<div class="floatleft">(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/daniellex28/215f5c00-e5d3-4cb3-966e-883c0d3304bc_zpshuk31qlv.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Julie Lancaster (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=250173.msg12381790er#msg12381790)<br/><strong>City | Date | Time:</strong>Animal rehabilitation centre near Kruger National Park | March 17 2015 | 10:00 PM<br/><strong>Tagging | Mentioning:</strong>Elena/Nicole<br/><strong>Content:</strong>Playtime<br/><hr/><br/>"You have no idea what I look like, it's way dark," Julie grinned as she struggled into a more or less seated position. Her ribs felt distinctly more bruised than they had done a minute ago, but she couldn't bring herself to linger on such futilities. What did catch her attention was the way Khara had settled down quite obediently. She attributed it to the fact that Nicole was holding dinner in her hands at first, but when she managed to retrieve the torch from where her friend had left it and stiffly drew to her feet, that excuse seemed to be become invalid. As Julie shone the light in the general direction of the girl and the creature, Khara was sitting surprisingly meekly in the dirt, patiently - although hungrily - looking up at Nicole. There was a notable lack of headbutting or overly affectionate hugs, although that wasn't completely true; it was more that Nicole was the one embracing the orphaned animal in a way that suggested that Julie had been all too right in taking her to the rehabilitation centre (and Nicole even more for deciding to come).<br/><br/>"Wow," Julie said with genuine surprise. She leaned forward to brush the dust off her trousers, and her shirt and basically the entirety of her body before stepping in closer. "He really likes you, doesn't he? And you really like him." The most generous of smiles, though mostly concealed by the darkness of night, revealed itself on her rosy lips and it was only at this point that Julie decided that perhaps lighting the oil lantern dangling from the right side of the fence was a sensible idea, and so she proceeded to do exactly that. "See, I knew you'd love it here. And that<em>here</em>would love you right back." She returned to the girl and the animal beside her, who was now greedily suckling on the bottle of rhino milk, making over the top smacking noises and more of those whining sounds that he was so prone to. The light of the lantern did not reach far; like a little umbrella of warm, orange light it offered a secluded little area safe from the darkness around them,  and a strange feeling of serenity overcame Julianne as she fell into a crouch, absently scratching Khara's neck whilst barely needing the distraction at all. Nicole had a way of making her feel at ease, like this wasn't something started by a chance encounter but orchestrated a long time ago, an invite of one dear friend to another that was so self-evident that<em>of course</em>Nicole would tag along and stay here, with no security, no guarantees whatsoever. Just the word of a stranger, and Julie knew without a doubt that she would live up to the faith the girl had in her. It was of utmost importance that she didn't let Nicole down, even if she couldn't explain why.<br/><br/>"So is this how you dealt with school children too? Just bewitch them with your charm and make them willingly sit through eight hours of school every day?" It was clear that Julie was amused with all this, and even the lack of attention she received from her adoptive little rhino child didn't elicit a trace of jealousy. How could she? Julie much shared the little rhino's opinion, after all.<br/><br/>The calf emptied its bottle in record time, and thanks to Nicole, herding him back into the enclosure was surprisingly easy, even if his noisy complaints were all the more heartwrenching when ultimately Julie bolted the gate again. "I think I've been replaced," she commented, pulling a pouting face that could not be interpreted as sincere in the slightest. Nevertheless, Julie heaved a dramatic sigh before reaching to the lantern, dousing the flame and reducing the area to one of darkness save for the pale torchlight. She aimed it ahead of them as they meandered back to the cabins, ultimately pointing out the furthest on the left. "That's where I sleep," she explained, "There's two beds in each lodge though, and I think it's best that you stay at my place for the night." Julie shrugged haphazardly, a strange shyness in her eyes. "You know, if you want to."<br/><br/>Their trek took them past the little house though, and towards a small enclosure, fenced off in a way similar to Khara's little home. It was far narrower and lower, though, and, once Julie had led them inside and lit one of the lanterns, revealed a primitive sort of shower area. It was more or less divided by reed walls that offered a semblance of privacy as long as everyone remained in their respective cubicle. It was also entirely roofless, which made for a somewhat surreal showering experience."It's not quite like home," Julie apologized, "But I'm sure you're used to adjusting, right? Not like it's your first day in the south." She pointed towards the steel nozzle overhead in one of the little stalls. "It's mostly rainwater that's been heated throughout the day, so like, don't drink it. There's no real drain or anything, so you want to keep it kinda short but I reckon that after a trip like today's, you could do with a shower, right?"<br/><br/>Julie immediately regretted saying that, and a look of unease crossed her features. "Not that you smell bad or anything, I mean - " She shrugged. "It's more that<em>I</em>do, hah." Julie shook her head before retreating into one of the stalls. She only hesitated briefly before beginning to undo the laces of her shoes, which she unceremoniously tossed across the little building. Her socks soon followed, and while she struggled out of her pants, Julie started to wonder if she was being too casual about this. It was hard to be prudish in an environment like this, though; with the rangers showers were often reduced to quick baths in the river while one acted as lookout for crocodiles and hippos.<br/><br/>"Sometimes I miss having a real bathtub, you know," she said, but only because Julie didn't like the silence. Not because it was uncomfortable; it was more that she had begun to miss the sound of Nicole's voice when there was no conversation ongoing. "Lavender scented soap and candles, or you know, being in a room with no mosquitoes."  Julie threw her top on the pile of clothing; her bra as well. Without looking she turned on the shower; the water was only lukewarm, but considering the climate and season, you really didn't want it to be scalding hot. A hum of utter delight escaped her and Julie closed her eyes, running her hands through her hair as the dirt of a long day of travelling was washed away. "But you know what, I wouldn't trade this place for the world. Feels more like home than England ever did."<br/>