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Sept 21, 2015 4:13:53 GMT -8
Tag me @ozzie
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Post by Kyle Kirkland on Sept 7, 2013 2:53:38 GMT -8
Now that he had been called into London Zoo once, Kyle seriously hoped that he would be called in again. No really, the Zoo was amazing; he would love to come back again sometime. He didn’t often get to work with reptiles (although they were his specialty) and now that the poor python had been deemed unfazed from her escapade outside of the cage he was using the extra time to examine the rest of the exhibit. The frazzled zookeeper had offered to show him around but the Australian had assured him that he could manage by himself and besides, shouldn’t he be trying to figure out how the python escaped in the first place?
Now he was meandering through the enclosures of snakes and lizards and dragons, and eating strawberry ice-cream. What could he say? Ice-cream was good, and he had been offered food on the house by the zoo staff for his help in the python’s recapture. The girl at the booth had laughed at his accent and had given him an extra big helping which Kyle was not about to say no to. But as he watched a Komodo dragon go about its day to day business he reflected that it might have been a little too much for him to manage. He was already quite full and there were still at least two lumps of strawberry goodness left at the bottom of his cup. On the other hand he really did not like to waste food if he could help it.
He looked at his spoon, then at the dragon, then at his ice-cream. Could he perhaps? No. Komodo dragons did not eat dairy products in the wild and it could very well be bad for them. It was a pity he hadn’t trained any of his pets to eat with a spoon, but then again, they had no real need to do so (or the opposable thumbs to manage it). Glancing at the crowd Kyle decided that it would be a better idea to offer his berry flavoured dessert to a human rather than an animal. There had to be someone who would like it, who could say no to ice-cream!
Choosing a passer-by at random Kyle approached the person and offered them his cup. “Would you like some strawberry ice-cream mate? I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew of mine.”
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Nov 16, 2015 19:20:28 GMT -8
Tag me @sheep
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Post by Westley Walters-Kirkland on Sept 7, 2013 11:35:52 GMT -8
"Ice cream?" he turned to glance at the half-eaten treat that he had been offered, stomach letting out a few low rumbles at the sight of some sustenance. Food at the zoo was always so horribly overpriced that it was worth the gnawing hunger for a few hours until he returned home to a nice warm bowl of instant noodles. "Oh? Sure, thanks!"
With a bright smile he accepted the snack, closing the notebook he had been doing his animal observations in for school and setting it in his bag. He had been at it for at least a good two hours and a break was always a nice idea, especially when accompanied with delicious creamy berry treats. Mumbling another bright thanks to the man he dug in the small plastic spoon for a lump and stuck it between his lips, savoring the mellow taste with a soft hum of satisfaction as he swayed from side to side with his eyes closed in bliss. "So? Are you here with your kid or something bro? You look a little old to be hanging around a zoo by yourself."
Green eyes popped open to inspect him curiously as he took another large bite of the treat, holding the spoon between his teeth and flicking the end lightly with his finger. He was older, skin browned from the sun and hair slightly wonky from being ruffled by the wind. In general he was just as one would expect, tall with muscles that were more likely larger than his brain in any means. Gently he patted the seat on the bench next to himself and scooted over a little bit to make some more room, setting the ice cream down on his lap and offering him a hand to shake. "Wes? And who are you then bro? Besides for the creeper lurking in the zoo, preying on little kids."
A grin blossomed on his lips, his words obviously a soft friendly jest more than an accusation, the more he glanced around there was little doubt he was there alone. Though, through mere curiosity the question still stood as to what his purpose in the zoo was as of that day. Loads of families and groups of friends wandered about cheerily, the children holding large puffs of candy floss and a few crying because they didn't get enough toppings sprinkled on top of their ice cream. They seemed to be one of the few who were there by themselves, and it wasn't like the zoo was were people came for fun either. Shrugging to himself he took another bite of the frozen treat.
