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Sitting on the edge of her couch, Anneliese glances back down at her phone nervously. She trusts Billie to arrive when the other woman said she would, but being the one to initiate an important relationship talk for a change still has her somewhat anxious, even after the advice she'd gotten from Chelle.
Billie is, as she said she would be, on time. Things have been a little weird for the members of the Mind's Eye Society, so a muscle-bound individual named Jane drops her off at the door. She's wearing a t-shirt and jeans when she rings the bell, and greets Anneliese with a kiss. "What's up, darlin'? You doin' okay?"
Also in a tshirt and jeans, Anneliese is dressed casually compared to her normal attire. She returns the kiss for a moment before breaking it off to answer. "Yes, um. Can we talk?" She winces slightly. "I know how that sounds, but it is nothing overly bad, I promise."
Billie's face falls - partially from worry, likely, but mostly sympathy. "Of course, Annie. You can talk to me about anything you need."
Anneliese smiles at the other woman, gesturing to the couch. "We should probably sit, first." Once they're comfortable, she chews her lip for a moment before speaking again. "So, um. About the polyamory thing. I do not wish to stop, but... I am getting somewhat jealous of Devan. Can you reassure me?"
Billie takes a spot on the couch - within touching distance from Anneliese - and she draws her legs up onto the couch so she can sit sideways, mermaid-style, with her legs underneath her butt. "Oh, I'm sorry Annie," Billie reaches for her hand, intertwining her fingers with Anneliese's if she takes her hand. "How can I best reassure you? What do you need from me?"
Taking Billie's hand, Anneliese lets out a long sigh. "I... I am not sure how to answer, apologies. It has been a long time since I was in a relationship, and... and this is the first one for me where my partner had other partners."
"You don't have to apologize about that, Annie; if I'd known I'd have talked through things further with you before I'd roped you into a polyamorous relationship." Billie frowns in thought. "Would it help you if I told you what helps me when I get jealous of my partners' other partners?"
"Do not beat yourself up about it, sweetheart. I could have mentioned it earlier, so neither of us are blameless on that front." Anneliese smiles softly at the other woman, leaning in to give Billie a quick kiss on the cheek before continuing. "That does sound like it could be helpful, yes."
When Anneliese pulls back from the little cheek kiss, Billie catches her with a soft hand on her cheek, and pulls her back into a kiss. She rests her forehead against Anneliese's when the kiss ends, smiling at her partner. "Well, I know I've been at this for a while, so I find it helpful hearing about things like, what my partner sees in their partner - or when they do things they enjoy with that partner. It's nice to hear when they're happy - and that makes me happy, and then the jealousy feels worth it."
"...That makes a great deal of sense." Anneliese nods slowly. "So, um. What is it you do see in Devan?" She's careful not to make it sound like an accusation, even if she doesn't get the appeal of dating men personally.
"Well," Billie adopts a fond smile. "Honestly, I don't know why he projects that stuffy front to everyone - maybe because he's... old fashioned - but he's very charming and sweet. I like the way he wraps his arms around me - it makes me feel small - and I like having someone that knows... what I'm going through." Beat. "He's like you in that regard - we can talk to one another about transition-related stuff that I wouldn't be able to talk to him about in the same way. Having that ability to... commiserate is extremely valuable."
"Not my fault you are taller than me." Anneliese pretends to sulk, but smiles at the comment about different sets of shared experiences being something that helps. She doesn't question the obvious change of mind that lead to Billie calling Devan "old fashioned", instead making a mental note to look into what could be behind that. "I take it he has similar abilities to you, then?"
"Similar, yeah!" Billie shakes her head excitedly. "I didn't realize how many different kinds of abilities there were - and he's not the only person I've met who has them." She leans into Annie, giving her a little blep with her tongue first. "I wouldn't hold that against you, sugar, I know it's not your fault you're a shortie." Beat. "Hey, how come you never, like, ever questioned any of this stuff? Have you had supernatural experiences before me?"
"Yeah, yeah, how is the weather up there, miss two-inches-taller?" Anneliese mocks, before stilling as the question about prior supernatural experiences plays itself over again in her head. "I... do not wish to talk about it. Please."
Billie's hand drops to Anneliese's thigh. She rubs it gently, attempting to console her girlfriend after the sudden change in tone. "... that's okay, darlin'. You don't ever have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about. I can change the subject, but before I do I just wanted to thank you for not... thinking I was bugnuts, or whatever."
"Thank you. And you are welcome, truly." She leans in to kiss Billie once more, letting it last a while before she breaks away to continue. "What have you been up to since we last saw each other, anyway?"
"I'm not sure I can really talk about it, because it relates to... some other people's stuff that isn't really mine to share. Is it okay if I make sure it's okay to talk about before I elaborate?" Billie pauses. "Unless you mean, like, with my other relationship, in which case I can absolutely talk about that if it would help."
"Of course. It is hardly fair to ask you to share others' secrets while wishing to keep mine private." Anneliese nods. "I had not been particularly clear even in my own head, but if you are willing to talk about what you enjoy doing with Devan I shall not say no."
"Honestly, he's like you. Pretty disinterested in popular culture - or if not disinterested, at least unaware of it." She playfully runs her hand down Annie's thigh, and taps her fingertips on her girlfriend's knee. "So we've also been watching Star Trek - though you and I were watching Voyager, and I'm having him watch Next Generation because I think he'd like the captain." She sticks out her tongue. "If you'd like, I can also talk about the sex, but I won't if you're not there yet."
"Behave," Anneliese scolds, even though she's smiling. "That is the one with the guy who pauses oddly as captain, yes?" She's probably teasing. "I do like the cyborg woman, though. Six of Eight, I think her name is?"
Billie looks like she might pop for a minute, but she does realize that she's being teased before she starts to make a bunch of corrections. She settles for sticking out her tongue. "You're such a gremlin, I can't believe you would play on my ravenous desire to talk about Star Trek like this."
She moves a little bit closer, wearing a devilish grin - giving Anneliese a playful little push. "Don't make me tackle you, 'cause I'll do it."
"I like hearing you talk about things you enjoy, sue me." Anneliese grins up at Billie, pulling her in for another kiss. "Though I believe I told you to behave? Do I need to teach you a lesson?"
"If you think you fuckin' can," her eyes twinkle with mischief. She does a little wiggle. "I've been told I've got a pretty hard head..."
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