hell_in_highheels | [oom: Dinner with captainryan]

He's not that fond of most sweets, honestly. It takes him a moment to find something that won't overwhelm him with sugar. Thankfully the menu, which is rather thick, has divided things up and all he has to do is find the appropriate page number.

"Just a scoop of mint vanilla," he decides. His flavour of choice may have ulterior motives.

Not like that. It'll drown out his sense of smell for a bit.

Right. A moment of awkward silence, then. And then she's looking at him again, watching him for an idea of where they stand.

She knows enough not to offer false platitudes, and decides to let him make the next move.

He takes a sip of his Everclear. Strong stuff, that Everclear.

"I'm sorry," he says after a moment, meeting her eyes. "I'm afraid I've killed the mood."

He didn't mean to.

However, he's acknowledging that there was a mood to kill.

"Must be the predator in me." It's a poor joke, but he's trying.

She smirks at him, relieved at the joke. "No, not at all. It's more likely my foot and mouth disease."

She takes a sip of her port and licks her lips. "We have plenty of time, don't we? I mean, we don't have to learn everything there is to know all in one night."

Ryan snorts despite himself.

"No, of course not," he agrees. He doubts she wants to know everything about him, anyway.

"I'm certain there's plenty about Milliways you haven't discovered yet, either."

April first isn't that far off, after all.

"April Fools, then?" She laughs. "Milliways seems to me one of those places that I'll never fully understand. I'm content to let it reveal its mysteries at it's own pace."

"I was going to present that option," Ryan says mildly. "I've known scientists before. I know how you lot are."

He's rather amused.

"Oh you do, do you?" She leans back as the rat serves their desserts. "Well, then. I guess I'll just have to get creative."

She waggles her eyebrows at him.

He's flirting again, isn't he. He should stop that.

"Live and learn," Ryan agrees with a smile.

She slits her eyes at him, playful again. "One would have to be rather crafty to get one passed your defenses, I think."

"I'd like to believe I'm rather alert, yes," he says a shade loftily as he takes another drink and picks up his spoon.

He eyes her mock warily. "Though I rather imagine you might be able to come up with something that would surprise me."

She takes a bite of the chocolate, humming around the spoon as she savours it. She can't help but ponder all the possible ways she could surprise him. She licks her lower lip and swirls her spoon through the chocolate.

"Oh I might do. But I guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"

Ryan laughs softly.

"Fair enough. I'll have to see if I can return the favour." It's hard not to be witty back. He takes some pride in his retorts and she's been matching him so well.

He takes a spoonful of ice cream, the mint suddenly overwhelming his nose and blocking out all those little signals she's been sending by obliterating her scent.

Funny thing is that he can still smell it in his brain, like a song that's gotten stuck in your head. Only much less annoying.

And he still has eyes.

"I think I'd rather enjoy that. After all, turn about is fair play."

Another bite and the last of her gelato is gone.

"Good. No whining at me later, then."

He takes a larger spoonful of his ice cream. He's still got at least two more to go, but he's trying to hurry.

Idly, he wonders if he can get brainfreeze.

"Oh no, not at all. It only wastes valuable time better spent plotting my revenge."

She's watching him scarf the last of his ice cream with increasing curiosity. Is he anxious to get going? Are they still going for a walk in the Cloud Forest?

A thousand questions are racing in her mind.

He just doesn't want to keep her waiting!

Which proves to be his downfall as the ice cream headache hits.

Ow.

She covers her mouth with a hand, determined not to giggle. She can't help the grin.

There is a bit of sympathy in her grin, but she's still grinning.

"Also? Dinner is entirely on my tab, already paid for, don't even bother trying to change my mind. I can be terribly stubborn about these things, and since I did invite you, I'm afraid I must insist."

Ryan forces one eye open at her.

"I thought we agreed on half?"

Owwww. Damn, is she going to start springing things on him already?

She sighs and looks at him, still smiling. Another few moments and the headache should pass. She waits until it does to continue.

"Yes, well. I'm tricksy that way. You'll have to do better next time, won't you?"

He kinda wishes he hadn't asked for mint, now. He's curious what she smells like when she's smug.

"Such as pay ahead of time. I'll make a note of it." He can't decide if he should be irritated or impressed.

He'll settle on bemused for now.

"Still up for that walk?"

She's offering to let him back out.

He hesitates a moment before he says, "The jungle sounds like the perfect way to warm up after that freeze."

She didn't realise she'd been holding her breath when he answers.

"Come along then, Doctor Livingston, and let's see if we can't do something about that."

She pushes back her chair and stands, considering offering her hand. No, once rejected is enough she thinks. She'll stand on this small victory.

She waits for him to rise before heading toward her door. The view on the other side is a wood panelled hallway, with marble floors and light coming from somewhere far above. Sunlight.

"My office is just this way. I still have the portal mounted from when I first discovered the place."

Ryan shivers as he steps through the door like all of his hair just stood on end only he knows it hasn't moved. Scents are...muted? He's not certain, but he knows it's not the same as the bar. Or any other world for that matter. It's the first time he's stepped through a Door and not felt a shift in the moon. What's always been the most noticeable change before is now conspicuous just by its absence.

Welcome to being digital, Ryan.

He meant to leave a note, he remembers belatedly, in case he's gone longer than he expected. But who is there to look for him anymore?

"Lead the way, River," Ryan says finally once he's adjusted.

[oom: Dinner with captainryan]

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