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Sept 21, 2015 4:13:53 GMT -8
Tag me @ozzie
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Post by Kyle Kirkland on Sept 7, 2013 18:28:10 GMT -8
The curly head whipped around at the sound of his voice “Ice cream?” he asked “Oh? sure, thanks!” Kyle watched bemused as the kid wolfed down several spoonfuls without bothering to breath. Honestly you’d think he was starving or something, he was enjoying it so much. The kid glanced up his way and Kyle was momentarily speechless. It was his cousin. “Wes!” He’d recognise those stupid wool sweaters anywhere. But wasn’t he meant to be down in New Zealand with his mum? No hang on, he’d moved to England to live with his father hadn’t he? He must be at the zoo for a school assignment or something. It really was a small world.
"So? Are you here with your kid or something bro? You look a little old to be hanging around a zoo by yourself."
Oh haha, insulting jokes already, he really hadn’t changed. Kyle pointed at Matilda who was handing off his ankle “My kid’s right here. And where is your mummy little ankle biter? Maybe I should take you to the lost and found booth.” Wes offered him his hand to shake which surprised him a little. The Kiwi wasn’t exactly one to bother with formalities. But then again it had been a while since their last meeting, maybe he had actually grown up a notch.
Kyle took a good look at his cousin. Blimey, Wes must have sprouted a good ten or more centimeters since he’d last seen him. He was almost adult height now. But he was still as skinny as ever. Was he getting enough to eat? Kyle couldn’t imagine why he wouldn’t be. Wes was always mooching off other people’s food, and the fact that he hadn’t refused his offer of ice-cream meant that trait was still going strong. Maybe it was because he was still growing, he was only what, Sixteen?/Seventeen? What better reason did he have to look half starved? Aside from that Wes looked pretty much the same. Same sheep-hair, same dress style, maybe later he should steal that sweater and see if he chucked the same tantrum. He only managed to catch the second half of his cousin’s question, about preying on little kids or something. Kyle rolled his eyes “I only prey on the ones with woolly jumpers and skinny legs. Otherwise I’m a vet, helping out the zookeepers take care of their animals and whatnot.” There was not need to tell him about his “other job” just yet, if ever. Kyle steered the conversation away from his occupation before Wes could pry further “So how’ve you been Wes? How’s living with your mysterious father? I bet you’re not mollycoddled any more, that must be tough.”
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Nov 16, 2015 19:20:28 GMT -8
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Post by Westley Walters-Kirkland on Sept 7, 2013 21:03:54 GMT -8
It took the Kiwi a few moments to recognize the man in front of him, the other having already put two and two together with the familiar manner that his spoke the the boy in. Something about that tone, the stance of someone full of himself, and the utter stench of an overcooked ego just tipped the memory jar right over. "You...Kyle! So you are picking up little kids then, 'fraid I'm a little big to be fitting into your van then so you best be moving along. That little girl with the pink ribbons in her hair seem more of your type I'd say..." He chuckled nervously at his cousin and moved to pull him into an awkward hug, finishing off the last dregs of melted ice cream in his cup.
"Cuz...what are you doing all the way over here then? S'not like you to come out to a large city, I thought you preferred the quiet and simple. And there is much more interesting work on farms out there too don't you think? Is the money good as a vet?" He leaned down and lifted up the Koala gently in his arms, keeping her close enough to the Australian so if she started to rampage that he would nab her before too much blood was shed. He had one too many scars from the little bugger, and even though that number was none he was not willing to risk it. Shifting the animal awkwardly the Kiwi sat back down, casting a glance around the crowded zoo a he debated the best way to answer his cousin's question.
"Well...he uh...it's going well. I miss my Mum a whole lot though, but I think you would have already guessed that ages ago. How long have you been here? How's Auntie?" He hurriedly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell too long on his father and the rest of his kind. Luckily Kyle wouldn't really question such matters to the best of his knowledge, it wasn't like his relationship with his father was very interesting at all. It was just a father, and his hoard of children.
