Unexpected Lover (Closed to Bsquad & Fira)

Tracey blew upwards, trying to get a strand of wayward hair out of her eyes as she focused on the task at hand. When that failed, she pushed the shovel into the ground, leaned on the handle, and used the back of her hand to push the errant lock out of the way. Sooner or later she would get tired of it and put her hat on, but for now it was stuck in one of the cargo pockets of her khaki work pants.

Brushing the dirt off of the heavy work gloves she was wearing, she pulled them off and stuck them in her back pocket. She put up a small hand, shading her eyes from the sun glaring in through the huge skylight to survey what they had managed to accomplish. The last bush was now in place; the trees and ground cover made the exhibit look almost perfect. The temperature was already cool, and once they were completely done with the placement of the rocks, it would be lowered even further.

She looked over to Mike, kicked back on one of the rocks next to a snow blower. “Mike! How about getting up off your ass and helping me with these rocks? We need to get this finished within the hour if we are to get the temperature right before they deliver him!” She sighed in frustration. Building the new Siberian Tiger exhibit had taken a lot out of her, and she was sick of Mike slacking off. She could hear him grumbling under his breath, something about what a bitch she was. Setting her lips in a thin line, her eyes narrowing at him as he approached. “Don’t make me write you up for insubordination, Mike. Just get the job done!” she snapped.

An hour later and she was standing at the temperature controls, typing in the commands into the computerized set-up that would make daily changes in the climate to mimic that of the true Siberian habitat the animal was caught in. Artistically concealed snow machines would go off as needed. The system was Tracey’s brainchild. She had worked for months to perfect it. So many zoos had issues with the health of the fully adult animals that were brought to them sometimes. This system would allow the zoo to bring in other species that had always been a concern because of the lack of climate control. Her only concern had been the lack of fresh air, which was taken care of by pumping the air from outside though a super cooler and into the enclosed space. During overcast times, the skylight would darken, the special glass embedded with a film of fiber optics that would help give the feel of a snowy overcast day. All controlled by the computer.

The final keys pressed, she hit enter, closed the control panel, and locked it up. The new male tiger was due to arrive later this evening, after the zoo had closed for the night. She watched as the snow blowers went to work, a fine dusting of snow beginning to accumulate as she turned to look towards the observation area. A lone figure stood there, watching the snowfall.

She made her way over, silently standing next to the man as they took in the sight. “It looks really good, Tracey,” her boss, the director of the zoo, said quietly, “Really amazing what you’ve done with this exhibit.” She blushed at his compliment, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s been exciting, Rob,” she said quietly, “I can’t wait for him to arrive!” She reached up and pulled the scrunchie out of her hair, deftly catching the thick medium brown shoulder length mass and twisting it back up into a ponytail again. “What time will they get here?” she asked. Rob looked down at her five-foot frame, “They should be here about ten o’clock tonight,” he said with a smile. “Good,” she replied, “That will give me time to get a good nap in before he gets here. I’ll be staying in the small office space for the first few days to make sure the controls are all working right and he’s settling down okay.” She turned to go. She still had other exhibits that needed her care, and she was done here for now.

There are creatures that exist beyond the bounds of human understanding. Creatures that are not quite human and not quite man. Some call them Werewolves, but he was no wolf. He was a changling. His kind were not a species, but a different kind of human. There were always such humans being born through the years, dating back to the ages of Rome and Greece, men who changed, men who became creatures. Even in this modern age there were those kind who could become animal or man. Tishrah was one. He had been a man, long ago. Born into a poor family in the wilds of Siberia, he had grown up knowing he was different, he saw things differently, felt different things, joyed in the wilds and the freedom of nature, not spending time with his family. He had an insatiable wanderlust, and he could never sait it.

But on his 18th birthday something happened in the night. He went to bed a human. But he awoke covered in fur, with claws and fangs and a tail. He was a tiger! The new changling fled into the wilderness, leaving behind his life as a human and instead finding himself in the wilds of Siberia, fleeing into the wilderness to escape the superstitious condemnation of his village. Tishrah was a man no more, he was a part of nature, a wild creature who was truly one with the world he had loved so much. Massive, dangerous, a deadly hunter. He relished it. It was who he had always been in his heart, he was content with his life. For six years he spent his time in the wilderness, hunting, sleeping, living his life...but something happened that he had never expected. Something...happened.

