#anywhere

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Meanwhile, on the DeBuke Farm

Near the bridge trod, that leads to Rivervale, a girl skips stones by the stream

The footbridge is still edged with snow on the Rivervale side, but Sylvi's not sure what she'll find when she gets to the farm side....

Less snow, more melt, though it is still not breaking 50 derees

She smiles to see that it's at least a little bit warmer here...oh, and it definitely smells like almost-spring.

Kelby looks up as her friend crosses on this side, "Hey, Sister from another mister!"

A big grin

Sylvi laughs and goes to meet Kelby, offering her a big hug. "What's going on, farmgirl?"

"Oh, uhm... " A blush "I got asked on a date." A bounce in hug "Oh my god. YOu know what he did?"

Another squeeze in the hug, and then she lets her go and grabs her hands. "Tell me!"

"We have tickets to a basketball game... I mean, for a date! how does a boy his age afford that? How did he know?"

A pause, and then a flinch. "Don't kill me?"

"Sylvi?" She arches a brow

and the hug is over so she can assume the proper foot tapping position

"Well....we were talking, and he was saying all this nice stuff about you, and then I said something like, yeah and you should see her play basketball. Then he was like, oh hey I know somebody who can help me get tickets. So...it really was all his idea."

"Sylviiiiii" She says "You can't be giving away my weak points. How would you like it if I told Colton that you'd go gagah over a romantic coach ride or even just taking two nice horses up a pretty trail?"

"I didn't think it was a weak point! I didn't know he was going to go get tickets. I just...It's something you're good at, and I'm impressed by it, and I want him to be impressed by it, and you, too." Apologetic look before she clicks to the rest of what Kelby said. "You wouldn't...would you?" Biting her lip.

"I ought to, you'd like it after all, but...you're right, it's not quite the same to say I'm good at something and he gets tickets for it as to just tell him flat out how to ambush you," she gives a side to side head look then, "Fine. He'll have to figure it out himself."

"He's, um, getting pretty good at figuring things out...." a blush.

"Colton? Huh" Surprised, "And I didn't think he was that clever. Nice, sure, but not that perceptive."

"Well, he's still kind of...clumsy? I mean...he brought flowers and chocolate when he came to talk. Overkill, much?"

"For a first date , yeah! Wow!" She says startled, "I mean, it's nice, really nice, but tha'ts like Valentine's day or after a certain number of dates isn't it?"

"It wasn't even a DATE! He brought them by as a thank you for the kiss. I mean...wow." She shakes her head. "I didn't know he was coming over, he just showed up, and we took the dogs for a walk. I mean, that's not a date either."

"Well, did you kiss at the end of the walk?" She says raising a skeptical brow

"Y-yesss....." Purpling.

"And you two were alone..dogs don't count, and out on a walk together?" Brow still up

"Well...there were other people around. Mortals. At the playground." She lifts her chin. "Still...not a date. A date is planned ahead of time."

"Uh huh," A smirk, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, city girl"

She folds her arms. "Well, if he ever does take me out on a date, it better be more than walking the dogs."

"It did. Chocolates and flowers," She reminds, "You're right, he's getting pretty good at figuring things out."

Fighting a smile, losing

She rolls her eyes. "Hey, if you get to go to a basketball game... When is it, by the way?"

"Monday night, it's okay, I got permission.'

"And...when he came to invite you out...what did he say??" Best-friend curiosity.

"oh" A blush "Nothing fancy. He used furk more than once...so that takes some gettin used to, but he said he would like to take me out if it were okay with my folks and me... and he asked me first. I told him I'd tell them.'

"Did...did he try to kiss you again, too?"

A blush "Nope." Then a worried look, "Should he have?"

Sylvi shrugs. "I don't think there's a should about it. I was just wondering." A smile. "You have got to text me when you get back from the game."

Another blush, less worried, "Okay. But you'll keep me posted about Colton if he takes you out?"

"Mm-hm!" A nod...but then her smile slips away. "But...he might not. I mean...right after he kissed me this time? Well, dad came home, and sent me inside so he could have a talk with him."

A wince, "Well, that's official then. He may end up earning his knighthood after all, because metaphorically, your dad is a hell of a dragon."

"I think you have to defeat the dragon to be a knight...and I don't think that's what happened. Colton left after that."

"well, " A sigh "That's...guess you can't blame him."

"Nope." She also sighs.

"Part of you hoping somehow he would ? I mean, not Slay your dad, but ...you know what I mean?"

A long pause as Sylvi watches the water flow and sparkle. "I...don't know."

((BRB))

She watches the water too, "Well, boys. i keep getting told we're in the mysterious ones, but I sure which they came with a guide book, or stats!"

"Right?" She picks up a pebble and tosses it in the stream. "I swear, Kels, sometimes I really get why Jessica went all nameless and went out on her own."