#anywhere

And....after...

a stroke along her thigh "Nice"

She smiles and strokes one of his horns. "Likewise. Very."

His golden hued horn makes a good handle when needed "You cold?"

"Well, still pretty warmed up," she points out. "But yeah, we should probably be getting back."

A pause. "We're good, right? I mean...this is what it is, right? Not a big...thing?"

"Oh I got leg hair to help me, but the locals frown when I let it all hang out" Then as he hands her some of her clothes closer to him, he says "Man, this is weird. A troll is warning a satyr not to read too deep into this? Sylvi, you make me challenge some of MY preconcieved notions about kith, and I respect that. " Basil tells her, "I am not going to lie to you and say 'this is true love' we both know that's not how it works . I'm also not going to treat you like a number on a scoreboard. That's not how it is. we're two consenting adults who decided to consent. I like you, I think you're smart and kind as well as sexy. I wanted you. I know you're hot. I think you wanted me too, or at least, wanted what I could give in the moment, but you've never treated me as just 'some satyr dude'. So... no, not a big thing, a natural thing, a wonderful moment, but it's a moment."

Then he adds, "If you ever talk about this, I would prefer if you told other girls it was a long lasting moment, but that's probably no surprise "

She reclaims her clothes, but listens to him seriously before giving attention to getting dressed again. "I guess I'm not the troll's troll. But that's not exactly news." She slips her blouse back on. "It was a wonderful moment, and yes, your reputation is only going to get a positive boost if I mention this to anybody. And...I like you, too. You're cool as well as very hot, and..." she hunts for the right word "...and I think you get me the way I need to be 'gotten' right now, if that makes sense? So..." brushing leaves out of her hair with her fingers "...yeah...a really, really good moment." Even in the dim light he can see her smile, a genuine one.

"I'm glad" He plucks a leaf out of her hair "You mind if I make some observations, as a friend? Not about the sex, that was great and I got no complaints." Even as he starts to get dressed

"Wow, for a moment there I thought you were going to give me a score out of 10. But...sure?"

She's mostly dressed, but still making sure there aren't any tell-tale leaves anywhere.

A grin at that score comment, "Fun as that might be, no. " Then more seriously "You had a lot of tension. A lot of stress bundled up I think. Now I'm not saying that's the only reason we did this was because of that, but ... I think you needed SOME way to share it, or escape it, at least now and then. If I helped, I'm glad, though obviously it was not alturistic on my part. "

A sigh. "Yeah, well..." She thinks for a moment. "About this? I think it was sort of a...a barrier? Like, y'know, first time after..." she trails off. "So, I kind of feel like I need to apologize for using you to get through that, but that's not exactly it. It wasn't just that." A frustrated gesture. "I'm not saying anything right. I guess...I need to get back in the game, y'know?" A smirk in her tone. "How Sylvi got her groove back?"

"I would pay to watch that movie" He says after a bit, then puts a hand on her shoulder, mostly dressed himself, "And you're saying things fine. You don't owe me a damned thing, let alone an apology. You never lied to me. You didn't promise me anything. And if I get the pleasure of your embrace again, major happy. If I don't, then I had a great time with a great lady that I will always smile to think of. So, if you're asking 'we cool' let me assure you 'we cool'"

He can feel a bit more tension leave her shoulders with that. "I am definitely not saying no. Sometime. And thanks, Basil. You're amazing." She leans in to claim one more kiss, one that's more enjoyment than energetic. When they part, she says, "I'm not planning on mentioning this to Piper, but if she finds out...is that okay?"

He savors the kiss, then "Oh sure, she might tease me a bit, related and all, but she's cool. And seems to me you're closed off enough"

A blink. "Closed off?" She considers it. "I guess. Wow, I don't like that." She starts moving back up the path they arrived on.

"I mean, you've gone to college it seems you're closed from social exchange" He rises and joins her "But you aren't talking about friends there? You sure aren't talking to your folks about your worries that I see. And I get that. Awkward right? But you need to talk to some folks about things, or even about unimortant things. Socializing with folks you can open up to for some is like balefire. Need a shot now and then"

She thinks about this for a few paces. "It's really different from being the high school cheerleader, you're right. And...I live with Dagmar and Symon there. Neither one of them really wants to hear about my relationship issues, I think." She falls silent again.

"Or maybe you don't want to burden em with it, and don't know if they do or not? "

"Well, yeah, there's that. That's on me." A pause. "There are a couple of guys that...I think they might be interested. And I've certainly been thinking about a few people I already know." A glance to him. "Case in point."

"I'm not just talking about sex, but then maybe you're not either so, we move on. You need friends, girl. And it's not like you have a max cap on them" a smile as they move on down the path

"Yeah. But friends take time. I've got classes, and friends here, and the freehold. Nothing's getting a fair shake as it is. Add more friends to the mix, and how can I give anybody or anything the attention they deserve?" Ah, troll duty.

"mmm you know, no shame in asking them to meet you half way right? We'll hook Etsy up with a zoom or something so you can talk hold stuff anytime if you want. You know Piper is down" He says with a smile "Girl, Zane knows you better than me, and he is always going on about how you can do anything once you got your mind set on it. You know what? I think he's right. Just don't be too proud to reach out. "

And that's when they see they're returning to the crowd, in fact, there are some of her friends. Lucia and others. He says "Speak of the cure, said the doctor."

She listens to the suggestions, and nods, biting her lip a little. "I guess I have kind of been trying to do it all." Then she spots the others and... "Well, you're not wrong. Hey, thanks again. For the advice, I mean."

"Thankyou, for the 'other' stuff. I better go before we get caught on Boggan dar" And with a wink he retreats

And Sylvi? She has friends who missed her, and she missed them

(End Scene)