xp_logs | Sam's Party for Paige's Birthday

"Hey Paigey." Sam said, voice lilting as he rocked back on his heels in the doorway to her room. "Could you help me with somethin'?"

Paige didn’t look up from the book she was reading. “What with? Also don’t you knock anymore?”

"I was hopin' you could help me set somethin' up with in the rec room." Sam said. "And yer door was open."

“What’s in the rec room?” Paige glanced up at him. Sam wasn’t usually this cagey when she asked him follow up questions.

"Just a project I'm workin' on- needed an extra hand." Sam said, trying not to let on that he knew she was onto him.

“What are you working on?” Paige fixed him with a hard stare. Whatever it was, if Sam wasn’t answering her questions, it was probably either trouble or something she didn’t want to know about.

"Just uh, dippin' my toes into yer kinda fantasy stuff...lookin' for a second opinion on somethin' I made." He smiled sheepishly. He was caught red-handed and he knew it was maybe five more minutes until he'd end up spilling the beans. Paige knew him too well.

“You want to try D&D?” Not what Paige had been expecting, but if Sam wanted to give it a try, she was willing to help. “Bring your character sheet here, I have my books and stuff to help. I’m happy to look it over for you! I have a dice set you can borrow, too.” She got up and started moving things around on her desk, looking for her Player’s Handbook.

“‘S related to D&D but I have all my stuff set up in the rec room, so I'd really like it if you came with me to go see it." Maybe if he smiled convincingly enough she might think he organized a game for her. Which actually might have been a better idea than this party...he'd write that down for next year.

Paige paused for a moment before turning to face Sam. “What did you do?”

"My fantasy thing is for you, and it would be weird to move it so I'm asking you to come see it. With me. In the rec room." Sam said, smile still plastered to his face. Why did his little sister have to ask so many questions?

“No, what did you set up?” This was getting weird and Paige was starting to get nervous about whatever it was Sam had put together.

Sam sighed. "I threw you a fucking surprise party for your birthday Paigey. Okay? Happy now that you've ruined the surprise because you don't trust me enough to just go to a different room?"

“You what?” Paige blinked. “Wait, you threw me a surprise party and couldn’t come up with a believable reason to get me out of my room?” She had no idea why Sam would throw her a party, she was still working on making friends in the mansion rather than in her program. That’s probably why he made it a surprise, so she couldn’t tell him no.

“I didn’t expect you to fight me on it!” Sam groaned, hand dragging down his face. “But there’s a whole group of people in there ready to wish you a happy birthday, some folks brought presents…..” He offered her a tense smile. “I found a Dungeons and Dragons cocktail book and I’m fixin’ drinks. There’s food. Can you please pull yer head outta yer book long enough to maybe have a good time?”

“Not my fault you’re a bad liar. But that’s…real sweet of you, Sammy.” Paige would have expected this kind of thing for Mel, not her, and she had never been very fond of parties but, well….it was nice Sam had put in the effort. “Let me put on something that’s not sweatpants.”

"I even invited yer little friend. The uh the one Jay thinks is gay." Sam said. "And it's not my crowd of the older folks here, it's yer Gen X-ish group.....yeah, I'll uh wait for ya in the hall."

----

“Paige!” Mel came over and wrapped her sister in an enthusiastic hug. “Happy birthday!” She pulled back with a teasing grin. “Don’ be gettin’ too old on us though, cain’t be havin’ ya act all ancient like Sammy.”

"Don't worry none, Mel. She's the cool sister," Jay teased and pulled Paige from Mel's hug to give her his own. As much as he was teasing he also thought it was true. He had always thought she was just the best.

“Aww, Jay!” Paige ruffled his hair. “You can’t ever make fun of me again. Now I know you think I’m cool. I’m also definitely not becomin’ Sam. We don’t need two of him.”

“You’ve let out the secret- now her ego is gon’ get too big fer her head!” Mel flicked Jay on the arm. “Though her coolness would have to decrease significantly to near Sam levels.” It was all said in good fun, the lighthearted jests of younger siblings when the eldest wasn’t around.

