Unleash the Beast

[teh_fuzzy_one]

Africa is nice, peaceful. The Beast was happy living in a pride of lions in Africa, thinking himself one. After months of a happy, simple, animal living, he was hunting, stalking a gazelle to bring back food for the cubs, when suddenly he feels a prick in his side. He turns his maned head to notice a small dart sticking near his ribs. His vision

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[greatest_zatara]

For anyone who bothered to ask, conservation was Zachary Zatara's second-biggest passion, after his work on stage. Third, if you counted women. He loved zoos and aquaria, to the point of donating to the NY Wildlife Conservation Society in the middle five figures annually, and the animals he used in his acts all came from rescue operations. He was currently being lead on a guided tour of the zoo, one of the perks of his generosity.

The keeper lead him to the edge of the service entrance of the lion enclosure. "Now, obviously we can't enter the enclosure, Mister Zatara--"

"Please, Mister Zatara was my uncle. Call me Zachary."

A token laugh. "--, but this is the best view you're going to find, short of becoming a keeper yourself."

"Don't be too sure. Siegfried and Roy had their time. We'll see what the future holds." Zachary smirks, gazing out at the zoo's latest major acquisition.

[teh_fuzzy_one]

The Beast was lazily snoozing on a rock, and then a strange sensation went down his spine. He felt uneasy and threatened, and poked his head up, looking directly at Zachary, somehow knowing he was the source of this feeling. He hopped down off of his perch, and cautiously proceeded towards the service entrance, his eyes never leaving Zachary.

[greatest_zatara]

"Mister Zatara, I..." The keeper watches the lion advancing. "I think you should step back.

Zachary peers right back. "No... I think you should." He puts an arm out and ushers the keeper behind him, meeting the lion's stare, but blinking slowly. Non-aggression, but no flight to trigger prey drive, either.

[teh_fuzzy_one]

Beast met his gaze, staring for a moment. He somehow knew this human was magic. For some reason, that made him more and more uneasy. Why? What was wrong with magic? He didn't know, but he felt compelled to attack this human.

He roared, and then he did something he didn't expect. He stood up on his back legs, his skeleton reconfiguring to a more humanlike shape.

[greatest_zatara]

"Yeah... you should run." One corner of Zach's mouth tightens, but he holds his ground as the keeper takes off.

A gesture, and he's dressed in his tux. The suit's a little rumpled, however. He raises an eyebrow, before turning his attention back to the creature.

"I am Zachary Zatara, of Shadowcrest, of the Homo Magi, and the JSA. Give your name, and be at ease. I come to do you no harm."

If this thing actually knows what it is, he's done his fair part by the laws of magic.

[teh_fuzzy_one]

Beast looks surprised at this change, examining the changes to his limbs for a moment before refocusing on Zachary. As the human speaks, the Beast somehow understands, and attempts to answer, but only a low rumbling growl comes out. He still feels suspicious and aggressive, and his posture reflects that.

[greatest_zatara]

"Do you understand my words?

Do you have a name?" He inquires carefully.

[teh_fuzzy_one]

Another grumbling growl is the reply. "Mmmajik" came a single, butchered, english word. He was thinking aloud, trying to figure out why that bothered him. The word and the sensation with it scared him, and he backed away from Zachary, growling.

[greatest_zatara]

Zachary furrowed his brow, then he took out his cellphone. He called the JSA. This thing needed to be dealt with while it was still in the enclosure. He figured he could hold off any local authorities that tried rearing their heads, and guns, but he was going to need assistance beyond that.