"Life is pain, highness."

[Basil Benson]

Basil had shot Jezabelle a short text that read 'When you've the time, could you come and meet me at work? There is something I'd like to show you'.

He'd yet to see her, but this time of the year tended to be busy for college students so he wasn't concerned enough to hunt her down just yet.

Being the only one on shift at the moment meant he was looming around the front desk, waiting for visitors.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez eventually made her way into the school library. Like a lot of students she preferred to access her references online from the comfort of her room but it wasn't an unfamiliar place to her. She was dressed much as she normally was; hoodie, messy pigtail, the works - though she did have some bags under her eyes. Midterms. She approached the front desk, keeping her voice low because library.

"Hey Basil. What's up?"

[Basil Benson]

The figure of Basil was dressed in monochrome, hunched over a desk. He was finishing up with a student.

To Jezabelle he wasn't just a figure, but a flesh and blood person, who also looked badly in need of sleep.

"Ah! Afternoon Jezabelle." He replied as the student wandered off, smiling warmly at her.

"I'll need you to come with me, if you have a moment. "

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Geeze, you look like you could use a 2-day nap." It's not normally a nice thing to tell someone that they look like shit, but among university students it wasn't uncommon. It was kind of their way of expressing solidarity as they were all in this together, also seen among soldiers who shared a trench together. To Jezabelle it wasn't too unusual that she was able to see Basil in this state, but then again she just assumed he was getting that much better at mastering his powers.

"Sure, I've got some time."

[Basil Benson]

What Basil wanted to say was 'Being buried in Madame for two days does sound amazing, but it's not really an option right now.'

but his actual response was just an awkward laugh as he stood up and lead Jezabelle away from ear shot of others, pulling out his cell phone.

"I found something that might help you with some... personal issues. And since you're trying to help us with ours I thought turnabout was fair play."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jezabelle followed Basil, but hearing his reasoning made her slightly apprehensive.

"Um, what kinda personal issues do you mean?"

[Basil Benson]

"Personal enough to take you elsewhere but not so personal they shouldn't be discussed in public.

I heard about Katarina and thought I could offer some insight."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Well right about now I can take all of the help I can get. I really didn't think I said anything too offensive."

[Basil Benson]

Basil smiled sheepishly, and his eyes darted back to his phone.

"During conversations between she and I, she seemed strangely concerned with appearing normal. More so than myself, in that sort of trying too hard way? Specifically, she seemed concerned about people asking her 'too many questions'.

I let it go because it wasn't much of a concern for me personally. Perhaps she had a bad childhood or something. But whatever it was she was trying to hide didn't seem to matter in the grand scheme of things.

I was archiving documents when I found a print version of this..." Basil brought up the digital version of a news article from the society pages of The Maldon Standard.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez furrowed her brow a bit as Basil showed her the story, not understanding where he was going with this until she saw the picture and the description below it.

"No way..."

[Basil Benson]

"Before the date on the article, she had told Chisaki she needed new clothes to meet people. I thought perhaps she meant you and she was just being avoidant of Chisaki because frankly, who wouldn't." He seemed dismissive of Chisaki as an idea, let alone a person, but his focus shifted back to Katarina quickly.

"But you aren't people strictly speaking. What if it was for this?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"I guess that'd make sense." Jezabelle pondered.

"I kinda wanna ask why she would want to keep all of these a secret, but I think I kinda understand how she feels."

[Basil Benson]

Basil shrugged.

"I couldn't say. The only thing I could come up with is perhaps she's been sworn to secrecy by her parents or something. Perhaps they're concerned about what would happen if too many people knew she was here, doing God knows what.

But I'm probably projecting." He added.

"Please don't tell anyone I told you. Madame doesn't even know about this. I'm only telling you now because it feels like you need to know." Basil hesitated, his fingers doing that clavicle dance they did when he was thinking, or holding something in. His expression was awkward and uncomfortable. He was clearly uncertain of what he was about to say, but it didn't prevent him from saying it.

"I... Don't like to be thought of as a gossip, but I didn't feel right keeping this to myself if it could help in someway." He replied, clearly embarrassed with himself.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Well there's probably a dozen possible reasons, though why she'd be laying low here but appearing in public there is a peculiarity. I guess she has to make SOME public appearances or else someone'll start asking questions." Jez mused softly.

"I don't think it's gossip if it's published in a newspaper. Unless it's the Daily Mail or the Sun. But you don't seem like the kinda guy who'd read either of those." The girl smiled softly and reached up to give Basil's shoulder a pat. "You did good, Mister Benson. Thanks. Your secret is safe with me."

[Basil Benson]

Basil forced a smile back, but he still seemed like he felt guilty.

"I should get back to work." He replied. "No rest for the wicked. "

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"For now, maybe. I don't know about you but as soon as my reports are done I'm going to try and sleep for two days straight."

[Basil Benson]

"Unfortunately, once I'm done with the last of it for my Bachelor's, it will be right into home purchasing and moving out of my dorm. I won't really get a chance to settle until May."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Buying a home?" Jez's eyebrows were raised. "Wow, you've got everything sorted out already. I guess no more sleepovers huh?"

[Basil Benson]

Basil tried his best to hide a smirk at the mention of sleepovers, and failed. His face went a little flush and he cleared his throat.

"I wouldn't know. That's for Madame to decide, not myself.

And your lady as well of course. Would she want you sleeping over?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez shrugged her shoulders. "It's a bit early to be calling her 'my lady' yet... I'm not even really sure if what we've been doing has been dates or not."

[Basil Benson]

Basil closed an eye to peer at her skeptically, an amused, closed mouth grin playing on his lips as he thought about how he wanted to respond. Once he had it he spoke up.

"I'm starting to think all of you mutant girls are commitment phobic. "

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Hey, I'm just not ready to jump to conclusions. We haven't even held hands or anything yet."

[Basil Benson]

Basil's amusement didn't subside.

"And yet you're trying to worm your way in between two warm bodies for nap time, neither of which have ever gone on any sort of outing with you."

As he spoke, Basil wagged his finger at her in a playfully chastising manner.

He reached out and tapped her on the nose with it, adding -

"Naughty girl, Jezabelle."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez opened her mouth to speak, and then something happened that few people ever got to see. Sure she blushed on occasion, but after Basil striking so swiftly, and the boop to her nose, she was full on flustered. She pushed her face into the neck of her hoodie and closed her eyes tight.

"Oh my gaaaaaawd." The worst thing was she KNEW how she was acting, which made it all the worse. She was acting like she was in high school again and couldn't make herself stop.

[Basil Benson]

Basil arched his brows in unison, an expression of sympathy painting itself on his face.

"...Figure out your situation with Katarina." Basil replied. His tone wasnt admonishing, more like he was giving her advice.

"You may not think she is being obvious enough with her intentions but she may be throwing up every signal flag there is by Symkarian terms. And she's a person too, which means she's owed the same respect anyone is in regards to her feelings and knowing where she stands with you.

If there's nothing, or you decide you're not interested after all.... We'll have a larger bed in May."

Basil made to leave, presuming the turtled Jez had nothing further to say.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez stayed in her hoodie for a bit. She'd been flustered because Basil had got her good, but had gotten more flustered at getting flustered; a snowballing of awkwardness. She was a bit miffed at herself for getting that way, and a bit at Basil for being so right with his advice. She'd thank him later... if it worked.