Jay ducked out of having his hair ruffled and shoved Mel a little- proof that no matter how old they got, they would still act like siblings. "Well, she's jes' cool compared to Sam," he said. "And now that she's actually takin' a break from all that work."

Mel elbowed him in retaliation, but smiled at Paige innocently. “Yeah, unlax tonight Paigey. Siblings orders.”

"I'll do my best," Pagie said, laughing at her siblings. It was nice to see them relaxed and happy for the first time in a while. Maybe Sam's surprise party wouldn't be so bad. "Did y'all help him with this?"

“A little bit, but Sam did most of the plannin’ an’ organizin’. He’s good at that.” Mel said, glancing over to where her other brother was making drinks.

“Well, thank you both. It’s real nice.” She pulled them both into another hug. “I’ll let you go hang out with your friends now.”

----

Jessie was a little late for the party, but she had a good reason. She quickly deposited her gift onto the gift table and hurried to her roommate, saying, "Ashley Ashley Ashley look!" She'd gone full rogue for the party, including...

"Tada!" She swept her hair back to reveal pointed ears.

"You did it!" Ashley bounced a little and clapped her hands, and then caught herself before the bounce hurt - she'd leaned into her theatre background and was 'barded up', having made a call to her dad about it, and picked up a prop lute from school, a pair of blue scale-patterned leggings, a white shirt and a rainbow pearlescent bodice holding up everything - and topped it with a feather-trimmed cape, and a pair of boots that she hadn't thought were as high heeled as they were, but it felt like she had gotten enough height to match her tall roommate's eyes. "I couldn't get a hat but I made it work." She had clipped feathers all through her hair. "

"I love the feathers," Jessie said, stepping around Ashley to check the back. She looked over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. "Any luck getting Sam to change his mind about the alcohol?"

The answer was an inauthentic little laugh. "Nope, he said mocktails only and really after Purim I'm just sober for a while. I was so sick. You would think all of this.." Ashley waved a hand to indicate everything, toes to hair. "Would come with not just can't break but can't get hangovers, but nope. Hangover city. "

"I mean your outside is indestructible but your inside is still pretty squishy," Jessie reasoned with perfect logic. "Kinda lame about the alcohol, but okay." She got out her phone to check the drink list Sam had sent. "Any thoughts on what you want?"

"Huh." Ashley paused. "Huh. Huh. You might be a genius. I know my bones are strong, and my teeth and hair.' She patted her recently dyed-and-highlighted hair. "I bet being strong is because I'm tough. Or being tough is because I'm strong and never knew it, but the body has to be tough to be strong enough to pick up a car. Wow. I don't like that making sense but I guess it does. Now I really do want a real drink, but I'm going to get whatever a Silver Dragon is, just mocktail style."

"Oooooh, that does sound good. I think I want..."

----

Jono approached Paige anxiously, box held in a sweaty hand. He waved slightly, moving to hand her the box before taking out the light writer. "Happy birthday!"

“Aww, Jono.” Paige pulled him into a hug. “You didn’t have to get me anythin’. Nice of you, though. Thanks for comin’!” Paige pulled back and looked at the very neatly wrapped box. “Can I open it now or should I wait until after the party?”

A dark blush rose to Jono's cheeks when Paige hugged him and he tried to squint his eyes in a smile. "It's yours. Open it whenever you'd like." He typed. "It's nothing special, I haven't gotten paid yet so I just fiddled with some things and made you something."

Paige opened the small box to reveal a pretty, silver bracelet. “You made this?” She looked up at him, a little shocked. She had no idea Jono was so crafty. “I love it, it’s beautiful.” Taking it out of the box and putting it on, Paige thought it matched the ring he gave her nicely.

Jono stared at the floor, too embarrassed to look her in the eyes as his face was tomato red. "It's just old guitar strings and following a youtube tutorial. But...I thought you'd like it."

“Don’t sell yourself short, it’s lovely and you made it. Of course I love it.” Paige beamed at him. “You’ll have to let me know when your birthday is so I can knit you something. Thank you for coming.”

