In the zoo, away from the zoo. [Franzi]

Peace and quiet. Well, there were some animal noises, and ambient music from some high-up speakers, and some other visitors talking, but they were strangers. She didn't have to worry about listening to Piter or solving problems her coworkers were too stupid to handle.

Perhaps she wasn't the type to seem like she would enjoy a zoo, but she had one at her home that belonged to only her. So, for her, being so well-dressed at a place where humans were separated from animals and their feces only by fences, wasn't strange at all. Besides, she'd brought a parasol, she was protected. Too protected, she sometimes thought-- she disliked how far away from the animals she was. At home, she was allowed to hold or go in with the animals if she wanted to. But sadly, this zoo belonged to anyone, so real enjoyment belonged to no one.

Spotting a young macaque on a branch through the netting over some trees, checked to see if anyone was around, and whistled gently to it, to entice it to get closer to her. Curious, it took a few strides closer to her, but not close enough. Just as well, she didn't have as much of a bond with it a she had with her animals back home, but she'd been to this zoo a few times before. "Hello," She smiled sweetly at it (another reason to check for people around that might know her-- it kind of hurt her no-nonsense reputation to be there, talking to a baby monkey) and wiggled some of her gloved fingers through the fence. It looked more interested then. "Don't you remember me?" It came even closer, close enough to touch her hand, and... "Here, Liebchen-- Hey...!"

Stole her glove. She wasn't sure to be amused or upset, but most likely the latter, since she couldn't order it back. It was the same feeling she had when Piter did something unforgivable. "Monkey!" She addressed it indignantly, quietly, so no one would hear she was arguing with a primate. "You come back here, right this instant!" But like Piter, it didn't listen. So much for feeling more at peace, here.

Itakshir loved his job. Far more than any other job he'd had before. The pay wasn't that great, but it was certainly worth more than what he made on fishing or being in the Russian military--and he almost felt like he ought to have been the one paying, for getting to work with so many animals all day. It was amazing. Of course, he mostly worked with the ones he was familiar with, but it didn't mean he never saw any of the more exotic ones. There was never a boring moment, never an unhappy day. It was impossible to even think about being unhappy while surrounded by animals and excited children.

To his mind, anyways.

So it was with a good deal of cheerfulness that he carried two heavy buckets of fish (which probably were not all that fragrant, either, but he was so used to fish--and smelled so strongly of saltwater, himself--that he hardly noticed) toward the 'arctic' section of the zoo, where he spent much of his day, when he wasn't with the bears or the otters. ...At least, he was headed in that direction, before he stopped dead in his tracks.

Standing no more than a few yards away from him was likely the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Was she alone? She couldn't possibly be--not that that was going to deter him. Especially not when a golden opportunity to approach her presented itself.

He couldn't help but smile when the monkey snatched her glove from her. It was a well-known fact (he thought) that monkeys didn't live in the Kurils because they'd been tricked by a fox, but he was still acquainted with them from his visits to his sister in Hokkaido. Abandoning his buckets, he approached the cage, tapping her lightly on the shoulder from behind.

"Hiya! I saw what happened--don't worry, I'll get it back for you." Producing a key ring from a lanyard around his neck, he fingered through them until he found the appropriate one. Unlocking the cage, he stepped in, closing the door behind him. It took a minute to locate the offending primate and pick around the exhibit without disturbing anything. It was unfortunate that he didn't have any food to lure it with, but he had to make do with coaxing whistles, not unlike those that she'd been using just moments before. The monkey looked at first to be intent on holding onto its stolen treasure, but after a moment of hesitation, it gradually approached the Ainu, climbing onto his extended arm.

Carrying the culprit out of the enclosure, apparently confident that it wouldn't make a break for it, he locked the door again and brought the monkey to her. Pretending to be stern, he addressed it, "You know what you did. That's no way to treat a lovely young woman." Nonplussed, it climbed around his shoulders, forcing him to hold his hand out for the glove, "Come on, give it back." When it was unresponsive, he corrected, "Please?"

All things considered, it could have very well have been on par with him, intelligence-wise, and it seemed to ponder his added humility. Finally, it climbed back down to his outstretched arm, holding the glove aloft for a moment before dropping it, as though it had become bored and didn't want it, anyways. Catching the dainty article of clothing, Itakshir grinned, "thank you," and offered it to her. "I'm sorry this happened. You can pet or hold him, if you like." Although the latter might not have been the best idea, if it decided to get snatchy again.

She jumped visibly when he tapped her shoulder-- she could have sworn there was no one there. At least she didn't recognize him... but if he had seen, had there been others? She was too preoccupied with how he just went straight into the enclosure (she didn't get a good enough look to see if he was an employee or not, but apparently) and brought the animal out without any restraints.

Trying not to smile, she became red-faced while attempting to look as if she didn't have the time for all of it. Reluctantly taking the glove back, she held it and crossed her arms. Did she want to pet it? Biting her lip (because she really did), she seemed to consider whether the monkey deserved her favor before giving in and lightly petting the top of its head. "I guess I can forgive you." Said with a begrudging smile.

Looking at his nametag, she tried to read it accurately. "Thank you... Itakshir...?" It was the worst name for her accent. And there was no last name? "I don't think I could possibly go anywhere else with just one glove." His appearance was more than confusing to her--what was with those earrings (and what was that smell)?