bunk, son? (pause) Where's home at? (Scoffs) I can tell you're from the east already the way I seem to have to spell things out for you.
Hannibal: (otter English) New... York.
Trucker: Yea, you're a Yankee alright. Geez, I called that one didn't I. I should have figured right off the bat that you didn't escape from some fur trader. (Pause) NY, huh? So more likely you're from a zoo or that big lake they've got in that big park in the middle of the city. Or did you escape from some lab that was doing crazy research experiments on you or something? I mean that WOULD explain the fact that you can talk and such. (Hannibal shakes his head no) Do I have to worry about anybody looking for me just for talking to you? (Hannibal shakes his head.) (uncertain) ...Uh-huh
Hannibal: (otter English) Use...phone?
Trucker: You've gotta be jerking my chain, you need to make a phone call? I don't think the phone company has animal information services.
Hannibal: (otter English) Need...text.
Trucker: (Rolls his eyes) I wish I could record this, it would make for a heck of commercial concept. (reaches into his pocket and pulls out a smartphone.) Just tell me one thing, are you a one of a kind or should I start wondering about all the animals I may or may not have hit with my truck. (Hannibal stares at him for a moment) Great, ...now that one's gonna haunt my thoughts for a while. (Hands Hannibal the phone which he begins to use with ease.) You know if I hadn't seen this with my own two eyes… (After about twenty minutes Hannibal receives a reply to his initial text and begins swapping back and forth, ten minutes later Hannibal closes the phone, hands it back to the trucker, and then sits down on the seat with a loud sigh.) So, what's the good word there, friend?
Hannibal: (otter English) Problems…
Trucker: I thought your brow looked a bit heavy, how bad could it be?
Hannibal: (otter English) Family…scattered.
Trucker: Scattered, well that's pretty much everybody's story these days. I mean no family is really close like they used to be anymore, I blame technology personally. (Hannibal looks at him and cocks an eyebrow) Oh, …like scattered to the wind and such. (Hannibal rolls his eyes) Hey now, don't get your britches all up in a twist I'm trying to help you out here. So…any ideas where? (Hannibal shakes his head) So …what then?
Hannibal: (otter English) Zoo..keeper…says…come…home, …figure …out …then. (Rubs his throat from talking)
Trucker: Zookeeper? This guy actually wants you to come back to a zoo? I don't know, personally I'd suggest you enjoy your freedom and head for the woods. Find yourself a girl and live the way nature intended for you. (Hannibal shakes his head) Or is "zookeeper" some sort of code word for something else?
Hannibal: (otter English) Bit…of…both. (Pause) Not…heading…to… zoo. (Hannibal smirks briefly) Girl…and…kid…are…with…zookeeper,… safe.
Trucker: (looks impressed) So you've GOT your own family then? Which ones are scattered, the in laws? (Pause in thought) Shoot, if you ask me you'd be better off letting them stay scattered. You'll have a lot less headaches in your life, trust me on that one. (Hannibal recognizes the humor from TV shows and smirks)
Hannibal: (otter English) Thanks…for...help…and...food. (Hannibal stands up and begins to reach for the door handle which he mentally kicks himself again for not having done in the first place.)
Trucker: Now…just hold on a minute there, slim. Where exactly is home AT if it's not the zoo anymore? (Hannibal looks at him with a questioning expression) Because I want to know, that's why. Now you can hop on out if you want to part ways and such but it's become clear to me that you're not JUST some dumb animal and you've got a family I ASSUME aren't just dumb animals either. So if I find out later that you got yourself squashed on the highway whilst trying to get home all because I didn't lift a finger I'm going to feel just a might bit bad about that thinking about a girl a kid who will be waiting for you to come home when you won't be. (Hannibal cocks an eyebrow) Now just WHERE is home at, I might just be able to get you part of the way. I'll be able to let my conscience rest at least.
Hannibal: (otter English) Conscience?
Trucker: (pause) Well, …let's just say I've chalked up my fair share of roadkill with this truck…and if there's one thing I remember my pappy telling me as a boy it was that if life ever gives you a chance to clear the slate and put matters to rest then you'd best not let that chance pass you by lest you'll regret it later. With what you've been bringing to light by hopping in my truck here today, I'd say I was looking at one of those rare chances. (Hannibal nods and looks away for a moment) So spill the beans already, just where is home at?
