Oh well, in five years time we could be walking 'round a zoo

Nick was surprised to hear that Ella’s date idea was a zoo. Not only because he had no clue whether or not there was even a zoo on the island (though with Dakota, there could be with but a tap of the cane) but because Ella herself just didn’t strike him as a “zoo” kind of person.

But then again, she’d never seen one. So he could imagine the girl’s excitement after building it up in her mind. …Still. He couldn’t help but feel a little miffed; she hadn’t enjoyed going to the aquarium on their last date all that much, but she wanted to go to a zoo? What was a zoo if not a different kind of aquarium for land animals? …Okay, maybe he was being a little petty. Just a bit.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a zoo!” Ella said, her eyes sparkling with joy. “To see all the cool animals… but, well…”

She didn’t even let those dark thoughts enter her mind. She was too excited! Ella had no intention of letting memories of her horrible stepfamily and the way they crushed her hopes and dreams ruin her anticipation of going to the zoo. Seeing all the animals that she’d read about in picture books (what little she could read, anyway) with her own two eyes?

Where would she even start? The tigers? The lions? Elephants? Or the giraffes?

Rose may have laughed when Ella said that was what she wanted to do, but when she told Dakota, the host was shockingly accommodating.

“Why of course you can go on a date to the zoo!” Dakota had said with a purr in her voice. “That sounds just lovely! I’ll arrange it right away!”

Normally Ella would have been suspicious.

But on the other hand, zoo.

“Hopefully it’ll be a lot of fun,” Nick said, just happy that Ella looked so excited. Now that he knew how much she’d been looking forward to this, he felt even worse about what had happened this morning with the mask. Ella had been so excited for her zoo date, but even with all that anticipation, she still thought that he wouldn’t want to go with her, and had arranged that convoluted plan to give him an out if he wanted to take it.

Nick had never been so happy to be himself before. He could only imagine if Ella had ended up in the harem of some other awful, callous master who didn’t appreciate her, and would have jumped at the chance to spend the day with a beauty like Rose instead.

Ella… she’s different. She has issues that she struggles with. But she’s still a sweet girl, and she deserves to be appreciated and cherished for who she is.

Which made him feel all the worse about how he’d been thoughtlessly neglecting her this whole round. As if trying to make awkward small talk while she was cleaning the Master’s Suite could take the place of a real conversation.

He resolved to make up for that all today and try to make her as happy as possible on their date together.

“One thing though… why are we going to the beach?” Nick asked as they stepped off the path and onto the sand, heading towards the docks. “Dakota didn’t build a zoo on the beach, did she? Because that would just be weird.”

He had a sinking feeling in the back of his mind that the reason Dakota was so accommodating of Ella’s request was because she had redefined the meaning of a “zoo” to create an aquarium instead, thinking that it would make Nick happier. Well, she better not have! Ella may not have shared his passion for fish, but she was looking forward to seeing the animals, and today was about her. Not about pleasing himself.

But when they arrived, there was no aquarium, either. Just a dock with a boat moored to it, and Dakota standing beside it with a smirk on her lips, dressed up like a ship’s captain.

“Good morning you two,” she said with a naval salute. “Welcome aboard!”

Nick raised his eyebrows. “Dakota, what the heck?” His eyes shot to the boat. The last time he’d seen it had been when he’d gone out on that mess of a date with Mary, and that had been months ago. Right before their awkward proposal and marriage. He didn’t think he’d ever see it again, but now here it was, rocking gently in the water.

Another thing he didn’t expect to see? Dakota standing next to a boat.

Nick glanced at Ella, wondering if she knew what was going on. One look at her stunned face though and he immediately understood that she was just as confused as he was. She tilted her head to the side and scrunched up her face, looking from Dakota to the boat and then back again.

“Um… where’s the zoo?” She asked politely, stating the obvious.

Dakota smirked. “Come on now,” she purred, shaking her head. “You didn’t think I’d really make a zoo on this island, do you?”

Ella’s heart sank. “What…?”

“Why not?” Nick asked, frowning. “You can do whatever you want to, right?”

Dakota rolled her eyes. “Do you know how much work it would be to run a zoo? I already have enough animals running around here, you know. Leprechauns, sirens, cat girls…”

“You have an army of faeries who can do whatever you want,” Nick pointed out, not about to be swayed by that lazy reasoning. “YOU can do whatever you want, thanks to that cane.”