"Yeah, I'll do that." Jono said, with no real intention of doing so. He'd never really made a big deal out of his birthday before and the idea of Paige knitting something for him made his chest feel warm in a very very dangerous way. "Are you having fun?"

“Yeah, actually. Sam did a good job. Though I’m not sure what the theme is supposed to be.” She looked around at the mismatched decor, some of it was cartoon dragons and some of it was a collection of random fantasy series. “Oh that reminds me, we should set up another movie night after my finals. I promise to actually stay awake for Lord of the Rings this time,” she laughed.

"I think it was supposed to be Dungeons and Dragons. Or at least that's what Ashley told me." Jono typed. "Yeah, that would be nice. When are your exams? I'll keep an eye on you to make sure you're resting enough."

He winked, but the mirth in the statement didn't quite meet his eyes. Was he being a creep? She just wanted to be friends, it wasn't her fault that he was into her. How did he keep making things weird?

“Hey, when do start work at the library?” Jono seemed a bit off to Paige, likely because of the room full of people since Jono seemed very fond of finding ways to avoid most people. She hoped the topic of the library would set him more at ease.

“Oh, pretty much immediately. My first real day is Monday.” Jono typed, trying to relax. It wasn’t working very well.

“Great! We’ll have to plan a trip back to that record store, you really seemed to like it. Oh, and I also found this great bookstore in the city! It’s kinda like a maze, but they have a ton of great stuff for cheap. And nothing is labeled so you have to dig, but I found some amazing hardcovers of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. We should plan a trip.” Paige was well aware she was rambling, but she was excited and summer break meant some free time for her.

Emily Dickinson. Oh. That explained a lot actually. Unfortunately it didn't make him feel any better. "Yeah, we should do that."

“You ok?” Paige looked at him with concern. “You seem a little down. Anything I can help with?”

"I'm fine. It'll pass." With time, which supposedly healed all wounds. Maybe it would stop him from being an awful creep? "Thank you though, you're very sweet."

“Well, if you need anything, my door’s always open for you,” she smiled gently. It was usually unlocked, but it was good to remind Jono that she was there for him, too. “You just gotta avoid my roommate.”

"Yeah." Jono typed, squinting his eyes in a smile he didn't feel up to. "I'll do my best to."

----

Sharon held her hands over her head and stretched long, tail flicking in a distinctly self-satisfied manner. "You see, Kitten? Is fortunate you were made to shop. If not for your mother you would be flashing your ankles like the most scandalous of Victorian floozies."

"I like being a Victorian floozy," Liam retorted, sipping his mocktail. So lame. "Anyways, these are from when I went shopping with Ashley, my mom made me get mostly shorts and summer stuff." She was clearly of the opinion that he would end up naked if she didn't. Then he'd been forced to endure her shopping for Sharon, too.

The tip of the long, purple tail swatted Liam gently across the back of his head. "Kitten is too young yet to be a floozy, no matter how proud he is of his growth spurt. Shall I tell your mother you entertain such thoughts? An anonymous tip as a concerned third party?"

Flipping her off, he preened, "Which of us has gotten to how many bases and which of us is a giant cockblock?" he wasn't mad though, neither of them were getting anything at this party. Lame.

Sharon clicked her teeth. "Kitten is under the mistaken impression I have interest in the game. Who are you to date? Your fellow Oranges here?"

"You think they'd both date me together?" Liam mused, he hadn't really considered that. He thought Hope was cute and they'd gone horseback riding, but she didn't seem interested in dating. And he didn't know Emily that well yet. "Have they been telling you they want a polygamous relationship? Because we're 16. That's probably not a good idea unless they're like... really, really open minded."

Sharon's tail swatted Liam's head again, this time harder.

"No polycules for Liam. Kitten has had not even a monogamous relationship, but wishes to go straight to polygamy? Was me Kyle worried for, but I think is Kitten who will find himself subject to TNR."

"Ow, cut it out," he swatted her back with his tail, "Only if they want! Jeez!"

"No. Horny Jail for Kitten. Horny Jail for one thousand years." Sharon batted at Liam's tail with one hand, claws retracted, then caught sight of something on the other side of the rec room. She made a low humming sound.