Hannibal: (otter English) New…Jersey. (The trucker scratches at his neck for a moment and then pulls out a clipboard from behind the seat and flips through the pages.)
Trucker: (Tapping on the clipboard with his finger) I didn't think you'd make it easy for me, …BUT…if I swap a couple of stops around I think I can get you close depending where in Jersey you're headed. It's not much but if I can manage that then we'll call the slate clean as far as past roadkill are concerned. How's that for you? (Hannibal thinks for a moment and then points to a bumper sticker that is stuck onto the glove compartment that reads "A**, gas, or grass, …nobody rides for free." The trucker looks embarrassed for a moment) You WOULD have to know how to read, …um don't sweat that none. That's just there for laughs, …sort of. (Pause) You're good to go. (The trucker inserts the key into the ignition and with a quick turn the diesel engine grumbles to life, at this he pats the dashboard with his hand.) Old but reliable. (Pops the air brakes, puts the truck in gear and begins to pull out of the lot) So let's a get a move on. (As the truck pulls into traffic) So what's an animal like you doing carrying around a pick sticker anyway?
(Cut to later that night. Steve, Kitsune, Ayami, and Tony have managed to at least move all the boxes inside of the house and after a takeout meal managed to set the kids rooms up enough to sleep in as well as the master bedroom so that Steve and Kitsune will have something to sleep on. While everyone else was busy Steve handed the tablet that came from the other universe to Ujio who padded off to a secluded place in the house to use it. Sometime later Ayami and Tony departed for home leaving Ujio to help Heidi and Margot further set up the bedroom for the animal youth before bedtime. Steve and Kitsune are currently in the master bedroom settling down for the evening.)
Steve: (looking about the room) This used to be my parents room, …I never imagined that it would become mine at any point. It almost seems like sacrilege to be moving into it.
Kitsune: (gestures) I'm sure that you will grow into it soon enough, your parents would not think less of you for it. My concern, since we're on the subject, is what would your parents think of me, …of US?
Steve: I'm sure they would like you just fine, and I KNOW they'd love the kids.
Kitsune: (gestures) ALL of them?
Steve: Um, ….well I can't speak for my parents since they're dead and all, But if they were alive it would definitely take a period of adjustment but I think eventually they'd be accepting. Sort of … (Pause) This place was just short of being a mini farm when I was a kid, we had all manner of animals, so I think the revelation that animals are about as sentient as humans are would come as a shocker. …So would the idea of a puffin physician, and the evolved extra dimensional penguin toddler would be a tough nut to swallow I'm sure. Penguin commandos, samurai otters, enchanted penguin wife with diminishing anger management issues, a hybrid penguin otter that thinks she's a reincarnated otter that died of cancer in Hannibal's arms down in Texas who also happens to have some rather unusual metaphysical qualities about her. That might have been the toughest one to accept, …I know I have trouble with it. (Kitsune snaps her head around to look at Steve with complete surprise.) I had Jr's computer tapped before I ever gave it to him, it was the best way to keep up on what those birds are trying to get away with behind my back. (Kitsune continues to stare at him.) Ming has been letting Jr. conduct tests on her to document and help her explore her "Talents" as well as use that material for his online college thesis. It's been healthy for her I think, she's truly developed a comfortable sense of trust with him. (Kitsune still continues to stare) You had no idea that I knew, did you? (Pause) Granted what happened at the Halloween show threw me for a complete loop, but I strongly suspect that what we saw was yet another aspect of Ming that we hadn't been made aware of yet.
Kitsune: You think what happened at the Halloween show was Ming? (Pause) She never told me… (gestures) When did you realize…
Steve: Oh, I was completely in the dark about everything until she started letting Jr' work with her, then after reading about what was going on I think my mind exploded. I'm still trying to pick up the pieces by the way.
Kitsune: (gestures) Does she know…?
Steve: That I know? I don't think so, I try to pay attention to when she's "eavesdropping" so that I don't accidentally let on. She always worries about being judged by the rest of the world so no need to make things more complicated for her.
