Part of the Resistance (Faustus/INACTIVE)

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope attempted to push through the throng of people in "Save the Rain forest" T-shirts to see if the group she was meeting were at the front. She didn't get very far as there wasn't too much room to move. Damn, she thought to herself. I have to find Talia and the others or I'll get myself lost here. She smoothed her own rally shirt, pulling it over her jeans and shook off some dirt that had settled on her favourite leopard flats.

Despite being alone and all but lost in the crowd looking for her friends, Penelope still enjoyed the thrum of the crowd, the large congregation of like-mined environmentalists and social activists. It felt good to take of something like this, something that could change the world for the better, if they succeeded. Smiling to herself, she continued to try and squeeze her way through crowd, searching for the familiar faces that were supposed be waiting for her...

[yolanda7g]

Faustus usually came to central park to write, to get out of the stuffy office and chill for a minute. And even though he struck the deal with Hector, he still had to keep up appearances...you know, as if he wasn't going to quit his day job anytime soon, although he was planning to do so once he gets that green. But hey, a doctor's gotta do what a doctor's gotta do. And what's a few more award-winning medical journals when he was already on a roll?

Unfortunately, peace and quiet just wasn't happening for him today. He started trying to work, and right when he was getting his thoughts together, he heard the crowd. What in the world was going on? Why can't a brotha just go to the park, sit down, have some peace and quiet without some crazy folks trying to wake up all the sleeping homeless people? Daaaamn!

Faustus closed his note book and decided to move to a Starbucks or something, but first he had to get pass this crowd. From the looks of things, it was a bunch of college kids and some other people who have nothing else better to do than talk about trees. As far as Faustus was concerned, yeah, we messed up the planet, but there was nothing we can do about it now except wait until the geniuses of the world find out a way we can live on the moon or something. Oh wait...wasnt God gonna judge us anyway during the year 2012 or something? Ah whatever, Faustus didn't keep up with all of the environmentalist stuff. After all, when God does come to judge everyone, God would take one look a Faustus and be like "Seriously?" before sending him to hell. So why should he care?

Faustus saw someone with a "Trees are not for Rent!" shirt and Faustus gave a very blatant 'WTF?!' look as he was walking by him. Then he bumped into some girl trying to get through the crowd.

"Ah man. I'm sorry." He looked at her and she was a very nice looking girl. Very nice. Time to use that Faustus charm and strike up conversation. You never know, this tree hugging party might be a blessing in disguise. "Hey, you know what this is all about?" he asked, referring to the protest. "Something happen lately with the rainforest I should know about?" He grinned quite flirtatiously.

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope looked up to face to the person she'd bumbed into as he asked her about the rally. A smiling black man greeted her. He seemed friendly enough, if obviously oblivious about any kind of social action. He didn't seem to know or realize that certain movements could last for years. As long as the issue was still an issue, there'd be people there to protest. She smiled, her head cocked a little to one side, looking at him quizzingly.

"Really? It's the same thing that's been happening to the forest since we got our grubby little hands on it God knows how many decades ago: The global north exploiting the resources of the global south, chopping down trees at will, leaving animal species and native tribes without a home, reaking having havok on the atmosphere, all sorts of lovely things. And all for a profit." She shook her head in disappointment, her red hair quivering with the movement as it shimmered in the sun. "And we wonder why people become anarchists." She said, grinning at the man in front of her.

"So, do you want to join us for a bit? It's going to be impossible to get through here until the crowd leaves anyway. I'm Penelope." Se said sweetly, hoping that she could use the extra head - a conveniantly tall one - to help her find Talia and the others faster...

[JOHN "DOOLITTLE" MOREAU]

John walked into the crowd with Polynesia on his shoulder and Pushmi-Pullyu in tow.

He had been keeping it at his home until proper environment could be added to the Zoo. Of course that made him stick out in the crowd a bit. But he didn't really mind that.

He had found a flier for the rally during one of his daily walks, and he had decided to come. Partially because it made Polynesia happy and partially because he believed in the cause.

Though the reason behind him wanting to help save the environment partially came from the responsibility he felt to make up to the world for his horrid experiments, once he started learning more about the creatures of this world through studying their languages he became more supportive of the cause.

Polynesia spotted her latest nemisis before Doolittle had, and he feathers fluffed up angrily. She flew over to a sign post behind the man, chuckling to herself. "Well if it isn't the imbecile."

