#Elephant Enclosure

[whimsicalphotographer]

Red Pandas, from Blackpool Zoo

[stone-cold-groove]

Scenes from home, past and present.

[merlyn-bane]

current status: vibrating into Another Dimension™️ like a decade old laptop fan thinking about dinosaur enclosures for me and @meebles dino cowboy au

[janeromeroshow]

i heard a lion roar today :)

[wolvebonez]

idk if anyone else will even know what this is but FOZE is such a fucking funny organization. you go to their website, and then the "get the facts" page and instead of talking abt specific issues with the oregon zoo they start listing off issues they have abt other places/elephant captivity in general

[serotoninisheldinkiwis]

something something. elephant attached to a stake by a rope its entire life. the elephant could pull the stake out as an adult but never even tries because it's already learned it can't pull it out. something something jazz being terrified to do any of these things he's learned he can't

I myself don’t know a whole lot about orca captivity beyond the horrors of sea world but even then I know Jazz would be going through it, especially psychologically. Most obvious being that Jazz might not even be able to speak merfolk (that is assuming he was born and raised in captivity rather than being taken in as a baby were he might have already learned some words and sentences) and some serious self worth/relation ship issues (him having to do tricks to earn attention/affection and that to get anything he has to appease someone with power. Also being treated as an over glorified pet by most humans even though he can kind of communicate and express his needs, essentially treating him like a fancy parrot)

All that is to say he is suffering and needs his ocean time :)

HE NEEDS HIS OCEAN TIME

I want him realising that he can swim FAST. Swim in any direction. Dive deep, jump high and meet no walls or ceilings.

I want him to be scared of everything at first. Not knowing what is dangerous and how to react on different things. Hiding and staying away from every creature that looks even slightly dangerous. Treating all those monsters and mutants like a human would - with extreme caution and fear.

I want Prowl to take his hand and say “You don’t need to be scared. They’re slower. They’re dumber. They’re weaker than you. I know it doesn’t look like that but the deadliest creature among them all is you.”

Also thinking about Jazz being more impulsive when it comes to displaying aggression because this is what solitary confinement does to a mer.

Did you know that only captive orcas kill humans? I just learned about that and I will think about that fact forever now

[enwoso]

joys of parenthood | alessia russo x child!reader x leah williamson

-> based on this request:)

grumpy masterlist

leah had the whole day planned. she had for weeks.

since alessia asked for her to watch you for the day — alessia doing a shoot with ella and it just being a whole lot easy for you to spend the day with leah than it was to keep you entertained while you not getting in trouble on a photo shoot.

as well as it wasn't often leah got one-on-one time with you, and so she was looking forward to your little adventure. just you and her. a proper mama and you day.

it was a picture perfect plan, for a perfect day. a trip to the zoo, stop for ice cream, maybe a little playground time to waste anymore energy and some time to play a little game of football on the grass before heading home for a cozy night and dinner. the perfect day.

—

it started off well. you both had made it to the zoo, and you were thrilled, skipping beside leah as you pointed out all the animals in awe. you'd even been on your best behavior when leah bought you an ice cream.

it is easy, leah had thought smugly — to naively. watching you happily lick at the ice cream cone as you babbled about all the different animals you had seen.

but all too quickly it then all fell apart.

the elephant enclosure was the scene of the crime. you had decided you needed to feed them. not wanted—needed. but when leah gently explained to you that they couldn't because the zoo had strict rules, your little face crumpled.

and then, chaos.

one second, you were sadly pouting. the next, you were screaming. full-on, earth-shattering wails. tears streaming down your tiny face. people staring.

leah had been through some high-pressure situations in her life and she would like to pride herself on being able to stay calm during these moments like a euro final, captaining her team, press conferences that felt like walking into a battlefield.

but nothing, nothing, could've prepared her for a five-year-old throwing herself onto the pavement and sobbing like the world was ending because she couldn't feed an elephant.

"angel, baby, i know you're upset, but we can't—"

"NOOOO!"

"alright, alright." leah ran a hand down her face, feeling the eyes of every parent around her. some were sympathetic, others were definitely judging.

okay. think, leah, think.

she crouched beside you, lowering her voice. "i know you're upset and feeling a little sad, but this isn't how we—"

"I WANNA FEED THE ELEPHANTS!"

leah exhaled. defeat. absolute defeat. where was alessia when you needed her.

after several long minutes, during which she exhausted every tactic she could think of, leah admitted defeat. the zoo trip was officially over.

she scooped up you as you were still sniffling, carrying you back to the car, their day suddenly cut very, very short.