Tishrah did not know just what it was, but one moment he was bounding along through the snow, leaping through it and growling in pleasure...and the next he felt a sting and then he slept. He didn't rember much, snatched glimpses of something alien, something long forgotten. A cage? A hard metal floor? The sensation of...falling maybe? And then pain on occasion, pain making him sleep again. He coudln't hold onto anything, so he dreamt of a life long forgotten, the life of his family of his time when he was a man. Smiling faces of a family long forgotten, time that he had lost...the life of a man not a tiger. He was asleep for so long, and when he finally stirred the place smelled wrong.

His blue eyes fluttered open and he looked around. The place was large, but he could see that it was a room...it was...enclosed. He shuddred and tried to rise up weakly, he was tired...he couldn't. He laid back down and struggled to shift, breathing heavily. Something was wrong, the place smelled different, he rolled onto his side and yeowled softly, looking up at the sky...hidden behind something...glass? It drove the point home, he'd been captured! He growled in anger. Someone had captured him and caged him, the anger of it made him rise up and shift where he lay, finally rising to his paws weakly and looking about. The space was large, but it had limits! He coudln't flee, he couldn't run, he couldn't escape. He growled and roared in rage as he walked about, staggering with each step as the sedatives worked out of him. He was thirsty...he looked about and saw a small pool. Staggering over to him, he lowered his head and lapped at the water, grumbling at the subtly different tang to it. He raised his head after he drank, it was a pen, a cage...and he knew that it would break him in the end.

No prey, no fresh air, no freedom...

He growled and paced the chamber, waiting for something to happen.

“My God!” Tracey exclaimed in wonder. “He's more beautiful than I could have ever imagined!” Her fingers trailed through the thick pelt of the animal that lay on the table before her. They were going through a routine exam of the great beast before placing him in the new exhibit. Taking his measurements, weight, checking his teeth and heart, basically learning everything they could about him while he was still under the effects of the tranquilizers.

Her eyes shining, she turned to Rob, “He’s much bigger than I was told he would be. I only hope the new habitat will suffice.” Rob chuckled at the worried look on her face, “I wouldn’t worry about it, Tracey. You designed that thing big enough to hold 10 of him if need be.” He looked again at the animal on the table. “I need to go finish filling out some paperwork. Let me know when you’re done here and have transferred him to the exhibit.”

Tracey watched as Rob left the exam room, and then quickly turned her attention back to the Siberian Tiger. She couldn’t keep her hands off the gorgeous specimen in front of her. The vet murmured something that she didn’t quite catch and left the room as well, leaving her alone with the animal. She leaned close, burying her face in the soft fur around his neck. She couldn’t believe she was this close, touching the one animal that she had always revered.

The vet came back in with some more equipment, and Tracey helped him set it up, quickly finishing up the exam. She called in the guys to help get the tiger moved to the exhibit, admonishing them at every move to be careful. They got him in the enclosure, folded him up as if he would have been sleeping naturally and quietly left. Tracey went to the observation area to keep watch till he woke.

Her head jerked up at the sudden roar. She couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep. She watched as he crossed shakily to the pool to drink, the wrinkling of his nose as the water proved to be different from what he was used to. She felt terrible for his unease, but there was no getting around it for the moment. Knowing that she shouldn’t be doing this so soon, and certainly not without someone around in case something was to happen, Tracey went to the meat locker and pulled out a side of beef, fresh, bloody, and just what the doctor ordered for a wobbly tiger just getting over the sedatives. There were cages behind her office that contained small, live animals that they would start to put in his cage each day to allow him the thrill of the hunt, but for now, his strength was not sufficient enough to hunt.

She waited until he was on the far side of the enclosure before entering it. She laid the chunk of meat on the ground and backed away, quickly going back out to wash the blood off of herself before going back to the observation area to continue watching him.

Tishrah slowly stalked the far edge of the chamber, his eyes tracked about and looked at the edges of his space. He could see the walls, he could see the edges...and he slowly stalked about, he wanted to lie down, he felt so very weak, so very tired. But he refused to weaken. He needed to be strong and fight whatever had been done to him. He growled as he paced along, looking at the walls, stalking through the trees...they were real, they smelled right...

