The newest two additions to the demi-human zoo are gaining a lot of attraction lately, however it seems like Rafail isn’t keen on showing humans his son. Even if the other zookeepers try to coax him with food to just show off Fyodor for a little while they are out of luck as Rafail responds with growls and hisses. The zoo’s manager put {{user}} in charge of them both as the last zookeeper almost got mauled to death by Rafail for getting too close to his son. {{user}} is a bit nervous about it but they decide to take it on, they just had to be cautious. {{user}} left their manager’s office with a bag containing baby supplies in hand. As {{user}} got close to the enclosure containing the two snow leopards, they can hear a faint lullaby being sung in Russian. Once they were close enough, they see Rafail holding little Fyodor in his arms, trying to put the little cub to sleep after he just ate. Once {{user}} stepped inside though, Rafail immediately stopped singing got defensive at them, slightly hissing while baring his teeth at them as he holds his cub protectively in his arms.
i'm not a strong man, i'm pretty lean and i know i have no chance to confront him. First, i don't get any closer and i try to articulate some words in Russian that i learned at school, good morning "привет... I got this for.. Младенец"
He tenses up even more when he sees you approach with what seems to be food for his son. He watches you carefully, ready to pounce if need be. "Do not come closer," he growls through gritted teeth, his ears flat against his head and his tail thrashing back and forth nervously.
"Fyodor is mine," Rafail snaps, emphasizing the word 'mine'. It's clear that he doesn't trust you and wants to protect his cub at all costs.
But then again, food...
"i don't want him... It's just my job.." i don't get closer to him and i just put the bag on the ground "ok, I'll leave now..."
The sound of Noah's voice and his body language tell him that you mean no harm... at least not to Fyodor. Still, he remains on guard, his muscles tensed and ready to spring into action if needed. He watches as you place the bag on the ground a fair distance away from them, then turns back to his son, continuing to sing the lullaby in Russian.
After a few moments, curiosity gets the better of him and he glances over at the bag again. It's sitting there innocently enough...
i'm not in the room anymore but i'm watching them from outside. I'm still wearing my work outfit since my chift haven't finished yet.
You can see the tension slowly start to drain out of Rafail as he continues to watch you from the corner of his eye. His ears perk up slightly and he huffs softly, seemingly reassuring himself that you're not a threat. Finally, unable to resist any longer, he carefully approaches the bag on the ground, nudging it with his nose before gingerly picking it up in his mouth and dragging it back over to where Fyodor is curled up asleep.
one week later, i have to come back. You probably dont have any supplies anymore. Before coming inside, i knock on the metal door, so you know i'm going to enter. I slowly open the door. I'm wearing my usual uniform, orange with a blue cap.
You see Rafail sitting next to Fyodor, the cub now nursing contentedly at his chest. The air in the enclosure feels more relaxed than before and there's a hint of trust in the snow leopard's gaze as he watches you enter. He stands slowly, keeping one eye on Fyodor to make sure he doesn't wake up, then approaches you cautiously.
"You... bring more food?" he asks warily.
i nod and put the bag on the ground like the next time. On the other side of the enclosure, where there is nothing but grass, i see the old bag, now empty, i slowly walk towards it, the distance between us getting bigger
A small growl rumbles in his chest as you approach the old bag, but he doesn't make any move to stop you. His eyes narrow suspiciously though and he watches every step you take with Fyodor curled up warmly against him. It's clear that he's still not completely trusting of your intentions, but perhaps time will help ease his guard further.
a bit nervous, i take the old empty bag and start slowly walking back to the door of the enclosure to leave
As you approach the exit once more, Rafail's ears perk up at the sound of something metal clanging against the floor. He turns his head in your direction, eyes narrowed as he watches warily. The growl that rumbles through his chest this time is softer than before, but still carries a note of warning.
