Mandy King walked down the avenue of the apartments in a pair of good shoes, warm pants, and a fluffy coat over a pink sweater. It was fairly unusual for her to head out anywhere, but since she had found out that her new guildmate in the Silvernight Queens, Lysandra, was a fellow student at the university, she felt compelled to meet her. And so the other girl, real name Christina Jennings, had agreed to meet her at a small-time bar hidden away by a cluster of other shops. The drinking age had loosened up in the last few decades, so the nineteen year old would have no trouble getting in--and had apparently frequented it after her eighteenth birthday.

C-come to think of it, this'll be my first time at a bar, Mandy reflected as she made her way through the quietly busy streets. One or two guys definitely checked her out as she strolled along, and she felt her cheeks glowing red underneath her scarf. R-really?? M-m-m-me?? Hahh... she nervously thought, uncertain of whether to feel anxious or pleased. Both, probably.

After a couple minutes more she found her destination, although she would have passed the place a thousand times in a day if Lysandra-Christina hadn't told her exactly where it was. She entered the establishment with only a slight hesitation, and looked around. If you can't find me of all people in real life, I don't know what to tell you, Lysandra had told her.

That probably means she's closer to her online persona than most people... a lonely, stoic kind of girl who doesn't make friends easily... oh, there you are, Mandy noted as she caught sight of a casually gorgeous girl at a corner table in a thin top with a long jacket over it. Black pants and black boots completed the outfit, along with the disinterested expression coming from crystal-blue eyes that seemed to have had a light turned on in them, at least a little bit. She confidently made her way over to the other girl, who looked up and gave her a soft smile.

“So you're our pixie.” the girl in black said.

“And you're our werewolf.” Mandy returned as she sat down next to her. “Isn't that cold?” she asked with a slight grin.

“Hmm? Oh, the bandeau,” her companion said, and then shrugged. “I don't mind. They're comfortable, and I can always button up the coat outside.”

“I guess so.” the girl with platinum-blonde hair nodded. “Mandy.” she then said, reaching out her hand.

“Christina. It's... good, really good, to meet you.” the other girl replied, taking the hand. A warm smile was shared between them, and then Mandy took off her coat to set it on the other chair, along with her scarf. Christina did the same; Mandy couldn't help but notice how slim she was. Not unattractively or problematically so, either. A couple of wolf-whistles were heard, but the younger girl was unfazed by them.

“D-do you get that a lot?” Mandy wondered.

“I guess. I don't care, really. They're just annoying, after all.”

“Isn't it??”

“Hmm? You get them too, huh?” Christina softly smiled back. “

Now and again.” Mandy grinned. “You really do emulate yourself on the other side, though, huh? The outfit, I mean.”

“Should see me at home sometime. You'll get the whole view.” Christina subtly winked as a server came over to take their drink orders. When these had been placed, Mandy turned back to her new friend.

“Closet naturist, huh?”

“Mm. I always hated clothes. These are about as much as I can stand. I hated that uniform school I went to as well... stupid things itched like crazy.”

“I can't imagine. I went up through a public school.”

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“Hmm. And now? What are you into here?” Christina asked her.

“I'm taking a lot of psychology and sociology classes; not sure what exactly I'm going for, yet, but I enjoy them.” Mandy smiled. “I guess part of me is so interested in it because a lot of people tend to judge me... maybe I'm trying to learn how to connect, like you, too, even in Panarena.” she said in a softer voice.

“Judge you?” Christina wondered with a frown. “Ohh, I get it. Well screw them. You're gorgeous. Anyone who can't see that should have their eyes gouged out and replaced.” she said, and Mandy blushed.

“W-Well, I mean, i-it's not like I w-w-want attention...” she said with a faint grin.

“I get that.” Christina smirked back. “Still... sometimes, it's nice to be noticed.”

“Sometimes.” Mandy agreed. “So what about you?” she then asked. The server came back with their drinks, and Christina took a sip, thinking a moment before replying.

“Space.” she replied.

“Huh?” the other girl returned in befuddlement.

“I'm taking a few science and engineering courses this year; I want to go to space, to be a part of the scene out there, to be... free.” she continued, and Mandy slowly nodded, then smiled.

“That sounds like fun!” she said.

“It's hard, though. I don't have bad grades, but I was never an A-student.”

“I'm sure your kind of determination will get you through it.”

“Even if it couldn't get past Myanihia?” the other softly grinned back.

“That person was a totally different kind of obstacle. They needed a younger mind to outwit them.” Mandy shrugged.

“I guess... younger, and more imaginative,” Christina agreed with a sad smile.

“Lana's got that over both of us,” Mandy grinned. “I'd love to meet her, and the others, some day.”

“That'd be fun.” Christina replied. “If she's anything like her online self, I'm not sure if I'll be able to resist trying to snag her for myself.”

“Aww, poor Ari! But I totally get it.” the other giggled back.

“Hahh, yes... the insufferable, inseparable lovebirds. Here's to them.” the dark-haired girl said, raising her glass.

“Here's to them, indeed!” Mandy returned, raising her glass as well to clink it gently against Christina's in a toast. They took a deeper sip this time, and then fell silent for a moment.

“Come to think of it, you're in my Lit class, aren't you?” Christina then said.

“Hmm? Oh!” Mandy suddenly recalled. “Ahh, that is you! Wanna sit together?” she asked with a bright smile.

“Ah--um... sure,” the other girl said bashfully.

“Don't get shy on me now.” Mandy said, still smiling.

“It'd be silly to get shy like that after saying you'd see me unleashed at home, huh,” Christina said with a faint grin, and the other girl nodded back. “You know... I have... a few issues... with my current flatmates...” the dark-haired girl then said, “So... maybe... next semester... we can apply for... for an apartment together?” she wondered, her cheeks turning a slight shade of red. Mandy looked at her, and almost began to cry.

“I'd love that. My roommates aren't the best, either,” she replied. “They're terrible!”

“Ugh, I so get it!” her companion agreed. “And I was looking for a single anyway, but they have some nice deals on doubles in this quarter of the university-town. Wanna help me pick?”

“Definitely!” Mandy agreed happily.

After a couple more drinks, the two of them left the bar and headed back towards their current abodes. At a clock-tower intersection, Christina halted, looking anxiously towards the left.

“Yours is that way?” Mandy asked, and Christina nodded. “I have to go straight ahead and to the right, up there.” she said.

“I guess I left so early I didn't see you.” Christina said.

“I was fussing over tops, too.”

“Ahh. I guess some of us do that.”

“Not you, huh?” Mandy returned.

“I'm sure you never thought of me as a fashion chick,” Christina laughed gently.

“Hmm... not trendy fashion, anyway.” the other agreed, and then surprised Christina by wrapping her in a hug, which was awkwardly, but warmly, returned.

“I-I'm glad you reached out. I mean it.” Christina told her.

“I'm glad, too. I look forward to our friendship, and to all the adventures to come!” Mandy replied, letting go and taking the other girl's hands. She smiled, and the dark-haired girl smiled back. “See you soon.”

“Yeah, see you soon.” Christina replied. The two of them headed their separate ways for the time being, a little less isolated than before.