Talking things over

John coughed uncomfortably at the look Matilda was giving the green-skinned woman - and for that matter, the calculating expression on Flyx’s face. Deciding it’d be a good idea to move the conversation on so that they could start getting to know each other better before the two women decided to either forget their inhibitions or return to their earlier glaring contest, he turned to Flyx. “Anyway… Jimmy said you had questions about the park Barrier and that he thought I could help?”

The goblin nodded, breaking the slightly bashful eye contact she’d been maintaining with Matilda. “Do you know why someone’s been cutting a load of branches and stuff? Harvesting wood in the barrier doesn’t make much sense when mundane wood’s just as useful. It’s not like you need much magical wood for potion making or anything, I would know…”

Matilda’s eyes lit up at the mention of potions. John guessed it was because brewing liquids wasn’t that far from cooking, so he opted to answer the question as quickly as possible before they got derailed into a discussion of reductions and simmering temperatures. “I think that was probably me. Remember I asked you where I could find enchanted metal? Well, I also gathered a bunch of wood. As to what it’s for, I was going to show Matilda anyway before we moved on. It’s around the back of the church, so if you’d like to come with us…?”

Flyx shrugged. “I haven’t got anything better to do. I’ve finished all my business here - and for the day for that matter… and I meant what I said earlier about not fucking you two unless I knew you better. And about being open to spending time with you to do just that.”

John was halfway to standing when Matilda smiled and spoke, his girlfriend addressing Flyx directly, “Well then, perhaps we should take the opportunity to make a proper start now, since you’re free. John is showing me around a few places as a date; why don’t you join us for a little longer than just to see what’s behind the church? At least, if John doesn’t object to you tagging along?” Two pairs of eyes turned to him, and he half stumbled before catching himself.

He’d not expected Matilda to invite the green-skinned woman to spend time with them so soon; John had been planning on showing her the shrine, and then arranging to meet up some other time. Instead… “Y…yea. Okay. Sure, just while we look at the shrine, and maybe the temple entrance?” he managed, somewhat nervously. Flyx quirked an eyebrow at him in response, before looking back at the church. “No, not the church entrance, my temple - it’s… ugh, it’s complicated,” John added, moving off towards the rear of the building before things could get any more embarrassing.

As he walked, John was trying very hard not to think about the fact that his attractive girlfriend seemed to be trying to push things forward with the shortstack that was following them. He was especially trying not to think about that in the context of how said shortstack had described herself as sex-deprived and desperate. Nope, definitely not going to think about that right now, no matter what nineteen Libido was trying to tell him would be a good idea. This wasn’t a porno, and Flyx had made her feelings quite clear, they needed to get to know one another first. Definitely.

Matilda’s hand helped ground him as she gave his arm a squeeze. As they rounded the corner to the shrine, she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry. Just because I think she’s cute and your Quest thinks she’s a candidate, it doesn’t mean we need to bang her. We’ll talk more when it’s just the two of us; for now let’s just be friendly with her and see where things go, okay?” Then the brunette kissed him on the cheek and his train of thought completely derailed.

The shrine was where he’d left it - although now it was quite obviously in regular use by the pictsies. New scaffolding led from the window down to the altartop, and what looked like offerings were scattered all over the surface. John paused, and gestured to it for Flyx’s benefit. “This is what I needed the wood for. To build a shrine to Gaia.”

Flyx frowned, puzzled by the structure. “This is really good work. I don’t know much about carpentry or building, but even I can see it’s well made. A warrior and a craftsman? How come I’ve never seen you around the non-mundane parts of town before, John? At least on a market day if nothing else?”

John blinked. “Market day?” he asked, turning to Matilda to see if she had any idea what the goblin was talking about. His girlfriend just shrugged, leaving him to hope Flyx would provide slightly more information. Thankfully, seeing his confusion, she did.

“Market day. Y’kno, whole bunch of folk come out of the woodwork and set up stalls in the Abyssal parts of town to sell knick-knacks, curios, arts and crafts and odds and ends. It’s apparently the same as a mundane market, tho I’ve never been to one of those myself. Can’t afford to keep my illusion charm topped up enough to waste it to just buy fancy cheese or whatever.” Flyx sniffed, then stared right at John. “You two really are new to either town or the Abyss if you’ve not heard of market day.”

John gave what he hoped came across as an apologetic shrug. “You got us. Very new to the Abyss. Umm… You know a lot of the Abyssal places around town?” As he spoke, Matilda shot him a glance, then smiled.

Flyx nodded. “Most of them. I don’t get to go into the fancier parts often as a goblin - some people get really snooty about how much we like sex, and then I avoid the rougher parts because some people there think all we care about is sex… oh, and I avoid the Order on principle. They don’t actively hunt non-humans, but there’s a fair few people in their ranks who are a little hazy on the distinction between ‘green skinned hottie’ and ‘red skinned monster’. I’d rather not risk colour-blindness issues that come equipped with pointy swords, thanks. Though I hear the woman that leads most of their raids is alright.”

John tapped his chin thoughtfully. “In that case… would you mind taking us on a tour sometime? Introduce us to people and places? I’d really appreciate it.”

The goblin paused, then grinned. “I bet you would. Not a bad way of us getting to know each other better after all…” Her eyes dropped meaningfully to his crotch for a second before snapping back up as she shrugged. “I’ve gotta work most of the rest of the week. Hell, I probably shouldn’t even take time off on the weekend, but if you don’t mind helping me get some more plants on Saturday, then on Sunday we could…”

Matilda cut her off before she could finish. “Plants? Count me in. Oooh, are we foraging outside the town, or are we going to visit the park Barrier? Or do you have places where you grow them, or are there, like, magical weeds that you can find in alleyways if you know what to look for, or…”

John squeezed his girlfriend's hand gently. “Matilda, honey, Flyx’s eyes are glazing over. Chill a second. We’ll help, of course, Flyx. As you can see, my girlfriend is rather… intense, about plants and especially foraging.” Then he paused. “Umm… should we schedule a time and place to meet up?”

The woman brushed a strand of red hair out of her eyes and turned to look at him, then reached into the pocket of her dungarees with a shrug. “Sure. But it’ll probably be easier if I just give you my number.”

John glanced from the woman’s face to the green hand holding a battered looking old phone. “Y…your number?” he asked, before pulling his own device from his Inventory. “Right, of course, your number. I just didn’t expect… nevermind, what is it, and I’ll message you Matilda’s as well.” He’d genuinely not considered the possibility that a goblin (rather definitely a magical creature), even a highly attractive one, might own a mobile phone.