—

by the time they got home, leah was done.

gone was the well-planned day of fun. instead, she settled you down for a quieter evening—movies, a simple dinner because at this point, leah couldn't handle another battle, and eventually, bedtime.

which, of course, was its own challenge. "mama," you called out sleepily after leah had already tucked you in. "can you tell me a story?"

leah sighed but smiled, brushing a few curls from your face. "only if you promise to actually go to sleep after."

you grinned. "okay." it took three stories, two extra sips of water, and leah humming a lullaby she barely knew before you finally, finally fell asleep as leah kissed the top of your head mumbling an 'i love you and mummy loves you' before leaving the room making sure your night light was left on.

reaching the bottom of the stairs, leah feet dragged there way into the living room as she slumped onto the couch, closing her eyes.

and that's exactly where alessia and ella found her when they walked in later that night.

—

"how was your day?" alessia asked, dropping onto the couch beside leah , kicking her feet up. ella plopped down on the other side, looking equally curious.

leah opened one eye. "where do i start?"

ella laughed. "that bad?"

leah pushed a hand through her hair, shaking her head. "she had a meltdown. full-on, world-ending, screaming-at-the-top-of-her-lungs meltdown. in public, at the zoo."

alessia's lips twitched. "oh yeah?"

"yeah," leah deadpanned. "because i wouldn't let her feed the elephant even though technically there was no way you could of anyway"

at that, alessia snorted and ella outright cackled. leah narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend. "you could've warned me."

alessia smirked. "oh, babe. welcome to toddlerhood." she patted leah's knee, grinning. "you've got it all to look forward too, the tantrums in the middle of the supermarket cause you won't let her look at the toy section, the not touching her food even though she's just asked for that exact meal. consider this your pre-warning for the teenage years."

leah groaned, letting her head fall back against the couch. "i am not ready for that."

alessia just laughed, leaning over to press a quick kiss to leah's cheek. "well, you survived today. that's a start."

leah exhaled dramatically. "barely."

ella shook her head, grinning. "i'm just glad i got to witness this moment. leah williamson, fearless leader, defeated by a five-year-old."

leah shot her a look. "you try handling tiny in full meltdown mode, then we'll talk."

alessia grinned. "so... you'll watch her again next time?"

leah groaned, but she was smiling. "yeah, yeah. but next time, you're handling the tantrum."

alessia smirked. "deal." and despite everything, leah had to admit, tantrums and all, she wouldn't trade her little mama and you days for anything.

[yanderecrazysie]

Twisted Zoo: Chapter 11

Prologue (beginning): here

Previous Chapter: here

Next Chapter: here

Note: THE TAGS BROKE AGAIN, I'M SO SORRY!

This is based on the stories of a keeper reader with the octotrio by @ashensgrotto and @merakiui

Also @twistedcece @cenatour @xiaopleasecomehome @bearshideout @koebishrimpuwu @vash-yuu @twstsandturns @help-whatdoimakemyusername @secret-potion @magmdnv @sunshine-for-serotonin @the-ace-reader @mel-star636 @silkkorchid @pamv11 @coffee-or-hot-cocoa @hrhqueenfox @goseew @luxthestrange @juno-of-wonderland @who-mst @despairingy-obsessed @lanxianschoenheit @ceramic-raven @m0063576 @kimdourden @rammylog @sushiperson @starshiningsirius @im-here-for-the-fun-of-it @the-monochrome-jester @owodi @girl-nahh-two @obeythehuman @berry-efoy @ivorette @the-broken-truth @losingmybrain @sxftiebee @queens-unheard-thoughts @medicine-san @strugglingsleeper @asdorlia @nightskylark @cashmerek @rocketstyx and @ryovel wanted to be tagged! Let me know if anyone else wants to be tagged for future chapters. If you no longer want to be tagged, please tell me! (I have removed the tags that weren’t working for me, apologies if yours was removed!)

Summary: You’re a brand new zookeeper at The Halfling Zoo- a place where half-animals live in captivity. Your job is simple- feed them and study them. Your main worry is that one of the more dangerous halflings might kill you. 

Unfortunately, that may become the least of your worries.