"Kitten, you have spoken to Paige Guthrie? She is known to you?"

"We've met, yeah," he nodded, he'd thought she was cool until he realized she was like 25. Not that it made her uncool, but probably not someone who would want to hang with him, "And I'm 16, what do you expect? Mean."

"No. Bad." She gave him a final light swipe and shifted her attention again across the room. "Kitten may tomcat as he chooses," Sharon declared. "Other matters now demand my attention."

Rolling his eyes, Liam headed off to go find someone else to chat with.

----
Placeholder (Alani and Paige)
----

“Sammy, can you make me somethin’ please?” Mel bounced over to where Sam was making drinks, grinning with life from the party.

"ID please." Sam said, finishing up his current drink, something called a 'Slippery Gripply.' It was green and Sam wasn't sure how he felt about it as a concept but he wasn't the one drinking it so it was fine. Once he was finished he slid it across the table and then fixed Mel with a smile, waiting.

“Oh come on Sam. You know I’m twenty one- we jus’ celebrated my birthday!”

"ID please." Sam said again. "Seriously Mellie, this ain't a joke to me."

Rolling her eyes, Mel fished her driver’s license out of her phone case and handed it over with a sigh. “Finee.”

"Thanks pumpkin." Sam said, barely even glancing at it before handing it back to her, he knew when her birthday was. "So...whatcha thinkin' of gettin'? I ain't tried any of 'em so I can't really recommend anything."

This was ridiculous, Mel thought, pulling a face at the nickname. Sam literally took her to get her ID!

She glanced over the drink list, which was from Paige’s game, and picked a random one. “Ummm… a faerie fire? Maybe?”

Sam looked at his cheat sheet and then raised an eyebrow. "You drink vermouth? Okay, I'll get that comin' up."

Mel, in fact, did not drink vermouth, but was willing to try just about anything once. She peeked over at what Sam was doing. “Havin’ fun? I think it’s goin’ well so far.”

"This ain't about me so don't much matter if I'm havin' fun or not. Do you think Paigey's havin' fun? She don't hardly talk to nobody...I was worried she'd hole up with a textbook all night if I didn't do somethin'...."

Glancing over to where Paige was chatting with one of the many guests, she gave Sam a placating smile. “Looks it. M’sure she appreciates it Sammy, even if it did manage to be an actual surprise.”

"Thanks, she ain't as social as you. I worry. Y'know?"

Sam worried too much, Mel reckoned, and about everyone but himself. He oughta go on a vacation sometime to relax for a few days. “Well, she knows lots of folks now, or at least they know of her, an’ it’s a very fun party.”

"You'll wanna thank Ashley, Jessie, and Alison for that." Sam said, sliding her drink across the table. "They kinda took over the actual party part so I could focus on food and drinks. Actually, you met Ashley yet? You'd like Ashley."

Mel took a sip of the cocktail and hummed, pleasantly surprised. She loved orange flavored things. “Not yet. I’ll be sure to try an’ say hello.” She took another sip. “This is real good Sammy, thank you.”

"Sure thing hon, go have fun." Sam said, waving her off.

----
Placeholder (Rogue and Jay)
----

He secretly regretted not bringing the trident.

It would have stood out, of course, since this party boasted significantly less dungeons or dragons than the once-king's online inquiries had promised. Namor knew that was an idle hope at best — it was just a game — but looming imperiously in the back of this crowd made him feel far older than he truly was. There were merely too many people and not enough revelry.

Weapons merely made things more interesting, especially when there were no true tests of martial prowess or seduction. The games of a normal, traditional celebration. Namor couldn’t completely school the bored look on his face, but boredom could be confused for imperial in a certain light.

His own gifts for the occasion sat on a table across the room — one was shaped, well . . . exactly like the mace it was, except adorned with a festive bow and a note:

We have been told you are most interested in being a wizard. Be warned, Paige Guthrie: logomancy demands too high a price to be merely toyed with and you do not have Our mandate. Use this.

There was also a bottle of white wine in a gift bag covered in tiny, dancing fishes.