Dakota tapped her cane on the dock logs, confirming his accusation. She wasn’t persuaded by it, though. “No zoo,” she said, in a tone of finality.

Ella sagged.

“…On this island, anyway.”

Immediately the heartbroken latina jerked up straight and her eyes widened. “Wait, you mean-?”

“That’s right!” Dakota pulled her lips back into a victorious sneer, delighting in the look of joy on the other girl’s face. “To accommodate your date today, I’ve arrange for a nice little zoo to open up on a neighboring island! You’ll get the whole place to yourselves, just the two of you! To explore and frolic to your hearts’ content! Doesn’t that sound just darling?”

Nick knew Dakota well enough to know that there was always a catch.

“Yes!” Ella nodded rapidly, her eyes wide with delight. “That sounds wonderful!”

…But he couldn’t say anything, when Ella reacted like that.

“Dakota, this is a zoo, right?” He was **** to ask his friend. “Not a wild safari? The animals are in cages, right?”

Dakota rolled her eyes and snorted, as if to say that she would never do something like that.

Nick wanted a response that was a little more concrete.

“Dakota-”

“This isn’t Jurassic Park, Nick, I’m not going to turn you two loose on an island full of hungry animals. They’ll be in their own enclosures, don’t whine.”

“There were enclosures in Jurassic Park, too,” Nick reminded her, still not convinced.

“What’s Jurassic Park?” Ella questioned, looking at the two of them in confusion.

Dakota could scarcely hide her contempt for the girl. But she **** the muddy, withering glare from her face and pushed a smile back onto her lips.

“Enough dilly-dallying,” she said, pressing her hands together over the head of her cane and leaning forward. “You two want to see the zoo, right?”

Ella nodded up and down. “Yes!”

Nick decided to risk trusting her. Dakota knew she was still in hot water with him after the messy exchange with Kim that morning; he assumed she wouldn’t want to push her luck.

“So that’s why the docks, then?” He clarified, turning to look at the boat. “To take us to the other island? Can’t you just tap your cane, and, well…?” He shrugged, looking around like he expected the world to start spinning any second now.

Ella scowled. For once, Dakota agreed with her.

“Hardly romantic,” she scoffed. “Just cutting to the end like that.”

“Hey!” Nick frowned. He was just concerned for Ella’s stomach. He knew how bumpy a boat ride could be, and he doubted Ella had ever been on one before. The last thing he wanted was for her to get seasick and throw up, given what they’d been through this morning.

Dakota glanced at Ella and seemed to come to the same conclusion. She had been watching their date all morning, after all. “…Well, an immediate transportation would allow you both to spend more time with the animals, so I suppose-”

“No!” Ella blurted out loudly, surprising both of them. Nick and Dakota both turned quizzical eyes towards the insistent girl, who had put her foot down with surprising resolve. Neither of them had expected her to speak up like that.

Ella looked covetously towards the boat. “I-I’ve never… been on a boat ride before,” she mumbled, her bold tone withering away as suddenly as it sprouted up. She began to fidget with her fingers. “I’d really… like to try it… even just one time…”

Nick felt his heart melt a little. She looked so eager, he just couldn’t say no to that.

And it was more than enough for Dakota. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse?” She cooed in a sickeningly sweet tone. “I think that’s just darling! Your very first boat ride, AND your first trip to the zoo… I can’t wait to see what other firsts you check off today!”

Her eyes flashed as a teasing grin crossed her face, and Ella’s eyes widened.

She turned red as she processed Dakota’s insinuation.

“That, um-!” She stammered, looking shakily over at Nick. “We, um… that’s a little too much for us this soon, I don’t think-!”

“Oh, come now, don’t be so bashful! If you want to make progress in your relationship you need to be bold!” Dakota said, strolling towards Ella and gazing deeply into her eyes.

Ella seemed to quiver in front of Dakota, much to Nick’s chagrin. He was about to tell her to back off, but he stopped himself.

She doesn’t want me to come to her rescue all the time. And if I put my foot down and say there’s no chance of something like that happening today, how would she take that? Nick didn’t want to do anything Ella felt uncomfortable with, and sex was clearly one of those things (as if Cinder hadn’t made that abundantly clear) but if he was the one who shut the door it might hurt Ella in a completely different way.

