Lions and Tigers and Men--OH MY!, At the Zoo --- Peter

Maeve threw herself into her work for the past few weeks. She worked long days and even longer nights. It was the start of the wedding season and as an events planner, that meant she was swamped in color swatches, meal options, floral arrangements, and bridezillas from hell. Of course, living in Evergreen, it seemed like it was always bridal season. It felt like she hadn’t had a break in forever. As an escort, Maeve never had a set schedule. She was busy with events and men, but she didn’t have to exert the kind of effort she did as an events planner. It was kind of funny, though, considering being an escort paid a hell of a lot more than being an events planner did. The money had been the reason she became an escort and spiraled into the scandalous career in the first place. It was nice being able to go out and not having to worry about what she spent, but it came with a heavy price. Maeve hated herself for what she did, but that didn’t stop her from falling back to her old ways.

She came to Evergreen expecting to build a new life for herself. She got a job planning events for the Inn and she even signed up for that silly program to get a husband. Her first match never showed his face. Her second match swept her off of her feet and then dropped off the face of the earth. She was beginning to lose all hope she had for finding a husband. For years, men paid ridiculously amounts of money for her, for her body. She was a therapist’s play ground, trying to fill that gaping hole that was her father’s neglect with empty physical activities with strange men. On the outside, Maeve looked like a sweet redheaded woman. She was sweet. Unless she was otherwise provoked. She just happened to also come with enough baggage to fill a cargo plane. She could take care of herself, but her old life was too much to deal with now. That was why she was in Evergreen. It was a fresh start to her stained past.

Maeve decided to take half of the day off. Everything was in order for the weddings for next week and she really just needed a few hours to herself. Maeve had no idea where she was going when she got into her car, but she pulled up at the zoo. Maeve had only been to the zoo two other times in Texas, but she liked the outing a lot. As a child, no one ever took her to places like this. She wished they had. She would have loved it. Maeve walked around the zoo, smiling at the little children running around her. They were so happy and innocent. Her childhood had been nothing like that at all. It was refreshing to see, though. Maeve found herself in the monkey house. She walked up to the glass and peered in, but she couldn’t see any animals on the other side. A part of her was disappointed, but a bigger part of her hoped that it meant the monkey was doing something better than being trapped behind the glass. Maeve sighed, but didn’t step away. Her thoughts began to wander to how awful it must be to be trapped like that. She had been trapped before, but she escaped.

Peter came out of the door marked Employees Only. He paused when he looked up to see a woman looking through the glass of the monkey exhibit even though the little guys weren't in there. He frowned and let the door go. he stood there watching the young woman as the door slowly closed behind him. The door made a loud thud when it finally closed, echoing in the empty stone room. He slowly walked towards the woman. He made sure his name tag was clearly visible - Peter Jackson Zoo Keeper/Primate Expert - on his brown button up uniform shirt. He was supposed to tuck it in. But he never did. He was supposed to wear slacks... but that wasn't feasible when working with monkeys. So he wore some old worn out jeans.. but he made sure there wasn't any holes in them.

Peter approached the woman, Hi... he stood next to her and looked into the empty exhibit with her. damn invisible monkeys... so hard to spot. he said it seriously, yet it was still like a friendly inside joke. Peter was a pretty observant person. And he could see that something seemed to be on this woman's mind. So... wanna talk about it?

Maeve had been having her own little pity party in her head. She didn’t usually let herself feel bad for…herself, but she couldn’t help it. Her mother died in childbirth, leaving her with an angry drunk of a father and a couple of people here or there who felt pity for the poor girl. Not enough pity to take her away from the man who damaged her the most, though. Hee life fell into a ton of pieces around her and when she couldn’t take it anymore, she ran away. It was a cowardly thing to do, but that’s what that man she had no choice but to be related to did to her. He turned this headstrong fiery ginger into a coward. He was probably the only man who could do such a thing, even after all of these years she hadn’t had contact with him. Her life turned into a bit of a tragedy after that. She was a young girl lying about her age so she could get some kind of a living by dancing on bars in tight jeans and little tops for greasy old men. When she was legally allowed to do so, or as legally as one who pursued an illegal career could be, she sold her body to the highest bidder, and boy was it high. She was a sad girl, forced to grow up when she was still a kid. Now her emotions were playing catch up and she was trying hard not to let them.

