It's So Complicated (Greer) - The Den

And as promised, Cass arrived just as she intended, 15 minutes after the phone call ended.

"It's Cass," came her voice, a bit softer than normal, through the door as she knocked.

Greer opened the door with a huge smile at Cass. "Thank you." stepping aside to let Cass in if she wanted while she went to get her purse.

Cass did, in fact, step inside, letting the door shut behind her with a heavy sigh as she leaned against it for a moment.

"Okay... first off... Boy do you have impeccable timing," she offered a small smile. One that suggested she was relieved more than anything else.

"Second... Things you should be aware of with Karl Friedrich. He came to the domain right after I did. He... asked Mal to represent him as his primogen and thinks himself a Toreador. But the truth is, I'm not even sure if he knows what he is. He also disappeared for a while... No note, no contact. Nothing. I thought he had moved on from the domain, honestly. But... there he was in Elysium this evening."

"I've never met him, but I'm not included in Toreador meetings anymore. They said I could be lumped in, but glad I had good timing and are you okay?" looking at her friend carefully.

"I think I am somewhere between angry and relieved? Maybe?" She shook her head. "Greer, I don't know what to do... what to say. I don't want to hurt anyone."

She held her fingers to her lips. "Karl started something... or tried to start something with me before he vanished. And now that he's back... I think he's trying to start back where he left off."

Greer looks at her, then sits down on the couch and pats the place beside her "Okay here is my question to you. Do YOU wish to pick back up where you left off or do you have enough on your dance card and need a breather?"

"Frankly... I don't need anymore complications," she looked at Greer softly. "But it's hard to say no. To break someone's heart. I'm not that kind of Toreador. I have loves, I do. But... I'm so... angry with him. Angry with him for disappearing. Angry with him for not sharing how he... knew things about me. About conversations I had had. But I truly think he cares and that he means well."

So... many... complications...

Taking Cass's hands "My dear we are manipulative creatures, IF he's toreador then he's very skilled at taking your emotions and using them against you." with a touch of worry to her voice.

"You know why I left that night with you and Alex right?" curiously asked.

She shook her head in the negative. "Because I pushed..."

"No because I felt the pause from Alex meant her truly cared for you. Then his night here when he couldn't go with you it was cemented to me that you both are more invested than I am. I like my fun without complications." with a wistful smile at her.

"But I do adore you and I am your friend. I just don't think it's wise to complicate it with sex at this time." softly said to her and squeezes Cass's hands.

"I am invested... But I still don't wish to hurt anyone. It's not about the sex for me, not really. It's a perk. But I want to be able to be close to people, Greer. I want that."

She looked at Greer's hand and squeezed back gently.

"What if telling Karl that I only wish to be his friend pushes him over an edge?" It wasn't exactly fear in her voice... It was more... uncertainty. There was a pensiveness about her.

"IF he is your friend then he should be happy you were so honest with him." she says gently to her.

"There are a lot of ifs right now, sugar. A lot of ifs."

She pulled Greer to her as she turned toward the door. "The moon is bright and beautiful. And we have a project to start."

Greer hugged her tightly and whispered "We do we do." gently cupping her face "YOU are going to have to upset someone at some point dear. And I know it is not in your nature to do so, but you need to take care of you."

"But I am so hesitant to do anything," the tone of her voice indicated that she was not lying in the slightest.

"I know I usually am as well." with a smile at her "BUT in the end if you are not happy then there is no reason to be in this existence."

"No reason..." She repeated softly. "Good thing I have a couple reasons, then..." She smiled softly.

"C'mon, Gus has been waiting to say hello to you for weeks now. I think he has a crush."

"Jim's going to pick on me and tell me it's time we just go buy that car." with a smile at her and taking her hand. "I'll text him and let's go." starting to send a quick message.

"Well, if you get a new car, you're driving next time, honey," she teased as she led the woman to her truck. Cass opened the door for her and patted Gus on the hood.

"Thank you Gus and Cass." with a grin at them both.

Once in the truck, Cass started the engine and pulled away from the house, Gus happily purring.

"Anytime, sugar. Anytime. Thank you."

"thank you for what?" curious and confused.

"For being my partner in crime in this project."

"Oh you'll hate me in the end." with a playful wink at her "Because I'll be bugging you to get me out and to the moon and sea." with another rich musical laugh. She really was in a good mood this eve.

"No, I won't hate you, Greer," she smiled softly as she drove. "I look forward to it."