A Clearing In The Preserve, Thursday Evening

[puppy_fair]

This evening, there was a bit more activity going on in the preserve than the usual scampering and frolicking of the teal deer and the alots. Tonight, there were paper lanterns strung up through the branches and along the trees, there were tables set up in the clearing, and there was music. If it lacked a banner and balloons, they were hoping the glimmer of the lantern lights in the darkness made up for it.

Ino was turning seventeen, and there was only one thing to be done about it. Zack had sent out the e-mail yesterday, and he and Karla had taken care of the food and the cakes and the decorations, and, once Zack managed to get Ino to join them, they were going to celebrate!

[Up a little early for PARTY TIME goodness! Open!]

Comments

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[puppy_fair]

"Well, friendly strangers are the best kind," Zack decided, happily giving her hand a shake. "I'm Zack. Ino's boyfriend. What class did you both take?"

Mm, small talk! Which was as good a way as any to get to know friendly strangers, after all.

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[chief-cheerio.livejournal.com]

"Professor Reno's class," Quinn answered. "The survival thing. And Ino has good taste."

Small talk, a little flirtiness ... it never went that bad.

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[puppy_fair]

Somewhere on the other side of the island, a little piece of Reno died at having the 'Professor' tacked on to the beginning of his name.

"I don't think she's missed one of his classes yet," Zack replied, his cheeks going maybe a little pinkish at the compliment, yes. Thank goodness it was dark, huh? Which wasn't going to help with the awkward scuff of his toe against the ground, there. "Have you been a student here for a while?"

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[chief-cheerio.livejournal.com]

"Only since July," Quinn answered. "So ... not as new as the complete fresh meat, but not an old hand either."

That scuffle was adorable.

"What about you? Well, you and Ino both."

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[puppy_fair]

"I've only been here since May last year," Zack replied, falling easily back into casual conversation mode all over again. When all was said and done, he was still a bit of a social butterfly, there was no question about it. "Ino's been here way longer than I have. I think she was actually here for her freshman year."

He could be wrong. But he doubted it.

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[chief-cheerio.livejournal.com]

"Really," Quinn said, sneaking a glance over at Ino. She looked normal enough and everything. "She must know about everyone, then. Lucky girl."

Re: Arrive! Mingle!

[puppy_fair]

"Just about everyone," Zack agreed with a laugh. "I think she's actually been here longer than most of the teachers, by this point."

So, you know, she knew her way around this place. Very well.