#fenixtj

Nancy seeks out her liege, the satyress looks troubled and a bit guilty

Jess looks up from her usual spot at the Balefire. "Hi, Nancy."

"Hey.." Hooves against hooves "I wanted to..apologize"

"For what?"

"When you first came out of your..coma. I ... was a bit snappish with you because you ... seemed so quick to dismiss Duff. And I knew.. know things about him that... well... it doesn't matter who did what, you don't owe any guy attention. He remembered that. I didn't. I'm sorry."

She sighs. "I think I can guess about that." She pauses. "You two make a good couple. I wish you all the best."

She blinks "Sorry? What?" confusion "Jessica? I've never slept with let alone DATED Duff?"

"Nancy, I understand. A month is a long time of uncertainty, and it had been even longer than that since..... I don't blame you. Either of you."

"Wait.. hold up. You 'understand' 'what' exactly?"

"How it happened. The two of you." She turns back to the 'Fire.

"How what happened?" Nancy says

"Well, what ever brought you two together. You're right, the details are none of my business. Nevermind."

Nancy's fingers curl into fists "WE ARE NOT TOGETHER!"

Jessica.... coughs.

"Ok, ok... sorry."

"WHy would think, after I JUST SAID>.." Fuming... "You just called me a Liar, and him a cheat!"

"He wouldn't be cheating." Quietly, turning to look at her. "I'm sorry if I took it too far, Nancy." Sincerely. "You're a good friend. I'm sorry."

"No no, sorry isn't going to cut it... okay, fine he wouldn't be cheating because you never said anything, but it's news to him. News flash, you're the only woman he has sex with. Newsflash, you're the only woman he DATES. The guy is in love with you. Okay? Now if you're not in love with him, that's fine.. sad for him but it is what it is, right? But if your'e actually IN love with him and this is so me sort of weird 'but I don't deserve love' thing you've got going we need to talk about it because everyone does"

A long pause. She looks back at the 'Fire. "Duff and I have discussed it. At length. Repeatedly. We are clear."

"Yeah. Let me guess. he says he cares about you maybe he even admits he loves you. And you tell him you don't know how you feel. How's that clear? Seems to me a lack of knowing how you feel is the opposite of clear. And just now you seemed almost EAGER to create some tryst between he and I. are you that desperate for an out?"

"If I was, I would break up with him. For what it's worth, I think you -could- be good together. I have told him how I feel. And shown him."

"well, how DO you feel about him? Because I'm not sure how you show utter confusion?"

"Sorry, Nancy, that's between Duff and I. Troll. Private."

"Yeah... private... but I'm a satyress so naturally I'm stealing guys from my friends" a hoof stamp, "We're a 'good couple' except he doesn't want me. Wow I don't even. Jessica, don't you WANT to find the right guy?"

A sigh. "I was teasing, Nancy. Badly, evidently."

"You're avoiding questions" she points out

"A little busy for husband-hunting."

"Well, with your life, if you insist on waiting for the 'perfect time' it's never going to come. And I don't just mean husband, I mean love

"

"Maybe." She answer, one hand moving to dangle inside the hearthstones.

"That's not a 'accept you will be lonely' speech, numbskull, it's an 'don't wait for the perfect time when you find the right guy or gal'"

"Maybe what makes the perfect time is when you find the perfect one?"

"Sounds like you don't think Duff is?" she looks more sympathetic

"That's between me and Duff." Gently.

"Maybe, but ... if you don't love him, and don't think you ever will then... maybe you do need to let him go. Either way I won't be after him. And if you do think he's the one, you need to... no, you know what, you need a friend ,not a lecture meant to be advice. But I hope you can talk to someone about this, Jessica. "

She nods. "I'm not leading him on or holding him."

"Nevertheless, he's trapped betwixt"

"He told you that?"

A sigh "Sorry sorry... look.. I will TRY to stay out of your business but.. I care"

"No... more of a hunch. Only way HE talks about you is I get him drunk"

A snort/chuckle.

"He wrote a poem about you though..not half bad"

A soft groan.

"Yeah" A grin

"Thanks." Glumly.

"Don't worry, I was drunk too so I don't remember much beyond it wasn't half bad"

A sigh.

The satyress pats her on the shoulder, "I hope your political news is better?"

"It's... also complicated. I can't really discuss it, we aren't quiet set yet."

"Ok. I've pried too much as it is... but your eiluned friend is about to explode" A wink "Mitra can't help herself." And off she goes