Amadeus suspected as much. Part of him really did not like how that
sounded. But what grounds did he have to make a call to someone?
Obviously others knew about this man and his questionably legal
pets. If he saw something that confirmed his suspicions, he would
make a call. For now, he would see to it they got the care and
attention they needed. Starting with that beautiful tiger. "Yes,
Sir. I will make sure I do it all to your liking," Amadeus said,
respectfully. "Do you mind if I start now? I think it'd be best for
them to learn my scent soon so that they don't mistake me for prey
or an unwelcomed guest."
"Are you game for it? They are pretty tame. I mean, compared to
dogs and cats, red pandas are a bigger handful. But nothing like a
big cat. You can go into his cage and feed him. He'd probably bond
with the first constant nice handler he has. There are the other,
smaller animals you arr welcome to helping with as well. Whichever
you have an interest in, let me know and I will see to it you are
trained to work with them," Maggy said, finishing the tour in front
of the enclosure set for the red panda. He was hiding, burried deep
into the wooden house they had in there for him. He watched the
outside world through the door, perfectly happy to have a place to
hide. He didn't trust the humans. Certainly not after the last
time. He just had to wait until daybreak. Then he could sneak out!
He was so gone once he had his human form.
Lionel nodded and clapped Amadeus on the shoulder. "I appreciate
that, I really do. I like your enthusiasm kid!" He chuckled
heartily. "If you'd like to you can go for it. I'll be somewhere
nearby if you need me. The door to get into the cages is over here.
There's passageways that run behind each of them and then outside
if you need to make a quick exit. All of the supplies are in a
supply closet that links up to that passage." One more clap on the
shoulder and the man swaggered off to rejoin whatever group of
friends were elsewhere in the building. The tiger had never broken
eye contact.
"I'm game." Jabrielle nodded, already very excited. "Where are the
things he likes to eat? That way I can approach him with those."
She was still looking at the cage where the red panda was hiding
trying to see where exactly he was. She could just see the fuzzy
little fella in her mind's eye.
Amadeus hadn't been prepared for the first pat but he stood firm.
"Thank you sir." He watched him head off anc couldn't help but
think the man was at least a bit full of himself. Shaking his head,
he looked back at the tiger, surprised to see her still staring at
him. "I am going to have to be careful, aren't I? You seem to be
above the average in just about everything, sweetheart. I don't
think he told me your name...I'll find out soon, I bet. Be there in
a moment. Let's get you something to eat." Heading through the
door, Amadeus swiftly made his way to the supply closet.
"They like the tender and young shoots of bamboo. They also eat
insects and fruit. I've got some fresh apple slices and
strawberries in the kitchen. You can put your stuff back there and
grab some before heading in to meet him. No one has named him yet.
He'll probably need a name," Maggy said, leading the way off to the
kitchen. Benji burrowed further into the blanket he had.
Myanna tilted her head to one side as she watched the man move out
of sight. She sighed softly and flopped over, her back to the
entrance to the cage.
"Can I help name him? Or do you think he'll name himself?"
Jabrielle asked as she followed Maggy into the kitchen, her hands
working her long brown hair into a high ponytail.
Amadeus found what he needed and made his way to the cage door. He
was glade to find a two door system. Standing between the doors, he
held out some meet through the bar towards her. "Here, pretty girl.
I brought you some dinner. I don't want to overwhelm you and get
all in your space without your permission. We'll start slow, okay?
I'll just stand here to feed you and you can smell me, learn my
scent and observe me. If that's okay. I'll keep talking to you. I
find it soothing and it helps calm all of the other animals I have
dealt with."
"Sure you can! If he doesn't get one himself, you are welcome to
name him," Maggy replied, relieved the little guy had a champion.
She gathered a platefhl of food for him and handed it off to
Jabrielle.
Myanna heard the door and lifted her head to look over at him, but
once she spotted the food she started to get up. Not a jumping up,
but a slow relaxed getting to her feet. She walked over and sat
down right in front of the bars to look at the man for another
moment before she bowed her head to take the meat carefully,
swallowing the chunk without any need for chewing.
Jabrielle's grin was so big it was starting to make her cheeks
hurt. "Thank you," She took the plate and set her stuff down before
heading over to the panda's cage. "Hey there little fella... I've
got a little food if you're hungry..." She said in a soft tone as
she got into the cage and shut the door behind her. Once she turned
around she got down onto her knees to be less threatening.
