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Elzo was in a rut. The flier promised to be a good experience for couples. He and Audrey were a couple. They could go to this festival. They could have a good time.
But it was also a possible trap.
One of those crazy religious groups that promised a fun getaway but in reality it was just a bunch of really lame rides on hay bales and corn mazes coupled with a bunch of abstinence sermons. The line about 'Bobo the Clown' was a small indication that it wasn't some kind of crazy cultist trap, but a legit couple's event. He'd have to use the google later to discover just how awesome this festival was. After all, you didn't just take your newly acquired girl friend to some lame event, (even if they had been going out for over a month now. It still felt like they'd just met).

So, in his thoughts, Elzo didn't really notice the girl in pink also sitting on the bench when he fell into the empty seat. He did notice when he saw a little white rabbit hair clip from the corner of his eye however. The crumpled paper in her hands the same vibrant shade af the couple's flier. And it became painfully clear.

She had no one to go with.

Only explanation why a cute girl like herself would just attack a colored sheet of paper like it was most offending thing she could possibly have handed to her. "You know, it's not that hard to find a date." The words left his mouth before he could put much thought into them. "A cute girl like you wouldn't have much trouble. A few hints, a little wink, and hey, you could go to that festival for free." It was the honest truth. Guys loved to lavish on girls. At least Hillworth guys did.

Elzo rubbed his chin. "A little bit of both really. Depends on how well you can wrap a guy around your finger. Some guys are total tools. Some will never be a tool. Some just want to have a pretty girl on their arm. Others just want to have fun and have no sex drive." Elzo sighed at this. The poor innocent fools. Not a clue to what they were missing out on. Well, he was currently cold turkey but that was another thing entirely. "Also nice shot into the bin. I would make a joke about how you throw like a girl but, that would kind of bad as far as jokes go."

A hand offered in greeting. A light squeeze in his grip. "Elzo, Elzo Xanis. One time play boy and Hillworth graduate. Taken. And very much enjoying it." He beamed. He beamed at the fact he was taken. Elzo was very much Audrey's tool in many ways. The good thing was that she wasn't crazy and tended not to know just how well her whole batting of the eyelashes turned him into a puddle of goo. Even now, Elzo had a dreamy look on his face just thinking about her.

Then his face went serious. As tiny pink girl lacking a date was serious business.

"Maturity is objective. You're a girl. You're cute. Ask for a date an ye shall find one. In fact..." He smiled. It was a sly smile. "If you don't mind a walk I know the perfect place for you to find a date ASAP! And I'll even help you!" Elzo was already standing, a stupid grin plastered on his face. "Oh, an some 'aspects' of maturity change over time. I also think they make stuff for that." He sued finger quotes to drive that point home. Not that it needed to be driven anywhere.

Elzo blinked, dumbfounded. Then, he laughed. "Wouldn't be the first time A girl has decked me! But...Aw, Serah, don't take it so seriously. I'm a blunt guy not going to lie, but trust me, with your face, your looks, and hell, the fact you go to Crystal of all places?" He was still grinning. "I am telling you, if you swim out of the kiddy pool that is the city park and visit the shark tank, you'll have offers coming from all sides." He winked.

"And if you want to know where I am suggesting you go, I mean to escort you to my old school, no doubt you've heard of it. Hillworth." He crossed his arms, giving a sage nod. "Rabble rousers, dicks galore. But, also home to many guys who want nothing more then an ego boost of pride. Just the notion of a guy getting to date a girl from crystal is like how they earn 'badass points'. They will do ANYTHING to get just a chance to date, including pay for everything." A tiny tiny evil grin. "Even a day's worth of mall shopping." Then, just like that, Elzo was back to his derpy smile.

"A few are bad apples, I can point them out, but a few generally want to just a have a girl to hang out with, have a good time. Some guys are at Hillworth because 'oh no, son isn't a man, send them to hardcore school for boys." He sighed. Boys like Simon. Poor Simon. There was really no other explanation for why a guy like him was at the place. "My girl Audrey, Audrey Collins, heck, she can vouch for the fact that so long as you stand up for yourself, most of the guys wanting..." Elzo trailed of with that line. "BUT YEAH. Go to Hillworth, you will find a date, guaranteed." He seemed confident of this. "Plus, you can tell all the other girls at school you went with a Hillworth boy and lived to tell the tale."

Elzo smiled. He was doing his good deed for the day. Damsel distressed? Not when Elzo was around! "Well, you won't be disappointed! Hillworth is pretty much a land of plenty for the girl wanting a free meal or casual date. Possibly both. That couple's thing? Perfect situation. Girl gets to have fun, guy gets to hang out with a pretty girl. Both get bragging rights, and everybody wins! Provided, you both make sure not to get too sucked into the carnival games." He chuckled. How many times had that happened to him? Far, far to many. A doubtlessly his pride would always nag him that indeed, he could knock those stupid milk bottles down. He just needed another set of balls was all.

At Hillworth, a few guys waved as Elzo called some names out in greeting. He still had some friends on the inside. "Boys, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Serah. And before you ask NO, I am still dating Audrey and YES, I can have genuine friends that are girls. Geez." A few guys laughed, but most were busy paying attention to the cute girl who was now in their midst. The gates were open, so, the pair had chosen to just linger at the opening. No sense in just waltzing onto the campus and leading poor Serah directly into the den of sharks, (so said Elzo's semi-smart brain). It was better at the edges. Less chance the boys could swarm.

Elzo laughed with some of the guys who he knew had dates or, were just not that into girls, (he only assumed the second part). When it was all said and done and the crowd began to thin, did Elzo pull aside a rather skinny looking student. He was in a track uniform, and had been one of the ones more then happy to offer up his number.
"Hey, Martin. Tell me, what can she expect on a first date? Kissing? How much should a girl-"
"Dude? Are you nuts?" The skinny athlete seemed moderately appalled by Elzo's suggestion. "Two dates to figure out if it could even work. The third can get you a kiss on cheek, maybe. But first date?" He rolled his eyes. "Seriously."
Elzo let him go back to his laps.

"There you have it Serah. Nope. No kissing required. If a girl kisses on first date most guys kind of consider it a sort of 'easy' sign. That you're willing to...well." He didn't finish his statement. "Kissing should be done when you feel attracted and want to be 'official'. Don't feel like you have to because then it's just fake. Not to mention wrong." He made an ick face.
"But, got a few ideas on who to call back?"