Kitsune: (gestures) Pay attention?
Steve: It's a very subtle feeling, very easy to miss unless you know what to look for, but when she's tapped into your head it feels like someone is looking directly over your shoulder while occupying the same space as you. (Pause) That's the only way I can think to describe it.
Kitsune: (gestures) How did you…?
Steve: I just happened to notice it one day after I had started reading Jr's reports, I thought it was just a feeling I usually get when I know you're lurking in the shadows somewhere and was about to dismiss it when I very briefly heard her laugh at a comment I made in my head about you hiding in the shadows as if they were very deep puddles you could just climb in and out of. It was probably more the mental image that was generated from it that she found funny.
Kitsune: (Gestures) I've never felt….
Steve: She probably doesn't do it to you out of respect or something, I mean you have been teaching her martial arts for a while now. (Kitsune pauses as she remembers having Ming promise never to spy on her a while back)
Kitsune: (gestures) She is a very honorable student. However, I would like to read Jr's notes as well, it seems that Ming has been withholding information from me. I'd always thought that I was her confidant. (Long silent pause followed by a sigh)
Steve: (As he sits on the edge of the bed) Change of subject?
Kitsune: (looks thoughtful for a few minutes and then nods) (gestures) Do I still make you happy? (Steve lets out a loud groan as he lets himself fall back against the mattress)
Steve: (Grumbles) What's bothering you…?
Kitsune: (Gestures) You don't need to respond like THAT! (Steve gestures for her to get on with it) It doesn't seem like we're as …affectionate as we used to be, …I know things have been a bit strained since I…
Steve: (sternly at the first word) Don't! (Pause) We have an agreement remember, …you are never to bring THAT up again. It's part of the whole forgive and move on thing, although you seem to have trouble with the moving on part.
Kitsune: (Gestures) I know it's just that since…
Steve: Especially not the name, Kitsune. That name is banned in our family forever! (Kitsune nods)
Kitsune: (gestures) Since my second nearly catastrophic mistake, …I was hoping that…eventually…things would heal between us and return to as they were.
Steve: (Sighs) They pretty much have, Kitsune. I mean you can't honestly expect intimacy to occur when the house if full of animal families that we're hiding not to mention that our own kids would tend to sleep in our bed with us because we lived in a cramped NY apartment. (Pause) Because the opportunities to be alone together have been few lately doesn't mean that I suddenly love you any less. I know who I married and what I was getting into when I did it, I'm here for the long haul Kitsune whether you try to decapitate me or not. To be honest, if I ever actually had a choice as to how I wanted to go out if it couldn't just be in my sleep then I'd rather it be by your sword. To me, an honorable death would be one last token of your affection. (Loud sigh as Kitsune smiles with a melting heart) …And where mistakes are concerned, …that's just what people do, we make mistakes in ALL shapes and sizes. Little ones, big ones, even bigger ones, and then there the ones where even God must scrunch his face and say "WTF is WRONG with you?" The only thing you can do is forgive and move on because otherwise the problem will just fester and get worse until it burns you up to nothing more than a smoldering cinder inside. Besides, you're not the only one who makes mistakes you know. I've made my share too, and some of those have been doozies. (Kitsune smiles) So where did THIS come from all of a sudden?
Kitsune: (Gestures) I sought advice from Ayami recently.
Steve: You make that out like you went to see the Dali Llama or something. (Rolls his eyes) And what pray tell did the wise sage tell you?
Kitsune: (Gestures) The same as you, but she did point out the fact that humans need to change things up to rekindle interest on a regular basis …and that I haven't exactly grasped the concept of wardrobe change ups or … flirting…or intimately adventurous behavior.
Steve: (playfully scoffs) I'm not sure if I could handle you trying to flirt, …. or whatever that last part was supposed to suggest. I may mistake it as one of the fore signs of the approaching horseman of the apocalypse. (Kitsune looks confused at the reference)
Kitsune: (gestures) She also noted that sometimes I can let my own fears get in the way of things.
Steve: Fears? (Pause) I've never known you to be afraid of ANYTHING, I mean you're the type of person who would have the stones to sneak up on death and give it a wedgie.