"So? I don't know about you but I am feeling rather peckish at the moment, fancy a snack? I'm nearly done here anyways and as a vet you can answer any other questions that I need to have answered on this survey." Smiling softly he gathered up the rest of his things, hardly waiting for an answer as he gave back Oz's little girl and tugged him off towards the gates. "There are a few nice pubs around here, and you can get me some beer right? It's completely legal if you get it for me being family and all." Wes felt pretty smooth, having steered the conversation quickly away from his living situation and turned it into a free meal with possible booze, who would have thought. It would be even better if he lived a little close by, or even had a house all to himself. Sometimes things just went so perfectly.
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Sept 21, 2015 4:13:53 GMT -8
Tag me @ozzie
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Post by Kyle Kirkland on Sept 8, 2013 22:47:37 GMT -8
Watching the Kiwi’s face slowly bloom with recognition was amusing to say the least. He was lucky no blood vessels burst in the process. “You…Kyle!” Wes pulled him into hug, somehow managing to finish his ice-cream in the process. Kyle allowed himself to be strangled and slung an arm around the strangler in return. It was good to see him, particularly in this large city. Sometimes a familiar face was all you needed to take the strangeness away.
“I like quiet and simple, but seems that quiet and simple doesn’t like me. So here I am, aren’t you thrilled?” Kyle laughed and patted the funny hair on Westley’s head which were generically known as ram’s curls. It was an old habit of his, all the more harder to resist because the Kiwi would occasionally bleat when he did it. He listened as Wes smooched his Koala and told him briefly about living with his father.
“I’m glad it’s working out for you. To be honest I half expected that you’d get too homesick and would run off on the next flight to Auckland, hijacking the plane if you had to.” Indeed Kyle wouldn’t put it past Wes to do such a thing, he had done stranger after all. “Mum’s doing well. She’s been sending me Tim Tam and Vegemite care packages. They’ve been a life saver. How’s your mum doing?”
Kyle really only knew the bare minimum of his cousin’s move to England and why. But now that they were both in the same country there was no reason why he shouldn’t keep better tabs on him. Sure Wes was staying with family, but Kyle was pretty certain that they didn’t know him that well. Nor would they know when he needed to be bundled up with a blanket and some tea and when he needed to be dangled over a balcony by his ankles. Kyle however, did. Perhaps at a later date he could get a better idea as to what Wes’s family was like. But definitely not today, it was just too good a day to waste with worrying about things. And anyway, who wanted to spoil a reunion with “Have you been behaving well?”
So instead he allowed himself to be pulled off towards the Zoo exit and out into London’s streets, nodding along with the younger’s requests for beer. “I’ll get you just one, and food to go with it. We’ll go out on the piss properly once you’re eighteen. Just don’t tell Auntie or she’ll skin me for corrupting her lambykins.”
Mentally Kyle started making a list of the preparations he’d have to make on his house for when Wes inevitably invited himself over. ‘Stock up on chocolate fish (could you get those in Britain?), move the kittens out of the living room, and for godssake remember to hide the glitter...’ Out loud he merely asked “Where would you like to eat? I’d prefer someplace where they won’t fuss too much about having minors or pets around.”