WARNINGS: yandere themes

Note: All characters are aged up, since there will be mature themes in future parts.

Also, I can’t promise I’ll finish this. I suck at finishing stories.

NOTE 2: Sorry that it took over a month to write this, but I needed inspiration + my new job is kicking my butt. It’s pretty short and bad but I didn’t have a lot of inspiration.

—-------------------------------------------------------

You were on your way to the birds’ enclosure when you heard your name being called. You turned around to see Crowley making his way towards you, one arm raised to flag you down. You hurried over to him.

“Yes, Mr. Crowley?”

As you drew closer, you could see the concern on his face. 

“I need you to come with me,” he said softly, leading the way to the aviary. You nodded and followed him, worry starting to consume you.

“Is everything okay?” you asked.

Mr. Crowley led you around to a side of the aviary you hadn’t been to before- a side that faced neither the employee entrance nor the zoo visitors. It took only a few seconds to realize why he had led you there.

The metal enclosure had been dented outwards, as though a lot of force had been applied to it from the inside. The seams were starting to split apart, artificial light from inside the enclosure peeking through the cracks. It looked like an elephant had been body-slamming the aviary’s walls.

“Wha- what happened?” you asked, stunned.

“We’ve had some… incidents recently. All of the halflings have been acting up more than usual and, as you can see, there’s been some damage to the aviary’s metal dome.”

“But the birds are so well-behaved!” you protested in shock.

“That’s the thing,” Mr. Crowley said gravely, “It seems to happen after your visits. The halflings become… agitated when you aren’t around.”

You couldn’t believe that the gentle, friendly birds had caused this kind of damage to a metal enclosure. And because of you? It was almost unthinkable.

“I don’t understand,” you said in a near whisper, “Why would they do this?”

Mr. Crowley sighed wearily, “Halflings form strong bonds, that’s why we have so many bonded species at this zoo. They will especially latch on to anyone who shows them true kindness. You clearly mean a lot to them and your absence upsets them.”

“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” you said, a pang of guilt tugging at your heartstrings.

“I know, and I don’t blame you,” Mr. Crowley reassured you, “But we need to find a solution.”

“Do you have any ideas?” you asked.

Mr. Crowley went silent and avoided eye contact. A thrill of apprehension shot up your spine but you willed it away. Mr. Crowley would never put you in danger, right?

“For now, just continue as normal,” Mr. Crowley replied, “We’ll work on fixing the enclosure.”

You nodded and the zoo director dismissed you with a careless wave. You hurried to the enclosure’s employee entrance and were disturbed to hear, instead of the usual quiet, the sounds of squawks and hoots and other cries. 

You stepped inside and were surprised by the scene you were met with. The halflings were clearly distressed: pacing in their cages and looking around wildly, feathers fluffed up in agitation. Even calm-and-collected Vil looked ruffled.

“Guys? Are you alright?” you called out softly.

Ace was first to respond, “Where were you?” he demanded to know, voice tinged with panic, “You’re late! You’ve never been late before!”

“I’m sorry, Ace,” you said, trying to sound as soothing as possible, “I was talking to Mr. Crowley about some… problems with the enclosure.”

Ace’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “Problems? What problems?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” you said, feeling a little nervous by the intensity of his gaze. Glancing around, you could see that every bird halfling had their eyes trained on you.

Trey flew from his birdhouse to his perch, landing gracefully on the wooden perch and fixing you with a stern glare and saying, “You can’t disappear.”

You nodded, trying to calm them all down, “I understand. It won’t happen again.”

Vil stepped forward, his beautiful feathers out of place and ruffled. His eyes were narrowed and he was frowning as though disappointed in you, “You always leave us.”

You were overwhelmed by all of their intense gazes and you felt a lump form in your throat. “I’m here as often as I can be.”

Epel looked up at you with watery eyes, “We worry when you leave. Not safe out there.”

You forced a gentle smile to your lips, “I’m perfectly safe. And I’m here now. Let’s all calm down everyone, okay?”

Slowly, the halflings relaxed. Rook stopped pacing, Vil smoothed his feathers, and Trey flew back into his bird house. Even though the tension had mostly disappeared, the underlying worry and hint of possessiveness remained.

You turned to Deuce, who hadn’t spoken yet, but instead looked at you wistfully. “Are you doing okay, Deuce?” you asked.

