<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/9/90/5b1d4ed286785ba61ab308b2fba83963.jpg)</div><strong>Briar Rose</strong>(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hg-CqLqGg4uAa-cEN-zWKVpQgNaDv5Kw4c8vsjo_4MY/edit)<br/><br/>Briar smiled brightly at Scandal's expression of confidence.  The young redhead new intellectually that she was years ahead of her age in the fields of botany and horticulture, but she also knew she was 22 years old, with “volunteer work” that sometimes interfered with her studies.  Being given serious scientist credit by a good friend made her very proud.  Rose gave Scandal a kiss, quick but with a lot of feeling.  “That's for believing in me,” she explained.<br/><br/>Noting Nanako's high cut top, Briar's cheeks heated.  This blend of exhibitionism and intimacy, here at an event celebrating creative and spiritual freedom was...  Well, intoxicating.  She would have found it the same a year ago, though her blushes would have had a different character.<br/><br/>She giggled a little at Nanako.  “One of my brothers went through a phase where he emulated some anime character who kept notes on the measurements and other interesting facts about the girls at school.  I don't know how he did it, every time I managed to check his facts he had accurate records of both the girl's dress size and IQ!”<br/><br/>She gave Nanako a quick kiss—not as intense as the brief bus over Scanadal's lips but sincere had happy.  “You, my sweet friend, have a<em>very sexy</em>I.Q.”<br/><br/>She slipped the sample case into her purse.  “I honestly think the hermetic seal we want in this case is an unopened soda can, but let's be prepared.<br/><br/>Briar blinked when Angela showed up.  “Oh hai!” she sing songed.  “Weren't you doing outreach this weekend?”<br/><br/>She hopped up on a post and looked the way the girls had come.  “Seriously?  Isn't that Father Bill?  Why do I think<em>he of all people</em>didn't go with Bishop Krause's idea about offering an icon painting class?”<br/><br/>In spite of her exasperation, the redhead caught the eye of a few people from church and gave a wave.<br/><br/>A few minutes later she snorted at the cosplay cultists, then burst out laughing.  She looked up at the whimsical but sincere pop culture tribute to  Jim Henson soon to become a burnt offering to the Muses.  “I don't get it?  Seriously!  How can people look at this place—these hearts and minds liberated and inspired by play and love—and<em>not</em>see the Holy Spirit's work?”<br/><br/>She giggled at Angela's idea.  “go for it, girls.  I never did get up the guts to volunteer as a Life Drawing model my junior year.  I think it's time to give it a try.”<br/><br/>Lizzy quickly gave the girls she hadn't favored with one yet a peck on the lips, then started towards the deadlocked girl doing body paint.  She turned to walk backwards for a few paces.  “Anyone want to join me?”