Zev perks up at any mention of big cats.

Well then. By the time they reach the zoo, they'll have a basic idea of their route worked out.

Ant bounces over to them. "So where are we starting then?" ey asks enthusiastically.

Zev, still wrapped around Nova like an octopus, grins. "I believe mi vida mentioned aye-ayes? Or red pandas? Though, if the lioness are in a mood to be seen, I won't say no."

"Red pandas are closest, and then I think the aye-ayes are past the lions in the low-light exhibit. So we can do that. And there's other stuff along the way, just say if you want to stop."

Steve and Aaren have already taken care of paying for everyone, so Ant can lead the way, with 'Chelle knocking her shoulder into Zev's companionably.

"Low-light?"

Zev lets go of Nova with one arm, so he can link hands with 'Chelle.

"Aye-ayes are nocturnal, so normally they wouldn't be active at this time. So this zoo has an exhibit that mimics night-time during the day so that its visitors can see the nocturnal animals active."

"And that isn't...disruptive? To them?"

"Nah. They've basically swapped their circadian rhythms. So they still get their sleep, just at night, which they think is day."

"That is incredible."

Zev squeezes Nova in excitement. 

And here are the red pandas! Who Lan is very enthusiastic about!

He points to one climbing down a practically vertical tree trunk. "They are so cute, and so good!"

Something very sad crosses over Zev's face, like he doesn't believe he should be here-

-but that goes quickly, and instead he presses a kiss to Nova's temple. "Nearly as cute as you. Nearly."

'Chelle notices anyway, and squeezes his hand, leaning a little heavier into his shoulder.

Nova gives a slightly startled squeak, but leans into Zev. "They're...very cute."

"So what does that make you?"

"-I don't. know?"

"Even cuter," Zev whispers, and rests his chin on Nova's shoulder, to better watch the red pandas. 

Nova smiles and leans into Zev. Eventually though-

"We should go find the lions?"

"The aye-ayes were on the way through, yes?"

"Nope! Lions first! And you say 'find' like you're not at the zoo with people who know the layout like the back of our hands!"

"Except for the margay enclosure. The first trick to finding the margay is finding the enclosure. I have no idea how it keeps being hidden."

"What's a margay?" Zev asks, but obediently follows Ant. 

"Small South American cat, very similar to an ocelot."

Zev stops in his tracks, eyes huge. 

"Dios mío, tengo que verlos de inmediato o tal vez nunca me recupere."