Exton

"Ladies," Nick says, putting an arm around each shoulder, "if you're ready, I think we should get to the tavern."

K'thyri gives him an impish smile. He's tried really hard to be more accessible since they talked the last time… It actually bothered him that Ky thought he didn't like her, and we talked about it a good deal after that. I had to convince him that I wasn't jealous and wasn't going to be, not even if he and Ky ended up sharing a bed some night. Raina might have been a different story, though….

Since then he's been touching her more. Oh, there's nothing overtly sexual about it - just an occasional hug or kiss - and it seems to have helped. K'thyri seems more relaxed with Nick now, smiling and clowning around with him… flirting a bit, too. That doesn't necessarily mean anything - flirting is second nature to Ky and it's actually harder for her to refrain from it.

Raina hooks an arm through Nick's and presses close; Ky, not to be outdone, does the same and they all begin walking in lock-step. "Hey," I complain mildly, "where do I fit in here?"

Without missing a beat, all three say - almost as one - "Oh, you know where you fit!" I smile, Ky offers me her other arm and we continue to the Tavern.