"Kids on their own don't," Ant murmurs, "not when they're running."

"True enough." Zev seems to mostly direct his words into Nova's shoulder.

Nova leans into him.

"Gosh, we're a maudlin lot. Zev, think fast, favourite animal so far?"

Zev leans his chin on Nova's shoulder, and grins. "Lions. Easy!"

"A very good choice! Tigers next?"

"Unless anyone else has a preference, please lead me to the big cats!"

"Finish your hot chocolate first."

"We can walk with these cups you know, Dad. And it's not like they're full."

"Oh, I wouldn't disobey a direct order from Aaren."

"We need to get you into the habit of that. S'our job to keep our parents on their toes."

"So, you want me to obey you instead? As you teach me to disobey?"

"He's got you there! C'mon. Tigers!"

Zev grins, and coaxes Nova up. "We're being commanded, mi vida."

Nova lets himself be coaxed, smiling.

And Ant starts to lead the way to the tigers-

"Margay!" Lan doesn't quite shout part way there, detouring to a small, out of the way enclosure.

"My god, I wonder what's over there? Could it be margays?" Zev's smiling though, even if a little bit of hot chocolate spilled onto his new coat.

And a very happy Lan. Who points out the margay sleeping in a basket at just about eye level.

And an ecstatic Zev. 

"My god," he says, tugging on Nova's arm excitedly. 

Nova grins, mostly at Zev, but also at the margay.

"Are they always that size?"

"Yup. They're small cats that mostly live and hunt in the trees."

"I want one."

"Unfortunately there are laws about exotic pets. And these little guys are near threatened in the wild. Deforestation, illegal pet trade, that kind of thing."