Welcome to Gaia! ::

Again, the younger woman surprised Rhona. This time, however, it was not from her reaction to Rhona's affections, but by instigating the affections herself. After a moment of shock, however, Rhona folded the other girl into a tight hug, smiling into her shoulder so brightly she was worried her face might crack in two.

She had hoped to make progress with Kibirev at the very least. This was so much better than progress.

And she was coming closer. Rhona would have cried if she wasn't so worried about having to answer uncomfortable questions. So instead she forced that energy into the embrace and folded Kelly closer as the other woman snuggled in.

"Of course it's okay," Rhona murmured into Kelly's hair. "It's more than okay, Kelly, I'd love that. And we can start getting you more comfortable in the kitchen, how about? Some cooking lessons to blow away this new friend of yours? Can I ask their name?"

"Levi," Rhona all but gasped. For a moment, she stood shocked at the name and then sputtered, "Levi? Levi Burningham?" Her laughter after he exclamation shook them both and rang to the rafters of the market. Some turned to see them, others ignored the owner's sudden outburst. When she was able to catch her breath again, she giggled, "I think your new best friend might be my girlfriend's brother."

Wasn't that something. Maybe there was some kind of cord tying them all together... or maybe this was just an amazing coincidence. SHe'd muse on it later. right now, Kelly was pushing away and Rhona could only smile at how far she had come. The girl had fought so hard. Suffered so much. She deserved this. Kelly deserved lots of nice things, Rhona decided.

"As for the cooking lessons," she grinned brightly, "I'd be glad. We'll start with something easy, that can't watch you cook it, hmm?" Rhona could already think of several easy dinner recipes that she could give Kelly off the bat. Thin cuts of meat cooked in a pan with a light sauce, roasted veggies, risotto. Things that looked fancier than they really were.

"No need to pay me back, love. But I wouldn't sneeze at a cute dress."

"Girl's day sounds amazing! You may have to fight Lavender for that, though. She loves to try out make up looks on me and I'm not sure -- " The kiss cut her off, shocking her into silence for just an instant before the warm grin from before returned to her face.

"Don't worry, I have that effect on women," Rhona chuckled, winking lightly at the younger girl. A flirtation only to anyone who didn't know Rhona. She squeezed Kelly's hand briefly before she promised, "I'll be with you every step of the way."

She then swept an arm out to the store, explaining that food service stalls like the coffee and ice cream stalls required payment there, but everywhere else could be checked out at the main cash wrap up front.