Coming out of a shell (Maya POV)

Maya relaxes on the couch, trying to decide what to do today. With Josh off with Kali, and Elys saying something about talking to Sadie, her options are limited. Josh did say he wanted them to break out of their cliques, which made sense. They are a family, not some silly club.

She is only a little surprised when someone sits down beside her. Lynn looks up at Maya a bit nervously.

“Don’t look so scared, Lynn! You know I’m happy to hang out with you. What’s up?”

Lynn blushes, but replies. “Well, I wanted to talk to you, Maya. You seem like you’re always having a good time, like you’re never bored. I was hoping you could help me find a new hobby.”

Maya smiles, “Of course! What sort of things do you like to do in your free time?”

“W-well that’s just it. Before Josh saved me, I never really had free time...and now I either follow him around, or hang out with Anna. She’s lovely, and I love learning to cook, but housekeeping is so boring!”

Maya laughs. This poor girl, she’s never had a chance to be herself! She seemed so happy, but this must be what Josh meant, getting them to interact more. Maya made a decision to make sure that Lynn learned to be happy even when Josh wasn’t there.

“Ok then, let’s start with one of my favorites! Do you spend much time outside?”

Lynn shakes her head. “It’s scary and big out there!”

“Well, this time you have big scary Maya with you. The back yard borders on a small forest. Let’s go, I want you to experience a little natural beauty!”

With that, Maya bounced up off the couch. Lyn followed, though with less enthusiasm. As they walked outside, Lynn spoke up.

“A-actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Maya. Hopefully it’s not too personal.”

Maya looked down at the little goblin curiously. “Go ahead! I’m happy to share pretty much anything. Us girls need to stick together, after all!”

Lynn blushes again. “It’s about you and Elys, actually. What is going on between you two? I know how devoted to Josh you are, but you also act like you and Elys are a couple.”

Maya chuckled, nodding. She could see how that would seem weird, especially to the sheltered goblin. “Well, both can be true! I have a lot of love to give, and Elys, well...you know she mostly prefers girls, right? She loves Josh, but she’s way more into me than him.”

Surprise lights up Lynn’s features. “I didn’t realize that, actually...and Josh doesn’t mind?”

“Not at all! Sometimes he joins us, but mostly he just wants us to be happy. And we are!”

Lynn nods, looking around as they enter the woods. A thought occurs to Maya.

“Lynn, have you ever been with a woman?”

Lynn shakes her head. “The only person I’ve ever been with is Josh...”

“Are you interested in trying it? It’s ok if you’re not, not everyone swings that way.”

Blushing more, Lynn says quietly, “Well...I’ve thought about it. Especially if it’s someone as pretty as you, Maya...”

Maya smiles. “Lynn, come to bed with Elys and I tonight, we can give you a very nice experience, and if you’re not into it, you can stop any time. Sound good?”

Lynn nods, her face betraying her excitement. Maya chuckles, this girl needs more life experiences! Noticing that Lynn has gone quiet, she looks at the little goblin.

Lynn is looking around in wonder, the sounds of the forest filling the air. Squirrels frolic in the branches, birds sing, and Lynn’s eyes go wide as a pair of deer walk by not ten feet away. Maya smiles as Lynn gasps, watching the girl stare open mouthed.

“I told you it was beautiful, Lynn...”

Lynn just nods, slipping her hand into Maya’s.