Welcome to Gaia! ::

"I don't know how you put up with them," Autry said flatly, resting his chin in his palm and looking at her with wryly hooded eyes. "I don't care what Central says, I just don't see how they can make any useful contributions to our world and society. They don't have our size, they don't have our experience, and what I've seen of their magic isn't very impressive."

He could have droned on but the waiter returned with the receipt. Autry left a tip with a few too many digits. It was sure to draw attention to their charade for weeks to come and neither Autry nor Serafima would be able to come to the restaurant again for months. With a renegade flourish, he signed the words "Edward Norton." It was nothing like the real Mr. Norton's signature. Some waitress would save the carbon and later be very disappointed when her little trophy turned out to be a fraud. "But," she would insist, "it was really him! Who else would have left a tip that big but a movie star?"

Not Autry's concern. With a bit of a slimy smile he slid out of the booth and held a hand out for Serafima. "Shall we be off, Catherine?"

"Then you're a lucky one," said Autry. "My roommate's feien never figured out the latter." He probably had not intended to use the term feien, as he was rather fond of calling the fairies any number of derogatory names, but the proper word slipped out unbidden as he rather deliberately hooked his arm around Serafima's.

"Being away from the Fleet has many advantages," intoned Autry solemnly as they headed out the door an onto the busy Gaian streets. It was dark now, but the streets were well-lit and safe in this area. Autry frowned. "I'm not sure I remember the way back."

He could have used his locator. They both knew he had one to get back to the Fleet. Instead he chose to let Serafima take command. She could send him off with directions if she wanted, or take him back to her home.

Briefly, Autry smirked, but the smugness left his face almost instantly. "I'm supposed to head back, but it's an open assignment." Meaning he could stay if he chose, but if he did it was on his own liability. Since he had the credit card (which was a bit mystifying given his low rank) he could also ring up quite a hotel tab if he felt like it.

This time, the smile was genuine. "If it's no trouble," said Autry, practically purring with delight. "The barracks may be comfortable, but they just don't compare with real windows and sunlight." And a red bed, and real company in that real bed, but that was a bridge to be crossed later. For now, they were merely a pair of individuals linked arm in arm walking down a street at night.

His elbow brushed against her ribs, perilously close to something else. "I simply prefer more... engaging company," said Autry. That could have been an innocent enough statement. It wasn't.

"I definitely meant engaging," said Autry smugly. "And children shouldn't be seen or heard when engaging company is around." He looked at Sera, daring twinkle in his eye, lips quirking up at the corners, his arm snug around hers.