Kitsune: (Looks at a loss on where to go with that) (gestures) …I have fears.
Steve: Tell me more oh wife of mine, what do you fear?
Kitsune: (gestures uncomfortably) You never talk to me… about him, …the boy. (Continues to look awkward) Anything you get from the other place you hide away without talking about it.
Steve: …And your fear is that you don't know what's going on over there? (Kitsune makes a so-so gesture) Given your reaction when I first told you about having a kid over there I didn't think it would be in the best interest of our relationship if I were to constantly barrage you with information about a child I have from another woman in a parallel universe regardless of how things came to be. I wanted to keep stress at a minimum around here. (Pause) His name is lieutenant, if you want to see pictures and video of him then I'll show you. (Kitsune takes a deep breath and nods) There's more that comes and goes on that tablet than just pictures, there's also some work I've been doing which you already know about, …and there's some personal mail for Ujio. (Kitsune looks surprised)
Kitsune: What personal mail would he need to receive from there?
Steve: (Sighs) I'm not supposed to say anything in the interest of privacy so keep a lid on it okay? Ujio wasn't sure how Ayami would react to the matter. (Kitsune cocks an eyebrow) Ujio has been seeing someone, …virtually, ….from over there. They exchange video mail via the tablet. (Kitsune desperately tries to keep a straight face only to have it twist up into a demented looking half smile)
Kitsune: (gestures) How long…?
Steve: Almost four years now, I introduced them thinking Ujio would be interested in getting to know a people that he had something in common with. The people of the Far East Confederacy are evolved fox, just like the other Margot is an evolved otter. As you can imagine, there aren't many fox in NY for Ujio to hang out or even pair off with.
Kitsune: (looks guilty)(gestures) I never gave thought to the fact that Ujio might be lonely. So,…what's she like?
Steve: She's a red fox just like Ujio, about six feet tall with an amazing hourglass figure, and …she's her nation's monarch. (Kitsune's face drops) Hey, …I NEVER expected them to hit it off romantically especially with the physical differences between them not to mention political. I was just trying to introduce him to some new friends in a pen pal sort of way and apparently, there was some sort of a spark between them.
Kitsune: (gestures) Does she know…?
Steve: That Ujio is less evolved than herself and a fraction of her size and, as much as I hate to use the term, a commoner? Yes, that was made clear to her at the onset of their relationship. (Kitsune is about to question) Amaterasu told me in a short reassuring message through the other Margot to stem off any concerns. (Pause) She can be very open minded where personal relationships are concerned, believe it or not she was once married to a penguin before being widowed. (Pause) I don't read their messages so I don't know what they share together but I do know that whatever it is it makes him quite happy so who am I to judge in the grand scheme of things. (Kitsune looks thoughtful as though not sure what to make of the situation.) You look like you've had about as much as you can absorb for the moment, are you ready to go back to our previous topic?
Kitsune: (gestures with relief) Yes please. (Thinks for a moment of where they left off.) So…where intimacy is concerned would it improve your interest if I… looked… different?
Steve: (smirks at Kitsune's awkwardness) Wow, …RIGHT where we left off. You're still good at this stuff. (Pause) My INTEREST is just fine, Kitsune. What are you getting at?
Kitsune: (gestures) Ayami suggested that every human male has a vice when it comes to the opposite gender, something that appeals to them more than any other aspect of the female and with each male the vice is specific.
Steve: (gets up to head into the adjoining bathroom) I knew I should have taken my meds earlier. This sounds like it should be a heck of a headache. You do of course realize that this expert advice you've been getting is coming from a woman who has focused on work her entire life and realistically has very little experience with relationships or anything else that would give her insight on what makes people tick. (Pause) …But by all means please continue, I'm listening.
Kitsune: (Switches to the text to speech device since Steve is in the bathroom) It was recommended that I learn to…only occasionally…cater to that as a form of flirtation.
Steve: (Loud sigh) So tell me, what's my vice that even I don't know about? Is it that I'm a glutton for abuse? … Because I think everybody has been catering to that for a good long time as it is and I'd like to take a break from it.
Kitsune: No, that's one of your endearing qualities. One for which you are much loved, I'm speaking of a less pure aspect of yourself.