But there was no other life, no prey, no animals...nothing was here with him. Tishrah growled angrily at the revelation that je was truly alone and isolated. He slowly stalked along, weaving through the trees, walking along the rocks, feeling everything beneath his paws, smelling everything that was right. And yet there was that subtle scent of things that were wrong, things that were not in nature. He turned as his ears heard something...a strange noise to go with all the others. His blue eyes darted about and he saw a woman walking in and setting down something on the ground before withdrawling. His eyes lingered on her. He was angry, enraged enough that he wanted to attack the woman, simply for the release of being able to grab and rip and tear.

He slowly stalked across the chamber...wary, of what it might be. His nose caught the hint of blood...and he knew that it was meat. But he was wary, worried of what might be planned. He didn't know who had captued him and this could be some ploy...but he was hungry, so hungry. He wanted meat, and he slipped along towards it stalking it, watching for everything. Drugs were still in his system, he was weak, but he was hungry. And he reached the edge of the rocks and plants, looking at the raw piece of meat sitting there on the ground, his head drifted from side to side looking for threats. He growled, low...hungry...and it couldn't wait. He loped out from cover unsteadily and grabbed the steak, feeling meat within his mouth as he tore at it, hungry enough that he simply devoured it as he sat there.

Eating, finally fed and feeling stronger Tishrah looked about, waiting...wondering what was next in store for him.

Tracey watched as he ate, his massive jaws tearing into the flesh of the carcass she had left for him. A shiver coursed through her. The animal was so powerful, and she could visibly see his strength returning as he ate.

She moved around to her office, wanting to notate the feeding and his actions thus far. One whole wall of the office was made of glass, looking into the enclosure from such an angle as to not be seen by guests that stood at the observation area. A small cot was against another wall, where she would sleep over the next few weeks as the Siberian Tiger got used to his new habitat. A marvel in technological engineering, it was the first of it’s kind to ever be used, and she wanted to make damn sure nothing went wrong with it.

She sat at the desk and pulled out a binder labeled “Feedings”, quickly making note of the time and amount, as well as what, she had fed him. Setting that aside, she pulled out a journal, noting the animals actions since waking, his response to the food, and his obvious tenseness at finding himself in such a situation. She paused for a moment after writing the last sentence and reread what she had written. Slowly she erased it, it wasn’t a clinical observation, and she was surprised that her training had even allowed that bit to cross her mind, let alone write it down in the zoo’s carefully kept records.

She settled back in her chair, turning it to face the window where she could see him still pacing, his eyes watchful and certainly full of anger. She felt curiously drawn to him, wanting nothing more than to step out into the enclosure and sooth him. She shook her head violently; shocked that she would even think such a thing. She kicked off her boots and picked up a blank notebook. If she couldn’t record some of her thoughts on him in the zoo’s books, she would note them in her own journal.

She tossed the book on the cot and stood, stepping closer to the glass as she began to unbutton her uniform shirt. Peeling it from her shoulders and pulling it from her waistband, she draped it over the back of the chair before straightening the thin white tank top she usually wore underneath. She pulled various items from the numerous cargo pockets of her work pants and set them on the desk, then stretched out on her stomach on the cot, opening the notebook to jot down her personal feelings on the animal she continued to watch through the window.

Thinking of the risk she had taken in feeding him by herself only moments ago, Tracey decided she would have to have an assistant that could, and would, work alongside her. They would have to be just as devoted to the ultimate goal as she was, however, and a sense of despair washed over her. She wasn’t sure there was anyone currently working in this place that had the same level of dedication as she did, and hoped the boss man would let her hire from outside if need be. She looked around the small office and thought to herself, “Yes, there is room for one more cot…if I can just find the right person to fill it…”

Her eyes went back to the tiger, and as she continued to watch him, her head nodded, the excitement of the day finally catching up to her as she dozed.

Tishrah finished his meal and felt the pang of longing for warm flesh that was freshly killed, but he knew that was the kind of treat that he couldn't hope to posess with anything approaching regularity now. He looked about and slowly paced around through the enclousure, making his way through the thick real undergrowth that had been platned, through the pine trees and the rocks that had been placed with almost perfect detail...but it was the subtle things that threw off the illusion. Like someone who was in their own home and something was disturbed...you knew. Right now, his entire world had been re-created, done well, even done perfectly to the perceptions of humans...but to a tiger, to one of his kind?