Maeve didn’t realize she had been staring into the glass. She didn’t realize she let herself get trapped in her own pity. She was stronger than that. She had been so sure her life was coming together, finally. She had a good job, one she actually enjoyed. It wasn’t the most prestigious of jobs, but it was an honest living and one that people could respect her for. When she got matched a second time and when she had met her fiancée, she was so sure the marriage was going to be one of the best things to happen to her, but he got her hopes up and left her high and dry. Could she ever catch a break?

Maeve hadn’t been aware of the door that opened and closed. She heard it shut, but it didn’t register with. She was so focused on the empty cage that represented her life that she really didn’t notice anything. It wasn’t until the deep voice startled her out of her own miserable thoughts that she realized someone had approached her. Maeve’s head shot to the side. She didn’t recognize the man next to her, but he was being friendly. That was one of the things she loved about being in Evergreen. Even complete strangers felt like friends sometimes. She didn't get that when she lived in Indianapolis, but then again she hadn't exactly tried to make herself public. She was still hiding from her past then. It was nice to be back in Indianapolis, though. Like visiting an old memory. “Hiya.” She said, her southern drawl unmistakable. Her eyes dropped to his uniform and name tag. “Peter.” She finished the greeting, offering him a warm smile. She still didn’t recognize him, but he seemed nice. She looked back through the window, trying to find something to justify why she was staring into an empty room. She probably looked crazy. She tried to suppress her smile at his joke, but she couldn’t. She bursted out in laughter, before glancing at his face again. His face was so serious, which made it that much funnier. Humor was something she needed a lot of right now. It hit the spot, relieving her of her personal woes.


Maeve blinked in confusion. Talk about what? “The invisible monkeys?” She asked, making a pathetic attempt of keeping the joke alive. “I think they speak for themselves.” She said. How did he know something was wrong? In the couple of minutes Maeve had been graced by Peter’s presence, he managed to touch her the way no other person had. Not physically, for once.

Peter glanced sideways at her like he was hurt that she was laughing at him. And she laughed even harder because of his serious face. Her laughter was contagious and he broke into a wide smile and chuckled lightly. She seemed confused when he asked if she wanted to talk about it. "Invisible monkey? I think that speak for themselves." He laughed at that and shook his head. Oh they do. They do. he turned and leaned against the stone wall that separated the exhibit she'd been looking into from the one to it's left. He faced her and crossed his arms over his chest - not in an aggressive manner. It was just something he did. He met her eyes with a kind warm look. But I was talking about what has your pretty little head so messed up that you're trying to see the invisible monkeys. his left shoulder was against the wall, his right hip cocked out, his arms crossed over his chest, and he leaned his head sideways against the solid wall as he looked at her with a warm smile, inviting her to share her story of a bad day and get things off her chest.

Peter knew that it was sometimes easier to talk to a complete stranger about your problems than it was to talk to a friend or family member. Or even to the person that knew your deepest darkest secrets. He knew that one from personal experience. Especially since he was in love with said person's wife. He was still kicking himself in the ass for not realizing it before it was too late. And even more so for not being able to change the way he felt about the red headed pixie. Damn he missed her. But Cristina had cut things off with him. Even though she had feeling for him.... or maybe that was Peter imagination. Regardless, he damn well couldn't talk to his best friend Michael Kahl about it. The man had already damn near killed Peter when he'd found out that Peter and Cristina had had a one night stand before either of them had ever been matched!

Maeve smirked when he feigned being hurt. This complete stranger, Peter, came along and made her laugh like it was the easiest thing in the world. Maybe her problem was that she was around too many assholes, too many guys who had terrible jokes about terrible things that really weren’t funny at all. Maeve was so used to being the butt of jokes made by the assholes she was surrounded by. She was so used to being the one people were laughing at that she forgot what it felt like to be the person someone was laughing with. It was a good feeling, definitely one worth experiencing. It made her feel good, too. Like she was worth something to share laughter with someone.

