[color=f7941d][centre][h2]Sarah Cooper[/h2][/centre][/color]
[center][color=f6989d] [h3] Sol City Zoo 
 [/h3][/color]
(with [@Conscripts] and [@Alex_The_Great])[/center][hr]

Sarah laughed at Thomas's joke, already slipping back into her tour-giver persona. Possibly the only question she answered more than 'how did you befriend Peanutbutter' was 'where is the bathroom', so slipping on her performer's winning smile and bringing out her well-rehearsed response had become a nearly automatic instinct.

[color=f7941d]"A circus bear? No, no, though I would like to see him in a funny hat. Peanutbutter was born in captivity in a zoo in Colorado, we got him when he was about two years old. He's a bit of a grumpy guy, likes to keep to himself mostly, but just two weeks after I started working here he came moseying right up to me when I brought him his food bucket, and we've been pals ever since. I guess I always did have a thing for the strong, silent type." [/color]She relaxed her shoulders when the diatribe was done, her broad grin still on her face.

The grin didn't fade when she registered that the name of her alma mater had been spoken, even though thinking about her time in university mainly recalled memories of tearful study all-nighters, ice cream binges and a few very obnoxious boyfriends. Such was the price of growing older. [color=f7941d]"Solaris, huh? I actually graduated from there myself a few years ago. How is it? Food still terrible?" [/color]

Something gave her the sense that neither of these guys got out very much; Thomas in particular, but there was also something about Alex that seemed off, like there was a nervousness to him that went beyond social anxiety. Whatever it was, she couldn't place it - maybe she was just being judgmental again. She didn't think she'd seen either of them around before. [color=f7941d]"What brings you guys to the zoo, then? Besides hoping to catch a glimpse of the amazingly interesting girl on the posters?"[/color]