Deuce’s eyes softened, but the troubled frown remained on his face, “I’m fine,” his voice was strained, “I missed you.”

Your heart ached, “I missed you too,”

Ace piped up in an annoyed tone, “Why can’t you just stay here with us?”

You blinked in surprise, “I have a life outside the zoo. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here.”

It was Cater’s turn to speak, and the expression he gave you made your stomach twist unpleasantly, “You’re too good to stay with us halflings, mademoiselle? We do not have a life outside this zoo, but we deserve that, don’t we?”

“Wh-what? Of course not!” you spluttered.

“Then stay!” Epel whined, a tear sliding down his cheek.

“I- I can’t,” your voice came out in a whisper. You shook yourself and turned around, heading for the staff door,  “I’ll go get your meals…”

There was an eerie silence as you passed out their meals. Each of the halflings took their salads and set them aside, their appetites gone. The tension in the air was so thick you thought you might choke on it.

Finally, the time came for you to leave. As you turned towards the staff door, a hand grabbed the back of your shirt. You turned in surprise to find Riddle outside his enclosure, his pink feathers standing on end.

“Promise… you’ll come back.” Riddle choked out, fighting back tears.

You turned to him and gave him a gentle smile before pulling him into a hug. “Of course I’ll come back.”

“Promise!” he demanded.

“I promise.”

With the way they all looked at you, with victory and possessiveness, you halfway wondered if you had sold your soul with that promise.

[stone-cold-groove]

Scenes from home, past and present.

[woso-dreamzzz]

End of the World V

Katie McCabe x Child!Reader

Caitlin Foord x Child!Reader

Summary: The last day in Australia

On the last day of your trip to Australia, you go to the zoo.

It's a whole day activity because it's a night flight.

It had been Caitlin's idea actually and she's why you sit in your pram. You don't usually get put into the pram now that you're not a baby but there's meant to be lots of walking today so Mammy had rented one out for you.

You're glad though because Australia is hot and you don't like hot because it makes you sweat a lot and then your clothes cling to you.

You don't like that at all.

So, you are glad for the pram because it's perfect to be pushed around in and still being able to see all the animals.

Mammy pushes you but Caitlin's the one who points out everything to you, crouching next to your pram and explaining things from the placards that are just out of sight from you.

"Elephant," Caitlin says to you, pointing out the animal.

"Lelephant."

"Elephant," She says again.

"Lelephant."

She smiles. "Close enough. Elephants have big trunks. They use it to pick up branches to eat. See?"

She points and you follow her finger to where the elephant is chewing on some leaves.

"It's big."

"It is."

You think for a moment.

The elephant is very big, massive even. It's got a big trunk and big feet and big tusks. It's very scary and you whine a little when it wanders closer to where you and the others are watching it.

You squeeze your eyes shut quickly. "I don't like the lelephants, Caitlin!"

"Okay, okay. Let's move on." She flips through the brochure and shows it to you. "Where do you want to go?"

"Erm...er..." Your eyes glance over the pictures before focusing on the little animal with red and white fur. "That one."

"You want to see the red pandas?" Caitlin asks and you nod.

"Yes, please, Caitlin."

Mammy laughs and starts wheeling you away.

You think the red pandas aren't as big as the elephants and giraffes and aren't as scary as the lions and rhinos. The red pandas look soft and sweet like Coopurr back home.

You're right. They do look soft and sweet and you tug a little bit at the straps keeping you in your pram.

Caitlin notices and she smiles. "Do you want to get out, kiddo?"

You freeze slightly at being addressed before you cautiously nod your head. You're unclipped and up in Caitlin's arms within seconds.

At first, you feel stiff and awkward in them but it's just Caitlin. It's not like she's a stranger so you relax into her, hands on her shoulder so you can push yourself a bit further away to see the red pandas clumsily wander around their enclosure.

"Do you like them, kiddo?" Mammy asks and you nod.

"They're cute and little."

"That's right. They are."

You don't know how long you stay waiting at the red pandas but it must be a while. You don't know why you like them but it must be because they look so huggable.

At home, Coopurr only tolerates hug for a little while before he's wiggling away to go do Coopurr things that you don't understand.

Red pandas seem a little clumsy though and one of them stays snoozing in the sun the entire time you're there. They must give good cuddles.

You don't really want to leave them but you still have to get to the airport so you have to leave.