Namor shifted in appraisal, surveying the tensions unfolding like he belonged more as part of the furniture than the proceedings. A fixture. That thought made him frown, and he rolled back his shoulders to proudly puff out his chest. No, no. He was presiding. Ruling.

It was at this moment that a redheaded girl made her way through the crowd. Something in her unassured posture indicated that she was uncomfortable; there was hesitation in her hands, as if she didn't know where to put them, and she glanced around the room, seeking but apparently not finding something.

Coming to an abrupt, almost skidding stop, Hope Summers flushed deeply from the roots of her hair and down her neck. The look she gave Namor was one both fearful and awed, a shocked realization of danger and the half-puzzled look one gives a just-recognized celebrity. "I — " Her voice came out in a squeak. One hand, holding a drink of some provenance, jerked, sloshing water over her fingers; she bobbed waveringly, perhaps in an aborted curtsey, and the plastic cup crunched and flew out of her grasp.

"Uh — majesty — sorry — I — " Hope looked behind her, seeking rescue, and finding none, took one look back at Namor before simply fleeing. A tactical retreat.

A quirk played at Namor’s lips. He didn’t flinch or chase after the girl, since sometimes it was simply refreshing to be reminded of the proper fear and deference one should be afforded. If his head was a little higher or his posture a little more confident or predatory. Well.

The Atlantean surveyed the ongoing party once more before deciding to withdraw. Afterall, his mere presence was a present enough. He’d given enough of both.

----

Wandering away from Sharon, Liam found Madin, "Sup?" he asked, reaching for a bowl of snacks and popping some in his mouth. "Not really like the parties you're used to?" Madin looked... awkward.

Madin shrugged. "Never really went to a lot of parties, bro."

Looking around, Liam scrunched his nose, "This isn't like the parties I'm used to. Way too tame. And Sam is a sticker for drinking age. Like why? This isn't a bar. No cops care. And it's his sister's 21st I think? So lame."

"Ugh." Madin groaned. "I still can't believe they make you wait till you're 21. It's fucked."

"Only here," Liam muttered, "It's so dumb. I've been drinking at parties for years and now they care? Don't drive drunk, got it."

"I know, right?" Madin said from behind the security of their own beer. "I can leave a few cans out for you another day just don't want make Sam all shitty today." They paused. "How old are you?"

Ooooh. Would Shatterstar care if they were in the fridge? He needed to find out. "I'll let you know," Liam replied, no sense in getting them and then not getting to enjoy them. "I'm 16. Almost 17," he answered, "How old are you?"

"Cool. Just wanted to make sure that you weren't like 12. In the meantime, just go do some catnip or nangs."

"Rictor is growing catnip," Liam grinned, flashing elongated canines, "Probably won't have any affect on you, but it's like.... good weed to me."

"What a legend."

Grinning, Liam made a mental note to find out when he'd have some. He really wanted to see Sharon stoned. "You ever have a threesome?" he asked, changing the topic.

"What the fuck, Liam." Madin stared at him. "I can't believe I'm saying this but you're 16. I'm not having sex with you."

Bent over coughing, Liam simultaneously tried to shake his head and get air back into his lungs, "No!" he finally managed, breathing deep. Getting mocktail in your lungs was unpleasant. "Why would I sleep with you?"

Okay he did not mean that how it came out. "Not that I'm not flattered, but Emily and Hope are both 16, too. But I'm thinking logistically, even though they're both cute, it's kinda difficult."

Oh thank god. "Um." This was literally the worst situation Madin had ever experienced. "It's probably difficult logistically. I mean you'll have to date them both and they might not want to date you at the same time. Or not want to date each other." Why Madin? Couldn't he talk to Kyle or Sam or someone who wasn't Warren? "Um."

Sighing, Liam had to agree, "But if I date one and not the other and we break up and just....I think it's a headache no matter what. Ugh." This was why he out had hookups back home.

Madin shrugged. "You'll have to figure it out." Looking around desperately, they saw Mel. "I should say hi to Mel. She's still shook up from everything."