Steve: Less pure, …what is this church confession? (Pause as Kitsune looks confused) Well I don't have a vice for your snoring, that much I can tell you.
Kitsune: (annoyed) MY snoring? I should make a recording the next time YOU get going, you'd think we lived directly under the El-train or something.
Steve: Well my vice can't be those cold winter nights when everybody in the apartment would pile into our bed to get warm, I'd lay awake some nights when everybody else was fast asleep listening to you all crack off salvos of body gas at one another like some great ancient sea battle between dreadnaughts. I keep waiting for someone to call out in the darkness with "Hey, you sank my battleship!" (A hoarse laugh is heard from Kitsune in the bedroom as she is heard looking through a box) Hey, it's not so funny. Whenever you try to get creative with your fish and mix in those Japanese death peppers, whatever those things are called, you get some gas evil enough to kill the dead twice over. (Kitsune tries to hold in her laughter)
Kitsune: That's definitely NOT it. (Pause) I've noticed that unusually curvy females will sometimes attract your gaze, more specifically the ones who are excessively proportionate between the shoulders.
Steve: (momentary confusion) Between the shoulders? (Pause) OH! (light grumble) Look Kitsune, if I ever did that then I'm sorry. It was an unconscious act, unfortunately you'll find that human men are simply hardwired to look for things like that. No matter how good we try to be, sooner or later we can't help but look. That absolutely does not mean that we don't realize that what we have at home is a thousand times better and we'd be total fools to risk losing that.
Kitsune: I'd honestly thought for a moment that could have been an undisclosed reason for Ayami doing what she did with her body.
Steve: To get some guys attention by catering to a vice? (Kitsune offers no response) Wait, …to get MY attention!? (Lets loose with a bellowing laugh) You thought Ayami was trying to draw my attention away from you? (Unseen in the next room Kitsune wears a look of embarrassment. Several minutes pass as Steve tries to stop laughing and regain his composure.) Ok look, Ayami is a wonderful person who is equally attractive and Tony will totally lose out if he doesn't get his act together and try to settle down. That being said, I can promise you that Ayami has NEVER had any interest in me and even if she did she'd be out of luck. I've got everything I need right here. (pause) Wow, …you are such a jealous person Kitsune. (He walks back into the bedroom to find Kitsune in only undergarments and her bra seems uncharacteristically overfilled.) Um, …hmm… (Pause) If you were trying to drive home your point about that part of the body being MY vice, …then it would seem that I'm guilty as charged since I noticed what was different almost immediately. I'll try to behave better going forward. In the meantime, …what are you up to? (Kitsune offers a "what do you mean?" gesture.) I mean that while I was in the bathroom you either swapped out your boulder holder for one that was much too small OR you're still wearing the same one only it's been stuffed with something. (Pause) I won't lie; I like the look but please don't use Ayami as an example to be emulated in everything; ok? I like the way you are just fine, …although as wardrobe goes you do tend to only go with what's functional. I appreciate that you don't see a need to buy clothes that you may not actually NEED, …but it is okay if you want to buy something nice for yourself occasionally whatever that may happen to be. (Smiles) Although don't go overboard and become a shopaholic, just because we have money doesn't mean that we have to be in a hurry to spend it. Ayami's financial planning is working it's magic for us so as we get older we shouldn't have too much to worry about. Also, with the animals moving in we'll likely need that money from time to time when they get into trouble. (Pause) NOW, …regarding THIS. (gestures to Kitsune's bra.) What did you do? (Kitsune offers up a look of disappointment and then reaches in to remove a liquid filled pouch from each bra cup returning her appearance to what it was.) Let me guess, Ayami held on to the trial samples from the doctor's office and you borrowed them? (Kitsune shrugs) Please give them back to her. …And I promise I'll try to pay more attention to you going forward if that's what you're looking for. (He approaches Kitsune and cinches up the shoulder straps on her bra so that they're snug fitting.) If you like I can start with this… (He offers up a series of kisses alongside Kitsune's neck prompting a relaxing smile. A moment later Kitsune straightens up with an odd look on her face as she gently pushes Steve off.) What, did all of that talking suddenly kill the mood? (Kitsune still wears a strange look on her face)
Kitsune: (returns to using gestures) Yoshi is back.