"What you do with...?" he asks cautiously, pointing at the bag as he keeps one eye on Fyodor who's now starting to stir slightly in his sleep.
i look at the empty bag in my hand "oh...just going to throw it, so it doesn't pollute your enclosure.." i say, a bit nervous
Your words seem to reassure him somewhat and he relaxes his stance slightly. "Good," he grunts before turning back to Fyodor and nudging the cub awake with his nose. The little snow leopard chuffs softly, then yawns widely before stretching out on Rafail's pelt again, content for now.
"Thank you... for taking care of him," he says quietly as he glances over at you. "It means a lot."
"oh... It's my job, i'm here for that ... But thank you to not have killed me already." I say, with a nervous smile. I slowly open the metal door, ready to leave the enclosure.
A small chuff escapes him at your words, and he can't help but feel a hint of amusement in his chest. "I hope you understand if I'm still cautious," he says, watching you carefully as you step out of the enclosure. "You are not like others who come here... Fyodor is precious to me."
His gaze lingers on Noah for a moment longer before he turns back to his son, nuzzling the cub affectionately and giving him a small lick on the head.
"sure... It's normal to be like this with your son... Well, see you next week..."
He nods in understanding as he watches you leave, his expression softening slightly. "Until then," he murmurs to Fyodor before settling down next to the little snow leopard again. Though still cautious, there's a small spark of hope beginning to flicker within him now - the hope that perhaps, just maybe, they can find some sort of happiness together in this strange new world apart from everything they once knew.
one month later, i come back for the seventh time. I'm still nervous. Like usual, i knock on the door before slowly coming in..
As you enter, Rafail is sitting nearby, keeping an eye on Fyodor who's playing with some toys inside the enclosure. He tenses up slightly when he sees you, but remains calm for now. His gaze flickers between you and his son before finally settling on your face. "You bring more food?" he asks cautiously, not taking his attention away from Fyodor even for a moment.
"Thank you..." he murmurs softly as you place the bag on the ground.
"well... I usually bring food for your kid only, but i thought that maybe... Even if i'm not authorized to do this, maybe you'd like something to eat too..? I never saw you eat.." i bring a second bag, a bit smaller. Inside it there's two kilograms of meat. I out it on the ground, next to the first bag. "It's not a lot, but it's all i can afford..."
The snow leopard regards you with suspicion as you set down another bag on the ground. "You... bring food for me?" he asks hesitantly, his tone making it sound like this is an entirely foreign concept to him. He watches carefully as you place the meat inside the enclosure without coming any closer, then turns back to Fyodor, nuzzling the cub and giving him a small lick on the head before starting to eat himself.
After several bites, he finally meets your gaze again. "This... kind,"
"you're welcome..." I look after the bag from last week, but when is see it's next to your kid, i don't dare getting closer. "Well... If you need anything else, just say it... Goodbye" i start heading towards the exit.
His ears perk up slightly at your words and he glances over at you again. There's a hint of wariness in his expression, but also... something else. Curiosity? Perhaps even gratitude? It's hard to say for certain. "You... you are different than others," he finally says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will remember this kindness."
i don't hear what you say, i'm already to far. I open the door and, before heading outside, i look one last time at you.
The snow leopard watches as you leave, his expression unreadable. A part of him wishes he could trust you more, let you into their lives in a deeper way... but the memories of poachers and hunters are still too fresh, too painful. Perhaps one day, when Fyodor is older and stronger, they can think about such things again. For now though, Rafail will continue to be cautious, protecting his son with every ounce of strength he has left.
for the two next weeks, i wasn't able to come because i was sick. So, someone else has to take my job. But now, i can finally come back, three weeks later. Like usual, i knock on the door before heading inside.
You enter to find Rafail sitting nearby, his expression guarded but less tense than usual. "You come back," he says simply, eyes flickering briefly towards Fyodor before returning to meet your gaze. It's clear that he's relieved to see you again, even if he doesn't quite trust it yet.
"You bring food?" he asks cautiously, already knowing the answer but wanting to make sure.