Jane couldn’t help the small giggle which passed her lips as she watched the exchange. She could already see the deep connection Kiara had with the animals, something she could only wish for. Taking a seat next to her, Jane gave each gorilla a polite bow and smile, watching their every move. “It’s a pleasure to be officially introduced” she said softly, her smile never fading.

Looking at one of the animals as he grunted, Kiara rolled her eyes. “Lawry be nice, she’s a friend of mine.” Shaking her head, she looked back to Jane. “He said he’s seen you around here before, and is upset you haven’t introduced yourself before today.” Folding her arms across her chest, Kiara sighed. “You can go ahead, ask all the questions you want though.” 

Hannah blushed waving her hand at her. “Oh gosh. I mean I’d probably be the otter to figure out the perfect time and jump, swim speed all that to catching the most fish. I’d not only be the most adorable, but the cutest and probably fattest with all my fish.” She laughed a bit to herself. “Oh? What would you come back as?” 

Tapping her chin in thought as they came up to the otter exhibit, Kiara shrugged. “I’d want to come back as a lion. Be the Queen of the jungle.” Coming around to the back of the otter exhibit, she pulled up open the door to let her inside. “Welcome to one of the cutest places at the zoo.” 

It had been a long time since Jane had bounced on her heels, probably since she was in high school, but she couldn’t help herself as she waited for Kiara to enter the gorillas cage. She felt like the little girl who met them for the first time. Her head turned from Kiara to the cage, searching for the animals as well. “There’s such a different feeling to knowing their names now” she spoke with a smile before spotting them. They were coming from their usual resting place. “Oh there they are” she beamed.

Taking up a spot on the ground on the other side of the chain link fence, Kiara smiled. “Good morning boys!” She cooed putting her hand up against the fence, she nodded in respect as one of the gorillas did the same. “Lawry, Bongo this is my friend Jane Porter. Jane Porter, meet the Kings of the Zoo, Lawry and Bongo.” As she made the introductions, both of the gorillas moved a bit closer to the other girl, as if to size her up. 

Hannah smiled softly looking down at their hands. A buzzing sensation taking over her lower abdomen. Looking up she grinned as she followed close behind. “I think that’s super cute, or how they carry around a little pebble. I want to come back to this world an otter when I pass.” 

“You want to come back as an otter? You’d be the most adorable otter out there.” She said with a laugh. “But, you’d really wanna leave me all alone, I doubt that I’d come back as an otter.” 

Hannah didn’t have to told her options twice before she quickly responded. “We have to play with the otters. Oh my gosh, is that even a questions? Did you know they fall asleep holding hands? I mean… I’m sure you did. But..” She giggled. “Otters, please.” 

“I was hoping you were going to say them.” Taking Hannah’s hand, Kiara started to quickly tug the girl toward the Otter hang out. “Isn’t it the most adorable thing? Like, they just can’t bare to be apart, so they hold hands while they sleep.” 

Jane began to rake her mind for questions. There were just so many things she wanted to know about the gorillas though, she couldn’t possibly pick just a few, could she? Pulled from her thoughts by Kiara’s question, Jane smiled. “They’re the animals I’ve connected with the most. Something about them has always just fascinated me, since I was a little girl and accompanied my father to work. Chimpanzees as well.”

As they came up to the gorilla encloser, Kiara laughed lightly. “Well, get ready to connect with them even more.” Taking the badge at her hip, she scanned her way into the back part of the cage. “I always hate talking to them through the glass, I can never clearly hear what they are saying.” Coming up to the thick chain link fence, Kiara hooked her fingers into it, pulling up on her toes to try and find the animals. “Bongo!” She called out. “Lawry! Where are you guys?” 

Once the word favorite was said Jane knew exactly where she wanted to go. “The gorillas” she answered almost immediately. Since she was a child she connected the most with them on her father’s trips, so this made her happier than the day she found out she’d be working with them. 

“Well, gorillas it is.” Kiara said with a smile. “Come on, I’m sure you all will have a lot to talk about.” Reaching out to take the girls hand, she started to lead her toward the gorilla habitat. She said her hellos and hi’s to various animals as they passed their cages. “So, I gotta ask, why gorillas?”

“Water creatures?” She grinned a bit. “Well I mean I love almost all animals, so ‘m pretty excited. Which ones did you have in mind?” 

“I was thinking, we could either hit up the larger fish tanks. Or, we could go play with some of the otters.” Kiara suggested with a bright smile. “Either way we’re going to have a lot of fun with it.”

A bright smile made it’s way onto the brunette’s lips as she heard Kiara. Never before had she imagined herself being able to communicate with animals quite like this, actually having a conversation with them. “Oh this will be wonderful” she declared, holding her sketchbook closer to her because of the excitement. “I don’t know where to start!”

“Well, how about we start with your favorite animal.” Kiara suggested as she turned to head further into the zoo. It was one of her favorite places to be. Often sitting near one of the cages and just talking to a few of the animals. People who didn’t know finding the sight endearing if all be a little sketchy. 

Hannah watched in awe over the two. An oversized grin on her face as she felt her heart flutter with joy. “That might’ve been the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She said with a small giggle. “Yes! Of course! I’m ready. Bye Kika.” 

Tossing Kika a few extra leaves, Kiara moved to lead her friend to the next enclosure. “How do you feel about water creatures?”