It was good, but not good enough, and as he stalked through the enclousure, looking up at the sky and sniffing the air, catching the scents that should be, and those that shouldn't. He moved from one side to the other, his blue eyes tracking along the walls and seeing something that he realized was unusual. A large...viewing window, and a figure in it. He slowly moved to the cover of a large rock, crouching down beside it, his blue eyes studying the figure...a human would make out little, but the eyes of a tiger do not miss much, especialy a woman gazing down and studying your every motion. Tishrah growled softly and moved across the enclosure, staying as hidden as possible, but allowing her to see the slight flash of white fur as me moved. He circled past the false pool and moved up the sloping hill towards the observation window. He crept along and crouched down by the window, his massive head looking in at the woman as she laid down on the small cot in the room.

Tishrah looked in at her as she dozed off, and he studied her, wondering what kind of person would want to cage him. On a whim, he raised one of his paws and pressed it to the window with a hard 'thump' against the glass. He growled softly and waited to see if she would wake so that he could get a better look at her.

*THUMP* She frowned in her sleep. She shifted on the cot, her dream taking a strange turn. She was being watched, but she couldn’t locate the source. *THUMP* She heard it again, and this time her eyes fluttered open, slightly disoriented as her eyes took in her surroundings.

When it finally registered where she was, she sat up in a panic, wondering if the sound she had heard had something to do with the system. Her attention went to the window and she froze, he was sitting just on the other side of the glass. The blue eyes glittered with intelligence, and she caught herself shivering. It seemed as if the tiger were looking into her very soul.

She was mesmerized, caught by the look of hunger in his eyes. Her feet slowly carried her closer to the glass. His massive paw still rested against the surface, and she reached out her hand, touching the glass where his paw did. The quiet contemplation she sensed in him was far from what she expected of him right now. Raging and roaring, yes. Something was…odd…about him. His eyes seemed almost…human…in their study of her, and she felt a strange stirring, a connection.

Tracey lowered herself to the floor in front of the window, wondering how long he would stay there. Her eyes full of sadness and compassion for him, a wild animal caught against his will. Her gaze looked beyond him, into his new home. All she could do for him was try to make him as comfortable as possible. She leaned back against the connecting wall with a sigh, her eyes watching him for any signs of movement. It wasn’t long and her head slid to the side, pressing against the glass as her eyes closed and she dozed off once again.

Tishrahs eyes followed the woman as she awoke and moved closer to the barrier. He couldn't break through if he wanted ot, he was certain of that, but for now his thoughts were on the consideration of the woman on the other side of the glass. She was the first human female he had seen in a very long time, and more than likely, she was someone who had something to do with his imprisonment in this...place. He growled softly, but kept his paw to the glass as she reached out and touched the other side. Perhaps she felt it was a connection, he couldn't say that he was not intent on her...but he knew that there was something...different about her.

He saw the look in her eyes, sadness, concern...it was strange, she willingly kept him caged, but she was worried for him. It was hard to figure out just what she was truly thinking right now. He sat there, watching, and saw her falling asleep, dozing and leaning against the glass. He growled ever lightly, and turned from the window, heading to the small collection of rocks that had been set to conceal the window, he stretched out on one, his back towards the window as he finally dozed on the warm stone...his dreams vacant and only worrying about what the next day might bring for him.

The tiger did not like the thought of being caged, but he had no choice in the matter, there was nothing that he could do except accept matters as they were for now. It was a painful admission, but it was the only one that he could make, there was no option for him but to accept things. To bid a farewell to the limitless wilds for now. His mind began to think...to consider...to plan...but it came of nothing. The drugs still lingered, he still felt their effects, and it made him feel slow. If he tried...he might escape, but they would know what he truly was...and he couldn't do that.

He had to bide his time.

“Tracey.”

The voice barely registered.

“TRACEY.”

She stirred, eyes opening to see Rob standing over her, a gleam of anger in his eyes. She shook her head, trying to clear it, trying to remember why she was sitting here in this corner. “Help me up, Rob. I’m stiff,” she said in a croaky voice.

He helped her to her feet and glared at her. “What do you mean by feeding him by yourself? You know better than that! Someone should have been here with you just in case something happened!” He ran his hand over his face. When she hadn’t called last night and he had woken up from dozing on the couch this morning, he had assumed the worst. To find her curled up in the corner of the office was a relief, but it didn’t alleviate any of the anger he was feeling after reading the entry about the animal’s dinner.