Amadeus chuckled, grabbing another piece. "Just as I suspected. You
are quick as a whip.does he even know what a magnificent creature
he has caged? Poor dear...you need some space to run...probably
would love to hunt too, wouldn't you?" He asked, keeping his voice
calm.
Benji turned around when she came in, his back to the door. He
wanted nothing to do with these humans and their-
Strawberries! She had strawberries? What kind of twist of fate was
this? He smelled apples,the good, tart green kind and fresh young
bamboo stalks! Curse it! He hadn't wanted to interact with any of
them...but she had food and it would be silly to head off without
food in his belly. Besides, he so did not want to be stuck eating
gross human food! A small, reddish brown nose poked it's way out of
the door to his den. Sniffing, he poked his shiny, chocolate brown
eyes out to look her over. He had a theifs mask but in dark red fur
instead of the raccoons dark marks. Black and brown fur covered his
belly while his arms, tail and some of his back sported white and
red stripes. His sides and upper back were red while his cheeks
were white. A little heart shaped white patch of fur marked his
chest. Benji stepped out slowly before looking all around. He
paused, then darted back inside to snatch his blanket, burrowing
under it so that the iron man patterned fabric lay over his back.
Trotting back out, he stopped to stare at her, then the food. His
nose twitched the whole time and he swore his mouth was watering.
Myanna mentally chuckled. This man seemed to be pretty kind. Much
nicer than the last one. Just as before took the piece of meat
gently and swallowed it. Then she stood up to stretch out her long
back all the way to the tip of her tail. Her great paws seeming
completely soft until the large claws poked their way out and
tapped on the rock beneath her. She was in a way replying to the
man. She did want to hunt, she yearned to sink her claws into
something, and run through whatever space she could find. Oh to be
under the moon again. That's what she truly yearned for.
Jabrielle giggled softly and held out the plate. "Come on, that's
it... You're very cute, and rather handsome aren't you... Such
beautiful colors..." She was speaking in such a way that it wasn't
babyish, but it also wasn't as degrading as speaking to a child.
More of just a tone of admiration. "Maybe I'll bring my sketchbook
and draw you, if you think you'd like that... But first your
food... Come on, you've got to be hungry..." Her smile was so sweet
and innocent.
Amadeus watched, reading her body language to guess she would very
much like that. Offering her some more food, he nodded. "I probably
have little to no sway as the new guy but let's see what I can get
done, okay? He definitely has plenty of yard space to make an
outdoor enclosrure that can be used for hunting. Maybe a chicken or
a goat..."
Benji looked up at her, sitting himself down a few feet away. He
had puffed his chest out, hearing the praise in her voice. Meeting
her eyes, the red panda was struck by how nice and open she
appeared. He liked her eyes. Shaking off the blanket, he took a few
more slow steps towards her, stoping just within her reach to pet
him. Benji reached out, trying to get himself a strawberry. Mangos
were his favorite but this? Oh, it was too good to pass up! The
crazies at the last place fed him tough, yucky old bamboo and he
had had to live off the insects he found. While insects were yummy
and delicious, flies were less savoury then say, crickets. He could
go for a juicy cricket. Snagging a strawberry, he sat back on his
hind legs and nibbled at his strawberry between his hands, watching
her intently.
Myanna took this piece of meat like the others. This man would get
her outside? Perhaps she should be nicer to this one. She nosed at
his hand sniffing it to get a good "look" at his scent. He smelled
much better than her owner who smelled like cigarettes and liquor.
He also seemed to keep himself cleaner than her owner, and she very
much liked to be clean. If she had access to a pool of water she'd
give herself a rinse off, but her daily cleanings were good
enough.
Jabrielle was practically screaming internally. This panda was so
damn cute! "Aww, that's a good boy..." She lowered the plate so he
could reach the food easier. She took one of the berry pieces in
her hand and offered that out to him once he'd finished the
strawberry in his hands. Perhaps he'd take it from her hand. She
also figured it'd be a good way for him to smell her. Thankfully
she had been able to wash her hands before coming here, so they
didn't have any bad smelling things on them. Instead they smelled
of citrus. Her soft doe brown eyes could have blended in with her
hair were it hanging loose as it normally would. "I don't know if
we have any fresh bamboo at the moment, but I can see if I can give
you some of that tomorrow night..."