After the words left her beak she flew to a nearby tree and perched in one of the higher branches.

John turned when he felt his shoulder get lighter. However he soon lost sight of Polynesia. He started moving through the crowd trying to find her. "Excuse me youhave you seen a parrot by any chance?"

Then he discovered who was talking to the woman he was questioning. "Doctor Faustus I presume?"

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope gawked as a man let what looked like a two-headed llama through to crowd int the direction of the zoo.

"What the hell was that? Do you know what the hell that was?" She asked the man who had spoken to her just a few minutes passed. She seriously felt like she was in the twilight zone...

[yolanda7g]

"Really? It's the same thing that's been happening to the forest since we got our grubby little hands on it God knows how many decades ago: The global north exploiting the resources of the global south, chopping down trees at will, leaving animal species and native tribes without a home, reaking having havok on the atmosphere, all sorts of lovely things. And all for a profit...And we wonder why people become anarchists."

"That's...really messed up." Faustus said, furrowing his brow, swallowing his sarcasm. He tried really hard not to let on as if he didn't care. And he didn't. What he did care about was this woman though. And he also cared about the fact that thanks to Hector's deal, he could probably get any woman he wanted pretty soon with the cash he'd be making. Well...no time but the present to start building habits.

"So, do you want to join us for a bit? It's going to be impossible to get through here until the crowd leaves anyway. I'm Penelope."

Faustus smiled. "James. Dr. James Faustus." You might have heard of me. he thought boastfully. "Yeah, I'll stick around. It's not like I'm trying to write any award winning books out here or anything." He kept the smile even though he was being sarcastic. His tone didn't show it though. Besides, why write when you can...woo? Excessively? He thought about Hector's upcoming shindig and immediately thought that Penelope would be the perfect person to bring. She was hot as hell and even though Hector made it clear it was exclusive, he wouldn't mind right? Who ever sticks with Faustus was automatically VIP. VIP status came with the package.

"Well if it isn't the imbecile."

Faustus immediately turned around and saw that damn parrot. What the heck?! That meant his caretaker wasn't too far behind. Yeah, God must really have a curse on him.

He turned back to the Penelope and grinned, laughing a bit, deciding to ignore the bird. "I gotta say, I must be made of somethin really nice to want to save forests for animals like that," He joked pointing a thumb over his shoulder to the parrot. He turned around and saw it fly over in a tree. "I guess you can't save the ecosystem for only the un-trifling species."

Then the caretaker, John Moreau, came right behind, as Faustus predicted, asking where his parrot is.

"Doctor Faustus I presume?"

"Yeah." Your rude ass parrot, I presume? Faustus thought but didn't say so he didn't ruin his chances with the tree hugger. "She's over there." He pointed to the tree. "Maybe you should tape her beak shut for a while and retrain her to say more appropriate phrases like - 'James Faustus is such a nice guy'." He smiled at Penelope, really saying the joke for her, removing the bitting tone he would have otherwise used for John.

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope watched the bizarre scene unfold before her. A parrot, presumably a pet of the man with the strange llama creature in toe as it was seated on his shoulder, squawked out an insult her new companion. Oddly enough, Dr. Faustus seemed to be acquainted with the strange man, although not amicably, judging by the barbs they were trading.

"Maybe you should tape her beak shut for a while and retrain her to say more appropriate phrases like - 'James Faustus is such a nice guy'."

Penelope cocked an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips, unimpressed by Faustus' arrogant attempt to make her laugh.

"You can't blame a parrot for what it's master taught it to say, you know. Or what it may pick-up in whatever environment it lives in. It's what makes wild creatures wild, and tame creatures tame. Besides, threatening animal cruelty isn't exactly the way to get to a nature girl's heart, you know?" With a smirk, she her bag over her shoulder and turned to the other man with a smile.

"How do you do? You have a very exotic looking creature there with you," She said, nodding at the strange llama creature behind him, and then up to the parrot "and one sassy little friend there." She held out her hand to the parrot, keeping it just far enough away to keep it from trying to nip at her...

[JOHN "DOOLITTLE" MOREAU]

"Maybe if you were nicer, I would say that. I'm not just a dumb animal you know. I have a mind of my own." Polynesia flew back and landed on John's shoulder. She turned back to the woman. "Go ahead and blame me all you want. It's about time I get some recognition as an individual."

"I recognize..."

