Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Chionti Zoo 1x1

(This is just the reference for the description of the zoo. Since this character owns it, he may periodically pop in for plot but otherwise will remain just as a descriptor.)


Fire runs along the perimeter walls, along the torches set around the cages, and then along the sidewalks. The zoo is illuminated by fire light and it blinks into sight. A the replica of a Moon Garden is constantly surrounded by grazing centaurs and their foals. Cages can be seen with animals lurking, but the cages are seemingly made out of glass and look to be their own type of world. The dome of the Pokemon exhibit can be seen, and then the aquarium is in the distance.

Passing the herd exhibit of Pegasus you go right on by the exhibit of Unicorns, and then through the regular horse breeds. Then you'll be hitting lions, ligers, tigers, and the mass of felines before there is a darkened glass box. There is purring inside the air around it smells old. Torches light up and in the middle of what looks like an Ancient Egyptian tomb is a young Sphinx. It is the size of a mountain lion, thin and awkward looking. The Sphinx was long in the body, lean however but fluffy. It had the pelt of a dark reddish brown lion, its head was that of a young boy with curly reddish brown hair.

Moving along and next is going to be the main nursery. Baby sloths, pandas, otters, foals, everything. Baby animals galore. The aquarium is huge, a full building that is at least four stories tall, and another six stories underground. Upon entering you are greeted with a full glass room, fish swim on all sides above and below as well. Every room has it's own ecosystem river, ocean, stream, gulf, cold, hot, deep sea, reef, etc. Whales to guppies.

Once you continue to walk and she'll notice that they're starting to go down glass steps until they hit the next section of tank. It starts the ocean and fish swim around them, from the darkness a whale starts to emerge and swim over the top of them. There are spots set up for artists, easels and tripods for cameras. There are couches and things to allow people to lounge and just enjoy the moment.

There is a Pokemon dome that houses a replica of all the regions. Basically every animal in existence and some thought to be figments of the imagination reside here. Even some anthros or weres that need or desire protection live comfortably within the walls. The zoo is volunteer base, the caretakers come in and out throughout the entire day and night. Some of the works live in the zoo, those on the more permanent staff. Animals here are mostly injured, rescued, or unable to survive in the wild. Some have been purchased from other zoos, but most have been found and are being nurtured back to health. The zoo is a rescue and release, though realistically not all animals can go back into the wild.

Pori was lucky she had been found by Draeval, the owner of the zoo. Currently she was in the medical area, since when she'd been purchased she had a few minor injuries. However, treating those injuries was proving to be difficult. She did not have good reactions to being touched. The panda anthro, upon the slightest touch, would freeze up, completely petrified. Too terrified to even move. Things had not been well the past few days, and it had only increased her phobia.

Currently, she didn't trust anyone in the establishment. Why should she trust people who put animals in cages? Pori was a free soul. She had had far too many encounters with those who would readily lock her up for their own benefit, and she had a feeling this was the same situation. She had yet to be proven wrong.

The tiger show was complete, everyday Ianto performed one or two as the zoo's trained tiger. He didn't mind, it promoted education for tiger conservation and he was protected here. This was his home. He worked as both tiger and man and the zoo's owner allowed him to live peacefully and without fear. Gone were his days of being forced to perform in a circus, his private ownership under various "breeders", and other things that Ianto preferred not to think about.

Currently however he was spending time in the nursery, as a human for the moment. Ianto's human form was large, huge actually compared to most people. He was well muscled and thick, short golden body hair could be seen in a beam of sunlight here or there but he wasn't too hairy, his eyes were a vibrant green. And in his arms was a tiny Bengal tiger cub that had been brought in missing a paw. He was bottle feeding it, but otherwise he didn't look too unusual. He was dressed in a zoo uniform though and his walkie was going off, he hadn't heard much about the newcomer to the zoo but he had a feeling that this distress in the medical center had to do with that.

"Alright little guy, I guess you and I are going to see what's going on." The baby tiger mewled and continued to suckle on the bottle. But Ianto was pushing himself up and going to head out to the med center. He always got called in on these types of things, he did seem to have an interesting way with animals. Though the staff still hadn't put two and two together, and he was glad for that.

He walked into the medical center and talked to the receptionist for a few moments who told him where to go to aide in the problem. He still had the cub in his hands when he walked into the door to the area where Pori was at. With a quirk of a brow he titled his head.

