There’s also interactive exhibits throughout the Zoo, and you find yourself spending a great deal of time at the kittle tank, picking up and playing with these strange but sweet creatures. “Sharing characteristics with both small felines and turtles,” the zookeeper attendant explains to the crowd, “kittles are believed to have been another creation by Prothidian Altar, though what they were meant for is unknown. They are indigenous to Casfeild and Kinawa, and are at home both in and out of fresh water. There are over four dozen breeds, with varying types of markings, fur coverage, appendage dexterity and shell hardness.”

“Oh, my goodness, they are so cute!” Kess squeals over the little creatures, cuddling a particularly fuzzy one with black and orange stripes. “I could just snuggle them forever!”

“Looking for a new house pet, Kess?” you tease.

“I think they were house pets at one time,” Ay’cura comments, amusing her own kittle by splashing her fingers in the shallow tank. “But they can be difficult to care for, and as they are mostly food for bigger things in their natural habitat, they’re now endangered.” She grins, petting one to its high-pitched mews. “These are exactly the kinds of animals I want to work with after graduation.”

“Well, you are going to graduate with honors and do it!” Jun agrees, scratching the ears of a gray kittle. “And the rest of us will come over every day and play with them.”

You all have a good laugh over this and spend nearly an hour more at the exhibit before finally moving on.