Zoos are amazing, don't you think? They let you meet creatures up close and personal that you'd never otherwise see face to face in your life, as well as acting to preserve and care for rare and endangered species. The staff are so friendly too, they don't even bat an eye or treat you poorly whenever you somehow manage to slip out of your enclosure, you little escape artist you~

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8) 'Unaware’

A new Zoo had opened up in your town, a grand spectacle filled with rare and endangered creatures. Better yet, they were offering 50% off on their opening week! You just had to go.

Stepping through the large gate, you found the zoo was somehow even grander in person, with large open areas and numerous enclosures and exhibits to visit. You wandered around, watching people feeding the giraffes and elephants in the mock Savannah, penguins, seals and more swimming about in their own miniature aquariums, even got to explore a interactive exhibit that let you explore human sized meerkat tunnels, while meeting the real deal up close and personal. It was all very exciting

“Hello! You there!” You felt a tap on your shoulder as you were looking for the next exhibit to visit, turning around to see a staff member with a camera. “Would you like to get your photo taken?”

“Oh? Sure! Why not?” You said, happy to get a photo to remember the visit by.

“Thank you! Now, could you please just pick one, and we can get started!” They explained with a friendly grin, gesturing to a nearby photo cutout board, different animals and creatures painted on its surface. You hadn't realised that's what they had been referring to, but it was a bit late to back out, so you obliged, making your way over and picking out the dragon as you stuck your head through the hole, feeling a little embarrassed. There was a flash of light, and it was over as quickly as it had started.

Once your photo was taken you pulled your head back out, a smile plastered on your reptilian snout. Ooh, this should look good. You approached the photographer as they showed you the photo. Yep. Your scaly head blended right in with the board. You almost looked like a real dragon due to the perspective. Sadly, that wasn't actually the case, but it still made for a memorable picture. You happily accepted the photo, before continuing on your way, looking forward to whatever exhibit or enclosure you encountered next.

Coming to the crossroads of the Zoo, you checked the numerous signs, each pointing to a different attraction on the premises. They all looked pretty exciting, but one caught your attention in particular. A proper petting zoo. That could be fun. Getting to be up close and personal with the animals was always a treat.

Approaching the building, what you saw was about what you expected, friendly hues and friendly animals, rescued and raised by the zoo, that were all too willing to interact with the visiting humans, allowing them to feed them, pet them, and briefly enter their pens. And it was free, unlike some others you'd seen before. A few glances were thrown your way as you waited in line, probably due to your snout and horns. They weren't exactly the most conspicuous after all, but you brushed it off. The attention wasn't anything new. And any concerns you had quickly vanished as you were finally allowed to enter and meet the animals up close and personal. Though some were a bit reluctant, it didn't take long to coax them towards you, letting them sniff your hands as you kneeled down to show you weren't a threat.

You were extra gentle while petting them, cautious to not scratch them with your pointed claws. It was pleasant, relaxing. Everything seemed to just slow for a while…

Eventually, a staff member tapped you on the shoulder. Apparently, you'd spent a little over half an hour in the pens, and they wanted to let some other people have a go. As well, your presence made some of the more timid animals nervous, so it was best you left. It was a bit saddening, but true, so you stood up and made your way out, apologising to the staff all the way. Slightly embarrassed at the people staring, you also threw up the hood of your jacket, trying to zip it up, to no avail. Sigh… if only the stores had clothes your size. Even this jacket was too small to properly fit around your chest. But hey, maybe the gift shop had something? You never know. If they can make vests for elephants…

Your scaly belly rumbled. Oh, right. You should probably have something to eat. You turned your attention to the food court, making your way over, your talons clacking against the concrete with every step as you approached one of the vendors.

“Welcome, er…” they seemed to pause, trying to figure out what to call you

“Oh, it's fine. Don't worry about it,” you'd say, giving a wave of dismissal. “Can I please get a hunger buster combo? And a caramel milkshake.”

“Alright. Is that… all?” They questioned, still very confused

“Yes. I don't think I'm *that* hungry” you joked. You weren't sure they got that. Regardless, they set to work preparing your meal, cooking up patties and cheese, caramelising onions, crisping up fries, and packing them all up on a single tray

Your talons struggled with the tiny wallet for a moment, but you eventually managed to pull out your card and scan it, walking away with your meal and sitting down. It was frankly delicious. Somehow, everything just tasted more… flavorful? You never even knew tastes like this could exist! In a blink of an eye, you'd devoured the two burgers and fries, even the entire milkshake!

