"Why's the White Ranger at a graduation ceremony?"
"Her brother's son is graduating."
"He's… eight, no nine from the end. Bored-looking, silver cord."
"You don't have any pilots in your class?"
"They wouldn't. *You* shouldn't spend so much time in the labs."
"At least I know what everyone's colors mean."
"So did your sister. She should have given it to you."
"Ci… he's looking at you."
"The pilot. The one you've been staring at. The nephew?"
"He's doing a good impression of it."
"At his own graduation?"
"You would. You're nice like that."
"No you wouldn't."
"You would not."
"I saw that!"
"You just winked at him!"
"Is he?"
"Am I crazy, or--"
"Yes."
"Seriously crazy, true."
"Where?"
"Everyone is staring at us; it's our graduation."
"You're talking almost as loudly as she is."
"I'd be less bored if you'd stop talking."
"You're deluded."
"The same one as before?"
"That's where I wish I was, too."
"I already did."
"You must be really bored."
"She's one of the class marshals?"
"Is she old enough to be a marshal?"
"Her friend's pretty."
"Well, I don't care about her. Stop staring; you're probably scaring her."
"Tell me why this is important?"
"You're pathetic, you know that?"
"How long do we have to stay?"
"You don't want to meet your pilot?"
"'My pilot' doesn't know I exist, and I'm hungry."
"There's a dinner after the reception."
"I'm hungry now."
"You can probably get out of the dinner, but not the reception."
"Why not?"
"Because you're a class marshal."
"Stop reminding me."
"You asked."
"Are you going to the dinner?"
"It won't be that bad. The food is good, and there won't be any more speeches."
"I'd rather eat at home."
"Don't be antisocial."
"I don't *know* anyone here!"
"You know me. And Stari, and Aura and Cen."
"Did she tell you to take care of me?"
"She didn't have to, Ci. Cheer up; it's not so bad."
"Not yet it isn't."
"That's better. Look, here comes your pilot."
"He is *not* coming over here."
"I think he is. Where are you going?"
"Wherever he isn't."
"Why don't you want to talk to him?"
"I just don't."
"It's because you winked at him, isn't it."
"He probably didn't even see that."
"So why are you leaving?"
"I'm thirsty, all right? I'm going to get a drink."
"Get me something too."
"I will, but I'm not coming back until he leaves."
"Don't worry. I don't think it's me he wants to talk to."
"I'm not listening to you."
"She's avoiding you." "She isn't avoiding me."
"She saw you coming and she went the other way." "How do you know she saw me?"
"She looked right at you." "Maybe she was distracted."
"By what?" "I don't know. I'll go ask her."
"You'd have better luck asking her friend." "If you like her friend so much, why don't *you* talk to her?"
"When I could be watching you make a fool of yourself?" "That's your idea of a good time?"
"I know where the real entertainment is." "Thanks for the support."
"Support for what? You're chasing some kid because you think she was watching you." "She's not a kid."
"She looks like she's fourteen." "She has to be at least nineteen; she's a class marshal. And she winked at me."
"You haven't hit your head recently, have you?" "No, but I'm about to hit yours."
"Because I'm not sharing your delusion?" "I'm stuck here all evening and I just want to introduce myself to a pretty girl!"
"When you say it like that, it sounds almost normal." "Thank you."
"I said 'almost'. Don't get too smug." "Is it, or does it only seem to be, your goal in life to keep that from happening?"
"Just a fringe benefit of my usual activities, really." "I'll try not to overestimate my importance."
"Good. Wait here; I'll see if I can introduce you to that girl." "You know her? Why didn't you say so?"
"I don't know her. But hopefully she doesn't associate me with your psychotic self yet." "So she won't avoid you if you're not with me. Good thinking."
"One of us has to."
"Can I help you with that?" "Thanks, but I'm just getting a drink."
"Two, by the looks of it. Want me to hold this one while you get the other?" "If you have nothing better to do."
"Frankly, it's you or one of my delusional friends, and you're prettier than he is." "Do you have a lot of delusional friends?"
"Sometimes. It seems to come and go." "I don't suppose you've noticed whether it's contagious or not."
"I guess I wouldn't know, would I? Either way, I'd think it wasn't." "That's a pretty rational statement for a delusional person."
"You think so? Maybe it really isn't, then." "Or maybe you've developed an immunity from prolonged exposure."
"I like that theory better. I'll have to mention it to my friend." "He probably won't appreciate it. Delusions tend to fog the brain."
"I've noticed that, yes." "I have someone waiting for this drink--can I introduce you?"
"Much as I'd enjoy that, I actually came over to ask you the same thing." "You want to introduce me to one of your delusional friends?"
"Would you walk away if I said yes?" "Maybe not. But you could tell me why."
"Well, for some reason, he's convinced you were staring at him... What? What did I say?" "That was him? That's the friend you want me to meet?"
"Who?" "The pilot. The White Ranger's nephew."
"You *were* staring at him?" "I didn't mean to."
"You didn't happen to wink at him, did you?" "He thinks I'm an idiot, doesn't he."
"Completely the opposite. Is that why you ran away from him?" "I didn't run away. I went to get a *drink*."
"Sorry. He thought you might be avoiding him." "So he sent you instead?"
"No, not at all! He's--shy, so I said I'd ask you for him." "…He's not shy."
"All right; he's not. It was the only thing I could think of that wouldn't offend you." "Reiya's over by the other table. You and your delusional friend are welcome to join us."
"Thanks--you know, I still don't know your name." "I don't know yours, either."
"It's Sanaro." "I'm Cetaci. Pleased to know you."
"Likewise. And--do you think you could do me a favor?" "Not refer to your friend as delusional while he's listening?"
"Exactly." "I'll try to restrain myself."