Happy birthday, sweet sixteen. {OPEN!}

[Tree]

Autumn was her favorite time of year. From her perch high on the branch of a large maple, Tree could see all the leaves of Central Park changing colors before her very eyes. A sea of red, gold, and orange spread before her, gently scattering falling leaves onto anyone walking below.

With a contented sigh, she nestled back into the trunk of the tree and closed her eyes. Today was a special day, and if she had been anyone else, she might have felt sad that no one seemed to remember. But birthdays in the Fletcher household had never been cause for celebration, and these days, Tree was grateful just to have her freedom. Besides, there really was no better way to spend her sweet sixteen than an afternoon nap in her favorite tree.

[Kid Blink]

Blink was strutting along (yes, strut) and humming his own tune. He only had one paper left and was just considering to save it for himself. This day was perfect.

He cut through Central Park, wanting to head home and see where Race and Mush were at.

[Tree]

Just as Tree was drifting off to sleep, a squirrel bounded over from a nearby branch and took a soaring leap towards her, landing neatly on the trunk by her head. Startled, she jerked awake and silently cursed the bushy-tailed animal who was happily scooting down the tree towards the ground. Tree was fond of birds, but squirrels were another matter.

Her gaze followed the squirrel as he ran off in the direction of... a newsie? She squinted down through the colorful leaves, trying to figure out who it was. Definitely a boy, but he was still a bit too far away for her to distinguish his features. She leaned down a little farther, ignoring the tingling in her stomach that warned she was starting to lose her balance.

The leaves rustled around her and the branch swayed beneath her, and suddenly she was falling, crashing through several layers of branches before she finally managed to regain her hold on a particularly sturdy limb. Leaves showered down, laughing at her as she dangled, quite undignified, several yards from the ground.

[Kid Blink]

((Really fast... Should Blink and Tree know each other? Be friends? What's their deal? Any preference?))

[Tree]

((Tree's been around the LH for a couple years now, so they're probably not BFFs, but they're at least friendly towards each other, I'd think.))

[Kid Blink]

((Shweet.))

Blink was NOT STARTLED by the evil creature FLYING DOWN TO KILL HIM. He had simply tripped. And that sound that came from his mouth was a cough.

He took a moment before rushing over to the evil winged beast -- er, Tree, and looked up at her.

"Tree! You okay?!" He threw his paper down. "Need a hand?"

[Tree]

((Hahaha, oh Blink. <3))

"That... oof... would be... nrgh... lovely," Tree grunted as she tried to heave herself up on the branch. Her arms, though, were not having it. After several more unsuccessful attempts, she gave up and resigned herself to waiting for Blink's help.

"I have to say, this is a tad bit embarrassing," she admitted, looking down at him.

[Kid Blink]

"The most distinguished people I know have been caught in such predicaments involving trees. Me-self included." Blink hoisted himself up on a low, sturdy branch.

He had to stand on this large branch up on his toes in order to reach and gently take ahold of Tree's waist from above him.

"Okay, okay, I gotcha," he insisted. Maybe.

[Tree]

"But Tree isn't your name," she pointed out as he clambered to her rescue.

After a moment, she felt his hands wrap around her waist and he said something vaguely reassuring. She wasn't sure if she trusted his ability to hold her from where he was standing, but she didn't have much choice at this point. Besides, after that humiliating display, she could hardly consider herself an expert on tree-climbing anymore.

"Alright, I'm gonna let go now," she warned. "Sorry in advance if we both go tumbling to the ground."

[Kid Blink]

"I'll make sure to break your fall with my gorgeous body. I, Kid Blink, will make that sacrifice for you, I promise."

[Tree]

Tree stifled a giggle. "What a gentleman you are." She didn't know Blink all that well, but their occasional interactions never failed to amuse her.

Taking a deep breath, she released her death grip on the branch and, to her relief, felt herself settle into Blink's hold. "I think we're okay."

[Kid Blink]

Blink's ankles wobbled a bit as he tried to maintain his balance.

Please don't choke. Please don't choke. Please don't choke.

He gathered Tree closer against him before slowly lowering her onto her own two feet. "You ain't hurt at all?" he checked.

[Tree]

"Oh, a few bruises and a scratch or two," Tree admitted, examining her arms, "but I've had worse. I'll probably be sore as all hell tomorrow, but give it a day or two and no one will even know it happened."

She gave him a pointed look as she sat down on the branch. "I do have a reputation to uphold, you know."

[Kid Blink]

"Well, you can count on me but if the truth gets out, say I stepped over your wounded body and went on my merry way cause I have a reputation to uphold too."

[Tree]

"Deal."

Tree looked out over the park, not wanting to go back to the ground quite yet. The view down here wasn't quite as spectacular as from her previous location, but it was still lovely. She watched a young family playing with a dog for a few moments before turning back to Blink.

"So what brings you to Central Park on this fine day?"