#anywhere

"It isn't that I -want- you both to be lovers, as much as.... it would bother me less, I think.:

"Less? " A stop, "August... is this about..Coradel's other lover or lovers? Are you ..using me to run interference?"

"No! No, not at all." He frowns. "I've answered honestly. She has lovers. I am... coming to terms with that. This is about the three of us."

"Oh okay," Relief, "So... this is actually a sign of trust?" A smile, "I think I'm flattered. "

He nods. "It is. It...... is." The pause being a realization on his part too, perhaps.

"you are such a damn sweet guy. " Impressed, "if she knew half of.. one day you need to tell her I think. "

"I asked Coradel once if you had any brothers back in old Arcadia so I could chase one all for myself. She didn't think so."

He shakes his head sheepishly. "It's not.... not a big deal." Then he chuckles. "I don't think so either."

"Huh, Look, back to the mutli choice A B or C? Which one is catching your fancy the most?"

He shifts uneasily, and takes a moment to both calm, and think.

"Honestly? C. Coradel would be disappointed in A, and B doesnt feel right to me. You deserve more than that. I just have no idea how or -when- it would happen."

"Wow, a mistress , mmm...could be fun for dress up. Don't worry, August. If she's on board, she does control my schedule. She's the boss after all."

"I do still have mentoring lessons." Wry.

"Yes, i suppose, but you might feel weird with Bachdion being there like an olympic judge"

her turn to blush

August blanches at the thought.

"I..... no."

"Did.... did you guys.... Coradel and you.... plan? What happened?"

"August, you think we conspired against you?" Brow rising

"I think it was pretty well coordinated." Calmly. "And in retrospect, I think some of the things you have said and done could be construed as, ah, flirting"

Hand to chest "August? Are you telling me that women can be devious and utterly without shame about that quality?"

"Absolutely....wait, what quality?"

"Deviousness"

She dimples

A gentle smile. "Oh, no, I think women can excell at it. Did you? Set me up?" He doesn't-sound- angry.

"I flirted August, that's not a set up, that's flirting." She rolls her eyes and touches his chest, "You re not getting off the hook, not completely. You're a big boy and you knew, and know what you like. Any more details about if there was or wasn't a set up, you'll have to ask Coradel." A smile, "Or seduce it out of me."

He blinks quickly as the conversation veers widely off the rails. "I, ah, I did. Ask her."

"And yes." Softly but not without intensity. "I knew, and I chose."

She lowers her lashes, "See, that you chose I.. I like that." A pause, and look to the door, "August? Would you like to stay a bit longer?"

He thinks about that. Really thinks. Slowly he reaches out to take her fingers with his. "Yes." Softly.

"If... if we're going to... if you are willing to be my mistress, we.... yes."

"Yes, August unless Coradel objects, I'd be very happy to be your mistress" And she kisses him

He kisses her back, like the first time, tentative, careful, sweet. "She has consented. But if you wish to wait, and ask her yourself, I understand."

"No, I can think of a lot of guys who would lie to me to get in my pants, August Truthbranch, but you? No... not your style." And she dims the lights

(End Scene)

______________________

Tromp tromp tromp, through the woods, after school.

Oddly, Frank happens to be nearish the point at which the road home from school intersects with the forest.

He nods. "Dagmar. Welcome."

"Oh, Frank! Hey!"

The Mountain regards her, judging mood and state.

Decent mood, actually - while not 'bubbly' or likely to be, she's fairly unguarded. "Why are you out here?"

Amused, "It's part of my job."

"Lurking in the woods? I figured you were just... I dunno - weather, right? We got to go outside for gym."

Frank chuckles. "Lurking? No." He dusts his hands off from the trail-rail he was working with. "Trolls tend to outdoor occupations. Less worry about size, that way."

"Oh, yeah! Can see that."

"Especially if I keep getting taller. Already too tall, y'know?"

Frank chuckles again and stands to his full 9-foot height. "You'll get taller." He promises.

"Yeah!" She stands up straighter, chest puffed out. She's maybe 6'5, 6'6 in her mein. "Hard for anybody to look badass when they're tiny."

Frank shakes his head. "Met a redcap yet?"