"Umm...hi." He blinked and the cub shifted. "I was told that there were some problems. Is everything alright?" He was looking her over she did appear to have some minor injuries, but nothing that seemed to be dire. He kept to the door though, he didn't want to push her but those green eyes did shine with curiosity and he was still bottle feeding the cub.

Pori snapped out of her distress when someone came in, her purple eyes locking onto the large man. Very large. They must have sent for back-up to keep her there. The unfortunate medic tried to take advantage of the distraction and start wrapping her one arm, where there were quite a few cuts. This brought a new reaction from the panda anthro. Pori swiped a hand at the person quickly, knocking them away and scrambling to her feet. Her instinct had kicked in. She growled a little, backing up a bit to keep bot humans in her sight. She couldn't take the big one down, but at least he couldn't stop her while he was holding a....baby cub?

Her violent reaction ceased, and she was immediately curious. The defensive stance she had taken was dropped, head tilting a little in confusion. The medic shook off the sudden attack and looked at Ianto. "Thank goodness you're here. She needs medical treatment but we can't get near her. Whenever we touch her, she freezes up or freaks out. The cuts aren't life-threatening, but if they're left untreated them they could get infected and get her sick. I'm at my wits end with what to do."

Frowned at the antics from Pori but he kept back as she attacked the medic. He made a slow motion, lowering the cub to the floor when she calmed down. Pori could probably see that it was missing a paw. Ianto straightened up and nodded to the medic, he tucked his hands in his pockets and took a breath. Pori could probably feel something different about him, his animal traits while under the human mask weren't completely shut down. He did strongly smell of the wild, and every movement he made was with purpose and seemed predatory. Though he was very calm and relaxed.

He eyed her carefully before tilting his head to one side.

"He's trying to help you."

Simple enough right, that's all the medic had been trying to do. Ianto straightened a bit and took another breath before looking over his shoulder.

"You've probably had a rough go of it. I understand that, most of the animals here have. People too. This is a place of help, a welcoming place to those who have had a questionable past, or are just in need. You seem to be in need, are we wrong?"

Pori was very still and very quiet as he spoke. She watched the cub for a moment, then looked to Ianto as he started talking. She could sense the animal in him. It baffled her to no end. He didn't look like an animal, no matter how tall or large he was. He wasn't like her, whose animal heritage was so obvious.

Pori waited a few long, silent moments after he'd finished with a question. Her eyes drifted to her arm, her hand lifting up to touch the cuts. "...I don't like being touched." she stated simply. "I can do it myself." She held her hand out for the bandages. It'd be tricky, but it might just be possible. She gave a slight nod to the little cub. "You can pick him up now. I'm not...going to attack anyone."

Continued to watch her as she spoke and he nodded and pointed a finger to the medic, "Why don't you take a break. I think it's going to be just fine. If I need help I'll radio you." He looked back to Pori and leaned down to pick up the cub, cradling him in one arm against his chest while pulling the bottle back out so he could continue feeding him.

He looked back up to Pori, and would continue once the man was gone, "I can understand, not wanting to be touched. The people aren't bad here, genuinely they wish to help. It takes a while though to trust. So they won't push. I'll let them know you aren't a fan of being touched, they won't try again."

Pori felt a little better now that she wasn't about to be treated by someone else. She started carefully wrapping up her injured arm, concentrating on it since the task wasn't quite easy. "Thanks." she said honestly. If people didn't touch her, then she was just fine. But she hated being touched. She couldn't stand it. "...I'm Pori, by the way." She finished treating herself and looked over to the man and the cub.

"Where am I?" She felt much calmer now. He couldn't touch her while he was holding the cup, and the medic was gone, so there were no more threats. Once she'd made sure all her cuts were cleaned and taken care of, she gave Ianto her full attention.

Ran his fingers along the cub's ears gently, "You're welcome." He shifted to take a seat indian style on the floor with the cub suckling on his bottle. "I'm Ianto, nice to meet you Pori." His eyes were down on the cub though, "And this little guy is Nazio. But he doesn't really talk much yet." There hadn't been very much mewling except when he was on the floor.

He looked up when she asked where she was, "Chionti Zoo, privately owned but volunteer operated. It's mostly rescue and rehabilitation. But for little ones like Nazio, those that can't survive in the wild, it's a home. And for some that just need a little extra protection." He tilted his head and looked at her, "I have a feeling you'd fit in the latter category."

Pori watched him, then sighed a little bit and nodded. She sat down across from him, not close enough that he would be able to touch her, but not across the room entirely. "He's cute." she said softly. Little ones were different. She didn't even let young humans touch her, but cubs...cubs were different. Many animals were. Her phobia was generally limited to humans and those like herself, anthros.