Steve: (surprise) What, …how do you know? …And back from where exactly?
Kitsune: (gestures) Ming told me, ….she's with Yoshi.
Steve: Huh, …well I guess I'll have to retract my comments about her never tapping into your head out of respect and instead offer her the bad timing award for destroying the moment. (Pause) So where are they, at the zoo?
Kitsune: (Gestures) I don't know, she only said that they were on their way.
Steve: Great, they're on their way. So, if I go and turn on the news and they happen to be covering an "OJ Simpson" style police pursuit from the air then at least I'll have an idea of what "we're on our way" actually means. By the way, If Ming taps into your head again ask her where Yoshi has been all this time. (shakes his head) You know you'd think that she would knock first before entering your head. (scoffs) A psychic otter,… now that HAS to be one for the record books. I know I'll never be able to get used to it that's for sure. (outside of the room a multitude of small footsteps is heard moving from one of the other bedrooms to another.) Meanwhile it sounds like the kids are having a hard time adjusting to having separate rooms. (Kitsune nods and slowly moves to go and check on what's going on after throwing some clothes back on. Once out of the room Steve rubs his face with a groan.) Ming and Yoshi are on their way, which makes a total of three animals located so far. …And thus begins the great animal exodus. (Does a dramatic impression of Xiang Tsung from Mortal Combat) "It has begun" (Pause) This should be good but I swear when the penguins show up if they do anything short of crash landing the space shuttle into the barn then I'm going to be a little disappointed all things considered. The question is where ARE they and where are Marlene and Loki? If Hannibal could find a way to make contact, then the others should have by now as well. (He turns to look out the window in thought only to see a green dot tracking low across the sky in the general direction of the house.) Now what the freak is THAT?
(Cut to the inside of a storage compartment underneath a Greyhound® bus as it treks its way along the interstate highway passing a roadside sign that denotes the fact that the bus is departing the state of Oregon. Loki having managed to find a switch to turn on the compartment lights is busy reorganizing some of the passenger carry-on bags to make things comfortable during their trip as well as rummaging through some of them to see what he can find.)
Loki: (Emerges from a large duffel bag) AHA, ….I knew I'd find something. Humans always have food stored away somewhere. (He brandishes multiple items wrapped in foil packaging.)
Cedar: Those don't look very edible to me, what are they?
Loki: Nutrient bars, …specifically they're chocolate flavored.
Cedar: (looks disgusted as Loki opens one and begins to eat it.) You EAT those things? No wonder you're fat.
Loki: (sighs in defeat) Look, I know they're not fish but they'll do in a pinch. Now are you hungry or not?
Cedar: (Surprise) You're sharing?
Loki: Of COURSE I'm sharing; why would you even ask something like that?
Cedar: You only found two of those things and I haven't seen you find anything else so figured you were going to save the other one for later. We're not in the zoo anymore so you don't know when your next meal is going to come along. Besides, I didn't do anything to earn my share.
Loki: My mother didn't raise a glutton OR a Grinch, so do you want it? (waves the food back and forth a little with a taunting tone of voice) It'll make your tummy feel good. (Pause) Going once, ….going twice…. (Cedar quickly moves to snatch it from Loki's paw before retreating to a spot against the carry-on bags. After a moment of watching Cedar look the snack over Loki shows her how to open the foil package after which Cedar quickly devours the snack.) It shuts the stomach up for just a little bit doesn't it, and as far as earning goes don't try to use me as a pillow on this trip and we'll call it even.
Cedar: (Looks at Loki for a moment as crumbs cling to the fur around her mouth) You didn't happen to find any water in your searches, did you?
Loki: Unfortunately, no but… (He holds up a cluster of small cardboard boxes) these should do for the short term. (Cedar looks confused) They're juice boxes; they may not be plain water but they're made WITH water so it can be good enough. (Pause as Loki reads the writing on the juice boxes) so which do you fancy, kiwi strawberry or citrus burst? (Pause as Cedar looks confused) You don't strike me as a citrus kind of girl so here. (Loki hands her the other fruit option after pulling the straw free and inserting it into the box)
Cedar: What's that?
