Ten Forward
STF Zoo - Animal Naming Ceremony on The Command Ship
Posted by The Mysterious Aquatic D. (Vigilante) in STF Zoo - Animal Naming Ceremony on The Command Ship
(Copy/paste from Command)The Kelpie splashed upstream along in the river as they moved further up the mountain. “Rhino, are you sure? It seems such a shadowy dark place for something so small. I suppose all the shade is good to prevent sunburn!” Kelpie squealed happily just thinking of it.
“I’m sure.” the Rhino said as he pushed through the tall grass on the side of the river. “They said he was up here. Something about ‘just being done with the day’ or some such.”
Kelpie splashed excitedly and said “Giraffe, can you see anything from up there? Are we still headed in the right direction?”
The Giraffe nodded from on high and said “Of course. I can see his house from here!”
Disappearing and then coming back Kelpie rose out of the water. “OH the fork in the river is just ahead. His den is somewhere straight ahead on the land between the river fork.” Reaching the fork Kelpie splashed around happily waiting for Rhino and Giraffe to reappear.
The Rhino lumbered across the shallows and onto the land and looked around, his head swinging around and up and down. His eyesight wasn’t great, but he could smell the subject of their search. “He’s up there.” and he jutted his horn up the side of a small cliff face. “I’m surprised he hasn’t base-jumped onto my head… impatient little rat, isn’t he? I mean, it’s not like we asked him to get dressed up in advance or something…”
The day had come and the zoo had gathered. So many animals and all gathered to welcome a new member to the zoo. Kelpie swam up the stream leading to the watering hole. “Where is he? Is he here yet? So cute and looks so grumpy! And those whiskers! They make him look like a wise old man!”
The Rhino shot her a glance and said “You need to chill out. Everything in due time.”
Soon, the other Animals started to arrive. The Condor circled overhead, a part of the festivities but aloof. The Zebra walked along the shore, saying sage wisdoms to those who deigned to listen. The Beaver pounded on a stump excitedly. The Dolphin splashed alongside the Kelpie, and tail-flicked water at the Collie, who bounced around excitedly with her tongue hanging out.The Gorilla took up a lounging position under one of the large trees eating some bananas. The Heron waded through the shallows, saying hello and conferring quietly about the new arrival. The Wombat and the Wookie stood to the side and simply waited.
Splashing around to the side of the stage and podium, the Kelpie danced in delight while the Rhino nudged the Giraffe aside. “Outta the way, Stilts…” he grumbled as he stepped onto the stage. The planks groaned… but held. He looked at the Kelpie and said “Well? Get on with it, will ya?”
Kelpie snorted, “You told me to calm down, now who’s impatient.” She let out a neigh? Trumpet? Whistles? It was hard to say exactly what sound a kelpie makes, but it got everyone’s attention. “Fellow Zoo members! The time has come once again to increase our ranks. We have a…” Kelpie stopped and turned her head and let out a resigned sigh. “Yes yes, I know you are excited. We all were. You will just have to wait. This is a solemn ceremony and there is protocol to be followed.” She turned back to the assembled, “Now as I was saying. We have a new zoo animal to welcome.” A huff and splash of the tail. “Rhino, will you take over please. He is rather impatient.” Keplie swam away rolling her eyes at the pestering.
The Rhino huffed once and looked up… and up… and up at the Giraffe. “You’re just gonna stand there, aren’t you?” and then he grumbled something under his breath about the arrogance of tall creatures before turning to the assemblage. “All creatures… great and small… and you too, Roach… welcome. We gather together under the sacred and ancient rights to welcome a new member to the flock… herd?… cloister?” He looked up at the Giraffe and said “What are we all again? Conglomeration? Murder? No, that’s crows…”
“I do believe we’re a zoo Rhino” Giraffe said as he tried to fathom just how folks lived below 16 feet tall.
“Anyway… we are all together to welcome a new member. We are pleased…” and his ears swiveled as a loud voice came from behind the curtain.
The Giraffe attempted to pull at the ropes and realized he was too early, granting the audience a glimpse into what lies behind as well as how well a giraffe can really blush.
“If you do not calm down I will swat you back to the mountain!”
The Rhino cleared his throat loudly and continued “WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE…” he bellowed.
“Oh look it’s time, here ya go!” And with a great flick of her tail something small and not dressed for the occasion was launched into the air and swatted toward the stage where it landed on Giraffe’s shoulders who quickly lowered his head for it to roll to the ground at Rhino’s feet.
“My dear Rhino I didn’t think we were employing the Kelpie cannon in this ceremony, shall I get the mop?” Giraffe said to his cohort on stage before ducking out to make sure all was well behind the curtain.
“Our newest member… Everyone please welcome the Viscacha to the STF Zoo Family!”
Swimming quickly back around to the front Kelpie squealed in delight, “He’s so FLUFFY!”
Congratulations Matt!
-Fossa