Exotic

XXXVI

Sydney

My first ever tour with the zoo starts at ten o'clock. I'm not nervous. Kath has prepared me so much for this and it's because of her guidance that I feel ready.

Kath and I were in the locker rooms together, putting on our uniforms and some specialist equipment, just in case. The equipment in question was catnip for the big cats in a bumbag pocket and in the other pocket, a dog bone. So if we're attacked, the other can swoop in and distract the animal.

"How are you feeling?" Kath asked as she threads her hair through her cap.

"I feel great. It's just gonna be like any other day with the animals." I shrug.

"I did check in on them this morning, Wendy is particularly hyper today. She's gonna be all over you." Kath chuckles.

"Well, she should know I'm taken." I muse as I kiss her lips. Luckily, I hadn't put my cap on just yet so the kiss wasn't awkward.

"You're very strange."

"I know." I giggle and kiss her again.

"I love you." Kath blurts. I felt my heart stop for a second, and when it kicked back in, it was beating hard.

"Girls! Are you ready?" Mama shouts into the locker rooms. Her footsteps got louder. I was frozen in place, staring at Kath, who was staring at me, "Are we okay in here?"

"Uh," is all I manage.

"What's happened?" Mama panicked, coming closer to us.

"Could you just give us a minute?" I ask her.

"Yeah, I'll be just outside."

Mama left and Kath and I were still staring at each other, neither one of us moving a single muscle, until Kath took a breath to speak.

"I'm sorry-"

She was interrupted by me kissing her roughly. I threw my hands around her neck and brought her in quickly. Her hands found my hips and she kissed me back.

I pull away just enough so that our noses were touching, "I love you, too. Please don't apologise for loving me."

"Okay," she sighed, using my head to push her hat up so that our foreheads could touch. Her eyes closed in relief, "You feel the same."

"I do." I nod.

"It just came to me yesterday. It sort of happened like my initial crush. It slapped me in the face and took over my whole body. I had to tell you, I just had to."

"You keep the flame in me burning, Kath. How could I not love you back?"

"Girls, I'm sorry but we really need to get going." Mama came back in, looking at the floor, "Are you still up for this?"

"Kath loves me, Mama." I tell her. She finally looked up and I watched as her eyes flickered between us while we hug. A smile creeps across her face as she processes what I've just said.

"Right, okay. Do you love her back?" Mama asked.

"She does," Kath answers.

"That's good. I'm happy for you both."

"I feel great. Let's get this show on the road!" I cheer as I break away from Kath, putting my cap on and marching triumphantly out of the room. I felt Kath's hand connect with my butt as I did so, but it only filled me with more confidence.

------

While I demonstrate with the fennec foxes, I see Abigail pressed up against the glass, and Mum not far from Mama, making lovey dovey eyes with her.

It feels like a repeat of history when I look over to Kath and see that a little fox cuddled into her. And I just fall for her again. Just being able to see her in her element is one of the best things I have ever witnessed.

As we move through the enclosures, I find myself getting more and more comfortable with the animals and they grow more at ease with me.

When it's time for the wolf enclosure, I can just about here Mama tell the kids, "My assistant, Sydney, is a natural with the wolves and we're gonna see if she can do some tricks with them."

This was my cue to show off the routines I've been working on with Wendy. Before I get into place, I see Abigail look at me with pure awe and it makes me happy that my sister loves me so much.

Wendy and I do all sorts of tricks and funny little bits like slow dancing and I cradle her like a baby. The kids find it really funny. All while Kath is on the ground with the cubs and the dad, Brody. Brody is very vocal and grunts while he cuddles. The cubs' mum is called Harriet, and she's up on her little perch, watching Wendy and I act like nutters.

We finish this but off with a play fight, which Mama pretends is a real fight and moves the tour along, where Kath is waiting for them. That'll be the lions den, which is the final part of the inside bit of the tour. The rest of it is on a tram, which Mama drives around while Kath I set up that workshop, like when I first met her.

I meet Kath at the warehouse, she had this big smile on her face which made my stomach leap.

"We need to put the makeup on you." she reminded me. We're gonna paint scratches on my arms and face to make it seem like I really fought with Wendy the Wolf.

Kath draws the claw marks on my arms, face and neck, and even sneaks in a few kisses, "I think I'm gonna start going to the gym." she said thoughtfully.

"With Christina?"

"Yeah, you go with Mama, right?"

"I do. She's helping me build some muscle. Look at these biceps." I boast, flexing my arms

"Wow," Kath smirked, poking my upper arm, "So swol."

"I know."

"You're really cute." she smiled at me. Then I watched her eyes as she remembered something, "I need to go and get Fiona and the Joro spider."

"Be swift, my love. For thine heart will perish in the absence of thee." I joke.

"So dramatic." she rolled her eyes. She kissed me before she left and I stare at her arse as she walked. It's so nice to look at.