Maeve smiled, glad he continued the joke. She liked this little game. She liked being a part of it. He didn’t make her feel like an idiot, and that was nice. Usually she had to put up a fight. She had to use her strong comebacks or wits to prove herself to the male population as more than a pretty face and a nice fuck. This was different, it was nice. Her eyes dropped to the ground when he asked what was on her mind. Her pretty mind. He really was a nice man. “I don’t know whether or not to be flattered that I have a ‘pretty little head’, or offended that it’s ‘messed up’.” Maeve said in a joking manner. She wasn’t conceited enough to let the pretty comment go to her head and she wasn’t insecure enough to actually be offended. Maeve’s eyes dropped to the ground, though. She wasn’t used to spilling her guts. Especially not to a stranger in the middle of a public place.

She had a lot on her mind, but none of her problems were his problems and she didn’t want to burden him. She sideways glanced at him. She wouldn’t pretend like she didn’t notice that he didn’t look good with his stance like that. She smiled sweetly at him, pushing her troubles to the back of her mind like always. “You know, it takes one to know one.” She pointed out. “I might be staring at the invisible monkeys, but you’re the one who plays with them all day.” She said, nodding at his uniform. She sighed heavily. “However, I’m sorry to disappoint you. There’s not a worry in this pretty little head.” She said, trying to sound convincing. She was never any good about opening up. In the end, it damaged her even more.

Peter grabbed at his chest with his right hand over his heart and gasped like he'd been shot when she said he played with invisible monkeys all day - implying that he was more messed up that she was. It was of course all an act. He straightened suddenly and gave the empty air above them a thoughtful glare. Then looked at her and nodded. Touche, he said matter of factly. But you're definitely holding something in. I would know. I hold stuff in all the time.

He was about to say something else when he spotted movement in the shadows down the stone hall behind the woman. He frowned and held out his hand like he was reaching for a child as he stood up straight. Leonardo Jackson. You were supposed to be back an hour ago. Were you flirting with the chimps again? Peter scolded in a loving fatherly tone. Come here.

A "fart" noise came from the shadows and a 9 pound solid black Capuchin monkey came slinking out into the light. He was wearing a baby version of Peter's uniform shirt and blue jean over-alls. He also had a name tag attached to one of the straps that read Leo Jackson - Little Helper. Leo padded on his bare little feet over to Peter and grabbed his hand and swung himself up onto Peter's left shoulder and wrapped his tail around Peter's neck.

Peter reached into his pocket and pulled out a peanut. He handed it to Leo, who immediately cracked it and ate the pods. Peter shook his head and patted the monkey on his head and looked back to the woman. He frowned. I'm sorry. I would introduce you but you never gave me your name.

Maeve watched him to see what his reaction would be. He was a funny guy and she liked that a lot. Touché. She couldn’t help but to giggle. This playful banter was really a lot of fun. She could do it all day long and never get old. A part of her felt like a little kid. Not like the little kid version of herself, the one who hid in small spaces hungry and scared because her father either didn’t love her or loved her too much in a way that was entirely too inappropriate. She felt like a normal little kid, playing and laughing and having fun. Was it okay for adults to have this kind of harmless fun? She didn’t know, but she liked it a lot. He was an interesting man. She wasn’t bored yet. She didn’t have to once pretend that she was interested in the conversation when she wasn’t. She liked the way he kept her on her toes. “Do you, now?” She asked, glad to have any reason to direct the attention away from her and her fucked up life. “Wanna talk about it?” She asked, genuinely offering to help him.

Maeve’s eyebrows creased together in confusion. She was almost certain that he was talking to an imaginary friend. He was funny and quirky, but even that was taking it a little too far for a grown man. She glanced behind her and didn’t see anyone else around. Now she was really confused. She was clearly missing something. She heard the fart before she saw where it came from. Her eyes grew wide in shock. It sure as hell hadn’t come from her and Peter was the only other one around. It was elementary, but it still skeeved her out.

