James, glancing sideways beneath his hood, keeps his eyes on the instructor's legs to see if he approaches. He does not and James is relieved for a moment, but before he can relax completely another set of legs comes into view. The two stop in close proximity and James catches a glance of long hair as the figure bends to pet the dog. [color=f7941d]I've heard Matsuoka has a way with women even when he's not walking a dog. Poor girl must be swooning.[/color] Then she starts to walk in his direction. [color=f7941d][i]Wait. Why would she be walking towards me? I certainly don't look approachable right now. Maybe she's just one of those people who walks around talking to people at the park. Pretty rare to see them after dark, but I guess it wouldn't be impossible. Or maybe Matsuoka noticed me and sent her? Why would he do that?[/i][/color] The woman reaches James and kneels on the snow.

[b]"Hello. I'm Molly and I was told to introduce myself to you."[/b]

[color=f7941d][i]Sounds like he did send her here. What's he up to? I'll need to be careful.[/i][/color] James looks up to see a pretty young girl with a beautiful smile and his eyes soften. [color=f7941d][i]Nobody smiles like that when they're up to trouble. Could Matsuoka simply be playing wingman? No. It's more likely he's trying to use her to force me to look his way. If he isn't I have nothing to lose by avoiding eye contact with him and if he is then I don't suspect I'm going to enjoy what happens. Best to play it safe.[/i][/color]

[color=f26522]"Good evening, Molly. I'm James,"[/color] he says with a light smile and in a calm voice that only slightly betrays how surprised he is by the situation. He looks into her eyes as he speaks, in which he sees just as much sincerity as her smile. [color=f7941d][i]I should probably move the conversation somewhere else before asking who sent her. Can't have her making me look at Matsuoka.[/i][/color] James closes his notebook, which is open to a page full of crossed-out flowcharts and lists, and notices that Molly is kneeling in the snow. [color=f26522]"There's no reason to get yourself wet in this weather. We should head somewhere we can talk comfortably,"[/color] he suggests as he shifts to his feet and picks up the small, black tarp he was sitting on. He shakes it gently with one hand (away from Molly, of course) and tucks his notebook between his arm and chest before quickly folding the tarp into a triangle three times and stowing it in his front left hoodie pocket, from which it sticks out slightly. As he is folding the tarp he asks, [color=f26522]"How does Mochavine sound?"[/color]

([@Ivory][@MyCatGinger])