"I tried calling…twice,” she spat out evenly. "I didn’t get an answer." She shook his hands off her and stepped to the chair, snatching her shirt off the back and shoving her arms into it. Turning back to him as she started buttoning it up, her voice was calmer. “I’m sorry, Rob. I got caught up in getting him settled and wasn’t paying any attention. I was planning on trying to call you again, but fell asleep.” Tracey unfastened her pants and stuffed her shirt tail in, once again turning her back on her boss, the thin string of her thong visible to him for an instant as the shirt hiked up a little in the back while she tucked it in the front.

Rob let out a frustrated sigh, stepping close to her and putting his arms around her from behind. His voice a low husky whisper, one that she never failed to react to, he explained, “I’m sorry, Sweetheart. I got worried about you.” Tracey froze for just a second, tensing under his touch. He had gotten more and more like this, flying off the handle at everything, and it was starting to concern her. She had pretty much made up her mind to quit seeing him, sleeping with the boss was never a good idea, but for the moment there was something she wanted from him. And she would do whatever she had to in order to get it.

She turned to Rob, a smile plastered on her face. “What a liar!” she thought to herself. “Did he honestly think I wouldn’t find out I'm not the only one he's banging at work?” She placed her hands on his chest, leaning up on tiptoe to place a light kiss on his lips. “I’m sorry, Rob. I don’t know what else to say.” She bit her lower lip for a second and then continued, “Why don’t you let me hire an assistant that I can train? If I can’t find someone suitable here at the zoo, I can hire from outside. It’s the only way I’m going to be comfortable leaving this system until it’s been proven.”

She looked up at him, the pleading look he couldn’t resist dancing in her bright eyes. He let out a small groan, closing his eyes and pulling her close to him. “You’ve got it, kid,” he tried to say playfully. “Put up the notice. If someone suitable hasn’t come along within a few days, you can look outside the zoo.” He swatted her ass lightly and turned to go. “I’ve got to get in to the office and take care of some issues with a few of the Sponsors. Meet for lunch later?” He didn’t wait for her reply, automatically assuming her answer as he left the room.

Tracey sighed. She was so tired of living the lie, but she would do it a little longer. As soon as the new assistant was hired, she’d let him know. And if he tried to cost her to loose her job, she would remind him of the other girls in the company he was fucking. A small, satisfied smile crossed her lips, and she stepped up to the window, her eyes quickly finding the snoozing beast on one of the rocks.

Turning away at the sound of voices, Tracey called out to the one she recognized. “Mike! I need your help feeding him!” She crossed to the back room, unlocked the door and went to one of the small cages. Her eyes looked sadly at the three wild rabbits that sat quivering in fear. It was necessary, though, and these particular rabbits were a nuisance in the area. They paid local farmers for all they could trap and deliver alive. They were perfect for tossing in the exhibits with the larger hunters.

She picked up the cage and met Mike out in the hall, a side of meat slung over his shoulder. They mad e their way to the door, unlocked it and entered. The tiger was far enough away for the moment, and the tranquilizer gun was in Mike’s free hand as he swung the meat to the ground. Tracey sat the cage down, opened the door, and unceremoniously dumped the prey out. The animals froze for a few moments, little noses twitching at the unfamiliar smells, then bolted for the bushes when Tracey straightened up, closing the door on the cage as she did. She turned and motioned for Mike to follow her out, she would observe the animal’s reaction to the prey from her office.

Eve Thompson seemed so plain Jane as she trudged up the path of the Zoo, looking at the animals she passed by. A tight fitting black skirt that stopped just short of her knees hugged her lower half beautifully and a matching black pinstripe blouse with a plunging neckline looked as though it was made especially for her. It was her usual job interview outfit though she’d spent the past few years in University; now she’d graduated with honours and was being sent out into the world to test her skill.

She adored the big cats and was so tired of just watching them with her nose pressed to the glass, sighing and wishing she could feed one or observe how it interacted with its environment outside of the public eye. People tapping on glass hardly made for a Lion’s natural habitat and thus when an advertisement in the local paper caught her eye; she jumped at the opportunity.