"Of course you do. But I meant besides you."

Then the woman asked him something. Glad to get out of the impeding argument between the Doctor and Polynesia, John turned to her.

" The Pushmi-Pullyu is staying with me until suitable quarters can be finished at the zoo. Besides he wanted to get out for some air, so I agreed to take him along.

And Yes Polynesia can have an attitude. But if you're nice to her she'll be nice to you Otherwise..."

John chuckled indicating how Polynesia was reacting to Doctor Faustus. "Let's just say she can hold a grudge for a long time."

[yolanda7g]

"You can't blame a parrot for what it's master taught it say, you know. Or what it may pick-up in whatever environment it leaves in. It's what makes wild creatures wild, and tame creatures tame. Besides, threatening animal cruelty isn't exactly the way to get to a nature girl's heart, you know?"

Faustus grinned even though it was clear this girl didn't appreciate the joke. Dammit, Faustus wasn't even thinking his disdain for the parrot would strike a nerve with this chick. He made a mental note that - from now on - he wouldn't joke about even swatting a freakin fly. Geez. Some people were so sensitive. Time to save face.

"Ah you know I was just jokin. I don't wanna hurt the thing. Pshhh, are you kidding me? I would never think about doing that. You know what? I actually think its kinda cute." He cleared his throat. Yeah, that was painful to say. But hell, if that gets him on this girl's good side, it's a necessary evil.

"Maybe if you were nicer, I would say that. I'm not just a dumb animal you know. I have a mind of my own."

Faustus forced a smile, wishing that some how it was possible to kill it with kindness. Yes, literally kill it. "See? Look at it. So cute with its constant talking...doing that thing that parrots do...talking. Cute." Meanwhile he was thinking - I ain't playing man, when I get that thing alone I will strangle it to death, I don't give a damn about animal cruelty, if that thing don't SHUT UP I'll make it shut up, God as my freakin witness!

He turned his attention to the llama and then back at John as he talked about the parrot holding grudges. Why was he in this conversation again? Didn't Faustus look busy? Busy trying to pick up girls? Man if this dude don't take his circus act and get the hell on, I swear....

"Oh trust me," Faustus said to John. "I learned my lesson," He then glanced at Penelope with a flirtatious grin, hoping his attempt to save face worked. Then he addressed John again. "So you said you were heading to the zoo...?" Yeah. That was a totally underhanded attempt at a hint.

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope rolled her eyes at Faustus' poorly disguised ayttempt to save face.

"No need to fake it with me. I won't crucify you for not liking an animal...I'm not a PETA freak Just stop trying to impress me. I don't go out with guys I've only known for." She loooked at ehr watch, "20 minutes".

She never understood why men insisted on a phone number and date less than a half-hour after meeting you. At least wait until you know you have something in common with the girl.

She turned to the doctor and his unusually chatty parrot "Can I join you two? I'd love to know more about this animal, and about what you do. It seems fascinating" She looked directly the parrot, hoping that her favrotism of the docotr and his companions would irk the smug Faustus. It was a fun little comeuppance for being smug "Hi there Ploynesia. I'm Penelope"

[JOHN "DOOLITTLE" MOREAU]

"Look the stupid man is treating me like a dumb animal. So funny... so tragically funny. I almost pity the stupid man, but not quite." Polynesia perfectly mimicked Faustus' voice. "Maybe you should have you're hearing checked. He said the Pushmi-Pullyu was staying with us until suitable quaters could be constructed at the zoo. The quarters aren't constructed as of yet."

Doolittle would have corrected Faustus but he was happy enough to not get between those two. He turned to the woman. "Yes you may. In fact Polynesia would probably be forcing me to ask you to join us if it weren't for her preoccupation for the Doctor right now."

He unscrewed the lid to a thermos and poured himself a steaming cup of tea. " Would you like a cup, Penelope?" He asked politely.

"I find it easier to explain, or socialize in general over a cup of tea. Maybe it's part iof being British."

[yolanda7g]

"No need to fake it with me. I won't crucify you for not liking an animal...I'm not a PETA freak Just stop trying to impress me. I don't go out with guys I've only known for."

This girl was a trip! What ever happened to people being easy to please? The world would be a much better place if people would just go with the damn flow and stop being difficult. But Faustus wasn't one to give up, that was for sure. This girl was a challenge, and Faustus certainly liked challenges.