Amadeus took her smelling him as a good sign. Carefully, he offered
her his clean hand that hadn't been handling the meat. "I
wonder...will I be able to pet you? I don't want to get any meat
juice on you. But you look so soft..." He murmured, looking her
over. Her body language looked good. So he moved his hand three
fourths of the way to her ear, letting her decide if she wanted the
attention and move the rest of the way. "This place looks suitable
for a little bit but seeing as he isn't into caregiving, I bet
there are needs not being met. Think you'll let me look around? I
didn't see a pool of water. You'll probably love having that. There
is bamboo...but a sturdier scratching post would be nice, huh?"
Benji studied her hand for a second before reaching out with his
own hand. He placed it on hers while he sniffed her, trying to get
a read. She smelled very nice. More fruit then the overpowering
floral smell some people put on themselves. Or unwashed. One of the
handlers at the other place seemed intent to set a record for that.
Picking up the berry gingerly, Benji looked back up at her face.
Nodding to himself, he begrudgingly approved of her. Inching
closer, he flicked his tail in enjoyment before snagging a piece of
apple. The crunch pleased him and he made little sounds of
approval, rumbling softly.
Myanna flicked her tail, her eyes looking into his. ...just hold a
moment for suspense and then. She moved her head a little to push
her warm and very soft fur against his fingers. Of course she'd let
him in. She wouldn't annoy this one quite as much, but perhaps a
little playful game or two once in a while wouldn't hurt. She
hadn't truly played with someone in a long time. Perhaps this one
would find it entertaining as much as she would. His skin was soft
and his nails didn't catch in her fur like the previous man. His
hands were also filthy. She had to spend at least another hour
cleaning herself if that one touched her. What's this? A scratching
post? She wasn't a little cat! But, a nice scratching post would
feel nice... And he notices the lack of a pool? He must know a bit
about tigers... He definitely intrigues me.
"Nice to meet you little guy. I'm Jabrielle, and I'll be helping to
take care of you." Jabrielle knew he wouldn't understand her, but
maybe he could understand the tone of her voice. She set the plate
down right in front of her so both hands were free, but she kept
them to herself for the moment, her elbows on her knees and her
hands resting on one another. "You're pretty hungry huh? Which of
these things is your favorite? That way I know which ones I should
bring more often..." She mentally cussed that she hadn't brought
her sketchbook, but she could do that next time.
Amadeus laughed at her antics, grinning as he gently scratched
behind her ear. "You'll have to show me what you like, beautiful.
That way you can be pampered like you should be. Not babied, just
pampered and treated to a life of luxury. He certainly has plenty
of money to make that happen...what do you say to making him foot
that bill? The least he could do for taking you out of the wild,
huh?" He whispered, winking as he unlocked the door to come into
her space. He held it open for a moment, letting her get used to
the idea. "I'm going to come in slowly, okay? This is your space
and I am just visiting, with your permission," Amadeus said
soothingly, stepping in and closing the door.
This was to be his caregiver, his handler? Well, he could stay a
few more days to eat and build up his strength. Especially if it
meant getting hand fed from this sweet brunette. He was tired and
being human was exhausting. Cocking his head, he looked at the food
on the plate. He liked both. But his favorite was not there. He'd
let her know when she had it. After shoving about a dozen more
pieces of fruit in his mouth, Benji set about learning the space.
He never turned his back on her, keeping the woman in his sight.
Grumbling softly, he realized there was no exit that was open. And
no window either. Flicking his tail in annoyance, he ran back over
to her. Maybe if he won her over...setting himself down next to her
knee, Benji looked up, chittering softly before patting her hand.
Myanna purred as he scratched. Oh that was the spot! She stood up
to move back as he opened the door and entered. She would get out
later. She wanted to let him get comfortable and maybe he'd forget
to close something properly. Once he had entered the room she
flicked her tail and moved away to show him her space. It wasn't
much, but there was what looked like an oversized dog bed in the
corner for her to sleep in and in the far corner away from where
she slept was where she made her mess. There was a bowl for water
and it lay empty by the wall. She would be quite happy to have her
owner pay for things, but so far he'd been pretty good to her, but
that didn't mean she didn't dislike him.