Loki: A straw, you put the tip in your mouth and you suck on it to extract the juice from the box. (Pause as Cedar stares at him) Just trust me already. (Cedar complies and a moment later the box is making that empty sucking sound.) So, …hungry AND thirsty.
Cedar: Just wait until we get to my neck of the woods, you may not find things so convenient.
Loki: Probably not, be we each have our own skill sets to bring to the table when in our element, I'm providing what we need while in the city so when we DO get to the countryside YOU can be the one to provide. It's called sharing the workload.
Cedar: (scowls) Rummaging through bags and stealing what you need doesn't make you a provider, newbie. You're lucky you don't have a family that needs to depend on you because I doubt any of them would survive if you ACTUALLY had to provide for them.
Loki: (Stares at her for a moment in disbelief) You know, we're not even in the zoo anymore so there's no real justification for calling me newbie.
Cedar: You're new to me, that's good enough.
Loki: (shakes his head) Unbelievable. (As Cedar shuffles the duffle bags around to get comfortable Loki spies a box anchored to the compartment wall labeled "first aid" prompting him to stare at it for a few moments in thought.)
Cedar: You know if you like that box so much then why don't you ask it out, at least it won't depend on you to provide anything.
Loki: What is WITH you? Why do you feel the need to belittle me all of a sudden, what's got you worked up into such a grump? I found you something to eat and drink didn't I, so what have I failed to provide here?
Cedar: I got used to having a pillow. (She turns away and tries to go to sleep)
Loki: (Grumbles) Well you're out of luck on that one, sorry. Being a pillow for an ungrateful and grumpy female got real old real fast. (Loki turns back to the box on the wall for a moment and then goes back to searching the carry-on bags. Sometime later Loki finds himself being swatted in the face after trying to wake Cedar from a sound sleep.) Hey, wake up! (Cedar shifts her head uneasily and swats Loki again prompting him to swat her back. This has the effect of waking her much more quickly.)
Cedar: (groggy) What the… (she rubs her cheek) You hit girls?
Loki: Only when they hit me first multiple times. (Pause) I've been trying to wake you for a while, the bus is making a pit stop so if you need to go now is the time.
Cedar: Wha…Where are we?
Loki: It's hard to say but I think I overheard one of the humans outside mention that we had crossed into Wyoming not too long ago.
Cedar: Where is that?
Loki: About two states over from Oregon, now get up. You downed three of those drink boxes so you've GOT to feel the urge to pee by now.
Cedar: You genuinely care whether I get the chance to relieve myself? (Pause) How can you be so NICE all the time.
Loki: You mean even though some people aren't nice to me? (Pause) My family has had a good influence on me I guess.
Cedar: You get to spend time with your family? (shrugs) It must be nice; I haven't seen my mother since I was old enough to fend for myself.
Loki: I don't understand how living in the wild can be so different, …nobody sticks together out there?
Cedar: Sure, we do for about as long as we must and then it's everybody for themselves. In my case my family stuck together until I could provide for myself and then it was "okay kid, take care of yourself and try not to get eaten by anything." Since then I've managed to survive, allowed myself to be approached by a few males when I was old enough, I almost had a family twice but it didn't work out at which time the males said "Well you can't say I didn't do my part, take care of yourself and try not get eaten."
Loki: …And they bailed out on you, I think I'm starting to see why you're so mistrusting. So you ALMOST had a family, what happened?
Cedar: (grumbles) You WANT to hear this stuff? (Loki shrugs) The first time I only had one pup but she was small and didn't make it.
Loki: …And the second time?
Cedar: (looks reluctant) I had three, …all boys. One morning I took my turn to go out and find food, when I came back I discovered that a wolf had found our den. My "mate" chose to save himself and I didn't see him again. (She looks away)
Loki: …And the pups didn't make it. (A moment of silence passes between them.) That's a rough life so far. (Another moment of silence passes) Um, …I hate to sound insensitive here but if you don't go now then it could very well get messy and smelly in here later. (Pause) I'm just saying. (Without saying anything Cedar gets up to exit the compartment as Loki checks to ensure the coast is clear. The two come back as the bus prepares to depart again after having scavenged for food and water to bring with them.)