Mammy goes off to the toilet before you leave while you sit in Caitlin's arms as she wanders around the giftshop.

"Hey, kiddo," She says," Do you want this?"

She's holding a doll.

You like dolls.

It's a doll with a little red panda on its arms and red panda themed clothes. It's very cute and you bite at your lip.

"We have to go," You whisper," If we're not ready when Mammy comes back, she might get annoyed."

"Katie won't get annoyed," Caitlin assures you," Do you want it?"

You bob your heads up and down. "Yes, please, Caitlin."

When Mammy comes out of the toilet, you've got your new doll and she easily takes you from Caitlin so she can fawn over it.

She coos over it and asks questions all the way back to the airport and all the way through boarding.

She's planning on fawning over it until you settle but your ears pop without warning and you shriek.

Pulling your hands away from your ears, you find that they haven't gone back to normal. They're all blocked and weird and they hurt.

So you start sobbing, tears spilling over your cheeks.

"Shh, shh," Katie says," It's okay. It's okay. Come here."

She unclips you and you crawl over to her, burying your face into her chest.

"Here," Caitlin says, passing over the blanket she was going to use for the flight," Use this."

[apsciencebylyn]

Late last year I found some of S. Florida's tiny Schizomida whiptail scorpions and brought one home to my isopod enclosure. She still poking around in there!

Just a tiny wild dog with the usual number of legs, running at the feet of African elephants (also with the usual number of legs)🥹

[schmergo]

Today I learned a fact that kinda blew my mind, and I'm almost astonished I didn't know this before as someone whose chief interests include zoo animals, the U.S. Presidency, true crime, and D.C. history. What an opener, right? How could those topics possibly combine?

Well, buckle up and get ready to hear how negligent National Zoo leadership potentially could have killed a US President or started a local epidemic. Spoiler alert: They didn't. But only because luck was in their favor.

First, the part that I DID already know. In 2004, Lucy Spelman stepped down as the director of the National Zoo after a spate of controversial zoo incidents, including a string of unfortunate (and often preventable) animal deaths, misleading and missing zoo records, and other signs of negligence. The AZA even "tabled" renewing the National Zoo's accreditation for a year until they made some significant improvements. Spelman was also a vet and some of the cases she was accused of bungling happened at her own hands, not just under her supervision. It was a major disgrace for a zoo that was meant to represent the nation's capital.

I was in elementary school during these fraught years and I remember devouring articles about this in the newspaper, riveted with shock and dismay. Some of the deaths were just bad luck, but others were obviously negligent. The most infamous case was two red pandas killed by rat poison shallowly buried in their enclosures as a slapdash solution to the zoo's pest problem. A young zebra died of starvation and hypothermia after Spelman ordered the zebras' feed be cut in half, an orangutan was euthanized due to a recurrence of cancer that didn't exist (she actually had salmonella), a lion died after being administered over twice the usual amount of anesthetic, and more. I remember the names and details of these animals from when I first read these cases 20 years ago. But the one I'm talking about today is that of Nancy the elephant.

Nancy was a 46-year-old African elephant whose health had been steadily declining for several years. She suffered from a bone infection in her foot that seriously affected her mobility and quality of life. She had lost a lot of weight, she was fatigued, she even lay down at times. Nobody could be blamed for deciding to euthanize the obviously ill animal.

But they could be blamed for what was discovered in the necropsy after she was euthanized. While she did indeed have a diseased foot, the bone infection was only "moderate." Why, then, was she so obviously unwell? Her lungs had been destroyed by the effects of untreated tuberculosis. It was the tuberculosis, not the sore foot, that most contributed to her decline in health.

Here’s the scary part: nobody knows how long she'd had it because she hadn't been tested for tuberculosis, a known concern for zoo elephants, in TWO YEARS. All this despite the fact that it's MANDATORY for all zoo elephants to receive a tuberculosis test once per year-- and in fact, it was a National Zoo staff member who pushed for that reform in the first place. And the elephant was on Prednisone for her foot issues, which zoo staff noted in her records made her more vulnerable to illnesses like TB. In fact, none of the zoo's elephants had been tested recently, which meant any of them, including one who was pregnant, may have had tuberculosis, too.

