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Anneliese's apartment is on the small side - not surprising, considering she lives alone on a bartender's wages, but still nice enough. Of course, having gotten assistance from the Steward of the Midwinter Hearth in finding a place helps with that. She keeps it fairly tidy, too - almost, but not quite minimalist. There's a few pieces of wall art, but nothing too unusual, for a Spring - landscapes, mostly.
Wren arrives without fanfare- there's a quiet knock on the door, and outside, once opened, there's the pintsized Winter. She's dressed pretty conservative tonight, just jeans, tee, jacket. Dark, rounded ears poke through her hair, and shadows seem to cast a blotch dark spot over one eye, like a panda. She lifts a hand to wave in greeting. "Hey. I, um. Got your message? Can I come in?"
"Of course." Anneliese is dressed pretty casually - black jeans, green tshirt saying "I Support Women and Cis Women", frog slippers. "Can I get you... Okay, I clearly say that way too much. Want a Coke or something?"
Wren resists the urge to laugh, and smiles, humor sparkling in those big does' eyes. "No, I'm okay, but I appreciate it." She steps inside and shuts the door behind. "Love the shirt, bee tee dub. Where should I sit?"
"Wherever is fine." She gestures to the small lounge area. "There are not exactly a lot of options, I admit." Only three, actually - a two-seater couch and a couple of chairs. Once Wren's made her choice Anneliese takes one of the chairs.
Wren fits herself into one of the chairs, unsurprisingly, as unfailingly aware of courtesy as she typically comes off. "Did you have to work today? Have a decent day off?" Small talk, meant to express willingness to relate on a personal level.
"No, actually. Not that that means I have the day off." She smiles gently. "Medical school does not allow for much downtime, strangely enough." A shrug. "What about you?"
"Pretty quiet, honestly. I sort of waft around between jobs. High-activity during research and engagement, then... well, I don't really do much of the between-jobs footwork. The life of a consultant," Wren explains. "I'm glad you had something important to work towards if you didn't get time to relax, at least!"
"It is hard, but rewarding. I am sure much the same could be said for your work." Anneliese takes a sip from the water glass she'd left on the coffee table while letting Wren in. "So... I had an interesting conversation with Charlie yesterday."
"Mooooooore or less, yeah," Wren affirms, nodding. The nod pauses for a moment at the segue, and she blinks, head tilting birdishly. "You did? What about? Is she okay?"
"A few different topics. She is a sweet girl, if very nervous." Anneliese smiles slightly at the display of concern., before sighing. "I do wish I could find whoever taught her to be afraid of being gay and give them a lesson in why that was a bad idea, though."
Wren winces. "... yeah. It's painful. It's religious. She thinks she's a sinner. I don't think she's so much afraid of it as guilty. She doesn't pretend she isn't, but she views it like she's indulging in some awful thing. We've talked some- I tried to remind her how the guy her religion is named after totally nixed all that when he came and did his thing- but it's... deep. Family probably religious, or she was when she was young, before she started liking girls."
A frown. "Yes, I have noticed how some Christians pick and choose which laws they claim still apply. You never see any of them trying to keep kosher, though." She sighs again. "But I did not ask you here to complain about them."
"No, you don't, and it's freaking absurd," mutters Wren. She's very logical and that mess just pisses her right the fuck off. For more reasons than she admits. "Oh! Well, no. I imagine not. Sorry. What did you want to talk about?"
Another sip, while she gathers her thoughts. "Mostly to try and get to know you in a less public setting, but also to see what ideas you had for bringing her round to accepting that she can be gay and a good person."
Ah! That makes sense enough to Wren- that much shows- and she nods. "Okay. Well, I'm happy to help you get to know me, but as for helping Charlie... well, I asked her out. Or- I think technically she asked me out, and I said yes." She grimaces a touch and lets out a minute sigh. "Sort of."
"The sushi not-date, I assume? She was not entirely clear on what went on there." Anneliese watches Wren for how she reacts to her knowing about that.
"Oh- no, not that." She shakes her head. "That was all still in friend territory. She asked me at the end what we were, just friends or whatnot, and I didn't realize she was trying to ask me out. So I told her that so far, we'd only done friend things. I thought I was being reassuring, but she bolted. I didn't realize 'til then what she was trying to ask. So I texted her and said I was just answering her question, not saying there couldn't be more or that I didn't like that idea."
"Ah, I see." A slow nod. "Would it surprise you that she seems to think you believe that she is too good for you?"
