Private Finished Thanks, But No Thanks

The change in Levina's demeanour seemed sincere, and Cosette's heart went to the woman. She seemed to feel sympathetic for Cosette's situation. In a way it was a selfish reason, but a best possible one. And now Cosette felt it was even harder to turn her down.
"Thank you."
Cosette said, gentle smile on her face. She could see Levina was closing up again, and Cosette let her. It must've been hard to make herself vulnerable even just for a moment by telling Cosette the reason.

"I'm not sure if I want to receive the lessons you offered, but if you wish we could be friends? I'm certain some of your confidence is bound to rub off on me."
Cosette suggested with a chuckle, and tilted her head slightly in question.

Levina's mood and expressions seemed to change at quite the rapid pace, so much so that it unnerved Cosette slightly. But she didn't show it, that would be rude. As Cosette waited she expected Levina to refuse. Few people were so ready to accept an offer of friendship. But when Levina said yes (in a chipper tone that had yet again appeared very out of nowhere) Cosette was pleasantly surprised and she smiled happily. She decided to push aside the fact that the way Levina had said the words was bit strange.

"That's wonderful, I'm happy. I'm afraid I do not have much time at the moment to spend time with you, but would you like to walk with me part of the way?"
Cosette offered and gestured towards the direction she had been heading in, towards the residential areas and her apartment.

Cosette chuckled at Levina's words about her gracing Cosette with her presence, and Cosette bowed her head slightly with a gentle smile. She could hear that on some level Levina meant those words, but Cosette wasn't going to let it bother her.
"Thank you, I'm glad to have the company."

And with that Cosette started walking with Levina on her side. Cosette could tell that Levina was also glad, it warmed the young woman's heart.
"Well, it's slightly embarrassing, actually. I encounter situations such as that often, but normally the people are very respectful and kind once I politely deny them. But that person was, well, very tenacious. I am usually much more tactful with advances such as those but lately I have been feeling slightly under the weather."
Cosette explained and gave a small embarrassed smile. She wasn't blaming the situation upon herself, not really, she was just bit embarrassed Levina had to see her and get to know her in a situation such as that.

Ah, so Levina had experienced unwanted approaches as well. It wasn't a surprise, Levina was a very attractive woman. But her approach was clearly very different. Judging from what Cosette had witnessed, how Levina had treated the person hitting on Cosette, she could imagine what kind of approach that was. It was definitely not a wrong approach, Cosette had seen in the Strip how some people didn't respond to kindness or politeness. But Cosette didn't have the strength or the will to deny people rudely...
"That's very unfortunate. I hope you haven't gotten hurt in such approaches."
Cosette said with genuine concern. She also hoped that none of the people who had approached Levina got seriously hurt, Cosette didn't enjoy or accept violence.

"Ah, of course I don't blame myself. I refused and despite that they kept pushing, that wasn't right. But I regret letting the situation escalate to a point where I had to rely on an innocent bystander. No matter how grateful I am."
Cosette gave Levina a small apologetic yet grateful smile, and then she suddenly spotted something from the corner of her eye. It was a candy wrapper, golden and blue, and Cosette let out a small gasp. She didn't have that colour combination in her collection. So she stopped for a moment, forgetting that she had company, bent down and picked the candy wrapper up. Only after she'd dusted off some gravel from the paper did Cosette remember Levina. She turned to look at her, gave an embarrassed laugh and showed her the wrapper.
"Please forgive me, I lost myself for a moment. I saw this and thought it was quite pretty. I, um, collect shiny colourful candy wrappers. It's quite strange, I know, I have been told so before..."
Cosette gave a small, bit sad smile and she slipped the candy wrapper into her pocket.

So the people that had approached and pushed Levina did get hurt...Or at least that was what Cosette deduced from Levina's tone and expression. Cosette was quite certain that some of them had deserved it, but then there were people that were just bit too overeager, bit too tenacious, but weren't malevolent or mean-spirited. Cosette felt bad for those people. But...
"I'm glad, I would hate for my new friend to get hurt."
Cosette answered with a light chuckle and a smile.

Cosette was pleasantly surprised that Levina didn't judge her or look at her strangely when Cosette told her about her candy wrapper collection. Rather, her answer was humorous and it made Cosette giggle joyfully.
"That sounds like an excellent plan. I do hope you'll leave some of the candy for me as well, I like sweets. And I can in turn bake for you."
Cosette answered, actually meaning her words. She gladly baked for her friends and loved ones, it was one way for her to show appreciation and affection. Cosette loved to bake, and she put lots of love into her pastries.