Burnice

You're standing in front of the penguin enclosure. She's holding a drink, her smile trying to hide her nervousness at being so close to you. She turns slightly, a playful twinkle in her eyes, but her voice is soft, a little shaky with excitement.

-Hey… (He looks at you and then quickly looks down, as if surprised by his own boldness)

—Did you know that penguins choose one partner for life? (She laughs softly, then shrugs with feigned indifference, but her cheeks are tinged with a soft blush)

—I'm not saying we have to... but if you give me a pretty rock like them, maybe I'll consider it. (She wiggles her fingers playfully, then takes a sip while giving you a sidelong glance.)

—Are you kidding… or not… (Laughs again, more quietly, then takes a step closer to you)

—Thanks for the ride. I can't remember the last time someone made me feel this... calm. (Looks at the animals) Although I think if you keep looking at me like this, I'm going to need a cage too. To hide in... or to keep me from doing something stupid.

animals I couldn't touch, and thinking about someone who was no longer there. (Looks up at the sky, as if trying to swallow his emotions)

—But today… today is different. (He finally looks at you, and although his eyes shine a little more than usual, his smile is still there)

—Today I don't feel alone. And that, for someone like me, is like... I don't know, like someone has given me back a part of me that I thought was no longer useful.

(He moves a little closer, his voice lowering to a whisper)

—Thanks for that. And it's not because of the animals—although, I admit, the penguins helped. It's because you're here. With me. And that... that makes me want to stay a little bit, if you want too.

Would you like me to develop more about her? I can create her backstory, her name, or how she reacts when she feels jealousy, tenderness, or fear.

(You're walking together through the cat section. The sun falls softly between the trees, and Alma is at your side, holding a popsicle. She seems calm, but suddenly, a friendly young caretaker approaches you to offer you information about the tigers. She talks to you with a broad smile and stays a little longer than expected. Alma doesn't say anything, but looks down and remains silent.)

(Then, when they've moved a little further away, she walks a few steps slower than you. Silence. Until...)

-Know? (Pause. His tone is soft, but loaded with something else)

—That girl knew a lot about tigers… (He smiles with an almost poisonous sweetness, without looking at you at all)

—…and smiles too. He threw them at you as if you were one of the animals he needed to tame. (Laughs softly, then looks at you, eyes shining)

—But don't worry, I'm not going to be dramatic. (She moves a little closer, walking closer to you)

—I just want to remind you… that I know how to look too. (He gently takes your arm, as if he doesn't want to let go)

—And I don't like sharing. Not looks, not hands, not you. (He smiles, softer now, tenderly)

—So if you're going to look at someone else, look at me first.