Leon changed direction, leaving the neighborhood. His pace picked up, but he still waved to the many people along the streets. They all either knew him or were familiar with him, since no one appeared shocked or frightened. Alibaba jogged easily beside him, invisible to everyone else. He was curious about where the lion morph was heading, but quickly understood when he saw the City Zoo signs ahead.
As Leon approached the gate, he stopped suddenly and looked down at himself. "Damn! I don't have my wallet." Alibaba chuckled. "You do not need to pay admission. Just go on in. Trust me."
Leon frowned, but then shrugged and headed for the entrance. The woman taking tickets smiled when she saw him. "Helllo, Leon! The girls will be glad to see you." She gestured him through.
They continued in, but Leon looked back. "I haven't been in here since I was a little kid! But she knows me."
As they made their way through the zoo, Leon noticed that he was getting a large following. Almost everyone that saw him started following. A couple of kids ran up to touch him and giggle before their mother called them back. He was so preoccupied with his audience that he did not realize he had stopped until several loud roars startled him. He was at the lion enclosure, and three lionesses sprang to the barrier to stare at him. The male sauntered over, less eager, but still rumbling and staring.
Leon was a little startled when hands began stroking his back and shoulder. People were petting him as if he were a big house cat! As a human he would have been uncomfortable, but now he felt a low rumble in his chest as he started purring. The attention was pleasant.
A man in a zoo uniform came over with a grin. "Hi, Leon! I'll open up for you. Don't know why they won't just give you a key." The man headed to a side door. "Come on."
Curious, Leon followed. The man opened the door and gestured inside. This was a small room with another door that opened directly into the enclosure. "I'll come back and let you out when you are done visiting." He grinned and winked.
Puzzled, but curious, Leon went inside and the door shut and locked behind him. He put a paw on the outer door handle but stopped and looked at Alibaba. "Um, you are sure the lions will like me? I don't want to get eaten."
The djinn smiled. "Oh, I promise you they will be very happy to see you and very friendly."
Taking a deep breath, Leon opened the door and stepped into the enclosure - and was immediately knocked tot he ground as a lioness pounced on him! Her rough tongue licked his face, he was quickly in a dogpile of lions as all of them, including the male, gave him a playful, affectionate greeting. There was applause from the humans outside. Leon sat up, blinking at the sudden rush of scents. The animals smelled - familiar. More than that - the scents, sounds and physical contact with the lions felt comfortable. He started purring again, and started roughhousing with the animals. They tumbled and wrestled like cubs. Alibaba grinned as he saw the humans outside watching the show. Leon was an exhibit in a zoo, and he did not even notice. This was going to be fun.