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Nov 16, 2015 19:20:28 GMT -8
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Post by Westley Walters-Kirkland on Sept 9, 2013 7:36:56 GMT -8
Westley bit back a bleat as his hair was stroked, a silly little habit he had picked up as a child and somehow was unable to rid himself of. Anyways, it would just give Kyle more of a reason to tease him, and he already had plenty of ammo stockpiled up over the years to use, he didn't need something else. "Thrilled? Eh. I wouldn't say thrilled. More amused, did all the cars make you cry?" He pursed his lips in thought as he dragged his cousin along, trying to think of a proper place to get some lunch, and of course some piss. There was lots of that curry stuff all over, but something told him that it wasn't the best idea, as amusing as it would be to see if Kyle struggled with spicy food he would need him alive to pay the bill. "Uh...pub? I don't think anyone will mind an animal or two right Matilda? They would let the Ozzie eat inside like a real person." Stiffly he patted the dropbear's head, ready to pull his arm away at the slightest sign of the sharp claws digging into his skin. "I do miss my Mum...I haven't seen her in over two years you know, and she isn't really the most savvy person with technology so video chat isn't really an option. I talk to her loads on the phone though, I want to go back but I promised I wouldn't until I graduate..." It was almost as if he wilted at the mention of his beloved parent, the cheer stripped from his voice and the light dimmed in his eyes. Yet, in a few mere moments it was back, a grin on his face as he looked up at the Australian and changed the subject quickly. "I can't find any pineapple lumps here though, and I looked! So you'll have to get some of those for me...ask Auntie to send them?" He tugged him out of the zoo and looked to the other expectantly. "How did you get here then? Car? Bus? Do you know any good pubs around here? You have a house righ-..." The boy broke off, pulling down the sleeve of his sweater to hack into as he struggled to regain his breath. "Shitte...was talking too fast..." he mumbled sheepishly once the coughing fit has ceased.
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Sept 21, 2015 4:13:53 GMT -8
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Post by Kyle Kirkland on Sept 10, 2013 4:41:51 GMT -8
“No, the cars didn’t make me cry” ‘but the crowd nearly smothered me when I first arrived’ Kyle thought to himself darkly. He had of course been in crowds before, but London it seemed was one big endless crowd that simply did not have any air pockets. It had been worst at the airport. He’d had to lock himself in a toilet cubicle for several minutes just to get away from the feeling of being overwhelmed by the mobs. Even now he occasionally found himself wishing that he was back in the desserts, or really just any place where there was space to breath properly.
Kyle found himself snorting at the irony of Westley’s statement to Matilda about himself being allowed into the pub. He was not the one that sported the ram’s curls. “If the pub will let a sheep in then the rest of us should be fine.” He quipped, but Wes was already back to talking about his mum.
He watched as his cousin’s body drooped at the thought of the time and distance that separated him from the only parent he had known for most of his life. Privately Kyle’s heart went out to the kid’s plight. It took a hefty dose of courage to come across the world at such a young age, but he knew it had taken Wes a great deal more to admit any sort of fragility, even to family like himself. And even then it did not last long, in a few moments he had straightened his shoulders and started asking him for pineapple lumps like the moocher he was. Of course, he did not want Kyle’s sympathy as much as he might look like he did, and the elder knew better that to show any. He did, however, give Wes another pat. Not on the head as if he were child, but on the shoulder as if he were a man already.
“Good for you. When you do graduate you can go home and be turned into a brat again with a clear conscience. Oh hang on, you never stopped being one. Never mind.”
His teasing was cut short by the sound of Westley coughing into the sleeve of his jumper. It was a nasty, barking like sound that seemed to leave the boy momentarily breathless. In other words, not a “normal” cough. Kyle frowned, his vet instincts kicking in as he rubbed the Kiwi’s back with one hand and surreptitiously feelt his forehead with the other ‘a little warm, kind of clammy’. His frown deepened for a moment in thought, then he straightened it out and removed his hand before Wes could snap at it. “I think” he spoke in the low quiet tone he normally reserved for patients “That tea with some honey added to it would be better for you than beer just now. I have some at my place. No car I’m afraid, but a cab shouldn’t take too long.” Not really giving Wes the opportunity to protest he steered him towards the usual line of taxi’s that congregated outside public places such as these. “Charlotte Group please” he told the owner of the nearest cab and ushered his cousin into the back seat with him.
‘Now’ he thought to himself. ‘I have approximately ten to fifteen minutes to figure out how I’m going to smuggle the kittens into the laundry without Kiwi noticing.’
Oops! forgot to mention this thread is COMPLETED.
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