Maeve turned around as the monkey came out from the shadows. “Ohhh.” She said, relieved. “Aww.” She cooed. She had never been this close to a monkey before without glass separating the two animals. “He’s so cute!” Maeve said, nearly melting. Did he use adorable animals to win over all of the ladies? If not, perhaps he should start. It certainly was effective. Oh, yea. She had an unfair advantage because of his name tag. Maeve looked from Peter then back to the monkey. She didn’t know what she could or could not do. She reached out her hand to the monkey anyways, wondering if anything would even happen. “I’m Maeve, Mr. Jackson. It’s my pleasure to meet you.” She said, keeping a straight face and dipping into a little curtsy. Ever the proper southern woman.

Leo looked at the woman's hand and reached out and grabbed a finger and shook. He chittered and chattered as he did so. But when Maeve curtsied Leo stuck out his tongue and made a spit shower, producing that "fart" noise that was heard earlier. Then he smiled big, exposing his teeth and kinda laughed as he tossed his empty peanut shell at her.

Leo! Be nice. Peter said sternly. He pulled Leo off his shoulder and put him on the floor before Maeve. Apologize.

Leo made a sad noise and slowly walked to the woman and held up his arms to her like a child asking to be picked up.

Maeve grinned like a kid meeting their childhood hero as the little monkey shook her finger. She had never had a pet before and a monkey wasn’t even really like a pet. It was like another child to look after. She was gushing now, but she couldn’t help it. This was amazing. She looked from Peter to Leo to Peter to Leo with a look of shock and amusement. Did he realize how great this was? A MONKEY was shaking her hand! She had been terrified at first, but this monkey was so adorable. At least, he was before he nearly showered her with spit and then threw a peanut shell at her. Maeve luckily jumped back quickly and dodged the spit, but he had good aim with that shell. She was kind of shocked he threw something at her, but laughed regardless.

What happened next was almost too adorable for words. He walked over to her with his head and arms hanging. He looked so sad and it made her sad. How could this cute creature possibly do anything wrong? “Aww.” Maeve said, her heart melting. She bent down and picked him up in her arms, scared that she was going to hold him wrong or something. Holding a baby was one thing, but a monkey? “You’re forgiven.” Maeve said. Well played, cute monkey. Well played, indeed. She set the monkey down after the embrace and then looked at Peter. “I bet you win all of the ladies over with that.” She teased. It worked, it really, really did.

Peter laughed. Nah, mostly they just think i'm desperate. he scooped Leo back up and the monkey resumed his place on Peter's left shoulder. So, Miss Maeve. Have you seen the rest of the zoo? Or did you come just to see the invisible monkeys? he said with a crooked grin and a quiet chuckle. If you haven't seen anything I could give you a tour. I know this zoo inside and out. I know most the animals too, on a first name basis i might add. he smiled broader.

He'd finished most his work he'd needed to get done today, and it had been a few weeks since he'd just walked around the zoo, telling people about the different animals and answering tourists questions.

Maeve laughed. She hadn’t seen his efforts as desperate, but she could see how some people might. Maybe if it had been any other guy, the kind of asshole she usually attracted, she would have rolled her eyes and turned away, but Peter seemed entirely too sweet and genuine to give her cause to do such a thing. Maeve found herself getting nervous around this man. That was something that didn’t happen very often. Or ever. Maeve was comfortable in her own skin and she was used to being around men much more intimidating than this man, but she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that she was going to say or do something to embarrass herself around him. Her heart pace picked up a little when he offered to give her a tour. Men didn’t do that. Not for her. They treated her like a play thing who was there simply for their own amusement, which was very often the case considering her ex profession. This was a nice change.

“Well, I was under the impression that the invisible monkeys were the main attraction here, but I suppose there’s something to be said for seeing visible animals at a zoo, too.” Maeve joked. She bit her lip and looked at the man’s face which was outlined with kindness and good intentions. “I would love a tour.” She said with a smile. “But I wouldn’t want to keep you from your work, I’m sure you are busy.” The last thing she wanted was to be a burden. She had only seen bits and pieces of the zoo and she wouldn’t mind walking around. Even more, she wouldn’t mind having someone to walk around with. Being lonely wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Peter waved a hand, dismissing her concern for keeping him from his work. This is my work. Part of the job description is helping pretty tourists find their way through the zoo. Leo stood tall and nodded his head at that - which moved his whole body up and down with the gesture. [b]Pish posh, here we go. I insist. Peter said in a teasing mock British accent that really wasn't very good. Peter grabbed Leo and set him down on the floor. Off you go Leo. I'll meet you at the gorillas in three hours. the little monkey chattered and ran off, leaving Peter and Maeve alone.