This was a tricky situation to balance, and Dakota’s goading wasn’t helping matters.

“You’re not as shy and **** as you pretend to be on the surface,” Dakota murmured, scanning Ella’s flustered expression with a taunting smile on her lips. “No no no… I can see it in your eyes, my dear girl, you really do want more… but you’re not sure, are you?”

“Just, um…” Ella’s eyes flickered over to Dakota. “Ev-eventually,” she said, trying to assert herself without relying on Cinder. “When… when I’m ready…”

Dakota seemed disappointed by that response, but not surprised. She sighed, and shrugged. “Well… hopefully you’ll be ready soon. You can’t keep hiding away in closets forever, you know.”

It was an odd taunt coming from Dakota, Nick thought, and it weirdly seemed to be effective considering the way Ella stiffened up. Her eyes jumped to his and he saw a flash of horror in them, which was enough to get him back in action.

“Dakota, just let us take our time,” Nick said firmly, stepping next to Ella. “Everyone has their own pace, you know that.”

Silent, Dakota mulled that over for a moment before taking a step back, lowering her head in a flourish. “You’re quite right,” she conceded with a nod, and her lips curled up into a smile. “Yes, go at your own pace. I agree.”

She clapped her hands together. “For now, though, we really MUST be going. The animals are waiting, are they not?”

With that she turned and stepped onto the boat, beckoning for them to join her.

Immediately Nick’s ominous feeling returned.

“…You’re not serious,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

Dakota batted her eyelashes at him. “I’m not?” She cooed playfully.

“Do you even know how to drive a boat!?” Nick demanded.

Dakota rolled her eyes. “You pilot a boat, Nick. You don’t drive one. You know that.”

Nick turned red. He did know that. He was just flustered, that’s all, because Dakota was doing Dakota things, and he wasn’t happy about it!

“Dakota-”

“You said it yourself,” she cut him off. “I can do whatever I want, remember?” She waved her cane to remind him and Nick sighed. This really wasn’t what he had in mind. He looked over at Ella and saw her smiling of shining anticipation.

He really hoped Dakota knew what she was doing, and wasn’t trying to troll them just for kicks.

The first sign that this was going to be trouble was when they stepped aboard.

“Yeek! Nick! There’s a HOLE in the boat!” Ella’s fingernails dug into his arm so tightly they hurt.

“It’s a glass bottom boat,” he said gently. “They put the glass there so you can look at the fish while you’re at sea.”

Ella looked down at the thick glass beneath her feet and felt a little queasy again. She raised her head and looked questioningly at him. “Why would anyone want to look at some fish?” She asked, sounding a little miffed.

Nick decided to let that one go.

“Let’s just sit down,” he suggested, guiding Ella to one of the seats and sitting beside her. He had no idea how long this trip would be, but he really hoped Dakota wouldn’t go crazy with it.

The last thing he needed was for Ella to freak out or get sick. That would ruin their zoo date pretty damn fast.

“Alright, let’s get going!” Dakota declared with a chipper smile, stepping behind the wheel. “Keep an eye out for any sharks!”

Ella went pale. Her nails dug into Nick’s arm again. “Sharks?!” She squeaked.

Nick winced, and not just because he was pretty sure she’d broken the skin. Just try and enjoy yourself. You’re trying to have a fun date.

Luckily, Dakota didn’t offer him any of the complimentary champagne that Sylvia had provided him the last time he was here on a date. If she had, Ella’s stomach probably wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

She tottered onto the dock of the neighboring island, her eyes spinning in her head, looking liable to collapse at any moment. But she didn’t barf.

“Did you have to go so fast?” Nick chastised Dakota, who gave him an innocent smile in return.

“It’s a speedboat, Nick,” she pointed out, as if she wasn’t the one responsible for making it in the first place.

Nick sighed and went after Ella. She’d refused to lean against him or even let him help her off the boat. It kind of bothered him. After all, they’d had a good time up until now, he thought.

What was up with her?

“Ella, are you alright?” He asked, approaching her cautiously. She was leaning against one of the dock posts and taking deep breaths, but when she heard his voice she shuddered and stood up straight.