Satisfied, for now, you got up, and continued your adventure, returning to the crossroads and checking the map for anything else fun to explore. Ah, the aviary. That sounded good. You set off immediately, enjoying the warm midday sun on your scales as you made your way over. Styled after a large, oversized birdcage, it was hard to miss as you squeezed your way through the double gate, designed to prevent any of its inhabitants from escaping.

The interior was truly beautiful, full of bright lush foliage and colourful flowers, with lots of branches and perches for all the birds flying around. They had all sorts of avians, from parrots to finches, even little hummingbirds. And was that a real Fenghuang? It's beautiful rainbow plumage as it basked atop one of the trees. Truly a sight to behold.

Seeing all the different birds flitting and fluttering about made you want to spread your own wings. But no, it'd be too cramped. Plus you'd probably get in trouble if you tried to fly in here. Best to wait until you are outside…

You continued through the aviary, heading through another set of gates, arriving at the more exotic creatures. Owls, Kiwis, and other nocturnal birds slumbered in the dark, barely moving from where they were nesting. Flamingos, Cranes, and other aquatic birds swam and bathed in their own little enclosure, a flowing river and pond, with plenty of shallows and reeds to keep them happy.

Finally, you encountered the last exhibit, and seemingly the most popular, judging by the small crowd. Your size allowed you to easily see over the wall of bodies to spy what it was that was so impressive. The enclosure was large, full of rocks and trees, cliffs and outcrops, a facsimile of a mountainous environment. And perched atop one of those outcrops, a live Gryphon, part Lion, part eagle, wings spread majestically as it leapt down, catching the air as it swooped down to the ground, letting out a mighty screech as it banked up at the last second into a glide, soaring around the walls of its enclosure, before eventually landing and making its way over to the glass. You wanted to stick around, but something felt… off. Perhaps it was how its sharp piercing gaze seemed to stare straight through you, almost like a challenge, but you didn't want to stick around for a potential fight. You had better things to do after all. So you quickly vacated the area, weaving past some people before anyone turned to see what had caught the avian's eyes.

You struggled a bit with the gates, but eventually, you managed to squeeze yourself back through, taking a moment to catch your breath, before your stomach growled once more. Really? Hadn't you literally just ate? But no, the hunger pangs had returned. Your body demanded food, and you weren't one to deny it what it needed.

You returned to the food court, approaching the vendors, crouching down to peer through the counter. The man didn't seem to recognize you, though you didn't understand how that could be possible. It wasn't like there were many other dragons walking around, right? No matter. You placed an order, paying with some of your hoard, before moving on to the next, and the next, amassing a small pile of foodstuffs, barely fitting on the trays you carried in each paw.

You sat down with your feast, savouring each and every bite, even as the size of each one slowly grew. 4 bites. 3 bites. 2 bites. Until you were consuming them in a single bite, whole burgers, fried chicken, containers of fries, vanishing down your fanged maw as you continued to devour, your scaled tail swaying happily behind you. But it wasn't enough. Your stomach still ached with hunger. You needed more. You slowly got up from the table, being careful as to not knock it over with your oversized body, before plodding back over to the rows of vendors

Somehow, they understood your draconic tongue as you gave them your next order, requesting an even larger meal. They didn't even seem to charge you for it this time around, maybe in awe of your love for their food? The seats creaked under your weight as you sat back down again, using your claws to shovel in the fried and meaty foods, before just resorting to just using your powerful jaws to devour it all. Even the weird white shells on most of them tasted good now.

You finally felt satisfied and full as you got up from the table, returning to all fours as you stretched, before going to leave this place of delicious foodstuffs behind, returning to the crossroads.

Just as you were wondering where to go next, a rope found itself flung over your neck, going taut with a firm tug, as one of the Zoo's staff made their way over, talking into their walkie-talkie. Aww… you'd been hoping you'd be able to see a bit more before they found you.

“Yes, yes. They got loose again. Yes, they were wandering the park. Seems like they got distracted by the food court this time though. No, nobody was hurt. I told you, they're a gentle soul. Just curious, and a master of escape it seems. Okay, I'll discuss it with you later. Over and out.”

“Come on big fella. Time to go back to your exhibit.” The staff member said, gently tugging. You let out a rumble of complaint, but still, followed behind them, tail swaying behind you, until you were eventually led back through the side gate of your enclosure, until finally, you were back home. The staff member released the rope on you, not like it would've done much to stop you if you wanted, before opening up the second gate to allow you through. You stretched your legs and wings as you stared up at the fascinated humans of varying shapes and sizes. Had they never seen a dragon before?

Satisfied with your stretching, you found a nice large rock outside your cave to sunbathe on, curling up atop it, resting your head on your tail as you yawned, slowly closing your eyes as you drifted off into slumber. That had been enough excitement for one day. Who knew what the next could bring, here at the Wonderland Zoo