Wren blinks, then twists her expression up a touch. "Surprised..? Not... exactly. It's not what I was trying to say, but I can see how she got there." Wren chews at the inside of her lip a moment, then offers, "What I told her was that relationships take a lot of honesty, and I don't really date because I don't think it's fair to have someone in a situation where they're expected to be honest, when there's some pretty significant ways I can't offer the same. I wasn't saying she's too good for me, I just- wanted her to understand she deserved someone who could be completely honest with her."
"That makes sense. I assume that the secrets you are obliged to keep are not simply about who we are? You do not need to go into any detail, of course." Anneliese pauses to take another sip of her water. "Would putting explicit boundaries on what she is expected to share with you help in that regard?"
"Correct," Wren confirms. "And- I don't think so. Like... I don't expect her to be divulging like the minutiae of her daily schedule or spending or anything. I don't need extra access to her life, I just- wanted her to have the right expectations of what a relationship should look like. I don't just want her okay with being gay, I want her to know what a healthy relationship should look like. And keeping secrets from each other isn't really part of that.
"Sometimes keeping those secrets is our only option, though." Anneliese counters. "It is best to be as honest as possible, yes, but that does not mean revealing things one is obliged to keep secret, whether those be about our existence or simply related to a professional career." Of course the medical student is aware of the need to maintain confidentiality on some things, even with somebody you're dating.
"Yeah, but my secrets aren't related to our community's security, or my job, or anything like that. If it was professional courtesy or something, that'd be different." Wren murmurs. "My secrets are-" She pauses, trying to find the line where she needs to stop talking. "... my secrets are about me and where I'm from and who I used to be. They're the sort of thing that really shouldn't be under lock and key with a life partner."
A nod. "Have you considered talking about them with somebody obliged to keep your secrets?" She holds up a hand to prevent Wren interrupting. "I do not mean myself, obviously, but I have found talking to a therapist helpful, even if I cannot tell her the full truth either."
Wren just shakes her head. "It wouldn't help. I wasn't like an awful person or something, I'm not like- guiltridden over who I used to be. I just... there's lines nobody gets to cross, and I'm entitled to that, but it's not fair to tell my partner "oh hey, I want to know everything about you, but fuck you if you're expecting the same treatment, you just get to know this carefully sculpted bit of me."
"Fair enough, then." Anneliese considers for a moment, chewing her lip in thought. "Do you think making it clear to Charlie that that is the issue would help? She did say something about it, but I was not sure how to interpret it, let alone what her understanding of the reason is."
"It might. We were going to talk about it once we got the chance. I think she just felt a little overwhelmed and wanted some perspective, and you're one of the few people in the community- both of them- that she knows. You're friendly, and clearly good at giving advice. I'm glad she talked to you."
"Thank you." Anneliese smiles softly, before sighing. "I am not sure how much help I truly was to her. I do try to give good advice, but I can only speak from what I have experienced, and, well. Counselling is not part of my degree, there is only so much time I can devote to learning what to say to people in need."
"I think you did all that anyone can be expected to do for someone in need," Wren tries to reassure. "You listened, you offered your thoughts, you even put your own time and energy into looking into things to make sure she's going to be alright. You don't have to be able to do everything- it's just important that you did what you could."
"I know, I know, I just..." Anneliese sighs. "Everyone needs to be reminded that mending the world does not require sacrificing oneself sometimes, I suppose. There is only so much one person can do, no matter how dedicated."
"You're not wrong. And I don't plan to sacrifice myself, if it helps. I just- don't want her tied up. So I told her to keep her eyes open, you know? I told her I'd be happy to be with her, but I didn't want her to miss up on a better relationship on my account."
"That does clarify some of the things she said, actually." A slow nod. "Maybe we should try and set her up on ...what is it called, OkTinder?" Anneliese spent four centuries away, she can't be expected to get everything right instantly. "She is cute enough, but, well. I do not think someone who is still in the process of even coming to terms with being gay should try dating someone in a poly relationship to begin."
"Is that what you're in?" Wren asks curiously. "And you might be right. I dunno. I don't usually date, so this is all a little outside my experience, but..." She shrugs her shoulders awkwardly. "I think she's nice. And I want to help her be happy."
"Yes. Billie is amazing." She smiles wistfully. "And I am not saying that simply because I am biased, either." A pause, as she takes an actual mouthful of water this time. "Though I do not have much experience with dating in today's world, either. Things changed a lot while I was Away."