When he mentioned what category she would fit in to, she thought it over for a moment and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so." Couldn't argue there.

Ianto smiled softly, "Yes he is." He stroked the cub's ears gently again, "Did you want to hold him?" He quirked a brow, just offering. "We don't see too many panda anthros around here." Just an observation.

Nodded gently, "Well, there is a good amount around here that fit that category. And we have communities, protection, safety. It's not so bad here."

Pori hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly. "...yes, that would be nice." When he gave that observation, she nodded again. "I'm special, I suppose." She was relieved to hear she wasn't the only one in the category of protection.

She would reluctantly move closer and hold her arms out for the little cub, still trying to keep comfortable distance between herself and Ianto.

When she held her arms out he gently stretched his to offer the cub, it mewled softly but otherwise didn't protest. He didn't move from his spot and he would do his best to avoid touching her. He didn't wish to upset her again. Once she had him Ianto would relax back into his sitting position.

"So...where did you come from Pori?" Ianto was curious, at least his curiosity wouldn't be killing the cat anytime soon. Not that Pori would know yet that he was in fact a feline. He kept his eyes on her, watchful with Nazio. He wasn't the cub's father, but he was always protective of young tigers.

Pori carefully took the cub into her arms, settling him comfortably in that spot. She smiled softly down at the little creature. Cubs were so sweet and innocent. She pet his head very gentle, each touch soft and sweet. When the question was asked, she thought it over. "I don't remember the name of it." she admitted after a few moments. "I was taken from it when I was really young. It was a jungle. That is honestly all I know."

She smiled a little down at the cub. Nazio looked so cute. "Nazio is strong." she murmured softly, looking at his missing paw. "He will grow to be a very strong being."

Watched her and smiled, "You're good with him." She's talking about her home and he nods, "Being taken young is not easy. Did you live alone all this time?" She certainly didn't look too young, but the tiger could be mistaken.

He grinned and nodded about Nazio, "Yes, I imagine he will. He is a Bengal, most Bengals are very strong. Good hardy spirits. He's seen a lot in his short life, but he's going to have every chance to thrive here. The tiger community is a proud one at Chionti." He should know after all.

Pori smiled at Ianto when he praised her. His question however caused her to look back down at the cub. "No." she said simply. No extra info added there. She did not like talking about it.

"This place doesn't seem to bad." she admitted. She watched the cub for a moment longer. "I would like to see the rest of it soon hopefully." She was a bit worried about it, but as long as no one tried to touch her, she probably wouldn't have any problems.

Frowned softly, "Ah." She didn't need to say anything else. He completely understood that. He took a breath and played with his walkie talkie for a moment. He didn't know what to say about that subject, pasts for most of the creatures here were not fun.

"It really isn't." He smiled at her, "Whenever you feel like you're ready. I can be your tour guide if you'd like." They weren't keeping her down here for anything more than her injuries. She was free to move around as she wished.

"The place is large, every species is represented here and most are friendly enough." Some were uh, not so much but everything had it's reasons.

Pori let the silence pass, just focusing on the little cub in her arms. It was a source of peace, almost. When he mentioned being her tour guide, she gave a nod. "...I'm ready now, if you want. I don't mind." She stood up carefully, still holding the cub in her arms. "What should we do with him, though?"

She was more than happy to keep holding him, but she doubted that was a good idea.

Smiled at her and nodded. He pushed himself up slowly, he didn't want to startle her. "Now is as good as ever." She asked about the cub and he grinned, "We'll start at the nursery, it's not far from here and then we can give him back to his surrogate."

He'd stretch a bit before opening the door, he'd hold it open for her for a moment. "It's just this way." He'd let her go out first giving her space, or unless she pressed him to go first then he'd do that. Once out of the room he'd lead her through reception and up and out into the zoo services area. There were offices, care centers, even quarantine here all blocked off from the rest of the zoo by what looked to be a thick treeline.

"The nursery is on the other side of the privacy wall. Follow me, it's about in the center of the zoo so a good place indeed to start."

Pori would go out the door as he opened it, nodding slightly. "Are there a lot of cubs like him?" she asked. She would follow him off to the nursery, listening as he spoke of the privacy wall. A light nod was given and she held the cub close to her, comfortably so, to remind him that he was safe and being taken care of.

"Is the zoo large?" She looked around. "...don't animals not like being in cages?" She personally hated it.