There are documented cases of humans catching tuberculosis from elephants. Now, Nancy the elephant had bovine tuberculosis, which seems to be less contagious to humans and which elephants haven't so far spread to humans... BUT it has spread to humans from black rhinos, a fairly close relative, so it seems likely that elephants COULD spread it. It can also take a while for TB for incubate (and can also be latent without symptoms), especially for elephants, so the elephants OR keepers who were around Nancy were at serious risk for TB.

NOW HERE IS THE PART THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL TODAY:

Spelman actively tried to COVER UP the situation, potentially putting many more people at risk. The elephant house was closed to zoo guests, but they were only told it was for "renovations." (The actual renovations, incidentally, were to improve ventilation so that illness would be less likely to spread.)

A BBC news crew that came to film the elephants was asked to keep a healthy distance from the elephants for their emotional health and the crew's safety-- the explanation given was that the elephants' group dynamics had been thrown off by Nancy's death. Spelman instructed zoo staff not to mention the TB situation to the BBC crew and, if asked why Nancy died, they were to respond that it was for multiple reasons and that the official test results weren't all back yet.

And here's the most shocking part of all, the part that made me GASP out loud. Spelman still personally gave some special VIP behind-the-scenes tours of the elephant house during the months that the elephant house was closed, a time when the remaining elephant inhabitants could potentially still develop active TB.

One VIP who received an elephant house tour was PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON and five family members!!!!

BILL. CLINTON. THE GOSHDARN PRESIDENT.

While zoo staff says that the tour was deliberately distanced and nobody got close to an elephant, there are photos of Bill Clinton's nephew about a foot away from an elephant's trunk. You know, their nose. The part they can spread disease with. So, uh, definitely in the danger zone there.

Hillary Clinton's brother, Tony Rodham, was on the tour and he said that nobody in the party was warned about TB risk or asked if they had any medical conditions that might (a. make them susceptible to communicable disease, or (b. be contagious to the elephants. This is especially egregious because according to zoo guidelines, all behind-the-scenes tour participants MUST be asked these questions-- not just when there's a very real possibility of a TB outbreak at the zoo.

Fortunately, none of the zoo's other elephants OR keepers ever tested positive for tuberculosis. But it was certainly a close call! And imagine what would have happened if a US President caught TB from a close encounter with an elephant thanks to poorly managed zoo staff.

Presidents meet a lot of people. In fact, this zoo visit happened only 2 weeks before the inauguration of President George W. Bush, which Clinton attended. He very well could have started a TB outbreak there. Heck, TWO US Presidents could have been infected!

Now THAT is something I will be thinking about for a long time!

[mysteryshoptls]

Episode 7-149 Rhythmic Story

MARCH ALONGSIDE JAMIL!

Jamil: Now, we march! You all better not lose formation!

Kalim: Jamil sure looks like he's enjoying himself!

Jamil: Quiet, you! Move your feet, not your mouth!

Grim: Man, Jamil's actin' all high-and-mighty like a king or something.

Silver: Well, regardless, we should follow closely so as to not be left behind.

～FIRST PHASE END～

Jamil: Hey, you there! Your umbrella is tilted! Hold it more properly!

Kalim: My bad! I'll fix it now.

Vil: How far is this parade going? I'm absolutely drenched in sweat...

Sebek: Urk... What blazing heat. But, this is nothing!

Ortho: I have cooling sprays and water prepared for everyone. If you need it, let me know!

～SECOND PHASE END～

Grim: I don't wanna do this anymore～! It's so hooot, and I'm tiiired～!

Silver: We've certainly walked quite some while. How is Kalim doing up there in the front?

Kalim: Walking on my own two feet in a parade isn't too bad once in a while! Ahahah!

Sebek: Looks like he's completely fine. Guess it helps that he's from here.

Jamil: Alright, we've arrived! Close the umbrellas and bring the elephant to the elephant enclosure!

Requested by @kunoichi101.