Eve pulled the folded up wad of paper from her pocket, it read: seeking an assistant to a Zoologist for the observation of a large male Tiger; salary is award wage and the hours may be hectic due to the amount of care required. No time wasters; must be available for immediate start.

Eve sighed and slipped the paper back into her pocket; she was not the plain woman with the two inch black heels type. Yet here she was with her platinum blonde curls pulled into a tightly coiffed bun, she’s obviously dyed her hair as some black roots had already begun to show however she was disinclined to show more of her real self to these people. Her shirt was long sleeved for good reason and she tugged her skirt down nervously.

She walked up to the door and knocked gently before entering the observation area she’d been told to go to. Now Eve was just praying she’d gotten the man’s directions right and hadn’t just walked into a crocodile habitat or something similar!

“Hello?” Her timid voice rang out through the seemingly empty room, she looked around just as another woman entered looking somewhat haggard.

“Oh hi, sorry but I hope I’ve got the right place…I’m looking for Tracey?” She asked nervously, silently hoping she wasn’t embarrassing herself.

“No, you’re in the right place. I’m Tracey.” She said, looking Eve over questioningly. ‘

“Oh good.” Eve smiled and was instantly relieved that the directions hadn’t caused her too much trouble, “I’m Eve Thompson, I’m here for the job interview for the Zoologist’s assistant. I’m guessing that’d be you then?”

Tishrah stirred slightly in his sleep as he heard the sound of metal on metal. His eyes fluttered open and he sniffed the air slightly. He was not used to it, but he accepted it. He raised his head and looked down from his vantage point on the rock. Something new was here...something...alive...he could sense it. Rising to his paws, he slowly stalked down the false hillside amid the boulders and trees, weaving through them easily. His blue eyes traced around the massive chamber and he growled softly looking around as he reached the faux creek and pond. The massive form of a tiger crouched down by the water, lowering his head and lapping up the water. His eyes darted around warily before he straightened up and crossed the water, his paw splashing slightly in the water as he moved towards where he heard the sound. As he stalked through the faux undergrowth, he knew that his intstincts were taking over, driving him...

He sniffed the air and listened, hearing the sounds of something going through the underbrush, something small, not worth his time. With a low growl, he turned from the rabbits and stalked back along the perimiter of the cage. He slowly walked along the wall, brushing against it with a growl. It was almost...an insult... He killed Caribou, Wolves and Bears...not some rabbits...

Trishah turned away and curled up on one of the rocks. He wasn't hungry for some frightened pest, no...he wanted real meat...something alive that he could kill, something that was a challenge. He growled softly as he curled up and forced himself to sleep and wait for his chance. Before he drifted off, he looked over to the viewing window, looking for that female who had watched him...and wondering just what she was thinking...

“Hello?”

Tracey threw down the stack of applications she had been going through. None of them seemed right. Oh, some looked good on paper, but when they came in and interviewed, they were all wrong for the job. Sighing in frustration, she stood and glanced out the window of the office, her eyes seeking out the massive beast within before going out to the observation area to meet with the next applicant.

“Oh hi, sorry but I hope I’ve got the right place…I’m looking for Tracey?”

“No, you’re in the right place. I’m Tracey.” She said, looking Eve over questioningly. She wondered if this was the applicant, the tight skirt, long sleeved shirt, and the heels were an odd combination for someone to wear in hopes of getting a job doing the kinds of things an Assistant Zoologist would be doing.

“Oh good. I’m Eve Thompson, I’m here for the job interview for the Zoologist’s assistant. I’m guessing that’d be you then?”

Tracey groaned inwardly. “This woman comes in dressed for an office job, and it’s supposed to impress me,” she thought tiredly to herself. “I’m willing to bet that she’s never done a day’s worth of manual labor in her life.”

Tracey caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to the observation window. She watched the Great Cat as he prowled restlessly through the shrubs. She let out an audible sigh as she saw him leave of tracking the rabbits and lay down. Shaking her head, she turned back to the impeccably dressed Eve and looked her up and down once again. “Follow me, please. I have to make some notes on the big guy before I forget.” She turned on her heel and headed back to the office, not bothering to see if the woman followed.

Once settled in her chair, she pulled down the notebook and opened it up, gesturing to the cot for Eve to have a seat while she made her notes. That done, she swiveled around to face the applicant. She took in the un-dyed roots, and wondered about the long sleeves. Last thing she needed around this fella was a junkie, and she worried that the sleeves hid track marks. She took a deep breath before she finally spoke.

