#anywhere

"Should be in the cheap theatre by now..."

Art looks a little uncomfortable. "I can read the book again, it is surely as good."

"Nah, we'll go. I can cover you."

"Gary can suck it up and watch Wain. He's a leech, he should carry his weight."

"We'll tell your folks it's a study group. It is , after all" She's learned from an Ailil "We're a group, and we study"

"Exactly!"

"I can invite Chuck" She smiles at the notion, then realizes "if that's okay with you two? "

Art looks ill at ease, but he nods. "Sure, I guess."

"Oh right" Realization and a sigh "It would be weird for you"

"I can be a buffer."

"Art, you just need to see what potential you have as you. I think other folks are seeing the change."

"No, it's okay. Honest." He nods. "It will be fun."

Changing the subject, "How long before those new dogs are more than just fuzzy potatoes?"

"Oh they've aleardy nearly doubled their birhsize.. in fact, I think one has.. greedy little guzzler... but in 2 weeks or so.. eyes open, they hear... mostly right now it's ouch and smell"

"But mostly fuzzy potatoes."

"Oh, 3 weeks is when they move around some and start becoming individuals. That's tthe fun part"

"Well" She reconsider "It's all fun"

"Sure. Art, why don't we go after school? We could get a pizza!"

"I must run an errand first. I'll meet you there?"

"Errand? I'm curious"

He picks up the book and sticks his nose back into it. Despite his earlier complaints about the story...

"Meet for pizza. Do you have transport? You fit on Gertrude..."

Muffled from within the book. "Yes. I can meet you at the restaurant."

"Okay. Anything you don't want on the pizza?"

He checks the time, and then stands. "I have to go. Pizza? No... I'll eat anything. I think? Anything... sensible?"

"Right. No anchovies."

Thistle's expression verges on a scowl - but, well. Nocker.

Gwen looks between the two

"See you there..." He heads out, skirting around Trina's desk and picking up his pace as he heads out the door, down the hall - gone!

"Okay, I missed something there" Gwen says to Trina

"He'll come, right?"

"If he doesn't, it'll be because he had a brainfart.. again, not because he means to be rude" She says

"I guess. But, seriously, I'll be a buffer between him and Chuck. Chuck doesn't even know, so..."

"Yeah.. even when the.. glow is goinngg. I mean, how would i explain how he almost got.. y'know"

"Well.. I hope Arty is doing okay, wherever he is."

"I tthink he is... if anyone ever deserved a chance to chase their dreams... " Wistful

"Yeah. And Art's nice."

"It's okay to have a crush on him, you know" A smile

"I.. what?! N-ho-ooohh... No, no, I don't.." Vibrant pink spirals!

"But, like, I look out for him."

"You do... " She says , NOT goinngn to tease her about it "And he looks out for you some, or tries to. you make a good team"

"Exactly."

"And he needs somebody to stand up for him, he eats too much drek. Especially from those schlemeils he lives with."

"Yeah? what is their deal? I mean I hear the basics"

"They suck. Self-centered trash."

"Wait, How many brrothers or sisters and ... does he have one or two parents?"

"Three brothers, two older and one younger. Wain's cute enough, for, y'know, a rugrat."

"Mmm.. annd BOTH older brothers are assholes?

"

"Well, Gary is all too-cool." She rolls her eyes. "Can't let it be known he's Farty Arty's brother."

"Lance is a reddit reject who thinks he's macho. He peaked in high school."