----
Placeholder (Ashley and Paige)
----

Mel made her way over to where Madin stood, drink in hand. “Hey, glad ya could make it!” The atmosphere of the party was infectious and she was practically glowing. She decided against going in for a hug, not wanting to spill her drink, among other things.

"Yeah, of course! I even got Paige a present." Several drinks in, Madin had relaxed slightly, although Liam had nearly destroyed that. "I should probably admit I've never actually spoken to her, though."

“Jus’ twixt you an’ me, I ain’t sure half the people here have,” Mel chuckled. “Paige’s been busy with studyin’ an’ classes. She’s gonna be a doctor.” The pride in the comment was evident- a doctor.

"Whoa. That's so cool. We need more mutant doctors."

Mel nodded. “Well, a psychologist, but that’s kinda the same thing.” Her tone drifted off into something wistful. “She’ll be the first Guthrie to get a PhD. We’re all real proud of her.”

"Still better than expecting some flatscan psych to be able to help us," Madin said firmly.

“Mhm.” She’d have to look that one up later. “You get a drink from Sam yet? He’s makin’ all sorts of interestin’ ones.” Her second was blue and tasted like lemon.

"Nah, I'm just sticking to the beers for now."

“Fair enough.” And then she giggled…. Maybe beer was a smart move. “Um, you one fer dancin’? I love this song.”

Madin shrugged. "I never really went to a lot of parties, what with jail and all. I'm not great at dancing." They paused. "Not a no, but I'm bad at it, okay?"

“All my parties were in barns, I cain’t exactly claim to be talented neither,” Mel grinned. “No time like the present to learn though.”

"Sounds good." Madin sculled the last of their beer and put the cup down, stepping out towards the makeshift dance floor.

Mel followed, ditching her drink on the nearest available table. It was a good song for dancing, up tempo, not even country. She got into the beat, moved with it, and flashed another smile Madin’s way.

----

“You do not like your party?"

It was the prerogative of cats and Sharon Smith to appear as if from nowhere. The space beside Paige had been empty one moment, only to be undeniably occupied by the lean, purple-haired girl the next. Her head was cocked to one side, tail twitching inquisitively beneath the hem of her simple slip-dress.

Paige jumped at the intrusion. “Oh, Sharon. Hi.” Paige looked out over the rec room. “No, I’m enjoyin’ it. Sam put in a lot of effort. Just…don’t know everyone here.” She looked over at the cat girl. “Are you enjoyin’ the party? I didn’t get the impression you’re very social.”

"I am as social as I choose," Sharon proclaimed, "but yes. Usually these choices are for smaller crowds. I am selective in my company. Many sounds and many people, these I do not prefer." She slid languidly into the chair next to Paige, her tail curling primly around one ankle as she surveyed the room. "Is it good, having a brother who puts forth such effort?"

“Yeah, it is. It’s nice to know Sam’s lookin’ out for me. Even if he decided to surprise me with this.” Paige rolled her eyes. “And he needs to learn to worry about himself. He’s been doing better at that since he moved here, so that’s good.”

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair a bit. “I feel a bit bad, though. Sam was really building a life for himself up here after spendin’ years taking care of the rest of us, and now three of us live here with him. Wouldn’t blame him if he decided this was all too much and needed some space.”

Sharon turned her unblinking yellow gaze back to Paige. "It was not Sam who brought you here?" she asked. "I invite no one where I do not wish them to be, but I have no human siblings. Is different, maybe."

“Yeah. It’s different.” Paige sighed and shook her head. She wasn’t sure if Sam would be comfortable with her sharing too many details about how much he had sacrificed to take care of their family, so she decided to keep it to herself. “Anyway, how are you doin’?”

The tip of the younger girl's tail flicked smugly. "Some worry was had because I have never before attended a birthday party, but Felicia helped me dress. Now I am the most prepared. This technique, it is redirection? To divert attention from oneself to the listener." As with most of Sharon's changes in topic, this one was both inexorable and completely unprompted.

“It’s a nice dress,” Paige said, ignoring the second half of Sharon’s comments. “What do you think of your first birthday party? I’m sure Sam has a cake hidden around here somewhere that he’s gonna pull out soon. Just hope he doesn’t sing.”

