i want to live like animals [closed]

[fishhumanalien]

WHO: Haru (fishhumanalien) & Metalhawk (pacifistaggressive)
WHERE: The Miami Zoo
WHEN: 7/30, afternoon
WHAT: The fated zoo visit!
WARNINGS: Aliens looking at cute Earth animals.

[It's taken Haru some time to get together the money for the zoo passes. At some point, he became enamored of the idea, but paychecks are difficult. Back in Japan, he was paid fully in cash, not having to deal with the confusing monotony of banks. It took him awhile to get used to banking and saving and in general he's bad at it. In fact he overdrew his account on more than one occasion.

Still, once he'd gotten the money together, and purchased zoo passes, well, what else could he do but cheerfully call up his new alien pal Metalhawk and say, "WE'RE GOING TO THE ZOO LET'S GO RIGHT NOW! MEET ME IN FRONT!"

Some forced clarification later, and Haru is waiting outside, holding the two zoo passes in his hands and humming happily, waiting for his friend. Some people would say it's a bad idea to hang out with people they'd never met before alone, but, some people aren't aliens from a distant planet determined to befriend almost every living creature.]

Zoo, zoo, zooooooooooooo! [Haru sings happily, balancing on the back corner of a bench.]

Comments

[pacifistaggressive]

[It was hard to deny a request like that, especially at the volume that Haru was speaking over the comm. In fact, the timing couldn't be better. With Chie and Bumblebee busy on some days, Metalhawk found himself with no plans. And something like this seemed like just what the doctor (if he ever needed one) ordered.

The fact that Haru bought him his pass was touching as well. How could he say no? He approaches the Zoo entrance, now having some proper clothing to wear to casual events like this--a light yellow/blue track jacket and some white pants, to be specific. Finally, he's getting the hang of this blending in!]

Haru. I hope I didn't keep you waiting!

[He's used to arriving at his destination much quicker, but...not-being a jet is difficult.]

[fishhumanalien]

ME-TAL-HAW-K! HE-LLOOOO!!!

[Haru gracefully hops off of the bench, zooming over to his new friend, flapping his arms. His expression drops from exuberant joy to childish whining.]

I was waiting foREver, let's go, let's gooo!

[It wasn't actually that long, but Haru's sense of time is... different.

And Metalhawk will find Haru grabbing his arm and dragging him to the entrance.]

[pacifistaggressive]

[A soft chuckle can't help but be uttered as Haru runs over, and even moreso at the face. Maybe he's just not used to such simple things--but Haru's little indignation about time makes him think about just how skewed his is. Time really moves a lot slower when you live a very long life span...

But patting him on the shoulder, his eyes practically light up.]

Right, lead the w--!!

{And that's the boy grabbing his arm, tugging him towards the gates to the zoo.]

Whoa!

[Give him a minute for those lanky legs to catch up, eventually walking along beside him.]

What are you most excited to see? I don't know many earth animals, so be sure to show me everything.

[fishhumanalien]

The fish!

And any animal... that doesn't eat fish!

[When Metalhawk says "everything" he just means getting dragged from point to point, right? Because that's what Haru's going to interpret it as.

So, first stop... elephants! They're out in a pasture-like enclosure.]

I thought they would be noisier... Wake up, elephants! Good morning!

[pacifistaggressive]

Fish? I've seen something similar, actually. There's someone back in m world who looks like a shark.

[Don't ask why, it's better not to question.]

...

[But he looks out at the elephants, eyes glittering with excitement to see such diverse creatures. All of these things lived on Earth as well? Variety of wildlife on the planet was so fascinating.]

Perhaps they're just getting breakfast first. I've heard it's essential for a healthy lifestyle.

[fishhumanalien]

Where I'm from, everyone is fish! The whole planet is a big, warm ocean and everyone!

[Haru scurries up the railing, peering into the enclosure.]

They're eating grass! There's so much grass!

[pacifistaggressive]

The whole planet is an ocean? That's so fascinating....

A place I'd love to visit if I wouldn't be so out of place.

[But his gaze turns to the elephants, a hand over his brow like a makeshift visor to try and see them better.]

So they are grass eaters...? I never expected a large animal to eat something so mundane as grass. You'd think the bigger they are, the more complex of things they'd need to stay nourished.

[That's how it seemed with food chains, at least.]

[fishhumanalien]

Not NeeEEEe-cessarily! Big things need a lot of energy! They can't burn all their energy looking for food or digesting so they need a source that's plentiful and easy to digest!

The biggest animal on this planet in this era is the blue whale! They eat teensy shrimps!

[Haru hangs upside-down from the railing by his knees, swinging around.]

I'd like to meet a blue whale...!!! I bet it would have wise eyes like these elephants!

[pacifistaggressive]

[That was a good point, and he couldn't argue Haru for that one. Grass was plentiful, and it did seem like Mother Nature took it into consideration.]

A blue whale? How much larger is it than these elephants? My world is home to very big beings--myself included--so I wonder how it sizes up.

[fishhumanalien]

It's... big! Bigger than houses!

[A very scientific explanation.]

We should take a boat and see if we could find some! The ocean's not far!

[Just as easily as that, Haru's lost focus on the zoo...]

[pacifistaggressive]

Bigger than houses? I wonder if they'd be bigger than me in my original form, then...

[He'd just have to see for himself, then--oh hold on there, Haru. You're going to wear this poor bird out!]

How about we save that for our next trip. After all, you have to show me the fish that are in the zoo first, right?

[fishhumanalien]

Right! Let's go see the fish! FISH, FISH! [Haru says that, but it really seems like he's dragging his new friend in a completely random direction, like toward the display of predatory cats.]

[pacifistaggressive]

[Well, Metalhawk won't question, which leaves the surprise for both of them. He lets the boy drag him, putting up no resistance as they walk. Although...he has to wonder when they get to the habitats if...perhaps they were a little lost.]

They're fuzzier than I imagined.

[fishhumanalien]

N-n-n-n-no these are cats! CATS!

[One of the leopards is stalking in front of the glass, pacing back and forth. With a yelp, Haru hides behind Metalhawk.]

[pacifistaggressive]

[And Metalhawk goes rigid at Haru's outburst, eyes widening at the cat. It's a bit familiar--similar to Ravage, actually.

And...actually, that wasn't a good thing.]

We can't judge based on appearances. Perhaps it's just trying to get our attention.

[As if to prove a point, he steps closer to the large cat. Who...well, like most cats do, growl.

Maybe not the best idea. Don't mind if Metalhawk just jumps away, back close to Haru.]

Or...maybe not.

[fishhumanalien]

[Other zoo patrons are laughing and taking pictures, but Haru remains trembling behind Metalhawk, peering around his arm.] The glass...!

[Experimentally, ever so-scientifically, Haru sticks his tongue out at the leopard, pulling down his lower eyelid and making a "bleh!" noise at it.

The cat's more interested in the flash of someone's smartphone.]

Hmmm...!

[pacifistaggressive]

[Metalhawk watches, as Haru gets closer to the glass...keeping just behind him in case something should happen.

But...when that happens, he can't help but put a hand over his mouth.]

Come, Haru. I think it's learned its lesson.