“Eve, I must say you certainly don’t look the type to be applying for this kind of job. I can’t help but wonder if it would be a right fit for either of us to even hire you on a temporary basis.” She held up a hand to stall the comments she felt coming. “However,” she continued as she picked up an application that sat by itself, “I have read over your application and your resume. To look at what you have written here, I think you would be a good fit. I’m just not seeing this person,” she shook the paper in her hand, “sitting in front of me.”

Tracey watched Eve for a moment, noting the way she shifted uncomfortably on the cot. Her voice grew softer, “This job will entail crazy hours. The cot you are sitting on is where I sleep every night. The system that runs this exhibit is one of my own designs, and I’m paranoid of its failure. Ultimately we would like to breed that big guy in there and see if we can have a decent survival rate of the cubs. He is under careful observation twenty-four hours a day, either by me personally or by closed circuit camera strategically hidden in the enclosure. You would be required to spend most of your waking hours watching him, taking notes, learning how to care for his needs, and running the system that keep his habitat as close to what he’s been used to as possible. Your non-wakeful hours will most likely find you sleeping on a cot identical to the one you are now seated on. Do you honestly think this is something you can handle?”

“Follow me, please. I have to make some notes on the big guy before I forget.”

Eve nodded, wringing her hands in a nervous manner as she followed Tracey; more than willing to wait after Tracey looked less than pleased with her. She sat down on the cot as Tracey pointed and wriggled slightly, looking around but trying to concentrate on the woman in front of her at the same time.

“Eve, I must say you certainly don’t look the type to be applying for this kind of job. I can’t help but wonder if it would be a right fit for either of us to even hire you on a temporary basis. However, I have read over your application and your resume. To look at what you have written here, I think you would be a good fit. I’m just not seeing this person, sitting in front of me.”

Eve almost winced at that, she thought it better to come dressed crisp and business like rather than in trousers and a T shirt. Apparently Tracey thought a little differently and Eve silently cursed herself as she shifted uneasily.

“This job will entail crazy hours. The cot you are sitting on is where I sleep every night. The system that runs this exhibit is one of my own designs, and I’m paranoid of its failure. Ultimately we would like to breed that big guy in there and see if we can have a decent survival rate of the cubs. He is under careful observation twenty-four hours a day, either by me personally or by closed circuit camera strategically hidden in the enclosure. You would be required to spend most of your waking hours watching him, taking notes, learning how to care for his needs, and running the system that keep his habitat as close to what he’s been used to as possible. Your non-wakeful hours will most likely find you sleeping on a cot identical to the one you are now seated on. Do you honestly think this is something you can handle?”

Eve listened carefully as she spoke, barely hiding her surprise at the woman’s dedication to the Tiger and everything Tracey did for his observation. When at last Tracey posed the question; Eve was absolutely fascinated. She considered how to answer before she opened her mouth and spoke with as much honesty as she saw fit to use in this moment.

“To be perfectly honest I don’t have much of a social life right now, University took a lot of my time and not too long ago the only person I spent much time with decided I was too invested in my studies for his liking. My point being the hours and the living conditions don’t bother me. I’ve spent too much time inside classrooms staring at pictures and listening to lectures on the topic, I truly am prepared to get my hands dirty. I’m looking forward to some hands on experience.” Eve paused and gave Tracey a slight smile, “Working in pet stores was great for sometime but I wanted my qualifications for good reason. I wanted to work with the bigger animals and the great cats are my favourites, I have been focused on them for sometime.”

Eve glanced over at the Tiger again, truthfully she had never seen one so big and she sighed softly as she turned to face Tracey again; hoping she hadn’t screwed this all up.

She listened intently to the response of the woman in front of her, the gruffness nearly evaporating as she realized just how harsh she must have sounded. Tracey offered a small smile of apology, running a hand through her disheveled hair before letting out an exhausted sigh.

