Private Finished Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

Cosette waited patiently as Garrett seemed to be in thought, she would understand if he wanted to stop teaching her now that it was apparent her situation was...complicated. So Cosette was prepared to hear the words of rejection. Naturally she was surprised, when instead Garrett said he was going to become a big red demon. Cosette looked at him with confusion but she backed up a bit, and soon Garrett did transform into his true form. He was big, really big, and Cosette had to crane her neck to the max if she wanted to see his face while standing. Cosette wasn't afraid, rather she was fascinated and curious, and it was clear to see from her expression. Cosette was smiling a little and her eyes were wide.
"Astonishing."

Cosette was thankful when Garrett crouched down, her neck had started to hurt a bit. He reached out his hand, and spoke very directly, offering to protect Cosette and keep her safe. Cosette pressed a hand against her chest, she was honoured Garrett was helping her like this, even if the cause was her aura or simple pity. Cosette looked at the hand, she was hesitant to accept the offer.
"I'm very happy for this, I truly am, but I have nothing to offer as payment. You're kind enough to teach me how to defend myself, I...I couldn't possibly accept this big of a favour without giving something back."

Cosette didn't know what to expect. She didn't know Garrett well enough to know what he might request. Cosette could imagine other people in this situation might ask for money, or favours, or perhaps even sex. But Cosette wanted to think Garrett wouldn't ask anything unreasonable, she had told him about her attackers and their motivations so perhaps he wouldn't ask for any those kinds of favours.
But for now Cosette just had to wait and see, and she did wait. Garrett came a bit closer, and his height was intimidating and Cosette pushed back the urge to take steps back.

Cosette felt nervous, what was Garrett going to suggest? His face didn't give anything away, and Cosette fidgeted a bit. But what he finally said made Cosette blink and her mouth opened slightly. Her mouth twitched and Cosette laughed and chuckled a little, mostly from surprise. She smiled happily and reached out her own hand.
"I will gladly be your friend, thank you."

For some reason Cosette had expected a handshake, so when Garrett instead lifted her up and hugged her it startled Cosette a bit. But Garrett didn't do anything else, he merely held her while he apparently put his sigil on Cosette's neck. She could feel it was in a place where it was hard to see, she appreciated that. There weren't many places in her body that weren't seen by someone daily.

Even after Garrett finished doing what Cosette assumed was placing the sigil he didn't let her go, and Cosette was aware why. Her aura must've been affecting Garrett, and when he asked Cosette to stay with him she became certain about it. It was slightly sad, like every time, to realize the kindness offered to her wasn't because of who she was. But it couldn't be helped, not as long as Cosette had her aura.

Cosette shook her head a bit, and pushed herself far away enough from Ghum to smile at him.
"Could you put me down, Garrett?"
If Garrett did set her down Cosette would back away enough, so he was outside her aura's range, and she looked up at him apologetically.
"I think it's for the best if we end this session for today. I can see my aura has affected you, I would hate to cause you do something you might regret."

Cosette could hear Garrett cursinb about auras as he shifted back, and she could relate. After all, she had lived with a fucking aura her whole life. Cosette felt bad for Garrett, she had been affected by auras and she had been deceived into feeling what she didn't really feel, and it was never a good feeling.

Cosette saw Garrett was bothered by his behaviour and actions from moments ago, it was nothing new.
"Don't worry about it, I'm quite used to it."
Cosette said and chuckled a bit, she tried to make it seem like it wasn't that big of a deal. As for the continuation for the training...
"Ah, yes, my schedule might be slightly unpredictable but I promise I will inform you when I have time for the next session. Although...
Cosette looked down a bit and then back at Garrett, who was still avoiding eye contact, most probably due to embarrassment.
"If you feel like training me feels...overwhelming you do not need to go on with it. I would understand completely."

Garrett could sympathize with Cosette. That was consoling, and made her smile slightly and nod.
"You cannot know how reassuring those words are."
Cosette said quietly, she felt a bit like crying from joy. She had gained a teacher and a friend. Cosette felt like too many good things had been happening to her lately, getting to many new friends and chances to feel like her life was normal. She was almost afraid there would be an unlucky event sooner or later if this kept going on.

Cosette jumped a bit when there was a voice in her head, and automatically she looked around a bit. But Cosette realized quickly it was because of the link and she grinned slightly back at Garrett.
"This is amazing."
Cosette thought and tried to send it back through her thoughts while looking at Garrett. She walked over to her jacket and picked it up, slipping it back on. Cosette had gotten a little chilly now that she wasn't moving around anymore.

Cosette started approaching Garrett to give him a handshake or such as a sign of gratitude, but decided against it since he had been affected by her aura earlier. So instead she smile gently and said
"Thank you for everything. I hope we'll see each other soon."
With that Cosette waved and headed off first.