Sharon, sensing the presence of some uncomfortable truth, leaned over her knees in what was either a posture of conspiratorial anticipation or the closest approximation she could come to a hunter's crouch.

"I think Paige is bothered in some way," she said, "but declines to discuss how. Is choice of guests? Some person you do not prefer was invited in error, maybe, but you do not wish to show ingratitude?"

“No, the people are all fine. I’m not used to the attention.” Paige hadn’t been prepared for a party, much less one dedicated to her. It was still very nice of Sam, though.

"Hmm," said Sharon, who had never experienced such an issue and, furthermore, was the last person you wanted near you if you disliked being the focus of someone's attention. "You wish not to be perceived? Or you wish this, but by certain people only, maybe?"

“Maybe.” Paige glanced over at Jono. “Had an awkward conversation earlier. Probably just off because it’s a party. And you know. Avoidin’ Sam singin’ to me.” She turned back to Sharon. “You know, you’re almost too perceptive sometimes.”

"I am the most perceptive," Sharon agreed, pleased, and immediately put this fact to horrifying use by following the direction of Paige's gaze. Her entire body assumed that same stillness that any cat owner would have recognized as a sign of imminent danger.

"You look in the direction of Jonothan Starsmore, who fears me," remarked Sharon. Her attention swiveled back to Paige with ball-bearing smoothness. "This is with whom the conversation was had, the outcome of which has upset you?"

“Well…yes. But it’s fine really. He just started a new job and is probably tired and he doesn’t like being around large groups of people, too. I’ll talk to him later.” Paige took a moment to process. “Wait, he’s afraid of you? Did you break into his room?”

"Conversation is not about me," Sharon replied serenely. Her clawed fingers gently kneaded against her knees as she continued to study Paige. "You like him, maybe?"

“Redirection?” Paige raised an eyebrow, and made a mental note to ask Jono about this later. She got the feeling if she tried to pry, Sharon would pry back. “Yeah, he’s my friend. Of course I like him.”

The tip of Sharon's tail twitched again. "Helpful advice was given only. Is no concern of mine if these intentions were misconstrued. Back to Paige." She continued to regard the other girl with her large yellow eyes. "Hormonal attraction is significant when speaking of animals only. Humans are more complex, so is no matter. In a place full of individuals so fit and symmetrical such reactions are to be expected. But romance, this I have observed less. These signs I am still learning." The girl's lips curved slightly in a rare, sly smile. "Do you like a boy, Paige Guthrie?"

“Not you too!” Paige couldn’t believe this. “You and my siblings! He’s just my friend, I don’t know why people don’t understand that. Just because we hang out and he gave me a CD doesn’t mean we’re together.”

"Is no?" Sharon sat back. She flicked her tail thoughtfully, as if considering this new data. "Misunderstanding is mine, then. I have seen attraction in media only. Is true opposite-sex relationships may exist without romance, such as myself and Husband. Apology for this heteronormative assumption."

Paige looked at her in surprise. “You’re married?” Sharon didn’t really show much interest in people in general, much less romantically. Then Sharon’s words set in. “Wait you’re…not married? To your husband??”

Sharon nodded gravely. "You have met Match? He is not here. Parties are not for him. Since discovering me in his bed a partnership has been formed. He is homosexual, and I am Cat. Neither has any sexual or romantic interest in the other to complicate issues. Is a perfect marriage."

Paige blinked, trying to process. “You married a guy…because you snuck into his room?” You know. She’d heard of worse ways to begin a relationship. “If it works, I suppose.”

Again the grave nod, inscrutable as only a cat could be. "I was found naked in his bed. It was only proper. Together we are powerful. Skilled dumpster-divers, also."

“…sure,” Paige answered, deciding she didn’t need to know more. “That’s…good?”

"This is so," Sharon agreed. She rose from her seat, unintentionally towering over the blonde.

"I hope you one day find happiness such as ours, Paige Guthrie," said the younger girl with great magnanimity. "This is my wish for you. Now I will go, because the social contract has been fulfilled and I have no more things to say."