[brucewaynehater101]

When the others inevitably find out about the warped dynamic between Tim and Bruce they decide to completely take advantage of it and tell Tim that they’re planning on going out

And tim sees them as his siblings or distant relatives so he doesn’t really think that he needs to give them permission or that he has any authority over them so he just nods and tells them to be safe

When they get caught by Bruce they just immediately throw Tim under the bus by saying that he said they could go and Tim is realizing that his siblings are exploiting the loophole that is Tim and must work his way out of this blunder

Alright. Brilliant. However, here's how I'm imaging the scene to play out:

~~~

Damian has been glaring at Tim for the last thirteen minutes. Tim has been steadfast in ignoring whatever weird intimidation technique the kid is trying to pull with him. As he's taken to most of the batkids, he sticks to the motto, "it's not my business until it is."

The best part about that motto is how vague it is so Tim can shape it to whatever aim he pleases. It works for him, and it works against everyone else (unless it's Duke. The teen ruthlessly utilizes the loophole of making whatever situation he needs Tim for into Tim's problem).

Regardless, Tim has been clacking away at Neon Knights paperwork while Damian stares at Tim without blinking. An idle thought of Tim's almost makes him navigate to LoA servers to check their training programs (thirteen whole minutes without blinking???), but his willpower is strong enough to ignore it.

"Timothy."

Tim immediately closes his laptop and whips around to Damian.

Did the little gremlin actually refer to Tim by his first name?

Tim's fingers twitch with the urge to perform an injury check on the kid, but he refrains. Damian seems fine.

Well... besides the unblinking stare for thirteen minutes and the first name. Maybe Tim should perform tha-

"Colin and I would like to go to the zoo on Saturday, Timothy."

Tim's thoughts snap back to present at the confusing series of events that are playing out. He clocks the kid's clenched teeth, his hesitancy to even utter any words, the delayed conversation, the first name usage, the way Damian's eyes betray irritation and anticipation, his strict posture, and the way Damian's hands are clasped behind his back. It's a confusing set of clues laid out before Tim, and he can only come to one conclusion.

Damian is reaching out and offering an olive branch. He's offering random information in his socially stunted way of bonding.

Tim allows a soft smile to appear on his face as he nods. "Are there any animals in particular you want to see?"

Damian's eyebrow furrow, but he does answer the question. "Richard has prattled on about the elegance of elephants. Colin is partial to the tigers."

While that didn't necessarily answer the question, Tim offers him a nod. "I particularly enjoy their bird enclosures. They allow you to walk inside some of them as they fly around you."

Damian's eyes gain a concerning gleam to them, but Tim just hopes this bonding exercise brings them closer together. It's been hectic in the Manor ever since the other Bats found out about the true nature of his relationship with Bruce. It's not as huge of a deal as they seem to be making of it.

Tim grabs his laptop, places it on his lap, and pries it open again. "I hope you guys have fun at the zoo."

By the soft and intentional putter of feet, Tim can hear Damian walking away. "Thank you, Timothy."

"You're welcome, Dames."

Tim finds out Saturday night, when the batcave is filled with 3 tigers, 6 elephants, and so many birds, what Damian actual meant by him going to the zoo. Bruce is furious, several of the Batkids are laughing, and Tim is quietly hiding his amusement as well.

Or he was until Damian explained that Tim had given him permission to do it and even told him to grab all the birds.

[jaythes1mp]

Yo, @mabysstuff

I apologise profusely, I had accidentally posted this half way done, so your ask got deleted🦖🦖

I forgot what I wrote so it’s only a small drabble now😔

♧♣︎♧♣︎

While the family's affection for you would remain the same, they would be extremely cautious due to the risks posed by your larger forms. Given that you're a bear or elephant (or really any potentially dangerous creature), they would never allow you to leave the grounds of the property.

All in the name of keeping you safe and protected, of course.

It would be far too dangerous to let any bigger animals out unless they planned some sort of charity event in sponsor of them.

So you’d be stuck in some protective enclosure or forced to be in your human form for pretty much the rest fo your life.

Masterlist

[magapatriot64]

In 1986, John Reid was on Safari in Kenya after graduating from Trinity College Dublin.

On a hike through the bush he came across a young bull elephant with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so John approached it carefully. He got down on one knee and somehow managed to inspect the elephant's foot of which he found there to be a piece of wood embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, John managed to work the wood out with his Bowie knife. Then the elephant gingerly put down his foot.

The elephant turned to face the man with a curious look on its face and stared at him for a number of tense moments. John stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned and walked away. John never forgot the elephant or the events that day.

Twenty years later John was walking through Dublin Zoo with his teenage son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures walked over to near where John and his son Ricky were standing. The large bull elephant stared at John, lifted his front foot off the ground, then put it down.

The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, John couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. John summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped his trunk around John's left leg and slammed him against the railing ki*ling him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

This is for everyone who posts fake heart warming stories on Facebook that mostly aren't true anyway 📷