"What if it were for a good cause?" Faustus said, cleverly. "Look, actually, this isn't me tryin to take you out. But more like me tryin' to help you out. Seriously."

Then the bird imitated Faustus' voice which was...really, really creepy. He just forced a grin at it. "Thank you for clearing that up, I really appreciate that." He wasn't gonna ruin his chances with Penelope over some stupid bird. But before he knew it, Penelope was talking with John about joining him.

"Ya know what, I'm interested in learning more about your work too...I met you a few times. I might as well see what you do, right? I get to know you, you get to know me, we all get to know each other - and it's all good. Plus," He addressed Penelope. "I want to tell you about this guy I know. I think he would love to donate generously to this cause. I mean of course, I'd be interested, but I have a feeling this guy would do a lot more good than my funds would allow."

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope looked at Faustus suspiciously. Just judging by the last 20 minutes she spent with him, she was pretty she he was playing her about the wealthy donor. Still, if the potential for money was there at all, she had to check it out. She didn't run any organizations or charities herself, but Talia did. Penelope knew her friend was in dire need of funds or her AIDS campaign, and imagined that this would be a good opportunity to help out.

She thought about it for a minute. Even if Faustus turned out to be a total liar as was probably going to be the case, she could probably convince this guy, whoever he was, to donate something, even something small, if only to get her out of his hair. She smiled to herself as she remembered just how well she could irritate rich schmucks into giving her money just to leave them alone. She didn't do it often, but if someone was being particularly rude to her, she'd match them and give them a taste of their own medicine.

"Okay. I'll go. But if this is just you trying to get in my pants, I'll kick you so hard that your testicles will get shoved into your gut by the sheer force of the impact." She said, casting a serious warning glare at Faustus.

When she was sure the she had gotten the point across, she turned to the doctor and, smiling, said "No thank-you. I'm not a big fan of tea or coffee. I would love to come with you as soon as your finished, though." She waited as the doctor finished his tea, hoping that he wouldn't allow Faustus to come with them. She could only have so much of him in one day...

[JOHN "DOOLITTLE" MOREAU]

Polynesia eyed Faustus warily. Frankly she didn't trust the man and Faustus was the one exception to her efforts to get Doolittle to socialize. However the Doctor was getting into his lecture mode and she knew better than to interrupt him.

"Well that's perfectly all right Penelope." He took a sip of his tea before continuing. "The simplest terms for my current occupation would probably be an animal behaviourist."

He sipped angain debating whether or not to go into more detail or not. Finally he finished the cup and decided. "Currently I specialize in studies that would be deemed to 'mad' to be taken seriously by conventional science. Primarily, I focus on possible linguistics."

He waited, pouring himself another cup of tea. Usually this was where people dismissed him as a crackpot. And he also hoped that neither of the two were familiar with stories of "Mad Moreau". Of course he did introduce himself as Doolittle, however he regretted the word that might be a memory jerker."

[yolanda7g]

"Okay. I'll go. But if this is just you trying to get in my pants, I'll kick you so hard that your testicles will get shoved into your gut by the sheer force of the impact."

Damn girl! Faustus thought. As far as Faustus was concerned, she should be flattered. Here she was, a pretty damn attractive girl, hanging around a bunch of hippies. Faustus was doing her a favor. But sometimes Faustus' charm had to grow on people, and there was no doubt it would for Penelope. He already made the first step - getting her to go to Hector's shindig. Now all there was left to do was rope her in - and bam! Success. Hey, she was passionate about a lot of things and Faustus could only imagine how passionate she could be in other things.

But enough of that, Faustus had to work his magic. With some exasperation he said, "No, obviously, this is not me trying to get in your pants," Come on, of course it is, Faustus thought. "So no need for all that violence - like I said, I'm tryin to help you out. And guess what? You might actually have a good time."

Then the doctor started to speak and thank goodness his bird kept its mouth shut. John said he specialized in "possible linguistics" of animals. Well good for him. Good for him.


Crazy ass.

Seriously, basically he was saying he thought he could talk with animals outside of annoying parrots. But noooo Faustus couldn't say that because his date to Hector's big get together would kick him in the nuts. And little did she know, that region would be very good to her if she'd just get over herself for two seconds, yeesh.

"So you're sayin' you want to talk to animals?" Faustus said, trying to not only hide his incredulous tone, but doing everything possible in his power in order to NOT crack up laughing and NOT put the guy on blast.