#goldfinchfreehold

Back from a day in school and practice comes the holder of goldfinch

the bird in the glass titters musically as Sylvi approaches, as if something is funny

"What's so funny?" she says up at the stained glass, grinning. At least I know things are okay in here, if she's amused. He? Well...whatever.

She goes inside, dropping her backpack and duffel bag on a bench near the door.

She steps inside and there's Colton, holding a single rose "Pardon me, would you happen to know if the sexiest smartest most wonderful she troll in the world is available for a visit?"

She stops in her tracks and stares for a moment, then beams. "Why, yes, he seems to be standing directly in front of me!" She takes the rose, then throws her arms around his neck. "Hi!"

He laughs and embraces her in return, nose to nose

"Mmm." She claims a kiss, a lingering one.

And it lingers nicely

When they part, she sighs a bit, then says, "What's the occassion?"

"Free time" He says "Yes, I had heard of this, never expected it to happen to me" Colton tries to smile, but he does look a touch confused "Anyway, I ... well, I promised to not be a stranger. Visited the lodge to drop something off for my Chief...HEY, did you know knives as gifts means you're severing a relationship?"

"Unless you pay for them!" she counters with the old superstition smoothly. Apparently she's familiar. "Always put a coin in with the gift of a knife, so the recipient can pay you back the coin."

"Who's getting a knife gift?"

"Rivervale" He says "But it was paid for . Your mom knew the rules. Also, I think she loves the knives" Proud "oh, I do have tto go to dinner there later tonight"

"At the Lodge? Have to?" She looks amused. "Somebody twist your arm?"

"I seem to have a hard time saying no to Davidson women, in different ways, of course" He nuzzles her

"Mm, glad I don't have a sister, then," she murmurs in his ear.

A soft chuckle "is there any safe response to this?"

"I think 'Me, too' is your safest bet." A grin and another kiss, then she lets him go. "So, okay, dinner at the Lodge. We've got some time before then..." A glance at her backpack, and a quick brow furrow, but then she looks at him again. "What should we do with this strange 'time off' you have?"

"Me too" he says after the kiss as if in daze then smiles "Wow... not sure. How much homework do you have?"

A little wince. "Um." She seems to make a quick review of possible responses, then opts for honesty: "Not tons...but not none, either. I'm kind of behind. But, uh, I can prioritize, get the more urgent stuff done...." an apologetic tone.

"How about," he says "You find a comfy spot, and I become your throw pillow while you work on your homework"

A hopeful expression. "You won't be bored?"

"I stand watch, side by side, with some pretty smelly , even ugly guys, for hours at a time. You have no idea what a step being near you while you do homework will be" he kisses her gently

He can feel a bit of tension melt away from her in that kiss. "Okay," she says when they part. "I like this plan. Plus, I picked up some Dr. Pepper on the way here. I love that vending machine, and the beet-root soda was okayyyy...but I wanted something a little more predictable." She fishes out a couple of cans of soda. "Guess the Dreaming was telling me to get the second one," she says with a shrug as she offers it to him.

"The Dreaming knows its stuff" then he blinks "Beet Soda?"

She nods ruefully. "Makes your lips this deep purple, too. Here, I know a good spot."

And in a few minutes they're set up in a cozy corner on a few throw pillows, and Sylvi's digging through her books to get started.

He , true to his word, lets himself be positioned so when she settles in, she can lean against him anyway she wants. He'll behave himselff, mostly, just enjoying contact, but once every 30 minutes he might give a light caress or teasing poke. then shrug in stoic troll innocence

It might take her a while to get focused, what with the proximity of sexy troll guy and all...but eventually she does start making some progress, and might even lose herself in the work...until a little poke reminds her to take a quick break for a kiss and a cuddle and a promise of "I don't have too much left...." before she settles in to work again.

As a system, it's do-able.

And even enjoyable. He wasn't kidding, she smells so much better than Private Paul

(Fade to homework snugle system)