[center][h2][color=indianred]Enkoodabaoo[/color][/h2][/center]
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[Day]

Kooda picked one familiar voice out from the crowd. [color=darkgray]"They're not really fighting, they're just trying to see who's stronger."[/color] He turned to see the friendly zoo owner and frequenter, Bass, telling the little boy about the fighting bears.

Bass had been at the zoo more than a few times since Kooda had started coming. He had recently recognized Kooda as a regular visitor, but not before Kooda noticed him. It was an hour before closing when Bass' voice popped up right behind Kooda. [color=darkgray]"You come here a lot."[/color] Kooda looked over his shoulder at the man in the cap. [color=darkgray]"I'm Bass, the zoo owner. You are?"[/color] [color=indianred]"Kooda."[/color] Kooda shook his outstretched hand. [color=darkgray]"Are you also an animal enthusiast?"[/color] [color=indianred]"Uh, a little. It's a nice de-stressor after school."[/color] Bass looked happy. [color=darkgray]"Are you studying biology at school?"[/color] Kooda's gaze faltered for fear his answer would displease him. [color=indianred]"I'm taking biology, yeah, but I'm studying to be an actor."[/color] Kooda needn't have worried. [color=darkgray]"An actor! You want to be a movie star?"[/color] Kooda smiled bashfully. [color=indianred]"Well, no, not star, anything's fine I guess."[/color] [color=darkgray]"You'll still make more money than me."[/color] With a playful smile, Bass turned around and walked away, leaving Kooda to stare into the crowd.

Kooda didn't feel like talking to anyone at the moment. He slipped away before Bass could see him. It was almost closing time, so he walked with the mass of people towards the zoo's exit. Once he was out, he went around the perimeter of the zoo, walking through the grassy hills and woody forests surrounding the zoo. It took 20 minutes and some bushwhacking to get to the desk-sized rock that marked the back of the bear cage. He tried moving the rock from the side. He still wasn't strong enough. He took one of the stones on the ground and knocked a rhythm against the large rock.