[closed] i'm terrible at titles don't look at me

[fledges]

Who: Kate and various
Where: Old Town, probably!
When: End of week 4 through chapter 3-ish
Summary: This is just a catch all log for February. Feel free to hit me up if you want to do something!
Restrictions/Warnings: We'll... see lmfao

Comments

[fledges]

I'm glad you're so easily impressed.

[He really is a sap, not that she didn't already suspect it. She just figured being drunk might dial that up a bit, but apparently not.]

Lead the way, Romeo.

[graftage]

[Steinbeck lets out a cheerful hum as he pulls her along. He honestly is terrible at caring for people - he probably can only count the amount of people he genuinely likes on two hands - but when he does care, he'll go as hard as he can. Kate is special to him, and he wants to make her feel special, too.]

We're almost there. [He says, leading her through the streets before he points it out - it's easily seen, just this little nook of a place with flowers blooming out of pots in the windows.] See? You can practically spot it a mile away.

[fledges]

[More flowers. She should have expected it, really. The whole place feels very "Steinbeck".]

How did you know about this place? I had no idea it was even here.

[graftage]

I hear about places from the people I chat with. You just have to know where to look.

[His tone lilts upward on the last word, and they both approach. It's a quaint little place, to be sure.]

You want to sit outside, or inside?

[fledges]

Outside.

[Duh. She gives his hand a tug, eyebrows raised as she guides him to a table.]

So, are you going to tell me about your mysterious promotion or what?

[graftage]

[He moves instantly to pull out the chair for her first - he's been brought up to have manners - and waits until she sits before he sits across from her. He reaches over to grab her hands, a faint blush on his face as he speaks.]

Well...I'm going to be a leader. Of a cell. For, well, a certain group. [You never know who is listening so he's trying to be vague, here.] They're giving me responsibility for an operation. It's really exciting.

[fledges]

[It's sweet. Surprisingly sweet, actually, because while she should have expected it from Steinbeck, she doesn't think anyone has pulled a chair out for her since she left Leith. She's smiling when he takes her hands, lacing her fingers through his.]

An operation?

[She keeps her voice low and soft, leaning forward so that only he could reasonably hear her.]

What kind of operation?

[graftage]

We're going to try to find out who let that sickness out. It was made by human hands, you know. We're going to get to the bottom of it.

[She's real close - he pauses for a moment, eyes flitting down, before he continues.]

I'm glad we'll be able to do something to make sure that whole thing never happens again.

[fledges]

Oh.

[There's no denying the importance of that. Kate can't imagine how much work that will be, but if anyone can do it, she thinks John can.]

Good. I'm proud of you, John.

[And then, her voice teasing:]

Does this mean I have to call you "boss"?

[graftage]

What? N-no! [His cheeks instantly flush and he squeezes her hands unconsciously. "Boss". By the Mother Tree, she was going to be the death of him.]

Seriously, just call me anything but that. It feels weird.

[fledges]

[Kate bursts out laughing.]

Anything? That's a pretty broad category. Do you always blush this much, or is it just with me?

[graftage]

I don't really know. [Which is true, it's not like he keeps track, or anything.]

You just have a gift at teasing me the right way, I guess.

[fledges]

That's because you make it too easy.

[She nudges his leg under the table with her foot gently.]

And you have the best reactions, too.

[graftage]

Aw, come on, I'm not that easy...

[He nudges her back with his foot, playfully, just as the waiter comes over to give them their menus. Steinbeck thanks them and turns back to Kate, gesturing to the menu.]

Get anything you want. It's my treat.

[fledges]

Aren't you sweet?

[Poor, poor Steinbeck. Hopefully he wasn't expecting a romantic date devoid of teasing.]

How long are you going to be gone?

[graftage]

I don't know. Definitely will be around a few days.

[He laughs.]

Don't worry, I'll stay in touch. Keep you updated, and all that.

[fledges]

I can't believe you asked me out right before you're supposed to leave. Is this an "absence makes the heart grow fonder" approach?

[graftage]

Aw, no, it's just...

[It's a dangerous mission. He might get hurt, or worse, killed. He doesn't think it's going to be bad, but either way, he wanted to do it before then.]

I don't know. It just seemed right at the time. Either way, I'll make it up to you, I will!