Hearts and Bones (Open)

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean typically looked forward to the Pilot Ridge Community Field Day, because it reminded him of his childhood, and having lived in this little town for decades, it was tradition. This year he’d been a bit less enthusiastic, but he’d resolved to go because he needed the return to normality. Given everything that had happened, the lack of enthusiasm was to be expected, and he’d monitored his own progress.

He had recovered. He’d pulled some strings to do so, and he’d been luckier than several others. Poor Morgan. But he was recovered, and he tucked the mental scars away in an isolated chamber of his mind. May he never experience anything like that again.

The Frisbee toss was a traditional activity, one that usually got a number of participants of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Nobody seemed to mind that he refereed from a folding law chair, and everyone seemed to have a good time. He’d bought little medals to give to the winners, to make their victories more official since it was the least he could do.

After the first match, he considered entering the pie eating contest, but he didn’t think he could stomach that much, not today. But since Riley and Anya had contributed, he hoped to get a taste of the excess later. It would provide a treat after the last of the Frisbee matches.

The weather was gorgeous, which made it a good day for the events. More people than he expected had attended, which made it all the better, and as usual, the picnic was potluck style which gave him an excuse to bring a keg and make lasagna; it also gave him an excuse to settle at the food table and make himself comfortable. The sounds of laughter around him, the smiling faces and the happy thoughts made today worthwhile, and he was glad that he hadn’t missed it.

[Natalia LeBlanc]

It was sunny and slightly warm, the perfect way for the weather to emulate Natalia’s mood today. Her face glowed as she made her way through the maze that was the Pilot Ridge Community Field Day, lopsided beret perched on her golden hair as she explored. This was the first fair the French woman had ever attended; of course there had been quite a few back in Paris, but her mother had never let her go to any of them. The colors, the sights, the sounds, the smells...it was overwhelming in a good way. Smiling with a white toothed grin, Aly moved through the crowds of students, fellow staff members, and quite a good spattering of locals. They were all unique, and Aly loved seeing all their little quirks, like the way they talked to their friends or just simply how they walked. It was like moving, living, breathing art.

Her curious eyes looked over the different stands that were scattered by the lake side, eyes flirting from booth to booth. One that really made her brow raise in speculation was said ‘kissing booth’. People actually paid to get a kiss? Why do so when you can usually have one for free? Curling a strand of hair about her finger, the teacher padded over to the concessions stand, ordering herself a hot dog from the man who ran it. ”Merci.”

[/I] She thanked him with a smile, her first language fluid on her tongue as she took the American treat into her hands. One thing she truly loved about this country was the food. Of course, it was nothing like the fine wine and cheese of her home, but the plain diversity they had here was spectacular. Taking a large bite, not quite caring as a dab of ketchup stained the side of her mouth, she continued her journey, smiling and waving at a few of the students she recognized from her class.

Her tongue licked up the red condiment as she passed the dunking booth, her eyes amused as she eyed the man who was currently dripping wet inside the tank. That was such an interesting booth to put up. It seemed many people enjoyed trying to get others absolutely soaked, which she guessed would really be quite a horrible job in the cool air. Chuckling to herself, she made her way to the picnic style set up, eying all the other foods that were offered. Maybe if she was still hungry, she’d try something later. It all looked delicious and it smelled absolutely mouth watering.

She plopped herself into a chair, seating herself beside a man she had seen around campus but never actually talked to before. Aly was still learning names nearly four months in, but she supposed an introduction now wouldn’t hurt in the least. Turning bright grey eyes towards him, she smiled her pleasant smile. ”Bonjour. Are you enjoying the fair?”[/justify]

[Dr. Sean Neville]

The psychiatrist had been engaged in his thoughts, attempting to enjoy the day and to distract himself from other recent events. However, he wasn’t so distracted as to fail to notice someone who joined him at the picnic table, and he immediately shifted slightly. Not to move away from her, but to give her more room, since he was large and tended to take up more space than was strictly necessary when he was alone.

He recognized Natalia from Hammel, from the faculty meetings and from seeing her when he passed her classroom or in the hallway. They’d not had a proper conversation, because she was new and he’d had other more pressing concerns since she began, between Josh’s attack and recovery, the incident with Chase and Gabriel, the clandestine meetings with his Hammel watch group, and then James and Niko’s kidnapping and the aftermath. While a friendly fellow, socializing and breaking in new Hammel staff hadn’t been his highest priority; he’d left that to Claude, which was the older man’s job, after all.

But the weather was gorgeous and today was about forgetting his troubles and enjoying a Pilot Ridge tradition. He returned her smile, genuinely. “Bonjour.” French, one of the languages he spoke well, should it come to that later. “I’m quite enjoying it. Spring couldn’t come soon enough, given how harsh this winter was. And are you enjoying it?” He then gestured at the food around them, enough to feed a small army. “Would you like me to make you a plate?”