“I-I’m fine!” She asserted, turning to look at him. Her face was firm even though she looked a little green. She was snapping her rubber-band with clumsy, trembling fingers. “I didn’t throw up! And Cinder didn’t come out! I-I can handle this!”

Ella wanted to show Nick that she didn’t need his support; this was about putting her best foot forward, and the last thing she wanted to do was cling to him like some helpless waif that needed to be babied! She wasn’t fragile like that!

But when she saw the look on his face, her heart ached.

He seemed… disappointed.

Worse than that- rejected.

“Um…” Ella staggered forward, hand outstretched. She didn’t even have time to think about how dizzy she still felt, she was so worried that he’d gotten the wrong idea.

Then she crashed into him and they both fell over.

“Ah…!” Ella was lying on top of Nick. Her heart raced and her face flushed, and Cinder roared in her skull. She jumped to her feet, her seasickness forgotten, and scrambled back. “Sorry! Sorry!” She cried as Nick stood up, brushing himself off.

“No, it’s fine,” he assured her with a smile. “I didn’t mind.”

The way he looked at her made her heart skip a beat. She clutched her chest and stewed in her own embarrassment, feeling like the biggest jerk ever.

“Still… I’m sorry. I just fell on top of you…” Ella mumbled.

“It was an accident,” Nick said with a shrug. “It happens. You think I’m going to complain about a cute girl landing on me?”

Ella turned red when she heard that and Nick wanted to die a little out of embarrassment. But he persisted.

“I’m glad you’re feeling okay,” he said gently. “I was worried you were going to get sick.”

“But… I didn’t.” Ella’s heart swelled slightly with confidence. “I-I made it all the way to dry land! Isn’t… isn’t the impressive?”

“Very,” Nick complimented her.

It actually had the opposite effect. He was being so nice to her, she felt like a jerk now, running off like that.

“…I was showing off,” she mumbled, looking down. “You were just being nice before, offering to help me off the boat, and I made a big show of doing it myself… …I’m sorry I was such a jerk.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Nick said again, not about to give Ella any more reasons to be down on herself. “The important thing is that you’re feeling better, right? And we made it!”

That helped ease some of Ella’s guilt. She smiled slightly and nodded, glad that she was here with Nick. They turned together and looked up at the wide gate in front of them.

When Dakota said that she’d put a zoo on a nearby island she hadn’t been entirely truthful. It would be more accurate to say that she created a new island from scratch and plopped a zoo right on top of it. In fact, the only part of the island that wasn’t zoo was the dock they were standing on; the tall walls stretched in either direction as far as they could see.

“W-wow… it’s… big,” Ella murmured, amazed. “Are all zoos this big?”

“…I really doubt it,” Nick said, shaking his head. Dakota may have said that this wasn’t Jurassic Park, but it was clear that she’d taken inspiration from the movie all the same. Without thinking, he offered his hand to the shy girl. “Want to go see?”

Ella looked down at his hand and stiffened. Should she take it?! Should she not take it?! The longer she went without making a decision the more awkward the atmosphere between the two of them became. She didn’t want to disappoint Nick by rebuffing him AGAIN but if she took his hand, she might pass out on the spot- or worse, turn into Cinder.

Fortunately, Ella was spared from having to make that choice due to a call coming from the gate ahead of them.

“Welcome, lovebirds! Don’t be lollygagging around on the beach now!” The chirp of a familiar leprechaun rang out through the air. “Come on up and take a look! We’ve got animals from all over, lovely creatures you’ve just gotta see! Come come come!”

The energetic cheer spurred both of them into action and they rushed over to the gate, the awkward handholding offer forgotten. When they reached the gate they saw the pink-haired girl standing in front of the entrance with a gleam in her eyes and a smile on her face, dressed up completely different from normal.

“Nola, what are you doing here?” Nick asked, not expecting her to have left Mary for another random job. “Shouldn’t you be helping Mary?”

“Excuse me? Who is Nola?” The leprechaun who denied being Nola declared with all of her Nola-ness. “My name is Nol Irwin, the Nolligator Hunter! And this is my zoo! Now, tickets for two, I believe? On the house of course. For the lovely couple!”

She winked at the two of them in what was probably supposed to be a saucy wink, but just came across as bizarre. Nick and Ella glanced at each other and laughed.

That was one way to reset the mood, and get back to having a good time!