Cedar: Ugh, …I'm going to get fat like you if I keep eating this stuff.
Loki: I doubt it, ...you look lean enough. You'd have to eat stuff like this for a good while before you started to look like me.
Cedar: (scowls slightly) Was that supposed to be a compliment?
Loki: Sorry it just slipped out. (holds out his paws) You can cuff me and take me away now. (Cedar stares at him for a moment and then goes to sit down on her spot by the duffel bags prompting Loki to shake his head) Still a tough room in here I see. (The two continue on for another day before the bus finishes its trip at a depot in Nebraska where they are forced to transfer to another bus that is heading farther east. As before they try their best to get comfortable by rearranging the baggage and pass most of the time quietly by sleeping or in Loki's case by rummaging around through the baggage on some sort of a scavenger hunt. Cedar notices that between the two buses Loki has acquired two fanny packs and something resembling folded foil and has stuffed the packs with numerous items that he's located thus far.)
Cedar: I don't suppose you'd care to tell me what you've been doing all this time? (Loki stops to make a questioning gesture) You've been acting like some kind of packrat ever since we started this trip, so what are you doing?
Loki: I'm keeping busy to pass the time.
Cedar: Yea I can see that, but by doing what?
Loki: I'm appeasing a nagging habit.
Cedar: You've made a habit out of collecting human stuff? (Loki doesn't respond) Hey hello, …you don't have anybody else to talk to around here. (Cedar makes a questioning gesture)
Loki: I've made a habit of looking for supplies. (Pause) A few years ago my mother decided that I was spending too much time goofing off and that I needed some direction in my life so she lent me out to Heidi as a helper.
Cedar: …And Heidi is?
Loki: A puffin, …specifically a doctor.
Cedar: A doctor, ….you mean somebody who knows how to heal? I thought only humans knew how to do that.
Loki: Heidi learned for herself, and as her new helper she would take me out into the park and have me gather supplies for her. She would tell me what she wanted me to look for, what it looked like, what it smelled like, tasted like etc. And if it didn't meet those exact descriptions then that wasn't it and I had to keep looking, then when I found what I was looking for she would quiz me on why we were looking for it, what was its value, purpose, application, and how should it NOT be used. (Pause) It was so MUNDANE!
Cedar: So why didn't you just quit if you hated it?
Loki: I thought about it, and Heidi seemed to notice when I was thinking about it so she would have me assist with something else if she happened to have a patient and while we were working she would talk to me about how important it was not to run out of supplies because they were so difficult to come by in quantity. Meanwhile she would tell me to take some of the things we gathered and prepare and then mix them per instruction so she could use them on the patient. The point of her stories was always that people counted on "us", she always made a point to use the word us, to have what was needed to help them and that if we didn't bad things could happen maybe even to somebody we care about.
Cedar: So she would guilt trip you.
Loki: Pretty much, …it always works though.
Cedar: Maybe part of it is because you're also a momma's boy and you don't want to disappoint.
Loki: There's that too, you make it sound like a crime. (Cedar shrugs)
Cedar: So all this stuff is…?
Loki: Human supplies, they're the most effective but the hardest to come by.
Cedar: So what exactly compels this habit then, we're nowhere near this Heidi so why do it?
Loki: Heidi told me something once and I guess it stuck pretty good without me even realizing it. "If you come across something that you know could be useful then never pass it up, there's no way to tell when it may come in handy."
Cedar: Thus, you found some possibly useful stuff and started a scavenger hunt.
Loki: That about sums it up.
Cedar: Huh… (Pause) What's that shiny thing?
Loki: Emergency blanket lined with foil, shiny metal reflects heat so you would wrap this around somebody and the foil reflects their own heat back at them to keep warm. (Cedar looks slightly impressed.)
Cedar: Okay, …it's your stuff but bear in mind that the more you have to carry the more it weighs and YOU"RE the one who will be carrying it all.
Loki: At least I'll have something to show when Heidi asks if I found anything useful after being gone for so long.
Cedar: You're a teacher's pet too. (Loki grumbles to himself and resumes going through the luggage)
