#anywhere

"She -could-..... would you like to meet her?"

"Wait, ah, Adam, are you banging your chimera?"

"Yeah."

He nods.

"I.. guess" She says dubious "But she's.. well, I don't want to say not real. She is real, but she's limited in growing and being a person, you know that right?"

"She keeps telling me that. Nab? You want to come say hi?"

"Hi!" Nab comes out and grows before the girl, demon horns, tail, wearing a mini dress and a T shirt that says "Heaven for the Ambiance, Hell for the Company"

"Oh ah.. hello" the Eshu says"I... do I owe you an apology?"

"No no.. I am pure dream, and there are limits" Nab shrugs "It's true"

"Oh well, nevertheless I feel maybe a teensy bit rude"

Adam is watching avidly.

"It's really okay" Nabuni says "But... here's the thing, if I'm not a real girl, then it shouldn't matter if I use him for sex now and then right?"

"I'm ok with it." Adam volunteers.

"What are the odds of that?" The Eshu raises a brow "A guy okay with sex"

"It's amazing, huh?" Nab says "he's a giver"

Adam lowers his eyes with a modest shrug.

"I cannot ... do you introduce all the girls you know to your..ah friend?" Alanza says

"I do now." just a bit glumly.

Nabuni says "Adam just wants to be a stand up guy"

Alanza looks back and forth between Adam and the Chimera "You really do, don't you, Adam?"

He nods. He really does.

"So... anyway, Alanza, I had to say something. If you want to just be friends and work with the animals together, that's totally ok. I'd rather be friends than things get weird. I've lost a couple friends after we crossed that line and I don't want that to happen with you. If you -do- want to cross that line and you're ok with all this, even better! But either way, I understand."

"How about, we be friends and...then we see where it goes," Alanza offers with a smile "I DO like you, Adam. But ..and don't be hurt by this, I like a lot of guys. I don't know where tomorrow will be"

He nods. "That's cool. I like a lot of girls. So.... friends, and keep it casual?"

"Sure, and if you want to ask me out on a date, the worse I can say is no" She winks

A wide grin. "You want to go out sometime?"

"Where and when?" Curious "And doing what?" A chuckle

"Well, the virus is making it a drag but.... could try a picnic? I don't know, I haven't been out of here much. I don't, like, know the area well but... oh hey! I could ask my mentors."

"Somehow I don't think Sir Sergei is the sort big on dating advice"

"No, he's my boss. My mentors are Sir Magnus, Sir Bachdion, and Grand Dame Bondraste."

"Oh... well, then definitely ask" She grins "Fiona are said to be good at that"

"I will! I'll let you know, ok?"

"Okay Oh.. uh.." A look at Nab "Nab.. not to be rude, but I think our first date should be just me and Adam. Call it selfishness"

"I completely understand" Nab says "And thanks for being cool about it"

"I agree." He nods at Nab. "And thanks."

Nab gives him a kiss, then moves to give the Eshu a kiss, and stops "Too soon?"

'Bit soon" Alanza says half amused

"Your loss......" Adam smirks.

"you and zane have both gotten enough of a show from me" Alanza smirks

He looks... guilty? "Ok, so.... since I'm being like, bare-faced honest? Alanza, I wish it hadn't happened and I want Zane to erase it and I wouldn't do it again.... but I did enjoy holding you like that." Meeting her eyes

She blushes, "Sweet. I'm gonna go now. "

"I'll walk you, if you want?" He stands.

"Go find one of your mentors.." A grin "I can walk myself"

He grins bigger. "Ok. See ya at the kennels. Or aerie."

"See you" She waves and goes

Nab smiles "I Like her. She's a BIT weirded out by me, but also realizes you're being cool by confessing up front"

Adam sags, relieved. "Good. Hey. Thanks for the backup." He crosses to her and hugs her.

Nab hugs him

He holds the embrace, takes a deep breath.

She smells of perfumes, and fire