"Well, at least you got to date Before. Aside from stuff for work, that sushi stop was about as close to a date as I've had." Wren gets a little smile on her face. "What's Billie like?"
"Oh, well..." Anneliese goes on a long - and very gay - spiel about how adorable Billie is, before coughing. "Not that you came here to hear me ramble about her." She glances down, then back up at Wren. "Do you mind if I ask where you lived Before?"
She listens intently through the whole spiel, smiling throughout, nodding and taking it all in. "She sounds wonderful, really!" That question, though, leaves Wren wincing. "I- do, I'm sorry. Thank you for asking, but I... don't want to talk about or think about Before."
Anneliese winces slightly in turn. "No apology needed. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. You do not need to tell me anything you do not want to." She hesitates, chewing on her lip for a moment. "What have you and Mearcstapa been up to since I saw you last?"
"Not much lately. And don't sweat it, I don't mind the asking, I was just- I don't like having to enforce those boundaries. I didn't like telling you no, asking the question was fine."
A slow nod, before she changes the topic, letting the question about where Wren grew up drop entirely. "How have you been finding the change in Seasons?"
Wren sticks her tongue out, making a goofy face. "It's warmer. Humid. No matter if I have fur, feathers, it gets gross and clammy." She shivers. "What about you? Nice to have yours back on top?"
"I mean, yes, but." Anneliese shrugs. "I only pledged to Spring two weeks before the Equinox, so I barely had time to settle in to a different Season ruling before the change. Ask me again next year and I might have a more informed appraisal to give you."
Wren smiles. "That's fair! I forget sometimes that you're super new too. Sorry, Annie." She falls quiet for a few moments. Then- "... do you... think she'll be okay with me? Charlie? At least for a little?"
"No problem." She smiles at the other woman gently. "I cannot say for certain, but I do think it is at least worth the try. Just please, do not hesitate to ask if you need advice with anything?"
"I-" Wren pauses, and smiles softly. "I would... really appreciate that. I have ideas for what I'm doing but... I don't want to hurt her. I want her to be happy."
Anneliese nods. "Well, keep that in mind and I am sure you will do well enough." She takes a sip of her water before continuing. "Do you want to bounce some of them off me, or would you prefer to let them percolate in your head further first?"
"More of the percolating, I think," Wren admits. "I haven't seen her since we texted so... I'm not even completely sure she'll have the same opinions when I see her next. I don't want to get my hopes up."
"Good luck, then. I hope the pair of you find happiness." Anneliese looks as if she really wants to add something else, but knows she shouldn't.
Despite herself, Wren can't help the urge to tip her head curiously, prompting Anneliese to offer what she's thinking- if she's willing.
"Just... do not be too pessimistic, that is all I will say." She hesitates for a moment, rubbing her chin in thought. "Before I forget, do you wish me to stop flirting, if you are pursuing Charlie?"
Wren shakes her head. "No, she deserves all the love and attention people can spare her. If she wants to go out with you, that is something she can do. I dont need her all to myself."
"True, but you misunderstand. Do you wish me to stop flirting with you, I meant."
Blink. "Oh! Oh. That- would be a better question for her, I think? I don't mind being flirted with whatsoever, but I haven't talked to her about what she wants and needs yet." She lifts a hand and chews on one of her claws for a moment. "Which... hrn. I need to figure out how to ask her without letting her say its fine just because she thinks that's the answer I want. But I'll ask her, and let you know? I think maybe hold off for now until we can hammer that out?"
A nod. "That seems like a wise plan." She smiles at Wren. "I will admit, having both flirted with the same woman at the same time made that conversation rather short for Billie and I, but do not take us as a model. No two relationships are the same, after all."
Wren blinks, then laughs. "Yeah, that fixes it! But yeah, no worries. I'll take things slow. I don't want to take anything for granted." Wren wriggles off her seat and stands up, walking over and offering her hand to Annie. "I appreciate you reaching out to check in and see what's going on. If you want to hang out again, just let me know, okay?"
"Of course." She stands to shake Wren's hand. "And, well, you have my number now, so feel free to contact me if you need advice and want privacy around it, or just want to hang out outside a public setting? I know the bar is not always the best place for conversations like this."
"I will. Thank you. I don't know how frequently I'll divebomb your couch and slather you with my insecurities, but I'll try to at least reach out so we stay in touch? And I'll make sure to let you know what Charlie says, okay?`
"You would not be the first person to do that, do not worry." She smiles gently at the other woman. "I will see you around, no doubt."
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