Jabrielle set the plate aside once she saw that he was done. She
watched him explore his enclosure and gasped softly as he came back
over to her. She smiled down at him and held out her hand to him.
"What? What is it you want huh? You want to get out and be free
don't you... I'd get in trouble if you got out though... Maybe once
you're better we can find a good place to let you go and live
normally..." She wondered if she'd be able to pet him a little. She
was sitting cross legged and the thought passed through her mind as
to what she'd do if he curled up there. That was absurd. This was a
wild animal not a pet.
Amadeus scowled at the empty water dish. "Well whoever he hired
last was obviously an idiot. Has he even come in to refill this?"
He muttered, picking it up. "This looks comically too small. First
things first. You are so getting a pool. Even if it is a kiddy pool
I put in here until he gets something more asteticlly pleasing. You
probably would enjoys better made bed, too...let's get you more
water." Walking over to the little facet, Amadeus turned it on,
refilling her water bowl before placing it down for her to drink
from if she would like. "If we knocked out this wall, we could get
an outside enclosure going too...space to run and some puzzles to
help keep you occupied..." He muttered to himself as he imagined
it.
Benji's gut twisted at the idea of her in trouble. Feeling bad
about his prior thoughts, he climbed into her lap, laying his head
down on her knee. He liked the fact she didn't take liberties and
just manhandle him. But he wanted her to pet him now. Maybe if he
turned onto his back, she would be unable to resist. Turning, he
flicked his tail, cocking his head to gaze up at her.
Myanna rumbled as she moved over to drink from the bowl, quickly
emptying it. He would do all that for me? I am definitely going to
be nicer to this one. She let out something of the equivalent to a
meow as she rolled over onto her side to look at him and then onto
her back. That water was good, and now perhaps he would play with
her? It had been a long time since she had played before. A good
wrestling match would be nice. Or even just batting at him.
Jabrielle was frozen for a moment and was about to pet him when he
rolled over onto his back and she lost it. "Aww," She then let one
of her hands rub over the heart on his chest. "You're such a
handsome boy!" Then she rubbed his belly gently, almost hesitantly.
She knew he was a wild animal, and didn't want to do something
wrong and get bitten.
Amadeus looked over at her to see if she needed more water. Finding
her on her back and looking like she wanted to play, he chuckled.
"Already that comfortable with me? You want to play? Or get belly
rub...alright, let's see how this goes. Gentle, though, please. I
am not quite as durable as you are, lovely," he said, couching down
and walking over.
Benji melted in her lap, turning to goo under the relaxing motion.
One of the vet techs who had checked him over had done this but
nothing as good as this girl. He was thin, too thin, and it showed
but other then that most of his injuries were just scars. He
flicked his tail, clearly enjoying all the attention he was
receiving. He was wrong. This girl, at least, was okay. He would
trust her.
Myanna's tail flicked and she extended a paw towards him and waited
for him to get over there. She'd be happy with some belly rubs. She
hadn't gotten those at all with the last guy. He never smelled good
so she wouldn't let him. This one smelled nice. Be gentle? She knew
that humans were fragile. She knew that very well.
Jabrielle grinned and gently gave him gentle scritches under his
chin. "You're such a good boy... Do you have a name for yourself
huh?" She was very happy to have him so seemingly happy with her,
and at least he trusted her.
Amadeus reached out, scratching her stomach gently. He studied her,
wanting to make sure it she didn't like something, he stopped
immediately.
Benji did have a name but he didn't know how to communicate it. She
wouldn't understand him like this. Leaning into her hand, he saught
more scratches. His eyes, closed from when she had started the
scratches, opened and he looked up at her, a small smile on his
face. Though, he wasn't sure she could tell he was smiling.
Myanna started purring when the man began scratching her stomach.
That was a good spot. Her tail swept the floor out behind her as
she moved it slowly. She raised a paw and gently bumped him on the
shoulder.
Jabrielle very happily provided more scritches along his jaw and
behind his ears. From his body language she could tell that he was
at the very least enjoying what she was doing. "I'll figure out a
name for you at some point, but until then, you'll still be a good
boy..." She whispered as she continued. At some point she'd have to
take care of the cage, but until then, bonding.