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Cassidy shook Ambrose's hand cheerily. "There's hardly anyone here right now, anyway," she laughed. "I think I might just go read on the beach this afternoon. Nothing for me to do."

And then, her attention was caught by "Bernie" on Greer's shoulder. Cassidy's mouth worked in alarm and she took an involuntary step back. "You keep bugs?" she squeaked. "And you're just going to put him on your shoulder like that?"

Ambrose rubbed the back of his neck with a bit of a forced smile. He didn't particularly mind insects. It's just.... well... they were insects. Things that were generally swatted if they were in the house, or at best put back outside. Though, apparently she was a scientist - perhaps they were more of research subjects, but the way she affectionately spoke about them raised doubts as to that. "Well... they're interesting I suppose..." Ambrose trailed. At least, as she said, they weren't harmful. "No cockroaches in those pens, I hope?" He tried to joke.

"No, I had to leave the Twins at home. My cockroaches were getting on in years, and couldn't really make the journey." Greer spoke matter-of-factly, clearly used to talking about insects as others would speak of dogs or cats.

"Oh, uh, bye Cassidy! See you later!" She waved to the woman's back as she fled, worried she'd said something wrong. She hoped it wasn't Bernie - she was vaguely aware that not everyone liked insects as much as she did.

Turning back to Ambrose, she smiled. "I can put Bernie away if he bothers you. So... what do you like to do?"

Please, please let them have common interests. Babbling about things she knew was about the only way she could hold a semi-decent conversation.

"Fencing? At Umass, Amherst?" Greer very nearly squealed, but managed to close her mouth at the last second. Putting Bernie back in his cage so she wouldn't injure him in her excitement, she grinned.

"What a coincidence! I graduated from there seven years ago! I was on the fencing team too - women's sabre. I lived on the Hill. Very good for keeping your legs in shape for lunging."

Greer's face fell a little. "I didn't bring my gear, since I didn't think there'd be any reason to practice. I haven't had a team since grad school."

Quickly stacking the display cases that had been taking up the chairs on the floor, she offered seating to her guest. "Any chance you do archery too?"

Ambrose's face fell a little when he realized that she didn't have her things. "Well, I do have an extra epee, but only one mask..." He sighed - the perfect opportunity, too. "Maybe if shipping doesn't take too long you could get some of your things sent here and we can keep eachother in practice. How long has it been since you've fenced? Do you still keep in practice even without a team?"

Ambrose took the seat offered with a smile. At the archery question he scratched the back of his head. "Well.... we had a little bit of archery in one unit in High School gym class.... however let me let it stand that my accuracy seems limited to things that don't leave my hands." He winced.

"That's really a pity" Ambrose sighed. "Perhaps it's something that we could look into at least. I might be wiling to help with the shipping if maybe I can get a forward on some of the study money, but I'm not sure how plausible that is."

He listened with interst. "Seattle? I've heard of how nice of an area that can be. I might have to look into the area after all is said and done with college."

"I've tried my hand at sabre a couple of times, but I've been doing epee since, well, it seems like forever now" He said with an easy smile. "Did you ever compete much?"