“Eve, my apologies for sounding so rough. I’ve been trying to find someone that I could trust completely with his care, and the task has been much harder than anticipated,” she looked Eve over once again. “I can appreciate your eagerness to work with the Big Cats, it’s been my first love for most of my life. This one, however…” Her words trailed off as she looked through the large window to where he lay on one of the rocks, then continued almost to herself. “This one is different somehow. I just can’t put my finger on it. He watches me…” She shook herself free of the thought with a shiver and turned back to the woman in front of her with a smile. “I tell you what. We look to be about the same size. If you would like a tour of the place, those heels are going to have to go, and so is the skirt. I’ll let you slip into one of my spare uniforms, show you around the place, and then we can decide if this is something you truly wish to pursue.”

Tracey held out her hand to shake Eve’s, noting the glimmer of hope and excitement in her eyes. “Is it a deal?”

Eve watched as Tracey seemed to soften and smiled at her which Eve returned, noticing how exhausted Tracey appeared to be which made her realize exactly why Tracey was so in need of an assistant. Right off Eve could tell this woman was a workaholic and she wondered if Tracey even had a social life…

“Eve, my apologies for sounding so rough. I’ve been trying to find someone that I could trust completely with his care, and the task has been much harder than anticipated, I can appreciate your eagerness to work with the Big Cats, it’s been my first love for most of my life. This one, however… This one is different somehow. I just can’t put my finger on it. He watches me…”

Eve nodded in understanding, following Tracey’s eyes to the Tiger behind the glass and wondering what she meant by that. Eve shrugged it off; the other woman was clearly tired but perhaps she was merely noting that the Tiger was more intelligent than normal or something to that effect.

“I tell you what. We look to be about the same size. If you would like a tour of the place, those heels are going to have to go, and so is the skirt. I’ll let you slip into one of my spare uniforms, show you around the place, and then we can decide if this is something you truly wish to pursue.”

Eve smiled and smoothed her blouse over self consciously, the outfit was definitely not her style but one never knew what to expect at a job interview and so safe was better than sorry. Eve hoped very much that Tracey wouldn’t hold it against her, she longed to just watch the Tiger but knew she had to focus. She trained her excitement at the prospect and looked down at Tracey’s hand as she held it out.

“Is it a deal?”

Eve smiled even wider and reached her hand out to shake Tracey’s, “Absolutely, just lead the way!”

Eve’s enthusiastic response was enough to put a genuine smile on Tracey’s lips. She stood and walked the few short paces to the lockers and opened one, pulling out a clean uniform and a spare pair of work boots. She turned, handing the uniform to Eve and beckoned her to follow.

“I’ll just show you where the bathroom is. There are a couple of shower stalls in there as well. All the comforts of home,” she joked lightly.

An exasperated looked crossed her face as she heard raised voices out in the hallway. Looking apologetically at Eve, she set the boots down on a bench and hurried to the door.

“Go ahead and change, if I’m not back by the time your done, I’ll meet you in the observation area. Just turn right when you step out the door and go through the door at the end of the hall,” she tossed back as she nearly slammed the door open, wondering what on earth was causing such a fuss.

Eve took the uniform from Tracey with a smile, it was just what she’d expect; rugged wear for more outdoor type jobs.

“I’ll just show you where the bathroom is. There are a couple of shower stalls in there as well. All the comforts of home.”

Eve nodded and giggled softly, more as an understanding of a joke rather than it actually being funny. She looked around and then frowned slightly in curiosity as she too heard the shouts from outside, she looked to Tracey who had an appearance of feeling hassled one too many times.

“Go ahead and change, if I’m not back by the time your done, I’ll meet you in the observation area. Just turn right when you step out the door and go through the door at the end of the hall.”

Eve nodded quickly as Tracey had already disappeared, she followed the directions and found the bathroom easily. Eve stepped inside a stall and proceeded to strip her clothing, tattoos up her arms made it obvious as to why she’d worn a long sleeved shirt. One barbed wire encircling her right arm, her left depicted a fiery angel with a strange symbol imbedded on her chest.

She pulled the long pants on up over legs which held some more tattoos on her upper thighs. She covered them with the scratchy green trousers and buttoned them, they hugged tightly and were obviously a little small but it didn’t bother her. She was grateful to have been supplied with another long sleeved lighter green shirt, it buttoned down the centre and was also a little small.

Eve finally slipped the boots on and folded her clothing up neatly, she made her way back to the observation room and slid her clothes into the locker that Tracey had grabbed the uniform from. She wandered back to the cot and sat, her eyes on the glass and the tiger within as she waited for Tracey to return.