Come on. Which exhibit would you like to see first? he said to the woman. He knew there was still something bothering Maeve. But she wasn't willing to talk just yet. That was okay. He could wait.

There he went again complimenting her and making her feel good about herself. Her cheeks flushed a bright red under his compliment. It was so sly the way he just slipped ‘pretty’ in there. It was so easy to miss and at first, Maeve had. It took her a couple of minutes to realize that he had called her pretty and the moment she had, she felt like a little teenager with a crush all over again. She was all giggles and blushing and she hardly recognized this version of herself. “What an awful job that must be.” Maeve said, giggling. “How do you manage?” She joked. She liked being able to joke with this man. He was practically a stranger, but she still felt comfortable enough around him to smile. Even when she was getting herself down in her thoughts. He cracked her up with the British accent impersonation.

“See ya, Leo!” Maeve called after the little monkey, not actually knowing if she would ever see him again. This encounter seemed kind of like a once in a lifetime thing. She went to the zoo and happened to cross a charming man with an adorable pet monkey. That kind of thing really only happened in the movies. Maeve looked at Peter. She enjoyed the monkey’s company, but she was excited to be alone with the man. She was curious and people were perhaps the most curious thing around. Everyone had a story and while she tried not to be nosey, she was curious. “I think I’ll leave that up to you to decide.” Maeve said. She was really awful at making decisions. “You’re the expert, lead the way!”

Peter watched as the emotions played across her face. She really was pretty and when her cheeks turned red it made her red hair seem to shine around her face. He liked her smile. And her laugh was easy on the ears too. She told him to lead the way. he tilted his head and made a serious thinking face, which was completely funny. Alright. We'll go see Serrie first. Serrie was a lioness. She was the newest female in the zoo's little herd. They had one male, Simba, and three females including Serrie.

Peter spent over two hours showing Maeve around the zoo and telling her about the "behind the scenes" tricks of training all the different animals. He even got a couple of the trainers to show them some tricks with the seals, and the otters. Peter was very disappointed to look at his watch and see that it was almost time to meet up with Leo. Once he gathered the Capuchin he had to go check out and get home to his children. The babysitter could only handle the twins for so long. peter had been so glad that the zoo's director was so willing to work with him on the scheduling.

Peter turned them towards monkey country where they would find the gorilla exhibit, and hopefully Leo. Course Peter expected the monkey to be late... as usual. Leo always got distracted when playing with the tourists and other animals of the zoo.

((OOC: hope you don't mind me skipping ahead Bridget. I'm all excited about these two being matched together! So. I have some plottage ideas for it. Get back to me?))

Maeve hadn’t expected to spend so much time at the zoo, but it was a good thing in the end. She had so much fun there and Peter was nice. A part of her wondered if she’d ever see him again and a pang of disappointment hit when she realized it probably wasn’t likely, unless she started spending a lot of time at the zoo. He was a really nice guy and really easy to be around. She had come to the zoo to clear her head and without him, she probably wouldn’t have been able to do it. She couldn’t remember a time when she laughed so much in a single day. She had fun, and that was a rare thing for her.

Maeve loved all of the behind the scenes information she got. She loved the shows that the seals and trainers put on and whatnot. She had never seen anything quite like that in her life. An ordinary trip to the zoo turned out to be one of the most special days in her life. She didn’t have many days like these to remember, so it was something that was going to stick with her f or a long time.

Maeve was sad when it was time to say goodbye. She wished the day could go on forever, but she knew she had already selfishly taken up too much of Peter’s time. She’d need to get back to work anyways, despite the late hour. There were some things she needed to finalize before the weekend. Maeve bid Peter goodbye before he went to get Leo. She thanked him for his time and tried to express how much the day meant to her before making her way back through the zoo and to her car.

((OOC: It’s fine! I’ll PM you or IM you tomorrow about things))