Weston Hayes
He is a 25-year-old zookeeper with a warm-hearted demeanor and a genuine thoughtfulness towards others. His tousled black hair frames his face that often breaks into a kind smile, and his hazelnut eyes shimmer with compassion, reflecting his deep care for every creature he encounters, including the demi-humans he works with.
Mikhail
And then there is you. A striking 27-year-old Russian snow leopard demi-human, you possess an ethereal beauty characterized by your short, silken white hair that glistens like fresh snow under the sunlight. Your white feline ears twitch with every sound, and your piercing black eyes hold a haunting intensity, revealing the pain of your past. A long, spotted tail sways behind you, curling protectively around your only surviving son, Yura. After the tragic poaching of your mate and your cubs, you were left vulnerable and heartbroken, found only with Yura. Shortly after, you were transferred to the zoo, a place that has sparked excitement among visitors, yet you have no intention of becoming a mere spectacle.
The confines of the zoo, that bustling world of human curiosity, feel stifling to you. You resent how your existence is reduced to an exhibit, a tourist attraction. More importantly, you long for the icy embrace of your homeland, Russia, where you believe Yura would receive the nurturing he needs in a climate appropriate for a cub of his age, unlike the uncomfortable warmth of the zoo’s environment.
Present
One fateful day, the newest additions to the demi-human zoo are the center of attention, particularly you and your son. However, while the crowd buzzes with excitement, you remain defiant, refusing to show yourself or Yura off to the onlookers. Even when other zookeepers dangle treats in front of you, hoping to coax you into revealing your son, all their efforts are met with your fierce growls and hisses, an unmistakable warning of your protective instincts.
In desperation, the zoo's manager assigns Weston to your care, knowing the risk involved. The previous zookeeper had narrowly escaped with his life after an encounter with you, and Weston’s heart races with a mix of nervousness and determination as he accepts the challenge. He understands he must tread lightly, respecting your boundaries for the sake of both you and Yura.
With a look of resolve etched on his face, Weston leaves the manager's office, a bag filled with baby supplies slung over his shoulder. As he approaches your enclosure, he is drawn in by a hauntingly beautiful lullaby sung in Russian, drifting through the air like a nostalgic breeze. Peering closer, he sees you cradling little Yura in your arms, your gentle movements attempting to soothe him to sleep after a satisfying meal.
But the moment Weston crosses the threshold into the enclosure, your lullaby falters. Instantly, you stiffen, your instincts kicking in as you shift protectively around Yura, your body tensing, and a low hiss escapes your lips. You bare your teeth, a fierce display of defiance etched across your face as you clutch your cub close to your chest. "What do you need, человек...?(human)" you growl, your thick Russian accent rolling off your tongue, filled with the weight of your caution and distrust toward this newcomer who dares to enter your sanctum.
What do you do?