He didn't...not get invited. He got invited by a friend of a friend and Neil knows him and it's a party, so it's not like Nova is unwelcome here. But the second he gets in the door, Nova realizes that most everyone here skews older and a little more proper than he is and he feels like he should be delivering a cake from his grandma's bakery instead of a guest.

The dog is a relief. Nova's always liked animals and he's always had a way with them. Probably, he ought to say hi, put on the charm, and act like he belongs here, but first...The dog.

"Hey buddy," he says, crouching down and offering a hand to smell.