The zoo-- Gina loved the zoo. Ever since she was a kid, she'd loved the zoo. They'd go once a year, or once every two years, when she'd lived in Mendocino. Her mother, three brothers, and she would venture down to San Francisco, and amidst their visit to the city (and the relatives that lived there), they'd find time to go. It was difficult to say what her favorite animals were-- mostly because she loved them all.

Thus, on a day when the weather was fair, her homework assignments were sparse, and Nessa was busy filming, the gargoyle took herself to the zoo. Through various exhibits she went, expertly navigating throngs of children as she went. And, after weathering pint-sized torrents of little people, she found herself famished, and made her way to the food pavillion. Girl gotta eat. If she'd been smarter, she would'e packed a picnic and avoided the overpriced zoo food. But hey, at least it went to a good cause.

One hotdog, an iced tea, and a bag of chips later, Gina was sitting on a bench, getting ready to enjoy her meal. The bench was removed from most of the other food pavillion patrons, slightly quieter than the area with the tables. It was better that way. Gina popped the lid off of her cup, preparing to add a small lemon slice and som sugar. Her phone buzzed. Probably Nessa.

The gargoyle fished out her phone to check. While distracted, a squirrel clambered onto the far end of the bench, unbenounced to the gargoyle. She quickly texted a reply, repocketed the phone, and-

"...hello," the gargoyle greeted the rodent opposite her. The squirrel flicked its tail twice in response, "...shoo. Shoo..." she flapped a hand, trying to discourage the squirrel from getting comfortable. It didn't flinch.

Zoe was on her lunch break, and had already eaten, but felt like getting a hot chocolate. Coffee, even tea, she could have gotten in the room she generally took her breaks in, but got chocolate was a different story. For that, Zoe had to make her way to the food pavilion.

And so off Zoe went. Thankfully the line wasn’t that long, and soon Zoe was walking back toward the zebra enclosure.

At least she was until she heard some squirrels chriuping about a new rock as she passed someone sitting on a bench. Zoe frowned, she didn’t know about any landscaping that had been done, normally the zoo waited until spring to do stuff like that. Glancing over to try and see what the squirrels were talking about, Zoe saw them sitting on a bence with a woman who was apparently trying to eat her lunch in peace.

A woman who appeared to be made of stone. Well, that would explain it.

”Oh go on, leave her alone,” Zoe said, stopping and turning her attention to the squirrels. Then she waited a moment, listening, before she continued. ”No, I don’t care what she looks like. Why don’t you two go check on your nuts, make sure they’re safe?”