We grow old because we stop playing

[Basil Benson]

Basil did what a Basil did best to get out of the situation that was obviously awkward.

Avoided it.

" So when are you and Katerina blowing this popsicle stand to build a lovenest?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez rolled her eyes. "We've done, like, half a dozen dates. And most of those wouldn't even really be called dates by most people. It's a little early to be talking about moving in together. Besides, wherever she goes, Nika goes."

[Basil Benson]

"So make her sleep on the couch like a good pet." He joked.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"I think she's gonna insist on a three-mattress bunk bed, with her in the middle." Jez quipped in response.

[Basil Benson]

"Well that doesn't stop deliberate sexting. Or filth talk.

I don't feel like she's thinking this out."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Oh it's not her I'm worried about hearing us." Jez responded, not denying any of Basil's claims. "It's her family... and such. Thank God I'm not going back to Genosha for the summer. I doubt we'd be able to hear each other over the static of so many lines tapped into ours.

"As for closer matters... well if Nika decides to stand between us, I guess she'll get what's coming to her."

[Basil Benson]

"I suppose she will. The more important question is do I get to watch?" Basil asked, bobbing his eyebrows.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Now you know I can only grant you permission for one of the three involved... ask me later after I've had a chance to ask them."

[Basil Benson]

"I thought you were going to lay the smackdown.

Though I suppose consensual beatings are a thing. "

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Oh, oh no, I wasn't implying violence. Hence the permission."

[Basil Benson]

Lost in whatever implication Jez was trying to pass along, Basil instead suggested-

"Well if you get that resolved at some point, perhaps we can go on a double date after the summer once everything's settled down. It'd be nice for Colette to make some friends who aren't Chisaki."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"That'd be great, actually. Katarina is very interested in experiencing... well, normal stuff. So it shouldn't be too hard to come up with things to do that'll keep us all entertained. I'm trying to track down a proper arcade that isn't part of a children's activity center and let me tell you, it's not easy."

[Basil Benson]

"The one that comes to mind is the Namco Funscape near Big Ben, but if we didn't make it a day event it'd definitely be a stay over." Basil offered up helpfully.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Now that'd be a logistical nightmare. Can you imagine how many tails we'd have as soon as we set foot in the train station?"

[Basil Benson]

"Half the fun is shaking them." Basil replied as if he'd had experience in this field.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Oh my God I'm gonna be thrown in jail again. Let's do it."

[Basil Benson]

"I fail to see how you can be thrown in jail for avoiding people who are probably illegally stalking you but I am more than happy to help you 'fuck with authority', as it were.

I'd be inclined to do it before graduation, if you were also so inclined."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"After exams. I can't use being imprisoned as an excuse for rescheduling again."

[Basil Benson]

"Then it's a deal.

Pass your exams and I will take you and your would be lover to London for video games and an attempt at ducking out on all her stalkers."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Sounds like a deal! Well I have to run it by her first, I don't want out outing to be a kidnapping attempt. But if she's game, we'll totally do it."

[Basil Benson]

"Maybe faked kidnapping attempts is what she's into." He joked. "OHH NOOOO, don't put the blindfold on me... teehee!" Basil continued on, mostly to see if he could get a ride out of Jez.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez looked like she was going to say something and then stopped. She picked up her tablet and began typing on the screen before several risque rope patterns come up.

"Hmm, I was never in the Scouts, but maybe...."

[Basil Benson]

"You should probabbbbllyyy ask her before you start practicing your knotwork." Basil replied, smirking. "Getting too worked up only leads to disappointment later."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"It's never a bad idea to learn new skills. Even if I can't use them now, I might be able to use them later."

[Basil Benson]

"That's not the kind of skill you can learn merely by watching YouTube videos."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jezabelle looked at Basil and was silent for a moment, giving him a blink.

"... I can literally practice on myself."

[Basil Benson]

Basil grinned and snorted, dissolving into giggles.

"Good luck then.

Just a tip: Give yourself enough leeway to text when you get stuck like that."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez grinned, her attempt at being serious having gotten the desired result.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure I have a spotter with a pair of scissors on standby."

[Basil Benson]

"Well now that's just cheating." Basil replied when he realized what she was implying.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"What's the point of having cool super powers if I don't get to abuse 'em?"

[Basil Benson]

"Alllriiigghht finnne. Maybe I'm just a little jealous because mine sucks so much." He admittedly playfully.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez reached out and gave Basil's hand a little pat. "No, it doesn't. You're incredible Basil, and no one gets to tell you otherwise. Not even you."

[Basil Benson]

Jez could practically hear a pin drop even in this loud of an establishment while Basil simply took down another mouthful of beer and looked away from what she was researching.

"Polypropylene if you're not into the cutting feeling." He replied, completely ignoring the compliment.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez smiled a bit wider. "It's true what they say; when you've got questions, you go talk to the librarian."

[Basil Benson]

"Mmmhmm" Basil replied skeptically. "Please don't tell all your friends."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Of course not. Some topics are best kept just between friends. I've got enough drama in my life, I don't need to stir up more with idle gossip."

[Basil Benson]

"Oh? What sort of drama?"